Weekend Briefing by Jes Drew

Weekend Briefing

Welcome back, agents. Today we’re celebrating the re-release of The Time I Saved the Day with its new cover. To celebrate, today we have Agents Villain Hunter, Ninja, and O’Dell.

Agent Villain Hunter: Back again. Do you have a crush on me Miss Host lady?

Agent Ninja (rolling her masked head in annoyance): Not everything is about you, Hunter.

Agent Villain Hunter: Then why am I on the cover of the next book?

Agent Ninja: Spoiler alert!

Agent O’Dell (fidgeting with an arm rest on her wheelchair): Um, I’m not really sure why I’m here, except that I’m the sister of-

Agent Ninja: Hush now- you’re nobody’s sister. And nobody here shares your last name. And nobody here could possibly have their secret identity blown because of your presence here. Nobody.

Me: Well, I appreciate your actually being concerned about keeping secrets around here, but I did call all three of you here for a specific reason: to ask you questions concerning the re-release.

Agent Villain Hunter (leaning back and getting comfortable): Ask away.

Me: Okay. What can we expect from this rerelease?

Agent Ninja: Well, for one thing, it has a new cover. Not to worry, though- artwork from the original cover illustrates the interior of the book. Don’t know who’s on this new cover, though, since it obviously isn’t me without my mask on.

Agent Villain Hunter (nodding sagely): Obviously.

Agent O’Dell: Looks kind of like my sister, actually.

Agent Ninja (glaring at Agent O’Dell through her goggles).

Me: Okay, anything else?

Agent O’Dell (glancing nervously between Agent Ninja and me): Well, it’s been re-edited.

Agent Hunter: And the special additional scene from  its special first year anniversary re-release last year is included. You know, the one with Ninja and me, in a rooftop. K-i-

Agent O’Dell (her eyes widening): What?

Agent Ninja (punching Agent Villain Hunter): Don’t listen to him. He’s lying. Nothing of the sort happened.

Agent Villain Hunter: S-S-I-N-G.

Agent Ninja: Stop l-Y-I-

Agent O’Dell (clearing her throat so she can speak over them): Any other questions?

Me: Yes, one more. Why a re-release now?

Agent O’Dell: Oh, you know- the re-release of the Ninja and Hunter series ties into the publication of the Castaways trilogy, because their big co-op serial is coming out this summer. It’s going to be pretty intense.

Agent Villain Hunter: I-N-G.

Agent Ninja: N-G.

Me: Well, since those two are F-I-G-H-T-I-N-G-

Agent O’Dell: Maybe we should be L-E-A-V-I-I-N-G.

Exeunt Agents Ninja, Villain Hunter, and O’Dell, still yelling over each other.

Our spotlight:

The Time I Saved the Day

High school sophomore, Charisa O’Dell, has enough to do between homework, karate, and an upcoming school dance. However, when she is accidentally endowed with superhuman abilities, she adds one more thing to the list: crime fighting. Crime is a lot more complicated than her comics make it seem, and she finds herself relying more and more on the mysterious Villain Hunter, who somehow shares several of her superhuman powers. Even so, the more she infiltrates the world of crime, the more she attracts the attention of the criminals. Will she be able to survive her attempt to save the day?

Available now in all major online booksellers

Fugitives

Emily Rogers hoped her most dangerous days were behind her when she escaped from the Island. But soon she realizes that trying to figure out her relationship with Christopher Williams and dodging nosy reporters are the least of her worries. The evil they encountered on the Island is hunting themd own.

Once again torn away from her parents and normal life, Emily and her cousins, along with Christopher and Oto and a handful of allies, must flee through Europe. To be caught would mean certain death, but how long can one keep ahead of the powers that be?

Coming April 16 to all major online booksellers

Join us next week, agents, for a special visit from Agent Jones to talk about his fellow agents as we anticipate the coming release of Fugitives. Until then, try not to do anything that might get you brain-wiped. Ciao!

Review: Red Sky Over America by Tamera Lynn Kraft

To Purchase

About:

In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. When America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves, America's classmate, William, tags along to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. Soon, though, America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation. Will they make it back to Ohio . . . or even live through the struggle?

William and America aren't afraid to confront evil, but will it cost them everything?

My Thoughts:

Red Sky over America takes us to the year of 1857 when the country is being divided over the issue of slavery. America has been away from her Kentucky home for three years now studying at Oberlin College in Ohio. While there she has thoroughly gone over to the Abolitionist cause. Problem is, her father is a slave owner and pretty set in his ways.

Deciding to return home for a time, America decides it is time to confront her father about setting his slaves free. However, things don’t go as she has planned and she realizes some things about herself. Returning home to try to convince her father of the right thing to do has opened her eyes to her own prejudices she must let go of as well.

William is an abolitionist preacher and fellow student of America who is also traveling to Kentucky over break. He knows full well he is riding into a state with a message most don’t want to accept and he could possibly be hanged for his message.

This is a gritty tale that shows how evil slavery is, how women were also considered as less, and how warped and twisted men can be over a cause that is not right.

I was provided with 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:

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer's contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She's been married for 38 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren. 

Tamera has been a children's pastor for more than 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children's leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children's ministry consultant and children's evangelist and has written children's church curriculum. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children's Leaders Association Shepherd's Cup for lifetime achievement in children's ministry.

Review: High Cotton by Debby Mayne

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About:

Some families are filled with so much love they can't help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family's next reunion. On the one hand, she'll get to see everyone in her mama's family---folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there'll be more drama than you can shake a stick at. 

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law's deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay's teen self, but the woman she's become doesn't know what to make of this. 

Shay's contentment is challenged, and she's determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she's looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life? 

One thing is certain: Life with the Bucklin family is never boring. 

My Thoughts:

High Cotton was a story that took me by surprise as it was cute, whimsical, and heartfelt about a Southern family and its dysfunctions. This story is told by four people and each has their own voice. They are all family: Shay who seems to be the main character, her sister-in-law Puddin’, Sally who is a younger cousin and who is the twin of Sara, and finally Missy. The story centers on a big family reunion that is coming up and in this family there seems to be a lot of those. I found it humorous that even though the cousins didn’t want to go, none of them dared to miss the reunions.

As the time leads up to the reunion, we get a glimpse into each one of these ladies lives. Two of them are married with kids, Shay is nearing forty and not married, and Sally who is in her early twenties is also not married. Between the larger family drama, the inner family conflicts, and some crazy “secrets” that are kept from the light of day, I found this journey with the Bucklin family to be quite amusing. Their different mannerisms and how they related to each other brought this heartwarming story to life.

Families are blessings and sometimes irritating so. We don’t really choose them, we are either born or married into them and that makes for an interesting and sometimes funny combinations.

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:

Debby Mayne writes family and faith-based romances, cozy mysteries, and women's fiction and is the author of more than 60 novels and novellas-plus more than 1,000 short stories, articles, and devotions for busy women. Debby is currently an etiquette writer for The Spruce. 

Debby grew up in a military family, which meant moving every few years throughout her childhood. She was born in Alaska, and she has lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Japan. Her parents were both from the Deep South, so Debby enjoys featuring characters with Southern drawls, plenty of down-home cooking, and folks with quirky mannerisms. High Cotton is the first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series. 

https://debbymayne.net/

Review, Guest Post, and Giveway: A Flute in the Willows by Carole Brown

About the Book

Book Title: A Flute in the Willows

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Historical, Romantic Suspense

Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other’s love…and keep the German enemy at bay.

She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?

Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life…especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife’s life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Thoughts:

A Flute in the Willows is the second novel I have read by author Brown and I have really been enjoying her storytelling. This is the second in her historical series, The Spies of World War 2, and the first in the series I have read. This is about a newly married couple who are only together a short time before husband Jerry is sent to be a spy in Germany. Jerry is playing a dangerous game at hiding his true identity and trying to get the information he needs to the Allies. Unfortunately some gray area things happen while he is acting as spy and he becomes seriously wounded.

Back home in the states, his tomboy wife, Josie, is waiting for him to come home and hoping for the best when she receives word that he is missing in action. When Jerry finally returns home, Josie is not prepared for the man he has become. Jerry is not prepared to wound Josie anymore and he also has a hard time living with regrets from his time as a spy. While both Jerry and Josie are trying to find a new normal, danger has followed Jerry home. Both Jerry and Josie are in danger as the bad guys are not satisfied to just inflict Jerry with harm, but to hurt him through Josie as well.

There is a strong family bond throughout this story, as Josie’s family try to come alongside her and Jerry and walk with them through this difficult season. Neither Josie nor Jerry are Christians so it was interesting to read how her family encouraged, prayed for them, and just loved them through it all. I was a bit aggravated at Jerry for his ridiculous stubborn ways and wondered why he was his own worst enemy. Josie is a very strong individual and I liked reading about her strength of character. I just wished she would have tried talking with Jerry more instead of letting him keep running off.  

This was quite an adventure to the HEA that I wanted and I look forward to more from this author.

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

About the Author

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Guest post from Carole Brown

How Great is Our God! By Carole Brown

And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

It seems everywhere you turn today, the world is a mess. I try to keep up with current events, but sometimes I find myself pulling back away from it all. The enemy of us all would drown us in disbelief, doubt and worry if we would allow it. I find my spirit beginning to flounder in that sea of distress and must need revive it with the good things of God.

In my newest WWII Spies series, in book two, soon to be released, both Jerry and Josie Patterson are rebellious, self-centered people. Neither have given much thought to God, and both have gone gung-ho after their own pleasures and desires.

• Jerry not only suffers a serious physical injury, but his spirit is troubled over actions taken as a spy in Germany. Guilt over the death of a sweet woman, guilt over all the deceit he needed to use, guilt over the temptations that knocked, and though he didn’t give in to them, nevertheless, troubles his mind and soul. Who do you turn to when you have no God in your life?
• 
  
• Josie, filled with elaborate plans on becoming an Olympic participant once the horror of war is over, ignores all the people in her life—except when it’s convenient for her to use them. All that matters is attaining her goal and Jerry. Running roughshod over all others, forgiving and forbearing as they are, is her usual ploy in getting what she wants. So who do you turn to when all your dreams turn to ashes?

It’s only after each one of them receive a severe injury that prevent them from doing what they want, only when they think they’ve lost the other, that they begin to listen to what God is teaching them.

Isn’t that so in our own lives? Many times we go headstrong toward our goals, without prayer or definite assurance from God that it’s what he wants for us. It seems a good thing, beneficial, and desirable so it must be good for us, right?

God is so great, so faithful, so loving in pulling us back, in teaching us that He is our all in all. Our strength in times of deep distress and trial, our anchor when the storms of life are blowing us off course, our shield when others would hurt or wound our spirits…our peace through it all.

May we, like Josie and Jerry, learn that our God IS a great God. We need have no fear; he does not fail.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, March 29

Red Headed Book Lady, March 29

Multifarious, March 30

Two Points of Interest, March 30

proud to be an autism mom, March 31

A Greater Yes, March 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 1

Janices book reviews, April 1

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 2

Simple Harvest Reads, April 2 (Guest post from Mindy)

Carpe Diem, April 3

Maureen’s Musings, April 4

margaret kazmierczak, April 4 (Interview)

Bigreadersite, April 5

Reading is my Super Power, April 5 (Interview)

Have A Wonderful Day, April 6

Pause for Tales, April 6

Artistic Nobody, April 7 (Spotlight)

A Baker’s Perspective, April 8

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, April 9

Among the Reads, April 9

Bibliophile Reviews, April 10

For The Love of Books, April 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away a grand prize of a canvas flowered/musical tote, a pink “All Things are Possible journal, and a copy of A Flute in the Willows (winners choice of print or ebook)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e2

Review and Giveaway: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

About:

To Purchase

When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl’s heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.

Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father’s demanding expectations.

Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan’s new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.

My Thoughts:

If I could give this story more than 5 stars I would. Author Mason brought this tale of true love, class distinction, and family drama and secrets to life. Nolan Price was a young man who loved his mother and his sweetheart, Hannah. He was a stable hand and she a kitchen maid. They planned to marry and farm a little farm all their own and live their lives as happily ever after as possible. That was until Nolan is told the secret of his birth and who his parents truly are.

Family and identity is important and I understood Nolan’s deep desire to know who his father is. I also understood his deep love for Hannah and he could just not fall out of love with her and marry another to benefit his new station in life and his family’s name. And as history repeats itself, Hannah and Nolan elope hoping that will stop any of Nolan’s father’s expectations on him and his marital status. And the story quickly picks up speed from there on out.

This was a story about a man and his father learning to be family without the benefit of having each other in their lives from the beginning. Nolan must not only learn to be a son to a powerful man but also must deal with the rest of his relatives who are not happy about this sudden revelation and all that they could lose.

This is a story about a husband and wife and leaving and cleaving. How far do you let your family interfere in your marriage no matter what your obligations may be? I rooted for this marriage from the beginning and I am glad it takes place early on in the book.

We also get to know Nolan’s seemingly cold-hearted father. I liked getting to see inside his head, learning about his past and having high hopes for even his future. With a myriad of other characters this story really made this reader’s heart happy. I have read a lot of great books this year, and this one just may be my favorite.

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

About the Author:

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Also a member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at www.susanannemason.com.

Click to Enter

What Others Are Saying

“Beautifully balancing sweet forbidden love with a father-son battle of wills, Mason proves to be a highest caliber author in historical inspirational romance. Set in England in 1884, this is a marvelously entertaining story of the search for identity and a struggle for acceptance for both Nolan and Hannah. The purity and tenacity of their love will leave readers tingling, and fans of Roseanne M. White will enjoy Mason’s web of nobility drama and breathlessly exciting conclusion.”—Booklist starred review

“This is a sweet story full of the historical details fans of Victorian fiction will appreciate. There is also plenty of faith and love leading this young couple to their happily ever after.”—RT Book Reviews

“An immersive narrative and sympathetic characters are highlights of this heartwarming novel from Mason about the importance of family, the power of love, and the faith to pursue your heart’s desire.”—Library Journal

Review: Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels

To Purchase

About the Book:

Crisis pregnancy worker Marissa Moreau’s faith is tested when she discovers that her husband has been unfaithful and is expecting a child. But when she finds out the mother is a client she’s taken a special interest in and promised to help, it might be more than Marissa can bear.

My Thoughts:

Shadows of Hope was not an easy book for me to get through. I was aware of the subject material before going in and I admit my curiosity was peaked and I wondered how this new to me author would tell this tale. This is a story that we get told by three different people: Marissa, her husband Colin, and Kaitlyn his girlfriend. The synopsis of this story pretty much tells you what to expect. What I was not prepared for was the strong feelings and emotions that went with reading this story.

I will admit that parts of the story I had to skim, just so I would not be crying or getting angry over it. The author did a tremendous job of pulling the reader in and showing all sides of the situation. There was really no good outcome. I felt for Marissa as a wife and as a woman who was unable to have a child, especially when she found out that her husband’s affair produced a child with another woman. I felt for Kaitlyn and her trusting yet naïve nature that finds her in the predicament of being pregnant with her boyfriend’s child only to find out he is married. And then we get Colin’s viewpoint. He, in my opinion was confused and desperately wanted to fix things if albeit selfishly. What a tangled mess.

I was not necessarily happy with the ending. I understand where the author was taking the story, however I still would have liked more closure. I am curious if there will be a follow-up. If you are looking for a true to life story that deals with infidelity and infertility from a Christian perspective, this is a well told story.

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

Review: The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

To Purchase

About the Book:

Can a former privateer and a determined heiress find lost treasure in 1725?

The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman’s daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear. 

Learn More at www.daughtersofthemayflower.com

My Thoughts:

The Pirate Bride was an adventure story that starts off when Maribel Cordoba is just 11 years old. After being told her beloved mother and grandfather are dead; her mysterious father takes her away from all she knows. Maribel is a young girl with quite an imagination, which is helped fueled by all the books she reads. She does have certain affinity for pirates however, and when she is captured by Privateer Jean-Luc Valmont, she sees the beginnings of a new life at sea if only she can get the captain to agree.

Theirs was an interesting relationship as Jean-Luc is 12 years her senior, he met her when she was young, and has a dark history with her father. I did not mind their love story, they are apart for much of the middle of the book as each grow and move on with their lives after some devastating circumstances separated them. I would have liked more time with them together as adults, but I found this story focused on their growth and adventures more than the romance. It was a quick read and I look forward to more of this series. The covers of all the books are fantastic.

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