Under The Overpass ~ Review

About the Book:
Mike Yankoski did more than just wonder. By his own choice, Mike's life went from upper-middle class plush to scum-of-the-earth repulsive overnight. With only a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a guitar, Mike and his traveling companion, Sam, set out to experience life on the streets in six different cities: Denver; Washington D.C.; Portland; San Francisco; Phoenix; and SanDiego.

For more than five months the pair experienced firsthand the extreme pains of hunger, the constant danger of living on the streets, exhuastion, depression, and social rejection---all by their own choice. They wanted to find out if their faith was real, if they could actually be the Christians they said they were apart from the comforts they'd known....to discover what it feels like to be homeless in America.

Mike and Sam's story is gritty, challenging, and utterly capitvating. What you encounter in these pages will radically alter how you see your world--and may even change your life.

My Review:

I anxiously awaited the arrival of Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. I sat down in my chair with my warm blanket and cup of coffee and began reading. Very quickly into the book I realized this was a book that would prove to be quite a convicting read.

One Sunday morning Mike Yankoski was in church listening to his pastor preach the Sermon and felt very convicted. Was he really the Christian he claimed to be? Did he ever really fully rely on Christ for EVERYTHING? Was he like Paul...content in all circumstances? So within that hour an idea began to form in Mike's mind. One that would prove to change his life forever!

Mike felt a calling to leave his comfortable life (and bed) and set out to live as a homeless man. During the beginning stages of this "IDEA" he felt it was VERY IMPORTANT to have a "plan." So Mike surrounded himself with mentors, prayer warriors, and met with many people who worked with the homeless as well as those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. He had the support of his Family, well, after much talking and planning, and friends too. One last wish was that he would find someone to take on this journey with him. So he began to pray and ask the Lord for this. He met a man named Sam and instantly felt a connection. Within a short time they both felt the Lord had brought them together to take this journey and so it began.

Both men learned VERY QUICKLY about entitlement, pride and learning what it meant to be really hungry. They said prayers they never imagined before. But more than any of this they learned how to live day to day or even hour to hour relying on Christ and Christ alone. They gained a heart for these men and women who smelled worse than you could ever imagine, spoke more expletives and profanities than they had ever heard one person say in one sentence before. They leaned on Scripture like never before in their lives.

If you think you have a heart for the homeless, this is a must read. If you are feeling called to step up and deepen your Faith this is the book! It will convict you in ways, and inspire you as well! Mike and Sam are two men that have been forever changed. I have been changed just by hearing their story and seeing their hearts for the men and women who were made in our Fathers image!


Thank you Waterbook Mutnomah and the blogging for books program for allowing me this complimentary copy in exchange for this honest review.

Silent Order ~ Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Silent Order Summerside Press (November 1, 2010)by Melanie Dobson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.



Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.



Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.



Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is

collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.

Christmas at Harringtons ~ Review

About the Book:

Christmas is coming, but Lena Markham isn't looking forward to it. After being imprisoned on false charges, she's released---penniless and friendless. When her secondhand red coat lands her a job as Mrs. Santa, she thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret? A delightful story about fresh starts! 192 pages, hardcover from Revell.


My Review:

This is such a delightful book! Lena Markham has gone to Prison and has lost all hope. Upon her release she learns she has a voice, she has a bright future and a new home but will her past ruin it all? Will she lose her new job as Mrs. Santa and all of her new friends too? Christmas at Harringtons is a precious story of new beginnings and will leave you filled with joy and happiness! Lena's acts of kindness throughout the book will inspire you in so many ways! Even though Lena has little she always found ways to give whether it be her time, her wisdom, her love and even what little amount of money! She was so frugal yet lived so meaningfully! I love all of the characters and how the Lord worked in such wonderful ways through this story! Life in a small town is at times simply wonderful but there can be certain times in which people will be judgmental and it can spread throughout. I love how everyone learned in Christmas at Harringtons about judging one another and appreciated how Melody Carlson wrote this! I really believe this is a book for all ages and wonderful to read during the Christmas Holidays!

Thank you Donna @ Revell for getting those extra copies! Thank you for allowing me to be one of the blessed readers of this book! It in NO WAY altered my opinion. This is my honest review in return of this complimentary book!



Happy Reading

More Glimpses of Heaven

More Glimpses of Heaven ~ Inspiring True Stories of Hope and Peace at the End of Life's Journey by Trudy Harris, RN is such a wonderful, and inspiring book! Trudy Harris is a retired Hospice nurse and shares with us many beautiful stories of those who are living out their final days here on earth. Trudy shares the stories of some of her patients as well as other medical and hospice professionals. allowing the veil to be drawn back on God's handiwork, while we are both living and dying.


My Review:
Trudy shares "There is more to death than simply ceasing to live." This is so clearly illustrated in so many of her stories. Kleenex are a must when reading "More Glimpses of Heaven" and although you are crying, I think it is fair to say you will be praising you Father in Heaven as you see Him in each and every story on these pages.


Thank you Revell Books for allowing me this complimentary copy in exchange for this honest review!

to order go here

Norah Jones Cd ~ Review

Today is the Release date for Norah Jones newest album ~ FEATURING! I am sooo excited to tell you .... IT.IS.FABULOUS!!

Featuring is a star-studded collection of the multi-platinum selling, multi-Grammy Award winning singer's musical collaborations from the past decade. The 18 songs on the album include cool cameos, collaborations and duets with such legends as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and with 21st Century Icons from OutKast to the Foo Fighters. The tracks on.....Featuring span Norah's entire career and reveal her astonishing musical versatility, from jazz to country, hip-hop to rock.

Featuring is excellent! My favorites on the Track are with Willie Nelson (Baby it's cold outside!!!) and Ray Charles! This is a Wonderful gift to share with someone for the Holidays so get out there and pick up Norah Jones Featuring!

Thank you One2One Network for this complimentary CD in exchange for the honest review!!

If you would like to order it go here
To LIKE Norah Jones of Facebook go here
For Norah Jones website go here

Long time Coming ~ Reviiew

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Long Time Coming Abingdon Press (November 1, 2010) by Vanessa Miller





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa is currently in the process of turning the novels in the Rain Series into stage productions.



Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading great books consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.



To date, Vanessa has completed the Rain and Storm Series. She is currently working on the Forsaken series, Second Chance at Love series and a single title, Long Time Coming. Vanessa believes that each book will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Two women from different worlds find hope together.



Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty all her life. She has three children by three different men and has just been diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer.



While the meeting between these two women appears accidental, it becomes their catalyst of hope. Neither woman expects the blessing that God has in store for her. While Deidre will guide Kenisha on the path to eternal life with Jesus Christ, Kenisha will teach Deidre how to stand strong against the hard-knocks of life.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Long Time Coming, go HERE





Watch the book video:





My review:

Longtime Coming has got to be one of my most favorite reads this year. I simply could not put this down as I had to know how these two women would end up...together with God or apart and having lost all that mattered to both of them. Longtime Coming is an emotional book to say the least. How these women found each other was Divine and now the Lord longs to work in both of their lives. The question is ~ Will they allow HIM to do all that HE desires too? or will they continue to be headstrong thinking their way is best? Being a Mother is so important to both women but only through God will they truly understand the depths and the cost to receive their hearts desire.

I would recommend Longtime Coming to everyone I know!! It is an unbelievable read! Your Faith will be inspired, your heart will be stirred and you will see the beauty of Gods hand work in the lives of sooo many!!

Have you been "MARKED?" Giveaway!!

The Mark of Love
The Mend Mark tells a powerful story in two words

Have you been “Marked?” The Mend Mark is a mission, a movement, an entire revolution. It is a bracelet meant to remind its wearers of Christ’s love and sacrifice, and its message is the passion of its creator, Hunter Harrison.

The Mend Mark is an innovative and distinctive bracelet that is designed to reflect the scars and nail holes of Jesus. When worn, the band resembles the deep holes of the nail driven into the wrists of Jesus during his crucifixion. By bringing the story of Jesus’ life and death to constant awareness by wearing a bracelet, Mend Mark is meant to powerfully remind wearers of the ultimate act of love Jesus made for all of humankind.


Harrison’s mission is to remind all to remember Christ’s love in both his life and death. But more than only a poignant recollection, the Mend Mark is meant to inspire and motivate wearers to live a life of service. Harrison strives to bring people together around the simplicity and power of love as lived by Jesus. But this is no example of passive love. The Mend Mark calls individuals in all walks of life to love with a profound sincerity and commitment great enough to change a neighborhood, a community, a world.

Harrison leads this call to love and sacrifice by example and joins hands with each Mend Mark bracelet purchaser to take the first step in global change. A portion of each bracelet sold goes to support Living Water International, an organization combating the clean water crisis victimizing over one billion people worldwide. Each $5,000 given will result in one well drilled, providing a community with clean water.
But wearers should be prepared to be seen. Unique in its design, the Mend Mark is sure to be noticed and gives wearers an opportunity to share the story of the profound love of Jesus for each and every person. “It was important to me that the design was simple and generic enough that the observer had to ask about it to know what it meant. But I also wanted it to appear distinctive enough that it sparked curiosity,” reveals creator Hunter Harrison. “I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them.”

Launched in late 2009 after a year and a half of packaging, material, and design development by Harrison, the bracelet has been sold across the United States, Canada, and the UK and has been featured in retail stores as well. The Mend Mark bracelet movement has grown to further fame after being worn during performances by American Idol winner Lee Dewyze, Idol runner up Siobhan Magnus, Decifer Down, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Pillar, and Finding Favour, to name a few. Says Harrison, “I want it to be more than just another bracelet; I want it to represent a movement.” Based on the way things are going, a movement is exactly what it is becoming.

I have had some wonderful opportunities myself since wearing this bracelet to share about the Lord and all HE has done in my life! I know you will too! That is why I am so excited to share that the Wonderful People from B&B Publishing have allowed me to give one of these bracelets to you! In order to enter the giveaway


1) be a follower of Heart of a Bookworm
2) leave a comment on this post
3) post about this giveaway or Facebook

If you just can't wait til the contest is over you can order these bracelets for $9.99 @ www.markmend.com


I will announce the Winner on Wednesday November 17, 2010