Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Forget Me Now Blog Tour and Giveaway


About the Book


Book: Forget Me Now
Author: Alana Terry
Genre: Christian Mystery and Suspense
Release Date: July 19, 2019

She’s forgotten everything … including who it is that wants her dead.

Mia’s trapped in a nightmare inside her own mind. After a brain injury leaves her unable to form new memories, all she knows is that entire months of her life are missing. Those closest to her are dead, and someone’s on their way back soon to finish the job.

Heart-gripping, page-turning Christian suspense from the author whose books are called “intense,” “life-changing,” and “impossible to put down,” Forget Me Now is a psychological thriller with enough twists to keep you reading … and guessing … late into the midnight hours.

Download your copy today for a fast-paced adrenaline rush you’ll never forget.

Click here for your copy.

My Review

 Terry is good at creating stories. Here she allows us to discover the facts of a past event along with Mia, the main character. We really get a sense of short term memory loss, waking up each day not remembering what happened the day before. Terry did a good job of creating that feeling. The suspense is secondary, from memories, not from the current situation.

The plot resolution was no surprise to me as I felt readers are well prepared for the revelation of the villain. The story is not very uplifting as it deals with the loss of loved ones. The best part of the novel is Mia thinking through theological issues and a strong faith message is presented there.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author


Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

More from Alana


I love writing Christian fiction suspense. I have multiple series for sale and one of the things my readers have grown to appreciate is how many of their favorite characters show up in more than one series. Another aspect of my books that readers’ enjoy is the mystery, intrigue, and twists and turns involved as they reach the final page. My new novel, Forget Me Now, has all the favorite elements mentioned above, but includes a new psychological thriller element that I hope readers will love as much as I loved bringing it to them. This novel asks the question, “What would you do if you woke up to find three months of your memory entirely gone? Who would you turn to for answers during that confusing time … and how would you react if you began to question the ones you turned to for the truth? Read all about how Mia handles a predicament just like this (except even more dangerous) in Forget Me Now, complete with all the thrills and gripping suspense you’ve grown to love from Alana Terry novels as well as the reminder that God is always in control. If you want, let me know your thoughts after you’ve had a chance to dive into this thriller that is truly unforgettable by emailing me at alana@alanaterry.com.

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away the grand prize of a $30 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
Posted by at 4 comments:

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Focused Blackstory Blog Tour

 

About the Book


Book:  Focused Backstory
Author: Carol Alwood
Genre: Non-fiction, writing resource
Release Date: June 26, 2019

Learn how to write characters readers will love.

Has an industry professional told you not to dump character history at the beginning of your story? If so, you aren’t alone. But what’s the solution to this common advice? Most writers take the time to design interesting characters with troubled pasts. They long for readers to care about the characters’ lives. However, the sad truth is on page one, readers don’t care—yet. That’s why industry gurus tell writers to stop overusing character history, also called backstory, at the beginning of stories. Have you ever wondered… How to use backstory correctly? What are the ways other writers successfully incorporate backstory into their work? Do tools exist to help writers better plan stories so the backstory isn’t such a problem? In Focused Backstory: The Key to Writing Deep Character Journeys, you’ll find answers to these questions and more. You’ll learn how to avoid the dreaded info-dump and instead, harness curiosity so readers keep turning pages. This resource breaks down focused backstory into simple pieces to use flexibly in any story no matter what genre or length. Worksheets, tables, questionnaires, and templates will help you plan an engaging story with deep characters. Examples from popular stories will help you understand this method.

 You’ll learn how to
• design a character around a troubled past.
• create additional characters around the main character.
• weave interesting sub-plots within a characters’ journey toward healing.
• design proper obstacles which interfere with characters’ goals.
• guide readers’ emotions so they have a satisfying reading experience.

 No matter what kind of writer you are, if you take the time to analyze the use of backstory, it will enhance your style. Focused Backstory: The Key to Writing Deep Character Journeys is the missing gadget in your writing tool kit.

 Click here to get your copy.

 My Review

 This is a great book for a budding novelist. Alwood argues that backstory is a key to getting readers emotionally engaged with characters in a novel. Doing it well is the hard part. Alwood shares systematic and logical ways to include backstory and how to design engaging characters.

There is a ton of useful information in this book. Alwood has included charts, worksheets and templates to help develop backstory and place it correctly. Alwood also helps writers develop characters and identify the kind of backstory each should have. She gives plenty of examples from novels and movies. She also includes tips on creating secondary characters, eliciting reader emotions, giving characters goals and obstacles, creating subplots and fully developing character arcs.

I highly recommend this book to writers who want to create engaging characters. It includes a ton of information, everything a writer needs to create engaging characters.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

About the Author


Carol Alwood has an unending passion for fiction, and she can’t think of a better way to spend her life than writing books for young adults and teaching about techniques she has learned along the way. With a Master of Education, experience as a content editor, and over a decade of establishing and working with critique groups, she is an excellent resource. An award-winning author, Carol finds joy in helping writers find the right tools to plan, draft and revise their novels so they can achieve excellence in storytelling.

More from Carol


Focused Backstory resulted from a personal quest to please industry critics who suggested I keep character history out of the first pages of my novels. My initial questions to this advice were: What? Why? I searched for resources to figure out how to write a more powerful beginning without relying on the past but found little help. On a mission to find answers, I studied popular books, television and movies to abstract what made stories work and — boom! I found it! We can break down backstory into simple pieces to use flexibly in any story without compromising artistry. This book provides definitions, examples, worksheets, templates, and comics to help writers study the art of using powerful character histories to keep readers turning pages. I’m so excited to offer this resource and hope it will empower your writing as it has mine.


Blog Stops

Holly Jo Morris, December 28
janicesbookreviews, December 29
CarpeDiem, December 29
Jacquelyn Lynn, December 29
Mary Hake, December 30
Blogging With Carol, December 31
All-of-a-kind Mom, December 31
Genesis 5020, January 1
Pause for Tales, January 1
Emily Yager, January 3
Remembrancy, January 4
A Reader's Brain, January 5
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 5
Godly Book Reviews, January 6
A Diva's Heart, January 8
Artistic Nobody, January 9
Texas Book-aholic, January 10
Stories By Gina, January 10


I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
Posted by at 6 comments:

Friday, December 27, 2019

The God Game by Danny Tobey

I'm a senior citizen and while I do play some online games, they are nothing like portrayed in this novel. The players here are high school kids who get deep into a game asking them to do increasingly harmful tasks to gain power and personal desires. Computer speak is important to understanding much of what is going on and I am lacking there. A great deal of the book was over my head. I also think there must be television programs or movies related to what was going on in the book. Since I don't watch television and rarely go to movies, I was again lost for much of the action. I did not find the characters engaging either. None of them was crafted so that I really cared about how their life turned out.

I had a hard time reading this novel. I felt the plot was slow for the much of the book. It is an interesting study in power and acceptance at the high school level. There is also an element of greed permeating the characters. All something this senior citizen did not find particularly captivating. I think the book is aimed at young adults, perhaps high school age, but I felt the content was not at all appropriate. It was more dark than what I'd like to see high school students read. And I didn't appreciate the vulgar language either.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 2/5 stars.

Danny Tobey went to Harvard College, Yale Law School, and UT Southwestern medical school. His first novel, The Faculty Club, is a sci-fi fantasy thriller. He is a noted expert on Artificial Intelligence. Photo by Allison V Smith.

St. Martin's Press, 464 pages. This book releases January 7, 2020.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, December 26, 2019

No Space Like Home Blog Tour and Giveaway


About the Book


Book:  No Space Like Home
Author: Dell Tunnicliff
Genre: Fiction/YA/Science Fiction
Release Date: September 4, 2019

If life were only as simple as following a yellow brick road. Gail’s quiet life among the Kansa Station turbines ends with a hug, a prayer, and a shove… into space.

She thinks she knows who she is, but she’s wrong.  Who is she really?  She’s about to find out.

Of course, landing on the wrong planet is complicated enough without crashing into things. Add to that spybots, waspbots, and cyberwolves and it’s no wonder Gail just wants to go home. Back to a life without this interplanetary circus and its flying monkeys.

Intrigue, secrets, and more than a little danger turn a “simple mission” into a hair-raising adventure as Gail—and three friends she meets along the way—accept a mission to save O-Zoras.

In the end, Gail wants nothing more to go home. She’s just not sure where that is anymore. “I’ve decided that home is more about who than where.” Well, that’s a good thing, Gail, because you’re not on Kansa anymore. It’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz meets Firefly in this fresh, a little zarbi, but totally licit YA space adventure. Grab your copy today and see what ALL that even means!

 Click here to get your copy!

 My Review
This novel is a clever retelling of a classic in a sci-fi setting. Interesting characters have the same kinds of issues as those traveling the yellow brick road with Dorothy. The journey includes similar adventures as found in the classic but with advanced technology like space ships and holograms.

I generally enjoyed the story. I was a bit disappointed Gail and her friends went to a nightclub to dance and drink alcohol. At her age it did not seem appropriate but then it did not turn out well for her. Also, the book could have used another round of editing. Many dialogues are missing appropriate quotation marks, for example.

This is a novel for readers who would like a combination of fantasy and science fiction in the retelling of a classic. You meet touching characters with personal needs and experience conflicts with cyber-animals and dastardly villains.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author


Dell lives on the windswept Wyoming plains with her husband, six children, a cardigan corgi dog, a calico cat, and a flock of chickens. A lifelong reader, and lover of words, she also loves the Word; God’s good news to us. She takes the path less traveled, and that has made all the difference.  

More from Dell


We are our heavenly father’s children, created to create. When I set out to write this novel, I craved challenge—something that would stretch my own imagination. The wild, otherworldly, frontier of science-fiction winked at me like a distant star in the night-sky of possibility.  I admire teens and young-adults for their eagerness to seize the wonder of “What if.”  So, young-adult sci-fi it is! Creating an entire fictional solar system was every bit of the creative rush I hoped.  Orchestrating a dance of stars and planets, designing a space ship, imaging cultures, people-groups, values, and linguistic quirks provided ample opportunities to stretch my creative muscles. And then there was the naming!  Names are yet another way we reflect our divine author.  Our loving and personal God spoke each star into being and calls each by name.  In No Space Like Home, I named the four-sun solar system, “Hiraeth.”  It’s a Welsh word for that vague, yet poignant yearning for a place to which you can never return, have never been, or even that never was.  It’s a deep, inborn longing for someone, something or somewhere just out of reach of our plane of existence.  As Christians, we feel this keenly.  This world isn’t our eternal home.  We thirst for Jesus.  We hunger for heaven.  We long for a garden—unmarred by thorns and thistles of the fall. We ache to know ourselves and our loved ones as God designed– in perfect relationship with Him, unfettered by sin. As part of this longing, we create and we name. We are all world-builders, designing with the materials around us, and bringing order to our sphere in small ways and large.  We are image-bearers of our holy Author and Creator. Whether we paint (like my No Space Like Home heroine, Gail), design software (like George), weld parts (like Nic), or develop strategies (like Leo), we are all inventors and designers.  Create today.   Spin a bit of beauty, order, and identity from the nameless, swirling, chaos.

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Dell is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Gail’s Bible: ESV Illuminated Bible (Art Journaling Edition), a paperback copy of No Space Like Home, and Frang Bingham’s Ard Ri game!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
Posted by at 2 comments:

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Uncovering the Love of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu

This book is a great devotional for the Lenten season. Ciuciu has written 40 devotions that emphasize how Jesus loved people in Bible times and how He loves us now. The book is designed to help us show that same love to others.

Each devotion has a story about Jesus to read, challenges to apply what was learned, a prayer and Scripture references for additional study. An added feature is a once a week family celebration. There are suggested activities each week, from crafts to service projects.

I really like this Lenten devotional. Ciuciu has a way of making the stories of Jesus' encounters with others really come alive. I also like her emphasis of sharing God's love with others. “We cannot claim to have experienced Jesus' love and remain indifferent to those suffering around us ...” (Loc 144/1743) I also like the weekly family sessions. There are good activities suggested to help children understand the love of Jesus and possible ways of giving that same love to others. Ciuciu will have resources on her website, such as printable activity sheets, when the book is released January 7, 2020.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Asheritah Ciuciu is a bestselling writer and speaker, wife to her high school sweetheart Flaviu, and mama to three spunky kids. She grew up in Romania as a missionary kid and studied English and Women's Ministry at Cedarville University. She is the founder of One Thing Alone Ministries – an online ministry that helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus through creative and consistent time with God's Word. She is the author of several books and has been featured on Focus on the Family, Revive Our Hearts, Moody Radio, Relevant Magazine, Proverbs 31, and MOPS International. You can find out more at www.OntThingAlone.com.

Moody Publishers, 224 pages

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, December 23, 2019

Keeping the Faith by Lianna Davis

This is a good six week study on a small but often puzzling book in the Bible. Jude contains some unusual references to events and Davis addresses them in a good way, presenting the possible interpretations. She also does a good job of highlighting the issue of false teachers, a topic as important to us today as it was in Jude's day. My two most appreciated discussions in the book were on inner transformation and the relationship of faith and reason.

I like the study format. There are five daily readings for the weekly study. Extra Scripture to read and thoughtful questions are included. This would be a good study for group or individual use. The six week length makes it a good choice for a summer session.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Lianna Davis has a B.A. In Ministry to Women from Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband and their daughter live near Dallas, Texas. You can find out more at www.liannabdavis.com.

Moody Publishers, 192 pages. This book releases January 7, 2020

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Permanent Weight Loss Plan by Janice Asher and Jae Rivera

Studies show most people who lose weight gain it back again. These women are in the minority of those who lost weight and have kept it off. They reveal what they have learned in this book.

Much of the content deals with evaluating the relationships to our bodies and food. They write about being kind to ourselves and letting go of shame. They encourage us to feel good about ourselves, an attitude that will result in weight loss rather than the other way around. They write about goal setting, about emotional eating, and about having a mindset toward having a healthy body rather than focusing on weight loss.

This book is full of information on how we think about ourselves and food as it relates to our well being. I have read many weight loss books yet learned more from reading this one. I like that Asher and Rivera add their individual takes on the various topics. Their difference in age, occupation and pounds lost add additional insights. There are some great recipes included too.

There is good information in this book and it is a good addition to the health and wellness genre. It is good for people who want to understand why they eat and want to receive some practical strategies for losing weight and keeping it off.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Janice Asher, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as Director of Women's Health at the Student Health Service (1989-2018) and also began the MILE (mindful, intuitive living & eating) program. She has counseled over 100 patients on how to lose weight and keep the weight off for good. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jae Rivera is a PhD student in Bioarchaeology at the University of Florida, where she is currently a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and National Academies of the Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Ford Predoctoral Fellow. She is the recipient of a Fullbright Open Research Fellowship to Peru. Jae Rivera is her pen name.

Skyhorse, 360 pages. This book releases January 7, 2020.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, December 21, 2019

The Seductive Slayers of Success Blog Tour and Giveaway


About the Book


 Book:  The Seductive Slayers of Success
Author: Rosalinda Rivera
Genre: RELIGION / Christian Living/Women’s Interests
Release Date: November 19, 2019

 “I am not a neat nut. Let me start with that confession. Don’t let the title of this chapter, Clean the Clutter, fool you into thinking I have all my ducks in a row. If I had ducks, they would not be in a straight line. Or all accounted for.”—Rosalinda Rivera

 The snooze button on your alarm clock. The “brilliant shortcut” that makes you late. The unwritten to-do list that you follow from the time you get out of bed till the time you crawl back in it, making each day seem like the last.

 These are some of The Seductive Slayers of Success—the little things that add up and try to stop you from moving forward and realizing your dreams. Rosalinda Rivera has been there and she knows just how to help you get up, move on, and Harness Your Strengths to Take Control of Your Destiny.
Using stories from her own life as well as Scripture, Rosalinda offers encouragement to help you kick the negative aspects of life to the curb and jump start your way to a brighter tomorrow. Like a close friend, she gives inspirational, down-to-earth advice with a dash of humor thrown in.

 Click here to get your copy.

 My Review

 This is an encouraging book. It is full of encouragement to realize God has called us to wake up and get going, no matter how we feel. She includes good teaching on planning, recognizing when its not working, moving but waiting for God's timing, getting rid of “stuff,” and much more. She includes many practical ideas and suggestions for developing a successful life.

Rivera has a way with words. For example, “Procrastination is the poison that paralyzes our potential.” (Loc 94/3456) And, “Easy street will only get you lost in a bad neighborhood.” (Loc 415/3456) She adds a good dose of humor to the book too.

Rivera has a chapter on the temptations of sex. “You probably have the good sense to practice safe sex …,” she writes. (Loc 1089/3456) I'm not sure that's how I would describe “good sense” about extramarital sex. She points out that sex outside of marriage “goes against God's plan for you” but fails to identify it as sin. (Loc 1167/3456)

In general, this is an entertaining and encouraging book. It would be good for Christians young in their faith.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

 My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author


Rosalinda Rivera is both outspoken and passionate about helping others change their lives and accomplish their dreams. She is a sought-after speaker by major companies, non-profits, and ministries around the world for her high energy, humorous, and down-to-earth motivational style. She is the executive director of New Life For Adults and Youth, Mercy House, and Mercy Moms House, a place for single mothers to find hope and healing. Rosalinda has been reaching out to families in crisis, poverty, and hopelessness for over twenty-five years. Using her business skills, she developed a model of social enterprise to sustain the nonprofits she leads by creating businesses that train people in job skills and leadership. Rosalinda is the founder of Bella Women’s Ministry in Richmond, Virginia, which hosts annual conferences for over five hundred women. She is also the author of Dare to Begin Again: Let God Write Your Best Future and Wonder Women: Becoming a Hero for Christ. Rosalinda has been a featured presenter at various events nationwide and has ministered throughout the world. From the White House to the local community, she has been nationally recognized for her impact in bringing hope to the hopeless. Rosalinda was appointed to the Board of Governors of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Style Magazine selected her as a “Top 40 under 40” leader for her impact in Virginia. Rosalinda is the daughter of Victor Torres, an ex-gang member from the streets of New York, and his wife, Carmen, the founders of New Life For Youth and pastors of New Life Outreach International Church. She served as an associate producer on Victor, a movie about her father’s journey from drugs and gangs to Jesus and redemption. Rosalinda and her husband, Carlos, have three children: Alana, Gabriel, and Victor.

More from Rosalinda


 Shoot Your Snooze Button Time doesn’t stop and allow us to make up for minutes wasted. Procrastination is not preparation, no matter what we tell ourselves as we reach for that seductive slayer of success. Think I’m being dramatic? The snooze habit is a symptom of a much bigger problem—one that seeps into many areas of our lives. The struggle is real. Delay is the destroyer of dreams. It reduces our resolve. Procrastination is the poison that paralyzes our potential. How many opportunities are you hitting the snooze button on? Putting it off until tomorrow can easily become the habit that defines our lives. Instead of building the life we hope for, we are adding another log to the fire of future regret. Right now, you may recall specific life-goals that have fallen by the wayside. In what areas of life have you chosen to roll over, closing your eyes to what your inner dreams require of you? Look at your gifts. Your talents. Are you harnessing your strengths to propel you in the direction of your desires? Or are you letting that power go to waste? You’ve likely heard someone say, “She has potential.” Sounds like a good thing, right? In truth, it’s a compliment with a caveat. To say someone has potential is like looking in their pantry and noting there’s ingredients in there to make a cake. It does not mean there’s a cake. It doesn’t mean they will ever bake a cake. It just means this person could make a cake, if they so desired. If you want to have your cake and eat it, too, you have to do something with what you’ve been given. If you want red velvet deliciousness in your future, remember: it’s not going to bake itself. Potential is pointless until it’s proven in performance. Are you ready to see your possibilities manifest into something tangible?

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, December 24 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, December 25
Simple Harvest Reads, December 28 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, December 29
janicesbookreviews, December 30
My Devotional Thoughts, December 31 (Author Interview)
A Reader's Brain, January 1
All 4 and About Books, January 3 (Author Interview)

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Rosalinda is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and finished copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)