Book Review St. Patrick's Day Murder

St. Patrick's Day Murder written by Leslie Meier is the 13th book in the Lucy Stone Mystery series. I have read everyone of these books and really enjoy them! They are really a quick read. Each book starts off with a murder of some kind. Lucy Stone who is a writer for the local newspaper usually helps solve the mystery as to why someone died. This book has an Irish theme as it relates to the St. Patrick's theme. The local bar owner is found dead in the harbor. His brother comes to visit from Ireland and to direct a play at a local church. The play is also a St. Patrick's theme. When the director comes up dead too, Lucy begins to find several clues leading to the capture of the killer. The book is really a fun read and much like her other novels. I can't wait for the next one to come out!

Book Review-When The Soul Mends

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall is the 3rd book in the Sisters of the Quilt series. The series is about an Amish girl who gets raped and no one believes her and she ends up leaving the Amish community. In the 3rd book, she goes back to her Amish community to mend the problems she left behind. A great series! If you like Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter you will love these books!

Book Review -The Outsider

It's been a long time since I have done a book review. My reading has been slow. I am in the mood to read now, I don't know if it is colder weather or what, but I am interested! I hope to do more reviews soon. So Stay posted!

The Outsider by Ann Gabhart is a book set in Kentucky at a Shaker village. The main character was brought to the village after her mother decided to join the Shakers and it is all of the world that the young girl knows until a fire happens at the village and she meets a doctor. From that time on she begins to doubt her Shaker beliefs. This is a love story.
I really enjoyed this book. I seem to like to read about the Amish and this one fits right in there with learning about a different religion. It was interesting to see how the Shakers lived and their beliefs and struggles. This book reminded me of The Believers by Janice Holt Giles, which I also enjoyed!

Book Review-A Sister's Test

This is the second book in this series. This book left me with the same feelings as the first. The book is really great but it just does not end right. Well,I guess that is because there is a sequeal, but still it just did not end like I wanted. This book focuses more on the second oldest sister in the family Ruth as she is put to the test by many trials. In the end, she puts her faith in God and finally makes it. This book as well as the first are both kind of stressful as someone is out to get the family and keeps doing small threatening things as well as causing a buggy accident that leads to the death of a family member. So, the autor has thrown in a mystery in a christian fiction book. The reader is given lots of clues as to who is doing this, but we still do not find out who or why in this book. I am a big fan of Wanda Brunstetter and this book meets my expectations of her, really good!

Book Review-Roanoke The Lost Colony

This is from the Keeper of the Ring Series. I do not usually read books like this. The first one that I read by this author was Uncharted, but this is really a different book. I remember in history learning about Roanoke, but nobody really knew what happened to it. Angela Hunt tries to create what she thinks might have happened to that lost colony. A very believable story with great characters that seem believeable. I got to where I could not put the book down. This book continues with other tales. The next one is called Jamestown and I am excited to read that too. I really enjoyed this book as I have both Angela Hunt books that I have read now. I have more of hers on my to read list.

Book Review- Blessings

Blessings is the third book by Kim Vogel Sawyer in the Sommerfeld Trilogy. Trina Muller, a member of the old order Mennoite community of Sommerfeld has always had a passion for healing abandoned and injured animals. Her parents encourage this tenderness towards God's creatures until Trina confesses her dream of going to veterinary college, which is prohibited by her faith. Graham Ortmann loves Trina, but worries about how can he possibly marry someone who is determined to go against the dictates of the Old Order Mennonite fellowship. Trina can never be happy if she is outside of God's will for her life. Just when she thinks she has God's will figured out for her a new Veterinarian takes over the old vets practice and then an accident happens. Will Trina be able to see all of her dreams that she thinks are God's will? That's what the story is all about and counting our Blessings! I really loved this whole series and highly recommend it!

Book Review- On the Banks of the Bayou

On the Banks of the Bayou by Roger Lea McBride, is a book in the Rose Years Series. I have always loved the Little House Books and a couple of years ago, I found out that there are other series about other relatives of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have read all of them except for a few of the Caroline years and a few of the Rose years. I have only not read those because I could not find them at the library. Well, the other day, I was in the library searching for a book for my son to read, well he was searching, and I noticed this book. I am now reading the final book in this series. I know I am reading middle school material, but hey it is soo good! Anyways this book starts where the last book left off when Rose. Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, decides she wants to go to high school only there is not one available where she lives and actually she is really bored with school in her area. So, Rose goes to Louisiana to live with her Aunt Eliza Jane to goe to a new high school there. This is a really good book, but the back of the book says this is the best in the series and I would have to say that I do not agree with that at all. I thin the first few books of this series are so much better! These are quick reading and really great books. If you like the Little House books you will enjoy these too.
Pages: 232
Total Pages read in 2008: 1502

Children's Book Review-Junie B. Jones Series Books 1 and 2

My eight year old has to read for 20 minutes every night. He has been reading this series at school and loves it. So, I let him buy the first two books at Walmart. Junie B. Jones is the first book in the very long and popular series by Barbara Park. I liked the storyline. The story is about a little girl who has to go to Kindergarten for the first time and has to ride the school bus, which really scares her. While I thought the story was funny, the little girl is a 5 year old terror! She is just plain bad and says not so nice things. My son just loves to read those part! Overall and okay book.


After he finished that book, we started on the second in the series, Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. This book is hillarious when Junie B.'s mom has a baby that everyone says looks just like a monkey only Junie B. takes that litterally and thinks her new brother is a real live monkey. Very funny book.

Book Review- On Her Own

This was the second book that I have read in Wanda Brunstetters Brides of Webster County Series. In this book on her own, we learn more about Barbara Zook, who was Faith's friend from book one. Barbara is devastated when her husband David is killed after going to get there anniversary present. When harness maker Paul Hilty arrives in Webster County, Missouri, he finds himself agreeing to help run Barbara's shop. Things are going fairly well until widower Bishop John Frey comes a-courting Barbara, and Paul's jealousy takes everyone by surprise. The decision she makes is really what the whole book is about. This book as always uses scriptures to guide the characters. Another great book! I can't wait to read book 3!

number of pages: 286

Total 2008 pages read: 1270

Book Review-Carnival at Candlelight

This is Mary Pope Osborne's 33 book in the Magic Treehouse Series. My son and I read these together. I enjoy them as much as he does. This time, Merlin has asked Jack and Annie to help on another Merlin Mission. This time they head back into history to Venice, Italy. With the help of a research book, a book of magic rhymes, and a set of mysterious instructions from Merlin, the heroes will save the beautiful city from a flood!

Book Review-Beginnings

This is the second book in the Sommerfield Trilogy. Beth Quinn is struggling to find a place to belong in the Old Order Mennonite Community of Sommerfeld, Kansas. When she starts a business designing stained glass windows, two men-one a Mennonite, the other not-begin to vie for her attention. Andrew Braun, a member of the Sommerfeld fellowship, is dedicated to family and faith. Sean McCauley, the son of a successful businessman, may only be interested in Beth's talents. Will Beth look to her heavenly Father to fill the emptiness within, or will her desperate quest for love shatter more than one heart? I really enjoyed this book, it really places the importance on make family a priority in life. I recommend reading the first book in this series before reading this one. I cant' wait for the finaly book!

pages: 284

total pages read 2008: 984

Book Review- Death By Pantyhose

This is the sixth book in Levine's Jaine Austen cozy mystery. In this book, Jaine takes a job writing jokes for Dorcas MacKenzie, who is a standup comic that uses pattyhose at the end of her act. Dorcas's comic rival, Vic, ends up dead and strangled by a pair of pattyhose, the same kind that Dorcas uses in her act. Jaine goes out to find the real killer. Vic had plenty of enemys and so it really is a mystery for Jaine to solve. Another good book in this series that leaves you wondering who done it til the end.

pages 244

total 2008 count 984

Book Review: Going Home

Going Home by Wanda Brunstetter

~
This is the second book in the Brides of Lancaster County series. I really enjoyed it. Faith, the main character ran away from her Amish home ten years ago and is now chasing an unusual dream - of being a comedian. Recently widowed, though, she wants to find a stable home for her six-year-old daughter so she can travel for work. Noah Hertzler is a bit of an oddity in his community - he enjoys cooking and often bakes desserts that he gives to others. He likes to attach a verse of Scripture to each gift, hoping to feed the recipient's soul as well as body. Can Noah's methods reach Faith's soul before it's too late? Is Faith's life just one big joke - or will she find her true identity and the love she's needed for so long? Overall a great book! This series is being rerealeased and updated. An excelent read.

207 pages

700 pages read in 2008

Reading

Just wanted to post that I have been reading, just have not had time to post my reviews, but I will get to it soon. So, stay tuned!

Reading Review 2007

Well, since this blog is where I write about all of the things that I read, I thought I would reflect on my reading the past year. In 2006, I read 51 books. That is the most that I have ever read in one year since I started keeping records of the books that I have read. My reading journal goes back to 2004. Last year, I set a goal of reading 30 books, mostly because I knew I had a new baby and I thought I would be reading less. Turns out, I read 62 books last year. Now 32 of those were books that I read aloud with my son , but I still count those. Here is my recap. I did not write reviews on alot of my sons books. I also learned that the first few I did not write reviews on, so I guess last year i started writing reviews.
~
1.The Brethern-Beverly Lewis
2.The Storekeeper's Daughter-Wanda Brunstetter
3.The Quilter's Daughter- Wanda Brunstetter
4. The Bishop's Daughter-Wanda Brunstetter
5. The P.M.S. Murders- Laura Levine
6. Anne of Green Gables- LM Montgomery
7. Key Lime Pie- Joanne Fluke
8. Shoes to Die For- Laura Levine
9. Anne of Avonlea-L.M. Montgomery
10. Anne of the Island- L.M. Montgomery
11. Anne of Windy Poplars- L.M. Montgomery
12. A Merry Heart- Wanda Brunstetter
13. Looking For a Miracle-Wanda Brunstetter
14. Plain and Fancy-Wanda Brunstetter
15. The Hope Chest-Wanda Brunstetter
16. Uncharted-Angela Hunt
17. This Pen for Hire-Laura Levine
18. Last Writes-Laura Levine
19. Killer Blonde-Laura Levine
20. Waiting For Summer's Return- Kim Sawyer
21. One Tuesday Morning-Karen Kingsbury
22. Where Willows Grow- Kim Sawyer
23. Bygones-Kim Sawyer
24. When the Heart Cries-Cindy Woodsmall
25. A Sister's Secret- Wanda Brunstetter
26. Beyond Tuesday Morning- Karen Kingsbury
27. A Morning Like This- Deborah Bedford
28. When You Believe- Deborah Bedford
29. The Burnt House-Faye Kellerman
30. Dinasaurs Before Dark-Mary Pope Osborne
31. The Knight at Dawn-Mary Pope Osborne
32. The Boxcar Children- Gertrude Warner
33. Suprise Island-Gertrude Warner
34. Mummies in the Morning- Mary Pope Osborne
35. Night of the Ninjas- Mary Pope Osborne
36. Afternoon in the Amazon- Mary Pope Osborne
37. Sunset of the Sabertooth- Mary Pope Osborne
38. Midnight on the Moon- Mary Pope Osborne
39. The Survivors- Dinah McCall
40. Sweet Revenge-Diane Mott Davidson
41. Candy Cane Murder-Joanne Fluke, Diane Mott Davidson, Laura Levine
42. When the Morning Comes-Cindy Woodsmall
43. A Carol For Christmas- Robin Lee Hatcher
44. Return To Me- Robin Lee Hatcher
45. Twilight- Stephenie Meyer
46. The Parting-Beverly Lewis
47. Christmas in Camelot- Mary Pope Osborne
48. Dolphins at Daybreak-Mary Pope Osborne
49. Ghosttown at Showdown- Mary Pope Osborne
50. Lions at Lunchtime- Mary Pope Osborne
51. Polar Bears Past Bedtime- Mary Pope Osborne
52. Tigers at Twilight- Mary Pope Osborne
53. Dingoes at Dinnertime- Mary Pope Osborne
54. Civil War on Sunday- Mary Pope Osborne
55. Revelutionary War on Wednesday- Mary Pope Osborne
56. Twister on Tuesday- Mary Pope Osborne
57. Earthquake in the Early Morning- Mary Pope Osborne
58. Good Morning Gorillas- Mary Pope Osborne
59. Stage Fright on a Summer Night- Mary Pope Osborne
60. Thanksgiving on Thursday-Mary Pope Osborne
61. High Tide in Hawaii- Mary Pope Osborne
62. Piartes Past Noon- Mary Pope Osborne
~
Later I will put up my Reading Wish List for 2008! Stay Tunned! My kids want to go outside and play in the snow, the first real snow of the year!

Book Review-Christmas in Camelot

Nicholas and I have been reading through this series and I have not written reviews on book that we have read together in a long time. This book was Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne. This book was very different than the others in this series. Jack and Annie usually help Morgan and travel to places in the Magic Tree house. This time they get an invitation to go back to Camelot only to find that it was not from Morgan or Merlin. When they get there, they go on a mission to save Camelot. This book differed in another way too. I think most of the books have the main characters traveling to real places in the past. This time they go to the Otherworld which like Camelot is not really a true place, so to me that was a little different. Also, this book was longer. Her books are usually 10 chapters long, but this one was about 16 chapters long. Still though even with the differences, I enjoyed the book and my son did too.

Book Review: The Christmas Shoes

After watching the movie, I decided to read the book, The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere. I am really glad that I read the book because it was a little different than the book. Basically the book is about two families and how one family is losing a mother to cancer and another family who is losing a father to his work. I cried through the book. It is a very short book, you could read it in one day. I don't want to give much more away, but I will say that I enjoyed it, even though I cried through the last two chapters. Make sure you bring your tissues to read this book.

Book Review-Return to Me

Return to Me written by Robin Lee Hatcher was the next book I read on my Fall Reading List. I have never read any books by this author until I read A Carol for Christmas. This book is the sequel to that book. Return To Me is a story that is a lot like the Prodigal Son. This story is about Carol's kids from the first book. Carol died years before in childbirth. Her youngest daughter Roxy is a lot like her mom and wants to go to Nashville to pursue her singing career. She leaves after getting an inheritance from her grandmother. After years of wasting her money, making bad decisions and about to starve to death, she decides to go home. She does not know if she will even be accepted. I really enjoyed this story. I really liked the story between the two sisters and the hard time they have getting back to loving each other.

~

For more Fall into Reading 2007 participants book reviews got to this post.

Book Review:A Carol for Christmas

A Carol for Christmas written by Robin Lee Hatcher is the next book I decided to read on my Fall Reading List. I have never read anything by this author before and I really liked this book. She is a christian author. This is a very short book, I read it in a day, probably a total of a couple hours. The story is about Carol and Johnathan Burke. They decide to marry young and Johnathan gives up college and has to start at the bottom in his dad's department store and he has to work lots of hours. Carol is left by herself and really wants to pursue her dream of going to Nashville and becoming a country music singer, but she fells like she has to give all of that up for her husband. When a country music singer comes for a benefit Carol is asked to sing with him and she really tries to decide if that is what she really wants or not. She uses a lot of scriptures to help her in that decision. A quick read, but I really enjoyed it.

~

For more Fall into Reading 2007 participants book reviews got to this post.

Book Review: When the Morning Comes

When the Morning Comes written by Cindy Woodsmall was the next book on my Fall Reading List that I chose to read. This book is the sequel to When the Heart Cries(click on link to see my review of that book). I really enjoyed that book and was anxiously waiting for this sequel. Hannah Lapp leaves her Amish community after having a baby that was conceived by rape. She heads out to find an aunt she did not know existed until she found a letter in her parents room. Her aunt had been shunned. Hannah finally finds her aunt and starts a new life, but is it the life she really wants? I really did not like the ending of the book, but the author set you up to want to read the next book. This book is action packed. One thing happening after another. I think it would have to be so hard to have to have choose between your Amish family and the worldly ways. This book really shows how Hannah struggled with that issue.

~

For more Fall into Reading 2007 participants book reviews got to this post.