as good as dead review

"As Good As Dead" by Stephen L Moore is a nonfiction work about the POW camps in the Philippines during World War II.  Close to 400 Americans were held prisoner on the Palawan Island, being starved and tortured.  The majority of the book stays with the POWs on the island telling of the horrors the men endured while there.  Climaxing when the last 150 men still there were massacred.  With only 11 left, the men escaped and were on a mission for survival. 
This is a brilliantly written book.  Very well researched.  It is not a book that one would read for hours strait at a time.  It can be quiet difficult to read, actually.  However, it is an important book that should be read by all.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.firsttoread.com. 

Where there's a will

"The Will of a Man and the Way of a Woman" by Robert and Pamela Crosby is a self-help book for married couples and their communication.  The book describes  not only the social differences, but the biblical, physical and psychological differences between men and women.  Though I didn't think this book was all that necessary to begin with, I soon found myself quoting from it regularly. Keep reading, cuz it is good!   It is sooo informative and the a-ha moments are frequent.  I loved this book!  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review."

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Broken

"Broken Crayons Still Color" by Shelley Hitz is a self help book of sorts.  It focuses on healing, forgiveness, and therapeutic activity.  Her book consists of 7 weekly chapters.  Each chapter has a message, color sheets, reflection questions, prayer, a weekly memory verse, a video, and a viewers guide.  The coloring sheets aren't too complicated; they are simple and focus on the therapeutic activity rather than the picture.  I couldn't see the videos on my laptop for some reason, but they are there.  I also didn't really  understand the format of the viewer's guide.  I mostly like the message.  Her messages focus on making oneself whole again.  I received the kindle version.  On this version, the reader goes to the websites to download the coloring pictures and videos.  They also come with scripture cards, which I really liked as well.  I received this book from www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com. 

Dutch Review

"Waves of Mercy" is a novel by Lynn Austin.  In "Waves of Mercy", Gessje is a teen living in Holland with her family in the 1840's.  In the Netherlands during this time, anyone outside of the government religion is prosecuted.  Gessje's family is one of those families.  The family decides to move to America and settle in the Michigan Lake area creating a new Holland.  They bring their protégé, Maarten with them; followed by Henrick, a soldier that Gessje has fallen in love with.  The story goes back and forth between the 1840's Gessje and the 1890's Gessje and Anna, an adopted daughter of two wealthy Chicagoans. 
The story though predictable is written in such a way that it is shocking when events happen.  I liked how the novel went back and forth in time to share the story.  Austin writes in several different mannerisms in her novels.  I like some ways better than others.  This book is one of my favorites of hers.  Her characters are well developed and she doesn't seem to loose track of her time sequence.  She tells of her faith without being preachy about it.  She teaches love of God in a loving manner.  I received this book for free from Baker Publishing. 

The Shores

"The Shores of Tripoli" by James L. Haley is a cross between historical fiction and a historical text book.  The book tells the story of Bliven Putnum, a 14 year old captain in training.  The year is 1801 and the US is dabbling in the Navy with just a few ships, one being the Enterprise.  The US is headed for battle with the pirate ship, Tripoli.  The Tripoli is a Muslim led ship in a world where Muslim ships have gutted ships and imprisoned sailors into slavery.  The story mostly sticks with the conflict of Tripoli, but does jump in time while following Bliven, ending when he is 18.  Rumor has it this could be a series. 
This is a very detailed book.  The person reading this needs to be very interested in ships and 1801 world politics.  The book is well written and Haley knows his stuff.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.firsttoread.com. 

Demons

  

 

"The Occupied" by Craig Parshall is the first in the Trevor Black Series.  Trevor is a former high end defense lawyer from New York who has been chosen by God to enter into battle with the demons that walk the earth.  While Trevor is riding high in NYC he looses his wife to a drug overdose and his partnership in a short period of time.  He is brought in as a consultant by a detective who believes that darker powers are at work than the usual bad guys.  The demons travel to Wisconsin to Trevor's home town to wreak havoc on the town to draw Trevor out for battle. 

This is an unusual book in that it is both paranormal/horror and Christian Fiction all at once.  The novel is well written and incredibly captivating.  It will keep you up at not first to read, then to ponder and fear.  I think this series will be a success and I look forward to reading more.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Tyndale Publishers.