Tracey Quintin Shares Goodreads Contemporary Romance with New Book Review Readers

Title:  A Ring And A Prayer 

Series: Book 1 Golden Bowl Series

Author: Maeve Christopher

Website:  http://maevechristopher.com/

Genre:  Literature & Fiction, Religious & Inspirational Fiction, Christian, Romance, Contemporary

ASIN #:   B06XK6S4LR

Reviewer's Rating: 5 star

Where people can purchase the book:  https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Prayer-Book-Golden-Bowl-ebook/dp/B06XK6S4LR/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514481974&sr=8-2&keywords=maeve+christopher

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads

This is the 2nd story I've read by Maeve Christopher and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed! 

While the beginning was slow, I could tell it was building my knowledge of the characters and setting. Then WHAM, the story really picks up with many twists and turns. It leaves you guessing who is "good", who is "bad" and what is going to happen next?! I'm looking forward to reading more in the next book to find out not only how some things turn out but how some people turn out. I did a gasp when I came to the end and said to myself "No! I want more!".

The story is filled with strong spirituality and was refreshingly a sweet, clean read.

I love the idea of The Golden Bowl, the charitable work that Annie does and how you can see how paying it forward, helping others, is such an amazing thing to do! 

Loved that some of the characters from the author's prior series are in this story. 

This story reinforced for me, "let it be" and "it is what it is". 

I now wish I could visit Marberry, Maine, the restaurant (especially the bakery!) and see these folks in person. 

Great job Maeve Christopher! I think everyone will thoroughly enjoy this story and recommend all read it! 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maeve Christopher connections:

Website:  http://maevechristopher.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MaeveChristopher/?ref=br_rs

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaeveChristophe

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581925.Maeve_Christopher

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Maeve-Christopher/e/B00AAJCEAK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Tracey Quintin connections:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LOVEBOOKSWITHROMANCE/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ReadingIsOurPas

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/19886187-tracey-quintin

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. 

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Historical Author Reviews Dr. Bob Rich's New Novel

Review of Guardian Angel by Max Overton

Title: Guardian Angel

Author: Dr Bob Rich

ASIN: B0711C623T

ISBN: 9781521212677

About the book:

http://bobswriting.com/guardian.html

I recently had the privilege of reading Guardian Angel by Bob Rich again and found it even more enthralling the second time round. It is a novel of Australia, but the message within applies to all men and women everywhere and in every time. It is couched within the framework of Christianity, but it applies equally to any and all religions that preach a message of love and acceptance. Reincarnation is a thread that runs through this story, and shows how our actions are not limited to one life, but  through many incarnations as we strive to learn the lessons necessary for our growth.

The protagonist, a young Aboriginal girl, Maraglindi, is born of an act of hate, but she typifies Love in its most elemental form, and all who come in contact with her during her short life are touched by this love. It changes their behaviour for the better, and each one spreads this message of love to others, enveloping families and communities. But this is so much more than just a story with a message; it is a history. Guardian Angel is a story set against the backdrop of Colonial Australia, where we get to experience the lives of rich and poor, privileged and deprived, the white overlords and the downtrodden, dispossessed Aboriginal First People of this glorious country.

Guardian Angel is a book I would not hesitate to recommend, not just as a story that describes the racial discord of earlier times, but also as one that holds out a hope that things can be different. We live in times where hate is rearing its ugly head once more, so we need stories like this to remind us that hate can be overcome, not by violence and more hatred, but by love.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Max Overton http://www.maxovertonauthor.com

Max was Bob Rich’s first editing client, back in 1999. Since then, his writing has soared, and he is the author of masterful, gripping stories in several genres, including historical fiction. Max and Bob do beta reading for each other, which is why this is the second time Max has read Guardian Angel. His suggestions on the earlier version have greatly improved the novel.

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ). This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Dr. Bob Rich Inspires Reviewer with "Ascending Spiral"

TITLE: Ascending Spiral: Humanity's last chance

AUTHOR: Bob Rich http://bobswriting.com/ascending.html
ISBN 978-1-61599-186-0
PUBLISHER: Marvelous Sprits Press http://www.marvelousspirit.com
GENRE: Fiction: Insprational, Historical, SF.
BUY LINKS are at http://bobswriting.com/ascending.html

 

Reviewed by Max Overton originally for Bobbing Around newsletter

Ascending Spiral is a wonderfully curious book and one that defies instant categorisation. At first, I thought it a series of historical stories -- expertly crafted and meticulously researched -- that put you right into the times so you can actually feel what the characters are experiencing. You live as Padraig, his short life terminated by a Viking raider; as Irishman Dermot fighting against British tyranny; as Amelia, the wife of a brutal landowner in Outback Australia; and as Pip Lipkin, a young man in 20^th century Australia, fighting prejudice and his own failings. But it was so much more than just historical stories. The central character in each account turns out to be the same soul, experiencing different lives, learning some lessons, failing others, falling and rising, though the overall journey is one of ascent -- one soul’s journey on an ascending spiral.

 

This, in itself, would be a fascinating tale of men and women buffeted by circumstance, but the story is twelve thousand years in the making. Furthermore, it encompasses the lives of aliens as well as humans, told in a way that seems both realistic and meaningful. A Space Flower and a Walking Plant add their lives to the mix, and if it seems odd that these beings should be included in a story of an ascending soul, think again. Every action leaves its mark, both on ourselves and those around us, and if we do harm, we must atone for our actions before we can move forward. With every death comes an accounting and a chance for the soul to pick a future life that will help it right the wrongs of a previous existence, help it on its spiral of ascent.

 

If all that wasn’t enough, one is left with a strong feeling that the latter part of the book is at least partly autobiographical, as the character Pip Lipkin finally realises his long history and what it all means. He has learned lessons from his past lives and can now put them into practice. This would be enough for most books, but Bob Rich goes further, pointing out the future of the planet and the fate of every species on it unless we too learn the lessons that Pip has learned over twelve thousand years of existence.

 

Ascending Spiral is a book that held me fascinated while I was reading it, and made me sit and think when I finished it. I know I’ll be reading it again, especially the latter part where the future of the planet -- my future, your future -- is laid out, and how we can yet save it from destruction. Thank you, Bob, for this wonderful and thought-provoking experience.

--------------------------------------------------
More about the author:

Dr Bob Rich, http://bobswriting.com
Editor of Bobbing Around http://wp.me/P3Xihq-1http://bobswriting.com/ascending.html
"Commit random acts of kindness

Live simply so you may simply live"

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Literary Lady Reviews New Barbara Casey Novel

Title: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PRISSY

Author:  Barbara Casey
Author’s Web site:  www.barbaracaseyagency.com
Genre:  Suspense/Women’s Fiction/Inspirational
Publisher:  Strategic Media Books
Publisher’s Web site:  www.strategicmediabooks.com
ISBN-13:  970-985244026


Reviewed by  Patricia Daly-Lipe originally for Amazon

Reviewer’s Rating:  5 stars

REVIEW:

 

A good writer appeals to the readers' sense of wonder, delight, and mystery. The good writer also draws on our sense of pity, pain, and beauty.  Author Barbara Casey has achieved all of this in her latest book, The Gospel According to Prissy.  From concern for the protagonist, to fear for her and others, to the mystery surrounding some of the characters' motives, to delight in the wise words of a young child, this book will permeate the inner voice of every reader whether male or female, young or old as he or she identifies with some part of the story. This personal involvement enhances the power of her tale. Each time I put down the book, I could not let loose the drama unfolding. Chores accomplished, I ran back to the book, desperate to find out what was going to happen next. The story takes place in North Carolina, in current time, and so many inferences relate to our present environment politically, historically, and emotionally.

 
In the Bible, which young Prissy interprets in her own unique way, Moses told the Israelites that God sent them into the wilderness to "learn what is in your heart." And it is clearly from the heart that Barbara Casey writes. I encourage everyone to read The Gospel According to Prissy. During and after the tensions of the tale, in the end, this book will touch your heart.

 

ABOUT THE REVIEWER:
Patricia Daly-Lipe – Author of A Cruel Calm, Messages from Nature; Past President of the National League of American Pen Women-La Jolla Branch and Washington, DC Branch, and Historian for the National Society Daughters of American Colonists, DC.

 

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Title: Akeldama

Author: Kristine Lowder
Author's Website: http://www.kristinelowder.com/
Author's blog: http://www.kristinelowder.wordpress.com/
176 pages
Genre: Inspirational fiction
Publisher: Living Stones Fellowship International, Warrens, WI
ISBN: 978-1-885054-74-6

Reviewed by  William P. Oakes


Review:

"I have read only a few Christian novels worthy of the name. My favorite Christian authors are C.S. Lewis, Stephen R. Lawhead, Joseph F. Girzone, and now Kristine Lowder. I must tell you that her book, Akeldama, touched me so deeply that I cried like a baby as I read the final chapter. Yes, the final chapter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ—not a new subject. But something in her telling of it blessed me with joy, gratitude, awe, and wonder. I cannot remember a time when I wanted to re-read a book as soon as I finished it. Treat yourself to a great book!" ~William C. Oakes, Senior Pastor, Living Stones Fellowship, Warrens, Wisconsin

Synopsis:

Step into the pages of this historical novel of Faith. Meet beautiful Yo-hannah, whose tortured past has imprisoned her body and heart. Walk in the stooped steps of Veronica, whose mysterious malady has made her ceremonially unclean. Thirst for living water with a half-breed whose checkered past is about to catch up with her.
Thrown together from dead-ends, each woman seeks answers to her own desperation. Will Yo-hannah find the peace she craves? Can an unclean woman receive a touch of mercy? Where can a despised half-breed go to be made whole? And what about old Hadessa, whose enigmatic past is as mysterious as the young Nazarene who crosses each woman's path?
Each woman's life and future hinges on the Nazarene's answer to one question: Who are you?

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Reviewer Lisa Lickel Raves about New Romance

No Other
By Shawna K Williams
c. 2010
ISBN – 978-1-936000-53-1
A Desert Breeze eBook
Genre: WWII Era Inspirational Romance


Reviewed by Lisa Lickel

From the Publisher:

In the aftermath of WWII all Jakob Wilheimer wants is to get over his pain, get on with life, and if at all possible, forgive those who've wronged his family -- including himself. But it's hard to do when there are constant reminders. One of them being his former schoolmate, now teacher, Meri Parker -- Miss Port Delamar Pearl, Mayor's daughter, Belle of the town -- Meri Parker.

After enduring the stigma and isolation associated with the internment camp, the awkwardness of going back to school should've been a cake walk. But Jakob didn't expect to find himself inexplicably drawn to Meri. Or to discover that the pain and loneliness of her life surpassed his own. She needed to be rescued from the wretched people seeking to control her life. And more than anything, he needed to be the one to save her.

Review:

And, wow. I haven’t enjoyed a read like this since I first picked up Tamera Alexander: one where I didn’t have to edit in my head as I read along; one where I wanted to finish the book in order, without skipping ahead. The couple of historical facts I felt compelled to look up were right on. Thank you, Shawna!

Shawna’s No Other is a fairly short read, but not a light story by any means. Immediately following World War II in Texas, Shawna doesn’t spare her readers the nastiness of the era, the suspicion that pervades our culture even today. Meri and Jakob fell in love, fell into temptation, but didn’t fall in to despair. And throughout their tangled romance, even when he allowed temptation to hold sway, Jakob kept his faith firmly fixed and wanted Meri know that his God was in charge like No Other.

Shawna’s writing technique is beautiful with well-rounded characters and well-established settings. I love unusual relationships, and although I tend to be a bit squeamish about teacher-student situations, in this case, Jakob returned to finish high school after the war years and was legally of age. The scene of Jakob caring for his baby neice is one that comes back to grab me often. Shawna’s theme of temptation, failure, and forgiveness wove a firm pattern across their lives.

I read this book in pdf format with no trouble.

~ Review first appeared on Goodreads.com, Barnes and Noble.com and on http://lisalickel.com/cgi-bin/blog

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:

Meander Scar
By Lisa Lickel
Inspirational Romance/Contemporary
ISBN: 978-1-934912-23-2


Reviewed by Shawna K. Williams, originally for Amazon

I truly loved and appreciated this book. Every bit of it -- story, plot, writing, setting, and characters! I'll be honest, sometimes I get tired of reading another romance with a formulaic feel. (Boy meets girl, they hate each other for some reason, but they can't stop thinking about each other. They get together and everything is great for a while, but either boy or girl has some dark secret that threatens to tear them apart. It does, but then they work it out and everybody lives happily ever after.)

Okay, it's not that there's anything wrong with that. There are plenty of entertaining stories that are molded around that setup. But since I do read so many, when I come across a well written book, where the story is molded around characters and events on several different levels, I'm hooked. I'm not just hooked, I'm enamored.

And I'm enamored with Meander Scar.

Everything about it was unique. And I don't mean weird. The story had its own individual mold and that's because the pacing and drama was completely controlled by the characters. This gave it a true to life feel with plenty of depth, complexity, and total believability. And it took me on an emotional journey -- which was heart-wrenching in places -- but also moved me on a deep level.

From the very beginning Lisa Lickel gives the reader something to think about by introducing Ann's situation, where her life is in a state of limbo. From there, we get to chew on the controversy of romance and age difference. There are lessons in grief, lessons in letting go, lessons in closure and forgiveness - lessons in faith. I just loved this book!

One of the most touching parts in the story is near the end, when Mark discovers a diary of Ann's. It's a journey of her feelings and insecurities from the moment he came back into her life, and when he read it, I wanted to cry.

If any of you have read Nicholas Sparks', A walk to Remember, you may recall that it ends with a single, powerful line. There's some speculation as to what actually happens, but that line offers the reader tremendous hope. The ending to Meander Scar has a similar feel. I thought it was perfect.

Reviewer Biography:

Shawna K. Williams - Grace-Inspired Fiction
No Other, May, 2010. Desert Breeze Publishing
In All Things, Nov., 2010. Desert Breeze Publishing
Orphaned Hearts, Dec., 2010. Desert Breeze Publishing
http://shawnakwilliams.com/
http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:

Cheryl Ellis Reviews New Inspirational Fiction by Donald James Parker

Title: All the Stillness of the Wind
Author: Donald James Parker
Author Website: http://DonaldJamesParker.com
Genre: Inspirational Fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1-2345-6789-7
Publisher: Sword of the Spirit Publishing
Rating: 5 star

Reviewed by Cheryl Ellis for All Book Reviews

Whether seeking personal peace, finding the path to redemption or satisfying a need for knowledge; your journey could begin by reading this book!

A ‘parable’ is an avenue used to get a point across, by telling a fictional story, allowing the listener to make their own conclusions. It usually pertains to a moral or spiritual idea. Jesus was famous for his use of parables, and I believe that this fictional story would best be described as a modern day parable.

Jeremy is dating Maria and coincidentally, his father, Paul is dating Maria’s mother, Lisa. The women are devote Christians, who know their futures lie with men of similar beliefs. Jeremy has already studied the theory of evolution and concluded that there must have been a creator. The men set out to research religion and it’s many viewpoints, with special focus on Christianity, the arguments for and against. They share their newfound knowledge and acceptance with the women, as their beliefs are discussed or debated.

The comfort level and bantering conversations between the four characters made me laugh, as I learned right along with them. Throughout their search, they ‘weed through’, accept or reject different viewpoints on what man must do, to inherit eternal life. Along the way, they discover there are numerous ways to reconnect with God and inner peace, by way of music, prayer and more.

The couples celebrate their first Christmas together, the happy memory quickly shattered by a horrific accident, which would shake even the strongest of believers’ faith. It is then that we learn about grace, “the ability to forgive people for messing up” and about the five steps of grieving. This is one of the many times that Satan feeds our anger and, only once he has been renounced, is the burden lifted. Love and faith are a true believers path to a good life, and the key to the much believed in, Heaven.

The author, Donald James Parker, has told a brilliant version of a parable, and shown us a way to begin the search for truth. It is easy to read and identify with, not heavy on scriptures. He provides a few web sites as well as scriptures for future research.

Donald James Parker, graduated from Dakota State University with a degree in secondary education, then went on to study computer programming. After 25 years of IT work, his passion for writing took over. The outcome, to our benefit, is a book series involving two generations of the Masterson family. One never knows what the future holds, but I am sure more books are to follow. He is currently working on other books “engaging the cultural climate of the 21st century.”

To review this book was incredible timing. Either divine intervention or just plain coincidence, as it came to me in a time of many questions. It has had a positive influence on my life, by encouraging me to reconnect with my roots and beliefs, on my own search for peace.

I highly recommend reading this book.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page.

A Personal Review--Heart to Heart

The Fallen by Gigi Miner
By Gigi Miner
Publisher: Lulu
Supernatural Mystery - Erotic Aesop's Fable
ISBN: 978-1-4303-0182-0

Reviewed by Yvonne Perry

The Fallen, has made such an impression upon me. My love for humanity has been rekindled and my awareness heightened by reading it.

It may seem like a fiction novel, but the spiritual impact it carries, caused me to see that it indeed contains a greater truth. We are the fallen angels; you, me, and so many others regardless of what course our lives take.

The characters in your book have come to life in the faces of those I love; even in those I do not understand or particularly enjoy being around, because now I know and recognize them as kindred spirits. Already, I feel less judgmental and more compassionate towards those who have forgotten who they are.

You’ve bravely delved into a place of pain where we abuse ourselves and others by the choices we make. Your book will help many realize that all of life is about choice and free will. Hopefully humanity will begin to make better choices that will bring peace to this planet rather than continuing to destroy it with hatred and retaliation.

Thank you so much for sharing your book, your love and your heart with me and all your readers.

Sincerely,
Yvonne Perry
Author of More than Meets the Eye and owner of Write On! Creative Writing Services
Discuss spiritual topics on our blog at http://weareoneinspirit.blogspot.com/