Book Blog Hop Friday #6

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books.  This is a chance for people to visit other book-related blogs that they normally wouldn't find and/or visit on their own.  To participate, a question must be answered. 

Before we get to the question, I would like to welcome any new viewers/followers to my blog.  If you're an 'oldie but goodie' ... welcome back! =)

Now, this week's question is:

"What are your feelings on losing followers?  Have you ever stopped following a blog?"

I don't like to lose followers, because I'm trying very hard to be one of those blogs everybody loves, comments on and follows.  However, I know there's going to be people who have stopped blogging, lose interest in blogging, etc and they stop following.  Then, there's going to be those people who just don't like what you have to offer any more.

I will say, here and now, that if there's ever a time any of you thinks or sees a way for me to improve my site, all you have to do is email me.  I am fairly new to blogging on a regular basis and appreciate any and all suggestions for improvements.  So, please, if you are in the group of people who don't really care for what I have to offer, give me a chance to improve before you stop following.  =)

Yes, I have stopped following a blog.  When I'm sent an email and I'm told that I've won something, please follow through with actually sending me what I've won.  When it's been three weeks and I still haven't seen my prize and I email you to ask you if, maybe, I misunderstood the rules or the concept of the contest, please don't ignore me.  I like to give people chances to explain themselves.  I tend to be very understanding, but when you ignore me, how else am I to interpret that but that you don't care about one of your followers?  So, for that reason, I've stopped following a blog.

I'm curious to see what you all have to say about this.  Hope to hear from you! =)

Contest & Review: Pandora's Succession by Russell Brooks

Welcome to one of the stops on Russell Brooks' blog tour!  For the tour, I was graciously given an e-copy of Russell's novel to read and review, which is now availabe in e-format on Amazon or any other e-book retailers.

Summary:

Lieutenant Captain Ridley Fox is a CIA operative on a mission to stop potential terrorists from releasing Pandora, a microbe that can spread world-wide to eliminate human life as we know it.  During his mission, as he travels from Chechnya to West Darfur to Tokyo, he experiences betrayal from those he thought he was able to trust.  Nothing and nobody are what they appear to be ... Is this mission one that Fox has to finish on his own or will he be able to find those he can actually trust to help him?

My Review:

When I first began the book, I thought it was going to be one of those that only guys would enjoy due to the military and weapons references.  Once I got past the technicality of it all and actually paid attention to the story line, I was hooked.

The detail Russell gives to the descriptions of weapons and modes of military transportation will help detail the story in the mind of a person who is familiar with such things.  But, for people like me who have no idea what a UH-60 Blackhawk or a D-W73 Cold War era Russian Air Force Officer's Dagger look like, the details tend to be a little much.  However, the fight scenes were extremely realistic and that is due, in part, to the details given about the weapons.

As far as the plot is concerned, it was thrilling and intriguing.  It kept you in a state of suspension from beginning to end.  One thing I do, while reading a story, is to picture the book as a movie in my mind.  At the end of each chapter, I pretend that is where the movie would pause for a commercial.  Some stories fail to end with a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter, but not this one.  I can say that at the end of each and every chapter, if a commercial were to come on at that time or if you stopped reading for the night at that spot, you couldn't wait to get back to it and see what happens next.  I think this skill is one that not every author can accomplish.  Russell Brooks has definitely mastered this skill.

One thing I did wish for was that it took a little longer revealing the mastermind behind it all.  I would've enjoyed a little more suspense in that area of the story.  Other than that, I really liked this novel.  And, I'd like to say 'Thank You' to Russell for putting the Epilogue at the end.  It helped to tie up some loose ends.  Without it, a reader would be left wondering if a sequel was in the making.

Author Info:

Russell Brooks is a former Canadian Track and Field Team member who currently resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  You can visit his blog, The Big Picture, by clicking here.

If you have any questions you'd like to ask Russell, please leave a comment below and he will reply back.  How often do you get to chat with an author one-on-one?!

Can't think of any questions to ask?  Perhaps after you read the first five teaser chapters on Russell's site (here), you'll have some questions about the book.  So, go check them out and come back to ask your questions.

Contest Rules:

Everyone that leaves a comment with their email address (in the body of your message) will win an autographed book cover of Pandora's Succession.  After the blog tour (ends November 14th), ten commentors, from all of the blogs hosting the tour, will be drawn to win free autographed ebook copies of Pandora's Succession.

Downsizing

As some of you know, I have been trying to maintain two blogs; this one and Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009.  I feel as if I have been neglecting my other blog and not giving it the attention it deserves.  So, as a way to keep it going, I am integrating my other blog into this one.  I will continue reading the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009, but my reviews will be posted on here.

Happy Reading! =)

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

ISBN (Hardcover): 978-0-8499-2069-1
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Copyright: 2010

About the Author:

(Taken from inside flap)

Max Lucado is a minister who writes and a writer who preaches.  He and his wife, Denalyn, serve the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.  They have three grown daughters, Jenna, Andrea, and Sara; one son-in-law, Brett; and one sweet but lazy golden retriever, Molly.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Dear Friend,

May I share a story that is very dear to my heart?

It's a story of hillbillies and simple folk, net casters and tax collectors.  A story of a movement that exploded like a just-opened fire hydrant out of Jerusalem and spilled into the ends of the earth: into the streets of Paris, the districts of Rome, and the ports of Athens, Istanbul, Shanghai, and Buenos Aires.  A story so mighty, controversial, head spinning, and life changing that two millennia later we wonder:

Might it happen again?

Heaven knows we hope so.  These are devastating times: 1.75 billion people are desperately poor; one billion are hungry.  Lonely hearts indwell our neighborhoods and attend our schools.  In the midst of it all, here we stand: you, me, and our one-of-a-kind lives.  We are given a choice... an opportunity to make a big difference during a difficult time.  What if we did?  What if we rocked the world with hope?

Worth a try, don't you think?

My Review:

Even though I believe in God and His Word and try to live a Christian life, I tend to stay away from Christian literature.  I've always thought that it would be boring and I'd never finish a book.  This book has changed my mind.

When I first saw the title Outlive Your Life it made me think that the book would be about how to go beyond your normal circumstances and live your life to the fullest; which sounded a little boring to me, but I so wanted to have a book arrive in my mailbox that I decided to accept it from Book Sneeze for review.  I fully intended to force myself through reading it.

I couldn't have been more wrong.  Once I started reading the book I was intrigued.  The stories pulled me in.  The lessons behind the stories made me think.  Over the course of reading this book I slowly realized that this book was changing the way I think and act for the better.

The main purpose of the book is to teach you how to Outlive Your Life, but not in a way that you'd expect.  We can outlive our lives by being thoughtful, considerate, caring people.  The smallest action of kindness we extend towards those we find different can have the biggest effect on that person's life ... and potentially the lives of people that person comes in contact with.  When we do this, though, we don't need to 'toot our own horn' or make a big production out of it.  We should do it quietly and humbly.  God will reward you in due time.  I don't know about you, but I know that God's rewards are way better than any accolades we can acquire on our own.  God's rewards are longer lasting as well.

So, the next time you see a homeless person, a person of a another color, a person who may not have a lot of money, or someone you would normally make fun of, really look at that person.  Look beneath the surface until you see their actual need.  What do you really see?  Do you see someone who needs a friend?  Someone who is hungry but can't afford food?  Someone who needs a job?  If so, do what you can to help them.  Are there people at work you normally wouldn't associate with?  Do they seem to have no friends and no life outside of work?  Befriend them.  Invite them to dinner.  Ask them how they are and really listen to what they're saying.  We can outlive our lives be helping others improve theirs.

I saw myself throughout this book.  I didn't really like what I saw within myself.  I am striving to change the way I think.  This isn't something that can automatically be changed overnight, but I am determined to be there for others ... especially those nobody else will talk to, touch, or help.

This book is an excellent example of how a Christian could be more like Christ.  I am extremely grateful that I chose to go beyond my comfort zone and accept this book for review.  I think if you gave this book a chance, it could help change your view of the people in this world as well.

Additional Info:

(Taken from back cover)

One hundred percent of the author's royalties from Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.  To follow World Vision's use of the funds, go to http://www.maxlucado.com/



In My Mailbox (#4)

 In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi, The Story Siren.  This meme was began so we could all share what books we received the previous week ... whether it was in the mail, from the library or what we bought at a store.

I had previously said that I would not accept ebooks due to having to read them on my computer (I do not have an e-reader yet).  However, one author decided to ask me despite my "policy."  I'm glad he did because I have been seeing and reading reviews for this book and have been wanting to read it.  So, I have revised my 'policy' under my "Requesting a Review" tab.

This is the only book I've received this week:

The Ghost of a Flea by John Brinling

Summary:  Well, I couldn't find an actual book summary on any website, but from the reviews I've read, this book seems to be a murder mystery with a kidnapping and romance thrown in the mix.

I cannot wait to read this book and write my review of it.  In the meantime, you can click on the blog titles below to read their review of this book:

The Book Bee

Tic Toc