“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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“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/

 

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“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.

 

 

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“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.

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“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/

 

 

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“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/

 

 

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“Gelato at the Villa,” by Robin Jones Gunn

Posted on July 10, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Let the Adventure Begin

Claire and Grace are two adult best friends that decide to take a trip to Italy together–no spouses or children are included.

Although they had both been there in the past, it was a long time ago, and disappointing. This time, they will be in charge what they do, where they stay, and the adventures they have.

Robin does a very good job of making it feel like you are there with the characters, and traveling right along with them. I feel like I have visited Italy, too, and explored all the places with Claire and Grace.

The two of them experience amazing things, and doing so, changes both of their lives. There is a strong thread of faith that runs through this–with one of them a believer, and the other not–and the effect it has on each one.

Reading this would be wonderful just for the feeling of having been on this trip, but including a great story in the mix, is a real cherry on top. The only thing I didn’t like was the promoting of wine drinking, but loved everything else about this tale. I am ready to pack my bag, go to Italy, and re-trace all their steps.

This is a great, five-star story that I highly recommend.

Thanks to Revell Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Gelato at the Villa,” by Robin Jones Gunn, 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.

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

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

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

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“The Riding Lesson,” by Jennifer K. Mann

Posted on June 24, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Riding a Horse!

Frances loves horses, but has never ridden one. Today, she will. Her friend, Mae, who has horses, has invited her over.

But Frances isn’t prepared for what it is like when dreams of horses clash with reality. There are many things she wasn’t expecting such as their poop needs to be shoveled, or that horses might kick you if you aren’t careful.

Frances finds herself in hilarious situations with the horses. The illustrations, that are also done by the author, make the story even funnier.

After everything that happens with Frances and the horses, she has misgivings about getting on one.

This is a funny story, but you will also learn a lot about horses: how they act, their care, and how to ride them.

This five-star picture book will be enjoyed by children ages three through eight-years-old.

Thanks to Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Riding Lesson,” by Jennifer K. Mann, 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.

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“The Highland Heist,” by Pepper Basham

Posted on June 16, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Lads and Lassies!

The mystery solving couple, Lord and Lady Astley, Grace and Frederick, are back, and this time the story begins in America and ends on the other side of the ocean.

When Grace and Frederick, walk into a room, they find Lillias, Grace’s sister, standing over the body of her husband Tony.

While they work to prove Lillias’s innocence, they fend off numerous attacks, and discover the two sisters have an inheritance.  But it must be claimed by both sisters, at the same time, in Scotland.

Many roadblocks and dangers try to keep Grace and Lillias from getting their inheritance—including needing to find the copy of the will in a creepy castle at night.

There are lots of twists and turns in this story, red herrings, and surprises.

The faith of the characters is part of the story, along with old hurts and sibling rivalry between the sisters. This is a great five-star whodunit, that you do not want to miss!

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

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

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

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

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“Hazel the Handful,” by Jamie Michalak

Posted on June 12, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

The New Baby

For a long time, Hazel, the dog, has been number one in her family’s life, especially with her girl, Bea. When a new baby arrives, Hazel feels replaced, and unloved.  The baby gets all the attention, while Hazel thinks she is ignored.  Hazel feels all the things a child might if a new baby comes to their home.

This is a great book for a family that has a new baby, and already has another child.  Things are not always a smooth transition when a new baby comes.  While reading this, you can ask your older child if they feel like Hazel, and let them know they will always be loved, and have not been replaced.

You do not have to have a new baby in the house to get this book, because this is a good, fun story. Hazel’s thoughts will bring giggles.  The moral of the story is there is enough love to go around for everyone.

This five-star book will be enjoyed by ages two through eight-years-old.

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

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