Be Still My Soul ~ Review

Be Still, My Soul

Mysteries of the West #1

By Faith Blum

Read by Brantley Brumley

Be Still, My Soul is an intriguing read. The story is told primarily from Carsten's viewpoint. As a young boy, Carsten was taught thievery by his father. Carsten was skilled at it until the night he was caught in the act. Since that day, Carsten has changed for the better. But after his father is caught and convicted, the townsfolk view Carsten with suspicion, and when a robbery occurs, Carsten is the one and only suspect. What's worse, the marshal seems to have no intention of finding the true criminal. 

Carsten is determined to clear his name, but accepting help isn't easy for Carsten, even when his friends offer it. When it becomes clear that more is going on than theft, Carsten and his friends soon find themselves in even more danger than they had ever expected and need help. But will the help they need arrive in time? Or will Carsten be convicted of a crime he didn't commit because of the crimes of his father? Trust is a two-way street and is a lesson that Carsten and his friends need to learn.

This book would, in my opinion, appeal to homeschoolers. The main characters are all young adults who are trying to figure life out but with a faith-based support system. I feel that Susan K. Marlow is the author whose work I would most closely compare the style and feel of this story to. Anyone familiar with her Circle C and Goldtown series should enjoy this first book in the Mysteries of the West series. 

I enjoyed this book in the audio edition, which was read by Brantley Brumley. The reading was well presented, though I played it 1.5 times the normal speed as I read faster than the playback speed. At less than 4 hours, this is a perfect road trip companion, especially for those "Are we there yet?" riders. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Be Still, My Soul
Series: Mysteries of the West #1
Author: Faith Blum
Publisher: Wild Blue Wonder Press
Release Date: November 20, 2023
Genre: Christian Western

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour." - Ephesians 4:28

When Carsten Whitford is arrested for a robbery he didn't commit, he struggles to clear his name that's already stained by his father's arrest from four years ago. Carsten is the sole supporter of his mother and he works the farm he has lived on his whole life.

The day after his arrest, Carsten's mentor gets him released until the trial. Carsten and his three friends work together to prove he didn’t rob the store since no one, especially the town marshal, seems interested in finding out who is truly guilty. The townspeople assume he is guilty because of his father’s past, including the girl Carsten wants to court.

Will Carsten and his friends find out who truly robbed the store or will they find something more sinister that could even lead to their own deaths? 

Isaac's Ice Cream Tree ~ Review

Isaac's Ice Cream Tree

Written by Angela Henderson

Illustrated by Rachael Koppendrayer

What happens to sugar maples when they lose all their leaves for winter? Are they lonely, being all alone with bare branches? These are the questions that trouble Isaac about the beloved sugar maple in his yard. Determined to keep his maple from being lonely, Isaac promises to visit with it daily. At the end of his visit, Isaac leaves a gift, a part of his snack. The next day, a magical gift waits for Isaac.

This is a fun, imaginative story that will delight young readers. The illustrations, in my opinion, would be Isaac's illustrative journalling of the time he spends with his sugar maple, which seemingly has magical abilities. This is a story of winter, the hope of spring, and friendship. For those who like having concepts taught in their books, this book offers colors, days, and seasons.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Isaac's Ice Cream Tree

Isaac loves the sugar maple in his yard, and he can’t help but feel bad for it when its branches are winter-bare. He decides to give it a gift…and is surprised when the tree returns the favor in the new morning snow, presenting him with balls of…ice cream!

But how long can the magic last with spring on the horizon?

This magical exploration through the colors of the rainbow, the days of the week, the water cycle, and some of our favorite fruits is sure to delight readers of all ages!

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About the Author

Angela Henderson Smith resides in Dallas, Texas, where she teaches middle school English Language Arts & Reading and is a mother of three. Exploring children’s books for twelve years with her own children during numerous “story times” at the local library and reading hundreds of books to her children, her passion for quality children’s literature led her to write her own work. She’s been able to share her love of literature with over a thousand followers by featuring authors and books. She’s thrilled to introduce her own creative story where magical moments lead to positive perspectives. 

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About the Illustrator

Raised on the small dairy farm in central Minnesota that my great-grandfather established when he emigrated from Sweden, I grew up surrounded by fields and pastures, woods, and swamps—all ripe for exploration and inspiration. Though I have traveled the world since, it is the images of my home and heritage that continue to inspire my artwork most.

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About the Publisher

Founded in 2018, WhiteSpark began with one simple goal: to provide quality Christian books for young readers. After years of hearing authors and readers ask for just this, WhiteSpark’s parent company, WhiteFire Publishing, decided it was time to step out in faith and try to deliver!

When WhiteFire acquired Ashberry Lane in the spring of 2018, it was a true boon for WhiteSpark ~ Ashberry Lane already had a stellar roster of middle grade books whose authors were eager to move the titles under the WhiteSpark imprint.

Where will we go and grow? We can’t wait to discover that…and to help you foster in your children a love of books and the Lord.

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The Tiny Cyborg ~ Release Day

 Happy release day to The Tiny Cyborg!

  Today Jill Williamson_author and her son Luke celebrate the release of the third and final book in the RoboTales series! This is a science fiction chapter book series for readers 9 - 12, though the series has some older fans, as well. These are fairytale retellings combined with a helpful robot dog. Can you guess from the title which story The Tiny Cyborg is inspired by?

Here is the back cover description: 

       

Darius is the youngest son of President Cassian. When his father goes missing on a planet with super-strong gravity, Darius is determined to rescue him. He makes a dangerous deal with scientist Dr. Fleed to become a cyborg in order to protect his body on the planet's surface. With the help of a robot dog, Darius sets out on his quest. Will he find his father in time? Or will Dr. Fleed take over the solar system and make cyborgs of them all?

        

The Tiny Cyborg is available on Jill's Bookstore, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.com. Learn more at https://jillwilliamson.com/series/robotales.

Just Gus ~ Review

Just Gus

By McCall Hoyle

Gus is a working dog tasked with guarding sheep and chickens. And Gus is good at what he does, keeping the wild prey away. Until Gus comes up against a dangerous foe who injures him badly. Gus needs to rest someplace while he heals. But for a working dog, Gus is driven to do his job, so he needs to be away from his sheep and his need to guard. 

Gus's connection with Diego proves to be a blessing. Diego struggles with worry and fear, but his connection with Gus helps him cope. But can a dog use to open outdoor spaces be content living in a house in a neighborhood?

Just Gus is an excellent book for middle-grade readers. The book is presented through Gus's point of view. We experience Gus's fear and frustration as he faces the unknown when his very identity is challenged.  What determines a person's (or dog's) worth? And how do we handle our fears and worries when they overwhelm us? 

This is a story with heart and is perfect for any young reader who loves animals, especially dogs. I love how it shows Gus's transition from a guardian of livestock to an emotional support dog. I also liked how Diego changes when he has Gus at his side. I have no qualms about recommending this book to middle-grade readers. This book both informs and entertains while exploring this timely topic.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A boy and his dog learn that they are better together.

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job—protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner—the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world.

Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.

Graysen Foxx and the Treasure of Principal Redbeard ~ Review

Graysen Foxx and the Treasure of Principal Redbeard

Grayson Foxx #1

By J. Scott Savage

First off let me say that this book is written for Middle Grade readers but adults will enjoy references to their growing up years. This book is just too funny in places - at one point in his archeological endeavors Gray comes across an old form of writing that may be hieroglyphics, a series of squiggles and swirles that upon closer inspection was cursive writing. 

This isn't a book of bathroom humor to entertain kids but honest to goodness funny situations all set in elementary school with a flair of the dramatic as Gray and his friends search out lost treasures that may be found on the school's grounds. And the greatest treasure is that of Principal Redbeard who confiscated toys and whatnot from students years, and years, ago and at an abrupt dismissal never returned the items to the students.

Everything isn't totally fun and games as Grey has to deal with bullies, but there are lessons to be had as his kindness, care, and concern of his fellow students help them overcome together. 

I highly recommend this book as clean reading fun that also offers a few valuable insights into life at the same time. I have no qualms or concerns in doing so. Yes, some of this situations in regards to the treasure hunting are highly unlikely but they are just catalysts to the adventure portion of the story. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Join Graysen Foxx on a wild, treasure-hunting adventure!

Ordinary Elementary is anything but ordinary. Below the classrooms are winding, abandoned, underground passages filled with lost treasures. Fifth-grader Graysen Foxx, aka The Gray Fox—finder of secrets, solver of mysteries, and explorer of the unknown—is hot on the trail of the legendary treasure of Principal Redbeard, which includes decades of confiscated gadgets, rare comic books, first-edition Pokémon trading cards, an original Rubik’s Cube, and a retro handheld video game.

Graysen is determined to find the treasure and share it with his fellow students. His nemesis, Raven Ransom—nicknamed “Red Raven”—plans to stop him and claim the prizes for herself, just like she did with the game-winning home run kickball everyone thought was lost on the roof of the school.

Wearing his adventurer-iconic fedora, journaling in his field notebook, and wielding his elastic stretchy hand, Graysen is ready for action. But can he avoid the second-grade spy network working for Raven? Could the third-grade twins, Maya and Jack, give him an advantage? Can he avoid the ruthless sixth graders while trying to protect the innocent first graders? And who is the mysterious Midnight Moth who is leaving cryptic notes and riddles?

It's a battle between courage and cunning, smarts and shrewdness, charity and cheating. With the treasure on the line, can Graysen trust his rival—or is it just another one of her traps? May the best treasure hunter win!