Renegades- Marissa Meyer

My Rating: 3 Stars

Description: Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

My Thoughts: I will start by saying that I did read this books in two days. Though long, it has a pacing that keeps you glued to the text and skipping through the pages with easy. The main renegades (i.e. Adrien's team, not the council) are easily distinguishable and both Adrian and Nova have personalities that are engaging. Yet the Superhero theme seemed to be to be both a hit and a miss.

The hit is that the story has engaging action and that most everything was bright colors and chaos in my imagination. But the miss was that I found it really heard to believe that this was what would come from a worldwide collapse of government. I also struggled to accept that idea that prodigies (superheroes) have existed all along, but were pretty much always killed off before the public could hear about them. This might have made sense, if the prodigies were like mutants and had their powers since birth. Yet, at about the two-third's marker, it is revealed that this is not the case, but that most prodigies receive their powers through a traumatic event in their life. Which leads me to question, how awful are all these people's lives if there are hundreds and hundreds prodigies and 72 percent were not born with those powers?

The story is engaging, one that I intend to continue with in the next book. Yet it is entertaining in a very high level of suspension of disbelief sort of way. And for me, that disbelief was an active choice to keep going even when I stumbled across so many holes in logic, as well as a good portion of the story that I felt could have been cut without losing anything.

In the end, I do not want to put anyone off of reading this. There is still a lot of entertainment to be had, I just want everyone to know what they are in for.

If you liked this review, and want to see more for books like it, let me know in the comments. You can also follow me on Goodreads, where I post reviews for all the books I read, including those that I was not given for review.

Habits of the Heart: 365 Daily Exercises for Living Like Jesus- Katherine J. Butler

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description: Are you “out of shape” spiritually? Do you long for a life that is fully and deeply engaged with the Creator? Does your heart ache to be transformed by God? Real change happens only when we train ourselves to be in the habit of exercising our hearts in the practice of godliness. The Bible says that training the body is of some value, but the most important thing we can do is to train our spirit. Habits of the Heart will help you develop practices that draw you into a deeper and lasting relationship with God. Each day of the year, this simple guide will help you focus on one essential aspect of your walk with God and show you how to make it a habit.

Features: Unique cover material featuring wood texture stamped with a bronze foil Elegant interior design with full-color end papers and a ribbon marker 365 devotions offer a meaningful, yet practical, way to exercise your heart in the practice of godliness Each week immerses you in a specific practice: conversational prayer, unplugging from life’s daily grind, waiting on God, being watchful, and much more.

My Thoughts: When I first picked this up for review, I was not expecting it to be as small as it is. Each day's exercise includes 1-3 verses along with a paragraph or two explaining what it is that you should do that day. Some times the book asks you to do actual tasks, like chose a different drive to work or to give something you own to someone else, however most of the exercises are mental and reflective ones.

To be honest, I did not find the exercises to be long enough. I would have preferred something that I could devote more time to and to really grapple with each week's lesson. Because the exercises were so short, I usually read two or three in one sitting, combining the exercises into one. Now, this definitely defeated the point of it being a 365 day plan, but once I finish, I can always go back and start it over again.

And that plan is something that I already think I might do. The exercises, though short, are most often good ones. There were some that I thought were silly, and a few which I did not believe to be applicable to my situation, but overall, I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to those looking for something short which they can do at the start of the day (all of the exercises require that you read them in morning and then act on them later as you go about your regular schedule), just not to those searching for something immersive.

I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Merry Christmas!!

Today is Christmas (as I am sure you already know and by now have opened most of your presents), as well as the day that I normally post reviews. But since it is a holiday meant for spending time with family and friends, I figure that most of you would rather do that than read one of my reviews. For that reason, there will not be a regular post this week. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and that you will come back next week for my review of Habits of the Heart.

Christmas at Carnton- Tamera Alexander

My Rating: 3 Stars

Description: Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. With the bank threatening to evict them, she discovers an advertisement for the Women's Relief Society auction and applies for a position—only to discover it's been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity-- and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man?

Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women's Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of "crinolines" isn't his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for.

Set against the backdrop of the real history of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored at Christmas.



My Thoughts: Tamera Alexander has always had a way of telling a story that sucks you into the characters lives. She invests a lot of time in to researching locations and the historical characters who lived there, creating environments in which it actually feels like the people she writes are truly moving around.

However, as with the last couple of books, I felt that Tamera is writing a highly idealized versions of some of her characters. For instance, Mrs. McGavock, the mistress of Carnton, is portrayed as a believer in women's ability to preform the same tasks as men as well as someone who demanded respect be given to her slaves, going so far as to fire someone who did not. While it is possible that the real Mrs McGavock held these beliefs (the author's note at the end makes no mention of it), the chance that this was the case is highly unlikely.

Ignoring this, I was able to concentrate on the story between Jake and Aletta, yet there were still moments when I was unable to overlook interactions between Mrs. McGavock and her slave cook, Tempy. These moments felt untrue to history and, though a small portion of the book, still tempered my enthusiasm for the rest of the story. And, if Mrs McGavock had been the way she was portrayed, I feel that to have been an anomaly worth mentioning.

As stated before, I really enjoy Tamera's writing and generally truly enjoy her books as a whole. I still liked the story between Jake and Aletta, and would have loved the book had it not been for the portrayal of Mrs. McGavock and, to a lesser extent, Tempy. I know that for many others, this depiction of those characters will be hardly noticed. But for others, like myself, it is something worth noting.

I have provided an honest review after receiving a copy through the Fiction Guild.

Mesu Andrew's New Book and Information on a Giveaway!

 Description:

A captive orphan girl becomes Judah’s captivating queen.

Ishma comes to the prophet Isaiah’s home as a five-year-old orphan, devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive. With tenderness and care, her lively spirit is revived, and the prophet and his wife adopt Ishma, giving her a new name—Zibah, delight of the Lord. As the years pass, Zibah wins Prince Hezekiah’s favor, a boy determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But loving this man awakens Zibah’s painful past and calls into question the very foundation of her father’s prophecies. Can she learn to rely on only Yahweh, who gives life, calms fear, and conquers nations?

Author Bio:  Mesu Andrews’ deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers. She and her husband, Roy, live in a log cain snuggled into the beautiful Appalachian Mountains with their dog, Zeke. The Andrews’ have two married daughters and a small tribe of grandkids. Mesu loves movies, football, waterfalls, and travel.

Biblical fiction is her favorite genre to read and write. Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes (Revell, 2011), tells the story of Job and won the 2012 ECPA Book of the Year for a Debut Author. Love’s Sacred Song (Revell, 2012) relates the poetic Song of Solomon in story form, and Love in a Broken Vessel (Revell, 2013) sets the story of Hosea and Gomer in biblical Israel. The Shadow of Jezebel (Revell, 2014) displays God’s sovereignty over Jezebel’s daughter, Queen Athaliah. The Pharaoh’s Daughter (Waterbrook/Multnomah, 2015), the first in The Treasures of the Nile series, unveils Moses’ early years through the eyes of his Egyptian mother, and Miriam (Waterbrook/Multnomah, 2016), the second book in the series, introduces Yahweh’s prophetess during the ten plagues and the Exodus as she struggles to trust this God she doesn’t understand. In January 2018, Isaiah’s Daughter: A Novel of Prophets and Kings (Waterbrook/Multnomah) reveals the little-known personal life of the prophet Isaiah and introduces readers to his captivating daughter.

 Website: www.MesuAndrews.com


I have been a fan of Mesu's novels for a number of years, so when I was able to take part in her street team, I has happy to make sure that my followers learned about her fantastic new book coming out in January. And when Mesu asked if there was anyone willing to donate prizes for a giveaway leading up to her release, I knew I had the perfect thing to offer.

Back in 2015, I was blessed enough to be able to do study abroad as part of my degree and field school. As an archaeologist, with a minor in religious studies, learning of an archaeological dig in Jordan was a dream come true. I was able to do what I loved in a country that not only was home to a vastly different religion than I was used to being around, but also one where I was able to see places mentioned in the Bible.

For most of the six and a half weeks I and the other students were there, we spent our days excavating in the ruins of a Roman fort and bathhouse, with a view of Israel in the distance, and our afternoons lounging at our hotel, looking out at the Red Sea and Egypt across the way.

It was not until that last week that we were eventually able to travel the country at large, visiting many of the historic sites. We saw Petra, the city in stone, Wadi Rum, where we were able to sleep under the stars, as well as the Dead Sea and the River Jordan, along with many others. It was on our last day of sightseeing that we were able to visit those last two, and on our way back to our hotel, we stopped at Mt. Nebo to the watch the sunset.

Now, at first when we arrived there, we did not think much of the place. There were no signs or ruins to look at, our driver just pulled over to the side of the road and we all climbed out. But that was when one of our instructors told us the significance of the mountain which I had long forgotten. This was the mountain which was believed to be the same Mt. Nebo from the Bible, where Moses went to die before the Israelites entered the promise land.

Suddenly, this was a moment were I connected with history and the Biblical narrative. At the other places where had been, the areas were heavily regulated, with fees to visit and booths from which to buy souvenirs. But Mt. Nebo had none of that; only a simple road, a couple of signs warning about the curved slopes, and about ten college students in a bus. It was peaceful and quiet, a place where I could envision Moses having his last conversation with the God who had sustained him through so much.

While there, I picked up a few stones to remember the moment by, all of which were fossilized sea shells deposited when Mt. Nebo was once underwater. When I came home, I turned one of those stones into a pendant and, once I learned about Mesu's giveaway, I added a chain. Now, you can enter to win it by going to Mesu's facebook page and commenting on yesterday's Wednesday Wisdom and Wit post.

If you would like to see more pendants I have made (sorry, no more of them are from Mt. Nebo) you can check out my etsy page, Gingered Gems, where my mother and I sell other jewelry we have made. There are also some vintage items along with bath and beauty products.

My sister designed this card. Didn't she do a great job?

Are there any places you have visited that are the Bible? If so, how did you feel being there? And if not, where is one place you would to go?

Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway HOP

Last month, I was going through my bookshelves, condensing and rearranging, when I realized that there were a few books that I had somehow collected two copies of. Since I take that as a sign that I had truly loved them, I decided that I didn't just want to take these extra copies to the used book store like all the others, but instead wanted to give them away. And that is where you come in...

I am taking part in the Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway HOP in order to give one lucky entrant a copy of either Arena by Karen Hancock or The Song of Unmaking by D. Barkley Briggs. That way you too can enjoy a sci-fi (or fantasy) Christmas! You can click on the covers to find their Goodreads pages.

Here are the rules: There is only one winner, chosen from the rafflecopter entries below. That winner will be emailed and asked for their address and choice of book. They have 24hrs to respond or else another winner will be chosen.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Crooked Christmas Tree- Damian Chandler

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description: In this real-life Christmas fable, when a Dad decides to let his kids select the family Christmas tree, he gets an unexpected lesson about God's love.

  In this thoroughly contemporary holiday story, a father lets his children choose the family Christmas tree. To his surprise, the kids pick one that is crooked. As he tries one thing after another to make the tree look right, he rediscovers the power of God's love. He begins to understand Christmas in a new way, particularly when his family decorates their tree and crown it with a star, never even noticing the crookedness he spent hours in the garage struggling to hide. The tender and laugh-out-loud narrative of real-life relationships propels the reader through the most un-generic Christmas story. This upbeat and comedic treasure refreshes the Christmas message of love and faith.

My Thoughts: The Crooked Christmas Tree is a nice, short little book, perfect for reading as a family around the holidays when you would like something to spark discussion. The narrative is amusing and easily followed, with thoughtful musings as to what can be taken from the simple state of the crooked tree. Chandler turns the tree into a metaphor for our own broken state before God, and its transference from the tree lot to their living room as undeserved redemption.

The story may or may not be something that most families will want to read with their younger kids. While the majority of the chapters deal with the author's personal thought process regarding the tree his children picked out, there is a chapter where the tree reminded him about an encounter with a woman outside a strip club. Yet this portion of the book can easily be skipped over for younger listeners if so desired.

Reading it on my own, I found the author's voice to be amusing; full of tongue in cheek observations and woe-is-me descriptions. There were at times some turns of phrase that I did not really understand or some points of humor where did not follow, however most of these involved scenarios that I have no past experience with. My family has always put up a fake tree without any real determination to develop traditions, so I am not well acquainted with that struggle.

I have provided an honest review for this book after having received a copy of the book from the publisher.