Snorkelling with sharks at SEA LIFE!

A change from books just to give you a little review of an awesome experience I recently had thanks to my wonderful ex-colleagues at SEA LIFE...!

Swimming trunks – check

Underwater camera – check

Nerves of steal – ummmm that remains to be seen!

I arrived at SEA LIFE Blackpool and was greeted by Mike who talked through what to expect from the experience. We headed to the changing rooms to ‘Get ready for the dive of your life’, donned my wet suits and headed up to the top of the ocean tank.

There before me was 500,000 litres of water at a temperature of 25°C. The calm surface of the water was broken by the dorsal fin from one of the 20 sharks that call this tank home. Snorkels and masks on and I was ready to descend into the cage. The water was colder than I thought it might be, but soon warmed up as I dived beneath the surface to get a look.

It took a little while to get used to my surroundings, but found the handy grab-ropes fastened to the bottom of the 6ft deep cage were useful to hold myself under the surface and get a good look around. Once under the water, the only sound I could hear was my heart racing…whether this was from breathing through the snorkel or that a Black Tip Reef Shark just swam in front of me I’m not quite sure!

Although I had a snorkel, it was great fun to take a deep breath and pull myself down to the bottom of the cage and really take in the surroundings. As well as the many sharks, tropical fish swam nearby including Mono and Golden Trevallies.

It’s a really odd sensation to be invading the space of the graceful creatures, and they truly are that. The Reef sharks were particularly active as was Barnaby the Bowmouth – they are fully used to having people in the tank as the SEA LIFE staff dive regular to clean and maintain the tank as well as put on demonstrations for visitors, so our presence could have gone unnoticed, however they seemed keen to swim close by us and let us glimpse their beauty.

The 15 minutes was up way too soon, I could’ve spent hours in there. It really was an experience I’ll never forget and would recommend it to anyone!

Review of Afloat by Erin Healy (digital)

This story is set on floating residential unit, the pioneering creation of Architect Vance Nolan. Not far off being complete and disaster strikes - torrential rains begin to fall, leading to sink holes and floods causing the unit to be completely cut-off from the rest of the world. 

A diverse group of people - builders, residents and investors are stranded and divisions form as to what to do next. Vance Nolan insists they should sit tight and wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single mum Danielle Clement, desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, struggles to hold their motley band together.

Power failure, unnatural daytime darkness, explosions, then murder bring tensions to boiling point. But young Simeon has spotted something strange under the water - beautiful, shifting lights in the dark water below. Then there's the mysterious Ranier Smith who keeps appearing.

In this watery world where everyone's secrets will eventually come to light, salvation may mean more than just getting out alive.

It took me a few chapters to really get into this read...the descriptions of the residential unit and its surroundings along with the character introduction seemed a little tricky to follow...or that may just be me?! But I persisted and it really didn't take much to get into this gripping story, filled with suspense, almost apocalyptic action and supernatural elements. 

As I learnt more and more about the characters I began to feel a connection with them, with hints of comedy and romance in there to keep the story flowing. The back-story of Vance and how he came to know Zeke, a blind man who occasionally has prophetic visions, really help to give you a fuller picture of the subtle undertones that run throughout. 

I honestly struggled to put this book down and raced through it faster than I do most books, the mentions of God and references to scripture didn't seem out of place and worked well with the story. 

I'd definitely recommend this as a read to anyone, and look forward to reading more by Erin Healy.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of The Survivor by DiAnn Mills (digital)

I picked up this digital copy of The Survivor by DiAnn Mills and wasn't sure what to expect from this as I've never read a Christian crime thriller before! 

The story follows crime novelist Kariss Walker who is asked to team up with Dr. Amy Garrett, a Christian counselor offering to support for women traumatised by vicious crime, to tell the story of her own trauma through a novel.

As the story unravels we learn more about Amy's motives for telling her story in this way, as well as understanding Kariss's previous involvement in an FBI cold case.

At first I found the book a bit slow, taking time to develop the characters, however you couldn't help but be shocked at Amy's back story, made even more powerful knowing it was based on a real girl.

After a short while though, I really got to the stage where I couldn't put it down. Chapters ended making me want to keep reading on, intrigue set in, how would all the plot lines fit together in the end?

Overall a thoroughly enjoying read, a combination of intrigue and suspense kept me wanting more. The story was underpinned by man's search for truth, faith and love.

Mills used a solved cold case from the Houston FBI records as the basis for this story making this chilling yet heartwarming story. 

Quote from the author:

“I touched on many issues in this book as I strove to write realistic family dynamics in the midst of tragedy. Our lives are all about relationships and the people placed on our paths. We are to love and not smother, give and not take, sacrifice and not demand. I hope you look at your loved ones with more thankfulness and joy. Treasure them. Keep them in your prayers, and always let them know you love them."

Excerpt From: Mills, DiAnn. “The Survivor.” Zondervan, 2013. iBooks. 

This material may be protected by copyright.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising.”

I've been reading Jesus Is________ by Pastor Judah Smith and being captured by the message it brings, I felt the need to share this further. So when I was asked to preach at my church, a message encompassing the thoughts from this book seemed logical.

I have to say I have never enjoyed preaching more than bringing this message, I felt so passionately about the love of Jesus, grave among other things and really believe that came across through my preach. Anyway, if you have a spare 43 minutes (and 1 second!) then have a listen...

Just head to the Lytham Christian Centre's media page, click 'Launch Sermon Player' and scroll down to 10/03/13 and the sermon entitled 'Come as You Are', hope you enjoy! I always welcome feedback :)


TO BUY JESUS IS__________ CLICK HERE!

For info on the book, click here

Judah's Twitter feed is here

The Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

This is the third time I've sat down to read the Left Behind series (but I'm yet to complete it!). I remember the first time, our church received a whole batch of book one for free - a very clever marketing strategy from the publishers - I was so psyched!!

These books are incredibly well written with excellent character development and edge-of-the-seat story lines, however I can't help but feel a little frustrated with the authors.

When the series came to completion there were a total of 12 books....oh wait, then there was the 3 prequels, oh and the sequel, and the kids series (40 books!), oh and a few movies....AND a flippin video game - are you kidding me?!

There's writing an awesome Christian fiction series...and there's selling out. I'll let you figure out which way I'm leaning!

Anyway, I decided to write a review now because I've made it further in the series than ever before - just completed Desecration (book 9).

Literally could not put this book down! The story continues following the Tribulation Force, a core group of post-rapture believers.

We meet a few new characters in this installment, and have some heartache as we inevitably lose some.

I really felt for Chloe, being stuck behind while the others go off on their various missions, but we see the extent of the efforts she is putting in to commodity co-op, allowing people to trade without the mark of the beast.

David's technical genius continues to play a vital part in the Trib Force being one up on Nicolae and co.

However, the extents to which Nicolae, the Antichrist, goes to enforce worship of himself as the risen lord and saviour of the world are sickening.

Disregarding my frustrations about the authors / publishers (for dragging it out and totally selling out)...I seriously love these books and the cliff hanger at the end of this one makes me incredibly glad the next installment is sat on my shelf!

If you're a fan of the series - you'll LOVE this book, if you've not enjoyed the earlier ones...chances are you won't!

As an aside, but related, it seems pretty likely there'll be another attempt at turning this series into movie, however this time with actors you may have heard of...!

Nicholas Cage as Rayford Steele

Chad Michael Murray (off of One Tree Hill) as Buck Williams

Ashley Tisdale (off of High School Musical) as Chloe Steele

I'd defo be interested in watching that!

Jesus Is_________

I've been recruited as part of the Jesus Is________ 'street team', so am making my way through an advanced pdf copy of the book by Pastor Judah Smith - absolutely loving it, he's passionate, funny and brings some strong biblical principles through this book.

Full review to follow, but for now - here's some quotes!

TO BUY JESUS IS__________ CLICK HERE!

For info on the book, click here

Judah's Twitter feed is here

Review of The Power-Based Life by Mike Flynt (Paperback)

Realise your life’s goals and dreams by strengthening your body, mind and spirit.

Mike takes us on a step by step journey to realising life’s potential and walking in the life that God has laid out for us before we were even born.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” ~ Ephesians 2:10

He kicks off this book (excuse the pun!) with a very popular concept in self-development, business, leadership and management circles and particularly reminded me of ‘Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. The idea being that instead of developing those areas you are weak in, you find your strengths and ‘play to them’.

However, unlike Strength Finders, it’s exciting to see biblical principles being applied here as well.

The principles laid down in this book are excellent and have good practical application throughout. Each chapter is supported by personal examples of Mike achieving his goals, particular in discovering a career he didn’t even realise existed – but that fit perfectly with his passions, goals and dreams.

Mike Flynt is a ‘man’s man’, an American Football player and coach, and this book will definitely speak sports fans, and men’s men…alas; I am not a man’s man, so for me – not a great choice, but some excellent life principles weaved with scripture.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising.”