SIMPLY ANNA by Jennifer Moore — #amreading #books #bookreview

SIMPLY ANNA by Jennifer Moore. This was a very fun, quick read. It talked about a part of the world that isn't used in literature for this era. I enjoyed reading more about Jamaica. I did have a hard time figuring out some of the speak when it was written in the Jamaica dialect, but it didn't take away from the story that much. I enjoyed the characters, setting and plot of this story. It is a clean read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a great romance.

:) :) :) :) :)

Suffering from a cruel heartbreak, Lord Philip Hamilton has been driven to seek refuge from the painful memories haunting London, and his father’s Jamaican sugar cane plantation provides just the escape he needs. Philip finds solace in his hard work and takes comfort in the fact that his distance from society ensures that his heart will be protected from future entanglements. Protected, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a mysterious woman with no memory of her past. The only clue to her identity is a necklace inscribed with a name: Anna. 

In a matter of weeks, this gentle, intelligent, and impossibly beautiful stranger turns Philip’s world upside down. But as the bond between the pair grows, the threat of Philip losing his heart once more is only the beginning of the dangers that await. Island renegades and a ruthless band of pirates clash in a swashbuckling battle, and it soon becomes clear that these villains may be the key to unlocking Anna’s past . . .

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tour Schedule

Sept. 14th

http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/

http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

Sept. 15th

https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

http://www.iamareader.com/

http://atransparentmom.com/

Sept.16th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/

http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/

Sept. 17th

http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

http://singinglibrarianbooks.weebly.com/

http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

Sept. 18th

http://fireandicereads.com/

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/category/entertainment/books/

http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/

http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ 

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CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

So I began a new adventure a couple of weeks ago and I'm loving it! We signed Tigger up for a martial arts class (more specifically a Jui Jitsu) toward the end of the summer. In watching him practice I found myself really wanting to learn as well. My reasoning was that I needed to know how to "defend" myself when Tigger figured out exactly what he was doing. So after several weeks of trying to figure out scheduling for the adult classes I was able to find a time that worked. What I didn't expect was how much I would love it.

It's been years since I've tried something new, and I love stepping into an entirely different world than I've ever dealt with before. Jui Jitsu is mentally and physically challenging and it's so much fun. On the flip side, I didn't expect the yearning to be able to give it the time I want to. When I begin something new, in the past I've been able to give it six to eight hours a day.

For example, in my cello days I would practice the six hours a day then have classes and rehearsals on top of it. I loved it! When I began seriously writing I had the ability to write for eight hours a day. Now that I'm in the Jui Jitsu world I'm finding I'm yearning to be able to give it that kind of time and I'm not able to right now. It's frustrating. Maybe that's why I haven't tried anything new for awhile because I subconciously knew I wouldn't be able to give it the time I would want to.

I've always been someone who's said that you can make time for anything you want to, and I still believe that's true, but . . . you also have to look at what is the most important way to spend your time. That's why Clyde (my cello) has been neglected as of late, and my writing isn't happening like it use to. That's why I'm not able to spend the six to eight hours on the mats like I want to. There are little people that need my attention at the moment.

Now there will come a moment in time when I will be able to do that again. Then I will have to choose which world to spend my time in. As for now, I'm enjoying the time I'm able to spend in my various worlds. I have to remind myself to be satisified though and not regret "time lost" because it's never truly lost, just spend differently. How blessed we are to be able to make those kind of choices.

Then with it being so close to 9-11, I found myself explaining to Tigger what happened those many years ago. It was a humbling and sobering experience to try to explain those events to a four-year-old. I am continually amazed at how aware he is and his understanding of things around him. He asked very good questions and seemed to accept the answer I gave him. It's for these little ones that we fight and remember for. It's so no one forgets the sacrifices made. It's so we remember how truly blessed we are. Always Remember.

JANITORS 5: HEROES OF THE DUSTBIN by @twhitesides — #review #bookreview #giveaway #amreading

Janitors 5: Heroes of the Dustbin by Tyler Whitesides
This was a fabulous ending to an incredible series. It sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. I love how each character had a specific role to play the take down of enemies. And it truly was "action-packed and surprising!" I would highly recommend this to any and everyone who loves a good, fun series to read either by themselves or to their kids.

:) :) :) :) :)

Spencer knew that from the moment the Founding Witches had returned, the Rebel Janitors had begun disappearing. So many schools were defenseless now, the students' minds rotting from Toxite breath while the janitors vanished without a trace. Then it became personal. Although their enemies are powerful, their allies few, Spencer and his team of Rebels are not giving up! But what chance do a handful of kids and one rescued janitor have against the combined evil of the Founding Witches and the Sweepers? Can the Rebels close the source of all Glop and stop the Toxites once and for all-or is the world doomed to fall under the control of the sinister Bureau of Educational Maintenance? This explosive series finale is a gripping ride through conflicted loyalties and daring escapes, unexpected alliances and betrayals, and an ending you will never forget!

Amazon * Deseret Book

Author Tyler Whitesides TYLER WHITESIDES worked as a janitor at a middle school while attending college. It was there he discovered the many secrets and mysteries that can be hidden in a dusty school. Tyler graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. He enjoys fly fishing in the mountains, cooking, and vacuuming. Tyler and his wife, Connie, live in beautiful northern Utah.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

$25 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/25/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Blog Tour Schedule

SECRETS OF NEVERAK by JACOB GOWANS — #review #bookreview #books #amreading

A TALE OF LIGHT AND SHADOW: SECRETS OF NEVERAK by Jacob Gowans. I read both Volume 1 and Volume 2 back to back. I prefer to do it that way so the story continues, although volume 1 ended well. This was a fascinating story from the beginning with the scribe paid to write the story to the storyteller coming in and continuing the story from volume 1. The characters are wonderful and the world is fun to be in, however, it reads more like an epic fantasy than I expected. I found myself skimming parts while others drew me to the edge of my seat. I smiled, shook my head, laughed, feared for, and basically enjoyed the ride Gowans takes the reader on. By the end of SECRETS OF NEVERAK, though, I felt like the story has taken on so many different individual character stories that in a way it was hard to keep up. I'd read what happened to one then jump back three weeks to find out what happened to someone else. It's a bit disorienting at times. It's a great read though that I would recommend for teens and above.

:) :) :) :)

Henry Vestin always believed that, despite being a carpenter with no training in swordplay or survival, he could lead Isabelle and his friends to safety. He thought he could defy an emperor and protect Isabelle from harm. He was certain that love and friendship would help them survive.

He was wrong.

The second volume in the Tale of Light and Shadow series follows Henry and his friends after the disastrous battle at the Iron Pass. Horrors await the band of travelers in strange new lands. Crippled and broken, Henry must rely on his friends more than ever. New allies and foes find them at every turn, but which are friendly and which are deadly? Isabelle, now a slave in Neverak, finds herself surrounded by enemies, uncertain about the fate of her friends, and relying on only herself to survive. The Emperor moves forward with his plans of conquest, spurred on by the Seer’s dark prophecy, but he has not forgotten those who defied him.

Return to the world of Atolas, where swords and daggers extend life or end it, where feuds and friendships influence kingdoms and courtships, and where magic is feared by all but a few.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

Choices. How many choices do we make a day? Tens? Hundreds? Thousands? I shouldn't be amazed, but when I think about it I am amazed at how many choices we have. And every single one of them have a consequence (positive and negative) attached to it, whether we see it right away or many years down the road.

For example, I chose not to post the last couple of weeks because by the time Friday came around I either forgot or decided I was too tired. Not that there's any big consequence other than me feeling bad.

However, choices have been an my mind lately. I understand that some people don't have control over their choices, i.e. addictions, mental disabilities, things along those lines, but for the majority of us we do. Now when I began this post, my thoughts were going one way and since then they have gone another. So I will do my best to merge the two. Bare with me.

A couple of weeks ago I realized/learned something about myself. As a family we went to SeaWorld and I was nervous (that's probably an understatement). Those of you who know Tigger know that he doesn't stay in one place very well. We talked to him and talked to him about the importance of staying with us so we wouldn't lose him. For the most part those conversations went in one ear and out the other. The morning of our visit I found myself very ornery, uptight, and grouchy. I was short with everyone around me and no one was excited to go anymore.

I did my best to take a step back and I realized that I was acting that way because I was scared. I was scared of what Tigger would do. I was scared he'd run off and we wouldn't be able to find him. I was afraid of losing him. With that realized I began to wonder if I was choosing to be that way. I know that I've struggled with the fear of someone taking him from me since before he was born. I know those feelings hightened after Lion went home. But am I choosing to be that way?

Right now I have no answer to that question. I believe fears are there for a reason, a warning per se, but then I'm brought back to the whole you can't have faith and fear at the same time. So I really don't know the answer to that question. At least I've realized what's triggered other emotions and I can work on controlling them.

As for other choices since our SeaWorld trip, I've realized that I'm struggling with some choices I made many, many years ago. I find myself questioning and justifiying different thoughts. I want to feel like I fit in, and it appears that everyone else is doing certain things. I want to feel a part of and yet I know that I've never done what everyone else has done. I've always done what I've felt to be right even if it makes me the odd man out. It shouldn't matter, but I've found that it does. In a way I don't feel comfortable in my skin anymore and I'm trying to figure myself out again. Who would have thought those feelings would continue after high school? :)

So here I find myself wondering if I'm choosing to feel a certain way and struggling to reaffirm the choices I've made years ago. It's an interesting position to be in. Who knows. Maybe I'll actually figure it out and be able to shed some light on things, if not for myself, then for someone else.

For now, keep in mind that we never truly know what someone else is struggling with and/or going through. Choose to be kind to everyone!

LEGALLY AND LAWFULLY YOURS by Anita Stansfield — #reviews #books #covenant #amreading

LEGALLY AND LAWFULLY YOURS by Anita Stansfield. This was a cute romance. It gripped me from the beginning, but as the story progressed I lost interest. The situation worked well, however, I felt like the danger wasn't real enough for me. Granted, I've never been in this type of situation and I image the fear is very real, but I didn't feel it as a reader. The kids were darling, as was the couple. There were spots where I felt like the tension was rising, but for me it fell flat. This is a clean read that I can recommend to just about everyone though. 

:) :) :)

Following the revelation of her fiancé’s philandering ways, high-powered New York attorney Shannon Turney’s wedding is off. At a time like this, the last thing she can handle is family drama. But when she learns how far her brother’s and sister-in-law’s lives have spiraled out of control, the only thought in her mind is the safety of her young niece and nephew. After Shannon is granted custody, she and the children are eager to run long and far from their problems. 

The end of the road is Sugar City, a place as delightful as its name implies. In the tiny town, Shannon gets much more of a change than she bargained for. Welcomed with open arms by the townspeople, including the handsome local veterinarian, Shannon and the children slowly begin to heal. But when their idyllic existence is threatened by the return of the children’s mother, Shannon has no choice but to return to the courtroom she left behind. She has one last legal battle to fight, and the outcome may mean losing everything she loves.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tour Schedule:

August 17th

http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
http://singinglibrarianbooks.weebly.com/

August 18th

http://www.wishfulendings.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

August 19th

http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/

August 20th

http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/
http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

August 21st

http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.iamareader.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

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FREETOWN — #review

FREETOWN. What a powerful, gripping story. I felt the tension and conflict from the beginning. The actors did an incredible job portraying their people. It's absolutely amazing what people and the church lived through. It makes me very grateful for my life. It is a great movie for adults. For me, there was too much violence for my young children. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a great movie full of faith, trial, and survival. (Based on true events.)

:) :) :) :) :)

Caught in the middle of a brutal civil war, six Liberian missionaries in Monrovia flee the widespread violence of their native country. Their destination: Freetown, Sierra Leone. With the help of local Church leader Phillip Abubakar (Henry Adofo), the missionaries make the difficult journey only to have their troubles compounded by a rebel fighter bent on killing one of their own. Based on true events, Freetown is a thrilling and inspiring story of hope and survival. 

*A review copy was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.