Jill Williamson

• Rated 5 stars

“A construction crew accidently discovers burial caves on the outskirts of Jerusalem, which turns out to be the Akeldama, the place where Judas Iscariot died. Before the archeologists can arrive to do their thing, the Collectors enter the tombs. The Akeldama Collectors are demon-like beings who have been waiting 2000 years to get at these bones, because bones combined with the blood of Judas that seeped into the soil makes it possible for the Collectors to awaken the dead. Once they each choose a body, they need to feed. Then they need to find and destroy the Nistarim, those immortal beings that rose at the death of the Nazarene to protect mankind.



Gina Lazarescu has managed to break away from her controlling mother and make a life for herself in the States. But when she is hit by a van and hears her body heal itself, the past is dug up again. Could she have a connection to the Nistarim her mother used to talk about, and if so, is she being hunted by the undead?



I have never read such a unique and creative novel from a Christian publisher. I applaud Thomas Nelson for publishing this book. It’s totally creepy—half the book is from the undead (vampire) perspective—so it’s not for everyone. I got a bit confused here and there because the story is action packed and moves right along. I found myself going back to reference characters. There is mild sensuality and violence from the bad guys’ scenes, but there is nothing graphic. If you like vampire stories, characters that are just as flawed as the next guy, and a plot that keeps you guessing, give this one a try. I was very impressed with how Wilson used scripture and history to weave this creative tale. In fact, when I finished reading it, I ran to my Bible to see the scriptures for myself. Pretty cool stuff. Highly recommended (with caution for the creepy factor).

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Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“In Kathryn Fitzmaurice’s book The Year the Swallows Came Early, eleven-year-old Eleanor “Groovy” Robinson loves cooking. She’s writing her own cookbook and plans to attend culinary arts school someday if she can afford it. Even her best friend Frankie’s stepbrother, who owns a local store, gives her some secret family recipes to go in her special cookbook.

Things start going wrong when her daddy is arrested as they’re walking through town. Since no one will tell Groovy why, she hurries to her momma’s salon to find out. Momma is in no hurry to let Groovy in on the details, but when she finally does explain, the truth breaks Groovy’s heart. Groovy’s sorrow for her daddy evolves into anger and Groovy turns her back on everything that makes her life special: her friends, her family, and her cooking. Nothing matters anymore. But when life brings unexpected surprises, Groovy discovers that there is more to every story. Sure, sometimes people just mess up, but sometimes the situation is out of their control. Either way, Groovy needs to decide if forgiveness is worth the risk.

Having recently read Because of Winn-Dixie, this book felt quite similar. Bother were in first person and about young girls, so I guess that’s why. This book is a great deal longer, but easy to read and entertaining. It’s a character-driven novel, as well. No edge-of-your-seat action adventure in this one. I liked Groovy and the way she saw the world. I liked how she thought her mama’s obsession with horoscopes were just superstitions and didn’t apply her mama’s believes to her own.

I still don’t know why her father was in jail. From what I can figure out, what he did was low and selfish, but completely within his rights as Groovy’s father. I wish the author would have given me a little bit more there to help with the realism of Groovy’s dad’s sentencing, because it didn’t make any sense to me.

My favorite part in the book is when Groovy shows her chocolate-covered strawberries to Marisol, a girl she thought was a bit snobby about her artistic talents. But since Marisol had shared about her love of drawing, Groovy took a chance to reveal a bit of her heart—her love of cooking—and in doing so, Groovy found a great friend. Sometimes friendship is a risk, but isn’t it always a risk worth taking? And if that’s true, isn’t forgiveness a risk worth taking, as well?
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Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Review by Gretchen Hoffman

I was so excited when Reluctant Smuggler came out. I started reading the series when the first two books were out, but I had to wait for this one. Book three did not disappoint.

In the final book of the trilogy, Desiree Jacobs faces her most difficult task yet. It started off simple—obtain an antique Mayan artifact and get it to the good guys. But the simple task gets complicated when espionage, people looting Mexican antiquities, corrupt government officials, and a violent gang, the Fraternidad de la Garra, find their way into the picture. How is Desi supposed to plan the perfect wedding to her fiancé, FBI agent Tony Lucano, with all this trouble?

With injuries, lots of questions, and someone close who ends up in the hospital, Desi faces a lot of “what-if” situations and must rely on more than her wits to survive. She needs to find the truth before anyone else, including herself, gets hurt.

If you’ve read book one and two, this book is a must. Ms. Nelson ties everything together in a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat package. Check it out.”

Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This story takes place in Europe, 1944. The Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. Bruno Kassler, the fast-rising head of the Gestapo Regional Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, discovers a secret about one of the scientists working to create the atomic bomb. Physicist Joseph Engel was born a Jew and adopted by Christian parents at birth. Kassler is convinced that Engel is a spy and that his discovery will earn Kassler a great promotion.

Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss woman working for the forerunner to the CIA. She has a great talent for breaking into safes that impress her employers. She is asked to take on a special mission to escort Joseph Engel out of Germany before the Gestapo can catch him. The Americans believe that Engel is the key to Germany’s development of this super weapon. If they can get Engel out of Germany, his wisdom will be of great use to the United States and the Allied forces.

There is something fascinating and heroic about the stories from this historical period. Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey have added to that list. Each character hooked me into their world and agenda. I couldn’t wait to see how all the threads would weave together. The Swiss Courier is a unique look at the front lines of World War II and what everyday people sacrificed to stand up against the evil surrounding them. Everyday farmers, shopkeepers, and soldiers alike risked their lives to do what was right. This was an unexpected and thrilling adventure. I highly recommend this book for readers ages 16 and up.
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Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“The Igby children, Janner, Tink, and Leeli, manage to anger a vicious Fang and are thrown into jail. Janner is certain that they will be taken away in the Black Carriage, forever slaves of Gnag the Nameless. But before the carriage arrives, their mother bails them out with a handful of precious jewels.

Janner is curious where the jewels came from, and he’s not the only one. The Fangs come after them again, this time seeking the precious Jewels of Anniera they are certain the Igbys are hiding. The chase takes the Igby family far into Glipwood Forest where toothy cows and horned hounds abound.

This book was a big—and pleasant—surprise. Andrew Peterson has a wonderfully witty voice. He reminds me of an easier-to-understand Douglas Adams with his satirical style of writing. The book is interesting from the start, though it takes a while to come to the plot. The ending was full of great stuff that made me really excited to read the next book in the series. I really enjoyed this one a lot.
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Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Ana Dominguez is miserable in her new life in Half Moon Bay. She didn’t want to move in the first place, hasn’t found any friends, and has managed to upset Riley, the most popular girl in school. A huge mistake lands her in detention where she discovers that she and Riley, along with two other girls, have a unique, life-changing event in common. This realization gets Ana two new friends, but despite all their attempts, Riley is not interested in becoming a Miracle Girl. Will Riley ever forgive Ana for her original blunder?

I winced all through chapter one. I couldn’t believe Ana! I can’t imagine anyone doing something as bold as she did, let alone not having any proof. Talk about a great way to never make friends…

As I read on, however, Ana’s personality captured my heart. I loved her struggles to obey her near-tyrant parents and her confusion over which boy she likes. The scenes where she volunteered with the Alzheimer’s patients were my favorite. I just hope Mrs. Slater doesn’t develop that picture of Ana and Dave, or Ana’s papa will kill her for sure! Highly recommended.
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Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Lina and Doon are graduating from school. At twelve years of age, all graduates are given a work assignment for the city of Ember. Lina wants nothing more than to be a Messenger, to run free and explore the city. But Lina draws out a Pipeworks assignment. Doon draws the Messenger job and sulks. Lina can’t understand why anyone would be angry to be a Messenger.

After class, Doon asks Lina if she’d like to trade. Thrilled to get her wish after all, Lina accepts. As Lina and Doon start their new jobs, they both discover things are not well in Ember. Blackouts have been happening more frequently and for longer periods of time, and supplies are running very low. What will the citizens of Ember do if the lights go out for good? What will happen if they run out of supplies altogether? Many have walked into the unknown regions only to come back half-mad, swearing there it nothing out there. Lina stumbles onto a mysterious message that may hold the answer to these questions. But can she and Doon decipher it before it’s too late?

This book drew me in from page one. I love the world DuPrau created in Ember. Lina and Doon are both fun but naturally flawed characters who stumble along trying to find their way in their world. This book gives you a lot to think about as to where life comes from, although the author leaves the answer to that question open to the reader to decide. I found it brilliant how the people in Ember asked questions about their life, that they knew something was missing, that the darkness didn’t seem right, even though they knew nothing else. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages. ”

Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Landon Carter is a boy who doesn’t really know God at all. When he realizes he might be the only guy in the school without a date to the homecoming dance, he pulls out his yearbook for help. For some reason, he keeps coming back to the picture of Jamie Sullivan, a plain, ultra-religious minister’s daughter. A date with Jamie might earn him some ridicule, but it would be better than going stag. So he works up the nerve and asks. Jamie’s answer? She says yes, on one condition. She makes him promise that he won’t fall in love with her.

Landon isn’t a bit worried about falling in love with Jamie Sullivan.

The dance goes okay. A few days later Jamie asks him a favor. She wants him to take the lead role in the play. Landon has no desire to do such a thing, but the way Jamie puts it to him, he’d be the biggest jerk on earth to say no. The more time Landon spends with Jamie, the more frustrated he gets. If she’d just try a little, she could be normal. But Jamie is anything but normal, and that’s why Landon can’t help but break his promise.

This book has a couple mild curse words in it. But it is one of the best love stories I’ve ever read. Here is a girl who is being exactly who God created her to be. Most the kids write her off as a nerd, but Jamie is the real deal. And when a guy gets to know a girl who is real and confident and who knows who she is, that is the most attractive thing in the world. Most girls don’t get that…ever. But God designed each of us to be who we are, not to pretend to be someone else. Jamie gets that. She also gets the bigger picture. That God might use her to bring others to him. This story has a heartbreaking twist, but if we can remember that we were not created for this world but for the next one, it is truly a very happy ending. I love this book!”

Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“For fifteen years, Thomas Hunter has eaten the rhambutan fruit, and for fifteen year, he had not awakened on earth. His army is fighting a war against the Horde. There are too many to defeat. Thomas’ only plan is to dream and find out how to make explosives on earth so that his army might win against the Horde.

Thomas wakes up to discover not a day has passed on earth. He and his sister are still trying to stop the outbreak of the Raison Strain. Thomas bounces between worlds again trying to be a hero in both. He works with the United States government to try to prevent the end of the world on earth, and when he sleeps, he is trying to save the forest dwellers from an equally devastating crisis with the Horde.

In graphic novel form, the story moves really fast. It’s an action-packed story anyway, but if you’ve read the novel, you might feel like lots of stuff is missing. I also felt like there was a mistake in there, when Thomas was shot on earth, he awoke fine, then a few pages later Rachelle was shocked that he wasn’t hurt. Something was off there. However, my seven-year-old son loved this one as much as the first. Beautiful illustrations. The allegory of Jesus is strong in this book. It was fun to talk about that with my son. Once I brought it up, he started noticing things too. Then, the other day, he had chapped lips and told me that must be what the Scabs had felt like.”

Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Hunter and his friends play the ultimate prank on the school bully. They hide in a dumpster to avoid his wrath but can’t get out. After yelling for help for quite some time, someone finally comes to their aid. This “janitor” promises not to tell the school principal where he found the boys if they’ll do him a favor. He hands Hunter a card with the address of a book shop and asks him to pick up an item and bring it back to the boys’ bathroom. Feeling as if they have no choice, the boys complete the errand. But when they return to the bathroom with a fancy, old book and a key, the janitor is nowhere to be found.

Hunter takes the things home and discovers that the book is magical. Before he can truly figure out what the book is for, he and his friend are whisked away to Solandria, a realm that is at war with the Shadow. There Hunter discovers that he must complete Codebearer training if he is to help defeat this Shadow and get home again.

With dragons, trolls, giant birds and lizards, and weapons similar to light sabers, this book was truly fun for all ages. I thought the premise and allegory was very powerful. Hunter is a delightful and sarcastic character. The minor characters were also fun. This was the strength of the book, in my opinion. There were some unnecessary backflashes that jerked me out of the story at times and some writing craft issues that teens probably won’t notice. There were also many punctuation issues. I was surprised to see such mistakes in a book from Warner Press.

I read it to my seven-year-old son, and he loved it, especially the illustrations. The Miller brothers seem to be quite talented as artists and animators, and now story tellers. ”

Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )