Book Blast & Giveaway: Lost King by H.B.Moore

From USA TODAY bestselling author H.B. Moore Undercover agent Omar Zagouri has been ordered to Giza. A prominent Egyptologist was murdered, and a priceless artifact—the only complete version of the Book of the Dead—is missing. Omar is still reeling from the recent disappearance of his girlfriend, Mia Golding, but he puts his quest to find her on hold to track down the lost piece of history. Omar’s mission is not just to locate the sacred book; he must also rescue the two archaeologists kidnapped and forced to translate its hieroglyphics under threat of death. Their kidnapper is determined to discover the text’s rumored explosive revelation: that Moses did not receive the Ten Commandments from God but instead copied them from the Egyptians. Though Omar’s need to find Mia grows more urgent, he must focus on finding the enemy who will stop at nothing to ignite a controversy that will change history, and the world, forever.

Author H.B. Moore H.B. Moore is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels set in ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She attended the Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican International School in Jerusalem and received her bachelor of science degree from Brigham Young University. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore, and romance and women’s fiction under the name Heather B. Moore. It can be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom.

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Book Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/30/15 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. 

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Review: 12 Brides of Summer Collection #3 by Margaret Brownley, Miralee Ferrell, Pam Hillman

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Love Is Buzzing in the Good Old Summertime!  Spend the sunny days of summer relaxing with an ice cold glass of lemonade and revel in the dreams of twelve brides who are a bit surprised by how the men of their dreams come into their lives.  Journey to the Old West, stay on the prairie, and visit quaint small towns. . . without leaving the comfort of your own front porch!

The dog days of summer are here, but love is still in full bloom with Novella Collection #3:

Dog Days of Summer Bride by Margaret Brownley
Music teacher Miralee Davis and blacksmith Tom Colbert don’t realize they’ve been sharing the same dog until. . .it digs up a stash of stolen loot. The reward will go to the dog’s owner—if only that can be decided.

The Dogwood Blossom Bride by Miralee Ferrell
Gracie Addison is a tree-climbing tomboy, and practical Will Montgomery objects to her unladylike influence on his niece. Will his judgmental attitude come back to bite him?

The Lumberjack’s Bride by Pam Hillman
Chicago transplant, Lucy Denson cooks for a logging crew in the Mississippi backwoods until she can return to her idea of civilization. Can Eli Everett help her rethink her ideals?

My Review

These are some sweet novellas to read on a hot summer day! It starts out strong with Dog Days of Summer, a humorous tale of the frustrations of two strangers who unknowingly share custody of a dog, who switches households partway through the week. Tom's bulk and dustiness starkly contrast Miralee's prim and cultured tidiness. They butt heads over the dog, but form a friendship despite their differences. Some small-town drama intervenes, however, and the road to romance is not smooth. (3 stars)

The Dogwood Blossom Bride also had a couple with a love-hate relationship, this time disagreeing over Will's headstrong niece. Grace and Will struggle with giving each other the benefit of the doubt, jumping to conclusions, and unrealistic expectations. Not much depth to their characters though. (3 stars)

My favorite of the collection was The Lumberjack's Bride, the sequel to The Evergreen Bride from the 12 Brides of Christmas Collection. Lucy is a city girl who grows to love the forest and a particular lumberjack who not only is sweet on her but rescues her from various mishaps. Even though she is completely out of her element, she reaches out to others and pitches in to help with a compassionate nature. (4 stars)

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

Review: Expert Witness by Rachel Dylan

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Minutes after testifying in a murder trial, sketch artist Sydney Berry is almost killed in a drive-by shooting. United States Marshal Max Preston saves her life then whisks her away to safety. She's his first protected witness, and he'll do everything in his power to keep her safe. But Sydney doesn't want to hide from danger. She is determined to finish her testimony and put a killer away. With potential suspects coming from all corners, Sydney will have to trust Max with her deepest secrets—and her life.

My Review

Non-stop action kept me reading to find out what would happen next. Max and Sydney had to move quickly to stay ahead of the various assassins sent after her. The Christian element was strong, with Sydney not shy about sharing her reliance on God, although I felt that Max's quick about-face with his spirituality didn't quite fit his character.The romance definitely took a back seat to the plot with several twists and turns leading to an exciting climax, but the attraction and admiration between Max and Sydney simmers throughout the book. Highly recommend to fans of Christian suspense!

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

Review: Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives–including their own.

My Review

There is a solid foundation of background story and current plot lines from various characters' points of view, mainly Tracy and Michael's. The romance between the two of them alternated with too much holding back, then methodical rationalizing. Both were equally burdened with grief and guilt from their past relationships which helped with the give and take balance of support they shared. When they finally moved past the issues restraining them, the chemistry was pretty good, but still tempered by caution due to their fragile hearts. There are also tender mercies from heaven sprinkled in their experiences together and with other friends in the town.

I loved the cast of community members and their influence on the different facets of the story. There is a real lesson of lifelong regret from the life experience of Anna, Michael's reclusive landlord that shares her tragic secret with a family in need to prevent them from making the same mistake. Another favorite is Charley, the fish taco food truck vendor who unobtrusively shares pearls of wisdom along with his unconditional friendship.

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