Book Review - Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Annalisse Drury is an antiquities appraiser, whose best friend was recently murdered. The killer is still on the loose but, Annalisse believes her friend's murder is linked to her expensive missing bracelet. The bracelet is said to have an ancient curse that unleashes evil on anyone who wears it, who isn't Persian royalty. 

During a gallery opening, she notices the matching necklace on display. She asks the owner to get rid of the necklace because of its cursed past. No one believes her even after, an unnatural death occurs during the gallery opening. Desperate to get rid of the piece, Annalisse enlists the handsome gallery owner's son to help. Will Annalisee be able to stop the murders before it is the too late?

I found the novel to be an interesting read. The beginning was a bit convoluted and hard to get into. However, towards the middle of the book, it started picking up. The book had a lot of intrigue and plot twists. A very thrilling book!

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

Stolen Obsession

(Annalisse Series #1)
By Marlene M. Bell

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Paperback & ebook, 294 Pages

June 30th 2018 by Ewephoric Publishing

People die, but legends live on.

New York antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury recently lost her best friend to murder. The killer’s identity may be linked to her friend’s expensive missing bracelet—a 500-year-old artifact that carries an ancient curse, one that unleashes evil upon any who dare wear the jewelry created for the Persian royal family.

Weeks later, Annalisse sees a matching necklace at a Manhattan gallery opening. She begs the owner to destroy the cursed piece, but her pleas fall on deaf ears—despite the unnatural death that occurs during the opening. With two victims linked to the jewelry, Annalisse is certain she must act.

Desperate, Annalisse enlists the gallery owner’s son to help—even though she’s afraid he’ll break her heart. Wealthy and devastatingly handsome, with a string of bereft women in his wake, Greek playboy Alec Zavos dismisses Annalisse’s concerns—until his parents are ripped from the Zavos family yacht during their ocean voyage near Crete.

Annalisse and Alec race across two oceans to save his mother, feared dead or kidnapped. When the killer changes tactics and goes after Alec behind Annalisse’s back, can her plan to rescue Alec’s mother save them all?

Hold on for a heart-thumping, thrilling adventure through exotic lands in this fast-moving romantic suspense mystery by Marlene M. Bell.

Praise for the Book

"Debut author Bell delivers a great, slow-building romance, gently examining her characters' painful pasts." — Kirkus Reviews

"An irresistible page turner and a successful melding of thriller and romance. With a splash of international adventure and plenty of surprises, Stolen Obsession is an entertaining read and a great beginning to the Annalisse Series." — Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

Goodreads│Amazon

About the Author

Marlene M. Bell is an acclaimed artist and photographer as well as a writer. Her sheep landscapes grace the covers of publications such as, Sheep!, The Shepherd, Ranch & Rural Living and Sheep Industry News. Ewephoric, her mail order venture, began in 1985 out of a desire for realistic sheep stationery. A color catalog of non-fiction books and sheep-related gifts may be requested at www.marlenembell.com or www.texassheep.com. Marlene and her husband, Gregg reside on a wooded ranch in East Texas with their 50 head of Horned Dorset sheep, a lovable Maremma guard dog named, Tia, and 3 spoiled cats who rule the household.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Google+

Tour Schedule

July 9th:

Launch

Stacking My Book Shelves!

July 10th:

Life as Leels

#bookish

July 11th:

It's All About the Romance

July 12th:

Hearts & Scribbles

fundinmental

An Indie Adventure

July 13th:

Bri's Book Nook

Colorimetry

July 16th:

Two Points of Interest

Wishful Endings

July 17th:

Rainy Day Reviews

July 18th:

Handcrafted Reviews

SilverWoodSketches

July 19th:

Teatime and Books

Deal Sharing Aunt

July 20th:

My Life Loves and Passion

Locks, Hooks and Books

July 21st:

Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- 1 Grand Prize winner will receive: One signed copy of STOLEN OBSESSION, One lined Journal with handcrafted pen, One set of Wool Dryer Balls, a Pair of Stolen Obsession style earrings and a $50 gift card from Amazon
- 4 winners will each receive: One signed copy of Stolen Obsession, One sheep bookmark, One lined journal and a pair of Stolen Obsession-style earrings-Gold-various styles

- US only
- Ends July 25th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty + Giveaway

Photo Credit -Amazon

Willa is her clan's best thief. One day, she sneaks into a cabin of the day folk to bring back treasure to her people. Willa knows she is taking a huge risk by entering the day folk's homes especially since they kill what they don't understand.  When she is left hurt and is in the day folk's home, she calls upon her forest allies for assistance. Upon returning to her clan, she begins to learn not everything is what it appears. Who can Willa trust? What can Willa do?

The novel is a thrilling and engrossing read. It was fast-paced and fun to read. I couldn't wait to find out how Willa gets out of situations. I also like how she relied on her allies to help. I like how she growed and matured.  Overall, a great read and I can't wait to read more by the author.

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

About the Book:

Title: WILLA OF THE WOOD

Author: Robert Beatty

Pub. Date: July 10, 2018

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

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

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Beatty comes a spooky, thrilling new series set in the magical world of Serafina. 

Move without a sound. Steal without a trace. 

Willa, a young nightspirit of the Great Smoky Mountains, is her clan's best thief. She creeps into the homes of day-folk in the cover of darkness and takes what they won't miss. It's dangerous work — the day-folk kill whatever they do not understand. But when Willa's curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in a day-folk man's home, everything she thought she knew about her people — and their greatest enemy — is forever changed.

About Robert:

Robert Beatty is the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Serafina Series published by Disney-Hyperion, a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

Serafina and the Black Cloak was a #1 New York Times best seller, has been on the list for more than 45 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times best seller in the first week of its launch and earned a “Starred Review” from Kirkus Reviews, which said, “Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end.” Enjoyed by both young readers and adults, the books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide. The third book in the Serafina series comes out in July 2017. Robert Beatty has been awarded an additional four book deal with Disney-Hyperion.

Robert Beatty lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of WILLA OF THE WOOD, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2776/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

7/9/2018- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt

7/10/2018- A Backwards Story- Interview

7/11/2018- Novel Novice- Guest Post

7/12/2018- Don't Judge, Read- Review

7/13/2018-  Two points of interest- Review

Book Review - Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Captain Reynolds Macy is returning home after sailing away six years ago. He left his newly married bride to sail across the sea in search of whale oil. He looks forward to returning to his beautiful bride, Jane. However, Ren realizes nothing is the same and everything has changed during his absence. 

Daphne Coffin is Jane's sister and is excited that Ren is returning home. When tragedy strikes, she urges Ren to "mind the light" and find solace in God. While Ren is traveling down the path of light, Daphne finds herself falling in love with Ren. However, she is promised to betrothed to someone else. Will Ren be able to find the path to happiness? Will Daphne be able to find love with Ren?

This is the second novel in the Nantucket series. I have read the other novel but, I find that this novel can be read as a standalone. I thought the novel was a good read but, it was a bit slow in some parts. I like how the novel showed that people are very dynamic creatures. The ending was a bit predictable but, it ended a bit abruptly. We found out a missing piece of the puzzle but, we don't know how the characters will react. I am assuming it is a lead way into the next book.  I also liked reading bits of Mary Starbuck's diary but, I felt the first book had a more cohesive theme surrounding the diary. Overall, a satisfying second book to the series.

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

About the Book

Book Title: Minding the Light

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: July 3, 2018

Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship’s hold full of whale oil. But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything. “Is nothing on this island as it appears to be?” he whispers in despair.

Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn’t defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourages him to return to his Quaker roots and “mind the Light,” finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be–honorable, wise, faithful–she finds herself falling in love with him.

But how can she, when her heart is spoken for? Tristram Macy is Ren’s business partner, cousin, and best friend–and Daphne’s fiancé. Love always comes at a cost, but when is the price too high?

Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the Quaker community on Nantucket Island for this riveting love story, full of unexpected moments.

About the Author

Carol-award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes untold stories about inspiring people. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World to the historical novel Anna’s Crossing.

 

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a $10 Starbucks gift card to five winners!!

Be sure to leave a comment on one of the blog stops for 9 extra entries into the giveaway. Click link below to enter.

 https://promosimple.com/ps/d1c4/minding-the-light-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Book Review - Who Was Marie Curie? by Megan Stine and Ted Hammond

Photo Credit - Amazon

Marie Curie is a famous scientist who discovered several new materials. However, did you know Marie was able to speak five different languages? Both of her parents placed a high importance on learning, especially, since they were both teachers. Marie always had an innate passion for learning and she felt comfortable while working in a lab. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize. She had many noteworthy accomplishments in her career but, she didn't like the publicity. 

I thought this biography was well written and thoughtful. It is also empowering for young girls who have an interest in the STEM field. It shows Marie as a strong female lead. I enjoyed the balance Marie had with her passions in life: her family and science. Overall, a great beginner biography of a very talented woman.

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

Book Review - Who Was Harry Houdini? by Tui Sutherland and John O'Brien

Photo Credit - Amazon

Harry Houdini is the world-famous escape artist. However, there is much to this great magician than his tricks. Did you know that Houdini didn't like being called a magician but, preferred being called an escape artist? He was also the first pilot to fly a plane in Australia.  Houdini was also a perfectionist when it came to his acts. When his brother, Theo made a mistake during one of the performances, Houdini found Bess, who later became his wife to help him perform his illusions. 

I found the biography to be well written and very interesting. I learned a lot more about Houdini. The book was very easy to read and understand. I also like how the author included diagrams showing how the tricks were done. While the book was well written, I didn't like the drawings. I felt the drawings looked rush and incomplete. 

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

Book Review - Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard decides to give up her life in Norway. She travels to Blackbird Mountain to become a housekeeper for her husband's family. When she arrives she finds three grown men on the farm. Aven was expecting to help care for three children. As she adjusts to life living with the brothers, she learns the brothers make a living by brewing hard cider.

Aven's appearance at the farm has the two youngest brothers at odds. They are both in love with Aven and want to marry her. Haakon, the youngest is bold and passionate. While Thor is a gentle deaf and mute giant who drinks to cope with his pain. Will the love for Aven tear the two brothers apart? Will she be able to find the solace she is looking for?

I enjoyed that this novel had a character who had disabilities. I thought the author portrayed Thor's challenges and frustrations in a humanizing and sympathetic way. I enjoyed reading the novel but, at times I felt like it was a bit slow and boring. I felt like novel could have more action/drama, instead of the fluff.

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

Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain
Author: Joanne Bischof
Genre: Historical Romance
After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.
But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.
As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?
A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

 

JOANNE BISCHOF is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children. Visit her online at JoanneBischof.com, Facebook: Author, JoanneBischof, Instagram: @JoanneBischof.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away

Grand prize of a country crate, a jar of apple butter, a bag of gummy berries, journal, bath salts, honey spoons, copper earrings, and a blackbird sign!!

Click below to enter.  
https://promosimple.com/ps/d140/sons-of-blackbird-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway