Rogue Agents ~ Review

Rogue Agents
Justin Hall Series #5
By Ethan Jones

Justin Hall is back and this just may be his most difficult mission yet...

Two CIS agents have either been captured or turned rogue and North Korea is reaping the benefits of this intel and all of CISs assets in Asia are at risk.

Carrie and Justin are unknowns in the region and are tasked with stopping the flow of intel and it won't be pretty.  But Justin will carry out his orders even if he doesn't agree with them.

With time running out Carrie and Justin have to devise a plan to not only get into North Korea, but to find assets to assist them in might very well be a suicide mission.  But what no one realizes is that another party is involved

This is Justin Hall and nothing is ever easy and the impossible becomes possible. But can Justin bring everyone home or will this be the mission that ends it all?  Be prepared for yet another suspense-filled mission as Justin tries to get to the truth.

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

Here to Stay ~ Review

Here to Stay
By Melissa Tagg

Autumn Kingsley has a dream and has had it for years, but life keeps getting in her way.  She should have gone to see the world years ago. Instead she's stuck in Whisper Shore, Michigan, running a family owned inn that is falling down around her in a dying town.

Blake Hunziker has spent the last few years of his life running.  Running from the guilt.  Running from the pain.  But now he's decided to return home and his parents wrath.  But his parents don't respond the way Blake expected - in fact he feels almost like the prodigal son.  He's sure to mess something up again - after all that's what he does and someone usually gets hurt in the process.

With less than a month until the traditional Christmas Festival is suppose to start (giving Whisper Shore a much needed tourist boost) the long-time events coordinator quits.  Soon Blake and Autumn find themselves planning a Christmas Festival that will be unlike any that Whisper Shore has ever seen.  But there are a few bumps along the way - such as the feud between the Kingsley and Hunziker families.

Here to Stay is a delightful book that I'm glad I was convinced to read.  I was convinced during the monthly online chat between readers and authors that TBCN organizes one Monday evening a month.  And I'm not sorry that I agreed to read and review this book.  There are several stories threading throughout the book. The tragic loss of a loved one.  The pressure of family expectation.  The desire to achieve one's dream.  And the bonds of family and friends.  These are seamlessly woven together in a story you won't soon forget. My only regret is I picked it up at 1 am to glance at it and instead spent the night reading instead of sleeping, but it was that good and I really wanted to know what happened.  (Now I have to get a copy of Melissa's previous book Made to Last so I can read more about Blake!)

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House/Melissa Tagg through TBCN in exchange for my honest review.

You can join in the fun at TBCN by clicking here.

About the book:

Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he’s finally returning to his hometown–the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he’s surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer–coordinating the annual Christmas festival–even though he has no idea how he’ll pull it off.

Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family’s inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.

Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees…in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who’s had enough of running away and the woman who can’t wait to leave join forces.

About the author:

Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.

When I Fall in Love ~ Review

When I Fall in Love
A Christiansen Family novel
By Susan May Warren

This is the third book in the Christiansen Family series and Grace Christiansen is the featured family member.  But all the Christiansens are in When I Fall in Love and this is an interesting and intriguing story to say the least.

Grace's life is safe and predictable as long as she stays home in Deep Haven.  But no one gets it - when she's away from home she's miserable and disaster is just waiting to catch her with her guard down. So when her family surprises her with a 3-week (3-weeks away from home in the middle of an ocean!) culinary vacation in Hawaii Grace is less than thrilled.  But her family won't take no for an answer.  So Grace is off to Hawaii and thanks to big sister Eden and her fiancé Jace she is going to be babysat by Jace's former teammate Max Sharpe.

Max has no time for romance.  He's all business and for him business is hockey except for the 3 weeks he spends each year in Hawaii cooking.  The last thing Max wants is to babysit the needy soon-to-be sister-in-law of his teammate.  And Max has a secret - a secret that he refuses to share with anyone - a secret that is controlling his life.

But life has a way of surprising us and Max and Grace are both in for one when they seem to hit it off almost immediately.  Friendship seems safe if only they can make their hearts listen.

Meanwhile back in Deep Haven Owen is slipping further into his no regrets rebellion- no matter who it hurts in the process.  And he is about to cause some big hurt in his family with his latest actions.

Eden and Jace are moving forward with their wedding plans and want Grace to cater it.  And Derek just may have found someone.  Take a trip back to Deep Haven and visit with the Christiansen family as they navigate the twist and turns of life - some of it good and some of it bad.  When I Fall in Love is a book that you'll enjoy and just like the song of the same name it is forever which is how love should be viewed.

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

The Revealing ~ Review

The Revealing
The Inn at Eagle Hill 3
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

This is the concluding book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series.  And the title The Revealing says it all.

There are secrets being kept in Stoney Ridge and many of them have direct ties to the Inn at Eagle Hill.  Naomi King is in love with Tobe Schrock, though she fears giving voice to it because of her brother Galen.  And who could blame Galen, after all Tobe is in prison.

Then there's Mim and her Mrs. Miracle article in the Stoney Ridge Times.  It's only a matter of time before someone learns something.

And Tobe is about to have his past catch-up with him yet again.  And this time it could jeopardize any future he could possibly hope for with Naomi.  But Naomi has faith in Tobe, has it been misplaced?

In The Calling Bethany Schrock and Jimmy Fisher seemed destined to be together.  And it was only a matter of time before Rose Schrock and Galen King would be announcing their upcoming marriage.  But a new family has just moved in and what was once certain may not be for much longer. 

The Revealing is a story that is exciting.  The only disappointment that I had with this book is that it is the conclusion to the series and quite frankly I want to have more from these delightful characters.  The underlying theme that I take away from this book is having hope and the love of family.  Both of which play an important role throughout not only The Revealing but the entire series.

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

Love does extraordinary things to people . . .  In a single, impulsive act, Naomi King chooses to follow her heart into unfamiliar territory, jeopardizing all that she holds dear. If anyone finds out what she's up to, she's in for trouble. But when it comes to Tobe Schrock, Naomi believes it's worth it. But it all comes crashing down when a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with an unexpected delivery for Tobe. Add a guest at the inn with a curious talent and a genealogist who is more interested in modern-day Schrocks than in old family trees, and evidence starts to mount that points to something sinister at work. Or someone. In this riveting conclusion to The Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and romance. Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace, and an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking and Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Jupiter Winds ~ Review

Jupiter Winds
By C.J. Darlington

We've been lied to.  That is the plain and simple truth.  And this lie has kept us from knowing that beneath the swirling gases and upper atmosphere winds Jupiter has livable, sustaining atmosphere.

This is a truth that Grey Alexander's parents kept from her and it may very well cost her her life.  But there is more going on than Grey ever imagined.

After fending for both her sister Rin and herself for the last 5 years, she has suddenly become a person of interest to the Mazdaar.  What Grey can't figure out is why, but she is about to find out very quickly.  Jupiter awaits....

 I've read several of C.J. Darlington's previous works and was intrigued when approached about reviewing Jupiter Winds.  This is a Dystopian story, but there is a thread of hope that runs throughout - this is not the typical bleak future world that is so often portrayed in this genre.

Jupiter Winds is a well-written book that is able to capture and hold the reader's attention.  This is book that can be read and enjoyed by both teens and adults.  There are no language or romantic situations that parents should find offensive if this is a concern they have in many of the offering available to today's YA audience. This book is complete and yet there is an opening for sequels (for which I am hoping!).

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


About the Book:
In 2160, a teenager becomes the bait to capture her missing revolutionary parents she thinks are long dead.

Grey Alexander has one goal—to keep herself and her younger sister Orinda alive. Not an easy feat living unconnected in the North American Wildlife Preserve, where they survive by smuggling contraband into the Mazdaar government's city zones. If the invisible electric border fence doesn't kill them, a human-like patrol drone could.

When her worst fear comes true, Grey questions everything she thought she knew about life, her missing parents, and God. Could another planet, whose sky swirls with orange vapors and where extinct-on-Earth creatures roam free, hold the key to reuniting her family?

The Rebel Princess ~ Blog Tour

The Rebel Princess
By Janice Sperry

This damsel is NOT in distress!

Raven Perilous is the Rebel Princess.  No she's not trying to over-throw any sitting royalty.  She simply doesn't want to be a typical fairy-tale princess just waiting for Prince Charming to rescue her.  And kissing a prince much less any boy is just plain icky!

Raven has your typical problems - a mother who speaks gems and jewelry (literally), a father who is a wizard, a house that's moody, a twin brother who takes after their dad.  And Raven has this habit of being a little bit mean and nasty when she talks to others and this has an unexpected disgusting side-effect (thanks to a fairy godmother).

But life is good until a prince shows up one day.  One disaster after another ensues and the only way to lift the curse/spell is for the "prince" and Raven to work together.  But is that even possible?

This is a fun mishmash of fairy-tales run amok as Raven tries to stay out distress and the prince tries to find true-love.  But they are trapped in a land of enchantment and fairy tales, so the fun is just beginning.

This is a delightful and funny twist on your favorite fairy tales.  And the twists and turns that ensue as Raven tries to return home will give you a great lift and several laughs.

This is one Rebel Princess you will love from page one.  Raven may not be the perfect princess but she's one your preteens and tweens will relate to.

I was provided a digital copy of this book is exchange for my honest review and blog tour participation.

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Teaser #1

“Welcome to our class, young man. What is your name?”

“Eric Charming.”

Every girl sighed, except for me. Charming? You’ve got to be kidding. A boy with the name of Charming only meant one thing—my fairy-tale roots had caught up to me.

My nemesis had arrived.  

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Teaser #2

When the fog cleared, Prince Charming was gone, and in his place sat a white rat.

“I take it back,” I said. “I would rather not kiss a rat. Ew.”

More excerpts can be found at Cedar Fort:

About the book:

Meet the upside-down fairy-tale princess! Raven Perilous is not nice because nice princesses get locked in towers. When Prince Charming shows up, Raven—who is not in distress—decides to show him who’s boss. This enchanting adventure, filled with magic forests and mystical creatures, will captivate fans of fairy tales everywhere!

About the author:

Janice Sperry lives in Utah with her husband and three children and evil cat.  She enjoys volunteering at the local elementary school and is exceptionally good at finding missing shoes, unless they are her own. You can follow her blog here.

The Stolen Herd ~ Spotlight

Title: The Stolen Herd
Author: K. Madill
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Paperback: 181 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (February 20, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1482640023
ISBN-13: 978-1482640021
Kindle: B00GBQ9V8O



Purchase at Amazon

About the book:

Mandamus is only a foal when his herd is captured by the terrible Rakhana Army.
Rescued and raised in secrecy, he knows nothing of his heritage until a dreadful
incident in the woods brings him to the attention of the Forest council – and everyone
else. Sent away for his own protection, he is determined to seek help on behalf of the
many animals who have gone missing from the forest, including his own family.
With the help of a troubled man and a stout-hearted bat, can Mandamus save his fellow
creatures before it's too late?

About the author:

A chronic “head in the cloudser” K. Madill lives in a rickety house on a well treed street
in British Columbia, Canada. When she’s not hanging out with her best equine friend in
the woods she can be found trying to stay upright on her roller skates or mediating the
affairs of her various furred and feathered friends that rule the aforementioned rickety
house.

K. Madill’s website: kmadill.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/K-Madill/161159890706088

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraiMadill1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20643483-the-stolen-herd

Want more?

Get a peek inside the book with a look at Chapter One!

Check-out my review of the Stolen Herd!

Enter the Giveaway 

Pump Up Your Book and K. Madill are teaming up
to give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and conditions:
o By entering, you confirm you are 18 years of age or older.
o Raffle runs from 12:00 AM EST on June 2 through 12:00 AM EST on June 28, 2014.
o Winner will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter.
o Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to claim the prize before a new winner is selected.
o Prize will be sent via email from the author's representative.
o VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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