Friday, November 28, 2014

Black Friday and Cyber-Monday deals


A Huge thank you to Leah Good for putting this together! 

The Ankuluen: Cyber Monday
Saffron's Big Plan and Other StoriesCyber Monday
Do You Take This Quest?: Cyber Monday

A Mighty FortressBlack Friday 
V4Y5K36D -- 10% 
Be Thou My VisionBlack Friday [7626YZAK -- 20%] and Cyber Monday

Coupon Code: [SB14CP31 -- 25%] for both books.
Also for Sarah Brown add Cyber Monday links after Black Friday links.
The Prodigal PupCyber Monday [SB14CP31 -- 25%]
Learning Lessons from Furry FriendsCyber Monday [SB14CP31 -- 25%]

Family ReunionBlack Friday [YFY84GHU -- 20%]

RansomedBlack Friday [GNE6VUXY -- 30%]

Blood ChainCyber Monday

Nadia's TearsCyber Monday 

Counted WorthyBlack Friday [K7CVNEER -- 40%] and Cyber Monday

The Land of CalaisBlack Friday and Cyber Monday
The Warmth of His EyesBlack Friday and Cyber Monday
Send Me, Lord JesusBlack Friday and Cyber Monday

Anon, Sir, AnonBlack Friday [9MTYHSX3 -- 25%] and Cyber Monday

Journeys of FourCyber Monday
Grandmother's LettersCyber Monday
A Year with the PottersCyber Monday

ResistanceBlack Friday [Q45HN6G9 -- 25%] and Cyber Monday

Diamond Hair PrincessBlack Friday

Shadow PlayCyber Monday

RadialloyBlack Friday [Y2XHGYDN -- 25%] and Cyber Monday
In His ImageBlack Friday [KXNZ7PYN -- 25%] and Cyber Monday
MachiavellianBlack Friday [UFXGUYMM -- 25%] and Cyber Monday

Why Rodney Never Should've Gone to the NAPICBlack Friday [F76DDR7S -- 45%] and Cyber Monday

Third Side of the CoinBlack Friday and Cyber Monday


Finding the Core of Your StoryBlack Friday [NL4NJXWS -- 30%]

Reap the WhirlwindCyber Monday
Lady MoonCyber Monday
Angel in the WoodsCyber Monday


Past SuspicionBlack Friday and Cyber Monday
Frozen FootprintsBlack Friday

City of LightsBlack Friday [FNB98MY6 -- 35%] and Cyber Monday
CorcituraBlack Friday [GU46WHKT -- 55%] and Cyber Monday


Calming the StormCyber Monday

Monday, November 24, 2014

Book Review: Valley of Decision

The Valley of Decision
Age Appropriate For: 12 and up for violence
Best for Ages: 12 and up

Description: Where the Black Mountains pierce the sky, they divide the south from the north, Alamir from the kingdom of Belenus. Belenus, the undying master of the north, commanded Keiran – the Captain of the Hosts – to conquer Alamir. But the Captain is deep in conspiracy, and he has his own plans.

I shy away from reading fantasy, much less endorsing it. However, when Shannon asked me to endorse her newest book, I told her I would give it a try. I am so glad I have this excellent book a change and I hope you will to.

Although it can best be classified as fantasy, it does not have the magic and overwhelming darkness that normally comes with the genre. Like Shannon’s other books, she is reclaiming some of the genre’s that are dominated by secular fiction.

This is a tale of strong male friendships that are not girlified. This is a story of a people’s struggle for freedom and survival. This is a story of personal redemption. Valley of Decision it a light allegory of our own lives and struggles.

The characters in this were so well developed. Each had their own personality and way of thinking. In fact, I don’t think I have read a female author who has done such a good job of making two good male leads so different.

The world that Shannon created for this story felt very real. Some fantasy just doesn’t work well because the author didn’t take enough time to world build. Shannon obviously did a lot of work and created a place that feels real.

For those of you who get tired of romance stories, this book also proves to be a nice break from the norm. There are a couple of very minor romantic interests in the story (one of them being a married couple) but that is it.

I highly recommend this book to those who like well written fiction, non-magical fantasy, and stories that inspire.



I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Book Review: The Silver Shawl: A Mrs. Meade Mystery

The Silver Shawl (Mrs. Meade Mysteries #1)
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: 12 and up for mild romance and violence
Best for Ages: 12 and up

Description: In a small town in turn-of-the-century Colorado, a young woman has disappeared from the boarding-house where she lives. Her distraught fiancé is certain that she must have been kidnapped. But the case takes a new turn when a city detective appears on the scene, looking for a woman who matches the description of the missing girl. Was Charity really kidnapped, or did she have a reason to flee? Mrs. Meade, a gentle but shrewd widow lady who lives across the hall in the boarding-house, feels that there is something wrong with the story of Charity’s disappearance…but can she unravel the mystery before it is too late?

Are you like me and enjoy a good mystery, but dislike murder? You like a crime to solve, but don’t have all day to devote to a case? Well, here is the story for you.

Meet Mrs. Meade. A very Mrs. Marple type character (from the little I know of Agatha Christie’s heroine), meaning middle aged and endearing. She has an eye for details and takes the time to look and listen to things most people don’t and therefore, ends up solving the crime.

There is a bit romance in the book, but nothing in excess, two of the characters are in love and share a kiss once or twice, but it wasn’t a hugely passionate scene. Even younger readers and those who shy away from romance will be happy I think.

The violence is also kept to a minimum. There is no gory murder or horrendous violence discussed in detail. There is mention of people being rough and mean, but nothing that would make you blush, gage, or make you lose your lunch. Again, even young children can enjoy this.

The mystery itself was surprisingly good. For such a short little book, it never felt rushed. Elisabeth Grace Foley has written yet another wonderful story and I cannot wait to read more in the series.
I highly recommend this book to those the like classic feeling mysteries, low violence, and high quality writing.


Friday, November 21, 2014

Book Review: The Shadow Things by Jennifer Freitag

The Shadow Things
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: 15 and up for violence, intense content, and mild romance
Best for Ages: 15 and up

Description: The Legions have left the province of Britain and the Western Roman Empire has dissolved into chaos. With the world plunged into darkness, paganism and superstition are as rampant as ever. In the Down country of southern Britain, young Indi has grown up knowing nothing more than his gods of horses and thunder; so when a man from across the sea comes preaching a single God slain on a cross, Indi must choose between his gods or the one God—and face the consequences of his decision.

I started this book because I wanted to listen to something on my Kindle while I worked, and I am trying to read a bunch of books from the Homeschool Authors blog this year. I knew I was going to get a well written story, but I was not prepared to be amazed by it.

This story captured not only my imagination, but also my heart. I don’t think I have ever read a book with so many hard/sad events in it that I actually ended up loving. It pulled me back in time to ancient Britain, and made me feel like I was with Indi and his struggles.

I am not very familiar with this time in history, but I felt like the author did her research. The details of daily living and political structure seemed too real to have been made up. I would guess that this author spent hours learning about this time and place so that she could make her readers feel as if they were really there.

Indi was not only a wonderful character, but he also was one that tugged at my heartstrings. I felt as if I was there watching him through his struggles, finding faith, and witnessing the suffering of his people. He was so realistic as well as likable.

Christianity is the whole thrust of this story, yet without feeling fake. Watching as the little brown man and his message of a God of love changes the hearts of people and the lives of a village, my heart was touched.

This was not a light read; it was tough. Famine, abuse, suffering for your faith, and betrayal are not glossed over, but neither does the author go into so much detail. The story is very emotional and that is part of why it is so good.

I highly recommend this book to those who like Christianity at the center of their books, good historical fiction, and stories that make you feel like you are really there.


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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Book Review: The Healer's Touch by Amber Schamel

The Healer's Touch
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: All Ages

Description: Aaliyah's last chance at winning her husband's love is destroyed when she is banished from her home as an 'unclean' sinner. Her husband has branded her as an adulteress and threatens to kill her if she comes near the town. Struggling to survive amidst the fear, grief and bitterness of living in a leper colony, she would give anything just to see her son again. Is God really punishing her with this disease? When rumors of a Healer from Nazareth reach the colony, Aaliyah wonders if this man could really heal her, or if He would despise her like the rest of her people. It is now that Aaliyah must make the most difficult decision of her life: risk her life to appear in public, or die a leper.

Ever since I read Schamel’s wonderful story The Swaddling Clothes, I have wanted to read another of her books. I bought The Healer’s touch not long after, but it took me a few months to get around to reading it. When I did, I wished I had read it sooner.

The Healer’s Touch wasn’t long, just a good novella size. I read it in only a couple of hours, but they were two hours very well spent. In fact, my only complaint about this book is that I wished it had lasted longer.

For such a short book, it really packed a punch. I really felt deeply for Aaliyah as she lost so much due to her illness, both physically and emotionally. Her struggle to accept her new life was so realistic.  I loved the images of love within the leper colony, the mother who had come with her child, and the matronly woman who takes Aaliyah under her wing.

I highly recommend this novella for those who enjoy biblical fiction, well written stories, and books that touch the heart.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Book Review: The Follower by C. F. Barrows

The Follower (The Sehret Chronicles, #1)
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for mild violence and very mild romance
Best for Ages: 13 and up

Description: Three hundred years ago, the Rhenor nation split into two, the Reshan and the Khanor. One dwells in the Outerlands, the other in the mountains - and although the nations have made peace, their people have not. One fateful day, two small patrols meet in an outer cave in Khanor territory. The youths, spurred by mutual distrust, brawl, and the ensuing cave-in cuts off their main routes back to both the Reshan and the Khanor civilizations. Their only choice is to join forces and follow the one remaining tunnel - one that runs through an area known simply as the Forbidden Regions - to find their way back to their homes. Along the way, the beliefs of every traveler are put to the test, and the secrets of a few may threaten the safety of all. For as they go, Lusefar, lord of the Saethen, sends his agents against them, licking his lips as a ravenous dragon.

I had a hard time deciding how many stars to give this book. Especially in the beginning, the number of characters was dizzying. Trying just to keep up with who was who was almost impossible, and I wasn’t sure I would even like the book. I am so glad I kept reading, because it ended up blessing me so much.

This story was an allegory of the spiritual battle that rages in this world, set in a non-magical fantasy world. The world-building was done very well and made me feel like I understood the culture well.
As I said, there were a lot of characters, but my favorites were Yannah, Sheth, and Kyra. Most of the others kind of blended together and were a bit confusing, but these three really jumped off the page. Yannah was a very hurt girl searching for something more to life. Sheth is a believer in God and feels all alone in his faith. Kyra is running from the pain of her past. These three stand out and really make the story worth reading.

Barrows, even though her writing isn’t amazing, really managed to touch my heart. After reading her story at the back of the book, I can see why. This story was her story in many ways. She poured her heart into it, and it showed. Her message of real faith and struggle touched my heart.

There was some romance (nothing beyond holding hands and some conversations), and there was some violence, but nothing was overly described.

I highly recommend this book for those who like non-magic fantasy, faith filled stories, and characters with real struggles.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Book Review: Sanctity of Life

Sanctity of Life
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for subject matter
Best for Ages: 13 and up

Description: In a world where war is glorified and violence enjoyed in films for all ages one question is never addressed - never answered. What is the worth of a single human life? Is one soul insignificant when compared to the sea of casualties?

For such a small book, Sanctity of Life sure packs a punch. It has gotten me to thinking about my beliefs a views.

When I got this book, I fully expected it to be an eloquent account of protecting human life. However, these few pages contain more questions than answers. This book was written to get writers especially to think about the value of life. Where should be take a stand? Is it okay to torture someone in the name of saving people, even as we  saying torture is wrong at other times? This and many other questions are asked of the reader.

As much as would have liked more answers from this book, I have realized in the couple of weeks that have passed that its true values is in the questions it has raised. I find myself thinking about the violence that I am about to write more. It has made me ask the question many times: what is the value of a human life?

If you want to be challenged, I highly recommend this book.



I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.