Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Draven’s Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Draven’s Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Rooglewood Press, 2015. 189p. (9781942379027) Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood, #7.5

One day the Tales of Goldstone Wood are going to be a classic in the fantasy genre. In the mean time you should start reading the books so that you can enjoy this fabulous world before everyone else! This novella is an easy place to start and is a great example of the author’s talent for storytelling. 

Goodreads Summary:
In the Darkness of the Pit
The Light Shines Brightest

Drums summon the chieftain’s powerful son to slay a man in cold blood and thereby earn his place among the warriors. But instead of glory, he earns the name Draven, “Coward.” When the men of his tribe march off to war, Draven remains behind with the women and his shame. Only fearless but crippled Ita values her brother’s honor.

The warriors return from battle victorious yet trailing a curse in their wake. One by one the strong and the weak of the tribe fall prey to an illness of supernatural power. The secret source of this evil can be found and destroyed by only the bravest heart.

But when the curse attacks the one Draven loves most, can this coward find the courage he needs to face the darkness?

My Review:
This is a story within a story and not until the very end are we told the connection – one that I didn’t see coming. It’s a smooth transition between the two stories and just like the little girl who carries the water gift up to the Brothers building the Great House and who is being told the story of Draven and the tribe across the river, so the reader will keep returning to hear the story being told by the Kind One.

Akilun as A.E. Stengl
imagines him
Fans of the series will recognize the Kind One as Akilun and the other brother as Etanun. This tale takes place before the events of Dragonwitch though it could be read at any point.

The story itself is a tale of despair, turmoil, pain yet hope and yearning for Something. Of cruel raids on neighboring tribes (not told about in detail), of stark courage to show compassion, of enduring despite pain and a fight for life against an unseen evil. It is an amazing story that never preaches about good vs evil and the courage to do what is right even though it goes against everything they’ve been taught.

Even though this is Draven’s story, his sister Ita is the real heroine of the story. But I can’t tell you more because that would spoil the story.

If you enjoy adventure and brave heroes and heroines than this is a novella worth reading.

 

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon ($2.99/$9.49) ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($8.90 pb); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($2.99/$9.49); Buy the ebook from iTunes ($2.99)

(Ebook/paperback prices good as of June 24, 2015 always double check for yourself)


Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Monday, June 22, 2015

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade. Bethany House, 2015. 352p. (9780764211096) Series: The Porter Family, #3

We finally get to meet tall, dark and brooding Jake Porter! And he is that. Tall. Dark. And brooding. For two books now, Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine, we’ve gotten bits and pieces of his story. And this book doesn’t disappoint.

Goodreads Summary:
Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

My Review:
Real life jockey Chantal
Sutherland, one of
the inspirations for Lyndie
(from Becky's Pinterest)
Even though this is Jake’s story in the Porter Family Novels series, Lyndie is who I remember best. She’s fun, determined, stubborn, creative, caring, strong. The list goes on. She's exactly who Jake needs. He just doesn't want to accept that fact. Her character traits shine through her actions as the author does a nice job of showing not telling us.

Lyndie’s neighbor Amber is another memorable character and I really enjoyed the side story of Amber’s foray back into the dating world. While dragging Lyndie along with her. :-)

Plus she’s the same Amber from book one, Undeniably Yours. Which is also a great book – I just now got sidetracked and read almost half of it because I’d forgotten the details of Amber’s past. And as soon as I’m done posting this I’ll finish the book.

Celia’s bakery from book two plays an important role in the beginning and the Porter family gets together for dinner a number of times, so for all you fans of the first two books, you can see how everyone is getting on. There is a fourth book coming in the series, so hold on to your hats because the lone Porter girl’s story is coming next.

But what I like best about this book is not the romance – though that is very well written and the tension of it drives the book, but the issues that the author brings to light and weaves into her tail. Life isn’t a walk in the park and this book reflects that. Jake struggles with PTSD. Lyndie’s sister has cerebral palsy.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian romance, with an honest take on life then get a hold of this book.




(Prices good as of June 22, 2015 always double check for yourself)


Disclosure: I received these book for free from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

~~~
Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Rooglewood Press Wriring Contest Cover Reveal


I really enjoyed Five Glass Slippers, not just for the fantastic stories in the book but also because it introduced me to five new authors. Several of which have published some neat books and stories since. This summer I'm eagerly awaiting the Five Enchanted Roses and am quite happy it'll release before I leave the USA to return to my school library job in an African country. The story covers look appropriately creepy and enchanting. But enough about the past contests. Here's what you've been waiting for. :-)

Rooglewood Press is delighted to introduce their third fairy tale novella contest—

Five Magic Spindles

Five Magic Spindle book cover shows Sleeping Beauty asleep on a wide stone bench with a spinning wheel in the forfront. The color scheme is golden.

a collection of “Sleeping Beauty” stories

The challenge is to write a retelling of the beloved fairy tale in any genre or setting you like. Make certain your story is recognizably “Sleeping Beauty,” but have fun with it as well. Make it yours!

Rooglewood Press will be selecting five winners to be published in the Five Magic Spindles collection, which will be packaged up with the phenomenal cover you see here. Maybe your name will be one of the five listed?

All the contest rules and information (how to enter, story details, deadline etc.) may be found on the Rooglewood Press website. Just click HERE and you will go right to the page.

Rooglewood Press’s first collection, Five Glass Slippers is available for purchase, and our second collection, Five Enchanted Roses is scheduled to launch on July 27, and is currently available for pre-order. Be certain to get a copy of each and see what previous winners did with their wonderful retellings.

Cover Illustration Credit:
This cover illustration was rendered by Julia Popova, “ForestGirl.” You can find out more about this gifted artist on her website: www.forestgirl.ru


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