Category: Book Reviews

#BookReview: Does God exist? Silva offers expansive proof.

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

I’ve never wondered if God exists or not. I have, though, doubted God working in my life or that he could fix the broken pieces of my heart, at times. Yet, that is because I was always raised to have faith, and it was a foundation that stuck, even though my church family has changed over the years.

Yet, a lot of people are not like me in that way, they were either raised in a faith-based home and chose to rebel by choosing a whole new faith, or they just saw no use for God in their life.

If you are one of the many who has kept an open mind in terms of God and God’s existence, this is the perfect book to add to your TBR list.

Some features of this book include:

  • Reads like a textbook
  • very thorough
  • presented all sides of the argument without showing bias
  • proved that God exists
  • ends with a collection of quotes from famous scientists quoting that God, without a doubt, is scientifically proven to exist.

Yet, I won’t just share that this book proves that God exists but once you read it, you will see the many ways that you encounter every day that stand as explicit proof.

 

 

#BookReview: When Hearts Collide by @williamsSaraB

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

Growing up I read a lot of romance even if it was only for young readers. Some of my favorites were Francine Pascal (Sweet Valley High series), Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook), and Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty.

Maybe it was because I had trouble relating to the opposite sex in a romantic way (#singlenotsurehowtomingle) but one of my favorite authors growing up was actually Karen Kingsbury because of her use of biblical themes and verses throughout her book and romance in her plotlines but unlike the authors mentioned above, her books were written in a clean yet still heart-thumping way where I couldn’t turn the page fast enough.

Debut author Sara Beth Williams brings that same Kingsbury-like essence to the genre but with a fresh voice. The storyline kept my interest. The characters had tremendous depth, and the writing overall was very well put together and flowed so very nicely.

Something I’ve noticed as an avid reader of romance is that scenes that contain a little extra heat sometimes read very awkwardly but Williams kept all the spark and had no spoofs.

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As a fellow romance writer myself who hopes to release my debut( a rewrite of my previous novels) sometime in the near future, Williams novel reminded me that the genre holds a lot of promise, even from a Christian perspective.

And I am honored to be her friend and colleague. I can’t wait to see what she puts out next, and that is 100% Biblical truth.

 

 

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Purchase a copy today of this #MustRead!

 

#BookReview: Let’s Meet God by Chris Hearn

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

As a believer, I always love returning to the basics of my faith. That’s why from the very beginning of this short but sweet Bible companion, I enjoyed each entry in this book of FAQ’s about the Christian faith.

This 78 page book discusses the Christian faith in an open-minded and easy to read format. It is written as a frequently asked question page for a website but for Christianity or someone new to the faith. It allows anyone to find out more about God through faith in Christ Jesus, while still remaining scholarly.

Book Review: The Road Ahead is actually a field guide on how to pick an unsuspected winner in any election.

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

I was eager from page one to start reading The Road Ahead by Willie Handler because in high school, I fell in love with the subtle humor associated with the genre of satire from reading books like Candide by Voiltaire, etc.

Some who have read my own previously published novels could argue that they contain a satirical tone to romance.

Yet Willie’s book kept me reading from the beginning because his characters had definite quirks, flaws, and a sense of realism to them.

And even though this book was published in 2016 prior to the election of Donald Trump in America, a non-political guy getting elected to lead a nation sure seems like quite a joke based on our past history.

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but what I liked best about Willie’s book is the message that it gets across:

Just because a person didn’t study political science or has a background in politics or public service does not mean they aren’t going to take what they do know and surprise us all in the end.

You should never count anyone out. In politics or in life. People have a way of surprising you in good and bad ways.

In the meantime, I look forward to Handler’s next novel. I’m already anticipating the fits of giggles it will have me in.

To interact with Willie directly, use the information below.Willie Handler Press Graphic.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

#BookReview: Taste of Revenge by Mercy Jane Ballesteros

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

This book had me hooked from page one. I wanted to know what happened to the main character Sofia and why she was hellbent on revenge but it was easy to see that betrayal, sabotage, and utter adultery were just a few themes that left Sofia on the path to give all those who wronged her a pure unfiltered taste of revenge.

Also enjoyed how it was told in first person perspective so you could see everything from Sofia’s point of view. Great read from a young talent.

#NationalPoetryMonth .@langleav’s poetry is a siren song for good in #Lullabies

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

Lang Leav returns with a second book of poetry that is made to sit beside your bed on the nightstand almost like a sort of dream-catcher to sing you to sleep when sleep is hard to come by.

Lullabies showcases a stronger writer as Leav’s poetry in this collection is very melancholy but highly emotive.

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One of my favorites in this collection is Her Words because it is a poem about a girl who writes, need I say more.

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#NationalPoetryMonth .@LangLeav ‘s #loveandmisadventure is a siren song for love lost and the hope of a future love that lasts

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

When I was a junior in college, I finally had my own room for the first time in my life.

Naturally, I was excited for how I would decorate my sacred dwelling since the choice was solely mine.

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I decided I wanted to have a poetry wall in one corner of my room and who’s poetry was showcased along the long wall near my door but the Tumblr poet, Lang Leav. Soon after this, I found out she was publishing her first poetry book and I was totally stoked for her as I had followed her literary career from the ground up.

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Boasting hand-drawn artwork and poetry from the author, Love & Misadventure is a book anyone who is hopeful for love despite all their misadventures and mistakes in love should own, and wants to reminisce every emotion that entails.

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#NationalPoetryMonth: Don’t Resist the Rebellion that engulfs you while reading Nikita Gill’s #WildEmbers

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

I admit to Instagram stalking Nikita Gill and her poetry.

The first time I ever read a poem by Ms. Gill I was in awe.

Then, a few months later, NetGalley sent me an email blast to tease new books

Normally, I delete them without reading because I have a queue of 80 books, do I really need anymore books?

The voice in my head always whispers, “Yes!”

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This time I was glad I opened it as I had the chance to read Nikita Gill’s book Wild Embers.

Since this National Poetry Month, I figured this was the perfect time to share my review and reaction to Wild Embers.

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Basically, it is a well-rounded book of poetry. There was only like five poems I did not read but skim so that to me says that the sparks I was ingesting lit a fire within me that I felt the burn within each sinew of my bones.

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And I remembered my identity: a supernova burning bright to discover pathways and planets uncharted, in order to make a new way for those that come after me.

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My absolute favorite poem in the collection was this one because it made me cry which sometimes leads to a clearer perspective:

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With Rupi Kaur’s second poetry collection, she is the Sun and we, her flowers #NationalPoetryMonth

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

I’ll be honest, I’m not Rupi Kaur’s biggest fan

BUT

I definitely came around to seeing her talent more so with her second poetry collection The Sun and Her Flowers

With this collection, Rupi discusses some of the relationship she delved into in Milk and Honey but in more of a metaphorical way with talking between the lines about the aftershocks of love (especially love that doesn’t last) instead of a literal way with imagery of sex.

It is apparent that Kaur believes sex equals love in some shape or form, but she does do a fantastic job of discussing society’s perception of using sex to get someone to love you, when they are all wrong for you.

Discussed in this poetry collection are themes of love, grief, self-abandonment, honoring one’s roots, and empowering oneself.

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My favorite poem in the entire collection was “What Love Looks Like” because of the word choice Kaur uses to poetic describe love by using dialogue she may or may have actually had within the walls of a therapist’s office.

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So many women have daddy issues because their dad didn’t give them love in a healthy way which makes young girls go out for looking for love in all the wrong faces, and almost becoming society’s biggest joke because of it.

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Love sometimes gives us all rose-colored glasses but the worst part of heartbreak is having to remove them and come to terms with the reality that you fell in love with an idea of someone who didn’t really exist. And that hurts you more than them because you almost feel as though you can’t trust your own judgement anymore for a while.