Book Review by Award-Winning Author Lorilyn Roberts of Lisa J. Lickel's New Medical/Romance Thriller "UnderCut"

 

UnderCut by Lisa J. Lickel may be her best novel yet. The story begins with a couple who are engaged amid a backdrop of family dysfunction, emotional entanglements, medical intrigue, and dark forces out for revenge. The narrative builds into an engrossing plotline that is driven forward with authentic, engaging characters caught in the crossfire of evil. 

The medical thriller never lags, and many themes dealing with complex and relevant issues concerning racial relations, adoption, and family dynamics take center stage.

More subtle topics like the intersection of faith in the midst of suffering add depth and authenticity to the characters.

I also learned more than I knew before about the world of kidney transplants and the need for more volunteers to sign up on the national register.

While the story has a good solid ending, the author left an opening for a sequel, so I look forward to reading the next book in the series if one should follow.

To order from Amazon, click here.

About Lisa J. Lickel

Lisa Lickel is an author, editor, and mentor who lives with her husband in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. Surrounded by books and dragons, she writes inspiring fiction both short and full-length, including mysteries, romance and family drama, feature articles, and radio theater. She belongs to the Wisconsin Writers Association, the Chicago Writers Association and is a writing coach at Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp & Retreat. Lisa loves to encourage new authors through mentoring, speaking, and leading workshops. Lisa also is an avid book reviewer and blogger, and a freelance editor. Find more at www.LisaLickel.com.

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Sassy Pants Learns to Take Care of Others, by Carol A. Brown -- Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts

 

Sassy Pants Learns to Take Care of Others is the fourth and final book in the Sassy Pants Series. You do not need to have read the previous books in the series to become quickly immersed in this book. 

The language is delightful, appropriate for young kids, and written in such a way that would be fun for a parent to read to a young child, or for a slightly older child (up to thirteen) to enjoy reading on his own. 

The tone and affirmations throughout the book reflect great life lessons—the virtues of kindness and caring, the sting of being selfish or insensitive, and the willingness to be taught and become wise.

The illustrations are outstanding and bring to life the words of the story. Kids will love the artist’s creativity, especially the facial expressions of the animals.

 I also enjoyed the dialog of the animal characters—so appropriate and so child-like. And I appreciated the idea of respect and authority for the elder animals in the story.

There is so much to like about the Sassy Pants Series. If you are looking for a great animal series for kids for Christmas, I highly recommend it.  Your child will love the little Sassy Pants’ pig and the unexpected surprise that awaits her at the end.

To Order from Amazon, click here

In Carol A. Brown's own words:

In addition to being passionate about reading and writing, I enjoy nature, music, and playing the piano. I also do pottery, knit, crochet, and paint. David and I live in Juneau, Alaska. We have two daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

My current faith assignment is to stay close to Jesus so that I can hear what He says and write it down. 

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New from Cheryl Colwell Astoria Rumors

 

Astoria Rumors, Get Eaven series #1
Cheryl Colwell
Suspense

October, 2020
$3.99 ebook, 283 pp

Buy on
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08J7KJ5SH
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Astoria-Rumors-Get-Eaven-Book-ebook/dp/B08J7KJ5SH
Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Astoria-Rumors-Get-Eaven-Book-ebook/dp/B08J7KJ5SH/

About the Book
She's desperate, alone and unprotected. But she will survive.

Homeless, broke, and broken, Eaven Alexander resurrects her career, but with an innovative twist. Her degrees in historical architecture and antiques attract a lucrative but questionable job offer to locate an important document for the mysterious Greg Sault.

The hunt takes her inside a decaying mansion and into conflict with Clayton Mercer, a town heavyweight and Greg’s enemy. Too late, she realizes that something insidious is lurking beneath Astoria’s idyllic façade. And that no one is who they claim to be.

 

Lisa’s Review

Dragging herself out of her rut might have been the most important thing Eaven has done for herself since a devastating accident robbed her of her happiness. Eyes wide shut to the crumbling decay of her comfort zone, she feels hung out to dry after her husband reveals the depth of his own despair. Waking to reality forces Eaven to face unpleasant truths about herself. Coming from high society in Charleston SC, Eaven had run as far northeast as she could to rural Washington State, Eaven decides to reclaim her former professional life as an antiques appraiser. But first she needs to build her stakes. Her first stop down the coast is Astoria, where she meets a mystery man, Greg, and becomes privy to the town’s unnerving history.

Greg hires her to help clean out his grandmother’s house, but his real objective is hidden in the mists of time and allusion. At the same time, one of the last town bigwigs has died, and his relative, Clayton, is looking for help getting an old moldy family mansion inventoried and hopefully ready for sale. Eaven happens to fill that need, and she’s put in a position to be able to double agent, so to speak.

A series of awkward and dangerous events, filled with clues and a curious series of historical flashbacks, flood the book until the conclusion. There’s obviously something nefarious happening in Astoria; that’s never a secret; but how the rest of the citizens, and in particular the visitors like Eaven, act on those events and that history provide an intriguing visit to Astoria. Good details engage the reader.

About the Author

Author of Romantic Suspense, Women's Suspense, Political Suspense

Cheryl Colwell loves to travel. and loves being home with family and friends, authentic conversations, the gifts of faith and writing, and people who are as passionate about life as she is. Each new adventure, whether traveling, listening, or writing a book, reveals things she needs to know. Things she needs to share. Readers will find these adventures and insights on her Journey with Me blog. Visit www.cherylcolwell.com.

"Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Coloring Book" by Sherrill Cannon, reviewed by Lorilyn Roberts

Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Coloring Book is a wonderful book for kids who enjoy coloring and enjoy a good story. The companion book to this one I read to some children when I went on a mission trip to Nepal a few years ago. As a read to a dozen kids, they listened with rapt attention, spellbound, and made me read it to them once more before I returned back to the States. 

Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Coloring Book would be an awesome addition to any parent's library. After reading the story, children can color in the pages as they reflect on the moral presented. 

I love books that tell great truths without sounding preachy, but instead, use the writer's creativity to engage the audience. Showing truth instead of "telling" is a gift of Sherrill S. Cannon. She also has a remarkable ability to write rhyming stories for children that parents love to read - over and over to their kids. 

To purchase from Amazon click on this link

Visit Sherrill S. Cannon's website by clicking on this link.

A Delightful Book for Children with ADHD - David's ADHD by Sherrill S. Cannon, Reviewed by Lorilyn Roberts

David's ADHD by Sherill S. Cannon is an excellent read for kids who struggle with ADHD. I learned more about ADHD in this delightful kids' picture book and how to help families cope than I thought possible. Most importantly, it's written so that children can understand the challenges and develop useful strategies for impatience, frustration, and out-of-control impulses. 

I believe David's ADHD would be a great encouragement for everybody involved with ADHD, and it would give me hope that I could make my own child's life better if I had a son or daughter who struggled with it. 

Particular elements of  David's ADHD that I liked included:

The rhyming lines, which make it fun for adults to read to their children.

The  colorful and warm drawings

The book follows a three-act set-up: the problem, the journey, and the resolution.

David's ADHD  is timely and relevant.

Elementary school children would be able to read David's ADHD.

Although I've personally not had to deal with ADHD, I have friends who have, and David's ADHD has given me more empathy for how ADHD affects families and encouraging ways to approach the issue with beneficial outcomes.

To learn more about Sherrill S. Cannon and her books, you can visit her Amazon page by clicking on this link.

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Christian eBook and Paperback Giveaway - August 25 Through August 31

Christian eBook & Paperback Giveaway!

(2) Winners of eBook "Gift Baskets of ALL ebooks pictured!
(31+) Winners of individual ebooks or bonus paperbacks (randomly selected)

To enter for a chance to win, go to: https://AuthorsXP.com/giveaway

New historical romance from Robin Fuson

Worthless to Priceless

Robin Densmore Fuson

Buy on Amazon 

Ebook $2.99

Print $7.99

198 pp

July 2020

About the Book

At the tender age of thirteen, orphaned Jenny Low decides to take matters in her own hands and runs away from her captive life in a Ute tribe. Rescued from near death by a kindly teamster, Samuel Baunof, Jenny is sent to live with a family in Glenwood Springs, Colorado in 1886. She learns the truth of wickedness and runs again straight into true evil.

Meanwhile, Samuel holds his head up while facing life's cruelty head on. A few years later, he crosses paths with the orphaned girl he once rescued. Now a beautiful young woman, Jenny is a God-send in his time of need. Their trials aren’t over and Samuel finds himself tracking her through the wilderness where, unbeknownst to him, someone else is after her too. Will he get to her in time?

Can these two people with completely different backgrounds and beliefs help each other and those around them? Is Samuel able to rescue Jenny from the horror her life has been drawn into? Is his faith strong enough to help her understand that God loves her and didn’t abandon her? Jenny is challenged to accept love and forgiveness even when she feels the world closing in.

 

Lisa's review

Heart-achy love story between a young girl, brutally abused on the old west of Colorado, and a widower searching for someone to care for his young children.

It’s a familiar trope well-retold by a master storyteller. Fuson’s tales are always dramatic and life-changing no matter where or when they’re set.

Jenny has an almost True Grit aspect to her life, though she needs to kindness of others to help her escape the desperate circumstances she is in. After escaping from one horror and jumping into the next, this girl just can’t get a break until her life circles around to meet with the rescuer who thought he’d done a good deed.

Samuel has a good position as a teamster in Colorado; it’s just that he’s on the road for days at a time and when his wife passes away, he has three young tots to care for. Life is funny when it leads him back to the young girl he rescued from the desert. Horrified to learn the couple who took her in failed her dreadfully, and the next troubling circumstance she entered was even worse, Samuel was more than determined to see her safe.

Nicely told from both sides of gritty realism, romance readers will enjoy Fuson’s latest story.

About the Author

Robin recently moved to Tennessee with her husband Jimmy. Together, they celebrate with seventeen grandchildren. An award winner for romance and flash fiction. Robin is multi-published and writes stories on her blog for children. Robin is a member of ACFW, Vice President of ACFW Colorado Western Slope, and member of John316 Marketing Network. She enjoys leading a Bible study group and singing in two community choirs. Robin loves company and challenging her young guests to discover the many giraffes in the obvious and hidden nooks and crannies of their home.

New Book Release - Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors, by Stacy Padula - Book Review

 

 

In the fourth installment of Stacy Padula’s Gripped Book Series, the stakes are higher as Taylor Dunkin struggles to save himself and protect the ones he loves. He never knew that a slippery slope could cause him to fall into such a pit of despair. As he tries to pull himself out, however, he begins to realize that he may not be able to escape the mess of his own creation.

*~*~*~*

Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc have been at odds for years, but they are drawn together to try to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving for his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the relationships between the Dunkin boys may change forever, and their town of Montgomery Lake along with them.

Stacy Padula’s masterful control of a bifurcated storyline keeps the reader intrigued in two chronologies of events. The characters grow richer with each passing novel, and the depth of the relationship between them approaches reality. 

A five-star review for Gripped 4: Smoke and Mirrors.

- Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia 

To purchase a Smoke & Mirrors from Amazon, click here.

To learn more about Stacy Padula, visit her Amazon Page by clicking here

NEW RELEASE by Award-Winning Author JIM BATON - Hope Trilogy #3

NEW RELEASE by award-winning author JIM BATON

Hope Trilogy #3

June 16, 2020

          In the HOPE Trilogy, teenagers Kelsey and Harmonie solve mysteries, fight for justice, experience the supernatural, and find their place in God’s destiny for their town of Hope, Colorado.

Available at Amazon, iBooks, Nook and others

From the back cover:

The tension in the town of Hope builds to a climax in this thrilling conclusion to the Hope Trilogy. A major setback for those pursuing a citywide transformation drives them back to the House of Prayer and opens them to new partnerships with others. Change begins to infiltrate the spheres of business, education, media and the arts, resulting in all-out war with a corrupt government. Teenagers Kelsey and Harmonie are once again at the epicenter of shaking their city as they investigate a murder and fight for social justice, determined to see their town finally come into its destiny.

The Hope Trilogy is written for those who are hungry for God’s revival and transformation of their communities.

“Jim Baton is a master storyteller…Every one of these books is a page-turner.”

–Carolyn Klaus, Christian book reviewer

JIM BATON has spent the last 20 years in the world's largest Muslim nation, building bridges between Muslims and Christians who both desire peace. His speaking and writing call people out of fear and into authentic friendships that can change the world.

Visit Jim Baton’s Amazon Page or his blog to learn more.

Books In This Series (3 Books)

Complete Series

Hope Trilogy

Kindle Edition

1. 1

   

   Hope is a Dangerous Place (Hope Trilogy Book 1)

   4.7 out of 5 stars (11)

   Kindle Edition

   $2.99
2. 2

   Hope in the Balance (Hope Trilogy Book 2)

   5.0 out of 5 stars (4)

   Kindle Edition

   $5.99
3. 3

   Hope Breaks Through (Hope Trilogy Book 3)

   5.0 out of 5 stars (1)

   Kindle Edition

   $5.99

New Historical Fiction from Carole Brown

Caleb’s Destiny: Troubles in the West, book 1

Carole Brown

Inspirational historical fiction

May 22, 2020

Story & Logic Media Group

ISBN-13: 9781941622636

282 pp

$2.99 ebook

$12.99 Print

Buy on Amazon US

Amazon AU

Amazon CA

Buy on Barnes and Noble 

About the Book:

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold?

Hunter is determined to protect his boss and the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions.

Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of every one of his employees?

Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael's ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now...unless, of course, he's dead.

Three children, connected through tragedy and separated by time, are fated to reunite and re-right some powerful wrongs.

Lisa's Review

Brown’s latest story-telling chops take her fans back to gold rush days, with all the deviousness mankind can wrought. Three youngsters, gathered by tragedy and separated by time are fated to reunite and re-right some powerful wrongs. Rich setting and always excellent scenes will enchant the lover the romantic historical suspense.

Brown’s stories tend to be rich on nuance and detail, spiritual and wholesome tales. In this  story, we hearken back to gold rush days in Colorado, where men become impatient and fools rush in. Three children, orphaned at the outset of the 1870s, are brought together for a very brief time after suffering tragedy.

Young Caleb is a determined protector; Destiny is a spitfire young girl, and Hunter, a young man with a loyal heart. They all witness horrifying crimes. The story picks up fifteen years later when Destiny travels back to the west in an effort to learn more of her history, Only a child when sent to Boston, she longs for a sense of family and friendship she once knew after losing her mother. Her reintroduction to Colorado is a rather violent one, and she’s rescued by the local landowner—a man burdened by secrets.

Caleb’s Destiny continues to unfold as the past slowly opens to reveal the intrigue and reasons behind the sorrowful events of the past. Lovingly researched with well-fleshed characters, Brown unwinds her story through multiple viewpoints, great dialog and realistic events. Fans of historical fiction with all the romance and suspense of classic westerns will find much to love.

A brief Interview with Carole:

Is there a story behind Caleb's Destiny?

Actually, a few years ago, I wanted to enter a book for a contest. When I brainstormed with my hubby, he came up with the plot for the book. I began writing but didn't complete it. This year I decided to finish that beginning. I'd just recently began a Chore & Writing Crawl, which I've been following meticulously (or almost). Doing this has helped me complete this approximately 90,000 word novel in around two and ½ months.

Where do you get the names for your characters?

In this book, it was easy. Our niece lost her baby girl whose name was Destiny. This niece is so special. Loves us and my books. It was decided almost from the first that the female protagonist would be called Destiny. :)  For me, it seems that the names just came to me. I use origins for some names to suit the personality of a character. I use a baby name book. It just depends on the book and character. But it's so much fun choosing!

As far as Mr. Michael's name, it came from a nephew who died unexpectedly and devastated the family. It was a good thing to use his name.

Do you have favorite research books?

I do, and they are such simple but important ones to me. A dictionary, a synonym, a baby's name book, some crime books, personality books. These are my go-to research books. For other research, I use the internet and try to find specialists in whatever I need to learn about some detail. Lots of fun!

About Carole:  

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/browncarole212/?hl=en

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a/

Award-Winning Author Jim Baton's Second Book in Hope Trilogy Series, Hope in the Balance, Is Now Available

NEW RELEASE by award-winning author JIM BATON

Hope Trilogy #2

May 11, 2020

          In the HOPE Trilogy, teenagers Kelsey and Harmonie solve mysteries, fight for justice, experience the supernatural, and find their place in God’s destiny for their town of Hope, Colorado.

Available at Amazon, iBooks, Nook and others

From the back cover:

The small town of Hope is shaken when teenagers Kelsey and Harmonie uncover its skeletons of the past. Will those secrets tear the town apart, or will they become a path to healing? Meanwhile, it appears someone is willing to use any means necessary to take over their town. The girls look for new allies to save Hope. A House of Prayer arises to confront demonic forces, leading to glimpses of angelic activity. As the intensity of the warfare increases, people on all sides are being pushed past their limits. The future of Hope hangs in the balance.

The Hope Trilogy is written for those who are hungry for God’s revival and transformation of their communities.

Readers’ comments on the Hope Trilogy—

“Very good example of redemptive Christian fiction.” –Nike Chillemi, Christian mystery author

“Gripping…I read it in one day…I could not put it down.” –Carol Brown, Christian author

“I instantly fell in love with the characters Kelsey and Harmonie. Every time I thought I had the answer, I'd find out a new twist which would lead me in a different direction. I loved every minute of it!” –Tiffany Hersh, Christian book reviewer

*~*~*~*

Biography

JIM BATON has spent the last 20 years in the world’s largest Muslim nation building bridges between Muslims and Christians who both desire peace. His speaking and writing call people out of fear and into authentic friendships that can change the world.

To learn more about Jim Baton's work, visit his website by clicking here: https://jimbaton.com/

contemporary suspense with Robin Fuson

The Race of Her Heart

Robin Fuson

Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense

218 pp

Forget Me Not books, Feb 14, 2020

Ebook $3.99

Paperback $8.97

Buy on Amazon

About the book

An engaged Jalyn Stewart returns to her hometown of Durango, Colorado following an accident that changed her life and Olympic dreams. A future with Timothy, her lawyer fiancé, moves forward with his new business partnership and their wedding plans. Jalyn’s part-time journalist job brings an unexpected encounter with an old flame and sparks fly. Can she believe him when he says he has changed?

Disturbing messages and threats make her realize, she's being stalked. Jalyn searches through her mind trying to discover why and who might be the stalker and does it have anything to do with her accident? Nothing points to the answers to her questions, causing more frustration. Jalyn’s faith is challenged as fear clutches her heart and soul.

An electric bicycle race takes Adam Walker to his home town of Durango, Colorado and through the mountains to the historic mining town of Silverton. His heart never got over the beautiful Jalyn after he left, hoping to be rid of the God she lived for. At their first encounter after his return, he notices she wears an engagement ring and his heart plummets. Can he accept them as friends or should he fight for more? Pride and a wager pits cycles against the mighty steam engine in an unheard-of race. Adam must conquer the mountain to win the race and the heart of the one he loves. Through overcoming dangerous obstacles is his new faith strong enough to rely on the Lord?

My review

Fuson’s new contemporary suspense in dramatic form. When Jalyn’s Olympic hopes are shattered, she returns to her touristy small hometown of Durango, Colorado, convincing her attorney fiancé to come along. Timothy sets up shop with a colleague and begins to build a clientele while Jalyn begins to integrate back into her former life of church and home and friends, and enjoys her many part-time jobs of cub reporter, summertime youth baseball umpire and wintertime ski instructor.

But home isn’t quite so friendly and familiar when Jalyn begins to receive threatening notes insinuating she was the source of someone else’s misfortunes and would pay. From then on, Jalyn feels she’s being watched and reports the matter to the local law enforcement. Durango has many attractions and happy summertime events, including the Durango to Silverton train. The train is not only famous for happy rails riding, but the subject of races of all kinds. This summer, it’s electric bicycles racing the train. Jalyn is sent to cover the intrepid bicycle riders and meets her former boyfriend, Adam, who’s made some marvelous life-changing decisions and cleaned up his act. As Jalyn’s fiancé continues to downplay her growing fears and the threats against her, oddly withdrawing more and more as their wedding approaches, Jalyn begins to turn to Adam for comfort and advice.

As Jalyn’s stalker acts out, affecting the lives of her friends and their businesses, even their lives and her own, Jalyn has many truths to face. She’s not alone. Faith, family, and friends enjoin in this gripping tale of romantic suspense.

About the Author

Robin is a Colorado native. Together, with her husband Jimmy. they celebrate with seventeen grandchildren. An award winner for romance and flash fiction. Robin is multi-published and writes stories on her blog for children. Robin is a member of ACFW, Vice President of ACFW Colorado Western Slope, and member of John316 Marketing Network. She enjoys leading a Bible study group and singing in two community choirs. Robin loves company and challenging her young guests to discover the many giraffes in the obvious and hidden nooks and crannies of their home.