Saturday Shorts – Stranger Than Fiction @EmelleGamble

Posted on February 6, 2016 by fundinmental

The title and cover for Stranger Than Fiction by Emelle Gamble are attention getters. They drew me in and I could not resist.

I love covers and think this one tells me there is trouble on the horizon.

Cover: Tammy Seidick

What does it say to you?

MY REVIEW

Claire had the feeling something was wrong…and she was right.

Claire is a buyer at a publishing house. Mr Harrison, her boss, sent her to investigate an accusation that a book they were getting ready to publish had been stolen, printed under another name. The dreaded word…plagiarism has reared it’s ugly head.

Claire considered herself boring, but to me she was one of us. You know, we are not rich, nor are we famous. We are just the average Joe helping the world go round. We all have a life and living it is not always exciting or adventurous.

The mystery grows the more I read. I’m not sure which characters are good or bad. Emelle Gamble is not giving me many clues to help me either, but I did know who the killer was early on. That’s okay, it’s all about the journey for me.

Hmmm…could we have the beginnings of a romance? I think so. But, is the player being played? Their affection in the office almost made me burst out in laughter. Love it.

The suspense is there and I am afraid for Claire. My only complaint is that when the suspense built, the pacing would slow, interrupting the flow.

3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB: A Classic Tale of Romantic Suspense…Set in Manhattan and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island in 1993….

If books could kill…Plagiarism is an ugly word. And Tony Nichols keeps repeating it. Claire Kennedy is forced to consider that her bestselling, reclusive author might have stolen her latest mystery novel from one of Tony’s college students. Was Claire’s reputation, and the future of her employer, Cauldron Press, in jeopardy? Or is Tony masterminding a hoax?

The mystery takes a terrifying turn when these uneasy allies, who each realize they are more than a little attracted to one another, discover a corpse. Claire realizes that the truth behind The Poison Pen Pal’s creation not only threatens her career, but her life.

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Heartbreaking & Uplifting – Heaven Enough @KenLaSalle

Posted on February 5, 2016 by fundinmental

Heaven Enough by Ken La Salle is so different from the other books of his I have read, I wasn’t sure I would like it. I have read Wormfood Island, a zombie vacay horror story and Cookies: Sluts of the Snack World, an adult picture book that had me in stitches.

What a wonderful surprise. This lovely cover opens up to reveal an amazing story that lingers long after I close the pages.

MY REVIEW

The title for Heaven Enough and one of the opening lines of the blurb:

“What would it be like if I had heaven enough?

confused me in the beginning, but as I read on it all came together.

Matt Murphy’s wife had been run down by a speeding driver. The questions asked when the death of a loved one comes so unexpectedly, may bring to light things you never knew. We all have our secrets and when all of them are brought to light, we can wonder how well we really know someone.

Her brother, Neal, is a monk…but not that kind of monk. He kept saying that to Matt but would never explain further. Well, all kinds of warning signs went up for me and I took great satisfaction in being right. I saw what was in store for Matt and I guess he was too self involved to see it for himself. I love trying to figure things out before the author gets me there.

It’s funny, not funny ha ha, but ironic that a chance encounter could have such a life changing effect. Would you reinvent yourself if the opportunity arose?

When you read Heaven Enough, you will be walking “a mile” in Matt’s shoes. Sometimes I wanted to smack him upside the head and tell him to man up and get over it, but his journey of guilt and regret turns into a chance to grow and realize the important things in life.

I like that the story was not lose a wife, meet someone new, and live happy every after. He struggles to make it through the day, and he is not the only one.

I probably would never have read this, except I love Ken La Salle’s writing and would give anything he pens a try. The story did slow a bit in the middle, but now that I am finished, I find it added to a sense of reality. The details and information about hiking the trails and foraging for food and water were interesting and pivotal to the story.

Heaven Enough is thought provoking and reflective, bringing forth emotions of sorrow, guilt and, most important, hope. We never know what tomorrow brings, so never give up. It has a touch of religious intonation, but it never got preachy or bothered me in any way. Just seemed to fit right in.

OMG. I sure did not see this one coming and I was shocked, stunned. Then…the ending. Oh man, it caught me so off guard I sat with my mouth hanging open. My emotions ran AMOK as I tried to write notes for this review. I am at a loss for words and cannot express how amazed I was at Ken’s writing and where he took the story. Excellent job, Ken, even though I am a bit pissed off at you!!! I NEVER saw that coming. A heartbreaking and uplifting novel that I cannot recommend strongly enough.

This is a book that will stick with me, reminding me of the time I was questioning what was most important to me. I found my answers. Have you?

Thank you, Ken, for asking me to read Heaven Enough! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Is a poem about longing, about wishing for something more. “What would it be like if I had heaven enough?” it reads.

Matt Murphy reads these words for the first time at his wife’s funeral. After a death shrouded with mystery, it is the first time he learns that she wrote poetry. He and Diva were married for nearly twenty years, yet he did not “know” her. A poet and lover of culinary delights, she is struck by a car and killed instantly—randomly—on the wrong side of town.

When her brother, the “monk,” appears for the funeral, Matt is set on an unprecedented course. The two find Diva’s computer filled with preparations to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Over 2600 miles from Mexico to Canada…and she was leaving without her husband.

Matt takes it upon himself to hike the trail and sprinkle her ashes along the way. What happens in the first two hours is dumbfounding.

What happens next changes his life forever…

ABOUT KEN LA SALLE

Novelist and Playwright, Ken La Salle grew up in Santa Ana, California and has remained in the surrounding area his entire life. He was raised with strong, blue collar roots, which have given him a progressive and environmentalist view. As a result, you’ll find many of his stories touching those areas both geographically and philosophically. He’s also very funny.”.

Blog / Website / Twitter / Facebook / G+ / YouTube / Smashwords

MY REVIEWS OF KEN LA SALLE”S NOVELS

Giveaway, Guest Post & Review – Cookies: Sluts of the Snack World by Ken La Salle

Zombie Vacay – Wormfood Island by Ken La Salle

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Monday Mini Cozy – Murder on the Horizon by M L Rowland

Posted on February 1, 2016 by fundinmental

I was so happy to find I won a paperback copy of Murder on the Horizon by M L Rowland.

I mean…look at the cool cover…makes me want to take a walk in the woods…in Gracie’s woods. While I am there, I will see what trouble she finds this time.

MY REVIEW

The Cover for Murder on the Horizon by M L Rowland may have you thinking this is a cozy mystery, but it is so much more.

Gracie has a big heart and gives it freely. Why people would wish her harm, well….you have to read about her to find out for yourself. She will have you trekking the Mojave and saving people from burning buildings, befriending an abused eleven year old child and dodging bullets from the extremists…

When I first started reading Murder on the Horizon, I never anticipated the suspense and horror between the pages. The storyline kept expanding and taking me deeper into a world filled with hate.

My only complaint…I didn’t like when she entered….but what happened while she was there added some great elements to the story. This is fiction, so I will let the author take me where she will. Thanks for a exciting journey, M.

This is my first foray into M L Rowland books and I don’t feel I missed anything by starting on Book III…missed anything except more good books. So if this is going to be your first purchase of her books, why not start at the beginning, or grab all three in the series pack?

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The Search and Rescue mystery series returns readers to Timber Creek, where the hot, dry Santa Ana winds are blowing. But more than just the threat of wildfire endangers the tiny mountain community…

Gracie and her Search and Rescue teammates are searching along the highway in the middle of the blisteringly hot Mojave Desert when they make a grisly discovery—a trash bag containing human body parts. Not long after, Gracie’s growing friendship with a ten-year-old runaway draws her unwittingly into the secretive, hate-filled world of the boy’s family—a group of gun-toting extremists. As a wildfire roars into Timber Creek, Gracie finds herself caught up in an explosive plot that, unless she stops it, will destroy countless innocent lives.

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Saturday Shorts – Come to the Cemetery by Jackson Dean Chase

Posted on January 30, 2016 by fundinmental

Come to the Cemetery by Jackson Dean Chase is a ghostly tale of love and revenge.

Does this cover make you afraid?

Well…I will tell you…DON’T GO INTO THE CEMETERY.

It could be hazardous to your health.

Add me to Goodreads

MY BOOK REVIEW

All Cara’s friends are dropping dead and are found in the cemetery.

Her parents said she would be okay. YEAH. RIGHT.

Is she cursed? Would she be next?

She didn’t shy away from the problem and went looking for answers. I like her gumption and determination.

Jake, thank God for Jake and his love for her.

A scary short story that tells me don’t listen to the voices from the beyond. I will think twice before making love in the cemetery, especially on a grave.

I enjoyed this ghostly tale of a misguided…or evil?…love.

The story is predictable, but scary with a romance and mystery.

3 Stars

SYNOPSIS

A weird tale of ghostly love and revenge!

All of sixteen-year-old Cara Jones’s friends are dead. Their bodies were found lying atop the same grave in Duskhaven Cemetery. The coroner’s report lists the girls’ cause of death as “massive cerebral hemorrhage,” but Cara doesn’t believe it. She knows something strange and terrible is happening.

When Cara hears a voice in her head commanding her to “Come to the cemetery,” she knows time is running out. With no one else to turn to, Cara asks her secret crush, Jake Rogers, for help. As they begin to put together clues, the mysterious voice gets louder and it feels like she’s losing her mind…

Can Jake and Cara unravel the ancient secret before she joins her friends in death?

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Release Day Launch – Review for BLOOD ON THE BAYOU

Posted on January 26, 2016 by fundinmental

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham! BLOOD ON THE BAYOU is A Cafferty & Quinn Series Novella brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. Grab your copy of this sexy novella today!

Amazon eBook ** Amazon Paperback

MY REVIEW

Just the name, Blood on the Bayou, makes me want to read this, but I am also a huge fan of Heather Graham. No way could I resist a trip to New Orleans. I am very familiar with the place. I have walked the streets, ate in the restaurants, listened to the music and drank the drinks.

The mix of cultures and myths and legends that surround the Bayou are full of superstition and monsters and a great location to dump some bodies. Critters and the elements will make quick work of any evidence left behind.

This novella builds in suspense and mystery as the body count grows. The creep factor rises. I race through the pages trying to figure it out. We have plenty of suspects to choose from, and the winner is…

I received a copy of Blood on the Bayou by Heather Graham in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

EXCERPT

Michael Quinn heard the hysterical crying the minute he entered the police station. The young woman creating the commotion was inside Detective Jake Larue’s office. Someone else was trying to soothe her while not becoming hysterical herself.

“This one is right up your alley,” Larue told him as he approached.

“My alley?”

“That young woman is certain she saw a rougarou. She was on a bayou tour in Honey Swamp last night.”

He smiled. No kid grew up in Southern Louisiana without hearing about the rougarou. Every region of the world had their own particular brand of monster. The rougarou belonged to the Cajun region of Southern Louisiana, stretching right into the city.

“Honey Swamp?” he asked. “Doesn’t a problem in that area go to the Pearl River police?”

“Yep,” Larue said. “But she’s here because she believes the rougarou followed her home, showing up in the window of her hotel last night.”

He arched a brow at the ridiculousness of the statement. “I’m assuming there’s more.”

“A dead man in the swamp. Head bashed in, throat ripped.”

Which grabbed his attention.

“I want you to talk to them,” Larue said. “I told them that you’re a rougarou expert and that you’ll get to the bottom of things. They were out on some night ghost tour in the bayou and their boat came upon the dead man. Right now, she’s so hysterical that she’s not making sense. But you rougarouexperts are used to dealing with that.”

He shook his head at Larue’s sarcasm. He was no more a rougarou expert than someone was a ghost expert. Once upon a time, he’d worked with Larue as partners in the NYPD. Before that, Quinn’s life had been anything but normal. He’d actually been a pretty horrible person, not as in deadly or criminal, but as in vain and egotistical. His prowess in sports had led to excess, which eventually led to him being declared legally dead.

Which changed everything.

About BLOOD ON THE BAYOU: A Cafferty & Quinn Novella

From New York Times bestseller Heather Graham…

It’s winter and a chill has settled over New Orleans, binding a stream of blood that leads a tourist to a dead man, face down in the bayou.

The man has been done in by a vicious beating, so violent that his skull has been crashed in.

It’s barely a day before a second victim is found . . . once again so badly thrashed that the water runs red. The city becomes riddled with fear.

An old family friend comes to Danni Cafferty, telling her that he’s terrified, he’s certain that he’s received a message from the Blood Bayou killer–It’s your turn to pay, blood on the bayou.

The two quickly become involved, and–as they all begin to realize that a gruesome local history is being repeated–they find themselves in a fight to save not just a friend, but, perhaps, their very own lives.

About Heather Graham:

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell’s Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette’s Shadows, and for Harlequin’s mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children’s charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards from Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up | BLOOD ON THE BAYOU on Goodreads

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Monday Mini – Coral & Bone @TiffanyDaune

Posted on January 25, 2016 by fundinmental

Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune is a fabulous fantasy ride into the ocean deep.

I had seen this book around and fell in love with the cover.

What do you see?

MY REVIEW

Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune is the first book in her Coral & Bone series of fantasy and magic that swept me away from Rockaway Beach to the ocean deep.

Halen didn’t discover her gift, or is it a curse, until she returned home to Rockaway Beach.

HE began haunting her.

She had been born on a blue moon, which made her very special!

Mermaids, empaths, sirens, magic…hunters.

If it sounds like a battle between good and evil, it is. And the unknowing participant is Halen.

Coral & Bone engulfed me from the start and kept drawing me in further.

I love a book with a twist that catches me unaware and Tiffany Daune did that. Coral & Bone is more than just your average paranormal/fantasy read.

The only thing I don’t like about Coral and Bone…there’s more. I enjoyed the story and would highly recommend it. Curses & Ash, Book II is available, so no waiting.

4 Stars

BLURB

From Goodreads: Halen knows the sparks igniting under her fingertips are dangerous. She has spent her entire life trying to quell the tingly feelings that make her destroy things, but now that she is back in Rockaway Beach, where she watched her father drown, the flames have become impossible to tame.

Halen is trying to hold on, but when she is thrust into a mysterious new world, the underwater realm of Elosia, she unravels the secrets of her past and can’t help but ignite. As she explores Elosia, she realizes her life has been a lie. And when those who have deceived her come to her for help, Halen must choose—walk away or unleash the magick that could destroy them all.shattered personal relationships and find redemption in this life and the hereafter.

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Sherry’s Shelves #66 – Books & Fun

Posted on January 24, 2016 by fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves is my weekly update from January 17 – January 23, 2016.

Happy to have you join me for some books & fun.

Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Bought, Borrowed & Bagged is hosted by TalkSupe

**all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**

**The small amount helps keep my blog running**

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We are having a cold spell with rain and thunderstorms. I know a lot of you are expecting snow and all I can say is…grab a good book, your comfie blanket, a hot toddy and enjoy being housebound.

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FREE BOOKS

Be sure and check for the “0”.

NEW to fundinmental

I couldn’t help myself and added all the freebies.

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FOR REVIEW

I have read Tainted Cure (no buy links yet) and will be reviewing soon. I am now reading the next in the series, Tainted Reality. I don’t have info to share right now…but soon. 🙂

I was approved through Net Galley for this dark fantasy/horror novel.

Makes me want to dive right in. 🙂

I got The Hatching from Edelweiss and all I can say is…creepy good.

Oh no…I hate…!

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WINNINGS

Hope you had some goodies come your way. 😀

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LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves #65 – Books & Fun

Monday Mini Review – Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis

Giveaway – Apocalypsis by Elle Casey

Glenn Frey – The Eagles Singer/songwriter Passes On

Teaser Tuesday #57 – Sugar Scars by Travis Norwood ( @TravisLNorwood )

Giveaway – Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki (@AriaGlazki)

There’s a storm coming – Esther’s Gift by Bette Lee Crosby

Jeff Gunhus has another hit with Killer Pursuit – Giveaway & Review

Friday 56 #68 & BB #44 – Miami Twilight by Tom Coffey

Saturday Shorts – When the Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead by Tim W Jackson (@TimWJax)

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THIS WEEK ON fundinmental

I may be adding more posts. Be sure and stop in so you don’t miss anything.

Sherry’s Shelves

Monday Mini Review – Coral & Bones by Tiffany Daune

Blood on the Bayou by Heather Graham

Teaser Tuesday

Love Paws

Friday 56 & BB – Miami Twilight by Jeff Coffey

Saturday Shorts – Come To The Cemetery by Jackson Dean Chase

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Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

What have you been reading?

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Saturday Shorts – When the Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead by Tim W Jackson ( @TimWJax )

Posted on January 23, 2016 by fundinmental

The cover for When The Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead by Tim W Jackson.

Sometimes simple says so much. What do you think?

Cover: Augie Beetschen

MY REVIEW

Everything about When the Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead by Tim W Jackson said read me. I love the oceans and seas and the critters that live there.

As I swam with the shark, marveling at the deep blue color of the sea, I too felt the desire to live, to experience more. Life hands us disappointments, but these will pass, leaving more of life’s wonders for us to experience.

My only complaint, I wanted more.

What’s next, Tim?

3 Stars

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Jeff Gunhus has another hit with Killer Pursuit – Giveaway & Review

Posted on January 21, 2016 by fundinmental

Jeff Gunhus writes some amazing stories and Killer Pursuit is another winner!

I love covers and this one shows there is more going on than meets the eye.

Killer Pursuit by Jeff Gunhus
(Allison McNeil)
Publication date: January 10th 2016
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Cover: Extended Imagery

MY REVIEW

The cover for Jeff Gunhus’ Killer Pursuit alludes to the intrigue inside. I love thrillers and suspense novels and this is my first foray into the Allison McNeil adventures. She is a favorite of Jeff’s and now she is a favorite of mine. An amazing and riveting suspense with moments of pacing that took the last quarter of the book into hyperdrive!

Special Agent Allison McNeil is a loner. Some people think it’s by choice, but a nightmare from her past makes it difficult for her to open herself up to vulnerability. She will buck the system, doing what she knows to be right at whatever cost may come due. sAllison is a pro at entering the minds of some of the most dangerous people known to man. I love villains that are the epitome of evil. I want to know how they think and function, hiding their true nature. I want to dig and dwell in the mind of the most vicious, depraved people, trying to understand them…I don’t think I ever will, but I am not them.

Politics…Jeff does tell it like it is – corruption, cover ups, intrigue and personal agendas abound. I think Jeff encompasses every down and dirty political machination known.

Summerhayes is a character I love to hate. He wants to be President. A huge ego, greed and sex will take him down a long and ugly road. I would think politicians would learn that there are no secrets. But…they feel entitled, invincible. Power…what will they do to have it? Lying…it is a profession. Politicians make strange bedfellows and that is putting it mildly in Killer Pursuit.

Jeff’s writing makes my emotions rise to the surface, roiling and boiling as I read along.

It flows so smoothly, full of surprises that I am drawn deep into the mystery and suspense that is doled out in such a way that I must read the next page…and the next…and the next. The details walked me through Allison’s research as she looked for the answers.

There is a romance and that makes the story even more believable. After all, love is a big part of all our lives. The sexual banter and flirtation came through loud and clear in the dialogue. It brought the complex characters to life.

I followed the hints trying to solve the mystery before I reached the conclusion, but…I am TICKED OFF good when the killer is exposed and what happened next was a huge surprise. I knew it was coming, but Jeff, you kept me hoping I was wrong. OMG…I am blown away. It makes perfect sense, but I wanted it would be something else. Jeff, you manged to put a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. The story ends on a realistic “normal” family note.

I received a copy of Killer Pursuit by Jeff Gunhus in return for an honest review and I am on pins and needles waiting for another Allison McNeil adventure.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos

5 Stars

SYNOPSIS

When a high-society call girl is murdered in her Georgetown home, investigators find two cameras hidden in the walls of her bedroom. One has its memory erased, presumably by the murderer. The second is connected to the Internet through an encrypted connection…and no-one knows who’s on the other end.

Special Agent Allison McNeil is asked by beleaguered FBI Director Clarence Mason to run an off-the-record investigation of the murder. The most direct path to apprehending the killer is to find the videos, but with rumors that the victim’s client list may have included Mason’s political enemies, Allison worries about the director’s motives. As she starts her investigation, she quickly discovers that she’s not the only one pursuing the videos. In fact, the most aggressive person racing against her might be the murderer himself.

Goodreads / Amazon

AUTHOR BIO

Jeff Jeff Gunhus is the author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 100 on Amazon and have been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists.

After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.

Author links:

http://www.jeffgunhus.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/963702.Jeff_Gunhus

https://www.facebook.com/jeffgunhusauthor

https://twitter.com/jeffgunhus

GIVEAWAY

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

$50 Amazon Gift Card

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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There’s a storm coming – Esther’s Gift by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on January 20, 2016 by fundinmental

Bette Lee Crosby writes heartwarming stories that will leave you laughing and crying.

The cover portrays the calm before the storm. Isn’t is gorgeous?

MY REVIEW

Esther’s Gift by Bette Lee Crosby is a heartwarming and uplifting novella that shows our ability to rise above our hardships and come out shining. The only thing that is different from her Southern fiction is the Hawaiian locale.

Esther has a gift…visions of what is to come.

She tries to warn the people of the coming hurricane, but most don’t take heed.

Ka’awai and its people are devastated by Iniki.

Life goes on, but not always they way we had planned. Humans have an amazing ability to adjust and adapt to any situation. I believe relationships enrich our lives and we work better as a “team.”

Bravery is having the courage to face your fear.

Bernie and Esther are from very different cultures, but their love grows and makes them wonder why they hesitate to acknowledge it. Should they deny their chance at happiness just because of their differences?

Bette Lee Crosby’s writing is filled with sadness, yet it leaves me with a good feeling, a feeling of hope and happiness.

Esther’s Gift is a wonderful novella that shows humans ability to weather any storm. The story and characters read as if they are real, making Bette Lee Crosby’s writing outstanding, engrossing and riveting, leaving me wanting more.

“Your breakfast rice is better than Mommy’s breakfast rice.”

“Your Mommy makes breakfast rice?”

“Rice Krispies.”

.

…we come from the earth and in time we turn to the earth. But if in the tie we are here we can touch other hearts, those memories will live long after we are gone.

I received a copy of Esther’s Gift by Bette Lee Crosby in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

In the days before hurricane Iniki hit the island of Kauai the forecasters predicted it would stay south of Hilo. But Esther Ka’awai, a psychic and gifted wise woman of the ancient culture has seen the future. She knows of the devastation that will come to the island. She has warned those she loves; now all she can do is pray.

As she struggles to accept this gift of knowing, Esther discovers that even the most wonderful gift can sometimes break your heart.

A story of love, faith and a belief in the future.

ABOUT BETTE LEE CROSBY

USA Today Bestselling and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby’s books are “Well-crafted storytelling populated by memorable characters caught up in equally memorable circumstances.” – Midwest Book Review

The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Crosby’s writing is, “A quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about important things in life and madcap adventures.”

Samantha from Reader’s Favorite raves, “Crosby writes the type of book you can’t stop thinking about long after you put it down.”

“Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.”

It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win twenty awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal, Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award.

Crosby’s published works to date are: Blueberry Hill (2014), Previously Loved Treasures (2014), Jubilee’s Journey (2013), What Matters Most (2013), The Twelfth Child (2012), Life in the Land of IS (2012), Cracks in the Sidewalk (2011), Spare Change (2011). A Cupid inspired romance, Wishing for Wonderful, is scheduled for release in November 2014 and Book Three of The Wyattsville Series, Passing through Perfect, will be be available in January 2015.

MY REVEWS OF BETTE LEE CROSBY’S NOVELS

The Loft

Passing Through Perfect

Memory House

Jubilee’s Journey

Blueberry Hill

What Matters Most

Spare Change

Cupid’s Christmas

Cracks In The Sidewalk

The Twelfth Child

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