Book Review - The Clock Flower by Barbara Casey + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

In this third novel, the FIGs are living separate lives after leaving the Rosewood Academy.  Dara is studying obsolete languages at Yale, Mackenzie is attending MIT and Jennifer was accepted to Juilliard and occasionally performs her sold out performances. After returning from NYC, where Dara learned about her birth mother, Mackenzie also wanted to find out more about her parents. However, afraid that she will find disappointment she asks Larry to investigate in secret.  When Dara and Mackenzie are both invited to China for different reasons, they find that their paths cross but for very deadly reasons. It seems someone knows the true identity of Mackenzie's parents and won't stop at anything to keep it a secret. Who is trying to keep Mackenzie from knowing the truth?

Even though this is the third book in the series, it can be read alone or together. I found it to be cohesive to read in order but the author supplies an in-depth summary of the previous books. Personally, I found the third book to be my favorite out of the three novels even though, I felt like the ending was a bit rushed especially the parts where they find out who Mackenzie's parents are. I feel like that author could have spent less time on building up the story and the summary since the ending was a  bit predictable and rushed. I like that the author bought up interesting facts like red dandelions, but I wished she went into more details with them.

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

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Clock Flower by Barbara Casey (Book 3 of The F.I.G. Mysteries)
Category:  YA Fiction,  208 pages
Genre:   Mystery / Fantasy
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications, The Hungry Goat Press Imprint
Release date:  February 2018
Format available for review:  print & ebook (PDF or gifted Kindle copy)
Will send print books to: USA & Canada
Tour dates: Feb 26 to March 30, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 (There is light profanity and some threat of violence.)

Book Description:

Dara Roux, abandoned when she was seven years old by her mother. Exceptionally gifted in foreign languages. Orphan. Accepted to Yale University.

Mackenzie Yarborough, no record of her parents or where she was born. Exceptionally gifted in math and problem-solving. Orphan. Accepted to MIT.

Jennifer Torres, both parents killed in an automobile accident when she was sixteen. Exceptionally gifted in music and art. Orphan. Accepted to Juilliard.

The three FIGs—Females of Intellectual Genius—as they are called, have graduated from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women after returning from New York City where Dara learned why her mother abandoned her all those years ago, and they are now attending universities where they can further their special talents. This means they will be separated from each other and from Carolina, their much-loved mentor and teacher who is “one of them,” for the first time in their young lives. They vow to try living apart for one semester, in the so-called real world that doesn’t include the orphanage; but if things don’t work out, they will come up with another plan—a plan where they can be together once again.

​Dara is invited through Yale University to take part in an exciting archeological project in China. Jennifer, once again visualizing black and white images and the unusual sounds of another cadence that seem to be connected to Mackenzie, is engrossed in creating her next symphony at Juilliard. Mackenzie, because of her genius at problem-solving, is personally chosen by a US Senator to get involved in a mysterious, secret research project involving immortality that is being conducted in a small village in China—not too far from where Dara is involved with the archeological site. Once there, however, she finds herself facing a terrifying death from the blood-dripping teeth of an ancient evil dragon. Her best friends, the FIGs and Carolina, rely on their own unique genius and special talents to save her as she discovers the truth of her birth parents.

​Buy The Clock Flower:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Add to Goodreads

​ Meet the Author:
​
Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction true crime and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Her nonfiction true crime book, Kathryn Kelly: The Moll Behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. Barbara is also a partner in Strategic Media Books Publishing, an independent publishing house that specializes in cutting-edge adult nonfiction. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband, and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Fitz, a miniature dachshund; and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Wish Rider by Barbara Casey + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

When Dara Roux was seven years old, her mother took her to a candy store and left her there. She was sent to live at an orphanage where she met two other young women who were classified as geniuses like Dara. Together with their teacher, Carolina Lovel, the quartet travel to New York City to locate Dara's mother. While on their journey, they realize that not everything is what it seems as they keep digging into something sinister. What happened to Dara's mother? Why is she in NYC?

This was the second novel of the FIG series and it can be read as a standalone novel. I felt like this second novel was a bit of a disappointment as majority of the novel was spent giving readers a summary of the first book along with the information being repeated several times.I also didn't like that some parts of the story was literally word from word taken from the first book. I found the characters to be a bit annoying that they kept repeating that they are genius and how they know everything. For example, they never went to New York City, but they act like they know directions better than an NYC cab driver but when it comes to utilizing a telecom system, they leave it to Jennifer to use since she went to NYC when she was younger. I felt like the majority of the book was either fluff material or a summary and the final few pages were dedicated to the overly simplistic plot.  

The Wish Rider: Book 2 of the F.I.G. Mysteries

​Book Details:

Book Title:  The Wish Rider (Book 2 of The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA Fiction, 160 pages
Genre: Literary / Mystery
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications
Release date:  May 10, 2016
Content Rating: PG-13

Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Dara Roux and her two best friends, Mackenzie Yarborough and Jennifer Torres, the three collectively referred to as the F.I.G.'s (Females of Intellectual Genius) because each has an intelligence quotient in the genius range, have just returned from Frascati, Italy. It was there that their much loved teacher and mentor, Carolina Lovel, discovered that her birth parents were gypsies, and that she had a connection to the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world.

Now, with graduation from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women behind them, Dara asks her friends to help her locate her birth mother when she learns that she might be living in New York City. Relying on Dara’s gift for speaking and understanding foreign languages, the black and white images that stir musical cadences in Jennifer’s mind, and Mackenzie’s mathematical calculations that normally provide numerical solutions and answers to life’s most difficult questions, the determined young women tirelessly go from one address to another in search of Dara’s mother.

Their determination turns to desperation, however, as they encounter a dark hidden society more dangerous and terrifying than they could have imagined. It is there that Dara hopes to find out why she was abandoned in a candy store all those years ago.

​Buy The Clock Flower: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~  Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:
​ Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction true crime and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Her nonfiction true crime book, Kathryn Kelly: The Moll Behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. Barbara is also a partner in Strategic Media Books Publishing, an independent publishing house that specializes in cutting-edge adult nonfiction. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband, and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Fitz, a miniature dachshund; and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - How to Walk Away: A Novel by Katherine Center

Photo Credit - Amazon

Margaret Jacobsen has always been afraid of flying but when her dreamy pilot to be boyfriend promises to take her on a trip she won't ever forget; she hesitantly agrees. Margaret has the picture perfect life with a dreamy boyfriend who proposed to her during their flight and her dream job lined up. However, everything she worked so hard for is in jeopardy when an unfortunate accident occurs.

While in the hospital trying to recover, Maggie must come to terms that her life will never be the same as it once was. Her fiancé, Chip is reluctant to visit but he wants Maggie to forgive him without putting in the effort. And then her older estranged sister, Kit who disappeared from Maggie's life for three years.  When Maggie only wants to wallow in self-pity, she paired with a tough as nails physical therapist, Ian who refuses to let her give anything else than 100% during her therapy. Is Ian the thing that Maggie needs the most but refuses to acknowledge? Why did Kit and Maggie have a fallout? Can someone love when they are at their most vulnerable?

The novel was an interesting and delicious read about perseverance, happiness, and tough love. Each of the book's characters were well-developed and multi-dimensional while continuously grow. I found that Maggie was an inspiration point that she didn't help her accident define who she is along with being the bigger person and understanding that everyone had faults. There were parts of the novel, I was shaking my head and yelling that Maggie could do better but I still find this novel enjoyable. A great read for an upcoming beach day!

Book Review - The Cadence of Gypsies by Barbara Casey + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Carolina Lovel knew that she never quite fit in with her parents. When she receives a letter on her eighteenth birthday that she was adopted she kind of expected it.  The letter was written in an unknown language and has answers surrounding her birth and her family. Carolina decides that she would take  her three intelligent and gift students with her to discover more about her past. Will Carolina and her students be able to decipher the note?

The novel had an interesting premise and was fun to read. I found the four main female characters to be lovable and well-developed. However, I found that the story was more of a cozy read than a thriller or action packed that I thought it would have been. I felt like a lot of the mysteries and answers just fell into the protagonists' lap and there wasn't much mystery or action. I also appreciate how the author weaved in historical facts but I was dismayed that she referred to the Hindu people as "Hindoo" and alternated the spelling of "Sanskrit". If one is going to use a culture and religion, please make sure to use it correctly.

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

The Cadence of Gypsies: Book 1 of the F.I.G. Mysteries

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Cadence of Gypsies (Book 1 of The F.I.G. Mysteries)by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA fiction,  272 pages
Genre:  Literary/Mystery
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications/Hungry Goat Press
Release date: April 2015 (e-Book)
​Content Rating:  PG-13 (A few expletives, mild sexual innuendo)

​Book Description:

On her 18th birthday Carolina Lovel learned that she was adopted and was given a letter written by her birth mother in an unknown language. After years of research she travels to Italy on a mission to find the truth about her past. Carolina is accompanied by three extremely gifted but mischievous students the FIGs from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. In an effort to help their favorite teacher, the FIGs will have to use their special abilities to decipher the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world, and the one thing that is strangely similar to what Carolina was given. Their search will take them into the mystical world of gypsy tradition and magic, more exciting and dangerous than any of them could have imagined.


Meet the Author:
​
Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction true crime and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Her nonfiction true crime book, Kathryn Kelly: The Moll Behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. Barbara is also a partner in Strategic Media Books Publishing, an independent publishing house that specializes in cutting-edge adult nonfiction. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband, and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Fitz, a miniature dachshund; and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - His Risk (The Amish of Hart County #4) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Photo Credit - Amazon

Calvin Fisher left his Amish community at the tender age of fourteen after having a problematic relationship with his family. Calvin only returned to Hart County because his beloved brother, Mark has fallen ill. As Calvin works to make amends for his troubled past and questionable job, he crosses path with a sheltered local nursery school teacher, Alice Yoder. Alice is wary of Calvin because of his questionable past, but she can't help feeling an attraction to him. Although Calvin assures Alice that he is worthy of her friendship, she can't help to feel conflicted. Will Calvin be able to tell his family why he is working in a gang? Will Alice be able to trust Calvin only has her best interest at heart?

I have read a few of Gray's books and loved each novel because each one had a surprise element. However, I felt like this novel fell short and lacked excitement. The person who causing all of the trouble was very obvious even though there were two people of interest. I did like how Gray humanized and showed each characters' struggling between doing what is right and following their hearts. Fans of Gray's work would be happy to know this novel has recurring characters.

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

Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion

The creamy lotion is enriched with provitamin B5 and patent Hydra IQ technology (all hail, Hydra!). The non-greasy lotion is free of artificial colors and animal ingredients.  The lotion was absorbed quickly and left my skin velvety but I noticed my dry skin come back the next day.

Book Review - Full Fusion (The Fusion Series, #1) by NJ Damschroder + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Roxie Sebastian is like every other teenager except she doesn't always feel like she belongs and she is missing something. While, she has a caring family, a loving boyfriend, and supportive friends, she can't help but feel that disconnected from the world around her. When on shopping trip with her friend, Lincoln, she narrowly manages to escape death when brilliant light misses her and blows up Lincoln's car instead. After seeing the brilliant light, she is drawn to it and can't help but feels she needs the light. However, it seems Lincoln knows more than he is letting on about Roxie and the light that almost killed them. What secret is Lincoln hiding? Why is the light so important to Roxie?


This young adult paranormal novel was an interesting read. The author did a good job making the characters feel authentic and age appropriately in their dialogue. The plot was fast moving and interesting but I felt like the description in the back gave away most of the important part of the story. Instead of being a description to entice readers into reading the book, I felt like it was a summary of the entire book. Overall, an interesting book for those who like paranormal novels but skip the description on the back otherwise you might ruin the book.

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

About The Book:
Title: FULL FUSION (The Fusion Series Volume 1)
Author: NJ Damschroder
Pub. Date: June 4, 2014
Publisher: Dragonsoul YA
Pages: 322
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Find it: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads

Eighteen-year-old Roxie Sebastian lives a charmed life, and she knows it. Too bad she can’t feel it.

All her life, she’s felt disconnected from the world around her. Everything changes just before graduation, when she’s drawn to an eerie, brilliant light-which narrowly misses her as it blows up her friend Lincoln’s car. Clearly someone’s after Roxie, and finally Lincoln tells her the truth: He and Roxie are angels, beings from another dimension, and that light is her soul, separated from her human body in a traumatic birth.

Once a skeptical Roxie rules out the other possibilities-like Lincoln created this delusion to escape his abusive father-she accepts her gut-deep knowledge of the truth. But someone has been screwing with her light, using it to commit crimes, and their actions are about to cause irreparable damage to two worlds: the one she lives in, and the one she can’t remember.

Aided by her best friend Jordan, her boyfriend Tucker, and Lincoln, Roxie tracks down the criminal and uncovers many more secrets not only of her past, but of the history of their race on Earth. And then Roxie faces a horrible dilemma-the only way she can stop them from ripping apart both worlds is to fuse with her light…which could be tainted by the evil with which it was used.

About NJ:

Natalie J. Damschroder is an award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance, with an emphasis on romantic adventure. She has had 24 novels, 7 novellas, and 16 short stories published by several publishers, most recently with Soul Mate Publishing, Entangled Publishing, and Carina Press. She recently debuted her Fusion Series, a young adult paranormal adventure series, with Full Fusion, as NJ Damschroder. Learn more about those books here.

Natalie grew up in Massachusetts, and loves the New England Patriots more than anything. (Except her family. And writing and reading. And popcorn.) When she’s not writing, she does freelance editing and proofreading. She and her husband have two grown daughters, one of whom is also a novelist. (The other one prefers math. Smart kid. Practical.)

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
 

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a Box Set of the FULL FUSION Series, US Only.
Rafflecopter Link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2710/

Week One:

3/19/2018- Caffeine And Composition- Interview

3/19/2018- A Gingerly Review- Review

3/20/2018- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt

3/20/2018- The Underground- Review

3/21/2018- Elley the Book Otter- Guest Post

3/21/2018- Wonder Struck- Review

3/22/2018- Am Kinda Busy Reading- Review

3/22/2018- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

3/23/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview

3/23/2018- two points of interest- Review

Book Review - The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

As a loyal officer of the law, Alexander Moore must go undercover as a gambling wine merchant. He was hesitant to take the mission but as he owes the General Ford, he agrees to take on the mission to find the traitor. As the master of disguise, Alex manages to convince Johanna Langely that he is a rouge but they both feel that there is more to their friendship than they want to believe.

Johanna is the proprietress of a failing family inn and she is financially struggling. When she crosses path with the roguish but dashing Alex, she is afraid of letting her guard down and trusting him. But she sees that her younger brother, Thomas and her mother are taken with the kind Alex. Will Johanna be able to let down her guard and trust Alex? Will Johanna be able to save her family's inn? Is Alex willing to follow his heart and pursue Johanna or will he follow General Ford's directive instead?

The novel was an interesting read but I felt it moved a bit slow for my liking. While, I did like the characters and hoped that they would get their "happy" ending, I felt like something was missing. I did feel like Johanna's character was a bit lacking as she is often portrayed as a failure from causing accidents to not being at the inn when her family needed her. I would have preferred a strong and dependent female heroine. 

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

About the Book

Title: The Innkeeper’s Daughter

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: March 1, 2018

A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the Crown

 
Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.

Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

About the Author

Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit www.michellegriep.com.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of The Innkeeper’s Daughter and a $25 gift card from Barnes & Noble!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb72

Julep Nail Polish - Rae

Well, I am late for this review, this nail polish is apparently from 2014! The Radiant Orchid Creme finished nail polish was the Pantone® 2014 Color of the Year. It was a lush color and provided full coverage with one swipe, but was gorgeous with two.

Book Review - The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1950, Idlewild Hall is the place for girls that no one wants. It is home to troublemakers, the outspoken, and illegitimate girls. In the small town, the boarding school  is rumored to be haunted and when one of the young boarders suddenly mysteriously disappears nothing will be the same again.  

In 2014, it has been twenty years since journalist Fiona Sheridan's older sister's death, but Fiona is having a hard time letting it go. She makes frequent trips to the overgrown fields where the ruins of Idlewild Hall sit. When Fiona hears that someone is buying Idlewild Hall and reopening the school, against her better judgement Fiona decides to take on the story. While researching her story, Fiona comes across a shocking discovery that someone would do anything to keep buried. Who is behind the murders of the two young women?

I love how interesting and thrilling this story was. It was a modern day ghost story and the fact that two young women lost their lives around a school that should serve as sanctuary made this gruesome tale even more delicious. I love the strong female friendship along with the many plot twists. A highly recommended read for anyone who loves thrillers. Also, if you are reading this at night, be sure to keep a flashlight handy. ;)

**Disclosure - I won a free unedited copy of this book and was not requested or required to leave a review**

Book Review - Soul's Prisoner (Portraits of Grace #2) by Cara Luecht + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1891, Rachel is trying to survive the cruel winter in Chicago. She left her simple, quiet farm life to become a teacher in Chicago, but when things don't go as she planned. She ends up taking a job as a laundress at a local asylum. As the asylum's laundress, Rachel is able to access the deepest and darkest crevices of the asylum such as the labyrinthine like basement. During a particularly bad winter day, Rachel is unable to return to the boarding home that night and spends a night in the employee area of the asylum. However, Rachel witnesses a devastating secret that might put her very life in grave danger.

Jeremy, Rachel's brother is busy trying to get settled down that he barely has time for anything. But when he receives a letter from their mother desperately asking Jeremy to check on Rachel since no one has heard from her since she left the farm. Jeremy will stop at nothing to find his little sister since he feels responsible that he didn't check in on her sooner. Will Jeremy be able to find Rachel? What is the secret that Rachel stumbled into?

The novel gives readers a glimpse of the dark nature of asylums during the 19th century. It depicts the condition and hardships some of humanity's most vulnerable must have faced on a daily basis. The book was a captivating read and it kept me on the edge of my seat. It was filled with a strong cast of characters who are willing to do what is right regardless of their station in life. The novel is the second book in the series and can be read as a stand alone.

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

About the Book

Book Title: Soul’s Prisoner

Author: Cara Luecht

Genre: Historical fiction with some suspense and romance

Release Date: December 15, 2015

Chicago, Winter, 1891

Rachel is in danger. She’s seen too much.

She creeps along the cement walls through the dank underbelly of the asylum. She’d never planned to leave her quiet farm life, never thought she’d find a place in the city, never imagined she’d be in the kind of danger that would have her cowering in Dunning’s cold, labyrinthine basement.

Jenny has finally found her place. After a childhood of abuse, she has friends, a real job, and her only wish is to give her adopted son the kind of life she never had.

A life of stability, without the risk and uncertainty of a father.

But when Jeremy, Rachel’s brother, stumbles into their warehouse, asking for help to find his missing sister, Jenny’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble.

About the Author

Award winning author, Cara Luecht, lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her husband, David, and their children. Cara graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, Cara is studying for a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Soul’s Prisoner and sketching art supplies!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb74