Why Not? Because I Said So Book Reviews and Author Interviews.
Sheila: Book Reviewer,writer and great lover of books...sharing her wonderful finds of fantastic authors,their books, writing tips, and also other things of interest to her and those following the blog. Thanks for visiting! Follow today and don't miss out on news of great new books and giveaways!
Lord Benning is no ordinary nobleman. The heir to an earldom, he feels more at home working on the farm at his country estate than socializing in the ballrooms of London. So when a mysterious, veiled woman mistakes him for a farmhand, he takes the assumption in stride. And though he is not offended, he is intrigued.
Following a devastating outbreak of smallpox, Caroline Granger and her young daughter, Meg, retreat to Caroline’s childhood home in the village of Leyfield in Gloucestershire. Left widowed and weakened by the ravages of the disease, Caroline wears a veil to hide her facial scars and to prevent the inevitable gasps of horror or murmurs of pity others offer in response to her altered appearance.
Caroline is mortified when she learns of her error in addressing Lord Benning—or Benedict, as she called him during their growing-up years—as a farmhand. But shared childhood memories and a precocious four-year-old inevitably draw Benedict and Caroline together, and it’s not long before Caroline realizes that Benedict accepts every part of her—including her scars. With newfound courage and a growing love for Benedict, Caroline feels the first stirrings of hope. But when the disease that took so much from Caroline finds its way to Leyfield, she stands to lose more than she can bear, and Benedict must decide exactly how much he is willing to risk for a chance at love.
***I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
The Georgian Gentlemen series has been remarkable. A Provincial Peer is an incredibly sweet novel. I quickly grew to love Lord Benning, Benedict, who is one of the most charming male characters I've met within the pages of a book. While not flawless, he quickly rectified his mistakes. Caroline Granger, who returned home with her young daughter Meg after her husband's passing, shows impressive bravery. Caroline carries scars from a bout of smallpox. Although Benedict is an old family friend, Caroline shares a closer friendship with his younger brother.This story explores themes of social class, self-acceptance, and weaves in a bit of mystery alongside the romance. Seeing the bond between Benedict and Meg from the start was heartwarming, and their interactions always made me happy.
The plot involving the deadly smallpox outbreak and the introduction of the first smallpox vaccination was intriguing. I enjoy a delightful romance that also educates me.
A Provincial Peer and the entire series are so skillfully written that you are instantly immersed in the story.I love feel-good stories where good people come out on top. All of the heartfelt moments in this story will also make you an instant fan of Author Sian Ann Bessey...unless you already are.Ienthusiastically recommend reading the entire Georgian Gentlemen series.
****Meet Author Sian Ann Bessey****
Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up on the island of Anglesey off the north coast of Wales. She left Wales to attend Brigham Young University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications. The author of several novels and children's books, Sian has also written articles for the New Era, Ensign, and Liahona magazines. Sian and her husband, Kent, are the parents of five children and the grandparents of three beautiful girls and two handsome boys. They currently live in Rexburg, Idaho, and although Sian has few opportunities to speak Welsh anymore, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch still rolls off her tongue. Traveling, reading, cooking, and being with her grandchildren are some of her favorite activities. She also loves hearing from her readers.
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Cold Vengeance
Series: Ryland & St. Clair #3
Author: Nancy Mehl
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: July 16, 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown serial killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan.
As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the target of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both?
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Mehl brings her Ryland & St. Clair series to an explosive close with a pulse-pounding story where the stakes are high and silence is deadly.
My Review
This series has engaged me and I love it! I also really admire Author Nancy Mehl's approach to writing suspense novels. The story begins with all the pieces of the puzzle scattered, and as the chapters continue, readers gradually gather each piece, happily participating in solving the puzzle.
I enjoy thinking alongside River and Tony. Having read the earlier books, readers are already familiar with the characters. The series stands out because the main characters are former FBI behavioral analysts who have moved into private investigation. You definitely look at things differently through their eyes and experiences.The investigation into cold cases that April, a popular crime podcaster, was exploring before her kidnapping adds an interesting element to the story. There's also a continuing case where River's life is in harm's way.
While Cold Vengeance may not be filled with constant action, it explores the thoughts of two highly skilled private investigators. You are holding your breath when things do get intense.
The Christian theme is prevalent, highlighting their relationship with God, their faith, and River's remarkable journey toward forgiving her father. The romance between River and Tony remains endearing, and it was heartwarming to witness their bond deepen. While Cold Vengeance can stand on its own, I am grateful for having read the previous books, as it enriches the conclusion of both the book and the series. Cold Vengeance is among my favorite reads for 2024 thus far.
Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.
Connect with Nancy by visiting NancyMehl.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive the complete paperback set of the Ryland & St. Clair series and a $15 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 24, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Caspyn hunts Fae. Since the day the vile monsters killed his sister he has made it his goal to end them all.
Stories spread through Okivo about the hunter, the Wanderer, who hunts the Fae that once enslaved his kind and harvested their magic. Magic that Caspyn still has, Magic that could get him killed if The Queen were to find out what he held… or what he knew.
Which is why Caspyn isn’t just hunting Fae. He’s working his way closer to The Queen, and to the Princess who lore says is the only one with magic strong enough to end The Queen. If he hopes to undo the scourge that is coming and save his sister from the dangers the Queen is about to unleash against them all he must reach the powerful Princess before it is too late.
The Princess who has been rumored to have no magic.
Princess Elara has been locked away since her Catalyst died, the magic that defined her as part of the royal family of Okivo dying with him.
Elara is kept under lock and key, guarded by a man shrouded in black who is not allowed to speak. Desperate for her mother's acceptance and a life outside of the walls she is kept in, Elara finally finds the courage to stand up to her mother, only to find herself in greater danger.
There is something that is growing and brewing inside of her, a magic that shouldn’t be possible without a Catalyst; a secret that her guard knows the truth about - but he must find his voice again to share it.
When Elara finally makes her move, she comes face to face with a man who has been clearly trained to kill, and sent to end her. Except, he’s asking for her help.
The Crimson Stained Catalyst is the first book in The Last Fae King Series, a danger filled adventure of Fae, Magic, Lies, and above all Love in an epic fantasy world. This first installment of this slow burn Romantasy series is perfect for those who love:
Deep world building and unique magic systems
Magical royals with secrets and vendettas
Dangerous anti heroes with (possibly) noble intentions
Strong and brave heroines who aren’t afraid of a little danger
A Fae world with magic and romance
Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black
Book Details
Publisher : Imdalind Press (July 14, 2024)
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Last Fae King Book
Language : English
Paperback : 598 pages
ISBN-10 : 1949725685
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
This expansive fantasy novel spans over 600 pages and is the first book in a series, with rich world-building. The index at the start, detailing the magical system, proved especially helpful; I took photos for quick reference during my reading. The story is told through various viewpoints. The author has crafted a Fae realm brimming with magic, romance, adventure, deceit, and unexpected turns, particularly towards the end.
As this is a series, I expect the romantic aspects to deepen in the next book. I especially loved the exploration of the new magic system and how well-developed the characters were, particularly the impressive villain. I do look forward to further character growth in the second book as the story expands.
Set aside time to fully enjoy this thrilling new epic fantasy. Although there is a minor cliffhanger at the end, rest assured that the next book will hopefully be released soon.
****Meet Author Rebecca Ethington****
HELLO THERE! I’m Rebecca. I‘m an author, a mother, a dog lover, a rock climber, a player and creator of video games and all around adventurer. A passionate person with an immense amount of drive, my writing has been described as “INTERESTING AND INTENSE” BY USA TODAY. With a whole lifetime of writing, I have over sixty published novels under two names and have garneredyears of social media marketing experience, business management, and even a little bit of web design: I am a creatorwho enjoys buildingnew ideas and infecting imagination into everything I touch.
At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent turned rare-book collector Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone--taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she's getting herself into.
Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions--and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Don't miss this breathtaking race for truth set amid the glorious--and deadly--Glacier Bay from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.
Book Details
Publisher : Revell (June 4, 2024)
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 0800742060
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
Author Elizabeth Goddard has quickly risen to the top of my favorite authors' list. "Hidden in the Night" firmly establishes her as a must-read author.
"Hidden in the Night" revolves around piecing together clues to locate a Jack London manuscript that contains a hidden treasure map. The situation is intricate because the "pieces" include:
The manuscript is probably in Alaska.
Alaska's Indigenous people have a history tied to the treasure.
The true thief and those searching for the manuscript remain a mystery.
A band of saboteurs will stop at nothing to get their hands on it.
The plot includes serious threats like kidnapping, murder, and human trafficking.
In this third book of the 'Missing in Alaska' series, we follow Alaskan State Trooper Nolan Long and Ivy Elliott, a former FBI agent. They had a brief meeting in an earlier book but now join forces to find the manuscript and a missing local girl. As they work together, they face many dangers and struggle with growing feelings for each other. Their slow-burn romance feels real and fitting for the story.
Kudos to Elizabeth Goddard for her vibrant and imaginative language that vividly brings scenes to life. After reading this series, I feel as though I’ve traveled to Alaska numerous times.
Additionally, characters from the first two books reappear in the third book, which I enjoyed. While each book can be read as a stand-alone, reading them in order offers a much richer experience.
If you enjoy the Romantic Suspense genre, "Hidden in the Night" and this series are absolute reads. Goddard masterfully blends excitement, unexpected twists, romance, and faith in this thrilling adventure.This captivating and thought-provoking novel is perfect for cooling down the heat this summer.
****Meet Author Elizabeth Goddard****
Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader's Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website.
A documentary team hiking through East Africa collides with a gang of deadly poachers, in this gripping adventure by the author of Kidnapped on Safari.
Years of filming, extreme dangers, and daring rescues have taken their toll on documentary producer Pero Baltazar and his team. To relax and reconnect with the East African wildlife they love, Pero organizes a walking safari for him, his camerawoman Nancy Breiton, and their elite guide Mbuno Waliangulu. Still, Pero has trouble truly disconnecting from work. When the team comes across a herd of elephants making their annual migration north of Lake Rudolf, Pero decides the team will film their journey from Kenya into Ethiopia along the Omo River.
What begins as a peaceful trip quickly turns into a chaotic nightmare as the trio crosses paths with a crew of poachers whose ivory sales are financing terrorists. The three are determined to protect the endangered herd from slaughter, and Mbuno enlists the help of local tribesmen. But the corruption of ivory poachers has deep roots that stretch to UN refugee camps, Chinese gangs, and the Iranian elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Faced with overwhelming odds, the trio must now rely on Pero’s contacts in the CIA, as well as Mbuno’s skills in the bush, if they hope to ever return from this excursion alive . . .
My Review
This novel starts with documentary producer Pero Baltazar, camerawoman Nancy, and their seasoned guide Mbuno on a walking safari to follow a herd of elephants migrating north. What begins as a peaceful journey quickly turns tense when illegal poachers, supported by terrorists, invade their path. Earlier books in the series hint at past encounters with such threats.
Set in East Africa, the author Peter Riva paints a vivid picture of the landscape and introduces readers to native tribes, their customs, and social structures. The story beautifully captures the lives of animals, especially an elephant family, highlighting the dangers they face from the ivory trade. Mbuno, with his special bond with the elephants, stands out as an "elephant whisperer."
This thrilling tale not only entertains but also sends a strong message about the endangered status of these animals and the need to stop illegal activities. The plot skillfully blends educational elements about the country and its people, keeping readers engaged as the characters race against time to protect the elephant herd from poachers. The story creates a sense of danger and urgency from beginning to end. This safari adventure promises to captivate, inspire, and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Praise for Elephant Safari:
"If you’re in the mood for an African thriller series to add to your summer reading pile, Peter Riva has got you covered. Riva’s impressive career has provided him with plenty of inspiration for his novels, which he writes as a form of relaxation." ~ The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News
"Many readers will enjoy this story for its fast pace, engaging characters, and insights into world politic. I particularly loved the depth of knowledge about the natural history and ecology of the East African landscape. This may be a thriller but it’s also an important book about the killing of elephants for their ivory tusks." ~ Sharman Apt Russel- John Burroughs Medal winner
ELEPHANT SAFARI Trailer:
Book Details:
Genre: Action and Adventure Thriller Published by: Open Road Media Publication Date: January 30, 2024 Number of Pages: 302 ISBN: 9781504085335 (ISBN10: 1504085337) Series: The Mbuno & Pero Thrillers, 4 | Each is a Stand-Alone Novel Book Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | BookaMillion | Goodreads | Open Road Media
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
Read an Excerpt:
In modern Kenya and most of East Africa, elephant were dying out, Mbuno knew this and lamented. His chest ached for them. Gone were the innumerable small herds of his youth, mostly replaced by farms, settlements, human sprawl, and tourist attractions. What elephant remained had their age-old pathways and migration routes blocked, stopped, fenced, and constantly monitored. White men came and collared them, watched them on scopes, darted them, sampled them, and even shot them when they became a nuisance to farmers with cash. What elephants modern man did not manage in parks were easy prey for poachers. The days of the Liangulu hunter were over. Mbuno knew this, accepted this, and did not mind even half as much as he mourned the passing of the realm of the elephant.
All of Africa had once been the realm of the elephant. As the largest beast, immune to the normal prey and hunter battles going on all around, the elephant set the pace of the land, fertilized the forests, cropped the prairies, and paved the migration routes that all the migratory species followed. In times of drought, their superior intelligence showed where water could be found and even taught man to dig in dry riverbeds for a boundary layer of precious liquid. They created mud holes for mud baths to keep the insects at bay, used also by Cape buffalo and rhino. Over the millennia, they brushed aside acacia thorns and baobab saplings with equal ease creating the open plains. And, in time, Africa's rhythm resounded to the beat of their feet and their migratory timekeeping. Without the elephant ruling the land, the land fell into the discordant rhythm of the upright apes and began to fracture. Mbuno had known the last best years of the elephant's realm and, sadly, was now witnessing the fall of Africa's harnessing stability. Without the elephant to freely roam, the balance of nature would be broken, herds would grow to enormous size in protected parks and, outside that protection, devoid of traditional hunters, herds could be led by weak leaders who would fail to protect them from ivory hunters. Mbuno had heard this had happened before. At the end of the slave and ivory trade, in 1911 there were fewer elephants than now and the herds were only brought back from extinction by White Hunters—led by Teddy Roosevelt—using farm and ranch husbandry methods – culling every senile cow and bull. Young, vibrant, herds repopulated the migration routes. But now the elephant and Mbuno's tribal way of life were both threatened once again.
Mbuno looked back to make sure Pero and Nancy were crouched, waiting a few hundred yards away as he instructed. He then inched closer to the worrying herd, prone again, a sharp stone rolling under his hip painfully. He dared not move quickly, the bush above him would vibrate. He stopped any forward movement as he spotted feet, the small grey feet of a baby elephant, a mtoto.
One foot had an encircling, red, puss-oozing sore. Behind the mtoto's feet stood the mother. Mbuno could see the way the weight was shifting on both mother and child that the mother was soothing the young one who would be in pain. Silent pain, the sign of a strong herd leader. Or a very frightened herd, one that is being hunted. The mtoto's sore had been caused by a wire snare that had probably dropped off. Mbuno had seen this far too often. Now Mbuno felt compelled to do something, not just observe. It was now a matter of honor, duty, and common ancestry, not to mention his responsibility for the safety of his safari charges.
Mbuno's mind made decisions quickly. In the bush, life and death were often just moments apart. Soundlessly, moving no bush or twig, he retreated the way he had come, donned his pants only, and set himself into a running crouch. It was his usual hunter's pace, swift, determined, and ready for a change in direction. Circling the place where he knew the herd to be, he stayed four hundred yards away at least. Starting downwind and determinedly coming full half circle until he announced his presence to their sensitive noses, he tested their resolve. When he was sure they had smelled him, he knew there was real danger here because there was no charge, no bellowing threat, no foot stomp. The elephants could smell that he was only one man and also that he was a man of the bush. As Mbuno had feared, they clearly had a more dangerous enemy threat nearby, for they did not give themselves away. He continued his crouching circling run, sweating from adrenaline and the jini of the hunt. For he was hunting, but not elephant.
When he was three-quarters the way around his circle, he sensed, and then diving behind a fallen log on his stomach, he saw the men just outside the forest's edge. One was sitting on a pickup truck's hood and two stood in the flatbed. They wore no uniform. The man sitting was dressed as an Arab with a face scarf and camouflage trousers and bush shirt. He had binoculars but no gun. And two standing tribesmen looked like Pokot, Mbuno thought--northern, violent Maasai cousins. Hunters, not cattlemen. The two tribesmen had black rifles with yellow wood stocks and foregrips. Mbuno knew AK-47s when he saw them. Mbuno had seen these types of poachers before. They snared a baby and, in its squeals, it attracted the herd; close and closer until the slaughter would be efficient, deadly, machine gun rapid.
Standing behind a tree trunk on tiptoe, peeking out, Mbuno saw the panga (machete) on the flatbed tailgate, unsheathed, its 12-inch blade glistening, freshly sharpened. The back of the truck held two freshly drawn tusks; the brown blood still not yet black. The herd had been running and not just because of the mtoto.
Mbuno did not hesitate, did not reason, did not moralize. In the bush, the law of the land was kill or be killed. These men had killed, wasted the life of elephant, wanted to slaughter the rest, and were dishonorable. He saw them as little more than wanyama—vermin—to be stopped. Without altering his run, he circled behind the pickup and approached them from behind, soundlessly, before the men could even know he was coming.
***
Excerpt from Elephant Safari by Peter Riva. Copyright 2024 by Peter Riva. Reproduced with permission from Peter Riva. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Peter Riva has traveled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe, spending many months spanning thirty years with legendary guides for East African adventurers. He created the Wild Things television series in 1995 and has worked for more than forty years as a literary agent. Riva writes science fiction and African adventure books, including the Mbuno & Pero thrillers. He lives in Gila, New Mexico.
