Hello all!
I am happy to announce that my blog is moving!
Please visit me at my new location: http://christiangalreviews.com/
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Book Review: Burning Proof by Janice Cantore (Cold Case Justice, Book 2)
Title: Burning Proof
Series Title: Cold Case Justice (Book 2)
Genre: Christian Suspense/Crime
Date Published: March 1, 2016
Author: Janice Cantore
Why I Read This Book: I received the first book in this series from the publisher for review a few years ago and I loved it (see my review here). I have wanted to read the second in the series for a while now.
About the Book (from Goodreads):
After months of investigating the brutal homicide of a young girl, Detective Abby Hart finally has the evidence she needs. But when the arrest goes terribly wrong, Abby begins to doubt her future as a police officer. As she wrestles with conflicting emotions, old questions about the fire that took her parents’ lives come back to haunt her. [Note: synopsis shortened as to not provide spoilers]
Review
One of the things that I love the most about Janice Cantore is that she not only writes suspenseful, action-packed crime novels, but that I leave them with a sense of peace and understanding.
For a long time, I let PTSD from child molestation rule my life by thinking of myself only as a victim. I had nightmares and flashbacks that ruined a good day. After I gave everything to God and let Him reign in my life, I found freedom and I found peace. These same feelings of freedom and peace came back to me as I read this beautiful novel. Cantore encourages readers to not let difficult circumstances define your life and that even if God delays in answering your prayers, it is because He has a greater plan and a greater purpose, one that is larger than anything you could ever imagine.
This series of books is not just an inspirational series and it is not just a crime novel, it is so much more.
Final Statements
Final Statements
Recommended Reading Age: 16+ for intense scenes
Overall Rating: 5/5
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Update Post (April 2017)
Hello everyone! It's that time of year again; Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon is starting now! If you follow me on twitter (@blog_gal) you know that I'm super excited about this read-a-thon, as always.
Mostly, I will be putting my updates on Twitter, but occasionally, I will come back here for a Mini Challenge and also update my reading status.
Are you joining in on the readathon fun? What does your TBR look like?
Opening Meme
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
Texas :) My first year participating from Texas. Had to get up an hour earlier, but it was worth it.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
Burning Proof by Janice Cantore. It is the second book in a crime series. I just bought this book this week.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Oreos. Chocolate is always good.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I am a Christian who loves blogging about books that are appropriate for all ages (no sex or foul language). Also, I am a forensic biologist who recently started her first crime lab job. Woot woot!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
I have done quite a few readathons at this point. Since I am finally at a M-F job, I have the weekends off and I am going to try to make it the whole 24 hours this year.
Mini Challenges
The blog Pirates and Pixie Dust hosted a challenge called "The Meet-Up" for hour 4 of the readathon. Here is my entry:
The blog Estella's Revenge hosted a challenge called "Six Word Story" where you describe the readathon in six words. Here is my entry:CR: Burning Proof/LR: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemDetective Abby Hart was on the tails of the killer of a 10 year old girl. As she knocked on the door for the house of a suspect, she heard strange noises inside and realized she also smelled smoke. Abby knocked down the door to discover an unkempt fire had overtaken the fireplace in the suspects home. Abby followed the ashy trail that was coming from the fireplace and found a small grey serpent with glowing red eyes that she later learned was called a Ashwinder. Her suspect was a wizard and a fire left from floo powder had overtaken his home as he narrowly escaped Abby Hart.
Celebrating reading and chatting with friends!The blog Bart's Bookshelf hosted a challenge called "Show Me The Weather". Here is my entry:
The Book Monsters hosted a challenge to post about your current read and snack. Here's my entry:
Reading Women hosted the "Fur, Scales, and Stuffing: Readathon Companions" challenge where you post pictures of your favorite book about or by women alongside your favorite furbaby. Here is my entry:
Mid-Event Survey
1. What are you reading right now?
I was just listening to an audiobook, One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury.
2. How many books have you read so far?
Finished 3 (2 of which were graphic novels) and I've listened to some of an audiobook and read about half of Burning Proof by Janice Cantore
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Finishing Burning Proof
4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Yes, audiobook multitasking.
5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
None. It has been great.
Closing Survey
Interesting Twitter/Instagram Posts
Reading Progress and Book Thoughts
Hour 1 7 AM-7:59 AM
Read 21 pages of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and 6 pages of Burning Fire by Janice Cantore.
Hour 2 8 AM- 8:59 AM
Read 28 pages of Burning Fire by Janice Cantore.
Hour 3 9 AM- 9:59 AM
Read 35 pages of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and 11 pages of Burning Fire by Janice Cantore.
Hour 4 10 AM-10:59 PM
Read 12 pages of Burning Fire by Janice Cantore.
Hour 5 11 AM-11:59 AM
Read 21 pages of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and 28 pages of Burning Fire by Janice Cantore.
Continued an audiobook, One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury, that I started before the readathon while playing a video game (continued into hour 6).
Hour 6 12 PM- 12:59 PM
Continued an audiobook, One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury, that I started before the readathon while playing a video game (continued into hour 6) for a total of 77 minutes, approximately 28 pages.
Hours 7 1 PM -1:59 PM
Completed Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (31 pages). Started and completed Vol. 1 of Tiger & Bunny (153 pages).
Hour 8 2 PM-2:59 PM
Listened to 10 minutes (approx. 5 pages) of One Tuesday Morning. Started and completed vol. 2 of Tiger & Bunny (187 pages).
Hour 9 3 PM- 3:59 PM
Read 17 pages of Burning Proof.
Hour 10 4 PM- 4:59 PM
Read 64 pages of Burning Proof.
Hours 11-12 5 PM- 6:59 PM
Listened to a 67 minutes of One Tuesday Morning (about 20 pages).
Hour 13 7 PM-7:59 PM
Read 50 pages of Burning Proof.
Hour 14 8 PM-8:59 PM
Read 12 pages of Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt and DNF because of foul language.
Read 11 pages of The Car by Gary Paulsen.
Hour 15 9 PM-9:59 PM
Read 53 pages of Burning Proof.
Hour 16-17 10 PM- 11:59 PM
Finished Burning Proof (read the last 108 pages).
Hour 18 12 AM- 12:59 AM
Hour 19 1 AM- 1:59 AM
Hour 20 2 AM- 2:59 AM
Hour 21 3 AM- 3:59 AM
Hour 22 4 AM-4:59 AM
Hour 23 5 AM-5:59 AM
Hour 24 6 AM-6:59 AM
Overall Progress
- Started and completed Burning Proof by Janice Cantore (375 pages).
- Started and completed Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (108 pages).
- Started and completed volumes 1 and 2 of Tiger and Bunny (340 pages total).
- Listened to One Sunday Morning by Karen Kingsbury, started before the readathon (1 hour and 13 minutes, approx. 33 pages).
- Read 12 pages of Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt and DNF because of foul language.
- Read 11 pages of The Car by Gary Paulsen.
Total pages for RAT: 771
Total books completed during RAT: 3
Total books started and completed during the RAT: 3
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Book Review: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Series Title: Brian's Saga (Book 1)
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Young Adult Survival
Date Published: November 1, 1986
Why I Read This Book: My husband loved this book when he was younger. I remember reading it in elementary school, but I did not really enjoy it back then. I re-read this book to give it a second chance.
About the Book (from Goodreads):
"Brian is on his way to Canada to visit his estranged father when the pilot of his small prop plane suffers a heart attack. Brian is forced to crash-land the plane in a lake--and finds himself stranded in the remote Canadian wilderness with only his clothing and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present before his departure..." [Note: synopsis shortened as to not provide spoilers]
Review
Survival books are always a good read. I love reading about unique ways to get out of sticky situations. Filled with adventure and adrenalin-pumping scenarios, Hatchet is no exception to this. Because of the various life-threatening events Brian encounters, he becomes a stronger young adult, both physically and emotionally, throughout the novel. Brian learns that in many situations a positive attitude and a thankful heart are essential for a positive outcome. Even though Hatchet was written over 30 years ago, it is still relatable and entertaining today. I would recommend this YA novel to any one, no matter the age, who is interested in survival shows such as Dual Survival.
Final Statements
Recommended Reading Age: Any Age
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Monday, April 3, 2017
Note About Absence of Posts and the Future of this Blog
Recently, I have moved states in order to advance in my career as a forensic scientist and with this move I have not had much time for reading or blogging. I am now settled in my new job and hope to be posting regularly.
I also have exciting news! My husband has graciously decided to update my blog and it will be transitioning to a new website soon. Additionally, since my new job is M-F, I will be able to participate in Dewey's 24 hour readathon that is coming up later this month (check it out here). I am so excited to be able to read more and devote more time to blogging about said books.
Talk to ya'll again soon!
💜-Jessica
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