Showing posts with label Books for 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books for 2012. Show all posts

2.07.2019

The Bright Empires ~ Series Review

The Bright Empires series
By Stephen R. Lawhead
Read by Simon Bubb



In a change of pace, I'm doing a look back at one of my favorite series. This time instead of reading the books I went the audiobook route, which I borrowed from my local library. 


(And you have to read the books in order to fully enjoy and understand everything!) 


The Universe is vast- more vast than most people can possibly fathom.  There are billions of galaxies in our Universe alone.  In addition there an unknown number of dimensions as equally vast as our own Universe.  If you don't believe me just ask Kit Livingstone (if you can find him, that is!)



The Bright Empire series by Stephen R Lawhead opens with The Skin Map.  In this we are introduced to Cosimo "Kit" Christopher Livingstone who is about to begin the adventure of a lifetime.  Kit is about to follow his great-grandfather Cosimo Livingstone on a search for the Skin Map, a search that will span centuries and dimensions.  A search that could destroy everything in the omniverse if they accidentally change history in just one dimension.

But what is this Skin Map and why is it so sought after?  The skin map was created by Arthur Flinders-Petrie as a series of various symbols tattooed upon his body that were turned into parchment upon his death.  The greatest of his various mapped symbols leads to the greatest of treasures - the Well of Souls.

But nothing is ever easy and Kit, his great-grandfather and the Questors are not the only ones seeking the map.  Burley and his men are seeking it too and he plans to use the power he would gain in untold evil.

But due to his inexperience Kit, Cosimo and Sir Henry have a secondary quest, to rescue Kit's girlfriend Wilhelmina "Mina" from whatever time/dimension she was pulled into.  But nothing ever goes as planned and the three are separated.  The Skin Map is filled with unexpected twists and turns up until the very end so that you are left wondering what comes next in The Bone House book 2.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bright Empire series by Stephen R Lawhead continues with The Bone House.  

With the unexpected deaths of Cosimo Livingstone and Sir Henry at the hands of Archelaeus Burleigh, Kit  must rely on the Ley traveling skills that Mina has developed since she was transported to 17th century Prague.

But with time/dimensional travel there are a variety of trips covered in The Bone House including Kit's visit to Egypt in 1822 where he meets up with Doctor Thomas Young who are both on a mission that was brought about by Mina. While Kit is in Egypt with Dr. Young, Mina and Giles are with Dr. Young in Edinburgh.

Arthur Flinders-Petrie's life is further revealed as are the exploits of his great-grandson Douglas Flinders-Petrie to obtain the Skin Map that Arthur created.

When Mina, Kit, and Giles finally arrive at Mina's new home in Prague, they are shocked to discover the one man that they are trying to avoid is there!  Burleigh is in Prague and all too soon discovers that Kit and Giles did not die in the Egyptian tomb they were imprisoned in.  In their attempt to escape Burleigh, Giles is injured and Kit manages to make it to the Ley line that Mina had directed them to.  But Kit finds himself in the Stone Age where he makes a discovery he was not expecting the Bone House.

 The Bone House is filled with trips that span the centuries and the globe will leave you anticipating what will come next in The Spirit Well book 3.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bright Empire series by Stephen R Lawhead continues with The Spirit Well.  

The Bone House
 left us with Kit having discovered what he believes to be the Spirit Well, a conclusion he came to after observing Arthur Flinders-Petrie enter a deep water-filled environment with a dead woman who is restored to life.

Mina, after being warned by Haven of Burleigh's suspicions, has left Prague in the hopes of somehow locating Kit.  When she can find no sign of him, Mina goes to Spain in the hopes that Brother Lazarus can help her in her quest.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Cassandra Clarke who, while on a dig in Arizona, discovers by accident the Ghost Walk.  But when she determines to study this phenomenon she jumps to other places and becomes lost to her time and place, ending up in 1950s Damascus.  There she finds the Zetetic Society who are seeking to achieve God's purpose for His creation - unity and harmony as the Creator intended and to be fully realized at "the end of time and the beginning of eternity.

In the Spirit Well we discover the circumstances that resulted in the creation of the Skin Map and its separation as well as Burleigh's discovery of the ley lines.

The Zetetic Society is searching for Sir Henry, Cosimo, and Kit who have disappeared along with Sir Henry's portion of the map.  The society feels that discovering them is of the highest priority and assign this task to Cassandra.

Treachery and betrayals abound as many search for the greatest discovery of Arthur Flinders-Petrie.  A discovery that Kit has discovered, but can he find his way back?

As is often mentioned by various characters throughout the series There are no coincidences.  There is a purpose behind everything that happens in our lives though we may not be able to ascertain it at the time.

The Spirit Well is filled with trips that span the centuries and the globe will leave you anticipating what will come next in book 4 The Shadow Lamp.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bright Empire series by Stephen R Lawhead continues with The Shadow Lamp.

Ley travel is imprecise, but it can be done to within a few days of when one wants to arrive unless something goes wrong.  And as is often the case something does go wrong for several of our ley travelers.  But this is all part of the journey.  The journey to reach the Spirit Well that Kit discovered by accident when he was misdirected into the Stone Age.  But the Bone House is no longer accessible and a large tree is in its place.  And the gargantuan yew is channeling an enormous amount of energy from the ley in which it is growing.

Cassandra points out an amazing coincidence to Kit in that the yew tree is a symbol of immortality and eternity and in a sense that is what they are searching for in the Spirit Well. But little does Kit know that he may hold the answer to saving the Omniverse, the known and unknown, from complete and total annihilation!

Time from the first moments of Creation is at stake if the event that caused the imbalance is not found. The ever-expanding universe is beginning to retract upon itself and time is growing short.  An act of Arthur Flinders-Petrie may destroy everything, and we will be alive to witness our own obliteration!

The Shadow Lamp will span centuries and dimensions and if you are very observant you just may see the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning in book 5 The Fatal Tree.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bright Empire series by Stephen R Lawhead concludes with The Fatal Tree.


It starts with odd little wrinkles in reality and when the anomalies accumulate to a level that a dimension can no longer sustain - that dimension along with all those living in it will be extinguished as if they had never existed... THE END OF EVERYTHING is here and we are about to slip over a cosmic cliff.

Our questors have been separated by both time and space.  The ley lines have become unreliable as the anomalies increase.  And the physical side effects are increasing with each jump making each trip increasingly dangerous.  But the Spirit Well must be reached and they have to discover a way around the Fatal Tree which now guards that which they seek.

One man may have the knowledge they seek, but can they trust the man who has sought to destroy them?  And what ulterior motives could Archelaeus Burleigh be hiding?  Kit knows that the man responsible for his great grandfather's death can't be trusted but Mina, Cass, and Gianni feel that the preservation of the Omniverse is worth the risk.

In this the final book we revisit scenes from the previous books but from the viewpoint of other characters who were part of the original scene.  A true merging of past, present, and future. 

Get ready to go on an adventure that will test your ability to adapt and prepare to grow your mind! Paradoxes, Time loops, and Quantum mechanics, oh my!  The unknown is greater than you ever imagined and one misstep or decision can destroy it all! 

5.21.2018

Buckaroo Buckeye ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

Book Details:
Book Title: Buckaroo Buckeye: A Little Nut with Big Dreams
Author: Kristin Anderson Cetone
Illustrator: Nadia Komorova
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Friendship, Social Skills and School Life, Bullies, Growing Up and Facts of Life
Publisher: KLAC Enterprises, LLC
Release date: September 1, 2012
Tour dates: May 21 to June 15, 2018
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Winner of the Mom's Choice Silver and OneBookAZ Awards!

There's a new cowboy in town! Hit the trail with Buckaroo Buckeye, a lovable little nut who falls from his tree in Ohio, as he dodges the bumps and bullies along the way in a magical journey to find his true place in the world.

Created by Reading Specialist Kristin Cetone, Buckaroo Buckeye teaches children 4-8 to:
• Learn to ignore bullies
• Improve their self-esteem
• Connect with reading
• "Dream, Believe and Achieve" no matter their size!

Your child will be inspired by Buckaroo's determination in this touching story with unforgettable characters illustrated by Nadia Komorova. Get yours today!
Buy the Book:
Amazon
Add to Goodreads


Watch the book trailer:
Meet the author:

Buckaroo Buckeye grew out of author Kristin Anderson Cetone's imagination and joy of reading.


Born in Dayton, Ohio, she traveled many miles before putting down roots in the Arizona desert. Influenced by family, education, life experiences, and a desire to teach others, Mrs. Cetone discovered her purpose---just like Buckaroo Buckeye did.


Her true calling and passion is writing and helping others become successful readers. She created Buckaroo to encourage children to believe in themselves and follow their dreams while dodging the bumps and bullies along the way. Reading will help guide the way. Being a Reading Specialist, she has also created Nuts About Reading™ an informal, supplemental, online reading service. She shares her insights and suggestions to help parents strengthen their children's reading process and become successful readers.


Her joy now is to inspire and help kids to find the Buckaroo Buckeye in themselves.


Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

Giveaway:
Prize: Win a signed copy of Buckaroo Buckeye
plus a $5 Amazon.com gift card
(open to USA and Canada - 1 winner)

(ends June 23, 2018)
a Rafflecopter giveaway


BOOK SPOTLIGHT TOUR SCHEDULE:



May 21 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

May 21 - Blooming with Books - book spotlight / giveaway

May 22 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight / giveaway

May 23 - Words and Peace - book spotlight / giveaway
May 24 - Brooke Blogs - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 25 - Hall Ways Blog - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 28 - #redhead.with.book - book spotlight / giveaway
May 29 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book spotlight / giveaway
May 30 - Books Direct - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 31 - Writers and Authors - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 1 - Bound 2 Escape - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 4 - This and That Book Blog - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 5 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book spotlight / giveaway
June 6 - 100 Pages A Day - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 7 - Books are love - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 8 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - book spotlight / giveaway
June 11 - Nighttime Reading Center - book spotlight / giveaway
June 12 - The Autistic Gamer - book spotlight / giveaway
June 13 - The Book Girl - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 13 - JBronder Book Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 14 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - book spotlight / author interview
June 15 - Bookworm for Kids - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 15 - KC Beanie Boos Collection - book spotlight / giveaway


9.05.2016

Proof ~ Review

Proof
Bloodline Trilogy #1
By Jordyn Redwood

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a dedicated ER physician when her life is thrown into chaos when she is attacked. She is the the fifth known victim of a suspected serial rapist, a man with distinctive physical characteristics. The attack has left Lilly in a state of unbalance - her life is slowly unraveling and she is left in a state of anger and fear. Her dedication to her job and empathy for her patients was stolen the night she was attacked.

Detective Nathan Long is determined to get this monster off the the streets. With the evidence he leaves and the description given by his victims he should be easy to find. But no clue as to his identity has been found. When Nathan reaches out to Lilly he is drawn to her in a way that he hasn't been to the other victims.

When an incident occurs in the ER, Lilly believes she's found her attacker. But when the evidence points to someone else, Lilly knows that it is up to her to find the proof needed to get this criminal off the streets and to protect the innocent lives he is now targeting. With no one seeming to believe her Lilly is on her own.

But someone believes her and is working to discover the truth before Lilly's life is cut short by the man who has made her his number one enemy. And very few people have survived once he has them in his sights.

This is not a lighthearted read due to the very nature of the story, but it is well written and intense. There is a subtle undercurrent of a spiritual message throughout that offers Lilly something she has never before experienced - hope that God does love and care for her. This is the first book in the Bloodline Trilogy and worth the read if you can handle the subject matter and the utter depravity of the perpetrator.  The DNA and medical information is completely fascinating and may open a world you've never before contemplated.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review

About the Book:

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it’s the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty if science says he is not?

About the Author:

Jordyn Redwood is a nurse by day, novelist by night. She has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. As a self professed medical nerd, she reads medical textbooks for fun. This led to the creation of Redwood's Medical Edge-- a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn loves to weave medical mystery into her story lines and see how her characters navigate through the chaos she creates.

3.13.2016

Whose are You? ~ Review

Whose Are You?
By James Bars and Blake Bars

All too often we try to label ourselves.  We create labels based on ethnic backgrounds, occupations, personal beliefs, etc.  But these aren't who we are or even what we are.  Often we get so caught up in this self identification that we lose sight of who we truly are and to whom we belong.

Whose Are You? takes us on a journey through time, examining the discontent that lead to the first turning from God.  Since the darkness came into the world we are often left in moments of insecurity, wondering who we are and where we belong.  But we can have this assurance, we have been given a way to discover this truth.  And Whose Are You? will help one find this truth that has been recorded and given to us in the Bible.

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:
Join us as we travel back through the travail of millenniums to a galaxy far, far away. Witness the birth of darkness. Be there as our Liberator begins His counter-intuitive and radically irreligious war for universal dominion and each living souls’ allegiance. 

Discover the Spirit, the Way and the true story behind the veil of History. 

The vital messages contained within this riveting work will help enable you to walk through the valley of decision and perpetually surrender to the True Force of life. 

You will know Whose You Are and be shown the Way to eternal victory as your mind and heart are awakened to the well-hidden truth of what is really happening in and around you even as you read this sentence. 

There exists a deadly conspiracy, the magnitude of which is beyond unenlightened human comprehension, yet to the chosen – it has been revealed. 

“Many are called but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 NKJV 
Answers are available to these crucial questions: 
Have I been chosen? Why am I here? Who am I? Whose am I? 

Come with us and perhaps a clearer dawn will shine 
upon your own journey homeward.

2.13.2016

The Secrets of the Castle ~ Review

The Secrets of the Castle 
Thunder and Lightening Book 1
By Aaron M. Zook, Jr.

This is a book should appeal to middle grade boys.  The Zanadu brothers are at present calling Germany home.  When their family trip takes an unexpected and dangerous turn Gabe and Alex embark on an adventure that they weren't expecting.

For some reason their trip to Neuschwanstein has brought them to the attention of some rather unsavory characters.  Gabe and Alex along with their dogs Thunder and Lightening are in danger but solving this mystery could cost them their lives.  But there is a mystery surrounding this castle and it's just asking to be solved,

Gabe and Alex suffer from a healthy dose of sibling rivalry and competitiveness. And this tendency leads them into trouble at times.  But they soon discover that if they hope to survive the latest trouble they find themselves they will have to work together.

Like many kids Gabe and Alex occasionally ignore or forget what their parents tell them, which leads them to unwanted consequences.   But through it all the boys learn some valuable lessons as they attempt to unravel the mystery they find themselves in.

The boys dogs Thunder and Lightening are both a year old and expertly trained to follow commands, which is rather amazing.  But the dogs were never taught to avoid food given them by strangers (a woeful gap in their training as the reader will discover).

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Intrigue and danger surround two young boys and their dogs as they seek to unravel a castle mystery.

A near disastrous car wreck in Germany launches twelve-year-old Gabriel Zanadu, Alexander, his fourteen year-old brother, and their two dogs, Thunder and Lightning, into a sinister adventure near the famous German castle, Neuschwanstein. Unexplained eavesdropping, death threats, and heart-pumping danger drag Gabe, Alex, and the dogs into the clutches of a little-known foreign terrorist network. After they are kidnapped by the terrorists, and even though they are scraped, bruised, and battered, Gabe and Alex use what they’ve learned from their military dad and home-schooling mom to clash with the criminals.

Fear, pain, and failure drive the boys to tears as they struggle to free themselves from their kidnappers’ grasp. The usual brotherly fights must take a backseat as the boys and dogs scramble to break free and to escape from their enemies in the dark, cramped spaces of an underground battlefield. Hiding, out-of-breath chases, and deadly force all come into play. How do Gabe, Alex, Thunder, and Lightning survive and escape?

1.23.2015

Draw-a-suarus ~ Review

Draw-a-suarus
By James Silvani

Kids love dinosaurs and what better way to spend those hours of free time than learning how to draw them.  This book will teach skills that can be used for drawing more than dinosaurs.

Do you have a favorite dino?  Fans of the Land Before Time series can have fun picking out their favorite and learning to bring them to life with their own paper and pencil.

T-rex? Triceratops? Stegosaurus? Parasaurolophus? Pteranodon?  Learn to draw these dinosaurs and many more.  With more than 150 pages of dinosaur drawings and facts you will soon be an expert when it comes to dinos.  First attempts may be a bit rough and even humorous but in no time at all (well, there will be time expended) you will see an improvement in both your technique and abilities.

Kids (and adults) will learn to visualize shapes as they rough in their drawing, learning to define and detail it as they progress.  Textures are part of the fine-tuning process that are taught in the later part of the book.

Need a something for the kids or grand-kids to prevent boredom?  Want an activity that doesn't involve hours on the computer?  Want to spark their creativity and imagination?  Draw-a-saurus may be just what you're looking for.

Another plus with this book is if you have a reluctant reader who loves to draw or loves dinosaurs this book may give them an added push towards the scary land of the written word.  And when you can learn to master a dinosaur with a pencil words are not so scary.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
About the Book:
This in-depth yet accessible dinosaur drawing guide combines humor, creativity, and the latest dino research to show artists young and old how to breathe life into drawings of their prehistoric favorites. Prehistoric Pencil Power!
Even though they lived some 65 million years ago, dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles continue to rule today. From movies to comics and cartoons, these ancient, giant beasts are everywhere you turn. Of course, who wants to just read about or watch these dinos when you can learn how to use pencils, pens, markers, and more to draw your very own? 
Cartoonist James Silvani combines easy-to-follow art exercises with the latest, greatest dino-facts to help you create fun and cool dinosaur doodles all by yourself. With lessons on old favorites like T-rex and stegosaurus, as well as lesser-known (but still awesome) creatures like the massive argentinosaurus,Draw-a-Saurus has everything the dinosaur fan could ever ask for (outside of their very own pet dino!). 

Want to learn more? Check out the following:
More Info (there is a neat video you have to see)
Author Bio

7.17.2014

Death Takes a Ride ~ Review

Death Takes a Ride
The Cate Kincaid Files #3
By Lorena McCourtney

Cate is back with yet another murder case that she has yet again literally fallen into.  Well, she didn't fall into it - more like she was offering a ride to a friend of her Aunt Rebecca and was there for the actual event.  In Cate's case the falling comes later.

But this is a time of change as Cate awaits her license making her an official private investigator and she'll be able to get rid of her assistant add-on.  And then there is Uncle Joe who is talking retirement (Yikes!  Is Cate ready to be on her own???)  And her maybe-boyfriend Mitch might not be around much longer to be her Knight-on-a shiny-motorcycle when she needs rescuing.

At least Octavia is her one constant.  Always knowing when the phone is going to ring and managing to find clues and facts that Cate never would have.  This is one kitty with a personality to be reckoned with.

There are funny moments throughout Death Takes a Ride but I think this also the least funny of the series.  It is a bit more serious as Cate works through the upcoming and possible changes in her life.  There are plenty of suspects and not much to go on.  And if Cate's not careful she may be taking a ride with death herself, especially if she can't discover who is in danger and who is the threat.

Spoiler: Cate (like Frodo) lives so we can hopefully expect a fourth book in this delightful series in the not to distant future. I hope!!!

Sit back and get ready to enjoy another Cate Kincaid murder mystery.  This would be a great book club discussion book as you work alongside Cate to solve the case.  Good clean fun with a murder mystery thrown in.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

It's official. This case is above her pay grade--and Cate's in over her head.

Cate Kinkaid arrives at H&B Vintage Auto Restorations to give a friend a ride. But, as usual, trouble finds Cate even there--this time in the form of one dead man, one wounded man, and what appears to be a pretty obvious case of self-defense.

Despite having been merely an unfortunate bystander, Cate finds herself sucked into the case. And the deeper she gets, the more she begins to suspect that the shooting in the H&B office may not have been as cut-and-dried as it appeared.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney takes you on wild ride in this clever cozy mystery that will keep you guessing. 

2.18.2013

The Orphan King/Fortress of Mist ~ CSFF February Blog Tour Day 1

The Orphan King

Merlin's Immortals Book 1
By Sigmund Brouwer

Thomas has been raised in secrecy, hidden from the world outside the walls of Harland Moor Abbey. His true identity has been hidden to protect him from those who had killed his family when their kingdom was taken.

But the time has come for Thomas to fulfill his destiny and to take Magnus - the place where darkness lives and fear abounds! Thomas is joined on his quest by William a mysterious knight, Tiny John a condemned child thief, and Isabelle young woman who pretends to be who she isn't. Unknown to Thomas two opposing forces are determined to use him and to sway him to their cause.

Much that Thomas should know about his past was lost when the woman who acted as his nurse died before she could impart most of her knowledge. One piece of information that Sarah gave him was that she had hoped to see "him grow into a man and to become one of the Immortals and to help them destroy the circle of evil." But who or what these Immortals were died with Sarah. 

Along the way Thomas learns important lessons in trust and in whom to place it which proved invaluable once he and his army of three were trapped within the walls of Magnus. All too soon Thomas and William find themselves locked away in the dungeon with another prisoner who has been locked away for ten years. 

How is Thomas to fulfill his destiny when he is beneath the very island castle he is determined to free? Can he bring hope to the helpless and the downtrodden who are trapped within the castle as much as he is? Does the phrase "Delivered on the wings of an angel, he shall free us from oppression" hold the answers he seeks?

The Orphan King is a page turner that holds your attention. Set in Northern England in AD 1312, the truth of Christianity struggles against the darkness of the pagan religions that have a hold upon the land. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The opinions I expressed are my own.

To read an excerpt of The Orphan King click here

To learn more about Sigmund Brouwer's work visit his website.
To purchase The Orphan King or  Fortress of Mist click on the title.

Visit all the tour stops during this 3 day CSFF tour which runs from January 18th - 20th.
Gillian Adams  Julie Bihn  Thomas Fletcher Booher  Beckie Burnham
Janey DeMeo   Theresa Dunlap  Victor Gentile  Nikole Hahn
Jeremy Harder  Ryan Heart  Janeen Ippolito  Becky Jesse

Jason Joyner   Carol Keen  Emileigh Latham  Rebekah Loper  
Shannon McDermott   Meagan @ Blooming with Books  Megan @ Hardcover Feedback 
Rebecca LuElla Miller   Anna Mittower   Eve Nielsen   Nathan Reimer 
James Somers  Steve Trower  Phyllis Wheeler  

12.30.2012

Dead Running/Dying to Run Reviews with Giveaway

Dead Running and Dying to Run
by Cami Checketts

Dead Running
When Cassidy Christensen wins the entrance into the St. George Marathon, she is about start running for her life.  Two years before her parents were brutally murdered by mercenaries and for some reason the killers think her father is still alive and that Cassidy is the key to finding him.  

As Cassidy tries to make sense of the turmoil in her life, she discovers that she is being followed!   What Muscle Man and Greasy Beanpole want with her and her family has her concerned, but they threatened to do more if she tells anyone.

The one positive aspect of her intense, but brutal marathon training is that it has brought her into contact with two very different men who intrigue her.  But who can she trust?  Jesse, whom she nicknamed Dr. Tattoo?  Or Damon, whom every woman seems to think is perfection?

As the date of St. George's draws nearer, the danger increases.  But when the killers target Cassidy's pregnant sister-in-law two lives hang in the balance.  Who will the mercenaries go after next to get to Cassidy and her dead father?  Will Cassidy even make it to the starting line much less the finish line?

Dead Running is filled with mishaps as Cassidy a non-runner prepares for a marathon she never planned on entering.  Some of Cassidy's mishaps may scare non-runners from any long distance events!

I was provided a copy of this book by the author for the purpose of this review.

Dying to Run

Two weeks have passed since the St. George Marathon debacle, when the peaceful night is shattered by a gunshot.  Someone is trying to break into her house.  Can Cassidy warn Nana before it is too late?

As the two women try to keep Damon out, Cassidy calls the police.  But Damon escapes before the police make it into the house.  Meanwhile the man sent to protect Cassidy is lying on her floor with a gunshot wound to his chest.

But Damon is not to be thwarted and Cassidy is still in danger.  When Damon manages to elude the police and kidnap Cassidy who will save her from certain death?

Damon is taking her to Ramirez in yet another attempt to capture her father.  When Cassidy learns that the one person she thought she could trust is leading her father into this ambush her heart sinks.  How can she save her father when she is being held on a hidden ranch in a windowless basement with an armed guard just outside the door?

Of the two titles, I preferred Dead Running to Dying to Run, but part of this might be due to the shorter format as Dying to Run was only 66 pages long. But the 66 pages packs a lot of action into these few pages.   I also agree with Nana that Cassidy is a brat!

I was provided a digital copy of this title for the purpose of this review.

Blog Tour Giveaway!

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash from Author Cami Checketts
3 Sets of iFrogz Earbuds & Armbands


Ends 1/31/13
Open only to those 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

12.19.2012

December CSFF Blog Tour ~ Starflower Day 3

Starflower
Tales of Goldstone Wood
by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Starflower is the fourth book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series, though this book can easily be read first as it takes place before the three previous titles.

While the Faerie Kingdom of Rudiobus is in the midst of celebrating the birthday of its Queen Bebo, a mortal girl crosses over into the Wood.  Eanrin having left Ruaine Hall to sulk in solitude and to ponder Lady Gleamdren's refusal to dance is startled by a sound that rips through the silence of the night.  The dreaded Black Dogs are hunting!

When the Black Dogs cry draws Eanrin across the boarders to investigate he is set on a path that will change his life forever.  Eanrin and the Kingdom of Rudiobus are tricked into giving sanctuary toHri Sota the Dragonwitch  and Lady Gleamdren is stolen away.

Eanrin and Captain Glomar determine that rescuing Gleamdren will determine who will win the heart of the queen's fair cousin.  But first they must enter Etalpalli through the Cozamaloti Gate.  The path Eanrin takes brings him into contact with the Golden Hound - Lumil Eliasul!  In his attempt to elude the Golden Hound, Eanrin comes across the young mortal girl who has become trapped in a enchanted sleep.

Convinced that he has found a mortal princess, Eanrin helps the young woman by breaking the enchanted sleep spell.  The young woman is unable to speak because of an ancient curse placed upon her people so communication between them is problematic.   As Starflower tries to communicate her name to Eanrin, he misunderstands and thinks that she carries the Faerie name for starflowers and is the Princess Imraldera.

Starflower joins Eanrin as he continues his quest for Lady Gleamdren.  When Starflower comes face-to-face with Hri Sota she tells her story to the Dragonwitch.  The former queen makes a bargain that will return Starflower to the land of her people and her sister, for a price.

But an even greater danger awaits Starflower's return.  But what is the greater danger - the Black Dogs escorting her, the Golden Hound that seems to be both before and behind her, or the Beast that rules and enslaves her people?

Starflower and Eanrin must both learn to let go of their fears and to see the truth or they will fall to the power of Death.  Is Lumil Eliasul the path to death or the path to life?  Which voice is speaking the truth and can they determine it before it is too late to save the ones dear to their hearts?

Starflower allows one to fully grasp and to understand why in Moonblood Imraldera was hesitant to go to Rudiobus.  When reading about Eanrin's grooming habits, I could so see Monster when he was with Una and Felix in Heartless and with Leo in Moonblood.  The Golden Hound/Lumil Eliasul is quite obviously Prince Aethelbard.

The over-riding theme throughout this series seems to be sacrificial love versus self-centered love.

Will you enter into the worlds that surround the Goldstone Woods?  You may see life in a whole new light!


In conjunction with this CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. 



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