Faces In The Fire by T.L. Hines

Title: Faces in the Fire


Author: T.L. Hines

Thomas Nelson Publisher

T.L. Hines Faces in the Fire is the story of four people whose lives, on the surface, have no connection but unbeknownst to them, are bound together by common threads. Kurt is a truck-driving, art-sculpting amnesiac who hears ghosts in articles of clothing. Corinne is an email-spammer with terminal cancer. Grace is a heroin-addicted tattoo artist. And Stan is a contract-killer with a haunted past. Each of their stories is broken up into stanzas, and they are connected to the others in strange and haunting ways. The most telling words uttered in the entire book are “vicious circle.”

Having never read a Christian Suspense novel, as this book is characterized, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was an absolutely delicious read. I picked it up and never put it down. Once I recognized that these were not random stories about random people, I needed to understand how they connected to each other. I immediately noticed that the chapter numbers were out of the order and am tempted to go back and actually read it in chapter order to see if I notice anything new. Although each character had aspects of their lives and personalities that were less than flattering, I cared about each of them and wanted them to find their own redemption. That is the mark of a great novel – wanting to know more about the lives of each character and caring about what happens to them within the story. Hines writes about redemption and forgiveness and the things that bind people. Regardless of the differences we all have with people around us, Hines reminds us that we are all connected.

Buy it here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rick & Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess & Bill "Bubba" Bussey

Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage was not exactly what I expected but it did not disappoint. I expected wit and sarcasm – having heard the Rick and Bubba show on the radio a few times – and it is there in abundance. I expected the usual let-me-tell-you-about-my-crazy-wife anecdotes, and they delivered. What I did not expect was their willingness to show their deep abiding love for their wives – loving them despite of and because of their flaws secure in the knowledge that their wives love them just as deeply. Their book is part humor and part marriage counseling for the average marriage.

It is satisfying and reassuring to see similarities between my own life and that of complete strangers. When Rick says that moving leads to more marital strife than financial problems, I laughed out loud as I was instantly reminded of every time my husband and I have moved during our relationship – always grateful and surprised that neither of us committed murder during the process. Realizing that there are three sides to every story – his, hers, and the truth – lets me know that my perspective of a problem is not necessarily the right one. Not that I would ever admit that to my husband. And I now have a different perspective of a typical argument between myself and my husband – “playing the crazy card.” Simply put, this occurs when I remember the conversation, plan, whatever, differently than my husband, therefore, my husband must be crazy. Seeing it in that light makes me want to believe that I wasn’t being listened to, but only a little. Rick and Bubba give great insight into a husband’s point of view with a big dose of humor, sarcasm, honesty, and love. They might not help me attain an almost nearly perfect marriage, but I feel like I can step back a little bit and see the unintentional humor that exists in marriage and in life.

What's He Really Thinking? by Paula Rinehart

Paula Rinehart’s What’s He Really Thinking? is an insightful look into the male psyche – especially as it relates to relationships. Men and women are hardwired differently, which means that we see every aspect of a relationship differently. Any woman in any relationship with a man – husband, brother, father, son, etc. – is already very aware of the vast differences between the sexes. Rinehart is able to explain those differences in ways that make perfect sense to women.

After reading Rinehart’s book, I find myself examining the way my husband and I interact with each other. By using the suggestions and insights that Paula gives throughout her book, I can change how I react to the men in my life – ultimately changing the way we react to each other. Women are programmed to think that men are incapable of communicating. Rinehart shows us that they communicate in their own way. If we can learn how they think and process information, men and woman can ultimately learn how to really talk to each other, and we can learn how to relate to one another. By understanding how men think and how they process information, she shows women that relationships can become stronger and ultimately better. After reading her book, I feel like I know my husband, and myself, a little bit better, and I can only hope that we will both benefit from this knowledge.

It's Official!

I signed up to be a Book Review Blogger with Thomas Nelson, and my first book should arrive sometime next week...woohoo!!! I've noticed that I'm becoming more critical of the books I'm reading - including my son's board books...I haven't written a review yet, but I'm composing reviews in my head. I should probably get it out of my head and onto paper (or computer screen, as the case may be).

I'm going to request to review for Lisa Roe, Online Publicist. Hopefully, I'm not too inexperienced for what she needs. Everybody has to start somewhere, right?

Currently, I'm reading almost anything by Bernard Cornwell. I picked up LORDS OF THE NORTH from the library this morning - book 3 in his Saxon Tales series. I enjoy his style of writing. In this series, the story is told by Uhtred of Bebbanburg (or Uhtred Uhtredson OR Uhtred Ragnarson - whichever identity he needs to use at the moment), but it's told from his perspective as an older man, meaning he's able to give a little insight into his thought process and actions, and how the outcome of the moment may or may not impact the future greatly. And yet, he manages to do it without giving away what's going to happen next. He dislikes King Alfred for his arrogance, his religion, and because he's not a warrior; King Alfred dislikes Uhtred because he refuses to become Christian and for being so unlike anyone else he surrounds himself with. Yet they need each other and are inextricably linked if Alfred is to become more than just king of Wessex.

I'm looking at the Arthur series that he's written...it's next on my list.

The Scribbling Bookworm

So here it is...my first blog. Not my first blog ever...just the first as "The Scribbling Bookworm!" To get the full affect, imagine a booming voiceover, a shining cape blowing majestically in the breeze, as I stand on a mountain of books...Not seeing it? Yeah, me neither.

I decided to start this blog as a way to become a book reviewer. Why a book reviewer? I love to read, want to write, and figure the two can go hand-in-hand. I am definitely a little rusty in the writing department, but it's a use-it-or-lose-it kind of ability. Hopefully, my skills will improve as this blog progresses. I will accept all constructive criticism and positive feedback.

Why in blog format? Because that's what my generation does? Seriously, it's because I came across the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger site and decided, even if I didn't join that group (although I probably will), it definitely made sense to have a blog. What if by some miracle I acquire more readers than just my mother and my husband? (I can't even include my children yet because the oldest is only 4 and the youngest is unborn at this point.) What if I decide to attempt a crossover from amatuer reviewer to professional? I should probably have some proof that I really can write - this is assuming of course that I have any amount of talent and people other than my mother and my husband agree.

Ultimately, this is my attempt to stop dreaming about writing and actually do something about it. I'd love to write a book, but since I haven't written a paragraph in a while, that's probably a big stretch at this point. I'll get there...eventually...but right now, I'm just happy to be "The Scribbling Bookworm" and all that it implies.