Becoming the Talbot Sisters ~ Review and Author Q and A

Becoming the Talbot Sisters
By Rachel Linden

Time and life choices have come between twin sisters Waverly Talbot Ross and Charlie Talbot. But when Aunt Mae dies the two are drawn together in a time of sorrow. For seventeen years the closeness they once shared has slowly drifted away. But when Waverly shares her secret sorrow with Charlie a most unique opportunity to reclaim their sisterhood is offered.

Waverly knows she is supposed to be a mother and to her secret pain, she has never carried a child through the first trimester. And her chances of trying again ended with this latest loss. Charlie has never considered herself mother material but she offers to be a surrogate for her sister. With lives that couldn't be more different, Charlie and Waverly are about to embark on a journey they never expected one that will allow them to discover who they truly are and how the pain of their past has shaped them into who they have become.

When an unexpected bump in her seemingly perfect world occurs Waverly heads to Budapest and Charlie's apartment. Waverly's surprise visit is the last thing Charlie expected and though she doesn't know what's wrong she knows something is weighing Waverly down. With a little more than 3 months before the baby is due, Charlie finds her life even more upended as she deals with issues at work and her own daily changes. Waverly's visit allows the two to spend time together that they haven't had for years.

Becoming the Talbot Sisters is a story about the power of family bonds and the holes that are created when that which we hold dearest is taken away. This is a contemporary fiction that deals with some difficult issues that add an additional layer to an already complex story. Book clubs will want to consider this book for an upcoming selection. Those familiar with Corban Addison's work might want to give this book a consideration as there are some similarities that will appeal to those who like the style of his writing. Hard hitting and eye-opening to the hardships and dangers faced in a world set on exploiting those who are disadvantaged while wrapping it up in a fictional story without being a preachy hit you over the head format.

I was provided an advanced review copy of this book by the publisher through TLC Book Tours with no expectations of a positive review ~ All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
Twin sisters Waverly and Charlie Talbot have drifted far apart as they pursue opposite dreams of stardom and service to the poor. On an astonishing journey across Central Europe, they must come together to face their fears, find their courage and fight for what they love.

Celebrity chef Waverly Ross has built a successful career with her home-entertaining show Simply Perfect. Yet she and her husband, Andrew, have never been able to realize the true desire of Waverly’s heart: to become a mother. Meanwhile, Waverly’s twin sister, Charlie Talbot, buries her bitter disappointment and shattered idealism beneath a life spent serving others as an international aid worked in Budapest, Hungary.

When the beloved aunt who raised them passes away, Waverly and Charlie come together in their grief after living years on separate continents. Struck by a fierce desire to bridge the distance between them, Charlie offers Waverly and her husband the selfless gift of surrogacy.

But soon the sisters find they are each in danger of losing their jobs, seemingly putting their dreams on hold once again. When Waverly shows up unannounced in Budapest with a plan to rescue Simply Perfect, the sisters embark on an adventure across Central Europe that could save them both from occupational hazards. Though the twins haven’t had to rely on each other since childhood, an unforeseen dangerous turn in their journey across Europe forces them to stand together to save their careers, the baby, and each other.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes and Noble

About Rachel Linden:

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures living and traveling in fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her stories. She holds an MA in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, a BA in Literature from Huntington University, and studied creative writing at Oxford University during college. Currently, Rachel splits her time between Seattle, Washington and Budapest, Hungary where she lives with her husband and two children. Rachel enjoys creating stories about hope and courage with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.

Connect with Rachel

Website | Facebook

Author Q and A with Rachel Linden

1) Do you have a favorite go-to to help you get into your writing? (ie. favorite
music, place to write, beverage or food to get you into your writing)

Silence! It puts me in the mood to write almost instantly. I’m an introvert, so I try to
limit all distractions which is tough with an exuberant 18 month old and 4 year old
in the house. I’m completely useless at writing in coffee shops or public places.
Honestly, I just need quiet and somewhere comfy and I’m set! Right now I have a big
leather chair in our basement storage room. That’s my writing nook. It faces the
water heater! Very glamorous.

2) Do you have a favorite genre you wish you could call your home-away-
from-home?

I’m a sucker for anything related to food and travel, so if I could live in a culinary
travel memoir in, say, Thailand or Japan I would!

3) If you could spend the afternoon with any 2 writers (1 from the past and 1
from the present) who would you pick?

Louise May Alcott and Marilyn Robinson. Little Women was my favorite book
growing up, so I’d choose to have tea with Louisa and discuss issues related to
women and why she wrote her books. And Marilyn because I find her rare
combination of razor sharp intellect and luminous faith quite remarkable. I just
want to peek inside her brain and learn from her!

4) What is your favorite book that you would recommend others read? 

For fiction, Gilead by Marilyn Robinson. For memoir, The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs.
For inspirational non-fiction, Love Does by Bob Goff.

5) What is the one question that you wish you would be asked and how would
you answer it?

Question: “Why do you write the stories you write?”
My answer: “I love writing stories about hope, courage and relational connection
with a dash of romance and exotic settings thrown in for fun! With my newest story,
Becoming the Talbot Sisters, the message is all about women being every day brave.
I hope it encourages women to have courage in the face of whatever life throws at
them…every single day! That’s a message I love to share!

I Will Not Fear ~ Review

I Will Not Fear 

My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith Under Fire
by Melba Pattillo Beals

Sometimes it is hard to realize just how short a time ago we had such a segregated country. When one doesn't live through an event it feels farther away than it truly is. But the hatred and tyranny that Melba had to face just to have a chance at equality is truly unimaginable to me. I went to a school that had a well-balanced mix of students of every color and color had no bearing on my choice of friends. But sixty years ago this was not an expectation one had in the segregated South. 

Melba's fight for equality and fair treatment though began before her birth as her Grandmother India fought through persistence to get her delivery to be allowed within the walls of a white hospital. But her fight didn't end with her graduation from high school but rather continued on to her higher educational endeavors and her fight for acceptance into the world of journalism as both a woman and a person of color.

There are moments of heartbreak and moments of joy and triumph that will touch the heart of the reader. And the sustaining force in Melba'a life was the faith that her grandmother shared with her. A faith that allowed her to go forth each day into what could be her last. A faith that sustained her as she raised her children and struggled to keep them safe in a world that was a dangerous as the one she negotiated as a teenager.

I highly recommend this book for those who want to see faith in action in the face of a fallen and hate-filled world. This is not light reading and each chapter should be taken in slowly and thoughtfully so as to have the greatest impact on the reader's own life. This would make an excellent book club choice and be a good addition to the shelf of any library - public, school or personal.

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

About the Book:

In 1957, Melba Beals was one of the nine 

African American students chosen to integrate 

Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

But her story of overcoming didn't start--or end--there.

While her white schoolmates were planning their senior prom, Melba was facing the business end of a double-barreled shotgun, being threatened with lynching by rope-carrying tormentors, and learning how to outrun white supremacists who were ready to kill her rather than sit beside her in a classroom. Only her faith in God sustained her during her darkest days and helped her become a civil rights warrior, an NBC television news reporter, a magazine writer, a professor, a wife, and a mother.

In I Will Not Fear, Beals takes you on an unforgettable journey through terror, oppression, and persecution, highlighting the kind of faith we all need to survive in a world full of heartbreak and anger. She shows how the deep faith we develop during our most difficult moments is the kind of faith that can change our families, our communities, and even the world.

Encouraging and inspiring, her story offers hope that faith is the solution to the pervasive hopelessness of our current culture.

365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories ~ Review

365 Classic Bedtime
    Bible Stories
Inspired by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut's Story of the Bible
Illustrations by Alessia Girasole

Looking for a new Bible bedtime devotional for the upcoming year? One that you can share with your little reader? Well, this one might be what you are looking for. The stories start with Creation and continue through Revelation. Each page is one day and is a summarization of a Bible passage. The Bible passage from which each story is taken is referenced before the story is related.

The illustrations are throughout and should capture children's attention. My only complaint with the illustrations is the lack of skin pigmentations. This area of the world was a major trade route so there should have been more racial diversity.

There is an index at the back broken down into Old Testament and New Testament so that one can search for a person, place, or thing based on the Testament.

The book is hardcover with what appears to be a stitched binding. There is a red ribbon place marker attached to the spine so that one's place can be easily marked through the year. This book is aimed more towards younger children, I'm thinking 3 - 8 years of age. This is a time to share with your children so be sure to read the Bible references with your children to add more depth to the story.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Your children or grandchildren will delight in this fully-illustrated storybook that brings 365 read-aloud classic Bible stories to life for impressionable young hearts.

Beginning with the creation story, "God Creates the Earth," and ending with "In Eternity with God,” your children will develop faith in an almighty God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, while journeying alongside Bible characters like Samuel, Jonah, Esther, David, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and many more.

Steal Away Home ~ Review

Steal Away Home
By Matt Carver
    and Aaron Ivey

Steal Away Home brings to life a bit of history that most people are unaware of and the history books give little if any, mention of.  Many have heard of Charles Spurgeon and his preaching but for many, myself included Thomas Johnson is an unknown factor in the life of Spurgeon. This book brings to life their story and friendship.

Any good story must start at the beginning and this book does just that starting out when both were in their childhood. But their childhoods were vastly different with Charles calling England home while Thomas called America home. The chapters alternate between their lives as Charles grows to become the preacher we are familiar with and Thomas lives the life of a slave. Yet both men sought freedom from the bonds that held them captive.  Charles sought to be free of the fear and the darkness that had followed him through life. Thomas sought to be free of the yoke of slavery. Yet what both needed was the freedom that can only be found in the loving grace and forgiveness offered by God. And in the midst of their search, the two found the freedom they sought and a friendship that would shape the rest of their lives.

If you appreciate history that comes to life through the power of words this is a book that you will want to read. The contrast in the lives of these two men is powerful and equally powerful is the force behind their friendship - God's mercy. At less than 300 pages this book feels longer though it doesn't drag in the least. Opening in 1841 and continuing through 1892 one is taken through years of change and three different continents. If one has seen the movie Amazing Grace which looked at the life of William Wilberforce I believe this book to be as profound and powerful in portraying the life and times of these two men.

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


About the Book:

Thomas Johnson and Charles Spurgeon lived worlds apart.

Johnson, an American slave, born into captivity and longing for freedom--- Spurgeon, an Englishman born into relative ease and comfort, but, longing too for a freedom of his own. Their respective journeys led to an unlikely meeting and an even more unlikely friendship, forged by fate and mutual love for the mission of Christ.

Steal Away Home is a new kind of book based on historical research, which tells a previously untold story set in the 1800s of the relationship between an African-American missionary and one of the greatest preachers to ever live.

God Made the World ~ Review

God Made the World
By Debbie Rivers-Moore
Illustrated by Emma Haines

God Made the World is a book intended for the youngest reader - one who can't yet read but can enjoy the hearing the story and the illustrations. This is a soft fabric book of which the front cover is crinkly and will capture your little one's attention. The story is told over 6 pages in which God's role in the creation of the world is stated. The last page states "And God made me" beneath a small mirror in which the reader can see their own face while reading this statement.

This book is washable and can be air dried which with little fingers is a good feature. The book closes with a velcro closure that secures the back to the front. There is a loop feature at the top so this book can be hung from a hook or secured to your child's stroller or high chair. At 6 inches this is a good size for little hands to hold and turn the pages with ease. The colors which are pastel fabrics with brighter colors for the images will delight children.  Each page has between 3 and 4 words so that early word association is accomplished with this book.

This book would be a perfect gift for the parents-to-be or for a book at grandma and grandpa's house. Highly recommended for church nurseries and any family with young ones. This will be a book older siblings will enjoy sharing with younger ones.

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


About the Book:
Charming illustrations help infants and toddlers discover God's natural world, from dolphins to foxes to kittens! This squishy fabric book features crinkle cloth for sensory development and hours of baby fun. God Made the World also includes a child-safety mirror so baby can see herself and know she's a part of God's design.

For parents, a Velcro closure keeps the book shut, and a hanging tab can attach the book to a stroller, purse, or toy so it can go wherever they do. It comes packaged in a bag to keep it clean and includes a header card for easy hanging display.

The Day the Angels Fell ~ Review

The Day the Angels Fell
By Shawn Smucker

Let me start off by saying that this book wasn't quite what I was expecting when I first picked it up. It has layers and nuances that make this a captivating read. This book is a reminiscing of the main character Samuel Chambers. Sam's thoughts turn to the past following the death of a close friend from his childhood. Abra was there for Sam the summer that everything changed - the year his mother died.

If the possibility to restore a life that was lost was given what would you choose? This impossibility is before Sam. When he sees something that he shouldn't he embarks on a quest to undo his mother's death. But how can Sam find the Tree of Life - the very tree that humanity has been denied since the moment that disobedience was chosen?

This is a story of good versus evil, one where hope in the impossible could be the draw that evil needs to succeed. But can a twelve-year-old boy make a choice that will not cost him his very soul?

This book has an underlying current that leaves the reader slightly uneasy as the story progresses but there are moments when the unease lifts. If given the chance to thwart death would you take the chance - the risk no matter the cost to your soul or the soul of the one you cannot let go?

Something about Shawn Smucker's writing reminds me a little of Billy Coffey's writing and yet there is a unique quality to it that makes it stand apart. One scene, in particular, involving Sam and Mr. Tennin brings to mind Pippen and Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) talking about what comes after this life. This an especially moving scene that discusses death and how it is a transition and not a destination.

I think many teens would be intrigued by the plot. Younger readers would be a more individual call based on the emotional maturity of the reader as there are some difficult and scary scenes in this book.

Evidently, this book will enjoy a sequel if the excerpt included is any indication. But this story seems complete in and of itself so that the reader is not left in suspense as to is to come. And if you have trouble getting into the book keep at it - this one is worth the effort.  I feel that this is a book to be recommended to teens and up.

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


About the Book:
It was the summer of storms and strays and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident--and young Samuel Chambers would have done anything to turn back time. Even today, he can hardly believe it all happened . . .

Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Sam begins his search for the Tree of Life--the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. 

His quest to defeat death will entangle him and his best friend Abra in an ancient conflict, forcing Sam to grapple with an unwelcome question.

Could it be possible that death is a gift?

A Time to Stand ~ Review

A Time to Stand
By Robert Whitlow

A Time to Stand is a story that has a powerful message as a small town threatens to come apart following a police shooting. Sides are drawn and anger boils on both sides and caught in the middle is Adisa Johnson, a rising lawyer in a growing firm. But when a family matter brings her home to Campbellton, Georgia, she is drawn into this racially charged situation.

Adisa feels her loyalty should belong to the young man shot by the police officer. But when she feels led to defend Luke Nelson she knows the rest of the African-American community will not understand why she has "turned" on her own people. Truthfully Adisa is having trouble with her decision herself. But Adisa is committed to doing her best.

As the case moves forward hostilities on both sides become more active in their opinions. But this is a case that has more to it than just front page headlines. Can Adisa's stand to follow the internal leading within be the first step towards reconciliation in Campbellton? Or will her efforts only be viewed as an attempt to sway the jury and public opinion?

A Time to Stand is yet another masterful work of fiction from Robert Whitlow that could easily be pass for straight from a news report. One can empathize with both sides and see that both sides are at fault for the escalating feelings of anger. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes contemporary fiction or legal fiction. This is a book that will make the reader think and examine what they think they know about themselves.

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


About the Book:

In a small Georgia town where racial tensions run high and lives are at stake, can one lawyer stand up for justice against the tide of prejudice on every side?

Adisa Johnson, a young African-American attorney, is living her dream of practicing law with a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta. Then a split-second mistake changes the course of her career.

Left with no other options, Adisa returns to her hometown where a few days earlier a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is now lying comatose in the hospital.

Adisa is itching to jump into the fight as a special prosecutor, but feels pulled to do what she considers unthinkable—defend the officer.

As the court case unfolds, everyone in the small community must confront their own prejudices. Caught in the middle, Adisa also tries to chart her way along a path complicated by her budding relationship with a charismatic young preacher who leads the local movement demanding the police officer answer for his crime.

This highly relevant and gripping novel challenges us to ask what it means to forgive while seeking justice and to pursue reconciliation while loving others as ourselves.

Abridged ~ Review

Abridged
A Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Novel #7
By Alana Terry

Kennedy and her roommate Willow are helping with the set up for the upcoming Truth Warrior's retreat for men at Pastor Carl's church. But the retreat for some reason has riled up any and all women's rights groups in the area. Kennedy just can't understand just what all the fuss and uproar is about. Even the church's assistant/youth minister Nick seems opposed to it. But then Nick seems to oppose almost anything Carl does at present.

But when the outcry takes an ugly turn and Carl is left in a life-threatening condition Kennedy is shocked. And when her own opinion is called into question her status on campus is also questioned. Who knew that standing up for women's roles in life whether at home or at a career could create such an uproar? Well, now Kennedy does and she is about to discover just how tolerant her fellow classmates are when it comes to freedom of speech and freedom of personal opinion. Tolerance only goes so far and Kennedy is about to discover just how far it can go at Harvard.

Abridged is the latest book in the Kennedy Stern series in which controversial issues of the day are explored with Kennedy usually absorbing what both sides are saying and balancing it with her own personal experiences. And one really has to feel for Kennedy, college life is certainly not easy for her but somehow she manages to get through it and learn something important along the way.

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

About the Book:
Kennedy's pastor and mentor has always been outspoken. Maybe too outspoken.

Carl's no stranger to political controversy, but when his church comes under fire for hosting the Truth Warrior's men's retreat, women's rights activists and feminist leaders aren't the only ones worried that the conference will unduly restrict women's roles in the church and at home.

On a college campus where safe spaces threaten free speech and academic freedom only exists as long as other students aren't offended, Kennedy dares to defend her friend in Harvard's student newspaper. She unwillingly becomes the face of a controversy that not only jeopardizes her academic career but lands Pastor Carl in the hospital, struggling for his very survival.

Love in a Time of Hate ~ Review

Love in a Time of Hate
By Hanna Schott
Translated by John D. Roth

The Story of Magda and André Trocmé

and the Village That Said No

to the Nazis

Love in a Time of Hate is a lovely and moving story in a time when fear and self-preservation were the reigning thought patterns or so it seemed. This is a story that proves this was not true throughout Nazi-occupied France.

The Prologue opens in 1940 with Magda opening the door when the doorbell rang - this scene brought to mind the picture of Jesus standing at the door knocking.  And this scene is but a fleeting glimpse of the work that the Trocmé's did that was a living example of  "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 21:40)

This book is broken into parts that share the life story of Magda and André during their childhoods and the familial influences that shaped them into the people that they became. Into people who would take a stand to do what was right at the risk of their own lives and freedom. Into people who tried to live life in such a way so as to not be in conflict with the message that they had to share - a message of love to all during a time of hate and prejudice. To turn the other cheek was not just a statement to speak but a way of life in their commitment to live the peace that Jesus exemplified with His own life. 

Love in a Time of Hate should be an example all should take to heart in this time in our own history, which is becoming equally turbulent and hateful. The historical aspects of this book recommend it in and of themselves. But the human equation adds a depth that many history books lack. This would be a welcome addition to any library and be an excellent choice for a book report.

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

About the Book:

One young couple.

One small village.

Thousands of Jews on the run from the Nazis.

Love in a Time of Hate tells the gripping tale of Magda and André Trocmé, the couple that transformed a small town in the mountains of southern France into a place of safety during the Holocaust. At great risk to their own lives, the Trocmés led efforts in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon to hide more than three thousand Jewish children and adults who were fleeing the Nazis. 

In this astonishing story of courage, romance, and resistance, learn what prompted André and Magda to risk everything for the sake of strangers who showed up at their door. Building on the story told in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, German journalist Hanna Schott portrays a vivid story of resisting evil and sheltering refugees with striking resonance for today.

Shatter ~ Review with Excerpt and Giveaway

Shatter
By Nikki Trionfo

It is Salem's junior year in high school, but nothing is as it should be. Her sister is dead and Salem is convinced that Carrie's death was no accident. But how do you prove something when no one believes it is possible?

Set in the heart of California's farming community of Verona a clash is about to take place one that will pit growers against pickers. And Salem finds herself in the middle with her father, a grower, and Carrie's legacy as a union supporter. Who could have wanted to hurt Carrie? And even more disturbing who buried a murdered worker in their orchard and is it related to Carrie's death?

Determined to learn the truth about Carrie and her death, Salem enters into a dangerous quest for the truth. One that brings to light a secret that Carrie was keeping, one that could explain why she was targeted. But without knowing the why of Carrie's actions a very large question still remains who. And finding the answer just may cost Salem her life.

The deeper she delves the more questions she raises and she questions who she can truly trust.  Time is running out as the area threatens to erupt over workers' rights.

This book will open the reader's eyes to the plight of migrant/immigrant workers and the fears that they face as the attempt to support their families. The power and draw of gangs is also explored throughout this book.

The book moves forward from the first day of school with flashbacks to key moments in Salem's life that play a role in explaining what lead to Carrie's death.  This is a powerful and moving story that teens will be drawn into. This is a realistic read that will expose readers to a world that they may know little about other than an occasional news snippet they hear.

I highly recommend this book for tween and teen readers and it would make an excellent choice for a book club reading selection. This will be a book to keep them reading all night - which with summer just around the corner would be an excellent all nighter.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review.

About the Book:

“We never knew there could be people in the orchard. 

Dangerous people.”

When a mysterious explosion kills her sister, Salem becomes convinced the death was no accident--it was a conspiracy. But no one else at her high school believes her, and all she has so far are theories and clues. With Carrie's killers still out there, Salem's not sure who she can trust. If she can't she prove she’s right before it’s too late, the conspiracy might take another life—hers.

Excerpt:

The class is dead silent. Mr. White’s lips tighten. He swallows. There’s something

dangerous about the new guy. The teacher leans over AddyDay’s desk and spins her packet so he

can read the list of partnerships. “Fine. We’ll break up the threesome. You’ll pair with . . . Salem

Jefferson.”

At the sound of my name, I turn to look at my new partner.

The guy near the door is tall. He has the kind of incredible good looks that invite stares,

but that’s not the only reason he’s getting them now. The cursive lettering of a tattoo rises from

the opening of the guy’s worn flannel shirt. Two gold chains hang from his brown neck. A guy

accessorized in gang paraphernalia, not caked with it. His only completely visible marking is an

upside down V inked onto his right cheekbone, black and distinct. The tattoo calls my attention

for some reason, even though I’m sure I’ve never seen a symbol like that before. An upside

down V . . . it seems so familiar.

His expressionless, dark eyes dart to meet my gaze from under a stiff, backward-facing

ball cap. My classmates watch him stare at me.

“Salem Jefferson,” he says slowly, putting a slight emphasis on my last name. He waits

for my response.

I realize he knows exactly who Salem Jefferson is. Exactly who I am. I’m Carrie’s sister.

Terrified, I whirl back around to face forward. Gang members targeted Carrie, made her

frightened. Was he one of them? The skin between my shoulder blades tightens. Why were gang

guys after Carrie?

Giveaway:
$30 Amazon gift card prize.

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Author Bio:

Nikki Trionfo lives in Riverton, Utah with five kids, a CrossFit-training husband who writes computer code, and lots of hip hop background music. Her teen murder mystery, SHATTER (May '17 from Cedar Fort), won the grand prize in LDStorymakers’ First Chapter Alongside Heather Clark, she hosts free writing webinars on YouTube at #50FirstChapters.

A committed party-girl, Nikki serves as the social coordinator of LDStorymakers Conference and chair of Storymakers Tribe. Other notable stuff includes an honorable mention in Writers of the Future and a spot in Utah Horror Writer's shorty-story anthology. This all sounds really serious, but if you run into her, she gets down. Truly.

Learn more:

Dig into the Shatter World. Books about unions and reformed gang members. Blogs about my experiences writing with diversity. Some of the posts are League of Utah Writers award-winning essays. http://www.nikkitrionfo.com/shatterworld/

Lights Out ~ Review

Lights Out
By Ted Koppel

A Cyberattack

A Nation Unprepared

Surviving the Aftermath

We're a nation unprepared having mixed old and new together while allowing an entire industry to set their own suggested guidances. But in the world we now find ourselves living in this could very well be the weak link that could topple us.  What is this weak link you ask ~ the antiquated power system that powers everything in our day-to-day world.

The destructive power of nature is to be expected to exert its strengths upon occasion. Shutting down the power grid in a small contained area. What we don't anticipate and have no plan of recovery for is a cyberattack upon our power system. But just such an attack is not just the imaginings of fiction writers but a viable threat that could conceivably halt all modern life in a large and unpredictable swath of the nation. A threat that could silently strike with no clue as to who instigated the attack.

With our current dependence on electricity to power everything from our toothbrush to the latest automotive hybrid we would be in a word trapped. Water and food would quickly become scarce due to spoilage and panic demand. Communication would be almost impossible. 

But though there is no national plan in place if such an attack would take place there are models that each community - each neighborhood - can follow should such an event take place. The first is to practice the art of neighborliness, a willingness to pool what we have and share it amongst those around us. We should follow the philosophy of when experiencing a year of plenty to set aside a portion for a year of need. Preparation is always a prudent plan and as this book points out it is up to individuals and communities to do the groundwork necessary to survive the first few days and weeks.

Lights Out should not frighten the reader into hiding terrified of when and where disaster will hit, but rather allow the reader to think about what is exposed and plan accordingly for their living situation. This book also provides some interesting insights on how we could improve our current electrical situation so that repairs could be more easily accomplished such as having similar transformer parts that can easily be switched out anywhere in the nation (as opposed to state or region specific parts).

This is an insightful book that provides a lot of food for thought. And it is one that I recommend reading just so one is aware of what is and what isn't. This is not a book to be frightened away from because in this case ignorance is not bliss but rather an enemy.

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:

In this New York Times bestselling investigation, Ted Koppel reveals that a major cyber-attack on America’s power grid is not only possible but likely, that it would be devastating, and that the United States is shockingly unprepared.
 
Imagine a blackout lasting not days, but weeks or months. Tens of millions of people over several states are affected. For those without access to a generator, there is no running water, no sewage, no refrigeration or light. Food and medical supplies are dwindling. Devices we rely on have gone dark. Banks no longer function, looting is widespread, and law and order are being tested as never before.  

It isn’t just a scenario. A well-designed attack on just one of the nation’s three electric power grids could cripple much of our infrastructure—and in the age of cyberwarfare, a laptop has become the only necessary weapon. Several nations hostile to the United States could launch such an assault at any time. In fact, as a former chief scientist of the NSA reveals, China and Russia have already penetrated the grid. And a cybersecurity advisor to President Obama believes that independent actors—from “hacktivists” to terrorists—have the capability as well. “It’s not a question of if,” says Centcom Commander General Lloyd Austin, “it’s a question of when.”  

And yet, as Koppel makes clear, the federal government, while well prepared for natural disasters, has no plan for the aftermath of an attack on the power grid.  The current Secretary of Homeland Security suggests keeping a battery-powered radio.

In the absence of a government plan, some individuals and communities have taken matters into their own hands. Among the nation’s estimated three million “preppers,” we meet one whose doomsday retreat includes a newly excavated three-acre lake, stocked with fish, and a Wyoming homesteader so self-sufficient that he crafted the thousands of adobe bricks in his house by hand. We also see the unrivaled disaster preparedness of the Mormon church, with its enormous storehouses, high-tech dairies, orchards, and proprietary trucking company – the fruits of a long tradition of anticipating the worst. But how, Koppel asks, will ordinary civilians survive?

With urgency and authority, one of our most renowned journalists examines a threat unique to our time and evaluates potential ways to prepare for a catastrophe that is all but inevitable.

Jesus Invites Me ~ Review

Jesus Invites Me
Knowing My God series: A Learn book
By Callie Grant
     Art by Missi Jay

Instilling an early knowledge of Jesus that will grow with your child and family is what is so lovely about these books. Jesus Invites Me focuses on the verses from Matthew 11:28-30 in which we are invited by God (Jesus) to bring the burdens in our lives and share them with Him.

This is a promise that all can take to heart from the youngest child to the oldest adult. How often do we have an offer to help us carry the stresses of the day and all we have to do is share our need with God?

Every other page shares a portion of the Scripture while expounding on what this passage means. The facing page has an illustration which conveys this passage as well.

The book includes, in the final portion, guidance for parents on how to engage their children for their age (baby, toddler, and child).

A delight that is perfect for family devotions and would make the perfect gift for new or expecting parents.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun with the understanding that a positive review would not be an expectation and that all opinions expressed would be my own.

About the Book (18 pages):
Children engage with Jesus’ words for them in Matthew 11:28-30. From the Knowing My God series, this book offers three levels of exploration: a quoted Bible passage, beautiful real-world photographs, and supportive text to relate the passage’s meaning to a child’s life. A parent guide gives tips for involving a baby, toddler, and child. In the Graham Blanchard book collection, Jesus Invites Me is a Learn book, which makes personal Bible study accessible to young children who, alongside adults, build a foundation for faith and a lifelong friendship with Jesus. Find out more about our Learn, Absorb and Praise books for children at GrahamBlanchard.com.

Download free grownup tips for each book and find out more about Graham Blanchard's Learn, Absorb and Praise™ board books for children at www.grahamblanchard.com.

The Long Journey to Jake Palmer ~ Review

The Long Journey to Jake Palmer
By James L. Rubart

No good deed shall go unpunished ~ when Jake Palmer attempts to step in and help a stranger his life is destroyed.  Everything is put on hold for eighteen months, his marriage ends, and he is left with scars that are more than skin deep.  He helps others find their worth but he can't find his anymore.

A chance encounter on a plane with an elderly man is about to change Jake's life if he'll accept the challenge that is coming his way.  But to face the future and the present he must first confront the pain of his past. And he must be willing to fight for it.

When The Long Journey to Jake Palmer started out I didn't think there was going to be the spiritual thread for which James Rubart's books are known for.  I was wrong, when Jake starts searching for a legendary corridor for which the lake he is visiting is known for the spiritual comes into the story. The lost corridor of Willow Lake can only be located in the early hours of the day (think pre-dawn) and not all who seek it can find it. But finding it is rumored to give the seeker their deepest longings if they can find this corridor and enter it. But there is a price.

Fans of James Rubart will enjoy this latest offering from him. Everyone has a deep hidden secret one that holds them back from experiencing the life they were created to live. Sometimes it is a fear of not being enough. Or the pain of being a disappointment. Or shame of the physical, outward appearance. But God is waiting for us to seek Him out, so that we can move past what is holding us back from what He wants to give us. This is a moving story that will make you stop and think. I love the hidden gems of truth that the author weaves into his stories that are just waiting to be discovered.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the BookLook blogger program in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

What if there was a place where 

everything wrong 

in your life could be fixed?

Corporate trainer Jake Palmer coaches people to see deeper into themselves—yet he barely knows himself anymore. Recently divorced and weary of the business life, Jake reluctantly agrees to a lake-house vacation with friends, hoping to escape for ten days.

When he arrives, Jake hears the legend of Willow Lake—about a lost corridor that leads to a place where one’s deepest longings will be fulfilled.

Jake scoffs at the idea, but can’t shake a sliver of hope that the corridor is real. And when he meets a man who mutters cryptic speculations about the corridor, Jake is determined to find the path, find himself, and fix his crumbling life.

But the journey will become more treacherous with each step Jake takes.

Bossy Flossy ~ Review with Giveaway

Bossy Flossy 
By Paulette Bogan

Flossy is just plain bossy, there is no other way to describe her.  She bosses around her toys, her kitty, her mom (which didn't end well Flossy ended up in TROUBLE), her classmates, and her teacher (another not so good idea on Flossy's part).  It seems as if Flossy is on a path to stardom as the world's bossiest person.

But one day everything changes - she meets Edward and the title for bossiest kid in the world is up for grabs!  But sometimes the best way to end bossiness is to experience for yourself and be on the receiving end of all the pushiness.

This is a cute book that is perfect for teaching an important lesson about being a person other people enjoy being around.  Friendship is a give-and-take type relationship and no one like always being told you have to do it this way.  Suggestions are welcomed but takeovers aren't.

This book is also a great way to explain to siblings that just because something works for them this won't necessarily work for bother or sister.

The reader could also discuss the book with their child asking how they would feel if Flossy came in and took over what they were working on or playing at. This is a perfect learning resource at home, school, or daycare situation.

I was provided a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the Book:

Flossy is the bossiest girl around. She's bossy at home and she's bossy in school. She's bossy to her friends and she's bossy to her cat. Sometimes she's even bossy to her teacher! Flossy doesn't understand why no one will listen to her. One day, Flossy meets Edward, a boy who may be just as bossy as she is. Has Flossy finally met her match?

Buy the Book:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Chapters Indigo

Author's Bio:

Paulette Bogan admits she was bossy as a child. She is the author and illustrator of Virgil and Owen, which was chosen as one of Bank Street Best Children's books of the Year 2016, Virgil & Owen Stick Together, which won a Mom's Choice Award Gold Medal for Picture Books, and Lulu The Big Little Chick, which won a Children's Choice Book Award. She lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs. They ALL think she is STILL bossy. But they've never told her to go to her room!

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Win a package of 3 children’s books by
Paulette Bogan:

Bossy Flossy, Virgil and Owen, and
Virgil and Owen Stick Together

plus a $20 Amazon Gift Card
(Open to USA and Can)

2 winners, giveaway ends Oct 8

Enter the contest now because I'm not bossy

and you really want me to come to your home!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Principle and Power of Kingdom Citizenship ~ Review

The Principle and Power of Kingdom Citizenship
By Dr. Myles Munroe

Have you ever wondered about what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God?  We have lost, over the years, what Jesus meant. We have interpreted the words of Jesus through the murky lens of our western culture.  Instead we need to throw out what we know and relearn the rights and duties of our kingdom citizenship.  The Bible is our way to knowledge about the heavenly kingdom of which we have a claim.

Humanity's failure began with the first sin.  One simple command do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil destroyed humanities access to the only outpost (colony) of Heaven on Earth. Charged with the management of God's creation we failed, but through the sacrifice of God's Son we've been offered a second chance. A chance to reclaim our citizenship in Heaven, but we've distorted this chance.

This book offers you a guide to be sure you understand what it means to be a citizen. And you will see the importance of living every minute as an ambassador of the Kingdom.  This book offers some interesting insights that you will want to explore.

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

About the Book:
Discover How to Live as a Citizen of God’s Unshakable Kingdom!
Are you ready to experience life on a new, supernatural level? Then it’s time to take your place as a royal citizen in God’s unshakable Kingdom.

For too long, too many followers of Christ have lived beneath their Kingdom inheritance. They are saved and set-up for eternity in Heaven, but they continue to live defeated and unfulfilling lives on Earth.

In Dr. Myles Munroe’s final book before graduating to eternity, he presents the biblical blueprint for what it looks like for you to live as an empowered Kingdom citizen.

You will learn how to:
• Identify and access your royal rights as a citizen of God’s Kingdom • Exercise your authority as an ambassador of Christ in your sphere of influence • Change atmospheres around you with the climate of Heaven

The Kingdom is not just about going to Heaven one day after you die...it is about walking in the purpose and power of Heaven today while you are still living on Earth!

About the Author:
Dr. Myles Munroe is global leader, professional consultant, leadership coach, mentor, international motivational speaker, business and corporate trainer, spiritual leader, government advisor, educator, master teacher, media host and bestselling author. He is one of the outstanding leaders of our generation. He was selected as one of the Top 20 voices of influence in the world by GT Magazine survey and he has positively impacted millions of lives around the world. Dr. Munroe is also founder and senior pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International and chairman of International Third World Leaders Association empowering millions to discover their personal purpose and develop their true potential. He and his wife, Ruth, have two children.

Planet Heal Thyself ~ Review

Planet Heal Thyself
By Jordan Rubin

The Revolution of 

Regeneration 

in Body, Mind, and Planet

In an effort to be ever more productive in our efforts to feed the world we have allowed technological and biological advances to damage not only the world we once knew but also sacrificed our own health and well-being along the way.

Production and profit at any cost has become the norm.  Mega farms have swallowed up many smaller family farms.  And in the process we have seen a decline in the nutritional quality of the food that is produced for consumption.

Each person has a choice to be part of the solution or add to the problem.  As the author points out "you are what they eat," and this refers to both plant and animal based foods. The advances in farming has resulted in the destruction of much of the nutrient rich topsoil. With this poor quality soil the plants and grasses that feed not only humanity but the animals that exist side-by-side with us have become deprived.

The author Jordan Rubin takes us on his journey of recapturing his health and wellness through a drastic change in how he was living and what he has learned along the way. This is a book that after reading you'll want to share with family and friends.

Living in a farming community that has been around for generations as well as a vegetarian I found this book to be both enlightening and terrifying in seeing the damage we have wrought upon the world we have been commanded to care for.

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


About the Book:

It’s Time for the Planet and Its People to Heal Thyself 

Whether you’re aware of it or not, you’ve been born into a system of degeneration that harms the planet and every person and creature alive. In order for transformation to occur, says author Jordan Rubin, you must make a decision to take steps today to become part of the solution.

Planet Heal Thyself will teach you how to start a “Revolution of Regeneration” in the areas of health and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and food production as well as economic prosperity and abundance.

Within these pages, you will learn:
    * Why rebuilding our nation’s disappearing topsoil should be our highest priority
    *  How real nutrients from real foods create real health
    *  How you can help our planet by growing your own food

The health and well-being of you, your family, and our planet rests on your shoulders and the daily decisions you make. If you’re ready to do your part to heal our planet and restore your health, then the revolution begins with you.


About the Author:

Jordan Rubin is a New York Times best-selling author, TV personality, motivational speaker, organic farmer and founder of Garden of Life, Beyond Organic and Get REAL Nutrition. Jordan has spent nearly 20 years studying naturopathic medicine, nutrition and permaculture science. Jordan and his wife Nicki have six amazing children.

Lethal Harvest ~ Review

Lethal Harvest
By William Cutrer
    and Sandra Glahn

Tim Sullivan's unexpected death has rocked the life of his family and his business partners. That his death has followed so quickly after his business has had a lawsuit brought against it is unfortunate. As Tim's widow Marnie works with his business partners Ben McKay and Lucas Morgan to unlock the secrets Tim took with him unsettling discoveries come to light.

Tim left behind evidence of highly sensitive and morally questionable research.  Research that could potentially create international shock waves.  But was Tim's research the reason someone has taken an unusual level of interest in those Tim left behind?  Or is there another that they have yet to discover.

As Marnie deals with her loss, she has to come to the realization that the life she had and the future she wanted are gone.  This new chapter in her life has Marnie, with the help of Ben, exploring the spiritual and eternal aspects of her existence.

Lethal Harvest is a suspense-filled journey that delves into the question of how far is too far?  Is there ever too high a price to pay in the name of research?  As those left behind struggle with understanding what Tim was working on, someone is lurking in the shadows trying to determine the answers to questions of their own.  And everyone involved with Tim personally and professionally may be at risk.

Lethal Harvest is a book that will open your eyes to the potential benefits and detriments that medical achievements can yield.  If you are looking for a medical suspense that will keep you turning the pages this book will do this.  But this more than a medical suspense as it delves into lives of those involved and their faith or lack thereof.

These are characters whom I enjoyed (for the most part) and would enjoy getting to know better.

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


About the book:

In order to save the president's life, a brilliant embryologist-- the president's nephew--made a "devil's bargain" with a secret group of federal agents. But Tim Sullivan's illegal genetic manipulations of human embryos places everyone he knows at risk. Before he can finish his work, a freakish accident takes his life, leaving only troubling questions behind.

Now his partner, Ben McKay, and Tim's widow, Marnie, must uncover the hidden truth about Tim's research before more lives are swept away. In the process, they're forced to face their feelings for each other and the dark secrets in their own pasts. This story of love, loss, and danger crosses international borders from Mexico to the former Soviet Union in order to answer one searing question: if Tim's research is completed, what form will the strange and dangerous harvest take?

Ambition, jealousy, and the ultimate meaning of love move this riveting story through the dark labyrinth that may lie buried under breakthroughs in genetic research and cloning.