Book Review - Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

 

Meg Whitaker is devastated when she learns that her father is selling the family's lobster-fishing business to her high school nemesis. Meg is determine to prove she should be the rightful owner of the family business. She had no interest in running a lobster boat or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness. However, she doesn't want Oliver Ross to have her family business especially, since he ruined her dreams of a science scholarship and entry to an Ivy League school.

Oliver is ashamed of the kid he used to be. He was angry and sad that his father had walked on his family. He lashed out on Meg who was an innocent bystander in his path of fury. However, Oliver is desperate to own Whitaker's fishing business because it would provide for his family and give him opportunities he wouldn't have otherwise. He isn't going to walk away from the chance of a lifetime because Meg wants him to.

The book was an okay read. It was a predictable and moved a bit slowly for my liking. I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary details that just bogged  down the story. The author did hint to other at characters being the main stars for the next book in the series. However, I am not sure if I am vested enough to be interested in reading more books in this series.

**I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch + Giveaway

 

Captain Charles Wyvern owes Major Richardson his life as the man died protecting Charles. Charles knows the best way to honor Richardson is to honor his dying wish. Rich asked Charles to watch over and protect his fiancée along with telling her how much she is loved. As Charles tries to fulfill his duty to Rich, he learns that his uncle has died and he will become the new Earl of Rothwell.

When Charles and the women arrive to his new manor home in Devon, they discover the estate is need of repair. He finds that he is the guardian of three orphan girls.  Charles feels overwhelmed because he knows how to handle the affairs of war but, not young women or being on land. Charles wishes to provide for Sophie so, he proposes a marriage of convenience.

Sophie goes along with Charles's plan to help care for her ailing mother-in-law along with the orphans while giving her freedom. The marriage will give the captain a chance to repay his debt while allowing Sophie to grieve. As a part of their arrangement, Sophie will stay behind to oversee his property and the children while he returns to the sea.

As they try to move on, the captain is arrested for smuggling. As Charles waits in jail, Sophie realizes how much she loves him. She is willing to put everything on the line to protect their freedom and gain his love. 

This was the third book in the series and it was an enjoyable read. The novel could be read as a standalone. I was a bit disheartened that characters from the other books didn't really make much of an appearance. I am curious to know which character will be the next focus.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.**

 

Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business--or will it turn into something more? Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Wyvern to escort the man's grieving fiance and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell. When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience. Sophie is surprised to find she isn't opposed to the idea. It will help her care for her betrothed's elderly mother, and she's already fallen in love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea commission, she'll stay behind to oversee his property and wards. It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he's come to mean to her. Now she'll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for his love.

About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Learn more about Erica at www.ericavetsch.com or find her on Facebook.

 

Book Review - The Extremely High Tide! (Secrets of Topse) by Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Talise is well versed about the ocean. She knows more about the ocean than any kid and adult in Topsea. She is currently the only bathymetrist in Topsea. Talise can predict important things about the sea like the next tide or the beginning of Seaweed season. However, Talise has a hard time understanding her classmates' behavior.

Talise discovers a message in a bottle. She realizes its blueprints for boats and the message was meant for her. Talise feels there is a reason for the messages while her classmates think she is being silly. Unsure why she needs to build a boat, she begins to build the boat. Who is sending Talise these massages? Will she be able to build the boat in time?

The book was an interesting and creative read. It was filled with eccentric and bizarre jokes like searching the beach for teeth. However, I don't feel like I am the target audience for this book because of the book's humor. Although, I can see this would be the perfect zany book for a child who likes this type of humor. I did like that each character had a chapter dedicated to them so, the reader could learn more about them. Overall, this would be a great book if you love zany and wacky humor, if not, you would be better off skipping.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**   

About the Book:

Title: SECRETS OF TOPSEA, BOOK 2: THE EXTREMELY HIGH TIDE!

Author: Kir Fox & M Shelley Coats

Pub. Date: January 8, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 208

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Talise knows more about the ocean than any kid in Topsea. Any adult, too. As the best-and only-bathymetrist in Topsea, Talise is able to predict important things about the sea, like the next tide (Severely Low with a threat of Wildcard) or the arrival of Seaweed Season. What she can't predict, however, are her classmates' behaviors. Sometimes it's as if they're speaking different languages.

When Talise discovers a mysterious message in a bottle, her classmates believe it must have been sent by someone stranded on a deserted island. (Not to be confused with a dessert island.) But Talise is convinced the message is meant for her. And it's telling her to build a boat.

Everyone seems to think Talise is just being silly. Even Talise isn't exactly sure why she has to build the boat. And who keeps sending those strange messages in a bottle, anyway? All Talise knows is that she'd better finish building her boat fast, because an Extremely High Tide is coming? 

About The Authors:

Kir Fox (Kirsten Hubbard) and M. Shelley Coats (Michelle Schusterman) are great friends, longtime critique partners and ardent consumers of the strange and unusual.

Find Kir!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Find M!

Website | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of SECRETS OF TOPSEA, BOOK 2: THE EXTREMELY HIGH TIDE!, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2876/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

1/14/2019- Loie Dunn- Excerpt

1/15/2019- Daily Waffle - Spotlight

1/16/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt

1/17/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

1/18/2019- Two points of interest- Review

 

Book Review - Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

Photo Credit - Amazon

Three years ago, the Tanners sisters just disappeared. The left no trace of their disappearance other than an abandoned car and a pair of shoes. Three years after their disappearance, Cass, the younger sister returns home. She recounts a story of kidnapping, betrayal, and heartache on a mysterious island. Dr. Abby Winter is a psychiatrist who is assigned to the Tanner case and she believes there is a lot more going on than Cass is telling. What is the story Cass is not telling? What happened on the island where Cass was held captive? Where is Emma?

The novel was a very suspenseful read. I kept falling into the rabbit hole with the novel but the writer's writing style left me wanting more. The ending was a bit of a disappointment as the farther I read, the less believable the story became. The characters were well-developed but  their actions were bit confusing at times and left disengaged from the story. An interesting read for those who like thrilling and suspenseful novels.

**Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review: Beautiful Animals by Lawrence Osborne

Photo Credit - Amazon

Naomi is the only child of a wealthy British art collector and her family routinely vacations in the Greek island of Hydra. One day, Naomi sets out another part of the island to escape the oppressing force of her father and stepmother. She comes across another young woman, who is also vacationing there. Samantha is a younger American girl who is immediately besotted by Naomi's presence. The pair become quick friends and decide to take a hike together. The stumble upon a refugee named Faoud who looks like he is homeless with barely any belongings. Naomi believes it is their duty to help the less fortunate and convince Sam that they should hatch a plan to help him. While, they beginning to hatch their plan, the friendship between the three begin to deepen. However, an unfortunate accident causes both the plan and the friendship to unravel. Will the girls still be able to be friends? Who is this mysterious man?

The novel was an interesting read but I had a hard time getting into the novel. I have read another one of his books, "Hunters in the Dark" and I don't particularly find his writing style appealing. I found the novel made me crave wanting to know more but the ending left me unsatisfied. I felt like the backstory of Faoud could have been more detailed and even the supporting characters could have more depth.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**