Race to Win ~ Review with DVD giveaway

Race to Win
Starring Danielle Campbell, Luke Perry,
Aiden Flowers, Candice Michele Barley,
Amy Brassette, Thomas Francis Murphy,
and Lance E. Nichols

Awarded the Dove® Foundation Seal of Approval and approved for all ages.

Race to Win is a film that is about family and pulling together in the face of tragedy. The sudden and unexpected death of Gentry Rhodes has left his family in turmoil as they struggle to not only come to terms with his loss from their lives but also the unexpected debt they now find themselves facing.

His daughter Hannah feels that she is the one who must hold the family together and come up with a plan to earn the money they need to save their home and her father's dream. But as is often the case the man holding the debt over them is not willing to give them time to come up with the money (he'd probably make an unreformed Ebeneezer Scrooge proud).

Though dad, played by Luke Perry, dies early on in the movie he makes "visits" to his family offering them encouragement and even sharing a secret with one family member that will keep the viewer wondering what he revealed.

This movie is appropriate for all ages to view without parents cringing at unexpected scenes that their children might see. There are a couple scenes that take place in a bar / pool room. Those who know horses might roll their eyes at a few scenes but if you only have a passing familiarity with them you won't notice.  Overall it is a good film and one you'll be able to enjoy with your children.

I was provided a review copy of this movie by Grace Hill Media with no expectations of a positive review ~ all expressed opinions are my own.

Heart-warming family movie celebrates love 

and the resiliency of the human spirit

RACE TO WIN

Stars Luke Perry & Danielle Campbell

Courage is all you need to win

I have the pleasure to offer 1 copy of this DVD to a US resident. 

Please enter below for a chance to win a copy of this February 14th release!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Justice Delayed ~ Review

Justice Delayed
A Memphis Cold Case Novel #1
By Patricia Bradley

Andi Hollister's sister is about to get justice - the man that she loved, the man that killed her 18 years ago is going to be executed in just a few days. But Andi's world is about to be upturned when a letter hints at someone else being the guilty party. But could someone else truly have committed this crime and if so can they prove it before it is too late?

Detective Will Kincaide is determined to discover the truth even if it costs him personally because his cousin is the accused and his best friends are the victim's siblings.

But someone has been guarding this secret for 18 years and they are determined to keep it that way - even if an innocent man pays the price. Unfortunately for Andi it appears that she has come to the killer's attention, or it could be her unique talent for finding trouble.  And Will is determined to keep her safe even if it turns out to be the most difficult aspect of this not-quite cold case.

Time is short and when their best lead disappears their improbable case just became nearly impossible...

This is suspense at its best - suspects are plenty but the clues are vague and after 18 years some of the clues have dead-ended. As one reads one suspects one character and then another one does something that makes one second guess the conclusions one has made. The emotional ups and downs that the characters experience as the book progresses are believable and make the characters more empathetic.

This is the first book in the Memphis Cold Case series and I'm interested to see where the author goes from here and who the series will focus on as the main character.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectation of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

In one week, the wrong man will be executed for murder.

Let the chase for the real killer begin.

Eighteen years ago, TV crime reporter Andi Hollister's sister was murdered. The convicted killer sits behind bars, his execution date looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned didn't do the crime, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the man who confessed to the crime is Will's cousin. Andi and Will must find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But what can happen in only a week? Uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and, perhaps, falling in love?

With the perfect mixture of intrigue and nail-biting suspense, award-winning author Patricia Bradley invites you to crack the case--if you can--alongside the best Memphis has to offer.

Oswiu ~ Review

Oswiu: King of Kings
The Northumbrian Thrones #3
By Edoardo Albert

Following the murder of his brother Oswald, Oswiu has taken the throne. But the death of the high king has torn the alliances that had once held the kingdoms together. Add to that treachery and betrayal within his own kingdom and Oswiu has a lot of work to do if he hopes to rebuild his brother's kingdom.

As Oswiu and Penda each manipulate and position themselves to make alliances to strengthen their claims but at the same time the old and new are vying for the hearts of the people. Will the old gods lose to the new God and his message of salvation spreading through the land?

This is a period of violence and upheaval that was truly a dark age but this was the foundational shapings of a nation that still stands. One can honestly say that perhaps the choosing of those whom one calls friend and adviser is the most important decision one can make when leading. Throughout this series a poor choice can lead to regret and even loss of life.

I really enjoyed this chance to explore this time and place in history.  The author Edoardo Albert brings to life the characters - some of whom the reader can empathy with, while others make one cringe as they enter the scene.  There is a synopsis of the two previous books at the beginning of the book to refresh the reader's memory as well as a listing of the important personages from the book (and series). The author includes historical notes at the end of the book allowing the reader and insight to the few literary liberties that occurred as well as a glimpse into what happened after this story ended. This series must be read in order to fully appreciate and understand the subtle and not so subtle undercurrents of a land and people on the cusp of change.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review - all expressed opinions are my own.


About the Book:

In the third entry chronicling the rise of Christian kings in Britain, Oswald dies and the great pagan king Penda becomes overlord in his place. To stand against the increasingly powerful Penda, Oswiu, king of Bernicia, tries to unite the smaller neighboring kingdoms by marrying a daughter of Deira. But the struggle for power leads Oswiu to order the assassination of the king of Deira. He wins the throne but loses the approval of the people. In atonement, he establishes a monastery at the site of the slaying. 

What will happen when Oswiu and High King Penda at last meet in battle? Though the kingdom may become politically one, both the Celtic and Roman strands of Christian faith vie for supremacy, mirroring the king's own struggle for power. 

The Returning ~ Review with Author Q and A

The Returning
A Seer Novel #3
By Rachelle Dekker

She will risk everything to lead them out of darkness...

For 20 years Elise has had no idea who she is. She's been lied to. She's been told that her parents rejected her because she was different - because she was unable to be altered by the Genesis Serum.

But change is coming and the daughter that was stolen from Carrington and Remko Brant is about to discover the truth of who she is. And Elise's discovery is about to be the catalyst that will awaken the people of Authority City if she survives long enough to awaken to the truth of who she really is.

When the Light within Elise is awakened she has a gift to call to the light that has been forgotten by those who have fallen to the influence of either the Genesis Serum or the darkness that has entered the souls of those who rule. In this battle she is not alone, a group of seven has left the Seer city behind - chosen for this time - called to help restore the memory of what was.

The skip in time though not unexpected did leave a sizable gap in the story from the reader's perspective. What was Elise's childhood like? How did Jesse get from betrayer and "friend" of those outside Authority City to Authority President and what was his friendship with a younger Elise like? What was life for those living in Trylin City like? These are questions that unfortunately are only hinted at through passing thoughts or short conversations.  This time jump does not detract from the story or the series and even makes sense in that the main characters in this story Elise and Jesse needed to be older to fully grasp and appreciate the world that is on the verge of change and even fulfill their roles in the change.

This world is set more than 200 years in the future and the government system that was set into place to protect the citizens has shockingly become corrupted in its vision. Having read the previous two books it is interesting to watch how each book saw a different leader heading Authority City and each was under the influence of a darkness that seemed to grow as the books progress. It is also interesting to watch Carrington and Remko grow as people throughout the series. It is highly recommended that one read the books in order to fully appreciate and understand this world.

I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers with no expectation of a positive review - all expressed opinions are my own.

About the Book:

They say the Awakening is coming.

That she’s the key.

But can she find her identity in the light

before she perishes in the dark?

Twenty years have passed since Carrington and Remko Brant’s baby, Elise, was kidnapped and they were forced to leave her captive in the Authority City. Though they fled with the Seers far from Authority reach, they’ve never given up hope of rescuing their daughter from the man who betrayed them. Now Authority President, he’s ushered the city into a new era of “peace”—one where the Scientist Roth Reynard’s Genesis Serum has eradicated all memory of emotion or rebellion.

But the mysterious Aaron and his Seers are once again on the move, threatening the illusion the Authority has worked so hard to build. As the Seers send seven chosen warriors to rescue Elise and bring restoration to the Authority City, the lines are drawn for a final battle between light and darkness. The key to ultimate victory may rest within the strangely powerful girl who has felt forgotten but was never abandoned—a truth she’ll need to wage war against the powerful forces of evil.

About the Author:
The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. The Choosing was her critically acclaimed debut novel. Rachelle graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair. 


Visit her online at www.rachelledekker.com. 


Author Q and A:

The theme of identity is explored in all three Seer books. How does forgiveness relate to identity? 

For me, forgiveness is more about the one who feels wronged than the one who committed the wrong. What if, for a moment, you believed that nothing could harm you? That you, as a believer, are seated at the Father’s table and standing with him? Can anything harm the Father? If you believe no, then can anything harm you—the true you, the true spirited self? So then, forgiveness becomes more about letting go of false belief and stepping into the true identity that the Father gave to you. I know it’s radical, but belief like that could change the world, don’t you think?

The Returning focuses on Carrington and Remko’s daughter Elise. Tell us more about Elise’s character and her growth throughout the book. 

Elise starts the book in a pretty dark place. She grew up without parents, believing she was abandoned, only to discover there’s an entire world that has been kept from her. Her journey can be divided into two parts, in my opinion: first, learning who she really is; and second, learning how to live that out. It’s the same journey we all take, and I believe that makes her pretty relatable.

You talk about the power of belief in the book. What is the purpose of faith, and what makes faith so powerful in people’s lives? 

Belief and faith are everything. We form our own realities. We make judgments based on the past and what we think the future will bring; then we shape our idea of what we are capable of around those beliefs. Imagine if we truly believed we were infinite sons and daughters of the creator. How different would the world look then? When we believe and have faith in who the Father calls us, then the world looks pretty different.

NIV Holy Bible for Girls Journal Edition ~ Review

NIV Holy Bible
   for Girls ~ Journal Edition

This Bible is the NIV - New International Version. This Bible has lines down the outside edge of each page - perfect for note taking as one reads through the passages. The paper is a heavier weight so one doesn't need to be overly concerned with bleed-through.

This Bible has a colorful and decorative cover that draws the eye to it so that it would be difficult to misplace this Bible. The elastic closure that keeps the Bible closed is attached to the back cover and goes around the front cover. One can also use the elastic as a place holder.

This Bible does not have an index, glossary, or concordance. This is just a Bible perfect for studying and jotting down insights that one discovers while reading. Though this is "for girls" it is appropriate for any age reader who wants a Bible to read.

I was provided a copy to review by the publisher Zondervan through Handlebar with no expectation of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:

The NIV Holy Bible for Girls, Journal Edition is the perfect way to apply Scripture to your everyday life. Designed with the thoughtful writer in mind, a whimsical cover and journaling lines inspire reflection in God’s Word. This Bible contains the full text of the bestselling New International Version (NIV) translation. 

Features include:

• Lines on each page for journaling and notes
• Thick paper perfect for any writing utensil
• A presentation page for gift giving
• A “How to Use This Bible” page to get started on the right foot
• Ribbon marker
• The complete text of the bestselling New International Version (NIV)

Heartstone ~ Review and Spotlight

Heartstone
By Elle Katharine White

Have you ever wished for a little more action in Pride and Prejudice? Well, Heartstone adds a fun fantasy twist that brings dragons, trolls, hobgoblins, gryphons and other fantastical beings into the mix.  But all isn't fun and country dances - danger roams the countryside and those ready to wield a sword are called in to protect the local populations.

When Merybourne Manor finds itself at the mercy of a hoard of gryphon a band of riders is hired to rid them of this danger.  A danger that has already cost Aliza Bentaine the life of her young sister. But this band of riders calls Alastair Daired one of its own - that a dragonrider, one of the Daired of the legendary House Pendragon should be coming to their aid is most unusual.

But an even greater danger is threatening - a danger that few can see or sense and fortunately or not Aliza is one who has seen something. And the threat is one of legends. But how can one prepare for a threat when one has only myth and legend and the threats of a Silent King?

Unlike the Bennett sisters the Bentaine sisters aren't falling for every man who graces the pages. Yes there are suitable matches that leave all involved quite happy and more than content with the situations in which they find themselves. The characters are easily identifiable with their Pride and Prejudice counterparts yet different - suiting this new world that they call home. As this is a land that is under threat from various powerful creatures there are some deaths to key characters that may surprise some readers but it adds depth to the story.

This book is a standalone but if the author could find a way to expand this world to include additional works by Austen or even create a prequel that focused on the history that was hinted at throughout I would find myself first on the pre-order line. This world and the characters caught and held my attention and I had no trouble getting into the story from the first word.

I was provided a digital review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.

** I have since purchased a paperback copy of this book so that 

I could re-read this book again at my leisure. **

Title: Heartstone
Author: Elle Katharine White
Release Date: January 17, 2017
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Genre: Historical Fantasy

A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice in an
imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them
against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias,
banshees, and lindworms.

They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to
slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.

Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one
sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to
hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.

Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider,
Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of
wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she
anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep
as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . .
something far more sinister than gryphons.

It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one
spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.
Elle Katharine White infuses elements of Austen’s beloved novel with her own brand of
magic, crafting a modern epic fantasy that conjures a familiar yet wondrously unique
new world.

About the Author:
Elle was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where she learned valuable life skills like how
to clear a snowy driveway in under twenty minutes (a lot easier than you think) and how
to cheer for the perennial underdog (a lot harder than you think).

When she’s not writing she spends her time reading, drinking absurd amounts of tea,
having strong feelings about fictional characters, and doing her best to live with no
regrets.

Connect with her on Facebook at @ellewhite.author, or witness the hilarious spectacle
that is a writer contending with the 140-character limit on Twitter at @elle_k_writes.

Connect online also at: website  GoodReads  or Tumbler

Purchase the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo

Be sure to check-out the entire Tour Schedule

Monday, January 23
Book featured at Rolopolobookblog
Book featured at Queen of All She Reads

Tuesday, January 24
Book featured at E-Romance News

Wednesday, January 25
Book featured at CBY Book Club

Thursday, January 26
Book reviewed at RhiReading

Friday, January 27
Book featured at The Bookworm Lodge
Book reviewed at Blooming with Books
Book reviewed at Books Are Love
Book featured at I Smell Sheep

________

Monday, January 30
Book reviewed at I'm Shelf-ish

Tuesday, January 31
Book featured at A Book Lover

Wednesday, February 1
Book featured at The Dark Phantom

Thursday, February 2
Book featured at Write and Take Flight

Friday, February 3
Book featured at A Title Wave

________

Aspen Everlasting ~ Review

Aspen Everlasting
By Kathryn Cooper

Aspen Foster is your average teenage girl - at least she was until her car was caught in a flash flood and lives were at stake. Suddenly Aspen and her younger sister Willow feel something different - their adrenaline rush has not subsided. And when their older brother Ash walks in on them trying out their new super-strength they know something unusual is going on.

When the three can't contact their parents they go is search of them and answers. What they discover will change their world and life forever.  They are not human and are in fact hiding from enemies of their family.  But still secrets are being kept and Aspen is determined to discover the truth - even if it means meeting with the enemy.

But how do you deal with your new reality while still trying to live your old life? Aspen, Ash, and Willow are about to find out. But when those loyal to Queen Olivee manage to track them down Aspen discovers that she is a target -  the only question is why.

But more is at stake than anyone could ever imagine and Aspen finds that the only forward is to confront the truth and deal with the lies that are tearing a hidden world apart. But can she find away to thwart the manipulations of an evil queen before she loses everyone she loves?

This is a fun read and from the opening lines one would never suspect one is about to enter a realm that is fantasy. The story is set both within a fairy world and the world as we know it. Making it through High School and Homecoming just took an unexpected turn! This story will appeal to readers of YA and who love a touch of fantasy and adventure in their stories. This is one book I would love if a sequel would be forthcoming as I'd love to know what comes next in the lives as these people.

I was provided a digital review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Aspen Foster thinks she’s just a normal sixteen-year-old, but when her car’s caught in a flash flood, Aspen and her sister discover the superhuman strength they never knew they had.

Soon Aspen learns she’s not normal at all. She’s an Evermortal fairy, with powers beyond her wildest dreams. But the more Aspen finds out about her family’s past, the more dangerous her future becomes.

This riveting fantasy is full of action, adventure, and romance. Suspenseful and exhilarating!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Water splashed on all sides then took control of the tires. The car swerved right toward the river. 

“No. NO. NO!” I turned the wheel toward the road. It didn’t work. Fast running water pulled the car into the flooded river.

About the author:
Kathryn Cooper lives in the heart of Texas with her husband and four young boys. She has read and blogged about other authors’ books for years. She is excited to finally have her own book out for readers. Aspen Everlasting is her first novel.