Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul

War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril… can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

Dragons of the Valley, the sequel to The Vanishing Sculptor, was an interesting book. I liked one of the main characters, Tipper, a lot. Probably because she was more my age (at least it felt like it. I really don't remember what age she was). Also the little kimens were cute.

As for the plot itself, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't "Oh, read that story before" or "I betcha five bucks I know what happens next, it's so predictable". It kept me turning pages and guessing. I always love reluctant heroes, and they don't get more reluctant then this!

All in all, I think I liked it beter than Paul's DragonKeeper Chronciles. It is sorta a spin-off series, but you don't have to read the other series to read this one. A great read for families or teens!

Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and author of numerous novellas, short stories, and nine novels, including the best-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles. The winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she spends time mentoring and encouraging writers.

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• Author's Website
• Author's Blog (Dragon Bloggin')
• Author's Blog (The O.L.D. Blog)

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Same Life, New Story by Jan Silvious

Using powerful character studies of ten women from Scripture, as well as modern-day stories from her work as a professional life coach, Bible teacher Jan Silvious helps women choose new stories instead of dumping, or wallowing in, their old lives.

Naomi, Leah, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Anna, Jehosheba, Abigail, Naaman's servant girl, and Elizabeth round out the cast of characters who, with their own stories, help readers find new perspectives with amazing results.

One of the main reasons I got this book was because I went to Jan's conference the day the book came out and really enjoyed it her speaking. She wrote this book for adults, but I still liked it.

I loved all the Bible stories Jan put in there like Naomi, Rahab, and Deborah (just to name a few). She made their stories come to life and pulled out what their thoughts and feeling may have been. Scared? Bitter? Stuck?

The great news is this - all those women had the same life, but by the time God was through working, they had a new story.

Jan peppered the book with her own stories, hopes, and disappointments. Other women's stories are included also. Each chapter ended with a "Personal Reflection", "Journal Entry", and "Group Discussion Questions." I love it when an author includes all that stuff in there. It really sums up the chapter and gets you thinking.

And all the scripture is already in the book! I may sound really lazy, but I hate it when I have to look verses up when I'm reading a book/Bible study. I just do. I like everything to flow together and be able to think without trying to juggle two books.

I totally agree with what Jan is trying to say about having your same old life, but with a new story. I'm a girl and I know we get crazy emotional sometimes and some not-so-good stories have our feelings all wrapped up in them. And we think we can't let go of these stories because it's who we are. The good news is, God wants to write a new story. Hallelujah.

Jan Silvious has been reaching out to women for over 20 years, helping them to think biblically, reason clearly, live fully, and embrace an intelligent attitude toward life. Of the ten books she has authored, two of her favorites have been reader favorites as well: Big Girls Don’t Whine and Fool-Proofing Your Life. Jan's ministry truly is 'encouraging women to embrace wisdom—an intelligent attitude toward life.'

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I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett

Whether we realize it or not, each of us was created for a great cause—and we will never be truly fulfilled until we find and pursue it.

Matthew Barnett, son of a well-known mega church pastor, discovered his great cause when he relinquished his dream of building a big, successful church like his father’s and began listening for God’s dream for his life. Sensing that God was calling him to serve the poor and powerless of Los Angeles, Matthew founded the Dream Center, a beacon of hope for homeless families, drug addicts, abused women and children, victims of human trafficking, teen runaways, gang members, and many others whose lives were filled with brokenness.

If you are hungry for a life full of passion instead of apathy; if you are ready to use your specific gifts and abilities to make a mark on the world; if you need to be reminded that God loves you and has a plan for your life—The Cause Within You is the book that can change everything.

Through his own story and the stories of others whose lives have been transformed, Matthew Barnett will lead you to the cause of your lifetime.

I freakin' loved this book.

I'm a fiction gal. I like to read stories. I think one of the main reasons I didn't like Mere Churchianity was because there wasn't a story throughout the whole book. I kept waiting for Spencer to actually act out what he was preaching. But The Cause Within You kept me spell bound from the beginning all the way to the end, a story that began way back when as a sixteen-year-old pastor wannabe who was told he couldn't do it.

It starts out with a mega-church pastor seeing what it's like to be homeless. Literally on the streets sleeping on a cardboard box. I totally cheered this guy on. I thought, Finally! Someone who doesn't just PREACH. Someone who says they have faith and proves it with works! (James 2:14 - Awesome scripture. I totally recommend you pulling out your Bible and reading the book of James in the New Testament).

Reading this book was like a breath of fresh air. It encouraged me soooo much to read about hundreds of people who don't just sit around debating all the time. It's okay to have questions and doubts (Happens to me all the time!), but it seems like some people just get STUCK in their questions. Seems to me that we humans have a lot of questions. And for some dumb reason we keep on asking each other. When was the last time you asked God?

Okay, sorry, I feel like I'm preaching. These are just the thoughts churning in my head. Back to the book!

Barnett wrote a lot about what God has taught him, and he ended some of the chapters with a short list called "What I've Learned." I loved that. Totally summed up the chapter and keeps you thinking.

He also wrote about the Dream Center and his church. I have a list of churches I want to visit (Like, The Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York, Joel Olsteen's church, Moody in Chicago, etc.) and his is so on my list. I would also love to visit the Dream Center.

If you're involved in ministry or you're looking for God's purpose in your life, this is the book for you. Barnett is so real in his book. I didn't feel like I was reading about a mega-church pastor, I felt like I was reading about a brother in Christ. He wasn't throwing in a bunch of "what-ifs" or "I think God wants us to do this and that." Instead he was genuine and I whole heartily agreed with everything he said.

Matthew Barnett, best-selling author of The Church That Never Sleeps and pastor of one of America’s fastest growing churches, is one of the most dynamic voices God is using in Christianity today. At the age of 34, he is fulfilling the roles of people who have been in the ministry for years. Son of Pastor Tommy Barnett, best-selling author, church growth pioneer, and pastor of what Time Magazine noted as “One of the three largest churches in America,” Matthew has learned powerful principles of ministry, which have gifted him in founding The Dream Center in Los Angeles.

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This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer

Studies show that one in four young adults claim no formal religious affiliation, and church leaders have long known that this generation is largely missing on Sunday morning. Hundreds of thousands of "church leavers" have had a mentor and pastor, however, in Michael Spencer, known to blog readers as the Internet Monk.

Spencer discovered the truth that church officials often miss, which is that many who leave the church do so in attempt to find Jesus. For years on his blog, Spencer showed de-churched readers how to practice their faith without the distractions of religious institutions. Now, in his only book, you can read new material from the Internet Monk that has never appeared on his blog.

In Mere Churchianity, Spencer's writing continues to point the disenchanted and dispossessed to a Jesus-shaped spirituality. And along the way, his teachings show how you can find others who will go with you on the journey.

Things I thought after reading this book:

1. It did not change my life.
2. It did not change the way I viewed Christianity or Jesus.

I've really been thinking about what being a Christian REALLY means these past six months. I reached points where I was ready to leave "religion" and pursue a relationship with Jesus by taking a break from the church (We could discuss this a lot considering I really wouldn't have left at all since Christians ARE the church, but I won't go into that). So I was really interested when I read about his book and read this:

Have you left the church in search of Jesus?

But the book didn't meet my standards halfway. I found myself becoming bored and skipping pages. I loved the introduction, but it didn't hook me. I felt like there was a certain depth missing from the book that I was feeling in my heart.

I'm sure this book has helped many non-Christians and Christians see the real Jesus. Spencer did an excellent job writing and has helped many people. I agreed with most of what he said and was hesitant to agree with the rest of it (I never recommend that you read a book and believe every word in there. Line it up with Scripture and see if it's truth before you swallow it hook, line, and sinker.)

Michael Spencer was the founder, the primary writer, and editor of Internet Monk, Jesus Shaped Spirituality, and the moderator of the Boar's Head Tavern. Michael's first book, Mere Churchianity, was published by Random House/Waterbrook on June 15, 2010. He died on April 5, 2010 after a battle with cancer.

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I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Girl Talk with God by Susie Shellengerger

Do you know that you can talk to God the way you talk to your best friend?

Girl Talk with God shares eye-opneing private communication between teen girls and God. These intimate conversations show how amazing it can be to talk to God about anything.

But be prepared: God tells girls the truth, and sometimes it's not pretty. But when he challenges, He offers His grace, His comfort, and His awesome love.

And God is always there. He's there when a friend disapoints. He's there when you have doubts about faith. He's there when it's cold and lonely and sad. He's there no matter what.

Listen in. Find out what it's like to have the Creator of the universe for your best friend.

Girl Talk with God is all about girls getting real and talking with God - and listening to Him talk back. The overall message is letting God take control of your life, having a relationship with Him, and that He's aways there for you. NMW. No Matter What.

Susie peirced my heart with honest, intimate talks with God. I would have never guessed in a million years that a conversation would be so riveting. It was like a peek into His heart, a heart burning for a relationship with me, and with everyone in the world.

I loved how she covered so many topics, going from porn addiction, sexual purity, divorce, eating disorders, hell, cutting, boys, and much, much more. I didn't want the book to end! And the best part is that - it won't. I can pick up from where it left off into my own talks with God.

Susie Shellenberger is the editor of SUSIE Magazine for teen girls and was the founding editor of Brio Magazine. Susie has written 49 books, loves the smell of new tennis shoes, and has been to every continent in the world. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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• Susie Magazine
  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones

Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes--Bella is one skinny mocha frapp away from total meltdown.

When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple.

She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.

Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk.

I love all things Jenny B. Jones, but this book isn't making my favorites list.

The third book in A Charmed Life is full of drama, romance, and mystery. And I think it was the romance that was throwing me off. Luke and Bella break up, Luke keeps telling Bella she's insecure and doesn't trust guys, Bella keeps telling Luke to stay away from that Ashley girl...It was a great twist to the series to have them break up, but it was like a CD stuck on the same line as they worked out their relationship.

I usually hate mysteries (they're so predicable!), but Jones keeps things funny and suspenseful. I had a freak out when Bella encountered the killer. I also died laughing at Ruthie. Seriously. I want that girl to go to MY church.

I did wish to read more about Bella's family in Truman and friends at school, but the book mostly focused on the circus and her Dad in New York.

All in all, I liked it. Not as good as the first two, but a great ending to the series!

Note: By the way, am I the only one who thinks Junie B. Jones when I read her name? Anyone?

Jenny B. Jones writes Christian fiction with equal parts wit, sass, and untamed hilarity. When she's not writing, she's living it up as a high school teacher in Arkansas. Since she has very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture.

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