Review: Breakthrough The Miraculous True Story of a Mother's Faith and Her Child's Resurrection by Joyce Smith With Ginger Kolbaba

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Summary

The impossible true story about the powerful impact of prayer that inspired the major motion picture starring Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Dennis Haysbert, and Josh Lucas.

Through the years and the struggles, when life seemed more about hurt and loss than hope and mercy, God was positioning the Smiths for something extraordinary–the death and resurrection of their son.

When Joyce Smith’s fourteen-year-old son John fell through an icy Missouri lake one winter morning, she and her family had seemingly lost everything. At the hospital, John lay lifeless for more than sixty minutes. But Joyce was not ready to give up on her son. She mustered all her faith and strength into one force and cried out to God in a loud voice to save him.

Miraculously, her son’s heart immediately started beating again.

In the coming days, John would defy every expert, every case history, and every scientific prediction. Sixteen days after falling through the ice and being clinically dead for an hour, he walked out of the hospital under his own power, completely healed.

Breakthrough is about a profound truth: prayer really does work. God uses it to remind us that He is always with us, and when we combine it with unshakable faith, nothing is impossible.

Previously published as The Impossible.

Review

Let me begin by saying that this book is definitely a testament to one’s faith. I’m going to preface this by saying this book is definitely faith based and this family's journey is one that was truly inspiring. For those of you who may not be spiritual, the miracle that happened for this family is one that would I feel inspire the strongest nonbeliever. I just want to throw that out there for those where a strong faith is not a part of your life.

I haven't seen the movie yet but after reading the book, I'm curious to see how they capture their story on screen. The emotional impact from experiencing this unfold from their perspective really pulls at you. It’s like you’re right there with them experiencing every moment of angst, tears, happiness and everything else wrapped up into one. Considering the climate today, it was really inspiring reading this miracle happen and seeing not only the power of prayer from their community but this family’s endless foundation of faith to keep fighting even when there seemed to be no hope. This was such a testament to the strength of this mom's faith and the love of her child to never give up hope remaining patient and optimistic through their struggle. It was a really nice read and I hope you consider it to check out.

Review: I Hate You More by Alexandra Moody

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I Hate You More was a enemies to loves YA perfectly mixed with fake dating. It was all around good time.

I Hate You More centers on Chase and Ally. After overhearing a conversation involving Chase when she was 14, Ally vowed to hate Chase for the rest of her days. Chase later followed that sentiment. Unfortunately for both of them, they become roommate their senior year when Chase's parents move out of town. In a desperate attempt to save her sanity, Ally hatches a plan to kick Chase out. Convince him to date her.

One of the unique and exciting things about this book was that the fake dating aspect was done to make anyone jealous. It was done as an attempt to make her father angry so that Chase can get out of her home. It was an interesting spin and I enjoyed it.

Especially, since the notion that her father would not allow her to date was believable and not overly extreme. He wanted her to focus on her senior years, which was understandable. And although it was not entirely fair to them, I enjoyed that her twin brother had the same rules as her. There were no special privileges for him. No dating for her. No dating for him.

One suprising reoccurring theme in this book was that teenagers are cruel. I must admit when we are first introduced to Chase, he wasn't depicted in the best light. He acts in such a cruel manner, and if I had been un fourteen year old Ally's place, I would have been upset with what he said too. But nevertheless, he has a nice redemption. Unfortunately, other characters in the book do far worse things to Ally. The poor girl had a rough journey in the book.

Final Analysis

I Hate You More is a fresh take on an old trope that doesn't disappoint.

Review: Another by Fiona Cole

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Another is a story of two almost strangers who share an evening together and months later find out that they are going to be parents.

I struggled with Another. It was tough to finish and at times hard to remember plot points or supporting character names.

I felt like I was missing a few aspects of the story. For example, Carina and Ian's first meeting. We'll shown a brief flashback of what happened and told multiple times of what happened but I would have preferred to have actually witnessed that event. I think it would have provided a much needed character introduction and story set up.

Characters

Carina and Ian were okay characters. I felt fairly indifferent about them individually and them as a couple. I found myself waiting and hoping for a moment that would make me love them but it never came.

Yes, they worked well together raising a child. However, I didn't necessarily feel the spark between them. Out of all the people in the world, why shall these two characters end up together? Their attractiveness to each other isn't enough.

There was one character aspect that came extremely left field. A supporting character had a fairly tragic past, and when it was introduced to the story it completely took me out it. It didn't belong in the world in which the author had created.

What happened was not something light, and that event was used as a way to break the leads up for a few chapters. I think it was a poorly executed plot device especially when it was such a heavy subject and didn't come up again.

Final Analysis

Another is an almost too slow of a book with an uninteresting romance.

Review: Master Lists for Writers by Bryn Donovan

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Since I was in middle school, I always had this idea that I was going to finish a book. Unfortunately, for me it isn’t as easy as I hope. Writing is hard. And I’m always on the lookout for a book that will help me with the writing process.

Master Lists for Writers is that truly a master list of whatever you need in the writing process. If I’m being honest, I spend more time searching for resources than I actually do writing. This book has almost everything you need. There are list about how to describe facial expressions. List about 100 potentially interesting settings for a scenes. There is a section on names from Viking-era Scandinavia. It’s a very broad and useful book. This is most have book for any writer. Especially those who are beginners.

This isn’t not a book that you read once and you’re done with it. You’re able to continue to read this book for everything work that you may be working on. There truly isn’t a limit.

One of my favorite things about this book is that at the end there is a section called “10 Reasons Why You Should Write that Story.” It’s motivational. And in times, when a writer is finally down or unmotivated, I think it’s pretty cool that they can turn to those couple of pages and get the motivation they need.

Final Analysis

Master Lists for Writers is a resourceful book, which I will continue to read.

Review: Pretty Reckless (All Saints High, #1) by L.J. Shen

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Pretty Reckless is an enemies to lovers book centered on Penn and Daria. When they were younger, the two had met and since then revenge is something that has not left their mind. After tragedy strikes, Penn is forced to move in with Daria and her family. Having him across the hall, is not what Daria had in mind when thinking about her senior year.

The enemies to lover trope is one of my favorite. Especially when the rich and poor dynamic is also woven in. There is just so much potential in storytelling and also so much to explore and develop amongst those characters. Also, the banter. Due to my fondness of Pretty Reckless I went in with high expectations. Unfortunately, I was left upset and disappointed.

The biggest issue that I had with Pretty Reckless is that all of the characters were unlikable. Every single one of them. Mistakes were definitely made by these characters. And I understand that people make mistakes. But the issue is that some of these characters repeatedly made the same mistake over and over. Especially, Daria. Daria’s actions set off a chain reaction. And unfortunately, she does not learn from her first mistake. Towards, the end of the book she does the same thing again. And this time to her own mother. There is never a full consequence for her actions. Instead, everyone seemingly forgives her and she becomes the victim. Someone else is made the villain, even though Daria is the one who ruined their hopes and dreams.

Another example of poor character choices can be found in the high school principal. He was a disgusting man. And I was immediately shocked when he’s “story arch” per say was introduced in the book. I was unaware prior to reading, but LJ. Shen had written a book about Daria’s parents meet cute prior to this one. So I wonder if she was attempting to show contrast between their meet cute and the whole principal ordeal. Nevertheless, it was an abused of power.

Final Analysis

Pretty Reckless is a book that is dragged down by its overdramatic angst and extremely unlikable characters.

Review: State of Lies by Siri Mitchell

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Summary:

The secrets of those closest to us can be the most dangerous of all.

Months after her husband, Sean, is killed by a hit-and-run driver, physicist Georgie Brennan discovers he lied to her about where he had been going that day. A cryptic notebook, a missing computer, and strange noises under her house soon have her questioning everything she thought she knew.

With her job hanging by a thread, her son struggling to cope with his father’s death, and her four-star general father up for confirmation as the next Secretary of Defense, Georgie quickly finds herself tangled in a political intrigue that has no clear agenda and dozens of likely villains. Only one thing is clear: someone wants her dead too.

The more she digs for the truth, the fewer people she can trust.

Not her friends.

Not her parents.

Maybe not even herself.

Review:

This was an unexpected surprise. It was really fun because I used to live in the area that the story took place so I could really put myself right in the action. It was nice to see a suspense/thriller that captured all the intensity and intrigue without all the violence and gore that tag along in similar plots. The plot was a page turner that had elements of politics which is always interesting. There was such a pull to the novel that you didn’t want to let go. There are twists and turns and surprises that unravel that make the story a must read. Despite this being categorized as Christian suspense, I believe this can be read by all who love suspense and thrillers, especially those who want a great suspense without all the cringe moments. Well written, interesting characters within a page turning plot, I’d recommend checking this one out.