Book Review and Giveaway - Illusion by Frank Peretti

Publisher Description: 

Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970.  Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop. 

Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier. 

They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protégée, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy’s powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her. 

Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic.

 *          *          * 

Frank Peretti

Like many in the mid-1980’s, I fell in love with the work of Frank Peretti with his This Present Darkness series.  Not since C.S. Lewis had I been so enthralled with a Christian writer.  He had a way of making the invisible spirit world come alive in an almost cinematic way.  He went on to be a huge bestseller, and the last novel of his that I read was Monster back in 2005. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review his latest work, Illusion.

This time travel/love story/thriller is a bit of a hefty tome, clocking in at about 500 pages. I rarely felt the weight of this, however.  Peretti has the ability to keep his audience engaged, whether it’s with the amazing science of his premise, or the love story between the lead characters, or the powerful forces set against Dane and Mandy.  My attention rarely wavered, encouraged by Peretti’s ability to craft an intelligent, interesting plot.  And if you know Frank, he has a really wacky sense of humor—this leaked through in certain areas of dialogue, which I loved.

Peretti’s main characters of Dane and Mandy were wonderfully composed.  They had great chemistry, and I totally believed their life stories.  In my mind I could see actor Michael Keaton as Dane (Multiplicity anyone?) and AnnaSophia Robb as the young Mandy. As this unlikely couple, I found them easy to root for and believable as an aging master magician and his youthful time-traveled partner.

In recent years, one of my favorite, couldn’t-put-down novels was The Time Traveler’s Wife. Peretti’s Illusion had many of the same elements as Audrey Niffenegger’s bestseller, with the time traveling and anguished love story. The nice thing about this work is that it’s coming from the worldview of a Christian.  Frank believes in the sanctity of marriage and did a masterful job of interweaving the intimacy of a marital relationship, without any sex scenes or terribly inappropriate behavior.

While Illusion is written from a Christian perspective, it’s not an over-the-top, heavy Gospel-messaged book.  This is primarily a piece of entertainment, and although Peretti’s faith is clear within the pages, there isn’t a dominance of Bible thumping or preachy behavior. I mention this because Christian readers may want to share this novel with unbelievers.  There are certainly messages of spiritual fulfillment within (which Peretti addresses directly in a post-story letter to the reader), but you’d have to look to This Present Darkness for a more overt spiritual story.

At the same time, Christian parents may want to hold off on letting their younger school-age children from enjoying Illusion just yet.  There are a number of mature themes related to marriage that are addressed, and while Peretti handles them with decorum and propriety, this type of material isn’t appropriate for a younger crowd.  There’s also a bit of graphic content, which is also handled very well, but had this same content be portrayed in a film (which I would love to see),  it would probably garner a PG-13 rating.

In reading Illusion I had a wonderful return to the world and mind of Peretti.  He is a masterful storyteller, and kept the pages turning for me chapter by thrilling chapter. It was one of the most efficient 500-page novels I’ve ever read. The time-travel fan in me adored the sci-fi element, which was complex and fantastical.  Dane’s love for his wife was palpable, and Mandy’s desire to fit in her own time and space was relatable. Illusion was an entertaining ride through time and space, a worthy addition to the incredible work of Frank Peretti. I highly recommend it, to both Peretti fans and the uninitiated alike.  There are no magic tricks here—it’s time well spent.

*          *          *

Illusion Giveaway!
(U.S. Only)

Handlebar Marketing has graciously offered an Advanced Reader's Edition of Illusion to one of you!  Check out the guidelines below, go to the Rafflecopter form and enter to win!

• The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on April 29th, 2012.
• Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Sunday the 29th.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
• The winner must supply a U.S. mailing address for prize shipment.
• You may tweet about the giveaway once per day for bonus entries. Please report the direct URL to the tweet in the Rafflecopter form.
• Entries will be verified.  If a fraudulent entry is detected for the winning name, another winner will be drawn.

Want another chance to win?  Head on over to the Burton Book Review!  Deadline for that Illusion giveaway ends on April 22, 2012.


If you can't see the Rafflecopter form or the book trailer video
for Illusion, try clicking on the "Read more »" link

Contest Update:  After my husband and I read the review copy of Illusion, we decided to give it away as well!  I drew a second name, and our winner Carol M. is more than willing to accept our twice-read review copy.  Congrats to both winners, and thanks to everyone for entering!

Book Review: The Gospel Story Bible - by Marty Machowski

From the back cover:

Can a bedtime story change a life?  It is easy to forget Jesus in the midst of busy schedules and conflicting priorities, but the truth is that he is the only one who can change the lives of parents and children. As you share these Bible stories together, you and your family will meet Jesus and learn together a new, life-changing way of recognizing him as the hero of every story. Based on the ESV Bible, this unique, illustrated Bible storybook uses 156 stories to present God’s plan of salvation in Christ from its opening narrative in Genesis to its finale in Revelation.

*          *          *

A number of years ago I stumbled across a book by Geraldine McCaughrean called The Jesse Tree.  I’ve enjoyed reading this lovely illustrated storybook to my children during the Advent Season, as it traces the multi-chapter tale of Christmas, all the way back to the Genesis story.  The incredible purpose of Emmanuel, “God with us” did not just begin in a stable. He has been a part of the great story from before the beginning.  Marty Machowski’s The Gospel Story Bible is similar in that it covers over 150 stories from the Bible and links them to Jesus and the Good News that He brings us in the Gospel.

The Gospel Story Bible is a marvelous work.  Printed on glossy, durable paper, these brightly illustrated pages bring wonderful points of focus to stories that many of us know very well (e.g., the story of Joseph in Genesis) and other moments that may have been neglected during our youthful Sunday School years (e.g., the exiles returning in the book of Ezra). Author Marty Machowski writes from the perspective of the ESV Bible, a recent translation that is widely respected for its accuracy and readability. Through his knowledge of God’s Word, he links together many well-known as well as somewhat obscure episodes, showing how the Gospel has been at work from before the beginning and throughout all of Biblical history, not just after the birth of Christ.

Each devotional reading is one or two pages long and includes just a few discussion questions to solidify the lesson for those participating in the reading.  I found Machowski’s writing to be respectful of the material, yet not overly scholarly in its tone.  My 11 year-old was able to follow along with the stories without difficulty.  The style is not suited for the very young, however. As the minutes ticked by, my six year-old’s eyes began to glaze over, and I had to go back and explain a few things to him.  The stories are still a great launching pad for discussion for any age, however. Linking Jesus into every corner of God’s word is so important, and this resource does it quite well.

While the illustrations are bright, colorful and clearly the work of a talented artist, I didn’t care for their structure and style.  They’re very modern in tone, and frequently my younger son had a hard time understanding what was being portrayed in the images.  I don’t think the style needs to be scaled back so much that it appeals only to preschoolers, but with so many stories, A.E. Macha’s images could stand to be just a bit more accessible.

On the whole I was very impressed with The Gospel Story Bible. It’s suitable for families with middle grade and young adult children, and adults can certainly appreciate the themes presented in the chapters. There are many who may never have considered integrating Jesus into stories that don't formally mention him.  But as the God’s Word tells us, He was there from before the beginning.  I applaud the work that has been done with this devotional, as there is hardly a more important message that can be conveyed to the world.

*          *          *

Click below to enjoy a preview of this marvelous project:

For more information on The Gospel Story Bible and related materials, visit GospelStoryforKids.com.

Review copy provided by:

Book Review: By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get onboard. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damian. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?





*          *          *

With the upcoming 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I thought I’d commemorate the event with a few books related to the subject, and like many people, I plan to re-watch James Cameron’s film version as well.  By the Light of the Silvery Moon is one of many literary options available, and one that seemed right up my alley: a novel written by a Christian author with many of the themes that made me love the 1997 film. Its premise offers the romance and adventure of Cameron’s epic, but within Tricia Goyer’s Christian worldview.

Despite the sad, inevitable moments near the end, By the Light of the Silvery Moon was an enjoyable novel.  I liked the main characters, as they frequently were flawed individuals who were just making their way in the world and trying to heal the wounded corners of their hearts.  Amelia Gladstone is sweet without being a Pollyanna, and the men in her life are often complex individuals who aren’t always what they seem to be.

SPOILER ALERT:
Skip to the last two paragraphs
if you want to avoid specifics...

Although the bulk of the plot is played out on board the doomed vessel, the story really is a bit of a retelling of The Prodigal Son, as seen in Luke 15 in the New Testament. The narrative hits all the main points—

• A son leaves with his portion of his father’s inheritance
• Ends up squandering his life away
• Humbly returns to his joyous father, hoping for a job
• Father rolls out the red carpet for him
• Elder brother is resentful of the situation after his years of faithfulness

Tricia Goyer fills out this story, however, adding a tragic history that helps us understand why the elder son felt the need to run away.  Quentin’s story is one of loss and redemption, while finding love with Amelia along the way. Damian’s role as the elder brother is realistic, and he’s humanized in a way that helps us sympathize with him and not paint him with a broad brush of villainy.

My quibbles with Silvery Moon are minor.  Goyer’s style can sometimes be a bit clichéd, as she has an overabundance of similes within her writing.  Matters of the mind and heart are frequently compared to the Titanic and/or the natural elements around her.  And given that the events of the Titanic and The Prodigal Son are a matter of public record, the storylines are a bit predictable.  However, this last point isn’t a strong one for me.  I knew exactly where these characters were headed (save for one which took me by surprise), but it was still an enjoyable ride.  I felt the same in Cameron’s Titanic.  We knew the ship was going down; it was the story attached to it that was also holding our interest.

Of course as a Christian writer, Goyer keeps things very chaste. There are mentions of one character’s prolific sexual lifestyle, but not many details are given beyond that.  There are no curse words printed, but mentioned. Romantic interludes are sweet and very brief.  Religious references aren’t heavy handed, but are sprinkled throughout and are more emphatic near the end.  Certainly any lover of Christian fiction would enjoy Goyer’s writing.

While there wasn't much of a moon the night of the Titanic’s demise, the theme of the old 1909 song "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" runs throughout this sweet story.  You’ll find delightful romance, compelling redemption and riveting action that will keep the pages turning right until the book’s satisfying conclusion. Tricia Goyer has written a pleasant novel that is a great way to not only remember the Titanic disaster, but also to recall Jesus’ messages of redemption for all of us.

*          *          *

By the Light of the Silvery Moon Book Trailer:

Check out the other stops on the Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour
 for By the Light of the Silvery Moon here!

I received this book from LitFuse in exchange for an honest review
and blog tour participation. No other compensation was given.

Unsinkable Giveaway & Blog Tour Announcement

Next month I'll be participating in the Litfuse blog tour of By the Light of the Silvery Moon. But before I post my thoughts on this novel set on the Titanic, I want to let my readers know about a super giveaway opportunity in association with this tour.  Be sure to stop by the Sweepstakes page detailed below and enter to win.  There's quite a nice prize package being given away! And check out all of the tour stops for this timely Christian novel.







Celebrate the release of By the Light of the Silvery Moon with Tricia by entering her giveaway and RSVPing to her Titanic party.  One "unsinkable" winner will receive:

• Flip HD video Camera (Make your own dramatic saga!)
• Titanic movies from the ages {Titanic (1953) Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Titanic (1997)}
• Secrets of the Titanic (Get the facts from National Geographic.)
• And the Band Played On (Music Played on the Titanic.)
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer (Be swept away in this tale of love and courage.)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 9th!

Winner will be announced at "Silvery Moon" Titanic Facebook Party on 4/10. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club). During the live chat Tricia will have a *special guest* join her. More details coming soon!

So grab your copy of By the Light of the Silvery Moon and join Tricia on the evening of the April 10th for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Titanic?) and lots of giveaways. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 10th!

Here are the tour participants:

3/21
Blossom at North Laurel Home & School

Holly at 2 Kids and Tired Books

Alena at Our Little Bit Of Wonderful

Tara at Ramblings of the Blonde Mother Bear

3/22

Amy at A Nest in the Rocks

Jennifer at Where the Green Grass Grows

Sarah at Mommy's Minute

Jessica at A New Leaf 

3/24

Brenda at WV Stitcher

Sharon's at Garden of Book Reviews

Alicia at Surrendering all of me http://surrenderingallofme.blogspot.com

Heidi at Starts At Eight Http://www.startsateight.com

Fran at Books and Beyond http://www.booksandbeyond.net

3/26

Karla at Ramblin' Roads http://ramblinroads.blogspot.com

Reviews By Jane http://www.reviewsbyjane.blogspot.com

Julie at More of Him http://www.moreofhim.net

Tammi at Our Homeschooling Pilgrimage http://ourhomeschoolingpilgrimage.blogspot.com

Cass at Shadow Kisses Book Reviews http://shadowkissedcassie.blogspot.com

Mocha with Linda http://mochawithlinda.blogspot.com

3/27

Susan at In This Together http://susandelano.wordpress.com

kimberly at Saving More Than Me http://savingmorethanme.com

Lena at A Christian Writer's World http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Lori at Morning Glories and Moonflowers http://www.perfectisboring.blogspot.com

Tracye at A Heart Poured Out http://tracyedukes.com

3/28

Theresa at Just One More Paragraph http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com

Kianna's Korner http://kiannaskorner.blogspot.com

Stephanie's at Mommy Brain http://stephaniesmommybrain.blogspot.com

Danielle at The Happy Wife http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com

3/29

Vic's Media Room vicsmediaroom.wordpress.com

Michele at My Blessings From Above http://koreamom.blogspot.com

Crystal at Just Another Book Lovin' Girl http://abooklovingirl.blogspot.com

Shari at The Knit Wit by Shair http://www.theknitwitbyshair.com

Spashes of Joy splashesofjoy.wordpress.com

3/30

Jeremy at Christian Fiction Addiction http://christianfictionaddiction.blogspot.com

Ruth at My Devotional Thoughts http://mydevotionalthoughts.com

Nancy at Bookfoolery and Babble http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com

3/31

Kaylea at  My Scrappy Life http://www.myscrappylife.com

Aizess at Christian Book Review Blog http://christianbookreviewblog.blogspot.com

Lindsay at Live To Read ~Krystal http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.com

4/2

Carlybird's Home www.carlybirdshome.blogspot.com

Jasmine at the bookish mama http://iam-bookish.blogspot.com

Whitney Rambles of a SAHM http://ramblesahm.blogspot.com

Kate at Books, Baking & Beyond http://booksbakingandbeyond.com

Lisa at A Casual Reader's Blog http://ellsey.blogspot.com

Heather at Proud Book Nerd http://proudbooknerd.com

4/3

Katie at Legacy of a Writer http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com

Lauri at Knits, Reads and Reviews http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com

Courtney's Chitter Chatter http://courtney-courtneyschitterchatter.blogspot.com

Brooke at I Blog 4 books http://iblog4books.blogspot.com

Pamela at Daysong Reflections Http://daysongreflections.com

Joan at Book Reviews from an Avid Reader http://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com

4/4

Faith at Labor not in vain http://labornotinvain.blogspot.com

Marg at Simply Shop and Save http://www.simplyshopandsave.ca

Stephanie at A Cooking Bookworm http://www.acookingbookworm.com

Linda's Lunacy http://lindaslunacy.com

4/5

Tammy Is Blessed http://tammyisblessed.blogspot.com

Kristinia at Loving Heart Mommy http://www.lovingheartmommy.com

Becky at Christian Chick's Thoughts http://christianchicksthoughts.blogspot.com

Melanie at A Year of Jubilee Reviews http://melanieski.blogspot.com

4/6

Sheri at The Shades of Pink http://theshadesofpink.com

Amanda at Sisters In Cahoots! http://www.thepriceoftrust.com

Tammy at Bluerose's Heart http://bluerosesheart.blogspot.com

JHS at Colloquium http://www.jhsiess.com

Kelli at The Zen of Motherhood http://www.thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com

4/7

Kat at Reviews From The Heart http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Cindy's Love of Books http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com

Betsy Ann - Writer at Large http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com

Jen at Happy Little Homemaker http://www.happylittlehomemaker.com

Mandie at Taking Time for Mommy http://mommyreadstoomuch.com

Maureen's Musings http://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/

4/9

Michelle at Life in Review http://lifeinreviewblog.com

Britni at Book nook club Http://booknookclub.blogspot.com

Stephanie-jean Life: SemiCrunchy http://www.LifeSemiCrunchy.com

Suzanne at Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between http://cowsandlasersandeverythinginbetween.blogspot.com

Amber at Living at the Whitehead's Zoo http://livingatthewhiteheadszoo.blogspot.com

Ariel at The Librarian's Bookshelf http://thelibrariansbookshelf.blogspot.com

Laura at The Calico Critic http://CalicoCritic.blogspot.com

Book Review - The Three Colonels by Jack Caldwell

Love reigns supreme for Colonels Buford, Fitzwilliam, and Brandon as our brave fighting men are enjoying their courtships and early married lives with three beloved Austen heroines. The couples lead tranquil lives - until Napoleon escapes from exile.

As the colonels set out to meet their destiny on the fields of Waterloo, Anne, Caroline, and Marianne defend their hearts against the fear of losing their loved ones forever.

From the serenity of Regency England to the scandal and intrigue of the Congress of Vienna, three gentlemen live, love, fight, and defend their country from Napoleon's voracious ambition.

*          *          *

Last year I highly enjoyed Jack Caldwell’s Pemberley Ranch, a sort of Pride and Prejudice-Old South mash up.  It was an unexpected combination, and I was surprised at how much I liked it.  So it was with an open mind and anticipatory heart that I came to read The Three Colonels, Caldwell’s latest work.

Once again Jack has an interesting premise for an Austenesque novel. He’s derived characters from mulitiple Jane Austen works and time periods to abide in one plane of existence.  Some of the main characters are Colonels Brandon (Sense and Sensibility) and Fitzwilliam (Pride and Prejudice), Marianne Brandon (S&S), Caroline Bingley (P&P), Anne de Bourgh (P&P) and other Austenian characters as well.  The third titular character is a Welsh gentleman named Colonel Sir John Buford, a new creation of Mr. Caldwell’s.

While the source materials may have been set in different time periods, The Three Colonels begins in 1814.  It focuses mainly on the relationships between the colonels and the women they love, but there is also a culminating focus on Napoleon’s return from Elba and the ultimate battle at Waterloo.

Even though I didn’t enjoy The Three Colonels as much as Pemberley Ranch, I can still give it a hearty recommendation.  During the days this was being read, I was enduring some very difficult health issues, and I can say that it provided many moments of pleasant escape during a truly challenging time in my life.

I liked Caldwell’s portrayal of these characters, in particular the redemptive view he took of Caroline Bingley.  He also gave Anne de Bourgh a bit of a spine, which was very satisfying.  He kept the romance details fairly chaste (although there were a few steamy moments, albeit within the confines of marriage) and the language between these worldly men was surprisingly clean. The themes of redemption, victory and home were used throughout.

Colonels also gives the reader a bit of a history lesson in regard to the issues of the time—such as Napoleon’s escape from Elba and subsequent brief return to power, the frustrations of the 19th century postal system, cultural challenges and the usual Austenesque romantic obstacles and victories. Caldwell clearly did his homework in this regard, and he even offers a suggested reading list at the conclusion of the book to supplement our knowledge of the period.

Putting these characters together was a bit of a literary risk on the part of Mr. Caldwell’s, but I think his gamble has paid off.  Seeing this cast of characters together was delightful and their relationships always proved to be interesting. I also enjoyed the small winks to other Austen works besides Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Being a well-read admirer of Jane Austen’s works isn’t a requirement for The Three Colonels, but a general knowledge of the plots of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility makes for a better experience.

Jack Caldwell has successfully merged multiple Austenian worlds, bringing his readers a romantic, adventurous tale of lovers, soldiers and friends. The Three Colonels is another wonderful novel from this enjoyable author, one who is a welcome addition to the growing list of Austenesque fiction writers.

Sourcebooks.com

*          *          *

Giveaway of The Three Colonels! (US)

If you'd like to enter to win my used Advanced Copy (ARC) of The Three Colonels, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  Also take note of the following contest guidelines:

• The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on April 1st, 2012.
• Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Sunday the 1st.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
• The winner must supply a U.S. mailing address for prize shipment.
• You may tweet about the giveaway once per day for bonus entries. Please report the direct URL to the tweet in the Rafflecopter form.
• Entries will be verified.  If a fraudulent entry is detected for the winning name, another winner will be drawn.

If you can't see the Rafflecopter form,
try clicking on the "Read more »" link

Book Review: Life Lessons: Self Help from the Silver Screen by Gavin Jerome

Recently I was given the opportunity to review Life Lessons: Self Help from the Silver Screen, a new ebook from motivational speaker Gavin Jerome. It seemed like it would be a great fit for me.  I enjoy movies as much as I enjoy my books, and mixing philosophical concepts into this medium sounded like a fun idea.

I must admit I’ve had mixed reactions to Jerome’s ebook.  For the most part, I agree with the thoughts he’s trying to convey in his work, but I found some weaknesses to be distracting.  His writing style is very informal, seemingly appropriate for a young crowd, such as older teens or those in their young 20s.  However, the movies from which he’s chosen to glean thoughts from were, on the average, released in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.  Not one of the movies he uses as an object lesson was produced in the 21st century.  There’s nothing wrong with this, it just doesn’t give this new book an air of freshness or immediacy.  And younger readers might feel alienated from the material from which he’s drawing, as most of them weren’t released within the last decade and a half. Yes, Netflix and other rental options are available, but I don’t know that the younger generation is necessarily going to be drawn to the bulk of the chosen films here.  It didn’t come as a surprise when he stated that the book’s manuscript sat untouched for a decade.

I was also alarmed to see how much punctuation, typographical and grammatical errors there were throughout the work.  I read advanced editions all the time, so I’m accustomed to seeing a typo or two, but this is a finished work that seems to have missed the Spell Check feature in Jerome’s word processor.  I also lost respect for him as a movie fan and as a writer when he consistently misspelled Ferris Bueller's last name as “Buehler”.

Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell

Having said all of that, as a 40 year-old movie fan, I’ve seen most of the movies he referenced in Life Lessons and enjoyed revisiting them to glean some good ideas.  I think my two favorites came from Apollo 13 and Star Wars, where Jerome helps us take on daunting issues in our lives.  When faced with a huge crisis, it’s best not to get hysterical, but to work the problem to find a solution, much like Jim Lovell did when he calmly stated, “Houston, we have a problem.”  Yes, Lovell was facing a life-and-death situation, but by keeping his wits about him, he was able to make it through.  In the case of Star Wars, Luke Skywalker took on his daunting Death Star trench run with the attitude of reliving “Beggar’s Canyon back home”.  Comparing new challenges with previous successes is a good thing to keep in mind on those days when we feel overwhelmed.

While I can’t give a wild recommendation for Life Lessons, I can appreciate the good thing that Gavin Jerome is doing in his work.  It’s obvious that he poured his heart into this, brought himself to the table and is hoping to help others through the beloved medium of film.  If you’re someone from my generation who can look past a bit of weak writing, I think you might have some fun with this one.  It’s a quick read that should give you a thing or two to think about as you remember some fun movies from days gone by.

Book Review - The Technologists by Matthew Pearl

Welcome to the next top in the TLC Book Tour for Matthew Pearl's The Technologists! After you've read my review, be sure to enter the giveaway below and check out the other stops in the tour, listed at the end of the post. Other tour participants are not only offering their reviews, but other giveaways will be available as well.

*          *          *

From Goodreads:


The first class at M.I.T. The last hope for a city in peril. 

The acclaimed author of The Dante Club reinvigorates the historical thriller. Matthew Pearl’s spellbinding new novel transports readers to tumultuous nineteenth-century Boston, where the word “technology” represents a bold and frightening new concept. The fight for the future will hinge on . . .   THE TECHNOLOGISTS   Boston, 1868.

The Civil War may be over but a new war has begun, one between the past and the present, tradition and technology. On a former marshy wasteland, the daring Massachusetts Institute of Technology is rising, its mission to harness science for the benefit of all and to open the doors of opportunity to everyone of merit. But in Boston Harbor a fiery cataclysm throws commerce into chaos, as ships’ instruments spin inexplicably out of control. Soon after, another mysterious catastrophe devastates the heart of the city. Is it sabotage by scientific means or Nature revolting against man’s attempt to control it?

The shocking disasters cast a pall over M.I.T. and provoke assaults from all sides—rival Harvard, labor unions, and a sensationalistic press. With their first graduation and the very survival of their groundbreaking college now in doubt, a band of the Institute’s best and brightest students secretly come together to save innocent lives and track down the truth, armed with ingenuity and their unique scientific training.

Led by “charity scholar” Marcus Mansfield, a quiet Civil War veteran and one-time machinist struggling to find his footing in rarefied Boston society, the group is rounded out by irrepressible Robert Richards, the bluest of Beacon Hill bluebloods; Edwin Hoyt, class genius; and brilliant freshman Ellen Swallow, the Institute’s lone, ostracized female student. Working against their small secret society, from within and without, are the arrayed forces of a stratified culture determined to resist change at all costs and a dark mastermind bent on the utter destruction of the city.

Studded with suspense and soaked in the rich historical atmosphere for which its author is renowned, The Technologists is a dazzling journey into a dangerous world not so very far from our own, as the America we know today begins to shimmer into being.

*          *          *

Matthew Pearl

What a fabulous novel!  Matthew Pearl is a bestselling author, but this is the first I’ve read of his work.  I was drawn to The Technologists in part because of its 19th-century setting, but also because of its centering on the early days of modern technology.  I wouldn’t consider myself a techie, but I value what the innovations of the last 100 years have brought to our society.  As much as I romanticize the 19th century, I can’t imagine living without many of the technological comforts we have today.  Seeing the nascent days of MIT through the lens of a thrilling novel was an interesting draw for me.

The Technologists did not let me down in the least! The history was interesting, the characters likeable, and the plot was eminently enjoyable.  Matthew Pearl’s writing is wonderful, making me feel like I was watching a movie, without the flimsy writing of some made-for-Hollywood texts.  A large portion of the story involved an intense mystery which kept me guessing up until nearly the very end.  And I was completely shocked at the ultimate culprit, as he/she was someone I never would have pegged as a villain.  Pearl also takes his time to finish all the extraneous plot points surrounding the main mystery, giving the novel a very complete feeling.

While Mr. Pearl takes some artistic license with large portions of his tale, much of the novel is based in fact, which he also takes the time to explain in the concluding Afterward chapter.  I had no idea that MIT had experienced such a rocky start, but it makes sense.  It’s common for cultures to resist embracing radical change.  Anything they couldn’t understand (and there was plenty of the seemingly incomprehensible at MIT) was seen as suspicious, dangerous or even downright evil in the minds of many.  It’s not surprising that there were forces fighting against the establishment of such a new type of institute. 

The Technologists is populated mostly by males, but the two main females within the story are given such high regard, and the cause for women’s rights is trumpeted loud and clear, I believe most women would enjoy this title very much.  Of course I enjoyed the touches of chaste romance that popped up from time to time, but really my entertainment came from the book as a whole. 

Matthew Pearl has written a novel that is at once thrilling, educational and delightfully lacking in formulaic development.  Not only do I recommend it to anyone considering MIT in their educational future, but also to those who seek a quality historical novel.  The world of The Technologists does not disappoint, and I hope to see more of it in the future, either on the silver screen or as a sequel to this fabulous work.   

*          *          *

Giveaway of The Technologists!
(Now Closed)

TLC Book Tours has graciously offered to give away a copy of The Technologists to one of my readers!  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and take note of the contest guidelines:

• The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on March 18th, 2012.
• Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Sunday the 18th.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
• The winner must supply a U.S. or Canadian mailing address for prize shipment.
• TLC Book Tours will be responsible for prize shipment after they receive the mailing address from me.
• You may tweet about the giveaway once per day for bonus entries. Please report the direct URL to the tweet in the Rafflecopter form.
• Entries will be verified.  If a fraudulent entry is detected for the winning name, another winner will be drawn.

If you can't see the Rafflecopter form,
try clicking on the "Read more »" link

Book Review - The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

Welcome to the next top in the TLC Book Tour for Lauren Willig's The Pink Carnation! After you've read my review, be sure to enter the giveaway below and check out the other stops in the tour, listed at the end of the post. Other tour participants are not only offering their reviews, but other giveaways will be available as well.

*          *          *

In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England.

Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the information drowned in a sea of verbiage.

New York-born Emma Morris Delagardie is a thorn in Augustus's side. An old school friend of Napoleon's stepdaughter, she came to France with her uncle, the American envoy; eloped with a Frenchman; and has been rattling around the salons of Paris ever since. Widowed for four years, she entertains herself by drinking too much champagne, holding a weekly salon, and loudly critiquing Augustus's poetry.

As Napoleon pursues his plans for the invasion of England, Whittlesby hears of a top-secret device to be demonstrated at a house party at Malmaison. The catch? The only way in is with Emma, who has been asked to write a masque for the weekend's entertainment.

Emma is at a crossroads: Should she return to the States or remain in France? She'll do anything to postpone the decision-even if it means teaming up with that silly poet Whittlesby to write a masque for Bonaparte's house party. But each soon learns that surface appearances are misleading. In this complicated masque within a masque, nothing goes quite as scripted- especially Augustus's feelings for Emma.

*          *          *

Lauren Willig

I’ve been familiar author Lauren Willig in name only for some time now. She seemed to be a favorite amongst my fellow Janeite readers and has quite a following from her Pink Carnation series.  I made a note to give her work a try at some point, so I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review her latest work, The Garden Intrigue.

When taking on The Garden Intrigue, I was concerned that I’d have a hard time merging into this world, as I’d be starting with Book 9 in the series.  While I think there may have been some references to previous books’ plot points, I had no trouble at all enjoying this title.

One of the things that I found to be unique and enjoyable about Lauren’s style is her choice to tell the story in two time periods.  For most of the time, the story is told in the third person, set in France in the early 1800’s. Other chapters are set in 2004, told in the first person, with separate characters who have connections with the 19th century plot as well.  Although I always preferred the earlier setting, having that alternative plane kept things refreshing and interesting.

I’ve read many novels set in the early 19th century with romance as the main plot focus. While the same can be said for The Garden Intrigue, I loved the addition of the world of The Pink Carnation, a female government spy.  She and her fellow agents provide a level of intrigue that I’ve never seen within novels set in this era.  It might be an old motif to some experienced readers, but this was a new twist that I highly enjoyed.

Lauren provides a delightful balance of romance, espionage, actual history and even a bit of humor to create a wonderful story that always kept me entertained.  I found her main characters to be interesting and agreeable, both in the historical France portions and in the more modern day chapters.  The Pink Carnation’s fellow agent Augustus Whittlesby may have been involved in writing horrible poetry, but I just loved the bits of his verse that were frequently included at the beginning of chapters.  The chemistry he had with his love interest was delicious. And one moderately steamy scene aside, Willig kept the passionate moments fairly chaste.  She is a talented enough writer that she doesn’t have to rely on salacious material to tell her story.

From the beginning to its dramatic (and sequel-prepping) end, The Pink Carnation held up the positive reputation I’ve been hearing about in recent years.  Lauren Willig is an intelligent and entertaining author, and I’m so thrilled that her work met my hopeful expectations.  Of course, now I’ll be putting all of the Pink Carnation books on my reading list.  And I look forward to what may be ahead in this series.

*          *          *

PINK CARNATION GIVEAWAY!!

TLC Book Tours has graciously offered to give away a copy of The Pink Carnation to one of my readers!  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and take note of the contest guidelines:

• The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on March 11th, 2012.
• Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Sunday the 11th.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
• The winner must supply a U.S. or Canadian mailing address for prize shipment.
• TLC Book Tours will be responsible for prize shipment after they receive the mailing address from me.
• You may tweet about the giveaway once per day for bonus entries. Please report the direct URL to the tweet in the Rafflecopter form.
• Entries will be verified.  If a fraudulent entry is detected for the winning name, another winner will be drawn.

If you can't see the Rafflecopter form,
try clicking on the "Read More" link

Book Review - Amy Hayes' I Am My Beloved's: Christian Devotionals for the Bride to Be

In 1995 I had the privilege of marrying my best friend, Jonathan Hartness.  Over the years I’d read material in preparation for my wedding day, including Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot and Fit to be Tied by Bill and Lynne Hybels. Jonathan and I also had weeks of premarital counseling with one of the pastors at our church.  And of course I had a perfect little wedding planner book to keep me organized as we prepared for our ceremony and reception.

On that day, I felt as prepared as I could have been to become Mrs. Jonathan Hartness. Yet, there were a few areas in which I think I could have had a better education.  Recently I enjoyed a title that would have been very helpful to me when I was preparing for my new life as a married woman.

In her new devotional, I Am My Beloved's: Christian Devotionals for the Bride to Be, Amy Hayes gives some great pointers for Christian women who are preparing for their upcoming nuptials. She addresses spiritual matters such as reflecting the fruits of the Spirit to others during stressful wedding preparations. Hayes also thoroughly discusses the importance of being a godly fiancée and wife. Here are a few of the chapter titles, which can give you an idea of some of her topics:

• Time of Preparation
• Bridezilla
• Capturing a Vision
• Girlfriends
• Honoring Marriage
• Gracious Beauty
• Giving Good Gifts to Your Groom

Amy Hayes is a wise woman, and I agree with everything she’s written in this preparatory material. Her words are well suited for the conservative Christian woman who holds traditional ideals for marriage.  In our postmodern society, Hayes is a bit of a rebel in her beliefs.  There are many who might even be offended by some of her conservative suggestions.  On more than one occasion, she suggests that brides should put their wants and desires ahead of others, even to the point of sacrificing some of their “dream wedding” hopes.  In these days of Bridezillas and self-absorbed Kardashians, this is unfortunately no longer the standard mindset.

At the same time, Amy encourages women to relish the planning of their wedding, even to take some time out to pamper themselves. Salon treatments, quality cosmetics and hair stylists are encouraged.  This is not only giving yourself a treat, but it will help you radiate your inner beauty to your groom as he joins you in the ceremony.

Our Wedding Day

While I do wholeheartedly concur with all of Amy’s advice, I have one minor hesitation as this is presented to brides to be.  I don’t know about other women, but there have been times when I’ve struggled with what I call “Proverbs 31” or “Martha Stewart Guilt”.  Both in Proverbs 31 and in Martha Stewart’s magazine Living, there’s much to be admired, but exhibiting all the virtues and accomplishments seems to be a near impossibility.  I think if I had read I Am My Beloved's as an engaged 23 year-old, I would have felt overwhelmed with all that has been suggested here.  This would have been especially acute after we were officially engaged— back then, it was like a gunshot went off, and the race was on, with the finite amount of time that was available to get everything in place.  As much wisdom as is within I Am My Beloved's, I honestly don’t know if I would have taken the time to read it in those harried months before we got married. And if I had, I frequently would have felt like I was falling short in many respects.

That being said, I feel the advice conveyed here is quite valuable.  If you’re in a serious relationship and are considering marriage, I would encourage you to read this while you still have the time.  You may even discover some things within I Am My Beloved's that may cause you to reevaluate your relationship with your significant other.  Are you marrying a godly man, someone you admire, someone you can see yourself sharing a lifetime with?  Are you more concerned with having the perfect fairytale wedding or are you concerned with pleasing your groom?  And most importantly, are you concerned about glorifying God both in your life and in the life you share with your husband?

If you are already engaged, be a better woman than I would have been.  Try to take the time to read I Am My Beloved's. The modest chapters could be read daily over the course of two weeks.  And if you begin to feel a bit of that “Proverbs 31 guilt”, just take on as many of Hayes’ recommendations as you can.  Furthermore, keep in mind that none of us becomes an admirable wife or Proverbs 31 woman in our own strength alone.  Ask the Lord to show you what aspects of Hayes’ book need to be your focus, and ask Him for the strength to accomplish what He’s called you to do.  This will remain true as you prepare for your wedding, and decades later as you strive to love your husband and glorify God at the same time. Deuteronomy 30:11 tells us, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach,” and Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”

The days of courtship and engagement are so fleeting.  Do what you can to enjoy this time, but prepare as much as you can for the years ahead.  I Am My Beloved's, while an ambitious work, is a great way to prepare for your new life.  If every bride read it before their wedding day, the number of happy marriages would certainly be greater.  And a happy marriage is certainly something worthy of preparation. I Am My Beloved's: Christian Devotionals for the Bride to Be is a wonderful way to do that.

MadisonStreetPublishing.com

Wednesday Contest Report

The folks over at Two Belles Fitness are having some great DVD giveaways!  Check them out!




Those of you who followed along in my Peak Fit Challenge journey last year may be interested to know that Michelle Dozois has released two more videos to add to the series!  I'm so excited to report that More Cardio Interval Burn and More Cardio Strength are now available!  Head on over to Two Belles Fitness and join me in entering to win one of these amazing new titles!  The contest ends on February 24, 2012.  Here's the link:

http://www.twobellesfitness.com/2012/02/15/giveaway-michelle-dozois-peak-10-more-cardio-strength-and-more-cardio-interval-burn 

*          *           *

Another instructor whom I enjoy is Tracie Long. She's got some new videos out, and Two Belles is having a giveaway of her reBoot1 and Figure30 Hips DVDs.  I'm really looking forward to trying her Figure 30 series, as a 30 minute workout is so easy to fit into a busy schedule.  Tracie is a former Firm instructor and really knows her stuff.  The deadline to enter the contest is coming up on the 17th.  Here's the link:

http://www.twobellesfitness.com/2012/02/06/tracie-long-fitness-giveaway