Destiny Defied by J.A. Mark

November 14, 2014

Destiny Defied by J.A. Mark was an okay book to read. I had high hopes for this book because from reading the back of the book it sounded like something that was right up my alley. I did enjoy the characters and the setting of the book but that is about all I liked about this book. I found that I got lost and confused trying to keep up with who was speaking. Parts of the book also didn’t flow as well as others. Like I said I usually love these types of books but that just wasn’t the book for me. I would still recommend it because I know others will love this book it just wasn’t right for me.

About The Book

Destiny Defied | Book One in The Destiny series.

A dramatic shipwreck emancipates Riki Hammad, but the island where she finds refuge is compromised. Unless she finds a power truly great enough to defeat her dark past, she will choose death over returning to captivity. Lord Vétis, high priest of a cultic underground, will stop at nothing to reclaim their chosen one. Using black magic, he manipulates Riki and her four self-assigned bodyguards, triggering a battle that consumes the entire island. The underground will never allow Riki to live out her dreams of a normal life . . . something she has never known.

About The Author

J.A. loves writing embattled spirit novels — adventure and suspense with supernatural undertones. On the side, she dabbles in non-fiction articles and e-zine editing. J.A. owes many thanks Jerry Jenkins and the Christian Writer’s Guild for their support and education.

Find J.A. online: website, Facebook,Twitter

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Our Little Secrets by Merry Farmer

November 11, 2014

Our Little Secrets by Merry Farmer was a fun book to read. If you have been here for awhile you know that I have done tons of reviews for historical fiction lately and I have to say that this one stood out from the crowd for me. Books can tend to blend together when you read as many as I do so to find one book that stands out from the coward it a good thing for me. To be honest I am not sure what it is about this book that I loved so much but I can’t find any one thing that I loved more than the rest. From the first chapter right on through the end I had to keep reading because I had to know what happens with the characters. If you love historical fiction than I would for sure check this one out because I think this is one that shouldn’t be missed.

About The Book

Genre classification:†Western Historical Romance
Michael West swore he would never fall in love again. So when the beautiful and wily Charlotte steps off the train looking for a new life he jumps at the business opportunity she presents. Engaged forty-five minutes after meeting, married the next day, Michael thinks he’s found everything a respectable man should have. Except that Michael is as far from respectable as they come. They agreed not to ask questions about each other’s pasts, but when the past seeps into their present Michael suspects his passionate new wife is not who she says she is. Too bad he’s already fallen in love with her.

Charlotte Baldwin has a secret. She fled Philadelphia to escape the sins of her past but someone is following her. What better way to hide than by marrying Michael West, Cold Springs, Montana’s enigmatic shopkeeper? A new name, a new life, and a passionate husband is exactly what she needs to leave her sins behind. But when it comes to keeping secrets Charlotte may have met her match in Michael. When a connection neither of them expects catches up with them, the shocking revelation means Charlotte may have run right into the arms of her enemy.

No sin stays a secret forever….

About The Author

Merry Farmer lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Butterfly and Torpedo. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized one day that she didn’t have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. She then went on to earn not one but two degrees in History so that she would always have something to write about. Today she walks along the cutting edge of Indie Publishing, writing Historical Romance and Sci-Fi. She is also passionate about blogging, knitting, and cricket and is working towards becoming an internationally certified cricket scorer.

Find Merry Farmer on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon Author Page.

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The Promise by Beth Wiseman

November 7, 2014

The Promise by Beth Wiseman was a good book but there were things I didn’t like and I will get into those at the end of this review. I love this authors writing and how she makes me understand why they make the choices that they do. That being said the only reason I had a problem with this book is because I thought Mallory was a total idiot. I liked this book but I found myself getting pissed at her because of some of her choices. If you can look past her choices than I know you will love this book. I did enjoy it I just didn’t enjoy her character and her actions is all.

About The Book

Mallory’s search for happiness leads her to a faraway place. There she finds heartache, betrayal—and danger.

Mallory Hammond is determined that no one will stand in the way of her goal—to save a life. She had that chance years ago, and she failed to take it, leaving her adrift and in search of the real meaning of her life. Finally, she meets a man online from a volatile corner of the world who offers her the chance to find that purpose. But she will have to leave everyone she loves behind in order to take it.

Tate Webber has loved Mallory for many years. He understands that Mallory will never be happy with him until her deepest heart’s desire is satisfied. When Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dreams, Tate begs her not to go but tries to give her the space she needs. Mallory embarks on her dangerous journey only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray that she will make it out alive.

Inspired by actual events, The Promise is a riveting love story that asks the question: how far will we go for love?

About The Author

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.3 million books, her novels have held spots on multiple Bestseller lists. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series–Seek Me With All Your Heart–was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth lives in Texas with her family.

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Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey

November 1, 2014

Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey was such a sweet story. I really enjoyed this story just like I have with others in this series. I did find parts of this book predictable but I think that just comes from reading so many books that it is hard to shock me. Even with that being said I really did enjoy this book. I loved the characters and the authors style of writing. I can’t wait to check out more books by this author because she writes amazingly.

About The Book

A grandmother’s last wish is to communicate God’s love through an Irish chain quilt.

Taryn McKenna believes she’s easy to forget. Abandoned by her parents and left behind when her high school sweetheart joined the army, she vows to never love again and throws herself into her love for the outdoors and the pursuit of a college degree—something no one else in her family has ever accomplished. Her goal, as a young teacher in the hills of North Carolina, is to leave a legacy in the lives of the middle-schoolers she teaches.

When Taryn’s grandmother Jemma, the only other person who ever held her close, has a heart attack that reveals a fatal medical condition, Taryn is corralled into helping Grandma work on a final project—an Irish chain quilt that tells the story of her history and the love Jemma knows is out there for Taryn. As the pieces of the quilt come together, Taryn begins to see her value. Can she learn to believe that God will never leave her behind even though others have?

About The Author

Jodie Bailey is Tarheel born and bred. After 15 years as a military spouse, she settled with her family back in North Carolina. She is the author of the military suspense novel Freefall and is a contributor to a devotional for military families, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home. While not working on her next novel, she teaches middle-schoolers to love writing as much as she does.

Connect with Jodie: website, Facebook, Twitter

About The Quilts of Love Series

Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. TheQuilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women’s fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

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ReliefMD by Trusted Health Products

October 30, 2014

FTC:I received a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.

I was contact by Trusted Health Products about reviewing one of their products all ReliefMD. As most of you know I have a bad back from working in a nursing home so I was interested to see if this one would work for my back pain.

I didn’t notice anything really different from this one than other products in regard to pain. After I received it and read the paper that came with it I saw one of things it could help with was sleep so I figured why the heck not and I left some out one night and did seem to help me fall asleep. I am going to keep trying having it rub on my back because it didn’t hurt and I enjoy the smell of it. Here are a few of the things they say you can use it for as well:

ReliefMD uses a revolutionary new approach to extract living nutrients from plants and nuts in order to deliver a 100% pure formula of botanical oils (from nature herself) to feed our body the nutrients it wants. ReliefMD is a massage in a bottle.

For the Discomfort of:

Sore Back / Neck
Swollen Joints
Sore Muscles
Muscle Strains
Sprains
Contusions
Bruises
Headache
Insomnia (also put 5 drops in a saucer beside your bed for aromatic benefits)
Sport Workouts (use before and after)
Mosquito Bites / Insect Bites / Stings (apply every few minutes for an hour)
Itching (apply as needed)
Cold Sores (apply every few minutes for an hour)
Burns, including sunburns (apply every few minutes for an hour)

I also think I want to try it for bug bites if and when I get any of those next summer. If you love all natural products than I would for sure check these guys out because I haven’t been sent a product that didn’t work. Also here are the ingredients in case you are wondering what is in it and what they do:

Almond – is used in skin care because it acts as an emollient (softening and soothing the skin), as a remedy for dry skin conditions, and as a relief for irritation, inflammation, and itching. These excellent emollient properties help the skin to balance its loss and absorption of moisture. Almond oil is also used in the medical field to help treat various forms of dermatitis.
Eucalyptus – is a powerful antiseptic, helps with nausea, suppresses coughs, and has strong germicidal and disinfectant properties. It stimulates the blood flow which directs more healthy oxygen to the brain and to the point of application.
Peppermint – has anti-microbial, fungicidal, and bactericidal actions. For medicinal uses, studies have shown peppermint oil to be effective as an analgesic, a tonic, an antispasmodic, and for daytime sleepiness. When combined with eucalyptus oil, the two are well-known for their positive efficacy to treat headaches and relieve pain.
Wintergreen (Methyl Salicylate) – is accepted by the U.S Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter external analgesic, primarily intended to relieve mild muscle and joint pain. Has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in topical pain relievers and products that produce a feeling of warmth.
Camphor – is antiseptic, analgesic and antispasmodic. Germany has approved Camphor for the treatment of rheumatism (externally). Camphor oil is applied to the skin to promote circulation and to relieve itching.
Spearmint – is generally used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, and in skin care, it is used as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
Olive – Olive oil has been used to nourish and moisturize skin.

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“For a limited time, the manufacturer is willing to offer my readers one FREE bottle. They said they would love to have our readers try outReliefMD and agreed to send one bottle FREE if our readers would pay a minimal shipping and handling charge. This is a one-time only offer! Click here to get your FREE bottle now!

The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

October 22, 2014

The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky was an okay book. I am not sure what it was about this book I had a hard time getting into the story. For some reason this book didn’t grab my attention. The author did a great job writing this story it just personally wasn’t the story for me. I think part of the problem is that I have read so many historical fiction books lately that I am just burnt out. That being said if you love historical fiction make sure you don’t miss this book because it was a sweet story just not the story for me.

About The Book

The Daughter of Highland Hall || Book 2, Edwardian Brides (Waterbrook Multnomah, October 2014)

What if the title, the estate, the life of security and splendor . . . what if it isn’t enough?

Strong-willed and beautiful, debutante Katherine Ramsey feels ready to take the London social season by storm, and she must. Her family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey, and her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut and find a proper husband. With her all-knowing and meddling aunt as a guide, Katherine is certain to attract suitors at the lavish gatherings, sparkling with Great Britain’s elite.

When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London’s East End. Here Katherine feels free from her predictable future, and even more so as a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of the life she always thought she wanted surface again. Torn between tradition and the stirrings in her heart for a different path, she must decide whom she can trust and love—and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served.

About The Author

Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has written contemporary and historical romances, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and they have five adult children and four grandchildren.

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