Book Review : The Key of Kilenya By Andrea Pearson

I am excited to get the chance to review Andrea Pearson's new book THE KEY OF KILENYA. I love her amazing imagination and still wonder how she was able to come up with so many fantastic creatures and detail to scenery and location as she wove her story together. I was in awe at how well she developed them to the smallest detail.

Synopsis:
When two vicious wolves chase fourteen-year-old Jacob Clark down a path from our world into another, his life is forever changed. He has no idea they have been sent by the Lorkon—evil, immortal beings who are jealous of powers he doesn’t know he possesses—powers they desire to control.The inhabitants of the new world desperately need Jacob's help in recovering a magical key that was stolen by the Lorkonand is somehow linked to him. If he helps them, his life will be at risk. But if he chooses not to help them, both our world and theirs will be in danger. The Lorkon will stop at nothing to unleash the power of the key—and Jacob's special abilities.


My take:
This story is about a 14 year old boy named Jacob who has lived his entire life in the shadow of his older brother Matt. Matt is Jacob's hero and in Jacob's mind, Matt is everything he isn't. Popular, courageous, easy going, smart, athletic and the list goes on. It is about how Jacob comes to find out for himself that he is every thing his older brother is and more. As he discovers this, he is able to move himself out of his brother's shadow by being forced to shine in the light on his own as he learns to rely on his own wit, skills and abilities that require him to be all the things Matt is in the face of real dangers.


I love how Jacob learns to have confidence in himself and that as he learns about who he is and what he can accomplish he realizes how much he has to offer and that even though he still admires his brother, he is now more on equal footing with him by the end of the story. I love the self discovery he goes through and the feelings of doubt he overcomes as he meets each new obstacle.


This is a perfect book for all ages! It is entertaining and filled with great mystical beings from another world. Andrea takes great care to paint the picture of this new land with words and the images pop vividly in your mind, as you can see in technicolor the world and creatures she has created. It was fun to see what new things Jacob would run into along the way of finding the Key or new obstacle he would have to figure a way to overcome, and sometimes it was one and the same.


This is a great book to read as a family together, or to spend a few hours alone just immersed in another world. It is clean and fun and full of great perilous adventures that keep you wondering to the end how will certain things turn out, only to find you must wait until the next exciting installment of the series. I love Andrea's amazing imagination and how she created a unique world that was fun to explore with Jacob. I know you will enjoy the fun as well.


Hurry and get your copy of Andrea Pearson's The Key of Kilenya by clicking here. And check out Andrea's website here to learn more about her great series!

Disclaimer: while I sometimes receive copies of books to review, my opinions are and will always be my own.

And the lucky winner is....

Thank you everyone who participated it the Sept hop give away with me! It was my first give away and it was so much fun to be a part of it and now I get to announce the lucky winner of Debbie Macomber's book One Night. Are you ready??

Big Pause . . . and now the applause please!! clap clap clap

It is lucky number 27! In a random drawing this was the number chosen. Alright everyone shout out WHOO HOO!! Yippe Yay!

Brendajean! Congratulations on winning the book you were lucky number 27! I will be emailing you on how to get it to you.

I am so excited to have so many new faces and freinds on Blogger Thank you agian for joining me! Look for the next fun blog hop coming in Oct. It promises to be full of great fun too!

Fantastic Sept Blog Hop!

Welcome to the September Blog Hop! Celebrate the beginning of fall with me and my blogger friends by hopping around, visiting our sites, and entering our contests! There are no limits - you can enter the contest on every blog. With over 40 blogs participating, that's over 40 prizes you could win. Just click on the links below to move on to the next blog.

On my blog, you can win …

A copy of New York Time's best selling authro Debbie Macomber's book One Night

Would you like to win this prize? You just need to do two things.

1. Become a follower of this blog.

2. Leave me a comment in the trail and tell me why you'd like to win this prize.

That's it! You are now entered. The contest ends on Saturday night, September 24th, at midnight MST, and the winner will be contacted shortly thereafter. Please either leave your e-mail address in the comment trail or make sure it's visible through your profile so I can contact you to tell you that you're the lucky winner.

Now go visit my other friends ...

1. Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author 2. Joyce DiPastena 3. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 4. Mandi Slack 5. Michael D. Young 6. Six Mixed Reviews 7. Pam Williams 8. Laurie Lewis 9. Kristy Tate 10. Marilyn Yarbrough 11. Stacy Coles 12. Kristie Ballard 13. Lynn Parsons 14. Pushing Past the Pounds 15. Sheila Staley 16. cindy Hogan

17. Jamie Thompson 18. Jaclyn Weist 19. Cathy Witbeck 20. Secret Sisters Mysteries 21. Tamera Westhoff 22. Tina Scott 23. Lynnea Mortensen 24. Danyelle Ferguson aka Queen of the Clan 25. Jeanette A. Fratto 26. Bonnie Harris 27. Melissa Lemon 28. Mary Ann Dennis 29. Stephanie Black 30. Jane Still 31. Janice 32. Laura Bastian

33. Tamara Bordon 34. Betsy Love 35. Maria Hoagland 36. Amber Robertson 37. Debbie Davis 38. 39. Christy Monson 40. Carolyn Frank 41. Rebecca Birkin 42. Melissa Cunningham 43. Emily L. Moir 44. Ronda Hinrichsen 45. Lisa Asanuma 46. Joan Sowards 47. Jordan McCollum 48. Diane Stringam Tolley

Learn more about September Blog Hop here.

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Book Review: Modern Sorcery By Gary Jonas

Today I get to review Modern Sorcery By Gary Jonas. I really enjoyed this book, it hooked me hard and fast and I couldn't stop reading it.

Synopsis

Magic can be deadly...

When Private Investigator Jonathan Shade's ex-lover walks into his Denver office asking him to prove her father didn't commit the murder that dozens of witnesses saw and security cameras captured, Shade finds himself in the thick of magical intrigue. In a world where evil warlocks refuse to die, magically engineered assassins deal merciless death and ancient myths aren't quite so mythical, only Shade and his sexy partner, Kelly, can stop a power-hungry sorcerer from taking over the world.

Too bad Shade doesn't have any magic.

My thoughts

I loved Modern Sorcery by Gary Jonas! I couldn't put it down once I started. I read all night long and then I borrowed my friend's kindle to finish it the next day since I didn't want to lug my lap top with me everywhere I needed to go. But I would have if necessary. I didn't want to stop reading, I had to find out what happened next!

There was a ton of great action, lots of funny banter, an amazingly evil villain, (Gotta love those) and a handsome, butt-kicking, dynamic hero. (Gotta love those even more!) But then let's not forget the unexpected twists and turns and laugh out loud moments that ease the tension at just the right time. I want more Jonathan Shade and Kelly Chan fight scenes and interaction and quick shots at each other I just couldn't get enough.

I thought the mix of magic and mythology was blended masterfully. The plot and sub plots pulled you along page by page and it was easy to be caught up in Jonathan's world. Character development was three dimensional and you felt as if you knew each one personally. I want to know what happens next for Sharon, Kelly, Ester and Jonathan, I want to know how the magical world collides with mythology and the mundane world in the next book, I just want more!

Modern Sorcery read so fast and the details were so vivid that it was as if it all played out in real life before me. I was surprised by the ending that I didn't see coming, and didn't want the story to end. I look forward with great anticipation to more Modern Sorcery adventures in this exciting new series, and can't wait for more of Jonathan Slade's action packed punches with his unique touch of sly humor.

You can get your copy of Modern Sorcery by Gary Jonas by clicking here to get the ebook, paper back copies will be available in Oct. Hurry you don't want to miss out on the adventure!

When did it happen?

I want to know when it happened that I became old enough for my youngest child to turn eight years old? Who gave her permission to grow up? I certainly didn't, she was supposed to stay my baby forever, well at least until I told her she could move beyond that stage when I was good and ready. But she didn't ask permission at all, she just did. And now she is going to be baptized and she is so excited about it. But what is even better is that she can't wait for her oldest sister to come home and share in the celebration with two of her brothers who have birthdays over the next 30 days.

Fun you say? Sure! Especially when you consider that from Sept 16th until Oct 17th it is one birthday after another, it isn't hard to imagine. Some how we managed to have 4 birthdays 10 days apart...one on Sept 16th, then Sept 18th, then Oct 6th and then to big finale on Oct 17th. Then to round all the fun off we have Halloween.

But the worst part of my baby turning 8, is that her older sister will be turning 21. I cannot allow that~! It isn't supposed to happen, especially since I refuse to believe I am old enough to have a daughter who is 21! Why you say? Because I still feel like a teenager! I still feel just like I did when I was a teenager, and don't feel like I am any older. So when did it happen?

I think instead I will take a page from my hubby's book of life, where he says, "I refuse to grow up and grow old! Age is only a state of mind, and I choose to stay young!" I am 100% on board with that ideology!

So my kids may grow up and older, but I refuse too. I will still dance around my house and sing at the top of my lungs to the top 40 songs, I will still get in tickle and wrestling fights with my husband and kids, I will still be goofy and funny, just for the sake of making some one laugh. And talk in funny accents until my kids roll their eyes. Why? Because it is way too much fun not too!

Life is too short to take too seriously! So let the party begin! The month long celebration of four of my eight kids! WHoo Hooo!!!

Check out this Contest for Fall By Jennifer Hurst

Yesterday I posted about how much I loved FALL a paranormal romance written by Jennifer Hurst. Today I want to give you the fun and exciting details of the contest itself and how you can win some pretty fun things.

Here's How It Works!

In conjunction with this blog tour, Jennifer is holding a contest. It will involve any of the blogs that Jennifer visits or where her book is featured and will close on December 31st, 2011. The entrants have to answer three questions about the book they’ve read (bought, borrowed, or stolen - shame on you) and post a link to Jennifer's website on their Twitter, Facebook, or blog (need link for verification). Then the names will be entered in a random name picker generator (http://textmechanic.com/Random-Line-Picker.html) and announced on Jennifer's website (http://www.fabulousreads.blogspot.com/www.jenniferhurst.com) on January 31st, 2012. The winner will receive a gift certificate for a night’s stay at the actual bed and breakfast where the story takes place. Other prizes include an autographed copy of FALL, and she will randomly select 3 contestants’ names to use in the sequel to FALL. Plus, they will receive a free copy of that book when it is published. Each blog that Jennifer Hurst visits will have a different set of questions people can answer, and they may enter as many times as they want - but they can enter once per blog site that they visit. So the more sites you visit, the more you can enter your name, thus increasing your chances of winning the gift certificate, a copy of the book FALL, and your name in the sequel.

Get the book, read the book, and then read over the questions below. Once you have your answers, e-mail them to Jennifer. fall.jenniferhurst@gmail.com

Your privacy is respected and your email address will NOT be used for anything but the contest. Once the contest is over - your email address will be deleted from the database.

Here are the questions for you to answer:

What kind of bird did JD eat for Thanksgiving?
What did the delivery man forget when he delivered the office trailer?
What did JD take with her to go camping with Matthew?


If you would like to visit the other sites, go here for the master list of all participating sites: http://fallbyjenniferhurst.wordpress.com/

Best of luck, and thanks for participating!

So what are you waiting for? Grab your self a copy of Fall ~details and links on my previous posting and get to it! Don't miss out on the fun! Cuz believe me when I say, I am all over this contest!

Book Review: Fall By Jennifer Hurst

Synopsis of Fall By Jennifer Hurst:
Women and construction shouldn't mix. At least, that is what the client, Mr. Blackwell, thinks when Twenty-one year old Julia Dayle Halstead is promoted to project manager to remodel a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse into a bed and breakfast. However, the schoolhouse contains a secret. And it wants out.

Construction is in Julia's blood, so when she is promoted to Project Manager to renovate a turn-of-the-century school house in a bed and breakfast, she has high hopes of proving herself in the male-dominated construction industry.But Julia discovers there is more to managing a construction project than just contracts and budgets - especially when she meets Matthew Rigo, the demolition contractor who seems bound and determined to cross the lines Julia has imposed. Vandalism and other unexplainable occurrences beset the project, leading Julia to believe there is much more to the school house than she first realizes. Something is inside the hundred year old school house, and it wants out. Is Julia the key to its release? And are Matthew and Nathan what they appear to be?

My Thoughts:
I am so excited to review FALL a clean paranormal romance By Jennifer Hurst. If you love gorgeous brooding men and amazing strong female characters who know how to use power tools, then you will love Fall! I loved this book from the moment I read the first sentence. It grabbed me by my boots and took me on a wonderful roller coaster ride, that left me begging for more. I could not put this book down. I was so drawn to it. As a matter of fact, I tried put it down half way so I could attend to other matters and it pulled me back, and before I realized it, I finished Fall! The only thing that I could say could be better about it would be that there was more to read. I was so sad to see it end. But it makes me super excited for the sequel!


Jennifer's characters are strongly developed, and three dimensional. She knows how to weave a story filled with unexpected twists and turns that are unpredictable. All the subplots bring your curiosity level high and leave you anticipating what happens next. I loved how distinct and rich the characters feel. It was as if I was watching a live action movie and dreading the closing credits.


I want more of Matthew, more of Nathan, and more of JD. I loved the pull of good verses evil in this story and felt the fight for JD'ssoul as brothers Nathan and Matthew choose sides and use JD as the pawn between them. I thought it was clever to renovate and make it a central hub for otherworldly activity. I felt that all the story arcs were fun and brought new depths to the story.


I highly encourage you to get your copy of Fall as soon as possible. I know you won't be disappointed, I am shouting it out to all my friends that they have to check this book by Jennifer Hurst. She blew my socks off and I applaud her fun, skillful, and unpredictable story tell, and anxiously look forward to more Matthew, Nathan, and JD, I am dying to know what will happen next!


Hurry, click here to get your own e-copy of Fall, or go here for other purchase options. I promise you will NOT be disappointed. Click here to see my review on Amazon.


Click here to access Jennifer's web page to learn more about all things Jennifer and put your answers in for the FABULOUS contest she is running. Check back tomorrow for the questions and rules for the contest.


Disclaimer: while I sometimes receive books to review, my opinions will always remain my own.

Book Review: All Diets Work By Jen Brewer, RD

Today I get the great chance to review a wonderful book by Jen Brewer, called All Diets Work. For me, being in the health field and researching and going off and on a ton of different diets, I was wondering what this book might hold if anything important. I am a certified group exercise instructor and I have helped lots of people lose weight. And let's be honest, I have lost my fair share of weight my self, who hasn't?

But as I read through this book, I found that is was easy to understand, not like some books where the chemical process of how your body works on a macrobiotic level becomes so scientific it is beyond understanding unless you have a degree in Chemistry. There is so much good solid information in All Diets Work that I encourage everyone to be sure they have a copy to use for their families, if not for themselves.

I loved they way it was structured and how Jen takes you by the hand and helps you understand everything and the ease of it all in simple terms. I enjoyed the basics, the reasons your body does what it does, all the common sense and amazing strategies as well as the personal success stories and charts to use on your journey. There are 25 tools she gives you to help you stop dieting and start losing weight for good. She even included recipes to help along the way.

I was amazed at how fast I read this book and found that I loved it. I highly recommend that anyone who is struggling with those last few pounds or a hundred pounds to lose, to pick this book up and utilize it. It will help you to achieve your goals in a way that makes sense and can be fun. I encourage you to also to click here and visit Jen's website where there is more information and tools and recipes to use and you can get your own copy. Or click here and get your copy at amazon.com I promise you it will be one of the best purchases you will ever make, and you won't regret it!

Disclaimer: While I do at times receive copies of the books I review, my opinions are and will always remain my own.