Happy New Year everyone! If you are like me, you are doing at least one or possible 50 reading challenges this year. I signed up several before the ball dropped and just signed up for the Goodreads challenge. I surpassed my goal last year but I am going to do the 52 again this year.
If you would like to see all of the challenges I am doing this year, check out the 2020 challenge tab here on my blog.
What are you doing this year? Tell me in a comment below.
Actors Nick and Lisette O’Connor need a change. They leave New York City for a semester as artists-in-residence at a college upstate, where they take on the roles of Claudius and Ophelia, two of the professional leads in a campus production of Hamlet. Threats and accidents begin to follow Lisette, and Nick worries it might be more than just petty jealousy. Maggie Ryan, a student running lights for the show, helps investigate a mystery steeped in the turmoil of 1967 America.
Don't Miss These Great Reviews:
"P.M. Carlson's energetic and insightful novels are back in print — hallelujah!" — Sara Paretsky
"An extremely well-written tale, with a plotline that offers a jolt per page." — CF, Booklist
"Very literate, sprinkled with surprises and offering that rarity of rarities — fully fleshed out characters." — Bob Ellison, Los Angeles Daily News
Book Details:
Genre: Traditional Mystery Published by: The Mystery Company / Crum Creek Press Publication Date: October 2012 Number of Pages: 233 ISBN: 1932325212 (ISBN13: 9781932325218) Series: Maggie Ryan and Nick O'Connor #1 Purchase Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Goodreads
P.M. Carlson taught psychology and statistics at Cornell University before deciding that mystery writing was more fun. She has published twelve mystery novels and over a dozen short stories. Her novels have been nominated for an Edgar Award, a Macavity Award, and twice for Anthony Awards. Two short stories were finalists for Agatha Awards. She edited the Mystery Writers Annual for Mystery Writers of America for several years, and served as president of Sisters in Crime.
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for P.M. Carlson. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. The giveaway begins on August 1 and runs through August 8, 2017.
Kade Braggs grew up wild and free, surfing on a California beach without much ambition until an impulsive decision led him into joining the Army. What started out as a joke turned into a career, and now he's a company commander, leading several platoons of soldiers. Still, Kade does it all on his own terms; he plays as hard as he works, and having a good time is non-negotiable. Until he meets Leah Samson. Leah doesn't have time to play. On her own for as long as she can remember, she's driven, focused and intent on finishing law school at the top of her class. Nothing could distract her from that goal until an unexpected night of passion with a visiting soldier leads to life-changing complications. But while neither Kade nor Leah planned this bump in the road, the unplanned parenthood that threw the two together may be the best thing that ever happened to either of them. That is, if the heat they both feel doesn't sizzle out of control first.
These are the men of the 94th ID.
They fight with honor, they defend their nation and their brothers fiercely, and when they love, they do it with single-minded passion.
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Maximum Force
Max Remington has never been anything but a soldier. The oldest son in a family that served our nation for generations, he’d never considered any other path. The Army is his life, his home, and his one true love. Until he meets Samantha Crewe. Part millennial flower child, part spunky free spirit, Sam was raised by parents who encouraged her to express her feelings and embrace peace. She’s quick to love and open to just about any new adventure . . . but Max might be her biggest challenge yet. When these two clash, expect immediate combustion . . . of the very hottest kind.
Once upon a time, Delia Rollins was an Army wife, until the unthinkable happened. Now as a young widow and school teacher, she's vigilant about protecting her heart. Her number one rule for the future? No more military men in her life. She can't handle the risk. Army Captain Shaw Kincaid is addicted to taking risks. He lives to challenge himself, whether it's in physical training or in pushing the safety envelope. But when he meets Delia, he realizes winning her heart might be his most daunting task ever. No matter how hard Delia works to push Shaw away, she can't deny the intense chemistry between them . . . or how much she's growing to actually like him. And for Shaw, the more time he spends with the irresistible Delia, the deeper he falls for her. For the danger ranger and the gun-shy widow, love may be the riskiest--and the sweetest--leap they ever take.
Zone of ActionJake Robinson is the most easy-going soldier in his battalion. For the last few months, he’s been watching his friends find love, commitment, and even babies . . . but he knows that path isn’t for him. Been there, done that and got the scars to prove it. Harper Drummond lives and breathes stress. A chef at an up-and-coming restaurant, she works long, demanding hours, and she doesn’t want or need a relationship. But every now and then, she likes to let off some steam under the covers with a willing partner. The night Jake and Harper hook up is only meant to be a one-time deal. But when they realize they have connections they hadn’t expected--not to mention a chemistry that is downright explosive--they decide that being friends with hot benefits makes perfect sense. After all, it’s only sex, right?
When a freak accident seriously injures Derek McTavis, he’s afraid that his Army career might be over. Even after he returns to Fort Lee, he has a hard time recovering and returning to his old lifestyle, despite the encouragement and support of his friends. And then he meets Tasha O’Hare. After years of uncertainty about her future, Tasha’s working hard toward a career in physical therapy. She doesn’t need anything--or anyone--to distract her. But when she’s assigned the broody Captain McTavis, she soon realizes that she’s becoming invested in more than just his physical recovery. Derek resists Tasha’s help, but it turns out she’s just as stubborn as he is. Her passion and determination give him hope not only for his broken body . . . but also for his heart and his future. For these two wounded souls, love may be the only path to healing.
Owen Hughes is an enigma among his friends. He’s a man of few words, and although he enjoys his share of fun with women, he’s never found anyone worth making an effort to pursue. With all of his friends now married or in committed relationships, Owen feels like a lone wolf, the last man standing. He’s not sure if that makes him a hero or a loser. And then he meets Jacey. This sassy ray of sunshine is unlike any woman Owen’s ever known. She’s full of life, eager to embrace her next adventure . . . and when she decides that next adventure is Owen, her pursuit of him is relentless. For the first time ever, Owen has found a woman he’ll move heaven and earth to win. He’s fallen hard. There’s just one small problem: Jacey is the younger sister of one of his best friends. The last man standing is about to fall . . . hard. And the undeniable heat between Owen and Jacey will make every repercussion worth all the trouble.
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include young adult and new adult paranormal romance, new adult and adult contemporary romance and adult para mystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair. You can follow Tawdra on Amazon to receive updates on her releases. Y
Summary: Middle-aged brothers Jason and Tom Prendergast thought they were completely done with each other. Perceived betrayal had burned the bridge between them, tossing them into the icy river of estrangement. But life and death has a robust sense of irony, and when they learn that their cruel father has died and made his final request that they travel together across the country to spread his ashes, they have no choice but to spend a long, long car trip in each other s company. It s either that or lose out on the contents of the envelope he s left with his lawyer. The trip will be as gut-wrenching as each expects it to be . . . and revealing in ways neither of them is prepared for.
At turns humorous, biting, poignant, and surprisingly tender, ASHES puts a new spin on family and dysfunction with a story that is at once fresh and timelessly universal." My review: Steven Manchester is by far one of my favorite authors. His newest book, Ashes, did not disappoint and was exactly what I would expect to come from this brilliant author. This tells the story of two men, brothers, who couldn't lead more different lives. Both must come together to lay their estranged father's ashes to rest. The story is a rollercoaster ride with a cross-country trip that could either make or break the two of them. Along the way, they discover heartbreak, loss, and reconciliation that made this reader's head swim. This book was a tough read for me because I could fully relate to the characters. I lost my Dad, although a good man, unlike the "Dad" in the book, six years ago (as of this review). I traveled to lay his ashes in, ironically, a similar place as the characters did in the book. However, it is the author's weaving of words that made me continue to read. This book certainly made me laugh and cry. He is a master and I highly recommend this excellent book! 5 stars! Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon Where to find the author:
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become zombies?
Thrust into a horrific world where the walking dead are part of a shocking conspiracy to infect not only Fall River, Massachusetts, but also the world beyond, Lizzie battles to protect her sister, Emma, and her hometown from nightmarish ghouls and the evil forces controlling them. My review: This is not my usual genre of books. I generally will read something semi-spooky or paranormal but not horror. However, I was intrigued by the book title. Who hasn't heard the story of Lizzie Borden who reportedly killed her parents? I know I have which makes this book intriguing giving a twist on the story, but still, horror! One of the things I liked about this book is how each chapter began with a set of questions or sentences taken from the newspaper at the time. The questions were directed at the real Lizzie Borden in her trial. These questions and news articles set up the entire chapter to be read and is a different take from what I have seen before. As I mentioned before, this was a bit of difficult read for me as I do not care for the genre, however, I think the author did a pretty good job at setting up the scenes from a real event to make it look like the zombie book she was going for. Blood, gore, and lies told are completely throughout the book and ironically, makes it more plausible than the real story. The author included at the end of the book: sources and briefly, the real story. This book has earned 4 stars from me. This review is also part of the Bewitching Blog Tours.
Summary: A Change of Habit recounts a spiritual journey that started when a religious eddy hurls seventeen-year-old Patty into a convent in the 1960s. Her deeply embedded guilt drives her to obey the Catholic Church, please her earthly father, and say yes to her heavenly Father. But in the convent, she fails to find happiness in religious rites and rules. Her time in the convent parallels changes wrought in religious life by Vatican II, including changes of names and attire. After leaving the convent following seven years of service, she assumes she can pick up her life and move on. But once the religious habit comes off , long-practiced habits of poverty, chastity, and obedience dog her into married life. Finally facing the reality mirror, she breaks out the debilitating patterns learned in the convent.
My review: When I first saw this author's book being advertised somewhere, I knew I just had to read it. I did not want to read it because of the funky-sexy nun on the cover or for the title. I did not even want to read it because she lives here in my state. No, I wanted to read it because of this byline: "...Sister Mary Kateri to Sister Mary Vodka." The truth is, I have known and seen many nuns/sisters in my life-time so, I thought this one had to be just absolutely crazy to write such a book or downright funny. I was a bit wrong on both accounts. The author writes a heartfelt and sometimes heartbreaking account as her life as a nun. She does not hold anything back as far as her concerns before entering the convent, her concerns during her time there, and her time after. She makes it clear to the reader the things that took place behind closed doors, that only the sisters were privy and not privy to, and that being in love with God was a whole different ball game than working for Him. She writes about her Mother and Father who were incredibly supportive, especially her Father. He supported the convent while she was interned there but ironically or maybe not so ironically, she was unaware of how much her Father actually supported until years later after she left. Again, no holds barred. She shares photos of herself as a sister that were just incredible to see. In full habit, she looked quite a bit different than the photo she presents for this book. Wow! Check out page 133!) Later, she tells about her first marriage that turned out disastrous as she could not shake the life she had lead. Eventually though, she will meet the love of her life, of whom, she is still with and traveling around today. She speaks of him with as much passion as she does of being in the convent. I loved that! Throughout the book, and the overall purpose of her writing was to share her seven secrets of how to get through life guilt free. Her life is poured out as she moves through each step. It is easy for me to follow. So, was there any humor in the book? Well, yes, at times there was, and I easily chuckled. I recall her mentioning the convent as the "nunnery" at one point. That made me laugh out loud! I really enjoyed this memoir and although my initial reason for wanting read the book was false, I came away with an excellent read. This book gets 5 stars from me. Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon
Summary: The Professor has delighted in telling you stories from his first two book series, Dumbest Criminal Law Stories and Weird Criminal Law Stories. Now he writes for fun and your enjoyment in his latest, Professor Birdsong’s Dumbest Thieves, Thugs, & Rogues.
These stories are some of the best from around the world and should bring you many good laughs. My review: Prior to reading this author's book, I had seen some of his writings before. I always shook my head in disbelief as the audacity and just plain stupidity of some people. Here the author outlines real stories that just boggles the imagination. The book itself, contains short stories gathered together in what I consider more of an anthology. The stories are easy to read and it took very little time to read the whole book. Although the book is billed as a laugh out loud book, I did not get that complete feeling, although again, I shook my head and giggled a bit. As I read, I was also glad that I had not encountered many of these incidents either. Overall, I thought the book was okay and it gets 3 stars from me. Disclosure: I received a Kindle copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. This review is part of a Promotional Book Tours on behalf of the author. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon
Summary: "Uh-oh" is more than a momentary reaction to small problems. "Uh-oh" is an attitude -- a perspective on the universe. My review: In this funny narrative, the author speaks candidly about everything from eating late night, made up food concoctions to a mysterious secretary he had which as it turns out, is a figment of his imagination. Each tale he tells throughout the book is wildly colorful and almost too good to be true but in truth, it is. He tells his stories so funny that I could hardly keep from busting out laughing. To me what made his stories even funnier, other than that they were true, is he tells them also from the side of his profession which happens to be not just author, but minister! My mother being a minister makes this all the more hilarious. I can just picture some of the people, like the bride with the hiccups! This was a fun read that I read in 1 1/2 days! I give it 5 stars and want to read more from this author. Disclosure: I picked up a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon Where to find the author:
My review:
This personal memoir from actor Rob Lowe starts out with him as a nobody in Ohio but a passion for acting. His family is dysfunctional and plays a part for his psyche the majority of his life, it also pushes him to greatness.
He will become friends and almost second family to Martin Sheen and his sons. He will meet and date many Hollywood stars and elite but who were unknown at the time. His career will span with great movies and many flops and will culminate with his tenure on the "West Wing."
He writes candidly about his love affairs and his pending alcoholism that will land him in a treatment center in Arizona. This he does with great care to make the reader understand he took both very seriously and almost lost.
He goes on to write about his wife whom he almost lost too but at the end had been married over 20 years through thick and thin. He also writes about his boys and chatting to the then, President Bill Clinton, about fatherhood.
His life has been an amazing run and at the time of publication it seemed that he was just getting started, loving life, family, and newfound business.
All of it made me smile as I read. Some of it was astonishing but in some ways not too surprising considering what I generally hear of the Hollywood scene. For Rob Lowe, it was amazing and I without a doubt in my mind, we the viewing audience will see him again, probably older and much wiser than he was as a teen boy breaking into the business.
I loved his book and highly recommend it! 5 stars!
Disclosure: I picked up a copy of this book to read from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon Where to find the author:
Summary: The popular actor and comedian shares his observations on why things are the way they are while sharing his offbeat opinions about the meaning of life and his personal role in it. My review: I like the author as actor and comedian so, I thought picking up this book would be a good fit for me. Well... Tim Allen, the family man, finds himself alone for one weekend and having an issue finding a car part and in the midst of a mid-life crisis. His search for the part allows him to search for unanswered questions on the meaning of life. I found myself at time giggling at the author's personal antidotes and flashbacks of childhood but I thought the book would be more funny. I thought it would be even more about his life. It wasn't, at least not that much. In fact, the author sometimes carried on with such dribble about quantum physics that it was painful to read. The next to last chapter was nothing more than a letter from a friend that I almost decided to skip it altogether. However, I didn't. The reason is that I find the meaning of life to be a interesting topic. Quantum physics aside, it becomes important to all of us at some points in our lives. In essence, we all eventually question why we are here or have a mid-life crisis. For the author, this book was much more like a diary, so personal that he was compelled to write it. The thought though is maybe he should not have. In any case, I found the book to be okay and rather honest. Although, he could have made the whole thing up in some regard as he might have not been there when he wrote it. *wink* For his efforts and thought provoking ideas he gets my 3 stars. Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon Where to find the author:
Ponderosa Pines used to be the safest place on earth.
Lately, though, EV Torrence and Chloe LaRue are wondering if their once-sleepy town has caught a ride in a handbasket–with a one-way ticket to someplace hot! When visiting attorney Stacey Hawthorne is brutally attacked, EV and Chloe launch into a new investigation–one that will expose several of their neighbor’s deepest secrets.
One of those neighbors has a past, and it’s about to come back to haunt the whole town.
My review: For me, this book had a small town feel that I was quite familiar with; everybody knows everybody, there are the true town gossips, the small town cops, the small group that really runs the town, and then the outsiders. In truth, the description of the town made me smile and feel nostalgic. However, coming into this series for the first time, and this being the forth book, I feel like I have missed something. I feel like one of the newbies in town who has just started to settle in to Ponderosa Pines and its inhabitants. This is not to say this is not a stand alone book because it is. It just assumes that the reader already knows some of these folks. The story opens with a woman on her way in to Ponderosa Pines, only to be caught up in a terrible attack that almost leads to her death. This sends the whole town spinning with theories and gossip that only small towns can do. In the midst of it all are town secrets and two cops who are intertwined with ladies who are wannabe sleuths. I seriously loved these two ladies and their penchant for getting into the muck of things. They simply cannot help themselves. The fact that one of them is engaged to the town cop is irrelevant. She is going to do what she has to and that makes it a bit humorous, although, I am certain that the authors do not intentionally mean to make it that way. The story is a whirlwind of informational sessions coupled with gossip sessions and who-done-it questions that make for a fine story. The only drawback I had for it was many things were easy to figure out but the reader had to get to the end to figure out how they all tied together. The ending was plausible but certainly left the reader wanting to know more about certain characters fates. This I am sure will be answered in next books. Overall, for me this was 4 stars. If you would like to win your own copy of this book, GO HERE For PURCHASE Disclosure: I was given a Kindle copy in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. This review is also part of the Great Escapes Virtual Tours. ~M.M. Hudson aka Naila Moon Where to find the author:
ReGina Wellingis the author of thePsychic Seasons seriesand co-author of thePonderosa Pines serieswritten with her lovely daughter, Erin Lynn. She has recently moved back to Maine where she was raised in a small town with certain similarities to Ponderosa Pines–one that felt like an extended family.
Erin Lynn is the co-author of the Ponderosa Pines series. After living in Syracuse, NY for 8 years, she recently returned to the middle of nowhere, Maine with the intention of hibernating, writing lots of books and turning a neglected house into a beautiful home.
Summary: Given the opportunity, would you assume someone else's identity and leave your old life behind? A serendipitous crossing of paths between Lisa Barnes, a down-on-her-luck job seeker, and Julie Forman, a personal trainer to an Olympic hopeful, forever changes the course of both women's lives. One winds up dead and the other finds herself a fugitive, hiding behind one lie after another as a cold-blooded killer methodically hunts her. Desperately trying to stay alive, the terrified woman enlists the help of Forensic Instincts, a rogue investigative team that clandestinely operates in the gray area between legal and illegal. Safeguarding their client's deception, Forensic Instincts digs into dangerous territory as they try to find out who's after their client and why. Meanwhile, bodies are piling up in Chicago, New Jersey, and Vermont as a megalomaniacal genius will stop at nothing to eradicate anyone who threatens the success of his medical breakthrough. With an unhinged client and a monstrous criminal enterprise as its adversary, Forensic Instincts is forced into uncharted territory to protect their client and save one of their own from becoming the next corpse. Forensic Instincts is an unorthodox, criminal investigative team that carefully navigates the fine line between legal and illegal. The team consists of a behaviorist, a former Navy SEAL, a techo-wiz, an intuitive, a pickpocket, a retired FBI agent, and a human scent evidence dog." My review: This book was a very different genre than I normally will read. So, I began with an open mind and steeled myself for a ride of epic proportions. I was not disappointed. The author built up her story which came in waves of anticipating breaths. The only real problem for me is it seemed to build up almost too slow and I found the last half of the book more thrilling and on edge of your seat reading than the first half. It seemed non-plausible that a fairly naive teen could get wrapped up in a scheme so diabolical that it was a mind blow. In fact, it seemed a bit confusing to me that the characters who were the clients and main characters in the first half became minor characters in the second half of the book. Did this make me not like the book? The answer is no! Overall, I felt the characters were well worked and genuine in all aspects whether they were sinister or good. In fact, I could not wait to turn the pages as the book continued to build and build. The whole non-plausible thing in my mind, was crafted beautifully by the author to become something in the end that could be quite plausible and something you might eventually see on a news broadcast. There is one thing that I would personally like to direct to the author and that is that maybe there should be a warning of possible triggers to individuals that read the book. I will not reveal what those are for the purposes of my review but I do think there should be warning. This book is not for the faint of heart but in the same sense it is not blood and guts that would have turned me off of further reading. No, this is a psychological mind game and a good one at that. This book gets 4 stars from me. Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon PURCHASE AMAZON If you would like to enter to win a copy of this book, GO HERE Where to find the author:
Summary: After a vicious fight with her boyfriend followed by a night of heavy partying, college freshman Amanda Greene wakes up in her dorm room to find things are not the same as they were yesterday. She can't quite put her finger on it. She's sharing her room with a peculiar stranger. Amanda discovers she's registered for classes she would never choose with people that are oddly familiar. An ominous shadow is stalking her. Uncomfortable memories are bubbling dangerously close to her fracturing world, propelling her to an inevitable collision between fantasy and reality. Is this the mother of all hangovers or is something bigger happening? My review: As I was a History major in college, I thought reading Michael Phillip Cash's newest novella book would be interesting. I was correct and wrong at the same time. Yes, his book was interesting but even more so down right thought provoking. As usual, the author weaved bits of history into his book which you would expect from such a title but the history was a far cry from Long Island where many of his stories have taken place. The main character development was so craftily handled in such a way that at times, it was hard to distinguish between present reality and past history. I kept wondering how all these characters fit together. As I said, it took me some time to understand what exactly was happening and left me on the edge of my seat at every page turn. The ending was a stunner and left me still questioning, "What if..." The whole book was meant to learn from History in order to not make the same mistakes now. I suppose the whole questions begs, "Have we?" "Will we?" This is not the usual paranormal book I have come to enjoy from Michael Phillip Cash. It was quite a departure and I did like it very much. 5 stars. Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon ----------------------- Would you like to win a copy of this book? Simply enter in the Rafflecopter below.
You MUST enter your mailing address as the first entry but this entry will not be a sole entry to win, you must enter at least one more entry. The giveaway is open from Jan. 3-Jan. 18, 2015. The giveaway is open to U.S. only. There will be only one winner chosen at random by Rafflecopter. org. All entries will be verified. The author is responsible for giveaway. Naila Moon of Reading Authors has received no compensation for this post.
Summary: It was the first day of school and anxieties were running high. For certain there was the excitement of moving up a grade, but there was also the dread of anything and everything that could go wrong. Not only were the possibilities endless, they were totally out of your control. Whether or not you were accepted rested squarely on the shoulders of the popular kids. Suppose you were too short or too tall; too smart or not smart enough; too rich or too poor; or just plain different? These thoughts were fresh on the minds of Otis, Chandler and Marissa. Three pre-teens whose paths had never crossed, although they lived in the same town in Connecticut. Their backgrounds were so diverse they may as well have lived worlds apart. That was all about to change when on their way to school a series of bizarre events lump them together. Literally! Join them on this unreal journey to alternate realities never before revealed. Go back in time to a parallel past, the All Agos. Coexist in a present experience that mirrors your own, the Ne'er Now. Finally and with greater understanding, manifest in a future of your creation, the Will Be Once. Then you will have come closer to achieving ...as it should. My review: I have to say that I thought the book started out good. I was intrigued that seemingly three very different kids could get along enough to save humanity. However, from there, I was scratching my head. It seemed like to me the fantasy aspect of the book happened way too fast and then it took forever to get to the meat of the story. This book is huge and I simply got bogged down with it. I understand that the book is fantasy but I felt like much of it was confusing and that the author could not keep track. The characters also not having much understanding at the beginning of who they really were and their mission was a bit crazy to me as well. The individual places that these kid's went to were never fully explained and that also made it a difficult read for me. I would only recommend this for Young adults or older as I do not think younger then that could manage to get into the book if at all. However, even with all this said, I am giving the author 3 stars because it is not easy to create a fantasy book and new worlds and her attempt at it was not bad, just not a great book. Since it seems like this is her first book, I wish her luck in her endeavors. ------------- Would you like a copy of this book and & 1 of $30, $20, $10 Amazon gift cards. Enter below.
(open to US & Canada)
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest review. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. About the giveaway: I am not responsible for prize shipment.~Naila Moon Where to find the author:
Trudie L. Hayes’ personal story and family life influenced her mission to spread the core values of self-acceptance, self-esteem, and self-love to children and persons of all ages. An affiliation with physically and mentally disabled adults and children spanning many years is a major contributing factor.
When Hayes is not writing or managing her business, she dedicates her time to other creative outlets and artistic pursuits. Hayes has a deep appreciation and passion for music in its many forms; she enjoys writing song lyrics, performing, and has an affinity for Jazz.
Kade Braggs grew up wild and free, surfing on a California beach without much ambition until an impulsive decision led him into joining the Army. What started out as a joke turned into a career, and now he's a company commander, leading several platoons of soldiers. Still, Kade does it all on his own terms; he plays as hard as he works, and having a good time is non-negotiable. Until he meets Leah Samson. Leah doesn't have time to play. On her own for as long as she can remember, she's driven, focused and intent on finishing law school at the top of her class. Nothing could distract her from that goal until an unexpected night of passion with a visiting soldier leads to life-changing complications. But while neither Kade nor Leah planned this bump in the road, the unplanned parenthood that threw the two together may be the best thing that ever happened to either of them. That is, if the heat they both feel doesn't sizzle out of control first.
Once upon a time, Delia Rollins was an Army wife, until the unthinkable happened. Now as a young widow and school teacher, she's vigilant about protecting her heart. Her number one rule for the future? No more military men in her life. She can't handle the risk. Army Captain Shaw Kincaid is addicted to taking risks. He lives to challenge himself, whether it's in physical training or in pushing the safety envelope. But when he meets Delia, he realizes winning her heart might be his most daunting task ever. No matter how hard Delia works to push Shaw away, she can't deny the intense chemistry between them . . . or how much she's growing to actually like him. And for Shaw, the more time he spends with the irresistible Delia, the deeper he falls for her. For the danger ranger and the gun-shy widow, love may be the riskiest--and the sweetest--leap they ever take.
When a freak accident seriously injures Derek McTavis, he’s afraid that his Army career might be over. Even after he returns to Fort Lee, he has a hard time recovering and returning to his old lifestyle, despite the encouragement and support of his friends. And then he meets Tasha O’Hare. After years of uncertainty about her future, Tasha’s working hard toward a career in physical therapy. She doesn’t need anything--or anyone--to distract her. But when she’s assigned the broody Captain McTavis, she soon realizes that she’s becoming invested in more than just his physical recovery. Derek resists Tasha’s help, but it turns out she’s just as stubborn as he is. Her passion and determination give him hope not only for his broken body . . . but also for his heart and his future. For these two wounded souls, love may be the only path to healing.
Owen Hughes is an enigma among his friends. He’s a man of few words, and although he enjoys his share of fun with women, he’s never found anyone worth making an effort to pursue. With all of his friends now married or in committed relationships, Owen feels like a lone wolf, the last man standing. He’s not sure if that makes him a hero or a loser. And then he meets Jacey. This sassy ray of sunshine is unlike any woman Owen’s ever known. She’s full of life, eager to embrace her next adventure . . . and when she decides that next adventure is Owen, her pursuit of him is relentless. For the first time ever, Owen has found a woman he’ll move heaven and earth to win. He’s fallen hard. There’s just one small problem: Jacey is the younger sister of one of his best friends. The last man standing is about to fall . . . hard. And the undeniable heat between Owen and Jacey will make every repercussion worth all the trouble.
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include young adult and new adult paranormal romance, new adult and adult contemporary romance and adult para mystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair. You can follow Tawdra on Amazon to receive updates on her releases. Y
and co-author of the Ponderosa Pines series
written with her lovely daughter, Erin Lynn. She has recently moved back to Maine where she was raised in a small town with certain similarities to Ponderosa Pines–one that felt like an extended family.
. After living in Syracuse, NY for 8 years, she recently returned to the middle of nowhere, Maine with the intention of hibernating, writing lots of books and turning a neglected house into a beautiful home.
http://www.andreakane.com/
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