Friday, September 29, 2017

Mysteries of Cove: Embers of Destruction by J. Scott Savage -- Blog Tour

Mysteries of Cove: Embers of Destruction

Author: J. Scott Savage

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

ISBN13: 9781629723396

Hardcover: 332 pages

FTC FYI: I received a copy from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

It's time to take the battle to the dragons.


In the third and final volume of the bestselling Mysteries of Cove series, Trenton and Kallista--along with their friends, Plucky, Simoni, Angus, and Clyde--fly their mechanical dragons south toward San Francisco, looking to rescue any survivors from the battle of Seattle.

Arriving in San Francisco and investigating the area in secret, the young riders are reunited with Kallista's father, Leo Babbage, who reveals that the humans in the city are working as slaves to the dragons, but that they don't want to be rescued--himself included. He says they are being protected by their new master: a huge, powerful white dragon who lives in an impenetrable tower fortress overlooking the city. Kallista is stunned by the news. Why would her father ever willingly want to work for dragons?

Trenton and his friends are confronted by the guards and their mechanical dragons are seized. Evading capture, the young riders escape and begin looking for a way to break the white dragon's hold over the city--and over Leo. Working with the kids from the city, the young riders track down the source of the dragon's power to an underground chamber that is accessible only through an underwater passageway below the tower fortress.

With the white dragon watching their every move, Trenton and Kallista will need every bit of creativity and ingenuity they can manage to find a way to retrieve their stolen dragons, enter the tower fortress, and take down the dragons once and for all.


My Review

Warning, when you start reading EMBERS OF DESTRUCTION, don't have any other plans.  You won't want to put it down until you are done!  This book is action packed.  It is full of many exciting, heart-pounding moments.  Like the other books in the series, it is also full of heart, love and friendship.  I have grown to love these characters and I was excited to see their final battle and what a battle it was.  Trenton, Kallista and friends are stuck in a city where the adults don't think there is anything wrong with being under the dragon's control.  I loved how they didn't give up.  They were discouraged at times, especially when they were betrayed by someone they trusted (but there were reasons why that happened).  The kids learned to work together, to go with their own strengths and they excelled.  I loved how even when there were defeats, they moved on to another idea and worked together.  

5 out of 5 stars.  This series is one of my all-time favorites. 

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Website

Purchase Links

Amazon hardcover / Amazon ebook / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book 
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Emerald Bound by Teresa Richards

Emerald Bound

Author: Teresa Richards

Publisher: Evernight Teen

Published: Sept. 2015

ISBN: 9781772335248

Paperback: 312 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the author, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

A princess, a pea, and a tower of mattresses. This is the sliver that survives of a story more nightmare than fairytale... Maggie Rhodes, high school junior and semi-reformed stalker, learns the tale's true roots after a spying attempt goes awry and her best friend Kate ends up as the victim of an ancient curse. At the center of the curse lies an enchanted emerald that has been residing quietly in a museum for the past fifty years. Admirers of the gem have no idea that it feeds on life. Or that it's found its next victim in Kate. Enter Lindy, a school acquaintance who knows more than she's letting on, and Garon, a handsome stranger claiming he knows how to help, and Maggie is left wondering who to trust and how to save her best friend before it's too late. If only Maggie knew her connection to the fairy tale was rooted far deeper than an endangered best friend. 

My Review

Emerald Bound was a very exciting adventure! I was immediately drawn into the story and I loved the fairytale twist.  Emerald Bound is very fast-paced and thrilling.  The author did a great job of keeping the pages turning quickly.  Maggie and Lindy were both great characters.  Maggie felt very real to me.  Impulsive (like any teenager) but also very passionate in her struggle to help her friends.  I enjoyed the POV changes between the Maggie and Lindy.  I also enjoyed the plot twists that also involved Maggie and Lindy and wow the climax was exciting and un-expected!  

4 out of 5 stars.  The second book, Topaz Reign, will be released very soon and I am looking forward to reading it!

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links - grab your copy on Amazon for only $0.99!

Amazon ebook / Amazon paperback / Barnes and Noble
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Monday, September 25, 2017

A Promise for Tomorrow by Michele Paige Holmes - Cover Reveal

I am excited to show the cover for Michele Paige Holmes' newest book
A Promise for Tomorrow

Release is set for November 2017
Add it to your Goodreads shelves.



Book description

Coming November 2017, from Michele Paige Holmes, Amazon’s bestselling historical romance author and Whitney Award Winner, comes the Hearthfire Historical Romance, A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW, sequel to Yesterday's Promise.

Scottish Highlands, 1700s:

Barely two weeks have passed since Laird Collin MacDonald first darkened Katherine Mercer’s doorstep and married her. Marriage has hardly been what she expected, given their grueling and adventurous days of travel to the Scottish Highlands. Along with the discovery that Collin’s twin Ian would like to see her dead, Katie must now face her own clan, whose chief wants to kill Collin and take her to wife himself. All because Katie possesses the Campbell gift of sight, passed down through centuries of her ancestors.

With little more than faith in her grandfather’s vision and her unique bond with Collin to guide her, Katie steps bravely into an unknown future, where the glimpses afforded her may bring more danger than direction. When the misuse of her gift takes Collin from her side, she is left alone and vulnerable. Help arrives in the most unexpected form as Ian MacDonald makes good on his threat to attack the Campbells and Katie learns that the bond between brothers and love knows no bounds.

Other Hearthfire Romances:
SAVING GRACE
LOVING HELEN
MARRYING CHRISTOPHER
TWELVE DAYS IN DECEMBER
YESTERDAY’S PROMISE (Scottish Historical)
A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW (Scottish Historical, coming Fall 2017)
HEARTHFIRE ROMANCE COLLECTION, VOLUME 1 (box set)

Friday, September 22, 2017

Break by JoLyn Brown

Break

Author: JoLyn Brown

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Published: August 10th, 2017

ISBN13: 9781599921785

Paperback/ebook: 266 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF copy from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Preston Bensen struggles with the same social anxiety that led his father to walk away years ago. With a younger brother who has Down syndrome, Preston has made it his job to hold together what remains of their family.

A few weeks after he loses a friend in an accident, Preston’s mother announces her decision to remarry. Now Preston must deal with a prying stepdad and three emotional stepsisters. After growing up with six neighbor boys, Preston doesn’t know what to do with glitter, pet mice, drama, and nonstop chatter.

The only thing untouched by change seems to be Preston’s relationship with Morgan, a girl he met during the summer. But he fears that sharing more of his past will scare her away. Juggling everything at once, he reaches his breaking point. Is Preston going to end up like his father after all?


My Review

Break is another great book by JoLyn Brown. I feel this author really understands teenage struggles and did an exceptional job with this book. Anxiety is a hard issue and a struggle for so many, and I feel JoLyn really new her stuff.  As much as he struggled, Preston is a great character.  I enjoyed seeing Morgan again and Sammy is always a sweetheart.  I loved Alex and his overall presence in the book.  He (whether Preston admitted it or not) was wonderful for Preston.  His daughters were darling and even though they had their own struggles from a sad past, I enjoyed the way they all were working to become a family.  Preston had a lot to work out in dealing with the death of a friend and I was glad he was trying to face what happened.  The ending was great too.  His problems were not magically solved, but Preston made some great realizations about life and himself.

5 out of 5 stars.  This is the second book with these characters, but this book is about Preston and the first book was about Morgan. They can be read as a stand-alone, but there is something pretty significant that happens in Run that would be understood more if it was read. The author does do a great job of catching the reader up with the event, though. 

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon ebook / Amazon paperback / Seagull Book
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Mind Games by Stephanie Black -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Mind Games

Author: Stephanie Black

Published: Sept. 1, 2017

Publisher: Covenant

ISBN13: 9781524404376

Paperback: 296 pages

FTC FYI: I received a copy from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Psychologist Natalie Marsh’s dream is now reality: her mental health services clinic has opened and is housed in an elegant, newly renovated nineteenth-century building. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the clinic’s presence, including Heather Osbourne, a troubled young woman who wholly objects to the occupation of the building. Heather has spent years wandering the halls of the abandoned structure, convinced she’s communing with her ancestor’s ghost. When Natalie thwarts Heather’s attempt to leap from a window, the shaken psychologist soon realizes Heather’s failed jump is merely one piece of a disturbing puzzle. Greed and deceit are weaving a web around Natalie, and someone will stop at nothing—not even murder—to get what they want. Stretched to her breaking point, Natalie struggles to learn the truth, but only one thing is clear: nothing is as it seems.

My Review

Mind Games is another top notch thriller from this talented author.  This pacing on this book is perfect.  I stayed up WAY past my bedtime reading this book, I had to find out what happened!  Stephanie does a great job of building a steady foundation of suspense.  This book is heart-pounding.  With every turn of the page, I would think, "No way that just happened!"  I don't know how Stephanie does it, but I was left guessing until the end.  When you sit down to read, make sure you have things taken care of, as you will not want to stop reading until you are done.  This book reads really fast, with engaging characters and excitement on every page.

5 out of 5 stars.  This author can always be counted on for a wonderfully wild ride!

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book 
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Tour Schedule






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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Love Remains by Sarah M. Eden -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Love Remains

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Published: Sept. 5, 2017

Publisher: Mirror Press

ISBN13: 9781941752021

Paperback: 350 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Summary

From Sarah M. Eden, the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, LOVE REMAINS is a new romance novel set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.


For nearly a year, Tavish O’Connor has carried the crushing weight of his family’s future on his shoulders. He has taken on the care of his youngest brother, Finbarr, who lost his eyesight in a terrible accident. But the lad needs more than Tavish can provide. Finbarr needs hope.


Cecily Attwater specializes in hope. As a tutor to the newly blind, she has dedicated her life to helping others overcome the obstacles she herself has conquered. Her new assignment in a remote corner of Wyoming proves trickier than usual: Finbarr refuses to learn. To make matters worse, his family—and the other Irish townspeople—are less than thrilled to discover an Englishwoman in their haven.


Cecily’s only hope lies in securing the cooperation of her pupil’s brother Tavish, who happens to be her harshest critic and quite possibly the most frustrating man she’s ever known.


For Finbarr’s sake, Tavish and Cecily forge an uneasy alliance that, as the weeks pass, tiptoes toward something deeper than either dares admit or face, and toward a future they know to be impossible. There can be no hope of a happy outcome for an Irishman and an English woman amongst a people reeling from violence and centuries of hatred between their two homelands.


Other Books in the Hope Springs Series:
Longing for Home
Hope Springs

My Dearest Love

My Review

I loved being back in the Hope Springs world. I truly love and cherish these characters. This book is beautifully written and a joy from start to finish. Tavish, oh Tavish. He is such a great character. I love his wit and charm. Cecily was also a fabulous characters. I loved how she could keep up with Tavish and I loved her "no nonsense" approach to helping Finbarr. Mrs. Claire was also a joy. I love and appreciate her humor. Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors and her books never disappoint. I feel this book could be read as a stand-alone, but if you haven't read the other books, I would definitely recommend starting the series with Longing for Home, then Hope Springs. You will understand and appreciate the characters more and what they've gone through, especially Tavish, Katie, Finbarr, Emma... well all of them.

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links and Purchase Links

Amazon purchase link for ebook / paperback
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tour Schedule

September 11 - My Book A Day
                        Smiling Book Reviews
                        Peggy Urry

September 12 - Bookworm Lisa


September 13 - LDS Writer Mom

September 14 - Literary Time Out

                         Why Not? Because I Said So!









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Friday, September 8, 2017

Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Miss Leslie's Secret

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant

Published: September 1st, 2017

ISBN13: 9781524404154

Paperback: 240 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Decorated war hero Conall Stewart has spent ten years envisioning his return to his beloved Scottish Highlands. But now, with the days of battle finally behind him, it seems that his dreams of home have been in vain: the land of his youth lies in ruins, and his family is gone. Though he will never stop searching for his kin, Conall knows he must begin again. But when he takes on a rented farm in a nearby town, he finds far more than the fresh start he was looking for .
After catching a mischievous local lad stealing, Conall returns young Jamie to his mother, Aileen Leslie—and finds the woman’s coddling of the child maddening. What Conall does not realize is that Aileen hides a frightening secret: her devoted protection of Jamie is all that shelters them from discovery by a dangerous man from their past. Drawn together by circumstance, Conall soon develops a fatherly relationship with Jamie—as well as romantic feelings for Aileen. But even as the couple accepts their growing affection for one another, time runs out for Aileen and her son: after years of hiding, they have been found. Conall lost his family once—he will do all in his power not to let history repeat itself?
My Review
Miss Leslie's Secret is another wonderful book by Jennifer Moore. I laughed, I cried and at the end, I was felt content and appreciated the wonderful book I just finished. I loved the Scottish setting and the accents were enjoyable. Each character was perfectly written. Aileen, Conall and Jamie were amazing. Dores also was a fabulous supporting character. What a tough and spunky lady she was. I loved it when she was around. I appreciated the father figure roll Conall had with Jamie and I loved their relationship. There is particular lovely scene with the two of them that was very enduring and sweet.
5 out of 5 stars!
Author Links
Purchase Links
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Searching for Irene by Marlene Bateman -- Review/Giveaway

Searching for Irene

Author: Marlene Bateman

Publisher: Covenant

Published: July 1st, 2017

ISBN13: 9781524402655

Paperback/ebook: 272 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Anna Coughlin is a modern 1920s woman, armed with a college education and a partiality for numbers. Now, within the walls of a fantastic castle-like mansion in the hills of Virginia, her skill will be tested as never before. Hired to serve as financial advisor to wealthy Lawrence Richardson, Anna finds the welcome she receives anything but warm. Lawrence's handsome but antagonistic son Tyler wants nothing more than to send her packing. The household staff isn't much better, but who can blame them, considering the way Lawrence's last advisor, Irene, disappeared . . .
Convinced that one of the enigmatic members of the household had something to do with Irene's disappearance, Anna doesn't dare trust anyone—not even temperamental Tyler Richardson, who, despite her best intentions, is beginning to steal her heart.
A series of frightening incidents ensnare Anna in a maze of intrigue, putting her life in peril. But even as Anna begins uncovering the secrets hidden within the mansion's stone walls, she harbors a secret of her own. Now, the only question that remains is whether she will disappear as mysteriously as Irene.

My Review

This is the first book I have read of Marlene's and I was very impressed.  The author wrote a very solid and suspenseful mystery.  There was one scene in particular that was downright creepy! I was on pins and needles.  The characters were well-written and held their own.  Anna was a strong character.  I loved her determination and how educated she was.  I appreciated how the author held back certain details and left the reader guessing as to why Anna cared so much about Irene.  I thought the truth was introduced at a great time, not too early and not too late.  I also really liked Tyler. Underneath his gruff exterior, he was a great guy.  I appreciated how Anna told him the error of his ways in how he treated his son, Evan, and how she was a good influence on Evan and Tyler.  The author also does a great job of planting seeds along the way as to who was the culprit and what happened to Irene.  I kept going back and forth.  I had my suspicions and kept changing my mind while reading.  I also enjoyed the time period and setting of the book.  The 1920s is a time period I don't read about very often.  

4 out of 5 stars.  The LDS church is referenced in the book, which I, of course didn't mind being LDS myself.  I felt Anna's beliefs gave her a great strength during hard and stressful times, but other times the church references felt forced. 

About the Author 

Marlene Bateman Sullivan grew up in Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's degree in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they live in North Salt Lake, Utah with their two dogs and four cats. Marlene has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and wrote the best-selling romance/suspense novel, Light on Fire Island. She has written three other cozy mysteries; Motive for Murder, A Death in the Family, and Crooked House, as well as the romance, For Sale by Owner. 

Marlene has also written a number of non-fiction, LDS books:  Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s from Beyond the Veil, By the Ministering of Angels, Brigham’s Boys, Heroes of Faith, Gaze into Heaven; Near-death Experiences in Early Church History, and The Magnificent World of Spirits; Eyewitness Accounts of Where We Go When We Die. 

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Author Links


Excerpt

The tallest parts of the mansion—fanciful turrets and a circular tower—were visible only in glimpses Anna caught between lofty oaks and towering pines as her cab wound through the knolls and hills of eastern Virginia. 

When the cab turned up the long driveway lined with dogwood trees in full bloom, Anna Coughlin reached for her handbag, gripping it with a tension that had knotted her muscles ever since getting on the train. 

The vast estate stood on a hilltop, like a castle—and she craned her neck to better view the starkly impressive gray-stone mansion of Ashton Hall—where she hoped to be hired. With its arched, leaded windows and slate roof with numerous chimneys, the house rivaled pictures she’d seen of castles in Europe. 

Instructing the driver to wait, she climbed out, patted her hat in case it was askew, then smoothed her gray suit with gloved hands in hopes of presenting a professional appearance. Anna had no confidence she was clever enough or bold enough to pull this off, but she had to try.

Her eye was drawn by a tall man—more than six feet—who came from the side of the house. Since the man was striding toward her so purposefully, Anna stopped and waited. As he drew near, Anna noted his deep-set eyes were as black as his hair. His skin was tanned, his thin, long-fingered hands brown and strong.

“Miss Coughlin?” He stretched out a hand and shook hers, but there was no warmth for her in his eyes. “I’m Tyler Richardson. Unfortunately, your services are not needed after all.” A touch of arrogance marked his manner, as though he was long accustomed to command those around him.

“Your father called only last week to have someone come out,” Anna blurted in dismay. “May I ask what caused him to change his mind?” 

A fleeting glimpse of discomfiture crossed Mr. Richardson’s face. “I wasn’t consulted about his hiring another secretary to replace the one who left so suddenly. My father isn’t in good health, and the last thing we need is someone coming in and upsetting him by making a muddle of things.”

His words kindled a fire that glinted in Anna’s eyes. How dare he make such an assumption? It was difficult to hang on to her temper, but there was too much at stake to let his boorishness sidetrack her. “Since I’m here, I’m sure you won’t mind if I keep my appointment. After all, your father is the one who requested my services. I’m sure he’s expecting me.”

Her words hit home.It took a few bitter seconds, but he finally acquiesced. “Come in, then,” he muttered ungraciously before leading the way up the steps and opening the door. 

Following his rigid back down the narrow hall, Anna’s brows furrowed as doubts crept in. How wise had she been to come to this remote place? Especially when the previous secretary had disappeared so mysteriously? Even her employer thought it odd that no one in this mansion seemed to know where Irene had gone or where she was now. It was as if Irene had vanished into thin air.

Irene and her publisher have graciously offered a giveaway of Searching for Irene
One ebook copy and one paperback copy (US only)
Two winners!




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Friday, September 1, 2017

Alcatraz Takeover by Cami Checketts -- Spotlight




The latest Billionaire Beach RomanceAlcatraz Takeover, by bestselling sweet romance author Cami Checkettsis out and available on Amazon.

When Athena Haddad's father and brother are killed, she busies herself working at her wellness studio and helping her mom fight MS. Little does she realize how flat her life has become--until she meets Nixon Browning. The billionaire is expanding his chain of health stores along the west coast, but he doesn't appreciate her beautiful city and she thinks his products are over-priced and worthless.
Athena sets out to teach Nixon about the city and its history while ignoring his inherent kindness, sharp intellect, and the warmth that spreads through her body when he touches her. Nixon is determined to help her mom battle MS no matter what Athena thinks of his vitamins.
In an unexpected turn of events, their tour of Alcatraz becomes a fight for their lives, forcing them to let go of their pride and work together. If they can survive The Rock, they may be able to bring life and color to the sparks of romance between them.