"The Sparrow Found a House" by Jason McIntire

About this book:

  “What if your new stepdad was a Bible-toting Army Sergeant?
  Fifteen-year-old Jessie Rivera is living every teenager’s nightmare. Her widowed mom has married a man who wears his heavy Christian values like his sergeant’s stripes – on both sleeves.
  Glenn Sparrow is persistent, immovable, and not afraid to be firm. Worse than that, he’s loving, kind – even fun – and he has Chris, Moe, and Katie completely won over.
  But Jessie is determined that she won’t be won over, or give up her “freedom” without a fight. She knows what she wants, and it isn’t what they’ve got.
  Or is it?”


Series: Book #1 in the “Sparrow Stories” series.

Spiritual Content- Many, many, many Prayers; Scriptures are mentioned, read & quoted; Witnessing; Many, many, many Talks about God, Jesus, creation, gifts, modesty & being a Christian; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God, but not when referring to Jesus; Many, many, many Mentions of prayers; Many mentions of church, devotions & Bible reading; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of Christmas & Jesus’ birthday; Mentions of Hymns; Mentions of Christian values & the public school systems’ view; A few mentions of Heaven & miracles; A couple mentions of a creation museum; A mini-debate between a creationist & an evolutionist; A mention of a Catholic school;

*Note: A few mentions of an article of a Christian family that was written into the definition of a cult.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘screw up’, a ‘stinking, two ‘idiot’s, two forms of ‘wimp’, three forms of ‘dumb’, and three forms of ‘stupid’; A bit of sarcasm; Many mentions of curses & bad words (not written); Jessie sneaks out to see a forbidden movie; Bullies, borrowing money & black eyes; Mentions of violent videos games, blood & killing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of selling & making illegal drugs and fireworks; A couple mentions of jail; A couple mentions of non-alcoholic drinks.

Sexual Content- Chris calls himself a ‘hunk’; A few mentions of girlfriends; Mentions of modesty & inappropriate clothes.

-Jessie Rivera, age 15

-Chris Rivers, age 16
                                        P.O.V. switches between them and a few others
                                                        204 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

I’m very impressed with “The Sparrow Found a House”. Lots of Spiritual Content with great lessons. Just as impressive is that the author has where you can get this e-book for free(!) on his website. (Click Here! to learn more!) Very homeschool-y, so I’m sure some of my fellow homeschoolers will like this one. I personally like the mini-debate of creation vs evolution. :)

See y’all on Wednesday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.

"Through Many Dangers" by Dana Rongioine

About this book:

  “In this second book of the Delaware Detectives Mysteries, Abby and Jamie come face to face with a case that seems unsolvable. With no clues and a man's life hanging in the balance, the siblings struggle to find information that will lead them in the right direction. But when evidence finally begins to surface, the mystery takes a new turn, leaving Abby and Jamie back where they started. Will the siblings prevail? Will they find Mr. Baker before it's too late? Who will survive through many dangers?”


Series: Book #2 in “The Delaware Detectives” series. (Book #1 review Here!)

Spiritual Content- Prayers & a Blessing over food; A few Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; A Hymn; Talks about God & pride; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of prayers; A mention of Heaven.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, an ‘idiot’ and a ‘stupid’; A bit of eye rolling; Many mention of marijuana, dealers, the smell, an operation & a bust (plus about candy, markers & addiction, semi-detailed); Mentions of pain (barley-above-not-detailed); A mention of feeling like a zombie.

Sexual Content- Abby calls Scott and nice young man who she wouldn’t mind spending more time with.

-Abby Patterson
                                         1^st person P.O.V. of Abby (Also, 3^rd person POV of a man a few times)
                                                        148 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens- 

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

I enjoyed “Through Many Dangers” a bit more than the first book, “The Delaware Detectives”, due to Abby and her little brother, Jamie, got along much better in this sequel book. The mysteries were exciting. I am a bit confused over Abby’s age (Jamie is eight—almost nine), there are mentions that she’s almost an adult and mature, but no actual statement of her age. I really liked the glossary, science experiment and history at the end, which I can see some homeschool moms liking as well. ;) With the illustrations, (while different from the first book) were really cute and I can also see younger kids getting into these mysteries.

See y’all on Monday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.

"Always Watching" by Lynette Eason

About this book:

  “The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common--they're also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.
  But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she's next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Elite Guardians” series.

Spiritual Content- Prayers; Some Witnessing; A few Scriptures are quoted, read & mentioned; Talks about God & trust; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Church; Olivia believes in God, but doesn’t like Him much (*spoiler* but at the end she goes back to Him. *end of spoiler*); Amy wonders if God hates her due to her panic attacks; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Church, Sunday School & a play; A few mentions of Heaven & eternity; A mention of Mandisa’s song, Overcomer;

*Note: A mention of feeling the presence of evil.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘heck’, a ‘idiot’, a “oh my g—“, a ‘oh my word’, two ‘shut up’s, twelve ‘stupid’s; A bit of sarcasm; Mentions of curses & horrible names (not written); Olivia tries not to cuss; All about a stalker & threats (semi-detailed); Darts, being drugged, darkness, Pain, Blood, Bombs, Explosions, Bullets & Knives (semi-detailed); Fires & Smoke (up to semi-detailed); Gunshots, shootings & shooters (up to semi-detailed); A dead body & smell (semi-detailed); Being ambushed, attempted murders (semi-detailed); Nightmares (up to semi-detailed); Panic attacks (semi-detailed); Many mentions of murders, strangulation, autopsies, & stalkers (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of bombs (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a mob, a fence, blood & a death (semi-detailed); Mentions of almost drowning (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a suicide (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drugs, drinking, parties & a drunk driver (up to semi-detailed).  

Sexual Content- a hand kiss, a cheek kiss, a head kiss, an almost kiss, & a semi-detailed kiss; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing; A bit of nearness; a ‘hot’; Mentions of jealousy & flirting; Mentions of parents & spouses who left; A couple mentions of a woman wanting an abortion (she didn’t though); A mention of an accused affair; Love, falling in love & the emotions.

-Olivia Edwards

-(Dr.) Wade Savage
                                         P.O.V. switches between them, Amy (4x), Maddy (Once), the watcher & the stalker (a few)
                                                        318 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

I might be a bit biased because I’m interested in Olivia’s profession, but I enjoyed “Always Watching”. However, I didn’t enjoy the blood or the stalker or the “oh my g—“ (it was cut off like that, but still made me frown.), so I can’t give it a higher rating. This was my first book by this author, and as far as suspense goes, I liked it. I totally called who the stalker was and, quite honestly, was proud when it was revealed who it was. ;) I really liked Olivia and can relate to her in some ways. I also really liked Charlie and hope he’ll be in more of the books! The cover is very clean and nice for the plot, I hope to continue the series as they come out.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!

 
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.