Monday, May 28, 2018

Review: Storm Front by Susan May Warren

About:

When a tornado search and rescue effort brings back the girl that got away, Ty Remington determines to succeed in rescuing a group of kids—and his own heart.

My Thoughts:

Storm Front is the 4^th book in the Montana Rescue series and I ended up reading it in a day. If you have been following this series you know that there is an overarching story that has been playing out through the entire series. And let me tell you that after reading the epilogue I can hardly wait for the final and fifth book.

This book brings much of the team back together at a town ravaged by a tornado. I finally got to have my long awaited questions answered along with Ty on what happened to Brette and why she ran away from him. It is quite emotional and let’s just say I wish them a very happily ever after.

We were also seeing that not everything was quite right with the love story between Ben King and his fiancée Kasey, theirs was the first book in the series.

These really need to be read in order as they give us a whole picture of the team and what their lives look like. The ins and the outs of the rescuing and the interpersonal relationships. I enjoyed getting to visit with them again and after that ending, I am a bit worried for some of them. This is a great series to become invested in.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Review: The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck

To Purchase

About:

After a famous happiness expert gets dumped by her fiancé, she’s still expected to be the speaker on a singles cruise. Can a handsome stranger help her find her own bliss?

My Thoughts:

The Theory of Happily Ever After was such a fun cute book to read. The concept that the study of happiness is a science and the whole background of being on the singles cruise ship was just a different and enjoyable setting.

Dr. Maggie Maguire is the star of the science of happiness except, she is not happy and hasn’t been for some time. She was supposed to get married, but her fiancé has left her and is marrying someone else. So not only her life but her career hinges on her writing and studying the science of happiness. Maggie is depressed and has two favorite forms of escapism. In steps her two best friends to help and off on a cruise she goes where she is the main speaker.

While trying to salvage her career and life she meets a couple of different men. One was a very happy go lucky guy, Brent, and then there was Sam, who put me in the mind of a modern day Mr. Darcy. Lots of chaos ensues and if you are looking for a rom-com with heart this would fit that bill.

This story made me laugh in many places and made me sigh with how romantic it was. This was a very enjoyable story.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Weekend Briefing by Jes Drew

Weekend Briefing

Welcome back, agents, for the publication party of the re-release of The Time I Saved the World with its new cover! This also marks week one in our six week countdown to Serial Summer!

‘Oblivious to my distress (or perhaps fueled by it), she adds, “And he wanted us to give you a message: I’ll be seeing you face to face very soon, Chrissie.”

I shudder and Hunter places his hand on my shoulder. Whether comfortingly or protectively, I’m not sure.

“Oh, and by the way, the security cameras were temporarily turned off, but they will override their virus soon, so I’d advise you to leave when we do or you’ll be framed for our theft. Boss wouldn’t be very happy about that. He wants a good, old-fashioned good guy vs. bad guy fight.”’

- From The Time I Saved the World

To celebrate, The Time I Saved the Day is free for Kindle on Amazon for today only. Download your copy now at:

To Purchase

“The stage has been set. Now for the show.”

-Ninja from The Time I Saved the World

Our spotlight:

Ninja and Hunter Book Three: The Time I Saved the World

Charisa O’Dell has enough on her plate trying to live a normal life despite her superpowers. But when a mysterious menace acquires superpowers of his own, she fights back. However, even with Hunter and her dad by her side, she is sorely outnumbered. And Hunter just complicates things more…

When the menace sets his sights on the world, they face a global apocalypse with only one hope. A hope that could destroy that which Charisa holds most dear. As she faces a coming of age, a countdown, and a choice, she knows very well that she might not survive an attempt to stop menace. And even if she does sacrifice everything, will it be enough to save the world?

Now Available!

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Saved-World-Ninja-Hunter/dp/1500866466/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1527372706&sr=1-6

“I cannot let you keep up this ridiculousness. If you want me, fine. But keep my family, my friends, and the rest of the world out of this.

P.S. Sorry about your front door.”

- from The Time I Saved the World

Coming soon:

Castaways Book Three: Targets

Emily Rogers has had enough excitement for one summer. But even with the Masters behind bars, the drama isn’t over. Now there’s a court case to look forward to, as well as unwanted fame, and a hostile reporter.

Then the ‘accidents’ begin. One by one, mysterious attacks begin affecting her, her family, and her friends. With Christopher by her side, she endeavors to find out whoever is behind the incidents. But will she be able to save those she loves most in time?

Coming June 1 to all major online booksellers!*

‘I’m willing to face any danger- no matter how much more dangerous it would be for me- if it will keep you that much safer.”’

-Hunter from The Time I Saved the World

And finally…

Five more weeks of countdown until Serial Summer.

Five more weeks until the Conspiracy begins to unwind…

Five more weeks until the world as we know it starts to dissolve into-

The Dystopian Takeover

Coming to Wattpad this July *

Can’t wait?

Join your fellow agents at the Mission Headquarters on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/580430-club-drewnivers for discussions, event updates, and all things agents.

*Lord willing.

Join us next week, agents, for the release of Castaways Book Three: Targets and Week Two of the Countdown until Serial Summer. Until then, try not to do anything that might get you brain-wiped. Ciao!

Review: The Weaver's Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd

To Purchase

About the Book:

Kate’s loyalties bind her to the past. Henry’s compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?

Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder–including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father’s pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war seeking refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather’s plans to modernize the family’s wool mill, ignoring the grumblings from local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family’s livelihood and legacy.

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry’s side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with a powerful decision that will forever affect her village’s future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, their village, and their souls—even if it means risking their hearts in the process.

My Thoughts:

The Weaver’s Daughter takes us to the time when progress was threatening the common people’s way of life and their livelihood. This particular conflict takes place between the weavers and the cotton mill and it was a fierce one. Families were torn apart which trickled into everyday life in the lives of the townspeople.

This is where Kate finds herself. Her brother seeing the future in the machines goes against their very stubborn father, a weaver, and begins working for the mill. Kate’s father sees her as just a ‘woman’ and intends to marry the man he has chosen to replace her brother.

Henry, the grandson of the mill owner, has come back home after fighting a war and surprises everyone in the town who all thought he was dead. He is not quite the same man who left, and he finds that he sees his future looking very different than what others have always wanted for him.

The atmosphere is dark, brooding, and very tension filled. Everyone has let animosity and bitterness take over and danger lurks just around the corner in a town that should be friendly. There is a romance that begins to blossom slowly, very fragile and at many times almost snuffed out. There is a mystery I was not expecting at all. This was a very moral tale of how man’s pride can be his downfall. Hopefully we will get some more of these characters stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Review and Giveaway: Journible by Robert Wyanlda and Joel Beeke

About these Books

Title: Journible: The 17:18 Series

Author: Robert Wynalda (a local businessman) and Dr. Joel R. Beeke (President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary)

Genre: Non-fiction, Bible study tool

Release Date: Series released in 2009

Why the 17:18 series?

In Deuteronomy 17, Moses is leaving final instructions concerning the future of Israel. As a prophet of God, Moses foretells of when Israel will place a king over the nation (v. 14). In verse 18, the king is commanded to not simply acquire a copy of the law (the entire book of Deuteronomy) from the scroll publishing house, but to hand write his own copy of the law. Thirty-four hundred years later, educators are discovering that students that physically write out their notes by hand have a much greater retention rate than simply hearing or visually reading the information. Apparently, God knew this to be true of the kings of Israel also. From such understanding came the conception of this series of books.

How to Use These Books

Each book is organized so that you can write out your very own copy of Scripture. You will be writing the Bible text only on the right hand page of the book. This should make for easier writing and also allows ample space on the left page to write your own notes and comments. From time to time a question or word will be lightly printed on the left page; these questions are to aid in further study, but should not interfere with your own notes and comments.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Thoughts:

Journibles are a new concept for me for studying the Word of God. I found this particular journal/devotional helpful. So here is how I understood it to work:

(I was using the Romans title)

-You copy the scripture out on the right hand side. Yes by the end of this journaling book you will have written out the entire book of Romans.

-On the left hand side is where you will write your own notes-thoughts about the passage just read, new revelations, etc. On some of the pages of notes the Journible gives questions to deeper understand the text.

So by the end you have written out a Bible book in your own hand, with notes of what stood out to you and have learned. This is an interesting learning and teaching tool and can be used in all kinds of settings: personal, Bible groups, or homeschool. I like how well put together this hardback version is. It is something tangible to be looked at again and then passed down to future generations. This is quite an ingenious idea. I like this type of journaling, it makes sense and I think helps to retain the knowledge longer. There are other books in this series and I am interested in the one on Proverbs.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited seventy books (most recently, A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life, Living Zealously, Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage, Getting Back Into the Race: The Cure for Backsliding, Parenting by God’s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace, Living for the Glory of God: An Introduction to Calvinism, Meet the Puritans, Contagious Christian Living, Calvin for Today, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, and Taking Hold of God), and contributed 2,000 articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. is in Reformation and Post-Reformation theology from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia). He is frequently called upon to lecture at seminaries and to speak at Reformed conferences around the world. He and his wife Mary have been blessed with three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

The 17:18 Series

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 17

Vicky Sluiter, May 17

Seasons of Opportunities, May 18

Lighthouse Academy, May 18

Bibliophile Reviews, May 19

Purposeful Learning, May 19

Eat, Read, Teach, Blog, May 20

Just the Write Escape, May 20

Because I said so – and other adventures in parenting, May 21

Book by Book, May 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21

God’s Little Bookworm, May 22

Artistic Nobody, May 22

Genesis 5020, May 23

Simple Harvest Reads, May 23

Have A Wonderful Day, May 24

amandainpa, May 24

Bigreadersite, May 24

With a Joyful Noise, May 25

Pause for Tales, May 25

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 25

Among the Reads, May 26

Live. Love. Read., May 26

Multifarious, May 27

Rebekah’s Quill, May 27

A Baker’s Perspective, May 28

proud to be an autism mom, May 28

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, May 29

Janices book reviews, May 29

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

Giveaway

To celebrate the tour, Reformation Heritage Books is giving away a grand prize of the entire set of New Testament Journibles!!

Click below to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/cee2/journible-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Weekend Briefing by Jes Drew

Weekend Briefing

Welcome back, agents. Today we’re revealing the new cover from Y. Kilova at Ammonia Book Covers for the Ninja and Hunter Series Book Three: The Time I Saved the Wold.

Old version:

Book One:

To Purchase

Book Two:

To Purchase

And finally (cue drum-roll)- Book Three!:

Join us next week, agents, for the publication party of the re-release The Time I Saved the World with its new covers. Also, all agents be ready for the special six week countdown to the summer serial starting next week. Until then, be sure to visit mission head at:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/580430-club-drewniverse

And not do anything that might get you brain-wiped. Ciao!

Friday, May 18, 2018

Review: No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens

To Purchase

About the Book:

As far as David Galloway knows, he can’t die. He wonders where he fits in the world, in God’s plan for the past and the future. He believes himself to be the only person on earth who hasn’t aged in over a century. He’s wrong about that.

My Thoughts:

No Less Days was a book that was so out of the box for an inspirational read and I enjoyed it immensely. I do not know if I would call it a paranormal story or not but whatever category it fits in, it was an exciting and a very different read.

One of my favorite shows on TV was a drama called Forever (which sadly only lasted one season, but that season is worth a watch), and it dealt with a man who could not die. He was a few hundred years old and life continued on with him whether he liked it or not and No Less Days was somewhat like that series. We have David Galloway who has lived for over a century and he has been eternally stuck at the age of 35. The tale starts off with us getting to know this very reserved book shop owner. From the beginning he had captured my attention, as the story progressed I got to know more about him and his predicament then the author threw in his true Scottish accent and well…

Due to a so called miracle to happen to a celebrity by the name of Zac Wilson, David goes in search of answers and finds much to his astonishment he gets his questions answered. Not only that but he is not the only one. This was quite a tale and the author does a great job on making the whole situation seem realistic. She explains what happened and it is really something. I like how they are not just super heroes, or immortals, but they are very human with hurts, loves, but they have not been able to die. I cannot imagine what kind of existence that would be like especially when everyone you know and love will eventually die and the world constantly changes.

A very intriguing read with a hero who will pull at your heart strings and I hope we get more stories like this one in the future

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Review and Giveaway: The Rancher's Secret Child by Brenda Minton

To Purchase

About:

Marcus Palermo's simple life gets complicated when he meets the son he never knew he had---and his beautiful guardian. Lissa Hart thought she'd only stick around long enough to aid Marcus in becoming a dad---but could her happily-ever-after lie with the little boy and the rugged rancher?

My Thoughts:

The Rancher’s Secret Child is a story about broken people living in a broken world but who love fiercely. Rancher and once upon a time bull rider Marcus has just received the shock of a lifetime, he has a 5 year old son that he was unaware of. To say he is angry, elated, and fearful are just a few of the adjectives that could describe his feelings. His ex has passed away and so he gets this news from Lissa her foster sister.

Lissa who has been really the one, who has raised Oliver, has waited a year to fulfill her late sister’s wishes. She needs to make sure that Marcus has changed and is nothing like his now deceased cult leader father. Talk about a history.

I have read plenty of Love Inspired books, mystery, historical, and contemporary, and some have really been such deep resonating stories. This is one of those and I enjoyed getting to know this hurting group of people and watching them as they dealt with their pasts to embrace their futures and become a family.

I was given a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Feel comforted and at peace when you read these uplifting romances of faith, forgiveness and hope from Love Inspired. There are 12 new books each month! 6 from Love Inspired for those who love contemporary romance and 6 from Love Inspired Suspense who like some danger with their romance stories.

Enter!

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham

About the Book

Title: The Simple Soul of Susan

Author: Noel Branham

Genre: Romance, YA, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary

Release Date: October 11, 2017

Susan Combs had long ago found the love of her life. The only problem was the other party still didn’t know he had been found.

Every day Susan saw Calder Hurtz, her next door neighbor and childhood best friend. They always enjoyed the short drive to school down the dusty streets of their small Texas town. She was happy in those perfect moments, for her life at home was most imperfect. The challenging homestead she inhabited was also the favorite subject of local gossip.

But one autumn day she overhears Calder and another boy having a conversation. This occasion of accidental audience sets Susan’s life on an unforeseen path. In the seasons to come, her future will be changed by two hospitalizations, two confessions of love, and one betrayal.

Compulsively readable, The Simple Soul of Susan is an engaging, soul-endearing romance and a mesmerizing debut.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Thoughts:

I was not at all sure what to expect from the novel The Simple Soul of Susan, but I can tell you that after reading it, it was a lovely coming of age story about a young woman who has had more than her fair share of hard knocks in life. Susan is a quiet, poor girl living with her disabled dad and anticipating her graduation from high school. Her very best friend is her next door neighbor Calder who is actually the most popular guy in their small high school. Susan loves Calder and always believed they would end up together, but she has never told him. Through a series of happenings, overheard conversations, whispered denials and truths, Susan sees what she has not wanted to see. She and Calder have grown apart.

So starts her journey of self-awareness, self-reliance, and a journey that she takes toward a life that is so much different than her dreams. Where it will lead her she does not know, but she becomes a stronger person then she thought she could be even while nursing her broken heart.

I enjoyed this story of young love, strong family and neighborly bonds in a small Texas hometown. All is not what it seems and when big secrets come to life Susan must finally grasp the life that was meant for her all along. The story was told in such an engaging way that was hard for me to put down and I highly recommend this sweet clean romance for teens and up.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to give a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Born and raised in a small Texas town, Noel Branham started her career in digital communications after graduating with a degree in English. An award-winning communicator, she now writes from her residence in Florida about things closest to the heart: home, family, and love.

Guest Post from Noel Branham

Fictional Romance: A Real Relationship Killer?

You’ve heard it before… All romance novels give readers unrealistic expectations of relationships. Yep. They totally do. But I think most of the time, with life in general, we have unrealistic expectations not only of others but of ourselves. We live in a world where there is always something else to try, buy or satisfy our ever-evolving aspirations of happiness and fulfillment. So here are three things to remember while reading romance novels that will lead to having deep, meaningful, romantic, relationships in real life:

Happiness isn’t fulfilled expectations. When you expect yoursignificant other (SO) to see you and romantically sweep you off your feet while pulling flowers from behind your back and force feeding you chocolates… you may have some unrealistic expectations. Would it be nice? Sure! But there is always something more they could do to make you happy, feeling loved, satisfied, etc. It’s a bottomless pit of desire and implied anticipated actions. We have to realize that no matter how many things we want out of a relationship, we can never receive them all… because realistically, we could never live up to the things expected of us either. Romance is a two-way street.
Happiness is the unexpected, fulfilled. Wait… how can you fulfill something that isn’t expected? You can’t. And that’s what makes it so great. Your SO fills your car up with gas, takes you out for a date for no particular reason, watches that Victorian-era PBS drama with you even though they can’t understand the accents… When we get rid of expectations for ourselves and others we are able to really enjoy the things and people we already have and anything else is simply adding to lovely life that we already possess.
Happiness in relationships is what you make of it. Just not feeling the love anymore after five years together? Was it that you chose the wrong person? Was it something they did? Something you did? Love can be a feeling and an action. Your relationship doesn’t have to be defined by feelings. Feelings fade. They aren’t realistic. They change with time as people change with time because all people change. But actions… actions are what you choose to do on a regular basis. They are a daily intentional choice (made by you) to care for another person. You can control your actions, but not so much your feelings. Funny thing is often times your actions create feelings you never thought you could have.

If you are looking for a romance novel with a bit more realism to test out these principals, check out The Simple Soul of Susan. You can have the realistic expectation that you won’t be disappointed