Hit the Ground Running - Mark Burley

Hit the Ground Running
Mark Burley
Blue Moon Publishers
ISBN 9781988279473
eISBN 9781988279480


This book was addictive from the first chapter. In some ways it reads like the 39 Clues, and in some ways it reads like Conspiracy 365 by Gabrielle Lord.  Or another way to maybe describe it would be a cross between a young Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne and Indiana Jones. And I do not throw out those three names lightly. This book has action, adventure, anthropology, archaeology and a mixing in of various mythologies and legends.

This book begins with Eric Bakker getting a video message from his older brother, it begins with "Eric-Mom and Dad are gone. I don't know what happened, but I'm going to find out." And ends with the sounds of a gunshot after a chase. And it seems like it is up to Eric to figure it out. Eric is at a new school in Canada, he has not made any friends yet, he has not even really tried. But between this message and his own uneasiness soon he finds he is relying on people he has just met and in much deeper than he ever expected.

In this first volume in the Hit The Ground Running Trilogy the action goes up and down the west coast, and then the climax is in Montana. Eric is our main protagonist but his new friend who joins him on the adventure is Tess Edwards, and she draws into their circle two geniuses Seth and Lakey Sawatzky. While Eric and Tess are gallivanting from Victoria to San Francisco and back the Lakey's are manning the computers, enhancing videos and photos and breaking into secure networks to help their friends out.

But this story is more than just grand adventure. There is a lot of internal dialogue as Eric tries to figure things out. Why he made the decisions he has made. How he is processing what is going on now. But there are some serious thugs, a very rich eccentric maybe bordering on madman, and some unknown forces all at play on the board. Soon Eric must make a choice about who to trust, even though his brother said to trust no one. For Eric is running out of options, all the key people he knew his parents trusted cannot be reached. So after figuring out where his brother is being held, and hoping his parents are there also, he must risk it all on a daring rescue.

The characters in this story are great. In fact the characters are one of the greatest strengths in the novel. But the pace of the action is also excellent, and the descriptions during some of the chase scenes, especially Eric's parkour, is thrilling and really helps transport the reader into the action. I average over 100 books a year, and this is an excellent fiction read. I know the marketing is towards the Young Adult but I am planning on giving it to my father who is 70 this year because I know he will love it. A great book and I look forward to the rest of the series!

Books by Mark Burley:
Hit the Ground Running Series:
Hit the Ground Running
Flows Like Water
Take Flight
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Product Review - Q-bitz Game

Q-bitz
Visual Dexterity. Cubed.
Mind Ware
ASIN B01IN65NZE


I received this game a year ago for my birthday and from the day it entered the house it has been a family favorite. This is a great game for cognitive development. We have played it often. This game comes with:

4 game play trays
16 cubes of each color
80 Q-bitz cards

The box says it can be played with 2-4 players but you can play solo. The game also has 3 modes of play in the rules that come with the game:

Round one of this game is all about speed as players race to manipulate their cubes to copy the pattern on the Q-bitz pattern card.

Round two players roll all of their cubes on the table like dice. Then using the cubes as rolled players place as many cubes as possible in the tray to recreate the pattern shown on the card. And then it is a race to see who can complete the pattern card rerolling as many times as needed.

Round three really tests memory skills, players study the pattern card for ten seconds, flip it face down and then create the pattern from memory.

But the new Q-bitz Extreme has a fourth way to play and our family has a fifth which is most often used with our youngest.

Round four players race to do the reverse or negative image of the card.

Round five one player at a time creates a pattern, then the others race to copy the pattern.

This game is designed to teaches symmetry, help improve visual dexterity and provide friendly competition. It also stimulates the brain by use of spatial reasoning and memory skills. And it is super fun.

The other day I was wondering if they had release an expansion pack of cards for this game yet. When I went searching I found Q-bitz Solo Orange and Q-bitz Solo Magenta both of which come with an additional 20 unique cards that can be used for solo play or added into the base game back. I also found out there is a new Q-bitz Extreme that I have already picked up, and it is pretty amazing, but that is for another review!

Overall this is an amazing game the recommendation is that players be aged 8 and up, but we have played with our youngest even when she was 5 and it still works well. It is a lot of fun for the whole family. Can be taught in under a minute and is easy to introduce to new players or visitors to the house. They also have a classroom set that has 12 player trays and 120 cards, which would be great for larger families, or campus game nights. We absolutely love this game and hope that they release more expansion cards in the future!

Note: If you are local to Kitchener Waterloo you can get this and many other amazing games at J & J Super Store!

Games by Mind Ware:
Q-bitz
Q-bitz Solo Orange
Q-bitz Solo Magenta
Q-bitz Extreme
Q-bitz Classroom Set

Cool Circuits Puzzle

The Archbishop and I: My Childhood Friend Fulton J. Sheen - Margo Weber Nassar

The Archbishop and I: My Childhood Friend Fulton J. Sheen:
Discover the personal side of this legendary Catholic archbishop in this newly revealed story!
Marguerite (Margo) Weber Nassar
ISBN 9781536856804
ASIN B01M8MLQBR

I have known about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen for a number of years, but it has only been the last year that I have taken to reading his books. Having read a number of books by the Archbishop this one ended up recommended based on other reads, so I thought I would give it a try. It is a little volume but adds some interesting insight into the man and the legend that is Archbishop Sheen. In the preface the author states: "I never intended to write this. This short read began when I was writing my autobiography. The section on my childhood friendship with Archbishop Sheen, however, took on a life of its own. I realized I had written a piece shorter than a book and longer than an article-a perfect short read." And that is exactly what this little volume is.

Margo was a very lucky young lady, for at the age of 11 she encountered the Archbishop for the first time and he befriended her and her family. She says: "I was an eleven-year-old schoolgirl from Oregon when I had the good fortune to meet Fulton J. Sheen. We became friends and pen pals in his sunset years, and we connected in uncommon circumstances. With age, I began to understand how lucky I was to have met such a human being. I have heard it said that his combination of virtue, intellect, and charisma comes along about once a millennium."  About the chance encounter that sparked an unlikely friendship.

The sections in the book are:
Dedication
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Section 1: Leaving Oregon
Section 2: Arriving in Virginia
Section 3: Visiting New York
Section 4: Coming Back to Virginia
Section 5: Returning to Oregon
Life Lessons
Epilogue
About Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Resources
Closing Message
About the Author

It is clear from reading this book that Margo had a special relationship with Archbishop Sheen. It is also clear that he continued to shape and have influence on her life after he had passed away. As a reader who is just beginning to really engage with Sheen's writings I found this book insightful, encouraging and at times very entertaining. From the story of their first encounter to 1974 when Sheen baptized Margo's little sister this is an encouraging story. Especially looking back almost 40 years after his passing, the image of Sheen as a media personality, as the first televangelist, as a theologian sometimes we lose sight of the person. This book brings Sheen back down to earth.  Like that friend of the family that is as close as blood. 

This book was a great little read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the life or works of Archbishop Sheen. It will shed a little light on him that you may not get from other sources.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Fulton J. Sheen:

God and Intelligence in Modern Philosophy

The Seven Last Words

Philosophy of Science

The Eternal Galilean

Calvary and the Mass

The Cross and the Beatitudes

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary
Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons on Cana and Calvary

Communism and the Conscience of the West

Peace of Soul

Three to Get Married

Life Is Worth Living Series 1-5

Way to Happiness

Way to Inner Peace 

Life of Christ

Missions and the World Crisis

The Power of Love

Footprints in a Darkened Forest

Lenten and Easter Inspirations

You
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen

Finding True Happiness

Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book

Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

Lenten Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

God's World and Our Place In It

The World's First Love
The Cries of Jesus from the Cross

Your Life Is Worth Living

The Way of the Cross for our Enemies – 1938

The Way of the Cross – 1932

The Way of the Cross – 1933

…

Contributed to:

Beautiful Eucharist

...

Books About Fulton J. Sheen:

The Archbishop and I

Fulton Sheen - Louise Merrie - CTS Biographies

...

A Prayer of the Day Prayer Fulton Sheen Canonization Prayer

...

Quote of the Week - 2017-03-15

In Conversation With God
Volume 6 Part 1 Special Feasts January-March
Francis Fernandez
Scepter Press
ISBN 9780906138519
ASIN B006DEP5X4

I really love this series. And a section I highlighted yesterday keeps coming back to mind. So I am sharing it with you even though I will be reviewing this volume next week.

"We need to make God a participant in the thousand little moments of ordinary life. This can be done by the way in which we offer up our work, the manner in which we take our vacations, how we choose to rest. The Faith should penetrate all of our actions so as to enrich them and make them pleasing to God. We will find that this supernatural effort will help to make our activities more human."

From the reading on February 14th SAINTS CYRIL, MONK AND METHODIUS, BISHOP Co-Patrons and Evangelizers of Europe Memorial. Would love to know your thoughts and reactions  to the quote?

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books edited by Francis Fernandez Carvajal:

Year of Faith Treasury: Prayer 

Year of Faith Treasury: Holy Communion 

Year of Faith Treasury: The Roman Pontiff 

Year of Faith Treasury: The Sacrament of Confession 

Year of Faith Treasury: The Virtue of Faith

Year of Faith Treasury: The Virtue of Fortitude 

In Conversation with God:

Volume #1 Advent and Christmastide

Volume #2 Lent and Eastertide

Volume #3 Ordinary Time Weeks 1-12

Volume #4 Ordinary Time Weeks 13-23

Volume #5 Ordinary Time Weeks 24-34

Volume #6 Special Feasts January-June

Volume #7 Special Feats July -December

Complete Set 7 Volumes

In Conversation with God eBooks:
Volume 1 Part 1 Advent 
Volume 1 Part 2 Christmas and Epiphany
Volume 2 Part 1 Lent and Holy Week
Volume 2 Part 2 Eastertide
Volume 3 Part 1 Ordinary Time Weeks 1-6
Volume 3 Part 2 Ordinary Time Weeks 7-12
Volume 4 Part 1 Ordinary Time Weeks 13-18
Volume 4 Part 2 Ordinary Time Weeks 19-23
Volume 5 Part 1 Ordinary Time Weeks 24-28
Volume 5 Part 2 Ordinary Time Weeks 29-34
Volume 6 Part 1 Special Feasts January-March
Volume 6 Part 2 Special Feasts April-June
Volume 7 Part 1 Special Feats July -September
Volume 7 Part 2 Special Feats October -December

Books by Francis Fernandez Carvajal:

Overcoming Lukewarmness

Through The Winds and Waves

The Day that Changed My Life

Life of Jesus

...

Asp of Ascension - B.R. Myers - The Nefertari Hughes Mystery Series #1

Asp of Ascension
The Nefertari Hughes Mystery Series #1
B.R. Myers
Blue Moon Publishers
ISBN 9781988279
eISBN 9781988279527
ASIN B00YOFKOTO


This book was my introduction to the writings of B.R. Myers, but it will certainly not be my last! As far as young adult books go this one has a lot going for it. Good plot, intriguing mystery, slight romance, but not too much. Overall it is fairly clean content, a little kissing but that it is. Some violence but mostly just a great adventure with learning about friendship mixed in. And some incredible characters. I was attracted to this book by the cover and the description. The description begins with:

"Nefertari "Terry" Hughes has three rules for surviving high school:
#1 Don't attract attention.
#2 Don't get involved.
#3 Don't make trouble.

A year after the accident that left her crippled and took her mother's life, sixteen-year-old Terry just wants to keep her head down and survive her new high school. When she catches the eye of cute basketball star Zach - who happens to be the boyfriend of mean girl Allison - all hopes of flying under the radar are gone."

Nefertari - Terry just wanted to get through high school, or at least until she could convince her father to let her do online tutors like she did while her and her parents were on archaeological dig in Egypt. But now they are back in the states, her father is preparing a new exhibit at a small museum, Terry is in high school and her mother is dead.

This story has a bit of it all mixed together in just the right amounts. You have the new kid at school. The jock. A mean girl. The editor of the school newspaper. And the Best friend, even if she is a social outcast. And that is just the teenagers. You also have an Egyptian Prince, an Archaeologist, a Museum curator combined with lots of crazy rumours and stories. And at the centre Terry must solve the riddles, and put together the clues, and at every turn it seems like someone else she cares about is in danger. So we have the mystery of a theft 50 years earlier Cleopatra's Armband and the disappearance of a school girl. Two people who are unconscious and the doctor's cannot figure out why. Thugs attack a young man, and at the centre of this swirling storm Terry the girl that wanted to not attract attention or get involved.

I started reading this book without realizing what book in the series it was. I actually though it was book 2 because of all the reference to the accident that killed Terry's mom and destroyed her knee. After finishing I realized this is book one and the story moves forward from here not back to tell how we got here. But to be honest I wish we had books on each end of this story. We can hope for a prequel someday …

This book was a great little read. I know a number of people that I will be recommending it to directly. This book does an excellent job as a mystery and also tackling the theme of bullying. There is a great section at the end for study group or class room discussion. As an introduction to a new author this book has hooked me and I know I will be reading more by Myers soon!

Books by B.R. Myers:
Butterflies Don't Lie
Girl on the Run
Cursed
…

Nefertari Hughes Mystery Series:
ASP of Ascension
Diadem of Death
Medallion of Murder
Relic of Revenge
…

Night Shift Series:
Night Shift
Black Firday

…

Loving the University - Barry Lyga - A Short Story

Loving the University
A Short Story
Barry Lyga
B & Z Publishing 
ASIN B01MTEXDEZ

This is the second in a series of short stories that Barry Lyga is releasing this year. These previously unpublished stories will be released one a month, and from the look of it only available during that month. So if you are a fan of Lyga's work then I suggest get them while you can. But these stories are also being published with a purpose, for Lyga will not be taking any of the proceeds of the sales. He has decided to donate the money to the ACLU in response to all that is currently going on in the political sphere. You can read about that more here. But not living in the United States nor being American that has a little less impact on me. However I have been a fan of Lyga's work since first discovering his writings in the anthology Geektastic back in 2009, in fact I have tracked down out of print anthologies that he contributed to. So the chance to get some new short stories is welcome.

This story was a very interesting read. As someone who was a student off and on for over 20 years both full and part time at a few different universities, and as someone who worked as a university chaplain, there is still a draw to campus and campus life. But this story tackles that from a different direction. It follows a father and son who live their life working in the family pizza shop, that is dependant upon the university students for it's success and prosperity. It is interesting to read about son witnessing his father, and then repeating the same events in his own life.

Lyga's description of the story is: 
"Stavros has worked his whole life at the Pizza Emporium.
(Or has he?)
He's watched generations of University men come and go, ever-changing, while his life has remained the same.
(Or has it?)
"Loving the University" is an intimate and intricate look into one man's choices and the pains of mere living.
(Or is it?)"

And in the author's note at the end of the story, he shares how this story came close to being published a number of times. But the publications seemed to want the same one change, a change that Lyga himself through would fundamentally alter the story. So it did not see the light of day until published this year so the proceeds can go to a cause Lyga believes in. The story was written in response to events that transpired in Lyga's life at Broadway Pizza in New Haven. But looking back he wonders about his writing the story and his conjectures that led to it. 

In this case event though it is a very good short story, they story about the story and the stories history are almost as interesting.

Books by Barry Lyga:
I Hunt Killers:
I Hunt Killers (2012)
Game - I Hunt Killers #2 (2013)
Blood of My Blood - I Hunt Killers # 3 (2014)

Every Hunter is Hunter (2026)

…

I Hunt Killers Short Stories:
Down Time (2018)
Lucky Day (2014)
Career Day (2012)
Neutral Mask (2013)
Blood Boy (2014)

…

Before the Hunt (2025)

…

Brookdale High:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006)
Boy Toy (2007)
Hero Type (2008)
Goth Girl Rising (2009)
Bang (2017)

...

Archvillian:
Archvillain #1 (2010)
The Mad Mask - Archvillian #2 (2011)
Yesterday Again - Archvillian #3 (2013)

...

The Flash Series:
Hocus Pocus (2017)
Johnny Quick (2018)
Tornado Twins (2018)

…

Crossover Crisis Series:

Green Arrow's Perfect Shot (2019)

Supergirl's Sacrifice (2020)

The Legends of Forever (2021)

…

Other Books By Barry Lyga:
Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A definitive Guide (with Alison A.W. Lyga - 2004)
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever (2009)
MangaMan (with Colleen Dorren 2011)
Unsoul'd (2013)
After The Red Rain (2015)
The Secret Sea (2016)
Thanos Titan Consumed (2018)
The Hive (2019)

...

Short Story Project 2017
The Ghosts at 95
Loving The University
The Ideas of March
Four Minutes
Pulse vs. the Killing Fiend
Her Decade
The Life Cycle of Stars (Ignition)
Bobby
Trading Worlds
When I Die
The Autopsying of Michael Edward Morgan
Meet Me Tonight
...

Contributed to:
Geektastic (2009)
Who Done It? (2013)

Author Profile and Interview with Barry Lyga
Author Profile and Interview with Randall Banner

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons on Cana and Calvary - Fulton J. Sheen

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons on Cana and Calvary
Fulton J. Sheen
Liguori Publications
ISBN 9780764807084
ASIN B00U298I7Q


This book is available in a few different editions it was originally published in 1945. Another edition does not have the subtitle 'Lessons on Cana and Calvary'.

In the first chapter of this book Sheen states: "It is interesting that Our Lord spoke seven times on Calvary and that His Mother is recorded as having spoken but seven times in Sacred Scripture. Her last recorded word was at the marriage feast of Cana, when her Divine Son began His public life. Now that the sun was out, there was no longer need of the moon to shine. Now that the Word has spoken, there was no longer need of words." And he goes on to say: "Saint Luke records five of the seven words which he could have known only from her. Saint John records the other two. One wonders, as Our Blessed Lord spoke each of His Seven Words, if Our Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross did not think of each of her corresponding words. Such will be the subject of our meditation: Our Lord's Seven Words on the Cross and the Seven Words of Mary's Life." Then the book goes on to compare and contrast the seven times Mary speaks with Jesus seven phrases from the cross.

The seven chapters in this book are:
The First Word: The Value of Ignorance
The Second Word: The Secret of Sanctity
The Third Word: The Fellowship of Religion
The Fourth Word: Confidence in Victory
The Fifth Word: Religion is a Quest
The Sixth Word: The Hour
The Seventh Word: The Purpose of Life

The first section compares Jesus statement "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34 with Mary's own 'know not' from "And Mary said to the Angel: 'How shall this be done, because I know not man?'" Luke 1:31-34.

This book is the 9th by Rev. Fulton J. Sheen that I have read in the last year. With each book I am realizing what a treasure we have in the writings that he has left behind for us. This book is pure biblical exegesis. For other than quoting a few prayers or poems this entire book is written around the scriptures, and Rev Sheen teaching to us directly from the word. In this work he draws predominantly from the gospel of Luke, but also from other gospels to compare wording or to support his teachings from the broader New Testament. In Fact he quotes from the followings books:

Luke 27
John 19
Matthew 6
Mark 5
Old Testament 7
Rest of New Testament 7

This book was an excellent read. The more of Sheen's writings I encounter the more I want to read. This is another excellent book that I highly recommend.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Fulton J. Sheen:

God and Intelligence in Modern Philosophy

The Seven Last Words

Philosophy of Science

The Eternal Galilean

Calvary and the Mass

The Cross and the Beatitudes

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary
Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons on Cana and Calvary

Communism and the Conscience of the West

Peace of Soul

Three to Get Married

Life Is Worth Living Series 1-5

Way to Happiness

Way to Inner Peace 

Life of Christ

Missions and the World Crisis

The Power of Love

Footprints in a Darkened Forest

Lenten and Easter Inspirations

You
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen

Finding True Happiness

Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book

Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

Lenten Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

God's World and Our Place In It

The World's First Love

The Cries of Jesus from the Cross

Your Life Is Worth Living

The Way of the Cross for our Enemies – 1938

The Way of the Cross – 1932

The Way of the Cross – 1933

…

Contributed to:

Beautiful Eucharist

...

Books About Fulton J. Sheen:

The Archbishop and I

Fulton Sheen - Louise Merrie - CTS Biographies

...

A Prayer of the Day Prayer Fulton Sheen Canonization Prayer

...