Book Review: Thunder Mountain by Dean Wesley Smith

This was a surprising, easy time travel with some great western history.

Thunder Mountain
by Dean Wesley Smith

• File Size: 367 KB
• Print Length: 195 pages
• Publisher: WMG Publishing, Inc. (January 16, 2014)
• ASIN: B00HWMCTW6

Genre: Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Offered a free trip into a remote Idaho wilderness that she loves and studies, Professor Dawn Edwards can’t refuse. On the trip she meets Professor Madison Rogers, and they fall for each other before they even reach their destination.

But living in the Old West proves to be a brutal task. Somehow, Dawn must survive to rescue herself, her friends, and the man she loves.

A science fiction novel of the old west and true love.

Review:
Professor Dawn Edwards is beautiful and smart but her time is dedicated to her love of studying people as they lived in history. She made a summer visit hiking into a remote location in Thunder Mountain, Idaho, where she was fascinated by the ghost town cemetery. She is working on her next book about the area in the early 1900s. Two fellow historians, Bonnie and Duster, invite her to join them on another trip to Silver City and then to Thunder Mountain. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to return for another look. She is surprised to learn that another history professor, Professor Madison Rogers, is joining them.

Madison is as handsome as they come, but he has spent his time studying mining history. He is beginning to think there might be more but he hasn’t taken time to find more. He is glad to join his friends on a trip to study two historic mining towns.

Dawn and Madison are immediately smitten with each other. Not only do they have the joy of going on an historical expedition but they are pleased to be together. They are in for another wonderful surprise when Bonnie and Duster show them to a cave that serves as a station to time travel. The four travel back to the early 1900s so they get to study history up front and personal. As exciting as it is they discover that living in the past is much harder than they had imagined.

The romance between Dawn and Madison is warm and primarily private. The time travel is creative and the history detail is rich and engaging. This story and reading pace moves along quickly. This is an entertaining story and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a fun time travel to the old west with romantic element.

I received this title for review through StoryBundle.

Book Review: Blind Man's Bluff (Stone Gap Mountain) by Kay Stockham

This engaging story of blindness is more than just a romance.
Blind Man's Bluff (Stone Gap Mountain)
by Kay Stockham

• File Size: 705 KB
• Print Length: 357 pages
• Publisher: Kindred Spirits Publishing (September 21, 2012)
• ASIN: B009F73G2S

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 21, 2012
Can you love someone and still be free?
Emma Wyatt agrees to tutor a recently blinded, embittered soldier because of the $50,000 paycheck his brother offers. Blind herself, Emma dreams of independence and freedom. She wants to own a large kennel and live away from her overprotective family. But when she's attracted to her student, she fears falling for him means giving up her dreams.

Can you protect someone when you cannot see?
Good soldiers show no weakness. Ian MacGregor holds his battle with claustrophobia close to his chest, unsuccessfully trying to cope on his own. He’s lost in the dark and struggling to accept his fate. Ian knows duty, honor, serving his country. But his desire for Emma is overshadowed by the danger lurking around them. Emma would be better off with someone else. Someone sighted.
Someone able to protect her from the person determined to keep them apart.

BLIND MAN'S BLUFF is the first full-length novel in the Stone Gap Mountain Series. Be sure to check out SECRETS OF A SUMMER NIGHT, a Stone Gap Mountain Novella, for the first look at this exciting new contemporary series.

Review:
Ian MacGregor was a soldier dedicated to protection. When he loses his sight during a rescue he becomes bitter and tries to drown himself in booze. His brother, Duncan, who owns a successful security firm, and several of Ian’s friends are trying to help Ian come to terms with his disability.

Emma was blinded at age fourteen. After a few months struggling in rehabilitation Emma took charge of her life and learned to be the best blind person she could be. Fourteen years later she is living successfully, working as a bartender in her father’s bar, while kenneling and caring for a handful of dogs. She is trying to save money to set up a dog kennel and become independent, which is her dream.

Duncan asks Emma’s uncle, a psychiatrist, and close family friend, to talk to Ian. The doctor recommends that Duncan hire Emma to help Ian. Initially reluctant, Duncan changes his mind after watching Emma in action and realizing that she has experienced all that Ian has to face and learn.

Emma takes the job even though Ian tries to scare her off with sexual advances. Emma and her dogs move onto Ian’s property after a fire destroys her home. This puts them in continual proximity that feeds the attraction between them. Ian isn’t ready for help and Emma has to take a strong stand, telling the other men in the house to stop waiting on and enabling Ian. Emma challenges Ian and finds creative ways to show him he can relearn activities as a blind person. She also finds a way to help him face his private nightmare of claustrophobia.

As Ian begins to gain confidence there are unexplained disruptions in Emma’s routines. Duncan and Ian begin to suspect a young man whom Emma has agreed to help. The men seek to protect Emma as they try to locate the teen when he goes missing.

I enjoyed the strong pacing of the story, the well developed characters, the underlying suspense and the plot surprises. Focusing on the difficulties of coping with blindness is an interesting plot bonus and dogs always add a bit of interest.  There is good conflict and tension between these strong characters as they face fears and insecurities. I liked that the there is plenty of action and story to enjoy in addition to the solid romance. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a romance presented in a strong, engaging story. I would enjoy reading more books in this series and by this author.

I received this book for review through StoryBundle.

Mailbox Monday May 19, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I resisted selecting any new review books this week.
I picked up two free audios and many free ebooks.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

None

Won

None

Purchased

None

Free

I downloaded the first set of SYNC YA Audios-


WARP: The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer


The Time Machine by H.G. Wells


Plus I downloaded another 66 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today,  Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday What are You Reading? May 19, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

We had another nice week with our son, daughter-in-law and little "Sweet-Pea". 
Work was a little better but I still need to switch out computers soon.
I enjoyed my reading, finishing two ebooks and close to finishing an audio. I posted two reviews and the usual memes. :-)

I visited a little early in the week but didn't get back later.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? May 12, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday May 12, 2014.

• Book Review: Raptor 6 (The Quiet Professionals) by Ronie Kendig; Military Romance, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 16, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 5/22/14.

• Audio Book Review: Shadow Killer, a Charlie D. Mystery, by Gail Bowen; Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #151 Comment Giveaway 5/17/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 5/24/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 18, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Blind Man's Bluff (Stone Gap Mountain)
by Kay Stockham
I really enjoyed these characters and the story.
I received this through StoryBundle.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Thunder Mountain
by Dean Wesley Smith
This was a surprising, easy time travel.
Offered a free trip into a remote Idaho wilderness that she loves and studies, Professor Dawn Edwards can’t refuse. On the trip she meets Professor Madison Rogers, and they fall for each other before they even reach their destination.

But living in the Old West proves to be a brutal task. Somehow, Dawn must survive to rescue herself, her friends, and the man she loves.

A science fiction novel of the old west and true love.

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
No new releases this week.
Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link:  Prairie Lily by Georgina Sellwood
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP3

Tricked: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 4
Written by: Kevin Hearne
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
I am 80% in so I expect to finish this fun listen this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

The Windflower
by Laura London
I have moved along to 260 pages in this and now I am interested in where it goes from here.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Escape (Survivor's Club)
by Mary Balogh
I have started this and like the characters.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
In this poignant novel of longing and salvation, a hopeful widow and a resilient war hero discover the promise of love’s magic and new beginnings.
After surviving the Napoleonic Wars, Sir Benedict Harper is struggling to move on, his body and spirit in need of a healing touch. Never does Ben imagine that hope will come in the form of a beautiful woman who has seen her own share of suffering. After the lingering death of her husband, Samantha McKay is at the mercy of her oppressive in-laws—until she plots an escape to distant Wales to claim a house she has inherited. Being a gentleman, Ben insists that he escort her on the fateful journey.
Ben wants Samantha as much as she wants him, but he is cautious. What can a wounded soul offer any woman? Samantha is ready to go where fate takes her, to leave behind polite society and even propriety in her desire for this handsome, honorable soldier. But dare she offer her bruised heart as well as her body? The answers to both their questions may be found in an unlikely place: in each other’s arms.

4. Audio

Erian's Lair #2
by Troy Lee Henderson
I enjoyed the first book and look forward to listening to this.
Simon Hill has been away studying for the past two years. When his parents die suddenly, he returns home to find that he and his two young brothers, Darien and Edwin, have been evicted from their farm. Simon convinces his brothers to join him in an effort to find Erian, the daughter of Eathed, an old dragon who once befriended Simon. The three brothers enlist the aid of Deandra leBec, a dragon hunter whose father was killed by a dragon and setoff to find Erian. [A Novella] -–Book 2 of The Hill Brothers Trilogy.

I expect I will get to another book but I haven't decided if it will be another eBook from StoryBundle or NetGalley or one of my Audio review books.

I am still up to date on my daily Bible reading. I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on two non-fiction releases and a print release.

This month I have more review books than from my own TBR. :-) 
I completed two reviews and have two - so far- pending for this coming week.  

May Scheduled -
Nothing specificallly scheduled

NetGalley: I did pick up some more titles for April. 
The Escape (Survivor's Club) by Mary Balogh (reading)

Authors
From Story Bundle - check out the deal available 4/30 to 5/21
Where Dreams Are Born by M. L. Buchman
Simply Irresistible by Kristine Grayson
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox (I will be making more requests.)
   Erian's Lair by Troy Lee Henderson

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 18, 2014

This morning we celebrated graduation of our high schoolers. It is remarkable that many of them already have a year of college from dual enrollment and one had received her associates degree (two years) before completing high school. I would have loved that in high school and it is a shame that they are making the dual enrollment program more difficult by putting the cost burden on the school districts.

I enjoyed our pastor’s brief comments based on Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, a young follower.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

He further encouraged the graduates to use all they have learned through life after first seeking the Lord. Matthew 6:33. Continue to stay connected to God because when we know more of God, then we know better how to live our lives. Psalm 1:2-3. Then he urged them to continue to surround themselves with Godly people who encourage growth and living for God’s glory; and to work and serve with grace. He noted Mr. Walgreen’s commitment to a Godly life and exhorted them to live as above average Christians.

This is a nice version of Seek Ye First

Verse for Today
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Lord help me to take this message to heart each day: first seeking You, then serving You by sharing your love with others and living as an above average Christian.