Web Thinking

(Connecting, Not Competing, For Success)

by Dr. Linda Seger

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Here Linda Seger gives specific steps to switch from linear to web thinking, and change our lives from isolation to deep connection.

Biography

Dr. Linda Seger created and defined the script consulting profession in 1981 when she began her business, based on her doctoral dissertation about what makes a good script a great script. Since then, she has worked on over 2000 scripts, and with writers, producers, directors, and executives from six continents, including Peter Jackson, William Kelley, and Ray Bradbury. She is the author of 9 books on screenwriting and has given seminars on screenwriting in over 30 countries around the world. In the last eight years, she has also written 6 books on spirituality, (2 to be published in 2017), based partly on her degrees in theology where she explored how drama communicates values and themes, how spiritual principles are expressed through art and business, and the relationship of the creative process and spirituality. Dr. Seger lives in the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs with her wonderful husband and a magnificent cat.
Find out more at LindaSeger.com  


My thoughts ~

Web thinking is a combination of thought concepts. Dr. Seger begins the description of web thinking with the straight line, spiraling, the circle, and finally the web where all facets of thought are brought together into the relatable component of the World Wide Web as we know it. 

The descriptions of each thought process are well presented and understandable. Personally, never having been involved in business, and the growing power of women and business, I can't relate to that aspect of the web. I can only relate through interpersonal relationships in my life. That being said, I found it difficult to become engrossed in reading the book, as I felt it wasn't pertinent to my personal life.

Dr. Seger is very highly educated and well versed in her writing. I admire her knowledge and concepts that show the development of web thinking. If you're a woman involved in the business world I think you may find this a helpful asset in your life.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a gift from The Book Club Network (Book Fun). All expressed opinions in this review are my own, and no compensation or expectations were related to this review.
 

"The Cautious Maiden"

(The Everstone Chronicles #4)

by Dawn Crandall

Description

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents' New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks; but when Violet's own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust and who to leave behind. 

Biography

Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which consists of four books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, The Captive Imposter and The Cautious Maiden which released October 4th, 2016.
Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mom of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn't begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn't take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do.
Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

My thoughts ~

Dawn Crandall is a new author to me, and I have not read the prequels to this novel, the 4th in The Everstone Chronicles. That being said, this book could easily be a stand alone novel. I do think it might be advantageous to read the previous books in the series for more vivid background information.  

Character development is competent, and locale is well represented. Detailing is commendable! The book starts off with instant drama, and the suspense continues throughout the book. It's difficult to know who is trustworthy and what their motives may be.  Lack of trust is woven throughout this story of Vance and Violet as they discover a deep attraction for one another. 

 I found it a bit difficult to determine characters at first, but I think that is because I lack the background for this story. That made the first portion read slowly for me because I had to backtrack occasionally to clarify background information and characters. As I became more familiar with characters and locale the book picked up and moved along at a rapid pace. I enjoyed being taken back in time to the late 1800s, and the premise behind the events portrayed in this book.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own No monetary compensation was received for this review.

"The Hawaiian Quilt"

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

& Jean Brunstetter
Review & Giveaway!

Description

Join Mandy Frey as she and three friends leave their Amish community in Indiana for the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. But when Mandy and one of her friends miss the cruise ship after a port of call on Kauai, how will they adjust and get back home? Find out in this brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

Biography

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 70 books with more than 9 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.






My thoughts~

Mandy Frey and 3 Amish girlfriends take a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands while still in their traditional running around years. Their plan was to return and join the Amish church, with Mandy possibly marrying her boyfriend, Gideon. Armed with nontraditional items such as cell phones and cameras the girls enjoy Hawaii until Mandy and her travel partner miss their cruise ship, and become stranded on the island of Kauai.

I found this to be a very different style from Ms. Brunstetter's previous books. The characters were somewhat shallow and the book moved somewhat slowly for me until the last few chapters. I had expected the Hawaiian quilt to be a strong feature in this story, but it was a minor detail compared to the rest of the story line. I enjoyed the book except for the minor details. Wanda Brunstetter still remains a favorite Amish storyteller.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own No monetary compensation was received for this review.

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is: Friday, October 28th.

 

"Abducted"

by Dana Mentink

Description

ON THE RUN 

When the high school sweetheart she never expected to see again bursts through the door of her medical mission clinic, nurse Sarah Gallagher can't hold back her shock. But Dominic Jett isn't there to catch up. He's trying to save a life, and the thugs on his tail will stop at nothing to catch him. Now abducted and imprisoned on a remote island, Sarah and Jett become pawns in a tug-of-war between a powerful drug lord and a devious madman. And their only chance for survival is working together to find the valuable painting the dangerous men are searching for. But with someone trying to kill them at every turn, can they locate it in time to keep their reunion from turning fatal?

Biography

Dana Mentink is an award winning author of Christian fiction. She's written more than twenty five mystery and suspense novels. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com or find her on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest. Dana hosts monthly contests at www.dmentink.wordpress.com and on her YouTube channel. 

My thoughts ~

High school sweethearts cross paths in a most unlikely way. Never expecting to see one another again, the two are thrown together into chilling events that could kill them both. Drug lords and missing art are tangled webs woven throughout this nonstop suspense thriller! The wild chase toward a safe haven turns into one trap after another. There's not a dull moment in this fast paced book.

Characters are well developed, even more so if you've followed along with the Pacific Coast Private Eyes series. I've read every one, and each can be read as stand alones or to read as a series. Each book keeps the reader guessing until the very end. With each of Dana Mentink's books, I can't seem to read fast enough, and forget about laundry, cleaning and even, eating!

If you love reading a thrilling and chilling suspense novel, this is one you won't want to miss. Keep a pot of coffee handy and prepare to stay up late with this one!

Disclaimer: The author sent me a copy of this book as a gift. There were no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are mine alone, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

 

"Overshadowed"

(The Remnant)

by Vannetta Chapman

Description

When the Lights Go Out...
 

Who Will Be Ready?

All Gabe Thompson wanted was a rewarding and challenging career in the U.S. military. He's about to get his wish.

Biography

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published more than one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her novel Falling to Pieces was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner. A Promise for Miriam earned a spot on the June 2012 Christian Retailing Top Ten Fiction list. Anna's Healing was a 2015 Carol Award finalist. Chapman writes Amish romance, Amish cozy mysteries, and Christian dystopian (suspense). Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com 


My thoughts ~

Overshadowed is the prequel to The Remnant Series, a dystopian collection of books taking a look at what the world would be like if a massive solar flare occurred, wiping out all modern technology.

A short story, the Kindle version of Overshadowed is available through Amazon free of charge. It's a quick read, but a preview of coming attractions in The Remnant Series. Order your Kindle copy in order to introduce yourself to a thrilling series! You'll be enlightened by the possibilities of the future.