Lock. Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson A Review

ABOUT LOCK, STOCK, AND OVER A BARREL
With high hopes, Daphne Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dee passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Daphne only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dee’s cats.

And if Daphne thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dee's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B and H Books (June 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1433679302
ISBN-13: 978-1433679308
Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including the Rita and Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

MY REVIEW
  Lock, Stock. And Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson is a fun, exciting read. It is book one in the Dear Daphne series. Glad they will be more books to go along with the first one.
  Daphne has been living in New York for many years writing for a newspaper. Folks back home thing she has a fantastic life, but Daphne is just in a rut and not enjoying her life. Her beloved Aunt Dee passes away and many things change in her life, like her job, where she lives and the friends in her life. It’s all new and exciting for her, but also very calm and peaceful. Daphne finds out some family secrets that change everything, but also answers many questions. Aunt Dee’s will states many funny and surprising stipulations.  What will become of Daphne and what will her new life be like.
  I found Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel sweet, amusing and very interesting. I highly recommend this fantastic book. It was a pleasure to read.


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Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Fearless by Mike Dellosso A Review

ABOUT FEARLESS
When a nine-year-old girl named Louisa mysteriously appears in the middle of a house fire with no memory of how she got there or where she came from, Jim and Amy Spencer agree to take her in. Wrestling with the recent loss of their own child, Amy is hurt and angry while Jim is just trying to make it through each day and hold their marriage together.

For Jim, Louisa is the daughter he always wanted, but Amy isn’t as comfortable with her. The girl has a special gift, and soon that gift will unknowingly push them all into contact with a serial killer who has been terrorizing the small town of Virginia Mills. Only by uniting can Jim and Amy save themselves and Louisa before it’s too late.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Realms (May 7, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1621362418
ISBN-13: 978-1621362418
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Dellosso is the author of numerous novels of suspense, including Darkness Follows, Darlington Woods, and Scream. He is an adjunct professor of writing at Lancaster Bible College and frequent contributor to Christian websites and newsletters. Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers association, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, the Relief Writer’s Network, and FaithWriters, and he plans to join International Thriller Writers. He earned his BA degree from Messiah College and his MBS from Master’s International School of Divinity. He lives in Hanover, PA, with his wife and daughters.

MY REVIEW
  Mike Dellosso is an excellent author and will keep you spell bound until you finish reading Fearless. I love suspenseful novels and this one is one of the better ones.
  It teaches us that God can use anyone no matter their age or intelligence.
  I love to try to guess who the villain is in each book I read and usually can, but not with Fearless. I was very surprised at the ending.
  Like it says on the back cover of Fearless “A child mysteriously appears in the lives of Jim and Amy Spencer. Will her presence be a blessing or a curse?”
  I really enjoyed reading Fearless, but wouldn’t read it to close to going to sleep. It has some parts that are a little spooky, but I loved them.
  I like how one person can change so many lives and make such a difference in the world.  We are all important and make a difference in the world. We have to decide if the difference we make is for good or evil.
  If you love mysteries and very suspenseful books this one you will love.  Fearless is one of my favorite books for 2013. I highly recommend it.

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Thank you to Charisma House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Confession by Beverly Lewis DVD Review

ABOUT THE CONFESSION
Raised by an Amish family, Katie Lapp (Katie Leclerc, TV's "Switched at Birth") starts a quest to find her birth-mother, Laura Mayfield-Bennett (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER"). Along the way, two very different men try to help her overcome a devious scheme to steal her rightful inheritance and divide her heart between two worlds.

Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

Sherry Stringfield / Laura Bennett 
Born in Colorado Springs and raised in Texas, actress Sherry Stringfield is perhaps best known for playing Dr. Susan Lewis on NBC’s hit drama, “ER.” As a series regular, Stringfield garnered three Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama and a People’s Choice Award nomination. Stringfield is also known for series regular roles on “NYPD Blue” and “Guiding Light.”
Between her busy series television schedules, Stringfield has also appeared in several feature films, including the 1998 Miramax film “54” alongside Mike Myers, Salma Hayek and Ryan Phillippe and 2000’s “Autumn in New York” with Richard Gere and Winona Ryder. She has also enjoyed success in the independent films “Viva Las Nowhere,” “Forfeit” and “Fencewalkers,” and recently starred in the Screen Gems production, “Stepfather.”
Stringfield currently resides in Los Angeles with her two children.

Katie Leclerc grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, the youngest of three siblings in a close-knit family. In grade school, her spunky personality and megawatt smile won her the lead role in a production of Annie. It was in this play that she discovered her passion for acting, while juggling other after-school activities such as basketball, choir and dance. When her family moved to San Diego, Leclerc continued to pursue theatre at Valley Center High. She started booking commercials including Pepsi, Cingular, Comcast and GE. Then she got her first big break, a role on the cult favorite TV show, “Veronica Mars,” starring Kristen Bell.

Currently Leclerc stars in the hit ABC Family show "Switched at Birth." Her other TV credits include "CSI," “The Riches,” “The Ex-List” and “The Hard Times of RJ Berger.” She also starred in the feature films “The Inner Circle” and “Flying By,” with Billy Ray Cyrus as well as the independent film "Mesmerized." At home Leclerc can often be found hiking on one of L.A.’s hidden trails.

Versatility, discipline and a solid work ethic have been the underpinnings of Adrian Paul’s very successful 24-year acting career. With over twenty-five films and two hundred hours of television experience, it can be said Paul has successfully taken on a rich diversity of roles.

During the past four years, in between spending time in Europe developing his own production company and running his charity the Peace Fund, Paul has also been starring and co-starring in films such as “The Heavy,” “Eyeborgs,” “Nine Miles Down,” “Deadly Descent” and “Cold Fusion.”

Paul is set to direct his first feature in 2013, is developing a mini-series based in 1850s Louisiana and in December 2012 launched his own radio show called Peace Fund Radio. The focus being on charitable work around the world, highlighting notable celebrity guests linked to charitable organizations of their own, as well as showcasing the Peace Fund’s Charitable partners worldwide.

Having worked in film, television and theater, and now radio, in both Europe and America, Paul is now recognized in countries all over the world.

MY REVIEW
  The Confession written by Beverly Lewis made into a DVD is excellent. I was quite intrigued by how this second movie in the series kept my interest and how it turned out.
The actors did a wonderful job and the settings were marvelous. I loved the mansion Laura lived in and the sounding grounds.
  I like how Katie was pushed into being a servant in her mother’s house and how she was sweet and loving about it.
  This is a wholesome family movie that will be fantastic for a family night. It teaches many lessons and like the DVD covers says The Confession is “A touching story of deceit, trust and love.”
  I would highly recommend this DVD to everyone. If you love Amish stories and good movies this one is for you. I love the way it ended, but I know a third one will be coming out and I look forward to that.

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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Simple Song by Melody Carlson A REVIEW

ABOUT A SIMPLE SONG
Katrina Yoder loves to sing, but her Amish parents view singing as vainglory and a sin. Katrina's best friend, Bekka, is convinced Katrina should try out for American Star, a televised singing competition that Bekka has been secretly watching. Katrina resists the temptation until her father's health worsens. He desperately needs a surgery the family cannot afford. Katrina decides she must go against her parents' wishes to win the money needed to help her father. But how will she handle herself as an Amish teenager out in the world?

Teen girls will be swept into the excitement as Katrina ventures out of her quiet Amish world to become a reality television star. Will she be successful? And will she be accepted back into her community when it's over?

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800722256
ISBN-13: 978-0800722258
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including the Rita and Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/


MY REVIEW
  A Simple Song by Melody Carlson is a sweet little read. I found the characters of Katrina and Bekka quite likable and fun to read about.
 In A Simple Song we see the very strong love Katrina has for her singing and above that the love for her Dad.
  The Amish are not suppose to enjoy singing and not to sing anything out of their hymn book. Katrina has such a sweet, pure voice and her Dad needs an operation on his back that would cost so very, very much. So Katrina is pushed to use her singing talent to go on a T.V. show and try to win top prize.
In A Simple Song you will laugh and cry with Katrina as she ventures out into the English world to try and win to get money for her dad’s operation.
 It was a fun book to read and I enjoyed it and the last chapter was the best. I love the way it ended and how many things Katrina learns in the outside world. This book is a very enjoyable read that I recommend for all.

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Stress Test by Dr. Richard Mabry A REVIEW

ABOUT STRESS TEST
They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.

Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt's only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he's being charged with murder.

Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can't walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.

Matt's career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he's a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 9, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401687083
ISBN-13: 978-1401687083
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.




MY REVIEW
  Stress Test by Dr. Richard Mabry is a fantastic interesting read. I love this book and can’t wait to read other books by Dr. Mabry. From the very first page I was hooked and read the book through in two days.
  I was really surprised at who ordered the murders and tried to frame Dr. Matt Newman. It is a well put together story. Loved all of the medical talk and different cases. Liked how a few people stood by Matt when he was going through his toughest time.
 The characters are excellent and well described. It is just an all round fantastic suspenseful story. This is a book you won’t be able to put down until it’s completely read. I love it and highly recommend it. A 5-star book for sure.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program/BookSneeze. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express are my own. This is true of any book I review for any publisher or author; I will not review books where a positive review is required and I will always express my own opinions of each book received and read.

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon A REVIEW

ABOUT THAT CERTAIN SUMMER
Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her gorgeous sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their relationship with each other, and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each learn how to forgive, how to let go, and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven, and the complicated process of finding love.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800722493
ISBN-13: 978-0800722494
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of over forty books, including more than two dozen contemporary romance novels. Her romance fiction has won a coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, a HOLT Medallion, and an RT Reviewers' Choice Award from RT Book Reviews magazine. Her popular Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice suspense series have also won their share of awards, including the RITA, National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, and RT's Reviewers' Choice. In addition, Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri.
For more information about her and her books, Irene invites you to visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.

MY REVIEW
  That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon is a really, really fantastic book. It was a joy to read and I’m so glad I got the chance.
  It’s about two sisters who never got along because they always seemed to be competing. After they grew up and were forced to work together and really get to know each other and finally forgive themselves for their pasts do they become real sisters.
  This book talks about forgiving ourselves for past mistakes, becoming the person God wants you to be and going forward with our lives.
  The characters in That Certain Summer are very strong, likable and compelling. You will come to love them and their family and friends.
This book is about four main characters, the sisters Karen and Val and two men Scott and David.  Very interesting how their lives connect and become intertwined. I highly recommend this book and I will be giving it a 5-star rating.

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255