Tag Archives: book review

by

Blog Tour for “Uncommon Blue” – YA Dystopian Fiction

51ukT7Lu74L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

The Book:
In Telesphore, the glowing color of a person’s palm determines their place in society, and touching hands with another mixes the colors permanently. When sixteen-year-old Bruno accidentally kills a royal soldier, he goes from favored to fugitive. Now Bruno’s only chance at survival is to become someone else. That means a haircut, a change of wardrobe, and most important, getting rid of his once cherished Blue. Now he’s visiting parts of town he never knew existed, and making friends with people he would’ve crossed the street to avoid only weeks ago. At the last minute, Bruno’s parents arrange a deal to clear his name and get his life back. All Bruno has to do is abandon those in the Red slums that look to him as a leader and let an innocent Green boy die in his place.

My Review:
I was given a copy of “Uncommon Blue” by the author, R.C.Hancock in exchange for an honest review. I love dystopian, think Hunger Games, The Giver, and Divergent. This one has a twist and I enjoyed the read. Great storyline of sacrifice and friendship. Good characters, geared for YA. I can recommend for Jr. High and up. I am 50 and I really liked it. There is a clear finish to the story but it is definitely open for more, and I hope that is the author’s plan. I give it 4+ stars. I really liked it!

by

Book Reviews for “Crazy Love”-Christian non-fiction, “Recipe Hacker”- recipe book, “Ex Patriot”- Dystopian Fiction

I am catching up on several books I read over the Thanksgiving week.

41A9ax+yXFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

I really liked Francis Chan’s book, “Crazy Love.” I don’t know anything about the author, other than he has a bunch of video’s on YouTube, but I so enjoyed this book. It challenges us to be Christians who walk in crazy love, who take risks, forget about all the things that most Americans are striving for and to live for God. It challenges us to help others in small ways and in crazy ways, to be led by the Holy Spirit in our service to God, not our level of comfort. I can recommend for Jr. High and up. I give it 4 stars.

A1eC2cYi6RL[1]

I was given a copy of “Recipe Hacker” by the author in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this cookbook. It is filled with healthy recipes that contain no refined sugar, gluten, grains, or dairy. Though I don’t feel the need to follow this strict of a diet, I do believe in all things in moderation and a healthy balance. This book is great for the person like me, who wants to cut out part of the fatty, sugar filled foods, and add in more healthy alternatives, or for the person with gluten, or dairy intolerances. I give it 5 stars. The recipes are simple enough, and there are full color pictures for each dish. The author also includes some personal stories and healthy eating tips throughout. I love that she even included cinnamon rolls! This would make a great gift for a recipe book lover, or someone with restricted diets.

517UB3guM2L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

Expatriate is the last book in the “Forager” series. I read them all and loved the books. I was given the first two by the author and enjoyed them so much, I purchased this last one. A great YA dystopian series. There is no swearing and the only sexual contents is implied. There is fighting and violence in the stories. At this point in time, societies have built up in different ways in different walled cities. Our two main characters are trying to bring the truth to light about what is happening and what has happened by city officials. Though this series is done, I will definitely be reading more by this author. I can recommend for ages 14 and up.

by

Book Review for “Walk Like a Warrior”- Christian Inspriational

41xPefry35L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

I was given a copy of “Walk Like A Warrior” by Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review. This is a true, inspirational story that reads a lot like a devotional. The author and her husband travel with their two horses and minister full time with music, riding, and just plain helping out and shining the light of Jesus. I love how honest this book is! She talks about her lack of faith, getting tired and even about “poop” which is part of the life of cowboys and cowgirls. I was very touched by many of the stories and found myself with Kleenex box in hand. As an added blessing there are tons of pictures of their travels and some wonderful scenery. I give it five stars and highly recommend it to Christians and Cowfolk alike. Good for teens and up.

by

“Christmas in Snow Valley”: Blog Tour and Review

Christmas Box Set Banner

Christmas in Snow Valley is a boxed set coming out just in time for your Holiday reading. Six “Clean Romances” that are well written and full on Christmas fun.

About the books:
Snow Valley, Montana, is a small community with the tradition of doing Christmas big. Festivities begin with tree lighting in the town square the day after Thanksgiving and continue until the culminating romantic Christmas Ball. From the Polar Express to a Winter Carnival, there’s something for every wonder-filled child—and every couple who’s in love—or about to be.

An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson
Lucy Phillips doesn’t want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?

Feels Like Love by Jeanette Lewis
Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiance, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.

Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts
Kazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn’t pursue him or even seem interested. Ty’s career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.

The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor Hart
When Molly O’Hare gets a prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve, she thinks it’s utterly ridiculous. But when she gets teamed up with Kevin Snow, aka her ex-boyfriend, to decorate a Christmas tree, things start to change. Too bad getting over the past is hard and seeing him kiss another girl is even harder. Now Molly is left with a choice—run away from home and heartbreak or let Christmas work out a miracle all of its own.

Risking it all for Love by Award-Winning author, Kimberley Montpetit
Ever since her high school boyfriend’s death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica Mason and her hometown of Snow Valley, Montana with all its awful memories have NOT been compatible. Running away to New Orleans on a ballet scholarship, Jessica cringes when she thinks about confronting Pastor John and the community church–she doesn’t want to talk about God, not after He took Michael, the boy she was going to marry ever since third grade.

In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.

Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas – and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she’s ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.

Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?

Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell

As head of Snow Valley hospital’s fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn’t have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She’s been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads.

How the project came about:
“It’s amazing how one seemingly small decision can make a huge impact on a person’s life. You see, for whatever reason, five of the authors decided not to order the lunch provided at a local writing conference. This left us standing in the hotel lobby, with growling stomachs, looking for a place to eat. We didn’t all know each other, but we clumped together as if Fate wrapped her arms around us and said, “Pay attention.”

There was a small bakery across the parking lot and we ended up eating delicious bread and brownies and discussing the idea of collaborating on a box set. The next week, we set up a video chat, including Kimberley who lives in New Mexico, and Snow Valley grew from there. During the time we’ve been writing and editing, we’ve all had personal setbacks, be it losing a loved one, personal injury, or work catastrophes; but the books poured out and the anthology turned out better than even we could have foreseen on that fateful day in a Provo bakery.” ~Christina Dymock

My Review: I was given a copy of this set in exchange for an honest review. This is a great set of Christmas Romances. Six books, six couples, six Christmas stories, all set in Snow Valley, Montana. These books are “clean romance” with heartwarming Christmas tales. Each story is by a different author and the main characters are different., but they are all set in Snow Valley, Montana and share a few Characters, like Pastor John, and the same places and events Snow Valley is the place to be if you love Christmas! Parade, tree lighting, gingerbread house competition, Polar Express train rides, carnival, fireworks, and the Christmas Ball all take place during these stories. I give the set four stars. I really liked them!

ebook version of the boxed set can be purchased for a limited time for .99 cents at these locations,
Amazon, iTunes, barnes and noble, smashwords, and kobo!

by

Book Review for “Taliesin” (The Pendragon Cycle #1)- Fiction

51IWpNooPGL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

I haven’t read a Stephen Lawhead that I didn’t like and this one is no exception. “Taliesin” is the prologue to the tales of Merlin and Arthur. At a time when the old gods are dying, a new God is showing Himself. Atlantis is gone, peace has fled and people are fleeing the darkness. This is only book one of a series and I put off reading it because once you start one of Lawhead’s series, you can’t just stop. Now off to the library to get the rest of the bunch. This is not a light read, nor I it a short one. If you start, know you are in for the long haul, but it is worth every bit. No swearing and the only sexual content is “behind closed doors”. I still wouldn’t recommend for young readers as it is heavy reading. Best suited for teens and up. I give it 5 stars. I loved it!

by

Book Review for “Waiting on God/Working for God”- Christian Non-Fiction

51PV5pzxoUL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

You can never go wrong with Andrew Murray. This one did not disappoint. The good news is that you can get it free from the Gutenberg Project online. We have all been called to good works, and each one of us, from the feeblest Christian to the great men and women of faith, all must work the work God gave us to do. The good news is that it is never in our own strength, unless we choose it that way. “Waiting on God/Working for God” is a great reminder of what our purpose here on earth is, and who has graced us for this work. I highly recommend to every Christian. The language is not modern and may be harder to wade through, but Mr. Murray’s writing style is simple and right to the point. I give it 5+ stars, I loved it! This is a read again book

by

Book Review for “Kingdom Lights”-Middle Grade Fantasy/Steampunk Fiction

510eQtmtZQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_[1]

I received a copy of “The Kingdom Lights” from the author, Steven VS, in exchange for an honest review. This book is intended for Middle grade to Young Adult. It is a good fantasy, with steampunk elements, including floating cities and magic. I really enjoyed this book. The characters are fleshed out and likable, quite a few interesting new “species” for me. If you are a parent that doesn’t want your children to read anything with magic, then this one isn’t for you. Absolutely no swearing, no sexual content, but there is fighting and “monster” type things used in battle. I give it four stars, I really liked it. Though the story had a clear beginning and end, I am hoping there will be more of these books.