Thursday, October 13, 2016

Review: Ask Me to Marry You by Heather Blanton

Ask Me to Marry You is my first read by Heather Blanton and it certainly has whetted my appetite for more.  This was a cute twist on the mail order bride and the marriage of convenience story lines Two complete strangers, Audra and Dillon, decide to marry for a year to each gain what they think is most important: Audra respect and Dillon his freedom and money.  Unfortunately neither has really thought through this crazy scheme and they are quite unprepared for the lashing out of a very evil man who will stop at nothing to control Audra’s ranch and Audra herself.  My only complaint: I wish this was a full length novel.  I would so much like to read more about this very unconventional couple and their romance. 


I received a free copy of this book from the author.  The views and opinions expressed are my own. 

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Time Trap by Danele J. Rotharmel


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About the Book
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When problems arise during a field exam, Director Peter Matthews and Dr. Laura Nelson are sent through a time portal to investigate. While they search for their missing cadets, they encounter an enemy who is calculating and brutal—a mysterious nemesis who is holding a grudge against the TEMCO program. As Peter and Laura race to unravel clues directing them to their kidnapped cadets, their own survival comes into question. A deadly trap has been set, and they are forced to pit their wits against a serial killer who is intent on playing a deadly chess game through time itself.

My Review:


Time Trap is a story with a lot of moving parts to it.  At just over 450 pages, we are swept up into this team of time counselors that are made up of friends and family members.  There is a large cast of characters, even some duplicate from other time lines; however all were important and essential to the team and the story.  At times I dislike such large sets of characters in my books, but author Rotharmel made this work and I felt like I was watching a season of a well written and thought out TV series. 

We did not just watch one romance develop, but several, and since this is the second book in the series, we were caught up with previous storylines.  I did not read the first book but that did not affect my reading enjoyment of this second one nor was I confused in anyway.  I just had missed out on probably a great story.

This was really a character driven story, the time travel was important, but the people is what made the story move forward.  The time travel mythos was interesting to watch, and as a fan of time travel shows like Dr. Who and enjoying the new one Timeless, I really enjoyed this author’s take on time travel and if it was possible what a team of professionals could do with it to help others.

This story has a really sadistic villain as well, and he is shrouded in mystery.  Boy is he ever evil and relentless in his drive to hurt TEMCO (the company’s name) and the things he does to these people was cringe worthy and so inhumane that he had me looking over my shoulder.  So be prepared for some violence and scary parts, but the author does give us lighter moments of romance and humor.

This book I would definitely recommend if you are in for a story that reads like a series.  It ended well and we were given some clues as to what would happen in the future for these characters; however they have a huge battle that is taking shape for them.  I very much look forward to continuing this series.

I received this book for free.  A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

About the Author


Danele Rotharmel grew up with a love of the literary word, and by age five, she knew she wanted to be a writer. However, her life took an unexpected turn when a mysterious illness brought her close to death. Eventually, she learned that a low-level carbon monoxide leak from a faulty furnace in her home was slowly poisoning her. This poisoning triggered severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and partial amnesia.

During this time, the hardest thing she faced was a crisis of faith. She had to quit her job and stop going to church. She couldn’t write, couldn’t drive, and could barely remember who she was. To say she was upset with the Lord was an understatement. She began reexamining her faith in light of her illness, and eventually, she came to the firm conclusion that God is real, God is good, God is interested and involved, and God is trustworthy regardless of tragedy.

When her illness became even more severe, she was put into quarantine and could only talk to friends and extended family through the glass of a window. This quarantine lasted for seven years. During this time, she wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles.

Danele currently lives in Colorado where she continues to write. Although her journey back to health was long and difficult, it provided her with the opportunity to grow closer to God and to write her books. For that, she is forever thankful.

You can learn more about Danele by visiting her blog at https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/

Guest Post from Danele Rotharmel


I’ve always loved to read, but I hate that horrible moment when a good book comes to an end. It’s torture saying goodbye to characters I’ve come to love. One of the best things about being an author is having control over your own stories. I wrote The Time Counselor Chronicles while I was extremely ill and enduring seven years of quarantine. During that time, I didn’t have control over many aspects of my life, but I did have control over my fictional characters. I found extreme pleasure in the fact that since I was the author, I didn’t have to say goodbye to the TEMCO crew—I could just write them another story.

Time Trap is the second book in my series. It can be read as a sequel to Time Tsunami, or it can stand alone. Time Trap was written for one reason only—I was enjoying myself, and I didn’t want to say goodbye to the people I’d created in Time Tsunami. And that’s why the other books in my series were written as well. By the time I finally sought publication, I’d completed six books. Writing, for me, was an act of pure enjoyment. When I began, I wasn’t thinking about publishers or reading audiences, I was simply thinking about what type of adventure I wanted to write next. My books brought me joy, and that was all that mattered. For years, I didn’t let anyone know I was writing. TEMCO was my personal world—my escape hatch from illness and pain. I was afraid that if I let others into my imaginary world, it would crumble away. As it turned out, the exact opposite was true. Knowing that people were enjoying my stories filled my life with incredible happiness!

I always fill my books with suspense, romance, action, faith, and comedy. I keep them clean, and I work hard to make them full of page-turning fun. Communication is such a wonderful thing. I love that fact that we can relay our ideas, hopes, and dreams to each other. My books are more than just stories, they symbolically chronicle the way I stood up to my illness and fought it. They speak about the value I place on love and friendship. They show that humor can be found even in the midst of great difficulty. And most of all, they demonstrate that a crisis of faith isn’t the end—it’s simply the first step to understanding God on a deeper level. Life isn’t easy, but I’ve learned that even in the middle of tragedy, God is faithful and trustworthy. That’s what each of my characters eventually learn, and that’s what I hope my readers will take away from my books.

Blog Stops

October 6: A readers brain
October 10: CTF devourer
October 12: Pause for Tales
October 13: Blogging With Carol
October 14: Donna’s BookShelf
October 15: Carpe Diem
October 16: Petra’s Hope
October 17: henry happens
October 18: Vic’s Media Room

Giveaway




To celebrate her tour, Danele is giving away a package that includes an autographed paperback copy of both Time Tsunami and Time Trap, a Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord” journal, a lovely coffee cup, and a 4X4 picture frame. Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a5da

Review: The Tea Shop Folly by Carrie Fancett Pagels

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About:

Almost destitute, Lilly has run out of hope when she inherits her great-aunt’s home -- but it’s not the Tea Shop that a handsome young gentleman thinks it is. Lilly’s inherited house is crammed full of tea cups. Theo, a Soo Locks engineer, visits frequently in the hopes he will find the perfect antique teacup for his mother and is charmed by the lovely 'Shoppe owner.’ Lilly can’t turn the bachelor away when he persistently peruses her aunt’s collection, which she’s trying to pack up and remove from the house. Is the man only interested in the teacups, or in her? When Theo begins referring people to Lilly, and the genuine Tea Shoppe owner sets the police on Lilly for her lack of a business license, sparks fly!

My Review:

The Tea Shop Folly by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a novella with heart.  I have enjoyed previous novellas by author Pagels and she certainly knows how to tell a complete story packed in just a few pages without the readers feeling like we are missing something.  With a heroine who has lost hope and a hero who has made assumptions that are not true, we are given a lighthearted story about two wayward souls finding love and bringing kindness and goodness to their families.  I look forward to more of this author’s work, especially her full length novels.

I received this book for free from The Book Club Network and the opinions and views expressed are my own honest ones.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Review: Mattie's Pledge by Jan Drexler

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About:


When she feels the pull of both home and the horizon, which will she choose?

Mattie Schrock is no stranger to uprooting her life. Even as her father relocated her family from one Amish community to the next, she always managed to find a footing in their new homes. Now as the Schrock family plans to move west from Somerset County to a fledgling Amish settlement in Indiana, she looks forward to connecting with old friends who will be joining them from another Pennsylvania community--friends like Jacob Yoder, who has always held a special place in her heart.

Since Mattie last saw Jacob, they've both grown into different people with different dreams. Jacob yearns to settle down, but Mattie can't help but dream of what may lie over the western horizon. When a handsome Englisher tempts her to leave the Amish behind to search for adventure in the West, will her pledge to Jacob be the anchor that holds her secure?

Tender, poignant, and gentle, Mattie's Pledge offers you a glimpse into Amish life in the 1840s--and into the yearning heart of a character you'll not soon forget.


My Review:

Mattie’s Pledge by Jan Drexler continues the saga of a group of families headed to new land in Indiana to begin anew.  This time around we have the viewpoint of Mattie Schrock who is very much looking forward to seeing again her childhood friend and first love Jacob Yoder.  There is adventure along the trail for these families; difficult pregnancies, homesickness (as some families had to part ways with loved ones), disease, and the threat of horse thieves and kidnapping.  

What I really related to in this story was how Mattie longed for something more, something different.  She excitedly assumed that this move would bring her adventurous heart the thrill she was seeking.  Sadly, the reality was lacking in her eyes, causing her to continue to long for an unforeseen dream and to step into possible temptation.  She fortunately finds out that sometimes what we most long for cannot be found on this earth and the dream we want most to come true is standing right before us, waiting patiently for us to say yes.  I have at times felt that sense of longing as Mattie had, and have almost felt trapped as she did.  I also realized, thankfully, it was a heart problem with contentment.


I look forward to her sister, Naomi’s story and the hope for a love match for her in the next book.  I received this book free of charge from the publisher.  The opinions and views expressed are my own.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Review: This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

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About the book:


Tabitha Brown refuses to be left behind in Missouri when her son makes the decision to strike out for Oregon--even if she has to hire her own wagon to join the party. After all, family ties are stronger than fear.

Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. The trials they face along the way will severely test her faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life--and the greater part she had to play in history.

With her signature attention to detail and epic style, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites you to travel the deadly and enticing Oregon Trail. Based on actual events, This Road We Traveled inspires the pioneer in all of us.

My Review:


I have always admired and have been awed by stories of our ancestors who left everything known and stable and set off for parts unknown in a wagon train following the Oregon Trail.  I certainly do not think I would have had the stamina and I am very thankful that I live in the time period I do.  In author Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest, This Road We Traveled, we are given a glimpse at what brave and adventurous pioneers those emigrates were.  Based on historical figures, the author gives us a story that will take us along with Tabitha Brown and her family down that road they traveled to help make this country great. 

We are treated to three viewpoints in this story, Tabitha (in her 60’s), her daughter, and her granddaughter.  We see through their eyes this often times harsh and dangerous trail and get to experience their hopes, fears, and feelings.  Tabitha was a strong woman, lame in one foot since childhood; she was a resilient character who did not think she was too old or too crippled to go along with her family when her children decided to emigrate to Oregon.  I cheered on her and John, her brother-in-law (in his seventies), as they faced that road fearlessly.

Her daughter Phernie, was not as adventurous as her mother as she liked where she and her husband and children lived.  She questioned and doubted and grieved over the decision to move to Oregon.  I felt for her as she had to decide what to keep and what to leave behind, thus showing her struggle with letting go of the comforts of her current life.  Again, I am not so sure I could be that brave.

This was a fascinating look of one family’s resilience and survival as they traveled that Oregon Trail.  I have not read anything by Jane Kirkpatrick before and her attention to detail and history had me feeling I was right there with that pioneer family.

I received a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and the opinions are my own.

Review: When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander

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About the book:


Dani had planned to spy on Brett--so how did she end up on a date with him? 

Dani Prescott can't believe the lie Brett Somers is trying to sell to the media. During an interview about the plane crash that killed his parents, he blamed Dani's mother. But the crash killed her as well. Vowing to restore her mother's reputation, Dani has been following Brett and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use to discredit him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is?

My Review:


When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander continues her Misty Willow series about cousins and their tumultuous past, this time focusing on Brett Somers.  In the previous book Brett was a womanizer and jerk and not a very likeable guy.  However, life and truth has begun to change him and with that he becomes a rather dashing hero.  Enter Dani Prescott who shares a tragic childhood trauma event with Brett and that he is unaware of.  Dani is a very scared and lonely character, trying to make her way through life and thinking that vengeance will make her happier.  What she doesn’t count on is getting to know Brett, the man she wants to hurt.

I was really invested in this story and could not read fast enough.  I have always liked stories where the bad boy is redeemed and Brett and Dani’s romance was lovely to watch unfold as well.  We are reunited with previous characters and while some things were resolved in this second novel some were not, I look forward to continuing this series with Brett’s sister Amy’s story.  We are given front row seats as this family continues to heal from the generational sins of their family.  This series just keeps getting better and better.

I received a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and the opinions are my own.

Review: The Raven by Mike Nappa

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About the book:


As part of his street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience's pockets while they watch. It's harmless fun--until he decides to keep the wallet of a prominent politician, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds compromising photos of the councilman and his "personal assistants," The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named "Nevermore."

Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues to rescue The Raven from a wild card bent on revenge.

My Review:


The Raven by Mike Nappa is the second book in the Coffey and Hill Investigation series, and I was very much looking forward to it after I read the sneak peek from the first book.  The first chapter, is pretty intense and leaves you thinking, “Okay… this is really interesting, what is going on here?” however before you can figure out what is going on you are transported four weeks back and must then read all the events leading up to that yowza incident portrayed in the first chapter, which I found just a little frustrating at times, because I really wanted to know what was happening.

In this book you are once again treated to the point of view of Trudi Coffey, as well as the additions of Raven a deception specialist with a dark past and an uncertain future, and Mama Bliss a grieving grandmother whose daughter ran off and grandson died seven years previous due to gang activity.

This book is pretty intense and keeps you guessing which sides the characters are on and what their motives are.  And can I just say, Oh My Word.  That last chapter was just… wow.  I read it mouth agape.  I was pretty shocked, and I really cannot wait for the next Coffey and Hill mystery because just, wow, that last chapter…

I received a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and the opinions are my own.

Reviewed by Nicki

My Thoughts and More on The Gentlewoman Apprentice by Emily Opal

  Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Gentlewoman Apprentice by Emily Opal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours ! About the Book Title: ...