One Fell Down by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

One Fell Down

Author: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February, 2017

ISBN13: 9781524401405

Paperback: 212 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

When Mikaela York opens an anonymous blue sympathy card with the nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill” written inside, she doesn’t know what to make of it. But soon after, Mikaela and her fiancé are in a tragic car accident, resulting in her husband-to-be’s death. Then when Mikaela’s grandmother loses her life in a hiking accident one year later, an old man gives Mikaela another mysterious blue card at the funeral.

After the service, Mikaela’s grandfather asks that she oversee the renovations on his bed & breakfast in New Zealand. When she arrives, Mikaela meets Tui Davies—the inn’s manager—and Brentin Williams, the man Tui expects her daughter to marry. Tui helps Mikaela retrieve a doll from the cellar vault, but the doll turns out to be an evil omen that Mikaela is told she must get rid of before someone is murdered. Meanwhile, the old man from the funeral is bent on revenge and is plotting against everyone who has ever wronged him, and Mikaela is next in line. But until she discovers the killer’s contact in New Zealand, whom can she trust? And while Brentin attempts to help Mikaela overcome her grief, she must decide—is she ready to love again?

My Review

I loved the idea of a book set in New Zealand.  My dad served a mission there, so I was excited to read One Fell Down, and then adding one of my favorite set of movies, Lord of the Rings, was a great bonus.  I enjoyed this book a lot. At times, though, I felt it was a bit slow for a suspense novel.  The convention scenes were fun, and later I saw how they fit in the story, but I felt they were a bit longer than they needed to be.  I was also confused by the relationship of Brentin and Amiria, and felt it didn't need to be there, but I was very happy with the end result.  I liked that we knew the bad guy (I really like the less is more theory on him), but I was extremely surprised at the end and did not see that coming!  I had my suspicions throughout, and was happy to be wrong.  The perspective changes were great and really helped moved the story along. 

4 out of 5 stars.

Author Links 

Goodreads / Amazon / Twitter / Website 

Purchase links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Schedule: 

Feb. 20th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

Feb. 21st: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

Feb. 22nd: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

Feb. 23rd: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

Feb. 24th: http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

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Betrayed by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Betrayed

Author: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Published: January 2015

Publisher: Covenant

ISBN13: 978-1-62108-481-5

Paperback: 291 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

1851: Niagara Falls, New York The evidence has been well hidden—the Thayers were confident that it was safe from the clutches of the ruthless Murphy Gang. But it has all been in vain. The lawless group is closing in on the family homestead, and seven-year-old Penny is given only one instruction: Run. After two long years eagerly anticipating her fiancé’s return, twenty-year-old Julia Barrett is ready to make a fresh start with Adam Wolcott—even if it means putting her dream of traveling west with the Mormons on hold. But when Adam’s return is overshadowed by the unexpected arrival of a young orphan girl in desperate need of help, Julia is drawn into a dangerous mystery that will threaten all she holds dear. Charged with the protection of little Penny, Julia quickly finds herself relying on the help of Tom Harrison, an endearing young man who has long admired her from afar. Torn between two suitors, Julia soon uncovers a shocking trail of corruption and deceit—a discovery that pulls her inescapably into the race to locate telling evidence that Penny’s family gave their lives to protect . . .

My Review

Oh my goodness this book was so good!  I was on pins and needles the whole time.  Betrayed starts off strong and barely gives you time to catch your breath until the last page.  Ronda creates a perfect web of secrets and with every page there was something new to worry about.  Just when I thought I had it all figured out, BAM!  Another exciting twist.  Julia was amazing and I really, really liked Tom.  Adam, well, he had issues.  Sometimes I would be yelling in my head at him (and Julia) while I was reading.  I loved the setting of Niagara Falls and this cover is so beautiful.  What was really intriguing was the Underground Railroad twist.  I loved how involved Julia and her family were in protecting others.  Who stole the show for me was Penny.  She was so brave and had to endure so much.  I thought the ending was fantastic and bittersweet at the same time.  

5 out of 5 stars.  I can't wait for more from this author.  

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

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