Tuesday, March 29, 2016

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Silent Sting by Clair M. Poulson


ABOUT THE BOOK

Catastrophe is looming over the Central Valley of California. The honeybees, vital to the economy of this agricultural epicenter, are dying at an unprecedented rate. The U.S. government is desperate for answers, and researchers at the University of California-Riverside are tasked with providing them. But when the professors assigned to the investigation are systematically killed by a creature that imitates the honeybees almost perfectly, it becomes clear that there is something sinister at play.

Following the murders of her mentors, it's up to entomology student Tiana Lambrose to move forward with the research. Special Agent Stu Whiteleather, part of a team of FBI agents assigned to assist in the investigation, is immediately drawn to the lovely entomologist. Together, they discover a breed of bees engineered to be killing machines, which, despite Tiana's expertise, are like nothing she's seen before. The question is, who could possibly have the sophisticated technology to engineer these specialized insects and for what motive? The perpetrator wills top at nothing to keep investigators from finding the answer. As threats to Tiana's life escalate, Stu must battle an unknown foe to protect the woman he has come to care for, before she becomes the next victim in a dangerous conspiracy.

REVIEW

Clair Poulson always comes up with something new.  The premise of SILENT STING is a fascinating one. Focusing in on a modern day problem, Poulson takes the reader on a fascinating ride into the world of missing honeybees and genetically-engineered killer bees.  Tiana is a graduate student in entomology at the University of California-Riverside who is enlisted to help her professor investigate the disappearance and death of the bees in the Central Valley of California.  But things take a nasty turn when her professor is murdered and she catches a small electronic drone spying on her in her yard.

Tiana is made responsible for completing the study which puts her firmly in the crosshairs of the conspirators. Special Agent Stu Whiteleather is one of the FBI agents sent in to investigate the murders.  But in addition to developing feelings for Tiana, Stu must find a way to protect her before she ends up like her professor. Another entertaining suspense from a master of the genre.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*March 28th

*March 29th

*March 30th

*March 31st

*April 1st


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Secrets of the King's Daughter by Renae Weight Mackley


ABOUT THE BOOK

It was a relationship designed to unite not two young people in love, but two powerful kingdoms. And for Princess Karlinah, eldest daughter of King Lamoni, her marriage to the haughty heir to the throne of Jersusalem has led to a life of fear and abuse. There seems to be no escape—until her husband is murdered and Karlinah is unexpectedly free to return to her father’s kingdom. She can begin again—but no one can ever know of the part she played in the prince’s demise . . . Karlinah’s relief is short-lived, for upon her return to the land of Ishmael, she is once again swept into her father’s plans for a politically powerful marriage. Then the arrival of a young missionary in her father’s court changes everything: her family is converted to a new religion, and Karlinah is free to choose her path. Yet she is not so easily convinced by the words of Ammon—especially when repentance means confessing her crime. But as her faith grows and a young stone artisan captures her heart, Karlinah realizes that she must face the consequences of her past in order to move forward with her future.

REVIEW

Karlinah' first marriage left her with heavy secret to carry as she returns home after her husband's death.  A secret she dares not share with anyone. But things at home don't offer as much relief as she had hoped when her father betroths her to a man she distrusts so that her younger sister can wed.  The arrival of a young Nephite complicate everything.  But Ammon turns out to be different than she expected and the upheaval he brings offers hope that she may be able to choose her own path.  But she's reluctant to accept the gospel since it means confessing her secret, a secret she fears could cost her own life.  Mackley has written a compelling story that revolves around events recounted in The Book of Mormon.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Karlinah and imagining what it might have been like to be there when the incredible events surrounding Ammon's mission to the Laminates took place.  The incredible workings of the Lord have been beautifully depicted in this story which does have romantic elements in it but which come second to the changes that Karlinah and her family undergo when they listen to Ammon's message.  A truly engaging work of fiction that takes the scriptural story and adds details about what it may have been like to be there.  I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*March 25th: 



  

Monday, March 21, 2016

MOVIE REVIEW: Come Unto Me


ABOUT THE MOVIE

Young Samuel and little Mary are intrigued by the man called John the Baptist, but they can't take the chance of staying in one place long enough to listen to his message. On the run from Roman soldiers, the brother and sister must do whatever it takes to survive. But when they meet a kind woman at a well, she introduces them to her son, Jesus—and their meeting forever changes the children's lives.

REVIEW

Come Unto Me brought me to tears with its touching story of two children who are lost and wandering, stealing from strangers to keep themselves fed.  As the children hide from the Roman soldiers they meet Mary, Jesus mother at a well.  She invites them to join her and her son for supper.  During that supper, the children learn about faith and more about Jesus and His calling as the Son of God.  Thanks to Mary and Jesus, the children learn to have faith.  Like the previous movie He Knows My Name, I loved this one.  It's short and sweet and yet carries with it a powerful spirit and message.  It's easy to forget sometimes about Jesus living and breathing like the rest of us, and these movies show so sweetly the man he was and is and His willingness to both live and die for us.  A tender movie for young and old alike.

TRAILER

Thursday, March 17, 2016

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Love at First Note


ABOUT THE BOOK

Emma Hill was practically born with a violin in her hands. She lives for the life of the piece, for each song’s story, for the perfect stillness after the endnotes when the vibrations of sound are still humming through her body. If only her love life were that harmonic. But she knew her chances at love would take a hit when she decided to leave her prestigious concertmaster position in the Cleveland Orchestra and move back home to Asheville, North Carolina. She justifies her actions with the fact that being concertmaster for the Asheville Symphony is better than no dates and no job.

But when Emma’s world collides with piano-playing YouTube sensation Elliott Hart, she finds herself falling for the way he plucks at her heartstrings. Despite a—ahem—not-so-good first impression, the two soon develop the beginnings of a rhythmic relationship. But when Elliott insists they can’t be together, it’s up to Emma to strike up a little romance. Will she be able to bring their two worlds into harmony, or will she only manage to get herself in trouble?

REVIEW

I can honestly say that I really loved this book!  I enjoyed the characters, especially Emma and Elliott.  I loved the musical aspects of the book.  In fact, as I read I wished I could actually hear the music being discussed and played by the characters.  It was interesting to 'observe' Emma and Elliott's relationship develop from the first disastrous meeting to the satisfying last note.  Like all relationships, Emma and Elliott's has some real ups and downs.  Emma's awkwardness at talking to him gradually makes way for a sweet romance. But things take a turn for the worse when Elliott's fame puts Emma in a place she really doesn't want to be and she has to decide what it is she really wants.  And that choice leads her down a path she might never have gone otherwise.  The secondary characters are fun as well, including Lilly (Emma's roommate) and her boyfriend Travis, Emma's family (parents and sister, Ava), even an ex-boyfriend all play important roles in Emma and Elliott's lives.  I found this book to be a thoroughly enjoyable romance with great characters, interesting themes, and great music. I just wish there was a soundtrack to go with it. ;)

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*March 14th:
*March 15th:
*March 16th:
*March 17th:
*March 18th:
http://thethingsilovemost.com/



 

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

BLOG TOUR: By the Stars by Lindsay B. Ferguson


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Cal finally gets a chance with Kate, the girl he's loved since grade school, their easy friendship quickly blossoms into a meaningful romance. Spirited and independent, Kate keeps a guarded heart due to a painful past, and Cal wants nothing more than to gain her trust. But World War II soon cuts their time far too short, and Cal prepares to part from her - possibly for good. After he's gone, what Kate does next changes everything.

In the suffocating jungles of the Philippines Cal encounters the chilling life of a soldier and deadly battles of war. With Kate's memory willing him on, Cal must put his trust in God to survive if he hopes to ever return to her. Inspired by a true story,By the Stars is a romance that stands the test of time and the most intense obstacles.

REVIEW

Sadly, things have been so crazy this week that I haven't been able to get this book read.  I'll post a review as soon as I do.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Deliverance (The Moses Chronicles #2) by H.B. Moore


ABOUT THE BOOK

Experience the life of Moses as never before, following his journey from fugitive of Egypt to prophet of God. In this exhilarating follow-up to H.B. Moore’s biblical dramaThe Moses Chronicles: Bondage, the account of Moses’s flight from Egypt continues. Moses’s life as he knew it is over. He has chosen to stand for his beliefs at the cost of being cast out of his royal home and family. He is free of the wickedness of Egypt, but peace is not to be found, for Moses is as much an aimless wanderer as those in the nomadic tribe he encounters in the wilderness. Exhausted by long weeks of travel, he nevertheless jumps to action when he observes a group of young women accosted by a band of Bedrayan men at a communal well. These lovely daughters of Jethro are grateful for his help, and their Midianite tribe welcomes Moses with open arms. As he learns the ways of the Midianites, his kinship with Jethro grows—as does his admiration of one of Jethro’s daughters, Zipporah. But when Moses suddenly receives a burning call to free the very people he has long oppressed, will he have the courage to return to the land from which he has been exiled?

REVIEW

H. B. Moore captures the both the divine inspiration and guidance that led Moses to become the man that would lead the Hebrews out of slavery while showing his humanity and frailties that marked his journey.  Whenever I read stories based on scripture, I'm always a bit concerned with the fictionalizing parts, simply because the scriptures usually leave out a great deal about individuals such as Moses.  And yet Moses as well as other biblical people both wicked and righteous have such compelling stories, how can we not wonder more about their experiences and personalities.  I admire writers such as Moore who take that leap into the unknown in order to share some of the possibilities.  I especially appreciate it when the story remains as faithful to the scriptural record as possible under the circumstances.  In Deliverance, Moore has created just such a story.  While obviously fictionalized in a lot of ways, the story feels very believable and does follow what little we know about Moses's experiences before he returned to Egypt on the Lord's errand.  I especially enjoyed reading Moses's and Zipporah's love story and imagining what it may have been like.  I think the author has done a fabulous job of doing just that.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE