Book review "Christmas in Winter Hill" by Melody Carlson

I've read Melody Carlson's books on and off since my pre-teen years.  When I saw the opportunity from the publisher, Revell, to read this book I was happy to choose to accept.  Christmas In Winter Hill (Revell), by Melody Carlson, is a light-hearted Christmas-y novella that's perfect to get you in the holiday spirit.  It can easily be read in one sitting on a snowy day with your favorite hot beverage.

Single mom, Krista, moves from Phoenix to small town Winter Hill in the Pacific Northeast with her young daughter Emily when she accepts to job as the town's manager.  To Emily's delight Winter Hill turns into a sort of North Pole celebration from Thanksgiving through the Christmas holiday, even offering a "Christmas house" to be won via contest.  Krista, however is a Christmas baby who grew up in foster care and therefore hates Christmas as she was always forgotten on that day.  How can she help facilitate building the Christmas spirit when she's a grinch?

While it's not the most amazing book I've ever read; I would recommend it if you want something quick and easy to get you in the holiday spirit.  It would make a great Hallmark movie (which I can't get enough of).

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

Book Review "The Grace Year" by Kim Liggett

Photo credit: Netgalley

When I was growing up I would tell my parents EVERYTHING about the book I was currently reading.  This one was like that for me.  My fiance heard ALL about it. I devoured The Grace Year (St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books), by Kim Liggett after a book blogger I follow on Goodreads said it was her favorite book of the year IN JUNE and tipped her followers off to the fact is was available on Netgalley (thanks Netgalley!)

The Grace Year is a YA dystopian novel marketed to lovers of The Handmaid's Tale  and The Hunger Games (I know, I know...aren't they ALL!)  And while there is truth to that this novel was so different to me.  In this novel all girls are banished from their community for their 16th year of life so they can release the "magic" they would otherwise hold onto that would tempt men. (*insert eye roll here*)  This 16th year, better known as "The Grace Year" looms as a terrifying unknown as no one is allowed to speak of what happens during The Grace Year.  What's known is that these 16 year olds are branded with their father's crest on the bottom of their foot.  All 16 year old women are escorted to exile where they not only have to survive the elements, but they also have to survive each other (think about how catty high school girls to be and AH...this makes sense), as well as poachers that are hunting them to kill and sell their parts on the black market.  Escape is not an option.  The only options are survival or death.  If they do not return by life or my mutilated body parts their younger siblings will then be taken to the outskirts of the community to serve as "women of the night."

This book is un-put-downable.  I've seen many reviewers saying that it's all about feminism and I vehemently disagree.  While there are undertones of feminism (it is largely a book about how women do or do not work together/support one another) I took SO much more away about how society as a whole treats one another by how these girls interacted.  We can be groomed as a society to act a certain way, but when It really comes down to it we make the choice.  I believe that's what Liggett's message was. 

I read this book four months ago and it still haunts me.  I've been telling everyone I think would remotely enjoy this to put the release date on their calendars since June! (It came out this past Tuesday, October 8th by the way so go get it NOW! And then tell me what you think?)

What story have you read that you got something totally different than everyone else seemed to?  Tell me about it in the comments!

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

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