Stacking the Shelves (85)

February 13, 2016

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. 
Each week offers the opportunity to spotlight the books you have gotten this past week. They can be the books you received for review, bought, borrowed, or won. 

For Review:
A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund (From the Author)
The Centurion by Ken Gire (MP Newsroom)

How was your book week? Get anything you have been anticipating?

Review: Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse (Litfuse Review & Giveaway)

February 11, 2016

Title: Beyond the Silence
Author: Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1410-3
Publication Date: January 5th, 2016

Synopsis:
The shadows over this olive grove hide more than just the truth.

Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother’s dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. Murky rumors swirl around Woodward Colton, her new employer, but the gossip doesn’t match the man Lillian comes to know.

Still, something dark did happen in the family’s past. Lillian’s seven-year-old charge hasn’t spoken in over a year. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he’ll one day feel safe enough to share what scared him. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. When the housekeeper is brutally attacked, the town once again suspects the worst. Will discovering the truth help Lillian clear the name of the man she has come to love–or will it endanger her even more?
Review:
This story opened with a bang. From the first paragraph, it was hard to put down. I have found out, that when these two authors write a story together, that is how their books will be. The story takes you through so many places and lets you see it from several different eyes, it keeps you turning the pages. 

Right off the bat, I felt so bad for Jimmy Colton, the little boy in the story. You can't blame him for not talking after enduring what he has. His family is strong, I will say. Lillian I thought was a good character. She had a good life growing up, but later dealt with abuse. Instead of living with it, she drew up her strength and left it, despite the emotions she felt. I liked her fortitude. Woody Colton, goodness, if there was ever a man with the patients of Job, he had it. An innocent man haunted with past that he didn't do. It would be enough to make a person run, but he doesn't. 

I enjoyed this story a lot. I love how they were able to capture the mystery into a historical fiction story. It gave the genre a fresh feel. I love when authors can do that, and Tracie and Kimberly did that superbly with this book! The characters were well structured and the background setting made the elements pop and enhanced the story. 

Too Read
4 out of 5 
 
About the Author:
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

 Kimberley Woodhouse is a multi-published author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker/teacher, she's shared her theme of Joy Through Trials with over 150,000 people at more than a thousand venues across the country. She lives, writes, and homeschools with her husband of twenty-plus years and their two awesome teens live in Colorado.

Giveaway:
Lillian Porter takes a chance on a new job and a new future . . . but rumors surrounding her job make Lillian begin to wonder if she made the right choice in Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse's Beyond the Silence. There are rumors in town that her new employer, Woodward Colton, caused the death of his wife. This accusation doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know . . . but soon the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. Will Mrs. Goodman and Jimmy be able to speak what they know in time to save Lillian from tragedy?

Tracie and Kimberley are celebrating the launch of Beyond the Silence with a Loaded Fire Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on February 11!

beyond silence-400 

One grand prize winner will receive:
  • One copy of Beyond the Silence
  • A Kindle Fire 7
  • A $50 Amazon gift card to load your Fire with books
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/11. The winner will be announced at the Beyond the Silence Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie, Kimberley, and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

beyond silence-enterbanner

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!



Thank you to Bethany House Publisher and Litfuse Publicity, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.


Waiting On Wednesday: Her One and Only

February 10, 2016

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.
Each week offers the opportunity to spotlight an up-and-coming release you are most excited about. 

Waiting On:
Title: Her One and Only
Author: Becky Wade
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016

Synopsis:
From GoodReads
Romance Fans Eagerly Anticipate Every New Release from Becky Wade 

Gray Fowler, star NFL tight end, is being pursued by a stalker, so his team hires a protection agency to keep Gray under the watch of a bodyguard at all times. When Gray meets Dru Porter, an agent assigned to him, he's indignant. How can an attractive young female half his size possibly protect him? 


But Dru's a former Marine, an expert marks woman, and a black belt. She's also ferociously determined to uncover the identity of Gray's stalker. And she's just as determined to avoid any kind of romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past. But the closer they get to finding the stalker, the closer they grow to each other. As the danger rises, can Dru and Gray entrust their hearts--and their lives--to one another?
Why I'm Waiting:
Becky Wade is such a fantastic author. She is able to write such a realistic and emotionally gripping stories. I can't wait to read her newest book. The Porter family has been a fun family to read about and be apart of thus far. I can't wait to see what this book has in store.

What are you waiting on this week?

Stacking the Shelves (84)

February 6, 2016

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. 
Each week offers the opportunity to spotlight the books that you have gotten the previous week(s), that you have bought, borrowed, or received for review.

For Review:
I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God by Diane Stortaz (BookLook)
The Hearts We Mend by Kathryn Springer (Litfuse Publicity)
Last of Light by Chuck Black (Blogging for Books)
Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey (From the Author)
 Playing the Part by Jen Turano (Litfuse Publicity)

Bought:
 The Messenger by Siri Mitchell
Deception On Sable Hill by Shelley Gray
Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson
The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd
Siren's Fury by Mary Weber


What did you get this week?

Waiting On Wednesday: Siren's Song

February 3, 2016

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. 
Each week offers the opportunity to spotlight an up-and-coming book you are most excited about. 

Waiting On:
Title: Siren's Song
Author: Mary Weber
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: March 1st, 2016

Synopsis: 
From GoodReads
Nym and Draewulf prepare to face off in a battle destined to destroy more lives than it saves.

With the loss of Tulla still fresh in mind, Rasha’s fate unknown, and Lord Myles taken over by the dark ability, Nym and the few Bron soldiers rush to warn Cashlin’s queen. Only to discover it may already be too late for the monarch and her eerie kingdom. As the Luminescents are sifting through Nym’s past memories and the queen is reading into her future, Nym is given a choice of how to defeat Draewulf, but the cost may be more than she can bear. And even then there are no guarantees.

With that reality burrowing into her bones—along with the guilt of the lives she will sacrifice—Nym returns to her homeland of Faelen to raise an army of peasants through promises of freedom. But when the few friends she has left, along with the world and citizens she loves, are staring down the face of a monster and his undead army, will Nym summon every element her blood is capable of controlling . . . or surrender to a different strength—one of sacrifice?

Because in the end, death may be more merciful for them all.
Why I'm Waiting:

I just loved the first book of the series, Storm Siren. It was new and fresh and fast paced. The characters and the world were phenomenal! I can't wait to see how this trilogy will end.


What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Historical Books

February 2, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the The Bookish.
Each week features a book related topic that offers the opportunity to spotlight your Top Ten. 

Topic:
Top Ten Historical Settings You Love/ Ten Historical Settings You'd Love To See or Top Futuristic Books You Love/Ten Futuristic Societies I'd Love To Read in Books --- basically this week is all about the past or the future.


  1. Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
2. A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
3. Gods & Kings by Lynn Austin
4. The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews
5. Honor by Lyn Cote
 6. The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot
7. Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot
8. The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
9. Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta

Each on of these stories focuses on a setting that is unique. Each one of these is set in a vastly different time in history, but all are phenomenal and bring you back to that time. 


What are some of your favorite historical books...or futuristic books?

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