The Lost Heiress ~ Review

The Lost Heiress
Ladies of the Manor #1
By Roseanna M. White

Brook Eden has only ever wanted to belong.  And when a recently discovered letter hints at where to start looking her dearest friend Justin Wildon undertakes the mission for her.  Uncovering the truth of who Brook is the perfect gift Justin can give her.

But good news is mixed with tragedy for both Brook and Justin as they leave Monaco behind for Yorkshire. A mysterious tragedy tore Brook from the arms of her family and now her return is looked upon with suspicion.

As Brook settles into this new and unknown life Justin must settle into his new role as he deals with a long hidden family secret.  Will these new roles drive these two close friends apart or lead them to something more than friendship?  As the Baroness of Berkeley, Brook has suddenly become the most sought after lady of the season, but what does she want?

All too soon dances and dresses are the last thing on Brook's mind when the mystery surrounding her mother's death comes for her.  Will the long lost heiress soon be another tragedy?  Or will those closest to her thwart the evil that seeks her?

Historical fiction with a generous dash of mystery and romance will appeal to many readers.  And at times you'll feel like giving both Brook and Justin a good hard shake.

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

About the Book (448 pages):

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. When her friend Justin uncovers the fact that she is possibly a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea and the estate of her supposed family. 

The mystery of her mother's death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook's life is threatened do they draw close--but will their loyalty come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother? 

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession--and those who can save her still aren't sure whom to trust.

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of nine novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Rising Darkness ~ Review

Rising Darkness
Finding Sanctuary #3
By Nancy Mehl

Sophie Bauer has left her past and the pain and shame behind, at least she's working on it. And she's created a whole new identity to go with her new life.  And she thinks she's discovered how to firmly grasp the life she's seeking.

When she hears that a long thought dead fugitive may have taken up residence in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, Sophie jumps at the chance to get the story of a lifetime.  But the scoop that she's expecting may not be the one she gets, especially when she meets a face from her past.

As Sophie works her way towards finding a murderer, she finds her own safety as well as her heart in danger. With the clock ticking down Sophie work through the questions of the past to find the truth. But someone seems to have taken an interest in Sophie's reasons for being in Sanctuary and they just might uncover the truth before Sophie.

Suspense and intense drama what's not to love? If you are new to the series you will be seeing Sanctuary through Sophie's perspective rather than that of the author, but there is nothing wrong with this as one can read this book and follow along as the various characters are introduced.

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

About the Book (320 pages):

Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. Certain she's left her past far behind her, she's now focused on her job at a newspaper and is shocked when she stumbles upon the name of someone she knew in her old life. But when she learns the man--a prisoner--claims a suspect from a decades-old unsolved crime is hiding out in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, she can't resist following the lead in hopes of furthering her career. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Sophie's confronted with a face from her past and fears her intention of using a false identity to investigate is doomed. But with the help of Sanctuary's charismatic young pastor, Sophie knows she's getting close. Will she be able to conceal the truth of her own past long enough to find the suspect before someone puts a stop--fatal or otherwise--to her investigation?


About the Author:

Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-one books, including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.

Thoughts on Inspirational Persons ~ Born This Way Trailer and Giveaway

Inspirational Persons

What makes a person inspirational?  Is it a selfless act?  An act to champion a cause? Or is it the quiet person behind the scene who sees a need and just gives of themselves?

Any of these can be a source of inspiration, but in my life I'd have to say the people whom I've found to be inspirational are those who gave of themselves to help people whom society would have said were unnecessary.  Giving of their own time to make sure that there were places that these unique individuals could feel at home and safe.

An example of this is D.B. who wanders the streets of town, she needs a walker to get around and she looks forward to her daily visits to the businesses along the town's main street.  She only ever carries a few coins with her as she makes her way.  D.B. is well known for her delight in baked goods, but her few coins aren't enough to purchase them. But an employee who works where D.B. purchases her baked goods covers the price difference - never making mention of D.B.'s lack of funds.

This is a true inspiration - one that most people know nothing about - only those who work with this individual know of this selfless deed.

Those who do because they can and don't seek out acclaim for their deeds are those who I find inspirational.  There are inspiring people all around us some working in secret while others are more visible.  Inspiration can be found where you least expect it but if you look you will find it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Born This Way is premiering its second season on A and E on Tuesday, July 26. 

And I'd like to offer a quick peek at what this inspirational show has to offer.

About the show:

Learn more about the show here

Giveaway:

Who is the inspirational person in your life?

Reply in the comments section below to 

nominate this person for a Target Gift Card.

Rules:

You must include the first name of the person you are 

entering and why they are an inspiration to you.

The winning nominated person will be sent the

gift card along with a copy of why they won.

Nominations will be accepted Monday July 25 through Friday July 29 11:59 pm CDT.

Open to US mailing addresses only.

Sigil in Shadow ~ Review

Sigil in Shadow
By Constance Roberts

You're only as safe as your secrets...

Ellary Dane has lived a simple life, one of good honest, hard work.  But when she comes to the aid of her father her life is about to become very complicated and endangered.  With a secret to keep hidden away from King Lorron and the nobility she fears discovery at any moment.

Yet her time is not one of constant wariness as she is apprenticed and given the opportunity to learn and expand her knowledge and skills.  Skills that she hopes to take back to her home and her father, if she is allowed to leave White Valley and its treacheries behind.

But Ellary's very appearance stirs up an unexpected link to the past one that has her questioning all that she thought she knew about herself and her family.  With a warning to "trust no one in White Valley", Ellary must determine who she can trust - her very life depends on it...

Raised as the daughter of a common laborer Ellary has no understanding of how the royal and noble structure works.  But she needs to learn quickly because someone seems determined to bring her down and they'll use any means necessary to do it.

When treachery strikes Ellary is implicated. Worse she and her supposed accomplice may never make it out of the dungeons to face their accusers.  The identity of their common enemy is a mystery to which neither holds the answer. And answering this question is a matter of survival if they hope to escape the block.

Sigil in Shadow is a delightful book that will appeal to YA fans who like clean reads and court intrigue. Sometimes the surface we see covers unfathomable depths we could never imagine and this book examines in part these hidden depths.

Though there is no mention of a sequel I would love to read further into the lives of these various characters who filled these pages.

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


About the book:

Murdering a highborn officer of the crown. 

Lying to King Lorron himself. 

Even if I make it out of this alive, 

retribution will surely be waiting patiently for me in the afterlife. 

When nineteen-year-old Ellary Dane finds herself enrobed in riches and luxury in court, all as a result of being mistaken for someone who can call people back from the dead, she can hardly believe her luck. But that good fortune is short-lived—Ellary soon finds herself imprisoned, her privileges stripped, her life in shambles. To escape, she must trust the stranger labeled as her accomplice and face the lie that pushed her into the silent warfare of highborn society.

About the author:

Before working as a flight attendant, Constance Roberts obtained her associates degree in creative writing. After leaving her job and settling down with her family, she self-published her first novel, “Onyx Moon,” which topped Amazon’s Christian Fantasy charts. “Sigil in Shadow” is her latest novel.

The Day I Was Crucified ~ Review

The Day I was Crucified
As told by Christ Himself
By Gene Edwards

Gene Edwards has a unique way of presenting the account of Jesus's crucifixion - an accounting as it would have been as seen through the eyes of Jesus.  The complete and utter despair that He faced when separated from His Father by taking onto Himself the entirety of humanities sin.

This is an eye opening book offers the reader a new view of the ultimate gift of God's love and His triumph over the grave.  The second part to this book is blending of the four Gospel narratives in a chronological story of the day Christ was crucified.

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

About the Book:

Quite simply, one of the most powerful, moving pieces of Christian literature of modern times.

Other books have recorded the crucifixion and resurrection, but never before has the reader been ushered into unseen realms to witness the power of the cross as seen from the view of God the Father. You will discover a whole world of new meaning of Christ's death as you witness the destruction of the world systems, the annihilation of the law, the end of Adam's fallen race...and the death of Death. Here is an unequaled drama of power and depth which Christian literature has rarely, if ever, achieved.

Edward's The Day I Was Crucified As Told By Jesus the Christ now takes its place among the greatest of Christian literature. We will still be reading this book 200 years from now, and still weeping (and praising) as we read.

This is one of those rare life-transforming books.


About the Book:

Earl Eugene "Gene" Edwards (born July 18, 1932) is an American house church planter, a Christian author, and a former Southern Baptist pastor and evangelist. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he is an outspoken proponent of the house church concept in the United States.

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.

The Missing ~ Review

Missing
The Nikki Boyd Files #2
By Lisa Harris

The first 48 hours are the most critical...

When Nikki Boyd and her partner Jack Spencer are called to the scene of a homicide they learn that the homeowners are missing and time is essential.  When a lead bring them to Tyler Grant and another homicide victim the case becomes much more personal for Nikki.

But untangling the truth about what happened will place Nikki and those who mean the most to her in danger. Someone is determined to keep their secret at any cost and they don't care how many lives it takes.

The deeper Nikki digs the more complex the case becomes. Counterfeit drugs, blackmail, murder, and a missing woman.  How do these seemingly random crimes tie to Tyler?  And even more importantly can she keep Tyler and his family alive long enough to find out who is behind everything?

Sometimes those whom you trust the most are those you should keep at arm's length.  Time is running out and Nikki is seemingly no closer to the truth than before she got called in to the case. But she is once again in someone's sights.

Missing is the second book in the Nikki Boyd Files series.  It picks up shortly after Vendetta, five weeks to be precise, and Missing doesn't disappoint if you are looking for suspense that will keep you turning the pages. As Nikki deals with the unique circumstances this case presents she also is dealing with her own personal and family issues. In other words she is just dealing with life and all its complex and unexpected twists and turns.

This is suspense that will keep you reading into the night, but it won't keep you from sleeping because of graphic and disturbing violence (for those who are wondering).  Reading the first book isn't necessary but recommended just so you'll better understand what Nikki is dealing with in her past.

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

About the Book:
Nikki Boyd isn't usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she's ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant--and another dead body--Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business--including Nikki.

Christy Award-winning and bestselling author Lisa Harris puts you right into the action in this fast-paced thriller.