Review: Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks

My Review
4 STARS

I am always surprised at myself for picking what ebook to read based on cover. I have tons of ebooks to read on my kindle but this cover drew my eye since I received it yesterday. Covers that are bland or no picture I have harder time choosing, even if I like the author better.

Greystone Valley as lots of different characters. Some human and most from a different land that has magic, dragons, wizards, warriors, fey, trolls and Evil man who wants to conquer worlds not just where he is or the place he is from. It is full of action, drama, heroes, magic and accidents.

Sarah is the main character. She is twelve. She wants to live in her room reading books. She does not want to face reality. Her mom is worried about her and is trying to get her to face the world.

One morning Sarah wakes up to a boy about her age yelling at her to get out of his room. He is wearing a big purple robe and a pointed hat carrying a big book. He threatens her and turns himself into a frog.

Kay is a sorcerer who has lots of problems reading his book of magic. He is being chased by bad guys wanting his magic book. Sarah follows him when he runs from the villagers who are going to turn him in. She thinks she is dreaming till she is hurt.

Kay and Sarah are on the run and meet some others who are willing to help them.

Baelan is a warlord and comes from a different world. He has conquered some of Greystone and wants to get into the Greystone castle. It is supposed to open doors to lots of different worlds. He wants to go and conquer more worlds. But the door is sealed and can only be open with magic. He believes Kay with his book of magic can be forced to help him.

Aries is a general and helps Baelan he is half human and half horse. He is mean, big and tough. He is leading an army to capture Kay and now Sarah. He evens has captured dragons working for him.

Every time Kay reads a magic spell it does not work like he thinks it should. Sarah has a easier time reading his magic book than Kay does. Kay has been learning from his father but now he all alone. Kay really can't read the book but she knows what the spells are for and how to pronounce the foreign words.

They go from one problem to the next and make friends and enemies all along the way. It is a fun adventure fantasy book. It is a clean book. I look forward to reading more from Charlie Brooks in the future.

I was given this ebook to read as part of Librarything Early Reviewers program. Asked to give honest review of it in exchange.

Publication date: 4/15/2013 Publisher: Grey Gecko Press ISBN-13: 9781938821332 166 pages


Description below taken off of Barnes & Noble.
Greystone Valley is a land of wizards, dragons, and warriors... and one young girl who ends up there quite by accident when her idle wish is granted.
Sarah discovers that not everything in the valley is as magic as she might've wished - especially the nearly illiterate wizard, the mouse-sized dragon, and the warrior who can't stand the sight of blood. Being hunted isn't helping, either. Will Sarah survive this new life of hers, and can she make it home?

And, more importantly, will she ever be the same again?

Are We Special? The Truth and the Lie About God's Chosen People by Jeffrey S. Reber, Steven P. Moody

My Review

4 STARS

Are We Special? Is a book that has hit me hard. I learned a lot. This is one book that is hard to read at one time. I feel like I could read this book many times and would learn something new each time. It would also be handy to have a dictionary on hand when reading. Some of this book was over my head. I wish I had read this book years ago.

Jeffrey & Steven use a lot of quotes & scriptures to back them up. They reinforce that we are all special as children of our Heavenly Father. We are all loved. That we are not more special than anyone else. They give a lot of examples of the different behaviors and I saw myself in many ways. I need lots of work to improve myself. They also share hope that we can all be better and through Jesus we can be better.

Excerpt

ARE WE SPECIAL? pg. 228

While it is true that we can live as if there is only the lie and we can become obsessed with comparing ourselves with others, the lie is not the only source of our special feelings. In fact, the lie can only ever be a false source of our special feelings that is provided by the adversary who desires to enslave us. The truth is that there is another source of our special feelings, a true source that pertains to all of us and provides the proper understanding of our true nature. We are children of a God, a divine King who loves His children with a love only a God can provide. We feel special because of our divine birthright. We feel special because we experienced this pure love of God when we were with Him prior to coming to this world, and we feel special because the resources God has provided us offer us the opportunity to feel that love again.



In the end, this is the most important message of this book: You are a son or a daughter of a King, and that King, your Heavenly Father, loves you so fully and completely that you are truly special indeed. You need only to raise your gaze to the heavens and accept His love and then the feeling of the void you experience as a consequence of this temporary separation from your Father will be filled with love and light”.


It's is hard for me to discuss this book because their is so much in it. The book divides people in four categories. At times I have fit in all four. Most people do the ideal is to spend more and more time in the disciple of Christ and not in the other parts.
the four parts are: The Pharisee, The Egoist, The Nihilist and The Disciple. They break down what each one believes and behaves like.

I know this is one book that I want to reread and understand myself a lot better. To help me a better daughter of God. A better sister, friend, mother and sometime a long way off a better grandmother.

I was given this book to read and asked in exchange to give honest review and be part of their blog tour.
Publisher: Deseret Book Company (2013) 320 pages ISBN-10: 1609075161



Are We Special?

Have you ever felt you might be special?

Where does that feeling come from—and what does it really mean?

The truth is that we are special, because we are all beloved children of our Heavenly Father, and we enjoyed a special, personal relationship with Him before coming to earth. Having left His presence, we feel a void, a homesickness that reminds us that we are more than mortal beings and inclines us toward our Father and His love.

But we are sometimes persuaded by the lie that we are more special than others. The lie lifts us above others, creates feelings of entitlement, and convinces us that the void we feel signifies our personal destiny for glory. It inclines us to seek fame, prestige, or wealth as proof of our superiority over others.

Each of us is constantly enticed by this truth and this lie, and we respond to both using four strategies to manage our acceptance or denial, each with its defining feature of pride, despair, selfishness, or true discipleship. In Are We Special? authors Jeffrey Reber and Steven Moody show us how to increase our acceptance of the truth and denial of the lie in order to become true disciples of Jesus Christ.



Jeffrey S. Reber holds a PhD from Brigham Young University in psychology. He’s an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at BYU. His publications look at the relationship between religion, psychology, and interpersonal relationships. He has also worked with LDS Family Services and has served as a bishop.





Steven P. Moody received his master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Southern California. At USC, his clinical work focused on families, including marital therapy and relationships. Steven has worked as a counselor with LDS Family Services. He is now a therapist in private practice specializing in both relationships and addictions.

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Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter (A Scarlet Wilson Mystery) by Sara M. Barton

5 STARS

I do like the characters and how they play off each other. I like that the older ladies still find new friends and sometimes know more about what is going on around them. I like also the play on names from Clue had to laugh at a scene in the end of the book. This is also a clean read.

I can see how this would be a could setup for more mysteries that could come up at their inn in the future. How Scarlet and Bur could have issues trusting in future stories.

Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter (A Scarlet Wilson Mystery) is a complicated mystery. Miz Scarlet is a feisty character and a hard worker. She was a teacher but quit working to be a full time caretaker of her mother. Then their family money was lost in a Ponzi scam. Scarlet did not let that stop her. She has had bad luck with her dating life but she keeps trying.

Scarlet lives in her family mansion and she turned it into a inn for special needs. She lives in the attic room. Her mom and cousin Lacey. She has started helping out her mom's friends who need care after hospital or during cancer treatment and it evolved into a business. Her brother lives over the garage and is on hand to help.

Scarlet is a good cook and takes good care of her guests, even when they bug her. For some reason she does not like one of her guests right now and notices some things that don't add up.

A family that was working from home disappeared in the middle of the night. When Scarlet was walking her dogs she found a threatening note with a knife in it warning somebody off. Scarlet and her brother Bur followed the footprints right to the missing family's home. Where a guy with a gun told them to go away.

Bur decided that they should call a old buddy Kenny who is in security to come to town as a guest to help solving the mysteries. Before Kenny meets with Scarlet to hear all the fishy details of what is going on. Scarlet finds a body up in the woods where she is to meet Kenny.

Scarlet had a crush on Bur's friend Kenny growing up. She had no idea that Kenny had liked her too. Now he is back in her life as a widower. Who knows what might happen in the future.

I was let know that this book was out and free on amazon today and so I got it and like it. I have enjoyed reading it.
Publisher: Sara M. Barton (May 25, 2013) File Size: 389 KB


Description below taken off of Amazon.

When the Wilson family is hit with a financial Ponzi-style fraud, losing everything but the old family manse, they get creative and turn their home into a small inn. The Four Acorns Inn sounds like a good idea, except for one thing -- someone is out to ruin them anyway possible, and that includes murder.

As if that's not bad enough, Scarlet Wilson's love life keeps tanking, no matter what she does. Pretty sad when the elderly ladies have a better romantic life than the forty-something innkeeper. Is she cursed when it comes to men, or is there something more sinister going on?

Better known as "Miz Scarlet", the feisty former teacher finds she's up to her eyeballs in questions when someone posts a threat in the garden. Who's in danger and why? What does it have to do with the Jordan family, who disappeared without a trace? When Miz Scarlet comes across items belonging to the Jordan children, her fears are only heightened.

Enter Kenny Tolliver ("Captain Peacock"), the still-handsome hunk who captured Miz Scarlet's heart all those years ago in high school. Widowed, retired as Assistant Director of Public Safety at Princeton University, now working for Mercer Security, "Captain Peacock" has all kind of tricks up his sleeve. Good thing, because two guests of the Four Acorns Inn have been murdered and no one knows who's next.

What can possibly come between "Miz Scarlet" and "Captain Peacock"? How about the constant interference of "Colonel Grey Poupon", Scarlet's annoying, twice-married brother? Even as Bur Wilson slides into fifty, the old sibling rivalry lives. As brother and sister vie for Kenny's attention, things spiral out of control, further endangering them. Just how involved was Bur with one of the now-dead guests?

When the challenges seem insurmountable, the trio puts differences aside to find the motive for the series of bizarre attacks on the family. Secrets can be buried deep, and it's not always easy to dig them up, even as the guests are dropping like flies. Is there a killer inside the Four Acorns Inn? It's up to Miz Scarlet, Captain Peacock, and Colonel Grey Poupon to solve the clues before someone else winds up deader than a doornail.

The Sassy Belles by Beth Albright

4 STARS

The Sassy Belles does remind me a little about soap operas. They are strong women characters who all have good points and bad faults. Some characters grow up and some grow up too much. In some ways I figured out where the book was going to go but I had to keep reading to find out how it was going to go.

Some scenes just make me smile just by picturing it in my mind humming It's raining men. Other scenes I wanted to shout don't do that. Some scenes were perfect reminders of different southern ladies.

I really like the friendship between Vivi and Blake. They are strong friends because they see each others faults and still like each other and are their for each other. Also forgive each other.

Their are a few love scenes and way to much knowledge of one scene for the cops. Vivi calls Blake and since she is not answering the phone tries Blake's husband Harry. She is upset and tells him she thinks she has killed Lewis during sex.
So instead of calling 911 they both want to talk to Blake.

By the time the police get to the motel their is no body just a sex toy that they left in the room.

It keeps you wanting to read and find out what is going to happen next. I will read the next book in the series and see how the characters are holding up with all the new changes.

I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
05/28/2013 PUB Harlequin Mira ISBN: 9780778315285


Description below taken off of Netgalley

Known for her role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, debut author Beth Albright ventures into the world of publishing with her Sassy Belles series. Lighthearted stories—part romance, part mystery—set in the Deep South, featuring smart, hilarious and charming women in a laugh-out-loud comedy that’s full of surprises. THE SASSY BELLES, the first book in her series, is a character-driven slice-of-life story, bathed in the rich texture of Birmingham, Alabama.

Meet the Sassy Belles: They're strong as a mint julep, sweet as peach cobbler, and no matter what, they stick together.
There are only two seasons in Tuscaloosa-football and waiting-for-football. When Lewis Heart, football announcer and voice of the Crimson Tide, vanishes after an impromptu romp with Vivi Ann McFadden at the Fountain Mist Motel, Vivi does what any Southern woman would do: call her best friend, Blake O'Hara Heart, attorney-at-law.

With the town gossip swirling around them, Vivi and Blake are determined to find out what happened to Lewis and clear Vivi's reputation. Because after all, men may come and go, but the Sassy Belles are forever.

Not since Steel Magnolias have we fallen in love with such sexy, strong and hilarious Southern women. So grab your best girlfriends and join these Belles on the first of many joyrides through the Deep South...

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet

4 STARS

This is my second book I have read in the Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. I enjoyed both of them. Gannon and Wyatt are homeschooled.
They get to travel a lot and explore places that I can only dream about. They are real twins who have traveled to the places but their adventures are made up along the way. They tale about real settings, and animals and real problems they have surviving in the wild.

Their family decide to fly to Botswana to go on a African Safari. They can fly for free because their mom works for a airline.
While they are in Botswana they learn that poachers have shot a lioness and she is wounded with four lion cubs. If she does not get medical attention all of them will not survive.

Gannon and Wyatt ask to go along with the bushman guide to track her and give her a chance to survive. It should not be too dangerous if they follow their guide's rules. Of course things go wrong and keep going from bad to worse a long the way.
African safari is a dangerous place with lots of things that can go wrong. The worst predator is man.

They cross a river in their jeep and it gets stuck in the middle of the river with a large crocodile on the banks sleeping. They have to get out and swim to shore and be quite so they don't wake him up.

From that point on their is plenty of adventure, action, wild animals up close really up close. heroes and bad guy as they continue to try and find the wounded lioness on foot. I like Gannon and Wyatt but I would not let my children do the things they get into. I hope they have more stories to tell in the future.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
05/28/2013 PUB Greenleaf Book Group Press ISBN:9781608325856

Description below taken off of Netgalley

When Gannon and Wyatt arrive in Botswana for an African safari, they find themselves tangled up in much more than a family vacation. After receiving word that a poacher has shot and wounded a lioness, they set off into the wild in the hopes of saving the mother and her cubs before the poacher finishes the job. While on this amazing journey, they encounter Africa’s Big Five? elephants, rhinos, cape buffalos, leopards, and lions? only to discover that the most dangerous predator in the African bush is not the king of beasts, but man himself.

In the tradition of the historic journals kept by explorers such as Lewis and Clark, Dr. David Livingstone, and Captain James Cook comes the adventure series Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. From Africa to the South Pacific, these twin brothers have traveled the world. You never know what they will encounter as they venture into the wild, but one thing is certain ? wherever Gannon and Wyatt go, adventure is their constant companion.

You can find Gannon and Wyatt’s blog, photographs, and video footage from their real-life expeditions at travelswithgannonandwyatt.com.

Sea Glass Island (Ocean Breeze #3) by Sherryl Woods

4 STARS

I have enjoyed the three Ocean Breeze novels that start the newest series by Sherryl Woods. This is Ethan and Samantha's story but it really deals with the whole group of the Ocean Breeze characters. Emily and Boone's wedding is almost here. Everyone is rushing around to all the events for it. Everyone is trying to throw Ethan and Samantha together as often as possible. It is surprising how everyone gets on the bandwagon, well almost everyone.

The plot of Ethan and Samantha seems rushed a little especially the ending, I do like Ethan. He is a Doc. and local hero who lost a leg in service. He also lost his fiancé when she had problems dealing with Ethan's changes. He does not believe in love right now. He is Boone's best man in the wedding.

Samantha is the oldest of the three girls. Her career as a actress has not been going great lately. She is getting older and having a hard time getting work. She is wondering is now the time to make changes in her life and move back home. In high school she had a crush on Ethan. She even sleeps in his high school football jersey that she got at a yard sale years ago. That is what she is wearing when Ethan walks into the kitchen to pick up something for Emily.

Emily and Boone still have some issues of where they will live after the wedding to work out.

Gabi and Wade want to wait till after Emily's wedding to start their wedding plans. They want a lot less stress for their day. Gabi has a hard time being a way from her baby. Wade is bonding great with her.

Sam is being more of a father in his daughters lives. He even finds someone to love in this story.

This book is full of drama and life. Working to build a better future for each character. You want to know what happens next in their lives and whose story might be told next. I want to keep coming back to Sand Castle Bay and see what is happening next in their lives and community.

In some ways I think this would be a hard novel to stand alone because it carries on so many storylines from the previous two books. Since I had read the first two books I was excited to read the last of Ocean Breeze trilogy.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.

05/28/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin MIRA 384 pages ISBN 9780778314462


Description below taken off of Netgalley.

Under summer skies, New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods evokes family, friendship and heartfelt emotion
With her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she'd rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it's hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won't open this jaded doctor's heart. It's going to take a sexy, determined woman-one who won't take no for an answer.

Freefall (Aftershock #2) by Jill Sorenson

4 STARS

I liked it but I liked the first book of the series more. I had a hard time connecting with a few characters. But Sam was kind of written that way. In fact Owen was the only guy I really liked and that in part was from the first book.
I really liked Hope character the best. I think she was brave, courageous willing to risk her life for her sister and the rest of campers out their.

Freefall was definitely fit the book in many ways. It had drama, mystery, suspense, lots of action plus had some sex scenes that I admit to skipping over. Every time things were going smooth something else would happen.

Faith and Hope are going on whitewater raft trip. Every year they spend a week or so together for vacation. Hope planned this trip. Faith is not a wilderness girl. As they are packing up Hope's work calls her. Faith tells her not to answer. Hope is a park ranger at Sierra National Park. She has to answer.

a plane had crashed down at night in the park the witness who saw it was Sam a former Olympic athlete who was climbing at night. Their is no one else who could hike up with her right away so Sam goes with her. He is famous rock climber and rich. Hope had a one night stand with him that ended badly.

When they reach the plane the pilot is dead from gun shot. They start tracking the killer and find hidden bags of money and dope. Hope is worried that a killer is on the loose in the park. She is worried about her sister that she talked to going on the rafting trip without her. Plus she is worried about the other campers. Hope takes pictures with her phone of the murdered pilot and the dope for evidence and calls in the alert for the missing killer.

Hope's boss calls her back into base. She is not leaving her sister Faith out their with a killer on the loose. She disregards the order. Sam tries to talk her out of it but follows her so she has some back up.

Sam was in the earthquake in Aftershock. He still has memory problems from it. He does not remember his fiancée Melissa
death or how she died. He is still numb to himself. He freaks out when someone around him does risky stuff but he can no problem.

Faith flirts with men a lot. She has broken up with her boyfriend because he did not pay attention to her. She flirts with Jay on the raft.

Someone is using the park to run drugs. Who can Hope trust? Is someone on the take at the park? Why was the pilot killed?

It makes me want to go camping and hiking or just get out of snow.(It is march still when I read this)

This book has heroes you don't expect and lots of bad guys and jerks. Even wildlife is scary. Full of action. After you get to know more about some of the characters they are more you like them. I want to read Owen's story next.

I was given this ebook to read and asked in exchange to give honest review by Netgalley.
Pub Date May 21 2013 Harlequin Publisher imprint Harlequin HQN ISBN 9780373777952 384 pages

description below taken off of Goodreads.

HE'S HER ONLY HOPE... Park ranger Hope Banning's plans for a little R & R are put on hold when a plane crashes at the top of a remote mountain. Hope will have to climb the summit and assess the situation. And the only climbing partner available is Sam Rutherford- the enigmatic man she spent a night with six months ago.

FOR STAYING ALIVE...

Ever since Sam lost his girlfriend in a falling accident, he insists on climbing solo. But Hope and any potential survivors need his help. As Sam and Hope set out on an emergency search-and-rescue mission, he realizes the sparks still sizzle between them. And when they learn a killer is among the survivors, they must place their trust in each other for a chance at happiness.

BIG SKY SUMMER by Linda Lael Miller

4 STARS

Big Sky Summer (Swoon-Worthy Cowboys #4)

I have enjoyed this series. I have read all four so far. It starts with a wedding of Sheriff Boone Taylor and Tara Kendall. We see a lot of the same characters from previous books. I like catching up with old friends seeing what the characters have been doing since the last book.

Walker Parrish was attending the wedding as guest and friend of Boone. His sister does not come to weddings since she was left by the alter when Hutch
called off the wedding to her in this church two years ago. Now he is one of the best man for Boone the other best man is Slade.

Casey Elder is singing at the wedding. She is a famous singer that had moved to town a few years ago. She wants her two teenagers going to school for the first time. Casey has done a good job at keeping the secret of who the father of her two children is. Hardly anyone knows. In fact she hid the news to the father by lying to him that it was some other guy till it happened a second time.

Walker when he found out both children were his he wanted to get married and bring them back home to his ranch. Casey wanted to keep singing. She agreed to let Walker be close to her kids as a family friend. He has always wanted more. He loves his kids.

Casey's daughter Clare 14 has given up on wishes. She tells her mom she has wished since she was little for a dad. Casey realizes that she made a mistake and needs to tell her children that Walker is their father. She is afraid that her kids will hate her for telling them lies for years about their father.

Casey and Walker met at the rodeos around the country when she was just starting out singing and Walker was being in the rodeos. They were great in bed but out they wanted different things. In fact when Casey came over to Walker's ranch to tell him that he was right they fell into the same patterns sleeping together and then fighting.

They have a lot of issues they need to work out as a family. It is not easy for the kids to realize that their mom lied to them. Walker did to. Walker did not even tell his sister about them. She thought she was a honoree Aunt to them not a real aunt.

Does have some love scenes in it, has horses and rodeos, ranching and small town helping those in need. In other words it is a romance book written by Linda Lael Miller.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give it honest review by Netgalley.
05/28/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin HQN 384 pages ISBN: 0373777655


Description below taken off of Netgalley.

welcomes you home to Parable, Montana-where love awaits.
With his father's rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships. But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. And Walker can't ignore that his "act now, think later" passion for Casey has had consequences. Two teenage consequences!

Keeping her children's paternity under wraps has always been part of Casey's plan to give them normal, uncomplicated lives. Now the best way to hold her family together seems to be to let Walker be a part of it-as her husband of convenience. Or will some secrets-like Casey's desire to be the rancher's wife in every way-unravel, with unforeseen results?

Fyrelocke: Jack Boomershine and the Prophecy Untold by R. Christopher Kobb

4 STARS

Fyrelocke twists and turns and when you have figured out where it's going, you realize you were wrong. It has magic both good and dark. Lots of different creatures I would not like to run into. Some just gross. It is adventure into a world or town that is built with magic and can't be seen by human eyes.

The plot is good and keeps you reading to figure out where or who is the prophecy is speaking about. Jack on a school field trip is sent some weird texts. To go away from his class and back deeper in the cave. Jack follows the weird light and picks up a glowing rock. Then he falls into water and then more weird stuff happens to him.

The characters are interesting. Three of the main characters are 12 years olds. You are never sure who to trust and who is lying.

Jack Boomershine is 12 years old inventor. Jack is smart and he uses his knowledge to best a very powerful wizard and other dark magic users who try and control him. His best friend is Chase. Chase wants to be a banker when he grows up. He reads newspapers and follows the market. They are both different from others in their school.

On their way home from school they read a sign that's says, "Fortunes read today" So they go in and Jack has his fortune told. They realize something is different and runaway from their.

From their things keep happening to Jack and Chase. It is fast paced story that is entertaining to read. I hope their are going to be more books featuring Jack and friends.

It is aimed at middle school kids but others will enjoy it to. I did.
I was given this book to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
publication: May 24th 2013 by Moonpepper Press 264 pages ISBN-10: 098920720X


Description below taken off of Goodreads.
In a cave, deep within the cliffs of Brighton, lies a curious stone. No ordinary rock, the Fyrelocke has a dark and intricate past.

Twelve-year-old inventor Jack Boomershine believes it a practical joke when a mysterious text message directs him to it. But finding this powerful stone sets in motion an entangled clockwork of events that draws him ever deeper into an adventure in which his inventions are useless.

As things spin out of control, Jack must find his way through a hidden world of magic with vehicles that fly themselves, a telepathic creature—and an ancient evil with an unfathomable plan, determined to ensnare Jack in it.

The Night is Watching by Heather Graham

4 Stars

The Night Is Watching (Krewe of Hunters #9)

Boy never guessed who did what to whom in the old ghost town of Lily. The ghosts of Lily were way active ghosts.
A skull with a wig was found in the props of the old theater. The theater has been running for over a 100 years. Lily is old west town that relies on tourists. They say it is haunted by Sage a actress that ran off and left her child and husband.

Jane is in the FBI, part if the Krewe. She is an artist who does forensic work. She also sees ghosts. She has been sent to Lily to work on the skull. If they can figure out who she was and why this old skull turned up now in the theater.

Sloan used his contact to get Jane sent to identify the skull. But he is not happy keeping the skull in his town he wanted to send it out. its over 100 years. Sloan used to be a cop in Texas but moved back to his hometown when his grandfather got cancer.

Jane is given the haunted room of where Sage's has been showing up in the middle of the night scaring people away. She is in her room and calls Sloan a name and her hairbrush comes flying at her.

Then a more dead bodies turn up and one of them is fresh found out in the desert. The town is having their busiest season right as everything starts to go wrong in Lily.

The plot is funny, scary, drama and campy at different times. With the actors putting on show plus adlibbing in town with all the festivals goers. They have duel in the street, hangings and old fashion melodramas.

The characters are all different and most are not what they seem to be. Some you like and others you don't trust.
Their are a few love scenes that I skipped over. I was entertained reading this story. I read it in one sitting.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when done by Netgalley.
publication: May 28th 2013 by Harlequin MIRA 400 pages ISBN: 0778315061

description below taken off of Goodreads.

The Old West town of Lily, Arizona, is home to the Gilded Lily, a former theater...and bawdy house. These days, it offers theatrical productions geared to tourists, but the recent discovery of a skull, a real skull, among the props and costumes shakes everyone up.

So, who do you call? The Krewe of Hunters, a special FBI unit of paranormal investigators. In this case, it's agent Jane Everett. Jane's also a talented artist who creates images of the dead as they once were. But the Krewe always works with local law enforcement, and here that means Sloan Trent, former Houston cop and now sheriff. His great-great-grandmother was an actress at the Gilded Lily...and she's not resting in peace.

Then more remains appear in the nearby desert. As they search for answers, using all the skills at their disposal, Jane and Sloan find themselves falling into danger-and into love

Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery

4 Stars
Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #11)

I really like Fool's Gold stories. It is such a community that pulls together. So many characters from previous stories are still involved with the town. Their are a few love scenes that I skipped over I admit.

Justice lived in Fool's Gold for awhile as a teenager till he disappeared without a trace that he was even their. They were just gone. Now he is back and thinking of opening a business with two partners. Justice never forgot his two best friends Ford and Patience. He wondered many times about what if he was able to stay in Fool's Gold.

Patience has lived in Fool's Gold all her life. She has no desire to leave it. She lives in the same house she grew up in with her mother and daughter. Patience cuts hair for a living and dreams that one day she will open up a coffee cafe.

When Patience was fourteen she developed a crush on her best friend Justice. Justice was two years older. She was getting up her courage to tell him when she was interrupted by Ford another friend of theirs. Every day for school Patience would stop at Justice's home and they would walk the rest of the way together to school. But that last time their was no Justice waiting for her. He and his Uncle just disappeared overnight with all their belongings as if they were never there. Patience went home and told her mother about that.

Police tried to find them and could not. Patience never forgot her friend and always wondered what happened to him. She never saw or heard from Justice till he shows up at her work.

Justice was deciding if he wanted to open his new business in Fool's Gold. He is the one to decide if it will be a good place for them. Is one partner was Ford who grew up in Fool's Gold. Some days he wanted to come home and other times he wants to stay away from Fool's Gold and his big family. His other partner Angel did not care where they should open their business.

Justice wondered if he could belong in Fool's Gold. Would he be good for Patience? What if he turns to more violence like his father did.

I like the plot line of this book with many surprises to come. Lots of questions get answered and brings more questions to be answered. The community sounds like it would be a nice place to live. People get involved in each others lives and care about each other.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when I was through with it by Netgalley.
05/28/2013 PUB. Harlequin Imprint Harlequin HQN 384 pages ISBN-10: 0373777604


I can tell that their is a few new stories that are going to be told in upcoming books. I can't wait to see what happens next in Fool's Gold.

Description below taken off of Netgalley.

He won't hesitate to put his life on the line...but will he ever risk his heart?
Falling for Justice Garrett was a high point in Patience McGraw's otherwise awkward adolescence. Even after he disappeared, Patience never forgot the boy who captured her heart. Now, he's back in Fool's Gold, California, and her passion for him is as strong as ever. But how can she trust that he won't abandon her again-and her daughter, too?

When bodyguard Justice Garrett was a young man, witness protection brought him to this idyllic town and he never forgot its warmth, or the sweet beauty of his childhood friend. He's returned to open a defense academy, and the Patience he once knew is all grown up. He can't resist her smile, or her curves. But Justice's past doesn't make him husband, or father, material.

Patience and Justice think they'll succumb to just one kiss... Then one more... Okay, just one night together. But they might learn that falling in love is beyond anyone's control.

Organized to Death by Jan Christensen

4 STARS

This mystery has a lot to do with secrets and some of them lead to murder, some are still up in the air. It keeps you guessing and wondering why and what is everyone hiding? Tina gets so frustrated with all the secrets she can't find the answers too, but she is hiding lots of things too. Everyone has some secrets that they only share with a few people. The one secret that is not answered is driving me crazy too. Hope it will be answered in another book.

I enjoyed Tina and how she is willing to dig in and help people organize their lives. How she wants to help others. She has just moved back to her hometown and left her practice. Tina is starting a new business of helping people do organize their home or business. Her first job is a big one. She is helping to organize her friend Rachel's house. Rachel is a hoarder. When Rachel walks into the nursery they find her sister Crystal dead on the floor.

Crystal is the one to talk Rachel into hiring Tina to organize her house. Crystal and Rachel live next door to each other.

Tina and Rachel are both questioned by the police. Since Rachel's house is a crime scene they can't continue to clean it out and the police open all the boxes and make a bigger mess.

Tina realizes that her mother is keeping lots of secrets from her about why she meets with her women's group once a month for lunch and never really at any other time. Tina can't even find out how or when the group started. Crystal and Rachel's mother is also part of the group. Her boyfriend Brandon's mother is another of the ladies. Brandon's mother every once in awhile disappears for a time even he does not know why.
Her also good friend Hank's mother goes somewhere for weeks at a time and she has no idea where she gets too. She does not even know what Hank does for a job. She is really attracted to Hank too.

Slowly Tina uncovers some secrets that the people around her are hiding. She does not want anyone else hurt. The cops keep thinking she might be the one who killed Crystal they even ask her if they can see her gun. But it is missing from where she keeps it. A couple of the secrets I guessed right on but most of them I had no idea the story was going that direction. I would read another book by Jan Christensen especially if another one of Tina Tales comes out.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when I finished reading by Netgalley.
11/25/2012 PUB Fiction Addiction 240pages ISBN9781481139779


Tina Tales, Book 1

Description below taken off of Netgalley

Back in her hometown of Newport, RI, Tina Shaw, twenty-nine, is picking up the pieces of her shattered life. She begins her first job as a professional organizer in a house filled with cardboard boxes and clutter, only to discover a dead body in an eerily neat baby nursery. She fears this career move may be a short one until the handsome but spooky new doctor persuades her to reorganize his office left in disarray by the former physician. Ignoring the doctor's obvious interest in her, Tina begins seeing her former boyfriend. When he protests against her new profession, she realizes what a control freak he is. Then there's another old flame who is making her hotter by the minute. As she works through the office clutter, she learns the doctor has a possible motive for the killing. But when someone else is shot, the doctor has a solid alibi--Tina herself. Drawn unwillingly into the case, she searches for answers as her list of suspects multiplies. When the killer begins targeting Tina and her friends, she works harder to learn the murderer’s identity before someone else is found dead.

Restrike by Reba White Williams

My Review
4 stars

Restrike: Coleman and Dinah Greene Mystery No. 1

I would like to see if their will be no. 2 I would read it. I was trying to figure out who did what and I was kept guessing. Some of the ending I did not like but that has nothing to do with the story really.

I like Coleman and Dinah. They both worked hard from the time they were children and continue the work.
Coleman has her own art magazine. She is single and does not think she wants to get married ever. She sews and makes a lot of her own clothes. Someone is stealing story ideas from her magazine.

Dinah owns a print gallery and lives above it. Her husband Jonathon is rich and wants to control her. They have not been married long. Her gallery is in the wrong spot and she wants to change it.

Their is going to be a new museum opening in NYC about art prints. Heyward Bain is mega rich is opening it. He does not talk about his past. Where he got his money or anything about himself. He is very curious about Coleman.

Coleman wants to interview Heyward Bain for her magazine. She thinks he is handsome and would not mind dating him. She is also interested in Simon who is buying the prints for Heyward's museum. He is keeping secrets too.

A man who is selling the prints to be auctioned off is murdered right before the prints are bought. The police do not think it is related to art. Coleman does and wants to find out.

The crimes start to add up and threaten Coleman's life. Their are a lot of suspects. The police are not putting the cases together like Coleman and friends are gathering.

I did not put the book down till I had finished and it left me wanting to see what happens next in their lives.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when finished by Netgally.
June 1st 2013 PUB. Delos (fiction imprint of Axios Press) JKSCommunications ISBN:9781939052001 350 pages




Money and murder go hand in glove in the rarified art world of Reba White Williams’ exciting first novel, Restrike.
Cousins Coleman and Dinah Greene moved from North Carolina to New York after college to make their mark on the art world: Coleman is the editor of an influential arts magazine and Dinah is the owner of a print gallery in Greenwich Village. But their challenges are mounting as one of Coleman’s writers is discovered selling story ideas to a competitor and The Greene Gallery is in the red because sales are down.
When billionaire Heyward Bain arrives with a glamorous assistant, announcing plans to fund a fine print museum, Coleman is intrigued and plans to get to know Bain and publish an article about him. Dinah hopes to sell him enough prints to save her gallery. At the same time, swindlers, attracted by Bain’s lavish spending, invade the print world to grab some of his money.
When a print dealer dies in peculiar circumstances, Coleman is suspicious, but she can’t persuade the NYPD crime investigator of a connection between the dealer’s death and Bain’s buying spree. After one of Coleman’s editors is killed and Coleman is attacked, the police must acknowledge the connection, and Coleman becomes even more determined to discover the truth about Bain. In an unforgettable final scene, Coleman risks her life to expose the last deception threatening her, her friends, and the formerly tranquil print world.

Above Rubies Book Blast and giveaway $50 Amazon or PayPal

 

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Above Rubies

His chivalry was strangling her.

He thought he was helping her—and in truth, he was. She was in desperate straits. But as honorable as he was, he was also breaking her heart.

Her attraction was drowning him.

When World Champion rodeo cowboy Rossen Rockland and his friends rescue a young runaway who has been abused by her foster father and take her home to his parents’ ranch, he expects her to turn out to be a pain in the neck. And sometimes she is.

It doesn’t take him long to figure out that she has way more than her allotment of troubles—and far more than her share of gifts. Lovely, talented, and ravingly brilliant, Kit Star is too young, unbelievably humble, and oh, so loveable. Knowing that she needs his protection and time to grow into her potential, Rossen also figures out that what she really is, is a pain in the heart.

Watch for more of the Rockland Ranch Series!



 

Praise for Above Rubies:

I absolutely could not put this book down. It had me laughing, crying, angry and pretty much every other emotion. I can not wait for the next one in the series to come out. Keep them coming!!! ~Addicted to Books



This is the second book in the Rockland Ranch Romance Series. It can be read as a stand alone or copies of Peace River can be supplied if you would also like to review it.



 

Amazon

Peace River (Book 1)

The police didn't understand the danger, but she did. Her father had always been abusive, but now, with a ten million dollar Thoroughbred farm on the line, and a powerful bookie leaning on him, her father had become out of control. But how do you get away and take a world famous stallion with you? Carrie was getting desperate when a handsome and honorable but thoroughly cynical rodeo cowboy from Wyoming happened to show up with a horse trailer. He didn't ride a white horse, but he was definitely a knight in shining armor.



He'll protect her from the mob, but can she survive falling in love with a bull rider?



 

Praise for Peace River

"Give me a clean romance, humor and a good looking cowboy and I'm a happy girl. LDS fiction isn't always my favorite but I really enjoyed the characters and adventure in this book." ~Carol - Goodreads



"There was plenty of action, adventure and danger to keep me guessing just how everything was going to turn out. I didn't want to put it down until I finished! Jaclyn Hawkes is one of my favorite LDS romance authors. You really can't go wrong with any of her books that you pick up!" ~Cathy -Goodreads

Amazon

 

Author Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.

Website

 



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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $50 US.

Jim Morgan & The King of Thieves by James Matlack Raney & giveaway

My Review
4 STARS

Jim Morgan & The King of Thieves is a exciting middle school adventure. Jim is not a likeable character at the first of the book. He is spoiled brat. The last five years he has been raised by his Great Aunt, Margarita Morgan. While his father is gone on a sea voyage. James is not allowed outside to play. He told he is special, above the servants. He treats the servants badly and even fires them for no reason, because he can.

James father is due home. The whole estate is getting ready for the welcome home celebration. James demands to ride his father's horse and looses controls ruins everything. His father returns in time to stop the horse. He realizes how spoiled his son is. He plans to change that. Before he can he is poisoned by Margarita and others. They plan to kill James too but his father's manservant Hudson steps in and tells him to run.

Now the pampered life James has lived is over. All he has is a small wooden box with a letter from his father and a necklace. It has to do with a secret about a treasure his father has somewhere. So instead of being the new Lord Morgan he is lost in the forest. He is picked up by Gypsies. A old Gypsy woman uses magic to seal the wooden box till it is the right time and understanding for James to open it.

The story continues on with many lessons that Jim has to learn to survive on the street. He has lots of enemies, is box is stolen, his Aunt Margarita and friends would have him killed. She is living in his house. He only has four other children that make him feel welcome and teach him to steal for food. The King of Thieves has taken his box but if he steals enough he can have it back.
He doesn't believe in magic, talking birds even though he has seen it. His goal is to get his box back and learn the secret of his father's treasure so he can return home safely.

It is a well told story. You begin to like Jim and want things to workout for him. You want his father's murder to be caught. His friends to have a better life than living on the street stealing for the King of Thieves. Every time you think that things will be better for Jim something else happens to him. Will he ever get his box back? Be able to open it and read the last letter to him by his father?

I would read more about Jim Morgan and see what happens next in his life. I was given this ebook to read and asked to give a honest review of it.

Published September 28th 2012 by James Matlack Raney 283 pages ISBN:9780985835903



Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves

Young Jim Morgan loves everything about his life: ignoring his old tutor’s lessons, flaunting his new clothes, terrorizing his servants, and perfecting the fine art of snobbery. But the night his father returns from a mysterious sea voyage with the secret to a vast pirate treasure, Jim’s world is thrown upside down.

Now Jim must escape the clutches of his father’s wicked enemies, decipher the magic of a gypsy witch, hide from a shadowy pirate and his talking raven, and outwit the King of Thieves and his army of pickpockets.

If he is to survive, Jim must learn to trust new allies and discover the power and magic of true friendship. And through it all he may, just possibly, uncover a hero hidden within him, and live an adventure beyond his wildest dreams…




Author James Matlack Raney

James Matlack Raney grew up all over the world, including Europe, Latin America and Africa, before winding up in the mysterious land of horses and bluegrass (otherwise known as Kentucky). These days, he calls Southern California home, and spends his time writing adventures…and occasionally living a few of his own.

GIVEAWAY 1 EBOOK AND 1 PAPERBACK

To enter leave comment and email so I can get a hold of winner, This is my first giveaway so I am excited for it.
contests start May 21 and will run one week to May 28 only open to U.S. Also put in if you want ebook or paperback or either one.
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Plain Admirer by Patricia Davids

4 STARS

I liked Plain Admirer. Joann is feisty character. It would be hard to change where you lived every four months.
Joann has three older brothers with the youngest is 15 years older than her. They were never close to her. When their parents died the three brothers decided that Joann would live with each brother for four months than rotate. Now she is 26 things are
improving with her life. She is getting ready to buy a little house for herself when she is fired. To make room for the
owner's nephew Roman. Oh and she gets to train him too.

Roman has worked with his father in their lumber mill. Now he has a hard time working their. A car hit him and is one arm is paralyzed. He does not know if he will ever get full use back or not. His mother does not like him working their. He almost got dragged into the saw when his sling got caught up in it. She asked her brother to higher him in his printing business.

Joann has been writing letters to someone and leaving them where she fishes. Someone is writing back to her now. She has no idea who or even if he is Amish on English. She does let him know she is single woman. They can write and tell about their troubles to each other.

Someone is causing problems in the Amish community. Burning hay stacks, even trying to burn down their school house. Who is doing it. The sheriff is trying to find out but the Amish don't like turning to the government. Joann is suspicious of a young woman she thinks knows something about what is going on. She wants to tell the Sheriff about it but others say no.

This is a quick read. Has lot of fishing experiences and deals with forgiving others. I laughed and smiled as I read it. This is my third book of Patricia's that I have read and I have enjoyed them all. Look forward to reading her next one.

I was given this ebook to read and in exchange asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Expected publication: May 21st 2013 by Love Inspired 288 pages ISBN:0373816960


Description below taken off of Goodreads.

Love Is Only A Letter Away So what if Joann Yoder's Amish community deems her a spinster? She's content to stay single. In the meantime, she's working hard to finally buy her dream house. So it's problematic when she's fired from her job to make room for the nephew's owner, Roman Weaver. His blue eyes aside, she simply can't stand him! Good thing she has the secret letters she's been exchanging with a mystery man to keep her going. But who is writing her letters? And could she possibly fall for him in real life, too?

Princess in the Iron Mask by Victoria Parker

3 STARS

I was hoping for a little bit more interaction between her family. The plot was good but I wanted to know about Lucas and his past. I guess I wanted more depth and less sex and thoughts of it.

Claudine a scientist was hoping to get more funding for her research. She felt she was close to a cure. So others who had her condition as children won't suffer as much as she did.

As a child she was sent away from her family to London hospital and raised their. Now her parents remember her and want her to come home. Claudine has no wish to go back and be hurt again.

Lucas was asked by the King to bring his daughter back home. Lucas thinks she is spoiled and should come back and do her duty. He will do anything to do his own duty. Even if the beautiful Princess doesn't want to do hers. Lucas makes a deal with her. If she will spend three weeks in her own country she will get her funding for her research.

Both have to look back and face their own issues with the past before they can move forward.

I felt sorry for Claudine and my heart hurt for her and I want her to be happy.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest opinion of it by Netgalley.
Publication Date: May 21, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Presents (Book 3152)192 page ISBN-10: 0373131585


Description below taken off of Amazon.

Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.

A barely concealed attraction!

Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man...and give him something to distract him from his duty!

Wish Upon a Matchmaker by Marie Ferrarella

4 Stars
(Matchmaking Mamas)

This is the first book of the series that I have read. It is charming. Ginny wants a mommy and she heard from a friend that the real estate lady finds them. Ginny convinces her Aunt to take her to get ice cream and while she is in line Ginny takes off.
Ginny goes into the real estate office and asks Are you the lady who finds mommies? Ginny's friend had told her that she found him a mommy and they are now happy. Her Aunt comes in asking what are you doing taken off like that.

Ginny is a cute 4 year old. She doesn't remember her mother because she died when she was little. Ginny does not like her dad's girl friend now. Ginny is named after her Aunt Virginia. Ginny tells her Aunt that she came to find a new mommy.

Maizie told Virginia how she and some friends brought some people together and one of the couples son was Ginny's friend. Maizie invited them to have a drink and sit down. She thought she could help them.

Virginia told her brother that she gave the local real estate lady his card. She is looking for a good contracter to recommend to her clients. Stone was thinking why would she recommend him? Virginia admitted that the web page idea she actually went ahead and built it showing before and after pictures of the houses he worked on.

Danni Everett is ready now to fix up her house like she wants it. She just got her new cooking show picked up again. It was a big hit. She was able to pay off her debts and now can do what she wants. So when Maizie called Danni to recommend a contracter and gave her his information she called Stone. She admitted she liked his web site and could he meet her after work to walk through the house.

Stone first day to work on the house Virginia tells him that she can't baby sit Ginny today after all. When Stone calls to cancil the starting date because he did not have a babysitter. Danni said she could watch Ginny for him.

Danni and Ginny hit it off. They decided to bake a pie together while Stone was working. Then they made dinner so they all ate together. Ginny is cute and fast thinking matchmaker.

Their is a few love scenes towards the ending. Cute plot, like the characters, they are all doing their best in life.
I enjoy Marie Ferrarella's books.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when I finshed by Netgalley.
05/21/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin Special Edition 224 pages ISBN-10: 0373657463


Discription below taken off of amazon

THREE-FOOT MATCHMAKER
Ginny Scarborough has picked out her new mommy-Danni Everett, the local celebrity chef who hired Ginny's widowed father, Stone, to renovate her house. And Danni couldn't deny the immediate zing she felt for the handsome, green-eyed contractor...even if they were brought together by a precocious four-year-old. So why was Stone holding back when everything between them felt so right?

Stone's heart had been, well, stone-cold for far too long...that is until he met the beautiful and bubbly chef. Still, Danni was part of a world where Stone and his little girl didn't belong-better to move on than risk the pain of losing love again. But Ginny wouldn't take no for an answer, especially after even she could feel the warmth Danni brought to her dad.

With two stubborn adults to contend with, could little Cupid still make her dreams of a family come true?

Peace River (Rockland Ranch Series) by Jaclyn Hawkes

5 stars

I enjoyed reading Above Rubies the other day and went right out and bought Peace River yesterday and read it. I really like the Rockland Ranch Series and hope more books are coming soon in it. It has awesome characters and relationships, some rodeo cowboy's,
some bad guys, their is romance and action. Some LDS beliefs mentioned. Left me feeling good when it was through.

Carrie is now half owner of a Racing farm in California and owns a famous stallion that is worth millions after her grandfather died a couple of months ago. Her father lives on a house on the ranch that he now owns after her mother died six months ago. Her father abused her mother. Carrie when she was twelve moved herself to her grandfather's house. Her father wants her to marry a distant relative and she hears him make plans that he would kill the other owner Eli that was more of a father to her. He also planned to steal the famous race horse.

Carrie decided for everyone sake she needed to leave and take the horse with her. She was praying for help and her friend was a waitress when two rodeo cowboys were eating at the café while they waited for trailer to be fixed. Anna felt that Carrie could be safe cooking for the two cowboys and going to all the rodeos. Anna also gave Carrie a different name.

It took a lot of trust for Carrie to go with two strangers and stay with them in their trailer. Carrie had never been to a rodeo.

I have only read two of Jaclyn Hawkes books but I loved both of them and will try more of her books in the future. They are clean, fun, lots of drama too.
Description below taken off of Amazon.

The police didn’t understand the danger—but she did.

Her father had always been abusive, but now, with a ten million dollar Thoroughbred farm on the line, and a powerful bookie leaning on him, her father had become out of control. But how do you get away and take a world famous stallion with you? Carrie was getting desperate when a handsome and honorable but thoroughly cynical rodeo cowboy from Wyoming happened to show up with a horse trailer. He didn’t ride a white horse, but he was definitely a knight in shining armor.

He’ll protect her from the mob, but can she survive falling in love with a bull rider?
Watch for more of the Rockland Ranch Series

The Emerald Ring (Cleopatra's Legacy) by Dorine White

5 STARS

The Emerald Ring is the first book in Cleopatra's Legacy. It is a paranormal, fantasy, action book. I thought it
was a fresh idea. I would read the next book if one comes in this series.

Sara found a emerald ring in her grandmother's attic and put it on. It shocked her. She tried to get it off and she could not get it off. It was on pretty tight. Sara's grandmother tried butter, cold water but still could not get it off.

That night Sara had nightmares that seemed real to her and she slept with the light on the rest of the night. Sara started middle school. Her first day was interesting. She got to take the new kid around. His name is Kainu Nehru from Nigeria, Africa.
Then in her first period she thought the girl behind her was talking to her and called her name. Sara reacted and got sent to Principle office.

Heidi is Sara's best friend. Her house got broke into during the day and was searched. Heidi and her mom got to spend the night at Sara's house because her father was out of town. Sara told her of the voice she heard and other things she noticed. Heidi had a hard time believing her. So they did a experiment and proved that now Sara could smell really good and identify items just by smell. Sara could also hear animals speaking sometimes.

Then things got weirder and Sara ended up in the hospital with a high fever. They could not figure out what was going on with her but Sara figured it out. She had a new power that would shock anyone if it happened to them.

Their new friend told them about what brought him to their town. He was after a thief who stole something from his family that had been with the tribe for years. He overheard them say where they were going and that they were after a emerald ring. Kainu told them he guessed it might be the ring that Sara wore.

The Emerald ring was Cleopatra's. The emerald was part of a necklace with other stones that had powers. The thief was part of a group that has been searching for the stones. Kainu's father had one of the stones. He is now in a coma after the thief surprised him and hit him in the head. Now Sara could be in danger.

This is aimed at Middle school age. I liked it even though I am way older than that by a few decades. It is a very entertaining story. Lots of action and a little bit of history.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give a honest review of it when I finished by Netgalley.

Expected publication: May 14th 2013 by Cedar Fort, Inc. 192 pages ISBN 1462111335



BOOK DISCRIPTION TAKEN OF GOODREADS.

Ordinary tween life turns upside down when Ancient Egypt intrudes on modern middle school life. Twelve year old Sara Guadalupe Bogus reads about adventures, but unexpectedly is drawn into one when a mystical emerald ring that once belonged to Cleopatra becomes stuck on her finger.
A series of burglaries spook Sara’s small Ohio hometown. Concluding that the root of all the crimes is the emerald ring, Sara realizes it’s up to her and her friends, Heidi and African exchange student Kainu, to save the town and protect Cleopatra’s legacy. Filled with magic, the ring thrusts Sara into a world filled with nightmares, allows her to shape shift into an Egyptian cat and battle assassins.

The Lady and the Unicorn by Iris Johansen

3 STARS

I remember reading The Lady and the Unicorn when it first came out years ago as a Loveswept book #29. In fact I still may have it in a box in the attic. I still like it. The plot is still good. I still like the characters. Their is still too much sex in it.

Janna Cannon is a very caring person. She works at a wildlife that has just lost it's lease. If they don't find a big enough land for the animals they will have to be sent to different zoos. They found some land but they can't get a hold of the owner Rafe Santine to see if he would donate the land for a new wildlife park.

Rafe is a rich businessman. He has women that stay with him that he buys them expensive jewelry and clothes. He has a temper. A A personality, always wanting to go. Now he is stuck at his mansion while he recuperates for 2 months. He is bored.

Janna decides to scale his 12 foot wall to get the chance to talk to Rafe. The estate has guard dogs at night and they will attack strangers on the property. Janna has the dogs under her control and stops them from going after their handlers.

Rafe is curious that Janna wants to meet him so badly that he has her escorted to him. He thinks she is a hooker.
Rafe decides if she will stay their for the rest of his time their he will give the land worth over 2 million dollars. Janna agrees.

One thing I learned about was tigers and how many tigers it would take to make a fur coat. It really brought it too my attention. How we need to take care of wild animals.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
05/13/2013 PUB. Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept 284 pages ISBN 9780345546111

Description below taken off of Netgalley.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen gives readers a scintillating story of captivity and freedom, love and longing.

Rafe Santine is under doctor’s orders: He needs to stay put in his coastal California mansion for two months to recuperate from the pneumonia that nearly killed him. Despite a retinue of mistresses to keep the powerful tycoon occupied, Rafe struggles against boredom—until a stunning woman literally drops onto his estate. She has high demands of him, but Rafe has even greater demands of her. He knows instantly that he must possess every facet of the enigmatic Janna. But the only thing she’ll give him is her body—and for the first time in his life, that is not enough for Rafe.

Janna Cannon is willing to risk it all to save the endangered animals of the wild animal reserve where she works as a game warden. With the land they depend on pulled out from under them, Janna must take a gambit to convince billionaire Santine to give the reserve the real estate they need to keep the animals free. And she’ll need to sneak onto the man’s vast, highly protected property to do it. Much to her surprise, Santine agrees to grant her the land—if Janna agrees to give him herself in exchange. And what begins as luxurious captivity soon turns into an emotional awakening she never expected.

The Huaca by Marcia Mickelson

4 STARS

This is the first book that I have read from Marcia Mickelson. I liked it. Though I was surprised where the story ended up going. I have to admit to shedding some tears while reading the book. It is a clean read. I really like Ellie and Gabe. They were both likeable, smart, with their own strengths and flaws. Some of the other characters were not so likeable or at least the things they did.

Ellie is in her junior year at school. She is sitting by herself at lunch because her best friend Sarah was mad at the thing that Ellie did. It was all Ellie's fault. She had the nerve to take information Sarah told her about her possible boyfriend committing a crime and report it to the police. So a lot of the teens were shunning her.

Gabe comes up to Ellie at lunch and tell her thank you for helping him. Gabe is shy and different. The rumors around him that he cuts himself, that he lives in a haunted house by himself. Ellie had not really known much about him before, Now all of a sudden he is sitting by her and talking to her.

Ellie's friend Sarah has always told her what to wear and talking her into buying the expensive brand name stuff. So they would fit in. Now Ellie is not ready to fall back into that place. Ellie's mom was murder this past year her killer was never found. Now its just her and her dad. Ellie is good in school except for history she has a hard time understanding the different civilizations like Inca, and Mayan. She has to do a oral report on the Inca and it was worth a quarter of her grade.

Gabe is a loner. He is part of the track team and good. That is why on prank night the seniors broke into his house took their couch outside and set it on fire. Gabe works at a grocery store. No one ever sees his mom or talks to her. His father's family came from Peru and was part Inca. He is willing to share about the Inca to Ellie. He can communicate with the dead. He wants to share with Ellie but scares her.

I was enjoying the relationships with all the different characters and how they were changing as their experiences, wants take them to different places in their lives.
Their is lots of drama, some of it is typical and some is not. It shows a little about the Inca. Talks about depression and how some cope with it. How some grieve and how different it is for different people.

I had a hard time putting the book down till I had finished it. I would like to read other books by Marcia in the future.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when I was done by Netgalley.
publication: May 14th 2013 by Cedar Fort, Inc. Sweetwater 256 pages ISBN:9781462111909



Description below is taken off of Goodreads.

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Cummings just wants to be a regular teenager, but after her mother’s mysterious murder, she isn’t sure if she’ll ever be normal again. Her mother’s death has left Ellie and her father worlds apart. And when her best friend abandons her, Ellie has no one else to turn to—except for the strange boy who says he can help.

Gabe de la Cruz seems to know way too much about everything,
and her instincts tell Ellie to stay far away. But when he claims that he can communicate with the dead through an ancient Incan artifact, Ellie can’t resist the temptation of seeing her mother again. In the hanan pacha—the Incan afterworld—Ellie’s mother sends a message to help Ellie understand what happened the night of the murder—a message that may be better kept a secret . . .

Cozy Classics: Les Miserables by Jack Wang, Holman Wang

3 STARS

This is a nice picture book. Very few words but lots of pictures that tell the story. Very simply told. Good for babies and toddlers who like picture books. It would also help if adults had read the book and can explain more about the pictures.
I was given this ebook for free and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
publication: May 30th 2013 by Simply Read Books 24 pages ISBN: 1927018218

Description below taken off of Netgalley.


Give a kid a classic! Cozy Classics is the popular board book series that presents well-loved stories to children aged 0+ through twelve child-friendly words and twelve needle-felted illustrations. Les Misérables is Victor Hugo’s sweeping French saga about one man’s search for redemption in a world of hardship and misery, and is one of the world’s most beloved classics. Now you can share this classic with children of any age.

Cozy Classics: War and Peace by Jack Wang, Holman Wang

3 STARS

I was expecting a little more of the story. I have never read War and Peace so I thought I could read a Cozy Classics first. This is more a picture book than a story. I love the pictures and this would be good for little little kids. This review alone has more words in it.
I was given this ebook for free and asked to give honest review of it.
Pub Date May 30 2013 Simply Read Books Smith Publicity 24 pages ISBN-10: 1927018226


Description below taken off of Netgalley


Give a kid a classic! Cozy Classics is the popular board book series that presents well-loved stories to children aged 0+ through twelve child-friendly words and twelve needle-felted illustrations. War and Peace is Leo Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece about love and friendship in aristocratic Russia during the country’s struggle against Napoleon, and is often considered the greatest novel of all time. Now you can share this classic with children of any age.

Bubble Trouble by Wanda E. Brunstetter

4 STARS

Bubble Trouble is a good Amish story for young kids about twins who worry a lot about simple and complex things. It is a clean story that can be enjoyed at any age. This is the third book of the series but only the first one I have read. I also love the cover.

Mattie and Mark Miller are nine year old twins. They are normal children who like to play, go to school, love their pets, enjoy their lives but also worry about things. They are a little different in that they don't watch t.v., play video games, listen to radio and drive in cars. They ride a bike built for two or walk to school.

Mattie is good at playing ball, likes her dog, is terrible at spelling.
Mark is smart and likes big words. He is not good at baseball. He enjoys his cats, and teasing his sister.
When they worry or scared they pray for help and turn their problems over to God.

This gives a good look at the Amish life for kids. I enjoyed reading Bubble Trouble and will continue to read books by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
05/01/2013 PUB. Barbour Publishing, Inc. 160 pages ISBN:1620291487

Description below taken off of Netgalley.


Twins Mattie and Mark Miller experience Bubble Troubles in their Holmes County, Ohio, community. Whether they’re worrying over lost dogs, scary storms, or falling through the ice, the energetic nine-year-olds just can’t seem to shake their feelings of uneasiness and uncertainty. Will Mattie and Mark learn the value of turning their worries over to God before it’s too late? Eight- to twelve-year-old readers will fall in love with the third book in this brand-new series from bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunstetter.

If I Stayed (Amish Romance) by Becca Fisher

4 STARS

If I Stayed is really two different stories with the main character Hannah Miller. Hannah is of age for rumspringa. Hannah doesn't want to do wild things but she does want to explore the world and learn more. Her parents don't agree with her though, they want her to stay in Lancaster.

So part of the story is her decision to stay and what happens to her at home. The other is do follow her dream and go to collage and learn. Because of that decision all these other things happen to her. The story switches back and forth between the two choices show what happens to her.

It would be nice if we all could see what happens because of the choices we make. It would be easier to live with but maybe not. I listened to part of the story on my kindle and sometimes I would get lost between the story lines. Had no problem with the part as I was reading though. It was interesting to see the difference with her life went. Hannah really did not change that much either way. She stayed close to her Savior and tried to follow his way.

It is a clean read. Entertaining story. It shows also how different choices bring different results. Some are good and some can lead to bad results.

I was given this ebook and asked to give honest review of when finished by author through Librarything.
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. April 04, 2013 94 pages ASIN: B00C7GFF82

Description below taken off of Amazon.

Hannah Miller has always been the curious type. Desperate to explore the world. So when rumspringa comes, she wants to go to the big city. But is she willing to risk losing everything that's important to her when her parents insist that she stay in Lancaster?

"If I Stayed" is an Amish Romance about the decisions we make, and how the consequences of those decisions can change our lives forever.