Book reviews for the young and the old. This site reviews children, teen, and adult books with a few interesting things thrown into the mix. Check out the labels on the right hand side for specific genres or topics.
Sunday, January 19, 2025
From Turmoil to Peace by Delia Hayward
Friday, January 3, 2025
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Genre: Adult, Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: Purchased
By the way, the movie is just as
awesome.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
A Christmas Wish by Engy Neville
Genre: Adult, Romance
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own
Romance novels are not usually my go to genre. I have certain
requirements. I don’t want a mushy, gushy romance. There has to be other conflicts that must be
solved for me to truly enjoy it. This is my first book by this author and will
not be my last. As a teacher of teens, I
have been reading middle grade and young adult books for so long that I had put
a lot of adult books on the back burner.
Amy is a young woman who moved from California to take
another job, her dream job in New York. She left behind a cheating boyfriend
and a job where her boss was out to get her. On a vacation to the Hamptons with
her best friend from California and her
new best friend from New York, she meets Richie, a gorgeous looking man. He
seems to have fallen head over heals in love with her. She meets his family at
Thanksgiving and loves them. Then things
begin to fall apart. Her former boss is back in her life in New York. They have
the same position. She is getting ready to spend Christmas with her boyfriend
and his family. It seems that things are going downhill fast.
Things aren’t always what they seem to be. There are many things we learn as we read the
book that adds quite a bit of tension to this story. That is what made me
really enjoy this book. I will stop at
this point because I don’t want to give anything away. I will say, if you love
a feel good romance or you are like me, sitting on the fence when it comes to
romance novels, then you most definitely need to read this one.
Friday, September 27, 2024
A Place of Refuge by Marlayne Giron
Genre: Adult, Christian Fiction
Source: I purchased a copy.
I loved this sequel to Second Chance Inn. I have known a few Amish people who were
shunned by family and friends because they chose a different path. I know this is a part of their faith, but I
always wondered how they would feel if God shunned them because they did
something he didn’t agree with.
Rachel is having a tough time. She is fresh home from the hospital and is really unable to do much. She came back to a disaster. Dishes have been piling up in the sink. Laundry is sky high. It really isn’t because her daughter just didn’t care. It is because her daughter was trying to help keep the farm running and trying to keep things running smoothly in the Inn. All Rachel can do is pray that God will provide. He does just that when Emma shows up. She has been shunned by her family, her car has broken down. She has no money and doesn’t know what to do. Lucky for her she broke down near “The Second Chance Inn”. She wonders if God is giving her a second chance. Emma contacts three of her friends, Like Emma they don’t fit into the Amish or the English world. These young men are also give a place to stay and food for the night.
Rachel awakes from a dream and asks God for confirmation, so
she will know his will, and she gets it. It becomes clear that the Inn is to be a
place of refuge for those like the young kids she has just taken in. She and
Samuel had the same dream. The burden is lightened with the help of the three young men and Emma.
There is so much more in this book. The characters are well developed. Whether you are a Christian or not you will enjoy this book. The author has created characters who have real trials like we do. She doesn’t put them in a fake Amish world where everything just turns up roses. What she does is shows what happens when the two worlds collide. She has shown realistic issues that show up and take them on a rollercoaster ride. She shows that our faith can get us through even the most terrible of trials. This is a must read. If you have not read her first book, “Second Chance Inn.” You really must read it. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I really need to see what happens and how God answers their prayers.
Sunday, July 28, 2024
The Ghostly Grounds: Murder and Breakfast by Sophie Love
Genre: Adult, Mystery
Source: Purchased
Marie Fortune is nothing like her name. In just a few short hours, she quit her job,
got rid of her two-timing boyfriend and received a call from police that they
had found your great-aunt June dead in her house. Fortune had nothing to do
with her day. June packs a bag and head
up to Point Bliss. Her one hope at that time is that whoever ends up with her
aunt’s house will let her have one last walk through. At her great-aunt’s
funeral a lawyer approaches her. He hands her three envelopes. The first one
informs her that she is the new oner of her aunt’s house. The second one
informs her that her aunt left her a surprise. The surprise ends up being a dog
named Boo. The third envelop contains the keys to the house.
After spending a night in the house Marie decided to make
her childhood dream a reality. She will turn her grandmother’s house into a bed
and breakfast. The first customer she has booked arrives only to realize they
booked the wrong place. The second call she gets is someone looking for a place
in the area because of a job he has. Brendan
Peck is a paranormal investigator. He is investigating a nearby lighthouse.
On a tour of the bed and breakfast he is videotaping a couple of areas
and finds what seems to be a ghostly appearance. Overly eager, he posts the
video to Twitter and it goes viral. The
calls start pouring in. This includes a call from Alfred Ryker. He is known
around the world for debunking paranormal activities. After filming all night
he comes down and informs Marie he has proof to debunk the ghost in her
place. Later that day he is murdered. Who
would kill him and why?
This book was absolutely awesome. So much so I bought the
rest of the series to read. It was a great murder mystery. There were some
ghostly elements along the way. I loved her dog Boo. He has an important role
in this book. It kept me guessing all
the way through. I literally sat and read in in three hours. So good. I love when I find a new to me
author and can recommend them to others.
Monday, July 22, 2024
Ocean’s Justice by Demelza Carlton
Genre: Adult Romance
Source:Purchased
A ship finds a woman naked and
floating on a raft. How did she get there? Who is she? The one love of her life is dead, and now she
is aboard another ship. She can't speak their language. She is able to tell
them her name is Maria. Some consider it
unlucky to have a woman on board. Some want something more from her.
This story follows along as the men all lust after her, and one falls in love with her, and she with him. This is a story that builds and builds. It is full of learning, love, and catastrophe.
The world building is great. The
time period is wonderful. The only problem I have is the explanation of the
sexual act. I am a grown woman and really have no desire to read the details of
a sex act. The storyline was wonderful, even with this one unnecessary scene.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Student Saturday: This Made Me Think of You by Emily Bird
"This Made
Me Think of You" by Emily Bird is a poetry book about love. I enjoyed
reading this poetry book because it had deep meaning. This poem describes love
with words using a double meaning, creating a more interesting word choice. I
believe this book was significant to express the connotation of love. I would
recommend this book to people who like poems and/or love genre.
Friday, July 19, 2024
Cursed by Casey Odell
Genre: Adult, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy from BookBub. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Claire lives a fairly boring life. Her mother owns a Tavern.
Her job is simple; stay behind the bar, wash the dishes and clean up. One night after Claire has gone to bed she is
awoken by her mother. Her mother helps her dress quickly and ushers her out of
their house. Their town is ablaze. Then the real terror begins. Clare sees the Centaurs
who are determined to destroy the people of her town. Her mother runs with her
through the fields. She gives her a dagger and tells her to run into the
forbidden forest, known as the Cursed Forest. This is where her journey begins.
Found by an Elf, she had no idea existed she is taken to the palace and presented
to the King. She discovers a mark on her
hand and arm that begins to glow blue. From here she is forced into a mission
With two Elves, Aeron and Farron. What do they want with her and where are they
going?
This book was full of twists and turns. Claire doesn’t know
who to trust and it seems her companions don’t either. The world building is awesome. Each city they
visit is described in a way that you can imagine it in your mind. The hint of
magic that runs throughout the story lends an element that keeps you
reading. The ending was one I had not
seen coming. I can’t wait to read the
other three books in this series.
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks
Genre: Adult Suspense/Thriller
Source: I purchased a copy
This was an excellent story. I started it last night and got up early this morning to finish it. The story is told from two points of view, Charlotte and Harriet; and from two time periods “then” and “Now”
The “Now” time period takes place in a police station and the “Then” takes place before the events that led them to the police station. This was one talented author to be able to write this way and keep it so organized I never felt confused.
Charlotte is the mother of three children and Harriet is the mother of one. They have been best friends since before Harriet had Alice. One day Harriet asks Charlotte to watch Alice while she takes an accounting class. She has never let Alice out of her sight. Charlotte is more than happy to watch Alice. She takes them to their school’s fair. She sits with her youngest daughter while her two older children go on the “Jungle Run” bouncy house with Alice, only two of them come off. They look everywhere for her then call the police. Everyone is wondering how you can go to the fair with four children and only return with your own three.
Things are not necessarily what people think. Charlotte feels guilty about losing her best friends child. At the same time a young boy who had gone missing a year before, his body has just been found. This makes Charlotte feel even more guilty. What if the same monster who took this young boy took Alice?
As Angela, the officer liaison assigned to Harriet and Brian spends more time with them, she notices things are not what they appear. Harriet doesn’t want to see or speak with her best friend Charlotte. Brian has become convinced that his wife is becoming forgetful and in danger of hurting herself. What is really going on and who took little Alice? Most importantly, will they ever find her?
This was one of those books that you hate to put down. However, I knew I had to sleep so I could actually finish the book. I didn’t predict the outcome. This author does a great job of leading you where they want you to go and then says, wait here is a clue you need to follow this way. I was tense all the way through the reading. As I read this I thought of three cases where I knew the missing child or the family. In two of those cases their child was found murdered and in the other case the child, thirty-six years later, still has not been found. I manned phones taking down information and clues for one of those cases. I know the feeling of watching parents like this go through this terror. I think that was why I was so drawn into this storyline. I know it kept me on the edge of my seat. If you want a story that will keep you rooted to your seat from beginning to end, then this is the book for you.
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Student Saturday: Dead Lake by Darcy Coates
Genre: Adult, Horror, Suspense
Student Reviewer: Franklin G.
Sam, a young artist, got an invitation for her art to be shown at the Heritage Gallery, which was a huge deal for her. But her mom sadly passed away shortly after, so for the next few months, instead of preparing artwork for the gallery, she forgot about it completely until about a week before it was happening. Sam's uncle let her stay in his cabin, which was completely off the grid, and only a few people knew about it. As she was there, she thought she was alone. Her uncle wasn't there, but there was no cell reception, and there wasn't anyone for a few miles. Then she started painting these strange images in her sleep. These images were of a man, and he looked strange, but she slowly realized that the man had been watching her and started to attack her. He would sit and look over the dock and watch her from the woods. These woods had always had disappearances, and it turned out he was the one killing them, and Sam was in grave danger. She had met a ranger from a nearby park and wanted his help, but things went from bad to worse the longer she stayed at the cabin. What happened to Sam and the ranger? Did the strange man kill them? Did Sam's art go to the gallery?
I loved this book, and I thought it was great. It is a shorter read and Darcy Coates put two other short stories in the back. This story, though was great. I love the action and the mystery, but most of all I like the little horror details in the story. This is a great book if you like mystery combined with horror and action. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 10 because this book might be scary for younger readers, but all in all, this was a really good book.
I can't fully relate to the characters in this book but I can say if I was in this situation I would try my hardest to survive.
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Little Boy Lost by Urcelia Teixeira
This novella will keep you on the edge of your seat. All Michael Tanner wants is to see his son Archie. The problem is his ex-wife has not shown up for the second week in a row. Living in this small town brings another problem for Michael. As the person in charge of safety at the fish manufacturing plant, he is blamed for an explosion that took the lives of several hundred people, including his wife's father and brother. Injured in the explosion with no memory of it his wife leaves him. Now it seems she has left town with their son. He goes to her house, even though there is a restraining order against him and discovers she has moved. He knows he can't trust anyone in this town so he goes to the next town over. The sheriff believes him even when he is told that Michael has some major mental issues. But how deep and sister will things get?
This was a great book that was not overly religious. We have
characters that demonstrate their faith
through prayer. We have a believable main character that comes across as
genuine and believable. Then we have Sheriff Hutchinson who give you that vibe
that there is more to him than meets the eye and you'd better watch out for
him. The tension was perfect for this
novella. Can't wait to get into the restt of her books.
Sunday, December 31, 2023
40 Lives in 40 Days by John MacArthur
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Informational
Source: I purchased a copy
The author takes us on a trip
through the lives of forty different Biblical people. He starts with some of
the disciples and continues to other important people. I found his description
of Thomas, also known as “Doubting Thomas” funny. He said that Thomas was a
worrier. It was pointed out that he was so connected to Christ that he would
rather die with him than be apart from him. The author compared him to “Eeyore”
from the “Winnie the Pooh” book. He
speaks of Abraham’s wife Sarah as an example of what happens when we try to
take matters into our own hands. It never works out right. Rahab is an example of how God reaches down
to the lowest of the low. I was
surprised by how many women he spoke about. This is a wonderful book that can
be applied to all of our lives.
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Student Saturday: The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War is one of the most influential books in the world. It has
helped many a general achieve a decisive victory that changed the tide of the
battle against all odds. Its author, Sun Tzu, was allegedly a Chinese general
and strategist who lived in between the years 771 and 256 BCE. While he is
credited as the author of the Art of War, there is little proof of him
participating in any battle or even existing. But none of this is as important
as the contents of the texts, as the knowledge and wisdom found within it are rich
and true.
The Art of War is not just about how to strategize in battle, but about
how to be a proper leader and solve problems in general. I would recommend this
to anyone who wants to be better at leading others and organizing, and anyone
simply looking for something intellectual or philosophical to read. One
personal connection I have with the book is that I use it to help me lead
student run organizations like TSA (Technology Student Association). Overall,
this book is a phenomenal read and I personally insist on getting a copy that
has a commentator making notes about everything Sun Tzu says because they often
share relevant quotes and anecdotes that further enhance your understanding of
what the enigmatic text is really trying to say.
Monday, November 27, 2023
Son of the Sea by Andrew E. Kaufman
Friday, November 24, 2023
Second Chance Inn by Marlayne Giron
Genre: Adult, Amish Fiction
Source: I received an advance reading copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I usually read this author’s books in one to two days. However, I have been sick for almost a month. I had finished the first half of the book and got sick again. I am glad I was finally able to finish it. My husband said he knew how sick I was when I didn’t even feel like reading. I am sorry it took so long to finish this wonderful book.
Marlayne Giron is a very talented writer.
In Second Chance Inn we meet Rachel Wilson and her daughter Karen. It is
obvious from the start that they don’t get along and Rachel isn’t sure how to
make it work. After her husband dies Rachel and her daughter move to
Pennsylvania. She has bought a farmhouse belonging to an Amish widower. The
idea is to turn it into a bed and breakfast so everyone who stays can have a
full Amish experience. The only difference is there will be electricity and inside
bathrooms.
Samuel Miller has sold the farm to Rachel
after losing his family. He stays on to work with the animals and continue to
be a part of his Amish community, even if he has had a falling out with God. We
see the way God uses both adults to help the other heal. We see a teenager who
lived in the world of social media and immediate gratification embrace the Amish
lifestyle and turn from being an angry teen to very pleasant young lady. We see
Karen’s attitude toward her mother completely change. It is obvious that God is in the details here.
Marlayne has obviously done a lot of research into the Amish lifestyle. Her
characters are well developed and her setting puts you right in the middle of
the story. I hope Marlayne continues to write in this genre. She is natural at
it. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Student Saturday: Remember World War II: Kids Who Survived Tell Their Stories by Dorinda Nicholson
History is a key part of understanding the world and how
things have come to be in the world we live in now.
World War Two (WWII) was a terrible time for many people
around the world, but is part of our history nonetheless and therefore should
be talked about and taught about. Remember World War II by Dorinda Nicholson does
just that by going through first-hand accounts of the horrors of this tragic
event. These accounts varied from little kids in affected regions and overall
youthful children to were affected by this wartime.
Fred Losch, a kid from East Prussia, Germany, recalls a band
or group of people called the "Jungvolk", and how he joined at 10
years of age. Fred talked about how he overcame some hikes that were
challenging, along with a bike trip. This was until that bike trip was
interrupted because the roads were overrun with military vehicles, and he was
told to return home immediately. He knew something was up, and a few days
after, the war began. Another person also recalled being outside sweeping the
street with her straw broom, until she heard the marching of what sounded like
hundreds of soldiers. She ran back inside and yelled, "Mother, they're
here. The Nazis are here!" This is when Germany began their conquest of
Europe, beginning with Poland and school children were forced to learn how to
salute with their right arm and say "Heil Hitler!".
This worldwide event
was terrifying, and many people were forced to pick sides or hide. Some people
picked the Nazi's side, while others picked the war-torn and affected countries
that were being attacked by the tyranny of Hitler. Many people hid, as to not
be found and torn away from their families, and that's what I would try to do
in that situation. It wouldn't be good to pick a side as one half of the
warring countries would see you as an enemy, and attempt to take you away from
everything that you love. In my opinion, it would be wise to stack up on
supplies and try to wait out the war.
Overall, this book is great at telling the story of World
War Two. It is reliable and interesting to read about what people experienced
during this time as it used accounts of a wide variety of individuals, both
from inside of Germany and out. It is truly a great read and recommended to
anyone who is trying to find some information on World War Two and or history
in general.
Sunday, July 30, 2023
Awakening Avery - Laurie Lewis
Genre: Adult, Romance
Source: I received a copy from Bookfunnel. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Grief is different for everyone. For the main character in
this book, it is obvious that she is stuck.
She is a famous author who can’t seem to move forward because she is
still grieving the loss of her husband a year before. Her grown children are worried for her. As
she tries to move forward she finds herself swapping houses with a gentleman
who knows all too well what grief is like. He had to raise his daughters on his
own after he lost his wife. I loved this for many reasons. I live in Sarasota,
Florida and was familiar with many of the places in the book. This was not a mushy, gushy romance. I hate
those. Instead we find two people dealing with the loss of their spouses. They
are also dealing with grown children who always think they know best. I loved
how Gabriel changed. He realized that all he had done by raising his daughters
on his own was spoil them. When he decides to swap houses with Avery it means
kicking his daughters out of the house as well, where they will need to learn
to stand on their own two feet. This is a great book, with a great message and
one I recommend.
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Bouquet of Wisdom: Reflections From the Garden by Deanna Nowadnick
Source: I received a copy from the author to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is one of those books you don't just read; you interact with it. Through personal stories that connect with certain types of flowers, she tells us what they symbolize to her. It goes much further than that. She connects it to scripture and the teachings of the Bible. I made so many connections to her stories. One thing that made this book so special was the three questions she asks at the end of each chapter. The first question is usually in reference to the story she wrote, asking you about a time something similar happened in the reader's life. The second and third questions usually connect to the message, scripture, and faith. After reading through this book the first time, I have started reading it again using the questions to journal responses. Through journaling, I have learned so much more about my faith and my personal walk with God. This book also made me think back on times when flowers influenced areas of my life. This is a book that makes us take a look at our lives and our walk with God. Highly recommended.
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Shelve Under C: A Tale of Used Books and Cats by Jenny Kalahar
This is a wonderful book. I love cats and books and thought, why not.? Mr. and Mr. O'Malley own and run a used bookstore. They buy and sell used books. With no children of their own they welcome orphaned cats into their bookstore. These aren't just any cat's. They work with the local animal shelter and foster cats where they would have a great chance of interacting with the public and then become adopted. This bookstore has two cats ready for adoption. Stomper who reminded me in personality of Garfield. He was grumpy, wanted to be left alone and learned how to steal food from the small fridge inn the front room. Buglit is the most recent addition. She had belonged to an older lady who had passed away. She hated the shelter. When brought to the shelter, she felt a connection to Mrs. O'Malley. Both cats have their own personality. There are a variety of humans who play a big part in this book as well. You have the man who owns the music store down the street. There is young Kris who loves spending time in the bookstore. His love of books is obvious. It seems to go beyond the normal love of reading. He and Mr. O'Malley become very close. Like Buglit and Stomper he is a foster kid. Read this book to see how the three of them, Stomper, Buglit, and Stomper help each other through the ups and downs of everyday life.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado
I read this book at a point where I truly needed it. Max Lucado took the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and shows us how Joseph kept hope during the most turbulent and trying times of his life. He breaks the story down into major points and shows us how Joseph's attitude toward God and his faith is what got him through it all. This doesn't mean that Joseph never got depressed, angry, or felt despair. Those are all human emotions, and he was human. However, he chose not to stay in those emotions. I recently went through a trial in my life. A friend gave me scripture. Then another friend mentioned several songs she had heard and told me to look at the lyrics because she thought of me when she heard it. Then I opened one of the sites that makes book recommendations to me and there was Max's book. The minute I started listening to the lyrics, stepping out of the way to let God take control, I felt relief. Like Joseph I chose not to let my situation define me. I chose to let God show me how he would work it to his good. Sometimes that good is to be worked only in our own life. I had reached a slump and needed this lesson. I love how god puts things in our path when we need it. Definitely a must read.