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Saturday, February 29, 2020

The Vault Between Spaces

About the Book

Book:  The Vault Between Spaces
Author: Chawna Schroeder
Genre: Young adult Christian Fantasy
Release Date: February 11, 2020
Schroeder - The Vault Between SpacesEvery legend must start somewhere…
No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere.
Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell.
But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself.

Click here to get your copy.

MY REVIEW
The author has written a story that captures a true example of using subtle words or symbols  that bring spiritual wisdom and insight. I was captivated by the author’s imagination and how I felt like I was floating just above watching scenes unfold. Oriel is easy to be drawn to with light that surrounds her and hope for a future where freedom is found. 
It was easy to see that the story would journey into darkness with Oriel proving that she can break free of a prison camp. What I loved was how Oriel represented a strong and determined mind who wanted to save the world from evil. I did think this sentence was intriguing; “You do not stop being what Creator designed you to be because you no longer do what He created you to do.”  God designed each of us for a purpose and even though we may go another direction we are still what He created us to be.  He may have designed you to be a teacher. If you stop teaching, you are still a teacher. I loved how the author makes readers see past the story and find spiritual truths that remind us of what our purpose is. 
The Vault where Oriel seeks to go reminds me of The Garden  of Eden. The Vault is described as “The Vault contains the Water of Life , The Tree of the Everlasting , The Fruit of Knowledge.” It is a place where wisdom and a new beginning lays. I did like the story but there were times I didn’t quite understand what was going on. The fault is mine since I am still learning about the genre of speculative or fantasy Christian books. The author does have a gift of taking readers on a journey to another world and showing how good vs evil fight for what they believe in. I think the most profound words spoken by Oriel is, “ Because I serve the Lord of truth, not a master of deception.” We as Christians follow the truth and fight against the enemy who deceives. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Chawna SchroederChawna Schroeder is Minnesotan writer who enjoys snow, chai tea, and playing “what if?”—even if that game occasionally gets her into trouble. She also loves stretching both her imagination and her faith to their limits and helping others to do the same. As a result, her writing explores the vastness of God, His multifaceted nature, and the potential of a life lived with Him. This means both learning the boundaries He created for our protection as well as demolishing the human boxes that restrict both God and people.
When she isn’t reading or writing, a variety of other activities fill her “free” time: practicing piano for church, preparing Sunday school lessons, studying the biblical languages, or working on one of her handwork projects while
enjoying a movie.
Chawna’s other books include Beast, a coming-of-age fairytale for teens and adults, and the Bearing the Sword curriculum, which teaches the basics of discernment to teens through in-depth Bible study and media analysis. You
can connect with Chawna through her website (www.chawnaschroeder.com), blog (www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChawnaSchroederAuthor/).

More from Chawna

Beyond Reality
Life can seem so drab and dreary, clouds of monotony graying the days and the chill of trouble piercing the night. It is not the world we would choose to live in, yet it is the world we often find ourselves trapped within, imprisoned by circumstances beyond our control.
Perhaps that is why myths and fairy tales carry such strong appeal. They promise what we see is not all there is. They infuse the world with possibility. They dare us to believe that now isn’t forever. They offer us hope.
Yet many myths and fairy tales are so far removed from our normal world, we end up dismissing them as irrelevant, the stuff of children and starry-eyed idealists. For no sensible person would believe in seven-headed dragons or wing-footed messengers, in fairy godmothers and cursed spinning wheels. Yet the magnetism of such stories remains.
Which is where The Vault Between Spaces comes in. We begin with a recognizable world. Chain-link fences and cars, umbrellas and guns—these are things we know. More than that, the world feels familiar: drab, monotonous, inescapable, hopeless.
Then one lone girl steps into that world—our world—and changes everything, challenging us to question all that we thought we knew. Could there be more truth to those childhood tales than we ever dared believe?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 29
Rebecca Tews, March 3
Emily Yager, March 8
Pause for Tales, March 12
Mia Reads, March 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away a themed basket including autographed copy of the book, $10 iTunes gift card (since music plays a dominate role in the book), embroidered bookmark, and embroidered denim book bag!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Friday, February 28, 2020

WELCOME TO THE TOUR OF ISHMAEL COVENANT by TERRY BRENNAN



His marriage in tatters and his career ruined by lies, Diplomatic Security Service agent Brian Mullaney is at the end of his rope. Banished to Israel as punishment by his agency, he's assigned to guard a US ambassador and an insignificant box. Little does he know that this new job will propel him straight into a crisis of global proportions.

Inside the box is a messianic prophecy about the fate of the world. And a dark enemy known as The Turk and the forces of evil at his command are determined to destroy the box, the prophecy, and the Middle East as we know it. When Ambassador Cleveland gets in the way, his life and his daughter's life are threatened--and Mullaney must act fast.

Now agents of three ancient empires have launched covert operations to secure nuclear weapons, in direct defiance of the startling peace treaty Israel and its Arab neighbors have signed. And a traitor in the US State Department is leaking critical information to a foreign power. It's up to Mullaney--still struggling with his own broken future--to protect the embassy staff, thwart the clandestine conspiracies, and unmask a traitor--before the desert is turned into a radioactive wasteland.

Fans of Joel C. Rosenberg, Steven James, and Ted Dekker will relish the deadly whirlpool of international intrigue and end-times prophecy in Ishmael Covenant--and will eagerly await the rest of this new trilogy.

Read an excerpt from Kregel by clicking here!

MY REVIEW

This book has been an exciting adventure. The author is well versed in military lingo which explodes on the pages. I loved reading about the different countries and what their history was. It was intriguing to learn about prophecies from the Bible. The story is centered around a very special box that holds a treasure many would kill for. I liked the intensity of the story as danger  slipped around every corner. I loved how fast the action was and the characters who were expertly written.
Brian Mullaney has been assigned a very important duty which will find him face to face with death. He is a very intelligent man who must bring a very precious box safely to a Rabbi. I desperately wanted to know what was in the box and wished I was there helping to guard it. The author  writes the story so realistically I felt like I was actually there as the bullets flew and bombs exploded.

It is a great story that brings the Middle East into the middle of a battle where peace is wanted by some. There is a part in the story where Brian turns to God for help. He feels inadequate to do the job and knows he needs to find his faith again.It is worth mentioning how a man in the midst of danger stops to pray and seeks God's wisdom in his time of need. There are several keys characters in the book that Brian will come in contact with. He will have to decide who he can trust and who is the enemy. Will the box be delivered safely? It is a wonderful end of time story that left me wanting more. I am happy to say that there will be more books coming soon in this exciting series. I am anxious to find out what happens next.

I received a copy of this book from Read with Audra blogger program. The review is my own opinion.






 Terry Brennan is the award-winning author of The Sacred Cipher, The Brotherhood Conspiracy, and The Aleppo Code, the three books in The Jerusalem Prophecies series. His latest release, Ishmael Covenant is the first in his new series, Empires of Armageddon. A Pulitzer Prize is one of the many awards Brennan accumulated during his 22-year newspaper career. The Pottstown (PA)Mercury won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for a two-year series published while he led the team as the newspaper’s Editor. Starting out as a sportswriter in Philadelphia, Brennan became an editor and publisher for newspapers in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York and later moved to the corporate staff of Ingersoll Publications (400 newspapers in the U.S., Ireland and England) as Executive Editor of all U.S. newspaper titles. In 1996, Brennan transitioned into the nonprofit sector, spending 12 years as VP Operations for The Bowery Mission and six years as Chief Administrative Officer for Care for the Homeless,  both in New York City. Terry and his wife, Andrea, now live in Danbury, CT.

More on Brennan can be found at www.terrybrennanauthor.com. He is also on Facebook (Terry Brennan)and Twitter (@terrbrennan1).




GIVEAWAY
TOUR CALENDAR


ColleenRichman.com2/18/2020
Hallie Reads2/18/2020
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader2/19/2020
The Forgiven Former Feminist2/19/2020
Footprints in the Butter2/19/2020
My Daily Trek2/19/2020
Bigreadersite2/20/2020
A Christian Writer's World2/20/2020
A Mom's Quest to Teach2/20/2020
Through the Fire blogs2/20/2020
I am believing God2/21/2020
Batya's Bits2/21/2020
Mypreciousbitsandmusings2/21/2020
Veronica's 'Views2/22/2020
A Nest in the Rocks2/24/2020
Window To My World2/24/2020
Books and such2/24/2020
Harvest Lane Cottage2/25/2020
Inklings and Notions2/25/2020
She Lives to Read2/25/2020
Becky J Miller2/25/2020
Life on Chickadee Lane2/25/2020
Reaching for Jesus2/26/2020
Chat With Vera2/26/2020
Aryn the Libraryan2/26/2020
Day to Day Life2/26/2020
Book Babble2/27/2020
Thoughts of a Sojourner2/27/2020
Genesis 50202/27/2020
Pause for Tales2/27/2020
Theallpurposewoman2/27/2020
Texas Book-aholic2/28/2020
seeking with all yur heart2/28/2020
Edits and Reviews by Leslie2/29/2020
Maureen's Musings3/2/2020
Woven by Words3/2/2020
Deb's Book Review3/2/2020
Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues and Chocolate3/3/2020
Red Headed Book Lady3/3/2020
Milk & honey meadows3/3/2020
Peaceful Pastime3/3/2020
Perspective by Peter3/3/2020
Positive Grace3/3/2020
sunny island breezes3/3/2020
Create With Joy3/3/2020
Journey with Words
Tales from the Book Dragon







Journey to Twilight FB Banner

About the Book

Book:  Journey to Twilight
Author: Charmayne Hafen
Genre: Action Adventure Christian Fantasy for intermediate grade students
Release Date: November 1, 2019
Journey to Twlight pp (mid rez)Sam and Lorna’s bike challenge becomes far more than a neighborhood race in this action-adventure fantasy for middle-schoolersRiding over a cairn at sunset, Lorna surfaces in Twilight, where she is given three impossible tasks to complete before her heart’s desire is granted.

Story Line: Avid fifth-grade mountain biker, Lorna Thompson, moves to Arizona  after her parents’ divorce. Unpacking boxes, Lorna begins seeking a way to fit into the neighborhood crowd when a girl named Ally knocks on her front door.

Splashing in the pool at Ally’s house, Lorna learns about the Crestwood Challenge, a bike race created by a scar-faced neighborhood legend, Samuel Black. She hears herself boasting that she can take on Sam Black in his own race and win. Lorna’s words quickly come back to bite her.

Although none of the kids will root for the new girl, an ancient cairn opens to the Land of Twilight giving Lorna an opportunity to win anything her heart desires.

Illustrations are by award-winning artist, Brianna Osaseri.

Thematic: Fantasy ages 9-12; Female protagonist dealing with parents’ divorce finds confidence and friendship in conflict and opportunity; Celtic; Jamaican; Multi-racial; Action-Adventure; coming of age fantasy for pre-teens with some paranormal, mystical places and events.

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

The story is interesting and a has a few   topics that relevant to tweens. I have to say first off, Jenny represents every person who was a  bully that  most of us have faced in our lives. Trying to fit in at school is hard, but when you feel odd or different it makes being there unbearable. I can understand why Lorna was drawn to Jenny. Lorna has a difficult family life and wants to fit in somewhere. Didn’t we all want to be with the cool kids? 

Sam is my favorite character and is trying to do the right thing but sometimes he can’t understand why he tries so hard. He definitely has a crush on Lorna and sees her slipping away into trouble. Can he be her knight in shining  armor and save her from ruining her life? I was disappointed to see some words used in the story that I thought was inappropriate and would liked to have seen the author not choose to use them. It is a fantasy type story with a good theme about helping someone find their faith again. The story ends on a cliffhanger so I will be looking for the next book to see what happens next.

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

About the Author

headshot Charmayne Hafen (1)Charmayne Hafen is a graduate of John Brown University and has her masters in counseling from the Denver Seminary. She’s not only gifted in creative writing, but  uses skills in organization, facilitation, and administration in the company she and her husband started 18 years ago.

Her love of Celtic mythology inspired her to write her debut chapter book, Journey to Twilight, for ages 9-12. In 2011, she lost her younger brother, and she dedicates this first book to Tim. When she’s not writing, Charmayne is running counseling groups for adults and a therapeutic photography group for children. She has run a grief support group for several years.  She is a member of a novel book club, and she is an avid fan of the author, Stephen Lawhead.

She has written several short stories for children, teens, and adults, as well as the current fantasy series, The Land Of Twilight, being published in 2020 by Capture Books.

The first book, Journey To Twilight, is about the heartfelt needs and choices of a child of divorce. It also wrestles with what it is like to be a newcomer in a town and school. Charmayne relates personally to these themes as a child of divorce who moved consistently throughout her elementary and middle school years. She believes stories can provide not only a way of escape for kids, but also teach them how to handle difficult issues. As the characters in The Land Of Twilight struggle through different challenges, they come to understand that life requires more than what we do with what can be seen. To truly live, there must be faith in what has not yet come, in what is unseen.
Charmayne has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and psychology as well as a Master of Arts degree in counseling. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband John and her two chihuahuas, Pepe and Frida.


More from Charmayne

Welcome to Journey To Twilight, the first book in the Land Of Twilight Trilogy, where Lorna and her friend, Sam, begin a journey that will lead them to discover the true meaning of friendship and faith.

In a world that can only be accessed by what is known in Celtic mythology as a cairn, Lorna is shocked to find herself in the Land of Twilight where the real adventure begins. She must learn some important lessons in her quest to have one wish granted and Sam is part of her greatest challenge.

The adventure continues in Return To Twilight, where Lorna meets a new girl that proves to be a bad influence. She and Sam are at odds and things aren’t the way they were back in sixth grade. Middle school is an entirely different scene. Faith becomes a central theme in this book along with the ongoing exploration of friendship. Can Sam help Lorna remember her faith with the help of Twilight?

Trouble In Twilight, the third book in the Land Of Twilight trilogy, will be published early next year. This has been my most challenging book to write as the characters travel through time to discover the basis of faith and the philosophy at work against faith in the Savior. The Land of Twilight is in jeopardy and it’s up to Sam and Lorna to help restore what is slowly fading away.

It is my hope that my readers will come away from this trilogy with a deeper appreciation for the power of faith and friendship. I pray it will lead many to faith in the Savior and be an enjoyable ride in the process. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important topics and the stories that shed new light.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 28
Blossoms and Blessings, March 1 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, March 5 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, March 8 (Author Interview)
Wishful Endings, March 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Charmayne is giving away the grand prize of silver bicycle necklace like you suggested along with a signed hard cover copy of both books!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Thursday, February 27, 2020

About the Book

Book:  Child of Prophecy
Author: T.E. Bradford
Genre:  YA Fantasy
Release Date: August 31, 2018
How far would you go to fit in? Another world?
Fifteen-year-old Nova Hawthorne has a unique trait that sets her apart, yet she wants nothing more than to be normal and fit in.
She soon finds out that there’s a very real reason why she feels so out of place in this world—she’s from another one. And prophecy says she is destined to destroy them both.
Armed only with a magic she does not yet understand and the synesthesia no one else does, she must race to figure out how to stop prophecy from unfolding, find a father she’s never met and discover who she really is. Is it truly our differences that make us who we are? How can you be strong when you’re broken? And what happens when your actions bring about the very destruction you’ve been fighting to prevent?

Click here to get your copy.

MY REVIEW
The author has crafted a story filled with imagination that soars through lands not yet explored. Her characters are vivid and stand out with mystery, magic and hope. It wasn’t hard for me to get into the story because the author is able to draw readers in right away. Nova is a young teen who is just now discovering that she has special abilities which will help her as she goes after someone who wants to harm her.
I loved went she went through the portal as I call it and there her adventure  began. For a minute I thought of Alice in Wonderland  as she also goes to a place where nothing is what it seems. Quentin and Laura surprised me when they went after Nova. Would you go into a strange world in order to save a friend? Quentin I could understand since he and Nova are best friends. Laura has never liked Nova and often bullies her. I think I will keep my eye on Laura just in case she tries to do something to Nova. The author has set the stage for an epic journey where only the strong may survive. Nova has a gift  that others want to destroy. The question is , is she the one to fulfill a prophecy? 
The author develops her characters very well and I really was intrigued with Quentin. He became ill at a young age and was angry at the world. The one person who didn’t show him pity but friendship was Nova. That is when he realized that Nova was a person would stick up for others. She would defend those who couldn’t and never back down. It helped me understand  why Nova was so sought after by those in this strange land she has been delivered to. I loved this statement, “All power flows from the one true source. There is no power but through him.” With this statement I was ready to see what would happen next. 
I loved reading this story and found it be very spiritual in a way if you look closely at how the author uses a character that will change the lives of everyone. Jesus did that for us. He sacrificed his life so that we could be free. Will destiny be fulfilled or will evil win in this story that cries out for a prophecy to save others? 
“Death is not the end of life.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Author

Tracy is a writer, singer-songwriter, cancer survivor and proud wife and mother. Her speculative fiction stories have featured in publications such as Deep Magic, including the Best of Deep Magic collection. Her Divide Series books, a Teen Fantasy series debuted in 2018 with Child of Prophecy – Book One. Child of Destiny – Book Two is set to release in November 2019. Her short-story Written in the Stars, a Kindled Legends story, was a number one new release and International Best Seller.
Born and raised in Central New York, Tracy will tell you her parents gave her the two best tools in her arsenal by reading to her as a child and raising her in a Christian household. In spite of the long CNY winters she continues to live there with the husband God created especially for her, and the son who is her forever best story.
“I believe true magic can be found in the things we see and do every day. Life is hard enough. Stories should transport us to another time and place. A magical place, where we can stretch out a hand and touch the wonder of God’s universe.” –T.E. Bradford

 More from Tracy

You’ll find music woven into nearly all my stories. This is especially true in the Divide Series books, as our heroine Nova has something called Synesthesia – a condition where your senses may overlap or cross. In Nova’s case, she can see sounds. Cool, right? On her journeys, she’ll encounter plenty of musical elements, but perhaps none as special as…

THE SONG OF THE HIGH KING
There is a King on a great golden throne
His beauty and magic so great none can know
He waits and He watches His children below
Waiting to see them all come safely home.

Travel high! Travel low! Travel through that great light
In the vastness between, where His city shines bright
Travel with Him and you’ll travel no more
Rest on the sands of His celestial shore.

Drink from the fountain that never runs dry
Eat from His table’s bountiful supply
Look in His face, trace the lines of His scars
They never were His wounds… they always were ours.

Travel high! Travel low! Travel through that great light
In the vastness between, where His city shines bright
Travel with Him and you’ll travel no more
Rest on the sands of His celestial shore.
Rest on the sands of His celestial shore.

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, February 21
Artistic Nobody, February 26 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, February 26
Texas Book-aholic, February 27
Inklings and notions, February 28
For Him and My Family, February 29
Wishful Endings, March 1 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, March 4
Blossoms and Blessings, March 5 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracy is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card, as well as the prequel and a couple of other surprise goodies (think musical)!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.