Kaya: The Journey Begins

The Journey Begins
Kaya #1
By Janet Shaw

Kaya is constantly being told boasting is wrong, but she can't help it if the truths she tells sound like boasting. After all her Appaloosa mare is the most beautiful and the fastest horse in the herd. But when Kaya's boasting leads her to neglect her assigned task of watching her younger brothers all the children suffer as a result of her boasting and disobedience.  Worse her actions have earned her a nickname she would rather not have.

When her sister Brown Deer is hurt, Kaya's quick thinking and Steps High speed are the only things that prevent a tragedy from occurring. But Kaya still bears the nickname that she despises.

When enemies raid their camp during the night Kaya fears that Steps High will be stolen away and she leads her sister Speaking Rain into danger. Worse both girls are captured and taken for from their family and friends. When they arrive in the raiders camp Kaya and Speaking Rain are put to work as slaves - is there any hope of rescue or escape? And with Speaking Rain's blindness is there any way the two girls could escape together? Or will Kaya be forced to leave her sister behind?

This book is set in 1764 and focuses on Kaya's way of life with the Nimiipuu, today we know them as the Nez Perce. The importance of following instructions is stressed as is the need to avoid boasting (which as Kaya proved leads to actions one later regrets). The story is well-paced and the characters well developed. The illustrations work well to help bring the story to life. There are 6 pages after the story portion of the book that focuses on what Kaya's world was like giving historical facts that will help the reader further understand the context of the story.

I received this book via Amazon's Vine Program with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.




About the Book:

Kaya and her horse are in the lead...

Kaya knows in her heart that her beautiful Appaloosa mare, Steps High, is the fastest horse in the herd. But when boasting leads to a daring bareback race, Kaya pushes Steps High too hard. She puts herself and the horse in danger and earns a terrible nickname for being untrustworthy. Kaya vows to be a girl her horse and her people can trust. When enemy raiders storm Kaya's village, she tries to save Steps High but gets taken captive herself, along with her sister. All Kaya can think of is escape, but how?

Saving Jemima ~ Review

Saving Jemima
Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay
By Julie Zickefoose

It all started with noticing something where it should not be. While gardening the author found a newly-laid Blue Jay egg on the ground. She replaced it in its nest and then worried about it and its 2 potential siblings. Her fears were confirmed when prey got to 2 of the eggs. She determined to handle its incubation and deal with its raising when it hatched. But the egg died just under 1/2 through the process.

Julie Zickefoose was crushed in a sense after anticipating the drawings she would capture as her little jay grew and developed. When a year later she learned of a nestling jay in dire need she offered to give it immediate temporary care.  But temporary soon grew into something more. This book is the journey that took Jemima from sickly nestling to a wild Blue Jay. The journey was filled with setbacks both for Jemima and Julie. But it is also a journey of discovery and triumph.
I once read the book That Quail, Robert and this book reminded me of it though it has been years since I read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Amazon's Vine Program with no expectations but that provide my honest opinion.

About the Book:
For fans of Wesley the Owl and The Soul of an Octopus, the story of a sick baby bird nursed back to health and into the wild by renowned writer/artist Julie Zickefoose.

When Jemima, a young orphaned blue jay, is brought to wildlife rehabilitator Julie Zickefoose, she is a virtually tailless, palm-sized bundle of gray-blue fluff. But she is starved and very sick. Julie’s constant care brings her around, and as Jemima is raised for eventual release, she takes over the house and the rest of the author's summer.
 
Shortly after release, Jemima turns up with a deadly disease. But medicating a free-flying wild bird is a challenge. When the PBS show Nature expresses interest in filming Jemima, Julie must train her to behave on camera, as the bird gets ever wilder. Jemima bonds with a wild jay, stretching her ties with the family. Throughout, Julie grapples with the fallout of Jemima’s illness, studies molt and migration, and does her best to keep Jemima strong and wild. She falls hard for this engaging, feisty and funny bird, a creative muse and source of strength through the author’s own heartbreaking changes.

Emotional and honest, Saving Jemima is a universal story of the communion between a wild creature and the human chosen to raise it.

Brand of Light - Spotlight with Giveaway

Welcome to the Brand of Light Takeover Tour hosted by 

Just Read Publicity Tours

Book Name Brand of Light    

Author Ronie Kendig

Publisher Enclave Publishing

Purchase Link https://amzn.to/2EftV1U

About the Book: 

There’s a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.

Tertian Space Coalition has blessed every planet in the quadrants with high technology, save one: Drosero. But in spite of their tenuous treaty with the ruling clans, TSC has plans for the backward planet. And they’re not alone.

After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she’s borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.

Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order—not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted—or cursed—with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Giveaway (1) winner will receive an Exclusive Signed Hardcover of BRAND OF LIGHT, Custom Dio “Kersei” Candle, Handmade Snowflake Galaxy Ornament, Handmade Galaxy Mug Rug, Character Cards of Marco, Kersei, and Tigo, and Maps of the Planets and of Drosero! 

(Giveaway not affiliated with Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. US only.)

Enter giveaway via @justreadtours profile link 

The End of the Magi ~ Review

The End of the Magi
By Patrick W. Carr

This book is one you won't want to put down once you start reading. So just block off some time, get out a don't disturb sign, and pull out your largest mug filled with your favorite hot beverage (in my case tea). And just read away.

The End of the Magi opens on Daniel in 537 BC Babylon just as those captive Israelites able and willing to return to the Land of Promise are given the choice. But returning to the home of his fathers' is not an option for him. Daniel feels led to make sure that the prophecy of the coming Messiah is not lost to the people of Israel when they once again fall away. To do this he must remain in Babylon directing the future of the Magi.

More than 530 years have passed since Daniel gave the Magi the task of searching the skies. Myrad, a young Persian man who has been taken in by Gershom a Hebrew Magi, has a dream. This dream will forever change his life - a star that isn't a star forever holds its place in the heavens. Hearing of Myrad's dream, Gershom knows that his son by choice is to be counted among the Magi. But the Magi are about to be betrayed by the very king they advise and Myrad will be left with no choice but to flee all his knows and fulfill the last request of his father.

In his escape, Myrad took something of great value to those who betrayed the Magi. And this something has him being hunted and he will need to gain allies who will help him understand his dream and fulfill Daniel's mission for the Magi - to make known the coming of the Messiah.

The End of the Magi doesn't conclude with the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) but rather another 30 years pass and the child they found has become a man. And this man has come under the wrath of the leaders of the very people who claim to be awaiting him. But Yeshua isn't what they wanted - rather than a kingdom born of the sword to overthrow those in control he has come to fall to the sword.

At less than 400 pages this book seems more than that just because it is so moving. In no way does the story drag or lag - it is just that there is so much to it that one can't believe that it fits into such a few pages. In no way does the telling fill crimped as if something was cut to make it fir but rather it is a well-rounded reading that is perfect for the Christmas and Easter seasons.

Having read Patrick Carr's previous fantasy series I was delighted that this book that is not fantasy was just as excellent. This book falls into the Biblical fiction genre and it is excellent. This one doesn't feel like a little of this is borrowed from here or there to make the story work. This book is complete and most definitely a standalone title.  Excellent reading that I would highly recommend.

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

About the Book:

Centuries before the magi arrived in Bethlehem,

a prophecy sets a young magus on his path . . .

Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel's promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.

Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begin.

With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can't forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.

Deadly Commitment ~ Review

Deadly Commitment
The Deadly Secrets series #1
By Kathy Harris

Danni Kemp has never totally gotten over her mother's abandonment all those years ago. The memories have lingered and made her doubt herself over the years. But the one thing she's never doubted is her managerial talents at Amore's. But the time has come to break up with Rob Evans, her boyfriend of over 3 years.

In the last few weeks, Caleb Samuels has been keeping the building Danni calls home under surveillance  - not that she's a suspect but she is dating someone who is...

When a late-night visitor ruins Danni's night she learns that Rob is under suspicion of being a distributor. But she can't, she won't believe a word against him. Suddenly the woman who has problems with commitment finds herself committed to a man she was about to break up with and it could get her killed.

Deadly Commitment is written in a style that will keep the reader's attention. Fans of Love Inspired Suspense will enjoy this contemporary suspense offering. The reader sees the story from the viewpoint of Danni, Rob, and Caleb so the story is well laid out and the characters as equally fleshed out.

If you love suspense that keeps building to a climactic ending you don't want to miss Deadly Commitment. It will keep you turning the pages until you get to the last page. Can you say late-night???

I received 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:
Publisher: New Hope Publishers Genre: Contemporary Christian Suspense Release Date: October 14, 2019 As Danielle Kemp walks out of her downtown Nashville condominium, she gets the eerie feeling someone is watching her. As days go by, she becomes convinced the homeless man outside her building is stalking her. But after learning the real identity of the intimidating stranger, she faces something even more threatening―the truth about her fiancé. Deadly Secrets is a new fiction series with southern charm and big-city twists. Set in the author’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, it is filled not only with intrigue and suspense but subtle glimpses into how God is at work in the lives of ordinary people doing ordinary jobs . . . or maybe they aren’t so ordinary after all Goodreads

Deadly Deceit ~ Review

Deadly Deceit
Harbored Secrets #2
By Natalie Walters

Vivian DeMarco is trying to rebuild her career after she refused to report on Lane Kent's public admission in her part in the death of her late husband. Vivian wants a story but she doesn't want to get her name in the industry by preying on the personal pain of others. Harold Kennedy gave her the chance she needed with a job at the Gazette she just needs the story to restore her journalistic name. But when Harold dies with a name on his lips Vivian finds herself caught up in a story that just may cost her her life.

Deputy Ryan Frost has returned to Walton, Georgia, after a training stint in Quantico. His first day back finds him dealing with both a death and Vivian DeMarco. He just knows Vivian is going to get in his way...

But what no expected was someone called the Watcher who is determined to keep his identity a secret. Unfortunately, Vivian learned of his existence, wondering if this person is in any way responsible for Harold's death. But she needs help in figuring out his identity and the only person who may have the skills she needs is Ryan Frost.

Deadly Deceit is the second book in the Harbored Secrets series and it is just as suspence-filled as the first book Living Lies. Walton, Georgia, might be a small town but it has some big-time crime menacing its citizens. If you love romantic suspense and like your books to keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning you've found the perfect book to steal away a few hours of your sleep.


About the Book:

Welcome back to Walton, Georgia, 

where everyone knows your name--

but no one knows your secret.

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason--to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth--and the next big story--is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers--and her life.

Stay ~ Review with Giveaway

Stay
By Catherine Ryan Hyde

The Summer of 1969 is one in which Lucas Painter's life is marked by change. First, his older brother Roy has been sent to Vietnam and through highly redacted letters it sounds like it is really rough. Then all his parents do fight - not just shouting but yelling and throwing things rivaling the war Roy is experiencing. And his best friend Connor seems more down than normal and his parents too seem to be the root of it. Lucas wants to help but he just doesn't know how he can.

When he happens upon a cabin hidden away in the woods he is more than a little startled to come face-to-face with 2 large dogs. Acting against his better judgment Lucas takes flight through the woods and the dogs are on him in an instant. Realizing that the dogs aren't chasing him but rather running with him Lucas soon makes a daily trek into the woods to run and release some of the stress that is tightening around him.

Stay is more than the title of this book as it also the overriding theme - stay is Lucas's way of asking those around him to find a reason to keep living, to not give up, to not succumb to despair. To fight for what is important and to be there for those who need you.

The majority of this book takes place during the summer of 1969 and the last few chapters take the reader to 2019 with Lucas looking back on the years just following that summer and his own decision in regard to serving in Vietnam and how it affected him for the rest of his life. Life is all about choices - some choices are right for you but not for someone else. The question one must when faced with a choice is are you willing to pay the price that your choice will exact.

I have not previously read Catherine Ryan Hyde's work and found it to be more than a little intriguing - she made me what to know what came next. I really liked Lucas and found his compassion, concern, and loyalty to be admirable. This is a book about the power of true friendship and how it can change everything when it focused on what is best for the other person and not self-serving.  Would make for an excellent book club selection.

I received 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:

An unforgettable novel about the power of friendship and kindness by the New York Times bestselling author of Pay It Forward.

In the summer of 1969, fourteen-year-old Lucas Painter carries a huge weight on his shoulders. His brother is fighting in Vietnam. His embattled parents are locked in a never-ending war. And his best friend, Connor, is struggling with his own family issues. To find relief from the chaos, Lucas takes long, meandering walks, and one day he veers into the woods.

There he discovers an isolated cabin and two huge dogs. Frightened, he runs. And the dogs run with him. Lucas finds unusual peace in running with the dogs, and eventually, he meets their owner, Zoe Dinsmore. Closed off and haunted by a tragic past, Zoe has given up. She doesn’t want to be saved. She wants out. But Lucas doesn’t want her to go, and he sees an opportunity to bring more than one friend back into the light. It’s either the best or worst idea he’s ever had, but Lucas isn’t giving up on Zoe or Connor.

Their unexpected connection might be the saving grace that Zoe thought she’d lost, that Connor needs, and that Lucas has been running toward.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than thirty published and forthcoming books. An avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she has released her first book of photos, 365 Days of Gratitude: Photos from a Beautiful World.

Her novel Pay It Forward was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association (ALA) for its Best Book for Young Adults list, and translated into more than twenty-three languages for distribution in over thirty countries. Both Becoming Chloe and Jumpstart the World were included on the ALA’s Rainbow List, and Jumpstart the World was a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards. Where We Belong won two Rainbow Awards in 2013, and The Language of Hoofbeats won a Rainbow Award in 2015.

More than fifty of her short stories have been published in the Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train, and many other journals, and in the anthologies Santa Barbara Stories and California Shorts and the bestselling anthology Dog Is My Co-Pilot. Her stories have been honored in the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and the Tobias Wolff Award and nominated for the O. Henry Award and the Pushcart Prize. Three have been cited in The Best American Short Stories.

She is founder and former president (2000–2009) of the Pay It Forward Foundation and still serves on its board of directors. As a professional public speaker, she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with AmeriCorps members at the White House, and shared a dais with Bill Clinton.

Connect with Catherine

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Instagram tour:

Monday, December 2nd: @simplykelina

Monday, December 2nd: @wellreadtraveler

Tuesday, December 3rd: @theliteraryheroine

Tuesday, December 3rd: @books_with_bethany

Wednesday, December 4th: @beauty_andthebook

Wednesday, December 4th: @one_more_paige

Thursday, December 5th: @thebookend.diner

Friday, December 6th: @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

Saturday, December 7th: @thats_what_she_read

Sunday, December 8th: @novelgossip

Monday, December 9th: @bluntscissorsbookreviews

Review tour:

Monday, December 2nd: Wellreadtraveler

Tuesday, December 3rd: Helen’s Book Blog

Wednesday, December 4th: Book by Book

Thursday, December 5th: The Bookend Diner

Friday, December 6th: Audio Killed the Bookmark

Friday, December 6th: View from the Birdhouse

Monday, December 9th: Christian Chick’s Thoughts

Monday, December 9th: Blooming With Books

Tuesday, December 10th: Girl Who Reads

Wednesday, December 11th: Run Wright

Thursday, December 12th: I’d Rather Be Reading at the Beach

Thursday, December 12th: From the TBR Pile

Friday, December 13th: Not in Jersey and @notinjersey

Monday, December 16th: @readingmama_reviews

Monday, December 16th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, December 17th: Write Read Life

Wednesday, December 18th: The Sketchy Reader and @thesketchyreader

Thursday, December 19th: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Friday, December 20th: Palmer’s Page Turners

Friday, December 20th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, December 23rd: Patricia’s Wisdom

Giveaway:

Enter for a chance to win one (1) copy of Catherine Ryan Hyde's STAY

Open to those with a US mailing address

Must be 18 or older.

Runs December 9 - 15, 2019.

Winner must respond with US Postal Address within 48 hours or an alternate will be selected.

The address will be forwarded to the tour coordinator so that your book can be mailed to you.

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