Flirting with Disaster

Flirting with Disaster
By Sandra Byrd
About the book:
n a shocking turn of events, all writers for the Wexburg Academy Times will cast their votes for next year's editor - and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker! She must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity. It's all at risk in this book: her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.

My Review:



Flirtng with Disaster is the fourth and final book in Sandra Byrd’s London Condfidential series (read about1,  2, and 3 here). Savannah Smith has finally settled into her new hometown outside of London, England, is nearly part of the popular group the Aristocrats, as well as settling into to her duties at the paper. Everything is going along swimmingly until she starts getting forwarded emails and text messages saying that is she doesn’t pass them on to some many people in a set amount of time bad things will happen. As a Christian, Savvy knows not to be superstitious but the pull of playing the game is strong when it can mean the difference between fitting in the Aristocrats or not.



I really liked how this series wrapped up so sweetly. Savvy has a way entering into your heart and I couldn’t help but continually root for her to make the right decisions.

Sandra Byrd did an awesome job of tying up all the loose ends from all four books. It was a lot of fun to learn bits and pieces of English culture as well as the way Savvy weaved what she was learning in youth group and Bible study to her weekly newspaper column.

All four books were a quick and fun read. I“d love to see more of Savvy Smith in the future!

Favorite Quote:

“But every good thing only comes from God.”

Come back  Friday for an interview with Sandra Byrd!


Rating: 5 carats

Visit Sandra's website Buy the book

Max On Life

Max on Life

By Max Lucado

About the book:

We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.

In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.

Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions—parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships—as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?

A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing.
Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

My Thoughts:



Max on Life - what a great idea for a book. This book is filled with questions Max has been consistently asked over the years and his associated answers. The questions cover many topics and Max has very definitive answers for each. Max Lucado is very intelligent, extremely knowledgeable about the Bible, and a master at applying biblical concepts to life. Max answers these questions with a concise, common sense filled approach.



My favorite thing about this book is its ability to serve multiple purposes. I can see the book used as Bible study or devotional companion, a reference book, a coffee table book as well as a tool of witness for Christ. Max addresses many theological questions answering in an easy to understand manner.



Favorite Quote:

“You are always on God’s itinerary. Come and go as you wish, but he’s always there.”

 
 
 
Rating: a whole gem parcel

Visit Max Lucado's website
Buy the book

Interview with Denise Hildreth Jones

About Denise Hildreth -Jones:
Denise Hildreth-Jones is a writer and international speaker. She has spoken for the last decade to women’s ministries, churches, and for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Denise began her career over seventeen years ago writing for other people. She eventually ventured into the world of fiction with her first novel, Savannah from Savannah, and has since published several books. Her novels have been featured in Southern Living; hailed as “smart and witty” by Library Journal; and chosen for the Pulpwood Queen’s and Women of Faith book clubs. And her recent novel is Hurricanes in Paradise.  Denise makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee where she lives with her husband, five bonus children, two dogs and enjoys a good book and a Coca-Cola.

1. "Flying Solo"is your journal through the first year of divorce, what do you think journaling did for your healing?


I think it was vital to my healing. One of the best gifts that I gave myself. When I was incapable of praying those journals were my prayers.

2. Do you have any advice for journaling?

Don't go into it with an agenda. Simply let it be a place where your feelings and thoughts and emotion can flow out freely. And making them prayers or letters to God is always a beautiful way to journal.

3. You also talk about your alive journal, will you tell a more about that and how it helped you?

One of the things I lost inside my marriage was my heart. I just shut it down. I forgot what I liked, and just became a heart that merely existed. But when I sat in my counselor's office the first time I knew I had to get my heart back. And I went on a desperate attempt to reclaim my heart. So my "alive" journal was where I recorded all of the moments that I felt completely alive. Like riding horses, being at Disney World...all of the things that made me belly laugh and feel completely alive.

4. What do you hope readers will take away from "Flying Solo"

That singleness is not something to wish away. That God is abundantly present in a detailed way in the depths of our pain. And reclaiming a shut down heart is the most wonderful gift you can give yourself.

5. What is your writing process?

Well, fiction is different from non-fiction. Non-fiction is more purposeful. You know where you're going. It is far more outlined and structured. But my fiction is completely organic. I usually know where I will begin and sometimes know where I will end, but each day I ask God to show up having no idea where we will go. And each day He does. And after about six months we have us a new book!

6. When you write do you always have a message in mind. Or does it come about as you write the characters?

(I answered this I think in the above answer)

7.Do you ever find it challenging to get to you keyboard everyday? What do you do when the words won't come?

Every day I'm afraid. There isn't a day I sit at the computer that I'm not afraid there will be nothing that comes out. But without him there wouldn't be anything anyway. I'm not that clever. So, gratefully, if he gives the idea, then he shows up each day with a new one.

8. When you're not writing, what are you doing?

Well, I remarried last year to a wonderful man who has five beautiful children, and I never had children inside my first year marriage. So, I am still learning how to breathe and grocery shop and fix dinner for seven people! Every now and then I get to read a book for pure enjoyment and drink a Coca-Cola!

9. On Pink Sapphire, we rate books in carats. A whole gem parcel being the best. What books a worthy of a whole gem parcel to you?

I love "A Time to Kill" by John Grisham. "Same Kind of Different As Me." Loved that book! And anything by C.S. Lewis.


10. What have you always dreamed of writing about but haven't yet?

So far, everything I've dreamed about I've written I think.

11. Do you have any plans to work on more non-fiction?

Yes, I am working on a new non-fiction project now all about what I learned during my years of Flying Solo and what it means to "reclaim your heart".

12.What are you currently working on? What is next for you?

Well, I am finishing up the final edits of my new fiction book "The First Gardener" that comes out on August 1st!

Thanks Denise, I'm definitely looking forward to your next book!
You can visits Denise Hildreth-Jones' website
Buy the book

Flying Solo

Flying Solo
By Denise Hildreth Jones

About the book:
For one year following her painful divorce, Denise Hildreth chronicled every emotion, every new discovery and every moment of God’s unyielding presence. Flying Solo, the diary of that roller-coaster year, begins on the day Denise sat in court to hear a judge end her 13-year marriage and follows her through 12 months of soul-searching, heartbreak and healing.


With vivid stories, raw emotion and unwavering honesty, Denise opens a window for divorced or divorcing readers to breathe in the fresh air of God’s Spirit. For, among many surprises in store for Denise during her first year of flying solo, one of the most startling was this: God desires to be with us through our pain. She writes, “Flying solo isn’t about being alone. It is about living a life that may hurt at times, wound at times, betray at times; but there is still an incredible unobstructed view of heaven, and an opportunity to discover God in the middle of it.” Readers struggling to stay afloat in the wake of a marriage’s end will hear from a fellow traveler that they don’t have to settle for treading water . . . they can learn to fly.

My Thoughts:

“Flying Solo” has so much to offer! It is Denise’s journal through the first year after her divorce as she rediscovers what makes her feel alive, learns about who God is, and seeks His will for her new life. There are moments of deep sorrow as well as moments of great joy and laughter. There is also a lot of talk from her counseling sessions and each chapter concludes with questions and exercises relating to the content of the chapter for readers to work through on their own journeys, whatever they may be.



Denise Hildreth-Jones is honest and transparent throughout the entire book making it easy to see God working in her life and healing her heart. All and all I thought this was a great book and one I didn’t want to put down yet at the same time one to really spend time with thinking through the questions and lessons.



Come back Friday for an interview with Denise Hildreth-Jones.



Favorite Line:

“But you can’t move on from your memories until you have new ones in place.”


 
 
Rating: a whole gem parcel!

Visit Denise Hildreth Jones' website Buy the book

Life Promises For Success

Life Promises for Success
By Jim Tressel

About the book:
Everyone wants to succeed—at work, at home, in relationships, and in life. But sometimes the road to success can be difficult, and even the most seasoned leaders can find themselves in need of some motivation.


In Life Promises for Success, NYT bestselling author and Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel shares a collection of inspiring readings and Bible promises designed to encourage those seeking to succeed in every area of life.

Filled with easily applicable Bible verses, motivational quotes, and engaging and inspiring readings, Life Promises for Success is the perfect daily reader for anyone looking to reach their highest goals, achieve greatness, and inspire others to do the same.


My Thoughts:


Everyone wishes to be a success and each person has his/her own definition of what success is. With so many definitions who could ever really know what success is? We can know by understanding God’s view on what success is.



Jim Tressel does a good job in compiling an encouraging devotional filled with promises from God’s word, personal experience and inspiring quotes. This book would be a wonderful resource tool for anyone mentoring others.



Favorite Line:

“Success is a journey that we all take, and it affects every phase of our lives.”


*I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers*

Rating: 4 carats

View Jim Tressel's website Buy the book

Made To Crave

Made To Crave

By Lysa TerKeurst

About the book:

Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? The New York Times Best Selling book Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author Lysa TerKeurst personally understands the battle that women face. In Made to Crave, she will help you:

Break the cycle of “I’ll start again on Monday,” and feel good about yourself today.

Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body.

Replace rationalization that leads to diet failure with wisdom that leads to victory.

Reach your healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process.

This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.

My Thoughts:
Made to crave - oh yes, aren’t we all. The problem is allowing our cravings to rule our desires.




It was refreshing to read Lysa Terkeurst’s straight forward yet gentle guidance on how people allow the God given ability of craving to morph from God’s intention for humanity to crave after Him into cravings which please the physical body. Lysa mentors every reader through personal struggles on the road to personal successes.



The best thing about this book is the principles outlined can take any reader on a journey to turn any personal struggle, whatever that may be, into a God craving.



Favorite Line:

“Our flesh buys right into Satan’s lie that it’s not fair for things to be withheld from us.”

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats

Visit Lysa TerKeurst's website
Buy the book

Chatting with C.J. Darlington

About C. J. Darlington:

C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com

1. If Bound By Guilt were a movie, who would you want to play the main characters?

Tonya, you got close to really stumping me on this question! For my main character, Roxi Gold, I would want a young actress who could do justice to her character, but it wouldn't have to be a well-known name. In fact, it might be fun to have an unknown play her. For police officer Abby Dawson I could see Nancy McKeon. Or Maura Tierney. Actually, if I recall correctly, it was her portrayal of another Abby in the TV show ER that inspired me to name a character Abby in my novel. For Jan Mercer all I'd really care about is if she was the right age (early fifties) and could act well.



2. What gave you the idea to write Bound By Guilt?



Several years ago I read a news article about a young man who'd been arrested in California for stealing rare books from various bookstores and re-selling them to other stores for a profit. I asked myself, "What kind of story I can I build around that idea?" For many years I'd also wanted to write about someone who suddenly found themselves with nowhere to go and nothing but the clothes on their back. What would they do? How would they survive? These two ideas propelled the story.



3. What was your favorite and least favorite part of writing Bound By Guilt?



It was difficult, but rewarding, to plot out the ending. I had some head-scratching moments trying to figure out how to get my characters where they needed to be and still remain completely realistic and believable. My favorite moments writing the novel were the rare eureka moments where I know the Lord was prompting me with the answer to a particular scene or character problem I was facing. There was a small twist that's revealed at the end of the novel I did not see coming. Really. It was a complete surprise to me. I love when things like that happen!



4.  What do you hope people take away from Bound By Guilt?



I hope they'd be challenged to look past outward appearances and see people, especially teens, the way God sees them. Love them for who they are with no strings attached. Love them even when they make mistakes. Love truly does cover over a multitude of wrongs.



5. On Pink Sapphire, books are rated by gemstone carats, 5 carats being an awesome books, what are some of your 5 carat choices?



Definitely The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello. She's become one of my favorite authors writing suspense that's character-driven. A lovely combination. All of Sibella's novels are worthy of 5 carats, but The Rivers Run Dry is my favorite. Though her latest novel The Mountains Bow Down comes close. I also highly recommend James David Jordan's novel Forsaken, and Kathy Tyers' Firebird trilogy that's just being re-released by Marcher Lord Press!



6. What are you currently working on? What is next for you?



I am working on my third novel. I've just finished the rough draft and actually need to hit the ground running on my re-write!
 
Thank you, C.J, Looking forward to your next book! Once again, you can buy the book, visit C.J.'s website ,  read the 1st chapter of Bound By Guilt, and watch the book trailor