MURDER AT THE FLAMINGO by
RACHEL MCMILLAN

I really enjoyed this book and the time period it was set in. I don't know why but I felt like I was transported back to a time where clubs were fun and the music was swinging. The people were having a great time and happy times were on everyone's minds. Not everyone was happy though. Hamish suffers from anxiety and it comes up at the most uncomfortable moments in his life. When Hamish makes a decision to move to Boston, his life will never be the same. Does Hamish remember that you can't run away from your problems?

Reggie Van Buren is also on a quest to start a new life and Hamish and Reggie's lives will collide into a mystery that will take them to the seedy side of club life.  What better way to open a club than to have a murder take place on opening day. The place is in chaos and Hamish and Reggie team up to solve the case.

I love the pairing of these two characters and they reminded me of a duo set to conquer the world. I loved the description of Boston and thought the author did a great job of taking us back to the 1930s in style. Her writing intrigues me and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next in the book. There are a few slow parts that made me almost give up on the story. I'm happy to say that the book shined at the end and I look forward to the next in this new series.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.

GATE 76 by ANDREW DIAMOND

This is a fast pace book with twists that keep readers on the edge of their seat. It had the feel of a cross between Perry Mason and Dragnet. Freddy is a good character and I like his profession as a private detective. Can you imagine that your job is snooping into other peoples lives? People have secrets and Freddy is the person to uncover the truth. What would you do if you saw a woman being forced onto a flight? Freddy dismisses what he saw until he hears unsettling news. Remember the woman he saw being shoved on a plane? Looks like the plane didn't make its destination.

Why would a plane explode? Was there someone on there who did it or was someone on the plane the target? Freddy takes on the investigation into the plane's demise and is thrust into danger, secrets and corruption far beyond what Freddy expected. The story is intense and I loved the mystery that seemed to explode as the story continued. It's a good story that kept me glued to the book and I loved finding out more about the mysterious woman. If you like a good mystery with well developed characters, this book is for you.

I received a copy of this book from Good Reads Giveaway. The review is my own opinion.

THE AUSCHWITZ LULLABY by
MARIO ESCOBAR

I have a few suggestions before reading this book. You should find a quiet place, grab a blanket and something to drink. Get a pillow so you can use it to scream in. For me these were must necessities  to get through this harrowing account of history that was deplorable.

Helene Hannemann was a special woman who loved her family deeply. She was of Aryan German descent while her husband was a Gypsy. The story seems relatively tame until one day when everything seemed normal, walking up the stairs to their place were SS guards. Helene's worse fear was coming true. They were there to take her husband and children away. Oh how I cried as I pictured Helene clutching her children with all the strength she had. There was no way she was staying behind while her family were going to face an  unbearable future.

The author pulls no punches as the camp is described in deplorable condition. Men were separated from their family and the story focuses on Helene and her children. I have read many books about the concentration camps were Jews were sent. The book has now made me aware that other nationalities were targeted as well. The book is based on a true story and the author has done an admirable job of showing us what a mother will do to protect her children.

I was sickened when Dr. Mengele was introduced into the story. He was such a heartless and ruthless person. This is where my pillow came into play. I stopped reading half way through the book, and screamed into the pillow as long as I could. The senselessness of this man's actions made anger take me over. How can anyone send innocent women, men and children to death while smiling the whole time? The author goes into vivid details of the torture, mistreatment and inhumane actions taken on these people. I will never understand how a person can declare himself king of the world and dismiss human life with a wave of a hand.

This book is a hard one to read, but important because it gives us a glimpse inside a world where death was an odor that lingered in the air twenty-four hours a day. You could screams of agony from children who were starving and shivering from the cold. The women there with the children grew weary as one by one a life was taken . Helene was a mother who was willing to stand up for what was right, did not worry about her safety and never gave up hope.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.

THROUGH THE AUTUMN AIR by
KELLY IRVIN

This has been such an enjoyable story to read. Mary Katherine is a wonderful character who loves her ten children. She has been widowed for several years and some people in the community think its time for her to start courting again. I loved that the author made the main characters a bit older. It is refreshing to read about older people finding love again. I loved Mary Katherine's desire to open a bookstore. That has been a dream of mine for a long time.

Ezekiel is also widowed and owns the Purple Martin Cafe. He is always busy and has little time to socialize. Things may be changing because I feel that love is in the air. Will these two wonderful people find their way to each other?

My favorite character was Burke. He seemed down on his luck and was in need of a helping hand. I loved how Mary Katherine and Ezekiel take an interest in Burke. I'm not sure what I would do if I found a stranger in my home making a sandwich, but Mary Katherine is graceful as she offers him a place to sleep in the barn. Burke is a man of God but he has lost his way. What caused him to stray from God? 

The story is a delight to read and I loved the mystery that the author included in the story. Someone is going around to Amish homes and stealing things. They aren't items of real value but the thought of someone breaking in makes the town uncomfortable. I loved how the author used people in the story to help them overcome heartbreak and loneliness. Burke is not from around the community but their hospitality was very encouraging. It reminds us not to judge and remember that people are out there in the world hurting. I loved the story and how nice it was to see people working together. The book is well written and fills readers with hope, fellowship and a feeling of belonging.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.

 THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER by
JAN DREXLER

I am not very familiar with this author so I was excited to read this book. It has some promising things in the book which kept me reading. I did have a very hard time connecting with the story at times though. I did like that it was set during the Civil War. It was interesting to read about the Amish during this time. Most books about Amish are not set during the Civil War.

 Jonas is a good character with a few flaws. He is in love with the starry eyed Katie who only wants to be his wife. He on the other hand, has dreams of something else. Although Jonas shows signs of thinking of marriage I got the impression he was going to do something very seldom done by Amish.

He gets an opportunity to right a wrong by standing up for something he believes in. Slavery during this time was prevalent but Jonas does not condone it. I liked that he took his brother's place in the service. It was very courageous and I hoped being there would help him decide what he wanted to do with his life. During his service I enjoyed reading about what he went through and how war can cause emotional scars.

Poor Katie is distraught when Jonas leaves and I could feel her desperation. Was she worried about Jonas or that they hadn't married before he left? The best part of the story for me was the correspondence between Katie and Jonas as he is serving in the army.It reads like poetry and you can feel the depths of their passion for each other. Overall I have to say at the end of the book, I became a fan of the author. I love her writing style and ability to draw readers in with descriptions of Amish life and their commitment to each other.

I received a copy of this book from The Early Reviewers Program of Librarything. The review is my own opinion.

IN TOO DEEP BY LYNN H. BLACKBURN
This is one very intense book that kept me guessing throughout the story. The author delivers a story rich in a mystery that will put people in danger. I love how the author incorporates computer technology into the story with details that remind me of shows on television.

Adam and his team are called upon to investigate a crime that leaves the team grappling for answers. Who is the mysterious woman found and what message will be discovered on her? Adam will have to call upon his friend Sabrina to help his team out. Sabrina is very intelligent and highly trained in computers. I couldn't get enough of her expertise and how accurate the author is in Sabrina's knowledge.

Sabrina is getting closer to the truth and someone out there needs to stop her. When her life is in danger, Trent steps up his protection of her. This book is one of the author's best at keeping the story interesting and action packed. Just when I thought I had figured out a part of the story, the author throws a curve that I never expected. I loved the part when Sabrina visits the victims home.  I loved following her around the room as she took in every detail.

The story moves at a face pace and is filled with surprises and secrets from the past. Sabrina has not had the best relationship with her parents, especially her mother. As you delve further into the story it becomes clear that there is a much deeper secret to what the team and Sabrina is investigating. I was shocked at how sinister people can be and dysfunctional a family can become to gain power, control and cause destruction. Get ready for a powerful story that takes readers in to the depths of darkness.

I received a copy of this book from The Early Reviewers Program of Librarything. The review is my own opinion.

A WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTMAS by
ANNE GREENE


This is a nice and sweet story perfect for the holidays. I loved the time period that was in the 1950s. It was such a fun time as the world was changing everyday. The setting of Williamsburg is such an inviting cozy place to visit. Holly works at a Colonial Inn where Holly and her friend dress up in traditional Colonial attire. It sounded like such an intriguing place to eat and enjoy the history of a time long ago.

I liked Holly and her dedication to her twins. They sure are a handful at times which led to a little mischievous hi jinks from them. It was a hard time for Holly as Christmas was coming up soon. She has suffered a great loss and now has to raise her boys on her own. Her friend is a welcome character to the story and Shirley is always looking out for Holly and the twins.

The story is focused around Holly and someone from her past. Trent was the man she thought she would spend her life with. I guess something made him change his mind. How do you explain disappearing for a long time and suddenly reappear ? Holly is shocked to see Trent and still has a lot of questions for him. I loved the spiritual aspect of the story and how Trent tried to show Holly how much he has changed. The race is on to win Holly's heart when Trent has competition. I laughed at how the men pulled out all the stops to show Holly how much they cared. Who will win Holly's heart?  Don't miss this enchanting story of love, forgiveness and a time of celebration.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

About the Book

Book Title: This Courageous Journey

Author: Misty Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 9, 2018

As the fifth daughter in a family of nine children, Noelle Grant has spent her life working to be unique. Her love of stories helps define her goal—to be known around the country as one of the top news correspondents of her time. And what better way to uncover sensational stories than to travel through the mountain wilderness to visit the brother she hasn’t seen in years? The trip comes together perfectly as she plans to journey with family friends who will be settling in the same area. Her first inkling that things may not be as perfect as planned comes in the form of the mountain man they hire as their guide for the final leg of the journey.

When Daniel Abrams agrees to guide the small group of easterners along his usual journey northward to the Canadian mountains, his gut tells him he’s making the wrong decision. But if he doesn’t take them, who will? The man in charge refuses to consider turning back. As they start out, Daniel can’t help but notice the woman traveling under the care of her friends. Though she appears too genteel to last long in these mountains, she soon reveals a strength that draws him more than he should allow.

As the dangers of this wilderness become more than the group bargained for, Noelle is faced with the choice to delay her journey northward or proceed alone with the man she’s come to trust against all reason. She never imagines her decision will place her—and the man she loves—in a situation more hazardous than any story her imagination could conjure.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Guest Post from Misty

Ever Been Struck by Lightning?

One of the fun things about being a writer is the crazy topics I get to research. Without giving away too much of the story, part of my research for This Courageous Journey included uncovering what happens when lightning strikes a person. It turns out anything can happen!

Surprisingly, about nine out of ten people struck by lightning live to tell their story. Each person’s experience seems to be different—some are knocked unconscious, while others are horribly aware of everything happening. One person who was struck said it seemed as if time slowed to a crawl and a white haze surrounded him like a bubble, as excruciating pain shot through him.

People usually try to determine the path the lightning traveled through them, based on where burn marks appear on both skin and clothing, but sometimes that can be difficult if jewelry or coins were touching the body. Survivors might suffer a variety of short- and long-term effects, including—but not limited to—cardiac arrest, confusion, seizures, dizziness, muscle aches, deafness, headaches, memory deficits, distractibility, personality changes, and chronic pain, among others. That may sound like an awful list, but it does beat the alternative!

As I considered the possible effects of a lightning strike when I was writing This Courageous Journey, I was reminded once again how magnificent God’s creation is. Both the incredible power contained in one streak of lightning, and the beautiful inner workings of the bodies He created for us. As the Psalmist said, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!”

This has been a wonderful book to read. Noelle is a great character and she made the story so enjoyable to read. I  loved her strength, endurance and determination.  The author does an amazing job of describing the journey Noelle took . I love reading stories like this because it reminds me of my granddad. He traveled many miles in the 1800s to homestead his land. Like Noelle he had a treacherous journey that at times he said was discouraging. 

Daniel is a good man who has taken on the task of getting Noelle safely to her destination. He is very good at steering Noelle in the mountains and watching out for her. I loved reading about the wilderness and having to hunt for food. The author paints a perfect picture of what it was like to be out there in the snow, rain and rough terrain. I love the mountains, but I'm sure I couldn't have survived what Noelle and Daniel went through. 

The story does not lack adventure when Noelle finds herself having to step up and help Daniel out when an injury occurs. Her courage was incredible and I loved how she never gave up.  Her love for God was evident and she relied on Him to keep her going. She  started her journey as a young woman who was unsure of herself to a confidant woman who continued with her journey, even though obstacles tried to stop her. I would love to have the courage she had. The story showed me how God is always there and faith will sustain you.

Daniel and Noelle each go through trials and I admired how they leaned on each other, but also turned to God. There is romance in the book but it certainly isn't the focus of the story. If you are looking for a story about determination, courageous and trust, this is the perfect book to read. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 11

Among the Reads, October 11

Singing Librarian Books, October 11

The Power of Words, October 12

Multifarious, October 12

Maureen’s Musings, October 12

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 13

Real World Bible Study, October 13

Splashes of Joy, October 14

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Spotlight)

Joy of Reading, October 15

Mary Hake, October 15

Janices book reviews, October 15

Kat’s Corner Books, October 16

Livin Lit, October 16

KarenSueHadley, October 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool aacademy, October 17

Remembrancy, October 18

Carpe Diem, October 18

Pause for Tales, October 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 19

Bigreadersite, October 19

A Baker’s Perspective, October 20

Blossoms and Blessings, October 20

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, October 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 21

Wishful Endings, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest post Mindy Houng)

Inspiration Clothesline, October 23

proud to be an autism mom, October 23

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d4cf/this-courageous-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book Title: Shadows’ Sorrow

Author: Galadriel Pittman

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: May 18, 2018

“I will become these shadows’ sorrow. I swear.”

A disillusioned guardian, a four-footed philosopher, an honorable thief, Trouble, and an unexpected inheritance against the end of the world? Bring it on.

An ancient evil has recently reawakened. Raven, a young Deinya warrior disillusioned with his people, has accepted a quest from his one-time master for old time’s sake. But when he catches a thief, Tara, his life hurls down an unforeseen path. With the help of others they meet along the way, they race to find the secret to the Rakon’s downfall before the nations again succumb to darkness.

About the Author

I am Galadriel Pittman, a mother of two, wife to a supportive amazing husband, daughter, sister, friend, worship singer, school cafe manager…the list goes on. I am blessed with many roles to fill. And now, finally, author. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents reading to me–Chronicles of Narnia, Xanth series, Lord of the Rings…but they never read them fast enough for my liking. So, I learned to read. As a voracious reader from the age of three, my goal as a child was to read every book in the world! Sadly, reality dictated that there were more books than what my town library held, and new ones entered all the time! Perhaps taking a sideways step in that dream to become one who created those new entries is not surprising. As a child I enjoyed telling my younger siblings stories, and as a teen, I created my world with a friend. Over the years, I added to that tale. Recently, I decided I wanted to find out what happens next— so here we go!

For more information and updates on books, go to galadrielpittman.com or find me on Facebook at Galadriel Pittman

Guest Post from Galadriel

Maps. I’ve always loved them. Like Bilbo Baggins, I would pour over them, plotting where I had been, where I wanted to go. I spent hours doodling them. There’s something calming about making squiggly lines. So when it came to creating a world, the map had to be one of the first features for me to make.

Fast forward a couple of decades to when I decided to get serious about finishing my story. I pulled out my old hand drawn in pencil map and thought, “This needs an upgrade.” Enter my amazing husband. He took my original map and drew it on the computer, adding wonderful details like trees and mountains. The final touch was the nod of homage to C.S. Lewis: The known world of Morovia prepared for his majesty by the adventurers Clark, Shawn, and Lewis.

And now I offer this portal to my world as part of the giveaway! An 11”x17” color copy of the map inspired the theme for the gift basket giveaway.

The first thing I noticed about the book was the main character's name. I love the name Raven because it is mysterious but powerful. I knew I was in for an adventure like none I have ever read as I began the story. As Raven travels into the Nygren forest he is immediately met with  bandits. I love a book that starts off with action because it piques my interest to find out what happens. I must mention Raven's stallion. Taikon is strong, beautiful and a warrior of his own kind, He is beside Raven at all times and I was thrilled to read how protective they are to each other.

Tara is a wonderful addition to the story. I think she compliments Raven quite well. They may bicker back and forth, but they are good for each other. The author has a great way of describing the places Raven and Tara stayed at. I could picture the people staring as they came into the town. What really caught their eyes was Taikon. What a magnificent animal he is. Raven has been given a task to complete and along the way will run into trouble. Will he be able to overcome the obstacles and conquer his quest? Can Tara help him or will she slow him down?

The journey for Raven becomes very interesting as he meets a few more characters that enhance the story. I did not like the princess at all. She was bossy, mean at times and kind of thought she was better than everyone else. Maybe she will change as she travels with Raven and Tara. The story has plenty of adventure and mystery that keeps readers intrigued. I don't want to give away a lot about the story but you will find unusual characters and some that have power beyond our imagination. At times  Raven is overwhelmed. He has a group he is responsible for, a task he has to achieve and maybe dealing with feelings for a certain someone. Tara becomes more important as her abilities are discovered. I really like when this inscription was found , " The light of evil redeemed to good must overcome the trials to become the Light of Hope. So, seek out the first trial and unlock the blessing in our heart of hearts." 

The story is well written and I loved the theme about light overcoming darkness. Like the inscription says, we go through trials to find our blessings. Will Raven and Tara find what they are looking for? The ending is good, but I feel there is more to the story and I look forward to the next book. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20

Blogging With Carol, October 21

Midnight Bookaholic, October 22

Two Points of Interest, October 22

Texas Book-aholic, October 23

Margaret Kazmierczak, October 24

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 25

Multifarious, October 26

proud to be an autism mom, October 27

Bigreadersite, October 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28

Janices book reviews, October 29

Carpe Diem, October 30

A Baker’s Perspective, October 31

A Reader’s Brain, November 1

Pause for Tales, November 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Galadriel is giving away a a themed basket that includes a color copy of my world’s map, a journal, a day planner, a pen, a pen carrier, a mug and some tea packets!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d435/shadows-sorrow-celebration-tour-giveaway