Death be not Proud ~ Review

Death Be Not Proud
The Secret of the Journal Book 2
By C.F. Dunn

Emma D'Eresby has returned to England with her parents where she seems to be almost in a stupor as she tries to make sense of both Matthew and what occurred in Maine.  As Emma searches for answers she comes across evidence that points to Matthew being even more unique than she first thought.

When Emma sends Matthew a cryptic message she fears that she has driven him away.  But to her surprise Matthew shows up in England and wants her to return to Maine and celebrate Christmas with his family as they had planned.  Emma agrees to this plan, but before they spend the holiday with Matthew's family they speak of what Emma has discovered and its impact on their present and possible future together.

I have to say the first part of the book seemed to drag as Emma dealt with the mental fallout of her experience and her parents were on the verge of having her committed.  But the second half picked up after Matthew came on the scene.  I would definitely urge the reader to read book 1 - Mortal Fire before read this book as it will help the reader's understanding of the book.  This is not to say you have to read the first book, but it is highly recommended for your comprehension.  And who wants to start a series part way into it? 

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


About the book: 
Following the vicious attack by a psychotic colleague, and reeling from the suspicion that Matthew Lynes is not all that he seems, Professor Emma D'Eresby flees her college teaching position in Maine to her hometown in England--taking the mysterious seventeenth--century journal she stole from the college's archives with her.

Broken physically and emotionally, Emma drifts until, fearing for their daughter's sanity, her parents invite a family friend to assess her. In the course of their conversation, Emma discovers that he spoke to Matthew over thirty years before.

This finally spurs her into action and soon, when she finds what certainly must be a reference to Matthew in the journal, she begins to understand Matthew's profound secret.

But when Matthew arrives to confess his love for her, she must decide if she can trust him--and he must decide if he can share his extraordinary secret with her. Drawn by a deep connection that both feel but don't quite understand they find they must set aside their doubts and trust each other.

Readers will be thrilled by the second installment in The Secret of the Journal from British author C. F. Dunn. Mixing suspense, romance, and the supernatural, Death Be Not Proud explores the profound moral implications of a life seemingly invulnerable to time.

Captives ~ Review

Captives

The Safe Lands 1

By Jill Williamson

Levi is the favored son of Justin of Elias.  He is to marry for love.  He is a hunter.  He can go on scavenging trips to Denver City.  And he has earned the respect of his father, something that his younger brothers cannot do no matter how hard they try.

Mason has decided that trying to earn his father's respect and trust is an impossible tasks though he tries his best to please him.  But Omar is determined to win it no matter what the cost, but does he know how much he is going to pay?

The Safe Lands were designed to protect the people from a plague, but what was to be a safety has turned into an even greater danger.  The city is the plague and there is no way to stop it or to save the city without drastic measures.  And Omar and the people of Glenrock may be the Safe Lands last hope.

Omar in an act of betrayal destroys Glenrock and rips Jemma and Levi apart just days before their marriage.  Can Levi find a way to get within the city and free those who have been taken against their will?  

The ease of life in the Safe Lands is a powerful draw, but is the loss of their freedom and the chance of becoming infected a reasonable trade?  But the Safe Lands is home to people whose wild ways may have lead to the plague's spread through what was suppose to be a fortress of safety from the plague.   

Mason has been put in a position within the Safe Lands where he is able to study the problem of the plague up close.  Can he use the skills he developed in Glenrock and stop the plague?  Can he bring hope where there is none or will it merely be false hope?

As Mason struggles to cure the plague and to save the people of Glenrock from forced surrogacy, Levi is working on a plan of escape.  Meanwhile Omar is falling into all that the Safe Lands has to offer in an attempt to hide from his guilt over what went wrong with his grand plan.  

If you liked the Hunger Games or The Sky Chasers series but wanted books that offered something more you will love Captives.  Captives has a belief in something more than self and learning to accept the person God made you to be.  Captives will tug at your heart as you experience the unhappiness that fills the Safe Lands.  The only problem I have is now I have to wait until book 2 is published!

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

Link to book map.

 

About the book:

One choice could destroy them all.

When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.

Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.

Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only his people, but also find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone inside the Safe Lands.

Can Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land’s façade before it’s too late?

CSFF August Blog Tour ~ Captives Day 3

Captives
The Safe Lands Book 1
By Jill Williamson

Captives is the first book in the Safe Lands trilogy.  The book focuses on just a few of the people from Glenrock.  The main focus is three brothers -Levi, Mason, and Omar, who are a study in contrasts.

Levi is the expected leader-to-be.  The eldest son of Justin, and Justin's favorite.  Levi is allowed to marry whom he wants.  He's a hunter and he is allowed to go on trips to the old city to scavenge for supplies.

Mason the second son.  He is training to be a doctor, something that isn't an approved profession for men in Glenrock. And he reads old medical books from before.  Mason is thoughtful and empathetic towards the feelings of others.  After accidentally shooting and killing Joel (not in the book) Mason doesn't have the stomach for hunting or eating meat.  Mason's father arranges a marriage for him and does so against Mason's objections.

Omar is the youngest son with an artistic eye.  He is always drawing and sketching.  Omar does hunt and is yet another disappointment to his father.  Omar is jealous of his brother Levi.  Levi has their father's approval and is taken into the old city someplace Omar dreams about seeing.  And Levi is going to marry Jemma the girl Omar has a crush on.  But Omar belittles others just as his father does all the while seeking his father's approval.

Once they enter the Safe Lands the brothers reactions are as varying as they are.  Omar wants to experience everything that the Safe Lands have to offer, no matter the cost.  Levi wants to rescue the people of Glenrock and escape the city.  Mason, though not eager to embrace the lifestyle of the Safe Lands, is curious about their medical and scientific knowledge.  His empathy makes him willing to help the Safe Landers find  cure for their illness.

It is interesting to see these brothers side-by-side and wonder how different they and their lives might have been if their father had treated them the same.  It is also all the more amazing that our Heavenly Father shows no favoritism among His children when we compare Him to our own earthly fathers.

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

Be sure to visit all  the CSFF blog tour stops for Captives during the 3 day (August 12 -14) tour

Julie Bihn   Thomas Fletcher Booher   Keanan Brand   Beckie Burnham   Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman   Pauline Creeden   Emma or Audrey Engel   Victor Gentile   Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner   Carol Keen   Shannon McDermott   Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller   Joan Nienhuis   Asha Marie Pena   Nathan Reimer   Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis   Jessica Thomas   Steve Trower   Phyllis Wheeler   Rachel Wyant

Want to buy a copy of Captives?  The best online price I've found is from DeeperShopping!

Christian Book Store

Be sure to connect with Jill online!

CSFF August Blog Tour ~ Captives Day 2

 Before you read any further please be aware that Safe Lands Enforcers are most likely tracking your movements and the information you are about read could endanger you and you may be liberated early!  Be afraid!  Be very afraid!

For today's portion of the CSFF Captives tour author Jill Williamson took time out her busy schedule to take part in an interview with me.  The pictures included throughout the interview are courtesy of Jill. 

1) When you came up with The Safe Lands did you anything that influenced your design of this city?

I came up with The Safe Lands map long before I came up with a story to go with it. I was drawing maps one day and thought it would be fun to have a walled city. When I finished drawing it, it looked like a bell. So I started calling it The Bell. Then later, when I got the idea for the story, I knew instantly that it would fit with my Bell map.

2) Levi, Mason, and Omar are all different and handle the situations that they are given differently.  Do you have a favorite brother and if so who is it and why this brother?

I suppose that Mason is my favorite. I like the way he tries to solve problems by thinking them through. It was hard for me to write him, because I don't think like he does. I spent a lot of time on forums, reading his type of personality to try and find his voice. And when I found it I was so excited because he became real.

3) Do you think Mason's empathetic nature makes him ideal for the medical profession or is his sensitive nature too empathetic and he would be hurt by all the pain and suffering that he would see?  

Mason will always be saddened when patients die or are in a lot of pain. But to be a successful doctor, Mason will have to learn to separate himself from that and understand that death happens and that it's not his fault. This will be easier for him to handle if he would stop trying to control things and trust God.  

4) Levi's guilt over what he think happened in the past has affected him, did this also play a role in his attitude towards his brothers - especially Omar?

Sure. Levi beat himself up that he failed to set a good example for Omar. Levi thinks that a leader should be perfect, yet he knows he's not perfect. Still, he strives for perfection, which makes him a little intense. And he likes to tell his brothers what he thinks they should do and think, but that's not a very good way to lead. Levi will learn this in time, I hope.

5) The technology used for the tattoos in the Safe Lands, do you think there would be a market for it today and if so what warnings would give against its use?

I think people would love SimTags. They would be very popular. As to warnings, it's still a way of marking your skin, though images only show up when they're programmed. And you could get infections from implanted microchips. Plus, it's a way for the government or the SimTag company to know your location at all times, which is a little creepy.

6) The other day after I finished reading Captives I was putting on make-up (just lip gloss and blush for work - don't want to scare the patrons out of the library! :D) and Roller-Paint was brought to mind (which was really a scary thought!).  Where did this idea come from? (I've seen the Safe Land ads for it by the way UGH!)  

Because Safe Landers prize beauty, but their disease makes the skin flaky and ugly. So I figured they would find a way to make themselves look perfect. I can't remember where I came up with the name for it. Maybe when we were painting in the house. LOL

7) Do you ever think you will write a prequel dealing with the beginnings of the Safe Lands, before Glenrock was started by Papa Eli?  Call me nosy but I always want to know the story before the story and it would be interesting to see how the Safe Lands had changed between Papa Eli's escape (which would be pretty current?) and the destruction/capture of Glenrock's citizens.

Yes! I started with that story. In fact, the publisher originally bought that one, which I called Thirst, and Captives. But when they learned that I had planned for Captives to be a trilogy, they tossed out the prequel and bought the trilogy. I'd love to finish Thirst. I wrote almost half of the book. Eli, his sister, and their two friends are the main characters. And they were trying to get out of the city to a safe place that had clean drinking water. I miss those guys. :-)

Be sure to visit all  the CSFF blog tour stops for Captives during the 3 day (August 12 -14) tour

Julie Bihn   Thomas Fletcher Booher   Keanan Brand   Beckie Burnham   Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman   Pauline Creeden   Emma or Audrey Engel   Victor Gentile   Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner   Carol Keen   Shannon McDermott   Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller   Joan Nienhuis   Asha Marie Pena   Nathan Reimer   Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis   Jessica Thomas   Steve Trower   Phyllis Wheeler   Rachel Wyant

Want to buy a copy of Captives?  The best online price I've found is from DeeperShopping!

Christian Book Store

Be sure to connect with Jill online!

The Governess of Highland Hall ~ Review

The Governess of Highland Hall

Edwardian Brides Series

By Carrie Turansky

When missionary Julia Foster returns to England with parents she never expected her life to take such a dramatic turn.  After all she had hopes of soon returning to India after her father’s recovery.   But her father’s recovery was not occurring as she had prayed it would.

Determined to support her parents, Julia takes a job as a governess.   But she is not just governess to Sir William Ramsey’s two children, but to his two nearly grown nieces as well!  Sir William’s soon find a place in Julia’s heart as she fills a need that they have been sorely lacking – loving care.  Sir William’s nieces are another story, having just recently lost their own father.

Miss Foster is a surprise to Sir William in that she’s not afraid to speak her mind, especially where his children are concerned.  Her care makes a noted difference in his children – Andrew becomes less unruly and Millicent (Millie) becomes less sickly.   Many of the staff are drawn to Julia and her caring attitude.  And she soon becomes friends with Sarah Ramsey, Sir William’s younger sister. 

When Sir William learns that there is a death tax that could cost him and his family Highland Hall, he doesn’t know where to turn.  His newly hired governess’s skills on the mission field prove invaluable when it comes to getting a tighter rein on the estate’s purchases.  But will it be enough to save Highland Hall?  Or will Sir William have another failure added to his name?

But not everyone is a fan of the new governess!  Mrs. Emmitt the housekeeper takes an almost instant dislike of Julia, blaming the young woman for the economizing and changes taking place at Highland Hall.  Including the fraternizing between staff and family!

As Julia’s time at Highland Hall continues her heart is drawn to her young charges even as she feels the pull of ministering in India.  What does her future hold and how is she to know God’s will? 

I found The Governess of Highland Hall to be an enjoyable read.  In fact it kept me up until 4:30 am with a “just one more chapter” promise to myself starting at 12:30 am.   But 4:30 came around just as I finished my one more chapter.   And guess what?  The book was finished!

Set in 1911/1912 this is an intriguing look at a small part of English history just before the world is about to experience a tremendous upheaval.  Change is coming and the question is was the world ready?  Take a quick peek into this change with The Governess of Highland Hall.   

I for one would love to see a sequel to The Governess of Highland Hall.  There is so much more I would like to find out about - Katherine’s upcoming season, Ann, Mrs. Emmitt and more.   What happens to them?  If an author leaves you wanting more in my book that makes for a good book!

I was provided a free ARC copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Check-out these related websites:

• Podcast
• Facebook
• Author's web site
• Pinterest
• More Info
• Author Bio

CSFF August Blog Tour ~ Captives Day 1

Captives
The Safe Lands series Book 1
By Jill Williamson

They thought they were safe, but they were wrong...

Years ago the water became contaminated with a virus and drinkable safe water became scarce.  The Safe Lands with were built to protect them from the Great Pandemic, but the life of decadence they choose brought the plague to them.  But one man escaped, starting the small village of Glenrock where he and his family have lived for more than 80 years.  But that is all about to change because of a decision made by his great-grandson Omar.

Omar hoped to make his father proud.  To make him acknowledge the worth of his youngest son, but Omar's plans go awry when instead of offering the people of Glenrock a chance to become nationals of the Safe Lands they are forced to become a part of the community.  Omar's choice may cost him his life as he partakes of all the pleasures that the Safe Lands has to offer.

How many of us wish for a life other than what we have?  We aren't content with what life has given us, wanting what others have instead.  We don't realize that what we don't have could do us great harm.  Many are envious of the life of a celebrity, but how many of these idolized public figures seek pleasures that leave them empty.

When pleasure can't be found in a quiet moment we need to take a look at our heart and examine why we are discontent.  Or we, like Omar, may make a decision that will have a long-lasting effect on, not only our life, but on the lives of those around us.

We need to remember this Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV)

Be sure to come back tomorrow for day 2 and an interview with Captives author Jill Williamson!

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

Be sure to visit all  the CSFF blog tour stops for Captives during the 3 day (August 12 -14) tour:

Julie Bihn   Thomas Fletcher Booher   Keanan Brand   Beckie Burnham   Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman   Pauline Creeden   Emma or Audrey Engel   Victor Gentile   Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner   Carol Keen   Shannon McDermott   Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller   Joan Nienhuis   Asha Marie Pena   Nathan Reimer   Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis   Jessica Thomas   Steve Trower   Phyllis Wheeler   Rachel Wyant

Want to buy a copy of Captives?  The best online price I've found is from DeeperShopping!

Christian Book Store

Be sure to connect with Jill online!

Keeper of Reign ~ Book Feature

Join Emma Right, author of the young adult fantasy novel, Keeper of Reign, as she tours the blogosphere August 11 - August 30, 2013 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

ABOUT KEEPER OF REIGN

Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.

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ABOUT EMMA RIGHT

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one. Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children. Visit Emma Right at her home site and blog for tips and ideas about books, homeschooling, bible devotions, and author helps of various sorts: www.emmaright.com and follow her on facebook emma.right.author or her fanpage on facebook.com/keeperofreign

 

Keeper of Reign Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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Coming Soon!

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