The Band That Played On ~ Book Review

I received "The Band That Played On", by Steve Turner, for free from BookSneeze.com in return for my honest review of the material. If you are interested in receiving materials in exchange for honest reviews, please check out BookSneeze.com. 

This is not your typical book about the Titanic.  In fact it is about the 8 band members that were assigned to the Titanic on it's maiden voyage.  There isn't much known about these men but author, Steve Turner, researched their lives before they ever went aboard.  Not only did he research these 8 men but he gave us the history of the company that hired them as well.  It's an amazing book and I would recommend this book to history buffs and non-history buffs as it is very well written.

I found a video on Amazon.com that I've linked to here.  That and with the product description below you'll understand how amazing this book is.  I really can't wait to read more of his books in the future.

Product Description

When Titanic collided with an iceberg at 23:40 on April 14^th, the eight members of the band had already retired for the evening. Still, they put on overcoats and mufflers came out to play in the lounge. When most of the First Class passengers had taken to their lifeboats, the musicians simply moved to the deck and continued to play, calming the passengers as the ship sank. One second class passenger said: "Many brave things were done that night, but none were more brave than those done by men playing minute after minute as the ship settled quietly lower and lower in the sea. The music they played served alike as their own immortal requiem and their right to be recalled on the scrolls of undying fame." Survivors' accounts differ about whether their final tune was "L'Automme" or "Nearer My God To Thee." What has never been disputed is the courage of these musicians who deliberately sacrificed the possibility of escape in order to produce a mood of tranquillity at a time of extreme anxiety. But who were they? What journeys brought them to this deck on this icy ocean? Had any of them previously displayed signs of great courage? Who did they leave behind? Historian and biographer Steve Turner delves into the lives of these brave men, revealing eight unique portraits of bravery.

Dragons of the Valley ~ Book Review

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Water Brook through there Blogging for Books program.  I have finished reading "Dragons of the Valley" by Donita K. Paul and I would have to say that it was enjoyable! I hadn’t read the first book in the series so I was worried I wouldn’t know what was going on, but Donita K. Paul does a fantastic job of getting the story going with no knowledge from the prior book. I also loved the fact that there is an appendix in the back of the book that helps with the terms of some of the words used in this sci-fi world.  VERY HELPFUL!  Dragons of the Valley was exciting from start to finish. And now I really want to read the first book as well as the next book in the series!  I also enjoy the fact that this book is a Christian Fantasy Fiction.  I love the fact that Paul didn't shy away from writing this story with the purpose of revealing God to her readers. This is book 2 in a new series and it follows book one titled "The Vanishing Sculptor". Which is now a book that I'm going to have to read before going on to the next one.  This is a book however that you can read without reading the first one. I would definitely recommend this book for those that are pre-teen and older especially if you love sci-fi books!

Product Description

War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril… can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion? 

About the Author

Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and author of numerous novellas, short stories, and nine novels, including the best-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles. The winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she spends time mentoring and encouraging writers.

A Book You MUST Read in 2011 ~ Blind Hope

My Review:

Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher is one of the more touching and inspirational true stories that I have read in a very long time!  I can't begin to stress to you that this is a book you have to read.  You don't even have to be a dog lover to appreciate this story of faith. Because this story is more about faith than it is about the actual physical rescue of her dog, Mia.  It is about a rescue both in the physical nature and more importantly the spiritual nature.  It is a touching true story of an abused dog that was rescued and transformed a woman's life.  Mia, the dog, made her new owner, Laurie, realized how much their relationship was like her relationship with God and how it is growing and changing every day.  I can't seem to explain it much better than the author's themselves in the video below.  The only thing that could make this book better is a Study Guide for use in small groups.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

An unwanted dog. An emotional rescue.
Two lives forever changed.
Laurie's dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—the ranch of rescued dreams—where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her.

An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced from her ailing, yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog—and her own heart—Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all.

As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn’t see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God’s grace even for imperfect and selfish people—and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known.

"Love is a bridge that stands firm through difficulties and connects one heart directly to another, not because of how it looks, but because of what it is."    --Kim Meeder, Blind Hope





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

My Review??? Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: A Novella

From the backcover:

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

My Review:

I honestly don't know which way to go with my review for Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: A Novella
by Donita K Paul.  This is a book that I had a hard time putting down and read it in record time.  But I find myself wondering if there shouldn't be more to the story.  This book has a Fantasy/Christian theme which is very hard to do.  The characters were great to get to know and were really starting to develop but I was let down at the end of the book.  Don't get me wrong...I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to others...but for me personally I wish the story had gone further.  I felt as though there were some loose ends that needed to be wrapped up in several of the story lines.  And I honestly feel as though this story would have been better if it had been either all fantasy or all Christian.

Download Chapter 1

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