Perhaps I am just a sucker for a Christmas story, but I like this one very much. And, I always appreciate how a professional author can take a story that seems simple and then at the end..... well, no, I really can't tell you. You'll have to read it for yourself. I do not give this a five star rating, however, as I don't feel that the conversations found in the book were as strong as they could have been, especially at the beginning, though they did improve later in the book. My suggestion: BUY THIS BOOK.

The Sparling family is really struggling. They've recently moved to the frontier from Chicago. Jeremiah is trying his best, but he's really out of his league. His wife, Grace, is struggling with their new life, convinced things won't work out.

Then, on Christmas Eve, Jeremiah and their oldest son are stranded on their way back from town with supplies. Fortunately, help arrives in the form of a Pony Express rider who risks his job to help the strangers. Unfortunately, he unknowingly was followed by two outlaws desperate to get their hands on the mail he carries.

Sigmund Brouwer weaves another wonderful tale in this novella. It's a heart warming story of love shown to others at Christmas that's short enough to read in one sitting. Start a fire, pour your favorite Christmas beverage, and enjoy this tale from frontier America.

Ricky Kidd is on a family trip in Hawaii for a wedding. Joseph Norbert, an old friend of Ricky's dad, is getting married. Along for the trip are Ricky's parents, Ricky's little brother and baby sister, Mike - Ricky's friend, and Lisa - Ricky's friend and babysitter for his baby sister.

Not long after they arrive in Hawaii, Norbert tells them he must go out early in the morning to go shark fishing. Ricky's dad thinks this would be a great adventure for Mike and Ricky so he convinces Norbert to take the three of them along.

They venture out in the small boat long before the sun comes up. In the still darkness, Ricky starts doubting that shark-fishing is such a great idea - small boat, big sharks - until a shark bites. With the pull of his line, Ricky's adrenaline flows. He envisions how it will be at school when he shows everyone his necklace of shark teeth and tells them how he caught the beast.

Just when the shark is starting to calm down on the line, Mike falls overboard. Norbert cuts the line and Ricky watches as his prize disappears through the dark water. Norbert jumps in for Mike and they head back to shore.

Ricky can't believe Mike was so clumsy to fall off the boat and ruin his chance of catching the shark. Mike begs him to believe that he didn't fall, he was pushed.

Mike sets out to prove that Norbert pushed him overboard and in the process discovers some very unsettling things about Mr. Kidd's old friend.

There's something about a buoy carrying an antique statue that a white haired man picks up from Norbert's boat and then throws it in a dumpster. The dumpster is emptied before anyone realizes that Mike has the statue. Then, the real adventure begins.

Who are these people trying to get the statue? Why was it hidden in a buoy and thrown in a dumpster? how does Norbert fit into all of this? How will Ricky, Mike, and Lisa learn the truth?

"The Volcano of Doom" is the first book in the Accidental Detective series. Sigmund Brouwer does an excellent job of balancing danger and suspense for the young reader. Boys and girls will enjoy the action of "The Volcano of Doom."

Ricky and his friends Mike and Lisa are enjoying their Easter vacation in Hawaii. Ricky's dad is going to be the best man in his college roommate's wedding, and everyone is enjoying relaxing on the beach the week before. But then Mike discovers a Japanese statue that was hidden on their host's boat. What was Norbert doing with it? And who is trying to steal it? But when Norbert disappears, the friends find they have more questions then answers. Can they piece together the clues they do have in time to save the wedding?

I've been a fan of this series since it's initial release, and it's wonderful to have a new story staring the Accidental Detectives. I was a little startled by the additional of Rachel, Ricky's one-year-old sister. But once I got used to this new character, I felt back in the groove of the stories.

As is always the case with this series, the plot is truly mystifying. The characters are well established in Mr. Brouwer's mind, and it shows in how well developed they are in this book. The only one who wasn't quite up to par was Joel, but that's probably because he had a small part in the story.

Once again, this group of friends is playing jokes on each other and solving life-threatening cases. This is one of my favorite series, and it's great to see it back in print.

I read this book based on liking other books by Sigmond Brouwer. I found this book about a seriel murder much too violent especially for Christian fiction genre.

I will guarantee, you will never guess who the killer is until the ending! It takes you totally by surprise! Brouwer is a genious, weaving great plot twists with well-built characters, and he tops it all off with nail-biting suspense! He covers up the killer exteremely well! I read this book in 2 days, it was that addicting! This novel doesn't get the recognition is deserves! Check it out! You'll be very glad you did!

VERY WELL WRITTEN. I HAD TROUBLE PUTTING THE BOOK DOWN. I READ THIS BOOK IN 2 1\2 DAYS. I ACCUALLY FELT LIKE ONE OF THE CHARATERS. THE RESEAERCH WAS INCREDIBLE.. I CHECKED THE BOOK OUT ON ACCIDENT, AND I AM SO HAPPY I DID.. I AM ALSO HAPPY I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE HOW WELL THE BOOK IS. I GUARANTEE YOU, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ THE FIRST PAGE AND YOUR HOOKED. SINCERELY JULIE PLEASES E-MAIL IF YOU READ SIMMILAR BOOKS....

An enjoyable, though slightly lightweight, adventure centering around a young man named Mok who, for some undescribable reason, is kidnapped and hooked to a macine that puts him into a netherworld, in which he must use his enjineuity to solve problems. Read this when you need to relax your brain.

It is the year AD 2096, the Great Water Wars all over but Earth is still a hostile world. The World Government is controlled by wealthy Technocrats who have outlawed Christianity. The Christians are then forced to live in Old Newyork, now a bombed-out island where only the criminal and poverty-stricken Welfaros live. The World Government decides to destroy the whole island of Old Newyork, killing all of its inhabitants. But a committee together comes up with a plan, one in which they will need to find a hero. After giving up on many candidates, they have only one last hope, that is to test the Welfaro, Mok. Will he be able to survive through the 'Cyberquest'?

This complete book of the Cyberquest series (consisting of 6 short books) is a great read. If parents are searching for a good book with a Christian theme for their kids, this book is definitely worth looking up! It has adventure, suspense, Christian morals, and a futuristic setting which would appeal to kids ages 9 and up. The character Mok is your typical hero, poor and not educated yet intelligent, searching for the answer about who the Galilee man is, and if this person called Jesus really lived... and still lives?

My only complaint about "Cyberquest" is some points about the writing. I love twists and turns in the plot and especially love surprises. This book has plenty of them except at some parts I can't help but feel like it wasn't written down well. Either the scene was a bit rushed or forced upon you quickly you don't know what's going on, confusing the reader at some intervals. Other than that it's a great, lightweight adventure story to read. A bit of a reminder, since this book is six books in one, many times things or events are repeated or explained numerous times.

Two other Sigmund Brouwer series I love are "Lightning on Ice Series" and the "Mars Diaries". The "Lightning on Ice" books are about teenage ice hockey players while the "Mars Diaries" are a science fiction series on a teenager who lives on a colony on Mars.

The book is excelent! It has no filthy language. It centers around 2045 A.D. It is a book for all ages!

....

I have to say this book is good because it is a good
clean read which is truly an accomplishment for a western story-line. However, I do not recommend it if you are looking for a fast moving cliffhanger. It reminds me a little of the ole-style country/western songs...it has a tendency to drag on. Sorry Mr. Brouwer, the first book in this series, 'Evening Star' drew me in but this one fizzled out. Do not give up on S. Bouwer
though - he is a great writer...maybe just not westerns?

Samuel Keaton has returned to Laramie, this time as the Sheriff. But things aren't as simple as arresting the occasional drunk. There's the traveling revivalist in the cell arrested for attempted murder who taunts Samuel whenever he's in the office. Then there's the double murder in the bank vault set up to look like a robbery gone wrong. And, to make matters worse, a gang of confederates has wandered into town. While they aren't causing any trouble, the townsfolk blame them for everything bad happening in town and are mad at Samuel because he's not taking any action. His hands are tied, however, because of lack of evidence.

Sigmund Brouwer has written another great book. Samuel Keaton's world is enhanced by the introduction of Doc and Jake. The mystery is very engaging and the writing style is relaxed, inviting the reader to sit back and enjoy. I highly recommend this entertaining mystery, originally released as "Moon Basket."

"I was unable to put it down... if you like hockey, you'll love this series!" (Andy, 11 years old, telling you what Ron MacLean, host of Hockey Night in Canada, said about this book.)

It is so nice to see beginning reader books for boys. This book would fall into the catagory of a first chapter book. The chapters are only a couple of pages long, with large type and a picture every page or two. Girls will like it too, but my girl would be concerned about the flies (they get glued to a popsicle stick!). A nice book modeling doing something nice for someone else, in a funny, non-preachy way. This was the first of this series that we have read. I'll sure buy more! Thank you, Mr. Brouwer, for encouraging my son to read!

Reading this book helped me to think about and understand Christ's situation during His death. All of cyber quest books were very good. I would recommend this book to people who like adventure, and mystery.

The Winds of light books are great! This one is no exception, but I like the first 6 the best. The only reason I gave this book a 4 star rating is because the other 6 were better. I would of gave it a 5 if I had not read the others.

Ricky and his friends Mike, Ralphy, and Lisa have been invited to spend a week with Mike's uncle in South Carolina. They're looking forward to a relaxing week in this historic city until Mr. Emmett is arrested for theft. Seems lots of Civil War relics have been stolen from the museum where Mike's cousin works and appeared in the back of Mr. Emmett's car. The gang is sure that Mike's uncle is being set up. The question is, can they prove it?

Time with this foursome is always well spent. As usual, I got sucked into this book and had a very hard time putting it down. There were some very fun character scenes that had me laughing out loud. The plot was a little straight forward and not one of Mr. Brouwer's best. Still, it was good enough to keep me glued to the book to find out what would happen next.

Fans of the series will devour this book and start looking for more. Even reluctant readers will be lured in by the short chapters and fun characters. Recommended for kids and mystery fans of all ages.