Wake Up Generation by Paige Omartian

 

About the Book:

Wake Up, Generation, a breakout new title from debut author Paige Omartian, will revolutionize the life of any young adult seeking purpose, passion, and direction. As a growing generation is characterized by a lifestyle of apathy and indifference, Paige uses biblical teaching and shares relatable stories to help young people break the chains and discover the God-driven mission for their lives. Readers will…

• understand their life’s sacred purpose
• wake up to the needs of the world around them
• develop a vision and mission statement for life
• realize how their own story fits into God’s design
• become equipped to live out the passionate, fulfilling life God intended

Singles from Paige’s debut album, Wake Up, have appeared on Top 30 charts of Christian music, and extensive media coverage, including an appearance on the Today Show, has earned her a legion of fans. With a growing reach, Paige will connect with readers and help them understand that it’s time to wake up!

 
My Review:

It touched my heart to read Paige's testimony. What great strength she and her family had through her battle with cancer.  My own son had a tumor about a year ago and though his wasn't life threatening, it made me feel that I could relate to what she was going through.  It made her story personal to me. It made me cry. Such unbelievable strength for a young girl! God was surely with her. And He had a plan for her life.

Forward to the present, Paige has grown into a strong young woman who is being used by God to fulfill His purpose. And now she is encouraging others to do the same through this book and her ministry.

Written for the younger, 20-something generation, Wake Up Generation is a call to make a difference in this world by finding and using your God-given gifts. Everyone has a purpose, a calling. Paige encourages you to find it and live it.  This generation (as well as others) are asleep. They live in apathy. This book will challenge you to wake up and live the life God has called you to live. 

Even though this book is written for the younger crowd, it blessed me. I think it offers great motivation for any age. I will be lending this to my 9- and 13-year-olds very soon. I would have loved to have a book like this when I was younger. I will be on the lookout for more books from Paige Omartian. :)

About the Author:

Paige Omartian is a speaker and recording artist whose battle with cancer as a child led her on a remarkable journey inspiring others to grasp the preciousness of life and live out their purpose. She has traveled the country sharing her music and story and was featured on Bath and Body Work’s 2005 Christmas CD supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Paige was interviewed on the Today Show and was the speaker and TV host for the ministry iShine. She released her debut rock album, Wake Up, in 2009.




*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review!

The Opposite of Art by Athol Dickson

The Opposite of Art

A great artist is cast into the icy Harlem River by a hit-and-run driver. His heart stops, and he sees something that defies description. Presumed dead by all who knew him and obsessed with the desire to paint the inexpressible, he embarks on a pilgrimage to seek help from holy men around the globe. But is it possible to see eternity without becoming lost within it? After a quarter of a century, when the world begins to whisper that he may be alive, two people come looking for the artist: the daughter he never knew existed, and the murderer who hit him on the bridge all those years ago.

My Review

Ok... first off, I'd have to say that I struggled with the idea of this book being a 'christian' book. Within the first few pages I found myself debating if I should keep reading. Obviously, I did. I committed to review it... so I continued. It certainly isn't your typical christain novel, but it does accurately portray a person in search of Someone greater than himself. It is true to real life... none of us get 'prettied up' before we are saved and many of us will delve into a myriad of things in search for the Truth. This is the story of one such person. That being said, it was pretty mild. No need for an 'R' rating, it just has more of a secular tone.

The christian issues aside... Athol Dickson did an incredible job of writing with such great detail that I had perfectly vivid images in my mind throughout most of the book. On occasion I felt as if the author has given a bit too much information, but when I reached the end of the scene, I was left with no doubt as to what he was trying to portray. His words were like that of a painter.

The characters are a very colorful cast. Ridler, the tormented painter... Suzanna, the girlfriend he left behind... Graves, the man who sold his paintings while robbing him blind... along with a host of others from many cultures who help to tell about Ridler's journey in search of the Glory.

The story is well written. It becomes very intense at times as you feel the torment and anguish of Ridler as he continues his quest for the Glory even though he isn't quite sure what the Glory is. The story will take you all over the world with action and adventure and gives you a strong sense of what the characters are feeling. It isn't a quick read. At times it seemed a bit much... but it kept me coming back until the end.


I enjoyed it. I think I'm going to try another Athol Dickson novel. 


*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of your review program! :)

About Athol Dickson

Athol Dickson is the publisher of the popular news website, DailyCristo.com, and the author of seven novels and the bestselling memoir, The Gospel according to Moses. His novels of suspense and magical realism have been honored with three Christy Awards and an Audie Award, and compared to the work of Octavia Butler (by Publisher's Weekly) and Flannery O'Connor (by The New York Times). He and his wife live in Southern California.

Teens and Their Supernatural Pursuits

Guest Post

By Melody Carlson

             Have you even wondered why some teens are drawn toward things like Ouija boards or psychics? Or why séances are still popular at sleepovers? Does it just have to do with Halloween and that spine-chilling need for a good scare? Or could it be something more? And, as a Christian, should you be concerned?

            Those questions, as well as some confused reader letters, prompted me to tackle the “supernatural” in one of my teen novels (Moon White, TrueColors, Nav Press). And whenever I write an issues-based novel, I’m forced to research—and often in some dark places. So I began scouring websites, learning more about Wicca and the occult, trying to grasp what was really going on with today’s teens—and how I could write about it in a helpful and relevant way.

But, as usual, when I write a teen book, I go back to my own adolescence...trying to connect with my inner teen...and I suddenly remembered a short era when a friend and I got very interested in witchcraft. I had honestly forgotten about this time and was fascinated to recall how we scoured some witchcraft stores on a local campus—I think we even purchased a few things. Fortunately, this interest was short-lived and I became a Christian not long afterward. 

            However, as I reconnected with my inner teen, I had to ask myself—why had I looked into witchcraft back then? Why do teens dabble with it now? Suddenly the answer became crystal clear. I was searching. I’d been calling myself an atheist for several years by then, but I was spiritually hungry—starving in fact. Consequently I was looking for spiritual answers—something that would fill that empty void within me. I wanted a supernatural force in my life and I didn’t even care where it came from. I needed something bigger than me, more powerful than me, something to hold onto. I had no idea at the time that I was really searching for God. 

            This realization changed the way I viewed my research. Instead of feeling disgusted and dismayed by the witchcraft/Wicca sites (which are not particularly enjoyable) I began to recognize that these people (mostly girls) were simply searching too. They wanted a power source in their lives just like I wanted one in mine. They just hadn’t found God yet. 

            This led to another discovery. A girl who’s attracted to a religion like Wicca is usually seeking to gain some control over her life. Something is wrong and she wants to change it. To do so, she’s often enticed to purchase something—like “magical herbs”—to create a potion that will give her some control over her situation. Unfortunately, she doesn’t even realize she’s being tricked.

            But think about it, wouldn’t you love to have control over a bad situation sometimes? Wouldn’t you love to be able to change the circumstances that make your life unpleasant? So what if someone offered you the “power” to do just that? Perhaps if you’re fifteen, you wouldn’t see that person as a charlatan and you would fall for it.

            Which brings me to another important factor in understanding this generation’s attraction to the supernatural. Follow the money. The more I researched, the more it became painfully obvious that Wicca and witchcraft and the occult are money-making enterprises. Thanks to the internet, these savvy distributors sell anything imaginable—and many things you can’t. That leads to some serious motivation—these marketers want to hook their unsuspecting young customers and reel them in. Of course, these potions and trinkets and how-to books don’t come with a money back guarantee. Nor are they approved by the FDA. Yet they are a multi-million dollar industry.

            So, in a way, it’s a perfect storm. Teens that are insecure, lost, unhappy, and searching...meet up with an unregulated industry that offers supernatural answers and power and control...for a price. And, oh yeah, I never even mentioned how this opens a door for Satan to slip in and wreak havoc. For that...you’ll have to read the book.

           

                       

About Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson published her first book in 1995 and she has been writing prolifically ever since. To date, Melody has published over 200 books, making her one of the top 20 most prolific authors of all time. With total sales of over 5 million her award-winning books include: Homeward, Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon; Limelight; the Diary of a Teenage Girl series; the True Colors series; and the Carter House Girls series.

In her professional life, Melody has worn many hats: from pre-school teacher to political activist to senior editor. Currently, she writes full-time, and freelances from her home. She has two grown sons and lives in Sisters, Oregon with her husband, Chris, and Audrey, her yellow lab. They enjoy skiing, hiking, and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

         

Moon White: Color Me Enchanted (TrueColors Series #11)

Thank you, Melody, and Glass Road PR! And thank YOU for reading! God bless! :)

River's Song by Melody Carlson

Love, love, love this book! One of my favorites...

River's Song by Melody Carlson is the story of Anna Larson, a woman who finds peace and renewed strength after years of living under the harsh disapproval of her mother-in-law. Left alone with a child after the injury and then death of her husband, she has no other choice but to live with this woman who's obvious disdain for her, makes her life miserable. The death of her own mother brings Anna back to the childhood home she remembers along the Siuslaw River where she finds healing for her broken life. 

I didn't get 'hooked' until about the third chapter and then the story just caught me... I couldn't put it down. The scenery was vivid and peaceful... I could feel the calm of the river as if I were there. The characters were down-to-earth and friendly. I felt as if I knew them. I found myself encouraged by Anna's story of healing and restoration after being beaten down by her circumstances (and her mother-in-law) for so long. She regained her strength and refused to remain under the control of others who would think she wasn't 'good enough' because of her heritage. 

I think you'll enjoy this book. It's rich with Native American history and the stories told within it are great. I'm about ready to be a guest at The Inn at Shining Waters! I was actually sad to be finished and I can't wait for the next book in the series... I know it's gonna be great! 

*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of your review program! :)

Forever After by Deborah Raney

Jenna Morgan lost her husband, Zach, in a terrible fire a year ago. Left with a house and debt she can not afford, she turns to her in-laws for help. But is that the best decision? What would happen if they knew her secret?

Lucas Vermontez, was in that same fire. His mother tells him he was blessed to survive that horrible tragedy... but at first, he's not so sure. He lost his father, his friends, and had great damage to his legs. Will he ever return to the only job he ever wanted and be normal again?

Forever After is the second in The Hanover Falls series. Though it's the second, you won't feel lost if you didn't read the first as this book is wonderfully written and stands on it's own. Deborah Raney has created realistic characters that keep you wanting to know more about their stories as you read. You see the mistakes and hardships they face and want to cheer them on. I was quickly drawn in at the beginning and enjoyed reading this book.

*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of your review program! :)

The Fine Art Of Insincerity by Angela Hunt

Three sisters spend a weekend together on St. Simons Island to share the unpleasant task of emptying their late Grandmother's house. The property has been sold and each sister is eager to get the job done and claim her inheritance. While they believe it will be good to get together after such a long time... secrets, resentment, and unforgiveness threaten their already strained relationships. Unpacking the memories their Grandmother left behind, they begin to heal the hurts from the past.

I really enjoyed this story. It was an easy read... only took me two days. Right from the beginning I felt as if I were just sitting and watching a movie. The story is told is first-person, moving from each sister... Ginger, the oldest... Penny, the middle child.... and Rose, the youngest. Although they are sisters, the problems they face as adults, as well as their personalities, are quite different.

I had an easy time of following each sister as her thoughts and feelings were related very well. I could easily identify with each one... I could feel the emotion behind each of their points-of-view.  I love how they come to some great conclusions about themselves... and then use them in a positive way to change the way they relate to one another. It actually made me evaluate myself a bit. I'll be keeping my eye out for the next in the series!

*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of your review program! :)

Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

Holy Guacamole by Dan & Denise Harmer

Do you love food? How about the Food Network? A little adventure... some romance thrown in? Ok... then you're gonna love this book! It has it all!

Holy Guacamole is a story about Bonnie Miller. A foodie to the max. She is a culinary genius who runs not only a restaurant for those with a particular palette, but a culinary 'boot camp' as well. She's one spicy habanero, but she's hiding a secret. Can she keep it under wraps?

Enter Trace Domingo. A washed up sports journalist in need of a career change. He's been accepted into Bonnie Miller's boot camp. A great opportunity to work with the woman he adores on T.V... but can he handle the 'real' Bonnie? 

Holy Guacamole is fun fiction. At the beginning I wasn't sure if I would like it, but after the first chapter or two, it quickly drew me in.  Not sure what I was expecting, but I ended up really enjoying it. It took me in a direction that I hadn't expected. The setting was beautiful and the twists and turns kept me coming back for more. It held my attention. I loved the characters... a good mix that made for an interesting book. It's a romance novel, a mystery, an adventure, and a story of forgiveness all rolled up in one.

Don't know if the authors plan a sequel... but I'll be watching! I'd like to see what's ahead not only for Bonnie and Trace, but the others as well. Jimmy the Knife, Kelp and his goat Nado, Marley, Sunshine and Lucy, and Anna and Alex. Some great stories going on in there! Give this one a try!

*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of your review program! :)

Living In The Overlap by Steve Schaefer

Steve Schaefer describes the "Overlap" as the time between Jesus' first arrival here on earth and His second coming. He explains how the Kingdom of God consists of 'already' and 'not yet'. Does that sound complicated? No worries... the author does a great job of explaining just what that means in our daily lives.

The first two chapters, which is part one of the book, cover the Old Testament Predictions and their New Testament Fulfillment's. A lot of good information laid out plain and simple. Easy to understand. He includes in the book a fold-out diagram called The Kingdom Dartboard, which by the way, is available for download on his website, http://www.livingintheoverlap.com/.

Part two of the book deals with daily living. Issues such as Loving Others, Praying for Healing, Walking by Faith, Working Together as a Body, and Being Used by God are addressed in these next chapters. He uses examples from his own life that makes it more personal.

It's an easy book to read. Not overly technical... if that's the word I'm looking for. Some books that deal with a particular subject seem to go way over my head. But not this one. Don't get me wrong... there are more than enough scriptures and references to back it up, over 40 pages of End Notes and Recommended Reading in the back of the book. I just appreciate how he writes as if he's talking to me and not standing in front of a classroom.

I've seen a few new books that deal with living a 'real' christian life. Not just labeling yourself a christian, but living like you believe what God says. If living what you believe is of interest to you... then you will want to read this book. I know I will be referring back to it again and again. It's given me something to think about. 

*Thank you, Glass Road Productions, for providing me with a copy of this book and allowing me to be a part of your review program! :)

Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

"Almost Heaven" by Chris Fabry is the fictionalized story of a man named Billy Allman. Set in the backwoods of Dogwood, West Virginia it tells of a young man who endured many hardships beginning in his early childhood. His story is also told from the view of his guardian angel Malachi.

It was interesting to imagine what a guardian angel would think of the events that happen in a humans life, all the while knowing full well that God is at work and only He knows the reason for and the outcomes of the trials and heartaches that they endure.

Almost Heaven is a heartwarming story that gives encouragement to those who think they can't make a difference or be used by God. One of my favorite lines from the book is when young Billy's mother is trying to encourage him as they are both still in pain from a past tragedy "...I don't think God trusts just anybody with so much heartache. The world has not yet seen what God can do with a man who gives both halves of a broken heart to him. And I don't doubt that a man like that can change the world... or at least a little part of it." I just love that!

I really enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, as well as thought provoking. It also surprised me at times... had a few twists and turns just as I thought I knew what was going to happen. It's the first I've read by Chris Fabry, but it won't be the last. I will be looking to read his other titles. I hope you give this one a try. :)

Thanks for reading and God bless!

Mary Ann :)