Book Review "A Single Light" by Tosca Lee.

Photo Credit: NetGalley

    A Single Light (Howard Books), by Tosca Lee, is the follow up to The Line Between (click the link to see that review).  The Line Between had me at the first paragraph, seeing as it was the best opening paragraph I've ever read.  In A Single Light we meet Wynter Roth again who in the first book escaped an apocalyptic cult to enter a world in which the apocalypse seems imminent.  She has the answer to save the human kind and is unfortunately the worlds most wanted "criminal."
     In the opening of this new novel Wynter is sealed in an underground bunker/silo in which the strangers she is stuck there with do NOT know the important part she played in the events that led them all to their current situation nor that she knows any more information than they do.  The strangers seem to be cooperating and thriving in the underground silo until one person decides he's going to force the door open and then the system malfunctions.  People get hurt.  People die.  They've lost all contact with the little they still had of the outside world and have no clue what dangers might be lurking.  Nothing is stable anymore.  Wynter had come into the silo with four people she cares about.  One of the is now gravely injured and depends on antibiotics they do not have in the bunker to live.  Another of the four is found out the have been not the protagonist that we knew them to be but the ANTAGONIST!! AND MY MIND WAS BLOWN!! I couldn't stop now!
    Wynter decides to venture into the world to find out what happened and to find the vital medicine that will save her friend.  They quickly find a mute young man (insert new favorite character) in a world where it is not safe to be different.  He adds humor and warmth to a fast paced action packed story and I only wish I got to read about him more.
     Tosca Lee is a brilliant story teller and no two books are ever the same.  I highly recommend reading this book, but I do recommend reading the other book first so your mind can be blown by the gut punches she places in this one as well.

Gold star to you if you can recommend another series/or stand alone that has that cult feel to it.  I've read my fair share of apocolyptic but not cult stories.

A Single Light is released in just over 1 hour! September 17, 2019.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Tosca, as always, for selecting me as part of your street team!

Book Review "The Line Between" by Tosca Lee

Photo credit: Netgalley

I know I've been absent for while.  I've still been reading but my heart wasn't in reviewing.  I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

I recently read The Line Between (Howard Books), by Tosca Lee.  And let me tell you, the story began with THE BEST first paragraph I've ever read.  Talk about sucking me in! 

Wynter Roth is kicked out of an apocalyptic cult and just as she's starting to find a new normal the world falls into mass chaos.  Could her cult leader be right?  Did she just leave her only safety and salvation to enter a world coming to it's end?  An old disease melts through the permafrost (a bit scary as I just experienced the polar vortex and the reality of this happening someday becomes more real every year) and is quickly spread through the flu.  At first everyone is baffled as to the new widespread onset of early dementia but cities quickly start shutting down and the power grid is hit with an attack.  Meanwhile an answer and possible vaccine falls into Wynter's lap.  She has to overcome her naivety and figure out how to get to the right people all the while navigating a foreign world.

This novel is fast paced with just the right amount of twists and turns. And you guys, the plot is partially taken out of the news!  I sent multiple texts before the book came out telling my friends/family put it at the top of their TBR lists.  HIGHLY recommend.

The best part(s):
1. There will be a sequel.
2. It's already in development for television! READ MORE HERE

The Line Between was released January 29, 2019.  Save the bacon, save the world.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Tosca for selecting me as part of your street team!

Book Review "Firstborn" by Tosca Lee

Photo credit: Goodreads

I feel like I waited FOREVER to read Firstborn (Howard Books), by Tosca Lee.  The first book in this series, The Progeny, was by far my favorite book of 2016-I still recommend it to literally EVERYONE!  So when I saw Firstborn pop up on Netgalley I was beyond thrilled to be approved to read the galley!  The first (half) of the book left me wanting more, which was a little tough after such an outstanding cliffhanger at the end of The Progeny.  It was so incredibly fast paced, but lacked a little in drawing me in.  Honestly, I don't think that's the writer's fault.  I think it's like when someone hypes something up so much telling you how much you're gonna love it and then you think it's just okay.  I kinda think I did that to myself.

Then the second half showed up.  And the twist, turns, and full speed of head were perfect.  I couldn't get enough!  Lee really is a masterful storyteller.  I missed the history of the first book, but we really didn't need it.  We needed to story of the characters of the now.  In fact those characters became more personal; a stronger connection was form.  Instead of focusing on the history and the mystery of that you are able to focus on the dynamics between the characters and how it relates to your own life.

Overall I finished the book truly loving it and would definitely recommend it.   But you HAVE to read The Progeny  first, that isn't even an option!

Firstborn will be released TOMORROW May 1, 2017.  So just go and buy both!

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book review: "The Whiskey Sea" by Ann Howard Creel

Photo credit: Netgalley

     There was something about The Whiskey Sea (Lake Union Publishing), by Ann Howard Creel, that drew me in the second I read about it.  Originality at it's best; I had never come across a book that was about a young girl repairing boat engines and taking part of the prohibition in a sea side small town.
     Frieda and her younger sister Bea are left orphaned at a young age and reluctantly taken in by the one man they believe has done them no wrong.  He teaches them the ways of the sea and Frieda falls in love with the sea wanting to follow after her "father" who would like her to have a more traditional life.  She learns to work on engines and uses her new found skills to make some quick cash during the prohibition.  She aims to make a better life for herself and her family, to the scrutiny of those she loves.  Will her past haunt her and will her tenaciousness ruin her future?  The different ways that grief and heartbreak effect those in the same family is always so intriguing. 

     I appreciate that Creel (almost) didn't sugar coat things. 99.9% of the book is real life, hard times, how am I ever going to get through this type of stuff.  The last page, maybe not so much, but even that wasn't perfectly perfect.

Overall I truly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

The Whiskey Sea was published August 23, 2016.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 Books to get you in the Christmas Spirit

Christmas movies are an obvious way to get in the holiday spirt; I know my newest favorite is !  It's super cheesy and romantic and just perfect for this time of year. 
I am the first one to overlook Christmas books.  What better time of year to indulge in story!  The weather tends to keep us indoors, and the light of the Christmas tree is perfect to create that cozy reading environment.  Here are some that I have read and recommend.

1. .  While it slightly lacks in plot development, it feels magical.  It's a novella so it's pretty short and sweet.  If your family has a lot of differences, and you want to feel understood and maybe have a little hope of how things can work out--this book is for you!
Original review: http://godsdanceralwayz.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-endless-christmas-by.html


2.   This is one of my favorite books EVER!  And while it does not have a Christmas setting, I do believe it talks a lot about what the season is supposed to be about.  Little handwritten notes tucked in secret places!  Who doesn't want to find a gift like that.  Encouraging words are a beautiful gift to bestow upon one another.
Oringinal review: http://godsdanceralwayz.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-if-you-find-this-letter-by.html

3.  This one will make a perfect gift; as it's designed for just that purpose!  A small gift with powerful stories that comes with a section to write your own story of appreciation to the one you're giving the gift to.  A easy way to thank the people we often forget but deserve it the most.  Plus, Max Lucado's writing style reads like poetry, understatedly beautiful.
Original Review: http://godsdanceralwayz.blogspot.com/2010/09/you-changed-my-life-stories-of-real.html

4.   This novel so easily speaks to reality.  An interwoven story of three families across 25 years, and a jar full of change is bound the inspire you.  This story in fact has inspired a movement!  Go to Christmasjars.com to read real stories about how people are using jars of change and Christmas time to make a difference in others lives!
Original review: http://godsdanceralwayz.blogspot.com/2009/04/christmas-jars-jason-f-wright.html

Book Review: "Broken Angels" by Gemma Liviero

Photo credit: Netgalley

    Broken Angels (Lake Union Publishing), by Gemma Liviero, follows the lives of three individuals during WWII.  Both Jewish and Aryan the three characters all face the harsh realities of such an ugly period in history.  The alternating points of view gave fresh air to the story when often times, as stories told about this period of time, became hard to read.  These three viewpoints also brought to light parts of the war I'd never read of before, and I am an avid reader of WWII stories.  It shows how war changes people; even those who seem to have a higher status too become broken.

     All three characters (even the German one) are easy to get attached too.  The story is both heartbreaking and redemptive.  I absolutely recommend it; especially if you are drawn to stories of the war.

Broken Angels  was published April 2016.

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All thoughts are my own

I received a review copy

Book review: "Jilted" by Varina Denman

Although I have still to read Jaded (It's next on the list), I didn't hesitate to jump on the book tour for Jilted: A Novel (Mended Hearts Series) (David C Cook), by Varina Denman.  I had become so attached to the characters upon reading the second part of the trilogy and was excited for more.

This last instalment follows Lynda, a middle aged mother who suffers depression due to not only her childhood traumas but those caused by her small town life as well.  Lynda's boyfriend convinces their small town that she cheated on her husband and that her baby was his; resulting in the proverbial scarlet letter, her husband leaving herself and their child, and a swift kick to the curb from her church congregation and closest friends.  With no one to lean on Lynda runs from her faith and into herself.  Depression is a topic that is very taboo within the church, and it is so refreshing when someone speaks out about it.  The beauty of story is that it becomes real.  There is always some part of a story that you can see yourself in; personifying the topic. 

We all are human.  We all have flaws, and struggles, and pain.  Our circumstances shape us and shape how we react to these struggles.  Fact of the matter is we are all human yet not the same.  We are detrimental to one another when we push our own circumstances on one another and judge.  That's what happens with depression.  Church, I beg of you to stop telling the depressed they aren't enough.  They don't pray enough, they don't read their bible enough, ect.  Let's practice grace with one another.  Lynda would have been so much better off had she been shown grace much earlier.  Wouldn't we all?

Read this, let it breath some life into you.  If deep topics don't interest you, know that this is a good, light, summer read and there is a pretty killer tornado scene that as I was reading I had to keep checking the windows to make sure the sunshine was still out.

I have received this review from RadiantLit in exchange for a fair and honest review.