Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Coral- Sara Ella

My Rating: 3 Stars

Description: There is more than one way to drown.

Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?

Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?

Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?

When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?

Taking a new twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved—yet tragic—fairy tale, Coral explores mental health from multiple perspectives, questioning what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.


My Thoughts: This story follows the plot lines of Coral, Brooke, and Merrick, and how their lives have intersected with suicide and depression. Like the cover, the tone throughout was very... blue. Sad and focused on inward emotions.

Normally, I am not a fan of books that follow this tone. For me, they are not the escapes that I most often look for nor a place to hide from my own blue emotions. So I will admit that some of that played into my thoughts on this story. Still, I really applaud Sara's choice of message and her desire to show that those of us with depression are not alone in the world. We are not the only ones "diseased".

However, the focus on these emotions made it difficult for me to read and the fairy tale aspect of this seemed a little lacking. Fairy tale retellings are one of my favorite subgenres because of the enchantment they bring to a story. While Coral is a mermaid who comes on land, her world lacked a lot of the vibrancy I was anticipating, especially considering the fact that she has synesthesia.

For those who like poetic writing with darker narratives, this would be a good choice. However, if you are looking for something like other fairy tales, I can't say that this is it.

I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book through the Fiction Guild.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Ice Master- Jennette Green

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description: Rogue code. A double agent.

He's the commander of Tarim Territory's air defense. She's the daughter of an empire bent on destroying them. Can love unite these star-crossed lovers, and save their world?

Lee is haunted by nightmares and guilt. As a brilliant young teen, her father manipulated her to create an invasive new computer virus. She hadn't known his monstrous plan. ...Not until he launched a thermonuclear attack against their enemies. Now her uncle wants her to finish the job. Lee would rather die than be used as a pawn again by her bloodthirsty family.

Michael's top-secret project is almost ready for launch, and the only one he trusts with it is Lee, his new research assistant. Lee is brilliant; a mystery wrapped up inside an enigma. Pain lies behind her lovely eyes, and he wonders what secrets she is hiding. When a saboteur strikes, his gut tells him Lee is innocent. But is his heart blinding him to the truth?

"Ice Master is the second book in the Ice Chronicles, a series of imaginative romance novels set in a post-apocalyptic world. If you like smart, courageous heroines, nail-biting action, and heartwarming stories of love and redemption, then you'll love Jennette Green's futuristic romance."

My Thoughts: Ice Master is a good sci-fi story. It's described as post-apocalyptic, and it is in the sense that war has forced humanity to build underground. However, the rest of this story reads far more like a sci-fi, with civilization thriving in communities built in underground caverns. There is advanced tech, lasers, and a man with the scientific ability to manipulate ice into weapons.

The main narrative on this story is one of espionage. Lee a spy and double agent, the second of which she believes is known only to her. There is some romance between her and Michael, but the heart of the story is her redemption for actions in the previous book. While Lee never meant for her virus to kill, it already has and she doesn't believe that she deserves forgiveness from anyone— not even God.

In the end, I would have liked there to have been more romance between Lee and Michael, but the amount there was set up a relationship for them to continue with after the story ended. I would recommend this to anyone who likes sci-fi centered stories with themes of redemption.

I have provided an honest review after having received an ecopy of the book from the author.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Moonscript Cover Reveal- H. S. J. Williams



MOONSCRIPT SUMMARY 
 

"It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me." 

Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.

And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those willing to help him come from the unlikeliest of worlds.

The orphan girl, yearning for a loving family, and the boy who won't leave her side. A healer maiden given an unexpected chance for a life beyond narrowed expectations. A grieving creature flown far from home.

They all search for something and now their fates are tied to his. If their quest for life can pull him from the dark mire in which his soul drowns, then perhaps he can be saved.

Or else he will drag them all down to a fate worse than death.

The beginning of an epic saga, MOONSCRIPT is a journey of innocence, despair, and redemption. 



I'm excited to read this one! Williams is a great story teller and this looks to be just as awesome as her novella, Fairest Son.


RELEASING MAY 7th, 2020

PRE-ORDER LINKS

Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Moonscript-Kings-Aselvia-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0831SDYMJ

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Moonscript-Kings-Aselvia-H-Williams/dp/1732430624

Author Website: https://www.hsjwilliams.com/

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18131512.H_S_J_Williams

Cover Artist: @morgana0anagrom https://www.instagram.com/morgana0anagrom

Friday, January 10, 2020

Wings of Devotion- Tour and Review

On Wings of Devotion JustRead Tour 
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!



ABOUT THE BOOK

 

On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M White Title: On Wings of Devotion
Series: The Codebreakers #2
Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: January 7, 2020

Against Every Warning, She's Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as "Black Heart" 

All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster--a manwho deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.

As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed "Black Heart," she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing--and some of her own to do as well.

With Camden's court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope--and to each other--if they want to survive.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books...to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

CONNECT WITH ROSEANNA: Website | Facebook Twitter | Instagram

 

My Review

 

Roseanna White continues to surprise me with the quality of her stories. I honestly cannot think of another book which I felt showed the transformation from absolute sinner, oblivious to their need for salvation, to transformed hero by the grace of God as well as this book did. Camden was a rogue, his past made perfectly clear while still not forcing the reader to live through it with him.

I loved this story and its message of grace. Arabelle, though at times she might have seemed a little too forgiving, was a great example in Camden's life that God forgives. Yet she also didn't shy away from calling him out when he did something wrong. I think what I liked most about her character though was that she was always willing to forgive the woman who wronged her rather than become petty. So often in affairs, the women are held to a double standard while the men mostly get away with it.

This story also did a great job with its villain. While I didn't care for Diellza at first, instead wanting more of Camden and Arabelle, Diellza steadily grew on me. Though she is clearly the villain of the story, Roseanna refrained from vilifying her, instead showing her as human like everyone else, in need of grace.

This book has me really excited for the next in the series and I can't wait to see who it will be about.

I have provided an honest review after receiving a copy of this book through JustRead Tours.


 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

(1) winner will receive a On Wings of Devotion inspired prize pack including a Recreation RFC Pilot Wings pin, a mini globe, Cadbury Chocolate, Caddie the Cocker Spaniel (handmade by Roseanna), and One Seat and Tea Package for an Online Tea Party Book Club with Roseanna (Winner's choice of scheduled dates. Includes treats, loose-leaf tea, and book club goodies. A $25 value! For more information, visit http://www.roseannamwhite.com/tea-party-book-club/.)!

On Wings of Devotion giveaway JR

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 7, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on January 14, 2020. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.



Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Monday, January 6, 2020

The Promises of God Storybook Bible- Jennifer Lyell

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Description: God’s love is unstoppable. And that’s a promise.

Noah’s ark. Joseph’s dreams. Jesus’s miracles. The Bible is rich with stories for our children to hear and enjoy, but when those stories uncover the thread of God’s promises, our children learn much more than individual Bible stories. They discover how God has demonstrated His love for us, from the first promise in the garden to the promise of the new heavens and earth.

A conversational, whimsical, biblically faithful retelling of more than fifty key Bible stories, The Promises of God Storybook Bible lets your child hear favorite stories with new ears, repeatedly assuring them that each word is proof of God’s unstoppable love and unbreakable promises to His people.


My Thoughts: What I like about this storybook Bible is the interactiveness. Each chapter ends with four questions which prod children to remember and think on what was just read. And the narratives themselves are peppered with questions that prompt a verbal response. The way these stories are told lead to genuine conversation between the children and whomever is reading.

The theme of this book is also a great one, teaching children that God always keeps his promises and showing stories from the Bible that prove it. Unlike many storybooks, this one does not have as much of a narrative flow, instead treating every story as a lesson. Sometimes, this style leaves the story feeling a little choppy, but overall I think it works well. It also helps to remind the reader (adult) that this is not the actual Bible and shouldn't be used as a substitute.

I think this is a great addition to a family or church's library and will be using it as a resource myself.

I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

It's the New Year- Changes for Backing Books



I hope you are all enjoying your New Year! 2019 was good one for me, but I'm hoping 2020 will be even better.



As you might have noticed from the blog heading, there are some changes I plan to make in 2020. The first is that I will be phasing out Backing Books within the next couple of months. I have a new website rebekahgyger.com, where you can subscribe to my newsletter to find out about what is going on in my writing and life. There will also be some helpful blog posts related to writing and blogging.

This is a new venture, as I intend to expend my freelance editing business as well as my writing career.

If you are only interested in my reviews and giveaways, you can continue to follow me here as I complete the last few books I have in my queue for reviews. After that, you can still see my reviews on Goodreads or follow my Instagram to learn about new books and giveaways. I also post book related news to my Twitter.
 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TIonRgAj-/


I thank all of you who have followed me here over the years, and truly appreciate those of you who have let me know that you have found awesome new reads through my blog. Unfortunately, it is time to move my reading onto other platforms and devote my time to writing and editing.

Thank you all again for the past six years. I never imagined when I started that I would be able to blog for so long or connect with so many people.



I hope you have Happy New Year,
Rebekah Gyger