Home Run by Travis Thrasher--Book Review

Cory Brand is an all-star professional baseball player. He has money, he gets the girls, he has everything he could possibly want, and yet his life is spiraling out of control one day, one drink at a time. Cory is an alcoholic and after a string of events that lead him to violence, poor judgment, and trouble, he finds himself back in his home town where skeletons of his past life come back to life to haunt him. He begins a journey that not only leads him to coaching a Little League team or taking a twelve step program but leads him to a whirlwind of events that do more than change his bad habits. They change his life.

At first when I read the synopsis of this book, I thought it was going to be the typical sinner-converts-to-christian-and-lives-happily-ever-after story. I was wrong. It stepped away from the cliches of Christian novels and brought relate-able situations to life.

First, the characters were all well-rounded and realistic. I could relate to some, even though I have never gone through any of their problems. They stood out in my mind and were not cliche. I found myself sympathizing over Cory even though most of his actions were atrocious and pigheaded.

The story line was intriguing, and I think it will be beneficial to many who read this or go see the movie (it hits theaters on April 19th!). There is a powerful message throughout and it is brought in a way that is not typical. There are no perfect Christians who push their ideas at Cory until he crumbles and gives in to their ways. There is brokenness that has been mended. There are choices that become real as the narrative switches back and forth between Cory growing up in this town with an alcoholic and abusive father and his present life.

This is one story worth taking a look at, even if you are not a baseball fan.



Travis Thrasher is the author of more than a dozen works of fiction, including The Solitary Tales series, Isolation, and Ghostwriter. His writing is known for its honesty, depth, and surprising twists. Thrasher lives with his wife and daughters in Chicago.

For more on the book and movie go here. For more on Travis Thrasher check out his website.

-Jaguar Hero!

I received this book free from David C Cook to review and give my open and  honest opinion. All quotes and information are the right of David C Cook.

Twelve Unlikely Heroes by John McArthur--Book Review

Twelve Unlikely Heroes by John McArthur goes through the lives of twelve biblical characters that just like us today had faults and difficulties. The book show that even in the midst of struggles and trials, God can use us to be heroes for His purpose. McArthur uses his understanding and knowledge of these characters to bring about their stories with a new idea of what heroes are.

I started reading this book and while some parts were interesting with tidbits of facts I did not know, for the most part I found it rather uninteresting. Yes, the biblical characters he chose to write about are interesting, I just found the narrative to be long and boring. I feel as if he spent too much time giving us the well-known story instead of delving into deeper thoughts and issues with the characters and their lives. I know a lot of the biblical stories and the book felt more as a retelling in simpler, less biblical narrative. It was not as exciting as I thought it would be.

Plus the whole message of the book was pretty simple and laid out, God is the real hero of The Bible and only through Him can those people He has called become heroes.

Perhaps this book would be interesting for those readers who enjoy reading books that are similar to non-fiction books or are searching for a book to use as lesson plan for Sunday School or other small Bible study groups. I am more into reading about a riveting story line with action and adventure, so this book I felt was lacking it that area, but it could still be appropriate for other readers.



-Jaguar Hero!

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishing through booksneeze.com. I was required to give my honest opinion of the book, nothing more.

To Infinity and Beyond!

"For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." -Vincent Van Gogh

I know I have written blog posts about my infatuation with stars and outer-space (see here), but all those pictures and glorious information about stars would still be blurry appearances in the nighttime sky if it was not for a certain government organization: NASA.

NASA not only takes pictures of interesting stars and constellations and galaxies, but they learn things. They do things "To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind". Did you catch that last part? To benefit all humankind. They don't have to do that. They can just learn about stars and galaxies and plaster cool pictures and videos every where. But they do it with the mission to help people. I think that is cool. They want to improve life by searching the skies, the stars, the final frontier.

I am a huge science-fiction love. From Star Trek and Star Wars to Ender's Game and Doctor Who, I love it all (and yes, even Buzz Lightyear). And don't even mention Firefly or The Last Starfighter, those are just epic and sometimes over looked science fiction entertainment. It fascinates me. To imagine life in outer space and adventures. And I think it is awesome that NASA does things such as post pictures of cool stars on their website. I have always been intrigued by their work because it opens my mind to the possibilities of space travel and cool technologies. It makes me feel one step closer to the stars.

Space is a mystery. NASA is the detective searching for the answers. I have always longed for the stars and its mysterious depths. I have always dreamed as I stand outside on a clear night to look up at the stars with hope, hope that there is more to life and the answer is out there.

Even more than that, stars have awakened a deep feeling in me to know my Creator. I look up at the stars and their wonderful mystery and I know God is there and He created each one. NASA explores that. They uncover truths, that when I read about it, declare God's glory and praise. Perhaps that is not NASA's mission. It still reveals that to me. And there is nothing greater than to dream and hope.

NASA instills that in me. To continue forward and allow my intrigue to whisk me away on an adventure. Even if I never see the stars from their place in the sky, NASA brings me closer to the mindset of it. And that makes me feel alive. It makes me think my dreams and fantasies and love for science fiction have a chance at becoming real.

-Jaguar Hero!

(Want to celebrate NASA too? Join science-fiction author, Beth Revis, and all lovers of space here!)

Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren--Book Review

Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren continues the cross-cultural Grand Tour of Cora Diehl Kensington (Glamorous Illusions) as she not only makes her way through France and into Italy but also through the conflict and confusion of a budding romance. Along the way, she deals with many exciting and dangerous adventures, some that leave her head spinning and others that leave her heart soaring. 

This book! Oh my, this book. I am not sure I have the precise words to describe how incredible and enchanting this book is. I felt as wonderstruck as Cora did as I read about their adventures. Ah, the glamour and allure of the trip! There were dangers, excitements, swoon-worthy romantic scenes, and moments that left me stunned and itching to be in their shoes.

The stakes were higher in the book than the previous one, which only added to the story. There is high risks as shady men continued to follow them with ill-intent of kidnapping one of the precious children of the Copper Kings. And, Cora's own entanglements with love force hardships on her and the surrounding parties. 

There were breathtaking moments such as the various dances they attend with the stunning clothes and food (seriously, my moth was watering at their menu) or the memorable cliff jumping (definitely a favorite scene) or even the gut-wrenching glacier climb (man, that kept me on the edge of my seat). 

Bu these moments, the danger and adventure, kept the story flowing even up until the last pages. I was sitting there reading with ten pages left and the action was still going on! It was definitely intriguing and gut wrenching and marvelous. I cannot even express how lovely this book is without using the same words and probably sounding overly boring.

Lisa T. Bergren, the author

I love that in the worst moments, the characters gave it up to God. They called on Him to help them make the right decision and also for the much needed protection. It was inspiring and the events that happened, though almost a century in the past, can still be applied to things that occur in life today (well, maybe not the Copper King kidnapping scandals or the elaborate dances and suitors but still,  a girl can dream right?)

I loved it. All of it. Every moment. Even the moments where I found myself yelling at the book and the characters and the turn of events (yes, I do have witnesses to my vocal comments). Even the  moments that made me want to rip out  my own hair and scream and throw the book across the room (which did not happen, I love books they are precious and should never be thrown). Even the moments where I had to take a break from the story before I felt too overwhelmed with all that was happening. It was a magical ride across Europe that left me wanting more, which luckily my wish will be granted in six months, though that might not be soon enough. 

-Jaguar Hero!

I bought a copy of this book at my own expense. 

Maybe I'm Just a Dreamer

I made it my goal to try to write at least five hundred words every day for the next year. I did not quite start at the beginning January and I have already missed a couple days, but I am going to keep going and not quit. I would love to share some (not all) of these journal type entries I make. It is actually for a creative writing class I am taking, however, I do it every day whereas the class requires about three entries per week.

So, I was scrolling through my past entries and I thought I would share this one with you. It has been an idea tugging out my mind for quite some time, and I feel it clearly expresses how my brain and imagination work.

Thank you for reading. :)

When I come down the stairs of the library, I always want to stop on the landing and daydream. My mind sweeps me off into a magical land of fairy tales. I imagine I am standing on a grand staircase, looking out across an enchanting ballroom. There is glorious music drifting out of the piano and small band of musicians’ instruments. There is laughter and chatter echoing around the hall.

A sparkling chandelier hangs from the ceiling just above the edge of the last stair step. The crystals dangling from the golden rim shine as the light reflects upon the glass. There are glorious decorations embellishing the room in glitter and gleam. Huge, purple drapes cover part of the frosty windows. Only a peek of the dark night sky with stars looks in upon the warm faces. There are flowers and candles and garland that shine. Tables are decorated with the most exquisite dishware. Glass edges glisten in the low light.

I stand on the landing, one hand resting shyly on the banister. My skin looks pale in the light, fragile even. It is almost as if one move will cause it to shatter. The other hand is curled into a tight fist. The forefinger scratches against the inside of my palm with the rough nail. My fingers itch to tug on the dress that entraps me. It is a gorgeous gown of a deep green color. It flows over me, wrapping me up in a cocoon yet the skirt sails out around the waist, freeing my legs from claustrophobia. My hair, though short, is pulled up and back. Stray tendrils snake down my neck and flick around the edges of my eyes. I do not flick them away. I fear movement.

Below at the foot of the curving staircase, a young man stands. He is tall, dark haired. He looks up at me with a glint in his eyes and a kind smile on his face. He holds out his right hand to me, causing his suit jacket to bunch up at the elbow. He is decked out in a black tuxedo. My eyes linger on the bow tie as his neck. I wonder if there is a pair on suspenders hidden beneath his suit jacket. My eyes move back to his face. His eyes beckon to me, asking the one question I have both feared and longed for all evening. “Shall we dance?”

With a dry throat and a pounding heart, I nod to him. His smile grows slightly, and his eyes widen with delight. A nervous sweat coats the back of my neck, causing the loose hair to stick to my skin. Even so, I take the first step off the landing. The grand room melts away. The music and laughter fade to a dull silence. There is only the sound of pages turning, a stray cough, someone typing on the computer below. The enchanting young man is simply my co-worker standing at the check-out counter.

I stand at the top of the staircase in my jeans and hoodie and sneakers with only shelves full of books and a few scattered chairs below.

-Jaguar Hero!

Sub-Zero Tundra

What if all the roads were paved with ice that wouldn't thaw or crack?

We could skate our way to wherever we needed to go. We could twirl with snowflakes hovering in the air around us as they slowly drop in altitude. We could soar across the ground or slip and fall and bust our knees on the pavement until it feels as if it must be bleeding but it is simply just a growing bruise.

We could glide together hand-in-hand or mitten-in-glove.

I could look at you and smile at the way the cold brings red to your cheeks and how cute your nose looks or the way you eyes shine as they look back at me. I could see the shy smile on your face as we skate across the world together.

We could stick our tongues out into the frosty air and hope to catch the flakes and feel the coldness.

We could dance and move our feet like nimble acrobats until I fall and you laugh hysterically at me. Then, I would be laughing when I throw a clump of snow at your face. You would be knocked backwards and your hat would tilt sideways on your head, showing your dark hair with snowflakes mingled in it.

We could move so fast we would feel as if we were a bird ready to soar among the gray sky of clouds.

We could feel the wind against our cheeks and feel it grab our scarves that fly out behind us trying too hard to be capes. We could let the frostbite bite down on our toes because we forgot to put on another pair of socks and we have been outside for far too long.

We could smile wide because we feel warm inside as our fingers entwine. We could try to catch shy smiles at each other.

Darkness Doesn't Stand a Chance

You stand alone in a dark passage. You hold your hand up, but it is a blur in the dark. There is only silence. The walls of darkness surround you, threatening to squeeze you so tight you cannot breathe.

When you step forward, you stumble over unseen things--a broken step leading up, a crack on the ground, a hole, something that screeches and skitters off. Your hand smacks against the stone walls to your right. The sudden, hard impact leaves your palms tingling. You try to call out, to scream, but your lips will not open. You throat will not sing.

You try once more to step forward in the darkness. Your foot lunges through open air. You gasp as you try to find solid ground. You wobble forward, you heart seizing in your chest as your prepare to fall. Swinging your foot slightly to the left, you feel the hard stone beneath the soles of your sneakers. Safe.

Pausing, you give yourself a moment to breath and calm your racing heart. You can feel the edge of the hole you almost stepped into against the edge of your sneaker. You shiver and pull your arms tight around you. A cold draft races down the passage, grabbing at your clothes like unseen hands.

A light appears down the hall. It is a pinprick among the black. Your eyes draw to it. You stare at it, hoping--begging--it to grow bigger for you to see. It does. The color shifts from the striking white that blazes into your retinas to a warm yellow, a soft glow. As the light grows, it draws near to you. It illuminates the hallway and you can see all the faults in the path before you.

The dark shadows around you cower, trying to find life but failing as the light continues to grow. The floor is scattered with treacherous barriers. Cracks in the ground await the toe of a shoe to become stuck in the ridges. The hole before you is a dark drop into nothing. You can see trapdoors, faulty wiring, and broken chunks of rock ready to entrap someone in their dark claws. Even the walls are covered in obstacles to lead you off the path, sticky webs, holes to propel you out of the hall and into darkness.

Soon the hall is lit by the single light. Everything is made seen. All the darkness has been snuffed out.

You begin to make your way down the hall. You tip-toe around holes in the floor. You step over cracks and crumbling cement. It is easier to see the destruction in the light. You no longer feel afraid or hopeless.

The light surrounds you, flooding your with warmth. You can find your way out of the corridor and to a place you know.

As you glance back at the hall behind, you can look at all you have escaped form. One small step could have you trapped in a pit, one clumsy trip could have your crashing against the stone, if you had not been able to see because of the darkness. But with the light, you can see. With the light, the darkness does not stand a chance.

-Jaguar Hero!

P.S. This is one of my favorite songs.

Glory to God