Fatal Tide by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson

Fatal Tide (East Salem Trilogy #3)
From goodreads.com

by Lis Wiehl (Goodreads Author), Pete Nelson (With)
Fatal Tide

Dani and Tommy discover that the vicious killings in East Salem were merely the birth pangs of a greater evil about to be born.
Occultist leaders at Saint Adrian’s school are in league with an East Salem pharmaceutical company. Together they've developed a drug that acts as a time-bomb in children, attacking and killing the prefrontal cortex—the moral center of the brain—once adolescence begins.
East Salem residents Dani Harris, forensic psychiatrist, and Tommy Gunderson, former pro-football player, have discovered the plan to deliver this drug into the water system and will stop at nothing to halt it. Their secret weapon? Reese Stratton, a student who barely escaped from St. Adrian’s—without his twin brother.
Now demonic creatures are terrorizing East Salem under the cover of darkness. Having killed two residents, the beasts have surrounded Tommy’s hillside home. But their deadly attacks seem to have been just a prelude to greater disaster: during a physical battle between angels and demons, a dam breaks, flooding the town of East Salem, but also washing it clean.


Leona's Review:
This is the third book in the East Salem Trilogy by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson. I have not read the other two books but Fatal Tide is a stand alone read.

The book is about a fight of good and evil, angels and demons.

Tommy Gunderson has taken in Reese Stratton-Mallins who has escaped from St. Adrian's school. Reese has a twin, Edmund, who has changed; the twins at one time communicated with each other verbally and mentally. Their parents were killed in a car accident. The twins are 17 years old.

Dani Harris and Tommy Gunderson are some of the main characters in the book and closer that just friends. They work together with friends and others to rid the evil from the school.

There are many medical terms used in the book; I found I have "hypnagogic dreams" which are dreams that incorporate external stimuli into dream experiences. A dreamer hearing someone mowing the lawn, might dream he was riding a motorcycle. (page 232)

Some touches of humor in the book. Reese, a Brit, says "This is quite good. I've never had a jelly and peanut butter sandwich before". "Peanut butter and jelly, Ruth corrected him. I don't know why, but jelly never comes first." (page 182).

This is a fast moving book that focus on Christian teaching of evil. The time this all happens is December 20-25.

No bad language or sex in the book but some violence.

The back of the book has twelve reading group guide questions. Two questions are: 1.Can you cite and incidents where angels have directly intervened in your life and 2. The East Salem Trilogy uses, for literary purposes, the idea of prophecies. What prophecies do you believe in? What's the difference between a false prophecy and a true prophecy?


I give it a 5 star because I really liked it.

I received a complimentary copy of Fatal Tide to read and review from booksneeze.com. The opinions are my own.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

http://www.liswiehlbooks.com/


About this authoredit data
Lis Wiehl is the author "Face of Betrayal," a New York Times Best Seller.

She has also written "Winning Every Time: How to Use the Skills of a Lawyer in the Trials of Your Life" and "The 51% Minority: How Women Still Are Not Equal and What You Can Do About It."

In addition to her written work, Wiehl is currently a legal analyst for Fox News. She has been with the network since 2001.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Wiehl is an adjunct professor at New York Law School.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pete Nelson

Pete Nelson lives with his wife and son in Westchester, New York. He got his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop in 1979 and has written both fiction and non-fiction for magazines, including Harpers, Playboy, Esquire, MS, Outside, The Iowa Review, National Wildlife, Glamour, Redbook. He was a columnist for Mademoiselle and a staff writer for LIVE Magazine, covering various live events including horse pulls, music festivals, dog shows, accordion camps and arm wrestling championships. Recently he was a contributing editor and feature writer for Wondertime, a Disney parenting magazine.

He's published twelve young adult novels, including a six-book series about a girl named Sylvia Smith-Smith which earned him an Edgar Award nomina...more Pete Nelson lives with his wife and son in Westchester, New York. He got his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop in 1979 and has written both fiction and non-fiction for magazines, including Harpers, Playboy, Esquire, MS, Outside, The Iowa Review, National Wildlife, Glamour, Redbook. He was a columnist for Mademoiselle and a staff writer for LIVE Magazine, covering various live events including horse pulls, music festivals, dog shows, accordion camps and arm wrestling championships. Recently he was a contributing editor and feature writer for Wondertime, a Disney parenting magazine.

He's published twelve young adult novels, including a six-book series about a girl named Sylvia Smith-Smith which earned him an Edgar Award nomination from the Mystery Writers of America. His young adult non-fiction WWII history, Left For Dead (Randomhouse, 2002) about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis won the 2003 Christopher award as was named to the American Library Association's 2003 top ten list.

His other non-fiction titles include Real Man Tells All (Viking, 1988), Marry Like a Man (NAL, l992), That Others May Live (Crown, 2000) and Kidshape (Rutledge Hill, 2004). His novel The Christmas List was published by Rutledge Hill Press in 2004. He wrote, with former army counterintelligence agent Dave DeBatto, a four book series of military thrillers, including CI: Team Red (2005), CI: Dark Target (2006), CI: Mission Liberty (2006) and CI: Homeland Threat (2007) published by Time-Warner. A More Unbending Battle; The Harlem Hellfighters' Struggle for Democracy in WWI and Equality at Home, was published in 2009 by Basic Civitas books. His novel, I Thought You Were Dead, will be published by Algonquin in 2010. He also has two CDs out on the Signature Sounds label, the first entitled The Restless Boys Club (1996), the second called Days Like Horses (2000).


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller From goodreads.com "Big Sky Summer (Parable, Montana #4) by Linda Lael Miller Big Sky Summer (Parable, Montana, #4) The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, welcomes you home to Parable, Montana-where love awaits. With his father's rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships. But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. Keeping her children's paternity under wraps has always been part of Casey's plan to give them normal, uncomplicated lives. Now the best way to hold her family together seems to be to let Walker be a part of it-as her husband of convenience. Or will some secrets-like Casey's desire to be the rancher's wife in every way-unravel, with unforeseen results?" Leona's Review: Casey Elder is a country-western singer with two teenage children, Clare and Shane. Walker Parrish is a past lover and secretly the father of the children. Casey has moved back to Parable, Montana for the sake of the children. He is a rancher and emotionally attached to the children and they are also to him. This book is more of a contemporary western romance. My first read by Linda Lael Miller and I felt like I had missed some of the details of other characters. Once I got into the book, I could see the characters from the past. This is a stand alone book but reading the other books would be a big help. I liked this book but did think it needed more substance in it. I think Casey needed to face the facts about her life and the life of her children. I did like the Western feeling in the book; the homestead of Walker's great-great grandparents, the screen door and I especially liked that Walker and Shane shook hands like men instead of a "hi-five". Animals play a part in the book; horses and dogs and they have names. No bad language but there are some love scenes. I received a copy of Big Sky Summer in the mail without any message. I enter contests and receive books to read and review but not sure who sent it. The opinions are my own. I will give it a 3.75 star. Leona Olson www.mnleona.blogspot.com

From Amazon.com:



"Tracie Peterson Delivers Romance and Adventure



When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.



Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?"


Leona's Review



Another good book from Tracie Peterson. This is the third book of the series, Land of Shining Waters. We are taken to Ely, Minnesota to October 1890.

Chantel Panetta has returned for a year long visit to her Nonna and Nonno (grandparents) in Italy. The parents send their unmarried children to Italy when they turned twenty-one.

Things have changed when she finds her younger sister has fallen in love with Orlando Calarco. The tension between the two families began in the old country decades ago and the story is that is it over the death of a mule. The women of both families accept the love but the fathers are still at odds until an accident in the mine changes that. God is also very involved with the families. " You believe God spoke to you." Father Buh replied. "I believe God speaks to all of His children"

The author brings the reader into the tension and love in her books with the characters. There are some laughs and some tears.

The descriptions of the area and the mines brought memories of my grandfather and uncles who worked in the coal mines of Colorado. Chantel's family moved to Michigan and then to Minnesota; mine moved from Michigan to Colorado. Tracie Peterson talks about the dinner pail and I have my grandfather's pail he used in the mines. My grandparent's used Nona and Nono instead of Nonna and Nonno. One of the men's name was Vittorio, my first uncle's name. When I was doing research for when he came to America, I kept looking for the name Victor on the immigration records before I realized that was his Americanized name. This book really connected personally for me.

In the book there are references to the foods, the needlework (tatting), chores (chopping wood) and a Minnesota winter. Many words are in Italian: "Si, che fa bene. That's good".

The miner's lady is dedicated to Chantel Karch, You are an awesome woman. Always look to Jesus!.

The books of the Land of Shining Waters are The Icecutter's Daughter, The Quarryman's Bride and The Miner's Lady.

Tracie Peterson's web site is www.traciepeterson.com

I received a complimentary copy to read and review from Bethany House. The opinions are my own. I give it a 5 star rating.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke

 

 

Melinda and the Wild West, A family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho by Linda Weaver Clarke

 

From Amazon.com:

"In 1896 Melinda Gamble a very elegant, very naive young woman from Boston decides to give up her life of monotonous comfort for the turbulent uncertainty of the still untamed Wild West. Driven by her intense desire to make a difference in the world, Melinda takes a job as a schoolteacher in the small town of Paris, Idaho, where she comes face-to-face with a frightening bank robber, a vicious grizzly bear, and an intense blizzard that leaves her clinging to her life. But it is a ruggedly handsome and very mysterious stranger who challenges Melinda with the one thing for which she was least prepared love."

 

Leona's Review:

Melinda Gamble is moving out West from Boston to become a schoolteacher in Paris, Idaho. The year is 1896 and as she told her mother " Mama, it's 1896. Women can make choices about their own lives more than ever". (page 3) Melinda will live with her Aunt Martha and Uncle William, her father's sister.

Adventures begin right away as she encounters a band robbery by Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. She meets the father of one of her school children when he finds her wading in the cool stream. Gilbert Roberts is a widower and the father of 8 year old Jenny. He is only interested in his daughter and his cattle ranch.

Being a schoolteacher is a learning experience for Melinda as well as living in the Wild West when she encounters a grizzly bear, a blizzard and a man who frustrates her. " "Are you still here, Miss Gamble?" Gilbert asked, as if wearied by her presence. "Yes. and I'm not leaving until we talk about this further:" Melinda was slightly out of breath as she tried to keep up with Gilbert's fast pace. "Miss Gamble, I'm done talking." "But I'm not. Melinda said with a firm and stubborn tone in her voice." (page 54)

I loved the descriptions of the area and the lake. Melinda taught the school children about why pencils are yellow, who declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, about the history of the area and about the Mormons and the Indians. The reader learns or is reconnected with the readings of Jules Verne and the book, Black Beauty.

I loved the stories of the skunk oil in school, the descriptions of the clothing and food, the hardships our first settlers endured and the children school outings when they drink water from the cliff with their tin cups.

This is a sweet and tender romance between two people from different walks of life, East meets West.

No violence of bad language.

Melinda and the Wild West is dedicated to: The Memory of Gilbert and Sarah Weaver (1835-1909) My great-grandparents: the first pioneers who settled Paris, Idaho.

God is present in many areas of Melinda and the Wild West. Melinda and Gilbert sing Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains'. This was composed by a Mormon pioneer from St. George, Utah. (page 113)

"Far, far away on Judea's plains.

Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains:

Glory to God, Glory to God,

Glory to God in the highest;

Peace on Earth, good-will to men;

Peace on Earth, goodwill to men!  (page 114)

I received a signed complimentary copy of Melinda and the Wild West from the author. I give it a 5 star for the history, love story and the families that make the story.

You may find Linda Weaver Clarke at www.lindaweaverclarke.com

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Daughter of the King by Carlene Havel and Sharon Faucheux

 

 

Daughter of the King by Carlene Havel and Sharon Facheux

When I received this book, I was unsure of how much I did not remember from the Bible.

A good and really fast read that kept me interested in the story of the first wife of King David, Michal.

When they first met, David was a young man and Michal was a princess, the daughter of King Saul. Michal remembered the first time she saw him at the age of six. page 16. David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem.

King Saul, betrothed her sister Merab to David and Michal was devastated. "But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. 1 Samuel 18:19." page 33.

Michal was always in love with David. "And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him 1 Samuel 18:28" page 141

"Samuel 18:20 says that Michal loved David, the only place in the Bible where a woman's love for a man is recorded, according to footnotes in The Jewish Study Bible from http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/Women-Of-The-Bible/a/021511-CW-Michal.htm."

The story concentrates on the life of Michal and her family. Her father is not a kind king and has a bad temper. The mother of Michal, Ahinoam, knows this and has learned what to do or not do.

Saul marries Michal to Phalti[el] saying that David is dead. "But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Philti[el] the son of Laish, which was of Gallim. 1 Samuel 25:44" page 1

The book begins with the death of King Saul and then goes back to the time David and Michal meet.

There is a verse at the beginning of each chapter that usually describes the chapter.

"and they anointed David king over Israel. David was 30 years old when he began to reign.... II Samuel 5:3,4" page 175

Many interesting facts about this time era with the foods, clothing, wars, modes of transportion, God, and the lives of women.

I learned a lot about David and his life. He had eight wives with Michal being the first. He had many children and the book says how he loved them. "Now, these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; The third: Absalom the son of Macchah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: The fifth, Stephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. Chronicles 3:1-4:. page 102.

It was not easy to share a husband and there were conflicts. All the women had a chore given to them. Michal loved her dyes and yarn and that was her chore. I was surprised to find knitting during those Biblical days; I always thought of medieval times. I knew of weaving and this is also mentioned. I first became interested in dyes when I read The Purple Quest by Frank G. Slaughter about the Phoenicians and the purple dye. I have used this interest to do natural dyes.

The authors, Carlene Havel and Sharon Facheux did a good job of writing a Biblical and a lot of facts for a book of fiction about Michal. "This is what we think might have happened" on page iii.

A lot of research was done to write this book and this is one reason I used some of the verses to help describe the Daughter of the King. It should get the reader interested to do more research on David and Michal. I love the cover of the book and the reader will read when Michal wears green.

I give Daughter of the King a 5 star for all the knowledge in the book and also that it held my attention. I received a complimentary copy from Carlene Havel to read and review. The opinions are my own.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

Book Description from Amazon.com

Publication Date:June 11, 2013

Amanda Rosenbloom, proprietor of Astor Place Vintage, thinks
she’s on just another call to appraise and possibly purchase
clothing from a wealthy, elderly woman. But after discovering a journal sewn
into a fur muff, Amanda gets much more than she anticipated. The pages of the
journal reveal the life of Olive Westcott, a young woman who had moved to
Manhattan in 1907. Olive was set on pursuing a career as a department store
buyer in an era when Victorian ideas, limiting a woman’s
sphere to marriage and motherhood, were only beginning to give way to modern
ways of thinking. As Amanda reads the journal, her life begins to unravel until
she can no longer ignore this voice from the past. Despite being separated by
one hundred years, Amanda finds she’s connected to Olive in ways neither
could ever have imagined.

Leona's Review:

Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

This book takes us from June 12, 2007 back to 1907. The chapters change between Amanda and Olive with the characters telling the story.

Amanda Rosenbloom owns Astor Place Vintage in New York City. She has gone to the home of an elderly woman, Mrs. Kelly, to purchase some old clothes. Inside a muff she finds a journal written by Olive Westcott. Amanda keeps the journal to read with plans to return it.

The book really goes into the personal lives of both women. Taking us back in to time we learn how a young woman tries to make it on her own.

Keeping us in the time of 2007, we find a woman who is struggling in her business and possible loss of her lease.

I think I liked the strength of Olive more than Amanda. It is after so much time, he is not going to marry you so get out of the relationship. Amanda should have known better and Olive was learning.

Both of the women had close friends. As a reader, I began to think of the characters as real people and not a book of fiction.

There is some very personal descriptions of a woman's time of the month but I though well done. Another description of sex but not erotic. I have never read this in any book so I was surprised. Think medical on some scenes. One book Olive reads is The Four Epochs of Women by Dr. Anna M Galbraith (the book is available at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4986).

Pictures of the 1900 time period adds so much to the book and put the reader into the theme of the time. Stephanie Lehmann did her research on the 1900s and I was impressed. Some tragedies such as garment fire. Research on the food, customs of the era, cost of living and even streetcars. Siegel-Cooper Store ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegel-Cooper_Company) on page 231, Coney Island and the Hippodrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Hippodrome) page 273 are only some places mentioned.

This book held my attention and I am sure because there was the history in the book. At the back of the book there are Acknowledgements, Photo Credits, TOUCHSTONE READING GROUP GUIDE for discussion, A CONVERSATION WITH STEPAHANIE LEHMANN and ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB which can be used for discussions.

I received a complimentary signed copy from the author. The opinions are my own. I am giving it a 5 star because of the research and the book kept me turning the pages. I am not usually into contemporary romance novels and if it had not been for Olive, I would have not cared for the book as much.

Stephanie Lehmann may be reached at www.stephanielehmann.com and www.astorplacevintage.com

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Barefoot Summer

By Denise Hunter
Published by Thomas Nelson

Book Description

Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.
In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.
To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.
Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.
Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.
But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

Leona's Review.
This was a very good and fast read. I read it in one day. It was a nice Christian romance novel with messages.

Madison McKinley comes from a large family who really care for each other but I found still cannot communicate at times. Both parents and the siblings are part of the story. Beckett O’Reilly has a father that is a drunk, a mother who left when the kids were young and a sister, Layla, that seems to have her feet on the ground. Beckett was a problem in school but has turned his life around or so he hopes.

Beckett has a grandfather who has Alzheimer's disease and is in nursing home; this is emotionally hard on Beckett but he has his faith to help him. Madison, who is a veterinarian, takes animals to the nursing home to help comfort the elderly. There are personalities with the residents and they help make the story as well as the nurse and her personality. "Mrs. Etter gave the pup a final kiss and handed him to Mrs. Marquart, who passed him to Mrs. Stuckey, arms outstretched': (page 75).

The town of Chapel Springs is a small town where everyone knows everyone. There is a fundraising play where the local play the parts. Madison is involved with play as well as Layla. A lot happens in this novel but the stories do flow.

The animals in the book also have their own personalities. As I write this, I do not remember any small children in the book. The book is so natural and I think most readers can relate. "Go potty," Madison told her and the collie trotted down the porch steps and into the yard." (page 152)

Madison has nightmares and feels if she fulfills Michael's dream, she will be at rest. As she begins the task, she must learn to sail as well as get the boat in condition. Beckett works on boats and builds them; he helps Madison when she is trying to get a boat ready for the regatta, a dream of her twin brother who died at the age of seventeen. He wanted to be the youngest person to win the regatta.

There are some light moments in Barefoot Summer as well as some sad ones. "She thought of Michael, the last moment she'd had with him" (page 166). Parts of the book goes back to the high school days of Madison and Beckett who went to the same school.

God is part of this book but religion is not over done. I found the references moving and at the right time when there are problems. "His dad was a might be a wreck, his own heart a tangled mess, but up on this hill, it was just him and God." (page 238).

There is a Reading Group Guide at the back of the book that may be used for a reading club. (page 319).
I give this a 5 star in the ratings. I really liked Barefoot Summer. No sex or bad language.
I received a complimentary copy of Barefoot Summer to read and review from www.booksneeze.com. The opinions are my own.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
Denise Hunter may be reached at www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or Denise@DeniseHunterBooks.com

Bloglovin

Follow">http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6741095/?claim=vrw8kw5eqpg">Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Prince of Time by Sarah Woodbury

Prince of Time by Sarah Woodbury

This is the second book of The After Cilmeri Series.

Daughters of Time (prequel)

Footsteps in Time (Book 1)

Winds of Time (novella)

Prince of Time (Book 2)

Crossroads in Time (Book 3)

Children of Time (Book 4)

Exiles in Time

On Amazon.com

"Two teenagers are catapulted back in time to alter history and save the medieval kingdom of Wales ...

David and his man-at-arms, Ieuan, find themselves alone and on the run from a company of English soldiers who've sworn vengeance for the recent death of their king. Meanwhile, Llywelyn lays on his deathbed, wounded by a traitor's arrow. And once again, it is David and Anna, and all that they represent, that holds the key to the survival of Wales."

My Review:

This is the second book of this series. The teenagers are the daughter and son of Meg (Marged) and they have been sent back to the middle ages in Wales in this time travel book. Anna is in the Daughter of Time as well as Meg.

The book can be read on its own but I recommend the reader first read Daughter of Time. ( I found it on amazon.con as a free download).

As in the first book, the chapters have the characters telling the story. It is not confusing and the author does a good job of getting to know each character.

No sex and the basic bad language as in any medieval book. A good read for young people and those who like time travel and historical romance books.
I liked the history of Wales and descriptions of food, clothes, surroundings and so forth. .

Main Characters:

The Welsh:
David ap Llywelyn, Prince of Wales

Ieuan ap Cynan, Welsh knight

Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales, David's father

Marged, Princess of Wales, David's mother

Anna, David's half sister

Mathonwy ap Rhys, Anna's husband; nephew to Llywelyn

Lili, Ieuan's sister

Aaron ben Simon, Physician; Jewish emigre to Wales

Bevyn, Welsh knight, Captain of David's guard

The Americans:

Bronwen Llywelyn, Archaeology graduate student

Elisa Shepherd, David's aunt (Marged's sister)

Christopher Shepherd, Elisa's son (David's cousin)

The English:

Edward l (deceased), King of England

Sir John de Falkes, Castellan of Carlisle Castle

Thomas Hartley, Falkes' nephew

Humphrey de Bohun, earl of Hereford

John Peckham, Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Woodbury has dedicated this book to :"My Dad".

I checked out this book from my library system.
I am giving it a 5 star because although I did not like it as much as the first book, it held my attention and gave me some historical facts.

Footsteps in Time by Sarah Woodbury

Footsteps in Time By Sarah Woodbury

This is the first book of The After Cilmeri Series.

Daughters of Time (prequel)

Footsteps in Time (Book 1)

Winds of Time (novella)

Prince of Time (Book 2)

Crossroads in Time (Book 3)

Children of Time (Book 4)

Exiles in Time

On Amazon.com

"Footsteps in Time: In December of 1282, English soldiers ambushed and murdered Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Wales. His death marked the end of Wales as an independent nation and the beginning of over seven hundred years under the English boot.

Footsteps in Time is the story of what might have happened had Llywelyn lived.

And what happens to the two teenagers who save him.

Prince of Time: Prince of Time, the second book in the After Cilmeri series, continues the story of David and Anna, two teenagers catapulted back in time to alter history and save the medieval kingdom of Wales. David and his man-at-arms, Ieuan, find themselves alone and on the run from a company of English soldiers who've sworn vengeance for the recent death of their king. Meanwhile, Llywelyn lays on his deathbed from a traitor's arrow. And once again, it is David and Anna, and all they represent, that holds the key to the survival of Wales."

Main Characters:

The Welsh:
David ap Llywelyn, Dafydd

Ieuan ap Cynan, Welsh knight

Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales, David's father

Marged, Princess of Wales, David's mother

Anna, David's half sister

Mathonwy ap Rhys, nephew to Llywelyn

Aaron ben Simon, Physician; Jewish emigre to Wales

Bevyn, Welsh knight,

The English:

Edward l, King of England

Roger Mortimer

Edmund Mortimer

Gilbert de Clare

John Gifford

Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford

John Peckham, Archbishop of Canterbury

My review:

David and Anna go to medieval Wales in this time travel book. Anna was a character in Daughter of Time but David was not. In this book, David finds his father and learns of his heritage.

No sex and basic bad language in any medieval book. It is a good read for young people who want to learn some history. I know little of Welsh history and found myself going to the Net for more information.

It can be a stand alone read but I suggest the reader read Daughter of Time, the prequel. I downloaded it from amazon.com.

This book did not hold my attention as much as Daughter of Time but I still found it interesting.

Anyone interested in time travel and historical romance will find this a good book.

I am giving it a 4 star.

I got Footsteps in Time from my library system

This book is dedicated to Anna

Children of Time by Sarah Woodbury

On amazon.com:

"November 1288. Bereft of a king or rightful heir, England hurtles towards civil war for the second time in a generation. When David, Prince of Wales, and his wife, Lili, travel to London to attend the wedding of William de Bohun and Princess Joan, they have no intention of involving themselves in local politics.

But as infighting leads to murder, David and Lili find themselves at the center of a far-reaching conspiracy. Trapped between history and legend, they must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice to save not only their own country, but the people of England as well.

Meanwhile, back in Wales, Llywelyn and Meg discover that time is no barrier to either adventure or trouble ...

Children of Time, book four in the After Cilmeri series, continues the story of Llywelyn, Meg, and their children in the medieval kingdom of Wales."
Main Characters;

Main Characters:

The Welsh:
David ap Llywelyn, Dafydd, Prince of Wales

Ieuan ap Cynan, Welsh knight

Bronwen Llywelyn, an Amercian married to Ieuan

Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, King of Wales, David's father

Marged, Queen of Wales, Mother of David and Anna

Anna, David's half sister

Mathonwy ap Rhys, Anna's husband; nephew to Llywelyn

Cadell, son of Anna and Math

Bevyn, Welsh knight

Nicholas de Carew, Norman/Welsh lord

The English:

Edward l (deceased), King of England

Eleanor of England, Edward's daughter

Joan of England,Edward's daughter

Sir John de Falkes, Castellan of Carlisle Castle

Humphrey de Bohun, Regent of Hereford

William de Bohun, Humphrey's son

Maud de Bohun, Humphrey's wife

John Peckham, Archbishop of Canterbury

Edmund Mortimer, Lord of the March

Gilbert de Clare, Lord of the March

My review:

Children of Time is Book 4 of the After Climeri Series.

In this book, the chapters are from each of the main characters and what they feel and think. It was not confusing to go back and forth with the chapters.

King Arthur is brought into this book and I personally liked the addition.

No sex and the language is not bad. I think these books would be good reads for young people interested in history.

I think the readers should read the prequel, Daughter of Time, but each book does stand alone.

I am giving this book a 5 star because it held my interest. It is a fast read.

I got my copy to read from my library system.

Dedicated to my sister (who is nothing like Megs's sister even if they live in the same house)

 

Review of Cozy-Mystery Site

I was reading about Cozy Mysteries today and even though I was sure of the definition, I searched. I found Cozy-Mystery.com and so want to share it.
Enjoy.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com


This is what is on Danna's site:

A Guide to Cozy Mystery (and Other Favorite) Books and DVDs
• Cozy Mystery Home • Cozy Mystery Blog • What's New on Site • What Is a Cozy? • TV and Movies • Cozies by Themes • New Book Releases • Cozy Mystery Recommendations • Free & Cheap Kindle Mystery Books • Authors - A • Authors - B • Authors - C • Authors - D • Authors - E • Authors - F • Authors - G • Authors - H • Authors - I • Authors - J • Authors - K • Authors - L • Authors - M • Authors - N & O • Authors - P & Q • Authors - R • Authors - S • Authors - T • Authors - U & V • Authors - W & Y • Holiday Mystery Book Lists • Mystery Book Awards	Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site! I have been reading mysteries for many years. While attending school, and then teaching school, I was always able to find some spare time to spend enjoying a good mystery. I now find that I enjoy the COZY genre the most. I have been a part of several mystery reading clubs, and have made some good friends through them. I have written "What Makes a Cozy Just That?" in an attempt to describe cozy mysteries... BUT... I think that people who read Cozy Mysteries probably have their own unique ideas about what they think Cozy Mysteries should be... I know what I like, and look for in a Cozy.... I find that most of the cozy mysteries that I read take place in a small, picturesque town or village, with characters who I could envision having as neighbors or friends. (Of course, once I find out who the killer is, I wouldn't particularly want that person living next to me!) They are usually not zany people, although an eccentric or two might lurk here and there. On the whole, they are usually normal, every day characters you might have known at one time in your life. Cozies don't usually involve a lot of gory details or explicit "adult situations," either. Also, most of the books that I choose to read belong to a series. I have stepped into the middle of a series before, but do not like that approach. This is the main reason that I started compiling my list of favorite authors. I soon realized that if I stepped into a series at midpoint, I usually found out about previous mysteries that had been solved (because every cozy mystery is solved!) by the main character, thus ruining the previous books of the series. So, I started making lists of all of the authors I have read, and it was only a matter of time before I started adding authors who I thought I might enjoy reading in the future. I found my prospective cozy mystery book authors by annotating tips from friends in my mystery reading groups, and also searching for authors on the web and in my local library and bookstores. I am posting my list of authors alphabetically. Some of these authors are favorites of mine, others are favorites of a few of my friends, and I have to admit, some of them, I have tried, and did not like at all. But, I have included all of them. Just because I don't like an author doesn't mean that other people might not like him/her. And, a very few of my listed authors don't even write mysteries! I have decided not to indicate the authors who I don't like, since I don't want to prejudice anyone who might give those authors a try, and end up liking them immensely. (As a "PS".... I have also listed many authors who have been recommended to me by this site's readers. Thank you all so much for these recommendations... I don't think you can ever have enough cozy mystery authors from which to choose! But, obviously, I can't vouch for the "Cozy level" of the recommended authors who I haven't read.) I find that when I go to buy a book, I need to work off of my list, since I have been known to buy the same book twice... on several occasions! I mark off the books I have read, or books that I have bought but haven't yet read. I have a rather large book shelf dedicated for my "to be read" mountain of books. I should spend more time reading and less time accumulating and organizing my favorite cozy mystery book authors! Recently, I have seen other people browsing in bookstores using lists to help them decide which books to purchase. I have to admit that I have bought two copies of at least four different books in the past, but now that I work off of my list of mystery authors, I don't make those types of mistakes. I have divided the list of authors into the obvious alphabet letters, doubling up on the four letters that don't have many authors.... N & O and P & Q. I have also added a list of TV shows and Movies that I really enjoy. Most of them are based on cozy mystery books like the Midsomer Murders featuring Caroline Graham's Inspector Barnaby, Brother Cadfael (Ellis Peters), R. D. Wingfield's A Touch of Frost (one of my very favorite shows.... ), and of course, Inspector Lynley with his side-kick Barbara Havers... right out of Elizabeth George's novels... although the Lynley books really aren't cozy. Some of these shows are available on television, others, can either be bought or rented. I also have the Holiday Mystery Book List that includes all of the mystery-holiday books that I have been able to find. (Some authors like Leslie Meier, Lee Harris, and Jane Haddam use holidays and seasons as backdrops in their novels.) There is also a Cozy Mysteries by Themes area (which is a work in progress!) where I am trying to list different themes like: authors who write cozies with culinary themes, or cozies that feature librarians, cozies for the cat lover (or dog lover) in mind, in short, cozies by theme! And, something that a lot of you will find very helpful... the Cozy Mysteries New Release page. Those of you who "follow" certain authors should be sure to check this page every month to see if your favorite author is releasing a new book. And, finally, my husband suggested that I write a cozy mystery blog......... which I am now doing. Along with cozy book and author themes, I write about different mystery movies/shows in my blog. I also include shows that have a "cozy-ness factor" but that may not necessarily be mysteries. Oh, and sometimes I get quite off Cozy Mystery topic on my blog. I have a great group of people who post comments to the blog, which I love to read. Everyone is welcome! I hope that my chronological listing of these authors' mystery books helps you to find a favorite author (or two) of your own! Also, I would really appreciate a link to my site! Cozy-Mystery.com	The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose Red Velvet Cupcake Murder Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch Written in Stone Hiss and Hers And Then You Dye The Alpine Xanadu Gone West Death Comes Silently
I would greatly appreciate a link to my site: Cozy-Mystery.com Contact Us Privacy Policy About Cozy Mystery Links Sitemap Copyright © 2006-2013 All Rights Reserved, Cozy-Mystery.Com | A Guide to Cozy Mystery Books and DVDs

Tentacles: An Anthology

                 
                Tentacles: An Anthology
Smashwords Edition
Copyright Eva LeFoy 2012
Copyright D.R Larsson 2012
Copyright Haley Whitehall 2012
Cover Art by Melody Simmons
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s
imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, is entire coincidental
Table of Contents
Title Page
Blurbs
Copyright
Solar Pioneer by Eva LeFoy
Mr. Sweede by D.R Larsson
Zaural by Eva LeFoy
The Sacrifice by Haley Whitehall

Author Bios:
Eva LeFoy
Eva LeFoy writes and reads all kinds of science fiction, steampunk, and romance, and is a
certified Trekkie. She’s also terribly addicted to chocolate, tea, yoga and hiking. One of these
days, she’ll figure out the meaning of life, quit her day job and travel the galaxy. Until then,
she’s writing down all her weird and dirty thoughts for the sake of future explorers.

D.R Larsson
D.R. has been around the block a time or three, often in different time zones and different
centuries. He grew up in costume at a historic site and couldn’t remember if it was 1876 or
1976. Later he studied everything. Music, history, education, psychology, sociology, geology,
chemistry and anthropology, then spent 20 years as an archaeologist. Now, by day he works as a
research assistant in a high tech industry. By night, among other things, he writes. This is his first
foray into the public with his fiction.

Haley Whitehall
Haley Whitehall has been writing stories since the age of four. She has a history B.A and
normally writes gritty 19th century novels and offbeat historical romance. This is her first venture
into science fiction. It was fun and challenging. She plans on writing more cross-genre short
stories in the future.

Blurbs
Four short science fiction stories of tentacle monster mayhem and destruction to keep you awake
at night wondering if you’ve already been the next victim…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solar Pioneer by Eva LeFoy
During the ten-year war, a remote scientific station on the edge of the galaxy has all but been
forgotten. Tired of the war, cruiser pilot Coop takes the mission to re-establish contact with the
team, but soon has to rescue himself from the clutches of a crazy scientist and a monster capable
of keeping alive forever his wildest nightmares. Science Fiction Horror. 6,400 words.
Leona's Review:
I did not care for it and the language did not help. Strange and uncertain what was happening. Sorry, but not my cup of tea. I give it a 1 star.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Sweede by D. R. Larsson
Through a telescope, some galaxies may not look like much, but the full spectrum of beings still
lurk within. Some live, learn and love within it. Some are travelers. Some hunt. But not all
hunters look like predators. Some look just like us. Some were our best friends. Mr. Sweede was
everyone’s best friend. Or so they thought… Science Fiction. 3,000 words
Leona's Review: Definitely science fiction. Language was fine but the story lost me. A 2 star because the language was better. I thought at the beginning of the story there would be some substance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zaural by Eva LaFoy
Captain Zaural Shuri is sent to respond to an emergency hail on Andvari, a colony of former
inmates, after a colonist is killed by the planet's indigenous species. Once there, she must battle
her ex-boyfriend, bizarre creatures, and her own fears to unravel the tangled web of clues before
she loses her grip on reality. As if reality was ever what it seemed.
Science Fiction with mild adult sexual content. 11,000 words.
Leona's Review: This story had a lot of action but again, not my interest. I will give it a 2 star for the imagination. Language kept it from a 3 star.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sacrifice by Haley Whitehall
One night Aveda, a scullery maid, is dragged out of bed by ruthless pirates and hauled on board
their ship. She fears she will be sold into slavery or worse, but their plan is even more sinister.
Down below, a monster she never imagined existed awaits the decision that will change her life
forever... Science Fiction/Historical. 2,500 words
Leona's Review: This story was one I could understand at the beginning and it ended with some humor. Not great but still deserves a 3.5 star because it was easy to read and language was fine. A very short story and quick to read.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I read these stories in the past and did not do my review so re-read it. I was not too impressed. There was a lot of imagination in the stories though.
The opinions are my own.
I do appreciate the complimentary copy from Smashwords.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
                                                                                              

Book Review of Rock Point by Carla Neggers

Rock Point by Carla Neggers

From amazon.com:

"New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers enthralls readers with her suspenseful Sharpe & Donovan series. Read the untold story of one of her most beloved characters in this special prequel novella, Rock Point.
Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine. Here he meets FBI agent Colin Donovan for the first time…and discovers the dangerous secrets he left back home in Ireland. Smugglers are using the Bracken family's old whiskey distillery as cover for their illicit activities—and the violent group isn't going down without a fight."

Leona's Review

A free download and when the book cover says A Sharpe and Donovan Novella, that is what it is. A short story.

The opinions are my own.

This was an introduction, for me, into the lives of people in Declan's Cross, Ireland and Rock Point, Maine.This is my first read by Carla Neggers. It was a good introduction into other books of the series but short.

I am not crazy about series because I do not always get the rest of the books. I guess any book could extend into a series but I do like endings.

It was a good read and I think well done. The Novella does want you to get the rest of the books to read and solve the mysteries. It did a good job as far as I was concerned, I will read the other books.

The beginning of the book has Father Bracken planning his trip to Maine. His friends are introduced as some of the other characters. Arriving in Maine, he meets Colin Donovan at the waterfront; they become friends and Fin also meets his brothers.

The readers are given descriptions of the food and drink in both places. Last year I visited Maine and like Father Bracken, I was introduced to lobster rolls. Good .

Also the areas are described and the reader become familiar with both Maine and Ireland.

I am giving this read a 4 star because it did hold my attention and made me curious to read the other books.

Some characters;

Father Finian ( Fin) Bracken- a widower who becomes a priest. He moves from Ireland to spend a year at Saint Patrick's Church in Rock Point.

Sally- Dead wife of Fin

Kathleen and Mary- Daughters of Fin and Sally; also dead

Declan Bracken- Brother of Fin

Fidelma- Wife of Declan Bracken

Sean Murphy- Friend of Fin who lives in Ireland; of the Irish police force

Colin Donovan- FBI agent Fin meets in Rock Point

Kitty O'Bryne Doyle- Proprietor of O'Bryne House Hotel in Ireland.

Becan Kennedy- carpenter at Bracken Distillery

Father Callaghan (Father Joseph)- American priest who visiting Ireland for a month

Bracken's ( Whiskey) Distillery -Owned by Fin and Declan. Outside of Killarney.

Carla Negger may be reached at :

www.facebook.com/carlaneggers

www.carlaneggers.com

This is a Harlequin book: www.Harlequin.com

www.HarlequinBlog.com

Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com