Book Review: Hunt for the Devil's Dragon by Marianne Hering and Wayne Thomas Batson

About the Book: If you’re brave, follow cousins Beth and Patrick to Libya in the 13th century. The town of Silene is being terrorized by a vicious animal that is eating livestock. The townspeople believe it’s a dragon sent by the devil. In order to appease the beast, the people believe they must offer a human sacrifice—a young girl named Sabra. When Beth tries to help Sabra escape, she too is tied up as an offering for the dragon. Meanwhile, Patrick and a new friend named Hazi join Georgius, a Roman knight who is serving in Africa to keep peace. Georgius decides to find the dragon and kill it. Georgius’s plans go awry when Beth and Sabra beg him not to kill the dragon. The girls know the true secret of Silene—the dragon isn’t its worst enemy.

My Review: I have really enjoyed The Imagination Station series thus far. Hunt for the Devil's Dragon is the eleventh book in the set, and in it Beth and Patrick meet up with two creatures they have only ever read about in books. This book's historical context is perplexing to me. The back cover says that the story is set in the 13th century  but the narrative is an adaptation of St. George the dragon slayer which took place a thousand years earlier. I tend to believe that the back cover blurb is incorrect. One thing that I have enjoyed about this series is the varied historical times that the cousins travel to. While this book may be one of the most exciting books in the series, I am left wondering how accurate it is. Were there really fire breathing dragons in that day? This story makes for a very exciting read, and I'm sure that young readers will love this adventure with Beth and Patrick.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to young readers of faith-based fiction and fans of Adventures in Odyssey.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

Book Review: Challenge on the Hill of Fire by Marianne Hering and Nancy I Sanders

Back Cover: "You have made us slaves to your darkness and fear too long."

Patrick and Beth climb on board the Imagination Station in hopes of traveling to the land of leprechauns and shamrocks. When they reach fifth-century Ireland, however, there's no rainbow or pot of gold waiting for them. Instead, they must escape from evil druids and find their way to the bishop, who is their only hope of safety  But after meeting the bishop, the cousins find that he's a rebel set on defying the druids - even though it could mean his death. Who is this man who isn't afraid to die for his beliefs? Is he indeed safe, or will he lead Patrick and Beth toward the greatest danger they've faced so far?

My Review: I really love these Imaginations Station books. Challenge on the Hill of Fire is the tenth book in the series. The cousins Patrick and Beth are thrust into another daring adventure in history as they learn about standing up for your faith even against certain death. I'll admit that when I first saw the cover of this book, I thought the kids were going back in Bible times to Elijah's challenge against the prophets of Baal. It took me only a few pages to realize I was wrong. Instead the book took me to Ireland in days gone by where real evil kept the people captive in superstition and fear. I think that these books give young readers and exciting glimpse into the past and provide a way for them to see how important it is to stand for what they believe. I look forward to the day when my son will be old enough to read these books.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to young readers ages 7 and up.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

Book Review: Escape to the Hiding Place by Marianne Hering and Marshal Younger

Back Cover: "God doesn't always protect us from danger. But He's always with us when we face danger. And that's enough."

World War Two has come to Holland . . .
and so have Patrick and Beth.

When the cousins hide at a farm with Dutch Resistance workers, they are given a secret mission: smuggling a Jewish baby to her mother. A broadcast from a hidden radio tells them that it's not safe to leave the farm. But the Resistance workers tell them that it's not safe to stay. Time is running out. Patrick and Beth must race to the hiding place to save the baby's future. But the Germans are everywhere: the woods, the roads, the city, and even the sky. Is there really a hiding place? Or will the Germans find that, too?

My Review: The ninth book in the Imagination Station series starts out with a rush as a plane falls from the sky and Patrick and Beth are thrust into a very dangerous situation. Once again, history comes alive as the cousins try to survive in German occupied Holland. I personally found this book to be very enjoyable and look forward to sharing the story with my nephews, and later my son when he is old enough. This is a great series!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to young readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

Book Review: Battle for Cannibal Island by Marianne Hering and Wayne Thomas Batson

Back Cover: "I claim this boy as my prisoner," the cannibal king said.

Join Patrick and Beth in the Imagination Station as they travel to Fiji in the 1850s. Patrick hopes it's for a tropical vacation - instead he finds out that cannibals are alive and well on the islands. In truth, the cannibals are burning down every Christian village they can find. When Patrick and a sailor named Nettleton get knocked overboard, the cousins are separated.

Patrick must fend off escaped convicts and a terrible storm - even worse, he finds the cannibal king without even trying! Meanwhile, Beth follows missionary James Calvert as he searches for Patrick. But Calvert's greater mission is to find the king of the cannibals and tell him about the Bible. Is Calvert leading Beth away from danger or straight toward it?

My Review: The Imagination Station series continues with this thrilling book about cannibals and a famous missionary. I love the way that the story weaves together history in a way that young readers can understand and take part in it. Who wouldn't want to go back in time and have adventures like Patrick and Beth? I know I often wished that Mr. Whittaker lived near me. This book would make a great gift for any young reader that you know. The book is recommended for ages seven and up, and I'm glad that I have it in my library to share with my son when he gets a little older. This is a great addition to the series, and the emphasis on sharing the gospel is wonderful.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book, and the rest of the series, to young readers and their parents.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

Book Review: Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang

Excerpt: "He's dead." Meg's words, like her heart, were untouched by the news. So it was over. Her hope that he would one day arrive knowing how to be a father to her, or to share with her anything of the family to which she was bound by blood. Bees in the Butterfly Garden, pg 5.

Back Cover: Raised at an exclusive boarding school, Meg Davenport has everything she needs but none of what she's wanted most - like the love of a family or a future not dependent on following etiquette and marrying well. So when she receives shocking news of her father's death, Meg seizes the chance to break every rule that has governed her life. Especially when she learns John Davenport wasn't the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age's most talented thieves.

Ian Maguire knows that John - his mentor - would never have wanted his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet she is determined to carry on his legacy, and her talent for garden design has earned her an invitation to stay with one of Fifth Avenue's wealthiest families. With friends like those, Meg could help Ian pull of his biggest heist yet.

But living in both worlds is more treacherous than Meg imagined. And as Ian's concern for Meg turns to love, he finds himself torn between greed and guilt. Can they find the legacy they both long for, on in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

My Review: Bees in the Butterfly Garden did not pull me in like I expected it to. The plot idea is interesting and the characters are fairly well developed, but something kept me from enjoying this book as much as I had hoped. That being said, the book has some very well done scenes, the characters are fun to get to know. I can't put my finger on what was "wrong" with the story, and I'm sure that others would not feel the same way. While I'm not disappointed that I read the book, it won't be staying in my library.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who enjoy light historical romance with a little danger and intrigue thrown in.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Beckon by Tom Pawlik

Excerpt: "If you go . . . death will find you there." Beckon, pg 23.

Back Cover: Some things weren't meant to be discovered.

But once they're unleashed, there's no turning back.

Beneath the town of Beckon, a terror hides, lurking in the darkness. Waiting.

Three people are drawn to the small Wyoming town for very different reasons. Anthropologist Jack Kendrick comes looking for clues to his father's disappearance. Police officer Elina Gutierrez arrives in the near-deserted  town on the trail of her missing cousin. And George Wilcox is lured by the promise of a cure for his wife's illness.

All are looking for answers. But as they draw closer to discovering the town's chilling secret, the real question becomes . . . will their quest uncover a miracle, or release an unspeakable evil?

My Review: This is a chilling, edge of your seat, don't read in the middle of the night type of book. The story is well done, the pieces come together to make a captivating whole. However, the images and events are not for the faint of heart. Pawlik has no qualms about killing of people in an extremely gruesome way. While I enjoyed this story greatly, the book will not be remaining in my personal library just because I won't be wanting my son to have those images in his head. This book will get you thinking, and if you can get past the gore, it is an amazing work of fiction.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of suspense, who are not afraid of death and gore.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale for the purpose of review.

Book Review: Happily Ever After by Gary Chapman

Excerpt: Your marriage may be weeks, months, years, or decades old. It may be strong or struggling, stable or challenging. My prayer is that this book will encourage you, help you and your spouse better understand and communicate with each other, and provide practical takeaways for dealing with whatever conflicts you might face. You just may find that you have a new joy in each other and that you can indeed live and love...happily ever after. Happily Ever After, pg viii.

Back Cover: Let's face it - even the best marriages hit an occasional bump in the road now and then. The secret to marital bliss lies in how you and your spouse handle those bumps.

In Happily Ever After, Dr. Gary Chapman, the man who wrote the book on how husbands and wives can effectively love one another, shows couples how to successfully navigate the six most common problems they face: fighting fair, negotiating change, managing money, raising kids, maintaining a healthy sex life, and getting along with in-laws.

Drawing on more than 30 years of counseling experience, Dr. Chapman provides real-world examples and practical, battle-tested advice that will help you and your spouse better understand and communicate with each other...and grow as a couple for years to come.

My Review: I am blessed with a wonderful marriage, but I recognize that I have to work to keep it wonderful. That is why I enjoy reading books on marriage. I want to be the best wife that I can be, and I believe that Gary Chapman's book Happily Ever After can help me achieve that goal. Happily Ever After is filled with practical advice that can help any couple. I appreciated the questions at the end of the chapters, and the examples given in the book. I came away with several things that I can do that will improve my marriage, and I know that any one reading this book will be able to get something out of it. It has been a long time since I read Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages, and I liked that he incorporated those ideas into this book. It was a nice refresher course. I encourage all married couples to take some time and read books that will help you with your marriage. It will be time well spent.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to couples who are looking to make their marriage even better.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers for the purpose of review.

Book Review: Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills

Excerpt: "I know you've been assigned to Lindsay for the past four years. I know you hate the idea of working with a woman. I know we're both up for the same assignment with VP Hall. But Lindsay is our protectee, and besides her addiction, someone out there wants her dead. We need to work together on this." Attracted to Fire, pg 59.

Back Cover: Only one assignment stands between Special Agent Meghan Connors and her dream of protecting the president.

After threats are made against the vice president's rebellious daughter, Meghan is added to her protective detail on a secluded Texas ranch, far from the media and any would-be assassins. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as challenging as safeguarding Lindsay Hall. He has a reputation for being critical and exacting, but behind his tough exterior, Meghan finds Ash is equally dedicated to upholding their oath.

When Vice President Hall is sworn in as president, threats on his daughter escalate and security on the ranch is breached. But who is the real target, and who can be trusted? As Ash and Meghan investigate, they uncover a deadly conspiracy that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined . . . and only they can put the pieces together before it's too late.

My Review: Attracted to Fire has it all - murder, mystery, danger and love. Once I started the novel, I had a hard time putting it down, and still find myself thinking about the plot days later. DiAnn Mills brings to life an exciting and intriguing story of the life of a woman in the Secret Service. This is also the tale of addictions and deception. I loved trying to solve the mystery with Ash and Meghan.

I did have one complaint about the book, which had nothing to do with the story line or characters. The cover of Attracted to Fire really bothers me. Meghan doesn't look anything like how she is portrayed in the cover art. I like details, so this was a little bit of a distraction.

This book is a welcome addition to my home library, and I look forward to sharing it with others.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of romantic suspense.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Problems in Plymouth by Marianne Hering & Marshal Younger

Excerpt: The chief looked at each of the children and spoke. "I am Aspinet," he said. "Chief of the Nauset tribe."

He fixed his dark eyes on them. "You and your people have caused us much pain."

Patrick gulped and wondered, Is the chief planning to cause us much pain in return? Problems in Plymouth, pg 32.

Back Cover: "We'll rescue Squanto, or we'll die trying."

Travel with cousins Patrick and Beth in the Imagination Station to Plymouth Colony, 1621. There they find plenty of problems - a lost Pilgrim boy, stolen corn, and natives on the warpath. But the cousins can't find Hugh, a time-traveling villain causing trouble everywhere he goes.

Has Hugh kidnapped Squanto? Did he start the battle that wounded three Indians? Can Patrick and Beth find and stop Hugh before he changes American history? If they can't the cousins fear the first Thanksgiving feast may turn into the first Pilgrim-Indian war.

My Review: Patrick and Beth are now on an adventure in early American history. There was always trouble in Plymouth, but now things seem to be getting worse. Is Hugh behind all of the bad things that are happening? I did enjoy this book, but there were parts that didn't quite work in this story line. Mostly, I wondered about Hugh's involvement in the events described. That part seemed a little far-fetched to me, but then again, children love a far-fetched story.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book for young readers who enjoy adventures in history.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering & Brock Eastman

Excerpt: "My name is David, son of Jesse," the young man said.

Beth and Patrick looked at each other. Thy smiled. This is the famous David from the Bible. Showdown with the Shepherd, pg 24.

Back Cover: "If none of you will fight Goliath, then I will!"

Travel to the Holy Land, 1000 BC with Patrick and Beth. Their goal is to find the menacing Master Hugh, get the Whittaker family ring, and then send Hugh back to 1450s England. But problems await the cousins as soon as they step out of the Imagination Station. First they meet an angry bear, later an angry giant.

Set against the background of the David and Goliath story, the cousins must stop Hugh from changing history and helping the Philistines win. Along the way, the cousins learn that having a giant faith is better than having a giant on your side.

My Review: I'll say it again. I love Adventures in Odyssey! Showdown with the Shepherd is the fifth book in the Imagination Station series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the Biblical backdrop. The story of David and Goliath comes to life in these pages, as the cousins try to stop Hugh. I can't wait to read these books to my son, when he is old enough to enjoy them, and then, one day, see him reading the stories for himself. These books are a welcome edition to our library!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book for young readers who enjoy adventures in history.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: Patrick reached out and took a step. His fingers touched a rock wall. It was bumpy and slimy.

"We're in a cave," Patrick said.

"A cave!" Beth said. "What cave? Where is it?"

"You mean 'When is it?'" Patrick said. "I think we jumped to another time." Revenge of the Red Knight, pg 9.

Back Cover: In this adventure, cousins Patrick and Beth finally meet Albert. But they also meet with more trouble at Lord Darkthorn's castle. The cousins are accused of stealing the very treasures they've been trying to return! To save Albert and themselves, Patrick and Beth need to sort friend from foe, traitor from teammate. And they must do it before the new moon. That's when Lord Darkthorn will return and lock Albert in his terrible tower.

My Review: Beth and Patrick are really in a fix this time. They have no idea how they got to  where they are, and the dangers awaiting them are perilous. Can they solve the mystery of the missing artifacts before the new moon, or will they be sent to the terrible tower just like Albert? This adventure will keep young readers on the edge of their seats, turning the pages to find out what is going to happen.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to young readers and their parents.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Peril in the Palace by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: "Stop!" Patrick said. He was busy watching Beth, and he didn't see the other rider. The man rode close to him. He wrapped an arm around his waist and drew him up.

"Put me down!" he shouted at the horseman.

The man paid no attention. He dropped Patrick onto the front of the saddle. He kicked the horse to speed up.

The man looked grim. He carried arrows and a bow on his back.

This can't be happening, Patrick thought. We're being kidnapped by Mongol warriors! Peril in the Palace, pg 21-22.

Back Cover: The place? - China 1271. The task? - find the golden tablet of Kublai Khan. The problem? - just about everything!

On this adventure cousins Patrick and Beth are kidnapped by Mongol warriors. Only the friendship of fellow traveler Marco Polo saves them from harm. At the Shangdu palace, Kublai Khan dislikes their gifts and their message about Christianity. Next, the Mongol magicians challenge the cousins to a spiritual power showdown, war breaks out, and Beth and Patrick are locked up to prevent their escape.

How do the cousins get the golden tablet they need to save Mr. Whittaker's friend Albert? How do they escape the city and find the Imagination station? Enter the perilous palace and find out!

My Review: I've been a fan of Adventures in Odyssey since my own childhood, so when I was given the chance to review this book I jumped on it. Peril in the Palace is the third book in the new Imaginations Station series. After Patrick and Beth have faced the Vikings and the Romans, they make their way to ancient China. Things are not going well for the cousins on this adventure. I do have to admit, of the four books in the series that I have read thus far, I liked this book the least, but it was still an exciting read. Of course, the way the book ends, you just have to read the next one to know what is going to happen.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to parents of young readers.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Desert Gift by Sallly John

Excerpt: When Jill was a little girl, her father nicknamed her Jillie Jaws. He asked, What choice did he have? Not only were her initials JAW, she was also, without a question, from birth, a motormouth. When air first hit her lungs, she never even cried. She yammered. Yes sirree, Jillian Autumn Wagner always had something to say.

Until now. Desert gift, pg 3.

Back Cover: When you're at the top . . . you've got a long way to fall.

A nationally known marriage expert, Jillian Galloway is at the pinnacle of success. Her syndicated radio show is a hit and her first book is about to release. But just as she's leaving for her West Coast publicity tour, Jill's husband of twenty-four years drops a bombshell: he wants a divorce.

As her world crashes down around her, Jill flees to her parent's home in the California desert, wondering if everything she's built her career on - and everything she's built her life around - is a sham. She thought she'd done everything right. So how did her marriage slowly slip away? And will she ever get it back?

My Review: The premise of this book intrigued me. I wondered what would happen to a marriage expert whose marriage suddenly fell apart. When I requested to review the book, I had never read anything by Sally John and did not really know what to expect. The story was good, but I found the characters a little hard to believe. Also, the book took me three days to wade through. I found I could put it down in the middle of a chapter without being immediately drawn back to the story. While there is nothing wrong with this book, I found that I personally did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped. It could be that the book is a little outside of my favorite genre, and I couldn't really put myself into the shoes of the characters. Others may hardily disagree with my review, but these are just my thoughts. You may find that this book becomes a favorite for you, even if it did not resonate with me.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to lovers of contemporary fiction, especially those who enjoy stories of marriages that are falling apart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

Book Review: The First Escape (The Dopple Ganger Chronicles) by G.P. Taylor

Excerpt: Known to everyone who worked at Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children as them, they were known to each other as Sadie and Saskia Dopple. Each was the likeness of the other in almost every way. They had identical ears, identical noses, identical lips, and even identical moles upon their chins. The only thing that set them apart was that Sadie had a yellow right eye and a blue left and Saskia a blue right eye and a yellow left. Apart from their eyes, the only difference between them was that Sadie thought before she acted or spoke. She was the quieter of the two - and in many ways the most dangerous. Together, they were like two wild cats that had taken human form, sent by an avenging angel to wreck havoc on humanity. The First Escape, pg 8-9.

Back Cover: At Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children, life is trouble for fourteen-year-old identical twins Sadie and Saskia Dopple and their friend, former thief Erik Morrissey Ganger. But what starts out as a perfectly normal day of food fights, rioting classmates, and (yawn) threats of expulsion goes suddenly and horribly wrong when a mysterious, wealthy woman appears at the school and adopts Saskia... without her sister.

On her own in a mansion full of dark secrets, Saskia stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens her very life. Meanwhile, desperate to find Saskia, Sadie and Erik escape from the orphanage with a gang of enemies in hot pursuit. Faced with perils beyond their imaginations, the trip must decide who to trust - and what to believe - if they are to survive long enough to find each other again.

My Review: I was curious to read The First Escape because the book was for reluctant readers. I wanted to experience the new "illustra novel" approach to reading a book. The book is part plain text, part picture book, and part graphic novel. It was interesting to experience as an adult, and I can plainly see how this type of publication would help a child who doesn't enjoy reading to finish a long story. This book is full of action and adventure, death and doom. I'm sure that it would easily keep the attention of a reluctant reader from start to finish. While this book is published by a Christian publishing company, there isn't too much of a spiritual nature to the book, just a slight hinting of a higher purpose from a mysterious person... perhaps an angel? It makes me wonder if the following books in the series have more of a spiritual bent to them.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this action packed book for young people who don't really like to read, but enjoy a good adventure.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: Patrick and Beth blinked. A bright light replaced the darkness of the Imagination Station. It was the sun. They felt a breeze move against their faces. Their feet settled on warm sand.

The Imagination Station slowly faded out of sight.

The cousins looked around. They were in a huge empty arena.

"It's as big as a pro baseball stadium," Patrick said.

"It's amazing," said Beth. "The walls are beautiful."

Rrrowl.


The sound came from behind them.

The cousins spun around.

They were suddenly looking at a black-and-orange tiger. The two froze with fear. The tiger was only twenty yards away. It gazed at them and growled again. Attack at the Arena, pg 15-16.

Back Cover: Cousins Patrick and Beth are off on their second Imagination Station adventure. Mr. Whittaker's mysterious invention takes them to ancient Rome where they must find a special silver cup. Near the city gate, the cousins are separated when Beth is enslaved to the emperor and Patrick meets a wise monk named Telemachus. All three end up in the famous Roman arena. Telemachus wants to share and important message with the emperor. Beth wants to know who to get the cup. And Patrick just wants to escape with his life!

My Review: Having just returned from their adventure with the vikings, Patrick and Beth are on their way to ancient Rome. I love the way that this story shares the history of the era, as well as the sights and sounds of the arena. Children will enjoy this adventure, I know I did, and be left wanting to read what else happens to these daring cousins in their future adventures with the Imagination Station.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to parents of young readers.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)


I'm giving away a copy of this book over on my writing blog (click here). Stop by and leave a comment to enter.

Book Review: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: Beth froze with fear. All she could do was stare at the sharp antlers.

Patrick's heart all but stopped. The animals were coming too fast. There were so many of them. It would be useless to run.

Whoosh! A spear came flying through the air.

Thud! It landed right in front of Patrick.

"Where did that come from?" Patrick shouted.

"Who cares?" Beth shouted back at him. "Use it!"

Patrick pulled the spear out of the ground. He moved in front of Beth. He turned the spear sideways and faced the animals.

"Out of the way!" he shouted to the coming reindeer.

He waved the spear to his left. Then to his right.

The animals did not change their path. They charged straight at the cousins. Voyage with the Vikings, pg 28-29.

Back Cover: Mr. Whittaker, a kind but mysterious inventor, has sent cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland through the Imagination Station. It's the year 1000, and they meet Viking Erik the Red, who is angry about the new God. Mr. Whittaker wants the cousins to find a Sunstone, but what does one look like? And what does it have to do with the mysterious letter found in the inventor's workshop? Most important, can Patrick and Beth find a Sunstone before Erik's son Leif sails away with the Imagination Station on board his ship?

My Review: I grew up in the early days of Adventures in Odyssey, and the Imagination Station. I remember clearly trying to remember to turn on the radio at the exact time that the program was going on. I didn't always make it, and more often then not missed the program completely, but I have fond memories of the times that we did listen. My enjoyment of Odyssey has continued with me into adulthood. That is one of the reasons that I jumped at the chance to review this book. Voyage with the Vikings is a completely delightful, easy reader. The book is recommended for children ages 7 and up, and I can't wait to be able to share this story with my son when he reaches that age. The book is not overly Christian in it's message, but it is an enjoyable and clean adventure for young readers to immerse themselves in. I wish that I had books like this when I was younger. I might have taken an interest in reading sooner.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to parents of young readers who are looking for a clean adventure for their children to enjoy.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)


I'm giving away a copy of this book over on my writing blog (click here). Stop by and leave a comment to enter.

Book Review: Possession by Rene Gutteridge

Excerpt: The phone went dead. He decided to walk back inside, see what this Karen Kaye had to say about things. Get out of the openness. He began to turn toward the house, then spotted something.

It looked white and it hung off one of the two mailboxes that sat at the edge of the curb. The first one belonged to his condo. He liked the fact that they still had a mailbox by the curb and not a metal box crowded in a block of dozens of other metal boxes.

Upon examining it, he found a clothespin holding a white envelope to the handle of the mailbox. How long had that been there? He ripped it off and examined it. Nothing written on it. Sealed. Maybe it was some documents for the condo.

The flap unstuck easily. He felt the glue. Still slightly damp. Inside was a single piece of paper. A short, typed letter started at the top.

You have secrets that I am willing to expose. $15,000 by tomorrow or you will lose everything. Possession, pg 80-81.

Back Cover: "This is your last chance. If you don't pay up, you will lose everything."

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. snipper case, detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure his family's new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems, as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance's past...and a little boy's innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees.

My Review: Possession kept me on the edge of my seat from the first pages. Rene Gutteridge relates a real to life tale of danger and betrayal. Her characters are believably flawed and come to life as the story unfolds. This book is not for the weak at heart. There is danger, murder, and mystery between the covers. There is also the story of a young boy's simple faith that brings his doubting parents to their knees. Possession is a wonderful story to remind us of what is really important in life, and what is worth fighting for.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend Possession for those who enjoy suspense and crime fiction.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Blind Sight by James H. Pence

Excerpt: The man focused his eyes on Thomas, the corners of his lips curling upward slightly. He coughed, then whispered, struggling with each word. "You . . . can't . . . hide."

"What?"

"They'll . . . find . . . you."

"Who? Who will find me?"

"Run . . .  while . . . you . . . can." The man's eyes glazed over and his jaw went slack. Blind Sight, pg 72.

Back Cover: Remember the Promise...
Save my children...

All Thomas Kent wants is to die...but a mysterious email and a voice from the past stir him to fight for his life and the lives of a family he doesn't know. The leader of a powerful and dangerous cult threatens the country's future, and Thomas holds the only evidence for its destruction. As the cult's plan enters its final phase, Thomas must cast his fear aside and act before it's too late.

My Review: Blind Sight is one of those stories that you can't get out of your head. Thomas Kent is faced with unbelievable odds and things just keep getting more difficult for him as he tries to save two children that he'd never met before. I really enjoyed the way that Pence wove the story together, giving the feel of urgency that is so necessary for suspense fiction. The cult aspects of the book are dealt with well and in a believable manner. The characters are well developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that kept me flipping the pages.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book for lovers of suspense. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Code Triage by Candace Calvert

Excerpt: "I'm going there. That's my job. And this was bound to happen sooner or later. Your work, mine, hers - they all intersect, you know?"

"I know," he said or tried to. His heart had climbed into his throat, and his breath came in short puffs . . . almost the same way as when he'd been trying to save Kristi Johnson's baby. Because despite a sheaf of legal papers, he refused to believe there would be a divorce. That Leigh would really end it. He'd barely had a glimpse of her in the past six months - she'd commuted back and forth from her sister's treatment center in Sausalito, working just enough shifts to stay on staff at the hospital. And now, when there was so little time to change his wife's mind, he finally had a chance to see her beautiful face again. The same morning she'd finally meet Samantha Gordon - the reason she'd given up on their marriage. Code Triage, pg 14-15.

Back Cover: Dr. Leigh Stathos likes her ER shifts fast, furious, and adrenaline-infused - “Treat ’em and street ’em” - with no emotional complications. Life’s taught her a soul-rending lesson: nothing lasts forever, including marriage. And the clock is ticking toward the end of hers. Then an unwelcome confrontation with “the other woman” begins a whole new set of lessons.

San Francisco police officer Nick Stathos never gives up, whether protecting his patrol neighborhood, holding fast to faith - or trying to save his marriage. Seven days is all he has to reach Leigh’s heart. But when a desperate act of violence slams Golden Gate Mercy Hospital into lockdown, it starts a chain of events that will change lives forever.

My Review: Code Triage is an exciting medical drama filled with conflict and circumstances too big for the characters to get through on their own. I was drawn into this story and found myself thinking and dreaming about it, even after I finished the last page. Code Triage is the third book in the Mercy Hospital series, but it reads well as a stand alone novel. In fact, it wasn't till the very end that I realized that there must be more books in the series. I'm excited to go back and read the other two!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy medical drama.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

DVD Review: Does God Exist? Building the Scientific Case

Excerpt from Booklet: Once upon a time, in a universe far, far away... Wait, this isn't a fairy tale; we're talking about reality. If you and I could go back far enough in time, we would come to a point when the universe did not exist. But if the universe truly had a distinct beginning, then what caused the cosmos to come into existence? Does God Exist? pg 21.


Product Description: In this first DVD set of the TrueU series, Dr. Stephen Meyer plays a “philosophical survival game,” pitting four worldviews against one another in the quest to decide which one gives the best answers. Dr. Meyer examines the evidence and provides the tools needed for students to defend their faith and make it their own. This is the perfect resource for students preparing to enter college and a culture that may be hostile to their faith.


My Review: This isn't your typical youth curriculum. Focus on the Family has done a great job helping teens think more clearly about what they believe and why. The arguments and apologetics used in the curriculum will help teens stand up in the real world, outside of the safe sphere of our homes and churches.


I was a Christian going to a public school. I can clearly see how a curriculum like this could help teens who are living in that environment. It would be specifically helpful to teens that are looking to attend a secular university. 


My husband, who is a scientist, and I enjoyed watching these ten lessons together. It was fuel for many conversations, and I found the experience enlightening. I wish that something like this had been presented in my teen years. 


My Rating: 


My Recommendation: I would highly recommend this TrueU curriculum to youth leaders and/or parents of teenagers.


(I received a complimentary copy of this kit from Tyndale for the purpose of review.)