Son of God

Diogo Morgado ... Jesus
Sebastian Knapp ... John
Greg Hicks ... Pilate
Darwin Shaw ... Peter
Joe Wredden ... Judas
Roma Downey ... Mary, Mother of Jesus

Until I had read other reviews, I had no idea that this was a repackaging of The Bible miniseries, so I did not go into it with tainted eyes and a feeling of it being a misrepresentation.

What I did come away with was a beautiful movie that highlighted the familiar parts of the New Testament. You would have had to already know the who’s and why’s but for the most part, the story played out. Beginning with a quick replay of the Old Testament to get the viewer up to speed, then delving into all the stuff that I remember from Sunday school ending with a brutal depiction of the crucifixion and closing with the resurrection.

Are there things that I would have preferred that they correct before the movie hit the big screen? Of course, but that would have involved Roma Downey never having had plastic surgery and the voice coach hired to help Diogo Morgado paying better attention, and Mary, Mary, and the other Mary being better defined for the viewer.

Overall, would I recommend it? Yes. Do I now think that I just might have to rent The Bible to see all the other parts that I missed? Yes

Berried to the Hilt

Title: Berried to the Hilt
Author: Karen MacInerney
Published: November 8th 2010 by Midnight Ink
Format: Paperback, 278 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: A Gray Whale Inn Mystery #4

First I have to get off my chest my absolute dislike of Karen MacInerney going back and forth calling the same character Eli and Eleazar. Yes, I know that Eli can be an abbreviated version, but the first couple of times, my brain wanted to separate the two into two different people.

Berried to the Hilt has a couple of things going on. Innkeeper Natalie Barnes has been volunteered to be the judge of Cranberry Island’s annual cranberry bake-off which has half the island stopping by with little samples, a lobsterman has found what appears to be the remains of Davy Blue’s pirate ship, treasure hunters and academics are now camped out at her inn until ownership can be decided, a food writer from New York is work’cationing at the inn, and then there is the body of one of the treasure hunters who appears to have been stabbed by Eli/Eleazer’s sword.

Natalie’s life is a balancing act but she is determined to prove Eli/Eleazer innocent even if it involves a harrowing midnight run to find a killer before she has to be up bright and early to bake muffins for her guests.

This is an easy going series. The recurring characters are interesting and just when Natalie gets herself in too deep, her dependable fiancé is there to help her whether it be finding a killer or creating a salad dressing and one day they just might be able to get around to setting a wedding date. That is unless another body turns up.

How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World

Title: How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World
Author: Sophia Stuart
Published: February 18th 2014 by Hay House, Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 128 pages
Genre: Self-Help
Source: Amazon Vine

Upon picking up this book, my first thought was that it would make a perfect addition to a gift basket. A little wine, a candle, maybe even a teacup and some nice chamomile.

This small book with beautiful photos on one page with the adjoining page giving ideas on a relaxing treat to soothe your being. It will make your mind wander and your imagination take flight.

Divided into five sections – introduction, morning, afternoon, evening and a shopping list, the reader meanders on a relaxing journey through all the parts of their day showing how to add beauty and that giant exhale that we need to take more often.

Coming about from a stressful job and a medical diagnosis, Sophia Stuart reengaged her creativity and in doing so, the reader walks on a magical journey that re-balances the craziness and drops you back off in the middle of tranquility.

Ninja Red Riding Hood

Title: Ninja Red Riding Hood
Author: Corey Rosen Schwartz
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Published: July 10th 2014 by Putnam Juvenile
Format: Hardcover; Pgs 40
Genre: Children's
Ages: Age Range: 3 - 5 years; Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten

A big book that brought a smile to my face just by looking at the cover.

Told in rhyme, the reader is taken back to the wolf of Three Little Pigs fame and how he is down on his luck and cannot get a decent meal. The wolf takes himself to Ninja school so those pesky meals will end up on his plate.

Then out of nowhere, Red Riding Hood appears on her way to Grandma’s house and the wolf thinks up a new plan. Little did he know that this sweet girl had her own training and Gran is no pushover either.

They say you can catch more flies with honey, but sometimes a girl needs to grapple and sideswipe and twist to convince a wolf to give up his red meat eating ways.

We loved this book. It was adorable, exciting and laugh aloud funny.