"The Writing on the Wall" by Elizabeth Mattox

About this book:

  “When Mary and her sister Betty visit the Ivy Bay lighthouse with their friend Henry, Mary stumbles upon a crude map drawn on the wall. Henry wonders if it might be connected to his ancestor David, who was accused of stealing a large sum of money and a precious family heirloom. Mary decides to investigate, but solving a crime committed almost a century ago isn’t easy, and a surprising number of people don’t want her to succeed. With so many obstacles blocking her way, can she discover what really happened with Henry’s ancestor? And where are the money and sapphire ring that went missing all those years ago? Even more important, can she find these treasures before anyone else does?”


Series: Book #4 (of 24) in the “Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop” series. Please click on the number to be taken to that review: Book #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23, and #24.


Spiritual Content- A Scripture is written at the end of the book; Prayers & Blessings over food; A Prayer meeting; Church going & sermons; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Many mentions of churches, church going, ministers, choirs, & hymns; Mentions of talks about God & forgiveness; Mentions of thanking God; Mentions of prayers, praying, prayer groups, & blessings over food; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of confessing to a minister; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of Scriptures; A couple mentions of books of the Bible; A couple mentions of stained glass of those from the Bible; A couple mentions of Sunday school; A mention of a Christmas Eve service; A mention of a Christian radio station.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of eye rolling; Nearly all about mentions of crimes, criminals/thieves, stealing, stolen items, thefts, & arrests; Mentions of deaths, a fire, & an arsonist; Mentions of pain; Mentions of tobacco & an illegal arms-trading business; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of a pre-teen’s attitude & eye rolls; A few mentions of drinking & the Prohibition; A couple mentions of shoplifting; A couple mentions of graffiti; A couple mentions of nightmares;

             *Note: A mention of Star Wars; A mention of a TV show (CSI).

Sexual Content- A few touches (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of proms, dates, a breakup, & boyfriend;

             *Note: A mention of a cat butting it’s owner’s arm.

-Mary Fisher, age 62
                                P.O.V. of Mary
                                            272 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

While I wasn’t completely interested in the mystery, I still followed along with the story. I did really enjoy all the faith content and seeing more of Mary’s family.

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.

"Cross My Heart" by Carol Cox

About this book:

  “Violet Canfield has a tender heart. Growing up, she cared for a constant stream of orphaned animals. Now, when three orphaned children show up on her doorstep, it's second nature to protect the kids from the wild-eyed man chasing them. Raised in the shadow of strong men, Willie Bradley believes it's time to prove his own worth. But his new job - delivering three mischievous children to their guardian in Airzona Territory - may be too much for him. When the trio slip away from him and take refuge at Violet's farm, he must not only try to locate their missing guardian but persuade Violet he's trustworthy as well. Can Violet and Willie get past their first impressions and discover each other's true character? What does God have planned in their "chance meeting"?”


Series: Book #4 in the “Sagebrush Brides” series. (The other books have not been reviewed.)


Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are quoted & mentioned; Prayers; Witnessing to young children; Talks about God, Jesus, & Heaven; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of faiths & Christ-likeness; Mentions of Heaven, angels, & salvation; Mentions of blessings; Mentions of sins; A few mentions of a minister; A couple mentions of thanking God; A couple mentions of Bibles.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’ and three ‘idiot’s; A bit of sarcasm; Pain & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries, & bleeding; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of animal waste; A few mentions of an accident & death; A couple mentions of a gambler; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of debauchery.

Sexual Content- two border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss & embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, & Warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; A few mentions of a forehead kiss; A few mentions of nearness & smelling; A few mentions of chaperones & reputations; A couple mentions of blushes & staring; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.

-Violet Canfield

-Willie Bradley, age 21
                                P.O.V. switches between them

                                               Set in 1885
                                                        176 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

This was a really sweet and easy read! Lots of faith content and children antics. There was a few parts or words that didn’t seem like they would be historically accurate, but it was overall a cute read.

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.

"Room on the Porch Swing" by Amy Clipston

About this book:

  “When tragedy strikes, can two young Amish people find the hope that lies on the other side?

   Laura Riehl is no stranger to heartache. Less than a year after her mother’s death, Laura finds herself burying another loved one: her best friend, Savilla, who has died after a brief and sudden illness. Laura feels heartbroken and alone, but her pain is nothing compared to that of Allen, the husband Savilla has left behind. He now faces a life so different from the one he imagined—plus a baby to care for on his own.

   When Laura offers to help Allen with baby Mollie, he jumps at the opportunity until a permanent solution can be found. She’d do anything to lend a hand to Allen and to honor her best friend’s memory. Rudy, Laura’s boyfriend, is initially supportive of her plan, but the more time Laura spends with Allen, the more jealous and frustrated Rudy seems to become.

   As Laura and Allen face hardships together, their friendship takes a surprising yet comforting turn—and she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. Would falling for Allen betray the people she cares about most, or would denying those feelings betray her heart? This latest installment in the Amish Homestead series returns us to Lancaster County, home of the beloved Riehls, where a family’s strength—and advice from a new friend—may help Laura find God’s direction.”


Series: Book #2 in the “Amish Homestead” series. Review of Book #1 Here!


Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mention, quoted, & read; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & His will; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of church, church going, services, sermons, hymns, ministers, & youth gatherings; Mentions of Bibles; Mentions of singing Christian children’s song; Mentions of being blessed & blessings; Mentions of sins & being sinful; A couple mentions of Christian novels;A mention of praising God; A mention of a Christian man.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shut up’ and two ‘stupid’s; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; A sudden death & seeing another throw up (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a sudden death, illnesses, & throwing up (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of an accident & death; Mentions of pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of lies/fibs & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of car accidents & injuries.

Sexual Content- a cheek kiss, a head kiss, a not-detailed kiss, a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, & Shivers (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Remembering touches (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring; Many mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, break-ups, & jealousy; Mentions of reputations; A few mentions of cheating/affairs; A few mentions of touches; A couple mentions of a possible out-of-wedlock pregnancy; A couple mentions of kisses & kissing (not-detailed); A couple mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of crushes; A mention of a wedding night; Love, falling in love, trying to not be in love, & the emotions;

             *Note: A couple mentions of unmentionables.

-Laura Riehl, age 22

-Allen Lambert
                                P.O.V. switches between them
                                                        321 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

While this wasn’t my favorite Amy Clipston Amish book, it was a light four-star read that I enjoyed. Some readers might not like the back-and-forth of Laura and Allen’s emotions, but I thought that they were realistic. I think I would share nearly the same reactions as they did if I was in their shoes. Like other connected series, it was nice to see the couple from the first book and get hints about the third book. :)

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 Publisher (Zondervan) for this honest review.