Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig(Kindle)

Shiloh's world is shattered when she is on a dive in India. Her best friend is shot and men are trying to kill her.

Reece is amazed at Shiloh's ability to get away from the men sent to kill her. He is trying to gain her trust and protect her while also protecting his heart from ever again falling in love with a strong-headed woman.

Shiloh doesn't know who to trust. Her best friend Khalid has just proposed marriage to her but she is unable to return his feelings. Shiloh has been estranged from her father for 15 years. She has no intentions of ever trusting a man in her life again. Why then, when she doesn't even know him, does Reece garner such trust from her?

Forced to be a player in a game she never wanted to be put in again, Shiloh must learn to forgive and open her heart once more to a faith that she abandoned many years before.

Ronie Kendig knows how to write a fast-paced, action-packed novel! I enjoyed this one from the very beginning.

V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone witnesses two women shoplifting in the local mall. One is caught, the other tries to run her down in the parking garage. The next thing Kinsey knows is that the woman that was caught has jumped off a local bridge. Kinsey is hired by the woman's fiance to find out what really happened. He does not believe that his fiance was suicidal. Kinsey is soon embroiled in a shoplifting ring with mob-like connections and also "dirty" cops.

Once again Sue Grafton has crafted a "fresh" and exciting Kinsey Millhone novel. I love Kinsey Millhone as a character. She is fun, witty and sassy. I noticed something different in this novel. Instead of the entire novel being written in Kinsey perspective Sue Grafton added a couple of chapters from a few other characters perspectives. It added a bit more dimension to the story and it was interesting. For the most part I enjoyed this latest installment of Kinsey Millhone's adventures. Kinsey has always had a "potty" mouth, but I noticed it a lot more in this novel. I don't know if the author sprinkled in more language or if I am just not remembering it from other novels. It does take Sue Grafton 2-3 years between novels so it could be I just don't remember. Four more novels to go in the alphabet! What will W bring us? W is for...

Holiday Break Reading Challenge 2011-2012

Ok folks! The Holiday Break Reading Challenge starts over at Edifying and Edgy on December 16th, 2011 and runs through January 1st, 2012. Hop over to E and E and get all of the details and sign up to participate. Books will be given away each day of the challenge. Some of the challenges will be a bit more involved than others, but that's part of the fun! The Holiday Break Reading Challenge is usually hosted by my friend Karin at this site: http://holidaybreakreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/

Go check out former years' challenges and see how much fun we have!

This year Karin and I (Karin is the Edgy half and I am the Edifying half of Edifying and Edgy) will be joining forces on our blog and hope that you will join us in the fun!

We have lots of books to share with you this year so go sign up for the fun!

Invite all of your friends to join us! Grab the button on the right and share on your blog! 

Snipesville Chronicles by Dr. Annette Laing

A while back Dr. Annette Laing was kind enough to send me copies of her Snipesville Chronicles series:

Don't Know Where Don't Know When

A Different Day A Different Destiny







Her 3rd book in the series, "Look Ahead, Look Back" is coming out in March and she has asked me to review it on My Only Vice. I'm excited to do so and look forward to receiving it. She is also offering the first 2 books on sale for Kindle and Nook owners:

o   Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Where-Snipesville-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0011T2VQU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

o   NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-know-where-dont-know-when-annette-laing/1022159032?ean=2940012135681&itm=1&usri=annette+laing

  

Click on the titles above to see my review of each book. I enjoyed them both very much.

Also Dr. Laing was kind enough to do a guest post for my blog. Click HERE to read that post. 

You may notice when you click on the links to the books and the guest post that you are taken to my "old" blog at Wordpress. I'm sorry I don't know how to fix that. All of my old reviews before I started using Blogger are still directed to the old site. But it's still me! 

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks Confessions of April Grace by K.D. McCrite

Eleven-year-old April Grace Reilly is starting Jr. High. She thinks that all will be the same. She is mistaken. One of her best friends is now the leader of a Clique of girls and won't even speak to April Grace.

At home April Grace notices that her mother is not looking the same. She instantly starts worrying about her. But all of the adults in her life tell her that there is nothing to worry about.

Circumstances prevent April Grace's mother from directing the church pageant this year. So April Grace recommends Isabel to be the director. Isabel is not a church member and she also has a demanding spirit about her that concerns the pastor. But April Grace and her sister volunteer to help Isabel direct so that she won't go too overboard.

The story is being told by April Grace who happens to be a hoot! I love the way April Grace just tells it like it is. She is outspoken as only an 11 year old can be. Yet her character has a love for family and friends and a diplomacy about her that seems mature beyond her years. I really enjoyed this story.

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

Once again something bad is happening in Morganville. Vampires are disappearing. Nobody knows where they are going once they disappear.

Michael and Eve are determined that they will be married even though Amelie refuses them permission to marry. Both human and vampires alike are against the union.

Amelie obviously knows what is happening in Morganville, but she refuses to share with Claire and her friends what is going on. Amelie is determined to get all of the vampires out of Morganville.

Unfortunately an evil more powerful than Claire and her friends have ever faced before has arrived in Morganville. When tragedy strikes none of them are prepared for what happens next.

At first I thought oh no, here we go again. Claire and her friends are once again fighting for their lives. But Rachel Caine has managed to bring a new twist to their fight for survival that has me once again sitting on the edge of my seat waiting breathlessly for the next book!

Women of Faith Conference-Oklahoma City

Thanks to BookSneeze I received two free tickets to the Women of Faith conference in Oklahoma City this weekend. I was able to take my friend Gloria with me.

We had a wonderful time and were very blessed by all of the speakers! Friday morning was general seating so we sat fairly close to the stage. Our assigned seating was higher up, but still a great view of the stage. My pictures are from my phone so they aren't very good. We could see much better than the pictures show.

Our host was Lori Robertson who MC'd the weekend wonderfully. The worship team ladies were great. They were enthusiastic and energetic and got the crowd on their feet praising the Lord throughout the day. Our first speaker was Patsy Clairmont

She is a HOOT! If you have never heard her before you are really missing out on a wonderful treat. Patsy started out telling us she wanted us to remember 3 things:
1) Say YES to God
2) Thank You-be grateful
3) Have a pocketful of "Holy No's" to be dispensed at the right time, knowing when to say yes, and when to say no.

I loved this thought she shared: "You want to feel better about yourself? Do what you know you're supposed to do."

Patsy also spoke Friday evening. Here are a few quotes that touched me:
"We are not weird, we are unique and a limited edition"
"We don't have to be slapped around by our feelings"
"Step out of our emotions to do what is right and kind and good."

Patsy also shared Saturday morning. Patsy has a way of making you laugh and cry all at the same time. She shared about her son being so sick. Had us in tears over the situation, but in hysterics over her facial expressions and on-stage antics.

Andy Andrews also spoke a couple of times.

At first I was thinking Oh my goodness if this man doesn't stand still I'm going to go NUTS! But I got used to his speaking style and he had some very good things to share. While Andy was speaking I was watching the sign language interpreter. She was moving around just as much as he was! It was very entertaining to watch! I loved when Andy shared stories of he and his boys. I love to see and hear of a father that takes the time to invest himself in raising Godly, holy men of faith. A quote I wrote down that Andy said was

"Everything you do matters to all of us and for all time"

Lisa Whelchel from the 80's sitcom "The Facts of Life" spoke on friendship:

 I loved hearing her story of trying to find a friend. A couple of things she said
"Be who God made you to be"
"A real friend listens and receives you"
"imperfect=REAL"

Brenda Warner shared her story with us. She was a single mom of 2 when she met her husband Curt Warner, a football player. Her son is special needs and she shared how Curt fell in love with her kids before he fell in love with her. She came on stage and said she couldn't sing and that the only talent she had was doing the splits! And WOW, she did the splits! And then brought her back leg up! I was impressed! She has had a lot of heartache in her life, but she has chosen to still follow Jesus. A couple of things that stuck with me:
"choose to have faith"
"Circumstances don't determine who you are"

Sandi Patty was also a speaker/singer.

She shared about struggling with her weight and why she has had such a struggle with it. She sang 2 very beautiful songs:
We Shall Behold Him, which she sang and signed. So beautiful!
Then she sang with her husband. I'm not sure of the title of the song, but it had the line "Let This Be Our Prayer" WOW WOW WOW! Amazing and beautiful! 

Marilyn Meberg shared about wanting "MORE" A couple of things that stood out for me:

"We were not created to be fully satisfied on this earth"
"He(God) wants us(His creation) to be fully satisfied in Him"
"Yearnings only satisfied with relationship with Him"
"Eternity=one day all yearnings will be satisfied"

Mandisa gave a concert on Friday evening. She has a lovely voice and I loved watching her sing and share about herself.

Deborah Joy Winans shared a couple of skits with us. She can sing and do drama! She just got engaged and so she shared that with us. Congratulations to her!

Amy Grant gave a concert Saturday afternoon. I love her song "Better Than A Hallelujah"

And since I am all about food in my life I can't not mention the box lunches:

This was Saturday's lunch. Sorry about the bite in the sandwich before I took the picture but I just couldn't wait! Friday afternoon our box lunch included a turkey sandwich, chips, apple and cookie. Saturday's lunch had a chicken breast(a real breast!) sandwich, orange, chips and rice crispy treat. Each box lunch also had a napkin, mint and wet wipe. OH, and water! They were both great lunches and very filling and nice that I didn't have to get lunch from a fast food vendor. I did indulge in a frozen yogurt! Obviously a lot of other women couldn't pass up the opportunity either because the yogurt vendors had the longest lines besides the restrooms! All leftover box lunches were taken to The City Rescue Mission.

I had a wonderful time this weekend! I was blessed! Each speaker shared from his/her heart. They shared their failings and their triumphs. We were able to connect with them each in a different way. Next years Oklahoma City Women of Faith will be held August 10th and 11th. My friend Gloria and I would love to go again! Thanks so much BookSneeze for providing free tickets to this event. And thanks to the Women of Faith speakers and entertainers!

Women of Faith

I'm headed to the Women of Faith Conference in Oklahoma City this weekend! I'm so excited. I'll be going with a friend. We were even smart and got a hotel room so that we wouldn't have to travel so early on Saturday! I hope to post pics to facebook while I am there. I'm not very technologically savvy though so we will have to see if I can figure out how to do that with my phone.

I will be posting about the weekend after it is over. Thanks to BookSneeze for the free tickets so that my friend and I can go experience this weekend. I look forward to sharing how blessed we were!

In the meantime, enjoy the video advertising the event.

Christian Fiction Book Club Last Book of the Year!

The Christian Fiction Book Club will be reading "She Walks In Beauty" by Siri Mitchell. We will be meeting on December 17th. The Hostess will be announced soon. If you haven't participated before feel free to join us for our last meeting of the year. All you need to do is read the book, choose a couple of discussion questions(that I will have to go find) and answer them. Post your review and answers on December 17th. Go to the blog that is hosting the club and link your post and join the discussion. Simple! We would love to have you join us!

Update: Discussion questions are at the end of the book. So choose a couple to answer and discuss. 

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie-NetGalley

Alexandria Featherstone's parents are treasure hunters. They have been missing for almost a year. Alexandria does not know where they are. The King has declared them dead and has ordered a guardian to take over Alexandria's affairs.

Gabriel, Duke of St. Easton is notified that he is to be guardian to Alexandria. At the moment though he is suffering his own troubles. Mysteriously he has become deaf. Unwilling to show this malady to the aristocracy, fearing the gossips, he has attempted to maintain business as usual.

Alexandria is affronted when the Duke sends a letter that comes across a little high-handed for her taste. After several exchanges of letters Alexandria decides that she must go on her own to find her parents whom she has decided have not died but are waylaid somewhere. She manages to procure money from the Duke in order to finance her quest.

Gabriel decides he must go get Alexandria and bring her home with him in order to keep her safe. Little does he know that Alexandria has already begun her quest and is determined that he will not find her before she has successfully found her parents. Not only is Alexandria trying to keep ahead of Gabriel, but she is also trying to stay out of the hands of others trying to keep her from finding her parents.

Throughout their correspondence Gabriel and Alexandria have developed a sort of affection for each other. Alexandria is determined though to not be thwarted in her mission. Will Gabriel reach her before she disappears for good?

I have enjoyed most of Jamie Carie's books. This one was about the best that I have read! I loved it! There is a bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a bit of adventure, all wrapped up into a delightful story. And who can resist that amazing cover? I do have to say about the ending ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! Talk about an amazing cliff-hanger! This is a must-read!

I received my review copy from NetGalley and read it on my Kindle.

Christian Fiction Book Club-Dancing On Glass by Pamela Ewen

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Book Club! Today we are discussing Dancing On Glass by Pamela Ewen.

Here is my review:

Amalise Catoir is a law student in New Orleans. She works at a cafe to support her continued education. Having been raised in a quiet bayou town she enjoys living in the busy city.

She meets Phillip Sharp one day when she steps into an art gallery to get out of the rain. He is showing his paintings. Although his paintings disturb Amalise she is drawn to Phillip. He wants to paint Amalise. She is drawn to him and determined to love and protect him from his pitiful childhood.

Even though Amalise is warned by her best friend from childhood Jude, she is determined to pursue her relationship with Phillip. She enters into a hasty marriage with him. Even before she marries him there are signs of Phillips dark moods. He and Amalise attend church together a couple of times but Phillip is not interested. Amalise feels that if she loves him enough and gives him time that he will eventually come to church.

Once Amalise graduates from law school she is offered a job with a law firm in New Orleans. As a new lawyer she is expected to put in long hours and attend many parties. Phillip is not happy with the long hours nor is he happy to attend the parties with her. He keeps tabs on every hour of her day. He wants to know where she is at all times and with whom she is with. Soon he not only is manipulating Amalise with his words, but he also resorts to violence causing Amalise to tread lightly when she is with him.

Hiding Phillips true character from her parents, Jude and her co-workers, Amalise has nowhere to turn but to her Abba Father. Things soon fall apart when Amalise finds Phillip with another young girl. Determined to leave him she packs for a business trip telling herself that she will never go back to him. This action sends Phillip over the edge and the consequences are devastating.

This was such a well-written book. I was invested in Amalise’s character. I felt frustrated with her that she couldn’t see Phillip’s true character. But the author does explain how Amalise was manipulated. Although the subject of the book was dark the author was able to show how God can and will forgive us our mistakes and give us new life.

I give Dancing On Glass:

Discussion Questions that I chose:

1.             In the first chapter of Dancing on Glass, Amalise is introduced to Phillip Sharp through his paintings on show in Porter Gallery, on Royal Street. Often the work of an artist reflects the mind of its creator. What warning do the paintings offer at first glance to Amalise about the artist’s character? What are some other clues to his character that emerge early on in the story—warning signs?

His paintings of women are very dark. They all have vacant eyes. I think it reflects on his feelings towards women. I think the paintings themselves were a warning for Amalise to stay away from Phillip. They disturbed her and she should have heeded those uneasy feelings. There were so many warning signs that I wanted to smack some smarts into Amalise! A couple of things that I can remember; when Phillip wanted to paint her unclothed, when she finds that he really wasn’t a professor after leading her to believe he was, using his “poor me” story to manipulate Amalise’s feelings and so many more things. 

The ancient Greeks placed the concept of love into four categories: friendship; natural affection, such as maternal and familial love; passionate or sensual love; and God’s love. Which category most closely fits the bond that ties Amalise to Phillip? (Clue: My opinion? Not the obvious.) In your opinion, what category most closely fits the bond that Amalise feels for Jude?

             I think that Amalise had a maternal bond to Phillip. He made her feel sorry for him. That brought out her mother instincts to protect him. As far as Amalise and Jude are concerned I think that it is a friendship bond that could potentially turn into a passionate bond once Amalise heals from her relationship with Phillip. 

.              Phillip says to Amalise: “When you’re not with me, I’m not alive…I don’t exist without you.” Variations of that thought appear throughout the book. What does Phillip mean by this? How does this affect Amalise’s emotional bond to her husband in the relationship?

              I think those words are another ploy for Phillip to get Amalise to feel sorry for him.  It’s another manipulation of emotions. Also it is another way of separating her from her friends and family. He has made Amalise feel that she is the only one that cares for him and therefore she feels guilty if she is friends with someone else. 

Women today have choices about our lives that our grandmothers never had. A recent study at UC Hastings Law School found that in the current recession more than 50% of the jobs in 2011 are held by women, and statistically women working  outside the home in two-income families are earning more than their working husbands. And yet women are still struggling to balance jobs and home life. Over time Phillip’s demands on Amalise’s increase. Once she’s a full-fledged lawyer at Mangen & Morris, her old habit of prioritizing expands into an attempt to balance home and her career by compartmentalizing. Do you think this was effective, given the situation and her relationship with Phillip?

           When expected to give 100% at work and 100% at home something is going to give. It is not very effective in Amalise’s case. Phillip becomes more abusive and she becomes more exhausted. It eventually all blows up.

                                                               i.      Whether working inside or outside the home, how do you find balance in your life?

Marriage is a partnership. When I was working full time it took both my husband and I working together to keep things going in the household. We helped each other get dinner ready each night. We both do the grocery shopping. There are many other things that we share the responsibility for. We both have strengths and weaknesses.

Did Dancing on Glass offer any new insight for you as to why strong women sometimes stand by their man no matter what? Do you believe that Christian faith requires this in a relationship like Amalise and Phillip’s?

            Not ever having been in an abusive relationship I have a hard time understanding how a woman can stay with a man that abuses either verbally or physically. Even after finishing the book I still have a hard time with the fact that Amalise put up with so much from Phillip.  I do not think that any woman should stay in a relationship that is abusive just because they are Christian.

Sorry for the wonky post in parts. The only way I could figure out to fix this was to delete and start over and I didn't want to do that! 

Now it is your turn. Link up and let's discuss what you all thought about the book!

Wom

1.      In

A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Katie O'Connor is determined to have her own way. She hates being "controlled" by anyone, especially her father. One evening when she returns home after curfew her father is determined to reign her in. Her punishment is that for the rest of the summer she cannot see her boyfriend Jack and also she must do volunteer work at the Boston Children's Aid Society. To make matters worse her childhood tormentor Cluny McGee also works at the Society.

Cluny, now Luke, was a street orphan. Katie's brother-in-law took him under his wing and showed him a better way to live. Now grown-up Luke is a lawyer working for the BCAS. When Katie comes to work for the BCAS sparks fly between she and Luke. Katie is determined to make him as miserable now as he made her when they were children. What neither count on is their attraction for each other to turn into a love that neither is free to act on.

While I fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the storyline very much I must say that I got a little frustrated while reading A Hope Undaunted. It seemed that there were too many other stories besides Katie's and Luke's going on. But the thing that frustrated me the most was the continual triangle that the characters seemed to be having. It almost seemed like the characters would never get off of the merry-go-round, that they would switch from one triangle to another and the story would never end. That being said, I still felt invested in the characters and I was hoping for the Happily Ever After that I crave...and yes, the ending delivered!

Christian Fiction Book Club Reminder

The Christian Fiction Book Club will be meeting here at My Only Vice this Saturday to discuss Dancing On Glass by Pamela Ewen.

If you would like to join us please feel free! Here are the discussion questions from Pamela's website:

 

1.                  In the first chapter of Dancing on Glass, Amalise is introduced to Phillip Sharp through his paintings on show in Porter Gallery, on Royal Street. Often the work of an artist reflects the mind of its creator. What warning do the paintings offer at first glance to Amalise about the artist’s character? What are some other clues to his character that emerge early on in the story—warning signs?

2.                  Have you ever had a friend like Jude—someone you’ve grown up with, who knows you inside out, and who you’re certain you can trust? Yet Amalise ignores Judes’s advice—why do you think she reacts like this?

3.                  Read pages 28-29. Amalise tells Phillip about a puppy she saved from cruel treatment by a group of young boys. Mama had never allowed pets in the house, but she made an exception for this one, named Sally. Amalise describes the relationship between herself, Sally, and Mama, using the words ‘love,’ ‘grace’, and ‘redemption’. Why do you think that she described these events this way? Do you remember moments in your own life that held the same special ‘circle of grace’? How do you think this relates to God’s grace toward us?

4.                  Amalise’s background in the small town of Marianus is described in several parts of the book. What impact did her natural optimism and her fascination with movies at the Regal Theater when she was young have on her attraction to Phillip Sharp? What part does the ‘observer’ in her mind play in this theme throughout the story? Have you noticed an ‘observer’ in your own mind from time to time?

                                                               i.      Have you ever been in a relationship that you’ve embellished in your mind, or idealized someone? Why is that sometimes harmful?

5.                  Phillip not only paints, he also carves miniature figures from wood. When he moves in with Amalise, she suggests that he bring the carvings with him, and he says he’s thrown them all away. He’ll carve new ones. Same with the carvings he’s left at home in New York. What clue does this give you to Phillip’s personality? (Recall Jude’s conversation with Joanna in Porter Gallery).

6.                  Review pages 55-58. As Phillip’s complex character begins to unfold, how does Amalise’s response foreshadow problems she encounters with Phillip later on in their relationship? Can you spot other scenes in the story where her desire to maintain illusion compounds the problem?

7.                  Throughout the story the tragedy of the children in Vietnam and Cambodia in the early nineteen seventies plays out on the nightly television news. Review Chapter Twenty-One and contrast the various reactions to this situation from Phillip, Amalise, and Jude. What does this tell you about Phillip’s character?

·        On page 157 Amalise reflects on conversations she’s had with Jude in the past about why bad things happen in God’s world. What do you think of Jude’s answer?

8.                  Several times Amalise senses that Phillip is spying on her, or that he has lied and each time Phillip is able to deflect the suspicion by turning it around, by causing her to question herself instead. What are some examples of the techniques that Phillip uses in the story to accomplish this psychological confusion?

9.                  The ancient Greeks placed the concept of love into four categories: friendship; natural affection, such as maternal and familial love; passionate or sensual love; and God’s love. Which category most closely fits the bond that ties Amalise to Phillip? (Clue: My opinion? Not the obvious.) In your opinion, what category most closely fits the bond that Amalise feels for Jude?

10.              Phillip says to Amalise: “When you’re not with me, I’m not alive…I don’t exist without you.” Variations of that thought appear throughout the book. What does Phillip mean by this? How does this affect Amalise’s emotional bond to her husband in the relationship?

11.              Women today have choices about our lives that our grandmothers never had. A recent study at UC Hastings Law School found that in the current recession more than 50% of the jobs in 2011 are held by women, and statistically women working  outside the home in two-income families are earning more than their working husbands. And yet women are still struggling to balance jobs and home life. Over time Phillip’s demands on Amalise’s increase. Once she’s a full-fledged lawyer at Mangen & Morris, her old habit of prioritizing expands into an attempt to balance home and her career by compartmentalizing. Do you think this was effective, given the situation and her relationship with Phillip?

                                                               i.      Whether working inside or outside the home, how do you find balance in your life?

12.              And, women today are strong, self-confident, strengthened by our new opportunities and independence. Yet we’re also still the softer sex, nurturing, with instincts to protect those who are weaker. I call that the ‘double-bind’. In the end Amalise decides, regarding her relationship with Phillip, that ‘pity was the trap’. Do you agree with this concept of the double-bind and relationships. Recall Phillip’s acts of cutting himself with the carving knife during the story.  Do you think the double-bind made Amalise a perfect target for Phillip’s manipulation, or do you think her vulnerability was fed by something else?

13.              Did Dancing on Glass offer any new insight for you as to why strong women sometimes stand by their man no matter what? Do you believe that Christian faith requires this in a relationship like Amalise and Phillip’s?

14.              Just for fun: On the cover – do you notice anything unusual about the red umbrella?

 

            Choose one or more of the discussion questions to answer. If you do not have a blog feel free to enter the discussion anyway by commenting in the comments section. I'll have a linky for everyone to link up their thoughts and questions and answers. 

Go out and grab your copy of the book today and plan on joining us this Saturday November 5th right here at My Only Vice!