Great new additions to the If you were me and lived in... series

Carol P. Roman has taken her If you were in me and lived in… back in time! Four new book which introduce children to life in four very important periods in world history.

First, Elizabethan England. Children are taken back in time to 1578 and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The golden age of art and literature. The time of William Shakespeare. Readers are introduced to the different trades people would perform in their villages as well as the different types of houses that people lived in. Foods, entertainment and other important aspects of life in the era. At the end of the book, a glossary of terms as well as a list of very important people of the Elizabethan era are presented.

Second, Ancient Greece. Children are taken back in time thousands of years ago to the birthplace of democracy. Ancient Greeks were identified by the city-state they lived in such as Athens, Sparta and Corinth. Greek mythology is discussed and how the stories played an important role in the Greeks everyday lives. The philosophers are discussed such as Plato and Socrates. The literature of the time: The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Third, Colonial American. Travel back in time again to 1620 and the establishment of a colony in the new world. Readers are introduced to who the colonists were, why they came to the new world and how they got here. Once here, the readers learn about the harsh conditions and basics of life. At the end of the book, notable names such as William Penn, John Smith and many others are listed.

Lastly, Renaissance Italy. Children are taken back in time to 1483 Florence, Italy and the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Renaissance is a reawakening of creativity after the darkness of the Middle Ages. The art, the literature, and entertainment. Children are introduced to the life children would have lived with education and entertainment.

I loved these new additions to the If you were me and lived in… series. Each book is an excellent introduction to different time periods in our history and what life was like then. I highly recommend these books for any school or family library!

These titles are available on Amazon

In paperback for $14.99

Free with KindleUnlimited

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob series: lessons for problem solving, pursuing dreams and taking care of our oceans

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob by Brooks Olbrys is a series of books which educates children about the ocean, its creatures, its problems and how people can help. It also introduces children to problem solving and encouragement when in doubt. The lessons of the series is to “Think it, See it, Believe it, and Achieve it.” A Journey Begins is book 1 of the series as Bob is introduced. He lives on an island and dreams of something more. Xena, a hummingbird, is his guardian. Bob goes on a quest where he meets Al, a dolphin. Doc, a sea turtle. Earl, a clam and he realizes that he wants to study marine biology. He meets with Mary Marine who works as the pier. There she gives him jobs to do as he begins his studies.

A Challenging Job is book 2 as Bob is given the task to clean up the garbage in the ocean. He meets Beck, a pelican, and Cathy, a crab, who help him with his tasks. As a storm is approaching, Bob must help the island prepare. The main theme is to look for a solution despite the odds and one’s doubts.

Into the Lead is book 3 as Bob is put in charge as Mary must leave the island. There’s been a earthquake and an oil spill has occurred. Andy, the Great White, is stuck on the beach. Bob must find a solution to help Andy back into the ocean. With the help of all the sea creatures he’s met, Bob is able to get Andy back where he belongs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series as I loved the lessons of hard work, finding solutions against the odds, and asking for help when it is needed. The author created the series when he was inspired by his young son. He founded Children’s Success Unlimited. The series is beautifully illustrated by Kevin Keele and has won numerous book awards. I highly recommend The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob for any school and family libraries with its lessons of courage, creativity, decision, action and leadership.

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob books

Is available on Amazon

In hardcover for $12.95

And on the Kindle for $3.99

The Renegade Queen: a woman before her time

The Renegade Queen by Eva Flynn is an interesting book to read now with the anticipated nomination of Hillary Clinton as the Democrat candidate for president. The story is about the first woman to run for president, Victoria Woodhull. An interesting woman who run at a time when she couldn’t even vote.

The story opens in 1838 as she tells the story of her beginnings. Her parents, Buck and Anna Claflin, named her Victoria as Queen Victoria who was in the first year of her reign. One day when Victoria was at school, she claimed she could see the individuals who died from the yellow fever outbreak which can occurred earlier. Her father is thrilled and seeks to “train” her as a medium. The family travels with a fair, selling Victoria’s “visions” to anyone who sought to speak to a departed loved one. There she meets Dr. Canning Woodhull and her life takes another turn. She marries at 15 and is soon presented with a life which will be harsh and unfair. After the horrors of the Civil War and the country in turmoil, Victoria takes charge of her life and decides enough is enough. As she seeks to better her life and the lives of all women, she meets the important figures of the time: Commodore Vanderbilt, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton just to name a few.

Victoria Woodhull was an interesting woman, definitely out of her time. She advocated ideas that shocked her era but would most likely be accepted today. She was a pioneer in so many ways. Mrs. Woodhull was too radical for her time and a little too radical for me. But I admire her passion and drive to right the wrongs she saw in her world. I recommend The Renegade Queen. As an important figure in history who has been erased until now. Her story deserves to be told.

The Renegade Queen

Is available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles

In paperback for $12.99

Or Kindle/Nook for $0.99

More Heaven: a story of one woman's desire to educate all children

More Heaven by Jo Anne White, Ph.D is based on a true life experiment in the Philadelphia school system in the late 1970s. In response to the 1975 Education for the Handicapped Act, public schools were to educate all children despite the severity of their disability. As everyone was nervous and skeptical that the program would work, Dr. White was hired as the sole teacher and program coordinator. This is her story.

The story opens with Eva in March. The sole student, Eva was exhibiting autistic behavior. With each day, Miss Tina, the teacher, is able to draw Eva out and she begins to blossom. Slowly more children are added in the new school year: Patty, Ricardo, Martin, Beverly and Warren. As well as a teacher’s aide, Kaye. Together, the teachers and students begin to learn the basics of life and education. Math, writing, field trips to stores and the zoo. Each student has their achievements and their setbacks but their push forward. Each student leaves an impression on the heart of their dedicated teacher.

More Heaven is a great, inspiration story of one teacher’s dedication and determination to see children with disabilities get an education that was previously denied. To see her students blossom and excel is proof that anyone can learn if just given the chance. It is a special teacher’s heart to be a special education teacher. I can great respect for those who teach these children and try to give them the tools to have the most meaningful life as possible. I highly recommend More Heaven.

More Heaven

is available in paperback for $12.95

or on the Kindle for $3.99

Fractured Karma: a story of a young man who may be in too deep

Fractured Karma by Nancy Straight is the story of one young man who had lived in foster homes and group homes for most of his life. After running away at the age of 15, he’s lived on the streets, committing petty crimes to stay alive until one day when he gets caught. Mark Brewer tried to steal a Ferrari. The cop who pulls him over was a former roommate at the group home. He decides to cut Mark a deal. He’ll let him pass for the grand theft, if he can turn informant against Johnny Corozzo, the local crime boss who has hands in many different ventures. Mark reluctant agrees and he works his way up through the ranks of Johnny’s crew. Until one day, he is within the inner circle. As he feeds information to the cops, Mark learns a surprising news. Could it be true? Or is it a plot to take him out of Johnny’s crew? Will he be able to leave the crew alive?

Fractured Karma is a great book. It was thrilling and mysterious as the reader follows Mark on his dangerous double life. You eagerly turn the page, reading furiously, always wondering if Mark will get caught. As you read, you feel for Mark as he tries to figure out the information which will turn his life around. Will he find the truth about his past? About his family? I can’t say much about the book as it would spoil the sequence of events. I can say that I eagerly await more stories about Mark Brewer. I highly recommend Fractured Karma.

Fractured Karma

is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

in paperback for $14.99

and on Kindle/Nook for $3.99

The Jolly Coroner: a quirky story about a small town coroner

The Jolly Coroner by Quentin Canterel is a quirky story about a Texas town. Billy Rufino is the town’s coroner and he encounters many interesting and unique people while on the job.

Billy was the only applicant for the job of Hokum, Texas coroner. He has interesting cases which baffles the mind. Basyli Jach is a man who has been declared died but is still very much alive. He lives in a state of limbo as he cannot prove who is he and needs Billy’s help to straightened out the snafu. Riley is a man who believes his wife and daughters are dead and wants Billy to release their bodies for burial. However, he doesn’t believe Billy when he tell him that his family survives. A woman enters his life as he rescues her from near drowning. Soon the situations with Jach and Riley come to a boiling point. What can Billy do? Who is this woman who has entered his life? And how does a story, “The Ballad of Jean and Reg,” play into the crazy town of Hokum?

The Jolly Coroner is an interesting and quirky story filled with fantastical characters and wild images. The book was a little hard to get into with jumps into side stories and social commentaries and philosophical lectures from a character called the Warden. However, once the story started rolling and the reader begins to see the links between the side stories and philosophical ideas. The Jolly Coroner isn’t light reading. It’s reading which will take some thought and time as you digest all the events. If you are a fan of quirky, satirical and strange stories, you will enjoy The Jolly Coroner.

The Jolly Coroner

is available on Amazon

in paperback for $14.99

and on the Kindle for $5.99

Joshua: lessons in strength and courage

Joshua. The next chapter in the history of the Israelites. Moses has died and their new leader, Joshua, must now lead the people into the Promise Land. Joshua was a man who must step into big shoes as he led the Israelites into battle and settle the Promised Land. As I read and studied Joshua, I realized that this book is about faithfulness to God, obedience to His calling despite our fears and reservations. There are many lessons and miracles, reminders and encouragements in the book of Joshua which can demonstrate this themes. Reminders to be strong and courageous are mentioned throughout the book of Joshua. Lessons that anyone can be used by God for His purpose when there is faith. And the conscious and sincere choice to serve God.

First, the phrase “be strong and courageous” repeats many times in Joshua. In Joshua 1:6-7, God is speaking to Joshua as he takes up his new role. “Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous.” In His first instructions, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous twice. God is telling Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Israelites had proven to be a difficult people to govern. Joshua needed to be a man of action. To be alert and prompt and ready to act when the occasion called for it. The phrase is repeated again in Joshua 1:18 and 10:25. The reminder to be strong and courageous served as a point to remember that the Israelites successes were not due to their own strength or their leader’s wise actions but their faithfulness. What lesson can God’s instructions to Joshua be for us? When God calls us for His purpose and wherever it may take us in the world, He calls us to be strong and courageous. To be alert, prompt and ready to act when it is needed. When we are faithful to God and in His promise to go before us, He will give us the strength and courage we need to get the job done.

Second, Rahab is only mentioned in the second chapter but her part in this story has a lasting impact. Joshua has sent two spies into Jericho. When they were there, they stayed at the house of Rahab, a prostitute. Rahab hid the men on her roof to save them from the king. When it is safe, Rahab pleads with the spies to spare her and her family when the Israelites destroy the city. She has heard of the Lord’s power. The men agree and gave her specific instructions to stay inside during the siege. After the Fall of Jericho (Joshua 6), Joshua spared Rahab and her family. This could be in the end of her story but it is not. She is mentioned again in Matthew 1:5 as the mother of Boaz, making her the great great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. She is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:31, as by her faith she welcomes the spies and spared her life. In fact, she is one of two women mentioned in Hebrews 11 Hall of Fame. She is considered righteous in James 2:25 as she demonstrated her faith by hiding the spies. One single action placed Rahab among the faithful and becomes an ancestor of two important men in two religious faiths: King David in Judaism and Jesus Christ in Christianity. God remembered her because of her faith and not her profession. Even the lowest people of society can be chosen by God to do great things.

Lastly, Joshua 24:15 is a powerful verse. It is a verse which states that everyone has a choice. The verse is: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Chapter 24 is Joshua’s last instructions to the Israelites. His final words for the people. In verse 15, he is firm: make a choice. Everyone must choose. Everyone comes face to face with the decision to serve and follow God. We do not have the power to compel anyone to worship and follow God. Service to God should be sincere, free and a willing allegiance of the heart. Joshua pledges that he and his household will remain faithful. As a follower of God, I take this to heart as I will teach my children about God and His glorious presence, His power and majesty. I hope that through my instructions and my life, my children will follow the Lord as well. But it is a choice they will have to make themselves as well. Following God is a deeply personal commitment which cannot and should not be dictated by another. You aren’t born a Christian. You may have been raised in a Christian home. However, you must make the conscious choice to follow Him.

In conclusion, the book of Joshua is the story of the Israelites as they take possession of the Promised Land. They finally made it but they had work to do. It is a book about strength and courage when our fears tells us to run. But by faith, God will prove the way to get the job done. With the story of Rahab, we see a great faith in God. She trusted God to keep her and her family from the destruction of Jericho. He rewards her faithfulness by making her an ancestor of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What can God accomplish in our lives if we have the faith of Rahab? The book of Joshua is also a reminder that fellowship with God is a conscious choice. It is an active relationship in which God wants us to interact with Him. By faith, we can have strength and courage from a loving relationship with the Creator of the Universe. How cool is that?