"Cornhusker Academy" - 5 new articles
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009
 "Touched By A Vampire" Book Review and Giveaway!
Book: Touched by a Vampire Author: Beth Felker Jones Summary: EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS
MY REVIEW: With the release of the movie, "New Moon" this week, the hype surrounding the Twilight series is at a high right now. I have not read the books myself, I have too many great Christian books in my to-be-read pile to spend time on non-Christian books, but I did break down and see Twilight after it came out on dvd, and I'll probably do the same for New Moon. But I was really curious as to what this book, "Touched by a Vampire" would have to say about the series when I got it. I was not disappointed. What Beth offers the reader in this book are some great thought provoking questions and statements regarding Stephanie Meyers' books and movies. A lot of people defend the books with the argument that there is no pre-marital sex between Edward and Bella, Beth goes into that with some great insight. She also looks in depth at marriage, parenting, dangerous romance, the ideal family, abstinence and more.
This book is a valuable tool for sparking discussion within yourself and also teens and friends you may have that have read the books. I wouldn't take everything in this book as gospel, anymore than I would take everything Stephanie Meyer's writes as gospel... but it is fantastic for getting you to really think about what you are reading! ***********Thanks to Liz Johnson from Multnomah for my review copy of this book. If you would like an opportunity to win it then leave me a comment telling me who this book would be good for in your life (you, a daughter, friend, sister, etc..) and leave an email and I will enter you. Good luck!
 "Love Finds You In Lonesome Prairie, Montana" Book Review
Today's Wild Card authors are:
and the book:
Love Finds You In Lonesome Prairie, Montana
Summerside Press (December 1, 2009)
MY REVIEW: Have you read one of the "Love Finds You In..." books from Summerside Press? There is a whole line of them and they are each as unique and creative as the authors and the locations. There are contemporary, historical, mystery, comedy, tragedy and all of them wrap up with a great dose of romance. In Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana we have a historical romance set in the wild west prairie and we enter on the orphan train with Julia and the girls in her charge. Julia is seeing off the last of the orphan girls in her care and then she is heading back to New York City. Oh, except that she misses the train because a dirty old prospector holds her up when he demands that she become his wife because he paid for her. Um, what??? It turns out that she does not have a return ticket and her "husband" is intent upon claiming her, but she has leanings toward the Preacher even though he has sworn himself to a life of singleness. In the meantime, Julia is learning that maybe the prairie isn't as lonesome as she first thought as she befriends many of the ladies in the area. Could God finally have a home for an orphan like her? This is a good classic historical western and adds a great title to the Love Finds You In... line of books. If you haven't read any yet, this is a great place to start. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tricia Goyer was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference "Writer of the Year" in 2003. Her book Night Song won Book of the Year from ACFW in the Long Historical Fiction category. Her book Life Interrupted: The Scoop On Being a Young Mom was a Gold Medallion Finalist. Tricia has written hundreds of articles, Bible Study notes, and both fiction and non-fiction books. Visit the author's website. 
Ocieanna Fleissis a published writer and has edited six of Tricia Goyer's historical novels. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. Connect with Ocieanna on Facebook! Product Details: List Price: $12.99 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Summerside Press (December 1, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 1935416294 ISBN-13: 978-1935416296 AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:  The sound of little girls’ voices and the sight of the sun streaming through the tall, second-story window of the Open Door Home for Destitute Girls, a privately owned orphanage on upper Manhattan, told nineteen-year-old Julia Cavanaugh that the day had started without her. Julia, an orphan herself, now running the place for the owner, brushed a strand of dark hair from her eyes. She submitted to a second yawn as a twelve-year-old girl hopped onto her bed.
“He’s gonna ask her to marry him, don’t you think, Miss Cavanaugh?” “Oh, Shelby.” Julia wiped the sleep from her eyes and smiled into the freckled face staring eagerly at her. “Give me a moment to wake before you go asking such things.” Julia stroked the girl’s cheek, her heart seeming to double within her chest with love for the youngster. The embroidery sampler she’d fallen asleep working on still lay at the end of her bed. She picked it up and eyed the image of a small house she’d copied from Godey’s Lady’s Book. Above the house, she’d stitched the words Home Sweet Home in fancy script. Gazing around the broad room lined with small metal cots and bustling with little-girl chatter, Julia noted the embroidered pillowslips, carefully pressed—albeit dingy—curtains, and dandelions smiling from scavenged jam-jar vases. She’d done her best to make the room pleasant for the girls—and herself. She glanced at their faces and smiled, gladly embracing her role as caretaker. A less-than-subtle “ahem” from Shelby reminded Julia she’d been asked a question. She glanced at her young charge, still perched on the end of her bed. “What did you ask?” “Finally.” Shelby eyed her with mock frustration. “I said, do you think they will get married—Mrs. Hamlin and Mr. Gaffin? Haven’t you noticed the way they look at each other?” Shelby’s cheeks hinted of red. Her golden hair was already fixed in a proper bun, her hands and face washed, and her simple dress clean and pressed despite its patches and stray threads. “Shelby Bruce.” Julia shook her head, as Shelby’s two-year-old sister Beatrice wiggled onto Julia’s lap with a squeal. Julia planted a firm kiss on the top of Bea’s head. “Married? I don’t think so,” Julia continued. “Mrs. Hamlin would’ve told us—told me—if she was being courted. Mr. Gaffin’s just an old family friend.” Julia wondered where on earth the girl got the notion that their headmistress wished to marry. Although they have been spending a lot of time together. Julia pushed the thought out of her mind as little Bea shuffled to a stand, planting her pint-sized feet on Julia’s thighs. “Fammy fend!” She pointed a chubby finger at her older sister, Shelby. “All right, Bea.” Julia plopped the toddler on the floor and swiveled her toward the small bed she shared with Shelby. “Time to straighten your bed.” Then Julia eyed the twins. “Charity, Grace, would you two virtuous girls fetch fresh water for the basin?” Shelby pushed away from the bed, wrinkled her brow, and thrust her hand behind her as if to support her back—a perfect imitation of their middle-aged headmistress. “Now where did I put my spectacles?” Shelby clucked her tongue as she waddled forward. Laughter spilled from the lips of the girls around the room. Encouraged, Shelby scratched her head. She plopped down on her bed then hopped up again as if surprised, pulling imaginary spectacles from under her rump. “Oh!” she squealed. “There they are.” The laughter grew louder, and Julia pursed her lips together to smother the impulse to laugh along with them. She planted her fists on her hips. “That’s enough. All of you know what must be done before breakfast.” The girls’ laughter quieted to soft giggles hidden behind cupped palms as they scattered to do their chores. Shelby lingered behind, her form now straight and her eyes pensive. “Maybe she forgot to tell you, Miss Cavanaugh.” The young girl gazed up at her. “The way they look at each other—it’s like my ma and pa used to, that’s all.” Julia folded a stray sandy blond curl behind the girl’s ear. “Don’t worry, my sweet. If Mrs. Hamlin was getting married, we’d be the first to know.” Julia hoped her own gaze didn’t reflect the sinking disquiet that draped her. Mr. Gaffin was a rich world traveler. If there was any truth to Shelby’s suspicion, Julia couldn’t imagine he’d let Mrs. Hamlin continue to work with orphans. Perhaps they’d get a new headmistress. Or maybe the girls would be separated, moved to new homes… If Mrs. Hamlin got married, all their lives would be radically changed. And if Julia had to leave the orphanage, she had no idea what she would do. Julia swept that painful thought away and steadied her gaze at Shelby. She couldn’t hide her true feelings from this girl. Julia took Shelby’s hand and answered as honestly as she could. “I don’t think she’ll get married, but if she does, God will take care of us, like He always has.” Julia lifted her chin in a smile. “And really, Mrs. Hamlin may be forgetful, but no one could forget that. I sure wouldn’t.” Ardy, a shy Swedish girl, removed her dirty sheets from a small bed and then approached, taking Julia’s hand. “Don’t ya think you’ll ever be gettin’ married?” “Actually, there is something I’ve been wanting to tell you all….” Julia leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees. The two girls eyed each other in surprise, and Shelby’s brow furrowed. “Come closer.” Julia curled a finger, bidding them. “What is it?” Shelby asked, her eyes glued to Julia. The girls leaned in. “I’d like to tell you…that there’s a wonderful man who’s asked me to marry him!” The squeals of two girls erupted, followed by the cheers of nearly three dozen others who’d been quietly listening from the stairwell. “There is?” Shelby reached forward and squeezed Julia’s hand. Julia let out a hefty sigh and giggled. “No, you sillies. Well, at least not yet. Someday. Maybe.” Shelby pouted “But you said… ” “I said I’d like to tell you I had a man. I’d sure like to, but of course since I don’t, I’m happy to stay here with all of you.” The girls moaned. The squeak of the front door down on the first floor of the Revolutionary War–era home-turned-orphanage drew their attention. They waited as Mrs. Hamlin’s familiar chortle filled the air, along with a bash and clang of items—hopefully food and supplies that she’d picked up. “Julia!” Mrs. Hamlin yelped. “Julia, dear, where are you?” “Coming.” Julia hurried down the stairs to help the older woman. Julia neared the bottom of the steps and paused, trying to stifle a laugh at the sight of the twinkly-eyed woman sprawled flat on her back. Scattered boxes and bags covered the donated rug. “Mrs. Hamlin! What on earth? Why didn’t you get a steward to help you?” “Oh, I didn’t want to be a bother.” She cheerfully picked herself up. “I was in such a hurry to show you all what I’d bought. And to tell you my surprise. Such a wonderful surprise.” Julia eyed the boxes and noted they were from R.H. Macy & Co. More than a dozen boxes waited to be opened, and she couldn’t imagine the cost. “I found just what the girls need, and on sale!” the headmistress exclaimed. What they need is more food—vitamin drops, too—and maybe a few new schoolbooks. But Julia didn’t dare say it. And somehow God’s hand of providence always provided. “New clothes, I gather. That is a surprise.” “But only half of it, dear.” Mrs. Hamlin rubbed her palms expectantly. “I also must tell you my news. The best news an old widow could hope for.” Julia followed Mrs. Hamlin’s gaze toward the idle youngsters who’d gathered on the staircase to watch. Her eyes locked with Shelby’s, then she quickly looked away. “News?” The muscles in Julia’s stomach tightened. “Girls,” Julia shooed them away with a wave of her hand, “you know better than to eavesdrop. Off to chores with you. We’ll have breakfast soon.” The girls started to scurry off, but Mrs. Hamlin halted them with her words. “No, no,” her high-pitched voice hailed. “Come back. This news is for all of you.” They circled around her, and she tenderly patted their bobbing heads. “What is it?” Julia wasn’t sure she’d ever seen Mrs. Hamlin’s cheeks so rosy or her eyes so bright. “I’m getting married!”  "Eternity Falls" Book Review
Marcher Lord Press is a new publisher that has only been around for a year, but is taking the speculative fiction genre by storm. They have had 3 sets of titles release so far and with each set they release 3 books. This most recent set included "Eternity Falls" by Kirk Outerbridge. I have read 3 other MLP books so far and have been very impressed with the quality of books they are publishing, but Eternity Falls is a Cyberthiller... say what? Hmm, Cyberthriller. Well, if Eternity Falls is an example of a Cyberthriller than I think I have a new favorite genre. Eternity Falls sets us in the future where a new genetic formula is being used by the public called "Miracle Treatment" which alters the dna back to a younger you, so an 85 might look 25. This is very popular among the rich and famous but then one of their spokespeople, actress Greta Darling dies, of natural causes... except of course that is not possible because she is a Miracle Treatment user. One of the heads of Gentec, Sheila Dunn, hires Rick Macey to figure out what happened since she is sure that the treatment itself could not have failed. We set out on a trip to the truth with Macey and Sheila as they try to determine whether it is a religious conspiracy, espionage, or murder and who is behind trying to ruin Sheila. People start dying and the past comes back to haunt Macey, his secrets start rearing their ugly heads and in the midst of everything can he remember Who has been there for him all along? Great book and an excellent addition to the Marcher Lord Press releases to date.
 "Thirsty" Book Review
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