Saturday, November 28, 2015

Lorenzo the Bear: Encounter at Jellyfish Cove

Although I am not the target audience for this children's book, it was a cute story.  Had nice illustrations that a child might like to see.  It was about a bear who prepared for a confrontation with a pirate, which he had.  Children will probably enjoy an adventure on the seas.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Indie Christian Books BLACK FRIDAY BOOK SALE!!!!

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 Like most other bookworms, great books make their way onto my "things I'm thankful for" list every year. It's hard to choose favorites, but I went ahead and picked five books I read in 2015 and am thankful for.
  1. Katia by Bruce Judisch: This was a book that totally touched my heart!
  2. For Maria, by Bruce Judisch: A second book by this author.  Amazingly accurate!
  3. Joline's Redemption, by Vickie McDonough, a book of repentence and forgiveness!
  4. Honor, by Lyn Cote: A strong woman of high moral standing.
  5. The Substitute Bride, by Carrie Fancett Pagels: I'm thankful for this book because the author named her lead character after me!
I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to another great year of reading! Speaking of more reading, here's one more thing to be grateful for. Books on sale! In honor of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, a group of independent Christian authors banded together to offer over seventy discounted books on Nov 27-30. There's literally something for everyone. Every single book listed on Indie Christian Books is on sale in one or more ways. Find discounted paperbacks, dozens of books offered with free shipping, $0.99 ebooks, package deals and more. Even if you have a budget of $0, new reading material awaits you. Don't know what to pick? The fearless Indie Christian Books team created a quiz that will generate a book list perfect for you! Check it out! Book Quiz What awesome reads of 2015 are you grateful for? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2016?
A note on the Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as "Sold Out." This only refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Leah E. Good for her work organizing this sale, Gloria Repp for completing the time consuming job of uploading book info to the sale website, and Hannah Mills for her fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.

If any of the links don't work, please use these!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Chat with Vera: Meet My Best Friend by Sheila Walsh [Review & Give...

Chat with Vera: Meet My Best Friend by Sheila Walsh [Review & Give...: Buy it at Family Christian About the book:  The Bible is not only a book, but it can also be a friend—the best friend we have. This eng...

Paralyzed by Alana Terry


This is the second book of Alana Terry's that I have read.  The first was Torn Asunder.  Both were absolutely wonderful books.  

Paralyzed was filled with suspense from page one.  As the poor college student dealt with the fact that she had witnessed a crime and the perpetrator was definitely after her, she finds herself seeking help and shelter.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this.  It held my attention throughout and could hardly put it down.  You will want to read this book!  Highly recommended!


This charming novella is the latest in the J.E.B. Spredemann books and book 3 in the Amish by Accident Trilogy.  It is a really fun read.  Here is a little blurb:

Mattie Greene returns to Paradise near Christmastime, believing her marriage is coming to an end. Carson and Elisabeth are not ready to see their friend's marriage dissolve and they fight to keep them together.  WIll Mattie and Richard reunite in time for a perfect Christmas? Or will they spend the holidays--and the rest of their lives--alone?  

This clean Christian read is a great read for the Christmas time.  I really enjoyed reading it.  It is a shorter length but seems to develop the characters well even if you haven't read the earlier two parts to this series.  I have only read one of the previous books and yet I was able to reconnect with the characters that appeared in the earlier ones.  Loved it and was surprised by what happens.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Gabriel's Bride by Amy Lillard

This was a fun Amish fiction read.  I truly enjoyed it.  I love this author's Amish books and recommend them.

The story is about Rachel Yoder who has very few choices, two to be exact.  To move to Ohio to relatives she hasn't met or to marry Gabriel Fisher.  Gabriel is a widower who is still missing the love of his life Rebecca.  They both need each other, yet Rachel feels she will never be able to fill those shoes.

The story is very well written.  I wanted to keep reading till I finished.  I didn't want to put the book down.  Loved it!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Lydia's Charm by Wanda E. Brunstetter

I received this book from the publisher and is was the Signature Edition.  I noticed that there was another cover also.  I am posting it to show that it is the same book.

I like the new cover better.  It is very pretty.

So Lydia King has found herself a widow with a four year old son to provide for.  With no family in Illinois, she finds herself returning to her mother who lives in Charm, Ohio.  Not always getting along smoothly with mom, Lydia is concerned about how things will work out for her.

As she arrives, Menno Troyer, a widower with four rambunctious sons, realizes that this might be just what is needed.  A new mother for his somewhat unruly boys.  Although not looking for love exactly, he is looking to fill the family needs.  Lydia, of course, also has needs.  A need to support herself and son Josh.  Perhaps this arrangement would be a good thing, perhaps...

She also meets an interesting family of "little people", except for their son Levi Stutzman. However, although she is interested in him, he shows no interest in her and her mother has unhappy feelings about a relationship for these two.

Will Lydia find a happy and good solution or how will she resolve this dilemma?

The book has some sad moments and yet happy ones, as well!

A great book by Wanda.  A sweet romance and a lovely story.


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

This was the first book from this author that I have read.  I enjoyed it very much.  I have not personally read many Regency Romance books, but it held my interest and kept me reading till the very end.

Lady Sara come to Duke Rossmoyne to receive help.  Her cousin had been murdered several years before and now Lady Sara was receiving letters and becoming fearful she approaches her deceased cousin Meredith's fiance.  Although having planned to not stay in London, Lady Sara's request for help does not go unanswered.  And he appears to have a bit of attraction immediately to Lady Sara.

Sara is not the same as her up and coming cousin was and prefers not to be in the limelight. However, despite this fact, Gabriel, Duke of Rossmoyne, has decided to help find the letter-writing murderer before more bad events should occur.

I enjoyed the book very much and hope to find more books from this author.

I received an ebook version of this book from NetGalley and have given my honest review.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Joline's Redemption by Vickie McDonough

This is book 2 of the Land Rush Dreams series by Vickie McDonough.  I couldn't put this book down.  It was really good,  Although I had not had the opportunity to read book 1, this book was fine as a standalone. But I would really like to read books 1 and eventually book 3.

Jo's life has taken a terrible downward spiral and it appears that there is no way out of her problems.

In an attempt to protect her son she returns to Guthrie to her sister's home to try to earn enough money to get even farther away from her troubles.  She meets Baron, the brother of her deceitful "husband" and fears that he is of the same nature as was Mark.

Baron is much different than Mark, and is actually the one that cleans up after Mark's mishaps and misadventures.

Joline's attempts to trust are hard to come by and her life is ruled with fear until she finds it in her heart to trust in God.  But is it too late?  Will God forgive the sins of the past?  And will she be able to forgive herself?

Loved the book and look forward to reading more from this author.

I received this book from the publisher for my honest review which I have given.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

First Ever Reader's Luncheon in Utah

Have you ever been to a Reader's Luncheon?  Well, neither have I, until yesterday.  It was an interesting event.  I went alone but I think I would have liked to have taken a friend with me as I knew no one but Jennifer Beckstrand, one of my favorite authors, who happens to be a Utah native and invited me.

I was excited to go because it just sounded fun and it was.  There were about 270 people there, the majority being women and a few men, surprisingly.

The event started at registration where you get your name tag and goodie bag.  And there were many goodies included.  About 6 books were inside and bookmarks, and misc odds and ends, pens, pencils, a sleep mask, magnets, chapstick and so forth.  It was fun.  I think that the registration till entry time was a bit long but that's OK.  If I choose to go again, I will leave a little later, I think.  The only problem with that could be available parking. This was held at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy.



It was then opened to enter the eating area and there we were greeted by beautifully set and decorated tables.  I was at Jennifer's table. Isn't it pretty?




In case you are wondering what is in the baskets, well I will tell you.  Three books, two from the author and one from another Utah Author.  Honey Bee soap dispenser. This had a cute tag around the top representing her next series of Amish books that she will have out sometime in the next year, probably end of June or July.  Here is a picture of the cute tag


And some Huckleberry syrup! 


Then there was a little bit of meet and greet time.  It was fun to look at all the pretty table settings and decorations.


Here below are the door prizes.  There were many but I didn't win one.  Usually I am so lucky, but not this time!  

There were some really nice prizes including a new Kindle loaded with 30 titles.  Fun.  You wouldn't believe how close my ticket number was at times.  I was holding my breath, but didn't get one.  Sigh.

There was also a giveaway table at the one side of the hall with about three books, bracelets, pens, can opener key chains and other items.  I grabbed some of those.

At the center of Jennifer's table was a Huckleberry pie, and we all got a piece of it.  But actually it was Huckleberry scented soap.  It smells really good, but it's too pretty to actually use, haha!  But it makes a very nice sachet!
There were some interesting historical characters here as well.  I suspect that they were fans of historical fiction.
There were two speakers.  The keynote speaker was Robyn Carr from Las Vegas.  I haven't personally read any of her books, but I got one from this event.  So I will be checking it out soon.
The other speaker was RaeAnn Thayne.  Then afterwards they held a signing party and book sales.  And then it was time to go home.  It was fun!

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Chat with Vera: Vendetta (The Nikki Boyd Files) by Lisa Harris {#B...

Chat with Vera: Vendetta (The Nikki Boyd Files) by Lisa Harris {#B...: About the book:  No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister...

Friday, November 6, 2015

Chat with Vera: Frozen Wild: How Animals survive in the Coldest Pl...

Chat with Vera: Frozen Wild: How Animals survive in the Coldest Pl...: ISBN: 9781454910251 - $14.95 ($16.95 Can) Sterling Children's Books ~ Ages 6-10 About the book:  Young explorers and animal enthusi...

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote

Yankee schoolmarm, Quaker Verity Hardy is a widow who takes on the big challenge of building, opening and teaching a school for black children not long after the Civil War.  The school is sponsored and paid for by the Freedman organization

She heads South with her father-in-law and daughter Beth to face unexpected and extremely hard trials in her goals.  But Verity is not one to give up under any circumstances even when it means starting completely from square one.

Her name Verity means to believe in a true principle and in the case of this story it would be the principle of equality for all which was Verity's goal and purpose.  Working together with ex-captain in the Union Army, Matt Ritter has it's challenges and joys.

When plans go awry, Verity forges ahead and never gives up, a truly strong and honorable woman.

This was another wonderful read written by Lyn Cote.  I really enjoy her books and I will keep reading her wonderful books.  I loved this book!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Deviance by J.F. Penn

This was the first book from this author that I have read, but I understand that it is the end of a trilogy.  However, the characters developed in a way that I could easily pick up the story without having read the previous books. As you are probably thinking, this is definitely not in my normal reading genre.

The author does a good job of describing the dark side of London.  I received an audible version of this book and it was narrated by a woman with a British accent which seemed quite fitting for this book.

As Jamie Brooke, ex-cop and now a private investigator looks to find missing persons and learns of the deviant heroes in the book, whose backgrounds may have brought about the life-style we so frown upon and the upstanding, perhaps self righteous person, may also not be what they appear to be.

This book caters to a different audience then myself so in trying to be objective, I will say that the book was well written, shows life in a world that many of us do not see and can hold an audience if mystery and violence are your reading styles.

For me, I will stick to my regular genres and happily do so.

Disclaimer:  This book has violence, language and reference to sex.
I received an Audible version of this book from the author for my honest review which I have given.