The Catch Review

"The Catch" by Taylor Stevens is the newest novel in the Vanessa Munroe series.  Munroe is a hired mercenary that is to assist in the guarding of a gunrunning boat from Djibouti to Kenya.  However, the hired guns don't know that the boat is running guns; they think they are just there for protection.  When the pirates aboard the ship, Munroe escapes taking the unconscious captain with her.  She arrives in Kenya to investigate why the boat was running guns without Amber, the wife of the leader of Munroe's outfit's, knowing anything about it and who is behind it.  While searching for information, she discovers that the Captain is the one they want and things are not what they seem.
The Munroe books are not necessary to read in order.  I hadn't read any before and though I would have followed a little better, it was not necessary.  Munroe is a multi-language speaking, highly intelligent, vastly experienced, fighting machine.  She passes as a man while in Africa which does kind of throw off my mental image.  Too much Hollywood in my brain, I suppose.  She is characteristically comparable to many of the men that is written about for example:  Reacher and Bourne.  Which is nice to see that she doesn't need a man to hold her hand while they run from bad guys.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.bloggingforbooks.com. 

Battle of Adobe Walls

"Buffalo Trails"  is a historical-fiction work by Jeff Guinn.  Though most of the story is true, the main character, McLendon is not.  McClendon, CM, as he is sometimes called has joined forces with Bat Masterson on the prairie outside of Dodge City, Ks working as a bone collector, wannabe Buffalo Hunter.  When the two men hear of Billy Dixon's plan to make a large hunting party and take it down to Adobe Walls, TX to finish off what is probably the last of the massive buffalo herds they decide to strike up on a big moneymaker.  Meanwhile, Quanah Parker, a Comanche war leader, has constructed a plan to unite three different tribes to fight off the whites with a greater force. The two groups come to a head at Adobe Walls and the 4 day battle is on. 
This book, though long, is extremely well written.  There are some graphic parts when methods of torture and killing is being told.  There is also a rape scene.  Both groups are very violent.  There was just waaaay too much testosterone roaming around on the prairie at that time.  Excellent book.  Be ready to cringe. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.firsttoread.com. 

Master Passion blog Tour & Giveaway

 

http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/amasterpassionblogtour/

 

  Giveaway!!!!

https://gleam.io/SRhHR/a-master-passion

Photograph review

Beverly Lewis' new novel "The Photograph" is a stand alone novel, but ties in to several of her other novels with characters and location.  Frona, Eva, and Lily are three orphaned sisters of young adult age.  They are single and Amish.  The combination of these four characteristics puts them in a rather tight spot.  Their brother has inherited the house they are currently living in and that means they need to go.  However, they cannot just move out and get jobs.  So they are on the look out to marry fast or in Lily's case, a desperate measure of leaving the People.  Lily strikes out on her own and leaves the other sisters searching for her.  Jeb is an Ohioan carriage maker that finds the Little Women book that Lily has left on the train.  Following the clues, he begins to search for her as well.  However, things get tangled up when he mistakes Eva for Lily.
Beverly Lewis is by far the best Amish writer and can generally do no wrong when it comes to writing.  In this novel, I kept rooting for Lily to make her getaway since I felt she really had no other choice.  She was being tossed out on her ear and leaving the People seemed like a good way to make a life.  But when Lewis brings the characters full circle and shares the difficulties of leaving the Plain life, the reader starts to see a whole new side of things.  How do you live when you are trying to be something you are not?  Good book.  4 stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.

Mama's favorite Robertson

I knew Jep Robertson would be my favorite Robertson when he went cruising by the duck shop on a dolly saying "Hello, Clarice" and no one acknowledged him or even flinched.  I was cracking up.  I knew I had picked the right one when in the book, "The Good, The Bad, and the Grace of God" he wrote that he had watched the entire series of X Files while he was supposed to be working.   This is the latest release of Duck Dynasty star books and it tells the story of Jep and Jessica Robertson.  Jep would be the baby; mama's favorite.  The book goes back and forth in telling with one chapter written by and telling the story of Jep and the other of Jessica.  Jessica's story tends to ramble, which she admits to doing during speeches.  However, when she tells the story of her first husband, she sticks to task and tells the story well.  I especially like how she takes ownership of her part in the story.  That is a story more young women need to hear and lesson they need to learn.  Jessica would make a great mentor.  Jep's story is told in a more disciplined orderly manner.  He tells of his trials in life.  There are several.  Sometimes I was thinking " I don't think I should know this", but I guess it is his story to tell.  Jep's writing is very clever and funny.  I think this dude is hilarious.  I received this book in exchange for my honest review from www.booklookbloggers.com. 

star crossed lovers

"'Til We Meet Again" by Ray & Betty Whipps with Craig Borlase is the true story of star crossed lovers in war-torn Europe during WWII.  The story is told with a narrative of Ray and his journey from his hometown to Navy Air School to Army infantry in France and eventually POW in Germany.  Betty's side of the story is told through letters home and to Ray.  Ray was injured while fighting and came to the hospital where Betty was nursing.  The two felt a kinship with their Christianity unity and fell in love.  When Ray recovered he was sent back to his unit and was almost immediately taken prisoner. 
This is an amazing story.  The writing is superb, the story amazing, and the reader will have difficulty tearing themselves away from the book.  I loved this; 5 stars!  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Tyndale House Publishers. 

Little Prince Noah

"The Prince who was Just Himself" is written by Silke Schnee and illustrated by Heike Sistig.  This is a children's story of Prince Noah's introduction to his royal family.  Noah is a bit different.  That's ok with some and not with others.  But he is full of love, wonder, and patience.  Prince Noah has Down's Syndrome.  When the kingdom is attacked by Scarface, Noah brings the villain to his knees by showing him love and compassion. 
This book is aimed at children, but as a read-to.  I really loved this book!  I feel it should be in every child's library.  It not only explains Down's Syndrome to a child in a way that can be understood, but also teaches tolerance as well.  The illustrations are wonderful and cheerful.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Handlebar Publishing.