Angel with Steel Wings ~ Review

Angel with Steel Wings
Women with Courage series
By Anne Greene

At a time where women were venturing it the realm of men, Mandy McCabe dares to enter the skies. World War II has come and Mandy answers the call of service for her country by being a test pilot of repaired planes for the WASP program.

But flying the skies is the least of Mandy's worries as she deals with opposition in her everyday life as some feel the dangers and stresses that these women face is too much to ask of them.  Mandy is also dealing with issues from her past - a past that she is determined to leave forever behind her.

With determination and her faith Mandy faces the challenges that this changing turbulent world at war brings her way.

The narrator Linda LongCrane has a laid-back narration style that fits with the southern roots that Mandy calls her own.  But one can't accuse Mandy of having a laid-back attitude with her go-get-em work ethic. War changes everything and Mandy is determine that for her it will be a change for the better.

Those who enjoy a good period piece set in the turbulent years of WWII will enjoy this historical work from Anne Greene.

I was offered a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Despite the danger

At a time when most people in America have never flown in an airplane, spunky Mandy McCabe test-pilots repaired war planes as part of the Women Air Force Service Pilots. If the Army Air Corp shuts down the WASP program, she must return to life in her hard-scrabble home and face her past.

Despite the opposition

Army Air Corp Major Harvey Applegate lost his WASP wife test-piloting planes and doesn't want any more women killed on his watch. He fights to close the WASP program. Women aren't designed to fight wars. Men fight to protect women's freedom, and the American way of life.

Despite the raging war

This World War II romance shows Steel Magnolias meeting Band of Brothers. Can Mandy escape from her past? Can a man burdened with memories of death agree to added danger for the new woman in his life? Will their new love survive the test of opposing desires and the pain and separation of war?

A Flying Affair ~ Review

A Flying Affair
By Carla Stewart

Mittie Humphreys has a passion for excitement and exhilaration, unfortunately her mother doesn't think her chosen way of expressing it is proper.  Just wait until she hears about Mittie's newest passion - flying.

It's 1927 and women flying is just starting to be recognized, though many still scoff at the idea of women with their delicate natures and constitutions being able to handle such a machine.  But Mittie has never let the opinion of others dissuade her when she sets her mind to something.  And her father is her secret champion when he doesn't attempt to crush her dreams and even introduces her to Bobby York, a young man who has similar interests - horses and flying.

Bobby may be perfect but Ames Dewberry fascinates Mittie with his daredevil flying and his cavalier ways.  Having first introduced Mittie to the freedom of flight, Ames has a special place in her thoughts.  Could one of these two very different men capture a heart which she thinks uncapturable?

Join Mittie as she joins the earliest ranks of women to take to the skies during the later years of the Roaring Twenties a time of change in all areas of the American life and the role of women.

If you like post WWI historical fiction give this book a spin.  It is interesting to see many of the things we take for granted today not the norm for everyday living in 1927.  Planes, cars, phones, etc are just coming into their own and slowly making a change to life as people knew whether or not they wanted this change to come.

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Ever since Mittie Humphreys agreed to join dashing barnstorming pilot Ames for a joyride in his airplane, her lifelong love of horses has been surpassed by one thing--a longing for the skies. It seems she's not the only one--with Charles Lindbergh making his victory tour in the Spirit of St. Louis, aviation fever is spreading across the country. Mittie knows flying is the perfect focus for the soaring ambition and taste for adventure within her, and whenever she can slip away from her duties on her family's prosperous Kentucky horse farm, she heads to the airfield. 

Considering their shared passion, it's no surprise that Ames begins to vie for Mittie's time. But when handsome British aviator Bobby York offers her flying lessons, he is equally surprised-and beguiled-by Mittie's grit and talent. Driven to succeed, Mittie will do whatever it takes to compete in the Women's National Air Derby alongside Amelia Earhart. But when Calista "Peach" Gilson, a charming Southern belle, becomes her rival both professionally and in love, Mittie must learn how to navigate her heart's romantic longings as well as the skies.

About the Author:

CARLA STEWART is an award-winning author of six novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called "home." Carla's novels from FaithWords include Chasing Lilacs, for which she won the American Christian Fiction Writer's Genesis Award, Broken Wings, Stardust, Sweet Dreams, and her most recent work, The Hatmaker's Heart. Learn more: CarlaStewart.com

Whose are You? ~ Review

Whose Are You?
By James Bars and Blake Bars

All too often we try to label ourselves.  We create labels based on ethnic backgrounds, occupations, personal beliefs, etc.  But these aren't who we are or even what we are.  Often we get so caught up in this self identification that we lose sight of who we truly are and to whom we belong.

Whose Are You? takes us on a journey through time, examining the discontent that lead to the first turning from God.  Since the darkness came into the world we are often left in moments of insecurity, wondering who we are and where we belong.  But we can have this assurance, we have been given a way to discover this truth.  And Whose Are You? will help one find this truth that has been recorded and given to us in the Bible.

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Join us as we travel back through the travail of millenniums to a galaxy far, far away. Witness the birth of darkness. Be there as our Liberator begins His counter-intuitive and radically irreligious war for universal dominion and each living souls’ allegiance. 

Discover the Spirit, the Way and the true story behind the veil of History. 

The vital messages contained within this riveting work will help enable you to walk through the valley of decision and perpetually surrender to the True Force of life. 

You will know Whose You Are and be shown the Way to eternal victory as your mind and heart are awakened to the well-hidden truth of what is really happening in and around you even as you read this sentence. 

There exists a deadly conspiracy, the magnitude of which is beyond unenlightened human comprehension, yet to the chosen – it has been revealed. 

“Many are called but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 NKJV 

Answers are available to these crucial questions: 

Have I been chosen? Why am I here? Who am I? Whose am I? 

Come with us and perhaps a clearer dawn will shine 

upon your own journey homeward.

Guardians of the Heart ~ Review

Guardians of the Heart
Secrets on Sterling Street #2
By Loree Lough

Nell Holstrom is everyone's favorite person. She's always willing to offer a helping hand and an encouraging word.  She's been on her own since the death of her father in the family's gold mine. But when she needs to find a new place of employment she applies at the old Stone Hill Inn.

Asa Stone is attempting to restore his late grandparent's inn, but he needs help.  And Nell's go-get-it-done work ethic is just what he needs to get Stone Hill Inn open.  Asa is not an easy person to work with as he deals with the demons in his past.  Guilt has been Asa's constant companion for years and he can't imagine life without it.

But when nature turns against them Nell turns to what she left behind - a mine that slowly stole her whole family from her.  But Nell is determined that Asa is just the man that she needs to get the mine back in operation and find the gold her father was convinced was there.

Will the secrets of his past keep Asa from seeing himself as worthy of Nell?  Or will his guilt drive him once again from the only home he has ever known?

Guardians of the Heart is set in 1880s Denver and will appeal to anyone who likes a book that leaves you with a feel good feeling after the story is finished.  Historical fiction fans will enjoy this set back in time.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange fror my honest review.

About the Book:
Nell Holstrom wanted no part of her grandfather's barren gold mine that had taken the lives of her mother, father, and younger brother; even if there may still be hidden wealth inside. Instead, she went to Denver and took a job as housekeeper at the old Stone Hill Inn. Asa Stone was barely more than a boy when his father dragged him and his brothers to fight with Colonel John Chivington. But Asa refused to participate in the raid on the peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe; and when the smoke cleared, his father and brother lay among the slaughtered. Besieged by guilt, Asa wandered the West for years before returning to Denver to rebuild the old inn he'd inherited. Together, Nell and Asa work hard to restore Stone Hill. But when disaster hits the inn, Asa retreats into despair and Nell is forced to return to her family's mine. Asa faces the hard fact: He'll never be the man Nell deserves. Can he overcome the dark secrets of his past? And will Nell still love him when she learns the truth?

About the Author:

Once upon a time, best–selling author Loree Lough literally sang for her supper, performing before packed audiences throughout the Midwest. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6–string to croon a tune or two for her grandkids or to sing at weddings or funerals, but she mostly just writes. Over the years, her stories have earned hundreds of industry and Readers' Choice awards and 4– and 5–star reviews. Loree has nearly five million copies of her books in circulation, and in March 2014, she added her hundredth published book to the shelves. She has written fiction and nonfiction for kids and adults (2,500–plus articles and 68 short stories), and four of her novels have been optioned for movies. To date, there are almost 66,000 letters in her "Reader Mail" file, and she has answered every one, personally. (A carton of books is on its way to Corinna P. of San Antonio, Texas, for writing the 65,999th letter. Corinna said she plans to donate the books to her local library!) Loree loves sharing learned–the–hard–way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach to teaching makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, and college and high school writing programs in the U.S. and abroad. A writer who believes in "giving back," Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and several other worthwhile organizations (see the "Giving Back" tab at her Web site, http://www.loreelough.com, for a complete list). She splits her time between a tiny home in the Baltimore suburbs and an even tinier cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to perfect her Critter Tracks Identification skills. She shares her life with her real–life hero, Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of "wolf stuff."

The Postcard ~ Review

The Postcard
The Amish of Jamesport #2
By Laura V. Hilton

Rachel Miller dreams of traveling outside the Amish community she calls home.  But that seems unlikely especially as the man she is engaged to has no plans to travel once they are married. Obadiah is everything Rachel thought she wanted, until she began corresponding with David Lapp.

Hoping to encourage David as he healed from a buggy accident, Rachel struck up a unique friendship with a person she had never met and never would.  But Rachel's letters offered David more than encouragement.  Her letters offered him a hope of something more.  With nothing more than a few belongings David left behind all that he knew in hopes of winning Rachel's heart.

But he is too late.  Rachel is promised to another, though she is drawn to David even before she knows that this is the man to whom she has been corresponding for more than a year.  When David is offered a teaching position at the school across from her home Rachel's heart is thrown into turmoil.

The path to love is never easy and Rachel has some serious soul searching to do.  But when tragedy strikes the decision may no longer be up to her.

Fans of Amish romance will delight in this book.  This is the second book in the series but if you have not read the first one you won't feel lost, as this book could easily be a stand-alone book.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

An Amish girl who longs to travel...

Rachel Miller dreams of traveling beyond her mundane existence in Jamesport, Missouri. To satisfy her wanderlust, she sends letters to the people reads about in the Budget, the Amish newspaper, and asks that they consider mailing her a simple postcard in return....


About the Author:
Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor's wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love. Surrendered Love and Awakened Love. A nonAmish book Swept Away will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. She is contracted for another three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport, releasing in November 2014 (The Snow Globe), June 2015 (The Postcard), and November 2015 (The Birdhouse). A Christmas Amish book, A White Christmas in Webster County, will release in September 2014. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

Return to the Dinosaur Planet ~ Review

Return to the Dinosaur Planet
The Young Scientifics #1
By Cousin Summers

Peter Baker dreams about making a dinosaur find so great that he'll become famous.  But his summer plans get waylaid when his dad takes a job at a Natural History Museum and his mom goes to Africa to work on a remote dig.

Summer is looking not to exciting when he just happens to meet Casey Tucker.  Not only is Casey 12 just like Peter he spends his days at the museum too.  But endless exploring is out as Peter has to keep an eye on his little sister Pearl and Casey is helping take care of Jim Dandy, a monkey on loan from NASA.

Determined to make the most of the summer that they have, Peter and Casey steal away to do some exploring.  What follows was an adventure that they never expected.  An adventure that will take them through space and time.

This middle grade adventure will delight boys who are looking for something good to read.  Parents and grandparents will take comfort in the clean reading that this book offers, while kids will enjoy the adventure.  Think Journey to the Center of the Earth but better.

I was provided a copy of this book by TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
PETER BAKER has a dream of being the youngest boy scientist by producing his own documentary show called Dinosaur Planet (and getting famous). Which shouldn't be hard because his parents are dinosaur hunters, and he's been working on dinosaur digs ever since he can remember.

But his plans get ruined when his father takes a job at a museum and his mother leaves for Africa. Now, he will not get to work on a dinosaur dig this summer, and must keep an eye on his younger sister every day, too.

Then he meets Casey Tucker, and his zoologist aunt. Here is a boy whose responsibility is to entertain a monkey from NASA (vacationing at the zoo) for several hours a day. But Casey's secret mission is to search for a legendary scientist that went missing years before, while working on a classified space project. At first, it's only fun and games. But it isn't long before the friends discover...

How dangerous some games really are.

About the Author:
Cousin Summers (the Mysterious) has lived up in a lighthouse on Summers Island for longer than anyone can remember. But it doesn't matter that no one remembers when the stories started. The important thing is the lighthouse is where they all come from. You might be wondering where the mysterious part comes in. It is because Cousin Summers is a shy person (and busy, too), who spends so much time writing stories up in the lighthouse that a lot of rumors have started. Which is all we need to say about that, because we know where rumors come from. Sometimes there's a little truth to them, too. Either way, you will have to decide for yourself. What is known for certain is that Cousin Summers (the Mysterious) does not mind sharing the island with readers who find their way there. Oh, yes, and you will occasionally see Miss Lilly there (the light housekeeper who only does light housework). She can answer questions you might have about Cousin Summers, but you have to be polite. Then there's the Captain, who has lived long enough to know something about everything. He talks to anyone who will listen, regardless of whether they are polite or not. There are others on the island, too. But that's enough for now.

Fire and Ice ~ Review

Fire and Ice
Wild at Heart #3
By Mary Connealy

The Wilde sisters are back but Shannon and Kylie are soon to depart for their new lives with their respective husbands.  Bailey is about to be on her own, confined to her lonely out of the way homestead through the long winter months.

Unfortunately Gage Coulter has discovered that Bailey is a Miss just like her sisters.  And even more unfortunate is Gage's immediate need of a wife.  And Bailey is the only woman he thinks can handle the pending disaster coming to his ranch straight from Texas!

For the right deal Bailey just may agree to Gage's proposal, but not without her own provisions added.  Which will come first?  Love or death?

This is a book that fans of Mary Connealy will enjoy.  Historical fiction with romance that isn't deep reading.  I'd say this is diversionary reading that will leave some readers laughing while others will be rolling their eyes.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
Saddle up for mysteries and laughs with the Wilde sisters! Bailey Wilde is the oldest sister--and the one who takes care of everyone else in her family. But after her sisters marry and move away, her little homestead becomes bleak and lonely, especially during the long winter months. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan concocted by her neighbor, Gage Coulter. 

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune by being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of excellent grazing land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to this land--and he's got to go through Bailey to do it. So he makes a proposal...

Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders finally loosen up enough to earn each other's respect--and maybe find love in the process?

About the Author: 

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has over half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild At Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more atwww.maryconnealy.com.

Jesus Helps Me ~ Review

Jesus Helps Me
By Callie Grant
Art by Missi Jay

Jesus Helps Me is part of the Knowing My God series from Graham Blanchard and is one of their Learn books.  This book focuses on John 12:44-47 helping children to learn and grow in their understanding of faith.

Focusing on different variety of birds as they live and raise their own young, children are made aware of the different aspects of what faith is and how it applies in our own lives,  This is a book that can grow with your child as you focus on the different aspects as they grow.  The Scripture references are the foundation and the lessons about faith and birds are the building block that will add to one's understanding of the world around us and personal faith.

The pictures of the birds will capture children's attention as you spend time reading the book to and/or with them.  This is a board book so it can withstand some rough book love.  At 18 pages this will hold even the shortest attention span.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK (18 pages):

Jesus Helps Me, new to the Knowing My God series, offers four levels of exploration: a quoted Bible passage, beautiful real-world photographs, supportive captions to relate the passage meaning to a child’s life, and thinking questions to personalize the experience. A parent guide gives tips for involving a baby, toddler, and child. In the Graham Blanchard book collection, Jesus Helps Me is a Learn book, which makes personal Bible study accessible to young children who, alongside adults, build a foundation for faith and a lifelong friendship with Jesus. These books grow with your child! Find out more about our Learn, Absorb & Praise™ framework for children’s books at GrahamBlanchard.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Callie Grant founded Graham Blanchard to create children's books for growing up in God, by working with an extensive network of artists, parents, pastors, teachers, and children. The company is the culmination of her experience in the publishing industry paired with a strong calling to help families know God's love and nurture their faith through reading together. Her previous titles, under the name Callie Gregory, include Jeeves, I'm Bored: 25 Internet Adventures for Kids, and Jeeves, I Need Help: Tips and Tricks for Kids on the Net. For more information about Grant and Graham Blanchard, visit grahamblanchard.com.

The Secrets of the Castle ~ Review

The Secrets of the Castle 
Thunder and Lightening Book 1
By Aaron M. Zook, Jr.

This is a book should appeal to middle grade boys.  The Zanadu brothers are at present calling Germany home.  When their family trip takes an unexpected and dangerous turn Gabe and Alex embark on an adventure that they weren't expecting.

For some reason their trip to Neuschwanstein has brought them to the attention of some rather unsavory characters.  Gabe and Alex along with their dogs Thunder and Lightening are in danger but solving this mystery could cost them their lives.  But there is a mystery surrounding this castle and it's just asking to be solved,

Gabe and Alex suffer from a healthy dose of sibling rivalry and competitiveness. And this tendency leads them into trouble at times.  But they soon discover that if they hope to survive the latest trouble they find themselves they will have to work together.

Like many kids Gabe and Alex occasionally ignore or forget what their parents tell them, which leads them to unwanted consequences.   But through it all the boys learn some valuable lessons as they attempt to unravel the mystery they find themselves in.

The boys dogs Thunder and Lightening are both a year old and expertly trained to follow commands, which is rather amazing.  But the dogs were never taught to avoid food given them by strangers (a woeful gap in their training as the reader will discover).

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Intrigue and danger surround two young boys and their dogs as they seek to unravel a castle mystery.

A near disastrous car wreck in Germany launches twelve-year-old Gabriel Zanadu, Alexander, his fourteen year-old brother, and their two dogs, Thunder and Lightning, into a sinister adventure near the famous German castle, Neuschwanstein. Unexplained eavesdropping, death threats, and heart-pumping danger drag Gabe, Alex, and the dogs into the clutches of a little-known foreign terrorist network. After they are kidnapped by the terrorists, and even though they are scraped, bruised, and battered, Gabe and Alex use what they’ve learned from their military dad and home-schooling mom to clash with the criminals.

Fear, pain, and failure drive the boys to tears as they struggle to free themselves from their kidnappers’ grasp. The usual brotherly fights must take a backseat as the boys and dogs scramble to break free and to escape from their enemies in the dark, cramped spaces of an underground battlefield. Hiding, out-of-breath chases, and deadly force all come into play. How do Gabe, Alex, Thunder, and Lightning survive and escape?

Drawing Fire ~ Review

Drawing Fire
Cold Case Justice 1
By Janice Cantore

For years she's hidden her true identity.  The people responsible for her parents murder all those years ago could be looking for her.  But Abby Hart needs to discover the truth.  But she's not the only person searching for answers.  Luke Murphy, a totally annoying PI, is searching for the truth behind the killings that also cost his uncle his life.

When a series of murders unexpectedly brings Abby and Luke together they agree to pool research to see if together they can discover the truth behind their shared loss.  But to get to the truth they need those most closely involved in this cold case to reveal what they know.  But some people feel the past is best left alone and untouched.  And political aspirations could stop them dead in their tracks, literally and figuratively.

Is the truth being hidden for Abby's safety and protection?  Or is the governor or his staff behind this move?  A move to hide his connection to Abby's parents and Luke's uncle would be motive to keep them quiet.

If you've read Janice Cantore in the past you can expect a continuation of her superb writing style and characters with whom you can empathize.  If you haven't this would be a great book with which to start.  Fans of crime drama will appreciate this look into the minds of the main characters Abby and Luke as see the case through their eyes. 

Don't expect a quick wrap-up to this case ~ book two promises to continue the search for the truth.  

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Tyndale House Publishing through BookFun/TBCN in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book: (416 pages)
One case from her past defines homicide detective Abby Hart. With a possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California, Abby’s best lead is Luke Murphy, an irritating private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she’s anxious to talk to him about a cold case that’s personal to her―one Luke is interested in as well. 

As she learns more about the restaurant fire that took her parents’ lives years ago, Abby discovers why Luke is so invested in finding the ones responsible. The more they uncover, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?

About the Author:
A retired Long Beach California police officer of 22 years (16 in uniform and 6 as a non-career officer), Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, patrol, administration, juvenile investigations and training. During the course of her career in uniform Janice found that faith was indispensable to every aspect of the job and published articles on faith at work, one for a quarterly newspaper called "Cop and Christ", and another for the monthly magazine "Today's Christian Woman". With retirement Janice began to write longer pieces and several novels were born. Janice is excited and honored to now be a part of the Tyndale Publishing House family. Accused, the first installment in her new suspense offering, The Pacific Coast Justice Series, was released February 1, 2012 and kicked off a brand new chapter in her writing career. In addition to suspense and action, her books feature strong female leads. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep you engrossed and leave you inspired.

Yesterday ~ Review

Yesterday
Book 1 of the Yesterday Series
By Amanda Tru

Hannah Kkraeger was traveling to her sister's when she saved a family after an accident.  But when she awakens the next day her yesterday occurred 5 years ago!  Yet Hannah hasn't aged a day since that event happened.

Suddenly Hannah has no stable present as she finds herself moving between the past and the present merely by falling asleep.  Each time she goes back she has an effect on past, an effect that could have an unforeseen outcome on her present, her future.

But there is a connection with one person throughout her transits through time - Dr. Seth McAllister. Hannah is drawn to the young doctor whom she met on her first transit.  Can the two of them determine what is causing Hannah's time trips before her yesterdays and tomorrows are no more?

This is a fun romantic suspense with a touch of sci-fi and mystery thrown in.  If you like unexpected twists and turns that result in second chances pick-up Yesterday today!

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book: (198 pages)

Her yesterday was five years ago. What will her tomorrow bring? When HANNAH KRAEGER saves a family injured in a car accident, she has no idea she has changed events in the past. Waking the next morning, Hannah discovers her yesterday was really five years ago.
Each trip Hannah takes through time changes the timeline and her own life. With help from DR. SETH MCALLISTER, Hannah must unravel the mystery of why she time travels and who she actually is before the strange ability costs her future, the man she loves, and even her life.

YESTERDAY is a thrilling Christian Romantic Suspense filled with unexpected twists, mystery, and romance.

YESTERDAY is Book One in the YESTERDAY SERIES.


About the Author:

With a lifelong love of reading and writing, Amanda Tru loves to let her imagination paint pictures in a wide variety of genres. Her current book list includes everything from a Christian time travel / romance series, to an action-packed suspense, to a romance involving a mysterious department-store Santa. Amanda is a former elementary school teacher who now spends her days being mommy to three little boys and her nights furiously writing. Amanda lives in a small town in Idaho where the number of cows outnumbers the number of people.

Find out more about Amanda Tru and her upcoming books at her website http://amandatru.blogspot.com/

Knowing My God Series ~ Review

Knowing My God Series
             Starter Kit
By Callie Grant

There is nothing quite so rewarding then to experience a child's sense of joy in reading and at the same time discovering the person of Jesus on a personal level.

The Knowing My God Series Starter Set is an excellent way to introduce the child/children in your life to Jesus.

In Jesus Invites Me Matthew 11:28-30 is examined. Jesus asks us to come to Him and to give Him the burdens we carry.  He will give us rest, a rest that is internal to our soul, a rest that gives us a freedom.

In Jesus Saves Me John 10:14-16 is examined with Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  The role of the shepherd is examined in regard to us being sheep.The love and care of the shepherd to each sheep is how Jesus views us.

In Jesus Shows Me John 15:9-14 is examined. We learn about the love of God and how we can see it in the world around us. From watching animals interact with one another we can learn about friendship and abiding in God's love.

These 3 board books are sturdy and can take the rough handling little ones sometimes subject their books to.  Each book is 18 pages in length, alternating images with text throughout.  The second to last page is for the adult/parent offering reading suggestions to make the reading experience more meaningful as the child ages.

For a younger child who may not be able to fully grasp the meaning of some of words parents may want to just read the verse portion.  The broader story can be part of the growing with your child attribute that the book recommends in the reading suggestions offered to the grown-up.

The suggested age for these books is 0 - 7 years old.  The set is bound together with a paper band that includes various activities to enhance the learning experience - to help your child to think and grasp the message being taught.

I was provided a copy of this series by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


ABOUT THE SERIES (54 pages):

Even the youngest children can begin making a personal connection with Jesus and his words for them with essential Bible basics from three popular board books. The Knowing My God Series Starter Set includes Jesus Invites Me (Matthew 11:28-30), Jesus Shows Me (John 15:9-14), and Jesus Saves Me (John 10:14-16).

From the Learn category in Graham Blanchard’s collection, each book offers three levels of exploration: a quoted Bible passage, beautiful real-world photographs, and supportive text to relate the passage’s meaning to a child’s everyday life. 

A parent guide gives tips for involving a baby, toddler, and child. These books grow with a child! A keepsake book band offers thinking questions and activities to extend the lesson.

Download free grownup tips for each book and find out more about Graham Blanchard's Learn, Absorb and Praise™ board books for children at www.grahamblanchard.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Callie Grant founded Graham Blanchard to create children's books for growing up in God, by working with an extensive network of artists, parents, pastors, teachers, and children. The company is the culmination of her experience in the publishing industry paired with a strong calling to help families know God's love and nurture their faith through reading together. Her previous titles, under the name Callie Gregory, include Jeeves, I'm Bored: 25 Internet Adventures for Kids, and Jeeves, I Need Help: Tips and Tricks for Kids on the Net. For more information about Grant and Graham Blanchard, visit grahamblanchard.com.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love ~ Review

Crazy Little Thing Called Love
A Destination Wedding 1
By Beth K. Vogt

Vanessa Hollister made the "biggest mistake of her life" according to her mother when she eloped with Logan Hollister while a high school senior.  Two years later she agreed with that assessment when distance and priorities caused her marriage to dissolve.

It's been eight years since her marriage ended and Vanessa has moved on with her life - she's engaged to a dedicated doctor and planning her wedding.  Unlike her first marriage this one is going to be the wedding of her dreams.  Unfortunately this wedding is going to take place in Destin, Florida, the place where her memories of Logan are based.

A short trip to Destin to put her wedding plans into action quickly go awry when Logan happens to be visiting the area too.  A drowning teen.  A hurricane baring down on Florida.  Old friends in need. Everywhere Logan and Vanessa seem to be they keep winding up together.  Is this a chance to make peace with their shared past?  Or is it a second chance at love?  A chance Logan has hoped and dreamed for ever since his marriage ended.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love gives us glimpses of Logan and Vanessa's lives in both the here and now and in the early days of their friendship and their marriage.  Both discover that marriage is work and sometimes sacrifices have to be made as there are now two involved in the decisions and choices made.  Unfortunately as teens they saw marriage as an answer to a problem - Vanessa's upcoming move.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book: 

Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.” Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding? As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.

Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after?

About the Author:
Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A 2014 Carol Award finalist, Beth is a contemporary romance novelist with Howard Books. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

Dauntless ~ Review

Dauntless
Valiant Hearts 1
By Dina L. Sleiman

Lady Merry Ellison is no more.  Her father's attempt to dethrone King John failed - ending in the slaughter of her family and most of those living in the village that her father ruled.  But Merry along with most of the children survived and Merry is determined to protect these young innocents no matter the cost.

But Merry and her young "band" must remain hidden because if word reached King John that the children of Ellsworth and the Baron's own daughter had escaped the slaughter they would be hunted down.  But to survive they need to borrow and steal upon occasion, earning them notoriety as The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest.

But when Merry is spotted by the young man to whom she had been promised as a bride, life becomes suddenly much more complicated.  Timothy Grey believing she's been held a prisoner is determined to save the young woman he thought dead these past two years.

Timothy is determined that Merry shall be safe, but the King's anger has yet to abate and Merry knows that Timothy's loyalty lies with the King.  But when the heart is involved where does loyalty truly lie?  This is the question that Timothy and Merry must work through if they are to have a future - whether together or separately.

Though marketed for the Juvenile / Young Adult market anyone who loves well-written historical fiction will enjoy this the first book in the Valiant Hearts series.  If you enjoy Robin Hood give Merry Ellison and her band of ghosts chance to join your shelves, you'll enjoy the trip to 13th century England.

I was provided a copy this book by the publisher Bethany House through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book: 

Where Legend and History Collide, One Young Woman Will Fight for the Innocent

Born a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father's failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village--a group that becomes known as "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest." Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he's forced to reexamine everything he's known.

About the Author:
Dina Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. Her debut novel, Dance of the Dandelion with Whitefire Publishing, won an Honorable Mention in the 2012 Selah Awards. Also look for her novels, Love in Three-Quarter Time and Dance from Deep Within, and her Valiant Hearts series coming with Bethany House Publishers in 2015. Dina serves as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire as well, and she loves to represent them at writers conferences throughout the US. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of grace. For more info visit her at http://dinasleiman.com/

Gollywood, Here I Come ~ Review

Gollywood, Here I Come!
By Terry John Barto
Illustrated by Mattia Cerato

Gollywood, Here I Come! will appeal to young readers with the brilliant and colorful illustrations throughout.  This is a simple story that lacks the conflict that is found in many stories published today.

Anamazie is baton-twirling, singing, acting star who is about to be discovered and make it big in Gollywood.  Not winning the Gobbleville's Got Talent contest may be the best thing that could ever happen Anamazie.

Look closely at the illustrations and the story and you'll find several tongue and cheek references for well-known Hollywood icons - like The Turkey and I instead of The King and I.

This is a fun little book that will entertain young readers.  I would recommend this for the 6 and under age range.

The story's main message  “You can do anything if you work hard and never give up.” is a common theme in much of today's media which though offering a positive message can be a bit misleading especially to those who don't achieve these goals.  Perhaps those sharing this story with young readers could focus on also on being happy for our family and friends who do succeed in achieving even if we don't come in first.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my review.


ABOUT THE BOOK: (34 pages)

"Growing up in the small town of Gobbleville, Anamazie studies acting, singing, and dancing while basking in the local spotlight as a star baton twirler. Opportunity comes knocking when she is discovered by a talent scout and is cast in a major motion picture.

Gollywood Here I Come! taps into pop culture trends of TV shows like “America’s Got Talent” and the public’s fascination with celebrities. At its heart, the story leaves young readers with the positive message, “You can do anything if you work hard and never give up.”"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before writing his debut children's book, Terry John Barto directed and choreographed more than 200 regional theater productions. In addition, he was the creative mind behind numerous television and cruise ship live shows throughout the world. When Terry John Barto was employed as the creative director for Wings of Dreams Productions, he worked with many diverse ideas and turned them into screenplays for animated films. He also used his experience to help artists develop popular action figures and dolls for several large retailers. Terry lives in Los Angeles, California and enjoys Pilates, Yoga, and hiking with his dachshunds, Hunter and Mazie.

Gollywood, Here I Come! is a children's books about movie stars, who happen to be turkeys. At its heart, the story leaves young readers with the positive message, "You can do anything if you work hard and never give up."

Day of Atonement ~ Review

Day of Atonement
A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt
By David A. deSilva

I have to admit the Maccabean Revolt has always fascinated me. This is the empty space between the Old and New Testaments and to a young child somewhat confusing.  Why is there a gap in the story?  Raised within the Protestant church this wasn't touched on. And High School Ancient World History just briefly flew by it.

My father had a New Jerusalem Bible that contained the Apocrypha which I read at 12 years of age. I have to admit it was somewhat confusing.  Thanks to Day of Atonement I now have an understanding of this era that has been forgotten by most of the non-Jewish world.

Jerusalem is in a period of upheaval as those who live within this City of God fight for political and spiritual dominance.  Some still hold the Law of Moses in high regard while those with wealth are determined to follow the path of the Greeks who have surrounded the lands bringing with them their wealth and culture.

I'm amazed at the similarities between this world and our own at this time.  Peace has been fleeting throughout our history and the time of the Maccabean revolt is no different as brother challenges brother. A city is torn apart as territories are fought for and land and people of the One God are again caught up in their unwillingness to hold firm to the promises and laws of God.

Day of Atonement is a lesson in both history and human nature.  We, as a world, are for the most part unwilling to follow God's teachings especially if it might prevent us from finding enjoyment in something He has forbidden us from taking part in.

If you are interested in well-written historical fiction or have a curiosity about the Maccabean revolt pick-up a copy of this book and peruse it's pages, you may find yourself surprised by what you find.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Kregel in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

In the blank pages between Malachi and Matthew, the course of an entire nation was changed . . .

His brother, the high priest Honiah, enjoyed the authority of the high priesthood, and all important decisions needed his approval. But it was Jason who was shaping the future of Jerusalem and, with it, all Judea. He breathed in again, imagining that he could feel the wave of destiny impelling him forward toward his vision as he exhaled . . .

The Greeks have taken over the world, but Jerusalem is still the same backwater city Jason has always known. He wants to help his hometown rise to a new age of prosperity and influence. If that means stretching the terms of the city's divine covenant, so be it. But how far is he willing to go to achieve Greek greatness for this Jewish city? It will take the willingness of a handful of Jews to die rather than violate the covenant in order to turn the tide back to God.

Written by an internationally recognized expert in the period between the Testaments, Day of Atonement invites readers into Judea during the tumultuous years leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. It was this pivotal decade that reminded Jews of the centrality of the covenant to their national security and taught them that the covenant was worth dying for. The story is so foundational, it is still told every year at Hanukkah. The lessons learned during this turbulent time also shed light on just what was at stake in the ministry of Jesus, whose radical message seemed to threaten the covenant once again.

Day of Atonement joins the perennially successful novels Pontius Pilate and The Flames of Rome by renowned historian Paul Maier on Kregel's premier list of captivating and historically accurate biblical novels.


"David deSilva combines his superb historical knowledge with deep religious understanding and literary sensitivity to create a story that does more than reconstruct the circumstances leading to the Maccabean rebellion. Day of Atonement compellingly explores issues that continue from antiquity to the present: the relationship between faith and politics, the struggle between national identity and cultural assimilation, the zeal of the martyr, the power of faith."
—Amy-Jill Levine, professor of New Testament and Jewish studies, Vanderbilt University

"Moving from the Mediterranean coast to Jerusalem, I pass Modein in the low foothills. Here I contemplate, and mystically relive, some dramatic events in our history. I look back westward to the coastal plain and imagine the foreign armies being defeated by Judas Maccabeus. Looking ahead to the Judean hills rising to the east, I often ponder the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple and the inauguration of Hanukkah. All these events spring to light in deSilva’s magisterial novel, crafted after decades of walking these hills and reading the historical accounts. History without imagination is dull; with informed sensitivity ancient heroes take on flesh. Echoing now is Ari’s question: 'Where are heroes like that now?'"
—James H. Charlesworth, director and editor of the Princeton Dead Sea Scrolls Project

"When it comes to the history of Israel or early Christianity, historically sound novels are few and far between. Sometimes a good writer doesn't know his religious history well enough; sometimes a good historian is not a skilled enough writer to pull off page-turner that both educates and entertains. David deSilva's new novel reflects a high level of skill on both counts. Applying his considerable expertise in intertestamental literature, deSilva provides us with a winsome tale about how Hellenized Jews sought not merely to recover their land from foreign rulers but to 'plunder the Greeks' when it came to art, education, and language. Highly recommended."
—Dr. Ben Witherington III, Amos Professor of NT for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary.

To the Sea ~ Review

To the Sea
By Callie Grant
Illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau

To the Sea is a fun board book that has a delightful rhythm and cadence.  This flow of words, like the sea, will capture the attention of young readers as they learn about the sea.

The joys of the sea are explored and discovered during a day spent at the beach  A sand castle, waves, seagulls, fish. What will you discover between the pages of To the Sea?

This is a fun book that can be shared with young readers who are either still into picture books or are starting to read on their own with an occasional word assist from mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa.

 I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/Bookfun in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK: (24 pages)
  As children imagine the sights, sounds, feelings, and tastes evoked in To The Sea, they can take part   in one boy’s adventurous day there, with its surprises and rewards. In Graham Blanchard’s Learn,     Absorb & Praise™ Collection, To The Sea is a Praise book, which wonders at the amazing       

  miracles found in everyday life and praises the God who made them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
   Callie Grant founded Graham Blanchard to create children's books for growing up in God, by    

   working with an extensive network of artists, parents, pastors, teachers, and children. The company    is the culmination of her experience in the publishing industry paired with a strong calling to help    

   families know God's love and nurture their faith through reading together. Her previous titles, under    the name Callie Gregory, include Jeeves, I'm Bored: 25 Internet Adventures for Kids, and Jeeves, I    Need Help: Tips and Tricks for Kids on the Net. For more information about Grant and Graham   

   Blanchard, visit grahamblanchard.com.

Little Seed: A Life ~ Review

Little Seed: A Life

By Callie Grant

Illustrated by Suzanne Etienne

Little Seed: A Life is a fun way to introduce your little readers (or pre-readers) to the life cycle of a seed. 

We are introduced to a seed falling to the ground in fall. We go through the seasons and the growth cycle of a complete year ending with the little seed having new little seeds fall to the ground.

Targeted for ages 0-5 the illustrations will appeal to this age group.  The wonder of God's creation and the value of a seed is shared in this little book.  An excellent gift for your soon-to-be-reader or as a Sunday School aid.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK: (24 pages)

God gives Little Seed everything it needs to weather the storms and grow in the sun. As the Bible widely demonstrates, God’s creation is full of meaning and useful for instruction. This life story of Little Seed lays a foundation for scientific and spiritual knowledge in the youngest souls. In the Graham Blanchard book collection, Little Seed: A Life is a Praise book, which celebrates the soul-pleasing wonders of God that children experience every day. A natural response to this God-filled world is worship, gratitude and awe for him and his glory, while young hearts grow for him.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Callie Grant founded Graham Blanchard to create children's books for growing up in God, by working with an extensive network of artists, parents, pastors, teachers, and children. The company is the culmination of her experience in the publishing industry paired with a strong calling to help families know God's love and nurture their faith through reading together. Her previous titles, under the name Callie Gregory, include Jeeves, I'm Bored: 25 Internet Adventures for Kids, and Jeeves, I Need Help: Tips and Tricks for Kids on the Net. For more information about Grant and Graham Blanchard, visit grahamblanchard.com.

Lone Star Ranger ~ Review

Lone Star Ranger
By Renae Brumbaugh

Evan and Elizabeth Covington have only recently arrived in Houston, Texas. Having lost their father 6 months ago they are thinking of settling in Houston, with Evan opening a law office.  But before their planning can progress much further Evan is arrested, having been mistaken for the notorious and dangerous James Weston Hardy.

No one will listen to Elizabeth, thinking she's either been taken in by Hardy or his newest accomplice.  With a week before her brother's scheduled trial and hanging, Elizabeth isn't about to wait around and hope that the lawyer she found Evan will prove his innocence.  No she's going to prove his innocence herself and she'll do whatever it takes to see him freed - even if her has to dodge the Ranger who brought him in.

Rett Smith just can't figure out how Elizabeth Covington was fooled by Hardy.  And why she claims a known killer as her brother is just beyond comprehension.  But when sufficient doubts are raised he is willing to fix his mistake, if only Elizabeth would stay out of his way and let him get his job down and not kill him with her help.

Lone Star Ranger is a light-hearted read that will fill a long week-end afternoon when you want to getaway from all the day-to-day stresses.  From the Heartsong Presents inspirational collection you won't have to worry about unwanted scenes while you read.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest and timely review.


About the Book: 

 ELIZABETH COVINGTON WILL GET HER MAN

And she has one week to prove that her brother isn't the cold-blooded killer Texas Ranger Rett Smith accuses him of being. She'll show the handsome lawman he's wrong, even if it means embarking on a perilous race across Texas to catch the real culprit.

Rett doesn't want to see an innocent man hang. But he can't let the Boston beauty take the law into her own hands. When she follows him into treacherous territory, the lawman vows to keep Elizabeth safe. But who will protect him from the woman whose courage and conviction have him questioning everything—even his heart?


About the Author:                              

       Renae Brumbaugh is a bestselling author and award-winning humor           columnist. She lives in Texas with her handsome, country-boy husband, 

four nearly-perfect children, two not-so-perfect dogs, and about a dozen chickens. In her free time she leaps tall buildings, rescues kittens from 

trees, and tries to be rugged without breaking a fingernail.

To Everything a Season ~ Review

To Everything a Season
Song of Blessing 1
By Lauraine Snelling

The town of Blessing is growing and changing and the Bjorklund family is about to experience these changes as well.  Doctors Bjorklund - Elizabeth and Astrid are preparing to train student nurses at their hospital.  But in the midst of all this preparation the town of Blessing experiences something that threatens the safety that was a given.  And then there is the matter of all the immigrants moving to the area who have different beliefs in the matter of worship.  To say that growth is easy would be wrong and Blessing is a perfect example of just how hard it can be. 

And it is to this town, far away from her family, that Miriam Hastings has come.  Determined to complete her year of hands-on nursing, Miriam soon finds her heart being touched by Trygve Knutson.  But can the differences between them ever be bridged?  Or will the prejudices that have made their presence known in Blessing convince her that she belongs in Chicago?

Take a step back in time to the early 1900's when times were not simpler only less technologically challenged and dependent.  Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this look back. 

I was provided a copy this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK : 

Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Returns Again to Her Popular Red River Valley Setting
Trygve Knutson is devoted to his family and his community. With his job on the construction crew, he is helping to build a future for the North Dakota town of Blessing. Though he loves his home, he sometimes dreams of other horizons--especially since meeting Miriam Hastings.

Miriam is in Blessing to get practical training to become an accredited nurse. She's been promised a position in the Chicago women's hospital that will enable her to support her siblings and her ailing mother. Although eager to return to her family, Miriam is surprised to find how much she enjoys the small town of Blessing. And her growing attachment to Trygve soon has her questioning a future she always considered set in stone.

When a family emergency calls Miriam home sooner than planned, will she find a way to return? If not, will it mean losing Trygve--and her chance at love--for good?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of over 70 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold over 2 million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California. Learn more at www.laurainesnelling.com