At Rainy Day Reviews you will find
my personal reviews on books as well as reading challenges, weekly memes I participate in, and all other bookish topics.
Thank you for stopping by my blog:) I hope you enjoyed yourself and hope to see you again:)

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!

This past week I kept it real easy since I am potty training my daughter. I knew it would suck up my daytime reading a lot with keeping a special eye on her. So far so good. Except for the other day when my older sister and I took her to get her Easter pictures done and were gone for five hours doing so; so her potty training was kind of put on pause.

Anyway, this past week I read and review two books. I also had to put The Opposite of Me to the side since two other books came in the mail for review and I only have a few days between the reviews.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Do you find yourself living in memories, imaginations, and fears more than in the current moment? As Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe writes, "My past may discourage me and my future may frighten me, but 'the life I now live' today can be enriching and encouraging because 'Christ lives in me' (Gal. 2:20)."
In Jesus in the Present Tense, Dr. Wiersbe explores the I AM statements of God- from His burning-bush conversation with Moses, to His powerful reassurances to the Israelites to Jesus' startling claims to be the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, and the True Vine.
The better you understand God's I AM statements from both the Old and New Testaments and apply their truths to your life, the more you will abide in Christ and bear fruit for His glory today. Then you will be free to live, serve, and know God more richly in the present tense- which is just where He wants you to be.

I loved this book. I honestly could not put it down. It was so interesting and educational and real. I didn't find it preachy either. I liked that Dr. Wiersbe had scriptures through-out the book to back up he was saying. He shows that just because the Bible is old and just because we aren't in those biblical times anymore, people dealt with most of the same issues we deal with today and how we can use His Word for our everyday life even if we think the Bible is outdated. The chapter I liked the most was chapter eight, " The Way, The Truth and The Life." He gave a full chapter to the I AM statements of Christ. Giving a bunch of scriptures backing them up then explaining the scriptures in such a way making them easy to understand and explain to other people which I found handy. I can't gush enough about this book! I soaked this book up in a couple of nights. I also found that this book would be good for a bible study group. He even has notes at the end of his book for each chapter. I am looking forward to reading more of Dr. Warren's books:) I would totally recommend this book, it wasn't boring in the least.

Presley Thurman, a sassy, thirty-something redhead, lover of shopping and Starbucks had just been fired so she decided to follow her dream. With her feisty nature and a spirit to not "sweat the small stuff," she was ready to tackle any challenge (even if she had no idea how she would pay the bills). However, the new job turned into murder-in her hometown! Presley was excited - she hadn't seen so much buzz since the spring sample sale at Saks.
Presley was able to discover the Senators wife, Helen, had been having an affair...with her best friend's boyfriend! Did Helen kill the Senator? Or was it the Senators love of gambling that got him killed? And what was Cooper's secret tie to the mob boss Garrison Palozzo? But could she find the killer and write her story while resisting the good looks and charm of old flame Cooper.
Presley was betting her favorite pair of Manolo's she will find the killer...but will time run out?

* * *

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I'm not usually a fan of books with romance being a main key in the storyline. Yet I fully enjoyed this read. I loved the mystery and shoes;) And even though I had a hunch what may take place or not take place, I had to keep reading to find out for sure. Laina really does have a gift for writing this style of book.

I enjoyed the main character, Presley. She is independent and goes after what she wants. She deals with what I think all women who get to a certain age that are single deal with. And that is that their mother won't stop trying to connect them to men they think are right for them because they want to see their daughter(s) happy and they want grand-kids. Heck, I know some mothers who ask if the man is single (and after getting a yes) shove him at their daughters lol.

I loved how real and well developed the characters were. I could see myself at the cafe with Presley having a large black coffee with cream and two sugars talking about all the men in the town or sitting at her and her best friend growing up Katy's table at La Casa sipping on a margarita looking at the all the men and getting filled in on all the gossip while wishing I had half of Presley's wardrobe or Katy's figure lol! I could get along with Presley and a few of her friends but Presley's ex Brian seemed a bit immature and desperate; especially after they had gone out for coffee. They hadn't seen each other in a few years and he got upset and left her stranded at the coffee shop because she wasn't for getting back together. I also think that it was a hidden blessing that Presley got the online magazine job that sent her back to her hometown for a few days because Presley did a lot of growing up and finding out who she was and growing more confident in herself and in her own skin and not just portraying it on the outside or convincing herself that she was happy.

You gotta read this book. Bottom line. Laina has a great writing style and seems to have a knack for making her characters real and imaginative. I would recommend this book and I can't wait for her next book! I have added Laina as a 'fav author'. This was a fun read with twists and turns and I couldn't wait for her next book:) I like this Presley Thurman;)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions...• What are you currently reading?• What did you recently finish reading?• What do you think you'll read next?

I am currently reading:

Stilettos & Scoundrels by Laina Turner-Molaski and The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

I am reading Stilettos & Scoundrels for review/blog tour:) Review will be up later tonight. Though I haven't read much of The Opposite of Me in the past few days as I have been busy finishing up reading and writing my review. I also have been reading Jesus in the Present Tense (Victory in Jesus) by Warren W Wiersbe for review (up later tonight:)

I recently finished reading a few books by Kerry Cohen-Hoffmann:The Good GirlIt's Not You, It's MeEasyAlso,A Conversation with God by Alton Gansky

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!﻿﻿

I have two teasers this week starting with the book I am continuing to read this week:
"Glad you still find this so amusing, Dad" Presley said, rolling her eyes.
"What can I say? It's what I live for," he joked back. "It wouldn't seem the same if you two didn't bicker all the time."
Page 37-38
Stilettos & Scoundrels by Laina Turner-Molaski

"He's probably got a chippie on the side," one of them hissed as they shot him dirty looks. All in all, a bit lacking in the ambience department.
Page 27 from The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

Monday, April 11, 2011

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! Along with this weekly meme I strongly encourage you to visit as many other participants as possible:)

Well my reading plan hasn't changed too much....

This past week I have been reading:The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

Stilettos & Scoundrels by Laina Turner-Molaski (for review/blog tour- at the end of this week!)

I hope to finish these in the next couple days then get started on following:Testimony by Anita Shreve

Thursday, April 7, 2011

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! :D

After reading Possession by Rene Gutteridge I went to see is she had any other books out. I had a dork moment and instead of typing her name I typed Snitch. That, to my surprise had a few responses that I have added to my tbr not only because of what the book is about but because (yes I am a book cover snob!) either I liked the cover and/or it intrigued me. One made me raise an eyebrow and I am willing to bet you can figure which had this affect on me. So my first few friday finds are by different authors same title:

A book by Desi Arnaz looks interesting to me because he called it A Book. And I haven't read any of his work yet but I like the movies I have seen him in so far so I want to check that one out as well.

I recently finished reading:Easy by Kerry Cohen HoffmannWIt's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen HoffmannThe Good Girl by Kerry Cohen HoffmannA Conversation with God by Alon GanskyChasing Zebras by Barbara Barnett What I plan to read next: The Wiersbe Bible Study SeriesI also have a few books from the library that need to be read but I'm not sure which I should add to my 'next to be read' and what should wait. We shall see...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:

"Are you trying to tell me that if I am not nice to you, you are going to fire me?"

"I'm not doing anything. This is your choice." David sat back in his chair looking smug, as if he really thought sh would change her mind.

Hon Hoh, a teacher of the Revelation, takes readers on a riveting journey

Do each of us play a role in the kingdom of God? Can the choices we make affect God’s timing of future events? Hon Hoh examines these questions while taking his readers on a riveting adventure in The Trigger: A Novel on the Revelation. Through twists and turns, readers will be led on a powerful journey.

The Trigger follows three individuals (a pastor, a spy, and a missionary) from three continents (the United States, China, and Australia) who find their lives merged in a single divine purpose: to win the last unreached people group on earth and usher in the Second Coming of Christ. They must succeed in order to release the trigger for the return of the Lamb as declared in Matthew 24:14.

In their way stands a legion of demonic principalities intent on destroying the plan. Against the backdrop of unprecedented persecution and the onslaught of cataclysmic events, they must remain steadfast in order to carry out the priority revealed to them by God. It is evident that no believer will escape the greatest tribulation in human history and that only the matchless return of the King can deliver mankind from evil’s reign.

The climactic battle between Good and Evil unfolds as Lucifer executes his definitive act of defiance: the global genocide of all Christians. With the sound of the trumpets reverberating throughout the heavens, the events that have been set in motion must now complete their course. Eternity and the fate of the earth are at stake, and there is no plan B.

Far more than just another End-Times novel and theologically distinct from the Left Behind series, Hoh will alter the way you see the world and prepare you for the future. This novel is based closely on Hoh’s theology expressed in his book Risen Lamb, Empowered Saints: The Book of Revelation Made Easy.Although the events described are entirely fictional, they are but one of many plausible scenarios in which the end could occur. Though these depictions may not arise for more than another hundred years, it is conceivable that they could begin to unfold within the next decade—or less.

Hoh has written a thought-provoking and exciting novel that looks at the events leading up to the Second Coming and challenges us all to follow the plans that Christ has for our lives.

Monday, April 4, 2011

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme.

I feel very good about myself this week with bookish things. Because Hubby and I moved a few weeks ago I have been busy with unpacking, putting away, organizing, getting new things for our place plus keeping up with life. That said, this past week I posted two reviews:

Imagine that it is just you and God…Have you ever looked into the night sky and asked, "Why?" It's not unusual to ask questions. But it's rare to find reliable answers since so many of our questions involve difficult issues or mysteries too great for our comprehension. But there is One who knows. A Conversation with God was created because life is challenging and your heart longs to understand. In this book you will find fifty-five of life's greatest questions and the answers you've been seeking about the past, the present, and the future.

This book wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. It was better. I couldn't read it fast enough. I loved how the author really made you feel like you reading one of those Q and A's you read about authors, celebrities and such. It didn't feel preachy either and I liked that. It makes it easier for me to recommend this book to people who aren't sure about God and His hand in the why, where, how and why, etc. It was a fun, delightful, educational and informative read that was a complete page turner. I read it in a couple of nights while lying in bed. The first night I got into bed around midnight, picked it up to look it over and get a feel of the book. The next thing I know it's two thirty in the morning and I am about halfway through the book. I loved how the author wrote it in a conversation style. I loved the questions he brought up. Like, are we really living in the end time? If you love us, why do we suffer? There are so many religions, an each says it's the only one that has things right. Is there just one way to heaven, or do they all work? There are so many other questions with answers from the Bible with scripture(s) where to find the answer(s).

Bottom line, it's a reference book in conversation style. And I loved it. I highly recommend this read to everyone. This is a good resource to use for kids askingtough questions, Bible study groups or for your own study, debates, etc. I lent it to my older nephew who has questions and he told me just last night that so far it is being a big help and that he likes that it isn't preachy and tell you where to find it in the Bible.

Medical students are taught that when they hear hoof beats, they should think horses, not zebras, but Dr. House's unique talent of diagnosing unusual illnesses has made House, M.D. one of the most popular and fascinating series on television. Inside this book, Barbara Barnett, widely considered a leading House expert, takes fan deep into the heart of the show's central character and his world, examining the way the medical Sherlock Holmes colleagues and patients reflect him and each other; how the music, settings, and even the humor enhances our understanding of the series' narrative; what the show says about modern medicine, ethics, and religion; and much more.

When I first saw the opportunity to read and review this book, I was excited. I haven't ever really seen the show. But I know people who like the show and follow it. So I figured reading this book was a way for me to see what everyone is talking about. To get the inside look on the show and characters. To see what all the fuss is about.

I have learned that finding the person to play the main character (Dr. House) wasn't easy because he isn't the pretty guy type (but not ugly either). House' character has horrible bedside manners, he rude, a pill popper and is a cripple that walks with a cane.

I also learned that he seems to have a niche for solving medical cases at the last moment. He doesn't go for simple. He digs beneath the surface. And he usually gets little faith from his colleagues/friends for his ways of doing things and his ideas of what is wrong with a patient and how to fix them. But he is usually right.

I had so much fun reading this book. I also think I am going to start watching the program and be able to talk with family and friends about the show. Especially my father; he thinks that House is the biggest jerk but is absolutely addicted to the show. He is now reading Chasing Zebra's.

I like the cover of this book. I think it is very fitting. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone; in particular to people who like the show or House himself of course.

I received my copy for review from Pump Up Your Book

Thank you Dorothy for letting me be part of this blog tour! I loved the book!