Trapped

Trapped by Irene Hannon.

Every teenager suffers through rules. The curfews are too early. The bedroom doesn't have to be clean if you close the door. The backpack gets left on the couch. Every teenager pushes the boundaries of authority.

However, Laura Griffith wasn't prepared for her step-sister's resentment of every request Laura made of her. Darcy's father died only a few months before and yet it feels like a lifetime go. Darcy inherited their mother's free-spirit. Laura's life is practical and organized. Their worlds collide when all they have left is each other.

Darcy feels anything but gratitude and eventually she takes off. She's lined up a place to stay in Chicago if only she can get a ride through the winter storm blanketing St. Louis. As the storm draws out her departure date, Darcy befriends a volunteer at a shelter. Mark is a kind guy who is almost too good to be true. Eventually, Darcy realizes he is when Mark traps her in a soundproof room in his basement.

Laura Griffith turns to Phoenix, Inc for help in locating her wayward step-sister. James Devlin is a former ATF agent who knows the risks that a teenager on the street faces. He takes the case hoping to relieve the fears that haunt Laura.

The reunion between Laura and Darcy culminates in an inferno of sisters learning how to encourage each other to live.

Hannon is one of the top suspense writers for Christian fiction. She keeps you guessing as to how the case is going to be solved.

Melinda Baker 1980-2013

Having just turned 33, I've been contemplating that Jesus fulfilled His purpose on Earth in his 33rd year. It makes me wonder if the night before He contemplated all He had accomplished and the weight of what the year ahead might bring.

I don't consider 33 to be old. I barely consider it to be old enough. I don't consider myself old. At this point in my life, I'm moving beyond the adventure stage and to the homesteading stage. The temptation has fled to remain in constant motion. I don't know how I would feel if this was my last year; if before I had turned 34 it was over.

If my final year was this one, I hope that I've made an impact. It won't ever be to the extent that Christ's impact has changed the world. Regardless of how long I live, I hope that I leave an impression of Jesus behind.

If I only have until I turn to 34:

1. I want to finish the book that I'm starting for NANOWRIMO.
2. I want the book to be honest and thought-provoking.
3. I want to convey how deeply I love everyone in my life with each passing day.
4. I want to leave an impression of Jesus everywhere I go.
5. I want to spend a few hours seeing shapes in the clouds.
6. I want to see a sunrise and a sunset with someone special.
7. I want to give more than I receive.

Glittering Promises

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

Third book in the Grand Tour series.

The rebirth of Cora Diehl Kensington comes full circle. After discovering that she's part of the wealthy Kensington family and joining them for a Grand Tour through Europe, Cora becomes a tabloid sensation. The story of a poor girl coming into a wealthy inheritance has caught the eye of reports, paparazzi, and criminals.

Cora follows her heart and defies society by picking her tour guide, Will. Despite being pursued by a wealthy Frenchman, Cora believes her future is with Will. However, doubt and insecurity being to creep in and soon enough their promising future looks a bit uncertain. Along the way more attempts are made on Cora's life as loss continues to pile up for the Kensington family.

I'm glad  this series is over. There was never any doubt who Cora would choose and the journey to get there was exhausting. At every turn there seemed to be a more ridiculous obstacle in Cora's way. Sudden jealousies arise between Will and Cora that were fabricated through ridiculous plot points. As the tour comes to a close Cora is dodging metaphorical bullets. She's been kidnapped more than once. She's been fooled repeatedly. This series would have benefited from being a single book on the longer side. It reached beyond ridiculous at points.

When we finally reach the end, it is abrupt and anorexic. I wanted more and it wasn't there. We wasted too much time on ridiculousness and the payout wasn't enough.

I wanted to like this series more. However, between the uncomfortable reading of switching voices when moving between points of view and the drawn out plots, I just couldn't endorse this series.

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.