Review: 101 Things You Thought You Knew About The Titanic...But Didn't! by Tim Maltin and Eloise Aston

Title: 101 Things You Thought You Knew About The Titanic...But Didn't!

Author: Tim Maltin and Eloise Aston

Publisher: Penguin Books

Publication Date: November 29, 2011

Pages: 320

Genre: Non Fiction, Historical

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating:

Summary (from Goodreads): People have an endless fascination with the Titanic, yet much of what they know today is a mixture of fact and fiction. In one hundred and one brief and engaging chapters, Tim Maltin, one of the foremost experts on the Titanic, reveals the truth behind the most common beliefs about the ship and the night it sank. From physics to photographs, lawsuits to love stories, Maltin doesn't miss one tidbit surrounding its history. Heavily researched and filled with detailed descriptions, quotes from survivors, and excerpts from the official inquiries, this book is guaranteed to make readers rethink everything they thought they knew about the legendary ship and its tragic fate.

A few months ago, my husband and I had the pleasure of going to the Titanic Museum in Branson. Not too long after did I receive this book for review. I don't think the fascination of this event will ever get lost in history. If you have any interest in historical elaboration or this specific event in general, then this book is definitely for you. It is full of information and they even include interviews with Titanic survivors themselves, including crew members who had behind-the-scenes details before and after the event. It was like I somehow had a first-hand connection to the Titanic.

I was a little nervous reading this title, because you have to be wary of whether or not the author actually did their research, or they're feeding you a bunch of their own creative theories. It seems that Tim and Eloise really did their research providing a Bibliography and Webliography in the back, and not to mention the numerous interviews they sought. Everything was organized nicely by topic as well. 

The only thing I would complain about is although it is filled with intricate detail, sometimes there's just a little too much detail, especially in the interviews. I think the conversations could have been condensed down and more to-the-point, instead they were left feeling a little "fluffy." Nonetheless, it was still just as fascinating.

101 Things Smarter About the Titanic,

Review: Loving by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Loving (Bailey Flanigan #4))

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: March 27, 2012

Pages: 352

Genre: Christian Fiction

Source: Amazon Kindle Store

Rating: Sadly,

Summary (from Goodreads): The answers Bailey Flanigan once longed and prayed for are finally becoming clear. In Loving, the fourth and final book in the Bailey Flanigan Series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, Bailey is planning a wedding and making decisions that will shape her future. Bailey enjoys the beginning of her new career and time spent with Brandon while Cody faithfully coaches his team on and off the field. Will she spend her life with Brandon Paul in Los Angeles, or will her heart draw her back to Bloomington, Indiana and Cody Coleman, her first love? Bailey has learned much and grown over the years, but the greatest challenges, the richest joys, and the deepest heartaches are still to come. Featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family, Loving completes Bailey and Cody's story --- the finale thousands of fans have been waiting for.

 

      First and foremost, I have to say that I absolutely adore Karen Kingsbury and I have been reading her books for years. As I am approaching the "starting a family" stage of life, Karen has shown me through her writing the standards that I desire to raise my family in. She is incredibly inspiring and I truly look up to her as a Christian woman, writer, wife, and parent.

*****WARNING: SPOILERS*****

I, like many others, have grown with the Baxters and Flanigans since the beginning. And I, like many others, went through the series hoping for a happily ever after for Bailey and Cody. When I went to purchase this book for my kindle, I was still believing that there was going to be some miracle of a turnaround for Bailey and Cody and everything was going to be "okay." But as I got to the Amazon page and saw that there were over 100 people that rated this book as 1 star, my heart sank. No. It couldn't be. Bailey and Cody HAD to find a way! ...right????

I began to scroll down and read the reviews. This wasn't going to end the way I had hope it would all these years. I actually debated whether or not I should even purchase it because I was so upset about it. But, I couldn't do that to Karen. She had her reasons, and I was going to show my support either way, being the loyal reader that I am.

Normally, I read through a Karen Kingsbury book in a day. A day and a half at most. Knowing how this was going to end, it seriously took me over a month to get through this book. I would lay my kindle down on my lap, look at my husband in desperation and say, "this isn't how it's supposed to be! I just don't know if I can finish it!" Yes, I am one of those that feel like these are real people.

I'm glad that I knew the ending beforehand, because although it took time, eventually I started becoming more accepting of the fact that Bailey was going to choose Brandon. And because Karen decided to minimize the character of Cody and maximize the character of Brandon, it became more bearable.

The thing is, with everything Cody had gone through between almost losing his life overseas, losing Cheyenne, and even losing Bailey for a while...you would think he would've had some epiphany that life was too short, keep those you love close....fight for them and never let go, especially Bailey. He wouldn't just shrug his shoulders and move on with his life...that's not the Cody Coleman we all knew! Andi was a bit random, but even making her and Brandon a couple would've made more sense.

I'm still really torn about this series...by the end of it I was able to like the character of Brandon a lot more, but if I didn't know she was going to pick him the whole time, I probably would've been a lot more devastated.

I give a painful 3 star rating because I still think that Karen wrote within the same context we all love her for: Faith, Family, and Love. However, I think the storyline throughout the Bailey Flanigan series started off strong, but slowly became weaker as Karen was trying to decide which direction to take Bailey. I feel like it became too much like a repeat of Katy and Dayne's story. Although it worked for them...and although I know you don't always end up with your first love, I think Bailey Flanigan and Cody Coleman could have easily had a successful "first love" story that could've been one of the sweetest of them all.

Totally Team Cody,

Review: The Everything Grow Your Own Vegetables Book by Catherine Abbott

Title: The Everything Grow Your Own Vegetables Book

Author: Catherine Abbott

Publisher: Adams Media Corporation

Publication Date: February 10th, 2012

Pages: 286

Genre: Gardening

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 

Summary (from Goodreads): Growing vegetables is a rewarding and cost-effective way to eat better for less. Yet many don't know where to start. Author and farmer Catherine Abbott answers questions like: What is the best way to maximize my garden space?How do I get started growing food to sustain my family? Can I grow vegetables inside my house? How can I tell if my vegetables are primed for eating?Will I really save money by growing my own? You will find affordable tips on how to plant and harvest more than thirty common vegetables, from spinach and eggplant to corn and beans. Abbott's expertise shines on planting, fertilizing, watering, weeding, and troubleshooting. This book has "everything" you need to grow fresh, delicious veggies in any climate, any time of year!

 

     Absolutely love it. I've been wanting to begin growing some of my own food!  If you're systematic like me, this book will be incredibly helpful because it lays everything out in order, almost like step-by-step instructions. Catherine Abbott takes vegetable gardening and applies it to the whole family, so your kids can learn right along with you. 

I also enjoyed the incorporation of random facts and tidbits throughout the book. I found them helpful and entertaining. One of them talks about allowing your children their own space to grow a garden, and what exact vegetables are going to be the easiest for them to start.

If you're a beginner gardner like me, this book is greatly detailed and informational with a solid structure. I am currently starting my garden this season, and I will update here what my outcome will be after using Ms. Abbott's method!

May you go and garden,

Review: Book of Days by James L. Rubart

Title: Book of Days
Author: James L. Rubart

Publisher: BH Publishing Group

Publication Date: January 1, 2011

Pages: 381

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Source: Amazon Kindle Store

Rating:

Summary (from Goodreads): "… in Your book all my days were recorded, even those which were purposed before they had come into being." —Psalm 139:16 Young Cameron Vaux’s mind is slipping. Memories of his wife, killed two years earlier in a car accident, are vanishing just as his dad predicted they would. Memories he knows he has to remember. His father tells Cameron that to save his mind he must find "the book with all days in it" —the past and future record of every soul on earth. When an obscure clue leads Cameron to a small central Oregon town, he meets enigmatic Taylor Stone, a possible guide to finding the book who seems to carry secrets far deeper than anyone imagines. Local hotshot TV personality Ann Bannister thinks the legend of the book is a farce, but she has her reasons to join Cameron’s search anyway. Finally, there is fanatical New Age guru Jason Judah, who will stop at nothing to find the book of days before Cameron does.

 

    I really enjoyed this book. I found it compelling and well written. After just reading a book that lacked any solid character (I will review that a little later) it was nice to see the characters well-developed and CONSISTENT. The dynamic and mystery of the plot kept me turning pages, wondering if Cameron's father was just succumbed by his disease, or if he was actually aware of the conquest he insisted his son embark upon. There were honestly some parts I thought I was completely built up only to be disappointed and I thought I would end up throwing the book across the room in frustration. Regardless, I pressed on until the end.

I enjoyed all the twists, turns, and mystery that Book of Days provided. The wrap up in the end was inspiring and thoughtful. I would definitely recommend it as an enjoyably light read.

Happy Reading!

Review: Dreamweave II, Analyzing Psychic Dreams by M. R. Thoreson

Title: Dreamweave II, Analyzing Psychic Dreams

Author: M. R. Thoreson

Publisher: Thor Productions

Publication Date: February 28, 2012

Pages: 279

Genre: Dream Analysis

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating:

Summary (from Goodreads): Dreamweave is a manual to help the beginning dream journalist understand his dreams and their content. It has a dream symbol glossary with real dream examples for comparison. Dreamweave has dream examples that are focused on relationships, happy and sad, with explanations as to why the dream occurred. There has never been a dream book before that pinpoints dreaming the future, why it is dreamed, and outcomes.

I received this book off Netgalley and it wasn't quite what I expected. It was more a collaborative analysis of other people's dreams, when I expected it to be more of a "dream dictionary" sort of thing. If I had an interest in other people's dreams and situations, then this would be perfect. However, those are entirely irrelevant to me and I was rather looking to decode what components in my own dreams represent. Interesting, but irrelevant to me at the time.


Edit 12/28/18: I would not normally do this, but I feel any future reviewers that may consider working with Ms. Thoreson should be very cautious. When I reviewed this book, it was one of my very first ones. The name I received was from NetGalley...7 years ago. I have never before spoken to this author, but out of nowhere she has begun posting messages on all of my social media claiming I refused to change her name to her initials, namely on Google, after several attempts of trying to contact me (again, I’ve never spoken to this individual in my life) and that I was doing it for attention. After sending her a few messages back telling her I changed what I could, but I have no control over how Google displays her name from that long ago, instead of contacting me back she decided to start posting similar claims on my website and Google+ account. After continuously harassing me, she threatens to report me to the BBB. DO NOT work with this author! She is petty and will harass you with no intent to resolve issues. 

May all your wildest dreams come true,

Review: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Title: Redeeming Love

Author: Francine Rivers

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: May 9, 2005

Pages: 464

Genre: Historical Romance

Source: Family Christian Bookstores

Rating:

Summary (from Goodreads): California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

   Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.
   Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.
   But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does ... the One who will never let her go.

 

    When this book first came out, it was on display at our local Christian book store and I just picked it up on a whim. I have re-read it about a thousand times because not only is it such a compelling, heart wrenching story...but it spoke to me in so many ways! An incredible depiction of God's love shown through flesh, Redeeming Love takes the book of Hosea and elaborates to make it real.

Although it is not meant to be taken in place of the true book of Hosea, it encourages the reader to read the Old Testament in a different light. I think sometimes we read through the old books as factual...but these are things that happened to real people with real emotions and real SCARS. They are not too different from you and me.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with understanding how God loves us, and how we are meant to to love each other...which I think it's safe to say that includes all of us.

Beautifully flawed yet redeemed,

Review: Irish Moon by Amber Scott

Title: Irish Moon

Author: Amber Scott

Publisher: Create Space

Publication Date: January 5, 2011

Pages: 342

Genre: Historical Romance

Source: Amazon Kindle Store

Rating: 

Summary (from Goodreads): Druid Magick... Breanne grapples with the old ways, her mentor murdered before she masters her talents. The stranger washed ashore must be the key to proving murder. Knight Errant... Ashlon made a vow to bury the Bloodstone, it's horrific past, it's secrets, in the farthest reaches of Ireland. Fate's Twisted Course... Passion binds them but betrayal will test every belief under an Irish Moon.

  I was excited to read this book on account of feeding my human plight for the fun of it. However, there was so much "fluff" in the book that I kept getting bored or wondering what real turn of events was going to happen. At 70% of the book....nothing of real significance had happened yet. While some parts were over done, I didn't get involved into the characters emotionally hardly at all. The characters failed to hold dynamic.

Also, the writing...dear God, the writing....contains many errors and I found many sentences did not make sense. I don't know if it was the translation from text to kindle, but even some of the character's names were misspelled at least twice (Rhiannon - Rhainnon, Maguire - Maquire).

As for the love scenes...I wish I had known that there would be random graphic love scenes before I bought this book. I guess if I would've taken a really good look at the cover it would have been obvious, but when I got a sample on my kindle there was no indication that this was any more of an innocent "strong willed" girl trying to master her art. But how strong willed can you be when you've never been involved with a man and out of the blue you're like "take my clothes off!" Afterwards, she does not even give it a second thought when it goes against EVERYTHING she's been brought up with. It was disappointing and just didn't fit the context of her social class and upbringing.

Also, WAS there an editor here? I truly cannot tell...

I will, however, give kudos to Miss Scott for having the courage to write in the first place. I only hope that her skill proves to develop.