"Playing With Fire" by Melody Carlson

About this book:

  “If your vision led you straight into the fire, would you follow it anyway?
  Samantha’s brother, Zach, is finally home after a ninety-day rehab for his meth addiction, and life seems to be getting back to normal. That is, until Sam starts having dreams about dangerous situations involving drugs. But her visions are so vague that she doesn’t know who needs help. Of course she’s worried about Zach staying clean, especially since he’s hanging with the wrong crowd. But the whole school seems to be buzzing about drugs, and Sam doesn’t know who’s using and who’s not. What is wrong with these people anyway?
  Then Sam has a vision of a burning cabin, and this time someone has been shot. Convinced that Zach is involved somehow, Sam chooses to leave Detective Ebony Hamilton out of the loop. If Zach really is involved, this will land him in jail for sure! But her own investigation is getting too hot to handle, and Sam must decide whether to risk getting Zach in trouble with the law– or ultimately risk his life.”


Series: Book #3 (of four) in “The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor”. (Book #1 review, Here! Book #2 review, Here!)

Spiritual Content- Joel 2:27-29 at the beginning; All about Samantha’s gift of visions from God; Many, many prayers; Scriptures are mentioned; Witnessing; Many, many, many talks about God, trusting Him, gifts, judging, & sinners; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Sam’s mom is still mad at God; Many, many mentions of prayers; Many mentions of church, youth group & sermons; Mentions of Bible reading; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of Christians & religious people;

*Note: A mention of a demonic sound & evil; A mention of “going through hell”; A mention of going to “hell and back”; A mention of someone wanting someone else to burn in Hell; A few mentions of Hell; Mentions of a witch.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, a ‘TGIF’, two ‘duh’s, two ‘sheesh’s, three ‘shut up’s, three ‘sucker’s, ten forms of ‘crud’, thirteen ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm; A mention of a middle finger salute; Many mentions of curses (said, not written); All about drugs (meth and ecstasy), dealers, highs, overdoses, addictions, rehab, fire, heat & smoke (up to detailed); An overdose death; A party with drunks (Sam nor her friends drink); Many mentions of Book #2’s almost suicides & murders; Many mentions of wild parties & fights; Many mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, fake IDs, bars & pubs; Mentions of those who have been shot & blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of smoking, cigarettes & weed; Mentions of jail, crime & criminals; Mentions of lesions; Mentions of vomiting; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of cheating & gossips; A few mentions of tattoos & pierces; A few mentions of divorce & parents separating; A mention of a violent movie;

              *Note: Mentions of Starbucks, Adidas and Gap.

Sexual Content- a not-detailed kiss; a ‘hot’, two ‘butt out’s; Sam is asked if she’s lesbian (she’s not); Mentions of who-likes-who, dating, dates, jealousy, proms, boys, boyfriends & girlfriends; Mentions that Garrett is trying to figure out if he’s gay or not (his abusive father put the thought in his head, Book #2); A couple mentions of prostitution & a girl sleeping with a guy for meth; A mention of one-night stands; A mention that Sam knows girls her age that have had babies;

              *Note: A mention of Jennifer Knapp.

-Samantha McGregor, age 17
                                         1^st person P.O.V. of Sam
                                                        229 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{Add a star for girls in Public School}

“The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor” series deals with some hard topics and “Playing With Fire” was no exception. Lots of Spiritual Content, which is always nice! The ending leads very well into the next & final book of the series. :)

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.

"Deadly Devotion" by Sandra Orchard

About this book:

  “Research scientist Kate Adams and her colleague Daisy are on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy suddenly dies. Kate knows that if it hadn’t been for Daisy’s mentorship, she wouldn’t have the job she loves or the faith she clings to. So when police rule Daisy’s death a suicide, Kate is determined to unearth the truth.
  Former FBI agent Tom Parker finds it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gives him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom’s just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation of her friend’s death, he knows his job is at stake. In fact, despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate looks a bit suspicious herself.
As evidence mounts, a web of intrigue is woven around the sleepy town of Port Aster. Can Kate uncover the truth? Or will Tom stand in her way?”


Series: Book #1 in “Port Aster Secrets” series.

Spiritual Content- Many Prayers; Scriptures are read, remembered, quoted & mentioned; Witnessing; Talks about God & where God is; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God or Jesus; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of faiths & sharing; Mentions of Heaven & eternity; Mentions of church & church going; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of a minister; A mention of a godsend;

*Note: A mention of a “bat out of you-know-where”; A mention of not being in luck.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘stinking’, four forms of ‘shut up’, four forms of ‘stupid’; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Sarcasm & smart alecks; All about a murder (which many believe it was a suicide), poisons, deaths, bodies & a killer (up to semi-detailed); An allergic reaction; Tom has a bit of PTSD after a car bombing; Many, many mentions of marijuana, drugs & dealers; Many mentions of bombs & terrorist theories; Many mentions of cons & con-artists; Mentions of blood & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of threats; Mentions of criminals, victims & jail; Mentions of robberies, stealing, stolen items, & thieves; Mentions of cigarettes; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of domestic violence & injuries; A few mentions of vomit; A few mentions of bad smells; A couple mentions of bruises; A couple mentions of a misunderstanding of thinking someone is a terrorist; A couple mentions of roadkill; A mention of a drive-by shooting; A mention of a mafia hit man; A mention of a man zipping his pants after using the restroom;

               *Note: Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of brand names; A few mentions of a movie & actor (Australia & Hugh Jackman); A couple mentions of a Disney character; A couple mentions of Boy Scouts; A mention of GQ; A mention of looking like a zombie.

Sexual Content- Two fingers-to-lips touches; Touches & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing & Smelling; two forms of ‘hot’; Mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends & acting like you’re dating; Mentions of betrayals; Mentions of a playboy, flirting, blushes, & reputations; A few mentions of miscarriages; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of crushes & being sweet on someone; A couple mentions of an out of wedlock pregnancy; A couple mentions of affairs; A mention of a first kiss; A mention of a girl necking with her boyfriend; A mention of a gossip asking if a guy and girl could possibly be doing “you know…in the middle of the day?” (they aren’t); Some love, falling in love & the emotions.

-Kate Adams, age 29-30

-Tom Parker
                                             P.O.V. switches between them
                                                   358 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

Okay, I found this book completely fascinating. I’m totally kicking myself that I didn’t buy this trilogy all at once…now I have to wait to get my hands on the rest. I believe my fellow murder mystery fans will enjoy this one. With just a dash of romance and a lot of interesting facts about toxic plants, I’m hooked on this series and am eagerly awaiting to start the next book in the series.

{  So, a note to those interested in “Deadly Devotion”, when I read a couple other reviews I became concerned about the mystery not wrapping up like some reviewers were saying. Thankfully, the main mystery is wrapped up, but there are some smaller ones started in this first book that get carried on to the next. ;)  }

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.

"Katy's New World" by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About this book:

  “Katy has always enjoyed life in her small Mennonite community, but she longs to learn more than her school can offer. After getting approval from her elders, Katy starts her sophomore year at the public high school in town, where she meets new friends and encounters perspectives much different than her own. But as Katy begins to find her way in the outside world, her relationships at home become restrained. Can she find a balance between her two worlds?”


Series: Book #1 (of four) in “Katy Lambright” series.

Spiritual Content- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7a at the beginning; Prayers; Quite a few Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; Talks about God, His doors & the world; ‘H’ are capital when referring to God; Jewel has a bit of an attitude against “bible thumpers” she’s been placed with; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of the Mennonite faith; Mentions of a Baptist minister & faith; Mentions of Church, church going & Christians; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of those in the Bible; A few mentions of a Bible study; A couple mentions of Amish beliefs; A couple mentions of youth group; A couple mentions of sin; A couple mentions of heathens; A mention of being like Christ; A mention of a nun.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shut up’, two ‘duh’s, two ‘suck’s and six ‘stupid’s; Mentions of Sarcasm, eye rolling, attitudes; Mentions of possible rude names being cut off; Mentions of gossip & jealousy; Mentions of skipping school (Jewel convinces Katy to skip with her); Mentions of Katy’s mom who left when she was young; A couple mentions of cussing & not cussing; A couple mentions of stealing money; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of a beer can; A mention of butchering hogs (no details).

Sexual Content- a ‘sexy’; A mention that Jewel doesn’t know her father; A couple mentions of periods; A few mentions of Jewel’s mom’s many boyfriends and the one who doesn’t know how to keep his hands to himself (no details); Mentions of boys & boy crazy girls; Mentions of kisses, stolen kisses & kissing;

            *Note: A mention of a girl’s tight shirt showing the curve of her bosom; A couple mentions of underwear; A couple mentions of stripping naked & dancing in the streets (Jewel throws out the idea, none of them do it); A few mentions of a misunderstanding of a girl thinking a hope chest is when a girl hopes her chest gets bigger; Mentions of girls’ attributes, modesty & encouraging men not to look lustfully at a girl; Mentions of tight & low cut tops, tight jeans, and clothing that have printed phases on them to bring attention to a girls’ attributes.

-Kathleen “Katy” Lambright, age 16
                                        P.O.V. of Katy
                                                        203 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

At first I wasn’t a fan of Katy—she seemed a bit too focused on herself & how she was feeling, but by the end I ended up liking her better. I look forward to reviewing the rest of the series, as they do get better. ;)

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.