Mardok and the Seven Exiles ~ Review

Mardok and the Seven Exiles
RoboTales #2
By Jill Williamson 
        and Luke Williamson

Mardok and the Seven Exiles is set on the planet Dabon and Cadet Riv Mardok, a member of the Space Force Military Training Academy, has uncovered a disturbing fact. Unfortunately his evidence has been made unavailable to him. But Mardok isn't one to sit around and do nothing which for him might prove the worst possible thing to do.

Soon Mardok finds himself assigned by General Gruss himself to find the elusive Ice Beast rumored to live in the remote regions of Mount Squarra.  No one has ever returned from such a mission before and Mardok is determined to both stop the Ice Beast and return.

All too soon Mardok finds himself in need of rescue and fortunately for him he is discovered by Robo, a mechanized canine intelligence who proves resourceful in extricating our hero with an ego. Robo leads Mardok to a cabin within the Blackwood Forest where he soon meets the seven exiles from the academy who also discovered disturbing events with ties to the academy and General Gruss.

Can these 8 young men along with Robo stop what could be the end of their worlds and lives as they know it? And who is really behind everything? Once again Robo may give an advantage to whom most needs his special skills.

This is the fun sequel to Tinker and one just can't help rooting for Robo to come out on top in whatever role he plays. And Mardok learns the importance of working together rather than relying on his own strengths.

This book is aimed at the middle grade reader and should keep even a reluctant reader reading with enjoyment. This story though the second in the series is able to be enjoyed without first reading Tinker. The only recurring character is Robo and these are his tales.  From the title one thinks Snow White but don't be fooled this is a tale that will appeal boys who aren't into fairy tales.

I was provided an ARC of the book by the author with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise - all expressed opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Strange things are happening at the Space Force Military Academy. General Gruss believes the Ice Beast is responsible and asks cadet Riv Mardok to hunt down the menace. Mardok, always eager to "protect the helpless," accepts the quest, but when he finds himself trapped, alone in the forest, his bravery isn't enough to save him. Mardok has no choice but to call for help. The question is: will anyone answer?

Love and Fat-free Cheese ~ Review

Love and Fat-free Cheese
By Chrissy Sharp

Life is too short

           for imitations...

Juliet Easton is at a crossroad in her life.  She's seeking a job looking to put her statistical skills to good use and thanks to her big brother Everett she has a job interview. Juliet somehow manages to impress CEO Owen Denny with her passion for numbers and gets a job offer that brings her back to her hometown.

But returning home has a few drawbacks and they all center around her sister Eva and Eva's fiance Will. Two years ago Will mysteriously disappeared while attempting to reveal a pharmaceutical cover-up. And her family is still living with the repercussions of his disappearance, especially Eva.

Juliet comes to love her new job with the exception of Owen's girlfriend Lila, who seems to take an instant dislike to Jules. And she's determined to paint Juliet in the worst possible light whenever their together which unfortunately is whenever Lila feels like showing up at Daddy's company.

But when Juliet is drawn into the mystery surrounding Will's disappearance life takes a dangerous turn that finds the entire Easton family potentially in danger for what they may or may not know about Will and his investigation.

Where do you ask does fat-free cheese come into the equation? Eva has long believed Will would someday return to her.  And to Eva real love is like cheese, if you've eaten (or experienced) the real thing you'll never be satisfied with the fat-free kind.  And Juliet is about to experience Eva's logic for herself  as she navigates life with its unique twists and turns.

If you like unexpected plot twists, mysteries, and a dose of romance in a contemporary setting you'll want to pick up a copy of Love and Fat-free Cheese and get lost between the covers of a fun story for a few hours.

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

About the Book:

"I see the desperation blazing in his eyes 

and want so badly to give in."

Fat-free cheese is okay—unless you’ve tasted real cheese. Juliet Easton learns this about love too as she uncovers who truly loves her, and who is using her to get to the secret she knows about the disappearance of her sister’s fiance and the pharmaceutical conspiracy he plans to reveal. Can she protect her loved ones’ lives and her heart? You’ll be hooked from Asiago to Zamorano cheese in this suspenseful and hilarious romantic thriller.

About the Author:
Crissy Sharp graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brigham Young University – Idaho, with a major in advertising and a minor in marketing. She is currently a member of the RWA and lives in Collierville, Tennessee.

The Shattered Vigil ~ Review

The Shattered Vigil
The Darkwater Saga #2
By Patrick W. Carr

Their victory over the Darkwater forces during the feast of Bas-solas should have given them a reprieve in their war against the growing darkness. But all too soon the Vigil learns the true cost of their victory - it has provided cover for the enemy's latest attack. And the Vigil is vulnerable to this newest threat that has come against them ~ an enemy that cannot be seen.

Willet Dura has yet to gain the Vigil's trust due to the vault hidden within his mind - a vault that cannot be opened and may be linked to his night within the Darkwater Forest. Yet he, along with the street urchins he has befriended, may be the Vigil's best hope for survival. For survival has just become their greatest priority when yet another member goes missing.

With the darkness tightening its grip, the Vigil is faced with a choice reveal what they know and submit to the church.  Or they scatter to the far reaches of the Northern Continent searching for answers to the questions now confronting them while staying ahead of those hunting them.

Meanwhile Willet is forced to confront his feelings for Gael and her refusal to accept his decision to leave her behind.  And then there is Willet's friendship with Ealdor which was brought into question by the Vigil in The Shock of Night.

If possible this second book in the series is even better than the first and the ending leaves the reader wondering what comes next. The Shattered Vigil is the perfect name for this book as it describes the book in three words. And, yes, you do have to read the first book to fully appreciate this series.

The writing style of Patrick Carr is fantastic as it draws one into the story - one can easily see why he is an award-winning writer.  If you enjoy fantasy that has a spiritual undercurrent get ready to be transported to a world where the lines between darkness and light are becoming harder to discern.

I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Victory over the dark forces during the feast of Bas-solas should have guaranteed safety for the continent. Instead, Willet and the rest of the Vigil discover they've been outsmarted by those seeking to unleash the evil that inhabits the Darkwater. Jorgen, the member of the Vigil assigned to Frayel, has gone missing, and new attacks have struck at the six kingdoms' ability to defend themselves.

Just when the Vigil thought they had quenched the menace from their enemy in Collum, a new threat emerges: assassins hunting the Vigil, men and women who cannot be seen until it's too late. The orders of the church and the rulers of the kingdoms, fearing the loss of the Vigil's members altogether, have decided to take them into protective custody to safeguard their gift. On Pellin's orders, the Vigil scatters, leaving Willet to be taken prisoner by the church in Bunard.

In the midst of this, Willet learns of the murder of an obscure nobleman's daughter by one of the unseen assassins. Now he must escape his imprisonment and brave the wrath of the church to find the killer in order to turn back this latest threat to the northern continent.

David Travels to the Past ~ Review and Giveaway

David Travels to the Past
By Gonzalo Martínez de Antoñana
       and María José Mosquera

This book has two stories that explore the origins of art. Each story is set in a different time thats very uniqueness shaped art then and even in a small measure now.

The Rock Painters
Art of the Upper Paleolithic Period

David is determined to learn all there is about art and his tutor Master Messina comes up with an ingenious plan to help David learn.  Traveling back to prehistoric times in an unique manner David is transported to the beginnings of art. 

But a fun art lesson turns into something more when David and Master Messina join up with a group of prehistoric hunters who in their movements bring them into the LasCaux caves. David and Messina take part in the day-to-day lives of the ancient artists who were hunters of what they painted.

The Babylonians
The Art of Mesopotamia

In their second adventure into the past of art David, Master Messina and Angela travel into the time of the Assyrian, Babylonian and Sumerian people hoping to learn all they can about the art of Mesopotamia. And when David makes a comment about wanting to learning the beginnings of Mesopotamian art the three are taken into the past by a most unexpected guide to the Ninive Library! 

But the chance to hunt with Assurbanipal draws David while the library lures Messina and Angela to its treasures of knowledge. But the origins that they are searching for can't be found here so when a little help they again change times seeking the assistance of Hammurabi in their quest. The art of the Mesopotamians took many forms painting, etching, sculptures, and even the architecture. Along the way they learn about the rulers, myths and gods of the time that helped shape the culture and the art. 

This Graphic Novel will capture the attention of readers with the 2 stories. Entertaining while educating in a subtle manner the early art movements that have had a lasting impact on art through the ages. Reluctant readers will enjoy this book at 72 pages it will hold their attention through both stories.


I received this book free of charge from the publisher all opinions expressed are my own.

Book Description:

David is a young and restless apprentice painter who wants to know everything about painting. His intelligent teacher, the Master Messina, invents a way of transporting David through time to prehistory. They go there looking for the origins of art, but once they are there nothing will be as they thought.

In a second adventure they travel towards the unknown art of Mesopotamia. This time they won´t go alone. The sympathetic and intelligent Angela will travel to the past with them bringing her particular point of view.

Buy the Book:

​USA: Amazon  ~  Kindle ~  Barnes and Noble

​UK: Amazon  ~ Kindle

Australia: Fishpond  ~  Booktopia ~ Kindle

Author and Illustrator:

María José is a teacher. She won international illustrations awards.

Gonzalo has a degree in art history. He works in museums and as a tourist guide.

Connect with them: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Pinterest

Giveaway:​

Prizes ​

Win a print copy of the graphic novel

David Travels to the Past

(open int’l / 5 winners)

Ends Dec 10

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All is Bright ~ Review

All is Bright
A devotional journey to color your
             way to Christmas
Written by Nancy Guthrie
Illustrations by Lizzie Preston

Coloring has become the new activity of choice, but whether you are a new colorer or one who has never given up a favorite childhood activity All is Bright is the perfect addition to this year's holiday celebrations.

All is Bright can become a part of your Christmas family devotion time or a perfect way to celebrate the season on your own. All is Bright will take you from December 1 through the 31. There is a devotional study with the facing page one that can be colored and it corresponds to the day's devotion.

After the the 31 daily devotions there are 12 conversation starters with a Bible selection to read with questions to discuss the verse and a prayer. There are additional coloring pages that follow.

The pages are 9-3/4" x 9-3/4" and paper is a heavier weight and should take most coloring mediums with no fear of bleeding.  I'm personally a fan of coloring pencils and pastels and these work well with these books. Perfect for almost any age, this would make an excellent gift.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary review copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review ~ all opinions expressed are my own.

This is a sample of what can be found within these pages

~ colors were added using paint.net ~

·         Tyndale’s Inspire Creativity board on Pinterest has downloadable samplers and shareable coloring pages from their coloring and Bible journaling line, the Living Expressions Collection!

·         Check out www.livingexpressionscollection.com for the latest news and information on Tyndale's  coloring and journaling products.

About the Book:
The perfect gift for the creatives and coloring-book lovers in your life! Includes bonus activities and kid-friendly coloring pages for the whole family!This Christmas season, celebrate the birth of our Savior through beautiful design and devotion. Grab your colored pencils, cozy up with your favorite blanket and a cup of tea, and settle in for a night of peace and wonder with All Is Bright. For lovers of the Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest coloring books, All Is Bright is the perfect way to transform the Advent and Christmas seasons for your whole family, re-centering the holidays on the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Combining 31 days of rich content by the beloved and inspirational Nancy Guthrie with intricate designs that will reconnect you with the heart of Christ, this coloring book devotional journey reminds us all of what the season really calls us to: worship.

Guest Post by Marie Benedict author of The Other Einstein

Guest Post by Marie Benedict author of The Other Einstein

*The rarity of a woman pursuing this field of study at this time in history

The lure of writing about Mileva Maric, the first wife of Albert Einstein and a physicist herself, was not simply the notion of sharing a fresh perspective on the life of the famous scientist. The deeper I got into the research surrounding Mileva the more I realized I wanted to tell the astonishing story of a young Serbian woman who ascended from the remote regions of the Austro-Hungarian empire where it was illegal for her to attend high school to the physics classrooms of a competitive European university. Mileva’s narrative was all too rare in fin-de-siecle Europe, making Mileva’s climb all the more spectacular.

What were the odds that a young woman like Mileva could become a physics student at a European university? Disregarding the hurdle that girls in Mileva’s region could not even attend high school, prior to the middle of the nineteenth century, European universities were almost entirely closed to women, particularly in Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Switzerland, France, and Central Europe. The rare exceptions of women studying at a higher education institution in Europe during this time involved the receipt of special permission from the administration, and even then, women were typically allowed only to audit classes, not receive degrees. Mileva herself experienced this treatment when she spent a semester at Heidelberg University in Germany, and she attended physics classes but received no credit for them. In the late 1880s and early 1900s, certain European

universities began admitting more women — Switzerland began to admit female students in 1867, for example — and women’s colleges were formed. Still, access to coursework in the sciences was especially formidable, and, without a university degree, it was almost impossible for women to enter any profession, particularly the very specialized professions involving the sciences.

When placed in this context, the story of Mileva Maric’s climb — the foundation upon which THE OTHER EINSTEIN sits — is breathtaking. The odds against her sitting beside Albert Einstein in a physics class at the Swiss Federal Polytechnical University were staggeringly high. Consequently, the tale of her descent from this hard-won height makes THE OTHER EINSTEIN all the more tragic — and all the more important.

Check-out my review of The Other Einstein

The Other Einstein will be on sale on November 20, 2016 on Bookbub
and on Goodreads between November 20 - 26, 2016.

The Other Einstein ~ Review

The Other Einstein
By Marie Benedict

Mileva Marić was determined to master both physics and mathematics. In 1896 the Swiss Federal Polytechnic university in Zürich, Switzerland was one of the few places that allowed women to enter its doors of higher education and earn a degree. In a world that frowned upon women pursuing education Mileva had another strike against her - her Serbian heritage.

She was resigned to the life of an academic but then she met Albert Einstein and her life and history were forever altered. As a fellow student at Polytechnic Albert Einstein forced, through persistence, his way into Mileva's life. But academia and romance were not an option for a woman intent on pursuing the higher sciences and science was the passion that Mileva's heart desired.

But when Albert pulled her into the world of intellectual discussion with her fellow students a new world of thought and collaboration opened before her. And for the first time in her life Mileva considered the possibility of a life that held the promise of both science and marriage.

When Albert promises her a life as his equal Mileva allows herself to be swayed be his unique and disheveled charms. But loving a genius is no easy task as Mileva soon discovers. And the sacrifices she makes for her role in the collaboration of Ein Stein as her husband references them will have a marked effect on her life.

The Other Einstein is a look at a marriage that is at times beautiful and at other times troubling.  It would be interesting to see how different Mileva's life would have been had she been born in a different time or if she had crossed paths with Albert Einstein only as a fellow student. His was an overpowering and oppressive personality that Mileva too late recognized. He was too busy blaming others for his problems when it likely could be laid at his own lack of personal drive and ego.

The Other Einstein focuses on Mileva and her thoughts and feelings but it is obvious that the man who promised to treat her as an equal resented her role in his success and was determined to keep her and contributions hidden away in the shadows. But Mileva was a woman who overcame obstacles throughout her life and Albert's unexpected change was the latest to overcome.

This is a book that adds a hidden facet to the life of Albert Einstein and world that he called his own. Historical fiction can be a tricky subject to tackle and Marie Benedict manages to not only conquer it but make it fascinating as one leaves one century behind for another.

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


About the Book: 
A vivid and mesmerizing novel about the extraordinary woman who married and worked with one of the greatest scientists in history.

What secrets may have lurked in the shadows of Albert Einstein’s fame? His first wife, Mileva “Mitza” Marić, was more than the devoted mother of their three children—she was also a brilliant physicist in her own right, and her contributions to the special theory of relativity have been hotly debated for more than a century.

In 1896, the extraordinarily gifted Mileva is the only woman studying physics at an elite school in Zürich. There, she falls for charismatic fellow student Albert Einstein, who promises to treat her as an equal in both love and science. But as Albert’s fame grows, so too does Mileva’s worry that her light will be lost in her husband’s shadow forever.

A literary historical in the tradition of The Paris Wife and Mrs. Poe, The Other Einstein reveals a complicated partnership that is as fascinating as it is troubling.

About the Author:
Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience

as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms and for 

Fortune 500 companies. She is a magna cum laude graduate of 

Boston College with a focus in history and art history and a 

cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law. 

She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Check out the Guest Post by Marie Benedict here

The Other Einstein will be on sale on November 20, 2016 on Bookbub

and on Goodreads between November 20 - 26, 2016.