Bethany House; 360 pages; $13.99; Amazon

After watching half of the one and only season on Camelot on DVD this week, it dawned on me that I had a religious fiction novel involving knights just sitting on my desk collecting dust.

What is the name of this novel?

It's called Courageous written by Dina L. Sleiman and published last summer by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group - AKA, a book I signed up to review but forgotten to read it!

The novel is actually book three of the Valiant Hearts series, and though I had never read the other books in the series, I went ahead and read the title this week.

Set in the year 1219 (around the time of the Holy Roman Empire), the novel centers on Rosalind of Ipsworth, a young woman who joins a group of defenders who are trying to free captives from a Tripoli prison. Still haunted by her past, she is devoted to the cause and will do anything to help others in need.

The last thing Rosalind was looking for was "love," but that is exactly what she finds when Sir Randel Penigree enters her life.

Rated PG; 92 minutes; $39.99; Amazon

Now available on Blu-ray (with Digital HD) and DVD  from Lionsgate Home Entertainment is the family-friendly comedy Middle School: The Worst Years Of My Life. Directed by Steve Carr, the film stars Griffin Gluck, Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Thomas Barbusca, Andy Daly, and Adam Pally.


Based on the popular children book series by James Patterson and Chris Tebbets, the film centers on Rafe Khatchadorian (played by Griffin Gluck), a teenager who keeps getting himself kicked out of schools. Rafe's mother (played by Lauren Graham) has had just about enough of his trouble-making ways, and she hopes that transferring him to Hills Village Middle School might change his attitude.


Within minutes of arriving at his new school, Rafe makes enemies with the school bully, "the Killer" (played by Jacob Hopkins) and Principle Dwight (played by Andy Daly). After the principle destroys his sketch book, Rafe vows to disobey every school rule.

Griffin Gluck ("Rafe") stars in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE.

With the help of his new friend Jeanne (played by Isabela Moner) and his invisible friend Leo (played by Thomas Barbusca), he comes up with the "Operation R.A.F.E" plan, which involves exposing Principle Dwight for what he really is - a liar.

Andrew Daly ("Principal Dwight") stars in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE.

Now available from Harper Voyager is the contemporary fantasy Nine of Stars: A Wildlands Novel by Laura Bickle.



The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her newest novel.


When did you become interested in storytelling?

I’ve always been scribbling, ever since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I didn’t believe, until a few years ago, that other people would want to read what I wrote. It’s incredibly exciting to hear from folks who’ve enjoyed the stories I tell.

What was your first book/story published?

The first book I wrote was an urban fantasy, EMBERS, through Pocket Books in 2010. It could be summed up as “Ghostbusters in Detroit with dragons and arson.” Since then, I’ve written in both contemporary fantasy and YA, but always about the monsters hiding under the stairs.

What inspired you to write Nine of Stars?

Several years ago, my husband and I took a trip to the Yellowstone area of Wyoming. The landscape was larger-than-life and perfectly magical…I knew I had to write a story in the vein of a contemporary weird western. Once I started asking the questions, the story came quickly: What if an alchemist founded a town here a century and a half ago? What happened to his failed experiments? What creatures might still lurk in the shadows?

The amount of careers that you can choose from is practically endless. There are many people who go to college and earn a degree to get into a specific profession that they end up disliking. Life is too short to get up every day and go to a job that you truly hate. You deserve better than that. This is why it is so imperative that you decide a career path for yourself that will enrich your life in every way. You should feel grateful that you are able to do your particular job. Therefore, you should make a list of the things that you are truly passionate about. This will allow you to make a list of ideal professions for you to choose from. Have you always had a passion for music? If this is the case, you might want to consider playing music professionally. Do not be scared if this career choice seems unusual. Taking a chance in life might be one of the best decisions you ever made. Being a musician is a great way to make a living and here are some reasons that support that statement.

• 1. You will enjoy it much more than a standard job.

Most people work 40 hours each week. They get up early and battle rush hour traffic five days every week. How many of these people are truly happy with their lives? There is no time clock to punch when you are a musician. You will not need to battle rush hour traffic ever again. You will not need to be at your office at a specific time. Being a musician means that you will be able to spend your life doing something that you truly love and makes you feel fulfilled. A job in an office will not do that for you.

• 2. You will no longer need to take orders from anyone.

Being your own boss is something that most people only dream about. However, musicians are in business for themselves. You will never again be screamed at by an irate boss for not writing a report on time. You will be completely in charge of your own destiny. However, it is always a good idea to have a heard working manager. Coran Capshaw, the manager for Dave Matthews Bands since they started performing in bars, helped the group grow into a huge success. Capshaw has gone on to help many other musicians, so ensuring you get a savvy manager who will work hard on your behalf is key.

• 3. Being in the music business will allow your creativity to flow.

Waterbrook; 200 pages; $14.99; Amazon

Yes, it's two days after Christmas and I'm just now writing a review for the Amish Christmas novella, The Angel of Forest Hill by author Cindy Woodsmall. I've actually have had my review copy for awhile, but I've been extra busy as of lately, so I just got around to reading it yesterday.

The novella centers on Rose Kurtz, a young Old Order Amish woman who leaves her home and travels to Forest Hill, West Virginia to help a widow father, Joel Dienner, raise his children. After a short time, she agrees to marry Joel, though neither one has any romantic feelings for each other.

Three years passes by, and the two are still struggling with heartaches - Joel is still mourning his wife. And Rose is still dealing with the hardships she had suffered during her childhood.

With Christmas right around the corner, Joel and Rose hope to battle through their troubles and find a way to start anew.