Review: Pray for Justice

Synopsis:

At the core of the Christian message lies a deep and fundamental commitment to issues of peace and social justice. At the core of a Christian’s spiritual life lies a deep and fundamental commitment to a robust cycle of prayer and contemplation. Pray for Justice links the two in a masterful re-working of the Liturgy of Hours. A welcome resource for anyone who takes the intersection of prayer and social justice seriously.

Bro. Mark Elliott Newman, OC

Servant Leader Emeritus, Ecumenical Order of Charity
Lou Bordisso’s new book is a helpful guide to accompany one’s prayer life. Reading Lou’s powerful quotes from saints and holy figures throughout history will no doubt inspire you, and his inclusion of a journal will challenge you to model your life on these great figures.

Ryan Hall from Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service
Lou Bordisso’s short book takes the very traditional prayers of Catholic monastics and partners them with nuggets from the great saints on the issues of peace and justice, creates a morning and evening ritual that, when followed as he instructs, amounts to a mini thirty day retreat in the world. It offers a disciple, a routine, a ritual that can re-focus and dedicate our days, pointing them in the direction that we would have them go. Having witnessed the happiness and presence of mind that Lou brings to his ministry at The Gubbio Project and the joy that he exudes among our homeless guests, I can say that, if in this book he is sharing his daily prayer practice, we can’t go wrong seeing how these prayer practices might help draw us closer to God and the people that we want to be in the world. 

Laura Slattery, Executive Director of The Gubbio Project.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Pray for Justice by Lou A. Bordisso, O.C. is a spiritual journey all must read. What I loved most about this book was that it was setup for everyone regardless of their religious background. I found the materials inside inspiring and well-done. I was truly amazed by Lou A. Bordisso, O.C. Inside this nonfiction book full of prayers, are thirty-days of morning and night prayers, quotes, and journal questions for the reader to reflect upon as he or she continues this journey. Absolutely, a beautifully written book for all. This guide book, will always stay on my shelf to be used daily. I can’t believe the value found within every page. Pray for Justice challenges readers worldwide. It speaks heavily on and of prayer for justice. Overall, I highly recommend it. Don’t believe me, then, dive into it and see for yourself! 

Review: Surviving Mental Illness (My Story)

Synopsis:

The Road to Recovery…

Written from the perspective of someone whose life has been challenged by mental illness, this book offers help, hope, and inspiration to others struggling with psychological disorders. It provides information about mental illness in general—and mood disorders in particular—valuable tips about treatment and medication, and resources and organizations dedicated to helping those suffering from these disorders. 

Surviving Mental Illness helps break through the fear and stigma of mental illness and focuses on how to find health and happiness. The author shares her personal journey: the heartbreak and challenges of bipolar disorder, and the joy of making her way back to mental health. Through her own story, she shows that help is out there, and with a little faith, recovery is possible. 

My faith in G-d has led me to recover in ways you cannot imagine. Life is having faith to overcome any obstacles, and that is what my recovery from mental illness is all about.
Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Linda Naomi Katz’s book, Surviving Mental Illness, is a must read for all. Not just to educate ourselves on mental illnesses or to make ourselves more aware of what it’s like for those suffering from them, but to put ourselves inside their shoes. As a college student I took course in sociology. They all mentioned a term called stigma. That is a term for the labels that a society forces upon a person of group of people. It’s not a good thing. In fact, we all should steal clear of stigmas. But we’re humans and we fall into society’s trap. Until we’re the ones suffering from it. I fell in love with the writer’s book for many reasons. One it talked about the stigma issues on those with mental illnesses. Second, it led through Linda Naomi Katz’s journey as she battled her own mental illness. Her life journey was both inspiring and educational. I want to hug the writer. She went through a lot and worked hard to get to where she is. The ending doesn’t just end with the book. Both her and her husband work in discussing and teaching others about mental illnesses. I was surprised that these two amazing people didn’t let life get to them. Instead they both embraced it and with determination succeeded. I recently was forced to watch a TED speaker for a recent class of mine. It was about failure. Failure was defined as giving up instead of pursuing our goals or dreams. It talked about grit. Grit being the passion to continue in life when all seems hopeless. If we have grit like Linda Naomi Katz did, then we are successful no matter what. This book reinforced that TED talk. I truly believe and felt that this book, Surviving Mental Illness has what it takes to make a difference in this world. Whether it’s to bring an awareness, to stop the stigma against those with mental illnesses or to educate us what it’s all about…the book’s contents will stay with me forever. I found it very inspiring and plan to share this with as many people as possible. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Just Juliet

 

Synopsis:

The coming out story that will completely change the way you look at love.

Juliet represents the road less traveled. Will Lena take it?

Lena Newman is 17, her best friend’s a cheerleader, her boyfriend’s a football player, and as far as everyone is concerned, her life is sorted. But that’s before she befriends the new girl. Juliet is confident, slightly damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and a lesbian.

Lena realizes that her interest goes beyond just friendship. She sets off on a path of self-discovery where the loyalty of those closest to her will be tested.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Just Juliet by Charlotte Reagan is the kind of genre I normally don’t read. However, the story was well-developed and well-written. I liked how realistic the characters were. Love is not pretty. It’s more of a complicated knot that gets more twisted before it’s smoothed out…into fineness. I noticed that the writer captured the high school drama right down to its raw yet ugly form. Being in love is tough then add the attraction to the same sex and it’s worse. Worse as in hard for others around the main characters to accept as okay. People don’t choose who they fall in love with. Love isn’t a fashion statement it’s part of who that person is and if we can’t let them be who they are then love isn’t real. Experiencing what may be right for one is a scary path. Then add insecurity and drama to it and well, it makes for an interesting tale. Unfortunately, this tale came off so real, that it was frightening in a way. Charlotte Reagan definitely knows what goes on with teenagers and how they react to situations. She masterfully captured everything exactly the way it should be. Just Juliet is a YA coming of age book that I highly recommend to readers worldwide.

 

Review: Remembering Everly

 

Synopsis:

After two years in a coma, August Kinkaid has forgotten the darkness in his past. But his past hasn’t forgotten him. His beautiful former fiancée, Everly, remembers every tumultuous moment of their stormy relationship. The sizzling passion. The web of lies. And the terrible secret Everly’s been hiding since her last fateful night with August.

Now, the truth is out and August remembers everything. As his long-buried memories come flooding back, he begins to understand why Everly would want to move on with her life. Why she would give her heart to another man. And why August should try to forget her once and for all.

But he can’t give up on the only woman he’s ever loved. Even if he has to reopen old wounds–and face the darkest demons of his past–August will do whatever it takes for a second chance with Everly. He let her slip away once. He’s not about to spend the rest of his life remembering Everly when he could be holding her in his arms forever . . .

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Remembering Everly by J.L. Berg is indeed a fascinating novel. Here, readers are brought into a tale woven with regret, pain, and a hope for second chances. Plus, a love between two characters that has not yet faded. There might just be hope for a man who’s jaded and a woman intended on moving forward despite everything…

J.L. Berg’s writing swallowed me up…the more a man’s memory came to him, the worst the separation from his only love felt. Themes like betrayal, love, fate and hope lie deep within this novel. Remembering Everly is more than just a contemporary romance read. An emotional journey that dragged me into the feeling of loss, despair, anger, and happiness. Wounds take time, to heal. With every step of the way…we must calculate our every move. None of us know when or what will happen next. August Kinkaid is a man to analyze and to cheer for…his movements were rocky at best in the past…and now, with a second chance at life, he’s going to have to fight for a clean record. Happiness doesn’t come easily and that’s portrayed realistically inside this title. I was amazed at how easily it was to connect with the characters. Their struggles, thoughts, and emotions became mine. After having read this novel, I can clearly say that relationships are a battle to be fought and reckoned with…overall, I highly recommend this beautifully written tale to all.

 

Review: Immortal Writers

 

Synopsis:

Young up-and-coming author Liz McKinnen has no idea that her life is about to change forever when she comes home from her first book tour. When she’s kidnapped and told by her captors that she has to kill her fantasy book’s antagonist, she thinks that she’s fallen into the hands of crazy, dangerous fans… until her antagonist sends a real, fire-breathing dragon after her.

Liz is quickly initiated into the Immortal Writers, a group of authors from throughout time whose words have given them eternal life, and whose prose is so powerful that it’s brought stories over from the Imagination Field into the Reality Field. As Liz meets authors such as William Shakespeare, JRR Tolkien, Edgar Allan Poe, and Jane Austen, she has to learn how to control magic, fight dragons, and face her own troubled past before her power-hungry villain takes over the world. Will she survive the ultimate battle against the dragon lord whom she created?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Immortal Writers by Jill Bowers is a sensational read. Adventure, creatures, intrigue, and suspense all wrapped into one amazing book. Imagine the characters that are created in a book suddenly come to life…and the only way to stop the bad characters is for the writer to fight the bad guys off….which is quite scary, funny, and richly entertaining. Liz McKinnen wrote such a book. After finishing her book tour she had been kidnapped by none other the hot sexy male protagonist from her book! Then meeting other famous writers and characters that one would deem are rich crazy people who need help. But are they really real of just all nuts? Jill Bowers has the raw power of drawing readers into her plot. I could not stop reading it. The story hooked me from beginning to end. The action, danger, and challenges ahead were exciting. Immortal Writers is about a bad character who makes it his mission to take over the real world. The one us human beings call home. It’s up to Liz McKinnen to save the world from her protagonist…and dragons. Overall, I highly recommend this brilliant read to all.

 

Review: Tullus

 

Synopsis:

A 52-page full-color Christian adventure comic book.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Tullus is an excellent comic book that has endless pages of Christian adventures. What it’s like being a Christian and in troubling times is clearly demonstrated with every page. But also, it shows that if you’re strong in your faith and truly believe in God then you can conquer anything. Especially, escaping from one’s enemies that are hot on one’s trail. I loved every moment of reading these endless tales that bring out the same messages. Believe, stay strong, and don’t give up hope even when things look hopeless. Good things can come your way if you’re patience. The morals are strong and the graphics are amazing. This comic book is for all ages. Everyone who reads this will be swept up by the adventures that the believable characters go through…Overall, I highly recommend Tullus to readers worldwide.

 

 

Review: Scariton

 

Synopsis:

Josh is a nine-year-old boy with an adventurous streak. After a chance encounter with a wily leprechaun, Josh is transported to a strange land inhabited by giants, wizards, and creatures of the undead variety. He quickly realizes Scariton is unlike the suburbs in every way imaginable and learns the only way he can make it back home is to confront King Titan, an evil overlord with mystical powers. Titan has taken over Scariton by force in the region’s biggest war in history. Luckily, Josh doesn’t have to face Titan alone. Uriah, the captain of the guards for Scariton’s former king, is assigned to help Josh with his quest under the condition that he must find Princess Miriam who has gone missing. Armed with a few enchanted items of his own, Josh and his new friends travel the darkest corners of Scariton in their mission to find the princess. It’s non-stop action suitable for the whole family.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Scariton by Paul Charbonneau is an addictive adventure novel that will be a new favorite with adults and children alike. This tale brings readers to a young boy who is almost ten-years-old. He wants to have an adventure. He sets out into the woods. At first, he imagines a woodsman somewhere near with an axe…and instead falls upon an old, leprechaun. At first, Josh isn’t sure whether to believe the man or not. But after taking a small skills test…Josh believes the man is a leprechaun and is sent off on a magical adventure. This is where he meets two other boys about his age and a kingdom where a princess has been taken. To find her, Josh and his companions will go through dangerous territory. Will they survive the dangers and find the princess or will all be lost?  Scariton is indeed a fictional world full of intrigue, action, and magic. The scenes come alive with every page. I absolutely loved following brave Josh as the story unfolded. Paul Charbonneau’s writing is brilliant and well-told. Overall, I highly recommend his novel to readers everywhere.

 

Review: Making It in India

 

Synopsis:

When Sanjay is forced to pursue engineering, he feels like a fish out of the water. With his future already determined by his parents, he feels trapped with nowhere to turn. Despite having no passion, to pursue engineering, he ends up in the cut-throat world of the IT industry in India. Then enters Tara, the girl who makes Sanjay chase his dreams and make him realize that life is more than one paycheck and a job you truly detest!

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Making It in India by J.K. Vahn is an interesting tale told from a male Indian man who from birth had his fate sealed for him by his parents. The story took me on a journey of Sanjay going thru his predestined journey in life and wanting to do what makes him passionate. Writing. Sanjay loves to write. His poetry is beautiful enough to make one special woman like Tara feel emotional. She loves reading what he has to write. In a way, she is his muse. The one who inspires him and tells him not to give up on his writing. Whereas his parents were strong in pushing their only son to an engineering school. Sanjay’s father was an engineer and so that’s what his parents pushed him to be. Somehow, Sanjay ends up doing well on his exam and getting a job at one of the best IT companies. He hates it. Not that he can’t do the work but it’s not something that stirs up a desire to do it. As he works as an engineer he learns how to deal with his work, life, and friends. Soon he gets promoted and that’s about when he finally takes a risk in turning his life around to his desire. It also helps that he has Tara supporting him all the way. Maybe his parents will support him as well…

Making It in India shows readers how hard life can be. Things we want may not happen when we want them too. However, we can turn our lives around if we really want to change directions. I loved how J.K. Vahn portrayed the ways, lifestyles, and thinking of the people from India. A realistic output on life, family, and most of all dreams. This tale was well-written. The story was told from the point of view of the main character, Sanjay. I loved following Sanjay as he obeyed his parents, did what was expected of him and went out to do what he’s passionate about as well. Challenges, love, and growing up…are main themes of this inspirational novel. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Amazon Link: Making It in India 

Review: Love’s Legacy

 

Synopsis:

Love’s Legacy continues Luke and Naeerah’s epic love story. They’ve found their way back to one another in spite of the insurmountable odds that threatened to keep them apart, but no one is ever fully prepared for the storms life brings. Luke and Naeerah are no different.

Follow our favorite couple as they fight to weather the storms of life while desperately trying to hold on to each other and their family.

Will their marriage ship sink or stay afloat in the sea of life’s process and prove their love is unbreakable and worthy to be branded a lasting legacy?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Ngozi M. Obi has beautifully created a tale that brought the realities of life and the hardships that we face into a world of fiction that we all can enjoy. Highly  entertaining and inspirational…Love’s Legacy lured me in deeply. The characters are so real with issues that make this novel 3 dimensional. The emotional journey was definitely one exciting thrill ride.I have found myself completely enjoying and waiting to experience again when I read this story once more. The love that the main characters Luke and Naeerah have for another is something, as a reader, that amazed me. Their love went deep both physically and emotional. Both made sacrifices for the other…in today’s world with all that we have it’s rare to find a love like these characters had. Despite all obstacles, they held through with through declaration of love for another. Life always threatens to take away what we have and it’s not any different where Luke and Naeerah are concerned. True love may have or may not have won in this brilliant piece by Ngozi M. Obi…readers have to read it to find out for themselves. I absolutely loved reading Love’s Legacy…the most inspiring, heart melting, and intriguing novel I have read. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers everywhere.

 

Review: Baby Come Back

 

Synopsis:

Trent is a jerk, always has been, but if he has any hope at all of getting Jenny back and being a father to his child he needs to become Mr. Nice Guy.

Trent has been looking forward hooking up with his favorite groupie again this tour, but when he finds Jenny in Cleveland, she tells him to get lost. Then, he discovers she has a kid who looks suspiciously like him. Except everybody, the other guys in his band, his managers, all her friends, seem to be conspiring to protect her from him. If he ever hopes to get Jenny back and get to be a father to his daughter, he’s going to have to make all of them believe he’s become the nicest guy on the planet.

Jenny wanted to marry a rock star but having Lulu changed everything. No matter how much she wants Trent back, she can’t let her daughter grow up thinking women let men treat them the way Trent treats her. She’ll sacrifice her own happiness unless Trent can get it together.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Baby Come Back by Christa Maurice is the last and final installment of the Rock and Roll State of Mind Series. I absolutely love the way Christa Maurice writes her novels. The characters leave you falling deep into the plot and following them with every step they take. Their emotions are funny, sweet, and sad. Then there’s also the hot sexy  irresistible guys that the women can’t ignore. That’s where Jenny is now. She should be avoiding Trent like he’s the Devil…yet a part of her misses him like crazy. But now, she has a child to think about and Trent won’t leave her alone…especially after he finds out what’s she been hiding from him. Can a rock  star change his ways and prove to everyone he knows that he’s a changed man? Or will Trent lose everything that matters to him?

Baby Come Back is a must read for all. I can’t stress enough just how good this story is. It’s hot, sexy, and intriguing. It will drag readers instantly into its depths. The characters are well-developed. The plot is fast-paced and brilliantly well-written. Readers will want to read more by this talented writer. Christa Maurice is a writer whom all readers should add to their best authors list. Her writing is believable and amazing. Heartfelt and packed with enough heat as well as attitude to keep readers coming back for more. Overall, I highly recommend this read to readers everywhere.

Review: Promise Lodge

 

Synopsis:

“Hubbard writes Amish stories with style and grace.” —RT Book Reviews

It’s a better life, a fresh start–and a heaven-sent second chance. Founded by three Amish sisters determined to put misfortune behind them, Promise Lodge is a colony where faith’s abiding promise can be fulfilled–and love can make all things new…

Energetic widow Mattie Bender Schwartz is working day and night to get Promise Lodge going. She’s also hoping the change will help her son Noah’s heart, to heal, after his broken engagement. But his former fiancée, Deborah, is looking for a fresh start too. Filled with regret, and cast out by her dat for a reason she can’t yet reveal, Deborah can only pray Noah will forgive her foolishness.

Deborah is the last person Noah expected to show up at Promise Lodge. But with her cruel words still ringing in his head, he’s reluctant to accept her apology–even if the Old Order ways demand he try. If only he could obey Christ’s most important commandment: love one another. But one thing is certain–his mother, aunts, and their beloved Preacher Amos will do their best to help him get there.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is perfect, sweet, and inspirational. I love reading this title. The story was everything I look for in a good Christian romance setting. The Amish are a great community to learn from, laugh with, and fall in love. They are also, the most hard working individuals too. The Amish characters are strong and courageous. Noah is the by far my favorite male character. He’s been hurt, yet he still strives hard to be successful in life and he’s irresistible…then there’s Deborah. She harshly turned Noah away…and now, life has somehow brought them both together again. But will it work?

Promise Lodge holds promise yet for two Amish young people. Time will only tell if they can learn to heal,  forgive, and move forward. Charlotte Hubbard’s talent is one to keep a watch for…her writing takes you places. Dreamy, sweet, lighthearted places that will take readers deep into a plot that will forever hold their hearts. Inspiring how obstacles arise and characters rise to meet them. No matter how hard the situations nor how confusing they may be…the good always succeed. I loved this romance novel. Overall, I highly recommend this beautifully told story, to readers everywhere.

Book Review: Restless Spirits by Kathy Bryson

 

Restless Spirits is a captivating novel. A romance between the manager and his new hired assistant. He admires her more and more as each day goes by. Her determination to help keep the bed and breakfast going and getting set up makes him start to fall harder for this woman whom he should’t be feeling that way about and yet he does. So, far she has proven herself over and over again to him. But when the time really comes can she still prove herself to him?

Marilee Harper is desperately seeking a new job. Especially when a major accident occurred such as setting her employer’s home on fire! Marilee soon gets a job for a man to set up his bed and breakfast place. But does she have it in her to do it? What we will happen when she takes the job? It isn’t long before strange things start to happen at the bed and breakfast. Marilee tackles the every day stuff that goes with setting up the place and then there’s things like flying baseball bats. Even her employer wonders what is going on? He seems amazed at her ability so far. But how long will that last?

 

 

 

Defying Fate Part 2

Anne was sad to leave her rented cabin next door to Kyle Winters. The past few days at the beach and in each others arms was the best time Anne had ever had. Worry free of her cancer growing worse and worse she felt the joys and happiness of life. And felt loved. Whether or not Kyle truly loved her. She had experienced the wanton womanly feeling her characters from romance novels were. She felt happy. Kyle was more than what he seemed. He came to the same beach for getting away from work . Sighing ..Anne packs her stuff into her one bag.

Kyle feeling like a teenage boy again, never felt so happy. He felt complete with Anne. She brought out life and enthusiasm and cheer in ways that had him thinking about her non stop. Each day they spent swimming in the beach’s waters, walking around holding each others hands had him wanting that in his life. Feeling giddy with excitement, Kyle walks over  to Anne’s door. Knocking twice, he waits patiently. After a few moments, he knocks again. Maybe she’s in the shower, he thought. Trying the door knob, he walks in. Calling her name. No answer. Searching each of the rooms and still no sign of her. Hearing to her bedroom, he notices all her stuff was gone. About to walk out, he catches a sticky note.

Kyle, thanks for everything. You gave me a life I would have loved to enjoy. Despite it being short,  thank you for our time together. Have to leave now. Bye, Anne.

Not believing his eyes, kyle sat upon the bed. Starring st the note in his hand. That’s all he had left of her. The woman he wanted to be with forever. A woman whom made him happy. Feeling deviated, he heads back to his place. Packing to return back to work. As he packs, his thoughts keep wondering back to Anne and her smile. Her beautiful smile and the way her eyes lit up when she did, made him want to kiss her senseless. Just like he had last night. Making love to her. Giving her everything he had. And yet he lost her forever.