Category: August 2019

Book Review - Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher

8/31/2019

Genre:
Contemporary

Cross My Heart
A Legacy Of Faith book 2
by Robin Lee Hatcher

-From Goodreads-

Two broken paths lead toward God’s
redemption in the next installment of
Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series.

Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning have so much in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ashley runs a horse rescue operation, while Ben has started an equine therapy barn on his great-great grandfather’s farm—and both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

But they share something else that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with ten years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother, Dylan, is an opioid addict, currently residing in court-ordered rehab. Ashley has promised herself she would never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction—because in her mind, addicts can never be fully cured. But with God, all things are possible. Will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance, or will her brother’s mistakes jeopardize her future with Ben?

ISBN-13: 9780785219309

Will she choose the pain of the past...or love...?

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Robin Lee Hatcher

Author Website

I've always read Robin Lee Hatcher's historical romances until the A Legacy Of Faith series. I think part of the original attraction for me was that this series is set in southern Idaho and northern Idaho is a familiar landscape to me. North and south are different, but, hey, it's still Idaho. I also wanted to give the author's contemporary novels a chance as well.

I was so happy to discover that this series was so much deeper and went far beyond the average contemporary romance, instead dealing with tough issues like infidelity and forgiveness, and in Cross My Heart addiction and trust. The characters quickly become real as the reader is able to personally identify with their many struggles, in one way or another.

Robin Lee Hatcher has penned a beautiful story of finding your way through the hurts and messiness of life. It's a poignant story in many places, and, believe me, Cross My Heart is a story that will not soon slip from your memory.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

8/26/2019

7 Comments

Josephine Is Forced to Spy for Grave Robbers
Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

In Massachusetts in 1824, Josephine Clayton awakes on the table of the doctor she’s assisted all these months. She was presumed dead by all and has become the doctor’s next corpse for his medical research. Frightened, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. A deal is struck—Josie will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, she’ll await her true mission—posing as a mourner to help his body snatcher procure her replacement. At the mill though, Josie is praised for her medical remedies among the mill girls, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager Braham Taylor. Yet, when Braham’s own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all.

What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel?

Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense
Release Date: August, 2019

Click here to grab your copy.

My Review

Sometimes truth IS much stranger than fiction...

To be perfectly honest, I picked up The Yellow Lantern because it was part of the True Colors series and I had absolutely no idea what it was about. I hadn't even read the back cover blurb on my copy when I started reading. Boy, was I in for a shock right off the bat. Seriously! The right there on the first page the heroine wakes up after having been presumed dead and actually buried! Trust me, Angie Dicken knows how to hook her readers right from the start and keep them good and hooked.

I thought it a bit ironic that this book is about grave robbers and just a few days ago I was watching a short youtube biography/documentary about two real people convicted of just that offense. Weird, right?

Anyway, The Yellow Lantern is an excellent addition to the True Colors series and I enjoyed it very much. It's deliciously dark and morbid in places. Manipulation, fear, betrayal, greed, and murder all have their places. But there is also a strong thread of hope, through faith,through the love in friendship and the love in romance. Angie Dicken has nicely packaged all of these threads in an entertaining and riveting story with roots in real events from history. Definitely a book that I would recommend...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken a 5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Angie

Barbour’s True Colors Crime concept intrigued me from the very beginning. Being the daughter of a doctor and discovering the ties of grave robbing to the early medical profession, I was excited to dive deep into 19th century Massachusetts. Grave robbing around Boston and New York was often employed by doctors desperate for medical advancement. Men and women were both involved in the procuring of bodies for doctors. Finding these accounts led me to take took a look at the current medical remedies of the time—tinctures, elixirs, and herbal concoctions. My heroine was created in the tension of a desire to heal and the desperation of medical pursuits.

Amidst these medical ties to the historical moment of 1824, something was also shifting among women in rural areas of New England. Many women were employed by newly built cotton mills (Lowell Mill was my inspiration for the fictional Gloughton Mill in The Yellow Lantern). These working opportunities for women offered an escape from their home-bound lives and the rare chance for independence. Of course, with such industrial environments, injuries, and sometimes death, would occur. Noting the accounts of these kind of fatalities in historical articles, my research came full circle.

I found three strong threads to weave into my grave-robbing story—desperate doctors in need of research, a doctor’s assistant needing an escape from her village, and a mill, not only offering that escape, but the chance at bodies for the desperate medical community.

My heroine, Josie Clay, found life in the tangle of these threads of mills, medicine, and grave robbing—all playing out within the pages of The Yellow Lantern.

Angie Dicken

Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in England. Now living in the U.S. heartland, she’s a member of ACFW, sharing about author life with her fellow Alley Cats on The Writer’s Alley blog and Facebook page. Besides writing, she is a busy mom of four and works in Adult Ministry. Angie enjoys eclectic new restaurants, authentic conversation with friends, and date nights with her Texas Aggie husband. Connect with her online at www.angiedicken.com.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Angie is giving away a grand prize package of a
$25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of each of the books in the series!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/e71c/the-yellow-lantern-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, August 15
Seasons of Opportunities, August 15
All-of-a-kind Mom, August 15
Bigreadersite, August 16
Emily Yager, August 16
Inspired by fiction, August 16
The Christian Fiction Girl, August 17
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 17
Daysong Reflections, August 17
Retrospective Spines, August 18
Spoken from the Heart, August 18
Kathleen Denly, August 19
Through the Fire Blogs, August 19
Christian Bookaholic, August 19
Maureen’s Musings, August 20
For the Love of Literature, August 20
Simple Harvest Reads, August 21 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Godly Book Reviews, August 21
A Reader’s Brain, August 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22
Betti Mace, August 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 22
Hallie Reads, August 23
Mary Hake, August 23
Inklings and notions, August 23
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 24
For Him and My Family, August 24
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, August 24
Connie’s History Classroom, August 25
Pause for Tales, August 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 25
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 26
amandainpa, August 26
Blossoms and Blessings, August 27
Texas Book-aholic, August 27
janicesbookreviews, August 27
Back Porch Reads, August 28
Just the Write Escape, August 28

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E-Book Review - Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

8/25/2019

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Genre:
Thriller/Romantic Suspense

Deadly Intentions
by Lisa Harris

-From Goodreads-

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

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

In this nail-biting thriller, award-winning author Lisa Harris will have you believing that there's no such thing as random.

ASIN: B07NDNX3LK

Can they trust anyone around them?

I think I probably say this with every Lisa Harris book that I read, but, I will say it again. I think Deadly Intentions is my favorite one so far. I loved it! It was tense. It was riveting. It was gripping. It was action-packed romantic suspense at its best!

This Book received a 5 Bark rating.

Lisa Harris

Author Website

There are some books that are impossible to put down, Deadly Intentions was one of those. Seemingly ripped from today's headlines this story of danger and betrayal was as relevant as it was entertaining. Seriously, if you want to sleep tonight, don't read this chillingly plausible story right before bed....or at least leave your light on...

Lisa Harris is one of my all-time favorite romantic suspense authors and she just seems to get better and better with each new release. Deadly Intentions is a perfect example of that fact. If you love a story with equal amounts of danger, intrigue, and romance, with a faith perspective, I would highly recommend Lisa Harris's latest novel...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris a 5 Bark rating.

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Prism Blog Tour - DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt Grand Finale + Giveaway

8/25/2019

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On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

DawnSinger

By Janalyn Voigt

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Dear Friends,

Welcome to this book tour of DawnSinger, an epic medieval fantasy adventure. Fantasy will always be my first love, although I’ve become a multi-genre author. That’s a fancy term for a storyteller. If I could turn the clock back to the Middle Ages, I’d be a bard. Author Linda Windsor, an endorser of DawnSinger, named the story bardic fiction. I consider that high praise indeed. . .

Colorimetry - Excerpt

Now for a stormy moment in flight...

A crosswind caught Kai’s wingabeast as lightning flared too near. Shrilling, the winged horse tilted in flight, and Kai’s stomach lurched. A gust snatched the hood from his head and roared in his ears. He blinked to clear the stinging rain that drove into his eyes. Thunder boomed like a timpani, shaking the air. Flecht shuddered beneath him, and Kai placed a calming hand on his wingabeast’s straining neck. He did not like this long flight through the wild night any better than did Flecht.

Paper Ink & Lizard - Review

"DawnSinger is an epic tale that unfurls in a world that is different, yet so familiar. A high fantasy world with flying horses, spirits, and mind magic, Janalyn Voight was able to create a world that is fresh and new in the fantasy genre. . . . Overall, DawnSinger is a satisfying read, and has a subtle message at the end that will leave the reader thinking afterwards."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Shae put up her hood and left the shelter of the stronghold to follow the graystone path. A chill wind rippled through the folds of her cloak, and she shivered. Overhead, clouds unfurled in a pearling sky. She passed into green scented shadow, where notes of damp moss and ripe humus met her.

She shouldn’t have yielded to temptation and escaped into nature unescorted. In earlier days, she had roamed the grounds in freedom with no one caring. She couldn’t get used to the strictures placed on her now that she’d grown older. When would she learn to be more like Katera? She couldn’t remember her winsome twin ever causing their mother concern.

Remembrancy - Review

"Jannalyn [Voigt] vividly paints a picture of her fantasy world with descriptive words and phrases. It’s not challenging to imagine this land filled with wondrous beauty and creatures as well as barren and desolate places. Shae, kai, and a handful of others undertake an epic quest to save their beloved people and king. I enjoyed both of these elements of the story. . . . Now that I’ve gotten the cadence of this mystical, magical world, I’m not ready to leave it yet."

Jessica Belmont - Review

"Epic Christian Fantasy? Yes, please. DawnSinger is an inventive novel with beautifully descriptive prose and dialogue. I absolutely love the imagery and symbolism woven through the book. . . . I highly recommend checking out this original and inspiring novel."

Uplifting Reads - Excerpt

Flecht quivered under Kai’s hand. Shae must have communicated to the beast the tension he read in her face. Why did she stare at the naked branches of the small, white tree? He drew his brows together but didn’t speak. Her eyes, so green they reminded him of deep shadows in an old forest, told him nothing. As she settled the cloak upon her shoulders, burnished tangles cascaded down her back. She looked beautiful and far too grown.

Something had upset Shae—that much seemed obvious. Equally obvious was her desire for privacy in the matter. Well, he didn’t question such things. He already held enough secrets to quell any desire for more.

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"The story is a war between good and evil. Shae is guided by the light of the God she worships. She has companions who will do anything to protect her and keep her from fulfilling an ancient prophecy. There is plenty of action and adventure that will thrill fantasy lovers. . . . I am now invested in the story and look forward to having good prevail."

Library Lady's Kid Lit - Review

"The plot shows the draw of evil and the difficulty even the good have of resisting its pull. Voight did an excellent job of creating an alternate universe and having things remain consistent within that world. The book does have a bit of a surprise ending and I look forward to seeing how that surprise plays out in future titles in the Tales of Faeraven series."

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

He smiled. “Your heart speaks truth. I am a wayfarer…and I am more.” He stroked the tears from her cheeks, feather-light, like the touch of a draft.

“Peace.” The whispered word brought infinite comfort.

Shae closed her eyes and breathed deep.

“Remember, Shae, you must look to the light.”

She opened her eyes, ready to ask how he knew her name.

She knelt alone in the Allerstaed.

JeanBookNerd - Guest Post

Funny how childhood memories embed themselves in your mind, but only parts of them. I can still feel the rough paper as I turned another page in a novel from my parent’s bookcase. A precocious reader, I’d advanced long ago into adult books. I don’t remember this one’s title, but the story followed the journeys of Sir Francis Drake, an early explorer. Specific phrases are lost to me, but the vivid imagery remains. I can still hear the ship’s creaking, bask in sunlight breaking through the clouds, and taste sea salt on my lips. . .

jypsylynn - Review

"I became invested in the outcome because I cared about the characters. I see their quest as allegorical to some biblical tales and symbolic of the eternal good vs. evil battle. . . . The plot is thrilling with action and drama at every turn leaving readers wanting more. Overall, Dawnsinger is a well written adventure steeped in thoughtfully planned fantasy that fans of the genre will surely enjoy."

Tell Tale Book Reviews - Review

"DawnSinger is the first book in the series and in true fantasy fashion there is an epic quest, terrible dangers, betrayal, a taste of forbidden love, and even more importantly the story gets darker as the conclusion draws nearer. . . . I enjoyed DawnSinger, its characters and strange creatures, and I look forward to returning to the land of Faeraven in the next book in the series..."

I'm Into Books - Excerpt

Shae landed in Flecht’s saddle with a thump as Kai deposited her with more speed than grace. He bent and then straightened, and she caught the glint of metal.

Kai pressed something into her palm, and her fingers curled around a knife’s hilt. “They’ll need to dismount to attack with swords. I’ll defend you, but if things go badly, take Flecht and follow the weild to the inn. You’ll see it just back from the banks. You can trust the innkeeper.”

Kai strode from her before she could point out that she had no idea how to fly a wingabeast. His sword rasped as he drew it from its sheath.

Teatime and Books - Review

"Oh wow, I really loved this book! . . . If you love a good fantasy with loads of adventure, then this is the book for you!"

Faithfully Bookish - Excerpt

“Only the cold and weariness that comes at such altitudes—and wind shears. But I know the passes well.”

He didn’t mention the possibility of encountering wingabeast riders bent on killing them, but she knew it existed. Even now, the dark riders might track them.

She closed her eyes to pray with zeal but soon fell into the languor of warmth and drowsiness. “My thanks,” she said, her tongue thick with sleep.

“Thanks?”

“You protected me this night.”

“Sleep, Shae.” She heard the smile in his voice. “Tomorrow’s journey will try our strength.”

The Caffeinated Bibliophile - Review

"The biggest factor in whether I like a Fantasy book is the world building. Janalyn gets it right. She creates such a beautiful and interesting world. She definitely made the world of Faeraven unique filled with interesting creatures and characters. . . . I really liked Shae and Kai’s characters. I felt that we could relate to them. . . . Overall, I really enjoyed the story. Suspense, murder, drama and action were just around the corner in every chapter. . . . I think this book would also be great for teens as it read more like a YA book. Great for adults and teens alike."

Reading On The Edge - Excerpt

“Kai.” A voice rasped from the carved bed that dominated the room. “You have brought her?”

Shae started. In a combination of weariness and awe of Torindan, she had all but forgotten the purpose of her visit.

The musician came away from the window, and light slanted across him to reveal a lithe figure and features of surpassing beauty. Vibrant hair of gold sprang above a well-formed brow. Fathomless eyes held her. Shae caught her breath, and her hand went out in a blind motion.

Jorie Loves A Story - Spotlight

J. L. Mbewe - Excerpt

A foul wind breathed over Shae, and the hair on the back of her neck raised in warning. A hissing from the broken stairway sent prickles walking over her skin. Eyes gleamed in the shadows, and long shudders traveled her spine.

Somewhere, something shrieked.

Shae stumbled on the stone stair suspended between a dark void and a wall of living stone. She called for Kai, but her voice made no sound. Where was he?

“Find the light and be saved…” The whispered words stirred the air.

Daughter of Increase - Review

"This was a beautifully written Christian fantasy. I enjoyed the bits of scripture thrown into the story, it really made them come alive in a more action-packed way. The writing was interesting and the characters kept me hooked. I also enjoyed the world and different places in the world. . . . Such a fantastic read and can't wait to read that sequel!"

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven't already...

DawnSinger
(Tales of Faeraven #1)
By Janalyn Voigt
Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 342 Pages
June 29, 2012 by Harbourlight Books

The High Queen is dying...

At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens.

But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes.

On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing and the salvation he offers into a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│ChristianBook│Harbourlight/Pelican

About the Author

Janalyn Voigt is a writer and professional speaker with a photography habit and a passion for travel. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries readers into a land only imagined in dreams. She is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│YouTube│Instagram

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a fantasy-themed basket, hand-painted Pegasus mug, hand-crafted beaded votive candle bowl, dark chocolate bar, and a Tales of Faeraven bookmark (US only)

Ends August 28th, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Prism Blog Tour - DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt + Review & Giveaway

8/22/2019

1 Comment

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The High Queen is dying...

At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens.

But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes.

On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing and the salvation he offers into a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 342 Pages
June 29, 2012 by Harbourlight Books

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│ChristianBook│Harbourlight/Pelican

My Review

The fate of the realm is in her voice...

Fantasy has never been my genre of choice, though I have many fond childhood memories of wiling away the hours in Narnia and Middle Earth, but gradually I've been opening that door and allowing my horizons to broaden. I've actually seen Janalyn Voigt's name quite a bit, and it's all been positive, which is why I decided to give the Tales Of Faeraven a shot.

DawnSinger is the first book in the series and in true fantasy fashion there is an epic quest, terrible dangers, betrayal, a taste of forbidden love, and even more importantly the story gets darker as the conclusion draws nearer.

I was pleased to discover that Janalyn Voigt has created a world with quite a detailed history, language, flora and fauna, and landscape. The world is detailed but the story isn't bogged down by those details. The characters are interesting and you quickly come to like them, especially Shae, Kai, and Elcon. And the villain, oh, I hated him!

I enjoyed DawnSinger, its characters and strange creatures, and I look forward to returning to the land of Faeraven in the next book in the series...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Janalyn Voigt

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│YouTube│Instagram

One winner will receive a fantasy-themed basket, hand-painted Pegasus mug,
hand-crafted beaded votive candle bowl, dark chocolate bar, and a Tales of Faeraven bookmark.

USA Only
Ends August 28th, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

1 Comment

Book Review - Gaffe Out Loud by Christy Barritt

8/18/2019

0 Comments

Genre:
Mystery/Romantic Suspense

Gaffe Out Loud
The Worst Detective Ever Mystery Series book 7
by Christy Barritt

-From Goodreads-

Actress Joey Darling is beginning a new season . . . of her TV show and her life.

Joey Darling’s life is finally on track. Her hit series has been picked up by a new network, her relationship with Detective Jackson Sullivan couldn’t be better, and she’s even bought a house. But right after taking possession, Joey discovers a dead body upstairs.

Joey knows she won’t have any peace until she figures out why a dead woman was left at her house and who killed her. And she desperately needs peace as the “normal” life she’s trying to establish quickly progresses from great to the brink of collapse.

The countdown is ticking as Joey must soon leave to begin filming. But one gaffe after another slows her investigation and makes her question her choices. The closer Joey gets to answers, the more someone is determined to make sure this season of her life is canceled—permanently.

ISBN-13: 9781792606717

Joey is back!

This Book received a 5 Bark rating.

Christy Barritt

Author Website

I've been highly anticipating the next release in The Worst Detective Ever Mystery Series and Gaffe Out Loud is it. I loved it! Christy Barritt takes readers on another fun and romance filled adventure with everyone's favorite drama-prone TV detective actress Joey Darling.

I'm probably using the word 'favorite' too much but Joey really is my favorite Christy Barritt created amateur detective. She is fun, funny, and is such a relatable mess. By turns Joey makes me laugh, shake my head, and nod in understanding.

I enjoyed Gaffe Out Loud immensely. The mystery was good, kept me guessing even though I came close a time or two, and I loved the romance between Joey and Jackson finally getting its chance to bloom. This story is a real winner and I personally can't wait for the next crazy adventure that Joey finds herself in...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Gaffe Out Loud by Christy Barritt a 5 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

8/17/2019

0 Comments

Genre:
Suspense/Thriller

Storm Rising
The Book Of The Wars book 1
by Ronie Kendig

-From Goodreads-

Once lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold ancient secrets and dangers. Former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe has been tasked with capturing the ancient text, but a Bulgarian operative snatches it, determined to secure her freedom. When a series of strange storms erupt, they must form an alliance to thwart impending disaster.

ISBN-13: 9780764231872

The past and future are entirely intertwined....

I've never read a Ronie Kendig book before. There, I said it. Don't shoot me. I'm not exactly sure why I hadn't read one. I mean, I've heard a lot of good stuff about them. But, for some reason I just didn't. Until now. I have no clue why Storm Rising was the one to catch my attention, but, it did.

I went into Storm Rising not knowing what to expect. I mean, I did know that Ronie Kendig did several series about elite military types but that was it. What a got was an international thriller with apocalyptic repercussions that was slightly reminiscent of a Ted Dekker book.

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Ronie Kendig

Author Website

While I can't say that I'm a diehard fan I can say that I will be looking forward to reading the next installment in The Book Of The Wars series. I found the idea behind the story, a book with the outcomes of past and future wars, to be quite fascinating. And, I'm curious where the search for said book will take our band of heroes....will Leif and Iskra finally find what they are each searching for...?

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig a 4 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Danger On The Ranch by Dana Mentink

8/15/2019

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Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Danger On The Ranch
Roughwater Ranch Cowboys book 1
Love Inspired Suspense
by Dana Mentink

-From Goodreads-

A Roughwater Ranch Cowboys story

After putting his serial killer brother in prison, former US marshal Mitch Whitehorse chooses a solitary country life--until his brother escapes. Now Mitch's former sister-in-law, Jane Reyes, needs protection...for herself and the toddler she's kept a secret. Mitch still isn't sure of Jane's innocence in his brother's crimes, but to keep his nephew out of a killer's grasp, trusting her is his only option.

ISBN-13: 9781335232168

Will a killer destroy everything...?

Danger, check. Romance, check. Intrigue, check. Family, check. A truly psychopathic killer, check. Once again author Dana Mentink ticks all of the required boxes for a thrill-a-minute edge-of-your-seat pulse-pounding romantic suspense novel. Plus, on top of all that, you also get cowboys. Tell me, what more could you ask for?

Despite the fact that I kinda disliked the hero at first, it took me some time to warm up to him, I think Danger On The Ranch is one, if not the, favorite Dana Mentink book that I've read so far. I couldn't seem to put it down and read far into the night, far later than I should have.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Dana Mentink

Author Website

With Danger On The Ranch the author is off to a good start in her Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series. I definitely recommend it to fans of Love Inspired Suspense and I, for one, can't wait for the next book in the series.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Danger On The Ranch by Dana Mentink a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Identity Theft by Alana Terry + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

8/5/2019

4 Comments

She imagined Alaska would be the perfect place to hide. She found out it’s the most dangerous place to be found …
Lacy has a secret. A secret nobody knows — not even her fiancé.
A secret that would cost her life … and so much more.
So it’s a good thing she’s tucked away in the very heart of rural Alaska, where for once in her life she is finally safe.
But can she stay that way for long?
Suspenseful, thrilling, and impossible to put down, Identity Theft is an unforgettable novel by bestselling Christian author Alana Terry.

Buy your copy today … but be prepared to stay up late!

Genre: Christian fiction, mystery/suspense
Release date: March 15, 2019

My Review

It seems she can trust no one...

I got hooked on Alana Terry's books several years ago when I read her first North Korean book, Beloved Daughter. It's been awhile since then and in recent years I've mostly been reading her Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense series where she took on controversial subjects with grace and grit.

Enter Identity Theft in the Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense series. I've really been looking forward to the series as I know the author's own residence in Alaska adds a rare authenticity to the fine details.

Identity Theft is more of a traditional romantic suspense than Alana Terry's previous book, which, was something I really enjoyed. It was fun seeing her ace yet another genre. The book was a quick read, I was actually surprised at how quickly I breezed through it, perfect for a boring afternoon or quiet evening.

Loved the characters and trying to guess the motivation behind some of their actions. So, if you are in the mood for an easy to read romantic suspense novel set in remote Alaska, well, may I suggest Alana Terry's exciting Identity Theft...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Identity Theft by Alana Terry a 4.5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.

More from Alana

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about Alaska? Are you a city soul or do you prefer the country? I’m pretty happy in small-town Alaska, but I’m afraid that wasn’t always the case.

Have you ever lived in a town with 400 residents? Even with all the wide-open spaces, it’s enough to make some personalities feel claustrophobic.

I thought of our move to rural living as our big adventure. (Because what’s more adventurous than feeding chickens and milking goats at negative 40 degrees?) Then I read my first draft of Identity Theftand realized the adjustment wasn’t going as smoothly as I hoped. It was more autobiographical than I had realized!

However, I learned to love rural Alaska, and that’s the main reason I wanted to write my Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Novel series – so I could share some of my favorite parts with you.

Identity Theft is the first of three stand-alone novels, all filled with adventure, suspense and thrills, and all set against the backdrop of Alaska. I hope as you settle in to read, you will begin to experience a little of what I’ve grown to love living in this spectacular state.

Alana Terry

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a $30 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/e546/identity-theft-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Book Review - Nanny Witness by Hope White

8/2/2019

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Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Nanny Witness
The Baby Protectors book 4
Love Inspired Suspense
by Hope White

-From Goodreads-

Running for her life—and for a child’s safety
A riveting The Baby Protectors novel

When gunshots echo through the baby monitor, nanny Carly Winslow acts fast, fleeing with seven-month-old Mia. Help comes suspiciously soon in the form of Brody “Whit” Whittaker, who says he’s Mia’s uncle—and a policeman. If he’s lying, he could be one of the attackers. And if he’s really a cop…what will he do after he uncovers her troubled past?

ISBN-13: 9781335232205

They'll do anything to protect baby Mia...

It's been quite awhile since I've read a Hope White book. As soon as I cracked open Nanny Witness I was reminded just how much I enjoy them and why.

The action starts on page one and doesn't let up. Trust me, Carly and Whit don't get a chance to breathe and neither do readers. Mixed in with the danger and intrigue is a wonderful message of faith - and forgiveness. Forgiveness, especially of one's self, and letting go of the guilt isn't easy for Carly or Whit...something that will resonate with many readers.

This Book received a 5 Bark rating.

Hope White

Author Website

I have to say that Carly is probably one of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense heroines. Her strength of character and faith despite a rough childhood are simply amazing. She is strong, tough, gentle, fiercely protective of her charge, and doesn't let her past destroy her.

Hope White did an amazing job with Nanny Witness and I breezed through it surprisingly fast, just couldn't seem to be able to set it aside. If you love romantic suspense, I know I do, this is one book I'd definitely recommend.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Nanny Witness by Hope White a 5 Bark rating.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Fragments Of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

8/2/2019

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From award-winning author Carrie Stuart Parks comes a new novel with danger that
reaches from a New Mexico Anasazi archaeological dig to micro- and nano-chip technology.

Evelyn Yvonne McTavish-Tavish to her friends-had her almost perfect world in Albuquerque, New Mexico, come to a crashing end with the suicide of her fiancé. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she’s given the news that her dog is about to be destroyed at the dog pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. The shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine-with her name and address-makes it hers.

Tavish recognizes the dog as one owned by an archaeologist named Pat Caron because she did a commissioned drawing of the two of them months earlier. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner, but she arrives only to discover Caron’s murdered body.

After meeting undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price the mystery deepens as more people start disappearing and Tavish becomes a target as well. Her only solution is to find the links between microchip technology, an Anasazi site in the desert, her fiancé’s death, a late-night radio show, and the dog. And the clock is ticking.

Genre: Suspense
Release date: July 23, 2019

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review

Can she trust anything...or anyone?

Carrie Stuart Parks is definitely one of my go-to, must-read, favorite authors. All I have to do is see her name on the cover and I know I am going to seriously love the book. Her brand of suspense/thriller, sometimes with a dash of romance, is right up my alley. And I simply love her no nonsense writing style.

Needless to say, I've been pretty excited about reading Fragments Of Fear since I first heard about it several months ago. And, oh, I was so NOT disappointed! It was everything I had hoped for and more! Sorry, but I just had to gush a little there. I wasn't kidding when I said that she is one of my favorite authors.

Anyway... Fragments Of Fear was an excellent read. It's a taut psychological thriller slash romantic suspense novel and I was totally engrossed in the story right from the start. One of the things that Carrie Stuart Parks does well, aside from painting vivid mental images of the characters and settings, would be the psychological element. Seriously, you feel every bit of Tavish's emotional roller coaster as she seeks the truth, and a little justice, while being gaslighted and terrorized by some very nasty bad guys.

Carrie Stuart Parks brings the New Mexico landscape alive, from the elegant art world to a dusty archaeological dig, in Fragments Of Fear. It's a story that I really enjoyed and would definitely recommend.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Fragments Of Fear by Carrie Start Parks a 5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Carrie

Using Art to Solve Crime: Techniques Used by Forensic Artists

Since 1981, I’ve been a forensic artist—an amazing feat since I’m only . . .um. . . well, younger than that. In those years, I’ve seen some shifts and trends, but some things have never changed. Despite the overwhelming prevalence of computers in almost every other field, they have never been able to replace a trained forensic artist. Artists have an amazing toolbox of techniques we use to gather the information we need to help solve crime.

The pencil. Any forensic artist worth her weight in graphite knows the power of the lowly pencil and a sketchpad. Law enforcement would love a photographic image of the suspect, but all we have to work with is memory…and memory is faulty. The more the image looks perfect, the more imperfect it is for helping to identify a suspect. We want the drawing to just suggest a likeness and eliminate those not similar.
Now that we brought up the subject of memory, a forensic artist needs to understand how memory works. The average witness will remember between four and five facial features. When they describe the person they saw, they will do so from their strongest memory to their weakest memory, from most important to least important. We listen carefully to the order of facial features.
Whole vs Parts. We don’t look at faces as individual parts, although a particularly outstanding nose or Marty Feldman eyes might catch our attention. We will remember the face as a whole, with the proportions of the face an unacknowledged part of that. Forensic artist prefer to use reference photographs where the whole face is viewed.

Want more? Check out the rest of my article at The Strand Magazine

Carrie Stuart Parks

Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy finalist as well as a Carol Award-winning author. She has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law-enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away a grand prize of her book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/e592/fragments-of-fear-celebration-tour-giveaway

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2 Comments

Book Review - Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher

Cross My Heart
A Legacy Of Faith book 2
by Robin Lee Hatcher

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

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It's Time For A Giveaway!

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E-Book Review - Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

Deadly Intentions
by Lisa Harris

Prism Blog Tour - DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt Grand Finale + Giveaway

Prism Blog Tour - DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt + Review & Giveaway

My Review

Tour Schedule

Book Review - Gaffe Out Loud by Christy Barritt

Gaffe Out Loud
The Worst Detective Ever Mystery Series book 7
by Christy Barritt

Book Review - Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

Storm Rising
The Book Of The Wars book 1
by Ronie Kendig

Book Review - Danger On The Ranch by Dana Mentink

Danger On The Ranch
Roughwater Ranch Cowboys book 1
Love Inspired Suspense
by Dana Mentink

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Identity Theft by Alana Terry + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

More from Alana

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Book Review - Nanny Witness by Hope White

Nanny Witness
The Baby Protectors book 4
Love Inspired Suspense
by Hope White

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Fragments Of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

More from Carrie

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Cross My Heart A Legacy Of Faith book 2 by Robin Lee Hatcher

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​It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

My Review

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Gaffe Out Loud The Worst Detective Ever Mystery Series book 7 by Christy Barritt

Storm RisingThe Book Of The Wars book 1by Ronie Kendig

Danger On The RanchRoughwater Ranch Cowboys book 1Love Inspired Suspense​by Dana Mentink

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​It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Nanny WitnessThe Baby Protectors book 4Love Inspired Suspenseby Hope White

More from Carrie

​It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Archives

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Cross My Heart
A Legacy Of Faith book 2
by Robin Lee Hatcher

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Deadly Intentions
by Lisa Harris

Gaffe Out Loud
The Worst Detective Ever Mystery Series book 7
by Christy Barritt

Storm Rising
The Book Of The Wars book 1
by Ronie Kendig

Danger On The Ranch
Roughwater Ranch Cowboys book 1
Love Inspired Suspense
by Dana Mentink

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Nanny Witness
The Baby Protectors book 4
Love Inspired Suspense
by Hope White

It's Time For A Giveaway!