The Fourth Fisherman by Joe Kissack

I recently finished a book called: The Fourth Fisherman: How Three Mexican Fishermen Who Came Back from the Dead Changed My Life and Saved My Marriage by Joe Kissack.  The book tells the story of five Mexican fisherman who are lost at sea for almost a year.   The book concurrently tells the story of Joe, the author, and his struggle with substance abuse, fame, and fortune.  The author attempts to tie in the fisherman, his mental illness, his marriage, and his career into one book.

Before I delve into my critique of the book, I’d like to point out that the author is very sincere in his writing.  He truly believes that God told him to tell the story of these fishermen and I don’t want to diminish that belief.  I will say, though, that this book was very hard to read because it jumped all over the place.  It took me much too long to see how the two stories intertwined.  The story line switched from telling the story of a Hollywood guy back to telling the story of poor fishermen without any connection.  Without giving too much of the plot away, the ending was not satisfying at all.  None of the goals were accomplished and I finished the book feeling worried about the author’s financial future.  The best part of the book was reading about how the fisherman survived and about their faith in God.  The quality of the writing was not the best, either.  I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn’t.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Your Heart’s Desire by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Your Heart’s Desire by Sheri Rose Shepherd is like a breath of fresh air for married couples who need a bit of inspiration and motivation in their marriage relationship. Each chapter has a theme and contains real life stories, scripture, and encouragement for married couples. Sheri shares struggles about her own marriage and her childhood growing up in a split family.

I am often weary of reading self-help books, but I wasn’t disappointed by Your Heart’s Desire. Sheri is honest, and doesn’t fluff up the realities of marriage or make the reader feel like her marriage is terrible in comparison. In some Christian circles, discussing the ugly parts of marriage and the hurtful things spouses can do to each other every day is not readily discussed. This can leave some young unmarried Christians thinking that Christian marriage is pretty easy compared to dating. I learned quite quickly in my own marriage just how difficult the joining of two individuals can be. While reading this book, it was almost like sitting down and chatting with a wiser, more experienced married Christian woman.

This book would be great to go through at a woman’s Bible study and would be a great bridal shower/pre-marriage book as well. I wish I would have read it before I got married. If you need a boost in your marriage or just some spiritual food for thought, I think you’ll enjoy Your Heart’s Desire.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Your Heart’s Desire from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Traveler’s Rest by Ann Tacklock

Traveler’s Rest by Ann Tacklock tells the story of Jane Murrow, a young teacher who is engaged to Seth Ballantine, her childhood love.  One day she is getting engaged and planning a wedding and the next, she realizes that her fiancé has suffered a severe injury at the hands of an enemy sniper while fighting in Iraq with his national guard unit.  After six months, Seth returns to the United States to recover in a VA hospital.  In the only communication Jane has had with Seth during those six months, Seth told Jane not to come see him and that he is no longer interested in marrying her.  When Jane visits Seth, he is depressed and hurtful and even asks Jane to help him commit suicide.  Jane must decide whether to stand by her man and love him no matter what, or heed Seth’s advice and move on with her life.

Why I Chose This Book:

I chose this book because I am a military spouse and was interested in reading an author’s portrayal of the reintegration process.  I wanted to see how the author would handle touchy military spouse problems and ethical issues.

My Thoughts:

 I truly enjoyed this book and read it cover-to-cover in one sitting.  The author did an excellent job of conveying the thoughts and emotions of Jane, a fiancé whose world turns upside down as a result of her fiancé’s debilitating injuries.  The author also showed the tension between Jane and her future in-laws as both try to do what is best for Seth.  There are no clear cut answers for the dilemmas presented in Traveler’s Rest and the whole time I read it, I wondered which direction Jane would choose.  The plot moved along quickly but not so quickly that I didn’t get a glimpse into the inner-most thoughts of the characters.

The author did a good job of dealing with disability, including people’s perceptions of those with disabilities, without being overly preachy or obnoxious.  The Southern setting made me wish I was reading it on a white porch swing while sipping sweet tea.  Travelers Rest is a sweet, yet meaningful summer read.

The numbers:

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Character development: 4
  • Writing Quality: 4
  • Plot: 4
  • Fluidity: 4
  • Originality: 4
  • Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts are my own.

You can purchase Traveler’s rest on Amazon:

{Kindle Edition} {Paperback}

From the Library of C.S. Lewis edited by James Bell and Anthony Dawson

From the Library of C.S. Lewis: Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey by James Bell and Anthony Dawson is a compilation of literary excerpts that influenced C.S. Lewis.  Bell and Dawson are C.S. Lewis experts who painstakingly chose over 200 excerpts based on Lewis’s personal library, annotations, and references from his writings.

 Why I Chose This Book:

I chose this book because I am a C.S. Lewis fan and am fascinated by him as a leader in Christian thought and as an author of fiction.  I always wonder what literary influences drive great authors.

My Thoughts:

This book isn’t a quick read but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth reading.  You will finish this book feeling intellectually challenged and even more curious about the mind of C.S. Lewis.  The selections are seamlessly organized into categories that make sense as a reader, to include Fantasy and The Life and Sacrifice of Christ.  The different historical contexts and writing styles of the authors make this a fascinating read that holds the reader’s attention.

Because of the breadth and depth of the authors and excerpts who are included, this anthology would benefit students of Christian thought even without the unifying fact that all of these authors influenced Lewis. I will be keeping this novel on my shelf for many years and anticipate reading it more than once.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts are my own.

The Lifeguard by James Patterson {Giveaway}

To celebrate summertime reading, I’m giving away a hard copy of Lifeguard by James Patterson.  This is an older book but it’s a decent summer read.

Here is a description of the book:

The danger isn’t in the water.

Working as a lifeguard at a Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets a woman he is wild about, the woman of his dreams. It feels perfect in every way – except that she is used to caviar and Manolo Blahniks, and he is used to burgers and flip-flops. She is a guest at the luxurious hotel – he lives above a garage.

So when Ned’s cousin offers to cut him in on a rich deal he’s been commissioned to execute, Ned can’t turn him down. The plan is simple, just a fast break-and-enter. The risk is high, and the reward is even greater–$5 million. But on the night of the heist, something goes devastatingly wrong. Who will save the lifeguard?

Ned walks away from his job, his town, and the woman he’s fallen in love with. Runs away, actually, knowing that only velocity and secrecy can save his life. But who is pursuing him? The FBI? Whoever sabotaged the heist? Or is it all somehow tied into his new love – and his oldest enemies?

Ways to Enter:

1.  Like Two Beard Books on Facebook.

2.  Follow Two Beard Books on Twitter (@TwoBeardBooks)

3.  Share this giveaway on Facebook.

4.  Share this giveaway on Twitter.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Good luck!

The giveaway will run until July 1st.  I’ll announce the winner on this blog and email the winner.  He/she will have 24 hours to respond.  U.S. mailing addresses and APO/IPO only.

******UPDATE: The giveaway is over and the winner is Sandra***** Thanks for entering!

Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster

Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster tells the story of Grace, a  young London woman who moves to North Yorkshire with her husband and newborn after her husband  inherits a Yorkshire cottage from his grandparents.   A week after the family arrives in Yorkshire, Grace’s husband Adam vanishes without a trace.  The only clue in his disappearance is a baby carriage, left at Grace’s front door and carrying her infant.

 Why I Chose This Book:

The cover intrigued me.  A cold, winter night and a lonely baby carriage?  I had to find out what this story was about.  Also, I love suspense novels with gothic overtones that are set in remote, cold locations.

My Thoughts:

This is the best modern fiction novel that I’ve read in a long time.  Sara Foster, a first time novelist delivers an intriguing, smooth, and mysterious novel full of quirky villagers and Northern Yorkshire traditions.  The plot is refreshingly simple.  A young mom moves back into a remote cottage after her husband disappears to pack up and sell the family cottage.  Only a handful of characters enter the plot, but they are lively and complex.

The storyline is sweet but not overly sentimental and the author doesn’t pull any gimmicks to push the mystery along.  The author portrays Sara’s relationship with her sister and struggle to function and grieve her husband’s sudden disappearance vibrantly.  The end of the novel was perfectly sincere and had me tearing up and wishing that the book wasn’t over.

I rarely give a book a five, but this novel certainly deserved it.  If you’re looking for a mysterious and touching novel that you’ll move through quickly, try Beneath the Shadows.

The Numbers:

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Character development: 5
  • Writing Quality: 4
  • Plot: 5
  • Fluidity: 5
  • Originality: 5
  • Genre: Contemporary Gothic Fiction

You can purchase the paperback copy of this book here and the Kindle version here.

I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

Tidewater Inn (The Hope Beach Series) by Colleen Coble tells the story of Libby, a struggling historical building restorer who watches the kindaping of her business partner and friend Nicole on a Hope Island Beach from a video cam.  Libby rushes to Hope Island to attempt to find Nicole and while there, discovers that her ties to the island run deep.

Why I Chose This Book:

I am a sucker for plots set among the sea and that involve the military as I am a military spouse myself.  I am also a sucker for small town histories.  When I read that this novel takes place on an island and involved a small sea town and a coastie, I had to read it.

My Thoughts:

The plot of this novel moves along wonderfully quick and the characters are well developed.  The main character, Libby, seems like she could be a real friend that you have known for a while.  I appreciated that the author depicted the main male character as a good man because he is loving, respectful, and sacrificial but at the same time, a strong, likable character.  The mystery was good, even though the author gives the reader a few clues right off the bat, I ended the book feeling somewhat surprised and relieved.  I look forward to reading about what happens to the characters in the next book of the series.

Some of the language used to describe the character’s love life seemed outdated and out-of-place.  The main characters are in their thirties, yet one character refers to wanting to “neck” with the other in a movie theater.  I found this reference outdated and just a little bit strange since this isn’t a romance novel.  The author also repeatedly used the same exclamatory phrases, like “lit up” or something to that effect, but put them in multiple people’s mouths.  These are small issues, but they distracted me from the flow of the book.  The romance between the two main characters would have been fine without the forced and outdated language.

The Numbers:

  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Character development: 4
  • Writing Quality: 3
  • Plot: 4
  • Fluidity: 3
  • Originality: 3
  • Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

You can purchase the paperback copy of this book here and the Kindle version here.

I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.