Thursday, October 29, 2015

Reimburse the Universe by Lisa McDonald

26116189Book Description:
"Reimburse the Universe" takes the reader on a journey that encourages them to recognize the beauty in themselves and the world around them, and how to foster that beauty in their actions in everyday life. Beautifully illustrated by Jaded Dragon Studios (http://www.jadeddragon.ca), Lisa McDonald's second book is guaranteed to bring a smile to your children while imparting an important lesson: we must give back in order to appreciate what we've been given.

My Thoughts:
This is a cute little book.  Reimburse the Universe is a book that encourages kids to realize what the universe is giving to them and how.  It also shows the children that they have all this inside them and to share it with people.  I love the moral of the story at the end and once again how the author ends the book.  My 5 year old loved the bright colors in the pictures and followed the story the whole way through.
It is a 4/5 for us.  I liked how engaging the story was.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Little Boy Gan from Passion-Filled Everland by Lisa McDonald

Little Boy GanBook Description:
McDonald’s first book, LITTLE BOY GAN FROM PASSION-FILLED EVERLAND, tells the story of ten-year-old GanGan is humble and wise with a loving spirit that he shares with the animals he meets in the magical forest where the story takes place. The curious animals watch Gan and observe his kindness and humility. Soon they seek the boy out to learn the secret of his happiness. The old soul gives his new friends advice on humility, passion, compassion, and paying it forward. The impact Gan has on the animals is life changing. The lessons they learn lead to expressions of gratitude for their individual gifts and embolden them to share their passions with the world.

My Thoughts:
I liked this book.  Gan is an adorable character that has many wonderful traits, and is so wise (especially for his age).  The animals and creatures he meets ask him questions and he answers.  I have to say that some of his answers made me think a great deal.  The pictures are large and colorful and my 2 children loved them.  The book kept their attention and they even asked some questions after.  The way the author ended the book made me smile and I look forward to reading her next work.
This is a 5/5 for us!  It is a great bedtime book.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

That Which Maddens and Torments by Christopher Keating

That Which Maddens and TormentsBook Description:
Jo Black was the key to a puzzle. The only problem was, no one bothered to tell her. As a result, she found herself in a crossfire between people who wanted her dead and those who needed her alive.

The people using her were ruthless. But there was something they didn’t understand - so was she.

She was going to have to see this fight through to the end. And, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. They weren’t the only ones that could hunt.
 

My Thoughts:
I got completely engrossed in this book.  They were supposed to find it, that was the job they were given.  The easy way hadn't worked and now they must do some tracking.  Jo doesn't know she is the key, but she is.  Two groups want her and she has to stay alive. 
I liked how this book started out with a 'bang' and just kept going.  The author definitely knows how to get your attention and keep it.  Jo was a good, strong female lead character and I loved her personality.  The other characters were developed well and were well written.  I liked that there were twists and turns, some unexpected and some expected.  There was some romance, some mystery, some suspense and it was all so believable!  This is the kind of book that once you start it, you will be pulled into the story.
It was a 4/5.  I really liked the pace of the book!

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via PUYB).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Monday, October 26, 2015

His Rebel Heart by Amber Leigh Williams

His Rebel HeartBook Description:
Can a rebel ever change his ways?

Being a single mother and successful florist is tough, especially when your new next-door neighbor is the man who shattered your heart. Eight years ago, bad boy James Bracken walked away from Adrian Carlton…and their unborn child. Now he's back. And Adrian's desire to protect her son from the truth of his biological father isn't enough to hide the wild blue eyes of father and son, or to keep Adrian from surrendering to the raw passion between her and James. But is he truly the changed man he claims to be? Maybe this time his rebel heart really is home to stay.
 


My Thoughts:
Completely enjoyed this book.  Adrian's life is simple and her son is the center of it.  When a new neighbor moves next door, she is shocked to see James.  James left town years before and not under the best circumstances.  He knew he left her behind, but what he didn't know was he left a child as well.  Now that he is back, Adrian is in a panic because there is no way she can hide her son's heritage as soon as James sees him.  She also can't deny the pull James still has on her.
We met Adrian in some of the author's earlier books and are reminded of her horrid, abusive ex-husband.  Now, with James back in her life, she is scared on a different level, but still scared.  Her friends are supportive but also give her the truth.  James left because he thought it was best for everyone if he wasn't in their lives any longer.  He had no idea Adrian was pregnant when he left, but he also cannot deny the little boy that looks just like him.  He will have to prove to Adrian, and her over protective friends, that he has changed and he will always be there for them.
This is a 4/5.  I really like this series and how close these women (and now their men) are!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Imposter (The Bishop's Family #1)Book Description:
Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check. 

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

My Thoughts:
I love visiting Stoney Ridge.  Here, Katrina is heartbroken when her brother returns with news that her recently ex-boyfriend is engaged to be married.  She had a plan, to marry John and live the simple, happy life.  When the opportunity to move out and help a widow with her new business, Katrina jumps at the opportunity.  There, she meets Andy who seems to be there, but she isn't sure she can trust him.  Maybe he is too good to be true, but maybe not.
I really liked Katrina.  She is strong and her heartbreak was so real.  Even so, while she is hurting, she is thinking of her father.  There is a lot more going on than Katrina's heartbreak and potential new man.  There are major problems in the church and David, Katrina's father, is right there in the middle of it all.  I like that there are answers to some of the questions and we are left not knowing everything and looking forward to the next book.
It was a 4/5 for me and I look forward to more of Stoney Ridge!
Thank you to Revell for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Book Description

"Jennifer Estep is a genius!" --Simply Nerdy

Something Wicked This Way Comes . . .

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight--or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win--no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else...

My Thoughts:
I adore this new series by Estep!  Lila is slowly getting used to her gig as guard of the Sinclair Family.  The mob feuds make life interesting, but mostly it is keeping the monsters in their area happy.  At the moment, that is easier said than done.  Then she is picked as one of the members of the Family to compete in the Tournament of Blades.  When things start happening, Lila, Devon and Felix investigate and that leads to some scary moments and more danger than any of them expected.
I really like how kick butt Lila is.  She is a teenage girl but she has talents and more than just magical power.  I really like how she, Devon and Felix have almost a 'three musketeers' mentality.  Devon is strong and still completely into Lila.  Felix is still sneaking around and seeing his 'mystery girl'.  The tournament was awesome and I felt like I was there watching it all happen.  Meeting the new characters and the plot twists kept me interested and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here.
Absolutely a 5/5 for me.  I would read Cold Burn of Magic first just to get to know the characters and what has happened.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

ArcKnight Chronicles Release!!

Get The ArcKnight Chronicles for a limited time at $0.99! Price increases after release so don't wait!

The ArcKnight Chronicles (Includes Books 1 & 2)
Ardent (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1)
MarkTier (The ArcKnight Chronicles #2)
Author: Alexia Purdy
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publish Date: Oct. 22nd, 2015

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The ArcKnight Chronicles
(Books 1 & 2):

Vengeance is the only thing worth dying for.

Only love can save you.

Teaming up with a handsome shifter named Ephrem, the banished Princess Lilliana must find her stolen Ardent talisman before a sinister enemy uses it against both rival wolf pack strongholds. Thrown onto a path neither of them expected, they stumble across a third cell of supernatural shifters lurking in the city’s Outlands where tensions mount. These new strangers want nothing more than to disrupt the two royal strongholds, the ArcKnights and the MarkTiers, and reignite a long-forgotten feud from decades past.

In the treacherous City of Temple where supernaturals and humans intertwine, only the most cunning will survive.

Includes Books #1 & #2: Ardent & MarkTier Vengeance is the only thing worth dying for.

BOOK LINKS:

The ArcKnight Chronicles (Books 1 & 2):
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/ArcKnightChronicles
Ibooks: http://smarturl.it/ArcKnightIbooks
Kobo: https://goo.gl/ghgjTA
Nook: http://smarturl.it/ArcKnightNook
Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/ArcKnightSW

Ardent (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1):
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/ArdentArcKnight
Ibooks: http://smarturl.it/ArdentIbooks
Nook: http://smarturl.it/ArdentNook
Kobo: https://goo.gl/GPfp1J
Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/ArdentSW

MarkTier (The ArcKnight Chronicles #2):
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/MarkTierArcKnight
Ibooks: http://smarturl.it/MarkTierIbooks
Nook: http://smarturl.it/MarkTierNook
Kobo: https://goo.gl/2I3yQs
Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/MarkTierSW

Preorder: Enmity (The ArcKnight Chronicles #3)
Releases Dec. 8th, 2015:
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/EnmityKindle
IBooks: http://smarturl.it/EnmityIBooks
Nook: http://smarturl.it/EnmityNook
Kobo: https://goo.gl/Kn1e6J
Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/EnmitySW

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna Spotlight!!!

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Enter to Win a
$100.00 VISA eGift Card
(US/INT)

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NOWHERE TO HIDE
DELOS #1
Lindsay McKenna
Releasing Oct 13th, 2015
Blue Turtle Publishing


Lia Cassidy left the Army scarred physically and emotionally after a vicious attack by two fellow soldiers. She turns to helping others, working at a Delos Home School Charity in Costa Rica that provides schooling for children. But when the deadly drug lord, La Arana, attacks the school, Lia finds herself on the run for her life. The only person she can trust is the ex-SEAL sent to protect her.

Cav Jordan is strong, honorable and gorgeous…and intrigued by Lia. He knows she has suffered pain in her past, and he is determined to break through her barriers and earn her trust. But as Cav slowly chips away at the walls Lia has built, ghosts from her past threaten to destroy their fragile relationship.

BUY NOW
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo


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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Displaying small jpeg Eileen Nauman aka Lindsay McKenna 4.5 x 7 copy.jpg

Lindsay McKenna lives her life as a risk taker, and it shines through the books she loves to write: romance, adventure and suspense. She started writing at age thirteen and continues to hone her writing skills to this day. She sold her first romance novel in 1981. The rest is history.
Because she went into the military, this experience became the backbone of her writing—she is credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983, Silhouette Special Edition) and has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field! As a New York Times Best Selling author, she has sold 23 million books and in 32 foreign languages in her career thus far. Her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are backdrop for her understanding of the military in general, and also her very successful Morgan’s Mercenaries, which is an ongoing series in Silhouette to this day! Forty-five books strong!
Lindsay has gone Indie in 2015 and has created a new family saga on par with Morgan’s Mercenaries It is known as the DELOS SERIES. There will be paperback and eBooks created under Blue Turtle Publishing, her company for her fans. Readers who love Morgan and his family are bound to fall in love with the Culver family. Delos is romantic suspense, which Lindsay is well known for. It took her five years to create and bring DELOS to her readers. It was worth the wait, but we’ll let you decide that.
Lindsay loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they’d like to see her write next. Stay up with the latest on the Delos Series here. Please visit her Web site at www.lindsaymckenna.com. And be sure to sign up for her free quarterly newsletter. It contains exclusive content found nowhere else on the Net. Plus, giveaways and other surprises, to her loyal and faithful subscribers!



Grab a FREE Ebook copy of 
LAST CHANCE
The Prequel Novella to NOWHERE TO HIDE


Saturday, October 17, 2015

An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

An Endless ChristmasBook Description:
An award-winning novelist’s heartwarming story about family and love lost, found, and finally truly revealed at Christmas.

Christmas takes a very different turn when the guests of honor break up instead of announcing their engagement. Trapped with his family, they learn that love looks different than either imagined. Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrateevery Christmas as if it were their last. This year, their grandson Micah is planning to ask his girlfriend, Katie, to marry him so they can celebrate with the whole family. But things go very wrong when she says "no." Now they are stuck. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it's Christmas.

My Thoughts:
I completely enjoyed this novella.  Katie didn't have the best of childhoods.  Micah has a great big family.  He and Katie are going to celebrate with his family for Christmas, but when she answers his proposal with a no instead of yes, both expect the situation to become completely awkward.
I really loved Micah's family.  Where Katie expected dislike and rudeness, they gave her love and warmth.  Her childhood makes her think that she will mess up the future for anyone else so she says no to Micah's proposal.  Basically to let him have the chance at happiness, she will sacrifice hers.  The hustle and bustle and just absolute chaos of the family was wonderful.  There is little or no privacy and there is a lot of love!
It was a 4/5 for me.  

Thank you to First Look Blog Tours for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Blind Trust by Peiri Ann

Blind Trust (A Novel)Book Description:
*For mature readers 18+*
Loving someone has never been so deadly.

Valerie Harper has one assignment, one mission. Assassinate her mark and everyone he loves. But what happens when she finds that she loves him too?
Her instructions are simple; do not fraternize with your target, observe at a distance, and never engage with the enemy. However, as things take an unexpected turn in Val's world, these simple instructions begin to change.

Refusing to be a puppet, Kyle Shultz walks away from his old life and settles into the college routine. But the life of a student is more difficult than he imagined. Making friends and attending parties are as foreign a concept as showing a target mercy.

The lines between the state of the job and the affairs of the heart are blurred as Valerie and Kyle’s worlds collide. 
With a maze of enemies and hit lists to navigate, will these two young adversaries proceed wide-eyed and alone into the fray? Or will they blindly trust the feelings they can no longer ignore?

My Thoughts:
This book had a good story.  Kyle is an assassin.  The company he worked for wants him back but he doesn't have any intention of going back to them.  Valerie is also an assassin, and her target is Kyle.  Kyle is into his 'new life' and trying to make it all work when his and Val's paths cross.  With that, nothing is the same nor can it ever be the same.  Assassins don't trust easily for a reason and he has plenty of reasons not to trust Val, but he still wants to.
I really liked Val in the beginning.  She was a tough, determined chick.  Her mission was to kill Kyle and that is what she was going to do.  She might be in love with him from her long mission of watching him, but she was going to do it.  Kyle was somewhat full of himself, especially when it came to women, but that wasn't surprising.  He has a bit of a 'James Bond' feel to him, but once he was determined to be with Val, he still had issues.  Val went from strong to a bit of a wimp but she came out of it some.  The whole group was an interesting dynamic.  I think Kyle's niece was my favorite.  I still don't really like his brother or pseudo best friend but that was the way the author meant for it to be!  The story itself was good, if a bit predictable.  
It was a 3/5 for me.  Good story, just got a little caught up in itself.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Luck Be a Lady by Meredith Duran Review & Signed Book Giveaway

Luck Be a Lady (Rules for the Reckless, #4)Book Description:
Romance sizzles between a famous heiress and an infamous crime lord in this fourth sexy novel in the Rules for the Reckless series from the USA Today bestselling author of Fool Me Twice.

The Wallflower

They call her the “Ice Queen.” Catherine Everleigh is London’s loveliest heiress, but a bitter lesson in heartbreak has taught her to keep to herself. All she wants is her birthright—the auction house that was stolen from her. To win this war, she’ll need a powerful ally. Who better than infamous and merciless crime lord Nicholas O’Shea? A marriage of convenience will no doubt serve them both.

The Crime Lord

Having conquered the city’s underworld, Nick seeks a new challenge. Marrying Catherine will give him the appearance of legitimacy—and access to her world of the law-abiding elite. No one needs to know he’s coveted Catherine for a year now—their arrangement is strictly business, free from the troubling weaknesses of love. Seduction, however, is a different matter—an enticing game he means to ensure she enjoys, whether she wishes to or not...

My Thoughts:
This was a good book.  Catherine grew up in the auction house and learned the business from her dad.  She didn't have a normal childhood, but her dad was proud of her.  She is supposed to inherit the auction house, but she isn't married and she can't have it until she does.  Her brother has control over it but not over her!  Nick had a rough childhood and could easily handle Catherine's brother.  She makes Nick an offer that he cannot refuse and maybe they will find true love along the way.
I like how strong Catherine is.  Her brother has control over the auction house that she loves but she doesn't just bend to whatever he wants.  Nick is just so different from the guys her brother tries to force on her that he is perfect for her.  Their relationship wasn't really surprising but I loved how it all came together and worked.  
4/5 for me on this one.  It is a good romance.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions above are 100% mine.

Now for the giveaway!  Leave your email in the comments for a chance to win a set of signed copies of Luck Be a Lady, Fool Me Twice and Lady be Good by Meredith Duran!  Winner will be randomly chosen on 10/10/15

Fool Me Twice (Rules for the Reckless, #2)Lady Be Good (Rules for the Reckless, #3)Luck Be a Lady (Rules for the Reckless, #4)

Thursday, October 1, 2015

On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy, Rebecca Zanetti, Dianne Duvall & Hannah Jayne

Book Description

Four of today's most intriguing paranormal authors entice readers deep into the shadows, where vampires, immortals, and other supernatural creatures heat up the night...
On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy
Mika Tanner has loved Bailey Morrell, a beautiful Healer, since childhood. But his duty as a Sentinel, a supernatural guardian of an ancient race, clashed with her rebellious spirit. Now a dangerous new anarchist group not only threatens life as they know it—but any chance of their being together again...
Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanetti
With a deadly disease spreading like wildfire across the country, microbiologist Nora Medina needs to focus all her energy on stopping the pandemic. Playing with dynamite—in the form of her way-too-hot ex—is the last thing she should be doing. ​But forced to work with Deacan McDougall against unexpected enemies with the seconds ticking by, she knows the explosion is coming...
Phantom Embrace by Dianne Duvall
Immortal Yuri Sokolov was born with the ability to see spirits, yet he's never seen one as lovely as Cat Seddon, the woman who haunts his home and his dreams. But amid their star-crossed love, a new danger may have Yuri facing a different kind of eternity.
Stake Out by Hannah Jayne
Vampire fashion designer Nina LaShay has a lot on her plate—just two days until fashion week and the model who was flirting with her photographer boyfriend is now a corpse in her studio. But when dead turns into undead and dangerous, Nina must find out who's responsible…before the beautiful baby vamp takes too many bites out of the Big Apple.

My Thoughts:
Good stories!  I got this book because I love Alexandra Ivy's series but I enjoyed all these stories.  We have a Sentinal, Healer, Biologist, Soldier, Vampire, and much more are in these stories!  All have great story lines, characters and interactions.  My favorite is probably The Sentinal and the Healer, just because I've been following this series and drink it like I'm dying of thirst!  The chemistry between these two characters is unmistakable.  Then with the mega virus, even after years apart, you can feel the pull between Decan and Nora.
Each of the stories had twists, some were expected and some weren't.  None of them were boring in the least.  Once I started one, I was there until it was done.  Vamp mystery and murder, good story all the way around.  I love the combo of all these stories together.  I had an author I loved, a couple I'd heard of but never tried and one brand new one....all of which are now on my favorites list!
It was a 4/5 for me.  All the stories in this book  are good.

Thank you to the publisher/author for the review copy of this book (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.