Tandem - Tracey Bateman

Publisher:  WaterBrook Press

Pages:  320

Source:  review copy from publisher

Genre: Adult, Christian, Fantasy

About This Book:

Six months ago, brutal murders shook the small Ozark town—murders that stopped after a house fire reportedly claimed the killer’s life. Lauryn McBride's family auction house has taken responsibility for the estate sale of one of the victims—the enigmatic Markus Chisom. Submerging herself in Chisom’s beautiful but strange world, Lauryn welcomes the reprieve from watching Alzheimer’s steal her father from her, piece by piece. She soon realizes that centuries-old secrets tie Abbey Hills to the Chisom estate and a mysterious evil will do anything to make sure those secrets stay hidden. Even the man who grew up loving her may not be able to protect Lauryn from the danger.

When Amede Dastillon receives an unexpected package from Abbey Hills, she hopes it might be the key in tracking down her beloved sister, long estranged from her family. Visiting Abbey Hills seems the logical next step in her search, but Amede is unusually affected by the town, and when mutilated carcasses begin turning up again in the small community, the local law enforcement isn’t sure if they are confronting a familiar evil or a new terror.

Two women brought together by questions that seem to have no answers.  Can they overcome the loss and darkness threatening to devour them—or will their own demons condemn them to an emotional wasteland?

My Thoughts: 

I will be the first to admit that I grew up loving vampire stories.  I always felt sorry for them because, raised as a Christian I always wondered, what happened if you were a Christian and were bitten and became a vampire.  Evidently Tracey Bateman had these same kind of thoughts.  One thing I really loved about this book is that it showed both kinds of vampires.  It showed those who were evil and those who truly wanted not to be what they were.

I loved the way Amede decided to follow in her father’s footsteps believing there was the possibility of redemption.  I also loved the way she helped Lauryn McBride realize the changes she needed to make in her own life so that she would not have the regrets that Amede had lived with.  I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t feel preached to.  The reason this is so important is that I have a student who has been reading adult books for quite a while.  She will devour anything about vampires.  

I know that she will be just as surprised at the ending as I was.  It took a major twist that has made me think about this book all day long.  Will I recommend this book?  You’d better believe it.  It was very good.  Since this was the first book I’d read by this author I figure I’d better check out some of her others.  I had read about “Thirsty” quite some time ago.  I was afraid I wouldn’t like it.  However,  I now have it on my to be read list.  If you aren’t sure whether this is a book for you then click on the link below and read the first chapter.  I guarantee you will like this book.

Author Bio:

Tracey Bateman lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and family.  With more than thirty novels in print, including Thirsty and Tandem, Tracey spends all her time telling tales, creating characters, and dreaming of other worlds.

Links:

Tracey Bateman's Web Site 

Tracey Bateman featured in Christianity Today 

More Info 

Read Chapter One 

  

FTC Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange 

Fruit of My Spirit - Deanna Nowadnick

Publisher:  Rhododendron Books

Pages:  114

Source:  Review copy from author

Genre:  Christian Inspirational Memoir

From Goodreads:

Fruit of My Spirit is a memoir of missteps and misdeeds in which Deanna Nowadnick writes of the hugeness of God’s love and faithfulness. Reframing life in God’s grace, she discovers an indescribable, indefinable, inexplicable love that has encircled her without fail throughout life.  Fruit of My Spirit is for anyone who’s ever questioned God’s ability to love and forgive, who’s ever wondered about their place in God’s family or God’s place in theirs. Deanna offers hope for those who dare to question, who secretly wonder, and who fear to ask. Through stories of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, you will experience the enormity of god, too.

My Thoughts:

Deanna has written a book that gives us a lot to think about.  Through her stories of how God has walked with her and develop her spiritual gifts, we get to look at our own lives and see how God has helped us. 

She shows us that God doesn’t promise us we will have no struggles. She shows us that God can use any situation or struggle we have to help us grow.  Her life lessons learned through raising her children show us how God often uses our own children. 

As I have gone through several financial and physical challenges this year I have had that rebellious side of me that complained often and questioned God, asking “why me”?  After reading this book I have to ask, “why not me”?  This book is both a lesson and inspiring.  I hope Deanna continues to write.  I feel that God will use her to inspire and bless those of us who read her books.

Knee Deep – Jolene B. Perry

Publisher:  Tribute Books

Pages:  176

Source:  review copy from author

Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction

Warning:  Due to the topic matter involving an abusive situation, this is not for anyone under age 14 unless read with parents or parental permission.

From Goodreads:

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen.  He’s her soul mate.  He’s more uptight every day, but it’s not his fault.  His family life is stressful, and she’s adding to it.  She just needs to be more understanding, and he’ll start to be the boy she fell in love with.  She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in hr large blanketopias.  He’s the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she’s play opposite in Romeo and Juliet.  Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close.  This is new.  Is Ronnie falling for him?  Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

My Thoughts:

This is a book every teenage girl and boy should read.  I’ve known 8^th grade girls in relationships that turned ugly like this.  We as teachers suspected it was an abusive relationship but between guidance and parent conferences we were powerless.  We were told that we were reading more into the situations.  Then she ended up with a broken wrist.  She still thought it was her fault.

Ronnie, as a teen thinks she has found Mr. Right at the age of fourteen.  Teens are so fickle there is no way they could know at that age who they are made for.  Because of this belief system, when the relationship turns abusive she takes credit for it.  I’ve seen this behavior before.  It is hard to understand, but they are convinced the abuse is their fault. 

The author has done a wonderful job with all of the characters.  They are very believable.  The way they respond to each other is spot on.  I would have liked to see the mother more involved with the situation.  I felt she was pretty much oblivious.  

I loved the way the book ended, because it gives teens hope.  This is not a feel good book, nor is it an easy subject.  I applaud this author and rank her up there with authors like Laurie Halse Anderson and Jay Asher who willingly take on the much needed to be discussed, tough topics.  I will definitely look for more work by this author.  I will also recommend it highly to my students and parents.

Jolene Perry's Bio:
Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska.  She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.


After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children.  Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of Night Sky and The Next Door Boys.

Links:

Knee Deep web site:

http://knee-deep-book.blogspot.com/

 

Knee Deep Twitter hashtag:

#KneeDeep

Knee Deep GoodReads page:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12987551-knee-deep

Jolene Perry's Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002038196677

Jolene Perry's Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneBPerry

Jolene Perry's Website:

http://www.jolenebperry.com/

Jolene Perry's Blog:

http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/

Jolene Perry's GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4944599.Jolene_B_Perry