“Active Defense” by Lynette Eason

Posted on January 4, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Running for Her Life!

Heather has seen a man watching her for weeks.  Then, one night, she comes home and find things in her home have been subtlety moved–and has the distinct feeling someone is still in the house.   She flees trying to find a place in a different part of the country where she can live anonymously, and, hopefully, safely.

Just when Heather is starting to relax in her new location, a car purposely runs her off the road.

Her friend, Travis, unknown to Heather, succeeded in finding her hideout.  He was carefully shadowing her, trying to keep her safe, when her car was shoved off the road. Although his help afterward was the only thing that kept Heather from dying in her car, Travis is upset she was attacked while he was guarding her, and pledges it will never happen again.

But despite having her friend’s protection, she finds herself in more dangerous situations.

When Heather served as a military doctor in Afghanistan, a young man with a bomb strapped to him, begged Heather for help.  But it exploded before she could, and was unable to save him during surgery.  Traumatized by the event, she left the military as soon as possible.

Heather is at a loss to figure out why these bad things are happening to her, and who is behind it all.  Had something happened while in Afghanistan that has caused her life to be in danger?

Told from a Christian viewpoint, this high action thriller will capture your attention while Heather runs for her life.  Fans of fast-moving stories will enjoy this 5-star book.

Revell Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Active Defense, 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/lynette.eason

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

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

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“Reach Out, Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home” by Karen Ehman

Posted on December 31, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Your House!

Invite people into your home, show hospitality, do it as soon as possible, and do not put it off.  This book encourages you not to wait to invite others over until everything is perfect, or “just right,” because chances are, you will never follow through with it.

Great things come from being with others, and this book has examples of that. Touching lives makes a difference. The good results that come from having people over may not be seen right away, in fact, you may never know the fruit of your actions, but do it anyway.

Remember, too, that words have power, so use encouraging ones, such as, “I believe in you.” You may be the first person to say it to someone, and hearing that could change their life.  Invite others you may not have anything in common with.  They may be a different age than you, not have children like you, or be unlike you in a variety of ways–invite them anyway.  A lifelong relationship may develop.

Even the Bible has something to say about entertaining, consider this:

“Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it.  Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.” 1 Peter 4:9-10 CEV

Reach out to others, don’t put it off.  We may have social distancing currently, but that will not always be the case.  Be creative with things you can do right now.  Read this 5-star book, it has ideas for entertaining, even recipes for things to serve.  When the mandates and bans are lifted, you can hit the ground running by being ready to use the suggestions in this book—and you will be blessed by it.

Bethany House Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Reach Out Gather In, 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/OfficialKarenEhman

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

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

The Author’s Website:  https://www.karenehman.com

 

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“Courting Misfortune” by Regina Jennings

Posted on December 30, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undercover Lady!

It is 1898, and Calista lives and breathes to be a Pinkerton agent.  But she is still under probation for the job, and must prove herself to become a full-fledged operative.  She goes to Joplin, Missouri, undercover, to see if she can find a woman whose last known location was there.  The area is notorious for the large number of women working in the world’s oldest profession.  Is the missing woman part of that, and how can Calista safely infiltrate the operation?

While trying to figure that out, she is sidetracked by her many relatives that live in the area.  Will they blow her cover?  Can she convince them she is there for something else so she doesn’t have to reveal her true reason for coming?

Calista has many mishaps with her family, along with the new preacher, Matthew, who has set his sights on saving Calista from the bad lifestyle he believes her to be living.

Serious and dangerous situations are paired with some funny episodes that make this an exciting story.  Can Calista keep her job as a Pinkerton agent, and at the same time, have a relationship with Matthew?  Will she be able to keep her true identity from him until she solves this case?

The reader will find themselves on the edge of their seat from the tale’s action and thrills, but also laughing at hilarious antics Calista finds herself a part of.  Christian faith also plays a part in this book.  Fans of well written, fast-paced stories with a sprinkling of humor, will love this five-star story.

Bethany House Publishers, through NetGalley, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Courting Misfortune, 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://twitter.com/reginajennings

The Author’s Twitter:  https://www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings

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

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“Rocket Science: A Beginner’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Spaceflight” by Andrew Rader, PhD

Posted on December 30, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

Outer Space & How to Get There!

Although geared for young readers, this volume contains a lot of scientific information about planets, the solar system, gravity and the universe.

This book then goes on to give detailed ways a rocket works.  Included are many fine points about staging, orbits, power generation, thermal control, communications, navigation, and guidance.

Questions are answered about what things would be necessary to explore a variety of places such as the moon, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and even asteroids.  What would be the same, and what would be different, to go to each place?  What would be needed for exploration?Possible power sources or alternative methods are considered for deep space travel—even the use of gravity slingshots to increase speed.  Also brought up is the question of life on other planets, and space exploration possibilities in the future.

This hard-backed book contains brilliantly colored illustrations of planets and space.  A vast amount of information about this intricate subject will be found in this volume—parts of which are complex.  Although this book is geared towards grades four through nine, an individual’s grasp of math and science will best determine what age a child needs to be to appreciate this 5-star book.  Children with an interest in outer space, along with those academic subjects, will highly enjoy this volume.

Candlewick Publishers, for the purpose of review, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Rocket Science: A Beginner’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Spaceflight.  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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“Miss Mingo and the 100th Day of School” by Jamie Harper

Posted on December 29, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Your One Hundred?

Join excited students and their teacher as they celebrate the 100th day of the school year.  The class is made up of a merry assortment of animals that have brought all kinds of fun items to mark the day.  Things range from 100 shells, to the number of feet a pelican dives, to the amount of spots on each side of a giraffe.

Mathematics becomes a part of the day when it is shown 100 can be reached with a combination of numbers such as two piles of fifty, or ten piles of ten.  A highlight of the day is when the students put on their imagination hats to create something from the 100 items each of them are given.

The 100th day of school has become a date to have a good time, while also sneaking in lots of learning as a part of the celebration.  This book captures all the glee of the party, along with the painless education that goes on during the fun.  All that and more is found between the covers of this over-sized, hard-backed picture book that is loaded with colorful illustrations by the author.  Children will have fun seeing the different things shown in the book, while thinking of things they could gather in a 100 group.  This five-star book will be enjoyed by children preschool to third grade.

Candlewick Publishers, for the purpose of review, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Miss Mingo and the 100th Day of School. 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/JamieHarperBooks/

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

The Author’s Website:  https://jamieharper.com/about-jamie-harper/

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“Can Bears Ski” by Raymond Antrobus

Posted on December 22, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can You Hear Me?

Little bear is confused.  He is constantly asked, “can bears ski”?  It happens at school and at home.  He doesn’t know the answer.  When there is a sound, little bear speaks of the vibration, or the things he feels when there is a noise, instead of the words spoken.  One day, he goes to a special doctor for hearing, and his world changes.

This book has two goals:  to tell a fun and interesting story, along with introducing children to some things faced by a person with a hearing loss or is deaf.  Both goals are met by the author and the illustrator, who themselves have hearing losses.  Raymond is deaf, and Polly is partially deaf.  Because of that, the two bring first-hand knowledge to this tale. Even though little ones think they are only having story-time, actual learning is going on, too.  One way to bring additional insight about someone with a hearing loss would be to think of other words, or sentences, that might sound different.  For instance, the sentence, “can you hear me,” might sound like, “can bears ski?” Awareness of this and other challenges of hearing loss can clear up what may have seemed like a case of being ignored, to just a misunderstanding of words.I recommend this 5-star picture book.  It is hard-backed, over-sized, along with being well-illustrated, and it will be enjoyed by children through third grade.

Candlewick Publishers, for the purpose of review, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Can Bears Ski?  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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“Mr. Brown’s Bad” Day by Lou Peacock

Posted on December 18, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated by Alison Friend

Betcha Can’t Guess What’s So Important!

Join Mr. Brown as his simple lunch turns into a as adventurous day while he tries to get his important briefcase back.  He will stop at nothing to save his special bag.  From trying to nab an ice cream cart, to attempting to snatch some high-flying balloons, to running to catch a school bus, he tries, but just fails to grab it.  But he doesn’t give up! Children will love this over-sized, hard-backed picture book full of cute, colorful illustrations that help tell the story of Mr. Brown’s quest to retrieve his case.  They will giggle at the close calls he has when he almost gets his briefcase, but just misses it.  Besides the cute story, this tale can be used as a learning tool about the importance of not giving up.There is a fun surprise at the end with the revelation of what is inside—that will be sure to cause little ones to have a big smile. It is also a good reminder that the inside of something, OR someone, can be different than what the outside looks like.  In other words, don’t judge a book by its cover because you might find something wonderfully, unexpected inside! This 5-star book will be enjoyed by children through 1st grade.Candlewick Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Mr. Brown’s Bad 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.

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Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer, Gluten-Free or Regular

Posted on December 12, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

These are so good!

4 lbs. Boneless Chicken Thighs, cut into 1 ½” or 2” pieces

1 cup Chuck’s Flour Mixture, or regular Flour

¼ cup Gluten-Free Panko crumbs, or Regular

½ teaspoon Sea Salt

½ teaspoon Black Pepper

2 beaten Eggs

Olive Oil Spray

In a bowl, mix together flour mixture, Panko, salt and pepper.  In another bowl, beat two eggs.  One at a time, dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then put in flour bowl, covering completely.

Spray the bottom of an air fryer with olive oil.  Put breaded chicken pieces in bottom of air fryer, do not overlap.  Liberally spray tops of breaded pieces with olive oil spray.  Cook 13 minutes at 350° in air fryer.  Cool and eat.

 

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“To Steal a Heart” by Jen Turano

Posted on December 8, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solving Cases & Finding Love!

Gabriella (Gabe) and Nicholas grew up with a gang of thieves and pick pockets.  Although they had been best friends, fate separated them.  Gabe ended up in an orphanage and, as an adult, became a lonely seamstress with little means. Nicholas, because he was adopted by a rich man, became a sought-after member of New York society’s exclusive Four Hundred group.

Through a variety of circumstances, they each attempt to break into a safe belonging to one of the pillars of society—and are shocked to run into each other in the process.  Despite Gabe’s unhappiness that Nicholas had never tracked her down after they were separated, she realizes the agency she has started would benefit from his help. This tale follows the two through the rousing exploits they face while working cases.  Criticism from society, adventure, danger and humor abound, along with surprising revelations about their families.

The residents of the boarding house where Gabe lives make up the ragtag group of operatives working for her agency.  They provide additional comic relief along with some mystery.  Faith is part of this 5-star book.  I recommend it to those who enjoy romance or period stories with a sprinkle of fun, along with a touch of cloak and dagger.

Bethany House Publishers, through NetGalley, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, To Steal a Heart, 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/jenturanoauthor/

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

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

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“Christmas Joy” by Emma Dodd

Posted on December 5, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Love of Christmas!

What comes to mind when thinking of Christmas?  How about love, peace, joy and togetherness?  All those things and more are celebrated in this tale along with charming pictures that illustrate them.  Sprinkled throughout are silver highlights that give a magical glow. This hard-backed picture book will enchant youngsters while filling their spirit with all the special things that make Christmastime a delight.

Enjoy snuggles and giggles with a little one while reading and seeing a reindeer family celebrate the meaning of the season.  The author wrote this story, and created the endearing pictures.  They capture the happiness of family, presents and the nighttime shimmering heavens that include a giant star. This sweet 5-star book will be loved by little ones through first grade.

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Christmas Joy, 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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