Review: Everything is Possible

Finding Faith & Courage to Follow Your Dreams

Jen Bricker, acrobat, aerialist, daughter, sister, and speaker, is a woman with a mission to succeed in life and praise the Lord. She strongly believes that God has an amazing plan for her and everyone in the world. We need to trust God and stay connected with Him. God will give His people unbelievable adventures.

Jen shares her story - good, bad, and everything in between. As she shares her life's struggles and victories, Jen encourages her readers. It's a very refreshing read. I would highly recommend Everything is Possible to readers who enjoy biographies, athleticism, and faith journeys.

Jen Bricker narrated her book which I really enjoyed. Her words were in her voice, which doesn't always happen in audiobooks. It was an enjoyable listen. One small note was at the very end of the book after information about how to contact her, she ends with, "Thank you." It felt so genuine and the perfect way to end her story.

Thank you, Jen Bricker for sharing your story and your faith!


I received this audiobook for free from christianaudio for an honest review.

Audio Book Details...
Everything is Possible by Jen Bricker
Read by Jen Bricker
Produced by Mission Audio
Number of Discs: MP3 download (14 parts)
Total Time: 3 hours, 47 minute
Release Date: September 2016
ASIN: B01J6HS5Y0

Review: Echo

Echo weaves together four stories into one. Pam Munoz Ryan begins Echo by taking the reader to an enchanted forest where Otto gets lost and then found. Fast forward and meet Friedrich in Germany at the beginning of World War I, fast forward again to meet Mike in Pennsylvania between the great wars, and finally fast forward to meet Ivy in California during World War II. How can all these people relate to one another? It through music and a little bit of magic.

Every character is facing troubles. They are seeking a way out and a plan to save someone they care about. A light in the darkness is the beauty of music they find in a harmonica. Music can bring people together and hush away horror for a while. Otto's story started the whole musical journey. Frederick's story made me want to stop listening or throw it out the window. Mike's story had me rooting for the underdog. Ivy's story had me wishing for better understanding. Oh my heart! What an amazing book! If you like music, history, or a little magic, this is a story for you. If you appreciate a memorable story, you need to hear this story.

It's definitely a book to hear rather than read. It was nominated for an Audie for good reason! Each main character is read by a different narrator: Otto by Mark Bramhall, Frederick by David de Vries, Mike by MacLeod Andrews, and Ivy by Rebecca Soler. I appreciated the extra production information from Scholastic that shared the names of the narrators and musicians who played a roll in Echo. Each CD begins with a narrator David de Vries telling the listener which numbered disc is being played.

The music, the ever encouraging music is throughout the entire book. It's also specially created for this story by Corky Siegel. No stock music or generic tracks here. Sometimes the music is underneath singing and other times it is by itself.  Each song has a special meaning for the characters and the music is played with feeling the harmonica, cello, and piano. The final selection brings it all together! (I'm not going to spoiling it here.) The final song arranged by S. Peace Nistades is also played in its as the final track on CD nine.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
Read by Mark Bramhall, David de Vries, MacLeod Andrews, and Rebecca Soler
Music by Corky Siegel
Produced by Scholastic Audiobooks
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 10 Hours, 22 Minutes
Release Date: March 2015
ISBN: 9780545788366

Reviews from other listeners ...
AudioFile Magazine
Common Sense Media

Review: Gettysburg Address & Emancipation Proclamation

Have your read the Gettysburg Address? Or the Emancipation Proclamation? For myself, it's been a while since I've dived into these historical documents. I think the only time I've been asked to read these pieces was during my high school American History class. It was good to hear Abraham Lincoln's words again. The Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation were shared during 1863, but both pieces are still shared and talked about because of their significance in American history.

Robertson Dean narrated both pieces on one CD. Each piece is very short and to the point. Dean read them on the CD rather than performed, proclaimed, or reenacted them. He reminded me of how a professor or teacher with a pleasing voice would share these during class. Dreamscape Media added a bit of music at the beginning and the end of the CD which was fun. The music was very appropriate and early American sounding with drums and winds.

I think students or history lovers would enjoy listening to this audio CD. It would work well in a classroom setting or a quick audio on the way to school.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Dreamscape Media, LLC!

Audio Book Details...
Gettysburg Address & Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln
Read by Robertson Dean
Produced by Dreamscape Media, LLC
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 9 minutes
ISBN: 1633796833

The Emerald Atlas

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kate's mother entrusted Kate with her two younger siblings. Kate was four years old. Flash forward ten years where the three siblings are shipped off to yet another orphanage. The eldest, Kate, desires to keep her family together. Michael continues to explore the world of dwarfs through a book from his father. Emma, the youngest, picks a fight with, well, anyone who crosses her. Their goal as a family is to remain together until their parents find them.

Cambridge Falls is their new location. They meet the adults of the orphanage Miss Sallow, Abraham and Dr. Stanislaus Pym. They explore their new home and find a blank book with an emerald cover. By sticking an old photo in the pages they are transported through time: Cambridge Falls in the past. New and ancient characters come to play - the Countess, Screechers, the Secretary and creatures from the mountain.

Stephans creates a fabulous fantasy novel. It's reminiscent of Lord of the Rings trilogy with magic, creatures and the hunt for a prized possession. Other reviewers comment about elements similar to Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia. It was very compelling read. The next book cannot come soon enough.

Jim Dale returns to read this new trilogy. He's a solid reader for such a fantastical tale. I hope the publishers will continue using Dale for the next installments.

Audio Book Details...
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Series: Book 1, The Books of Beginning
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 38 minutes