by admin | Oct 14, 2015 | Books, Dystopian
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingLightningRevell (October 6, 2015)byBonnie S. CalhounABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year.”
She loves to write with body count, blood, or blowing things up. She also has mad skills at coding HTML, and website design. And she lives in a log cabin in the woods with fifteen acres and a pond full of bass, though she’d rather buy fish at the grocery store. Bonnie shares her domain with a husband and two cats, all of whom think she’s waitstaff!
Her latest series is a YA dystopian with Revell titled Stone Braide Chronicles. The first book Thunder published in 2014. The second book Lightning published Oct 2015. There are also two FREE e-book short stories. Tremors is the prequel to Thunder, and Aftershock (short story) comes before Lightning.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After she found her real father, life for Selah should have felt settled. But the horrors have just begun. In her broken world of toxic earth and tribal clashes, Selah must battle the forces of nature alongside those in the Mountain who are calling for her blood. Haunted by the pain of mounting losses, she forges on, seeking her lost family and
uncovering new mysteries. But the ultimate betrayal of her own body may soon make her quest impossible as it becomes apparent that what has made her new could also drive her to a life of madness.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Lightning, go HERE.
by admin | Oct 12, 2015 | Books, Cookbook, Diet, Food
MY REVIEW:
Although I have not fully committed to the Trim Healthy Mama diet, I follow some of their Facebook posts and have seen the promotions for this new cookbook. When I saw it offered on Blogging for Books I decided to give it a try.
The cookbook is a hefty one with just over 500 shiny and colorful pages. Most of the recipes are illustrated with photos that made me want to try them. There are also photos of Serene, Pearl, and their families. The introductory chapter gives a brief overview of the plan and describes equipment and ingredients that would help make the plan easier to implement.
These gals have come up with some unique recipes that are designed to prevent burnout and boredom while following the plan. Several of the recipes include some unusual and unexpected ingredients but those who have tried them give them a thumbs up. Who would have ever dreamed of using okra in their brownies? That is next on my list to try just as soon as I get some of the baking mix.
I tried the recipe for Pay Off Day Candies after finding an online recipe for making my own Gentle Sweet™. I had all the components and did not want to order another sweetener if I didn’t have to do so. The recipe was fairly simple and turned out well. It was tasty with no artificial aftertaste. I will certainly make it again.
I do have a couple of complaints about the recipes. My first complaint is that many of the recipes call for Trim Healthy Mama ingredients and although the recipes indicate that the cook can substitute other ingredients, there are no specific directions for doing so. I also noticed that some of the recipes do not have detailed instructions which could result in problems for inexperienced cooks. For instance the candy recipe I used just said to cook until the mixture reaches the desired color. No instructions for temperature or even an estimate of how long it will take. I have cooked long enough that I knew what I was doing but these days, many women do not have that kind of experience.
Overall, I believe the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook will be helpful with its wide variation of recipes and ideas. Like many THM advocates claim – losing weight doesn’t have to be boring!
This book was provided for review by Blogging for Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In their debut cookbook, the Trim Healthy Mama’s share hundreds of delicious, healthy recipes to help readers successfully slim down while eating well. This companion cookbook to the bestselling Trim Healthy Mama Plan is just what readers have been waiting for. It features simple, mouthwatering, recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner—including slow cooker and one-pot meals, hearty soups and salads, omelets and waffles, pizzas, breads and many indulgent sweet treats. With pantry-stocking advice, time-saving tips & info on how to cook for the entire family, the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook offers a delicious and nutritious way to make trim and healthy meals!
by admin | Oct 11, 2015 | Books, Christmas
MY REVIEW:
“Bespoke” is an enchanting tale that left me with that same magical feeling of wonder that I experienced as a child during the Christmas season. Through Amanda’s lyrical prose I could almost hear the music and feel the winter chill. What a beautifully touching story of love, redemption and hope! “Bespoke” is the perfect book to escape the stress of holiday busyness.
Please gift yourself with a copy this Christmas. I don’t think you will regret it.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Secret. A Bicycle. A Promise…
While the elusive Secret Symphony of Giovanni St. John captivated the world’s fascination, it left his daughter closed away in the Silent House – she, the one who holds the fullness of truth about the ninth symphony. Now Aria St. John is determined to not only break free of the loss that has defined her, but to honor her father through one final gift in his last days.
On the tiny Isle of Espoir, only one man can help in her quest: James Shaw, the village blacksmith… and the lost friend of her childhood. Will they be able to overcome the tragedy that separated them before it’s too late?
Written to slip easily into the stolen moments of the busy holiday season, this enchanting novelette delves into the miracle of second chances, the gift of God’s healing redemption, and the joy of the unexpected.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Dykes is the author of Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale, the critically-acclaimed bicycle story that invited readers together to fund bicycles for missionaries in Asia. A former English teacher, she has a soft spot for classic literature and happy endings. She is a drinker of tea, a dweller of Truth, and a spinner of hope-filled tales, grateful for the grace of a God who loves extravagantly.
Learn more about Amanda and her books at amandadykes.com.
by admin | Oct 11, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
“Murder at the Courthouse” was a delightful change of pace. A cozy mystery set in the quaint and laid-back small town of Hidden Springs, this story goes to show that you may not know everyone as well as you think you do.
Hidden Springs is a place where everyone knows everyone else but the discovery of an unknown dead man on the courthouse steps rocks the town. As deputy sheriff Michael Keane works to solve the crime, he hopes it was committed by an outsider passing through town. He can’t imagine that someone he actually knows could be guilty of murder but something has several residents acting out of character. He hopes it isn’t an indication of their guilt. Subsequent events add to the mystery and the pressure is on to solve the crime.
With easy to like characters in a small-town setting, “Murder at the Courthouse” was a fun read with plenty of drama, action, mystery, and humor. Not much romance here – only a few mentions of a preacher woman Michael was seeing and then a childhood friend shows up that indicates the possibility of future romance between them. I suspected one of the characters about halfway through the book and my hunch proved to be right but oh the revelations I would have missed if I had decided to stop reading at that point. There are some major surprises in store that are farther reaching than just the murder at the courthouse.
I loved “Murder at the Courthouse” and am certain that others who love cozy mysteries will love it as well. I personally cannot wait for the next installment.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Welcome to Hidden Springs
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Michael Keane’s stressful days as a Columbus police officer are done. He’s ready to relax into his new position as deputy sheriff in his sleepy hometown. Nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky–and that’s just fine with Michael.
Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. As Michael works to solve the case, it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs.
Bringing with her a knack for creating settings you want to visit and an uncanny ability to bring characters to life, A. H. Gabhart pens a whodunit that will keep you guessing.
Read an excerpt from “Murder at the Courthouse” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Oct 11, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, Seattle
MY REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Tracie Peterson’s books for a number of years and am always pleased when I have a chance to review one of them. Having reviewed the first two installments of her Brides of Seattle series, I was excited to read the rest of Wade and Abrianna’s story and hoped to discover that weasel Priam Welby would get what he had coming to him.
I did learn the answers to those questions and enjoyed myself while doing so. I have to admit that I did get a bit aggravated with Abrianna and her vacillation about whether she should actually marry Wade or not, especially when she continued to consider Welby as a substitute. Couldn’t she tell that he was not at all a nice man?
It was fun catching up with all the characters from the previous two books of the series and learning what was happening in their lives. As before, the three older ladies who ran the finishing school were good for a few chuckles and I liked seeing Abrianna’s relationship with her long-lost father develop.
“Love Everlasting” has everything Peterson’s fans have come to expect in her books – well-developed characters, a touch of humor, some mystery and suspense, and of course a romance or two. What more can one ask?
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Growing up in a Seattle bridal finishing school never prepared Abrianna Cunningham to become one of the brides, but now Wade Ackerman, who has always been the reliable boy next door, is indicating he wants to be more than friends. And even the people closest to Abrianna believe Wade is the man she should marry. So why is she having such a hard time choosing between Wade Ackerman and Priam Welby?
Watching Welby’s relentless pursuit of Abrianna is making Wade’s blood boil. Welby can offer her wealth and security, but what about character and integrity? Surely Abrianna can see past Welby’s smooth tongue and fine clothes. Can’t she?
Caught between the devil and the boy next door, either choice she makes will change Abrianna’s life forever.
Read an excerpt from “Love Everlasting” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: ©Lissa Barber Photography
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted–and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at 
