DEATH BE NOT PROUD, The Secret of the Journal, Book 2, by C.F. Dunn

 

I read Mortal Fire by C.F. Dunn and enjoyed it except for the cliffhanger ending. I like novels that conclude with all questions answered, tidied up, and that leave me satisfied. This book isn’t exactly like that.

When offered an opportunity by Kregel Publications to receive a complimentary copy of Death Be Not Proud by C.F. Dunn in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at the chance. I expected to find answers to the questions left unsettled in Mortal Fire.

 

In Death Be Not Proud, historical researcher Emma D’Eresby is recovering in England from the almost fatal attack she experienced in Mortal Fire. She’s still in love with Dr. Matthew Lynes, who frightened her away with questions like: Why is he super strong? Why do his wounds heal so quickly, and just how old is he? She begins to search out information about him by investigating his ancestors, and Emma isn’t prepared for what she finds.

 

Again, C.F. Dunn’s writing brings you right into the story and captures your imagination. I enjoyed every page…right up to another abrupt ending. Matthew and Emma are reunited, sort of, but their future is left uncertain.  

I suppose Ms. Dunn intends to write a third novel and allow Emma to possibly integrate into Dr. Lynes’s family. Some of the mysteries surrounding him are yet to be revealed, and at the very end Emma witnesses something odd as she’s about to enter Matthew’s home. One more cliffhanger.

If you don’t mind leaving a book with more questions than it answers, then you will enjoy this one. I suppose I’ll gravitate to her third novel in the hope that all will eventually be revealed.  — Gail Lewis

Product Details
Series: The Secret of the Journal (Book 2)
Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Lion Fiction (July 1, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1782640347

ISBN-13: 978-1782640349

 

OLD BEFORE MY TIME WITH PROGERIA, by Hayley and Kerry Okines with Alison Stokes

 

I forget where I saw this book advertised, but bought it for my Kindle. I’m glad I did. It is one of those books that keeps you engrossed.

 

Old Before My Time is a fascinating account of this family’s challenges and joys. Alternating chapters are from the perspective of Hayley Okines’ mother and then from Hayley’s point of view. It is very well done.

 

As a writer myself, I want to send out kudos to Alison Stokes for assembling their story in an entertaining and enlightening way. The events are the Okines’, but the skilled writing of Ms. Stokes makes the book definitely readable.

 

I highly recommend this tale of a little girl’s journey through a devastating illness by putting a positive spin on it. Currently 13 years of age, she lost her best friend when Hayley was only 8 and her friend only 11. As devastating as aging eight times faster than normal is, Progeria has opened doors for Hayley and her family that are shut for most of us. Follow her fascinating trips to meet famous people and the overwhelming medical procedures she endures to find a cure for this painful illness.

 

An annual event for Progeria children and their families provides them all with encouragement and helps promote research for a cure. May it advance quickly. — Gail Lewis

 

Here are  links to Hayley Okines’ pages:

Hayley Okines Website

 To Buy From Amazon.com

Product Details

 

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Accent Press Ltd (March 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1908192550
ISBN-13: 978-1908192554

THE BARE NAKED TRUTH by Bekah Hamrick Martin

  



Enter Today - 6/1 - 6/20!    

SUMMIT BOOK REVIEW:  The Bare Naked Truth is about sex, but not what the title might evoke. Written primarily for teen girls, this non-fiction book is filled with first person stories, humorous quizzes and questions with blank lines that invite the reader to pen personal insights. It assumes most young women who read it are already Christian and promotes abstinence in factual, thought provoking ways.

As a grandmother with five granddaughters, the oldest 15, I was intrigued to learn what approach this author would employ.

She uses numerous first person stories that are sometimes humorous, and often touching.

Here is possibly my favorite quote from the book, from a chapter that spotlights Allison. "I wish I had waited. I thought it would be cool to lose my virginity because everyone around me had. Now I realize the girls who are holding on are not prudes or weird, but are special and strong. It takes courage and guts to save yourself--and guys admire that about a girl."

Teens who do not attend a church and don't think about Christian values may be turned off by this openly Christian book. However, if they read it with an open mind, they'll learn and can benefit greatly from it. I recommend it and am grateful to Zonderman and LitFuse for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. -- Gail Lewis

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Product Details
Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310734029

ISBN-13: 978-0310734024

 

HOME TONIGHT by HENRI NOUWEN

Have you ever wished you could take a class or workshop with one of the great spiritual teachers and then lamented that they have all passed on?

Never mind that Henri Nouwen died in 1996. Thanks to the hard work of a small group of Nouwen enthusiasts, it’s now possible to participate in one of his retreats. His conferences and workshops were never professionally recorded during his lifetime, but a dedicated group has drawn together the contents of a three-day workshop Nouwen gave at a L’Arche community.

Home Tonight focuses on a topic close to Nouwen’s heart, the parable of the Prodigal Son. The chapters of this book proceed as expected. They open with an examination of a particular facet of the parable. From there you’re led to prayerful review, journaling, communing and, finally an assigned spiritual practice. Approach this intentionally. Clear your weekend schedule, gather your materials, and be prepared for an immersion in the wisdom of Henri Nouwen. It's a wonderful opportunity that you won’t regret it. — E G Lewis

Product Details

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Image
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0385524445

Available at Amazon, CLICK HERE.

THE DOG THAT TALKED TO GOD & THE CAT THAT GOD SENT by Jim Kraus

Here are a pair of books from Abingdon Press Author Jim Kraus. Summit Book Reviews gets many offers from publishers in exchange for honest reviews and passes on most of them. These titles intrigued me and I was curious. How can you write about a talking dog or cat and make it work? Believe it or not, it does!  

THE DOG THAT TALKED TO GOD

The cover says you will be charmed by this story and I was. I didn’t want to put it down. If you think a dog talking to God and to his mistress is silly, then you don’t have to believe that he did. It’s possible that all the brief conversations took place in the heroine’s mind. Or not.

Jim Kraus creates an emotionally charged story of Mary Knopf, a woman who has lost both her husband and her only child in an auto accident. Angry over the pain she’s had to endure, she refuses to speak to God any longer. Years later she acquires a miniature schnauzer that helps her back onto her path toward God.

Will she ever love again, or strike out on her own away from the sorrow and grief she’s suffered? After some futile attempts, it appears so. This is a heartwarming story of endeavoring to carry on in spite of adversity. If you love dogs, you’ll adore this pooch and will enjoy the human insights Mr. Kraus provides through Rufus.

THE CAT THAT GOD SENT

Disillusioned and unsure of himself, Pastor Jake Wilkerson arrives at his new parish to be met by an injured stray cat. He’s never had a cat, but this one needs his help and he takes it in.

The cat’s internal dialog will keep you laughing. I particularly like the cat’s comments about dogs.

A single man, Pastor Jake has a past to overcome, and a present to protect. A homeless young woman takes up residence nearby, and there’s a beautiful veterinarian who treats the new cat. She’s responsible for naming him Petey. Will Pastor Jake settle in and be accepted? Will he find love again after a broken engagement? Will Petey succeed in what he believes is his mission through direction from God?

Read this novel and you’ll enjoy it, whether you’re a cat lover or not.

—Gail Lewis
Follow the Blog Tour for Jim Kraus' Books HERE

FREE REMINDER: Thurs., May 2, is the last day to get these two Excellent eBooks FREE

Available worldwide for free download for the Amazon Kindle until midnight, Pacific Standard Time, Thursday, May 2, 2013.
 

Synopsis: Relying upon the Bible and extensive research for his popular Seeds of Christianity™ Series, E. G. Lewis presents an interesting and informative study on foods, cooking and day-to-day life in the early Christian era. All major food groups are covered with specific chapters on Spices & Herbs, Fruits & Nuts, Grains, Vegetables, Salad Greens, Fish & Fowl, Meat, Milk & Cheese, Sweets and Sweeteners, and even one on What They Didn’t Have.

Includes bonus chapters on Aviculture, Apiculture, Ancient Beers and Wines, Olive Oil, Manna, the Gladiator’s Diet and lots of Ancient Recipes you can try at home. At Table with the Lord - Foods of the First Century  revised and expanded.

 

Download it for free HERE.

 

Gather the kids and join author Sheila Deeth as this long-time Christian Educator and Sunday School Teacher leads a fun and educational field trip through the Book of Genesis. Designed for independent reading by middle-graders, or reading aloud to younger children, each one of this series of linked short stories is not too long, not too short…but just the right length.

All your favorites are here. She begins at the beginning with God, of course, then come Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel, Seth, Methuselah, Noah and others. Proceed on to the age of Patriarchs where you meet Terah, Lot, Melchizedek, Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael, Sarah and Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob, Laban, Leah, Rachel and many more. From there, continue on to the story of Joseph, his brothers who sold him into slavery, and his life in Egypt where he eventually rescues the fledgling nation of Israel.

Genesis People contains nearly 50 separate stories, each one the ideal length for reading at bedtime or before a nap.

 Download it HERE

 

FREE BOOKS! APRIL 28th - MAY 2nd, 2013.

I want to make you aware of two books (one of them mine) that will be available worldwide for free download for the Amazon Kindle. By the way, both books have been ranked Number One on Amazon Kindle in the past.

 



Readers say —“A great read that makes the First Century come alive. I particularly liked the recipes”…“Everything is well-documented with surprising depth of detail. I feel like I’ve lived there alongside these ancient peoples.”…“This little book, so chocked full of information, is deeply-researched. Serious at times and humorous at others…” “A wonderful resource for the home-schooling Mom…”

Synopsis: Relying upon the Bible and extensive research for his popular Seeds of Christianity™ Series, E. G. Lewis presents an interesting and informative study on foods, cooking and day-to-day life in the early Christian era. All major food groups are covered with specific chapters on Spices & Herbs, Fruits & Nuts, Grains, Vegetables, Salad Greens, Fish & Fowl, Meat, Milk & Cheese, Sweets and Sweeteners, and even one on What They Didn’t Have.

Includes bonus chapters on Aviculture, Apiculture, Ancient Beers and Wines, Olive Oil, Manna, the Gladiator’s Diet and lots of Ancient Recipes you can try at home. At Table with the Lord - Foods of the First Century has been revised and expanded.  Download it for free HERE.
 

 

Gather the kids and join author Sheila Deeth as this long-time Christian Educator and Sunday School Teacher leads a fun and educational field trip through the Book of Genesis. Designed for independent reading by middle-graders, or reading aloud to younger children, each one of this series of linked short stories is not too long, not too short…but just the right length.

Make learning fun as you and your children come to know these Biblical characters in ways you never have before. All your favorites are here. She begins at the beginning with God, of course, then come Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel, Seth, Methuselah, Noah and others. Proceed on to the age of Patriarchs where you meet Terah, Lot, Melchizedek, Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael, Sarah and Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob, Laban, Leah, Rachel and many more. From there, continue on to the story of Joseph, his brothers who sold him into slavery, and his life in Egypt where he eventually rescues the fledgling nation of Israel.

All-in-all, Genesis People contains nearly 50 separate stories, each one the ideal length for reading at bedtime or before a nap. Using her insights, masterful storytelling skills and gentle way with words, Ms. Deeth creates a series of stories that will have your children begging for “Just one more.”

Genesis People is a wonderful way to introduce youngsters to the Bible. Download it HERE