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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Desert Willow by Patricia Beal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Desert Willow
Author: Patricia Beal
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Release Date: February 12, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance

After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?

College graduate Clara Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.

Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patricia Beal has danced ballet since her childhood and has performed with pre-professional companies in South America, Europe, and the United States. She fell in love with a handsome airborne infantryman at Fort Bragg, married him, and quit her day job to have his babies. Soon came the desire to have book babies, too. Patricia is a Genesis Award semi-finalist, First Impressions finalist, and the author of A Season to Dance (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2017). She writes from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and two children.

CONNECT WITH PATRICIA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 10, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 24, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

The author has been so gracious to allow us to share a small snippet from her book today! 🥳

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Happy reading:)

EXCERPT 1

She surveyed the large atrium of the El Paso International Airport, fanning herself with her grandmother’s jasmine-scented, maple-gold envelope. No sign of the general yet. Instead, across a playful and sunny path created by a series of tall arched windows, she spotted him—the young Army captain she’d seen at the airport’s Placita while falling in love with an overpriced silver bracelet she couldn’t possibly afford.

He’d stood close, so close that the subtle soap scent of his freckled skin had reached her with ease. And now here he was again.

*************************************************

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: On Wings of Devotion
Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: January 7, 2020

Against Every Warning, She’s Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as “Black Heart”

All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.

As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed “Black Heart,” she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing–and some of her own to do as well.

With Camden’s court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope–and to each other–if they want to survive.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

CONNECT WITH ROSEANNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a On Wings of Devotion inspired prize pack including a Recreation RFC Pilot Wings pin, a mini globe, Cadbury Chocolate, Caddie the Cocker Spaniel (handmade by Roseanna), and One Seat and Tea Package for an Online Tea Party Book Club with Roseanna (Winner’s choice of scheduled dates. Includes treats, loose-leaf tea, and book club goodies. A $25 value! For more information, visit http://www.roseannamwhite.com/tea-party-book-club/.)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 7, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on January 14, 2020. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

As a Special treat, Author Roseanna has been gracious enough to provide an excerpt of her book to share here!! yay!! So here it goes! Hope you enjoy and don’t forget to check her page and books out 🙂

On Wings of Devotion, Excerpt 1

A stranger stalking down the street shouldn’t make her hands tremble in anticipation. Arabelle Denler forced her breathing to calm, forced an easy smile to her lips for the soldier whose bandage she’d just changed, and stood with the old bandage balled up in her bowl. “Is there anything else you need, Captain?”

The thrashing of his head from side to side may have been the answer to her question. Or it may have been simple agony. Poor chap. He’d just arrived in Charing Cross Hospital yesterday after ordnance had stolen his entire left leg.

“Ara!” The stage whisper came from the hallway, where Eliza, one of the volunteer nurses, motioned her frantically.

He’d be stomping down the street any moment. Brooding and aloof and mysterious and so handsome that just looking at him could make one’s heart crack a bit.

She resisted the urge to dart out. Black Heart, as the papers had dubbed him, was of no concern to her. She had a fiancé. And more, she had a purpose. Right here, right now. Resting a hand on the captain’s shoulder, she closed her eyes and whispered a quiet prayer. Only after her amen did she move away, her pace no faster than it ever was. The fact that she didn’t stop at any other cots in the ward had nothing to do with the view out the window and everything to do with the fact that her shift was over and she needed to deliver these bloodied bandages to the laundry on her way out.

If the window facing Agar Street happened to be on the way to said laundry, that was pure coincidence.

And if she went into the little room where the nurses and volunteers took their brief breaks rather than directly to her destination, she could blame it on Eliza, who seized her by the arm and tugged her into the cupboard of a room with a giggle. “Hurry.”

Arabelle rolled her eyes, even as she knew it was more to cover the thumping of her own pulse than because she found their daily ritual silly. She slid the bowl of sullied bandages onto a table and quickly washed her hands before golden-haired Eliza pulled her over to the window.

“There!” Susan, a pretty girl of perhaps eighteen who had been volunteering here for only a half year, leaned into the windowsill until her cheek was pressed to the pane.

Arabelle tugged her back an inch. Gracious, but sometimes these girls made her feel ancient. She was only twenty-five, but she couldn’t recall ever acting so giddy simply because a man was walking down the street. “A bit of propriety, if you please, Sue. He could look up again, and you don’t want him to catch you staring.”

The girls had about fainted dead away last week when he’d glanced directly up at their window and sent them all a devil-may-care grin. As if he knew exactly what they were doing and the effect he had.

Overall rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ 2/5

Book Blurb:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The chance to live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

In The Heir and The Crown, Princess Eadlyn becomes the first ever princess to hold a Selection of her own—but she doesn’t believe that any of her thirty-five suitors will capture her heart…

This gorgeous box set includes all five books in this #1 New York Times bestselling series, which has sold millions of copies and captured the hearts of readers around the world.

My Review:

I’m so disappointed on these five books. I read the first two on 2018, and the last three last year. How can these books be allowed at schools or read by young (or any age) readers in beyond me. But let’s start with what I did like about the book, because yes, in my opinion, these books could have been great if it were not for some issues.

Plot wise, love it. At least for the first two books. They are interesting and the characters keep you invested in the story. America Singer, the MC, has a very realistic and emotional personality, the author does an incredible job portraying it. The setting of the books is at a place called Angels and it’s a sci-fi ish kingdom that keeps some things old-style. Love it.

Now the not so good stuff. The Prince, Mason, is the flattest character ever. He seems like a robot without any type of personality. We see an “innocent” boy in the first few chapters and then abruptly it changes into the complete opposite without any time in between for “growth”. The relationships in these books were completely unhealthy. It’s one thing to have a competition we’re you have to choose a bride between thirty five girls, and another thing is developing a romantic relationship with each one of them just to be on the “safe side”. In one of the books there is also a completely unnecessary “friends with benefits” relationship that made me cringe so bad. As I write this, I truly realize how  bad these books are. No moral story, no message, no anything. Why people like these books, I’ll never know. As always, I respect your opinions about them, but for me, it’s a big no. Would I recommend them? Absolutely not. These books should be targeted to adults not teens.

Cleanness: ⭐️ 1/5

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

Overall rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5

Book Synopsis:

The Fair and Foul courts of the fey folk have long yearned for one to bring them together in peace, but hopes are dashed when the fairest prince and the prophecy concerning him are laid to ruin. Burdened with shame and sorrow, the prince flees to the cold mountains far above the forests and lochs with nothing but animals and goblins for company.

When a human huntress stumbles upon him in her search for a legendary predator, their fates are intertwined. But she hides deadly secrets, and if he dares to trust her, he may risk the doom of both courts to an ancient evil…

A Novella Retelling of Snow White

My Review:

“In the month that the whitethorn tree bloomed, the Queen of the Seelie gave birth to a son most fair…”

“Fairest one, Fairest son, 

Altogether under one

Kingdoms Twain, now together,

A crown to last, for now, forever”

.Well, well, well, what can I say….

I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK! 

.I was so intrigued by the premise of this book, I HAD to get it on Black Friday! A gender-swap retelling of Snowwhite!? Sign me up! When I told my brother about this book he was like, how the heck is this going to work!? Well, let me tell you it exceeded my expectations. @h.s.j._williams does a fantastic job with her characters, and her plot is super original but at the same time gives you all the Snow white vibes. And, no, it’s not about a conceited guy who looks handsome and goes talking to animals while he dances 😂 It’s a world where faeries, changelings, humans, and even the mysterious world of Fuath come together to fight for the prophecy of a prince that would unite kingdoms together. But something happens that threatens that prophecy, and three locks must never be discovered if there is a any chance to fulfill it.😏 

Also, plot wise and character wise, loved it! 

It wraps up very nicely and leaves you with a good satisfying ending (of course, who doesn’t want more, am I right!?😆) .

Ps. It’s a clean book!🥳 .

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/4

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5/5

Cleanness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Get your copy of Fairest Son here!

Electric Skies

(Twelfth Keeper #5)

By Belle Malory

YA SciFi, Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages

March 8th 2019

The strange planet Kennedy has called home for the last year transformed her into something more powerful than she ever imagined.

But it’s not home.

It’s not Earth.

And most importantly, it doesn’t have Phoenix.

Faced with life-altering decisions, Kennedy is forced to abandon everything she built for an uncertain future. The journey won’t be easy, but she’s survived greater odds. If it means reclaiming the life she lost, she’ll do whatever it takes. Even if it means letting go of something she never expected to want.

Excerpt

Fire.

It lit the ground, soaring straight toward her. She scrambled to her feet, her heart thudding against her chest. It was coming fast—faster than she could run.

Holy Mother of God.

A thunderous voice boomed from behind. “ASSASSIN WITCH! You dare come into this camp!”

She jumped, using the water in her own body to propel her faster, trying to put some distance between her and that blasted fire. It didn’t work. She couldn’t gain much ground, and whoever was after her was coming way too fast. The scalding heat was at her heels, blazing across her back. Sweat poured from her body. She cried out from the pain. God, it felt like she was melting.

The ground shook, and she tripped. As she fell, time slowed.

Instinctively, Kennedy did the only thing she could do. She stretched her mind, reaching into the stream. Water rushed around her, enveloping her body inside of a cube. Four walls, four sides. Within seconds, she froze each of those sides, creating her own little box of ice. It was airtight—she wouldn’t last long in here without oxygen, but hopefully long enough for the fire to subside.

Hopefully long enough to keep her alive.

The ground continued to shake from the force of the explosion. Those bright orange flames danced around her, frosting the surface of her cube and blocking everything in sight.

Kennedy curled her knees to her chest, focusing on keeping the water frozen. It took every ounce of energy she had to keep the ice from melting, to keep herself protected.

Between the flames, she saw someone coming. The fire died down, and then they were right upon her, a pair of lethal black eyes peering into her icy sanctuary. It was hard to focus. The fumes had made her dizzy. Little by little, the rest of the face came into view.

Phoenix?

She blinked several times, trying to still her wildly beating heart. A blur of hard angles, unkempt blonde hair, and muscles. The body was slightly different, a little bigger. But she would know that face anywhere.

It was him.

She must be dreaming. Had she died in that explosion back there? She blinked once. Twice. Then pinched herself for good measure.

Still here.

He stood on the other side of the ice, looking downright murderous as he glared at her. Holy bejeesus—he was the one trying to kill her!

“Your time is up, witch!” he said, his voice slightly muted.

Kennedy scrambled toward him, pressing her palms against the ice. “Phoenix, it’s me!” she said, wiping away the frost so he could see her better. But there was no recognition in his eyes. He didn’t even flinch.

It was too late anyway. Another explosion sent her cube tumbling. She slipped on the melting floor and lost her balance. Her head struck against the wall, and ice shattered around her like shards of glass.

Stars. All she could see were stars, and then nothing.

I don’t consider myself a writer. I’m a storyteller. I live in Orlando, FL with my family. Keep up with me on social media. I love hearing from readers!

Fate of Dragons

(Dragons Rising #1)

By Alisha Klapheke

YA Fantasy, Romance

Paperback & ebook, 292 Pages

March 27th 2019

An Earth Queen desperate to wake her magic.

An elven prince fighting a ruthless betrayal.

A flood is coming. The Sea Queen has a mad plan to drown the world. Only the magic of the Earth Queen can stop her. Vahly, the last human, was born to fill that role and wield the power necessary to battle the rising oceans and save the dragons and elves.

But Vahly is the world’s biggest disappointment. She possesses no magic whatsoever.

When she finds an ancient scroll that mentions a human power ritual conducted deep in the homeland of the elves, she gathers her dragon allies and journeys to see the king of that great forest-dwelling race.

Welcomed by a handsome royal cloaked in dark magic, will Vahly find answers or will a twisted and powerful elven lord destroy her chance at saving the world?

Excerpt

There, on the ground, was a shape that was not rock or smoke or golden earthblood.

Or dragon.

Her lips parted in a silent gasp.

Two arms. Two legs. Supple flesh instead of scales.

Crouching by the body, Vahly moved a curtain of obsidian hair away from the creature’s face.

A pointed ear.

Vahly’s tongue didn’t want to work.

It was an elf.

She shook him hard, finally forcing her mouth to make sounds. “Wake up, fool! You’re going to die out here and I’m not about to go down with you. I thought your kynd was known for wisdom. Why in the world are you out here by yourself?”

He could have asked her the same thing.

The elf was nothing like she’d imagined. Yes, he had the glowing elegance of the illustrations she’d seen from the library scrolls. His exposed arms showed powerful muscles and his features were just as chiseled as recorded in dragon history.

But there was an age to him, a feeling of having weathered many storms, a burnished look to his fine, clear skin and proud, beardless chin. His presence weighed on her like a winter cloak, heavy but somehow comforting.

A line between his sharply slanted eyebrows made her think he had experienced great frustration in his lifetime. She hadn’t thought to see that in an elf. This wasn’t the picture she’d cobbled from her research.

He was so much … more.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive an Amazon Fire Tablet and a $50 Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally (as long as winner is eligible to receive prizes)

Ends December 16, 2019

ENTER HERE

Brand of Light

(The Droseran Saga Book #1)

By Ronie Kendig

SciFi, Space Opera

Hardcover & ebook, 400 Pages

December 3rd 2019 by Enclave Publishing

There’s a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.

Tertian Space Coalition has blessed every planet in the quadrants with high technology, save one: Drosero. But in spite of their tenuous treaty with the ruling clans, TSC has plans for the backward planet. And they’re not alone.

After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she’s borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.

Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order—not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted—or cursed—with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted.

Excerpt

KALONICA, DROSERO

“You are sure of this, my lady? It’s Myles.” Weighted eyes drove home the point. “Our fiercest.”

“It was a fair draw.”

“Aye, but—”

“Let it not be said that I, the lone female in the training yard, whinged.” Not when she had pleaded so hard for training. As it was, she was thankful Uncle Rufio had left express word before he left for the middle lands that she should be allowed to continue her levels.

Jamming her fingers into thick hide gloves, Kersei Dragoumis stalked toward her destrier. She smoothed a hand over Bastien’s broad skull, then pressed her forehead to his and closed her eyes, stroking his powerful neck. “May I serve you well, friend.” She swung up into the saddle, ignoring the heat and dust that clung to her. Thank the Ancient women in Kalonica wore split pants to accommodate arduous tasks. At least in this she conformed to tradition.

Squinting against the strength of the full rise, she stared down the training yard at her opponent. Courage curdled inside her.

Seek strength where it may be found.

Approaching on her left, Minos lifted a javrod. “Myles will not take into consideration that you’re a female, nor that you’re a second-year. He is ruthless.”

“Then I must be at my best, aye?”

Minos thrust the javrod into her grip. “You have the iron of the machitis in your blood, Lady Kersei.” His sun-leathered face grimaced. “Ancient help us all.”

She laughed, more because of her nerves than out of amusement. “Now you sound like Darius.”

Had he been here, he would have forbidden her to spar against Myles, one of Father’s favorites. Myles had gained the rank of aerios faster than most—faster, even, than Darius—though only by a month. Yet her father would threaten his position on the elite guard of the realm if anything were to happen to her today. She’d never taken on a warrior of his caliber. Still, she knew Minos was right: Myles would give no quarter, while everyone else had taken into account that she was a female and that her father was Xylander, Elder of Stratios, one of the Five, and Chief Counsel to Medora Zarek.

Minos secured the strap around her arm. “Prince Darius will have my hide and your father my shield if harm comes to you.”

She cut him a glare. “Then I am glad neither is here.”

With a sigh, Minos backstepped.

Kersei again studied her opponent. “He thrusts at the last second,” she muttered.

“And at an angle. Give it room to bend.” His eyes held the worry of a warrior facing his last battle. “Pull off if—”

“Blood and boil!” someone shouted. “Kersei has drawn Myles!”

“She can’t be going through with it. She wouldn’t be that—”

“Aye, she would.” Another laughed.

Kersei blew out a breath as her periphery filled with the grubby green tunics of machitis lining the edge of the hay-strewn training field. She ignored their mocking murmurs and focused on Aerios Myles, who sat in quiet confidence on his mount, bored. Even though he wore a training jerkin and armor, it was how he wore it. Stretched taut against his chest and arms. Comfortable as a second skin. The destrier stamped impatiently. Myles had long been intent on proving she should not be here. Her mother liked him for that reason alone.

With gloved hands, Kersei slid down the face shield. Mentally patted armor that should protect her ribs and stomach. Wouldn’t Ma’ma love her to come home the night of Adara’s Delta Presentation with a black eye or broken limb?

Then best not get injured.

“Riders, ready!” Minos called over the chatter of the other machitis.

Both she and Myles hefted javrods to readiness and nudged their mounts into position on either side of the long dividing fence.

“Ho! Look to the ridge,” a spectator called. “The Kalonican lion!”

Sucking a breath, Kersei flicked her attention to the rise overlooking the training field. Royal banners snapped in the breeze. A cluster of horses cantered ahead of the detachment coming down the hill. One rider broke ahead in a full gallop. And though she could not see faces at this distance, she knew that golden-brown hair.

“It’s Prince Darius!”

Now he returns? No no no. He had always said she should not spar or joust. If he saw—

Her gaze darted to Minos. He held a fist to his chest in recognition of his prince. “Vanko Kalonica” rang out from the warriors. Blood and boil! Darius would end this match.

“Ready,” she shouted, hunching into Bastien.

“Ready!” The shout from the other end of the field pulled her up straight.

So, Myles is as anxious as I. But which of them would stand proudly before their prince when this was over?

Kersei swallowed. Tucked the javrod into her shoulder, its length standing straight. Lighter than a lance, it was a formidable weapon even if she were dismounted.

Aerios Minos lifted an arm, then violently swung it down.

“Huah!” With a jab of her knees, Kersei committed.

Bastien reared, his raw power surging beneath her. He vaulted forward like the mighty war horse he was. She leaned into the charge. Breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth, she urged Bastien to eat up the distance.

As Myles stormed her, he grew. In size. Formidability. Ferocity.

Heart thundering with Bastien’s hooves, Kersei focused her advance. Bend with it. Darius’s instruction from their days of sparring nudged attention to her rigidity. Expecting failure, she loosened taut muscles. Lay upon the buffeting wind streaming between her and Bastien.

As she aimed her javrod, Myles did the same.

Shouts pushed past the wind to reach her ears.

Her javrod wobbled in her grip. It vibrated up her arm. Shook her. She stiffened, fearing she’d lose the rod before even engaging her opponent.

Bastien responded, tensing beneath her stress.

Kersei shed the fear. The expectation of failure. Guided Bastien to the rail and firmed her grip. Felt it nock perfectly into her gloved hand. Targeted down its length to Myles’s chest.

Just forward more. Almost there …

As she thrust, she held her breath. She must do this. She was Kersei, daughter of Xylander, the fiercest machitis in Kalonica!

The thick, dulled tip of Myles’s javrod beamed right at her. Firm. Solid. No uncertainty. Pure experience. Ferocious determination. His scowl bled into focus behind the rod. Dark eyes. Forbidding. His rod swung down.

Ah! Just as expected. He’d miss. She would stand before Darius. She would—

Thud!

About the Author

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive an Amazon Fire Tablet and a $50 Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally (as long as winner is eligible to receive prizes)

Ends December 16, 2019

ENTER HERE

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Book Blurb:

Book 1: A Time to Die

How would you live if you knew the day you’d die?

Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system.

But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall — her people’s death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

Book 2: A Time to Speak

What happens when you live longer than you wanted to? 

Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she’s being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.

The Council uses Jude’s Clock-matching invention to force “new-and-improved” Clocks on the public. Those who can’t afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council’s purposes.

Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Book 3: A Time to Rise

What more can you sacrifice than your life? 

Parvin Blackwater is dead.

At least that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.

Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?

My Review:

Well. I don’t have words. These books will make you feel things you never thought you could feel. I, for one, can say that this book has made my faith stronger. It has reminded me of what a great God we have, of His plan for my life, of Shalom. As young adults, we have this fame among older folks for always saying we feel misunderstood, alone, etc. (You know what I’m talking about). It can be tough being a Christian kid in these chaotic times we live. Sometimes God feels so far we don’t even try anymore. How can God care when we have lost friends, family, and things? Well, you are not alone.

The MC of this book, Parvin, is the perfect example of today’s teen. She goes through a series of trials that help her discover her purpose and God’s will for her life in a society where you can’t escape the nightmare of having a clock beside you, ticking… counting how many days you have left to live. I know what you are thinking. ”But, Breny, I don’t like reading books with Christian elements because they are so preachy”. Even though I’m not against preachy books, they are not my favorite types of books, either. But, The Out of Time series, doesn’t feel that way, AT ALL. It has the perfect proportions of adventure, suspense, love, and faith, that creates this masterpiece. Character-wise, love them all, even the baddies are well developed. The pace was terrific, though, in the second book, it felt a little to slow for my taste. I wish Nadine had never ended this series !!! I hope she writes some future novellas or prequels! If you know a teen or young adult, please grab a copy of The Out of Time series for them! You won’t regret it.

cleanness:  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 (non-descriptive kisses)

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5

Get your copy of the Magical Beings Rehabilitation Center Series here!

About the Author

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of FAWKES, ROMANOV, and the award-winning Out of Time Series. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she’s not busy writing novels about bold living, she’s adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. Nadine, her Auror husband, and their Halfling son are building a Tiny House on wheels. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.

Book blurb

n the rough and rugged Montana Territory, the journey to true love is filled with unexpected twists—and sweet rewards—for daring frontier women who faithfully believe every heart has a home . . .

With the help of the Archer Matrimonial Company, Yancey Palmer has finally put Hale Adams, the man she’s loved for ten years—sometimes not wisely or well—behind her. Yancey is so sure of her love for the man the agency matched her with, she readily promises a friend that she’ll help Hale with his mayoral campaign without chasing him.

Hale has also engaged the services of the matrimonial agency. He’s so pleased with one lady, he requests that she join him in Helena to commence a sixty-day courtship. But instead, the Archer ladies arrive in town to reveal the true identities of both Hale’s and Yancey’s matches: each other.  Can they look past their misunderstandings and hurt to see that they are still a perfect match?

My review:

I love stories about convenience or arranged marriages, so when I saw this book available for review, I just had to read it! This story did surprise me a lot! I wasn’t expecting a lot of what happened, and that is something I genuinely enjoy in these types of books. The story pace and character development were good, and It kept my interest in the story until the very end. I also liked the message of forgiveness and second chances that the book has. The romance was funny and exciting, and I liked the fact that it wasn’t loved at first sight but instead a process for them to end where they did.
A very sweet and clean book! I highly recommend it.
** I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the above-mentioned thoughts are my own and weren’t influenced by the author or publisher. **