When The Future Comes Too Soon by Selina Siak Chin Yoke

Jun21

 

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Don’t Miss This New Historical Fiction Release, When The Future Comes Too Soon.

Coming July 18, 2017

 

After enjoying Selina Siak Chin Yoke’s debut novel, The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds, I was eager to read the sequel. What makes this author’s writing so fascinating to me, is her ability to transport me into her story. In this book, I felt as if I lived through the horrific period of time, when Malaya, was under Japanese control during WWII. The only thing I found difficult, was keeping track of the characters. Once I had the names straight in my mind, though, I couldn’t put the book down.

The story is narrated by a strong, likable character, Wong Mei Foong. When Mei Foong met her husband to be, Wong Weng Yu, she quickly fell in love with him. His quiet, sensitive nature, his love for music, and his deep singing voice captured Mei Foong’s, heart. She didn’t realize then, though, that Weng Yu was also in love with himself, and her father’s money. Weng Yu was a British-educated engineer and very handsome. On paper, Weng Yu was the perfect husband. But, in reality, he either ignored Mei Foong or treated her with contempt. When another man showed kindness to Mei Foong during a painful period in her life, Weng Yu became furious. Unfortunately, it was Mei Foong who paid the price for that kindness.

The book depicts how the Malayan people were oppressed during the Japanese rule. And, the sharp, authentic details and dialect made this book come alive for me.

Thank you, Amazon Crossings and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.

~5 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

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One Wrong Turn by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Jun20

 

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New Heartfelt Romance by Deanna Lynn Sletten, Released Today!

Jess had no intention of ever falling in love with a musician, but fall, she did. Clay and his music, became her entire world. After a while, though, Clay began to fail Jess, disappointing her repeatedly. Jess, however, loved Clay, and always seemed to find it in her heart, to forgive him.

After being in a rehabilitation hospital for alcoholism three times, Clay should have been ready to go home and start taking responsibility for his life. But, Clay didn’t think he was ready. He was afraid of disappointing his family, so he stayed away, but weeks turned into months and months into years. When Clay received the news that his wife was in a coma, Clay finally came to his senses. The devastating reality of his wife’s condition sank in. It was time for him to go home and do what he should have been doing all along, taking care of his family.

Jilly, Clay’s seven-year-old daughter, accepted him back into her life, without question, even though he’d been gone for two years. His twelve-year-old daughter, Maddie, however, was not so forgiving and gave Clay’s patience, along with his fragile sobriety, a thorough workout.

This is a poignant and emotional story that describes the pain alcoholics, and their family often suffer when the claws of addiction are in full force. Although I did not find Jess and Clay’s relationship entirely realistic, I was still utterly absorbed in their story. This is a well-written and compelling novel. Very enjoyable.

Thank you, Deanna Sletten, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

~4 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

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The Orphan of India by Sharon Maas

Jun15

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Don’t Miss The Orphan of India by Sharon Maas, Coming 6/28/17!

It’s Moving, Compelling and Engrossing. I loved it!

 

The Orphan of India is an amazing, emotional story about an Indian girl, Jyothi, who rose from the slums of Bombay, to become a world famous violinist.

Monika and Jack Kingsley fell in love with Jyothi. They couldn’t wait to bring their new adopted daughter to England. They believed that once Jyothi was home with them, all would be well. But, Jyothi was grieving. She not only lost her beloved mother but also, the only lifestyle, she’d ever known. To shield herself from the confusing new world, Jyothi put up thick internal walls to keep everything and everyone out. With Monika and Jack’s love and encouragement, though, Jyothi was able to bloom. And, although Jyothi grew to love her new parents, her true comfort, was music. When life didn’t make sense for Jyothi, music would soothe her; until, even that, failed her. Jyothi was in love with Dean and the more she tried to force that puzzle piece, into her life, when it didn’t fit, the more broken she became.

This character-driven story moved me. I became deeply engrossed in Jyothi’s life and felt as if I actually knew her. I ached for Jyothi when she was rejected and rejoiced with her when she reached new accomplishments. I found it frustrating, though, when Jyothi would lose hope so easily. But, because of Jyothi’s numerous losses, she was an emotionally fragile woman. And, although she had wonderful mentors and champions around her, some lessons, Jyothi found, she only learned the hard way; with a lot of pain and suffering.

I enjoyed reading Jyothi’s story, and even though I felt the novel could be tightened up, and shortened, I still loved it.

Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy!

~4 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

 

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Lockdown by Laurie R. King

Jun11

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New Gripping Intense Thriller
by Laurie R. King

 

Linda McDonald was well aware of the huge project she took on when she accepted the position at the Guadalupe Middle School. Gangs, violence, bullying, and drugs were the norm there. But after only a year as their principal, Linda had fallen in love with the students and could already see improvements in their schoolwork. Sure, Guadalupe Middle School still had problems, some of them weighed more heavily on her than others, such as, the missing eleven-year-old, and the student who was murdered. But, nothing prepared Linda McDonald for what she would face on Career Day.

Sergeant Olivia Mendez, of San Felipe Police Department, was walking the school perimeter when she eyed Gordon, Linda McDonald’s husband. There was something mysterious and shady about Gordon. But until he gave her cause for real concern, she wouldn’t investigate. Olivia didn’t have many friends, and she was afraid that if she dug too deeply into Gordon’s past, she would lose Linda McDonald’s friendship. However, Olivia still planned on watching Gordon, closely, along with Tio, the janitor. There was something off about that man, also. He didn’t act like a janitor. Tio was hiding something, Olivia was certain of it. But, today she would concentrate on Career day. Olivia would make sure that everything went as smoothly and safely as possible. She was wrong though, very, very wrong.

Lockdown is a fast-paced, intense, and gripping thriller. Once I got to know the unique characters in this complex story, I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy!

~4 out of 5 stars~Review by Peg Glover

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Vikings Deception by Ceri Bladen

Jun7

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Don’t Miss Ceri Bladen’s Exciting, New, Historical Fiction Romance, Vikings: Deception!

It wasn’t uncommon to spot a Viking ship off the Coast of East Angles, but it was never, a pleasant or welcoming sight. Lord Bryan Guader smiled, putting on his polite, hospitable act, for the despicable Viking arrivals. The Lord despised the barbarians with a passion, and having to act cordial to them turned his stomach. They not only stole his mother and sisters, they took his home, the Dunwich Fortress, as well.

Rosfrith never thought that she would ever be anything more, than a Chieftain’s thrall. And, even though, the Chieftain proclaimed his love, Rosfrith didn’t truly believe him. Sadly, it had been years, since Rosfrith had set foot on her homeland’s soil. And, her home, the Dunwich Fortress, was now, just a distant memory.

Astrid had been Chieftain Ubba’s bedmate for years, and she had fully expected to become his wife. The Chieftain, though, had other ideas, and since he ruled the land of Ranarcii, he could do whatever he wanted. And, Chieftain Ubba wanted his thrall, Rosfrith, to be his wife. Although, Astrid’s plans for romance and marriage hadn’t panned out, as she had anticipated, she was not about to allow a lowly thrall to take her rightful place beside Chieftain Ubba. Besides, Astrid was carrying the Chieftain’s unborn child. Coming up against the mighty warrior Ubba, though, was not a decision to be made without weighing all of the consequences. Astrid should have known better than to think about taking revenge.

Vikings: Deception, is an exciting historical fiction romance. There are no boring sections or wordy pages to weed through. It is a well-written and captivating read. I only wish that the story was longer. I didn’t want it to end.

Thank you, Ceri Bladen, for my advanced review copy.

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A Sky Full of Stars by Samantha Chase

Jun6

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Don’t Miss Samantha Chase’s Newest Heartwarming Novel, A Sky Full of Stars.

I loved Every Page!

 

A Sky Full of Stars is a delightful, highly entertaining, feel-good novel. This book made me smile and fall in love with Owen and Brooke. Although they were not teenagers, their love had an innocent feel to it. I’ve read several novels by Samantha Chase, and I’ve loved every one of them.

Brainy Professor Owen Shaughnessy is falling in love with Brooke, a beautiful woman, who was once the type of girl who had tortured him in school. He couldn’t help but wonder, why a woman like Brooke was flirting with him? Was he just another project for her to try and fix? And what would happen to him when she was finished with him? His heart would break into a thousand pieces, that’s what.

Brooke did tease socially awkward guys in high school, like Owen Shaughnessy. She was the mean popular girl back then, but not anymore. Regret was a terrible thing to live with, Brooke knew because she felt its painful sting every day of her life.

This book is a beautifully crafted story with natural dialogue, raw emotion, and fully developed characters. I loved every page of this, superbly written, emotionally charged character-driven novel. Highly recommended.

Thank you, Sourcebooks-Casablanca and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

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