Extreme Measures by Michelle Ashman Bell — Blog Tour/Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 062015
 

25089205Extreme Measures

Author: Michelle Ashman Bell

Publisher: Covenant Communications

ISBN: 978-1-68047-165-6

Paperback: 181 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Summary

Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret s twisted puzzle.

Mindy’s Review

I sat down Sunday morning before church expecting to read a few chapters before I got out of bed and ready for my day.  Good thing it was Fast Sunday and I have 1:00 church, because I read the entire book in one sitting!  Extreme Measures is extremely fast-paced and one crazy ride (and I mean that literally).  The whole time I was anxiously turning pages to see what else Margaret would do to poor Emma.  What I really loved was Emma’s determination to survive and fight.  She was helpless at first, but as she got stronger, she was really able to keep her wits together when all was hope was crumbling around her.  I really enjoyed the switch in views when the author would show us Emma’s friends Cassie and Jess desperately seeking information on what happened to Emma.  They were able to untangle the web of lies and deceit that Margaret did to get her scheme going.  I suspected something early on as to what Margaret’s intentions were with Emma, and what really was going on was even more disturbing than what I thought of.  (I’m glad what happened wasn’t what I thought.)  Although, there was so much nail-biting suspense, there were some holes that I thought didn’t quite get resolved, or were too convenient.  I did think the ending was a perfect way to bring resolution for Emma and her fiance Landon.

4 out of 5 stars.

Sheila’s Review

This new quick read by Michele Ashman Bell will keep your anxiety high, and find you yelling a lot at the main character Emma. I wanted her to think through things better before she did them. Always listen to your first thoughts, because they’re usually right! As Emma is too easily manipulated by her crazy ex mother-in-law, Margaret, you can hardly believe what is unfolding on the pages. Each little thing that happens you want to scream out warnings to Emma. The suspense is elevated chapter by chapter as Margaret does terrifying things to her.
Thank heavens that Emma’s two close friends, Cassie and Jess investigate why their friend is missing and get Emma’s fiancé, who is traveling overseas involved. They had a hard time getting the police to help them at first. Overall, the story ends well, but you will go through many heart pounding, page turning, chilling moments before you read the happy ending.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

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Unraveled by Julie Daines

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Mar 262014
 

unraveled_coverUnraveled: A Tale of True Love

Author: Julie Daines

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February 20th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-62108-627-7

Paperback: 200 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

“It’s thoroughly researched, expertly crafted, and it will sweep you off your feet with its beauty.” -UCW

When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed–but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son–Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect.

When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. After all, she can’t wear the shoes forever.

My Review

Bronwen is a girl who has seen rough times.  After sickness crippled her legs and killed most of her family, all her mother and her had were each other.  We meet Bronwen and her mother on a stormy night where her mother tells her the faerie folks will be out causing mischief.  No sooner does she say that, when the Grey Maiden, the Gwyllion, appears at their door.  They give her shelter from the storm, all while the Gwyllion keeps staring at her crippled legs.  This irritates Bronwen, but she prepares a room for her to sleep.  While she is getting it ready, the Gwyllion comes to her tell her she knows what it is she wants.  Bronwen is surprised by this, but knows that she must watch her while Bronwen is on the swifts.

Before she could leave the room, the Gwyllion spoke again.  Nothing more than a whisper, yet her words filled the room.  “Who would want a crippled wife?”

Bronwen’s head snapped up.  She had never said those words out loud.  Not to anyone.  Not even her mother.  She already knew the answer.  It was why she wept sometimes at night.  Why she hated the boys in the village who looked at her, then looked away.  If she were whole, they would be vying for her favor even though they were all below her station.

She answered the Gwyllion’s question.  “No one.”

“And yet you dream,” the faerie witch said.  “The stars do not shine on dreamers.  They shine on those who see the truth.” (page 6 – 7)

The next morning Bronwen sees that the Grey Maiden is gone, but she has left Bronwen a gift, old shoes.  Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she tries them on.  The pain she experiences nearly knocks her out, but the pain is from her legs healing.  She can stand and walk.    Bronwen and her mother travels to town to present her to the king since she is of age.  She meets the king’s son, Urien, but recognizes Rhys from back home.  She quickly decides to lie about her family name, in hopes that Rhys won’t recognize her.  And what happens next, starts a chain of events that tangle of web of lies that have a hard time being unraveled.  Bronwen gets herself in a mix of trouble, and tries to find her way out, but the only one who can save her is herself.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  A fabulous read full of faerie legend and folklore.  It is also a story of a girl who doubts herself and others because of her limitations.  I loved the lessons that Bronwen learns.  Even though it takes something pretty drastic for the truth to finally come out, I love how it all unravels.  Julie did an amazing job with this book.  There is heart, humor, adventure and characters that surprised me.  Very enjoyable read.

Author Links

Website / Twitter /  Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

 

 

 

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

 

Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 142012
 

Secrets of the Red Box

Author: Vickie Hall

Publisher: self

Published: September 15th, 2012

ISBN13: 978-1479330546

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary:

Bonnie has secrets to keep – secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense – sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

My Review

3 out of 5 stars.  I did enjoy reading Secrets of the Red Box.  There were times, however, when I thought it was a little slow.  I thought there were some things that didn’t need to be in there.  It is a clean read, which I appreciated, and the author did a great job of developing characters.  I really liked the ending, and thought it was perfect for what the secrets were in the red box.

Tour Giveaway
  • $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall + copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US – Paperback, Kindle ebook – International)
  • Paperback copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US only)
  • Kindle Ebook copy of Secrets of the Red Box (International)
Ends 11/25/2012
Author Vickie Hall
Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she’s not writing, she’s composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Links: Blog * Website * Facebook * Goodreads

Secrets of the Red Box
Bonnie has secrets to keep – secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense – sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Purchase Link: Amazon 
Link for the Book Blast.

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