The Glass Castle

The best part of any novel in my opinion is one that can hold your interest and keep the plot line concealed so well you can't figure it out until you're in the final stretch and Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins do just that in their series, Thirteen with the first novel The Glass Castle. The cover is what initially drew me into this one as well as the success of Jerry B. Jenkins, (Left Behind). This is one I will definitely be following all the way to the conclusion. This is written for young adults and teens, but anyone who loves a bit of fantasy and medieval history will want to pick this up as well.

The greatest fear for any child is to be separated from your family and yet that is just what happens to both Avery and Henry who are abducted while exploring the woods outside their family home. All Avery knows is when she wakes up, she is kept caged in a box, making preparations to move her to another location, with only an old woman to answer a few of the questions she has. Avery knows she simply has to buy her time before making any plans for escape. Plus the threat from the old woman that if she attempts to escape, she will never see Henry again.

She arrives to a golden castle which her mother used to spin tales of during her time with them but suddenly vanished one day. "Every fairy tale has its dragon." is what she used to remind Avery and it seems this might be very true. She is set free in the midst of other young teens just about her age, locked away within the very walls of the castle. She is given a brief tour with a stern reminder never to open or look out the windows and when the bell sounds, they must retreat to their safe rooms, a sign adults are coming.

It appears that the teens work for the king and soon to be queen without their knowledge only that the staff do their bidding when asked. They never appear and remain hidden at all times. Those that are discovered are sent away to the Forbidden City, a place where no one ever returns and one that keeps the children to the set of standards imposed on them. But why can't Avery seem to find her brother, and where is he being kept. All she knows is that her one ally is a girl named Kate who takes a true liking to her and helps her to keep from getting into trouble. All they know is that the king is dying and must produce an heir from the future queen so that the kingdom will remain within her control and rumors circulate that the kings first born might still be alive, but then again it is only a rumor or is it?

I received The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins compliments of Net Galley and Barbour Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a free eBook copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. This is going to be such a grand series when it is finished because as I stated earlier you don't know what is going on until almost the conclusion of this one and I can see where the Christian theme will come into play in a wonderful light. Readers get a bit of a sneak peek at the conclusion of this one of the sequel The Ruby Moon which will release in the fall of 2016 so readers don't have long to wait to see what happens next. Those fans of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien will absolutely love this coming of age medieval fairy tale and in my opinion this one garners a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Glass Castle, Trisha White Priebe, Jerry B. Jenkins or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins

You can find Jerry B. Jenkins on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

Heartbreak Trail

No matter how hard Andrea Carter tries to fit in, she's like a square peg in a round hole. Growing up among her brothers on the Circle C Ranch, she wants to be just like her brothers, but at the same time struggles with what her mother, sisters and unfortunately most of her brothers want, which is for Andi to grow up and learn the things women are supposed to. To live a life in preparation for starting her own family and finding a suitable match. But no matter how hard she tries, she has a deep fondness for learning all about ranching and this time, she wants to be a part of the cattle drive.

Luckily for her, with her 15th birthday just around the corner, she might have an edge to getting what she wishes. Her mother and older sisters want her to begin planning her quinceaneras, her mother poses the question what would she like to do, and that provides just the opening that she wanted in order to try and convince her mother to let her go. She has even backed up her case with newspaper articles about other women who have bypassed the traditional roles for women and taken part of becoming ranchers and even blazing their own cattle drives. Even her own mother at one time, did just that, but she wants a much different life for Andi than what she has now.

Nevertheless, she gets her mother's approval to take this one final challenge and hopefully set all those ranching dreams to rest, once she understands and sees that being a part of a cattle drive is a far cry from what she is imagining it will be and her first lesson begins with the fact, she won't be riding, her own horse, but instead be offering to help the Cook with riding in the wagon and preparing all the meals along the way. That is just fine until she learns a certain handsome new cowboy is about to join the cattle drive and he has his eyes set on impressing Andi at all costs. Will this be a dream come true or simply a wake up call for Andi as she gets her birthday wish?

I received Heartbreak Trail by Susan K. Marlow compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from a free copy of the book and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is the second book in the Circle C Milestones series and once again chronicles the life of Andrea Carter as she is making the transition from childhood into adulthood by being a part of the Circle C Ranching operations. It's a coming of age story in a different manner than most because of the crossroads that Andi finds herself at. Still struggling with understanding her own wants and then realizing the bigger picture her choices play in what she wants to do, impact more than just herself. This is an exceptional series for young teens and I know it would have been one of my favorites growing up with a love of horses and a bit of the old west along the way. For this reason I'd give this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Heartbreak Trail, Susan K. Marlow or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Heartbreak Trail by Susan K. Marlow

You can find Susan K. Marlow on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Heartbreak Trail, please visit Kregel Publications website. 

Dauntless

What would you do if the one woman you vowed to love, marry and spend the rest of your life with, apparently was murdered? What would you do, years later when you see that she is very much alive and may in fact be a wanted woman? What lengths would you go to to rectify the feelings you still have for her?

These are the very questions running through Timothy Grey's mind as he is placed in charge of Wyndeshire, by the local earl as he is called away by King John. Being the ninth child, Timothy has had to struggle to get to where he is right now, the chance to win a title and impress the Earl of Wyndeshire. In order to accomplish that, he has been tasked to hunt down a group of thieves known only as the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest. He knows the lands and forests better than any, but the last thing he expected to discover was Lady Merry Ellison among them.

Timothy isn't sure that she is part of the group and believes she must being held against her will. So Timothy vows to stage a rescue mission and hopefully win back the heart of the woman who has captivated his heart and soul. Merry knows that Timothy will do the right thing when it comes to arresting those responsible for stealing, but her group of misfits and children who have no parents have only taken just what they need in order to survive, and have never taken a life in all their raids. She knows that if their group is discovered, it will mean most of her group of children and young men will face the gallows including herself. If only there was a way to convince Timothy that her intentions are honorable despite the attempts by King John to have her murdered along with her family and the other children as well.

I received Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is a revised version along the lines of Robin Hood, where in this case, our expert with a bow and arrow is Merry Ellison. Perfect debut for fans of heroines like Katniss Everdeen. She coexists along the same time period as Robyn the Hood and even makes reference to their group being easily mistake as Robyn's band of merry men. This is the first novel in the Valiant Hearts series, and is definitely quite a bit different from most novels I've read where the woman is the lead character and heroine taking up the role of carrying for those under her, in this case, children who have no parents or homes. I guess much like the Lost Boys were in Peter Pan. Here however, the children range in age from very young to their teens. The law states that any as old as 7 can be hanged if they are discovered to have committed a crime against the king and that would mean most of Merry's group. Truly an unforgettable adventure into the life of a noble outlaw in the land of Medieval England. I would give this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Dauntless, Dina L. Sleiman, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

You can find Dina L. Sleiman on her blog Valient Hearts to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To see more reviews on Dauntless, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page.

Marvelous

Ever since reading the Solitary Series from best-selling author Travis Thrasher, I knew I wanted more! Something that you find yourself going back to again and again in memory of a great series. He has done just that with the Books of Marvella Series and I couldn't be more excited. Not sure how I missed knowing these were coming out, but now, I know they will be just as good if not better than  the Solitary Series was.

Marvelous is the first novel in the Books of Marvella series and begins with the life of Brandon Jeffrey, the oldest of three boys in the Jeffrey household. He is on summer break before heading into his senior year, one he is looking forward to completing in more ways than one. For Brandon it's not just about graduating, its about freedom from his abusive father who spends all his free time, drinking instead of looking for work. It is all Brandon can do to find ways to stay out of the reach of his father's drunken outbursts, which he hides from his two younger brothers and his busy hard working mother, a lawyer who can only see the best in him.

Brandon is struggling to find jobs to pay back the loan his parents provided him to buy a car, which was totaled when he loaned it to a friend. His father intends to ensure that Brandon pays all the money off this year and seeks to remind him of it whenever he gets the chance. Through a seemingly random coincidence, Brandon runs into Marvella Garcia, who goes by the name Marvel at Fantastic Street, a record store where he offers her a job even though it's not his decision. He decides she is so worth knowing he will find a way to get his boss Harry to hire her just to keep her around.

In between dealing with his father, the town of Appleton learns that a young boy Artie Duncan has been brutally murdered. While the police struggle to find suspects, they ask that all teens stay inside after dark and stay in groups. Brandon is your typical high school boy with an unbeatable crush on Marvel who insists that she only wants a friendship with Brandon. He only hopes in time he can convince her to possibly go on a date, while trying to keep the local football bullies from beating up a timid nerd named Seth. Brandon wonders if these same bullies could be the ones responsible for the death of Artie seeing as they love intimidate anyone they can.

I received Marvelous by Travis Thrasher compliments of NavPress, a division of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are my own. This is such a realistic novel as told from the eyes of Brandon Jeffrey. He has his own issues to deal with coming to terms with how to handle his father, and being able to be truthful when he needs to. Trust is a big issue here, and it takes confiding in Marvel to help him come to terms with his own deep dark secrets. But the town of Appleton is hiding its own secrets while the murder investigation continues. I love the emotions that come through in each character that comes to life in this series, from the bullying of Seth and how he struggles to handle it each time he runs into the football team, to Marvel sharing her insight into what has happened in her past that has lead her on a path for God. I can't wait for the next novel Wonder which is the second book in this amazing series. Solitary Tales fans? You will definitely want this one!! I rate this a 5 out of 5 stars!!!

For more information about Marvelous, Travis Thrasher or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Marvelous by Travis Thrasher

You can find Travis Thrasher on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Marvelous, please visit NavPress' website. 

Happy to be Alive, Because

"When I was seven years old, I rode my bike without training wheels for the first time. I made it about fifteen feet before I turned my head to make sure my mom was watching me. She was, and her excited expression was the last thing I saw before my face became well acquainted with the pavement.

After she cleaned my battle wounds, my mom announced that I deserved a reward for completing such a daunting task - we were going shopping. Within twenty minutes we were standing inside an incredibly gaudy store that, for some reason, I had claimed as my favorite when she asked me where I would like to go. I had never actually been inside, but the windows were always full of displays featuring feathers and sparkly things, and that was enough for me. My seven-year-old self stood in what was my idea of heaven, touching everything I could land my fingers on. After much deliberation, I chose a less gaudy, still obnoxious heart necklace that said "Forever and Always."

When I got in the car and I tried to put the necklace on, I was devastated to find it broken into two separate pieces. My mom explained to me that it was actually two separate necklaces that people who cared about each other wore so they wouldn't forget the other person. Looking back, I now see that those words were her nice way of conveying, "You picked one of those cheesy love necklaces adored by preteen girls."

Once we were home and she showed me how the necklaces worked, I promptly put the other one around her neck. "Don't forget me, " I told her. She was "Forever." I was "and Always."

My mom never once took that necklace off. She wore it proudly too, not hidden under a scarf or stuffed under her shirt.. I can remember sitting in front of the television watching the news, having begged my babysitter to let me stay up and watch my mom. Every time, I watched to see if she would be wearing my necklace. She always was, never once disappointing me. I never saw her without it on, ever. Not even as I said my goodbyes to her once cancer permanently took her away from me. The last thing I remember seeing on my mother before they lowered her away from me forever was that shiny, silly forever necklace." (pg 5-6)

Avery at seventeen now has to face her future alone without her mother and coming to terms with dealing with the grief she has managed to lock inside. Unable to shed any tears even right after her mother's death, her aunt is concerned that she won't be able to cope with things at some point. Avery discovers when going through her mother's room that she had planned one final trip for the two of them just two weeks before her death to visit her childhood home in Glynn Springs, Florida. Tired of all the concerns from family members and friends, Avery takes her mother's plans and head to Florida to escape life for the moment. She finds her mother has included a journal for Avery to list the things she is happy to be alive about, but honestly how can you be happy about anything knowing her best friend and mom is no longer with you. Yet Avery will soon discover life goes on and she won't be alone when she finds solace and comfort in three unlikely people she meets in Florida and it will forever change her life.

I received Happy to be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs compliments of Nyree Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise noted. This is a coming of age story in a different way when Avery is forced to deal with her mother's death being buried so deep inside that it comes to the surface when she least expects it. She finds it difficult to journal her feelings because a part of her feels like she is betraying her mother's memory if she is happy about anything. It is a real and honest look at how one young woman deals with the fact that life does go on for those of us left behind no matter how hard it can be. I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars and love that it is a wonderfully written novel for young adults with a touch of summer love in the mix.

For more information about Happy to be Alive Because, Chelsea Jacobs or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Happy to be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs

You can also find Chelsea Jacob on her website to stay up to date with all her novels.

To read more reviews on Happy to be Alive, Because, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page. 

Paige Torn

To say that Paige Alder is busy is a complete understatement. Aside from the sleep she must be getting between everything she manages to accomplish it seems that her schedule is booked solid. Carrying around a planner is a necessity since without it, I'm not sure where she would likely wind up. In fact, being a single girl with no romantic prospects on her future horizon gives her the excuse to simply say "Yes!" to everything anyone ever asks her to do.

From managing her job at the adoption agency dealing with potential parents which average an hour on the phone, she also takes care of all the secretarial work. She is often the first in the office and the last to leave. She fills in her "spare" time volunteering at her church working with high school girls in the youth group, helping out at the food bank, planning not only her best friend Layla's parents anniversary party but also Layla's upcoming wedding in nine short months. Layla's excitement soon carves it's way into every available moment she has to spare. The worst thing she can do is answer her phone which continually rings. Not to mention her pastor's wife who is about to give birth at any moment and they need Paige to fill in until things settle down. Are you kidding me? If anything, Paige Alder to give any would-be procrastinator a solid run for their money when they claim they simply have no time for anything.

In the latest novel from author Erynn Mangum, Paige Torn is the perfect title for this over-worked, overly busy, single gal. In fact Paige is so busy she barely has time to get her laundry done and grabs dinner on the go in the way of cheese sticks or simply a rush drive through order at Sonic. For those readers who know what it's like to need just a few more hours in their day, then Paige Alder is definitely some one you can relate to. In fact its a great thing Paige is well known at her local Starbucks because without a caffeine rush, she might just collapse from over exhaustion. I know I felt that way just getting through the novel. I will never again say I don't have time to get things done, after living in Paige's shoes. Yet along the way, Paige begins to realize that proverbial saying, "All work and no play, makes Paige a very dull life indeed." She will need to learn to say No if she ever wants to have a love life and marriage. If not everyone else is due to leave her behind, while she stays too busy to even notice.

I received Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Think Publishing for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is my first Erynn Mangum novel and I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars. It is definitely perfect for the young adult who is looking for a character that they can identify with, one being a single girl who is looking for love, but finds that staying busy is better than simply waiting around for love to find her. This book is perfect for those "Martha's" from the Bible that are constantly staying busy and wondering where all the time went. This is the first book in the Paige Alder series and you can find it at your local book retailer in paperback and eBook formats.

For more information about Paige Torn, Erynn Mangum, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum 

You can also find Erynn Mangum on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels. 

To read more reviews on Paige Torn from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Think (May 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612912982
• ISBN-13: 978-1612912981
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches

A Season of Mysteries

"But I'm afraid the day is coming when people will, I don't know"-he sought the right words - "push Truth off the map, and set up their preferences as the boundaries in which they'll live."

This is one of my favorite lines from the latest novel from author Rusty Whitener in A Season of Mysteries. This is the sequel to perhaps one of my favorite all time novels, A Season of Miracles which is coming to the big screen very soon. In this novel that group of young boys that we discovered in the first novel, now dubbed the Fellowship of the Rocks have all but grown up after having a life altering time after meeting Rafer Forrester. Now that each of them has found a solid foundation and given their lives to Christ, one of the boys Richard Powell now fifty two, is having real issues in his adult life.

He keeps reflecting in precise detail to one particular time in the year 1976. A time in which the Fellowship of the Rocks spent the year indulging in Boy Scout Campouts, and truly reflects on each boys coming of age story. But it is why Richard keeps remembering this one particular year that is the basis for the book. As he reflects on chronicling this time in writing, he desperately wants to be freed from the memory of the words that seem to haunt him. He can literally remember every single word spoken from that time frame until now and he's desperately searching for an answer in how to free his mind from this unusual gift.

We see Richard Powell, now as a Literary Professor who seems to have grown up with a gift for being able to process information beyond his years. In fact the Fellowship have dubbed Richard, the Brain. He is called upon to meet with members of his church and boyscout leaders to help explain the reason behind the latest mystery sittings of UFO's that appear on a picture one day during their baseball game. Are UFO's real or is there another reason for their random appearance. Not only do Richard and Zack see them during the game, but also Duffey and Willie see them during a late night encounter during a camp out.

Just what does an old man who goes by the nick name Peachy have to do with all the UFO appearances and how does the fact that Richard is now able to utilize a pitch in his baseball game that once taught to him by Peachy can't be taught to anyone else? What does the year 1976 have to do with what is happening to Richard even now? Is it possible to unlearn something once you have been exposed to it? To find out, you'll have to read A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener to find out.

I received A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for an honest review. This is such an incredible novel and a different coming of age story for a group of amazing young men you are introduced to. As I was reading this one the movies Stand By Me or even The Goonies, immediately became my focus to the similar group of boys that becomes the Fellowship of the Rocks. The were united by a small gift that Rafer gave them in the first novel and those same rocks have enabled them to bond in amazing ways as they have moved on through high school. Each of them offer something unique to the group and just spending time with them in 1976 provides the reader with the ability to be an invisible part of what happens to them and how they deal with things. It definitely gives you something to think about long after you finish the final page. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and hope that this isn't the last novel dealing with these young men.

For more information about A Season of Mysteries, Rusty Whitener or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener

You can find Rusty Whitener on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (April 5, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825443229
• ISBN-13: 978-0825443220
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches 

Available at your favorite retailer in paperback and eBook reader formats. The best part is that on June 6 and 7th this novel will be available for FREE Download to your Kindle.

For more information about this book, please check out Kregel's website.