Noble - DVD Review

Sometimes we simply need to step back from our own personal lives to gain a deeper perspective into what one life can do to make a difference. So many people won't try because they feel their own efforts are simply not enough. Then there comes a person who proves that statement wrong, that one person can make a difference if they are only willing to try. Christina Noble is one such person.

In the DVD, NOBLE, based on the true life events of Christina Noble, an Irish woman with a heart like no other, she struggles to find a way to make a difference in the lives of the orphans living in the streets of Vietnam, which she feels God has led her to for some reason. Growing up on the streets herself when her mother dies and leaves her behind in the care of her drunken father and brothers and sisters, the courts intervene and place them in foster care. Christina is separated from those she loves and winds up living in a convent home when child labor is utilized to help meet the needs of the church and community. But Christina has been blessed with a voice she emulates from her idol Doris Day but which others use for their own profit and gain.

She flees from the nuns and lives on the streets making her way any way possible until she finds herself a victim of a brutal assault which leaves her forever changed. As she talks with God during her life, she has a vision of going to Vietnam to make a difference, she just never imagined she would flee the slums of Ireland to battle the government of Vietnam to save the children that no one wants.

I received NOBLE by Word Films compliments of Edify Media and Word Films for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this DVD in exchange for my honest personal opinion. While this based on the life of Christina Noble it isn't a documentary but the story of one woman's courage to make a difference that is conveyed in such broad terms by the end of the movie. NOBLE is the winner of six U.S. Film Festival Awards and stars Deidre O'Kane (Moone Bay, Paths to Freedom), Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey), Sarah Greene (The Guard, The Cripple of Inishmaan), and Liam Cunningham (Clash of the Titans). Well worth 5 out of 5 stars! Based on the content on subject matter this is not suitable for young children and teens and viewer discretion is advised.

For more information about NOBLE, Word Films or where to pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

NOBLE by Word Films

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest projects.

To purchase a copy of NOBLE from Amazon, please click here. 

Playing the Part

"She was not searching for a knight in shining armor, she was searching for a partner, someone she could share her experiences with - not someone who'd want to take over her life and make everything easy for her. Miss Lucetta Plum was certainly not a lady who would enjoy easy, at least not all of the time. She was too complicated, too accomplished, and too intelligent to live a life of mundane pleasantness. She was also a lady who deserved an equal partner, not a gentlemen who wanted to set her up on a shelf, away from the messiness of living, something he'd been determined to do." (pg 146-147).

Lucetta Plum has been known for playing all the right parts in life and for her male admirers, they have become enamored with the roles she plays until they spend some time and truly getting to know her. This is precisely why she has hired Mr. Skukman as her body guard, to keep away anyone who has any ideas of becoming married to Miss Plum. When her step father Nigel shows up hoping his latest sob story might provoke some sympathy on her end to sign over the deed to the property where her mother and Nigel currently live, she is about to disappoint him once again. Knowing his chronic addictions for cards and drink, she has turned the deed over to someone for safe keeping instead. Much to her horror, she learns that Nigel has agreed to turn Miss Plum over to Silas Ruff instead as he has become a vigilant stalker of her recent fame as an actress.

For Lucetta, the situation has turned dire as she knows Silas will stop at nothing to reclaim what he believes is rightly his, even if that means it is Lucetta, herself. So she flees to the safety of Ravenwood, a place own by Abigail Hart's grandson Bram Haverstein. Abigail has been kind enough to allow Lucetta to stay with her but realizes the situation she is in by staying with her. Most men can follow the trail to where Lucetta currently lives and it will be no time before Silas Ruff does the same. So they set up a serious of decoy's to lead Silas on the wrong trail having quite a few well known men in her life, dress up like her to lead him on a wild goose chase. She just doesn't expect to wind up running for her life from a series of unfortunate events at Ravenwood, under the watchful or not so watchful eye of Bram Haverstein. Rumors of the estate being haunted abound and soon Lucetta will have her own run in with something that goes walking in the night.

I received Playing the Part by Jen Turano compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and personal review. This is such a great novel from the perspective of looking for something with a flair for humor amid a bit of mystery and of course romance in the end. I was laughing at some of the downright funny things that Miss Plum was able to pull off using her reputable acting talents and poor Mr. Haverstein who is in love with Miss Plum and even more so when he get to know the real her behind all the parts she plays. This one is a hands down 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and now I can't wait to go back and discover the previous novels of Jen's involving her best friends who we meet up with in this one. This is the 3rd novel in the Class of Their Own Series!!!

For more information about Playing the Part, Jen Turano or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Playing the Part by Jen Turano

You can find Jen Turano on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Playing the Part, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page. 

The President

" It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christian; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason people's of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." - Patrick Henry

In light of the upcoming presidential election, perhaps it was simply a coincidence but I would call it a divine appointment, that I reviewed The President by Parker Hudson. It is pretty much what you would think it might be about, William Harrison is the President of the United States who has vowed to work to get his election policies passed during his time in office, but without the support of Congress, the Senate or the House of Representatives, he might have to resort to some underhanded tactics. He often wondered if our original first Presidents dealt with much of the same issues and how they handled it. Perhaps that is why he found himself reading about what our nations leaders like George Washington, Woodrow Wilson and Abraham Lincoln had to do what faced with insurmountable odds in office.

It doesn't help that members of his family, like his younger sister Mary and now his wife Carrie have all found God and have made Him a part of their lives. The one thing he can't dispute is how changed they are, how much more at peace they seem and even radiate a happiness he can no longer find. But William believes he doesn't need God to help him deal with all the recent changes in policies in his term in office. From dealing with homosexuals in the military, to federally funded healthcare which includes late term abortions, the morning after pill and even a points system to determine who gets certain surgeries and who doesn't. He even has to deal with the implications of watching them happen to specific members of his own family while denying that God might have it right.

Upon further research on his own, William soon learns just how much of our own American history has been changed and altered so much it no longer reflects what it was intended to do, much like the separation of church and state which the media and the government have stripped the intent to water down its initial meaning to remove all traces of God from the lives of the people in the United States, from prayer in school to the removal of the Ten Commandments. Imagine what might happen if the President of the United States suddenly decided to run this nation by the terms set forth by God? What might that look like and how might it impact the different levels of government? What if a terrorist group suddenly gained possession of a nuclear warhead and threatened to detonate it someplace in the United States without any warning if their demands were not met? This is the very premise behind The President by Parker Hudson and it will be a book that will forever change the way you look at this nation and at the office of the President.

I received The President by Parker Hudson compliments of the author himself even though this book was previously published under Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. This is such a great novel I can't begin to explain why everyone in the United States should read it despite your religious beliefs. This is eye opening because if we don't change the direction we are headed, we might very well find ourselves in the same situations presented in this novel. I especially love all the quotes from our founding fathers and others about how God was initially the author of the way our government should be ran and how far we have fall in just a few generations. Makes you wonder even today how George Washington or even Abraham Lincoln were to view what is happening in America today and  how they might go about fixing things. One thing for sure, government is not the answer, it is the problem with what is wrong in this country today and the willingness of its people to sit back and let the government implement more laws and policies to dictate that life for us. For me, one of the best novels I have read to date and well worth every single 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for a review of this novel and the opinions contained here are my own personal and honest evaluation of the novel.

For more information about The President, Parker Hudson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The President by Parker Hudson 

You can find Parker Hudson on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

Love At First Note

They always say that opposites attract, but when a classic violist is coupled with a love interest who is a famous pianist who blends contemporary mash ups together, can they find a way to make beautiful music together?

Jenny Proctor takes her readers for a romantic journey into the hearts of two very different music lovers, Emma Hill who has been playing the violin since she was able to properly hold it and Elliot Hart, a rising star famous for his recent wins on Talent Hunt and viral sensation on YouTube for his amazing ability to play the piano in a unique way that draws audiences to him like a moth to a flame. Not only that he isn't too bad to look at either. But Emma firmly believes she must remain committed to her violin if she has any hope in making it her future and that is why she has sworn off of love and any remote resemblance of it in her life. It doesn't help when her roommate, Lilly tries all she can to convince Emma to at least be friendly to their new neighbor who happens to live right next door in their duplex. They are literally separated only by a wall and that doesn't keep their music from being heard in their respective homes.

Jenny commit social suicide the first time she meets Elliot and becomes more than tongue tied. In fact, everything she thinks of saying, manages to find their way out of her mouth and she confesses she loves him during their first conversation. Oh how can she manage to fix this and remain unseen whenever he is around? Is it possible that God has another plan in mind for this two music lovers?

I received Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor compliments of Covenant Communications for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions contained here are my own honest and personal evaluations of the novel. This is a cute and quirky romance that people will adore because as we all know, love isn't something people fall into comfortably, it takes work and often times we are our worst enemy in getting in the way. You will love the chemistry that develops between the two and even their music dueling between their homes becomes something you will absolutely love. This one rates a 4 out of 5 in my opinion and will be a hit for classic music lovers as well as fans of contemporary romance!

For more information about Love at First Note, Jenny Proctor or where you can pick up a copy of this novel, please click on the links below:

Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor

You can find Jenny Proctor on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Love at First Note, please visit Covenant Communication's website or visit any of these reviewers listed below:

*March 14th:
http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://emileeschristmasjoy.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*March 15th:  http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/

*March 16th:
http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

*March 17th:
http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*March 18th:
 http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://thethingsilovemost.com/

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Bride of A Distant Isle

Since Downton Abbey, I've grown to truly appreciate traditional regency genre's and one of the very best authors I have found is Sandra Byrd. I've read quite a few of her novels and the attention to detail is what really makes me feel like I'm part of the novel not simply reading it. I can't imagine how difficult life was in England in the mid to late 1800's and when the parents died leaving behind no male heir, the fortune went the way to the next male descendant in the family, be it cousins or even more removed than that. Daughters were left with nothing, and that is why many families chose to find suitable matches for the women in the family before anything happened to the father.

In Bride of A Distant Isle, Miss Annabel Ashton has found herself in such a precarious situation. Her mother died while being committed to an insane asylum and since she was born without a father being married to her mother, the family estate of Highcliffe Hall falls under the hands of her cousin Edward. Annabel's mother wasn't married, was committed an insane, so all the property that would have been hers has been handed over to the next male heir in line. Since Annabel was too young when her parents died, she is left destitute and the only thing Edward can do to cover the debts owed on the estate is to sell it or find a suitable match for Annabel even if she isn't interested in marriage.

While Edward struggles to find a way to salvage the estate, he asks Annabel to be a spy to a possible business partner to a sea captain from Malta, Captain Marco Dell'Acqua. She soon learns that her and Marco have more in common than physical attraction when Annabel discovers some mysterious family artifacts and jewelry that begin to appear in her things. They seem to have a Maltese background and all of them may lead to the fact that Annabel is the proper heir to the estate, unless of course the mental illness of her mother starts to manifest itself in her at the same time her mother was committed.

I received Bride of A Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. The opinions contained here are my own honest and personal evaluation of the novel. For fans of traditional regency, you will absolutely love this novel. It has a bit of suspense added to keep the reader engaged in the story line as Annabel makes some startling discoveries of her mother and of her family background that could be detrimental to her own safety if they are brought into the open. I love the subtle clues that Annabel and Marco give to one another based on a sense of propriety for ones reputation during that time frame. I personally believe this one deserved 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion since I read it in one sitting in a matter of hours and could not put it down. This is the second novel in the Daughter's of Hampshire series with Mist of Midnight being the first!

For more information about Bride of A Distant Isle, Sandra Byrd or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Bride of A Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd

You can find Sandra Byrd on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Bride of A Distant Isle, please visit Howard Book's website. 

Ten Lies, Ten Truths

Can you say that you would know a lie from the truth any day? What if you were faced with ten stories, which considering the way society in the world today is leaning, could you separate them from the truth or would you say these stories are based on the truth? What do you think about Evolution and Darwin's theory? What about abortion? Is America a nation founded on Christian principles? Are God and Allah the same? Is there a standard for absolute truth or is it subjective? Has character become a thing of the past in light of producing results in business? Does marriage need to be redefined past traditional marriage to include polygamists and others? Should the government have a hand in how our children are raised considering most parents have opted out of their responsibilities? Are pornography and promiscuity victimless crimes? Finally, we can always work on relationships since time is irrelevant right?

Parker Hudson, creates some rather vivid and downright frightening stories that articulate each of this situations in which lies are accepted and society is spoon-fed something else in light of considering the rights of the minority over the majority as has been happening for quite some time. In light of the recent Supreme Court decisions, from redefining traditional marriage to include gay marriages and the fallout of these situations on those that hang onto God's moral and absolute truths. While these stories might seem a bit far fetched right now, I firmly believe, these will play out in the real sense from the fictional stories that Parker includes in his book Ten Lies, Ten Truths, which is illuminating the very core of our country in light of what others would have us believe.

My favorite has to be, The Vote, which I would love to see expanded to a full length novel in which each of these issues are parlayed in more detail. I think this book and all its stories will one day come to fruition and that is truly a chilling and suspenseful dose of reality I don't want to be around to see. In the story of the Vote, once a year, American citizens vote by technology the things they want to see changed and anything can make its way to the ballot including lowering the drinking age to 16 from 21 as long as the majority believes it to be in the best interest. What is worse is the value of the life of a baby is decided on points and as long as the baby scores enough points it is allowed to live, if it doesn't, it is terminated. Think it couldn't happen here in America? I believe it very well could be our future at the rate we are going.

I received Ten Lies, Ten Truths by Parker Hudson compliments of Edge Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and personal opinions. I applaud Parker's insight into each of these issues and even the questions that come up in regards to Evolution, I had never heard about or even considered. I look forward to researching all of these topics through his website which is included in a reference section following each of this subjects. This makes it a great resource, because the reader can research them on their own for further follow up. I just hope America wises up before this book becomes a non fiction one over a fictional title. Well worth 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Ten Lies, Ten Truths, Parker Hudson, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Ten Lies, Ten Truths by Parker Hudson

You can find Parker Hudson on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

To read more reviews on Ten Lies, Ten Truths, please visit Amazon.com.

Fall of Poppies

"November 7, 1918
Brussels, Belgium

Sister Wilkins caught my eye from across the nurse's parlor of Institut Cavell. The day I'd been dreading had arrived. The British nurse had lose much during this war, though she knew better than anyone that I'd lost more. She also knew my secret, and that I'd do anything to protect it." (pg 1- The Daughter of Belgium, Marci Jefferson)

Hard to believe the life of those who survived the Great War, must have been as both survivors and those who served in the war that came back with more lost than they had going in. History is that great teacher, opening the eyes of those who weren't born then to remember a time when so many lost so much and paid the ultimate price. For some, it was simply coming home wounded and having to face a life they would no longer have.

That is just what you will find in the Fall of Poppies, a collection of short stories by nine different authors who each take their turn at weaving a beautiful story of recollection of the Great War and the results of Armistice Day, the day the war was over and celebrations took place all over Europe. They all have the same central theme but with vastly different results. I believe my favorite was The Daughter of Belgium, a story of a young girl, Amèlie, who had been her own survivor of the war along with her young daughter Hope. Left to deal with the outcome of a hospital that was moving, Matron Cavill asked her to care for one remaining patient they couldn't move, a wounded soldier that was being hunted for treason. Her only job was to see to it that he didn't starve. It was a soldier that she despised at the horrors committed to her when the German soldiers arrived at her family's tea shop and beat and raped her family.

She finds solace in knowing if she can simply return to her family's shoppe and recover a valuable painting, she might make a life for herself and Hope once the war ends. Her only problem is that the streets are still full of German soldiers who are rebelling against the end of the war, and will stop at nothing to ensure they take all they can before they are forced to leave Belgium. It will take trusting a man she has hated since being tasked with his care when the hospital relocated.

I received Fall of Poppies by a collection of authors like Jessica Brockmole, Hazel Gaynor, Evangeline Holland, Marci Jefferson, Kate Kerrigan, Jennifer Robson, Heather Webb, Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and personal evaluation. There truly is something for everyone in each of these stories and while they may simply be just well created fictional stories, these could very well be someone's true life story from the Great War. I absolutely LOVED it and will be adding this one to my collection of WWI novels in my personal library. I believe history is vitally important and these stories are just a part of that historical past!

For more information about Fall of Poppies or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and The Great War

You can read more reviews of Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by visiting William Morrow's website.