On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson | New Novel News

On Love's Gentle Shore
by Liz Johnson

Published: July 4, 2017
Publisher: Revell
Purchase: On Love's Gentle Shore

Fifteen years after she left Prince Edward Island, Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return. But when her fiancé, music producer Russell Jacobs, books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose's Red Door Inn, she sets out to put the finishing touches on the perfect wedding. But she can't possibly prepare for a run-in with Justin Kane--the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin's never forgotten Natalie or the music career he always dreamed of pursuing. He'd been prepared to follow her off the island until his dad died and he was left to run the family dairy farm. He's done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him--but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he's been missing.

After Natalie's reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin's property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin discover the groundwork for forgiveness--and that there may be more than an old friendship between them.

Get to know Liz...

If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters?
I always pictured Natalie as Jessica Chastain, all wild red hair and blue eyes, and I love the cleft in her chin. Justin has always resembled Christian Kane from the TV show Leverage. He’s not too tall and has the stocky build he needs to wrestle cows on his dairy farm. And he has long hair, which he keeps pulled back in a ponytail. Natalie still teases him about it.

Would you rather go to the future or go to the past?
I think I’d rather visit the past. I’d like to see (but not live in) Regency England. Maybe I’d have tea into Jane Austen. I’d definitely enjoy a country walk

Who is your favorite secondary character?
In my books, Aretha Franklin is by far my favorite secondary character. She’s such a wonderful woman. Despite suffering terrible heartache when her husband left her, she’s neither bitter, nor consumed by it. She’s defined by compassion and joy.

Gilded Cage by Vic James | Re:View

Imaginative and dark, Vic James explores a new dystopian fantasy world that will leave you shocked and craving more.

*** 

As per my usual, I didn't know anything about this book before diving in. I mean, I knew I liked the cover, knew it was a "hot topic" floating around the YA community, and probably knew it was a fantasy, but other than that I was flying blind. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Following the perspectives of several different characters throughout the story, we see the dismal future of a modern-day world divided by magic and no magic. A strange happening called "the slave days" causes all non-magic users to offer up ten years of their life in service to the elite. Those with magic. The political tone of the book is evident as well, creating a very real feeling atmosphere in a world not too different from ours, and yet worlds away.

The concept is creative and well executed, though it definitely has left me craving more information on the magic and what will happen to the characters. Twists and turns abound in way that will have you flipping pages quickly to the end!

I did find the timeline a little frustrating at times. Due to the multiple viewpoints, the reader is transported through weeks/months at a time per viewpoint. It can become a little jolting because things happen that we don't see (due to another characters involvement) and then the next character reacts to something we didn't experience with them. For the sake of the book and the events that transpire, I can see why it was done this way, but it left me feeling a little "left out" at times. I also had some serious trouble with the characters names haha. Not all, but some were just very difficult to wrap my reading brain around (likely a personal issue 😉).

I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing on in the series. It does get dark, just as a "warning". This is not a light and fully fantasy read. I recommend it to fans of urban fantasy, YA dystopian/fantasy, and dystopian.

*A note to my clean readers: There is use of language and some rather violent descriptions in a few parts of the book. Probably a 16+ read (with parental interaction) in my opinion.

My rating: 4*
Purchase: Gilded Cage

Book Description
(from Amazon)

MAGIC RULES. WE SERVE.

In a darkly fantastical debut set in modern-day Britain, magic users control everything: wealth, politics, power—and you. If you’re not one of the ultimate one-percenters—the magical elite—you owe them ten years of service. Do those years when you’re old, and you’ll never get through them. Do them young, and you’ll never get over them.

This is the darkly decadent world of Gilded Cage. In its glittering milieu move the all-powerful Jardines and the everyday Hadleys. The families have only one thing in common: Each has three children. But their destinies entwine when one family enters the service of the other. They will all discover whether any magic is more powerful than the human spirit.

Have a quick ten years. . . .

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.  

Tranquility: A Prayer and Refelction Coloring Journal | Re:View

Soothing, calming, tranquil. All perfect words to describe this lovely prayer and reflection coloring journal! 

*** 

I simply love this coloring and prayer journal. Ever since I got the gratitude one I have loved the whole concept of these books. The reality is...sometimes I want to do my devotions differently. It's not bad to sit and just read through my Bible (obviously, that's a good thing) but the way in which I process what I read is important too. Sometimes, I want to try something different in the mornings and coming to a journal like this is the perfect thing!

If the cover is any indication (which it really is) this journal is stunning in its craftsmanship! From the thick panels of the cover and back plate (which make it super easy to color/write in) and the beautiful interior layout, I find myself fully engaged.

For every two pages, there is a prompt, or prayer, and typically a scripture to go along with that. Then there is a way to engage--whether it's drawing, journaling, or coloring in. What a fun idea, right? The best part is that you can focus your thoughts on what you've read (the prompt/scripture/journal entry) while you're coloring. Yes, coloring may be "easy" or possibly even "mindless" but with this journal, it doesn't have to be.

I highly recommend this journal to anyone who enjoys journaling, coloring, and reflective prompts. You will not only find encouragement in these pages but fun too!

My rating: 5*
Purchase: Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal

Book Description 
(from Amazon)

Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal invites you to mix creative journaling and coloring into your personal time with God. Prayers that focus on topics such as being thankful, dealing with stress and heartache, caring for yourself and others, listening for God’s leading, and waiting patiently on Him will guide your thoughts and calm your spirit. Filled with more than 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling, and 40 needs-based prayers, Tranquility will help you express your devotion to God with your whole heart.

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.  

The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron | Re:View

Mysterious and filled with the rich history of the 1920s, The Illusionist's Apprentice will romance you and leave you longing for an era passed.

***

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by Kristy Cambron. She's such a master at painting a vibrant picture with words, drawing you into the story and pulling on your heart strings at the same time.

I loved Wren Lockhart's character and her affiliation to Harry Houdini as well as her own eccentricity's. She's a strong character who will stand up for what she believes, but there's a softness to her as well. Something that, eventually, comes out and makes her feel whole in the reader's eyes. The true fruition of her character is a wondrous thing to behold through the story.

Slipping into the time-frame of this novel was a lot of fun for me. I enjoy the luxury and vibrancy of the 20's - a great decade to set this mystery in - and found myself thoroughly enjoying the delicate touches of information, description, and history. Kristy really has a beautiful way of drawing out emotion in her characters while painting a dynamic picture of what life could have been like during this time.

As for the mystery, I feel like it was well formed. There were a few elements that I felt were made to be a big deal (I won't reveal them here so as not to spoil) but ended up seeming to not matter as much in the end. That confused me a little, but it didn't distract from the overall idea of the story.

Also, as a larger focus of this book, Kristy deals with the ideas of illusion versus magic. I loved that she did this and had her characters learning as they went. It brings to mind another current book I'll be reading soon...but that's another review ;-)

I would definitely recommend this to those who like historical fiction, mystery, and anything to do with the 1920s and the idea of illusion versus magic. Kristy is a beautiful, lyrical writer who will stun you with her artfully painted words!

My Rating: 4*
Purchase: The Illusionist's Apprentice 


Book Description
(from Amazon)

Not all illusions happen on the stage.

Wren Lockhart, apprentice to master illusionist Harry Houdini, uses life on a vaudeville stage to escape the pain of her past. She continues her career of illusion after her mentor’s death, intent on burying her true identity.

But when a rival performer’s act goes tragically wrong, the newly formed FBI calls on Wren to speak the truth—and reveal her real name to the world. She transfers her skills for misdirection from the stage to the back halls of vaudeville, as she finds herself the unlikely partner in the FBI’s investigation. All the while Houdini’s words echo in her mind: Whatever occurs, the crowd must believe it’s what you meant to happen. She knows that if anyone digs too deep, secrets long kept hidden may find their way to the surface—and shatter her carefully controlled world.

Set during one of the richest, most vibrant eras in American history, this Jazz Age novel of illusion, suspense, and forgotten pasts is perfect for fans of The Magician’s Lie, challenging all to find the underpinnings of faith on their own life’s stage.

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.  

You Are the Chosen One: The Future of Speculative Fiction by Mollie E. Reeder | Guest Post

Emilie here: Excited to feature this post by Mollie today! In a funny coincidence/happenstance, I had just heard this story (or part of it) from another author and am so glad she decided to write about it here. I know you'll find it as encouraging as I have!

***

In 1916, a fifteen-year-old newsboy in Kansas City sat in a darkened auditorium captured by a silent film - a fairy tale. A storyteller at heart, he enrolled in a correspondence course for cartoonists, squeezing in Saturday art classes between school and newspaper routes. During WWII, he was published in army magazine Stars & Stripes, and later went to work in illustration and animation, the early impact of that silent movie percolating in his young mind all the while.

In 1934, now a filmmaker, he gathered a group of animators on a sound stage and proceeded to act out the storyline of the fairy tale he’d seen all those years ago. He wanted to do something that had never been done before: the first fully animated feature film. In full color. With audio.

And he was going to produce it right in the middle of the Great Depression.

The movie he wanted to make was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and that fifteen-year-old midwestern newsboy turned Hollywood aspirant was Walt Disney. But Walt’s contemporaries didn’t exactly jump on board with his big idea. It seemed like a bad investment, and the industry jokingly titled the Snow White project “Disney’s Folly”.

Imagine if they could have seen the future.

Storytellers are innovators and inventors of though - we not only write to reflect culture but to shape it. I love Walt’s backstory because it illustrates the generational nature of creativity. In 1916, filmmaking was in its infancy. Pioneers of silent film blazed a trail for young people like Walt - and Walt’s legacy continues to impact my creative endeavors (and probably yours) to this day.

Speculative fiction is exciting because there are so few rules. We can create new worlds, new languages and new ideas. We can travel back to alter the past, fling ourselves forward into the future, or step sideways into alternate realms. Speculative fiction has been optimistic and cautionary, whimsical and technical, sometimes all at once.

When I think about the future of science fiction and fantasy - or should I just say the future? I think about you.

Somewhere, today, is tomorrow’s Walt Disney.

I started writing novels because nobody was writing books exactly like the ones I wished for. I hope that’s why you’re writing, too - because you have a story that’s meaningful and exciting to you. Something that gets your blood going. I hope you’re taking risks instead of fearing trends. I hope you’re writing the future you want to live.

Of course, with this power to shape the future comes responsibility (thanks, Uncle Ben). Not just to take big creative risks, to pursue new ideas and creative excellence, but to tell stories we actually believe in. As a Christian, everything I do is driven by a purpose, not just to entertain, but to transform. Walt produced Snow White because he believed it was a great story. He got it done, despite great odds, through sheer determination and creative passion. How much more will you accomplish if you are pursuing the story that God has set on your heart, not through your own might, but through the power and determination of Christ? When you are prayerfully aligned with the Heart of Jesus, walking intimately with him, you truly have not just an ability, but a destiny to impact the world! (tweet this)

Or, to borrow the language of the genre: you are the chosen one!

We owe a lot to Walt for taking that risk back in 1934. What seemed stupid then - an animated feature film? - now has its own category at the Academy Awards. “Disney’s Folly” turned out to be one of the most profitable films of all time, and inevitably gave rise to the modern giant the Walt Disney company is today.

I recently got to visit Magic Kingdom for the first time, traveling with fellow movie makers Nathan and D’Lytha Myers to represent our film at a festival in Orlando. One of my favorite photos is the three of us - freshman filmmakers ourselves, just like Walt once was - screaming our heads off on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which opened in 2014… seventy years after Walt first set out to make his movie!

Long after Walt, Walt’s stories live on. With any luck (grace!), so will ours. Write on, awesome people - and I’ll see you in the future!

____

I’m a writer and a filmmaker and I really like dinosaurs!

Growing up in the suburbs of Texas, I memorized musicals, devoured paperback novels, and dreamed of someday working in Hollywood. In 2016 I co-wrote, produced and edited Aria Appleton Shines like the Sun, a musical family comedy featuring kids, dogs, singing, pyrotechnics and everything else they told us not to do in a microbudget movie. With its humor, drama, and great soundtrack, Aria Appleton is just the kind of movie I always wanted to make. 1990’s Mollie would approve!

I’m currently writing a series of science-fantasy novels about dinosaurs, and I blog about writing and filmmaking at www.writeratops.com.

Follow me on Twitter @writeratops


Mollie has graciously offered a giveaway of this AWESOME "Tea Rex" mug! Enter below via the Rafflecopter (please note this is for U.S. addresses only).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski | Re:View

Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski is the tale of angry teen, Nick, and his path through reading a book handed down from his descendants that ultimately teaches the folly of pride and the reality of spiritual warfare.

I appreciated the reality of drawing attention to spiritual warfare in this book. Yes! It is so important for all of us (no matter our age) to be aware. I also thought that Mr. Machowski did a great job of pointing out the error (a grave one at that) of pride. It corrupts, taints all things, and separates us from God.

I also enjoyed Mr. Machowski's explanation of the dragon as representative of the devil's fall from heaven. His alterations to fit "the dragon" into Biblical stories was intriguing and created an interesting story to follow along to.

I think where this book began to break down for me was its intended audience. It's labeled as Young Adult and I therefore assume it's written for teens. The trouble for me upon first starting the book was the fact that it starts out in the mother's point of view. If I were still a teen, that would be very off-putting for me. How do I identify with a mom? Not to mention the fact that the "angry teen", Nick, is then portrayed as just that: an angry teen.

In my experience with youth ministry, the way to relate to teens is not by showing them exaggerated examples of themselves, but to establish common ground and then gently, lovingly, point out where there are issues. You build a relationship and then maneuver to the difficult subjects.

On that note, I also had trouble accepting the characters motivations and interactions with one another. I found it difficult to believe Martha would act as she did toward her friend Mia. I also was distracted by the head-hopping (switching from one characters POV to another within the same scene). I assume this was written in omniscient POV but it was distracting to me personally.

I did, however, really enjoy the "The Antidote" section of the book. A practical, 12-day devotional that would work well for a small group or Bible study.

All in all, I would say that this book could be useful to teens who already have an understanding of the Bible and are part of church culture so they would have some context to the story. I would be hesitant to hand this over to a teen who had no affiliation with Christianity. To me, Nick's character is described exactly how a parent would characterize him (at least initially) not as a teen a teen could relate to. He's angry, misunderstood, and volatile without reason (again, initially). Yes, I realize that is how teens act, but to a teen reading that, I think it could feel trite or off-putting. 

Rating: 3.5
Purchase: Dragon Seed

Book Description
(from Amazon)

An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family s history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you ll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions! This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us. Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles. Youth pastors, leaders, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read with a group and discuss together the implications of Nick s struggles for their lives.

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Ralene Burke | Author Chat

Emilie here: I am beyond excited to have my dear friend and fellow speckie (as in: speculative fiction lover/writer) Ralene Burke on the blog today! This woman is beyond sweet, caring, and funny. Grab you coffee or tea and join the chat.

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone SHINE BEYOND! She has worked for a variety of groups, including Realm Makers, The Christian PEN, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and for several freelance clients. Her novel, Bellanok, is available on Amazon, and her next one from Elk Lake Publishing will be out September 2017!

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . .

Let's get real...

What’s one thing you would like to impart to your readers about your books and being an author?
The tagline for my writing and the rest of my business is SHINE Beyond. My whole purpose in life and writing is to help others to learn to shine beyond their circumstances, their experiences, their mistakes … to stand out and be more than they ever thought they could.

This theme shows in my books, my social media encouragement, even in the way I edit for clients.

How many words do you write a day?
My goal is 1,000 words a day. Most days I could easily make this in less than an hour … it’s getting up early enough to find this hour that seems to be my problem lately! If I don’t get the words in first thing, then writing doesn’t happen at all!

If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters?
In September, Armor of Aletheia will release from Elk Lake Publishing Inc! This YA fantasy has 2 main characters: Karina, an orphaned queen and priestess, and Tristan, a bounty hunter. Karina would be played by Katie McGrath (think of her role in Merlin, but as the heroine, not the villain); and Ian Somerhalder would play Tristan—cause … yeah. 😊

What does a ‘normal’ day look like for you?
I’m not sure life has a “normal” around here. I’m a work-from-home mom who homeschools our 3 kids. I write, I edit, I mange social media for clients on top of daily domesticity and teaching my kids reading, writing, and math. We’re lucky we survive without burning down the house most days!

Okay, so an ideal day (during the school year), looks something like this:

• Up early, 5:30 a.m., for Bible study. Then it’s on to a couple of hours of writing, followed by a couple more hours of social media fun.

• At 10, I put everything away, and we start in on our homeschool day. We work in chores and lunch between school subjects and experiments and other fun. More than one school day has included board games! We also typically have a random bunch of appointments and sporty stuff (like Tae Kwon Do and gymnastics) throughout the week during this time—if I can keep it in this time frame.

• After dinner, it’s back to the office for editing client manuscripts and more social media creativity. It’s usually my goal to quit working about an hour before bedtime to give me time to read and decompress so my brain will actually shut off for sleepy time.

Would you rather live in a story world you’ve created for a year OR live three days in a story world someone else has created? If second option, which story world?
Oh my goodness, as much as I love my fantasy worlds, I would love to spend 3 days in Middle Earth! With the elves! And Aslan … whoops, wrong world. Traveling Middle Earth with Aragorn and Legolas and Giml would be so amazing.

Name three places you’d like to travel to & why.
The 3 I’s!
Italy: Gorgeous architecture, lots of history
Ireland: Hubby’s ancestry, plus BEAUTIFUL landscapes and castles and yay!
Israel: Being a Christian, I would just love to see such history and culture in real life, you know?

What is the strangest food combo that they actually enjoy?
Hahaha … Doritos with soft-serve vanilla ice cream (used as a dip).

So, this started out as a dare in high school. We were playing Truth or Dare at lunch, and a friend dared me to try it. I think he was running out of ideas … Anyway, I tried it, loved it, made everyone else try it. And it became a tradition of sorts for someone to buy the bag of Doritos and another person to buy the ice cream, then we’d all share.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?
I used to think I’d want something cool like telekinesis or to be able to fly. However, as the super-busy woman that I am, I would want SUPERSPEED!

1. I would get more done quicker, so I’d have more time to spend with family and friends.
2. Could you imagine the number of books I could read!?!?!
3. I could eat anything and everything cause I’d be burning all those crazy calories! Chocolate anyone? Cake? CARBS!!!

--> Connect with Ralene on Facebook, Twitter, or at her website.

Purchase a copy of her book Bellanok HERE.

Bellanok
by Ralene Burke

A haven for myths and legends . . . until evil discovers a way in.

With evil darkening the mountains to the north, the fairy queen, Fauna, must journey from the island realm of Bellanok to the modern world to find the man the Creator appointed to save their kingdom. A man she has been dreaming of her whole life.

Brian is a down-on-his-luck pastor on the verge of giving up on God. He's tired and frustrated--a failure. No sooner does he make a decision that jeopardizes his career than an unusual blonde woman shows up and tries to convince him he is some kind of savior.

Fauna must open Brian's eyes to a different reality, and Brian needs to embrace the haven's secrets. If neither of them succeeds, Bellanok will succumb to evil and the world will lose all trace of innocence.