by admin | Jul 8, 2015 | Books, Nonfiction, Photography
MY REVIEW:
John Shaw’s Guide to Digital Nature Photography is a handbook that could be beneficial to both inexperienced and experienced photographers. It is jam-packed with information that begins with suggestions about which equipment to purchase and concludes with a chapter on photo editing.
Each chapter is illustrated with gorgeous photos taken by the author that highlight whatever aspect of photography is being discussed. There is too much information in this book to read once and find yourself ready to take prize-winning photos. This is a manual that can be referred to again and again, not only for tips but for another look at those fantastic photos.
I feel that I learned a good bit during my initial scan through its pages and will be checking in again for answers to specific questions as I practice my photography skills.
This book was provided for review by Blogging for Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Photography legend John Shaw returns with his much-anticipated guide to digital nature photography, complete with more than 250 extraordinarily beautiful photographs.
For over four decades, John Shaw’s authentic voice and trusted advice has helped photographers achieve impressive shots in the great outdoors. In his first-ever book on digital photography, Shaw provides in-depth advice on everything from equipment and lenses to thorough coverage of digital topics including how to use the histogram. In addition, he offers inspirational and frank insight that goes far beyond the nuts and bolts of photography, explaining that successful photos come from having a vision, practicing, and then acquiring the equipment needed to accomplish the intention. Easily digestible and useful for every type of photographer, and complete with more than 250 jaw-dropping images, John Shaw’s Guide to Digital Nature Photography is the one book you’ll need to beautifully capture the world around you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOHN SHAW is the author of many enduring bestsellers, including seven previous books on nature photography. His work is frequently featured in National Geographic, Nature’s Best, National Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, Natural History, Sierra, and Audubon magazines, as well as in calendars, books, and advertisements. He has photographed on every continent, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and leads sold-out workshops around the globe. Visit him at johnshawphoto.com.
by admin | Jul 7, 2015 | Books, Historical, Miracles
MY REVIEW:
When I agreed to review “The Pilgrim” I was actually unaware of its subject. My past experience with Davis Bunn’s novels is that I can expect them to hold my interest and to be very well researched. I have read so many of them that I do not hesitate when a new one is released. I grew up in a small, southern, rural community where almost everyone went to a Protestant church – usually Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian so I had very little knowledge of the Catholic faith. I went into this book with absolutely no clue about Empress Helena and very limited memory about her son Constantine, but I am so thankful I had the opportunity to get to know her through its pages.
What a lady! I can only wish that my faith and determination to live it could be even a fraction of the amount of faith Helena possessed. Her pilgrimage to Jerusalem and her firm belief in the vision she received from God were inspirational. Her strength and love motivated an ever-growing group of pilgrims whose faith grew as a result. I couldn’t help but think how different our world today might be if Christians worked together in the same way and were an example to those who were yet to believe.
“The Pilgrim” is a story for everyone. It may be the story of a Catholic saint but her trust in the Lord to take care of her as she followed the path as He directed is an example to all those who claim to follow Christ.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from
Franciscan Media in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Travel with Empress Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine the Great, on a perilous journey through ancient Judea to Jerusalem.
Abandoned by her husband, in danger because of her faith, but with an implacable will to do what God calls her to, Helena meets those who would help and harm her along the way. Miracles seem to follow this humble but determined woman as she wins many over to the faith, and changes lives forever—including her own. This unforgettable story is a vivid portrait of one of Christian history’s most important women.
Free sample of The Pilgrim by Davis Bunn
ISBN-10: 1632530341
ISBN-13: 978-1632530349
Hardcover and Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Franciscan Media
Publication Date: July 17, 2015
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies.
His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction and his 2014 induction into the Christy Hall of Fame.
Davis divides his time between Florida and England, where he serves as Writer In Residence at Regent’s Park College at The University of Oxford. Visit Davis at http://www.davisbunn.com.
Q&A With Davis Bunn, author of The Pilgrim
Q: There are many legends about Constantine and his mother, Helena. How did you decide which legend to incorporate into the story?
Davis Bunn: The period when Constantine became the first Christian emperor is one about which so much has been written, and yet so little detail is known. No one knows for certain where his mother, Helena – the main character in The Pilgrim – was born. There are three main legends, and I used the one that has the greatest sense of historical resonance, that she was British, and her father ruled one of the provinces taken over by the Romans. Her husband was a general who met Helena in the local market and fell in love at first sight.
Q: What is the appeal of writing about a historical figure? What was one special challenge you faced in doing so?
First and foremost, Helena is a saint in the eyes of the Catholic church. Her son, Emperor Constantine, was the first Roman leader to convert to Christianity. His death marked the moment when Christians were freed from persecution. Constantine was led to faith by his mother. The Pilgrim is her story.
While I am a fervent evangelical Protestant, my wife is Catholic. My mother is a Catholic convert. As is my sister, who has raised her two daughters as Catholic. So part of what I wanted to do here was to grow closer to the heritage that these dear people treasure. Their faith has had such an impact on my own life. It was important that I use this story and this opportunity to create something that would honor their perspective on faith. I also wanted to share with readers the enormous life lessons we can learn from the lives of the saints.
So many, many different issues came up as a result of this quest. It proved to be a beautiful and intense growing experience. Although this book is not particularly long, the actual writing took as long as some of my much bigger books. Part of this was honing the story so their faith, and their history, was honored, but done from a foundation that reflected my own personal walk in faith.
My hope, my fervent prayer, is that the story will resonate with readers from both faith communities.
Q: The end of The Pilgrim leaves the reader wanting more. Will you revisit this story down the road?
I am working on a second book, The Fragment, which is scheduled for publication in the spring of 2016. The Fragment carries some of the concepts from The Pilgrim into the early twentieth century, when the U.S. came to possess a reliquary with a supposed component of Jesus’s cross. It ends in a vignette that happens today, when a couple travels to Rome.
Q: How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: http://www.davisbunn.com/
Subscribe to Davis’s e-newsletter: Send a blank email to davisbunn@aweber.com
Receive Davis’s latest blog posts via your feed reader: http://feeds.feedburner.com/DavisBunn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davisbunnauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/davisbunn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/davisbunn
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/davisbunn/
by admin | Jul 7, 2015 | Books, Giveaways, Historical, Regency, Romance, Shakers, Speculative, Supernatural
MY REVIEW:
Ann Gabhart takes her readers back for another visit to Harmony Hill where they are treated to an intimate glimpse of life in the Shaker village. The peace-loving residents of Harmony Hill are hard-working folks and many go about their business in a loving manner. Others enjoy forcing their strict rules on new residents with a controlling hand. Still others hide secrets that threaten those who discover them.
I enjoyed Carlyn and Luke’s story even though it was sometimes filled with difficulties and seeming roadblocks. The author painted a portrait of the Shakers in a matter-of-fact way that allows readers to make up their own minds about their unorthodox practices. I came away from the story with the realization that many residents of Harmony Hill were possibly there for similar reasons as Carlyn – they had nowhere else to go but did not necessarily buy into the odd theology. Others may have been deceived but were not actually bad people.
I always find historical fiction of interest and usually learn from it. I liked how well Gabhart seems to have researched her subject matter. I also thought she told Carlyn’s story well with plenty of insight into her thoughts plus enough action, suspense, and romance to hold my attention.
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She longs for peace–for her land and her heart–but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?
Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.
The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?
Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart invites fans back to Harmony Hill for a story laced with intrigue, romance, and heart.
Read an excerpt from THE INNOCENT.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Jul 6, 2015 | Books, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Drawing Fire” is a high octane suspense that hits the ground running and keeps up a frantic pace throughout most of the book. Skillful plot twists and multiple surprises kept me in the dark but eager to learn more. Although the finale wrapped up most of the loose threads, it was bittersweet because I had reached the end.
Strong characters included “hot shot” PI Luke Murphy who was at first a thorn in detective Abby Hart’s side. Although Abby resented what she considered Luke’s interference in her case, she soon learned that they both had similar interests in solving it. As can be expected, the relationship between Abby and Luke develops into more than a working one.
I always enjoy a good romantic suspense and Janice Cantore is one of the best when it comes to writing one that will keep my interest. I suspect her law enforcement experience gives her that extra edge of authenticity. As long as she will keep these novels coming, I will read them!
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
One case from her past defines homicide detective Abby Hart.
With a possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California, Abby’s best lead is Luke Murphy, an irritating private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she’s anxious to talk to him about a cold case that’s personal to her—one Luke is interested in as well.
As she learns more about the restaurant fire that took her parents’ lives years ago, Abby discovers why Luke is so invested in finding the ones responsible. The more they uncover, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?
Read an excerpt from Drawing Fire.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. She has penned six novels, the Pacific Coast Justice series, Visible Threat, and Critical Pursuit. Drawing Fire is the first book in the Cold Case Justice series.
Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted–and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at 
