Sunday, March 12, 2017

Love's Promise By Melissa Storm


About the Book:
She's waiting for her prince to come … but was he right beside her all the time?

 Kristina Rose Maher wants to know why fairytales never happen for fat girls. Certain that diner cook Jeff, handsome and fit, will never want her as more than a friend, she stuffs down her attraction to him. But when she finds herself facing a life-altering weight loss surgery, she discovers she's willing to do whatever it takes to embrace life—and love—to the fullest.

 Jeffrey Berkley can't bear the thought of losing the friend he’s only just beginning to realize matters so much to him… no matter what size she is. But he is also terrified that helping her reach for her dreams will also mean finally reaching for his own—and letting down his family’s legacy in the process.

Both Kristina Rose and Jeffrey must learn to love themselves before they can find a way to make a promise to each other. Will they finally be able to lay their heavy burdens at the Lord's feet, and trust him to bring the happily-ever-after they both crave?

 Don't miss this sweet tale of faith, love, and gastric bypass–get your copy of Love's Promise today!

My Review:
(Will be here as soon as possible, more than one major crisis has me a bit behind, but I did get my copy at .99 while I could!) 


About the Author: 
Melissa Storm is a mother first, and everything else second. Her fiction is highly personal and often based on true stories. Writing is Melissa's way of showing her daughter just how beautiful life can be, when you pay attention to the everyday wonders that surround us.

Melissa loves books so much, she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. When she's not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at home in the company of her four dogs, four parrots, and rescue cat. She never misses an episode of The Bachelor or her nightly lavender-infused soak in the tub. Because priorities.

Website ~ www.MelStorm.com
Facebook ~ www.Facebook.com/MeetTheStorms
Instagram ~ www.Instagram.com/MeetTheStorms
Pinterest ~ www.Pinterest.com/MelStormAuthor
Twitter ~ www.Twitter.com/MelStormAuthor
YouTube ~ www.MelStorm.com/YouTube

 Love's Promise Launch Giveaway
Kindle Fire Giveaway > https://gleam.io/ucniC/loves-promise-launch-giveaway
Book Trailer > https://youtu.be/qBLm9Im_vsk
Facebook Party > https://www.facebook.com/events/1153826661412686/
Read the First 3 Chapters > http://www.melstorm.com/SpecialPreview


Apple iBooks ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_iBooks
Amazon Kindle ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_Kindle
Barnes & Noble Nook ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_Nook
Kobo ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_Kobo
Amazon UK ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_AmazonUK
Amazon Canada ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_AmazonCA
Amazon Australia ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_AmazonAU

Paperback ~ http://www.melstorm.com/Promise_Paperback

Keywords: Christian Romance, Inspirational, Gastric Bypass, Weight Loss Surgery, Miracles, Christian Fiction, Friends to Lovers, Texas, Westerns, New Adult

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Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering (Drew Farthing Mystery #5)






Murder on the MOOR FB cover


Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book






Murder on the Moor
Click to purchase

Book: Murder on the MOOR, A Drew Farthering Mystery
Author: Julianna Deering
Genre: Historical Mystery
Release Date: February 2017
At the urgent request of an old school friend, Drew and Madeline Farthering come to Bloodworth Park Lodge in the midst of the Yorkshire moors, a place as moody and mysterious as a Brontë hero. There have been several worrisome incidents around those lonesome rolling hills–property desecrated, fires started, sheep and cattle scattered. Worst of all, the vicar has been found dead on the steps of the church, a crime for which Drew can discern no motive at all.
Few in the town of Bunting’s Nest seem like suspects, and Drew can’t keep his suspicions from falling on his friend’s new bride. Do her affections lie more with her husband’s money and estate, while her romantic interests stray to their fiery Welsh gamekeeper? As the danger grows ever closer, it’s up to Drew to look past his own prejudices, determine what’s really going on, and find the killer before it’s too late.

My Review:

I have been a fan of this series since I started reading it. I'm so happy to have gotten to read this newest book in the series!  Drew and Madeline are getting really good at being the folks who can solve the crimes that have reached a dead end without their skills. The moor is a dangerous but fascinating place, it always has been. Murders, and the moor, well, now the mystery is only deeper yet. What is going on with this new bride? Why does it look like she is the one behind the murders? Can Drew and Madeline pray their way, use their brains, not jump to conclusions are chase false leads to solve these murders? The twists and turns are awesome, and the author's talents really stand out in this newest book. 

 Frankly, each book in this series just gets better and better. I have limited room on my physical book shelves, but this series is one of the ones that I keep. The look and feel of the 1930's are nicely done,  paired with the solid spiritual foundations, and a feel of the good mysteries of days-gone-by, this book is a hit alone, or as a brilliant addition to the series. 

 My copy came from Bethany House, and was part of the Celebrate Lit book tour. My review is of my own free volition, and my thoughts and opinions are my own. 


 About the Author 
Deering_Julianna1Julianna Deering is the creator of the acclaimed Drew Farthering Mystery series. She has always loved British history and is a particular fan of the writings of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in business administration and spent several years as a Certified Public Accountant. She lives outside Dallas, Texas. For more information visit www.juliannadeering.com.

Blog Stops

March 3: ASC Book Reviews
March 6: Splashes of Joy
March 11: Book by Book
March 12: Radiant Light
March 12: Bigreadersite 
March 13: Carpe Diem
March 14: Pause for Tales
March 15: Back Porch Reads
March 15: Baker Kella

Giveaway

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 To celebrate her tour, Julianna is giving away a set of the A Drew Farthering Mystery (5 Book Series)!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4664b0499

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Sunday, March 5, 2017

Life After E.L.E. by JC Morrows

life-after-ele-fb-cover
Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book





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Click to Purchase

Book: Life After E.L.E.
Author: JC Marrows
Genre: Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian
Release Date: November 29, 2016
Extinction Level Event: An event where all species on the planet can become extinct.
If you manage to survive . . . What then?
When a rogue moon was discovered on a collision course with the Earth, we thought we had a solid plan.
To survive. . . to rebuild. . . to go on.
30 Years later… those who managed to survive, emerged from the caves to find a frozen world.
A world where rule number one in the compound is to be inside the gates before sunset. . . or die.
Eve watched the gates close – with her father on the outside – so that should be the easiest thing in the world for her to remember.
But life is not always simple.
Life does not always go as planned.
Now Eve is in a race against time, discovery, and danger around every corner – to find a truth that has been hidden. . . for years.
A truth Eve’s father died to protect her from. 

My Review:
I have seen this book advertised over and over since before it was published. I was really looking forward to reading this book. Turns out, I was extremely disappointed in this book. For almost 60% of the book it dragged. The author did achieve something that is rare for me. I was bored reading this book. It didn't pick up pace or interest until it was 60% over. 

 We are mostly inside Eve's head, with very little outside dialog. Eve is monologging her life. She is afraid to talk to her friends, Mother, brother or Grandparents. She is totally paranoid about not fitting in, and yet she does nothing to help herself fit in. She is extremely immature, and doesn't act like a 17 year old. I highlighted her age when I found it, because for a long time I thought that she was somewhere between 12 and 15. 

 Monologuing along with Eve, she has hundreds of questions, and to my great irritation, none of them are ever answered! Some answers instead of endless questions would have been nice. She has become a hunter, but the only kill that is shared with us is a saber-tooth tiger. Wait? What? An extinct tiger, in frozen Arizona because something happened with the colony on the moon that altered Earth? This doesn't even work with plausible theory unless this is a parallel world, but I did my best to shove that to the side. What else do they catch in the way of food? We have no idea because we aren't told. Issues like this permiated the entire book, which, has multiple plot holes and unanswered questions.

 I do read secular books, depending on the book of course. This book only had two instances of a parent or grandparent praying silently, and past that, this might as well be a secular book. God isn't even in Eve's world in any active way, nor with any of her friends. This is a secular book with a Christian label. It has some Christ centered questions, and a scripture at the end of the book, but that doesn't alter the over all book content itself. 

 When Eve starts falling for Jude, her main worry is that he is older than she is. Really? People she knows are dying, and all she cares about is his age. We never know how much older he really is, because when they start kissing his age is no longer an issue for Eve.  Jude is old enough to be "bonded" to someone, but hasn't been. For this book, that could be any age to about 25, I guess. 

 We never are sure if her Dad is really dead, nor what all the rules of the compound really are. Everyone lives in fear. Eve's Dad and others could have survive outside, but we have ZERO answers to any of the questions put forth by Eve. The parts that parallel The Hunger Games just made me groan. They were totally unnecessary and confusing. To top it off, the book ends abruptly with a cliff hanger. (This might be a spoiler, but it's really relevant!) A main charactor is smacked in the head and everything goes dark. The End. 

 It's not often I wish I had spent my time doing something else, but this time, I do. The book is incomplete. The main character needs help in more ways than one. I'm sorry, but I simply can't recommend this book. I really wish the author would go back and fix this book!  In many ways, the premise had promise, but it was left outside to freeze and and it did. :(
About the Author 
jcm-session-201-sdm007JC Morrows – author of the Bestselling Young Adult Dystopian series: Order of the MoonStone and the NEW Frozen Earth series (Post-Apocalyptic with a Dystopian edge) – spends her days writing, arguing with her evil computer, juggling two kids, and wishing someone would invent a coffee IV.
A storyteller in the truest sense of the word, JC has been telling stories in one form or another her entire life and once her mother convinced her to write them down, she simply couldn’t stop.
And… as a true believer, she gives God all of the glory for her talent and ability!
“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Habakkuk 2:2

Guest Post from JC Marrows

Life After E.L.E. is one of those stories that I never saw coming. A lot of people might even say it was never meant to be. . .
But GOD had other plans!
It was one of those spur-of-the-moment ideas… the kind that usually doesn’t amount to much for me. Over the last twenty years I have started hundreds – yes, you read that right – of stories on the spur-of-the-moment. Until 2011, none of them amounted to anything more than a few chapters. In 2013, I was working on an entirely different series – the first I’d had any measure of true success with – when my mother challenged me to participate in NaNoWriMo [National Novel Writing Month – where you write 50,000 words in 30 days].
I sat down on November 1st with absolutely nothing on the page and only a vague idea of what I wanted to write about. And, to be perfectly honest, I didn’t expect much. I did not expect to reach the goal and I certainly never expected that the book would be published three years later (albeit after quite a bit of editing and rewriting)
What’s more is that there is more to this story.
Last November, one of the stops on Marissa Meyer’s Heartless tour was Nashville, and of course my daughter and I had to go see her… and buy her new book! While there, I gave Marissa an early copy of Life After E.L.E. – after thanking her for being such an inspiration to me.
Not only did she seem genuinely excited – she made a point to have me autograph it! (cue absolute and utter shock – followed by inner Happy Dancing)!
Why so excited you ask? Well… there are some authors who think you’re not a “real” author when you write your story during NaNoWriMo and knowing Marissa’s story was about the only thing that kept me going that year. You can’t get much more REAL than New York Times Bestseller – which Marissa hit with her very first book. She was a tremendous inspiration to me then – and continues to be now. I am truly blessed to have met her!
And I count myself truly blessed that the right people enjoy the story enough that it has been published. I look forward to sharing part two with readers at the end of this year. And then I have another story to get out there!

Blog Stops

March 8: Reading Is My SuperPower (Author interview)
March 8: Mary Hake
March 9: Just Jo’Anne
March 11: Bigreadersite 
March 12: The Power of Words

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, JC Morrows is giving away a themed basket including the book and swag and some specially chosen surprises!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b0fd

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Friday, March 3, 2017

Shine Like The Dawn by Carrie Turansky

shine-like-the-dawn-fb-banner
Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book


shinelikethedawnfinal2
Click to purchase

Book: Shine Like the Dawn
Author: Carrie Turansky
Genre: Historical
In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother’s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible tragedy reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. But Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weighs heavily on her heart and she begins to wonder if what happened that day on the lake…might not have been an accident. 
When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son Nathaniel, who is Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father’s vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father’s engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend.
Can Maggie let go of the resentment that keeps her from forgiving Nate—and reconciling with God? Will their search for the truth about her parents’ death draw them closer or will it leave them both with broken hearts? 

 My Review:
Starting with an accident that didn't make sense, and really frustrated me, Maggie finds herself and her youngest sister the sole survivors. Without anywhere else to live, they live with their Grandmother in a millenary shop. (That is a hat shop for those who aren't use to that term.) Maggie and her Grandmother make hats for the wealthy ladies who are having their daughters out on season, to find husbands. It's a living, although it's often a tight one. Customers can be very fickle and compation stiff. They are getting by, but that is about all. 

 Before the accident, Nate was the guy of Maggie's dreams. Then he vanished. Now he is back, and Maggie is dealing with a flood of emotions. Nate's father did some things that seem to be very underhanded to Maggie and her anger is overflowing. Nate is just hurt, and confused, because some puzzle pieces are missing. All he did was come home, a war hero, but he is home to deal with his father's impending death. 

 Why will Maggie not forgive him and what happened that he doesn't know about? Why is Maggie's family dead? It doesn't add up, and she was there, for the most part. Their deaths, and the death of her middle sister, is against all logic, but don't give up! Keep reading. The road to solving what happened to Maggie's family is going to draw her and Nate together, and closer to God, or tear them apart even more than they were before. 

 I enjoyed the nice selection of both the upper and "lower" classes in this book. I was rooting for Nate, and felt badly for Maggie. Her emotions, though incorrect, were easy to understand under her circumstances. Trust, faith, forgiveness, allowing God to work in ways you don't get at first, romance, grief, healing, all these topics and then some are in this one book. I enjoyed it. It's a good read for escaping to another story set in a time that is no longer our own, and yet still reaches into emotions and complicates that are present day. 

 Shine Like the Dawn does mange to shine, and I would recommend it as a good clean read for anyone who likes period stories, or appreciates descriptive settings, and good mystery plots. 

 About the Author 
cturansky-2CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.

Guest Post from Carrie Turansky

Hats, Glorious Hats!

By Carrie Turansky


MaggieinHatOne fun part of my research for Shine Like the Dawn was learning about hat making in the early 1900s. My heroine, Maggie Lounsbury is a milliner who designs women’s hats. She learned this skill from her grandmother who owns a small shop in the village of Heatherton. Maggie has an artistic eye and she enjoys making stylish hats, but she doesn’t like the overdone designs some of their customers request, so that creates some humorous conflict in the story.

Hats in the Edwa2e59191fde836985dfd98f399afeae46rdian era were large and often covered with feathers, flowers, lace, netting, berries and bows. The “bird nests,” as Coco Chanel called them, were held on with large hat pins stuck through piles of hair on the crown. These hats were called Gainsborough or Picture hats because of the way they framed a lady’s face. They often featured huge dried flower arrangements and sometimes included real leaves and twigs! No doubt the Garden hat was a fitting name.
1907 The Merry Window hat became very popular after the leading lady in the play by that same name wore a hat that was even taller and wider than usual. Some people complained these hats were too big and obtrusive in public places like the theater or picture shows. But English women loved them and wore them to all kinds of events.6ca0c7f3f38874b8095d6884c2fd52f6

The popularity of using large feathers and stuffed birds on hats caused concern for the welfare of birds. Many protective laws took effect and milliners had to use more ribbon and tulle and only large ostrich feathers to decorate hats. Those ostrich feathers came from birds that were raised on farms and their feathers were collected as they fell out naturally.
The movement toward smaller hats began around 1913 when hats still had high crowns but smaller brims. Straw boaters, small top hats, and mini versions of picture hats were very common.

68e75a1cae2f5eb955404bdff990157cMotion pictures had the greatest influence on Edwardian hat fashion. After the release of The Three Musketeers many ladies wanted to wear tricorne and bicorne shaped hats. They were still very large but now had shapes other than just round. Hat brims were folded up on the side, at an angle, or all around to create drama. Veils disappeared in the early 1900s only to come back again as a long scarf that wrapped over the hat and under the chin for the new sport called motoring.

I’ve had fun dressing Edwardian style for book launch tea parties and other book events. It made me feel very special to wear these lovely hats. What do you think of Edwardian Hats? Would you like to wear one?

Thanks to friends at the Vintage Dancer website for some of this information.

Stop by Carrie’s Facebook author page and view her live videos February 21 – 25, 3:00 pm Eastern. She’ll be talking about the story behind Shine Like the Dawn and giving away a fun prize each day to one person who leaves a comment. Even if you can’t catch the live video you can still enter for 24 hours after it’s posted. She is also hosting a book launch celebration and giveaway on her blog February 25 – March 6.
Like to my Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/
Link to my Book Launch Blog Post: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/blog/

Blog Stops

February 21: New Horizon Reviews
February 21: Bookworm Mama
February 22: Tell Tale Book Reviews
February 22: Book by Book
February 23: Bibliophile Reviews
February 23: Smiling Book Reviews
February 23: A Readers Brain
February 23: Faithfully Bookish
February 23: Lane Hill House
February 24: Back Porch Reads
February 24: The Scribbler
February 24: I Hope You Dance
February 25: Stuff & Nonsense
February 25: The Power of Words
February 25: A Greater Yes
February 26: cherylbbookblog
February 26: Moments Dipped in Ink
February 26: Splashes of Joy
February 27: Genesis 5020
February 27: inklings and notions
February 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
February 28: Karen Sue Hadley
February 28: Neverending Stories
March 3: Pause for Tales
March 3: Mary Hake
March 4: Radiant Light
March 6: Baker Kella

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away all 4 books: Shine Like the Dawn, The Governess of Highland Hall, The Daughter of Highland Hall, and A Refuge at Highland Hall.! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b0fb

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