Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 204

Power of Broken People | Looking for Dei by David A. Wilson #Giveaway

Looking for Dei
David A. Willson
Publication date: March 23rd 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Fifteen-year-old Nara Dall has never liked secrets. Yet it seems that her life has been filled with them, from the ugly scar on her back to the strange powers she possesses. Her mysterious father refuses to say anything about her origins, and soon, she and her best friend must attend the announcement ceremony, in which youths are tested for a magical gift.
A gifted youth has not been announced in the poor village of Dimmitt for decades. When Nara uncovers the reason, she uses her own powers to make things right. The decision sets her on a path of danger, discovery, and a search for the divine. In the process, she learns the truth about herself and uncovers the biggest secret of all: the power of broken people.

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Southside Orphanage
Fairmont – Capital of the Great Land 652PB (Post-Breshi)
The toddler blew at the dandelion bloom until its seeds broke free and floated away on a breeze that gusted past the man watching her from the bushes. His breath hitched as his burdens were lifted and briefly forgotten.
It had taken ten years to locate her. A life of study, prayer, and service to Dei in a monastery had not prepared him for so many years on the run, hiding under false names while he searched for the one he feared he might never find. His grizzled, greying goatee and unkempt hair might have labeled him a beggar or a desperate criminal, but the hope in his eyes told a different story.
Oblivious to the nearby threat, the girl dropped the crumpled dandelion stem and stumbled clumsily near a pile of stones. No more than two years old, she waddled across the overgrown orphanage courtyard, her cloth diaper askew. She plucked more flowers, her red hair dancing as she hopped after the seeds. She seemed to favor the world as her playmate, ignoring the twenty other children in the courtyard. She bumped into a small boy, fell down, and hopped back up with a baby-tooth grin before trotting off.
When she fell, a glimpse of her back jolted the man to his task. It was the blemish that beckoned him here—an ugly red scar stretching from upper back to waist, announcing her identity as the prophetic treasure he had sought for so long. The weight of the manuscript in his backpack grounded his thoughts, and he glanced around the area. There were no fences, plenty of bushes for cover, and a single matron leisurely surveying the yard. The woman sat on the aging building’s back steps, watching the little ones as they ran about. She wore a dress and would be unable to chase him. How long would it take for her to alert the authorities?
As he surveyed the grounds to plan his escape, the girl waggled her hand at a passing butterfly and giggled as it flew away. Fortune favored his plans when she ran to a group of dandelions just a few feet from his hiding place. Squatting, she grabbed several stems, preparing to blow and release the seeds.
The man looked over to the matron, who had turned away to manage a quarrel between two other children. Knowing this might be his only chance, he burst forward and scooped the babe up in one arm, then raced back through the bushes behind the orphanage. He ran as fast as he could, unable to avoid jostling the child in his arms. She began to cry at the shock of her abduction, still gripping the dandelion stems in one tiny fist.
Back at the orphanage, the matron in the dress looked toward the back of the yard. The only evidence of a disturbance was a cloud of dandelion seeds that drifted upon the air, scattering in the light breeze. She turned to the many children she cared for, oblivious to the crime that had just been perpetrated under her watch.

Author Bio:
David A. Willson has worked as a restauranteur, peace officer, and now, author. Taught by his mother to read at a young age, he spent his childhood exploring magic, spaceships, and other dimensions. In his writing, he strives to bring those worlds to his readers.
Much of his material is inspired by the “Great Land” of Alaska, which he has called home for over 30 years. He lives there with his wife, five children, and 2 dogs. He is passionate about technology, faith, and fiction—not necessarily in that order.
Looking for Dei is Willson’s debut novel, set in a land where many more adventures will take place. Stay up to date with his ongoing efforts through the Looking for Dei Facebook page or visiting the website at davidawillson.com.
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Not Everyone Plays Fair | Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Title: The Plastic Magician By: Charlie N. HolmbergGenre: Urban/Historical FantasyPages: 236Release Date: May 15th, 2018Publisher: 47North
Summary from Goodreads: Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician.
Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery.

Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is.

Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.

To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair… 
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Review: Another fantastic magical adventure by Charlie Holmberg. Its always a treat to enter the world of the magicians and learn as they learn. This was a short read that I read cover to cover in one day. If you enjoyed the previous books by Holmberg, or are looking for a new twist on magical fantasy, I would recommend this series.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

As Far Away As It Seems | Yellow Locust by Justin Joschko #Giveaway

   
Hello Readers! Welcome to the Cover Reveal forYellow Locust by Justin Joschko presented by Month9Books!Celebrate this reveal by entering the giveaway found at the end of the post!   
 

Selena Flood is a fighter of preternatural talent. But not even her quick fists and nimble feet could save her parents from the forces of New Canaan, the most ruthless and powerful of the despotic kingdoms populating America-that-was. Forced to flee the tyrannical state with her younger brother Simon in tow, Selena is now the last chance for peace in a continent on the verge of complete destruction. In her pocket is a data stick, the contents of which cost her parents their lives. Selena must now ensure it reaches the Republic of California—a lone beacon of liberty shining across a vast and barren wasteland—before it’s too late. Between New Canaan and California stretch the Middle Wastes: thousands of desolate miles home to murderers, thieves, and a virulent strain of grass called yellow locust that has made growing food all but impossible. So when Selena and Simon stagger into Fallowfield, an oasis of prosperity amidst the poisoned plains, everything seems too good to be true—including the warm welcome they receive from the town’s leader, a peculiar man known only as The Mayor. As Selena delves deeper into the sinister secrets of this seemingly harmless refuge, she soon learns there is a much darker side to Fallowfield and the man who runs it. Before long, she must call upon the skills she honed in the fighting pits of New Canaan to ensure not only her own survival, but that of her brother, in whom the Mayor has taken far too keen an interest. And she’d better act fast, for an all-out war inches ever closer, and New Canaan is never as far away as it seems.

Yellow Locust by Justin Joschko Release Date: May 8, 2018 Publisher: Month9BooksAvailable for Pre-order:Amazon    

Justin Joschko is an author from Niagara Falls, Ontario. His writing has appeared in newspapers and literary journals across Canada. Yellow Locust is his first novel. He currently lives in Ottawa with his wife and two children.  
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Chicken and Waffles Galore | #WeeklyMenu Week #241

Well, Happy Monday. Its been a crazy long week and we're about to start another. My baby boy is now registered for Kindergarten. He is super excited and so am I. Although, I might break down when the time comes to put him on the bus, but that is many weeks away.
I was watching Master Chief Jr. this week and they made chicken and waffles. My kids love both chicken and waffles, but have never had them together, so this week for kids night is chicken and waffle night. Cross your fingers the kids don't think its terrible.
Enjoy this weeks menu!
Monday- Chicken Tacos
Tuesday- Steak and Veggies
Wednesday- Ranch Pork Chops
Thursday- Pepper Steak and Pesto
Friday- Chicken and Waffles
Saturday- Doritos Taco Salad
Sunday- Leftovers Night

Happily Ever After... | The Trade by Ashlyn Hope

Title: The TradeBy: Ashlyn HopeGenre: Contemporary Romance Pages: 234Release Date: March 5th, 2018Publisher: Pizzicato Publishing
Summary from Goodreads: Her name is Tyra, and she’s a footballsexual. 

The muscles, the chiseled faces, the masculine posturing, and the tight pants all make her heart pound, and since her high school days stealing kisses from the varsity running back, she’s been hooked on the guys of the gridiron. She’s addicted to these dudes, and she’s not the only one. She’s one of a group of local girls who go out together and try to score with these guys every chance they get. 

So, yes, Tyra’s a jersey chaser. But when she meets the hunky big name quarterback who was traded to the team, she’s met her match. He’s handsome, smart, and sweet, and he and Tyra have a lot in common – including a growing desire to settle down. 

As their relationship heats up, Tyra will consider swapping out her football groupie ways for a real relationship. But that’s not going to happen if her past doesn’t block her happily ever after from happening.
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Review: Girls just want to have fun... or a relationship... This was a fun read, that kept me entertained throughout the story. We follow Tyra as she turns from jersey chaser to girlfriend. The writing was good and the story was easy to follow.

There were a few things that made my rating lower. The fact that the main character was unrelatable  and totally full of herself made me not like her much. She gave off the vibe of a support character than a main heartthrob, but toward the end of the book, it cleaned up a bit. Also, the steamy scenes came on quickly and ended quickly. A little more build up and sustainability would have been more interesting to me.

All in all, it was entertaining and I'm glad I read it.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.



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Through These Pages | The Gift for All People by Max Lucado

Title: The Gift for All PeopleBy: Max LucadoGenre: ReligiousPages: 144Release Date: February 16th, 2016Publisher: Multnomah
Summary from Goodreads: A New View on the Old Rugged Cross 

Are peace, joy, and significance on your wish list?  How about redemption, forgiveness, the salvation of your soul?  Each of these descriptors bring us to the main event:  grace.  Saving grace, God’s immeasurable gift intended for all.  Regardless of accomplishments or station in life, despite sins of the past, anyone can receive the free gift of grace.
Yet too often we take God’s incomparable gift for granted—despite the fact that God’s very Son paid for it with his body, breath, and blood. Understandably, we often find ourselves caught up in the daily routine of life, not taking time to reflect on the enormity of God’s mercy.
So here’s a suggestion:  give yourself the gift of a few moments spent in the world of God’s grace.  Read pastor Max Lucado’s unique, stirring insights into God’s role as grace-giver. Spend some time reflecting on the gift of grace, in all its magnificent meaning.
Let grace, the gift for all people, speak to you personally through these pages.



For All People—Even You
 
God loves you more than you can imagine.

Is that hard to believe?   Many of us consider ourselves unworthy due to past sins and mistakes, wrong turns and missteps.,
But God’s gift of grace is limitless.  Though we are undeserving, he offers grace.  Though we are weak in our faith, he extends strength through grace. God’s endless grace is a free gift.  It cannot be earned.
No matter who you are or what you’ve done, the all-powerful God waits for you to choose him, to choose life in his presence—here and in heaven.


 “[God] simply wants you home with him. And to bring you home, he offers you a gift. My prayer is that through these pages you’ll see his gift like you’ve never seen it. If you’ve already accepted it, you’ll thank him again. And if you’ve never accepted it, you will. For it’s the gift of a lifetime, a gift for all people.”
 
—Max Lucado 

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Review: When that time comes in your life when it feels like the world is crumbling around you and you are alone and out numbered, where do you turn? The last year of my life has been rough, but this book was a wonderful reminder that I am not alone. I was never alone. Max Lucado has written a beautiful book that highlights how God has always had our backs, even when we start to lose faith. It was a short read with a powerful message. Loved it!

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.


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Wrapped in Glamour and Danger | Perfected by Kate Jarvik Birch

Title: PerfectedBy: Kate Jarvik BirchGenre: Urban FantasyPages: 304Release Date: July 1st, 2014Publisher: Entangled Teen
Summary from Goodreads: Perfection comes at a price.

As soon as the government passed legislation allowing humans to be genetically engineered and sold as pets, the rich and powerful rushed to own beautiful girls like Ella. Trained from birth to be graceful, demure, and above all, perfect, these “family companions” enter their masters’ homes prepared to live a life of idle luxury.

Ella is happy with her new role as playmate for a congressman’s bubbly young daughter, but she doesn’t expect Penn, the congressman’s handsome and rebellious son. He’s the only person who sees beyond the perfect exterior to the girl within. Falling for him goes against every rule she knows… and the freedom she finds with him is intoxicating.

But when Ella is kidnapped and thrust into the dark underworld lurking beneath her pampered life, she’s faced with an unthinkable choice. Because the only thing more dangerous than staying with Penn’s family is leaving… and if she’s unsuccessful, she’ll face a fate far worse than death.

For fans of Kiera Cass’ Selection series and Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden series, Perfected is a chilling look at what it means to be human, and a stunning celebration of the power of love to set us free, wrapped in a glamorous—and dangerous—bow.
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Review:  Oh, to lose all faith in humanity. This book dives deep into the underworld of dehumanization in a fantasy world where people are bred to be pets. They are bred to entertain. We follow the main character as she is chosen by her new family, through love and danger. The author has done a wonderful job helping the reader feel empathy for the characters and hate the bad guys. The only thing I would have wanted more, was world building. The setting was vague and lacked that magical touch, but I'm not complaining. I enjoyed this read and will be picking up the next book in the series soon. 
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.



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Dead the most | Risen by ole Gibsen

Title: RisenBy: Cole GibsenGenre: Urban Fantasy Pages: 304Release Date: March 27th, 2018Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Summary from Goodreads: Fans of Vampire Diaries and Twilight will be thirsting for this latest vampire addiction…

My aunt has been kidnapped by vampires, and it’s up to me to save her. Only…I had no idea vampires existed. None. Nada. I’m more of a reader than a fighter, and even though I’d been wishing to escape my boring existence in the middle of nowhere, I’d give anything to have it back now if it meant my aunt was safe. 

Then there’s the vampire Sebastian, who seems slightly nicer than most of the bloodsuckers I’ve run into so far. Yes, he’s the hottest being I’ve ever come across, but there’s no way I can trust him. He swears he’s helping me get answers, but there’s more to his story. Now I’m a key pawn in a raging vampire war, and I need to pick the right ally.

But my chances of surviving this war are slim at best, when the side I choose might be the one that wants me dead the most.
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Review: Its always refreshing to find a new take on vampire lore. There are so many vampire books, an they are all the same, but Risen is something I personally haven't read yet. It was entertaining. The characters were likable and I couldn't put the book down. Definitely, a book for fans of twilight and the vampire Diaries. 
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.



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Kids night... Chicken nugget night... | #WeeklyMenu Week #240

Monday, Monday. Saying it just makes me want to sing that song by The Mama's& The Papa's. I don't know why, but it does. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to make this week. I don't know what it was, but some times nothing looks good to me and I can't decide on anything. This week was rough so I hope you  like it.
Monday- Instant Pot Beef Stew and Potatoes
Tuesday- Ranch Oven Fried Chicken and Potatoes
Wednesday- Pork Schnitzel 
Thursday- Instant Pot Beef Burritos 
FridayKids Night - Chicken nuggets, Doritos and Potato Salad (by Liam)
Saturday- Southwestern Chopped Salad
Sunday- Leftovers Night

No one is safe | The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco

Title: The Heart ForgerBy: Rin ChupecoGenre: FantasyPages: 400Release Date: March 20th, 2018Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Summary from Goodreads: In The Bone Witch, Tea mastered resurrection―now she's after revenge...
No one knows death like Tea. A bone witch who can resurrect the dead, she has the power to take life...and return it. And she is done with her self-imposed exile. Her heart is set on vengeance, and she now possesses all she needs to command the mighty daeva. With the help of these terrifying beasts, she can finally enact revenge against the royals who wronged her―and took the life of her one true love.

But there are those who plot against her, those who would use Tea's dark power for their own nefarious ends. Because you can't kill someone who can never die...

War is brewing among the kingdoms, and when dark magic is at play, no one is safe.
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Review: Every time I step into Rin Chupeco's world, I'm blown away. The world building is really great. The vibe reminds me of my favorite author, Garth Nix. Its colorful and real. The characters could be a little more powerful. They kind of fell flat for me, but the magical story was enough to keep me entertained.  

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.