Two Reviews: Caribbean Crossroads by Connie E. Sokol and The Keeper’s Calling by Kelly Nelson

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jul 062012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Caribbean Crossroads
  • Author: Cobbie E. Sokol
  • Paperback: 270 pages
  • Publisher: Sokol Publishing (June 8, 2012)
  • Genre: Romance
  • ISBN-10: 0615651860
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615651866

 

 

 

 

 Book Description:
Publication Date: June 8, 2012
New college grad Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard.
Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a
cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson.
Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can’t deny the
intense attraction between them. Urged to find a wife and run the
family lumber business, Bryant is torn between his family’s expectations
for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but
love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn’t look so bad. Just
when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions
regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious
surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.
My Review: 
 Caribbean Crossroads is another book that I’m classifying as a fun summer read. I loved how the book begins, with Megan as a performer with a talented group of young people on a cruise ship. There she meets the good-looking and charming Bryant, whom she is desperately trying NOT to fall in love with him. I liked the feeling and fun atmosphere that the reader feels on the cruise ship. I also liked their experiences together as they visit different stops in the Caribbean. There is excitement on the ship as Megan and Bryant are falling in love. It fits the beauty found on the front cover of the book. 
After the cruise ends, a different feeling is found in the story. It is almost like the let down after you come home from a vacation. Megan and Bryant go back to their “real” lives and the family drama and pressures awaiting them. This is also the part where Megan and Bryant falter in their relationship. Talk about romantic angst! I was very frustrated with both of them as they tried to work out things in their relationship. This is where the novel shows realism as Megan is scared about getting hurt again. Readers may think she is being stubborn or stupid for not falling for this talented and handsome man. The thing that really works here though, is that the superficiality of the characters found at the beginning is wiped away. The author deepens the characters,and what is really going on inside of them. Even though you get fed up with Megan and her resistance to Bryant, you can relate if you have ever been hurt in a relationship. At the end of the book I wanted to scream as I read about the Thanksgiving dinner. I also wanted to string a few people up by their necks, namely Megan’s Mother, sister Kara and her husband Jackson. After reading the book you will know why I say this. 

Overall, this book is recommended to fans who like a quick, romantic read. It will bring out many feelings,in you the reader, as you cheer on Megan and Bryant as they cruise towards love.

You can purchase Caribbean Crossroads at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle.
 
 About the Author:
Connie Sokol is a mother of seven—a
national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a
monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for LDSLiving
online. She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and
columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is also
the author of Motherhood Matters, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair
Color, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol
marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. Visit her
website at www.8basics.com/   
You can also find Connie on FB http://www.facebook.com/8basics
Review of The Keeper’s Calling:

 

Product Details:

  • Title: The Keeper’s Calling
  • Author: Kelly Nelson
  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (February 20, 2012)
  • Genre: YA Fantasy/romance
  • ISBN-10: 1599928442
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928449

 

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: February 20, 2012 | Series: Keeper’s Saga (Book 1)
They come from two different worlds. One fateful discovery
will bring them together. Neither of their lives will ever be the same.Chase
Harper’s to-do list for senior year never included fall in love and
fight for your life, but things rarely go as planned. Tarnished gold and
resembling a pocket watch, the counter he finds in a cave during the
summer of 2011 will forever change the course of his life, leading him
to the beautiful Ellie Williams and unlocking a power beyond his wildest
imagination.In 1863, Ellie Williams completes school in Boston
and returns to the Utah Territory only to discover that her grandfather
and his counter, a treasured family heirloom, are missing. When Ellie is
abducted and told she must produce the counter or die, an unexpected
rescuer comes to her aid.

My Review:
The second I read the back cover and realized that there would be time travel in this book, I was hooked! Some people are skeptical about time travel in novels, but for me it’s a sure way to get me to read. Let’s just say I liked the device used to time travel and how it was used. But I am getting ahead of myself…
Chase Harper is our protagonist, a normal, 17 year old boy, who plays soccer, and has a girlfriend. Life changes for him while on a camping trip when he finds an old watch in a cave. Immediately, the story moves ahead with a lot of action, as Chase is transported back to 1863 where he meets Ellie. Kelly does a fun job with her two main characters. Though they come from different time periods, they start forming a great connection. The reader picks up on this way before the characters do.
Here are the main things I really liked about the story:
 -Kelly does an incredible job of writing the POV of a 17 year old male.
-Very interesting story behind the time travel device and what it means to be a “keeper”.
-The story keeps moving throughout without a lot of lagging moments; in other words, it was hard to put down.
-Though the main characters are teenagers, adults will be pulled into the story because of the depth of the plot.
This first book ends well, but still leaves you excited to read the next book in the series. The Keeper’s Calling is full of action, angst, and romance as Chase Harper travels through the centuries on his quest of duty and love. Readers will enjoy traveling along with Chase as he forges relationships not bound by time.
**I was given a review copy of The Keeper’s Calling by Walnut Springs Press. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.**

About the Author:
Kelly Nelson was raised in Orem, Utah, and now resides in Cornelius,Oregon, in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys lifeon a ten-acre horse property with her husband, four children, and, ofcourse, lots of horses. Kelly has a bachelor’s degree from Brigham YoungUniversity. She worked as a certified public accountant for several years before opting to stay home and raise a family. As a young girl, she was an avid reader and had a passion for creative writing. Her travels to England, France, Egypt, Israel, West Indies, Mexico, and
across the United States sparked a love of history, adventure, and exotic places. This led to the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Keeper’s Calling, the first book in The Keeper’s Saga.


What Inspired Her to Write The Keeper’s Calling:

“When I tell people I wrote a book, many are interested in how the idea for the story came about. The concept for The Keeper’s Calling
sprouted during the summer of 2007. I had the rough idea of someone
finding a time travel device. It solidified on our trip through Zion
National Park when we pulled off the side of the road to take
pictures. Being an explorer at heart, I began wandering, climbing down a
rocky hillside into a wash. Calling and waving, I convinced my family
to abandon the car’s air conditioning to go on a hike. The rock walls
rose up on both sides of us, at times so high that we were completely
shaded. Kicking through the sand and dragging our fingertips across the
rough sandstone, we walked through the narrow wash. When it opened up, I
saw a couple of shallow caves in the red sandstone cliffs. Hot, tired,
and thirst, everyone else wanted to go back. I was barely getting
started; I could have hiked for another hour. We climbed into one of
these caves and took a picture. While I walked I began to daydream . . .
“What if?” One thing led to another. By the time I went to bed that
night, I had daydreamed the events that would compose the first few
chapters of my book. “


What About a Second Book?:

“The Keeper’s Quest is scheduled to be released early November
2012. I am busy editing it and look forward to everyone reading the
ongoing adventures of Chase and Ellie!”

To learn more about Kelly, please visit her at her website…http://kellynelsonauthor.com/

Review of 365 Days of Slow-Cooking by Karen Bellessa Petersen

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jun 152012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: 365 Days of Slow-Cooking
  • Author: Karen Bellessa Petersen
  • Spiral-bound: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc; 1st edition (February 14, 2012)
  • Genre: Cookbook
  • ISBN-10: 1608618706
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608618705
  • FTC:FYI I received a review copy in
  • exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

 

 

 Book Description: 

Family dinner may be the most important part of the day, and for busy households, a slow-cooker may be the most important item in the kitchen! This volume of slow-cooker recipes offers easy instructions for creating appetizing meals that are prepared on your own time and served at just the right time. With 365 dishes that can be assembled in minutes, including dozens that require just two minutes or less, this collection is the perfect solution for hectic days and crowded schedules. Tempt your family’s palate with favorite entrees like golden beef stroganoff and smothered pork chops, hearty side dishes like buttermilk mashed potatoes, and delectable desserts like hot fudge pudding cake. Perk up tired menus with ethnic delights from Thai peanut noodles to Greek pita folds, and find the perfect soup or stew to please a crowd with minimal prep time. Thanks to this user-friendly guide, dinnertime just got a lot more simple, and a lot more delicious.

My Review:

According to the beginning of the book, Karen at one time rarely used her slow-cooker. She soon started an experience of cooking every day with the slow-cooker. Her blog, 365DayofCrockpotblogspot.com started and from there her fan base grew. Then of course this cook book followed. This book is a gem among cookbooks out there.


Here are some of the things I loved about this cookbook:

–She has tips for slow-cooking like…

     **Buying a Slow-Cooker

     **Caring for and Cleaning a Slow-Cooker

     **How A slow-cooker works

     **Getting to Know your slow-cooker

     **Reducing Fat and what to do if food gets runny


–Variety of Recipes:

I loved the different categories that were included in this cookbook:

   **Appetizers

   **Beverages

   **Breads and Spreads

   **Breakfast

   **Beef Dishes

   **Poultry Dishes

   **Pasta Dishes and Sauces

   **Sides and Salads

   **Soups/Stews/Chili

   **Desserts


I was surprised by all of the things you really can cook in a slow-cooker, and I am by no means a novice at using a slow-cooker. I have used a slow-cooker a lot the past 20 years. So it was thrilling to see all of the new recipes and with such a great variety. 


Another thing I loved in this cookbook was how Karen had coded some of the recipes such as, a star by the recipes that are her personal favorites that she uses over and over again. She has a 2 minute prep box by the recipes that take 2 minutes or less to prepare. Then she has the ALL DAY circle by the recipes you use if you are going to be gone all day. For those of us that work full time, I was especially happy to see this!


When I was asked to review this cookbook, I decided to ask several friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members to help me in testing out recipes. Here are some of the responses I heard from “MY” testers…


“I love the simple and easy recipes. It didn’t take long to throw everything together in the morning.”


“I was so happy that my kids loved the recipes I tried! I need to buy this book now that I have found things that they’ll eat.”


“My favorite part of the recipes I tried is they only had a few ingredients AND they were things I had already in my pantry.”


“The recipe I tried was yummy and easy to make.”


For myself, I eat low-carb, and there were many things I was able to make for my eating style. I also echo what another Mom said above, I found things that my picky eaters at my house want me to make again. They loved the things I made.


With beautiful photographs, great variety of recipes, and easy prep time, this is a cookbook any busy woman/man will want to have on their shelf. I love the spiral bound book that stands by itself as I am putting things together in the crockpot. I can honestly say, out of all of the 6 slow-cooker cookbooks I own, hands down this is the best one out there! I will use these recipes over and over again.



You could read more about Karen and her recipes at http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/


You can purchase 365 Days of Slow-Cooking here at Amazon and Deseret Book.


Here are some of Karen’s favorite dessert recipes that you can bake in the crockpot.


CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/4 cup sugar, divided

2 eggs, divided

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoons vanilla, divided

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1. In a medium bowl, beat butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg until well blended. Stir in flour, salt, cocoa and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into greased slow cooker.

2. In a small bowl with a mixer at low speed, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until just mixed. Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed. Drop dollops of cream cheese mixture on top of batter. Using the tip of a knife, lightly score the top surface to mix the cream cheese mixture in slightly.

3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Makes 8 servings.

 

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 eggs

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of waxed paper to fit the bottom and grease the waxed paper.

2. In a bowl, beat the butter, eggs, sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips until well blended.

3. Spoon the dough evenly into the slow cooker and smooth the top.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for about 3 hours, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Set the lid slightly ajar. Turn off the heat and remove the insert from the slow cooker. Allow to cool in the insert for 30 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack; cut and serve.

 

 

HOT CARAMEL AND CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients:

4 ounce cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 egg

2 8.2-ounce packages, chocolate chip muffin mix

2 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup caramel ice-cream topping

1/2 cup water

Vanilla ice cream

1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine cream cheese and milk. Cook on 50-percent power for 1 minute; remove and stir. Continue cooking for 30-second intervals until cream cheese melts; stir with wire whisk to blend.

2. Place cream cheese mixture in large bowl; stir in sour cream, cocoa powder, and egg. Mix well. Add both packages of muffin mix; stir just until combined.

3. Spray slow cooker with nonstick baking spray containing flour. Spread batter evenly in slow cooker.

4. In small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, ice-cream topping, and water; heat to boiling, stirring until blended. Carefully pour over batter in slow cooker. Do not stir.

5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

6. Uncover, turn off slow cooker, top loosely with foil, and let stand for 30 minutes. Gently run a sharp knife around the edges of the cake and invert over serving plate until cake drops out. If any sauce remains in slow cooker, spoon over cake. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

7. Serve cake and sauce with vanilla ice cream.

Makes 8 servings.

 

About the Author:

 

 Karen Petersen is a stay at home mom who began her crockpot cooking adventures in January of 2009.

 

“I like to make something that my husband will enjoy after a long day at work,” Karen said. “He is my greatest fan.”

 

She randomly cooked dinner in her slow cooker, something she seldom did as she only had one good slow cooker recipe.  She liked the freedom that came from having dinner done early in the day and was pleased when she didn’t have to fight her 2 cranky kids at 5 p.m. while she  was trying to make dinner.  She decided to keep going with the slow cooker.  After 7 days of slow cooked meals she rashly made the decision to cook 365 slow cooker recipes over the course of 365 days.  She developed a blog to chart her progress and post the recipes, reviews and pictures.  At the end of the 365 days she compiled a cookbook, which she now sells (and uses all the time).  After her year was up she took a few weeks off and then continued developing new slow cooker recipes using the techniques she had learned over the year. Karen describes her cooking style as easy, tasty, made with simple ingredients, and food that her family will eat.

 

“I’ve cooked over 500 different recipes in my slow cooker over the past 2 years,” Karen said. “I have learned a lot of different tips and techniques that can help anyone achieve slow cooking success! I often teach slow cooking classes to local groups. I am currently writing my second slow cooker cookbook.  I have appeared on TV over 10 times demonstrating different recipes.”

 

Karen is a mother of two kids, six-year-old Reagan and three-year-old Skyler. Her husband, Greg, is a federal probation officer. Karen enjoys fitness and running and teaches fitness classes to local moms to bur off all the calories she eats at dinner each night. Karen describes herself as shy, and said she likes blogging because she doesn’t know who’s reading and can write to an unkown audience.

Review of Women of Strength by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 252012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Women of Strength
  • Author: Tristi Pinkston
  • Paperback: 142 pages
  • Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (March 8, 2012)
  • Genre: Non-Fiction LDS
  • ISBN-10: 1599928469
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928463
  • FTC:FYI: Review copy
  • Reviewed by Sheila

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

The need for courageous, faithful women has never been
greater than it is today. As we draw nearer to the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ, we are faced with temptations on every side. But we can
prevail as we gain true strength from living the gospel.

In Women of Strength, Tristi Pinkston shares inspiring stories, as well as
insightful quotes from Church leaders, to demonstrate the power and
influence of righteous women. This book invites women everywhere to
deepen their relationship with the Savior, rely on the guidance of the
Holy Ghost, and learn what it really means to be strong.

My Review:
 Day to day life struggles can really pull us down.Keeping up with the kids, our jobs, church callings, yard work, laundry, cleaning, etc. make us tired. Being able to review Tristi Pinkston’s new book, Women of Strength, was the breath of fresh air I needed right now. I needed to be reminded of who I am, and how important I really am in this world and in my children’s lives.

The 140 pages of Women of Strength are powerfully packed with messages that will make you think, make you thankful, and encouraged. Some of my favorite chapter titles(Out of the 14 chapters) were:

-Divine Identity

-Womanhood

-Strength in Parenting

-Strength in Keeping the Commandments

-Strengths in Talents

-Becoming Strong 
There is one passage I wanted to quote to you from the chapter entitled, “Strength in Our Divine Identity”. It brought tears to my eyes and filled me with a sense of peace and understanding.

“Sometimes we look around at all of the creations of His hands, and wonder if we really do matter…Surely we must get lost in the crowd and our feature become a blur. That’s what we think, but in reality, we are as precious to our Father as if He only had one child…He not only knows our names, but He knows our thoughts and fears, our strengths and weaknesses, our talents and capabilities,and He knows what we can become, often when we don’t have any idea.
 If I could grant wishes, if I were some kind of good fairy and could sprinkle sparkly dust and give you anything, I would most want to give you the knowledge that you are a daughter of God. When you really understand that, you will find miracles in your life. Your inner peace will be unbounded. Your confidence will burst out of you. Your real beauty will shine forth. A woman who knows who she is? Incredible. Amazing.”…pages 37-38 Women of Strength
Tristi’s writing is so personal in this book, as if she is my best friend helping me feel better about myself. If I had read nothing else in the book, just reading these pages increased my confidence and love for myself. I am grateful for writers like Tristi, who so beautifully express what is hiding there in my heart. Women of Strength will become a guide for many women like me, who need a boost, and reminders of their potential. 


About the Author:

 
Tristi Pinkston is the author of eleven published books –
“Nothing to Regret,” “Strength to Endure,” “Season of Sacrifice,” “Agent
in Old Lace,” “Secret Sisters,” “Dearly Departed,” “Bless Your Heart,”
“Hang ‘Em High,” “Targets in Ties,” “Women of Strength,” and “Million
Dollar Diva.” She also works as a freelance editor and online writing
instructor. When she’s not writing, editing, or homeschooling her children,she enjoys reading, watching good movies, and taking really long naps. You can reach Tristi at her blog here 
You can purchase Women of Strength here at:
Amazon.com and


***I received a review copy of Women of Strength. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.***









Blog Tour Review of The Most Important Catch by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 172012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: The Most Important Catch
  • Author: Jaclyn M. Hawkes
  • Paperback: 318 pages
  • Publisher: Spirit Dance Books (March 16, 2012)
  • Genre: Romantic Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 0985164808
  • ISBN-13: 978-0985164805
  • FTC:FYI: I received a review copy of
  • this book.

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Run or die! She knew too much, and she’d seen too much.
And the police refused to help. Knowing that she was to be the next
scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a
tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life. When the weather turned
cold, she turned south. She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of
the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only
she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a
huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind,
generous, and that she was safe with him. Or
was she? His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame
wasn’t nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and
protected. All except for her heart.

 

 

 

 

My Blog Tour Review:

This is the third book of Jaclyn’s that I have reviewed. This book also happens to be just as good as her previous books. The story of Kelly and Robby grabbed me from the start. At the beginning of the book, we meet Robby, whose life as an NFL football player isn’t as wonderful as you would think, especially as he is constantly being stalked by female admirers. Then we read about Kelly, and discover the reason why Kelly has to go on the run in order to save her own life. 

 

Robby and Kelly happen upon each other on a lonely, country road. They immediately keep secrets, about themselves, from each other,and they soon grow close to one another. It was fun to see how their relationship developed. I loved how it showed a relationship developing slowly, from friends to eventual boyfriend/girlfriend. It was a nice change of pace for me. So many times in fiction the man and women are thrown together and fall in love instantly. You have to be patient in this book, but it is such a sweet thing to see how and why this relationship develops. Always in the background you know that Kelly is still in danger and that the bad guys are still looking for her. I only wish that there would have been a little more action in the middle of the story.


There are so many things that worked for me in this novel, such as the strong character development, and the humor and banter between the main characters. You have a man and a woman who are so “perfect” in their looks, but they both have emotional and personality flaws. It made both characters likable and approachable. They are members of the LDS church and share a little about their beliefs, but nothing what I would call preachy. It just made them more well-rounded and wholesome. I truly liked how this was shown throughout the course of the story.

 

The Most Important Catch will be a great beginning to your “Summer To-Read” list. It will make you laugh and believe in love again. Make this novel your most important catch to read this Summer. 




Author bio:
Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4
brothers and any number of pets.  (It was
never boring!)  She received 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 outdoors, 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.


Social Networking Links

Purchase Links



Blog Tour Review of Espionage:A World War II Novel by A.L. Sowards

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 282012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Espionage:A World War II Novel
  •  Author: A.L. Sowards
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc; 1st edition (February 29, 2012)
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 1608611485
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608611485
  • FTC: FYI I was given a review copy of this book.

Book Description:

France, 1944: Nobody expects Peter Eddy to survive his
first commando mission, to retrieve a code book stolen by the Nazis, so
his success is rewarded with an even more daunting assignment. Partnered
with fellow soldier Jacques Olivier, Eddy must identify which of the
three Allied contacts in Calais is a double agent and use the traitor to
help implement a strategic Allied diversion that might win the war.
Eddy and Olivier secretly cross the English Channel to confront their
suspects one at a time, but what appears to be a clean assignment soon
turns disastrous, and a shocking betrayal leaves Eddy in the grip of the
Gestapo. With the courageous aid of Olivier and his sister, Genevieve,
Eddy evades his captors in a highspeed chase through the streets of
Calais. But as the Allied invasion approaches, treachery in the least
likely places leads to fresh graves in the bloodied European soil, and
only the power of loyalty and love can transform tragic endings into new
beginnings.
 
 
My Review:
You start by noticing what an awesome and haunting cover Espionage has. It shows you what is to come. World War II is at the center of this book. This is not a light, easy read at all. This is a book with a great storyline, but it is about war. If you can’t stomach some scenes of bloodshed and torture, you might not like this. If you are a history buff and like to read a well written story, that centers around an American soldier turned spy, you will love this story.

Main character, Peter Eddy, is young, LDS, and angry. His older brother was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He enlists,to somehow exact some revenge for his brother’s death. Little does he know that this isn’t exactly a good reason to go to war. He is almost killed in his first mission, a set-up, where he is basically betrayed. This happens at the beginning and throws me for a loop. From there, he recovers from his injuries and then is off onto another mission where he teams up with a French Resistance Leader named Jacques. Along the way there is deception taking place, a little romance and some healing for our main character. This is the author’s first book and she does an outstanding job of telling a good story, while educating the reader about the horrors and sacrifices of war. My gratitude for our brave soldiers is always renewed after reading a book like this. 

There is a sequel that has been written by A.L. Sowards and submitted to her editor. I will for sure want to read more about these same characters.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A.-L.-Sowards/e/B007FGYQJS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/espionage-amanda-sowards/1108540406?ean=9781608611485&itm=1&usri=espionage&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-TnL5HPStwNw-_-10:1

Deseret Book: http://deseretbook.com/auth/22014/A_L_Sowards

Seagull Book: http://www.seagullbook.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SEARCH&q=espionage&search.x=0&search.y=0#/?filter.author=A.l.%20Sowards&page=1


Author Bio:

  • Sowards is a
    graduate of Moses Lake High School and Brigham Young University. She swam
    competitively for sixteen years, including while she was in college. She found
    it more entertaining to think of plot ideas while following the black line up
    and down the bottom of the pool than having a song in her head that restarted
    with every flip-turn. Sowards currently lives along the Wasatch front with her
    amazing husband and her adorable twin toddlers. She loves hearing from readers
    and can be found on ALSowards.com, Facebook, or Goodreads.
Social Networking Links:

 

To read other reviews in the blog tour go here

Blog Tour review of Caller ID by Rachelle J. Christensen

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 062012
 

Product Details:

  • Title:Caller ID
  • Author: Rachelle J. Christensen
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (March 13, 2012)
  • Genre: mystery/suspense
  • ISBN-10: 1599559900
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599559902
  • Reviewed by: Sheila
  • FTC FYI: Review copy from the publisher

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: March 13, 2012
When twenty-three-year-old Courtney Beckham is abducted near her home, the search turns up more than just a kidnapping crime. FBI agent Jason Edwards investigates the ten-million-dollar ransom and stumbles upon something he wasn’t meant to find. When Courtney catches a glimpse of the caller ID in her kidnapper’s home, what she sees turns her world upside down.
My Review:
Caller ID has a great storyline with a strong female protagonist. Also, one of my favorite characters from Rachelle’s book, Wrong Number, is back in this book, FBI agent Jason Edwards. This book will keep you reading and gripping the cover. There are also some wicked twists and turns that will leave you shaking your head. Rachelle is a talented writer and has a great handle on the craft of writing a good mystery/suspense novel. There is also a little bit of romance included that is always nice!
I interviewed Author Rachelle Christensen. I hope that you will enjoy reading it.
1.What do you love about writing suspense?
I like to look at things from a different angle, to find that twist that will make the story interesting. While brainstorming for Caller ID, I gathered some ideas from a few different news stories I saw. I kept thinking about the story and wondered, What if?
I also like learning new things and that requires research. This doesn’t just happen in suspense, pretty much all novels require research. I did quite a bit, from interviewing police officers, FBI agents, and undercover drug task force members to studying into how to produce certain drugs.
2.How are Wrong Number, your 1st book and Caller ID related?
Caller ID is a spin-off from my first book, taking FBI Agent Jason Edwards and continuing his story. They can be read as a stand-alone because only one character is the same, but I will say that he was a favorite from Wrong Number that people wanted to know more about.
3.How long did it take you to write Caller ID?
About two months, but I got the idea for the story almost a year before and let it percolate. After the first draft, I went on to torture myself with revisions for the next eight months.
4.What are you working on next?
I just finished writing/editing book one of a new “Wedding Planner Mystery” series. I had so much fun writing this novel and getting to know the characters. The title is Diamond Rings are Deadly Things and it’s set in Sun Valley, Idaho near where I grew up. I’m excited for people to meet my new character.
5.What is your favorite Easter candy?
I love those Reese’s pieces bags that look like a carrot, and I wouldn’t turn down lovely pastel peanut M&M’s either.
Thanks for the fun interview, Sheila!
6.Where are the best places on the internet to learn about you?
My website, www.rachellechristensen.com and my blog www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com
Author Rachelle’s FB Page http://www.facebook.com/rachellechristensenauthor
Book Trailerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ZjvmatwGo&feature=email

www.rachellechristensen.com

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