Book Review: The Shadowed Valley. By Y. I. Lee

After a fire takes her mother and assumed father, Celia finds herself traveling to a dreary place called Greyache House. When she arrives, only a cold reception is waiting. The lady of the house and the butler are both dark, fearsome characters, and the only comfort to be found is in Mary, a maid.

Before long, Mary sends Celia on a quest. With a talking horse as a companion, Celia sets off on a life changing journey through The Shadowed Valley. Along the way, she will make friends, face dangers, and ultimately, choose between faith and doubt. Can Celia live through the hazards of a journey that tests her to the limits of her strength? And can she trust the companions who come to her along the way?

Find out in The Shadowed Valley, an adventure-filled book for young teens and those who still are at heart.

I was enamored with this story because of the depth of imagination used in the writing of it. A rocking horse coming to life, true villains who fill your heart with horror at times, and people who though lovable, fail at times. Like real life, people fail but the book promises a hope beyond failure.

Y. I. Lee is a talented author with more books on the way. I can hardly wait to read more of her work.

A story altogether too long

So, as a few of you know, I've been having trouble with my blog. I couldn't get into it, couldn't change it. Google had locked me out! O_o That's right. Was I upset? No. I just really wanted to kill whoever made that executive decision! ;) Anyway, last night I got up my nerve, and got it figured out. I nearly drove myself distracted on the way, but now I have it figured out. And I know how to figure it out if they do it to me again. Man, I am way to cool to hang out with myself. :D So, thought I'd let anyone who is interested know. I'm ready to blog again!

Little Miracles. Or are they?

The other day God really brought me up short. I was having a normal day. Talking to Mom about Avon, and just staying busy generally. And then Nathan came running inside shouting

"Look outside!!!!"

When we did, we saw one of the rarest sights that I know of. I've only heard of this happening once or maybe twice before.

It was a fire cloud. It looked exactly like a rainbow, only there was no bow. Just part of a cloud that was colored beautifully.

I'm so glad God let me see that. Too often I find my attention being drawn away from God by the little things that get on my nerves, or by noise, or by just about anything that I really don't like, or that I really do.

But God doesn't want attention from me that is divided with other things. He wants me to focus on Him. And He let me see a phenomenon that really touched my heart.

The pictures don't do it justice. lol.

Book Review: Tugger's Down, by Tommie Lyn

When Tiffany and Olivia play with a Ouija board,

they have no idea what they're messing with.

But they soon find out, when Olivia is killed by the

demon that inhabits the board, who has been

waiting for victims. Olivia's unborn son, Tucker, is

attacked by the demon, and resists.

Now, three years later, Tucker is quickly becoming

too weak to fight the continual onslaughts of

the enemy. Especially in the emotionally starved environment he's been raised in. The only

person who loves little "Tugger" is Miss Lambert, his nanny. In an effort to save his life, he's

sent to Florida. The doctor hopes the change of weather will help his frail hold on life to gain

strength.

Lacey Cochran is a struggling college student. But her main irritation in the day-to-day is Porter

O'Brien. He not only is cocky and arrogant, but he also took the last seat in an important class,

and keeps causing accidents. But there is something about him that makes Lacey take a second

glance. And, obeying the Christian principles she has accepted for her own, she forgives him.

When Tucker meets Lacey he realizes that he's safe with her. Something about her keeps the

demon, who Tucker calls Nudger, away. And when he visits her church with her, he realizes that

he needs what she has.

But back home trouble is brewing as Tiffany and her sister, Heather look again at the cause of all

the pain. The Ouija board that belonged to their grandmother. Nudger takes over Heathers

body, killing Tiffany, and begins the quest to hunt Tugger down.

Can Lacey, Porter, and Miss Lambert keep Tugger safe? Or will he be taken by the spirit who

has been searching to take him since before he was born?

Tommie Lyn brings a small child to life in a way that will make you love him, and empathize

with his struggles. If you like supernatural thrillers, this is a book that will cause chills to race up your spine. And I have to say, it's another great book by Tommie Lyn.

Give the Lady a Ride. By Linda Yezak

When Patricia Talbert comes to Texas, she’s hoping to get in and get

out. Sell the ranch with little trouble and no strings attached.

Unfortunately for her plans, she becomes interested. Not only in the

beautiful country, but in the foreman of the ranch that used to belong

to her Uncle Jake.

Still, she’s not about to interrupt her prosperous city life where she is

the daughter of a senator, and also his social coordinator.

Besides, after finding out how many of her friends in New York are

only her friends in order to be close to her father, she’s not ready to take on any new

relationships. Especially risking her heart for the second time.

Talon Carlson was raised by Jake and thought of him as a father. His one hope now is that

Patricia might not sell the ranch.

Before long those hopes are dashed. Can he make it through the pain surrounding not only her

heart, but his?

Finally, Patricia issues a challenge to buy some time.

“Teach me how to ride bulls.”

Can they get beyond the hostility that marks the beginning of their relationship, and find trust

and love again?

Linda Yezak pulls you from your surroundings, and places you in the middle of a Texas cow

town. Where men still hold the doors open for ladies, and cowboys ride bulls. Not to test what

kind of men they are, but just for the ride.

This book kept me reading. The heroine has enough uncertainty to make you wonder if there’s

time in the book to make the decisions she’ll be forced to, and the hero has the good qualities

with the quick temper to match.

I look forward to reading more by this author from the state of Texas, who isn’t afraid to spin

new tales.

Lay It All Down: Hannah Michal

Alec Hayes thinks his life has ended since the death of the only woman he has ever loved. Finally, he has his life under control. But then he is shocked to find that his best friend, Jared Wright, has been brutally murdered.

With Jared's fiance coming in on the stage two days later, and a gang of desperate criminals on the loose, Alec is running out of time to bring the leader to the law.

Ariella, Jared's fiance, is crushed to find the man she was going to marry, is dead. Determined to find out what is going on, Ariella heads out to Jared's cabin. The scene of his horrific death.

Unconsciously following close on her heels, the leader of the gang is trying to discover how to deal with the situation he's found himself in.

Can Alec find a way to save Ariella before the trap closes on her? Does the US Marshall, Oscar Lewis have anything to do with Ariella's future happiness? And can Alec discover the Life and learn to love again?

Set in the mountains of Georgetown, Colorado, this book is a great children's book. Especially for anyone who loves the west, and the men and women who peopled it.

I look forward to seeing more books coming from this author.

Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates: Mary Mapes Dodge

This is a summary I did years ago. My best that I've found.

Set in Holland, this story has a lot of history. It is the story of two children, their mother, their father, their friends, and their self appointed enemies. It is the story of an idiot father, a watch, a missing thousand guilders, and...Some silver skates.

Hans asked the greatest doctor or meester in Holland to look at his father. Can he be cured? Can the watch be returned to it's missing owner? Will the thousand guilders ever be restored? and...Is there any chance to win the silver skates?