reviews

Fading Tracks:

At U.S.A. Today: "...Twelve-year-old Jerri McKane is distraught to hear her roommate and several other girls from Landmark School for Girls are missing after they didn’t return from a school field trip. What is more startling is the purple and yellow school van was spotted traveling along a two-lane road bordering a lake, but was not seen coming out the other end. What happened to the bus? Did it careen on black ice or was there foul play?

Amateur sleuth Jerri McKane will stop at nothing to find out what happened to the bus, even if it means risking her own life.

I was riveted to the edge of my seat wondering what happened to that bus. The author’s carefully laid red herring left me totally clueless. I couldn't figure out what happened and I didn't know who to trust. The characterization of the cantankerous head mistress, the overzealous T.V. reporter, and the blue-haired, nose-ringed news camera woman made the story come to life."

At Reuter's: "Advanced readers too young to handle the likely reasons the children disappeared: possible accidental death, possible child abduction, and possible murder should not read this story just yet. I wouldn’t want the little ones to suffer from bad dreams.

But middle school-aged children through adults will enjoy Fading Tracks as Jerri learns to “trust God when the world doesn’t seem to make sense."

Also picked up by ABC affiliate WISN.com for review. Originally reviewed by BookSplurge, an online book review source.

From Loves to Read: "When a boarding school bus from the girl's boarding school goes missing all of the students are worried and frightened. Jeri McKane's roomate was one of the missing girls and Jeri is determined to do whatever she can to find them...This book was a great YA mystery. It draws you into the world of Jeri the main character as she investigates the bus disappearance and tries to help anyway she can."

Secrets for Sale:

From The Friendly Book Nook: "I thought that this was a very good read for girls ages 9-13. The book was very engaging and I liked the variety in the main characters - some girls were missionary kids, some were girls at a private boarding school, some had money and some didn’t have much money at all and had to keep up a scholarship in order to stay. The girls were from different parts of the world, but they each had common issues to deal with. Jeri dealt with forgiveness issues with her father, which are common to today’s culture. Rosa had to deal with being born before her mother was married. Another girl dealt with losing a father to death… The mystery part kept me guessing until the very end - I like surprises! Christianity is present, but it was ‘not in your face.’ A nonbeliever could read this book and understand it. I’d like to read more in the series!”

From Book Splurge: Best in Books: "Can faith, courage, and the truth win out?

Jeri McKane's best friend Rosa is being blackmailed. If the creep isn't paid, Rosa will be expelled from school. But that's not the worst of it, Rosa thinks Jeri is blackmailing her. After all, Rosa only told Jeri her big secret. Jeri sets out to find who the blackmailer is only to find others are now being blackmailed, including herself. Where did the blackmailer find cruel information about her father? Can Jeri stop the blackmailer from spreading hurtful information before reputations are ruined and Rosa gets expelled?

I'm having fun with this series. I pretty much figured out who the culprit is in this story, but I still see-sawed a bit thinking:" Naw, couldn't be! Could it?" The scene when the blackmailer is caught is thrilling. All I have to say is: I'm now hooked on this series. I don't have book #3 Smokescreen and #4 Pick Your Poison, but I will look for them in my nearest book store.

For anyone wanting a good read but needs a little break from full-length books, I recommend this series to satisfy your book craving without consuming too much time."

From Loves to Read: "In book two of the Boarding School Mysteries series we join twelve-year-old Jeri McKane as she deals with another mystery at the Landmark School for Girls. When Jeri discovers her best friend and roommate is being blackmailed she immediately wants to help, but will her help get her into more trouble? And who is this person who knows the girls secrets?...I enjoyed this book a lot. It was suspenseful and touching as the book not only talks about the mysterious blackmailer, but also Jeri's relationship with her absent father. There are twists and turns in the plot that will keep you guessing. It is a great read for the young mystery fan."

From Flamingnet: New and Advanced Reviews: "protagonist Jeri finds herself neck-deep in a case of blackmail against her best friend, Rosa. Only, the worst part is that Rosa thinks it is Jeri who's doing the blackmailing! Jeri is determined to help her friend and save their friendship. Starting with the most likely suspects, Jeri is sidetracked when Rosa is thrown off the drama team because she did not pay the blackmailer. Miss Kimberly, the drama teacher, seems appalled, but yet . . . not so much. Is there more to Miss Kimberly than meets the eye? Jeri finds out that there is . . . and she barely escapes with her life! ...This was unique and satisfying. I also liked that there was a true villain, and that the characters had to go through real danger and struggles. If you like Nancy Drew, I think you should give this book, and others in the series, a shot."