Category: iRead tour

November 11, 2020

Our Friendship Matters Book Spotlight

Can they find a way to resolve their differences, putting them to the side and learn to accept each other’s viewpoints? Or is their long friendship finished for good?

About Our Friendship Matters

Leah and Sasha are 17-year-old friends who had been close to one another since elementary school, but as the summer approaches they find their friendship tested in ways they never anticipated. Following graduation, Sasha’s privileged life and perception of the world around her is suddenly altered when an old childhood friend persuades her to join in a campaign against an injustice after his best friend is killed by the police. But joining the protest has unforeseen consequences for Sasha, distancing her from Leah, who becomes jealous of Sasha’s new friends and finds herself on the opposing side, protesting alongside her group of new white friends. As the tension mounts between the two bitterly opposed factions, a tragedy strikes and threatens to make Sasha and Leah enemies. Can they find a way to resolve their differences, putting them to the side and learn to accept each other’s viewpoints? Or is their long friendship finished for good?

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author

Kimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels. She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military. She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters. When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don’t want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

Book Trailer

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

November 10, 2020

Bones of the Redeemed Book Review

A pit of corpses. An ancient cult. A quest for redemption that could leave her dead

About Bones of the Redeemed

A pit of corpses. An ancient cult. A quest for redemption that could leave her dead… New Mexico, 1952. Archaeology grad student Ruby Delgado is plagued by guilt after losing her son. So when her latest excavation drops her down a sinkhole filled with suspiciously mutilated bodies, she’s driven to bring the murderer to justice. But when digging deeper brings her dangerously close to a sinister religious sect, she could be their next sacrifice… Discovering some of the victims were crucified, Ruby pushes hard to give the evidence to the authorities. But when her trail crosses the path of a beaten man left for dead in the desert, she realizes she may be the only person who can save the community. Can Ruby stop the sacrifices and slay her inner demons, or will hers be the next body laid to rest? Bones of the Redeemed is a hair-raising standalone Southwestern mystery. If you like complex heroines, cult conflict, and hard-won redemption, then you’ll love Kari Bovee’s grisly tale.

My Thoughts

Bones of the Redeemed is a thrilling adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat as we watch Ruby uncover deadly secrets in a remote, religious community.

You will love Ruby’s character – she is a strong, confident, intelligent woman who will not take no for an answer. She stands by her beliefs and will not allow anyone to tell she cannot do what is right. She has had a difficult past, an event that almost destroyed her (the death of her son) and we watch as she struggles to move forward. She has a passion and skill in the field of archaeology that others are quite jealous of. It is this passion and skill that assists her as she uncovers murders, a religious sect and works to uncover the identity of the murderer (or murderers?) all while trying to keep herself alive.

I loved every moment of this fast paced novel. The plot was unique, and kept me on the edge of my seat as I never knew what to expect next. You could never quite tell who was a friend or who was an enemy. There were many intricate layers to the community, their religious beliefs, religious members and questions surrounding the murders and timelines. Her skills are constantly put to the test and I loved watching her work through the situations she found herself in. Bones of the Redeemed is a definite must read novel.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

When she’s not on a horse, or walking along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovee is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters both real and imagined, and helping them to find order in the chaos of her action-packed novels. Empowered women in history, horses, unconventional characters, and real-life historical events fill the pages of Kari Bovée’s articles and historical mystery musings and manuscripts. An award-winning author, Bovée was honored with the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards Hillerman Award for Southwestern Fiction for her novel Girl with a Gun. The novel also received First Place in the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards in the Mystery/Crime category, and is a Finalist in the 2019 International Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Awards and the International Chanticleer Goethe Awards, as well as the Next Generation Indie Awards. Her novel Grace in the Wings is a Finalist for the 2019 International Chanticleer Chatelaine Awards and the International Chanticleer Goethe Awards. Her novel Peccadillo at the Palace is a Finalist in the 2019 International Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Awards and the 2019 International Goethe Awards, as well as a Finalist in the 2019 Best Book Awards Historical Fiction category. Bovée has worked as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, has written non-fiction for magazines and newsletters, and has worked in the education field as a teacher and educational consultant. She and her husband, Kevin, spend their time between their horse property in the beautiful Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, and their condo on the sunny shores of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

November 5, 2020

Braidy Von Althuis and the Final Fight (Book 5)

“Your husband willingly signed over his life to Azra. Boris owes Azra his life and services. There’s nothing more to it than that.”

About Braidy Von Althuis and the Final Fight (Book 5)

Braidy von Althuis is going to get his father back, no matter the consequences. Mr. von Althuis has been abducted by Azra, Queen of Djinn, and the family is in shambles. Half of the von Althuises no longer have their magick, and an army of djinn awaits them at Azra’s gates. Somehow, despite all of the odds, Mrs. von Althuis, Uncle Rolo, Aunt Liz, Blockhead, and Braidy have to band together to retrieve Braidy’s father from the clutches of certain doom. Even though they hate each other, Braidy is determined to pull the fae and djinn together to fight against Azra’s tyranny. He will have to work with old friends, and old enemies, to finally end the war between djinn and fae that has come to a nasty head. Will Braidy be able to unite an army at his back and save his father, or will Mr. von Althuis belong to Azra forever? Braidy von Althuis and the Final Fight is a story about working past differences, justice, and morality.

My Thoughts

I loved Braidy von Althuis and the Final Fight. I found it exciting, full of adventure and risk but not too fast paced that you became overwhelmed. The characters were well developed and you felt a strong connection to them in this installment.

In this novel, Braidy brings together his family in order to save his Father. His father had been abducted by Azra in book four (learn more about this book here) and Braidy will do anything to help him but is he ready for what this may mean? He is tasked with bringing together groups of individuals that have a long history of mistrust and dislike to work together for the greater good. Can he encourage the groups to look past their differences, their hate and work together for justice? Or will he lose everything that he loves?

This was an exciting, adventurous novel that I could not put down. I really loved how Braidy’s character developed in this story – you can see what a strong, good, kind hearted individual he has, it shines through in this story. He is the voice of reason in a sea of adult voices that do not seem to listen to reason at all! I found this novel easier to read than book four without knowing the full history of the characters and the previous plots, so I definitely believe it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Young adults will love the characters and the plot. They will be able to relate to Braidy and the struggles that he faces in this novel. Parents will love the important lessons this novel brings with it. A definite win-win for everyone.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

Book Trailer

About the Author

I’m Cassidy, and I love storytelling! I’m incredibly passionate about writing, art, and anything that allows me to create my own worlds. My goal is to write dreamy fiction for all ages that is unique, inspiring, and imaginative. I want my books to instill wonderment in the reader. I like to write about themes that include coming of age, magic realism, identity, relationships, and bullying. My books are intended for readers ages eight to twenty-five, and are meant to connect the world of the fantastical to everyday life. I currently live in Colorado and just got my MA in Publishing!

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

October 13, 2020

In the Nick of Time Book Review

A timely tale about a little brown boy who saves Christmas.

About In the Nick of Time

Nick Saint never really put a lot of thought into his name until one snowy day in December when he accidentally receives a letter meant for Saint Nick. Realizing there is not much time left until Christmas, Nick opens the letter. The unexpected message inside ultimately leads him on a journey of understanding poverty, gratitude, and service to others while discovering the real meaning of the holiday spirit.

Our Thoughts

In the Nick of Time is a beautiful reminder of the importance of Christmas, of helping others, not judging a book by their cover and how we can all make a difference in the lives of others regardless of our age. The book starts off with a special message from Deedee to her son. Deedee had found that too often, so many young children of colour do not see themselves in the stories they read (especially around holidays), and she hopes that this book shows them that they too can be a leader, and save Christmas.

Nick is very much your typical young child – loves his video games and gives very honest answers (I love his Mom’s response to his usage of the word stupid – one of my least favourite words too!). The mailman accidentally drops off a letter meant for Saint Nick (not him, Nick Saint) and this sets him off on a special journey of kindness and understanding. Nick realizes that we don’t always know what is going on in someone else’s life. From the outside, their life may look perfect, they may not look like they are struggling or living in fear of not being able to provide for their family. But as Nick learns, we should never judge a book by their cover and the importance of helping others. Nick goes above and beyond for those in his school as they lead a drive to collect food, toys and even host a job fair.

There are so many important lessons for young children in this book delivered in a way that they can understand. Children can find it hard sometimes to understand that others may not have as much as them or take for granted what they have (not on purpose but just due to their age). I loved how his Mother encouraged him and guided him but ultimately, he made some very important decisions on his own. I loved how Deedee shared the importance of having a young brown male character as the lead and hero in this story. This is an excellent holiday (and year round) story for young children.

Book Trailer

About the Author

Deirdre “Deedee” Cummings believes literacy is a fundamental human right. She is the founder of Make A Way Media, It Pays to Read & the Louisville Book Festival, as well as, an attorney, therapist, and CEO of Abi Behavioral Health in Louisville, Kentucky. Abi is an intensive therapy agency that works to prevent the placement of children in out of home care, such as foster care, hospitalization, and incarceration. Deedee attended Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, one of only two all-female Historically Black Colleges in the country. After graduating from Bennett, she earned a master’s degree and a law degree from the University of Louisville. All of her writing focuses on sharing inspiring messages that remind us all it is never too late to begin again. Deedee encourages the children she works with to write as a way to process emotions, document their journey, and express themselves more clearly. In addition to presenting on multiple topics around the country, Deedee donates hundreds of books and volunteer hours every year to families, children, churches and the local school system. She is excited to announce the launch of her tenth children’s book, This is the Earth. The inspiration for this book came from overwhelming negative media coverage about race relations in our country and across the world. This is the Earth is a book about peace, respect, and diversity inclusion: a message that must be heard and repeated often. She and her husband Anthony live in Louisville with their three children Kayla (an actress in New York), Anthony (a college student and athlete), and Nick (in elementary school).

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

September 11, 2020

Minute Zero (Stronghold Book 1) Spotlight Tour

When the world ends in a heartbeat, suddenly old secrets don’t matter anymore. But new ones still do, and protecting the ones you love is the only thing that still remains.

About Minute Zero

Two sisters, one a trendy caterer on the run from a vicious killer, the other a country midwife. Because of a simple mistake, Lori Dovner must flee from the vicious mafioso Raoul Saldata, and her life goes from routine day to terrifying journey in a single moment. On the road with her two children, her only goal is to get to her sister’s Montana farm alive. But both Lori and Louise have been hiding a devastating secret for years.

Two brothers, one a Navy Seal on leave, the other a good man who wants to do right by his family. Captain Deacon Hale is taking two weeks to help his brother Roger and his wife Louise on their remote Montana farm. He loved Lori once, but has finally put her behind him. Roger Hale just wants to give his pregnant wife and two young children a good life. He has no idea about the betrayals that have been hidden from him.

Dangerous Identity.

Angela Jones is an FBI agent with a terrible debt that she knows she will someday have to pay. And when Raoul Saldata calls in that marker she has no choice but to comply.

Evil Incarnate.

Raoul Saldata as a child in Albania, would pretend he was a dhampir, the offspring resulting from the mating between a human female and a vampire. A myth of course, but the evil Saldata practices is anything but. And when he finds Lori Dovner, he intends to do a lot more than just kill her.

MINUTE ZERO (Stronghold: Book One) is an apocalyptic EMP thriller (with a touch of romance) about an ordinary family struggling to stay safe and find each other in the face of insurmountable odds, an abysmal loss of life and the dawn of a new, post-apocalyptic dark age.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

About the Author

Could it happen? Would you survive?

Chris Jayne is author of the apocalyptic EMP series “Stronghold.”

Jayne is also the penname of a USA Today bestselling romance and thriller author who is has started asking “what if?” What if the lights go off? What if the food supply chain just… stops? The world could become an unfriendly place in a hurry.

Three years ago, Chris began exploring the “prepper” lifestyle, and hopes that if TEOTWAWKI would actually happen, she would be in a position to protect her family and loved ones.

She now spends her days splitting her time between her romance writing and her apocalyptic and dystopian fiction novels. Because what’s more fun than imagining the end of the world from the comfort of your couch? And if the end of the world has a few sexy Navy Seals in it? All the better!

She loves writing stories exploring how ordinary people cope with extraordinary circumstances, especially situations where the normal comforts, conveniences, and rules are stripped away.

You can connect with her on her website.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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