Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Beast Hunter: A Prequel Novella to Kill the Beast by Michele Israel Harper

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring Beast Hunter: A Prequel Novella to Kill the Beast by Michele Israel Harper. I just finished this novella (loved it) and should have my review up sometime next week.

Book Beginning

Toes frozen, Rose sucked in a breath as the castle materialized before her and stretched far above her head. Moonlight blazed on the barren trees, lighting the forest as if it were midday.

Friday 56 (56% on my Kindle)

The witch smiled, taking her time to lift the cup to her lips.

About the Book

Ro’s people are starving. A curse has overtaken her land, blackening the soil, wiping out crops, and bringing ruin to all. She doesn't know what to do.

The only people who thrive are the huntsmen, brought in by the mysterious Gautier to stem the flow of ravenous creatures looking for food.

When Ro accidentally kills a wolf, an idea begins to form. Could she become a huntress? Earn enough livres to feed her family?

But her world is shattered when her father promises her to a beast in exchange for his own life. If she doesn’t go, a curse will fall on her family worse than the one destroying their land. But Ro is determined to save her family another way.

Will Ro have the courage to seek her own fate instead of the one pressed upon her?

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Cure (Unbounded #2) by Teyla Branton

About the Book

Erin Radkey’s life has altered completely since her Change made her one of the Unbounded. But some things never change.

Greed. Over the centuries the long-lived Unbounded have divided into two groups, the Emporium who craves money and power and will do anything to achieve its ends, including experimenting on its own people, and the Renegades who protect humanity.

Power. Now the Renegades are close to discovering a cure that will save many dying mortals, and the husband of Erin’s closest friend is first in line to receive the formula. But Emporium agents will stop at nothing to destroy the cure—until they realize the research might be exactly the weapon they’ve been searching for.

Love. Erin’s new abilities are tested as she and fellow Renegades fight the Emporium in a struggle that soon becomes all too personal, and where lines of loyalty are blurred by relationships of the past. Everything is at risk, including the lives of her friends—and the love of Ritter Langton, the Renegade Unbounded who both infuriates and excites her.

From the busy streets of Portland to the jungles of Mexico, The Cure is a page-turning urban fantasy that will keep you riveted until the very end

Amazon / Goodreads

My Review

Four Stars

I had such a great time reading The Change, the first book in this series, so I was excited to jump into the sequel. It did not disappoint. There's a ton of action and a gripping story that never let up. It's extremely fast-paced. The story picks up a couple months after the ending of The Change. While The Cure might could standalone, I'd really recommend reading book one first.

Part of this story took place in the Mexican jungles which was an intriguing setting. A couple of new people join the team, so that was an interesting shakeup. Erin didn't frustrate me nearly as much as she did in the first book. She seemed to have grown a lot in the couple of months since her change. I really like Keene. I don't know if I'm supposed to like him as much as I do, but... yeah... he's giving Ritter a run for his money in my book. But Ritter's awesome, too. Extremely stubborn, though.

All in all, The Cure was a fantastic sequel that I didn't want to put down. I can't wait to pick up book three, The Escape.

To learn more about Teyla Branton, visit her website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List by Lindsay Harrel.

About the Book
Lindsay Harrel presents a powerful story of healing, adventure, and learning how to live life to the fullest.

Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.

When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.

As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

Why I Need It

Goodness, this book sounds like such a heartwarming journey of self-discovery! I can't wait to dive into this powerful story!

What book are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: If I Live (If I Run #3) by Terri Blackstock

About the Book

“If I Live is a grabber from page one, delivering an exhilarating mix of chase, mystery, and spiritual truth. Longtime Blackstock fans will be delighted, and new Blackstock fans will be made.” —James Scott Bell, bestselling author of the Mike Romeo thrillers

THE HUNT IS ALMOST OVER.

Casey Cox is still on the run after being indicted for murder. The hunt that began with her bloody footprints escalates, and she’s running out of places to hide. Her face is all over the news, and her disguises are no longer enough. It’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes her.

Dylan Roberts, the investigator who once hunted her, is now her only hope. Terrifying attempts on Dylan’s life could force Casey out of hiding. The clock is ticking on both their lives, but exposing the real killers is more complicated than they knew. Amassing the evidence to convict their enemies draws Dylan and Casey together, but their relationship has consequences. Will one life have to be sacrificed to protect the other?

With If I Live, Terri Blackstock takes us on one more heart-stopping chase in the sensational conclusion to the If I Run series.

“Crisp dialogue and unexpected twists make this compulsive reading. . .” —Publishers Weekly review of If I Run

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

IF I LIVE has been one of my most anticipated releases. I've been clamoring to find out what the outcome would be for Casey. It's been a thrilling, and oft times anxiety-ridden, ride following along with Casey as she's been on the run after being set up for her best friend's murder.

This book was a real edge of your seat thrill ride. It's extremely fast-paced, moving at a breakneck speed. There's so much action, danger, and suspense that I could hardly catch my breath and many places throughout where it felt like my heart was going to pound right out of my chest. There were quite a few twists and turns and I never knew what would happen next.

This whole series is written in an extremely engaging way, keeping me fully invested in the lives of the characters. One of my favorite aspects has been seeing the way Casey and Dylan have grown in their faith and relationship with God.

IF I LIVE was such a great conclusion to the series. It did not disappoint. It definitely lived up to my expectations and was everything I'd hoped it would be. I seriously can't recommend it highly enough. If you've read the previous books in this series, IF I LIVE is a must read. If you haven't started this series yet, start with book one and prepare yourself for an exhilarating, unputdownable adventure.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Five Stars

About the Author

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times and USA Today best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide. She is the winner of two Carol Awards, a Christian Retailers Choice Award, and a Romantic Times Book Reviews Career Achievement Award, among others. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in an Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.

In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots while challenging her readers. She hopes to remind them that they’re not alone, and that their trials have a purpose.

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as “The 700 Club” and “Home Life,” and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

Connect with Terri Blackstock on her website, on Facebook, and Twitter.

Review: Flood Watch (Lantern Beach Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt

About the Book

The tide is high, and so is the danger on Lantern Beach.

Still in hiding after infiltrating a dangerous gang, Cassidy Livingston just has to make it a few more months before she can testify at trial and resume her old life. But trouble keeps finding her, and Cassidy is pulled into a local investigation after a man mysteriously disappears from the island she now calls home.

A recurring nightmare from her time undercover only muddies things, as does a visit from the parents of her handsome ex-Navy SEAL neighbor. When a friend's life is threatened, Cassidy must make choices that put her on the verge of blowing her cover.
With a flood watch on her emotions and her life in a tangle, will Cassidy find the truth? Or will her past finally drown her?

Note: Lantern Beach Mysteries is a six-book series, beginning with Hidden Currents.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

I am loving this latest series from Christy Barritt. I enjoyed Flood Watch just as much as book one, Hidden Currents. There was a lot of suspense and I often found myself on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as I could. It was definitely hard to put down.

I really enjoyed meeting Ty's parents. They're great people. It's no wonder how Ty ended up being the awesome guy that he is. One of my favorite characters is retired police chief Mac. He's so much fun to read about and I loved that he was featured a little more in this book.

I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves a good and suspenseful mystery! I can't wait for book three, Storm Surge!

Five Stars

Connect with author Christy Barritt by visiting her website, Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Flood Watch (Lantern Beach Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring Flood Watch (Lantern Beach Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt.

Book Beginning

SIX WEEKS EARLIER

Cady Matthews jerked her eyes open, blanching at the sideways world splayed before her.

Friday 56 (56% on my Kindle)

Cassidy held back, knowing she'd look too suspicious if she jumped right in on this one. Normal people didn't confront men this big and scary.

About the Book

The tide is high, and so is the danger on Lantern Beach.

Still in hiding after infiltrating a dangerous gang, Cassidy Livingston just has to make it a few more months before she can testify at trial and resume her old life. But trouble keeps finding her, and Cassidy is pulled into a local investigation after a man mysteriously disappears from the island she now calls home.

A recurring nightmare from her time undercover only muddies things, as does a visit from the parents of her handsome ex-Navy SEAL neighbor. When a friend's life is threatened, Cassidy must make choices that put her on the verge of blowing her cover.
With a flood watch on her emotions and her life in a tangle, will Cassidy find the truth? Or will her past finally drown her?

Note: Lantern Beach Mysteries is a six-book series, beginning with Hidden Currents.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Invitation (Harbingers #1-4) by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, & Alton Gansky

About the Book

Four Bestselling Authors Team Up for Thrilling Supernatural Suspense

Gathering four stories from four bestselling author friends, Invitation is the first collection in the ongoing Harbingers series.

In "The Call" by Bill Myers, four strangers are drawn together to help a student at the mysterious Institute for Advanced Psychic Studies. His gifts are supposedly being honed to assist world leaders . . . but there are some very disturbing strings attached. Frank Peretti's "The Haunted" confronts a supernatural mystery, a case of murder, and an exploration into the darkness of the human heart, all centering around a mysterious house.

In Angela Hunt's "The Sentinels," animals around the world are mysteriously dying. What could it mean? When the tragedy begins to touch Andi's dreams, she discovers a terrifying theory. "The Girl" by Alton Gansky is a gripping tale of a young barefoot girl found holding a scroll in the snowy Oregon mountains. She is sweet, innocent--apparently not of this world--and something wants to kill her.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

These stories were weird and strange and a little bit spooky. I don't mean that in a bad way. I like weird and different stories and these definitely fit the bill. They're written in a very compelling way. I had a hard time setting it down when 'real life' called. They had a way of lingering on my mind long after I finished. I'd find my mind wandering back to these stories and what they meant, wondering what was going on and going to happen next.

Each of the four stories are written by a different author and from the perspective of a different character. The first one, The Call, sets the stage for the entire series. It introduces the characters and brings them together.

The Haunted was probably my least favorite of the bunch, but by no means was it bad. It kept me engaged and turning the pages as fast as I could, but my goodness... it was scary! It gave me goosebumps that lingered throughout the whole tale.

The Sentinels was my favorite in the collection. It kinda made me think of the TV show Zoo, what with all the weirdness going on with the animals, but at the same time, it was completely different too. It was really good, though there was one part that was quite terrifying and did lead to a sleepless night for me, lol. (I couldn't get the picture it painted out of my head.)

The Girl was told from Tank's POV, which I really enjoyed. He's my favorite of the ragtag group, so that was interesting. It was a little slower paced than the other stories, but it was so good. And it further reiterated Tank as my fave. He's such a great guy.

If you're looking for a unique and different read that will leave you questioning, Invitation (Harbingers) is an excellent pick. I can't get these characters out of my head and am eager to find out what happens next!

Four Stars