Review: Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

Ronie Kendig

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"If we abandon the past, we lose the ability to prevent repeating it." Cole to Haven

"But we can't let it control or dictate our future." Haven to Cole pg. 467 Crown of Souls

Ok, wow. When I first started this book let me say that I was not expecting the experience that I had. I will say first off that this is the second book of a series. I did not read the first one; I wish I did -not that my enjoyment for this one would have been any less. 

I really was pulled into this story. This is my favorite Ronie Kendig story to date. I thought that I was getting a military tactical action adventure. What you have here in The Crown of Souls is that but with a dash of the supernatural thrown in. Think Indiana Jones, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, and The Mummy (Brendan Fraser version). 

This was definitely a reading adventure. I liked Tox- his real name is Cole Russell. He was very devoted to his team and very protective of his love, Haven. Each team member has such a distinct personality and I was biting my nails on some of their exploits. There are overreaching themes it seems that will be running through this series. I am also interested in finding out more about some mysterious characters- are they good or bad or in between.

Another thing which proved to be very important was that there was a little bit of a dual timeline. So what happened in the past was very important and affected the present day. This book was hard to put down and at one time I had to go to sleep but I had left the team in quite a perilous situation. This was an adrenaline filled read that would look great on the big screen. I recommended this to my non-fiction reader husband- there is romance but there is a lot more action adventure.  I look forward to the next Tox File and to see where the team’s next adventure takes them.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Review: For No Apparent Reason by S.K. Derban

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My Thoughts:

For No Apparent Reason by author S.K. Derban is a quirky murder mystery with memorable characters that really brought the story to life. We meet Madison a somewhat nosy college student on a stormy afternoon at the scene of a crime and unbeknownst to her, her life is about to get a bit more interesting.

Madison is a law student who is craving something different in her life. She has a boyfriend she is not in love with and pursuing a career she is not sure she is ready for. Enter a certain hunky mysterious FBI agent and Madison’s life suddenly takes a turn for the unpredictable.

I really liked the banter between Madison and Agent Court Braxton. Their verbal sparring hid the emotional turmoil and deeper feelings they had for each other. You could feel their attraction even though they not only did not kiss, but did not even hold hands till much, much later. The attraction was just there. I liked how close Madison was to her family and that she was such an out of the box character that along with Court we never knew what she would do next. She had a big heart for the victims that they became like family themselves.

This was the second book I have read by author Derban and I am really enjoying her writing style. It is a little bit different.

I received a copy of this book for free from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Reunited by Danger by Carol J. Post

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My Thoughts:

Reunited by Danger by Carol J. Post is a thrilling, and chilling read. Amber Kingston doesn’t want to go to her ten-year high school reunion, but at the insistence of one of her old friends she finally agrees. At the reunion one of her old friends is murdered and she soon learns that she was set up. And the person who asked her to come- had been killed two months ago.

The murderer will not rest until Amber and all her high school friends are killed. One by one they are picked off. I can only imagine how stressful that would be to see people being killed around you and knowing that you could quite possibly be the killer’s next target especially when the victims are your friends.

Caleb is carrying luggage of his own, despite his goody two shoes appearance. But he’s determined to find the killer before he can get to Amber. But to learn who the killer is first they must unbury the past. The mystery must be solved, and the killer brought to justice before all of the six friends pay the ultimate price. Get ready for an ominous read.

I received a copy of this book for free from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all the views and opinions are my own.

Reviewed by Nicki

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Duke's Dilemma by Elaine Manders

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About the Book

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Book title: The Duke’s Dilemma

Author: Elaine Manders

Release date: May 27, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance, subgenre: Regency

Should he wed the perfect match—or the one he loves?

Edward Dalton, the new Duke of Langsdale, must soon take a wife to ensure the hereditary line. A young war widow seems the perfect choice. She is charming, well respected with impeccable character, and her connections to the Ton’s most important people is an asset he can’t ignore. But Edward is intrigued by another widow. The mysterious, hauntingly beautiful Lady Wayte.

Cassandra Wayte could not be a more unsuitable match. She isn’t received by polite society, and her notorious dealings with London’s underclass is the talk of nobility from White’s patrons to the most fashionable hostesses. It’s even whispered she murdered her elderly husband. But Edward sees a different side of the tragic lady, and he determines to discover the secrets tormenting her. As he peels away the layers of her resistance, he discovers a malevolent adversary stalking Lady Wayte and exposes a level of depravity that shocks even his war-hardened sensibilities. Can he win her trust and her heart? And at what cost to the dukedom?

As Cassandra’s relentless search for her husband’s murderer exposes both her and Edward to unseen dangers, all they can rely on is their love for each other and their faith in God.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book by Elaine Manders I have read and it is my favorite so far. I was kept up into the wee hours of the night engrossed in this story. I really liked the hero and heroine of this story. This was not your usual story of love interests keeping secrets and then the misconceptions that follow no, this story actually showed what would happen when those secrets came to life. Do you forgive and move on or do you hold a grudge? I liked that Cassandra and Edward worked together as a team. I liked that Cassandra could be a strong character but she was still a woman. I liked that Edward was a manly man but he was sensitive to Cassandra.

There is mystery and danger between these pages. The author also brings up the issue of human trafficking and what it looked like during Regency England and how it was ignored and the excuses that were made to justify it due to the classes.  This is the second in the series The Wolf Deceivers. This one did well as a stand-alone, but I liked this story so much I already own the first one and plan to read it soon. I very much look forward to more in this series and author Manders work which is quickly becoming some of my favorite books.

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

About the Author

Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. She prefers stories that twist and turn and surprise, told by characters of faith. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, crafts, and spending time with her friends, daughter, and grandchildren.

Guest post from Elaine Manders

Historical romance became my favorite genre back in the seventies and eighties, and one of my favorite settings was Regency England. A Regency can be a romance in the Jane Austin mode or historical romance set during the Regency period. There is a difference, and The Duke’s Dilemma falls into this latter category. Yes, there is some of usual drawing room intrigue in an Austen novel, but The Duke’s Dilemma contains a serious spiritual theme. The plot fitted perfectly into my new series, The Wolf Deceivers.

I wrote the original manuscript nearly twenty years ago as a light, secular romance, but when I revised it to Christian romance, I was delighted to find the inspirational thread deepened the characters. Instead of merely fighting for her reputation while trying to wrest the duke from another woman, Cassandra, the heroine, must fight for her survival. Instead of being another handsome, sardonic nobleman, Edward, the hero, uses his intelligence and grace to protect Cassandra and win her love.

Even the secondary characters captivated me. Little Sarah’s match-making antics suited the Regency theme and provided some levity during the darker moments of the plot. Lady Ashford, Cassandra’s foil, developed a tenacity I had to admire in spite of all her shortcomings. And Sir Harcrumb became a villain I loved to hate.

Though the characters changed a great deal in the retelling, the plot remained basically the same. The only thing I added was a surprise twist at the end—something that has inadvertently become a part of my brand.

Every story is a learning experience for me, and I’m always grateful for how much I learn from my research and from the Holy Spirit. I’ve become more aware of those who deceive, and how vulnerable people, especially young people, are to Satan’s tactics. Also, I’ve unexpectedly come away with a better understanding of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Although this is a new label, we all know it has affected people throughout history.

Yes, The Duke’s Dilemma has taught me much, and I hated to say good-bye to these characters. I love stories that move me during the writing and only ask two things of my books. That they bring enjoyment to my readers and glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus. I hope this one does both.

Blog Stops

August 22: A Baker’s Perspective

August 22: Books, Books, and More Books

August 23: Blogging With Carol

August 24: Genesis 5020

August 25: Avid Reader Book Reviews

August 25: Have A Wonderful Day

August 26: Jami’s Words

August 26: Faery Tales Are Real

August 27: Karen Sue Hadley

August 27: Ashley’s Bookshelf

August 28: Remembrancy

August 29: The Fizzy Pop Collection

August 29: For the Love of Books

August 30: Locks, Hooks and Books

August 30: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

August 31: Blossoms and Blessings

September 1: Pause for Tales

September 1: Caffeinated Reads

September 2: Live. Love. Read.

September 3: Just the Write Escape

September 4: Henry Happens

September 4: History, Mystery & Faith

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away:

Grand prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card
1st place: paperback copies of Books 1 and 2 of the Wolf Deceivers series, The Chieftain’s Choice and The Duke’s Dilemma!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bbab

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Seasons of a Life by D.H. Barbara

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book title: Seasons of a Life

Author: D.H. Barbara

Release date: May, 2017

Genre: Inspirational fiction, family drama, romance

Time passes with little regard of human perspective. At times painfully slow and often it slips past more swiftly than we’d like. Sammie Young is a testimony to the changing of life’s many seasons. As life deals it’s harsh blows, she stands strong. Now, with two of her five children left at home, change whizzes toward her at the speed of light. Frequently down, but never beaten, Sammie steps out in faith to face the new and exciting seasons awaiting her family.

My Thoughts:

Seasons of a Life was a very straightforward story about a woman, Sammie, who has experienced many ups and downs in her life. She had a tumultuous marriage, but her husband turned his life around only to die shortly after. Now a few years later she is homeschooling her two sons, who are both going to be leaving the nest soon, being a grandmother, and navigating a life she did not think she would be living. Sammie is a mom of five kids and I enjoyed her relationship with them, even the very rocky one she shares with her oldest daughter.

Then Sammie meets another man who offers her a future that she in a million years would never have thought could happen to her. So she sets forth on this rather crazy adventure and has some major surprises thrown her way.

I enjoyed this journey with Sammie. I liked that the author showed that no matter what we have lived through or how old we are there just may be some adventures in our life yet. I also really valued her friends and their relationships and I liked that she and her kids really looked out for each other. It appears that the author has more to write about concerning this family in the future Lakeville Series.

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

About the Author

Writing and storytelling began in elementary school, including rewriting song lyrics. Often, I would rewrite them to God, and my favorite to sing was “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” I told elaborate tales to my Barbie and Dawn dolls, stuffed animals and imaginary friends.

My faith is vital to me, and my writing. I write inspirational fiction and fantasy because, frankly, I can’t help myself. I have tried to write without the faith element and it’s next to impossible. I want my story to reflect faith and honest struggles. The plots appear in my mind as if I’m watching a full length feature movie. At times, it’s hard for my fingers to keep up with my brain. I’ve moved from my beloved yellow legal pads and Crystal Bic pens to a keyboard, but the process is the same. I start at the beginning, find a “soundtrack,” and start typing. In the back of my books you’ll find a section titled The Song Behind The Story. Many times, I find a worship or praise song that fits the story perfectly and that becomes the main track I listen to while writing.

If I’m not writing something, I’m reading a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, theology and apologetics, to name a few. My favorite genres are, by far, science fiction and suspense. Some authors I enjoy are, in no particular order, Susan Sleeman, Anne McCaffrey, C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado, John Jakes, Stephen King, Robin Lee Hatcher, Chautona Havig, Frank Peretti, Randy Alcorn, Dr. Richard Mabry, Tess Gerrison, J.K. Rowling, Peter Tremayne, Elis Peters, oh, the list could go on and on and on! I have the immense pleasure of interacting with some of them online via social media.

Currently, I’m working on completing my Lakeville series. Lakeville is a fictional town in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania.

Guest Post from D.H. Barbara

Thank you to Celebrate Lit for featuring the first novel in my Lakeville Series, Seasons of a Life, for this tour. I hope many of you enjoy your introduction to Lakeville.

So many people, when they discover my little writing hobby, ask me how I come up with ideas. I then attempt to explain that ideas are literally exploding out of my brain! That usually causes them to search my face with a rather alarmed or concerned expression. Such is the life of an author!

I had no problems writing Seasons of a Life; the story presented itself to me as though I were watching a movie. I even have a soundtrack. That will stay locked in there as I have no musical talent whatsoever. I did have a song that is the theme of the book, which I write about at the end. In each book I have a page that is titled “The Song Behind the Story.”

There is a lot of “me” in Seasons of a Life. While no character, specifically, is me, one is totally based on a wonderful friend. I was blessed to have a Victoria in my life for many years before we moved to Colorado. With the exception of hair color, Victoria is a tribute to my dear friend Diana. Also, the story of the Young Turkey Sandwich is true to my New Jersey mall rat youth. Yumm-ola!

Be Blessed and Dream Big!

Barb

Blog Stops

August 24: A Baker’s Perspective

August 25: Proud to be an autism mom

August 26: The Power of Words (spotlight)

August 27: Avid Reader Book Reviews

August 28: Moments Dipped in Ink

August 29: Carpe Diem

August 30: Reading Is My SuperPower (interview)

August 31: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

September 1: Pause for Tales

September 2: Simple Harvest Reads (interview)

September 3: Quiet Quilter

September 4: Christian Bookaholic

September 5: Just the Write Escape

September 6: Mary Hake

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, D.H. Barbara is giving away a Lakeville Beach Bundle tote/beach bag containing: 1 copy Seasons of a Life,1 copy of my book Angels Unaware (inspirational fantasy), 1 sun visor, 1 cold drink bottle, and 1 box of drink flavoring packets!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bd16

Review: God's Crime Scene for Kids by J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace with Rob Suggs

About:

Hone your reasoning skills as you investigate evidence in the universe to determine the most reasonable cause for everything we see in creation.

In this companion to Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, Jason uncovers a mystery in his grandmother's attic. He and his friends, Hannah, Daniel and Jasmine, enlist the help of Detective Jeffries at the Jr. Detective's Academy. Along the way, they develop the skills needed to investigate the mystery and the evidence of God's existence. The cadets learn logical-thinking skills as they examine the contents of a mysterious box and the vast universe.

In God's Crime Scene for Kids, real-life detective J. Warner Wallace shows kids ages 8 to 12 what skills are needed to solve Jason's mystery, and at the same time looks at evidence in the universe that demonstrates God is the creator. Ultimately, kids will learn how to make their own case for God's existence.

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

My Thoughts:

Coming on the heels of Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, in God’s Crime Scene for Kids author Wallace challenges kids again to investigate God’s design in the universe. This book talks about how there is too much intelligence in the universe; it is too fine tuned for it to have come into existence from nothing. Siting examples such as an empty nest that was made by an intelligent creature to withstand falling apart if it were to fall to the functions of a motor designed by human intelligence. Such forces as chance, accidents, or even gravity do not have the ability to put together or make anything out of nothing. This book investigates that everything that is made now that we see, is made by animals or people and obviously begs us to answer the question as to why that would have been different from the beginning.

With cartoon illustrations that draw the reader in and make the author points easier to understand and easier to grasp the concepts taught; makes this a great book for kids to understand science from a creative point of view. Also the theme of making the kids detectives and looking at the information from a detective standpoint makes for an interesting read. I think these books would be fun to read as a stand-alone or as a great addition to a science curriculum.

I received a copy of this book for free through Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the authors:

J. Warner and Susie Wallace have been training young people in the church setting for over a decade. J. Warner is a cold-case homicide detective who has been featured on Dateline, FOX News, Court TV and other crime-related television shows. A former atheist, he is the author of "Cold-Case Christianity: God's Crime Scene," "Forensic Faith," and "Cold-Case Christianity for Kids." He has a master's degree in theology and is the founder of ColdCaseChristianity.com. Susie has a master's degree in speech pathology and co-writes (and edits) all the kids books in this series. J. Warner and Susie have four children and live in southern California.

Find out more about J. Warner and at http://www.coldcasechristianityforkids.com.

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Reviewed with Bubba

Review: Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt

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About:

Chava, the Jewish daughter of a royal tutor, vowed to be faithful to her childhood friend Queen Cleopatra. But after they argue, Chava is ripped from her family and her privileged life and sold into slavery. When she finds herself alone in Rome, she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God’s will.

My Thoughts:

Egypt’s Sister by author Angela Hunt is a rich historical read that we are given a front row seat to watch as the events of the rise of the Roman Empire take place. We take this journey with Chava a young Jewish woman who has grown up as the best friend of Urbi (future Cleopatra) in Alexandria the center of knowledge and education. I would say that this is a coming of age story that shows the growth and maturity of Chava, as she watches the world around her and the world that she thought she knew change so abruptly that it was frightening.

Chava is at first a very naïve and stubborn young lady in her views and her opposition to marriage that her father so wants her to do. She is also very loyal to her best friend, Cleopatra, so much so that she forgoes the whole idea of marriage to anyone so that she may be at Cleopatra’s side and her beck in call. I considered this rather foolish of her, understanding the whys but I just felt that she was very narrow minded in her conclusions. The author did an excellent job at showing her growth especially after all she had to endure. We also get a look at what being a friend to a very powerful political person would look like. There is great betrayal and hardship that Chava must endure yet she meets some of the most powerful men of that time; Julius Caesar, Octavian, Marc Antony, and Agrippa.

There was much to process as I read this book; the history I was familiar with but the author really shined a new light on the brutality of the ruling Triumvirate that was very frightening. This was a gritty, lush historical that focuses on the time of history and the set up for when the long awaited Messiah would arrive into the world. And as always, I appreciated the author’s notes on what was real and what was fiction.

A quote from the book that has really stuck with me is found on pg. 265 by Chava: “I kept thinking of something I once read from Euripides: “Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.”

I received a copy of this novel for free from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.