Review: Hannah's Moon by John A Heldt

Hannah's Moon 

by John A Heldt

After struggling for years to have a child, Claire Rasmussen, 34, turns to adoption, only to find new obstacles on the path to motherhood. Then she gets an unlikely phone call and soon learns that a distant uncle possesses the secrets of time travel.

Within weeks, Claire, husband Ron, and brother David find themselves on a train to Tennessee and 1945, where adoptable infants are plentiful and red tape is short. For a time, they find what they seek. Then a beautiful stranger enters their lives, the Navy calls, and a simple, straightforward mission becomes a race for survival.

Filled with suspense, romance, and heartbreak, HANNAH’S MOON, the epic conclusion of the American Journey series, follows the lives of four spirited adults as they confront danger, choices, and change in the tense final months of World War II.

My Take:

How many couples these days cannot have a child, and struggle through fertilization techniques, and the pitfalls and heartbreaking expenses and disappointments of failed adoptions? Such is the story of Claire and Ron Rasmussen. Enter a distant uncle, who promises he knows where they can find plentiful babies to adopt, with none of the red tape and political disappointments of international adoptions. 

When they eagerly investigate this option, they ask WHERE this option exsists. But it's the wrong question, they should have asked WHEN. The babies are available back in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. Ron and Claire pack their bags and head to Chattanooga in 1945 through a time tunnel, along with Claire's brother David, who is tasked with keeping them safe in a country that views eligible men not fighting in the war as deserters and worse. 

A beautiful stranger and an act of heroism put Ron at great risk, headed to the Pacific with the Navy, on a ship that is going to sink in flames. David's and Claire's efforts to save him only put themselves at greater risk. Will any of them survive to bring a new daughter back to the 21st century?

Content:

Drug Content:
PG – There's a bit of drinking. No drunkenness.  
 
Violence:
PG – The violence of war is described, and people die in flames or from shock or shark attack. None of it is graphic.
 
Language:
G - squeaky clean.
 
Adult Content:
PG - There are some oblique references to infertility and the struggles to get pregnant. There is the hint of an affair in the air. 
 
Christian content:
While faith is not clearly presented here, characters act out of faith and there is some discussion of church matters, praying and divine guidance. I found faithfulness, loyalty, bravery, honesty, and self-sacrifice between the covers. I found the book particularly uplifting.  

  

Final Analysis:
I've got to admit, I've reviewed several books by John A Heldt, most of them time-travel-related. And I was looking forward to this one, as every book of his I've found a fun and encouraging read. I love a good time-travel romp, mixed with a little romantic spice, and this book did not disappoint. 

The historical worldbuilding Heldt brings to the table reveals a great deal of research invested in these adventures. His characters are believable, the stakes are high, the pacing is quick, and his story immersive. This book is perfect for someone looking for a fun, clean time-travel romance adventure. Five Stars!

About the Author:

John A. Heldt is the author of twenty-five bestselling time travel novels. The former reference librarian and award-winning sportswriter has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports in grade school. 

A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, Heldt is an avid fisherman, sports fan, coin collector, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life at johnheldt.blogspot.com.

Review: The Last Homecoming by Dan Chabot

 

HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTSTRINGS ARE… Three troubled strangers gather on Christmas Eve to say farewell to a doomed old house, the secure shelter and refuge where each of them grew up over the course of 90 years. They all have warm, golden memories of youthful, magical Christmases here, and of the Rockwell-esque small town that nourished them as children. These old walls were witness to the stories of… …An elderly, feisty nun with life-searing experiences as a nurse in World War II, whose promiscuous youth still haunts her; …A depressed former Major League baseball pitcher who is contemplating a horrific act; …The hometown newspaper editor, still dealing with the tragic consequences of her long-ago teenage love affair. They are joined by their gracious host, the last owner of the house, whose own deep attachment has led her to stage this last homecoming for people who know it is not just a house, but a shrine of memories and echoes. But before it goes down to make way for a new bridge, this safe old sanctuary has surrendered some astonishing final secrets…

My Take:

The large old home in Upper Peninsula Michigan that Nettie Tannehill has lived in for 40 years is about to be torn down, a victim of a new bridge into town which somehow had to come through her old neighborhood. This 90 year old home has been a shelter from the storm for four families and countless neighborhood children, and the memories stored inside those hallowed walls are priceless. Who can set a value on what a home is worth? She's fought against the eminent domain order, somehow won and lost, and now she will be losing a lifelong friend. But in order to properly say goodbye to the old home, she gathers all the families that have dwelt there for one last Christmas together, to say goodbye. 

The house has been home to a tough nurse in WW II, a nun, a war hero, a major league baseball player, a newspaper editor. All these families are now facing terrible decisions, insurmountable crises, and ruin. But here, in this last Christmas gathering, they have a moment to return, reflect, and recharge. And the old home is about to reveal its deeply hidden secrets. Ones that will impact them all.

Content:

Drug Content:
PG – There's a bit of drinking, and a few people in town suffer the consequences of uncontrolled alcoholism. Bar life is unpacked.  
 
Violence:
PG – The tragic plight of kids with cancer is touched on, and some of the conditions and violence of war is described, but nothing too graphic.
 
Language:
PG - There's a light salting of coarse language.
 
Adult Content:
PG - There are the consequences of premarital sex. Petting is discussed, and the youthful conquests and escapades. There's no on-screen action.
 
Christian content:
Every family struggles with their faith, and each has a different story to tell. There are church and convent scenes, and frank discussions about God's direction and purpose for our lives. Deeply moving acts of service, compassion, and self-sacrifice are unpacked. The consequences of unforgiveness, hate, and spite are depicted. 

  

Final Analysis:
The Last Homecoming by Dan Chabot is a beautiful and moving slice of Americana. Its wistful descriptions of life through the last century are a masterpiece of worldbuilding. The simple life of yesteryear tugs at the heartstrings. And the description of life in UP is especially meaningful to me, as my grandmother came from there, and the iron mines of Ironwood, MI. Her pasties were a favorite memory of mine. It's amazing how one can remember the taste of something from half a century ago. And as a bonus, at the end of this book there's a recipe for them!

I have to admit, this book is packed with heartwarming stories that will have you in tears. So bring a tissue, because you'll need it. Great world building, wonderful characters, and an epic saga of hope to tie it up in a beautiful bow. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Dan Chabot is a veteran newspaper editor, writer and columnist. His latest novel, "The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow Cafe," is a heart-warming story about what's right with America, its big heart and its kind and generous people, still a nation of exceptionalism, opportunity and fairy-tale endings. He has written three others: "Godspeed: a Love Story," poses an intriguing question -- How can a lie be wrong when it makes so many people feel so good? "The Last Homecoming" (Everybody remembers the house they grew up in) brings together at Christmas, for a final farewell to a doomed old house, four people who grew up there over the course of 90 years. "Emma's Army" pokes some fun at today's woke culture.

These days Chabot lives in Florida.

Review: As Wings Unfurl by Arthur M. Doweyko

As Wings Unfurl 

by Arthur M. Doweyko 

Applegate Bogdanski returns from Vietnam with a missing leg, a Purple Heart, and an addiction to morphine. He stumbles through each day, looking forward to nothing and hoping it will arrive soon. When he attempts to thwart a crime, he is knocked unconscious and wakes up to discover that people are once again calling him a hero, though he feels undeserving of the praise.

Apple returns to work and meets Angela, a mysterious woman who claims to be his guardian. Immediately, he feels a connection to her, which morphs into an attraction. But he soon discovers that Angela is much more than she seems.

Apple and Angela are swept up in a conspiracy that stretches through time and space. Together, they must fight to save everything they hold dear from an alien race bent on destroying humanity.

My Take:

When Applegate Bogdanski returns from Vietnam, he has traded a leg for a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, a hero's welcome, and an addiction to morphine. He stumbles through life in a drug-induced cottony daze, wishing to die and knowing deep inside that he's not a hero but a coward. His job at a small bookstore in New York City is hardly interesting, until a man shows up pummeling his boss and looking for negatives to some incriminating picture.

A mysterious woman named Angela shows up and saves him, and claims to be his guardian angel. The negatives become the focal point of a string of attempts on his life by beings far more powerful than any human, and only the superpowers of his angel can save him. But all isn't as it seems. The angels and demons struggling over secrets seem more alien than divine, and the two of them uncover an unholy plot that could eliminate all of mankind. 

Content:

Drug Content:
PG – Multiple references to drug addiction and abuse, pushers, and drugs administered against a person's will. Some slight alcohol consumption. 
 
Violence:
PG-13 – Multiple violent scenes, including a few decapitations and severed limbs. Nothing gratuitously graphic.
 
Language:
PG-13 - The F-bomb appears once, and milder expletives are spread throughout the work.
 
Adult Content:
PG-13 – A few slight adult conversations, and several scenes with nudity, but no sex.
 
Christian content:
There's a tremendous struggle of good vs evil in this book, and the bad guys are disguised as monks, priests, cardinals, and nuns. The good guys also impersonate the priesthood. Several religious people pray, and much of the action takes place in religious buildings, like a cathedral. And you'll find loyalty, faith, and self-sacrifice repeatedly here. But don't enter this book looking for a story of the unseen world of angels and demons fighting for the souls of mankind.

  

Final Analysis:
As Wings Unfurl is a fast-paced high-stakes thriller with a depth of world building and character development that gives it solid realism. The characters are relatable, the setting and story immersive, and the pacing perfect. I found it engaging, gripping, and entertaining. Five Stars!

About the Author:

As a scientist, Arthur has authored 100+ publications, and shares the 2008 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the discovery of Sprycel, a new anti-cancer drug. He writes hard science fiction, fantasy and horror. His debut novel, Algorithm, which is a story about DNA and the purpose of humanity, garnered a 2010 Royal Palm Literary Award (RPLA) and was published by E-Lit Books October 2014. He has published a number of short stories, many of which were finalists in RPLA competitions. A number of his short stories have garnered awards, which include Honorable Mentions in the international L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest and First Place in P&E Readers Polls. His recently completed Angela's Apple, a novel about angels who are not angels, won 1st place as Best SciFi Novel at the 2014 RPLA and will be published by Red Adept Publishing. His current project, Henry The Last, is about the last human being, a Lakota Indian cyborg. He lives in Florida with his wife Lidia, happily wandering the beaches and jousting with aliens.

You can find more about him, read his edgy science blogs, or enjoy his art work at www.ArthurMDoweyko.com

Review: No Longer Hidden by M. C. Aquila

No Longer Hidden 

by M. C. Aquila

Linnea is a Swedish princess reluctantly settled into her role as the middle never as influential as the eldest and never as beloved as the youngest. With her fiancé missing in action for nearly a decade, her future is uncertain. But when the Norwegian king curses her younger sister, the fate of Sweden itself is at risk. As war breaks out, Linnea goes on a quest to meet the king and strike a deal that will save the lives of her family and her people — even if it means using her own life as a bargaining chip.

But quests rarely go as planned, especially as she uncovers the secrets of Norway's royal family and the hidden purpose of the war…

This loose retelling of the classic fairy tale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" takes place near the end of the Viking Age when the old, fierce gods of myth and the new, omnipotent Christian God were both considered equally true and real.

 My Take:

Linnea Olofsdotter is the middle-born princess to the king of Sweden. Predicted to be ordinary and common by a witch's foretelling, she is fiance to the second-born prince of Norway, who went missing five years ago while on a hunt for a giant wolf in the north. 

When her father proclaims a contest for his third daughter's hand, many young princes from all over come to compete, including the sorcerer king of Norway. When King Ingvaldr does not win, in rage he casts a curse on her, placing her in a deep magic sleep only magic can raise her from. Then he and his fleet disappear in a moment.

King Olof makes ready to go to war with Norway, a war he cannot win. And the only one who can save both countries from destruction is Linnea, who must travel through forbidding monster-infested forests and mountains to plead with King Ingvaldr to take her to wife instead. But will the wizard listen at all? Will she even survive the treacherous journey, when she must travel alone?

Content:

Drug Content:
G – There is very little alcohol in this novel, and no substance abuse. 
 
Violence:
PG – A character is badly burned. There's a scene where men are coming back from a war, missing a limb or two.
 
Language:
G – Nada.
 
Adult Content:
G – There's a bit of kissing but nothing further. Good clean romance.
 
Christian content:
The main character goes up against several monsters of Scandinavian myth, and defeats them using icons of the Christian faith. (Crosses, prayers, that sort of thing.) Scripture is quoted in a few places, and faith plays a critical role in the characters as well as the countries they travel through. The book's setting historically is during the Christian conversion of these Scandinavian countries, and friars and bishops play a part in the plot. Faith, hope, self-sacrifice, and loyalty are critical components in this tale. 

  

Final Analysis:
Wow! Where to begin? This fantasy had me spellbound until 2AM; I could NOT put it down. From two chapters in I was unable to stop reading. It had it all - the fae folk, the frost giants, the hulders and the descendants of the wolf king Fenrir. From cover to cover, Aquila weaves a gripping tale of the struggle of faith against magic, of the dark against the light, of hope against hate. The contrasts between the forces of good and evil are not hard to discern here, and the stakes could not be higher. The fates of Sweden and Norway both hang in the balance. Masterful worldbuilding combines with believable and relatable characters, spiced up with a liberal dose of humor, banter, and a little romance to make an excellent, fast-paced fantasy. Perfect for lovers of historical fantasy and Scandinavian mythology.Five Stars!

About the Author:

M. C. Aquila, a Catholic and born and bred nerd, graduated from Winthrop University with a BA in English. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA but currently resides in South Carolina. When she is not co-writing the Winter's Blight series, she tutors both native and ESL students in English, giving her a renewed love for the strange wonderfulness of the language. She also enjoys drawing daily, baking recklessly, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, searching for the best red wine in existence, and reading any story with a villain she loves to hate.

To learn more about her present and future books, visit her website: https://mc-aquila.com/

Review: Chimera Catalyst (Finder#1) by Susan Kuchinskas

Chimera Catalyst (Finder #1)

By Susan Kuchinskas

 When Finder is hired to locate charismatic, green-haired Miraluna Rose, it seems like an easy job. Crack into corporate databases, brew up some biologics to enhance his thinking, and get the job done with the help of the Parrot, a bird/dog chimera with the finest traits of both species.

The search takes Finder and the Parrot to the sun-broiled streets of Laxangeles, the canals of Seattle and the weirdly mutated vegetation of the Area. It turns out that it's not a simple missing-person case after all.

Finder discovers that ReMe, a corporation providing medical cloning services, is illegally breeding human/animal chimeras. ReMe is selling these exotically beautiful female creatures, branded as ArcoTypes, as playthings to the wealthy and ruthless.

Miraluna Rose is its finest creation, but she has other ideas. She's holed up at Refuge, a haven for runaway ArcoTypes, where she's planning a future of freedom for her sisters.

To help the ArcoTypes fight ReMe, Finder and the Parrot will need the help of a couple of sympathetic AIs, the CEO of the world's largest advertising company and a posse of highly modded, celebrity-crazed media kids.

My Take:

When Finder is hired by Thin Man to hunt down a woman named Miraluna Rose, he knows it's no ordinary missing person case. On the surface, it seemed she was going out for the evening, but she never came back. The breathtakingly beautiful green-haired woman must have been snatched, and Finder and his genetically crafted parrot-dog Parrot must follow a confusing trail of bread crumbs using high tech gadgetry and computer wizardry to rescue her.

But as Finder pursues, he comes up with more questions than answers. Who, or WHAT, is Miraluna Rose? Why does it seem like maybe she doesn't WANT to be found? What is Thin Man hiding, and what does ReMe, a genetic cloning corporation, have to do with this? 

Suddenly, Finder finds himself the target of a manhunt, and keeping one leap ahead of the corporate goons is almost all he can handle as he uncovers secrets they are trying desperately to keep hidden.

Content:

Drug Content:
R – Wow, so much. In the future, it appears oxytocin is an over-the-counter drug, and walking around with an IV-port to fast-track performance-enhancing meds is common.  (BTW I appear to have confused oxytocin with oxycodone, which is a controlled substance, my bad).
 
Violence:
PG – This thriller has some violence, and some death and torture mentioned but not on screen. 
 
Language:
R - The F-bomb is dropped quite a bit. This isn't something I'd give an early teen to read.
 
Adult Content:
PG-13 – Sex trafficking is a major thread of this story. Clones are manufactured for pleasure. Gender parts are mentioned in a few places, but no real action occurs on screen. The human-animal genetic hybrids hinted at a bit of bestiality hiding in the shadows, but again nothing occurred onscreen.
 
Christian content:
None. There's a church, but it's pretty much New Age, and involves what amounts to a skin-on-skin touching orgy. (not sexual, just... touching.)  

  

Final Analysis:
I found Chimera Catalyst to be a fast-paced, well-written thriller. I liked the plot twists and the characters, especially the Parrot and Finder and their interactions. The stakes were high, the world-building phenomenal, the characters enjoyable, the humor engaging. Five Stars!

About the Author:

As a kid, Susan Kuchinskas spent hours catching toads, watching rabbits and starting ant wars -- and reading, reading, reading.

She's never lost her love for creatures of all kinds. In fifth grade, she discovered the bookmobile's science fiction section and read nothing else until she got to college.

After the usual writer's mix of odd jobs – gogo dancer, housepainter, office temp – she happened into journalism. As a technology journalist, she covered the rise and fall of the dotcoms, the move to digital and mobile, and the ascendance of social media.

She's the author of two previous books, Going Mobile: A Guide to Real-time Mobile Applications that Work (CMP Books 2003), and The Chemistry of Connection: How the Oxytocin Response Can Help You Find Trust, Intimacy and Love (New Harbinger 2008).

Her short stories have been published in anthologies and journals including Deep Space Dog Fight and Chicago Literati. This is her first novel.

To exercise the parts of her body and mind that don't get a workout from writing, Susan is an organic gardener, beekeeper, sculptor and DIY re-modeler. She enjoys uncovering exotic cultures at home and abroad.

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her mate, Mike, and their socially challenged dog and super-chill cat.
!

Review: Sarah's Song by Vicky Whedbee

Sarah's Song

by Vicky Whedbee

 It’s the 1940’s, in rural East Tennessee, Appalachian country. For most everyone, there is only work, and possibly church, if there’s one nearby. People rise before the sun is up, work hard, go to bed early, and rest in church on Sunday. Little chance for much else to happen. Right?

So, why would keeping one little secret for over sixteen years be so important? What could possibly have happened, that could change the lives of so many people, if the secret were to be revealed?
There are only three people alive, that know the answer to that question. For now.

My Take:

The fire that burned her house down and killed her parents left Sarah having to care for her younger brother and sister at her grandfather's house. The bad man that set the fire had died in there with her parents. All three kids suffered years of trauma over that tragic night. Nightmares that just wouldn't stop. But time heals all wounds, doesn't it? Life goes on, and children grow, and forget.

A cold winter's night takes the life of a young Cherokee boy's parents. Though little more than a toddler, the boy becomes the slave of the pig farmer whose shed they were sleeping in. And time passes, while he grows, chained and abused and half-starved.

But one morning, a mistake the farmer makes allows the young man to escape with a couple buying a pig, and these stories become forever intertwined. And the terrible secret from the forgotten past? Well, secrets have a way of coming out...

Content:

Drug Content:
G – There is very little alcohol in this novel, and no substance abuse. 
 
Violence:
PG – There are a few scenes of abuse and violence.
 
Language:
G – Nada.
 
Adult Content:
G – There's a bit of kissing but nothing further. Good clean romance.
 
Christian content:
Quite a bit. One of the characters comes to Christ and is asked to give his testimony. When he does, many of the church members present are moved to get serious with God. This character goes on to become a preacher of sorts. Characters wrestle with faith and purpose. We see prayer, compassion, scripture quoted occasionally, and the characteristics of love, joy, peace, self-sacrifice, and generosity beautifully presented. 

  

Final Analysis:
Sarah's Song is a beautifully written novel that dances around the edges of multiple genres. Is it a romance? Yes! Is it an adventure story? Yes, again. It's a murder mystery, a romance, and a faith-filled thriller, all wrapped up and presented in a beautiful bow. Several passages had me moved to tears over the trials and victories of the characters. Whedbee brings raw emotion to the table, with a gripping tale of rural life in the Forties. The character development is real and raw, and the stakes are high. The pacing was reasonable. Good world-building, real characters, thrilling action and a spice of romance. What's not to like? Five Stars!

About the Author:

Vicky Whedbee was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she resided until her 40's when she relocated to San Mateo, Florida. An avid reader, she wrote her first novel over a period of years as a labor of love and fulfillment of a life long dream that began with the encouragement of her English teacher in high school.
With a diagnosis of cancer for her dad, she decided to become an independent author and published her novel on her own in order to present a finished product to her father before his demise. She was in the process of reading said novel, "Things He Hadn't Told Her", to him at the time of his passing.
She wrote her second novel "Sarah's Song", which was a collaboration with her father set in the time of his childhood in the rural Appalachian mountains, with notes taken prior to his demise. Both books have been met with stellar 5-STAR reviews on Amazon & Goodreads, as well as awarded the 5-star review seal from Reader's Favorite.
After numerous requests, she wrote a sequel to Sarah's Song, titled Sarah's Home, which could also be read as a stand-alone. It, too, is being received with love and 5-STAR reviews.
She is currently working on her next novel.
Visit & contact her through her website https://crwvao.wixsite.com/vickywhedbee

Review: Love's Fate (Fate Series Book 3) by Diane Yates

 

Review: Love's Fate (Fate Series Book 3) 

by Diane Yates

To Deborah who lost her sister, Aliyah, to a Christian cult, the only thing worse than a Jewish Christian is an Arab Christian. But Amir, banished from his Arab-Israeli family, falls in love with the sad, beautiful, Jewish Deborah at first sight. A bond forms between them despite their religious and ethnic differences. After Deborah’s sister left, her parents Yosef and Esther loathed each other, and nothing can ignite feelings of love between them. While David Drake and Aliyah return to her homeland of Israel as missionaries, David’s sister, Melissa, tries to reach teenagers in the USA with the message of abstinence, but her own marriage threatens to derail her mission. Little do they all know what the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has planned for them and the Fate of their love.

My Take:

Deborah Zimmerman leads a somewhat cloistered life, sheltered in her Jewish home with little freedom to even pass the front door. After all, her big sister Aliyah had been spirited away by an American Christian, and was considered dead to her mother. But on her first venture to the marketplace as a late teen, she is waylaid by a woman who hands her a small velvet bag with a Christian manger scene in a snow globe - a gift by her missing big sister. As she ponders the meaning behind the small baby in a manger, she arrives at the market only to be harassed by a devilishly handsome young Arabic man named Amir. A converted Muslim Christian, outcast by his own family. He falls desperately in love with the beautiful Deborah, who finds him dangerously attractive and adamantly off-limits.

Though she keeps running into (and over) Amir, she rejects him and the feelings he stirs in her. After all, he's Arabic, and worse, a Christian. But when Deborah is kidnapped by Islamic terrorists, only Amir can save her.  

Content:

Drug Content:
G – There is very little alcohol in this novel, and no substance abuse. 
 
Violence:
PG – The kidnapping scene and rescue are somewhat violent, and imminent death is threatened, but there's no blood-letting here..
 
Language:
G – Nada.
 
Adult Content:
G – There's a bit of kissing but nothing further. Good clean romance.
 
Christian content:
There's quite a bit of Christian material here. The characters pray fervently, and God answers prayers miraculously, though it's revealed more as acts of Providence and guidance than overt direction. The powers of darkness are evident here, too, though the spiritual realm is kept behind the scenes. Characters pray for guidance and submit to parental and holy authority, and work for the furtherance of the kingdom.

  
Final Analysis:
I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Love's Fate. I was fully invested in the characters and was on the edge of my seat through much of this fast-paced entertaining romance. It's always refreshing to read something clean and positive, with pain and sacrifice counterposed with hope and love. Well-written, entertaining, and encouraging. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Yates writes award-winning inspirational romantic fiction and nonfiction with endearing characters who find courage to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious. Her Fate Series, published by IHeart Publishing, begins with Melissa's Fate and continues with Impossible Fate. The third book in the series will release in the near future. Diane is the author of two biography/memoirs, Pathways of the Heart and All That Matters. She served two terms as President of Ozarks Writers League and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She teaches writing workshops and has spoken at various organizations. She and her husband Rick have served years in youth and adult ministries. She has three children and eight grandchildren. Follow her at www.dianeyates.com or her blog at www.dianesponderings.blog

Review: Don't Be Silly! At My Age? by Jacqueline Diamond

 

Don't Be Silly! At My Age?

by Jacqueline Diamond

They’re never too old for love lessons!

At 54, the fearless nurse doesn’t believe in love but she’s writing a romance. At 60, the bestselling novelist is happy to teach her about more than just storytelling... if he can stop her cat from terrorizing his dog.

When Mandy dives into Richard’s writing class, this outspoken duo is headed for a collision that will rock both their worlds. Don’t miss the fun, surprises, and unexpected twists!

My Take:

At 54, Mandy Matchett is a driving, no-nonsense single woman who knows exactly what she wants, and that does not include any romantic entanglements. Yet she's been challenged to write a romance. At 60, Richard Forbes is a bestselling novelist burdened with the loss of a wife, and no desire to open his heart up again. He'd rather be alone, thank you, even wishing to drop the small writing group he leads in his father's bookstore. But when Richard's dog breaks free on a walk and chases Mandy's cat, she joins his writing group out of spite. These two are on a collision course that will come to a head when a stalker targets Mandy for sending him to jail.

 Content:

Drug Content:
PG – There's some drinking in this, bottles of alcohol in the fridge, casual drinking. A drug addict comes calling, and there is some discussion of medicines and their abuse. 
 
Violence:
G – Not much, though there's some threatened.
 
Language:
G – Nada.
 
Adult Content:
G – This is a lighthearted romance, but there's little more than kissing mentioned. There are some mild references to moving in together.
 
Christian content:
There's a bit here. Several characters have come to faith and it makes a dramatic difference in them. There are a few references to praying and church attendance. But threaded throughout this novel there are themes of self-sacrifice, trust, faith, and second chances. Redemption and forgiveness play a significant part in the story. A broken marriage is reconciled. 

 
Final Analysis:
As I'd said before, I'm not usually a reader of lighthearted romances, but I enjoyed the book before this, and looked forward to reading more. I was certainly not disappointed. The writing in this novel was polished, engaging, and entertaining. I especially loved the banter between the main characters. Lines I found especially memorable: 

Well, he'd only dumped her two days ago. That wasn't a lot of lingering.

"And so it starts, with half a carton of purloined Chinese food and a sincere apology."

Mandy smiled all the way down to her slippers.

Hilarious dialog, engaging characters, edge-of-your-seat drama... what's not to love? Five Stars!

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Diamond has more than 100 novels to her name! A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jackie is best known for her Safe Harbor Medical romances (17 in all) and mysteries (four so far).

She is currently writing a series of romances about three sisters, all over 50, finding or rediscovering love. They are part of the Better Late collection of romantic comedies by Jackie and several other authors. Jackie's first romance in the series is Really? At Your Age?

Jackie has been honored with a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She and her husband, who have two grown sons, live in Southern California. You can learn more about her books at www.jacquelinediamond.net, where you can sign up for her free monthly newsletter. You can contact Jackie at JacquelineDiamondAuthor on Facebook or as @jacquediamond on Twitter.

Review: Walking With God Day By Day by Rachel Jamerson

Walking With God Day By Day 

by Rachel Jamerson

I have always had an inquiring mind. I want to know the who, what, when, where, how, and why of everything. I pay careful attention to what people don’t say-- as well as what they say. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn by simple observation. I also have a habit of asking ‘Why’ in my conversations with others, for which I have been criticized. However, I don’t do it to embarrass anyone. I’ve just always wanted to create in others the desire for knowledge, to get people to question the world around them and the things they do. To think about their own lives and to analyze what they believe and why they believe it. I want them to THINK. That’s why I ask questions and that’s why I wrote this book. God gave us an awesome gift called the brain. Let’s use it! How does this apply to you? You have a purpose. Everyone born on this earth does. From your first breath until your last, every choice you make affects the world in some way, and the decisions you make have a permanent effect on you and those in your circle of influence. That’s why it’s so important to ask the ‘Why’ questions. Just as we leave our marks on others, they also leave their marks on us. Think about the people you have met in your life and how they affected you. Teachers, family members, friends, and leaders from all walks of life. People you admired or those you despised. Those you loved and those who loved you. They all left you with something. Whether it was negative or positive, you were changed in some way. This brings me back to this book and why I wrote it. I am not much of a fiction writer. I like to write about the things I have learned --usually the hard way. I am also not one who reads much fiction instead; I like to read about other people’s journey and what they have learned. Many times, you will find a reference to another author’s work in my writing, because what they wrote meant something to me and I want to share it with others. My hope is that in reading this book, you will begin to understand the importance of asking the right questions. Of looking at things from a different perspective, as well as understanding the cause and effect of our relationships with others. I hope that you will understand the importance of using God’s Word to illuminate your understanding and how to apply His wisdom in your life. What follows is a collection of vignettes, thoughts, and life lessons that are presented to challenge and encourage you. They are the result of my 75 years of life experience, 45 of them spent walking with the Lord. By observing my life and applying God’s wisdom as shown in His Word, I pray you will become wiser, growing in confidence in your relationship with Jesus.

My Take:

Have you ever looked for words of wisdom from someone who has been down the road ahead of you, someone who can give you spiritual advice, a mentor who is invested in helping you ask the right questions and arrive at your own informed answers? What if you boiled down those decades of experience into a handy devotional that you could spend just a few minutes each day reading? Well, look no further, here it is from the pen of Rachel Jamerson, a multi-published Christian author with decades of writing under her belt.

 Content:

As this is a Christian devotional, I'll be skipping the usual ratings of drug, adult content, violence, and language. While such things COULD theoretically exist in a devotional like this, they do not here.

 
Christian content:
You might expect a Christian devotional to have content about Christ, the nature of God, and the Christian walk. And Jamerson does not disappoint. This book is packed with advice on church life, God in politics, how a church should look and how we contribute to its life. She does not shy away from hot topics such as the delusion and spiritual attacks leading our country and even churches away from God's truth, and exposes misconceptions on the nature of God and what a Christian is. Topics such as depression, women's ministry, the Sabbath, and the inclusion of pagan practices in Christian religious holidays are discussed, all from a solid biblical worldview.

 
Final Analysis:
This devotional is a quick read. Each of the 25 devotions in this book take about 2 minutes to read. Each comes with a scripture quote or passage, and each with a quote from a prominent person of faith. I found it challenging, informative, and encouraging. I especially liked her explanation of the inductive study method of scripture, and her take on walking with the Lord. Five Stars!

About the Author:

I have been writing for twenty-five years. My favorite resource is scripture. A hunger for God’s Word took me to the campus of Precepts International in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There I learned the Inductive Bible Study method, which completely changed the way I view scripture.

I served for five plus years in a local chapter of CONTACT USA. While there I served on the board of directors and as a crisis line specialist. In addition I am certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors in Caring for People God’s Way. I remained an active member until 2005. I am currently retired.

After becoming a Christian, my desire to write and quest for answers were dedicated to understanding God’s message to man. What exactly was He saying and why were there so many different interpretations? As a result, I became an avid student of scripture. My book ‘Spiritual Compass’ contains excerpts from various articles written over the years. It also takes the reader on a simple walk through the Word of God and offers insights derived from the personal journey of others.

I am a widowed grandmother of eight, retired and living in Southwestern Virginia.

Review: Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy by Craig R. Hipkins

Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy 

by Craig R. Hipkins 

Clement is no ordinary thirteen year old boy. He lives in a castle in 12th century Normandy. After helping Adalbert on his quest to find a long lost treasure, Clement and his friend Dagena return for another adventure. This time, Clement must overcome the evil ambitions of his wicked uncle, Sven the Terrible! Prepare yourself for some medieval action and excitement that you will not soon forget. 

My Take:

Clement de la Haye is a recently orphaned in Normandy. The death of his father has made him the new Count de la Haye, and set in motion several plans to wrest his power, his castle, and his holdings from him. Visitors to the castle inform him that he is going to be forced by the king to wed a suitable wife of high station, within the year, though he is not yet thirteen. But his heart is set on his childhood companion Dagena, the daughter of a scullery maid. They ride out on an adventure to explore a local cave with his best friend Olaf, unknowingly escaping a deadly trap by his villainous uncle Sven the Terrible. With only their wits and a couple daggers, they must rally an army to rescue their castle under siege and rout the evil invader and his army of mercenaries and highwaymen.

 Content:

Drug Content:
G – none
 
Violence:
PG – There are a couple scenes with cadavers. There is a glossed-over chapter concerning a battle between armies. There is a discussion of killing prisoners. 
 
Language:
G – Squeaky clean
 
Adult Content:
G – There is a bit of preteen angst, but no kissing.
 
Christian content:
Clement is a Christian, and says as much multiple times, taking the high road frequently due to his faith. There is a discussion of salvation by faith, and some content appropriate for a visit to an abbey. Prayer is not a stranger to this work, and faith in Providence carries them through several tight squeezes. Class distinction is a powerful destructive theme here, and Clement's stalwart refusal to succumb to that mindset makes him endearing and sets him far above others. Self-sacrifice plays a pivotal role, and care for the poor, identification with the downtrodden, and rescue of the innocent are strong themes in this work. 

 
Final Analysis:
Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy by Craig R. Hipkins is an outstanding, fast-paced historical coming-of-age adventure. Significant research went into making the period clothing, buildings, daily life, and speech of the times accurate. The characters were believable and had their own transformations along the way. I especially liked the camaraderie between Clement and Dagena. The worldbuilding was immersive, and the white-knuckle action had me on the edge of my seat as Clement and his friends moved from one scrape to another in a constant barrage. This page-turner is perfect for fans of coming-of-age adventures in historical times. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Craig R. Hipkins was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He currently lives in North Carolina.
Craig published his first book, “Fireballs: A History of Meteors and other Atmospheric Phenomena” in 2009. Adalbert is his first novel. It is the sequel to the novel Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018)
He is an avid long distance runner. He also enjoys astronomy and reading history in his spare time. His website is https://hipkinstwins.com/

Review: Scribes' Descent by Dylan West

People worship technology on Planet Daishon.

With inventions that prolong life and eradicate disease, it's little wonder. Death seems obsolete until an earthquake kills thousands, including Mallory's parents. They should have lived for a thousand years, not just fifty. Mallory scrambles for answers. Such a disaster shouldn't be possible.

Quakes have never happened on this world before.

Suspecting the top research center had triggered it, her best friend's father investigates. When he turns up missing, Mallory goes on site after him as a geology intern. She can't bear to lose anyone else.

An old mine sits at the epicenter of the recent quake, and an unbreakable alien barrier seals it off. But a door hidden in its surface opens for Mallory when she translates its engravings. Once inside, she evades underground predators while cut off from the tech that's always protected her.

Some graves run much deeper than six feet, and this place could be one of them.

Within this self-contained world lie the remnants of a universal war, revealing that Daishoni folklore is more than superstition. To survive, Mallory must trust in something more than science and logic. She must follow the voice of one she can't see down to the very bottom. Something deadlier than a quake is trapped there, and it is trying to escape.

 My Take:

Mallory Leighyan's family emigrated to Planet Daishon to escape the devastating quakes on their homeworld, earthquakes destroying the old planet's crust due to the terrible mistakes of their technologically advanced civilization. Planet Daishon was perfect for them, after all, because it was deemed impossible for this new planet to have quakes at all. Until it did. A devastating quake kills both Mallory's parents and propels her into a world-changing quest to seek answers. And this will take more than her brilliant intellect - it will require trusting a Voice of one she cannot see, in a descent deep into the crust of Daishon, where something far deadlier than a quake is waiting for release.

 

Content:

Drug Content:

G - squeaky clean

Violence:

PG - There are a few scenes where horrific carnage occurs, but they are rather glossed over. A monster destroys a team of commandos. Most violence is committed by monsters or against them. There is a scene where a girl is kidnapped in order to be eaten, and she barely escapes. 

Language:

G - squeaky clean. 

Adult Content:

PG - There is a bit of late teen angst, but nothing physical. The only kiss I recall was on the hand.

Christian content:

Scribes' Descent has many oblique references to faith in multiple different deities, as the religions of the different worlds collide. The Protectors follow a mono-theistic religion which does a reasonable job of paralleling the God of the Bible. The Voice in one place askes the Scribes to 'Follow Me'. There is a species of light-emitting creatures that seem quite similar in some respects to the Seraphim. Faith and praying are commonplace, especially for those living deep underground. Forgiveness and mercy play pivotal roles in this adventure. Mallory must come to grips with death, with divine purpose, and the existence of something greater than intellect and more eternal than a 1000-year lifespan. 

Final analysis:

There is something refreshing in reading an adventure story of this magnitude, with an overarching plot that requires the faith of just taking the next step. The worldbuilding in this series is extraordinary, and the characters fully developed. Supporting characters have transformational arcs of their own, and it makes for a much more enjoyable journey. I especially appreciated the way the elements of faith were intertwined throughout the story, without distracting at all from the storyline. The action is intense in places, and the stakes could not be higher. The plot was riveting, and I found it impossible to put down. I'm looking forward to finding out what's at the bottom, and how it will affect the fate of worlds in book two. Five Stars!

 About the Author:

Dylan West is a Jesus lover, web programmer, video game developer, Navy veteran, foreign language nut, and a nut in general. While other people are busy thinking normal thoughts, he's crafting corny jokes. His novels are young adult, science fiction, and faith-based. Dylan lives in Chesapeake, VA, with his wife and daughter and two demanding tabby cats. Sign up for his newsletter here to receive updates and a behind-the-scenes look at the science research behind his stories: https://dylanwestauthor.com