Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker

Back Before Dark (Code of Silence- Book 2) by Tim Shoemaker 

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 376

Age Group- 9 and up (I would recommend high school)

Description of book- Hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73499-4

Cousins Cooper and Gordy, along with their friends Hiro and Lunk, are on their way home through the park on their bikes when Gordy is kidnapped.  The kidnapper thinks it’s a game, but nobody knows that.  Cooper is troubled by Gordy’s kidnapping and leaves no stone unturned as he looks for him.  Hiro wants to be a detective so she is able to give him guidance and has the courage to involve the police.  Lunk is also there for Cooper for everything.  Soon there is talk of a memorial service, but Cooper won’t stop looking.  Will they be able to find Gordy before it is too late?

About the author- Tim Shoemaker has been married for over 32 years and has three grown sons.  He has written over eight books, including Code of Silence and Dangerous Devotions for Guys.

 

 

 

My thoughts- This is the second book in the Code of Silence series.  I found that it is o.k. to begin with this book as I wasn’t missing any crucial information from the first book.

This is a book that young men are going to like; there’s action and a lot of mystery, because of Gordy’s kidnapping.  Cooper, Hiro, and Lunk are both brave and foolish about looking for him.  I’m glad they stick together and have a system for how they hunt for Gordy.

Cooper's dedication to finding his cousin is astounding.  Cooper would not give up looking for Gordy.  He had faith that Gordy was still alive when other people didn’t think he was.  I hope that I can have that level of perseverance and faith when I am facing adversity.

One of my favorite parts of the book was, “A Word from the Author” and the information that followed.  It made a good study guide and provided a lot of good information on how to stay safe.  We all need to remember we are not invincible.  We can be hurt.

I would recommend that teens and their parents read this book and discuss it afterwards.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Dueling with the Three Musketeers by L.L. Samson

Dueling with the Three Musketeers (The Enchanted Attic- Book 3) by L.L. Samson 

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 176

Age Group- 9 and up

Description of book- paperback, list price $7.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72799-6

Linus, Ophelia, and Walter are back and ready for a new adventure with the enchanted circle in the attic.  Ophelia has been reading The Three Musketeers and Madrigal Pierce’s brother has returned and plans to sell the mansion he owns with his sister.  The children decide to bring D’Artagnan to help them save the mansion (Pierce School For Young People).  The evil Countess de Winter comes along with D’Artagnan.  Will Linus, Ophelia, and Walter be able to save the school?  What will happen with the Countess?

About the author- L.L. Samson lives in Kentucky with her husband, Will.  She has been a co-author with her husband and has written over 25 books herself.

My thoughts- This is the third book of The Enchanted Attic series.  I thought it was the best one so far.  There was a lot more action, new characters, and more fun!

I thought it was interesting how more people were able to come through the enchanted circle.  I have not read The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas, but I was impressed by Milady, the Countess de Winter.  She wasn’t so evil after all.  I’m impressed how Ophelia, Linus, and Walter are able to treat people kindly and change their lives.  The children change the lives of the people they live with as well.  I’m impressed with such nice children.  We all need to help others like Ophelia, Linus, and Walter do.

My suggestion to you is to get a copy of this book and read it.  You will learn about fun book characters and how to be helpful to others.

Here is my review for Saving Moby Dick.

Here is my review for Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Dueling With the Three Musketeers by L.L. Samson for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Winter’s Tide by Lisa Williams Kline

 Winter’s Tide (Sisters in All Seasons- Book Four) by Lisa Williams Kline 

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 240

Age Group- 9 and up

Description of book- hardback, list price $10.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72619-7

Diana and Stephanie are still having problems dealing with each other and with Diana’s problem of being bullied at school.  It is winter and there are two accidents that make them face their problems.  First, Stephanie’s stepbrother is in a near-fatal accident and then Diana discovers a beached whale on the North Carolina shore.  Both girls face their challenges together until Stephanie’s lie surfaces.  Will Diana be able to forgive her and find a new faith in God? 

About the author- Lisa Williams Kline currently lives in North Carolina with her husband.  She has grown daughters.  Some of her stories have been in Cricket, Cicada, Spider, and Odyssey.  She is an editor, writer, and English teacher.

 

My thoughts- This is the fourth book of the Sisters in All Seasons series.  After reading this book I want to read the other books as well as the final book coming out later this year.

I was surprised at the number of step-families in this story.  The main characters are stepsisters and there are others mentioned too.  This was one of the first times I had read a book like this.

I enjoyed having the perspective of both Stephanie and Diana by alternating chapters.  It was nice to have different perspectives, because I learned more about all the characters.  Diana needs a lot of guidance which was more noticeable by the different perspectives.  I was glad she was able to succeed with her feelings and viewpoints.

I would recommend this book to all young teen girls.  It is worth the read.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Winter’s Tide by Lisa Williams Kline for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent (Days 12-18 Thoughts)

Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days to Experience the Heart of Jesus by Keri Wyatt Kent

Growing closer to Jesus is something I really desire in my life and absorbing myself in this book will really help me.

I have been read and studying these seven chapters twice a day in case there is something I need to pay attention to during the day.  This has helped me pay attention to how I am with Jesus during the day and what I need to work on.

Here is what I learned from these chapters.

“Day 12: With”

• I needed to read one of the Gospel’s so I read Mark.
• I found there was not a lot of detail to really learn about Jesus, so I am going to read Luke instead.

“Day 13: Distracted”

• What distracts me from Jesus- technology and worry.
• I need to give my worry to Jesus and turn off the technology

“Day 14: Show Me”

• This relates to Mark 9 and desperate situations.  Fortunately I do not have a desperate situation in my life right now.
• If I did have a desperate situation in my life I would need to look for Jesus in all of it.

“Day 15: The Blues”

• Psalm 42 is a great psalm for those who are lamenting and needing Jesus right then in their lives.  I did not have anything to lament about.
• I did enjoy verse 8.

“Day 16: Creation”

• I really enjoy nature and it brings me joy.
• I need to pay more attention to nature in the city as much as I do in the country, because I need to find the joy.
• I am grateful that we live near a park and creek, so we can go and see nature whenever we want to.

“Day 17: Direction”

• What decisions am I needing to make and how I can way the pros of each.  I am not needing to make any major decisions

“Day 18: Intercession”

• I needed to make a list of people who need praying for and then pray for them.
• This is something I really enjoy doing.
• It will be hard to do physical things for people because most of them live very far away and it would be hard to take them a meal or watch their children.
• I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me in this area.

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 200
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4267-4481-5

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent for free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Broken Wings by Shannon Dittemore

Broken Wings by Shannon Dittemore, Book Two of The Angel Eyes Trilogy

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Christian / Fantasy

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 212

Age Group- Young Adult

Description of Book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN 978-1-4016-8637-6

Brielle and her boyfriend, Jake, are the focus of the Prince of Darkness, because Jake has healing hands and Brielle can see through the Terrestrial Veil.  They don’t know it though. 

Brielle can see the Celestial world along side with ours.  She knows something is going to happen, but she doesn’t know what.  Jake has been keeping something from her.  Her father has started drinking again and dating a young woman who Brielle finds very creepy.

Will she be able to fix the problems or will the Prince of Darkness take over her town of Stratus.

Author- Shannon Dittemore currently lives in California with her husband and two children.  She has gone to Portland Bible College, performing with the theater, and focusing on youth and young adult ministries.

My Thoughts- This is the second book in The Angel Eyes Trilogy and the only one I have read.  I would recommend reading the other book first, because I feel like I missed out on some important facts.

I thought it was interesting that author, Shannon Dittemore included a halo that also worked as a bracelet and a boyfriend for Brielle that was not an angel.

I know that angels are important in our lives, but I think that a relationship involving God is so much more important.  It would have been better if there had been more emphasis on a human’s relationship with God.  I don’t understand how there could be such an emphasis on angels and not God.

This book was well written.  I would recommend this book to those who like reading about romance and angels.  The rest of you, my readers, may not want to read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Broken Wings by Shannon Dittemore for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze Review Bloggers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent (Days 5-11 Thoughts)

Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days to Experience the Heart of Jesus by Keri Wyatt Kent

I have begun absorbing myself in this book, because I want to make a change in my life with Jesus.  I want to experience Jesus’s love in a way I never have before.

I have read and studied these seven chapters twice a day in case there is something I need to pay attention to during the day. 

Here is what I learned from these chapters.

“Day 5: Waking”

• I need to always wake up in the morning and pray and ask Jesus to be with me in the day.
• I need to ask myself how I when I wake up.

“Day 6: Through the Day”

• I need to set up times throughout the day to pray. 
• I need to do it at least three times a day.

“Day 7: Prayer of Adoration”

• I need to use some verses from Psalms to help with prayers of adoration, like Psalm 8.
• I need to tell God He is all-knowing, all-powerful, loving, and merciful.

“Day 8: Companion”

• I need to find a person to grow spiritually deeper with. 
• I need to look at three different people.
• I need to pray for them.
• I need to visit with them and invite the right one.

“Day 9: Alone”

• I need to be still and quiet with Jesus for an hour, no technology.
• Is it hard, because I could be missing something?
• What is it like?

“Day 10: Quiet”

• I need to do things in silence without the radio.
• Knowing how to be quiet will help me become a better listener.

“Day 11: Meditate on the Promise of God”

• I need to read and meditate on John 14.
• I need to keep reading these verses.
• They will help me be happy and be confident in my life with Jesus.
• My favorite one is verse 27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” (NIV)

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 200
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4267-4481-5

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent for free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

Genre- Teen Fiction

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 336

Age Group- Young Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72439-1, link to the book on Zondervan

Inspired by the story, “Snow White,” the reader learns of Sophie who is spending a lifetime cooking and cleaning for the evil Duchess Ermengard.  A young man, Gabehart, comes for the seventeen-year-old girl, because he believes she is betrothed to his brother.  Sophie doesn’t believe him at first, but she comes to believe him and trust him, and they flee to the Cottage of the Seven.  Will Sophie and Gabehart stay safe?  Will Sophie love Gabehart’s brother?

About the author- Melanie Dickerson lives in Alabama with her husband and two daughters. She has a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired and has been a teacher and missionary. Her book, The Healer’s Apprentice, was a winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book.

Go here for my review of The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Go here for my review of The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson.

My thoughts- Many little girl’s enjoy reading the story of “Snow White” and pretending to be her.  Now teens have their own version and Melanie Dickerson did a wonderful job.  This story is sophisticated, romantic, and shows the importance of believing in God no matter what.

All of the characters were well developed and I loved them, disliked them, and cried with them.  My favorite character was Gabehart.  He was foolish to leave his family home to search for Sophie, but he showed dedication to her and his brother.  I felt sorry for the evil Duchess Ermengard, because she was against all and never loved or respected God.  I wish that there had been more time to try to turn her toward God.

I thought this book was well written and I would recommend it to all teen girls.  Please find a copy to read today.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson for free from Zondervan.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.