Placebo by Steven James- My Review

In the course of a day we all fight a common foe.

Jevin Banks survivor of a family tragedy, becomes involved in a conspriacy linked to a pharmaceutical company.

Riah Colette vicim of a challenging childhood and now member of a research team has learned how to achieve the impossible goal even at the expense of others.

In the course of danger, and as the time window narrows, death is imminent. Will it be possible to discover the true link and escape that which seems an unreachable goal?

This novel can be enjoyed by all who crave first class suspense, intrigue and drama. Character development was high, dialogue seemed to flow well and plot was well crafted, lots of twists, turns, intense drama and excitement to satisfy. This is the first novel I have read from the author and plan to go back and read his previous series. The storyline left some new developments and makes room for the next one to start where this one left off. I was entertained and will recommend this book to others. 3.8 I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishers for my review.

“Available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”



Critically acclaimed author Steven James has written more than thirty books, including Story, A Heart Exposed, and the bestselling Patrick Bowers thriller series. He is considered one of the nation's most innovative storytellers and versatile authors, and is a contributing editor to Writer's Digest. Steven lives in Tennessee with his wife and three daughters.

Winter Sowing

It's that time of year again, time to gather the containers and potting soil and start thinking about winter sowing! The containers I usually use are cottage cheese or whipped cream containers, carryout plastic restaurant containers, tin foil containers from the dollar tree and many others are suitable, just make sure they have lids with them. These act as minigreenhouses. If the container tops are opaque and no light can get through I cut out the lids with scissors so only the seals are intact and use saran wrap for a tight fit. Make sure to punch holes on top of lids  (saran wrap) and on bottom of container, but not too many in bottoms so soil dries out too quickly. Fill with potting soil sow/ plant seeds water well and set them outside preferably close to your home or other buildings (the wind can be mighty strong at times.) Many websites tell what seeds are used for winter sowing as just about any are but there are exceptions. I have had great success with coneflowers, primroses, johnny jump ups, tomatoes, black eyed susans, daisies to name a few and especially ones ie: iris, poppy, or moonflowers for example that are hard to germinate and need stratifying. I am going to close for now, I have to get going and survey my containers and find my potting soil! Next week is planting week!!! Happy gardening and have fun with winter sowing!!

The Hunted Hare by Fay Sampson- Enjoyed this book!

The road to discovery is but a journey.

Aidan, his wife Jenny, and daughter Melangell Davidson, are en route to the House of the Hare in Tennant Melangell. The Hare is a haven for those who have come in need and for those who search for a peaceful refuge. Housed within Melangell is St. Melangell, a church that holds secrets locked deep within it's depths. When foul play suddenly happens upon this quaint village and takes the life of one of it's own questions are raised. The answers must be found at a quickened pace but at what cost?

Building suspense, intrigue, and twists and turns are sure to entice and satisfy the reader. Excellent character development, realistic and interactive dialogue, along with a descriptive plot held my attention from the beginning and kept me reading while digging deeper into the storyline. I will be searching out previous novels by the author and anxiously await the next in the series! I was entertained and will recommend this mystery to others! I received a complimentary review copy from Monarch Books Kregel Publications for my review.

A Thousand Sleepless Nights by Michael King- Make this book your next read!

A true moment is clearly meant to be savored however fleeting it may be.

Nena St. Claire is reluctant to marry Ted McGovern whom her father endorses in order to save what belongs to their family, but her heart, her happiness, belongs to another and despite the wishes of her father she pursues the affection of her heart.
Jim Harding, a man who works at the St. Claire ranch strives hard to overcome secrets and hardships of a past that still haunts him, keeping his thoughts and dreams a prisoner.
When a devastating prognosis is revealed to Nena life takes on a new meaning for her. Her husband longs to reconnect the present with the past while hoping to rejoin that which is lost.
Will forgiveness embrace the hearts and thoughts of those burdened by the memories of the past?

A book that comes full circle, creating love, reality and heartbreak that team together to perfectly create this hard to forget and impossible to put down novel. An inside look at the successes and challenges of four families that are linked separately by an undeniably common bond. Intensely realistic and connectable characters, descriptive scenery, easy to follow dialogue and smooth flowing plot highlight this well crafted book that I could not stop reading until I was finished. I will highly recommend this unforgettable read. 5 Stars! I received a complimentary copy from Realms and Charisma House Publishers for my review.

Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes- Engaging and Enjoyable!

In the gentleness of a human heart chance is but a whisper.

Cassandra Bainbridge is a girl whose heart is captured by the designing and engineering of ballooning flight, and by her betrothed the dashing Geoffrey Giles Whitaker. They both have trouble seeing past the blindness of love.
When an accident occurs during a celebration the sun that rose and set upon Cassandra's dreams was suddenly unreachable.
After being sent away from her love Geoffrey suddenly finds himself at an advantage. Will he lose her forever or will he regain her trust?

Get caught up in an era when ballooning was a new fascination. I enjoyed the adventure of this novel. A tale of romance, danger, suspense, and pleasure await the reader for enjoyable hours ahead. Engaging characters, progressive and easy to follow plot and descriptive scenery. Although part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone novel. I found the overall message to be inspiring and will recommend this enjoyable read to others. I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review.

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”




Laurie Alice Eakes is the author of Lady in the Mist, Heart's Safe Passage, A Necessary Deception, A Flight of Fancy, and several other novels. She won a National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007 for Family Guardian. Laurie Alice writes full-time from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband and sundry dogs and cats.

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs- Charming and Delightful!

In the wonder and magic of the holiday season will love encompass the frozen state of the heart?

Meg Campbell teacher en route via train to fulfill her new role stops home to pay a visit. She is not aware that she is searching for what lies on the horizon.

Gordon Shaw writer for the Glasgow Herald newspaper carries with him a tragedy from the past that is seared forever in his memory. He wishes to remain annoymous to those who might recognize him within the newspaper world or otherwise.

As the plush snow falls unending incapacitating the passenger train the conductor seeks ways to remedy the situation.

A chance encounter in the most unlikely of places, as two souls struggle to discover that maybe forgiveness seeks not in what the eye can see but perhaps something more.

A charming and delightful quick to read and fast to enjoy novella of family, secrets and love that will occupy a special and permanent spot of your bookshelf to read and reread for the upcoming holiday season. Escalating and engaging plot, easy to identify with characters, (I loved Gordon's personality, masculine and noble!), along with romantic and dreamy scenery will surely command your attention to this well written book. I found the overall message of this hard to put down novel inspiring and will highly recommend this read. I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for my review. 5 Stars

http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2012/08/20/video-a-wreath-of-snow-by-liz-curtis-higgs/
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=79782
http://www.scribd.com/doc/102261002/A-Wreath-of-Snow-by-Liz-Curtis-Higgs-Chapter-1-Excerpt
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=12930

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller- A Highly Enjoyable Book!

Tenderness drives away forgotten thoughts.

Joshua Hunter, victim of a cruel interrogation, is the father of 5 young children and struggles to provide for all of their needs.

Ingrid, long from her home in Sweden, left the world of servitude behind in Michigan in search for the brother she has not heard from since he started laboring in the lumber camps. Yet what she discovers is something that cannot be seen, despite the hope that borders the reality of her future.

Will love soften the heart of one to tied to the past or will reality dash every dream not spoken?

Love, sacrifice and suspense awaits the reader to absorb from the beginning chapter. I absolutely loved this book, from the stately woods in the distance to the accent of Ingrid! Easy to connect with characters, unbeatable and rich scenery and smooth flowing connected plot has no dull parts and will keep you interested and reading. I highly recommend this well written and hard to put down read!
I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing for this blog tour and for my review.

"Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."



Serena B. Miller is the author of The Measure of Katie Calloway and Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio, as well as numerous articles for periodicals such as Woman's World, Guideposts, Reader's Digest, Focus on the Family, Christian Woman, and more. She lives on a farm in southern Ohio.