“Collateral Damage” by Lynette Eason

Posted on January 21, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps Book #1) by Lynette Eason

This is the start to a brand new series called “Danger Never Sleeps”. I love series type books and I especially love Lynette Eason’s suspense books. WOW! This story was so so good from beginning to end! Lots of action, suspense, drama and some clean romance. Lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing and wondering what was going to happen.

Brooke and Asher are the main characters in the book although there are several more team members that were introduced throughout the story. I liked reading about their different roles an how they helped each other along the way. Flashbacks from their time in Afghanistan, their PTSD struggles and their military service was interesting to read about as they both tried to work thru their guilt and memories-looking to the future instead of the past.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series when it’s released in August. I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others–but her days of helping military personnel are over. She’s got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she’s not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way–terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn’t there–but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can’t take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he’s not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack–and that her secrets go even deeper than his own–Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.

Purchase your copy here:
https://amzn.to/2RDlKm7

About the Author
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

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2020 Blue Ridge Marathon RACE promo code & GIVEAWAY! #brm26pt2 #runblueridge

Posted on January 15, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

I am SO excited that I was selected to be a Blue Ridge Marathon race ambassador again this year! This will be my FOURTH year running the race. The first year I did the half marathon and the other years I have done the 10k which I’m doing again this year.

The discount for 20% off applies to the 10k, half, full, double, 4-person relay and the Sunday Slow-K and there is no expiration.

I love that this race series offers SO MANY race length options!

*Double Marathon

*Marathon

*Half Marathon

*10k

*4 person marathon relay

*family 1 miler

*Sunday slow-K

RACE DETAILS & EVENTS PAGE HERE:
https://www.blueridgemarathon.com/race-details-events

The Blue Ridge Marathon Series was created by a non-profit known as Roanoke Outside Foundation whose mission is to make outdoor activity and environmental stewardship a core component of our region’s lifestyle by promoting a “conservation through recreation”
philosophy. All proceeds of the Blue Ridge Marathon go toward our main beneficiaries the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway or other local charitable organizations.

The Blue Ridge Marathon has THE MOST elevation change of any road race in the United States. This is how it gets it’s “toughest” road marathon status.

Race weekend is April 18 which gives you at least 90 days to train for whatever distance race you want to run (or walk!) I’m so excited to do a RACE GIVEAWAY with all of you!

ONE lucky winner will receive (1) free race entry to whatever race length they want (as long as its not sold out). WINNER is responsible for transportation and lodging to and from the race.

ENTER HERE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

IF YOU DON’T END UP WINNING my giveaway; make sure you use my 20% off code to SAVE on race registration!

REGISTER HERE TODAY:
https://endurancecui.active.com/new/events/59396852/select-race?_p=30693851201123823

I will be blogging and posting on Instagram leading up to the race. Stay tuned for more exciting updates regarding this amazing race series!

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“The Amish Marriage Bargain” by Marie E. Bast

Posted on January 14, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

My Review:

I really enjoyed this easy to read Amish fiction story! and I loved May! She was very spunky and spoke her mind, which is unusual for Amish women. I liked how the story alternated between May and Thad as worked together to raise baby Leah. May has had alot of loss in her life-her mom, her sister.. but yet she stays true to her faith and helping to keep her family farm no matter the sacrifice or work involved. I really liked reading May’s contributions to the farm and her different ideas on earning an income for her family and for the town. She was very creative and hardworking!

As the story progresses, we find out what happened to May’s sister and why May and Thad parted ways years prior. I liked the story line and characters and I liked that it was a more “modern” Amish story.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book

Book: The Amish Marriage Bargain

Author: Marie E. Bast

Genre: Amish

Release Date: December 17, 2019

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Will a baby girl bring them together at last?

She’ll do anything for her niece…Even marry the man who broke her heart.

Nothing can keep May Bender in her Amish hometown—except caring for her baby niece. But the bishop insists that May also marry her widowed brother-in-law, Thad Hochstedler—the beau who jilted her to wed her sister. Can May risk her heart long enough to learn the real reason for Thad’s first marriage…and possibly rediscover their love?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Marie Striped Sweater Enhanced12015 Pic2

Marie E. Bast is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Her stories whisper words of hope and healing through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for twenty-eight years, Marie and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or spending time with her family. Visit her website at MarieBastAuthor.com or follower her on social media.

More from Marie

Did you know that until as late as the twentieth century, marriage was never based on love?

In fact, the institution of marriage predates recorded history. But in ancient biblical times, the reasons for marriage are numerous. The kings, nobility, wealthy, and aristocratic families used arranged marriages to ensure loyalty between kingdoms, which forced a united bound and ensured the integrity of their inheritance and the family wealth.

Arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, and marriage bargains were practical to keep property and kingdoms intact and in the family line. But these marriage contracts also spilled over into the commoners’ lives. In times of poverty, a daughter was only another mouth to feed and therefore a burden on the family. That fueled the arranged marriages where the groom gave the family money, animals, or some other commodity in exchange for the marriage.

Also, arranged marriages were instrumental for women over the age of 30 who were unwed. Even in the nineteenth century, many women would find that a marriage of convenience was the way to go. Often, a widower needed a mother and housekeeper for his family, and sometimes a woman without means to support herself would readily accept a marriage of convenience. Even today, some cultures still use arranged marriages.

But one of the most unique marriage of convenience is the marriage bargain, and that is the central theme to my newest book, The Amish Marriage Bargain, which releases in book form December 17, 2019, and eBook January 1, 2020. The marriage bargain is the specific negotiation of the terms of the agreement regarding a particular situation and often included land.

After her sister dies, May Bender will do anything for her niece…Even marry the man who broke her heart. But like the days of old, the bargain goes deeper than that.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, January 2

For Him and My Family, January 2

The Avid Reader, January 3

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 3

Texas Book-aholic, January 4

Vicky Sluiter, January 4

Mary Hake, January 4

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 5

Among the Reads, January 6

Betti Mace, January 6

Older & Smarter?, January 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 7

Batya’s Bits, January 7

janicesbookreviews, January 8

Hallie Reads, January 8

For The Love Of Literature, January 9

Britt Reads Fiction, January 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 10

Bigreadersite, January 10

mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 10

She Lives to Read, January 11

Through the Fire Blogs, January 11

Quiet Quilter, January 12

Pause for Tales, January 12

Inklings and notions, January 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 14

EmpowerMoms, January 14

Blossoms and Blessings, January 15

Splashes of Joy , January 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marie is giving away to four winners each a $25 Amazon card will also receive a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f426/the-amish-marriage-bargain-celebration-tour-giveaway

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“Touched by Fate” by Preslaysa Williams

Posted on January 10, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

“Touched by Fate” by Preslaysa Williams

This story was considerably short (about 50 pages) even for a novella. We were introduced to Analyn, her culture, and her family-especially her grandmothers. I did not like the language in the book and it was a definite turn off to future books by this author. (swear words and sexual innuendos/references)

Analyn struggles with doubts, wedding jitters and trying to control every detail as she prepares for her second wedding.

This short story made me think about my own struggles with controlling things, and learning to let things go and to trust in God instead.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About The Book:
Analyn Richards likes life the way she likes her wedding planning business—orderly and predictable. All doubts aside, getting engaged to the successful man she’s been dating is the natural next step, right?

But on her wedding day uncertainty makes an unscheduled appearance. She finds herself deciding whether to go along with her wedding as planned or whether to make another choice.

Will this perfectionist find the courage to take a chance on the unpredictable?

About the Author
Preslaysa Williams is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction with an Afro-Filipina twist. She loves sharing her culture with her readers. Her writing awards include the Indiana Romance Writers of America’s (RWA) Golden Opportunity Award and the ACFW Genesis Award. In addition, her stories have been a finalist in the Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writing Contest, the Windy City RWA Four Seasons Contest, and the Valley of the Sun RWA Hot Prospects Contest. She has an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a MPA from the University of South Carolina. She is also a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar, a Jackie Robinson Foundation Extra Innings Fellow, and a Sol Spiegelman Scholar. Preslaysa is currently earning a MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University. In addition, she’s a professional actress. She started acting at age eight, joining the Screen Actors Guild as a teenager when she co-starred on the Nickelodeon TV show, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. She’s an avid bookworm and planner nerd who hoards pens, pencils, and notebooks in her spare time. In her daily life, you’ll find her wearing mismatched socks while being a homeschool mom. Preslaysa presently makes her home in Virginia with her husband and two children. You can visit her online at www.preslaysa.com where you can sign up for her newsletter community.

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“End Game” (Capital Intrigue Book #1) by Rachel Dylan

Posted on January 8, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

“End Game” (Capital Intrigue Book #1) by Rachel Dylan

I absolutely loved this brand new christian fiction suspense book! I love reading series and I can’t wait to read more in the “Capital Intrigue” series by this author.

DOD, NCIS, CIA, FBI and Navy Seals… they are all represented in this fast paced suspense story. Lots of twists and turns in this story and wasn’t too complicated to follow and had a believable plot. Great characters and clean romance.

FBI special agent Bailey and Agent Marco worked really well together and I liked getting to know them individually and as a team. They worked along side Layla, Izzy, Jay and Lexi as they encountered conspiracies, murder, coverups, and possibly agency moles.

This was SUCH a great book! Lots of energy, suspense and drama-highly recommend! Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

Introducing the Capital Intrigue series!

This new series features three friends who all went to Georgetown Law School, but ended up taking different career paths—an FBI agent, a CIA analyst, and a State Department lawyer.

About End Game:

Each New Clue . . .
Every Crime Scene . . .
Brings Them Closer to Discovering the End Game

When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there’s a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there’s a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.

All of the links to purchase the paperback or e-book from your favorite online retailers are available at https://www.racheldylan.com/end-game/.