Damaged by Alex Kava

Amazon.com link to purchase Damaged by Alex Kava 

Damaged started out well with a dramatic description of a Coast Guard rescue helicopter plucking a large cooler out of the waters off Florida.  Unfortunately, that initial excitement quickly dropped to a rather slow pace.  

While I enjoyed the story and it was interesting, there were several storylines going on which never seemed to connect.  The hurricane added interest as did the helicopter rescue scenes.  Connecting two of the other stories seemed to be forced, but I don’t want to add any more because it would be a spoiler.

Maggie O’Dell is a good character, but I just did not get a good idea of her personality or why she behaved as she did.   There was a hint of a love interest for her, but it was really just a hint.  Some of the other characters did not have enough depth to care about them.  The other main female character failed to stand out, and the creepy funeral director was a too much of a stereotype.

Although I did not find this one outstanding, it was interesting enough that I would like to try one of the earlier books in this series.   In the end, not great but not bad either.

365 Knitting Stitches a Year By Martingale & Company

Amazon.com link to purchase 365 Knitting Stitches a Year

This is just the first of several craft books I have received for review.  Keep an eye out for my upcoming reviews for knitting, quilting and craft studio design! My first review is for a perpetual calendar with knitting stitches on every page.

I would never have thought that there would actually be 365 different kinds of knit stitch patterns, but this nice perpetual calendar has not only the stitches, but a nice section with instructions for some of the special stitches. 

I thought I would try to at least make up a sample of a project to see if the instructions are easy to follow. Just picking a page at random, I decided to try April 4 which is the Stockinette Triangles.  This one was an easy one with multiples of 5 stitches and 6 rows and worked up quickly. 

Although the one I tried was an easy one, there are stitch designs for all skill levels.  The possibilities are endless with dozens of cable stitches, twist stitches, laces, and bobbles, woven style, and so much more.

Because this is a perpetual calendar, you can buy it any time of the year and use it year after year.  This stand-up desk calendar has a very sturdy base and heavy duty double spiral binder.

This would make a nice addition to a craft room, office desk or a gift for a knitter.

Thank you to Martingale & Company  for providing me with this review copy.

Unto the Hills, A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham

Link to purchase Unto the Hills, A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham

Billy Graham is one of the most well known and respected Christian leaders of our time.  Although this book is a reprint of his original Unto the Hills first published more than twenty-five years ago, the stories are timeless, and the writing eloquent. In his preface, he talks about the changes that have taken place in the world, but how our need for the truths of the Bible never changes.

Each devotional meditation page starts with a Bible verse or passage followed by a story which is enlightening, encouraging or challenging. Following each story is a short prayer that helps focus on our relationship with God.

On this day that I write my review, the devotion topic is An Ever-Present Help and the verse is Psalm 46:1. The story deals with a young Irish immigrant, Joseph Scriven who although deep in sorrow wrote the song “What a friend we have in Jesus”.  The entry for tomorrow is a story entitled Is God Your Pilot?  Although these stories are not long, just a few paragraphs and on one page, there is a depth of understanding in the writing that makes them very impressive.  From his 50 years of ministry Billy Graham shares his wisdom concerning our trials in life and points the reader to God, the only source of strength and comfort on which we can rely.  

Although an older book, it reads as very current and reliable.  I am very happy to recommend this for those who are searching for the truth and for those who are Christians, but could use some encouragement for our trials in life. 

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending this copy for review.