Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 102013
 

Heart of the Ocean

Author: Heather B. Moore

Published: Jan. 2013

Publisher: Mirror Press

AISN: B00AVMIK8Q

ebook: 337 pages

FTC FYI: Received review copy

Goodreads Summary

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost . . . a handsome stranger . . . What more could Eliza Robinson want?

Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza’s life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

My Review

Eliza is going through a hard time. She has turned down the proposal of her father’s business partner, and flees to Maybrook, a Puritan town, to stay with her aunt. While she is there, Eliza keeps hearing voices in the wind. Her aunt Maeve tells the story of a Puritan woman who’s heart is broken by the love of her life, and how she died of a broken heart. Eliza can’t escape what the voice is trying to tell her. When Maeve dies, her life is put in danger and she is rescued by Jonathan Porter, who has secrets of his own.

Heather is such a talented writer and has a magical way of drawing you right into her books with her well-written characters and page turning plots.  There is a lot to this story, and I really enjoyed the journey of these great characters.

4 out of 5 stars. Heather is the author of many fabulous books.  Read them, and you will see what I am talking about. Her latest book Athena is part of the Newport Ladies Book Club and is out now!

Sheila’s Review

This is the first book I’ve read by Heather Moore that had a paranormal theme to it. I have to say, I really liked it! This historical novel is much more than a ghost story, it is a story of two people, trapped in a mystery that envelops both of their lives. Eliza, shunned by high society, escapes to live with her Aunt Mauve in a Puritan town. Jonathan, having once escaped the same Puritan town, is drawn back in search of papers that will help him claim his rightly inheritance. One rainy night, they are drawn together, because of a ghastly murder and the whispers of a ghost. From this point on in the story, Jonathan and Eliza are forced together to solve the mystery surrounding the death of Jonathan’s mother. As they fight evil and menacing people, they also must fight the feelings that are growing for one another. The Heart of the Ocean will keep you reading until the mystery is solved, murderers jailed, and love winning out in the end.I hope to read more like this from Author Heather B. Moore.
Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newport Ladies Book Club

Purchase Links

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen — Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 292012
 

The False Prince

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: April 1st, 2012

Genre: Middle Grade

ISBN: 978-0-545-43347-1

FTC FYI: Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Mindy and Shanda

Goodreads Summary

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Mindy’s Review

I knew I was going to love this book right from the first page.  Jennifer has created some great characters in this book. Sage is the perfect smart-alec that you will be cheering for throughout the book. Sage is almost too clever for his own good, and he’s always a step ahead of everyone. My favorite character was, of course, Sage. But Mott was a close second. Sage is a mystery. Sometimes you want to slap him, but you truly wonder what he is up to.

I loved everything about this book.  The writing is flawless and page turning. I also enjoyed how the author kept secrets from the reader, and how she subtly revealed key moments, which turn out to be HUGE!  I really can’t summarize this book without giving anything away, but know that this is one of the best books I have read all year.

Since I am not going to summarize the book, I wanted to give you a sample of what is in store for you when you read this.

If I had to do it all over again, I would not have chosen this life. Then again, I’m not sure I ever had a choice.

These were my thoughts as I raced away from the market, with a stolen roast under my arm.

I’d never attempted roast thievery before, and I was already regretting it. It happens to be very difficult to hold a chunk of raw meat while running. More slippery than I’d anticipated. If the butcher didn’t catch me with his cleaver first, and literally cut off my future plans, I vowed to remember to get the meat wrapped next time. Then steal it. (The False Prince, page 1)

5 of out 5 stars.  This is an amazing book that cannot be missed. I loved it and it can be enjoyed by young readers and adults.

The False Prince has also been nominated for 2012 Whitney Award.  Congratulations Jennifer.

Shanda’s Review

I knew that I would be giving The False Prince five stars within the first three paragraphs. I loved everything about this book. I devoured it in one day, savoring every word on every page. After I finished reading it I carried the book around with me, not quite ready to let go of the story yet.

So many times I thought I understood who did what and where the story was going, but I was wrong. I loved Mott and hated Conner. I laughed out loud and fumed with anger. I experienced disgust and disappointment and loyalty and triumph.

Sage is the most clever, infuriating, stubborn, independent, and contradicting character I’ve read in a long time. Maybe ever. He’s a talented thief, a protector and respecter of women, an orphaned young man with nothing to lose and no allies. When he finds himself swept up in a plot to place an impostor prince on the throne, he faces a simple choice: be the one Conner chooses as prince or die.

It is difficult to discuss in detail all of the reasons why I loved this book without giving things away. I look forward to re-reading The False Prince just as much as I do reading the next book in the series. I almost started reading it again as soon as I had finished my first time through.

I have heard so many good things about The False Prince in the months since its release earlier this year. My only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner. I eagerly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story and give The False Prince an enthusiastic 5 stars.

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

Author Links

Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

 

Once Upon a Baby by Shari Guess — Blog Tour/Combined Review

 Posted by  Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 072012
 

Once Upon a Baby: A Tale of Adoption

Author: Shari Guess

Publisher: Narrow Trail Publishing

Published: 2012

Paperback: 28 pages

ISBN13: 9780985859008

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary: A heartwarming tale of LDS adoption. Follow a child’s journey from the Pre-existence to his family’s home on Earth.  The divine guidance of the Savior, along with the prayers of both birth and adoptive parents are gently and lovingly portrayed in this tender story of the ultimate “happily every after”.

Mindy’s Review

I was very excited to be a part of this blog tour.  November is National Adoption Month.  I have many friends who have been blessed by adoption.  This book is a sweet telling of that very thing.  This story is the journey of a family starting their life together in heaven, and the way they end of together here on earth.  They soon realize that they need some help. Once Upon a Baby is also a beautifully illustrated story. It is a great story for all families.  My favorite quote from the book talked about how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

The mommy and daddy said more than a few prayers and asked Heavenly Father and Jesus to help them keep their promise to the baby. Because Heavenly Father and Jesus loves mommies and daddies and children too, Jesus answered their prayers. He would help the child come down from Heaven as a baby to his family’s home on earth.

Once Upon a Baby is a perfect book that will help a child understand where they came from, and that their “tummy mommy” loved them too.

Sheila’s Review

Once Upon a Baby is such a sweet book. I wish I would have had this book 14 1/2 years ago when I brought home my sweet baby girl. We were blessed with her through the gift of adoption. I also came to my family through adoption as a baby.
This darling LDS picture book tells such a wonderful story of how babies can come to families through the help of a “tummy mommy”. This book is perfect for young kids. It is simply told in words that they can understand. This story is written as if the author were talking right to the child reading the book. The pictures were drawn to look like they were colored with crayons, something little ones will like and relate to. My favorite page had these lines:
Because Heavenly Father and Jesus love you, they helped your Tummy Mommy bring you to our family.  Because they love our family, they made temples so that one day we all be together in Heaven again.
Wow it brought tears to my eyes!!
 
This is such a perfect book for a family who has been blessed with children through adoption. As one of those families, I can say, this book is very needed and will be well liked and accepted.

Find out more about the Shari on her website .

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

Bio from her Goodreads page:

SHARI GUESS is a proud, first-time children’s book author and lives in rural North Texas where she is “Mom” to her beloved 9-year-old adopted son, Garrett. Happily married to her husband Walter for going on 13 years they share their cabin-in-the-woods with a small herd of Great Danes and farm animals. Shari is currently a part-time real estate agent and property manager and prior to marriage worked for over a decade in the music business, spanning from Los Angeles to Nashville. She wore many hats as a journalist and publicist representing multiple recording artists, magazines and music publishing companies, along with being a part-time performing artist and songwriter. Her hobbies include choral, Americana and rock music, martial arts, photography, travel and anything in the mountains.


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Shadowed by Stephanie Black — Combined Review

 Posted by  Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Oct 312012
 

Shadowed

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2012

Paperback: 273 pages

Genre: Mystery-Suspense

ISBN13: 9781621081968

FTC FYI: Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by: Mindy and Shanda

Goodreads Summary

Gifted musician Catherine Clayton was born into a life of wealth and privilege. Following the death of her father, she makes a bold decision she hopes would make him proud: she’s using the family money to establish a music school and offer free lessons to the underprivileged. A providential suggestion from an old college friend leads Catherine to select Riley, New York, as the perfect location for her new school. Hit hard by the economic downturn, Riley personifies economic hardship: peeling paint, overgrown landscapes, and damaged buildings. But the damage runs much deeper than Catherine first realizes.

Two years ago, Riley was rocked by weeks of vandalism, followed by the brutal murder of beautiful elementary school secretary Olivia Perry. Everyone in town loved Olivia—but especially the two men with whom she was caught in a love triangle. Though the murder remains unsolved, Catherine receives ominous warnings that one of these men, Adam Becket, is responsible for her death. Unimpressed by the lack of evidence against him, Catherine is drawn to the shy but endearing Adam. Could he really have been involved in Olivia’s murder?

Just as Catherine is settling in and getting to know Adam, a vandal strikes again, and it’s eerily reminiscent of the events surrounding Olivia’s murder. The death threats splashed on the walls prove that the killer is back—and this time, it’s Catherine who wonders if she’s come to the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mindy’s Review

I was so excited to read this book from Stephanie Black.  Stephanie has won 4 Whitney Awards for her work, so I knew this book would be a good one.  I was not disappointed.  Shadowed had me on edge, just waiting for something to happen, anticipating each page eagerly. My heart went out to Catherine. Talk about bad timing, with lots of bad luck. Moving into a town that is not welcoming and down right spooked by past and current events. Catherine is a great character with lots of great qualities. I really enjoyed what took place in the story, and the outcome of who did it. I was not expecting that!

This is a great book to read on Halloween, full of suspense and heart pounding action.

4 out 5 stars.

Shanda’s Review

Shadowed is a great book to read on Halloween. Set in Riley, New York during autumn, the setting descriptions and suspenseful plot were just right for a good, scary read.

I enjoyed the characters and feel like I got to know them pretty well considering we never leave Catherine’s point of view. Each one took their turn as my suspected bad guy. I thought I had the villain pegged a couple of times, but never with much confidence until the end. Stephanie did a great job keeping me guessing.

The pace of the story was effective and kept me reading until my eyes just wouldn’t stay open anymore. Just as I would get feeling comfortable in Riley again, something would happen or hint at happening to shake things up. There are several action-packed scenes near the end that got my heart rate up and kept me turning pages.

I really enjoyed Shadowed and happily recommend it to readers who love mystery-suspense.

Read more about Stephanie Black on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Find Shadowed:

GOODREADS | AMAZON | KINDLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

 

Murder By the Way by Betsy Brannon Green – Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Combined Reviews
Jul 302012
 

Murder By the Way

Author: Betsy Brannon Green

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: June 2012

Paperback; 280 pages

Genre: Mystery-Suspense

ISBN# 978-1-62108-123-4

Reviewed by: Shanda & Sheila

FTC FYI: review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

As Kennedy Killingsworth prepares to step into the next phase of her life alongside her soon-to-be husband, Luke, the past reemerges and interrupts with full force. Luke is suddenly called away to testify at a Marine Corps trial and is forced to leave Kennedy soon after they are declared husband and wife. Then an old business associate, Drake Langston, announces he is returning to Midway to finish renovating the town and needs Kennedy’s help to smooth things over with the locals. Kennedy jumps on board to distract herself from Luke’s absence. Little does she know that there will soon be plenty to distract her. After an unexplainable prison van accident leaves a woman dead and three prisoners missing, the town feels rattled and worried. As Kennedy (and her ex-husband, Cade) gets involved in investigating the crash, more and more mysterious events unfold, and if she’s not careful, she could be the next murder by the way.

First Line

“My second wedding day was off to a perfect start.”

Find Murder By the Way:

GOODREADS | AMAZON | KINDLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Shanda’s Review

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series (Murder By the Book and Murder By Design) so I was excited to receive Murder By the Way for review. The beginning of the story was more “tell” than the rest as Kennedy reviews the events of the last little while, but the writing is good. Once things got going, it didn’t take long for me to find the rhythm of the story.

While Kennedy is an interesting character to me, and I’ve enjoyed seeing a bit of her toughness soften with her love for Luke, it is Luke that is my favorite character. Due to a sudden military trial, their wedding is rushed and Luke must leave to testify immediately after the reception. This means that he is “physically” gone for a large portion of the story, but with phone calls and texts to Kennedy he remains peripherally involved.

Another favorite character is Sloan. He is a former FBI agent, and I liked not knowing if he was a good guy or a bad guy. His actions could lead either way, and it isn’t until the end that the reader learns whether he is good or bad. (I’m not saying!)

One thing I was glad to see was that Cade, Kennedy’s ex-husband, steps up and we get to see the better side of him. He has a hunch and follows through, setting the mystery in motion.

Several of the well-known characters from Betsy’s previous novels are back, as frustrating as ever. And what would a Betsy Brannon Green mystery be without Miss Eugenia?

I enjoyed the story and was happy to be surprised by the twist at the end. It played out differently than I thought it would and I was satisfied with how the story ended. The last few pages of the book are recipes and I can’t wait to try Miss Eugenia’s S’more Cookies. All in all, a great third installment of the Kennedy Killingsworth series.

Sheila’s Review

Murder By the Way is the third book in the Kennedy Killingsworth series. It is just as good as the first two books in the series. I love the inclusion of the familiar and comfortable characters that Betsy Brannon Green’s readers have come to know and love. Some examples are Miss Eugena, Miss Ida Jean, Winston, Mark and Kate. These are characters from The Haggerty Series that I absolutely love!

Once again Betsy’s books are full of mystery, intrigue, humor, and of course a lot of good food that the characters are cooking and eating. Recipes are always included at the end of the book. One that I want to try the most is, Miss Eugenia’s S’More Cookies. In the book she deep fries them, but I think I will bake them the normal way. I also want to try, Miss Iris’s Lemon Chicken, which is a little bit healthier than the cookies.

I really like Kennedy in this book, but I wish that there had been more of her new husband, Luke. He has become one of my favorite characters. There wasn’t as much action as there had been in book two, but there was plenty of “interaction” with the characters. The characters had more opportunities to figure out things mentally this time around. The ending played out almost how I have been figuring it would, but with some added twists and turns. I wasn’t disappointed in the end, and it just made me look forward to the next book in the series. At least I hope that there is more to come. I am adding this book to my list of quick, summer reads. You can read this alone, but I highly suggest that you read book one and two in the series first. I give this book 4 stars.

 

 

 

Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black – Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Combined Reviews
Dec 012011
 

Title: Rearview Mirror

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant

Published Date: Sept 2011

Softcover; 316 pages

ISBN# 978-1-60861-463-9

Genre: Mystery-Suspense

Reviewed by: Shanda, Sheila & Mindy

FTC FYI: free review copies in exchange for an honest review

Shanda’s Review

I should not have started Rearview Mirror on a windy night while my husband was out of town.

There are some seriously creepy things that happen in this book. I questioned my sanity a couple of times, read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and then hoped this would be one of those nights that I wouldn’t remember my nightmares dreams.

Rearview Mirror was a page turner that I didn’t want to put down. At one point I gasped out loud and almost screamed with the main character. I read the next few pages with my hand covering my mouth. I’m sure my eyes were wide with shock at a certain turn of events. I was guessing at characters until the end, going back and forth on who I thought was guilty.

I enjoyed the side stories with the secondary characters. The author kept them integral to the story but brief enough to not become too distracting from the main storyline. Several of the characters became people I wouldn’t mind reading more about in the future.

Rearview Mirror gets a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars from me for being a creepy story that kept me guessing until the end.

Sheila’s Review

Stephanie Black is well known for her wonderful mystery/suspense books. She has won several Whitney Awards for her writing and they have been well-deserved. She always has a way of drawing you into the story from the first paragraph.

Rearview Mirror starts with something happening that will leave your mouth hitting the floor. Boom! The mystery starts, and you are left wondering who “did it” after reading the first two pages.

There are several story lines taking place in the novel, but they soon weave together as you try in vain to figure out who killed several people. Just when you think you have figured out who is behind all of the dirty deeds (there is also the possibility that more than one person is responsible) another possible bad guy/gal is thrown into the suspects’ spotlight. You feel like you are being bounced all over the place as you keep changing your mind about who is the real killer.

Fiona Claridge, the main female character, is struggling with physical and emotional challenges from an accident many years earlier. Her best friend was killed in the car accident and Fiona was driving. Fiona may appear weak at times, as she feels the pressure of her past mistakes and the current stalker making her life miserable. You soon realize that Fiona is stronger than you think as she attempts to attack her problems head on.

Rearview Mirror can be read in one sitting, if you are lucky enough to have the time. I did not want to put this book down. I played a game of UNO Attack with one hand and held the book in the other. I am happy to report that in 5 rounds, I won, while reading my book!!

Your heart will be kept leaping and your brain boggled as you read of one frightening event after the other. The end IS a big surprise! I had my suspicions, but then I was thinking almost everyone was a suspect, but was shocked when it all came down to the end.

Stephanie Black has definitely bested herself again. This book is fantastic and I highly recommend it to all readers.

Mindy’s Review

Rearview Mirror is another strong offering from Stephanie Black. This book starts strong from page one and doesn’t let go. I was guessing the whodunit for the whole book. I loved how Stephanie would plant her little seeds of mystery in my head, string along a suspect, then ease me to another.

Fiona Claridge has had a rough few years. She was the driver in a fatal car crash that killed her roommate eight years earlier. Now, years later, someone is harassing her. Is it Kimberly Bailey, the disgruntled student that Fiona had to fail, or Carissa Willis the housewife with a secret? Or is it someone even closer to Fiona?

The author does incredible job of switching POV’s throughout the story. Each character is so unique and very well written.

5 out of 5 stars. This book is full of suspense and mystery. I loved it! I know when I’m liking a book, I quickly I read the last couple lines on the last page to make sure things will be alright for the character. I had to do that here.

What Stephanie Black mystery-suspense novels you have enjoyed?

 

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