25 Book Reviews

Friday, August 30, 2019

Another Great Read from Alana Terry!! Make sure that you enter the giveaway.!




                    "Termination Dust"
                       By Alana Terry

About the book: 


Genre: Contemporary Christian Mystery/Suspense
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Termination Dust e bookAn abusive father. A devoted sister. When danger strikes, she’ll walk through fire to protect her family.
Despite years of trauma, Kimmie’s faith has never faltered. And after her mom’s unexpected death, Kimmie risks everything to save her autistic brother from a life of neglect and abuse.
Caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous dilemma, she dashes out with her brother into the bitter Alaskan night. With the devil in pursuit and the law on her stepdad’s side, Kimmie must brave the perils of the freezing wilderness in a desperate attempt to finally reach safety.
Can Kimmie survive the daring escape, or has she doomed both herself and her brother to a frozen grave?
Termination Dust is a standalone novel in the unforgettable Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense series. If you like determined characters, harsh landscapes, and faith under fire, then you’ll love Alana Terry’s riveting novel.
Buy Termination Dust to dive headfirst into a gripping adventure today!

Click here to grab your copy.
My Thoughts: 
This book is part of the Alaskan Refuge series by Alana Terry. I must say that after reading this book I am eagerly awaiting her next in the series. This tale is  one that is guaranteed to keep you in suspense throughout. 

All of the characters are described in such a detailed realistic way that you feel the deep emotions as you walk alongside Kimmie on her difficult life journey. This young lady who would sacrifice anything for her little brother, who has suffered alongside his sister , at the hand of a stepfather. Their past has been filled with terror and abuse. Alana exhibits her talent in drawing her readers into these individuals' lives. Along comes a stater trooper who shares Kimmie's commitment to justice and who also shares her love of the Lord. 

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader totally engrossed from beginning to end. The rugged countryside of Alaska is perfect for this adventure. You feel the cold as the two young people attempt to escape a horrible situation.

This is definitely a five star book!! The underlying theme of God's goodness and faithfulness to see us through any troubles remains with the reader for some time after reading this book. What a great reminder that He will forgive our past and give us hope for the future.


This book was received from CelebrateLit. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own. 

About the Author

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

More from Alana

Something some of my fans may not know about me is while I grew up in the continental United States, I have made my home with my husband and children in Alaska for many years now. I have grown to love Alaska, which is probably why I was so excited to write this series about the Alaskan wilderness to share a bit of my favorite parts of Alaska with my readers.
In Alaska, we have a phrase that perfectly describes the fall season: Termination Dust.
That’s when the first snow falls on the mountains, signifying the end of summer. Fall in Alaska is beautiful. Orange on the tips of the trees lend a splash of color against the backdrop of unending green. For the first time since May, it gets dark enough to see the stars. If you brave the cold and happen to be awake at 1 am, you might even see some shooting stars.
I hope you enjoy reading about Kimmie and her autistic brother as much as I enjoyed writing their story. As with all my suspense novels, if you like determined characters, harsh landscapes, and faith under fire, get ready to dive headfirst into a gripping adventure today!

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, August 27
Betti Mace, August 28
Genesis 5020, August 29
Quiet Quilter, August 30
Emily Yager, August 30
Life as Lanhams, August 31
Anne Rightler, September 2
For Him and My Family, September 2
Blogging With Carol, September 3
Livin’ Lit, September 4
Mary Hake, September 5
Texas Book-aholic, September 6
A Reader’s Brain, September 7
The Becca Files, September 8
janicesbookreviews, September 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a grand prize of a $30 Amazon gift card.
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

A Read To Keep You On The Edge of Your Seat!!

   " Deadly Intentions"
        By Lisa Harris     


Synopsis:

Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victim's husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn's theory, Josh soon realizes that the attack that took his wife's life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn's team--and what their end game is--before it's too late.

In this nail-biting thriller, award-winning author Lisa Harris will have you believing that there's no such thing as random.

My Thoughts:
Lisa Harris has been a favorite author of mine for some time, so I had high expectations. This book did not disappoint. Lisa has created yet another superior romantic suspense!! From beginning to end, my heart was throbbing as I sat on the edge of my seat. 

The characters are so realistically described that the reader quickly becomes immersed in their lives, understanding and feeling ever challenge, fear, worry. 

The plot moves at a quick pace, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I could not put this book down. I just had to know what happened next. This is an excellent tale of murder, conspiracy , threat and greed, so be ready for a rocky ride. The reader is drawn deeper and deeper into this book.

Deadly Intentions offers us reminders of many important facts of life. God gives us power to withstand the evil all around us. The truth will overcome all and always sets us free. The underlying theme throughout this book reminds us that God is always with us and will protect us from our enemies. 

This standalone book is a winner  in the suspense category!! Well done, Lisa Harris!!

This book was received from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own. 

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Another Great Read from Liz Johnson!

        "A Glitter of Gold"
            By Liz Johnson

Synopsis:

Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.

Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication--and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship,  they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world--love.



My Thoughts:

My expectations were high when I started to read this novel, as I have loved all the books I have previously read by this author. She has an outstanding talent as a storyteller, keeping one totally engrossed from beginning to end of her tales. And what a tale this is!!! What could possibly be better than a  story of a heroine, Anne, who directs pirate tours in Savannah , Georgia? Sounds mysterious and somewhat spooky, doesn't it?? Finding an artifact from a possible ship wreck , she decides she must find out what it is and what is it worth; Don't we all wish we could find a pirate's treasure???? This grabbed my attention and wouldn't let it go!! Carter, a museum director, enters the scene as Anne seeks answers. He also is following a quest of his own, searching for answers about a family diary that has been handed down many years. Could there be a connection between the two?? 

The characters in this book , were so realistically and well described that they drew me right into the story. I felt their every worry, concern, challenge and fear.  I walked alongside them in their rocky road of life. 

The plot developed at a somewhat slow pace, however there were unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader in suspense. 

A strong sense of God's power to bring healing and forgiveness comes through loud and clear. If only we allow Him, He will lead us in our path in life. 

This book was supplied by Revel, a division of Baker Publishing House. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.

A Thought Provoking Read! Be sure to enter the giveaway!!


                   "Adventures in Poverty"
Adventures-in-Poverty-hi-res                       By Nancy Bolton

About the Book:


Genre: Memoir
Release Date: July 30, 2019
Faced with eviction, living on union strike pay, our time for making a decision was running out. Where could we go to live with our five small sons? We had few options. The scariest possibility was also the one that fit best with our tiny income. But could we really make such a difficult move? To transport our family, and our mobile home onto a five-acre parcel of rural, undeveloped land? No electricity, no run Whning water, with winter fast approaching. It sounded a little crazy…….
Click here to grab your copy.
 My Thoughts:
My first thought when looking at the cover comments of this book, was that I was not going to be thrilled with this read!!  Not my kind of book! HOWEVER,  this opinion changed within the first chapter. I was quickly caught up in problems that people have actually experienced - poverty, of which I have no experience. What  a great read for young adults who think the world is treating them so badly! 

The detail that this author uses to describe a  hopeless situation is amazing. I felt that I was there, walking alongside these poor family as they made the best in such hopeless times. The characters were realistically described so that you could feel their every challenge. This question kept coming to my mind: What would I do in this  situation? No money, no home, no job...... In this day and age, our youth have no idea what this would be like.  The plot moved slowly, however, I felt that this book was more about feelings and finding the positive in dire situations. How attitudes could be changed. What we should appreciate!

All in all, I highly recommend this to be read by not only young but those of us who are older and may have forgotten what is really important in life!!
This book was a gift. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

About the Author

Nancy BoltonNancy Shew Bolton is a wife, mother, grandmother, jewelry maker, crochet crafter, and of course: a writer! She lives in upstate New York in a lovely scenic region known as The Fingerlakes. Widowed last year, she is comforted by her five sons, two grandchildren and a marvelous array of family and other loved ones. She loves the creative process, and puts her whole focus into the stories she writes. May you be entertained and uplifted by them!

More from Nancy

Sometimes life hands out an unexpected challenge, and the direction you mapped out for your family comes up against a big roadblock. And there you are, trying to navigate back to a path that makes sense. One that would be as close to the previous path as you can get. But our only options led us in directions far away from what we were used to.
Faced with eviction, living on union strike pay, our time for making a decision was running out. Where could we go to live with our five small sons? We had few options. The scariest possibility was also the one that fit best with our tiny income. But could we really make such a difficult move? To transport our family, and our mobile home onto a five-acre parcel of rural, undeveloped land? No electricity, no running water, with winter fast approaching. It sounded a little crazy…

                                 Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Nancy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and eBook copy of her book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e7c7/adventures-in-poverty-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

The Awesome Duo of Authors Does It Once Again! A Great Amish novel!!

                    "The Amish Bride"

                   By Mindy Starns Clark 
                         and Leslie Gould


About the book:          


Genre:  Amish Fiction

Publication Date: 2012

Synopsis:

Ella Bayer is a young Mennonite woman who has two dreams, to operate her own bakery and marry her handsome Amish boyfriend. Ezra is a fine man who adores Ella, however, his family strongly opposes the marriage! He mustn't marry outside his faith, that of the Amish!!

Ezra's family decides to make a move to make the romance cool off a bit and hopefully end it. They send him away to a farm in Indiana, far from his beloved, who remains in Pennsylvania. Low and behold, Ella finds it within her, upon her estranged father's return , to make the long trip to Indiana and ends up at a farm linked to her great grandmother's coded journal. There , she attempts to break this code, with the help of Luke Kline, a very handsome Amish farmhand. 

Ella makes her way in this new area, as she is forced to figure out things in the past and question her future .  Will she become the Amish bride of Ezra or will she find that God has something else that she should do in her life???? What will this young feisty woman do?? It is sooooo hard when she is so used to doing her own way!!!

My Thoughts: 

This book is the third in the series, The Women of Lancaster County, ( The Amish Nanny, The Amish Midwife) however can certainly be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I believe that this is my very favorite of the three!! But, don't believe that! Every time I read something by these two lovely, talented ladies, I claim that it is the BEST yet!! 

The development of characters is outstanding, as they are each so realistically described that you, at once, find yourself walking alongside them in their journey called Life!  I easily identified with Ella, as I also come from Mennonite background . There are struggles as one tries to find the path that God wants you to follow and this was portrayed in a realistic , detailed manner. The reader can feel the confusion, anger, pain and remorse, as Ella struggles to find God's plan for her life. 

The plot progresses steadily with just enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged from the first page of the book to the last. The mystery of solving the code in the journal kept me guessing. Just when I thought there were answers, more questions appeared!! How would this unscrambling this code affect Ella's life ? Could it possibly change her plans???  You simply must read this book to find out!!

Definitely a book not to be missed!! Keep writing , ladies!!

This book was received as  a gift. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own. I was not required to write  a positive review. 

  




                  

A Fabulous Suspense Filled Read! The Past is About to Find Lacy!! Make sure that you enter the giveaway!

            
                         "Identity Theft"
                           By Alana Terry

About the Book:


Genre: Christian fiction, mystery/suspense
Release date: March 15, 2019                       
She imagined Alaska would be the perfect place to hide. She found out it’s the most dangerous place to be found …
Lacy has a secret. A secret nobody knows — not even her fiancé.
A secret that would cost her life … and so much more.
So it’s a good thing she’s tucked away in the very heart of rural Alaska, where for once in her life she is finally safe.
But can she stay that way for long?
Suspenseful, thrilling, and impossible to put downIdentity Theftis an unforgettable novel by bestselling Christian author Alana Terry.
Buy your copy today … but be prepared to stay up late!

My Thoughts:

I have to say that I have enjoyed Alana's books  in the past so had high expectations of this new one. There was no disappointment. Although the plot starts off at a slow pace and there has to be some thought as to who and what the characters are up to, once that is done, there is constant suspense and action to keep the reader involved in this book. I must admit that once my attention was spiked, I could not put it down. 

The characters didn't take long to grow into my friends. They were realistic and well described. Lacy was one confused young lady who had a BIG secret, one that I can not imagine ever having! How she dealt with it, was a dangerous, frightening way. This situation had me wanting to give her a big hug as well as shake her to make her think! However, I also kept wondering how I would ever survive in a similar situation. Living with frightening secrets would be such a horrible experience. 

The plot once it gets going. moves at a quick pace with surprising and unexpected events appearing just when you think things are going as they should. My heart was in my throat at Lacy attempted to escape the situation.  The setting in rural Alaska was perfect for this story full of suspense. 

There is an underlying Christian message throughout this book, one that makes the reader think deeply. Events which seem unbelievable and so frightening, happen for a reason, in God's timing. We as humans,  don't always understand the wheres and the whys but we need to learn that that is NOT important. He has us in the palm of His hand at all times.

A great story full of suspense , love and deep fear!

This book was given to me. A positive review was not required. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own. 

About the Author

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

More from Alana

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about Alaska? Are you a city soul or do you prefer the country? I’m pretty happy in small-town Alaska, but I’m afraid that wasn’t always the case.
Have you ever lived in a town with 400 residents? Even with all the wide-open spaces, it’s enough to make some personalities feel claustrophobic.
I thought of our move to rural living as our big adventure. (Because what’s more adventurous than feeding chickens and milking goats at negative 40 degrees?) Then I read my first draft of Identity Theft and realized the adjustment wasn’t going as smoothly as I hoped. It was more autobiographical than I had realized!
However, I learned to love rural Alaska, and that’s the main reason I wanted to write my Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Novel series – so I could share some of my favorite parts with you.
Identity Theft is the first of three stand-alone novels, all filled with adventure, suspense and thrills, and all set against the backdrop of Alaska. I hope as you settle in to readyou will begin to experience a little of what I’ve grown to love living in this spectacular state.

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, July 25
EmpowerMoms, July 25
Splashes of Joy, July 28
The Becca Files, July 30
Quiet Quilter, July 31
Mary Hake, August 2
CarpeDiem, August 3
Moments, August 5
Henry Happens, August 6
Livin’ Lit, August 6
A Readers Brian, August 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a $30 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e546/identity-theft-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Laugh and cry your way through a new book by Jennifer Beckstrand! Make sure that you enter the Giveaway!

                  
                               Andrew
                     By Jennifer Beckstrand

About the Book:


Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim’s family business has earned them the nickname The Peanut Butter Brothers. But if their matchmaking younger siblings have their way, all three may soon bear another title: husband . . .
Handsome, hardworking, and godly, Andrew Petersheim has always been sure of his place in his Wisconsin Amish community. He’ll be a welcome catch for the local girl who finally captures his heart. Mary Coblenz certainly isn’t that girl. Two years after “jumping the fence” for the Englischer world, she’s returned, unmarried and pregnant. Yet instead of hiding in shame as others in the community expect, she’s working at the Honeybee Farm, ignoring the gossips—and winning over Andrew’s eight-year-old twin brothers . . .
For all Andrew’s certainty about right and wrong, it seems he has a lot to learn from Mary’s courage, grace, and resilience. She’s changing his notions about forgiveness and love, but will she in turn accept the challenge of starting over and choose to stay—with him?
 Click here to grab your copy!
My Thoughts:
Jennifer Beckstrand is one of my favorite authors of Amish Fiction! She is a master storyteller who is able to make you giggle at her quirky characters as well as think deeply , all within the same chapter! That is a very special talent!

"Andrew" is filled with characters who are all so realistically and richly described that you feel that they are your best friends within minutes of beginning to read this fabulous story. I loved Bitsy who certainly is far from your stereotypical Amish woman!! The Peanut Butter Brothers, in reality, Benji and Alfie Petersheim, make you laugh out loud with their antics, great comic relief in the midst of some serious situations. Their desire to matchmake is sweet , funny and yes, somewhat frustrating , at least to Mary and Andrew! Mary is a sweet young lady, brought up Amish, who made a big mistake by " jumping the fence", however is now trying her best to make amends and gain the approval of the community once again. As difficult as it is, she is determined to begin a new life, even when suffering the results of living the Englisch life. Andrew gains one's love and approval immediately with his kindness and willingness to help Mary. I loved revisiting Honeybee Farm, feeling that I was back in familiar territory.

The plot moves quickly filled with unexpected twists and turns! As Mary struggles to show that she has learned some hard lessons, the sometimes undesired approval from Andrew, helps her along the way. It takes a long time and many lessons learned before Mary can accept forgiveness of herself and others. The underlying message of this tale comes through loud and clear. Andrew exemplifies what we all should be striving for, faith, patience and honesty. Everyone deserves a second chance and he helps Mary realise this.

This is a five star book!!! It will leave you thinking how important forgiveness is and how judging hurts oneself as well as many others. I can hardly wait for the next book from this fantastic author!
This book was received from CelebrateLit. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own. A positive view was not required.

About the author:
Jennifer Beckstrand is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries, The Honeybee Sistersseries, and The Petersheim Brothersseries for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer and Home on Huckleberry Hill were both nominated for the coveted RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Jennifer has written twenty-one Amish romances, a historical Western, Jessie and James, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. She and her husband have been married for thirty-four years, and she has six children and seven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

More from Jennifer

If you enjoyed The Honeybee Sisters, you’re going to love The Petersheim Brothers, or the Peanut Butter Brothers as they’re known in their small Amish community of Bienenstock, Wisconsin. The Petersheim brothers work their small farm and make peanut butter. The idea for The Petersheim Brothers series came when two of my friends and I were creating The Honeybee Sisters Cookbook. My friend Alicia suggested I write a book about Peanut Butter Brothers, and the idea stuck.
One of my favorite characters in my Amish romances is Aunt Bitsy, the irrepressible, unconventional woman who raised the Honeybee Sisters, tried to chase off all their suitors, and then lit fireworks at their triple wedding. In Andrew, the first book in the Petersheim Brothersseries, Aunt Bitsy takes in a girl who has jumped the fence and wants to come back to the Amish community to have her baby. Aunt Bitsy is still protecting her dandelions and her bees, still dyeing her hair all sorts of bright colors, and still praying to Gotte right out loud.
Andrew is about forgiveness, second chances, and learning to love. It will have you laughing and crying, and you might just fall in love with two of the most mischievous little boys in Wisconsin. Enjoy.
In honor of the Peanut Butter Brothers, I want to share one of our favorite family recipes. These bars are perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks. They’re easy and delicious!

Peanut Butter Bars
Cream together:
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
Blend In:
2 unbeaten eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
2/3 cup peanut butter
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Stir In:
2 cups flour
2 cups quick oats

Spread mixture in greased jelly-roll pan or large cookie sheet.
Bake: 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Do not overbake. Remove from oven.

Sprinkle on:
1 ¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Let stand five minutes.

For peanut butter mixture on top, combine:
½ cup sifted powdered sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
2 to 4 Tbs. evaporated milk
Mix well.

The chocolate chips will melt on the bars. Spread melted chocolate evenly. Drizzle peanut butter mixture on top. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Blog Stops

The Avid ReaderJune 26
MomentsJune 26
BigreadersiteJune 29
Genesis 5020July 1
Pause for TalesJuly 3
Mary Hake, July 5
SplashesofjoyJuly 5
Vicky SluiterJuly 5
Quiet QuilterJuly 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e57a/andrew-celebration-tour-giveaway

Another Fantastic Read by One of My Favorite Authors, Vannetta Chapman!

An Amish Proposal for Christmas  By Vannetta Chapman Synopsis: Her deepest Christmas wish will bring more than she imagined…in this novel by...