“Behind Love’s Wall” by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Posted on November 1, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Your Family

In the late 1800’s, Lily and Clem are cousins that work as entertainers.  This summer they are working far from home at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Lily’s mother was at a mental institution, and died in a fire there.  Her mom is accused of causing the fire, which killed others, along with herself.  The shame of it has caused Lily to use a different name, and look for work where she is not known. While she is on the island, Willa is also trying to connect with her unknown biological family.

In the same book, a second story takes place during our current time, but in the exact same physical location, on Mackinac Island.  In this tale, Willa, a designer, along with her assistant, Sue, have come to re-decorate the Grand Hotel.

Willa is hoping to find out information about her unknown biological father.  She was born to a teenage mother in the Mackinac Island area, but after her mom’s death, she was adopted by relatives in another state.  They gave her no information about her dad, but her grandfather still lives there.  She hopes he will reveal information about her heritage.

It was fun having both stories take place in the location, but a hundred years apart.  Each tale had a mystery to solve, along with the desire to find family.  I enjoyed the book, but some of the time, the stories didn’t connect with me.

The story had a good faith element that flowed naturally with the characters.  This four-star book will be enjoyed by fans of tales from the past with mystery peppering the story.

Barbour Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Behind Love’s Wall, 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/cfpagels

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

The Author’s Website:  www.CarrieFancettPagels.com

 

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“The Mystery of Israel and the Middle East,” by James W. Goll

Posted on October 29, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

Pray Repeatedly and Often!

This is the story of Israel, a country that was destroyed two thousand years ago, but came together again as a nation in 1948.  The author outlines many miracles that God orchestrated throughout the world for this to happen.  Saying the odds were really stacked against them is an understatement.  Yet God helped them succeed in building a striving democracy, but not without struggles, both then and now.

The author stresses the importance of prayer for the salvation and peace of Israel—for she remains the apple of God’s eye.  He points out the vital key Israel plays in end-time prophecies.

Some examples of fulfilled prophecies include:

Isaiah 35:1 “The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.”  Today’s Israel is turning acres and acres of desert into thriving cropland.

Isaiah 66:8 “Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment?” This happened in 1948 when Israel became a nation just that quickly.

This fascinating book covers the Israel of the past, present and future.  It gave me lots of food for thought about things that the Bible predicts for our future, along with additional things to pray for.  The author implores us to pray for Israel because prayer changes things.

Since there is a spiritual war going on all around us and Israel, our prayers are vitally important. I recommend this five-star book to everyone.  It will be enjoyed whether or not you are aware of Israel’s current and future importance.

Chosen Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Mystery of Israel and the Middle East, 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/jamesgollpage

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

The Author’s Website:  https://godencounters.com/james-w-goll-bio/

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“20 Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas,” by Mark Lee

Posted on October 23, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

Getcha in the Christmas Spirit!

Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus

On a snowy, winter day, join the excitement as trucks start to gather in town.  All of the trucks contain, or will help set up, the Christmas display.  As the onlookers watch, decorations and people that will make up the exhibit are unloaded, and put together.

Anticipation fills the air when the huge tree is delivered, but how will it be decorated? The fire truck and boom truck save the day. Just when they are finishing up by putting the star on top, disaster strikes as the star crashes to the ground.  Will the tree have nothing on top this year?  Because of some creative thinking, a solution is found.  It isn’t traditional, but it is fun and looks good!

This over-sized, hard-backed picture book has bright, colorful illustrations that glow with the spirit of Christmas.  With the turn of a page, children will love seeing new items and trucks appear, along with what each truck does, or what is dropped off.  But what they will really love, is when the Christmas display is finished complete with glowing lights, animals, songs and food. Children preschool through second grade will really enjoy this five-star book, and as an added bonus, it will help them improve their counting to twenty!

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, 20 Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas, 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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“There’s a Dodo on the Wedding Cake” by Wade Bradford

Posted on October 19, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

The Big Wedding Cake Mix-up!

Illustrations by Kevin Hawkes

Mr. Snore is to play his violin at the wedding in the Sharemore Hotel.  Arriving early, he is waiting in the same room as the wedding cake when a Dodo comes in and starts eating the frosting on the cake.  Quick thinking has Mr. Snore jump into action and save the cake while chasing away the Dodo.

Next, Mr. Snore has to defend the cake from two very determined beavers, followed by a very large snake. Will the number of animals trying to get to the cake ever run out? It doesn’t seem to as he defends the cake from yet one after another of them.  But then, Mr. Snore finds out things are not what they seem.

Children will be tickled to see all the different animals that Mr. Snore tries to defend the cake from.  They will think it even funnier that things are not always what we think we see, especially in this case.  Join the fun in this over-sized, hard-backed, five-star picture book that is brimming with cheery illustrations.  Children four to eight years old will love this book!

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, There’s a Dodo on the Wedding Cake, 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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“Time for Bed, Old House” by Janet Costa Bates

Posted on October 18, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spending the Night Away from Home, No Worries!

Illustrated by A.G. Ford

Isaac is spending the night with Grandpop, and having a good time.  But he gets scared when he begins thinking about spending the night away from home, and insists he is not sleepy.  But Grandpop tells him they must put the house to bed.  They do that by walking quietly through the rooms, turning off all the lights so the house can sleep.

During that time, Isaac hears scary noises, but Grandpop has non-scary, logical answers for each one.  For instance, the dog’s toe nails are clacking while he walks across the floor.  The settling and squeaking noises are the way the tired house yawns and stretches when settling down for the night.

By helping his Grandpop, Isaac starts to forget about his worry of sleeping somewhere new, and focuses instead on getting the house to sleep.

This enchanting tale is a great way to prepare your child for an upcoming overnight stay, or a future sleepover.  Talking about the reasons for nighttime noises, along with putting the house to bed, will help get rid of overnight fears before they start. Over-sized, and hard-backed, this five-star picture book is full of charming illustrations, and is just the ticket needed when spending the night somewhere new.  It is a great book for children pre-school age through second grade.

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Time for Bed, Old House, 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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“Maybe…..” by Chris Haughton

Posted on October 16, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just this Once is Okay?

After the little monkey’s mother warned them to stay away from the mangoes because of tigers, she needed to leave.  Will the monkeys listen to their mother?  After she left, the only thing the monkeys could think of was how juicy and delicious those mangoes were. Then they start finding all kinds of uses for maybe and the rules.

Maybe they could just look at the mangoes, maybe they could get one mango, and maybe there weren’t any tigers.  But maybe leads the little monkeys into all kinds of trouble, and they find themselves in a terrible situation.

Children will enjoy the illustrations in this over-sized, picture book because if they look closely, they can find things in the bushes that the monkeys don’t see.  They can have lots of fun trying to warn the monkeys what is in there.

This book gives the parent a good opportunity to ask their child if the monkeys should have listened to their mother, and if the monkeys learned anything.  You can also ask your child what they would do, and why there are rules.

Maybe is a fun story, but also a teaching story about what happens when trying to stretch the rules.  This five-star book will be enjoyed by children aged three to seven.  Little ones will love trying to warn the monkeys while stating what the monkeys should have done.

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Maybe….., 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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“The Gift of Tongues” by Robert Henderson

Posted on October 12, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tongues, What Do You Think?

The gift of speaking in tongues has been a hot topic in Christian circles for years.  Things are especially controversial around the questions of whether or not tongues are being spoken today, if every believer can speak in tongues, and if someone does not speak in tongues, are they saved?

The author is a firm believer that tongues are for today and states he has that gift.  He believes everyone that is baptized in the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues.  When someone asks God for the gift, and they are thirsty enough for it, they will receive it.

Using this talent has allowed him to have a special prayer language he can use to communicate with God.  It also infuses him with additional power to face the hard and difficult things in life.  He views that speaking in tongues is evidence of being marked by God.

He also warns that we should not be overly familiar with the Holy Spirit, nor take Him for granted.  Remember He is an equal part of the Godhead.   It should be stressed that God does not always act the way we would like Him to, and neither does the Holy Spirit.

This five-star book gives a good summary of the author’s view of speaking in tongues.  It will be enjoyed by those wanting information about this gift, or want to learn of someone’s experience with it.

Chosen Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Gift of Tongues, 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/roberthenderson.org

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

The Author’s Website: http://www.roberthenderson.org

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“A Season on the Wind” by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Posted on October 7, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

It’s For the Birds!

Of all the people in the world to show up to stay on her Amish farm it is Ben, the man Penny fell in love with decades earlier—and he doesn’t remember her.  Although Ben grew up plain, he left that life years ago, and has become a world- famous novelist and expert on birds.  Her younger brother, Micah, is fast becoming well-known, too, in the bird world.  Micah’s report of seeing the rare White-winged Tern has brought Ben to them, eager to see it and include it in his latest book.

While Ben is staying with them, Penny does everything she can think of to jar his memory about her.  Ben is frustrated because no matter how long he stays, Micah has been unable to lead him to the Tern.  Micah is at his wits end, because for the first time in his birding career, he has misreported a bird. Eventually, Penny confronts Ben about his lack of remembering her, and they both get a surprise.  Now what is to become of Ben and Penny?  Will the church decide all this birding is too Englisch, and forbid Micah and Penny from it, and demand they get rid of anything that involves birds?  Will Ben’s dislike of all things Amish cause him to leave before seeing the rare White-winged Tern?

I discovered that bird watching is anything but dull, and really liked that subject in this Amish tale.  Micah’s cousin and the situations she got herself into, as well as, others added humor and drama. This is a fun story.  I also liked that the tale included that honesty, and forgiveness—although hard—ultimately make things better.  Fans of the plain people will enjoy this five-star Amish book.  First time readers to this genre will love it!

Revell Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, A Season on the Wind, 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/SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor

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

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

 

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“The Walloos’ BIG Adventure” by Anuska Allepuz

Posted on October 1, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG Fun!

Old Walloo loves to tell stories, especially to little Walloo, of earlier days and the adventures he had.  He would set out across the water to find tropical islands that were the most beautiful things he had ever seen.  Little Walloo wishes she could do the same.

So little Walloo was beside herself with joy when her entire family, including old Walloo, set out on a boat to journey across the lake.   They were very happy when they found a beautiful tropical island of their own.  The island had wonderful butterflies, many plants, and countless seeds.  Spotty Walloo said she could make delicious cakes from the things on the island.

But they also found a big surprise, one that might ruin the family’s fun.  Their island has something very strange going on.  But by working together, they not only save their island, they also find a way to make things better for their new friend.

This is a great story of family fun, and working together to solve problems.  Little ones will love all the colorful illustrations done by the author.   Every page of this over-sized, picture book features them.  There will be lots of excitement over the island that is discovered, plus the revelation of what makes up the island.  I recommend this five-star book to children three to eight-years-old.

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Walloos’ Big Adventure, 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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“A Christmas in the Alps” by Melody Carlson

Posted on September 30, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A French Christmas!

With the death of her grandmother, Simone has lost all her family.  While cleaning out her grandmother’s house, an un-opened letter for her is found.  It is a mysterious letter from her French great-grandmother, her namesake Simone, begging her to go to her French hometown, Avre, and find her treasure.

While Simone, wants to blow it off, her friend, Andrea, convinces her to go.  She suggests Simone might find family there, or at least spend Christmas in an enchanting place.  If the treasure exists, it is a bonus.

That is how Simone finds herself staying in a storybook setting at Christmastime, and discovering that she does, indeed, have family there.  However, when she meets her great-aunt, the woman takes an instant dislike to her, and orders her out of her home.

Should Simone pack up and leave since she isn’t wanted?  How can she find the treasure if the one person who could help hates her?  Will her coincidental meeting with Kyle lead to something serious, or does he have any romantic feelings for her?

This is a fun Christmas book, full of holiday fun, the wonders of a French Christmas, a little romance, and a mystery, too.  Reading this will put you in the holiday mood, and bring you Christmas cheer.  This would make a fine gift for yourself, or someone you care about.  I recommend this five-star book to everyone who likes Christmas, or wants to stir up the spirit of the season!

Revell Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, A Christmas in the Alps, 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/melodycarlsonauthor/

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

 

 

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