EmpowerMoms

“The Gryphon Heist” by James R. Hannibal

Intense, complicated CIA thriller and book 1 of the “Talia Inger Series”. Fast paced, lots of drama but unfortunately I didn’t care for the main character Talia. I also had a hard time reading past the first couple of chapters of this book because I just couldn’t get into the plot and any of the characters. I haven’t read anything but this author but if you have, you may enjoy this story. It just wasn’t for me.

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

About the Book:
Talia Inger is a rookie CIA case officer assigned not to the Moscow desk as she had hoped but to the forgotten backwaters of Eastern Europe–a department only known as “Other.” When she is tasked with helping a young, charming Moldovan executive secure his designs for a revolutionary defense technology, she figures she’ll be back in DC within a few days. But that’s before she knows where the designs are stored–and who’s after them. With her shady civilian partner, Adam Tyler, Talia takes a deep dive into a world where only criminal minds and unlikely strategies will keep the Gryphon, a high-altitude data vault, hovering in the mesosphere.

Even Tyler is more than he seems, and Talia begins to wonder: Is he helping her? Or using her access to CIA resources to pull off an epic heist for his own dark purposes?

In this Ocean’s Eleven-meets-Mission Impossible thriller, former tactical deception officer and stealth pilot James R. Hannibal offers you a nonstop thrill ride through the most daring heist ever conceived.

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Biography
As a former stealth pilot, James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. He has been shot at, locked up with surface to air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion award-winner for his Section 13 mysteries for kids and a Thriller Award nominee for his Nick Baron covert ops series for adults. His first Christian thriller, the Grypyhon Heist, releases Fall 2019 from Revell. James is a rare multi-sense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds and smells and hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.

“You Belong with Me” by Tari Faris

I loved reading this story and all the characters in the town-Hannah, her brother Thomas, best friend Janie, Luke, Otis… I hope there will be more books featuring the small town of Heritage and the characters I grew to love by the end of the story. I liked reading about Hannah’s determination to save and renovate her old town and her commitment to make it happen.

Perfect, feel-good Christian romance story with drama, laughs, and God’s forgiveness. I especially loved how the story ended!

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

About the book:
Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn’t one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map–and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah’s mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts–not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah’s restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is–and who he was.

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About the Author
Tari Faris has been writing fiction for more than 10 years. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she works for My Book Therapy, manages learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and lives in the Phoenix, Arizona, area with her husband and their three children. Although she lives in the Southwest now, she lived in a small town in Michigan for 25 years.

“Deborah: Prophetess of God” by H. B. Moore
I love biblical fiction and I have read every single book by this author and this book didn’t disappoint! I LOVED IT and couldn’t put it down!

I was so enthralled with the story of Deborah and all the characters. She really came to life for me and I enjoyed reading about her training and how God protected her over the years. The story covers at least a 15 year span over her life in parts 1 and 2 of the book. In the beginning of the book the author notes what biblical characters are fiction and what ones are mentioned in the Old Testament. I was immediately drawn to the characters and how they interacted and their traditions during that period of time.

Very well written with some clean romance, drama and war action. If you have read other biblical fiction books by this author or by others and enjoyed them, than this book should be on your next “to be read” list! Highly recommend! I will be keeping this book on my bookshelf to read again!

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

About the Book:
After years of mistreatment, the Israelites prepare to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. Readying for war not only takes secret military training but also an Israelite leader who is willing to both stand against generations of oppressions and follow God.
Deborah, a young Israelite woman, lives a quiet and isolated life with her father and brothers. As a shepherdess in the hills near her home, she knows well the perils of her work. But when faced with incredible danger, she witnesses a series of remarkable events that preserve her life. The hand of the Lord is apparent, and it is clear that hers will be no ordinary life.

Years later, Deborah is a faithful wife and mother when she learns that the Third Judge of Israel has died and she has been called to take his place. It is a tumultuous time in history, and soon, Deborah prophetess, judge, and military leader faces a seemingly insurmountable task: alongside the commander of the Israelite army, Deborah must lead ten thousand soldiers in their final campaign against their Canaanite oppressors with only her faith in God to guide her.

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Biography
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty publications. She writes historical novels and thrillers under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women’s fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

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MY REVIEW:
Not your typical Amish story and I loved it! Amish wedding caterer and matchmaker Annie meets Amish Cowboy Levi and is immediately turned off by his constant talk about Texas. Annie has her successful business and loves living close to her family but the more Levi talks about Texas, the more Annie’s father wants to move there. What to do?

I really enjoyed reading this sweet, fun to read, holiday story in the “Indiana Amish Brides” series. I have read other books but this author and have enjoyed every one! I especially liked that the last chapter of the book included an Epilogue of 3 years later so readers could get more of a glimpse into Annie’s story. Highly recommend!

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

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Amish Christmas Matchmaker
Series: Indiana Amish Brides #4
Author: Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: September 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Amish Fiction

She’ll find him a wife for Christmas…Which of these Indiana Amish Brides is next?

With her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffmann could never leave her beloved Amish community. So when handsome Amish cowboy Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas, she must put a stop to it. If Annie finds Levi a wife, he might forget his dream of moving…but can she keep from falling for him herself?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country.

CONNECT WITH VANNETTA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of The Amish Christmas Matchmaker (print or digital), a quilted Amish mug mat, a woven Amish mug mat, and $10 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight September 9, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

“All Hearts Come Home For Christmas” by Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, Joanna Barker

I love Christmas holiday books and I’ve read books by most of these authors, so I was really excited to read this! and it was absolutely wonderful!!

All 4 Regency Christmas stories included love, feel good stories. They were all truly wonderful! The short stories were all different with different characters and situations and I honestly liked them all equally. I especially liked “Tis the Season to be Daring” because it made me laugh alot at Elizabeth and Lord Hawthornes wit and banter back and forth.

If you enjoy reading stories in the Regency time period and especially holiday stories, you will LOVE this collection! Highly recommend!

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

About the Book:

Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
The Dowager Duchess of Kielder eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with her son and his family. Though their relationship has been strained, the duchess is determined to heal the chasm. Even with the help of the widowed local vicar, her plan will take a Christmas miracle. But during this magical season, anything is possible . . . even two second chances for love.

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
When a chance meeting brings together a gentle seamstress and a widowed banker, each lonely soul finds a first hint of hope. As their lives become entwined, it will take Christmas spirit to guide a broken family to love and healing.

‘Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch
Elizabeth Davenport has had quite enough of the London Season. Determined to evade a parade of unsuitable suitors, she seeks help from the one gentleman who has no regard for Society’s rules. All of Society knows Lord Hawthorne is not interested in marriage, yet he cannot deny Miss Davenport’s unique charm. And as the Christmas season works its magic, their charade begins to feel less like playacting and more like love.

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
Seamstress Nell Addington is thrilled when her childhood friend Jacob Hammond commissions a dress for his sister. But when Nell realizes her feelings for Jacob run far deeper than friendship, an unexpected snowstorm—and some holiday cheer—may convince them both that love is worth fighting for.

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