The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer

Here’s the book summary:

The battle is real.

As brothers, Xavier and Evan are used to battling each other. But now they’re discovering that there is a much bigger battle going on all around them. And it’s their turn to fight. Based on Ephesians 6:10–18, The Prince Warriors is the first book in Priscilla Shirer’s epic new series that brings to life the invisible struggle ensuing in the spiritual realm. Xavier, Evan, and their friends have typical lives until they enter a mysterious land called Ahoratos. There they meet their guide, Ruwach, who offers wisdom and direction as the kids’ initial adventure begins—an adventure filled with armor and danger and a very real enemy.

And now, my review:

The battle is real and this book is a great encouragement to read about it.  The book draws you into the characters and situations that they face and it keeps you reading as they face things that are sometimes scary and sometimes funny.  This book is very imaginative, creative, and inspiring.  If you are looking for a great chapter book read on the Spiritual war around us and the need for putting on the Armor of God, I recommend this one.  We are looking forward to reading more in this series.

We received a copy of this book in exchange for our honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Warriors-Priscilla-Shirer-ebook/dp/B01E4G238M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486783409&sr=1-1&keywords=the+prince+warrior

https://www.christianbook.com/the-prince-warriors-a-novel/9781433690198/pd/690198?event=ESRCG

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-prince-warriors-priscilla-shirer/1123129358?ean=9781433690198

The Pony Express Romance Collection by a Variety of Authors

Here’s the book summary:

Nine historical romances revive the brief era of the Pony Express.

Join the race from Missouri, across the plains and mountains to California and back again as brave Pony Express riders and their supporters along the route work to get mail across country in just ten days. It is an outstanding task in the years 1860 to 1861, and only a few are up to the job. Faced with challenges of terrain, weather, hostile natives, sickness, and more, can these adventurous pioneers hold fast, and can they also find lasting love in the midst of daily trials?

A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
An Express rider promises to help fulfill Abigail’s dream to return to her childhood home. Jacob doesn’t trust him, but what other option does she have?

An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
BethAnn along with her little sister are running from a mistake and find security at a Pony Express station and love in the quiet affection of a shy Pony Express rider.

The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
Gambling debts drive Caroline Adams’s estranged father away from the Chelan Swing Station before her arrival. Can his replacement conquer the temptations goading them both to prove himself worthy of Caroline’s love?

Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
Widow Sadie Mathewson wants to find love again. But when an injured pony express rider shows up at her station, love finds her in an unexpected way.

My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
Chip Nolan must dispatch the letters his brother can’t after being left for dead on the Pony Express trail. One letter stands out, addressed to “My Dear Adora”— stirring Chip’s heart before he even meets its recipient.

Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
Kimimela works at a Pony Express station where she struggles to cope with the death of her sister. When she’s kidnapped by gun smugglers, can her friend, Pony Express rider Gabe, rescue her in time?

Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
A mail order bride. A crippled stationmaster. No way out for either of them—except with each other. Can they surrender their hearts and find true love?

Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Unfulfilled goals haunt Fletcher and Mercy at a remote Nebraska outpost, but unexpected circumstances may offer a last-chance opportunity to pursue the dream of riding for the Pony Express.

Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Alannah Fagan escaped from a battle she wouldn’t survive. Stewart McCann left behind a battle he couldn’t face. Thrown together at Horseshoe Station, can they find something worth fighting for?

And now, my review:

This is an awesome historical fiction with loads of adventure about the Pony Express time in America.  Each story brings a great adventure and stands along really well.  They are perfect in length and all of them together make for a great book. I’m walking away with quite an appreciation of days long ago and brave riders.  I highly recommend this one!!

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Pony-Express-Romance-Collection-Inspiring/dp/1683221176/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486781635&sr=1-1&keywords=the+pony+express+romance+collection

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pony-express-romance-collection-barbara-tifft-blakey/1124440730?ean=9781683221173

https://www.christianbook.com/romance-collection-historic-delivers-inspiring-romances/barbara-blakey/9781683221173/pd/221177?event=ESRCG

Channing O'Banning and the Turquoise Trail by Angela Spady

Here’s the book summary:

High-Flying Adventure to the Wild West!
When fourth-grade artist Channing O’Banning unearths something very weird on the school playground, she’s sure it’s going to be the biggest thing ever to happen at Greenville Elementary. But things take a rocky turn, and Channing never wants to show her face at school again.

Thankfully, Channing finds lots of rocks to hide under when her family visits the American West. With her signature colored pencil stuck in her ponytail and Teeny, the coolest pig on the planet, by her side, Channing discovers that art comes in many different forms—and that God is the greatest artist of all.

And now, my review:

If you have read any of the Channing O’Banning books you’ll want to read this one too.  It has a lot of adventure and suspense.  It is a nice chapter book.  There are parts that have you laughing out loud. 

Overall we really liked the book, but there are a few parts to it that we talked about and I thought I would mention.  Those parts would include the use of crossing their fingers for luck and other luck comments.  Also, the lack of Scripture involved throughout the book although there seemed to be some great places to include some.  It gave us a great opportunity to talk through those.  Maybe in the future it will have more to it than a couple mentions of God making it a “Christian” book.

https://www.amazon.com/Channing-OBanning-Turquoise-Trail-Angela/dp/0718032365/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486779151&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=channing+obanning+and+the+turquois+trail

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/channing-obanning-and-the-turquoise-trail-thomas-nelson/1121749114?ean=9780718032364

https://www.christianbook.com/channing-obanning-and-the-turquoise-trail/angela-spady/9780718032364/pd/032364?product_redirect=1&Ntt=032364&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Channing OBanning and the Rainforest Rescue by Angela Spady

Here’s the book summary:

What Happens When Your Least Favorite Person Is Your Only Hope for Rescue?

When Channing O’Banning’s BFF goes gaga over new boy Marco, Channing wishes she could send him back to where he came from. Her wish turns into her worst nightmare when Marco tags along on her family’s dream trip to Marco’s home country of Costa Rica.

With her secret sketchbook in tow, a colored pencil stuck in her ponytail, and adorable pot-bellied pig, Teeny, by her side, Channing embarks on a high-flying adventure through the Costa Rican rainforest. But when the feisty fourth-grade artist makes a few wrong turns and gets lost in the jungle, she discovers that maybe Marco isn’t so bad after all.

Through her wild escapades, Channing learns just how important it is to keep the earth—and friendships—healthy.

And now, my review:

A story with adventure, funny parts that have you laughing out loud, very loveable, has some friendship quarrels, and learning that people are not as you often first think they are.  There was encouragement to extend grace, forgiveness and love.  This was a great read!  One of the BEST parts, they have an adorable pet PIG J

We received a copy of this book in exchange for our honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Channing-OBanning-Rainforest-Rescue-Angela/dp/0718032624/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486572666&sr=8-1&keywords=channing+o+banning

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/channing-obanning-and-the-rainforest-rescue-angela-spady/1114955514?ean=9780718032623

https://www.christianbook.com/channing-obanning-and-the-rainforest-rescue/angela-spady/9780718032623/pd/032623?product_redirect=1&Ntt=032623&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Here’s the Book Summary:

Join a class of unlikely Ohioans who take cooking lessons at Lyle and Heidi Troyer’s Amish farm. A woman engaged to marry, an expectant mother estranged from her family, a widowed mom seeking to simplify, a Vietnam vet who camps on the Troyer’s farm, and an Amish widower make up the mismatched lot of students. But Heidi’s cooking lessons soon turn to life lessons as they each share the challenges they are facing. Is this what God had in mind when Heidi got the idea for cooking classes?
 

And now, my review:
A favorite author of mine, this book did not disappoint.  This book has a bunch stories going on at the same time and yet they all seem to tie together really well.  I love how she does that.  There is mystery, serious topics and yet still very light hearted at times.  There is love, loss and love again.  If you love a great Christian read with an Amish spin I encourage you to check this one out for yourself.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Cooking-Class-Wanda-Brunstetter-ebook/dp/B01LXFPSKZ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486434311&sr=1-1&keywords=the+seekers+by+wanda+brunstetter

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-seekers-wanda-e-brunstetter/1125283499?ean=9781624167447

https://www.christianbook.com/the-seekers-1-wanda-brunstetter/9781624167447/pd/167440?event=ESRCG

The Clue in the Papyrus Scroll by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Here is the book summary:

In this all-new very special mini-series, the Aldens have been recruited by a secret society to return lost artifacts and treasures to their rightful locations―all around the world! The Aldens arrive in Egypt but the agent they’re supposed to meet has gone missing! With the help of a puzzle in a papyrus scroll, they figure out their next mission―to deliver a tiny ancient pharaoh statue to an archaelogist at the Pyramids! Along the way they outwit a thief who tries to steal all the treasures. Their next mission is to England, to return one of the “crown jewels of Stonehenge.” But someone is following them! Could it be someone from the powerful Argent family, ruthless antique collectors and bitter rivals of the Silvertons?

And now, my review:
This is a great Boxcar book!  We enjoyed the places that they visited in this one because it is places that we have been studying in school this year.  The adventures are exciting and the suspense is fun to read through.  The ending kind of leads you into another story, but that might be “normal” for this series.  Overall, a great school read for the whole family.


https://www.amazon.com/Papyrus-Scroll-Boxcar-Children-Adventure/dp/0807506982/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485997028&sr=1-1&keywords=A+clue+in+the+papyrus+scroll

If I had a Parenting Do Over by Jonathan McKee

Here is the Book Summary:

Ever wish parenting came with a do-over button? . . . You're not alone! In If I Had a Parenting Do-Over, author Jonathan McKee offers real, practical help to parents who would rather learn from someone else's firsthand experiences. . .in hopes of circumventing their own parenting flubs. Delivered with a refreshing blend of humor and vulnerability, the author's candid approach will grip you immediately; then real-world application will equip you with solid, helpful practices you can actually use in your own home. With chapters like "Let It Go," "Press Pause," and "Tip the Scales," McKee draws from his years of parenting his own kids and making tweaks in his parenting style along the way, while providing the honest answers you're seeking.

Now for my review:

What a great opportunity for us parents to learn from this author and all the feedback he has received about what they would change if they had to do it all over again, blessings and failures.  The author shares a lot of his experience from years of youth ministry and being a dad himself.  I loved that he shared personal experiences and he finishes the book really well (with Scripture).  Personally, I have found a couple of things I’m looking forward to applying and in God’s grace and timing with His power at work in us; there is encouragement to press on for the glory of God.  If you are completely discouraged or just looking for a great parenting book or somewhere in between this might just be the one.  There’s always hope in finding a take away to start applying today.

https://www.amazon.com/If-Had-Parenting-Do-Over-Changes-ebook/dp/B01LZPOFBX/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485996239&sr=1-1&keywords=if+i+had+a+parenting+do+over

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/if-i-had-a-parenting-do-over-jonathan-mckee/1124082552?ean=9781683220671#reviews-header

https://www.christianbook.com/parenting-over-vital-changes-make-ebook/jonathan-mckee/9781683221647/pd/88905EB?event=