Book Review: The Dark Eagles:First Flight by David R Smith

 

                                                The Dark Eagles:First Flight

by David R. Smith

My Take:

 This book is about Kief, and his friends who recieve a map that starts the beginning of a crazy hair raising adventure where Kief and his freinds barely escape with thier lives into a world forever changed.  I thought that it was great to see these young people stand for what they believed in when things got crazy and that they were strong and determined to do the right thing no matter the cost. That both the female and male characters were strong and took active part in the rebellion going on around them. This is a fast paced fun book where integrity, courage and strength of character abounds side by side with the adventure.  This book is a great read for anyone and it is easy to get caught up in the action. Im really looking foward to the next book to see what happens next!




"The book was wonderfully written. It is a book for all ages and gender. Boys may like that it is from a young man's point of view with all the adventure. I enjoyed the character development and the friendships formed from the adversity they faced.”

The Book Rack, Arcadia, CA

 

 

The Dark Eagles:First Flight
A Tale of Adventure and Freedom

Kief loves exploring the rugged mountains on his horse, Natch, with his
best friend Tarc. But when he receives a mysterious map on his birthday,
left behind for him by his dead grandfather, Kief is thrown into an
adventure beyond even his imagination.
Leaving home to pursue his childhood dream of attending the merchant
academy on the coast, extraordinary events unfold propelling Kief, along
with his friends and his map, toward the same perilous destiny.

“Author David R. Smith does a fine job with his dialogue, which flows smoothly and wittily throughout. His interactions between characters are genuine, and the portrayals of his young female characters in particular are refreshing.”

The Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT

 

About the Author: David R. Smith

David was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and spent most of his childhood on
a farm in Heber City, located in the Wasatch Mountains. He loved exploring
the mountains on his horse looking for adventures to follow. Growing up,
he wanted to be a movie director and used his own Super 8 camera to make
silent movies with his friends and brothers and sister. Instead he earned
a Bachelors in Engineering at the University of Utah. While there, he met
the love of his life, Jenelle, and they were blessed with three amazing
sons: Josh, Tate, and Porter. David later earned his Masters in Business
Administration from Northwestern University and pursued a path in the
corporate world. But his creative side continued to tug at him for years
until finally through the encouragement of his wife and boys, he realized
that it’s never too late to follow your dream. So David set off to write
an epic adventure of a boy and his horse and created a story of freedom,
adventure, love, courage and sacrifice. When he's not writing, David
enjoys outdoor activities with his family, and especially loves surfing
with his three boys in Southern California where he resides.
Visit the website: http://www.thedarkeagles.com/

And the FB page http://www.facebook.com/thedarkeagles

Book Review: Gold Clash By Steve Westover

My Take:
One think I know, Steve Westover knows how to deliver a high adventure page turner. I read his book Defense Tactics and loved it, Gold Clash is the sequel to it. It has just as much fun and advenure and it pulls you into the story right away.  In Steve's own words "Gold Clash is brimming with fun, danger, intrigue and loads of excitement wrapped into an adventure that includes my favorite things; history, gold, organized crime and camping." I agree 100%!  Don't miss out on the excitment! Go get your copy, you won't be able to put it down until the very last page. And what's even better is that the entire family can read it and enjoy every single word!

Here is a brief description of the book:
When Jimmy agreed to lead a youth activity through the historic Missouri countryside, he had no idea what he was getting into. Now he and his friends Paul and Emily must race to recover a long-lost treasure and rescue two teenage hostages before the conflict tears an entire town apart. This action-packed thrill ride of a book doesn’t disappoint!

Meet the Author:
My wife and I have lived in small town, rural Missouri for 12 years and have 4 entertaining and wonderful children. I never expected to be living on a farm with chickens, cows, kittens and a dog. The kids love ‘em. My life revolves around spending time with my family. Being a father and a husband are the most important things I can concentrate my time on and I enjoy it. I published my first novel, DEFENSIVE TACTICS, in August 2010. My second novel, Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island is under contract with Cedar Fort Publishing and should be released in the Spring of 2012. To learn more about Gold Clash and author Steve Westover, visit: http://stevewestover.com/Home.html.

Website * Blog * Twitter

Tour Schedule

My take:

 First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White was a fun take on time travel. It takes place where a brilliant scientist finds a way to go back in time away from the accolades he receives for his work and enters a simpler time. But instead off traveling back in time things shift and he travels interdementional but not knowing how to get back to his time, he decides to begin a life for himself where he is. He falls in love and decides he wants to say, only to be trust back to his original time. Only everything is different now. Nothing is as he remembers it, but it is better than he could have imagined. First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch is a great fun and will keep you interested as you try to see what happens. You lose yourself in the story that  Samuel Ben White creates, and as you fall into the rhythm of the story the world around you just falls away as the story develops and the characters evolve.

First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch

"What if history didn't happen that way ... the first time?"

Garison Fitch was one of the most revered scientists in the Soviet Americas until he left fame behind to work on a secret project in his log cabin in the mountains of Marx.

But something went wrong. Instead of traveling interdementional, Garison has traveled through time ... twice.

Now, he's in something called "The United States of America" and a woman he's never met before is calling herself his wife. It it a hoax? Or, has he somehow changed history?

If so, can he return the world to what he believes is "normal", or must he live in this strange world he created?

Purchase

Kindle * Nook * Smashwords

Praise:

"Sam continues to weave his magic as a storyteller. I always find myself anxious to find out what will happen next and what kind of twist will befall the adventurers. It helps to be familiar with the places that the heroines go, which adds to the story."

~Labdaddy, Texas

"I've had a few very unproductive but enjoyable days thanks to Samuel Ben White. If you haven't read Sam's books you have been missing a treat. These were funny, suspenseful, spiritual and kept you turning the pages."

~Karen S.

"Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your books. I have a Kindle and I have purchased all of the Garison Fitch novels. I am in Saudi Arabia and your books have really helped take me away from here."

~Scott, Saudi Arabia

Also Part of the Series:

Saving Time

Two years ago Garison Fitch traveled through time and rewrote history. An accident in the eighteenth century created a whole new world, and even gave Garison a wife he had never met before. Now, he’s got a daughter and he’s coming to enjoy this world he created. Until he’s attacked by men masquerading as Indians, and a funeral procession from out of the past enlists his help, and a tree grows from sappling to full-grown in a matter of minutes, threatening his daughter’s very life. Time itself is unraveling and Garison’s trips through time seem to be the cause. Garison must go back in time once again and keep himself from making the original trip that started the problem. But he can’t use his time machine to go back. How does one sew up a rip in time?

Lost Time

Jason Kerrigan and Brownwyn Dalmouth are pilots with the Republic of Texas Army Air Corps. A world war is going on and bombs have just brought an end to Crockett Air Field in south Texas. Jason and Brownwyn, though, are called away from the battle to be test pilots for a new aircraft that-they're told-will bring the war to an end. The experimental craft lives up to expectations in early tests, but then it lands them somewhere it never should have sent them. Another place? Another time? Another dimension? Somehow, they've taken a trip to the future and changed the past. Or did they? The answer to their change of reality may be known to a Justice of the Peace in Colorado named Garison Fitch. To figure it out, though, Garison may have to team up with his least favorite person: Bat Garrett.

Purchase

Kindle * Nook * Smashwords

Author Samuel Ben White

Samuel Ben White (“Sam” to his friends) is the author of the national newspaper comic strip “Tuttle’s” (found at www.tuttles.net) and the on-line comic book “Burt & the I.L.S.” (found at www.destinyhelix.com). He is married and has two sons. He serves his community as both a minister at a small church and a chaplain with hospice. In addition to his time travel stories, Sam has also written and published detective novels, a western, three fantasy novels and four works of Christian fiction.

Links

Twitter * Facebook * Website

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/18/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch Tour Schedule:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/first-time-blog-tour.html

Cover Reveal For Star Cursed by Ashley Lavering

Star Cursed

Second Book in the Curse of the Beast Series

By Ashley Lavering

Book Description:

Chel finished tying me to the chair and stood. “This is crazy.”

I ignored her comment. “Go down to the basement.”

“Now, I know you’ve lost it.” She folded her arms. “How will this prove that your giant dog is the hot guy that got in your van?”

“I’ll explain later. Just trust me.”

One of her eyebrows rose.

“Please?” I waited for her to nod. “Once you’re down there, I want you to whisper something. Then come back up.”

“Whatever.” With an eye roll, she left the room.

I focused on her feet thumping against the wood stairs and heard the change when they slapped across the tiled kitchen floor. Once the basement door closed, I strained to hear her, but all I caught was a beetle scuttling across the kitchen. Nerves tangled in my gut. Had I missed it?

“If this doesn’t work, I’m calling the loony bin, Tay.” Chel’s voice rang so loud that I jerked back, toppling the chair. I hit the floor with a thud.

Beast’s airy chortle resonated from outside the window.

“Shut up. This isn’t funny,” I told him.

Chel walked through the door. “Geeze, what happened?” She hurried to me. “Are you okay?” She righted my chair with a grunt.

“That depends.”

“On?” She cocked an eyebrow at me.

“On whether or not you’re going to untie me.”

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.” She scrambled to untie the knots.

My hands slipped free and I rubbed my bruised arm. “What kind of friend are you?”

“What?” She startled.

I shook my head at her. “I can’t believe you’d commit me.”

“Wait, you heard that?” Her eyes widened.

I repeated it word for word.

“Whoa, that’s, like, creepy and awesome at the same time. But I still don’t understand how this proves your dog is a werewolf.”

The dreaded moment had arrived and nerves attacked my stomach. “Because, Chel—he bit me.”

Seventeen-year-old Tayla will never forget Beast’s fiery-venom spreading through her body like an infection. Now, with her best friend Chel’s help, she must find a human true love before the last petal falls from her enchanted rose or the full moon will transform her into a wolf forever.

But Tayla never expected that her biggest obstacle would come from inside—a wolf presence threatening to take her very soul. At every turn, the she-wolf exploits Tayla’s weaknesses and gains enough control to sabotage her dates. Tayla struggles to control her unruly wolf and her forbidden attraction to Beast. But can she resist his southern charm, the she-wolf’s attraction to his alluring scent, and still fall in love with a human?

Tangled in a web of wills, Tayla must risk everything to break the Curse of the Beast. With failure and possible death looming overhead, Tayla will do anything to find true love. But will one moon cycle be long enough to conquer her wolf and remain human? Or will she become a permanent member of Beast’s pack? Find out in the second installment in the Curse of the Beast series.

Star Cursed coming February 8th, 2013! Add it to your To-Be-Read List.

Help me celebrate her release that same day on Facebook with the fabulous Release Day Diva. There will be lots of fun games, prizes and other fun stuff you don’t want to miss! Blog Tour details coming soon to my blog and at Amber’s Supernatural & YA Reviews.

 

Book Review: All I Want Three Stories, Three Couples, One Holiday

ALL I WANT

THREE STORIES. THREE COUPLES. ONE HOLIDAY.

Pretty Near Perfect
by Jolene Perry

The last thing Norah needs is to be attracted to anyone – especially in her deceased fiancé's parents' home. Collin’s starting a new career, and has no business getting involved – especially while staying with his roommate’s family, who very kindly offered to take him in for the holidays. Unfortunately, you just don’t always pick the most convenient time and place to fall for someone.


Six Days of Christmas

by Kaylee Baldwin

When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother - someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.


Twist of Fate
by Rachael Anderson

When a postcard meant for Kenzie winds up in Ty's mailbox, Ty's faced with a decision. Should he tell her that her fiancé is breaking up with her and let it ruin her favorite holiday, or should he do what he’s wanted to do since he met her - make a move and hope that he can win her over before she discovers there won’t be a wedding after all.

My Take:
I am the biggest sucker for romantic stories and I love happy endings. Especially those stories that leave you all warm and fuzzy inside and with a desire to go cuddle up with your signficant other. Those are the best kinds.

 In All I Want you get just that. You get the warm satisfying feeling of reading about budding romances that fill you up with happy tingles and you get the to enjoy the stories in one easy sitting. I love that feeling you get with the perfect mixture of romance and story line that you crave more but are left with a happy smile when the story is over.

 Each of the stories in All I Want deliver just that. Clean and fun and filled with holiday cheer you will love reading these stories by a warm fire again and again. Each of the main charcters in each story are engaging and draw you into the story and leave you wanting to linger a little longer . I recommend All I Want to  anyone who wants a wonderful fast romatic read to get you in the holiday spirit.

Check out below all the fun info on the authors and the exciting give away!

 

Purchase All I Want

Kindle Ebook * Paperback

Author Jolene Perry

Jolene Perry is an enigmatic figure. She is most often seen behind her laptop, staring at the words flying onto the screen with reckless abandon.

She survived growing up in rural Alaska, driving like a lunatic, and her husband’s careers in the military, as a perpetual student, and an Alaska State Prosecutor. She also survived as a middle school math teacher using her degree of Political Science and French.

One day Jolene was playing her guitar (probably some-thing juvenile for her kids) when she wondered what it would be like to write a song for a rockstar, and her first book was born. (that book is shelved)

She now lives a very glamorous life as a stay at home mom, elbow deep in dirty dishes and peanut butter sandwiches. She doesn’t even attempt to keep up with the laundry because non-writing time is precious, and her family is sorta awesome.

Links:

Website * Twitter * Blog * Facebook

Author Rachael Anderson

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Links:

Facebook * Website * Twitter

Author Kaylee Baldwin

I grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University

with a degree in English literature.
I currently live in southern Arizona with my husband, Jeremy, and our three children. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with my family.

Links:

Facebook * Website * Twitter

 

 

Tour Giveaway$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/24/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

BooK Review: All Fall Down by Julie Coulter Bellon

My Take:

 

 All Fall Down  by Julie Coulter Bellon is incredible. It literally grabs you on the first page and never lets you go. You are immediately  thrown into the action and along with Rafe Kelly,   Navy SEAL who is recovering from an injury before returning to active duty.  You discover  that things  seem odd and a little off when he goes to visit his brother and the company he runs. Then suspicions flare up in Rafe he tries to shake  them off but his training tells him other wise. At that point the action in the story skyrockets and are thrown  into  non stop high adventure and a great thrill ride. Especially when you  are introduced to another strong willed and his perfect complement as things spark  when Claire Michael's enters into the hostage situation as negotiator  and she is smart and competent.  But  she and Rafe don't always see eye to eye, but they sure do feel those sparks I talked about.  As they try to out maneuver the terrorist and get back Rafe's brother from al-Queda you are left biting your nails on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next as both Rafe and Claire's attraction for each other grows as they try to out strategize the terrorist. 

 

All Fall Down by Julie Coulter Bellon is one book I didn't want to end but loved reading it every page of the way. The characters were dynamic and the story moved flawlessly. I recommend All Fall Down to anyone looking for a great action adventure story with a splash or three of romance thrown into the mix.

 

 

Giveaway:

Julie is generously offering 7, yes 7 awesome giveaways for the tour!! (I want to win them myself!) That means you have 7 chances at winning! (Pretty good odds, huh?!)

The prizes include:

• (2) "Book Lovers'" baskets which include a copy of All Fall Down, a hand tied lap blanket, Julie's favorite hot chocolate mix, and a copy of Janice Sperry's Christmas novella, The Candy Cane Queen
• (3) Print copies of All Fall Down
• (2) Ebook copies of All Fall Down

To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form provided. (Each tour stop will have the same Rafflecopter form).

• Open from November 12 to December 7.
• Must be 13+ years of age to enter
• US mailing addresses only

Earn entries by doing any/all of the following:

• Leaving a blog post comment
• Liking Julie’s Facebook page
• Following Julie on Twitter
• Becoming a fan of Julie on Goodreads
• Tweeting about the giveaway (once per day)
• Subscribing to Julie’s blog

 

 

-0240cd28" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0240cd28/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tour Schedule

November 12: The Book Bug - Kickoff + Giveaway

November 13: I Love to Read and Review Books :) - Review and Giveaway

November 14: Getting Your Read On - Review and Giveaway

November 15: Literary Time Out - Review and Giveaway

November 16: The Book Bug - Author Guest Post and Giveaway

November 19: Geo Librarian - Review, Author Interview, and Giveaway

November 19: LDS & Lovin' It - Review, Author Interview, and Giveaway

November 19: Jinky Is Reading - Review and Giveaway

November 20: Inksplasher - Review and Giveaway

November 22: Happy Thanksgiving!

November 23: Gamila's Reviews - Review and Giveaway

November 26: Brooklyn Berry Designs - Review and Giveaway

November 27: Books Are Sanity - Review and Giveaway

November 28: Debbie's Inkspectations - Review and Giveaway

November 29: The Book Bug - Review and Giveaway

December 3: Bloggin' Bout Books - Review and Giveaway

 

About the Book

Author: Julie Coulter Bellon

Release Date: September 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book Description:

Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down . . . That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire Michaels’ current hostage situation into an international incident. Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis escalates she realizes she’s dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has the means to become another bin Laden---with the potential to attack America.

Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive and possibly stop an assault on U.S. national security? Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his tour in Afghanistan and he doesn’t expect to be fighting terrorists on his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

Author Bio:

Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of seven international romantic suspense novels. She loves her work partly because she gets to travel to distant lands to research and add an authentic feel to all of her books. Her favorite cities so far are Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She taught journalism at BYU for fourteen years and that kept her on the cutting edge of current events and world news---which is where she gets her story ideas. Julie offers writing and publishing tips as well as her take on life on her blog ldswritermom.blogspot.com.

First Chapter: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-first-chapter-of-all-fall-down.html

Tour Page: http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/p/all-fall-down-blog-tour.html

Social Networking Links:

• Website: http://juliebellon.com/
• Blog: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Coulter-Bellon/106497519842
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/juliebellon
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/457898.Julie_Coulter_Bellon

Purchase Links:

• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Down-Julie-Coulter-Bellon/dp/1479264857/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351577733&sr=8-1&keywords=julie+coulter+bellon
• Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-fall-down-julie-coulter-bellon/1113045660?ean=9781479264858&r=1%2c+1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&

Laney moves across country to live with her aunt and uncle and one day decides to go running in the forest where she meets Gabe. They strike up a friendship and she discovers he and his brother have a mysterious disease. It haunts her as she tries to figure out what it could be as she and Gabe become close finding they have much in common. Not only do you find yourself loving  Laney and Gabe  but also Laney's aunt and uncle and with their opposite personalities they create a united perfect whole. Refuge is a great book with a paranormal feel and a fun read.

  Delve into all the suspense and secrets of this fun addicting read.

A young adult fantasy/romance set in North Carolina where the author Carole Rummage lives. "It is a clean romance for teens with a paranormal element." It is also the first in a series, The Dark Light Dance Trilogy.


Here is a brief description of the book:
Laney Lowell moved across the country to escape her past, not to fall in love. But when she becomes friends with Gabe, a handsome artist plagued by a mysterious disease, she’ll have to decide between facing his dark truth or walking away from him forever

This thrilling romance is full of twists that will keep you guessing to the last page.


Meet the Author:

I live in a little cottage in Garner, North Carolina, a small town just outside of Raleigh, with my husband, Tom. Our three children are grown and (mostly) gone, but our needy cat, Pepper, makes sure we’re not bored–especially as she likes to sit in front of the computer screen while I type. We have six grandchildren who keep all of us on our toes.

I may be a grandmother, but I’m young at heart. I love working with the youth and am only happier when I’m writing for them and about them. Along with the best career of all as a wife and a mother, I’ve been a personnel assistant, registered nurse, home-school teacher, local newspaper lady, and bookstore clerk. Now, I happily add writer to those. One of my favorite quotes is from George Elliott, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” I believe this applies not just to a writing career, but to everything in life. After all, succeeding at new things just takes faith and trust and a little bit of fairy dust…

Book Review:Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall

In the beginning of Secrets of the Red Box  Bonnie seems very mean spirited and harsh. But as the story develops you begin to understand why. There is so much in this story to keep you pulling forward with its authentic historic feel  but once you start reading you are pulled into the story where romance and intrigue and twist and turns keep you wondering until the very end how does it all really turn out.
  



Secrets of the Red BoxBonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Purchase Link:

Amazon

 

Links:

Blog * Website
Facebook * Goodreads

 

Be sure to visit & enter the

Secrets of the Red Box Book Blast $50 Giveaway

$50 Book Blast

 

Praise for Secrets of the Red Box:

"Amazing book! Wow, it caught me from the first paragraph. What detail, mystery and suspense. Loved the main character, Bonnie, so relatable. Vicki is an amazing writer. I wish she would write more books!!!"
~Amazon Review

"Secrets of the Red Box is a great read! Whether you're looking for a book with an intriguing and unusual plot, or a story of how life's choices effect the rest of your life, you will love this book!"
~Amazon Review

Blog Tour Giveaway

• $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 Pay Pal Cash from Author Vickie Hall + copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US - Paperback, Kindle ebook - International)
• Paperback copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US only)
• Kindle Ebook copy of Secrets of the Red Box (International)

Ends 11/25/12

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

 

Book Review: Created by Cindy Hogan

 My Take:

Created by Cindy Hogan is the third installment in her fast paced exciting Watched series about the continuing turn of events that changed the lived of Christy and her friends. She is still getting used to her new name and now a new school far away from family as she and her friends in similar circumstances face some major decisions about their lives none of which lead them back to where it all started. Not that they necessarily want that. Created is a story about choice and what it means to become who you were always meant to be. It is about having the courage to go forward in spite of uncertainty and knowing you will be stronger for it. And it is one fun thrill ride for the taking. One that leaves you hoping for more when you finish the last page.

Cindy sucks you into her world on page one and keeps you on a wild twisty ride to the end. She makes the words leap of the page and come to life and keeps you wondering what happens next. What a fun adventure. It is definitely one you don't want to miss!

Teaser
A spy school.
A choice.
A destiny discovered.

Description

With The Witness Protection Program failing to keep Christy safe, she is sent to Belgium to hide in a spy school. While there, test scores reveal her true abilities and the director wants her to become a spy. Once the terrorists back home are all caught, and the danger gone, she is forced to make the decision to either go home and live a normal teen life or use her gifts and become a spy.

Back copy

"Created is Mission: Impossible meets Bourne Identity, only better because Christy is just seventeen." -RaShelle Workman, author of Exiled

"Unique, suspenseful, and hard to predict." -E. Baker, reviewer

"Be prepared to spend the entire day doing nothing but reading because once you start Created, you won't want to put it down!" -C. Anderson, reviewer

"A remarkable balance between adventure and romance, leaving you hungry for more." -L. Sears, reviewer

Hogan has the ability to tap into the fantasies of those who crave change in their lives and satisfy the desire for a more exciting alternate identity." -Liz Sears, reviewer

Goodreads author page

Purchase links
Amazon
Kindle
Print

Barnes and Noble
Nook

Facebook page
Goodreads author page

Book Review: Nightingale by David Farland

  

 My take:

 Dave Farland's Nightingale is so amazing. I love the way he creates his characters and brings them to life. Bron was so fascinating and it felt like you took the journey of discovery with him as he learned deep secrets about who he is and what he can do. I love Olivia and how she finally shows Bron what it means to be loved by a mother and that she takes him under her wing to help him be the very best he can be.

 

I love how Bron evolves as a character along the time line of the book and becomes even more crush worthy as the book progresses. There is a lot of adventure and unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next.

 

I really enjoyed Nightingale. I can't wait for the next books in the series to come out so I can see what happens next. Hurry and get your copy and lose your self inside the pages of this fantastic book. Keep reading to hear more about Nightingale and its award winning author.

 

       

 

 The multi-award winning novel, Nightingale by best-selling author, David Farland is available in hardback, ebook, and now in a special iPad enhanced version. This young-adult fantasy novel has already been turning heads.

Grand Prize Winner of the Hollywood Book Festival, placed first in all genres, all categories.

Winner of the 2012 International Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel of the Year!

Finalist in the Global Ebook Awards.

Some people sing at night to drive back the darkness. Others sing to summon it. . . .

Bron Jones was abandoned at birth. Thrown into foster care, he was rejected by one family after another, until he met Olivia, a gifted and devoted high-school teacher who recognized him for what he really was--what her people call a "nightingale."

But Bron isn't ready to learn the truth. There are secrets that have been hidden from mankind for hundreds of thousands of years, secrets that should remain hidden. Some things are too dangerous to know. Bron's secret may be the most dangerous of all.

In his remarkable young adult fantasy debut, David Farland shows why critics have called his work "compelling," "engrossing," "powerful," "profound," and "ultimately life-changing."

"Superb world building, strong characters, and Dave's characteristic excellent prose. --Brandon Sanderson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"A wonderful tale of a young man trying to find his humanity, even though he's not quite human. One of Farland's very best!"--#1 International Bestseller Kevin J. Anderson

The enhanced version creates an amazing reading experience complete with illustrations from several talented artists and a sample of a soundtrack that coincides with the story. Published by East India Press  a publishing company that takes e-books in a whole new direction with enhanced multimedia--soundtracks, movie clips, author interviews and more. From the site: "East India embraces emerging technologies and new distribution methods, producing every novel in three forms: as an enhanced multimedia experience, as a standard e-book, and as a limited edition hardcover."
Farland has plans for three more books in the series: Dream Assassin, Draghoul, and Shadow Lord.

About the author:
David Farland has written and edited fifty published books. These include novels for adults, young adults, anthologies, middle-grade readers, and picture books. He often teaches writing workshops, and has trained a number of people who went on to become international bestselling authors—people like Brandon Sanderson in fantasy, Brandon Mull in middle-grade fiction, and Stephenie Meyer in young adult fiction.

As part of his dedication to helping other writers, David writes the David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants, an email bulletin for writers or those who would be writers. Many authors rave about how it has helped them. Out of devotion, he provides the Daily Kick free. You can register to receive it at http://www.davidfarland.com/.

You can learn more about Dave and his books/writing seminars here:
FB:http://www.facebook.com/david.farland1

Twitter handle @DavidFarland

Websites:www.nightingalenovel.com

http://www.davidfarland.com/

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83308.David_Farland
David Farland Amazon Page

Book Review: Having Hope by Terri Ferran

Having Hope by Terri Ferran picks up where Finding Faith lets off and is the second book in Terri Ferran's trilogy.  It is a contemporary LDS  romantic fiction . At the beginning, Kit is still anxiously waiting for her missionary Adam Bridger to come home. She is firmly entrenched in the Bridger family and her faith in the gospel is growing stronger and her faith is solid in spite of the trauma she endured, she is healing. She is still working through the circumstances of her adoption and she is trying to figure things out for herself.  She is missing Janet, but meets new friends that pull her in different directions. One of which lead her across the world to work with the orphans in Romania as a part of her schooling. She is torn between going as she feels prompted and leaving Adam after he just returns from his mission.

With Adam's support she travels across the world and while she is gone, things back home begin to go awry as unexpected things happen in Romania. During this time Kit has to rely on her testimony and develop hope for herself and her future as parts of her life begin to unravel.

Having Hope is written with the same wonderful gospel teachings and insights that create a deeper sense of testimony in the reader, and helps expand understanding of gospel principles. I loved this books message that through all the tough times no matter how hard they are that having hope will always help you through

I really enjoyed Having Hope and seeing further development and growth in the characters as they meet thier individual challenges and find the ability to overcome. It was fun feeling like you were revisiting old friends.


 
Book Blurb
After being reunited with Adam Bridger, the missionary she waited for for two long years, Kit Matthews experiences feelings she cannot ignore promptings that take her halfway around the world.
The strong connection she feels with orphans in Romania because of her own abandonment at birth draws Kit to Romania where she meets a Romanian medical student, Marcel and when Kit challenges Marcel to learn about the gospel, she has no idea of the doors she has opened.
After learning of some disturbing news at home, Kit struggles to have hope that God is mindful of His children, and must decide between creating a new life in Romania and returning to repair her life in America.

You can get your copy of Having Hope  on Amazon by clicking here.  And click here to see it on good reads. Your testimony will be strengthened along with your hope for things to come.

Book Review: The Recruit By Cindy Grantham Brown

The Recruit by Cindy Grantham Brown is a fictionalized story of a very real event in Cindy's life that will completely blow you away and keep you turning pages wondering how things are going to end. It is a story that stays with me even now along with amazing strength and ability to survive the harrowing life-threatening experiences Jess experieced inside  The Recruit. I still find myself saying Wow!

I even asked my husband do motor cycle gangs really do that kind of thing? And he said yes they do, they  take people who are kept in the dark to what they plan to do as a way of recruiting and intitiating members. It fascinating to see the events inside The Recruit unfold, you see it all unfold before you but know you can't stop it and then your mind wraps itself around the whole idea that this re. I was caught up in the story and the events that took place.  The book blurb is enough to get your interest as the story unfolds it is impossible to put the book down in the quest to discover how things end.

Book Blurb:
Jess Talbot has already seen sorrow in her young life. Now one bad decision will destroy her dignity – will she also pay with her life?

At the age of twenty-one she is recovering from the breakup of her marriage. In an effort to get back into the social scene she hangs out at a Memphis, Tennessee park along with other rebellious teens and young adults. Here she meets her newest friend, Lisa Burns, who likes to party and hang out with bad boy bikers. Vulnerable and naïve, Jess goes with Lisa to a Kentucky Motocross Rally for the weekend – which turns out to be anything but the fun, safe weekend she had imagined.

Unknown to Jess, Lisa is an initiate into a biker gang, the worst of its kind. Her job is to find that special girl who will be this year’s RECRUIT. Will Jess figure out what dangers are prepared for her? Will she be forever scarred by her devastating decision to spend the weekend with Lisa and her friends? Will she escape or will the results be deadly for Jess…

Through the Grace of God, Cindy Grantham Brown survived the devastating events that this story is based upon. She now tells the fictionalized tale in the hopes that others will never have to face the possibility she did – that of a horrible and painful death, murder at the hands of an evil biker gang.

My take again:
I found Jess's indomitable spirit remarkable in the midst of terror as she struggles to fully comprehend what happened to her. She starts to put peices together and stragegizes her escape, never letting the events unfolding around her drag her down.

I love Chad's inner conflict as he fights his rising feelings for Jess as they stand in direct conflict with the job he needs to accomplish as an under cover cop.  Cindy's wrote  ability  these events in such a way that the reader wanted to know what happened next.

In addition the romance that develops between Jess and Chad is sweet but becomes part of the puzzle if their growing feelings for eachother will survive the overwhelming events placed before them.

Inspite of a few  grammatical and editing errors easy to over look, the reader was drawn fully into the intrigue of the story. Decisions made with dire consequenses leave the reader on the edge hoping for the best.

I would highly recommend The Recruit as a fast paced absorbing read that will keep you wondering what happens next. To get your copy click here or here. You will learn things about motorcycle gangs and how they work that you never thought imagainable, and see how corruption can be layered  into  multi-levels of intrigue and how one girl finds the ability to rise above it all.