Hidden Yellow Star ~ Review

Hidden Yellow Star

By Rebecca Connolly

What would you do if those around you were facing persecution merely because of their heritage? This is the question that Andrée Geulen faced when the students in her classroom of Jewish heritage were forced to wear a yellow star - a yellow Star of David marking them as lesser beings in the eyes of Nazis. 

When her Jewish heritage causes her to lose her job, Ida Sterno joins the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium. This resistance movement is helping to hide Jewish children from the very people who seek to destroy them. This connection and concern brings Ida and Andrée together in their fight. 

The very nature of their efforts if discovered is sure to be a death sentence, even if it is while in a camp. And asking people, children to deny who they are was a danger that threatened all involved. And the threat of betrayal was all too real.

This is a story of bravery and risk. A story of love and sacrifice. A story of standing up for what is right. This story will touch your heart as mothers give up their children, in hopes of a life away from the very real danger they daily faced. The efforts of those who do all that they can out of love. Hidden Yellow Stars will move you. 

The characters heartbreak, their despair, their feelings of injustice, their righteous anger, and their fear resonated with me as I worked my way through the book. The historical aspects come alive. One phrase really struck me: He who saves one life saves all of humanity. These people saved many lives, knowing what they risked doing so. One has to wonder what one would do in a similar situation. I highly recommend this book for anyone who reads WW2 Fiction.

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:

Based on the true story of two World War II heroines who risked everything

to save Jewish children from the Gestapo by hiding them throughout Belgium.

Belgium, 1942

Young schoolteacher Andrée Geulen secretly defies the Nazis in Belgium, who are forcing Jews to wear a yellow Star of David. Andrée is not Jewish, but she feels a maternal connection to her students, who are living in constant fear, and decides to take action. No child should have to suffer under such persecution. But what can one woman do against an entire army?

Ida Sterno is a Jewish woman who works with the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium, a clandestine resistance group tasked with hiding children from the Gestapo. She wants to recruit Andrée because her Aryan appearance can provide crucial security measures for their efforts. Andrée agrees to join and begins work immediately by adopting a code name: Claude Fournier.

Together, Andrée and Ida, and their undercover operatives, work around the clock to move Jewish children from their families and smuggle them to safety through the secret channels established by the resistance. As each child is hidden, Andrée commits to memory their true name and history. Someday, she vows, she will help reunite as many of these families as she can.

But with the Gestapo closing in and the traitorous Fat Jacques who has turned from ally to enemy and is threatening to identify and expose any Jew he meets, Andrée and Ida must work even harder against increasingly impossible odds to save as many children as possible and keep them safely hidden—even if it might cost them their own lives.

About the Author:

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master's degree from West Virginia University.

While doing research for this book, she discovered information about her own family history, including the fates of several unknown family members who perished in the concentration camps of World War II.

The Dread Penny Society ~ Review

The Dread Penny Society

The Complete Penny Dreadful Collection

By Sarah M. Eden

The completed works of the Dread Penny Society has been released. Who or what is the Dread Penny Society, you say? Only a group of the Victorian-Era's greatest writers of Penny Dreadfuls, who also battle the villainy of London when not writing, of course.

This delightful collection pulls the various installments from the Dread Penny series into one edition so that the stories are presented in a continual thread. I loved reading them as they were randomly presented in the novels by Sarah M. Eden. But this is so nice to read them each from start to finish in a single sitting. 

I have to admit, before this series, I had never heard of Penny Dreadfuls other than a passing comment in a book. It is fascinating to compare the author's original tales to some I was able to locate online. No doubt about it, these stories would indeed been popular, highly anticipated serials. And if you like tales that give you chills while walking just this side of the unknown but don't stray into the gruesome, you'll want to check this book out. But you may be looking for something else to read into the wee hours of the night, if ye be planning on sleeping, that is. This is a page-turner, for sure and for certain.

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

About the Book:

This beautiful, cloth-covered hardcover collector’s anthology compiles all the penny dreadful short stories from Sarah M. Eden’s five-book Victorian romance series. Included in this edition are three new, never-before-released stories.

Each short story is written in the style of the Victorian fiction that became so popular during that time period. From ghost stories to adventures to mysteries, Sarah weaves these gothic tales among her romantic storylines, making it the perfect way to celebrate the Dread Penny Society series (The Lady and the Highwayman, The Gentleman and the Thief, The Merchant and the Rogue, The Bachelor and the Bride, and The Queen and the Knave).

The Queen and the Knave ~ Review

The Queen and the Knave

The Dread Penny Society #5

By Sarah Eden

The truth about the Dread Master has finally been revealed, at least to the reader. And danger has just upped its hand as the truth of who has been behind all the dastardly doings of London has been discovered. But who is the Tempest? Going by various names and having even gained the sympathy and trust of the Dread Penny Society, the Tempest has situated herself in a unique position to take down her most feared rivals. 

Móirín Donnelly has little choice but to step into the fray caused by the chaos Tempest has created. She isn't about to lose her closest friends or her family to this danger that has come looking for them. And to do this, she'll have to reach out to Detective Fitzgerald (Fitz) Parkington for help. And Móirín never seeks the help of anyone, especially not a member of the police force, but desperate times and all that nonsense must be dealt with and sooner than later.

But when the secrets Móirín has been holding close come out, will those who've known her accept the truth of who she really is?

I have to admit I'm really sad that this delightful series is coming to a close. I absolutely love these books. And in my opinion, you have to read the books as a series and in order. Each book builds on the one before it. And each is needed to fully understand what comes next. I love how the story moves forward with installments of Penny Dreadfuls staggered throughout. And in this offering, we are yet again presented with a tale of danger and intrigue from Mr. King, but also a new Dreadful author, Chauncey Finnegan. And, btw, LOVE the newest story from Mr. King, which just so happens to share a title with this book. These are fun and engaging stories that take the reader a step back in time, and I highly recommend them - these are clean reads with light touches of romance and intrigue sprinkled throughout, making them the perfect escape.

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.

If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend this option for these books. The story plays well, and the narration by Justine Eyre brings this story to life. I found this to be the perfect commute companion. So, no matter how you enjoy your books, any option works with this book!

About the Book:

Romance and mystery come full circle in the fifth and final book of Sarah M. Eden’s best-selling Victorian Proper Romance series.

London, 1866

Móirín Donnelly has spent the last five years working in the shadows for the Dread Penny Society, but spending so much of her life in secret is taking a toll on her soul—and her heart.

When members of the Dread Penny Society begin disappearing, Móirín turns to Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington for help. The two have developed a friendly rapport, and Móirín feels like she can trust him, though perhaps not with all of her secrets.

Fitzgerald Parkington has a sixth sense when it comes to hunting down criminals, which is why he’s recently been transferred to the Detective Department at Scotland Yard. But when red tape keeps him from tracking down the criminal mastermind known as “The Tempest,” he must rely on the one woman who has unexpectedly captured his heart—the bold and fiery Irish lass, Móirín Donnelly.

As the Tempest’s deadly reach threatens to overwhelm all of London, Móirín and Fitz are caught in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that leads down back alleys, through dark London buildings, and right to the gates of Kensington Palace. Móirín has one chance to save Fitz and the Dread Penny Society from the Tempest, and she might have to sacrifice her one chance at love to do so.

The Art of Love and Lies ~ Review

The Art of Love and Lies

A Proper Romance

By Rebecca Anderson 

Rosanna Hawkins and her sisters have been afforded a most unusual upbringing - their parents have allowed them to pursue their passions. Rosanna's has made her a most accomplished artist, though not under her own name. Rather she recreates the masterpieces so those in England can enjoy "parlor versions" in their own homes. At least that's what her employer has told her.

With the art exhibition being held in Manchester, Rosanna has daily access to some of the world's greatest pieces— including Michaelangelo’s The Manchester Madonna. And she also enjoys a harmless bit of flirting with Inspector Martin Harrison, who is head of the exhibition's security. 

When it becomes clear that someone is switching Rosanna's "parlor versions" for the real pieces she finds herself at the top of the suspect list. Now the true dangers of allowing young ladies to be independent have come to light. Her all too trusting nature have made her easy prey as she wasn't under her parents' watchful eye. But Rosanna isn't about to allow herself to be a victim and is more than willing to help Martin capture the true criminal and restore the priceless treasures to their rightful owners. But can he ever trust her, much less love her?

This was a delightful read and one in which the author thoroughly engaged my attention. The characters had depth and the settings were described so that I felt I was moving amongst it and the fellow exhibit visitors. I would love to revisit these characters in a future book. If love sweet romance, a touch of intrigue, and fun banter look no further for your next read - you've found it in The Art of Love and Lies.

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 free-spirited artist teams up with a no-nonsense detective to capture a thief 

who has stolen a priceless Michaelangelo painting.

Manchester, England, 1857

Rosanna Hawkins is one of Manchester’s finest artists, even though no one knows her name. She reproduces “parlor versions” of classic masterpieces with near-perfect precision, which her employer then sells to the emerging upper-middle class families.

When the largest art exhibition ever to be held in England opens in Manchester, Rosanna is excited to visit. She meets the handsome Inspector Martin Harrison, who is head of security, and is immediately intrigued by his charm, confidence, and portrait-worthy good looks. The two spend many a flirtatious afternoon exploring the exhibition hall, discussing art, and sharing their secret hopes. Rosanna dreams of painting something original and meaningful, and Martin hopes to one day shed the shadow of his father’s notorious past.

But when they discover the theft of some of the paintings—and all the evidence points to Rosanna—she must convince Inspector Harrison she is innocent and proposes a plan to capture the real art thief.

It is a daring race to catch the criminal before he disappears with the most priceless piece in the collection—Michaelangelo’s The Manchester Madonna. If Rosanna and Inspector Harrison fail, not only will the painting be lost forever but so will their chance to paint their own happily ever after.

Along a Breton Shore ~ Review

Along a Breton Shore
By Arlem Hawks

Armelle Bernard decides she has had enough and will harass the priest who turned in her father for sheltering a family of refugees fleeing the revolutionaries. The punishment for his act of mercy was death. Ignoring the warnings of those closest to her, Armelle puts her life in danger with her act of defiance. In a moment, she's faced with the same punishment as her father.

Maxence Étienne wants to be the best soldier for the République that he can. Believing that bringing liberty to France by throwing off the rule of the monarchy is what is needed, he left everything behind. What Maxence didn't expect was being ordered to execute a young woman for harassing the local priest. Faced with a moral decision, Maxence does what he feels is right and is charged with being a traitor.

To survive, Armelle and Maxence must flee the République army. But any who aid them are endangering themselves.  Armelle's assertive, mischievous, and positive nature is opposite to Maxence's solemn, quiet, and rather grumpy one. Could two such different personalities support one another long enough to get to safety?

Set in the midst of the French Revolution, Along a Breton Shore brings the uncertainty and fear to life for the reader to experience. Everything of the past was being thrown out in favor of the new. Reminders of the way things were before are outlawed, even the months of the calendar have been renamed. Liberty comes with a steep price, and those who have opposing views or even questions take their lives and that of their family into danger. 

I have read books about the French Revolution before, and I will admit I've often gotten bogged down in the battles and violence. This book didn't do that to me. I found this book to be engaging and entertaining while providing adequate information about the political landscape to set the stage but not take over it. I was drawn to both Armelle and Maxence, who seem so opposite to one another and yet, in some ways, not so much. One can't help but read this book from cover to cover, not wanting to put it down. I feel this is one of the best books I've read in which this time and place are a major force in the story, almost another character with its influence on the lives of those there. I would highly recommend this book by Arlem Hawks.

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.

I was appreciative of the character list at the beginning of the book, along with a definition/glossary of pronunciations and common French terms. 

Synopsis:

A soldier and a young woman, on opposite sides of the revolution, must run for their lives across a war-torn France in this gripping novel of friendship, love, and survival.

France, 1794

Maxence Étienne, a soldier for the République, believes fiercely in the revolution that is bringing liberty to France. But even though the monarchy has fallen and Maxence is part of a great cause, he is still searching for a place to belong.

Armelle Bernard is a young woman from Breton whose father was sentenced to death for hiding counterrevolutionaries. She decides to confront the priest who betrayed her father, and as the conflict escalates, she herself is ordered to be executed—an order to be carried out by Maxence.

Maxence has seen his share of violence and bloodshed, but he also carries a tragic secret and can’t bring himself to carry out his assignment. In allowing Armelle to escape, he is forced to combat a fellow soldier, who dies in the struggle.

Though Armelle and Maxence are strangers and on opposite sides of the revolution, they find themselves united as fugitives of the new republic. Now they must find a way to trust each other as they search for a path to peace, and to freedom.

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781639931071
Retail Price: $26.99
Page Count: 368

About the Author:

ARLEM HAWKS began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an emphasis in print journalism, and he lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

Other Books by Arlem Hawks:

Georgana’s Secret
Beyond the Lavender Fields

Beauty Reborn ~ Review

Beauty Reborn

By Elizabeth Lowham

Beauty's name draws attention to her outer appearance, ignoring her thoughts, her words. Until Stephan, her name was merely a word, something those around her used to discount her thoughts and words. And catching Stephan's attention at first was an honor until he wouldn't stop trying to claim her for himself.

When her family lost everything, Beauty welcomed it, hoping it would steal her beauty. And when her father stole a rose, she took the opportunity to pay the cost of his theft. For a beast such as he described would surely end her life, ending her pain, her anger, her shame.

Beauty Reborn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that offers a twist to the typical retellings. Beast is cursed, and to break the curse, he must get a young woman to agree to marry him. But marriage isn't something Beauty wants; she just wants to pay her father's debt. Her reasons aren't noble but selfish; she knows this but needs to hide away from the outside world. And the isolation of an unknown lost castle with only Beast as a companion seemed perfect. But then she got to know him. A beast he might be in appearance but not in his heart.

Beauty's story is slowly told throughout the book in short snippets within other scenes. It's as if certain actions bring forth memories she's tried to bury. 

Beast's story is more interesting and original. How he came to be cursed, living in an enchanted castle, and isolated, hidden away from everything. There is a moment when Beauty suggests the two should exchange names, which isn't too far-fetched when one gets glimpses at their hearts. I find the interactions of Beauty with her family to be rather telling. I can't say that I'd have wanted to be friends with any of the sisters. I have to be honest Beauty's brother, Rob, is who I am most sympathetic with, and I hope he gets his heart's desire.

This is a book that, depending on the individual, will either be loved or treated with indifference. Beauty's memories of Stephan sometimes jump out without warning that a break is coming. But I think this is what the author was going for, as Beauty is haunted by what happened and what she perceives as her role in what unfolded. Overall, I feel this was a good read, especially when one considers the subject matter. That being said, I would recommend this to older teens and adults.

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:

Fantasy and reality collide in this retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself.

Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love.

Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love—and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal.

Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible.

She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly, the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered.

Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing—and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn.

What Dreams May Come ~ Review

 What Dreams May Come

 By Dana LeCheminant

Lucy Hayes has been persuaded to leave her place of employment in secret in an attempt to evade the unwanted attentions of a man she does not wish to marry. But a storm soon finds her agreeing to a most unusual plan-she pretends to be married to an utter stranger. Great idea until the stranger offering her protection falls ill, and his family is informed of her status. 

To protect herself, Lucy is reluctantly drawn further into the lie that she has a connection to William Calloway. As his betrothed, she is offered a place within the family. And as much as she hates lying about who she is, Lucy relishes the feeling of family, safety, and love they freely offer her. How can she even begin to explain the truth of her situation without William's aid?  

And then there is Simon, William's older brother, whom Lucy connects with. As she gets to know Simon more, Lucy discovers a hurting soul, a soul that she alone seems to understand. But the lies she has told stand between them. 

What Dreams May Come is a lovely read from the talented mind of Dana LeCheminant. A woman with no connections in need of refuge hides behind a lie. A lie she never wanted, but it is all that stands between her and an unwanted marriage (or worse). But the very lie meant to protect her could be the very thing that will destroy her future. I must admit this would be a most trying situation to find oneself in. I can't honestly say what I would have done in a similar situation. 

I really loved these characters - Lucy, who was trying to protect herself the only way she knew how. Simon, who was losing himself to the legacy he was trying to preserve. These are characters I would love to revisit in additional books. I have become invested in their lives and want to know what happens next, and would love the chance to get to know the supporting characters better. This lovely Regency read will delight readers of Historical Romance who want a clean read.

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:

In a bid to escape the incessant attentions of a man she does not love, governess Lucy Hayes embarks on a journey to begin a new post. But when she’s stranded in a storm, her plans go shockingly awry. Desperate times call for desperate measures: against her better judgment, she agrees to a foolhardy scheme presented by a handsome stranger, known to her as only William. But when her mysterious benefactor falls ill, she finds herself unwittingly drawn into his family home in a case of mistaken identity: they believe she is William’s betrothed. Though she realizes she should admit the truth, the family’s warmth and welcome make it all too easy to play along, just for a while. Until she meets Baron Lord Simon Calloway, William’s older brother.

Simon is suspicious of his lovely future sister-in-law, a woman who seems completely unsuited to his self-important brother. As they wait for William to awake, Simon and Lucy are drawn ever closer together. But danger draws closer too, in the form of her unwanted suitor. Lucy knows that when Simon discovers the truth, he will despise her. Now she must find a way to keep herself safe . . . and avoid falling hopelessly in love with a man she can never have.

Under the Cover of Mercy ~ Review

Under the Cover of Mercy

By Rebecca Connolly

Under the Cover of Mercy is one of those hidden gems. It is a book that, while interesting to look at, is so much more than its cover appears. Much like its main character Edith Cavell, there is a depth that is the heart of the story. Or, as Edith's second-in-command observes, Edith's Christianity defined her every action. It wasn't a trait of her character but the center of her existence.

Edith Cavell wasn't about to let anyone dictate who she could treat. Nor was she going to be a guard over those the Germans have deemed to be "enemies" to prevent their escape. As a nurse and as the Head Nurse of the Berkendael Medical Institute, she had a duty not only to the wounded but to her own conscience. How could she heal these men only to subject them to further abuses at the hand of the Germans who had taken control of her beloved Brussels? 

With her faith and convictions to guide her, Edith put her life on the line to help those who were injured recover and escape the Germans who would have been captured or succumbed to their injuries. This action placed both her and her hospital in danger, but she couldn't say no when God lay a mission both her very path.

This book is based on the true-life story of Edith Cavell, who dedicated her life to the cause that she felt God had called her to. One has to wonder, after reading Under the Cover of Mercy, just how strong one's own convictions would be in the face of such opposition and risk. Could I do as Edith knowing what discovery would cost if I failed?

This is an excellent book and one I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone who is looking for historical or biographical fiction. The setting of war-torn Brussels would appeal to those who want to learn more about WWI. And anyone who likes to learn about little-known and unsung heroes will appreciate this new offering from Rebecca Connolly.

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:

Can one nurse on a mission of mercy and rebellion turn the tide of WWI?

November 1914

The Great War has come to Brussels, and Edith Cavell, Head Nurse at Berkendael Medical Institute, faces an impossible situation. She has sworn an oath to help any who are wounded, under whatever flag they are found. But Governor von Lüttwitz, the ranking German officer, has ordered her and her nurses to also stand guard over the wounded Allied prisoners of war and prevent them from escaping.

Edith feels that God called her to be a healer, not a jailer. How can she heal these broken boys, only to see them returned to the hands of their oppressors to be beaten again?

So when members of the Belgian resistance, desperate for help, bring two wounded British soldiers to her hospital in secret, she decides she will heal the soldiers, and then help smuggle them out of the hospital to freedom.

With her loyal friend and fellow nurse, Lizzie, by her side, Edith establishes her hospital as a safe house for the resistance, laboring tirelessly to save as many soldiers as she can. Working under the watchful eyes of the German army, Edith faces challenging odds as she fights to bring hope to her small corner of a war-torn world.

Based on a true story, Under the Cover of Mercy is the remarkable account of one woman who defied an entire nation in order to heal those who needed her help the most.

About the Author:

REBECCA CONNOLLY is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out.

Bookfairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University.

Learn more about Rebecca and her books at rebeccaconnolly.com

Other Books by Rebecca Connolly:

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice

Advance Praise:

“Remarkable tale based on the real-life of Edith Cavell, head nurse at Berkendael Medical Institute in Brussels in 1914. The war is raging, and British Edith, along with her nurses, tend to patients on both sides of the divide, even the German ones. The one thing she won't do, though, is detain soldiers for the Germans. She is strict in her decision that she and her nurses will care for patients but will not work as prison guards. Members of the Belgian Resistance come to Edith to ask her aid in hiding beaten-down soldiers until they can be treated and then helped to escape. Edith feels compelled to help these men. Soon [the Germans] arrest her, put her on trial, and order the death penalty. Edith draws on her faith and belief in God as her fate is drawn out. Christian and historical fiction readers alike will devour this fast-paced novel of faith and bravery.”

—Booklist

Available at these retailers 

     

Rise Today ~ Review

Rise Today: Trusting God and His Promise

By Jason F. Wright

This book offers hope. The first page opens with three words, words of promise. What are those words, you ask? 

HE.

IS. 

RISEN.

Words that you can take inspiration from, Words that will inspire you to rise above the problems and doubts of today.

This small book looks like a perfect gift, but it is more as it offers the reader encouragement in the face of day-to-day struggles we all face. But we can overcome the mindset that we have allowed to control and dictate our daily path. According to the author, we have a choice to allow Christ more fully into our life or not. If we decide to align our lives with the risen Lord, we need to pray, read God's Word (the Bible), listen to sacred music, worship with others, and serve others.

This book is short, sweet, and to the point. The illustrations are mainly soft, soothing colors that complement the thoughts being portrayed. In my opinion, this book is appropriate for all ages because everyone needs encouragement at some point in life.

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:

Almost everyone gets the doldrums at some level, whether from heartache, despair, or simply feeling that life isn’t what they had planned. Author Jason F. Wright invites readers to rise above life’s challenges with a message of hope, offering specific counsel and advice he’s learned through personally striving to live a Christ-centered life and through worshipping with many different congregations across the United States.

About the Author:

Jason F. Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen books. He lives with his wife, Kodi, and their children in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Other Books by Jason F. Wright:

The James Miracle                             Christmas Jars
Christmas Jars Reunion                     Christmas Jars Journey
Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle          Recovering Charles
The Cross Gardener                           The Seventeen-Second Miracle
The 13th Day of Christmas                The Wednesday Letters
The Wedding Letters                           Picturing Christmas
The Christmas Jukebox                      Even the Dog Knows
Until You Find Strength

Available at these retailers (and more!)

     

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown: Adapted for Young Readers ~ Review

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

Adapted for Young Readers

By Heather B. Moore

 and Allison Hong Merrill

This is a story of survival and even triumph. Tai Choi was supposed to live a life of privilege, but instead, she was treated little better than an unwanted piece of livestock to be bartered off to the highest bidder when no longer needed. For all intents, she was a slave in a land that had abolished slavery. But for Tai Choi, and hundreds if not thousands, slavery was very much alive in America. 

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown is written for young readers, so more graphic content is removed but eluded to. This is based on true-life events and is handled sensitively in an age-appropriate manner. Yet the underlying feeling is left intact - helplessness and being at the mercy of those who care little for you beyond the work required. 

Tai Choi was sold by her father for gambling debts and forced to assume a new identity - Tien Fu Wu, and, worse, warned away from the very people who sought to help her. When she escaped this life she had to learn to trust those who had aided her. With time, she and Dolly Cameron would forge a friendship and take on the work together of helping to rescue others caught in the life that had stolen so much from Tien Fu Wu. It wasn't an easy life, but it was a worthy one born from experience and caring, and on the friendship forged between two very different women.

This is a look at American history that is little known to most. A dirty little secret that has been swept away like a pile of dust hidden beneath a rug. The author expertly crafted this story for children to experience this travesty while only alluding to the darker parts. Historical fact-based fiction isn't always pretty, but this is a story of triumph and overcoming evil. I would recommend this for those looking for a historical fiction title for a book report. This is a title for middle-grade readers and up.

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:

Based on the true story of two friends who unite to help rescue immigrant 

women and girls in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s.

When Tai Choi leaves her home in the Zhejiang province of China, she believes it’s to visit her grandmother. But despite her mother’s opposition, her father has sold her to pay his gambling debts. Alone and afraid, Tai Choi is put on a ship headed for “Gold Mountain” (San Francisco). When she arrives, she’s forced to go by the name on her forged papers: Tien Fu Wu.

Her new life as a servant is hard. She is told to stay hidden, stay silent, and perform an endless list of chores, or she will be punished or sold again. If she is to survive, Tien Fu must persevere, and learn who to trust. Her life changes when she’s rescued by the women at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls.

When Dolly Cameron arrives in San Francisco to teach sewing at the mission home, she meets Tien Fu, who is willful, defiant, and unwilling to trust anyone. Dolly quickly learns that all the girls at the home were freed from servitude and maltreatment, and enthusiastically accepts a role in rescuing more.

Despite challenges, Dolly and Tien Fu forge a powerful friendship as they mentor and help those in the mission home and work to win the freedom of enslaved immigrant women and girls.

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.

Wyoming Wild ~ Review

Wyoming Wild

By Sarah M. Eden

Liesl Hodges had tried her best to protect the citizens of Sand Creek from her father's murderous violence. But she can only do so much before his anger is turned toward her. But when she overhears him plotting to kill a respected US Marshal, she has no choice but to send out a warning.

When John Hawking receives an anonymous warning that his life is in danger, he has no choice but to investigate. Sand Creek seems peaceful enough, but once you look beneath the surface, everything isn't as it first appears. But finding the source of his warning may take more effort than Hawk first anticipated, but he hopes that Sheriff Hodges's daughter may help him find the answers he seeks.

When Hawk learns the truth about his warning, he discovers that stopping the injustice and evil that have made a home in Sand Creek just might be his hardest case ever because his stone-cold heart is involved.

Wyoming Wild is a delightful visit to 1876's Wyoming Territory. This book is a Western Proper Romance, and it is an excellent addition to the Proper Romance series. Liesl and Hawk are well-suited in their attempt to stop injustice and protect those under their care. Both have trouble with not acting, but this is one time when time and planning can't be rushed, not if they hope to stop the man who is plotting to end their lives.

As this is a Proper Romance, you are assured of a sweet romance that is most definitely in the Clean Romance zone. There is a bit of a mystery as to who is involved in what is happening in Sand Creek, but the main focus is on Hawk and Liesl and their connection. But can a young woman with every reason to distrust lawmen and a lawman who has hardened his heart have a chance at a happily ever after? If you are a fan of Sarah M. Eden's work you'll enjoy this newest offering. Or if you've never read her before, this is an excellent one to start with.  

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

About the Book:

Hearts collide when a sheriff’s daughter asks a hardened US Marshal

to join her fight for justice and rid a small town of her corrupt father.

Wyoming Territory, 1876

US Marshal John “Hawk” Hawking is one of the most respected lawmen in the West, so when a telegram arrives from the small town of Sand Creek warning him of a death threat against him, he immediately begins an investigation.

Posing as a farmer, Hawk heads to Sand Creek, a town ruled by a violent and corrupt sheriff. Only one person is trying to stop him—Liesl, the sheriff’s own daughter. When she meets the self-assured and attractive new farmer, John, she hopes he might help her in the fight for justice.

John is completely unfazed by Sheriff Hodges’s attempts at intimidation, and Liesl is quickly swept up by Hawk’s courage and integrity. Just as quickly, Hawk finds himself falling for Liesl’s strength and bravery, as well as her grace and beauty.

When Liesl discovers John’s true identity, she feels betrayed. Despite her lingering distrust of him, Liesl agrees to work with him to enact a dangerous plan that will put the criminals away forever. Liesl must put her life, and her heart, in the hands of this lawman if she has any hope of saving her family and her town.

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!

Virtually Me ~ Review

Virtually Me

By Chad Morris 

   and Shelly Brown

This school year will be different than any they have ever experienced before. With a pandemic changing everything, a new VR school is how Bradley, Edelle, and Hunter will experience the upcoming school year. 

Seeing this as a chance to reset their lives could make this the best year for some, while others see this as a significant setback to their entire existence. 

Bradley decides to make his avatar everything he isn't. He hopes to make friends and escape the public perception of who he is. And taking on a new persona is just how he plans to do this.

Edelle is in VR school because her mother doesn't like who she has become. Popularity was Edelle's goal, which affected her in ways she hadn't even realized. All Edelle wants is to get back to the life she had. And she refuses to let anyone know who she is in this new school since her mom insists that her avatar not be fashion heavy.

Hunter has a secret and doesn't want anyone to know about it. Attending this school is the perfect way to keep everyone in the dark. Now he just has to make sure he is the star that he was before.

The virtual reality portion of the book is interesting as it provides a chance for the various characters to change something about themselves. I can't say whether this was a realistic portrayal as I'm not familiar with VR personally, but I liked how this was the catalyst that allowed the main characters to change. Before, appearance was the driving factor in who was considered worthy of friendship or notice. This actually proved to be an equalizer in some respects. 

I highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers. It is an eye-opening experience. It entertains while sharing an important message about accepting a person for who they are as a whole and not because of outward appearance, athletic abilities, or other skills. Everyone is more than they appear at first. In this age of social media, I think this book is a must-read. As someone who was judged on the clothes I wore and even bullied in school, I applaud the authors on a well-delivered message. Sometimes we need to get in someone else's head to truly understand how they see a situation.

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 mysterious package. 

A new school. 

A chance to be someone new. 

A new virtual reality school where students get a fresh start. 

The pandemic was rough on everyone, especially since school went from being a fun place where you could hang out with your friends to a bunch of heads in small rectangles all trying to talk at once. For Bradley, Edelle, Hunter, Jasper, and Keiko, that’s about to change.

A mysterious box arrives at each of their houses, and they’re invited to attend a virtual school. More than just being online, they’ll be able to create an avatar of themselves and interact with their friends and other classmates in real time using VR headsets.

For each of them, that presents an opportunity to become someone they’re not, or someone they haven’t been. For Bradley, it’s a chance to come out of a self-imposed shell. Edelle hopes everyone will see her for who she really is, not just for how she looks. Hunter is looking forward to pretending he’s still the person he was last year. Jasper wants to get over past assumptions. And for Keiko, it’ll allow her to disappear into the crowd.

For all of them, it’s a chance to see just how much they’ve assumed about each other in the past and maybe an opportunity to become friends.

About the Authors: 

Chad Morris loves the VR set he got for Christmas and is much better at it than he is at video games, but that’s still not saying much. Still, he would love to try to keep his balance on Skatecoaster, laugh like crazy in The Furriest, and punch light blasts at alien bugs in Infestation ExtermiNation. He occasionally dances in public and is pretty terrible at social media. 

Shelly Brown went to junior high in a regular ol’ building (boring) and has never transformed into a round fuzzy animal. But she has been listening to K-pop since before BTS’s first album and feels a deep affection for well-made falafel pitas. She’s an aunt to some incredible young people, a substitute teacher, and a wannabe Kyoshi warrior. 

As a married couple, Chad and Shelly both love writing books and hanging out with each other and their five kids. They’re grateful they get to spend time with students in assemblies across the nation talking about topics from kindness to writing.