Book Review - The Hope Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Michelle Taylor has always been able to adapt to each situation. She arrives in Lancaster County with no money and nowhere to go. An elderly couple confuses Michelle for their long-lost granddaughter, Sara. With nowhere to go, Michelle assumes the identity of Sara Murray and goes home with her new Amish friends. As the months go by, Michelle grows to love the Amish couple and is devastated to tell them the truth about her identity. 

I thought this story had an interesting premise about identity. I thought the story would have two main storylines about each of the main characters. However, I was deeply disappointed that the "real" Sara Murray barely had any story and was more of an afterthought. I would have enjoyed knowing who her father was and having the two women connected in the end as friends. I felt the novel was a bit drawn out boring in certain parts. I also didn't really care for Michelle Taylor because she seeks her prayer to be answered but, continuously does the wrong thing. I found her to be very selfish and thoughtless. Overall, I like the idea of the novel, I just wished it had more story instead of just fluff.

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

About the Book

Book Title: The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars, Book 1)
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Genre: Amish Fiction
Release date: August 7, 2018
A Brand-New Series from New York Times Best Selling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.
What happens when making an elderly Amish couple very happy means going along with a lie that gets bigger by the day?

Michelle Taylor is not who her new family in Lancaster County believes her to be. The Lapps were looking for their long-lost granddaughter when they met Michelle and she assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considers the idea of romance among them.

Finding an old blue jar in the barn that is filled with slips of paper containing thoughts, quotes, and prayers by an unknown author becomes a boost to Michelle’s budding faith— but also convicting. How can she tell the truth without hurting the ones she has truly come to love?

About the Author

 

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Wanda is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, jar-shaped notepad, and a copy of The Hope Jar (with an autographed book plate inside).

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d40a/the-hope-jar-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - The Austin Paradox (Miracle Man Book 2) by William R. Leibowitz + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the Austin Paradox, Austin is coming to terms with losing his intellectual powers. He tries to live the ordinary life with his wife and children. However, when he visits a hospital, he feels something is missing from his life. He feels that since he is no longer doing research on curing diseases, he has lost his sense of purpose. As he takes a journey through self-discovery, he has to overcome several obstacles. 

The Austin Paradox is the second novel in the series. I thought the first novel was a bit too long and I felt the same way with this book. About halfway into the book I lost interest in the book and didn't think it was worth my time anymore. If you like reading minute details along with no twists but, until the end, then you might find this book enjoyable. 

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

Book Details:

Book Title: The Austin Paradox by William R. Leibowitz
Series: The Miracle Man Series Book 2
Category: Adult Fiction, 461 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Manifesto Media Group
Release date: May 2018

Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some profane language, some use of the word 'g*ddamit', mature subjects including pandemic disease, terrorism, sex abuse, suicide)

Book Description:

The Austin Paradox continues the remarkable saga of Robert James Austin in a gripping emotionally-charged thriller that explores the most compelling issues of our time.

Having lost his extraordinary intellectual powers in a laboratory explosion that was intended to kill him, Dr. Robert James Austin, the greatest genius in history, whose medical cures saved countless millions, struggles to find meaning in a life that has become devoid of purpose.

As he embarks on a journey of self-discovery in an effort to regain his abilities, Austin battles private demons, otherworldly forces, and a government obsessed with controlling him. When ruthless political and business interests align to pose an existential threat to humanity, Austin is thrust into the maelstrom.

Doubted even by those who love him, Austin is confronted by a harrowing paradox as time runs out to save mankind from extinction.

The Austin Paradox is the sequel to the critically acclaimed, award-winning novel, Miracle Man, which was named by Amazon as One of the Top 100 Novels of 2015, a Top 10 Best Selling Thriller and a Top 10 New York Times/Amazon Best Seller.

Buy the book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

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Meet the Author:

William R. Leibowitz practices law internationally and prefers not spending too much time in any one place. He is a graduate of New York University and Columbia University Law School.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends 22, 2018

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Book Review - Crypt Quest/Space Battles: A Play-Your-Way Book by Gabe Soria

Photo Credit - Amazon

While everyone is asleep, you and your friends sneak out to complete a dare. You climb a fence and enter an abandoned shopping mall, where you discover a video arcade managed by a ghostly attendant. With a magical token, you can decide to play Crypt Quest or Space Battles. After you make your choice, you have to continuously make choices as the game progresses.

Growing up, I was a huge fan of creating your own adventure books. I am still a huge fan but, this book left me a bit disappointed. The first few pages set the mood and then readers can choose how the story unfolds. However, after a few decision points, I felt annoyed that there was only"one correct" answer and all the other options lead you back to the previous decision point. I don't understand what the point is of having multiple options if only one progresses the story. I stopped reading after a few decision points after having to repeat the same decision point multiple times.

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

Book Review - The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sunnybrook used to be home to a top-notch cheerleading squad. Now there are no more cheerleaders.

On a dark rainy night, two girls were involved in a car accident leaving both of them dead. The scene was so gruesome that the paramedic team had trouble identifying which girl was which. Shortly afterward two more girls were murdered by their next-door neighbors. However, the police shot him, so why he murdered the girls will go with him to his grave. The last cheerleader, Monica's sister, committed suicide.  After the death of the five cheerleaders, the squad was disbanded.

On the five year anniversary of the girls' death,  Sunnybrook High faculty and students want to create a memorial for the cheerleaders.  Monica just wants to forget but, once she discovers her sister's cell phone, she is dragged back into the drama that happened five years ago. She meets a strange new friend and discovers sometimes, the past won't stay buried. Who is behind the murders? Are the deaths connected?

I found this to be an addictive and thrilling read. I couldn't put this book down. It was full of suspense and drama. My only qualm about this book is that in the beginning, there were a bit too many characters to keep track off. Overall, it was a thrilling and exciting novel to read.

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

About the Book:

Title: THE CHEERLEADERS

Author: Kara Thomas

Pub. Date: July 31, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

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

There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.

First there was the car accident—two girls gone after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know why he did it. Monica’s sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they lost.

That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it’s not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica’s world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad’s desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn’t over. Some people in town know more than they’re saying. And somehow Monica is at the center of it all.

There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn’t mean anyone else is safe. 

About Kara:

Kara Thomas is a true crime addict and the author of THE DARKEST CORNERS, LITTLE MONSTERS, and THE CHEERLEADERS, all published by Delacorte Press. You can find her on Twitter (@karatwrites), Instagram (@kara__thomas), or at http://www.kara-thomas.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE CHEERLEADERS, US Only.

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Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2779/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Three:

Week Four:

8/13/2018- The Young Folks- Review

8/14/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview

8/15/2018- Simply Daniel Radcliffe- Review

8/16/2018- Moonlight Rendezvous- Review

8/17/2018- Two points of interest- Review

Book Review - Chaos in the Blink of an Eye: The Prequel by Patrick Higgins + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The weekend before Thanksgiving more than a hundred thousand people are watching the game of the century at Michigan Stadium. Just before the game starts, a prophecy described in the Bible begins to unfold. Millions of people begin to vanish into thin air. Chaos and panic are filling the heart and mind of people everywhere.


This novel is the prequel to the series. I haven't read the other book in the series. However, I felt that this book was completely unnecessary. As it only introduces the readers to the characters and only towards the end of the book does the prophecy come through while leaving readers at a cliffhanger. This novel could have been better used if it actually showed why the prophecy finally occurred instead of just setting the mood for the next book.


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

About the Book

Book Title: Chaos: In the Blink of an Eye
Author: Patrick Higgins
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense
Release date: September, 2015

It was the weekend before Thanksgiving. More than 100,000 fans were jammed inside Michigan Stadium, on their feet, to witness a heated football rivalry that had spanned more than 100 years. As the football was kicked into the snow-filled sky, they were about to get the shock of their lives, as long-foretold Bible prophecy came to pass before their very eyes, causing many to vanish into thin air without a trace.

But what they soon realized was that it reached far beyond Michigan Stadium. Chaos of unimaginable proportions ensued worldwide. Shock, fear and panic filled each heart and mind. It was just the beginning of things to come, as life as humanity had known it was forever changed in the blink of an eye…

About the Author

 

Patrick Higgins is the author of The Pelican Trees, Coffee In Manila, the award-winning The Unannounced Christmas Visitor, and the award-winning prophetic end-times series, Chaos In The Blink Of An Eye. While the stories he writes all have different themes and take place in different settings, the one thread that links them all together is his heart for Jesus and his yearning for the lost.
With that in mind, it is his wish that the message his stories convey will greatly impact each reader, by challenging you not only to contemplate life on this side of the grave, but on the other side as well. After all, each of us will spend eternity at one of two places, based solely upon a single decision which must be made this side of the grave. That decision will be made crystal clear to each reader of his books.

Higgins is currently writing many other books, both fiction and non-fiction, including a sequel to Coffee In Manila, which will shine a bright, sobering light on the diabolical human trafficking industry.

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Patrick is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d0a3/chaos-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-celebration-tour-giveaway