Adventure in Odyssey fan club by Tiara

Dear Fellow Defenders of the Truth,

                Defending Truth, Justice, and lots more Truuuth!!!!!!!! Yes, that’s right, we are talking about Captain Absolutely. You may be wondering, who is Captain Absolutely. Captain Absolutely is, in my opinion, the greatest comic book character alive!

                Captain Absolutely was birthed into the comic book realm after being created by Wooton  Z. Bassett. Wooton is a beloved Adventures in Odyssey character who delivers mail and secretly writes comic books. Since Wooton is a fictional character, he isn’t where the credit should really be given. The comic book is written by Stephen O’Rear and Christopher Maselli, but based on a character created by Paul McCusker. It is illustrated by Dennis Edwards.

                It was published in 2017, so it is fairly new. I would recommend this book to anyone. Filled with scripture quotations and valuable lessons, it is a comic book you can trust. Enjoyable for all ages, I even see my mom laugh at some of the stuff. This book can transform the way you think about worldview.

                Focus on the Family has a beautiful way of giving fun-filled entertainment! Adventures in Odyssey is such a wonderful audio show. It has so many ways of giving you new insight and strengthening your faith! I love AIO!!!!!

Your Odyssey Pal,

Tiara R. 

Book Review: The Road to Magnolia Glen by Pam Hillman

This book by Pam Hillman is the second in the Natchez Trace Novel. Written about a time when people sold themselves as indenture's servants so that they might buy their freedom. This novel follows 3 Irish sisters as they face their fate of what they think is an arranged marriage to a stranger but what turns out to be simple slavery as workers in a brothel. Saved by a young man they bumped heads with on the ship the whole party converges on Breeze Hill, the topic of the first book in the series.
Through joy and sorrow, you see two families try to work out their stubbornness, differences and what they thought was their plan for their life as God directs them where he wants them. With twists and turns, this book is a rival to the first in the series as you see how the first couple now uses their strengths to help those around them even as they face demons of their past.
Book was given to me from Tyndale house publishing for my review.

Book Review: First Impressions by Debra White Smith

The Jane Austen Series First Impressions A contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice.
Smith did an outstanding job retelling the story of Pride and Prejudice without being cheesy as they act out the Jane Austen play performing the roles of the story they were retelling.
With more tingling-feelings she describes modern folks in the roles of Darcy and Elizabeth and the whole cast. Reading about them going about their jobs in our world is certainly light-giving to what it would actually be like to live the story in our world.
Woven wonderfully Smith did an excellent job and I'd love to see her take on a few of the other Austen Classics!
This book was provided for my review by Bethany Publishing 

Book review: Productivity by Mark Shead

This book on Productivity is wonderful for anyone in any walk of life. Small in size, this book is power packed with tons of gold nuggets to improve productivity. From home life to brain development to increased productivity in the workplace.
Feel like you are at the top of your game? This book will tell you how to get further. Feel like you are at the bottom? This book shares how to take the first steps to self-improvement.
The author uses personal experiences and life stories to explain things such as skills vs. tools, improving your focus, 7 ways to upgrade your brain & 10 paperless office myths.

Book Review A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette\

A historical romance novel, this book tells of the days of Cities of Refuge...something easy to skim over in the old testament. Painting a picture of how vital these cities could be and how even if innocence is proven these cities could become a sort of prison for those who found refuge in them, this book opens eyes to a culture set up by God Himself.

Moriyah is well into the marrying age and yet hides herself in her house due to the terrible scar that renders her face and her emotions raw any time it is exposed.

Discovering she we to wed the son of a seasoned warrior she determines to make the best of it due to her father's wishes. Discovering the man's son is one who can look beyond a scar gives her hope until she realizes she met the wrong son.

A poorly timed accident determines the end of her future husband's twin sons and seals her death if the man catches her. Traveling to a city of refuge is her only hope. A hope that holds almost as much danger as facing the man who wishes to slay her.

Book provided for my review.

Book Review: High Cotton by Debby Mayne

This was my first read of Debby Mayne and it was a wonderful experience. But then again any book with refreshing ice tea on the cover would have to be good right?

Mayne writes this book like a grandma bakes cookies. It flows so well you almost forget you are reading and you fill like you are actually in the town of Pinewood and practically a family member to the Bucklin Family. At first I wasn't sure Mayne, or any author could pull off the style of writing she chose. She wrote from 4 women's perspectives. Each chapter is the voice of one of the women whether it's them interacting with each other or interacting with their husbands etc. A sample follows:

IT'S AMAZING!!! You get to know the women almost like you've read their journal. Everyone is nervous about the upcoming reunion and no one is brave enough to not go. Each reveals their insecurities, as well as what they thing everyone else's insecurities might be, as they face the fact of what to wear, take, and cook for the reunion.
One lady thinks her husband has been ignoring her for years only to find out he is actually hard of hearing. Shay clings to her job even though it bores her, it has become part of her identity and something the family is proud of so she retains it. Sarah is an identical twin and finds her identity in that until her twin decides to do something drastic and ruin everything,, Puddin' is trying to find her life in between kids and doesn't know if she should feel guilty about that or not.
Each person has to face their fears and come head to head with issues they've buried. Some call for lifestyle changes and others for the desire to relax rather than live uptight.
Its a masterfully written book and one I'm honored to have on my shelf. I will be delighted to read more of Debby Mayne books!
(Book was donated to my by Litefuse for my opinion)

Book Review: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Classified as a historical fiction this book generously uses the term historical. Though the setting and the heritage is accurate there is much left to be desired in the realm of historical fiction. Marriage is set in a much more modern time, even to the point of the wedding that takes place.
That aside the book is an easy read that takes one's attention the moment you start the book. The climax is a page turner and actually peaks twice as the story unfolds.
A simple stable hand discovers his life is about to become what he dreamt as he finally has the rare chance to purchase a small farm and marry his true love. Nothing could be better in his mind until the woman who raised him takes ill and reveals to him and his master the truth about their relations. From stable boy to nobility Nolan suddenly doesn't know what he wants or doesn't want. Money holds no appeal but he feels the burden of making those who used to be his peer's life easier with the sudden power his title brings. Add to that a malicious father who is striving to get his own way and a woman who struggles if she should be loved or not and you have the perfect storm for this story.
Intriguing and with a few unanticipated twists and turns this plot will have you riveted to your seat.

Book Review: Growing Kids with Character by Hettie Brittz

This book was given to me by Litefuse for my honest review:
And let me stress the word HONEST from that statement. This book is a gem for someone who likes to garden and desires to have every aspect of child-rearing put in the form of gardening.
Check out the chapter titles:

 Though I agree with pretty much everything in this book it's not one that held my interest. Everything is put very, very basic with lots of bullet points:

Lots of them:

 And though the text is broken up it is almost in an attempt to make it more interesting. I personally didn't find it helped.

That said this may be a stellar book for some people and I may pass it around to some friends to see what they think. It has a simple style to it and basic information. She uses her own children and refers to them as specific garden imagery helping you to sort out your child's needs accordingly. This book claims to be able to:

• Cultivate your child's unique way of encountering, following, and worshipping God
• Disciple and discipline based on your child's very own blueprint
• recognize your child's strongest characteristics and apply that knowledge to everyday life.
• Speak your child's unique dialect to foster effective communication 
• Help your child recognize and celebrate God's individualized design for others.

This book is a sort of simple "manual" for child raising and comes in a good format for that.

Book Review: The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

She did it again folks!  If you have never read Francine Rivers you haven't read the most talented author on the planet. Stop whatever you are doing and fix your life! I'd recommend any of her books to any mature reader!
This one is no exception. She might be getting better with age! Rivers rivets the reader with this story of a graffiti junky who gets his highs from running from the cops...even though Roman's gallery artwork now makes more money than he could ever spend. His life is somehow empty and his attitude shows it to everyone around him.
He finally finds a secretary that he doesn't find the need to fire and almost scares her away with his gruff behavior. Grace lives up to her name and stays, and he curbs his behavior but as she shares her Jesus he is repulsed. How can anyone believe in something so outlandish!?
Flashes back to their individual past keeps the reader up to date with their tender sides and why something causes more of a reaction.
Grace takes a chance and shares with Roman about her life-changing experience & not a moment too soon. A heart attack hits at the worse time and Roman is plunged into the eternal afterlife. Terrified he attempts to break free on his own strength. Finding that failing him he uses the one name he has never used except as a curse word.
Follow this epic adventure in this page-turner and find out at the end the master artist Rivers Mets as she researches this book!
This book was donated to me by Tyndale House for my review.

Book review. A Song Unheard by Roseanne M. White

This book was amazing. Willa is a strong character who doesn’t understand or believe her gift in music. She gets a job to discover the secret of Lucas, a famous violinist who promptly falls on love with her & seeks to put his wild days in his past. History is lived through these pages as you witness Lucas’s family & friends attempting to not hate the Germans who destroy their home, spy’s who attempt the ruin everything, and each other when they find out their true reasons for meeting.
It’s a book that reveals the DEEP characters of the characters...and is so intriguing you hate to turn the last page.
Book provided by Bethany house for my review.

Book Review: The action story book Bible

This short action storybook is full of color as it describes in brief descriptions the stories of the Bible. I had heard a lot of this Bible and the storybook doesn't seem to measure up to the praise I heard for the larger version, the Bible. It seems more like a preschool version. Still good but I think the Bible would be more worth the purchase.

Complete with colored pictures and exciting stories, this hard copy of the storybook is easy to take with you or leave by a bed. With animation that is detailed but not distracting you feel like you are watching the stories unfold!

This book was submitted to me by Litfuse for my review.

Book Review: Judah's wife by Angela Hunt

This book is excellent! Tastefully written story about a time period full of Old Testament gore and bloodshed.

Leah (fictional name given to Judah's wife) grows up with an abuaive father and marries the handsome Judah right before his family moves away from Jerusalem.

As idol worship follows them even as they travel seekIng freedom, they choose to take a stand and welcome any who join their forces. They train their army of farmers and family men and begin wining battle after battle. As they make a name for themselves Leah's bitterness at having a warrior for a husband grows and their relationship dwindles. Discovering how to reconcile violence with the peaceful life she feels she wants, and realizing that Adoni has a call for her life fill Leah's days as she waits for her husband to come back from the battle fields. I love that in the back of the book she has a Q&A section that explains what parts are fiction and what parts are true to history.

Hunt really packed a lot of history into this book! And as she did she summarized so much of the battles that you are able to wrap you head around the enormousness of what was happening! The book is fast paced but takes a detailed reading.


I received this book free courtesy of Bethany House Publisher’s Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings

Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings

 

Holding the Fort was the first book I've read by Jennings. She is funny, witty, and creative in her writing. She used some historical facts to create her story and weaves in a creative tale of a preserved dance hall singer who tries to make it on talent alone. When singing alone isn't enough to hold her position she heads to a prairie fort where her brother is troublesome serving his country. She quickly gets mistaken for a requested governess and sees it as an opportunity for employment. When that employment turns into a marriage proposal she sees her deception as a bondage and seeks to find the right way out but dreads revealing the truth.

With humorous conversations and laughable encounters Lousia Bell steals your heart as you follow her on the prairie through powerful mishaps and revealing truths.

This book was provided for my review.

Book Review: Imperfect Justice by Cara Putman

Imperfect Justice was my first book to read by Cara Putman and I hope it will not be my last! She has you hanging on every word.  She takes a scenario that we all have heard on the news and puts heart behind it as you watch the lawyer walk through trying to solve the mystery of what appears to be an open and shut case.
Putman draws you in with her gifted ability to write and you will fly through this book as you are captivated page by page.
This book was received so I could write this review. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: Deadly Proof

My first read of Rachel Dylan. It is quite the entertaining book. Fast paced, sometimes you can get lost in the conversing. She doesn't waste time on overly describing details and I like that.
With a modest love story that doesn't become too much, you can tell this author submersed herself in the world of law to write this creative tale of a lawyer who fights for what is right even when her own life is at stake and she realizes those she thought were friends are actually against her.
This book is easy to pick up and not want to put down. It's a refreshing read for someone who needs something deeper than just an everyday, run of the mill book. Anyone with legal knowledge would be impressed at the depth of this book and anyone curious about legal info would learn from this book. It really takes you into the cutthroat world and I could totally see a movie made out of this. Curious about book 2!!!
This book was provided for my review.

Book Review: "I'd Like You More if You were More Like Me."

This book by John Ortberg has incredible wisdom. I wasn't sure what the title would hold but as I opened the first few pages I was impressed with his open honesty (even where it made him out to be the heel of the story!) and the lessons he learned from his mistakes.From talking about marriage to Jesus' relationship with his disciples he covers virtually every relationship one could be in and points out things that make the reader cringe because we've all kinda done it!
From the depth of opening yourself for marriage to having true friendships, Ortberg dives into it all. In the day of modern communication, this book of true relationships is much needed. And it isn't just another book telling us that texting isn't real communication. It is a book that describes the best and worse of relationships. It makes you long for something that, our day in age has forgotten about. He doesn't put down the way people do relationship, which makes it nice to read but creates a longing for true relationship.
He shares what shame is and how to get over it. He talks about ruptured relationships and how to lightheartedly repair them.
I think the main thing about this book that I can see is that the title seems almost cheaper than all the information inside!

This book was given to me for my review

Book Review: The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible

I actually asked my 10-year-old to review this book! His insight was better than a mom's perspective!
He was impressed that the book had a story he didn't know. (Jeremiah being thrown into a well for years) and he spent about 15 minutes just reading the stories. He said he liked it and would recommend it.
The pictures are not the blingy, or distracting. All the characters have their eyes closed like those on the front. There is about a paragraph on each page and occasionally the characters have speech bubbles in addition to the text.
Everything is simply put. And I like that it is a Bible not just for kids but for beginners...of any age. It gives a good foundation and understanding of the stories of the Bible. It doesn't quote the Word but summarizes it. It does include texts on some pages that show where the story is found in the Bible.
This book would be great for using it in Sunday school to having it on your coffee table to reading it with your kids. Very versatile. My one thought is it doesn't catch a child's eye. If there is a book about dinosaurs next to it they will probably be drawn it that. But the foundation truths in this book are sound.
This book was given to me for my review.

Book Review: A Forest, a Flood and an Unlikely Star by J.A. Myhre

A Forest, a Flood and an Unlikely Star by J.A. Myhre

This book is an easy read. Small and simple to understand it is illustrated by what looks like native charcoal paintings=). It's pretty intriguing to read about the African culture as well as the danger the young Kusiima faces as he tries to live up to his mother's standard of integrity after she has passed on.

The story is filled with adventure and twists. It ends slightly abruptly like it could be another few chapters to wrap up the end but still leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and closer.

This book was given to me for my review.

 http://litfusegroup.com/author/JAMyhre

Book Review: Good Night Tales: A Family Treasury of Read-Aloud Stories by C. S. Fritz

What a book! The pictures aren't just illustrations they are pure artwork! And the stories are C.S. Lewis-like versions of different Biblical morals. I'd say it is a win all around.
The stories are broken up into different chapters which would take from 3-10 min to read each one out loud. The pictures are a must for the stories because it adds so much!
The book even includes discussion prompts. I'm pretty sure there is no age limit on this book!!

Review: God's Crime Scene for Kids

This book intrigued my kids ages 7-13yrs. Every day we'd read another chapter and they'd get closer to solving the mystery! They looked forward to it and loved finding out more of the adventure. It is a bit of a slow read, for example, rather than solve the mystery of the shoe box, they spend time trying to figure out if the shoe box was placed in the attic or if it just appeared in the attic. This seemed silly until they applied the same idea to how the universe came into being.
I think this would be an awesome read for anyone interested in theories, in schools who don't teach creation or someone who likes to come to conclusions for themselves.
It is set for reading individually but can be read out loud.