Saving Justice by Susan Crawford

I received a copy of this book from the author and Redbud Press for an honest review

Kinley is a school teacher was cares for all her students. There is one student she notices has been out of school and decides  to go to his home to check on him. Kinley finds herself in a dangerous neighborhood knocking on a door hoping to find out why Justice has not been in school. She does not get a nice welcome but is determined to help her student.

Nash is a man with a mission. He is in his old neighborhood fixing up his mom's house, so it can be sold. He seems like an angry man and when Kinley and his life intersect, sparks fly. They don't get off to a good start, when Nash accuses Justice of damaging his car. Kinley tries to reason with Nash, but it is not an easy task.

The characters are a mix of wanting to help , dealing with their past and trying to survive. Kinley won't give up on Justice and soon finds herself in danger. Nash is a strong determined man who still has a brother who he is trying to forgive and running from his past. Justice is caught in trying to help his family , but getting mixed up in something that could,eas to putting  his life in danger.

I enjoyed the story and how it moved along with great intrigue and a dash of romance . The tension between the characters was very well written.   I loved how the author showed when you step out in faith you can make a difference. Kinley is a person who loves God and wants her students to succeed. It's nice to read a story where people step out of their comfort zone , show compassion and overcome their circumstances to make life better for themselves and others. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A Tide Worth Turning by Beth Wiseman

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Addison is a hardworking woman who is still trying to overcome her grief of losing her dad. Her mother Lee Ann ,  recently suffered a stroke and needs to have someone look after her. Her mom is very independent and tries to convince Addison she doesn't need a "babysitter." They both are stubborn and neither one will budge an inch on the arrangement of Lee Ann's care. Without warning, Addison has arranged a care giver to come to the house and take care of her mom.

When she opens the door, there stands Logan, the new care giver. He is quite handsome and has an Australian accent that is very charming. His credentials are quite impressive and Lee Ann grudgingly gives in. It turns out that he is an excellent cook and is smitten with Addison. But what secrets could Logan be hiding? Is he to good to be true? Can he be trusted?

Addison soon discovers that an older man has been seen standing outside her mom's house and Logan volunteers to go and confront him . What does Logan find out about this mysterious gentleman? Why does he take walks along the beach and stop in front of Lee Ann's house? The book is a fast read, with many dimensions of secrets and a love story that is pure and heartfelt. This book gives readers a glimpse of how deep God's love is for us and the hope and grace He freely gives us. It shows us how forgiveness is a choice and how letting go of the past can set you free to love unconditionally.

The author has written a powerful story about redemption, forgiveness, grace  and hope . The characters in the story have obstacles to overcome and secrets that will have to be addressed. As Logan shares his faith with Addison , she has a hard time trusting God after the pain she has endured. I loved when Logsn says to Addison, "I think sometimes when we've been away from God for awhile, we're overwhelmed by the way He welcomes us back with pure love and forgiveness."

The Neptune Challenge by Polly Holyoke

I received a copy of this book from the author and Texas Bloggers for Texas Authors for an honest review. After being genetically altered to to survive in the ocean, Nere, her family and others have succeed in living in a place called Safety Harbor. Nere has a special bond with the Dolphins and are a vital part of her life. Everything seems to be going smooth in this new enchanted place she calls home. But tranquility is not to last for long. A kidnapping has occurred and Nere and her friends want to go rescue her friends. But there is one very big obstacle standing in their way. They must first pass an intense test called the SPA or Simulated Patrol Challenge. This is a mock trial to see how they handle a mission while under extreme pressure. Can they pass the test? Will the challenge be to much for them? As the team discovers why their friends were kidnapped, there is a sense of urgency to rescue them and stop someone from developing his own species that could be so powerful, they could take over the sea. Nere will encounter deadly sharks , and other creatures that will do anything to stop the team. The author has written a great undersea adventure that has you on the edge of your seat. The action is fast and leaves you wanting to read faster so you can continue the journey. I am amazed at the detail of the sea and the majestic creatures the author vividly describes. As I read the book, I felt myself in a tank watching fish swim by and then Nere and her team racing furiously past me as they take on their biggest threat to their world. As you come to the last few pages you begin to hope that there will be another book to continue the adventure you have been in. I don't usually read science fiction books and tend to overlook them when picking out books to read. My opinion of science fiction has now been changed thanks to Polly Holyoke. Thank you for introducing me to a genre that I now have a fondness for. I will be eagerly be awaiting another book from Polly.

THE NEPTUNE CHALLENGE

(sequel to the award-winning The Neptune Project)

by

Polly Holyoke

Genetically engineered to survive in the ocean, Nere and her friends are recovering from their long, treacherous journey to refuge and settling in at Safety Harbor. Despite its name, plenty of dangers still lurk just outside the colony's boundaries. When two among them are kidnapped, the remaining Neptune kids and their loyal dolphins must set out on a mission even more perilous than their first: infiltrate the kidnapper's fortress to save their friends and steal away a vital scientific secret that may save the world and its oceans. Fighting terrifying mutated creatures and teens, will the Neptune kids find a way to save their friends, themselves, and their underwater world? The stakes couldn't be higher in this thrilling sequel to the award-winning The Neptune Project.

Buy Links:

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Our Safety Harbor inlet is calm this morning. Small swells lift and lower me gently. Already the sky overhead is starting to gray, and clouds along the horizon blush pink and red. I can just make out the hardy spruce trees that cling to sharp outcroppings along the shore. The morning is quiet except for the rush of the nearby surf and the cry of a gull winging its way across the dawn sky.

Mariah, the leader of my family’s dolphin pod, finds me bobbing on the swells. Her little calf, Tisi, swims a tight circle around me while her daughter Sokya rushes up and flips water in my face.

“What worries you this morning?” Mariah asks as she cranes her head out of the water so she can see me better. At forty, Mariah is a grandmother several times over. Her teeth are a little worn, and her right side is scarred by an old shark bite, but her eyes are still bright with intelligence. Mariah is also amazing at reading my moods.

“There’re so many people at Safety Harbor,” I try to explain while I rub Sokya’s favorite spot, in front of her dorsal. The slick, rubbery feel of her skin is familiar and comforting. “And they all think Dad’s awesome and great at running things. I’m afraid they expect me to be just like him. That Janni girl wants me to join her Sea Rangers and help fight the Marine Guard and sharks, but I just want to work with dolphins.”

“You led us safely here through many fights and many miles of sea,” Mariah reminds me.

I wince, remembering the dangerous journey my friends and I had to make from the southern sector to reach my father’s colony. I hadn’t really led everyone here safely. Two of our group died on our trip to Safety Harbor, and we lost sweet Pani, one of Mariah’s granddaughters, all killed by Marine Guard divers sent by the Western Collective to capture or eliminate us.

“We never would have made it here without your help,” I say to Mariah.

“I helped the most,” Sokya declares. She leaps out of the water and lands on her side, dousing me with a wave.

Polly Holyoke is a former teacher and loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving and hiking in the desert. She lives in Plano, TX with three rescue dogs, two spoiled cats and a nice husband who tolerates piles of books all over their house. Her debut middle-grade novel,The Neptune Project, was published by Disney/Hyperion and was selected to the 2014-15 Texas Bluebonnet Master List along with state reading lists in Maryland and Ohio. It was also named one of Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of 2014. Her second children’s book, The Neptune Challenge, was released May, 2015.

website

Here you can find a treasure box of information about the series, the sea, and writing. There is information for school/group visits, use in the classroom (including curriculum guides), and links for extended research.

You can contact Polly, and her publicist via the “contact” page.

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I received a copy of this book from the author and Texas Bloggers for Texas Authors for an honest review. After being genetically altered to to survive in the ocean, Nere, her family and others have succeed in living in a place called Safety Harbor. Nere has a special bond with the Dolphins and are a vital part of her life. Everything seems to be going smooth in this new enchanted place she calls home. But tranquility is not to last for long. A kidnapping has occurred and Nere and her friends want to go rescue her friends. But there is one very big obstacle standing in their way. They must first pass an intense test called the SPA or Simulated Patrol Challenge. This is a mock trial to see how they handle a mission while under extreme pressure. Can they pass the test? Will the challenge be to much for them? As the team duscivers why their frurnds were kidnspoed, there is a sense of urgency to rescue them and stop someone from developing his own species that could be so powerful, they could take over the sea. Nere will encounter deadly sharks , and other creatures that will do anything to stop the team. The author has written a great undersea adventure that has you on the edge of your seat. The action is fast and leaves you wanting to read faster so you can continue the journey. I am amazed at the detail of the sea and the majestic creatures the author vividly describes. As I read the book, I felt myself in a tank watching fish swim by and then Nere and her team racing furiously past me as they take on their biggest threat to their world. As you come to the last few pages you begin to how that there will be another book to continue the adventure you have been in. I don't usually read science fiction books and tend to overlook them when picking out books to read. My opinion of science fiction has now been changed thanks to Polly Holyoke. Thank you for introducing me to a genre that I now have a fondness for. I will be eagerly be awaiting another book from Polly.