"Crazy Love" Hawk Nelson

Another recent favorite of mine.



Blessings,

"Add It Up" - Andrew Belle

Not sure why I like this song, but I just randomly heard it and now its on my favorites list on iTunes... :)

By the way, it's not a Christian song, but I found nothing objectionable or inappropriate.



Lyrics:

Tell me which way is up
I’m getting lost for crying out loud
had a point I meant to make
came to me as the wheels touched down
come to think of it
I’m the one who’s letting you down
tell me what does it for you now that I’m not around

I know it doesn’t add up when you put it on paper
you were playing by the water 'cause you knew I would save you
now that you’re time’s run out

Static climbs inside my mind
all these lines they blur into one
higher road they turn and wind
all this time my back’s to the sun
come to think of it
I’m surprised that I didn’t run
what’s to make of it
the parts were not as great as the sum

I know it doesn’t add up when you put it on paper
you were playing by the water cause you knew I would save you
now that you’re time’s run out
oh, when you add it all up
you’ll see that nobody made you
you were clinging for your life as the memory escaped ya
now that you’re time’s run out

I need a second wind of hope now
I need a second wind
now that my time’s run out

Blessings,

Stop Human Trafficking

Today marks the end of the "National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month". Human slavery is real in our modern time, and it is a terrible thing some people are forced into. Go here to learn more about it.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Time Saturday, January 1 at 12:00am - February 1 at 11:30pm
 
Location The USA

Created By Alan Carrillo, Gracy Howard


Many thanks to Charity Anne for letting me know about this. If you would like to know more, go here. Also, Charity Anne is giving bloggers the opportunity to win a CD with many songs from different Christian artist made for one purpose- to help stop human trafficking. Go here to see the giveaway

Blessings,

January, Where Hast Thou Gone?

I have shamed myself... January is nearly over, and, including this post, I've only penned, er, typed NINE whole posts.

Ick.

So, sorry folks. I'll do my best to bump up that number in February. But we still have one whole day, right? Maybe I'll just post nonstop tomorrow. Nevermind if it's all Prism-ese gibberish. (Chinese, prism-ese... Get it? :P)

Okay, so you all are probably wondering where I've been...

Answer: Working my brain off and figuring where I stand on some deep stuff...

So, let's end on a positive note:

131 followers!!!!! Wahooo! Thanks so much for clicking that little "follow" button, although, I can't imagine why you'd want to do that so I'll do my best to make better posts and more reviews, as my handy dandy poll has indicated that I do. Thanks for voting about that, by the way.

Blessings,

Review of Doctor in Petticoats

Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy is the first book in the Sophie's Daughters series, and it is a Christian historical fiction about the lives of some women of the West. In this book, Beth McClellan is returning home after many years of learning about medicine, but her ride home is soon interrupted by an accident which forces her to deal with Alex Buchanan. Alex seems to be a man haunted by the past, but when Beth is with him, he is somehow able to function again. The two soon get tangled up in a disaster that reveals shocking truths- Alex is a doctor, and Alex is a wanted man. Will the two be able to have a future together, or will Alex's life be cut short?

Find out in Doctor in Petticoats.

This book is very interesting to read if you like western fiction about the hardships and adventures people can have. I like how the author infused faith with the story, throughout the whole story. The idea of a emotionally wounded man with a woman who heals him isn't new, but the author makes it different with her strong voice throughout this book. I'm a big fan of books that also include medicine, so that element was good as well. From my understanding, this series is somewhat of a sequel to the author's past series, so I believe long-time fans would enjoy this book.

I found the book a little bit hard to stick with, mainly because it made me, a teen reader, a little uncomfortable. Though she doesn't go into any detail, the author talks about the women's weddings nights, and them being together like that. Nothing more than mentions, absolutely no details, but I don't enjoy knowing that kind of thing in the books I read. I'd recommend this book to women, but I'd recommend teen girls wait a bit before picking up this read. Also, the storyline seemed to bump along. I found it a little predictable and, though it is the next book, the portions about Beth's sister were a little distracting from the main story.

All in all, I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Specifics (from amazon.com):
~Paperback: 320 pages
~Publisher: Barbour Books; Sophie's Daughters Series edition (July 1, 2010)
~Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches

Note: I received this book freely from NetGalley for reviewing purposes. 

Blessings,

Review of Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson is the story of Elise, a near-sixteen-year-old girl who has never been kissed, and is ashamed for it. She dreams to be one of the popular girls, but when she starts going to her new high school, Elise finds out how absolutely mean girls can be. A "web" of lies spread through the internet and texting soon ruin Elise's reputation, and she must find answers to get to the bottom of the problem.

Elise's story is so realistic. The things she goes through could happen to any teen girl put into her situation. This book had real lessons that I learned from, and I believe many teens girls will be more aware of some of the things that can happen and how hatred causes people to do some pretty terrible things. For example, when a girl thinks she has found her prince charming, she is willing to do anything for him, sometimes putting God out of the picture. It's all about the guy, and she wants so much to please him, and this can lead to things the girl would not normally do. I've learned that no boy will ever be worth more than breaking the bond between you and God. A true boy who loves God will never ask a girl to do things that aren't right.
Also, I learned from this book not to take advice from everyone. In the book, Elise lets herself be influenced by a friend who isn't mature in her thinking and eggs Elise on to take part in "sexting". Even though Elise doesn't participate, the consequences of her listening to the girl's advice leads to a lot of pain.

My only complaint was that the book was really predictable. However, its message will hit home for many teen girls and make them "laugh, cry,... and think"

Specifics: (from amazon.com):
~Paperback: 216 pages
~Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2011)
~Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches

Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


Note: I received this book freely from Revell Publishers. I am not obligated to write a positive review- only an honest one.

Blessings,

"Leaving Eden" Brandon Heath

Title track from the latest CD by Brandon Heath. I have no clue why I love this song so much, but I fell in love with it from the first listen! :)

Lyrics:

(One more step away)
Headlines read like a warning, we're under attack
(One more step away)
I just waved to a stranger, he didn't wave back
(One more step away)
And if it weren't for my TV, I wouldn't know what is real
(One more step away)
My doctor can't do a thing for how I feel

Feels like I'm leaving Eden
Feels like I'm leaving Eden

People are losing their homes to hurricanes
(One more step away)
Old lady living next door forgot her own name
(One more step away)
Teacher is hiding her Bible, but at least she's got a job
(One more step away)
My local Salvation Army just got robbed, ooh

Feels like I'm leaving Eden
Feels like I'm leaving Eden
Ooh

It's like I'm further away with every step I take

And I can't go back
Cause I'm leaving Eden

I'm going, going home
I'm going, going home
There's no place, no place like home
Oh, there's no place, no place like home, home, ooh

When you're leaving Eden
When you're leaving Eden, ooh

It's like I'm further away with every step I take
And I can't go back
Cause I'm leaving, leaving Eden

I'm going, going home
I'm going, going home
There's no place, no place like home

Blessings,

Review of Save the Date!

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones is an unusual romantic story that's a little like a modern-day Cinderella. When a huge donor backs out, Lucy Wiltshire is desperate to save her home for teen girls who have outgrown the foster care system and have to fight through life like she did. Alex Sinclair is desperate to win what his good looks, NFL fame, and money can't buy- a seat in Congress; his family is also the donor that supported Lucy's home.
In a whirlwind of gossip and rising popularity, Alex comes to Lucy with an interesting proposal... literally. Lucy and Alex must pretend to be dating then engaged to get Alex his position. Lucy, in return, gets her home.
With some disasters, shocking revelations, and tons of hilarity, Lucy and Alex soon discover that maybe they don't have to pretend. Do they really love each other?

This book is absolutely amazing. I've read books by Jenny B. Jones before (So Not Happening, In Between, ect.) and I can honestly say this book does not disappoint. It has that flair that is just so this author's style, and I love how the characters' humor doesn't take away from the story but makes it more vibrant. There are clear messages about forgiveness, God's love and power, and true love. Lucy was a strong character who still had her insecurities, and Alex was a surprisingly down-to-earth character. It's not just guy and girl are forced together by circumstance, fall in love, and live happily ever after. This story has many twists and turns, some real tear-jerking moments, and some big surprises. I absolutely enjoyed this book. I recommend it to gals in their late teens or early twenties.

All in all, I rate this book a five out of five stars.

Specifics (from amazon.com):
~Paperback: 320 pages
~Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 1, 2011)

Note: I received this book freely from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I am not obligated to write a positive review- only an honest one.

Blessings,

Review of Tournaments, Cocoa, & One Wrong Move!

Tournaments, Cocoa, & One Wrong Move is the third book in the Real Life series by Nancy Rue. Each book, however, is pretty much a standalone. What if one mistake totally tears apart your life as you know it? Would you scream and rage? Give up? Or would you pick yourself up, and, with the help of God, family, and friends, fight through it? Such is the story of Cassidy Brewster in Tournaments, Cocoa, & One Wrong Move.

In this book, Cassidy Brewster, a basketball-loving, "perfect student" soon finds her world spinning out of control after an injury during a game leaves her unable to play. One wrong move drastically changes Cassidy's situation and her life spirals out of control, but will she find a way to make it through the words of a mysterious book? Will she ever leave "Loser Hall"?

I absolutely loved this book. Yes, I don't play basketball, but the author so artfully crafts this story in a way anyone can understand. You genuinely start being emotionally involved with the outcome of the story and the situation of the character. I won't deny it- I am a huge fan of Nancy Rue. I have been since the Lily series. Longtime fans will not be disappointed. Cassidy reads The Scarlet Letter in the story, and I could see parallels between the two stories. I absolutely love the characters of Rafe, one of the "loser" kids who becomes one of Cassidy's closest friends and Cassidy's mother, who encourages her through her difficulties. This book is a clean, meaningful book about not giving up, forgiving, and getting through hard times.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, Motorcycles, Sushi, and One Strange Book, and I recommend it as much as I do this one. However, I do not highly recommend Boyfriends, Burritos, and an Ocean of Trouble as much as I do the first and third books due to some content and language issues.

All in all, I rate this book five out of five stars.

Specifics (from amazon.com):
~Paperback: 256 pages
~Publisher: Zondervan (September 28, 2010)
~Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches

Note: I received this book freely from Zondervan Publishers. I am not obligated to write a positive review- only an honest one.

Blessings,

Awesome Contest for Writers!!!!

Stephanie Morril, who I have interviewed before on AGoMC and reviewed her books, is hosting a writing contest on her blog! It's all writing prompts, and you have to carry on the story. It's judged by published authors, including Melanie Dickerson.

Sounds awesome????? Go here!

Randomness Friday: No, not the LATEX!!!

                                                                                               (Thanks Libby!)

Isn't it weird when you discover something new about yourself? Like when you suddenly find out that you have a knack for public speaking, or kids love you, or you're Superman?

I mean, wouldn't superheroes be a little weirded out when they find out that they're super????

Well, my recent discovery is definitely not as cool...

I'm allergic to latex. Isn't that the weirdest thing you've ever heard? That makes no sense to me. I have to wear special gloves now because I'm allergic. I just put latex gloves on and they itched like crazy, then I realized my hands were getting red and irritated.

Weirder things have happened, I suppose.
~*~

Do any of you have New Year Resolutions? Yes, I know I'm late, but if you have them, are you still keeping them?

My goal is to have a quiet time every day before I start school, which is pretty early. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to use a devotional or just read through and digest the Word. So far, I'm choosing Psalms and reading those. I'm pretty sure I'll have a real plan by the end of next week.

It's really hard to slow down, sometimes. I love being busy all the time, but then I just want to rest sometimes too. It seems like before I was always finding excuses not to sit, be still, and dive into the Bible.

I also hope to continue this blog. School is really challenging, so my posting frequency may seem odd sometimes, but I will definitely continue posting book reviews. I may lag with the "about me" posts and videos, but I absolutely love writing book reviews.

Isn't that weird? I mean, I always hated doing book reports in elementary school, but I absolutely love doing this.

By the way, in case you're wondering what the picture to the left is... It's the Bible that I have... :)
~*~

Speaking of book reviews, I'll give you a little sneak peek of the reviews I plan to do soon:

 

So, those are the books coming up, not necessarily in that order. I think it's a good mix of books, don't you?

Note: All of the images used in this post are not mine. 
~*~

Blessings,

Review of Tangled!

This movie is outright amazing. I'm going to say it now- you have to see it. I plan to purchase this movie when it comes out on DVD because it is absolutely awesome.

Synopsis: Rapunzel has been trapped in her tower for almost all of her eighteen years by an ugly witch who poses as her mother and keeps Rapunzel to use her magical hair to keep her young. Rapunzel longs to leave the tower and see the mysterious floating lights which ascend into the sky every year the day of her birthday.
Then enters Flynn Rider, thief extraordinaire. As he runs away after stealing the precious crown of the long lost princess, her stumbles upon Rapunzel's tower. 
Rapunzel takes his satchel containing the crown, bargains with him to take her to the lights, and there begins the wonderful adventure!

The Good: This movie truly is a family-friendly adventure. I loved every minute of it. The story was lighthearted and fun, and I have never laughed so much in a movie theater! This is truly on of my favorite Disney movies ever. I mean, this ranks number two to my all-time favorite, Finding Nemo. I'm a huge fan of family/kids movies, so I was totally captivated by the story. The characters are all awesome and distinct, and the story is so sweet. The villainess, Mother Gothel, was somewhat of a complex character and I think she's (can I say it) my favorite Disney villain. I highly recommend it.

The Not So Good: I honestly can't think of much I didn't like! Mother Gothel attire bothered me just a little bit... That's honestly all I can think of.

Blessings,