|
About the Reviewers |
Whenever someone recommends
a book for me to read, I take into account the person who is
recommending it. I listen to the recommendations of some
people; to others I don't. I hope you feel comfortable with the
book recommendations given in this site. To further that end, I
am including information about each of the reviewers. If you enjoy reading and would
like to contribute reviews, I encourage you to apply to become a reviewer.
I am the fifth of five children, raised in a loving, Christian family. I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, but am now a member of the Presbyterian Church in America. I graduated from Dordt College in Northwest Iowa with a degree in mathematics education for the secondary level. After graduation I taught mathematics in a couple different Christian schools for nine years. During that time I met and married my husband, Norlan. I am now a stay-at-home mom, caring for our son, Christopher. I am also a certified aerobics instructor. I enjoy spending time with friends and family while camping, hiking, playing games, or simply visiting. I also enjoy sewing and various crafts.
(updated 3/27/99)
I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church and now am a member of the Presbyterian Church in America. I am married to Julie De Groot and we have one son, Christopher. I have a degree in Journalism from Dordt College ('83), and a Master of Divinity degree from Calvin Theological seminary ('89). I became certified to teach English after studying two additional years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ('95). I enjoy reading, photography, gardening and any outdoor activities that include camping or hiking. Before I entered the teaching profession, I worked for a few years writing for Contact magazine, a publication of the Christian Business Men's Committee. I have also done some freelance work, writing a Bible study for Cook Communications and articles for a number of magazines.
(updated 3/27/99)
My name is Amanda Grace. I am a new mother of triplets (born December 1996). My former career (which it may be again sometime) was a professional singer/ actress/ musician, and voice teacher. I am still a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. I graduated h.s. from Frederick Christian Academy, in Frederick, MD. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hood College, Frederick, MD. However, lest you think I have been nowhere else, I'll relate my first 12 years of marriage. My husband is a P-3 pilot in the Navy, and our first duty station was Barbers Point, Hawaii. We lived there for four years, saw all of the islands, and also spent a two week vacation in Korea. I performed with Hawaii Opera for three seasons, Hawaii Chamber Opera, and several community theatres. Then we moved to Jacksonville, Fl for two years. We became very involved in the ministry at Westside Baptist church , and made many friendships. I continued to teach and perform on a smaller scale. Our next stop was Virginia Beach, where many new performing opportunities were offered to me. I sang for two years with Commonwealth Musical Stage, Norfolk Savoyyards, and a small Baptist church in downtown Norfolk. The roles were fun and varied: Magnolia in "Show Boat", Kathie in "The Student Prince", Anna in "Tintypes", and several choral parts. I spent one Summer studying voice with the American Institue of Musical Studies in Austria and visited Italy in the winter with my husband as his ship pulled into Naples. We continued our trek Northward to Brunswick, Maine. While there, I performed with Maine State Music Theatre, Seacoast Repertory Company (Christine in "Phantom"), and The Downeast Singers. I also became interested in Civil War history and became a tour guide at the home of Joshua L. Chamberlain. We were also involved in the music ministry of Berean Baptist Church. During our last Summer there, my husband was deployed to Sigonella, Sicily and I was offered a singing job in California. So I sang with "The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville Company" for four months, and made some great friends at "Berean Bible Church" in Arroyo Grande. Then the big change: The Lord blessed us with three beautiful babies. We moved back to Md, to be near family for the birth and continued help. We are now involved in music and starting a parenting ministry at People's Baptist church. I love to sew and quilt and tend my flower garden and water garden (in my spare time).
(updated 10/1/97)
I have been an avid reader all my life, absorbing every book that comes my way. I have written several novels, even had an agent on one, but none have YET been published. I am still hopeful and continue on with my writing. I am a wife, a mother, a step-mom and a pet-owner. I'm obsessed with a neat house, though not crazy enough to drive my family insane. I like to swim and paint and garden. My family is Methodist and we try to instill this worship in the hearts of our kids. Currently, I am unemployed by choice, spending quality time with my youngest daughter and avoiding the day-care environment for a while. I find myself volunteering in her school library on a regular basis.
In school, Creative Writing and English Literature were my favorites. I took everything available in the English departments. I have not yet graduated with a college degree but continue to forge ahead. Without sounding redundant, I read everything put before me and mentally critique as I go. Being a writer myself and having been through the frustrating steps of seeking a literary agent and/or publisher and being criticized myself, I am aware of an individual's delicate feelings. My closest friend is also a writer, not yet published, and we constantly bounce ideas off one another and walk that fine line of a thorough critique.
(updated 7/24/00)
I am 52 years old, the mother of married children. My husband and I live in an apartment after selling our home this past year. I do not work out of the home although I do volunteer work as an editor and writer for World Missionary Press of New Paris, Indiana. I have a BA degree from Pillsbury Baptist College in Minnesota and have done some graduate work in English at Mankato State University (Minn.) and Western Michigan Univ. (Kalamazoo). I have been an avid reader since early childhood. My interests are studying Scripture, reading history, political science, biography, archeology. I have a garden which takes a good bit of time. My hushand and I are changing our eating habits to a more healty, less meat based diet, so we are trying new foods and recipes, which is fun. Books have always been my love and I'm very interested in helping any program that is designed to provide good literature/reading for those who strive to live godly lives. I was raised in a fundamental Baptist home. We have been in Baptist churches all of our married life, however we are currently attending a Brethren church.
(updated 10/1/97)