Books, Movies, and Chinese Food

bleh...brief hiatus i've been so busy the past few days (And did you see that Lost Finale??? OMG!!!!! ) haven't had time to actually write the posts! i have a bunch of book reviews and movie reviews so don't think i've gone off the blogging world. will be back to regular posting on monday. until then i leave you with this blast from the past (leave a comment if you remember this)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Ruby Among Us (WaterBrook Press May 20, 2008) by Tina Ann Forkner ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. Originally from Oklahoma, she graduated with honors in English from CSU Sacramento before ultimately settling in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming where she now resides with her husband and their three children. Tina serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors and enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her family, and works as a full-time writer. ABOUT THE BOOK Sometimes, the key that unlocks your future lies in someone else’s past... In Ruby Among Us , Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art─but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty can shield her from the memory of the mother she can no longer remember. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as...

Life In Between Katie Parker's still hanging around In Between with her foster parents. She's managed to finally start to settle down and get used to things. However just as she's starting to relax, news comes that her foster mother has cancer. Then she has to deal with the snobby girlfriend of her science partner. Her archenemy has declared war on her and accuses her of stealing. The Scott's daughter returns and tries to reclaim her place at the family home. Then to top it off, Katie hears that her mom wants her back. Will life ever go back to normal? Just like the first Katie Parker book in the series, I totally had a blast reading this book. It brought me back to my high school days (not necessarily a good thing lol ). I think Katie is one of the best characters for teen readers these days. She is going through everything a regular teen faces and she handles them totally realistic. I laughed over the scenes with Charlie and his girlfriend because I know exactly ...

I 'm giving away a bran d new copy of today's book Skid by Rene Gutteridge! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Monday, June 2 . US readers only. Good luck! Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a co-pilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage. On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled in-flight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of “What Would Oprah Do?” will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard...

I really did enjoy watching this movie. I think this movie actually ranks in my top 10 for this year. Ellen Page is just so darn cute as Juno. I love the clothes she wears in this movie. If I tried to pull it off, I'd just end up looking like a boy. And the words that come out of her mouth! Not foul language mind you, but just a lot of words. And shenanigans! Oh I loved that burger phone too. I was pleasantly surprised that there was a pro-life slant focus in this movie. While it is not overtly in your place, it was really awesome to see Juno realize she cannot abort the baby because she's just learn babies have fingernails. Her parents were very supportive of her decision. I was surprised at how calm they were when she told them. This may be due to the fact that Juno is quite mature. She is more than ready to give the baby to someone who wants it because she knows she is not ready to take care of that responsibility at this point in her life. I love Michael Cera as Pau...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Broken Angel (WaterBrook Press (May 20, 2008) by Sigmund Brouwer ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen best-selling novels for children and adults. His newest book is Fuse of Armageddon and his novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC’s Good Morning America. A champion of literacy, he teaches writing workshops for students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. ABOUT THE BOOK Her birth was shrouded in mystery and tragedy. Her destiny is beyond comprehension. Her pursuers long to see her broken. She fights to soar. A father's love for his daughter…a decision that would change both their lives forever. But who is she really─and why must she now run for her life? Caitlin'...

It's May 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book's FIRST chapter! Robert Liparulo and his book: House of Dark Shadows: Dreamhouse Kings, Book #1 Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert Liparulo is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly. He has sold or optioned three screenplays. Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colora...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Embrace Me (Thomas Nelson March 4, 2008) by Lisa Samson ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Samson is a Christy Award-winning author of 19 books, including the Women of the Faith Novel of the Year, Quaker Summer . Lisa has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as "a talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks." In Embrace Me , the latest novel by acclaimed author Lisa Samson, readers are privy to the realization that regardless of outward appearances…hideous, attractive, or even ordinary…persons are all looking for the same things: love, forgiveness, and redemption. This story explores a world that is neither comfortable nor safe, a world that people like Valentine know all too well. Masterfully crafted by Samson and populated by her most compelling cast of characters yet. It is a tale of forgiveness that extends into all spheres of life: forgiving others, forgiving oneself, forgiving the past. She lives in Lexinton , Ken...

Learning how to live life Chloe was supposed to be getting ready for her wedding. Everything has been planned from the ceremony, to the honeymoon, to the apartment the couple was to live in. But her fiance chose to text her the night before the wedding and called things off. Now she's living in a rut with nowhere to go. In comes her adventurous friend who suggests that Chloe joins a book club to help take her mind off things. But this isn't an ordinary book club. These women have decided their going to live out their literary adventures doing things they wouldn't normally dare to do. Chloe will have to let go of the predictable life she's lived and be prepared to face the unknown. Laura Jensen Walker's books are always a joy to read. Her stories are always hard to put down and I usually find myself staying up late into the night to finish the novel. The characters are so relatable that you wish you could jump right in and be part of the book. Her latest on...

I 'm giving away a bran d new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Friday, May 23 . US readers only. Good luck! This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Healing Promises (Multnomah Publishers - April 15, 2008) by Amy Wallace ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams , a homeschool mom, and a self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books, including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes . She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. ABOUT THE BOOK Facing a new threat. When FBI Agent Clint Rollins takes a bullet during a standoff, it might just save his life. But not even the ugly things he’s seen during his years working in the Crimes Against Children Unit could prepare him for the ov...

It's May 15th , time for the Non~FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 15th, we will featuring an author and his/her latest non~fiction book's FIRST chapter! The feature author is: Alex and Brett Harris and their book: Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations Multnomah Books (April 15, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHORs: Alex and Brett Harris founded TheRebelution.com in August 2005 and today at age 19 are the most popular Christian teen writers on the Web. The twins are frequent contributors to Focus on the Family’s Boundless webzine, serve as the main speakers for the Rebelution Tour conferences, and have been featured in WORLD magazine, Breakaway, The Old Schoolhouse, and the New York Daily News. Sons of homeschool pioneer Gregg Harris and younger brothers of best-selling author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye), Alex and Brett live near Portland, Oregon. AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER: MOST PEOPLE DON’T… A different kind of teen book Mo...

Battles heat up…not only those being waged by the soldiers on both sides fighting for Spain, but in the hearts and minds of the men and women who must sacrifice more than their dreams to save the lives of their loved ones. In this meticulously researched novel, brave and idealistic Sophie, Philip, Jose, and Deion realize their only hope for freedom is escaping Spain's borders. By continuing the story of this band of volunteers during the Spanish Civil War, A Whisper of Freedom proves that there are whispers of hope and liberty that resonate through even the darkest night. Run for your life Tricia Goyer has totally mastered the art of historical fiction. She is able to skillfully blend real life events with dramatic storytelling. This series has taken a little known event and brought it to public attention, allowing the reader to become more knowledgeable about this important part of history. I really felt like I was drawn into the story. I could see myself on the battle lines w...

I'm happy to have here today Virginia Smith , author of Stuck in the Middle, Just as I Am and her new book Sincerely Mayla as another stop on her blog tour. If you haven't read any of her books, I highly reco mmend you pick one of them. Also... I 'm giving away a bran d new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Tuesday, May 20 . US readers only. Good luck! Here is a link to my review of Sincerely Mayla. Mayla Strong’s life is finally starting to seem normal. She has been working at the same job for four years, living with a good friend, and enjoying a deep relationship with God. But when Mayla is suddenly laid off, the placid surface of her life is shattered. In this touching sequel to Just As I Am , Mayla comes face-to-face with the responsibilities and joys of friends and family. As Mayla tries to help her friends, she realizes that God has all the answers—the t...

I 'm giving away a bran d new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Monday, May 19 . International readers may enter. Good luck! Scotty Fitzgerald, oft-neglected daughter of well-known Hollywood food stylist Charley, knows the “inside scoop” about the Hollywood stars we can’t get enough of. Having spent her life in an RV driving from set to set while her mom “styled food” for cele brities, Scotty sees what the fans do not. And she reveals it regularly on her Hollywood Nobody blog, though she’d rather be as far away from Hollywood as anyone can get. After all, Scotty has enough drama in her own life! After learning that her ‘mother’ is really her grandmother, Charley finds out her real parents were probably killed in a mafia-style shooting reminiscent of The Sopranos . Scotty’s now certain a sinister “Biker Guy” who’s continued to track her and her mom must be connected...

Who knew John C. Reilly could do comedy? After seeing him in movies such as The Hours, Gangs of New York or Chicago (which he was nominated for an Oscar) one would think that he was only a serious actor. Then came Talladega Nights. Three words: "Shake and Bake!" Hahah, that 'stache makes me laugh every time. And did you see his trio with Will Ferrell and Jack Black at the Oscars two years ago? One can be funny and win awards at the same time! I don't really like spoofs. I'm not a fan at all of the Scary Movie, Date Movie, Epic Movie, etc franchise. IMHO those are cheap shots at trying to get the audience's money. This movie however is more of a parody, a fake biopic. While some of the material is quite inappropriate, the humor is more grown up. There is actually a storyline, award winning actors and very good acting and singing throughout. If you've seen Walk the Line or Ray, you'll get the little digs throughout the movie. The songs in the mo...

All in The Family Life was normal for the Carson clan until one day a young teen shows up at their doorstep. Susanne can't believe what she's hearing. This girl claims to be the long lost daughter of her husband. But this can't be true, her husband would have surely told her about such an important fact in his life. As the truth begins to unravel, everyone touched by this secret will never be the same again. I think that I unconsciously select books by different authors that have the same storyline. I had just finished reading "Ocean's Apart" by Karen Kingsbury when I selected this book to read. Interestingly both of the books had similar plots involving unknown children coming to claim their parents. I thought it was interesting to see how the stories parallel each other and also how the characters would react in different ways. In this book it was refreshingly realistic to see the other parent, the one who was left in the dark, be angry and even hostil...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Warriors (Bethany House April 1, 2008) by Mark Andrew Olsen ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MARK ANDREW OLSEN whose novel The Assignment was a Christy Award finalist, also collaborated on bestsellers Hadassah (now the major motion picture: One Night With the King ), The Hadassah Covenant , and Rescued . His last novel was the supernatural thriller The Watchers . The son of missionaries to France, Mark is a Professional Writing graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Connie, live in Colorado Springs with their three children. ABOUT THE BOOK A failed recon mission deep in the tunnels of Afghanistan has provoked a demonic onslaught that had been brewing for centuries. The mission's sole survivor is reformed black ops assassin Dylan Hatfield, and he once again teams up with Abby Sherman, now at the helm of the Watchers, an ancient spiritual force. Uncovering and preventing a secret wave of death whispered across cyberspace ...