Thursday, April 30, 2009

May NaBloPoMo


The Book Connection will be participating in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) again in May. NaBloPoMo is where you commit to writing at your blog every day of the month, something I find much easier than trying to write a 50,000 word novel each November while trying to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The coordinators of NaBloPoMo help bloggers out each month, by providing a theme for bloggers to write about. You don't have to use it--and I rarely do--but it is there in case you need some ideas on what to blog about.

With Mother's Day coming on May 10th, I thought this month would be a great way to honor mothers everywhere. All our special features this month will be books about mothers, motherhood, or parenting.

Here is a list of other May events at The Book Connection:

* Authors Dr. David Gruder, Abe March, Rie McGaha, Tim Kellis, Herbert Howard Jones, Dawson Church, Therese Fowler, Kandy Siahaya, Elizabeth Walker, and Kathye Quick will be our guest bloggers.

* We'll interview Barbara Weaver Smith about her latest book, Whale Hunting Women: How Women Do Big Deals and Hopeful But Frustrated Teacher (HBF Teacher) will give us a glimpse into America's public schools when we interview her about her realistic fiction book, No Teachers Left Behind.

* The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner and The Crypto-Capers: The Case of the Missing Sock and The Case of Red Rock Canyon by Renee Hand will be reviewed in May.

And don't forget that our Spring Book Giveaway is running until May 15th. You'll find details here.

Make sure you check back every day to see what is going on at the blog where readers and writers connect.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

State of Quarries by Elysabeth Eldering--Book Review



The Junior Geography Detective Squad returns in State of Quarries, the second book in this continuing series of the fifty states by Elysabeth Eldering.

Matt is busy in his room studying when his younger sister Mary Beth strolls in begging to play the game Matt received as a gift from his mother. Like the typical older brother he says, "no"; but Mary Beth soon convinces him that a round would be fun. And like the last time when they played with Matt's friend Guy, they place a bet. This time, the loser has to perform the other person's most hated chore.

Clue by clue pops up on the screen, each clue getting easier as they advance. Who will uncover the identity of the state in this round first? And who will be left doing double chores?

I eagerly awaited the release of the second book in the Junior Geography Detective Squad series. Book 1, State of Wilderness--which we reviewed here--introduced us to Matt Peterson, his mother, his best friend Guy and his younger sister Mary Beth, and led the kids along on an adventure that made learning fun.

With Guy only being mentioned in the second book, but not present to participate in the game, State of Quarries depends upon the healthy competitive side of sibling rivalry to move the story along, as each sibling hopes to uncover the answer first and not be stuck with the other person's most hated chore.

As I mentioned when I reviewed State of Wilderness, Eldering really taps into what it is like to be a young person, so Matt and Mary Beth are realistic characters. They bicker, they tease, and they each want to win.

Aidana WillowRaven returns to illustrate the second book, providing cover art and interior illustrations that help depict the clues and the handheld game. The rustic look of many of these illustrations subtly symbolizes the many years of history that the reader is uncovering as she picks up clue after clue and learns United States geography.

Once the game is over and the state's identity has been revealed, there is a section that provides more facts about the state and a series of discussion questions. This book is perfect not only for your child, but is also an excellent classroom resource. Teacher's Guides are also available.

Learning doesn't get any more fun than this!


Title: State of Quarries
Author: Elysabeth Eldering
ISBN-10: 0-9797513-9-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-9797513-9-4
SRP: $10.99 (U.S.)

Two-Minute Book-Signing Pitch for The Flow of Time and Money by Lloyd Watts



Joining us today is businessman and author, Lloyd Watts. LLoyd's personal/business finance book, The Flow of Time and Money: How to create a full and prosperous life, is a groundbreaking new book that will help you master the relationship between your time and money. Using simple, proven techniques and easy-to-understand diagrams, Dr. Lloyd Watts shows you how to take control of your income, expenses and time commitments in order to achieve wealth and personal fulfillment.

You can find out more about Lloyd and The Flow of Time and Money by visiting www.flowoftimeandmoney.com.

I posed this question to Lloyd: I meet you at a book-signing and I give you maximum 2 minutes to sell me his book. What do you say?

Lloyd's Turn:

If you look at the problems in most people’s lives, you will see that they center around money, or more specifically, a lack of money. People work at jobs they don’t enjoy, making less money than they feel they are worth, without feeling fulfilled or creating a great future for themselves. And these financial problems often have direct effects in other parts of their lives – lack of confidence, staying in bad relationships because they can’t afford to split up, etc. For many people, these financial problems have been magnified with the current downturn in the economy.

The Flow of Time and Money shows you how to solve these problems, and create a life of wealth and fulfillment. It shows you how Time and Money really work – how we use them, spend them, waste them, and invest them. It shows you how to stop wasting your time and money, and how to invest your time and your money into things that grow and create real value. It gives you a roadmap to financial independence, with four stages (Youth/Education, Accumulating Capital, Small Deals, and Big Deals) so you know where you are on the path and what you can be doing now to advance safely to the next stage. And it shows you how to avoid the most common traps (Save and Spend, and Borrow and Spend) that can lead anyone into trouble.

The Flow of Time and Money is a quick read, with helpful diagrams to make it easy to understand how time and money really work, and how to build the life of your dreams. Buy this book, and put it into practice – and create the life of wealth and fulfillment you always wanted.


* * *

Lloyd Watts is the Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Audience, Inc., an award-winning technology business that he founded in 2000. Lloyd’s book, The Flow of Time and Money: How to create a full and prosperous life, is available at Amazon.com and at www.flowoftimeandmoney.com .


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Teaching Children about the Bible without being Preachy by Patti B. Ogden



Our special guest blogger is Christian children's author Patti B. Ogden. Patti wrote Keoni's Big Question--which we reviewed here.

In this book, Keoni is searching for the answer to his question about God, and no one seems to be able to answer it. Then one day while on a fishing trip, Keoni works up the courage to ask his friend the Old Fisherman, and Keoni finds his question answered in more ways than he ever dreamed of.

One of the best things about Keoni's Big Question, is that it breaks down a difficult concept for youngsters and makes it easy to understand. An experienced Sunday school teacher, Patti shares with us how to teach children about the Bible without being too preacy or heavy-handed.

Patti's Turn:

The Challenge to Teach Children about the Bible without Being Preachy or Heavy-Handed
by Patti B. Ogden


Three bullets were carefully placed in the middle of the table. A red construction paper heart beside them, with three jagged edged holes ripped through it.
The teenagers that entered my Sunday school class that day came in cautiously - obviously wondering what such a display would have to do with a lesson that they were supposed to learn about the Bible or the Lord Jesus. Each sat down in quiet dismay, giving me looks as if to say…”what in the world is going on?”

My extreme display was approved by the deacon (he said as long as they don’t accompany a gun I would be fine). And it brought the sober reaction I needed to catch the kids off guard. I definitely had their undivided attention.

What they didn’t know is what had happened to me the week before. Having suffered the cruelest verbal attack of my life - from a dear person that I love deeply but who couldn’t understand my belief in God- I experienced a battle within that had my emotions reeling and reaching for comfort and understanding. I sensed that what I went through that week may just be a thimble full of what today’s Christian teens experience in today’s toxic anything-goes society. I wanted to teach them how to deal with such attacks and how to come to terms with the raging hurt within.

We began with scripture that showed the humiliation that Christ suffered. Then we covered stories of persecution that believers had to endure because they “took up the cross and followed Him”. The kids took turns reading through the comfort passages of how the Lord loves His children and is a shield, a fortress and an ever present comfort in our despair. We ended with scripture that taught us never to seek revenge, for that is up to God. After all, Jesus still had mercy and kindness for the soldier that arrested him and led him to trial. Peter cut off his ear in a fit of rage and Jesus reached out and healed it. The meek will truly inherit the earth.

By the time the class was complete, I knew the lesson had made its impact. It hit right where they live. They opened up about their own experiences and found comfort that God completely understands what they go through. By finding common ground with others that have “been there” and then offering Biblical solutions, children can be comfortable with Christian teaching. Teaching that inspires and encourages spiritual growth is not preachy or heavy-handed. It leaves kids with a desire to come back to hear more.

You can find out more about Patti and her books online at www.capstone-productions.com

Monday, April 27, 2009

No Teachers Left Behind by HBF Teacher--Book Review



If you want to take a scary and sometimes funny--if it weren't so real--trip through the day-to-day life of middle school teachers, then pick up a copy of No Teachers Left Behind by Hopeful But Frustrated Teacher (HBF Teacher).

Join Sixth Grade teachers Sandra Wyatt and Marcus Watts, Seventh Grade teachers Sonya Harte and Gail Jenkins, Eighth Grade teacher Angela Williams, and the other teachers, administrators and support staff at fictional Vilyon Middle School for a glimpse into the daily life of teachers in America's public school system.

Frustrated, by overpaid administrators whose decisions lack common sense and place the "needs" of students ahead of everything else--including necessary discipline and safety issues, the teaching staff at Vilyon Middle School can't even seem to get support from the support staff. The head custodian expects them to make sure unruly and unmanageable students don't destroy the bathrooms; while unsupportive parents point to teachers as the problem behind their children's lack of academic success.

Told through a series of scene excerpts, poems, and email exchanges, No Teachers Left Behind portrays some of the challenges facing American public schools today; and it leaves the reader wondering if these types of things occur in every school district in America.

My opinions on this book are mixed because I approach it both as a parent and as someone who volunteers in local public schools. I've watched while budget cuts have left teachers counting the number of photocopies they make each day, while perfectly useable equipment is replaced with newer models. I've heard the cries of large class sizes, but have heard stories of teachers not wanting parents in their classrooms.

The administrators are out of touch with reality in this book, and the majority of students and all the parents are portrayed in an unflattering light. Most of the students are more interested in making drug deals, getting their teachers suspended, and getting it on, than performing well academically; and the parents fault the teachers, not themselves, for any problems that arise.

The author's passion for this subject is evident. While I didn't think I would care for the format at first, I found it very easy to follow the various email communications and scenes to their shocking and tragic conclusion. The language is a bit crude in places, but mostly appropriate when used. The one thing I didn't quite understand was the cover art; but I thought the rolling prairie might be symbolic of the less complicated days of educating children in one-room classrooms, before government legislation and mandatory testing dictated how educators taught their students.

No Teachers Left Behind is one of those books that will leave you thinking about the state of things long after you've turned the last page.


Title: No Teachers Left Behind
Author: HBF Teacher
Publisher: 2nd Avenue Publishing
ISBN-10: 0-9747570-5-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-9747570-5-6
SRP: $13.95 (U.S.)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive by Stacy Gooch-Anderson--Book Review


Life lessons learned through one mother's journey is what readers will discover when they open the pages of Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive by Stacy Gooch- Anderson.

Already a fan of Stacy Gooch-Anderson and her book The Santa Letters--which we reviewed here--I was thrilled to be asked to review Life is Tough. Gooch-Anderson has a way of touching the heart like few authors can; and here, her skills shine through in a funny and often tender way, as she shares with readers twenty-eight lessons she has learned from her own parents and her journey through motherhood.

From embarrassing home movies, to the challenges of learning to ski; from Daddy's little girl, to married woman; from a first-time mother, to the ruler over four unique and challenging boys, and from her role as daughter to her role as family matriarch, Stacy Gooch-Anderson's lessons will leave you laughing so hard that you cry, and crying along with her as she deals with the loss of a child and the loss of both parents to cancer.

Perhaps, having lost my mother to cancer when I was just a girl helped me relate to the emotions the author shares as she watches her father struggle with the disease, but still maintain his positive outlook on life. And perhaps I cried a few extra tears as Gooch-Anderson tells of her mother asking her to become the "mother bird" who would watch over her siblings "like a hawk".

Overall, though there sad moments like these in every mother's life, the majority of the book shares the joys of motherhood: watching your children grow, looking back to laugh upon the challenges they have brought to your life, the pride you feel in them, and the days you threatened to sell them to the Indians (at least that's what my parents always said they would do).

Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive is the perfect gift for mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers, sisters, and aunts who have traveled and who are traveling along the wonderful, and sometimes difficult, journey of motherhood.

It is my hope, that Stacy Gooch-Anderson comes out with another title soon. I'll be the first in line to buy a copy.


Title: Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive
Author: Stacy Gooch-Anderson
Publisher: CFI, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-59955-176-0
SRP: $14.99 (U.S.)

Check out a Life Saver from Stacy Gooch-Anderson here.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Where to Find Pump Up's Authors Today



Follow along as these talented authors travel the blogosphere with Pump Up Your Book Promotion to talk about their books, their lives and their future projects.

David S. Brody, author of The Cabal of the Westford Knight (Martin and Lawrence Press), will be stopping off at Beyond the Books! While trying to help an elderly couple save their home, attorney Cameron Thorne is thrust into a bloody tug-of-war involving secret societies, treasure hunters and keepers of the secrets of the Jesus bloodline. Joined by Amanda, a beautiful British researcher with secrets of her own, Cam races around New England with only two choices, unravel the 600-year-old mysteries encoded in the ancient Templar artifacts or die trying. You can visit his website at www.davidbrodybooks.com.

__________________________________

Sheri Kaye Hoff, author of the inspirational nonfiction book, Keys to Living Joyfully (Createspace), will be stopping off at Paperback Writer! Keys to Living Joyfully is an inspirational book on experiencing joy, peace, passion, and energy in daily life. It is designed to demonstrate the powerful roles of thoughts, action, and faith. You can visit her website at www.lifeisjoyful.org.

____________________________

J.A. Hunsinger, author of the historical fiction novel, Axe of Iron: The Settlers, will be stopping off at The Plot and Fiction Scribe! The first novel of a continuing character-driven tale of a medieval people whose wanderlust and yearning for adventure cause them to leave the two established settlements on Greenland and sail west, to the unexplored land later referred to as Vinland. You can visit his website at www.vinlandpublishing.com.

___________________________


Alan Kennedy-Shaffer, author of the political nonfiction book, The Obama Revolution (Phoenix Books) will be stopping off at Minds Alive on the Shelves! The first book to be written by a campaign staffer and offering rare insider glimpses, The Obama Revolution explores how a generation of believers and the politics of hope won the presidency for Barack Obama and changed the world. You can visit Alan online at www.alankennedy-shaffer.com.

__________________________


J.W. Nicklaus, author of the book of short stories, The Light, The Dark & Ember Between (Bedside Books) will be stopping off at Write for a Reader and Blogging Authors! Fifteen stories: From the wispy fog of a love lost at sea, to an orphaned child who delivers a present of her own during a war-torn Christmas. These stories are gentle reminders to each of us of what it is to be human, and certainly of our affinity for the slightest glint of Hope. You can visit J.W. online at www.avomnia.com.

_________________________

Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda, author of The Depth of My Soul (I-Proclaim), will be stopping off at Scribe Vibe! The Depth of My Soul is a book or poetry that focuses on injustices such as wars, corruption, war crimes, religious fundamentalism, child abuse, and other types of abuse. The goal of this book is to share his approach with his readers about the problems we face in this world. You can visit Balthazar’s website at www.ganymedeweb.com.

__________________________

Patti B. Ogden, author of the Christian children’s picture book, Keoni’s Big Question (Capstone Productions) will be stopping off at Promo 101! A boy who seeks answers about God’s presence in everyday life, finds his friend held the key to his revelation all along. This gripping tale follows a pair of dear friends on a fishing trip that turns dangerous, then miraculous, and leaves Keoni with more answers then he ever dreamed possible! Every child wonders why we can’t see God. Keoni’s Big Question makes the answer easy to understand. You can visit Patti online at www.capstone-productions.com.

__________________________

Richard E. Roach, author of the suspense mystery novel, Scattered Leaves (Multi-Media), will be stopping off at A Bookish Mom! When Ben McCord comes home from a business trip to find his young wife raped and murdered, he starts out on a journey of death and destruction. Clues lead him to a dark world of drugs and violence in action that spans Texas, Colorado, and the Mexican border. McCord hooks up with a beautiful doctor, who was also victimized by members of the same drug cartel, and together they track down the killers, surviving bloody confrontations, and ending with a suspenseful climax in the Big Thicket of Texas. You can visit Richard online at www.richarderoach.com.

__________________________

T.E. Scott and Stephen Edds, co-authors of the business/personal finance book, The Losing Game: Why You Can’t Beat Wall Street (Hidden Truth Publishing, will be visiting The Writer's Life! T.E. Scott exposes the stock market and commodity markets for what they really are — brilliantly marketed rip-offs. The Losing Game simplifies a very complex system that Wall Street has designed to separate the masses from their money without accountability or prosecution. As a result of this design, they have tricked us into believing that the stock market and commodity markets are something they are not. You can visit them online at www.thelosinggame.com.

_________________________



Donna Lee Schillinger, author of the nonfiction Christian Living book, On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women Who Want to Remain Pure, Debt-free and Regret-free (Quilldriver), will be stopping off at Book Talk with J & J! On My Own Now is about strengthening young women’s faith and preventing the screw-ups that can brand us for life. Donna Lee Schillinger draws on her eclectic past as a rebellious youth, Peace Corps volunteer, social worker, single mother, court mediator and executive director of a home for single young mothers. You can visit Donna online at www.onmyownnow.com.

__________________________


Lloyd Watts, author of the self-help/personal finance book, The Flow of Time and Money: How to Create a Full and Prosperous Life (Megawatt Media Corporation), will be stopping off at The Book Stacks! The Flow of Time and Money is a groundbreaking new book that will help you master the relationship between your time and money. Using simple, proven techniques and easy-to-understand diagrams, Dr. Lloyd Watts shows you how to take control of your income, expenses and time commitments in order to achieve wealth and personal fulfillment. You can visit Lloyd online at www.flowoftimeandmoney.com.

__________________________


Karen White, author of the contemporary fiction novel, The Lost Hours (NAL Accent), will be stopping off at Bookfoolery and Babble and Popin's Lair! Now a near fatal riding accident has shattered Piper’s dreams of Olympic glory. After her grandfather’s death, she inherits the house and all its secrets, including a key to a room that doesn’t exist—or does it? And after her grandmother is sent away to a nursing home, she remembers the box buried in the backyard. In it are torn pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace—and a newspaper article from 1929 about the body of an infant found floating in the Savannah River. The necklace’s charms tell the story of three friends during the 1920s— each charm added during the three months each friend had the necklace and recorded her life in the scrapbook. Piper always dismissed her grandmother as not having had a story to tell. And now, too late, Piper finds she might have been wrong. You can visit Karen online at www.karen-white.com.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Where to Find Pump Up's Authors Today



Follow along as these talented authors travel the blogosphere with Pump Up Your Book Promotion to talk about their books, their lives and their future projects.


David S. Brody, author of The Cabal of the Westford Knight (Martin and Lawrence Press), will be stopping off at Passages of the Past and Review Your Book! While trying to help an elderly couple save their home, attorney Cameron Thorne is thrust into a bloody tug-of-war involving secret societies, treasure hunters and keepers of the secrets of the Jesus bloodline. Joined by Amanda, a beautiful British researcher with secrets of her own, Cam races around New England with only two choices, unravel the 600-year-old mysteries encoded in the ancient Templar artifacts or die trying. You can visit his website at www.davidbrodybooks.com.

__________________________________

Sheri Kaye Hoff, author of the inspirational nonfiction book, Keys to Living Joyfully (Createspace), will be stopping off at Fictionary! Keys to Living Joyfully is an inspirational book on experiencing joy, peace, passion, and energy in daily life. It is designed to demonstrate the powerful roles of thoughts, action, and faith. You can visit her website at www.lifeisjoyful.org.

____________________________

J.A. Hunsinger, author of the historical fiction novel, Axe of Iron: The Settlers, will be stopping off at The Plot and Denyse Bridger's Fantasy Pages! The first novel of a continuing character-driven tale of a medieval people whose wanderlust and yearning for adventure cause them to leave the two established settlements on Greenland and sail west, to the unexplored land later referred to as Vinland. You can visit his website at www.vinlandpublishing.com.

___________________________



J.W. Nicklaus, author of the book of short stories, The Light, The Dark & Ember Between (Bedside Books) will be stopping off at Write for a Reader! Fifteen stories: From the wispy fog of a love lost at sea, to an orphaned child who delivers a present of her own during a war-torn Christmas. These stories are gentle reminders to each of us of what it is to be human, and certainly of our affinity for the slightest glint of Hope. You can visit J.W. online at www.avomnia.com.

_________________________

Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda, author of The Depth of My Soul (I-Proclaim), will be stopping off at The 1st Page! The Depth of My Soul is a book or poetry that focuses on injustices such as wars, corruption, war crimes, religious fundamentalism, child abuse, and other types of abuse. The goal of this book is to share his approach with his readers about the problems we face in this world. You can visit Balthazar’s website at www.ganymedeweb.com.

__________________________

Patti B. Ogden, author of the Christian children’s picture book, Keoni’s Big Question (Capstone Productions) will be stopping off at Paperback Writer! A boy who seeks answers about God’s presence in everyday life, finds his friend held the key to his revelation all along. This gripping tale follows a pair of dear friends on a fishing trip that turns dangerous, then miraculous, and leaves Keoni with more answers then he ever dreamed possible! Every child wonders why we can’t see God. Keoni’s Big Question makes the answer easy to understand. You can visit Patti online at www.capstone-productions.com.

__________________________


T.E. Scott and Stephen Edds, co-authors of the business/personal finance book, The Losing Game: Why You Can’t Beat Wall Street (Hidden Truth Publishing, will be visiting Truth Brigade Radio! T.E. Scott exposes the stock market and commodity markets for what they really are — brilliantly marketed rip-offs. The Losing Game simplifies a very complex system that Wall Street has designed to separate the masses from their money without accountability or prosecution. As a result of this design, they have tricked us into believing that the stock market and commodity markets are something they are not. You can visit them online at www.thelosinggame.com.

_________________________


Robin Maderich, author of the historical romance novel, Faith and Honor (Blue Shutter Books) will be stopping off at Ticket to Anywhere and The Book Rack! Rescued from the harrassment of British officers in Colonial Boston by handsome, secretive Fletcher Irons, Faith Ashley’s slumbering passions are ignited, until the discovery that Fletcher himself is an officer of the army she has come to despise, a man who is the enemy. Yet with persistence, Fletcher wins the fiery Faith’s love. When the colonies erupt in Revolution, Faith refuses to choose between her loyalty to the cause and her love for the man who is far more than the color of his uniform. Will her honor be her undoing? You can visit Robin online at www.robinmaderich.com.

__________________________________________


Lloyd Watts, author of the self-help/personal finance book, The Flow of Time and Money: How to Create a Full and Prosperous Life (Megawatt Media Corporation), will be stopping off at Tristi's Takes! The Flow of Time and Money is a groundbreaking new book that will help you master the relationship between your time and money. Using simple, proven techniques and easy-to-understand diagrams, Dr. Lloyd Watts shows you how to take control of your income, expenses and time commitments in order to achieve wealth and personal fulfillment. You can visit Lloyd online at www.flowoftimeandmoney.com.

__________________________


Karen White, author of the contemporary fiction novel, The Lost Hours (NAL Accent), will be stopping off at The Review From Here! Now a near fatal riding accident has shattered Piper’s dreams of Olympic glory. After her grandfather’s death, she inherits the house and all its secrets, including a key to a room that doesn’t exist—or does it? And after her grandmother is sent away to a nursing home, she remembers the box buried in the backyard. In it are torn pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace—and a newspaper article from 1929 about the body of an infant found floating in the Savannah River. The necklace’s charms tell the story of three friends during the 1920s— each charm added during the three months each friend had the necklace and recorded her life in the scrapbook. Piper always dismissed her grandmother as not having had a story to tell. And now, too late, Piper finds she might have been wrong. You can visit Karen online at www.karen-white.com.

____________________________

Tim Kellis, author of the relationship book, Equality: The Quest for the Happy Marriage (Gilgamesh Publishing), will be stopping off at The Writer's Life! The journey through “Equality: The Quest for the Happy Marriage” includes a trip through history, where the most significant lessons civilization has learned over the last few thousand years are used to demonstrate not only the way to set up a positive relationship, but the causes of that relationship turning negative. You can visit Tim online at www.happyrelationships.com.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think by Ray Comfort--Book Review




After reading You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think, I now understand why modern-day atheists go after Ray Comfort and his Way of the Master ministry so fervently. With humility, and all the while acknowledging he is also a sinner, Comfort reaches out to atheists and explains the lack of common sense he sees behind their views. And admittedly, Comfort is trying to get under their skin in order to force them to think.

You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think is a compilation of questions and answers from Comfort's Atheist Central blog, along with additional comments from the author. The book also includes quotes from Professor Stephen Hawking, author C. S. Lewis, Sir Issac Newton, and several Biblical quotations.

Tackling such issues as: Creation Must Have a Creator, The Promise of Heaven and Eternal Life and What Sets Christianity and Christians Apart, the author uses Biblical evidence and the lack of reliable evidence proving the theory of evolution, to engage the reader in a thought-provoking journey that leads to only one conclusion--God exists and He wants to have a relationship with you.

Some of Comfort's arguments are redundant; but I believe that has more to do with the similiar questions posed to him by the readers of his blog, than because the author uses a script to engage atheists in conversation.

What this book truly hits home for the objective reader is that atheists often miss the mark on what Comfort is trying to say to them. He is concerned for their souls. Knowing God and what it is like to be in a relationship with Him, and also knowing about the gift of Eternal Life and the existence of hell, the author is trying to get atheists to understand that being a Christian isn't about holding a different set of beliefs. It's about knowing God and being in a relationship with Him. While Comfort chooses to do this in a humorous and at times mildly sarcastic way, that does not negate his evidence.

If you are a Christian looking for ways to discuss the message of Salvation with non-believers or if you are skeptical about the existence of God and that Jesus Christ died for your sins, you need to read Ray Comfort's You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think.


Title: You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think
Author: Ray Comfort
Publisher: WND Books
ISBN: 978-1-935071-06-8
SRP: $22.95 (U.S.)

POE SQUARED: Boston Mayor to Honor Edgar's Hub Roots


Mystery fans and fans of Edgar Allan Poe may be interested to hear that on Monday, April 27th, Boston, Massachusetts Mayor Thomas M. Menino will declare the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street South “Edgar Allan Poe Square.” The dedication is the result of the efforts of BC English Professor Paul Lewis to get Boston to re-claim the author during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth in Boston.

Professor Paul Lewis's work on The Raven Returns Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial Year Celebration is detailed at the Boston College University Libraries website.

Edgar Allan Poe was born Jan. 19, 1809 at 62 Carver Street, near the intersection of Broadway, a since-demolished crossroads not far from the site of the new Poe Square. Poe served in the United States Army at Boston’s Fort Independence and signed his first published work, “By a Bostonian.” But his tumultuous relationship with his native city and its literary icons sent him to Baltimore and Philadelphia, cities that also lay claim to Poe’s legacy.

"The Masque of the Red Death", "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Raven" are some of Poe's most famous works.

The dedication of Edgar Allan Poe Square in honor of the Bicentennial Anniversary of Poe’s 1809 birth in Boston will take place on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street South (off Boston Common).

You can contact Ed Hayward at the Office of Public Affairs at Boston College for more information. Mr. Hayward can be reached by phone at (617) 552-4826 or by email at ed.hayward(at)bc(dot)edu.

Where to Find Pump Up's Authors Today



Follow along as these talented authors travel the blogosphere with Pump Up Your Book Promotion to talk about their books, their lives and their future projects.


Cherie Burbach, author of the Internet dating book, Internet Dating is Not Like Ordering a Pizza (Bonjour Publishing), will be stopping off at A Book Blogger's Diary! If you’ve tried online dating and given up, or even if you thought the Internet wasn’t right for you, this book will give you the courage to try again, this time armed with specific illustrations on what really works - from the profile through the dating stage. Don’t waste another minute wondering why some people seem to have Internet dating success while you’re still waiting for a response to your online ad. Through dozens of concrete examples, dating expert Cherie Burbach will show you how to write an eye-catching profile, search for, and meet the right person online. You can visit her website at www.thedifferencenow.com.

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Sheri Kaye Hoff, author of the inspirational nonfiction book, Keys to Living Joyfully (Createspace), will be stopping off at Scribe Vibe! Keys to Living Joyfully is an inspirational book on experiencing joy, peace, passion, and energy in daily life. It is designed to demonstrate the powerful roles of thoughts, action, and faith. You can visit her website at www.lifeisjoyful.org.

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Alan Kennedy-Shaffer, author of the political nonfiction book, The Obama Revolution (Phoenix Books) will be stopping off at Marta's Meanderings and In Bed With Books! The first book to be written by a campaign staffer and offering rare insider glimpses, The Obama Revolution explores how a generation of believers and the politics of hope won the presidency for Barack Obama and changed the world. You can visit Alan online at www.alankennedy-shaffer.com.

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Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda, author of The Depth of My Soul (I-Proclaim), will be stopping off at Between the Covers! The Depth of My Soul is a book or poetry that focuses on injustices such as wars, corruption, war crimes, religious fundamentalism, child abuse, and other types of abuse. The goal of this book is to share his approach with his readers about the problems we face in this world. You can visit Balthazar’s website at www.ganymedeweb.com.

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Patti B. Ogden, author of the Christian children’s picture book, Keoni’s Big Question (Capstone Productions) will be stopping off at Pop Syndicate! A boy who seeks answers about God’s presence in everyday life, finds his friend held the key to his revelation all along. This gripping tale follows a pair of dear friends on a fishing trip that turns dangerous, then miraculous, and leaves Keoni with more answers then he ever dreamed possible! Every child wonders why we can’t see God. Keoni’s Big Question makes the answer easy to understand. You can visit Patti online at www.capstone-productions.com.

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Richard E. Roach, author of the suspense mystery novel, Scattered Leaves (Multi-Media), will be stopping off at Peeking Between the Pages! When Ben McCord comes home from a business trip to find his young wife raped and murdered, he starts out on a journey of death and destruction. Clues lead him to a dark world of drugs and violence in action that spans Texas, Colorado, and the Mexican border. McCord hooks up with a beautiful doctor, who was also victimized by members of the same drug cartel, and together they track down the killers, surviving bloody confrontations, and ending with a suspenseful climax in the Big Thicket of Texas. You can visit Richard online at www.richarderoach.com.

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T.E. Scott and Stephen Edds, co-authors of the business/personal finance book, The Losing Game: Why You Can’t Beat Wall Street (Hidden Truth Publishing), will be visiting Books and Authors! T.E. Scott exposes the stock market and commodity markets for what they really are — brilliantly marketed rip-offs. The Losing Game simplifies a very complex system that Wall Street has designed to separate the masses from their money without accountability or prosecution. As a result of this design, they have tricked us into believing that the stock market and commodity markets are something they are not. You can visit them online at www.thelosinggame.com.

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Robin Maderich, author of the historical romance novel, Faith and Honor (Blue Shutter Books) will be stopping off at Girls Just Reading! Rescued from the harrassment of British officers in Colonial Boston by handsome, secretive Fletcher Irons, Faith Ashley’s slumbering passions are ignited, until the discovery that Fletcher himself is an officer of the army she has come to despise, a man who is the enemy. Yet with persistence, Fletcher wins the fiery Faith’s love. When the colonies erupt in Revolution, Faith refuses to choose between her loyalty to the cause and her love for the man who is far more than the color of his uniform. Will her honor be her undoing? You can visit Robin online at www.robinmaderich.com.

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Donna Lee Schillinger, author of the nonfiction Christian Living book, On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women Who Want to Remain Pure, Debt-free and Regret-free (Quilldriver), will be stopping off at Paperback Writer! On My Own Now is about strengthening young women’s faith and preventing the screw-ups that can brand us for life. Donna Lee Schillinger draws on her eclectic past as a rebellious youth, Peace Corps volunteer, social worker, single mother, court mediator and executive director of a home for single young mothers. You can visit Donna online at www.onmyownnow.com.

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Lloyd Watts, author of the self-help/personal finance book, The Flow of Time and Money: How to Create a Full and Prosperous Life (Megawatt Media Corporation), will be stopping off at Noobpreneur is a groundbreaking new book that will help you master the relationship between your time and money. Using simple, proven techniques and easy-to-understand diagrams, Dr. Lloyd Watts shows you how to take control of your income, expenses and time commitments in order to achieve wealth and personal fulfillment. You can visit Lloyd online at www.flowoftimeandmoney.com.

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Karen White, author of the contemporary fiction novel, The Lost Hours (NAL Accent), will be stopping off at Diary of an Eccentric, Jenn's Bookshelf, Books and Needlepoint and Cheryl's Book Nook! Now a near fatal riding accident has shattered Piper’s dreams of Olympic glory. After her grandfather’s death, she inherits the house and all its secrets, including a key to a room that doesn’t exist—or does it? And after her grandmother is sent away to a nursing home, she remembers the box buried in the backyard. In it are torn pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace—and a newspaper article from 1929 about the body of an infant found floating in the Savannah River. The necklace’s charms tell the story of three friends during the 1920s— each charm added during the three months each friend had the necklace and recorded her life in the scrapbook. Piper always dismissed her grandmother as not having had a story to tell. And now, too late, Piper finds she might have been wrong. You can visit Karen online at www.karen-white.com.

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J.A. Hunsinger, author of the historical fiction novel, Axe of Iron: The Settlers, will be stopping off at The Book Stacks! The first novel of a continuing character-driven tale of a medieval people whose wanderlust and yearning for adventure cause them to leave the two established settlements on Greenland and sail west, to the unexplored land later referred to as Vinland. You can visit his website at www.vinlandpublishing.com.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Life Savers from Stacy Gooch-Anderson



The first book I read by Stacy Gooch-Anderson was The Santa Letters--which I reviewed here. Since The Santa Letters touched me so deeply, when Stacy contacted me for a review of Life is Tough: I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive, I eagerly accepted.

While I am getting closer to it in the TBR pile, I've glanced through a few of the entries and was floored to realize what a great sense of humor Stacy has. In Life is Tough, Stacy shares 28 life lessons that changed her perspective and helped her grow in character. This is truly a book of "A Mother's Life Lessons Learned Through Laughter".

And to that end, Stacy is providing us with one of her Life Savers. I had to choose this one, because anyone who knows me, knows that I am the most impatient person on the face of the planet.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are on

If patience is a virtue, then I am most definitely NOT a virtuous woman!

Patience is a very hard thing for me. I tend to want things and answers now and not a minute later than instantly. But this is not always the way it works. Matter of fact, as I’m coming to find out, it rarely works this way. I guess God keeps giving me those lessons on patience hoping that one day I will learn its virtues.

Apparently I’m a slow learner because they keep coming at regular intervals and with increasing frequency. Like the other day, the sun had finally made an appearance after hiding for the better part of the fall and winter. The temperatures were up and so I thought a nice walk would be in order. I grabbed my walking shoes and a water bottle and headed off.

I forgot one small detail though; one shouldn’t take a blood pressure pill with a diuretic right before heading out where bathrooms are few and far between. I hadn’t been gone long when my fast pace and pumping heart kicked that medication into overdrive and sent me frantically looking for a public restroom along the route.

I whizzed (no pun intended) down the hill to a local gas station where I knew there were clean restrooms. Just as I reached for the door, a sweet older lady smiled at me and then slipped in and locked the door after sweetly telling me, “I’ll only be a minute”.

I stood there with my mouth gaping and my legs crossed. I didn’t dare move for fear that any mild movement would certainly turn me into a leaky faucet. I stood immobilized praying that she would finish up her business and get the heck outta Dodge so the new sheriff could claim her potty in peace and overwhelming relief.

I think she must’ve taken a bath in the bowl.

I must admit however, that old people have a way of really putting things into perspective. When she finally did emerge, she smiled again – a bit broader as she watched me inch into the restroom with crossed legs – and gave me a bit of old- timer’s wisdom. This nugget has become today’s “Life Saver”;

“How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are on. Praise be to the Good Lord who allowed me enough agility to beat you to the bathroom door. The old plumbing ain’t what it used to be and they would’ve needed a mop and a ten gallon bucket if I’d been the one waiting out here."

Easy for her to say. Her minute was filled with the relief of dry Depends and a happy bladder. I looked back over my shoulder at her as she headed out to her car with a slightly more jovial step in her jaunt. I smiled.

It was nice to know that even when age does get the best of you, patience still isn’t a virtue but you can somehow manage to deal with the infirmity with a quick wit and a smile that makes others glad they had the ability to wait.

You can visit Stacy online at www.stacyganderson.com

Life Is Tough: I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive is available at Amazon.com

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Depth of My Soul by Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda



The Depth of My Soul is a book of poetry focusing on injustices such as wars, corruption, war crimes, religious fundamentalism, child abuse, other types of abuse, torture, dictatorship, relationship problems etc. When the author wrote this book, he was inspired by the news on CNN and other media. The goal of this book is to share his approach with readers about the problems the world faces.

Balthazar would love to hear from you. You can visit his website at www.ganymedeweb.com.

After reading this synopsis, it seemed interesting that a poet would use CNN and other media as a basis for his work. This is the topic I asked Balthazar to discuss in his guest article today.

Balthazar's Turn:

News as Inspiration
by Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda

News is relevant because it provides me with information to research about different themes, which are the desires of my heart. I watch news everyday on CNN, BBC, TV5 Monde every single day, 365 days a year. When I get news on my fingertips, I keep myself up to date about several events, which are taking place around the world. I use the news as the inspiration because I want to share my approach about these events.

Very often I get inspiration from CNN anchors, such as Christiane Amanpour for her programs about the 3 monotheist religions and the war crimes our politicians ignore because of certain interests. I watch coverage about wars, genocides, religious conflicts, political problems, immigration, dictatorship, xenophobia, financial crisis, natural disasters etc.

It’s not just about being inspired, but the idea of using this inspiration in an effective way to reach out to my readers when I write a book. I must admit that I am not interested in everything I hear on the news. I choose themes that are an inspiration to me. Besides watching the news, I go on the internet and research different themes that I want to use for my books. Sometimes, I am frustrated about the events that I watch on the news i.e. politicians in our part of the world talk about freedom and justice, but work with dictators for their interests. I find it very sick, and it makes so angry that I have trillions of questions in my mind about them. I usually grumble about their approach to dictators who torture their people, who ignore their citizens living in poverty dying of different kinds of diseases and illnesses. It got me nowhere, and I was the one who was suffering. That’s why I decided to approach these problems by expressing myself through the most powerful too, which sometimes makes no sense. That’s poetry. Writing books about the problems we face in our societies, is an opportunity for me to share my views with my readers and learn from them as well.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded By Loose Cannons? by Kathi Macias--Book Review



Have you struggled to live up to the expectations of the good woman described in Proverbs 31? You're certainly not alone. That's why every Christian woman who desires to follow the example of the good woman must read How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded By Loose Cannons? - Proverbs 31 Discoveries for Yielding to the Master of the Seas by Kathi Macias.

Follow Kathi's journey and struggle with Proverbs 31 as she discusses the natural progression of growing in grace. From our Christian infancy, through our toddling years, learning to run, and then finally knowing the comfort and peace of being back on our knees and totally dependent upon and surrendered to God, and knowing He will bring us safely home; Kathi shares her personal stories with humor and genuine compassion for her fellow Christians.

I willingly admit that I love Kathi's work. When I read Beyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World--which I reviewed here--I knew I would be a fan of Kathi Macias for life. And when I heard that she had a new book coming out, I didn't waste any time in letting Kathi know that I wanted to review it.

While very different in tone and style than Beyond Me, Kathi has perfectly captured the many struggles Christian women deal with when they consider and try to follow the example of the good woman from Proverbs 31; how overwhelming it can be and how often we try to take control when God is truly steering the ship. By choosing to tell this story in a funny and lighthearted way, the reader is eager to journey along with Kathi to see what she learned next and how to apply it to her own life.

At the end of most of the chapters is a section called "Making it Personal", which asks the reader questions that relate to the point Kathi has just discussed. She had something similiar in Beyond Me; but while I found them to very helpful in Beyond Me, they were distracting to me in this book because I wanted to keep going with this funny and lighthearted story that was subtlety teaching me what I needed to know. I ended up skipping them until I completed the book and then went back to review them once I was done.

Also included at the end of most chapters were Bible verses that referred back to the lesson, including one of my favorites: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."--Philippians 4:13.

The cover art for this book is wonderful. The side of a ship with a woman--who could be any Christian woman--looking out through the porthole--is a brilliant idea. The humorous Foreward is provided by Martha Bolton, Emmy-nominated songwriter and author of Didn't My Skin Used to Fit and Cooking With Hot Flashes, and a touching Afterword is written by Rhonda Rhea, author of High Heels in High Places, Purse-suit of Holiness, and Whatever Blings Are Lovely.

One last thing that truly made this a special book is the chapter that Kathi dedicates to her father, Hans. The reader finds a tribute to a beloved father from the daughter who prayed for him to accept Christ as his Savior; and who in his final moments, as he sang a song from his childhood, taught her so much about "resting and trusting in God's goodness for His children." Even as I type this, I can feel the tightening in my throat and the tears swimming in my eyes.

How Can I Run A Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded By Loose Cannons? will make the perfect Mother's Day or birthday gift for the Christian woman in your life. For every Christian woman who has aspired to be the Proverbs 31 good woman, Kathi Macias has brought hope.


Title: How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded By Loose Cannons? - Proverbs 31 Discoveries for Yielding to the Master of the Seas
Author: Kathi Macias
Publisher: New Hope Publishers
ISBN-10: 1-59669-204-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-59669-204-6
SRP: $13.99 (U.S.)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Are You Right or Left Brained?

As a writer, should I be concerned that only 35% of me is Right Brained?







You Are 65% Left Brained, 35% Right Brained



The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.

Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.

If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.

Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.



The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.

Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.

If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.

Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.