Indigo's Fall by Karen Marie Hart

Indigo's Fall by Karen Marie Hart
ISBN-13: 978-0985482459
Publisher: Karen Marie Hart
Softcover (44 pages)

Purchase book here: Amazon
Book blurb:

A very unusual conversation between God and an angel. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.


Indigo's Fall is an interesting story for young adults. The story is about Indigo's great desire to become human. Indigo, a fallen angel, has an unique conversation with God about the process of becoming human. While I do not agree with some of the statements/ideas in the book, the story was well written and beautifully illustrated. The author did a wonderful job telling the story. 

I give this book 4 stars out of a total of 5.
 

A Unique Craft Book

Paper Artist: Creations Kids Can Fold, Tear, Wear, or Share
By Kara L. Laughlin
ISBN-13: 978-1623700041
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers

Purchase the book: Amazon

Book blurb:

Paper is not just for drawing! Budding artists use paper to create everything from lanterns to picture frames. Simple, step by step instructions and big, full color photographs help readers maximize their potential. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.

Paper Artist: Creations Kids Can Fold, Tear, Wear or Share is a wonderful craft book for young readers and adults. There are some really unique yet creative paper ideas included in the book. The book was well written and included illustrations of what the finished product should look like. Since this book is catered towards young readers, I think that it should have included step by step illustrations to go along with the instructions as many people learn better visually then just being told or given written instructions. The projects included in the book are however fun to create and not all that difficult. Overall, I think that the author did a wonderful job. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys crafting of any kind and wants an unique project to do.

I give this book 4 stars out of a total of 5.

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy by Michael Knost

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy
By Michael Knost
ISBN-13: 978-1937929619
Publisher: Seventh Star Press, LLC
Softcover (276 pages)

Purchase book: Amazon
Book blurb:


Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.
This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that's one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.

 About the author:


Michael Knost is an award-winning author, editor, and columnist in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Supernatural Thriller genres.
He has written several books and dozens of short stories, edited a number of anthologies, including the Legends of the Mountain State series, and he currently writes a column for Shroud Magazine.
He recently won the Bram Stoker Award in the United Kingdom for his book Writers Workshop of Horror, a collection of articles and interviews on the craft of writing.
He is currently working on a Mothman novel due to hit bookshelves later this year.
Michael has worked in the radio, television, and newspaper industries, and currently lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his beautiful wife and daughter.

Contact the Publisher: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Soundoff

A Great Read!!

Zero Separation by Philip Donlay
ISBN-13: 978-1608090686
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Softcover (320 pages)
Purchase the book: Amazon

Book blurb:

Donovan Nash has a secret he'll do anything to keep. But he's the prime suspect after someone steals a fifty million dollar executive jet, and FBI agent Veronica Montero put him squarely in the crosshairs. As she digs, she discovers Nash's secret -- a revelation that, if made public, would stun the world. Operating on her own agenda, Montero blackmails Nash into helping her hunt down a man she wants dead.

Powerless against the information Montero holds, Nash is forced into a situation far deadlier than either of them could ever have imagined. The man they are after isn't the criminal they expect, he's a terrorist with a plan to use the stolen jet to carry out an unthinkable and devastating act that could plunge America into the most heinous conflict since World War II.

When Nash and Montero are taken prisoner aboard the stolen jet, they will have only one opportunity to execute a daring midair attempt to stop the attack. Success could cost them their own lives, but failure could cost millions of innocent lives.

"In Code Black Phillip Donlay firmly establishes himself as a writer of great thrillers. The first hundred pages are breathtaking. His knowledge of aviation is incredible. Code Black is even better than Category Five. A real winner."-- Steve Thayer, New York Times best-selling author of The Weatherman and Wolf Pass

"Anthrax, countless dead bodies, intrigue, espionage, a hint of terrorists, an angry wife, a plot to die for; and great characters carry the story...Zero Separation is the third of Philip Donlay's novels. I'm looking for more."
BookLoons

"If you are a fan of thrillers, Zero Separation by Philip Donlay is very definitely the book for you. If thrillers aren't usually your cup of tea, this book might change your mind."
BookLoons

"...Zero Separation is intense and action filled as the minutes count down to the imminent attack. Who will live and who will die? Be sure to pick-up Zero Separation when it hits the bookshelves..."
Blooming With Books

"Philip Donlay's Zero Separation is an action-packed thriller that zips down the coast of Florida through a horrendous thunder storm, flies off to a ship in the Caribbean and then whips its way to the jungles of Venezuela at breakneck speed. You'll travel by airplane, helicopter and boat on this whirlwind journey of suspense and surprises. Aviation and computer enthusiasts will enjoy the many technological details. Fans of a good thriller will be spellbound by the action. The characters are expertly developed and the plot incorporates secrets, deceit and lies. There are more acronyms involved in this manhunt than you knew existed in our government. Do not miss reading Zero Separation."
Fresh Fiction 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.

Zero Separation was a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller that captures the reader's attention from the beginning and keeps it until the very last page. The author has an uncanny ability to create wonderful plots with unexpected twists and turns that definitely help to keep you turning the pages This is one of those books that you just simply cannot put down until you have finished it.  The author is a wonderful, descriptive story-teller with an incredible imagination. The story is so believable that at times you'll forget that you are actually reading a book. While this is not the first book in the series, it is the first book that I have read by this author. The book is written in such a way that it could be successful as a stand-alone as well as part of a series.


I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good action-packed thriller and anyone who wants a great read to enjoy. I will definitely be checking out the other books that this author has written.

I gave  the book 5 stars out of a total of 5 stars.

Stephen Miller's New Guide

Complete Guide To The Bible Student Edition
By Stephen Miller
ISBN-13: 978-1620298015
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc
Softcover (256 pages)
Purchase the book: Barnes&Noble |  Amazon

Book blurb:

Give your favorite student The Complete Guide to the Bible—Student Edition, providing the two-in-one benefits of a traditional Bible handbook plus topical guidance on contemporary life issues. This powerful resource offers features such as “66 Bible Books: The Short Course,” “Who Wrote the Bible?”, and “Two Best Ways to Study the Bible,” along with quick topical guidance for more than 100 issues Christian high school and college students face—such as Appearance, Church, Dating, Lust, Partying, Tattoos, and Worship. The Complete Guide to the Bible—Student Edition promises information, insight, and inspiration for any student.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.   

Complete Guide To The Bible  is an awesome resource companion for the Bible. It's kind of like an encyclopedia and dictionary rolled into one focused only on the Bible. I like how the author not only defines the word, but then gives you scripture from the Bible in reference to the word that he is defining. This book is filled with a vast amount of information. Although, I think the author allowed his opinion to come through on some of the terms which kind of distracts from the writing style of the rest of the book. But as with any resource, you need to refer back to the source (the Bible) for clarity.

I did think that this book was lacking in illustrations. There should have been more illustrations to help grab the reader's attention. At times, I found myself wandering away (losing interest) from the book as I read it.

But over all, I give it 3 stars out of a total of 5.  I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in learning a little more about the Bible.

A Bird Guide Farce

A Field Guide To Little-Known & Seldom-Seen Birds
By Ben Sill & Cathryn Sill
ISBN-13: 978-1561457281
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Softcover (112 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon


Book blurb: 

Birders and just about anyone who likes birds will delight in this field guide parody. Thirty-two fabulous new species are depicted in this volume, which features tongue-in-cheek descriptions, observation hints, and range maps, as well as remarkable full-color illustrations. The reader will never look at our feathered friends in the same way after encountering these frequent flyers.
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.

A Field Guide To Little-Known & Seldom-Seen Birds of North America appears to be a very informative field guide.  However, upon reading the descriptions beneath each bird it dawns on you that the bird they're describing simply does not exist. For example, the Military Warbler. Really a bird that evolved as a mutant after early nuclear tests, which is commonly found on high-security military bases. Preposterous. I liked how the authors created color photos of what the described birds would look like if they were real.

Some of the information seems so real that it is plausible that the information is realistic to the point that you have to read it again. I'm not sure what the point behind the book was other than to make you laugh. As I have never read anything by this author before, I thought that this was a real bird guide and not a farce of one.  So, I was a little disappointed on that aspect, but other than that I found the book to be amusing.

I gave the book 4 stars out of a total of 5.

God Was My Armor by Michelle Kidwell

God Was My Armor by Michelle Kidwell
ASIN: B00CF4FH34
Publisher: Michelle Kidwell
Kindle

Purchase Book here: Amazon

Book blurb:

We worked hard in the camps digging massive graves for those who had already been killed, often wondering if we were going to be the next to die from disease, from starvation, or taken to the “ showers “. We worked long hours and the food we got didn’t give us any strength, but still after it grew dark and we were back in the bunks, we would sing and pray. Mama knew songs from when she was a little girl, songs a Christian family had taught her so we sang those, we sang Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art in broken English, others joined us in our native tongue German. It was those songs and those prayers that got us through, I know that.

About the author: 

When I was Fourteen I wrote my first short story, but as I grew older my stories grew with me, when I was eighteen I gave my heart to the Lord, and began writing for him, I write both fiction and non ficiton, and poetry, most of my fiction deals with people, often children and young adults overcoming disabilities through faith, I have many inspirations for my writing, my friends such as Melissa who went home to be with the Lord, but continues to be an inspiration to me, she will continue to live on through my writing, and Nonna who was my Mom's Mom inspired me a great deal, I have also found inspiration from Sarah L Tagert, Karen Vidra, Karla Dorman, Joyce Bowling, Sarah Davis, Sister Ruth Osbourne Fran Sayer, Angelic Bayers and Family, my spirtual mentor, Kevin Molloy, Elizabeth Vaughn and Joyce Bowling, and the list goes on and on, as for favorite authors, I love to read Karen Kingsbury, Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Tedd Deeker, Joyce Myers, Joni Eacerson Tada and many others.

I am a very family and friend oriented person, but my personal relationship with Jesus remain the priority in my life, and I pray it always does.I would be happy to do an author interview, if you send me the questions, you would like me to answer, I will do my best to answer them...

I write mainly in the Christian Fiction Genre, as well as Christian Mysteries, Poetry, and for the past few years I have been researching the Holocaust, for a novel I am currently working on entitled Where is G_D about a young girl trying to survive the ghetto, and what will follow during Hitlers Rein.

Contact the author here: Amazon

The Action Bible by Doug Mauss
ISBN-13: 978-0781444996
Publisher: David C. Cook
Hardcover (752 pages )

Purchase the book here: Amazon

Book blurb:

Here’s the most complete picture Bible ever! And it features a captivating, up-to-date artwork style—making it the perfect Bible for today’s visually focused culture.

The Action Bible presents 215 fast-paced narratives in chronological order, making it easier to follow the Bible’s historical flow—and reinforcing the build-up to its thrilling climax.

The stories in The Action Bible communicate clearly and forcefully to contemporary readers. This compelling blend of clear writing plus dramatic images offers an appeal that crosses all age boundaries.

Brazilian artist Sergio Cariello has created attention-holding illustrations marked by rich coloring, dramatic shading and lighting, bold and energetic designs, and emotionally charged figures.

Let this epic rendition draw you into all the excitement of the world’s most awesome story.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.   



The Action Bible is an incredible graphic novel of the Holy Bible. The illustrations throughout this book are incredible and draw you into the story. The author and illustrator did an amazing job working together to render this incredible picturesque Bible. Not only was the book written well, but it was done in such a way that it grasps the readers' attention from page one and keeps it throughout the book. This is one of those books that you will not want to put down until you have read the very last page. Even then you will want to read it all over again. While this book was written in an effort to draw our young people to reading the word of God, I believe that this book will be readily enjoyed by even adults.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants to read an enjoyable and knowledge filled book. You will find yourself remembering some of the parts and comparing how you pictured in your mind with the illustrations in this book. You'll even find yourself picking up a King James version of the Bible to read more of the chapter the illustrated Bible was referencing to. This book makes a wonderful gift and will definitely get the most unwilling child to actually sit down and read.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5 stars.