Blog Tour Review and Giveaway for Smart Move by Melanie Jacobson

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 192012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Smart Move
  • Author: Melanie Jacobson
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc; 1st edition (October 1, 2012)
  • Genre: Romantic Comedy
  • ISBN-10: 1608615685
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608615681
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: October 1, 2012
The spark was undeniable the night Sandy Burke met the
devastatingly handsome Jake. Conversation flowed easily, so after they
parted, she waited eagerly for his call. It never came. A high-powered
career woman at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, Sandy feels she has
had her heart broken one too many times, and now the redheaded
trendsetter is facing a major quarter-life crisis. After some
introspection, Sandy determines that helping others may be the key to
helping herself. When she’s presented with a job offer in Washington,
DC, as the director of New Horizons, a nonprofit organization benefiting
women in poverty, it seems providential. But now that she’s moved, two
major obstacles threaten the success of her first assignment: The first
is her mother and her constant fog of less-than helpful New Age advice.
Secondly, plans to build another New Horizons outreach center have come
to a screeching halt, thanks to the interference of a pesky lawyer and
his attempts to reverse zoning approval for the building project. After
weeks of verbal sparring over the phone, Sandy is in for a shock when
she comes face-to-face with her foe. The smooth voice at the other end
of the line is a heartwrenching blast from the past. In this twist of
fate, Sandy sees the perfect opportunity to ensure the success of the
outreach center and to enact a little payback on this man she thought
she’d left behind. And so the battle of wits begins. Will Sandy’s
flirt-to-convert plot sway her nemesis’s determination to block the
center, or will his charming and undeniably attractive ways convince the
sassy redhead to give love a second chance?

My Review: 

Sandy’s heart was broken a year ago. With her new move back East to the Washington D.C. area she has a chance to start anew in her life. Little does she know the reason for her heartache has also moved back East to the same town. They soon meet again and sparks fly as they clash in business and in love.

Melanie Jacobson has written a strong character in Sandy Burke who is confident in life, but not necessarily in love. Sandy grew up with a distant mother and an absent father. Trust issues are huge for her and she has built a wall around her heart. Along comes Jake who with his good looks, impeccable style and brains to boot, and this successful lawyer will do anything to win her heart.

I always love the humor that is infused in Melanie’s books. Even with serious issues, her characters seem to find funny things happening to them. One of the most humorous things in the book is when Sandy gets stuck in a cabinet with her behind sticking out.

Ten seconds later, Magdalena’s voice,sounding strangely hollow to her inside the cabinet, asked, “Why is your bottom sticking out of the cabinet Sand Dollar?”

Please let her be alone, Sandy begged silently.

A choking noise that masked a laugh told her that her Ridiculous Situation guardian angel was currently off duty.

“Yes, Sand Dollar,” Jake said from above her. “Why? And how can we help?”

A burn crept up her neck and face. “I’m dusting.”



The other thing I loved in this book was the witty dialogue between Sandy and Jake…



She offered him a slow, mysterious smile, determined to restore some lightness to the evening. “If it makes you feel better, being near you does cause me some serious issues.”

He leaned closer and coked his head, morphing in an instant from goofy to sexy. “Like what, ” he drawled. 

She closed the gap between them until a mere breath separated them. “I have to tell the truth,” she whispered. “being this close to you is hard. I feel this overwhelming urge to…”

“What?” he whispered back.

“Kick you.”

There was a moment of silence, and then he burst out laughing again. When he pulled himself together, he gave her hair a playful tug. “Leave it to me to find the perfect woman and have her hate me.”


There is so much more for you to read, enjoy and laugh about. There are some serious moments as she tries to heal her relationship with her new-age mother, Magdalena. Smart Move is different from Melanie’s other books in that the characters seemed more mature, but this didn’t take away any of the appeal that is always there in a Melanie Jacobson book.  I liked this novel and every fan of Melanie’s will love this new book too!

Guess what? USA readers have a chance to win a paperback copy of Smart Move. I know it’s hard to contain your excitement! I felt the same way when Melanie asked me to be part of the blog tour! Enter in the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Purchase your own copy of Smart Move here.

About the Author:

Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid
reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing
amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance
novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily
married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of
doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a popular
speaker who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time
(ha!), she writes romantic comedies for Covenant and maintains her
humorous slice-of-life blog. Visit Melanie on her website or blog.

Blog Tour Review of, Toby Gold and the Secret Fortune by Craig R. Everett

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 122012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Toby Gold and the Secret Fortune
  • Author: Craig R. Everett
  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Fiscal Press (October 18, 2012)
  • Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
  • ISBN-10: 1936214954
  • ISBN-13: 978-1936214952
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review by: Sheila

 

 

Book Description and Review:  

“Money is the most dangerous magic.”

 

New Fantasy Novel Teaches Kids about Money

It is widely recognized that the lack of basic financial skills among adults and teens is a serious
problem in America and around the world.
A new middle-grade novel by Craig Everett hopes to improve the financial
literacy situation for children ages 9 to 15.

Toby Gold and the Secret Fortune is an urban fantasy, where a secret magical world of money and
intrigue co-exists with the same everyday world we all know.  Toby grows up in Wallingford, Connecticut,
not knowing about this secret society until one day when he discovers secret
messages encrypted into the stock ticker “crawl” that moves along the bottom of
the screen on the financial news channel.

Toby’s shock only grows worse when he realizes that the secret messages are directed to him!

His unique abilities with math and money have been noticed by the wrong people, and Toby is quickly
sucked into a high-stakes life and death financial conspiracy, that he is only able
to resolve by using his amazing skills with money.

At 260 pages, the book is fast-paced and entertaining.  It
incorporates such financial literacy topics as: saving, banking,
entrepreneurship, time value of money, return on investment, and simple
financial statements.

“My whole purpose in writing this book is to introduce finance principles to people in an
entertaining way using characters with which they can identify,” says author
Craig R. Everett, a finance professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu,
California.  “Financial literacy is a huge issue now, particularly due to the financial crisis,” Dr. Everett
continues.  “There is no silver bullet that instantly endows people with financial literacy, so the best approach is to expose kids to these concepts in as many ways and at as many times as
possible…eventually, it will stick.”

This book is a great teaching tool for tweens and teens. What a fantastic way for teens to learn about being responsible with money. There is also an entertaining action story to go along with these thoughtful lessons. You couldn’t ask for a better combination than this!

Toby Gold and the Secret Fortune will be available in bookstores
and online on October 15, 2012 here.
Author Bio for Craig Everett:
Craig R. Everett was born and raised in Maine,
spending his childhood summers digging along the shores of Bar Harbor for
buried pirate treasure.  Fortunately, he
was able to remain blissfully unaware that pirates seldom, if ever, ventured
that far north.  He received his B.A. in
Economics from Tufts University, an MBA from George Mason University, and a
Ph.D. in Finance from Purdue University.
Dr. Everett is currently a finance professor at
Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he teaches corporate and
entrepreneurial finance. Dr. Everett also volunteers in public schools teaching
financial literacy principles. 
You can learn more about Craig here:

http://craigeverett.com/


http://tobygold.com/


FB http://www.facebook.com/pages/Craig-Everett-author/128980444347?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/craig_everett

Blog Tour Schedule for Toby Gold and the Secret Fortune by Craig Everett, 2012

04-Oct-2012  Free Money Finance 

11-Oct-2012 Queen of Random  

12-Oct-2012 Why Not? Because I Said So

12-Oct-2012 LDS Women’s Book Review

13-Oct-2012 A Storybook World

15-Oct-2012 A Thousand Wrongs

16-Oct-2012 Say This Write

16-Oct-2012 Money and Me for Canadians

16-Oct-2012 Word Spelunking

17-Oct-2012 Couponing with Boys

18-Oct-2012 Book Launch of Toby Gold and the Secret Fortune at the Access to Capital Conference at the LA Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

18-Oct-2012 The Book Bug

18-Oct-2012  I Am a Reader not a Writer

19-Oct-2012 Of Writerly Things

19-Oct-2012  Troop Petrie

22-Oct-2012 Renae’s Writespot

22-Oct-2012  The Write Path

23-Oct-2012  Monique’s Musings

23-Oct-2012  My Mommy’s World

24-Oct-2012  The Things I Love

24-Oct-2012  Adventures of the Mommy Homemaker

25-Oct-2012  Live to Read

26-Oct-2012 Ordinary Happily Ever After

29-Oct-2012  Fire and Ice

01-Nov-2012  Jeffrey Olsen

01-Nov-2012  Bookworm Lisa

05-Nov-2012 Debbie’s Inkspectations

07-Nov-2012  With a Side of Thriftiness

10-Nov-2012 A Storybook World

 

12-Nov-2012 Christy Dorrity’s Dearest Dreams

15-Nov-2012  The Non-Reluctant Reader

19-Nov-2012  Taffy’s Writings 

Nov 2012- http://www.queenoftheclan.com/

Combined Blog Tour Review of Evertaster by Adam Sidwell

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 102012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Evertaster
  • Author: Adam Sidwell
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Future House Publishing (June 7, 2012)
  • Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
  • ISBN-10: 0615654495
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615654492
  • FTC FYI: We received review e-copies in exchange for an honest review.




 

 

 

 

“Wonderfully talented writing; funny.”

–Orson Scott Card, NYT Bestselling author of Ender’s Game



“Sidwell is a talented comedian, and that is certainly reflected in his writing. The characters are quirky and likable.” —Deseret News

Book Description:

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth
time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something
to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying
pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an
ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever
know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a
perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves.
Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid
so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from
starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’
reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the
legendary taste before it’s too late.

www.Evertaster.com 

Sheila’s Review:

Evertaster is a great middle grade book! It is written perfectly for this age group. My ten year old son is reading it now and is loving it. He keeps LOL at certain parts. He also keeps making comments about how he knows how Guster feels about his Mother’s cooking. Huh? I don’t think my cooking is that bad and I know that my son is not an Evertaster. Then, he grins at me.

Guster is an 11 year old boy, who is at first glance a picky eater, but turns out to be more than that. He is special, in that he is an Evertaster and has perfect “taste”. Guster doesn’t enjoy anything he Mom makes because he can taste the dirt things were grown in, for example. One night in search of something for him to eat before he starves, they stumble upon an old baker.The baker tells them of the Gastronomy of Peace, an ancient and secret
recipe that could change the world and before he can tell them the whole
story they’re attacked by mysterious chefs in red. These chefs are members of a secret society called the Cult of Gastronimati. From here on out, Guster and his family go on an adventure, in search of the secret ingredients to make the Gastronomy of Peace. This adventure is one that would make Indiana Jones envious. As they travel around the world, young readers will be entertained as they travel along with Guster to far-off places like Africa, Egypt and Norway. Your taste buds will also be taken on a ride, as scrumptious foods are described so well, that you can almost taste them as you read.

For all of you parents that are looking for a new and fun, family read- aloud that all ages will enjoy, Evertaster is here! I give it 4  1/2 stars!

 

Mindy’s Review:

I thought this book was adorable. The story is so fun and very well written. My favorite thing about Evertaster was Guster and his mom’s relationship. At times I thought Guster was a bit of a stinker :), I know who is he and what he needs, but he was still breaking his mother’s heart. Luckily the ending makes up for everything. I loved all that Mom did for him. Unknowingly starting their adventure in the French Quarter, getting the egg beater, toxic gravy, flying on air planes to exotic locations, all to find items that will help Guster in his quest. Zeke was a perfect smart-alec older brother, and Mariah was a doll. All the characters are fun and important to this fast-paced story. Especially Felicity.

4 out of 5 stars. Lots of humor and plenty of heart. Perfect book for a middle grade reader, and an adult who wants a smile. Many twists and turns with a pinch of adventure. Can’t wait for Book 2.

 

Here are some pictures of when Adam and Jarom came to the elementary school where Sheila works.

 Sheila with Jarom and Adam Sidwell.

 Jarom tells the kids about story structure during the assembly at Eastlake Elementary.

 Sheila at the assembly, helping out, with an Evertaster experiment.

 

 

 Chocolate cake with mustard and salt doesn’t taste very good!

 

 Adam and Jarom signing copies of Evertaster for the students.

 

 “The Gorilla” surprising Sheila’s son!

 

 Adam and Jarom signing more books after the assembly. We loved having them there! They have a lot of new fans!!

 

Here is a picture of Shanda and Mindy when they were able to podcast with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“One of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I’ve come across in a long time.” – WordSpelunking Book Review

About the Author: 
In between books, Adam
Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to
make monsters, robots and zombies come
to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the
Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and
Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a
keyboard meticulously adjusting
tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is
delighted at the prospect of modifying
his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed
adjectives. He’s been eating food since
age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once
showed a famous movie star where the
bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles,
where he can’t wait to fall into the
sea.

You can purchase Evertaster HERE

 

You can learn more about Adam and his writing adventures here:

FB https://www.facebook.com/Evertaster

Twitter https://twitter.com/@Evertaster

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5828904.Adam_Glendon_Sidwell

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/evertaster/

 Blog Tour Schedule for Evertaster by Adam Glendon Sidwell, 2012

Oct 10-http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

Oct 10- http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

Oct 15- http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/

Oct 16- http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/

Oct 17- http://www.christydorrity.com/

Oct 18- http://readerbenji.blogspot.com/ interview

Oct 19- www.ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com

Oct 22- http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/

Oct 23- http://themomnerd.blogspot.com/ 

Oct 24- http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.com/

Oct 25- http://miriambarton.tumblr.com/

Oct 26- http://couponingwithboys.com/ 

Oct 27-  http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/

Oct 29- http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

Oct 30- http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

Nov 5- http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/

Nov 12- http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

Nov 15- http://mymommysworld.com


 

 

Review of, All Fall Down, by Julie Coulter Bellon and Author Interview

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 052012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: All Fall Down
  • Author: Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 20, 2012)
  • Genre: Mystery/Suspense
  • ISBN-10: 1479264857
  • ISBN-13: 978-1479264858
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review e-copy of All Fall Down
  • in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: September 20, 2012
Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes,
ashes we all fall down . . . That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire
Michaels’ current hostage situation into an international incident.
Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis
escalates she realizes she’s dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has
the means to become another bin Laden—with the potential to attack
America. Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop
al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she
overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive
and possibly stop an assault on U.S. national security? Navy SEAL Rafe
Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his
tour in Afghanistan and he doesn’t expect to be fighting terrorists on
his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is
kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay
alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead
of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to
deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without
anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

My Review: 

My first thought as I reviewed this book is that there was no time to breath. The storyline starts with a huge action scene, and then goes to the next big scene.Then something more exciting happens. Here is how the book starts. This is the beginning of chapter one…

Chapter One
Something was wrong.  Rafe could feel it.  He’d opened the door to the building that housed his family’s business, but hesitated before going in.  The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up.  With a cursory glance into the lobby of the building, he couldn’t see anything wrong.  Chalking it up to being in Afghanistan too long, where he relied on his senses to stay alive, Rafe went in, tugging on his collar.  Maybe that was it.  He was reacting to the civilian uniform of a shirt and tie when he’d rather be in his Navy SEAL gear.  It’s not like I could have shown up in desert cammies and boots, he thought.  But it might have been worth it to see the look on his brother’s face if he’d walked into the meeting dressed like that.  Vince was always a little obsessive about appearances.
Glancing up at the second floor landing where people could enjoy the atrium, Rafe swept the area for anything out of the ordinary and saw a man intently watching him.  Stepping forward to get a closer look, the man noticed his interest and turned, disappearing.  Rafe went to the elevators, all of his senses on alert now.  Should I go to the second floor?  Am I over-reacting?
With a grimace, he tried to loosen his tie, just a little.  It felt harder to think when he was buttoned down with a tie, but as he quickly mulled it over, he decided it was an over-reaction.  Some guy watching him didn’t mean anything was wrong.  It could simply be his subconscious urging him not to go in because he’d been battling himself all morning about coming.  Ever since Vince had been made acting-president, he’d been making demands on everyone and Rafe planned to say no to anything Vince asked him.  Their father would be on his feet soon and Rafe would be back in the field as soon as his knee healed.  There was no point in starting anything with Dad’s business.  Rafe wasn’t planning on being here longer than he had to be.  He pulled on his tie again, definitely regretting the choice of attire.
He took a deep breath and ran an impatient hand through his longer-than-normal hair.  The air was humid, and from the looks of the pewter gray sky on his way in, Rafe knew they’d have rain before the afternoon was out. And rain will make my knee ache, he thought with an inward groan.
 Realizing how much his injury had taken over his thoughts, his actions¾his life¾he made a promise not to dwell on it any more today. Men wearing shirts and ties just like him strode through the lobby, getting to their jobs where they belonged.  Will that ever be me?  Could I be happy working inside all day?  With how ugly the last mission in Afghanistan had been and how slow his knee was healing, he knew he might have to think about that in the near future.  But not today.
He got into the elevator, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling again.  Stop it. Nothing is wrong.  He looked around the elevator, just to reassure himself.  Two men in suits and a woman in the corner, watching him.  Nothing dangerous.  Rafe gave her a smile and turned back around.  Everything is fine.  I’m going to meet my baby brother and get the you-could-help-me-around-here routine.  I’m going to say no.  Then I’m going to visit Gary.  There’s nothing to worry about. 
Can you see why you get hooked right from the very first lines? “Something was
wrong.  Rafe could feel it.” Brilliant!

Once again Julie has written characters that you like and care about right from the beginning. This doesn’t mean that her characters are without flaws, but she gives many reasons to care about them. Rafe and Claire have real chemistry from the start. With everything that is happening in the story, kidnappings, terrorist activity etc. there is no time for courtship found in a typical romance, but they still manage to start caring about each other deeply.

With everything happening in the world today, this story hits so close to home. It is very chilling to read, especially as they head to Afghanistan on a rescue operation. This is one thing I always love about Julie’s stories, she does great research and writes about current events. Her books are always romantic/suspense at it’s best!  The action at the end will leave you holding your breath. Just when you think everything is OK…it really isn’t!

All Fall Down is packed with fast-paced action, tense moments that will raise your blood pressure, and a little bit of sweet romance. You won’t be disappointed in this new novel from Julie Coulter Bellon!
Author Interview With Julie Coulter Bellon:

I was very happy that Julie made the time for an interview with me. She gave some great insight into why she wrote All Fall Down. 

Why did you write All Fall Down?

I was watching the Discovery Channel one
night and it was on SEAL Team Six and what they went through to
penetrate the compound in Pakistan where bin Laden had been hiding.
They talked about the computers they confiscated and how those files
were turned over to the Department of Defense for decrypting. My mind
started turning because my husband used to work for a computer forensics
company and I thought, what if the DoD couldn’t decrypt one of those
files that would have important information on it. And what if they
gave it to a civilian company and al-Qaeda got wind of it? And the
story went from there.
How long did it take you to write it?

Well, this book went through two major rewrites so it took me almost a
year to write it. (And I had a small baby and a toddler to take care of
so my writing time was very limited.)

What book are you writing next?

I have had such a hard time with this. I have a story idea for Colby
(a character in All Fall Down) that I’m dying to write, but I’ve been
working on the sequel to Ribbon of Darkness. It’s such a hard choice
and I don’t know if I can do two book at one time!

Do you write every day?

No. I have to be really flexible with my writing time because I have a
large family of eight children that includes a one year old and a four
year old. I sketch out a lot of scenes in my head while we play in the
sandbox, and I carry a notebook around with me in the car for when I’m
doing carpool or waiting for dance class or whatever. When I finally
get to the computer, I can get right into it because of the prep work
I’ve done in my head and in my notebook.

Thanks for the interview, Sheila. I enjoyed talking with you!

I want to put my vote in for her to write the sequel to Ribbon of Darkness! Thanks so much for the interview Julie!Go here to purchase All Fall Down:

About the Author:

Julie Coulter Bellon loves to write international romantic
suspense novels because she gets to travel to distant lands to research
and add an authentic feel to all of her books. Her favorite cities so
far are Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She taught journalism at BYU
for fourteen years and that kept her on the cutting edge of current
events and world news—which is where she gets her story ideas. Julie
offers writing and publishing tips as well as her take on life on her
blog http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com You can also find out about all
her upcoming projects at her website www.juliebellon.com.

Blog Tour Review of, Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard

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

Product Details:

  • Title: Autumn Winds(Book 2 in the Seasons of the Heart series)
  • Author: Charlotte Hubbard
  • Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (September 4, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1420121707
  • ISBN-13: 978-1420121704
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

Release Date: September 4, 2012 | Series: Seasons of the Heart
Winds of change are blowing through Willow Ridge, and
they’re bringing a stranger to the Sweet Seasons Cafe. At first, widowed
Miriam Lantz has misgivings about Ben Hooley, a handsome but rootless
traveling blacksmith. But as she gets to know the kind-hearted newcomer,
she wonders if his arrival was providential. Perhaps she could find
love again – if only there weren’t so many obstacles in the way. With
Bishop Knepp relentlessly pursuing her hand in marriage and the fate of
her beloved cafe at stake, Miriam must listen to God and her heart to
find the happiness she longs for, and the love she deserves.

 

My Review: 

 When was the last time you read a book where you just smiled a lot while reading? This is how it was last weekend when I read Autumn Winds. This is the second book in the series. It continues the story of the Lantz family, but this time the spotlight is on the mom, Miriam.We follow along as she meets the handsome Ben Hooley who precedes to court her, despite Bishop Knepps never ending attempts at forcing her to marry him. We also get to see the continuing romance of Rachel Lantz and Micah Brennemen which started in the first book.


Things I loved:-I loved the interaction between Miriam and Ben. It was sweet and real. The attraction was so strong, without unnecessary sex.(Why can’t the world leave that in the bedroom where it belongs?)

-I love how Charlotte Hubbard writes a strong woman, even if she is Amish.

-I appreciate reading a romance with people that are older than 30. Miriam is 40 and Ben is 35. It is refreshing to read about older people finding romance. As an older woman,(in my 40’s) it makes for a good read.

-The story again takes place in the Sweet Seasons Bakery. Oh wow! The food that they make and eat in this book are unbelievable! The best part is that Charlotte has included the recipes at the back of the book. Some of them I’m excited to try are…

  •  Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins
  • Apple Walnut Coffee Cake
  • Whole Wheat Banana Bread
  • Overnight Sensation Salad
  • English Muffin Bread and
  • Turkey Cheese Chowder 

 -My favorite part of the book is the humbling that takes place by one of the most pompous males in the book. I actually cheered out-loud to see this take place.


The Seasons of the Heart series is becoming one of my favorite Amish series. As I have stated before, I have always loved Beverley Lewis’s Amish stories, but Charlotte has become my favorite new author of this genre. If you are looking for a clean romance, strong characters and a happy ending, this book and series is for you.

Start reading Autumn Winds (Seasons of the Heart) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

About the Author: Charlotte Hubbard  

Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while I was still a school librarian—I
sold my first story to True Story. This launched me into writing about
seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and I’ve
been a slave to my overactive imagination ever since.

The next big step was selling my first historical romance in 1990, a
Zebra Heartfire called COLORADO CAPTIVE. I quickly sold five more in
that genre—and if you prefer my Christian romances, these historical
Westerns won’t be your cup of tea! They’re all out of print now, but
available from used book stores or on Amazon.com. I’m bringing them back
in digital format with beautiful new covers, which you can see on my
Books page.

After a long dry spell that entailed major changes in the publishing
industry and an agent who fritzed out on cocaine, I resurfaced in a new
genre, with a new publisher, editor, and agent who were so excited about
my Angels of Mercy series! These four faith-and-family stories
are also out of print now, but available online as e-books. With THE
LOVE SECRET, I moved into new territory once again—and once again the
setting is a place I love to spend time: the Oregon Coast.
Unfortunately, this series was doomed before it even got off the ground,
so only this one book got written. That happens in the publishing
business.

Being an author is great fun when you’re selling, but it’s best to
have a hide like a rhinoceros and a spouse who gets a regular paycheck!
Patience, persistence and just flat-out luck have given me this
opportunity to reinvent myself yet again. Those angels I write about
keep pulling me through, and are often my friends and family—but I owe a
lot to the heavenly beings who bear me up on their wings, as well!

My stories invariably take on a life of their own, different from the
way I’ve proposed them: I love it when unforeseen characters and plot
twists come along, because they keep me guessing right along with my
readers!

I have often presented workshops at my RWA chapter in St. Louis, and at conferences. I also belong to Novelists, Inc..

I love touring historic homes, trying new recipes, crocheting, and
playing with Ramona—although it’s humbling, having a dog smarter than I
am! I’m an ordained Presbyterian deacon, and I devote a lot of time to
singing in my church choir and to practicing/performing with our
percussion ensemble. I’m celebrating more than thirty-five years with my
husband, who—bless him—has never once suggested I get a real job!

 

Blog Tour Review of, Fall of Eden, by Michele Poague

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Sep 212012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Fall of Eden: Book 2 (The Healing Crystal Series)
  • Author: Michele Poague
  • Paperback: 456 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse Publishing (July 11, 2011)
  • Genre: YA- Fantasy/Sci-Fi
  • ISBN-10: 1462013066
  • ISBN-13: 978-1462013067
  • FTC FYI: I was generously given review e-copies
  • of these books from the author in exchange for an
  • honest review.

Book Description:

Publication Date: July 11, 2011 | Series: The Healing Crystal
Myths are but shadows of a greater truth.
What is the Healing Crystal and who is the rightful heir? Is it a religious object or a powerful weapon? Does it belong to a fallen line of kings or to the colonists of Survin? Should its fate be left in the hands of the young and inexperienced Kairma or to Narvin, the last descendent of a line of kings?
Kairma holds the Crystal and believes she will become the next leader of Survin, while her younger sister Kinter, believes she, not Kairma, is the rightful heir. Narvin believes the Healing Crystal is the Star of Genesis, a powerful relic his ancestors have been seeking for centuries.
Determined to possess the object that will return him to his glory, Narvin is unwavering in his quest to possess it, and Kairma is caught in a fierce race across barren deserts and rugged mountains to a shattering finish where the winner must decide the fate of the world.
My Review: 

Fall of Eden is the second book in The Healing Crystal series. As I started this series I thought I knew what would be in the story. Let me tell you, if you have preconceived notions when you start reading, they will soon be thrown out the door. This series will lead you in one direction and as soon as you get comfortable, hang on, it soon switches gear and you are off in a new direction. I liked this aspect with Michele’s writing. There were many surprises that kept you on your toes and guessing what would happen next. You also are continually wondering who to cheer for. Who truly are the good guys and the bad guys?

What I have just described, is a lot what main character Kairma goes through herself throughout the first two books. She goes through a lot of wondering who to trust, who to love, and whether to take on the role she has been raised all of her life to ascend to. Kairma and her sister Kinter, have a love/hate relationship. Kinter thinks she should be the keeper of the crystal instead of Kairma. There were times I wanted to yell at Kinter for being a brat. Then of course we have a love triangle between Kairma, Collin and Naturi. Who will she end up with? The author stretches her writing skills, as she writes a story with many characters and the growth arcs that develop them along the way. This takes great talent to develop a diversified world that is found within the pages of The Healing Crystal series. As I read, I had so many questions come up. Let me tell you, the ending of Fall of Eden will still leave you with many new questions. The biggest question is, “Why can’t the third book be in my hands right now?”

 

The Healing Crystal Series Book Trailer (Go here to find out more about the whole series)

Author Bio:
Born Michele Rae Jeffryes in Newman Grove, Nebraska, Michele Poague has spent most of her life in Colorado, South Dakota and Nevada, and has lived in Denver, Colorado, since 1984. When she is not writing novels, researching a story, traveling, or working at her full time job as a nightclub manager, Michele volunteers her time as an advocate for the Libertarian Party.
For more information and to connect with Michele Poague please visit any or all of the following network links:
·         Website: http://michelepoague.com/
·         Blog: http://michelepoague.info/
·         Twitter: https://twitter.com/hctscifinovels
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