horrible ending....

hate this kind of ending!!!

If you are looking for a brief, fairly academic synopsis of various world religions, then this book is for you. "Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day" does just that- gives you a fairly easily readible chapter on religions such as Christianity, Roman Catholic Christianity, Eastern Orthodox, Native American religions, Africal traditional, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Islam (several chapters on different aspects), Christian Science and Scientology, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. I believe my main problem is that I expected something different. I was hoping for a book from a Christian viewpoint discussing religions' differences to Christianity and how we can relate to them from an evangelistic standpoint. In fact, it is exactly what the title says. The basics of many world religions. It wasn't at all what I wanted and i honestly found myself struggling to keep my attention on the reading. If you are looking for an explanation of "key beliefs, histories and practices" (as the back cover states), then this is it, as the chapters are definitely manageable. The book is well-written and researched.

I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher Bethany House for my honest review.

This was a great book. Its a novel set in a castle in France with a historical mystery! The book centers on the (seriously flawed) character of Beck, alcoholic, angry, and basically out of control. He goes to France to renovate an old castle for his business and while there, begins to work out some of his issues thanks to Jade, the owners' children's nanny, who has some issues of her own. I appreciated the honesty in the characters' struggles and the fact that Jade, while the Christian character of the book, is not a perfect, sweet, Bible touting Christian girl, but a woman struggling with her own issues and a snappy attitude to boot! She does talk about faith with Beck, but you don't feel like that's the reason for the novel as you might in some other Christian lit. The modern story of Beck and Jade is interspersed with chapters of the history of Marie and Elise, 16 year old French girls working for a Nazi "baby factory" which was housed in the castle. There are some strange happenings around the castle and a semi-mute, reclusive old man squatting in the gatehouse thrown in as well. While I wanted more at the ending, I love that the author kept it realistic and intelligent; it was much more satisfying that a lot of sappy romance based books. I would definitely recommend this book to those looking for a great, clean (historical) mystery.

I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.

This book was a fast adventure read. I enjoyed the story of the small short-term missionary group caught in a country just as a rebel group overthrows the government. It is written for a young adult audience and for that audience, is an excellent book, though there is violence, and the main character shoots and kills a rebel in self-defense. As an adult, I felt the characters were a bit over the top, especially the 22 year old Meredith, who appears to be completely unafraid of the rebel leader threatening their executions. I had a hard time believing her character, though I understand what the author portrayed through her. I also had a hard time believing a group of high schoolers and a 22 year old would be sent with one leader to lay a block wall. What high schooler knows how to do that? I doubt that the average high school reader would worry too much about these items and would enjoy the action and adventure of the book.

I recieved a copy of this book for review from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.