Intentional Walk by Rob Rains

Intentional Walk by Rob Rains is an inspirational read about how baseball and faith can go hand in hand. This book looks at how St. Louis Cardinals players, management, and staff have had faith influence them in their lives.

Book Description

“Intentional Walk features the stories of Adam Wainwright, David Freese, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran, Jason Motte and other members of the 2012 Cardinals, written as those players and the rest of the team tried to repeat the 2011 world championship. The book talks about how they became Christians and offers their testimony about what it means for them to have God play such a prominent role in their lives.

Playing for first-year manager Mike Matheny, a strong Christian as well, these men talk about their success and failure, about the challenges that come from playing baseball at the highest level, and how thankful and blessed they are to have that God-given ability. In the end, however, what is far more important to them is their life-long relationship they have established with Jesus Christ.” – Intentional Walk

My Thoughts

Intentional Walk is a look into how the Christian faith plays an important part of some of the St. Louis Cardinals players, management, and staff. Even if you aren’t a fan of the team, this book isn’t really about that. It is about faith, baseball, and how their beliefs get them through injuries, tragedies in their lives, wins, losses, and much more.

I found this book to be a really uplifting account on how religion is still found in sports, and how faith can help people through such a wide array of situations in life. If you are a baseball fan, fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and have a strong faith, and/or are a Christian, this book will be worthy of your time to read. I definitely recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Intentional Walk, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy of this book for review as part of their Book Sneeze program. All opinions expressed are my own.

My Animal, My Self by Marta Williams

My Animal, My Self by Marta Williams is a wonderful book that animal lovers will greatly enjoy. The author is an animal communicator that helps us to see how our relationships with our animals often reflect ourselves.

Book Description

“In this groundbreaking book, animal communicator Marta Williams brings into focus an unexamined dynamic in our relationships with our animals: the idea that our animals are often our mirrors. Deeply and inextricably connected to us on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels, they can pick up and reflect back to us the issues and events of our lives. Through stories, exercises, and an extensive questionnaire, you will gain unique insight into the healing and teaching roles of your companion animals, both past and current, and the profound gifts they offer.” – My Animal, My Self

My Thoughts

My Animal, My Self is a book for true animal lovers. As an animal lover myself, I really enjoyed this book and learned quite a lot about my animals, and myself. Learning how animals can mirror us and how they can teach us many lessons in life, is a joyful and insightful read.

Some companion animals can mirror us in negative ways though, and this is of course not a good thing for us or them. The author gives examples of how to change this situation for both the human and the animal, which will hopefully help many humans and animals alike out there.

I found this book to be really interesting and would love to see this researched in more depth. The topic is truly worth looking into, and if you are an animal lover, this is definitely a book that you want to read! I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of My Animal, My Self, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag by Jennifer Gilbert

I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag by Jennifer Gilbert is an honest memoir written by a very strong woman who willingly opened up about her life. On the surface it seems like it is a cute and interesting read, but it is so much more than that. It is inspiring, heartfelt, and one of the best memoirs I have read in a long time.

Book Description

“When Jennifer Gilbert was twenty-two years old, someone tried to cut her life short in the most violent way. Not wanting this traumatic encounter to define her life, she buried it within and bravely launched a fabulous career in New York as an event planner. Always the calm in the storm—from fixing a ripped dress to relocating a lavish party on two days' notice—she was convinced she'd never again feel joy herself. Yet these weddings, anniversaries, and holiday parties slowly brought her back to life. No one's entitled to an easy road, Gilbert learned, but instead of anticipating our present in a goodie bag, it's our presence that is the real gift.” – I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag

My Thoughts

I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag is a look into the life of a woman who was attacked violently, lived through it, and instead of just giving up on everything (including herself) – she moved on and created a business, a family, and finally, decided to write about it. I applaud her greatly for having the strength to share her experiences with us in a very honest and real way throughout the book.

Sometimes memoirs can be a little dry, but this one was written in a very easy to read manner, and fully kept my interest throughout the book. I enjoyed more about the author’s personal life and story than about the nightclubs or parties. That is just me though.

If you enjoy memoirs and reading courageous stories by women, this is definitely one you need to read. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Half Forgotten Song by Katherine Webb

A Half Forgotten Song by Katherine Webb is a beautifully written novel that is set in a small village in 1937. It is a passionate, and haunting tale of love, obsession, and is much more than meets the eye.

Book Description

“A spellbinding tale about the power of love, the danger of obsession, and the unfaithful nature of memory, A Half Forgotten Song is by turns haunting, joyous, and heartbreaking.

1937. In a windswept village on the Dorset coast, fourteen-year-old Mitzy Hatcher has endured a wild and lonely upbringing. But the arrival of renowned artist Charles Aubrey, along with his exotic mistress and their two daughters, changes everything. Over the course of three summers, Mitzy develops a deep and abiding bond with the Aubrey household, gradually becoming Charles's muse. Slowly, she begins to perceive a future she had never thought possible—and a powerful love is kindled in her. A love that will grow as she does: from innocence to obsession; from childish infatuation to something far more dangerous.

Years later, a young man in an art gallery happens upon a hastily drawn portrait and is intrigued by its curious intensity. The questions he asks lead him to the seaside village—and to the truth about those fevered summers of long ago.” – A Half Forgotten Song

My Thoughts

A Half Forgotten Song is the type of book that transports the reader back in time to live with the characters while unraveling their story. Mitzy Hatcher is a memorable and very detailed character that captures the spirit of the novel for me. However, the other characters aren’t just supporting roles with bleakly created profiles – these are unique characters that could have novels of their own, too. This is a very detailed story that is woven around similar threads, but captures the imagination of this story long after you finished reading the last page.

The beginning of the story is a little slow, but it intensifies as the story is laid out. The twists and turns along the way show how brilliant this writer is, and the ending is just superb. This is truly a work of art that anyone who enjoys reading should definitely read. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of A Half Forgotten Song, William Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Time Flies by Claire Cook

Time Flies by Claire Cook is a novel that has a heartfelt story at the center with memorable characters that come to life through the pages. It is a humorous look at how life can go, and what a high school reunion can resurface in people.

Book Description

“Years ago, Melanie followed her husband, Kurt, from the New England beach town where their two young sons were thriving to the suburbs of Atlanta. She’s carved out a life as a successful metal sculptor, but when Kurt leaves her for another woman, having the tools to cut up their marriage bed is small consolation. She’s old enough to know that high school reunions are often a big disappointment, but when her best friend makes her buy a ticket and an old flame gets in touch to see if she’ll be going, she fantasizes that returning to her past might help her find her future . . . until her highway driving phobia resurfaces and threatens to hold her back from the adventure of a lifetime.

Time Flies is an epic trip filled with fun, heartbreak, and friendship that explores what it takes to conquer your worst fears . . . so you can start living your future.” – Time Flies

My Thoughts

Time Flies is a book that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster right along with the characters. Melanie is rightfully hurt after her husband leaves her, and quite literally chainsaws their bed after he leaves. Having the tools (and knowing how to use them) surely helped with this, and she seizes the moment to use the springs in a project. It is a humorous, yet very real look at this character and her journey.

Claire Cook writes in a fun to read style that makes it easy for the reader to get lost in. You can start reading one of her novels only expecting to read a few chapters, and get sucked into reading half the book without even noticing how late it is in real life. This book is no exception, so be prepared to read this for hours before putting it down. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Time Flies, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sniper Elite: One Way Trip by Scott McEwen

Sniper Elite: One Way Trip by Scott McEwen is an intense adventure novel that is full of action. This story focuses on the military in great detail, while still making it intense and a very compelling read. If action and adventure is your thing, this is a book you’ll definitely want to read.

Book Description

“In direct defiance of the president’s orders, Navy Master Chief Gil Shannon, one of America’s most lethal Seal snipers, launches a bold mission comprised of Seal Team Six and Delta Force fighters to free a captured female helicopter pilot being held by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

The president is afraid a botched rescue could jeopardize US foreign policy as well as end his presidency. But once the special ops community learns that one of their own—the first female helicopter pilot of the Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)—is being held and brutally mistreated, there is no executive order strong enough to stop them from attempting to rescue her.

This fast-paced, action-packed thriller with incredibly realistic and blistering battles introduces a new American hero, Gil Shannon, whose iron will and expertise with the .308 Remington Modular sniper rifle will spell the difference between freedom and an ignoble death for America’s female POW.” – Sniper Elite: One Way Trip

My Thoughts

Sniper Elite: One Way Trip is the type of story that makes it easy to see the “good” guys from the “bad.” However, it also makes you look at how our government is able to handle black ops type missions, and how all of the different types of military personnel thinks differently, ultimately leading to friction and drama from within.

This is not your typical action or thriller novel. This is timely, intense, and very realistic. The novel itself is very well written, and the characters are well developed although sometimes a bit stereotypical based on their roles. If you enjoy novels based on military ops, action, thrillers, adventures, or just a good story, this is definitely a book you want to add to your must-read list.

* Thank you to the publisher of Sniper Elite: One Way Trip, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Francis Man of Prayer by Mario Escobar

Francis Man of Prayer by Mario Escobar is a good introduction to the new Pope. His journey may not be an easy one, but Pope Francis is a welcome change within the Catholic Church that the faithful have been waiting for.

Book Description

“First Jesuit. First Latin American. And a new pope who chose as his first act a simple request: please pray for me.

The recent resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took the world by surprise and for good reason. More than 600 years had passed since a pope last left his post.

 Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, is a man of prayer, a man of action, and a humble man who has always promoted others over himself. In fact, it was Bergoglio who bowed out of the running in the papal election of 2005 to facilitate the rise of Benedict XVI.

 However, the new pope faces a Catholic Church in crisis—a church that has lost the media pull of John Paul II and is still hounded by pedophile scandals and the filtration of documents from former papal administrations. His first year may not be an easy one, but neither this man nor the church itself has ever shied away from the challenges thrust upon them.

 Pope Francis is austere and simple but has vast theological training. He is a man of his time but one who also travels by subway and bus just like any other citizen. Tirelessly fighting poverty and marginalization, he is a beacon of hope for the poor, persecuted sectors of the church. Has a Catholic spring finally arrived after a very long winter?

 Francis is the complete biography of a humble man who has suddenly become one of the most powerful and influential men on the planet.” – Francis Man of Prayer

My Thoughts

Francis Man of Prayer is a biography of Pope Francis. It isn’t quite as detailed as I would have liked, but I did learn a lot more about him, and grew to respect him even more than I did before reading this about him. I was raised Catholic, and although I consider myself more “spiritual” than “religious” I do still consider myself Catholic when it comes to religion. Just like any religion, it helps to have a priest and church that is a good fit with you. I think Pope Francis is the perfect fit for Pope in this day and time.

To say that he will have a hard road ahead of him is an understatement. He realizes this, but has the faith to help bring in changes for the better. He is also genuine, humble and shows deep care and concern for the people in the world. I highly respect him, and am glad I learned more about him from this book.

* Thank you to the publisher of Francis Man of Prayer, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy of this book for review as part of their Booksneeze program. All opinions expressed are my own.

Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann blends New York City and vintage fashion into a marvelous book that transports you to NYC 100 years ago, as well as modern day NYC, and keeps it current with memorable characters in both eras.

Book Description

“Amanda Rosenbloom, proprietor of Astor Place Vintage, thinks she’son just another call to appraise and possibly purchase clothing from a wealthy, elderly woman. But after discovering a journal sewn into a fur muff, Amanda gets much more than she anticipated. The pages of the journal reveal the life of Olive Westcott, a young woman who had moved to Manhattan in 1907. Olive was set on pursuing a career as a department store buyer in an era when Victorian ideas, limiting a woman’s sphere to marriage and motherhood, were only beginning to give way to modern ways of thinking. As Amanda reads the journal, her life begins to unravel until she can no longer ignore this voice from the past. Despite being separated by one hundred years, Amanda finds she’s connected to Olive in ways neither could ever have imagined.” – Astor Place Vintage

My Thoughts

Astor Place Vintage is the type of book that you can get lost in. The author is able to artfully weave the story around 1907 and 2007 NYC without making it feel like two very different stories within the same book.

Amanda finds an old journal written by a woman who moved to Manhattan 100 years ago. As a store owner of a vintage clothing boutique, you never know what gems you’ll uncover when out buying clothes, but this find becomes much more than she could ever expect.

On the surface, reading this book and thinking back about what life was like 100 years ago, it is very different. However, much remains the same and will probably be similar even 100 years from now. This is what makes the book so heartfelt and relatable. Sure, the scenes in NYC, and reading about fabulous clothes is fun, but the people and their relationships is the real story.

If you love reading about fashion or New York City, this is definitely a book you will want to read! I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Astor Place Vintage, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

True Blood – Season 6

One of my favorite TV shows is HBO’s True Blood. I have watched all of the seasons and own all of the current ones that are out on DVD or Blu-Ray. I’ve read all of the books that the TV series are based on, and I can actually appreciate that the show has taken a very different storyline. I have a poster of Eric in my bedroom, and I am not ashamed about that one bit. I also wear quite a few different True Blood shirts as part of my normal attire. I’m a True Blood addict.

The premiere of True Blood Season 6 starts in about an hour on HBO. Are you watching it? Drinking True Blood, wine, or some other tasty beverage? Is this your favorite time of year because the show has returned, too?

Share in the comments how much you love it too, and what you think of the show and/or this season’s premiere episode after it airs.

Season 6 Promo

The Sexy Vegan’s Happy Hour at Home by Brian L. Patton

The Sexy Vegan’s Happy Hour at Home by Brian L. Patton is the second cookbook by the author featuring vegan dishes. This time, it focuses on themed menus that work well for “happy hour” and includes beverages to be a part of the vegan meals.

Book Description

“What started as a casual weekly tradition at the Patton household resulted in these twenty delectably diverse happy hour menus. From yamburger sliders, samosa pizzas, and green bean fries to rigatoni poppers and a variety of innovative cocktails, this is seriously fun food for Friday — or any — night!

Wow your friends! Impress your family! Woo that special someone who might need a little convincing of your specialness! Open The Sexy Vegan’s Happy Hour at Home and:

• learn the ninja time-management skills of professional chefs to whip up snacking feasts in about an hour 
• make your produce procurement easier with handy-dandy premade shopping lists
• concoct unique potent potables and lovable libations
• travel the world without leaving your balcony, from Little India to New New England to Really Little Italy 
• fill your belly with fabulous food that’s free of your furry friends” – The Sexy Vegan’s Happy Hour at Home

My Thoughts

The Sexy Vegan’s Happy Hour at Home is a cookbook that is designed with menus in mind for four people that take about an hour to make. Everything is vegan, and you may be surprised by how much you might like that is vegan, if you aren’t fully devoted to the vegan lifestyle.

The cookbook itself is also not in full color. However, you can go to www.thesexyvegan.com/gallery to view some of the dishes in the book in full color photos. I like this a lot because I’m a visual person who probably wouldn’t try to cook something if I only saw it in black and white. There are also QR codes throughout the book to offer videos of the author showing recipes and tips.

I’ll be honest, the author’s first cookbook was not one that I am a big fan of. However, this one feels more genuine to me and isn’t quite as forced. The recipes are also better and probably a lot easier to try out for starter chefs like myself. For the most part, I could replace many of the things that contained gluten with something else (I can’t eat gluten), and they were quite good!

I was pleasantly surprised by this cookbook and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to try to cook vegan dishes for happy hour.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Sexy Vegan’s Happy Hour at Home, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.