Book Review: A Romantic Ghost Story by Jason W. Chan

This ghostly romance reads quickly.

A Romantic Ghost Story
by Jason W. Chan

File Size: 663 KB
Print Length: 92 pages
Publication Date: December 23, 2011
ASIN: B006POX2NC
Genre: Ghost, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Trapped on Earth and forced to marry a demon, Nancy is a spirit about to give up her dreams of success in Hollywood when a brave young man returns her faith to her, and makes her believe in love again. A Romantic Ghost Story is about the all-powerful, redemptive nature of love and how it could change someone’s world.

Review:
Nancy is lying on her death bed having lived a long, energetic life. The doctor and nurses are reluctant to tell her she is close to death but they don’t realize she is ready to die. She claims she has been dead before and she is looking forward to seeing Ryan again. The caregivers think perhaps she is hallucinating.

When Nancy’s young granddaughter arrives, she confirms that she doesn’t know about her grandmother having a death experience and she has never heard of Ryan. Nancy smiles and then drifts into memories 75 years earlier.

Nancy was a young woman born in Macedonia to a poor family. She struggles even before her parents die but then she is left in the care of a greedy, abusive “uncle”. Nancy dreams of getting to Hollywood to pursue her dreams to become a successful singer/songwriter/star. She clings to her guitar, Lucy, and sings whenever she can hoping to be discovered. She sings a sad song she wrote herself. One day a tourist eating in the café claims he is a music producer who wants to sponsor in Hollywood.

Nancy sets out with tremulous dreams but soon finds herself as a victim of sex trafficking. Events spiral down as Nancy’s situation plunges her to death and delivers her into the hands of a demonic Sea God. Although the Sea God chooses Nancy as his fiancé, this ‘privilege’ brings the threat of permanent separation from the world and any goodness. Nancy’s only joy and hope comes when she meets a young singer, Ryan. He believes in her and is willing to help her try to escape to follow her dreams.

I liked the premise of the story and feel it had strong potential. The storytelling is interesting and there is lovely tenderness in the love story between ghost Nancy and Ryan. Sadly, the story is in desperate need of editing. My reading attention was particularly disrupted by inconsistent sentence tenses. There were also some plot threads that were too unrealistic with dangers and resolutions not fully explained. This is a quick romance that could be enjoyed by readers who enjoy ghostly stories.

Source: I pulled this from my Kindle TBR shelf – 2013. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Alphabetic Goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: An Unexpected Redemption by Emily Hamsher

I liked this strong Christian romance.
An Unexpected Redemption
by Emily Hamsher

File Size: 581 KB
Print Length: 268 pages
Publisher: WestBow Press (May 8, 2018)
ASIN: B07D94GFDJ
Genre: Christian, Medieval, Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Prince Lucian of Brasov has been running from his family, from God, and even from himself. When he decides to take revenge upon his elder brother by stealing away his betrothed, Lucian is taken aback by the woman in his custody. Her pure heart and unabashed kindness thwarts his every cruel intention. Lucian finds himself hoping that she might hold the answers to heal his past, even though he knows she can never be his.
Every girl dreams of marrying her prince, so when Lady Adelina receives the unexpected announcement of her betrothal to the Prince of the realm, she takes it as a clear sign of the Lords will. When she is kidnapped by a band of ruffians and taken far from her home she quickly learns that the road to love is never as it seems. Though her captor portrays himself as a ruthless man, Adelina cant help but feel compassion for him and the pain she finds lurking beneath the dark shadows of his character.

Review:
Lucian was adopted into a royal family. Although that is a special gift, he is still a young, rebellious boy who pushes the boundaries. When he is sent home form school, he knows he has disappointed his adoptive parents. When his elder brother scorns him he knows he has been rejected and he runs away so that he can live life with adventure and danger as he wants.

Years later he is a brigand leading a crew of misfits. When he receives an invitation to his brother’s wedding Lucian decides to kidnap the chosen bride.

Lady Adelina has always had a dream about the young prince who rescued her from bullies when she was a young girl. She is thrilled to be betrothed to the prince and sets out to meet her intended and the royal family. Shortly into the journey she is kidnapped by Lucian and his band of thieves. Her faith that her heavenly Father will protect her surrounds her spirit with dignity and strength. The brigands sense the deep goodness in Adelina and treat her gently and carefully. Especially Radu, Lucian’s best friend and second in command, seeks to protect Adelina. He himself has accepted faith in Jesus but has continued to live with Lucian. He hopes that someday he will be able to make Lucian grow beyond his bitterness and plans of revenge.

Lucian watches Lady Adelina and slowly his heart opens to the peace her faith exudes. But what chance does he have of gaining the love of the woman who is already promised to his brother? And when he returns her to his family’s home, what will be his reception from the parents he has been estranged from for ten years?

I wanted to like Lucian but he doesn’t make it easy. Lady Adelina’s steadfast faith and willingness to share love to a rogue is beautiful. The characters are well developed. There is action to move the story along but the strong, unrelenting faith of Adelina made to story extra special for me. The writing is straight forward and descriptive. My only disappointment was the abrupt ending that leaves the story suspended for a next book.

This is a wonderful mix of medieval dangers and a love that is all that is proper and blessed. I would like to read more by Ms. Hamsher. I recommend this to readers who enjoy medieval romance and are open to strong faith themes.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019NetGalley and 2019Alphabet Goals.

Sunday Post February 24, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 25, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).

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.

Life continuing without too many hiccups this week.
I continue to work on probate and litigation files in office.
No new progress for office rebuild.
Hubby got out to do a little yard work this week. It just wears him out.
Our weather got up in the 80s this week but cooled off to mid 50s tonight.

My reading was good as I continued to enjoy the romance theme. I finished 4 books: two audiobooks and two ebooks. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 26 blogs early last week.
Shout Out this week to Writers Write. This is a blog full of advise for authors.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 17, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 18, 2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn; Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy; My Rating: 4.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 5.0.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Never Let Go (Uncommon Justice Book #1) by Elizabeth Goddard; Christian, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 22, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/7/2019.

• Sharing Beyond Books #363 Comment Giveaway February 23, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/9/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Gracie’s Touch by S.E. Smith; Romance, Sci Fi, Space Military; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 24, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

Gracie’s Touch
By: S.E. Smith
Narrated by: David Brenin
Series: Zion Warriors, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
This is a sexy sci fi romance.
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

An Unexpected Redemption
by Emily Hamsher
I liked this strong Christian novel.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

A Romantic Ghost Story
by Jason W. Chan
This ghostly romance reads quickly.
Source: I pulled this from my Kindle TBR shelf - 2013.
Trapped on Earth and forced to marry a demon, Nancy is a spirit about to give up her dreams of success in Hollywood when a brave young man returns her faith to her, and makes her believe in love again. A Romantic Ghost Story is about the all-powerful, redemptive nature of love and how it could change someone’s world.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Hello Love
By: Karen McQuestion
Narrated by: Dan John Miller
Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
This is a sweet story with a sweet dog.
Source: November 2018 Audible Sale $4.95.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery
by Michelle Griep
One (or three) more NetGalley Romance reads for February.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
3 Page-Turners Under One Cover from Reader Favorite Michelle Griep!
Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?
The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Cornish Coast, 1815
When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?
The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)
Dakota Territory, 1862
Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.
A House of Secrets
St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890
Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

2. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

Blackmoore
By: Julianne Donaldson
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
Dubbed "A Proper Romance" this is the last romance for February.
Source: December 2016 Audible sale.
Publisher's Summary
Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never to marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead - if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured - and rejected - three marriage proposals.
Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain sooner rather than later and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?
Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart.
©2013 Julianne Clawson Donaldson (P)2013 Shadow Mountain.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles Book 3)
by John A. Heldt
I'm ready to start some author titles for March.
Source: 12/18 Author review request.
Arizona, December 1943. After surviving perilous six-month journeys to 1889 and 1918, the Carsons, five siblings from the present day, seek a respite in their home state. While Adam and Greg settle down with their Progressive Era brides, Natalie and Caitlin start romances with wartime aviators and Cody befriends a Japanese family in an internment camp. The time travelers regroup, bury some ghosts, and continue their search for their missing parents. Then old problems return, new ones emerge, and a peaceful hiatus becomes a race for survival. In INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, the sequel to RIVER RISING and THE MEMORY TREE, several young adults find love and adventure as they navigate the home front during the height of World War II.

February 24, 2019 - I am staying up to date with the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App.
I completed a 21 day reading with others in our church: Gospel of John; What it Means to Believe.
I'll be picking another study this week.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed four books and posted three reviews. That keeps me current with 3 reviews to post.
I continue to slowly add reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 12 unread from November to date plus 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year. I still have three remaining author titles in queue. 
Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

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 added two review titles from NetGalley and one book for Ladies Book Club.
I picked up five Audible titles (1 daily deals, 3 on sale and one free title.)
I only picked up 17 free kindle titles again. (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 downloaded these two from NetGalley:
 
Heart of the Storm
by Debbie Peterson
This looks like a time-travel romance I will like.

Kahlo's Koalas: 1, 2, 3, Count Art with Me
by Grace Helmer
This is one I though my grandkids might like.

Ladies Book Club Feb- March book.

A Bride Most Begrudging
by Deeanne Gist
I picked up six of these on sale last year for book club.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deal:
2/20/19 Audible Daily Deal $2.95
Changeling: A Novel of Sorcery and Society
by Molly Harper
Narrated by Amanda Ronconi
Series: Sorcery and Society, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 08-22-18


2/23/19 I purchased three books at First in Series sale $15.85; two for $4.95 and the third $5.95.
Enchantress
Evermen Saga, Book 1
By: James Maxwell
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 17 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 07-29-14

Poor Man's Fight: Poor Man's Fight, Book 1
By: Elliott Kay
Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 05-12-15

The Second Ship
The Rho Agenda, Book 1
By: Richard Phillips
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 10-02-12

Free

2/23/19 Free Audible Original
Dodge & Twist
An Audible Original Drama
By: Tony Lee
Narrated by: Matt Lucas, Stephen Mangan, Michael Socha, Kara Tointon
Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 12-12-18

I only added 17 free titles to my Kindle library. I didn't spend much time adding free books again 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 February 24, 2019

This morning our Sunday School teacher shared a lesson from 1 Corinthians 11: “How Not to Have Communion”. We continue to pray for the political unrest and dangers in Haiti.

After a moving time of worship, Pastor continued his series study of Hebrews titled The Bridge.
He reminded us from last week that we need to be careful not to drift. Listen carefully to truth because Truth overcomes the power of Satan.

This mornings lesson follows Hebrews 2:5-18. Relationships are complicated and they are more complicated when they are undefined.

Pastor was once taught that pastors shouldn't get close to people because they will get hurt. He doesn’t agree with that statement as he believes that relationships/friendships are worth the risk.
When you have conflict, it may upset the status of the relationship and we might wonder where are we?

We need our relationships to be clearly defined; Relationships need definition.
Our relationship with God needs to be clearly defined. Hebrews 2:5-9.
Angels are messengers, not crucial or essential relationships. But Jesus became like us; became one of us.
He became the champion, hero, captain for us; the perfect leader. He is connected, not aloof like world heroes.
And now, because of the life and death of Jesus, we have the same Father; we are brothers and sisters. Hebrews 2:15-18.
He is the high priest for us. Jesus is our sympathetic advocate.

Point: Jesus has broken down every barrier, bridged every gap; paid the price for our sins. We just have to go to Him.
Just go!

I found this song for today.

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 2:17-18
17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.


Jesus, I thank you for being the bridge between earth and heaven, death and life.

Audible Book Review: Gracie’s Touch by S.E. Smith

This is spicy sexually but a very warm romance in a space sci fi.

Gracie’s Touch
By: S.E. Smith
Narrated by: David Brenin

Series: Zion Warriors, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of science fiction and paranormal romance brings another action, adventure, and suspense-filled story to transport listeners out of this world. Gracie Jones was little more than a child when Earth was invaded by an alien species. Escaping into the subway tunnels of New York City, she hid in fear of being captured. Discovered by four men who became her protectors, she fought alongside them, and they became known as the Freedom Five. At 17, she made a decision that turned the tide in the war between Earth and the Alluthans, but in exchange, she gave up all that she knew. Kordon Jefe is a Zion Warrior and the commanding officer in charge of the Confederation of Planets' military. When an unknown species begins attacking some of their outer settlements, he is assigned to discover who they are and stop them - at any cost. Gracie finds herself stranded millions of light years and hundreds of years in the future in a distant galaxy on an undeveloped moon. When an old enemy threatens once more, she does not hesitate to use her knowledge to try to stop them once again. Only this time, it is not just Earth she will be saving, but the Confederation itself. When their two worlds are thrown together, Kordon is unsure what to do with the strange, delicate creature who fights and behaves unlike anyone he has ever encountered before. One thing he does know - he plans to keep her.
©2016 S.E. Smith (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Gracie was just a child when she survived the invasion of a brutal alien attack that decimated humanity on earth. Gracie hid in the subway tunnels until she was brought under the protection of a group of young men. The five rebels became known as The Freedom Five who led a revolution against the aliens. The only way to defeat the enemy was for Gracie to risk infiltrating the enemy mothership. She succeeded but instead of returning to earth the stolen ship she was on was hurtled deep in space to an “unknown” planet. Gracie survives on the planet and after three years despairs of ever hearing another voice. To her surprise her radio outreach attracts a lead military ship of the Confederation of Planets'.

Gracie’s gentle voice pulls in captain Kordon Jefe, a strong, usually unexcitable, Zion Warrior. Kordon becomes obsessed with finding the woman behind the voice even as his team warn him that it might be a trap as the ship is similar to a recent mysterious enemy who has been attacking isolated mining worlds.

Gracie has linguist and technical knowledge that can help the Confederation. The time travel changes the situation for Gracie. Her joy at being rescued soon turns to devastation. How can Kordon and his crew convince Gracie to fight the common enemy? And how can Kordon convince Gracie to forget her first love and take a chance on a current love? He’ll figure a way to woo her since he isn’t going to give her up.

I enjoyed the space sci fi elements, the danger and the action. In addition to the threat of the Alluthan enemy, there is an enemy closer to home who poses a threat particularly to Gracie. Not all of the plot threads are realistic so some of that has to be overlooked to enjoy the rest of the story.

All of this is a setting for a strong romance between an emotionally hurt human and a normally unemotional warrior. Kordon wants to be this big, protective mate, but of course, there is no real way to control an independent human female! Part of the fun of the story is watching (listening to) the couple grow in their relationship. (There is a secondary romance between other crew members too.) The sex elements are a little to heavy for me – Audible labeled “hot d..n”.

The world building and writing is clean and strong. The action story is still engaging but the romance takes over the story. I recommend this to sci fi readers who like heavy romance… or even more to heavy romance readers who like sci fi elements.

Audio Notes: David Brenin does a very good job with the narration. He provides believable female voices as well as strong male voice. He carries the story plot lien with appropriate pacing and energy.

Source: August 2017 Audible sale $4.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook Goals.