Friend Me by John Faubion

Book Summary:

When a lonely wife and her frustrated husband each secretly pursue companionship online, neither dreams that a real woman is behind their virtual creations, threatening their marriage—and their lives.

Scott and Rachel’s marriage is on the brink of disaster. Scott, a businessman with a high-pressure job, just wants Rachel to understand him and accept his flaws. Rachel is a lonely housewife, desperate for attention and friendship. So she decides to create a virtual friend online, unaware that Scott is doing the exact same thing. As Rachel desperately tries to re-create a friendship with a friend who has passed, Scott becomes unfaithful and is torn between the love for his wife and the perfection of his cyber-girlfriend. But neither realizes that there’s a much larger problem looming…

Behind both of their online creations is Melissa, a woman who is brilliant—and totally insane. Masquerading as both friend and lover, Melissa programmed a search parameter into the virtual friend software to find her perfect man, but along the way she forgot to specify his marriage status. And Scott is her ideal match. Now Melissa is determined to have it all—Scott, his family, and Rachel’s life.

As Melissa grows bolder and her online manipulations transition into the real world, Scott and Rachel figure out they are being played. Now it’s a race against time as Scott and Rachel fight to save their marriage, and their lives, before it’s too late.

In today’s digital age, the Internet presents all kinds of opportunities to test our personal boundaries, and this exciting and suspenseful story raises important questions about the ethics of virtual relationships. Friend Me will open your eyes to a new—and terrifying—moral dimensions and how they play out in the real world.

My thoughts:

I have to say, this book was not at all what I expected! Right from the beginning we are lead on a suspenseful journey which leads to places you never could imagine. That is the sign of a great mystery book!  What starts out as just a fun thing for Rachel to "bring back" a friend to talk to, leads to Scott's affair with an online girl, but that is just the start. Watching Rachel and Scott struggle in their marriage was difficult, and very relatable. When they learn of the fatal attraction going on behind the scenes, I found myself intrigued in how this would play out. I couldn't put the book down, it kept me on my toes throughout the entire story!

The author was very good at designing a story based from a woman's perspective and adding the needed suspense. It was very well written, hard to believe it's his first novel published! I can't wait for more of his books! 

You can find the book for yourself here on amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Andi Unexpected by Amanda Flower

Book Summary (from Amazon)

Twelve-year-old Andora 'Andi' Boggs and her fourteen-year-old sister Bethany move to rural Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt after the sudden death of their parents. While dealing with her grief, Andi discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree whose existence was hidden in a Depression-era trunk in the attic. With help from her new friend and neighbor, Colin Carter, Andi is determined to find out who this first Andora was and what happened to her.

My Thoughts: 

This is a great teen mystery book! It's a quick and fun read with some great characters. It's interesting to watch the relationship of the sisters and how they are dealing with the lost of their parents. I love the different dynamics shown with all the characters. It's a touch of family relationships, with a mystery to solve mixed in. This book is part of a new series which I'm sure will become a hit among teens! You can find out more about this book, and others, on the authors website

This would make a great Christmas gift!

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I received this book as a reviewer for www.booksneeze.com. My reviews are always honest and my own opinions.

10 Great Dates by Larson & Arp

10 Great Dates by Peter and Heather Larson & David and Claudia Arp, is a book created to make connecting spiritually to your spouse a priority. Everyone's life is busier than ever now and sometimes time with your spouse gets put on the back burner when going against work, kids, church,and activities.  In 10 Great Dates, you are given some practical ideas to help you refocus time with your spouse.
There are 10 chapters each with it's on specific topic on which to focus your date time on. The chapters included are:

• Date 1: Connecting Faith and Love
• Date 2: Appreciating Your Differences
• Date 3: Experiencing God Together
• Date 4: Getting Into the Word
• Date 5: Loving Your Closest Neighbor
• Date 6: Talking Together With God
• Date 7: Building Your Marriage on a Strong Foundation
• Date 8: Facing The Storms of Life Together
• Date 9: Guarding Your Hearts Under God's Canopy
• Date 10: Making Your Marriage a Lighthouse

First you are asked to sign a commitment with your spouse to honor them with this special time. Then you have details of what to do each date night. You start by reading a chapter with verses and real life stories regarding the subject, Then you each have cards to fill out which will be used on the actual date. 

For the date, it tells you places to go, and tips for your time together. Then you are given things to do after the date together including Bible reading and discussion.

For me, this book makes it very clear cut on how to connect your marriage and relationships with God in a very practical way. Often times couples wish they could have this kind of relationship or dating life, but they aren't sure where to start, or think it might appear awkward. With this book you don't have to worry about it. Everything about your night is set up to allow for a fun time while focusing on the serious aspects of married life.

I think this would be a great book to have as a newly married couple. It's something I wish we had when we first started out. I find it would be easier to start on the right path then have to start over. Of course it is entirely useful for couples wishing to get to that place later in married life also.

I would highly recommend this book for any married couple, or soon to be married, who desires to put Christ in the center of their marriage. I know for me, I'll be sharing it with wedding gifts from now on.

Disclosure: I received a free print copy of the book in order to do my review. My reviews are always my honest opinions and may differ from others. I received this book as part of Bethany House reviewer program. 

The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

The Secret Keeper is Book 4 in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. Although it's Book 4, you can read it independently of the other books. I have read the entire series from the beginning and recommend them all.

Jenny is an Englisher, but in her heart she has always seen herself as Plain. She has never felt like she belonged in her world and thanks to an Amish friend, finds herself being mentored in her "proving period" by Rebecca and Samuel Lapp.  Although things are more difficult then they appeared at first, Jenny is determined to fit in and prove she has what it takes to become a baptized member of the Amish church. People in the community have a variety of thoughts of this worldly person wanting to join the Amish church, especially at the same time many of the youth are seeking to leave the community.

As Jenny strives to learn the correct ways to conduct herself and learn how to be a true Amishwoman, she also finds herself struggling with her interest in Andrew. Jenny is not supposed to court until she is a member of the church, but she finds herself drawing closer to him and his trust in her.

When a secret threatens to destroy her chances of finishing her proving time, she decides she will never be Amish and leaves to go home. What she finds is that although she is back in the English world, her heart is with the Amish.

What I love about this story is that it brings in a theme that is common to people no matter where they are or who they are. The struggle to find where you fit in. Following your heart may not be the accepted choice or the most popular, but how important it is to follow your heart and God's leading.

The families and individual characters in the story draw you in. They feel like family.  If you have read any of the Heritage of Lancaster County books, you will love hearing more about Katie Lapp and her journey outside the Amish faith, and learn about the struggles and changes occuring in that family.

I love reading Amish fiction. Although the lifestyle is strict and difficult, the idea of living simple without all the stress of "keeping up" with everyone makes reading about it very enjoyable.
Beverly Lewis never disappoints with her books. I highly recommend finding this book fast! You can find it HERE.


Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Stranded is Book 3 in the Alaskan Courage series. I had not previously read either Book 1 or 2, so I wondered if I would be missing key details or would feel I was coming in at the middle of situations. While I'm sure starting at the series beginning is the most common choice, and normally how I like to do things, I don't however feel like it affected my enjoyment of this book or the ability to understand what was going on. I will however definitely be going back and reading the other books!

In this adventure, we find Darcy on board a cruise ship as an adventure journalist but in fact she is really on board with a undercover reporting job to help her friend Abby with a case. Although Darcy left the undercover life 3 years prior, she would do anything to help Abby. Darcy uses her knowledge and cover job to gain access to areas and questioning that she otherwise couldn't do.


When Abby goes missing, things begin to become dangerous quickly.  Nobody seems to be able to give any information, and nobody seems at all concerned. When Darcy realizes her adventure will have her working closely with an old friend, Gabe, she is determined to stay professional and not let on her real feelings.

Gabe knows her true story. He has never been encouraging about Darcy doing undercover work because of the time she gave to it, and the danger she allowed herself to get in the middle of.
Will they now be able to work together to find out the truth of what happened to Abby? They need to for the sake of the situation. The people they learn are involved and the seriousness of the disappearances will lead them into the unknown. Will the danger of the situation draw Gabe to the eternal love of Christ which Darcy desperately desires for him?

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I had a hard time putting it down. I love books which take you on a suspenseful journey without the risk of actually being afraid to go to sleep:)
The storyline was thought-provoking, and very well written. The characters were described so well they were easy to picture as real people. They each had a deep history which made them relatable.
The mystery surrounding Abby's disappearance was not expected and very exciting. There was also a great message surrounding the effects of her situation. The ending was thrilling and kept you wondering what really occurred, and who was really involved, right till the very end.
I highly recommend this amazing story of adventure, love and sacrifice. You can find it for yourself  at amazon.com   I'd love to know what you think!

Disclosure: I received a free print copy of the book from Bethany house in exchange for an honest review.

Above and Beyond by Sandra Brown

Kyla's husband Richard was killed in a terrorist attack while overseas. As Kyla is trying to catch a breath and move on with her young son, she finds herself drawn to a man she doesn't realize she knows.

Trevor was a soldier alongside Richard. By a stroke of coincidence, Richard ends up dying in the bunk where Trevor normally would have been. To aid his recovery, Trevor finds himself reading, and re-reading the love letters to Richard from Kyla. When he finds himself in love with her, he devises a plan to meet her.

While they are getting to know each other, Trevor is holding back a huge secret that could ruin everything. There is something Kyla doesn't yet know and Trevor hopes will never know.

Through a series of events, we follow them through struggles, love,  trust issues and finally the truth. Can they survive what secrets lie in the past or will it keep them from a lasting love?


MY THOUGHTS:

This story will keep you engaged from beginning to end. It is full of creative plot lines which pull you into the story. There is great depth to the story which allows us to visualize realistic people and situations. When reading this book I found myself with many different emotions from disliking Trevor for keeping the secret, to wanting Kyla to forgive him, to laughing alongside the actions of a toddler.
You will not be disappointed with Above and Beyond. Again Sandra Brown has brought us a hit!
I have lost count of how many times I have read this book over the years. Certain books just fit in a way that brings you back time and again. This is that book!
You can find the book for yourself here at www.amazon.com

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I had the book in my personal collection. My reviews are always honest and my opinions are my own.

A Wedding to Remember in Charleston S.C. by Annalisa Daughety

Sometimes in life, our biggest struggles are in direct conflict with what we are expected to be an expert at. This is where we find Summer. She is the owner of a wedding planning business. She and her co-worker, Ashley, do a great job on the weddings, have great success and love what they do. In her personal life though, Summer and her husband, Luke are dealing with some major struggles. In the past year, they have had to deal with many heartbreaks. When they find themselves unable to communicate the depth of their grief, they find themselves pulling away from each other when they should be drawing closer.

The return of Summer's former boyfriend complicates things even more. He somehow finds himself in places where he not only can grab some of Summer's attention, but also manages to pull Luke farther away from Summer. He finds that this can work to his advantage and maybe even work in his favor.

Ashley also has trouble of her own in the relationship department. A new man in her life causes her to deal with her past divorce and work on moving past it, which she isn't sure she can.

Through the struggles of marriage, Luke moves out to handle things by himself. Luke and Summer both see this as a temporary solution, because they are still very much in love. This time apart allows for some much needed soul searching. Will this separation keep them apart or can it be the one thing that allows them to find themselves more committed than ever?

As we follow them through their struggles, we catch a glimpse of their future. When they both allow God to be the center of their lives, they find themselves able to communicate on a more heart level. They learn that God is there for them in the hard times as well as the good times.


WHAT I THINK:

This is book 1 in a book with 2 full length books titled "Waterfront Weddings". In this first story, was an amazing story of marriage. I'm sure we have all had relationships that have gone through struggles, and in some way can relate to these characters. I felt a pull into the story which really made me feel a part of the story. I found myself cheering for some characters, while wanting to yell at others. I feel that is a good sign when you really connect with the book.
The characters have great depth to them. The overall story not only keeps your attention, but has good messages throughout.
I look forward to reading the other story and can't wait to share with you about them also!

You can find the book on amazon.com

Disclosure: I received the ebook copy from netgalley in exchange for doing a review. No other compensation was given. My opinions are always honest and my own.

A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston

A Hopeful Heart is the first book in a new series called  

"Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel". 

When Hannah finds herself a young widow, she tries to help support her family by working housekeeping at a local hotel. Although her Mother in law is against her having a job outside the home (it's not typical for Amish women) ,She really enjoys her job and co-workers. 

When she begins to befriend a male guest, Trey, who has suffered similar losses, she learns the difficulties and reasons why the Amish prefer to keep to themselves and not become involved in the English world.  Hannah and her Brother in law,Joshua,have been working together to keep the farm going, but when  Hannah starts including Trey in her life outside the hotel, Hannah is seen as trouble and the trouble starts to affect her children.

To complicate the situation, Joshua is in love with Hannah. When she finally realizes that, she is also falling for Trey. Through many trials, Hannah finds herself in the midst of a difficult situation which could affect her whole family. Her choices could cause her to be shunned and to lose family members if she follows her heart to leave with Trey. She loves Joshua, but feels more of a friend to him and a way to keep her husbands memory alive. How will she make the right choice? What IS the right choice for her and her family?

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is a great read! I again found myself reading late into the night because I couldn't put it down. My sleep pattern is losing out to great books!  I felt this book to be a very realistic view of life, love and choices. Whether you are Amish or not, there are decisions we make every day that affect not only us, but those around us. In this book, we find a balance of both sides of the choices Hannah must make. I enjoyed the characters throughout. I found myself liking some of them and disliking others. Although the Mother in law seemed to be more on the manipulative side, I'm sure that by seeing it from her side we would find her heart and reasoning. Amish life seems to be rooted in very strict rules that they are supposed to follow without question, which would be the side of the Mother in law. Hannah is choosing to follow her heart and see what God has for her, whether it's to stay or go she will follow God. I love how there are discussion questions in the back. This would make a great book for a book club. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend it , and already looking forward to book two of this series.

You can find this book at amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book from booksneeze.com in order to do my review. No other compensation was given. My reviews are always honest and my opinions are my own.

Grace Given by Beth Shriver

      In this book, we find Elsie and her family trying to find their way into a new community. They have moved from Virginia to Texas only the previous year. While learning to follow the changes of the community, and dealing with vandals hitting the Amish farms, they also are dealing with a family issue.  

Elsie's sister Katie left the community with Jake, and Elsie finds this especially hard because she thought their was something growing in her relationship with Jake. 

      Thankfully Elsie has a good friend in Gideon. He has been interested in Elsie for a long time and enjoys being there for her, and also hoping that Elsie will grow to love him. 

      Through circumstances with the English vandals, Elsie and Gideon find themselves growing closer as they search for the truth.

      When Katie returns, emotions run wild. In an already stressful time, we find yet another situation that requires faith, grace and forgiveness. Choices must be made and struggles met to do what is right.

Amazing story of love and forgiveness.

My Review:

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I find myself intrigued by the Amish culture and enjoy reading books which give insight into their lives and why they choose to do things the way they do. This is Book 2 in the series "Touch of Grace" by Beth Shriver.  I read this one realizing that I had not yet read Book 1. Although I plan on going back and reading Book 1, I don't feel that not reading it first caused any difficulty in understanding what was going on in this book. I would recommend reading in order though, but that's just how I usually like to do things:)

This book is well-written, and kept my attention well past times that I should have been sleeping! Beth Shriver always puts together wonderful stories and I am thrilled to have the privilege  of sharing this one with you.

You can find a copy of this book at amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book through thebooketeria.com in order to do this review. My reviews are always honest and are my own opinion. My opinions may differ from  others.

Reconnected by Bethany Daniel

Summary:  

      Liam and Katy are high school sweethearts. They have grown up together and have finally fallen in love and gotten married. When Liam gets discovered by Hollywood, they realize their lives are changing. From the girls giggling and following him, to the parties and drinking, Katy realized she can not be apart of this life. During a huge party one night Katy takes off. What she doesn't do is divorce Liam.

      Fast forward 4 years and we find Katy (now Kate) enjoying the life she has created. When Hollywood brings a crew to film a movie in her town, she learns that Liam is the star of the movie. She is determined to stay away and not see him. When they meet by chance, she is reluctant to give him time. When she learns he is still in love with her, she wonders if they can actually start fresh while dealing with the complications of the past and the current. Including relationships with other people.

      As Katy and Liam grow close again, Katy's roommate Krista and Liam's co-star Scott find their own love.  When a crazed actress begins to cause trouble, they all find themselves in the middle of a dangerous situation. What happens when tragedy threatens their newly rekindled love?  Will they stand by each other, or will the world they've created fall apart?  

  

      Review: 

      Overall this is a great book. This is a first for author Bethany Daniel, and I feel it is a great start. The characters are personable and relatable, although I would have liked a little more detail about the characters.  I feel the story could have used more depth also. It seemed to move a little quickly, and I would have liked to know more about their lives. This is actually also a compliment because I feel the characters were good. I enjoyed what I read, just needed more.  

      This is a pretty quick read, and fun for a relaxing time. I look forward to reading more of her books and I recommend everyone checking this out. I think the more she writes it will only get better! You can find the book here at amazon.com

You can also find her on Facebook

Disclosure: I received an ebook copy in order to do this review. My reviews are always honest and my own opinions which may differ from others.

Sparkly Me by Ayelet Nathaniel

Another great children's book! In this book, we find a little girl who loves sparkly and shiny things. Most little girls can relate to this I'm sure! 

We follow this cute little girl as she puts on her sparkly which makes her feel fabulous!

She wants to feel fabulous all day long and takes her stuff with her throughout her day.

When she wants to keep them close, they become wrinkled, or worn out. 

She soon realizes that what makes her fabulous is what is inside her heart. 

She will always carry it with her!

This is a great story for any "girly girl" who loves the idea of wearing sparkly stuff.

Leaves you with a great message of what is truly important.

You can find the book on amazon at Sparkly Me

Disclosure: I received the ebook copy of the book in order to do my review. My reviews are 

always honest and my opinions are my own.

Who's Under the Bed by Ayelet Nathaniel

                                                                 

                                                                    

      I think all children at some point have the same fear of what could be under the bed. A fear of being left alone in the dark.  For a lot of children, there is the fear of monsters under the bed.  In this book we find a great story about a small monster at bed. He is sharing with his mom about feeling afraid. He is scared that there might be a child under the bed. 

      He continues to want his mom to stay and feels sure she will keep him safe. As mom tries to convince him that a child is probably nice, he starts to feel secure. He finally realizes that a child might be just like him. He finally allows mom to leave the room knowing that if a child is like him, he'll be ok.

This is a cute book, and would be great to share with any child who is going through the fear of the dark, or of monsters. The illustrations are great. They are bold, bright colors and help to bring the story to life.  

You can find out more about this book and more at the author's website at http://www.playfulkitchen.com/

You can purchase this book on amazon at Who's Under the Bed

Disclosure: I received the ebook copy of this book in order to do the review. No other compensation was received. My reviews are always honest and are my own.

Jade and the Tooth Fairy

Jade and the Tooth Fairy

        By Jacinta Zechariah

      Many kids ,when they start loosing teeth, often wonder what happens to the teeth when the Tooth Fairy takes their tooth. In Jade and the Tooth Fairy, we find a unique look at Jade and what she discovers.  

      When Jade puts her tooth under her pillow, she tries to stay awake to meet the Tooth Fairy.  Upon arrival, Jade convinces the Tooth Fairy to allow her to come see the Fairy Land. We go along on the trip to a land of magic and delight. They fly as the Fairy flaps her fairy wings to this magical land. Here she is able to see what her imagination has created. She pictures the land and finds all sorts of fun.

      Jade learns what happens to the teeth after they arrive in Fairy Land. The idea in the book is a unique and creative one. 

      

      I think this is a cute and creative story written for younger children approaching the age of loosing teeth and works through the process of the Tooth Fairy in a fun way.

      The illustrations are my favorite part of the book.  They did a wonderful job of capturing the storyline. The artwork was fun and well done. I feel this helped to pull the book together into the complete story.

      This is a quick read, but one children can look at many times. 

About the author:

Jacinta Zechariah (nee Dias) lives in London, UK with her husband and 3 children – 2 daughters and a son. She loves travelling and being with her family.

She has a teaching degree with a Masters in Literature but now spends her time writing and marketing her book. When she is not busy with her children she is busy writing her future books and content for her blog.

She began writing at a very early age when she and her sister would make little paper books where she would write and her sister would illustrate. 

She writes poetry and has had a few poems published in anthologies.

Jade and the Tooth Fairy is her debut book and has been written with her daughter Jadyn in mind. 

She loves writing and would love to inspire more people to get involved in reading especially children. 

You can find out more about the author at these locations:

Author central:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00CBCU4AQ

Website: http://jacintaz3.co.uk/jade-and-the-tooth-fairy/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17789241-jade-and-the-tooth-fairy

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JadeAndTheToothFairy?ref=hl

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jacintaz3

Here's where you can buy the book:

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Jade-Tooth-Fairy-ebook/dp/B00CB3SVY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366894210&sr=8-1&keywords=jade+and+the+tooth+fairy

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jade-Tooth-Fairy-ebook/dp/B00CB3SVY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366894315&sr=8-1&keywords=jacinta+zechariah

Smash words : https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/304565 Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Jade-Tooth-Fairy-ebook/dp/B00CB3SVY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366894210&sr=8-1&keywords=jade+and+the+tooth+fairy

Disclosure:  I did not receive compensation for this review. I only received the ebook in order to do the review.        My opinions are honest and my own.

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

Summary:

      This is book 1 in a series called Home to Hickory Hollow, about life in Amish country.  In this book we are introduced toAmelia. She is an English girl who is searching for the life she wants. She has spent most of her life playing the fiddle in concerts around the world. She really wants, and needs, some rest. She feels she is missing out on something and wants peace.
      In a rainstorm on her way home from a fiddle concert, outside her normal realm of music, she meets Michael. Michael is in the midst of his own search. He struggles with the decision of whether or not to join the Amish church. His family expects him to, but he feels a pull to the outside world even with his love of his family and the life at home.
      As they talk, they find themselves able to talk in a way neither has been able to before. When Amelia returns with him to Hickory Hollow, we follow her as she learns to find peace and return to a heart relationship with God. Through many struggles, and many heartfelt talks, we see how these friends begin to rely on each other to help find the life God wants for them both.

Review:

      I have always been interested in Amish stories. I think because of how simple they make life. I know I could not live the way they do, and some of their beliefs are not matched up with mine, but regardless, I find myself drawn to these books. I have read most of Beverly Lewis's books, and knew before I read this book I would like it. I was not disappointed. It was great! Her style of writing allows readers to become a part of the story and feel apart of the families in the book.
      This book weaved a wonderful story of friendship, love and ultimately a relationship with God. I found myself captivated and didn't want to put the book down. It made me wonder how I could apply what was in the story to my own life.
      The story flows in a way which keeps the reader interested and always looking forward. I highly recommend checking this book out. It will leave you wanting to know more. Yes, I am already reading book 2!

You can find the book at amazon.com
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. My reviews are always honest and are my own opinion.

The Man in the Box by Andrew Toy (Book Tour)

      This is one of the most creative books I've had the pleasure of reading lately. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it really opened my eyes to a different style of reading. Normally, I am drawn to a more "real-life" type of book. What I found though by reading this book is that it was an escape from the norm which was convenient because that's where the book takes us. An escape from our life into the unknown.
       The story starts out as Robbie loses his job. We see the turmoil and stress this causes him, and his fears of how it will effect his family and their well being. He wants things to be an easy fix, and not worry about finding work, so he takes the advice from a co-worker. This advice isn't exactly legal, and when he's almost caught, he finds himself hiding out in a cardboard box. This is where his real story begins.
      When he gets in the box, Robbie finds himself in a cave in a transformed world. People and creatures seem to know who he is. He is completely confused and afraid, but at the same time intrigued with this land. The people there see him as a king and their leader. He has control there.
      When he wakes from his "dream", he is in the office and has no idea if what just happened is real.
He takes the box home with him and slowly begins making the box his place of comfort and escape. He finds himself preferring being in the box rather than being with his family. We learn how the land came to be from his creation of imaginary childhood friends. As scary as this other life is, it is also a security place he feels drawn to. When he finally makes the decision to get rid of the  box, that's when the dangers really begin. The "box" life starts to make it's way into his "real" life. Trouble starts to come as creatures use the box to enter home. When his family is threatened he also finds out co-workers of his have had the same experiences. They each are finding their own lands. Robbie realizes he must do whatever it takes to protect the family he has finally remembered to love.
      I can't give away the end, so you will just have to read the book for yourself and see  what happens. I will say it is a great ending!
      This book is full of great descriptions, adventures and interest. It is very well-written and kept my attention throughout. My son has already shown interest in reading it next! I highly recommend this book. Who hasn't wondered what it would be like to have a life so far from our normal life. In this book we are given that opportunity to experience that. A great escape and a great read!

About Andrew Toy: 

Andrew Toy lives with his wife and dachshunds in Louisville, KY. He is currently editing books of nearly every genre and is a writing coach for aspiring authors. He and his wife are trying to adopt their first child, and he is using the means of writing and editing to accomplish the goal of enlarging his family. Check out some more of his writing and upcoming books on his popular blog: adoptingjames.wordpress.com

The Man in the Box

Book Synopsis:

Work provided Robbie Lake the perfect escape from his family. But his life is turned upside down when he is unexpectedly fired. When he finds a new way of escape through a cardboard box, everything changes. The imaginary world of his childhood has evolved in his absence and is now more savage and hostile than even he could have dreamed. Robbie is drawn in by the excitement of his secret world, but will the cost of abandoning his family prove too high?

To find out more about other reviews,and giveaways. Here is the link to the Blog Tour

Andrew Toy's  Links: twitter , facebook and his Blog
You can buy the book at amazon.com


Disclosure: I was provided only with the ebook to complete this review. My review is my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock

      One of my favorite thing about reading is finding new series, authors and subjects in which to engross myself in. When I read a book, I tend to find myself a part of the story. I see the story in pictures and find myself imagining what it would be like to live in the story. I actually retain the scene so if I re-read a book, I see it the same way! Maybe I'm just a little strange or too involved in a story but I my son has inherited the same love of reading and becoming involved with the book:)

       I have read a few of Terri Blackstock's books in the past, but recently have started reading them non-stop. The Restoration Series is wonderful! There are 4 books in the series. 

       The whole series revolves around the idea of what might happen if we lost all electricity. How would our lives change? How would we react? Our culture has become so hooked on technology that the idea of not having it is sometimes terrifying. We don't know how we would continue life as we know it. The series begins with all the electronics losing their power. There's no air or electricity in homes, but even more confusing is the fact that cars fail to run, watches won't keep time. Nothing that needs electric power works. We see how differently people react to the situation. 

        The first book, Last Light, focuses mainly on the Branning family and the  beginning of the loss. People are reacting to the initial struggle...getting home, not being able to call people or find people, and realizing how easy life had been compared to after the catastrophe. We realize by living the story, how much we rely on electronics, and how hard it can be to adapt when things are taken away, not by choice.

        In the second book, Night Light, we learn how the longer the people deal with change, and the permanence of it, how people begin to react in survival mode. We learn through circumstances that occur, how little people are trusting in God, and are focusing more on the negatives...what was lost, instead of trusting in God and in family.

       In book three, True Light, in the light of recent murders people are on edge. As the neighborhood begins to try and start it's own government and start to provide some sort of normalcy in spite of circumstances. People are really starting to get frustrated which leads to some poor choices and consequences for choices. 

       In book four, Dawn's Light, the families have really learned to trust God, have accepted life as it is, and have adapted to the idea the lights may never come on. When they find out the power will soon be fixed, how will they deal with everything. As the Branning family comes to grips with a tragedy that comes on the family, will they be able to trust the God they've learned to rely on? Can God really bring good out of something bad? 

      While these books all follow the lost of electronics, I think a bigger story lies behind it. What are we focusing our lives on? What are our priorities? I think Terri Blackstock gives us a great and very exciting look into a "what if" situation. There is no way to read these books and come out the same. They are filled with excitement, drama, tragedy and love. Most important are the life lessons and helps teach us to trust in God no matter what the circumstances are.

       You do not want to miss out on these great books. I stayed up too late many nights because I just couldn't put down the book I was on.  

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I used library books to do the review. My opinions are honest and are completely mine.

The link to the first book on amazon.com is Last Light

The Chance

The Chance

by Karen Kingsbury

• Christian Fiction
• my rating is 5 out of 5 stars

       Summary:

                       This is a story of family and love. When Ellie is a teenager, she and her close friend Nolen talk of the future and marriage. When Ellie learns of her Mom's affair and that her Dad is planning to take her away with him, she panics. 

                        Before leaving, Ellie and Nolen bury letters they have written in a box written to each other, declaring their true feelings. The plan is to return and read them in exactly 11 yrs to the date if they don't meet up before that.

                         Choices are made by everyone involved which cause a multitude of heartache, and life is forever changed. There is a search not only for each other, but for God. They are all driven to a place of forgiveness throughout the story. 

                         It's an amazing journey of seeing how the Lord can work all things for good.

       Review: 

                         As always when reading a Karen Kingsbury book, this book had me in tears. Not only is the story well written, but the message of life, choices and ultimately forgiveness, lies throughout the book and can really touch the readers heart.

                         We find that through anger and trials that God is always with us and uses those around us to bring us home to him. 

                         I have read all of her books, and can truely say that in each one, I can relate to something in it. Her books draw me closer to God and always makes me examine my life and realize any changes that I need to make. Don't miss this wonderful story!

Disclosure: I received only an ebook of this in order to do the review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Direct link to the book on amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Chance-Novel-Karen-Kingsbury/dp/1451647034/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357347202&sr=1-1&keywords=the+chance+karen+kingsbury

Katie Opens her Heart

Katie Opens Her Heart

By Jerry Eicher

• Christian Fiction
• Amish life
• my rating is 5 out of 5 stars

  Summary:

   This book is the first in a new series called "Emma Raber's Daughter". In this book, Katie is a teenager living with her widowed mom, Emma. Due to the loss of her father and situations in her mom's past, Katie is kept from participating in the traditional Amish rumspringa. Katie and her mom are considered strange by the Amish community. Katie badly wants to be a part of the community and to have friends.

     One day, through a friend at work, Katie is invited to a mennonite birthday party. Although her mom is against it, Katie goes and had a great time. She feels comfortable and loved by the friends she meets and wants to continue to nurture the friendships by going to more get togethers with them.

      When Jesse comes to court Katie's mom, she sees this as a way for Emma to be happy, but also allow her to gain the life and freedom she deserves herself. Although there are many setbacks and obstacles  to overcome, this is the beginning of new life for them both.

     Review:

     I have always found books about the Amish lifestyle fascinating. The traditions have interested me in seeing how they live the simple life, not affected by all the trappings of the world. In this book again I was not disappointed. I had a hard time putting down the book. This is a great story with an interesting plot. I felt myself become a part of each of the characters and feeling how they felt in each circumstance. It was easy to put yourself in their place to see how each situation affected their life and their love.

      I look forward to the next book in this series, and can't wait to see what changes happen in Katie and Emma's lives and also watch new stories unfold in new characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a story of life, love and family.

Disclosure: I received an ebook in order to do this review. No other compensation took place. The opinions here are my own and may differ from yours.

Direct link to book: http://www.amazon.com/Katie-Opens-Heart-Rabers-Daughter/dp/0736952519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357170293&sr=8-1&keywords=katie+opens+her+heart

The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day

By Ezra Jack Keats

      In keeping with the Christmas book theme, here is another one of my favorite winter books. Although it doesn't directly have anything to do with Christmas, we keep it with our Christmas books and it's always just become a book we read at Christmas.

      This is such a sweet story of a child who is so excited about a snowy day. He wakes up and notices the snow that appeared while he slept. He goes out into the snow and spends time experiencing the snow in a variety of different ways from snow angels to knocking snow of tree branches. Although he isn't able to do some of the things the older boys can, he finds ways to enjoy the snow. He even wants to keep a snowball so that the day can last longer. 

      When he arrives home and while he is spending time warming up he forgets about his snowball. When he discovers that the snow has melted, he longs for his snowball back, and the feeling of being with the snow. He dreams the snow melts that night, and although he wakes up sad, when he sees that it actually snowed more he is determined again not to miss out on whatever adventures the snow holds for him.

       This is a great book.  This book is a tradition for us. I grew up on this book and I loved being able to continue reading it with my own son. It always gets us wishing for a snowy day!

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. The book is from my own collection and the opinions are my own.

The direct link to the book is http://www.amazon.com/The-Snowy-Ezra-Jack-Keats/dp/B004RZ0914/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1355271822&sr=8-4&keywords=the+snowy+day+by+ezra+jack+keats

The Crippled Lamb

The Crippled Lamb

By Max Lucado

• children's board book
• Christmas book
• My rating is 5 out of 5 stars

      This is another great book to help you get in the Christmas mood. This one focuses on the true meaning of Christmas as seen through the eyes of a lamb. This lamb, Joshua, has a bad leg. He is left behind on the trip to another field due to him being slower than the others. He has a cow friend, Abigail, who stays back in the barn with him. Suddenly they hear a noise and see a baby in the barn. Joshua notices the baby is cold and warms him with his wool. He learns the baby is the new King Jesus  and how God has a place for everyone. This is a good reminder for all of us, that no matter what we are  doing or where we are in life, that God has a plan. We are in the right place for what he will use us for.

       This is a great book for Christmas, but really it's good for throughout the year whenever we need a reminder of God's love for us.

        Praying blessings on all of my readers this Christmas season, may you find joy in this time of our Savior's birth.

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. My opinions are my own and the book used was from my own book collection.

Here is the direct link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Crippled-Lamb-Max-Lucado/dp/B001SRAG6C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355173316&sr=8-2&keywords=the+crippled+lamb