There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

         In There You'll Find Me, Finley Sinclair, 18 year-old hotel heiress, {Paris Hilton, anyone?} enrolls in an Ireland student exchange program to find relief, inspiration, and reconciliation with God. Relief from the haunting of her older brother's recent death, murdered by Taliban terrorists. Inspiration for her upcoming violin audition - her ticket into the New York music conservatory. And reconciliation with a God whom she claims has kept her on hold, and waiting in silence for far too long. 

          But through many painfully unrealistic coincidences Finley is constantly thrown into the company of teen heartthrob, Beckett Rush. Beckett, the leading star in the filming of a rabidly famous vampire movie, {Edward Cullen, anyone?} helps Finley locate a egnimatic Celtic cross in exchange for her services as a script runner. Finley is certain that this specific relic, captured on film by her deceased brother, will bring closure to his death and the culminating inspiration for her composition. 

         ...And that's basically the story. Throw in some mean girl drama, a side story of a dying woman's regret, Beckett's very unhollywood-like gentleman behavior, Finley's mental and emotional struggles, and a very predictable everyone-is-happy-forevemore ending sums it up in a nutshell. 

        I found There You'll Find Me to be extremely unrealistic; the plot was remedial; the characters were more or less undeveloped, and the ending was cookie-cutter boring. The book wasn't bad; it just wasn't good. But, that's solely my opinion. There You'll Find Me has 4 1/2 stars on Amazon. The reviews there are very favorable. Towards the end, the book explores spiritual threads of forgiveness, self-deception, and peace. But even so, I was disappointed. It failed to hit me at the heart or play with my mind.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Be the People: A Call to Reclaim America's Faith & Promise

    

    Short & Sweet OverView Review

• Stars: 4 of 5
• Type: Non-fiction/Christianity/Politics/State/General
• Who Should Read: Anyone who would like a quick surface read of the social/political/spiritual issues that are contributing to America's downward spiral. I especially recommend this book for individuals who are not well-versed in hot-button political issues. 
• Would I read again: Nah. It's a good reference guide for strong conservative quotes and statistics, but once you've read it, you've got it. 
• Likes: I really appreciate the unique perspective Dr. Swain has as a conservative African American woman. Her own life-story is inspiring. 
• Dislikes: It seemed a bit jumpy from subtopic to subtopic. I finished Be the People feeling like I had just eaten samples throughout, instead of a full meal. 

    The Review
     
     In her newest book, Be the People: A Call to Reclaim America's Faith and Promise, Dr. Carol Swain outlines the social, political, and spiritual issues that are currently threatening the viability of the United States of America and all that it embodies. 


     With straightforward thinking, Swain sets forth informative chapters in which she discusses the negative impact the liberal media and government has had on abortion, the family, illegal immigration, racism, affirmative action, and national sovereignty.  Each individual topic is covered extensively. For instance, in the illegal immigration chapter she highlights amnesty, tourist birthers, rule of law, anchor babies, employer sweeps, etc., 


     Swain writes with an authority and credibility. She was the second of twelve children and the child of parents who could boast but 3rd grade and 8th grade educations. Swain, herself, dropped out of high school, became a teenage mother, had an abortion, and two divorces before she understood she had the ability to achieve greater and live better. She obtained her GED, went to community college, attended a four-year university, and later graduated from law school. She gave her life to Christ in 1999. She is currently a political science and law professor at Vanderbilt University. 
  
    Swain knows well both her subject matter and audience. She is authentic and knowledgeable. And though she highlights the many weak points in America's social and political structure and the need for their overhaul, Swain clearly relates that it all must begin with national repentance: "With concerted effort and a plan of action, we can help restore America to its former glory. We must being with foundational recognition that we have sinned and participated in great evils..."
   
    Complete with an appendix containing the Ten Commandments, Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution, Be the People is a motivational tool designed to activate Christians to speak up and stand up for that yesteryear America of pilgrim dreams and biblical principles. Be the People will resonate with Christians across the country whose highest patriotic desire is for the United States of America to leave it's spiritual exile and return to its God. 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255