Review: Called to Protect by Lynette Eason

To Purchase

About:

A K-9 cop must mobilize all her resources to stop a human trafficking ring before another girl goes missing.

My Thoughts:

Wow! Author Eason really had me on the edge of my seat with her newest story in Called to Protect. This book actually had my emotions all over the place: Anger, shock and horror, and some more anger. This book deals with human trafficking-young girls as the targeted merchandise. And let me tell you, these bad guys really had me fuming. It is so hard to understand, especially in this day and age, that these people can be this cocky and sure of themselves when they sell another human to their new master. The grief and shock these girls’ parents go through is indescribable.

Author Eason does a great job in telling this story. It was nonstop from the beginning and I had to keep reading just to get to the resolution at the end. This is the second book in the Blue Justice series about a family of six siblings, their close relationships with one another, and their parents. I have a feeling their just might be an overarching storyline running through them, I just haven’t quite put my finger on it yet. Next story is Blake’s and his sounds like another doozy. This was a fast action thrill ride.

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

Welcome back, agents. There are several fun orders of business today!

First of all, the chapter fourteen is up in Mind of Darkness is up. Emily is finding herself further from safety than ever before... Catch up reading here at Mind of Darkness so you can be ready for this week. A mysterious new hero is introduced... And Charisa makes a try at escape.

Mind of Darkness

Emily Rogers is ready for a summer that doesn't involve being cast away on islands or being chased around the globe. So when she's invited to an elite pre-college class along with her boyfriend, she jumps at the chance. But things are not all they seem at the Yin Program. Students are disappearing, and someone seems to be toying with their minds...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Charsia O'Dell is anticipating a summer of romance and adventure with her crime-fighting partner. But she never expects that they'll be kidnapped and taken to an underground bunker to be guinea pigs to a mad scientist named Jin Yin. Most shocking of all, she learns that they are not the only super humans in the world...

Somehow, Emily and Charisa have to break out of the prisons imposed upon them to decipher the conspiracy before their minds are enslaved by the darkness within...

Also, for any artist, good or not quite so confident, interested in Mind of Darkness, be sure to check out the fan art contest at https://www.wattpad.com/story/158028853-dystopian-takevoer-fan-art-contest and enter for a chance at publication!

Speaking of art, it's time to reveal the crown illustration of the upcoming Kristian Clark and the Ruptured Reality (and other short stories) anthology collection that will be releasing this holiday season- with all profit going to charity. 

From the talented artist, Maddy Moore (https://www.deviantart.com/livingalivecreator) comes this stunning full-colored illustration of Kristian Clark and his leading lady (whose name I can't disclose for spoiler reasons- you'll just have to read the first two book!).

Are you ready?

All right, agents, here it comes...

From "Kristian Clark and the Ruptured Reality"

And now, for the Choose-Whose-Story-Gets-Told contest!

Excited about the upcoming anthology? Well, it's about to get a lot more exciting!

Starting today and ending August 31, you, dear agents, have a chance to vote on whose story you want told in the anthology! Which character do you want to learn the backstory of? See fall in love? Watch have a chance to be the hero of their own story? Well, now here's your chance to have a say in the matter! 

And if you haven't read the series yet (or are terrible with names, because it happens), here's a list of the best candidates with bios.

Name: Agent Amelia Debian
Affiliation: ESE
Skill set: Con Woman
Need to Know: She doesn't mean to steal your heart. It just happens.

Name: Garret Smith
Affiliation: ESE
Skill set: Muscle
Need to Know: He has a sweet maternal aunt and a psychotic fraternal aunt. Do not mistake them one for the other. It may be the last thing you do.

Name: Robbie Bali
Affiliation: ESE
Skill set: Tech
Need to Know: He is deathly afraid of ghosts.

Name: Jillian Crown
Affiliation: Citizen of the United States
Skill set: Inventor
Need to Know: She has no official loyalties, but she has been a civilian consultant to the ESE.

Name: Jack Crown
Affiliation: Formerly of an unnamed rogue agency run by Kristian Clark
Skill set: Tech
Need to Know: He died under mysterious circumstances that possibly involved SHF technology.

Name: Marina Ivanov
Affiliation: Citizen of the United States (formerly of Russia)
Skill set: Private Investigator
Need to Know: She has no official loyalties, but is a frequent contact of Kristian Clark.

Name: Peter Quin
Affiliation: ESE
Skill set: Base Tech
Need to Know: He was an army chaplain before joining the agency. Is married to a Bianca Quin, who is affiliated with the CIA.

Name: Felicity (no last name known)
Affiliation: SHF
Skill set: Recruiter
Need to Know: She belongs to a ghost agency that has no official files anywhere and seems to be afflicted with insanity. Approach with extreme caution.

There are two ways to vote. One, you can email your choice to pause.for.tales@gmail.com or visit our agency home at Goodreads and vote on the poll at Club Drewniverse. If there is an agent or other character whose story you want told not represented in the list, you can write in a request. Just note that Agents Kristian Clark (and his family), Susan Deanna, and Liam already have stories included in the anthology.

Well, that was a lot- but it's all in a day's work for the agency. Join us in two weeks for the results! Until then, visit the agency at Goodreads, Wattpad, or Pinterest (Book Boards), and try not to do anything that might get you brain-wiped. Ciao!

Review: The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse

To Purchase

About:

Join the adventure through history, romance, and family legacy as the Daughters of the Mayflower continues with The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse. Faith Jackson and Matthew Weber are both working covertly to aid the Patriot cause. But will they be willing to sacrifice all for their fledgling country?

My Thoughts:

The Patriot Bride takes us back to the days just before the Revolutionary War when the Loyalists and Patriots were at each other’s throats and the King and his colonies were at an impasse.  Along with getting to know the heroine, Faith Jackson, and Mathew Weber, the hero, we also are given a fictional account of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Both being dear and close personal friends of Faith and Mathew.

This was an interesting look of how it might have looked to be a spy in the colonies, how dangerous it was to live in those times when the British army looked like it could squash the Americans. Faith clings to her faith and Mathew questions his future and his hopefulness that one day he too can be a husband and father. Difficult choices needed to be made and trust of each other was of utmost importance as danger abounded around every corner.

This was an interesting novel about Patriot spies, plenty of danger, and a touch of romance. I liked this continuation of the family saga that began with the Mayflower.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All views and opinions are my own.

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: A Promise Forged by Cara Putman

About the Book

Book Title: A Promise Forged

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: World War 2 Romance

Release date: Originally released in 2010, Re-released in 2017

Kat transformed in front of him. Her chin came up, her fingers stopped twitching with the fabric of her gown, and a real sparkle bubbled in her eyes. It was like watching Snow White come to life when the prince kissed her.

A heartwarming WWII historical from award-winning author Cara Putman:

Kat Miller has dreamed of playing baseball her entire life. When she earns a spot on a team in the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, she finds that things aren’t as glamorous as she imagined. She struggles with long road trips, grueling practices, and older teammates who are jealous of her success. And to top it all off, an irritating reporter is constantly getting under Kat’s skin.

Events in Jack Raymond’s career have left him cynical and distanced from God. He never wanted to write at a small paper, and he certainly didn’t want to be assigned to something as inconsequential as a women’s softball team. Then Kat walks into his life. The fiery, young softball player somehow climbs the walls around his heart and makes him want to hope again.

When lies fly and the league appears to fail, will Kat and Jack’s new love survive?

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Thoughts:

A Promise Forged was a sweet little romance that captured the fun, excitement, and difficulties of the first women’s baseball/softball team. Kat Miller, who is seventeen, and away from home and family has been accepted on one of the teams.  As this is her first time away from all she holds dear, she learns that not everyone is as welcoming or loving as she has known.

Enter cynical reporter Jack Raymond, who wanted to do his part in the war but do to an injury cannot, decides to focus on Kat and make her a star. This move makes her other teammates more jealous and puts Jack and Kat in close proximity. As they get to know each other Jack and Kat, (despite Kat still having a year of high school left), begin to have feelings for each other regardless of their age difference. I really enjoyed this romance as it brought back memories of my own courtship with my husband (I was 17 and he a bit older than me).

It was interesting to see that even at that young of age, Kat knew what she wanted. That she relied on her upbringing to get her through a tough and cynical world, with rules for the women players that were obnoxious and unfair and easily broken. I like the progression of Jack’s character as he begins to see his world, in light of Kat, in a whole new way.

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.

About the Author

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31.

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com <http://www.caraputman.com/>.

Guest Post from Cara

Each of my books starts with a hook that engages my interest, and then as I play with it, I think it will engage readers. A Promise Forged was no different. For this book I was writing a series of three World War II novels for Barbour. I already had two historical hooks that fascinated me: children evacuated from London to Ohio, a top secret project to break Engima in Dayton, but I needed one more. I knew the lead characters were going to be siblings, but I wasn’t sure what to do with the kid sister. Then I remembered the All-American Girls Professional Softball/Baseball League.

And I started thinking.

What would it have been like to desperately want a chance to play a sport you loved professionally?

And to be part of the nascent league when no one was sure whether it was a good or bad idea?

I decided that was the perfect place for Kat. She was the kid sister with fire and passion. She wanted a chance to prove herself, and this would be the perfect place. Then she needed a hero worthy of her. One who could go toe-to-toe with her and still see who she could be.

He came in the form of Jack, a cynical reporter who is disappointed to be assigned to cover girls’ baseball. But then he gets to know Kat and some of the others. And he sees something in her that she doesn’t see in herself. It’s the beginning of fireworks that he doesn’t think can go anywhere because she has to go home to her senior year of high school.

As I began researching the history of the league, I learned that the AAGPS/BL archives were kept at a small museum in South Bend, a couple hours from where I live. I spent a day there talking with the curator and exploring all the records. Because the league wasn’t expected to last there weren’t many records from the first year. That meant I had to guess about some things like schedules based on what happened in the years after.

A Promise Forged became a book I loved writing. Kat was feisty, Jack was cynical, and baseball provided a great setting. I can’t believe this football loving woman can admit that!

Blog Stops

History, Mystery & Faith, August 4

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 4

Among the Reads, August 4

The Power of Words, August 4

C Jane Read, August 5

The Christian Fiction Girl, August 5

Christian Bookaholic, August 5

Texas Book-aholic, August 5

Reading Is My SuperPower, August 6

Genesis 5020, August 6

lady ansel book vibes, August 6

Kat’s Corner Books, August 7

Carpe Diem, August 7

proud to be an autism mom, August 7

Janices book reviews, August 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 8

A Baker’s Perspective, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 8

Mary Hake, August 8

By The Book, August 9

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, August 9

Simple Harvest Reads, August 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, August 10

Lighthouse Academy, August 10

Remembrancy, August 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 10

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, August 11

100 Pages per Hour, August 11

Luv’N Lambert Life, August 11

Bigreadersite, August 11

Godly Book Reviews, August 12

Cafinated Reads, August 12

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 12

A Reader’s Brain, August 13

a good book and cup of tea, August 13

Book by Book, August 13

All-of-a-kind Mom, August 14

Maureen’s Musings, August 14

Daysong Reflections, August 14

The Morning Chapter, August 15

amandainpa, August 15

Inklings and notions, August 15

Connie’s History Classroom, August 16

All 4 and About Books, August 16

Bibliophile Reviews, August 16

Pause for Tales, August 17

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17

For the Love of Books, August 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize that includes the movie League of Their Own, a box of cracker jacks, M&Ms and a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d2ac/a-promise-forged-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review: The Darkest Summer by Rebecca J. Greenwood

To Purchase

About:

Lady Cora Winfield's life has always gone according to plan--her mother's plan. That's why Cora is so fascinated when she meets the dark Duke of Blackdale. Knowing his dangerous reputation, Cora's mother flatly forbids the match, and the duke decides to take matters into his own hands. Kidnapped and facing a scandal, Lady Cora must now decide whether love will be her downfall or the beginning of a new plan, one she never dreamed possible. 

Set in the stormy summer of 1816, this Regency romance is a retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone.

My Thoughts:

The Darkest Summer was an ingenious and captivating retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. I was absolutely glued to this story and when I could not read it, thought about it. This takes place during 1816 which is considered the year with no summer as we now know due to a volcanic eruption that affected the earth’s weather. We are talking snow in July- that is an absolute bone chilling nightmare for me.

Our characters Adam (Hades) and Cora (Persephone) happen to meet that summer. Cora is concerned for the crops and plants throughout England, which in turn causes her to be concerned for the people due to the shortage of crops that can grow. Cora is a horticulturist, and though I do not have a green thumb, I enjoyed the way the author wrote about her passion and her great care of plants and flowers.

Adam, our Hades, is a guy that I really liked. He was enamored with Cora from the start and pursues her as only a gentleman can even with his family’s dark past. He is a duke and someone that Cora’s very particular mother might accept for her daughter- if not for his family history and the fact that he is a Scottish duke with his lands nowhere near hers. So I know how the myth goes and I knew that there would be an abduction scene I just wasn’t sure how it would play out and when it would happen.

Like I said, I really liked Adam, so when that fateful scene occurred (even knowing it was going to happen), the author was able to surprise me anyway. Adam, how could you! The rest of the story was quite an adventure and I was wondering how in the world Cora, who had feelings for Adam would ever forgive him.

This was a masterful told retelling of a myth with all the characters that I remembered in it. Even down to the family history of the Greek gods. I really hope we get more of these retellings. I am interested in Nathan’s (Poseidon) story and maybe even a redemption story for Jude (Zeus).

I purchased this book for my own reading enjoyment, and enjoyed it I did.

Review: A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano

To Purchase

About:

A lonely young heiress becomes the poorest wealthy woman in Victorian England when her father dies without telling anyone where he hid his fortune. Can Tressa and the no-nonsense estate manager find the fortune before the greedy relatives get to it first?

My Thoughts:

A Rumored Fortune is the second book I have read by author Politano and I must say that I have really been enjoying her writing style. This story is about an heiress of a hidden fortune, a castle in need of repair, workers who need to be paid, and a young woman who is in need of answers. Tressa and her mother receive some rather shocking news- that her father has died. There is sinister and superstitious circumstances surrounding his demise that reach back all the way to the previous occupants of the castle.

Tressa was a conflicted character looking for love and hope when all else seems to point to the hopeless. She is a character that held on with all she had even when confronted with unimaginable circumstances and what senseless acts her father may have committed.

Enter the new vineyard manager her father hired just before he died, and Tressa has the makings of a romantic, dark, and mysterious hero. Donegan Vance is an interesting character. I knew him to be a hero, yet he was that darkly mysterious and conflicted himself. Especially with the secrets he withheld from Tressa.

There is also a bevy of other characters in search and in want of the hidden fortune and poor Tress is not sure who to trust- if anyone.

One of the things I really liked about this book was at the beginning of each chapter we are given advice on how to take care of the grape vines from the notebook of a viticulturist (a new word for me). There were so much spiritual connotations that could be taken away from the way the vines and branches work. It was really a great word picture of the verse in John 15:5 when Jesus talks about the vine and branches.

If you are looking for a little mystery, a little romance, and a bit of gothic adventure I recommend this sophomore novel by author Politano.

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! Lots of exciting things happening in the agency.

Serial Summer is going strong with five sections already published. Read them now at https://www.wattpad.com/story/153287045-mind-of-darkness.

Last week, Christopher investigated the strange case of missing students... And Charisa stood at death's door.

This week, Emily's psycharictist reveals dark secrets about someone she's close to... and the Prime Minister comes to the Island.

Mind of Darkness

Emily Rogers is ready for a summer that doesn’t involve being cast away on islands or being chased around the globe. So when she’s invited to an elite pre-college class along with her boyfriend, she jumps at the chance. But things are not all they seem at the Yin Program. Students are disappearing, and someone seems to be toying with their minds…

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Charisa O’Dell is anticipating a summer of romance and adventure with her crime-fighting partner. But she never expects that they’ll be kidnapped and taken to an underground bunker to be guinea pigs to a mad scientist named Jin Yin. Most shocking of all, she learns that they are not the only super humans in the world…

Somehow, Emily and Charisa have to break out of the prisons imposed upon them to decipher the conspiracy before their minds are enslaved by the darkness within…

Also, there’s a new book trailer available for Mind of Darkness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HSRjylfUQA

To get more involved with Agent O'Dell's and Agent Rogers' stories, as well as other stories from the Agency, both published and still classified, check out the respective boards on Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/boosbooks7929/?eq=Jes%20Drew&etslf=4757

For more fun and training, join us at the Goodreads Division of the agency for polls, updates, and discussions at Club Drewniverse: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/580430-club-drewniverse

Finally, we have a special announcement concerning The Kristian Clark saga. Kristian Clark and the Agency Trap Book 2.5 will be releasing as a collection of exclusive short stories and art work December 1st of this year, with all proceeds going to Alternaterm Pregnancy Services. Join us back here on the eighteenth of August for an exclusive sneak-peek of the centerpiece illustration of the collection. 

Join us next week, agents, for some more summer fun! Until then, try not to do anything that might get you brain-wiped. Ciao!