The Flame and the Arrow by Emigh Cannaday ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis:

Aspiring rock star Annika Brisby thinks she knows where her life is going until she steps through a broken portal that leaves her stranded in a realm of fairies, vampires, and other mythical beings. Unable to return until it's repaired, she's rescued by wood nymphs who believe her sudden arrival is no accident. After being taken in by a prominent family of elves, Annika finds herself struggling to resist the seductive spell of their youngest son,Talvi. Equal parts arrogant and alluring, the notorious heartbreaker seems like the perfect distraction for her homesickness. Her new friends warn her that she'll probably regret ever laying eyes on him, and what begins as a casual fling quickly burns too hot to handle. By the time Annika learns the consequences of their forbidden trysts, Talvi's already under her skin and dangerously close to her heart. But on the journey home she discovers that there's a mountain of secrets that he's not telling her, and Annika can't help wondering who's really in danger.

Book Review:

Annika Brisby is free-spirited soul with a passion for cooking and making music. Although her path in life is still to be determined, she knows her road doesn’t involve minivans driven by soccer moms or anything “traditional or borring.” Annika is desperately seeking her place in the world, and an impromptu trip to Bulgaria may be the very key to discovering - may be there isn’t a place on earth for her.

After accidentally falling through a closing portal, Annika finds herself in another mythical realm with wood nymphs, elves, unicorns and every other creature only known in fairytales. But, this is no children’s book, and these elves are not short, cookie-baking elves. This romantic story is about self-discovery, and accepting who you are.

This author has an incredible imagination, and a talent for character building. There are a few minor areas for improvement in regards to writing. However, this was the author’s first novel, and I haven’t had the pleasure to read most recent works. And, trust me - I will. And, if escaping into a magical world with a witty, female human that has absolutely no filter, this is your book. I’m going give this one a 3.5 stars with a possible upgrade after devouring the rest of the series.

Purchase a copy on Amazon, or learn more about author Emigh Cannaday.

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Andrea'. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~ 

Read More

Liberty and Means by Kristin Dow - Book Review

Book Description:

Someone is tracking Shannon Clark, altering the course of her life in a most unexpected, thrilling way. But as the familiar is gradually stripped away, she starts to feel disconnected and doesn’t know who to trust. Family, friends, dating, work...nothing is the same and everything is complicated. Will Shannon learn to embrace her new world filled with golden opportunity or get lost amongst its trappings? She now has the chance to follow her dreams. Trouble is, she doesn’t know what they are.

Where to Purchase:

Amazon:
USA: USA Link
Australia: Australia Link
Brazil: Brazil Link
Canada: Canada Link

France: France Link
Germany: Germany Link
India: India Link

Italy: Italy Link
Japan: Japan Link
Mexico: Mexico Link
Netherlands Link: Netherlands Link
Spain: Spain Link
UK: UK Link

Connect with the Author:
Twitter: Twitter Link
Facebook: Facebook Link
Author Website: Author Website

Author Bio:

While living out her early twenties in L.A., Kristin Dow started writing screenplays. Then she did the last thing an aspiring screenwriter should do. She left Hollywood. Fiction writing stuck with her, however, and she has completed two novels to date: UNBRIDLED HOLIDAY and LIBERTY & MEANS. Kristin now lives in the Denver area where she is working on her next book. (If you want to find out more information about the author, see her author website.)

Book Review by Carmen:
This was an enjoyable book for me, even though there were unpleasant scenes in it. There's quite a bit of description when Shannon Clark and Chris start travelling; I also had a feeling I knew who Travis Clark was dating, and I turned out to be right. I like how Shannon takes charge of her life. I gave this book a 5 star rating, and got a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

*Please be sure to support the author by buying their books and connecting with them on social media. 

Read More

The Five Truths About Work-Life Balance by Jae Ellard ~ Book Review Tour & Giveaway (US)!

Book Description: 

Work-life balance has nothing to do with work. Really. It also doesn't matter what words you use to describe it. The fact is, most people share a similar desire to create easy joy and meaningful engagement across the roles, relationships and responsibilities that make up life.

Our current habits and perceptions often get us stuck and prevent us from creating the life we desire. Get unstuck, learn the truths about work-life balance.

​Buy the book:  Amazon

Author's Bio:

After years in senior communication roles crafting content for executives, Jae collapsed from stress-related adrenal fatigue. This life-altering experience propelled her to research human behavior, neuroscience, mindfulness, and organizational relationship systems.

In 2008, Jae founded Simple Intentions and developed the Mindful Life™ Program, which includes four group coaching workshops to generate reflection, awareness and action at the organizational and individual levels. Jae has taught the skill of awareness to thousands of employees at multinational corporations in more than 50 countries including China, Russia, India, Japan, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway, and the United States.

Jae contributes to the Awareness at Work column for Mindful Magazine, the Healthy Living section on Huffington Post as well as the Simple Intentions blog. Jae has a master’s degree in Communication Management from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She holds certificates in co-active coaching and organizational relationship systems coaching and is the author of seven books.

Connect with the author:   Website   Twitter   Facebook

Review: 

This is a perfect little self-help/personal development book to help us find balance in our Work-Life. I know a lot of people struggle with this, I have at one point also. This is a quick read that is very inspiring. It puts so many truths into perspective and helps us find that balance we all should have in our lives. I have it sitting on my bedside table to read over again when I find I have lost my balance and need some encouragement. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.

Win 1 of 10 copies of The Five Truths about Work-Life Balance

along with a companion notebook (USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
~*Disclaimer: I received the above book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.*~

Read More

Kaitlin's Tale by Christine Amsden ~ Book Review

Kaitlin Mayer is on the run from the father of her baby – a vampire who wants her to join him in deadly eternity. Terrified for her young son, she seeks sanctuary with the Hunters Guild. Yet they have their own plans for her son, and her hopes of safety are soon shattered.

When she runs into Matthew Blair, an old nemesis with an agenda of his own, she dares to hope for a new escape. But Matthew is a telepath, and Kaitlin's past is full of dark secrets she never intended to reveal.

*Companion to the Cassie Scot Series*

About the author:

Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, which scars the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. In addition to being a writer, she's a freelance editor, mom, and foster mom.

You can follow Christine on her following links;

• Website
• Newsletter
• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Google+

You can purchase Kaitlin's Tale at one of the following links;

My Review:

Amazing! As a fan of the Cassie Scot series and Madison's Song, i didn't expect much less. Dishes were forgotten, laundry left unfolded, toys left alone at night, all so i could not miss a moment of another one of Christine's adventure packed stories. Christine is a natural and talented storyteller and it's hard not to fall in love with her characters. 

As a past fan, I never thought I would be excited to follow Matthew (due to his past transgressions), but I was instantly won over. I began rooting for his character as it developed into a man with passion of something we all can relate to; true love.

Kaitlin only wants what every mother wants. Safety and security, and when she realizes the hunters guild isn't the best place for her extraordinarily powerful 18month old she soon puts her trust in the last man she thought she could rely on; Matthew.

Christine, I have so many questions but don't want to give spoilers so please just tell me there will be more!!

5 bright stars from me, another job very well done Christine!

*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

Read More

TANGLED - by Phyllis H. Moore

A southern family saga emerges as Nettie begins a quest to discover who she is. Twenty-one years old and Annette Roberta Randall is searching, looking for herself. The perception and sensitivity she relied on to bolster her through an isolated childhood have disappeared and with them her sense of self. Nettie also seeks the truth, information about her dysfunctional family and the mysteries that whisper to her in their eccentric family home. She receives glimpses in the alcohol induced monologues of her mother, Delores Cecelia, “DeCe”. However, DeCe lost herself long before Nettie was born, and she buried her secrets so deep, even the spirits haunting her cannot unlock her soul. Pup, Nettie’s peculiar uncle, may have witnessed the most recent chaos, but he cannot communicate what he knows for sure. Nettie’s struggles are apparent to her extended family and neighbors, but only she can resolve to overcome the pull of the notorius Kirkland family and Berclaire mansion. The secrets fester and DeCe clings to them like the neglected ivy tendrils on the shadowed side of the mansion. Slowly, the truth will unfold, but will it be enough to free Nettie, or the undoing of her mother, DeCe? 

Nettie believed it was possible her grandfather, Old Nate, was responsible for the hauntings at the Berclaire mansion, but the more she learns of her great grandmother, Roberta, she decides he might have been a victim, also. DeCe had been taking pills and drinking alcohol from before the time she was a teenager, attempting to numb herself to her dysfunctional family. Nettie could only guess at a history during her drunken orations about DeCe's childhood. Nettie knows she is the seventh child born to DeCe, the others gone before Nettie was born. Some would filter back into her life, but would they help her learn more about her identity, or bring more pain?

• File Size: 929 KB
• Print Length: 332 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: DelCorazone; 1 edition (March 8, 2016)

www.amazon.com
www.phyllishmoore.com


Phyllis H. Moore is the author of the Sabine Trilogy, Sabine, Book One, Josephine's Journal's Book Two, and Secrets of Dunn House, Book Three. She also has written Tangled, A Yarn and Opal's Story, A Novel. All of these novels are written in the Southern Gothic style. Phyllis calls them Texas Gothic. They are set in her home state, Texas.

She is fond of reading authors like Fannie Flagg, Rebecca Wells and Kathryn Stockett, stories of dysfunctional families with a touch of humor. She is also fond of the non-fiction of Rick Bragg and Jeanette Walls.

Phyllis is a self-published author, retired social worker, avid gardener and loves to travel. She lives on a small ranch in South Texas with her husband and their adopted terrier, Ollie Bubba. She has operated a haunted bed and breakfast and has stories to tell.



TANGLED.  DeCe’s secrets are unimaginable! Unthinkable!    She has debilitating depression and haunting dreams.  No motivation and is  withdrawing from everything.  Her childhood was dysfunctional, and now her life is erratic.  The only way of survival is to put mechanisms in place deflecting all her hurt and pain.  What goes around eventually comes back around and the generations of this family have continuously repeated bad habits.  DeCe’s daughter Nettie, feels an obligation to care for her mother and family.  Yet, all she really wants is find answers to DeCe’s horrible past. Nettie is not prepared for all the hurt and pain her mother is carrying.  She is trying desperately to develop a connection with her mother before her unstable acts became destructive.  Nettie refuses to fall into the dysfunctional patterns of her of her families past.  She becomes hopeful about college and moving out of the house, but the hidden secrets her mother holds keeps is holding her back.  We find Nettie in a circumstance many young people encounter when caring for a family member or choosing a future.  TANGLED includes several different topics of society and personal choices. The characters each have a deep connection and purpose in DeCe’s life. The end is not the really the end!  These are the only truths spoken!  DeCe is left considering rehabilitation for the first time.  Nettie is withholds critical information about her family and it’s past.  Should she squeal, and upset the town?  Who knows!  The plot continues throughout the storyline to add shocking events.  Things you would never imagine.  Then it spins again.  We are left feeling compassion for DeCe, and her decisions.  I joyfully accepted this book in exchange for an honest review.  Rating it 4 out of 5 stars.  It would be interesting to have a possible sequel, unveiling the hidden secrets.  Kris

Read More

Remove before Flight by Colleen Young ~ Book Review

Book description:

In the first book of the Taking Flight trilogy, we were along for the ride as college freshman Cory Sorrano started her first year of flight school and found herself in the center of a steamy love triangle between her classmate Samson Wallis and flight instructor Cole Turner. Book One concluded with Cory making a surprising choice – but will she stick to it?

Book Two follows Cory as she begins her summer internship with a charter airline in Washington, D.C. As much as she’s enjoying her work, how will she deal with the office bully or her flirtatious mentor? Meanwhile, Samson is continuing his summer studies at Southern Gulf University. Will he be able to stay focused even as an old love interest begs for his help? And lastly we have Cole, who has graduated and is starting his journey as a professional pilot. He’s struggling to let go of his feelings for Cory and he may have found just the cure for his heartbreak in the form of a sexy Latina pilot named Ana.

This one’s a fast-paced read and will conclude with the long awaited and mysterious “Event.” Buckle your seat belts and get ready for the ride!

Purchase a copy on Amazon

About the Author:

Colleen graduated from college with a degree in Professional Aviation, giving her an edge and interesting background for her Taking Flight Trilogy. She worked for a few years but decided to nanny her kids when the time was right. Her entire life, she's had a love of writing but didn't realize how strong the urge was until late 2014, when she finally decided to put her ideas down on paper and a whole new world opened up before her eyes.

Connect: Website

Review:

*** 3 stars

3.5 stars for me but if you are a fan of love triangles, you will looooooove Remove Before Flight. Book Two in the Trilogy focuses on both Cole and Samson again, and all the passion, jealousy, lies, and betrayal that come along with Cory’s feelings for both of them.

Cory left for a summer internship with Monumental in DC, Samson is staying on campus and Cole is staying with Cory’s parents while he becomes a professional pilot working for a commercial line.

The three of them so far apart from each other, you’d think there could not be any problems, but you would be wrong. Even though Cory is with someone now and she has the PERFECT boyfriend, the other guy is always on the outskirts of her thoughts, forever present in the back of her mind. His words that he will always love her, and they could have been good together.. she just can’t let go. It’s kind of fascinating, sweet and ugly at the same time to watch what insecurities and jealousy can do to a perfect relationship.

I can definitely recommend this book to readers who like to read something hot and steamy. There was a lot of sizzling action in many a place and where Cory still held the V-card firmly in the previous novel, she has turned into a real minx in the sequel. Unfortunately, I’m not really a big fan of a lot of sex in books, unless there is a really good reason to do so or it forms the conclusion of the perfect build-up. I like it to be the cherry on top but I’m really more of a fan for that sweet seductive tension between two characters. Here, it didn’t pull my strings but it’s probably just me. If you're a fan of On Dublin Street (Samantha Young), or Fifty Shades, this is probably more your kind of book. What I did like were the sweet letters Cory exchanged with Cole and how they got to know each other better. Yes I secretly heart Cole. There is only this real tension for me on the one side so I kind of kept looking forward to reading these parts and rooting for them. I didn’t anticipate though how it would all come crashing down. I can only tell you that Remove Before Flight ends with an amazing cliffhanger.

*I received a free copy of this book from the author and GenuineJenn in exchange for my honest opinion*

Read More