Review: Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard

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About:

While vacationing on Martha's Vineyard, Serena Jones becomes entangled in a suspicious death with ties to an international antiquities smuggling ring. Will she find the killer before another person dies?

My Thoughts:

Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard was a slight twist from the previous two books in the series. For one thing, it was something along the lines of a murder mystery along with the art caper. The other big difference was that Serena was on vacation and her time wasn’t split between her ‘shift husband’ and her ‘house husband’ as her mother called it, but was free game to the knights-in-shining-armor who rushed to her aid. 

Lots of people complain about love triangles, but if they’re done right, they can be very interesting. As in emotional roller coasters as you hope against hope that the heroine will choose the one you’re shipping for. And Sandra Orchard definitely did a good job of showing that in this book!

Love triangle aside, the book also did a great job revealing a mystery like her previous two books, and the characters were quirky as ever. Another plus was that it was in no way preachy- but also didn’t leave out a slight spiritual thread.

Though the book might have been a bit abrupt near the end wrapping up, it was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to more Serena Jones mysteries.

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

Reviewed by Jes

Review: A Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd

About the book:

Two sisters get a second chance at life and love

Angela---Her mother's untimely death, a struggling marriage, a strained relationship with her sister, Rose, and regrets over what might have been haunt her. Despite being a wife and mother, she feels she has little to show for her life.

Rose--Still single, she longs for a husband and children. But Angela has all that and still isn't happy. Rose wants to be closer to her older sister, but she and Angela couldn't be more different. Both strong women, will their sibling rivalry ever end?

* * *

When a letter arrives from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Angela and Rose decide to visit Aunt Silvia, their mother's Mennonite sister, in the heart of Amish country. This vacation could provide the opportunity both sisters need to sort out their issues. And yet instead of finding a new way of connecting with each other, Angela and Rose discover surprising family secrets that add to their strife and threaten Rose's romance with a new beau.

Through it all, the two sisters must find the faith necessary to face their personal problems and allow God to restore hope and healing to their hearts and relationship as only He can.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Thoughts:

A Letter from Lancaster County is a compelling and emotional story about two sisters, Angela and Rose. They decide to travel together to visit their Aunt Sylvia (their late mother’s sister) after she has asked them to make a visit.

These two sisters couldn’t be any more different. Angela, the oldest and considered the beauty, is in her early 40’s, married to a successful man, and has two children. Rose is in a fruitless relationship, just like all her others. Both carry scars from their pasts and wounds of dreams that have long since died. They love each other very much, but also cannot understand one another. If they were not sisters, they would not be friends at all.

As they spend time with their Aunt and each other in quiet Lancaster County, they learn some disturbing news about their mother, their own individual lives, and they both evaluate what it means to really live.

This story really put me through an emotional gauntlet and I liked how the author gave us each sister’s viewpoint every other chapter. This rounded out the story and gave us a fuller picture of their relationship. This at times can be a sad and lonely story, especially in the wake of the stubbornness of people. My take away from this story is that maybe we should not erect such tall walls around our hearts, and accept for better or for worse the heartbreak and the love that we share with others. We were made for companionship.

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

About the author:

Kate Lloyd is a bestselling novelist whose books include "A Portrait of Marguerite" and the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy. A native of Baltimore, she enjoys spending time with friends and family in rural Pennsylvania and is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. She now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

Find out more about Kate at http://katelloyd.com.

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Review: Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski

About:

An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background.

Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book-a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family's history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you'll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!

This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us.

Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles.

Youth pastors, leaders, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read with a group and discuss together the implications of Nick's struggles for their lives.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Thoughts:

Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski is an expertly written novel telling the story of the origin and spread of pride through the life and eyes of an ordinary modern family. Nick Freeman, a rebellious and spirited teenager, is emotionally unstable and devastated by the loss of his father. Unsure of how to channel his emotion and insecurities he constantly argues and deliberately disobeys his tired mother who desperately tries to keep her son in line.

As the story progresses Nick’s soul becomes an intense battlefield of light versus dark, but as he reads his family’s history and discovers hidden truths will he be able to win out against his personal demons or are the roots of the dragon seed polluting Nick’s heart already too far gone to be removed?

This captivating novel of the battle of good versus evil in real life will leave you wondering what’s next and will open your mind to the battles of the spiritual realm.  I enjoyed the ensuing conflicts in the lives of the characters in both the Freemans’ history and current timeline struggles.

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

Reviewed by JackBo

Marty Machowski is the Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over 25 years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the children's ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is the author of a systematic theology for children entitled "The Ology," "Long Story Short," "Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God," "The Gospel Story Sunday School Curriculum" and the companion "Gospel Story Children's Bible." He and his wife, Lois, and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania area.

Find out more about Marty at martymachowski.com. 

What others are saying: http://litfusegroup.com/author/MMachowski

Review: Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

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About:

After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home—a quaint tourist town full of memories she’d just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work—something her eclectic family doesn’t understand.

Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming aren’t ideal.

Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can’t find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the surrogate family he’s found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really matters has been right in front of her all along—if only she’d just look up.

My Thoughts:

Just Look Up by author Courtney Walsh was a story that I think that may resonate with many people. Sometimes there are situations in our past that have so affected us that we let them define us. In this case Lane Kelley is relentless in her work drive and to achieve her dream job promotion. However, before any of that can take place, she receives emergency news from home. Her brother has been in an accident and her family wants her home. At first it may seem a bit callous of her not to want to go home, but she has pretty much written that place off. As Lane puts her job on hold and rushes home to see her brother Nate, the only one that she knew understood her we get to see snippets of her younger years and what caused such a rift between her and her family that everyone in town seems to love so much.

While home, she gets reacquainted with childhood friend Ryan Brooks who has the fondest memories of Lane. Ryan and his sister were practically “adopted” into the Kelley family and that love shown them gave both of them a hope for a better life even when they had to return to their own dysfunctional home. Ryan sees that Lane is tightly wound and he begins to notice just why she may have left home for good for.

So many wonderful, thoughtful insights and lessons were woven throughout this book. I really connected with Lane and her drive to be thin and let her work define her, this story touched on how name calling and how bullying can endure through adulthood. Even what someone may call cute affectionate pet names. When do you need to step back and take a break from work and truly rest was another issue addressed. I liked how the author showed how so much stress can be detrimental to your health. The romance was sweet and I thought that Ryan’s pursuit of Lane was enduringly romantic, even when he was hiding a big, scary secret. 

Families are important, work is important, as Lane discovers sometimes you just need to let go and embrace both- faults and all.

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

Review: Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

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About:

Grace Mallory is tired of running. But when she learns that the villain who killed her father is closing in, she has no choice. Grace is waylaid, however, by Amos Bledsoe, who hopes to continue their telegraph courtship in person. With Grace’s life—and his heart—on the line, can Amos shed his shyness and become the hero she requires?

My Thoughts:

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer was a very cute and clever story. This is a tale of two telegraph operators, and it explores the concept of ‘online dating’ in the late 1800s. When Grace Mallory and Amos Bledsoe are assigned to each other, they become very fond of one another. Then, when an enemy from Grace’s past catches up with her, Amos takes the opportunity to come to the rescue. I especially liked Mr. Bledsoe, with his mild-mannered quirks and quiet ways; he was like the Clark Kent without the Superman. No, it wasn’t the hero who had an alter ego in this story…

I also enjoyed the secondary story about another lady in the women’s colony Grace lives in as she deals with the perturbing surplus of men in her sanctuary. It was also nice seeing the couple from a sister book, even though I haven’t read it yet. Heart on the Line was very amusing and even had some action. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

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

Reviewed by Jes

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson

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About the Book

Book title: The Girl Who could See

Author: Kara Swanson

Release date: June 1, 2017

Genre: Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?

Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that’s what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.

Tristan was Fern’s childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after al—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.

My Thoughts:

The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson was an interesting Young Adult/New Adult Novella. I enjoyed the idea of the imaginary friend who never left. Fern- Plant Girl- Johnson was an amusing character, and it was interesting to see how her “craziness” affected her life. Tristian was a very fascinating character, who has a complex past, and it was cool to see how he tied in as Fern’s imaginary friend, a person who she, but only she, could see, speak with, and even touch, but to everyone else didn’t exist. I liked reading about their relationship which was very different from anything else I have ever read.

I couldn’t put the story down and read it in a day. This is a must read book, filled with action, adventure, romance, and yes, a hot imaginary friend. The bad guy was unique, and this book will certainly keep you guessing. My only complaint was that this story was too short. I would have greatly enjoyed reading more about Plant Girl and Tristian.

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

Reviewed by Nicki

About the Author

As the daughter of missionaries, KARA SWANSON spent sixteen years of her young life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped suddenly into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the speculative genre and was soon penning stories herself. At seventeen, she independently published her debut fantasy novel, Pearl of Merlydia. Her short story is included in Kathy Ide’s 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom. She has published many articles, including one in the Encounter magazine, and she received the Mount Hermon Most Promising Teen Writer award in 2015.

Guest Post from Kara Swanson

Did you have an imaginary friend growing up? I did. And I think most of us probably understood what it was like to use our childhood imaginations to create friends and take us places.

The Girl Who Could See follows Fern Johnson, a young woman who’s imaginary friend, Tristan, first appeared in her life when she was eight years old—and has never left. Now nineteen, Fern still sees Tristan, only he is no longer her friend. Now he is her curse. The source of her insanity. The reason Fern cannot keep a job and has been passed from one psychologist to another. The reason she is one step away from a psych ward. However, Tristan disagrees. He says that he’s not a figment of Fern’s imagination and is determined to prove it. But, if his existence is real, it has dangerous implications not only for Fern, but for her world. Because the creature that decimated Tristan’s planet is coming for Earth—and only the girl everyone says is crazy can stop it.

I wrote the novella as a way to explore the idea of what would happen if someone had an imaginary friend who never left. What would the psychological and daily implications be? And what if that imaginary friend wasn’t imaginary? The story that grew from those sparks of ideas became an adventure that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did.

 

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June 27: A Baker’s Perspective

June 27: A Simply Enchanted Life

June 27: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

June 28: Kristin’s Book Reviews

June 28: Christian Chick’s Thoughts

June 29: Fiction Aficionado

June 29: Genesis 5020

June 30: Smiling Book Reviews

June 30: The Fizzy Pop Collection

July 1: Blogging With Carol

July 1: remembrancy

July 2: Inklings and notions

July 2: Ashley’s Bookshelf

July 3: Zerina Blossom’s Books

July 3: Margaret Kazmierczak

July 4: Book by Book

July 4: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

July 5: Dragons Read History

July 5: Through the Open Window

July 6: It’s Storytime with Van Daniker

July 6: Baker Kella

July 7: Pause for Tales

July 7: Edits and Reviews By Leslie

July 8: Books, Books, and More Books.

July 8: Pursuing Stacie

July 8: The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate

July 9: Reader’s cozy corner

July 9: A path of joy

July 10: Neverending Stories

July 10: Henry Happens

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b7f6

Review: My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca's Plight by Susanne Dietze

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About the Book:

Looking forward to a quiet life and a full stomach, mail-order bride Rebecca Rice is pleased to marry her shopkeeper intended, Mr. Fordham, until the justice of the peace calls him Thaddeus, not Theodore—proceeded by the title Deputy.

Is it possible to marry the wrong man?

When the newlyweds realize they’ve married the wrong partners with similar names, an annulment seems in order—and fast, since Rebecca’s true intended is impatient to claim her as his own, not to mention Rebecca would never marry a lawman like her father. But when the legalities take longer than expected, Rebecca wonders if Tad wasn’t the right husband for her all along. . . .

My Thoughts:

This book had me at the synopsis and it was a really fun read. You had a very testy, if not a bit humorous situation where a mix up of names causes a mail order bride to marry the wrong groom.  Not only is that a problem, but her husband-to-be is his cousin. This makes for a difficult time for Rebecca as her now husband is a deputy and this mix up is putting the safe and secure life she has dreamed and hungered for on a very long hold. What’s a girl to do when she actually starts liking her husband more than her fiancé? Do they continue to try a legal way to end the marriage?

Yep, this story was right up my alley and the author filled theirs and the town’s conversations with some fun and witty banter. I could have told Rebecca from the start she got the right guy when it all came down to it, but then there would have been no story. The author really brought this small mining town to life with a whole host of characters and to top it all off she threw in a renegade band of thieves who were progressively getting more dangerous; and drop in the ex-love interest of both cousins and you have the makings of a great story. This was Wild West fun with heart.

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