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A Love to Behold
A Love to Behold
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Two years after the Civil War, Lydia Albright, 27, is an established teacher in Boston when she senses God’s call to leave the comfort and security of her job and go south. She accepts a position to teach in a school for former slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. A church there that’s affiliated with the American Missionary Association offers support, along with room and board at the parsonage. The Ku Klux men are hell-bent on seeing that the new school fails. Lydia’s life is threatened, and the parsonage, church, and school are vandalized. But they haven’t contended with a strong, determined woman like Lydia before. It also helps that she has a couple potential suitors on her side. A Love to Behold is a tale of people who grow strong in the face of adversity and a church that learns love, compassion, and acceptance, even in the face of just cruelty and hatred.



My Thoughts: This is more than just a charming romance novel. It is the story of a young woman determined to answer God's calling on her life and nothing will stop her from doing so.


This is also a novel teaching us to love one another no matter what our differences may be. This is a story about compassion, determination, acceptance and overcoming affliction hen it is presented to us. It's holding on through the storm.


I really truly enjoyed this novel. The characters were all amazing, both the main and the supporting characters all worked well together. The storyline was fast-paced; there are no slow spots in this book.


This book comes highly recommended.
  
Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018)
Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018)
2018 | Documentary
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Elvis Presley: The Searcher was put together beautifully and was very moving. Hearing Tom Petty's voice narrate a large portion made it all the more special.

If music was a religion Graceland would be its church, Through Elvis' gospel your soul you'd search. To the stars you're gonna reach, When you hear Elvis Presley preach. Like his legs you're gonna be shook, And a back you will be took. I strive to be half the man that was EP, And every single day I just TCB.
  
This won’t be a long review since this is a short book. If you are a pastor or church counselor, this book would be a great addition to your shelves or office. It’s a book that is filled with great information for those seeking help with their mental illnesses. It’s filled with Biblical sections and will help them better understand ways to help. The pages within give you a better understanding of the illnesses and what psych meds are used to help them. 

Since I am not a pastor or a church counselor I can’t give this more than 3.5 stars since I am not into this type of book. However, that said, I am recommending this book to those that are in the clergy of the churches to help with those that come to them. You will gain good Biblical insight, along with good medical insight to help. Hats off to Dr. Emlet on creating an informative book for the churches. 
 
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
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Ben Watt recommended Blond by Frank Ocean in Music (curated)

 
Blond by Frank Ocean
Blond by Frank Ocean
2016 | Alternative, Pop, Soul

"This knocked me sideways when it came out. I just didn't know how he'd done it. I had to go downstairs to the studio with a notebook, shut the door, and take notes, to try to work out what he was doing. What he does with the 808 drum sounds, the autotune, the abrupt echoes and delays, slowed-down guitars, distant pianos, the birdsong…then using bone-dry vocals one minute and church hall reverb the next…it's astonishing. It's also beautiful again, and sad. Beautiful and sad: that's a key theme for me.

"

Source
  
A Study in Scarlet
A Study in Scarlet
Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Billingham | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
The very first Sherlock Holmes novel, it's interesting reading this to see how the character is pretty much already fully formed, and to compare both Holmes and Watson to the various interpretations of each that follows.

This is where Watson first meets Holmes and takes lodgings with him in 221b Baker Street, and where Holmes science of deductive reasoning is first shared with the former following the investigation into a murder in London, that proves to have ties to the Church of the Latter Day Saints ie the Mormons.
  
Abish “Abbie” Taylor has been away from Utah and the quiet Mormon community she grew up in. After the passing of her husband, she has decided to the job of detective and come back home to reconnect with the family and community she left behind.

When the community is shaken by a death with the trademarks of sacred Mormon ritual dating back decades, Abbie is put on the case. She is faced with pressures from her father, the police chief, and others within the Church to keep to case quiet from the media. While trying to uncover the mystery, she also discovers that the power leaders within the Church would rather bury the truth then have it come to light.

Abbie is a strong character that is faced with finding the truth, but at the same time trying not to sacrifice her relationship with her family. She believes in her job and finding justice, but at what costs?
Having grown up in a different faith, I was fascinated by the author’s knowledgeable insight into the Mormon faith and teachings. I did not find the book preachy in any way and appreciated the conflict that she gave to the main character of Abbie.
  
The Expendables (2010)
The Expendables (2010)
2010 | Action, Mystery
7
6.9 (15 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Mumble Mumble Mumbe Part 1
Lets get all of the 80's action stars and throw them into a movie. Will Bruce and Arnold be in it, nope well for only 1min and 30secs. Yes you heard that correctly two of the biggest action stars only get 1min and 30sec screen time cameo with Sly. Making jokes and one-liners. So whats the plot then.

The Plot: A group of mercenaries is double-crossed during a mission and are approached by Church to overthrow the ruthless dictator of a South American country. It isn't long before the men realise things aren't quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of betrayal. Although their mission is compromised and an innocent is in danger, soldier of fortune Barney and his comrades decide to get the job done.

Also the charcter names are really weird but intresting and predictable. Like Lee Christmas, Gunner Jensen, Yin Yang, Hale Caesar, Toll Road, Toll and Mr. Church.

All of 80's stars are here like Dolph Lundren who, ohh the russian guy from rocky 4 and Randy Couture who, oh a retired MMA fighting.

Its a funny, action movie and will have a good time watching.
  
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Clair (5 KP) rated After the Fire in Books

Sep 29, 2017  
After the Fire
After the Fire
Will Hill | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second book based around a cult I've read so far this year. This one tells the story of Moonbeam, a 17 year old girl who lives in the Holy Church of the Lord's Legion. The story starts with the cult falling, people are dying and the Base is on fire. We then join Moon again in a psychiatric hospital where she is being seen by a doctor and we find out what has happened through a series of flashbacks. Events are shocking but it is a real page turner. I guessed the "secret" but it didn't spoil the book at all.
  
Matthew Walters has agreed to take the pulpit of the local church in Lake Eden while Reverend Bob and Claire take their honeymoon. But they've just left town when Hannah finds him shot next to a piece of her Devil's Food Cake. For those who love the characters, they'll find another fun adventure. Those who are frustrated by the love triangle of think the series is too light will find nothing to change their minds here.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-devils-food-cake-murder.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
RO
Riseley: Our Village
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nice local history book produced by residents for the millennium. My Grandma's family are from this village so lots of familiar names. Also a photo and some anecdotes from Grandma (Ida Bates, nee Hancock) were a nice touch from a personal perspective. There's also a photo of my great-great grandfather (although not noted in the text) and of 'Tink' Hancock, who would have been a great-great uncle. The section on the church was written by Phillip Nicholls, who is a cousin on another side of the family! Lots of interest for me here, as you can see.