Giveaway on my 2nd blog!

To celebrate my new blog, I'm giving away 5 ebook copies of my latest release, Shadows of Pain. The rules are simple:


* Follow my blog 'Ashley's Christian Book Reviews'

* Leave a Comment WITH an email address! If I can't contact you, you can't win.

* It will be via Smashwords coupon so the giveaway is international!

* Giveaway ends January 15 so I will announce the winners on Jan 16.

* Please spread the word!

Book Description:
Revenge is sweet….unless you are on the receiving end of it.

“Do you know of anyone who would want…you dead?”

Officer Daniel Jenkins was no stranger to the dangers his job posed but usually he knew who was trying to kill him. Being stalked was a completely different ball game, and he wasn’t sure there were any rules…
“…I need you.”

Terrified didn’t even begin to describe how Kami felt with the stalker targeting her. As an FBI agent you were trained to handle stressful situations, but being the victim put the whole process in a different light.
As the killer gets closer, so do Kami and Daniel, but will they live long enough to see their love bloom?
Only God can save them from this unknown killer…

Reluctant Burglar by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Book Description:

The Art of Art Thievery

When Hiram Jacobs is murdered, the responsibility for his internationally renowned security company falls upon his daughter, Desiree. But a container full of stolen paintings screams the ugly truth—that her father was a thief. Option A: Turn the goods over to the law, disgrace her father’s name, destroy their business, put people out of jobs, and embarrass international museums with the fact that they have been displaying clever forgeries. Option B: Surrender the art to the bad guys. But then she becomes an unwilling accomplice to the thieves, and her father’s murderer would walk free. Worse, a death threat warns her not to cooperate with federal agents. Can she trust God to guide her down the right path when no option seems right…let alone safe?

Art stole her heart…

Now can she return the favor?

If Desiree Jacobs knows anything, it’s art. Her father, whose security company is internationally renowned, taught her everything he knew. Most of all, he taught her about honor. Integrity. Faith. So surely God will forgive her for despising the one man determined to destroy her father’s good name?

Special Agent Tony Lucano knows Hiram Jacobs is an art thief. But what he can’t figure out is Desiree. Is she the innocent victim…or a clever accomplice?

Then Hiram is murdered. And along with his company, he leaves Desiree a hidden container full of stolen paintings. But she can’t admit her father was a thief! That would destroy their business, put people out of jobs, and embarrass international museums that have been displaying clever forgeries. No, she must find out why her honest father would turn criminal. And she must return the priceless art to the rightful owners without their knowledge. Even if it means facing down a ring of cutthroat art thieves…or accepting help from the man she most distrusts.



My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book! Desiree Jacobs is stuck in a hard position. Her deceased father ran a security company that is known and respected...but he was also an art thief. She has few options, none with a positive outcome! The bad guys want the paintings back, the FBI want the truth and she has a short time to figure out how to make her father's disastrous decisions into something positive!

The author did a wonderful job with this whole book. Desiree is put in a difficult position that no one would want to be in and is inventive in her choice! Tony is set to figure this case out but doesn't understand one thing about it...Desiree. The attraction between the two is great, Desiree's decision inventive and the suspense is great! I love how the author wove God throughout but wasn't 'in your face' about it, it just seemed natural.

I rate this a 5/5. This one stays on my keeper shelf.

Armin Feldman & Dorene Sager Guestblog & Contest Info!

WE BET YOU KNOW YIDDISH!
My brother, Armin Feldman, and I (Dorene Sager) have written what we feel is a great cookbook with scrumptious Jewish recipes.  It’s titled Our Mother’s Recipes, Carrying on a Tradition of Jewish Foods and Jewish Recipes.  All of the recipes come from a treasure trove of our mother’s recipes we discovered after she passed away.  In getting our mom’s things in order we found hundreds of hand written and typed recipes she had stored in several shopping bags.
Not only did we write a cookbook, we also shot a TV pilot for our cooking show.  The show mixes our mom’s great Jewish recipes with a little Yiddish thrown in for good measure.  You can see the pilot at www.OurMothersRecipesOnLine.com.
Why Yiddish? It’s because we learned it growing up in a Jewish household.  Yiddish has also crept into the English language and most people don't even know it.  What is Yiddish?  It's a Germanic language originally spoken by the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. As the Jewish people migrated to the United States, they brought their fabulous recipes and their Yiddish along.
A favorite American food is the bagel.  Those ring-shaped rolls are first boiled and the dough is then baked in the oven.  Bagel is a Yiddish word and originally an Eastern European Jewish dish.  Bagels are delicious, but made even more delightful if you add a schemer (large spread) of cream cheese or butter.  Schmeer actually has a double meaning.  Didn't you hear about the politician who got a schmeer (bribe)?
We remember as kids watching a football game one fall. The announcer gave a bio on one of the players.  He finished by saying "that's the whole megillah" (story).  The glitch (a minor malfunction) was that the big macher (important person) didn't know he was speaking Yiddish.
Okay, you get the point.  Now schlep (drag, haul or travel) out the cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon), and schmeer it on your favorite kind of bagel.  You’ll have a fabulous nosh (snack) and now you've got the whole megillah!  By the way, then schlep over the gym and work off a few calories so you’ll be ready to start making fabulous dishes from our cookbook.
lease let us know what you think of the cookbook.  Ciao!  Did we say chow? (how appropriate is that) even though it’s not the least bit Yiddish!

Dorene Sager

Armin Feldman and Dorene Sager

Book:  Our Mother's Recipe's
Genre: Jewish Cookbook
Video Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6sp-uy6Gic
Amazon.
website: http://www.ourmothersrecipesonline.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ourmothersrecipes

Bio: 

Dorene Sager and Armin Feldman are sister and brother.  the idea for the cookbook sprang from the discovery of a treasure trove of their mother’s recipes after she passed away. Now Our Mother’s Recipes, Carrying On a Jewish Tradition is a Web site, a cookbook, a TV show and a place to learn about what the best Jewish cuisine has to offer.

 Dorene Sager: Dorene represents the best of so many different things. Dorene is a cookbook author, a wife and mother, a commercial real estate broker, a devoted family member, a true friend and so much more.  Dorene is a fantastic cook in her own right. She learned a lot about cooking from her mother, Helen Feldman.  Dorene is married and has three children and 6 grandchildren.  Dorene and her husband just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dorene enjoys reading, movies, playing canasta, and of course cooking.

 Dorene says,

 “I had so much fun working with my brother putting together all of the different ways to showcase our mother’s recipes.”

Armin Feldman: Armin wears a number of hats too. Armin is a cookbook author, husband, dog lover, supporter of friends and family, medical doctor and a lot more. Armin is also a wonderful cook.  From the time they could reach the kitchen counter, their mother taught Dorene and Armin how to make traditional Jewish recipes. If you watch the videos on their website, http://www.ourmothersrecipesonline.com , you can feel the joy these siblings radiate while cooking their mother's recipes.  You can also sign up for the recipe of the week sent right to your email address.

Armin says, “What a treat to work with the best sister ever in creating all of these venues to showcase our mother’s remarkable culinary skills.”

Description:
Add a wonderful cuisine to your everyday meals and special gatherings. Traditional Jewish cooking is flavorful, fun and hearty particularly with Our Mother's Recipes, Carrying on a Jewish Tradition. These recipes have been handed down through many generations influenced by Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Spanish, German and Eastern European styles of cooking. In our family all of these cultural influences were combined, synthesized and affected by local ingredients through the years resulting in sumptuous, rich and wonderfully fulfilling traditional Jewish dishes. Try our mother's farfel instead of noodles. Replace that tired chocolate cake with some really yummy Helen Feldman brownies or warm fruit compote. You will have the secret to Jewish penicillin, chicken soup with matzo balls. There's enough here to keep you going for years of great food, family, friends and memories to enjoy.

There will b a virtual book tour starting on December 15th. see the vtb banner.
The full schedule is on http://www.ourmothersrecipesonline.com

The Book Launch will be on February 1.  Anyone who buys the book from Amazon on February 1 will get 10 entries into the Book Launch Contest.  There are other ways to get entries.  One is to comment on three of the blogs on the tour days.  See the schedule.

Contest

To get your entries and to find out how to get more entries visit http://www.ourmothersrecipesonline.com to access the contest form .

 

The prizes:

$100.00 Amazon Gift Certificate for a Kindle

Two $50.00 Amazon Gift Certifcates

Authors can choose a video book trailer or Facebook Welcome Page instead of the Kindle.

The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer

Book Description:

Protected by the dark of night, Jaimie Piper runs. But is anywhere safe when Evil is hunting you?

She’s just a twelve year-old girl, bumped around between foster homes and relegated to school classes for challenged kids, those lagging in their test scores or with behavioral issues. But her real problem is that she can sense something the other kids can’t—something dark. Something compelling her to run for her life.

All Crockett Grey wants is to mark the anniversary of his daughter’s death alone.

But when his student Jaimie comes to him, terrified, her need for protection collides with his grief, and a tangled web of bizarre events sends them both spiraling toward destruction.
Crockett’s one hope of getting his life back is to uncover the mysterious secrets of Jaimie’s past and her strange gift. It isn’t long before his discoveries lead him to a darker conspiracy, secrets guarded by the highest seat of power in the world—the Vatican.
 
My Thoughts:
This was a very good book.  Crockett Grey is mourning the anniversary of his daughter's death the same way he does every year when Jaimie shows up at his house.  A series of horrible and bazaar events occur and Crockett is determined to help Jaimie.  The problem is she is running from an Evil that only she can feel.  But how deep does the conspiracy run that is keeping the secrets?
The plot was great, there were plenty of twists, turns and bumps along the way.  Characters were developed wonderfully and fully.  The intensity of the book was major!  I wouldn't let any young readers read the book, just for that reason.  I seriously felt like getting up and locking my doors as I read this book!
I rate this a 4/5.  I was completely taken in!
 
Thank you to Waterbrook 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.

The Muir House by Mary E. DeMuth

Book Description:
'You'll find home one day. Sure as sweet tea on a hot afternoon.'

Words from Willa Muir's sketchy childhood haunt her dreams and color her days with longing, regret, and fear. What do the words mean? Willa is far from sure.
When Hale Landon places a ring on her finger, Willa panics, feeling she can't possibly say yes when so much in her past is a mystery. Bent on sorting out her history, Willa returns to Rockwall, Texas, to the Muir House Bed and Breakfast, a former funeral home.
But the old place holds her empty memory close to itself. Willa's mother utters unintelligible clues from her deathbed, and the caretaker of the house keeps coveted answers carefully protected. Throw in an old flame, and Willa careens farther away from ever knowing the truth.
Set in a growing suburb of Texas, The Muir House explores trauma, healing, love new and old, and the life-changing choices people make to keep their reputations intact.

My Thoughts:
This book was a page turner.  Willa's past won't let her move forward into her future.  When her boyfriend proposes, she goes home to find out what happened in the missing year of her life.  Her mother doesn't help because of her mental health, the keeper of the Muir house isn't speaking, and there is an old flame hovering.  With all the obstacles, how will Willa ever find the truth she seeks?
This book surprised me.  I wasn't expecting the depth it had and I'm so glad that I read it!  Willa's search for home and the missing year is something we can all sympathize with but the author makes it to where you feel her hurt, frustration and confusion!  The Texas setting was wonderful and I enjoyed the faith element in the book.
I rate this a 4/5.  It was a good book.

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 stated above are 100% mine.

Code Blood by Kurt Kamm

Book Description:
Cold Lewis, a rookie fire paramedic, is obsessed with finding the severed foot of his first victim after she dies in his arms. His search takes him into the connected lives of a graduate research student, with the rarest blood in the world and the vampire fetishist who is stalking her. Within the corridors of high-stakes medical research laboratories, the shadow world of body parts dealers, and the underground Goth clubs of Los Angeles, Lewis uncovers a tangled maze of needles, drugs and maniacal ritual, all of which lead to death. But whose death? An unusual and fast-paced LA Noir thriller



My Thoughts:
This was an interesting book.  Colt is a the newest paramedic at the Los Angeles County Fire Department.  On the scene of a strange one vehicle accident, he is dumbfounded that he cannot find the severed foot of the victim.  He doesn't realize the 'help' that they had losing the foot.  From there, it all gets deeper and darker!
The author does a great job with the story, making it realistic.  I liked Colt and was anxious as I followed his story as to what would happen next.  There is great detail and the supporting characters are interesting as well.  I am interested to see what story this author comes up with next!
This is a 4/5.  An intriguing noir story.

Thank you to the Candence Group 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.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Book Description:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Thoughts:
I completely enjoyed this book.  Karou is a normal girl...errr maybe not.  Her family is a group of monsters that she keeps up with in her sketch book.  Her human life is a series of errands run for one of the monsters.  She has a best friend, former love interest, job to do, but always has felt as if her life was almost a vapor and she was meant for something else.  She always wondered but never was able to investigate her curiosity until Akiva.
I love all the characters in this.  The 'mosters' are great and I hope to see more of them.  Karou is a great character to get to know.  I love the way the author brings her to her fruition.  Akiva is a great character.  The storyline is wonderful and I've never read anything like it.  Brimstone is probably my favorite.  The woman reading is great with voices.  I can't wait for more from this world!
I rate this a 5/5.  The story is great and unique!

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

OutLawed Love by J.M. Krumbine

Book Description:
Kate Sharpe, US Marshal, is a woman on a mission with no time for love or romance. Her prisoner, the handcuffed hottie, Kyle Archer, just turned State’s evidence on notorious mobster Jonathon Bragan. Kate’s responsible for getting him from the courthouse to the jailhouse, but can she do it without losing her heart?

My Thoughts:
This was a good book.  Kate is a US Marshal and has one goal.  To get her prisoner moved to Miami.  The problem is when things go haywire on the airplane and she winds up plastered against said prisoner, Kyle Archer....a major hottie!  Now she has to keep him alive and her heart intact!
The author did a good job making her characters likeable.  I love the position she put Archer in.  Kate is a great, strong character and a perfect match for Archer.  It is an interesting plot line with several twists and turns.  I hope there is a sequel with Kate's brother!
I rate this a 4/5.  It was a good, quick read.

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

Night of the Cossack by Tom Blubaugh Excerpt!

The Cossack untied his own horse. He mounted, his pistol aimed at Nathan. “We have some distance to cover. Circle around the barn. We’ll ride through the woods to the north of the village then turn east to the road going toward the mountains. Ride slow, I don’t want to draw anyone’s attention. I’ll be right behind you with my pistol pointed at your horse. If you try anything, I’ll shoot him.”


For several minutes they rode through the trees. The firelight flickered on the trees, casting weird shadows all around. Nathan looked from side to side straining to see a friend, someone who might be able to help. It was eerie. The only movement were women mourning over their dead. On the north side of the village, Nathan turned his horse east. They came to the road.

The Cossack nudged his horse beside Nathan’s. Without warning, he tossed Nathan’s rifle into the air. Nathan snatched it with his left hand and held Aza’s reins in the other.

“Good reflexes.” The Cossack smiled. “You and your horse make a good team.”

Nathan looked away. He acts as if this is a game.



Tom Blubaugh, Author of Night of the Cossack--Read the first chapter get a signed copy by ordering here. FREE shipping in USA. Published by Bound by Faith Publishers.


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Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis

Book Description:
Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.
Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?
 
 
My Thoughts:
I love this series!  Chloe and Sawyer's story has been a long time coming!  They are opposites, she is a wild child and he is the straight and narrow sheriff.  But they may not be as different as they think.  Always an attraction has shimmered between the two of them but neither thinks it is a good idea. 
I love Chloe's wild child side but her caring is just as big!  She loves her family, dogs and life.  If only her asthma didn't slow her down!  Sawyer is a hunk!  I like that he had a past to 'overcome' and wanted to do something positive with his life.  He turned it around well.  The attraction between them--wow!  I adored seeing more of the other characters from previous books too!
I rate it a 4/5.  If you've read the other 2 books, it is a must read but it is a good book by itself!
 
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 stated above are 100% mine.