Fire & Smoke, by Chris Lilly

"Fire & Smoke", by Chris Lilly, is a wonderful reference for the person who loves to Barbeque, Grill or Smoke all kinds of food in the out of doors.  Lilly, the well known award winning BBQ competitions, has taken the time to prepare this wonderful reference guide to the various cookers.  

  "Fire & Smoke", starts off with a numbr of difference cookers which are out there.  Chris Lilly explains each of he selected types giving concise information and positive and negative points for each item.  He will also explain his take on the different Grills, Smokers and BBQ's so you may be informed and to expectations and limitations of each.  

  What I really liked about this book, is that I found that different cooking methods required different approaches or cookers.  I found this reference extremely beneficial.  The rest of the book is filled with great recipes, from Cocktails to Sauces and Rubs.  I look to cook outdoors and will certainly be trying all the recipes contained in this book.  

  I'd like to thank Clarkson Potter Publishers and Blogging for Books for the oportunity to read and review this selection.  I'd also like to thank Chris Lilly, for his efforts and contributions. 

  I received this book for free from Blogging Fo Books for this review.

"Brothers Forever", by Tom Manion

"Brothers Forever", by Tom Manion, and coauthor Tom Sileo, is a wonderful tribute to both Travis Manion and Brendan Looney.  These two young men died three years apart, Travis in Iraq, and Brendan in Afganistan, while fighting terrorism and to give the countries a sense of freedom so enjoyed and at times taken for granted here in the United States.  

  This true story starts when Travis and Brendan meet and find that they are to be roommates at the United States Naval Academy.  As this epic story unfolds and continues a bond is secured between Travis and Brendan which can never be broken.  Much like most military personnel of today and in the past, combat will bring a bond between soldiers and sailors which the general public will never quite understand.  Tom Manion and Tom Sileo have taken the lives of both Travis and Brendan and put it into words in a story form so as to in some way bring out that bond to anyone and everyone who picks up this book.  

  Travis upon graduation from the Naval Academy becomes an Officer in the United States Marines who serves several tours of duty in Iraq.  Brendan upon graduation from the Naval Academy becomes and Officer in the United States Navy, and eventually becomes a Navy Seal.  Again Brendan serves in Iraq and then a couple of tours in Afghanistan. 

  Follow this story to the end and the reader will come away with a sense of sorrow and pride as well. 

  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Tom Manion and Tom Sileo for their diligence and time to consolidate and write this gripping story of two young men whose determination and dedication to duty is told.  My continued thanks go out to Travis's and Brendan's family, for sharing a part of their lives with the public.  This is a must read, and I imagine it will make the Best Seller list in the very near future.  

Heaven & Hell, Are They Real?, by Christopher D. Hudson

 Have you ever really considered whether Heaven and Hell are Real?  I suspect that even the most religous has at some time asked themselves that question.  Much is written about Heaven, but when it comes to Hell, you don't always find and te pertinent information you may be looking for.  "Heaven & Hell, Are They Real?, by Christopher D. Hudson is just the book you may be looking for, to answer some pressing questions.  

  As for this reader, I found myself completely immersed in this book.  Scripture after Scripture was presented to give me a better insight into the question whether Heaven and Hell really exist.  I always believed that both Heaven and Hell existed, but after reading this selection, I am even more assured of their existence, and I for one have chosen Heaven over Hell.  

  This book is broken down into two parts.  The first part deals with the questions and Scriptures that bring Heaven into focus.  The second part obviously deals with the question of Hell.  Again, Scripture is utilized to inform and may I say educate the reader.  

  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Thomas Nelson/BookLook for the privilege of reading and reviewing this selection.  It I'd also like to thank Christopher D. Hudson, for compiling such an informative book.  It is one book I will certainly read again, and should be in everyones library. 

"Fortress of the Mist" by Sigmund Brouwer

This is book 2 of Sigmund Brouwer's "Merlin's Immortals' series. Magnus is a kingdom under attack by the Druids and defended by men like Thomas. The problem is that the Druids don't want Thomas to live. They want to annihilate all opposition in order to have complete control over the kingdom and carry out their own plans. There are so many times when Thomas feels alone. There are also many times when he doesn't want to involve anyone else because it is simply too dangerous. To complicate things, two women seem to be vying for Thomas' attention - Katherine and Isabelle. But, are they who they seem to be? Will anyone stand with Thomas to save Magnus, or will the kingdom fall to the evil forces of the Druids?

This is an interesting book but I wish I had read the first book, "The Orphan King" first because it would probably have made more sense from the beginning. The author writes a good story and I enjoyed the journey of the characters. I recommend this book, and the series, to those of you who enjoy Young Adult Fantasy. I received my free review copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. 

1861 The Civil War Awakening, by Adam Goodheart

"1861 The Civil War Awakening", by Adam Goodheart, is one of the best fact based pieces of literature I have read concerning the American Civil War.  Right after you open this book you are captured and thrown into the time before the war's beginning, with factual information from a variety of different points, or if you wish, sides.  

  As the reader will find,Goodheart has a wonderful way of weaving a story so as too keep the reader wondering or evern finding surprises about the time just prior to the war and it's beginning.  "1861 The Ciil War Awakening will provide its reader with all kinds of facts and information not found in many other places.  

  Adam Goodheart has certainly done his research and studying when he collected and organized this book.  I would highly recommend this book for the history buff, and anyother including a student to become well rounded in the true information of the American Civil War.  

  The characters depicted in this book come to life as you read.  Bravo to Adam Goodheart for such a wonderful read.

The Safe Lands Outcasts, by Jill Williamson

“The Safe Lands Outcasts”, by Jill Williamson is the second in her series.  Unfortunately, I found it to be slow and hard to read.  It may have been that this story is geared to Teens and young adults, but I have read and reviewed other such types of books and stories in the past.

  I found the story hard to follow as it appeared to jump around.  May be if I had read the first in the series I would have a better review. 

The story starts off with Mason, trying to find a way to free his village from a prisoner like condition, as well as finding a cure for some disease.  There appears to be two factions of what I would call rebel forces, and I could not follow with group was which, therefore I was now able to decide with group was in the right. 

I’m sure that Jill Williamson is a wonderful writer and I wish her the best.  I’d like to take this time to thank both BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to both read and review this story. 

Dateline Jerusalem, by Chris Mitchell

  Dateline Jerusalem, by Chris Mitchell, is a telling story of the battles and turmoil of the Middle East.  As I started reading this selection, I found myself relating back to the news stories we’ve seen on the evening news and the special reports as thing flare up.  What I didn’t realize at the time, is that I was reading a first hand account by a person, (Chris Mitchell), as seen through his eyes and lived through him as well.

As a news reporter for CBN News stationed in the Middle East, Chris Mitchell has first-hand knowledge of the struggles those countries encounter. In the book, Dateline Jerusalem, Mitchell absolutely   recounts his experiences as a reporter during war and peace throughout the area and applies the events taking place to prophecy within the Bible.

Written in a chronologically, Mitchell takes readers through various events of the last three years. In vivid detail, he describes what daily life is like in a war zone. In one instance, he is hunkered down below the windows of his hotel room avoiding gunfire and stray bombs.

Mitchell defines the Arab Spring and addresses it’s importance to future events. He discusses the growing world belief that Israel does not have a right to exist. He explains the Muslim Brotherhood, and the growing influence of Islam throughout the United States and around the world.

Finally, Mitchell brings together current news events and Bible prophecy and explains how all these events culminate in one city: Jerusalem.

As a reader, I have some knowledge of what the Bible says, regarding the area and Jerusalem,  however, I am not  well-studied. Mitchell was able to write this book in such a way that the average person is completely able to understand and relate to what he describes. With just general knowledge of current events, I was able to connect the dots Mitchell drew in detail throughout this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is concerned with events taking place in the Middle East, as I believe everyone should be, and how they relate to the book of Revelation in the Bible.

I would consider Dateline Jerusalem a must read.  I liked to take this opportunity to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing/Booksneeze for the change to read and review this book.  It is well worth the time and it may actually bring more attention to what is happening around us.  Also, Chris Mitchell has a wonderful way of placing the facts in story form to keep the reader interested and glued to the pages.