Where Rivers Part ~ Review

Where Rivers Part
A Texas Gold Novel 2

By Kellie Coates Gilbert

Juliet Ryan is an up-and-coming star in her field.  Quality assurance is the promise of product safety and Juliet is determined that her company will never be one of those companies that let's consumer safety fall to the god of corporate profit.

But in the midst of personal tragedy, Juliet finds her personal and professional life spiraling out of her control when a deadly bacterial outbreak occurs.  As everyone scrambles to locate the source, tensions rise throughout the city as the victims multiply. 

Where Rivers Part is contemporary fiction at its best with a timely and meaningful story.  Drawing on true events Kellie weaves a powerful story that may be the best she has written to date.

The dollar is the driving force in business all too often, resulting in short cuts that in the long run are much more costly in the end.  Lives lost or debilitated are one of the potential costs.

There is a second story that runs throughout and that is Juliet's relationship with her father.  For years Juliet has been holding onto the hurt she carries, allowing it to fester.  As a result time to together seems inconceivable.  But sometimes the wolf in sheep's clothing is the easiest enemy to spot, rather than the one before us.  Trust is something that needs to be earned, but forgiveness is a gift that we can give.

Where Rivers Part is a book that has wide appeal and if you are unfamiliar with Kellie Coates Gilbert's work would be an excellent introduction to her writing.  And before you ask, No you don't need to read the previous Texas Gold novel to enjoy this book.  These books can stand-alone.    

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

Success too often comes with a price. Juliet never imagined it could be so high.

Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her considerable scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions--and affording her plenty of perks along the way. It's not the path her estranged father would have her take, but then Juliet finds it difficult to maintain respect for a man she cannot trust. She's on her way up in the world, and she's not going to let anything drag her down.

But when a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal, lives are at risk--including those of some of the people closest to her. As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with the one who has hurt her most in order to expose a far-reaching conspiracy.

Like a mighty river with twists and turns and hidden rocks, this engrossing story will sweep you relentlessly along as it fearlessly explores the seduction of success, the fear of giving up control, and the redemptive power of learning to forgive.

About the author:
Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband.

Beneath the Forsaken City ~ Review

Beneath the Forsaken City
The Song of Seare 2
By C.E. Laureano

Having escaped Conor and Aine are again separated by circumstances beyond their control.  Each struggles with the possibility that the other may be dead, while at the same time facing a period of testing.  Testing that will reveal just how strong their trust and faith in Comdiu truly is.

Having helped Conor and Aine escape, Eoghan returns to the brotherhood to resume his place and to accept whatever punishment Liam deems applicable to his crime.  

War is coming and the sidhe are growing in influence over those who have rejected Comdiu.  Keondric's power is growing as his forces prepare to assault Ard Dhaimhin and capture the ancient secrets it protects.

It is during this time that new gifts among Comdiu's followers are discovered.  Gifts that are needed to preserve what is and to restore that which has been lost.  But can the gifts be seen for what they truly are or will they be used for individual gain?

Beneath the Forsaken City is a time of loss and a time of learning.  Conor, Aine and Eoghan must learn what their own weaknesses are and that their true strength lies not in the gifts Comdiu has given, but in Comdiu himself.  And unfortunately some lessons are are costly.

Beneath the Forsaken City picks up where Oath of the Brotherhood left off.  And to truly grasp and understand the second book in The Song of Seare series you need to read the books in order as many references are made to incidents that happened prior.

This is an exciting and thoughtful book. It will keep your attention from the opening sentence, "Conor Mac Nir leaned against the railing of the Resolute in the dark, watching the choppy seas splash along the cog's wooden hull." until the last sentence, "You are."  And between these two sentences exist words that will pull you into the world of Seare.

Fans of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and George MacDonald have a new world to explore - Seare.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through their blog network in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

A Storm on the horizon.

A Brotherhood scattered.

A future denied.

Who will stand against the darkness?

Conor and Aine have barely escaped Seare with their lives. Conor knows he must return to 

find the harp that could end the Red Druid’s reign of terror, but in the midst of their escape, 

he and Aine are torn apart once more. Surrounded by despair and thrown into as much danger 

as they left behind, Conor and Aine must cling to the whispers of Comdiu’s plans for them and 

the homeland that depends on their survival. But at what cost? Will they learn to depend on 

Comdiu completely? Or will they give up hope?

The Monogamy Mystery ~ Review and Giveaway

The Monogamy Mystery
By John I. Cline

In The Monogamy Mystery John Cline delves into the historic, spiritual, societal, and biological factors that have and have had an impact on the ability or inability of humanity to live within the confines of a monogamous relationship. Is this a natural or unnatural inclination? This is the question John Cline addresses with thoughtful and carefully presented evidences.

All too often marriage is based on the foundation of romantic love which is the weakest of all loves.  This foundation is an erroneous myth that western society has created - the promise of happily ever after.  But happily ever after takes work and commitment, a commitment that that is seemingly contrary to social, biological, and historical norms.

Faithfulness in marriage is the desire of most people as is reflected by the vows made before God, family and friends of forsaking all others for the duration of both partners lives.  But society expects unfaithfulness and has even fostered this mindset throughout history.

But faithfulness, monogamy can be a reality.  But it takes work and as we are often told anything worth having takes work.  Monogamy is the perfect state that man (Adam) and woman (Eve) existed in before they partook in sin.  Sin destroyed this perfect union at the same time it destroyed our perfect existence with God.  And it is only by turning to God that we can find a solution to the troubling presence of infidelity that is destroying our marriages and damaging our families on every level.

Monogamy was (and is) the first institution created by God, if we can hold onto this in our marriages we are attempting to live within His original plan.  This is a spiritually ordained gift from God and it is only by relying on God and His godly principles that we can stand firm in this selflessness.

Of great interest to me was that author recommends that both men and women look to Proverbs 31 on proper behavior for husbands and wives.  This passage should be your go to passage throughout your life (even before one starts dating) to study as the standard for which we should model our behavior.

This book should be part of every marriage counselor's library and would be an excellent study resource for a newly engaged or married couple.

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

About John I. Cline:

Bishop John I. Cline is the senior pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

As a teenager, he left the shores of the British Virgin Islands to further his education and broaden his horizons in the United States of America by way of the United States Virgin Islands. With his training in electronic engineering in hand and some work experience in the USA, he returned to the British Virgin Islands in 1993. Since that time, he has launched many successful businesses including Infinite Solutions, a trading store through which he markets and sells consumer electronics, and Atlantis Solar, through which he markets, promotes and distributes alternative energy products locally, regionally and internationally.

In 1997, the Church, under his leadership, constructed new premises and relocated from Road Town to Duff’s bottom under the name New Life Baptist Church. Three years later, the New Life Day Care and Learning Centre was constructed to ensure that children were being indoctrinated with biblical teaching during these wonder years. He was consecrated to the Office of the Bishop and inducted in the College of Bishops as a presbyter, adjudicator and an examiner in October 2005. In 2011, he spearheaded the construction of the church’s Save the Seed Centre, a multi-million-dollar recreational facility intended to target the youth generation – a generation he feels in dire need of attention and rescue.

He is also the founding member of the New Life Baptist Church Foundation. The Church’s most recent international philanthropic efforts have included providing financial support to a school in Africa, The Tortola Child Rescue and Learning Centre, where the most recent efforts have been the construction of the secondary school, thereby ensuring that each student in the school has an opportunity to continue his or her education through the secondary level.

He attributes his success to godly parents, strong family ties, a caring church, and a supportive community and he desires to ‘pass it on!”

About THE Monogamy MYSTERY:

The Monogamy Mystery is a thought-provoking advanced discussion which addresses the issue of monogamy. It addresses the important questions as to whether monogamy is natural or unnatural and whether a monogamous existence can truly be achieved by mankind. It studies monogamy from a biblical, sociological, biological and spiritual perspective and arrives at a most logical conclusion. Infidelity has been a destructive force to the institution of marriage. Hence, it is important for each of us to understand the root of infidelity and learn how to conquer it in order to enjoy more fulfilling lives. Many husbands and wives find themselves in the middle of extra-marital affairs, not because they want to destroy their marriages, not because they do not love their spouses, and not because they are inherently evil or bad-intentioned. My total life experiences have brought me to a place where I have formed the view that it has become urgent to unearth some necessary truths and understanding in an effort to stop, correct, and guide future generations of persons who opt for committed relationships in their ultimate pursuit of happiness. The Monogamy Mystery is the ultimate relationship companion on the real causes of infidelity in interpersonal relationships.

Connect with John Cline online at the following:

JohnICline.com/    Facebook    Twitter     Pinterest

Purchase Online at: Amazon  or  Barnes and Nobel

Giveaway:

1^st Prize:  $50 Amazon.com gift certificate and autographed copy 

                  of THE Monogamy MYSTERY

2^nd Prize:  $25 Amazon.com gift certificate and autographed copy 

                   of THE Monogamy MYSTERY

3^rd Prize:  Autographed copy of THE Monogamy MYSTERY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.