Mindy

Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 232015
 

25205326Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention

Author: J. Scott Savage

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Publish date: Sept. 29, 2015

ISBN13: 9781629720920

Hardcover: 370 pages

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and “invention” is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion—an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on—and quite possibly their very lives.

My Review

One word: AMAZING!

Okay, that isn’t all I’m going to say, but that word sums up this book perfectly.  I absolutely loved this book.  The imagination and creativity involved in this story is mind-blowing.  I’m not surprised though, Jeff is an extremely talented author who dazzles me every time I read one of his books.  I loved how it was illegal to think outside of the box, to change things, to invent something new.  I won’t get into the history of Cove in my review, but it is fascinating.  Cove is a treasure trove of secrets.  I really liked Trenton.  I think of him as a talented young man with wondrous potential and ingenuity.  Kallista needed to grow on me for a bit, but quickly she won me over too, she’s has a sad history.  Trenton is dealt a major blow early on, and is betrayed by someone close to him, but as the story goes, there are reasons.  I loved the adventure the two take on to solve the mystery of what Kallista’s father left behind.  Can’t wait for book 2, why can’t time go faster?!?

5 out of 5 stars.  This book was a joy to read, another testament as to why I love middle grade fiction so much! Bravo, Jeff!

Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 212015
 

25169898Followed by Frost

Author: Charlie N. Holmberg

Publisher: 47North

Published: September 22nd, 2015

ISBN13:9781503946323

Paperback: 244 pages

FTC FYI: Received a Kindle copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary

Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town—until she rejects a strange man’s marriage proposal and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha’s desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha’s heart, or will Death forever still it?

My Review

Followed by Frost is the fascinating story of Smitha, the girl with the cold heart.  She is cursed by Mordan, the curse involves snow and frost, a lot of it.  Smitha is essentially kicked out of her home and forced to retreat to the mountains where she wonders from place to place, trying not to leave too much snow in her wake. Death is her only companion, who relentlessly asks her to join him.  At first, Smitha is a very hard character to care about.  She is very vain and selfish, but her journey of self-discovery and forgiveness is amazing.  I love the way the story is told, Smitha is telling the story, but also shares with the reader what she should have noticed, or should have done in a situation.  I really enjoyed her journey in the Southlands, the people are in a drought and her snow is much needed.  The Prince Imad, Lo, and Aamina were wonderful characters.  Especially Lo.  I loved how Smitha finds purpose there with her frosty life and possibly hope.

5 out of 5 stars.  Fantastic story that reads quickly and the ending is so well done.  I loved every page of this book!

Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

 

Love’s Deception by Kelly Nelson

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 182015
 

25238234Love’s Deception

Author: Kelly Nelson

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Published: March 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-59992-968-2

Paperback: 230 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Catherine Lewis lost her husband to a roadside bomb in Baghdad shortly after discovering she was expecting their first child. Seven years later, Cat fears her chance at true happiness has slipped through her fingers.

After growing up the son of a humble Oregon farmer, Ty Bradford is climbing the corporate ladder at an accounting firm in California. But when his father suffers a heart attack he returns home to help with the family farm. Rescuing a beautiful cowgirl stranded on a rural road transforms his previously miserable leave of absence into one of the happiest times of his life.

Ty isn’t a member of the LDS Church, and normally Cat, an active Latter-day Saint, wouldn’t give him a chance. Against her better judgment, she falls for him, believing he is a farmer. Once she realizes Ty is leading a double life, will she shut the door on the relationship for good? Or could Mr. Wrong possibly be the right one for Cat after all?

My Review

I really enjoyed this story of loss, love, misunderstanding, hope and forgiveness.  I really liked Cat and her need to take care of her son and mother.  She was an amazing worker and had a fun, stubborn streak to her.  Cat had a lot on her plate with her mother being so ill, being a single mom, and handling a previous deception from her husband that had passed away.  Ty definitely had his work cut out for him when it came to winning her heart.  Sally especially was a favorite character of mine.  She had a presence about her that filled the pages.  There are many gospel references in this book.  One especially, Come What May and Love it, by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, brought a smile to my face.  When I was done reading the book, I looked up the talk and enjoyed once more.  Ty was instantly likable, I appreciated that his conversion wasn’t instant and it was for him.  I also enjoyed how the author handled the inevitable break up of the two characters.  Cat had to learn to let go and forgive and I thought she did that well in the end.

4 out of 5 stars.  Kelly is also the author the Keeper’s Saga series, I have read book 1 and it was a great start to I’m sure what is a fantastic series.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon

Molly Pepper and the Night Train by Courtney King Walker

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 152015
 

???????????????????Molly Pepper and the Night Train

Author: Courtney King Walker

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing

Published: March 2015

ISBN: 978-0-9857250-5-1

Paperback: 254 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Hidden somewhere in the fog of the San Francisco bay lies Blue Rock Island, home to the bay area’s two best-kept secrets: Bell’s Bluff, the old, abandoned prison on one side of the island, and the Night Train, a mysterious train ride on the other. When twelve-year-old Molly Pepper receives a secret invitation promising a night of magic and adventure aboard the Night Train, she is skeptical. In her experience, most promises prove too good to be true. The fact that she lost her mom is proof enough.

Still, Molly gives hope another chance. Together with her loyal friend, Noah Wonderly, they sneak out of the house and follow a string of clues leading to the Night Train. But when the train stops at Bell’s Bluff, Molly discovers the real reason she was invited. There, she starts to wonder if hope and magic not only fix broken promises; but make you believe in them again.

My Review

This book is a treasure.  I LOVE middle grade books, especially middle grade books with lots of heart, fun, and mystery.  This book has it all.  There were so many little things in this story that made me smile, and I loved the wonderful extra sweetness that made this book special (a certain scene with Noah, that I just loved).  Molly is a fantastic character, but Noah stole the show for me.  He was my favorite.  I loved the pacing in this book too, the short chapters when it wasn’t being told by Molly’s POV, were the perfect added touch to give the story even more.  It begins with a fun adventure for Molly and Noah and lots of people are waiting to see how it unfolds.  There is a reveal at the end that I suspected, but when it came, it was heartbreaking and I loved how it all came out.  Perfect ending to a fabulous book.

5 out of 5 stars.  Courtney is also the author of an enjoyable YA book called On the Fringe that I reviewed back in 2012.  Check that out here.

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 142015
 

26203824Simply Anna

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-68047-364-3

Paperback: 210 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary

Suffering from a cruel heartbreak, Lord Philip Hamilton has been driven to seek refuge from the painful memories haunting London, and his father’s Jamaican sugar cane plantation provides just the escape he needs. Philip finds solace in his hard work and takes comfort in the fact that his distance from society ensures that his heart will be protected from future entanglements. Protected, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a mysterious woman with no memory of her past. The only clue to her identity is a necklace inscribed with a name: Anna. In a matter of weeks, this gentle, intelligent, and impossibly beautiful stranger turns Philip’s world upside down. But as the bond between the pair grows, the threat of Philip losing his heart once more is only the beginning of the dangers that await. Island renegades and a ruthless band of pirates clash in a swashbuckling battle, and it soon becomes clear that these villains may be the key to unlocking Anna’s past.

My Review

This book is simply amazing.  I was immediately taken into the story and wonderfulness that is Anna herself.  I love how she is with people, her knowledge, her kindness, and especially her love for others.  That is what starts her journey, when she is deck on a stormy night trying to locate a lost toy.  I also really liked Phillip.  I was worried at first with how spoiled he was, but I was happy how he took to his new surroundings and accepted his new life in Jamaica.  I really appreciate it when author’s take care in their secondary characters.  Jenny does a fabulous job with this skill.  Ezekiel, Betty, and Malachi were unforgettable.  Ezekiel especially was very special.  The pirates were a fun surprise and I would have loved to have had them around more!  I also liked how Phillip was already trying to be a better man before he met Anna, but she really helped bring out the best in him.  I would have liked to see the reactions of Anna’s friends when she returned but realized that this is Anna and Phillip’s story and it wasn’t necessary.

5 out of 5 stars.  The last thing I appreciated in this story was the Author’s Note.  I have known for awhile that Jenny is a wonderful person, but this proves it even more.

Author Links

Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Blog Tour Schedule

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Eleanor and the Iron King by Julie Daines — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Aug 052015
 

Eleanor and the Iron King_COVER.inddEleanor and the Iron King

Author: Julie Daines

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: August 1st, 2015

Paperback: 224 pages

ISBN13: 978-1-68047-237-0

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Eleanor de Lacy is forced into an arranged marriage with her father’s greatest enemy, Brac Goch, the Welsh king. All Eleanor knows of Brac is that he is a ruthless, war hungry man.

Eleanor arrives at the Welsh castle of Bryn Du already expecting the worst. When the ghost of Brac Goch’s first wife appears and warns her that the Welsh king is not to be trusted, all of Eleanor’s fears are confirmed.

As the countdown to her wedding day approaches, Eleanor must figure out who is lying, who is telling the truth, who is loyal, and who is the traitor–and most of all, if she can love an enemy king.

My Review

Julie Daines has done it again.  This book is amazing and I loved every page.  Eleanor and the Iron King has everything a reader could ask for and more.  The setting is a character itself, it was like I was there in the castle.  Eleanor was a fascinating character.  Honestly, I will read anything Julie writes, her books are magical.  Isn’t this cover absolutely gorgeous!

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

Schedule:
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