Amber Stokes's Blog, page 29

My Review of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest

About the Book

Swan Lake meets Robin Hood when the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant by day becomes the region’s most notorious poacher by night, and falls in love with the forester.

Jorgen is the forester for the wealthy margrave, and must find and capture the poacher who has been killing and stealing the margrave’s game. When he meets the lovely and refined Odette at the festival and shares a connection during a dance, he has no idea she is the one who has been poaching the margrave’s game.

Odette justifies her crime of poaching because she thinks the game is going to feed the poor, who are all but starving, both in the city and just outside its walls. But will the discovery of a local poaching ring reveal a terrible secret? Has the meat she thought she was providing for the poor actually been sold on the black market, profiting no one except the ring of black market sellers?

The one person Odette knows can help her could also find out her own secret and turn her over to the margrave, but she has no choice. Jorgen and Odette will band together to stop the dangerous poaching ring . . . and fall in love. But what will the margrave do when he discovers his forester is protecting a notorious poacher?


My Rating

Spring

My Review

A "fairy tale" mash-up is a recipe for a fun read - and it's always enjoyable to see what Melanie Dickerson does with familiar tales by adding a different historical twist and a new dose of drama. In this "Swan Lake meet Robin Hood" story, Odette is both the character who changes at night (into a huntress instead of a swan) and the one who takes from the rich to feed the poor.

To be honest, I wasn't super impressed at first with the characters or the story in general. It seemed a little two-dimensional in some respects. Perhaps a bit formulaic with the whole "handsome man meets beautiful maiden and falls in love" sort of thing. (Which is to be expected with the premise, granted!)

Then came some twists with the black market investigation, adding a little more intrigue and a bit deeper characterization. Jorgen seems to come into his own as the story progresses, and while Odette is rather naive and single-minded when it comes to her hunting and its ramifications, she's still likable enough to hold the reader's attention and affection.

Things get even more interesting toward the end, making The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest an engaging read, overall, and another sweet and enjoyable retelling by Dickerson that honors honesty and generosity.

*With thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

Note: This book releases May 12, 2015.

"It's the Simple Things"

There's a song at the beginning of one of the short Mickey Mouse cartoons from the 1950s ("The Simple Things") with a line that goes like this...

It's the simple things that give my heart its wings.
The past few weeks haven't been the easiest, with the gravity of life pulling down and the winds of heartache blowing through the days, but my heart has been given wings by some of the sweetest and simplest things.

Seeing the room where my grandpa stayed during his last week on earth. 
He had a beautiful view outside his window, reminiscent of his own home, and beautiful care from both my mother and uncle's steadfast company and the kind hospice and care-home workers who made him as comfortable as they could. The way everyone fought for my grandpa - to give him the best possible treatment and going-home experience - touches my heart.
Watching my grandpa's memorial service come together. 
His heart of service, his kindness to others, his big smile for all, his devotion to his one true love and his family, and the faith that meant everything to him - it all was so evident in every part of our celebration of his life.
African violets and a lovely evening on the coast. 
My coworkers in marketing got together and had a basket of beautiful African violets sent to me at work after they heard about my grandpa passing away. I was incredibly blessed by their thoughtfulness and care.
As for the book pictured here, I returned home by way of the coast and enjoyed a delicious dinner and some shopping in Florence's (Oregon) Old Town. One of the items I picked up  in a cute little shop was this "Reading Journal for Book Lovers."
Returning to the red-carpet treatment. 
One coffee break, for some random reason, my coworkers and I discussed how I should have a red carpet leading to my cubicle, curtains around the opening, a body guard, white tiger, and whatnot. (The imaginings got a little carried away. :)) 
When I returned to work after my long weekend away, I discovered a "red carpet" leading to my cubicle, a tree creating some ambiance, and a "white tiger" gracing my chair. (Not to mention the fact that my cubicle had been "magnet-bombed" and the books and knick-knacks playfully disorganized...but the bag of chocolate made up for that!)
* * *
You can't help but feel loved with a red carpet and chocolates - and a new nickname like "White Tiger."
And your heart can't help but fly when God showers you with love through things like...unexpected messages from blogging friends saying they felt prompted to pray for you,flowers and cards from coworkers who are true friends beyond the office,dinners and conversations and moments with family that help bring healing, anda million other simple things from movie-watching to agate-hunting, texts and phone calls, solitary drives and the power of fond memories.These things aren't really that small - and certainly their impact is far from simple. Listing them here, remembering all the ways God has provided for me and my family in just these past few weeks, is eye-opening. 
My heart has wings, indeed.

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lᴏʀᴅ is gracious and full of compassion. ~ Psalm 111:4

Cover Reveal: A Dream Not Imagined

Another Cinderella novella will be making its debut soon! This one is by my sweet blogging friend Shantelle. What's more, this book will also be Shantelle's debut into the world of indie publishing. I'm excited to see her make this important step in her writing career - and in glass slippers, no less! :) Read on to learn more about A Dream Not Imagined, the author, and the cover illustrator...
About the Book
A MAID, a PRINCE, and a DUKE. A GARDENER, a STEPMOTHER, and a secret... 
Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family—she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.

But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream...of the same prince.

In the end, are dreams even all they're made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?

A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.

Tentative Release Date: June 2015


And here's the full cover...

My Thoughts
A lovely, iconic scene that sets the fairy-tale tone well! The backdrop is simple, making Cinderella with her pretty blue gown and golden ringlets stand out all the more. I love the golden glow from the lamp - like a shimmer of hope that Cinderella can't help but turn her face toward. And I believe the fonts work well with the design and with each other. All in all, it's sweet and traditional with a bit of flair to make it shine. :)


About the Author
Shantelle Mary Hannu was born in the mountainous west, spending her golden childhood years there. Since then, she has relocated time and again with her parents and seven siblings, making cherished memories in both the South and Central United States.

A Christian homeschool graduate, Shantelle has a passion for writing and all things books. From a young age she’s been penning tales with a hope of sharing with the world adventurous and soul-stirring stories that bring glory to God.

A Dream Not Imagined, a fairytale novella, will be her first published book. She’s currently preparing a full-length fantasy novel for publication as well, and working on its sequel.

Shantelle blogs at A Writer’s Heart about her stories, favorite books and movies (with reviews), healthy wheat-free recipes, and hosts fellow authors, among other things. One of her joys is connecting with fellow writers and readers! You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, Google Plus, Pinterest, and Twitter.

About the Illustrator
Natasha H. is an aspiring photographer and also loves drawing and painting. A Dream Not Imagined is the first book she has drawn the cover picture for. Learn more about her work at her blog, Through My Lens.

Find links to the other cover reveal participants HERE!

My Review of The Captive Imposter

RSVP for the Facebook Party Tomorrow (April 24th)!
Here's a description of the book:

"Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion named Elle Stoneburner at one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine—the one she’d always loved best and always hoped to own one day, Everston. The one thing she doesn’t like about the situation is that her ex-fiancé is in the area and is set on marrying someone else. Reeling from her feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, Estella reluctantly forms a friendship with the gruff manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley, who seems to have something against wealthy young socialites with too much money, although they are just the kind of people Everston caters to.

When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer she can’t refuse. She sees no other choice aside from going back home to her family and accepts the position as companion to his sister. Throughout her interactions with Dexter, she can’t deny the pull that’s evidenced between them every time he comes near. Estella realizes that while she’s been hiding behind a false name and identity, she’s never been freer to be herself than when she’s with Dexter Blakeley. But will he still love her when he finds out she’s Estella Everstone? She’s not entirely sure."

Buy the ebook | Add to Goodreads
My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

Wealthy and withdrawn Estella Everstone is in hiding, but her new role as companion to Mrs. Granton brings her back to one of her father's hotels. At Everston, her past, present, and future meet on a vacation that's low on relaxation - and high on drama, mystery, and romance.

With a title including the word "captive," and given the nature of the endings of the first two books in the series, I perhaps hoped for a bit more emphasis on the general suspense element. Since there was a lingering threat from Book 2 (The Bound Heart), it felt like this concluding installment of the trilogy should have been a tad more epic and drawn out in that way.

However, I was quite satisfied with the romantic suspense/tension, and I believe I enjoyed this romance the most out of the three! Lots of emphasis is placed on the time spent between the hero and heroine, Dexter and Estella, resulting in many exciting and tender scenes with a unique, not-quite-Gothic flavor. I loved the resort setting that served as the wild and grand backdrop for the romance. I also appreciated that the faith element felt stronger in this book, with a couple of sermons in the woods to highlight the beliefs and growth of the characters.

The Captive Imposter came across as almost more of a stand-alone with the seclusion of the main characters and setting, making it a little easier to follow compared to the other books in the series. The Everstone Chronicles as a whole is a lovely and intriguing collection, and while I felt the climax could have been stronger in this last book, I think the story flowed best, even if the characters still made me frustrated at times... But I guess it wouldn't be as much fun otherwise! :) Another great historical romance from Dawn Crandall!

*With thanks to the author for providing me with a Kindle copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*










Check out my reviews of The Hesitant Heiress and The Bound Heart, Books 1 and 2 in the series!

Rivershore Book Tour: Midnight Captive

About the Book

"Phaedra is cursed to sleep until true love wakes her. Hermione has a dark secret. When Prince Sheridan discovers the two princesses wandering the woods outside the castle at night, he begins to wonder if there is more to Phaedra's curse than is readily apparent. With the help of a minstrel out to prove a point, they must discover the secret before the princesses are trapped forever in the night."

Purchase on Amazon | Add to Goodreads

My Rating

Spring

My Review

Who can resist a fun fairy-tale retelling? Not me!

Midnight Captive offers surprising connections between an intriguing assortment of fairy tales and legends. What do Sleeping Beauty, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Rapunzel, and Cinderella have to do with one another? (It's quite possible there are even more that can be added to this list, as there are nods to all sorts of stories in these pages!) Come discover how elements of these beloved plots are pretzeled together into one enjoyable mystery.

The question of how the prince, the minstrel, and the two princesses will unravel the curses ensnaring them (be it of a magical nature or an emotional one) is what held my attention and forced me to finish the book in one sitting late at night. The characters make for a sweet cast - even if Hermione comes across as a little annoying and the boys as a bit obtuse (especially one of them! Yeesh). ;)

The writing could use a bit of polish to make it really shine, as there are some instances of "telling" and info-dumping that keep the story from flowing as well as it might and the characters from feeling as authentic as they might. But the pace is quick for the most part, and all the little "reveals" are fun to experience along the way.

I really appreciated the unique combination of familiar fairy tales in Midnight Captive, as well as the emphasis on the power of music. A great debut!

*With thanks to Rivershore Books for providing me with a e-copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: Are you a blogger interested in reviewing for Rivershore Books? Or an author looking to run a book tour? Learn more on the Rivershore Books website!

The Tomb Blog Tour + Giveaway Notice

I still have to finish this one, so I'll come back and update this post when I have my review ready! But there are only a couple of days left to enter the awesome giveaway, so be sure to check that out right away. :) And you can read my thoughts on the preceding book in the series, The Thief (Book 2), HERE. These stories would make for perfect, poignant Easter reads.

About the Book
A family divided in faith. A woman imprisoned by shame. A miracle that changes everything.

In this captivating retelling of a classic biblical story, Jesus shocks the town of Bethany with Lazarus’s resurrection from the dead, leading Martha—a seemingly perfect woman trapped by the secrets of her past—to hope and a new life.

Everyone in Bethany admires Martha—the perfect Jewish woman. She feeds and clothes her loved ones, looks after the family farm, and meticulously follows every precept of the Pharisees’ strict laws. But Martha is hiding a secret. At her sister’s marriage feast, she gave her heart and her innocence to a young musician who promised to return and marry her, but instead betrayed her love and abandoned her.

Seven years later, only two people in Bethany know of Martha’s secret sin: her brother, Lazarus, and Simon, the righteous Pharisee to whom Martha is betrothed. When Lazarus falls ill, Martha is faced with a choice: send for Jesus to save her dying brother—risking the wrath of Simon who threatens to betray her—or deny Jesus’ healing power and remain trapped in her tomb of secrecy and lies. 

Meanwhile, on the shores of Galilee, Isa roams the wilderness, tortured by demons and knowing only that someone is waiting for him. When he is healed by Jesus, he finds that seven years have passed since his descent into madness. Isa journeys home to Bethany only to find he is too late to win back Martha’s love. 

When Martha risks all to heal Lazarus, will Jesus arrive in time, or will he—like Isa—come too late?

Purchase on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My Rating

Coming soon!

My Review

Coming soon!

*With thanks to NetGalley and Howard Books for providing me with a temporary e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Giveaway!

Through April 1, 2015, you can enter to win one of four exciting prizes in celebration of the release of The Tomb...

1st Prize: $100 Amazon.com gift card
2nd Prize: $50 Amazon.com gift card
3rd Prize: $25 Amazon.com gift card
10 Runners-up: Olive-wood pocket cross from the Holy Land

You can learn more and enter to win using the Rafflecopter form on the author's blog!

The Beauty of Tuck Everlasting: Confessions of a Non-Book-Purist

The sweet earth opened out its wide four corners to her like the petals of a flower ready to be picked, and it shimmered with light and possibility till she was dizzy with it. ~ Tuck Everlasting (Book)
Let me just dive right into the confessions:
I watched and loved the movie many times over before I picked up the book.I adored both the movie and the book.I really don't mind that they were different from each other. In fact, I love them both for being their own brilliant works.I just finished reading Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt for the very first time the other night. It's an enchanting and strange little tale about a 10-year-old girl who speaks for so many growing-up hearts with her conflicting desires to explore the world and never leave the familiarity of home. It's also, of course, about the Tucks - an endearing family with a desire to belong...to Winnie, to the world, to life.
There's an innocence about the story that makes the profound questions and observations all the more powerful for the contrast.
The movie version shares many similarities in plot and distinct elements. But it's also an altogether different story experience. Miles is a heartbroken man "looking for wars to fight." Romance is a much more imminent possibility for teenage Winnie. And the Tuck family is more of a sober (but still entirely lovable) mystery.
You won't find answers about everlasting life in either version, at least in a direct fashion (although I believe the movie offers a beautiful hint), but you can find thought-provoking questions, as well as memorable words and portrayals of deep love and wise living. 
Some of my favorite lines from each to ponder...
Do not fear death. Fear the unlived life. (Movie)
She had done it because - in spite of everything, she loved them. This of all things her family understood, and afterward they drew together staunchly around her.(Book)
Wake up with the dawn. (Movie)
You can't pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, that's the blessing.(Book)

I feel quite happy to have finally enjoyed the book! And I've started watching the movie again, because this story world...? It charms me and begs me to linger in a moment where time's wheel pauses and offers much-needed perspective on life, "shimmer[ing] with light and possibility."
***
Have you read or watched Tuck Everlasting? What struck you most about the story? 
If you've experienced both, were you OK with the movie being different from the book? Do you prefer one version over the other?

Really Reading vs. Just Skimming

As Elizabeth Bennet warns Colonel Fitzwilliam (at least in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie), "Prepare yourself for something quite dreadful."

I confess that I've gotten into a terrible habit of skimming books. Not all of them, mind you, but it seems the more "for fun" books I acquire, the easier it is to justify skipping through virtual or paper pages. Unless I've agreed to review it or determined from the get-go that I want to read every word, the temptation is there.

Perhaps that's saved me time reading books I wouldn't overly enjoy anyway.

But perhaps it's kept me from fully experiencing some great stories.

By jumping ahead to the fun, exciting, more adventurous parts, I miss the journey of characters growing and blossoming and emerging through fire. I miss meaningful encounters and everyday exchanges.

I get the gist, but I miss the chance to read between the lines.

This confession doesn't mean I'll never skim a book again. Sometimes we have to let things go so we can devote our focus to things better-suited for us.

But I hope to take the time to fully enjoy more of the books I have and to experience all that the stories might hold in store.

Same goes for how I live my life.

The Wife Maker Blog Tour + Review

Blog Tour Schedule


Here's a description of the book:
(Note: This is Book 3 in a series, so there are some spoilers for previous books in this summary and review.) 
Charlotte has spent years as the husband maker, sending every guy she dates off to enjoy marital bliss with the next girl he dates. But things have now changed, and she's determined to use her husband-maker abilities one last time - on herself. And she finally knows exactly who she wants.
Angus has loved Charlotte since they were teenagers, but he's tired of waiting for her to realize how good they could be. She's broken his heart one too many times, and it's time to move on with his life. Maybe a position halfway across the country will be just what he needs to get over her. But when Charlotte won't let him go without a fight, Angus has to decide if he's willing to let her in again or if she's too late.
My Rating
Spring/Summer
My Review
When all is said and done, I'm happy. :) That doesn't mean there weren't numerous moments of frustration with certain characters (*cough* Angus *cough*). But I suppose that is all part of the fun of contemporary romance!

This series has been one long winding road...and one heck of a road trip! I've so enjoyed getting to know Charlotte's character while joining her in the ups and downs, highs and lows, painful lessons and meaningful memories that make up life's journey, romance or no.

This last installment introduces Angus's voice to the mix. Which is sweet, no doubt, but man, he sure can try a reader's patience! I was just a bit relieved to discover early on that the story isn't told completely from his perspective...

Not that Charlotte doesn't make some questionable choices, but her voice and trials are so easy to relate to. I loved reading about her adventures and misadventures as she wholeheartedly embraced a brand-new season in her life.

And her family...you don't want to miss meeting these characters! The relationships and banter all feel so genuine and are just plain fun to read.

This is a great conclusion to a great series - one that takes some intriguing turns and shows how stubborn we all can be, and how stubborn we need to be at times when it comes to the people and work we love.

*With thanks to I Am A Reader Blog Tours and the author for providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*
Get your copy of The Wife Maker for $4.99! Amazon



Read my review of The Husband Maker (Book 1)

Read my review of The Match Maker (Book 2)

About the Author
Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads
Blog Tour Giveaway
   
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 3/22/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cedar Fort Blog Tour: What Is Lost + Review

About the Book

"Angry at his failure to exact vengeance on the prince, mask maker Joch flees Venesia to find his lost love. When a red-cloaked assassin promises answers, he has little choice but to trust her—though he may be walking into a trap. Unravel the deception in this dazzling story of second chances that will keep you guessing to the last page."


My Rating

Spring

My Review

What Is Hidden and its sequel What Is Lost are so lavishly imagined that you can't help but enjoy the drama and adventure. In Joch's story, this fairy-tale retelling takes readers on board ship, through the jungle/forest, and into a new city where every twist and turn around street corners reveals dangerous and colorful characters.

It's Skidmore's creativity that once again redeemed this story for me. While there are some very obvious connections to the tale of Little Red Riding Hood - such as the red cape and names like "Grandmother" and "Wolf" - the plot and characters stand well on their own. There are also some more subtle connections between this story and its fairy-tale counterpart that I have yet to fully grasp, but I'm still intrigued and impressed by.

As for the direction this story ultimately takes, let's just say I'm left uncertain as to how I feel. I get the intention and some of the reasons for the outcome, but am I satisfied with this book as its own entity? *shrugs* It works, but I'm feeling a little...lost (emotionally speaking). And despite all that occurs and being in Joch's head throughout the story, he didn't completely win over my devotion and sympathy.

Still, What Is Lost held my interest and has me curious about Book 3 in this fanciful fantasy series.

*With thanks to Cedar Fort for providing me with a PDF copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!
About the Author

Lauren Skidmore grew up in Kansas, with stints in Ohio and New York, and currently lives in Utah. She attended Brigham Young University where she earned a BA in English Teaching with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language and Japanese. She then spent a year in Japan teaching and traveling. When she's not exploring new places, you can probably find her on the internet with fifteen windows open and looking at just one more thing before actually getting something done. Visit her website at www.laurenskidmore.com.