The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

“Impossible to put down, this adrenaline-packed novel will have you forgetting to breathe as your heart beats faster than you can imagine.”

In Panem, the country that rose up from the ashes of what was formerly known as North America, the government believes the only way to keep the districts in line is by forcing 24 teenagers to fight to the death each year.  While some look for a reason to embrace the competition and raise their children up for the Hunger Games, others look on in fear at the reminder that they are completely at the mercy of the Capitol.  With her name in the pot over twenty times, 16-year-old Katniss fears that this may be the year she is chosen for the gruesome and fatal Hunger Games; but when her 12-year-old sister’s name is chosen, Katniss puts all fear aside to stand and fight in her place.  Katniss is shocked when her district partner—who she also must kill to survive—happens to be the boy who helped her years ago.  With the rule that there can only be one winner haunting the 24 tributes, there is no doubt that the worst must be done to survive; but will they be able to show the Capitol that they are not just pawns in their horrible game? And when love and survival come face to face, which one will win the battle?

The Hunger Games is possibly the last book you would want to judge by any summary you may read on the back of the book, Amazon, or any other retailer website.  The idea of a “fight to the death” game between 24 teenagers seems repulsive; and as you read, you will most definitely be outraged at the deaths of each character.  Your emotions will run wild.  You’ll laugh and cry; and sometimes you’ll want to throw the book against the wall.  Still, in the end, you only want more.

From the first page, the reader can’t help but be completely taken captive by this book.  Suzanne Collins has written a fast-paced novel that immediately becomes real to the reader and is impossible to put down!  No, that’s not the same “impossible to put down” that you read about thrillers on a regular basis. This is the intense, adrenaline-producing, edge-of-your-seat, nothing else exists, “I won’t sleep until I finish this book” kind of “impossible to put down”.  From beginning to end, I did not let the story out of my sight.  The idea of doing anything else seemed impossible with all the possibilities of what could happen next!  The story played out in my head as if it were real—as if it had actually happened. 

To add to the intensity of the plot, Suzanne Collin’s writing style is mesmerizing and sure to hold your attention from beginning to end!  Written in present tense and first-person point of view from the eyes of Katniss, the reader feels as if he or she is experiencing everything with the character. 

The characters are exceptional!  Several of them start to feel like old friends; and your heart breaks for the horror of what they must do to survive.  As I read, I couldn’t help but talk about them as if they were completely real any time I had a conversation with someone about the book!  Because that’s what they are to the reader!  Even the worst savages of the teenagers become people who you can’t help but sympathize with.  As a matter of fact, throughout the entire novel, I could not be truly angry at any of the teenagers, no matter who they killed.  Instead, I could only be angry at the Capitol for forcing the teenagers to kill each other to survive; and all any reader wants is for them to defy the Capitol and prove that they are not pieces to their game.

This young adult novel is certainly not a book that only teenagers will enjoy.  The writing style is beautiful without child-like word choices; and the fast-paced plot will produce adrenaline in readers of all ages and leave them begging for more.  When I finished reading, I couldn’t think of any part of “The Hunger Games” that I did not find to be exceptional.  The second and third installments of the series are “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay”; and the first movie is scheduled to release in March of 2012.  This story is not one that will be easily forgotten!

Vicious Cycle - Terri Blackstock

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible”
-Ephesians 5:11-13

In “Intervention”, Terri Blackstock introduced us to Barbara, Emily, and Lance Covington. After the death of Barbara’s husband and the father of her two children, Emily and Lance, Emily turned to drugs to mask her pain. Her downhill spiral tore the family apart until Barbara decided that it may be her last chance to save her daughter. If you want to read more about “Intervention”, you can read my review for that as well!
“Vicious Cycle”, the second book in the Intervention series puts the reader back into the Covington family just in time to see Lance in trouble. A good kid who has made it his mission to help people who were addicts like his sister, Lance ends up in jail and in the middle of a human trafficking deal after trying to help a pregnant teenage drug addict. Desperate to save her son, Barbara calls in Kent, the man who saved her daughter a year earlier, and had won her heart along the way. Will Barbara, Kent, and Emily be able to save Lance from the consequences of a crime he didn’t commit, while also saving a teenage drug addict and her newborn baby?
“Intervention” introduced me to the unbelievable, fast-paced fiction by Terri Blackstock! Fiction that takes your breath away while keeping you up all night just to finish the race! That’s what I feel like when I pick up one of Terri Blackstock’s books! “Vicious Cycle” was my second of her books, and the stories that she likes to call “up-all-night fiction” definitely live up to their name for me! I read both books in under 24 hours each! When I pick one up, everything else gets pushed aside as I start a new adventure that I can not back away from until I see it to completion! Terri’s writing style couldn’t be better! She provides enough detail to make the reader feel like he or she is in the story, without adding excess detail that the reader just wants to skip over! This definitely contributes to my inability to put her books down!
Terri Blackstock is exceptional when it comes to building believable characters that touch the reader’s heart. Through both “Intervention” and “Vicious Cycle”, I felt like I had stepped out of reality and into the world of the Covingtons. I felt as if I was trying to solve their dilemma with them rather than just sitting on my bed, propped against some pillows, and drinking a cup of coffee. I enjoyed reading a novel that focused on Lance, since I absolutely love his character! Lance is sure to touch every reader’s heart with his strong faith, fun personality, and willingness to do whatever it takes to help someone in need.
From the first words of “Intervention”, I have felt a strong connection to this story; but never in my wildest dreams did I expect what “Vicious Cycle” would bring! Terri Blackstock unveiled the horrible and evil reality of human trafficking—a subject that is often considered taboo; and a subject that is very significant to my life. I am a firm believer that we must live by Ephesians 5:11-13 and expose the evil of the world by casting light on it; and I expect to see that in my writing and the stories I read.
In case you can’t tell, I believe that Terri Blackstock has written an exceptional story with this series. This is a story that is perfect for readers of various ages—teenagers to grandparents; and is sure to touch the hearts of Christian, grandparent, mother, father, daughter, or son everywhere! The next installment of the series, Downfall, is scheduled for release in February of 2012, and I couldn’t be anticipating it more!

*Zondervan provided a copy of "Vicious Cycle" in exchange for my honest review*

The Canary List - Sigmund Brouwer

Hidden deep within the Vatican archives is a list—a list that contains both revelation and truth, as well as the power to destroy. For once the truth is revealed, the Catholic Church would be destroyed.
Jaimie Piper’s life has been everything but normal. Hunted by evil and darkness, Jaimie spent most of the past twelve years confused, until a psychiatrist and a priest promised to help; but the one day that her psychiatrist does not answer her call, Jaimie runs to the only other person she feels she can trust—her teacher, Crockett Grey. Crockett Grey is definitely not prepared to help the twelve year old girl who shows up at his door, since his only plans were to get drunk and pass through the anniversary of his daughter’s death; but once Jaimie chose him, there was no turning back. Crockett soon discovers that he is part of a plot that must somehow involve the girl; but what he doesn’t realize, is that he is actually a part of a conspiracy that has been long hidden…by the Vatican. Trying to clear his name of the various charges that have been placed against him, Crockett searches for answers; but the answer he finds will alter everything he once believed.
It seems like more and more authors are wanting to write suspense stories that reveal a conspiracy of sorts that has been hidden by the Catholic Church. I must say that usually these stories are not well researched and just not very good; however, as a fan of “The Da’Vinci Code” by Dan Brown, I will pick one up on occasion. “The Canary List” is especially intriguing since the main character, Jaimie, is supposedly being hunted by evil, and can only keep that evil at bay with a magnetic bracelet. This story had me constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next; and putting it down was simply not an option. Complete with several distractions, twists, and turns that confuse you into believing that you’ve been wrong from the very beginning, Sigmund Brouwer is a master of suspense. It seemed like I had a new idea of what was going on and how the book would end after every other chapter; and then I couldn’t believe what I was reading as I read the ending.
Satanism in the Vatican—the ultimate conspiracy that could change the world; that is what Sigmund Brouwer presents in this story that is sure to keep you up all night wanting more.
I was definitely not prepared for what I would get when I opened “The Canary List”; but from the very first sentence, I was caught completely off-guard and my emotions ran wild as I escaped into a story which I wasn’t sure I wanted to be involved in; nevertheless, my fascination got the best of me and I went along for the ride. I must warn you though that the summary does not provide justice for this story. I couldn’t believe what I was reading once I had read the first sentence. Shaking with tears running down my face as I stared at something so real and gripping on the first page, I knew this wouldn’t just be another story for me. The opening chapter grabs you and refuses to let go.
While the characters can be interesting at times, they are nowhere near as developed as the storyline. Brouwer clearly has the ability to pen an excellent story that keeps the reader coming back; however, his characters just seem like people who are also along for the ride. I wouldn’t say they are characters that will not soon be forgotten; however, I was very intrigued with Jaimie, since I was able to relate to a lot of her emotions. I determined from the very beginning that Jaimie was basically me ten years ago; with the exception that I was not being hunted by evil. Her emotions were very believable and accurate for a girl with her past and the current situation she still faces.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of suspense! “The Canary List” certainly does not disappoint; and at the end, you will only want more.

*This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my honest review*

Top 12 Favorite Stories

Top 12 Favorite Stories of all time (Because I just couldn’t do 10)
Okay so no matter how hard I tried, I could not make this list consist of any less than 12 stories. I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t know which to cut out. That being said, the last few are not necessarily in order; since it was a tie between those and I couldn’t decide which ones I liked more.

This is nothing more than my opinion based on the books that I have read, and is not the result of a vote. Out of the hundreds of stories that I have read, these stories stood out above them all.

1.) The Books of History Chronicles – Ted Dekker
I’ve read a lot of stories; but none that can be compared to the 15 books that make up the Books of History Chronicles by Ted Dekker. These books primarily include “The Circle”, “The Paradise Novels” and “The Lost Books”; however, “Skin” and “House” are also included in the BoHC. Through the BoHC, Ted Dekker introduced me to a world I could have never dreamed of; but now can’t imagine my life without! He taught me the joy that comes from diving deep into Elyon’s lake—a joy that continues to this day as I imagine what is in the future after this life. Through story, Ted Dekker has given me opportunities to reflect on the true life that can only come with death. Ted Dekker took me to Other Earth. I could hear the laughter as Elyon played with His people and turned the world upside down; and I cried when a member of the Horde discovered the life that came from death. I stood strong and was ready to fight; but was also ready to bow down and lay down my sword when the time came. There has never been a story that has had such an impact on my life. That is why the BoHC are (and probably always will be) number 1 on my list; because my life has been forever changed by this story.

Elyon’s Strength. Never break the Circle.

2.) Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
I remember when I first discovered this magnificent story. To say I was amazed would be an understatement. I sat there in awe as my imagination ran wild about the enchanting world; because to me, it was a world of its own. The discovery of this story sparked my own personal fantasy world that, to this day, still takes my breath away. I frequently dream of the big puffy dresses and the southern gentlemen; the grand staircases and beautiful plantations…the windows that were taller than me (yes I think about the windows too) sigh. I hate it when someone tells me they’ve either never seen or never watched the entire thing. They are missing the most beautiful (real) world imaginable. (Had to specify “real” because of Other Earth ^_^)

3.) Immanuel’s Veins – Ted Dekker
At the peak of the world’s interest in vampires, thanks to Twilight, Ted Dekker stepped forward with a story that would change lives. Immanuel’s Veins is the only Dekker novel that I put at the same level as the Circle. This is definitely not “just another vampire book”; despite what many believed when they first discovered that Ted’s new book would have vampire characters. Not much to say here. It’s just amazing. Go read it!


4.) Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis is, without a doubt, a master story-teller. In the world of fantasy, Narnia most definitely battles with Other Earth (at least in my mind).

5.) Lord of the Rings – Tolkien
Although I’ve never actually read the LotR books, I chose this position for Lord of the Rings based on having read the Hobbit, what I’ve seen of the movies, and knowing the story very well. I love this story and I can’t wait to enter this world through the books when I finally get the chance to read them! Not to mention, if it weren’t for Tolkien, the only impression I would have of elves would be “Santa’s tiny helpers”; and naturally dwarves would only make me think of “Snow White”. Tolkien set a very strong foundation for the fantasy that would come after his story!

6.) Heaven’s Wager – Ted Dekker
This is another one of those stories that changed my life, by exposing the world that waits for me when I am given the gift of leaving this world and going to Heaven and the new earth to be with Elyon for eternity. I desperately want to read this story again.

7.) Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers
How far will Elyon go for a single soul? A modern day interpretation of the story of Hosea, “Redeeming Love” answers that exact question in the form of a story that can not be forgotten. My heart broke as I was reminded of the love that He has for us. This story is sure to overwhelm you with His presence and love.

8.) Safely Home – Randy Alcorn
“Safely Home” had me crying throughout the entire story. Randy Alcorn exposes the truth of the persecuted church in China (as well as the rest of the world) in this beautiful and heartbreaking story that will leave you wanting to do nothing more than worship our Savior.

9.) A Lasting Impression – Tamera Alexander
I’ve already explained how mesmerized I am with the Old South. There’s no stopping me as I enter into this world through a new story. Tamera Alexander captured the time period perfectly! She definitely did her research! Her incredible detail and writing style took me to the Old South again for the first time since “Gone With the Wind”!

10.) Pirates of the Carribean
Most people are aware that I am not one to watch TV; and I rarely watch movies; but Pirates of the Carribean is one of only a few exceptions. I was very upset when I heard they would be ending the series after the third movie; but I knew that was impossible since this is a much loved story to many people. Sure enough, they released a fourth movie ☺

11.) LOST
As you can probably already see, there are only two stories on this list that are not books; but I felt that LOST definitely deserved a spot on the list since this story still amazes me (as well as anyone else who has seen it).

12.) Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling
Some people may say that Harry Potter doesn’t belong on a “Top 10 Best Stories of All Time” list; however I must disagree. J.K. Rowling created a world that we will probably never forget; and while there are many stand-alone books that I liked more than a few of the HP books, a series usually has more of an effect on me. This is one series that has left a legacy.

Intervention - Terri Blackstock

Four years ago, cancer took the life of John Covington and shattered the lives of his wife, daughter, and son. Barbara Covington has been left to pick up the pieces and help her son and daughter to move on with life; but that has proven to be difficult, since three years later, her daughter Emily began a downhill spiral with drug abuse. One thing led to another, and after a year of substance abuse, Emily was in the worst state she could possibly be in. Barbara only saw two options: either let her daughter end up dead or in jail, or exhaust her last chance to get Emily in rehab, where she could start over. Barbara arranges for an interventionist to come and convince Emily to go to rehab, and then fly her across the country to the rehab center; but when the interventionist is found dead on the flight back to the rehab center and Emily is nowhere to be found, a nightmare that Barbara could have never imagined has begun. It is soon apparent that she and her son may be the only ones who believe that Emily is not a killer; and Barbara is in a race to find her daughter, who may be experiencing a nightmare of her own.
“Intervention” is a page-turning thriller that will not disappoint! In the course of 24 hours, I searched for every single detail, praying that Emily Covington was innocent of the murder that she was accused of. Through the heartbreaking first half and the fast-paced search for a killer that took place in the second half of the novel, I was unable to pull myself out of the story. Next thing I knew, it was less than 24 hours later; and despite the fact that I have midterms starting tomorrow, I had read the entire novel. I now understand why Terri Blackstock calls her books “Up All Night” fiction; since I haven’t read a book that quickly since I started grad school.
The characters start to feel like your own family as you ride through their nightmare with them. Terri Blackstock is excellent at character development! Every moment with Barbara broke my heart—from reading through Emily’s journals to her insistence that her daughter was innocent. Lance may have been young and innocent (which was a great addition to the story), but his persistence and humor throughout the story gave me times when I actually found myself laughing just as tears had started to fall down my face. I enjoyed reading about Kent, especially as he wrestled with his own questions about God; however, I look forward to seeing him more in the next novel, since I’m sure he will be much more personally involved in the story than he was in “Intervention”.
As Emily is broken into more and smaller pieces, Terri Blackstock doesn’t fail to remind the reader of the brokenness that comes before one truly finds salvation; and I cried with Emily when she reached “bottom” as it is constantly referred to throughout the novel. Reading this story broke me again for that moment in my life when I finally realized that I was not my own. It hurts; it’s ugly; it’s dirty; and as you cry out to the only One who can save you, all of a sudden, you don’t feel alone anymore. The reader experiences this with Emily Covington through her journey in the novel “Intervention”. When the novel opens, the reader believes that she couldn’t be in any worse of a state of mind; but of course, God is not done with her yet; and a whole other journey still awaits her.
This novel is the first of a series of novels called the “Intervention” series. The second novel, “Vicious Cycle”, was published earlier this year; and I will be reading it as soon as I have it in my hands from the publisher! The third book, “Downfall” is scheduled to be released in February of 2012. From the first book, I already know this is an excellent series for any thriller reader, parent, or teenager! I anxiously await the next novel!

*This book was provided by Zondervan in exchange for my honest review*

A Lasting Impression - Tamera Alexander

In the past 6 months, Claire Laurent has lost her mother, her father, her home, and the only work she has ever known—the work of a forger. A talented artist, Claire has been forced to forge famous paintings for years; but now that her father is dead, she must start over, and make a new life for herself. Forced to flee New Orleans out of fear that the men who killed her father would be looking for her, Claire settles in Nashville, with no idea what she will do to survive; but within a day, Claire manages to land a prestigious interview with the richest woman in Tennessee, at the Belmont Mansion.
Setting her novel in the late 1860’s, as the South continues to recover from its devastating defeat, Tamera Alexander truly captures the enchanting time period. As someone who is fascinated with the beauty of the Old South and reconstruction period and has frequently dreamed of a world of big puffy dresses, southern gentlemen, old southern mansions, grand staircases, and windows taller than me, I was captivated by “A Lasting Impression”. I have not read a story set during this time period that has caught my attention this much since “Gone With the Wind”, which happens to be my favorite story of all time.
The detail and imagery in “A Lasting Impression” is exceptional—from the descriptions of the various art to the perfect details of old southern culture! Tamera Alexander has a beautiful writing style that flows and makes you feel as if you have actually landed in the most beautiful time period that ever existed! I have never read a book with such detail! I love escapism; and as an avid reader of fantasy, thrillers, and other various fiction, I find that escape as I frantically search for every clue to solve a murder, dive deep into Elyon’s lake, take the train to Hogwarts, or get inside the head of a deranged serial killer. The escape that I found in “A Lasting Impression” was very unique as I landed in a time-period that I’ve always dreamed of. Tamera Alexander sent me there.
The characters could not have been better! I connected with Claire, who could be sweet and quiet at times but really came out of her shell as the story progressed, becoming lively and spirited as she slowly began to believe more in herself. I found myself laughing out loud and smiling at Sutton’s southern gentleman qualities; and Adelicia was intriguing and I never knew what to expect next from her!
This is the first book that I’ve ever read by Tamera Alexander and I’m already anticipating reading it again very soon, along with as many other books I can get of hers! Her engaging writing style and captivating imagery and detail, complementing a beautiful story written from a Christian perspective is refreshing and beautiful and has definitely made me a huge fan! As a matter of fact, I dare to say that “A Lasting Impression” has made it onto my top 5 favorite stories of all time! I hope there will be many other Belmont Mansion novels!

*This book was provided by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review*

One Step Away - Eric Wilson

Brett and Sara have lived a life of counting pennies to get through each day; wondering when the Lord would see fit to provide a raise to the people who remained faithful to Him.  They believed that the Lord would provide abundance to those who were faithful in their lives and giving; and they had given more than what hurt; but they still struggled through each day.  Little did they know, Satan was planning their destruction with a large sum of money.  When a patient who Sara had been helping for years dies, he leaves his entire 6 million dollar fortune to her.  Will Brett and Sara remain true to the Lord with everything at their fingertips?  Will what they believe to be the ultimate provision actually be their destruction?

            The Bible says several times, in different ways, that money is the root of all evil.  It can lead to a person’s eternal destruction.  One Step Away is encouraging for Christians everywhere who have wondered why God has not provided for them in the way that they have wished.  I was able to relate to the Vreeland family to the point where it actually hurt me every time someone said they were not faithful enough; because if they were, God would have given them an abundance.  The Word says that those who are faithful with a little will be put in charge of a lot; but some of the most faithful Christians are struggling.  There are Christians who have lost everything and are being persecuted in other countries.  There are starving families who remain faithful even when they don’t get to eat for days.  The story was a reminder that Elyon has a reason for everything.  We can never understand His reasons; but He always provides what He sees fit to provide at the time.  He is faithful and He knows what He is doing; but those of us who struggle are often considered to be less of Christians than those who are not struggling.  This couldn’t be less true.   

            It was great to read a story about a normal every day family who was trying to live a life worthy of the gospel they carry.  There was nothing fake about these characters.  They are real to the reader.  It was also a reminder of Satan’s activity in the world.  We are being constantly tested to prove our faith.  Will we be able to pass the test?

            “One Step Away” did not disappoint!  If you are looking for a book that will challenge your faith and encourage you to build your armor against the enemy, this book is for you.  If you are looking for an amazing page-turner, this book is for you.  If you want a book that will keep you anxious to know what happens next, you have to read this book!  I’ve never read a book by Eric Wilson before; but I am sure to read more in the future!  I can’t wait to read his next book “Two Seconds Late”.   Both “One Step Away” and “Two Seconds Late” are part of his “By the Numbers” series.  In the “By the Numbers” series, Eric Wilson is writing modern-day stories that relate to old Biblical stories.  In “One Step Away”, Eric explored the story of Job.  In “Two Seconds Late”, he will explore Esther.  I am very excited about the next book!  I hope to see many more fans of Eric Wilson soon!

*I received a copy of "One Step Away" from Bay Forest Books in exchange for my honest review*