Katy Huth Jones's Blog, page 14

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Time Travel Historical Fiction

The Book Dragon has read Loretta Livingstone's A Promise to Keep and gives it 5 claws!
My review: "4.5 for this wonderful sequel to Out of Time. Twelfth century England comes alive with vivid details, and Ms. Livingstone's characters are living, breathing people, those in the 12th century as well as those from the 21st century. Abbess Hildegarde is an even greater delight in this story, and the growing love between Sir Giles and Lady Isabella is a sigh-worthy secondary plot. But it's modern Shannon who's the heart of this tale, as she travels to the past to find a distraction from a broken heart and discovers much more, good and bad. I thought the ending dragged on just a bit, but the scenes with Father Dominic are too fun to miss, and then the final scene ties everything together in a brilliant way. Recommended for fans of historical fiction and time travel with more than a splash of romance."

A Promise to Keep is the sequel to Livingstone's excellent Out of Time, which I reviewed before Book Dragon started giving out claws. Here's my review of Out of Time, for I highly recommend you read both of these books:

"4.5 stars for this compelling time-travel story. Marion from 2006 is sent by a magical tree to the year 1191 to save an important historical figure's life. The peril this causes, both to Marion and Sir Giles, makes this book difficult to put down. Both major and minor characters of both times are well-drawn, and the ending is thought-provoking and resonates with this reader's heartstrings. The occasional head-hopping was a bit distracting, but the pace moved steadily, neither too slow nor too fast. Recommended for anyone who is intrigued by time travel and/or 12th century England."

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Imaginative fantasy that evokes Narnia!

The Book Dragon has reviewed The Tethered World by Heather L. L. FitzGerald and gives it 5 claws!
My review: "4.5 stars for this imaginative, witty adventure reminiscent of Narnia. I love that the story features a homeschooling family (since we were one) with an autistic child who has a special destiny. There are Trolls and Ogres and other scary creatures in this subterranean magical world along with Gnomes, Dwarfs, Elves, Fairies, and Nephilim. It's fun to experience this story through the eyes of the MC, the oldest child in the family though the climactic battle was over too quickly and too easily. Otherwise well-written with a steady, unfolding pace. I'm glad there are more books because this world and the characters can easily support a larger story."

It's Dragon Week with a Fiery Giveaway from the Fellowship of Fantasy!

It's #DragonWeek! Let's Have a Giveaway
The Fellowship of Fantasy is taking over shark week to celebrate the true top predator: DRAGONS! As lovers of all things dragon, we are giving you a chance to win this awesome set of dragon prizes: a dragon candle holder, a dragon hair clip, and a collection of 13 dragon centric ebooks by the awesome indie authors of The Fellowship of Fantasy.





a Rafflecopter giveaway


You can win the following ebooks ...

Dragon's Heritage by Kandi J. Wyatt

Magic is to Dance by A. J. Bakke

The Midsummer Captives by Lea Doué

The Dragons' Chosen by Gwen Dandridge

Yorien's Hand by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt 

Through the Mountains by Malinda Andrews

Fallen Emrys by Lisa Rector

Deception by Kara Jaynes

Mercy's Prince by Katy Huth Jones

Temptation of Dragon by Chrys Cymri

Aerisia: Field of Battle by Sarah Ashwood

Submerging by C. S. Johnson

Cora and the Nurse Dragon by H. L. Burke

Epic Heroes Giveaway!

Calling all heroes!

Unwilling or epic, tragic or super, heroes are the heart of every story, especially fantasies! Enter our Hall of Heroes giveaway for a chance to add both ebooks and paperbacks to your fantasy library, authored by eighteen members of the Fellowship of Fantasy.

Central to our giveaway is a paperback of HALL OF HEROES, our newest anthology. You don't have to wait to see if you win, though. The ebook is permanently free!

There's also a bonus prize of a custom journal set!

Don't delay! Enter to win at the Rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Fast-paced, gritty historical fiction

The Book Dragon has read Susan Peek's Saint Magnus: The Last Viking and gives it four claws!
Here's my review: "This was an interesting slice of history from the Dark Ages about a saint I had not previously known about. Teen boys will like the fast pace and action. The title character is portrayed sympathetically, and many of the other characters are shown in three dimensions. The frequent use of modern terms and slang, especially in the characters' speech, was a distraction to this otherwise well-written story."

Find more about this author's books at Catholic Teen Books!

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: A fast-paced magical adventure

In the middle of a stressful move to a big city, the Book Dragon has read H. L. Burke's Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians' Rivalry and gives it 5 claws!
Here's my review: "4.5 stars for a fast-paced, fascinating story of rivalry and loyalty with several interesting plot twists. The main characters are thoughtfully rendered and wonderfully human (or not quite human). I liked the way magic spells were done in this universe as well as the concept of rifts between worlds, and the growth of the main characters is believable and fun to watch. The pivotal scene near the end is brilliant. Recommended for fans of magical fantasy with a dash of romance."

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: YA contemporary novel with a perfect voice!

The Book Dragon has read A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman and gives it 5 claws!
My 5 star review: "I'm often leery of contemporary YA fiction in present tense with a first person POV. I have been unable to finish several because the MC came off as whiny. But Engelman's voice is perfect for the story, and her 16 year old MC Katelyn is so believable and likeable, I wondered if the author had based her on a real person. Her family's situation is real and heart-breaking, but hope is woven into this story on every page. While dealing honestly with the real problem of depression, A Single Bead is a celebration of family and love and the power of prayer."

A Single Bead is featured on the website Catholic Teen Books. Check out the other reads!  

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: A beautiful love story

The Book Dragon has read Melanie D. Snitker's Finding Joy (#5 in the Love's Compass series) and gives it 5 claws!
My 5 star review: "What a beautiful story of second chances and finding oneself after life-altering events! I loved the two main characters, and my heart ached for them while each worked through a painful past. I love the depth of Ms. Snitker's characters and how she makes their faith a part of who they are. It was great to spend more time with some of my other favorite characters from the other books in this series. Happy the beagle was a sweet addition, too. I highly recommend this book and this entire series to every fan of sweet Christian romance."

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Compelling historical fiction about an unforgettable young king!

The Book Dragon has read Susan Peek's Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades and gives it five claws!
My review: "4.5 stars for a compelling story about an inspiring young king during a turbulent time and place in history. Made king at age 13, surrounded by enemies without as well as within his kingdom, and dealing with the unimaginable effects of leprosy, this young man's steadfast faith in God and his inspirational courage have left an indelible mark on my heart. King Baldwin's best friend, Theodore, and the Templar Sir Geoffrey were also well done, so well done, in fact, that two final scenes brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't unreservedly give this book 5 stars, though, because a few instances of slang and modern words pulled me out of the 12th century with a bit of a jar. Young readers will find this book fascinating, fast-paced, and unforgettable."

Crusader King is featured on the new Catholic Teen Books site.

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: A Fantasy of Friendship and More!

 The Book Dragon has read H. L. Burke's Beggar Magic and gives it 5 claws!  My review: "4.5 stars for an imaginative tale of friendship in an interesting world where people are separated into Highmost and Common, and the mysterious Strains are more than just ethereal background sounds. Common Leilani and Highmost Zebedy form an unusual friendship and find more than either expected when Zebedy receives her assignment to Research Manor and asks Leilani to be her aide, including heart-pounding danger. Recommended!"