Before I begin, let me preface this review by saying how much I appreciate redeeming stories and an honest portrayal of people who grew up in the Christian faith and walked away due to outgrowing it, being stifled by the rules, seeing the hypocrisy and much like the Prodigal son parable coming home and being welcomed back to the love that once felt overbearing.
Let's be honest here. Everyone who grew up in the Christian faith have experienced their time in the desert without God and then found themselves on their knees to pray for forgiveness. At some point, we've all been there. Yes, our circumstances differ. Our deserts look different and our times spent wandering varies from person to person. 
This was such a sweet short story on that parable. Both Jenna and Max had their time in the desert. Both knew hypocrisy and pain. I appreciated and love the realness of doubts that author Joanna Alonzo paints. Did God just say that? What am I going to do? All these whys and hows remind us to be still and to discern His voice from the noise.  Well done and I can't wait to read about the other stories in this collection. 

​***I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

​Joanna Alonzo is a walking paradox. She is a beautiful, albeit messy, mixture of thought and emotion, expressed in the form of hopefully readable - and relatable - stories. She is a kingdom kid, who looks forward to being a writer and storyteller even when she reaches heaven. She is passionate about the unreached, about those who have yet to know the Love she found in the arms of the Almighty. She is intrigued by the world and its people, who day by day, continue to convince her that God is the greatest Storyteller of all.
http://www.joannaalonzo.com/

Ink Stained Hands is Jennifer Rapp’s debut collection of haiku she first started sharing on Instagram. Within this book, you will find poetry that focuses on various themes such as love, heartbreak, empowerment, and strength. 

Jennifer has the unique ability of working her way into your heart and soul in just 17 syllables. Her short yet (bitter) sweet poetry conveys a sense of understanding, that she has her own story, and wants the rest of us to know that we’re not alone.

Haikus have to be carefully thought of, not just for its correct form usage, but to make sure its story makes sense and still have the ability to be dissected and taken apart, much like every other poem. It's the poet's abilities to use this Japanese poetry (5-7-5 syllables) and build a story within its parameters. But a story that evokes emotion, whether it be a sigh of content, anger, motivation. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Rapp's haikus and look forward to them when she posts them on her social media. (Follow this lady, if you aren't already). This book made me an even bigger fan and I continue to be impressed and in awe of her haiku writing ability. Ink Stained Hands: a Haiku collection is thoughtful, much like the poet herself and its quietness and simple lines, formed a picture of a life in which one was once loved, lost and as Robert Frost once said, "it goes on," [again].
​Well done, Jennifer!!

"the sea loves the moon,
for even in the darkness
he sees her beauty"

The poetry of Jennifer Rapp tends to sway between happiness and heartache, stirring up so much while saying so little.

Jennifer graduated from California Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English. She began writing poetry at a young age, and aspired to someday use her gift as a way to reach out and connect with others. 
She currently lives in Lancaster, California with her family, and brainstorming her next collection of poems. 
Social media:
https://twitter.com/jenrrapp
https://www.facebook.com/jrinkstainedhands

Contemporary YA fiction
 Cecily has always had a huge crush on singer Andrew Holiday and she wants to be an actress, so she tags along when her friend auditions for his new video. However, the director isn’t looking for an actress, but rather the girl next door—and so is Andrew. Cecily gets a part in the video and all of Andrew’s attention on the set. Her friend begins to see red and Cecily’s boyfriend is seeing green—as in major jealousy. A misunderstanding leaves Cecily and her boyfriend on the outs and Andrew hopes to pick up the pieces as he’s looking for someone more stable in his life than the models he’s dated. Soon Cecily begins to realize Andrew understands her more than her small-town boyfriend—but can her perfect love match really be her favorite rock star?
Pre-order the book now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079S3KJSH
The book officially releases in ebook and paperback on March 20th.
You check out the Can Dreams Come True Pinterest inspiration board here!:
https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/can-dreams-come-true-the-cecily-taylor-series/​

This is my stop during the book blitz for Something Just Like This by Tracy Krimmer. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 14 till 15 February. Read on for more information about the book and a giveaway for an Amazon gift card! See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-something-just-like-this-by-tracy-krimmer ​

​​Something Just Like This
By Tracy Krimmer
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Age category: Adult
Release Date: February 14, 2018

Blurb:
Love? Second chances? That crap is for romantics, not realists like Juliette. She has a bad attitude about love and an even worse one when it comes to second chances. And she may dress like an elf for a few weeks out of the year, but that doesn’t mean she loves Christmas.

Stability? Purpose? Landon is surfing a pleasant wave of both until he's fired. Devastating news from his sister certainly doesn’t help. At least he has the holidays to look forward to.

When Landon shows up at the mall and Juliette prevents a disaster, he can’t stop thinking about that sweet elf. Juliette doesn’t believe in the spirit of Christmas, but she can’t help but wonder why Landon was in her line that day. Could Landon deserve one of those second chances she's so unwilling to give?

You can find Something Just Like This on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36424492-something-just-like-this  

You can buy Something Just Like This on Amazon for only $2.99 through February 15: http://smarturl.it/SJLTAmazon
It is available to read with Kindle Unlimited.​

Tracy Krimmer loves coffee, popcorn, Drew Barrymore, and the movie Saving Silverman. She enjoys reading great books (of course) and writing realistic characters for you to enjoy. When she listens to music she prefers the 80s and 90s music she grew up on. In a typical day you’ll find her writing at one of her favorite spots--on the couch, at the kitchen table, or at her favorite hometown coffee shop. 

​You can find and contact Tracy here:
- Website: http://www.tracykrimmer.com/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tkrimms  
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrimmerAuthor
- Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readtracykrimmer
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7153703.Tracy_Krimmer
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tracy-Krimmer/e/B00J1S52SM/
- Bookbub: https://bookbub.com/authors/tracy-krimmer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracykrimmer   
- Newsletter: http://www.tracykrimmer.com/newsletter/

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Something Just Like This. One winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift card!

​Today is the cover reveal for Beyond the Moon by R.J. Wood! This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. 

Beyond the Moon
(The Voyages of Jake Flynn #2)
By R.J. Wood
Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction/ Sword and Space/ Space Fantasy
Age category: Middle Grade/ Young Adult
Release Date: 2018

​Blurb:
Beyond the Moon picks up after the battle above the ice planet Nystal, where Earth-kid Jake Flynn and crew have recently escaped from the Crimson Cabal. Their voyages continue on the other side of the galaxy where magic has displaced technology and monsters are real. Jake continues to grow in his new abilities to channel energy and fly tall wooden ships in space, but struggles with having been named the Justicar, a prophesied champion of the light. Pushing forward, he sets course for new planets in search of allies who will stand with him and help stop the cabal from resurrecting a long dead queen. To succeed, Jake must learn more about channeling and how to balance his new and unwelcome responsibilities with the continued search for his missing parents and a way home to Earth.
 
Aided and mentored by the young Life Magian, Starla Silvertree, her aged protector, Ottomeyer Riversend, and assisted by veteran sailors Jehnna Marik and Captain Billy Goldbar, Jake must make heavyweight decisions with deadly consequences.
 
Unicorns, ghost ships, pirates, space battles, magi wielding lightning and fire, dinosaurs, and a Valkyrie – Jake must face them all in this epic sword and space adventure. By the end, Jake will take another step toward adulthood, discover truths about his parents’ fate, suffer the death of a comrade, and muster the courage to charge into a final showdown with the terrifying snake-woman, Celia Sable.

Check out Destiny’s Gambit (The Voyages of Jake Flynn #1)!
“A resourceful boy takes a glowing sailboat across the stars to search for his long-missing parents and becomes the target of pirates and an evil cabal with a sinister agenda.”
 
You can buy Destiny’s Gambit here:
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Destinys-Gambit-Voyages-Jake-Flynn-ebook/dp/B00SP93OAG/
- Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/destinys-gambit-r-j-wood/1122247672?ean=2940154633052
- Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/destiny-s-gambit
- Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/755439

R. J. Wood has been creating stories and adventures for others since 1979. A bard at heart, he trained in Drama (BA) and History (MA) while at university. He currently lives near Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State with his wife and children. There he does a little fishing, some adventuring, and of course, his writing.
 
Like everyone of my generation and beyond I have been heavily influenced by film. I like to think of my books as movies in my mind. I developed my creative writing through fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal RPGs. My degree in drama helps me with story, characters, and especially dialogue. Having an advanced history degree is excellent for plots and characters, but it also helps me with world building.
 
You can find and contact R.J. Wood here:
- Website: https://www.authorrjwood.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorrjwood/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/authorrjwood
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13270313.R_J_Wood
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/R.J.-Wood/e/B00TCOXXNQ/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorrjwood
​

​Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Beyond the Moon. One winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift card.
 
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

Newlywed Katie Maxwell is ready to settle down and leave her amateur detective days behind. But when the veil of secrecy surrounding her husband’s latest project takes them to Europe, her penchant for sleuthing lands her in some serious hot foreign water.

Katie will need to think quickly to talk her way out of handcuffs and a Parisian jail cell. Too bad she doesn't speak French.

For the Love of Katie is the second madcap adventure in The Katie Chronicles. This book can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to skip the first?

Something worth mentioning before I begin: I never read the first book, as I understood this can be read as a standalone. That being said though, and much like the blurb, why did I want to skip the first one, right? I got the feel for the characters and their relationships with each other from the beginning. There were parts that I'm sure I if I had read the first one, I would have been privy to the inside jokes. 
However, my clueless self enjoyed the ride as I laughed along with this book!! There were tons of giggles and some cringe worthy moments to be had and I was rooting for Katie's happiness to make sure she doesn't get into any more trouble.  The secondary characters were written well and kudus to Erica Lucke Dean for the character development. I felt like that coworker who always tagged along for these after hour drinks and knowing just a little enough about these coworkers for me to both adore and worry about. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

​After walking away from her career as a business banker to pursue writing full-time, Erica moved from the hustle and bustle of the big city to a small tourist town in the North Georgia Mountains where she lives in a 90-year-old haunted farmhouse with her workaholic husband, her 180lb lap dog, and at least one ghost.

When she's not busy writing or tending to her collection of crazy chickens, diabolical ducks, and a quintet of piglets, hell bent on having her for dinner, she's either reading bad fan fiction or singing karaoke in the local pub. Much like the main character in her first book, To Katie With Love, Erica is a magnet for disaster, and has been known to trip on air while walking across flat surfaces.

How she's managed to survive this long is one of life's great mysteries.

Follow me on Bookbub to get notified when my books go on sale. 

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erica-lucke-dean