Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Summer Book Trek 2016


It's that time of year again, the Summer Book Trek hosted by New LDS Fiction! I've participated the past few years and always have a good time, and even win a few books which is always fun! Participation is easy, you simply read books written by LDS authors and write reviews to win free books! While written by LDS authors, they don't have to have LDS themes - in fact, most of the ones I read have no Christian elements at all. This has been a great way to find new authors and great new books. It's also been a fun way to find other reviewers to follow.

So, here is my list of books I'm hoping to read during July (will update along the way):

Taylor Lynne
The Girl in 24B
Willowkeep
The Earl's Betrothal
Chemistry Lessons
A Way Back to You
Saints and Spies
Lady Outlaw
Beauty and the Clockwork Beast
Love at First Note

Blog Tour: The Time Key by Melanie Bateman

A simple act of kindness hands Stanley the ability to time travel. But to fully understand this power, he needs to find a mystical seer a hundred years in the future!

The Time Key by Melanie Bateman

When Stanley saves a man, he’s given a mysterious device that allows him to travel through time. But he soon learns that changing his past doesn’t necessary lead to a better future. Traveling over 100 years into the future may be the only way Stanley can change his fate and save his family.

Product Details Title: The Time Key Author and Illustrator: Melanie Bateman
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc
ISBN-13: 978-1462118564
Publication date: 06/01/2016
Price: $17.99

Praise for Melanie Bateman and The Time Key

“To change the past . . . to know the future . . . these ideas are not unusual in stories of time travel, but Melanie Bateman’s book breathes new life into these concepts through intriguing characters and compelling storytelling. The connections between people in the story are blended with the ideal amount of mystery and adventure, tragedy and triumph, that the novel is nearly impossible to put down. The Time Key is certain to resonate with and inspire readers everywhere.”
–Brett Jensen,
author of the Relegated Trilogy

“Time travel is a fascinating yet confusing subject, but The Time Key weaves a brilliant and exciting story in such a simple way that instead of being confused you’re left wishing you were a time traveler yourself. Stanley Becker’s tear-jerker of a story has it all: tender family moments, exhilarating time travel, mysteries to be solved, strange creatures from other worlds, child-like imaginings, and a personal journey like no other. It’s like Gulliver’s Travels for a new age. I wish I had a Time Key!” –C. Louis S., author of Pizza Planet

“Melanie Bateman weaves fantasy and mystery into a fusion of adventure. Her attention to detail and setting brings this new world to life. It’s a clever and heartwarming book that will arouse your life-after-death curiosity and have you eager to read about the possibilities. The classic tale and beauty of life and death springs out of the pages and into your imagination. The Time Key will have you wondering if the unseen can truly help us.” –Erin Nelson, author of So You Got Boys, Do Ya?

“Melanie Bateman’s new novel, The Time Key, is an entertaining, fantasy-infused romp through space and time. She has artfully created compelling characters woven into an intriguing plot and storyline. I highly recommend this enjoyable read for anyone partial to the sci-fi/fantasy genres.” –Kevin C. Scholz, architect, artist, and educator

About the author:
Melanie Bateman was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to the United States at age nine. She has an associate’s degree in fine art from Utah Valley University, emphasizing in illustration. From a very young age she’s had a passion for drawing, specifically nature and the human figure. It is from this creative look on the world that she began to write stories.

Friday, June 3, 2016

First Line Friday


Welcome to First Line Friday! This fun meme is easy to do, simply pick up the book you're currently reading and share the very first line! There are some really good first lines out there, they grab you and suck you right into the story. Make you want to keep reading. So, my selection for this week is:
Her Rancher Bodyguard by Brenda Minton
 
 
Bodyguard Boone Wilder isn't keen on his latest mission: watching over a pretty politician's daughter. Boone is from quiet Texas Hill Country, and Kayla is a showy city gal. But once safely settled at the Wilder Ranch, Boone watches Kayla enjoy cooking with his family, caring for his relatives and bottle-feeding calves. There's more to her than he ever knew. Still, the former soldier's wounds are way too deep to let Kayla close. But when he discovers that someone wants to hurt Kayla, Boone must risk his heart to protect what he cares about most.
 
 
First Line:
 
"From bodyguard to babysitter."
 
 
So, what's your pick for this week? If you want to participate grab the logo and post your own First Line Friday entry on your blog and then leave your link in the comments. If you don't have a blog, just leave the title, author and first line in the comment section below.