Henery's Ghost Stories - Two Reviews

Killing in C# by Alexia Gordon

Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes

A Review

The ghosts are back.

Having read previous books by these authors in these series, I was looking forward to again seeing familiar characters and their spirited friends. These friends are more like Casper the friendly ghost than Scrooge’s Jacob Marley. In each, the protagonist is assisted in solving a series of murders by their unexpected friendly spirits.

But there are other elements in common – the primary victim of both stories is a vindictive reviewer – of music (from Gordon’s novel) and restaurants (from Kappes’ novel). Each reviewer has a history of destroying careers and reputations. And they have ruined so many people’s lives, the number of suspects grows the further into the book the reader goes.

As expected, these two Henery Press books were fun to read and demanded to be finished as quickly as possible. It was disappointing to see Eamon’s ghostly wife be left to some unexplained nether world – perhaps she can return in a later book. One can hope.

For those who like cozy mysteries, for those who like ghost stores (especially, friendly ghost stories), for those who like music or food – these two books may just feel the bill.

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This review is based on free electronic copies provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

My Sing-Along Bible - A Review

My Sing-Along Bible

by

Stephen Elkins

Stephen Elkins has created a fun book for kids, parents, Grandparents, or Sunday School teachers, to begin the process of helping kids read, understand, and apply the scriptures to their lives.

With 50 songs, each supplemented with a short devotional, a selected scripture verse, and quick "Little Lesson", the book will serve as a child's first devotional book.  The colorful images will attract the kids' attention as well. My wife, an experienced preschool Sunday School teacher, is looking forward to using the material with her three- and four-year old students.  

Most of my reviews are for adult books - but it is occasionally fun to see the material being offered to the future generations of leaders in the church.  This book did not disappoint and should serve as a welcome addition to a child's or Sunday School classroom's library.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

All You Want to Know About The Bible in Pop Culture - A Review

All You Want to Know About

The Bible in Pop Culture

by

Kevin Harbey

A Review

A mix of cultural reflection, Biblical application, and Bible study.

The book starts with an interesting premise – what does pop culture reveal about our faith and the world in which we find ourselves. It does this by looking at the details found in a variety of cultural milestones – from television to movies to music. By looking at a variety of snippets from assorted media, the book attempts to look at how faith, or at least the world's impression of that faith, has influenced the arts.

While the text does accomplish its purpose by looking at these snippets of media content, it does little to prepare the user to do his or her own reflection on the media in the future. The book is designed to show a view of the world as it is found in the first two decades of the 21st century. Along with its text, the book does this with a set of trivia challenges associated with each chapter and with the book as a whole. In fact, these trivia puzzles occupy about 20% or more of the book.

It is the lack of tools to help the reader to continue reflecting on culture which is the major drawback of the book for this reader. It would have been helpful to include principles, not just illustration after illustration, of how to find faith's influence on modern culture.

Is the book of value? Yes, for the individual attempting to understand the possible role of faith in the first half of the 21st century. It will be of less help for the person hoping to evaluate faith's role moving into the next five decades of the century.

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This review is based on a free copy of the book provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Tell Me About Prayer - A Review

Tell Me About Prayer

Created by

Stephen Elkins

A Review

The is a delightful look at prayer from a young child’s perspective.  The entire text of the book is found on the CD along with 11 additional songs.  The story itself also includes four of five songs - also included on the CD.  Because the CD includes the story, the book is suitable for pre-readers as well as early readers.

The story should be easily understood by children of all ages - each page includes colorful pictures that will hold the child’s attention.  The story is read by Conductor Steve (Elkins), an award winning music producer, and a chorus of children’s voices.  Along with the story, most pages also include a potential memory verse that will become familiar with the child as he or she replays the CD.  

My only concern is that, sadly, the lyrics of the 11 additional songs are not provided in the book or on the CD.  No link is provided to a location on the INTERNET for these lyrics, though some are familiar and a little searching may assist in finding the additional lyrics.

The lively music, the colorful images, and the truth of scripture make this a wonderful gift for a parent, grandparent, or Sunday School Teacher to give a child as a Christmas or Birthday present - or at any time of the year.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

The Leaf by Floyd H. Johnson

Today a leaf danced across my path.
It did a little jig as it moved along the ground,
urged along by unseen hands.

Dry and tender, it waltzed in step with the trees
who clapped their hands to the tune of some
silent melody.

I moved on, perhaps never again to see that sight,
though leaves will dance and waltz tomorrow.