Book Review of The Boxcar Children: Mystery of the Fallen Treasure by Gertrude Chandler Warner

This is the first Boxcar Children book I have read in years, and I have to say I wasn't impressed.  The Alden kids and their grandfather go to visit some friends in Oregon.  One of their friends works on the search and rescue team, and tells the kids that their dog, Watch, has some of the necessary skills to be a search and rescue dog.  While training Watch, he discovers a backpack of jewelry in the woods.  The backpack was supposed to have been taken on a plane and delivered to the customer of a local jeweler, but apparently it fell out of the plane.  When the jeweler goes through the backpack, she discovers that the most valuable piece of jewelry is gone and blames the pilot.  The Alden kids set out to find out the truth--hoping to prove the pilot's innocence.

Okay, here are two reasons I wasn't impressed:
1.The kids were allowed to walk around the town without an adult as well as go places with strangers.
2. I found the story line very predictable.  I honestly think that 60 pages would have been sufficient for the kids to solve the mystery rather than 128 pages.

I feel like there are better books out there that would be more enjoyable for kids.  I normally enjoy reading children's mysteries, but I did not care for this one.

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Rock Harbor Search and Rescue: Lost and Found by Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble has done it again!  This is the second book on the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue series.  It is written for teenagers, but as an adult, I have found both of her books worth reading.  In Lost and Found, Emily and her friend, Olivia, find a photo of Olivia's adoption day.  The only problem is that Olivia has never been told that she was adopted.  Olivia wants answers about her adoption, but she can't ask her parents because then she would have to explain that they were looking for a wedding photo for her parents' anniversary surprise party.  So, the two friends set out to find some answers about Olivia's adoption with the help of their reporter friend, Inetta.  Meanwhile, there is the mystery of the fire at the high school, Emily's birth mother is back in town and Emily's step mother, Naomi is kidnapped.

I loved this book!  Great story line, great characters... I loved how Coble brings the separate stories together.  I don't want to say much more because it would give part of the story away!

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Unspoken by Dee Henderson

In Unspoken by Dee Henderson, Bryce Bishop is collectible coin shop dealer in Chicago, and he is bored.  He is bored until he is met with an offer he can't refuse.  Charlotte Graham sets up a coin shop next door to his shop, and she tells him that she won't open her shop if he buys all of her inventory - which includes her grandfather's entire coin collection.
As Bryce spends time with Charlotte, he becomes more and more interested eventually discovering that she was abducted 18 years earlier - the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.

 If that weren't enough of a story line, Henderson has also included the story of Bryce's friends, Ann and Paul, attempting to solve a cold case about a baby boy who was kidnapped and killed.

Eventually both stories come together, making this book one of the best suspense books I have ever read.

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Loula is Leaving for Africa by Anne Villeneuve

I read this book, Loula is Leaving for Africa, to my daughter, and we both found it very funny.  Loula is upset when her triplet brothers bother her, and she decides she has had enough and is leaving to go to Africa.  She packs up and heads out, but she realizes that she doesn't know how to get to Africa.  Her mother's chauffeur knows the way, and he spends the day "taking" Loula to Africa.

I really loved this book.  Every child gets frustrated at some point and says that they are leaving or running away.  Anne Villeneuve depicted that perfectly, and I loved the imagination throughout the book.  I also loved that there was an adult there with Loula helping her along the way, eventually taking her home in the end.

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of A No Sneeze Pet (Pet Friends Forever) by Diana Gallagher

A No-Sneeze Pet is a very cute book.  Emma's mom is allergic to pets with fur.  Kyle and Mia help Emma research different pets to help her find one that she will like, but one that won't cause her mom to sneeze.  They go to the pet store, talk to a veterinarian and visit friends/neighbors.  Emma wants a pet she can cuddle, so their search takes a while, but eventually they find the perfect pet.

I thought that the language was appropriate for ages 7 and up to read on their own and the illustrations were very cute and detailed.  I would definitely chose this as a book for my child to read.  I also think that the topic of pets is one that will interest a lot of kids in the target age range.

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Trapped: A Private Justice Novel by Irene Hannon

If you like mystery and suspense, this is a book you should definitely pick up!  Trapped by Irene Hannon kept me interested until the very end of the book.  Laura Griffith's sixteen year old half sister, Darcy, runs away just as a blizzard sweeps through the city; and Laura enlists the help of a private investigator, James Devlin when the police can't help.  What starts out as a business relationship, turns into something more while the search for Darcy goes on for days.

This is the perfect blend of suspense and romance in one book.  I loved the story line, and I didn't want to stop reading.  The characters are well developed as well as likeable (or unlikeable in reference to the "villain" of the story).   I really like that this is part of a series.  I will definitely be reading the other books in the series!

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs by Clint Greenleaf

I had the opportunity to read an advance electronic copy of Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs by Clint Greenleaf.  This is a story about the Three Little Pigs starting a business building brick homes for other animals when the Big Bad Wolf starts to blow down all of the animals' homes in the forest.  The Three Little Pigs' business is in high demand and ends up being very successful.  The pigs have to decide what to do with all of the money that they earned building the brick houses.  One of the pigs thinks they should use the money for something fun.  One thinks they should use their money to help other animals in the forest.  The third pig thinks they should save the money.  Hence, the concept Give, Save, Spend comes into play.

First of all, I have to say that the illustrations are gorgeous and the idea of the story is a good one.  It is important for kids to learn how to manage money.   With that said, I think that there are other books out there that teach this concept better.  We own some other books that teach the Give, Save, Spend concept, and they hold my daughter's attention better than this book did.

*I received an advance electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review of Morgan on Ice by Ted Staunton

Morgan on Ice by Ted Staunton is geared towards ages 6-9 years--a perfect beginning chapter book for those early readers.  The story will appeal to both boys and girls.  Morgan has been invited to attend Princesses on Ice with his friend, Aldeen.  However, when Morgan's friend, Charlie invites him to Monster Truck-A-Rama which is on the same day.  Morgan tries his hardest to figure out a plan to go to Monster Truck-A-Rama, and he comes to lots of kinks in his plans.

I thought this was cute, and I enjoyed seeing Morgan try to get out of going to Princesses on Ice.  I'm glad that Morgan's mother insisted that he could not change plans that he had already committed to because he could hurt Aldeen's feelings.  Luckily for Morgan, it all turns out well in the end.  This is surely a book that will have your young readers chuckling.

*I received an electronic copy of this book for free from the publisher for an honest review.

Book Review of A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer

I just finished reading A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer.  Rose was raised in a loving Amish family during the Great Depression.  She turned her back on the man she loves and was to marry because he assisted as a medic during World War II.  She doesn't understand why he would serve in the Englisch army, and although she loves him, she stands behind the Amish beliefs.  However, she soon discovers the truth about her birth--she was born Englisch, but her Englisch parents abandoned her when they moved in search of work. She was adopted and raised by the Amish family she knows and loves.  Discovering the truth about her past, Rose finds herself confused and wondering where she belongs.

I thought it was very neat that this book was based on a true story.  I really enjoy reading Amish fiction.  The characters seem to have a strong faith in God and strong family relationships.  This was true for this book as well.  Rose had strong bonds with her Amish family, so that she was extremely confused when she discovered that she was born Englisch.  Without giving away too much of the story, Jonathan, her boyfriend, also proved those bonds to be strong when he went to search for answers from Rose's past.  This was a pretty good read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review of A Plain Disappearance: An Appleseed Creek Mystery by Amanda Flower

I recently finished reading A Plain Disappearance: An Appleseed Creek Mystery by Amanda Flower.   In this book, it is almost Christmas when Chloe and her Amish boyfriend, Timothy, are on their first date and find the dead body of Katie Lambright near a barn.  There is evidence in the barn that seems to imply that Timothy's friend and auto mechanic, Billy Thorpe, may have had something to do with Katie's death. Timothy and Chloe work with the police to find the killer hoping to prove that Billy is innocent.

I was drawn in by the story line and the characters.  I loved all of the characters--especially Grandfather Zook and the main character, Chloe Humphrey.  She reminds me of a modern day Nancy Drew--always needing to investigate whether it can be dangerous or not.  There are many twists and turns in this book, and Flower does a good job of keeping the reader guessing who killed Katie until the very end of the book.  I didn't want to put it down!

*I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Lead Me Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

I recently read Lead Me Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams.  Lead Me Home is second book in the Winds of Change Series. The reader is introduced to Shiloh Griffin, who feels that she doesn't have an identity of her own outside of being a pastor's wife and a mom.  Although she loves being a pastor's wife and mom, when the opportunity to help out at a local high school teaching music comes about she jumps at the chance (once her husband is on board).  At the high school, she meets Monica, a fifteen year old girl, who is an extremely talented musician.  Shiloh takes on mentoring Monica for an upcoming music event, and she eventually has to face her past when Monica becomes pregnant.  We also see Shiloh's relationship with Jade Smith, the assistant pastor's wife, develop into an unexpected friendship.

I enjoyed reading this book.  While it may not be completely accurate, it gives us a glimpse into the home life of a pastor's family, focusing on the pastor's wife.  As a pastor's wife, Shiloh feels like she needs to hide the things that she did in her past that she wasn't proud of.  However, God has a plan, and He shows her that she can help others by being open about things that happened in her past.  I think it was a good lesson for me as a reader, but it didn't feel like one because it was an interesting story line.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review of Rock Harbor Search & Rescue by Colleen Coble and Robin Caroll

Rock Harbor Search & Rescue by Colleen Coble and Robin Caroll is perfect for tween girls who love mystery and suspense.  Although I am not a tween girl, I still enjoyed reading it having loved reading Nancy Drew and other mysteries when I was younger.

The book is about eighth grader, Emily O'Reilly.  She has a dream of one day joining the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue team and LOVES everything that has to do with Search and Rescue.  She is even saving up money for a puppy of her own when her parents offer to pay for half.  However, her hopes of getting a puppy fall apart when an expensive necklace is stolen from the booth next to hers at the fall festival.  All the evidence points to Emily as the thief.  Determined to prove her innocence, Emily and her best friend, Olivia, do an investigation of their own and eventually find the real culprit.

I think that the story was well written.  It kept me interested and wondering what was going to happen next.  I found some of the development of the characters lacking, but I didn't find that it affected the story line.  I think that overall, it was a worthwhile read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review of A Matter of Trust: A Mia Quinn Mystery by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

A Matter of Trust: A Mia Quinn Mystery by Lis Wiehl with April Henry begins with Mia Quinn having a phone conversation with her colleague at the prosecutor's office, Colleen.  While she is on the phone with Colleen, she hears a gunshot and Colleen does not respond.  Mia who is recently widowed and struggling to keep her family together is asked to head up the murder investigation.  Although she would prefer to spend more time with her kids, she needs the money, so she reluctantly agrees to team up with detective Charlie Carlson to investigate Colleen's murder.   Their investigation leads them down an unexpected path eventually leading to the possibility that Mia may be in danger as well!

I LOVED this book!  There was so much to keep my interest--the murder investigation, the relationship with Mia and her son, Gabe, the night terrors Mia's daughter is having, the suicide of a teenager that was bullied.  I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next!  I can say that my jaw dropped when I found out who the murderer was.  I highly recommend this book!  You won't be disappointed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review of Shattered (Alaskan Courage Book #2) by Dani Pettrey

I recently finished reading Shattered by Dani Pettrey, which is the second book in the Alaskan Courage series.

Shattered follows Piper McKenna and the rest of her family as they set out to prove their brother, Reef's innocence.  Two witnesses saw Reef fleeing from a murder scene, but he claims he is innocent.  A long time friend of the McKenna family, Landon Grainger, is in charge of the murder investigation.  All the evidence is pointing towards Reef; but when Piper decides to launch her own investigation, Landon decides he need to do all he can to protect her from herself and from whatever danger she might face.

I loved this book! Having not read the first book in the series, I was not familiar with the McKenna family and the other characters that had been in the previous book.  With that said, I felt like this book was extremely well written, and I could not put it down!  I am definitely going to be picking up the first book in the series, and I look forward to book three!

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review of The Great House of God by Max Lucado

Max Lucado's book, The Great House of God,  takes the Lord's Prayer in sections to give us a tour of God's house starting in The Living Room and guiding us through the rest of the rooms/parts of the house--the foundation, the observatory, the chapel, the throne, the study, the furnace, the kitchen, the roof, the hallway, the family room, the walls.

 Lucado has a writing style that is easy and fun to read.  In this book, Lucado tells us about our spiritual house (God's house) that exists to care for our souls, and he also tells us that we were intended to live in our Father's house.  The chapters that follow take us through the rooms/parts of the God's house.  One of my favorite parts was in chapter 8 (The Furnace Because Someone Prayed) where Lucado talks about Revelations 8:1 "...there was silence in heaven for about a half hour."  Lucado tells us that the silence was when someone was praying. "Heaven paused, and heaven pauses to hear the prayers of...someone." (page 80)  How awesome to know that heaven pauses to hear OUR prayers!  Such an amazing thing for me to see in writing and to ponder.  In the Postscript section of the book, Lucado suggests this: "Each day, as you awaken in his presence, remember the blueprint.  And as you talk to your Father, trace the floor plan in your mind.  It's a helpful way to enter his presence."  He also gives an example as to how the Lord's Prayer can guide our prayers.

If you haven't read this book, you need to pick it up as soon as possible because it is AMAZING!  I cannot say enough how much I loved reading it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review of Father Cry: Healing Your Heart and the Hearts of Those You Love by Billy Wilson

I recently read the book Father Cry: Healing Your Heart and the Hearts of Those You Love by Billy Wilson. This book brings attention to the need for spiritual mothers and fathers.  There are so many children growing up fatherless and/or motherless. Wilson calls the readers attention to the need for Christians to be those spiritual mothers and fathers, to truly love a child like our Father in Heaven loves us and to guide those children. Wilson shares about his own journey through life, as well as stories from others.  Wilson also talks about things being passed from generation to generation.  We need to be sure we are arming the younger generation with the knowledge they need to pass on to the next generation...this includes the love and words of Jesus Christ.

I do have to admit that I found parts of this book hard to get through, but there are many parts of the book that were easy and quick to read. Wilson definitely touched a topic that needs to be brought to the attention of every mother, father, teacher, grandfather, grandmother, etc. It is so important to remember that not every child has a person that is leading him or her spiritually, and we need to step up and be there for those children in those situations.



*I received this book from Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

I recently read The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann.  The Breath of Dawn mainly focuses on the relationship between Morgan Spencer and Quinn Reilly.  Morgan and his daughter, Livie are living with his brother, sister-in-law and nephew at their ranch after the death of his wife, Jill.  Quinn is hiding from someone she testified against, sending them to prison.  She is cleaning out the estate next to the ranch.  Morgan and Quinn become friends, and when Quinn runs into some trouble, he does something very unexpected to help her.  

I didn't realize that this book is actually the third Heitzmann has written that involves the Spencer family.  With that said, the first two books are really not necessary when it comes to this book.  The story is one of its own, and the characters are well developed.  Although the story line did start out a bit slow, I did find it to get a lot more interesting as I read more, and I didn't want to put it down.  If you like romance mixed with suspense, you will definitely want to pick up this book.  

*I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of inSignificant: Why You Matter in the Surprising Way God is Changing the World by Chris Travis

I wasn't sure what to expect when I chose to review the book inSignificant: Why You Matter in the Surprising Way God is Changing the World by Chris Travis.  What caught my eye in the description on the back of the book was actually the first two sentences--"If you're looking for a life of meaning, take hope.  God wants to use you in his surprising plan to change the world."

Being a Christian myself, I have always known that God wants to use me in his plan, but after reading this book, I gained more insight into how God can (and does) use us to change the world when we feel like what we are doing is insignificant.  Chris Travis includes his own personal stories about teaching for two years in one of the most dangerous public schools in New York.

Travis talks about how he began to use the Lord's Prayer as a guideline for praying and that once he began to focus his prayers on God and on others he saw some real power moving through him (pg.93)  He also tells us he began to pray less often for what he wanted and more often that God would give him what he needed to accomplish His will and to serve others well.

There is so much more that this book has to offer.  If you are looking for inspiration, this is definitely a book that you should read!

*I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of The Reason by William Sirls

The book The Reason by William Sirls is a story of believing and having faith in what you cannot see.  When lightning strikes the cross and St. Thomas Church and splits it in two, the minister, James Lindy, wonders how they will repair it without the necessary funds.  He hears the words "only believe."  This is not the last time that the characters in this book will be asked to "only believe."  

We will meet several characters along the way.  Macey Lewis is a young oncologist who will be challenged to believe in a higher power (God) rather than what she knows and has always put her faith in--modern medicine.  The mysterious Kenneth is a carpenter/construction worker who offers to try to help fix the broken cross and ends up giving everyone so much more.  Alex's mom, Brooke, is asked to believe that God will heal her son.  The cross brings together all of these people.

I found the first half of the book a bit slow moving, and it was hard for me to get involved in the story line.  Once I got further into the story, it began to move more quickly for me and found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next.  Overall, the book was just okay for me.  I think that it would have been better if this book had been part of a series (with books about each character coming first).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”