An Inspiring Story of True Love

Joni & Ken

An Untold Love Story

With Larry Libby’s help Joni and Ken Tada share their love story.  It is an unusual story, and not the stuff of fairy tales.  This princess is held captive in a wheelchair and the prince, though loving, cannot free her.  He fights dragons of isolation, frustration, pain, loneliness and selfishness, among others to come to her rescue.  She struggles to ward off the debilitating effects of chronic pain and then the giant of cancer.  Despite their struggles, the prince comes through for the princess and this story does have a happy ending.  The prince and princess fall even more deeply in love and continue to live happily ever after in their Father’s earthly kingdom.

I enjoyed this book very much.  It was written in a very transparent style and I felt myself part of their world, riding in their van or relaxing in their living room.  Joni, although honest, has sweetness about her as she talks about her relationship to Ken.  It has to be a challenge to allow myriads of readers to take a peek inside your private life, but Ken and Joni stand up well to the scrutiny.  Despite knowing more about their personal flaws, I found myself appreciating them more.  Their personal growth was evident.  Readers will find this book inspiring.  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Great Scholarship How-to Information

Confessions of a Scholarship Winner by Kristina Ellis

Kristina Ellis, winner of over half million dollars of scholarship money, shares her how-to tips on scholarship success.  She writes about how to create a better application, how to understand college financing, and how to succeed in the scholarship interview, among other topics.  She breaks down the process into easy to do steps, so that every student, whether stellar or not can highlight his best attributes. 

As the parent of a high school junior, I found this book to be a very valuable workbook to walk students and parents through the scholarship process.  It is filled with helpful illustrations and questions to guide families through what could be a difficult and overwhelming task.  I received a free copy of this e-book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Fiction with Supernatural Elements

Afloat by Erin Healy

Vance Nolan has a vision for spectacular low cost housing on the water.  He has partnered with  investorTony Dean to make his dream come true.  Danielle, Tony’s assistant, and her 5 year old son, Simeon, and the other residents are happy with their life in the floating condos.  But things are not what they seem.    Zeke, Vance’s friend and mentor, comes to warn him of impending danger.  Nevertheless, something goes terribly wrong and many of the residents and workers are caught in the middle of a desperate situation.    Vance relies on his mentor’s word that he must stay and that those who stay with him will be safe.  With the world falling down around them, he must try to convince the others to remain there with him rather than trying to reach land.  Danielle is torn between staying with Vance or going with Tony.  Will Tony be able to keep her safe, or will Vance be the one she should trust?  And just what are those silver lights floating beneath the condo? 

I have read several of Erin Healy’s novels and enjoyed them.  This one was no exception. It was fast-paced and led me deeper into the story with every chapter.  Her characters are realistically drawn.  The plot contains an element of the supernatural.    In ways, this one reminded me of Tedd Dekker’s novels.  I enjoyed the novelty of the setting, the plot and the way she delved into her characters’ motives.  Readers who enjoy a good plot laced with some supernatural elements, along with well-fleshed out characters will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to Thomas Nelson for the free e-book and this is my honest review.