Books I Love

The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford

Book ReviewThe Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford was a fun book to read.  I am going to say right up front that some people had problems with some language in this book but I personally didn’t see a problem with it.  This book was so different from anything that I have read in awhile that I truly enjoyed all of it.  There were parts that I thought drug on a little longer than they needed to but the overall message of this book made reading through those part so worth it.  I recommend this book to everyone and I hope that you will stick through the slow parts because it is an amazing book.

The Sea HouseAbout the Book

Scotland, 1860

Reverend Alexander Ferguson, naive and newly-ordained, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time on the island will irrevocably change the course of his life, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child’s fragile legs are fused together — a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? Ruth needs to solve the mystery of her new home — but the answers to her questions may lie in her own past.

Based on a real nineteenth-century letter to The Times in which a Scottish clergyman claimed to have seen a mermaid, The Sea House is an epic, sweeping tale of loss and love, hope and redemption, and how we heal ourselves with the stories we tell.

Elisabeth GiffordAbout The Author

Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. She is the author of The House of Hope: A Story of God’s Love and Provision for the Abandoned Orphans of Chinaand has written articles for The Times and the Independent and has a Diploma in Creative Writing from Oxford OUDCE and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway College. She is married with three children. They live in Kingston on Thames but spend as much time as possible in the Hebrides.

Find Elisabeth online: website, Facebook

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014 Margaret Margaret

Feast For Thieves by Marcus Brotherton

Book ReviewFeast For Thieves by Marcus Brotherton was different from any other book that I have ever read.  It takes place after WWII which by now I am sure you all know is my favorite time period.  This book was so different because of the story line and that made me really love this book even more.  It is refreshing reading a book that doesn’t follow the typical pattern that most books follow.  The one thing about this book that would get on my nerves is the writing.  I know the author wrote how the people would talk but I found myself wanting to correct the characters grammar and things like that.  But that is mainly just a problem with how my head works and not the book.  I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to try a new type of book.

Feast For ThievesAbout The Book

Sergeant Rowdy Slater is the most skilled—and most incorrigible—soldier in Dog Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, an elite group of paratroopers fighting for the world’s freedom in World War II.

Through a bizarre set of circumstances, Rowdy returns to the States after the war, turns his life around, and falls into the only job he can find—preacher at the sparsely populated community church in Cut Eye, Texas, a dusty highway town situated at the midpoint of nowhere and emptiness.

The town’s lawman, suspicious that Rowdy has changed his ways only as a cover up, gives an ultimatum: Rowdy must survive one complete year as Cut Eye’s new minister or end up in jail.

At first Rowdy thinks the job will be easy, particularly because he’s taking over for a young female missionary who’s held the church together while the men were at war. But when a dark-hearted acquaintance from Rowdy’s past shows up with an evil plan to make some quick cash, Rowdy becomes ensnared due to an irrevocable favor, and life turns decidedly difficult.

Rowdy’s a man used to solving problems one of two ways: with his rifle or with his fists. Will he be able to thwart his old friend’s evil schemes while remaining true to his new higher calling?

This is a wild ride of a book bursting with bank robbery, kidnapping, desperate prayers, and barroom brawls. Before the smoke clears, all sides just might end up getting exactly what they want.

 

About-Marcus-photo-682x1024About The Author

Marcus Brotherton is a journalist and professional writer known internationally for his books and literary collaborations with high-profile public figures, humanitarians, inspirational leaders, and military personnel. He has authored or coauthored more than 25 books.

Notable works include We Who Are Alive and Remain, a New York Times bestseller, A Company of Heroes, which ranked No. 1 in the country among World War II/ Western Front books, and the widely-acclaimed Shifty’s War. Marcus’ debut novel, Feast For Thieves, releases in September 2014.

Marcus’ books have been praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, Entertainment Weekly, Associated Press, Booklist, Publishers Weekly and more. Critics have called Marcus’s books “… fascinating…” “…brilliantly arranged …” “…magical…” and “… refreshingly frank….”

He has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, BBC World Today, HuffPost Live, and The John Batchelor Show, and was featured in the documentary film A Company of Heroes, which aired on PBS stations around the country.

Collaborative works include projects with Lt. Buck Compton (one of the original Band of Brothers), apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias, NFL quarterback Colt McCoy, psychologist Dr. Nancy Heche, fashion journalist Lauren Scruggs, Austin Stone pastor Matt Carter, Bronze Star winner Colonel Susan Luz, Alabama restaurateur Martha Hawkins, humanitarian Susan Scott Krabacher, speaker Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, youth ministry expert Doug Fields, radio show host Steven Arterburn, First Place weight loss program CEO Carole Lewis, musician Tommy Walker, youth speaker Ryan Dobson, university chancellor Rev. Wayne Cordeiro, and more.

Born in Canada in 1968, Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical education and journalism from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon, and a master’s degree in practical theology and writing from Talbot Seminary at Biola University in Los Angeles, where he graduated with high honors.

Marcus lives with his wife and children in Washington State.

Hear Marcus speak at the TEDx conference HERE.

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014 Margaret Margaret

Almost Perfect by Orly Krauss-Winer

Book ReviewAlmost Perfect by Orly Krauss-Winer was a hard book for me to get into.  This is usually the genre for books that I love but for some reason I just couldn’t get into this book.  This book had everything that I usually love in a good book but it just wasn’t the right fit for me.  There were parts where I have to keep reading because I wanted to know what happened next and then there were other parts where so was uninterested and I would just skim read the pages.  If you love Mystery/Thrillers I would give this one a shot because I am sure most people would love it.

Almost PerfectAbout The Book

A Saturday off-road outing leads to a burned-out car with a man’s body inside: a young and successful lawyer found dead, with no known enemies.
Three women, all deeply connected in some way to the victim, are swept into the investigation, involving a post-WWII love affair, an embezzlement case, and a brilliant police detective. When the truth is revealed, secrets are exposed – they must all face a difficult, complex, and unexpected reality.

Almost Perfect is a light thriller, which does not require a thorough reading to trace the hidden details. You will find a sophisticated, intriguing story, variety in the narration, and many secondary stories (interesting in themselves), connecting to a harmonious overall picture. It has humanity and longing for warmth and love.
The writer sets her stories in the real world, where the smells, tastes and feelings are known and accessible to the reader. These make the book enjoyable, thrilling, and allow the reader to connect with the characters.

Orly Krauss-WinerAbout The Author

I was born in 1959, in Israel, the eldest child of parents who immigrated from different parts of the world. My father came from Hungary after World War II, and my mother from Uzbekistan, after a long, ten-year journey with her family through the desert, by way of Afghanistan, India, and Sri-Lanka. My sixth book was about my father’s family history, their brave and special story of survival through the Holocaust, and I dedicated my eleventh book to the story of the hardships endured by my mother’s family in the desert.
My love of books goes back to when I was a child; my parents taught me to read at the age of four, and I’ve been a voracious reader ever since. I used to read under my desk at school, and I was kicked out so many times that, in high school, I went straight to the beach in Tel-Aviv with my books, not bothering to stop off at school. Nonetheless, I successfully earned a high school diploma, served in the army, and studied at Tel-Aviv University, for both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
I worked as a flight attendant for El-Al airlines for seven years, then became a freelance writer for several newspapers. Three years later, based on my experiences and happy memories of those years in the air and the unique lifestyle of the flight crews, l wrote a romantic thriller about three flight attendants. The novel was an overnight success, and topped the bestseller list for weeks.
I’ve since published twelve books, all best sellers in Israel, many based on my personal stories, and those of my family and friends. I currently live in Tel-Aviv with my 21-year-old daughter, Gal, and my partner, Gili.
I write a book a year. My novels are romantic thrillers and historical romances, for the most part based on true stories. Naturally, those written about my family and my life are dear to my heart. On the other hand, I enjoy writing the romantic thrillers more, so it’s hard to say which of my novels I like best. One thing is certain – I thank God every day for granting me the privilege of working at something I love so much.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014 Margaret Margaret

Plan Overboard by Heather Wardell

plan overboard buttonPlan Overboard by Heather Wardell was a great book.  I was a change for me because I haven’t been reading  books that are light & airy.  I am not always a fan of these types of books but it was a great  book.  I didn’t read the first book in the series and I didn’t seem lost at all when it came to understanding what was going on.  I wish I would have read the first book before this one  but I just didn’t have time.  I think I will go back and read it now even though I will know what ends up happening because of this book.  I loved the characters but I have say that Corinne is crazy.  I don’t understand how someone can plan their life like she did it just seems crazy to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves light romance novels.

plan overboardAbout The Book

The much-anticipated sequel to ALL AT SEA brings back Melissa and the trio of brothers that vied for her heart, and a brand new heroine to root for in Corinne Kostopoulos.

All Corinne has ever wanted was the role of clarinetist for the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. The clarinet, and working to master it, is all she has left of her father, who abandoned the family when she was a little girl. But after failing to clinch an open spot in a heated audition, her life-plan soon goes overboard. Not only does she break up with her longtime boyfriend, Clay, she also makes a decision that will alter her destiny in ways she never imagined…

After a medical procedure and a couple of months of changing everything in her life, a pregnant Corinne meets Melissa and her gorgeous flirt of a brother-in-law, Austin, on a cruise. The heat of the Caribbean sun soon combines with a mutual attraction to create a sizzling connection neither Corinne nor Austin can deny. But when the truth comes out about Corinne’s condition, will lifelong playboy Austin man up? Or will Corinne’s hope for a future beyond a shipboard romance prove yet another PLAN OVERBOARD?

heather wardellAbout The Author

Heather is a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of fourteen self-published novels including the free ebook “Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo” which has had over 375,000 downloads.

She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and has no plans to leave it.

In her spare time, she reads, runs, swims, crochets, takes care of her aquarium and her cat Trinity, and plays drums and clarinet. Generally not all at once.

 

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 All At Sea– Book One

Plan Overboard-Book Two

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014 Margaret Margaret

Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Book ReviewTried & True by Mary Connealy was a great book to read.  I have to say that I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book when I started reading it but I was surprised and once I got a few chapters in I didn’t want to stop reading because I had to know what was going to happen.  I fell in love with the characters and the plot.  This was a great spin on the typical story line and think that is what drew me in.   There were parts where I laughed and parts where I got sad because of what was going on.  I can’t wait to read the other books in this series because I am sure they will be just as good as this one.

Tried and TrueAbout The Book

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister—and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk—they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”—but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

Mary ConnealyAbout The Author

Mary Connealy writes fun and lively “romantic comedy with cowboys” for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie’s Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014 Margaret Margaret

Other Side Of Gemini by LG McCann

geminibanner-300x249Other Side Of Gemini by LC McCann was a fun book to read.  I loved this book from the first chapter right up until the last chapter of the book.  I loved both of the characters in this book and I was sad when it was over.  I loved seeing how things worked out with both characters.  It was hard to watch Sylvia go through everything because I really did feel bad for her and only want the best thing for her.  In the end  this was a great book and I can’t wait to read other books by this author.

The Other Side of GeminiAbout The Book

Sylvia Miloche is a successful book editor by day, D-list party girl by night, and has been dating New York City’s favorite playboy James Ryan for five years. But things are far from perfect. When the New York Post catches James with an intern, Sylvia’s already precarious life comes crashing down.

Lindsay Sekulich is a high school science teacher, wife, and mother of three in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. Her high school reunion is quickly approaching and that means the secrets of her bad-girl past, all of which she’s kept hidden from her husband, could come spilling out, revealing who she once was and the horrible things she’s done.

When Sylvia emerges in Scottsdale, seeking refuge in her hometown from the relentless gossip blogs, Lindsay finds herself alternately elated and terrified. The two were inseparable as teens, but a tragedy just before their senior year tore them apart. Sylvia, once a carefree, joyful girl always up for adventure, is a beaten down and broken adult. Now Lindsay must make a choice: rescue the friend who saved her in high school, or keep it all hidden to save her marriage from almost certain destruction.

lg mccannAbout The Author

LG McCann was born and raised in the Last Frontier. She spent her formative years on her
family’s ski resort near Fairbanks where, if she wasn’t bombarding customers with rocketlaunched
Barbie dolls, she was in the cubby under the stairs making up stories. After enduring
the rest of her adolescence in Anchorage, LG tried her hand in the Lower-48, where she
graduated from Hollins University summa cum laude with a double major in English and Film &
Photography.
After six years in New York City, where she acquired unique experiences working in reality TV,
the non-profit sector, and the publishing industry, LG still hadn’t found her calling. She still just
wanted to be in that cubby making up stories. She wanted to write.
These days, that’s exactly what she’s doing. But when she’s not writing or proofreading (or at her day job), you’ll most
likely find LG playing in her garden, cooking with her partner Jonathan, attempting complex yoga moves, or passing out
from exhaustion on her couch with her fuzzy assistant Emmy Cat.

Connect with LG:

Twitter: @lgmccann
Instagram: lgmccann
Facebook: facebook.com/lgmccann

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014 Margaret Margaret