Valley of Dreams
BY: Lauraine Snelling
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0415-9
Pages: 352
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Valley of Dreams, the first novel in the Wild West Wind series, has been sitting on my desk for several weeks now. After reading a few negative reviews about the book, I hesitated about reading this historical fiction. I was intrigued by the first chapter, as you are introduced to the main heroine, Cassie Lockwood, - a young sharpshooter for the Lockwood and Talbot Wild West Show. Uncle Jason (her dad’s business partner) has been running the show every since her dad’s death. Unfortunately, times are tough and the show is going go close, as the bank investors are coming to repossess everything. Uncle Jason gives her what little money he has, a wagon, horse, and supplies.

Cassie’s father had dreamed of living in the Black Hills of South Dakota and now that is Cassie’s dream too. With Chief, a Sioux Indian from the Wild West Show, and Micah, the head wrangler, she sets off to find the valley. Of course, things are so easy, as there are many dangerous situations ahead.

The author, Lauraine Snelling has done a remarkable job creating beautiful descriptions throughout the novel. The characters are well written and so is the plot. Valley of Dreams is my first read from the author and it won’t be the last. I recommend the book to everyone.

*I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me a copy to review!

Smarty Pig
BY: Molly Nero
PUBLISHED BY: Halo
PUBLISHED IN: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61244-048-4
Pages: 30
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

"Smarty Pig" is a delightful tale about a house full of little piggies. After school, they like to play cards, watch TV and play tag instead of doing their homework. Only one red-haired piggy does her homework and study for her tests. The other piggies call her “Teacher’s Pet”, but she surprises all of them when she is only one who gets good grades on report card day. The other piggies are upset and they all want to know how to get good grades. The red-haired piggy eagerly agrees to teach them math and science.

I enjoyed reading “Smarty Pig”, and I loved the beautiful illustrations throughout the picture book. Young readers can easily relate to story, as I am sure all them would rather be playing than studying or doing their homework. I liked how the little red-haired piggy in the story used simple household items, like play-money and cookies to help the piggies learn math and science. “Smarty Pig” is a cute read for young readers.

About the Author:




Molly Nero grew up in Texas loving to sing, dance, and read. She spent over 18 years teaching elementary school.  Reading to her own children, she was inspired to write. Molly Nero recently moved to Pennsylvania where she resides with her family, 2 dogs, and a leopard spotted Gecko and enjoys writing, cooking, and making snowmen.


www.smartypigbooks.com

In this sequel to The Swiss Courier, OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler are back and this time the are trying to rescue Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa before it falls into the clutches of the Germans. Set during World War II, the agents have their hands full as travel from Paris to a Swiss chateau, in a race to save the painting.

Question of the Week: Many readers/bloggers are also big music fans. Tell us about a few of your favorite bands/singers that we should listen to in 2012.

PUBLISHED BY: Revell


Pages: 320
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



 Julia has other things on her mind, like marrying Paul Fisher. She has dreamed of being his wife since she was a child, but her wedding plans are constantly being delayed by Paul’s overprotected mother, Edith, who will do anything to stop the wedding.

Running a farm can be difficult, so the Lapp family has their Uncle Hank to help them with the farm. Fern Graber arrives at the farm as a caregiver for Amos. Soon enough the Bee Man arrives. The Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities with his hives of bees and then rents them out to farmers.

Will Julia marry Paul?

Will Amos changes his ways and have a heart transplant?

“The Keeper” is slightly different than the typical Amish fiction, adding witty characters and realism that any reader can connect with. Life is full of twists and turns that challenges your faith as the main character Julia findsout. There is heartache, laughter and wonderful storytelling to be found in “The Keeper”. I recommend the book to all readers.

Night of the Living Dead Christian
BY: Matt Mikalatos
PUBLISHED BY: Tyndale
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3880-4
Pages: 272

In this intriguing follow-up to Imaginary Jesus, author Matt Mikalatos once again uses himself as narrator in his own fictional story. While patrolling the streets for the Neighborhood Watch Program, Matt sees the oddest scene - a man wearing a pair of goggles and a long white lab coat, like something Dr. Frankenstein would wear, standing on the corner of 108th street, and clutching onto a mysterious box that is connected to a nearby streetlight by electrical wires. Being the Chief Officer for the Neighborhood Watch, Matt investigates the situation. The strange man is a mad scientist by the name Dr. Daniel Culbetron, and along with is sidekick android Hibbs 300,  they are attempting to send a signal out that only werewolves can hear. Yes, I said werewolves!

Being the nice person that he is, Matt agrees to help the mad doctor search for the werewolf. Matt suspects that his neighbor Luther is actually a werewolf, in which this is where the main plot of the novel begins. Luther is man who has a dark side, and when that side of him comes out, he becomes a beast. A werewolf hunter is on his trail, and only Matt, Dr. Daniel Culbetron, Hibbs, a vampire and few other friends can help Luther, if they can avoid mindless zombies.

I eagerly waited for my copy of the Night of the Living Dead Christian, as I enjoyed the previous book, Imaginary Jesus. I am a horror movie fan, so, naturally, I got a kick out the title. The author, Matt Miklaatos, clearly loves old horror/monster movies as he as added zombies, vampires, werewolves, a robot, and a mad scientist to story. Even though Matt has once again added himself as a character, he is not the main character, as Luther, the werewolf, is the central character and the main focus of the book. Just like his previous novel, Matt uses satire through most of the story. Despite having creatures of the night in Night of the Living Dead Christian, just as the title suggests, this is a Christian novel with a spiritual transformation theme. I enjoyed reading every single page of and I look forward to reading Matt’s next book.

About the author: 

Matt Mikalatos is the author of Imaginary Jesus. He works with a Christian nonprofit equipping college students for overseas missions. He started watching the Saturday morning Monster Matinee with his father at the age of two and as a result has a natural fear of giant irradiated insects, blood sucking rocks, and carnivorous dinosaurs. He lives near Portland, Oregon, with his wife and three daughters. Visit Matt online at www.mattmikalatos.com. Visit Tyndale House Publishers at www.tyndale.com.

An Amish Wedding
BY: Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, & Kelly Long
PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-921-1
Pages: 384

An Amish Wedding contains three stories that entwine together as three best friends plan their weddings. In “A Perfect Plan” by Beth Wiseman Priscilla excitedly awaits her wedding to Chester Lapp, but as her wedding day gets closer and closer, odd mishaps occur, challenging the couple.

“The Perfect Match” by Kathleen Fuller revolves around Naomi King, who played matchmaker for her sister, Naomi, and a few other family members and friends. She anxiously awaits her sister’s wedding, but wonders why she can’t find a husband for herself, that is until Chester’s cousin arrives for the wedding.