New Release for Susan kaye Quinn

NEW RELEASE

Second Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #2)     Assassins, skyships, and royal intrigue... Kindle, Kobo, AllRomance   Second Daughter is the second book in The Dharian Affairs trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance takes place in an east-Indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, assassins, royal romance and intrigue.

Reviews of the first book, Third Daughter:

"The author fuses carriages, steam trains, airships and clockwork with the rich eastern culture that underlies Bollywood storytelling..." - Cherie Reich

"The political intrigue, the steampunk gadgets, and the beautiful costumes kept me in wonderment." - Tony Benson

“Third Daughter is vividly breathtaking. Quinn delivers royal intrigue, exotic locations, and sweeping romance. Not to be missed!” - Pavarti Tyler, author of Shadow on the Wall

  ON SALE - 99cents until 7/21 Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #1)

Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iTunes, AllRomance (also available in print) The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she'll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince's proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince's proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.

NEW

Both books now have a map!

Download the map free here

Speedy Tweets to Share: NEW RELEASE: Second Daughter (Dharian Affairs #2) Assassins, skyships, royal intrigue #steampunk #fantasy #romance http://bit.ly/SDAmazon WIN Gift Card and PAPERBACK Third Daughter (Dharian Affairs #1) #steampunk #fantasy #romance http://www.susankayequinn.com Skyships, saber duels, royal romance: Third Daughter (Dharian Affairs#1) ON SALE 99cents http://bit.ly/ThirdDAmaz

Thank you so much for helping me get this book out in the world! Win paperback copy of Third Daughter  $10 Amazon Gift Card

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May This Be the Best Year of Your Life - Sandra Bornstein

Genre: Memoir, Adult
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review

From Goodreads:

After stepping out of her comfort zone of American suburbia, Sandra Bornstein found herself in a life altering experience that made her question the meaning of marital bliss. Living alone in a three-hundred-square-foot dorm room, she taught fifth grade at a renowned international boarding school in Bangalore. This compelling, honest, and edifying memoir shares everything she learned about perseverance, travel, education, faith, and family. Had Sandra never resided in India, she would have missed out on an experience that ultimately enhanced her resiliency, confidence, and passion for life.

My Thoughts:

I would love to be as adventurous as the author of this book is.  I see her as not only a creative person, but a very brave soul.  As I read her book I kept thinking, I would not have the  courage to go to another country and function at times on my own. It didn’t matter that part of that time she was with her husband or her son.  When her husband as a terrible accident back in the states she is finally offered a teaching position in India.  She bravely takes the job.  I understand why.  As terrifying as it is, there is a part of her that knows if she doesn’t do this she will always regret not trying.  Her time there with her husband helped prepare her somewhat. A lot of what she had to do had to be faced by herself.  I loved the depiction of the Indian people and their culture.  I am lucky in that my school has a very large Indian population.  Many of my Indian students take extended periods of time to go back to their country during the summer or holidays. Some of them return for weddings.  Their parents have come in and held festivals at our school to teach our other students about their culture.  It helps that I teach at and IB (International Baccalaureate) school which encourages the learning of diverse cultures.  I feel there is so much I can learn from my students as I try to teach them.  The most fascinating thing I have learned is that you can’t lump them all together into one “Indian pot”.  There country and cultures are as diverse as ours here in America.  The author has done an excellent job of showing that.  She has shown the hardships and inequity faced by so many when it comes to education.  It makes me glad I live here in the United States.  I have heard some of these kinds of stories from my Indian students.  Some of them came here because of relatives moving here. Most came here because of the educational and economical opportunities.  It irritates me when I hear people put my Indian students down.  I was in charge of the spelling bee at my school a few years back.  When we went to the county competition the two people who ended up competing for first and second place were both Indians. A man sitting behind me said to his wife, “Of course it would be one of the Indian’s, they don’t have a life outside of studying.” At that point I wanted to turn and blast the man. I kept thinking, if our students and their families have had the opportunity to see the life some of them have seen without education then they would understand the importance of education.  I believe that is one of our downfalls here in America.  We take everything for granted.  There are so many things to be learned, not only about the Indian culture and lifestyle from this author. By bravely telling us her story she makes us take a good hard look at love, family and life in general.  It is written with pride and joy and with her whole heart thrown in for just the right emotional mix.  This is a book that I whole heartedly recommend to my friends.  It is one I will be taking back to school with me in the fall to share with my fellow teachers.

About the Author:
Sandra Bornstein is a licensed Colorado teacher with a Linguistically Diverse Education K-12 endorsement and two masters' degrees- one in education and the other in Jewish Studies. She has taught K-12 and college-level students in both the private and public sectors in the United States and abroad. Married to Ira, a lawyer, she has four adult sons and currently lives in Colorado.

Her Website:  www.sandrabornstein

 

The Complexity of a Soldier – Grady Harp

 

Genre: Adult, Military, Realistic Fiction
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

 

From Goodreads

No one knows the heart and mind of soldier. Every day they must face scenarios and life choices that most of us will never even imagine. When Rory Nichols joins the Army, this hard lesson hits hard and fast. After 911, he is deployed to Iraq. He and his wife, Emily, face sacrifice and strife which they fear their young marriage may not survive. Pushed to his limits, Rory begins to ask questions. Then one day, he receives a fateful phone call relaying the most wicked of betrayals. He rushes home to face an enemy he had not predicted. In this penultimate moment he will right a wrong and stand for what he believes in at all costs; making a statement to his country, to his family, and to all victims of this seething crime. It is a story of life, love, and rising above the acts of war and abuse.

My Thoughts

Serving in the military is difficult during the best of times.  It is made harder when a soldier must leave their family and go forth to a country to protect the rights of others.  In this book we find a soldier who has made a promise to protect his country from all enemies both foreign and domestic.  He serves two tours in Iraq.  He has lived through the loss of his best friend JT, who was also a soldier.  Imagine his feelings of devastation when he is called into his commanding officer’s office and told he is being sent home early due to and incident that has put his four year old daughter in the hospital.  Imagine how he must feel being so far away knowing he was unable to protect those he cherishes more than life itself.  Those imaginings don’t even begin to tell you or explain to you what this soldier went through.  The author has done an excellent job of stepping into the mind of a soldier.  They have shown the reader all sides of the soldier and the complex life they live.  I do remember when the Iraq war started after 9/11.  My brother and three of my nephews were shipped over.  I remember hearing from my brothers some of the things that were going on and being told not to tell my mom.  He wanted to spare her the atrocities he saw.  I remember my own son joining the army.  I also remember my heart dropping when he told me he was being sent to Korea.  Everyone kept telling me that it wasn’t like being sent to Iraq or Afghanistan.  They were right. He wasn’t right in the thick of things.  He had to worry about the dictator just a few miles from his camp firing a missile at him.  I was so proud of him when he told me he wasn’t afraid of dying if it meant he could protect the lives of his loved ones.  He left behind a pregnant wife, son, daughter and step-daughter.  Like Rory, in the story, I have no doubt my son would go to all lengths to protect all member of his family.  There were so many connections to make to this book.  I am proud to stand behind ALL of our soldiers and what they stand for.  This is a book that everyone needs to read.  I recommend it to everyone.  My only word of warning is some of the language.  The content was so good I could just skim over that part.

Beyond Judgment “Brainrush III - Richard Bard

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adult
Source:  I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review

From Goodreads:

With Publishers Weekly heralding the first book in his Brainrush thriller series as “terrifically entertaining” and “inventive and compelling,” and the sequel consistently near the top of the Amazon “Top Rated” list since its December 2011 release, Richard Bard now unleashes Beyond Judgment, which sees hero Jake Bronson at the mercy of his hidden past.

Suffering from coma-induced amnesia, Jake Bronson’s quiet existence in Italy is shattered by the arrival of a kill team doing the bidding of an ancient order. But while the assassins hunt Jake down, they unwittingly awaken fragments of his dormant memories and deadly skills. Now, with enemies stalking his every step, Jake is on a race to piece together his broken past and reconnect with lost allies and loved ones, risking everything to reawaken his true self and stop an ancient order from unleashing humanity's ultimate judgment.

My Thoughts

This is the third and last book in this trilogy and I have loved each one.  I keep waiting to see these on the big screen because that is where they truly belong. If you love action then this book was written for you. This is the good versus bad story that has you praising the protagonist for doing whatever it takes to protect those he cares about. 

In this book we get to meet Jake’s autistic son and see the connection they have. The bad guy in this book is as bad as they come. This series is science fiction at its best.  Imagine being the key that awakens an alien race that will decide if we “deserve” to continue living based on how far we’ve come. Now imagine that you are the one who has to save the world.  That’s a lot of weight on your shoulders. For Jake it’s just what he does.  If you’ve never read a science fiction book then this is the one you must read.

Devil in Disguise – Heather Huffman

Source:  I received a copy for review. The opinions expressed here are my own

Genre: Adult, Suspense

Danger, Romance, Suspense and a heavy dose of realism, is what you have mixed together in this book. Rachel Cooper is a reporter. She’s not just your everyday reporter. She thrives on getting the bad guys.  Now she is not only after the bad guys but has a personal stake in all of it.  Rachel receives a call from her mother.  Her sister is missing.  She calls the first person she can think of, Conrad.  She and Conrad

had a previous relationship. Had, because Rachel kept relationships at arms length. Conrad is the one person she knows she can rely on to help her get her sister back.  Getting her sister back isn’t enough.  When she learns her sister is a victim of human trafficking, she wants to do everything she can to shut these types of people down for good.  That means putting everyone in danger.  The danger doesn’t end when she finally gets her sister back.  I won’t say more because this is a book you really need to read.

The scary thing is that this really does happen.  I remember calling a parent because one of my students came to me concerned about a friend of theirs who was talking with an older man in a chat room.  Young girls are often so naïve.  This girl really didn’t see where there was any danger.  Her parents were unaware she was chatting online with anyone.  I always knew what my children were doing online.  I told them if they didn’t want me to see what they were doing then they needed to stay off.  Parents need to protect their kids from these types of predators. We can’t turn a blind eye and say that these things only happen in other countries.  These things happen right here in our own country and it is time we wake up to that fact. The author has done a wonderful job of bringing this to the reader’s attention.  This is a book that parents should read.

Across the Tumen - Moon Young-sook

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Source:  I won a copy

Across the Tumen is one of those stories you start reading and can't put it down until you finish it. This is a fictionalized account of one North Korean boy's escape across the Tumen River into China.  Although this is a fictional account the author has made it clear that this continues on today.  Most of my students here in America have no idea how wonderful their life is. They have no idea how the children of other countries suffer.  Through Yeong-dae's story we watch a family torn apart by starvation. We see the depths members will go to for each other and the price it will cost them. Most importantly we see what lengths someone is will to go to, the dangers they are willing to accept when they realize their country has lied to them.  If you are a teacher wanting to get across the point of propaganda and its effect on a people, then this is definitely the book to read.  This book will make you sick to your stomach, make you cringe, definitely make you cry both tears of sadness and joy. But most importantly this book will make you feel lucky you live in America.  It will make you wonder what you can do for others out there.  After all, isn't that what a great book does? It makes you feel.  I definitely recommend this book to everyone young and old.

Want to know more or see some pictures of places mentioned in the book?  I recommend this website here.

Caught - Deirdre Thurston

Source: I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Genre: Adult, Short Stories

Alert:  The book is full of the use of the F-word and talks a lot about sex.

From Goodreads:
Caught is a collection of short stories, literary sketches and vignettes---each capturing a moment in the life of someone a lot like you. Each story delves into human themes: expectation, desire, hope, loss, fear, joy, peace, suffering, redemption. The narrative is filled with subtle irony, humour and touching observations. The stories highlight our era of increasing social disconnection, in which technology is replacing intimacy and life occurs at a pace that challenges people’s ability to stop, observe and interpret their own existence and its relationship with those around them. It highlights the everyday moment and provides nourishment for the harried soul.

The overriding message in Caught is that any moment in every life can be viewed as worthy of treasuring. Whether that moment is filled with despair or joy, they provide entertaining relief and nourishing benefits.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed most of the stories in this book.  We get a glimpse into pieces of lives that often mirror our own. We read the story of a lady who sits next to an elderly couple in the theater only to spend less time watching the movie and more time glancing at the woman and remembering her own Nana.
We have the story of a woman who discovers her husband didn't marry her for love but because he wanted to "be" her. As a woman of faith she finds a solution, even if it is one I would not condone.
As much as I enjoy short stories, the use of the f-word and reference to sex throughout most of the stories meant I didn't enjoy the as much. It also meant that it was a book that I would have trouble recommending to a lot of my friends.  If you like short stories that will evoke memories from your own life, and if you can get past the language and references to sex then you might enjoy this book.

Pam - Sharon Srock

Source:  I won a copy from the author.

From Goodreads:

Pam’s divorce broke her heart. The cruelty of her ex-husband broke her spirit. A bottle of sleeping pills almost took her life. Four years later the scars of Alan Archer’s emotional abuse are beginning to fade under the love of her new husband. When Alan returns to Garfield, Pam must learn that buried secrets and carefully cultivated indifference do not equal forgiveness.Alan Archer has returned to Garfield with a new wife and a terminal heart condition. His mission? To leave a Christian legacy for his children and to gain Pam’s forgiveness for the sins of his past. Two hearts hang in the balance waiting for the delicate touch of God’s healing hands.

My Thoughts:

One thing I really like about this book was how the author didn't try to make her characters perfect in their Christian walk.  This often happens in Christian fiction. I know as a long time Christian that I have often slipped up. I was definitely able to connect with Pam. I went through my own divorce and remarriage. Just because you "say" you forgive someone, doesn't mean you did so in your heart.  However, it is the first step to forgiveness. There is so much that can be learned about forgiveness from this book, whether you have gone through a divorce or not. This was actually the first book I had read by this author. I did purchase the first two in the series , "Callie"and "Terrie". I look forward to following the next one.  I will gladly recommend this series to my friends.

The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis

Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Blurb

Her parents’ marriage is falling apart. Fifteen-year-old Posy feels her life is falling apart with it. Retreating to an old library down the street, she selects a mysterious book in a secluded corner and is magically drawn into its story…

Posy finds herself in a kingdom ruled by a cruel and manipulative king and queen who have attempted to usurp the role that belongs only to the Author of their story. The princess has fled and the kingdom is teetering toward rebellion. Posy is joined by the Prince Kyran as they fight with the characters of the story against their slavery to the Plot.

Posy and the prince search beyond the borders of the story for the runaway princess. They visit mysterious places, face horrifying monsters, and fight fierce battles. They make both friends and enemies as their journey leads them into many dangers. But some of the worst dangers, Posy soon finds, lie deep within her own heart.

Now Posy must find the courage and forgiveness needed to save the story and, most important, heal the heartache she knew in her own world

My Thoughts:
The main character Posey lives in a home where her parents are constantly fighting. One day while they are having a really bad fight she storms into their room and says some pretty hateful things. She storms out and goes to the library.  At the library she finds a mysterious book she's never noticed before.  The next thing she knows, she has fallen into the book.  She is the replacement for Princess Evanthe who has run away.  She goes along with this for a while.  Soon she realizes how much she wants to go home.  She joins up with Prince Kyran to find his sister.  Along the way she learns so much about herself. There are themes of forgiveness and healing throughout the book. 

The author has done a wonderful job of building up this world.  It is created so artistically well that you travel along inside the story just like Posy. This book reminded me of "Storybound" by Marissa Burt.  It too had a story where a person entered the story. One of my favorite lines in the book was found in the first chapter. The owl tells her "We are characters living within the Plot."  Since this is allegorical there is so much, as a Christian, that can be read into the meaning of it.  I like many others often dreamed of going into a story and living the life  that they lived. I can't wait to read more by this author.  Just think, this is only her first book. She can only get better with each book.

About Ashlee

Ashlee has a passion for three things: God, family, and books, and is happiest when all three can be enjoyed together.  Ashlee graduated from Central Christian College of the Bible with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education. She divides her time chiefly between homeschooling her young son, reading about fantasy worlds she wishes she could visit, and dreaming up fantasy worlds of her own to write about. She loves taking walks in the woods, drinking tea with friends, and spending time with the ones she loves most.  Ashlee lives in the heart of Missouri with her husband, son, and cat, where she is busily at work on her next book, also a fantasy for young adults.

 

You Can find her here:

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Twitter         
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                                                                       Her Blog

 

WINNERS

We have our winners of the $20 Amazon Gift Cards.  

Congratulations to:

S at Snaps & Snippets    and Rachel at Rachel Turns Pages