Saturday 22 November 2014

Book Review: Stolen


http://nutsaboutbooks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/STOLEN.jpg
  • ISBN 9781441246141
From The Back: 

There is hope, even on the darkest of days
Katariina Rosenblatt was a lonely and abused young girl, yearning to be loved, wanting attention. That made her the perfect target. On an ordinary day, she met a confident young woman--someone Kat wished she could be like--who pretended to be a friend while slowly luring her into a child trafficking ring. A cycle of false friendships, threats, drugs, and violence kept her trapped.

As Kat shares her harrowing experiences, her ultimate escape, and her passionate efforts to now free other victims, you'll see that not only is sex trafficking happening frighteningly close to home--it's also something that can be stopped. Stolen is a warning, a celebration of survival, and a beacon of hope that will inspire you.

My Reflections:

When I saw this book up for review I had to read it. However I don't think I was prepared for the emotions the story evoked in me.  This is a hard read, not for the faint of heart, but it is a must read.

Every parent, youth worker, and church director must read this book. How will we ever stop the atrocities that go on around us if we pretend that bad things won't happen to the children around us?

Sex trafficking is nothing new to our society, and shockingly it is common place, yet we do very little to educate ourselves to the realities of this crime. The numbers of children sold into the sex trade have risen in an alarming rate. In the US over 300,000 children are forced into this horrific trade a year. One year. Girls and boys as young as 9 are recruited and most don't make it to adulthood alive...

Canada is no different, don't think this only happens south of the border. Here are some shocking Canadian statistics:

- Humans are the second most trafficked "product" in the black market [internationally], surpassed only by drugs.

- According to the RCMP, 800 to 1200 people are trafficked in and through Canada every year. (although this is hard to track due to the underground networks in Canada)

- 2200 men, women, and children, are trafficked into America from Canada every year. Canada is considered a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of prostitution and forced labour.

- In Canada a girl can be sold for $15,000 and earn her owner over $40,000 a year.
(Source: http://www.4mycanada.ca/HumanTrafficking.html.)

Back to this book,  Katariina Rosenblatt shows immense bravery, strength and wisdom in her journey from an abused, confused and scared little girl to a healthy, functioning individual who holds a PhD. This woman is a shining example of God's love and mercy, with him ALL things are possible! What a testimony.

I was deeply moved by this story it is a stark reminder to be a present and loving  force in our child's lives, because if they don't get the love and care they crave, someone else will give it to them.

This story is tastefully done, although explicit and revealing you will want to read this front to back. This is not a mere autobiography, it is a story of redemption and grace. God's love is with us through all things. Even in the deepest sin and darkness, he is always near. He will always seek us and draw us to him. This story is a shining example of just that. In Katariina's darkest moments he saved her more than once, something she will admit rarely happens. Her life is a testament to his great love!

This story is a gut wrenching read on a miserable topic, but it is an important and worthy read. I finished this book in 2 days, and was glued to the pages. I could not put it down.

Because I have also lived through abuse, although certainly not to this degree, I can tell you from experience that the brain of a child can not comprehend the horrors of what is happening to them. A child believes what an adult tells them, abuse becomes a common everyday occurrence and the child is trained to think the abuse is normal. I have read some reviews that have criticized the author, they can not believe that Ms. Rosenblatt would not leave her abusers. I have to say this to them, when this is all you know, when you have never experienced what real love is, when no one cares about you and you have no self worth, why would you leave? This is your only security, twisted as it is. Please don't judge a person unless you have walked in their shoes.

I absolutely recommend this book, wholeheartedly, how else can we equip ourselves to the realities of the fallen world we live in and try to help the people around us? This book is a candle shining in the darkness, well done Ms. Rosenblatt!

Some more Canadian statistics:

Child Trafficking in Canada

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

About The Authors

  1. Katariina Rosenblatt

    Katariina Rosenblatt

    Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD, is living proof of the promise she heard long ago at a Billy Graham crusade that God would never forsake her. Katariina has a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution and works closely with law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI...

  2. Cecil Murphey

    Cecil Murphey

    Cecil Murphey has written or coauthored more than 135 books, including the bestsellers 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story with Dr. Ben Carson. Murphey is a recipient of the Gold Medallion Award, two-time...
    Continue reading about Cecil Murphey

Thursday 20 November 2014

Kefir: A Wonderful Probiotic


A picture of Milk Kefir grains (web picture not my own)

This country girl has gone through some mighty big and bold changes since moving to "the Middle of Nowhere"

Some have been gradual and some have been speedy. My gradual slide into healthy living has been the biggest and most surprising transformation yet. As some of my followers remember I was determined not to turn "crunchy"...

....Ugh, city dwellers, I hate to admit it, and, well darn it hurts, but I think I may just have become slightly chewy, NOT crunchy mind you, just a tad chewy.

I think the trouble started before I even moved here, It was when I realized I was intolerant to gluten, you have to get pretty ingenious to eat, when half of your food choices are taken away. That my friends was the start to my chewy journey...It is a slippery slope my friends, a slippery slope...

If I was to predict that I would be off Gluten, Sugar, and not able to wear makeup 5 years ago, I may have locked myself in a small dark room and called for chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate. Thing is I can't eat chocolate...oh I do love chocolate, the creamy dark goodness of it..ahh well so much for that. It makes me spacey, gives me migraines and raises my blood pressure..all of which are pretty nasty!

OK, OK back to the Kefir. My dear friend Agnes introduced me to the wonders of this stuff called a grain but is not an actual grain, more of a bacteria...sounds yummy, right? Truth be told this bacteria is filled with some mighty good probiotics too, did I have you at Probiotics?

I have found some great literature on Kefir here is some of what I found:

  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefir  Wikipedia is always a good source right?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/ask-a-health-expert/whats-the-difference-between-yogurt-and-kefir/article7904569/   This one from the Globe and Mail

http://chriskresser.com/kefir-the-not-quite-paleo-superfood I like this one it is pretty informative!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZrlm9tsrw Here is a u tube demo on how to make Milk kefir, the music is catchy and the lady is peppy!

So there you have it friends, some great info on the health benefits of Kefir. I also have water Kefir and Kombucha, although I have not been able to convince anyone (including myself) to try that one, it looks a little too liverish...eek! Update: The Kombucha went to an new forever home RIP dear liver, I am far too squeamish to try you!

I have to tell you my youngest loves water kefir, and asks for it daily, the other two drink it without much complaint! That says something right there, so I will continue this journey and let you know how it goes. If you need some water Kefir I have lots extra!

God Bless friends!

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Book Review: Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary : New and Enhanced Edition, Ronald F. Youngblood

From The Back:
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary is the most comprehensive and up-to-date Bible dictionary available. With a fresh new look and updated photographs, this new and enhanced edition is a wealth of basic study information with more than 7,000 entries plus more than 500 full-color photographs, maps, and pronunciation guides.
Features include:
  • Cross-references to major translations
  • More than 7,000 up-to-date entries
  • More than 500 full-color photographs and maps
  • Enlarged type size for easier reading
  • Visual Survey of the Bible from The Open Bible                                               

  •      
    My Reflections:  
    If you have been searching for a resource that will enhance the way you research the Bible, Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary will most certainly fill all your needs and much more. 
    This comprehensive Bible Dictionary is one of the best I have seen. It is a hefty hardcover volume at over 1200 pages of charts, graphs, pictures, maps, outlines, and so much more.
    This is the new and enhances edition, It encompasses all previous editions dated from 1986 onward. When studying the bible as a family there are often those questions that I simply can`t answer, so having a resource like this on hand for our family devotions is essential.
     Everything in this bible dictionary is cross referenced and solid. When looking up entries you will either find references to exact text entries in the Bible, what translations you will find the word in and of course the meaning of the word. Such a comprehensive and complete tool. 
    My favorite aspect of this Bible is the front where it outlines a "Visual Survey of the Bible." Being a visual learner I enjoyed how clear and easy to understand this outline makes to understand the Bible. I have left it out on the coffee table and found each and every one of my family browsing though it's pages. Even the 7 year old!
    I can honestly say I was thrilled at receiving such an amazing tool, this will certainly be a well loved resource in our home for years to come. So if you have been looking for a easy to use supplement to study the Bible in greater detail, this may just be the resource you have been searching for! 
    I received this resource free of charge form Book Look Bloggers, in return for my honest review. Thank you so much Book Look!

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Book Review: The Brickmaker's Bride

Cover Art

From the Back:

In the clay-rich hills of the newly founded state of West Virginia, two families tentatively come together to rebuild a war-torn brickmaking business.



Ewan McKay has immigrated to West Virginia with his aunt and uncle, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial help. Uncle Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, and it's Ewan's job to get the company up and running again.

Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he quickly feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man--a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Resolving that he'll make the brickworks enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Ireland, Ewan pours all his energy into the new job.

But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work is put in jeopardy. As his hopes for the future crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. Can she help him save the brickworks, and will Ewan finally get a shot at winning her heart?

My Reflections:

The Brickmaker's Bride is the first novel in the new series by Judith Miller, Set in the late 1860's this book encapsulates the time period splendidly. From the first page to the last the reader is transfixed with the unique characters and well thought out story line.

Having no foreknowledge of the brick making industry I quite enjoyed learning about the process and technique of what it took to produce bricks in this era.  What backbreaking hard work it was!

Laura was such an interesting character. She was driven and motivated to keep her deceased father's business and name in good standing. Although she was actively selling the business she was deeply invested in finding a good buyer who would prosper.  I am sure Laura faced great difficulties being a forward thinking individual, in a time where women were expected to be meek and mild, and not help run such a business as this. 
To confuse issues further, Laura must choose which man she wished to pursue, the upstanding Lawyer or the nephew of the man who is purchasing her families business.

Ewan an Irish immigrant is hard working and upstanding. Navigating the treacherous relationship of his overbearing uncle and aunt he tries to make a new start and overcome the stigma of his heritage. I quite enjoyed watching these two characters slowly unfold and become whole and well rounded. Such a beautiful progression to witness.

This story is rich and meaningful, peppered with history and faith it is the perfect holiday gift or winters read. Well done Judith Miller, I eagerly anticipate your next book in this series.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group a division of Bethany house and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."  Thank you Graf-Martin!

The Author

  1. Judith Miller

    Judith Miller

    Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. When time permits, Judy enjoys traveling, visiting historical settings, and scrapbooking the photographs from her travel expeditions. She...
    Continue reading about Judith Miller
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