icRKphJXQm-ezth8lntKydifkDg The Loose Screw

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Book Review~Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey


About the Book: 
In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.
Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper.
When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.





About the Author: 
 Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the brand new romantic suspense Chesapeake Valor series, as well as the well-loved Alaskan Courage series which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson.

Connect with Dani Pettrey:

 What I Thought: 
Cold Shot is the first book in author Dani Pettrey's new series Chesapeake Valor. I read all five books in her Alaskan Courage series, and quickly discovered what a gift she has for weaving fantastic stories that keep you captivated from start to finish.

Cold Shot had the same impact on me as Dani Pettrey's last series.  I was immediately swept up into the story. It is full of suspense, inspiration, romance, and more. I love that the characters pray and lean on God to help them through situations. Dani just has such a gift at getting deep into the characters so I feel like I know them personally. Cold Shot held my attention until the last word, and now I have to try to be patient while waiting for book two in the Chesapeake Valor series! This is the kind of book that you can't put down, and forget about TV shows you usually watch, dishes, laundry, and anything else you should or could be doing!  In my world, that is the true test of a great book! (Don't worry, my youngest son and grandson were taken care of during the reading of this book!)

Would you like to read an excerpt of Cold Shot? Here you go:
http://www.danipettrey.com/Excerpts/ColdShotSC.pdf

Once you read the excerpt, you will want more! Here are links to purchase your own copy of Cold Shot: 


Thursday, March 3, 2016

Enter the Cold Shot Sweepstakes!


Enter the COLD SHOT Sweepstakes from Author Dani Pettrey

I am currently reading author Dani Pettrey's newest release, Cold Shot. It is a great story, and I'm excited to share it with you! Today I'm going to give you more information on the book, as well as how to enter the awesome sweepstakes going on through March 7th.  Be on the lookout for my review of Cold Shot March 6th, and hurry and enter the sweepstakes-there are some great prizes!

In COLD SHOT, the first book of author Dani Pettrey’s brand new Chesapeake Valor series, park ranger Griffin McCray and forensic anthropologist Finley Scott uncover buried remains near the Civil War battleground of Little Round Top. There’s only one problem: the bones aren’t Civil War-era.
Griffin just wants the case to go away, but when Finley discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper, the case connects them with FBI agent Declan Grey, and crime scene investigator Parker Mitchell, friends from a past Griffin’s tried to leave behind.
Soon the reunited friends realize they’ll need to confront the darkest days in their shared history if they–and those they care about–are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.
To celebrate the launch of this exciting new series, Dani and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to present the COLD SHOT SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.
Timeframe & Notifications:
This giveaway starts February 16, 2016 and ends March 7, 2016 @ 11:59 pm (PST).
Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Tuesday, March 8, 2016, and announced at DaniPettrey.com.


About the Prizes

GRAND PRIZE: Cold Shot Sweepstakes Grand Prize
ROAD TRIP REUNION GETAWAY
In COLD SHOT, Griffin reunites with friends after they’ve drifted apart over the years. Do you have a friend you want to reconnect with? Here’s your chance to hit the road with them for a friend getaway!
Our Grand Prize winner will receive: A $250 gift certificate to BedandBreakfast.com, good for reservations at lodges across the Continental US, plus a $50 Darden restaurants gift card, and a Chesapeake Bay tote bag, to pack your road trip essentials.


SECOND PRIZE:
FINLEY’S FAVORITES PACK
Cold Shot Sweepstakes Second Prize
Finley has a lifelong love of travel and exploration, something captured in her cozy home decor, right down to her steamer trunk coffee table. This prize gives you a chance to have a steamer trunk just like Finley’s, and a coffee table book from the Chesapeake Bay to go with it.

Our Second Prize winner will receive: A $150 value cedar wood steamer trunk and vivid Maryland coffee table photo book.


TASTE OF MARYLAND KIT
Cold Shot Sweepstakes Third PrizeTHIRD PRIZE:
COLD SHOT is sure to leave you with a craving for the mouth-watering snacks Griffin, Finley, and the rest of the crew enjoy in the story. If you wish you could sample Chesapeake’s one-of-a-kind local fare too, this prize is for you.

Our Third Prize winner will receive: The beautifully lithographed, $50 value Taste of Maryland Tin, including the Chesapeake Bay Cookbook and famed local treats such as Old Bay Seasoning, Maple Syrup, Maryland crab soup mix, specialty dip, and Goetze’s Caramel Creams.


How to Enter:
Go to: http://www.danipettrey.com/cold-shot-sweepstakes/ and complete the entry box, anytime between February 16 – March 7, 2016.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Children's Book Review and Giveaway~The Legend of the Easter Robin




About the Book:
ISBN: 978-0-310-74964-6
Publisher: ZonderKidz
Hardcover, 32 pages
Age Range: 4-8


"In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest. “Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?” “We’ll have to leave that one to the Creator,” Gran said. Robins have built a nest on the window ledge at Grandmother’s house! Tressa is thrilled―and concerned. What will happen to the sky-blue egg laid by the mother robin? As more eggs appear, Tressa witnesses the daily drama of the robins’ nest and learns how God cares for all creatures. Besides watching the birds, there are Easter eggs to color. And there is a very special story to hear―a tale of long ago about one small bird with a very big heart. How did the robin get its red breast? Tressa is about to find out as Gran tells her the story of the Easter robin. Brought to life with colorful, tender illustrations, The Legend of the Easter Robin will captivate and teach your child about compassion and faith."
What I Thought: The Legend of the Easter Robin: An Easter Story of Compassion and Faith, was written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey.  It is a beautiful hardcover book (with dust jacket) that would make a wonderful gift. The illustrations are gorgeous, with vibrant, bright colors. The story is captivating for the 4-8 age range suggested, and I think older children would enjoy it too. I thoroughly enjoyed the story-I've never heard this legend before.  At the back of the book are some facts about the legend and where it originated. In the story, they make cute blown eggs turned into birds. My grandson Daniel, 4, is excited to try making our own birds out of eggs.  The picture above is of him enjoying the fabulous pictures in The Legend of the Easter Robin. 



 





TWITTER

 Giveaway!!!!!
FlyBy Promotions is offering one of my readers their own hardcover copy of The Legend of the Easter Robin! Open to residents of US and Canada. Winner will be emailed within 24 hours after contest closes. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Additional requirements listed in Disclosure statement below. 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Book Review and Giveaway~Room for Hope


About the Book (Description from Publisher): "Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband, Warren, travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully cares for their twins, running the Shilling Mercantile and working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll.

When a wagon pulls up after supper one evening, Neva and her children rush out-and into the presence of the deputy delivering three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with "Aunt Neva".

Neva's heart is shattered as she realizes that her husband's month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband's betrayal and love them the way God does?"

About the Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer is the highly acclaimed, best-selling author of gentle stories of hope, such as What Once Was Lost and Through the Deep Waters. With more than one million books in print, Kim has garnered numerous awards, including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband, Don. You can learn more at her website, and purchase your own copy of Room for Hope:  http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com/

What I Thought: I absolutely loved Kim Vogel Sawyer's series The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, so I knew I was in for a treat with Room for Hope. Each time I read one of her books, I am immediately hooked and can't put the book down! The other thing I noticed is how deeply I always feel for the characters. She develops them so well, that I feel like I know them by the time the book is finished.  I am left wanting more. Room for Hope was just the same!  My heart ached for Neva, who had such hardships, then to learn she had been betrayed by her husband. She battled inside about keeping the children, as they were a constant reminder of Warren's other life.  Room for hope teaches that bitterness can turn into hope and love, and to rely on God when life can't seem to get any worse. He will guide you through anything.

GIVEAWAY!!!
I have two copies of Room for Hope to give away! Open to residents of US and Canada, but no PO Boxes please. Winners will be emailed within 24 hours of the end of the contest, and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Disclosure; I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for my  honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Children's Book Review~Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever

The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant is an adorable children's book series written and photographed by Marci and Elle Fair.  The amazing thing is Elle Fair is only seven years old! What an awesome future she has ahead of her!

In each book, Ellie the Elephant and her friend Pudgy the Penguin have adventures and experience life situations. They have lots of fun, and learn a few things along the way. The topics highlighted are things most children encounter such as going back to school, and making new friends. Each book is  full of photographs of Ellie and Pudgy-a stuffed elephant and stuffed penguin-in their surroundings. There are also beautiful illustrations around the photos. Each page only has one or two sentences, perfect for early readers.





The newest book in the series is Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever (ISBN 978-0-9963635-2-5). Ellie and Pudgy go on a beach vacation together and have lots of fun making memories that will last forever. Above is a picture of my grandson Daniel, 4, looking at the book.  He has enjoyed all of the books in The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant series.

When I received Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever in the mail, I also had received a few other children's books. I put them in a stack, and when Daniel arrived at my house I told him some new books had arrived. He asked if we could read one, and I told him to pick one from the stack.  All of a sudden I heard him yell, "Ellie! A new Ellie book! I love Ellie!". So we read Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever right then, and then again that night at bed time. Daniel loves these books, and it encourages his imagination when he plays with his stuffed animals. I think he would be thrilled if I could find him his own stuffed Ellie and Pudgy!

You can purchase your own copy of Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever on Amazon in paperback or Kindle form.

Learn more about The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant at www.EllieAdventures.com
and on Facebook www.facebook.com/EllieAndPudgy   #elliesfriends

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Book Review~Soaring Above the Circumstances


I recently had the pleasure of reading Soaring Above the Circumstances (ISBN 978-1941972748), written by Dean Kilmer and published by Start2Finish Books. This book was written to inspire those who live with chronic illness, to inspire them to soar above their circumstances. It is a Christian book,  full of scripture and stories of God's work in people's lives.

Soaring Above the Circumstances is broken up into three parts, each with several chapters:
*Learning to Soar Above Your Circumstances
*True Stories of Soaring Above Suffering
*Biblical Power to Soar Above Your Struggles
 In the first section, the author writes about those who have inspired him, and his own personal struggle with diabetes. The second section is full of stories of people who have suffered yet persevered with a positive attitude. The last section explains stories in the Bible to help when you are struggling.

I have been dealing with chronic illness for several years, and found this book very encouraging. Since the author has chronic illness himself, he knows firsthand what it is like to struggle with it day after day. I especially appreciated all of the Bible verses, and plan to go through the book and make a list of the verses included for myself to study and have on hand when I am having a rough time. 

You can purchase your own copy of Soaring Above the Circumstances at Amazon.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from BookCrash in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.