24 - What Can Happen In A Day by Michael Ford Jr.

Summary

24—What Can Happen In A Day... Most people know that firefighting is an incredibly dangerous profession. The popular perception of firefighters is that they are fearless heroes who put their lives on the line to rescue people from burning buildings. That perception is mostly true. But there is so much more about firefighters and their community labor that is rarely revealed. 24—What Can Happen in a Day is a brilliant, intimate look into the daily lives of firefighters, from the experiences of Michael Ford Jr., who rose through the ranks from raw recruit to assistant fire chief. You will ride along with Chief Ford as he unveils the most interesting, disturbing, and adventurous firefighter escapades. You’ll laugh and wince in sympathy as Ford offers you a behind the scenes view into a world of secrets, failures, misfortune, exhilaration and triumph. You will cheer as you are encouraged to transcend perceived limitations to advance in life. And more than anything, you’ll be enthralled as you experience the inspiring, tragic, shocking, best and worst of humanity come to life, compelling you to treasure your family and friends with a more significant expression.Hilarious, profound, and deeply moving… this is a thrill ride you’ll never forget.


My Thoughts

What can I possibly say about this book!  It was wonderful and truly eye opening.  You never really realize what happens in the life of a firefighter.

I actually have a friend who is a firefighter but we have never really talked about what happens in his daily life.  This has inspired me to sit down and talk to him about it.

I'm so appreciative that this book was sent my way.  It is definitely worth the read.  Pick up a copy and see for yourself!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Heaven Shining Through by Joe Siccardi

Summary

Throughout her life, she had a rocky relationship with her mother – and now her mother is all she has left.


Through a nostalgic look back, Samantha recognizes the presence of God in an ordinary life. She learns more about herself as a wife and mother who has had her share of sorrow and blessings.


As her faith increases, she is able to see her mother through new eyes, leading to reconciliation …and is reminded of that every time she sees Heaven Shining Through.


My Thoughts

This book sounds great!  It has wonderful potential to be a really good book.  And yes, it was good.  However, it wasn't quite as good as I had hoped.  It wasn't horrible, it just wasn't great.

I'm not sure if it was lacking simply because the book was so short or if it wouldn't have been great no matter how long it was.  There didn't seem to be room for details, story building.  I think I missed some of that.

All in all, it wasn't a terrible book.  It just needed something more.  That's just my opinion though.  Pick up a copy and see for yourself!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Deceptive Bargain by Laura Beers

Summary

Hiding from the horrors of her past, Miss Martha Haskett is content living her days serving as a lady's maid to her friend Eliza, the Marchioness of Lansdowne. But then her father, the new Earl of Waterford, shows up, with the shocking news that she is now a titled lady. Further turning her life upside down, he proposes a bargain. She will have a single Season in London, and if she does not marry by the end of the Season, she will be gifted with her dowry and a small estate. Despite her mistrust of her father, Martha accepts his offer, but can’t seem to let go of the anger that has been festering inside of her, or her discomfort with a position in Society where she feels she does not belong.

Dr. Emmett Maddix is tired of the frivolity of the ton and spends his time atoning for his past sins by providing medical care to the poor. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is recruited to be an agent of the Crown. He is assigned to run a charity hospital as a front to collect information about a vicious band of smugglers known as The Cursed Lot, who have managed to overtake the entire town of Gravesend with a reign of murder and oppression.

As Emmett delves further into The Cursed Lot’s domain, he quickly discovers that not everything is what it seems, and it will take far more than one new agent to take down this ruthless gang. While the tangled web of intrigue begins to unravel, Martha and Emmett battle an undeniable but unspoken attraction that grows between them. But before either can be ready to share their hearts, they must overcome their past mistakes, and find their own reasons to keep fighting. With more than just their hearts at stake, surviving the mission will be more difficult than either of them could ever imagine.

My Thoughts

This is the 5th book that I have read by Laura Beers.  I have said it and said it but I'll say it again... I LOVE HER BOOKS!!! It's actually crazy because Historical fiction never really was a favorite of mine.  There were a few books that I liked but none like this series!

When I was contacted about reading and reviewing this book I literally squealed! Hahaha!  I seriously love her books!  So, I knew that A Deceptive Bargain would be wonderful too!

Emmett and Martha are adorable.  Their story is a great one and I'm so happy that I had a chance to read it!  I am such a fan!

Thanks again, Laura Beers, for writing and introducing these books to me!  They are wonderful!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Legend of Sassafras House by Anita Stafford

Summary

Twelve-year-old Kale Flores knows life is not fair. He needs a friend, but more than that, he needs money. When he learns there could be a fortune hidden in the Sassafras house, he thinks his luck may have changed. Never mind the house is supposed to be haunted. When Jasmine Palmer revealed the legend of Sassafras house to Kale, she never thought it could lead to so much trouble. She says it's a place someone could go into and never come out. Is she right? The only thing Kale is sure of is that his problems will be solved if he finds the money. He doesn't know the deserted house holds secrets from the past, secrets that are waiting to tangle him in a dangerous web.


My Thoughts

When I picked this book up I somehow forgot that it was a children's/middle grade book.  I thought it was something different (I guess that's what happens when you read a million books a month).  Anyways, it took me a few minutes to realize that it was, well, what it is.

After the initial confusion was cleared up, I started having more fun reading this.  It's a very cute, fun little read.  Young readers will definitely find this to be an entertaining book.  I know I did!  While it could be a bit predictable at times, for me anyways, it probably won't be that way for younger readers.  Get a copy for yourself or a young reader in your life!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

365 Days of Happiness by Jacqueline Pirtle

Summary

Tamar and PJ: One Great Adventure by Mark F. Geatches

Summary

PJ’s weekend began like any other, but his sense of tranquility was mere illusion.  Hunted down and poisoned by a wicked humanoid strain, PJ slowly loses his health and sanity as a lone giant races to save him.  After centuries of solitude Tamar’s decision to save PJ has unforeseen consequences.  He unwittingly kills Krell, the vorteh Emperor’s son and heir to the throne, placing a mark on his own head.  Now Tamar must perform the nearly impossible task of creating an antidote that will save PJ, while avoiding marauding vorteh death squads.  With PJ’s outcome unknown Tamar makes one final decision.  He confronts Emperor Dedac, sacrificing his life to save the lives of PJ and his family.

No animals, humans, vorteh, or giants were harmed during the writing of this book.  Well, maybe some vorteh were.

My Thoughts

When I received a review request for this book I went back and forth about it a bit.  While I do like retelling, and this one is kind of a ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ retelling, I just wasn’t completely sold.  I decided to try it and now here I am posting a review!

Tamar and PJ: One Great Adventure is filled with excitement and fun.  I enjoyed the writing most of the time but, sometimes it felt somewhat confusing because of the different perspectives.

Overall, this book was pretty good.  While it wasn’t exactly my particular cup of tea, it just might be yours!  Pick up a copy and see for yourself!  You might love it!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Paloma’s Dream by Paloma Rambana (with Hillary Ring)

Summary

In a world where lobbyists are big and carry briefcases, one little girl with an iPad walked into the Florida State capitol and made a big difference.  Meet Paloma Rambana who was just an above average fourth grader until she successfully lobbied the State of Florida legislature to help secure $1 million in funds for blind and impaired kids in Florida.  Born with a rare eye condition called Peter’s Anomaly, Paloma knows what these kids need, and she is on a mission.  Join Paloma as she sets out on her adventure to secure funding for kids, to inspire kindness and activism in people of all ages, and of course to finish her homework before bedtime.

My Thoughts

I love hearing about young people who choose to be world changers!  This girl, Paloma,, is definitely a world changer.  This book, reading the things that she worked so hard to do, is so inspiring!  Paloma’s Dream is a short book at just 79 pages and it is defiantly worth the read!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.