Thursday, December 31, 2015

"Voice in the Wilderness "(Against All Enemies Book 1 )by H. L. Wegley

Book Info: 

What if your blog could save the nation, but posting to it might cost your life?
As catastrophes drive the US into martial law, all eyes are on America, waiting to see what emerges. KC Banning, network specialist, discovers President Hannan's tyrannical plans and is branded a terrorist, sending her fleeing the Beltway to find her childhood soulmate and protector, Brock Daniels. Brock, a writer and man of faith, gives CPR to a dying nation through his blog, which is read by military members still loyal to the Constitution. But starting a grassroots insurgency while reconciling KC's and Brock's broken relationship proves difficult. When Hannan sends Special Forces to kill Brock and KC, starting a war in the Central Oregon desert, reconciliation, like staying alive, might be impossible.
Two extraordinary people ... born for a time such as this.

Set in Washington DC and near Crooked River Ranch in the Central Oregon desert, Voice in the Wilderness, Book 1 of the Against All Enemies Series, is a political thriller, with romance, about two people who must decide if they're willing to sacrifice their lives to prevent the USA from becoming the Dystopian States of America.


Voice in the Wilderness trailer :  https://youtu.be/W9nblxuc_S0

Author Info: H. L. Wegley served in the US Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. He is a Meteorologist who, while working as a forecaster and a Research Scientist in Atmospheric Physics, published extensively in the scientific literature. After earning an MS in Computer Science, he worked more than two decades as a Systems Programmer at Boeing before retiring in the Seattle area, where he and his wife of 48 years enjoy small-group ministry, their grandchildren, beach hiking, snorkeling Maui whenever they can, and where he writes inspirational thrillers and high-action, romantic suspense novels. Besides his scientific publications, he published one non-fiction work, Colby and Me: Growing up in the '50s, a humorous collection of the childhood adventures of an early baby boomer. Check out his author site at http://hlwegley.com

Author Inview:  https://youtu.be/"

My Review: "Voice in the Wilderness "(Against All Enemies Book 1 )by  H. L.Wegley is a novel about  how a corrupted president is talking over the country. This story is fiction now but it very well might be truth in the near future if we don't wise up and elect the right people into office.

This is one book that this reader couldn't put down once I started reading it. I was hooked from the first line "UR being  set up. Watch your back, PL. More later. B" From that first line the action is intense.

This is a political thriller with a romance in the middle. Yes, there is violence in this story but it is not overdone and not too graphic. And the romance is clean.

This story shows that there are still people who honor there vows! It also shows that childhood friends can remain friends even after many years of no contact.

I like the fact that the heroes uses a blog to "save the day" because it shows that everyone can do something to make things right.

The ending made this reader want to read the next book like right now but it isn't published yet,(but isn't that the woo of all readers?)

Can KC Banning and Brock Daniels undo the damage done and save the country and themselves?

Now here is some interesting facts about the book that I got from the author H.L. Wgley, 
I know a bit about meeting that someone special when you're still a kid. I've known my wife since we were 3 or 4. She's a lot like KC, freckles, reddish hair, slender Irish girl. Next year we celebrate our 50th. So, you can see where I got the backstory about Brock and KC. What a blast it was to write the childhood part!
B Here are a couple of things about my wife that she has in common with KC -- temper hovering near the boiling point, heart on sleeve, will die for what she believes. All I had to do was give KC some computer skills (my wife is computer-phobic), and I had my heroine.

I think it is really neat that a author can use real facts in a story!

Another fact in this story that is brought out is that God loves us and We are good enough, here is a quote from the book, that I posted on my Facebook wall "You got more than that. You're going to have a scar, Kace. Not gonna be perfect anymore." "I never was. See the freckles." She gave him a weak smile, then pulled his hand away from her head and held it."Brock, we all have scars from life. Some on our bodies,some deeper inside, in our hearts. Scars from things like someone telling us we're not good enough." ......" We've got to live our lives and find happiness in spite of them".

I read the 383 pages in one day, like I said it was turn the page action!

I received a copy of "Voice In the Wilderness " from the author for a honest review, which I have given. I was not required to give an favorable one just an honest one!

I am giving "Voice In The Wilderness" five stars.

To purchase http://www.amazon.com/Voice-Wilderness-Against-Enemies-Book-ebook/dp/B013F47FA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451582756&sr=8-1&keywords=voice+in+the+wilderness

Monday, December 28, 2015

"Leveraging Lincoln": A Civil War Novel (The Liberator Series Book 1) by Stephenia H. McGee

Book Info : 
"All we have to do is kidnap their President…." 

Four years of war have reduced the South to near annihilation. Homes lay smoldering and men become desperate. Amid the shadows of fear, a clandestine group waits for an opportunity to change the course of history. 

Harlot, liar, spy… 
On the threshold of losing her plantation, Annabelle Ross finds a cryptic letter on a dying soldier and seizes the opportunity to get out a message of her own. She never dreamed her plan would brand her a suspected spy… or worse, an unwilling conspirator. 

Deserter, traitor, accomplice… 
When Matthew Daniels's brother is taken captive, he finds himself caught up in a plot to gain leverage on the Union. The lines are drawn in blood, and the risk is there for the taking. But will his reckless gamble cost him the woman he had determined not to love? 

She wants to save her home. He wants to save his brother. Together, they may just save a nation. 

Part one of the Liberator Series, a trilogy following the adventures and romance of Annabelle Ross and Matthew Daniels as they play a part in the dramatic conclusion of Abraham Lincoln's life. 
Book One - November 2015 
Book Two - Summer 2016 
Book Three - Winter 2016

Author Biography: 

Stephenia McGee is a wife, mother of two very active little boys, author, and lover of all things historical. Stephenia currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and sons where she writes stories of faith, redemption and life steeped in southern culture.






My Review:
"Leveraging Lincoln": A Civil War Novel (The Liberator Series Book 1) by Stephenia H. McGee is a great book ! I have to be honest and say that when I first started reading I wasn't that impressed, but that is because I didn't read the  book info first and thought it was book 3 to the (Ironwood Plantation Family series)."Leveraging Lincoln": A Civil War Novel (The Liberator Series Book 1) by Stephenia H. McGee is the first book in a new series (The Liberator Series).  I just knew that I liked the ( Ironwood series so much that I wanted to read any book written by Stephenia McGee. But after reading"Leveraging Lincoln" I started enjoying it and had to finish it. I quickly changed my mind and am giving it a 5 star rating! 

The ending leaves me wanting the next in the series. 

As you can probably guess from the description of the book if you read it( at the top of this blog post) before my review and the title, the series is about President Lincoln.  Some of the characters are the same characters as in the Ironwood series but this is a completely different series. But I encourage you to read both series.

The story is fictional but has well known people involved in the plot!  If you are a fan of Historical fiction and a clean romance than "Leveraging Lincoln" is a great book for you! 

The romance between Matthew and Annabelle is an unlikely match but aren't those the sweetest and what readers like to read about?

Annabelle is trying to save her home in the midst of the war and Matthew is trying to rescue his brother after being captured by the enemies! 

While reading some of the plots and twists in this book, I could actually see them happening in my mind, a sign of a good story! 

I am anxiously awaiting book 2 in this series! 

I really don't know what else to say except read these books ( yes I know the review is about "Leveraging Lincoln" but I say read all three books.) I have written reviews for the other two books and if you want to read them here are the links
and 

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

"A Shenandoah Family Christmas" By Lisa Belcastro Book Tour and a giveaway

                                                        By Lisa Belcastro
                                                     Release date: November 17, 2015
                                                  Genre: Christian, Christmas, Historical 
Book Information:
Where is Christmas?Ebook - A Shenandoah Family Christmas
Disease, freezing temperatures, and the Revolutionary War bring bitter reality to the Reed home in December 1777. Captain Benjamin Reed is ordered to sail a supply shipment south to General George Washington. Days before Shenandoah’s scheduled departure, Ben’s first mate succumbs to smallpox.
Rebecca Reed had never feared the dreaded disease until her one-year-old daughter Felicity breaks out in the telltale rash. In the cold, dark days of Advent, Rebecca, Ben, and the Reed family wait in prayerful hope as Felicity fights for her life and they wonder who could be next.
With the rest of the family at risk, they decide to obtain the forbidden cowpox vaccine. Ben’s brother Jonah, his uncle Isaiah, and Shenandoah’s cook Adam Greene venture off in search of the outlawed vaccine. A blizzard hits. A tree crashes. Jonah crumbles to the ground. A woman with the face of an angel aids Jonah, but is it too late? And where are Adam and Isaiah?
As the death toll rises throughout the Colonies, the Reed family prays for more than one Christmas miracle.
Author Info: About the Author 
Author picLisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard.  She loves time with her family and friends, running, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, chocolate, reading, traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat, Ben, who keeps her company while she creates fictional lives for the numerous characters living inside her head.
Lisa runs as an ambassador for TEAM 413 (www.team413.org), and has completed a marathon (26.2 miles) in all fifty states.
Lisa’s stories are set on the Vineyard amidst the magnificence of the ocean, the beauty of sandy beaches, rolling hills, and ancient cliffs, as well as the people and events that make the Island so very unique.

When she’s not at her desk, Lisa is living in paradise, volunteering at her daughter’s school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, training to run the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge in January 2016, walking the beach looking for sea glass, or enjoying a great meal while she pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine.    
 My Review:"A Shenandoah Family Christmas" by Lisa Belcastro is a really good novella. It is about a family struggle to heal a toddler of smallpox and the struggle to keep other family members from getting it. From the beginning of this story, I was intrigued, I was literally hoping that Rebecca and Ben was able to keep their daughter from being another victim that died from smallpox.
I haven't read the other novels in the (Winds of Change) series, but I was able to fully understand this short read, and now I want to read the rest of the series. I suggest that if at possible, you read the other novels first as this story talks about time travel, ( it isn't necessary that you do), as it might explain the plot a little better.
This story is a romance and I don't know but I think the next book in the series is going to be about a romance that ends this book.
If you like history, this book mentions George Washington,( though the book is not about him or his troops)  as this story is set during the Revolutionary War.
I love the cover of this book as the red mittens are part of the story! 
Does all end well for Ben and Rebecca? Do they have a good Christmas? 
This book shows that you must have faith and love to survive, and also in this case a little knowledge about the future ( medical treatments) helps also.
I have given  "A Shenandoah Family Christmas" by Lisa Belcastro five stars.
I was given a copy of " A Shenandoah Family Christmas" by Lisa Belcastro from Celebrate Lit and the author for an honest review.

Monday, December 14, 2015

"Where Can I flee and In the Shadow of Thy Wings" By A. M. Heath Book Tour and Giveaway

 Ancient Words Series Book 1 and 2
"Where Can I flee and In the Shadow of Thy Wings"  By A. M. Heath
Release date: August 13, 2014 (Book 1), December 8, 2015 (Book 2)
Book Information:
Where Can I Flee
War is on the horizon during the spring of 1861. It will be an event that will change the lives of everyone in its path. The Harper family included.
Frank Harper is a young man full of dreams and ambitions. Even when the country is split and war breaks out, Frank will do whatever is necessary to see his dreams come true, even when that means putting on a uniform and leaving home.
For the first time, Claire Harper is forced to consider the reasons behind such a conflict. Should slavery be abolished? Which side should she be on, and what does God have to say about this? Claire is torn between her own opinions and those of her family. The struggle within her only increases when she repeatedly runs into a kind and handsome Union soldier. She longs to see her brother turn to Christ before it is too late. Desperate to reach her brother with the gospel, Claire pens a series of inspiring letters. Will she be able to handle all the obstacles of war and continue to be a witness to those around her?
How long can Claire last when her heart is torn in half and she is burdened for her brother’s soul? How long can Frank resist his sister’s urgent pleas or the gentle tugging from within? Can a man outrun a holy God?
In the Shadow of Thy Wings
Devastation sweeps across the land, and the families of Maple Grove cannot escape when war arrives at their front doors. After her father entrusts her with a new and dangerous task, Sally Chandler must find the courage to obey despite her fear. Meanwhile, her best friend, Claire Harper, is determined to serve others, even if it means putting herself in danger. But with a certain handsome Union soldier stationed nearby, Claire finds her heart in danger of falling for the enemy. Their differing loyalties create complications that neither could expect; her twin brother fighting for the Confederacy is only one of them. Frank Harper left home with one goal in mind – to become a prosperous plantation owner. Two years later, not only is he further from his goal, but he’s beginning to question his own desires–something that becomes more complicated when his heart becomes involved. The families of Maple Grove must learn how to survive the uncertainty of war and a country split in two. While the war in the nation rages on, the battle within grows stronger. Will they learn that the only safe place to hide is in the shadow of Thy Wings?

Author Information

Being raise in a small Tennessee town, A.M. Heath grew up with a love for southern history and nostalgia. She lives with her husband and four children in Southern Tennessee where they embrace the small town lifestyle.
My Review Of Where Can I Flee" by A. M. Heath
"Where Can I Flee" by A. M. Heath is a ,for lack of not knowing a better word to write, fantastic book. It is filled with all the emotions that this reader wants in a book! It has bitterness and love and fear and forgiveness and acceptance! 
This story is about a brother and sister who are separated by war.  Claire is devastated when her brother Frank joins the Confederate army. She is worried about his life but worries most about his soul.  

Clare's letters to Frank are written so well by the author's words that I felt like I was really reading letters that was written while the war was raging on! I actually felt their struggles and heartaches. I think the reason I like reading this story is because the facts are true and even though battle is described, the details aren't gory ( well a little to get the idea) and such but the reader can feel the pain and sorrow the soldiers and Claire faced!

There is even a new love interest in this story for Claire, but we have to wait for book 2 to see if it goes anywhere.

Yes this is Christian Fiction, but I recommend it to anyone that likes Historical Fiction, and yes I am going to say I believe this story would make a great movie.  Fans of "Gone With The Wind" would love " Where Could I Flee". It is not a remake of "Gone With the Wind" at all just the same time period in history.

"Where Could I Flee" by A.M.Heath is definitely a five story book. I was given a copy of " In the Shadow Of His Wings" from Celebrate Lit and the author for an honest review.

My Review of In The Shadow Of His Wings"  by  A. M. Heath
Wow is the first thing I think of when I think about "In The Shadow Of His Wings"  by  A. M. Heath. I usually saved the rating till the end of my review but I am giving this book five stars and I would give it ten if I could. Yes it is that good!This book is about Civil War and the Underground Railroad. It is based on history and interwoven with Biblical scriptures. I really love how A. M. Heath took history and combined Bible scriptures and added fiction to make a great story, that any reader that likes to read a clean love story and /or a Christian fiction and or Historical fiction can enjoy. 
This book is full of heartaches and sorrows as well as forgiveness and love and friendships. It literally made me cry  during a few of the scenes. I really think this and the first book in this series (

Ancient Words ) "Where Can I Flee" would make a great movie, I think it would be as good as the movie "Gone With The Wind".  


I think any reader would enjoy reading this novel without reading the first book, but I encourage you to read "Where Can I Flee" first to get the full benefit of the series. " In The Shadow Of His Wings" picks up where "Where Can I Flee" leaves off.

I literally woke up in the morning wanting to read this book and literally fell asleep at night reading it! 

There are surprises all through the story.

My Facebook posts were actually quotes from this book while reading it. I am going to include one such post now, "The way I see it,fear is a healthy thing. When you're scared, you're more likely to remember the One that holds you together. You remember the One that gives you courage. The One that guides you in the dark : that hides you behind the shadow of His wings. When a person is scared he doesn't have to be reminded to pray or to be careful, but, you see , a cocky person , one who is comfortable, isn't careful and he isn't mindful of the Lord ,either."

I am glad to say there is going to be a third book in this series. I am anxiously awaiting it.

I was given a copy of " In the Shadow Of His Wings" from Celebrate Lit and the author for an honest review.

Tour Dates: 
Dec 10: Cassandra M(spotlight)
Dec 11: Splashes of Joy

Dec 15: Bergdum



Link to purchase booksWhere Can I I Flee): http://amzn.com/B00MQ8KYI2

                                        In The Shadow Of Thy Wings) : http://amzn.com/B018RERANK

Monday, December 7, 2015

"The Amish Christmas Sleigh" Book Tour and a giveaway


 The Amish Christmas Sleigh
 Authors Kelly Long, Amy Lillard and Molly Jebber



Book Information:
A SLEIGH RIDE ON ICE MOUNTAIN
Kelly Long 
For solitary toy-maker Sebastian Christner, hiring Kate Zook as his new housekeeper is simply the right thing to do. Now she can support her special-needs brother. But one taste of her independent spirit is showing him undreamed-of holiday joy—and making him long to give her a home for always . . .
 
A MAMM FOR CHRISTMAS
Amy Lillard
Bernice Yoder has far too much to do to entertain holiday dreams. Even if she can help Jess Schmucker outwit his three mischievous young daughters, it’s impossible to imagine the handsome widower can see her as anything but a scolding schoolteacher. He never guesses how a magical Christmas Eve will open his eyes to love or how Der Herr will awaken their faith and hope.
 
AN UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS BLESSING
Molly Jebber
As much as Charity Lantz’s children need a father, the young widow isn’t sure her new neighbor Luke Fisher can ever be the right choice. They’re having more disagreements than snowflakes in December. Besides, he’s never given a sign he wants to be more than friends. Can Gott show them a way past their misunderstandings to a forever love?
About the Authors
Molly Jebber is an educational, motivational, and Women’s Christian Connection speaker. She
was raised in a small town in the Midwest, and insists if you had blinked twice, you would’ve missed it. She loves God, her family and friends, sunshine, swimming and traveling to the Amish communities.  Creating historical Amish characters and throwing them into difficult situations and joyous times has been challenging and fun for her. The greatest reward she’s experienced in becoming an author is meeting wonderful people from all over the world who’ve been encouraging and supportive.


Kelly Long is the author of the acclaimed Amish Patch of Heaven series and has been a finalist for the coveted Carol Award from the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her novel Lily’s Wedding Quilt was a 2011 Goodreads Favorite Book of the Year.  Born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, she’s been married for nearly twenty-five years and has five children. Please visit her at kellylongbooks.com.



 Amy Lillard won the 2013 Carol Award for her first Amish romance Saving Gideon. She was also a Maggie Awards finalist. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Visit her at amywritesromance.com




My Review:
I have to say right at the start of this review that I am not giving all praise for the first story in this book, but I enjoyed the stories because the stories were wonderful and full of blessings and surprises at Christmas and all three stories involve a sleigh ride which explains the title, we wouldn't expect anything else right.

The three stories are as followed: "A Sleigh Ride On Ice Mountain" by Kelly Long. This story is about Sebastian Christner, a toy maker, and Katie Zook. Katie Zook is taking care of her handicapped brother. He is handicapped from a buggy accident that killed her parents. This is the story that
has parts that I consider somewhat too worldly for a Christian novel ( it had a few sensual parts that I was really surprised and shocked to read in a book that I believed to be considered Christian). I don't mind kissing in a novel but when an author writes about a dream and describes it like this author did, I admit I am not happy, yes I know Amish are human and therefore have the same emotions and desires as the rest of us, but I really don't want to read about it! Okay now that I have shared the negative, I want to share the positive. The story line is really fantastic. I love how in the end forgiveness wins. Yes, this story makes the reader believe that what's wrong can be made right if given the chance! I really like this quote from this story "You see, I always think of kaleidoscopes as being a little bit like life and faith-you can take what's broken and meld it together to bring about something new and whole,an ever-changing picture but an unchanging love of yourself and others."

Story Two: "A Mamm for Christmas" by Amy Lillard. This story has Jess Schmucker trying to be both mother and father to his three girls because his wife has died. The teacher tries to intervene with some help but it backfires. I think you will be surprised to learn how and why! I really loved this story and really was hoping the girls would get their mamm for Christmas and I knew right from the start who I wanted that Mamm to be! Now I know you want to know if these girls get their mama and if they get the right one, I know the answers because I read the book and I hope you want to know the answer also so get this book and read it and then we will both know the answers, well what are you waiting for, Read the story!


Story Three: "An Unexpected Christmas Blessing" by Molly Jebber is a wonderful story that brings tears of rejoicing and a few seconds of Oh No,and Not Now! Charity is a widower with two children who lives next door to newcomer Luke and they want a new daed. Luke has a past and I wanted Luke and Charity to get together but once again (like in all stories), a past and another suitor have to enter the story to give a twist to the storyline and keep the reader guessing to what the outcome is going to be. Will it end the way it is suppose to or go another way?

If I had to pick a favorite of the three it would be "An Unexpected Christmas Blessing" which is probably because I read "A Change Of Heart" by Molly Jebber, and both books have a keepsake pocket quilt in the story.

I wish I could give each story a rating because I would give "A Mamm for Christmas" by Amy Lillard and "An Unexpected Christmas Blessing" five stars. "A Sleigh Ride On Ice Mountain" by Kelly Long would get three stars. But since this is one book I am giving it 3 stars.  I will continue to read novels and novella by Amy Lillard and Molly Jebber.

I was given a copy of "The Amish Christmas Sleigh" from the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team in exchange for an honest review.

Link to giveaway ): http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDBhZGNmNTQzZGFkMzUwNzcyZmIzY2U1NDc5MjA0OjY=/?

Link to purchase book: http://amzn.com/B00RRT31E4

Tour Dates:
Dec 2: Kick off
Dec 4: Heidi Reads
Dec 11: Bergdum
Dec. 11: Just commonly
Dec 12: Rockin my mom
Dec 14: Readers Cozy
Dec 14: Book Bites
Dec 15: Quiet Quilter
Dec 16: A Greater Yes
Dec 16: Tour closes