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MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Dare to Begin Again: Let God Write Your Best Future in Books
Mar 5, 2019
We all have struggles and challenges in life. Whether they are of our own making or not, things don’t always work out. Sometimes, we just give up on our dreams and goals. But it doesn’t have to be that way! God is a God of new beginnings, and throughout the entire Bible, we read about people who were stuck, disappointed, and faced impossible situations—people God freed. Rosalinda Torres Rivera challenges us to Dare to Begin Again. Using stories from her own life, other people, and biblical times, Rosalinda offers inspirational, down-to-earth advice on beginning again. Each chapter tackles a different issue where you may be “stuck”—such as an inability to forgive, trust, or hope—and examples of people who overcame similar challenges. Practical tasks at the end of each chapter walk you through a DARE challenge (Decide, Allow, Rise, Enjoy) to help you move closer to a fresh start. Rosalinda is the daughter of Victor Torres, an ex-gang member from Brooklyn, New York, and his wife, Carmen, founders of the New Life For Youth ministry. She has seen more than twenty thousand people get out of tough situations and turn their lives around. “They’re people whose tales of transformation prove God is still at work,” she says. “He’s written and re-written their life’s chapters—and He’s willing to do the same for you.” It takes a commitment, but with the help of God, inspiring, true stories, and practical applications, you can Dare to Begin Again.
My Thoughts: Everyone struggles with life. It doesn't matter if you're coming out of addiction, a bad marriage, or just coping with change. Maybe you are having difficulty making a dream come alive; stuck in a rut. This book is full of encouragement! The author Rosalinda Torres Rivera, takes a real-life example and then examines a similar situation through the Bible, on topics such as hope, forgiveness, sacrifice to name a few. The reader learns to let go and to rely on God to help them through the struggle.
Such a well written and useful book, that I think every reader could use at some point in their lives or know someone who does.
My Thoughts: Everyone struggles with life. It doesn't matter if you're coming out of addiction, a bad marriage, or just coping with change. Maybe you are having difficulty making a dream come alive; stuck in a rut. This book is full of encouragement! The author Rosalinda Torres Rivera, takes a real-life example and then examines a similar situation through the Bible, on topics such as hope, forgiveness, sacrifice to name a few. The reader learns to let go and to rely on God to help them through the struggle.
Such a well written and useful book, that I think every reader could use at some point in their lives or know someone who does.
Kirsty (2 KP) rated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) in Movies
May 18, 2019
Surprising good
Honestly I put of watching this and only chose to watch it because it appeared on a streaming service and I wanted to put something on in the background. It was honestly really good and my initial option was wrong. One of the reasons I was putting of watching is because its jumaji and how dare they try to make another jumaji film. If that is one of your reasons the put that reason aside and give it a watch. You won't be disappointed
Peter Sarsgaard recommended Wendy and Lucy (2008) in Movies (curated)
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog in Books
Mar 3, 2018
Sweet and Heartwarming
This book is never going to win any literary prizes. However if you'e after a heartwarming laugh out loud tale, then this is definitely the book to come to. John Grogan does well to get you engaged in not only the life of his dog Marley, but also of himself and the rest of his family. Which is good, as a tale solely about canine capers might soon lose it's appeal. Through John's depiction of Marley you can't help but find him and his exploits adorable, albeit saying a silent prayer that you don't own a dog like him.
For animal lovers alike this is a great read. For dog lovers and owners, this is a must read as I'm sure everyone can identify with some of these canine behaviours. My parents have a silly Dalmatian, but even she isn't a patch on Marley and it's so good to read a book that makes you giggle at all the doggy traits you recognise. I dare you not to have shed a tear by the end either.
For animal lovers alike this is a great read. For dog lovers and owners, this is a must read as I'm sure everyone can identify with some of these canine behaviours. My parents have a silly Dalmatian, but even she isn't a patch on Marley and it's so good to read a book that makes you giggle at all the doggy traits you recognise. I dare you not to have shed a tear by the end either.
Callie makes her living investigating non-profits for a living. Her latest case is supposed to just be a quick in and out before she gets a week's vacation until she finds the man she is giving the check to dead. Her boss asks her to investigate, and Callie finds herself in danger. The writing is a bit weak, but the plot more than makes up for it. I dare you to put it down anywhere in the last 100 pages.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-penny-for-your-thoughts-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-penny-for-your-thoughts-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Billy Gibbons recommended Zeta Reticuli Blues by Lecherous Gaze in Music (curated)
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Shawshank Redemption (1994) in Movies
Jan 10, 2018
EPIC
One of the best movies ever made. The story of an honest banker who finds out his wife is cheating on him and is accused of her and her lovers murder is sent to Shawshank prison for two consecutive life terms. He is put through all the horrible things we hear about in prision. However he befriends an inmate who has been there for a long time who controls the smuggling of hard to get stuff in. Morgan freeman and Tim Robbins give Epic award winning performances in this suspenseful, dramatic movie that never has a dull moment in it. I dare you to try and watch it and take a bathroom break cause you just can't
Charlotte (184 KP) rated Dare (Pixieland Diaries #3) in Books
Aug 6, 2021
A daring third installment!
I'll be honest, I've not read the first two books.....I know I've missed a treat having read Dare. It's a nice easy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden.
It's well written fun with twists and surprises. Although short you still get to know the characters and form your own relationships with them. I love the optimism and closeness of Calla and Dare, the way they think along similar lines and have a bit of a mischievous streak. It was fun seeing each of them grow and discover things about themselves.
They definitely fit well together.
There are characters that I don't like, with good reason, and ones that I just generally don't care for.
Christina Bauer never disappoints with her writing but always amazes me with her imagination.
@Merissa
I'll be honest, I've not read the first two books.....I know I've missed a treat having read Dare. It's a nice easy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden.
It's well written fun with twists and surprises. Although short you still get to know the characters and form your own relationships with them. I love the optimism and closeness of Calla and Dare, the way they think along similar lines and have a bit of a mischievous streak. It was fun seeing each of them grow and discover things about themselves.
They definitely fit well together.
There are characters that I don't like, with good reason, and ones that I just generally don't care for.
Christina Bauer never disappoints with her writing but always amazes me with her imagination.
@Merissa
Merissa (11704 KP) rated Touched by Death in Books
Oct 2, 2017
Touched by Death by T.L. Martin
Touched by Death is a simply amazing book that you have to read. There you go, review finished. I've said all that needs to be said. What? You want more details? *sigh* okay, here we go:
The story starts with Lou leaving all she knows behind - her home, her ex-boyfriend, everything. Why? Her grams has just died and she feels lost. She doesn't know what to do, so makes a decision to head to a place from her grams past where she may find a future. However a storm has a different idea, and Lou ends up going over a bridge into a lake. She doesn't die, is saved, but strange things begin to happen from that moment on.
And that is as much of the story as I am prepared to give away. You have the synopsis already anyway. What I can tell you is that Lou's 'journey' (and yes, I'm loathe to use that word) is astounding. The things she learns, the dreams she has, her general attitude, it all sticks with you. You are drawn into Lou's world, hoping against hope that she will get her HEA. The description of the broken heart about did me in, and that's the truth. Read it, find the quote, and tell me that you disagree. I dare you! I double dog-dare you!
It all ties in so perfectly, I can't honestly think of any way in which this story could be improved. The brothers, grams, Lou, Mr Blackwood, it's all here - and it's brilliant. There were no errors of any description, editing or grammatical, that disrupted my reading flow. However, in the case of being 100% accurate, I couldn't honestly say I would have noticed even if there were any. I was so completely engrossed in the story. Absolutely magnificent. Fantastic job by the author. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The story starts with Lou leaving all she knows behind - her home, her ex-boyfriend, everything. Why? Her grams has just died and she feels lost. She doesn't know what to do, so makes a decision to head to a place from her grams past where she may find a future. However a storm has a different idea, and Lou ends up going over a bridge into a lake. She doesn't die, is saved, but strange things begin to happen from that moment on.
And that is as much of the story as I am prepared to give away. You have the synopsis already anyway. What I can tell you is that Lou's 'journey' (and yes, I'm loathe to use that word) is astounding. The things she learns, the dreams she has, her general attitude, it all sticks with you. You are drawn into Lou's world, hoping against hope that she will get her HEA. The description of the broken heart about did me in, and that's the truth. Read it, find the quote, and tell me that you disagree. I dare you! I double dog-dare you!
It all ties in so perfectly, I can't honestly think of any way in which this story could be improved. The brothers, grams, Lou, Mr Blackwood, it's all here - and it's brilliant. There were no errors of any description, editing or grammatical, that disrupted my reading flow. However, in the case of being 100% accurate, I couldn't honestly say I would have noticed even if there were any. I was so completely engrossed in the story. Absolutely magnificent. Fantastic job by the author. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11704 KP) rated Touched by Death in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Touched by Death is a simply amazing book that you have to read. There you go, review finished. I've said all that needs to be said. What? You want more details? *sigh* okay, here we go:
The story starts with Lou leaving all she knows behind - her home, her ex-boyfriend, everything. Why? Her grams has just died and she feels lost. She doesn't know what to do, so makes a decision to head to a place from her grams past where she may find a future. However a storm has a different idea, and Lou ends up going over a bridge into a lake. She doesn't die, is saved, but strange things begin to happen from that moment on.
And that is as much of the story as I am prepared to give away. You have the synopsis already anyway. What I can tell you is that Lou's 'journey' (and yes, I'm loathe to use that word) is astounding. The things she learns, the dreams she has, her general attitude, it all sticks with you. You are drawn into Lou's world, hoping against hope that she will get her HEA. The description of the broken heart about did me in, and that's the truth. Read it, find the quote, and tell me that you disagree. I dare you! I double dog-dare you!
It all ties in so perfectly, I can't honestly think of any way in which this story could be improved. The brothers, grams, Lou, Mr Blackwood, it's all here - and it's brilliant. There were no errors of any description, editing or grammatical, that disrupted my reading flow. However, in the case of being 100% accurate, I couldn't honestly say I would have noticed even if there were any. I was so completely engrossed in the story. Absolutely magnificent. Fantastic job by the author. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The story starts with Lou leaving all she knows behind - her home, her ex-boyfriend, everything. Why? Her grams has just died and she feels lost. She doesn't know what to do, so makes a decision to head to a place from her grams past where she may find a future. However a storm has a different idea, and Lou ends up going over a bridge into a lake. She doesn't die, is saved, but strange things begin to happen from that moment on.
And that is as much of the story as I am prepared to give away. You have the synopsis already anyway. What I can tell you is that Lou's 'journey' (and yes, I'm loathe to use that word) is astounding. The things she learns, the dreams she has, her general attitude, it all sticks with you. You are drawn into Lou's world, hoping against hope that she will get her HEA. The description of the broken heart about did me in, and that's the truth. Read it, find the quote, and tell me that you disagree. I dare you! I double dog-dare you!
It all ties in so perfectly, I can't honestly think of any way in which this story could be improved. The brothers, grams, Lou, Mr Blackwood, it's all here - and it's brilliant. There were no errors of any description, editing or grammatical, that disrupted my reading flow. However, in the case of being 100% accurate, I couldn't honestly say I would have noticed even if there were any. I was so completely engrossed in the story. Absolutely magnificent. Fantastic job by the author. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!