Petty Magic, by Camille DeAngelis

If you're in the mood for a little enchantment, I encourage you to read Petty Magic by Camille DeAngelis. This book has it all: romance, espionage, travel, intrigue and a dash of magic.

Eve, the 149 year old protagonist, has the (perhaps) enviable ability to shed the effects of her advanced years and step out on the town with the vigor and visage of her youth. This, like most of the magic she practices, appears to be of the "no harm, no foul" variety. But alas, it's impossible to carry on such fun without risk and eventually her series of one-night-stands leads her to the charms of Justin - a young man reminiscent of someone from her past. With Justin, everything changes.

Jonah, her one true love was killed in the line of duty while they were serving together behind enemy lines during World War II. Now, all these years later, she falls in love again. Could Justin somehow be Jonah? They seem to share so many traits. Eve struggles with her feelings for Justin and her memories of Jonah, as well as the reality of her May/December romance.

Woven through the love story are tales of mysterious disappearances, murder and politics which plague the secret society of beldames and their beloved mortal men.

The memoirs and confessions of Miss Evelyn Harbinger, Temptress and Troublemaker, as told by Camille DeAngelis, is sure to charm and delight.


I would like to pass along my delight by sending a copy of this book (value = $24) to the winner of a random drawing. But some magic is necessary: 10 readers must comment on this post, then a winner will be selected.

WE HAVE A WINNER! Kathryn, please claim your prize! Send your mailing address to hartfg*at*gmail.com

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado (Book Review*)

If I've ever wondered whether God could possibly have any use for an average Joe such as myself, Max Lucado's latest book Outlive Your Life carefully spells out a resounding "YES!" based on examples found in scripture as well as modern history.

Max Lucado brings life to the characters of the Bible, setting the scene and filling in dialogue, empowering images of ourselves and those we know facing the same issues and decisions. He complements familiar tales with personal examples and with stories of average citizens who accomplished extraordinary things through simple acts of grace. With the examples comes a sense of accessibility for steps we can take in our own lives to make changes that will outlast us.

One of the thought-provoking questions that prompted this book is this: "When your grandchildren discover you lived during a day in which 1.75 billion people were poor and 1 billion were hungry, how will they judge your response?" Outlive Your Life is a "salute to a long life: goodness that oulives the grave, love that outlasts the final breath."

The chapters open with scripture and close with scripture and relevant prayer. The pages in between are reflect more scripture with references to Old and New Testament players great and small. Jesus, Abraham, Peter...most are familiar with their roles in changing history. How about Saul? In Max's retelling of Saul's remarkable conversion tears well up and my heart fills my chest. Even the misguided can be turned around and put to God's good use. What about those who willfully do wrong? Ananias and Sapphira are offered as examples of what not to do, a reminder that God is mighty and just.

Max Lucado gives examples of lives effected by modern apostles such as Bzuneh, a recovering alcoholic in Ethiopia saved by a loving congregation and the example set by Necati, a devout Christian who died crying "Messiah! Messiah!" at the hands of Islamic attackers in Turkey.

Are these examples too extreme or too hard to imagine from the comfort of your own home? Fortunately, there are frequent suggestions for the small acts that we can all perform in our daily lives with little to no disruption in our routine. Pay attention to the people around us. Let them know we care. Look them in the eye and acknowledge their pain and sorrow. It is in serving the least of these that we glorify God.

Finally, the book concludes with a Discussion and Action Guide (prepared by David Drury) that captures the principles of each chapter and offers discussion questions and ideas for action. These points will help personalize the lessons and identify practical actions to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

"May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life." (Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life) This book is a practical guide to helping you do just that.

*Review based on advance copy of Outlive Your Life.

Mommy Power by Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman: Book Review & Giveaway

When my copy of Mommy Power, Discovering Your Mommy Strength by Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman arrived in the mail, my first reaction was "This is not the book I requested!"

I signed up to participate in a book giveaway through the Hatchette Book Group, and I wanted to review the book before offering the giveaway. But this really was not the book I'd requested. Yet somehow (not surprisingly) God's loving intervention provided me with what I needed rather than what I wanted.

I give this book the most glowing praise I can offer any book -- I wish I'd read this when my children were little...but this is an advance copy of a book that will be published in April 2010 so that's a moot point. The next best thing I can say is that this author captures one of the most important lessons I learned as a parent. The children we raise are God's children, put in our charge for a time but always His.

Although I took my children to church every Sunday I regret not involving God more in the daily grind of raising four children in difficult times. I felt the need to be Super Mom, working long hours, teaching Sunday School, involved in the community, helping with homework and reading bedtime stories to the point of exhaustion.

Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman integrated scripture into her life and balanced herself between the demands and calls we all face. She tells stories of her successes and failures, sharing lessons she learned and more importantly she offers scripture and prayers we can all use in our lives today. The lessons are practical and relevant, easy to read and digest and they can be readily applied in diverse circumstances. I will be passing my copy around amongst the moms I know.

But you can win your own copy!

If you are interested in a copy of this book, please comment (request a copy) by March 16, 2010. The first 3 will receive a free copy of this book, mailed directly to you by the publisher. This offer is limited to residents of US and Canada.

Obstacles Welcome* by Ralph de la Vega

Obstacles Welcome is a mix of autobiography and lessons in leadership. Ralph de la Vega tells of various obstacles he's faced in his life and what lessons he's drawn from his own experiences. He also provides suggestions for how these lessons can be adapted in different scenarios. Unfortunately the leadership lessons are overshadowed by the almost self-congratulatory tales of the author's success.

The author was suddenly separated from his family in Cuba at the age of 10, and transplanted to live with relatives in the Miami area of Florida. Eventually his family was able to escape the communist control in Cuba and join him in Florida. He overcame many obstacles and successfully completed his education. His career in the telecom/wireless industry was also filled with challenges, including facing dismal business climates, managing organizations in difficult political environments and overcoming the devastation caused by natural disasters (Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew).

If the reader has an interest in learning more about the history of wireless communications, including the unprecedented merger of Cingular and AT&T Wireless, this book offers an insider's view of many of the major milestones in the evolution of telecommunications. If the reader is interested in finding a practical handbook for developing leadership skills, there are much better guides available.

The book has too much focus on the personal experiences of the author, telling many life stories wireless communication industry anecdotes. Although the book is interesting from the standpoint of autobiography and history, to be useful for burgeoning leaders the focus should shift from the author's story. If the leadership tips that are buried in the book were brought to focus, with a mix of examples from the author's history and from other industry applications this might become a book worthy of recommendation to potential leaders.

There are some good points: the chapter on the "Success Cycle" located about mid-way through the book is an excellent guide for managing a team through change and Chapter 17, "Become the Leader You Want to Be" provides a useful Leadership Capability Model for self-assessment and practical application. Unfortunately I almost missed these useful sections because I'd lost interest in the life story of the author. I'm glad I overcame that obstacle and persevered. The nuggets were worth the effort.

*Disclaimer: As a reviewer for BookSneeze.com (nee Thomas Nelson Book Reviewer Bloggers) I received a free copy of this book. I received no other compensation.

Welcome 2010, it's going to be a good year.

Last year I began an exercise regimen that successfully stopped the horrific weight gain (20 pounds!) that plagued me during 2008. Although I was able to stop the trend, I'm still sporting the extra pounds. Other accomplishments of note include surviving the 1st year of employment in a start-up working for my old employer and, even better, writing a novel. I also read the Bible in its entirety.

I only have a couple of resolutions for this year: Exercise more, eat less, read more, write more. And by that, I intend to do a bit of each of those 4 activities every day.

On the exercise front: we've acquired the Wii Fit Plus and we're 4 days in. My DH and I have completed 30 minutes per day and we plan to continue the trend. I also have an exercise ball and a heart rate monitor. I'm all in. 30 minutes a day, minimum. Walking, Wii-ing or a tryst with Richard Simmons - it doesn't matter which. My goal is to "Work it, baby!"

On the eating less front... well, yeah, I've got room for improvement there. I've never been good at counting calories. The best I can hope for is some amount of self control. Eating smaller portions, taking smaller bites, eating more slowly. I'm imagining things that are yet to be achieved. But I've got time to work on it. I'd like for dinner to start taking 20 minutes to eat instead of 2 minutes.

On reading and writing, here are the stack of books I currently have queued up, ready to read:

Under the Dome, by Stephen King

The Principle of the Path, by Andy Stanley

Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

When Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Harold S. Kushner

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

A Man For All Seasons, by Robert Bolt

Obstacles Welcome, by Ralph de la Vega

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt

How Not to Write a Novel, by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman

The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White

On Writing Well, by William Zinsser

A Twist at the End, by Steven Saylor

Reading Like a Writer, by Francine Prose

The Good, The Bad and the Lovely, by Fran Hart

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne & Dave King

The Chronological Study Bible (NKJV)

The Complete C.S.Lewis (Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Abolition of Man, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed), by C.S.Lewis

Adventuring Through the Bible, by Ray Stedman

The Marketing of Evil, by David Kupelian

Ten Things I Wish Jesus Never Said, by Victor Kuligin

The Eduction of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter

The Gospel According to Judas, by Benjamin Iscariot

Reading Judas, by Elain Pagels & Karen L. King

See Jane Lead, by Lois P. Frankel, PhD

The Christian Moral Life, by Timothy F. Sedgwick

Cure for the Common Life, by Max Lucado

If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg

The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror (short stories)

bird by bird, by Anne Lamott

Writing Mysteries, a handbook by the Mystery Writers of America

And the books I won at the Women of Faith conference:

Guys Are Waffles, Girls Are Spaghetti by Chad Eastham
Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado
Take Your Best Shot by AustinGutwein
Knockout Entrepreneur by George Foreman
Beautiful Mess The Story of Diamond Rio

So, I'm wondering....if it's in my stack am I obliged to read it? I think not. My goal is to hone my writing skills. To read like a writer. To write like a reader. To do both like a critic. I plan to write reviews as often as possible (or reasonable).

On writing, I intend to finish "God the Father: What I've Learned about Parenting from God and about God from Parenting" and I plan to complete 4 more drafts of my first novel (and then find a publisher). And I will write my 2nd novel. And, God willing, I'll write a book about my travels to Asia.

Yes, 2010. I'm glad to meet you. It's going to be a good year.

Bo's Cafe - a Book Review

Bo's Cafe is a novel by John Lynch, Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicol. The story tells of a man's journey through the most challenging part of anyone's life - overcoming the demons from the past that threaten the future. Steven, the main character, has unresolved issues which are creating problems for him in his home and in his office. A stranger enters his life, leading him to a place where he can learn to be himself as he's meant to be.

Bo's Cafe is like Cheers - it's a place where problems can be aired and resolved in the company of friends. The patrons come together regularly for loving support. We all need this kind of support. I'm blessed because I'm already part of a group that meets regularly in a similar fashion (Wednesday mornings at an Einstein Bros. Bagels). I can personally attest to the blessing of this in my life. There is a tremendous freedom in being able to talk about anything and everything that's on my mind (work, husband, kids, etc.) and knowing that I'll get honest feedback and loving encouragement. This is God's grace.

Although Bo's Cafe is fiction, the story it tells is all too common. So many of us fall into the trap of trying to rely on our own inner strength, which results in things falling apart all around us. Steven's tale is the sharing of good Christian counseling. I strongly recommend this book - read it and share it with others.

I won my copy and I'll be passing on a copy. Go here to visit Bo's virtual Cafe, to learn more about the book and share in the experience.

Fearless, by Max Lucado

From the first pages of Max Lucado’s Fearless I was intrigued and eager for more. He lays the foundation by asking, “Why are we afraid?” and outlining the many forms that fear takes. He makes such points as “fear doesn’t share our hearts with happiness” and “fear never saved a marriage”. Each chapter opens with scripture and is steeped in Biblical references. He puts scripture in context, ties in history, personal anecdotes and examples for immediate application.

I was especially taken by the fifth chapter, “My Child is in Danger.” The opening scripture is Luke 8:50. Max expands on the story of Jairus’ daughter who died before Christ arrived to heal her. Although other examples of parental love and faith are highlighted, Jairus’ tale is a shining reflection of Jesus valuing family and rewarding parents’ faith. Max reminds us that before our children are “ours” they are His.

“Pour out your heart like water before the face of the LORD. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.” (Lamentations 2:19) We’re encouraged by Max’s exhortations “Parents, we can do this. We can be loyal advocates, stubborn intercessors.” He creates a view of the grim alternatives if we don’t. How do we find balance, avoiding the extremes? By prayer! Pray for them and pray with them.

This hit close to my heart. I hope other parents embrace the prayerful parenting style. I trusted God with so much of my life but hoarded the burden of parenting, letting fear dominate.

Whether your weakness is fear for your children, your retirement, your own mortality or any of the other scenarios presented, there is surely something here for you. I often thought of people who might benefit from Max’s scripture-based lessons. There is a helpful section in the back for group or individual reflection on how fear can affect our lives and what we can do about it. I will be picking up extra copies of Fearless to share with some of the folks I love.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/