About Transcendent:

Discover the secrets of a siren, fly with a hawk girl over the mountains of Montana, and flee supernatural party-crashers as the décor comes to life in this magical journey through paranormal stories.

Along the way, watch for ghosts in a haunted house, or ride through the moonlight with a stranger. Save a comatose boy who has lost his soul, and don’t forget to bring your garlic and wolfsbane—you never know when the shadows will snag you.

Transcendent includes eight stories of magic, love, death, and choice by some of the newest names in young adult fiction.

My Review:
4 STARS

Transcendent was my first experience with an Anthology and I wasn't quite sure I would enjoy a bunch of short stories put together in one book. But I actually enjoyed the collection quite a bit. This is a collection of paranormal stories and each one stands alone which made it great to just read a quick little story when I had a free minute and then get back to the next in my next spare time!

When I read the first story I was instantly swept in to it and was disappointed when it came to end. I thought to myself, they could have made the whole book about this one story and I'd be thrilled. Then I read the next story with little expectation and then thought that story was great and I wanted more. And it continued to be that way through the entire book. Which brings me to the only problem with the book, I wanted more!! I wanted to keep reading about each story! There was only 1 or 2 stories that didn't leave me eager for more! One of them was so strange I wasn't sure I would find anything to like about it, but strangely I did. Not sure what that says about me?! ha ha

Even though I was disappointed that each story had to end when I was just getting really sucked in the story they were all ended nicely. I was left with any cliff hangers or sad moments which is great because if that would have happened I would have put the book down. Who wants to be disappointed over and over again!

I received this book free from Rita Webb in exchange for my personal and honest opinion and review! All opinions are my own.

Authors:

Lani Woodland, Melonie Piper, Rita Webb, Wendy Swore, Melanie Marks, Heather McCubbin, Evan Joseph

Beyond Hope's Valley

About Beyond Hope's Valley:

After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook -- a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.

As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.

My Review:
5 STARS

Jump on board this roller coaster of emotions with Marianna as she returns to Pennsylvania with high hopes to marry her first love, Aaron Zook.  What a dramatic conclusion to a series that I had fallen in love with from the very beginning! It’s bitter sweet to say goodbye to the Sommer family and especially to the lovable, sweet and passionate Marianna.

When Marianna returns to Pennsylvania she expects to see her brother marry Naomi as soon as possible because Naomi is expecting and then her and Aaron will marry soon after.  She soon discovers that nothing is as she planned but is all in God’s timing and she suddenly faces many more trials than she anticipated.  The situation with Naomi and Luke isn’t what she was expecting and neither is Aaron the man she thought he was!!

I think I’ve said this before in my other reviews of the first two books of this series but I just love Marianna.  She is such a lovable heroin that you can help but adore.  She is passionate about her new found love for Jesus and the English bible, she always wants to put her family first, and she seeks the truth even if it less favorable. 

Twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat throughout this book and kept me guessing as to how Tricia was going to end this novel without breaking my heart.  I felt there was no way I was going to see a happy ending but somehow she pulled it off.  Don’t get me wrong, you’ll cry and your heart will break but in the end you won’t be disappointed!!

It’s my opinion that you’ll want to red Beside Still Waters and Along Wooded Paths before you dig in to Beyond Hope’s Valley so that you can truly understand the characters and the story behind Marianna and Aaron.  Tricia has never disappointed me with her writing and I am looking forward to more by this talented author!

This book was provided to me free from Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest and personal review.  All opinions are my own.

About Tricia Goyer:

 
TRICIA GOYER was named the 2003 Writer of the Year for Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. Her book for teens, Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom, was a Gold Medallion finalist in 2005 in the Youth category.

Her novel Night Song won the 2005 “Book of the Year for Long Historical Romance” from American Christian Fiction Writers, and her novel Dawn of a Thousand Nights won the same award in 2006.

Tricia has published over 250 articles and YA short stories for national publications such as Today’s Christian Woman, Guideposts for Kids, Brio, Christian Parenting Today, and HomeLife, and is the co-author of Meal Time Moments (Focus on the Family). She has led numerous Bible Studies, and her study notes appear in the Women of Faith Study Bible.

She has written seven novels for Moody Publishers; From Dust and Ashes (2003), Night Song (2004), Dawn of a Thousand Nights (2005), and Arms of Deliverance (2006), A Valley of Betrayal (2007), A Shadow of Treason (2007), and A Whisper of Freedom (2008).

Tricia has also published Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom (Zondervan, 2004) and children’s book 10 Minutes to Showtime (Thomas Nelson, 2004). She has written My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson, 2007) for teen girls. She worked on 3:16 Teens w/ Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson, 2008)

Tricia has also written books for Gen Xers: Generation NeXt Parenting (Multnomah, 2006) and Generation NeXt Marriage (Multnomah, 2008).

Tricia and her husband, John, live in Montana with their three teens.

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

About The Messenger by Siri Mitchell:

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith

...until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers?

Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.

With skill and sensitivity, Mitchell tells a story of two unlikely heroes seeking God's voice, finding the courage to act, and discovering the powerful embrace of love.

My Review:

3 STARS

When reading one of Siri Mitchell’s books you expect to not only fall in love with the characters but also learn some things along the way.  She has such a way of weaving historical facts and believable characters in to a true love story that captures your mind and heart.

That being said, The Messenger is not even close to being my favorite book written by Siri Mitchell.  Maybe I wasn’t as invested in the concept of Hannah being a Quaker spy as I should have been but it took my quite a long time to read this book and get involved.  Most of the reason I didn’t really connect with this story was because of the character of Hannah.  She is a Quaker and believes she should never speak a lie, not even to save her own life or any others.  It wasn’t really that fact that was weird; it was how judgmental and annoying she was about it all.  For some reason she just rubbed me the wrong way.  But I have to admit that about 2/3 of the way through the book, she grew on me and by the end I loved her.  I loved her for when she stood up for what she believed in and held to her own.  She is passionate and stubborn, which makes her realistic, yet annoying at times!

Jeremiah was my favorite character of this book.  He is doubtful, careless and little bitter and that serves to show great growth as the story moves along.  You see him learning the truth of who is and what he believes in and it is a fun ride to see Jeremiah develop in to a lovable character!

This story is about these two complete opposite characters that somehow find each other to face the injustice of what is happening with the prisoners and war.  They clash at first and don’t have many similar beliefs but as the story develops they strengthen each other, and learn to trust each other with their very lives.  The romance isn’t over the top swoon worthy but it’s believable to the story and understandably sweet!

Like I said earlier, I didn’t really love this book but I didn’t dislike it either.  It was very well written and opened my eyes to some things I had never heard about before and for that I’m glad I read it! If you are a historical fan of the Revolutionary War, spies, and the struggles the citizens faced then this is a must read for you!

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my personal and honest review and opinion.  All opinions are my own.

About Siri Mitchell:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a speaker and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.  

Baroness by Susan May Warren blog tour and giveaway

About the book: Baroness – Book Two in the Daughters of Fortune series

 

Lily and Rose, daughters of an empire coming of age in the roaring twenties, can have anything they want ... except freedom.

Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But, Lily, Esme's daughter longs to return home to Montana, to adventure outside the confines of New York City. And Jinx's daughter Rosie dreams of the bright lights of the newly emerging silver screen. But following their dreams - from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers will take all their courage.

And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever after?

Find out more from Behind the Pages: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/baroness 

My Review:  
 5 STARS

Wow!! What an emotional rollercoaster Baroness takes you on!! It picks up right on where Heiress left off and jumps right in to the lives of Rosie and Lilly. This book is jammed packed full with raw emotions and events that pull at your heart and send you soaring in to the sky!

Both Rosie and Lilly have very different stories that they go through but basically they are in search of the same thing. They are searching for happiness, love and identity within themselves. With their goals being the same the events that they go through are vastly different.

Mostly we are looking at Lilly’s life with a little bit of the drama going on with Rosie in the background. Lilly’s story just pulled at my heart, especially with the extreme losses she faces and her struggles with trying to figure out who God wants her to be. Her emotions go up and down and you never quite sure how her story is going to conclude.

This historical novel is so fast paced and intense and such an emotional ride that you feel like you can never put the book down. It’s a perfect example of how God can take anything broken and hurt and turn it in to a beautiful thing. I have said this before and I will say it again, God makes beautiful things out of us!!
Baroness is the second book in the Daughters of Fortune Series and I’m excited to read the third book about Rosie. While I don’t think it’s necessary for you to read book one, Heiress, before you read this book, I highly recommend that you do so that you fully understand some of the characters and the background story.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review. All opinions are my own. 

About Susan:  

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!. 

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com. 

 

Link to buy the book:  http://ow.ly/ajLQF 

 

About the giveaway and party: 
Baroness Roaring 20s Kindle Fire Giveaway from @SusanMayWarren! Find out what the reviewers are saying here!

Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the family empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But following their dreams -- from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers -- will take all their courage.  And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever after?

Celebrate with Susan by entering her Roaring 20's Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Signed copies of Baroness and Heiress by Susan May Warren

But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/7/12. The winner will be announced on 5/9/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

First Wild Card Tour: NIV Boys Bible

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!




You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card is:

NIV Boys Bible

Zonderkidz; Special edition (March 6, 2012)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Getting into a routine of reading the Bible can be challenging for anyone, but trying to keep the attention of pre-teen boys is especially difficult. So now there is a Bible especially developed for them. The NIV Boys Bible is designed with boys ages 9 to 12 in mind. Fun in-text features help boys dig deep into the Word and learn about amazing people, facts and stories of the Bible. The NIV Boys Bible will help boys grow into the young men God wants them to be. It will appeal to boys and cause them to desire to spend time in the Word with its unique features such as:



* Introductions to each book of the Bible



* Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing



* What's the Big Deal?-Need-to-know biblical stories and people



* Check It Out-Interesting and fun facts about Bible times and characters



* Grossology-Gross and gory stuff they never knew was in the Bible



* Makin' It Real-Help for applying Bible stories to their everyday lives







This Bible includes the full text of the New International Version, the most popular Bible translation in the world, and 12 color tip-in pages introducing content that shows boys how they can grow to be like Jesus. Each book of the Bible has activities that make God's Word more relevant than ever. It is jam-packed with customized content and artwork that really makes the Bible stand out.

Product Details:

List Price: $27.99

Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Hardcover: 1504 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz; Special edition (March 6, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310723086

ISBN-13: 978-0310723080:

My Review:
5 STARS

I love this bible!! I received this bible at the same time I received the girl version; Faithgirlz NIV.  My son is not quite as old as my daughter and I probably would have a waited a few years before I got him this one but I am still loving it.  My son is 5 and is just beginning to read so he likes a bit more but I know he will love this more in a year or two.  He does use it all the time when looking up verses for Awana because it is the same version (NIV) that they use in the Awana clubs.  Not only is the version great but I love all the added tidbits. There are explanations of each book in the beginning that explain what that book is about.  There is also sections where they can relate themselves to the characters in the stories.  I really liked the sections that answer commonly asked questions too.  Another thing I really love is the look.  The cover is cool and stylish for a young man and the colors throughout the bible are super fun, which make it that much more fun to read!! Perfect for young guys, probably 6-11 yrs old.

AND NOW...A SAMPLE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO VIEW THEM LARGER:

FIRST Wild Card Tour: NIV Faithgirlz! Bible

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!




You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card contributor is:

Nancy Rue

and the book:

NIV Faithgirlz! Bible (Revised Edition)

Zonderkidz; Rev Spl edition (March 6, 2012)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR:

Nancy Rue has worked as a public school teacher, church youth director, theater workshop developer and camp director. She has written more than eighty books for young people, including the beloved Faithgirlz! Sophie series, The Skin You're In and Everybody Tells Me to Be Myself but I Don't Know Who I Am. Nancy lives with her husband and two dogs in Lebanon, TN.





About Faithgirlz!: Faithgirlz! is a collection of books, Bibles and resources designed to provide transformational Christian experiences for tween girls. Faithgirlz! encourages honest tween-girl empowerment by providing engaging, relevant, high-quality offerings, helping tween girls understand their world, learn biblical teachings, become closer to God and grow into godly teenagers. Faithgirlz! offers excellent content and contributions from leading Christian tween writers and spokespeople including Nancy Rue, Melody Carlson, Kristi Holl, Naomi Kinsman and more. Faithgirlz! is also supported with a website (www.Faithgirlz.com), Facebook page and mother and daughter live events across the country.



SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:



Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special, and contributor Nancy Rue helps them do just that in the revised edition of the NIV Faithgirlz! Bible. As a leading tween expert, Rue teaches girls that the Bible is real and relevant and, best of all, that the story of God and His people is also their story. Girls can now grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime, in their language, for their world.

The new Faithgirlz! Bible was developed especially for girls ages 9 to 12. Everything in it is written with a tween girl’s experience in mind, and it features the most popular Bible translation in the world, the New International Version. The features explain hard-to-understand things in the Bible and guide girls to put the Scripture to work in their own lives. The Faithgirlz! Bible focuses on sharing faith with friends and gives real ways for girls to do that.



Each book of the Bible has activities that make God’s Word more relevant than ever. And, of course, because it was developed for Faithgirlz! readers, they can expect to find it jam-packed with customized content and artwork that really makes the Bible stand out. Girls will love the cool design, the interactive features and the feeling of knowing that God’s Word is there for them whenever they need it. Some of the features included are:



· Book Introductions—Girls will read the who, when, where and what of each book of the Bible.



· Dream Girl—Girls will use their imaginations to put themselves in the story.



· Is There a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You?—Girls will see for themselves what they have in common with women of the Bible.



· Words to Live By—Girls will discover great Bible verses for memorizing.



· Oh, I Get It!—Girls will find answers to Bible questions they’ve wondered about.





Nancy Rue says, “I hope the Faithgirlz! Bible will help girls grow a friendship with the Bible, their own relationship. It asks questions, asks them to think and challenges them to apply what they’re learning. That’s how they’ll find a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than just by following rules or saying what they’ve been told without really thinking about it. Rules are important, of course, but they only make sense when they really believe the message of the Scriptures. That’s what this Bible is about.” The Faithgirlz! Bible is the perfect Bible to support girls in their journey into the “beauty of believing.”



The main edition of the Faithgirlz! Bible is hardcover, but it is also available in two Italian Duo-Tone designs. For better portability, there is also an NIV Faithgirlz! Backpack Bible. This compact edition does not include the in-text features that the full-size edition has, but it does have twelve full-color pages of Faithgirlz! fun, the words of Christ in red and a ribbon marker. An ebook version is also planned for electronic use.

Product Details:

List Price: $27.99



Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Hardcover: 1504 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz; Rev Spl edition (March 6, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310722365

ISBN-13: 978-0310722366

My Review:
5 STARS

I love this bible!! When my  toddler wanted her own bible we bought her a small Children Standard Version that worked just perfectly for her age at the time but now she is 9 and she wanted a more "normal" bible. When this showed up at the door she instantly grabbed it and began reading!! She just loves it!! It is in NIV version which is great because it works well with her Awana verse memorization.  Not only is the version great but I love all the added tidbits. There are explanations of each book in the beginning that explains what that book is about.  There is also sections where the girls can relate themselves to the characters in the stories.  There is also sections that answer commonly asked questions.  Another thing I really love (and my daughter also) is the colors.  The cover is beautiful and the colors throughout the bible are super fun, which make it that much more fun to read!!

AND NOW...A SAMPLE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO VIEW THEM LARGER:

By the Light of the Silvery Moon blog tour and giveaway

About the book:

Amelia Gladstone's hopes are tied up in the Titanic--hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change.

Quentin Walpole is stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America--and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?

Watch the video trailer:

About Tricia Goyer:

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-two books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

More info: Living Inspired (http://toginet.com/shows/livinginspired) and www.triciagoyer.com.

Link to buy the book: http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#ByTheLight

  

Win an Flip HD Camcorder during @TriciaGoyer's Unsinkable Titanic Giveaway and RSVP for 4/10 Titanic Party!

Celebrate the release of By the Light of the Silvery Moon with Tricia by entering her giveaway and RSVPing to her Titanic party.



One "unsinkable" winner will receive:

• Flip HD video Camera (Make your own dramatic saga!)
• Titanic movies from the ages {Titanic (1953) Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Titanic (1997)}
• Secrets of the Titanic (Get the facts from National Geographic.)
• And the Band Played On (Music Played on the Titanic.)
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer (Be swept away in this tale of love and courage.)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 9th. Winner will be announced at "Silvery Moon" Titanic Facebook Party on 4/10. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club). During the live chat Tricia will have a *special guest* join her. More details coming soon!

So grab your copy of By the Light of the Silvery Moon and join Tricia on the evening of the April 10th for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Titanic?) and lots of giveaways. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 10th!