Welcome to Book Lovers Paradise

Welcome to my attempt at blogging. I am a true to heart bibliophile. Here I will discuss and review books as I read them. You are welcome to do the same. The only rules are no profanity, no politics, no religion, and have fun!
Donna

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Avelynn's story continues....

02_The Edge of Faith

Avelynn: The Edge of Faith by Marissa Campbell

Publication Date: September 26, 2016 eBook; 302 Pages ASIN: B01KUC6N9Y Genre: Historical

Romance/Medieval Series: Avelynn (Book Two)


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     Avelynn: The Edge of Faith, a stand-alone Viking Romance from author Marissa Campbell. It's the year 871. Charges of treason, murder, and witchcraft follow Avelynn into exile as she flees England with Alrik. Arriving in Wales, they find refuge among Alrik's friends in the Welsh nobility. Cast out by his half-brothers, Alrik seeks to regain his honor and earn favor with the gods. When war threatens, Alrik embraces gold and the opportunity for his crew to become mercenaries, aiding the Southern Welsh kings in their fight against Rhodri the Great. Desperate to return home, Avelynn seeks to find a way to prove her innocence, but she is pitted against Alrik as their desires for the future clash. With battle looming, Avelynn's faith in their relationship is further tested through a bitter struggle with Marared, a jealous lover from Alrik's past. Marared's threats turn deadly, and Avelynn runs afoul of magic and sorcery, causing her to question her beliefs and role as priestess. When Avelynn and Alrik are betrayed, Avelynn is captured and Alrik is charged with regicide. The two become separated, a chasm of greed, deceit, and ambition driving them apart. In an act of harrowing faith, Avelynn will stop at nothing to find her way back to Alrik and break them both free from Wales's bloodthirsty grasp. AVELYNN: THE EDGE OF FAITH is a stand-alone novel and #2 in the Avelynn series




my thoughts:

     I love the characters in AVELYNN, THE EDGE OF FAITH.  Avelynn has grown into an amazing woman. I love her spunk and her take charge attitude.  I love reading books about strong women.  
As a reader I was captivated by the story of Alrik and Avelynn. I loved the manner in which Marissa Campbell combined the historical aspects of pagan religion and the new Christianity faith. This is a book full of twists and turns. There are obvious villains, characters I, as the reader, wanted to see destroyed.  

The book has a fulfilling end, but leaves enough open for a third installment.  I reread the first book prior to reading THE EDGE OF FAITH.  While this is a wonderful book on it's own, you will understand more if you read the books in order. I enjoyed Marissa Campbell's writing style and look forward to the next book.









Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble (Nook) | Kobo

About the Author

Marissa Campbell is a published freelance author, and co-author of the award-winning, spiritual self-help book Life: Living in Fulfillment Every Day. Her debut historical fiction AVELYNN, was published through St. Martin’s Press, September 2015. Look for the second book in the AVELYNN series, releasing Fall 2016. She is a proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Romance Writers of America, Writer’s Community of Durham Region, and local critique group B7. When she is not writing, she is busy looking after her wonderful children, spending time with her fantastic husband, hanging out with her awesome friends, teaching yoga, dancing, laughing, and having fun! For more information visit http://marissacampbell.com. You can also follow Marissa Campbell on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 26 Review & Excerpt at Oh, for the Hook of a Book! Tuesday, September 27 Review at Just One More Chapter Excerpt at What Is That Book About Wednesday, September 28 Excerpt at The Never-Ending Book Spotlight at A Literary Vacation Thursday, September 29 Review at A Chick Who Reads Review & Excerpt at The Silver Dagger Scriptorium Friday, September 30 Excerpt at Diana's Book Reviews Monday, October 3 Review at Curling up by the Fire Tuesday, October 4 Review at Book Lovers Paradise Wednesday, October 5 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Thursday, October 6 Excerpt at Let Them Read Books Friday, October 7 Spotlight at The Reading Queen Sunday, October 9 Review at 100 Pages a Day Tuesday, October 11 Spotlight at Books, Dreams, Life Wednesday, October 12 Review at Kristin Un-Ravelle'd Thursday, October 13 Review at Broken Teepee Friday, October 14 Spotlight at The Book Tree Tuesday, October 18 Review at Book Nerd Wednesday, October 19 Spotlight at Susan Heim on Writing Friday, October 21 Review at CelticLady's Reviews Excerpt at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

To win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Avelynn: The Edge of Faith eBook, please enter via the Gleam form below. 1 gift card and 5 eBooks are up for grabs! Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 21st. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open Internationally. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Avelynn: The Edge of Faith


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Thursday, September 29, 2016

Love's Prayer by Melissa Storm


Love's Prayer by Melissa Storm
The First Street Church Romance, Book One
Genre: Inspirational Romance


BUY THE BOOK:



ABOUT THE BOOK:  

From acclaimed author Melissa Storm comes the first in a brand-new series of sweet and wholesome small-town love stories with the community church at its center…

Summer Smith is at a crossroads in life. Fresh out of college with no idea what comes next, she agrees to take over her aunt’s flower shop for the season. She arrives in the small, close-knit community of Sweet Grove, Texas, hoping to find some answers.
Ben Davis has lived in the shadow of his family’s mistakes for years. Forced to give up everything he ever wanted for himself, he begins to consider taking his own life in a final effort to end all the pain. A desperate plea sent to the God he isn’t even sure he believes in is soon answered by a series of miracles that bring Summer and Ben crashing into each other.

Love’s Prayer offers a dramatic story about two people who must find a way to believe in each other and in themselves in order to finally find the place where they belong. This novel of finding faith, hope, and—ultimately—love in the darkest of times is sure to tug at your heartstrings and leave you craving more from the First Street Church Romances!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Melissa Storm is a mother first, and everything else second. She used to write under a pseudonym, but finally had the confidence to come out as herself to the world. Her fiction is highly personal and often based on true stories. Writing is Melissa’s way of showing her daughter just how beautiful life can be, when you pay attention to the everyday wonders that surround us.

Melissa loves books so much, she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. Melissa and Falcon also run the business Novel Publicity together, where she works as publisher, marketer, editor, and all-around business mogul. When she’s not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at home in the company of her two dogs, five parrots, and rescue cat. She never misses an episode of The Bachelor or her nightly lavender-infused soak in the tub.


Presented by:


Thief in the Myst by Ben Hale


Thief in the Myst by Ben Hale
The Master Thief (Book 2)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jack Myst infiltrated the Thieves Guild to avenge his mother’s murder, but never expected to find a home. Now a master thief, he grapples with his new identity as he unravels the secrets of the fallen Guildmaster. The trail of questions will lead to a shocking truth, that his foe is a remnant of an ancient race, the very devil of Lumineia.

Skorn.
Seething with hatred and cast out by the thieves, Skorn is not without allies. Forcing an assassin into service, he journeys to the forgotten fortress of Margauth, where a cult worships him as a god. With such an army at his command he seeks a return to power, and two keys that unlock a legendary vault.

The Vault of the Eternals.

BUY THE BOOK


Free with Kindle Unlimited


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


 As an avid snowboarder from Utah, Ben grew up with a passion for learning. This thirst for knowledge led him to sports, music, and academic endeavors. After a year of college, he did volunteer work in Brazil and became fluent in three languages. Graduating from the University of Central Florida, he started and ran several successful businesses before publishing his first novel in June of 2012. By the end of the year he’d sold almost ten thousand copies of The Second Draeken War, and he began writing full-time. Now spanning 10,000 years, ten titles, and two series, The Chronicles of Lumineia represents a sprawling YA series that has sold over 100,000 copies, and continues to expand its readership across all ages. Each of his books has been inspired by his wonderful wife and five beautiful children.
      To contact the author, discover more about Lumineia, or find out about upcoming novels, feel free to contact Ben via his contact page. He loves to hear from readers and writers, and welcomes feedback.


The Master Thief (Book 1)
Amazon:  http://amzn.to/29vYVJr 

Free with Kindle Unlimited


Presented by:


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

THE BEAUTY SHOP cover REVEAL, featuring Suzy Henderson

Hello and welcome! Today, I’m thrilled to finally reveal the cover of my upcoming novel, The Beauty Shop. As the novel is set during the dark days of World War Two, the title might appear to be rather unusual. The beauty shop was a nickname for a ward at a small hospital in East Grinstead, a market town in southern England, where a maverick New Zealand plastic surgeon cared for severely burned airmen. Such was the humour of the men there that one airman said to a visitor one day, “Stick around here long enough, miss and they’ll whip a piece off you and stick it on one of us.” This was no ordinary hospital ward. There was beer for one thing, and pretty girls for nurses, music all day long and dancing. The air that flowed here drifted through smiles, laughter, love, and loss. And when surgeon Archie McIndoe spoke to each man, his eyes shone with such radiance, and his words sang with such confidence and compassion, instilling each man with fresh hope. Based on a true story, via three interlocking experiences of WWII, The Beauty Shop explores the nature of good looks, social acceptance and the true meaning of ‘skin deep’.

02_the-beauty-shop_cover

The Beauty Shop by Suzy Henderson

Publication Date: November 2016 eBook & Paperback; 350 Pages Genre: Historical Romance England, 1942. After three years of WWII, Britain is showing the scars. But in this darkest of days, three lives intertwine, changing their destinies and those of many more. Dr Archibald McIndoe, a New Zealand plastic surgeon with unorthodox methods, is on a mission to treat and rehabilitate badly burned airmen – their bodies and souls. With the camaraderie and support of the Guinea Pig Club, his boys battle to overcome disfigurement, pain, and prejudice to learn to live again. John ‘Mac’ Mackenzie of the US Air Force is aware of the odds. He has one chance in five of surviving the war. Flying bombing missions through hell and back, he’s fighting more than the Luftwaffe. Fear and doubt stalk him on the ground and in the air, and he’s torn between his duty and his conscience. Shy, decent and sensible, Stella Charlton’s future seems certain until war breaks out. As a new recruit to the WAAF, she meets an American pilot on New Year’s Eve. After just one dance, she falls head over heels for the handsome airman. But when he survives a crash, she realises her own battle has only just begun. Based on a true story, The Beauty Shop is a moving tale of love, compassion, and determination against a backdrop of wartime tragedy.

About the Author03_suzy-henderson

Suzy Henderson lives with her husband and two sons in Cumbria, England, on the edge of the beautiful Lake District, a rich and inspiring landscape of mountains, fells, and lakes. She never set out to be a writer, although she has always been a voracious reader. Some years ago after leaving an established career in healthcare, Suzy began to research family history, soon becoming fascinated with both World War periods. After completing a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, she took a walk along a new path, writing from the heart. She writes historical fiction and has an obsession with military and aviation history. Other interests include music, old movies, and photography – especially if WW2 aircraft are on the radar. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society. Her debut novel, The Beauty Shop, is to be released in November 2016. For more information, please visit Suzy Henderson's website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Suzy also blogs at https://suzyhenderson.wordpress.com and http://lowfellwritersplace.blogspot.co.uk.

Cover Reveal Hosts

100 Pages a Day A Book Geek Beth's Book Nook Blog Book Lovers Paradise Book Nerd Passages to the Past The Lit Bitch The Maiden's Court The True Book Addict

04_the-beauty-shop_blog-tour-banner_final

THE BEAUTY SHOP cover REVEAL, featuring Suzy Henderson

Hello and welcome! Today, I’m thrilled to finally reveal the cover of my upcoming novel, The Beauty Shop. As the novel is set during the dark days of World War Two, the title might appear to be rather unusual. The beauty shop was a nickname for a ward at a small hospital in East Grinstead, a market town in southern England, where a maverick New Zealand plastic surgeon cared for severely burned airmen. Such was the humour of the men there that one airman said to a visitor one day, “Stick around here long enough, miss and they’ll whip a piece off you and stick it on one of us.” This was no ordinary hospital ward. There was beer for one thing, and pretty girls for nurses, music all day long and dancing. The air that flowed here drifted through smiles, laughter, love, and loss. And when surgeon Archie McIndoe spoke to each man, his eyes shone with such radiance, and his words sang with such confidence and compassion, instilling each man with fresh hope. Based on a true story, via three interlocking experiences of WWII, The Beauty Shop explores the nature of good looks, social acceptance and the true meaning of ‘skin deep’.

02_the-beauty-shop_cover

The Beauty Shop by Suzy Henderson

Publication Date: November 2016 eBook & Paperback; 350 Pages Genre: Historical Romance England, 1942. After three years of WWII, Britain is showing the scars. But in this darkest of days, three lives intertwine, changing their destinies and those of many more. Dr Archibald McIndoe, a New Zealand plastic surgeon with unorthodox methods, is on a mission to treat and rehabilitate badly burned airmen – their bodies and souls. With the camaraderie and support of the Guinea Pig Club, his boys battle to overcome disfigurement, pain, and prejudice to learn to live again. John ‘Mac’ Mackenzie of the US Air Force is aware of the odds. He has one chance in five of surviving the war. Flying bombing missions through hell and back, he’s fighting more than the Luftwaffe. Fear and doubt stalk him on the ground and in the air, and he’s torn between his duty and his conscience. Shy, decent and sensible, Stella Charlton’s future seems certain until war breaks out. As a new recruit to the WAAF, she meets an American pilot on New Year’s Eve. After just one dance, she falls head over heels for the handsome airman. But when he survives a crash, she realises her own battle has only just begun. Based on a true story, The Beauty Shop is a moving tale of love, compassion, and determination against a backdrop of wartime tragedy.

About the Author03_suzy-henderson

Suzy Henderson lives with her husband and two sons in Cumbria, England, on the edge of the beautiful Lake District, a rich and inspiring landscape of mountains, fells, and lakes. She never set out to be a writer, although she has always been a voracious reader. Some years ago after leaving an established career in healthcare, Suzy began to research family history, soon becoming fascinated with both World War periods. After completing a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, she took a walk along a new path, writing from the heart. She writes historical fiction and has an obsession with military and aviation history. Other interests include music, old movies, and photography – especially if WW2 aircraft are on the radar. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society. Her debut novel, The Beauty Shop, is to be released in November 2016. For more information, please visit Suzy Henderson's website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Suzy also blogs at https://suzyhenderson.wordpress.com and http://lowfellwritersplace.blogspot.co.uk.

Cover Reveal Hosts

100 Pages a Day A Book Geek Beth's Book Nook Blog Book Lovers Paradise Book Nerd Passages to the Past The Lit Bitch The Maiden's Court The True Book Addict

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