Bonding through books

My baby brother and I have a seven year difference. For some reason it has always been more of a challenge for the two of us to have things to connect or bond together with. He has his video games and sports and going through the awkward stages of puberty (which let's be honest he doesn't want his older sister around for that), and I have my adult life stuff now.

Recently, I noticed my baby brother reading books a lot, so I asked him, "Hey, whacha reading?"

He responded, "The Percy Jackson Series. It's great. You should read it too."

I remember promising him to read it, but I never had the time it seemed. Before I knew it he finished the series and went back to playing Minecraft (an X-Box game), and our opportunity to bond vanished. At least so I thought until The Lighting Thief (#1 in the Percy Jackson Series) by Rick Riordan went on sale for $2.99 for the kindle. I took a gander and bought it on a whim, and I devoured it within a few days. I read it on the twenty minute bus ride to classes and in between as well. So it's safe to conclude I liked this book.

I remember watching the movie a few years ago, and not be nearly as interested as I was with this book. What I really liked about this book was how enjoyable it was. I loved it's humor, honesty and how Percy dealt with his new found life. I also loved how Riordan uses famous Greek mythology with an intriguing modern twist.

This book also shows depicts spectacular qualities in its main characters. Percy Jackson who deals with dyslexia and issues in school finds out he is the son of Poseidon. He loves his mother and cares for her deeply, and when she gets taken away from her he goes to the ends of the Earth to save her. There are a lot of redeeming qualities with all of the characters, and maybe that is why I liked it.

Another great quality of this book was the conversations it has opened up between my brother and I. We talk about decisions character's made and how we felt at certain points in the book. These are memories I know I will look back on and smile, even when I am a crazed-pajama frizzed hair cooky lady. I thank you, Riordan. You helped make those memories. And I am so blessed baby brother that you let me into your life at this crucial middle school transition. If I can give any advice it would be to read and read and read some more.

Fellow readers and bloggers who have younger siblings: have you bonded with your siblings with books? If so what kind?

For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid

Book Review # 11: Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering

Disclaimer: No, this book is not a guideline on how to get away with murder!

Rules of Murder, Drew Farthering Series #1 by Julianna Deering

This week I'm going to be reviewing a book that I am half way finished with. I find it appropriate for this type of book in particular because I won't be able to give away all the mystery and intrigue in my review, plus the most important element: WHO DID IT?

There are a few components that set this book apart from other books I mostly read of Christian genre. One, it's told from Drew Farthering's - who is a male - perspective (not in first person), but the author focuses in on Drew's character mostly for the reader. Two, it has murder (actually quite a lot of it to be honest), and three romance is not the most important selling point for this book.

I think if you like the show Castle on ABC you will like this book. Actually,  I imagine Drew as Castle, but that's just my personal take. By the end of chapter four there are already two deaths, and before the reader gets to chapter 10 Drew uncovers a shocking discover about himself. This book has it all.

Drew loves a good mystery, and when he finds it on the grounds of his estate he with the help of his best friend Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a whip-smart American staying as a quest, embark on an adventure to try and solve the mystery using the methods of their favorite novels.

Now the game has began and the trio have to fight to remain one step ahead of the killer, while overall deciding how far to take this game.

I give this book a four bookshelves out of five as of now and it will probably stay that way once I finish! Looking forward to finishing this novel and seeing what else Deering has in store for her readers!

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

Links to get a Copy: 

Amazon 

ChristianBook 

Barnes and Noble  

For His Kingdom, 

Taylor Reid 

Rubies and Gold

It's a great summer to be a kindle owner! Amazon has had a summer blow-out sale which I have taken full advantage of! *wink wink*

I found a fantastic new author who is simply splendid! Her name is Tessa Afshar and her books had me hooked for days! I was blown away by her talent, characters, plot line and also her real life story! Tessa Afshar hit a high note and it was a beautiful symphony to my ears. 

Her first book Harvest of Rubies (Harvest #1) is was currently FREE on Amazon. How can anyone argue with that? FREE MY FELLOW READERS! Who knows for how long? I personally would have paid 9.99 (the typical kindle reader book price) for this book. Afshar is reaching a multitude of people by making this free and for that she is spreading the word and also a insight to the Jewish faith in Greece before the birth of Christ. I admire Afshar for doing that, and I am so grateful to her because as a penny pinching college student a FREE book that is off the chain amazing makes me want to cry tears of joy.

The book surrounds around the prophet Nehemiah's cousin- who can speak numerous languages, keep complex accounts, write on rolls of parchment and tablets of clay and solve great mysteries. There is only one problem: she is a woman.

After experiencing the death of her mother in her early childhood years and her father's emotional distance Sarah has come to two conclusions: that God does not care about her, and that her accomplishments are the measure of her worth - the measure of her self.

In my own life I have battled with the same thought. Believing that what I am able to do physically counts for my being when in truth that is polar opposite to what God has in mind. I like books that have an approachable and relateable topic that the main character goes through. It's really nice to see how authors use this for their character's development throughout the rest of the novel. 

Sarah, becomes a talented scribe and thanks to her connection to her cousin Nehemiah is put at the center of the Persian court. She spends countless hours of her life there, rubbing elbows with royalty, and solving intrigues for the Queen. Sarah gives all of herself to this job and it causes her stress and ailment which I for one can relate too! It almost seems fit (ironically of course) that it isn't failure but success that causes Sarah to lose her only source of external validation.  

The Queen releases Sarah from her job as scribe to her husband's cousin, Darius, as his wife. Through this marriage Sarah begins to learn that she has something of worth to offer beyond her ability with languages and sums and her very being proves to be a blessing to her husband who likes to think the worst of Sarah.


Sarah and Darius' story just beings in Harvest of Rubies ($1.99) and is continued in Harvest of Gold.  
 

This book is on sale for $2.99 on kindle and I seriously suggest you buy this as well when you get the first one for free. Paying under five dollars for two well written books is a great deal if you ask me! 

This book takes off where the first one stopped, Sarah and Darius are working through the marriage they were made to have. Sarah has started to take on the role of being a wife of a Persian aristocrat and by spending more time with her husband she has come to love him. Sarah has wealth, honor, and power, but receiving her husband's love seems unattainable.   

In this sequel, the author gives her readers a glimpse into how Darius became who he is. His mother was an Israelite, and his father sent him away when he was seven for training (as did every Persian father). Darius throughout the book struggles with the idea if Sarah was the right choice, and her involvement with her cousin Nehemiah - who wants to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem - makes it more difficult for Darius. 

The couple are ordered to assist Nehemiah, thus, the journey to the homeland of his mother's people begins. The journey is filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories that the couple need to work together and with God to overcome. The ultimate question is will all that Darius experiences with Sarah and by himself help him see the hand of God at work in his life- and even in his marriage?

Overall, this book was great. Full of heartbreak, healing and eye opening. I'm not entirely sure but I'm betting that Afshar is not through with Sarah and Darius and a few other characters that seem to still have some stories that need to be told.

For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid