Customer Comments

I have been interested in President Andrew Jackson since my student teaching assignment in a fifth grade classroom. The students were learning about him and needed to write a poem, so I knew some tidbits, but this book took him into a new light. From school, I had developed a dislike for him. The fifth-grade textbook portrayed him as a man who drove the Native Americans off their land. This biography made him out to be much more than that. The biography reads easily, like a novel, and spans his birth through his death. I was disappointed in how few pictures were included, but otherwise discovered delight in the chapters. President Jackson became a breathing man for me, rather than a distant figure in history. Dr. Vickey shows both his good and bad sides, well-rounding him to the reader. I enjoyed the usage of quotes and descriptions, as well as citations, reminding me of how it is fact and not fiction. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about Andrew Jackson’s life, as well as to any history buff.

I received a copy of MOONBLOOD by Anne Elisabeth Strengl, from Bethany House. It is the third book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood. I read the second book, VEILED ROSE, a while ago and really enjoyed it. This one, not so much. My favorite character from the second book, Rose Red, returned, but I felt that this book was more about Prince Lionheart. He was also in the second book, and I hadn’t cared too much for him. This time, he downright annoyed me. Not only is he self-absorbed and weak, but I felt as if I should like him. He had no real endearing qualities until the end, but by then, my loathing was solid. I’m sure some people will like him, but I was completely turned off and dreading reading large sections about him ��" and kept catching myself before I would begin to skip. MOONBLOOD is a Christian fantasy, including witches and talking goats. I really love the fantasy world. Anna Elisabeth Stengl creates a vivid realm that kept me awake many a night dreaming about its places and people. The action never ceased. There is plenty of emotion and imagery. Overall, the book is complex, with plenty of twists and endearing moments. I’m curious to see where book four leads, and I will keep my eyes open for book one in this exciting series.

Brielle has always loved to dance, and happened to be discovered by a talent scout. Using a scholarship, she left her country town for a boarding school in the city ��" and found deep tragedy. I won’t ruin the surprise for you by telling you what the tragedy is, but I was disappointed in how long the secret was dragged out. It felt like a writer’s ploy to keep the reader reading, rather than important to the story. Knowing the tragedy right away might have enhanced my enjoyment of the overall book, but instead, I was a little irritated by how long it took before Brielle revealed it. Back to the story, Brielle returns home. Her father is her only living parent, and does his best to make her feel better. He felt a little too lenient for me. Maybe I just have overprotective parents, but it seemed like he gave her a little too much space, acting more like a neighbor than a dad. Brielle meets the new boy at school, Jake. He’s hot and warm, something she needs because she feels so cold. His guardian turns out to be an angel. He gives Jake his halo, which allows Jake to heal people. When Jake gives it to Brielle, she gets to See. I really enjoyed the angel aspects of the story. They reminded me of the television show, Supernatural. Then, there is a fallen angel, mysteries from her life in the city, and inner struggles. Overall, I enjoyed this young adult novel. Shannon Dittemore’s storytelling voice is hard to resist.

I received a copy of SWIPE by Evan Angler from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze. It is juvenile fiction ��" a mixture of middle grade and young adult. As I read, I couldn’t decide which age group it leaned toward, but I think thirteen and up would be best. Some of the topics, such as the oppressive government, might be too mature for children, even though nothing in it was really inappropriate. In SWIPE, whenever someone turns thirteen, the government gives him or her a Mark. This Mark, imprinted on their body, allows them to be “free.” For example, they can buy ice cream. Logan, however, is dreading his Mark ��" when his sister, Lily, was Marked, the government told his family she’d died. Now, he’s petrified of the dark and feels that something is watching him. Enter Erin, a Marked girl who recently moved to the city. Her dad works for the government. According to Erin, as soon as her dad solves his case, they can go home. The case leads her to Logan and the Markless, those who strive to live without the Mark. The story explores an interesting take on a futuristic world. Most of the country is hard to live in and the West Coast has been destroyed by an Earthquake. The world leans toward a Global Union. Although I don’t normally read dystopian novels, this kept my attention from the first chapter to the end. While I did enjoy SWIPE, a few points felt awkward. The prologue was confusing and didn’t really pique my interest. After reading the entire novel, the prologue made much more sense. Some sentences felt too 2012, such as “That’s neat.” I would have liked to see more futuristic terminology. Also, the kids in the story seemed too old for thirteen, or almost thirteen. I recommend SWIPE to dystopian fans, as well as youthful readers. It offers an interesting take on what the world might become.

I received a copy of THE MESSENGER by Siri Mitchell from Bethany House. I greatly enjoy Siri Mitchell’s novels, especially SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY and LOVE’S PURSUIT, so I was excited to read this one. THE MESSEGER is historical fiction set in one of my favorite time periods ��" the Revolutionary War. Hannah Sunderland is a teenage Quaker living in Philadelphia in 1778. Although the Quaker faith forbids her family from taking sides in the War for Independence, Hannah’s twin brother runs away to join the rebel army. Her brother is now jailed in Philadelphia, but her family and friends refuse to see him. She wishes for a way to visit him with goods. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Jones has also set his sights on the jail. Despite having lost his arm, Jeremiah owns a prestigious bar and works as a colonial spy. When he discovers Hannah wants to see her brother, he tricks a British solider into giving her a pass. Together, they smuggle notes and supplies into the jail to help the prisoners plan an escape ��" however, Hannah’s family wants her to have nothing to do with prickly Jeremiah. I loved becoming immersed in the setting. Siri Mitchell is excellent at writing descriptions and displaying her characters’ emotions. I would have liked to learn more about the Quaker faith, though. Overall, the book kept my interest from the first chapter to the last. I could help but cheer for Hannah and Jeremiah. Their love story is beautifully woven into the suspense.

The book itself is beautiful. The stylistic font and stunning cover encase an enticing story about a young witch. Shiloh, age sixteen, has a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor. Yes, a manor. It gets better. There’s a ghost at the manor, and a hot young man named Trent. The story sucks you in and doesn’t let you out until you turn the last page, hungering for the next book in the Spellbound series. I look forward to reading book two, and I recommend the series to anyone who likes witches, ghosts, and manors with secrets.

I greatly enjoyed reading THE WIND OF LIFE ��" THE FLYERS by Oliver Neubert. He was kind enough to send me a signed copy. That shows a lot about the author, when he cares not only about his book, but also about his fans. I started reading this today during lunch, and hated to go back to work. As soon as I got home, I had to see what happened next and finished the novel within a few hours. It is a fast-paced read, without dull moments. The development of the characters progresses throughout the story ��" it is fun growing with them. The story involves two races ��" those who fly and those who can’t. They cannot mix. I love how this reflects prejudices in today’s society. Timo, the main character, must help them unite. I don’t want to give too much away in this review, but the culture is richly detailed, really bringing the reader deep into the story. It’s a perfect tool for escapism. The best part is that this is only book one of THE WIND OF LIFE series. I recommend this not only to young adults (Timo is fourteen), but to anyone who loves a good fantasy story.

I received a copy of THE THREE TREES: A TRADITIONAL FOLKTALE by Elena Pasquali from Kregel Publications. Sophie Windham did the illustrations; they are colorful and intense, yet not too complex. As someone with a degree in elementary education, I was excited to read the blurb on the back: A tale of hope and faith for Christmas, Easter, and always. There are not many picture books for children about Easter, so this will make a lovely addition to my library. As I read, I imagined different lesson plans to apply to the book. For example, the events could be researched in the Bible, and students could plant their own trees. The story involves three trees. Two of the trees want more out of life, but the third is happy living on its hill. The first two trees are sad when they are not made into their dream jobs, but then realize they have greater purposes then they could have ever imagined. The first tree becomes the manger for baby Jesus, which ties in the Christmas aspect of the book. The second tree becomes a fishing boat that Jesus rides upon, and stills a storm. The third tree is also cut down. It becomes the cross Jesus is tied to, and after Jesus is seen alive again, the tree realizes it will “stand for ever, pointing to heaven. “ That ties in the Easter aspect. After reading the book, I also read it to my young cousins. They enjoyed it, but as they aren’t too familiar with the Bible yet, they had difficulty linking it to Christmas, Easter, and Jesus. The book might be for older children, who already have a strong foothold in religion. My cousins were also confused about a few of the pictures. One cousin thought the people looked Amish, and another asked if they were pioneers. Overall, they liked the book enough to want to hear it over again, and one said she would ask for it for Christmas. This books is ideal for children and adults, so it makes a perfect story to read aloud.

I love fantasy stories. This one is engaging and unique. I enjoyed reading it.

Interesting story. It moves fast without dull moments.

I received a copy of REFUGE ON CRESCENT HILL by Melanie Dobson from Kregel. This book is now one of my favorites, and I’ve recommended it to my friends who love history as much as I do. I’ve always been fascinated by old houses. This book really whets my appetite to discover more about those in my neighborhood, even if they don’t have as cool a past as the Bristow Mansion. It also inspired me to research my genealogy more. The book began a bit slowly. Camden Bristow is a freelance photographer, but she’s practically penniless, so she decides to visit her grandmother, who lives in Bristow Mansion atop Crescent Hill. When she gets to Ohio, she discovers her grandmother recently died and left her the house. Camden doesn’t want to part with it, but she doesn’t have enough money to support it. Plus, strange things have been happening since she moved in, and the town whispers of ghosts. Then, there is Alex Yates, who left behind a troubled past to help out the town. He wants to use Bristow Mansion as a means to bring the community wealth, but the citizens keep fighting his ideas. In the meantime, Edward and Jake Paxton, neighbors to the Bristows, believe there is treasure hidden in the house, so they keep sneaking around to search for it. States away, a young woman named Stephanie is researching her family and discovers that a slave fled her ancestral plantation with jewels, planning to send someone back for his wife and child…except, he disappeared while heading toward Crescent Hill. Stephanie sets out to uncover the truth. After a few chapters in, I really got caught up in the story and couldn’t stop reading. I finished within a day and craved more. There is a perfect mix of history, secrets, underground tunnels, mysterious mausoleums, romance, murder, and maps sewn into Civil War-era quilts. I would have liked to see more emotion from Camden. In a few places, her thoughts weren’t clear. She should’ve been terrified, but instead, she felt a bit two-dimensional. The other characters were well-rounded, though. I also would have liked more descriptions of the mansion. It sounded huge and glamorous, but also rundown. At times, I wasn’t sure how to picture it. Other than those points, the storyline was not only complex, but contained intriguing twists. Anyone who loves mysteries or history ��" or trying to guess the history of abandoned houses, like I do ��" will love this story. One of the best parts involved a link at the end that showed the house that inspired Melanie Dobson’s story. Although this is adult fiction/Christian/suspense, this would appeal to young adults, and would work great in a high school history class about the Underground Railroad.

I looked at this novel as an independent story, rather than a variation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (just because I love the original so much!). This is a very fun story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and by the end, I craved more.

I received a copy of TO HAVE AND TO HOLD by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller from Bethany House. It is part of the Bridal Veil Island series. The story takes place in 1886, so it instantly endeared itself to my heart ��" I love historical fiction. Then, the opening snared my attention and I could not stop reading until late in the night. The story begins with Audrey Cunningham and her father, new residents of Bridal Veil Island. This opening has all the makings of a thrilling read. They have sold their old home, so they cannot go back, expecting a fabulous new start. Instead, they are plagued by back taxes and are in jeopardy of losing their ancestral home. The family does not know the locals, so they are unsure of who to turn to for help. Their predicament reminded me of the tax struggles many families are suffering through now. This will help people, including myself, to connect with the story more. Aunt Thora, who lives with the Cunninghams, reminded me of my grandmother, through her forgetfulness and mannerisms, further connecting me to the tale. Bridal Veil Island is an excellent setting for a story. It is very detailed and picturesque, with wild turkeys strutting around and water on all sides. The characters mention Jekyl Island, and an author’s note explains it is a real place ��" now, I really want to visit there. The descriptions of the food, such as mixing cream into eggs for breakfast, made my mouth water. The story also deals with how Southerners felt toward Northerners during the latter half of the 1800’s. Aunt Thora, for example, hates Northerners, even though Audrey and her father hail from the North. This is an excellent book for fans of historical fiction.

This was a very fun book. I read it within two days. It was hard to put down.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. Afterwards, I loaned it to a coworker. She also loved it.

I had never heard of the Globe before. I found the story fascinating. Recently, I've gotten into nautical stories. This is a great addition to my collection.

Teens are always talking about these books, so I tried a few of the beginning ones. I like how you get to experience a new world while you read.

This is another interesting novel for younger teens. It has the right situations and dialogue to encourage youthful reading.

A friend told me about this book. I enjoyed reading it.

I love historical novels. This one was amazing. The characters and action are breath-taking. I shared this with my mother, and she loves it now as well.

This is a very touching book. I read it one evening, and had to share it with everyone I know. I'm sure it has managed to touch many lives.

I love fantasy novels. This one didn't fail to live up to my expectations at all.

I won't call it "another" vampire book, even though it is. This is much more than that, though. It made me crave the others in the series.

This is a very intense, emotional book - a great combination!

I love historical novels. This is another I couldn't put down.

I love stories that mix fantasy with history. The book did that, in an easy-to-read way. I greatly enjoyed this novel.

This is a very fun fantasy. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but enjoyed what I read.

A librarian recommended this book to me after I read a lot of fantasy young adult. I found the tales entertaining, and was glad all 3 were together in the volume.

An interesting and engaging tale. I had planned to only read a little, but I kept picking it back up to see what happened next, and ended up finishing it in a day.

This is another fun, flirty young adult novel. I read it in one evening and craved the next.

This is a great continuation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. It may not be Jane Austen in regards to the writing, but I found it interesting to read another person's interpretation of what happened next. The characters were fun and the adventures were exciting. It may not be the best PRIDE AND PREJUDICEA sequel that I've read, but as its own book, I found it enjoyable and spent a happy afternoon nestled in my comfy living room chair with rain drumming on the roof.

At first, I had mixed feelings about this retelling of Helen of Troy. Overall, the good outweighed the bad, but I'll start with the bad: the modern voice. It didn't flow well for me, but then I'm 23. I had a 14 year old read it, and she loved it. She said the modern voice really helped to keep her interest, since "classics" can be hard to understand. So, since this a young adult book, I think my issue doesn't really apply. Now, for the good. The history woven into the story is wonderful. Ancient Greece really comes alive. The women are very strong characters, which is great for a young adult book. Helen is also active, and it inspired the 14 year old I know to look into self-defense classes. So, I'm giving this a 5 because it is a young adult. As an adult book, I would've given it a 4.

I started reading this novel at 10 pm, expecting a fun young adult book before bed. Well, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to see what happened next, and ended up awake until 1 am, when I finally turned to the last page...and realized I have to grab Book 2 now. Even though it ends on a cliffhanger, it still leaves the reader satisfied.

I found this book to be a fast, fun read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories about the 3 Musketeers.

This is another book I found hard to put down. The characters really come alive off the pages.

This book took my breath away. I enjoyed the characters and setting. It is one of those books that is hard to put down.

I had never known about Amy Carmichael before, but found this biography riveting. It is written like a novel, so it is fast-paced. I read it within a few hours, and loved it. Your life is an inspiration.

A fast, fun read. The characters are realistic, even if some of them are very wealthy. The emotions are captured perfectly.

I had to read this book for an elementary education course and found it extremely touching. It is perfect for teachers.

Another fast, fun read. It's like a trip into a new world.

Very interesting. I have recently gotten into Victorian novels, since I worked at a Victorian Fair, and found this story a delightful taste of history.

Intense. The words have lingered with me long after shutting the book.

I really enjoyed this novel. I flew through it and craved more Judith Tarr.

I saw this book at the library. It looked interesting, so I thought I would give it a try. I'm a little older (I'm in college) than the targeted Middle-School age group, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, and finished it within 2 hours. It's the sort of book that makes reading fun.

A fast, enjoyable read, perfect for a rainy day. The characters are fun and the situations are amusing.

An amazing, historical account! I had never heard of Carrie before, but now I will never forget her.

As a school teacher, I kept finding different ways this book could help children learn. It introduces prejudice, but shows how strong families overcome it. It also introduces children to the world of painting, and adds in plenty of historical aspects.

This is a very well researched book. It is a trip back in time to explore more of the Bible.

I have always been interested in Asian culture. This book gave me a wonderful dose of that, and more. I read it quickly, as it is a real page turner.

I received a copy of THE QUOTABLE ROUGE: THE IDEALS OF SARAH PALIN IN HER OWN WORDS by Matt Lewis from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze. It is a book where Matt eloquently outlines statements and comments of Sarah Palin over the last several years. No matter if you like or dislike Sarah Palin, this is a must read book. If you are a fan of Sarah, it gives you the actual statements she has made. If you dislike her, the book gives you insight into how the media has gone out of their way to take statements she has made and altered them to make her controversial. The book transports you into Sarah’s world, helping to understand her feelings, thoughts and character by her statements and conversations. The book covers over 30 topics; from education, gun control, politicians, taxes and running for office. The book finishes with a number of comments form a wide range of people on what others are saying about Sarah. People that dismiss Sarah as not being intelligent or not capable of holding a high office forget that she was governor of the largest land mass state in the union. Her statement to the “Alaska Business Monthly” in December 4, 2008, “I want people to remember me as having always conducted the state’s business in an upright and honest manner. I want them to understand that I put Alaska first in every decision I made,” clearly sums up her character as being a politician that was hired to do the work of the people and not doing it for her own gain.

I received a copy of KILOTON THREAT by William G. Boykin and Tom Morrisey, from B&H Publishing. It is not quite the normal type of book I enjoy reading. The story involves nuclear weapons in the modern day Middle East. I do not usually enjoy modern war novels, but this sucked me into the story. The characters are not only realistic; they remind me of people I know in real life. The action scenes are intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. My favorite part of the book is that one of the authors, LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin, also known as “Jerry,” has first hand experience with the topics mentioned in the book. Knowing that brought the book to a new level. I was transported to a different world and able to live it myself, albeit vicariously through the characters. I learned a lot of new things, including that you can use rice to draw moisture out of electronics. One thing that bothered me was that in many places, the authors mentioned “chai tea.” “Chai” is another word for tea, so it made me feel as though I was reading: “tea tea.” It can probably we worded either way, though. Even if you are not a fan of war stories, the relevance of this book on today’s world will blow your mind away.

I received a copy of HOW HUGE THE NIGHT: A NOVEL by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn, from Kregel Publications. The front of the cover says, “A teenager’s choices in the shadow of WWII will change him forever…” Instantly, I knew this was a book I could sink my teeth into, because I have a special admiration for historical stories. I have read numerous accounts of WWII and the Holocaust, but this was the first that dealt with a strong, religious background. The main characters relied heavily on their faith of God to help through their trials. The characters act like believable teenagers, from how to interact with their friends and the need to do something more with their lives, so this book will appeal to today’s youth. The book also deals with major historical events and deadly choices, so it will also keep an adult’s attention. The authors, a mother-daughter team, kept an even balance between action, emotion, and description. I look forward to reading more of their work. The only thing I did not care for was their use of slang. When the characters said something, such as “screwed up,” it seemed too modern and pulled me out of the story. However, it should help today’s teens connect to the characters on an even playing field.

This is amazing. Historical figures, such as Lincoln and Chruchill, discuss how to save humanity. I love history, so I ate up every word they said. I will look for the other books in the series now.

Interesting. There is action and romance. I really enjoyed this book.

I love romance novels. This one didn't fail in my expectations. It moves along smoothly, with plenty of action and romance. I was smiling when I finished.

Amazing! I couldn't put this down once I began.

I read the first book and loved it, so I was eager for this one. It wasn't as good, but I still greatly enjoyed it. Lots of action and romance.

My mom loves Amish fiction and told me I would enjoy this story. I did. It's easy to read, a real page turner, and a great glimpse into the Amish lifestyle.

I had to read a "diary" for my children's literature class. I found this book on an online list and really enjoyed it. It's written to appeal to young adults, but even as an adult, I enjoyed it.

I loved the first book, A SEA SO FAR, and couldn't wait to read this one. It did not disappoint. An excellent historical fiction novel for young adults.

Quick and easy to read. It flows well. The storyline is interesting.

I love historical fiction, and this book has been added to my favorites list. Not only are the characters loveable, but the action is nonstop.

A truly unique book with a great voice. I had difficulty putting it down.

I couldn't stop reading once I started, and finished this book in a day, then craved the next. The characters are engaging, and the writing really makes you care about what happens to them. Make sure to start with book 1 in the series, so you don't become confused.

I got this book from the library because it sounded interesting, and I love GOSSIP GIRL and INSIDERS. This book didn't fail to hold my interest. I couldn't put it down and finished it within a day. I proceeded to purchase the rest of the series and am so glad I did. They are thought-provoking. The main characters may appear superficial, but they are actually complex and educated.

This is a powerful story. It really sucks you in and when you finally finish, you're breathless - in a good way.

My cousin gave me this book because she said I'm weird like the main character, Samantha. I enjoyed reading it. It's a fast paced, fun story. I was able to read it in one day and then went to buy the sequel.

Wonderful series. None of the books are disappointing and carry the action along well. This is a fast read. I read it in one day and craved more!

I loved book 1, but didn't care for this book as much. I read the other books in the series, though, and overall loved them. There is a great mix of fantasy and teen love.

As a teenager, I loved this series. I could read a book a day and crave the next one. As an adult, I still enjoy reading them. They're fast and fun. Make sure to start with book 1 if you're just getting into the series. I don't like the covers, though.

This is an exciting, fast read, and one of the best books in the series. You might want to start with book 1, though, as they follow an interesting storyline.

This is a fast, fun series. I read this book in a day. The characters are realistic and Jesse is loveable. Anyone who loves fantasy, teen love, or ghost stories will enjoy this series.

Meg Cabot really catches the voice of a teenage girl. Mia is endearing. She's the type of person you would like to know in real life - especially because she is a princess!

This is a great series for teens who love fantasy. I read this book first, then went back to read the others.

I wish someone would make a movie or sitcom about this series. The characters are great and the storylines are fantastic. Each time I read one of these books, I feel like I'm joining the boys on their adventures. It makes me wish they were really my friends.

After the reading the beginning books in this series, I couldn't wait to start this one. Now, I'm excited for the next. This series makes me a crave a trip to New York City!

I got the first book from the library and then bought the rest of the series. The stories are too addicting to put down. The boys are adorable, if a little unrealistic, but that's part of their charm. I would love to know them in person, and now just because they're hot and rich. *wink* They really have great personalities too, and the stories explore those aspects well.

Like all of the Insiders books, this one is hilarious and outrageous. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. Some of the events are outlandish, but that only adds to the fun. I've gotten my cousin hooked on the series, too.

An excellent retelling of the Robin Hood legend. This story is hard to put down once you start reading.

Utterly addicting! I couldn't put this book down until I had finished reading. The characters are loveable. The writing is fast and easy to read.

My friend told me to read this because I love historical romance novels. This does have history and romance, along with a great mystery, but the historical aspects aren't quite factual. The author took many liberties and changed a few things, but that added to the excitement.

Meg Cabot really seems to grasp how a teenage girl thinks. The story is entertaining and fast paced. I read it within a couple of hours.

This book was assigned for my ethnic fiction class. To be honest, I didn't care for it. The author jumps between past and present, so I had a hard time understanding what was going on when. The main character, Jasmine, also seemed too dramatic, and too many people loved her. Almost every man she met found her desireable. Then, we went over the story in class, and wow, I found new meaning to everything. The teacher discussed the symbolisim and culture, and it made so much more sense. I reread the book again, and discovered I'd judged it too harshly before. Before, after, or during the time when you read this novel, make sure to browse the Internet for essays. It'll bring you a new understanding.

I love paranormal romance. Even though some parts of this were cheesy, the overall voice and style were fun to read. I read the entire book within a few hours, and I will look for others in the series. The steamy romance mixed with unforgettable characters make this a fast story.

I had to read this for my Masters class in ethnic fiction. It is a great look at another culture.