“Mistletoe and Mayhem,” by Janice Thompson

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Becky

Wedding Bells are Ringing!

RaeLyn is getting married and has an amazing wedding planned. She is holding the ceremony outside, at her parent’s farm…in December. Friends and family will sit on haybales covered with homemade quilts.

A week before, a giant fire breaks out that moves quickly across the parched land, straight towards RaeLyn’s family farm. RaeLyn and everyone in her family jumps in to fight it. Most people think the fire was started by lightening.

However, RaeLyn thinks it may have been set by a local farmer. Raelyn also wonders if two twin boys could have been involved. They are about the same age as her brothers were when they caused all kinds of mischief, and tried to lie their way out of it. Even though she wants to solve the mystery of the fire, RaeLyn will not let anything upset her plans for a fabulous wedding.

This is a fun romp through all the challenges she faces the last few days before RaeLyn gets married. It also describes amazing decorations, yummy food, and a surprise–not a happy one–for RaeLyn’s mom. There is humor, faith, and a little intrigue in this third installment of the series–although this story stands on its own. You will enjoy this five-star book!

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Mistletoe and Mayhem” by Janice Thompson, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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

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

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

 

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Bear and the Three Goldilocks,” by Patrick Horne

Posted on August 5, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Dan Yaccarino Illustrator

A Different Way to Look at It!

When the three Goldilocks, Mr. Goldilock, Mrs. Goldilock, and Goldie Goldilock, go camping they are not prepared for bears.  When they decide to go for a walk, a bear comes in to their camp, and eats all the smores they left out.  Then he eats every bit of their food, destroys their campsite, and goes to sleep in one of their tents.

While trying to scare the bear away, they attract the bear’s parents.  Even though the parents are apologizing for everything their son has done, the Goldilock family only hears the bears growling at them.

They decide it is a good time to go home.

This is a hilarious fractured folktale that will be funny to everyone, but even more so to those who has heard the tale of, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

The illustrations really add to this tale, and make it even funnier.  Point them out, and be ready for lots of giggles.  This five-star picture book will be enjoyed by children ages three through seven.

Thanks to Candlewick Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Summer is Here: A Bear and Mole Story,” by Will Hillenbrand

Posted on August 4, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Mole wants to play baseball despite Ump saying he would never hit the ball.  Bear kept saying Mole could do it.

After missing several times, Ump gives Mole a suggestion, and suddenly everything changes for the better.

This is a great story that teaches you not to give up.  Sometimes it just takes changing one thing, and you can get what you want.  Also, don’t get discouraged by someone saying you can’t do it, the way Ump did.

This is a fun, and very encouraging book that says, “yes you can!”.  Children aged four to eight-years-old will enjoy this book.

Thanks to Candlewick Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Maker Girl and Professor Smarts,” by Jasmine Florentine

Posted on August 3, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

The Ice Cream Solution

Chuy and Yaya live in a world after a comet has struck the earth, and many people gained super powers.  They did not get any, but Yaya is determined to use their natural talents as super powers, and has given them names:  Chuy is Professor Smarts since he is very smart, and Yaya is Maker Girl since she can make so many things.

They put their talents to the test when a bad guy is threatening all the ice cream makers.  He is demanding they get rid of all their ice cream or he will cover the entire city with slime. Chuy and Yaya confront him and find every time he touches ice cream it gets slimed, so he can’t enjoy it anymore.

They come up with a solution that makes everyone happy.

This is an exciting story, done in comic book form or graphic novel design.  The book also includes two different things to make, along with step-by-step instructions.  It is great to make things that are featured in a book.  Also, the awesome format this book is done in really appeals to youngsters.

Version 1.0.0

This five-star book will be enjoyed by ages seven to eleven years old.

Thanks to Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Dawn Patrol,” by Rob Sayegh Jr.

Posted on August 1, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

A Daughter and her Dad

Every morning, just as the sun starts to rise, a little girl and her dad get up so they have time to enjoy something together they love, surfing as the sun comes up.  The dad calls themselves The Dawn Patrol.

Version 1.0.0

They giggle, and swim, and have a great time with each other as they ride their boards.  The two bond together with a strong love while they have a good time in the ocean.

No matter if bad things happen, or life get busy, they always have the wonderful memories they make in the mornings that pull them through.

Version 1.0.0

Even as time goes by, and the little girl gets bigger, graduates from school, and starts a family of her own, her dad and her will always be The Dawn Patrol.

Version 1.0.0

This is a beautiful story that celebrates the lifetime love and bonding between a daughter and her dad.  When it happens, it is magic.  I have witnessed it myself watching my daughter and her dad.  Children will love this story, and adults, myself included, may wipe a tear from their eye.

I highly recommend this five-star-plus book.  Children ages three to ten-years-old will enjoy this.

Thanks to Candlewick Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Pretender,” by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Posted on July 30, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Going Home

Two years ago, Rosa ran away from her Amish family and lifestyle. Now she finds herself unmarried and pregnant with a baby the father won’t claim. He only choice for a life for her baby is to return home. But her dad is very strict, and she is afraid he will kick her out as soon as he sees her.

Her co-worker, Anthony, has vacation coming. He suggests he use it to pose as her husband, and take her to see her folks. At the end of two weeks, they could have a big fight, split up, and pretend to get a divorce. Her family would feel sorry for her, and take her in.

This sounds great until they actually do it, and things do not go as they thought–especially since Rosa does not warn Anthony that her family is Amish. In the end, things happen they had not counted on, and a big mess results. Additionally, Rosa’s sister, Susan, attempts to sabotage everything Rosa tries to do.

Although part of a series, this story stands on its own. However, the book before this one, The Peacemaker, talks a lot about Rosa, so reading it would add even more to this story.

I recommend this great five-star tale. It will grab your attention from the beginning, and not let go.

Also, included in the book is the recipe for German pizza.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/wanda.brunstetter/

Wanda E. Brunstetter Twitter’s:  https://x.com/WBrunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Website:  https://wandabrunstetter.com/

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Casey’s Cases: The Mysterious New Girl,” by Kay Healy

Posted on July 28, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

On the Job!

Casey is a quirky fifth-grader who loves to solve mysteries such as the missing hair band or the wrapped presents.  Casey often stumbles into new cases in everyday life–such as the time when a new girl, Jan, came to her school. While Casey worked to solve the mystery of who Jan is, she discovered she had made a new friend in the process.

She has a good heart, and is friendly to her school mates, including Dina who has no end of negative things to say.  Casey would like her love interest, AJ, to notice her. 

All of this is done in comic book form or graphic novel design.  This is a fun way for lots of kids who don’t like to read, to read, and great for those who are already reading lovers.

I thought the cat mystery was great, and hope Mr., that is Ms., Muffin gets to stay with Casey.  I had a similar thing happen with my cat, Chester, that had to be renamed Chesterina.

Children aged seven to eleven-years-old will enjoy this five-star book.

Thanks to Candlewick Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sky and Ty Dinomite!,” by Steve Breen

Posted on July 26, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Go West for Fun!

Sky and Ty, a little girl, along with a big dinosaur, run a delivery service in the West.  They have all kinds of adventures, while meeting a variety of friends including a gold prospector, and a chicken who wants to fly.

This is a fun book with lots of hilarious story lines.  It is a chapter book written as a graphic novel.

Expect lots of giggles while reading about the silly things Sky and Ty do.  There is a page of tracks for many different things such as deer, squirrels, and even bigfoot! The last page is devoted to jokes.

I recommend this five-star book to youngsters aged five to ten-years-old.

Thanks to Candlewick Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Perilous Tides,” by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on July 25, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Run and Hide

The last words Jo’s mother spoke to her were warnings that danger was all around her. Jo has been hiding out ever since. Coincidentally, at the same time, Jo found her biological dad. He led them both to a place where they could live undercover.

Jo only came out of hiding because of a strange message from her dad. As soon as she does that, an attempt is made to kill her. She is rescued by none other than Cole, the man who earlier had taken her heart and disappeared.

As more attempts are made to kill Jo, Cole appoints himself her guardian. Jo is not thrilled to be around him, but she is desperate for protection, and for help tracking down her dad.

The search for her dad, along with trying to solve the mystery of her mother, takes them across the country into more dangerous situations. They have lots of close calls with the unknown person who wants to kill Jo. There is lots of excitement, along with twists and turns in this story. The character’s faith also plays a part in this tale.

This is a great story for fans of action, and adventure, and I recommend this five-star story.

Thanks to the author for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

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

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

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

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

 

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Hunting for a Husband,” by Mindy Steele

Posted on July 23, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Fitting In

Leah’s boyfriend of three years has dumped her, then her dad decided to move them hundreds of miles away. Leah misses her best friend, and her two recently married sisters who did not make the move with them.

Only in her early twenties, her Amish community is beginning to look at Leah as a spinster. She has had trouble fitting in. Leah has made one good friend, Joe, a man who is wheelchair bound. They understand each other in ways no one else does, and they both love watching birds together.

Then tragedy strikes when Leah is attacked, and the prized deer they raise are hurt. Maybe the family made a mistake moving. Joe believes his growing love for Leah is useless if he can’t protect her.

This tale has lots going on, including the problems of someone who is disabled, and the rejections they face. This is not just a serious story, there are fun and humorous things going on throughout it, along with the mystery of who is behind the attack.

This book will grab your interest from the first page, and I highly recommend this five-star book.

Thanks to Barbour Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mindy.h.steele

The Author’s Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14181261.Mindy_Steele

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

 

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment