Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock

Just days before Emily Covington graduates from New Day, a drug recovery program, another member of the program drops out. Lance tries to help, and ends up finding a newborn baby in the backseat of a car. He is then thrown into a world where he is charged with kidnapping and he is faced with the harsh reality of addicts. Kent Harlan rushes to the Covington's aid, but it will take more than him and the Covingtons to stop the vicious cycle.

Unfortunately, I was very busy when I read this book, and was therefore unable to read the book in three days and thus no 3D rating. I can say, however, that this book was almost impossible to put down and I had to pry it out of my own hands. The book is cleverly laced with suspense and pulls you into the world of drugs. I loved the perspective given from the book, and I think it very realistically displayed the harsh reality of drugs.

Shown throughout is how Christians should act, and just how far one might go for another. I loved this book and it is just as good or better than Intervention. Great work, Terri!

Below is the trailer:

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

Human will is corrupt. It has been ever since the forbidden bites of the forbidden fruits. But, as in the days of Noah, God is once again considering re-starting humanity. David Ponder, and all the other Travelers have the opportunity to stop that from happening, by correctly answering answering a single question. The Travelers consist of brilliant minds throughout history, including C.S. Lewis, Abraham Lincoln, and King Solomon. Sounds simple, right? Maybe it would be if not for the limitations of only five guesses, and the correct answer must be achieved before the hour glass runs out. It all comes down to the Final Summit.

This book is very difficult to place in one genre. It is sort of a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, biographies, and inspirational. As this book is mixed genre, I also have mixed feelings about it. Overall, I liked it. It was a quick book that explores good morals and tells interesting stories. I did have a few problems with it however.

First off, the archangel Gabriel is a main character in the book. Forgive me for my line of thought, but Muhammad also thought he was visited by Gabriel. Now I am not saying that people can't be visited by Gabriel, it is quite possible it happens. I am simply saying that nagging thought stayed in my mind. My other problem was that Gabriel spoke of a race more advanced than ours. Instantly I thought to the Garden of Eden. He then continued on about the pyramids, how we can't match them today. Then I was confused. The Isrealites, the Egyptians? Then he spoke of their architecure all over the world and them living 30,000 years ago. Now I was thinking whoa. Aliens? I can't think of what else it could be. I was very disappointed about that. Decent values if you can avoid the obstacles.

On the plus side. I never guessed the answer.

Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl

Allison Pierce, federal prosecutor, Nichole Hedges, FBI agent, and Cassidy Shaw, news reporter make up the Triple Threat Club. The club is humorously named after a favorite dessert, but the three of them together solve many crimes. This time however, things get personal...

Elizabeth Avery loves playing The Game. Manipulation, control, and transcendence are the keys. Murder, arson - who cares? Necessary moves if you want to win. But in order to make the right moves, you must have a heart of ice.

I have not read the first two books in the series, but I did not feel at all confused. The book is written fluently, and it begged me to keep reading. It is definitely a suspense novel, since you know who the killer is, but not how it will all work out. With all that in mind, I would say that this is a woman's suspense novel. Not so completely that a man couldn't read it, but all four of the main characters are women and the book deals with issues such as breast cancer. Even so, from my perspective, a great read.

The Freshman Survival Guide by Nora Bradbury-Haehl and Bill McGarvey

Relationships, homework, organization, room mates, money, spirituality. These are some of the issues that plague college freshman. College is a whole new stage in life, and it can be quite overwhelming. That is why the editors of Busted Halo.com bring you The Freshman Survival Guide, to help you maneuver through the labyrinth and make it out better than you went in.

I am a freshman... in high school. Nonetheless, I read this book and found the advice very helpful. The advice is practical, simple things that make your college life a whole lot better. It is organized into chapters that deal with individual topics for quick reference. I found the book to be in a very readable format.

I do note that there are quotes from various spiritual leaders, including not only Christian ones, but Muslim, Buddhist and a few others as well. Some Christians may try to distance themselves from that, but I think it is good to broaden the spectrum, and I found the advice in no way offensive. Since I am not a college freshman, I had my sister who is a college freshman read it. She said it was great and helpful.

I will definitely be reading it again when college comes!