by admin | Mar 5, 2020 | Books, Fantasy
MY REVIEW:
Fantasy novels are not at the top of my preferred reading list but I will always make an exception for those by Morgan L. Busse. While definitely fantasy, her tales are not so extreme that it takes them out of the realm of the possible.
I love the almost medieval settings of The Ravenwood Saga and the idea of various kingdoms, each with their own giftings – giftings meant to work together for the good of all followers of the Light. I have thoroughly enjoyed following Lady Selene Ravenwood and her husband Damien Maris as they work together with the other Great Houses to save them from the evil Dominia Empire.
Cry of the Raven is the final installment of this wonderful series and lived up to my expectations and more. With plenty of action and moments that made me hold my breath, the plot moved at a brisk pace to its exciting and satisfying conclusion. While remaining true to the fantasy genre, the author expertly illustrated the power of the Holy Spirit against the darkness for those who embrace the Lord. A powerful example of personal transformation and believers working together using their God given gifts, Cry of the Raven as well as the previous two books of this series will remain in my memory for a long time.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Wife. Warrior. Lady of Two Worlds.
As War Looms, Will Her Power Be Enough to Save the Ones She Loves?
Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker–a power greater than any in history. She embraces her new role as Nightwatcher, able to intercede for her people in the dream world, but the dark shadow of war draws ever closer.
Working together, the Great Houses come up with a plan to secure the borders from the approaching Dominia Empire. But dissension, conflict, and suspicion threaten to destroy their tenuous treaty, and as the empire burns a path across their lands, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks.
The only one who can keep the Great Houses unified and restore her husband’s power is Selene. But it will require that she venture deep into the dream world to confront the enemies of her past who will do anything to stop her power. Will it be enough, or will both worlds fall under the empire’s might?
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Morgan L. Busse (www.morganlbusse.com) is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series and the steampunk series The Soul Chronicles. Mark of the Raven won the 2019 Carol Award and the 2019 INSPY Award. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. She and her family live in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
by admin | Feb 27, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Cold Case Connection is another page-turner from Dana Mentink who in my opinion is an expert writer. I especially enjoy her suspense novels. Once again she has written a tale that held my attention to the very end and I was reluctant to put it down to attend to mundane things like housework.
The steady plot dropped plenty of hints in just the right places yet I didn’t manage to solve the mystery on my own until it was revealed within the story. Plenty of action and suspense kept those pages turning. I loved the sparks between Sergio and Helen despite the initial conflict and distrust. Both characters were well-rounded with unresolved guilt feelings that drove them to find the murderer of Sergio’s sister and the possible connection to a death in the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed this riveting suspense with a strong hint of romance. It was fun to touch base with characters from earlier books in the series. I look forward to future releases by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: Cold Case Connection
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: February 1, 2020
Click here to get your copy. |
 |
Convinced his sister’s death wasn’t an accident, private investigator Sergio Ross is determined to catch her killer. But with all the clues hinting at a connection to another unsolved murder, he has to join forces with Helen Pike—a woman linked to both deaths—to find the truth. Can they follow the cold evidence trail to get justice…before they become the next victims?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, and a chubby box turtle. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)
MORE FROM DANA:
Cold Case Connection was really fun to write because it’s Helen’s story. She’s an intelligent, sensitive woman who is the sister to the men living on the Roughwater Ranch. Liam is her biological brother, but she’s just as close to Chad and Mitch who might as well be blood relatives. In this novel, Helen has to relive the worst moment of her teenage life, the night when a mysterious murder occurred during a teen prank. Helen is going to have to face the past in order to preserve her future. Cowboys, a case gone cold, a coastal ranch and a whole lot of danger…I hope you will enjoy the ride!
BLOG STOPS:
| Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 14
Among the Reads, February 14
Through the Fire Blogs, February 14
The Avid Reader, February 15
Texas Book-aholic, February 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 16
Inklings and notions, February 16
janicesbookreviews, February 16
Betti Mace, February 17
She Lives to Read, February 17
Genesis 5020, February 17
For the Love of Literature, February 18
For Him and My Family, February 18
My Devotional Thoughts, February 19
Reading Is My SuperPower, February 19
Just Your Average reviews, February 19
Remembrancy, February 20
Older & Smarter?, February 20
Blogging With Carol, February 20
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deb’s Book Review, February 21
Bigreadersite, February 21
EmpowerMoms, February 21
Blossoms and Blessings, February 22
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 22
Christian Bookaholic, February 23
KarenSueHadley, February 23
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 23
Emily Yager, February 24
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, February 24
Pause for Tales, February 24
Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25
Maureen’s Musings, February 26
Hallie Reads, February 26
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 26
Livin’ Lit, February 27
To Everything There Is A Season, February 27
Daysong Reflections, February 27 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a Mentink giveaway bundle, including a bag, a copy of the book, and an Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f5c6/cold-case-connection-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Feb 22, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
As a long-time fan of Rachel Hauck’s books, I was excited to get my hands on her latest, The Fifth Avenue Story Society. Once again I found a story I had difficulty putting down.
Unlike most novels, The Fifth Avenue Story Society features five main characters, most of whom are perfect strangers. Each of these people has received an anonymous engraved invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society that meets in the heart of New York City. Despite their skepticism, curiosity compels each of them to attend the first meeting where the mystery deepens. Why were these five particular people invited when they apparently have absolutely nothing in common? Yet something brings the group back together week after week as they begin the slow process of getting to know and eventually growing to care for one another.
The author has constructed a captivating tale with unique and well-developed characters who are emotionally broken in different ways and in need of the truth in their lives. It was a joy to see these people with very little in common grow to be friends who both challenged and supported the others and helped point them toward the truth that would heal their lives. The book was not overly preachy but the reader can clearly see the master hand at work in the background.
The Fifth Avenue Story Society may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love that Hauck is not afraid to tackle the gritty issues of life and often uses a fictional touch of the supernatural to guide the way to the Lord.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: The Fifth Avenue Story Society
Author: Rachel Hauck
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction
Release Date: February 4, 2020
Get your copy of the book here. |
 |
An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.
Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.
Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.
Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.
Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.
Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.
When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to bear their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.
Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.
READ AN EXCERPT:
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at RachelHauck.com; Facebook: RachelHauck; Twitter: @RachelHauck; Instagram: @rachelhauck.
BLOG STOPS:
| Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 10
The Avid Reader, February 10
Livin’ Lit, February 10
Genesis 5020, February 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 10
The Power of Words, February 11
A Baker’s Perspective, February 11
Rebecca Tews, February 11
All-of-a-kind Mom, February 11
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11
Older & Smarter?, February 12
Seasons of Opportunities, February 12
Texas Book-aholic, February 12
Inklings and notions, February 12
deb’s Book Review, February 12
My Devotional Thoughts, February 13
Just the Write Escape, February 13
For Him and My Family, February 13
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, February 13
CarpeDiem, February 13
Remembrancy, February 14
Christian Bookaholic, February 14
Connect in Fiction, February 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 14
April Hayman, Author, February 14
Robin’s Nest, February 15
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 15
Britt Reads Fiction, February 15
Just Your Average reviews, February 15
Blogging With Carol, February 15
Batya’s Bits, February 16
Bigreadersite, February 16
A Reader’s Brain, February 16
Worthy2Read, February 16
Stories By Gina, February 16 |
Back Porch Reads, February 17
janicesbookreviews, February 17
Literary Reflections Book Blog, February 17
Inside the Wong Mind, February 17
Mary Hake, February 17
Through the fire blogs, February 18
Mia Reads, February 18
Baker Kella, February 18
EmpowerMoms, February 18
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 18
Maureen’s Musings, February 19
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 19
Coast and Anchor, February 19
Spoken from the Heart, February 19
SPLASHES of Joy, February 19
She Lives to Read, February 20
By The Book, February 20
Wishful Endings, February 20
Moments, February 20
Simple Harvest Reads, February 20 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Andrea Christenson, February 21
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 21
Pause for Tales, February 21
For The Love of Books, February 21
Lis Loves Reading, February 21
Reader’s Cozy Corner, February 22
Hallie Reads, February 22
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 22
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 22
To Everything There Is A Season, February 22
Godly Book Reviews, February 23
Daysong Reflections, February 23
SusanLovesBooks, February 23
Lights in a Dark World, February 23 |
by admin | Feb 20, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Tom Threadgill is a new author to me so I was not sure what to expect when I began reading Collision of Lies. I did anticipate that it would turn out to be a fairly good suspense story based on its description and the reputation of its publisher. The cover alone is enough to capture my interest and I was happy to find that the content inside held it until the end.
With a tenacious heroine, Amara Alvarez, as well as a contingent of various other interesting characters, the book progresses at a steady pace, detail by detail as it builds to a satisfying conclusion. I loved the characters, each with their own vibrant personality. It was fun to observe their interactions, some of which could be quite humorous. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Pritchard, the ME. And who could resist a detective with a pet iguana? Although not exactly the male protagonist, Starsky also grabbed my attention and I would not mind if a relationship developed between him and Amara in future installments.
The author fed his readers bits and pieces of facts slowly as what was assumed to be a monumental tragic accident became so much more. Attention to details helped me follow the different law enforcement officers as they painstakingly discovered clues to a diabolical crime. Even so I was often surprised at the twists the case took as it sometimes seemed like the team took two steps forward and one step back.
I thoroughly enjoyed Collision of Lies and plan to be on the lookout for future novels by Tom Threadgill. Fans of suspense and police procedure novels should enjoy this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The case was tragic. But it was an accident. Right?
Three years ago, a collision between a fast-moving freight train and a school bus full of kids led to devastation and grief on an unimaginable scale. But a fresh clue leads San Antonio police detective Amara Alvarez to the unlikely conclusion that one of the children may still be alive. If she’s correct, everything law enforcement believes about the accident is a lie.
With time running out, Amara must convince others–and herself–that despite all evidence to the contrary, the boy is alive. And she will do everything in her power to bring him home.
A fresh voice in suspense, Tom Threadgill will have you questioning everything as you fly through the pages of this enthralling story.
Read an excerpt Here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © David M. Humphrey
Tom Threadgill is a full-time author and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). He is currently on the suspense/thriller publishing board for LPC Books, a division of Iron Stream Media. He lives with his wife in rural Tennessee.
