Book Review: The Future Door by Jason Lethcoe

"The Future Door" by Jason Lethcoe is volume two of the "No Place Like Holmes" series.  If you couldn't tell from the series title, these are stories that reference Sherlock Holmes.  I say "reference" because Holmes isn't a main character in this book.  The main characters are twelve year-old Griffin Sharpe and his uncle Rupert Snodgrass.  They live at 221 A Baker Street.  Sound familiar?  It just so happens that Sherlock Holmes lives at 221 B Baker Street. 

Griffin is a precocious child.  He has a unnatural attention to detail.  This enables him to be able to solve mysteries.  Rupert fancies himself  a sleuth on par with Mr. Holmes.  In actuality, he is a master inventor but not that great on the details.  When the two, Griffin & Rupert, pair up they become an unstoppable duo.

When Sherlock Homes retires to the countryside, the Moriarty family is ready to cause trouble.  They manage to steal Rupert's time travel device and begin to change the world around them.  Griffin and Rupert must find the time machine and stop the Moriartys.  It's only through Griffin's quick thinking and Rupert's wonderful array of inventions that trouble can thwarted.

This is a cute, quick, fun youth mystery.  I'd say it is best for the 9-12 year-old range.  Anyone older would find it to easy to predict.  The characters, although fun, are not deeply developed.  This is fine for the younger audience but a bit boring for an older child.

In summary, this series would be great for the young detective in your house.  I just wouldn't bother stealing it from your kids to read, not that I've ever done that.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santos

Here is another book by my latest favorite author, Marisa de los Santos.  "Belong To Me" continues our look into the life of Corneliea Brown, while introducing us to some wonderful new characters.  This story stands alone from "Love Walked In" but I feel that by reading "Love Walked In" first greatly increases the enjoyment of the novel.

Ms. De los Santos gives us a wonderful look at the relationships between women. I think that the main theme of the book is showing us the difference in superficial connections to others and real emotional connections.  Through her characters she allows us to see how being true to yourself will enrich your life.

I really liked the character, Piper.  She is, in my mind, a queen-bee, Stepford wife, head cheerleader type person at the beginning of the book.  She is just an awful person.  The kind you love to hate because she is so hateful.  As Piper deals with her best friends terminal cancer battle, we watch her change into a "real" person.  To see her realise her mistakes and learn to be genuine, you just fall in love with her.  It makes you feel like you can change those thing you don't like about yourself, if she can overcome being a total jerk. LOL!

There are a couple of other main characters that I won't go into here.  I'll just leave it at they are just as full and well developed as Cornelia and Piper.  You will really enjoy getting to know them.

I would definitely recommend reading this one!

Book Review: The Scroll by Grant R. Jeffrey & Alton L. Gansky

This is one fun archaeological thriller.  Oh yeah, it's a Christian Fiction book, too.  Don't you just love it when you read a Christian Fiction book and it doesn't scream "CHRISTIAN" the whole time you are reading it?  I hope I'm not the only one that feels that way.  Sometimes I just find that they try to hard to be "good" in the writing of the story.  I figure if it's a good enough story they don't have to hit me over the head with the message of Christianity.  This book seems to have found that line.

This is the story of Dr. David Chambers, a leading biblical archaeologist.  He has spent his career finding archaeological proof of things depicted in the Bible.  At the start of the story he has fallen away from his faith in God.  He wants to leave the world of the Bible and explore different cultures.  This is much to the dismay of his professional colleagues.

David is talked back into "one last dig" in the Middle East by an old friend and mentor.  He tempts him by implying they have and idea of where to find the riches mentioned in the Copper Scroll.  If they do find these riches, then history will be altered forever.  Will this change be good or bad?  It all depends on ones beliefs.

When sabotage at the site begins at the sites, the actions really gets going.  This book contains all the key elements needed for an action packed thriller.  It has love, murder, secrets, history, & betrayal.  Who could ask for more?

I don't want to give away much of the story.  It's just to much fun to "watch" it unfold while you read it.  If you like historical fiction and mystery's, this book is a great choice.  I loved the settings, the characters, and the plot.  This is one to read!

Please Rank My Review!!  Thanks!


I was given this book by WaterBrook-Multnomah Publishing for review.  The opinions expressed are my own

Book Review: Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You've Only Heard About by Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson

What to say about "Rumors of God?"  For some reason this book just didn't capture my attention the way that others of the same genre have in the past.  I'm not sure if it was me or the book to be honest about it.  Maybe it is because I have read so many other books of this type.  It just seemed to be saying the same thing.  I didn't find any "new" nugget of insight contained within the pages.

Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Tyson each take turns writing chapters in the book.  They were faithful to let the reader know which of the two was writing at any given time.  I'm not sure that it really mattered though in the overall scheme of the book.  Each told stories, from their church family experiences, on how God wants to and is willing to work in our lives if we give him the chance.  They tackle the ideals of Abundant Life, Generosity, Grace, and Freedom just to name a few.

I know that my review seems very negative and I wish is didn't seem that way.  This book contains very good information and teaches some wonderful Christian practices.  If you are looking for a book to renew your drive to know God, this book will fit your need.  On the other hand, if you have already read several books on that topic, this one will say much the same thing.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”