Giveaway and Review: The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Title: The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Publication: October 6, 2009

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Genre: Amish, Romance

Pages: 208

Audience: 18 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): Beth Hertzler wourks alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store and serves as a contact between Amish craftsman and Englischer retailers. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart every day, and she still wears dark dresses to indicate her mourning of her fiance'. When she discovers a large intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow in an Englischer store, something deep inside Beth's soul responds, and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work.
Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth show her the woodworking, and after meeting Jonah, the artist, she is determined that Beth come to know this man whose hands create healing art. But it's not that simple- Beth has cut herself off from any possibility of romance. Will Lizzy's elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth new hope and a s second chance at real love- or just more heartbreak?

My thoughts:

 First of all, I just want to say, it is not my plan to offend anyone by reading and reviewing this religious romance novel. For a class assignment, we had to sign up for booktalks. Someone mentioned the Amish romance because they did not know why they were so popular, and other people agreed. I decided to take this genre on.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Smallwood is a great way to dip your toe into the genre of Amish Romance. However, this book is not just about romance, it is about healing from physical and emotional wounds. I really enjoyed the wealth of knowledge each character shared on the process of healing.
After surpassing the typical amount time of mourning, Beth is still mourning the tragic death of her fiance', Henry. She has built a wall around her heart to let no one in. She has even pushed the people who truly love and care about her, her family. Beth helps her Aunt Lizzy run an Amish dry goods store that helps support their Amish community. Beth finally decides to go on a business trip that will change her life. Also, Beth is not so bitter that you can't stand her. She is a bit annoying, but she has a human quality and you can sympathize with how she acts the way she does.
Jonah has physical wounds from a horrible accident that happened early in his youth. He was angry, but learned there was no reason to be angry for his situation. Since he has healed emotionally, Beth's Aunt Lizzy sees a way for Jonah to help Beth melt the ice around her heart. Jonah may not be in the ideal shape that he would want to be in at 28, but he has a handsome ruggedness about him. He is wise beyond his years and is extremely patient. He is just a loveable character.
The book is really great. The romance is not sexual, it is more about pure, true love and the power of healing and letting go of the past. I never thought I could enjoy an Amish romance, but I did. I believe Cindy Woodsmall is a great author to try the genre out with.


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Reveal & Giveaway: The Fallen Stars by Stephanie Keyes

Title: The Fallen Stars 
Author: Stephanie Keyes 
Series: The Star child #2 
Publication: April 12, 2013 
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing 
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance 

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Synopsis: Kellen St. James was just your average seventeen-year-old prodigy, until he eighty-sixed the Lord of Faerie and proposed to the Celtic Goddess, Calienta. But then everything in Kellen’s life gets turned upside-down when he and Cali end up on the run from a seriously irritated group of faeries. The worst part? They have zero idea why they’re being hunted.

Suddenly, Kellen is stuck in the middle of another prophecy that foresees him turning away from Calienta and embracing the dark. He’ll be forced to take sides in a struggle to claim his birthright, while discovering secrets about his father’s past. Meanwhile, his passion for Cali grows stronger, even as the prophecy threatens to tear them apart.

In the end, will Kellen and Cali survive the fates? When the ultimate power is within reach, which side will he choose?

The Trailer

Today's trailer is for Stephanie Keye's second book, The Fallen Stars. Have a look!

The Fallen Stars from Stephanie Keyes on Vimeo.

Isabella: Star of the Story by Jennifer Fosberry

Author: Jennifer Fosberry  
Illustrator: Mike Litwin  
Title: Isabella: Star of the Story  
Publication: April 2013  
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 
Pages: 32 pp.
Age: 4-8 years
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Every day's an adventure with Isabella!

Isabella checks out the library, and steals the spotlight from some of the most memorable children's book characters. She's Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole. No, now she's Peter Pan, flying off to Never Never Land. And when it's finally time to follow the yellow brick road home, she decides she's happy just being Isabella, the little purple-haired girl with a lot of books and even more imagination.

Thoughts: This a colorful book about the power of the imagination and the young love of reading. Isabella is going to the library with her parents and as soon she enters, she is no longer Isabella but whatever book her heart is set on checking out, that is until it's time for her to go home to cherish them. I couldn't help smiling as she continuously said her name wasn't this or that and how the adults went along with and humored her, even playing on words from each book she chooses. I think this is an adorable book about the family reading experience and the bonds that grow from there. It's such a beautiful sight to see families come in the library together and gush over books. The illustrations are vibrant and gorgeous. Litwin does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of Isabella and bringing the words written by Fosberry to life. The end of the book gives more information on the stories mentioned throughout the book. Overall, this a good read for the little ones.
 

Review: Otherborn by Anna Silver

Title: Otherborn

Series: Otherborn (Book One)

Author: Anna Silver

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Release Date: April 4, 2013

Pages: 290

Format: Paperback, ebook

Genre: YA

Subgenres: dystopian, science fiction

Source: Author/Publisher

Amazon|Goodreads 

Synopsis: London and her teenage friends live in a reprocessed world.

Confined within Capital City’s concrete walls, London has done the impossible and the illegal. She’s created something New- a song. But her mentor, club owner Pauly, is not impressed. Since the historic Energy Crisis forced everyone behind walls generations ago, the Tycoons have ensured there is truly nothing new allowed under the sun. Pauly warns London to keep her song to herself, if she knows what’s good for her. 

What he doesn’t know is that London is keeping an even bigger secret: she dreams. And she’s not alone. London’s band-mates and friends have begun dreaming as well, seeing themselves in “night pictures” as beings from another world. As Otherborn, they must piece together the story of their astral avatars, the Others, in order to save their world from a dreamless, hopeless future. 

When Pauly is murdered and an Otherborn goes missing, London realizes someone is hunting them down. Escaping along the Outroads, they brave the deserted Houselands with only their dreams to guide them. Can they find their friend before the assassin finds them? Will being Otherborn save their lives, or destroy them?

My thoughts:  Imagine a world where anything “new” is frightening, dreaming is illegal, and day to day life is a struggle. London is 16 and living a post energy crisis world. Everything from food to medical treatment is rationed. Her band, Otherborn, is what keeps her grounded and sane. When those London loves the most turn up dead or missing London begins a mission to save them.

This is a fast read and I was drawn in from the very beginning. It was easy to love London. She is strong and passionate. Silver has created a vivid world that I could easily see as our future.  I looking forward to the next book to see  what London’s future holds.

Excerpt: http://www.annasilverauthor.com/otherborn.html#excerpt

Author Bio:

Anna Silver grew up with a passion for words, books, and storytelling. She began writing as a child and eventually landed at St. Edward’s University in Austin where she studied English Writing & Rhetoric. She has always nurtured a vivid imagination and a love for art, expression, and fantasy. Currently she resides in the greater Houston area with her family and pets where she continues to read, write, and dream. Otherborn is her first published novel. 

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See what other bloggers are saying about Otherborn. Several are hosting giveaways. 

Book Blast: Ixeos by Jennings Wright

Ixeos

The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose:  to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader. But the aliens aren't the only problem on Ixeos -- the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved. The worst part? There's no way home.

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Author Jennings Wright


Born and raised in Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn't spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She attended graduate school at the University of West Florida, studying Psychology. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a business owner and writer, and two children, and travels extensively with her family, and her non-profit in Uganda.

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Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/7/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Chu's Day

Author: Neil Gaiman

Illustrator: Adam Rex

Title: Chu's Day

Publication: January 8, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Children's

Pages: 32

Audience: 4 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Interlibrary Loan

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Meet Chu. Chu is a small panda with a very big sneeze. When Chu sneezes, you REALLY don't want to get in the way. But a whole day of adventure will test Chu's sneeze-resisting powers to the limit - there's the library (dusty books!), the diner (pepper!), and then the circus (all those animals!). How big can a sneeze really be? Just wait and see . . .

My thoughts:
I FINALLY got this book. Sorry for reviewing it so late. Chu's Day was very cute. I saw reviews for it before I got to read it and the main complaints were that it was very short. it is very short, but if you have  three year old, like my nephew then this book is perfect. It is short, sweet, and to the point. Chu is so cute and cuddly, I mean who doesn't love panda? It is a really cute book that younger children or children with short attention spans would enjoy.

The artwork is beautiful. Adam Rex does an excellent job on all the animals in the book. Chu is just a cute little fluff ball. In some scenes he looks just like my cat! I really love the next to last page, the Dad looks like he is fed up. It was a bit funny. That could just be me though.  Anyway, the artwork is great and the book is great.

Cover Reveal: Surrender and Justice by Rhiannon Paille

Title: SURRENDER (The Ferryman & The Flame #1)

Author: Rhiannon Paille

Cover Design: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design

Amazon 

Synopsis: Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Title: JUSTICE (The Ferryman & The Flame #2)

Author: Rhiannon Paille
Cover Design: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design

Amazon

Synopsis:How far would you go to destroy yourself?

Krishani always knew he would have to go to the Lands of Men, but he never thought it would be like this. Enemies everywhere, an ancestor he can't respect, elders he can't trust, a curse he can't stop and friends he can't help but hate. Desperate to end the pain, he sets out on a quest to find the other Flames and face the enemy that took everything from him.

Author Bio:

Rhi was never a normal girl. Her life was an urban fantasy wrapped in a paranormal romance and served with a side of horror. To escape her everyday weirdness she began writing fantasy. She studied at U of Sedona and MIMT, obtaining a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. She's married to a chef/comic book shop owner and has a fondness for architecture. She frequents twitter and facebook, but if you really want to get to know her you should visit her site: www.yafantasyauthor.com

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**Because Rhiannon is awesome for 1 day (today) March 19, 2013 both books are available FREE on Kindle. Use the amazon links above to get your copy. **