Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Memories

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Welcome back to Tuesday. As we close out November, we are talking about bookish memories. Here are my...

Top Ten Bookish Memories

Little Golden Books were the earliest books I recall in my home library. That library was extensive, since all of us loved books. Though I had the single books, my most loved one was this treasury that compiled many of my favorite stories. I read it over and again.

Trying to fake my way out of a book report - I enjoyed writing book reports (probably why I enjoy blogging and reviewing books), so this one is totally ridiculous. Assigned a book report in fifth grade, I tried to wing it as if I had read Little House on the Prairie. Looking back, it seems kind the teacher didn't fail me, because that report was not much like the book.

First book I failed a test over - Considering I am such a fan of historical fiction, this is a shock. Assigned to read Ivanhoe in what is now called World History, I just couldn't get into the book. Our teacher gave us tests to make sure we read the nightly chapters. I struggled through 20 chapters, but couldn't read more. I definitely failed tests as a result. 

Disney Ice Capades - We didn't have a ton of money growing up, so extras were rare. In the 1970s, Disney was part of Ice Capades (a show performed totally on ice skates), and our parents bought tickets for us to go. Disney has books, so I count this a bookish memory. I still own some of the Disney books, like Bambi, from when my son was little.

First series I binged on -  The Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins is the first series I read as an adult where I waited for each new book to make it to market then read it right away. The time between books seemed to last forever.

First time I provided a pre-publishing book endorsement - Having gotten to know award-winning author Kathi Macias and her non-fiction work, you couldn't imagine how stunned I felt when in 2010 she asked me to read the first book in her new fiction series, No Greater Love. 

First author endorsement of my book - Before the release of my first picture book, Little Shepherd, now sadly out of print unless you order from my website, the publisher encouraged author endorsements to help promote the book. Kathi Macias was more than kind when she agreed. She had already written 30 books by the time mine came out. 

First time one of my books broke the Amazon Top 100 in its category - The first book tends to be special, so when Little Shepherd came out and I began promoting it, I watched its Amazon rankings every day. During my virtual book tour, it broke into the Amazon Top 100 in its category and made it up to #18. 

First book I read that had sex in it - My freshman year in high school, I picked up this book from my mother's collection. By this time, my mother was too sick to monitor what I was reading and my dad worked a lot, so I could grab anything in the house. I loved history, so this fit the bill. It also happened to have sex in it. 

First dystopian novel I enjoyed - Until The Hunger Games came out, my experience with dystopian fiction was being forced to read--begrudgingly--George Orwell's 1984 and William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Hated them. Though I can't remember 1984, there are still scenes from Lord of the Flies that disturb me. The Hunger Games was gifted to the Lil' Diva by a teacher, but the deal was we had to read it together. Though totally disturbing, the writing of Suzanne Collins and her characters captivated me in ways previous books of this genre did not.

Hope you've enjoyed my bookish memories. I'm sure there are dozens more, but we don't want to write a novel today. I'm looking forward to checking out your memories. 

Book Review: The Brotherhood by Jerry Jenkins

A fascinating police thriller from one of the most recognizable names in Christian fiction.

Boone Drake has the perfect life. A young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, Drake has it all: a loving wife, a young son, a nice home, and a focused career plan. But when tragedy strikes, Drake's life spins out of control. Mired in guilt and bitterness, he struggles to put the pieces of his life back together and deeply questions his faith. When he comes face-to-face with Chicago's most vicious gang leader, he learns God is a God of second chances and can change even the hardest heart.

Jerry Jenkins has been one of my favorite authors since the Left Behind series was released. His masterful storytelling and engaging characters have captured my attention for years. The Brotherhood, the first book in the Precinct 11 Trilogy, blends the author's knowledge of growing up in a family of police officers with a fictional character's transformation.

This is a slowly evolving thriller. While there are definitely spots of action, it's not the typical action-packed, breakneck speed of many thrillers. A good deal of time is spent delving into Drake's character, witnessing him deal with the effects of a horrific, graphically described tragedy that changes his entire life. It explores his crisis of faith in all its ugliness as he turns away from God and seeks comfort in other ways.

The Brotherhood is a deeply emotional story. It's less car chases and shoot outs than one might expect from a police procedural, but I got to know Drake up close and personal, which I enjoyed. Part of me wishes the lengthy conversations between Drake and this gang leader were shortened a bit, but overall, it intrigued me enough that I plan to read the other two books in this series.

If you enjoy emotional stories and books that dig deep into a character's psyche, you'll enjoy The Brotherhood.


Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 24, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414309228
ISBN-13: 978-1414309224

I received this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

This is the 7th book I've read for the following challenge:

The Last Operative by Jerry B. Jenkins -- Book Review

A suspense filled post 9/11 retelling of his first stand-alone novel, The Last Operative, by Jerry Jenkins is a superb read.

Being an NSA intelligence officer has cost Jordan Kirkwood a great deal. He barely knows his children. His wife, Rosemary is supportive, but he knows she deserves more than he's been able to give. Meeting Rosemary in London to explore Europe as a tourist, is part of Jordan's commitment to his family. But when horrifying intelligence is confided to him in Frankfurt, everything changes. Even worse, someone inside the NSA may be behind the greatest threat since 9/11. During one of his most dangerous missions, Jordan must figure out who he can trust, knowing the fate of his country hangs in the balance.

Having been a fan of Jerry Jenkins since the release of the first book in the Left Behind series, I was eager to read his latest book. When I heard about a contest to win a free autographed copy of The Last Operative, I entered my ideas for how I would promote the book online. I won a copy of the book and a cash prize (something I didn't know about when I submitted my ideas).

I have to admit this wasn't a book I got into immediately, but because I had enjoyed every book in the Left Behind series, in fact, liked each new book more than the last, I knew I had to stick with it. I am so glad I did, because by Chapter 5 I was totally hooked.

With The Last Operative, Jenkins blends family, faith, suspense, and international intrigue to come up with a winner. While faith doesn't play a huge role in this novel, some of the conversations between characters touch upon faith in God.

With Jordan Kirkwood, the author creates a character who struggles with knowing his job has always needed to come first; a struggle that increases after London. The reader sympathizes with Jordan, his family, and those who are drawn into this newest threat that demands Jordan's attention, and again, pulls him from his family.

In the Author's Note, the reader discovers The Last Operative is a retelling of the author's first stand-alone novel. In addition, Jenkins pulled off an experiment with this book, by eliminating any "he said" or "she said" tags. Jenkins says no reader has told him they were confused by who was speaking, and I certainly didn't find this experiment to be an obstacle to my own reading enjoyment.

Lovers of suspense and international intrigue will certainly enjoy The Last Operative by Jerry Jenkins. I know I'm looking forward to his next release.


Title: The Last Operative
Author: Jerry B. Jenkins
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1414309201
ISBN-13: 978-1414309200
SRP: $14.99

Vacation Time Reading

Well, I’m packing up for the Outer Banks, and as usual, I am bringing a ton of books with me. Thankfully, this year I have the Kindle so my bag will be lighter and less bulky.

Here’s what I’ll be reading while we’re away:



Lingering Spirit by Marilyn Meredith
The Last Operative by Jerry B. Jenkins
Keeping the Wolves at Bay Media Training by Jonathan Bernstein
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James
Plan B by Steven Verrier (this review will appear at TC&TBC)
Bowdancer III: Warrior Women by Janie Franz (providing back cover blurb)
When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton is Empty by Jackie Johnson
Healing with Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey by Diana M. Raab
Harvest Moon by Chastity Bush
Reservations by Elysabeth Eldering (this review will appear at TC&TBC)
Evenings on Dark Island by Rhett DeVane & Larry Rock

Unless noted, these reviews will appear here.

Thank you for all your support!

The Last Operative by Jerry B. Jenkins

I was first introduced to the work of Jerry Jenkins with The Left Behind series. The Book of Revelation has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible, but it is very mystical. While this series is fictional, the Biblical prophecy behind these books isn't, and I felt a better understanding of the Book of Revelation as a result.

Through Tyndale, the publisher of The Left Behind series, I learned Jerry Jenkins had a new book coming out on June 24, The Last Operative. I also found out through this email from Tyndale, that Jenkins was running a contest.

Readers were asked to submit ideas for ways they would promote The Last Operative. There were 15 winners selected out of more than 500 entries. I was fortunate enough to be among the winners. I received an autographed copy of the book and a cash prize. This last part was a total surprise to me. I guess I didn't read the original email carefully.

You can view some of the winning contest ideas by clicking here. I actually felt mine were some of the more boring ideas. The others who won made awesome suggestions.

You'll find a list of the winners here.

I'm bringing The Last Operative with me on vacation, so look for my review coming in July or August.

NaBloPoMo Special Feature - Heroes

If I asked you to name a well known Christian author, who would it be?

The author I am thinking of is a man who has written more than 175 books and assisted Billy Graham in writing his memoirs, Just As I Am. He owns a filmmaking company and a guild for Christian writers, and he also wrote the nationally syndicated sports story comic strip, Gil Thorp from 1996-2004.

As if all that isn't enough, he collaborated with another popular Christian author and speaker on a sixteen-book Christian fiction series that has sold 70,000,000 copies.

Who is this literary hero?

Dr. Jerry Jenkins.

I might never have heard of the name Jerry Jenkins had it not been for my family being so enthralled with a new Christian fiction series that told of a world in chaos when family, friends, and loved ones suddenly disappear. Pilot Rayford Steele loses a son and a wife in the Rapture as believers are taken up and the rest are Left Behind.

This fictional series uses the Book of Revelation to depict what happens in the End Times for Rayford Steele, Buck Williams, Bruce Barnes, and many others.


The Book of Revelation has long been a favorite of mine, but the symbolism can sometimes be hard to understand. The Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation as an elderly man while he was a prisoner of Rome. In the Bible, John is referred to as "the disciple who Jesus loved", and it is into John's care that Jesus placed his beloved mother Mary right before His death. John's love for Jesus was so strong that he defied the Roman magistrate's order to no longer proclaim Jesus as Messiah, Savior and Lord; even while a prisoner.

It is, therefore, fitting that John should be the one to receive this vision of the End Times. The opening line of Revelation says, "1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,2who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." (NIV)

On the Left Behind website, one can read the mission for this series: "This fictional account of life after the Rapture delivers an urgent call to today's readers to prepare their own hearts and minister to others."


In addition to the Left Behind series, Jenkins and Tim LaHaye collaborated on The Jesus Chronicles, a four-book series that focuses on the writers of the Gospels. So far, Mark's, Luke's and John's stories have been released. Matthew's story is yet to be released.

Jenkins has also written numerous non-fiction titles and many books on marriage and family. He is also the author of several children's series. It seems that there is no stopping him.

Writing for the Soul: Instruction and Advice from an Extraordinary Writing Life was released in 2006. I own this book and often refer to it.


If you go to Jenkins's website, you'll be able to read chapters 1 and 2 of Riven, the book he says he always wanted to write.

For his unlimited talent, for all that he does to mentor aspiring authors of all ages, and for the inspiration that his long career provides others, Dr. Jerry Jenkins is our next featured literary hero.