Thursday, December 22, 2016

Conspiracy of Silence by Ronie Kendig

About the Book
Kendig Ratchets Up the Action in Her New Suspense Series!
Four years after a tragic mission decimated his career and his team, Cole "Tox" Russell is persona non grata to the United States. And that's fine--he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed, Tox is lured back into action.
Partnered with FBI agent Kasey Cortes, Tox has to pull together a team to begin a globe-spanning search for answers--and a cure. As their quest leads them from continent to continent, it slowly becomes clear they're not just fighting a plague--but battling against an ancient secret society whose true goals remain hidden.
With time running out and opposition growing on every side, the key to everything may rest in an antique codex, the Crown of Jerusalem--but will Tox and his team be able to trust each other enough to break this century-spanning conspiracy of silence?

My Thoughts
I swear Ronie just keeps getting better and better! I have been an avid fan of hers since I read Dead Reckoning back in 2010 and I've loved every book she has written since. If I would have had my way I would have sat down with this book the second it arrived and not gotten up till it was done, but unfortunately with the craziness of my life right now it took me what seemed like forever to finally be able to finish it. And Tox had to travel with me several places including work, a tire place, and to have my oil changed. I always hated having to put it down because I was on the edge of my seat from page one. I loved the premise behind this new series from the fact that almost everyone believed the hero had been dead for years to the whole plague aspect, and the unique biblical spin on it all. I got to meet Tox and his team in the prequel novella and they all intrigued me greatly. Tox has a very tough exterior but he cares deeply about those close to him and will do anything and everything it takes to protect them and for that I greatly admired him. He kinda got the short end of the stick and I really couldn't blame him for his gruffness at all. His team was a very diverse group and I would love to get more of all of their stories, especially Ram. Tzivia and Kasey were both great characters but I like Kasey a little more and I really hope she and Tox end up together.
This story was brilliantly and beautifully crafted from start to finish in typical Kendig style and I recommend it for anyone who loves an adventure, male and female alike! Though make sure to read the prequel novella first since they are extremely connected!

Meet the Author
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of a dozen novels. She grew up an Army brat. Now, she and her husband, an Army veteran, have an adventurous life in Northern Virginia with their children and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie's degree in Psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.
Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and Rapid-Fire Fiction novels have hit bestseller lists and garnered awards and critical acclaim.
Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), Instagram (@kendigronie) and GoodReads.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

One Enchanted Eve by Melissa Tagg

About the Book
A delightful Christmas romance about finding the perfect recipe for love.
After years of mistakes and regret, Colin Renwycke finally has a plan: Hone his baking talent at the Denver Culinary Institute and embark on a new career as a pastry chef. If he's lucky, he might even manage to earn back his family's respect. But despite his skills in the kitchen, Colin's a mess in the classroom and his ongoing disasters are proving too much for his prickly instructor. If he loses his spot at the school, he's out of backup plans.
Culinary school instructor Rylan Jefferson has the chance to reclaim her dream of running her own bakery. But she only has until Christmas Eve to come up with the perfect recipe to impress an eccentric investor. She has no time for holiday parties or family plans . . . and especially not for the unruly student baker who couldn't follow a recipe if his life depended on it.
But Colin has the one ingredient Rylan needs most—talent. Lots of it. And when he makes a proposal that just might solve both their problems, Rylan can't say no—even if it does mean traveling all the way to Iowa. It just might be that the snow-covered plains and a charming small town full of postcard Christmas cheer are exactly what her hungry heart needs . . . along with a man who is much more than he seems.

My Thoughts
It's probably no surprise to anyone who is at all familiar with me or this blog that I absolutely adored this novella! It was filled with Melissa's trademark humor, wit, and all around brilliant writing from the very first word to the absolute last! We met Colin in One Enchanted Christmas and while he wasn't the best of guys in that story he had something that made me want to know more and see the guy he could be. Melissa did an amazing job of redeeming his character and turn him into the great hero that we meet in this story. Rylan was a bit unhappy at first, not without reason though and it just took a little bit of coaxing and some Maple Valley Charm to turn that around!
I loved Colin and Rylan together whether it was when they were driving each other crazy (making me laugh out loud) or having melt your heart moments. Rylan was a by the book type while Colin was more inclined to wing it but their differences complimented each other and they were exactly what the other one needed. Their relationship was a joy to watch unfold.
I loved briefly "living" in Maple Valley again, seeing all of my favorite people in what just might be my favorite fictional town!
In short this novella was perfectly amazing and I highly recommend you go buy yourself a copy, get a cup of your favorite holiday beverage, find a comfy spot, curl up and enjoy!

Meet the Author
Melissa Tagg is a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl. She writes romantic comedies in the banter-filled style of her favorite 1930s and 40s classic films. The second book in her popular Walker Family series, Like Never Before, was named by Publishers Weekly to their spring 2016 "Religion and Spirituality" Top 10 list. When she's not writing she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

I received an ebook copy of this book free from the author in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Top Ten Books I'd Love to Get For Christmas

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. The Montana Fire Series (in paperback) by Susan May Warren

#2. Love's Faithful Promise by Susan Anne Mason

#3. Embers & Accelerant by Ronie Kendig

#4. Jupiter Storm by C.J. Darlington

#5. My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray

#6. From this Moment by Elizabeth Camden

#7. A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

#8. Told You So by Kristen Heitzmann

#9. The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea 

#10. For the Record by Regina Jennings

Monday, December 19, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #247

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
Loved this one! Working on getting my review up but I'm in a bit of a review slump and I've been rather busy!

What I am currently reading:
Really enjoying this one especially since it's set in Pittsburgh!

What I hope to read this week:
Trying to get to all the Christmas stories I've been saving before the season is over!


Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday, December 16, 2016

Friday Memes 12/16

Book Blogger Hop

The Question:
What is your favorite holiday beverage to drink while you're reading?

My Answer:
Eggnog has long been my favorite holiday beverage but I just discovered Peppermint White Hot Chocolate at Starbucks and I'm in love!


Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

"I'm warning you, girl," Zeke Crawford called from his dory. "You and your crazy grandpa can leave the island nice-like. Or I'll run you off."
Abbie Watson shielded her  eyes against the bright morning sun and glared at Zeke across the glittering water.
Never Forget by Jody Hedlund

My Thoughts
Lots of questions brought to mind! Why does Zeke want them off the island and why won't they leave?

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Top Ten Books I'm Looking Forward To For The First Half Of 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish


#1. Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

#2. An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter

#3. Still Life by Dani Pettrey

#4. When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

#5. True to You by Becky Wade

#6. With You Always by Jody Hedlund

#7. High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin

#8. Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

#9. Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy

#10. The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron


Monday, December 12, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #246

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
Two amazing reads!

What I am currently reading:
Loving this!

What I hope to read this week:
Not sure yet what I want to start next!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Top Ten
Waiting on Wednesday #
Friday Memes

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday, December 09, 2016

The Warrior's Seal by Ronie Kendig

About the Book
A Special Forces team is thrust into a war with the past to save the president after an artifact unleashes a deadly toxin.

Special Forces operative Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are tasked in a search-and-rescue--the U.S. president has been kidnapped during a goodwill tour. The mission nosedives when an ancient biblical artifact and a deadly toxin wipe out villages. Tox must stop the terrorists and the toxin to save the president.

My Thoughts
Talk about getting started with a bang! This novella is the kick-off to Ronie Kendig's newest suspense series and I couldn't get through it fast enough! Between the thrill of the race against time and the intrigue of the mace and the toxin that follows it I was on the edge of my seat from the first word to the last! I loved getting to meet the cast of characters and I'm already a fan of them all! Tox is already proving to be an amazing hero that you can't help but love and I'm interested to get to know him and his team even more! Tzivia was definitely intriguing and I'm excited to learn more about her and what makes her tick.
I won't spoil anything but the way this novella ended made me very happy that I waited till I already had Conspiracy of Silence and could dive right in!

Meet the Author
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of a dozen novels. She grew up an Army brat. Now, she and her husband, an Army veteran, have an adventurous life in Northern Virginia with their children and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie's degree in Psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.
Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and Rapid-Fire Fiction novels have hit bestseller lists and garnered awards and critical acclaim.
Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), Instagram (@kendigronie) and GoodReads.


Friday Memes 12/9

Book Blogger Hop

The Question:
What is your best guess that you won't be changing the genres you currently read?

My Answer:
I've gotten pretty good at know what kind of books I'll enjoy so I'm pretty sure I'll be sticking with my current genres. But I'm not opposed to trying new ones though there aren't many I haven't tried!


Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Vindication tasted like sweat. Backbreaking, limb-aching sweat. Tzivia Khalon pushed onto her knees and used the back of her gloved hand to wipe away the perspiration plastering her hair to her face and neck.
Conspiracy of Silence by Ronie Kendig

My Thoughts
Love this beginning. The words and the images they bring to your head are brilliantly crafted!

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Top Four New to Me Authors I Read in 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I've had a crazy busy year and haven't got nearly as much reading done as I'd like. So with limited reading time I wasn't as inclined to try out new authors. I did try these four and I absolutely loved Kara and Susan's books! Johnnie's and Rachelle's were very enjoyable too!

#1. Kara Issac


#2. Susan Anne Mason

#3. Johnnie Alexander

#4. Rachelle Dekker

Monday, December 05, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #245

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
Another busy week that was even crazier than last week! Crazy enough that I didn't even get blog posts up! I had evening babysitting jobs every night except Thursday and Saturday, a couple that went past midnight. Plus one of the girls I nanny was sick so she had a rough week. All in all I had little to no reading time this week!

What I am currently reading:
Almost done and I'm in love!

What I hope to read this week:
Can't wait to meet Tox!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!