Vivid by Ashley Bustamante (Color Theory Book 1)

 

About the Book

Book: Vivid

Author: Ashley Bustamante

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: May 17, 2022

Danger Lurks Behind Every Color 

When Ava Locke was five years old, she began a journey to join the Benefactors—the leaders of the magical continent of Magus. Twelve years later, she unwittingly started down the road to betray them.

On Magus where colors fuel magical abilities, yellow is banned in an effort to protect people from its mind-controlling capabilities. When a rogue Yellow magic-user named Elm escapes imprisonment Ava becomes innocently fascinated with his story. Once this mysterious Elm shows up at her school, Ava pushes her interest to the next level by helping him evade the Benefactors. Ava grows increasingly conflicted as her intrigue leads her down a dark road of secrets about her world. As she learns more about Yellow magic’s potential to control its victims, Ava now must question whether her rash decisions are all her own or if someone else is pulling the strings.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

Vivid is a wonderful name to title this book. It's full of colors, in a world that is parallel to our own, via the Bermuda Triangle. Magus, and color, and lack of colors can be a sermon and a story just in a few lines alone. However, there is much, so much more that just that. In this story, magic is in colors. Ava has red, and she's a healer. Blake has blue, and he can create things, shape them. Yellow magic is forbidden. Wait till you win out why. This is just the tip of this story. It's a story of dreams, and hopes. It's a story of growth and thinking, and diving right from wrong. The romance is not overwhelming and the read is clean. I can't wait for more of this series. I think this one has to grace more than just my digital book shelf.

5 HUGE yellow stars! 

About the Author

Ashley Bustamante has created stories from the moment she could scribble and staple sheets of paper together. She simply cannot recall a time when writing was not a force in her life. When not running through lines of dialogue in her mind, she enjoys taking photographs and spending time with her husband, three children, and any furry, feathered, or scaly creature she can find. She currently works at Arizona State University.

 

More from Ashley

Vivid is a great example of how something small can turn into something big with a little faith and a lot of work!

The idea for Vivid came from a dream (which later became part of Chapter 5) that I just couldn’t forget. A dream about a charming young man in a top hat and a young lady in a yellow dress. I won’t give away the whole scene, but what stood out to me was the complicated feelings of the young lady. She was left so conflicted and dazed by her encounter with this roguish stranger. She knew she shouldn’t have spent time with him, and yet it was exciting. The thing she wanted more than anything was for him to come back, and yet that was also the thing that terrified her the most.

 

This scene and these characters would not leave my head. I wanted to know the rest of their story and it was all I could think about. Finally, I wrote it all down. How could I not? I made some adjustments, and soon I was plotting. Soon I had names. Places. A magic system. A chapter. Two chapters. Ten chapters. Within a month, I had my first draft written.

 

The road forward wasn’t easy as I was met with rejection after rejection. But through it all I could feel my Heavenly Father cheering me on, encouraging me to grow the talent he had given me. At once point I almost shelved the project, but that little nudge kept me going and eventually led me to my publisher. All the little pieces that came together over the years to lead me there is a story in and of itself.

 

I hope you will enjoy Vivid and come to love Ava and Elm as much as I do. It is my privilege to have this opportunity to share them with you.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s kid Lit, May 31

A Baker’s Perspective, June 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

Inklings and notions, June 3

deb’s Book Review, June 4

For Him and My Family, June 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 9 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 9

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 10

Blogging With Carol, June 11

Labor Not in Vain, June 12

Inside the Wong Mind, June 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ashley is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e382/vivid-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sebal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton (Sabal Palms series Book 1)

 

About the Book

Book: Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Christian Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Release date: April 5, 2022

Elaine Smith lived in the small coastal town of Sabal Palms long enough to know when to worry about a squall and when to simply close the windows and wait for it to pass. This one would be significant. It would be significant in terms of damage, but that was to be expected. What no one expected was the profound effect it would have on the lives of people from the Texas coast to New York City. Positive qualities of humanity are often displayed during times of natural disaster.
But a supernatural power had attached to this storm and subsequently worked within the hearts of the most needy, the most lonely, and the most sinister. The lives of four delightful women, a homeless teen, a rebellious son, a grieving lover who is at the bottom, a son who lost his faith, and a hired murderer, are all intertwined in the aftereffects of a Category 3 hurricane thanks to a few passages written by one determined woman.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

Four women and a hurricane are the crux of this story. I'm not sure how I decided to pick up this book as I'm not fond of hurricanes having gone through one. Even so, this group of ladies pull together and some amazing things unfold. There's a lot of witty and fun bantering and themes of healing and making it through when you are weary, even in your faith abound in this book. Love, life, and lots of loss, with healing and happiness are included. Elaine as a writer, might be my favorite of the four ladies, but they were all good. 

4 Stars

About the Author

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed.D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. Her university experiences included teaching at Longwood University in Virginia, the University of Texas-Brownsville, The University of Texas-Pan American, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Stephen F. Austin State University. She held positions as Dean and Department Chair during her tenure in higher education. Her areas of research included behavior disorders, learning disorders, autism, and research in higher education. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, blogging, and visiting with friends and family. Her books have been recognized and received awards from Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Awards, and have earned five stars from Readers Views and Readers Favorites. Her books have been recognized Finalist for the International and National Book Awards.

More from Terry

This book will take the reader to the southern coast of Texas. In fact, this book happens at the very bottom tip of Texas. The reader will feel the warm sea breezes, view the coastal sunsets and sunrises, and experience the friendships of four close women friends. Here is a sample:

The women gathered at the swimming pool and shed their cover-ups. Next, each lady took out her favorite sunscreen lotions and creams and sprayed and squirted so much on, they all looked almost as pasty as a bottle of glue. No one talked at all during this process of slathering on thick coats of varying SPFs. It was a polite, unspoken agreement that no forbidden words were ever mentioned when the ladies were in swimwear. Words like cellulite, wrinkles, fat, fatty tissue, weight, weight loss, weight gain, age spots, and—the worst words ever—skin cancer were completely and totally off limits.

In times of crises, these four women always bind together and help each other. They have been friends for over twenty years. Here is an excerpt of one of their conversations during a pool party:

What strangers might not understand is the banter back and forth was exactly the only way they could get along. They enjoyed it. They thrived on it.

“Oh, fiddle-faddle, Bonnie, last week you told me you thought the salon was opening up this week,” Mary jabbed. “It didn’t.”

“I didn’t say that. I said I heard it might be opening next month.” 

“You said next week as sure as I am floating on this raft.”

“Had your hearing checked lately?”

“Right after you get yours checked.” 

And they both laughed. It was always entertaining.

“Well, horsefeathers! I need to get this hair trimmed again. It is all cattywampus on the sides.”

 “What? You’ve got a cat in there?” Bonnie laughed.

“Feels like it,” Mary retorted.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 30

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, May 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Inklings and notions, June 2

deb’s Book Review, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 9

Mary Hake, June 9

Blogging With Carol, June 10

Pause for Tales, June 11

Spoken from the Heart, June 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e381/sabal-palms-and-southern-squall-celebration-tour-giveaway

Stranded on Sparrow by Rachel Skatvold (Independence Islands Book 22)

 

About the Book

Book: Stranded on Sparrow

Author: Rachel Skatvold

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: April 26, 2022

If His eye is on the sparrow, where does that leave her?

Lia Diaz’s life has become an illusion. Fired from her perfect job, she’s living a lie to avoid censure from her critical family. So when Lia gets a call about her nana’s recent fall, she heads to Nana’s house to help out and regroup.

Things are looking up until she discovers that her childhood refuge, Nana’s home on Sparrow Island, has been condemned in the wake of Hurricane Arley. Time to regroup—again.

Getting stranded on Sparrow Island while visiting the house was not in those revised plans.

After “rescuing” his niece and a motley crew of animals, some might say Zachary Nolan has a hero complex. Zachary never thought that he would live life as a single dad. However, as a web designer he is able to spend lots of time with Violet, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. A call for help when Lia gets stranded there sends him rushing to the rescue. That hero complex thing again.

A hero and his niece offer new hope to Lia—maybe God’s eye is on Sparrow Island after all.

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review: 

Five year old Violet just about stole the show for this book, but I also liked Zac and Lia. Zac was awesome with his little niece an I liked that he loved animals. 

While it's a bit of insta love, the romance is not a smooth one, which made it more realistic to me. What was harder for me was the hurricane repair. Having survived a hurricane myself, I can say the author did a good job of this part. As is expected with this series, it's clean and does a good job of making the story very real. The themes are healing and kindness. 

4 Stars

About the Author

Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing Christian romance and devotionals. Rachel has published over a dozen novels, including books in the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming and Brides of Pelican Rapids Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.

 

More from Rachel

When I first saw the beautiful purple shade of the cover for Stranded on Sparrow, I knew I wanted to dedicate the book to my older sister, Jenny. Purple is her favorite color and like the main character in my book, Jenny is a talented photographer. She has taken most of my author photos and also our family photos every year. She has a good eye for choosing the right lighting and pose to perfectly complement the people she’s photographing. When my youngest son was a toddler, no professional photographer could persuade him to smile for a picture, except Jenny.

Besides her photography, Jenny was a positive role model for me growing up. She taught me how to be independent, comfortable in my own skin, and willing to try new things. She was also the person who taught me how to do my makeup. Similar to Lia in my book, Jenny’s adventurous and spunky personality makes her a fun person to be with. Through funny movie quotes, inside jokes between us and much more, she always manages to make me laugh when we are together. I am blessed to have a big sister like her.

This book is also inspired by a verse from Mathew 10:29-31. The verse says, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

There is a song my mom used to sing at church when I was a child that still encourages me called, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” It is comforting to know our Heavenly Father takes such good care of His creation and cares even more for us. Things will go wrong in life but we can have peace knowing God is in control and never abandons His children.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 27

Texas Book-aholic, May 28

Inklings and notions, May 29

lakesidelivingsite, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

deb’s Book Review, May 31

Aryn the Libraryan, June 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 3

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 4

Miriam Jacob, June 4

Blossoms and Blessings, June 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6

She Lives To Read, June 7

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 7

Blogging With Carol, June 8

Sylvan Musings, June 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e374/stranded-on-sparrow-celebration-tour-giveaway

Hearts Under Fire by Cori Lynn

About the Book

Book: Hearts Under Fire

Author: Cori Lynn

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: April 3, 2022

When Laura, a heartbroken antique expert, stumbles across an old steamer trunk, she decides it is the perfect restoration project to distract her from her recent loss. She quickly discovers the trunk has a few mysteries of its own, including a journal dating back to 1941.

Laura finds herself caught up in a heroic love story between Ava and her high school sweetheart Dean. Their story of first love is suddenly interrupted when World War II begins, and Dean is sent to the front lines; leaving Ava to bravely fight her own battles supporting the war effort from home.

Laura soon identifies with Ava’s perseverance and in the process, is challenged to overcome her own hardships. However, the journal unexpectedly ends, leaving Laura with unanswered questions about Ava’s life. Laura is determined to uncover the missing pieces from the journal, but will she find the answers she seeks? And can she find the courage to love again?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

This is a nicely written split time story. It does a great job of sucking you into the story. Laura has been through a good bit of her own issues. The trunk she finds, with the journal inside, gives her a new mission. Like us as the reader, she is pulled into the life of a young woman who's a crossroads in her life. These pages full of the life and struggles Ava was dealing with are happening in the 1940's just as WWII starts. Even so, Laura and anyone reading is quite connected to the story and all the characters. Ava's tale ends in a cliff-hanger. Did the man she loved die? What happened to Ava? Can Laura find the answers and if she does, what are those answers going to be? 

I liked the mystery, the dual story, and the way this author wrote. God gets us through the bad times. This book is nostalgic, poignant and able to be shared with women of all ages with it's clean and well woven romance. 

5 Stars 

About the Author

Cori Lynn is a novelist and screenwriter based in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to her latest novel, Hearts Under Fire, she has written multiple screenplays including two feature-length films. As her recognition as a screenwriter evolved, she eventually walked away with an “Audience Choice” and “Best Story” award from the Phoenix Film Festival.

Cori graduated with a global business degree from Arizona State University and works full time as a Marketing Director. She spends her free time playing with her puppy, redecorating her home and crafting her next story.

More from Cori

Hearts Under Fire is a historical romance with a contemporary twist. The historical plotline was inspired by the first-hand accounts provided by my grandparents on both sides of the family. Hearts Under Fire differs in that it brings in a contemporary twist and it explores the idea of the parallels between the love story in 1941 and the contemporary love story from present day. 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 4

Inklings and notions, June 5

lakesidelivingsite, June 6

Blogging With Carol, June 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 7

Texas Book-aholic, June 8

For Him and My Family, June 9

deb’s Book Review, June 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 12

Connie’s History Classroom, June 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 14

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 15

Pause for Tales, June 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cori is giving away the grand prize packge that includes a signed copy of the book, a lip balm, T-shirt and a Journal!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e7e5/hearts-under-fire-celebration-tour-giveaway