Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Free e-book! The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz


The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Free today is the e-book of The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz! I think the cover of this book is gorgeous!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own—some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him?

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Review: Deceived by Irene Hannon


Deceived by Irene Hannon

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

For three years, Kate Marshall has been grieving the loss of her husband and their four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was dead. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious but agrees to investigate. Digging into the case he discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon's many fans have come to expect, "Deceived "is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plot line that accelerates to an explosive finish.


My Review

Irene Hannon's suspense novels are hazardous to my poor nails! Literally a nail-biter. This one is a bit different in that the crime had happened three years previously, so the suspense is more focused on how they are going to manage solving the seemingly impossible-to-solve mystery. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including the villain- who doesn't seem so villainous for the majority of the book. Great chemistry between the main characters and deep emotions make this a compelling story!

(Thank you to Baker Publishing and Revell Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Cover Reveal! So True a Love by Amber Lynn Perry


Exciting news! Amber Lynn Perry, author of So Fair a Lady (which I rated 5 stars- you can read my review here) is publishing her second book in her Daughters in His Kingdom series, So True a Love! It's set to release early 2015, and she just shared the cover and synopsis of her new book and is hosting a giveaway at her blog, The Historical Christian Romance Review! Be sure to stop by and leave a comment to enter the giveaway and sign up for her newsletter! (giveaway ends Oct 15th)

So True a Love by Amber Lynn Perry
Synopsis

Kitty Campbell knows that leaving the dangers of Boston behind for a more tranquil life in Sandwich is God's will for her. But not even twenty-four hours after arriving in the small sea-side town, she witnesses a terrible crime and is forced to stay silent or her family will be made to suffer. And yet, as the consequences for remaining quiet threaten more than just her family, Kitty is desperate to unload her burden. When handsome doctor Nathaniel Smith comes to her rescue more than once, she is tempted to risk everything by revealing what she knows, as her hidden attraction to the courageous patriot builds into much more than childish infatuation.

When Doctor Nathaniel Smith discovers the town's ammunition stores have been raided, he knows immediately who to blame--the hated Torries. Desperate to keep the remaining powder out of enemy hands, he vows to find the men responsible. Then when Kitty Campbell is brutally assaulted and refuses to name her attacker, he suspects she might know something and keeps a closer watch for her safety, only to discover a fleeting attraction he harbored long ago threatens to grow into something akin to love. Yet, he knows a Tory and a Patriot would make a terrible match. At least that is what his head understands, but can he make his heart believe it also?

The first book in the series, So Fair a Lady, is only $3.99 as an e-book, which is a fabulous deal! A print version is available as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Lady-Daughters-Kingdom-Book-ebook/dp/B00JOYVM6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412267944&sr=8-1&keywords=So+Fair+a+Lady

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Review: Deadly Holiday Reunion by Lenora Worth


Deadly Holiday Reunion by Lenora Worth

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Texas Ranger Jake Cavanaugh will do anything to rescue his kidnapped daughter from the clutches of a killer. And that means turning to Ella Terrell—his high school sweetheart—for help. The former FBI agent is lucky to be alive after her own encounter with the vengeful madman. And now history seems to be repeating itself this holiday season. Ella needs time to sort through the past—yet time is a luxury they don't have. For the kidnapper is taunting them with misleading clues and a ticking clock. But Ella will bring Jake's child home at all costs—even at the risk of losing her heart and her life….

My Review

So... I read this book at night and it totally freaked me out! I'd say the author was very successful at creating a tight-knit suspenseful thriller. Ella and Jake are both strong and independent characters dealing with the most stressful of circumstances, so the romance suffered a bit, but the author brought them together in a believable way considering the task they are focused on. The cat and mouse game the serial killer plays with them keeps the pace and investigation moving quickly, but there is still the feeling of needing to move faster to get ahead. I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of suspense and crime drama.

(Thank you to Harlequin Publishing and Love Inspired books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Free e-books! Raptor 6, Blowing on Dandelions, and Sixty Acres & a Bride


Check out three awesome e-books that are free for download!
(Be sure to double check the price before buying since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Raptor 6

Raptor 6 by

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Synopsis
Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when Dean’s mission and team are threatened, his Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, compromising the US military, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.

Sixty Acres and a Bride

Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings 
(I rated this one 5 stars!)

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Synopsis

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay.
Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future.


Wishing on Buttercups

The first book in the series, Blowing on Dandelions is $1.99 on e-book, and the third book in the series releases today, October 1st!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis
She’d kept her secrets safely hidden—those from her past, and those in the present. Some things, Beth Roberts knows, a lady simply doesn’t share, even in the 1880’s West. The townspeople would never understand. No one ever has. Jeffery Tucker, a handsome young writer, has kept his own secrets. He doesn’t have a right to pry into Beth’s affairs but finds himself strangely drawn to her and intrigued by the whiff of mystery surrounding her. Beth knows that one day someone will unravel the threads of her past. And when two men from her past arrive, the truth might just hurt . . . Beth’s future and her heart. As shadowy memories surface, Beth sketches the scenes she sees and is shocked by what—and who—her illustrations reveal. Dare she risk her heart again?

Review: All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse


All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

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Synopsis

Gwyn Hillerman loves being a nurse at her father's clinic on the beautiful Alaskan frontier. But family life has been rough ever since her mother left them, disdaining the uncivilized country and taking Gwyn's younger sister with her.

In Chicago, Dr. Jeremiah Vaughan finds his life suddenly turned upside down when his medical license is stripped away after an affluent patient dies. In a snowball effect, his fiance breaks their engagement. In an attempt to bury the past, Jeremiah accepts Dr. Hillerman's invitation to join his growing practice in the isolated Alaska Territory.

Gwyn and Jeremiah soon recognize a growing attraction to each other. But when rumors of Jeremiah's past begin to surface, they'll need more than love to face the threat of an uncertain future.


My Review

I usually enjoy stories set in the Alaskan frontier more than this. I felt like the setting was the most interesting part of the story. The characters are two-dimensional and there is little chemistry between Gwyn and Jeremiah. The villain's point of view is shared throughout the book which is written over the top in my opinion. After finishing the book I was left with an overall feeling of disappointment.

(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Review: Little Book of Book Making by Charlotte Rivers


Little Book of Book Making by Charlotte Rivers

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

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Synopsis

Making books by hand has never been cooler, with this inspiring guide to 30 top bookmakers working today, plus 21 tutorials for essential techniques to make your own books.

Crafters, artists, writers, and book lovers can't resist a beautifully hand-bound book. Packed with wonderfully eclectic examples, this book explores the intriguing creative possibilities of bookmaking as a modern art form, including a wide range of bindings, materials, and embellishments. Featured techniques include everything from Coptic to concertina binding, as well as experimental page treatments such as sumi-e ink marbling and wheat paste. In addition to page after page of inspiration from leading contemporary binderies, Little Book of Book Making includes a practical section of 21 easy-to-follow illustrated tutorials.


My Review

I love the art of book making and book binding. It was my favorite college class in my fine arts major. The majority of this book showcases a  handmade book from an individual artist or small press. The designs are creative and innovative and are accompanied by a few paragraphs from the artist describing the method used or thought behind the process. The photographs are small since the size of the book is about 7 inches square. The tutorials at the end of the book are brief and sometimes vague, with mediocre diagrams. This is a good book to pick up for those seeking inspiration for unique ideas, but not for instructional purposes on actual techniques.

(Thank you to Potter Craft and Blogging for Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Good Music Brighter Children by Sharlene Habermeyer

Good Music Brighter Children 

Good Music Brighter Children 
 Good Music Brighter Children is written for parents, educators or anyone who wants to build a bigger, better brain using music. Scientific studies indicate that children introduced to classical music at a young age read earlier and perform better on achievement tests. Adults can also revive tired brain cells using music. This book gives you a step-by-step program that any parent or individual can follow. You’ll discover how introducing your children to good music can accelerate language development, improve math and science skills, enhance physical coordination, strengthen memory and reading retention, and benefit children with learning disabilities. Discover how to choose an instrument and music teacher for your child; how to get your kids to practice and how character traits such as confidence, responsibility, creativity and teamwork are taught when learning a musical instrument. Learn how to introduce your child to the music community and how to appreciate all kinds of music. Last, if you want to advocate for music in your schools, this book gives the ammunition and data to do so. Also includes a 35-page Resource Section on the best music, books, and DVDs for kids. 

  Sharlene 
Author Sharlene Habermeyer
 Sharlene Habermeyer, MA has spent over twenty-five years researching the effects of music in the brain development of children. She is passionate about how people of all ages learn and how music is a catalyst for learning. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Art from Utah State University and a Masters degree in Education from Pepperdine University, Malibu, California.   In 1999, she started the Palos Verdes Regional Orchestra (now the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra). It currently boasts over one-hundred members.   Sharlene’s initial inspiration for Good Music Brighter Children came from the extensive work she did with her severely learning disabled son, and finding that music was his strongest catalyst for learning she began passionately researching the effects music had on the developing and mature brain. A college instructor, a popular speaker, and a consultant, she is the mother of five boys and lives with her husband in Torrance, California. She has spoken at parent conferences around the United States including the Parents as Teachers Conference (PAT) and the Crucial Years Conference in Missouri. In August 2014, she will be speaking at BYU Education Week.
   
Praise for the Book    
Largest Independent Book Reviewer in the U.S.: Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media, LLC “With a scientist’s eye and an artist’s voice, Habermeyer examines everything from the benefits of music for the developing brain to music’s ability to improve cultural awareness. This is an encyclopedic, invaluable resource for anyone who believes in music education. A magnum opus, fact-filled and inspiring on the benefits of music.” -Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media, LLC   National Music Organization: Music and the Brain “A great resource for both parents and teachers. Anyone interested in music or the overall well-being of children will not be able to put this book down.” -Lisha Papert Lercari, Director, Music and the Brain   University Professor: Dr. James Catterall Sharlene Habermeyer outlines why music is important to learning, and provides parents with excellent suggestions for launching and sustaining a musical influence in the lives of their children.” -James S. Catterall, professor of education and co-director of Imagination Project at UCLA Mother/Lawyer/Ballet Teacher: Shauna Bird Dunn “Carefully researched and highly readable, Good Music, Brighter Children is written for musicians and non musicians alike. It is filled with wisdom, insight and helpful tips to bring music into the home for all ages and stages of childhood.” -Shauna Bird Dunn, JD, MPA Utah Young Mother of the Year, 2010        

Blog Tour Giveaway 
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 10/15/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.    

Review: Good Music Brighter Children by Sharlene Habermeyer


Good Music Brighter Children

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Did you know that music has the power to increase your child's intelligence? Scientific studies at some of the most respected universities in the world indicate that children introduced to classical music at a young age read earlier and perform better on achievement tests. Inside, respected educator, Sharlene Habermeyer gives you a simple, step-by-step program that any parent can follow. You'll discover how introducing your children to good music can: accelerate language development, improve math and science skills, increase memory and concentration, improve reading comprehension and retention, enhance physical coordination and benefit children with learning disabilities and more. This book is a powerful guideline for any parent who wants to help their child develop into a bright, well-rounded and confident adult.

My Review

This book reads like a textbook in the format and detail specific to each topic covered. I'm still studying it and have already been enlightened and encouraged in our choice to provide piano lessons for our daughter. We don't have experience with learning disabilities, but our daughter is beginning to understand the correlation between practice, perseverance, and success. I look forward to incorporating the strategies I learn from this author!

(Thank you to Book Blasts & Blog Tours for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Chapter Excerpts
 
**Chapter One: Overture: The Power of Music (page 5)

“In February 1985, as many as three thousand beluga whales were trapped under ice in the Senyavina Strait of Siberia, a narrow body of water across the Bering Strait from Alaska. There were only a few breathing holes in the ice, and the whales had to take turns surfacing for air. Food was running out, the whales were becoming exhausted, and some were even dying. When all seemed hopeless, a Soviet icebreaker, the Moskva, came to the rescue. The ship broke through the ice, making an escape path for the whales, but they wouldn’t budge. Knowing that whales like music, they tried pop and jazz, but still the whales remained motionless. Finally, the crew tried classical music. It was then that the whales followed the music to the open sea and to freedom.”

**Chapter Six: Noteworthy: Learning Values Through Music (pages 121-122)

Gaining Perseverance and Determination

We live in an age of instants: instant photocopies, instant food, instant photos, instant communications of all sorts, and more. Although many of these instants make our lives easier, they can also give our children a distorted view of life and how goals are achieved. Many children grow up expecting instant results in life, never learning to work for or wait for a reward. When things don’t come easily or immediately, they give up. For this reason, studying a musical instrument becomes a priceless lesson. As a child begins to learn to play the flute, for example, she soon realizes that this is not going to be done in an “instant.” It will take time, patience, perseverance, determination, and the ability to stick to the task, day after day, year after year, to play the flute with any degree of proficiency. Learning to read notes, to develop hand-eye coordination, to listen, and to count rhythms is a process involving perseverance. As she works through the difficulties and challenges of learning an instrument, she soon learns that determination and perseverance equal success. Likewise, the perseverance a child learns by practicing her instrument can be, as the experience of many demonstrate, transferred to other areas of her life. For instance, when subjects in school are difficult, she will continue to try her best until the assignment is completed, confident that eventually she will be successful. When life throws her a curve she will not give up, but will work harder with even greater diligence and perseverance until she reaches her goal.

Although most of the great composers suffered personal adversity, they persevered and went on to write beautiful sonatas, symphonies, and operas. Beethoven, despite his progressive deafness at an early age, wrote perhaps his greatest music after going completely deaf. Bach suffered blindness and diabetes, yet continued to compose music. George Frideric Handel suffered a debilitating stroke that put him in a rest home. The world felt that a great life had come to a close. With dogged persistence, he shuffled his way to the organ each night after everyone had gone to bed, forcing his fingers to slowly play each key on the organ. The nuns who heard him were amazed at his unfailing courage and determination. Eventually, he made a complete recovery and went on to write many great pieces of music.

**Chapter Eight: Music’s Impact on Cognitive Delays and Physical Disabilities (pages 205-208)

For the past thirty years, I have had a particular interest in music’s impact on children with learning disabilities because of personal experience. In 1982 our third son, Brandon, was born. It was a traumatic birth. Born six weeks early, Brandon was too high in the birth canal, and as a result he was literally dragged out by forceps. He was an unhappy baby and cried all the time. He had constant ear infections that included a build-up of fluid in his ears, and despite being on daily doses of low-grade antibiotics, the infections persisted. Over time, this constant fluid buildup affected his hearing at a critical time in his development and caused him to experience sounds and language as if he was in a vacuum. I was reading to him daily, playing music for him, and taking him to “mommy and me” classes, yet his language and communication skills remained poor. After having him tested by a professional, we determined Brandon needed speech and language intervention. I naively thought once his language problem was fixed, everything would be fine. I was wrong—this was just the beginning.

When Brandon was six, his kindergarten teacher expressed concerned about his ability to learn. He was not able to do the classroom work and seemed frustrated and distant. We had him tested both at our public school and privately by a child psychologist. The results were grim. Brandon was diagnosed with auditory processing, visual motor, visual perception, sensory motor, and attention deficit disorder. The difference between his oral IQ and written IQ was thirty-eight points, indicating severe learning disabilities.

This team of experts told us that school would be very difficult for him. We were told that he may not graduate from high school, that college was out of the question, and that a trade school would be more appropriate. They said Brandon was “high risk,” meaning that as he got older, he could be a candidate for dropping out of school, experimenting with drugs, or worse. Why? Because kids need a measure of academic success. He needed to experience some kind of school success to increase his confidence level. But how do you help a child achieve academic success when he can’t read, write or spell? When he does not understand even the simplest of math concepts? When he has difficulty paying attention and following directions, and sports confuse and frustrate him?

It was a daunting challenge, and in the beginning I was overwhelmed. I did not know the first thing about learning disabilities, but I was determined to find out and to help him because I wanted Brandon to love learning—not just for success in school, but for a rich and meaningful life….

Review: Rewind to You by Laura Johnston


Rewind to You by Laura Johnston

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…


My Review

Any book where the main character is grieving the loss of a father instantly grabs my heart. Sienna is struggling with guilt over the death of her father and pressure from her mother to be a success- but on her terms. It was a pleasure to read the developing friendship and romance between Austin and Sienna, with the first person point of view switching between the two characters. In fact, I'd say the story equally focuses on Austin and his struggles as well- feeling like he's from the wrong side of the tracks, falling in love with a girl who won't break up with her boyfriend back home, and holding on to anger towards his own father. It was easy to experience the emotions, the ups and downs of Austin and Sierra, even though I wish they would be smarter and make things easier on themselves! This is a clean young adult romance (despite what the cover infers) and the only thing I didn't like is the fact that Sienna is essentially cheating on her boyfriend with Austin and leading Austin on, yet doesn't see anything wrong with it. The writing is excellent and the story only deepens as the summer draws to a close, leaving the characters with resolution and the reader with a satisfying ending.

(Thank you to Book Blasts & Blog Tours and Kensington Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)