Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Book Review with Featured Author: I Was Called Barabbas by M.D. House

I was Called Barabbas by M.D. House

 


 

Publisher & Release: Self-Published, September 25,2019


Time and setting:  Ancient Times, The Holy Land


Genre: Christian Historical Fiction


Length: 221 Pages


Rating: 5 Gold Crowns


Book Description: 


We know precious little of the man called Barabbas, a contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth. He is variously described in the historical record as thief, murderer, rebel, and notable Roman prisoner. His release by the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate was part of the supernal plan for the Christ to offer himself as the ultimate blood sacrifice, but it’s doubtful Barabbas understood any of that at the time.

Many have wondered what became of him, or rather, who he became after that fateful day. Someday we will know the answer, but in the meantime we can imagine that, like all of us, he too sought a path of personal redemption, imperfectly.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Was-Called-Barabbas-M-D-House-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-was-called-barabbas-md-house

 

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52540741-i-was-called-barabbas

 


Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the author for the complimentary copy of I Was Called Barabbas by M.D. House. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

 

I Was Called Barabbas is novel about  the thief and murderer Pontius Pilate released instead of Jesus Christ. This is a fictional depiction and is not based on Barabbas’ life. I found the story fascinating, and the pacing pulled me in from the beginning and kept me enmeshed until the end.

 

Barabbas is a Jew who lived in Jesus’ time. After he’s released, he flees and roams place to place until he finally returns to his home. He weds the young woman he loves and uses his skills as  tent maker to support his family. His wife is part of the people who believe Jesus is the son of God and that he died and rose from the dead. She is part of the community who follow the apostles of Jesus.

 

Barabbas has a belief system, but he is sure he can never be forgiven for his sins. He longs for the peace his wife has, but knows he can never have it. As the story progresses, he helps the Christians several times. This is a story of redemption and conversion. 

 

If you enjoy Christian Historical fiction with an amazing conversion story and characters who will touch your soul, then you will love I Was Called Barabbas as much as I did. I’m so glad I agreed to read this incredible novel. Happy reading! 

 

Author Bio:

 


MICHAEL HOUSE is the author of I Was Called Barabbas and Patriot StarBefore beginning his second career as a writer, he worked for twenty-five years in the world of corporate finance, strategic planning, and business development. Now, Michael lives in Utah with his wife, where he spends his time writing and enjoying his children and grandchildren. Learn more about Michael and his work at www.mdhouselive.com.

 

PRAISE:

 

“A very interesting and fun read. Mr. House must have done a lot of research into the politics and history of the day to really make you feel like you were living at the time. Loved the character background and growth of the man we know very little about. The story really pulled me in and kept me guessing what would happen next. I’m already looking forward to the sequel!” 

 

-       Charles Whittington, Amazon reviewer

 

The author has narrated a heart-wrenching tale of Barabbas rather beautifully. We are walking beside him throughout the story. His life was unpredictable, but it is what keeps him moving. I'm eagerly waiting for the next part.

 

-       Amina Thajudeen, Goodreads reviewer

 

A fascinating look into what the life of Barabbas, released in the place of Jesus, might have been like.

 

-       Lisa Henson, Reedsy Discovery reviewer


Social Media:

Website: www.mdhouselive.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LiteraryThunder

Twitter: www.twitter.com/real_housemd

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6159412.M_D_House

 

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Book Review with featured Author: Mistletoe Movie Star by Stacey Weeks

Mistletoe Movie Star by Stacey Weeks

 

 


Publisher & Release: White Rose Publishing, December 1, 2020


Time and setting:  Present Day, Mistletoe Meadows


Genre: Contemporary Romance


Length: 83 Pages


Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart


Rating: 5 Gold Crowns


Book Description: 


Mistletoe Meadows is built around the magic of Christmas. As jingling sleighs cart rosy-cheeked lovers around the Mistletoe Mile, Charlene's holiday dream is more complicated than photo-edited perfection. She proposes a compassion ministry initiative called the Gingerbread House but struggles to convince the town that their need for a homeless shelter is real.

Famous for his made for T.V holiday movies, Jonas longs for a happily-ever-after that isn't as neat and tidy as his scripted films. Partnering with Char to champion her ministry invigorates him with a new purpose and provides an excuse to spend time with the girl he never forgot. But when they embrace three young sisters fighting to stay together while living on the streets, their project becomes deeply personal.

Together, they must prove to a town reluctant to see anything other than holiday perfection that the greatest gift of the season isn't found under a tree.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Movie-Christmas-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mistletoe-movie-star-stacey-weeks

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mistletoe-movie-star

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacey_Weeks_Mistletoe_Movie_Star

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55850516-mistletoe-movie-star

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/mistletoe-movie-star-christmas-holiday-extravaganza-by-stacey-weeks

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Mistletoe Movie Star by Stacey Weeks. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book, and my opinions are my own. No one has influenced them in any way.

 

Mistletoe Movie Star is a heartwarming Christmas tale with endearing characters and a great Christian message, along with a great plot. The pacing pulled me into the story from the first page to the last. From the community who unite for the good of their town, to the three homeless girls, the secondary characters added greatly to my overall enjoyment. 

 

Charlene’s character had me from the first page. My heart melted when she has a litter of abandoned kittens in her vehicle that has landed in a ditch. She’s a veterinarian of all animals, big or small, and her heart is as wide as the ocean. She takes in three abandoned young girls when she learns they’re living on their own. She’s a character that will steal one’s heart.

 

Jonas Blade is the hunky hero with a sweet side that pulled me into the story right away. He’s made his name as a movie star of heartfelt Christmas stories. He’s arrived in Mistletoe Meadow to handle the estate of his grandfather, and when he discovers the woman he helped his first night in town, was no other than his Char from his youth.

 

The romance between Char and Jonas is sweet and wholesome. They know each other from their school days, and were best friends who grew apart since neither of them lived in Mistletoe Meadows. Each visited family each summer. When they meet again, the affinity they had in their youth is as strong as it was back then. I truly wanted them to find a way to be together.

 

If you enjoy Christmas inspirational romances with a great cast of characters, and a plot that will touch your heart, then you will love Mistletoe Movie Star as much as I did. I’ve already downloaded the first two books in this series and can’t wait to read them. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 


Stacey Weeks is the multi-award-winning author of Glorious Surrender (2016), inspirational romances The Builder's Reluctant Bride (2016), Mistletoe Melody (2018), and inspirational romantic suspense novels In Too Deep (2017), and Fatal Homecoming (2019). Stacey lives in Ontario where she speaks at women's conferences, teaches writing and bible study workshops, and writes about the things of the Lord. www.staceyweeks.com

 

Social Media:

Website: http://www.staceyweeks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writerSWeeks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerSWeeks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writersweeks/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/stacey-weeks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15244157.Stacey_Weeks

 

 

Monday, December 7, 2020

Book Review with featured Author: Chasing the Duke by Tracy Sumner

Chasing the Duke by Tracy Sumner

 


Publisher & Release: Self-Published, December 7, 2020


Time and setting: Regency England


Genre: Historical Romance


Length: 118 Pages


Heat Level: 1 Flame


Rating: 4 Gold Crowns


Book Description: 


She’s not chasing a duke ever again.

*Second chance
*Best friend's little sister
*Girl who has loved him forever
*Duke who is just figuring it out...

With her final season in the ton a surprising success, Lady Camille Bellington retires to her family’s Yorkshire estate for Christmas with a marriage proposal in hand. Beautiful and charming, but too independent for society, Camille has given up on the hope to marry for love. So she will marry for duty. The man of her childhood dreams hasn’t been home in three years, even to secure his dukedom, and her heart went with him. 

His best friend's little sister is lost to him…


War hero Tristan Tierney, Duke of Mercer, returns to his ancestral home for the holidays to find himself burdened with a title and the woman he left behind betrothed to another. As he’s only seen death and destruction for years, he’s come to believe true love is a myth. His aloof demeanor veils his deepest unspoken desire, to possess Camille Bellington.

Childhood friendship gives way to something altogether more dangerous as two people give love a second chance.

If you like mischievous heroines and devilish dukes with a splash of Regency splendor thrown in, then you’ll adore Chasing the Duke.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Chasing-Duke-Seventh-Christmas-Days-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-the-duke-tracy-sumner

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/chasing-the-duke-seventh-day-of-christmas

Google Play: 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52377610-chasing-the-duke

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/chasing-the-duke-by-tracy-sumner

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the author and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Chasing the Duke by Tracy Sumner. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

 

Chasing the Duke is a delightful Regency romance with engaging characters and a light-hearted plot set during the twelve days of Christmas. The pacing kept me enmeshed throughout the novella, and this is definitely a short one, but since the heroine has been infatuated with the hero from childhood, it isn’t an insta-love romance.

 

Lady Camille is the heroine, and she is a strong-willed young woman determined to succeed as a botanist, an unusual career choice in the Regency period. I enjoyed her character for the most part, and her loyalty to her family is admirable.

 

Tristan, Duke of Mercer is an amazing hero, and I quickly became vested with his character. He’s a tortured soul, recently returned from war with nightmares of what he’d seen and experienced. He believes he is unfit to become any woman’s husband. This type of hero is my favorite!

 

The romance simmers in the first part of the tale, but once it ignites into full flames, it is combustible. The sexual scenes will appeal to anyone who enjoys steamy romance. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending, and I loved how the hero follows our lovely heroine, determined to earn her love.

 

If you enjoy Regency romances with plenty of spice, and an intriguing plot, then you will love Chasing the Duke as much as I did. This is the first novel I have read by Ms. Sumner, and I will be looking for more. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 


Award-winning author Tracy Sumner's storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She's a recipient of the National Reader's Choice, and her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before finding her way back to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!

 

Social Media:

Website: https://www.tracy-sumner.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tracysumnerauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sumnertrac

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracysumnerromance/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tracy-sumner

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5259839.Tracy_Sumner

 

 

Book Review with featured author: A Gift for Christmas by Julia Cassandra

A Gift for Christmas by Julia Cassandra

 


 

Publisher & Release: Self Published, December 1, 2020


Time and setting:  Regency England


Genre: Historical Romance


Length: 120 Pages


Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart


Rating: 5 Gold Crowns


Book Description: 


Well born Cora Jameson has a secret. Cast out of her family home at eighteen, pregnant and alone, she's been forced through hard work and determination to find a position to support herself. After five years of working her way up the social ladder she fell down, she's comfortable, employed, and content.


Until Simon returns.


Simon Bristley, Lord Craven, lost everything dear to him at Waterloo. Wounded, struck dumb by cannon, and understanding his one true love had wed another, he returns to England with a hero's welcome and throws himself into work. 


Until he finds Cora once again. 


Now, these two lost lovers must sail a tide of misunderstanding and lies that have kept them apart for six long years.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Gift-Christmas-Novella-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gift-for-christmas-julia-cassandra

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-gift-for-christmas

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56059067-a-gift-for-christmas

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-gift-for-christmas-a-christmas-novella-by-julia-cassandra

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the author for sending me a complimentary copy of A Gift for Christmas by Julia Cassandra. I have voluntarily agreed to read and review this novel. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

 

A Gift for Christmas is a lovely Christmas tale with endearing characters, and a heartwarming plot with plenty of emotion. This novel deals with several issues that were not viewed in a favorable light during the Regency period. Ms. Cassandra handles these issues with a great deal of sensitivity. Her novel also has an excellent sense of the Regency period.

 

Cora Jameson is the heroine, and I quickly became enmeshed with her character. Her determination to give her daughter the best life possible is admirable. When she meets the hero, she is overcome with several emotions, and my heart went out to her. 

 

Simon Bristley, Lord Craven is the hero, and I enjoyed his character a great deal. He comes across as an honorable man, and he’s suffered from memory loss, PTSD and a variety of other maladies pertaining to his war experiences. My heart ached for him when he discovers the betrayal of his father.

 

The romance between Simon and Cora is lovely, and filled with a great deal of emotion. Both characters are confused and hurt because they don’t have all the facts. The chemistry between them is strong and the passion only grows stronger as the story progresses. I truly wanted them to find their way to each other.

 

If you enjoy Christmas romances with characters that will touch your heart, especially Cora’s daughter, then you will love A Gift for Christmas as much as I did. Ms. Cassandra has a great deal of talent, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Julia Cassandra is a life-long lover of reading, and has enjoyed her favourite genre - Historical Romance - since she first stole a book from her mother's shelf to read at aged twelve. Many, many years later she finally has put all of that... research... to good use. Her premiere novel - Healing Words fulfils a dream of joining the ranks of all of her favourite authors. Look soon for her Christmas novella, and Book 2 of the 'Bent But Not Broken' series.

 

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julia.cassandra.927758

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JCassandraBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliacassandrabooks/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56059067-a-gift-for-christmas

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julia-cassandra

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Cassandra/e/B08GYKH3KK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/a-gift-for-christmas

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gift-for-christmas-julia-cassandra/1138360608?ean=2940163083299

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Book Review with featured author: The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman

The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman

 

 


Publisher & Release: St. Martin’s Paperbacks, December 29, 2020


Time and setting:  Regency England


Genre: Historical Romance


Length: 304 Pages


Heat Level: 1 Flame


Rating: 4 Gold Crowns


Book Description: 


A princess in disguise is forced to live with a rogue in order to protect her from danger in this fun, sexy regency romance from Kate Bateman.

In The Princess and the Rogue, Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, doesn’t believe in love—until a passionate kiss with a beautiful stranger in a brothel forces him to reconsider. When the mysterious woman is linked to an intrigue involving a missing Russian princess, however, Seb realizes her air of innocence was too good to be true.

Princess Anastasia Denisova has been hiding in London as plain ‘Anna Brown’. With a dangerous traitor hot on her trail, her best option is to accept Wolff’s offer of protection—and accommodation—at his gambling hell. But living in such close quarters, and aiding Wolff in his Bow Street cases, fans the flames of their mutual attraction. If Anya’s true identity is revealed, does their romance stand a chance? Could a princess ever marry a rogue?

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Princess-Rogue-Street-Bachelors-Novel-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-princess-and-the-rogue-kate-bateman

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-princess-and-the-rogue-2

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kate_Bateman_The_Princess_and_the_Rogue

 

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53921970-the-princess-and-the-rogue

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-princess-and-the-rogue-by-kate-bateman

 

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for a complimentary copy of The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman. I have read and reviewed this book prior to publications. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

 

The Princess and the Rogue is a well-written Regency novel with engaging characters and a action-packed plot. From the first exciting scene, the pacing pulled me in and held my attention until the end. 

 

Anya, AKA Anne Brown’s character has several facets with personality traits I most enjoy in a romance. Her determination to survive under extremely difficult conditions impressed me. Her loyalty to her friend is also impressive. I ached for her pain of losing her family, and her fear she would be pushed into marriage.

 

Sebastian Wolff is a great hero with the characteristic I most love. He’s dashing, gorgeous and brave. His need to protect the heroine touched my heart. His loss of his hearing during the Battle of Waterloo adds a deeper level to his personality.

 

The romance between Anya and Seb bursts to life from the first meeting, even though neither wants of them desires it. They both fight it, but the overwhelming passion cannot be denied. I wanted them to find their happy ending.

 

If you enjoy Regency romance set in the glittering ballrooms of London, and with characters that will intrigue, then you will love The Princess and the Rogue as much as I did. Although this novel is part of a series, I had no problems reading it without having read the first two. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 


Kate Bateman, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is the #1 bestselling author of Regency, Victorian, and Renaissance historical romances. All her books feature her favorite feisty, intelligent heroines, (badasses in bodices!) wickedly inappropriate banter, and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss...

Her Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, was a 2019 RITA® Finalist for Historical Romance. 

Kate wrote her first historical romance in response to a $1 bet with her husband who rashly claimed she'd 'never finish the thing.' She gleefully proved him wrong. When not traveling to exotic locations 'for research', she leads a not-so-secret double life as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK, each of which has up to 2.5 million viewers. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England, and writes despite three inexhaustible children /monsters and a number-loving husband who still owes her that dollar.

 

Social Media:

Website: https://www.kcbateman.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcbatemanauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebateman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kc_bateman/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kcbateman1/_saved/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-bateman-d2c2c72e-b329-4ed9-afa8-dbe5b9a2291c

Goodreads: https://smile.amazon.com/Kate-Bateman/e/B07XBTRNBT?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000