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Echoes Among the Stones - Jaime Jo Wright

Sunday, December 29, 2019


My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her vintage, though very outdated, home. Aggie didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in a dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow Aggie when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the town's cemetery. Forced to work with a puzzling yet attractive archaeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep hidden--even if that means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a beauty salon but has her sights set on Hollywood. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the burgeoning world of forensic science and, as a woman, not particularly welcomed into the investigation, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . no matter the cost. (from author website)


My Thoughts

I am completely overwhelmed with emotion after finishing Echoes Among the Stones. Jaime Jo Wright has totally and completely wrecked me! Each of her books just becomes more poignant and goes far deeper...I cried...I laughed...I was scared stiff and jumped at my dog making sounds because I was in the middle of a tense part and I forgot everything else around me...Oh yes! This book had me captivated.

*~*~TRIGGER WARNING~*~*
Even though this was BY.FAR. my favorite book Ms. Wright has written(and that's saying a lot because they are ALL amazing!!!)...It was also the hardest to read. I am glad I chose to listen to it because I could skim through the hard parts a little easier. I won't beat around the bush, Aggie's mom dies of breast cancer. While my mom is alive and well after her diagnosis several years ago, it was a long hard battle. Add that with the medical PTSD I already experience because of my son's health issues (he is healthy and well NOW), all the anxiety and emotions came to the surface. I don't want anyone to jump into this book without a head's up.

That said, the women in this book travel a path of grief and unanswered questions. Digging for answers, the truth is uncovered and it looks so completely different than anyone expected! Through this story, we see several different ways that people cope with grief. In Aggie's case, she bottled all her feelings inside. Mumsie re-created the crime scene in the dollhouse. Imogene inserted herself into the investigation and would not relent. Walking the path alone though can be so difficult, and I believe that it is so important to not only open your heart to let God help you walk the path, but to let people support you too. Your church family, your family, a close friend...We can't make it through this life alone.

The "creepy factor" for this story is pretty high by my standards (I don't do creepy as a general rule...so....). But I think The Curse of Misty Wayfair was more so.

If you enjoy a good mystery, aren't deterred by a little blood, and love historical fiction...THIS is your next read! You won't be sorry!

I received a complimentary copy of Echoes Among the Stones from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.



About the Author

Professional coffee drinker & ECPA/Publisher's Weekly best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited romantic suspense stained with the shadows of history. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy Tinkerbell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimejowright.com


More Books by Jaime Jo Wright on Bookworm Mama




A Pursuit of Home - Haven Manor Book 3 - Kristi Ann Hunter

Saturday, December 28, 2019


My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Jessamine Beauchene has spent most of her life in hiding and always on the move in an effort to leave her past far behind her. But when she learns the family she thought long dead just might be alive and in danger, she knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long.

Derek Thornbury loves the past, which has led him to become an expert in history and artifacts. He knows Jess has never liked him, but when she requests his help deciphering an old family diary, he can't resist the urge to help solve the puzzle.

As Jess and Derek race to find the hidden artifact before her family's enemies, they learn as much about each other as they do about the past. But can their search to set history right lead to a future together? (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Kristi Ann Hunter does like to build the suspense for her stories! I have been longing for Jess's story for such a long time. And let me tell you...Ms. Hunter did not disappoint. Adventure around every corner. A family mystery. Puzzles and history....oh yes! THIS has proved to be the perfect adventure for Jess and Derek...And a few familiar faces join this story! 😀

I listened to A Pursuit of Home through SCRIBD. The narrator, Beverly A. Crick, captured the story beautifully. It helped to hear Jess's accent and the languages spoken. I love all the twists and turns...the faith and spiritual journey...the romance and friendships. Jess never hesitates to push the boundaries of proper society. And Derek has a firm appreciation for the things of history and the way things are. His fondness for Jess is endearing and they are so fit for each other! Wit and humor infuse the pages and the characters will become your new best friends. 

I received a complimentary copy of A Pursuit of Home from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.


About the Author
Kristi is the RITA® award-winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her books include the award-winning Hawthorne House series as well as the newly published first stories of the Haven Manor series. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers' groups, schools, and young women's groups at churches. 

When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today. 


More Books by Kristi Ann Hunter on Bookworm Mama

The Hawthorne House Series


    

The Haven Manor Series



Novella Collection


Book Spotlight! The Camera Never Lies - On Tour with JustRead!

Wednesday, December 11, 2019


Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book
Title: The Camera Never Lies
Author: David Rawlings
Genre: Magical Realism / Christian Allegory Fiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: December 3, 2019
David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler, returns with another probing story: what would you do if your secrets were revealed to those around you?
Daniel, Kelly, and Milly appear to be the perfect family.
But an old camera will expose secrets no one wants developed. 
Daniel Whitely is a successful marriage counselor and bestselling author, yet his own marriage is in crisis and his daughter is drifting further away each day. To make matters worse, the deadline for his second book has come and gone, and he still hasn’t written a single word.
When Daniel inherits an old camera from his grandfather, he notices an inscription on the bottom: “No matter what you think you might see, the camera never lies.”
Daniel begins using the camera, but every time he develops his photos, they threaten to reveal secrets that could sabotage both his marriage and his career—exposing him as a fraud and destroying the life he has worked so hard to build.
He’s faced with a choice: keep his secrets and save his career or come clean and possibly save his family. Which will he choose? Which would you choose?


About the Author
David Rawlings is an Australian author, and a sports-mad father of three who loves humor and a clever turn of phrase. Over a 25-year career he has put words on the page to put food on the table, developing from sports journalism and copywriting to corporate communication. Now in fiction, he entices readers to look deeper into life with stories that combine the everyday with a sense of the speculative, addressing the fundamental questions we all face.


CONNECT WITH DAVID: Website | Facebook | Instagram 


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

On Tour with Prism Books! The Piper's Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson

Thursday, December 5, 2019


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

About the Book

The Piper's Pursuit
(Hagenheim #10)
By Melanie Dickerson
YA Fairy Tale Retelling, Christian, Historical
Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 320 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson

A fairy-tale journey of intrigue and romance that reimagines the classic Pied Piper story.

A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people. 

In 1424 Hamlin, Katerina faces threats from all sides. An outbreak of rats has overtaken the village, a mysterious beast is on a killing rampage of the village’s children, and Katerina’s evil stepfather is a dark presence inside the walls of her own home. Katerina is determined to hunt and kill the Beast of Hamlin herself before more lives are lost.

When Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son, comes to town seeking glory and reward, Katerina decides he might be the ally she’s been looking for—even though the only gentle thing about him seems to be the sweet music he plays on his pipe. But there’s more to Steffan than she suspects, and she finds herself drawn to him despite her misgivings.

Together Katerina and Steffan must stop the enemy from stealing the children of Hamlin. But their interference might create an even worse fate for the entire village.

Praise for The Piper’s Pursuit

The Piper’s Pursuit is a lovely tale of adventure, romance, and redemption. Kat and Steffan’s righteous quest will have you rooting them on until the very satisfying end!” —LORIE LANGDON, author of Olivia Twist and the DOON series

(Affiliate links included.)


My Rating
★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

My Thoughts

Melanie's books never cease to amaze me. Her ability to bring my favorite fairy tales to life in a beautiful and pure way just makes my heart soar. 

In The Piper's Pursuit, Katerina's goal is to keep her people safe. Especially from her evil step-father. Marinated in lies and bathed in deception...the town of Hamlin is under the thumb of the mayor, Henneck. I so love Kat's heart. She is protective and kind, she has her people's best interest as her priority and defeating the beast of Hamlin to keep her people safe. And then...Steffan of Hagenheim had the audacity to show up on her door! Although it's a good thing he did. 

This story is riddled with danger and adventure. From fighting the beast, fleeing Henneck and his guards, protecting children, and freeing a city...Kat and Steffan will take you on a journey as they pursue truth, freedom, and love. 

TRIGGER WARNING: There are a couple of elements in this story that deals with small children being treated very poorly and being hurt. I had to skim a couple of these scenes because it was causing some anxiety. It isn't graphic or anything, but I have a really hard time reading anything about kids being hurt.

I received a complimentary copy of The Piper's Pursuit from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Other Books in the Series


About the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.


Tour Schedule



In Light of Luna - Amber Crawley

Monday, December 2, 2019


My Rating
★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)


About the Book

When Vanessa Marshall jumps off the Swan Pier back into the future from the year 1949, a piece of the past arrives with her. While continuing to search for her birth mother she develops relationships with the family she never knew she had, and finds that history has been altered in Port Swan.

Meanwhile her mother Gina, a fellow time traveler and lost soul, is waiting and watching. Through journal entries written by Luna Marshall herself, the history and secrets of the Luna Time time portal are unveiled making the past and present become one. (From Goodreads)




My Thoughts


Oh.My.Word!!! This sequel to On Luna Time far exceeded all expectations that I had for this story. I received the book box as a gift from a friend and the gifts lined up beautifully with the story!

The Marshall women have been granted a gift...or given a curse...Depends on how you look at it. So many elements come together in this next chapter...I really don't want to give away any spoilers...But suffice it to say, you will:

1. Love Wren even more!
2. Want to hug Gina.
3. Want to fly to Port Swan and become best friends with the Marshall women.'

Ms. Crawley weaves a story of fantasy and family into words of life and hope. With every page, you get sucked deeper into the lives of the Marshalls and Davenports and you will never want to leave.


I received a copy of In Light of Luna as a gift (not from the author). I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 



About the Author
In my non-writing life, I’m a homeschooling mom of three, a wife, and an indie dyer of watercolor-inspired yarns in the Piedmont of North Carolina. In the midst of daily life and various hobbies that have come and gone, I’ve been writing. From the minute I knew how to put words into sentences, I’ve had a story to tell. After nearly a decade of hiding this passion, I'm ready to share my words with the world. But through it all, I'm still only tiptoeing.




More Books by Amber Crawley



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