Two Renegade Realms ~ Review

Two Renegade Realms
Realm Walkers 2
By Donita K. Paul

After two years of searching unsuccessfully for Ahma and Odem, Cantor and Bridger are ready for another mission.  Their new assignment teams them up once again with Bixby and Dukmee.

Together the foursome is searching for an ancient library, a library which may hold the key to saving their realm   But nothing is ever easy and complications ensue when the opportunity to find and rescue the long absent Chomountain presents itself.

In a hidden valley where Chomountain is rumored to be imprisoned they find a man impassioned with fishing, but no sign of Chomountain.  Can they discover the reason Primen directed them to this valley?  Or will their mission to thwart a looming invasion pull them away before the truth can be discovered?

Two Renegade Realms is as exciting as One Realm Beyond and will thoroughly capture your attention.  Bridger is as ineptly resourceful as before and definitely one dragon you want to have in your corner.  Bixby and Cantor are interesting as they both annoy and endear themselves as they reestablish the friendship that they had shared.  And then there is Dukmee brilliant with a dash of arrogance if his companions would allow it to take root.  These four make the story real and bring you into it.

Realm Walkers is a solid line-up with the first two books and Donita Paul doesn't disappoint.  I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy fiction who like a story with substance.  This will appeal to the tween / teen / adult audience.

I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher through the BookLook blogging program in exchange for my honest review.  


About the Book:

From bestselling author, Donita K Paul, the second installment in a fantasy series that follows Cantor, a Realm Walker, chosen to battle the corrupt Guild.

In Two Renegade Realms, the second installment in Donita K. Paul's Realm Walkers Series, Cantor, Bixby, and Dukmee must band together to find the storied realm walker Chomountain after a devastating attack by the corrupt Realm Walkers Guild. But what they discover while traveling turns their mission upside down: the great wizard is not as he once was, and they must now find a way to restore Chomountain before they and he can restore the Guild once more.

About the Author:

Donita K. Paul retired from teaching and took up the mantle of grandma. She loves her new career as author of stories her grandchildren devour. Winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado, enjoying friends and family, pets and beautiful scenery. Her favorite part of writing is the readers.

Dani Pettrey's Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes

Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes

In SABOTAGED, the fifth and final book of author Dani Pettrey’s award-winning Alaskan Courage series, Kirra Jacobs and Reef McKenna experience the high stakes of Iditarod search-and-rescue when Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, goes missing.

Kirra and Reef put aside their differences to search for him, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank’s daughter Meg has been kidnapped, and Frank must do the kidnapper’s bidding or Meg will die.

Soon Kirra, Reef, and the entire McKenna family are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

To celebrate their epic race, Dani and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to present the HEART OF ADVENTURE SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.

Time frame and Notifications:

This giveaway starts February 2, 2015 and ends February 22, 2015 @ 11:59 pm (PST).
Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Monday, February 23, 2015, and announced at DaniPettrey.com.

GRAND PRIZE:  LUXURIOUS LODGE GETAWAY

During their cross-country hunt for answers, Kirra and Reef stop to rest at a gorgeous mountain lodge in Denali that holds special memories for Reef. This prize offers you a chance to build your own special memories, with a luxurious lodge getaway for two.

Our Grand Prize winner will receive: A $250 gift certificate to Hotels.com, good for reservations at lodges and hotels across the Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and numerous International locations



SECOND PRIZE: PALS WITH PAWS DONATION

In the Alaskan Courage series, Kirra is the proud owner of Nanook Haven, a rescue shelter for sled dogs. In real life, animals need rescue as well, and this prize will allow you to give a special gift to support an organization like Kirra’s.

Our Second Prize winner will receive: A $150 donation in your name, to the animal rescue, shelter, or veterinarian of your choice



THIRD PRIZE:  SWEETHEART SURVIVAL SLED

In SABOTAGED, Kirra and Reef take shelter in a snow cave while hiding from a man determined to put them on ice– permanently! Luckily, Kirra has a survival kit, to help them make it through the sub-zero temperatures.  If you prefer a little more romance and a little less suspense in your survival kit, this is the prize for you.

Our Third Prize winner will receive: A $100 value sweetheart survival pack. This gift basket includes double chocolate raspberry cake, smoked salmon, brie cheese and crackers, and a wide variety of gourmet snacks


How to Enter:

Go to http://www.danipettrey.com/heart-of-adventure-sweepstakes/

and complete the entry box, anytime between February 2 – 22, 2015.

The Abbot's Agreement ~ Review

The Abbot's Agreement
The chronicles of
         Hugh de Singleton, surgeon 7
By Mel Starr

It was to be a short trip to Oxford, but alas yet again Hugh's plans have gone awry.  If only he hadn't seen the birds.  But he did see the birds and in the process discovered a body.

This discovery leads the Abbot of Eynshan Abbey to retain Hugh's services in determining who killed the abbey's missing novice.  But there is more to this mystery than Hugh could have possibly imagined.  And this case is fraught with dangers from both within the abbey and without.

With clues leading to several potential suspects, Hugh must ply his skills as both surgeon and bailiff to get to the truth that has been carefully concealed.

But frustration ensues as each lead seemingly falls just short of what Hugh needs to determine the killer's identity. Adding to his anxiety his wife Kate is due to deliver their second child in the very near future.

When the case takes an unexpected turn Hugh finds himself in an uncomfortable position and has few that he can turn to for assistance.

If you like murder mysteries and historical fiction the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon will keep you guessing as he eliminates suspects and motives.  Take a trip to 14th century England for a who-dun-it that will hold your interest until the final page.

Yet another delightful murder mystery from the pen of Mel Starr!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Lion Hudson through the Kregel blogger program in exchange for my honest review and my participation in this tour.

About the book:

A new and disturbing puzzle for the medieval surgeon-turned-sleuth...

Master Hugh de Singleton is making his way toward Oxford when he discovers the corpse of a young Benedictine not half a mile from the nearby abbey.

The abbey's novice master confirms the boy's identity; it is John, one of three novices. He had gone missing four days previous, and yet his corpse is fresh. There has been plague in the area, but this was not the cause of death-the lad has been stabbed in the back. To Hugh's sinking heart, the abbot has a commission for him.

With realistic medical procedures of the period, droll medieval wit, and a consistent underlying sense of Christian compassion, the seventh in the chronicles of Hugh de Singleton will delight medieval history and crime fiction fans alike.

Petticoat Detective ~ Review

Petticoat Detective
Undercover Ladies 1
Margaret Brownley

There are times when only a woman can do a proper investigation. And this is one of those times, though posing as companion is the last thing Jennifer planned on doing.  But when her lead ends up dead Jennifer has no choice but to take on the identity of Amy, a woman living in a house of ill-repute. After all who would suspect a Pinkerton detective of working out of a Bordello.  And Jennifer is determined to capture the notorious Gunnysack Bandit.

But her investigation is about to get a bit more complicated when Tom Colton (a former Texas Ranger) determines to clear his dead brother's name.  And the fact that Tom's brother David and Jennifer's lead Rose had a connection seems to be of importance to this case.

But evidence seems to point to David and nothing Jennifer or Tom discover seems to lead away from this conclusion.  Could they both be wrong?

The setting isn't what one would expect to find in Christian fiction, but this is clean if you have any reservations.  There are several humorous scenes especially when Jennifer decides to set a trap for a suspect.

This is historical fiction with romance and it spotlights how few choices women had when seeking to support themselves at this period of time.

I was provided a copy of this audiobook by the publisher Barbour (Shiloh Run Press) through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. She’s finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother’s name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder and one very personal reason to hope that she’s wrong about him.

The Devil's Eyes ~ Review

The Devil's Eyes
In the President's Service, Episode 5
by Ace Collins

Episode 5 of In the President's Service is yet another action packed adventure.  And the man behind Alistair Fisher's unique abilities Dr. Bauer is further revealed and he is even creepier than one first suspected.  And he is pulling strings throughout the world, manipulating and scheming to get what he truly wants - power.

Helen Meeker and her team are determined to find out who is behind Alistair and his assassination attempt.  The Nazis? Or organized crime?  Helen has her suspicions, but to find the truth she and the team need to remain dead.  But someone has become aware of their deception and this knowledge just may have ramifications they hadn't counted on having to contend with.

Get ready for more stakeouts and subterfuge as a hidden threat within the United States is tracked.  I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed this latest episode and am looking forward to Episode 6.

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

About the Book:
The Devil’s Eyes picks up where Fatal Addiction left off, with singer Grace Lupino charming her way into men’s hearts while plunging a knife in the back of anyone who gets in her way.

While Helen Meeker and her team, supposedly dead, hide in the shadows, trying to discover the identity of the mole in the White House as well as uncover the truth of who is behind the evil that snuffs out lives and steals souls without a twinge of conscience, some of the most important and valued documents in American history become a pawn between life and death.

At Home in Last Chance ~ Review

At Home in Last Chance
A Place to Call Home 3
By Cathleen Armstrong

Kaitlyn Reed is trying to make up for her past mistakes - the biggest of which was leaving Olivia behind with her brother Chris.  Kaitlyn doesn't know if she'll ever be able to make up for all the pain and heart-break she caused her daughter, but she's determined to try.  But working at the Dip 'n' Dine is trying, especially working with Juanita.  Kaitlyn loves styling hair, but Last Chance doesn't have a salon.

The one person who doesn't seem to hold her past and its mistakes against her is Elizabeth Cooley. And Olivia loves the woman who has stepped in to give her stability in all the upheaval that has been her life the last year.  

Steven Braden, the black sheep in the Cooley family, is back in Last Chance - at least for the time being.  He feels as if the rest of the family expects him to always mess up - to run out of town at the slightest hint of crisis.  Steven knows he isn't the person his family believes him to be.  At least his grandmother believes in him or who he could be.  But when it comes Kaitlyn, Elizabeth is determined to keep Steven from poring on the charm - charm which Kaitlyn seems to be immune to.  

With the help of family and friends can these two people make a new start in Last Chance that will last a lifetime?  When a crisis throws them an unexpected challenge can Kaitlyn and Steven hold true to the promises that they've made to themselves?

At Home in Last Chance is the concluding book in the A Place to Call Home series and all the series favorites are back for one last time.  Come for one more visit to Last Chance you just might want to stay for a while.

The characters are well developed and the story is easy to read and follow (even if you haven't read the previous titles in the series).  Last Chance is a tight-knit community that is like an extended family.  They know your faults and they love you in-spite of yourself.  This isn't a quick and simple happy solution book,but it will leave you satisfied as the characters all deal with situations that will make them grow as people.  I have to say that Elizabeth has to be my favorite character throughout the series and I would love to join her for a cup of tea.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher - Revell through their blogger program in exchange for my honest review.

What happens when the life you're running from won't let go of your heart?

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have always had a similar philosophy of life: when the going gets tough, they get going--out of town and away from the problem. Now they are both back in Last Chance, New Mexico, and trying to start over.

Kaitlyn is working to reestablish a relationship with the seven-year-old daughter she left behind six months earlier. Steven is trying to prove to his family that he is not the irresponsible charmer they have always known him to be. As Kaitlyn and Steven find themselves drawn to one another, one big question keeps getting in the way: How will they learn to trust each other when they don't even trust themselves?

With emotional depth and characters who leap off the page and into your heart, Cathleen Armstrong invites you to return once more to the dusty and delightful town of Last Chance.


Cathleen Armstrong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Ed, and their corgi. Though she has been in California for many years now, her roots remain deep in New Mexico where she grew up and where much of her family still lives. She is the author of Welcome to Last Chance, winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for Women's Fiction, and One More Last Chance.

The Patmos Deception ~ Review

The Patmos Deception
By Davis Bunn

The island of Patmos hides an ancient secret.  And someone has discovered this truth and they will do anything to possess it.

When the chance of a lifetime brings Carey Mathers to Greece, she feels as if all her hard work has been worth it.  And when her childhood friend/crush Nick Hennessy offers her a job as his research assistant in tracking down antiquities that have been disappearing from Greece.  But the investigation must remain secret both because of the danger involved and the far reaching influence the perpetrators seemingly have.  What Carey and Nick discover could cost them everything - even their lives.

And then there is Dimitri Rubinos a man struggling to stay above the economic fallout that has encompassed Greece.  And when he is given a chance to escape he must make a choice that could destroy or save him.

The Patmos Deception is an exciting book that will capture your attention as various characters add new and complex twists to the story.  Suspense runs throughout and there are threads of romance that have an interesting influence on several of the characters.  But the greatest attribute is the heart-altering effect the island of Patmos has.

Carey, Nick, and Dimitri are all seeking something and they just may find it, though it may not be what they thought they had been seeking.  I really enjoyed this newest work from Davis Bunn and hope that these characters will have sequel.  The story is told from the view points of the three main characters and slowly their stories come together in a believable and enjoyable way.

I highly recommend this book to those who like suspense, mystery, romance, and fiction.  This book has wide appeal and is worth the time spent immersing one's self between the pages.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House through their blogger review program in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
An Ancient Island Holds an Ancient Secret . . .
Nick Hennessy, a young Texas journalist yearning for his big break, finds himself in Europe--his assignment, to investigate the alarming disappearance of invaluable Grecian antiquities. Nick has the credentials--and cover ID--to unearth the truth. And he knows just the researcher to help him...
 
Carey Mathers, fresh from her studies in forensic archeology, has accepted a job with the prestigious Athens Institute for Antiquities--a dream come true, really, particularly when the Greek isle of Patmos, where the Apostle John received his vision of the Apocalypse, was a particular focus of her research.
 
Dimitri Rubinos, for whom the Greek islands represent his life, holds on by his fingernails to the family charter boat business. But his country's economic chaos isn't the only thing that has turned his world on its head...