Drop Dead Easy Knits

I received Drop-Dead Easy Knits awhile back from Blogging for Books, and have not had time to actually try knitting one of the patterns. However, there are many of the patterns that I want to try, and I'm hoping to cast-on the baby blanket within the next few weeks. All of the patterns are very clearly laid out, making it easy for even beginner knitters to tackle. I especially like the format of the patterns, how they mark 'concentration zones' for the more challenging sections. All the pictures are captivating, and show the pieces very well. There's an excellent variety in patterns ranging from accessories like scarves, gloves and hats, to women's apparel, baby items, and even an afghan. I'm very impressed with the quality of this book, and cannot wait to actually do one of the patterns!

The Light of the Last by Chuck Black

Loved, loved, LOVED this book!!! It was an amazing conclusion to the Wars of the Realm trilogy, and far exceeded my expectations. I loved the first book in the series, Cloak of the Light, but was a bit disappointed by the second one, Rise of the Fallen, because it basically re-told the first book but from a different perspective. Because of that I was a bit worried that I wouldn't really like this one, but I shouldn't have worried at all!

I read the entire thing in just a couple of days, reading every chance I got. I don't remember the last time I was so completely engrossed in a book! The story is very fast-paced and easy to follow, and contains all the classic elements of a great adventure story: CIA training, assassinations, corrupt governments, and much more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure stories with a spiritual bent. I would give this 5 out of 5 stars, no question about it!

I received this book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

Tyndale Rewards

For all of you who enjoy getting free books, such as through the Blogging for Books program, I've discovered another program that I also love! It's the Tyndale Rewards program (tyndalerewards.com). By taking quizzes and surveys, writing reviews of products, and inviting friends to join the fun, you can earn points, and then redeem those points for free Christian fiction, Bibles, and audio books. They have great products to offer, such as Adventures in Odyssey, study Bibles, well-known authors like Joel Rosenberg, and Radio Theatre. One really nice thing about the program is that it doesn't take long at all to earn enough points to get something! Even the most expensive things are 200-300 points, which are earned very easily!

I just ordered Oliver Twist by Radio Theatre for only 200 points, and I'm so excited about it! I've been an avid fan of Radio Theatre for years, and I think I've heard every single one of their productions. So I'm very excited to get this one for free!

If any of you would like to join this program, you can use the sign-up link below and immediately earn 25 points! :)

www.tyndalerewards.com/signup/?pc=22oq-5hsr-bmas-7qz7

Rise of the Fallen

'Rise of the Fallen' is the second book in Chuck Black's latest series, following 'Cloak of Light'. As a quick recap, Cloak of Light tells the story of a young man, Drew Carter, who goes blind, and then is miraculously healed. But when his eyes are healed they're not the same. He can now see into the spiritual world, and see angels and demons and what they're doing. He doesn't realize, however, what they are, and the book begins the tale of his quest to find out.

Instead of continuing the story, Rise of the Fallen goes back and retells the entire story, but from the viewpoint of one of the angels, instead of Drew. While it was an interesting read, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the first book, because it had a lot of the same content, just told from a different view. However, I'm glad I read it, just to continue the series, and I AM very much looking forward to the final book in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the Cloak of Light, but only if they plan to read the final book too. This book is definitely not one to just read by itself without first reading the Cloak of Light. Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars.

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program, in exchange for writing an honest review.

If God is Good by Randy Alcorn

     It's taken me a while to write a review on this book. Partly because I've been super busy, and partly because I still have not finished the entire book. However, I think I've read enough of it, to give my thoughts on it.

     In 'If God is Good', Randy Alcorn addresses the difficult question of "If God is good, why is there evil and suffering in the world?" Just like in all his other books, Alcorn writes in such a way that anyone can understand this deep issue. While the book is easy to read in the way he writes it, it is a huge and rather overwhelming topic, so at times, it's felt a bit hard to get through. It really makes me think, though, and makes me ask myself, "What would I say, if someone asked ME why God allows evil and suffering?" While I believe that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, I don't know if I would have been able to answer this question very well before reading this book. Sure, I believe those things, but do I understand them enough to explain them to someone else? This book has given me some tools to use, so I'll be more prepared the next time someone argues that there can't be a God due to the evil and suffering in the world.

     I really appreciate how Alcorn studies different viewpoints, such as open theism, and examines them in light of the Bible. He discusses their strong points, but also their weak points, where they fail to line up with scripture. I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to understand evil and suffering, or to those who, like me, want to be equipped to explain the topic when asked. I look forward to finishing this book, and learning even more on this topic than I have already.

    I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

Cloak of Light

'Cloak of Light' is the story of Drew Carter, a boy who keeps having bad things happen to him. This continues as he grows up, and he experiences heart-wrenching losses and tragedies. After he graduates from high school, he starts college, and thinks that he'll be able to leave his past behind him. His high school friend, Benjamin Berg attends the same college as him, and they become best friends. One of the professors at the college disappears, and then his body is found in an accident. Benjamin believes that the professor's death wasn't an accident. He tells Drew of the strange things he knows, and together they try to perform a physics experiment to find answers. However, the experiment malfunctions. Drew is blinded, and Benjamin disappears to hide what he knows. The doctors say that Drew will never see again. Miraculously, however, his sight returns, but he's not the same person. He now has heightened neuron activity, and can do and see things, that the average person can't. With his new vision, he begins seeing strange and fierce 'invaders' on Earth. He tries to tell some of his friends about these invaders to warn them, but they question if he's insane. Drew must find the missing Benjamin Berg with the help of his friend Sydney Carlyle. If they can find him, they may be able to unlock the mystery about the 'invaders' and warn the world about them.

I LOVED this book! I've read all of Chuck Black's other books, and loved them all, but this one was one of his best. Not only is it easy-to-read, but it has enough action and suspense to keep me turning the pages. It really makes you think about the reality of a spiritual world outside of our sight. Even though we can't see it, it's very alive and active in our world. I would definitely give this book 5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys spiritual warfare fiction.

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program, in exchange for writing an honest review.

Eye of the Sword

Eye of the Sword by Karyn Henley

             Trevin, Redcliff’s newly appointed comain, is sent on a dangerous mission by the king to find the missing comains of Redcliff. He’s reluctant to go however, because it means he must leave the love of his life, princess Melaia, to very likely be engaged to the proud and dangerous Dregmoorian prince. 

             Melaia gives him a second quest to add to the first: find the harps she needs to restore the stairway to heaven. Trevin sets out on the quests determined to prove his worth to both Melaia and the king.

             Through fire caves, wind-walking, and dangerous snares, Trevin stays true to the king and the princess. When falsely accused of murder, Trevin must face his horrible past head-on before he can move forward. 

            Eye of the Sword is the second book in the Angelaeon Circle series. I haven’t read the first book, so it took me a while to get a feel for the story, but I caught on fairly well. It started out a bit slow, but about halfway through, I was into the story and reluctant to put it down. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t say it’s a favorite. There was a bit too much fantasy in it for my taste. Not that I don’t like fantasy, it’s one of my favorite genres, but giant bird-type things that are imprisoned human souls is a little weird for me. I also wished there would have been a better spiritual message. There must have been some sort of god, since there were priests, temples, and such in the story, but I didn’t get the impression that they lived to serve him, since there was hardly any mention of it. I’m giving Eye of the Sword a three out of five. While it’s not my personal favorite style, it’s clean, not full of raunchy, questionable stuff. I would recommend it for kids and teens who like fantasy stories without a ton of blood and gore.
             I received this book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.