Reading goals of 2018

1.  Read more of my owned books

2.  Take fewer books for review

3.  Read 1 physical book a week

     Read 1 ebook a month

4.  Read books in already started series

5.  Finish the books on my currently Reading list on Goodreads

6.  Do more video reviews on my video channel on Youtube  Malinda Detweiler

7.  Review my audio books more consistently 

8.  Finish the Anne of Green Gables Series

9.  Read 1 cozy mystery a month 

Hope you have a great reading year!!!

Favorite and Least Favorite Books of 2017

Favorite Books





























Least Favorite

Abuse of Discretion by Pamela Samuels Young

From Goodreads.com:  A Kid’s Curiosity … A Parent’s Nightmare 

The award-winning author of "Anybody’s Daughter" is back with an addictive courtroom drama that gives readers a shocking look inside the juvenile criminal justice system.

Graylin Alexander is a model fourteen-year-old. When his adolescent curiosity gets the best of him, Graylin finds himself embroiled in a sexting scandal that threatens to ruin his life. Jenny Ungerman, the attorney hired to defend Graylin, is smart, confident and committed. She isn’t thrilled, however, when ex-prosecutor Angela Evans joins Graylin’s defense team. The two women instantly butt heads. Can they put aside their differences long enough to ensure Graylin gets justice?

Unbeknownst to Angela, her boyfriend Dre is wrestling with his own drama. Someone from his past wants him dead. For Dre, his response is simple—kill or be killed.

To invite Pamela to a book club meeting or speaking engagement, visit her website at www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com.

READ AN EXCERPT!

Chapter 1

Graylin
“What’s the matter, Mrs. Singletary? Why do I have to go to the principal’s office?”

I’m walking side-by-side down the hallway with my second-period teacher. Students are huddled together staring and pointing at us like we’re zoo animals. When a teacher at Marcus Preparatory Academy escorts you to the principal’s office, it’s a big deal. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I’m a good student. I never get in trouble.
Mrs. Singletary won’t answer my questions or even look at me. I hope she knows she’s only making me more nervous.

“Mrs. Singletary, please tell me what’s wrong?”

“Just follow me. You’ll find out in a minute.”

I’m about to ask her another question when it hits me. Something happened to my mama!

My mama has been on and off drugs for as long as I can remember. I haven’t seen her in months and I don’t even know where she lives. No one does. I act like it doesn’t bother me, but it does. I’ve prayed to God a million times to get her off drugs. Even though my granny says God answers prayers, He hasn’t answered mine, so I stopped asking.

I jump in front of my teacher, forcing her to stop. “Was there a death in my family, Mrs. Singletary? Did something happen to my mama?”

“No, there wasn’t a death.”

She swerves around me and keeps going. I have to take giant steps to keep up with her.

Once we’re inside the main office, Mrs. Singletary points at a wooden chair outside Principal Keller’s office. “Have a seat and don’t move.”

She goes into the principal’s office and closes the door. My head begins to throb like somebody’s banging on it from the inside. I close my eyes and try to calm down. I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s probably just—Oh snap! The picture!
I slide down in the chair and pull my iPhone from my right pocket. My hands are trembling so bad I have to concentrate to keep from dropping it. I open the photos app and delete the last picture on my camera roll. If anyone saw that picture, I’d be screwed.

Loud voices seep through the closed door. I lean forward, straining to hear. It almost sounds like Mrs. Singletary and Principal Keller are arguing.

“It’s only an allegation. We don’t even know if it’s true.”

“I don’t care. We have to follow protocol. 

My Take:  This book was interesting and eye opening.  I am done raising children and it is a frightening undertaking in this day and age.  I am concerned for my grandchildren however.  I felt that what happened to this young man is truly frightening and it would be best dealt with by a parent.  That is why it is so very important for parents to pay attention to what is going on with their children today.  Their internet and phone need to be closely monitored and if anything concerning comes up then it should be taken care of right away.  What happens in this book is what happens when people adhere a bit to closely to rules and regulations.  I think that some things should be taken by a case by case basis.  I would recommend this book if you like to read about things that could happen in this day and age and if you like to read things that will make you think long and hard. 

I was sent a review copy of this book by Pump up Your Book in exchange for my honest opinion.  

Book Spotlight of Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

Cowboys, Action, Humor, and History Collide in Connealy's Latest
When an explosion kills men and damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them.
Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back East and all that New Mexico offers. Sure he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys running the mine and, when he's honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.
Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone. Particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who may not stay long at the ranch. She's determined, however, to help the Bodens finally put an end to the danger that's threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm's way be more dangerous than anyone expected? 

Seeds of Hope by Barbara Cameron

Seeds of Hope (Gilead, November 2017)

A heartwarming tale of discovering love right in front of you

Miriam Troyer has had a secret crush on Mark Byler since she was a teenager, but she knows they can never have a relationship: Mark is a big-city attorney and an Englischer. Her Amish community is too far removed from all he knows–and she loves her quiet way of life.

Mark has always loved his visits to his grandfather’s farm, but he’s convinced the Amish life isn’t for him. There’s so much of the world to see and experience, and the excitement of his successful law practice can’t be matched by the slow pace of life found back home in the country.

But when things go wrong and his firm distances itself from him to try to save themselves, Mark finds himself back at his grandfather’s farm. Could life in this simple world be worth living after all? Especially when the teenager he remembers has grown into a woman that could be his future. Suddenly, these two people whose lives seem so far apart may get a chance to really see each other for the first time.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT BARBARA CAMERON}

Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the best-selling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Her books have been nominated for Carol Awards and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award from RWA’s Faith, Hope, and Love chapter. Barbara resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Find out more about Barbara at http://barbaracameron

My Take : This was a typical Amish and English falling in love story.  I enjoyed it and will be looking forward to other in this series.  I enjoy reading Amish book that are set in Lancaster County as I live in Lancaster County and like to see if I recognize any of the landmarks.  I found it interesting that the Englischer in this book is a lawyer as they usually don't have such a lucrative job.  I enjoy by luxuries but I also enjoy the simpler life.  I liked how the author made the romance to seem to be plausible.  This was a bit predicable but still enjoyable.  Recommended if you enjoy Amish love stories.  

I received a review copy from Litfuse in exchange for honest review. 

Imperfect Justice by Cara Putnam

Imperfect Justice (Thomas Nelson, December 2017)

The police say the woman was a murderer. Emilie Wesley knows they can’t be talking about her client . . . can they?

To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in a race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT CARA PUTMAN}

Cara Putman is the author of more than 25 legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels. She has won or been a finalist for honors including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Cara graduated high school at 16, college at 20, completed her law degree at 27, and recently received her MBA. She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.

Find out more about Cara at http://caraputman.com.



My Take:  This was a great legal thriller that had a bit of stalker, domestic abuse and mystery thrown in.  I will need to go back and pick up the first book in this series although you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this book.  I just want to read more in this series.  I like that the main character joins forces with the victims sister to clear the sisters name and that they are trying to save the youngest daughter.  I like it when family joins in to help solve mysteries.  I would recommend this book if you like legal thrillers. 

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  

Monsterland by Michael Okon

From Goodreads.com:  Welcome to Monsterland, the scariest place on earth.

When world markets are decimated by a crippling plague, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, Vincent Konrad decides to place monsters in a theme park setting to promote education and tolerance. Copper Valley is chosen as the primary site for the park in the United States.

Wyatt Baldwin, a high school senior is dying to go to the opening and when he lands special passes to the park, he and his friends are expecting the experience of a lifetime.
After all, in a theme park where real zombies, werewolves, and vampires are the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong? 

My Take:  This book was ok.  It was a bit slow in parts and reminded me of other stories is parts.   The scene with the entrance into the park reminded me of Jurassic Park.  Actually the whole story reminded me of Jurassic Park only with Zombies, Werewolves and Vampires instead of Dinosaurs.  There were a few comedic parts but the tone of the book was mostly ominous.  They called Zombies vitality challenged.  One character was named Howard Drucker and was called by his full name whenever he was refered too.  I kept thinking of him as Howard the Duck for some reason.  The transitions between characters were a bit confusing at times.  I think this book is mostly targeted toward YA but I think an adult should read it first before letting anyone less than 16 read it.  There are a few curse words and of course some gore but overall I don't think it was to terrible in those departments but I do feel a parent should be discerning.  If you enjoy reading about monsters you would probably enjoy this book.  

I received a review copy from Pump Up Your Book in exchange for my honest opinion.  

Book Spotlight of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that's obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she's made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she's chosen. She's still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she's not sure she can write anymore. She's beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a "scandalous" book. And the fact that she's falling in love with her pastor doesn't make things any easier.

With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn't afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.

Book Spotlight of Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil.

Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous . . . it's deadly.

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon captures readers with a mind-bending story that will have them doubling back to retrace their steps--and figure out what they missed!

Book Spotlight of The Last Christians by Andreas Knapp

A Westerner's travels among the persecuted and displaced Christian remnant in Iraq and Syria teach him much about faith under fire.

Inside Syria and Iraq, and even along the refugee trail, they're a religious minority persecuted for their Christian faith. Outside the Middle East, they're suspect because of their nationality. A small remnant of Christians is on the run from the Islamic State. If they are wiped out, or scattered to the corners of the earth, the language that Jesus spoke may be lost forever - along with the witness of a church that has modeled Jesus' way of nonviolence and enemy-love for two millennia.

The kidnapping, enslavement, torture, and murder of Christians by the Islamic State, or ISIS, have been detailed by journalists, as have the jihadists' deliberate efforts to destroy the cultural heritage of a region that is the cradle of Christianity. But some stories run deep, and without a better understanding of the religious and historical roots of the present conflict, history will keep repeating itself century after century.

Andreas Knapp, a priest who works with refugees in Germany, travelled to camps for displaced people in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq to collect stories of survivors - and to seek answers to troubling questions about the link between religion and violence. He found Christians who today still speak Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, the language of Jesus. The uprooted remnant of ancient churches, they doggedly continue to practice their faith despite the odds. Their devastating eyewitness reports make it clear why millions are fleeing the Middle East. Yet, remarkably, though these last Christians hold little hope of ever returning to their homes, they also harbor no thirst for revenge. Could it be that they - along with the Christians of the West, whose interest will determine their fate - hold the key to breaking the cycle of violence in the region?

Includes sixteen pages of color photographs.