Let Them be Kids

let them be kids Author: Jessica Smartt

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: June 9, 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A very practical guide to helping raise strong, well-mannered kids which also focuses on letting kids be kids and how to foster that childlike nature and fun within all of us.

Jessica Smartt crafts a well-balanced guide on raising kids that have values, good manners and also know how to have fun. It’s one thing to raise kids that are nice but also foster creativity and fun. Being a former English teacher and homeschooling mom of three, Jessica Smartt has spent years with young kids discovering the trial and error of what works and what doesn’t when raising kids. We don’t want to be the Pintrest mom or the Facebook mom who all we see is little snippets of their greatest moments, we have to be ourselves and let our kids see us as our true selves so they can be comfortable in their own skin.

Let Them Be Kids is a perfect read for parents, new and experienced. We can all learn something from the pages of this book. Being part story and part guidebook, readers will find great resources to help them in the trying times of raising young ones. I loved the way she talks about helping instill creativity in young children and how it is okay for them to be bored and learn to entertain themselves. That is so key; it would be easy to hand over a screen for entertainment these days but if we think back to when we were kids, we didn’t have near the options our kids do today for entertainment. I have to tell my boys a lot that it’s not my job to entertain them all the time. Several of the chapters give great advice on ways to entertain kids and help them entertain themselves. Never once does Smartt make us feel as if we aren’t doing a good job as parents, instead she gives us tools to help instill confidence in us as parents and ways to enjoy this time with our children. We only have a short amount of time with our kids and it would be a shame to look back and regret these younger years having not spent enough time together and enjoying the little moments. This is a book for all parents and parents to be, so many good take-aways that I will be pondering for days to come to implement in my routine with my boys.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Crushing Depths

Crushing depths Author: Dani Pettrey

Series: Costal Guardians #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 30, 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The second book in the Coastal Guardians series will have readers so deeply invested in the characters it will be difficult to come up for air!

After a death on an oil rig off the coast of North Carolina, the Coast Guard is called in to investigate. Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent out to determine if it was foul play or just an accident. There are rumors the oil rig is haunted and a group of environmental activists are trying to do whatever they can to shut the rig down. When their helicopter crashes on the way to the rig and they run into trouble with every turn they take, the evidence points to foul play in the death of the oil rig worker. They have to tread lightly to determine who the killer is without putting themselves in the crosshairs. Before they can finish their investigation, a tropical storm heads their way trapping them on the oil rig with a killer.

After reading the Alaskan Courage series, I didn’t know if Dani Pettrey would be able to top it. However, the first book in this series started out great and now the second continues to make this series one of the best. I loved the dynamic between Rissi and Mason; the history they shared was very powerful and one of the aspects that kept me glued to their story as it unfolded. A few moments throughout the book left me underwhelmed, I could tell what was about to happen and it just didn’t feel right with the story. But most of the novel had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things would turn out. While this book focuses on Rissi and Mason, readers get a little more insight into characters from the first in the series and see a set up for the next. I’m guessing the Book three will center around Brooke and Noah, or at least that’s what I’m hoping! I would recommend readers read the first book in the series before starting this one, but if picked up it could be read as a stand-alone novel. Readers that enjoy romantic suspense novels will not want to miss this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinion expressed within are my own.

What Momma Left Behind

What momma left behind Author: Cindy K. Sproles

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 2, 2020

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

With plenty of tension, heart and trying moments, this is a book historical fiction readers will not want to miss!

Deep in the Appalachian Mountains in 1877 the “Fever,” influenza and typhoid, are ravaging the land leaving many orphaned children with no one to care for them. Worie Dressar is seventeen when she is left on her own after her mother’s death. She quickly finds out that her mother had been taking care of the orphaned children in the area and the more she takes in the more she finds. Her two brothers aren’t much help, one is a drunk and the other a greedy man who wants anything their mother left behind. As she grows, Worie realizes the power of love and forgiveness as she cares for her Momma’s children.

Let me start out by saying that historical fiction set in this particular time period is not my normal genre to read. I just haven’t been able to relate to it as well as other periods that hold my interest better. However, this was a good stor. At its heart is a story of forgiveness, love and how what we don’t know or understand, if given time, will all come to make sense. By the end of the story, a lot of what Worrie goes through comes to make sense. The way her mother went about leaving her doesn’t make sense; so many things she could have made known before and not made it so difficult for her children. Being set in the 1800s, seventeen is considered grown and old enough to have a family, yet Worie acts immature and like a little brat much of the time. The way she acts doesn’t suite her and what she is supposed to be portraying. I couldn’t find many redeeming qualities throughout the book. I’m sure that there are many readers who will enjoy this so much more than I did. I did enjoy a few of the characters, the pastor, Ely and Bess made the story so much better than if they had not been written in. I would recommend this to lovers of Historical fiction, especially those that enjoy reading about the Appalachian Mountain region.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Dream within a Dream

Dream within a dream Author: Mike Nappa & Melissa Kosci

Series: Coffey & Hill #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 2, 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The best of the Coffey and Hill series has arrived! Mike Nappa and Melissa Kosci deliver a stellar story, which readers will love to the very last page.

Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill have an interesting relationship, they are divorced but continue to work together running their private investigator business. Even though they work together, they don’t interact on a daily basis and it’s not unusual for them to go for a while without seeing each other. When the FBI shows up asking about Samuel, Trudy realizes he hasn’t been around in a few weeks and she hasn’t heard from him either. Normally that wouldn’t mean much, but in this case, Trudy knows that Samuel has gotten into something he can’t handle on his own. Samuel has been making some powerful enemies and working to protect a man named Dream from the Boston mob. Dream has the location of stolen artwork from a famous art heist and the mob will stop at nothing to get the information from him. Trudi and Samuel will have to work together and call on a few allies to help keep Dream safe and stop those out to get them.

The Coffey and Hill series just keeps getting better and better. I have loved each one I’ve read, and this newest edition is no different. The focus is more on Trudi than Samuel and I loved seeing her as the lead. Dream was a very interesting character and I loved the different ways he interacted with each member of the team. This story flows so smoothly and kept me guessing. I loved the ending! Each of the characters have their own unique quirks that readers will enjoy and be able to relate to in one way or another. As the third in the series, it continues the story with little tie-ins to the previous giving readers a continuation but not making it difficult for anyone who hasn’t read the previous two. Mike Nappa has a way of creating characters that are unique yet relatable and easy to follow. Even the dynamic of Trudi with Samuel’s son is so interesting and well-done that readers will fall in love with that side of her even more. I don’t know if this is the last in the series, but I sure hope not! The ending was left open for more to come but also closed loose ends if it is the last in the series. I recommend this book to those that love a great mystery and characters they can’t help but fall in love with.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Key to Everything

The Key to Everything Author: Valerie Fraser Luesse

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 2, 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

With fun characters and a theme of restoration, this coming of age tale is perfect to kick off the summer.

Fifteen-year-old, Peyton Cabot, isn’t sure what to make of the life before him: stuck in a wealthy family, feeling like he doesn’t belong, and in love with a beautiful red headed girl. After losing his father in a tragic accident, Peyton decides to follow in his father’s footprints and take a life changing bicycle trip down the coast of Florida to Key West. Using his father’s map, he seeks answers to unknown questions and a connection to his father. Along the way, he meets many people who invest in him and change him. Some even become family. Arriving in Key West and reuniting with his love, he finds many answers and finds the peace he’s been seeking.

Set after the end of World War II, you can see a difference in the way people live. I can’t imagine letting my fifteen-year-old son go on an adventure like Peyton did. His character reads much older than fifteen. The relationships portrayed between Peyton and Lisa is often unbelievable when you think about their ages. Realizing that times were different is imperative when reading this book.

I loved many of the characters Peyton met along the way. His adventures were interesting and fun to read.

Peyton’s journey is best summed up in his own words, “You can’t follow anyone else’s path, like I tried to do with Daddy- like Daddy thought he had to do with Grandaddy. Somewhere along the way, you gotta draw your own map.”

I give this book 4 stars. It is well written and creative. The characters are well written and easy to connect to. Overall, an excellent book.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Just the Truth

Just the truth Author: Gen LaGreca

Publisher: Winged Victory Press

Release Date: May 16, 2020

Rating: 3 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A good premise hitting a lot of hard topics that are very heavy in the world right now.

In the near future, the battle between journalism and the truth is at an all-time high. Laura Taninger has taken over running her family’s news empire after her grandfather, news mogul Julius Taninger, passes away. The rest of her family heads up the other branches of the Taninger empire. Laura’s prize is her show “Just The Truth,” where she tackles the hardest topics that sometimes get her in trouble. When she uncovers a plot to rig the voting for the next presidential election, she vows to do whatever it takes to bring the Truth to light. There are those in power that are willing to do anything to keep Laura from bringing the truth to light. Murder, kidnapping, threats to her family’s company and more threaten all that the Taninger family hold dear. Will the truth come out? Or will they be silenced for good?

Just the Truth has a really good premise but fell short for me. First of all, and this isn’t the authors fault, but the print is too small and bunched together making it hard to read. That is more of a publishing issue, but since this is a self-published book a different printing style would have helped the reader. Also, this book was very repetitive, first we are given a piece of information and then it is repeated more than once through the different media outlets in the story. Granted, this really does mimic todays media outlets!

I had trouble relating to the characters and several of them just didn’t act as I would have expected them to and their behavior seemed unrealistic. However, the story was interesting with bits here and there that pulled me in to keep the story flowing. I wasn’t always dying to know what would happen next, but there were some points of suspense. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy political thrillers.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Heart of Hero

Heart of a hero Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Global Search and Rescue #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 2, 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Susan May Warren delivers in a big way with the second in her Global Search and Rescue series. The Heart of a Hero is a fast, intense, adventurous read with all the feels.

After a crazy adventure on the snow-capped mountains of Alaska, Jake Silver is having trouble moving on from the feelings he has for Dr. Aria Sinclair. He and his team helped rescue her and her friends after their expedition went horrible wrong. Jake is trying to move on from Aria and his time as a Navy SEAL to start working as part of a rescue team. Aria heads down to Key West to speak at a medical conference when a hurricane hits, stranding her in Florida trying to help others. When Jake hears of the hurricane and Aria being in danger, he can’t help himself. He jumps on a plane and heads to once again rescue the woman he can’t get out of his head.

Susan May Warren has done it again! Just when I think she is at her peak for creating the most entertaining and adventurous story, she outdoes herself. The Heart of a Hero, the second edition to the Global Search and Rescue series, picks up where the first left off. This time readers get to dive deep into the lives of Jake and Aria. In the beginning, I was thinking this one wasn’t going to be as action packed as the first installment as it took a little longer for the action to start but once it did there was no stopping it. Even though it took a little bit to get going, the end had me glued to my seat, it was so well written with tension at all the right places.

Aria is a strong capable woman but does have a lot of issues to work through. She is a perfect character for readers to be able to relate to. Her drive to help others, even at the expense of her own happiness, is obvious. You can easily see that in her heart she wants to be with Jake but doesn’t feel she is worthy of anything good.

With most romantic suspense writers, there is a formula used and if you read a lot of romantic suspense it doesn’t take long to figure out that formula. Once you have figured that out the books become less enjoyable. Susan May Warren is one of the best Romantic Suspense authors I have read because just when I think she is starting to follow that formula she surprises me with the next story. She puts her characters in hard spots and makes them work to get out of them. It isn’t easy and usually very messy, but in the end, she uses their mess to portray a beautiful message to readers. If you have never read Susan May Warren and you love romantic suspense adventures, you are missing out. I would recommend reading the first in this series before diving into this one to get the back story of the characters and fully enjoy the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Driftwood Dreams

driftwood dreams Author: T.I. Lowe

Series: Carolina Coast #2

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: June 1, 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The second edition to the Carolina Coast series takes us right back to Sunset Cove and sets the romance up right from the start! Characters that are old friends are brought together again to see what might have been.

After her mother’s death, Josie Slater let her dreams slip away and set her sights in helping her dad run the Driftwood Diner. She has kept close with her two best friends, Opal and Sophia, and watched in envy as they followed their dreams. Josie always dreamed of being an artist but let that goal, along with all her others, go when her mother died. When a blast from her past comes back to town, she starts to wonder if any of her long-lost dreams might still be possible.

August Bradford comes back to Sunset Cove settle down and see if there is any hope of salvaging the one relationship that he regrets letting go. His time with Josie is one he can’t easily forget and now that he is back in town, he needs her help setting up a children’s art camp. It won’t be easy, but he hopes he can show her there is so much more to her life and her dreams are still within reach.

With summer fast approaching, Driftwood Dreams is the perfect story for a relaxing read for romance fans that will kick off right mood for the season! Josie is so stuck in her ways and the thought of not being there to help her father with the diner after the death of her mother isn’t even something she can consider. Her sense of duty to family is worth more to her than following her own dreams. A noble gesture to be sure but the lesson readers learn is that we can’t sacrifice our own happiness to keep others happy in the way we think will make them happy.

August knows that he is right for Josie. Trying to get her to see that and be okay with following her dreams is a task more complicated than he anticipated. Their back and forth dialogue brought so much tension to the story; knowing they were meant to be but having so much internal conflict keeping them apart kept me turning the pages quickly.

The setting of this book is one that will take readers away for a few precious hours and let them escape to a beautiful beach with great characters and a fun, enjoyable setting. Each book in this series brings about characters we can easily fall in love with, scenery you can’t help but want to run away to, and a story that readers can’t help but go back to again and again for the perfect escape. This was a quick fun read that many readers will devour over a weekend. I recommend reading the first in the series before this one to familiarize yourself with the characters that play a role in this one. Readers that enjoy a great romantic read will want to snatch this one up for their enjoyment.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Ali Cross

ali cross Author: James Patterson

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Publishing

Release Date: November 25, 2019

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun way for fans of the Alex Cross series to introduce their kids to the detective and his family, including his son Ali, who wants to be just like his dad and solve mysteries.

Ali cross has a lot to live up to as the son of famed detective and FBI agent Alex Cross. Ali has watched as his father worked to solve some of the most difficult crimes that left everyone else stumped. When Ali’s best friend, Gabe, goes missing, he decides to see if he has what it takes to be in the family business and find out what happened to his best friend. At the same time Gabe goes missing, a string of burglaries in the neighborhood start up including Ali’s house. Everyone warns Ali not to get involved but he can’t keep from following his instincts to find out how the events are connected and what it means for his friend. He is on his own investigating while his father is dealing with his own problems at work. Ali must decide if his detective work is worth it or if following his instincts will put his family in more danger.

If you have ever read have ever read any James Patterson book, you know the way his stories usually play out. Each contains scenes of action and adventure but yet the story is somewhat predictable. Taking his writing style and putting it towards a children’s mystery has worked out well in this case. For most of my experiences with James Patterson books, I have felt he writes down to readers, it doesn’t take a lot of thought to identify the villain is or what is happening. For that reason, I haven’t read much of his writing in a long time but thought this was worth giving a try. I bought this book for my son to read since I have read and enjoyed some of the earlier Alex Cross books. Like most books for young adult books he chooses, I read this one before him and enjoyed it.

Ali is the perfect spin off for Alex Cross to get kids interested in a fun, interesting new series. Readers will notice that Ali doesn’t act or talk like a normal kid, but then again, he doesn’t have normal parents which can be attributed to his being more mature in his actions and the way he speaks to others. He does still fly off the handle as a kid would sometimes do and his interest in video games keeps him grounded as a kid. To me this is written just the way it should be for its intended audience. Young readers will have no trouble flying through the story and have fun figuring out the mystery within. I recommend this book to young readers that are ready for something a little harder than the shorter chapter books but not something that will be too difficult and intimidating for them to finish and enjoy.

Chasing Helicity: Through the Storm

Author: Ginger Zee

Series: Chasing Helicity #3

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: April 21, 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Ginger Zee hits it out of the park with the third installment in her Chasing Helicity series! Young readers will once again fall in love with Helicity Dunlap and her adventurous spirit.

After finding shelter in a Lighthouse on the Bolivar Peninsula in Texas during a hurricane, Helicity Dunlap is found alive with a dog she somehow managed to rescue during the storm. When she is released from the hospital, she and her mom, along with her friend Sam, make the drive back to Michigan while her dad stays to help her brother, Andy, get the support he needs for addiction. Once again, Helicity finds herself in the spotlight after the dog she rescued is on the news with its owner thanking Helicity for saving him. A local reporter wants to interview her about all she has been through and survived and the owner of the rescued dog wants to thank Helicity by bringing her to Albuquerque for the international Hot Air Balloon Festival. While at the festival, Helicity once again finds herself at the mercy of mother nature.

With all of her knowledge of science and weather, Ginger Zee is able to craft a wonderful story that young readers will find both entertaining and enlightening. Helicity is a fun, spunky kid that has a knack for finding herself in precarious situations. Most of the time it is her curiosity that gets her into trouble, but it is also what saves her. There is a great relationship between Helicity, her family, and friends that we see grow and mature as these books have progressed. There is something about Helicity that makes her the perfect protagonist as she is smart, creative, emotional, devoted to those she cares about, and not afraid to go out on an adventure to learn. She shows that it is cool to be into science and things most young kids might not be into.

I loved reading this series with my young son. I read the book before him just so we can discuss it after he has read it. He enjoyed all the weather information and the way the story played out. This is the perfect middle grade book that will have readers invested in the characters and what they are going through but also leaves out all the inappropriate material that is thrown into so many books today. I am thankful there are fun, entertaining and informative books out there that I can get to enjoy with my son and not worry about inappropriate material. I recommend this book to young readers that are interested in STEM and want a great read that will take them on an adventure.