Dopple Ganger - The First Escape

 First I have to say I would never have picked this book up if it wasn't on the Tyndale Summer Reading List AND available at the public library.  It is a tween/teen book.  I'm not sure how to sum it up rather than weird.  However, by the end of the story I did have to wonder what mayhem Sadie, Saskia, and Erik will get themselves into next.  The book went back and forth between novel and graphic novel.  I wasn't really a fan of that back and forth.  I didn't feel the characters were really developed.  The sisters were always up to no good.  Erik seemed to dislike them, yet he came to their rescue.  I wasn't sure why.  I did like the fact that the evil was exposed and the kids decided to do the right thing.  Of course they were rewarded for that as well.  The questionable Muzzy was rescued only to "rescue" them.  I assume the Companion referred to God.  I'm not sure about Madame Raphael; an angel?  It was an OK story.

Renegade by Mel Odom

 Renegade by Mel Odom is the second in the Called to Serve series.  The characters pick up where they left off from book one but this book focuses on Pike Morgan.  Therefore you could read book two without reading book one, but why would you?  Pike Morgan grew up in a series of foster homes before ending in an orphanage, and then running off.  The demons of his past torment him constantly.  He's lived his life with the purpose of laying low until he can exact revenge against those that killed his only constant - Petey.  Pike is like 2 people.  The violent side that is always under the surface, and the loner that attempts to slip through life without making waves.  Pike finds himself glad to be deployed to Afghanistan because he's become uncomfortable with his emotional attachment to young Hector.  He's unsure how to let anyone in because then he risks losing them.  However, events in the battles he find himself in, keep reminding him of Hector and/or Petey.  He seems to be unable to shake them.  Others see a difference in him, but can't get close.  He especially notices the changes in Bekah Shaw who found Christ in book one.  Yes the story is violent.  War is violent.  God is woven throughout the story.  Scripture references that those in Pike's past have spoken come to him in moments that are shaping him.  Slowly the reader sees changes in Pike that he himself notices by the end of the story.  I look forward to the next installment in Called to Serve.

Roadtrip to redemption

 This book wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was good nonetheless.  It was much more a parenting book, than a memoir.  I was thinking it would be more of a memoir of this epic family trip to heal the family.  While it was that more or less toward the end, it wasn't all about that.  Since I'm not a parent at times it wasn't relevant to me.  But I still gathered some great thoughts.  For instance, "earned faith."  He states we don't like the ultimate grace concept because it excludes us from having anything to contribute. We "need" to have a role - any role - in the great story of our lives.  As hardworking religious folks it doesn't seem fair that we don't get credit for our efforts.  Yet when we lean on grace plus our efforts, we end up having guilt, shame and failure.  Another one - When facing a storm, which we'll all have, we have 2 choices.  Stay where we are out of fear of the dangerous unknown, or take a risk and fight through the fear to push us on.  Staying put often feels safe, but it's a choice not to grow, a choice to hold on to our fears.  While our goal is to keep things from getting worse, God's purpose is to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. One last, is one I've heard and/or experienced so many times.  We keep asking for God to show up, to answer our prayers, and we end up frustrated when our heart cries go unanswered.  But God does answer.  We miss His response because we expect Him to show up the way we planned it.  I'll quote him directly. "When we feel like our prayers have been deemed unimportant in God's eyes, we have to learn to quiet ourselves and remember what he has told us.  Then we wait patiently in prayer, keeping our spiritual eyes open to the unexpected yet wonderful ways God will show up."  Reminds me of one of my favorite verses.  "Be still and know that He is God!"

Still Lolo

 Still Lolo was a interesting story.  I felt there were positive and negative things about the book itself.  The beginning chronicled so much of Lauren's early years and the parents split, then reunion.  While it might have been worthy of sharing, I didn't see the need for so much detail.  I felt it took awhile to get to the actual point of the book.  One other thing was the abundance of help Lolo received.  I'm glad she could have the best of therapy,  several arm and hand prosthetics, and 2 parents who could choose not to work when she needed them.  Personally I doubt see that being reality for most of us.  While great for Lolo, it might be discouraging for others in horrific accidents.  The positive was the faith of the family.  I liked that they were real.  Their struggles, their doubts, fears, pain, hope and trust came shining through.  Yes they have Christ.  Yes they still had to process the emotions and ways it would change them all forever.  Too often I feel Christians portray their faith and trust, without revealing the other emotions are real and necessary.  Lolo is a very determined young woman, who draws her strength from God and His blessings in her life.  Worthwhile read overall.