Book Review - The Killing Fog (The Grave Kingdom, #1) by Jeff Wheeler + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Bingmei becomes an orphan after she watched her family being murdered in front of her. She becomes the sole member of a once-thriving combat school. Bingmei joins a band of mercenaries that work for a local king to search for magical relics. Their recent assignment for Bingmei and her team is to travel to the wilderness to retrieve treasures from an ancient palace that is buried under a glacier valley. As the adventurers dwell deeper into the palace, they realize that trespassing the vault might come with deadly consequences.

The emperor of the Grave Kingdom and ruler of darkness has been lying in slumber waiting for the phoenix. Now that Bingmei and her friends awakened him, they are afraid of the legendary prophecy that is about to unfold.  Bingmei is thrust into the role of being a savior and it's a role that she isn't prepared for or wants. But as the fate of her friends and the world lies in her hands, will she be able to stop the prophecy?

The novel had generous world-building details that informed but, didn't overwhelmed the reader. I did wish that them unleashing the curse happened sooner and the novel didn't leave off in a cliffhanger. As this is the first novel in the series, I hope we don't find out until the last book whether or not the main character succeeds in defeating the emperor.  I did like the bond between one of the characters but, I am torn on the main character. She is portrayed as a strong fearless leader but, when we learn about her true feelings, I feel conflicted. Overall, the book is an interesting read and I look forward to seeing how the series ends.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Print Length: 404 pages
Publisher: 47North (March 1, 2020)
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07RJQPB63

Praise for THE KILLING FOG

“Wheeler (Broken Veil) opens the Grave Kingdom series with this winding tale of valor and sacrifice, set in a realm where using magic summons a heavy fog that kills every living thing it touches. [T]he threat of the fog looming in the background adds atmosphere and tension…This excellent introduction to the prolific Wheeler’s work will appeal to fans of Asian-influenced fantasy.” —Publishers Weekly

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series conjures an epic, adventurous world of ancient myth and magic as a young woman’s battle with infinite evil begins.

Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.

Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.

Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.

You can purchase The Killing Fog at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Jeff Wheeler

Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains. His books have been on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list 5 times (for The Thief’s Daughter, The King’s Traitor, The Hollow Crown, The Silent Shield, and Prism Cloud) and have sold more than 4 million copies. His novels have also been published or will be published in many languages: Italian, Chinese, Hungarian, Turkish, Polish, Spanish, Russian, and German.

He is also the founder of Deep Magic: the E-zine of Clean Fantasy and Science Fiction (www.deepmagic.co), a quarterly e-zine featuring amazing short stories, novellas, and sample chapters.

You can usually find Jeff at Emerald City Comic Con, New York Comic Con or at writers conferences.

He welcomes hearing from readers: jgwheels /at/ gmail dot com

If you are interested in purchasing signed copies of his books for friends, family, or your own collection, please e-mail: WOJWbooks /at/ gmail dot com

      

WEEK ONE

FEBRUARY 24th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 24th MONDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

FEBRUARY 25th TUESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

FEBRUARY 26th WEDNESDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 26th WEDNESDAY TMBA Corbett INTERVIEW 

FEBRUARY 27th THURSDAY Life Within The Pages REVIEW

FEBRUARY 27th THURSDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Wishful Endings INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

WEEK TWO

MARCH 2nd MONDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

MARCH 3rd TUESDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW

MARCH 3rd TUESDAY Fundinmental EXCERPT

MARCH 4th WEDNESDAY Have Coffee Need Books REVIEW

MARCH 4th WEDNESDAY Port Jericho REVIEW

MARCH 5th THURSDAY Book Briefs REVIEW

MARCH 5th THURSDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

MARCH 6th FRIDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW 

MARCH 6th FRIDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - Blame the Dead by Ed Ruggero + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Eddie Harkins is a Military Police lieutenant during World War II in Sicily. Eddie was a cop in Philadelphia when he decided to enlist.  On his way back to base, Eddie and his driver are flagged down to help solve a murder at the US Army's 11th Field Hospital. Eddie has to solve the murder of Dr. Stephenson and who would want him dead. Eddie and his childhood friend, nurse Kathleen Donnelly, will need to work together to solve the mystery.

The novel was an engaging and thrilling read. The author included vivid details of the atmosphere along with capturing the chaos and mayhem on the battlefield. However, there were a few times when I felt like the author went too much in details and the story took to long to progress. I am interested in reading other books by the author.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Forge Books (March 3, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250312744
ISBN-13: 978-1250312747

Praise for BLAME THE DEAD

“The title of this riveting, finely crafted novel may be Blame the Dead, but I blame author Ed Ruggero--for keeping me up at night, reading "just one more" chapter then another and another. Whether your interests lie in a well-wrought mystery, a classic cop story, historical settings or first-rate military fiction, this thoroughly enjoyable novel set during World War II checks the block. Great pacing, compelling characters, solid research and a fiendishly clever plot add up to non-stop reading excitement.” ―Ralph Peters, author of Cain at Gettysburg and Judgment at Appomattox

“This book is a lot of fun, written with an insider's feel for the U.S. Army and its history.” ―Thomas E. Ricks, author of The Generals and Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq

“Ruggero's story sets itself apart with the vividly rendered field-hospital setting and the focus on the battle-hardened nurses. A solid choice for WWII-thriller fans.” ―Booklist

“At the start of this exceptional WWII mystery and series launch, Lt. Eddie Harkins, an MP who was once a Philadelphia beat cop, comes across a murder scene near Palermo, Sicily.... Ruggero plays fair with his readers and makes the carrying out of a homicide inquiry in wartime both exciting and plausible.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Ruggero uses his military expertise to create a vivid and unconventional setting for a murder mystery, crafting an intriguing quagmire of institutional corruption to challenge his everyman hero.” ―Library Journal

The nurses of the US Army's Field Hospitals, mobile units that operate just behind the battle lines, contend with heat, dirt, short-handed staffs, the threat of German counterattack and an ever-present flood of horribly wounded GIs. At the 11th Field Hospital near Palermo, Sicily in the bloody summer of 1943, nurses also live with the threat of violent assault by one of their own--at least until someone shoots Dr. Myers Stephenson in the head.

Enter Eddie Harkins, a tough former Philadelphia beat cop turned Military Police lieutenant, who is first on the scene. Although he has never been a detective, Harkins soon finds himself the lone investigator, either because the Military Police are under-staffed or because someone in power thinks this rank amateur will never get close to the real killer. When the hospital commander tries to derail Harkins' investigation by transferring or harassing key witnesses, it becomes clear to Harkins that the unit is rotten to its core, that the nurses are not safe, and that patients who have survived Nazi bullets are still at risk after they arrive at this place that is supposed to save them.

Harkins fights--and worries that he is losing--multiple battles. He is driven to give hope to nurses who just want to do their life-saving work, to right at least a few of the wrongs around him, and to do penance for sins in his own past. The one bright note for Harkins is a rekindled relationship with Kathleen Donnelly, a nurse from Harkins' old neighborhood; but even that is complicated when Donnelly becomes a victim.

You can purchase Blame the Dead at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Ed Ruggero

Ed Ruggero has studied, practiced, and taught leadership for more than twenty-five years, helping organizations develop the kinds of leaders people want to follow. His client list includes the FBI, the New York City Police Department, CEO Conference Europe, the CIA, the Young Presidents Organization, Forbes, the SAS Institute, Hugo Boss USA, CitiFinancial, and Time, among many others. He has appeared on CNN, The History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and CNBC and has spoken to audiences around the world on leadership, leader development and ethics. Ed is a senior advisor to McKinsey & Company and has been a panelist for The Washington Post’s On Leadership series. He also has been a guest speaker at Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Ed is the author of eleven books, including Duty First: West Point and the Making of American Leaders, a study of leader development at the US Military Academy; and Combat Jump: The Young Men Who Led the Assault Into Fortress Europe, July 1943, which became a one-hour docudrama on The History Channel. Ed is also the co-author of The Leader’s Compass, a fictional story of how one leader developed a personal leadership philosophy. His most recent book is The First Men In: US Paratroopers and the Fight to Save D-Day.

After his graduation from West Point, Ed received his commission in the United States Army and served as an infantry officer in a variety of leadership positions, followed by an assignment teaching at West Point. After his service, Ed continued to share his insights about leadership, leading to his career as an author, public speaker, and trainer.

Ed is the founder and principal of The Gettysburg Leadership Experience, The Concord Leadership Experience, The Valley Forge Leadership Experience and the Normandy Leadership Experience, four distinct experiential learning programs in which participants walk the grounds of great military struggles and learn battle-tested leadership lessons that will help them meet today’s business challenges.

        

WEEK ONE

MARCH 2nd MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

MARCH 3rd TUESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

MARCH 4th WEDNESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

MARCH 5th THURSDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

MARCH 5th THURSDAY TTC Books and More EXCERPT

MARCH 6th FRIDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

WEEK TWO

MARCH 9th MONDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

MARCH 10th TUESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW 

MARCH 11th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

MARCH 12th THURSDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

MARCH 12th THURSDAY Zenithmeridian REVIEW 

MARCH 13th FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - The Prince and the Wedding Planner by Jennifer Faye + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

When Bianca's parents are killed in an accident, she and her siblings find her mother's journal with a family secret. After the reading of the will, their parents initiated a contest that the sibling who brings in the most revenue to the family vineyard will take control.  With her inheritance on the line, Bianca needs the royal wedding to go smoothly.  However, when she meets the bride's brother who is also a prince, her plans for a smooth wedding go out the door. Prince Leo is also set to announce his engagement in a few weeks. But, he can't seem to get Bianca out of his mind.

I have read a few of Jennifer's books and have enjoyed this one. I did like this book but, I wish it had more details added to the story. I was disappointed that we didn't get to find out the results of the DNA test. I am guessing this will be a segway into the next book in the series. I was surprised that more details about the royal wedding weren't given especially since Bianca was planning it for more than half of the book. Overall, it was a quick read and I can't wait to read the rest of the novels.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Prince and the Wedding Planner
(The Bartolini Legacy #1)

By Jennifer Faye

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages

March 1st 2020 by Harlequin Romance

When different worlds collide…

…sparks fly!

With her family name on the line, wedding planner Bianca Bartolini needs this royal wedding to go perfectly—she can’t afford distractions. Too bad the bride’s dashing brother has other plans! Duty-bound Crown Prince Leo has mere weeks to announce his own engagement, but none of the candidates measure up to Bianca. They’re the most unlikely match, but might that just make them perfect for one another?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo | PRINT

Go to Jennifer's Contact Page HERE and order your bookmark(s)!

About the Author

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube | BookBub | Newsletter

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

- One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and one of Jennifer's backlisted titles, winner's choice of print (US only) or ebook (if outside the US)

- Three winners will each receive one of Jennifer's backlisted titles, winner's choice of print (US only) or ebook (if outside the US)

Ends March 11, 2020

ENTER HERE

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Book Review - The Claires: An Ascenders Novel by C.L. Gaber + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Four girls are born together but, they are not identical. They are named Claire and each has a different ability. One can see visions of the future, another can feel another person's pain, one can tap into the spirit world, and other has clear knowing. 

They were originally born in 1911 and first died together in 1928. The Claires are a victim of a curse where they perish at the age of seventeen and are reborn two months later. The Claires are always violently murdered and then reborn to a woman who finds out she is pregnant. The Claires try to break the curse that ensures they die young. Can they find a way to break the curse?

This novel was my foray into the Ascenders series. The writing style was engaging and easy to get into. I was in between loving this novel and liking it. The story was very engrossing read about four young women trying to change their destiny. Since I am new to the series, I felt like I was missing some story nuances on the characters. There were some portions of the novel that felt strange and completely unbelievable. For example, the way Claire C. slaps a student on the face in front of the school's administration. Instead of being punished, I felt like the Claires could do whatever they want. I had a hard time understanding how they can try to do nice acts to save themselves but, be so cruel to people. Then they start becoming annoyed when someone was being cruel to them but, they are cruel to other people for no reason. I think if I read that other books in the series, the Claire characters would be more clear to me. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Print Length: 417 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0996242015
Publisher: Big Picture Media Inc. (January 14, 20MTV.com20)
Publication Date: January 14, 2020
Language: English
ASIN: B07ZYB6W2J

Praise for THE ASCENDERS SERIES

"Teenage angst like you've never seen it before." —MTV.com

"I wish I could go back and read it again and again - not knowing what would happen." —MUGGLENET.com, the world's largest Harry Potter site.

Four beautiful girls. Quadruplets. They are not identical.
But each is named Claire.
Claire V is Clairvoyant—clear seeing with visions of the future.
Claire S is Clairsentient—clear feeling as she embraces another’s pain.
Claire A is Clairaudient—clear hearing to tap into the spirit world.
Claire C is Claircognizant—clear knowing with 100% accuracy.

Born in 1911, they first died together in 1928 at age seventeen. Two months later, they were reborn. And reborn. THE CLAIRES only live to seventeen and then they’re violently murdered. Somewhere in the world, a woman finds out she’s pregnant with quads. The Claires return to a new family as they try to break a curse that guarantees they die young.

It’s current-day Los Angeles, and once again, their seventeenth birthday is looming. Can they save themselves, clean up the streets in the name of penance, and crash their own prom?

The Claires is the first novel spin-off of the best-selling Ascenders Book Saga. Also available in paperback starting on January 14, 2020.

You can purchase The Claires: An Ascenders Novel at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from C.L. Gaber

I’m C.L. Gaber, an author and film journalist for the New York Times Syndicate and Chicago Sun Times. I also co-authored Jex Malone series. Originally from Chicago, I make my home in Nevada with my husband, bonus daughter and two unruly dogs.

My husband knows that Ascenders began with me in bathroom half the night writing on tiny notepads because I didn’t want to wake him. When daylight did roll around, I told him, ”Baby, I had the most incredible dream”.

        

PART ONE - REVIEW AND INTERVIEWS

FEBRUARY 24th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 25th TUESDAY Books, Dreams, Life EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 25th TUESDAY BookHounds YA INTERVIEW 

FEBRUARY 26th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

FEBRUARY 26th WEDNESDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

FEBRUARY 27th THURSDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW 

FEBRUARY 27th THURSDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW 

PART TWO - REVIEWS

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW 

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Books Less Travelled REVIEW

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

FEBRUARY 29th SATURDAY Pages and Pugs REVIEW

FEBRUARY 29th SATURDAY TTC Books and More REVIEW

MARCH 1st SUNDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW 

MARCH 1st SUNDAY J.R.'s Book Reviews REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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