November 16, 2016
Cremelino Prophecy Tour
“Forgotten lines of ancient magic and the power of the throne. One will make them both his own if his heart sees the true power. . . “ So begins the ancient Cremelino Prophecy.
The Path of Destiny, Book One of The Cremelino Propechy
In this new Young Adult/Teen fantasy series, Darius San Williams, son of one of King Edward’s councilors, cares little for his father’s politics and vows to leave the city of Anikari to protect and bring glory to the Realm. But when a new-found and ancient power emerges from within him, he and his friends Christine and Kelln are faced with decisions that could shatter or fulfill the prophecy and the lives of all those they know. Wizards and magic have long been looked down upon in the Realm, but Darius learns that no matter where he goes, prophecy and destiny are waiting to find him. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
The Path of Decisions, Book Two of the Cremelino Prophecy
In the second book of this young adult/teen fantasy series, Darius San Williams, now the first commander of the King’s Elite Army struggles with his emerging and ancient powers. After winning his first battle against external foes, he must decide now to follow the King or to take matters in his own hands. Back in Anikari Christine wrestles with how to confront oppression against her people, while in Belor, Kelln must escape the clutches of an evil wizard and warn Darius. Mezar, the captured Gildanian quietly watches everything closely and harbors a secret of his own. Each of their decisions will determine the fate and destiny of their friendship and their kingdom. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
The Path of Peace, Book Three of the Cremelino Prophecy
In the conclusion of this magical Young Adult/Teen fantasy trilogy Darius DarSan Williams, newly crowned King of the Realm, is being pushed and tested on all sides by others vying for power. His best friend Kelln is in Mar trying to find the escaped Preacher and his daughter, while Mezar discovers a plot in Gildan that could tear the Realm apart, and put Christine in danger. All are being watched over and guided by the mysterious Cremelino horses. They hold one final magical secret that could help Darius save those he loves and find the path of peace. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
My Thoughts
A fantastic young adult series that even adults can enjoy! It is fantasy series full of magic, suspense and adventure. I was drawn right into the story and could not put the series down. The first book gives us the all the background information of the magic of Darius, the disagreements between the different groups of people in the Realm and the rising of the Preacher. The second book is where the story really comes to life, Darius comes into his own and it is so exciting! You can’t stop reading because the suspense and adventure is amazing. So much happens in this novel that you feel as though nothing more can possibly happen but sure enough book three is just as good.
I loved the connection of the magic, the horses and Darius and Christine. It was so exciting! Especially to watch the magic grow in Darius as he learned how to control his magic and what it needs to work. The three books are well written, played out and lead into each other very well. They are incredibly exciting and full of suspense. These are perfect books for young adults but even older adults who love fantasy.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
I was born in California and have lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. I really cannot remember a time when I wasn’t reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when I just couldn’t put that great book down). Though I have read all sorts of genres I have always been drawn to fantasy. It is my way of escaping to a simpler time filled with magic, wonders and heroics of young men and women. Other than reading, I has always enjoyed the outdoors. From the beaches in Southern California to the warm waters of North Carolina; from the waterfalls in the Northwest to the Rocky Mountains in Utah; I have appreciated the beauty that God provides for us. I also enjoy hiking, discovering nature, playing a little basketball or volleyball, and most recently disc golf. I have a beautiful wife who has always supported me and three beautiful children who have been the center of my life. I began writing stories in elementary school and moved on to larger novels in my early adult years. I have worked in corporate finance most of my career. That, along with spending time with my wonderful family and obligations at church have made it difficult to find the time to truly dedicate to writing. In the last few years as my children have become older I have returned to doing what I truly enjoy – writing!
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 15, 2016
David Travels to the Past
In David Travels to the Past, David wants to learn more about the past and painting, his teacher finds a way for him to do so!
About David Travels to the Past
David is a young and restless apprentice painter who wants to know everything about painting. His intelligent teacher, the Master Messina, invents a way of transporting David through time to prehistory. They go there looking for the origins of art, but once they are there nothing will be as they thought.
In a second adventure they travel towards the unknown art of Mesopotamia. This time they won’t go alone. The sympathetic and intelligent Angela will travel to the past with them bringing her particular point of view.
My Thoughts
I love art and art history. I can spend hours pouring over books and at the museum taking in the art, its history and the culture of the people who came before us. David Travels to the Past is an excellent comic style book for older children to early teens (I even enjoyed it) as David learns first hand about art history.
David is your typical pre-teen (we don’t really know his age but he reminds me of a pre-teen/teen through his actions and words. He is frustrated with some of his work and his teacher decides to take him back in time to experience first hand the art and culture of the people. In the first part of this book, he learns about cave paintings, hunting and the rituals of their people. In the second part of the book, he travels to Mesopotamia and experiences a whole new set of art, a lion hunt and a new travel companion in the form of his teacher’s niece. Because of the nature of comic strips, they had to pack in a wealth of information in a smaller space but they did an incredible job of it! Not only were we able to learn about art history but we also got to experience David’s struggles and excitement of experiencing this very new world. There are two words that are in the book (hell and damn) which I feel would be okay for an older child especially in the context they are used (‘damn deer’) but I wanted to let you know in case this was something that made you uncomfortable. The book also addresses death in a beautiful way in the pre-historic ages as this was a very real part of their lives. This book is a great addition to your older child’s library that will inspire them to learn more about these important times in our history both in their art and culture.
You can purchase a copy of this book in the US through Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble. In the UK through Amazon and Kindle. In Australia, through Fishpond, Booktopia and Kindle.
Rating: 4.5/5
About the Author and Illustrator
María José is a teacher. She won international illustrations awards.Gonzalo has a degree in art history. He works in museums and as a tourist guide.
You can connect with them on website, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
The Giveaway
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 14, 2016
A Letter to My Sixteen Year Old Self #StreamTeam
Wow it’s weird to look back over the last fifteen years of my life – to remember my fears, hopes, anxieties and dreams. My life has changed, some things turned out very differently then I had planned for but I would not change anything. As women, we are strong, powerful and independent. We are loving, caring, open and full of life. As women, we sometimes forget to celebrate these unique traits we have and appreciate how far we have come from our teen years to our adulthood. Taking some inspiration from some leading ladies from trending Netflix shows (think the Crown and Chelsea), here is a letter to my sixteen year old self with all the things I wish I could tell my sixteen year old self to help guide myself through some of the most difficult years of becoming a woman.
Dear Carla,
- Spend more time with your family. They are the most important thing in the world, appreciate every moment you have with them. You never know when those precious moments will be taken away from you, so cherish each moment.
- Be kind to your parents – there is so much that they do for you that you will never fully understand or appreciate until you become a parent. When you become a parent you will be shocked and amazed at just how much your parents gave and did for you (and maybe even more shocked that they had three kids!).
- Focus on school but still have fun. Education is important but so is living in the moment – don’t worry about getting 100% on each test, those grades will no longer matter when you have graduated. Work doesn’t care what your grade point average was but you will remember those missed opportunities.
- Always tell the truth – no matter what it is, tell the truth. Honesty will get your further in life.
- Be wise with your money – do you really need those $100 jeans? Trust me you don’t! Instead save that money for your education, a trip or your down payment on your house (I know weird to be thinking about a down payment but trust me the earlier you start saving the better off you will be).
- Ignore the hurtful comments of others, their opinion of you, your clothes and style does not matter. If and when it becomes too much, reach out for help. Never ever be afraid to ask for help from your family, friends or a counsellor. Everyone wants you to succeed but know when you need the help and ask for it.
- Live in each moment, eat the ice cream, poutine, cake, go on the scary ride, go for the hike – don’t turn down opportunities because of fear or lack of time. You never know when you may get another chance.
- LOVE YOURSELF! Never, ever stop loving yourself no matter what. Do not let anyone take this away from you.
Carla, enjoy and cherish each moment of your life. You are special and unique. There will never be another you so never let anyone dull your shine. Live your life to the fullest.
Love,
Your Much Older (but still feeling young) Self
xoxoxo
Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 14, 2016
Westobou Gold Spotlight Tour
In Westobou Gold, the Indian Queen would risk torture and worse to keep her secrets from these barbarians in suits of metal and their search for cities of gold.
About Westobou Gold
The Indian Queen would risk torture and worse to keep her secrets from these barbarians in suits of metal and their search for cities of gold. They never found the gold. Empires rose; empires fell, the centuries passed. Legend became fireside myths, but no treasure was ever found. Yet, among the grey-green drapes of wisteria and wild jasmine along the misty shrouded lowlands of bayous and marshes of the Westo River, the folktales persist.
In the lazed creep of a near-tropical dawn lit the pungent Turkish coffee permeates Moccasin Hollow. Beyond the kitchen door Lucky, Craige Ingram’s German shepherd gnaws a favorite bone. Looted burial mounds seem a world away until plundered mounds on Moccasin Hollow land brings amateur archaeologist PI Craige Ingram into the cross-hairs of kidnapping. Stealthy hideaways are concealed in old colonial brick-lined river grottoes beneath the big house of Ardochy plantation. Sex-tape underage blackmail and thrill killings on federal land spur a medical examiner’s preliminary postmortem to more than a hired cleaner’s quickie cover-up passed off as drug deals gone sour. Greed tangles a witch’s pigswill of illicit affairs and murder-to-hide-murder. Shady investigators and shadier politics stir an unexpected concoction that threatens the lives of those at Moccasin Hollow in a spiteful plot against ex-SEAL Craige Ingram and the woman he loves.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 8, 2016
Trust My Heart Book Review
In Trust My Heart, Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.
About Trust My Heart
The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.
After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.
The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home.
My Thoughts
It is so incredibly hard to learn to trust and love again once our heart has been broken. We become cautious and not as willing to trust again. New relationships become difficult as we can read the wrong meaning into something innocent as we judge the new person by old standards. This is very true in this story, as Jami was hurt when her Father left her at a very impressionable young age and Grant’s ex-wife left more distrust then good feelings after their divorce.
The story is very real, raw and painful. Sometimes you want to give the two of them a shake and to learn to trust each other, but we also know just how hard that can be. Lucky for these two, they have quite the determined and scheming friend in their small town who is hard at work to ensure these two find happiness.
Trust My Heart is an excellent story of faith, trust, forgiveness and finding peace. The journey to this is difficult and full of hard lessons but we have to face each one in order to be the stronger person we are at the end. I loved every moment of this special book.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special-events decorating company, Carol J. Post’s résumé reads as if she hasn’t yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love of writing. She started as a child composing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles for religious and children’s publications. Now she pens fun, fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book award and selected as an RT Top Pick. When Carol isn’t writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. She also plays the piano and sings with her music-minister husband. Their two grown daughters and their grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all her nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.