Bread & Wine Book Review

Book Review of Bread & Wine

  by Shauna Niequist
"a love letter to life around the table, with recipes"

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     Here's the third offering from acclaimed author, Shauna Niequist.   Her entire premise for writing this book was to inspire and encourage the reader to "gather the people you love around your table to eat and drink, to tell stories, to be heard and fed and nourished on every level." Niequist's trademark is her smart and witty writing about family, friendship and life around the table.
     I love every single word in this book, and am finding joy in making each recipe.  Niequist is extremely candid and real.  She talks about things that make you feel like you have been best friends for years and years - the constant worry about weight, noteworthy friendships and an exceptional love of eating and all things foodie.  All women will love this book and treasure it's wonderful words.  You will be motivated to travel, taste new things, cook new things, invite guests for dinner and just love people and be with them.
     The book totally broke my hermit-like shell.  I rarely cook for people outside of my family.  Not that I don't love to cook or know how to cook - I'm married to a chef for Pete's sake!  I just have this underlying insecurity about not being able to please "other" people with my food.  I try new recipes all the time, cook from scratch every day and try hard things.  But, the constant need to be right and perfect has gotten in the way of opening my home and arms to other people through food.  This book changed all of that.  Halfway through, I learned a dear friend was sick.  I ventured out of my comfort zone - way out!  I whipped up a batch of homemade tortilla soup (with flair) and a dish of Shauna Niequist's Blueberry Crisp.  I delivered it with shaking hands and trepidation.  Much to my amazement and enjoyment, it was a hit.  I was thanked profusely and it warmed by heart that I warmed someone's belly.  It's addictive and a must!  Try this book.  There is even a cooking club syllabus in the back.  Be blessed!

   

(I received this book free from Handlebar Publishing as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Summer....

Captive In Iran by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh

Stress Test by Richard Mabry

North of Hope Book Review

Book Review of North of Hope

  by Shannon Huffman Polson

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     This is something new on the shelves April 9 from Shannon Polson.  She's a writer that loves high adventure sports and is an ex-Army attack helicopter pilot.  She also touts multiple degrees and expertise in many fields, as well as singing with the critically acclaimed Seattle Pro Musica.  This book is a memoir that covers Huffman's healing journey through the Acrtic in Alaska.  She is the daughter of parents who were killed by a grizzly in Alaska's remote Arctic.  She retraces the fateful journey her parents died on to find the cure for her hopelessness and grieving spirit.  The book largely covers the human search for meaning with the face of calamity. 
    I will tell  you up front that I did not enjoy this book.  Although Polson is a vivid and creative writer, this was the most self-loathing, depressing, egomaniacal book I have ever read.  I understand that loosing your parents is very difficult, and can be sudden and blind-siding.  But, sixteen chapters of listening to someone whine and despair is more than I can tolerate.  You can tell that the author, at the time of the tragedy, was single with no children.  No wife and mother that I know would have the time or selfishness to stop their lives and fall into a downward spiral of depressive and mercenary living.  If you want to read a book about depression and sadness, then grab this one quick.  I just wanted to shake the author and say, "It's been years, move on!"  If she was this over-the-top disconsolate about her parents death, what would happen to this poor woman in the death of her now spouse and children.  I don't recommend this book to anyone for any reason.  Although, if you'd like to find out about the Arctic in Alaska, there is history, geology and anthropology here, but it's not comprehensive.  I suggest visiting a library for that. 

   

(I received this book free from Handlebar Publishing as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Spring....

Captive In Iran by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh

Stress Test by Richard Mabry

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist 

A Matter of Trust Book Review

Book Review of A Matter of Trust

  by Lis Wiehl

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     Here's a new offering by best loved author, Lis Wiehl, whom you've seen a lot of on here over the past few years.  This new series she's started is called the Mia Quinn Mysteries, based around Mia Quinn, Seattle prosecutor.  It's unknown at this time if there will be other novels in this series and how many.   Mia Quinn is based after Lis Wiehl's own life - being a full-time legal professional and single mom; even taking place in Wiehl's hometown of Seattle. 

     As with most of Wiehl's books, in true fashion, this one opens with a bang.  Literally.  Mia Quinn overhears her best friend being shot over the phone.  It's Mia Quinn's appointed job to solve the case, which turns out to be difficult.  This premise is actually loosely based on the actual murder of a federal prosecutor, whose case is still unsolved to this day.

    Mia Quinn is a character any Mom can relate to.  She's trying to juggle it all and sometimes that doesn't work out as planned. In this case, she's recently widowed, back to work, with a pile of debt, a preschooler and a teenager.  Then to top it off, she's asked to solve the case of her best friends murder.  Talk about a lot of balls in the air.  But, in my opinion, this book wasn't nearly as riveting or exciting as the previous ones.  It's possible that this novel was to introduce us to Mia Quinn, and that there are possibly many more to come.  The book starts of with fascination and charge, but slows down incredibly less than half way through. Still, I recommend it, since Wiehl still pleases with unforeseen twists and turns.  I do hope that we see this character again and that she's on another captivating case.  This book also touches on the growing problem of cyber-bullying, and a teenage suicide that is the result of it.  I suggest this read for anyone that enjoys a good mystery - age 14 and up. 

   

(I received this book free from Booksneeze.com as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Spring....

North of Hope by Shannon Huffman Polson

Stress Test by Richard Mabry

Captive In Iran by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh

Moon Over Edisto Book Review

Book Review of  Moon Over Edisto

  by Beth Webb Hart

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     This is certainly not the first offering from Beth Webb Hart, who boasts five published novels in her collection.  Moon Over Edisto must be close to her heart since it takes place in her homestate of South Carolina.  In the book we quickly meet up with Julia, our well-rounded and easy to relate to leading lady.  Julia is plagued with unhappiness and has lost the zest that comes with a joyful life.  But, she really doesn't realize it.  Her own father ran off with her best friend twenty years before; and she's still in the trench of bitterness with morose attitude toward family.  She hasn't returned to the place of the betrayal in over two centuries and tries to move past it in New York as an accomplished artist.  Suprisingly, the "best friend" shows up at her door all these years later with a wild and unfathomable request.  What that request is, I won't divulge.  You'll have to read it to find out.
     This is an excellent read.  First and foremost, Hart's depiction of the South Carolina coast is breathtaking and will transport you right to Edisto Island.  Her writing stirs within you that homesickness for something in your busy life that is missing - a tranquil place of longing and home.  Hart evokes such visions of the East Coast that I want to plan my next family trip to this very island.  I need to see Store Creek, the salt marsh, and take a ride down Peters Point Creek Road.  Rarely, even scarcely, do you come across a modern author that can bring a place alive like Hart has.  I feel like I know these people, really know them.  The story and twists are remarkable and should not be missed.  I endorse those book for woman, 14 and up.  Forgiveness, Southern charm, and amazing lowcountry food are crammed into these pages.  Take a peak of sunset at Edisto Island below. 

(I received this book free from Booksneeze.com as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter....

Captive In Iran by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh

 

 

Les Miserables Audio Drama Review

Audio Drama Review of Les Miserables
by Victor Hugo

  performed by Focus on the Family Radio Theater

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead
 

I decided to check out this edition of famed drama Les Miserables for a road trip from Houston to New Orleans.  At the time, I knew little about the story and thought it would be good just to kill some time.  Focus on the Family Radio Theater uses a full cast, cinema sound and an original music score for this delightful rendition.  True to Huge Victor's original masterpiece, this splendid production follows the tale of Jean Valjean as he encounters savage injustice from the law and the gentleness and grace of God.  My family (even my husband) absolutely loved the story of Jean Valjean and the account of redemption, courage and integrity throughout.  Not only is the story a perfect portrayal of godly character for your family, but the audio drama is top notch.  From the music score to the characters, the quality is outstanding.  I highly recommend this story for families - and children 8 and up.  The set comes with three CD's and is 169 minutes long.  Don't miss out on this set for you and your family.  You won't be disappointed.

(I received this audio drama free from Tyndale Blog Network  as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter....

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl

Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart

Captive In Iran by Maryam Rostampour, Marziyeh Amirizadeh, Anne Graham Lotz and John Perry

Soul's Gate Book Review

Book Review of Soul's Gate

  by James L. Rubart

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     Author, James Rubart, seems to have a huge fan following, yet this was the first book that I read from him.  This is the first of the Well Spring Novel series where we meet up with four characters that the entire book revolves around.  Three of them have been mysteriously chosen to meet for a retreat in the Rockies where they gather together with Reece Roth, famed photographer.  But, he's more than just that - he has the ability to go into people's souls. He has heard a prophetic word from God that these three would need to be trained to go into people's souls; and war against Satan there to be broken from their bondage and be set free.  I won't tell you the rest, because I'd basically be giving away the whole book.  Essentially this first book of the series is the training and some beginning battles against good and evil.  The next book gives the impression that the bigger battles are about to come (August 2013).
     I was interested to read this book since I have a tyro curiosity in quantum physics and the outer dimensions that God works in.  This book gives you a beginners look into these fascinating things, and does draw from Scripture to back up some of the claims.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as he has a similar writing style of Lis Wiehl and Johnathan C. Leicht - which is generally full of adventure, short chapters and undemanding.  Although I did read that some Rubart fans weren't as impressed with this book as with the others, I thought it was a substantial read.  It kept me turning the pages; and it was exciting to open my mind to a higher thought process about God's power and tapping into it.  I'm fired up to read the sequel and hope for more intense battle scenes, even though we already know which side always wins!

You can view the trailer (kinda low-budget) for the book below.

(I received this book free from Booksneeze.com as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter....

Les Miserables an audio drama

Tangled Ashes Book Review

 

Book Review of Tangled Ashes

  by Michele Phoenix
"A Novel"

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     Present meets past in this French set novel.  The Nazi's are invading Lamorlaye, France as the minor part of the story follows to French ladies as they work in a Nazi lebensborn.  As the Nazi plans come to fruition, the two girls must decide where their loyalties lie.  In the main part of the book, set presently, the same castle that served as the lebensborn is being restored by a wealthy family.  The family has hired a master architect and carpenter with a giant chip on his shoulder.  Strange things happen at the castle that begin to tie the two stories together.  The history and secrets of the castle remain, even after almost 70 years have passed.
     While the major part of this story, set in present day, bored me to pieces, the historical information set in the 1940's was really interesting and the story riveting.  The author, Michele Phoenix, actually went to school in The Meunier manor where some of the the story takes place; and was in fact a lebensborn until 1944.  You can view pictures of the renovated Chateau de Lamorlaye here, the major scene for the novel.  Michele Phoenix is a really vivid and terrific author.  I'm just really not that into stories aren't thrillers or historical biographies.  I have one question for the author: "What was the plot?" A book needs something to keep you reading.  This one really doesn't have that.  The book does contain discussion questions for a book club.  I would recommend this book for adult women ages 17 and up. 

(I received this book free from Handlebar Marketing as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter....

Soul's Gate by James Rubart 

Les Miserables an audio drama