Rift Healer

Rift Healer is the first installment of the ‘Forest Magic’ series, a Young Adult Fantasy/Romance set in Central and Western Massachusetts.
After a minor earthquake, the enchanted forest in Bidwell, MA, is infested with monster-spewing rifts. Gisele Westerfield’s great nephew, the gifted Micah, and his distant cousin, Selena, arrive to assist. Together with Gisele’s summer students, twins Haley and Lacey, they will try to heal the magical forest.
Much to the consternation of the beautiful Selena, Micah identifies Haley as The One whom he’ll share his future. But after witnessing a terrifying display of Micah’s Gift, Haley cools to his advances and unexpectedly discovers her own Gift– she can heal the earth.
Monsters, mayhem, and teenage angst follow the small group as they confront evil in the forest and a dangerous prediction that ‘one will fall’. Will they heal the rifts in time? Can they save the unicorns? And is Haley really destined to be with Micah?

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Author Diane M. Haynes

Diane has lived in Massachusetts all her life where early on, her artistic talents were fostered, though her skills as an “excellent report writer” were often noted in previous employment.
On her brother Rick’s birthday, November 16, 2004, seven months after his death, she woke from an amazing dream which would not fade. She outlined the dream, made a few quick notes and days later produced a 12 page short story. After deciding her story was interesting but incomplete, she began writing her first novel, using her dream as its climax. She now believes the dream to be a ‘Spirit Gift,’ sent by her brother.
Diane continues to reside in Central MA with her husband and a very naughty Basset Hound named Basil and his new adopted sister-Basset, Ruby, both of whom cleverly wreak havoc on the Haynes’ formerly well-ordered lives. She spends her time writing, reading books about writing, talking about writing, painting with watercolors, antiqueing and attempting to train a very reluctant Basil and a willing, but highly comedic Ruby.

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Summary: Having come to terms with her long-hidden identity, Princess Rynnaia E’veri is ready to take her rightful place. But before she can join her father at Castle Rynwyk, she must endeavor to fulfill a 200-year-old prophecy and defeat the Kingdom’s ancient enemy, the Cobelds. Joined by her faithful knight, Sir Julien de Gladiel, and a gifted group of friends, Rynnaia must trek a dangerous path through canyons, forests, and into the very depths of a mountain where, if the prophetic scrolls prove correct, she will face an unknown foe, alone. Treacheries will be discovered, sacrifices will be made, friends will be lost, and love will be tested, but if even one line of the riddled prophecy is misinterpreted, Rynnaia will fail . . . and the Kingdom will fall.

Beginning at the point THE RYN ended, THE REMEDY concludes an epic re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, SNOW WHITE & ROSE RED. But the Eyes of E’veria series is only beginning …

My Thoughts: Um, WOW! Loved it! Absolutely LOVED it! I was very excited to read this, having quite recently read The Ryn. I loved that one, so was eager to see how Rynnaia’s quest ended – and if/how she and Julien worked out. In all honesty, I think her and Julien was actually my favorite part of the whole two books! I loved the adventure and the world and the characters, but their relationship was just amazing. It was very well-written. And they have an intense love for each other, but their relationship is completely pure. No love triangles, no ripping each other’s clothes off. Nothing I wouldn’t want my still-very-impressionable 9-year-old to read.

Anyway, yes, I was right. Julien most definitely is book boyfriend material. So far this year, he just might be my absolute favorite. We’ll see, come December, when I post the tops from the year. If I posted that now? Yes, he’d be the best. He’s not perfect – but, then, who is? His flaws are perfectly natural flaws, but he’s teachable and loves Rynnaia enough to put her above himself. And, really, isn’t that what love is truly supposed to be? Selfless?

I still really liked Rynnaia, but this time around she did get under my skin for a short while. She was being childish and stubborn, and she actually pulls rank at one point – on Julien. Not a good thing to do, especially not from a relational standpoint. But, like Julien, she’s teachable. I felt she was overly dramatic every time she did anything that could even be remotely labeled “wrong.” She immediately assumes she’s lost Julien, and that she’s a horrible failure, etc. It was frustrating to see her berate herself so much. But, then, I tend to be my own toughest critic at times, too. So, perhaps, she’s just real. She does learn from her mistakes. She does apply what she learns and works hard not to repeat the same mistakes again and again. I like that. She’s still a strong lead, but she’s also a good example (again) for my own daughters. She’s strong, she’s tough, and she’s a leader. But she’s also willing to let go of herself for the good of others.

This adventure is probably more exciting than the first, and had me reading faster than anything has in quite some time! Aside from the time or two I wanted to shake some sense into Rynnaia, I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The Remedy by Serena Chase is an amazing follow-up to The Ryn. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I smiled. And when I was finished, I was happy. I know that Rynnaia’s adventures are over – at least for now – and the series will go on to focus on other characters. I find that somewhat bittersweet, because I really do love her and Julien. But, I’m very much looking forward to what more Serena Chase has in store for fans of E’veria!

Source: Received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (Both this and the first book in the series, The Ryn, are currently on sale for Kindle – just $2.99!)

Find me on Goodreads.com >>
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Books Read/Reviewed in May

1. Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel ~ 4 stars
2. Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne ~ 5 stars
3. January Black by Wendy S. Russo ~ 5 stars
4. Cross the Line by Jack Patterson ~ 4 stars
5. NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women by Lysa TerKeurst ~ 4 stars
6. The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri ~ 4 stars
7. Death Masks by Jim Butcher ~ 4 stars on Goodreads (with brief review)

Top 3 Books in May

1. January Black by Wendy S. Russo
   
2. Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne
3. The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri

Special Events

• Cover reveal for Pretty Little Lies by Jennifer Miller
• Book blast for The Enemy by Larry Bograd

Traffic Report

All traffic stats are provided by Google Analytics.

Top 10 Referring Sites/Blogs

1. Google (organic) ~ 917
   
2. Pinterest.com ~ 83
3. Bea’s Book Nook ~ 43
4. Goodreads.com ~ 20
5. Bing (organic) ~ 19
6. I Am a Reader, Not a Writer ~ 17
7. rainbowrowell.com ~ 14
   Top Mommy Blogs ~ 14
8. (9.) Book Blogger Directory ~ 12
9. (10.) Twitterfeed ~ 9

Top 5 Keywords

1. the book of tomorrow summary ~ 9
   want to go private summary ~ 9
   
2. (3.) goddess josephine angelini ~ 8
3. (4.) book of why sports ~ 5
   delirium quotes with page numbers ~ 5
   monument 14 summary ~ 5
   scent of the missing summary ~ 5

Top 10 Viewed Pages

1. Proud Book Nerd ~ 187
   
2. Review: Goddess by Josephine Angelini ~ 139
3. Review: Want to Go Private? ~ 41
4. Review: Ten Tiny Breaths ~ 40
5. Get Scars by Cheryl Rainfield Free! ~ 38
6. Review: The Book of Tomorrow ~ 36
7. Contact ~ 32
8. Review: The Midwife’s Confession ~ 29
9. Review & GIVEAWAY: Evidence of Life ~ 28
10. Review: Clockwork Angel ~ 27

As always, it’s quite interesting to see what’s going on. My numbers are down, obviously because I’m not reading or blogging as much lately. I must admit that I miss it. Hopefully I’ll be able to get more of it into my schedule in the not-too-distant future. Also as always, thank you for your continued support!
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Summary: This activity book features puzzles, games, and the timeless story of Noah and the ark. The book also includes stickers that pair with the activities and encourage children to learn as they play.

My Thoughts: This is another wonderful sticker book that my 5-year-old is eager to get her hands on. The illustrations are colorful and very cute. And the stickers are, too. Unlike your standard sticker book, this doesn’t just tell a story. We do have the story of Noah and his ark. But there are also many activities. Frankly, I’m impressed by how much was squeezed into this relatively thin book! There’s a counting page, a game page, and even a cooking page. Armed with this book, a parent can turn a bummer of a rainy day into a fun, exciting day filled with teachable moments!

Source: Received for review as part of a blog tour promotion hosted by Kregel Publications.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

About the Author: Lois Rock has established an international reputation as a children’s writer. Specializing in Bible stories, prayer books, and information books, her books have been translated into over thirty languages with sales approaching four million copies.

About the Illustrator: Alex Ayliffe’s characteristic paper collage illustrations won her the Sainsbury’s Best Book for Babies award in 2000.

Tour Info: For more information about this blog tour, including links to other reviews, visit the page HERE.

Find me on Goodreads.com >>
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Summary: Never, ever cry. . . . Eureka Boudreaux’s mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn’t, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.

But Ander doesn’t know Eureka’s darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance—a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea. Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth . . . and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined.

My Thoughts: I loved Fallen so much that I immediately had to read this simply because it’s by Lauren Kate. Unfortunately, I didn’t like Teardrop one quite as much (although I must say that I LOVE the cover). I didn’t NOT like it. I just wasn’t wowed by it. But that’s OK. Not every book out there has to wow me. Even without the wow-factor, it’s still very good.

Why no wow? It was kinda slow at first. Lots of circling around the story, rather than just diving on in. I felt like there was lots and lots of buildup to not much of anything. But, I know this is the first in a series, so perhaps the next book has a whole lot more going on. I hope it does. Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of exciting events and things that happen, but it’s not as central to the overall theme as I’d have liked. It’s all tied very well together, but much of the exciting stuff that happens seems to be more peripheral – or just setting the stage for something bigger. And, really, setting the stage is likely what was happening here. After all, it is the first in a new series.

While I wouldn’t say I had any big problems with Teardrop, I found it to be quite predictable. And not just in the love compartment. Deaths were easy to see coming. Significance of events/items was a no-brainer (for me, at least). And Brooks’ issue was painfully obvious to me, too. (Why Eureka didn’t see that made no sense to me.) I felt like there really weren’t all that many surprises.

Despite all of that, I did enjoy Teardrop by Lauren Kate. The characters are pretty neat, especially Eureka. She’s gone through so, so much, but I think she’s actually a pretty strong girl – even if she is a bit dense about some things! And Brooks, I loved him – well, until … until … I’m not gonna tell you until what. You’ll figure it out when you read it, I’m sure! Another thing I liked was the ending. While there’s no doubt it’s not all over, I felt satisfied when I closed the cover. And I found myself looking forward to whatever is coming next.

Source: Received through Around the World Tours for review.

Read It: Teardrop is scheduled for release around October 22, 2013. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

Find me on Goodreads.com >>
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Summary: DESTINED by prophecy. GUARDED by deception. PURSUED by Love.

Centuries ago, an oracle foretold of the young woman who would defeat E’veria’s most ancient enemy, the Cobelds. But after two centuries of relative peace, both the prophecy and the Cobelds have been relegated to lore—and only a few remain watchful for the promised Ryn.

Finally, a child is born who matches the oracle’s description, but a Cobeld curse accompanies her birth. Led to believe they succeeded in killing the prophesied child, the Cobelds emerge from hiding with plans to overtake the Kingdom.

But the child survived.

Secreted away and called “Rose” for the first nineteen years of her life, Rynnaia E’veri has no idea of her true identity until a chance meeting with an injured knight reveals not only her parentage and true name, but the task assigned her by the oracle: discover the Remedy that will destroy the Cobelds’ power.

Now, her time has come.

Offered the assistance of pirates, scribes, storytellers, a young woman who died centuries ago, and the knight who is quickly working his way into her heart, Rynnaia is fortified with friends. But if the Ryn is to complete her task, she must come to terms with not only who she is, but for whom she must be willing to die. For the kingdom’s survival depends on her.

My Thoughts: Let me just get right out there and say it: I LOVED THIS BOOK! OK, I’ll shout it! Yes, I absolutely loved it. Frankly, I loved it so much that I’m not sure how to write a review about it. I can’t think of one thing I didn’t like. Not even any characters I didn’t like. I didn’t love all of the characters, but I didn’t find any of them loathsome, either. It’s kinda nice to be able to say that! No negative feelings – outside those that fit the plot – while reading!

I love Rose/Rynnaia! From start to finish, she is an amazing character. She’s stubborn, but not excessively so. She’s conflicted when she learns the truth of her parentage. But she’s so mature and so quick to accept that this is her life. So many characters in similar situations allow their new reality to send them into a tailspin. Not Rynnaia! She’s amazing, strong, and so sweet. Loved her!

Julien – um, wow! Book boyfriend for sure! He’s kind, sweet, caring, devoted, and noble – truly a noble knight. He has integrity, and he is strong in his convictions. He treats Rose/Rynnaia with the utmost care and love. Watching the two of them grow to love each other was so much fun. Their pairing might be considered by some as somewhat predictable, but I’m OK with that. They’re such great characters, and so perfect together – I say who cares! I am very much looking forward to their courtship and – I hope – marriage. And let me just say this, if he gets fatally wounded or killed off, I’ll never forgive Serena Chase for that!

So, the faith side of this. It’s pretty strong, but I think it works really well. As a lifelong Christian, I can see the parallels to Christianity very easily. I’m not sure how easy it would be for someone with a different life experience. It’s not preachy, but the Christian basis is undeniable. It works very well for this story. And as a Christian, I appreciate having an awesome fantasy steeped in my faith!

My one complaint: It ended too soon! Of course, that’s just because I was so in love with this book! If I take a step back, I can see that it’s actually a perfect ending. Cliffhanger? Little bit, but it’s made clear from the very beginning that this is a long – epic – tale. You can’t cover it in one book. Plus, it’s been clearly marketed as the first in a series. There’s no surprise it ends with the reader eager for the next installment, which in this case is The Remedy.

I absolutely loved The Ryn by Serena Chase! It’s full of suspense, action, danger, enlightenment, love, and some surprising revelations along the way! If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, I highly encourage you to read it. I cannot wait to continue with the series. Look for my review of The Remedy soon!

Source: Received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE.

***GIVEAWAY***

Thanks to Serena Chase’s generosity, I am able to offer TWO winners a Kindle copy of The Ryn PLUS a necklace with a rose charm. This is open INTERNATIONALLY!

To Enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Anyway, the winner is …

CONGRATULATIONS, Anita!

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E-mail to the winner will go out after this post is published. A response must be received by me no later than 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2013. In the event I do not receive confirmation, a new winner will be chosen for the unclaimed prize.
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Summary: Married to the youngest attorney general in Massachusetts history, Nora Cunningham is a picture-perfect political wife. But when she learns of her husband’s infidelity, Nora packs up her daughters and takes refuge on Burke’s Island, the craggy spit off the coast of Maine where Nora spent her childhood—until her mother disappeared at sea. By their cottage on Glass Beach, Nora succumbs to grief, her tears flowing into the ocean; days later an enigmatic fisherman named Owen Kavanagh washes up on the rocks nearby. Could he be a selkie—a mythical being of island legend—summoned by heartbreak? Or is Owen simply someone trying, like Nora, to find his way in the wake of his own struggles?

My Thoughts: Generally, this was a very good book. It grabbed onto me and held on through my reading. It’s the first book in a long time that I finished in only a couple of days (and I would have read faster if my kids didn’t have weekend activities).

There were things that drove me nuts – the way Nora was at times, especially with Ella, her oldest. I thought she let her get away with way too much. Her attitude, the way Ella spoke to others – Nora especially, Ella using her cell phone to contact Malcolm (the unfaithful husband) without permission, her manipulation of Owen, among other things. Nora’d barely react. I get not wanting to lose it in front of – or in this case at – your child, but regardless of circumstances, a child shouldn’t have little to no repercussions after behaving in many of the ways she does throughout this book. Of course, it’s easy to think that without ever having been in a similar situation. But, still, Ella made me want to smack her – even knowing how young she is. I loved Annie, though. And Maire. And even Owen. Also couldn’t stand Malcolm, for obvious reasons.

Be prepared to cry a little – or at least have a heavy heart at times. There are some sad things that happen, and some are unexpected. Even with possible foreshadowing happening beforehand, there’s one event in particular that actually caught me by surprised. It’s written very, very well.

There are lots of questions raised that aren’t given clear answers. I think the reader is left to decide for herself what she believes. Are Selkies real, or are there logical explanations for everything? There’s enough shown on either side of the argument that really one could draw their own conclusion. I could see this being a discussion as part of a reading group. Not contentious, but definitely with different sides.

So, overall, I enjoyed this book. It’ll be a great summer read for those of you who like to read at the beach or by the pool in the warmer months while catching some summer sun.

Source: Received as part of a blog tour promotion on TLC Book Tours.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

About the Author: The author of two previous novels, The Lace Makers of Glenmara, and Snow in July, Heather Barbieri has won international prizes for her short fiction. She lives in Seattle with her family.

Visit Heather at her website and connect with her on Facebook.

Tour Info: For the main page for this blog tour, including more reviews of this book on other blogs, visit TLC’s post.
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You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and national speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith. She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, author of 15 books, and encourages nearly 500,000 women worldwide through a daily online devotional. Her remarkable life story has captured audiences across America, including appearances on Oprah and Good Morning America. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and five children.

Visit the author’s website.

This Bible will help you live up to your God-given potential. Insightful daily devotions written by the women at Proverbs 31 Ministries help you maintain life’s balance in spite of today’s hectic pace. Dive into the beauty and clarity of the NIV Bible text paired with daily devotions crafted by women just like you—women who want to live authentically and fully grounded in the Word of God.

Product Details:

List Price: $34.99

Hardcover: 1536 pages

Publisher: Zondervan; Special edition (March 19, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310439361

ISBN-13: 978-0310439363

AND NOW…SOME SAMPLE PAGES (CLICK ON PAGES TO ENLARGE):

 

 

 

 

 

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My Thoughts: This is a beautiful Bible full of insightful devotional readings. These devotionals are written by several different women, and there’s an index in the back in which you can look up each writer’s pieces. There’s also a section about these authors, where you can learn more about them and their walk with God. There is also a very useful topical index, too. I love the use of colors and the fonts chosen. It’s lovely to look at, easy to read, and (again) full of insightful devotionals.

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Summary: When veteran NFL quarterback Noah Larson finally guides his team to theSuper Bowl, his dreams – and life – are dashed when his six-year-old son is kidnapped for a unique ransom: lose thegame or his son dies. Seattle sportswriter Cal Murphy and photographer Kelly Mendoza get pulled into an FBI sting to help rescue Noah’s son in Mexico. But when everything falls apart, Cal and Kelly are left to save themselves, save Noah’s son, and save the Super Bowl.

Peek Inside: Here’s an excerpt for you to enjoy.

My Thoughts: When I received this book, I was surprised by how thin it is. I don’t think that affected my expectations, but I suppose it might have. If so, it was completely subconscious, as I actually was excited to read it. I thought the premise sounded promising – plus, I love football. So, it seemed like a good combination.

And I was right! Cross the Line by Jack Patterson is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing. The chapters are short and sweet, and went by faster than I’ve read much of anything in a long time!

Cal Murphy is a decent protagonist. He’s clearly struggling with questions related to faith, and there’s enough in there that it led me to wonder whether Patterson was trying to subtly share a Christian message. It’s not preachy, just more than I’m used to seeing in books that don’t have any Christian messages tucked inside. It was used nicely, and I think gives the reader reason to stop and think about the very things Cal’s pondering.

Apparently this is the second book featuring Cal Murphy and his “friend” Kelly. I have not read the first book, Cross Hairs, but found it wasn’t integral to understanding this book. (And, yes, I’m thinking I want to read it.) It’s clear from the get-go that Cal quite into Kelly. It’s not quite so clear how she feels. And really, while I really liked Cal, I felt Kelly wasn’t developed enough. I barely know much about her, other than the fact that she’s a photographer, she loves sports, and this isn’t her first adventure with Cal. I think perhaps the absence of much action with her could help explain the thinness of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the lack of bulk. I was actually relieved to finally have a bit of a shorter book to read. And, with the exception of more with Kelly, I don’t think it needs much more heft.

Long story short: I really enjoyed Cross the Line, and hope to get my hands on a copy of Cross Hairs so I can complete this series (to date, anyway) and satisfy my curiosity regarding the previous book. If you enjoy past-paced whodunnit thrillers, then I encourage you to give Jack Patterson a try.

Source: Received through Partners in Crime Tours for review. (Click the button below for more tour stops.)

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

About the Author: Straight from Jack Patterson:

The first signs that I might like writing about sports — and be slightly competitive — appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.

In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event — and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.

After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.

I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games,the World Series, the Super Bowl, andthe Final Four. It was a thrill!

But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation — and found out theviolating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.

After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter theworld of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time–and am now having a blast. I hope you enjoy reading my novels as much as I enjoy writing them!

Connect with Jack Patterson:
Website | Facebook | Twitter
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