8 Heart Review: Friend Me by John Faubion and Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway!

Friend Me
John Faubion
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Page Count: 335
Release Date: February 4th 2014
Publisher: Howard Books (Simon and Schuster)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Litfuse!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

"You're afraid of becoming unfaithful, aren't you?"

Scott and Rachel’s marriage is on the brink of disaster. Scott, a businessman with a high-pressure job, just wants Rachel to understand him and accept his flaws. Rachel is a lonely housewife, desperate for attention and friendship. So she decides to create a virtual friend online, unaware that Scott is doing the exact same thing. As Rachel desperately tries to re-create a friendship with a friend who has passed, Scott becomes unfaithful and is torn between the love for his wife and the perfection of his cyber-girlfriend. But neither realizes that there’s a much larger problem looming...

Behind both of their online creations is Melissa, a woman who is brilliant—and totally insane. Masquerading as both friend and lover, Melissa programmed a search parameter into the virtual friend software to find her perfect man, but along the way she forgot to specify his marriage status. And Scott is her ideal match. Now Melissa is determined to have it all—Scott, his family, and Rachel’s life.

As Melissa grows bolder and her online manipulations transition into the real world, Scott and Rachel figure out they are being played. Now it’s a race against time as Scott and Rachel fight to save their marriage, and their lives, before it’s too late.

In today’s digital age, the internet presents all kinds of opportunities to test our personal boundaries, and this exciting and suspenseful story raises important questions about the ethics of virtual relationships. Friend Me will open your eyes to a new—and terrifying—moral dimensions and how they play out in the real world.

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Sony eStore | Kobo | iTunes | Publisher

Review

It was like a slap in the face when the full awareness struck her.
[Melissa] tried to kill me so she could replace me.
She wanted to steal her place as Scott's wife.
Rachel shrank within herself as the next explosive realization impacted on the fragile, shivering wall of what was left of her heart.
Replace me as my children's mother.

The deadly situation Rachel and Scott find themselves in is a domestic nightmare: an utterly creepy, technology-fueled nightmare. Both lonely and both exhausted—in different ways entirely—each turns to VirtualFriendMe, a website where one can personalize their own virtual friend—who can speak, chat, email, and even grow like a real human being. While VirtualFriendMe may be sweeping the nation, neither of them are aware of the fact that their conversations with their "friends" are being overridden by the company's developer, Melissa, who's set on loving Scott, the only man who's qualified in every area of her complicated algorithm—and yes, that means eliminating Rachel in the process.

Following Melissa as she slowly but surely develops and hatches her horrific plan is interesting; the dramatic irony is crucial in understanding her as more than an evil genius: as a person. To Rachel and Scott, Melissa is a monster, and while I wouldn't disagree, readers are acquainted with her in such an intimate, exposing way, that you can't help but sympathize with her. This, as you can imagine, is a conflicting emotion, and it's completely intentional on Faubion's part; it raises the questions of what it means to be faithful, what it means to be evil, and what it means to be human.

Faubion's voice is smooth and easy to follow, and the plot is cutting, deep and dark. The chapters are short, but each pack a huge punch; it was so hard for me to put this book down because I was so eager to find out what would happen next... and the what would happen after that, and that and that...

It's worth mentioning Friend Me is a Christian suspense, meaning a lot of the story's main issues—primarily Scott's struggle to resist temptation and remain faithful to Rachel—reference straying away from the path of God, and contain lots of prayer as well. The inherent Christian elements also made it a rather tame dark suspense; there's nothing gory or explicit, as much of the nitty-gritty occurs behind closed doors. I understand Christian fiction isn't for everybody, but take my advice with a grain of salt. Even if these religious traits had bothered me, I'd still have enjoyed the book because of how absorbing and intricate the world of VirtualFriendMe is.

Pros

Titillating suspense // Lots of danger and action // Fast-paced // Christian elements well incorporated into the entire length of the novel // Exciting, original sci-fi; Faubion creates an entertaining and intriguing virtual reality // Melissa is given an elaborate backstory

Cons

Characters don't get very personal; they seemed very unmemorable to me, even though a lot of the book is character-driven // Seems overdramatized

Verdict

Original and imaginative, while simultaneously current, edgy, and fast-paced, Friend Me creates a science fiction world that serves both as social commentary on the risks of being careless on the internet, and the sheer ease at which one can fall into temptation. The intense psychological manipulation and means one deluded woman will go to, just to get her way, will stun and captivate readers. John Faubion skillfully analyzes the difference and fine line between faithfulness and faith; his debut novel sentimentally speaks of the dangers of deviating from the word of God, and of depending too much on technology—which may be fun, but cannot and will not ever replace real life 

8 hearts: An engaging read that will be worth your while; highly recommended (x)

Giveaway!

Check out the details of this fabulous Kindle Fire HDX giveaway below. This is a tour-wide giveaway so Books à la Mode has no liability over winners, prizes, or shipping/handling. Good luck!

2 Heart Review: The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

The Amish Midwife (The Women of Lancaster County #1)
Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

Page Count: 321
Release Date: 1 February 2011
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A deathbed confession... a dusty carved box containing two locks of hair... a century-old letter about property in Switzerland...

Nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger's encounter with all three rekindles a burning desire to meet her biological family. Propelled on a personal journey of discovery, Lexie's search for the truth takes her from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish country.

There she finds Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who may hold the key to Lexie's past. But Marta isn't talking, especially now that she has troubles of her own following the death of an Amish patient during childbirth. As Lexie steps in to assume Marta's patient load and continues the search for her birth family, a handsome local doctor proves to be a welcome distraction. But will he also distract her from James, the man back hom who lovingly awaits her return?

From her Amish parents, Lexie learns the meaning of the Pennsylvanian Dutch word demut: "to let be." Will this woman who wants to control everything ever learn to depend totally on God? Or will her stubborn determination to unearth the secrets of the past at all costs only serve to tear her newfound family apart?

A compelling story about a search for identity and the ability to trust that God securely holds our whole life—past, present, and future.

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Sony eStore | Kobo

Review

I got up to Chapter 9 of The Amish Midwife—about 100 pages of teeth gritting and eyelid drooping—before I had to put it down. While there are some interesting aspects to midwifery I enjoyed discovering and some issues regarding Lexie's coming-to-terms with her discarded Mennonite faith, everything else about the actual story, the writing style, and the characters, was unsatisfactory.

I knew I couldn't like the main character the moment she first referred herself (emphasis on first, meaning she does it more than once) as the "handsome counterpart" to her "handsome boyfriend." Do people really talk about themselves like that? Not to mention the way she treats her so-called boyfriend, leaving him without closure just so she can aimlessly tread murky waters on the other side of the country on a matter on which she is entirely clueless. She can't seem to think of anyone but herself, and doesn't have a compassionate bone in her body. This all annoyed me; it's one thing for me not to be able to relate to Lexie, but to actually not like her is an entirely different story.

This book is classified as "romance," but let me tell you: if the romantic interest does not show his face by page 100, something is terribly wrong. I admit I haven't tried my hand at Amish romances before, but even for a religious storyline, I'd expect faster action or at least proper character introduction 1/4th of the way through. I didn't even get to the romance part of this story and I was still sick of it... big red flag.

There isn't much else I can say about this one. Nothing worth mentioning that I enjoyed; nothing interesting enough to keep me reading. I actually had to fight from falling asleep in more than one sitting while reading, which means there's a large problem beyond my sleep deprivation that made it really difficult for me to read The Amish Midwife, and that problem would be The Amish Midwife itself.

Pros

Realistic tone // Struggles with faith are well-captured

Cons

Painfully slow pace // Lexie is incredibly unlikable // Character interactions are detached and flat

Verdict

With an entirely self-absorbed and socially oblivious main character, a troubling so-called "romance" story structure, and a HUGE (read: not huge) family secret that lacks all of suspense, action, and intrigue, Clark and Gould's first installment in The Women of Lancaster County was a major letdown for me. Regulars to the genre may enjoy this one better because it does have its individual aspects, such as matters of Lexie's misplaced faith and her vocation, so if you've tried Amish romances before and have liked them, please don't let my review discourage you. As for me, The Amish Midwife has turned me away from all Amish fiction; I now know to stay away from this genre 

2 hearts: Not completely a lost cause, but could not finish; I did not enjoy this book (x)

Top 10 Tips on How to Get Your Man by Sherry Kyle and Giveaway!

Pump Up Your Book presents...

The Heart Stone by Sherry Kyle

Page Count: 320
Release Date: 1 April 2013
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women's Fiction, Christian romance, Inspirational

When the biological father of Jessica MacAllister's son decides to break their custody agreement, Jessica and her son visit her Uncle George for advice and refuge...

Following a year of grief, Evelyn Sweeney is finally ready to move on. Pondering her new path in life, her mind drifts to her first love, George MacAllister...

When the lives of these two women cross, they discover that one heart-shaped ring binds their stories together. But will the results be a rekindled faith and new hope, or will it lead them both back into the darkness they've fought for so long?

 

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Kobo

Author: Shannon Dittemore Interview and Giveaway!

I'd like to welcome Shannon Dittemore to the blog today to celebrate and promote the most recent release in her Angel Eyes series! Welcome to Books à la Mode, Shannon! Let's get this interview started.

Will you please share a brief bio with us?

Shannon is a wife and mother. A sister. A daughter. A friend. She was raised in Northern California by her parents—pastors of their local church and constant figures of inspiration.

Angel Eyes was Shannon’s debut novel and the launch of a young adult supernatural trilogy. It was published in the summer of 2012 by Thomas Nelson. The sequel Broken Wings was released February 19, 2013, and the final novel in the trilogy, Dark Halo, will be available August 20, 2013.

Shannon is represented by Holly Root of the Waxman Leavell Literary Agency and is an active member of Inspire Christian Writers of Sacramento.

“I’m a firm believer that books open doors into the imagination and remind us that we should venture there often. We should dream. We should try hard things. We should be fearless. And while there are many obstacles that stand in the way, I hope my stories remind readers that life is to be lived. Pain is to be tackled. Mountains are to be climbed. And while you may fall into dark places along the way, light is as close as the prayer on your lips.”

What is the second installment of your trilogy about?

Brielle sees the world as it really is: a place where the Celestial exists side by side with human reality. But in the aftermath of a supernatural showdown, her life begins to crumble. Her boyfriend, Jake, is keeping something from her—something important. Her overprotective father has started drinking again. He’s dating a much younger woman who makes Brielle’s skin crawl, and he’s downright hostile toward Jake. Haunting nightmares keep Brielle from sleeping, and flashes of Celestial vision keep her off kilter.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s been targeted. The Prince of Darkness himself has heard of the boy with healing in his hands and of the girl who sees through the Terrestrial Veil. When he plucks the blind demon, Damien, from the fiery chasm and sends him back to Earth with new eyes, the stage is set for a cataclysmic battle of good versus evil.

Then Brielle unearths the truth about her mother’s death and she must question everything she ever thought was true.

Brielle has no choice. She knows evil forces are converging and will soon rain their terror down upon the town of Stratus. She must master the weapons she’s been given. She must fight.

But can she fly with broken wings?

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Sony eStore | Kobo | Christian Book | Publisher

What was your inspiration to write it?

When I decided to write a novel, angels were the most natural thing in the world for me to examine. I’m the oldest daughter of a preacher and I have a creative flair to boot. As a church brat, I was part of a travelling team that did drama and mime, puppetry and dance. I’ve played some sort of an angelic force in more ways than I can number. Angels and demons have always been on the backdrop of my storytelling experience and when I stumbled upon the concept of the halo, an entirely new door opened up to me. It was fun to push through and let my imagination fill in the blanks.

That's one of the most interesting backstories I've ever heard! And it seems like you were just meant for it. Tell us about your publishing journey—the hardships, unexpected obstacles, and things you picked up along the way.

You think you’re ready, you know? To have your characters and thoughts out there for others to pick through. But I don’t know that anything can prepare you for that. There are such highs and lows which is to be expected, I think, in a profession that keeps you locked inside your own imagination for such lengths. When I first signed that three-book deal, I felt like I could fly. Felt like I could do anything. And then ANYTHING showed up in the form of work. Lots of it. And time away from the world. And lots of opinions to process. These are sacrifices I was happy to make, but at times I understood just how unprepared I was.

Gah, the work never ends. Once you're in you're not really "in" because of the entire editing process! Are the characters from your book based off anyone you know in real life? How much else of your actual life gets written into your novels?

Not usually, although I did steal the identity of our door greeter at church and slip her into Broken Wings, sparkly heels and all. I cherry-pick traits from friends and family members on occasion and give them to my characters. I’ve given a character in Broken Wings the name of my youngest sister, and in Dark Halo my middle sister makes an appearance. It’s a fun way to immortalize them.

It's awesome how as an author, you can select which traits you've seen in real life are moulded into which character you create, isn't it? You create a whole new person. What do you consider your biggest strengths and weaknesses as an author? 

I think my biggest strength is that I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I like sitting in my office chair and creating worlds. I like hacking them to pieces when they don’t work and I don’t take for granted the opportunities I’ve been given.

My biggest weakness is that because I’m an all-or-nothing kind of girl; I tend to burn out quickly. One day, I’m loving my characters and the next, I never want to see them again. I’m working on balance. But balance is an elusive little dancer, isn’t she?

Agreed, sometimes my enthusiasm about my own make-believe characters fizzles out way too quickly! Name the top five novels that have made the biggest impact on your life or on your writing.

So many novels have made an impact. Let’s see if I can narrow them down:

1. The Hunger Games. I read this one at a very important time in my writing journey. I was working on Angel Eyes but was struggling with a passive voice. The Hunger Games introduced the idea of first-person, present tense to me and I knew immediately my novel needed that immediacy. 
2. Harry Potter. JK Rowling’s world is really what brought me back to children’s and YA fiction. I can’t thank her enough for that. And her world building? Amazing. 
3. The Count of Monte Cristo. I read this one with a couple friends. We took turns reading it out loud to one another at random coffee houses, bookstores, and parks throughout the Portland, Oregon area. Some of my very best memories are wrapped up in my love of that book. 
4. On Writing. Stephen King has a way of making things very real, very personal, and very applicable. I think the magic of this book is that he has everyone nodding along, saying to themselves, “Hey! That’s what I think too!” 
5. Showdown. This was my first Ted Dekker novel. It spoke to me on so many levels, but the nitty gritty of it was that I could, in fact, write novels with a Christian worldview that are different, that are not the traditional romance. That revelation freed me.

Thanks so much for sharing with us! I haven't tried Ted Dekker yet but you've convinced me too, and the rest of them, I SO agree with. How do you react to a negative or harsh review of your books?

I don’t really read reviews anymore. Occasionally, someone will send me a review or post it on my FB wall and I do feel the need to give those a look, but I don’t trawl Goodreads or Amazon looking at reviews. Because I’ve learned! Reviews, even the good ones, don’t help me write. In fact, they can screw with my head if I’m not careful. My deadlines have been so tight, I don’t need anything, good or bad, to distract me from writing the stories in my head.

It's great you've figured that out early on. Reviews aren't necessarily editorial critique, and sometimes, even the good ones, don't really help with the writing process. What would you say are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

Settle in for the long haul. Publishing is notoriously slow. Stop refreshing your email inbox and go out for a latte. Breathe, observe the world, write, love your family and friends. Don’t stop living just because you’re writing.

All wonderful advice :) What’s the most interesting comment you have ever received about your books?

Someone just told me they’ve got a countdown on their phone to the release date of Dark Halo. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that. I accidentally read the title of an Amazon review that said Angel Eyes was dangerous fiction. Not really sure what that means, but live dangerously, peeps!

LOL! It can either be very good or very bad... but come on, it's YA fiction. What are they trying to get at? What are your goals as a writer?

​Regarding the Angel Eyes trilogy, I want readers to close my books feeling like they just experienced a really great worship service. That means some will be uncomfortable and I have to be okay with that. But I hope others will be reminded of the light and life that is our Savior. And in those cases, all the glory goes to my Creator and King. My words are His anyway.

Where can you be found on the web?

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+ | Pinterest | Instagram | Series

Follow the Tour

Gillian Adams // Julie Bihn // Jennifer Bogart // Beckie Burnham // Pauline Creeden // Janey DeMeo // Theresa Dunlap // Emma or Audrey Engel // Victor Gentile // Nikole Hahn // Becky Jesse // Jason Joyner // Karielle @ Books à la Mode // Carol Keen // Emileigh Latham // Shannon McDermott // Meagan @ Blooming with Books // Megan @ Hardcover Feedback // Rebecca LuElla Miller // Joan Nienhuis // Nathan Reimer // James Somers // Kathleen Smith // Jojo Sutis // Steve Trower // Phyllis Wheeler // Shane Werlinger

It was a real treat having you over at the blog today, Shannon! Thank you so much for joining us, and good luck with your future endeavors.

Giveaway!

Here's a quick message from Shannon about a fantastic giveaway her publisher has generously agreed to host at Books à la Mode. Anyone who comments with an answer will gain EXTRA entries!!!

I’d love to know what everyone else is reading these days. Recommend a book to me, friends.

Keep track of the rest of your entries through this Rafflecopter form:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules and Disclosure:

Giveaway ends 8 May 2013 at 11.59 PM (your time).

Open to US readers only. Sorry, rest of the world! Check out my sidebar for giveaways that ARE open internationally!

Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize once they are chosen, or else their prizes will be forfeited.
Although I do select winners, I am in no way responsible for prizes, nor for shipping and handling.

As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤ Please follow Shannon or Thomas Nelson in some way, as they have been kind enough to provide the wonderful prize!

Good luck!

2 Heart Review: Fire of the Raging Dragon by Don Brown

Fire of the Raging Dragon (Pacific Rim #2)
Don Brown

Page Count: 381
Release Date: 20 November 2012
Publisher: Zondervan (HarperCollins)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

His country... or his daughter?

In the very near future, China, now the world's largest industrial producer and consumer of Mideast Oil, passes a law that all new cars manufactured in that nation will be operated on natural gas. Beneath the floor of the South China Sea, around the contested Spratly Islands, billions of gallons of natural gas wait to be mined. But at the center of the Spratlys, the remote but strategic island of Itu Aba is occupied by China's historic enemy, Taiwan.

When the new, power-hungry Chinese President, Tang Qhichen, orders Chinese Naval forces to attack Taiwanese forces on Itu Aba, U.S. President Douglas Surber responds, ordering the U.S. Seventh Fleet to try and quell a burgeoning naval showdown between the two Chinas. Aboard the submarine tender U.S.S. Emory S. Land, one of the first ships in the naval war zone, is Ensign Stephanie Surber, a recent Naval Academy graduate who is also the First Daughter of the United States. As the Emory S. Land steams into harm's way, Ensign Surber's life is gravely threatened. The President must make a decision. Will he take a stand against evil? Or will he save the life of his daughter?

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Sony eStore | Kobo | Publisher

Review

Heavy on US history, Chinese government, the military, and current American politics, Fire of the Raging Dragon was not an easy book for me. It's well written and well researched but lacks fluidity and definitely isn't composed in layman's terms. I have to be honest: a lot of what I read just passed over my head. I didn't know what I was reading, which may be more a demonstration of my horrendous lack of knowledge on anything to do with the Navy, than a critique on the author's style.

I did not like the tone, probably why I couldn't get into this second installment of the Pacific Rim series. It's very emotionally detached and dry. All I remember of it is a jumble of sentences; I felt dyslexic for about 230 pages, then I finally succumbed and had to put it down. I was a bit intimidated, and thoroughly distressed, as this was the first book I've ever reviewed that I haven't been able to finish. I am disappointed in myself because usually I'm a very determined reader and usually have no problem finishing and heavily criticizing a book I didn't like, but I'm also patting myself on the back for even getting through three-fifths of it. This was not easy on me!

The riveting legal dilemma surrounding recent smoking-gun evidence on a previously only-rumored black market did impress me, though. The crimes against humanity and dismissal of human rights demonstrates the horrific lengths some people would do for money under the Communist rule. Further, the US's dependence on China leaves the country in stalemate; President Surber can either address a moral issue and get his daughter back, or cut diplomatic ties with China forever—leaving his country to ruin.

Faith in the Lord is a big topic in Don Brown's novel, but it's not overly preachy. Aside from the random shouts to God during attack or fighting scenes, the Christian aspect hardly bothered me. There's also a misplaced (and unrequited) romance between Stephanie and hotpants Commander Bobby Roddick. Not sure why this had to be included, seemed strange for a Christian "man's novel," but it's the only thing I could even remotely connect to.

Pros

Realistic, expert political setting // A sure hit for US Armed Forces and Chinese government enthusiasts

Cons

Hard to understand most of it // Dense // Unintelligible political and military slang, including coordinates and commands that sounded like code... and in fact were code // Stylistically unimpressive // Very very very slow-paced

Verdict

On top of the advanced legislative lingo, there are various related characters and subplots in Fire of the Raging Dragon, rather than one solid story; these are extremely confusing and hard to keep track of. Unless you're like the author and have served in the Navy or have some other design of substantial experience, you'll have trouble following it too. I can think of many people whom this book would have thrilled, but unfortunately I am not one of them. The only military stories I seem to be able to handle are the ones with the chiseled abs of emotionally damaged but rock-hard soldier heroes *swoon* 

2 hearts: Not completely a lost cause, but could not finish; I did not enjoy this book (x)

6 Heart Review: In Her Sights by Robin Perini + Giveaway!

In Her Sights (Montgomery Justice #1)
Robin Perini

Page Count: 236
Release Date: 29 November 2011
Publisher: Montlake Romance (Amazon)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author, via Book Monster Promotions, as part of the Behind the Lies virtual book tour
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Jasmine "Jazz" Parker, Jefferson County SWAT's only female sniper, can thread the eye of a needle with a bullet. But she carries with her a secret from her past that she thought she buried for good at the age of fifteen. Two years ago she even drove away the one man she believed she could love—ex-Army Ranger turned reporter Luke Montgomery—to keep her past hidden. But now, in a fleeting second, the time it takes for one clean shot, one perfect hit, to save the life of the governor's daughter, Jazz's world begins to crumble around her.

When Luke splashes her face and name across the front page of the newspaper, a vicious enemy from her past returns seeking vengeance without compromise. Jazz is forced to turn to the one man she can never have before she and everyone she cares about pays the ultimate price. Full of explosive action and almost unbearable suspense, In Her Sights is a relentless, steamy thriller surprisingly infused with soul and poignancy.

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Review

This first installment of the Montgomery Justice series follows the reunion of Luke, the second-to-youngest Montgomery brother, with his long-lost lover, Jazz. Luke has always known Jazz to be distant, to always push people away, but only when she reenters his life, does he begin to discover the darkest crevices of a secret she's kept hidden since age 15, when it resurfaces to haunt her 12 years later.

In Her Sights didn't feel any different from your regular Harlequin Intrigue with its forced plot, predictable villain, and at least one character with a "haunting past"... in other words, pretty unmemorable. Then I looked the author up and saw she was a Harlequin Intrigue regular. How's that for sniper-like intuition?

The relationship is painfully unrealistic. The wistfulness of an old flame is portrayed well, but the fact that they still have feelings for each other and then go about pursuing a relationship is too predictable, too trite. However, the love scenes are sizzling! Perini knows how to write steamy in the bedroom (and out).

I liked Luke as an alpha hero, but there isn't much about him that made me want to fall in love with him. He's strong, handsome, caring... but isn't every ex-military romance hero these days? His "deep dark secret" is supposed to be touching, but just seems overused. I wanted to like him, but he's just too poorly developed of a character. As for Jasmine, I was able to relate to her pain and her fears, and do admire her; she's a mature woman who's tough to break, always with a barrier of protection she wears like a veil. She knows her life isn't made of happy endings, but as much as I respected her poise and courage, she's quite dislikable. She doesn't seem particularly nice or welcoming, and is rather bitchy and has a big head because she is the only female SWAT member and all. The author overall just did a poor job at portraying her personality.

Jasmine's whole life has been carefully calculated and painstakingly hidden, but this façade falls apart when her identity and her career careen out of her sights. Her faith has the chance of being restored when the only man who's believed in her unconditionally gives her hope, strength, and most of all, belonging. But there's a personal vendetta out to get her, that might not be so gracious as to let that happen.

While the sabotage and Jazz's past is frightening, the plot's lack of structure is awful. The characters are tolerable, but the plot just... the villain's identity and the mystery of it all just pop out of nowhere! There's no connection, no foreshadowing, no suspense or element of surprise... it's just a random person connected to a vaguely mentioned secondary character, which made the story overall terribly anticlimactic.

There are also very subtle, but rather misplaced Christian sentiments; instead of a strong, continuous undertone, the characters randomly burst into prayer in times of danger—a fair warning for those of you who can't stand that.

[UPDATE]: Click here to read my review of Behind the Lies, the second book in the Montgomery Justice series. I liked it significantly better, just saying ;)

Pros

Intricate plot // HOT chemistry between Jazz and Luke // The Montgomery brothers—I could get used to them! // Articulate, intelligent style // Emotional pain seems very real // Likable (but not lovable) characters

Cons

Forgettable, forced plot; your typical Harlequin // Mystery seems random // Characters are tolerable, but underdeveloped and not at all affecting // Not exactly a Christian novel, but still has haphazard Christian references // Anticlimactic and not suspenseful // Unrealistic relationship

Love

"There is no light, Jasmine. Not unless you count the moon."

Luke's velvet baritone sent shivers through her. She hadn't forgotten what his whisper sounded like in the dark. She wished to God she had.

Verdict

Robin Perini spins a decent romantic suspense about reignited fires, bitter secrets of the past, and hearts that wander back to true loves in the first of her Montgomery Justice series. I liked In Her Sights enough—the swirling unknown, precise SWAT details, and Luke and Jazz's scorching encounters make for a great story—but overall was not impressed, due to the anticlimax, random mystery, and stilted relationship. I wouldn't separate this book out as extraordinary because it's not particularly gripping or dangerous—just another series romance, more than anything  

6 hearts: Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back (x)

Giveaway!

Thanks to Book Monster Promotions and the author, we have one copy of In Her Sights to give away! The winner gets to choose print or eBook, and if you've already read this one, Robin is happy to provide the second book, Behind the Lies, as a substitute. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you think about my review and the book to win. Be sure to include your email address!

Remember to make your words meaningful. One-worded comments and solely "thanks for the giveaway" will not be eligible for entry!

Rules and Disclosure:

Giveaway ends May 2nd at 11.59 (your time).

Open to internationally! Woohoo!
Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize once they are chosen, or else their prize will be forfeited and a new winner will be chosen.

Although I do select winners, I am in no way responsible for the prizes, nor for shipping and handling.

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Good luck!

6 Heart Review: Izzy's Pop Star Plan by Alex Marestaing

Izzy's Pop Star Plan
Alex Marestaing

Page Count: 229
Release Date: 29 December 2010 (first edition)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (MacMillan)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by BookSneeze in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Izzy Baxter has big plans—popstar plans.

Ever since she was six, she's dreamed of becoming the world's next singing sensation. Now sixteen, her singing career is on the rise, and she's been selected to compete on the hit TV show "International Popstar Challenge." As Izzy performs in far off locations such as Tokyo and Paris, it seems as if her plans are coming off without a hitch. But God has plans of His own, and Izzy will soon discover that living for Him is "way cooler" than megastar fame.

Presented like a daily blog, set up like a devotional, and read like a novel; this book will be an instant hit with tween girls. This cutting edge new product will meet girls where they are, and girls will love following Izzy on her incredible adventure. Plus, they'll get daily spiritual food to equip them on their own incredible adventure with God.

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Christian Book | Sony eStore | Kobo

Review

Hollywood native Izzy Baxter has come far with her pop star dream. As a contestant of "International Pop Star Challenge," she travels to Harajuku, Paris, Buenos Aires, and New York to finally make that dream come true, but she's going to have to overcome life's obstacles before she gets there. Izzy's Pop Star Plan is a 90-day devotional with strong Christian approaches on dealing with jealousy, anger, grief, sadness, moving on, helping others, disappointment, intimidation, good tidings, displaying faith, companionship, abandonment, staying true to yourself and your faith, dating, teenage rebellion, heartbreak, standing out, and worship and praise.

The story isn't that exciting; I wasn't exactly excited to see what happened next. It just describes day-to-day things, and I definitely saw the "happily ever after" coming, but the few dramatic twists and turns in the middle are worthwhile. Izzy's discoveries and personal dilemmas are well-portrayed and the way she faces her fears and makes tough decisions is moving and affecting.

Izzy as a narrator is likable enough, but the main problem I had is how UNCHARACTERISTICALLY she acts for a 16-year-old. She's way too mature and her thinking process is literally that of an adult's; I don't care how "Christian" she is... teenagers just don't act that way. On the other hand, sometimes she acts like a baby, crying every time her father leaves the house, refusing to date guys because her dad told her not to (hello???), and being too dependent on other people. And yet she discovers, on her own, God's messages? The character is just unrealistic and contradictory to me. She doesn't act like an adolescent; she acts either childishly and immaturely, or like a boring adult, so I couldn't quite place her as a real person. However, I was proud of her because she overcomes her homesickness and the challenges thrown her way, in order to pursue her lifelong aspirations; she's a dynamic character and Marestaing did a great job demonstrating her growth through gospel.

Overall, her, her family, and her friends are living in a naïve, blind Christian world that doesn't realistically depict real life, but then again this is a juvenile novel so I guess Marestaing was aiming for the grossly oversimplified and positive outlook.

Izzy's Pop Star Plan is a Christian-tinted self-improvement devo set to an agreeable tune. As a devotional, this book is very heavy on God-this and God-that—way too preachy for me—but as a debut novel, it's sentimental and promising.

Pros

Blog format with comments—felt like a real online journal // Evocative of countries Izzy travels to // Solid Christian approaches to everyday human emotions and difficulties // Lots of character growth

Cons

Not very exciting or fun // Very predictable // Izzy doesn't act like a 16-year-old... she acts like she's 30 one day, and 3 on another. There's sadly no in-between // Competition results are way too idealized; nothing disappointing ever happens to her career // Preachy

Verdict

Touching and full of the honest emotion only found in a teenager's diary, Alex Marestaing's first novel is an entertaining daily devotional about finding yourself through friends, family, new experiences, new people, good music, and of course, God. Izzy takes readers with her on her adventures around the world, giving fascinating glimpses of the reality show industry, pop star fame, and Christian lifestyle. I personally didn't enjoy the cheery storyline that seemed to always be favorable to the main character, but I do think middle-grade girls (ages 9-12) will like it 

6 hearts: Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back (x)

Prodigal by Rektok Ross Giveaway!

Prodigal
Rektok Ross

From Ic13 Books...

It was supposed to be Lexy Quinn’s year.

The hard-working wallflower has finally landed the coveted spot as Editor of her school’s newspaper. Then the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her mom is sick, and the family is moving half-way across the country to Preston Hills, Texas. Lexy can’t think of a worse place to be than at a school full of snobby rich kids where she’ll have to start all over to get people to notice her writing, or–who is she kidding?—notice her at all.

When the most swoon-worthy boy in town, who also happens to be the jock celebrity quarterback, gives her an exclusive interview, Lexy’s life takes an unexpected turn. Ash Preston is the perfect guy and, even better, he sees Lexy as she wants to be seen. But can she trust him?

Prodigal is a different kind of love story, where faith, romance, and God converge... and it just might change the way you look at your life.

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

No Innocent Affair by Edward F. Mrkvicka Jr. Promo!

Brought to you by...

No Innocent Affair by Edward F. Mrkvicka Jr.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

Have you found yourself contemplating committing adultery? Are you currently in an adulterous relationship? Have you been affected by an act of adultery? If you answered yes to any of these questions, No Innocent Affair: Making Right the Wrong of Adultery is the tool you need. An avid student of the word, Ed Mrkvicka addresses the fact that adultery is one of the main contributors to the destruction of the American family and seeks to reverse this terrifying statistic. Mrkvicka posits that few who engage in adulterous relationships realize the enormity of the cost of infidelity, both to themselves and innocent people in their lives.

Beginning by comparing God’s view of adultery to society’s view, No Innocent Affair explains in frank yet loving terms that unrepentant adultery is more than just an innocent affair. It is choosing Satan over Jesus and death over life. Mrkvicka desires to lead adulterers to repentance and eternal life with Jesus Christ. Most importantly, No Innocent Affair takes you on a step-by-step biblical progression that leads to the sin of adultery being forgiven and salvation reclaimed. Infidelity is no easy subject to discuss, but it is one that must be addressed. Follow along on this exploration of the consequences and ways out of adultery.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher

Betrayal (Where the Heart Lives #2)
Robin Lee Hatcher

Page Count: 255
Release Date: 13 November 2012
Publisher: Zondervan
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

Can two wounded hearts find a way to trust again?

It's the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him. 

Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she's going to have to trust someone if she's to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband's half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door? 

The latest historical romance from award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher and the second book in the Where the Heart Lives series, Betrayal will take you to the high desert of western Wyoming, through the crags of the Rocky Mountains, and into the hearts of two seekers learning to trust God's love no matter the circumstances.

Review

On the small farm of Sage-hen, off of Pine Creek, Wyoming, God tests the bonds of love on two broken, desperate individuals: Hugh Brennan and Julia Grace. Both have troublesome pasts that still haunt them, and both are clinging onto their faiths as tightly as they can... because they know that if they don't, they just might let go.

Hugh is burdened by an unjust accusation of a crime; he served the sentence he didn't deserve, and now he wants a fresh start. By fate, he meets Julia, who can both give and accept the help Hugh needs and has, allowing the two to slowly, steadily depend on each other. In a stormy battle between desire and committal to God, painful, unfair pasts are slowly and elaborately unraveled. I loved being able to get each Hugh and Julia's backstories little by little; it definitely kept me reading. I found it very admirable how both characters' faiths remained solid even after all they went through. They're strong people—good people—and for sticking with the Lord even when betrayed by those they loved most, they deserve each other in every aspect.

Julia is not likable. Her work offer to Hugh very generous, considering the financial situation she is in her late husband, Angus's, wake, but she's unaffectionate, which I think transpires largely due to the stiff, unfeeling dialogue. I found this to be the case in the first book in this series, Belonging; all the conversations are weak, often one-worded, and sometimes just plain unfriendly. 

Hugh, on the other hand, I liked. He's charming and the perfect gentleman, though not much of a swoon-worthy masculine hero. He's kind and virtuous, though, so I couldn't ask for a better protagonist. Through all of the characters—minor ones included—and especially through Hatcher's gorgeous, literary voice, I really felt an emotional resonance from all the relationships. Unfortunately, Julia and Hugh's "romance" was a little lacking because it's very chaste and there's no specific indication of more-than-friends feelings until the last few pages, but as a Christian novel, it successfully portrays love from all perspectives. Love isn't about being sexual or romantic; it's about finding oneself, and better yet, finding a better self within another person. In each other, Hugh and Julia find an escape from lonely childhoods, abusive pasts, and the pain of loss—an escape from the normal; such abnormality is absolutely wonderful.

My main issue with the book is the central conflicts: they're too stale. They revolve around the impending threat of Julia losing Sage-hen due to an uncertain investment, as well as the relationship with her mother that she still has the power—but not the courage—to repair. There is plenty of rising tension, but both are resolved way to quickly, way too easily; essentially, there is no climax, which is something I feel every story needs. I would have liked to see a bit of suspense, a bit of a struggle!

Betrayal makes the perfect stand-alone novel because there are no recurring situations or main characters from the first book in the series, but readers of Belonging will rejoice Hugh's reunion with his sister, Felicia, whom he has not seen since their separation upon being orphaned. This part was heartwarming, but very brief and hasted. There's no jubilant meeting scene, only a few sentences describing how Hugh finds her in Frenchman's Bluff, Idaho. I wish their reunion would have been elaborated upon.

Pros

Beautiful writing style and flow // Grounded, moral characters // Hugh is good-natured and a great character // Great cast of secondary characters // Livable, breathable historical setting // Strong Christian undertone // Not preachy // Tragic pasts are slowly revealed, which makes the reader holding on // Hugh reunites with his long-lost sister, Felicia

Cons

Passive conflicts // Julia lacks compassion // Very little romance // Said "romance" isn't very believable // Dialogue is too cool and clipped

Love

[Julia] swallowed the questions. She would let [Hugh] keep his secrets so she could keep hers.

Verdict

While the main conflicts are weakly resolved and the dialogue tends to flatten out, the emotional turmoil, unfaltering faith, and wild determination in Betrayal will strengthen readers' trust and warm their hearts. This is a story about renewal, about redemption, about leaving the things of the past in the past, and focusing on God and on the future; Hatcher's silky, glimmering prose leads it on seamlessly.

7 hearts: Not without flaws, but overall enjoyable. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥