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Reviews

At its core, Dinosaur Land is about breaking down walls, re-learning trust, and discovering that kindness and unexpected adventure can heal even the deepest wounds. Grandpa’s nurturing, eccentric methods and Tommy's gradual openness strike a delicate balance between comedy and poignant reflection, making this story both memorable and heartfelt. The ending leaves readers rooting for Tommy and eager to see what adventures and lessons lie ahead in his unconventional new home.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Eleven Pennies by Diane Green is a lovely Christmas novella that captures the magic of second chances and the power of community. Gretchen Willmer’s journey from despair to hope in a quaint New England town is woven with themes of redemption, love, and unexpected miracles. With charming characters, a touch of whimsy, and a dash of holiday cheer, this story is a perfect read for anyone looking to be uplifted during the festive season. Don’t miss this inspiring tale that will warm your heart and remind you of the beauty in life’s small, everyday blessings.

Review for Eleven Pennies

Perfect for readers who love historical fiction with a generous dose of wit, A Colonial Stew is a feast for the imagination. It’s a tale where the absurd meets the heartfelt, making it a delightful read for anyone craving history with a side of hilarity. Don’t miss this unforgettable romp through America’s early days!

Review for Colonial Stew

Great short story collection for those who cherish historical settings, heartfelt family dynamics, and a touch of the supernatural, Christmas at The Minutemen’s Inn is a delightful holiday read that will leave you smiling, inspired, and ready to celebrate the season.

Review for Christmas at The Minutemen’s Inn

For those who enjoy thought-provoking allegories with a spiritual core, Balthazar is a compelling narrative filled with rich symbolism, unforgettable characters, and a powerful message of faith in the face of adversity. A must-read for fans of end-times fiction and stories that celebrate the enduring triumph of light over darkness!

Review for Balthazar

Diane Green’s delightful trio of picture books—Trueberry Town, Kornbury House, and Sadie Delilah’s Window Seat— invite young readers into enchanting worlds filled with magic, imagination, and heartfelt lessons. These picture books, with illustrations by Judith Gosse, are wonderful for children who enjoy imaginative tales with gentle moral lessons, they are charming with their vibrant characters and uplifting messages. A must-have set for families who cherish stories of kindness, wonder, and the beauty of everyday moments.

Review for Trueberry Town, Kornbury House, and Sadie Delilah’s Window Seat

Reviews for Dinosaur Land

Dinosaur Land presents a short read (under 50 pages) for preteens interested in adventure, nonstop action, and a plot that attracts on many levels.

Review for Dinosaur Land

12-year-old foster kid Tommy is being placed in yet another new home. His tendency to irritate his foster families keeps him on the move ... it’s not inadvertent, but carefully planned:

Review for Dinosaur Land

Tomorrow, the new parent was supposed to take him. He might as well sleep and get some energy to be a terror.

Review for Dinosaur Land

This time, he’s placed with a zany old man he calls “Grandpa” (not affectionately). The elder’s circumstances prove anything but dry and predictable. This foster family is different. As Tommy interacts with the old man and learns surprising new lessons, he unexpectedly becomes an accepted, valued member of the household, learning important lessons that prepare him for life in unexpected ways.

Review for Dinosaur Land

There’s a dinosaur on the lawn, a fellow snobby foster kid whose attitude rankles similarly to how Tommy acts towards others, and surprising encounters with dinosaurs that keep him (and his foster father) literally on the run:

Review for Dinosaur Land

A pounding sound echoed through the trees. It was like a herd of elephants—or something even bigger. Tommy's heart thundered in his chest as he watched. The leaves on the trees shook, and the birds flew overhead as if to escape something terrible. Then he saw them—two dinosaurs, alive, moving toward them, as real as he was.
"Time to skedaddle," Grandpa whispered. He took off running. Tommy thought for a second, looked back, and sprinted after Grandpa.
"Won't come near the house. Afraid of humans they are."
'Braveheart' Tomkins wasn't ever going out in those woods again.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Diane Green is a master of the unexpected, keeping the pace fast and her characters realistic. She creates ironic scenes that add wry humor into the mix of dinosaur confrontations and bigger-picture thinking about the rocky road towards maturity.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Kids who enjoy fast-paced adventures will find plenty of unexpected twists and turns in Dinosaur Land. But as they view life through young, jaded Tommy’s eyes, they will learn that events aren’t always boringly predictable. Nor are people.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Colorful characters give the story sharp definition, compelling psychological attraction, and thoroughly engrossing encounters.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Dinosaur Land’s brevity is attractive to reluctant readers, who will find the story also provides a lesson in how much succinct writing, when masterfully done, can prove a major attraction.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Especially recommended for foster children and families, who can enjoy reading about and discussing Tommy’s progress together, Dinosaur Land is an important tale of not just adventure, but realization about family, life connections, and developing new perspective.

Review for Dinosaur Land

Reviews for the A Colonial Stew

A Colonial Stew: A Humorous Account of Life in the Colonies presents an engrossing survey of colonial life that uses the “stew” metaphor and its ingredients to draw disparate experiences together. This will reach young adult to adult audiences with vivid portrait of life in the diverse colonies of Massachusetts Bay and New Sweden in the 17th Century.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Green’s attention to developing different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities creates a satisfyingly uncommon intersection of special interests and experiences which illustrate daily life in these colonies.

Review for A Colonial Stew

The collection opens with “Please Pass the Peas,” in which Aquilla Spencer and Sarah Briggs move from England to the American colony for new opportunities. At the same time, mixed-race African princess Rebecca Chase becomes involved with her stepmother’s pea-growing business and Aquilla’s son Mindwell.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Rebecca’s experience of being sold and coming to terms with a vastly revised life is but one facet of the ongoing struggles the colonists experience as they move through the days facing unfamiliar environments and challenges.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Mindwell’s roving eye leaves Rebecca in a vulnerable position as the story moves in unforeseen directions. As pestilence, passion, and peas drives the couple into further dilemmas with a few easy resolutions, readers receive a full-bodied experience of the social, political, and lifestyle challenges of Colonial times.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Each chapter segues into another facet of colony life, representing vivid tumultuous experiences as the fledgling colonies forge ahead and life changes.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Diane Green’s “stew” holds many captivating ingredients: history, humor, interwoven life experiences, and love, as well as struggle.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Young people seeking short, easily to digest historical pieces representing discoveries that illustrate the forging of Colony life will find A Colonial Stew’s special blend of wry wit and daily life experiences to be a truly compelling read.

Review for A Colonial Stew

The history featured throughout cements disparate relationships in a strange new land, doing so in a thought-provoking manner most historical reviews of the times don’t address:

Review for A Colonial Stew

In her brief introduction to the colony's bounty, Rebecca had made great strides in developing delicious meals from tomatoes. You might not realize this vegetable was considered poisonous in the northern colonies and only used for decoration in Rebecca's previous abode. Tomatoes were never cultivated as a major crop, but Rebecca's combination of tomatoes with cheese, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant drew praise from His Rightful Lord Governor of New Sweden.

Review for A Colonial Stew

With its lively probe and attention to detail, A Colonial Stew gathers all the ingredients for a warm read flavored with historical detail, fast-paced action, and thought-provoking, realistic scenarios. It reaches out to draw all ages into a compelling mix of opportunity, humor, and social and political reflection.

Review for A Colonial Stew

Reviews for the Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Readers of Christian fiction and love stories who seek blends of faith and growth from their romances will welcome Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England, which takes the traditional love triangle idea in a different direction.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

A preface sets the stage with an unexpected foray into kidnapping, identity change, family inheritance and conspiracy, and a man who goes into hiding in an effort to escape his past.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

At the heart of the tale is Becky Chalmers, who is attracted to two very different men who share her interest. But the story opens with Juan (nee John), a novice to the snowy winter environment before him who meets Sadie, a young woman who admires his warm heart. Reference is made to the fact that she is “almost like Becky.” The reader’s interest only grows as new truths emerge about past, present, and possible futures.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Becky and her brother Jimmy have traveled to New England, where distance from everything familiar will theoretically help their decision-making processes; especially since Becky’s potential beaus are so very different (Mike is a reliable public servant while Juan Carlos is more exciting, but is a transient fleeing his murderous family).

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Tragedy is never far behind, however, and threatens to divide, destroy, and further alter the course of Becky’s life.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Libraries that choose Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England will especially appreciate its clean romance, its thought-provoking insights on decision-making and love, a New England winter atmosphere which outlines both shared pleasures and trials of the snowy season, and its ability to draw a wide audience of romance readers interested in multifaceted attractions.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Packed with absorbing, unpredictable twists and a conclusion many won’t see coming, Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England is quite simply a warm, cozy read to counter the bitter coldness of winter, unrequited love, and life challenges.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Reviews for the Becky Chalmers Series

(Becky Chalmers Series) Beautifully written childhood memories that come to life in the pages of these five books written by Diane Campbell Green. I highly recommend these books to all middle-grade readers. Kim VanderWerf

Review for Becky Chalmers Series

Diane Green's "Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England" is a heartfelt story blending romance, history, and suspense. Through vividly drawn characters like Becky and Juan Carlos, readers are transported to a time when love and family ties faced unique challenges. The snowy New England setting adds a nostalgic charm, while the plot's twists—like Becky's discovery of her grandmother's hidden identity and the reappearance of Juan Carlos—keep readers turning the pages. This story captures the essence of Diane Green's signature style: warm, engaging, and filled with heartfelt moments. A delightful read for fans of historical romance with a Christian underpinning.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

"Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England" is a beautifully crafted story that showcases Diane Green's gift for storytelling. The narrative explores themes of love, redemption, and the complexity of family secrets. The characters, particularly Becky and Juan Carlos, are richly developed and relatable, making their struggles and triumphs deeply moving. Green's depiction of New England in the 1970s is atmospheric, and her attention to detail brings the era to life. The intertwining of personal growth and faith adds depth to this compelling tale. A must-read for anyone seeking a wholesome and thought-provoking literary journey.

Review for Bittersweet Rendezvous in New England

Awakening, An Enchanted Romance unveils Becky's journey filled with laughter, tears, and life's unexpected moments. As Becky's world unfolds, readers will be captivated by this tale of young love and the strength that emerges from heartbreak. Dive into this compelling coming-of-age romance, where love's power to heal and transform shines through every page.

Review for Awakening, An Enchanted Romance

(Awakening, An Enchanted Romance) Themes of love, friendship, nostalgia, and coming-of-age are strong in Diane Green's wholesome novel! It's nice to enter a simpler time of landline phones, truly supportive family members, and structured dating and see the world through Becky's young eyes.

Review for Awakening, An Enchanted Romance

Charming Creatures Discovery Reviewer Kristine L. writes, "Loved It! Evocative, uplifting, and effervescent, this heartfelt story is as welcome and refreshing as a cup of cold water on a hot August afternoon. The author expertly captures the swirling and ever-changing emotions of preteens and young teens as well as their anxieties, uncertainties, hopes and dreams.

Review for Charming Creatures

(Becky Chalmers Beautified) The book provides middle-grade readers with an eloquent story that will stand the test of time, a true classic in the making. Barnes & Noble

Review for Becky Chalmers Beautified

”I had a great time reading Becky Chalmers Beautified. The book’s areas of strength are a relatable main character and a lovely tone. It made me want to travel back in time to Yardley!

Review for Becky Chalmers Beautified

Santa and the Cotton Tree is a beautiful and heartwarming story. Lovely illustrations evoke the time period in which it was written. …Santa and the Cotton Tree comes highly recommended for a warm, cozy, and memorable holiday read.

Review for Santa and the Cotton Tree

Diane Campbell Green's Santa and the Cotton Tree is a lovely Christmas Eve memory that truly touches the heart. A must-read Christmas story for all young readers

Review for Santa and the Cotton Tree