Siren's Song ~ Review

Siren's Song
The Storm Siren Trilogy 3
By Mary Weber

Nym and Eogan have barely survived their latest confrontation with Draewulf - but Princess Rasha is now in the enemy's hands.  Lord Myles has absorbed all but a remnant of the darkness that Nym had taken into herself and it is consuming him.  War has truly come to the Hidden Lands and no one may be able to survive the power of Draewulf.

The fate of their world, their lives lies with a girl who was not suppose to exist, who was never suppose to survive.  But how is Nym suppose to stop this ancient foe who is slowly gathering the collective powers of the Uathuils into himself?  Sacrifices will be made in this almost hopeless endeavor. The only question is who will be left to experience victory or defeat? Change is coming and Nym will help usher it in.

This is the third and final book in the Storm Siren series.  We will be given a glimpse into Nym's past that we haven't yet been privy to.  Siren's Song has threads of both hope and despair running throughout though it is not as dark as Siren's Fury.  Overall I really liked this book especially Kel, the child captain of one of the Bron airships.  I love his comments when he gets disgusted at Nym and Eogan's kissing (slobbering is his preferred reference to Nym).

I think this book and series is appropriate for older teens, though as a teen reader I would have been of a mind with Kel and been put off by Eogan and Nym at times.  Nym's growth through the series from slave to leader is impressive and as are those who helped to her find herself.  

I have to admit I really like the covers for these books which is what drew me to them in the first place.  Fans of fantasy ya fiction will have something new to engage their minds.

            

              

I was provided a copy of this book by BookLook and the Fiction Guild in exchange for my honest review,



About the Book:

“The realization hits: 

We’re not going to win. 

It’s why I couldn’t defeat Draewulf in Bron - 

because this power was never mine anyway. 

I drop my arms and let the energy die off. 

And turn around to face Eogan.”

After a fierce battle with Draewulf, Nym barely escaped with her life. Now, fleeing the scorched landscape of Tulla, her storm-summoning abilities are returning; only . . . the dark power is still inside her.

Broken and bloodied, Nym needs time to recover, but when the full scope of the shapeshifter’s horrific plot is revealed, the strong-willed Elemental must race across the Hidden Lands and warn the other kingdoms before Draewulf ’s final attack.

From the crystalline palaces of Cashlin to the legendary Valley of Origin, Nym scrambles to gather an army. But even if she can, will she be able to uncover the secret to defeating Draewulf that has eluded her people for generations? With a legion of monsters approaching, and the Hidden Lands standing on the brink of destruction, the stage is set for a battle that will decide the fate of the world.

This time, will the Siren’s Song have the power to save it?

King's Folly Video Trailer

Have you picked up Jill Williamson's King's Folly yet?

Here is a short video teaser to entice you...

I hope you enjoy this video.

Let me know what you think

in the comments below.

Check with your local library or bookseller to 

delve into this world in peril 

teetering on the edge of oblivion.

Back in the Saddle ~ Review

Back in the Saddle
Double S Ranch Book #1
By Ruth Logan Herne

Colt Stafford is back at the Double S Ranch. He left years ago at his father's request, vowing never to return again but with the latest downturn in the stock market Colt has no choice. His father's ill and his help is needed.

But there are surprises waiting for him at the Double S - the first being a welcome with a gun aimed in his general direction by a stranger - a woman giving him instructions in Spanish!

Angelina Morales has little use for Wall Street money hunger types. What she's heard about Colt and the suit arrives in do little to convince her he's any better than someone out for himself. And she's very protective of her employer Sam Stafford and she holds his sons absences against them even if Sam is a hard-head.

Grey's Glen and the Double S Ranch need each other and it's time for them to all realize just who much.  And Colt's return just might be the catalyst that is needed along with a change of heart among the Stafford men on the Double S.  Trouble is coming and it will need everyone to come together is they are to overcome it.

Back in the Saddle is an engaging and entertaining book.  Fans of contemporary fiction and westerns will find much to enjoy.  There is also the slightest hint of a mystery for the characters though as a reader you will be aware of what is going on.  This is above all else a book about family - what brings us together and what drives us apart.  The characters are believable and likable and ones I wouldn't mind revisiting in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

The Prodigal Is Coming Home 

It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.

He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding...and why.

Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?

About the Author:

Ruth Logan Herne has more than half a million books in print, including fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels. Back in the Saddle is the first book in her new western romance series. Ruth is a founding member of Seekerville, a popular writing collective blog. A country girl who loves the big city, Ruth and her husband live on a farm in upstate New York.

King's Folly ~ Review

King's Folly
The Kinsman Chronicles #1
By Jill Williamson

For those who like the feel of paper between their fingers as they traverse their way through a book - this book is for you. This brings the first three parts (Darkness Reigns, The Heir War, and The End of All Things) of the Kinsman Chronicles which were released in a digital format into a physical book format.

Darkness has covered the land in which the Five Realms dwell and the long foretold Five Woes seem to be coming forth as if in response to the evil brought forth by the King Echad of Armania. Echad rules with a cruel glee - no one is safe from his whims or his worship of Barthos, even his own children.

Strife rules the court of Armania as the remaining sons are locked in an undeclared war to secure the title of heir. Prince Wilek, eldest son of Echad, longs to be named Heir and to bring an end to the sacrifices his father insists upon. Second son Janek has a cruel streak that would make him a ruler similar in nature to his father. Third son Trevn, is a teenager who has a great love and loyalty for his older brother Wilek. Trevn also has determined to rebel against the expected by actually caring for the people around him.

But a series of disasters is throwing the Realm of Armania into chaos - endless quakes, massive sinkholes, floods. The Five Realms are teetering on the verge of war, chaos, and utter destruction if the old prophecies are to be believed. They are after all just old prophecies, but the troubles that are slowly spreading throughout the lands could be the fulfillment of what they long ago decided to ignore or abandon.

There are many forces at work both for and against Armania within and without the palace. Who can be trusted is of utmost importance as the end draws near. But who do you trust in a court where no one trusts anyone and everyone seeks only their own advancement? Betrayals, deceptions, and divisions rule but the truth is available to those who search it out. And discovering these truths may be the only thing that can save the Realm.

As the crisis hits, long hidden secrets are discovered. Who will survive the Five Woes is in doubt as the world they've always known comes to it end.

I have several characters whom I have really gotten to like Wilek, Trevn, Zeroah (Wilek's intended bride), Mielle (Zeroah's honor maiden), and Trevn's companions/aids Sir Cadoc Wyser and Hinckdan Fuluk.

Each new offering from Jill Williamson becomes a new favorite and the Kinsman Chronicles is no exception.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
About the Book:

The gods are angry. . . . 

Volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, ground shakers--everything points to their unhappiness. At least that is what the king of Armania believes. His son, Prince Wilek, thinks his father's superstitions are nonsense, though he remains the ever dutiful First Arm of Armania.

When a messenger arrives and claims that the town of Farway has been swallowed by the earth, the king sends Wilek to investigate. But what Wilek discovers is more cataclysmic than one lost city. Even as the ground shifts beneath his feet, Wilek sets out on a desperate journey to save his people and his world. But can he do it before the entire land crumbles?

The End of All Things ~ Review

The End of All Things
The Kinsman Chronicles #1.3
By Jill Williamson

The End of All Things picks up where The Heir War left us.  Wilek is still being held by the Magonia's and soul bound and under compulsion to Charlon.  Natural disasters are destroying the land as they know it.  The time of the Five Woes has come and time is running out for the Five Realms.

Janek is moving against Wilek and Trevn in his attempt to be named heir to the throne of Armania. And Janek has no inhibitions using any and all means to gain his goal - even murder.

But there are many forces at work both for and against Armania within and without the palace. Who can be trusted is of utmost importance as the end draws near.  With Wilek missing and Father Tomek Trevn must find allies he can trust.  But betrayal comes in many forms, taking years to implement and someone is determined to stop Trevn - the question is who.

The End of All Things brings the crisis to a head - who will survive is in doubt as the world they know ends.  Secrets come to light and lives will be lost, but more questions will be raised.

Each new offering from Jill Williamson becomes a new favorite and this latest part in the Kinsman Chronicles is no exception.  I love this serial release format so that one doesn't have to wait as long between books. Get ready to be enraptured with The End of All Things! But don't expect to have all your questions answered the next installment is coming July 5th!

I was provided an advanced uncorrected copy of this book by the author Jill Williamson in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
With the Five Realms on the brink of total destruction, everyone faces a final mad scramble to find a safe haven. The realm is divided on what should be done. Wilek and Trevn join those who are preparing the realm for a seaward evacuation, but the king stands in their way. Wilek must battle against his own father to try and save the people of Armania.

Annabel Lee ~ Review

Annabel Lee
A Coffey and Hill Novel #1
by Mike Nappa

This is an interesting book, somewhat creepy at parts as one would anticipate from the cover. And there is an intriguing Edgar Allen Poe thread that runs throughout the book.

Eleven years ago something was hidden away, something that needs to stay hidden.  But someone is determined to find Annabel Lee and they will do anything to find her.  Annabel has been on her Uncle Truck's farm as long as she can remember. People either respect her uncle or fear him - Annabel loves him.  She loves him as much as she fears the dog. 

But in a single night everything changes.  Annabel is hidden away from every living thing except the dog and a warning from Uncle Truck - open this door for no one without the secret code.  Something is very wrong and Annabel is about to discover who she truly is...

When her ex comes back into her life Trudi Coffey is less than thrilled.  But she has a message to relay to Sam Hill concerning an old friend of Sam's.  What Trudi doesn't expect is she is about to be pulled into a mystery that could very well cost both her and Sam their lives.  But something about this stranger - this Dr. Smith, doesn't sit well with Trudi and her investigative senses kick in.  But she needs Sam to get to the bottom of this case, she just doesn't realize how much

This is the first book in a new series.  There is suspense, mystery, and the barest hint at fantasy.  This is a book that will keep you up at night, I know because it kept me up.  There is a bit of violence throughout, which may be a deterrent to some readers, but overall it was an excellent story.  Each chapter is labeled for the character whose point of view is being presented. This book is worthy of the Poe thread running through it.

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

Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret's name is Annabel Lee.

She doesn't know why her enigmatic uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He's left her with a few German words, a barely controlled guard dog, and a single command: "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me."

Miles away in Atlanta, private investigator Trudi Coffey is visited by a mysterious older man calling himself Dr. Smith. He's been trailing a man for a decade--a man she met through her ex-partner Samuel Hill--and the trail has led him to her office. The last thing Trudi wants to do is to contact Samuel. But it will take both of them to unravel this mystery--before it's too late.

A Powerful Secret ~ Review

A Powerful Secret
The Worthington Destiny #2
by Dr. Kevin Leman

           Jeff Nesbit

All Sean Worthington has every wanted is his father's approval, his love.  As his older brother's campaign manager, Sean may have found a path to what he desires. But when Will unexpectedly pulls out just as he is expected to announce his candidacy, Sean knows whom his father will blame and it won't be Will.

What Sean doesn't know is someone has targeted the Worthington family - focusing on Will, Sean, and their sister Sarah.  Even more shocking is just how far this elusive someone is willing to go to destroy this powerful family.

A Powerful Secret is the second book in The Worthington Destiny and if you haven't read the first book don't worry it is easy to get caught up in this one. (I know because somehow I missed the first book)  This is a book that will quickly pull you into the story.  There is a bit of mystery throughout that will keep you wondering at the identity of certain people.  And then there is the Worthington family and the ties that hold them together and how they play-out as different stresses and issues come into play.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one, but in the meantime I plan on obtaining a copy of the first one.  In my opinion that is the true test of how well one enjoys a book - willingness to read the previous books in a series.  

I think readers who enjoyed Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley's Restoration series will find much to appreciate in this series.  Family dynamics are explored and examined from the perspectives of the various characters in how they relate to one another.

Things that are hidden will be revealed...

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

About the Book:

Sean has always felt like an outsider in his own family.
Now he must risk never achieving what he wants most--his father's love.

Billionaire globe-trotter Sean Worthington is stunned when his older brother suddenly abandons the Senate race in New York and walks away without a backward glance. As campaign manager, Sean's left to handle the media feeding frenzy with no answers. Worse, their father--as usual--backs Will, the "perfect" son.

Frustrated by his father's lack of belief in him, Sean determines to finally move on and forge a unique path. But when a powerful secret is revealed, threatening everything Sean has counted on, he must wrestle with shocking truths . . . and combat the power brokers behind the scenes who have the Worthington family in their crosshairs.