“The Cold Light of Day” by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on January 22, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

The Fight of her Life!

Autumn is the police chief in a very small town in the Alaskan wilderness. There is hardly ever any crime, or much excitement.

Suddenly, everything around her spins out of control. A local man, with lots of pull, wants the police chief job for his nephew. He is trying everything to get Autumn thrown out, and it looks like he might be successful.

In an area that rarely has one murder, multiple murder victims have appeared throughout the community. Strangers with foreign accents have been showing up in their isolated town. One of their police officers is shot. Then Autumn’s father is attacked, shot and fighting for his life in the hospital. Autumn herself is kidnapped and left for dead.

Grier, a new guy in town, is often on the scene when these things happen, and steps in with much needed help. He does so much good that many call him the town hero. Who is he? He obviously has military training, and medical skills, but he won’t tell Autumn his secrets.

Autumn is shocked to find her own family has dangerous skeletons in their closet. Will the pasts of Autumn or Grier cause them to die?

Their quest for truth will take them on under water dives to mountain tops, along with facing the enemy on a train and in the air in a helicopter. The action in this story will keep you glued to the pages to see what is at the bottom of all this.

I highly recommend this great five-star book. This is a clean story from a Christian viewpoint. You will only be disappointed if you don’t read it! Fans of mysteries, thrillers and great stories will love this.

Thank you, Library Thing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Cold Light of Day, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/bethgoddard

The Author’s Website:  https://elizabethgoddard.com/

 

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“Everything is Just Beginning” by Erin Bartels

Posted on January 20, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

This is Not Love

Michael is a young guy who has had a terrible upbringing, including having no father in his life. His single mom has constantly made bad choices in men, causing both her and Michael to suffer. Because of that, Michael feels entitled to be mean and angry.

He moves in with his alcoholic, angry uncle, and discovers he is living across the street from some famous singers. He crashes their New Year’s Eve party with his uncle’s invitation in hopes of making a connection to get his music career off the ground.

Although the family realizes Michael was not invited, they befriend him, and are very kind to him. That includes their sweet talented daughter, Natalie, who is blind.

It was very sad to see Natalie, with so much potential, be taken in by someone has has horrible anger issues, and the inability to be responsible for his own problems.

If Michael does something bad, instead of him admitting his mistake, he will blame everyone else for his bad behavior.  For instance, he will say, it is really Natalie’s fault for “making” him so angry he couldn’t control himself, and acted out.  He then feels entitled to unleash torrents of vicious anger on her. This is a pattern often seen in those who control others.

Michael is a very troubled soul. It is wonderful to try to help someone like that find peace, and definitely find the Lord. That doesn’t mean you have to date them, give them your heart, and let yourself in for a world of trouble.

Be aware that this book deals with adult themes, lots of alcohol use, and coarse language (not outright profanity, but as close as it gets). The style of the tale is edgy and sketchy.

The ending of this three-star book didn’t work because it was hard to believe that after Michael spent the entire book being angry, that he would suddenly be able to have a healthy love relationship. Instead, it felt like a round peg being forced into a square hole. If the story were to continue, it would be a perfect example of why you should not be unequally yoked. There cannot be a happily-ever-after ending here without a radical healing of Michael’s anger and other issues.

Library Thing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Everything is Just Beginning, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ErinBartelsAuthor/

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/erinbartelswrites/

The Author’s Website:  https://erinbartels.com

 

 

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“Her Hearts Desire” by Shelley Shepard Gray

Posted on January 18, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

A Once in a Life-time Chance!

Three Amish girls unknown to each other, Mary, Betsy and Lilly, make a trip alone to Pinecraft, Florida. As they leave the cold winter weather behind, they each hope to leave behind their past–at least for the next two weeks in the Sunshine State.

Mary has been bullied since she was a child. Because Betsy experienced serious asthma attacks growing up, her family smothers her with protection. Lilly wonders what was wrong with her that her natural parents gave her up to be adopted.

After meeting on the bus, the three become fast-friends, and are delighted to discover they are all staying at the same cute bed and breakfast.

Many of their long-held wishes are coming true with this trip–including girlfriends to confide in, and do thing with. They enjoy new sights and sounds while riding around in over-sized trikes.

Just when everything seems perfect, Esther, one of the worst bullies in Mary’s life arrives, and is staying at the same place she is. Has Esther followed Mary to ruin any chance of happiness she may find in Florida?

As the girls see their time coming to an end, they each feel they have made big strides for the good in their lives. But what will happen when they go home? Will they fall back into the life-styles that have made them miserable? Will their family’s let them change?

To make it worse, Mary’s special friend told her a secret he has kept from her. We she go home devastated by it?

This charming book will make you wish you could go on vacation with these girls. This feel-good story will leave you with a smile on your face, and the smell of ocean air in your nose! There really is a Pinecraft, Florida, that many Amish vacation at yearly.

I highly recommend this five-star book. It will be enjoyed by all, but especially by fans of friendships, and vacationing.

Thank you, Revell Publishing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Her Hearts Desire, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray?fref=ts

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ShelleySGray

The Author’s Website:  http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com/

 

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“Barking up the Wrong Tree” by Janice Thompson

Posted on January 15, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Book 3: Gone to the Dogs

Hot Dog!

A championship dog, a sheltie named Remington, has been stolen and replaced with a look alike–one who is mean and poor tempered. After taking the dog to the vet, the switch is discovered. The owners are besides themselves with worry.

Veterinarian, Kristin, who saw Remington when he was brought in has decided she is going to solve the mystery. There are lots of good candidates who could have done it:

A maker of a mediocre dog food has a picture of Remington on their company information–it is falsely implying he ate their food.

An elderly man with early dementia is rumored to have a new dog, maybe a sheltie. Lots of signs point to him as the dognapper.

Could it be a local dog groomer who has been confrontational to their clinic’s groomer? She might be behind their groomer’s false negative reviews posted on social media.

There is a secretive dog breeder who has lots of sick dogs, and whose place is very run-down. Remington could be used by her to prop up her breeding business.

Red herrings abound in this tale. As Kristin tries to find Remington, her relationship with fellow vet, Tyler, increases as he helps out with the investigation.

This is a great mystery that kept me guessing until the end. This tale stands alone but it is part of a series. This time the tale was told from Kristin’s viewpoint, it was interesting to get her take on things. I liked the humor in this five-star book along with the Christian characters. I highly recommend it to everyone–especially lovers of mysteries or dogs!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Barking up the Wrong Tree, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JaniceHannaThompson/

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.pinterest.com/booksbyjanice/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/booksbyjanice

The Author’s Website:  https://janiceathompson.com

 


Nanny’s Coconut Pecan Cake

(aka Italian Cream Cake)

FOR THE CAKE:

1 white cake mix

1 yellow cake mix

6 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 stick butter

1 cup water

1 cup milk

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sweetened coconut (flakes)

2 teaspoon vanilla

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

 

FOR THE FILLING/TOPPING:

Toasted coconut Toasted chopped pecans

 

FOR THE FROSTING:

1 cup (two sticks) salted butter, softened

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 rectangle Crisco (omit if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting)

1 bag (7–8 cups) powdered sugar

Clear vanilla extract

 

MAKING THE CAKE:

Combine all ingredients except pecans and coconut. Mix well. Work in the

pecans and coconut. Grease and flour three 9-inch pans. Divide batter between

the three pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake springs back

to the touch.

 

MAKING THE ICING:

Bring ingredients to room temperature. Mix butter and cream cheese until soft

and creamy. Add Crisco and continue to beat until incorporated. (You can leave

out the Crisco if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting.) Add vanilla, then

lower speed of mixer to add powdered sugar (more or less to desired consistency).

 

FILLING AND ICING THE CAKE

Level all three cakes. Place one cake on cake board and add a layer of cream

cheese frosting. Pipe a ring around the edge of the cake and add some toasted

pecans and coconut. Continue to stack and fill. Turn the top cake upside down.

Frost the cake with a crumb coat and chill. Once chilled, frost liberally. Add

chopped (toasted) pecans and coconut to the sides and top, then pipe trim or

rosettes to add further décor.

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“Well Done Mommy Penguin” by Chris Haughton

Posted on January 10, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Penguin Carry Out!

From a distance, Daddy Penguin and Little Penguin watch Mommy Penguin as she gets dinner.  While gliding through the water looking for fish, she waves her wing at Little Penguin.  Despite the fish being really fast, Mommy Penguin catches one.

But that is only the beginning of the challenges Mommy Penguin must face to get dinner home.  From scaling large, slippery ice-covered cliffs, making huge jumps out of the ocean, and being able to quietly get past killer seals, Mommy Penguin has a lot of hurdles to overcome.

This over-sized picture book shows some of the difficulties that Mommy Penguin faces just to get food for her family.  Children will cheer her on as she does not give up.  Just like Little Penguin, they will tell her well-done each time she keeps trying.

Besides being a five-star book full of action, it also teaches little ones not to give up when things get hard.  Bright pictures by the author illustrate the story well.  Children three to seven-years-old will enjoy this tale, and be surprised about all the things that must be over-come just for one dinner!

Thank you Candlewick Books for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Well Done Mommy Penguin, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“Leonard, My Life as a Cat” by Carlie Sorosiak

Posted on January 9, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

A Cat from Outer Space?

Leonard is a cat, but he is also an alien.  When Leonard came to visit earth, he was supposed to appear as a human park ranger in Yellowstone National Park.  But a last-minute mix-up caused him to materialize as a cat, hundreds of miles from Yellowstone, in the middle of a flood.

Fortunately, eleven-year-old Olive is there to rescue him and take him home. Leonard must make lots of adjustments to live on a new planet in a cat’s body.  While he does that, Olive is also adjusting to spending the summer with her grandmother, Norma, whom she does not know well.  Her mother is traveling with her boyfriend, Frank.

Ever since Frank told Olive she was weird, and doesn’t know how to make friends, her self-confidence has dropped.  Now, she is uncomfortable around others, sure they think she is strange, and are making fun of her.  Olive has never told anyone what Frank said.  Now her mother wants to move them from their home in Maine to California where Frank is going to live.

Leonard must find a way to communicate with Olive.  He needs tell her is an alien, has get to Yellowstone in thirty days to make it home, or he will be stranded on earth, as a cat.

While trying to figure out how to do that, Olive and Leonard have many good times together, including working at the aquarium, along with trying to fulfill Leonard’s wish list of things to do on earth.

This book has lots of fun things happening in it, but also addresses the serious situations of the relationship with Olive and Frank, along with Leonard’s need to get to Yellowstone.

Will Olive tell anyone about the negative things Frank said about her?  Can Leonard figure out a way to communicate with Olive?  How can Leonard travel and make it to Yellowstone on time?

This story will appeal to ages eight to fourteen-years-old.  Olive and Leonard have lots of thrilling escapades including having penguins circle Olive and bow to her, while Leonard experiences many new things including box games, bowling, and going to a movie.

All kids will enjoy this five-star tale, especially fans of cats, outer space, and thrilling adventures, and I recommend it!

Walker Books and Candlewick Books provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Leonard, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/carliesorosiak/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/carliesorosiak/

The Author’s Website:  https://carliesorosiak.com/

 

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“The World’s Longest Sock” by Juliann Law

Posted on January 4, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

The Longest Sock?

Nina and Chuck do not know each other, and live in two different parts of the world. But they each knit. Nina has knitted a giant sock, that she adds a row to each time she makes a sale in her shop.  She is sure her sock is the longest in the world.

Chuck, a lumberman in a forest, also knits.  He didn’t pay attention to his knitting while watching television, and now he has a very long sock.

One day, Chuck heard on tv that Nina had gotten the award for the world’s longest sock. But Chuck knew his was longer.

Both Nina and Chuck wanted the award, so they began trying to out-knit each other, with lots of funny results.  Who will win?

This picture book is geared toward children four to seven-years-old.  Little ones will love the bright colors and silly situations Chuck and Nina face—and will have a good time guessing who will win.  In addition to this being fun to read, this five-star tale also teaches cooperation and working together.  This book has lots of humor, some will even give adults a chuckle or two. I recommend it!

Worthy Kids has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The World’s Longest Sock, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/juliannlaw/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/juliannlaw

The Author’s Website:  https://juliannlaw.com/

 

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“On My Honor” by Patty Smith Hall

Posted on December 29, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Go Girls!

Shortly after the United States was pulled into WWII by the Pearl Harbor attack, citizens living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina began experiencing enemy attacks along their coastline.  Germans found the area unprepared, and started bombing ships at night.

A local Girl Scout troop made up of thirteen-year-olds rescues a hurt man, Tim, who washes up on the beach.  They shelter him in the abandoned Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  As they tend his wounds, he tells them he is part of the British Intelligence, and was on a ship that was bombed off their shoreline.  He was escorting a Nazi officer who was to give information to help end the war.

Is Tim telling the truth about his identity, or is he a Nazi in disguise?  Are there local people colluding with the enemy?  Should they tell their group leader or government officials what they have done, and will they get in trouble?

This is an exciting book about resourceful Americans facing dangers they have never experienced before.  There is intrigue and excitement that will keep you riveted to this story which is based on true events. It was a well-kept secret that lots of lives and ships were lost along the American coastline at that time.

This five-star book is told from a Christian viewpoint, and will be enjoyed by fans of mysteries, thrillers, and WWII era tales.

Barbour Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, On My Honor, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pattysmithallauthor/

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorpattysmithhall/?hl=en

The Author’s Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/authorpattysmithhall/on-my-honor/

The Author’s Website:  https://pattysmithhall.com/

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“Slow Dog” by Joy Johnston

Posted on December 26, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrations by Lana Lee

Slow Down!

Destiny’s grandmother has a dog, Murphy, who is the slowest dog in the world. At least, Destiny thinks so. She has lots of energy so does things like running or playing really fast.

Little ones who do things quickly will identify with Destiny. Because Murphy doesn’t go fast, he sees things such as a squirrel climbing a tree, or a caterpillar on a rock.

Little ones who do things quickly will identify with Destiny.  This book, will show children the value of slowing down, and some of the things they will see by going slower.  A good  idea for youngsters living in this fast-paced world. The tale also teaches that the differences in others can be good, too.  This story is based on a real-life rescue dog.  Children aged three through seven will enjoy this five-star book!

The Library Thing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Slow Dog, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

 

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“All the Lost Places” by Amanda Dykes

Posted on December 23, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Lost!

I am in the minority here, but I did not connect with this book. Where others found this story filled with touching prose, it fell flat for me. It was too poetic, too many things were hinted at, and too abstract.

The characters and settings seemed sad and dreary, even depressing.

This was not the first time I have read something by this author, in fact her book, Whose Waves These Are, was amazing. Unfortunately, despite spending lots of time trying, I could not get into this one, and rate it three-stars.

Thanks to Bethany House for providing tickmenot a copy of, All the Lost Places, to review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  Opinions are obviously all my own. and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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