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Thursday, October 26, 2017

Book Review: Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

I did enjoy this complex, Christian military suspense
Crown of Souls
by Ronie Kendig
File Size: 8885 KB
Print Length: 482 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 5, 2017)
ASIN: B071NJBKFZ
Genre: Christian, Military, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


"Kendig has out done herself."--RT Book Reviews on Conspiracy of Silence
Six months after stopping a deadly plague, Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are enjoying a little rest. That peace is short-lived when a sniper shot hits Tox. The enemy is discovered to be one of their own, a rogue Special Forces team operator.
Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.
Afraid his old friend is right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team engage in another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is cheating--he's using a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.


Review:
Cole’s nickname is “Tox”, short for Toxic, because of his past. Even though he has proven himself in his successful service to his country, there are memories that he hasn’t let go. His name has been cleared of an accusation, but that doesn’t help a lot since the public, including his parents, believe he is dead. He continues to operate with a special ops team under instructions of selected superiors.

The team is enjoying some down time and Tox is spending time with Haven, a woman who loves him and brings light to his life. He doesn’t feel worthy of her and thinks she will hate him if she ever finds out about his past secrets. A sniper shot takes Tox in the shoulder and at first it isn’t clear if the shot was meant for him or Haven. The investigation reveals that the bullet was a message from an old friend and prior team member, Alec.

Soon they discover that Alec has gone rogue and is on a vendetta to destroy men who were enemies of the state and those who obstructed their capture in the past. Further investigation shows that it is not just Alec having gone off the deep end, but apparently he is using an ancient relic, a crown, that is corrupting his mind. The team must find a way to stop Alec before he kills those Tox loves, and many more. Just as importantly, they must get control of the crown so it doesn’t fall into the hands of anyone else.

Ms. Kendig creates a rather involved, complex plot that moves from present day danger to the legend of the crown in ancient, 1170AD Syria. The first jump back in time was a bit confusing but then it became apparent that the author was establishing the history of the crown and the Christian Knight whose mission was to retrieve it. I enjoyed the history and it added to the mystery to be unraveled by Tox and his team.

One problem I had was the author’s inconsistency in us of character names. In one paragraph Tox might be referred to as Tox, Cole and/or Russell. There were other characters where this occurred too and it was confusing to follow especially since I was letting Kindle read to me.

I found the mystical legend to be an interesting vehicle from a Christian author. I am not totally settled on how I feel about the supernatural elements in the story. I have the sense that reading the earlier book in the series may have made this a little easier to follow. Still, I like Ms. Kendig’s strong, intense writing style. I enjoyed the comradery and loyalty of the team, the tension in the romance and the danger and suspense of the plot. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy military suspense with romantic and supernatural elements.

I received this through NetGalley and it qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes

This has lots of 'James Bond' type action with sizzling chemistry between the characters.
The Fabergé Entanglement
by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes

File Size: 1672 KB
Print Length: 306 pages
Publication Date: July 13, 2015
ASIN: B011M2N7W2
Genre: Action & Adventure, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Sabinne ‘Saber’ Darrieux’s father, the billionaire CEO of Frontenac Global Security has been kidnapped. His ransom is not cash in a numbered offshore account, or a briefcase of Bearer Bonds but something utterly unique, incredibly valuable, and until recently, hidden away from the world.
The kidnapper seems to know Saber very well, and knows that the next day, through her work as an elite translator she will be in the same location as the Object. She must steal the Object and deliver it to the kidnapper to ransom her father.
Adrian Steele, a British Intelligence agent has just come off of two harrowing missions. Upon returning to London for a well-earned rest, he learns that his friend and fellow agent, has been murdered in Moscow, but not before he made use of a unique Object as a mobile ‘drop site’ for the valuable intelligence he was carrying.
The drop site is traveling from Moscow to England. Steele insists on completing the mission to honor the death of his friend, Gerry Cornell.
At an ultra-chic quasi-diplomatic gathering in a mansion in Windsor, England, Saber and Steele meet and find themselves faced with a powerful, undeniable attraction. But at the moment, this compelling attraction is very inconvenient.
In reality they are at the mansion to check out the security arrangements — for their own reasons — to steal the Object, a Fabergé egg worth thirty million dollars. But who will get to the egg first?
Fabergé eggs are very famous for their unique surprises. Saber and Steele are about to be very surprised, indeed.
And when Saber clashes with Steele; more than sparks will explode!


Review:
Sabine is a beautiful, captivating woman who would rather be respected for her skills than her looks. Her family built its fortunes on thievery, but her father has moved the family businesses into legitimate fields. Sabine is one of their experts in security services and works as an elite translator when she is not accessing and improving security systems.

Sabine’s father has been kidnapped and the ransom message directs her to steal a Fabergé egg to exchange for her father’s life. Sabine happens to be attending the function where the egg is displayed. When she sneaks back to steal the item, she is surprised to bump into a handsome man who also wants the egg. Only one of them can succeed and Sabine is desperate.

Adrian Steele is a British Intelligence officer who just learned of a fellow agent’s murder. Although Steele should be going into down time, he pushes for the assignment to complete his friend’s mission. He is to ‘pick up’ a certain Fabergé egg as it has secrets hidden within it.

Steele is struck by a beautiful woman he sees during the party while casing the setting of the eggs. Later he is stunned to find her trying to steal the egg he needs to get. When she wins the first encounter to make off with the egg, Steele is determined to follow her to find out what her purpose is.

Sabine and Steele have zinging chemistry from the moment they see each other across a crowded room. Neither are accustomed to such reactions and it puts them off balance. Their opposing interests in the egg and powerful attraction to each other make for fun cat and mouse, back and forth, attention and dialogue.

The story starts with a little background set up but soon kicks up to fast-paced, pretty much nonstop action. The pair travels from London to LA juggling the egg along the way. Steele is aware that he is not the only one following Sabine. It will be a race to see who gets the egg and whether Sabine can save her father.

Steele is a character who had me thinking of a mix between James Bond and MacGyver. Sabine fits right along like a slick female operative even though she isn’t one. This is strong romantic suspense with a good plot and magnetic characters, I recommend this to readers who enjoy good action and romance with a lot of heat but without unnecessary graphics.

I received this title through iRead Book Tours.

To read more reviews, please visit the authors' page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:



Meet the Authors:
LESLEY MERYN
Enjoyed an exotic, adventure-filled childhood, following her anthropologist father and travel writer mother to the farthest corners of the world. She later took inspiration from her Aunt Sophia Francesca and became the author of romantic adventure novels. She alternates her time between Los Angeles, and a family property located in Yorkshire England.

ELLE BROOKES
She is the author of the first two books of the Time Frame Series, LUST. MECHANICS. MINI COOPER. and SEX. COFFEE. TIME TRAVEL. Loves travel, discovering new foods to try, reading and writing. She currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie and her hedgehog Quiller.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Nov 17

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Sunday Post October 22, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 23, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.
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.

I felt like I completed some work this week. Still more to do -- always.

My reading/listening time was good. I finished four books: two ebooks, one audio and one galley/format for eTP. I am far along in the next audio. I posted three reviews, plus my usual memes.

I visited 25 blogs during the week including some brand new to me.
Shout out this week is to an article How Long Would it Take to Read Every Book in the World? which I found at My Book Cave.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • eAuthor: Book Review: Wild Justice by M.L. Buchman; Military, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.
  • P/eB-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher; Historical, Inspirational, Romance; my rating 4.25.
Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)


Wild Justice
by M.L. Buchman
I enjoyed this from one of my go to authors. My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio/MP3 (Author)



The Case of the Cursed Dodo
By: Jake G. Panda
Narrator: Michael McConnohie, J.W. Terry, Dave Mallow, Molly Brandenburg, Antoinette Attell, Ian Whitcomb, Barbara Watkins, Bobb Lynes
Duration: 2 hrs and 34 mins
This is an quick, fun listen.
I received this from the author, Jake!
Click on book title for full description.



3. eBook/Kindle (iRead Tour)


The Fabergé Entanglement
by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes

This has lots of 'James Bond' type action with sizzling chemistry between the characters. 
I received this title through iRead Book Tours; my tour date 10/25.
Click on book title for full description.



4. eBook/eTP prep


Tender Hearts
by Noelle Jane Myers
I read this as I prepped it for NetGalley,
then Kindle release. 
It is a charming historical romance with a nice touch of faith based forgiveness.
When her mother died giving birth to her, Megan Carter’s father sent her to live back East with his mother. After her abusive grandmother has her sent to Bellevue Mental Asylum for a minor scuffle with her spoiled cousin, Megan must flee the only home she has ever known.
Megan has an adventurous journey as she travels west by train and stagecoach to meet her family for the first time. She faces all the hardships of the West, as well as some prejudice from the local sheriff; but soon begins to win everyone over with her kindness and spunky personality.
Fueled by laudanum, Adelaide's hatred for Megan grows once her granddaughter escapes her clutches. Will Megan’s faith and newfound family be able to protect her from her grandmother’s hatred?



Currently Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)


Purity in Death: In Death, Book 15
Written by: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
This is usual good Eve Dallas and team investigation.
I am 60% complete. This is from my Audible TBR
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle (NG)


The Christmas Room
by Catherine Anderson
This sounds like an enjoyable Christmas read.
I received this through NetGalley a few months back. It was released in September.
The beloved author of the Mystic Creek series gifts readers with a novel of homespun holiday cheer, as two families discover the joy of hope and redemption....
Widow Maddie McLendon has uprooted her life to move to Rustlers Gulch with her son and grandson. But as a brutal Montana winter looms on the horizon, contractors have yet to break ground on their new house, leaving them to live in a makeshift camp of trailers, tents, and sheds....
Since his wife died six years ago, millionaire rancher Sam Conacher has been content to wallow in his grief alone while keeping a tight rein on his twenty-six-year-old daughter. But now the girl has gone and fallen in love with his foolish new neighbor’s no-good son....
Maddie and Sam will never see eye to eye on anything, until a near-tragedy gives them a true glimpse into each other’s souls. And as the first snowflakes begin to fall, they’ll discover that an open heart is the biggest gift of all....



3. Audible/MP3
I had trouble converting an MP3 disc to my player. So I am not sure what audio I will listen to next. It will be a surprise!


October 22, 2017 - I am back reading on track in the One Year Bible, and caught up now! I have been reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed three books and posted three reviews. That keeps me up to date.
I need to link the last two weeks of reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.

I added two NetGalley titles to bring that shelf to 13. I realized I had two author titles in my queue; one wasn't on my list.


We're working on two fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.
Tender Hearts
by Noelle Jane Myers
will be available at NetGalley this week and hopefully at Kindle by the weekend. See full blurb above under finished reading.



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 (yours truly).
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I received two books requested at NetGalley.
I selected two Audibles with my September credits.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two titles through NetGalley
Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Holiday Romance (Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne
"An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!"
I enjoy this author and look forward to reading this holiday story.

Battle Hymn
by William C. Dietz
"From the New York Times bestselling author of the Legion of the Damned Novels comes the final novel in a postapocalyptic military science fiction trilogy about a nation wracked by a civil war."
I like the premise of this. It doesn't release until February 2018 so I have time to pick up the first two books.
Won
NONE

Purchased
I resisted the Audible Daily Deals but picked up two selections for September credits:
Western Christmas Weddings
By: Jenna Kernan
Narrator: Cody Roberts
Duration: 9 hrs and 10 mins


By: Jenny Hale
Narrator: Helene Maksoud
Duration: 10 hrs and 13 mins




Free
Here are some of the Free Kindle titles I picked up. (All of these may still be free):
Tides of Hope: Second Chance Romance (A Nantucket Island Romance Book 1)
by Dawn Tomasko




Dark Space Universe (Book 1)
by Jasper T. Scott (Author), Aaron Sikes (Editor), Dave P. Cantrell (Editor)




Christmas in Three Rivers (Three Rivers Ranch Romance Book 9)
by Liz Isaacson (Author), Elana Johnson (Author)



Lost Fortune (The Unbridled Series Book 1)
by Sandra E Sinclair (Author), Meg Amor (Editor)

and a few more:
Fatal Heir by L.C. Ireland
Secretly Craved (Billionaire Bear Brotherhood Book 1) by Lily Cahill
The Warrior Series 3 Book Box Set by Denise Domning
Deader Homes and Gardens (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries Book 4) by Angie Fox

I added 61 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 22, 2017

We enjoyed another lovely Sunday of fellowship and message. Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a youtube video of Jonathan Cahn sharing highlights from his newest book, The Paradigm. I will be looking to pick this book up soon, probably at Audible.

We had nice praise and worship music and pastor started a new series: Illuminate, a Galatians Series.

Pastor shared two experiences from his youth when he went through some tunnels - literally. If you have ever ridden a bike or even walked through a dark tunnel you know the relief when you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

When Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians it was intended to provide clarity on the Christian teachings of the day. Believers have been admonished to make sure that the preaching and teaching they are receiving measures up to God’s Word. It should always be consistent with the Bible.

Paul had preached to the Galatians before leaving to preach elsewhere. There were a group of Judaizing teachers who were trying to pull the Christians back to the law insisting that converts to Christianity must first be circumcised to comply with the Law of Moses.

Paul addresses two issues in the first chapter of Galatians. He reminds the believers that his (Paul’s) authority to speak and teach came from Jesus as a direct revelation (Acts 9). His teaching was not by human authority. This gives him authority to challenge contrary teachings. Galatians 1:1-2, 11-24.

The second and more important issue he discusses is the purity of the gospel message. Galatians 1:6-7.

Satan is always at work to distort the message. Humans are always drawn back toward two things: the law and/or the flesh. But the Gospel is incredibly simple: Salvation is found only in Jesus.

The Point: The purity of the simple Gospel is primary. Everything else is secondary.

We need to fall in love with the simple Gospel again! Loving the gospel means loving Jesus. We were given the awesome, greatest gift. Christ continues to stand at the door and knock to call sinners. When we open the door of our heart we are taken from being a slave of sin to become a child of God. God opens the future, the mission He has for you.

Ask yourself: Why am I here this day? Our purpose is found in the Gospel!

This song came to my mind as a perfect fit for today’s message.
Verses for Today:
Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV)
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, I thank you for the simplicity of the Gospel: Jesus died for my sins and when I accepted the gift of His salvation I became a child of God!

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Saturday, October 21, 2017

Sharing Beyond Books #325 Comment Giveaway October 21, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
It was fun to share the swag we like. There were 7 who like bookmarks, 5 like tote bags, 4 like pens, 3 like book charms and 2 like magnets. There were two unique items mentioned: SueF likes a jar opener and Natalija likes a non-slip coaster she has used for years.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #324 comments is: #14 MARJORIE who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #325
(One Question.)

Natalija asks: What is your favorite dessert??
Oh so many I enjoy: cheesecake, shoo fly pie, pecan pie, cherry pie, butter pecan ice cream with caramel sauce, hot fudge sunday, berry tart, melting chocolate cake, caramel flan.... I have to pick only one?? Hard choice but I will pick a moist carrot cake with buttercream icing - yumm!
Image result for favorite dessert
Image found at Cake Journal.


Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share. Natalija asks: What is your favorite dessert??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday October 28, 2017 at 5 PM central.

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