Saturday, July 12, 2025

Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth

 




Genre: Adult, Realistic Fiction
Source: I Own A copy

This is a story for those who love a well written story about real life. I am not talking about the feel good, everything is wine and roses good.  This is another book in the Home Street Home series.  Be forewarned, it is a tough topic to read about.  It is a story in all of its hopelessness about looking for hope in the most dire situations. Joon is just eight years old when her parents die. She placed in a foster home. As she nears the door she becomes very afraid. She can tell something is just not right. The lady at the door talks a good game to the social worker, but Joon knows she doesn’t want to be there. It isn’t long before she find out how true her thoughts are. The moment the door closes the verbal abuse begins. The woman introduces her to her two new “brothers”.  Then the verbal abuse begins. The longer she lives with Aron and the boys the worse it gets. She is starved, beaten, and verbally abused.  She longs for school to begin where she can feel some normalcy. This isn’t going to happen.  Deen, the older boys sets her up at school to be hated, made fun of and lies about her at home.  Her bedroom is there only for use when the social worker will be paying a visit. Most of the time she is forced to sleep in the basement.  If she is lucky the dog sleeps with her. She is made to clean the house and then bow to Arons every cruel wish. When Deen makes it clear he is going to rape her she makes a decision that she feels is the lesser of two evils. She runs away.

This is a story where we learn so much about Joon and all that she is lost. Through it all there is that one tiny thread of hope that she holds onto.  I sat and read it through in one sitting, because it was that good.  Warning, it is graphic and full of violence, language and sexual situations. It is one of the most realistic things I have read. I am not sure I would have been a survivor like Joon.  I am definitely reading more of this author’s work.


Friday, July 11, 2025

Finding God In Anime Volume 3 Cover Reveal

 





Finding God in Anime volume 3 will be releasing July 21st.  You can pre-order the eBook on July 14th!

Here is a short synopsis of the book.

Have you ever wondered if you're the only Christian who loves anime? Wonder no more! Finding God in Anime is a devotional anthology series designed by Christian otakus for Christian otakus. Author Moriah Jane and YouTuber Laura A. Grace have collected a myriad of bite-size devotionals, penned by writers and anime fans, that are designed to equip, encourage, and help anime lovers grow spiritually through their favorite media: anime! within this anthology you'll find a selection of devotionals inspired by anime across many genres.

So, mark your calendars to pick up this wonderful devotional.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Finding God in Anime Volume 2

 


Genre:  Inspirational, Devotions
Source: I own a copy

When I read and reviewed the first book in this devotional series I was surprised that there are Christians out there that see Anime as evil.  I am not sure why.  But saying that, I actually had a parent tell me that Poe’s stories were evil because they showed the evil side of man.  To each his own.  I shared this devotional with my grandson who was excited because they love Anime as does their mother.

Many of these devotions resonated with me. Daddy’s Girl by Kandi J. Wyatt. Fullmetal: Brotherhood was not something I was familiar with. However, the way she describes Commander Hughes and his interaction with his daughter is something every parent can understand.  This has been a tough year. I often spoke with the author and asked for prayer. She always had scripture leading me back to relying on God.  I have to say. There were days I prayed he would hold me in his hands.

This book impressed me from the very first story. We have two brothers. One is drawn through a portal into the afterlife. The other brother sacrifices part of his body to get his brother back, even if not in his original form. The point is made that the ultimate sacrifice was willingly made by Christ for us. It was done out of love for us.

This book is not meant to be read in one sitting. However, it just means I will read it again slower.  I figure each time I read it, God will show me what he wants me to learn from each one.  It is also another book I recommend to anyone seasoned or new to Anime.