Wednesday, December 28, 2016

MURDER AND MISTLETOE


I received a copy of MURDER AND MISTLETOE by Jane Firebaugh in exchange for an honest review.  This is the third installment in the series White Mountains Romantic Mysteries. 

I loved mysteries novels, and this one has it all.  Great characters, snappy dialogue, and a mystery that will keep you guessing.  My favorite part of all was the setting.  It becomes its own place.

Josh and Olivia make an excellent pair of detectives.  I adored the chemistry between the two of them.  I look forward to reading more about them.

Monday, December 26, 2016

GYPSY STONE


The cover captured me.  I love the image of the stone – and of course the title is catchy too.  I dove in late at night, and didn’t expect to read as much of it as I did in one sitting!  The characters are endearing.

My favorite part is how well the female and male characters were written.  I’ve read quite a few romance novels – all of them by women – where all the characters sounded female.  It made some of those books quite awkward when both of the main characters seemed like the same person.  Hey, opposites are supposed to attract! 

The romance in GYPSY STONE was perfect.  Sometimes the romance is heavy handed, or feels wishy-washy.  There was just the right amount, and she wrote them tastefully. 

The setting is another aspect you’re sure to enjoy.  The setting in a story makes or breaks it for me, and this setting was described beautifully.  You feel as if you are there.

I do recommend this, but because of the romantic aspects, it would be most enjoyed by a fellow romance lover.

Monday, December 19, 2016

A SPECTACLE OF GLORY


I received a copy of A SPECTACLE OF GLORY: GOD’S LIGHT SHINING THROUGH ME EVERY DAY: A DEVOTIONAL by Joni Eareckson Tada with Larry Libby from Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. 

This is a 265 day devotion book.  I have read a few in the past – my uncle introcued me to them – and I have found great peace with reading devotionals.  I admit that I don’t always read them just once a day.  Often I will return to it or read a few passages at once if I am feeling stressed.

Each page in A SPECTACLE OF GLORY is donated to a new day.  The passages are based on scripture and succinct, and because they are just a page, it is perfect for someone with a busy schedule.  I really like that the book is pocket-sized.  It is perfect for taking with you.

A little background on Joni, the author: She has been a paraplegic for about fifty years.  Her words come from the heart of someone who has a close relationship with God, and someone who knows what it is like to have a disability, but still live each day to the fullest. 

This devotional makes an excellent gift, especially with 2017 right around the corner.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Tallas


TALLAS is further proof that Cathrina Constantine is an author to look for.  Her stories are gripping, her characters real, and the adventures are unique.  This is my fourth book by her, and my favorite so far.  This is a dystopian, and you might be thinking “another one?!”  There are a lot of dystopian books out there right now, and you will be happy to know this doesn’t fall in with those.  It can easily stand on its own.  I don’t want to list those books I feel can’t, but I’ve read quite a few that seemed to be published just to fall in with the “dystopian craze.” 

My favorite character was Keeyla.  I could connect with her on different levels, and could see myself doing many of the same things she did.  She and Doogan flee from their “utopian” city into the wilderness.  Each page opens to a new adventure.

This is the first book in the Tallas series.  I look forward to reading book two.

Note: I received a copy of TALLAS from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

The King is Dead by Al Burke


Al Burke

The King is Dead

 

 

 

 

Title: The King is Dead

Order link: hyperurl.co/quma8x

Release date: 20th December, 2016

Tag line: ‘Die running or die fighting’

Publisher: Bella Tulip Publishing

Blurb:

Etruvia has known peace for twenty years. But this time of peace has brought corruption and greed. The nobility has taken control, and the memories of great victories of old have faded. Crime is rife and the once proud people are little more than peasants.

As a great evil rises in the desolate north, can a forgotten king and an embittered former war hero wake a nation from its stupor and build an army strong enough to give it a fighting chance?

 

 

Author Bio:

 

Al is a father of two little angels/demons currently residing in Vancouver, although he grew up in Dublin. When he's not raising little Burkes, he works in his local library. As a writer, he's covered sports for years, but has only written a solitary novel. Fear not, there is more in the pipeline.

 

 

Social Media links:

Website: http://www.alwroteabook.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alwroteabook/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alwroteabook

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AlBurke47

 

 

Release Blitz Post

Would you fight for a country you owe nothing to?

The epic fantasy novel by Al Burke is now live!

Get your copy of The King is Dead on Kindle or paperback now

Brought to you by Bella Tulip Publishing

hyperurl.co/quma8x

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2glbxIb

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2fQSgzR

iBooks: http://apple.co/2gjRDgN

 

 

 



 

Monday, December 12, 2016

Lucifer's Harvest


I received a copy of LUCIFER’S HARVEST by Mel Starr from Lion Fiction via Kregel in exchange for an honest review.  It is the ninth installment in the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon. 

I must say that I am a sucker for historical fiction.  I am a sucker for mysteries.  What is better than a mystery set in the Middle Ages?  I am a huge fan of history, so I love it when books reference historical characters as everyday occurrences.  Such things always give me a happy chill.

In this book, Hugh is sent to battle against France by wishes of Baron Gilbert and Prince Edward.  I found it sad that he didn’t know if he would return to his wife and children.  Now that I have a baby son, I feel differently about parental separation. 

It turns out that Sir Simon Trillowe is another fighting man.  From the series, you know that he and Hugh are enemies.  Then, Sir Simon Trillowe is found dead.  A mystery ensues with lots of intrigue and the usual beautiful, detailed descriptions of the setting.  I love this series for how it immerses the reader in the time period.  Something to note is that this book is shorter than usual.  I found that some parts felt a bit rushed, but overall it was an enjoyable read like usual.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Of Stillness and Storm


I received a copy of OF STILLNESS AND STORM by Michele Phoenix from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. 

Lauren, Sam, and thirteen-year-old son Ryan go to Nepal to work as missionaries.  I loved watching each one learn to live in this new setting, while struggling with inner turmoil.  At parts, Lauren reunites with a man from her past and questions if it is betrayal to her marriage.  Ryan suffers from depression and not wanting to go to Nepal with his parents.  Meanwhile, Sam deals with his Christian calling.

I found this book to be totally engrossing.  I’ve read other books about missionaries, but they didn’t dive into the emotions as deeply as OF STILLNESS AND STORM does. Rarely do they focus on the child’s story the way that this book talks about Ryan.  Normally the missionary books talk about the setting and the good done by the missionaries.  This book is about the toll missionary work takes on the family.

I read this during my maternity leave.  It made for an excellent read, one I can easily recommend.  I found it cool that my baby son’s name is Aidan and one of the characters was named Aidan.  What a coincidence!

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Bleeding Hearts



 

 


Bleeding Hearts by Dana Louise Provo

Finding love is difficult, especially when it tries to kill you.

 

Bleeding Hearts is a new adult, romantic suspense traditionally published by Clean Reads. Orphaned at an early age, now twenty-four-year-old Camryn Lucks is ready to commit to find that special someone, and so accepts a date from a charming, gallant, handsome stranger. The last thing she imagines after accepting that first date with Carson would actually be the beginning of her worst nightmare. 

Red roses, a reminder of her parents' killer, soon become an emblem of horror for Cami as one by one, those closest to her fall victim to a serial killer. Cami becomes an obsession for Carson, the man she had finally allowed herself to love. Not only is he vying for her heart, but also her life.  

Finding herself in a whirlwind of torments shadowed by the blood-colored bloom, Cami finds solace in Isaac, a neighboring police officer. She’s desperate to escape the haunting memories, but she must revisit them in order to catch her would-be killer. Living life in constant fear has driven Cami to second-guess every choice she makes. Will the police catch the illusive murderer, or will Cami be forced to face him once again? 

Purchase the eBook of Bleeding Hearts below!


Barnes & Noble: http://fw.to/mfIx33N






 

Short Excerpt from Chapter One  

My arm trembles as I grip the cool handle of my pistol, keeping a firm grasp to ensure it doesn’t slip out of my sweaty hand. It usually stands sentry in my left nightstand to scare the nightmares away. But this isn’t a dream. The room is dark and hides the face of the man whose intent is to kill me. But I know who he is. A metallic taste fills my mouth; I want to gag. My blood drips off the blade in his hand in slow, steady beats on the carpet. My arms shake as I lift the barrel and point it in his direction. He doesn't move. His heavy breaths alert me to the meager distance between us. 

We’re at a stalemate. 

A soft glow from the lamppost just outside my window casts a sliver of light on his face. His dark, beady eyes that I have grown to know rake over my body like I'm another one of his many victims. He lifts the edges of his mouth into a smile. My heart plunges into my stomach. I know what that sinister expression means, and I think back to all the times he had looked at me like that before. I had been so blind. 

Before I react he lunges at me, grabbing onto my waist and twisting me to the ground. I shriek as my head slams against the bed frame. Black spots flood my vision. I squeeze my hand only to find it empty. My gun is gone. The sound of the knife clattering on the floor gives me slight hope. Not much though. He climbs up my body trying to pin my arms to the floor. I thrash my fists around, desperate to knock him off. 

“Get off!” I scream, pulling on his shirt and kicking him off balance. Wrapping his hands around my arms, my attacker cuts off the circulation of blood. Rug burns flare across my skin as he drags me across the carpet. He closes his hands around my neck, shutting off my air supply. I pull at his hands but it's no use; he has always been stronger than me. My pulse drums a frantic beat in my ears. The air slowly leaks out from my lungs, killing any hope I may have left. I search for the gun around the room; it may be my only savior now. 

"Why are you doing this?" I struggle to get the words out. He squints his dark eyes. I'm wondering if there might be a chance that he will stop this madness. I am wrong. 

"It'll be over soon, sweetheart." His hands again tighten around my neck, blocking the air from entering my lungs.  



Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to adult historical romances. When she’s not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia. 

Follow Dana on Social Media











Friday, December 2, 2016

Candle Day by Day Bible


I received a copy of CANDLE DAY BY DAY BIBLE by Juliet David, illustrated by Jane Hayes, from Candle Books via Kregel in exchange for an honest review.  This is a very unique Bible.  It has a built in stand, which makes it perfect for a desk, beside table, or the top of a bookshelf.  Each day features a simple yet beautiful illustrations, and a short story from the Bible.  Although these stories are short, they pique your interest and are perfect for starting a conversation with a child – or just giving yourself something to ponder.  I like the fact that you can then turn to the “real” Bible to explore more about the story, history, etcetera.  Because there is a different story for each day, this Bible expands the entire year and gives the child something to look forward to.

This Bible is intended for children, but can be enjoyed by adults too.  I’m an adult, and I love the concept of it.  I will be passing this around my family and saving it for my son when he’s older.  This makes an excellent Christmas gift.

This Bible pairs perfectly with CANDLE DAY BY DAY WALK WITH JESUS: THE STORY OF JESUS RETOLD IN 40 DAYS, also by Juliet David and illustrated by Jane Hayes.