The Boy Who Dreamt of Fire Trucks ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Boy Who Dreamt of Fire Trucks by Alvita Mack
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  26 pages
Genre: Children's Books, Cars, Trains and Things That Go, Cars and Trucks
Publisher:  Mindstir Media
Release date:  September 26, 2016
Tour dates: May 28 to June 22, 2018
Content Rating: G

​Book Description:

This story is about a little boy who is fascinated by fire trucks. Throughout his early life, he has dreams about the adventures at the station and the exciting life of a firefighter. The little boy holds his dreams close until one day they become a reality.
​

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Watch the book trailer:

Meet the Author:

Alvita is a lover of writing, a teacher, and most importantly, a mom. Writing has always provided a creative outlet for which she finds sensible solutions. Having a son with developmental delays was very challenging for her. However, she used books and original stories to help him overcome the obstacles he faced at an early age. Alvita believes that the imagination is truly a key that unlocks the doors to an endless journey.

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

BOOK SPOTLIGHT BOOK TOUR:

May 28 - Working Mommy Journal - book spotlight / giveaway

May 29 - Words And Peace - book spotlight / giveaway

May 30 - Rockin' Book Reviews -  book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

May 31 - Blooming with Books - book spotlight / giveaway

June 1 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight / giveaway

June 4 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

June 5 - #redhead.with.book - book spotlight / giveaway

June 6 - Books Direct - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 7 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - book spotlight / guest post

June 8 - Laura's Interests - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 11 - Bookworm for Kids - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

June 11 - Cover2CoverBlog - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 12 - This and That Book Blog - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 13 - Cheryl's Book Nook  - book spotlight / giveaway

June 13 - Writers and Authors - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 14 - 100 Pages A Day - book spotlight / giveaway

June 14 - StoreyBook Reviews - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

June 15 - Vithyas blog - book spotlight / author interview

June 15 - The Autistic Gamer - book spotlight / giveaway

June 18 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - book spotlight

June 19 - KC Beanie Boos Collection - book spotlight / giveaway

June 20 - Paulette's Papers - book spotlight / giveaway

June 21 - Ginger Mom and the Kindle Quest - book spotlight / guest post

June 22 - Bound 2 Escape - book spotlight / giveaway

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Child of the River ~ Review

Child of the River
By Irma Joubert

I finished reading Irma Joubert's The Crooked Path and decided I had to read the Child of the River to which is referenced as sharing the story of Persomi and Boelie. Well, what could I do but pick up this book and learn more about these characters? And I was not disappointed - reading the book in an afternoon.

This book is one that has several parts that focus on different stages of Persomi Pieterse's life. Her childhood which was a struggle to rise above the social station she found herself in while dealing with a less than ideal family life (talk major dysfunctional issues). Through hard work, Persomi managed to work her way through high learning while forming friendships that would be with her for life. Then her adult years are shared and her fight for what she feels is right while trying to determine whom she really is.

This short synopsis sounds boring right - but this story is anything but boring. Growing up in South Africa is anything but boring. And during this time the world finds itself in yet another world conflict. A conflict which South Africa should not be caught up in due the geographic location but Persomi's older brother Gerbrand has joined the military to fight with the Allies in the hopes of improving his situation in life. Her friend Boelie is determined to keep South Africa for those who are Afrikaner descent. But Persomi is of the opinion that war and discrimination are wrong. These feelings along with her childhood help her determine her chosen profession - a lawyer.

But standing up for right in the face of laws that try to keep people down based on their skin color or the country of their ancestry is a fight that seems impossible. But impossible has never stopped Persomi and she is determined to prove that everyone has an intrinsic worth.

In this volatile environment with its strict and unbending beliefs can she hope to find the love she seeks? Or will the secrets and scars of the past keep her separated from those whom she calls friend?

This book covers approximately 30 years from the late 1930s to the late 1960s. Unlike Irma Joubert's other two books The Girl From the Train and The Crooked Path, the story stays centered in South Africa. I found the story both moving and interesting. The historical aspects are interesting and the author's attention to detail is excellent. I highly recommend reading all three of these books you will not regret the time spent getting to know this land and the people who call it home.

About the Book:

A compelling coming of age story with an unlikely 

and utterly memorable heroine, Child of the River 

is a timeless tale of heartbreak and triumph set in 

South Africa at the dawn of apartheid.

Persomi is young, white, and poor, born the middle child of illiterate sharecroppers on the prosperous Fourie farm in the South African Bushveld. Persomi’s world is extraordinarily small. She has never been to the local village and spends her days absorbed in the rhythms of the natural world around her, escaping the brutality and squalor of her family home through the newspapers and books passed down to her from the main house and through her walks in the nearby mountains.

Persomi’s close relationship with her older brother Gerbrand and her fragile friendship with Boelie Fourie—heir to the Fourie farm and fortune—are her lifeline and her only connection to the outside world. When Gerbrand leaves the farm to fight on the side of the Anglos in WWII and Boelie joins an underground network of Boer nationalists, Persomi’s isolated world is blown wide open. But as her very small world falls apart, bigger dreams become open to her—dreams of an education, a profession, a native country that values justice and equality, and of love. As Persomi navigates the changing world around her—the tragedies of war and the devastating racial strife of her homeland—she finally discovers who she truly is, where she belongs, and why her life—and every life—matters.

The English language publication of Child of the River solidifies Irma Joubert as a unique and powerful voice in historical fiction.

International bestselling author IRMA JOUBERT was a history teacher for 35 years before she began writing fiction. Her stories are known for their deep insight into personal relationships and rich historical detail. She is the author of eight novels and a regular fixture on bestseller lists in The Netherlands and in her native South Africa. She is the winner of the 2010 ATKV Prize for Romance Novels.

A Spy's Devotion ~ Review

A Spy's Devotion
The Regency Spies of London #1
By Melanie Dickerson

Julia Grey lives in the Wilhern household upon the continued charity of her uncle who has been her guardian since she was six years old. Her constant companion is her cousin Phoebe and Julia's loyalty to her has never waned over the years. Though when it comes to Phoebe's extreme infatuation to Nicholas Langdon - Julia is at a loss on how to temper it - at least in public.

Injured on the battlefield, Nicholas Langdon has been recovering for the last several months. But with his recovery comes his duty to fulfill the last request of a fellow soldier - to deliver a diary. But what Nicholas does not know is that the diary holds coded information that has bearing on the war against Napoleon. And when the diary is forcibly taken from him he finds himself drawn into a world of intrigue.

Tasked with determining if Robert Wilhern (Julia's uncle) had anything to do with this treasonist action Nicholas finds himself spending time with the Wilherns. Phoebe is delighted sure that Nicholas has finally come to see her as a potential match. When Julia seemingly saves him from discovery by her uncle - Nicholas determines to seek Julia's assistance in his investigation of her uncle and his associate Hugh Edgerton.

But the more that Julia and Nicholas investigate the more danger they find themselves in. And Julia finds her very future is in question when her uncle determines that she will marry a man of his choosing - one who may be involved in the very treason that Julia is trying to thwart.

This is a delightful story for those looking to escape into a book. The story is intriguing and holds this reader's attention - I did not want to put this one down and kept thinking just one more chapter until 2 am came as did the end of the book.

Another delight to thrill fans of Melanie Dickerson's previous writing ~ though this time instead of fairy tales she is delving into regency fiction.


About the Book:

In England’s Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life—but behind closed doors treason and tawdriness thrive. Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility or bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy, well-connected British officer returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

At the home of the Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman. And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray. Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?

Fraying at the Edge ~ Review

Fraying at the Edge
Amish of Summer Grove #2
By Cindy Woodsmall

For twenty years Ariana knew she was a Brenneman. And she was as Amish as she could be with her certainty that whatever those in authority said was the truth. But in an unexpected twist, she discovered that what she knew to be true was not as black and white as she had always believed. Her parents weren't her birth parents and she had no siblings. And the beliefs she had always held in highest regard were being attacked to her face and she wasn't allowed to be who she had always been. And worse, another young woman, a Skylar Nash was supposed to be living the life she had had. But Ariana was willing to be separated from the people she knew and loved to protect them from the man she had discovered was her biological father.

Meanwhile, Skylar is having issues of her own - no technology of any kind, banishment to the 18th century, sharing a bedroom, and no access to pills (to help her cope). And to top it all off the Brenneman's aren't that happy to see her thanks to her not being their precious Ariana. And they expect her to work like the rest of the family. But the Brenneman's is better than her other option rehab. But Skylar's biggest issue is that her not parent parents were more than eager to throw her over for a chance at a better daughter.

For both Ariana and Skylar life has just become so confusing as they struggle to make sense of who they are with their switched at birth identities revealed. And Ariana's siblings are having to find their new place without Ariana around to carry the load and make things better. The one hardest hit with the change is Abram - Ariana/Skylar's twin. And then there is Ariana's just purchased cafe that the Brenneman's are left with operating after two weeks of Ariana's guidance. Can we just say potential disaster in the making?

As Ariana and Skylar both confront the changes that life has just thrown at them they both have choices to make. And these choices could either make or break them. And for Ariana, her only hope of holding onto what makes her who she is is if she can withstand the pressures that Nicholas is placing on her. And to do that she will need to reach out to the one person who knows what she is going through - Quill Schlabach. But can Ariana trust someone who left the faith and broke her heart five years ago? And can she hold firm to who she is while being made to take part in a world she never wanted to know? And can Skylar use this separation from the world to get her life straightened out and get clean?

This the second book in the Amish of Summer Grove series continues the theme of family and familial ties. But this time it focuses more on what makes an individual a part of a family is it blood ties, the ties of rearing, or is it a decision made of the heart? And the back and forth between Ariana and Nicholas on matters of faith and belief makes for some interesting exchanges and Quill's insights offer even greater insights.

This book is both intriguing and thoughtful. But if you haven't read book 1 Ties that Bind you have to read it first! Much of this book would lose something without the backstory provided in book 1, though there is a The story so far... synopsis to refresh the reader's memory if needed. This is an excellent book that examines life and how circumstances play a part in our lives but the biggest influence on anyone is the choices they make. I highly recommend this book and anticipate the concluding book in this series Gathering the Threads which is releasing on August 15, 2017.

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



About the Book:

Family, community, faith, and love.

These “quilt blocks” sewn together made Ariana’s beautiful life.

When they are pulled to pieces,

will anything familiar remain?

The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she’s immersed in the Englischer world, getting to know her mother and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana’s worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living Englisch, can steady the tilting ground between Ariana’s two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?

At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life—no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can’t leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and a deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn’t belong in either family.

New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they find the wisdom and strength they’ll need to follow God’s threads into unexpected futures?

Fraying at the Edge is the second novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

My Sister's Prayer ~ Review

My Sister's Prayer
Cousins of the Dove #2
By Mindy Starns Clark
       and Leslie Gould

The Talbot family saga continues with this My Sister's Prayer - the story is again a back and forth telling of the present day and 1704. Catherine and Pierre Talbot have prospered in the England since their escape from France. But when their daughter Celeste makes a hasty decision to leave all she knows behind for the promise of marriage in the colonies she sets in motion a chain of events that she never anticipated.

Celeste knows she has found the man she is to marry in Lieutenant Jonathan Gray. But when Jonathan is sent to a post in the American colonies Celeste agrees to follow him on the next ship. Indenturing herself Celeste holds Jonathan's promise close. But when she makes a most unexpected discovery - her younger sister Berta has somehow been forced on board - she fears whether or not Jonathan will be able to redeem them both.

In present day Virginia Maddee and Nicole Talbot are caught up in the past as they read through the letters of Celeste Talbot to her family that she left behind. As Celeste's story unfolds parallels are made to their own lives and relations as sisters. Nana has a special reason for wanting her granddaughters to read these letters now. But learning about their past isn't all that they are dealing with as Nicole with the help of Maddee and Nana recovers from an accident that nearly cost her her life.

As two sets of Talbot sisters deal with their unique situations and the choices that have brought them each to key moments in their lives they must learn to turn to God and the faith that has sustained them in the past. And the mystery that the modern Talbot cousins were involved with in the first book is continued in this one as the investigation continues. But can they truly discover the truth of what was hidden or will they continue to be haunted by their past?

This is the second book in the Cousins of the Dove trilogy and it is an interesting look into the past and how indentured servants came to the this New World. It would be interesting to know how many arrived on false promises.

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


About the Book:

Women of Fearless Devotion

Virginia, 1704

Celeste Talbot is usually such a sensible young woman—until she falls for an English soldier reassigned to the Colonies. Leaving her Huguenot family behind, she sets sail for America, only to realize that her younger sister Berta has been kidnapped and forced on board the very same ship. Whom can Celeste trust? The dashing soldier? Or the vigilant carpenter who remains by their side in the perilous New World?

Virginia, present day

Madeline “Maddee” Talbot has her hands full when she agrees to take in her younger sister, Nicole, following a serious car accident. The young women grew apart when Nicole fell into drug addiction, and Maddee prays this will be the start of a better life for her sister. But as they investigate a trauma from their childhood, Maddee must keep a diligent eye on Nicole—and the shadowy figure watching them from afar.

From the Christy Award-winning team of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould, My Sister’s Prayer tells an epic tale of two women compelled to protect their sisters, confront their fears, and navigate the muddy waters of betrayal to find true love.

Accelerant ~ Review

Accelerant
Abiassa's Fire #2
By Ronie Kendig

Before starting off - if you have not yet read the first book in this series - stop right now and pick it up. It is imperative to understand what is going on in this book to know what came before and no summary or synopsis of Embers will accomplish that.

If you have read Embers you'll understand Prince Haegan is understandably not happy - his parents were murdered before his very eyes, his sister Kaelyria is paralyzed and near death. And even worse he was not allowed to bring justice and death upon Poired the very person responsible for this attack.

Accelerant opens with Haegen, fleeing the destruction of Zaethien by Poired, upon the back of Chima hoping to somehow save the swiftly fading life of his sister. But Chima has plans of her own and Haegen is about to embark and yet another stage of his journey as Fierian, one that will test him and expose his doubts. But can Haegen overcome his doubts and fears to become whom he was meant to be or will he succumb to the fears and allow the enemy to manipulate and control him - thwarting Abiassa's will?

Throughout this book, there seems to be a lot of anger by many of the key players which I think is a contributing factor in their general unhappiness at the current situations. Many are willing to point out the duties that another must fulfill all the while grumbling at their own. This actually frustrates many truths that could be gathered because this self-focus prevents a key skill - listening.

There are also many important facts that have been lost to the Nine Kingdoms - facts that deal directly with their Histories and which we are only given a glimpse of that may have an important bearing on the final outcome.

And don't expect a conclusion with this book as this series is slated for 3 and what an ending - it will leave you wondering what will happen next. And a word of warning ~ keep a bookmark at the character guide you'll need it to keep this abundance of characters straight in your mind as you read.

About the Book:

He'll destroy the world. 

But first he has to save it.

The Nine Kingdoms bleed. Leaderless, ravaged, the land awaits deliverance from Poired Dyrth's devastating campaign. But what if one blight can only be cleansed by another?

The promised Fierian is known by many names. Judge. Destroyer. Scourge. And now one other: Haegan, Prince of Seultrie. Once a cripple, now a gifted Accelerant, Haegan can no longer run from the truth. But neither can he be reconciled to it. He knows only one thing for certain: as the only able-bodied heir to the Fire Throne, he must return to the Nine and fight for his people.

But there are insidious forces at work. When reality itself falls into question, Haegan struggles to know where to fight, who to trust. Caught between duty to his country and duty to the world, Haegan must see clearly enough to choose the right path to save his devastated world.

The Domino Effect ~ Review

The Domino Effect
By Davis Bunn

Esther Larson is the top risk analyst at her bank, which also happens to be one of the largest within the US. Her job is, officially, to warn the investment powers that be of any foreseeable risks before investments are made. Unofficially she's supposed to find high-risk investments with big quick returns and not mention the potential downside.

But when a series of banking investments start pointing to a potential financial disaster Esther has to come out of the shell she's constructed around her life. To truly help prevent this looming and imminent threat she'll need to let someone into her life - someone who can help her get the word out before it is too late.

The Domino Effect takes the reader into the high risk world of speculative investing where everything is one trade away from bringing down not only a bank or a nation but the world's financial infrastructure. This is a world most are unfamiliar with so this is an enlightening reading experience even as the suspense builds with each flip of the page.

This was my latest up all night reading choice which may or may not be a good thing if you plan on getting a good night's sleep in. This is an excellent book if you are looking for suspense with a twist. Even as Esther attempts to prevent the disaster she sees coming someone is determined to stop her - silencing her voice permanently before she can reveal their darkest secrets.

The Kill Fee ~ Review

The Kill Fee
Poppy Denby Investigates #2
By Fiona Veitch Smith 

A missing Fabergé Egg, a shot guard, a couple of murders, an attempted murder, and a world teetering on the on the cusp of revolution.  Poppy Denby has stumbled into yet another mystery that could leave her in danger. What's an employee of The Daily Globe to do but try to make a name for both herself and the paper.

But when the official police investigation could implicate an employee of the paper - suddenly being in the middle of the story doesn't look so appealing.  And the investigation has the potential to become an international scandal with England's close ties to the exiled Romanov Royals. Could the stolen Fabergé Egg be the key to the entire mystery - one that has Russians on both sides of the Revolution claiming? 

But there is a far more sinister plot that could cost Poppy and those closest to her their very lives unless they learn the rules to political intrigue soon. Could the paper have the proof as to the whom the guilty party is? And can they save their lives by offering a kill fee for the very story that all are dying to hear...

Poppy Denby is a resourceful young woman who is trying to find her place in a world that is changing. The daughter of a minister and the niece of a suffragette - 1920's London is just the place to discover who she is. But does she want to embrace the "freedoms" so many are claiming or will she hold to the standards that she was raised with?

With a multiple of suspects this is a who-dun-it that will keep the reader guessing. I liked the back and forth aspect that took the reader to Russia in 1917 and then London in 1920 as the mystery and key characters are slowly revealed. This is a book that fans of historical fiction will enjoy especially those who enjoy the carefree years between the wars when people were trying to forget the turmoil that they had just experienced.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through Kregel Blog Tours with no expectations of a review positive or otherwise. All expressed opinions are my own.


About the Book:

Poppy Denby, arts and entertainment editor at the Daily Globe, covers an exhibition of Russian art, hosted by White Russian refugees, including members of the surviving exiled Romanov royal family. There is an armed robbery, a guard is shot, and the largest Fabergé egg in the collection is stolen. While the egg itself is valuable, the secrets it contains within are priceless--secrets that could threaten major political powers.

Suspects are aplenty, including the former keeper of the Fabergé egg, a Russian princess named Selena Romanova Yusopova. The interim Bolshevik Russian ambassador, Vasili Safin, inserts himself into the investigation, as he believes the egg--and the other treasures--should all be restored to the Russian people.

Poppy, her editor, Rollo, press photographer Daniel, and the other staff of the Globe are delighted to be once again in the middle of a sensational story. But soon the investigation takes a dark turn when another body is found and an employee of the newspaper becomes a suspect. The race is on to find both the key and the egg--can they be found before the killer strikes again?

Of Stillness and Storm ~ Review

Of Stillness and Storm
By Michèle Phoenix 

Lauren's one goal in life was to be a mother, but somehow her goal - her calling got lost to her husband Sam's calling. While studying overseas Sam and Lauren were drawn to one another and after returning to their respective homes in the United States decided that they were to be together.

But when Sam's calling takes them and their son Ryan to the remote regions of Nepal - Lauren and Ryan are left for weeks at a time while Sam works in the Himalayas visiting remote isolated villages. Lauren and Ryan feel this neglect and after a couple of years the stress starts cutting the ties that have bound them together as a family.

When a dear friend encourages Lauren to reconnect with the world outside Nepal - Lauren reluctantly does. This opens the door for Lauren to connect with a childhood friend - Aidan.  But some doors should never be opened and Lauren is about to discover every choice has a cost - she just never realized just how high a price she and Ryan would have to pay.

Of Stillness and Storm is not a book I would have ever picked up to read myself , but I was surprisingly drawn into to the story of Lauren's life once I started reading. There is a back and forth between the present and pivotal moments in the past that have gotten Lauren, Ryan, and Sam to the point that they are now at. The cover is apt a stormy background and a cord that is no longer whole - the cover is Lauren and Ryan's life as they are lost to the drive of Sam's calling.  This book is a tragic story in that Sam is so caught up in his vision, in his goal that he can't and won't see the life that he is helping to crush. And unfortunately this is an occurrence one can see if one looks in the right direction. This is a moving story that is worth reading. 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

“I felt torn between two worlds. 

Each with its own mystery. 

One more captivating than the other, 

but the other more real and breathing.”

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing.

At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.

Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.

A Portrait of Emily Price ~ Review

A Portrait of Emily Price
By Katherine Reay

Emily Price has been sent to Atlanta for an emergency restoration - a house and a family have been affected by a fire that resulted in water and smoke damage.  But while she's in Atlanta Emily learns her own life is in need of restoration, but when she meets Benito (Ben) Vassallo her life takes a totally unexpected turn.

Within two weeks of their first meeting Emily and Ben have married and are on their way to his family's home in Italy. But life isn't how Emily envisioned it ~ happily ever after isn't the immediate result of saying I do.

Fixing things gives Emily a feeling of satisfaction but in Italy she has come across something she can't fix - herself.  But when the Vassallo family confronts a long hidden secret that finds Emily center stage she determines that before she can go further she must first find herself.  But will finding herself force her to leave what she has come to hold dear behind or will she embrace it more fully?

A Portrait of Emily Price is another delightful exploration of life and personal discovery from Katherine Reay. Everything is seen through Emily's eyes and her transformation as a person is seen through her artistic endeavors. But as Emily (along with the reader) discovers life can't restored to the original, the pains and joys make us who we are and as one character says they must be endured.

THe one thing I like with Katherine Reay's books is that they all are standalone books so when one reads one the story is complete. Though I have to be honest I would love to have the stories continue on just to see what happens next. The setting is contemporary though there are references to classical literature and art that help Emily discover herself. This is a book that ends on an up-note so that the reader is left satisfied and looking forward to the sunset (reference to several scenes in the book).  

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild, no expectation of a review positive or otherwise was expected.  All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:
Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. When Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family, however, is another matter . . .

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—finds herself in Atlanta, repairing objects damaged in a house fire. As she works to restore the home and dreams of one family, she strives to keep the pieces of her own life in perfect order and secure her own happy ending—a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to reconnect with his brother and breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccolo. And soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. Upon landing in Rome, she is enchanted with Italy. But instead of allowing the land, culture and people to transform her, Emily imposes her will upon everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?

Broken Trust ~ Review

Broken Trust
Mission League #3
By Jill Williamson

Spencer Garmond is hoping to recover from his torn ACL in time for his senior year of HS basketball in hopes that he can still get a scholarship. But he's got other issues to deal with - like why he's of such interest to the people tracking him, whether he'll blow it with Grace, his long-strained non-friendship with Nick, and these dreams that he keeps having. All Spencer wants is to be a normal teenager but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

With preparation for their summer assignment ~ Outdoor Survival Training in Alaska ~ and Occupational Training Missions this was looking to be a busy summer. And Spencer has his own personal investigation that he's pursuing, one that focused on the Jolt movie series. And now that Nick's seeing one of the actresses from the movies Spencer is even more motivated.

But someone is about to betray the trust of Spencer and the Mission League and unless they can do some fast thinking, relying on their training the Mission League may lose one or more of their own. But when you've been betrayed who do you trust? Spencer is about to learn that there is only One in whom one can trust in.

This is the third book in the series and with references to previous missions it is helpful to read the series in order though one can follow along fairly easily if you haven't read them. Tweens and teens will enjoy this book. The chapters are presented as if they are filed reports so one has a basic timeline understanding of the book. This is action and adventure that will keep the attention of the reader as the climatic conclusion is reached.

I was provided a ARC copy of this book by the author with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
In the midst of training for the outdoor survival trip to Alaska, Spencer is distracted by a mysterious young woman--Nick's new girlfriend. He's not just wondering how someone that gorgeous would waste her time on a jerk like Nick, he recognizes this girl from her bit part in one of the cultish Jolt movies he's been investigating. She's up to something, and Spencer is determined to find out what. As he gets closer to the truth, it becomes harder to know who to trust. Things are getting dangerous. Can Spencer figure out what's going on, or will this mystery leave him M.I.A?

Mischief & Manors ~ Review

Mischief & Manors
By Ashtyn Newbold

Breaking a promise might just be the

best way to keep it....

For five years Annette Downing has been living her promise to her parents - she has put every other interest out of her life except her little brothers. Orphaned at 14 years of age she is determined to protect her brothers Peter (7) and Charles (5) from the hateful abusive spite of her Aunt Ruth Filbee.

But when Aunt Ruth gives Annette an ultimatum ~ turn her brothers into proper gentlemen or see them shipped off to a Scottish orphanage ~ Annette welcomes the brief reprieve that an unexpected trip to Kellaway Manor promises. Her childhood memories of the place were pleasant except for Owen Kellaway and a fall from a tree. When Owen is asked by his mother to assist Annette in her efforts to tame her brothers she fears he may be as mischievous as her young brothers.

But turning two young boys into gentlemen may be hazardous to her health especially with Owen assisting. And it could prove even more hazardous to her heart ~ a heart that she has promised exclusively to Peter and Charles ~ now if only she can get her heart to listen to her.  But the love and kindness she finds at Kellaway Manor just may open the barriers she put around her heart to protect it from the cruelty she's experienced since her parents death.

But Kellaway Manor has something important for Annette to learn if only she will listen with her heart as well as her mind. Her promise to her parents was not a closet meant to shut her away from all life had to offer her. And sometimes tears are necessary to heal and not a sign of weakness.

This is a delightful story and one that I was sorry to have conclude. The characters cover a range of personalities which are true to life. Some one would enjoy getting to know over a cup of tea and others would send one looking for the nearest door through which to escape.

This is a story of family and of promise. Those who enjoy reading books set in the Regency time period will enjoy this book which is set in 1818.  Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy Mischief & Manors.
And Manors in this case refer to both manors and manners. I look forward to future works by this author who managed to keep me reading instead of baking for Christmas. (whoops!)

The future of her heart is at stake but so much more depends upon her decision.

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



About the Book:

I could feel battling forces within me,

one ordering me to pull away,

the other tempting me to lean closer...

When Annette Downing and her mischievous little brothers were orphaned, Annette closed off her heart, dedicating her life to raising her brothers and protecting them from her abusive aunt. But when her hateful aunt sends them to Kellaway Manor for the summer to reform the boys, she hopes for a relaxing escape. But Annette finds her closeted heart in jeopardy when reunited with the handsome Owen Kellaway, a childhood acquaintance and respected gentlemen. When Owen is enlisted to help the boys with their behavior, Annette wonders if he has just as much mischief up his sleeve as her brothers. Bound by a promise she made to her late parents, and amid a frightening mystery, Annette faces a difficult decision when she finds herself falling for Owen’s charm.

The Cottage ~ Review

The Cottage
Secrets of the Shetlands #2
By Michael Phillips

Two weeks ago Alonnah "Loni" Ford found out that she was the heir to property in the Shetland Islands. But the Cottage is more than just a quaint Scottish home and the majority of Whales Reef is part of her inheritance.

Will the people ever accept an American as their Laird? And learning that the island is now in the hands of a woman might be more than the people of Whales Reef can accept. And when Loni hears that the Chief is not fond of Americans she's uncertain that she wants to meet the man the community feels she usurped.  

With everyone having an opinion about her fitness to determine the future of Whales Reef Loni herself becomes uncertain of her next step. Does she accept her inheritance and the responsibilities that come with it? Or does she decline it allowing the courts to decide the island's fate?

Before she can make a decision Loni must confront that which has held her hostage all her life - secrets have defined her life and now she must peel back the layers that have made her who she is. Can she discover who she is before it is too late?

In typical style Michael Phillips's book takes place in different times as the past of Whales Reef is revealed in connection with the current upheaval the island and community now faces. The past is taken from a journal that belonged to Loni's great-grandmother and is easily identifiable in the reading as it is in italics. I personally love this back and forth format that slowly reveals the back story. Also fun is allusions to previous series Michael Phillips has written (I quickly identified the Stonewycke and Heathersleigh Hall series character references). It is not necessary to read the first book in the series to be able to enjoy this (somehow I managed to miss the first book and yet still thoroughly this book, but now I want to know what happened earlier).

I received a copy of this book from the publisher with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise - all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Is the Future of Whales Reef in the Hands of an Outsider?

When Loni Ford is informed that she has inherited property in the Shetland Islands, she laughs. She wants nothing more than to sell it and be done with it. But when she arrives in the North Sea enclave, she is stunned to find that "the Cottage" is not at all what she expected, nor is David Tulloch, the man most of the islanders believe to be the rightful heir.

The locals could hardly be more surprised that the heir is a woman--and an American. Loni, in turn, finds the islanders quaint and a bit behind the times. Expecting David to be as provincial as the rest of his clan, she discovers that there is far more to the man than meets the eye. And there is something about the peaceful atmosphere of the place--and the character of its most prominent citizen--that soon gets under her skin.

Beneath the peaceful surface, however, change is threatening the island of Whales Reef. David's cousin Hardy Tulloch, whose claim to the inheritance now in Loni's hands was backed by oil investors, has not been deterred in his aim to control the island. But his co-conspirators have plans of their own, plans that put Loni's very life in danger. . . .

Turbulence ~ Review

Turbulence
A Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Novel #5
By Alana Terry

Kennedy Stern is ready to celebrate Christmas and this year she's going to spend it in Alaska with her roommate Willow and Willow's parent. At least that is the plan until their plane is hijacked en-route. As Kennedy experiences yet another traumatic event she finds herself in an uncomfortable situation as she comes face-to-face with the possibility that she and Willow might not survive. Is she ready to die? And what about Willow?

As Kennedy struggles with how she has let her best friend and roommate down, she has to face the doubts she herself has. Will she get another chance to share with Willow the most important truth in her life?

Turbulence is another fast paced suspense novel from Alana Terry in which Kennedy has to face a situation in which she has no control.  One would expect the possibility of turbulence when flying, but for Kennedy the turbulence is a matter of the mind and the soul.

At 200 pages this is a fast and engaging book and not so long that staying up for the conclusion won't keep you up until dawn is coloring the horizon (unless you start it after midnight).  And the motivation for the hijacking is not what one normally reads in a book (the reason won't be revealed here).  This book is recommended to those who like a bit of suspense with a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader waiting for the next book in the series.  If you have not read the previous books that is okay, this book is a perfect introduction to the series and Kennedy.  Nothing is giveaway to spoil the previous books and the story is complete without relying on the reader have that knowledge to move the story forward.

I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy of this book by the author for review purposes - a review positive or otherwise was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Facing doubts and terror at forty thousand feet.

It's been another grueling semester at Harvard, and Kennedy can hardly wait to take a break from her premed studies for some much-needed rest and relaxation at her roommate's homestead in rural Alaska.

Unfortunately, Kennedy's great arctic adventure might come to a crashing halt before it even begins.

Lucifer's Harvest ~ Review

Lucifer's Harvest
Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, 
                                       surgeon #9
By Mel Starr

English holdings in France have been taken by King Charles of France and Prince Edward has determined to reclaim them. Unfortunately for Hugh de Singleton, Lord Gilbert Talbot has been requested to supply some of his men for the effort. As the surgeon to Lord Gilbert, Hugh's value in the forthcoming battle makes his duty unavoidable.

Leaving Kate, Bessie, Sybil behind is a great concern to Hugh as his return from France is anything but certain. And when Hugh learns that Sir Simon Trillowe is among those who will be going to France he has an even greater concern regarding his return home.

With war and the trials of travel death is expected but when a murder is the suspected cause of Sir Simon's untimely demise the man's past with Hugh makes the most likely suspect.  With his own life on the line Hugh must determine who had case to murder the man. The list of those with cause to dislike the man is long but did any have cause to take his life?

With his normal attention to detail Hugh, with the support of Lord Gilbert, and aided by Arthur uncovers evidence that contradicts what has been reported. Who is lying? The answer to this question may be the key to determining why. And when the why is answered the who is revealed.

Life is fragile and Hugh is about to discover yet again just how fragile it is.

Lucifer's Harvest takes the reader into the heart of 14th Century life and it's day-to-day workings. Life wasn't easy and one's future rested on the whims of kings and lords who ruled with little regard to the costs that their actions had upon their subjects.  The need to rule ever expanding territories taxed the strength's of the hardiest men and often left those who survived in a weakened state.

If you are in the mood for a mystery get ready to enjoy a medieval who-dun-it with this latest chronicle from the life of Hugh de Singleton.

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


About the Book:
King Charles of France has announced that he is confiscating Aquitaine, and Prince Edward has sent for knights and men-at-arms from England to assist him in opposing the French king. Lord Gilbert Talbot is required to provide five knights, twelve squires, and twenty archers and men-at-arms, and he wishes his surgeon--Hugh de Singleton--to travel with the party, leaving Hugh's wife Kate to oversee the castle in their absence.

It won't be an easy journey. Among the party will be Sir Simon Trillowe, Kate's former suitor, who had once set fire to Hugh's house. After a brawl on the streets of Oxford, Sir Simon had nearly lost an ear; Hugh had sewn it back on, but when it healed crooked, Simon blamed Hugh for the disfigurement.

Finding himself in the company of his old nemesis, Hugh resolves not to turn his back on the knight--but it is Sir Simon who should not have turned his back. 

Home to Chapel Springs ~ Review

Home to Chapel Springs
Chapel Springs series #3
By Ane Mulligan

Chapel Springs is home and for Carin Jardine it is the refuge she needs right now. Carin's husband has left her and their young son with nothing except mounting debts. Unfortunately for Carin her newest book is getting less than stellar reviews. With the pressure of her floundering life closing in she is desperate for a new story, but Carin has developed a case of writer's block. But Chapel Springs is ready to welcome Cardin back into its midst as her turns her grandmother's home into her home.

But life in Chapel Springs is not perfect as Claire Bennett helps mayor  Felix Riley in his re-election campaign against Howie Newlander. And Howie is one man Claire does not want to see mayor of Chapel Springs - not if she wants to keep Chapel Springs as the home of her heart.  And when rumors of a ghost haunting the old theatre threaten her plans to restore it Claire isn't about to sit back when she could be taking action to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Welcome to Chapel Springs where once you put down roots you'll be home and be one of their own.

This is a story of second chances after life has knocked you down. And sometimes you just have to take a step back and let God do the work and offer a hug when needed or a shoulder to lean on.  Get ready to come home and meet some new friends. This book runs the gamete of emotions as it is true to life but it will leave you on an up note as you look forward to your next visit to Chapel Springs.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the author through BookFun/TBCN with no expectation of a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A homeless author, a heartbroken daughter, and a theatre ghost. 

There's trouble in Chapel Springs. 

There's always someone new in Chapel Springs someone who is either coming home or stirring up trouble. A best-selling author's latest book is a flop. While the reviewers are happily skewering her, her racecar-driver-husband walks out on her and she's evicted, because he hasn't paid the lease on their condo for the last three months. Then she discovers he also he drained their bank accounts. Homeless and broke, she and her little boy have no choice but to retreat to the house she inherited from her nana in Chapel Springs the house that's been gutted. Then, a stranger knocks on her door. One that will change the course of her life.

Howie Newlander is back in town. After the residents thwarted his plans for a Miami-style resort on Chapel Lake, he's running for mayor and stirring up the farmers by spreading rumors about diverted water and misused taxes. The Lakeside Players want to remodel the town's old theater, named for Claire's late great-aunt. Empty and boarded up for the last forty years, the theatre is rumored to be haunted. When Newlander and Mayor Riley go head-to-head, Claire gets caught in the middle.

Claire's youngest daughter is in love with a non-believer whose daddy is Claire's nemesis, the mayor. Having him part of her family isn't in her plan. The years of heartache before her husband became a Christian should warn her daughter off this boy. So far, her daughter's heart isn't hearing the warnings.

With hearts pulled in all directions, will they find a home in Chapel Springs?

The Fir Tree ~ Review

The Fir Tree
By Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrated by Sanna Annukka

This is a tale of Hans Christian Andersen's of which I had never before heard of. The Fir Tree is a beautifully illustrated book that teaches a valuable lesson about appreciating what you have.  Unfortunately the fir tree is a very foolish tree who dreams of something better than what life has given it. Always desiring what others have the fir squanders its life until it is too late. And even then it still looks to a better future.

The illustrations are geometrical and elegant in a subtle blend of color that shifts with the mood and the setting of the story. Young readers will appreciate the visual representations as the story unfolds. The story is 44 pages with most pages alternating text with illustrations.

For those who like their books to look nice on their book cases this book will fill this criteria. The cover is a cloth-bound hardcover in a green that that is a little darker than a Grass Green crayon with gold embellishments. The ISBN price label on the back can be easily removed perfect for gift giving.

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


About the Book:
Gorgeously packaged with intricate illustrations from Finnish illustrator, Sanna Annukka, this new edition of Hans Christian Andersen's well-loved fairy tale, The Fir Tree, is the perfect holiday gift for adults and children alike.

Hans Christian Andersen's tragic tale of naive greed and dissatisfaction is retold through the striking and contemporary illustrations of Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka. Cloth-bound in rich forest green, with gold foil embellishments, The Fir Tree is elevated from a children's book to a unique work of art and makes an ideal gift for people of all ages.

A Lady Unrivaled ~ Review

A Lady Unrivaled
Ladies of the Manor #3
By Roseanna M. White

Lady Ella Myerston is not to be denied and unfortunately for her family she's determined to protect them from the cursed Fire Eyes that have been sought for years. But unraveling the rumors and whispers she's heard from the truth about the cursed Fire Eyes is more difficult than she realized it would be. First up in her plan a visit to Brook and Justin and their library at the Cotwolds to gain as much information as she possibly can. Unfortunately Ella has placed herself in the greatest danger possible by unknowingly bringing the highly sought after gems with her.

But when Lord Crispin Rushworth returns from France with his sister Lady Catherine Pratt the web of intrigue and danger draws tighter. And Lord Cayton is approached by Rushworth to aid him in his quest to claim the Fire Eyes. But Cayton is not the man he was before, the loss of his wife changed him. His young daughter is now his life and he'll do anything to keep her safe and to be the father she deserves. And he is determined to keep Lady Ella safe in spite of her efforts to put herself in the direct path of danger.

When Cayton and Ella determine to work together to stop Rushworth they come up with a plan to hide the truth about their time spent together. Unfortunately their plan could bring Brook's wrath down on them and get Ella sent home to her brother. Could the deception of courtship become truth?

The mystery surrounding the Fire Eyes comes to a climax with A Lady Unrivaled the third and final novel in the Ladies of the Manor series.  Mystery and romance are to be expected but there is an added dose of foreign intrigue with a Russian interest in the gems,  Everything is coming to an exciting conclusion with the lives of all those involved in danger. Greed is an imposing master and those who fall to its power must decide to leave it behind or risk losing everything.

This book is perhaps the best in the series in my opinion but that could be because I so enjoyed Ella and her independence and kindness. If you've read the previous books you'll understand when I say Kitty is a pitiable character who plays a role throughout and is still in mourning over her husband and son. Kitty is a character one is never exactly sure of and this book finally answers some questions about her.

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



About the Book:

Amid the Unforgettable Cotswolds, 

the Final Grasp for the Fire Eyes Diamonds 

Could Threaten Them All

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well how the dangerous Fire Eyes diamonds have haunted her brother and their friends, and she won't wait for peril to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord James Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life . . . but that proves complicated when old acquaintances pull Cayton into their desperate attempt to seize the jewels. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those intent on destroying them all?

The Silent Songbird ~ Review

The Silent Songbird
Hagenheim #7
By Melanie Dickerson

Evangeline is a political pawn - the hidden away daughter of the late Duke of Clarence, the granddaughter of a king and cousin of King Richard II. As such her life is not her own and she has caught the eye (or ear) of Lord Shiveley with her musical gift of voice. But marriage with Lord Shiveley is one thing Evangeline refuses to submit to.

Slipping away Evangeline joins a group of servants returning to their small village of Glynval after a trading trip. Hiding her voice is imperative to her escape so she takes on the role of a young mute servant. With no skills to prove useful as a servant Evangeline fears she will soon be turned out. But the le Wyse family is kind and offers her the chance to learn as she takes on the role of a servant.

But when Evangeline's secret is revealed her future and her heart hang in the balance. Can she trust those who have discovered the truth to not expose her or will she find herself again about to be wed to a man who she fears and despises?  When an even greater threat is discovered Evangeline must decide if she will surrender her heart and her future to save those dear to her and the kingdom?

This is yet another delightful book from Melanie Dickerson. Evangeline's attempts at being a servant are at times almost humorous if so much was not at stake. I can say having attempted to use a scythe myself at one time I'm positive I would be as handy with it as Evangeline - it is not easy to use and very dangerous in my hands.

I would highly recommend this book and series for those looking for clean fiction that is uplifting. The setting of this book is 14th century England - not Germany for those wondering. This book can stand alone if you have not previously read Melanie's previous books. Teens and adults alike will enjoy this book.

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


About the Book:

Evangeline is gifted with a heavenly voice, but she is trapped in a sinister betrothal—until she embarks on a daring escape and meets brave Westley le Wyse. Can he help her discover the freedom to sing again?

Desperate to flee a political marriage to her cousin King Richard II’s closest advisor, Lord Shiveley—a man twice her age with shadowy motives—Evangeline runs away and joins a small band of servants journeying back to Glynval, their home village.

Pretending to be mute, she gets to know Westley le Wyse, their handsome young leader, who is intrigued by the beautiful servant girl. But when the truth comes out, it may shatter any hope that love could grow between them.

More than Evangeline’s future is at stake as she finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens England’s monarchy. Should she give herself up to protect the only person who cares about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne?