The Crossing by Serita Jakes

This was an interesting story about the effects of PTSD and what could potentially happen if you don't deal with it. When a group of high school students were on their way home from a football game, a masked gunman entered the bus and shot 3 people killing one of the teachers on board. The murder was never solved and when the case is re-opened 10 years later, it causes emotions to roll. The only part that seemed unbelievable to me was the fact that the high-profile preachers daughter would not have received counseling after such a traumatic experience. This story was well done and is a real eye-opener to the effects of traumatic experiences when they are not dealt with.

I received this book for free from blogging for books in exchange for my review.

Ascent From Darkness

I will admit I was not sure I wanted to read this book. I don't like to read about evil spirits and demonic forces but the fact that it was a true story of one man's life made me want to continue on. I am so glad I read this book. It was very well done. Michael tells his story in a way that you get the severity of what was going on in his life without getting the gory details. He makes it clear the depth of his devotion to Satan and the battle that raged within him. I'm amazed at how his "mission" was to go to churches and Bible studies and disrupt them with difficult questions and basically just try to lead everyone astray. Another great reason why we need to be on guard spiritually at all times. I was thanking God by the end that this man has been freed from the bondage of Satan and that he now is a follower of Christ. The appendix also sheds some great light on the story of Michael from the perspective of those around him. I love how God is using him and his testimony mightily today! I find his passion inspiring and the fact that he can't not share the love of God with everyone he meets an encouragement and challenge to the rest of us.
I received this book free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my review.

The Scroll

The Scroll is a futuristic prophecy type novel that takes place in Israel. 3 distinguished archaeologists are brought on a secret assignment. As the novel unravels, the archaeologists realize the assignment is much more than meets the eye. I enjoyed the book and found it interesting to go through the details of a archaeology dig sight. I also enjoyed the end times Israel angle. I thought it kind of ended abruptly and quite frankly towards the end I thought it was going to be a series but they did wrap it up in the end. It was a good read.

I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my review.

radical together by David Platt

I just finished reading Radical Together and I think it was a fantastic little book. It was straight forward and to the point. I will say that I haven't read Radical yet but I will after reading this one. The concepts are difficult to read about yet the truth that rings through is undeniable. I think every follower of Christ needs to be wrestling with the types of questions Mr. Platt puts before us in this book. I like that he did a follow up to the original that has numerous examples of people who have decided to do something "radical" and the change its made in their lives and community. I am challenged by this book and that seems to be the point. 
I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my review.

A Sound Among the Trees

I will admit I was confused when I first started reading it because I didn't read the back and I was assuming it took place during the civil war. As I began, I was thinking this certainly doesn't sound like a wedding during that time frame. Then I looked at the back cover. That made things make much more sense! I enjoyed the character development of this book and was certainly intrigued but I was confused with the whole ghost thing. I get it in concept but I was really glad it was all explained in the end or else I would not have come to the correct conclusion. I enjoyed the story of Susannah and loved the history of the house. I thought this was well worth the read. I appreciated the discussion questions at the end as that helped me understand the feeling behind the book.
I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my review.

River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren

I've read a few of Lisa Bergren's books before and absolutely loved them so when I found this series I was looking forward to getting started. This book series is fantastic. I was thoroughly caught up in the lives of Gabi and her sister, Lia. They find a time portal that transfer's them back into Medieval Italy and they are immediately immersed in action. I enjoyed reading about how a modern day teenager would have to figure out life without modern ammenities. This series has everything in it including battles, castles, love and time travel.

In Waterfall the adventure begins. Gabi and Lia find themselves in Medieval Italy and are separated from the beginning. Gabi is found by Marcello, the handsome knight. His family takes her in and assists her in finding her sister.
Cascade begins with the girls back in modern day Italy but they convince their mom to travel through the portal as well. The adventures continue as more battles ensue between rival castles in Italy.
Torrent is the final book where the battle rages on and they have to deal with the possibility of the bubonic plague coming.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who wants to read a book you don't want to put down!

Inside Threat

This is the final book of the Riley Covington thrillers. Riley is a former special ops turned pro football star but when the woman he loves is taken hostage by a terrorist group he forces his way back to his special ops friends where he comes up with a plan to get her out. I have read the first novel in this series "Monday Night Jihad" so I had some background on how these novels began. I haven't read the second or third so I have missed some of the thrills and the growth of Riley and Khadi's relationship but you get the gist of it throughout the book. I enjoyed the suspense in the book but I have to say it irritates me when it takes half the book to set up what you know from the back cover description is going to happen. Aside from that, i thought it was well written and keeps you engaged for the duration of the book. I would start with book one so you can enjoy the whole series.
I received this book free from Tyndale in exchange for my review.