Trick or Treat? - The Kindle Grab Bag

Forget candy you can eat! (OK, it's really not that easy to forget...) A book lover's delight is cover candy! And there's just so much of it floating around in cyberspace - so how do you know if the story will be sweet after you get past the cover?

Having received a Kindle for my birthday this past summer, I've taken a chance on some generally low-priced e-books that looked good (usually after checking the ratings and/or friends' reviews). Today I'm going to share some of my discoveries, so help yourself to some cover candy and some recommendations:

Trick or Treat?

Definitely a treat - but beware! You won't be able to read just one...

YA time-travel romance? Yes, please! This one sounded so cute, and it didn't disappoint! It's clean, it's fun, it's clever, and it has some surprising, thought-provoking insights. After reading Clockwise, I then quickly devoured Clockwiser (the sequel), which was also good, albeit not as enjoyable as the first one, in my opinion.

This author also has some new books releasing under another name (Lee Strauss) which are supposed to be more intense than her previous books. Having become a semi-fan of dystopian stories after reading The Hunger Games series and Divergent, I decided to buy this one:

Trick or Treat?

I don't know yet, but I'm eager to find out!

Trick or Treat?

Could be a treat, depending on your taste. 

Aliens? Not really my thing. But that cover and the premise (and that seasons theme!) really caught my eye, so after flip-flopping in my desire to buy it and then waiting a bit until it was free on Kindle, I decided to give it a try. It's rather dark, and it becomes even more so in Winter Omens, but it was certainly intriguing! 

Whispers in Autumn was pretty clean, and I found it to be an engaging, really creative read. It was enough to get me to buy this one:

Unfortunately, Winter Omens does have a swear word or two, as well as a scene of nudity (although nothing happens). And while there was some violence towards the end of the first book, the violence in this one was more intense. Depending on your comfort level, these things might or might not be overly bothersome.

However, the romantic tension combined with a great pet character and some creatively thought-provoking, futuristic scenes are definite pluses. There's a Matrix-y theme going on throughout the series regarding the importance of free will, and the choice between being "blissfully" ignorant of the complexities of reality or being aware of it all, despite the pain and the challenges awareness creates. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to continue with this series or not...

But I do have to share the third book's cover with you, as it was just revealed earlier this week!

Betrayals in Spring is set to release in December. I do so love the way the covers go together! And aren't the colors on this one so stunning??

 Trick or Treat?

A small treat, like one of those mini candy bars. 

This may not be a super long or super compelling read, but it's free and it's sweet! Since I agreed to review A Change of Fortune by this author (look for my review in November!), I decided to read this prequel novella. Sometimes it's just really nice to have a quick read that doesn't require a big time investment but still has something to offer. If that's what you're looking for (or if you just want to have something like this on hand for those days when you have to wait in a long line, etc.), you might want to give this one a try!

Trick or Treat?

Definitely a treat!

I heard about this one on Kathryn's blog, Clean Teen Fiction. Her review was glowing and the price was right, so I took the plunge. I loved it!! It's "New Adult" (for 20-somethings, as opposed to "Young Adult"), and it is just such a fun, romantic read! The characters don't always make the right choices, but the way it all comes together is so great. This is an awesome read for those who enjoy contemporary romance - or at least think they could, depending on the book.

I bought a couple more Kindle books recently, so here's hoping that these two are treats:

Gotta love this cover candy! If you've read them, did you find them to be tricks or treats?

As of today (October 31st), here are the Kindle e-book prices for the books mentioned above:

• Clockwise by Elle Strauss - FREE!
• Clockwiser by Elle Strauss - $3.99
• Perception by Lee Strauss - $.99
• Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh - $1.99
• Winter Omens by Trisha Leigh - $3.99
• Betrayals in Spring - Not yet available
• Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano - FREE!
• The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson - $3.99
• Remembrance by Michelle Madow - $2.99
• Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier - $9.99 (Bummer that this one went up in price, as I got it for $2.99 not that long ago!)

What are some tricks or treats you've discovered when it comes to Kindle e-books? Would love to hear your thoughts!

A Trick and a Treat: Cute Edition

Trick
For those of you who are tired of me posting cat pictures, I apologize! I just couldn't resist sharing this:

Yes, that's Muffin Man! 

I'm used to the silly cat climbing under my bedspread and taking a nap. But usually he does so after I've already made the bed.... Of course, one morning, not that long ago, when I didn't make my bed right away, he curled up in the blankets. Imagine my surprise when I went to make my bed, found it difficult to tug the sheets into place, and then promptly discovered a warm lump hidden in the covers! 

Tricky cat! But still, he's adorable...

Treat

Now, this treat is a little bit early in several ways - it came one day earlier than the estimated shipping date (hooray, Amazon.com!), and it came before Halloween (it's Christmas-themed)!

Love's Christmas Journey - finally on DVD!!

If you missed my review, you can read it HERE. It's been a year since this aired on TV, and after all the wondering and waiting, it is finally available to own on DVD! Looking forward to watching this cute Christmas addition to the Love Comes Softly series once again - minus the commercials! Definitely a treat for fans of the movie series. =)

For Halloween I hope to put together another "tricks and treats" post featuring my Kindle-book discoveries! Until then, do you have any fun "tricks" or "treats" you've received lately?

My Review of A Light in the Window

Here's a description of the book:

"One Woman. Two Men.

One stirs her pulse and the other her faith.

But who will win her heart?

Marceline Murphy is a gentle beauty with a well-founded aversion to rogues.

But when two of Boston's most notorious pursue her,

attraction, dreams and faith only muddle her mind.

Can the light in the window illuminate the path of true love?"

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

A Light in the Window may be a bit "lighter" than the books in Julie Lessman's first two series ("Daughters of Boston" and "Winds of Change"), in the sense that it's a shorter read than her other stories and a tad less epic in scope, but it's a prequel not to be underestimated! For those who have never read any of Lessman's books, this one would be a great place to start, as the focus is only on one couple's journey to marriage - the catalyst for all six books in the aforementioned series. And for those who have read some or (especially) all of Lessman's books, this one is no less dramatic for knowing how it all ends. In fact, it's perhaps more moving to know the heartaches and grand blessings in store for Marceline and the man she marries.

Now, for a story about two rogues trying to win one faithful woman's heart, this has all the angst and emotion - as well as the not-so-smart choices - you'd expect. There is a great message about not judging others, but also being wise about whom you give your heart to; although I must say that I would like to have given Marcy the advice passed down to many a young woman: "Don't enter into a romantic relationship expecting to change the other person!" *sigh*

As for the seasonal aspect of this story, the play/fundraiser that Marcy and her best friend, Julie (I love that!), put together maintains the subtle Christmas theme throughout the pages. And all of the steps leading up to the production of the play (with the same title as the book) are conveyed in such a sweet, relatable, and big-hearted way with the help of some great secondary characters. So there's enough of the Christmas mood to provide a seasonal reading treat should you be looking for such. But really, the story goes about a half of a year's time, and the emphasis is on the tradition and symbolism of leaving a candle in the window, not so much on Christmas festivities - so this can be enjoyed any time of the year.

A Light in the Window is such a great read to bring Lessman's previous books together and provide a segue into new stories and characters in upcoming releases! It's more focused than many of her other books with its one love triangle and its consistent theme. And it can serve as a great introduction to Lessman's works - or a touching way to round out one's time with the O'Connor family.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

To Pre-Order the Book on Kindle: click HERE (releases November 9, 2012)

Contest!

 Click the image above to go to the contest page on Julie's website. Contest ends December 31, 2012.

Revell Blog Tour: My Review of A Promise to Love

Here's a description of the book from Revell:

"Can a marriage of convenience ever become one of true love?

Ingrid Larsen arrives in Michigan in 1871 with little more than the clothes on her back and a determination to find her brother, who has disappeared into the dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, the young Swedish immigrant crosses paths with Joshua Hunter, a newly widowed farmer with eyes the color of the ocean she had crossed and five rambunctious children to raise on his own.

Marriage would solve both of their problems, and Ingrid finds herself proposing in broken English to a man she barely knows. Many difficulties lie ahead--but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart of her new husband."

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

A Promise to Love drives home the point that Miller's books are not only unique compared to other novels in their genres, but also quite different from one another. There are several appearances of characters from The Measure of Katie Calloway in this story - which is a neat treat for fans - along with a "similar" climax in both plots, but the general feel of this story and the characters' issues make the reading experience quite different, indeed.

Ingrid is a woman who may seem easy to cast aside or underestimate with her broken English and her uncertainty regarding "American" ways. But boy, does she quickly throw out any false notions of that kind! She's a strong character who works hard, stands strong against injustice, exercises flexibility in her thinking and actions, and loves fiercely. Pair her with a gentle man who is falsely accused, still in love with the ideal he perceived in his first wife, and desperate for someone who can set his house to order and feed his family - and you've got a situation full of possibilities for misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and...maybe...eventually...growth in character and in heart.

The flow of the story goes along the lines of Love Comes Softly, with a lot of emotional obstacles for all people involved (including the couple, the children, and the former in-laws) to deal with and plenty of farm-life difficulties to challenge the characters. However, the unique characters - especially the heroine - and the added suspense regarding the death of Joshua's first wife (and the powerful climax) help Miller's story stand on its own.

My personal preference as far as setting and plot goes is The Measure of Katie Calloway - I loved the central focus on the logging industry. But A Promise to Love also proved to be a great read, showing that Miller's books continue to shine with wonderful writing and creative characters.

*With thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

You can also read my reviews of Miller's previous releases: Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio, The Measure of Katie Calloway, and An Uncommon Grace.

A Walk Through the Corn Maze

A corn maze can offer a quintessential autumn experience:

A unique look at the beauty and bounty of the harvest; 

The sharp and sudden call of crows, and the lonesome silence that follows; 

A calm solitude filled with wonder and whispers;

The pleasure of finding your way after numerous dead ends and wrong turns.

Of course, if the corn maze is a busy, crowded one, then the experience is more likely to be one of screams and laughter and chaos and racing. If a corn maze is filled with people and festive signs and decorations, it's certainly a fun fall outing!

But for those times when the people are few and the hushed autumn air hovers over the field, the experience is a melancholy delight. There's just something about this season with its combination of harvest joys and winter forebodings... It seems to be a thoughtful time of year when some things must be gathered in and others must be let go. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven....

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted....

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away."

 ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1,2b,6 ~

I do so enjoy a walk through the corn maze with friends and/or family! This year my mom, sister, and I went at a quieter time when there were only a handful of people in the maze, and I enjoyed taking a few pictures of the scenery. =)

One more thing: In case you were wondering, we tested out a probably well-known (?) theory I've tested before, and we met with success (as I did another time). *Potential Experience Spoiler* Just keep your left hand going along the left "wall" of the maze, and you won't have to worry about getting lost! Of course, you'll go through plenty of dead ends since you'll be following the inner perimeter of the maze, but you won't visit the same dead ends over and over again. I guess it all depends on whether you want to take the reliable scenic route or experience the fun of being lost! *End of Potential Spoiler*

So, do you like walking through a corn maze? What other autumn activities do you enjoy?

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: You Don't Know Me

Here's a description of the book:

"Sometimes the secrets we keep to protect ourselves can be our undoing.

To all who know her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses a sporting event, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the quaint harbor town of Deep Haven, Deidre received a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker.

Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on parole and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the courage to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?"

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

For those who have already fallen in love with Deep Haven and the characters that populate the place, You Don't Know Me is a wonderful addition to the series as it meets expectations for a story of heartfelt character and characters with heart. Of the three I've read, this one follows more along the lines of The Shadow of Your Smile rather than My Foolish Heart - it has a similar suspense and similar themes regarding falling in love again, forgiving, and truly desiring to know and understand another. (If you have yet to experience Deep Haven, any of the these three books can be enjoyed as a stand-alone.)

You Don't Know Me is part contemporary romance, part romantic suspense - but mostly it's a character(s) study, getting into various characters' thoughts and showing why they act the way they do and why they are all in need of grace and love. Warren does a fantastic job of creating flawed characters whom the reader can care about and sympathize with. And it's not just about one couple - it's about multiple couples and family members and friends, showing how much we need others and how much our choices affect others. (I was especially intrigued by one of the younger secondary characters in this story. It's easy for many of the other characters to judge him, but I love the glimpse we get into his heart.)

This particular story is well-crafted, well-rounded, and boasts its own great cast of characters. The storyline is certainly unique, although some of the elements I perceived to be similar to The Shadow of Your Smile - along with the rather slow and somber progression of events and the drawn out, painful revelations - kept it from being a favorite of mine. But in my growing list of experiences with Warren's books, I've discovered that if you enjoy meaningful and romantic stories with fabulous characters, it doesn't appear that you can go wrong with one of hers!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*

About the Author

"Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!

Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/."

To Buy the Book: click HERE

Blog Tour Schedule: Check out all of the other reviews scheduled by clicking HERE.

Contest

Welcome to the campaign launch for Susan May Warren’s latest offering in her beloved Deep Haven series, You Don’t Know Me. Susan is celebrating with a $200 Weekend Getaway Giveaway and hosting a fun video Author Chat Party!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one and “Get to Know” your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The entire set of Deep Haven Books

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "You Don’t Know Me” Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/23. Connect with Susan for an evening of book chat, Deep Haven trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be info about Susan’s BookShout read-along and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of You Don’t Know Me and join Susan on the evening of the October 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

*Note: The Facebook Party/Video Chat has been rescheduled for 12/12/12.*

My Review of Against the Tide (CFBA Blog Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Against the Tide Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Camden
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Word from Elizabeth:

I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing. I had gotten very good at leading a solo life, and although I was not particularly content being alone, I had become reconciled to it. Most importantly, it taught me never to take my husband for granted. I give daily thanks for the blessing of being able to share a life with my favorite person on the planet.

As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Love and Lives are Threatened in Camden's Latest Offering

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Against the Tide, go HERE.

MY RATING

Summer

MY REVIEW

Deep, dark, and captivating. I started this book one evening and finished it a while later in the early morning hours - not because it is a quick read, but because it completely swept me away with its descriptions and its flawed, amazing characters. Camden has a wonderful talent, and her writing continues to get more and more remarkable with each new book!  

Against the Tide begins with Lydia, giving a sketch of her fascinating but tragic background and then diving into her life as a confident and intelligent adult with a unique career. Some of her quirks ring true for me, and I love her character for her strength and her all-too-real weaknesses.

Camden throws challenge after challenge Lydia's way throughout the story, and it's so horribly sad to witness what she goes through. But oh! The empathy!! What a beautiful thing to be able to feel a character's pain so much that it causes tears and gut-wrenching empathy! It is not an easy journey for Lydia - especially towards the end - but it is a meaningful one with hope and newfound purpose (with a nod to Bane's character - his deep devotion and passion). To be able to feel her emotions so deeply myself....to understand how hard it was for Lydia to make the right choices and to accept love while in such a difficult, humble state...it was a powerful reading experience.

Perhaps not everyone will connect with Lydia's character the way I did, but I really think that Camden does a marvelous job of getting into her characters' minds and hearts and helping the reader to do so, too. And while I was most impacted by Lydia's emotional struggles, this story also has plenty of intrigue and suspense, along with a romance that is thrilling, tender, and thought-provoking. There is a lot to love and a lot to ponder with this story!

If you enjoy a well-written historical romance that is flooded with mystery and drama, Against the Tide is a great read. But if you're like me, take note: you might just find that the emotion comes up like a sneaker wave and engulfs you.

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*