Stars in the Grass by Ann Marie Stewart

January 25, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Stars in the Grass by Ann Marie Stewart was another book that I like right from the start. Like the book that I reviewed yesterday, this is the first book I have read by this author, and I am so glad that I got the chance to read this book. I really loved the author’s style of writing and how reading her book was so easy. It just flowed so well that I was able to get through this book quickly. She put just the right amount of details into the book which I also loved because I got everything I needed but it didn’t have so much in it that I got bogged down or lost in all the details. I loved watching how the characters grew and changed throughout the book. If you love books that tackle real life problems than I know you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

About The Book

The idyllic world of nine-year-old Abby McAndrews is transformed when a tragedy tears her family apart. Before the accident, her dad, Reverend John McAndrews, had all the answers, but now his questions and guilt threaten to destroy his family. Abby’s fifteen-year-old brother, Matt, begins an angry descent as he acts out in dangerous ways. Her mother tries to hold her grieving family together, but when Abby’s dad refuses to move on, the family is at a crossroads. Set in a small Midwestern town in 1970, Abby’s heartbreaking remembrances are balanced by humor and nostalgia as her family struggles with—and ultimately celebrates—an authentic story of faith and life after loss.

About The Author

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing stories, putting on plays, or belting songs. Ever since grade school when my dad substituted me in for his turn at the Toastmaster podium and I held a captive audience with my speech, I’ve loved making people laugh and cry.

I originated AMG’s Preparing My Heart series, write the column “Ann’s Lovin’ Ewe” for The Country Register and blog for Mentoring Moments. My first novel, Stars in the Grass comes out February 2017.

When I’m not writing, I’m waving my arms directing musicals, teaching middle schoolers, or watching UVA Basketball or Madam Secretary. In my free time I hang out with my husband, raising two lovely daughters and a whole flock of fuzzy sheep on Skye Moor Farm, in Virginia–where unscripted drama provides plenty of entertaining material.

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Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

January 24, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall was a super interesting book. Once I started this book I didn’t want to stop reading it until it was finished. As I am sitting here thinking about this book I still can’t put my finger on what I like so much about this book. Usually, it has to do with the writing or the characters, but this time I feel like it was just the whole package. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am going to add her to my list of authors to check out later when I have more time to pick out books to read. If you like young adult type books that I know you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

About The Book

At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others’ lives through her windows and social media feed.

But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn’t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.

Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn’t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?

About The Author

I’m a young adult author, mental health mouth, anxious agoraphobic, lover of cheese, film nerd, book bird, identical twin, and rumoured pink Power Ranger.

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The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser

January 5, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser was an okay book. I honestly don’t remember much about this book because I read it at the end of last year and I don’t remember much about it. That being said I do remember liking this book, but it was very memorable to me. I know that this happened before with other books and it always tends to be historical fiction books. I usually enjoy the books but after I move on to another book I forget the one that I read last. If you like historical fiction than I would sure tell you to check out this book.

About The Book

English housemaid Annie Wood arrives in New York in 1911. On her own for the first time working as a Macy’s sewing department clerk, Annie catches the eye of a salesman at the Butterick Pattern Company. Through determination, hard work, and God’s leading, Annie discovers a hidden gift: she is a talented fashion designer—an artist of the highest degree. As she runs from ghosts of the past and focuses on the future, Annie enters a creative world that takes her to the fashion houses of Paris and into a life of adventure, purpose, and love.

About The Author

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of twenty-nine inspirational novels that focus on discovering our unique purpose. Her genres include both contemporary and historical stories.

Her latest historical novels are the Downton Abbey-inspired Manor House Series:”Love of the Summerfields”, “Bride of the Summerfields”, and “Rise of the Summerfields.”

Also new is “The Pattern Artist” about Macy’s and the Butterick Pattern company.

Her historical bio-novels allow real women-of-history to share their life stories:”Just Jane” (Jane Austen), “Mozart’s Sister” (Nannerl Mozart), “Washington’s Lady” (Martha Washington) and “How Do I Love Thee?” (Elizabeth Barrett Browning.)

“An Unlikely Suitor” was named to Booklist’s Top 100 Romance Novels of the last decade.

Nancy’s time-travel novel, “Time Lottery”, won a Christy Award, and “Washington’s Lady” was a finalist.

Her contemporary books are known for their big-casts and intricate plotting. Some titles are “The Invitation”, “John 3: 16”, “Weave of the World”, “The Sister Circle”, “The Seat Beside Me”, and “The Good Nearby”.

Nancy and her husband live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She knits voraciously, kills all her houseplants, and can wire an electrical fixture without getting shocked. She is a fan of anything antique–humans included.

Find out more: nancymoser.com.

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The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff

December 21, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff was a good book. I took a few chapters for me to get into the book but I am glad that I stuck with it because in the end, I did end up enjoying the story. This is the fourth book in the Jamie Sinclair series and the first one that I have read. That being said I understood everything that was going on, so you don’t have to read the books in order if you don’t want to. It is a slow started, but after I few chapters I didn’t want to put it down. This book did keep me on the edge of my seat, and it was one that I found myself staying up way too late because I hate putting books like this down when things are happening so fast. This is the first book I have read by this author and since this is the fourth book in the series I will be reading the other books in the series in the future.

About The Book

Security specialist and PI Jamie Sinclair finds herself in deadly waters off the steamy Gulf Coast in this combustible thriller from the award-winning author of The Kill Box.

Never in her life has Jamie Sinclair anticipated a weekend getaway more. After four months apart, she’s flying to Mississippi to see her would-be boyfriend, military police officer Adam Barrett. Barrett’s currently stationed in the same Gulf Coast town where Jamie got her start as a private investigator, and she’s equally excited to reconnect with her old mentor, Ray Walther, and his pregnant wife, Corinne, who’s Jamie’s best friend.

But all hopes for a relaxing and romantic weekend are shattered when a dirty bomb explodes on a riverboat packed with military, killing dozens of soldiers. In the chaotic aftermath, Jamie believes that she spots the bomber—and recognizes him from her past. As Barrett and Jamie race to catch the terrorist before he strikes again, Ray and Corinne become targets themselves. And this time around, Jamie won’t let a little thing like the law keep her from protecting the people she loves most—no matter the cost.

About The Author

Nichole Christoff is a writer, broadcaster, and military spouse who has worked on air and behind the scenes producing and promoting content for radio, television news, and the public relations industry across the United States and Canada. Nic is the award-winning author of the Jamie Sinclair series featuring army brat Jamie Sinclair, a private-eye-turned-security-specialist. She swears she owes her taste in fiction to Raymond Chandler, James Thurber, and Jane Austen. Nic’s novel The Kill Shot is a 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense nominee.

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The Twilight Wife by A.J. Banner

December 20, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Twilight Wife by A.J. Banner was an extraordinary book. I have read a book like this one in quite a while, and I am so glad that I decided to review this book because it was a great book. I don’t read these type of books all that often because even though that I love them I always end up staying up way too late because I have to know what happens next. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I can’t wait to read other books by her because she hooked me right from the first page and I didn’t want to put the book down until I was finished. I didn’t like Jacob from the outset because he seemed off to me from the outset. If you are looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I would recommend this book to you. If you have read it already what did you think of it?

About The Book

From bestselling author A.J. Banner comes a dazzling new novel of psychological suspense in the vein of S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep and Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl that questions just how much we can trust the people around us.

Thirty-four-year-old marine biologist Kyra Winthrop remembers nothing about the diving accident that left her with a complex form of memory loss. With only brief flashes of the last few years of her life, her world has narrowed to a few close friendships on the island where she lives with her devoted husband, Jacob.

But all is not what it seems. Kyra begins to have visions—or are they memories?—of a rocky marriage, broken promises, and cryptic relationships with the island residents, whom she believes to be her friends.

As Kyra races to uncover her past, the truth becomes a terrifying nightmare. A twisty, immersive thriller, The Twilight Wife will keep readers enthralled through the final, shocking twist.

About The Author

A. J. Banner grew up reading Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, and other masters of love and mystery. She enjoyed sneaking thrillers from her parents’ library, which gave her excellent fodder for her first novel of psychological suspense, The Good Neighbor. Born in India and raised in North America, she always dreamed of writing gripping stories in which nothing is what it seems. She’s hard at work on her next novel in her home office overlooking a Pacific Northwest forest.

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God Of The Internet by Lynn Lipinski

November 2, 2016

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

God of The Internet by Lynn Lipinski was a super interesting book. When I read the description of the book I knew I wanted to read it because I have always been interested in hacking and things like that. It isn’t something that I would ever want to do but reading a fiction book about it was so interesting. I am amazed at how far people will go to get other people’s information but this review isn’t about hacking so let’s get back to my thoughts on this book. I really enjoyed this author’s style of writing and for the most part I liked the characters. I did end up not liking some of the characters in the end but that is because I just didn’t like them. I always like when an author can make me hate one of their characters because it means that it is something that could really happen and that the characters seem like they could be real people. If you are into computers or are just looking to scare the crap out of yourself when it comes to computers, than I would pick this one up and give it a shot. If you have read it what did you think of it?

God Of The Internet by Lynn Lipinski

About The Book

When a hacker known as G0d_of_Internet hijacks millions of computers to do the bidding of an Islamic jihadist group, their first act is to disrupt the water treatment systems in Boston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Next, the power grids go down. Is this the start of a digital world war? The only thing standing between the terrorists and their goal to weaponize the internet is a small band of white hat hackers, including cybersecurity guru Mahaz Al-Dossari and his wife, Juliana. The search is on for a couple of hundred lines of code and a global hacker network before they can make good on their ultimate threat to divert money from the world’s banks. But G0d_of_Internet has been tracking their every move. And it’s Juliana, a PR manager lacking in technical skills, who may hold the key to unmasking the hacker.

lynn-lipinski

About The Author

Lynn is a writer and editor who pens non-fiction for a living and mystery fiction for fun.

Favorite writing projects in the past few years include a speech on the history of the Internet, a blog about wearing a monkey costume at work and a mystery novel set in her hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her nonfiction feature stories on topics ranging from a bad dental school experience to electricity deregulation have been published in the Los Angeles Times, UCLA Magazine, arcCA, USC News, Trojan Family Magazine, UCLA Today and Aqueduct Magazine.

Decades of living in Los Angeles have worn away the Okie accent, but not the affection for all things Oklahoma. She blogs occasionally about writing, PR, Oklahoma and travel at http://www.lynnlipinski.me. Her passport is filled with stamps and visas from all the places her jobs have taken her in the past four years, including Argentina, China, Czech Republic, Senegal, Singapore and South Africa.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and completed fiction and screenwriting classes through UCLA Extension, Writers Boot Camp and the 2010 Prague Summer Program of Western Michigan University. She’s currently pursuing an MFA in creative writing at Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles.

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