Mindy

Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret by Chad Morris — Combined Review

Mar 202013

Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 5th, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60907-326-8

Hardcover: 326 pages

FTC FYI: Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Backcover Summary

Imagine a school in the year 2074 where students don’t read history, but watch it happen around them; where running in gym class isn’t around a track, but up a virtual mountain; and where learning about animals means becoming one through an avatar.

Welcome to Cragbridge Hall, the most advanced and prestigious school in the world. Twin siblings Abby and Derick Cragbridge are excited as new students to use their famed grandfather’s inventions that make Cragbridge Hall so incredible. But when their grandfather and parents go missing, the twins begin following a trail of clues left by their grandfather. They must find out where their family is, learn who they can trust, and discover what secrets are hidden within Cragbridge Hall.

Abby and Derick soon realize they are caught in a race with a fierce adversary to discover their grandfather’s greatest secret–a dangerous discovery that could alter both history and reality.

Mindy’s Review

5 out of 5 stars. Oh my goodness, where do I start? I loved everything about this book. Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret is one of the biggest reasons I love reading and reviewing middle grade. It is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Everything about this book is so exciting and fun. It is a non-stop thrill ride. You will not be able to stop reading until you are finished. My favorite thing about The Inventor’s Secret was The Bridge. To be able to see events from history unfold before your eyes, but be amazing. There is another great message in this book about facing your fears, and being brave. Abby is faced with many obstacles when she arrives at school. She already feels that she shouldn’t be there. She feels out of place for not being magnificent at something, like her super genius brother Derick. Her grandpa gives her some advice before school starts.

Grandpa slammed the bottom of his cane onto the floor. “Abigail Cragbridge, you are just as good as, if not better tan, every other student in that academy. When they said “no”, I had to prevent them from making a terrible mistake. you’ll be one of the best things that every happened to that place.”

“You don’t have to–”

“I’m completely serious,” Grandpa interrupted. He grabbed Abby’s face by the chin. “You have heart, Abby.” page 7

Abby learns right away that she is not “welcome” because she only got in to Cragbridge because her grandfather made it so. She finds a friend, Carol, who accepts her for who she is. By the way, Carol ends up being one of my favorite characters. This book has humor, heart, and is tons of fun. I recommend it anyone who loves a great adventure.

Sheila’s Review

Cragbridge Hall Book 1: The Inventor’s Secret is about a school for intelligent kids in the year 2074. Here they don’t just read about history, they live it! There are so many things in this book that made me wish I could teach at a school like this. They truly make learning fun by being able to virtually experience their lessons.

Our twin protagonists, Abby and Derick, are excited to go Cragbridge Hall, because this is their inventor, Grandfather’s school. There is an adventure around every corner. Soon the fun turns into a race against the clock, as they have to discover their grandfather’s hidden secrets. These secrets could save the lives of their parents and grandfather who have been kidnapped by a very dangerous enemy.The coolest thing in the book is “The Bridge”. This is what enables someone to experience history firsthand, and even to ultimately travel in time! I have a particular love for time travel books.

Even though this book is written for a middle grade audience, it doesn’t feel like it when you read it. Every age can read and love this book! Though there are great lessons for the reader in this book, they are not preachy or too blatant. I can’t wait to get back on track so I can read it out-loud to my 2nd grade class. I know that they will LOVE it! My own kids are vying to see who can grab it first when I’m done writing this review. This book will someday make a very awesome movie! I predict…yes I’m looking into the future…that this series will become very popular and will find it’s own place in literary history.

Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Publisher / Blog

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Finding June by Shannen Crane Camp

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Mar 132013

Finding June

Author: Shannen Crane Camp

Pubisher: Sugar Coated Press

Published: December 20th, 2012

ISBN13: 9781480260825

Paperback: 184 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Standing up for what you believe in is hard for any teenager in the battleground known as high school. It’s even harder in the world of Hollywood, which is where sixteen-year-old June Laurie dreams of being. Thanks to the constant training from her agent/grandmother and the support of her best friend Joseph, June is positive she’s ready. But is an innocent little Mormon girl like June ever really ready to be cast as the love interest for the country’s hottest star, Lukas Leighton? When June lands a role in Hollywood’s most popular crime drama, Forensic Faculty, she finds herself caught off-guard by the fast-paced world of tabloids and paparazzi, and swept off her feet by her gorgeous co-star. Now June must decide what she’s willing to give up to achieve the title of Hollywood starlet—or more importantly, what’s too sacred to lose.

My Review

I loved this book. I thought it was adorable. I immediately loved June and Joseph. Gran was a hoot and I loved all of her homemade beauty regimens. A few times I found myself thinking that I needed to try one of them, too. As much as I loved the people in June’s life, I also really liked her TV show cast mates. Especially, Candice, Benjamin, and of course Ryan. I love a books based on LDS fiction. The author does of great job of letting reader know our believes without being preachy. June is a doll, and loved her journey of self discovery. There were many parts that I was smiling big and many more that made me laugh. I also really enjoyed the behind the scenes glances of the TV world. I appreciated how June would stand up for herself, and I loved the ending. I can’t wait for Chasing June.

4 out of 5 stars. Finding June is a 2012 Whitney Aware Finalist. Her first book, The Breakup Artist, was also a 2011 Whitney Award nominee. There is a sequel in the works for Finding June. Chasing June, hopefully, comes out this year.

Author Links

Blog / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Tucker Slack — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 272013

Tide Ever Rising

Author: Mandi Tucker Slack

Publisher: Bonneville

Published: February 12, 2013

ISBN13: 9781462111077

Paperback: 208 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns. When she and her sister, Maysha stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the keeper of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte’s still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.

My Review

4 out of 5 stars. I was excited to a part of this Blog Tour. When I read the summary, I knew I would enjoy the book. I was right. I was also drawn to the cover, isn’t is pretty? Kadie is a great character, and her sister Maysha added some really funny comic relief. I really liked where the story took me as a reader. I love the Washington area, having visited there a few years ago. After arriving Kadie meets Adelaide and her family, and that is where the story really picks up. Something terrible happens to Kadie and Adelaide’s grandson Logan. I also enjoyed the point of view switches between Logan and Kadie. The story is mostly told through Kadie’s point of view, but when it is necessary, I am excited to see what’s going on in another character’s head. The author does a great job of that. The ending of this book is so exciting, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book / Cedar Fort

Bonded by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 202013

Bonded

Author: Michelle Davidson Argyle

Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing

Published: November 2012

Hardcover: 365 pages

ISBN13: 9781936850648

FTC FYI: I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

What happened after Cinderella married her prince? How did the evil sorceress in Sleeping Beauty turn evil in the first place? Discover these stories and a world filled with magic, forbidden love, elves, sprites, dragons, and the most powerful creatures of all— the fairies —in Bonded, a collection of three fairy tale inspired novellas.

CINDERS: A Cinderella sequel. Money can’t buy love, but magic isn’t a sure bet either. Cinderella, now officially a princess, finds royal life is not what she once dreamed. When a mysterious elf from her past stirs up long-suppressed passion, Cinderella begins to wonder if there really is love beneath the spell that captured her husband’s heart. But undoing magic can be harder than casting the initial spell, and the results are even less predictable.

THIRDS: A retelling of the Grimm’s fairy tale, One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes. Issina is surrounded by magic, yet none of it belongs to her. Despised and abused by her mother and sisters, she finds comfort when she meets the beautiful elves living in the nearby woods. The elves want to help her discover her own magic, but it’s not the kind of power she hoped for, and she learns there is more to magic than getting what you want.

SCALES: A Sleeping Beauty prequel. The sun never sets in the realm of the fairies. When the young fairy Serina looks into her sister’s eyes, she sees darkness for the first time. After her mother is murdered, Serina defies fairy law to follow her sister to the human realm. There she discovers the strength of a bond, the weight of a promise, and the darkness in her own heart.

My Review

I really enjoyed these three novellas by Michelle Davidson Argyle. Each were very well-written and I was taken into the different story immediately. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with fairytales. I would spend hours in my room reading. Aurora from Sleeping Beauty is my all-time favorite, and so I was excited to read Scales. But, if I had to pick a favorite (and it was really hard) it would be Cinders. Cinderella’s (Christina’s) story was fascinating to me. What if happily ever after isn’t enough? The guilt of using magic to win her prince really weighed on Cinderella’s heart. Did her prince really love her? How Cinderella finds the truth, and the events that take place are actually heart breaking, but I really liked where Michelle took the story, and teaches that not all stories have a happy ending.

4 out of 5 stars. I want to thank Michelle for the chance to read and review these amazing stories. The settings and characters immediately draw you in. Once you start Bonded, you won’t stop until you’re done. Michelle is also the author of The Breakaway, which is on my review list. The sequel Pieces just came out! Check out all of Michelle’s titles, including Monarch.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Rhemalda

The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters by Frank L. Cole — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 132013

The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters

Author: Frank L. Cole

Published: June 2009

Publisher: Bonneville Books (Cedar Fort)

ISBN: 978-1-59955-303-0

Paperback: 99 pages

FTC FYI: Checked out from the library

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Meet Hashbrown Winters. Like any typical Pordunce Elementary fifth grader, he’s got a story. Actually he has several. There’s the story of how he got his nickname, the story of how his treehouse club became one of the most popular groups at school, and, of course, the story of his untimely demise after a mishap with the beloved pet cockroach of Pordunce’s walking death dealer, Hambone Oxcart. Will Hashbrown be able to convince Pordunce’s own mob boss, Cordovo Figanewty, to offer him protection? Or are his days at Pordunce about to come to a swift and painful end? In this hilarious debut novel from Frank L. Cole, every kid who’s any kid has a nickname, and half the fun of the story is figuring out how they got it. The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters will keep kids and parents alike laughing out loud, groaning in sympathy, and turning pages until well past bedtime.

Back Cover

There I stood, hiding next to the vending machines, disguised as a potted plant. I brushed the plastic leaves from my face and stared down the hallway toward the front double doors. Snow Cone always said this ridiculous costume would come in handy one day.

Fifteen minutes had passed since the last student left for the buses, but I wasn’t about to take any chances. Not with my life hanging in the balance. Leaning forward, I peered around the corner just as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Was this it? Could this be him? Was I about to be pulverized by Hambone while wearing an emergency disguise I had just pulled from my locker?

My Review

The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters is the first book in the Hashbrown series. Book 4 is coming out soon, so Frank is touring all of these books before it’s release. Watch for my reviews for all 4 books!

Hashbrown is quite the character. Pordunce Elementary is school full of kids with nicknames. You have to earn your nickname in this school. I thought Hashbrown’s friend “Whiz” had the best name (for obvious reasons). As the story progresses, Hashbrown finds himself in trouble with the school bully and his hissing cockroach. The things that Hashbrown has to do to fix his problems are hilarious, even consulting with the school’s mafia. Yes, mafia.

This book is darling. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading. It is perfect for your middle grade reader, even you. Frank Cole is a pal, and I know that he is a funny guy. You can tell that in his writing. There are many phrases where I was laughing out loud. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

4 out of 5 stars. Frank is also the author of Guardians of the Hidden Scepter and Guardians of Elijah’s Fire series. They are also very good as well.

Author Links

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Cedar Fort / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Doctrine Covenants Reference Companion

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Feb 122013

Doctrine and Covenants Reference Companion

Dennis L. Largey, General Editor & Larry E. Dahl, Senior Editor

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: 2012

Hardcover

ISBN-13: 978-1-59038-599-9

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Backcover Summary

The Doctrine & Covenants Reference Companion–like its predecessor, the best-selling Book of Mormon Reference Companion–illuminates scripture unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The information contained in here will enrich the study of individuals and families who desire a deeper appreciation and understanding of the book of scripture that President Gordon B. Hinckley called “the constitution of the Church” and President Ezra Taft Benson declared is the “capstone” of our religion.

Inside the book cover explains: “Latter-say Saints have often wished for an encyclopedic dictionary devoted to latter-day scripture, the Doctrine Covenants in particular. This volume is exactly that. More than seven years in the making. It addresses some 850 topics–people, places, words, phrases, doctrines, historical context and overviews of each section and much more–as it provides expansive research in easy-to-read language and format. Numerous photographs, of historical documents, places, and persons, as well as maps, charts, and tables, enhance the study of the revelations given to Joseph Smith as the Lord restored his Church in the latter days.

My Review

This book is amazing. Pick any topic, any person related to the Doctrine & Covenants, and it is in this book. If you are looking for an extensive guide for the Doctrine & Covenants, you have found your book. The pictures are beautiful as well. This book took over seven years to write, and I appreciated the care and expertise taken to provide this knowledge to us.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book

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