Day 3 CSFF Blog Tour for Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead

It seems I am always posting on Day 3 of these tours. LOL

I read Hood some time ago and enjoyed it, although as some other tour participants noted, Stephen Lawhead turned the whole myth upside down. I’m used to that with Stephen Lawhead though. I read Patrick a few years ago. Although it was a good read, I didn’t like his portrayal of Patrick. The book takes place in the years before he becomes the famous missionary.

Anyway, back to Scarlet… most of the story is told in first person by William who is in prison awaiting his execution. It is fascinating to see events from another character’s point of view. In this book, Bran seems more mysterious, but also has his cracks. Most portrayals of Robin Hood have him as a heroic, always in control and on top of it kind of guy. Not so with Hood or Scarlet…Bran has a real anger and impulse problem that almost cost William his life. It will be interesting to see how this is resolved in the third book of the series.

The one thing I have noticed in Lawhead’s books is a real, vital relationship between the characters and God. In the King Raven Trilogy, the only one that seems to have a close, intimate relationship with him is the old hag. There is an overarching sense that these people believe in God and love Him, but not that they really know Him. It’s not a criticism, it’s just an observation. My favorite books tend to have characters with an intimate relationship with God.

Other participants in the Blog Tour are:

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Karen McSpadden
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Lyn Perry
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Blog Tour for The Return by Austin Boyd

I waited until the last minute to post on this tour because I want to finish the book! LOL

This month’s featured book is The Return by Austin Boyd, the third book in the Mars Hill Classified series.

When I first received the review copy, I read the back of the book and just knew I HAD to read the first two books in the series. So as soon as I got some blow money in my virtual hot little hand, I ordered the first two (The Evidence & The Proof) from Buy.com. They arrived mid-week last week. I’ve been reading the entire series in my “spare” time.

At first I was a little disappointed because I felt the The Evidence was a little slow starting. It took a bit for me to get hooked.

Let me just tell you my belief about aliens. I subscribe to the Chuck Missler school of thought that aliens are really demons out there trying to deceive people. I mean if you look at the “fruit” from their “visits,” you’ll find people ending up with Post Tramautic Stress Disorder, nightmares, that the experiences were all horrific. I personally don’t believe that there is other intelligent life out there (at least on the level that man is) except for angels, demons, the devil, and of course God. The Bible doesn’t say either way, so I guess it could be a possibility, but I think probably not.

Anyway, back to the review. The book series main character is John Wells. He’s an astronaut and on the International Space Station when an alien probe launches from Mars and heads to earth. The three books unfold a very interesting, well-penned story based on this start. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want to spoil it for you.

I apologize to those out there who read this and think it’s jumbled. I’ve been up since 3 am (I deliver newspapers now) and it’s like it’s super late at night for me. I don’t have time to check it before I hit the hay, but I’ll come back tomorrow morning and clean the post up a bit. And maybe I can sneak a chapter in before I go to sleep.

Other Blog Tour participants are listed below. Check out their sites. I’m sure there are great interviews with Austin Boyd, whose biography on the back of the book reads like the achievements of someone I’d want my kids to hang around.

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Merrie Destefano or Alien Dream
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Christopher Hopper
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Rachel Marks
Karen McSpadden
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
Lyn Perry
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Being Rich & Famous Does Not Make You Happy!

OK, I know this is dumb, but I just saw a news story that implied that Owen Wilson, an actor, may have tired to kill himself. I want to cry. I’ve always thought he was quite handsome and like some of his movies. It’s just so sad to me that someone with all his wealth and celebrity is so unhappy. He has it made according to the world’s standards, but of course, according to the Kingdom standards, he is destitute. Apparently he and other celebrities like Brittany Spears are feeling that poverty in their spirits.

It breaks my heart to see people hurting so much. It’s true that No Jesus, No Peace, Know Jesus, Know Peace.

Lord,  please reach down into these hurting lives and draw these people to You. Help them overcome their destructive behavior and begin to live for Your glory. Put people into their lives to show them that You are the only True Answer and Source of lasting peace.

In Jesus’ Name…Amen!

Day 3 of the CSFF Blog Tour for Legend of the Firefish, book one of The Trophy Chase series (Harvest House), by George Bryan Polivka

I am sorry I am just posting on Day 3. I have been sick since last Thursday and I’m finally feeling like part of the living.

Anyway, yesterday I went to read some reviews on the book, Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka. I read the book over a month ago and I have to say, at first I didn’t like it. It was hard for me to get into. I could not relate to Packer or Panna or even get into the world. I don’t know why…But since I knew I had to post on this, I continued to read. After half of the book, I couldn’t put it down. I HAD to see how it ended! LOL

As I reflecting this morning, I think that my dislike had nothing to do with the writing. It’s a great story told by a masterful writer. I just had a hard time with the characters themselves. They were definitely real to me! I think too real and that’s what bothered me.

Packer: I just couldn’t “get” his motivation for stowing away on the Trophy Chase. I mean it defied logic to me. But you know I’m a woman who likes safety and security.

Panna: I thought she was such a sissy (and in truth, she was at first). I had a hard time with some of the things she did.

In fact, I had a hard time with some of the choices both of them made. I had a hard time believing that a “Christian” would do some of those things. Actually the actions are probably what some Christians would do, it just bothered me that they would.

I was very bothered by Talon and Scat’s brutality. Her point of view was disturbing to my sensibilities. It bothered me more than any other book I’ve read (except maybe Arena where there was a passing mention of eating people).

But like I said in the beginning, I finally got over my difficulties and could not put it down. When I was finished, I knew I would have to buy the rest of the series to see what happens.

Check out Rebecca Luella Miller’s blog for a good summary of what else is happened on the blog tour…

Here’s a list of other participants:
Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Merrie Destefano
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Karen McSpadden
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Lyn Perry
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver
Janey DeMeo

July Blog Tour-Fearless Book 2 of The Dominion trilogy

This is the last day of the blog tour for Robin Parrish’s book, Fearless. Honestly, I was apprehensive about reading it because Robin has been compared to Ted Dekker. Well, flame me if you will, but I do not like Ted Dekker that much. He is a talented writer, but his stories just drive me nuts! LOL I HATED the ending for Three. Just hated it. Threw the book across the room hated it.

Not having read the first book in The Dominion trilogy, I had no idea what Mr. Parrish’s style would be. I am pleased to say that he is NOT like Ted Dekker, at least not in the way that I don’t like Ted Dekker. Clear as mud?? His ending did not frustrate me (but I was sad).

Fearless kept me on the end of the seat. Maybe is should have been called Breathless because that’s how I felt at the end of the story. Even though I did not read the first book in the trilogy (which I will endeavor to do asap!), I was able to follow the story. A few things were lost on me. I still don’t understand what “phasing” is. I assume that your whole personality is transferred to another body.

Anyway, here is a summary. Grant Borrows is the head of a super-hero league of sorts that uses the power it received from the Secretum (apparently and evil organization) for good. He is supposed to be their prophesied “Bringer” but he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to bring and fights against this “destiny.”

This book is not overtly Christian and therefore could reach a wider audience. It really has me thinking about the questions: Is anything inherently evil? If so, can you do good using things that are inherently evil?

Rebecca Luella Miller and Terri Main have good reviews on the book.

Other participants in the Blog Tour are:
Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Merrie Destefano
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Karen
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Lyn Perry
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver

Blog Tour for The Restorer

This is the third and final day of the blog tour for The Restorer. I intended to write blog posts all three days (because it really does deserve that much attention), but I recently took a job delivering newspapers. I have to get up between 2:00 and 2:30 am each morning and thus I go to bed between 7:00-8:00 pm. And I don’t have much time during the day.

Anyway, on to the book review. The Restorer is about a normal housewife, Susan Mitchell, who has the “blahs”. Everything is mundane and she’s lost enthusiasm for her role as wife and mother. She somehow gets sucked into another world where God has made her “The Restorer”. Figuring out what that means and what she’s supposed to do brings her closer to her Lord and helps her learn more about herself.

The book sucked me in right away. In fact, when I read the back cover and found that it was about a housewife, I immediately thought “COOL!!” and started reading right away. I couldn’t put it down.

Here are a few things I loved about the book:

Susan is a housewife (can you tell I can really relate to this heroine???)

The poison is actually “mind-poisoning” instead of physical poisoning (this relates to my life so much when I listen to the lies of the enemy!)

She continues to long for her husband throughout the book…she doesn’t even feel attraction for anyone else

She really struggles with her role and feeling like she can do what God has called her to do

If you want exciting, well-written summer reading, get this book! I can hardly wait for the sequel to come out in October!

Other Blog Tour Participants:

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver

Blog Tour on Sword Review

I am again participating in the CSFF Blog Tour. This month’s feature is The Sword Review. The Sword Review is an online Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy magazine. It publishes short stories, poetry, and serials.

They also have an extensive community made up of forums and blogs.

Check them out!

Other participants:

Brandon Barr
Russell Griffith
Jason Waguespac
Holly
Jim Black
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
April Erwin
Kameron M. Franklin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Daniel I. Weaver

Out of Focus

I was up at 2:30 am to spend time with the Lord. I’ve finally decided that I need to get up in the middle of the night to have any peace for a quiet time. That’s the way it is when you live with 8 people in a house meant for 4.

As I was praying, I was talking to the Lord about all the things going on in my home. I’m embarrassed and distressed to say that there seems to be a lot of bickering, lying, stealing, anger, and general discord in my family in recent months. It’s very discouraging and really wears me down. I’ve wanted to sink into depression, but I keep telling myself that doing so would just make it worse. Instead, I’ve been praying and turning to the Lord.

During the night, I had a revelation that I shared with my dh early this morning. My 5 yog has been asking to have devotions every night for the past three weeks. We’re always too busy. We used to pray with our kids and over our kids every Sunday, but we’ve been too busy. I want to have a Bible and prayer time each morning, but somehow we always get started too late and I jump into academics. I’m too busy. When discipline issues come up, I either yell at them to knock it off or ignore it in hopes of getting the math lesson done with the child I’m working with. I’m too busy.

Well the Lord reminded me of His wonderful promise in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things will be added to you.”

I am to seek the Lord’s Kingdom first in my children. What good is it if my daughter knows math, but her brother goes to hell?

So dh and I came up with a plan. First, we need to repent and ask the kids’ forgiveness for not training them properly. We decided that after dinner each night, we will read a small portion of Scripture and discuss it together. It may be just a small section or a chapter. But it’s easy to do and we can all discuss it (especially if we use the kids’ Bibles). I’m going to dig out my books (bought when my oldest children were just babies) For Instruction in Righteousness, Polished Cornerstones, and Plants Grown Up and pick out projects to complete with them. I’m also going to be observing my children to decide which character qualities they need work on and do a little Bible study with each of them and give them Scripture to memorize. Most of their character issues are just a reflection of my own so this will be good for me.

I’m so grateful that the Lord answers us when we ask. He is so good!

In His service,

Dawn

Homeschooling…Does It Benefit Parents?

A woman on a my state homeschool e-mail list send out a link to this blog. The post is entitled “Does Homeschooling Have Benefits for Parents?”

For those of us slogging through the day to day overwhemingness of homeschooling, it may not seem so. Many days I ask myself, “Why am I torturing myself? There’s a nice school two blocks from my home.” But I know why I do not send them there. I am not called to. God has called me to homeschool. Period. End of discussion.

Do does homeschooling benefit parents? Well any time you obey God, you gain benefits. God is not going to ask you to do something that doesn’t change you. You may feel that homeschooling is just for your children’s benefit, but I’ve never seen God do something one-sided. Each thing He allows or directs into our lives has a purpose for building our character as well as those around us.

For me, homeschooling 5 out of 7 has broken me to the point that I MUST learn how to depend on God to do this. I have no other option because if it were just my idea, I’d have given up years ago. I don’t like my life being so uncomfortable. But God doesn’t care about my comfort, He cares about my character.

And it’s my character that is changing the most. Yes, I’m a little more organized and getting more disciplined in my daily life, but it’s my character that is taking the starring role in the facet of my life. I’m learning to be more patient and forgiving. I’m learning how to deal with difficult people that really push my buttons. I’m learning how to perservere, even when I have doubts. I’m learning how to ignore other things to do my primary calling. I’m learning how to choose a path (curriculum) and stick to it, even when it gets tough. I’m learning how to really love my kids by being more tough on them and follow through with discipline (I have a real problem with this. I’m too much of a softie).

Yes, homeschooling does benefit parents as well. It is used by God, like any life experience, to bring us closer to the image of Christ.

In His service,
Dawn

Return of the Guardian King CSFF Blog Tour Day 3

Ok, I know I promised to critque Karen’s writing today. So I’ll get that out of the way first thing. Here’s my critique: I hope that someday I can write a CSFF novel half as good as she can. Honestly.

Now that’s out of the way, I’d like to highlight some other blogs I’ve enjoyed during the tour. My friend who introduced me to Karen Hancock’s writing (or did I introduce her? I don’t remember!) Shannon McNear has a wonderful interview with Karen on her blog (Tuesday, 4/17’s post). Shannon is also a great writer and I can’t wait to get autographed copies of her books when they are published.

I laughed out loud at Rebecca’s blog post entitled Ten Things that Really Bug Me. Like Rebecca, I do have to admit I feel the ending was rushed. I know that publishers like to keep word counts down, but as a reader, I was BIG word counts! I want as many words as needed to tell the story. It felt like the ending got sacrificed to maintain a certain word count.

The ending hasn’t stopped me from enjoying the book. I read it through really fast (completed within 24 hours of receipt due to a fortuitous stomach virus), but I am doing something I’ve never done before. I am going to read it again slowly now. I started it today only three weeks after I read it again.