"Dreamhouse Kings Book 3: Gatekeepers" by Robert Liparulo

Well, I am halfway through the series, and it has (so far) been getting better and better. In fact, there were more overt Christian references in book 3 than either of the other two. The villains have gotten creepier. The house has gotten a little more active. And the King family is getting some unexpected help.
This book marks the first time the family makes progress. I won't tell you what it is, that would be cheating! They are starting to figure out a lot more about the doors and the house in general.
Xander and Dad reconcile a bit more in this book. The kids have made quite a habit out of lying to their dad, using the justification that he had been lying to them about the house. Let's hope the young readers don't miss the point: it is NEVER right to lie.
These books are the perfect length for young readers. Any longer and you run the risk of losing interest. Any shorter, and you would wonder why he had to take 6 books to tell the story instead of just making a trilogy out of it.
So far, I've had no luck in finding books #4  and #5 at my bargain bookstore. I can get it for full price at Lifeway Christian (and I might wind up doing that), but I was hoping to find it for a little cheaper. Not because the books aren't worth the price, but because I'm broke!
Still 5 out of 5 stars!

"Nick of Time" by Tim Downs

I've read all of Tim Downs' novels, and I must say this one was BY FAR the best! Nick Polchak is a great character, and all of the books are fascinating. Tim Downs has a great skill at mixing the drama of the situation with the realistic emotions of the characters.
In this book, Nick is about to get married to Alena Savard (who is also an amazing character that was introduced in a previous book). He decides to take a short trip to meet an old friend - but instead finds out the friend is missing. Nick smells murder, and the chase is on! In the meantime, Nick is being chased as well - by Alena!
It is probably no secret to long time fans that Tim Downs also has written books on marriage, and he also speaks at FamilyLife events. His experience in this area gives him the opportunity to tackle problems encountered in the marriage relationship - but in a very subtle way. To me, Nick became much more "human" in this book, and I loved it! Tim Downs has done nothing but improve Nick Polchak from the first novel, and he takes a giant leap in this book.
I can think of nothing negative about this book. The plot was complex and the twist at the end is amazing (and hilarious). In addition, the very last page presents an excellent "to-be-continued" ending.
If you are a long time fan of the Bug Man, you will be amazed. And if you are new to Tim Downs and his Bug Man, prepare yourself to buy a half-dozen other books by this great author!
I give it a HUGE 5 out of 5 stars!

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers as part of their BookSneeze bloggers’ review program. I was not required to write a positive review.

"Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo (with Lynn Vincent)

My approach to books of this type is ALWAYS: "I'm-skeptical-so-convince-me." It is much easier to hide behind our own assumptions that way. Sometimes, my assumptions are questioned by such a story. (See my review of "23 Minutes in Hell" by Bill Wiese)
This book was very intriguing... But I'm still not sure I'm convinced. In no way am I passing judgment on the family, or calling Todd Burpo a liar. I assure you, that is not my intention.
The basic facts are these: The Burpo's four year old son Colton is taken to the hospital for emergency surgery due to a severe case of appendicitis. The boy comes very close to dying (in fact, the medical staff seemed sure that he would). Colton makes a dramatic and miraculous recovery. As time goes on, Colton begins to make statements to the effect that he had been in Heaven with Jesus for a short time during the surgery. Amazingly, he has knowledge of some facts that should not have been known to him - including the fact that his parents had lost a baby before Colton was born (he meets her in Heaven).
The story is very uplifting in many ways. There is the honest confession by the father that he had been angry at God. There is the healing that takes place concerning the miscarriage. There is the miracle story of Colton's recovery. It is all very encouraging.
But the real issue is whether or not Colton really took a temporary trip to Heaven. My own observations are an attempt at a balance. Again, I do not mean to imply that anyone is lying. The father repeatedly states that "Colton couldn't have known" some of the things the Bible says about Heaven, such as where Jesus was in relation to God's throne, and what the colors were like. Or the fact that there were animals in heaven. But, being the son of a pastor, even a four year old could learn much about Heaven. I wasn't a pastor's son, but I'm sure I could have told you there were horses in heaven, and that the colors were beautiful. It is just a little difficult for me to believe that a boy could go to Sunday School for any length of time, and no teacher ever said, "Heaven is a wonderful place! There will be animals there! And the colors will be much prettier than they are here!" After all, when evangelizing young children, there are two common tactics: 1) scare them with Hell, and 2) make them think Heaven is so wonderful they want to go there. (I'm not mocking anyone - I was the product of tactic #1!!!! I got saved at 4 years old because of a scary video about Hell)
Now the other information, like seeing his great-grandfather and recognizing his picture, and meeting his sister.... I have no skeptical explanation for. So, I have to assume that it is at least true that the boy said these things (whether or not he was actually there and saw them). That is the real kink in my skepticism. The other kink involves the boy's attempt at identifying a close description of Jesus based on contemporary illustrations of Him. I have no reason to think that God would PREVENT us from knowing what Jesus looked like, but then again there are PAINFULLY few descriptions about Jesus from while He was on earth. The only two I can think of are His beard, and the scars from His crucifixion. (And no, I don't believe Jesus had long hair!)
All I can say is, I'm not sure.... For some reason, my gut instinct is that all is not as it appears. But I would never call the character of this man or his family into question without reasonable proof, which I do not have.
Either way, it is a fascinating book. My only lament is that people seem more excited about the issue of Heaven through this book than they do about all the many wonderful descriptions of Heaven given in the Holy Bible.....

"Dreamhouse Kings Series Book 2: Watcher in the Woods" by Robert Liparulo

If the house weren't creepy enough..... Now, the King family must deal with several new problems - problems like strange people watching their house at night, the threat of losing their home, and the first day of school! Will they be able to find their mom? Can they bring her back from the worlds beyond the portals? Can they figure out how the portals work? And who is the man who wants to take their house?
These questions are asked but not answered in this book.
It is not easy to write a series of books that is multiple volumes long and retain interest and curiosity throughout the middle parts. Usually the first and last books are most interesting, because they contain the introduction and the resolution of the story. In Book #2 of this series, author Robert Liparulo does a superb job of carrying on the story, introducing new information, and enticing us to reach for Book #3.
While Book #1 seemed to focus more on Xander, the eldest King child, this book gives a better glimpse at the character of David, second child and youngest boy. He wrestles with the choice between submitting to Dad's cautious plan of action (or INaction) or secretly joining Xander on forbidden and dangerous schemes of their own. There is also a sinister new villain with a mysterious history....
In all, the book did an admirable job of delivering more of what Book #1 great, while leaving just enough to be desired so that I'll finish the series. I'm a little ashamed to think of these books as JUVENILE fiction! They are just as good (although a good deal shorter) than much "adult" fiction I've read. I read this book easily in three days, at a slow pace. So, it will not be difficult to finish the series of six books.
I give this book five out of five stars!

"Farraday Road" by Ace Collins

A man with the name "Ace" should surely be able to write a decent thriller novel, right? Right! "Farraday Road" is the story of an attorney named Elijah Evans (shortened to "Lije" almost every time in the book....which actually drove me crazy after a while) whose wife was murdered on a rainy night. After the murder, it appears that the real target was Elijah, since several more attempts on his life are made. But who is after him, and why?
One of the best things about this book is the ending. It is truly a continuing story! Most books of series that I've read are written in a way that any book in the series can be read alone and still enjoyed. THIS book, however, ends with a true cliffhanger! Right in the middle of an intense scene, the book just ends with "To be continued...."  I love it! If the book had resolved in some way, I may not have been interested in picking up book #2, but now I have to find out what happens.
It is a very original story with some interesting twists, but there are a few negative issues. The characters are a bit wooden to me.... Their dialogue and actions are just a little stiff. I mean, some of the lines spoken in the book are phrased in ways that no one that I've ever met would actually phrase them. They work on paper, but you can't imagine anyone actually SAYING those lines.
There is one or two unnecessary expletives thrown in, which boggles my mind. My only question is, "why?" If you cuss in a book, and do it consistently, then I have the feeling that you talk that way and have no problem with it. If you don't cuss at all, I appreciate it and feel like you have a conviction about it (as I do - because I don't swear). But to use like 2 cuss words? It's almost like your publisher said, "Hey, man, throw some hard language in there to make it realistic!"... and you fight your hesitation and sprinkle a few in there to please someone. *Sigh*
The biggest problem with the book (in my mind) is a GLARING error. It's hard to explain without spoiling something, so let me just try it this way:
1. Characters A and B think character C might be a bad guy, so they hide their work from C.
2. Characters A and B get in a car wreck (a little more complicated than just a wreck, but I'm trying not to spoil anything)
3. Character C also gets in a car wreck. (all three survive)
4. Characters A and B go to see character C after C's wreck.
5. Characters A and B wonder how character C knew about THEIR wreck.........
But THE BOOK NEVER TELLS US THAT CHARACTER C DID KNOW ABOUT IT!!!!!
Nothing is said that implies character C knew about their accident. Suddenly, character A just wonders, "How did _________  know about our accident?"  This is unforgivable to me..... It bothered me SO MUCH! I don't know if it was just a mistake in the edition that I own.... Anyway, I got over it. But it still bothers me.

All in all, it is a mediocre book with mediocre characters, but the innumerable twists in the story make it interesting. I'd give it a three out of five stars.