Big Cat, Small Cat

Story: 10
Presentation: 10
Publisher: Abberville Press
Children's
To Purchase

Blurb:

An interactive book about cats that introduces children to rhyming and opposites in a fun and engaging way.

Big Cat, Small Cat takes readers through a fantastical world of felines, where they will encounter many different pairs of cats—from good and bad to happy and sad. This delightful iBook’s sing-song text leaves out the last word of each page, allowing little ones to chime in and complete the rhyme. Captivating, colorful illustrations provide clues for the words that have been left out. Introducing words like “dirty,” “clean,” “nice,” and “mean,” Big Cat, Small Cat teaches children about rhyming and opposites with a fun, fill-in-the-blank challenge that encourages participation.

Review: A totally cute story that had my little ones glued to the screen of my computer while we were reading. Interactive and engaging, with colorful pictures and easy to follow lines. It made for a great educational read for my 4 year old :) I had to read it 5 times when we first got it. The kids were so excited about the pictures of the cats and guessing what would come next.

While there were a few of the Fill-in-the-blanks that my youngest did not get, they were still happy :)

The Cowboy Father by Linda Ford

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 8.5
Total: 17
Publisher: Harlequin
Historical Inspirational Romance
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Blurb: With Alberta in the grip of the Depression, Louisa Morgan is desperate to bolster her family's finances. But how can she tutor bedridden Ellie Hamilton? The little tomboy is more interested in making mischief than studying sums. And the girl's bond with her handsome papa is another reminder to Louisa of the children she'll never have.

For Emmet Hamilton, strength means shouldering burdens alone. He never thought he'd let himself share his child, or his heart, ever again. But before long, Louisa's kindness and optimism start to change the cowboy's mind. Maybe he can gain the courage to trust again—in Louisa, in God's grace, and in this new family.…

Review: A wonderful love story with overflowing inspiration.

Inspirational romance is near and dear to me. The ability to read clean, christian romance is something that has not always been verypopular and at times hard to find. Thanks to HArlequin and their group of fantastic authors, not only can I feed my spirit with up-lifint tales but I can be entertained with the wonderful romance that I have grown to love over the years.

Ms Ford has again done a great job of crafting an uplifing tale that wrapped me in grace and love and left me feeling toasty and fuzzy :)

Spellbound by Samantha Combs

Story: 10
Presentation: 10
Total: 20
Publisher: Astraea Press
YA Paranormal
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Blurb: Logan Daniels has always led a sheltered life in sleepy, predictable Lancaster, New Hampshire. But when beautiful Serena suddenly appears at school one day, his comfortable existence becomes anything but as he finds himself falling in love with her. There’s something special about Serena Starr. He realizes what it is when he sees her unleash her spells. Soon, a mysterious and foreboding presence settles over his placid home.

Logan and Serena find themselves battling darkness and evil with an ominous mission: it wants Serena and will stop at nothing to have her. Tearing apart Logan’s town, threatening his friends, even causing harm to his family, the demon will spread its doom over every facet of Logan’s once placid life. Logan matures in ways he could never have imagined as he struggles to protect those he loves, including Serena. But he can't do it alone.

Serena hails from a long line of able and powerful women who will aide in the battle and perhaps settle a score of their own. The strength of the coven and Serena's love will be behind him, but ultimately this is Logan’s fight to win. But, will he?

Review: There is a boy name Logan who's dad died when he was younger so its just his mom, Lilly and his sister Jade all who has normal lives then there is Serena who one day just appears at Logan's school. Logan is very interested in finding out everything he can about Serena from the moment he saw her. He feels drawn to her somehow he doesn't know why, but when some stuff starts happening like magic. So Serena is a witch who tell Logan what she is and he doesn't care that she is a witch, he actually takes it very well. But soon someone is after Serena, they are not sure why until a bigger secret if uncovered about Logan's family.

When that secret is uncovered Jade (Logan's sister) and Sully (Jade's boyfriend and Logan's best friend) is kidnapped by the people who want Serena. Everyone must battle this evil if they are to survive and get everyone home safely. Makes you wonder if Logan and Serena's love can survive and can they come out of this battle alive. This battle will determined their lives and everyone elses.

I absolutely loved this book, it has so much going on not one boring part, it kept you interested in it til the very end. You never knew what was going to happen. I would re-read this book over and over and still wouldn't believe that some of the stuff happened. Amazing writing too everything was in detail that you could understand, you could actually feel the love that Logan and Serena had for each other. Amazing!

The Cowboy Tutor by Linda Ford

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: Harlequin
Inspirational Romance
To Purchase

Blurb: With the mortgage due and funds scarce, Madge Morgan can't afford distractions. Especially not from Judd Kirk, her sister Louisa's meek tutor and—according to their mother's plans—suitor. Madge's focus is on her housekeeping job…little knowing Judd's connection to her employer, or his real reason for coming to Golden Prairie.

At last, Judd has found the man who swindled his mother. Yet if he seeks revenge, he risks losing the one thing he wants even more: a woman with faith enough to rekindle his own. A woman with strong values and a gentle heart. A woman like Madge.

Review: A well written book is a thing to be cherished. A well told story is a thing to be admired. Without a doubt Ms Ford was able to do both with this Inspirational Historical Romance. The plot was engaging and easy to follow. The characters were layered and complex as well as understanding and likeable.

Filled with faith and hope, this is one that I can honestly say touched me.

Of Light and Darkness: The Vampire's Daughter by Shayne M. Leighton

Story: 3
Presentation:5
Total: 8
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
YA Paranormal Romance
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Blurb: When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...

Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...

As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.
Review: I didn't like this book at all.

I had to force myself to finish it because I found it to be too boring, not enough action and when there was action it was poorly describe. From what I gather this book was about Charlotte who was Abandoned by her parents and was raised by a vampire named Valek. Valek is the last of his kind, they live in Prague. War basically breaks out where they live and force them to find feelings for each other that they never knew they had. That's all I really took away from this story.

Like I said the book wasn't that good, I mean I loved the idea of the story but not the way it was presented. And when combined with editing and spelling errors...it just didn't do it for me.

I'm Not Tired Yet by Marianne Richmond

Story: 10
Presentation: 10
Total: 20
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Childrens
To Purchase

Blurb: For every parent whose child won't settle into bed without a dozen excuses, here is an adorable bedtime story that makes us laugh with recognition from beloved, award-winning author Marianne Richmond. With her signature heartfelt illustrations and whimsical text, I'm Not Tired Yet! helps every parent ease their child off to dreamland. I'm Not Tired Yet! inspires a playful, endearing bedtime routine that leaves kids and grownups looking forward to nighttime, no matter how strong the allure of playtime.



Review: Imaginative and creative, this fun bedtime tale not only brought a smile to my face but brought laughter and giggles to my children when I read it to them.

A fresh story that tackles the dreaded bedtime woe's of the child that isn't wuite ready for bed when mom says it's time. Whimsical pictures that brough a layer of delight to the kids. Nifty hugs and kisses that made us all find the fun in the moments leading up to the lights going off.

Ms Richmond has done a wonderfl job with this terrific poetic story. I can't wait to grab her next story for my family collection.

Freebie from Iris Blobel

Today, we have a special treat for all the sweet readers out there. Iris Blobel and Astraea Press are making Journey To Her Dreams FREE for the next 24 hours. How awesome is THAT?

 

Light Paranormal Fiction

Word Count: 73k

Blurb: Would you travel around the world to uncover the reason for your dreams?

Hollie Anderson does. A young woman from Tasmania who lives on a farm just outside Launceston, she has got good looks, likes her job and loves to hang out with her friends. She should be happy, right?

But it’s a recurrent dream that throws her daily life into chaos and takes her on a journey to Ireland. While on her quest for answers she meets Sam in Dublin under unusual circumstances and both women, so different in many ways, find out they have one thing in common - and it changes their lives forever.

For your free copy of Journey To Her Dreams please go HERE and enter code XQ27P during checkout.

For more about Iris and her works please check out her blog

Here are just a few of the comments about Journey To Her Dreams

Review by Frank Nolan, 99.9 VoiceFMBallarat writer Iris Blobel’s first book was titled Sweet Dreams Miss England and was set in London and Dublin. She returns to the subject of dreams in her recently published second novel Journey to Her Dreams. The story is set in two small islands – Tasmania and Ireland- and involves the lives of two young women. Hollie lives with her father on a farm near Launceston while Sam lives in Dublin. A recurrent, disturbing dream inspires Hollie to visit Ireland and the two women meet in extraordinary circumstances, with momentous effect on both of their lives.
A cleverly constructed plot, believable characters and lucid writing make Journey to Her Dreams enjoyable romantic fiction reading. It is available now as an e-book, and will apppear shortly in paperback.

Wilma Bass:

This was a great story and I found the characters very interesting..I particularly thought Davo emerged as a complete surprise and added to the mystery. I was totally surprised by the ending of the story and very happy for everyone. I truly loved this book!

Sigrid MacDonald:

Journey to Her Dreams is a wonderful page-turner about two women whose lives intersect. The characters are likable, the background is unique, and the story is suspenseful. I really enjoyed it.

"hazelgems" (amazon.com)
Journey to Her Dreams is an enjoyable novel that will captivate your attention. Iris Blobel creates characters in her novels who stay in my mind after I have finished reading the story. Her characters are created with detailed description, and in this novel I discovered that I had immediate emotional reactions to the main characters. The story is intriguing, and I felt like I was a traveling companion on the journey. I highly recommend this book.


Margaret (Literary Chanteuse)
This is a beautifully told story that takes you on an emotional journey from Australia to Ireland. The author puts you into the shoes of these characters as you go through their quest to find love, new beginnings and a few surprises along the way.

You're still here? Good Gravy, what are you waiting for? You need to jump on this awesome story while you can.

Special thanks to Iris and Astraea for offering up this read to the readers for free