Review: The Case of the Clever Secret Code + Tour GIVEAWAY

The Case of the Clever Secret Code
By Cindy Vincent
Buckley & Bogey Cat Detective Caper, #4
Whodunit Press, 2015

Genre: Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Children's
Number of pages: 223


Summary

Buckley and Bogey, Cat Detectives, find their next big case with the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency to be their most difficult yet. It all starts one hot summer day, when the boys are sitting in the front window of their Mom’s antique store. That’s when they see a big, black limo crawling up the street and going right through downtown St. Gertrude. So who is in that long, black car? None other than famous movie star, Steele Bronson! And his surprise arrival sends the entire town into a tizzy! Especially when he announces his plans to shoot his next movie right there at the St. Gertrude Library, housed in a historic four-story mansion. And wouldn’t you know it, but it all happens just Gracie, the boys’ human sister, is a finalist in the town’s Fourth of July essay contest. Holy Catnip!

But it isn’t long before Buckley and Bogey realize there is something very wrong with the whole picture . . . including the one that Steele Bronson is filming. Because it soon becomes very clear that the guy is after much more than just an Academy Award. And when the drama turns to danger for the boys and their family, that’s when Buckley and Bogey jump into the scene. Because this is one case that has it all — from Fourth of July festivities to tales of the American Revolution, and from a secret code to a hidden key! And unless Buckley and Bogey want to see this movie turn into a tragedy, it’ll be up to them to crack the case . . . as well as the secret code . . . Holy Mackerel!

Purchase at Amazon

($2.99 Kindle / $9.57 paperback)

My thoughts

After turning the last page of The Case of the Clever Secret Code, I now know that it is possible to read an entire book with a smile on my face. This story is well crafted, imaginative, heartwarming, and funny. I love Cindy Vincent’s mystery series about Buckley & Bogey so very much! Written on a level that young readers in the 8- to 12-year-old range would enjoy, these stories not only entertain, but cleverly project faith values throughout. In fact, it’s like Cindy uses storytelling as a method to convey important Christian life lessons.

Buckley and Bogey simply stole my heart, as did the other three household kitties, Princess, Lil Bit, and Miss Mokie, the “Wise One.” The story is told through the eyes and voice of Buckley, and these cats have the human abilities of communication, reasoning, and problem solving. But going much deeper than fantasy and humor are the valuable life lessons conveyed on every page – such as teamwork, thinking about others instead of self, and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. Buckley conveys a deep thankfulness for being rescued and having a forever home.

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“Humans have a rather odd notion that fame

makes a person more important.”

- Miss Mokie

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The arrival of a Hollywood celebrity creates all kinds of havoc and the lesson of human worth is conveyed, that it is “age and wisdom” that truly makes someone valuable. Twelve-year-old Gracie also learns the hard way that winning has to be deserved, for in the words of Miss Mokie, “Without the sense of having achieved something, what good is the trophy?”

Another theme that I loved is that of freedom, conveyed through Gracie’s essay and the story told by her classmate, Dylan, of his grandfather in Russia who defected to the United States. The American Revolution has always been my favorite historical era and I was intrigued by a bit of history that I had not read about before. The night freedom from England was declared, 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence, known as Dunlap Broadsides, were printed and sent throughout the colonies. What an exciting ride that must have been, and the value of one of these documents today is incredible!

Among all that pulls at the heartstrings in this series, it is especially touching how Cindy always includes the adoption of rescue cats – in this case, three kitties who lost their human and need a new "forever home" together. On a spiritual level, that concept makes me think of the “forever home” we will one day have in heaven. And I can’t help but mention how Cindy has honored the memory of my beloved Ebony through the character of Luke, a black cat with a white collar who runs the Buckley and Bogey Cat Shelter at a local church.

The Case of the Clever Secret Code is enjoyable in every way, even for adult readers. It would also work beautifully as a read-aloud story with children, creating many opportunities for instilling important life lessons. Highly recommended for young readers and cat lovers of all ages.

Click on these titles to see my review of the previous book in this series, The Case of the Jewel Covered Cat Statues, and a lovely devotional drawn from Cindy's interaction with cats, Cats Are Part of His Kingdom, Too

Cindy Vincent, M.A. Ed., was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and has lived all around the US and Canada. She is the creator of the Mysteries by Vincent murder mystery party games and the Daisy Diamond Detective Series games for girls. She is also the award-winning author of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Caper novels, and the Daisy Diamond Detective book series. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and an assortment of fantastic felines. Cindy is a self-professed “Christmas-a-holic,” and starts planning and preparing for her ever-expanding, “extreme” Christmas lights display every year, sometime in the early Spring . . .

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK| PINTEREST| AMAZON

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Thank you to Cindy and Singing Librarian Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: Like a Love Song

Like a Love Song
By Camille Eide
Ashberry Lane, 2015

Genre:  Romance, Contemporary, Christian
Number of pages: 308
Awards/Honors: ​Genesis Award Winner, RT Book Reviews 4.5 Star Top Pick


Summary

When she finally surrenders her heart, will it be too late?

Susan Quinn, a social worker turned surrogate mom to foster teens, fights to save the group home she’s worked hard to build. But now, she faces a dwindling staff, foreclosure, and old heartaches that won't stay buried. Her only hope lies with the last person she’d ever turn to—a brawny handyman with a guitar, a questionable past, and a God he keeps calling Father.


My thoughts

After turning the last page of Like a Love Song, I just sat and pondered the question, what made this story so very special? Elements that I always look for were present, such as a vivid sense of place – the Juniper Ridge Canyon area of rural Oregon – richly-drawn characters, a well-crafted storyline, and a strong spiritual thread. Relationship dramas often lack the action that some readers crave, yet I was immediately captured by the complexity of the characters and emotional depth of this story.

In a perfect world, every child would know the love of a human family, yet this is a far-from-perfect world. One factor that elevates Like a Love Song is the realism that makes this such an eye-opening story. At its heart is Juniper Ranch, a home for at-risk youth – such as children from terminated adoptions, discarded and unwanted. Children with the foster care background – having lived in a home, yet never quite part of the family. Children always on the outside, completely stripped of self-worth. I will never again look at children in need and those who commit to caring for them in quite the same way.

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“So-called family had more power to inflict

damage than anyone else.”

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Sue and Joe have both been betrayed by a parent or foster parent, and the far-reaching effects of their experiences are fascinating. Joe loves the Lord and has a gift for worshipping with passionate abandonment that makes this worshipper envious. Sue, on the other hand, is driven to protect these children from disappointment and make them self-reliant, without ever needing anyone. “When you don’t need love, no one can hurt you.” The children totally captured me emotionally – but it was Jasmine, with an unimaginable childhood in Cambodia, and Chaz, who likes to take things apart – who stole my heart.

But I believe that it is the spiritual element that makes Like a Love Song so special. Camille has used the power of story to entertain, but most importantly, to draw our focus to the One who loves us more than we could ever imagine and is always working things out for us – in His time. We often see fictional characters erect walls around their hearts in an effort to block out all that would cause hurt, but Sue’s self-realization made me reflect on the unintentional effect of this action:  “The walls around your heart not only keep people locked out, but they also keep fear and hurt locked in.”

From the children themselves, to a moving redemption scene, to a hope for the future, Like a Love Song is a poignant and compelling story, one that often brought me to tears. This verse of Scripture that Sue found on the home’s old sign beautifully encompasses the overarching theme and will speak to all who read this story . . .

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God,

whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families;

He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.

- Psalm 68:5-6

Camille Eide is a gifted writer who crafts stories that touch the heart. Highly recommended.

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Camille Eide writes romantic, inspirational dramas about love, faith, and family. She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grammy, bass guitarist, and a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, oldies Rock, and Peanut M&Ms.

Find Camille online at:

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | BLOG | WEBSITE

Thank you to Singing Librarian Tours for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: New Beginnings + Kindle Fire GIVEAWAY

New Beginnings
By Pamela Jo
The Sands of Time, #1
BHG Publishing, 2015


Summary

        Upon her return from her best friend Charlie’s wedding, Victoria found that the beautiful city of Chicago had never seemed emptier and neither had her soul. She realized she was surrounded by all the people in the world and she still felt lonely. 
        Deciding to take her friend Charlie’s advice and make a change in her life, she packed her bags and moved to the west coast of Florida. Little did she know that the young Amish girl that she met on the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico would begin a spiral of emotional changes for both of them.

New Beginnings can be purchased at Amazon


My thoughts

I’m impressed. Some of the most touching stories I’ve read recently have been published outside of the big-name companies, and Pamela Jo is another author I can add to my reading list. With New Beginnings, she has penned a novella with character depth and a premise that is both simple and beautiful, while giving readers much to reflect upon. It often felt like Pamela Jo was sharing her heart.

The title alone has so much appeal, for who of us isn’t thankful for second chances and opportunities to begin afresh? And within the pages of this story, the concept of new beginnings is both literal and spiritual. It’s the first book of a series, the main character moves from the big city of Chicago to the peaceful Gulf Coast area around Sarasota, looking for a change – and through the witness of Amish friends that she meets, gives her life to Christ.

New Beginnings is a story of contrasts – between the worldly and the simple life, between the world’s definition of success and what is really of value. Victoria is an appealing character that I found easy to connect with. Haunted by a past sin made for the sake of convenience and chasing an elusive dream, Victoria lived in a self-made prison of regrets, while longing for a happiness that eluded her grasp. I enjoyed her growing friendship with Rebecca, Lizzie, and the Amish girls at Lizzie’s boarding house – and Victoria’s realization that “Though none of them had much, all of them seemed to have enough.” I think this reflection encapsulates true value in life for all of us . . .

“After everything I went through to achieve success, I realized

it wasn’t even that important to begin with.”

New Beginnings has a satisfying conclusion, with much room for further development. I am eager to continue with each one of these characters and look forward to all that Pamela Jo has in store for us. Recommended.

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        Author Pamela Jo, best known as “Whoopie Pie Pam”, is the author of several wonderful story/cookbooks, and the best-selling co-author of the #1 Best Selling series, The Divine Secrets of the Whoopie Pie Sisters.  She is also the founder and creator of the Whoopie Pie Book Club, a well know social media site.
        While battling Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, Pam created the Whoopie Pie Book Club.  For years, she called a group of ladies in her family by that same name.  Every year, they travelled to Amish Country for a retreat of reading Amish fiction, seeing the Amish sights and eating plenty of Whoopie Pies.
        Inspired by the Amish for their simplicity in facing life, love of God, and honor for family, Pamela found a connection with the Amish.  As a result of her many years of traveling and conducting business with the Amish, she has established close friendships with many Amish families, friendships that she cherishes.  She refers to them as her extended family.

Contact Pamela Jo at:

pamelajo@BHGPublishing.com
whoopiepieplace.com
Facebook

Thank you to Pamela Jo and Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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GIVEAWAY

Pamela Jo is giving away a special beach bag, including a Kindle Fire tailored for your special day of relaxing at the beach.

Review: Where She Belongs

Where She Belongs
By Johnnie Alexander
Misty Willow, #1
Revell, 2016


Summary

Can love redeem a broken past?

Shelby Kincaid is ready to move forward after the death of her husband left her devastated. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's homestead, Misty Willow, so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she has her work cut out for her.

AJ Sullivan never wanted Shelby's family homestead in the first place. His grandfather left it to him as punishment for not following his wishes, and he's let it fall into ruin. AJ's more than happy to unload it to this spitfire of a woman. But even after angry exchanges over the state of the house, he can't get her off his mind.

With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and family history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.


My thoughts

Where She Belongs is an elegantly crafted, compelling story about coming home, and I was absorbed emotionally from the very first page. As the beautiful cover picturing AJ and Shelby by the engagement tree promises, romance plays a major part – but so much more is hidden within its depths! This is a story of family and of legacy, with characters so real and approachable that I literally wanted to join them. There’s something unusual about this novel, something that elevates it above other comparable stories. And I found it totally unpredictable, for just when I began to feel comfortable with the direction things were going, another twist came from out of nowhere.

Feuding families, holding on to anger, unscrupulous family members, a love triangle, and a house that almost feels like a major character are just a few things you will find within these pages. Also present are themes of legacy, a troubled past that casts a long shadow and shapes future generations, consequences of actions, and forgiveness. Family history is woven throughout the narrative in a way that adds a touch of mystery and tension.

Shelby and AJ are well-drawn characters that I loved, and we see how they are shaped by their family legacies. While Shelby had loving grandparents and parents who were missionaries, AJ’s grandfather was a shrewd businessman whose “acumen was rooted in vengeful ruthlessness” – and his parents fought and divorced. I also adored Shelby’s children and AJ’s dog, Lila.

I find it so easy to form attachments to physical things, so I appreciated the twist on the “coming home” theme that Johnnie incorporates through this favorite verse of Shelby’s grandmother:  “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19). Shelby gradually came to realize her “spacious place” might be much more than a physical place as she reflected on the words of AJ's grandmother . . . “God delights in you, darling girl. He will take away your heartache and bring you into a spacious place where all will be well.”

AJ’s cousins are real characters – and not in a good way throughout most of the story. I found myself asking if it was possible for Brett and Amy to change, only to realize that if not, then there’s not much hope for any of us. Brett still has a long way to go, but I loved how Johnnie brings in the theme of transformation and eagerly anticipate his story next in When Love Arrives.

Johnnie’s previous novel is a World War II story entitled Where Treasure Hides that I also enjoyed (click on title to see my review), although I am glad she has turned to contemporary with this series. When contemporary romance/women’s fiction is done well, it is one of my favorite genres, and Johnnie's writing sparkles. Where She Belongs is excellent in every way and goes on my “best of the best” list. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

Connect with Johnnie online . . .

johnnie-alexander.com │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Pinterest

Review + GIVEAWAY: Cold Shot

Cold Shot
By Dani Pettrey
Chesapeake Valor, #1
Bethany House, 2016


Summary

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper.

When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.


My thoughts

I love Dani Pettrey’s new series! I’m not a suspense fan by nature, but Dani is one of the few authors in this genre that I will read without hesitation, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a combination of strong setting, appealing characters with a close bond, and the way their faith is lived out. And while the bad guys are pretty evil, they’re not creepy. I also enjoy a police procedural type of story that reflects the logical, step-by-step investigative process, and Dani does that extremely well.

Cold Shot takes us far away geographically from her previous Alaskan Courage series, to the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, and introduces us to a new quartet of friends in various areas of law enforcement and who are as close as brothers . . . at least they were at one time, and therein lies their fascinating story.  If there’s one negative, it’s that a lot of characters are introduced in this first book, almost too many for me to keep up with. On the other hand, they will be familiar when I pick up the next book, so that’s good overall.

Dani’s writing style flows easily and she has a gift for making you see and feel the setting – as in the opening sentence describing the Gettysburg National Military Park:  “Fog wafted over the silent hilltop, dancing in eerie waves amidst the centuries-old tees, the weathered trunks the sole markers of the lost graves littering the grounds surrounding them." Griffin and Finley are appealing characters, and I especially enjoyed the sweetness of their relationship as it gradually built throughout the story. I’m always longing for more cover pictures of guys, so can I just say how great this one is?!

I loved that Griffin and Finley have a committed faith, reflected in one way by how they frequently turn to prayer. This was a reminder to me that prayer should be as natural as breathing. I also enjoyed Griffin’s spiritual journey as he learned to let go and forgive, a message we all need from time to time.

Cold Shot is a thoroughly enjoyable story and I eagerly await book #2. Highly recommended.

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Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the brand new romantic suspense Chesapeake Valor series, as well as the well-loved Alaskan Courage series which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson.

Connect with Dani . . .

Web Site │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Pinterest

Thank you to Amanda at pulsepointdesign.com and Bethany House for providing a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here. Are you new to Dani’s stories, or have you read her Alaskan Courage series?

I try to promote on social media, but the best way to keep up with my reviews and occasional giveaways is to subscribe by e-mail in the top right corner (no pressure intended).

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Sunday, March 13­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary. One entry per person, odds of winning are based on number of entries.

Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older

Review: Saints and Sailors

Saints and Sailors
By Pam Rhodes
The Dunbridge Chronicles, #4
Kregel/Lion Fiction, 2015


Summary

Fourth in the Dunbridge Chronicles series, Neil Fisher’s old and new congregations come together on a cruise round the British Isles.

Three groups of people come together for a more-or-less godly cruise around the British Isles to visit Lindisfarne, the Loch Ness Monster Museum, the isles of Iona and Mull, Dublin, and the Scilly Isles. There are familiar faces from St. Stephens, Dunbridge; some new folk from Neil's new parish in Derbyshire; and the slightly long-suffering crew, not least its skipper.

A cruise is a great place to make new friends, with leisure for decent conversations. It can also be an awkward, confined space with those you would really rather avoid. Some of the party face tough decisions--not least of which is whether to say “yes”--and some tensions just cannot be left on land.

This book is a delight, full of compassion, humor, and Pam Rhodes's astute observations.


My thoughts

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of British fiction with its small-town settings and quirky characters. Pam is an excellent writer and has created a series that I’ve come to enjoy overall.

The theme of Saints and Sailors is so much fun – church members from Neil’s current church and his previous one coming together for a Christian cruise around the British Isles, tracing the footsteps of ancient Celtic saints who represent the cradle of Christianity in England. It was wonderful to visit places like Lindisfarne, the Isle of Mull, and Honfleur, learning of their history through the characters’ experiences.

Through her entertaining ensemble cast, Pam tackles several real-life issues that readers can identify with – grief, loneliness, pride, dementia, teen pregnancy, second chances, and death. Some scenes were humorous, others touching – such as Ida, who suffered from dementia, responding to the singing of beloved hymns, and Arthur recalling his D-Day experiences to his family.

Having been a church musician for more years than I care to admit, I found the theme of hymnody especially enjoyable. I had to laugh at the scene where Carole, pushing for her own ideas of what the musical standard should be, told Clifford:  “At our services to date, your ill-prepared team have come up with far too many modern choruses which may be known today, but will certainly be forgotten tomorrow.” That controversy is still going on in churches around me!

However, there was one element involving the Christian faith that rubbed me the wrong way. While other issues that the characters were facing seemed to be dealt with in a straightforward biblical way, the advice to follow your heart was given by Clifford to a young musician dealing with same-sex attraction:  “This is your life, your time. The decisions you make must feel right for you.” I’m not trying to single out this controversial issue, because no matter what the fleshly desire is, those words kind of came from nowhere and seem at odds with a loving and holy God who says that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” So while there’s much that I liked about this story, I don’t believe it’s one that conservative readers would enjoy.

Please click on the title to see my review of the previous book, If You Follow Me

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Pam Rhodes for many years has presented the world's number one religious television program ,Songs of Praise on BBC. She writes for the UK national newspaper, the Daily Mail, and is also a successful novelist. She is author of The Dunbridge Chronicles, With Hearts and Hymns and Voices, and four other novels, as well as a number of non-fiction books.

Thank you to Kregel/Lion Fiction for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Dani Pettrey and COLD SHOT

I am in the middle of Dani Pettrey’s newest release, Cold Shot, and can’t wait to post my review (+ giveaway) on Friday. Meanwhile, I wanted to share a little about this new series with you. But first, click on this link so you won’t miss out on Dani’s fabulous Cold Shot Sweepstakes that ends on March 7!

Now, back to the topic at hand. Cold Shot takes us far away geographically from her previous Alaskan Courage series, to the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, and introduces us to a new quartet of friends who are as close as brothers . . . at least they were at one time. I really like these guys, as well as Finley. So here’s a little interesting info about these leading characters . . .

One of the things that makes Dani’s stories so rich is that location plays such a strong part. It was the Alaskan setting that first drew me to her writing, and I’ll frankly confess that I wasn’t at all sure about this Chesapeake Bay area. Well, my concerns were totally unfounded! Here’s a glimpse of a few places in Cold Shot from Dani’s Pinterest board, which I encourage you to visit.

And if you have time, click on this link - 100 Day Trips from Baltimore – and have fun exploring all that’s within a fairly short driving distance. (Just right click on the picture at the top to scroll through the pictures.) Find any places that interest you? I believe Cumberland in Allegany County would be one of my choices . . . or maybe Blackwater Falls in W. Va . . . or Amish country in Lancaster.

Last of all, Dani has given us two videos which you’ll enjoy viewing. And check back on Friday for my review and Cold Shot giveaway.

Tour Finley’s neighborhood with Dani . . .

Explore the Chesapeake Bay by air . . .