Dauntless

Dauntless

Valiant Hearts Book 1

Dina L. Sleiman

 

Lady Merry watched her father, and many of the village, be killed because he tried to rebel against the king. She's just a young girl, but she gathers up all of the orphaned children and hides in the woods. As the years go by they each perfect their skills until one day finds them stealing the tax gold from the royal guards on the road to deliver it to the king. They are called The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest and their reputation has now put a price on their heads. But no one realizes they are only children until one day an old friend stumbles upon their hiding place.

I was not aware that this was a young adult book when I picked it. I'm not usually a fan of YA. But this was a nice change from what I've read in the past. The characters were well rounded and interesting. Young readers will be able to relate to the strength that was portrayed in their decisions and mindset. The plot was well done and had the right amounts of suspense, drama, and a touch of romance. The plot was a take on Robin Hood and was set during the medieval times. This was a neat prospective and I enjoyed the setting. I think it fit well into the genre and had the right Christian elements to draw the young readers in. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading YA Christian fiction or about strong young female leaders.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

Shapes at Home

Shapes at Home

Rookie Toddler

Scholastic

 

Shapes are all around us in our home. Toddlers will enjoy looking through the colorful board book to find shapes that appear in their own home. On each page is the shape in a bright color. Then the adjoining page shows where the shape can be found in or on a common household item. Each page has a different colored shape and the text and outline are the same color. This will help the young reader to differentiate between the shapes. The photographs are bright and uncluttered. The last page of the book includes all of the shapes and some tips for the adult reader to further help the toddler learn all about shapes. The die-cut shape and board book style of the book will allow small hands to hold the book easily and will be visually appealing. This book is recommended for toddlers who are learning their shapes and colors.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Lit in exchange for my honest review.

The Creole Princess

The Creole Princess

Gulf Coast Chronicles Book 2

Beth White

Lyse Lanier is living in Mobile, Alabama with her friends and family during the start of the war for independence with Britain. A young Spanish merchant with a flair for life struts into her life. She's not sure what to think of him and isn't sure if she can trust him. Lyse must decide where her loyalties lie and who she is going to choose to trust and spend her life with.

This is the second book in the series, but I think it could stand alone. The cover is gorgeous and will definitely make people pick up the book. The story started off slow for me, but picked up as I got more into the plot. The author has the story packed with history and details that a historical novel reader will love. I felt more educated about that time period and area when I finished reading the book. The details paint a rich story of Alabama during that time and help to create a beautiful backdrop for the plot. I had a hard time relating or connecting to the characters, but felt the historical part helped carry the story. Overall, it was a nice story that a lot of readers will fall in love with.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

We Are Brothers

We Are Brothers

DaYun Oh

 Little Brother and Big Brother are having a hard time getting along. They can't seem share. When Big Brother gets in trouble he begins to imagine what life would be like if he were the only child. But then Little Brother comes to keep him company while he is in the thinking chair and they realize that brothers are very important. But that doesn't mean they will not disagree from time to time.

Bright, colorful, artful illustrations help tell a story about fighting brothers and sibling rivalry. The brothers learn from experience about the bond between them. The story is told in a way that children will enjoy and can relate to. Parents will be able to use the book for teachable moments. Simple vocabulary and larger print will make the book great for early readers. The book ends with a section for parents to use with their child about conflict resolution. It has an activity that can help siblings grasp the concept. There is also an interactive section called Reader's Theater that will give the children more activities that relate to the subject.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Lit in exchange for my honest review.

Getting to Know You

I always find it fascinating to get to know the authors behind my favorite books. I've recently found a an author that is new to the scene, but is making a huge splash in the Christian fiction genre. I'm loving her books and am excited to give you a sneak peak behind the scenes of her newest book.

Without further ado here is Melissa Tagg

Her newest book is From the Start. The link to my review is here.

1. What’s the premise for From the Start?

Kate Walker is a romantic-movie scriptwriter who isn’t sure which is worse—the fact that no one wants to buy her latest script or the reality that she stopped believing in true love and happily ever after (and thus, her own stories) long ago.

Colton Greene is a quarterback whose whole world is football and the woman he thinks he’s going to marry. When both are ripped from his life on the same day, he’s left without a game plan for his future.

In a last-ditch effort to hold on to his career, Colton agrees to release a sports memoir. Only problem? He needs a writer. Kate Walker fits the bill . . . even if she’s not too up on her football knowledge. The unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their lives, but old wounds and new dreams turn what should be a quick project into a complicated tangle.

2. What kind of research did you have to do for this book?

Oh my goodness, I had so many moments with this book when I said out loud, “Melissa, seriously, what were you thinking?” Because at the outset, my football knowledge was so basic I’m not even sure it counted as “knowledge.” Thankfully, I have some very football-savvy friends. And thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch some game replays. I may have also used the football angle as an excuse to rewatch Friday Night Lights.

3. Your romantic comedies have been compared to classic movies. Did your love of classic movies make its way into this story?

Yes! Somehow that obsession tends to creep into all my stories, but it’s a bit more obvious in this one. My main character, Kate, is named after Katherine Hepburn. And there’s a key scene later in the story in which Kate and Colton watch the very first classic movie I remember watching: Bringing Up Baby.

4. You’ve said From the Start is the hardest story you’ve written. How so?

I think the reason From the Start was so hard to write is that I prodded much deeper into my own emotions in this story than I have in the past. There are big pieces of me in all the stories I write, but From the Start probed some of my more vulnerable places. My heroine, especially, embodies some of my own insecurities. She struggles to feel like she’s doing something important with her life. She wishes she were as brave as the characters she writes. She has trouble admitting what she wants and how she feels, even to the people closest to her. All of which is very...me.

5. What message do you hope readers take away from From the Start?

In From the Start, both Kate and Colton have a very clear picture in their heads of what their lives should look like. And every decision they make in the first half of the book is an effort to make those pictures in their heads a reality. But they both learn, slooowly and at times not so smoothly, that God might be weaving together a completely different picture. That he uses change and circumstance, reshapes broken dreams and heals wounds—that he’s been there, at work, from the start. And there’s great peace and confidence in that truth.

6. From the Start is the beginning of your new Walker Family series. Can you give us a peek at what’s next?

I’m so excited about this series. It takes place in my home state, and I just love the pretend people that make up my pretend town of Maple Valley. The second book in the series is called Like Never Before, and it combines my love of small-town newspapers and my fascination with Charles Lindbergh.

More Than Just The Talk

More Than Just The Talk

Becoming Your Kids' Go-To Person About Sex

Jonathan McKee

Parents use to be able to have "the talk" with their children and leave it at that. But today our children are constantly coming in contact with sex in some aspect or another. With phones, internet, and television being so accessible we, as parents, need to be super vigilant about what our children are coming in contact with. And this means knowing the dangers and being comfortable talking to our kids about them.

This author really knew his stuff. He presented facts and statistics in an easy to read and digest manner. The information is often difficult to read, but he did a great job of making it relevant and applicable. I liked how he seemed to touch on every subject a parent might come up against and then gave practical ways to deal with it. His focus was from a Christian stand point and was well rounded and straight forward. This book is about sex, so be prepared. But it is definitely a book that all parents should be reading.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Buried Secrets

Buried Secrets

Men of Valor Book 1

Irene Hannon

Lisa has given up the big life of Chicago to take a job as police chief in smaller town. Finding bones that are years old beneath a tree isn't exactly standard. So county arrives to assist in the form of detective Mac McGregor. They are racing against the clock to not only identify the remains, but find a killer before they strike again.

This author never disappoints. Her books have just the right elements of suspense, drama, and a touch of romance. The elements of faith are slightly woven throughout, but are subtle. I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters. They were both strong people, but didn't overpower each other. I liked how the set up for the next book in the series was just a teaser to make the reader want more. The details to the mystery were well thought out and fit well with the character. There was just the right amount of suspense and the author did a great job of pulling the reader into the story to feel the emotions and tension. Definitely a keeper and I'm looking forward to her next book.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.