Wakulla Book Review - When Darkness Tries to Hide, by Stacy A. Padula

Title: When Darkness Tries to Hide.

Author: Stacy A. Padula

This is a book about hope. Hope in the most serious and desperate of circumstances. Hope for healing and hope for deliverance. Hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.

This tale of high school students facing drug/alcohol addiction, peer pressure, the desire for acceptance, and unexpected tragedy hits the mark. Stacy Padula accurately portrays the battles young adults (and even older adults) go through daily. She identifies that “in the” feeling that many try to fill with alcohol, drugs, sex, and other things, and shows the reader the one thing that can fill the void—a relationship with God through Jesus.

Stacy Padula masterfully shares the Gospel of Christ in the pages of this book in a way that really helps the reader to understand. Through the characters of the story, hope, joy, peace and love are evident. But Ms. Padula does not shy away from the struggles that also are a part of the Christian life.

I will recommend her books to teens and adults alike. Well done, Stacy! God is going to use these books mightily.

Book Reviewed by Loren, a Brother in Christ

WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

 I want to personally thank all the men who are reviewing the books written by JOHN 3:16 AUTHORS. I am thankful that we are able to bless them and appreciate the encouragement given to us by their reviews. 

Their insights, comments, and encouragement mean a lot. Steve said I (Lorilyn Roberts) could visit the prison and I hope to do that sometime in the near future. I ultimately look forward to the day when we are all free in the Lord's presence to worship together our Risen King!

Each WEEK (usually on Tuesday), we are posting reviews from Wakulla Correctional inmates of John 3:16 books. 

Inmates are loving the new books from John 3:16 authors. Chaplain Steve Fox  is adding the new books to the prison library in this initiative to "change lives to ensure a safer Florida."

Online Help for Writers - Make Your Stories More Authentic With These Resources

Here is a list of online resources writers find handy to find everything from VOCABULARY to DATE and TIME to NAMES to COSTUMES and all kinds of other other cool stuff. 

Your additions and suggestions are most welcome.

From the website of LisaLickel.com

·        http://dictionary.reference.com/

·        http://thesaurus.reference.com/

·        AlphaDictionary -http://www.alphadictionary.com/index.shtml provides access to a variety of different dictionaries and articles on words and word usage.

·        Online Etymology Dictionary - provides historical meaning and sounds of words. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

·        Guide to Grammar and Writing - http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

• http://www.faceturn.com/ - use a digital face to see what expressions look like

·        Using Body Language -http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/body_language.html -A great resource on how emotions and mental states reveal themselves in body language.

·        http://Timeanddate.com - provides historical printable calendars and other great information

·        http://www.copyright.gov/ - United States Copyright office online

·        Writer's Dream Tools -http://www.writersdreamtools.com/view/decades/default.asp?Decade=1650 great reference site for historical research

·        http://www.CostumeGallery.com - provides information on clothing from the 18th Century to the 20th Century.

·        http://www.costumes.org/ - a broader resource on historical clothing.

·        http://www.OldandSold.com Antiques Auction and Marketplace - A great resource for finding historical artifacts.

·        http://www.newspaperarchive.com

·        Word hippo – http://www.wordhippo.com

·        http://www.thefreedictionary.com

·        http://www.visuwords.com

·        http://www.howstuffworks.com

·        http://www.learn2.com/

·        http://www.names.mongabay.com/baby_names/ For character names in any era - learn the most popular names of historical periods, cultures, or develop a unique name of your own

·        For writing credible medical scenarios: http://medicalscenewriter.blogspot.com 

·        For writing about law enforcement scenarios:

·        To determine legitimate resources: http://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/credible-sources

John 3:16 Book Review: Think Snow Devotional by Kimberley Payne

Think Snow Devotional by Kimberley Payne

Available here: http://amzn.to/1A7xvmT

Book Review by Sheldon D. Newton

I enjoyed these pleasant short stories with a spiritual meaning, which ran really cause you to evaluate one's walk with God. I recommend it to all. It is not drawn out and each story carries a life lesson with it. I like the moose story . Each one will draw you in and you see how the authors experiences give a Biblical lesson that is direct and to the point.

*~*~*~*

Kimberley Payne is a motivational speaker and author and writer on spiritual & physical fitness topics. Her devotional writings relate raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. Through her work, Kimberley hopes to inspire people to live healthier lives that glorify God. You can visit her website at www.kimberleypayne.com

$2.99 on Kindle, 3 reviews, 5 stars. Available here.

Wakulla Book Review - The Map Quilt, by Lisa Lickel

The Map Quilt by Lisa Lickel

Wakulla Book Review

Review by Booker T, 3-30-15

Summary of Book:

In the year 1860 hatred and racism led to the lynching of a free black man who’d never been a slave. In an attempt to save her freedom, money, and land the man’s wife, Missy, flees with her son, money, and deed.

The Underground Railroad takes her through Robertsville, Wisconsin. Missy is shot and killed but her traumatized son, Tobias, lives and starts the family cycle to regain their family land which goes through six generations until God’s hand leads Julietta Barslow, a descendant of Tobias, to Robertsville and into the lives of the Wingates. Judy Wingate is a descendant of Sasha and Norm Edwards, conductors of the Underground Railroad, who attempted to help Missy.

Author’s Purpose:

To lead us on a mystery through the path of American history and racism. While showing the power of God to change lives and hearts through it all.

Theme:

1.     Racism’s effect on a particular black family.

2.     The acceptance by a son of a mother’s right to move on           with her life.

3.     The love of friends and family

Thesis:

Righteousness prevails with prayer and perseverance.

I really enjoyed this book, seeing the families strive to come together through their common bond of love and gain trust and new friends along the way.

The author did a great job of bringing her plots together in the end to make a wonderful mystery and historical novel come to life.

To purchase The Map Quilt from Amazon, click here.

*~*~*~*

I want to personally thank all the men who are reviewing the books written by JOHN 3:16 AUTHORS. I am thankful that we are able to bless them and appreciate the encouragement given to us by their reviews. 

Their insights, comments, and encouragment means a lot. Steve said I (Lorilyn Roberts) could visit the prison and I hope to do that sometime in the near future. I ultimately look forward to the day when we are all free in the Lord's presence to worship together our Risen King!

Each WEEK (usually on Tuesday), we are posting reviews from Wakulla Correctional inmates of 

John 3:16 books. 

Inmates are loving the new books from John 3:16 authors. Chaplain Steve Fox  is adding the new books to the prison library in this initiative to "change lives to ensure a safer Florida."