Books, Movies, and Chinese Food

It's not very often that one is able to find a suspense movie that doesn't have gore, language or sex in it. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that this movie had come out, offering the suspense without all the unnecessary additions. Films set in the deep south always give an aura of creepiness. I think it's partially due to the history of the area and how deep family ties will run. Secret societies area also a good subject to focus on, as there is a lot of mysterious circumstances involving them. This movie blends both with a plot that stretches several generations all the way back to the Civil War. It's a very intriguing story that captures the viewer's attentions from the beginning and holds throughout the course of the movie. The acting was well done. It was nice to see familiar faces in different roles. I liked Hilarie Burton's character very much. She's mostly known for her role on One Tree Hill and from this role I hope she gets offered mo...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Passion Redeemed Revell (September 1, 2008) by Julie Lessman ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Julie Lessman is a debut author who has already garnered writing acclaim, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She is a commercial writer for Maritz Travel, a published poet and a Golden Heart Finalist. Julie has a heart to write “Mainstream Inspirational,” reaching the 21st-century woman with compelling love stories laced with God’s precepts. She resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever, and has two grown children and a daughter-in-law. A Passion Most Pure was her first novel. ABOUT THE BOOK No man can resist her charms. Or so she thought. Charity O'Connor is a woman who gets what she wants. Her stunning beauty and flirtatious ways have always succeeded with men. Until Mitch Dennehy, that is. Brilliant and dangerously handsome, Mitch is a no-nonsense newspaperman who wants nothing to do with her. Charity...

It is time to play a Wild Card ! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour . Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Linda Leigh Hargrove and his/her book: The Making of Isaac Hunt Lift Every Voice (June 1, 2007) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Her writings include two novels: The Making of Isaac Hunt (June 2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (September 2008). The former environmental engineer currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and three sons where she occasionally designs a Web site. Visit the author's website and her blog . AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER: Chapter One Prologue On an ordinary afternoon in late October I discovered the truth ab...

I'm giving away a brand 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, September 2. US addresses only. Good luck! Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect. “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit– An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…. Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction. Does seeking to know God's will with certainty sometimes...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Twice Loved Avon Inspire (July 22, 2008) by Lori Copeland ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and five wonderful grandchildren. They are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa. Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995 after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market. To date, she has more than 95 books published including Now And Always and Bluebonnet Belle . ABOUT THE BOOK Texas, 1865 Willow Madison and her friends, Copper and Audrey taught school in neighboring Texas communities until the Yankees rode into the area and burned them out. In the midst of fear and chaos, survivors banded together to fight for ...

*Although the books I review on my blog are almost always Christian fiction, there will be a few spotlighted regular fiction titles I will review from time to time.* After bidding good-bye to New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise. All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family's only hope for redemption; New York's most notorious cad, Henry Schoon-maker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth's scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency. As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe , nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious th...

This was probably the least favorite of all the recent Will Ferrell movies I have seen. I didn't feel that the story flowed very well. You can't really make too much fun about basketball. I mean it's a very manly sport. The chemistry between Jackie Moon and the rest of the cast didn't gel as well as Ferrell's other movies. I thought his other characters such as Ricky Bobby or Chazz Michael Michaels gave more genuine laughs and were more likable. I did find several laughable scenes but they were mostly unforgettable (I can't even really name any of them right now-oh wait, the scene where they are dressed as palm trees is hilarious). The historical references about the ABA merging into the NBA are true however. That part was interesting learning about the merger. I totally did not get the whole point of Lynn's character. Apparently there was history with Ed's character but this is never really explained. Personally I felt that she could have been ...

It's the 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! D. Barkley Briggs and his/her book: The Book of Names (Legends of Karac Tor) NavPress Publishing Group (July 15, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dean Barkley Briggs is an author, father of eight, and prone to twisting his ankle playing basketball. He grew up reading J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Patricia McKillip, Guy Gavriel Kay, Stephen R. Donaldson, Ursila K. Leguin, Susan Cooper, Madeline L'Engle, Terry Brooks, Andre Norton and Lloyd Alexander (just to name a few)...and generally thinks most fantasy fiction pales in comparison. (Yes, he dabbled in sci-fi, too. Most notably Bradbury, Burroughs and Heinlein). After losing his wife of 16 years, Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping adventure of f...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing House Of Wolves Thomas Nelson (August 12, 2008) by Matt Bronleewe ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matt Bronleewe is a recognized producer, songwriter and author. The former member of the band Jars of Clay, has earned numerous awards producing and co-writing albums that have sold a combined total of over 20 million copies. His songs have recently been recorded by Disney pop sensations Aly & AJ, American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, and more. Bronleewe has worked with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Michael W. Smith, International pop singer Natalie Imbruglia and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere. Born in Dallas, Texas, Bronleewe was raised on a farm in Kansas, where he lived until he left for college in 1992. At Greenville College in Illinois, Bronleewe formed the band Jars of Clay with his dorm roommate and two neighbors, and the group soon found success. Though Bronleewe opted to leave Jars of Clay early on to pursue an academic ...

Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels? During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over. Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You , this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questionsabout heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.” Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Merciless (Bethany House - July 1, 2008) by Robin Parrish ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robin Parrish had two great ambitions in his life: to have a family, and to be a published novelist. In March of 2005, he proposed to his future wife the same week he signed his first book contract. More than ten years he spent writing for various websites, including About.com, CMCentral.com, and Infuze Magazine, which is a unique intersection between art and faith which he also conceived of and created. One of his more "high concept" ideas for Infuze was to return to his love for storytelling and create a serialized tale that would play out every two weeks, telling a complete, compelling story over the course of nine months. That serialized story eventually came to the attention of several publishers, who saw it as a potential debut novel for Robin Parrish. In 2005, Bethany House Publishers brought Robin full circle by contracting him for...

It's the 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: Charles Marshall and his book: I’m Not Crazy, But I Might be a Carrier Kregel Publications (April 17, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Charles Marshall began his career onstage as a singer/songwriter. When his singing voice gave out, he turned to stand-up comedy and was much more successful. He is now a nationally syndicated Christian humor columnist and has contributed to Focus on the Family magazine. He is the author of Shattering the Glass Slipper: Destroying Fairy Tale Thinking Before It Destroys You and has filmed two stand-up comedy videos, I'm Just Sayin' and Fully Animated. AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER: Chapter 1 Going to the Dogs My wife and I have been thinking about getting a dog, lately, and discussing what type we might get. For me, there is really on...