Author: cvegnad

January 28, 2022

After She Falls Book Review

In After She Falls, she’s always had that fire in her. She just needs to find it again.

About After She Falls

Strong-willed Adri Rivera nearly achieved her goal of being a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who knocked all the fight out of her. When their abusive, tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together again.

A hardened Max Lyons can’t believe Adri is back in town after abruptly cutting him and everyone else off years ago. Despite the distance that grew between them, he feels compelled to help her regain her independence and offers her a job at his gym. But regaining each other’s trust is another matter, made even more complicated by the lingering spark between them. As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, she trains for a big tournament with Max’s help, but they’ll both have to confront their own doubts in order to rise victorious.

My Thoughts

After She Falls is an amazing tale of strength, healing and growth as Adri leaves her abusive husband in order to salvage a life for her and her daughter in the town she grew up in. She finds a lot of her healing back fighting – something her heart and mind never gave up on.

Adri is an incredible character who landed on hard times. At a very young age, she met and fell in love with a man who was not all he seemed to be. He pulled her away from her family, friends and everything she loved after she fell pregnant with their child. Adri did everything she could to keep her family together, until enough was enough. She flees their home with their daughter and returns to her hometown and the man who raised and loved her. While she wants to move on with her life, when she comes in contact with an old friend (and flame) and martial arts – she knows the only way to move forward is to complete all of the things that she had left undone. This is true for not only her martial arts but also her relationships.

While this novel could be triggering for some individuals, I do feel it has a very strong message for readers. While her husband did everything he could to control Adri and make her feel no sense of control or worth, once she left him Adri learned how strong she truly was. She learns to let go of her past, things she could not change or control and move forward. She learns to not only love herself but she learns to love and trust in others again. She also finds her strength in competing, allowing herself to dream big and train hard. After She Falls is a powerful story of faith, strength and courage.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Carmen Schober is a debut novelist, wife, full-time mother to two daughters, avid boxer, and Rocky enthusiast. A graduate of Kansas State University, where she earned a master’s degree in English literature and creative writing, she currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas. She has published sports fiction in Witness magazine and Hobart Pulp, and she regularly blogs about faith, family, and fighting. Learn more at www.carmenschober.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

January 28, 2022

Every Word Unsaid Book Review

In Every Word Unsaid, slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she’s long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.

About Every Word Unsaid

Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family’s constant disappointment. As the nation’s most fearless–and reviled–columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape.

Arriving in India, she expects only a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. Instead, she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel’s sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she’s long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.

My Thoughts

Augusta (Gussie) is everything a young lady should not be and should not do. And I loved every moment of it. She pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable for a young lady in New York society hiding under an anonymous name as a columnist. While her family does not really approve of her adventures, they don’t stop her until her last adventure puts her in the middle of a huge scandal. Gussie finds herself at a crossroads – should she stay and conform or follow her heart? Of course she follows her heart, all the way to India!

I love Gussie’s character but a part of my heart is sore for her. She fights back at a system that is meant to hold her back all the while it feels like she is running from herself. She is always holding back just a bit, never truly believing in her own gifts and while she breaks the molds from what society feels a lady should fit in – she allows herself to fit into the box of what a female journalist should do and write about. She is a very passionate young woman, with a kind and loving heart – she sees the good in others and people are attracted to her light. She is a person who truly cares of others, but struggles to see her own worth. She wants to love and share love with her childhood friend, but we watch as she finds it hard to come to terms on how to love someone and still chase her own dreams (can she really have both worlds??).

Every Word Unsaid is a beautifully written story that I could not put down. I loved the characters, the changing scenes, and the plot was fantastic as it unfolded piece by piece. It is a story of finding oneself, forgiveness and growth. It is a definite must read!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Kimberly Duffy is a Long Island native currently living in Southwest Ohio, via six months in India. When she’s not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes her readers back in time and across oceans. She loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty years. He doesn’t mind. Learn more at www.kimberlyduffy.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

January 10, 2022

Gideon’s Grandchildren

In Gideon’s Grandchildren, author Bill Jaquette weaves his own thirty-plus years’ experience in public defense and provides readers with an intimate look at the day-to-day lives and struggles of public defense attorneys.

About Gideon’s Grandchildren

Steve Cole is a young public defense attorney with a long list of clients: Among them is Jeff Harris, who is facing a life sentence under a law that Steve believes is cruel and unfair. When Harris is presented with a plea bargain that would spare him a life sentence, Steve urges his client to accept. Steve is shocked when Harris turns down the plea bargain in favor of going to trial. Steve quickly finds himself in the most difficult case of his career, in addition to all his other clients. Nevertheless, Steve grows to respect Harris and the decision he made, compelling him to work tirelessly for a not-guilty verdict for Harris.

Throughout the novel, author Bill Jaquette weaves his own thirty-plus years’ experience in public defense and provides readers with an intimate look at the day-to-day lives and struggles of public defense attorneys. The result is a compassionate portrayal of some of the most critical figures in the American courts, their clients, and the arduous and complicated role of maintaining justice.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, BN and Book Depository.

About the Author

Bill Jaquette practiced law for over forty years. During that time, he served as a deputy prosecuting attorney and was also in private practice. A substantial part of his career, however, was as a public defender, including thirty years with the Snohomish County Public Defender Association, of which he was also director. In addition to his JD from the University of Washington, Bill holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of Missouri and, prior to his career in law, served as a tenured member of the philosophy faculty at Southwest Missouri State University.

Gideon’s Grandchildren is his first novel.

You can connect with him on his website.

The Giveaway!

Enter to win an e-book of Gideon’s Grandchildren here.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

January 10, 2022

James Dreadful and the Tomb of Forgotten Secrets

James Dreadful’s Epic Adventure Continues in Book Two of the Dreadful Series, James Dreadful and the Tomb of Forgotten Secrets.

About James Dreadful and the Tomb of Forgotten Secrets

After narrowly escaping a contract with his father’s evil servant Rekenhowler, James reluctantly decides to return home to the Cades Isles to live out the rest of his youth training to become a sorcerer. The only problem: James and his companions are adrift on the boat Persephone in the Realm of Shadows without a crew.

When a stowaway aboard Persephone informs James that his father—the Dark Lord—might have been mind-slaved by the mysterious, evil Cowl, James is shocked. The only proof that he will accept is the soul of his father, which he learns is lodged deep in the Tomb of Forgotten Secrets. In confronting his father’s soul, James can learn the truth about the Dark Lord—and if he is destined to become one himself.

But before he can reach the Tomb, James must travel to Sarvelok, an island protected by raiders, to retrieve the key his uncle Oskar stole from him. Attacking the island would be suicide—but possible with the help of Rekenhowler. The price James will have to pay, however, is too high, but without it, will he ever learn the truth of his father—and his own fate?

You can purchase this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Alan Creed fell in love with storytelling after seeing Star Wars for the first time as a child. When he was ten years old, his tutor asked him to write sentences containing three words: Ocean, Desert and Jungle. Instead of sentences, Alan wrote a 103-page story entitled Journey through the Desert. That’s when he knew he wanted to be a writer. His 103-page story served as the source material for the Dreadful Series. Alan is currently working on the next installment in the James Dreadful series.

You can connect with Alan on his website.

The Giveaway!

Enter to win an e-book of James Dreadful and the Tomb of Forgotten Secrets here.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 24, 2021

Bring the Magic of Christmas to Life with Country Bright

2021 has been a difficult year and in the coming weeks, it appears it may just be that harder. As a family, we have struggled to get into the Christmas spirit. We’ve gone through the motions but there has been something missing these last few weeks. The sparkle of Christmas was just not there no matter how hard we tried. We jumped at the chance to attend Country Bright – a light show display located not too far away from our home. While we weren’t too sure what to expect, we were excited for this adventure.

We headed out to the Country Bright light show located in Milton, Ontario. The light display is nestled on a farm setting at Country Heritage Park. We weren’t too sure what to expect on this 3/4 km walk but knew it would be special when we pulled up to the site and could start to the see the twinkling lights in the background.

While we were a bit cautious of COVID, I was happy to see so many families still wearing masks and social distancing outside both at the entrance/exits and throughout the Country Bright displays. The staff did an amazing job of ensuring vehicles and people were flowing well through entries and exits points and there were no real spots of congregation, which was perfect for our family who are still very cautious of being out and about.

There was a great variety of displays around the site – everything from lit up tunnels to themed cabins covered in colourful lights, to large snow globes and candy cane trees. The displays at Country Bright took our breath away – they were so skillfully put together and brought the displays to life. We loved walking through the lit up tunnels and managed to take quite a few family photos under the lights.

We were welcomed to the Country Bright light display with all of our favourite Christmas songs playing, which was also featured throughout the whole length of the display trail (large speakers were strategically placed throughout the trails). We had so much fun singing along and debating whose song was the best Christmas song (my personal favourite being Silent Night!). Spread out along the trail as well were several stops that you could purchase hot chocolate and goodies (debit and credit only). This makes a huge difference on those nights when it feels a bit chilly out there. While it was warm on the night we attended (and by warm I mean sitting around 0 degrees), we bundled up in layers, boots, hats and gloves but the hot chocolate really helped make a difference. I would strongly recommend boots for this walking adventure – while the paths are easy to navigate for strollers and able bodied individuals, they were also wet and muddy at some points. Make sure to wear several layers, warm boots and bring extra gloves just in case.

We each had our personal favourite displays – my eldest loved this wagon, while our youngest fell in love with the large red barn. My husband adored the Ford displays and I loved the reindeer and globes.

My son had this to say about our family adventure: “I had a great time with my family and made a great video edit for all of us for a memory so this was a great thing for me and my family. Thank you Country Bright for this awesome time”.

Tickets are still available for purchase to this magical holiday adventure which runs until January 2nd. Tickets have to be purchased in advance and can be purchased here.

Make sure to check out the Country Bright website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: We received tickets to visit the show, all opinions expressed are my own.