Review of "Wounded Tiger" by T. Martin Bennett

Wounded Tiger is the true, character-driven story of the Japanese pilot who led the Pearl Harbor attack, an American prisoner of war, and a college girl who becomes the fulcrum of change in this epic book. 

Three incredibly different people's paths cross in ways so remarkable that it would be hard to believe if it weren't so well documented. This is a meticulously researched true story of hatred, love, revenge, and redemption.

This massively updated 3rd edition for 2023 contains new content, information, and over 300 historic photographs and documents, some of which have never before been published!

To Purchase

My Review

Wounded Tiger is based on a true story following three different people. I'm a fan of historical fiction and the author has woven a story that reads like historical fiction but has historical accuracy which gives us the best of both. I was amazed at how easy the story was to read. The addition of the many photos brought the story to life for me.

Following the lives of Mitsuo Fuchida, Jake Desazer, and the Covell family, gave me the perspective to see how each reacted to the war they became part of. The story is intense, at times heartbreaking, and left people's lives changed forever.

If you are a history buff or enjoy true historical stories told in fiction style, this one is for you.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

        More About the Book

  

                                                                                                                    

                                                                    

To remember and honor Pearl Harbor Memorial Day, we're excited to offer you the chance to win a copy of the critically acclaimed “Wounded Tiger” by T. Martin Bennett

                        Enter the Giveaway

  

New Release December 5th- "When Love Comes" (Wyoming Sunrise Book 3) by Penny Zeller

Can love be found amidst broken hearts and unexpected loss?

Determined to heal her broken heart, Charlotte Eliason visits her aunts in Prune Creek, Wyoming. What should be a time of peace and calm becomes one of chaos and unwelcome surprises when she discovers her longtime foe, Tobias Hallman, is the new blacksmith. To make matters worse, her two meddlesome aunts are constantly inviting him to supper and encouraging friendship between the two sworn enemies.

Tobias Hallman has always wanted to be a blacksmith, so when an opportunity arises to own his own shop in Prune Creek, he seizes it. However, he doesn’t expect to cross paths with his childhood nemesis, the annoying Charlotte Eliason. But if she’s so annoying, why is she constantly on his mind?

When tragedy strikes, close proximity soon forces two reluctant hearts to become allies in a quest to rescue Tobias’s orphaned niece. Can Charlotte and Tobias put aside their preconceived disdain for each other and find love in the midst of challenging circumstances? Does God have a plan for them and for a young girl grieving the untimely loss of her parents?

A woman with a broken heart. A man struggling with the loss of his family and the subsequent care of his young niece. And two silly aunts who discover it's never too late for true love.

Preorder today at 99c special pricing!

Purchase

My Review

The story puts Charlotte in the path of a childhood foe, Tobias Hallman. Charlotte isn't happy to find him living in the same town, but God has his plan for her life. Lanie, orphaned by the death of her parents, won my heart and is my favorite character.

The main characters were very relateable, the storyline was filled with instances of God's love and grace. Lots of humorous banter from Charlotte's aunts, surprising circumstances you won't see coming, and lots of faith and hope.

One of Penny's best. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC from the author and willingly chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

 

Once Upon the Very First Christmas by Rory Feek

 

Bestselling author and songwriter Rory Feek takes children and families on a beloved journey to Christmas past in Once Upon the Very First Christmas. On a picturesque farm, schoolchildren gather their homemade costumes and props and put on a heartwarming Christmas play for the community. As they don halos for the angel choir or round up sheep for the final nativity scene, readers will be immersed in the greatest blessings of Christmas—the gift of Jesus—and be reminded that we can rejoice together in the wonder of the season.

Rory's soothing and lyrical retelling of the Christmas story

• is paired with magical illustrations by Christine Cuddihy of a homemade Christmas play,
• is perfect for ages 4 to 8, and
• is a great gift for Christmas, baby showers, and baptisms.

Take a moment to slow down this Advent and Christmas to treasure that first Christmas, God's gift of Jesus, and every precious moment He's given you to celebrate with family and friends.

Purchase

My Review

Once Upon the Very First Christmas is a new retelling of the Christmas story from the eyes of the schoolchildren's play, held on a farm.  The story is filled with beautiful illustrations of the children as they put on the play for the community.

The book is a large size with a beautifully illustrated cover in vivid colors that will get your children's attention. It is well written in short sentences that children can understand.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with your little ones with Once Upon the Very First Christmas with Rory's soothing and lyrical storytelling, along with Christine Cuddihy's vivid illustrations, young readers will be immersed in the story of the first Christmas, the gift of Jesus.

Get your copy today and start a new tradition of reading this to your young loved ones each Christmas. A book to enjoy and create special moments with your family.

Blog Tour of The Restless Wrangler by Karen Baney

 

 

About the Book

 

Book: The Restless Wrangler

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Christian Western

Release Date: March 8, 2023

A Prodigal Son, Surprise Baby Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Compelling love story full of heartache and redemption set in Ash Fork, Arizona Territory in 1893-1894.

Preston Colter felt like he was the forgotten son. Years of drinking and drifting finally catch up to him. When a near-death experience recharts the course of his life, he finds himself face-to-face with an old flame. Will he prove he is a new and different man, or will he fall back into his old destructive ways

Years ago, Hetty Clark made one bad choice to follow her attraction to a man she loved which led to the birth of her son out of wedlock. After she inherits her father’s ranch, an older man offers her security for her son’s future if she marries him. When the man from her past shows up on her doorstep, she is faced with a difficult decision. Will she choose a loveless proposal to secure her son’s future? Or will she risk her heart on a man she doesn’t believe has really changed?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

The Restless Wrangler is a good story about overcoming an addiction and a second chance for happiness. Preston & Hetty have a painful past history. Hetty has trouble forgiving Preston. Preston is harboring guilt and a long separation from his family. He's been the prodigal son for quite a while.

Things change dramatically throughout the story. Some changes are a challenge and others a blessing. My heart went out to Preston and Hetty. With God's help and faith things can change for the positive.

The ending wrapped up nicely and I enjoyed taking the journey with the Coulter family. Great fleshed characters with lots of layers, good storyline, and historical details woven in. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it.

 

About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

 

More from Karen

What was the inspiration behind Preston Colter’s character?

I love a good prodigal story—partly because I was one. I also figured in a family with five boys and one daughter, at least one of them had to have a rebellious streak. Very early in developing the series, I felt like this role would be perfect for a fifth son.

Why did you write the series in the first person?

A few years ago, I read a historical series by Tess Thompson where she wrote the hero and heroine in the first person. I had enjoyed how the point of view felt deeper when written in the first person, so with the Colter Sons Series, I decided to give it a try. Since then, I’ve loved hearing from many readers how much they’ve enjoyed it.

If you’re a little nervous about reading something in the first person, please take advantage of the sample download feature available on most ereaders, including Kindle. The point of view characters are clearly marked at the beginning of the chapter and whenever the point of view changes.

Hetty Clark is a rancher?! What inspired you to choose that profession for her, especially since the book is set in 1893?

One of my favorite research sites for Arizona territorial history is the Sharlot Hall Museum’s online archives and “Days Past” articles. I read several articles about the early days of Prescott, Arizona’s Independence Day Celebrations. These were HUGE events for the town and surrounding communities, which eventually expanded into Cowboy Tournaments (aka Rodeo).

After reading an article about the women winners in the Cowboy Tournament in 1888, I dug deeper into what competitions the women participated in. I was surprised to learn that many of the women worked on ranches right alongside their husbands or brothers.

I enjoy writing strong female characters in unconventional roles, so making Hetty Clark a bronc rider and a ranch manager fit perfectly with the type of woman I pictured for Preston.

                     Blog Stops

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 3

By The Book, November 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 6 (Author Interview)

lakesidelivingsite, November 7

Sylvan Musings, November 8 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 10 (Author Interview)

Bizwings Book Blog, November 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11

Artistic Nobody, November 12 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 13 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Guild Master, November 14 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15

                  Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 gift card with signed paperback 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/28b2b/the-restless-wrangler-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Tour of Estelle's Endeavor by Linda Shenton Matchett

 

 

About the Book

Book: Estelle's Endeavor

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Will a world at war destroy a second chance at love?

Estelle Johnson promises to wait for Aubry DeLuca to return from war, but then she receives word of his debilitating injuries. Does she have the strength to stand by him during his hour of need?

Aubry DeLuca storms the beaches of Normandy, then wakes up in a hospital, his eyes heavily bandaged. Will the only woman he’s ever loved welcome him home or is he destined to go through life blind and alone?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Estelle's Endeavor is a sweet romance with God's redemption. A time of new beginnings and trusting in God to heal the hearts of Aubry and Estelle. Aubry back from the war tries to put the memories behind him but doesn't know how. Nightmares keep him on edge and outbursts due to stress from his war injury keep Estelle confused.

The author created a wonderful small town with a library as a backdrop. It was easy to read and the main characters had plenty of layers, and I felt connected from the beginning.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. 

She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

 

 

 

More from Linda

Dear lovely readers,

I was thrilled to be asked to participate in Thanksgiving Books & Blessing Collection Five because Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. When I was growing up, no matter where we lived (and we lived a lot of places thanks to my dad’s job!), my parents would bundle all of us into the car and we’d make the trip to my maternal grandparent’s house in Maryland; the tiny town of Burtonsville to be exact. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, with the occasional “honorary family member” (anyone who had nowhere to spend the holiday) would gather.

The adults ate at a HUGE table in the dining room, and the kids were relegated to card tables in the living room. My grandmother and great aunt must have prepared for days. After dinner, we kids were responsible for washing the dishes (and with 20-30 people, there were tons!). I have countless happy memories from those days. Our Thanksgiving celebrations are much smaller now, but no less joyous.

In Estelle’s Endeavor, I wanted to explore the holiday and the concept of thankfulness in light of a world at war. Could people find it in their hearts to be thankful in spite of their circumstances not because of them? Additional themes emerged as the story unfolded, and I hope you are encouraged by the characters’ journey.

 

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

                  Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 7

The Lofty Pages, November 7

Maureen’s Musings, November 8

Alena Mentink, November 8

Bizwings Blog, November 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 10

Texas Book-aholic, November 11

Mary Hake, November 11

Mornings at Character Cafe, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Connie’s History Classroom, November 14

Betti Mace, November 15

She Lives To Read, November 15

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

The Lit Lady, November 18

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 18

Holly’s Book Corner, November 19

SusanLovesBooks, November 20

Pens Pages & Pulses, November 20

                   Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Visa Gift Card and signed 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/28d32/estelle-s-endeavor-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of "Hold Your Breath" by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

 

The end justifies the means—or does it?

Serial dater and travel blogger Jayna Scott lands a dream assignment in Bimini, Bahamas at Mario Delgado’s resort. But after she falls hard and fast for her host, she discovers his terrible secret. Her flight instinct sends her to the mountains of North Carolina on a trip with a Tampa church group, but Mario pursues her, determined to prove his actions were justified.

Private investigator Liam Bracken helps his best friend plan a surprise engagement in Beech Mountain to the woman he once liked. Now, the mysterious Jayna, the new addition to their group, tugs at his heart, but his instincts warn him she’s running from something. When Jayna emerges at the epicenter of his agency’s high-profile drug investigation, Liam prays he can save her—and guard his heart at the same time.

Get Your Copy

My Review

Jayna, running for her life on her own terms, accepts an invitation to stay in the Bahamas. There she falls for the owner but doesn't realize the mistake when she accepts his marriage proposal. Everything goes to worse from there.

The dialogue is great, characters with real flaws, and a great plot will keep you on the edge of your seat. An action-packed story with drug runners, a fight for your life, and a tropical setting completes the harrowing tale. I felt this one was even better than the first in the series.

The Christian element is woven into the story and fills the reader with hope, salvation, and a new life filled with God's blessings.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and willingly chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Blog Tour of Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink

 

About the Book

 

Book: Snowbound Escape

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release Date: October 24, 2023

To rescue a witness…

this K-9 team must face a killer and a storm.

After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Dana has hit it out of the park with this one. It was one on-the-edge-of-my-seat journey. The characters are well-developed with layers and the tension between them kept me wondering what would happen next.

Mara, on the run, blamed for two murders is being hunted by the killers. She's part of the PNK9 team. Tanner and Britta, his K9 dog are tracking her for a rescue. But nothing goes according to plan.

The story has lots of twists and turns and is definitely a page-turner. An exhilarating read that will stay in your head long after you turn the last page.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and chose to review it. A positive review is not required and all opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

 

 

 

More from Dana

What a challenge to write the eighth book in this fabulous Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series! Writing a continuity (linked books with an overarching mystery) with seven other authors requires us to work closely together which is a rare blessing in this solitary business. There were so many good conversations, emails and texts that went into the construction of this series. Since wilderness escape novels are my favorite, it was great fun to write Tanner, Mara and Boxer Britta’s dramatic survival story. I hope you enjoy the book and the entire series as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!

                 Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

The Avid Reader, November 1

Pause for Tales, November 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3

Devoted to Hope, November 3

Bizwings Book Blog, November 3

She Lives to Read, November 4

Vicky Sluiter, November 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Betti Mace, November 6

Pens Pages & Pulses, November 6

A Good Bok and Cup of Tea, November 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7

Blogging With Carol, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Simple Harvest Reads, November 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, November 9

EmpowerMoms, November 9

Wishful Endings, November 10

Blossoms and Blessings, November 10

Bigreadersite, November 11

Labor Not in Vain, November 11

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 12 (Author Interview)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, November 12

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 13

Holly’s Book Corner, November 13

                 Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and 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/28b29/snowbound-escape-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of Deadly Yellowstone Secrets by Kari Trumbo

Yellowstone National Park hides a secret and uncovering it could be fatal.

Someone’s hunting bears in Yellowstone National Park—and now Tamala Roth’s the next mark. With a killer at her heels, Tamala must trust Ranger Clint Jackson to safeguard her while searching for the poacher. But when a blizzard traps them in with a criminal who will stop at nothing to silence them, survival becomes a dangerous game.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRT27C7Y

My Review

Deadly Yellowstone Secrets is a fast-paced suspense filled with mystery and intrigue. A poacher is hunting bears in Yellowstone Park, and Tamala who studies them, sees him. She is helped to stay safe by Ranger Clint Jackson.

The story turns into a cat-and-mouse chase through the park, complicated by a bad storm. The mystery around who the poacher is builds throughout the story with intense moments of close calls. There are a couple of unexpected moments between Tamala and Clint but are quickly dismissed by their need to be safe.

I loved the ending which wrapped up nicely. Highly recommended.

I was given an ARC by the publisher and willingly chose to review it. A positive review is not required and all opinions are my own.