SILENT STING by Clair Poulson—review/giveaway

SILENT STING by Clair M Poulson. I found this book very fascinating at the beginning. It quickly drew me into the story and the premise was very intriguing. I got sucked into the characters and their problems, but as the mystery unfolded, I found myself feeling like some of the scenerios were forced. Then as I was trying to figure out who did it, I felt like things were just being dropped rather than foreshadowed. Even at the end of the book I spent time looking back and could kind of see how a reader might have possible come up with the ending, but there wasn't a lot. I'm not one that likes it really obvious but at the same time I like clever forshadowing and I felt this book lacked that. It was a good read though, and as I said, the premise is amazing. I'd recommend it for anyone who loves a mystery with a bit of romance. 

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Catastrophe is looming over the Central Valley of California. The honeybees, vital to the economy of this agricultural epicenter, are dying at an unprecedented rate. The U.S. government is desperate for answers, and researchers at the University of California-Riverside are tasked with providing them. But when the professors assigned to the investigation are systematically killed by a creature that imitates the honeybees almost perfectly, it becomes clear that there is something sinister at play.

Following the murders of her mentors, it's up to entomology student Tiana Lambrose to move forward with the research. Special Agent Stu Whiteleather, part of a team of FBI agents assigned to assist in the investigation, is immediately drawn to the lovely entomologist. Together, they discover a breed of bees engineered to be killing machines, which, despite Tiana's expertise, are like nothing she's seen before. The question is, who could possibly have the sophisticated technology to engineer these specialized insects and for what motive? The perpetrator wills top at nothing to keep investigators from finding the answer. As threats to Tiana's life escalate, Stu must battle an unknown foe to protect the woman he has come to care for, before she becomes the next victim in a dangerous conspiracy.

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March 28th

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SECRETS OF ATHE KING'S DAUGHTER by Renae Weight Mackley—book review/giveaway

SECRETS OF THE KING'S DAUGHTER by Renae Weight Mackley. I always hesitate with stories that weave themselves through scriptural stories. More often than not, they fall short of a good read. This book did a good job of balancing that fine line in my opinion. Since I know the words of Ammon well I could tell what was being taken from the scriptures and what wasn't. Even if someone didn't know the words of Ammon, the story moves through those sections very smoothly.

I was drawn into the story from the beginning with Karlinah and her secret. I loved how her secret was gradually told and what she did to overcome that secret. With the introduction of Ammon, I began to hesitate in reading, but once I saw how it was going to be done, I relaxed and finished the story. 

It is a good story with a couple of turns and choices and consequences for those choices. Anyone who loves a good story with a scriptual setting will love this book.

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It was a relationship designed to unite not two young people in love, but two powerful kingdoms. And for Princess Karlinah, eldest daughter of King Lamoni, her marriage to the haughty heir to the throne of Jersusalem has led to a life of fear and abuse. There seems to be no escape—until her husband is murdered and Karlinah is unexpectedly free to return to her father’s kingdom. She can begin again—but no one can ever know of the part she played in the prince’s demise . . . Karlinah’s relief is short-lived, for upon her return to the land of Ishmael, she is once again swept into her father’s plans for a politically powerful marriage. Then the arrival of a young missionary in her father’s court changes everything: her family is converted to a new religion, and Karlinah is free to choose her path. Yet she is not so easily convinced by the words of Ammon—especially when repentance means confessing her crime. But as her faith grows and a young stone artisan captures her heart, Karlinah realizes that she must face the consequences of her past in order to move forward with her future.

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March 21st

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LOVE AT FIRST NOTE by Jenny Proctor—book review/giveaway

LOVE AT FIRST NOTE by Jenny Proctor. This was a very fun read, especially being a musician myself. I enjoyed the characters and the music that was talked about. It's an up paced story that falls into place like the pieces Elliot composes. There were a couple of places that described things in the music world that weren't quite accurate, but no one other than someone who's involved in that world would notice. It's a fantastic read that anyone would loved. I highly recommend it.

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Emma Hill was practically born with a violin in her hands. She lives for the life of the piece, for each song’s story, for the perfect stillness after the endnotes when the vibrations of sound are still humming through her body. If only her love life were that harmonic. But she knew her chances at love would take a hit when she decided to leave her prestigious concertmaster position in the Cleveland Orchestra and move back home to Asheville, North Carolina. She justifies her actions with the fact that being concertmaster for the Asheville Symphony is better than no dates and no job.

But when Emma’s world collides with piano-playing YouTube sensation Elliott Hart, she finds herself falling for the way he plucks at her heartstrings. Despite a—ahem—not-so-good first impression, the two soon develop the beginnings of a rhythmic relationship. But when Elliott insists they can’t be together, it’s up to Emma to strike up a little romance. Will she be able to bring their two worlds into harmony, or will she only manage to get herself in trouble?

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March 14th

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IF WE WERE A MOVIE by Kelly Oram—book review/giveaway

If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram (Power of the Matchmaker #3) I LOVED this book. From the sibling fighting to the drama with the ex, I was enthralled from beginning to end. I felt my emotions mirroring those of Nate and Jordan. I was suck into the story and a level that I don't get to very often. I lived their story with them. I loved how Nate stood up and took responsibility and accepted the consequences for his actions. I loved how Jordan allowed him to, even though it hurt her. It's a fantastic read that I would recommend to everyone. There some mild language.

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Music meets Movies in this sweet college romance from the bestselling author of Cinder & Ella. NYU freshman Nate Anderson is a triplet who is desperate to escape his wild and crazy brothers. After they screw things up for him one too many times, Nate flees his housing situation and takes the first available room for rent as far from his brothers as he can get. Enter his new roommate Jordan--a quirky LA girl who believes that everything in life has already been done in the movies. In this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and family, Nate learns how to deal with his new adult life using Hollywood films as a guide.

 

Author Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen--a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat, Mr. Darcy.

 

   

Don't miss the latest news from Kelly Oram! Sign up for her newsletter to receive e-mail notifications for all of her new releases, events, sales, & giveaways. This is a monthly newsletter often with exclusive giveaways and freebies from some of her favorite authors.

               

Giveaway

Signed copies of V is for Virgin & A is for Abstinence (1 winner, 2 books)

Open Internationally

Ends 3/18/16

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NOT ALWAYS HAPPENSTANCE by Rachael Anderson — book review

Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson. I loved this story. Not only is it set in Hawaii, somewhere I've always wanted to go, but it gave me the feeling I'd love to have when I get to go somewhere. Lani reminded me of the way life should be lived, just one day at a time, enjoying every moment. I loved being a part of her world and witnessing her choices along the way. And yes, things in life are not always happenstance. This is a wonderful, clean read that I can recommend to any and everyone.

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Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She’s learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. She’s also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken—relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment. But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar. As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her. ***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

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

 

Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Website

Blog Tour $50 Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 2/29/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code 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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MY FAIR GENTLEMAN by Nancy Campbell Allen — review

MY FAIR GENTLEMAN by Nancy Campbell Allen. What a fun story. After the first chapter I was hooked. The characters are fun and easy to love. The storyline is fantastic as it's a twist on My Fair Lady. I admit I was skeptical at first but Nancy pulled it off. There were twisted I didn't see coming this time around. I couldn't put the book down. It's fun to watch the growth of Jack and Ivy. It's a wonderful, clean story that I would recommend to any and everyone with love for a good romance.

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In this Regency twist of My Fair Lady, Jack would rather be at sea than fixing the mistakes of his grandfather, the late Earl of Stansworth. Instead, he finds that inheriting his grandfather's wealth and title—and securing the welfare of his sister and mother—means joining the ranks of high society and living with the aristocracy. Luckily, Ivy Carlisle, the granddaughter of a dear friend of Jack's late grandmother, is willing to teach him etiquette and properly introduce him into society. Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving his new lifestyle but surviving the conspiracies against him—as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.

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

JUST LET GO — review

JUST LET GO by Excel Entertainment. This was a fascinating movie, although I had a hard time with some of it. I knew about the heartbreaking story and the basic details, but to see it on screen made it more real and that much more powerful. It is a life-changing story for anyone to witness, let alone live through. However, in the beginning I had a difficult time with all the switching back and forth between flashbacks and reality. Sometimes it took me awhile to figure out which time frame I was in. Then, with the movie being based on a true story, I found myself wondering through the entire movie if that was what really happened or was it artistic liberties being taken. If anything it made me want to read the book LET IT GO by Chris Williams himself. I thought the movie was very tastefully done and is an incredible example of forgiveness and letting things go that can and probably would potentially ruin us. I would recommend it to almost anyone. There are graphic images and discussions on the details of the crash that younger viewers should watch with parental guidance.

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In the face of tragedy, Chris Williams made the most important decision of his life. On a cold night in 2007, a devoted father of four and a seventeen-year-old drunk driver both received life sentences. In one violent, devastating instant, each face a drastically different future. But as Chris Williams sat in a demolished vehicle, realizing that his wife, unborn baby, nine-year-old daughter, and eleven-year-old son had just been killed, he committed to do something extraordinary: he would forgive. Chris Williams' story is the cinematic tale of how someone can forgive despite the desire for revenge that surfaces within the dark corners of the human heart—showing the world that hope, love and forgiveness can overcome all when you just let go.

Bonus Features
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Forgiveness Challenge
• "Rise and Fall" music video from Ryan Innes (NBC's The Voice)
• Just Let Go—A forgiveness discussion with Delilah

Region: All regions
Running Time: 106 min.
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Format: Widescreen

MY WITNESS, MY TESTIMONY— AN INVITATION FROM CHRIS WILLIAMS
I would invite those who need to forgive others, or to forgive themselves, to "just let go" of that which can't be controlled, and focus instead on what can be; our decision to have faith in Jesus Christ, assured that we will obtain his peace. No offense can ever take that choice from us. 

Many have wondered why I would agree to have something so personally painful recreated in a movie. Part of the Saviors healing in my life has blessed me with a different perspective on that scene. My experience with the Savior and the Spirit while still seated in the car after the impact and while laying on my back in the emergency room is now as sacred to me as if I had been standing on mount Sinai or in a holy sanctuary. 

The confirmation that my wife and children are safe in paradise, combined with the personal instruction I received that night have changed my perspective forever. It helps me to weekly remember the healing and hope of Christ’s atonement even though that involved recounting the cruelty of the cross and the admonition to endure our own.

When I contemplate the warnings against pride, contention and revenge from Book of Mormon prophets to us in our day, I feel that forgiveness, hope and healing can keep us from the societal self-destruction that claimed two civilizations they wrote about. 

This movie is an inspiring and hopeful depiction that faith in Christ, hope for a better day, and charity motivated by His enduring love for the one can keep us anchored when the storms of life rage around us.

The enabling power of grace can give us with strength to forgive while experiencing His miraculous ability to heal. Trusting that ultimately no one can escape consequence, there is freedom in forgiveness that propels us through the powerful emotions that come when we are offended, without having them stop our healing.

As I reflect back on the years since the crash, I am consistently reminded that, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am nothing, and He is everything.

Just let go, move forward, and be healed. 

—Chris Williams