The Adventurer's Guide to Dragonwatch ~ Review

The Adventurer's Guide to Dragonwatch

By Brandon Mull

Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

There is nothing better than a lovely reference book; when illustrated, it is perfect to keep on hand while reading the Fablehaven books. I love imagining what characters, species, or races in fantasy story worlds look like, but I'm occasionally stumped. This is where The Adventurer's Guide to Dragonwatch comes in. 

If you have never enjoyed the Fablehaven books, it doesn't matter with this handy reference guide that allows you a glimpse into this fantastical world. Rather, this may inspire you to read the books. The illustrations and text give a greater understanding of who, what, and where in this series. This is also a great conversation starter if you have books on your coffee table. 

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:

WELCOME TO THE GUILD OF DRAGONWATCH

Millions of Fablehaven fans will be eager to examine this illustrated field guide and learn what dragon slayers and other members of Dragonwatch have known for centuries.

Many adventurers risked their lives gathering the information found within this one-of-a-kind book—a compendium of the most dangerous mythical and magical creatures around the world, including invaluable illustrations that reveal for the first time what these creatures actually look like.

You will learn secrets of the magical realms, including the history of the five great monarchs: The Underking, the Fairy Queen, the Demon King, the Giant Queen, and the Dragon King. In addition, you will learn about the priceless stone called the Ethergem that powered the five crowns of the monarchs.

By the end of the book, you will know more about dragons and giants (and a host of other mythical creatures) than your average dungeon master. Make yourself familiar with an invaluable study of magical items and artifacts, including the five legendary swords, never-before-revealed in any other publication known to man or woman. This information alone is worth all the gold in your pockets.

In addition, you will find a personal letter from the world’s greatest adventurer, Patton Burgess. Take heed to what he has to say, and you may live to the ripe age of sixteen.

You are now part of a consortium of wizards, enchantresses, dragon slayers, and others who risked everything to free the world from the tyrannical rule of dragons. A word to the wise: If you are being hunted by a dragon, no stronghold or castle will hide you for long. The best way to survive a dragon is not defense, it is offense. Use the information inside this book and go forth and hunt!

Casters and Crowns ~ Review

Casters and Crowns 

by Elizabeth Lowham

In a kingdom divided mistrust and prejudice, Crown Princess Aria seeks to broker a peace to stop a war that could destroy her kingdom forever. But her father's hatred and execution of a young boy have pitted most Casters against the Crown. 

When Aria secretly approaches Widow Morton about an offer of peace she had no idea that she was about to forfeit her own life. Aria speaks the words she feels her father would expect of her. After all as king her father is never wrong and never makes mistakes. But Aria's offer instead brings a curse down upon her and all who live within the castle. 

When Baron Reeves seeks to take his father's place within the nobility he is denied. His crime? He is a Caster and therefore not to be trusted, no matter how loyal he has been to the crown. With a steward put in place the secret Baron is protecting is in danger of being revealed. When Princess Aria reaches out to him requesting help in understanding Casters and their abilities he agrees to share information through letters. 

Aria feels that her father's judgment of Baron was unjust. No crime was committed against the crown and worse no trial with Barron given a chance to plead his case. The king's judgment was swift and permanent. And for Aria to question him is a sign of her insufficiency as the next ruler. Her commitment is questioned and she is chastised for it. 

I really enjoyed this book. There is an overabundance of secrets being held. Some of the secrets are revealed early on, but there are a couple that are revealed near the end of the book and goodness they are kingdom changers. I like Aria, her sister, Baron, and his twin brothers. There are several supporting characters who were just lovely. But the king. Let's just say having power went to his head and he was under the mistaken impression he needed no advisors and that he was perfect because he was king. 

This is a book I would highly recommend. I feel it is appropriate for tweens who are testing the waters of teen fiction and is without all the overblown angst most teen books have that make older readers roll their eyes. There is a definite magic element throughout the book. The romance is there but not taking center stage, though it plays a pivotal roll in several scenes.

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:

Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria’s destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. 

Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin? 

A new romantasy by Elizabeth Lowham.

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.

The Gentleman's Confession ~ Review

The Gentleman's Confession

Matchmaking Mamas #3

By Anneka R. Walker

Jemma Fielding never planned to marry but her deathbed promise to her grandmother changed everything. Now she needs help from the Matchmaking Mamas Society and her best friend Miles Jackson. She needs the Mamas to find her perfect match. And Miles to help her understand love and learn how to make a man fall in love with her.

Miles would do anything for Jemma, but when she asks him to give her lessons on how to understand love, he balks. He's always loved Jemma and the thought of helping her find love with another man is torture. Miles knows that he is not worthy of Jemma or her love, but the promise of an hour with Jemma is just too tempting. 

Everyone has assumed for years that Miles would marry Lisette (Jemma's cousin). Just because he rescued her years ago when they were children. But Miles has always viewed Lisette as a sister and a friend. If only everyone else could quit with the expectations. Even worse is all the unattached ladies of the neighborhood who think he is in want and need of a wife. It is almost enough to make a gentleman run away. 

This is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series and this time the Matchmakers have made a doozy of a choice. A gentleman new to the area is there match for Jemma. Some of the situations Miles and Jemma find themselves in are just too much. Jemma's first meeting with Mr. Bentley had disaster written all over it. But some creative awkwardness kept it from becoming a wardrobe malfunction scandal. 

A promise made must be kept. But marrying for love seems more than achievable in Jemma's opinion. If she can find someone she can like surely that is a good place to start. And the Matchmaking Mamas have never been wrong before. But could the Mamas skills gone wrong this time?

There are a few humorous events that keep this book from becoming weighed down with the whole helping the woman you are in love with find love with someone else thing.  Miles is determined to be selfless in regards to Jemma but it grows harder as he is expected to help her. Jemma is more than clueless in how her very good friend treats her compared to his treatment of her cousin. One feels like giving Jemma a good shake to make her open her eyes to what is going on around her. And the rest of the Rebels other than Ian seem just as clueless. 

This was a fun read, even if I felt Miles and Jemma had made everything so much more complicated than it needed to be. But societal expectations, loss, promises, and broken dreams have a way of getting in the way of even perfect insight, so I'll give them both a pass. This book can be read as a standalone title and fully enjoyed without having read the first two books. I have no qualms about recommending this book to ages 13 and up. 

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.

Available to purchase at https://shadowmountain.com/product/the-gentlemans-confession/

About the Book:

Inexperienced in courtship and love, Jemma turns to her best friend, Miles, for guidance on how to win a man’s heart—not knowing that Miles has secretly loved her for years.  

Brookeside, England, 1822 

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Despite his selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if he’s brave enough to confess his feelings to Jemma before she is whisked away forever.

Terminal Danger ~ Review

Terminal Danger

Guardians Unleashed #5

By Jerusha Agen

Phoenix Gray has spent most of her life on this cold case. She is going to be sure justice is served on the serial killer she has long sought. She has set the perfect trap for him, and she's the bait. 

What Phoenix didn't anticipate was Callum Ross, an FBI agent called in to help with tracking down the killer's latest target. He somehow gets how Phoenix thinks; because he understands her, he could be a distraction and a danger to her plans.

In Terminal Danger, we finally get Phoenix's story—a story that no one knows. It is not pretty and has shaped her into the unreadable woman she is today—disconnected from her emotions. She has turned her back on God. He wasn't there when she needed Him, so why should she believe? Callum should understand where she's coming from, but what he's seen and experienced hasn't turned him from God. 

This time, Phoenix may need the women she has employed with Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency more than she ever expected. The time for secrets has ended, or this case could destroy her. 

This book can be read as a standalone title, but since it concludes the series, it is best read and enjoyed in order. If you enjoy suspense and books that examine the human spirit, you will want to delve into this book and series. 

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:

This woman and her K-9 are being hunted. 

Exactly as she planned.

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured.

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve.

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?

Terminal Danger concludes the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1). (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

Praise for Jerusha Agen:

"Jerusha Agen once again delivers top-level suspense and thrilling action. Fast-paced suspense at its best.”
– DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of Concrete Evidence on Covert Danger

"Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."
– Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger

Guarding Truth ~ Review

Guarding Truth
Elite Guardians: Savannah #3
Lynette Eason presents

  Kelly Underwood

Juliette Montgomery thought she had left the life of an army ranger behind when she was injured and received an unsettling diagnosis. But when a young girl hires her to guard her Uncle Caleb, Juliette's past is about to collide with her present.

Caleb Styles never saw Juliette after he saved her life. Juliette walked away from the army and Caleb because of the decisions of that day. But Caleb always thought of Jules as the one who got away. He was confused by her decision to leave without a single word. 

But with a group of cyber terrorists threatening Caleb and his niece Ivy, Juliette can't say no to a protection detail that may, in a small way, repay all that Caleb lost when he saved her. 

This is a fast-paced read from the beginning. Juliette is driven to succeed in everything she does, while Caleb is more laid back as fits his abilities as a coder and cyber security analyst. But when Caleb's niece is targeted by the increasingly volatile anarchist cyber terrorists Juliette and Caleb must learn to change their thinking and work as a team to stop the threats. If they can't they will die.

Juliette is an interesting character she's drive to fulfill a role she feels she has to fill. When she doesn't act she feels as if she's failed. She has trouble with the team mentality that the Elite Guardians need to have to do their best. When we get deeper into the book her motivations become clear, which is actually rather sad. I'm not saying wasn't good at what she did but her reasons removed her from the equation of her own life and its choices. 

This was a good read and perfect for an October release with October being Cyber Security Month. I liked how there were second chances throughout the story. This was a great ending to this cycle of Elite Guardian books. The characters were relatable even if their exact circumstances were outside my personal experiences. I like how each of these books is complete in and of itself and able to be read as a standalone title. Fans of Love Inspired Suspense should enjoy this book as it is similar just a bit longer. But no over-the-top graphic violence, romance, or language proving that you can have suspense that reads clean!

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.

Safety. Secrets. Sacrifice. What will it cost these Elite Guardians to protect the innocent?

The truth might destroy them both…

The one thing that Former Army Ranger turned elite bodyguard Juliette Montgomery regrets is never telling fellow soldier Caleb Styles her true feelings. But how could she? They were co-workers, and then the guy went and saved her life. And that turned out to be the one thing that cost them their relationship.

So Juliette has moved on, trying to forget Caleb—and her feelings.

Caleb hasn’t forgotten her either. But he has no idea she now lives in Savannah, Georgia…especially since his life is full as guardian of his niece, Ivy, after her parents were killed.

And then he discovers that his brilliant niece’s computer skills have attracted a notorious hacker group. More, when Ivy tracks the hackers, she endangers Caleb’s cyber-security company.

Enter his need for the Elite Guardians.

The last—very last—person Juliette thought she’d see again is Caleb Styles, let alone be assigned to protect him. And now, suddenly, the very last thing she needs is to let her heart take over. She must protect them both—which means ignoring…or trying to ignore—the attraction between them.

Caleb never understood why Juliette walked away from him…but he can’t deny that his feelings for her never died. Except maybe she doesn’t share those feelings because her only goal seems to be protecting Ivy. And, it’s probably for the best. After all, they need all their wits about them to find the hackers and unravel their plans.

And then they discover the hackers’ true intent—and it becomes a race against time. But it too late to protect their hearts from the truth?

An electrifying blend of suspense, chemistry, and unbreakable bonds, this romantic thriller is a must-read for fans of the Elite Guardian series.

70 North ~ Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 

70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

70 North 

Alaskan Cyber Hunters #3 

By Kimberley Woodhouse

 

They thought he was dead. But they were wrong. He has been biding his time, preparing for his final attack when he would get rid of the corrupt leadership. He sees the truth of everything in a way no one else is capable of. And he won't let David MacPherson stop him. No, he'll taunt the man determined to bring him down. Destroying those around him merely for the thrill of it.

 

Mac will never stop his search for the man who killed his wife and daughter during a cyberattack on Fairbanks. With the help of his friends at Cyber Solutions, "Griz" will lose. But they will have to help Tracie Hunter restore her reputation. A reputation destroyed because she saved Mac's life after he was shot. 

 

But how do you stop a delusional, highly intelligent psychopath? That's a question they will have to answer before Griz unleashes his "final judgment."

This was an intriguing series conclusion. I felt that the first few chapters dragged. But once the story got into, it picked up and became the page turner I was expecting. I will admit the very possibility of this even being a thing is more than a little scary, which I think added to the suspense of the read. This series must be read in order to fully experience it. Skipping a book is not an option, as each builds on the one before.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and thrillers. This is not a book to be read late at night unless you plan to avoid sleeping because you won't want to put it down once you start.

 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: 70 North 

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #3 

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 15, 2024 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and stopped him from reaching his ultimate goals.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no defeating him. 

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the cyberattack. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"—but surely an exception can be made. 

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska—even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the murderer targeted him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her. 

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating—the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses to destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books from this Series: 

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About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now lives and writes in Colorado where she's traded in her hat of "Craziest Mom" for "Nana the Great."

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 

 

 

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of 70 North and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 16, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 23, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

A Noble Match ~ Available Now

A Noble Match

Cornerstone Series #2

By Kirsten Fitcher

Miette was never suppose to rule a country, but when her older brother is murdered by rebels, the duties of ruling are guaranteed. But how can she, the insignificant little sister to the beloved crown prince, take over a roll she had never prepared for? And now the Marriage Council is pressuring her to wed sooner rather than later. And her choice must be from among the nobles of Barlencoy. Her opinions on the matter don't matter, she must accepts one of the noble's suits.

Miette would much rather put off the decision and spend time studying her butterflies. But when whispers of another rebel uprising dictate her life. When the threats come closer still her late brother's friend Gavin Vollo is assigned as her personal guard. Gavin is the best person for the job in Miette's opinion. If only Gavin would speak of her brother it would be perfect. 

Gavin would rather be anywhere else. Miette brings up the pain of Cassoway's death and Gavin's guilt. He should have prevented it. Now he is left with the guilt and a broken spirit. But Miette isn't easily persuaded and soon Gavin finds himself with a front row seat to the totally inappropriate suitors brought forward. He knows what Cassoway would do if her were still alive. But Gavin is a common blood man. Just being a guard for the royal family is highly irregular.

When an attack nearly succeeds Gavin and Miette must look deep and decide what they will do and where their loyalties truly lie. Will Barlencoy be divided forever or will their actions unite the factions into a restored kingdom?

A Noble Match is the second book in the Cornerstone Series. This was a lovely and enjoyable read that is based on Thumbelina. There is no magic involved in this story. There is some interesting technology employed by the guards that proves pivotal in this book. The divide between the social classes is disheartening but it provides Miette with moments of growth throughout the book as she grows into her role as queen. I would recommend this book for preteens and older with no qualms concerning content.

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

About the Book:

Can one sparrow protect Thumbelina from suitors and rebels?

As the little sister to the crown prince, Miette was never meant to be in a position of power. When her brother Cassoway dies, the kingdom of Barlencoy suddenly becomes her most unwelcome gift. The land is torn apart by the classes, and rebellion boils at her doorstep. War is looming, and no one seems afraid of it. The kingdom may be hers, but she has no voice to quieten the tremors that threaten to tear everything she knows and loves apart.

But a marriage also looms on the horizon. With rebels after her head, it’s difficult to focus on the suitors after her heart. Miette knows she must choose a husband soon, but how can she when her heart secretly yearns for her brother’s best friend? Gavin Vollo is the perfect match in her eyes, but his common blood disqualifies him as a suitor.

Moving forward after Cassoway’s passing has been no easy task for Gavin. Especially since the prince’s death is his own fault. With his best friend gone, Gavin is a bodyguard without a real purpose. He doesn’t understand why the prince had to die – just like he doesn’t understand why the royal force wants him back to guard the new queen.

Can love and true joy bring peace, or will the kingdom break beyond recovery?

A Noble Match is a New Adult Christian fantasy Thumbelina retelling and is Book #2 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

About the Author:

Kirsten Fichter is a Christian writer who loves dragons, thick books, and a little coffee with her creamer. She’s married to her best friend, and she spends her day homeschooling and chasing after their four free-range children. When she doesn’t feel like sleeping, she writes.

 
Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the "Grimm Dickens" (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name "Kiri Liz" if you care about things like that. As you read this, she'll be somewhere under a maple tree - trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.