Goose Princess ~ Review with Snippet

Goose Princess

Beyond the Tales #4

By Tricia Mingerink

 

This is the book I've been waiting for since book three came out. And it was so worth the wait. Unfortunately, it is the final book in the Beyond the Tales series. 

Keziah has been cursed since she was eight days old to not be able to talk to anyone. Through creative reasoning, she has figured out a way to communicate indirectly, but it only works if others are paying attention to her. Now she and her four brothers are fleeing to a safe and hidden location. 

Why are they fleeing? Well, her brothers have all fallen to their curse. All four of them are now geese! Not the best condition to be in when you are the princess and princes of a country under threat from a neighboring country.

But Keziah's plan to protect her brothers is brought to a halt when they come across High King Alexander being hunted by the very people they are trying to hide from. What's a princess to do? Why help her king, of course. 

 

Then there is the whole breaking several curses to deal with, while saving the kingdom, and being selfless. Can we just say this book is packed full of danger, adventure, and learning to trust the Highest King? Well, it is, and it is such good reading.

This series must be read in order to fully appreciate everything. And if it has been awhile since you've read the books, I would recommend rereading them again before reading Goose Princess. I loved seeing Alex's transition throughout the series and how he grew as both a person and a king.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Before he can have peace, he has one last curse to face.

In the three years since he woke from his enchanted sleep, High King Alexander has faced multiple curses, nearly died, and re-united the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia. He has watched everyone around him find peace and happiness. Is it finally time for him to secure happiness for himself?

When an old enemy strikes once again, Alex finds himself on the run, hunted in his own kingdom, and all alone except for the most unlikely ally: a princess who can't talk to people and her gaggle of goose brothers.

With his enemies closing around him, Alex must make a choice. Will he rescue his best friend or save his kingdom? And, after everything he suffered, does he even want to be the high king or is this his chance to walk away and pursue his own happy ending?

Goose Princess is a retelling of the Goose Girl and Wild Swans fairy tales. Enjoy this fourth and final book in Beyond the Tales, a Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling series!

Snippets:

Ezra glared with his tiny black eyes, as if utterly unrepentant that he’d just bitten the high king. Again.

“What are we, helpless goldfinches?” Josiah gestured to himself. “We’ll be geese, Mother. Geese. With sharp beaks and everything.”

Coming July 4, 2024 ~ True Love's Wish & Other Short Stories

 I thrilled that you can soon read True Love's Wish & Other Short Stories.

Just a little about the stories.

There are three - True Love's Wish, The Decorator, and Forever Yours.

I loved writing each of these short stories, but (drops voice to a whisper)

don't tell the other stories but Forever Yours is my favorite.

Here is a short blurb for each story and a small snippet from each:

True Love's Wish:
With her brother about to propose to her best friend, Ashley makes a wish on the Christmas star for her own true love. What follows is a sweet story about finding love where we least expect it. Has all the good feels of a Hallmark movie without the snarky leading lady.

The Decorator:
Bri loves her job as a decorator, but this job has a winter surprise in store for her.

Forever Yours:
In a Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty retelling mashup, Ella lives a hundred years in the hope of awakening her prince. But the curse that has held a kingdom in an endless slumber isn't so easily defeated.

Available to preorder at Amazon

Snow Storm ~ Review

 

Snow Storm  by Mike Alger  Greg O'Brien is the meteorologist for KRGX and also for local radio station KOPP-FM. He's popular and is shocked when the radio station lets him go without explanation.  But what follows leaves him totally flummoxed. At first, he thinks it's just a series of unfortunate circumstances that have made him accident-prone. But all too soon, it becomes clear that someone is helping these accidents occur. Unfortunately, no one who can help him will believe him.  But how can a meteorologist outsmart an international assassin and live another day in hopes that he'll discover why he's been targeted? Greg O'Brien is about to make an effort. After all, he has a lot to live for. Over the years, I've listened to Mike Alger narrate audiobooks written by other authors; this is the first I've enjoyed that he has written. The book is told from Greg O'Brien's perspective. It is sometimes a memoir of Greg's recollection of what had happened until the book gets to where the opening action occurs. From there, the book unfolds as in-time action. Overall this was a well-written story with plenty of action that will more than completely engage the reader's attention. The reader and Greg will get a crash course in international crime and cartels as the threats escalate.  You won't want to miss this book if you are looking for suspense and life-and-death situations. The audio reading is well-presented, the various characters are distinguishable, and there is good pacing throughout. At just over 11 hours, this is the perfect length for a week's commute. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. The Book Details Book Title:  SNOW STORM by Mike Alger Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +)  Genre:  Mystery / Thriller Publisher:  Publish America Release date:   July 2002 Content Rating:  PG - I wavered between G and PG… there's no explicit language, but there is some mild violence. Snippet: He smiled. "Kidnapping? Naw… you don't have to worry about that. Oy'm not here to kidnap you. Oy'm here to kill you." About the Book: Have you ever had one of those days? You know the kind. You wake up one morning, and all of a sudden, an internationally feared assassin wants you dead? I hate it when that happens. And what do you do when the forecast for your friendly neighborhood TV weatherman looks like murder? ​KRGX meteorologist Greg O'Brien is having one of those days. He just hopes it's not his last. Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Audible  Add to Goodreads Meet the Author: One of the most popular and recognizable faces on television sets in Nevada and California, Mike Alger is the Chief Meteorologist for KTVN-TV Channel 2 (CBS) in Reno, Nevada. The award-winning weatherman is a holder of the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval. He is happily married with two children. ​ Connect with the author: website ~ ACX ~ Facebook ~  Twitter Tour Schedule: May 1 – Mystery Review Crew – audiobook review/giveaway May 1 - Mystery Review Crew - book spotlight/guest post/giveaway May 2 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight/guest post/giveaway May 8 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review/author interview/giveaway May 9 – Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review/guest post/giveaway May 10 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review/giveaway May 11 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review/giveaway May 12 – Liese's Blog – book spotlight May 13 – Rajiv's Reviews – audiobook review May 16 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight/author interview/giveaway May 17 – Diane's Book Journal – book spotlight May 18 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight/guest post/giveaway May 23 – Locks, Hooks, and Books – audiobook review/giveaway May 24 – The Momma Spot – audiobook review/giveaway May 25 – Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook review/giveaway May 26 – Celticlady's Reviews – book spotlight/giveaway May 26 – fundinmental – book spotlight/giveaway Enter the Giveaway:

Mask of Scarlet ~ Review with Snippet

Mask of Scarlet

Bastian Denell, PI #3

By Sarah Pennington

Bastian isn't too sure when a potential client seeks his assistance in finding the most beautiful woman ever. But all he has to do is discover the identity of this mystery woman and that can't be too difficult, surely someone at the party got her name. It seems easy enough with the greatest danger being that his new client won't like the answer that Bastian uncovers.

All too soon this new case proves to be more difficult than it first appeared. No one knows the identity of the mysterious woman. And the Families are involved - YIKES!!!! But Bastian isn't easily dissuaded.

Now, if he could just figure out what's going on with Dayo. For some reason, she seems to be giving him the brush-off. Can Bastian find true love not only for himself but also for his client? Maybe if he can keep the Fair Folk and the Families out of his case. 

Mask of Scarlet is a fun twist on Cinderella set in a 1920s era with a good dash of fantasy thrown in just to keep it even more interesting. This is the third book in the Bastian Denell, PI series, and each book goes together chronologically, but each book can be read as a standalone title. (But I personally think it reads better in series order.) I highly recommend this series and book as it is a fun and engaging read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectation but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Book Description:

Bastian Dennel is a detective, not a matchmaker.

But he’s also not one to turn down easy mazuma. So when one of Innsjøby’s richest young sheiks hires him to find his so-called true love — a girl he’s met only once at a masked party — Bastian is on the case. After his last few high-risk adventures, he’s ready for a job where the hardest part will be collecting his payment. Sure, all he has to go on is a guest list and a description . . . but how hard can it be?

Of course, easy money always has a catch, and what should’ve been a simple search turns out to be anything but. Everyone seems to have their own opinion on who this mystery girl should be, whether or not it matches reality, and even the Families are getting involved. To make matters worse, Dayo is acting cagey, and Bastian doesn’t know why.

Bastian’s business is the truth. But what can he do when everyone around him has already decided what they want the truth to be? Find out in this Jazz-Age take on “Cinderella,” book three of the Bastian Dennel, PI mysteries! 

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RQFLHCM 

Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60307521-mask-of-scarlet 

Find the rest of the series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09869T5NJ

Author Bio:

Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. When she isn't writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list. 

Find her online at: Author Site || Wordpress Blog || Blogspot Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Amazon

Book Snippet:

Bastian’s office door swung open so hard it banged against the wall. A burst of early autumn wind and a swirl of drying leaves halfway between red and brown swept in, along with a young man wearing a bold purple suit in a cut that said it cost more than Bastian made in a good year. “Bastian Dennel?” the man asked.

 

“That would be me.” Bastian stood, taking in the figure who’d invaded his office. Short red curls poked out beneath a fedora that matched the suit. Blue eyes gleamed in a face a few shades too dark to be purely Stjernesøkeren or Daoinoic, a face whose lines Bastian had seen in the papers more than a few times—typically in the gossip section. The man moved in sudden, eager bursts, though with the particular grace that came with the certainty that he was too important for anyone to refuse.

 

In short, he looked like trouble. But he was trouble with money, so Bastian wouldn’t complain. The slow shift from high summer to mid fall had brought with it a dry spell so far as work was concerned. And while his money hadn’t run out yet, with two additional people in the house, his savings were dropping lower than he’d like.