BOOK REVIEW: The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but what if she is the only one who can truly see?

Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that’s what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear “normal,” she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.

Tristan was Fern’s childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man isn’t a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.

We are going to pretend for just a moment that this book was not written by someone so young.  Why are we pretending?  Play along.  There is such a difference between a writer and an author.  But there is whole other level out there called a storyteller.  A storyteller has a gift, a talent, something that can't be learned but can definitely be skilled, that sets them apart by another degree.  Anyone can be a writer.  Very few writers are authors (and yes I make this distinction) as being an author requires a dedication and skill that sets them apart.  However, very few authors are storytellers, someone that no matter the education or the editing or the 'process' can make you believe and fall in love with what they have to share.  Kara Swanson is a storyteller.  Despite her young age she has a talent to tell stories that will only deepen and grow more vibrant with age, experience, and education.  And no matter if she never reaches further this is something that can't be taken away.  OK, back to reality folks, and I've got a bit to share.

I really and truly loved this novella.  The concept for the story line, the characters, the setting all of it.  However, sorry had to throw that in there, in reads like a pristinely perfect first draft.  A draft that has all the flaws and story elements lined out to perfection.  I wanted, no needed, more.  More conflict (the FBI is a great place to start), more detail on what was actually happening, more description on what Tristan has actually been dealing with, more action as the rift is actually closed, just more.  I feel like there is this amazing story that has the potential to be so much more.  It's like me and homemade Chex mix, I can't just eat a little bit but if I don't stop myself I'll eat the whole container (it's like my crypotnite).  I was happy and content with the serving I was given but it just didn't fill me up.

Swanson has a nature gift to tell this story and any other story that comes to her.  She has the ability to create believable worlds, endearing characters, and an edge that brings this sci-fi/fantasy world to life.  I am beyond thrilled that I chose to pick up this novella and cannot wait to find more opportunities to read her work as she grows as an author and storyteller throughout her hopefully long career.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

Goodreads | Amazon 

About Kara Swanson

As the daughter of missionaries, Kara Swanson spent sixteen years of her young life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped suddenly into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the speculative genre and was soon penning stories herself. At seventeen, she independently published her debut fantasy novel, Pearl of Merlydia. Her short story is included in Kathy Ide’s 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom. She has published many articles, including one in the Encounter magazine, and she received the Mount Hermon Most Promising Teen Writer award in 2015.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads




To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

RECIPE: Zucchini Fritters

Another Fizzy original.  Odds are that all of us are familiar, in some way, with friend zucchini.  Restaurants serve it as sticks, fries, rounds, etc.  Growing up I did something a little different.  It had to be different because all the zucchini in the house had been shredded already for zucchini bread.  And frozen.  But I wanted zucchini.  So this little masterpiece was born and remains a favorite.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup zucchini, shredded
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Salt
Baking Mix
1 egg
shredded cheese, your preference
oil for frying

Directions:
Mix everything together but the oil. If you batter is too thick add a little milk to thin it.  Think pancake batter consistency.  Meanwhile in a frying pan heat your oil.  Spoon or pour the batter into the pan in separate 'patties'.  When bottom is cooked turn over and cook the other side.

Continue, draining on a paper towel, until all batter is cooked.  Mom likes them with ketchup.  I like them plain.  A quick snack, a side to a healthier meal, the choices are limitless. 

I didn't realize the picture blurred...sorry but yummy!

BOOK REVIEW: Here and Gone by Haylen Beck

Here and Gone is a gripping, wonderfully tense suspense thriller about a mother's desperate fight to recover her stolen children from corrupt authorities.. It begins with a woman fleeing through Arizona with her kids in tow, trying to escape an abusive marriage. When she's pulled over by an unsettling local sheriff, things soon go awry and she is taken into custody. Only when she gets to the station, her kids are gone. And then the cops start saying they never saw any kids with her, that if they're gone than she must have done something with them... Meanwhile, halfway across the country a man hears the frenzied news reports about the missing kids, which are eerily similar to events in his own past. As the clock ticks down on the search for the lost children, he too is drawn into the desperate fight for their return.

Heavens to Betsy I wanted to love this book.  I needed to love this book.  With the description it came with, I mean it was right up my alley right?  Yes...and no.  I could almost hear 'Hotel California' playing softly on the radio as Audra and her children are making their way across the back roads of Arizona in the heat of a summer afternoon.  A sleazy feeling sheriff, a flimsy excuse to pull someone over and a random search through the belongings just to 'help them out'?  All reeked of stupidity and a touch of despair (on the part of the officer).  And Audra's desperation, as well, to protect herself, her children, and get where they were headed without being tracked from what they were running from.  But it all goes sideways, and makes national news, when according to law enforcement there were no children when she was pulled over.  It's sketchy at best but it's what makes news.  That and of course who is going to believe a former addict running from a life and potential legal issues back in New York over decorated law enforcement that also happens to be former military?  Yeah, Mom is a loser here.

This book hit the right notes but in the wrong key.  The plot was intense, the story raced in all the right places and crept along where it should have.  The descriptions pulled you in to the location, mostly.  The characters, while developed and strong were just missing something.  I missed a connection, a sparkle, I don't know how to describe it.  I mean I loved and rooted for the right people at the right times and despised the right people at the right times and even felt ambivalent where I should have.  But it just wasn't 'there' for me.  It was good, engaging but somehow missed the step to amazing.  That and of course some things I really wanted to know, deserved to know, where wrapped up off screen and I am left with a hole of what happens with Danny.  And I'm truly sorry for that because again, I need to love this book.

And I did love it.  I loved the twists and turns of the story line.  I loved the strength of Sean, the desperation of Audra, the sleaziness of Whiteside, and the hardened tenderness of Collins.  Yes even Collins tugged at my heart a tad.  The story itself, pulled me in, kept me engaged and had me rolling through every twist and turn.  Through every sweat soaked, heart wrenching moment.  I wanted to love this book, I needed to love this book.  I liked it a whole lot but the love fell just a moment short. I'd completely read this author again.  I want to read this author again. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging for Books.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

About Haylen Beck

Haylen Beck is the pen name of internationally prize-winning crime writer Stuart Neville. Writing under his own name, Stuart won the LA Times Book Prize for his debut novel and received critical acclaim for his Serena Flanagan detective series set in Belfast. His Haylen Beck novels are set in the US and inspired by his love of American crime writing.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

SPOTLIGHT: The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

Book title: The Girl Who could See
Author: Kara Swanson
Release date: June 1, 2017
Genre: Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?

Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that’s what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.

Tristan was Fern’s childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the explainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after al—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.

About the Author

As the daughter of missionaries, KARA SWANSON spent sixteen years of her young life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped suddenly into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the speculative genre and was soon penning stories herself. At seventeen, she independently published her debut fantasy novel, Pearl of Merlydia. Her short story is included in Kathy Ide’s 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom. She has published many articles, including one in the Encounter magazine, and she received the Mount Hermon Most Promising Teen Writer award in 2015.

 

 

Guest Post from Kara Swanson

Did you have an imaginary friend growing up? I did. And I think most of us probably understood what it was like to use our childhood imaginations to create friends and take us places.

The Girl Who Could See follows Fern Johnson, a young woman who’s imaginary friend, Tristan, first appeared in her life when she was eight years old—and has never left. Now nineteen, Fern still sees Tristan, only he is no longer her friend. Now he is her curse. The source of her insanity. The reason Fern cannot keep a job and has been passed from one psychologist to another. The reason she is one step away from a psych ward. However, Tristan disagrees. He says that he’s not a figment of Fern’s imagination and is determined to prove it. But, if his existence is real, it has dangerous implications not only for Fern, but for her world. Because the creature that decimated Tristan’s planet is coming for Earth—and only the girl everyone says is crazy can stop it.

I wrote the novella as a way to explore the idea of what would happen if someone had an imaginary friend who never left. What would the psychological and daily implications be? And what if that imaginary friend wasn’t imaginary? The story that grew from those sparks of ideas became an adventure that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did. 🙂

Blog Stops

June 27:
A Baker’s Perspective
A Simply Enchanted Life
 Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations  
June 28:
Kristin’s Book Reviews
Christian Chick’s Thoughts  
June 29: 
Fiction Aficionado
Genesis 5020
June 30:
Smiling Book Reviews
The Fizzy Pop Collection  
July 1:
Blogging With Carol
remembrancy  
July 2: 
Inklings and notions
Ashley’s Bookshelf  
July 3: 
Zerina Blossom’s Books
God1meover  
July 4:
Book by Book
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses  
July 5:
Dragons Read History
Through the Open Window  
July 6: 
 It’s Storytime with Van Daniker
Baker Kella 
 July 7:
Pause for Tales Edits and Reviews By Leslie 
July 8:
Books, Books, and More Books.
Pursuing Stacie
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate 
July 9: 
 Reader’s cozy corner
A path of joy  
July 10:
Neverending Stories
Henry Happens

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

Goodreads Monday

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren's Page Turners. To take part, you simply choose a random book from your TBR and show it off. Don’t forget to check out her blog and link back to Lauren’s Page Turners.

Back to the bookcase and a plethora of books to choose from.  Seriously, I need more bookcases and I have more than a couple!  The book I'm choosing this week is a bit different than one's I've previously showcased or even reviewed in quite a while.  But then again, from time to time I enjoy a well written 'bodice ripper' and being set in the early 1800's England just adds to it. 

In a moment of recklessness, Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst, swears he'll marry the next eligible lady to cross his path. Cloistered at his ancestral castle in Cornwall, with nary a suitable woman for miles, he never expects he'll have to fulfill his pledge, at least not until the London Season begins. But then he meets his neighbor, the very appealing Madeline Gascoigne.

Years of secret service to the Crown have taught Gervase the value of always having a loophole—there will be no wedding if he and Madeline are incompatible in any way. So he sets out to prove that they would make a most dreadful match . . . by luring her into his arms and, ultimately, his bed.

From their very first kiss, Gervase discovers that the headstrong and independent Madeline is no meek country miss . . . and that the fire between them will burn long beyond that first seduction.

Find a different genre of book on your TBR stack and share it below in the comments!

BOOK REVIEW: High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin

In 1917, Evelyn Marche is just one of many women who has been widowed by the war. A British nurse trapped in German-occupied Brussels, she spends her days working at a hospital and her nights as a waitress in her aunt and uncle's café. Eve also has a carefully guarded secret keeping her in constant danger: She's a spy working for a Belgian resistance group in league with the British Secret Service.

When a British plane crashes in Brussels Park, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to discover she recognizes the badly injured pilot. British RFC Captain Simon Forrester is now a prisoner of war, and Eve knows he could be shot as a spy at any time. She risks her own life to hide him from the Germans, but as the danger mounts and the secrets between them grow, their chance of survival looks grim. And even if they do make it out alive, the truth of what lies between them may be more than any love can overcome.

I could not wait to read this book.  I was so torn with the choices from Bethany House last month that I sorta drew straws and then immediately requested everything else on the list from NetGalley.  I mean, sometimes I girl's gotta do whatever it takes for amazingly awesome sounding books.  And I gotta tell ya, was not disappointed.  Intrigue?  Check.  Romance?  Check.  Embraceable characters?  Check.  Story line that draws you in and keeps you engaged?  Mostly check.  I know, I know I'm too picky 'they say'.  Pmerhaps I am, but then again I've read a few books in my lifetime and I know what I love, what I like, and what doesn't do it for me.  This book did it for me and I liked it but I spent the first but of the book trying to find my way and a little overwhelmed.  Probably much like the characters did as they were engulfed in a war zone they didn't ask for and didn't want surrounded by German soldiers that didn't respect them or really even themselves.  Not really a place anyone wants to be.

It's painful for me to have to say the only reason this book was at a 4 star review is that first perhaps quarter of the book.  I felt like I was missing something.  It took a bit of time for the pieces to make sense and the momentum to grow.  I don't expect a spy to hang a shingle and adverse.  I don't expect a spy to really trust anyone.  It took me a while to fall into the mindset with the trust and withhold and what the heck did that German/French/What language was that again phrase mean?  It just didn't come together for me to begin with.  By the time I found my grove it was a runaway train and I was strapped in ready to roll.

This book seriously hit all the marks for me.  Even the good guy turn bad guy but wait what is he oh there's his true colors theme kept me engaged.  I loved that the book was set in a real historical time period based off real historical people and real historical groups.  I loved that the characters that were drawn together were real and fresh and I wanted to comfort them and yell at them and all the things.  I also respect, and appreciate, the inner struggle that Eve had to go through with her own place in all the different experiences she had.  The realization that forgiveness is more than just a prayer.  The idea that life is not black and white.  And the knowledge that even bad situations can lead to good results when you Trust. The faith was so seamlessly integrated and so well developed that it felt so true and natural yet not 'in your face' so much that someone how doesn't care for christian books would still enjoy it.  Seriously, I am so glad I fell in love with this book from the description and 'had' to read it.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

 Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Kate Breslin

Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her first novel, For Such A Time, won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award. Kate's second novel, Not By Sight released in August, 2015. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Goodreads

RECIPE: Fudgey Chocolate Chunk Brownies

By the time this recipe goes live weeks will have passed, never mind that.  It's a Munchkin weekend but he's off to see a movie for a couple of hours and I've got a bit of a sweet tooth coming on.  Nothing drastic but still a small craving is building.  Brownies maybe?  I've not made brownies in eons.  Off to Pinterest I went to find something new, different, brownie-ish.  And I found these at Something Swanky.  I had to give them a try.  Never mind that it's closing in on bedtime.  Never mind that the last thing I need to is indulge in brownies, or anything so rich, that close to bedtime.  I had to make them!  And I did.  And they were delectable, the perfect rich ooey-gooey yumminess that soothed my sweet tooth and made a happy Munchkin when he came in (just as they were coming from the oven).

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (or a bit more, who actually measures vanilla?)
2 eggs
1/2 Cup all purpose flour
1/2 Cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips if that's all ya got and its late - they totally work!)

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9x9 banking dish with parchment paper.  (Invest in parchment, it's so worth it!)  Beat together the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a standard mixer bowl.  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.  Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.  Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.  Mix in the baking soda.  Mix in the chocolate chunks (or chips) with a wooden spoon or spatula.  Once the batter forms (it will be thick), scrape it into the prepared dish and spread evenly.

Bake for 25 minutes, until brownies begin to pull away from the side of the pan.  Serves 9-12 (or a 9 year old for less about 12 minutes).

Seriously amazing for a late night snack.  Last step, as always, Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW: The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he's glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can't wait to leave behind.

I don't know why, I mean I read the synopsis before I decided to review it, but it was nothing like I thought it would be and everything that it should have been.  I guess somehow I thought perhaps Nate was going to help her find her father. Maybe with her career she found her father.  Somehow I thought her father was going to play into the resolution of this book. I mean it is about a Captain's daughter.  It didn't but, that is more than OK.  Rosalyn grew up in an orphanage with her two sisters after her father disappeared and her mother passed away.  When she was 17 she found a job and made her way into the adult world.  Needless to say things didn't go quite according to what she thought and she ended up homeless and penniless in London, at the mercy of potential predators.  There's quite a story to go there as well but well, spoilers.  In all of this she meets Nate, stumbles into a job in the theater as a dresser for the ladies chorus and the rest just blooms.

Reading the NetGalley version of this book made things a bit frustrating.  It's not truly a 'kindle' edition but more a paperback version formatted for eReader.  There was a loop near the end where it was bouncing and things were missing and I had to manually go in and skip past that loop.  That has nothing to do with the story but really the only negative aggravation that I can come up with.  Seriously, I love this book!  It's a well crafted story of highs and lows.  And I am convinced that Rosalyn has some sort of natural luck to always come out on her feet no matter the larger circumstances.  Perhaps that does bug me a bit.  I mean, I don't have that.  

The characters were well developed and set into a story line that draws you in and hopes that there's a sequel in the coming months.  Please?  Hint hint!  The story behind the title doesn't play out until the very end but oh gravy it's sweet!  Not sticky sickly sweet but if you aren't paying attention you will miss it.  If you are open to sweet Christian romances with so much more than just romance this is a good book to pick up.  The faith seams are well crafted but not overly in your face which makes it a good choice for even someone who isn't quite 'into' Christian fiction.


I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


About Jennifer Delamere

A history fan, travel lover, and outdoor enthusiast, Jennifer Delamere writes tales of the past...and of new beginnings. Her debut novel An Heiress at Heart was an RWA RITA® award finalist, and her follow-up, A Lady Most Lovely, earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned her B.A. in English from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she also gained fluency in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. An avid reader of both classic novels and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

Alanah, a Canaanite, is no stranger to fighting and survival. When her family is killed in battle with the Hebrews, she disguises herself and sneaks onto the battlefield to avenge her family. The one thing she never counted on was surviving.
Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior, is shocked to find an unconscious, wounded woman among the Canaanite casualties. Compelled to bring her to a Hebrew healer back at their camp, he is soon confronted with a truth he can’t ignore: the only way to protect this enemy is to marry her.
Unused to being weak and vulnerable, Alanah submits to the marriage—for now. As she comes to know and respect Tobiah and his people, however, she begins to second-guess her plans of escape. But when her past has painfully unanticipated consequences, the tentative peace she’s found with Tobiah, the Hebrews, and Yahweh is shaken to the core. Can Alanah’s fierce heart and strength withstand the ensuing threats to her life and all she’s come to love?

I've been flying through the books in this series, I'm so invested in the characters and the way that the author has the talent to take this period of Biblical history and made it so real and alive.  I was ready to jump into the lives of these people I have fallen in love with.  I realized that the names for the synopsis were not one's I'd seen before.  Perhaps children or grandchildren?  Perhaps a continuation of Jumo or Dvorah's story a generation later?  Perhaps?  Well, I made myself stop perhaps-ing and jumped into the book with glee.  And pulled up on the excitement.  I was jumping back in 40 years later, just as the Israelites were on the cusp of taking the promised land.  Shira was there, Kiya was there but what about Ayal and Jumo and Ebon?  I was sorta kinda maybe perhaps becoming interested in Dvorah and where her life might lead.  I pulled it together, fought off my disappointment and kept on reading.  And fell in love all over again with new characters, new romances, and a new period of time.  

Tobiah may be my favorite male lead in this series.  He has a tenderness that is hidden behind his warrior facade.  He finds himself in a difficult situation that he never anticipated and didn't really even think through when he rescues the hard headed Alanah on the battlefield.  He just new that it was right.  There was no thought about it, just a doing.  A moment decision that want so much a decision as a God Moment.  And all those pages later what a God Moment it was.  Alanah was hurt, emotionally broken, and at the battle incognito only to avenge her father and brothers' deaths at the hands of the Hebrews.  She never expected to survive and was angry that she had.  However, through the 'God Moment' she found herself in a journey that could have only been designed by God.  A moment that would play itself into the future of all the Israelites.  Oh, there were bumps and bruises along the way.  But God even used her hard hardheadedness for the benefit of an entire civilization.

Despite the rocky start and my abject disappointment in losing out on beloved characters I was drawn into this new story.  I fell in love more slowly than before but at the end of the day this author has the ability to overcome my disappointment, draw me back in, and make me fall in love within the first quarter of the book.  I appreciated the tie-ins to the previous characters with an elder Shira and Kyia.  They gave me continuity.  I'm saddened that Tobiah is not of their family but he brings a freshness and a different perspective from the twelve tribes (he was even of a different tribe).  Alanah brings an awakening to the spirit, much like Kiya did previously.  The importance of finding a way to cast off the old things (her idols, our pride or money or anything that anyone - then or now has that keeps them separated) that didn't work and seeking God even when it's hard and you don't understand why.  

I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  Without that I may have never discovered this amazing series.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Connilyn Cossette

Connilyn Cossette is the CBA-Bestselling author of the Out from Egypt Series from Bethany House Publishers. There is not much she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible, discovering new gems of grace that point to Jesus, and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: None so Blind by Chautona Havig

Dani and Ella Weeks-two women who share one thing in common-the same life, the same family, and the same body. When Dani wakes with no knowledge of who or where she is-no memories of her life at all-David and Dani Weeks discover that "til death do us part" takes on an entirely unexpected meaning. Practically speaking, Dani died. But she didn't. In a desperate attempt to separate the old life from the new, Dani insists on a new name-Ella. Ella's doctors can't explain what happened. Her children can't understand why she doesn't know them, and her husband finds himself torn between admiration for the "new" version of his wife and missing the woman he's known for over fifteen years. Will Ella ever regain her memory? Why does their pastor suspect it's one great hoax?

Give me a moment to fangirl.  I loved this book!  I loved the premise, the execution, just the whole amazing mysterious thing.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect but good gravy Mavis, it was amazing.  Picture yourself in Daniella Weeks' shoes.  Imagine waking in a body you don't recognize, with a family that are strangers, in a house that creeps you out.  Imagine being poked and prodded at the hospital where they figure absolutely nothing out and give you the choice of going to this unloved house full of strangers or to an institution where you feel as though you will become a science experiment.  Can you even begin to imagine the edges of it, forget putting yourself all the way in, just pick a part?  As you learn about who you 'were' you become determined to be everything you weren't.  And what to do the husband and kids? 

There's one ball I feel like was dropped in a way that leaves me feeling confused and like there's a bigger story at play.  Perhaps in sequels?  Perhaps...  Just a mini spoiler here but what about the money?!?  I mean that's a chunk o' change that seems like it could be a big deal but then seems to fade into the ether.  I also felt like the idea that the 'episode' was all a hoax was played up more in the synopsis and even in the story and didn't quite measure up to the hype it might have been. More on that later!  That and one comma that feels awkward, that's all I got for the drawbacks for this book.  I mean seriously people, it was so well crafted, so well told, so well...everything.  Something I can't imagine in my wildest dreams and here Dani/Ella is living it at Havig has created it so almost seamlessly that I can almost put myself there.  OK, perhaps just a moment of fangirl wasn't enough.  I'll get back on track.

Mystery is the way to my heart and this book has it in such a refreshing way that I fell in love with the genre all over again.  Add a little intrigue with the money and the idea that maybe perhaps Dani did this completely on purpose to force her to deal with the life changes she seems to not give two wits about but maybe?  I mean Ella is bound and determined to be the opposite of Dani in almost every area of life.  The romance of the book was even refreshing to engage while Ella and David worked at getting to know each other. The difficulty he had with not comparing and her difficulty with the idea he truly loved her for who she was now and not who she was or because he 'had to'.  I'm excited to see where this series is going to develop next and with the next book coming out so very soon I don't have to wait too long!


I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit and the author.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Chautona Havig 

 I am fortunate enough to live in the great state of California (in the Mojave Desert) with my husband Kevin and five of my nine children. My eldest is married with five children, so I have the fun of a son-in-law and grandbabies to enjoy. I’ve graduated six out of my nine children from our home school, and they’re all doing quite well in their lives. My younger children keep me from getting too selfish, and someday I’ll be fully retired as their teacher. I have to say, I’m lookin’ forward to it. Teaching about gerunds was fun the first time… not so much anymore. I salute all of those in the education field. You are my heroes.

When I’m not writing (which I admit isn’t often) I enjoy blogging (a totally different kind of writing, trust me), paper crafts, sewing, smocking, photo editing, and old music. No, really, I like OLD stuff… the Beatles are too newfangled for me. Yeah,I know they’re before my time… but I like stuff before my PARENTS time.
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Goodreads Monday

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren's Page Turners. To take part, you simply choose a random book from your TBR and show it off. Don’t forget to check out her blog and link back to Lauren’s Page Turners.

Another oldie but goodie from my Kindle library.  I downloaded this book back in May of 2013 and feel like it's another one I may have read before but not overly certain.  I know Ma read it recently and really liked it.  She liked it enough to actually write a small review!  Proof, my friends, that peer pressure works.  I really am hoping to get back to this one sometime in near future because the premise sounds engaging, will tug on the heart a bit, and I have a feeling I'll like it.

Vince Glasser, an overworked federal agent and single father with a troubled past, already has enough on his plate when he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He deals with it the only way he knows how--by fighting the illness with everything he has in him. Along his path toward a certain end, he mends relations with his estranged brother, reexamines his faith, prepares his son to live life without his parents, and finds room for romance with his longtime partner, Angela Hawkins.

Angela finds herself falling in love not only with Vince, but also with his young son, Charlie. In caring for both of them, she sees that despite decades-old mistakes that have left her in a pattern of empty relationships, she can still find redemption and have the family she's always wanted. But a nagging feeling tells her that death isn't the only thing that threatens to tear her new family from her grasp.

Amidst the struggles of a family with an expiration date, between the medicine and the meltdowns, Angela and Vince learn the true meaning of grace. See what other readers are talking about as two lost people find each other and God - just in time.

Is there a book you've got on your eReader that's been there entirely too long?  Or perhaps a book that has been waiting patiently for you to get around to that you just know will tug at your heartstrings?  Share in the comments!

SPOTLIGHT: None So Blind by Chautona Havig

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book title: None So Blind

Author: Chautona Havig
Release date: September 29, 2013
Genre: Contemporary

Dani and Ella Weeks–two women who share one thing in common. The same life, the same family, and the same body.

When Dani wakes with no knowledge of who or where she is–no memories of her life at all–David and Dani Weeks discover that “til death do us part” takes on an entirely unexpected meaning.

Practically speaking, Dani died. But she didn’t.
What’s a gal to do?

In a desperate attempt to separate the old life from the new, Dani insists on a new name, a twist of her old one–Ella.

Ella’s doctors can’t explain what happened. Her children can’t understand why she doesn’t know them. David, her husband, finds himself torn between admiration for the “new” version of his wife and missing the woman he’s known for over fifteen years.

Will Ella ever regain her memory? Why does their pastor suspect it’s one great hoax?

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives and writes in California’s Mojave Desert with her husbnd and five of her nine children.  Through her novels, she hopes to encourage Christians in their walk with Jesus.

Guest post from Chautona Havig

“Who are you, again?”

“I’m Joe’s, daughter. Vyonie.” My sister pointed to me. “This is Chautona.”

For some odd reason, the niece she spent the least amount of time with, Aunt Doris remembered—somewhat. But she didn’t remember Vyonie from what I could tell. She smiled at me, that amazing, sweet smile I’d never forget. She asked how I was. I always thought that Mrs. Sanderson—mother of John, Alicia, and Carl on the TV show, Little House on the Prairie—looked and sounded like Aunt Doris. Of course, that memory of me didn’t last. A minute or two later, she gave me a big smile and asked if she knew me.

It gave me a picture of what it must have been like for my character, Ella Weeks—to wake up every day with these children there—children who knew her, but she didn’t remember. The hurt she caused every time she had to struggle to admit she didn’t know something she probably should—again. So, I thought I’d ask her to tell us about it.

Ella: People often assume that the worst part of losing my memory are the memories that disappeared, too. But it’s not. A much as I’d love to remember my wedding day, my daughter’s first steps, my son’s first words, or that moment I realized I was pregnant with my third, those are blessings that I don’t think about often. No, what hurts most is seeing the pain in my children’s eyes when they need me to remember something and I can’t. For me, not remembering their first day of kindergarten is an inconvenience. For them, it’s a further reminder that if they didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t know them. That without them pushing themselves into my life, I wouldn’t care about them any more than any other human in my path. I do now, of course, but not at first. I hate that they heard David say once, “…she doesn’t know me. She doesn’t trust me. She doesn’t know our children. She tries, but she could walk out of our lives tomorrow and never miss us.”

Living so close to it every day, I missed those little bits of pain that I inflicted without meaning to, but when I went with our Bible study to a nursing home and visited with the residents, then I saw it. Women with tears running down their cheeks as loved ones patted their hands and tried to comfort. I heard one man offer to find a woman’s father. She squeezed him close and whispered, “It’s okay, Daddy. I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The man promised to try to find her father in the meantime.

Those people there—most of them didn’t realize they didn’t remember someone important. They didn’t struggle to remember this or that. Their dementia had gotten bad enough that their lives had gone from constant frustration to, by comparison, blissful oblivion.

And their families withered with each forgotten face, name, moment.

That’s what my “episode” did for my family. It caused them pain that just resurfaced every time something new happened. Pain that I didn’t know I inflicted. And since that visit, I have a greater compassion and awareness of just how amazing and powerful memories are.

I also have a greater appreciation for those beautiful words in Isaiah when the Lord promised… “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.”

You see, there’s a lifetime of the sins that Jesus died for buried somewhere in my brain—or, at least at one time there was. I know that those sins were in there, because the ones I committed yesterday are there today. The ones I’ve already confessed and been forgiven for—I beat myself up for the next morning. A week later. A month. But the Lord has wiped them clean. I just keep smearing them back out there again as if to say, “But You don’t get how BAD I was.” Yeah. The arrogance, right? Because an almighty, holy God can’t possibly understand how sinful a sinner that He had to DIE to save from those sins… is. The arrogance? That’s an understatement.

But all those years before that horrible morning… gone. Maybe I stole something. I don’t know. It was forgiven, wiped clean, and then wiped from my memory. I can’t rehash it with the Lord over and over. I can’t drag it back up like a wife who won’t let her husband forget the one time he forgot her birthday. I can’t use it as a whip to beat myself up with. And I think there’s something beautiful in that.

Do I wish I could stop hurting my family with my blank past? Of course. But am I also grateful for a living picture of the fresh start the Lord gives His people at salvation? Definitely. I hope I never take it for granted again.

Blog Stops

June 15: Blogging With Carol | Genesis 5020 | Lane Hill House

June 16: Red Headed Book Lady | The Scribbler | Moments Dipped in Ink

June 17: Back Porch Reads | The Power of Words | Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

June 18: Carpe Diem | A Baker’s Perspective

June 19: Christian Bookaholic | Quiet Quilter

June 20: The Fizzy Pop Collection | Mommynificent

June 21: Seasons of Opportunities | Truth and Grace Writing and Life Coaching

June 22: Pursuing Stacie | Remembrancy

June 23: Pause for Tales

June 23: Avid Reader Book Reviews | Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses | Bigreadersite

June 24: CAFINATED READS

June 25: Lots of Helpers | Ashley’s Bookshelf

June 26: Blossoms and Blessings | A Reader’s Brain

June 27: God1meover | His Grace is Sufficient

June 28: Just Jo’Anne | Henry Happens | Reader’s Cozy Corner

RECIPE: Banana Bread

It's kids week on the blog which means another treat from one of the Minions of Mayhem.  Goobie was supposed to get his turn this month but alas, he's still in California visiting with the grandparents.  I was in a panicked bind when a few other things worked out to my advantage so I simply switched him and Munch around.  With Munch doing all the book reviews this week as well I feel like it should be called Munch instead of Kids Week.

We talked bout options and then chose to dip into my Grandma's recipe collection.  Let me tell ya, Grandma Atkins was quite the cook, but especially quite the baker.  I've been promising the Minions banana bread for a while, and have a freezer full just waiting to be utilized when Munch decided it had to happen.  This week.  So that's what we did, or should I say he did.  There were a few hiccups with leveling over the counter and floor instead of the container or perhaps pulling the mixer out of the batter still on, but that just means he gets to clean up. Right?

Ingredients:

 1/2 Cup butter
1 Cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 Cup mashed bananas (I use more as I like a stronger banana flavor)
1 Cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup chopped pecans (we left them out, I want to live)
I also added about a Tablespoon of vanilla (sorry Grandma but vanilla makes everything better!)

Directions:
Beat all ingredients together.  Pour into greased 9x5 inch loaf pan, leaving center lower.  (I used mini loaf pans instead).  Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until done (mini loaves about 30 minutes).  Let stand 20 minutes.  Serves 10. (Or one Munchkin twice.)

Let's talk about measuring ingredients.  It was a great opportunity to teach him that not only do we need to measure but that baking is really based on proportions and that leveling ingredients is important to ensure that the same amount is used each time.  It was easy with the little stuff, the big stuff...well easy yes messy yes-er.

I brushed on just a bit of butter as they came out of the oven and after letting sit we shared some with our friends next door and then feasted ourselves!

BOOK REVIEW: Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? by Margaret Frith Illustrated by John O'Brien

One day in 1882, Thomas Edison flipped a switch that lit up lower Manhattan with incandescent light and changed the way people live ever after.

The electric light bulb was only one of thousands of Edison’s inventions, which include the phonograph and the kinetoscope, an early precursor to the movie camera.

As a boy, observing a robin catch a worm and then take flight, he fed a playmate a mixture of worms and water to see if she could fly! Here’s an accessible, appealing biography with 100 black-and-white illustrations.

I first discovered this series of books at Barnes & Noble while birthday shopping for Munch.  I knew it would be perfect for him and with a sale going on I picked up several of people I knew he admired, because he talked about them all the time.  And a few that I thought we could enjoy together as I wanted to expand his knowledge base and open his eyes to other things from our collective history.  He took to the like Munch to a book, splendidly.  He wants more.  This particular book tells the life of Thomas Edison, not just his accomplishments but his life.  It tells the story of his successes, as well as his failures.  It tells the story of his spirit and his attitude to keep on going.  This is something I want my Minions of Mayhem to embrace.  Failure is giving up not in lack of success.

OK, Munch thinks it's his turn now.  His thoughts... I honestly think it's kind of cool since it has my first name in it.  It's kinda cool to learn about all the things he invented and not just the one thing everyone knows - the light bulb.  It's cool to learn about his childhood and what he did to make money.  It teaches you and tells you about his children and his family.  Tells you of the places he went and the things he did.  Another thing cool is the people that Thomas was with and this book tells a little bit of their story as well (like Henry Ford and George Eastman who made the Kodiak camera). I like that he thought his greatest invention was the phonograph.  

From the adult perspective I like that the illustrations and side bios are integral to the story and help to develop the story for the young reader.  This book takes someone historically famous and makes them approachable and easy to understand.  An interest in science is not born of graphs and formulas but of personal-ability and approachful-ness.  I'm glad I discovered this series for Munch and hope to add to it for him and to the other Minions as well.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Margaret Frith
Margaret Frith is the author of numerous children’s books, including several titles in the Who Was? series, such as Who Was Thomas Alva Edison?, Who Was Louis Braille?, Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? and Who Was Woodrow Wilson? She lives in New York City.

Website | Goodreads

About John O'Brien

John O'Brien, whose illustrations for children have been called inventive, whimsical, witty, wacky, and just plain wonderful, is a prolific, wide-ranging artist.He has contributed to The New Yorker, Cricket, Highlights for Children, The Washington Post, and Omni, and his cartoons appear weekly in the New Jersey section of The New York Times.

John was born in Philadelphia, received a B.A. in Fine Arts from Philadelphia College of Art. When John isn't busy at his drawing board, he plays banjo evenings on a paddlewheel boat at the New Jersey shore. He is also a lieutenant on the North Wildwood Beach Patrol where he has been a lifeguard since 1970, and he recently learned to play the bagpipes. He lives in Delran, New Jersey. 

Website | Goodreads