Book Review: "Tough as They Come" by SSG Travis Mills

Tough As They Come by Travis Mills

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


“Tough as They Come” is the inspiring story of one of only five soldiers to survive quadruple amputee injuries as a result of his service in Afghanistan. This story is another reminder of why the title “hero” is so incredibly appropriate to describe our servicemen!

Sergeant Mills writes with an openness, honesty, and humor that keeps the pages turning. Coming from a family that has several servicemen in it, I was both humbled and encouraged – Sergeant Mills’ selflessness, positive attitude, and the love and support between him and his family were wonderful to witness throughout the pages.

At one point, someone asked him, “I hear you’re doing a lot of public speaking lately. What do you have to speak about anyway, dude?!”
He replied, “Nothing really. All I do is walk into a room full of people and say, ‘Hey, everybody, snap your fingers and wiggle your toes.’ They snap and wiggle, and I say, ‘Okay, your life’s not so bad.’”
Great mix of humor and humble challenge!

Negatives: Though Sergeant Mills stated that he believes in prayer, God, right and wrong, the Bible (“at least as it pertains to helping a person live his life better”), and that “faith can help a person along in life”, I was saddened that his Faith did not seem to go much deeper than those simple acknowledgements. He mentions a verse that helped reassure and inspire him during his recovery, but the Lord was plainly working in his life in such larger ways than just through that one Bible verse! Perhaps he simply chose not to speak about his Faith in greater detail; I don’t know. I do hope and pray that he knows Jesus Christ for himself, in more than just generalities.

There were also several instances of crude or foul language.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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"Happy Home Adventures"

 
"Bullfrogs in the sock drawer,
drill bits with the bobby pins,
buttons, beads, and nickels
filling up the cracker tin.

Matchbox cars mixed with the matches,
dirty socks under a bed,
blobs of Play Dough fused together,
cartoon doodles of robot heads.

A kazoo and a drum on the kitchen table,
a mud-pie recipe requiring 'lots of sand',
paper mache ingredients spread out in the hallway -
a happy home has busy hands.

BBs in a mason jar,
tooth fairy findings in a Ziplock bag,
melted bar soap in a puddle,
comfy beds with springs that sag.

Mis-matched plates and silverware,
patient houseplants with braided leaves,
a human ladder made of siblings,
paper snowflakes on the winter eaves.

Muddy rain boots by the door,
a worn-out path down to the creek,
carpet rubbed in trafficked places -
a happy home has running feet.

Crickets singing with the radio,
fingernail clippers in the silverware drawer,
pebbles in pockets in the washing machine,
hand prints on the white back door.

Building blocks on the green front lawn,
a bicycle in pieces with a wrench nearby,
watercolor art draped over a clothesline
made from the string of a mended kite.

Goofy poems and Bible verses,
movie lines and midnight dreams,
related with charming sagacity -
a happy home has voices sweet.

Pencil colors and a coloring book,
on the steps of the big back porch, 
fireflies in a screen-topped jar,
books in stacks on shelves and floor.

A rake and broom against a tree
(reassurance of a fresh-kept yard),
kittens with daisies around their necks,
wallet photos mixed with UNO cards.

Swinging braids and tiny earrings,
cowboy boots and pocket knives,
a happy home is filled with learners -
baking cookies; counting by fives.

So sticky hugs and greasy kisses,
dirty hands and barefoot feet,
shining eyes and happy faces,
work to make a home complete."

- Copyright Kyrie McAlan 2016

{Note: I scribbled most of the above poem in July, right before Jaylyn and Jewel's oldest sister and her family (who had been temporarily living in The Grandparents' house after their own flooded) moved back home. With eight children, there is never a dull moment when visiting them (the photo above is the next-to-youngest son)! We loved having them so close for those months as their house was being repaired, and on the night we were up at The Grandparents' house helping them get ready to move back home, I realized just how much I was going to miss them being up there, filling the dear old house with noise and life and the silly little shenanigans that kids come up with! This is for them.}

Book Review: "The Shattered Vigil" by Patrick W. Carr

The Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. Carr

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


First thing: Read the first book first. I started this book (the second in the series) without realizing how horrible it was going to be as a stand-alone. I’ve read the second book in several series and, though it would have been nice to know what happened before, those stories were able to be picked up and enjoyed without any trouble. This is not that kind of series! This second book was full of common words used in completely uncommon ways - and meaning completely different things - than usual. That’s okay, just as long as the author gives the reader his story’s definitions and usages of those words in the beginning. I can only hope that the first book explains what’s going on, and gives the reader a good sense of context.

Aside from the confusion over word usage, I found this book rather difficult reading. For starters, the print was very small. I’d much rather have a thick book with normal-sized print, than a book of ordinary thickness with a font size that you need a magnifying glass for.

Also, the story seemed to move in spurts. Either I seemed to be struggling to get through the tedium of a scene, or things were moving so fast that I could barely read quickly enough to keep up.

The ‘religious’ elements seemed very weak for the strength of the story itself. There were some thought-provoking points made, and concern was expressed in a couple of places for the spiritual well-being of some of the characters. But much of their ‘theology’ was just off, and the dangerous war-like atmosphere of the setting called for some death to happen, in which cases much of the solemnity and concern was largely passed over, and sometimes lost altogether.

Though the story was interesting and the author obviously has a great imagination (the book is a creative mix of allegory, fantasy, mystery, and sci-fi), I would only be able to say it was “okay” if someone asked me whether I would recommend it.

I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

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Book Review: "Shadow of the Storm" by Connilyn Cossette

Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Mrs. Cossette captures her readers almost from the first page, with vivid descriptions, a quickly-moving story line, and characters that make you root for them right from the first. I appreciated the story even though I have not read the first book in this series.
Her imagination and, by all evidence, detailed research make the section of Biblical history come alive by presenting how the events may have appeared and been experienced by someone who lived through them.

The author touches many emotions and important issues - loss, betrayal, forgiveness, emotional and physical pain, joy, healing, change, trust, adoption, love, sacrifice - and presents them with a Biblical and undeniably redemptive goal. Even though this is an Old Testament setting, Mrs. Cossette points a clear picture to the future and the coming Savior. I loved how she wove Salvation symbolism in at every other turn.

I think my only real drawback (or reason I would not recommend this book to young teen-aged readers) is because of a few somewhat-graphic descriptions. The occupation of midwifery is a main part of the story, and several scenes are pretty descriptive.

Overall, if you love the Bible, enjoy history, or just like a good story, my opinion is that this is a pretty good choice.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, in exchange for my honest review.

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Forever, He Is Alive!

"The moon and stars they wept,
The morning sun was dead -
The Savior of the world was fallen.
His body on the cross,
His blood poured out for us,
The weight of every curse upon Him.

One final breath He gave
As Heaven looked away.
The Son of God was laid in darkness.
A battle in the grave -
The war on death was waged -
The power of hell forever broken.

The ground began to shake;
The stone was rolled away!
His perfect love could not be overcome!
Now death where is your sting?
Our resurrected King
Has rendered you defeated!

Forever, He is glorified!
Forever, He is lifted high!
Forever, He is risen!
He is alive;
He is alive!

We sing hallelujah -
The Lamb has overcome!

Forever, He is glorified!
Forever, He is lifted high!
Forever, He is risen!
He is alive;
He is alive!"

I was listening to the radio on the way to work the other day, and the song "Forever" (Kari Jobe) came on. I've heard it before, and it has never failed to impact me.
The sad sweetness of the singer's voice is piercing in it's gentleness, as she relates the heart-breaking news - the Savior is dead, and all nature mourns. But that's only a small part of the story, and her song soars in triumphant glory as the grave is rendered powerless, and the King rises to reign victorious.
I am reduced to nothing every time, in the face of the awesome Story.
In the hopes that it will be a blessing to you, and lift you up as the reminder of our victorious Savior has lifted me, I have shared it here. The words are above, and the YouTube lyric version below.
Hallelujah!