Real Men Don't Text

Real Men Don’t Text by Michael and Ruthie Dean

The Deans bring advise to a generation of tech-savvy daters wondering how to navigate the virtual waters to marriage. Attempting to date a serial texter requires a translator. Michael and Ruthie brought a crash course in understanding what a texter means when they say “are you busy tonight?”

I found Real Men Don’t Text gave a lot of practical advice. If the guy doesn’t have the motivation to call you, you shouldn’t find the motivation to get dolled up for a date. If the guy texts you like he texts his friends, he probably doesn’t intend on you being anything other than a friend. You can’t sit around and wait for the next text, you need to live life. If the text doesn’t come, move on.

What I felt Real Men Don’t Text failed to take into consideration is we are far down the technological road. We can no longer see the point we started from in the rearview mirror. I’m probably a few years older than the intended demographic for this book and many of my friends wouldn’t be “friends” if we followed the logic in Real Men Don’t Text. We’ve reached the point of a generation not reaching for the phone to make a call first, but reaching to text. We are tweeting our devotion to our significant others. Facebook statuses are proclaiming our love. One-on-one communication is dying.

I love the idea behind going “old school” and speaking to each other. There are many phone conversations in my past with wonderful friends and boyfriends which lasted multiple hours. Many time I think “I miss the sound of so-and-so’s voice.” The reality is we need to accept the evolution of today’s advancement and train our children to respect themselves and others. Text messages don’t have to be booty calls. They are simply what Facebook is to MySpace. 

I'm No Angel

I'm No Angel by Kylie Bisutti

 Kylie spent her life battling with her physical appearance. Her long legs and trim figure partnered with a beautiful face prompted adults around her to comment on her future as a model while children mocked her. Eventually their words became a driving force behind Kylie's desire to be a model and eventually achieve the pinnacle of being a Victoria Secret's Angel.

This book highlights two truths - beauty is sometimes an illusion and God's will for our lives will propel us into unique places meant to glorify Him. Kylie's natural affinity for modeling helped her own runways and photo shoots internationally. As a teenage Kylie achieved two milestones in her life; she became a Christian and an Angel. Only one of those would give her peace and an everlasting treasure. The other robbed her of the very essence of an empowered woman.

I can't say I enjoyed this book because my heart is broken. Too many girls won't read this book because they don't want to hear from a fallen VS Angel. They are more intrigued by the current cast of disillusioned women who believe their worth lies in the slimness of their thighs, the tightness of their abs, and the perkiness of their breasts. The facade of perfection is achieved after countless hours of lies and manipulation through fake tans, Photoshop, and the more dire physical punishment that models endure. I couldn't put this book down though because the transformation was beautiful. Too many people view models as butterflies, but it was only after leaving behind the extensions, make up, bronzer, and designer clothing that Kylie truly transformed.

Kylie shines a light on the lies of the modeling industry; the reality of women who sell their bodies or use sexual stimulating images to garner attention. It is a dangerous mentality for young girls to become women who place their value in how they compare to other women. Her journey from determined model to a content woman of God is a beautiful tale of how when God is the center of our lives our thoughts change to mirror His. Scriptures are tied in skillfully with the lessons that Kylie learned in each chapter even when she didn't know the lesson herself.

With brutal honesty Kylie penned her way from Angel to being shunned by the modeling industry.

Remembering

Every 9/11 we go back to that day when the worst of humanity threw a cheap shot. The pain and fear billows back as we remember the horror of that day. This year I want to do something new. I want to look forward. 

I promise
 to honor those who died that day and every day since to prevent atrocities like that from occurring to innocent people - domestic and foreign.
 to be grateful each day that I have been blessed with family, friends, a job, and opportunities for the future.
 to not take for granted the freedoms I have been gifted by the sacrifices of too many.
 to live every moment as though it might be my last.
 to hold my tongue when anger swells.
 to not miss an opportunity to say "I love you."
 to remember to say "please" and "thank you."
 to judge someone not by the superficial but by the depth of their heart.
 to not deny others the freedoms that I often take for granted.
 to recognize sacrifice - small and large.
 to not speak my complaints because someone has it worse than me.
 to not worry about what I can't control, but to control myself.
 to take a moment and absorb the world around me.
 to smile because life is too short to be angry all the time.
 to not take for granted the people who I'm privileged to know.
 to avoid the discrimination of labels and embrace the knowledge of both sides.
 to let go of past hurts and pray for those who hurt me.
 to let the little things in life remain little.
 to not waste a moment on indecision and fear.
 to give more than I take.
 to add to this list with the things I learn tomorrow and ever day after.

Stranded

Stranded by Dani Pettrey is the third in her Alaskan Courage series. It follows Submerged and Shattered. 

I've been looking forward to today for a while. Really since the publishing date was announced. Even with all the anticipation, Pettrey didn't disappoint. Stranded took us on another Alaskan adventure that kept me reading until the last page.

Darcy St, James first appeared in Shattered. She assisted the McKenna family in proving their brother,innocence. During that time she became close to Gage McKenna. A few fundamentals kept them apart though. She was a Christian. He had very painful memories of his last relationship. Darcy left on assignment and now five months later it is as if Gage never existed.

Their paths meet when both are hired by Destiny Cruise Lines. Darcy is writing publicity articles on the Alaskan Adventure excursions that Gage is in charge of. Darcy isn't simply writing articles though. She's assisting her former investigative journalist partner, Abbey, with uncovering the truth behind some sketchy happenings. The problem is that Abbey disappears before Darcy has a chance to speak with her.

While accompanying passengers on kayaking trips and hiking trails for their Alaskan Adventure expeditions, Darcy and Gage find one of their own. Something evil is afloat and they are determined to put an end to its voyage.

Again Pettrey delivers. She paints Alaska as an imperative character in each of her novels. The McKenna family remains interesting and with each adventure we learn more about them. I'm looking forward to their next adventure in Silenced.

Renegade

Renegade by Mel Odom

Odom follows Deployed with Renegade. We pick up a few months later and follow Private Pike. He's in Witness Protection trying to bring justice for the death of his only friend. He's a tough case though. He's a Marine Reservist and isn't easy to get along with. The marshals have frustrated him with their procrastination on bringing Petey's death to a close. He holds himself aloof from everyone because history proves they won't care for him in the long run.

Until a young boy named Hector begins to weave his way in through the few cracks that Pike has. Pike begins a tough battle within himself as he slowly begins to care for Hector, a few fellow Marines, and the occasional person who appears in his life.  It's easier to shut  his emotions down, but shutting down his emotions creates a monster.

Orders to Afghanistan separate him from Hector only to bring him in direct contact with Bekah Shaw. When Pike finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, he determines to shut himself down for good. The problem is that Bekah won't let him close that door.

I really enjoyed the story, but I liked the analogy that Odom drew even more. Without losing his story or getting preachy, Odom points out bluntly that you can't have it both ways. You have to choose to care or choose to not care. You can't live forever in a state of flux. Caring leaves you susceptible but it also renders great rewards.

As with Deployed, there are still loose ends in Renegade. I'm  hoping we return to Bekah, Pike, and Shaw down the road.

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer

This was the first book I ready by Singer. It won't be the last. First his title sounds like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean. Second his main character is a former quarterback.  Touchdown!

Landon Reed has discovered a new version of himself. A former high-ranked college quarterback he fell from his  pedestal when it was discovered he'd been part of a point shaving scheme. After two years in jail he is released. First he marries his longtime girlfriend and mother of his daughter. Second he buckles in to earn his degree as a defense lawyer.

As he struggles to make his way without being that guy who shaved points, Harry McNaughton comes along and gives him an opportunity. Harry is unconventional at best, but he knows how to win. Landon is pumped to learn from Harry. That is until other lawyers in the firm are killed. Including Harry. As Landon takes on one of Harry's high profile cases, he realizes he may have stepped onto a field he wasn't ready for.

Singer ties together this story with precision. I was worried the legalese would bulk it up and weigh it down, but I was fascinated through the entire story.  Can't wait to read more!

Grave Consequences

Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

Bregren picks up where she left off in Glamorous Illusions with Grave Consequences. Cora Diehl is adjusting to life on a Grand Tour as Cora Diehl Kensington. Her life went from being a farmer's daughter with a couple of dresses and a hope of becoming a teacher to a life where she wears multiple dresses a day and being courted by a French nobleman.

Danger still haunts their steps even as they leave France. Cora's heart is torn between her growing feelings for the forbidden Will and the charming Pierre. As Cora fights to reclaim her identity despite new found blood lines, adventures await in foreign lands.

I found Grave Consequences to be a bit too long. A personal dislike of mine is that Cora's portion of the story was written in first person while Will's was written in third. It was a distraction and not one that I found easily overcome. While the meat of the story was engaging and entertaining, the completed work needed to be cleaned up.

I'll read the third in the series just to see how it ends. I'm not jumping to purchase more of Bergren's books though.