Blog Tour Review ~ "Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention" by J. Scott Savage

Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Middle Grade Steampunk

Book Description:  Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and “invention” is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion—an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on—and quite possibly their very lives.


My thoughts: An underground community committed to stop innovation and creativity is where this book takes place. They left the world above when they felt threatened by pollution, machines, technology, etc.

Trenton is a boy who has mind that can't help think of new ways to make things better. He can calculate math in his head and see's possibilities all around him. An unfortunate incident threatens his creative mind and he is reminded to conform. He discovers a curious object that has technology he is unfamiliar with and begins to ask questions.

The book is so well written it captured my attention from the beginning. Trenton is a great character and getting to know his friends and enemies was a treat. This book has so much imagination that it is sure to do well with it's target middle grade readers.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book

About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  J. Scott Savage is the author of the Farworld series, the Case File 13 series, and the Mysteries of Cove series. He grew up in Northern California and now lives in Utah with his wife and four children.

Scott has held too many jobs to count, including: a mall Santa, French chef, CEO of a dot com, plumber, radio station talk show host, and the guy who sits in the little photo developing booth. He has completed one marathon and hopes to complete another when the memories finally fade away. He loves reading, writing, camping, playing games with his family, and especially hearing from and meeting his readers. To e-mail him or schedule a visit, come to his website www.jscottsavage.com

#FREE e-book ~ "Three Little Words" by Melissa Tagg

Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: FREE from Amazon
Genre: Contemporary Romance Novella

Book Description:  Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column. 

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

Three Little Words is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Melissa Tagg's new series about the charismatic Walker family and the endearing town of Maple Valley! 


My thoughts: This is a very sweet novella. I loved how the relationship between Ava and Seth progressed. They start out as rivals, become friends, and then realize that they love each other. It wasn't a quick romance, but one that developed. I loved that.

This is a clean romance novella. I "purchased" it free from Amazon. It's wonderful and fosters an interest in the Walker Family series.

Get your FREE copy at:

Amazon Kindle * Barnes & Noble Nook

#FREE e-book "Rewind to You" by Laura Johnston

Young adult clean romance for FREE?!? Yes, please!

REWIND TO YOU by Laura Johnston is FREE on all major online eBook retailers through the first week of October, so be sure to click one of the links below and DOWNLOAD!

REWIND TO YOU on Amazon

REWIND TO YOU on Barnes and Noble

REWIND TO YOU on Kensington Publishing

REWIND TO YOU on Kobo

One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…

  “Johnston’s debut spotlights romance and familial relationships, including themes like grief and self-sacrifice. It’s an ideal story for readers looking for a deep-rooted YA love story with the emotional ups and downs and poignancy of a Nicholas Sparks contemporary. There’s also a touch of wit and a sigh-worthy hero – a definite on your TBR list.”
– RT Book Reviews

Tackle Your TBR read-a-thon results. #TackleTBR

The Tackle Your TBR read-a-thon has come to a close and I am happy with my accomplishments.

This week I finished visiting all of the participants.  It was a challenge to visit the people who were linked to Goodreads.  I hit the links, but some of them gave me an error message.  I did not get through the list twice as I had hoped to do.  I did visit some of the blogs on multiple occasions.

I read all but one of the books I set out to read.  I had planned to read nine books that I had listed, but I read a different book just because I wanted to.  I did read nine books, but only eight of them were on my list of goals.

I did not participate in all of the challenges and giveaways, but I did do several.

Here are my original goals.

I plan on visiting each participant twice.

Here are the books I plan to read.

1. Second  Chance Ranch by Liz Isaacson

2. Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore

3. Bearskin by Jamie Robyn Wood

4. Hearts Journey by Kristen McKendry

5. A Thankful Heart by David A Christensen

There are two books that I have written down to read during the time period.  The second is  a prequel novella to a series that I received to review.  It's free on Amazon, I will link it's amazon page in case anyone would like to give it a try.

1. Larken by S.G. Rogers

2. The Fool and the Dragonox by Jacob Gowans

I am embarrassed to admit that I have books that I received to review from Netgalley that I have neglected.  I plan on reading two that have were approved more than a year ago, but I have not read them yet.  

1. Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

2. Pawn by Aimee Carter

The first week I ACCOMPLISHED: 

There are 92 participants.  I have only visited 25.  I'm behind on that one. :)

The books I have completed this week.  I am linking the reviews to the titles.

Second Chance Ranch
Simply Anna
Larken
The Fool and the Dragonox

I also read a book that was not on the list.  It was a whim and I felt like doing it, so I did!

The Admirals Penniless Bride by Carla Kelly  - I did not review this book on my blog because it contained situations that I try to avoid.

The second week I was able to read:

Bearskin
Heart's Journey
A Thankful Heart
Pawn

I did not read "Here to Stay" but I will get it done sometime soon.

Book Review ~ "Pawn" by Aimee Carter

Pawn by Aimee Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley (I was approved to read this title in 2013)
Genre: YA Dystopian

Book Description:  YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Previously titled Masked.

My thoughts: Kitty Doe has taken her test to see what she will be doing for the rest of her life.  A test taken at seventeen determines you place in society. She can't read and didn't do well and will spend her days cleaning the sewer. She is given an opportunity to have a better life without knowing the strings attached.

Now she is a Pawn in a political game of greed and ambition. Her choices can change the lives of everyone. She has to decide if she is up for the challenge and if she is willing to put her life on the line. Her hearts desire is to have a nice quite future with her boyfriend Benji. She will have to keep them both alive long enough before they can escape.

This was a very interesting Dystopian book. I was a little leery at the beginning because of the decisions put in front of Kitty. I am glad that I kept reading. The book had so much political intrigue. There were plots within plots and it was interesting when they unraveled. Aimee Carter did a wonderful job at building the plot and the suspense. It was hard to decipher who Kittie should trust. Everyone had an agenda.

If you are a fan of the dystopian genre, this is a book that you don't want to miss.  This is the first book in a series.  The second book, Captive, is out with the third, Queen, to be published in November.

This book contains violence, innuendo, and kissing.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Blog Tour ~ "A Thankful Heart" by David A Christensen + giveaway

A Thankful Heart: 31 Teachings to Recognize Blessings in Your Life by David A. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic copy from publisher to review
Genre: LDS non-fiction (Religion)

Book Description:  Enjoy a happier, healthier life—starting with an attitude of gratitude! Research and revelation have both declared that staying thankful results in a host of benefits and blessings. You will be grateful for this book which contains a full month of ideas, quotes, and scriptures to get you feeling more grateful and help you see the Lord’s hand in your life.



My thoughts: I spend too much time not being thankful enough of the many things that I have been blessed with. It is easier for me to concentrate on the things that I THINK I want instead of being grateful for the things I already have. I have been blessed in abundance, and gratitude is what I need to focus on.

This book is written in an easy to follow way. David A. Christensen has compiled 31 ways that we can bring an attitude of thankfulness into our lives. Each chapter can be read as a daily devotional or all at once. I read this book quickly because of my review schedule, but I think it would have been more beneficial to me to focus on each chapter at a time and ponder it, rather than immediately going to the next.

The scriptures referred to in this book are found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Many quotes are also from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I found this book to be inspiring and just what I needed right now.

Purchase a copy at:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  David A. Christensen has taught missionary preparation and Book of Mormon classes for over thirty years. His testimony and enthusiasm for the restored gospel was shared with missionaries and members in the Chile Santiago North Mission where he served as president, and again in Central America when he was president of the Guatemala Missionary Training Center. He counts his children and grandchildren as his most important converts, and his best friend and wife, Deena Bond Christensen, his eternal companion.

Giveaway:  Cedar Fort is offering a digital copy of the book to one winner.  Enter by using the rafflecopter form below.  This contest  runs through LDS conference weekend.  It will end on October 4th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I am grateful for a wonderful family.  I married my best friend and I look forward to an eternity by his side.  I am grateful for my four children.  I look forward to the end of December when my oldest son will be returning from an LDS mission from the  Chile Santiago South Mission.  I am grateful for my home.  I am grateful for my testimony of the restored gospel and happy that I can serve others.  I am very grateful to the Savior, Jesus Christ, for his ultimate sacrifice, making it possible for me to repent and live with Him again.

Blog Tour ~ "Heart's Journey" by Kristen McKendry + tour giveaway

Heart's Journey by Kristen McKendry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description:  Adventure is in her blood, so when wealthy eighteen-year-old Rachel Hamilton’s treasure-hunting father disappears in the wilderness of British Columbia, she considers only one course of action: she will embark on a quest to find him. But for a well-bred woman with little understanding of the world beyond her upper-class existence, the harsh realities of the trail quickly become apparent. Woefully unprepared for the hardships of crossing a wild and unsettled continent, Rachel is hungry, lost, and distraught when handsome frontiersman Peter finds her in the middle of nowhere. Taking pity on the castaway, Peter promises to escort her to the safety of civilization. Little does he realize he’s taking on a naïve and foolishly brave girl who will test the limits of his patience. But he also discovers the same naïve girl will blossom into a strong, competent, and captivating woman as they undertake an epic journey that will forever alter both their lives.


My thoughts: An 18 year old young woman sets off on a journey alone to find her missing father. This would be a tough experience for anyone, but when you put it in a historical setting where travel was by wagon train it takes on a whole different experience.

Rachel is in a tough situation. She is traveling alone by train, boat, and wagon train. She is pretty and young which makes her a target for unscrupulous men. She comes from a family of wealth, so living life on a trail with little food or water is a hardship she is not used to.

I enjoyed reading about her experiences and the will to survive in difficult situations. As a character she undertakes a lot of growth and becomes better for it.

Peter is an interesting character. He is the silent type who keeps his thoughts to himself. When they meet, you could call it a rocky beginning. In many ways he helped Rachel to grow by letting her be stubborn. He didn't play the gentleman and insist on coddling her.

I found this to be an enjoyable book.

Purchase a copy:

Amazon * Deseret Book

About the AUTHOR:  Kristen Garner McKendry began writing in her teens, and her work has been published in Canada and the U.S. She received a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Brigham Young University and has always been a voracious reader. Kristen has a strong interest in urban agriculture, sustainable living, and environmental issues. A native of Utah and mother of three, she now resides with her family in Canada.

Enter the Tour Giveaway!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the Tour Stops!

*21st: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/

*22nd: http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://iamareader.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

*23rd: http://fireandicereads.com/, http://atransparentmom.com/ 

*24th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

*25th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ 

Blog Tour ~ "Bearskin" by Jamie Robyn Wood + giveaway

Bearskin by Jamie Robyn Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Fairy Tale re-telling

Book Description:  When Conrad, Moiria, and Heppson’s evil enchantress mother tries to convince them to follow her dark ways, they must each decide where the line lies between good and evil, magic and mythology. Based on a lesser-known fairy tale, this young adult book features an impossible romance, an intricate plot, and twists you won’t see coming.



My thoughts: This is a re-telling of a fairy tale that I was unfamiliar with. I googled the original while I was reading this one to see the way that Jamie Robyn Wood was able to adapt the story to make it into an original work.


The story was very interesting and I found some themes that resonated with me. The first would be honor, living up to your potential and protecting the ones you love. Heppson and Heart were great examples of this to me. They stood up to those who would persuade them to choose a path contrary to their beliefs.

Love is a prominent theme of the book. What would you do to help the people who mean the most to you? Would you travel on a quest that seems nearly impossible. Would you leave your home to protect another? Would you search endlessly for a family member? The characters in the book are faced with these questions and more.

Characters dealing with the consequences of their actions are always interesting to read about. There are many consequences faced. Consequences happen from both good and bad choices. I liked how the author was able to portray how we can choose our actions, but not the events that come from them.

I found the book to be fun to read. There are many interesting and unique characters that added a lot to the book. It is a clean book.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jamie Robyn Wood is a full-time wife and mother and a part-time fantasy writer and essayist. Jamie never imagined the wind could blow so hard and so cold until she moved to the Midwest. Now she prefers to hunker inside the house with a cup of hot chocolate and a story to write. Bearskin is her first novel. She, her husband, their five children, and their “pet” squirrels currently reside in Coralville, Iowa.

Visit her Website!

Jamie Robyn Wood is giving away a signed copy of the book to US addresses only.  The contest ends on the 24th.  Enter using the rafflecopter below.

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Visit the tour stops!  (found at www.cedarfortbooks.com)

September 8: Cracking the Cover
September 9: Robyn Echols Books
September 10: Jactionary
September 11: readalot
September 12: Iowa City Moms
September 13:
September 14: My Book a Day
September 15: Literary Timeout
September 16: Making Life a Bliss Complete
September 17: Getting Your Read On
September 18: Wishful Endings
September 19: Blooming with Books
September 20:
September 21: Inklings and Notions • Mel’s Shelves
September 22: Bookworm Lisa

Tackle Your TBR Readathon #TackleTBR week Re-Cap

Here are the goals that I set for myself.

I plan on visiting each participant twice.

Here are the books I plan to read.

1. Second  Chance Ranch by Liz Isaacson

2. Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore

3. Bearskin by Jamie Robyn Wood

4. Hearts Journey by Kristen McKendry

5. A Thankful Heart by David A Christensen

There are two books that I have written down to read during the time period.  The second is  a prequel novella to a series that I received to review.  It's free on Amazon, I will link it's amazon page in case anyone would like to give it a try.

1. Larken by S.G. Rogers

2. The Fool and the Dragonox by Jacob Gowans

I am embarrassed to admit that I have books that I received to review from Netgalley that I have neglected.  I plan on reading two that have were approved more than a year ago, but I have not read them yet.  

1. Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

2. Pawn by Aimee Carter

Here is what I accomplished this week.

There are 92 participants.  I have only visited 25.  I'm behind on that one. :)

The books I have completed this week.  I am linking the reviews to the titles.

Second Chance Ranch
Simply Anna
Larken
The Fool and the Dragonox

I also read a book that was not on the list.  It was a whim and I felt like doing it, so I did!

The Admirals Penniless Bride by Carla Kelly  - I did not review this book on my blog because it contained situations that I try to avoid.

The challenge runs until the 27th.  There is still time to get everything done.

I also took part in some of the challenges/giveaways.

9/14: Kick-off with giveaways. Giveaways will include:

• $15 Amazon gift card (INT)
• Book of winner's choice from their TBR (INT)

9/16: Random Page Challenge @ My Love for Reading Keeps Growing

9/17: Melissa McShane Comfort Read Share & Giveaway

 9/18: Spine Sentences Challenge @ Mama Vicky Says - 

Book Review ~ "Larken" by S.G. Rogers

Larken by S.G. Rogers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance

Book Description:  The sole survivor of a train accident, young Larken Burke is dubbed the Miracle Orphan. Four years later, however, her life is far from fortunate. Because of her emotional and physical scars, she believes she’s un-marriageable. With little hope for the future, she agrees to wed a gentleman she’s never met. Unfortunately, his aloof manner proves difficult to take. 

Marked by romantic tragedy and the loss of his brother, Brandon King has forsworn marriage. Obliged to take in a ward, he advertises for a mail-order bride to raise the boy. Since the union is to be a marriage in name only, his criteria are youthful age, a certain level of intellect, good breeding, and that the girl shouldn’t be so ill-favored she would embarrass him in society. To his dismay, he gets more than he’d bargained for.

Will it take a miracle for Mr. and Mrs. King to fall in love, or is their marriage another accident waiting to happen? 


My thoughts: Larken is a sweet girl who had the misfortune of being an orphan. Her parents were killed in a train wreck when she was 14 and she ended up in an orphanage and then fostered by a money grasping couple. She is forced into marriage when the couple responds to an advertisement for a mail order bride. She either accept the marriage, or she can find herself living on the streets.

The bonus about the marriage is that the marriage of convenience happens so that Brandon, the groom, can bring home his ward. A young boy who is also an orphan. Larken knows what it is like to loose parents and wants to protect the boy, Myles.

The book mostly focuses on Brandon and Larken trying to find a way to avoid their growing feelings for each other. They both have been hurt in the past and have a hard time trusting another with their affections. Both are hurt and need to heal from the broken hearts they have endured.

The book has some drama, which took away from the sweet romance part for me. Overall, it was a cute book to read. It is also clean, but does contain a little bit of violence.

This book can be purchased for kindle for 99 cents.

Amazon

Blog Tour ~ "Simply Anna" by Jennifer Moore + giveaway

Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore
Rating: 4,5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Historical Romance

Book Description:  Suffering from a cruel heartbreak, Lord Philip Hamilton has been driven to seek refuge from the painful memories haunting London, and his father’s Jamaican sugar cane plantation provides just the escape he needs. Philip finds solace in his hard work and takes comfort in the fact that his distance from society ensures that his heart will be protected from future entanglements. Protected, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a mysterious woman with no memory of her past. The only clue to her identity is a necklace inscribed with a name: Anna. In a matter of weeks, this gentle, intelligent, and impossibly beautiful stranger turns Philip’s world upside down. But as the bond between the pair grows, the threat of Philip losing his heart once more is only the beginning of the dangers that await. Island renegades and a ruthless band of pirates clash in a swashbuckling battle, and it soon becomes clear that these villains may be the key to unlocking Anna’s past . . .


My thoughts:  Jennifer Moore has done it again. She has created another book that captured my imagination and kept me wanting to read.

This book has some characters show up from past books that I loved.  While they are present in the story, it is not necessary to read the other books before reading this one.  It was just a pleasure for me to catch up with them a little bit.

Anna is a wonderful character.  She is smart and kind.  She is able to use her intelligence in all situations she finds herself in.   It is always wonderful to have a strong female lead.

Phillip is put in a tough situation.  He has inherited a plantation in Jamaica.  The plantation uses slaves.  I loved that Phillip didn't stand back and let the status quo remain.  He showed respect and compassion to his workers.  This was far from customary, but it was one of the qualities that I found admirable about him.

This book isn't very long.  It is about 200 pages. It is a book to that can be read quickly and savored.  It is a clean romance.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book


Enter the Tour Giveaway!

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Visit the Tour Stops:

Schedule: *Sept. 14th: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/ *Sept. 15th:  https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/, http://atransparentmom.com/ *Sept.16th:http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/,http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/,http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/,http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/ *Sept. 17th: http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://singinglibrarianbooks.weebly.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ *Sept. 18th: http://fireandicereads.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/category/entertainment/books/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/