The Bridge of Peace

The Bridge of Peace is a book that takes place in an Amish community. Your taken inside the lives of several people, all going through their own struggles in life. Love, hatred, insecurity, and hurt are unseen by those around them. After many trials, and even death, will they finally have peace in their lives?

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had always been skeptical of Amish books, particularly Amish romance. But this book pulled me in, and had me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion. It was heart wrenching at some points. I loved the different point of views from the characters in the story. I also learned so much more about the Amish culture that I hadn't known before. I would recommend this book to any young adult or adult. I'm already starting on my next Amish book!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Secret of the Indigo Moon by G. P. Taylor

The Secret of the Indigo Moon, book two in DG the Dopple Ganger Chronicles, was a great read to where the first book left off. Who built the secret tunnel underneath Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children? Where did Miss Olivia disapear to? And who is robbing Lord Gervez? Join Saskia, Sadie, and Erik on their exciting new adventure as they uncover new mysteries, run for their lives, and run into old enemies.

This book had a little more of a faith element than the first one. Madame Rapheal doesn't admit to being an angel, but she does say, "I am a maker of straight roads and a sign post to someone else." I really liked seeing her character answer a couple of questions and leave more riddles. The book focused a little more on Erik than the first one, and tossed around the subject of the children's parents who have abandoned them. The dedication was beautiful:

For

All children who have never known their fathers

and

All fathers who have never known their children.

Let us know we are loved and adored just as we are...

One of the things I love about this series is that the author keeps it light and kid friendly while gently pushing in deeper topics. The only thing I don't particuraly like is some of the violent situations the kids find themselves in like being held at gun-point. It is very much an action and adventure book that kids of all ages will love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Band That Played On by Steve Turner

"The Band That Played On" is a non-fiction book about the eight musicians who nobly continued playing as the Titanic sank in 1912. This book takes you deeper than just the fact that eight musicians gave up their lives with dignity-you learn more about who they were before the Titanic, and perhaps who they had hoped to become.

The research that was done for this book is, to me, incredible. I loved hearing about how the Titanic's band members were chosen-the story before the story. Although this book was a little slow going for my taste, I did enjoy all of the history that covered every page. The photographs were amazing and scattered everywhere throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love for history. Steve Turner did a great job painting a clearer and more accurate picture of what exactly those eight courageous men did on April 15, 1912.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The First Escape by G. P. Taylor

The First Escape (the first book in the DG the Dopple Ganger Chronicles) by G. P. Taylor is about three orphans/abandoned children at Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children. Just by the name of that school, you know they're going to try to escape a place like that. Sadie and Saskia Dopple are twins there who wreak havoc and chaos together - until Saskia is adopted by a wealthy woman and Sadie is left at the school. Former thief Erik was abandoned by his father at the all girls' school, but he stays there as a janitor and sits in the back of the classrooms. Sadie and Erik join forces to escape and plan to find Saskia. Will they succeed?

I like this book a lot. It's part book and part comic book and I was surprised how well it flowed all together. I loved it, and I usually don't like comic books. The characters in this book were very amusing. They always had tricks up their sleeves and made me giggle. The art work was awesome - eye candy to a generation used to television. My thirteen-year-old brother ooh-ed over the cover and said he would diffidently read this when I was finished with it. I think a lot of middle school aged kids would love this book (ages 10+). All in all, a great book!

I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.