Gears of Revolution (Mysteries of Cove Book #2) by J.Scott Savage-Blog Tour Review

Product Details

• Title: Gears of Revolution
• Author: J. Scott Savage
• Age Range: 10 years+
• Series: Mysteries of Cove (Book 2)
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Shadow Mountain (September 20, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1629722235
• FTC, FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Description:
After finding a compass and clues left by Kallista’s father, Leo Babbage, Trenton and Kallista head west aboard their homemade mechanical dragon to search for the missing inventor. The two teenagers hope to find answers about their mountain city of Cove, but instead, they find only a blackened forest, ruined buildings, and a small underground city.

Almost immediately, Trenton and Kallista are caught up in a civil war between a clan of scavengers called Whipjacks and the Order of the Beast, people who believe that dragons are immortal and divine.

Stranded in a new city, the two friends meet Plucky, a Whipjack girl with mechanical legs, and Ander, a young member of the Order who claims humans are able to communicate with dragons. Can they trust anyone, or have they unknowingly stepped into a trap?

And high above in the sky, the dragons are gathering . . .

My Review:
Gears of Revolution, book two in the Mysteries of Cove Series, is now out. The first book was great in that it was inventive with new ideas not seen in other Middle Grade books. A Steampunk/Middle Grade Fantasy I really loved, and how it fostered the idea of finding and developing the things you are good at and being creative. 

Book two picks up right where book one ended. Honestly, please read the first book before you start book two. So much happens in the first book where you see not only events develop, but also the relationship between the two main characters of Trenton and Kallista. It will also explain a lot of how these two interact in the second book and how their friendship is challenged.

Speaking of second books, this is something this author does very well. He knows how to avoid the "2nd Book in a Series Curse". Every book series I've read by J. Scott Savage has avoided this curse and made the second book even better than the first. Gears of Revolution has an incredible plot that moves things forward, instead of of being plumped with filler to get us through until book three. There were so many things I loved!

-New Characters: I truly loved the new characters introduced in Gears. Meeting two new groups of people The Whipjacks and the Order of the Beast was awesome. My favorite new character had to be a Whipjack named Plucky with her feisty attitude that matched her name. I also liked the young, mysterious Ander who belonged to the Order. There's also another interesting character named Dimber Damber Cochrane who kept me, and Trenton and Kallista on their toes.

-World Building: This aspect takes a huge leap in this second book. We find out so much more about the world that Mysteries of Cove is set in. Readers also learn more about the history and happenings outside of the city of Discovery, also known as Cove. The revelations near the end of the book are quite shocking.

-Dragons: Yes! There are more dragons and I can't wait to learn even more about them. I love dragons and anytime they are in a book is a plus to me. But, they are becoming even more dangerous this time around.

-Changes in Discovery:(SPOILERS for book one) I was so happy when it was revealed about the changes that had taken place in Discovery since Trenton and Kallista had gone off exploring. Trenton returns to find out that being creative is no longer banned! He is shocked to see art work displayed after it had been locked up for so many years. There is also a happy surprise about Trenton's father that is revealed that I'm not sharing because I want you to be as excited as I was in chapter 27. Let's just say that Trenton soon realizes that he has returned to a very different city than the one he'd left.

Character Growth: Trenton is the one that makes so many amazing changes in Gears, not only physically, but changes in how he thinks about others and in his own levels of confidence. It's always so satisfying to experience that with a character.But,there is also a message at the end that Kallista shares with Trenton that I loved...

"I once asked my father for the best piece of advice he could give me...He said to give yourself permission to fail." 

"That's real encouraging." 

 "It actually is," she said, ignoring his sarcasm. "Because if you only try the things you believe you can do, you'll only accomplish the things you already knew you could do. But if you give yourself permission to fail, you're free to try the things that seem completely beyond your reach. And that's when magic happens." 

That was so insane it was brilliant. 

What wonderful words for kids and adults to remember!

Over all, this book is so exciting: filled with action (Fighting dragons mid-air), intrigue (Who are the good guys and who are the bad? It changes throughout the story), mysteries (figuring out secret plans left by Kallista's father), and a rip-roaring ending that will leave you breathless. So when is book three coming out? I can't wait to read what J. Scott Savage has in store for his characters and his readers. This is absolutely a 5 star read!




About The Author: Meet J. Scott Savage

J. SCOTT SAVAGE is the author of the Farworld middle grade fantasy series and the Case File 13 middle grade monster series. He has been writing and publishing books for over ten years. He has visited over 400 elementary schools, dozens of writers conferences, and taught many writing classes. He has four children and lives with his wife Jennifer and their Border Collie, Pepper, in a windy valley of the Rocky Mountains. 

Learn more about J. Scott Savage and his books HERE
Follow him on twitter: https://twitter.com/jscottsavage 

Book Blitz for Blue Ridge Mountain Escape by Rebecca Bridges

Rebecca Bridges grew up in Oklahoma in the third largest city of that state. Of course, in Oklahoma at that time the population was under one hundred thousand so she’s not a big city girl. She had the opportunity to live in Germany two different times, once in the 1970s and again in the early 2000s, for a total of eight years. Living in Germany she took advantage of the close proximity of all the other countries to travel and shop. Yes, she enjoys shopping and bargaining for the best price of whatever local goods are available.

Rebecca worked for more than thirty years for the Department of the Army as a computer specialist. In addition she served as a Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. During her life she’s lived in nine different states from California to South Carolina and Texas to Missouri. You’ll notice she’s avoided going too far north since she’s not fond of cold weather!

Rebecca and her husband decided to make South Carolina their retirement home in 2011. Although she dabbled in writing prior to retirement she became committed to honing her craft and set a goal to have her books published. Now she’s completed one book she has another novel and a novella underway.

Growing up in Oklahoma she could see for miles across the plains where buffalo grass, paint brush flowers and mesquite trees grew. Her view today includes ocean waves, dolphins, pelicans and palmetto trees in South Carolina.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~ Twitter ~
 

Author's Top Ten List

1. Anything by Agatha Christie but my favorite is The Mousetrap.

2. An oldie but goodie -- Rebecca by Dame Daphe Du Maurier

3. As a Romance Writer I must include Nora Roberts -- I think the Collector is my favorite so far.

4. Jude Deveraux -- who doesn't like the Montgomery's and Taggerts?  A Knight in Shining Armor is my favorite of hers.

5. Linda Howard is a friend I've known for years and LOVE her books. I think Kill and Tell is my favorite.

6. I heard Karen Rose speak a a conference years ago and got hooked on her books. They're all good but I like Don't Tell best.

7. I enjoy a good laugh so Janet Evanovich does that so well. One for the Money.

8. Forensic science is so fasinating -- Patricia Cornwell's The Body Farm.

9. A master of explaining spy craft details is Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Identity (the Book is soooo much better than the movie, and I loved the movie!)

10. For a look at WWII era courage I love Ken Follett's The Eye of the Needle.

Madison Hendricks shatters U.S. Army Ranger Trevor Montgomery’s self-imposed isolation when she knocks on the door of his mountain cabin. Their initial challenge to stay alive switches to tracking down dangerous criminals and bringing them to justice. Growing attraction pulls at both of them even though neither wants or needs the distraction.

Cover Reveal for Courting the Countess by Donna Hatch

We just had a fantastic release with Author Donna Hatch ... and now we get another one! I am beyond ecstatic! I love her books and I'm excited to share each and every one.

As a little recap - let's take a look at the previous books we've featured for Donna's before we see her newest addition!

And she has even more books we have not featured! Be sure to check them out!


And now ... On to the cover reveal starting with our author!

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with the Author:

      

   

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And finally ... let's check out her fantastic new book!

Synopsis:

When charming rake Tristan Barrett sweeps Lady Elizabeth off her feet, stealing both her heart and a kiss in a secluded garden, her brother challenges Tristan to a duel. The only way to save her brother and Tristan from harm—not to mention preserve her reputation—is to get married. But her father, the Duke of Pemberton, refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. The duke demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry a man who despises her, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love. Richard fears Elizabeth is as untrustworthy as his mother, who ran off with another man. However, to protect his brother from a duel and their family name from further scandal, he agrees to the wedding, certain his new bride will betray him. Yet when Elizabeth turns his house upside down and worms her way into his reluctant heart, Richard suspects he can’t live without his new countess. Will she stay with him or is it too little, too late?

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And now ... are you ready to see the wonderful new cover??

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We love it! So sweet!
But don't just go on our word, Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Then share the fun news and enter the giveaway!

And pre-order your copy of this book here:

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~ AMAZON CA ~ AMAZON AU ~

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Book Blitz and Giveaway for Open-Up by Tanishia

Welcome to T.G. Harris, MFT - Tanishia is a renowned Life Coach, counselor, author, speaker, and radio personality, host, brand ambassador, and now new author!

We are excited to introduce her book to you all today!

Tanishia is a renowned Life Coach, counselor, author, speaker, and radio personality, host, and brand ambassador. She is a conscious transformational expert who thrives on enlightening her clients to step boldly outside their comfort zone and into their greatness. She assists her clients in reaching their highest potential and attaining their lifelong dreams and goals through a powerful series of steps she developed called the Open-up Coaching Method. She embarked on a similar journey as the one you are undertaking, assisted by many of today’s well-known self-help gurus. That is what led to her desire to become a Counseling Psychologist and an Open-up Life Coach.

After the birth of her first daughter (who is now a teenager), she immersed herself in yoga and meditation and has dedicated her time and energy to becoming profoundly aware of her own inner growth and awareness while assisting her clients to do the same. She is a powerful & intuitive high performance coach for those who are ready to hold themselves to a more fulfilled purpose in their life & business.

Tanishia studied earth sciences as an undergraduate at UCLA, and while there, she decided to intern with the Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute. Serving as a resource counselor for HIV+ at-risk youth and women, Tanishia knew she found her calling in the field of Psychology. She went on to obtain her Masters of Science degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She didn’t want to wait until after she graduated to start working with clients, and she also realized that she enjoys coaching clients outside of the normal therapy that she provides in the clinical setting. She launched the Open-up Coaching programs and began speaking and lecturing about her own personal experiences of opening up and healing. She had A LOT of healing within herself that needed to be done.  Her deep desire for self-realization, healing, peace, and balance within herself drew her to the field of coaching and psychology.

Tanishia is very intentional in her practice when working with her clients and she believes that a lot of the challenges her clients are faced with stem from old childhood beliefs systems and paradigms that are operating in the subconscious mind. She believes that we are no longer victims of the past. Today we can move beyond mere survival, and embrace our ability to thrive!

Tanishia also provides mental health services for clients wanting more of a therapeutic counseling session. She provides counseling services to those in need and works under the supervision of a licensed psychologist while she is attaining her hours for licensure. 

Tanishia is a true environmentalist and she believes that being green is a consciousness, not a trend. She has a deep connection to the earth and all things natural. She sits on the Board of Friends of Geography at UCLA and is also a volunteer with the American Red Cross. 

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Instagram ~

This book is written for anyone who has a genuine desire to move forward in their lives but, despite numerous attempts, nothing seems to be working and you keep ending up with the same outcomes year after year. You will learn how to recognize habitual patterns of thought that are sabotaging your life on an unconscious level. Everyone has good intentions for their lives and ultimately wants the best outcomes, but oftentimes we get in our own way by allowing self-destructive thought patterns to impede our good intentions—without actually knowing we are doing so. I know this all too well because this was my life for several years.

This book was written because of my own personal experiences in life, and the experiences of my clients that I serve in my practice. This book gets right down to your core by unveiling the good, the bad, and the ugly about the way you think about yourself and everything that is happening in your life. In essence, this book is entirely about YOU! Most of us try to change ourselves at the level of our thoughts, but true transformation happens at the level at which you vibrate. You will learn how to completely shift your vibrational way of thinking and allow better circumstances to come into your life, whatever they may be. Whether you want to get unstuck in a relationship pattern or a financial pattern that keeps coming up, this book serves as a guide that will explore the moments when you get into trouble, and offers tools for learning to stay with your uneasiness, and offers concrete steps to get unstuck so you can finally move forward in life. 

You will learn the O.P.E.N.U.P. steps: Observation, Permission, Experience, Not Identifying, Understanding, and Practice. These steps will serve as your doorway into revealing the very thing that is keeping you stuck. Once you discover those “hidden” truths about yourself, your entire state of being will be altered, and you will no longer resist all the good that life has in store for you.

~ Amazon USA ~ Amazon UK ~ 

~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~

Book Trailer for Open-Up

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Win 2 Free Movie Passes and Music CD for Hillsong Movie: Let Hope Rise!

 Friday, September 16th 2016, Hillsong: Let Hope Rise hits theaters and you have a chance to win two free movie passes here on my blog. Another winner will receive the Hillsong Movie soundtrack. 

Movie Details:
HILLSONG – LET HOPE RISE! The film explores Hillsong United’s humble beginnings and astonishing rise to prominence as an international church whose songs are sung every Sunday by more than 50 million people worldwide. 

Watch this exclusive clip from the movie and meet the band members...

It's nice that there are films out there that can actually uplift people. Wouldn't it be nice to leave the theater feeling good after watching something meaningful? Well, here's your chance. Enter the giveaway today on the Rafflecoptor form below. 

Please support this film and head to the theater with your whole family to watch something that everyone of all ages can watch.
Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you leave!
Thanks for visiting my blog! 

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Book Blitz and Giveaway for On The Corner of Heartache and Love by Lisa Swinton

We have another wonderful book by author Lisa Swinton today!

It's a fabulous, clean, sweet romance!

Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn't been able to cure it since. Consequently, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor's wife and mother of two, she puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater and church choir.

In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree, painting her house, and baking, especially with chocolate. She loves traveling, reading Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer.

Lisa's Top Ten List

Top Ten Fave Things Today

Chocolate chip cookies

Utz's chocolate covered pretzels

Dirty Turtle custard from Meadows 

Blogilates

Watching movies with my family

Beach

Working with the youth at church

Singing on stage

Peach bread with crumb topping

Toe-curling, heart-warming, clean and wholesome sweet romance with a hint of spice

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~

Maren's stuck at the intersection of heartache and love, but happily ever after might be just around the corner.

After three years, Maren Summers is elated to finally have her dream wedding to her dream man, Kevin Bryant. In her sights is the promotion to Weddings she’s worked so hard for at the newspaper. Happily ever after is within her grasp… 

Until Kevin jilts her at the altar, elopes with another woman, and becomes her boss. Devastated by the twisted turn of events Maren moves in with her best friend and notices the not-so-homeless guy on the corner, Zane Whitfield. As his heart-wrenching tale unfolds—his vow to wait a year on the corner for his lost love—Maren sees his compassionate human-interest story as her ticket away from Kevin, weddings, and her heartache. 

But as the New Year approaches, is Maren headed for heartache again if Zane's lost love returns or has time changed more than one heart?

~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~

~ Amazon CA~Amazon AU ~

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel) by Ruth Roberts-Spotlight and $25 Blog Tour Giveaway

 

Always You by Ruth Roberts 

After tragedy strikes, Diana Mathison finds herself back in her home town of Magnolia Falls, sharing custody of her baby sister with her step sister. Reeling from the death of their parents, the three sisters have to learn how to lean on each other and live life without their two pillars of strength. Diana is full of doubts in her ability to raise a little girl and run her father’s law firm. The last thing she needs is to have Zack Connelly back in her life. The last time she let him in she ended up hurt and broken hearted. Zack has given up on true love. It’s not for him and it’s certainly not with Diana Mathison. He came back to Magnolia Falls to heal after losing his sweet wife and their unborn child at the hands of a drunk driver. Hannah never had a chance at the love and happiness she deserved, therefore neither should he. His life plan is to take care of his sister and niece for as long as they need him, and to be the best veterinarian the town has ever had. That’s enough for him…or is it?  

   Excerpt:   

The girls ran off. Zack and Diana were left looking at each other. Neither spoke. “I think I’ll move to a safer area before I get singed by the fireworks,” Jen said. They turned to look at her. Both had forgotten she was there. “There aren’t any fireworks, Jen,” Diana said, confused. “Sure there are, hon. You just haven’t seen them yet.” She patted Diana’s arm and walked away. *** Diana felt her face get hot as understanding dawned. “She didn’t mean us, did she?” “Afraid so.” Zack’s lips twitched with barely contained amusement. “If you wanted to ask me out you didn’t have to set the girls up to do it,” he teased. “I seem to remember you asking me to dinner,” Diana said. Did the man eat testosterone for breakfast? He looked delicious. His khaki shorts made his tan legs look lean and muscular, and with a red, button-down shirt and brown leather sandals, he looked like he was ready for a walk on the beach. “So how did I end up at your house with you making me dinner?” He winked at her. “Touché,” Diana said. “However, you do have the set up part right. But it wasn’t me. It was Jillian who got the girls to set us up on a date.” “Oh.” She suddenly felt deflated. “You don’t have to go. I can take them. I’m sure you have better things to do with your Saturday night.” “Better than taking the three prettiest girls in town to a movie? Not a chance. Cassidy and I will pick you both up at six.” “You do realize it will be me going, not Liz?” “Of course,” he said, confusion marring his brow. “You said prettiest, I thought you meant Liz,” Diana said. He stopped walking and looked over at her. She found it hard to hold his gaze. She hated feeling vulnerable, being compared to Liz had always made her feel that way. Slowly he cupped her cheek. “I was talking about you. It’s always been you, never Liz. Got it?” Had she ever seen that intense look in his eyes? She nodded. Message received all the way down to her toes. Jen had been right. There were fireworks, and she’d just gotten singed.   

   

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Ruth Roberts
 Romance novelist Ruth Roberts lives in the Big D, where city life abounds but the wide open spaces Texas is famous for are within easy reach. Her books transport readers to the glittering life of high-society, while making the characters normal, fun people we would all like to have as friends. She loves reading, writing and Gilmore Girls. She and her teenage daughter call themselves the real life Gilmore Girls. Her very own romantic hero of twenty years is her greatest inspiration and support.

Website

   

Blog Tour Giveaway 

 $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/30/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway