Reblog…Learning to Think Like a Reviewer

Yesterday, I realized that the book reviews I have been posting have not been very informative. Meaning, in most of the reviews that I’ve posted they followed a general excitement of how I loved the book and just recommending it for others to read. It was only my review of Karen Kingsbury’s novel, Longing – was that a proper review. Yes, it was my very first negative review but I actually took the time to write my thoughts down on paper, editing it, before actually publishing it on this website.

Therefore, I have decided that I am going to re-read all the book that I have reviewed on this blog website and reblog them again. I owe it to all who visit my website to give you a very informative review of these novels, so that it pushes you to read the book and form opinions of your own about the novel, and share them on this site.

Even going through the monthly archives, my first post on this website was meant to be a place where I share tidbits about my journey with the Almighty Father. I do not at all regret reviewing books but I realize now that I did not understand fully the purpose of being a book reviewer. For me at that time, it was to get amazing books for free. Even as I do this reblog, I am also going to shift my focus on the real reasons why I started this blog in the first place – my journey of faith. So stay tuned for more on that.

This is a very BIG task, so I have decided to publish those reviews every three weeks. Don’t worry, I still plan on posting my reviews on The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter as well as Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck.

Thanks so much for your love and support!

Stay blessed,

- Manuela

p.s. Once the reviews have been reblogged, the original reviews will be deleted off this website.

A Brand New Year!

Well, this post has been very much delayed, but I am still here and doing very well  

School has definitely been very, very busy but I have requested 2 books I believe from Bethany House Publishers that I should  be receiving in the coming weeks, and I hope to review them as soon as I’ve finished reading them. 

Hope you all have a fantastic week! 

God Bless, 

- Manuela 

Merry Christmas Everybody!

I am well aware that in my previous post, I had planned on posting a series of posts of the few things that I’ve been learning in my journey of faith with my Father, Friend, and Redeemer – Jesus. Well, God decided otherwise because those past weeks were truly times of trials.

I am beginning my Winter Break this Friday – uber excited – in those two weeks, I can promise you that I will be finished Healing is a Choice, by Stephen Arterburn, and there will be a review on that. I am still considering whether or not to do those series of posts – it might be postponed to the New Year though – so stay tuned for more information on that.

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, May God truly bless you all, and I hope and pray that your year is ended with the blessings, prosperity and faithfulness of Almighty God. I will leave you with this song

Wow , Time Flies!

Hey friends! I know I have not been posting very frequently as I’d like to, but school is a priority that comes before other lesser commitments. There has been so much that has been going on in my life, I wish I could share it all here is one post, but it will take a long while So I’m hoping that for the next few days, I will break it down into smaller posts. You are probably still wondering whatever happened to the review of Healing is a Choice by Stephen Arterburn…I will definitely get too it, but I am not promising anything so I don’t let any of you down.

Thank you so much for being so dedicated to this blog, I appreciate it a ton

Until next time,

- Manuela

Love on the Line

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man’s world … which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He’s a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line. – Book Description provided by Bethany House Publishers.

Sorry for the delay. So when I said that you will be receiving a rather surprising review, I’m sure you all did not see this coming. Yes, Yes, I know – you are  saying, “This is it!?”Sorry for all the added anticipation, Just thought, a little excitement would just liven things up a bit.

I was so excited to receive this book, at the library that I honestly read it in under 1 day. Deeanne Gist did it again! She broke another level of excellence, and I am so glad that God has blessed her with the gift of story writing. I implore you all, to especially read p. 296-297, just when you think Deeanne would follow the stereotypical boundaries of the main character Georgie Gail, she really surprises you. I absolutely adored this book, and my judgment is 5 stars!

- Manuela

p.s. I will have my review of Healing is a Choice in the next week or so. Thank you so much for your patience, to all who have been waiting to read that review.

Have a blessed week!

Remembrance Day, Veterans Day

Today on November 11th, 2011, we take a moment to ponder over the sacrifice of our service men and women who fought and are still fighting for the peace and freedom of our country. I encourage each and every one of you, to take a few moments and remember. Lest We Forget. 

I would also like to mention that I will be posting a new review – you will be a little surprised that it’s not what you expected!

Waiting in anticipation, & glee,

- Manuela

Are You a Parked Car?

 Just recently ago, I finally discovered what I wanted to pursue as my career – to be a Geneticist, Immunologist, or a Biochemist. For those of you who may have no clue what I am talking about; all these careers are very similar to one another, it is the study of genetic diseases on humans. Whether I’ll be finding diseases or making ground-breaking discoveries on vaccinations that could be used. I still have yet to figure that part out.

Why am I mentioning this? Well, before all this, something that I’ve always mentioned to God is the importance of me glorying Him in everything that I do, in the little or big things. That was my number on priority, especially in my career. So in my first 2 years of school, I was always praying and crying out to God to speak to my heart on where He wants to take me. In this third year of high school, my cries became more desperate as I needed to make countless decisions on my future education, scholarships, etc.

I was just waiting. Like a parked car, I was completely still, not moving, not going anywhere. I did not fully understand this until I spoke to a very close friend of mine about my recent career choice. She told me that although, it is important to wait upon God; we must make sure that we’re not parked cars because God cannot do anything with us. He will never infringe upon our free will that He gave to us. That is why when we’re waiting upon God, we must take that leap of faith so that when we do put our cars in drive, God is able to steer our directions, to help us either avoid the plans of the enemy as well as opening doors of opportunity to lead us into something we would have never dreamed possible.

Take a moment now and truly think about this. Are You are a Parked Car?

God is absolutely loves that we’re waiting upon Him, and seeking His opinion and counsel in decisions but He also needs us to take a step of faith, and trust that even though we cannot see where our feet are landing, He is always with us. As a child of God, we are given His promises in the Word of God. This tells us that He will always make sure that our feet are planted upon a solid rock and foundation.

After taking this step of faith in my life, I told God that even if this is not where He wants me to go, I know that if He changes my plans, it’ll always be for something better. Am I saying that when He does this I will be all glad, and all smiles – not at the very beginning, because of course I am human too, I will be frustrated, angry, but once those emotions fade away, I know who my God is. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, all that I could ever think or dream of.  I am praying that God will use this to bless you, I am just a messenger, giving forth His message.

Love always and forever,

- Manuela

Sincerest Apologies . . .

I am well aware that I have very much neglected my blog here, once again, my excuse is the busyness of life, school pulling me away from frequently blogging. Tomorrow, I do promise to have another post up detailing a little about my aha!  moments as Oprah loves to say. So please stay tuned for that. I just want to let you know, yes, I have received Healing Is a Choice by Stephen Arterburn. I have yet to begin reading, but that shall begin at the start of this weekend.

So long my dear friends,

Much love,

- Manuela

His Steadfast Love

“The Civil War – a defining time of great sacrifice, change, and betrayal which determined the fate of the Nation. It isn’t until it comes into her very home that Amanda Belle must face impossible choices of love, loss, and loyalty.

It’s the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Although Amanda never thought she would marry because of her promise she made to her dying mother, her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable. When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel marches off to war to fight for the Confederate States and Kent remains with the Union troops. Her heart is torn between the two men she loves and the two sides of the conflict. When she turns to God for help, Amanda expects direction and support, but hears nothing. Is God listening to her anymore? Where is God in the atrocities of war—and whose side is He on? Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. But she must trust God to bring her family through the chaos that threatens her home, her family, and the beloved state of Texas . . . with her heart, and her faith, intact - Book Description provided by Thomas Nelson Publishing

Wow! When I first received this novel in the mail, I was so awed by the beauty of the cover! On the computer screen it looked pretty good, but it was even ten times more fabulous in reality! – This even made me more excited to read this book. Okay, while reading this book, I did not have previous knowledge of the Civil War so it proved a little challenging to understand – but Golden Keyes Parsons did an amazing job in captivating my attention for the entire book. I laughed, I smiled, it was a very enjoyable book! Let me know your thoughts on what you think!

Next, I will hopefully be reading, Healing Is a Choice by Stephen Arterburn. I am sure by know you have noticed all the books I’ve read have been mostly Christian Romance novels – well know I am trying to expand my reading genre and I am bridging into Spiritual Growth and Christian Thought – focusing more on the reality of life.

Blessing Always,

- Manuela

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Longing

I just want to express my deepest apologies to all who may have been waiting for my review on Longing by Karen Kingsbury. Once again, the busyness of life just pulled me away from this blog but I am back! Before I begin I need to give a shout out to NetGalley, especially Zondervan Publishing for granting me a copy of this book and I was not required to write a positive review.

Many of you might be familiar with Karen Kingsbury through her bestselling series of the Baxter Family and many other stand-alone novels. Longing is the third book in the Bailey Flanigan series. If you want to know more of those series visit this website: www.karenkingsbury.com. In Longing, we see Bailey Flanigan and Brandon Paul relationship getting very serious. Bailey’s first love, Cody goes through a devastating loss of a very close friend. Bailey and Cody still have very strong feelings for each other and they both are longing to forget the past and answers that will help them move forward – “Will they be able to still find a way together after more than a year? And if they do, will their brief time together be enough to help them remember all they’ve been longing for?” – Karen Kingsbury.

I have been a team Cody fan from the very start when Karen Kingsbury introduced the Flanigan Family in the Baster series; so I wasn’t very pleased when I was seeing Bailey and Brandon’s relationship getting so serious  as I still held hope that Bailey and Cody may still find their way back to each other.

After reading a majority of Karen Kingsbury’s novels and series, I was very inspired so my standard that I had set from all her books are pretty high and she has always been able to exceed that in every new book she writes. Though in this book I was very disappointed that this book fell quite short of those expectations. There seemed to be something missing; I didn’t really find this book special or one of a kind like all her other books. It honestly felt like just another Christian romance novel – an ordinary books. I wasn’t very pleased with the ending, it seemed very abrupt and although, yes there is one more novel left in the series – usually she leaves you at a cliffhanger, making you anticipate the arrival of the next book. I didn’t feel that way at all. Another thing I didn’t like was the overuse of the term, “baby” – mainly said by Bailey’s boyfriend, Brandon. The endearment was so frequently used that it became very annoying.

This is my first negative review and I just want to make a few things clear. This is an expression of my thoughts and you all are definitely entitled to disagree with me. I truly do adore Karen Kingsbury as she was the first author to introduce me to Christian fiction novels and I am every grateful for that! I am still excited to read the final book Loving in this series, it is being released in March of 2012.

I am still waiting to receive my copy of His Steadfast Love; I have not yet gotten it in my mailbox so please stay tuned for that review! Also, I know I previously said that I shall be reviewing Lonestar Angel but I have chosen not to do so. Feel free to tell me your thoughts if you’ve read the novel Have a blessed weekend y’all!

Until next time,

- Manuela