lindz's reviews
851 reviews

Home Run!My First Baseball Game by Tanner Ryan, Bowers Studio

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Are you looking for a good sports book for your newest little one? Well, HomeRun! My First Baseball Game is good to have along with the others in the small sports set. This one is a funny game of baseball for young children and toddlers.

This lovely board book will teach them about baseball and baseball term words. It is adorable and will be enjoyable for children.; It a game between Cows and Bears? Who will win in the ninth inning?

Want to take your youngest fans of baseball to a game? Well, this book can do that without leaving your home—what a time for me to be reading this book. However, the baseball season starts in April, which is Spring. This sports season is still going on, as I write. I thought this book was quite an adorable read. I love the back and forth of the story—it is like being at a real ball game.

Children will learn about baseball and enjoy the rhyming as your read. Parents can help young readers learn to read and learn about a sport. The book is a fast and quick read. Who will win the game of the year? Young fans will enjoy the story, and the pictures stand done well. Baseball is a good family event as well. If you are a baseball fan, you might have a little fan of your own and HomeRun! My First Baseball Game is terrific to have your child or children's bookshelf. They can learn a little about the game through this lovely book. 

Anyone can enjoy a book about baseball. It is a good summer sports event to go to and have family fun. You do not need to worry about your toddler holding and to play with this book. It is a board book and sturdy for them. 

The Amish Greenhouse Mysteries: 3 Amish Novels by Wanda E. Brunstetter

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious

4.5

This book is all three books in one. It will tell the stories of the King's family and Mystery of the Greenhouse in one book instead of three separate books.

The Crows Call is a good story. I enjoyed it. The storyline is about the Kings. Suppose you remember Michelle from the Prayer Jars series. Well, we meet up with Michelle and Ezekiel once again. You will be surprised when you do.

I am glad to see them once again. We get to know a bit more about their storyline. However, this takes place mainly around the King's greenhouse and the King's family. Something tragic happens, and those remaining have to deal with it. They seem to deal with it in different ways.

Though this seems to be mostly Amy King and Jared's story? How will Amy deal with the tragic events that hit her and her family? Wanda appears to show how everyone deals with grief in their way. However, we see each family member cope in different ways.

Henry seems to be the one that struggles the most. How will he deal with it? Everyone seems to tell him what to do. There seem to be a silver lining to his way. He seems to attach to a crow and when to train it. Will he be able to?

The Mockingbird's Song continues on the story of what happens with Sylvia and Amy and Henry and their mother. We start with them getting close to the time the tragedy happens. It seems like things focus on Sylvia and her grief.

We also met a new person named Denis Weaver. Could there be a connection between Dennis and Sylvia? Sylvia first meets Dennis while out with her brother Henry, birdwatching. This book takes time to get into the beginning. It starts slow, but it gets better once you are into the book.

We see Virginia and her husband's personality through these books. It's funny to see this along with how they see the Amish. Amish seem not bothered by their neighbors. We know how each member is still dealing with the loss of their family members.

Amy and Jerrod seem to be getting ready for their wedding. What happens when things start to pick up, and the vandalism begins again. Who is vandalizing the greenhouse? Why is it happening? Seem to be a mystery still. However, we may have some answers.

More twists and turns as you turn the pages. However, this book is rated 4.5 by me as it is still good. This one focuses on family and birdwatching and learning more about birds. Will Sylvia find her happiness with birdwatching or someone or both? How will Belinda cope with her grief and other things?

The Robin's Greeting is another beautiful story. It continues the King Family's story and how they get past the loss of their three loved ones. This book focuses on Belinda and her two suitors. But there seems to be more to the mystery of who is vandalizing the greenhouse.

There are quite some events that happen for Belinda's two grown daughters. Henry still seems to be grieving the loss of their father and older brother, and brother-in-law Toby. But will he find some happiness in this life?

Michelle and her husband seem to spend time with his family. Will Michelle find her mother? There seem to be complete surprises at every turn. Virginia seems pretty upset with her neighbors that live across the street. Will the Martin's ever warm up to the Kings or the Amish?

Virginia seems lonely and upset to be still living in the Amish country. Is there a reason for the Martins to have gotten the house next door and closed the greenhouse? Who could be the one that is vandalizing the greenhouse and making Henry go looking for the person responsible for all the attacks on the King's greenhouse? Oh, how this ends and surprises at the end.

Suppose you want to find out how Michelle becomes Belinda King's daughter-in-law. You should read "The Prayer Jars" series about how she became Amish. Its first book is called "The Hope Jar." I have reviewed each one of these books.

Wanda does it again with this book. This series is just as good as "The Prayer Jars." I enjoyed each of these books in this series, "Amish Greenhouse Mystery." Will they solve the mystery that is going on at their greenhouse? What up with Maude coming to the greenhouse and up to the King's place? I enjoyed the titles of each of these books as well. 

Shadow of Murder by Lauren Carr

emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Are you looking for some fun cold cases to solve? Maybe even a bit of mystery to solve with a twist. Lauren Carr's latest book "Shadow of Murder" does just that. We get a prologue full of mystery and murder. You will be wondering how a gunman kills an entire family. Is it real, or is it not. You will have to read or listen to find out for yourself.

This book had me going and wondering who would kill a whole family, including a law officer. There are a few main characters. We meet two of them right at the beginning of the story. Erica and Dusty.

I love the fact that mysteries are going on throughout the book. I enjoy that Erica and her friends seem to need to help the new local deputy chief. David gets some time with his wife and newborn. I recall David meeting a woman and a little boy I thought was introduced to him as his son?

Mac is pulled into a Chao once he returns from Europe with Archie. His son Tristain brings to life the disappearance of a missing person, a woman named Konnor Langston. Why did she disappear? It goes on from there. There are many mysteries and curses and stories of witches as the book goes on. I wonder who killed Erica's parents and why? Who taking advance of Larry? Why were Erica Hart's parents killed, and will Erica get justice for her childhood friend Konnor?

If you are looking for a good versus evil? This book has it. Once a dark shadow tries to harm Erica. Dusty seems to fall for a bird guiding him to help Erica. Will Erica and Dusty get together? There may be some romance for more than just two folks in the book. How will Dusty's father-law decide to find some love as well? There seems to be the talk of angels and demons? They're a bit supernatural in this book; that is a nice change to the story. 

Ava and Aaron's Easter Story in Rhyme by Roger Carlson

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

4.5

Another sweet easter story I found. This one is about Ava and Aaron Easter. The Easter story is something I haven't seen in a children's book yet. Children will learn some teachable moments and learn about teamwork. There is rhyming throughout the book, and this is book nine in the series. Suppose you remember Ava and Aaron's, Christmas Story. Well, this is the third book about them. Only this one is about their Easter.

Will Ava and Aaron learn to take turns and help find each other out to find all five Easter eggs for their team? Children will love reading and learning to read as well. Throughout the book, there is strong teamwork, with Aaron and Ava working to solve the clues.

There may be some fun and enjoyable idea for parents to come up with for the Easter hunt or another way to celebrate Easter with the children and learn about teamwork. What Easter ideas or fun things can your child or children come up to do with others and learn about teamwork?

Children can learn to read with this rhyming story. What adventure did Ava and Aaron go on? Will they win their contest? I hope they enjoy and see that having fun is better than winning. This book does focus on teamwork and solving the clues. Can your child or children solve the clue to find the hidden easter eggs?

Goodness Gracious Golly Gee: I Forgot My Christmas Tree! by Carol Burcham, Cori Burcham

hopeful informative inspiring relaxing medium-paced

5.0

 

Are you looking for a sweet rhyming story for your child or children? “Goodness Gracious Golly Gee: I Forgot My Christmas Tree” will be a good reminder. We do not always need presents and decorations to celebrate the holiday.

The way this book is done is quite cute. I enjoy the poem feel in this book; it is not complicated to read. The pictures did well. Children will enjoy this book and want you to read it repeatedly around the holiday season.

Their Goodness Gracious Golly Gee is hilarious and enjoyable throughout the book. Children will be laughing and enjoying saying these words Goodness Gracious Golly Gee, ever so often. Children can learn to read with this book with the help of a parent.

This book teaches us what is essential in life and that Santa will not be upset or mad because we do not have a tree or decorations or presidents. If you enjoy the love and kindness and are happy, Santa will be just as happy. The real meaning of Christmas lives shown through this whimsical story. 

A Wedding and a Killing by Lauren Carr

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

If you are looking for a book that will spice up the beginning of your book or story. Well, “A Wedding and a Killing” is a good one that does just that. Mac and his lady decide to get married in the Spencer Church.

It starts once Gnarly jumps out of the car, runs, and barks at the door, which everyone invited to the wedding for Mac and Archie. They realize that Gnarly will not stop barking to get their attention.

Gnarly seems to be trying to get their attention. When no one is paying attention, He will not leave that door. Once someone goes to the door and opens it, Gnarly finds a dead body. It gets chaotic and brings everyone from the church’s sanctuary as Mac and Archie seem in an argument over Gnarly being there. It seems to bring action when they find a murder occurred.

Who would kill a man with no enemies? Who volunteers for the church. When Gnarly finds a dead body, it brings Mac to team up with David and dives into the investigation. But how long will it take? How long will Mac have to wait to get married to Archie? We seem to get more murders and twists and turns. What happens when Ruth and her daughter get brought in. Will Ruth be framed for murder and her husband? Who killed Jason Fairbanks. We seem to have two cases that interlope, and Mac wants to help and defend Ruth.

Once you start reading Lauren Carr’s books, you will want more of them. You can read any of her books in any order and as a standalone. You will want to read more by finding one of her books or audiobooks. Great for any mystery fan, murder mystery, or even thriller fan. 

The Lady Who Cried Murder by Lauren Carr

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If you are looking for murder or mystery to enjoy, Lauren Carr will not disappoint. I read almost all of her books. Her books will have you lured in for more than you are expecting. Each book or audiobook can be read as a standalone though you can read them in series. This one is about a girl who wants to be a celebrity but will see get it all and easy money. Will she get it all, or will she pay the price?

There seem to be more secrets and murders than one person can handle. We meet a mother who thinks her daughter has stood abducted. The daughter shows up at a press conference and has set up her mother. Her mother is angry and does some things and changes her will. Whatever happens to her daughter Khole?

David does not want to stand up once more, so he does the interviewer something by checking it out. But do they listen to him when he wants to make sure it is not a setup to make it a circus of the Spenser police department?

Does David find Khole killed and cut up? Who had done it and why? What is Khole's big announcement about what she would tell the interview? We seem to be working with David and Mac and Cameron and Joshua. The team appears to be paired up and works out who the killer is? Guess who gets pulled into these are their girlfriends. You will not guess who is behind all the murders. This one ended up having me guessing until the end. I still did not know who it was up to until the end.

Shades of Murder by Lauren Carr

emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Are you a murder mystery fan? Do you enjoy mystery altogether? You may fall in love with Lauren Carr. Her books will get you hooked. You and start any of her series by reading any one of her books. But you can read her books from the beginning. You can read any of her books as stand-alone as well.

I got hooked on her book by reading a mystery book of hers. Now I have read quite a few of them. The book I just finished is “Shades of Murder” in the form of an audiobook, book three of her Mac Faraday series. I have read almost all of her books in all of her series. They do get interlocked. Some readers may introduce you to new characters and a new series of books.

We started with the prologue of the story and murder in the preamble. We stand introduced to David and his parents, who are on vacation when we open this book. David stands called out to a crime scene. We want to know who killed Ilysa Ramsey.

We get introduced to Mac and his german shepherd in chapter one. When he receives a mysterious package sent to him, Archy wants to know. It seems like it was a painting that had stood stolen. We are wondering whether she painted her death.

Then we are introduced to Joshua Thornton and Cameron Gates. They seem to be working on a murder mystery of their own that when cold. Who is this Jane Doe?; Who kills her? Who happens to be Neil Hackaway’s wife?

What will happen when Cameron Gates and Joshua Thornton find out that there is another Ilysa Ramsey murder in Deep Creek Lake? Who out to kill who. Why does the FBI get involved? There seem to be more murders cases and lots of questions.

These cases seem to collide, and what will ever happen. Will the group work together and figure out the killer? Is there more than one killer? There may be a plan for each of the suspects years later. You will have to read or listen to find out how it all fits together. 

Brothers and Sisters by Ariel Andrés Almada

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Are you looking for a warm-felt book for your child or children that shows the strong bond created between brothers and sisters? Well, this book “Brothers and Sisters” does just that. It shows it through the eyes of a little boy.

Your child can imagine themselves as the little boy with their siblings as Sisters having a bond with their brother and sister or just their sisters if that is what they have. Or just their brothers if that is all she has, or he has.

Parents will enjoy this book as it shows that siblings fight, but there is also that bond of love for every sibling as they get older. The picture is lovely. I enjoyed looking at the pictures and enjoying myself. I was able to see my cousins with their siblings being somewhat like this. I, at this point, did have some step-siblings and still cherish that.

This book is excellent for parents to have in the family home if they have quite a few children in their household. This book may help with what goes on with siblings, or you may have experience with siblings of your own. 

Coltons Time Machine Book 2: Lincoln, Edison and the Wright Brothers by Rebecca Massey

adventurous informative relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Are your children or child into dragons? Colton's Time Machine is a spin-off of Colton's Pocket Dragons. I have another decent book about Colton and his dragon friends to read and learn about history.

In this book, "Colton's Time Machine: Lincoln, Edison and Wright Brothers," we are taken back in time to see Lincoln and learn about his unique Gettysburg address. Colton and his dragon friends help write his speech. At the same time, Lincoln tells some stories to the dragons.

Each chapter talks about a different historical figure. Edison is next. This one is about his invention of the lightbulb and how we started electricity. It was not all that impressive about Edison, but that was probably me. I am not all that into learning about the lightbulb. You child or children might be. We understand the history of the lightbulb and many of Edison's inventions that we use today or throughout the years.

Last but not least is the Wright Brothers. This one is more fun and interesting than Colton, and his dragon friends do and enjoy. If you or your child is a fan of transportation or airplanes, they will love this part of the book. They are learning how we got started on planes and who invented them. This story is a bit more entertaining.

Children will love this book if they are into inventions or want to be an inventor. They will still learn about the stories that started it all for the things we have in today's world.