Friday, September 20, 2019

Deborah: Prophetess of God by H. B. Moore -- review/giveaway

Deborah: Prophetess of God

Author: H. B. Moore

Publisher: Covenant

Published: September 1st, 2019

ISBN13: 978-1524409999

Paperback: 232 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

From 4-time Whitney Award winning author, H.B. Moore, comes the new biblical novel about Deborah the Judge, a woman who rises from oppression and leads her entire nation to victory.

After years of mistreatment, the Israelites prepare to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. Readying for war not only takes secret military training but also an Israelite leader who is willing to both stand against generations of oppression and follow God.


Deborah, a young Israelite woman, lives a quiet and isolated life with her father and brothers. As a shepherdess in the hills near her home, she knows well the perils of her work. But when faced with incredible danger, she witnesses a series of remarkable events that preserve her life. The hand of the Lord is apparent, and it is clear that hers will be no ordinary life.    
            
Years later, Deborah is a faithful wife and mother when she learns that the Third Judge of Israel has died--and she has been called to take his place. It is a tumultuous time in history, and soon, Deborah--prophetess, judge, and military leader--faces a seemingly insurmountable task: alongside the commander of the Israelite army, Deborah must lead ten thousand soldiers in their final campaign against their Canaanite oppressors with only her faith in God to guide her.



My review

Deborah, Prophetess of God is another fascinating historical fiction story, told by a talented author. I was immediately taken into the story and admired and respected the characters portrayed. The author was able portray beautifully who Deborah could have been. I also enjoyed the switch to Barak’s perspective. He and Deborah had a wonderful respect for each other. I always enjoy any book from this author, and I appreciate the time and research taken on behalf of the readers. Deborah is a women of miracles. She exemplifies courage, resilience, respect, and love.

5 out of 5 stars

Purchase links

Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book

Author links

Amazon author page / Website / Goodreads










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Tuesday, September 17, 2019

The Lady and the Highwayman by Sarah M. Eden -- blog tour

The Lady and the Highwayman

Author: Sarah M. Eden


Publisher: Shadow Mountain


Published: September 3rd, 2019


ISBN13: 9781629726052


Paperback: 352 pages


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


Goodreads Summary


Elizabeth Black is the headmistress of a girls’ school and a well-respected author of “silver-fork” novels, stories written both for and about the upper-class ladies of Victorian society. But by night, she writes very different kinds of stories—the Penny Dreadfuls that are all the rage among the working-class men. Under the pseudonym Mr. King, Elizabeth has written about dashing heroes fighting supernatural threats and dangerous outlaws romancing helpless women. They contain all the adventure and mystery that her real life lacks.
 
Fletcher Walker began life as a street urchin, but is now the most successful author in the Penny Dreadful market, that is until Mr. King started taking all of his readers--and his profits. No one knows who King is, including Fletcher’s fellow members of the Dread Penny Society, a fraternity of authors dedicated to secretly fighting for the rights of the less-fortunate.
 
Determined to find the elusive Mr. King, Fletcher approaches Miss Black. As a fellow-author, she is well-known among the high-class writers; perhaps she could be persuaded to make some inquiries as to Mr. King’s whereabouts? Elizabeth agrees to help Fletcher, if only to insure her secret identity is never discovered. 
 
For the first time, Elizabeth experiences the thrill of a cat-and-mouse adventure reminiscent of one of her own novels as she tries to throw Fletcher off her scent. But the more time they spend together, the more she loses her heart. Its upper-class against working-class, author against author where readers, reputations, and romance are all on the line.


My review



This book was an absolute joy from start to finish. I absolutely loved this book. The characters, the story, the humor, the romance, every page was a delight. I also loved the two Penny Dreadful stories told by Fletcher and “Mr. King”. They were a fun addition to this amazing story. This author truly has a gift of story telling. There are very clever lines that made me smile throughout. Each true to the character who says them. Elizabeth was a treat to read. She was full of surprises and was a very genuine and enjoyable character. 

5 out of 5 stars. Every new book I read from this author becomes my new favorite. 

Purchase links

Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book

Author links

Amazon author link / Website / Goodreads



Friday, September 6, 2019

Entangled by Traci Hunter Abramson, Clair M. Poulson, Gregg Luke, Stephanie Black -- blog tour

Entangled 

Authors: Traci Hunter Abramson, Clair M. Poulson, Gregg Luke, Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant

Published: September 1st, 2019

ISBN13: 9781524410889

Paperback: 384 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from publisher. All comments and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads summary

Mystery and desperation collide in Entangled, a compilation of novellas that twist, turn, and terrify, penned by four popular suspense authors: Traci Hunter Abramson, Clair M. Poulson, Gregg Luke, and Stephanie Black.

A woman on the run from a man who is always one step ahead.

A mother who will stop at nothing to find her missing daughter.

A wife determined to discover the source of the illness attacking her husband.

A newlywed caught in a web of murder, unsure of whom to trust.


Featuring a chilling cast of villains, these stories tell the tale of strong heroines forced to make perilous snap decisions in their quest to outwit evil. With an abundance of intrigue and danger, each masterful mystery is sure to leave you breathless.


My review

WOW! I loved this book. Each story is full of danger, heart-pounding suspense, evil bad buys, and strong, capable good guys! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I really liked the novella length for each story. This efficiently moved the plot along quickly. I never felt lacking in details or character depth. These are talented authors that really know how to pull in the reader, no matter the length of story. If you asked my favorite, that would be really hard. All were wonderful. Each unique and genuinely great stories. Each moved fast, which I liked.

5 out of 5 stars

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon paperback / Amazon audio / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Amazon/Goodreads author pages

Traci Hunter Abramson / Clair M Poulson / Gregg Luke / Stephanie Black

Six Ingredients Meals with Six Sisters' Stuff - blog tour


About the book

With only six ingredients or less per recipe, making dinner has never been easier.
 
Six Sisters' Stuff is one of the most popular blogs for quick and easy cooking and entertaining at home for families. In their eighth cookbook, they tackle how to master meals for any cook with any skill level with more than 100 easy recipes made with incredible flavor combinations from just six ingredients or less.
 
From beginning cooks learning the basics to busy parents looking to save time in the kitchen, this cookbook is loaded with entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Whether it's a one-pot wings dish or a no-bake peanut butter bar this cookbook is a fool-proof solution to meal planning and features kid-friendly chapters such as Kid Favorites and Kids Can Cook.



My review

I absolutely love Six Sisters' stuff! Their recipes are easy to follow and the pictures make my mouth water. I have only been able to try a couple of these recipes so far and I have enjoyed each one immensely. I really loved the Slow Cooker Swiss Chicken. I am grateful for these easy to follow and delicious recipes. With my busy schedule, I really need something fast to prepare for dinner and these recipes help with that. I also appreciate the handy flap with the cover to save my spot so I am not flipping around trying to look for what I want to make!

5 out of 5 stars!

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book / Seagull Book



Friday, August 9, 2019

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower

Author: Nancy Campbell Allen

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: August 6th, 2019

ISBN: 9781629725543

350 pages

Steampunk romance

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

Goodreads Summary

Hazel Hughes has spent her life believing she is a Medium—someone who can talk to ghosts. But as of yet, that skill has remained frustratingly elusive. She is also suffering from a reoccurring childhood dream of someone who looks almost exactly like Hazel, but this dream version of herself is slowly going mad.

Sam MacInnes is a talented surgeon who runs in the highest social circles thanks to his family’s position and history. When Sam hires Hazel to assist him with his medical practice, he is immediately drawn to her intelligence, wit, and beauty.

Their potential relationship is derailed one evening when a mysterious count arrives in London and reveals to Hazel the truth about her past: she was abducted at birth and her twin sister has fallen dangerously ill.

Hazel agrees to travel to Romania with Count Petrescu in order to save her sister, and Sam insists on accompanying her. The count has secrets, though, and the journey grows more sinister with every mile that draws Hazel closer to her homeland. Even as her feelings for Sam become deeper and more complicated, she fears she might not survive the quest to save her sister with her heart intact, not to mention her life. She must learn to draw on gifts she doesn’t know she has if they are going to ever return home again.
 
Hazel and Sam must fight their way past dark magic, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they try to reach her sister in the impenetrable Coppergate Tower before time runs out.


My review

I love this author's steampunk romances! This book is full of fascinating fantastic characters, exciting twists, and a lovely romance. And Rapunzel and steampunk are a great mix.  This book also offers a wonderful mystery to solve and there were moments that made me smile, Eugene especially. Another beautiful story. I loved it. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book

Author links

Goodreads / Amazon author page / Twitter




Friday, July 12, 2019

A Proper Scandal by Esther Hatch

A Proper Scandal

Author: Esther Hatch

Publisher: Covenant

Published: May 2019

Paperback: 222 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home. And though taken in as an orphaned child by the vicar and his wife, her unsurpassed beauty makes it impossible for her to remain in the vicar’s household—with two daughters of their own about to enter Society, the vicar and his wife see Grace as nothing but competition. Thankfully, Grace’s estranged Aunt Bell has agreed to take her in to her home in London. But Grace soon learns her situation has just gotten much worse.

It takes only a moment’s acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake. And Aunt Bell, recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With no experience in the art of attracting a husband, Grace quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare.
 


My review

First of all, this cover is beautiful. It really sets the tone for the book, and what a wonderful book it is! The title is intriguing too, how can a scandal be proper? I absolutely loved it. It is so charming and Grace is a fantastic character. Nate is great too, a very patient man to be sure. Grace had me smiling quite a bit, but I enjoyed her immensely. I couldn't turn pages fast enough, all while not wanting the story to end. Very well done. I can't wait for more from this talented author.

5 out of 5 stars. I love reading books that leave me smiling at the end and very glad I read it!

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads

Thursday, July 11, 2019

The Redgrave Murders by A. L. Sowards -- blog tour/giveaway

The Redgrave Murders

Author: A. L. Sowards

Publisher: Covenant

Published: July 2019

ISBN13: 9781524409456

Paperback: 260 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

Loss is inevitable, as Evie Hampton knows all too well. But despite losing her mother to cancer and her older brother to a war, she knows she’s one of the lucky ones. After all, she still has her father, a distinguished professor of medieval history. And she has Gary Redhawk, the man she loves despite the emotional scars he carries from the Second World War—and despite her father’s opposition to their relationship.

When a freak accident sends Evie’s car careening off the road, she chalks it up to poor maintenance, or sheer bad luck making another appearance in her life. Little does she know a host of hardships is just beginning—the car was her father’s, and the brake lines were deliberately cut. Someone wants them dead—but why? All fingers point to Gary, a man with a troubled past and no solid alibi, but Evie is unwilling to believe he’s involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to piece together a startling picture of deception and vice. But as she closes in on the truth, it is clear that someone is determined to silence her—and the next attempt on her life may be a deadly success.
 


My review

I was very excited to read this book, as I have enjoyed all the books I have read from this author. When I started reading, it felt like I was right there with the characters, like watching an old movie from the '40s. Right away the reader is caught up in a web of suspense and the author does an excellent job of setting up the story. I loved the way each chapter started, as we get to know Evie's brother through his letters to her during the war. Evie is a fantastic character. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the Native American culture with Gary's character. This is an excellent book full of twists and page-turning suspense.

5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Author links

Goodreads / Amazon author page







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