Review: Above the Line Series Take One

Title: Above The Line Series: Take One by Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Zondervan
Source: publisher
Rating:4/5
Purchase: Christian Book & Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Two unknown producers struggle to fulfill their dreams to change lives through the power of film. With millions of investors’ dollars on the line, everything starts to fall apart and they realize they may be in over their heads. Is it possible to beat the odds and make a movie unlike anything ever done before? Or, will they lose everything in the process?



My Thoughts:

I personally loved the book & I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
As the story starts you find out that Chase & Keith are directing a movie on only 2 million dollars from investors. As you read on you read about the trials that Chase & Keith are going through. Then God speaks to them. What I really liked about that was it was like the book was talking right to me at that point, because of the trials that I am going through right now. Take One also includes the Baxter family (from Karen Kingsbury's other books). Like I said I can't wait to read the rest of the series, to see what happens next!

Thank you Zondervan for sending me the book! I really appreciate it!

In My Mailbox (1)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi aka The Story Siren

I've had a pretty busy week so here's what I got in my mailbox! Hope you enjoy!

For Review:

Lydia's Choice by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Shelter Me by Juliette Fay (signed + bookmark)
The Stuff That Never Happened by Maddie Dawson
Heart To Heart by Lurlene McDaniel
Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel
A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion
Going to Far by Jennifer Echols (signed)
Forget You by Jennifer Echols (signed)
The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkaen
Stay by Allie Larkin
Reinventing Rachel by Alison Strobel


What did you get in your mailbox?

Review: Life, In Spite Of Me by Kristen Anderson

Title: Life, In Spite Of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson

Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah
Source: Publisher

Rating: 5/5

Purchase: Amazon & Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

She wanted to die. God had other plans.

Why does my life have to be so painful?
What’s wrong with me?
It’s not going to get better.
It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore.

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.

One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.

But Kristen's story doesn’t end there.

In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.

Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.

Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.

My Thoughts:

Wow! This book is AMZING! Life, In Spite Of Me is Kristen's story of her attempted suicide, her depression, and how she came to God! Kristen's story is truly amazing and you know that the hand of God was upon her that night when she decided she couldn't deal with being here anymore. Personally, I had tears in my eyes while reading Life, In Spite Of Me, because I saw so much of myself in Kristen, plus the story really tugs at your heart. I hope that you will go out and pick up this book.

If you, or someone you know has thoughts about suicide, please talk to someone. They have people at reaching you ministries that would be glad to help you!

If you would like to know my about Kristen's story please visit Reaching You Ministries

A special thank you to the publisher & Reaching You Ministries! And last but not least, Kristen for sharing your story with us!

Twenty Boy Summer by Sara Ockler

I am currently in LOVE with Twenty Boy Summer! I started reading it last night and I am almost half way done with it. I will post my review later on this week!


There will be some new things coming up on the blog. I will be starting a weekly In My Mailbox post (although there may not be a weekly post we will see how things go). In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea of Pop CultureJunkie.

Well I think that's all I have for today! I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far!

Mini Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Hey Everyone!

I hope you are all having a fantastic Saturday. I finished reading Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver last night. At first it was kinda hard getting into the book, but towards chapter 3 I fell totally in love with it! This review won't be long since I have dinner in the oven & I am getting ready to watch The Green Bay Packers vs. The Cleavland Browns tonight!

Rating: 4 out of 5


My Thoughts:
Before I Fall is about a girl named Samatha who gets to relive Cupid day for 7 days. At first I thought oh she's going to end up dying in the end, but as you read on I thought hey maybe she will live. Rob (Samatha's boyfriend)is such a JERK! He wants one thing and one thing only (kinda reminds me of some personal experiences, so I needed to know what happend to him in the story). Sam has great friends, a loving sister & and wonderful parents. You should tell the people you love most that you love them because you never know it could be the last time you ever see them. It is a great read and I am going to suggest it to my friends.

Review: The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch

Release date: June 2010
Number of pages: 270
Rating: 5 out of 5
I received this book as an ARC (thank you Read It Forward)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble














My Thoughts:

Wow, what can I say about this AMAZING book?

The story first starts out with Tilly getting ready to go to the local fair with her best friend. At the fair she goes into a fortune tellers tent. The fortune teller was one of her childhood friends. So, Tilly decides to let Ashley give her a reading. At the end of the reading Ashley says what happens to her will give her clarity.

When Tilly is looking at photos from her past things start to happen. She starts getting cramps & then she blacks out and starts to see the future. First, she sees her dad stummbling out of a bar, then she sees a U-Haul in her driveway. Is she moving or is someone eles? There are more "visions" that Tilly has, but that would give the book away!

You also find out in the story that Tilly use to love taking pictures, until her mom passed away. She still took pictures when she was at work of the students who came into her office (she is a guideance counseler). Will she start taking photos again?


What I've learned:

I love that the book talked about photography, because I too love photography! I learned that you don't always have to be the one who fixes everything that goes wrong. There are others who are willing to help if you just ask them to help you!

Thank you, Allison for writting such a touching book about finding true happiness! I can't wait to read more of your books!

Review: Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Relese Date: September 18, 2008
Age Group: Young adult
Number of Pages: 376
Blurb: A family curse, three impossible tasks... only true love
can save her.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Barnes & Noble




My Thoughts:

I hadn't read anything by Nancy Werlin, before I purchased Impossible. The front cover image drew me in and then I read the back & thought this book is right up my alley. Impossible is centered around the song 'Scarborough Fair'.

Impossible is about 17- year old Lucy she was abandoned at a young age by her mother Miranda, Lucy doesn't know anything about her father. Miranda left Lucy in the hands of Soledad & Leo Markowitz. Miranda & Soledad go back to when Miranda was pregnant with Lucy at the age of 18 & she (Miranda) went "crazy" shortly after giving birth to Lucy.

Lucy is a normal teen, school, track team, prom, no real big intrest in guys except for Zach who she grew up with, and he's been her best friend. He knows about Lucy's "crazy" mom, Miranda who always seems to show up when things are going well and she sings her version of 'Scarborough Fair'.

Soon Lucy's life gets turned upside down after prom, she gets raped & ends up pregnant. Lucy finds her mom's diary in the bottom of a bookshelf and things start to become clear to her. The letters in Miranda's diary talk about the curse that is upon the Scarborough women. Miranda taught the song to Leo and made him promise that he would teach the song to Lucy when she grew up. The song 'Scarborough Fair' has three tasks in it to be completed for the curse to be broken.

Will Lucy be cursed as her mother & all the mothers before her? Does she break the curse or does she make a deal with the Devil?



I loved Impossible. I can't wait to read Extraordinary coming September 2010!

I hope you enjoyed my review! Come back again!

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to welcome you to my book review blog! I hope you enjoy your time here. If you have any questions or want me to review a book please contact me!