Witch Born by Amber Argyle

Witch Born

Author: Amber Argyle

Publisher: Starling Publishing

Published: September 5, 2012

ISBN13: 9780985739409

Genre: YA fantasy

FTC FYI: Received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary:

Brusenna thought it was finished. 

She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong. 

She was wrong. 

Haven is not the sanctuary it appears to be. Even love is in danger of slipping away like water through cupped hands. 

Some things can't be saved. 

A new threat merges with the old as the Witches’ dark history begins to catch up with them. Only Brusenna knows the extent of the danger and how to stop it, though doing so might cost her everything.

Including her life. 

Will Brusenna be required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

My Review

First of all, I need to start this review by apologizing to the author.  I've had this review written for a while, and last week as I was reviewing old posts, I came across this draft that I never posted. Amber, if you read this, I'm sorry for forgetting to post this review sooner.

Now, to the good stuff.  Witch Born is just as good, if not better then the first.  While I enjoyed Witch Song, Witch Born had me turning pages quickly, and kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next.  It grabs you right at the beginning, and then takes you on a magical ride.

After being Guardian touched, something is happening to Senna she doesn't understand, and no one will tell her.  The Heads, and her mother are keeping quiet.  There is a traitor among them, threatening their way of like in Haven.  Also a jealous apprentice too, that could jeopardize her relationship with Joshen.  Senna visits Espen for answers, and while doing so draws on an ancient power no one understands and is afraid of.  Senna feels that saving Tartan is the answer, others don't believe her or want to believe.  She is under constant watch.  Is it for her protection, or everyone else's?

4 out of 5 stars.  Joshen is still a favorite, but I must say there is a special place in my heart for Reden.  He's a fav.  This is a great series for all readers who like magic and fantasy.  Start with Witch Born first, of course.  Here is the review I did on Witch Song a couple months ago. 

Amber is giving away 5 copies of Witch Born on Goodreads. Check it out!

Author Links

Goodreads
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Purchase Links

AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

Delivering Hope -- National Adoption Month

I reviewed Delivering Hope back in August.  Check out the review if you missed it.

November is National Adoption Month, and I wanted to share some exciting news from the author, Jennifer Ann Holt.  During the month of November in support of the National Adoption Month, and the National Council for Adoption (www.adoptioncouncil.org),

Jennifer is donating her royalties for books sold during November (excluding ebooks) to the 

National Council for Adoption's The Hope Challenge project.
 (www.thehopechallenge.org)

Cedar Fort has agreed to donate $1/book sold of their profits, and with the help of several other charitable foundations who will be matching these donations, $5 will be donated to this terrific cause for every copy of Delivering Hope that sells during November!

I was so excited to help Jennifer spread the word for his great cause!

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Deseret Book

Seagull Book

AUTHOR LINKS

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Cover Reveal for Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore

Author Heather B. Moore

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of ten novels, two inspirational non-fiction books, and two anthologies, including The Newport Ladies Book Club Series, A Timeless Romance Anthology, and Christ's Gifts to Women (co-authored by Angela Eschler).

Her historical fiction is published under the pen name H.B. Moore. She is the two-time recipient of Best of State in Literary Fiction, two-time Whitney Award Winner, and two-time Golden Quill Winner for Best Novel. Her most recent historical novel under H.B. Moore is Daughters of Jared (2012 LUW Gold Award of Excellence & 2012 LUW Best Book Trailer).

Links:

Author Website:
www.hbmoore.com

Author Blog:
http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com

Timeless Romance Anthologies Blog:
http://timelessromanceanthologies.blogspot.com/

Heather B. Moore Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Heather-B.-Moore/e/B007HLYZ6A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2

H.B. Moore Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/H.-B.-Moore/e/B001K8942Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1351275833&sr=1-2-ent

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/heather.b.moore.3

Facebook “Fans of H.B. Moore” page:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/37783537691/?fref=ts

Twitter:
@heatherbmoore


Book Summary:

Heart of the Ocean
by Heather B. Moore

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost  . . . a handsome stranger  . . .
What more could Eliza Robinson want?
Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza's life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt's death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

Cover Reveal:

An Ideal Boyfriend by Mette Ivie Harrison

An Ideal Boyfriend

Author: Mette Ivie Harrison

Publisher: Self

Published: August 12, 2012

ebook

ISBN13: 9781476031552

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review.

Smashwords Summary:

Told from alternating points of view, Trudy and Rob are high school students at St. James Luck Academy, in a world where luck has been quantified. Trudy thinks that Rob is an ideal boyfriend, the only son of the oldest luck family in America. Yes, his parents wish that Rob would go back to his old girlfriend Laura who came from an old luck family and was more suitable. But Rob always defends her and treats her well. Rob, on the other hand, has a secret he has been keeping from his family all his life, and from Trudy, too. When Laura threatens to "out" him, Rob has to do whatever she says, including betraying his best friend Art, and handing over Art's new science project that will change the world of luck completely--for good or ill, depending on who has control of it. 

My Review

I met the author at Authorpalooza in September, and I was really taken by her description of this book. It is a retelling of the Oscar Wilde play An Ideal Husband. But, this story has luck, and lots of it.  

I really enjoyed An Ideal Boyfriend.  I enjoyed the style in which the author wrote it.  It is told from alternating points of view from Trudy and Rob.  Trudy comes from unlucky parents. She is only at St. James Academy because of her impressive luck scores. Rob's ex-girlfriend Laura, isn't happy that she is there.  When Rob's friend Art starts asking Trudy questions about luck, that starts a chain of events that could lead to someone permanently losing their luck, or becoming the luckiest person in the world. Would that be so bad?

4 ouf 5 stars. Mette Ivie Harrison has written many fabulous book. Find her on Goodreads, her Website, Facebook, and Twitter.

An Ideal Boyfriend is only .99 on Smashwords.

Purchase Links

SMASHWORDS / AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

Once Upon a Baby by Shari Guess -- Blog Tour

Once Upon a Baby: A Tale of Adoption

Author: Shari Guess

Publisher: Narrow Trail Publishing

Published: 2012

Paperback: 28 pages

ISBN13: 9780985859008

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary: A heartwarming tale of LDS adoption. Follow a child's journey from the Pre-existence to his family's home on Earth.  The divine guidance of the Savior, along with the prayers of both birth and adoptive parents are gently and lovingly portrayed in this tender story of the ultimate "happily every after".

My Review

I was very excited to be a part of this blog tour.  November is National Adoption Month.  I have many friends who have been blessed by adoption.  This book is a sweet telling of that very thing.  This story is the journey of a family starting their life together in heaven, and the way they end of together here on earth.  They soon realize that they need some help. Once Upon a Baby is also a beautifully illustrated story. It is a great story for all families.  My favorite quote from the book talked about how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

"The mommy and daddy said more than a few prayers and asked Heavenly Father and Jesus to help them keep their promise to the baby. Because Heavenly Father and Jesus loves mommies and daddies and children too, Jesus answered their prayers. He would help the child come down from Heaven as a baby to his family's home on earth."

Once Upon a Baby is a perfect book that will help a child understand where they came from, and that their "tummy mommy" loved them too.

Find out more about the Shari on her website .

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

Bio from her Goodreads page:

SHARI GUESS is a proud, first-time children’s book author and lives in rural North Texas where she is “Mom” to her beloved 9-year-old adopted son, Garrett. Happily married to her husband Walter for going on 13 years they share their cabin-in-the-woods with a small herd of Great Danes and farm animals. Shari is currently a part-time real estate agent and property manager and prior to marriage worked for over a decade in the music business, spanning from Los Angeles to Nashville. She wore many hats as a journalist and publicist representing multiple recording artists, magazines and music publishing companies, along with being a part-time performing artist and songwriter. Her hobbies include choral, Americana and rock music, martial arts, photography, travel and anything in the mountains.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast for Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall

Secrets of the Red Box
Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Purchase Link:

Amazon 

Author Vickie Hall

Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Links:

Blog * Website 
Facebook * Goodreads

Praise for Secrets of the Red Box:

Amazing book! Wow, it caught me from the first paragraph. What detail, mystery and suspense. Loved the main character, Bonnie, so relatable. Vicki is an amazing writer. I wish she would write more books!!!
~Amazon Review

Secrets of the Red Box is a great read! Whether you're looking for a book with an intriguing and unusual plot, or a story of how life's choices effect the rest of your life, you will love this book!
~Amazon Review


Blog Tour:
Be sure to check out the blog tour for the chance to win an additional $25 Gift Card.

Secrets of the Red Box Blog Tour: November 5th to 20th 

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall
Ends 11/25/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it for the first person you follow and leave the others blank.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Key of Kilenya Giveaway

Author Andrea Pearson has an exciting giveaway for all 5 of her great books.  Use this LINK to take you to the giveaway.  I have read all but 1 of her books, and they are well written and fun.  Read my reviews for The Key of Kilenya, The Ember Gods, and August Fortress.  Great for adults as well as kids.  The giveaway ends December 5th, and don't forget, the giveaway is for all 5 of her books!

The first book The Key of Kilenya is free on Amazon / Smashwords / Nook

Here is a little bio on Andrea: 

Andrea, a Brigham Young University graduate, is an avid reader and outdoor

enthusiast (hiking, boating, biking, spending time in the Rocky Mountains,
and taking walks). She spent a year and a half serving the Spanish
speaking community in Toronto, Canada, and fluently speaks 2 ½ languages.
She plays several instruments, not including the banjo, and loves putting
together musical arrangements.

Andrea is always in the mood for a good movie with close friends and
family (especially her husband and mom), with a large glass of milk and a
bowl of overly buttered popcorn nearby. She also enjoys oil painting,
making earrings, and she hopes to someday travel to Italy and Alaska. She
loves writing clean fiction for youth and adults and is the author of nine
books, including the Kilenya Series (fantasy for readers ten and older), a
Kilenya Romance (teen readers), and the Katon University Series (soft teen
horror/paranormal/fantasy).