Review: Under A Cloudless Sky by Chris Fabry

Under a Cloudless Sky

Chris Fabry - view author info

Price:

15.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-8778-9 

Trim Size:

5.5 x 8.25  

Binding:

Softcover 

Release:

January 2018 

A charming and engrossing novel for fans of Southern fiction and the recent hit memoir Hillbilly Elegy about a lush and storied coal-mining town—and the good people who live there—in danger of being destroyed for the sake of profit. Will the truth about the town’s past be its final undoing or its saving grace?

1933. In the mining town of Beulah Mountain, West Virginia, two young girls form an unbreakable bond against the lush Appalachian landscape, coal dust and old hymns filling their lungs and hearts. Despite the polarizing forces of their fathers—one a mine owner, one a disgruntled miner —Ruby and Bean thrive under the tender care of Bean’s mama, blissfully unaware of the rising conflict in town and the coming tragedy that will tear them apart forever.

2004. Hollis Beasley is taking his last stand. Neighbors up and down the hollow have sold their land to Coleman Coal and Energy, but Hollis is determined to hold on to his family legacy on Beulah Mountain. Standing in his way is Buddy Coleman, an upstart mining executive who hopes to revitalize the dying town by increasing coal production and opening the Company Store Museum. He’ll pay homage to the past—even the massacre of 1933—while positioning the company for growth at all costs.

What surprises them all is how their stories will intersect with a feisty octogenarian living hundreds of miles away. When Ruby Handley Freeman’s grown children threaten her independence, she takes a stand of her own and disappears, propelling her on a journey to face a decades-old secret that will change everything for her and those she meets.

My Review: 

Under a Cloudless Sky is an incredible read. I could not put it down. Ruby’s story is one a reader would never forget. It has quite a twist and turn I did not see coming nor expect. Ruby endured so much when she was young and her story goes back and forth from 1933 to 2004.

Under a Cloudless Sky will definitely be among my favorite books for 2018. I definitely highly highly  recommend it. I would give it 100 stars if I could.

I received this book from the publisher. This review was 100 percent my own honest opinion.

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Review: Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

Blurb (from Amazon): 

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra's relationship



My Review: 

Troubled Waters is the fourth book from Susan May Warren's exciting Montana Rescue series. I believe this one is my favorite of the series. It is full of action, adventure, faith, inspiration, and, of course, good, clean romance. It was just so easy to keep turning the pages and hard to put down. I had it read in a few hours. My favorite character of the book would have to be Sierra. I just felt connected to her. The book ended with a few loose ends and I am hoping this means there will be a book five in the series.

I give Troubled Waters 5 plus stars and highly recommend it.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review Tour: Sanctuary of Lies by Chad Bishop

Sanctuary of Lies

by Chad Bishop

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Thriller (domestic)

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BLURB:

There are 4.7 billion searchable sites make up 10% of the web, the other 90% is dedicated to the "Dark web". Within that environment there is a thriving economy where everything is for sale: Sex, Armies and Code for hire. Well-known companies buy and sell for governments and NGO’s (non-governmental organizations). They appear as a benign legal boutique companies and consultants, but their true purpose is to be the middlemen/cyber lynchpin for these illicit goods and services.​

ISABELLA NUNEZ owns a computer firm in Brooklyn with her lover JACOB COSTA. Accepting her infertility they have a blue nose pit bull called Justice as their “child” and live simple lives as techy nerds. Isabella’s idyllic life is shattered when several days after her lover’s ex-wife, SIMONE JOHNS, reported death, Simone sends Jacob an email to come save their child, he didn’t know they had.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Thursday 6:00 a.m, Orlando at Sanctuary

“Digging graves in a golf course is not as easy as it looks’ thought John Kooma. He stood up as the cool Florida morning wind dried the sweat from his soaked work shirt. A pair of chipmunks stopped a foot away and then turned and ran away. He should be use to it by now. It wasn’t like this was the first body he’d put here.

Watching the chipmunks retreat he thought ‘Look at that even animals have enough sense not to be nosy.’  John reached into his back pocket and pulled out a bottle of spring water. After taking a large gulp from the bottle he wiped his mouth and looked at the grave in front of him.

“It sure was a shame she had to go. At least she won’t be alone. I’ve buried the other five in this same area so you all can talk to each other if you need to. I think being nosy is a sin, so you might not be making it to the Lord any time so but. you’ll have each other.”

John looked at the other new grass plugs in the area.  He was a tidy man.  He always cleaned up after himself. After picking up his shovel, he continued to even the ground. Then, just like so many before her, he put the grass plugs over them. When he was done he noticed he hadn’t brought the water cans, so he just emptied his bottle of water over her plot. It wasn’t enough water but he knew he’d be back, there were always nosy people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Being a child of divorce, I have experienced both sides of the American Family. I understand there is a loss to the family unit that no longer has a father in it.  In the face of that loss, I discovered a woman can rise to the occasion and not replace a man but offer her own strength, moral compass and guidance. In this environment a child can grow up feeling loved, accepted and ultimately successful in life.

Those experiences in my formative years have made me more aware of the women around me and the daily feats of resourcefulness and ingenuity that goes unnoticed and unacknowledged by society. My stories highlight societal issues and the ever-changing challenges women face that I've observed during my life.

https://www.facebook.com/chadbishopauthor/

https://www.amazon.com/Chad-Bishop/e/B076XRXKQG/

Blog: Best Known Secrets  https://www.bishopstories.com/blog-1

Website: https://www.bishopstories.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

Chad will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to 6 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT

ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!

January 8: The Reading Addict

January 8: Locks, Hooks and Books

January 15: My Reading Journeys

January 15: Jennifer Macaire, Tell me a Story

January 22: Fabulous and Brunette

January 22: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

January 29: Emily Carrington

January 29: Bookaholic

My Review

Sanctuary of Lies is book one from Chad Bishop's new series, Chest of Secrets. It is not my normal read, but I thought it was a pretty good. I found the writing unique and the plot intriguing. It is full of action, suspense and mystery, making it easy to turn the pages and hard to put down.

I give Sanctuary of Lies four stars. I look forward to reading the next installment from the Chest of Secrets series.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway: Once Upon a Christmas Moon

Once Upon a Christmas Moon

by Christine Young, Genie Gabriel, C. L. Kraemer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Fantasy/Romance/Antology  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Blurb Twelve Days to Love

When Archer Steele showed up at Calanthe Durand's failing plantation with an alligator over his shoulder, Cali thought she'd never seen a more handsome man. During the war she'd had to defend herself and her servants from both union and confederate soldiers. Independent and self-sufficient, she'd vowed to never marry.

But Archer Steele has different ideas. The first time Archer had seen Cali in town, he felt an instant attraction. He decided he'd do everything and anything to convince the beautiful Miss Durand he was worthy of her love. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, he gave her twelve gifts to in hopes she'd fall in love with him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Boots and Blades

C.L. Kraemer

High Desert, Central Oregon

Killian stared at the rise of rock from the desert floor. The emerging sun tricked the sky into revealing pink and blue streamers across the horizon exposing the severe lines of craggy mountains. Pine trees scented the air, and the slightest hint of sage tickled his nose.

“Where are they disappearing to? They’re much too young to be running away.”

“Master Killian?”

The young man turned his blue gray eyes from the mountain to answer. “Yes, Ms. Luna. What can I do for you?”

“Are you sitting out here at this early hour worrying about the young ones?” Luna’s black hair was braided down her back and she sported a shawl bright with her clan’s colors. She handed the young man a steaming cup of coffee. “I hope you don’t mind black. I’ve yet to milk the goat.”

Killian flashed her a seldom seen smile. “Ms. Luna, you make the best coffee in the desert. Black is fine.”

Taking up a spot next to him on the porch, she turned her attention to the mountains admiring the soft colors of rose and tan springing to life in the morning sun. “What is it that haunts you so?”

“The illogicality of it all.”

“Aye, I figured that. It is indeed illogical. The children are too responsible to leave unannounced, yet they are snatched from their beds in the middle of the night with no clues.”

Killian sipped the wicked black brew and allowed the liquid to spike his taste buds. The brilliant light of a new day was caressing the landscape and warming the air. “The kinders disappearing are not inclined to run off. They are the eldest and most reliable. These missings make no sense. They don’t happen in the same area or at the same time. They’re completely arbitrary and being so—random—has given me pause to find a method. If I were to discover a pattern, the recovery would be simpler.”

Luna watched the anguish distort his handsome young face. His blue eyes clouded to a dark grey when he spoke of the missing children, and his normally full mouth stretched to a tight slash across his face.

“I don’t wish to sound cruel, but none of these are young ones of your own family. Why take their absence to heart?”

Killian relaxed his scowl a bit, and a smile began to touch his lips. “Because it is they who will be the leaders of our clans in but a few short years. I had hoped to retire my sword someday to warm my boots by a fire. Having a mate and young ones around isn’t such a bad idea.”

He automatically sipped his dark brew. It would indeed be nice to warm my feet by a fire with a mate and children. The problem being I’ve found no person who makes me think in such terms.

“Well, I must admit, Master Killian, I never would have thought you to be the settling type.” She picked up his cup, returning from the kitchen minutes later with fresh coffee in the container.

“Neither had I, Ms. Luna, neither had I, however, aside from our missing young ones, there has been no conflict between the clans, nor have the Others tried to interfere in our affairs in a very long time. It is a good thing for many but for me, what good is a warrior without a war?”

Luna could only agree with his forlorn assessment; what good, indeed, was a warrior without a war? “Maybe a solution will arrive in the near future. You never know.”

Killian shrugged his shoulders. Who knew indeed?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Christine Young Bio

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Links

Website: Christine Young Romance Writer

Twitter: Christine Young Twitter

Facebook: Christine Young Author Page

Instagram: Christine Young Instagram

Google+: Christine Young Google+

Pinterest: Christine Youg Pinterest

Christie L. Kraemer Bio

A traveler for most of her life, C. L. Kraemer has settled in the Northwest with her husband and two cats. When not creating a new world or entity, she likes riding next to her husband on their Harleys.

Links:  http://mistressoftheredinkpen.blogspot.com/

Genie Gabriel Bio

I'm an optimist whose rose-colored glasses have bent frames and cracked lenses. When life kicks me in the teeth, I find miracles and lessons I refused to learn an easier way. In fact, I live with a small herd of miracles in the furry forms of dogs, who are constantly trying to teach me to forgive, to play more, and to love without limits.

I write about people who find courage and integrity in the darkest times of their lives, who rescue stray dogs and kittens, who find a person they would willingly give their lives for, and who make their little corners of the world a better place.

People have remarked my stories "aren't what they expected." With rose-colored glasses firmly in place, I take that as a compliment.

Links

WEBSITE: www.GenieGabriel.com

BLOG: http://quantumcanines.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/genene.valleau

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY 

Christine Young, Genie Gabriel, C. L. Kraemer will be awarding one digital copy of Once Upon a Christmas Moon to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT

ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!

December 14: Emily Carrington

December 21: books are love

December 21: Sharing Links and Wisdom

January 4: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

January 4: Locks, Hooks and Books

January 11: The Reading Addict

January 11: Mixed Book Bag

My Review

Once Upon a Christmas Moon is a collection three Christmas stories which includes: 

Twelve Days to Love by Christine Young

Boots and Blades by CL Kraemer

Christmas Pawsibilities by Genie Gabriel

I thought these were fun to read. I, especially, liked Twelve Days to Love. I was hooked from the beginning.  Boots and Blades is an interesting story to me. Christmas Pawsibilities is not my normal read but I still enjoyed it. 

I give this book 3 1/2 stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

Blurb (from Amazon):

When colonial Williamsburg explodes like a powder keg on the eve of the American Revolution, Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson is abandoned by her fiancé and suspected of being a spy for the hated British. No one comes to her aid save the Patriot Noble Rynallt, a man with formidable enemies of his own. Liberty is left with a terrible choice. Will the Virginia belle turned lacemaker side with the radical revolutionaries, or stay true to her English roots? And at what cost?

Historical romance favorite Laura Frantz is back with a suspenseful story of love, betrayal, and new beginnings. With her meticulous eye for detail and her knack for creating living, breathing characters, Frantz continues to enchant historical fiction readers who long to feel they are a part of the story.

My Review: 

The Lacemaker is yet another must-read by Laura Frantz. The story is set during my favorite time period - Colonial America. I loved the vivid details and descriptions of Colonial Williamsburg. I felt like I was transported back in time and personally knew Liberty. The book is so well written, I could just feel her struggles and emotions. Laura Frantz is among my top favorite authors and The Lacemaker can clearly tell why. Such a beautiful piece of historical fiction.

Highly recommended with 100 stars.

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New Year New Books! Book Deals and Giveaway

Start your new year off with a great new book!! 

FREE

 

JUST 99 CENTS

   

Giveaway Details 

$50 in Paypal Cash or a $50 Amazon.com eGift Card 

Ends 1/6/18 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. 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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers, and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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