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Showing posts from September, 2011

Logos Hope - Kuching : October 2011

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Logos Hope  The floating book-ship, Logos Hope will make Kuching it’s next port of call from 27th October to 15th November 2011. MV Logos Hope is operated by the German charitable organisation GBA Ships e.V is currently in Port Klang Malaysia until 24th October 2011. Prior to that, it was in Penang. I am super excited as the last floating book-ship to come by Kuching was the MV Doulos in year 2008 (if i'm not mistaken). I bought a few books then and I am looking forward to more purchases especially books that I won’t be able to find in the local bookstores. My best purchases then were the Redemption Series and Firstborn Series by Karen Kingsbury. It was quite a ‘purchase of faith’ (i.e. leap of faith) as I have not heard of Karen Kingsbury at that time. Now that I know who she is and how wonderful her books are, I hope Logos Hope stocks up on what she has to offer. I am look to complete my Sunrise Series and perhaps the series on Bailey’s new adventure in New York. The s

Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy

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Synopsis : A detective with a gift for discerning spirits. A pastor whose sinful past is awakened by a murderer. A killer possessed by demon with a sadistic taste for destruction. And the plague of murders that has them on a collision course. When a serial killer wreaks havoc on the city of Chicago with the fury of an Old Testament plague, detective Keren Collins is assigned to the case. Armed with her God-given gift of discerning spirits, she sets out in a race against time to stop a madman before he strikes again. Pastor Paul Morris, a retired cop who once tried to ruin Keren’s career, is the focus of the murderer’s obsession. . .but unaware of the link between himself and the killer that marks him as the ultimate victim. As the two race to end the killing spree, Paul struggles to not let his old self rule him. And Keren can’t decide whether she is glad to see Paul suffer or if she is falling in love with him. Will they win in this battle of good over evil? The ten plagues

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

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WHAT IS LOST...WILL BE FOUND. In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he is the world’s most popular thriller writer. The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling – a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets and unseen truths...all under the watchful eye of Brown’s most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels and temples of Washington DC, The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale. That was from the novel’s jacket which has a lot of claims, among which : • TLS will demonstrate that Dan Brown is the world’s most popular thriller writer. • TLS has the most terrifying villain to date. • TLS accelerates towards an unthinkable finale. Unfortunately, out of the above, I am of the opinion that only the last claim can truly describes The Lost Symbol . While Dan Brown writes a great thriller, I don’t think he’s the w

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

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Synopsis : That morning, my brother’s life was worth a pocket watch.... One night, 15 year old Lina, her mother and young brother are hauled from their home by Soviet guards, thrown into cattle cars and set away. They are being deported to Siberia. An unimaginable and harrowing journey has begun. Lina doesn’t know if she’ll ever see her father or her friends again but she refuses to give up hope. Lina hopes for her family, for her country, for her future and for love – first love with a boy she barely knows but knows she does not want to lose..Will hope keep Lina alive? Between Shades of Gray is a tragic and heartbreaking and extremely beautifully written story. Written through the eyes of 15 year old Lina, you will follow her as she and her family (mother and brother) travel thousands of miles to places unknown to them and for reasons beyond their comprehension. The only thing keeping them alive and from insanity is the thought of reuniting with their father and going home on

Birthright by Nora Roberts

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Synopsis : When 5,000-year-old human bones are found at a construction site in the small town of Woodsboro, the news draws archaeologist Callie Dunbrook out of her sabbatical and into a whirlwind of adventure, danger and romance. While overseeing the dig, she must try to make sense of a cloud of death and misfortune that hangs over the project – fueling rumours that the site is cursed. She must also cope with the presence of her irritating – but irresistible – ex-husband, Jake. And when a stranger claims to know a secret about her privileged Boston childhood, she must question her own past as well. If you are familiar with Nora Roberts works such as Montana Sky, Carolina Moon, Angels Fall , then you would have an idea the type of story she turns out. They made good hallmark movies out of these books. Nora Roberts also wrote as JD Robb but that’s another story. Birthright follows similar pattern. Callie is the heroine and the story revolves around her with murders, arson, etc.

The Blessings by John Trent, PHD & Gary Smalley

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The best-selling classic that helps children thrive today and experience a special future tomorrow. Now revised, updated and enhanced for a new generation! Synopsis : Children of every ago long for the gift of ‘the blessing’ – the unconditional love and approval that come from a healthy relationship with their parents. This life-changing gift, essential for installing a deep sense of self-worth and unshakable emotional well-being contains five essential elements : • Meaningful touch • A spoken message • Attaching high value • Picturing a special future • An active commitment Offering solid practical advice and a fresh perspective on making this gift a bigger part of our families, The Blessing powerfully communicates these biblically based elements as necessary to prepare children for positive future relationships, including their relationship with a loving God. Review : I was blown away by some of the contents of this book. Right from the first chapter, The Blessings

Rosie Dunne (aka Where Rainbows End) aka by Cecelia Ahern

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Synopsis : Rosie and Alex are destined for each other, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, by the age of seventeen the two are just starting to see each other in a romantic light when Alex’s family relocates from Dublin to Boston. Rosie and Alex plan to reunite in the US, but a twist of fate changes Rosie’s future plans forever. Like two ships always passing in the night, Rosie and Alex stay friends and though years pass, and weddings, funerals and baptisms take place, the two remain firmly attached via emails and letters. Heartbroken, they learn to live without each other. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel of several missed opportunities, Rosie and Alex learn that fate isn’t done with them quite yet. This is one of my favourite book and the first book by Cecelia Ahern that I read way back in year 2006. I wasn’t sure I would like it but you can say I immediately fell in love with Rosie, Alex, Katie, Ruby, Ms Casey and the other ch

Step On A Crack by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

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Synopsis : The nation has fallen into mourning after the death of a beloved former first lady. The most powerful people in the world gather in NY for her funeral – then the inconceivable occurs. Billionaires, politicians and superstars of every kind are suddenly trapped within one man’s brilliant and cold-blooded scenario. Detective Michael Bennett, father of ten, is pulled into the fray. As the danger escalates, Michael experiences a devastating loss : after fighting it for many years, his wife has succumbed to a terrible disease. As NY descends into chaos, he faces raising his ten heartbroken children alone – and rescuing 34 hostages. As the entire world watches and the tension builds to a searing heat, Bennett has to find a way out – or face responsibility for a deadly debacle. There is a certain expectation that you can come to expect from James Patterson – suspense, thrilling read. You can also expect the softer and emotional side from James Patterson and Suzanne’s Diary f

The Guardian by Robbie Cheuvront & Erik Reed

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Synopsis : The Guardian invites you to plunge into a world of see and unseen forces. Follow Anna Riley in her mission to crack the code and unlock the secrets of a two-thousand year old scroll and find out if she can succeed in her mission. Anna has just gained possession of an ancient scroll that God gave to John the Disciple where she must then guard, protect, and unlock the secrets of the scroll. She is believed to be the destined Guardian of the scroll and struggles with the path that was set for her by god. As she unlocks the mysterious secrets that the scroll holds, she is carried through a journey of faith to open up her heart to god. Jason Lang, her protector, faces many hurdles and challenges as he is responsible to keep his attraction to Anna at bay. Together, they begin their journey around the world as they face corruption, challenge, and dodge bullets. Will they succeed together? Or will they fail? Will Jason defend the women that he’s vowed to protect? Will Anna be

Mirror Ball by Matt Redman

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Synopsis : Passion is more than a song or a feeling. It’s a story of guts and glory, pain and purpose.  For anyone who follows Jesus, passion is a way of life. But how do we life out this grand calling? In Mirror Ball, worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman reminds us that even when we feel insufficient to reflect God’s glory,  God can show through us as light radiates through a prism.  Living in this truth will transform how we view our words, our relationships, our daily lives. You – and your world – will never be the same. Review starts from here : Our life is a worship unto God.  It should be exciting and it should reflect Christ to the world like a mirror ball effect.  I f you have seen a disco ball and hot it reflect lights on its surrounding area, you would know how it looks and felt like when you are in the presence of a disco ball with bright light bouncing off it.  It’s brightness can be glaring bright, nothing can hide from it and it cast no shadows.  Likewise our lives