A Glitter of Gold ~ Review

A Glitter of Gold
Georgia Coast Romance #2
By Liz Johnson

Anne Norris just wants to leave the guilt and shame of the past behind her. Having relocated to Savannah, Georgia, she hopes she can get a fresh start - one that includes no one ever having to know the biggest mistake she ever made. And to be sure she never again repeats her mistake she will avoid men forever if not longer. But everything changes when she makes a find that could alter her life forever - one that could give her business a boost. There is just one problem - she needs expert help to prove her find - a find that Carter Hale alone knows the worth of. But can she trust him?

For years Carter Hale has dreamed of proving himself as more than a name - not wanting to rely on the family name that could open doors for him he has gone his own way. He has gone into maritime history and an old diary was what drew him into this world. If he could discover the location of the Catherine or some tangible proof that she existed he could move on to a more prestigious museum and prove himself not only to the world but to his father. But years of searching have never given him the proof he needs - until Anne Norris walks into his museum with a find of a lifetime.

Anne and Carter are both running from what they have known - for two very different reasons, but Anne's discovery offers them both a chance to change what they both have now. But time is against them as they work to find the treasure that they seek. But treasure is a problem all its own and sometimes obtaining it costs more than it is truly worth. Can Anne and Carter discover the treasure that they truly seek or will the glitter of gold cost them everything?

This is the second book in the Georgia Coast Romance series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone book if you haven't yet read the previous book. This book is an easy read and doesn't seem as long as its 300+ pages sounds. This book is both contemporary and historic as the reader is allowed glimpses into the diary that sparked Carter's interest all those years ago and is the clue to what they seek in the present day. I would highly recommend this book to those seeking a gentle read and are fans of contemporary, history, and romance as this book skillfully gives you all three.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but things do not go as planned.

Carter is fascinated with the wreck, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.

Deadly Intentions ~ Review

Deadly Intentions
By Lisa Harris

Someone is taking out the researchers in Caitlyn Lindsey's company and now they are after her. She just has to get someone to believe her. And with no actual proof in hand that is going to be a bit of a challenge especially if the killers get to her first. Her only hope is to convince the husband of the first victim that his wife was murdered not in a burglary gone wrong but to silence her permanently.

Detective Josh Solomon has spent the last year grieving the loss of his wife Olivia - if only he had known she was coming home early. If only she had called him. If only he had not given chase to the burglars. His life is filled with long hours to avoid the grief and the "if only's" that plague him. And when Caitlyn Lindsey reaches out to him he's not sure what to think and he doesn't want to revisit the pain of a year ago.

But Caitlyn's evidence combined with his own encounter with a pair of less than upstanding citizens convinces him there may be something to her concerns. But finding the evidence needed to convince someone to reopen his wife's case may prove to be a challenge. Especially when someone seems intent on stopping them no matter the cost. But how can they find evidence that Caitlyn never had and those who may have known something are all dead? The only thing they have to go on is a project name that doesn't exist in the company's records and Caitlyn's insistence that her friend would never take her own life.

Deadly Intentions is an intense read that you'll have trouble putting down - murder, conspiracy, biological threat, and greed - so give yourself all day or a long weekend to read this one. Some books just grab one from the opening line and this is one of those books. This isn't a gentle read but it is clean reading in the language and behavior department. Those familiar with Lisa Harris's work will not be disappointed with this one. This book appears to be a standalone so if you don't like trying out an unfamiliar author in the middle of a series this is one to go with.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.




About the Book:

There is no such thing as random

Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victims' husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn's theory, Josh soon realizes the attack that took his wife's life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn's team--and what their end game is--before it's too late.

Storm Rising ~ Review

Storm Rising
The Book of Wars #1
By Ronie Kendig

Leif Metcalf is on a mission to recover an ancient text long thought to be lost. But the Book of the Wars has been located and Lief and his team are in a race against time and other interested parties to recover this book first. And in the opening prologue, we find him in pursuit of Viorica a Bulgarian operative who seemingly has beaten him to the prize.

But then the reader is taken back one month in time and the story takes up from there to get us back to the action of the prologue. After the intense opening, the characters and the plot are slowly revealed.  Around page 150 the action again picks up a stays fairly constant from there on until the end.

Now one needs to know that Leif Metcalfe is a former Nany Seal who had a mission go very wrong in his past and that he is missing 6-months worth of memories. And there are those for whom he works that seem very worried that he may recover what he lost.

Viorica is the name that Iskra Todorova is known by and she is a highly skilled operative who is under the direction of Hristoff Peychinovich. Iskra is seemingly loyal to Peychinovich but Leif is convinced after several confrontations with her that all is not as it seems - there is a look in her eyes that he knows all too well. But his team thinks otherwise and that she is somehow playing on his protective instinct.

But when someone steals the Book of Wars away can Lief and Iskra work together to make sure it stays out of the hands of someone who would use the knowledge of the future it contains for dangerous and deadly pursuits? Or will Iskra betray the trust between them to gain the freedom she so desires - the freedom to be who she wants to be?

With a powerful enemy always a step or two ahead of them saving the world may be impossible, on time will time if they can succeed and survive.

Overall this is a pretty good read - there is a bit of violence and abuse of every kind directed at certain characters which can make the reader uncomfortable due to its nature. And I will admit that there were parts of this book I just loved and others I wasn't too thrilled about (abuse, slavery, tweaking of Scripture). The writing was well-done, it kept my attention throughout, and I am anticipating book 2.

I have not read Ronie Kendig's Tox Files series but this book seems to make references to events that may have occurred in those books. But if this is the case I had no problem reading this book without this previous series. This book most definitely does leave the storyline open but the book in itself seems complete without leaving the main characters dangling from the figurative cliff, which is nice in my opinion. So one can easily wait for what's next without worrying that the next book will open with that cliff having fallen away while awaiting book 2. This book definitely provides a good dose of suspense with a pinch of romance and a sprinkling of the speculative that will appeal to many a reader.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations other than that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts provided are my own.

About the Book:

Does an Ancient Book of Prophecy 

Hold the Answers to Saving the World . . . 

Or Predict Its Destruction? 

Mentioned in the pages of the Old Testament but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets--and dangers--never before seen on earth.

Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is once more given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as Viorica snatches the volume right out from under them.

Iskra "Viorica" Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most--freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe, and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives, and entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of the past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in centuries-old words could unleash a storm of their own destruction.

Vow of Justice ~ Review

Vow of Justice
Blue Justice #4
By Lynette Eason

Allison Radcliffe is determined to bring down Vladislav Nevsky and his assassin Gregori Radchenko and with the help of her partner Linc St. John she thinks her time has come to get the evidence that they need. But when it becomes obvious that not only her cover has been blown so has Linc's this assignment just gets a whole lot more complicated.

When their surveillance takes a deadly turn Linc is left grieving- not only did he lose his partner he lost the woman he hoped to have a future with. And Linc wants to bring her murderer to justice and he knows his family has his back if he needs them.

The key to bringing down Nevsky is finding the evidence that Allie was about to get just before her cover was blown. Evidence that Nevsky apparently doesn't know exists. And when Linc's search leads him to a possible location the last thing he expected to find was a very much alive dead partner. Can he trust Allie after she let him believe she had died?

Allie needs Linc's help if she hopes to keep Nevsky from learning that she isn't truly dead - it's their one chance to possibly get what they need to stop him. But investigating can be a bit difficult when you have to avoid being seen by anyone. And to protect those who she's come to care for the truth can't come out or they'll become the leverage needed to flush her out.

Vow of Justice is the fourth book (plus one novella) in the Blue Justice series which follows the St.John family and their various ties to law enforcement. This book centers in on Linc St. John and his partner Allison Radcliffe - a woman he thought he knew who is hiding a past he can't imagine.

Fans of Lynette Eason will love this newest release. As with most of her books, this is a romantic suspense that throws in some twists that will be a bit of a surprise. I will admit there was one twist that occurred that I was starting to suspect (not saying which as that would be a spoiler) but still was like WOW when it actually happened. And be sure not to skip ahead - you don't want to ruin the ending - it is something that will leave you shaking your head.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.



About the Book:

Playing dead might just get her killed

FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes himself to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allie very much alive shortly after her "murder."

As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure - he and Allie will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time-this time for good.

Always ~ Review

Always
The Lost Princesses: Prequel
By Jody Hedlund

King Ethelwulf of Warwick has determined that the Kingdom Mercia is rightfully his and nothing will stand in his way. And King Ethelwulf will show no mercy having employed the fierce and fearsome Saracens to fight against the Mercian troops.

As Ethelwulf lays siege to the castle Queen Aurora accepts Lady Felicia's vow to save the lives of her children - 3-year-old crown princess Constance, and the twin daughters that she has just birthed. At just 17 years Felicia is unsure how she will accomplish such a task but she has pledged everything to fulfill her promise to the dying queen.

King Francis of Mercia has entrusted the safety of his family and the future of Mercia into the hands of his most trusted member of the Elite Guard - Lance. Lance has been entrusted with the princesses and the means of proving their heritage when the time to reclaim what has been lost is upon them. Equipped to battle the enemy Lance has no skills with caring for children much less just born babes. And the noble young woman who has the princesses isn't about to hand them over.

With the enemy just behind them, Lance and Felicia must make their escape from the castle and reach a place of safety to protect their charges. But Ethelwulf wants none left alive who may make a claim to the throne of Mercia and so escape may be more challenging than they are prepared for. And are they willing to give up all that they have known for three princesses who may never reclaim their heritage?

Just a warning the ending will leave you wanting more - fortunately, the first book of the series releases just a few days later so there won't be a long wait. This is yet another lovely read for the YA audience who wants clean reading. Those familiar with Jody Hedlund's previous YA series Noble Knights will love this new world that is opening with this novella. With a nod to medieval history as the setting this is a unique story that will keep the reader's attention. This is one of those just one more chapter books that one just can't put down until the last word.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.



About the Book:

A fierce elite guard. 

A loyal lady in waiting. 

They must work together to save 

three princesses from certain death.

On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.

Gravely wounded in battle and knowing all is lost to his enemy, the king of Mercia tasks Lance, one of his fiercest elite guards, to protect his family along with keys to an ancient treasure. As Lance makes plans to sneak the princesses out of the capital city, he doesn’t need or want Lady Felicia’s help.

With the dark enemy in pursuit, Lance and Felicia must put aside their differences to outrun King Ethelwulf and prevent him from killing the princesses. In a desperate attempt to hide the young girls, Lance and Felicia agree to a marriage of convenience, a decision that will change their lives—and hearts—forever.

Agent Recruit ~ Review

Agent Recruit
Max Thorne #2
By Ethan Jones

It's been four weeks since Max's detainee-transfer assignment that went wrong and he, his father - Valery Volkov, and his girlfriend Ava are in London on a quest for information. But when they find themselves betrayed and on the wrong side of MI5 their personal mission just got a whole lot more difficult.

As Max and the rest of his team start globe-hopping, Max's inexperience and impatience are about to cost him and it is just a question of how much. As Max works towards the team's ultimate goal of stopping Zlobin and obtaining information about Max's late mother he makes a rash decision that, if he survives, he may regret.

This is the second book in the Max Thorne series and it doesn't let down on the action that we've previously seen at Max's side in Eighteen Minutes and Agent Rising. And Max's ability at making enemies seems to be a special gift that he needs to work on distancing himself from especially if he's like to make it to middle age.

Max is not a reworked Justin Hall or Javin Pierce. Ethan Jones has again brought to life a character that is unique and not perfect - Max's flaws are what give him character and life. If you like thrilling spycraft fiction and have not yet picked up any of Ethan Jones previous books give this one a try but you should read Agent Rising first as it is the first book in the series where the mystery of Max's past comes into play in a big way. Eighteen Minutes is the series prequel that provides the backstory that shows how Max is now in the place that he is. And what place is Max in you ask? He has managed to get on the FSB's list of persona non grata. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book - no expectations were placed on me. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

What price would you pay to learn the truth?

Russian FSB Agent Max Thorne is recovering from a daring assignment in the United States, which led to shocking discoveries about his mysterious past. As he begins the search to put together the missing pieces, Max learns that the elusive truth is buried deep under decades of secrecy, betrayal, and deception involving the CIA and KGB.

Barely able to stay one step ahead of powerful forces set on protecting those secrets at all costs, Max is determined to do the right thing. But what price will Max have to pay to learn the bittersweet truth, and can he protect the ones he loves?

Join Max as he faces the darkness that is the secret service the only way he knows how ... head on.

Midnight's Curse ~ Review with Author Interview and Giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour for Midnight's Curse, book two in the Beyond the Tales series by Tricia Mingerink. Beyond the Tales is a series of fairy tale retellings with hints of allegorical elements set in a world based on the Appalachian Mountains. 

Don't miss the giveaway at the end of this blog post nor the invitation to the 
Facebook party on Friday for more giveaways!

Midnight's Curse
Beyond the Tales #2
By Tricia Mingerink

High King Alexander has awoken from his 100 years of sleep to a nation divided - the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia are on the edge of yet another war and not sure that they want to be ruled once again by a High King.

Over the years Daemyn Rand has served the High King and with the curse broken finds himself still serving Alex. But his life is different now as he has found love in the Princess Rosanna the princess who broke the curse placed upon the High King. But the past still has its hand on him and the thought of living a normal life and aging with those around him is unfamiliar to him.

Elara Ashen spends her days bemoaning her existence as a maidservant in the home of Baroness Hackett. Elara wants the life that Monica and Beatrice Hackett have - a life of position, of silk gowns, balls, and wealth. And when the King Cassius of Pohatomie invites the High King of Tallahatchia to the Harvest Festival and all the noble persons of the kingdom are invited Elara's wish to attend seems the least possible thing in the world. At least, until a chance encounter with the loveliest Fae she could ever imagine offers her heart's desire. All she needs to do is accept the offered gift of a pair of glass slippers which will make her the envy of every woman and the desire of every man's heart, including the High King's!

But when Elara's dream takes a most unexpected turn she is forced to see just where her jealousy and discontent has lead her - straight into a mess that she doesn't want to be in. And worse she just may destroy all hopes of a reunited Tallahatchia unless she can find a way to stop the curse she now finds herself under.

This is a lovely sequel to Dagger's Sleep as it continues the story that was first presented there (the awakening of the High King). I really like how we see how both Daemyn and Alex are struggling with learning to accept how their lives are now Alex to a kingdom in disarray that has little use for what was and Daemyn who is no longer on a quest to find a princess to break the curse. If you like a twist on the traditional fairy tale this one will most certainly give you that - this is one Cinderella tale that you will want to read again and again.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.



About the Book:

The glass slippers might be her dreams come true...or her worst nightmare. 

High King Alexander rules the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia—a divided nation on the brink
of yet another war. When an invitation arrives from the king of Pohatomie, Alex knows it must
be a trap, but could it also be his opportunity to unite the kingdoms?

Daemyn Rand has lived a hundred years, served an arrogant prince, fallen in love with a
princess, and lost himself somewhere along the way. He has already died for his loyalty. Will
standing at the high king’s side cost him his last chance to truly live?

Elara Ashen is a lowly, miserable servant. All she wants is to spend even one night in a fancy
dress dancing with the high king. When she is offered a pair of glass slippers, it seems that all
her dreams have come true.

But dreams have a price, and gifts can be curses in disguise. What will it cost to stop this curse
from tearing Tallahatchia apart yet again?

Fairy tales meet the Appalachian Mountains in this adventurous fantasy retelling of the classic
Cinderella story.

Add to Goodreads - Buy on Amazon

Author Interview:

1)  Who (or) what is your favorite comfort read author or genre?

Light and humorous fairy tale retellings. They have always been my go-to comfort read from the time I was little. K.M. Shea, J.M. Stengl, Melanie Cellier are my favorites. K.M. Shea especially has a lot of retellings out there, and her writing is so hysterically funny all the time. I wish I could write as funny as she does. 

2)  What one author past or present would you like to mentor you? 

C.S. Lewis. He was seriously brilliant when it came to writing an allegorical story. The Chronicles of Narnia are so well written I get something new out of them every time I read them (and I re-read them at least once a year). I don't know how it is possible to pack so much into the books and still have the allegorical elements feel so natural and integral to the story. 

3)  How do you develop your setting (a photo, a trip, a random comment)? 

 Many of my settings are based on places I have actually been. Since I have never traveled outside of the United States yet, that means they are based on settings in the United States. It's a good thing we have such a variety of geography, lol. I write about waterfalls I have actually visited, trails I have walked, places my family got lost in, because it helps me bring the settings more alive on the page. 

4)  Do you have a favorite author that you would recommend?

A favorite author? Sorry, I can't pick just one, lol. For Christian fantasy: Jaye L. Knight, Morgan Huneke, Nadine Brandes, Jill Williamson, Morgan Busse. For fairy tale retellings, K.M. Shea, J.M. Stengl, Melanie Cellier, W.R. Gingell, Lucy Tempest, and many more are my favorites. I can come up with a mile-long list if you'd like, lol. 

I totally agree - whenever anyone asks for my favorite author I can never pick just one - Nope not possible. I love that some of the authors you named are on my list of favorites too - must be why I love your books we have similar tastes in reading!

5)  Who is your favorite character (or two) in Midnight's Curse? 

I love writing Alex, lol. He can be so annoyingly flawed at times but also so fun to write. It's a good thing I like writing about him since I have two more books with him as a main character. And also, Daemyn. Because Daemyn is awesome. 

6)  Midnight's Curse and the Dagger's Sleep, do you need to read one to read the other? Do you have a favorite? Why or why not?

It would certainly help to read Dagger's Sleep before Midnight's Curse because Midnight's Curse is a continuation with many of the same characters as the first book. But I did try to write Midnight's Curse so that you could jump straight into it if a Cinderella retelling sounded more appealing than a Sleeping Beauty retelling. You might be mildly confused at the beginning, but it shouldn't be impossibly confusing, if that makes sense.

The first book in the series Dagger's Sleep, a Sleeping Beauty retelling where the prince is cursed to sleep and the princess must wake him, is on sale for $.99 on Kindle!
Follow this link to snag this deal while it lasts!

About the Author

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

You can connect with Tricia on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Facebook Party!

 

 The Facebook party should be a blast with giveaways of 

Midnight's Curse, 

Dagger's Sleep, 

and over ten other Cinderella retellings by indie authors!

Follow this link to join the Facebook party.

Giveaway!

 

 Enter to win signed copies of Dagger's Sleep and Midnight's Curse 

(it will be the actual copy, not a proof copy as shown) 

as well as a Currently Reading 4oz candle from Novelly Yours Candles. 

 Due to shipping, the giveaway is open to the US only. 

Void where prohibited. 

  A Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday – August 5

• The Florid Sword – Author Interview and Book Review
• Scribeheart – Author Interview

Tuesday – August 6 – Release Day!

• The Music of a Story – Book Review
• Jaye L. Knight – Author Interview
• Perfectly Quirky in Every Way – Book Review

Wednesday – August 7

• Liv K. Fisher – Author Interview
• Blooming with Books – Author Interview and Book Review
• TJ’s Musing – Book Review

Thursday – August 8

• Imperial Scribis – Author Interview
• Dream Write Now – Author Interview and Book Review
• Morgan Huneke – Author Interview

Friday – August 9

• The Page Dreamer – Book Spotlight
• Elizabeth Koetsier – Book Spotlight
• Brie Donning – Book Review
• Facebook Party 8-10pm EST, 7-9 pm CST, 6-8 pm MST, 5-7 pm PST

Saturday – August 10

• Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors – Book Review
• M.H. Elrich – Book Review