Extreme Measures by Michele Ashman Bell-Combined Review and Giveaway

 

Product Description

Title:Extreme Measures

Author: Michelle Ashman Bell

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: May 1st, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-68047-165-6

Paperback: 181 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Following the trauma of her estranged husband's untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She's engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma's life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell's elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret s twisted puzzle.

Sheila's Review

This new quick read (under 200 pages) by Michele Ashman Bell will keep your anxiety high, and find you yelling a lot at the main character Emma. I wanted her to think through things better before she did them. Always listen to your first thoughts, because they’re usually right! As Emma is too easily manipulated by her crazy ex mother-in-law, Margaret, you can hardly believe what is unfolding on the pages. Each little thing that happens you want to scream out warnings to Emma. The suspense is elevated chapter by chapter as Margaret does terrifying things to her. Margaret has many mental problems that are truly at the heart of all of Emma's problems. The author does a great job with writing this insane and very troubled woman.

Thank heavens that Emma’s two close friends, Cassie and Jess investigate why their friend is missing and get Emma’s fiancé, who is traveling overseas, involved. They had a hard time getting the police to help them at first. Overall, the story ends well, but you will go through many heart pounding, page turning, chilling moments before you read the happy ending.

Mindy's Review

I sat down Sunday morning before church expecting to read a few chapters before I got out of bed and ready for my day.  Good thing it was Fast Sunday and I have 1:00 church, because I read the entire book in one sitting!  Extreme Measures is extremely fast-paced and one crazy ride (and I mean that literally).  The whole time I was anxiously turning pages to see what else Margaret would do to poor Emma.  What I really loved was Emma's determination to survive and fight.  She was helpless at first, but as she got stronger, she was really able to keep her wits together when all was hope was crumbling around her.  I really enjoyed the switch in views when the author would show us Emma's friends Cassie and Jess desperately seeking information on what happened to Emma.  They were able to untangle the web of lies and deceit that Margaret did to get her scheme going.  I suspected something early on as to what Margaret's intentions were with Emma, and what really was going on was even more disturbing than what I thought of.  (I'm glad what happened wasn't what I thought.) Although, there was a lot nail-biting suspense, there were some holes that I thought didn't quite get resolved, or were too convenient.  I did think the ending was a perfect way to bring resolution for Emma and her fiance Landon.

4 out of 5 stars.

Meet Author Michele Ashman Bell:

Michele Ashman Bell grew up in St. George, Utah. In fourth grade her
teacher wrote on her report card that she had a tendency to daydream
and would probably do well with creative writing. Her love for books
and learning about people and places has helped her make her teacher's
prediction come true. Michele is the author of many books and Christmas stories. She is married and is the mother of four children,
and a grandma of one. Aside from supporting her children in all of
their many activities, she loves to travel, do research for her
books and eat chocolate.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

Blog Tour Schedule:

*May4th:  http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com, http://littlelightdesigncollective.com

*May 5th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/ 

*May 6th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/ 

*May 7th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*May 8th: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

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Sleeping Beauty and The Beast by Melissa Lemon- Combined Review

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast

Author: Melissa Lemon

Publisher: self

Published: June 20, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1499788808

Paperback/ a combinedKindle: 300 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

Trapped in a cursed sleep, the only experiences Princess Eglantine has are the ones in her dreams. There she meets Prince Henry of Fallund, a neighboring kingdom on the brink of war. Meanwhile, Prince Henry's brother Duncan discovers a vicious beast imprisoned for murder. Captivated by her, he works to free her from both the prison bars she's locked behind and the ones surrounding her heart and mind. Sleeping Beauty and the Beast reinvents and seamlessly intertwines the classic fairy tales Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

I'm so excited to be doing a combined review with my friend and fellow blogger, Mindy Holt. We blog and podcast together at LDS Women's Book Review.

Sheila's Review

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast...two fairy tales woven into one. I absolutely love a well written twisted fairy tale and Melissa Lemon has always done a great job of doing this in the past. I loved Cinder and Ella and also Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem. Sleeping Beauty and the Beast shows again why Melissa has this fairy tale "telling" down to a science. She takes old stories and makes them into a different story. Once familiar characters are now brand new. 

I loved how Sleeping Beauty was written. We hear her tell her own story, even though she's asleep and she can move about in her dreams. This is how she meets Prince Henry. At first he is the only one that can see Princess Eglantine as she floats around in her ethereal form. They become close as they learn to talk, listen and support each other through their trials. 

The Beast part of this fairy tale is unique in that "The Beast" is a woman, not a man. Prince Henry's brother, Duncan, becomes intrigued and obsessed with the wild woman accused of murder. Being different from his brother and how he views the royal life, Duncan goes out of his way to free this agonized woman both physically and mentally. This part of the story truly touched me as Duncan never gave up on this woman that others were so ready to put to death. 

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast will challenge the old telling of these tales. You will find yourself quickly enveloped in the lives of all four characters. The ending will leave you happy and fulfilled. This clean read is suitable for any tween, teen and adult reader who loves a fairy tale with a perfect ending.

Mindy's Review

I have been a fan of Melissa's for a long time.  Her books are fabulous.  Her most recent retelling was Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem, which I loved.  I loved this unique retelling combination of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.  Melissa did a fantastic job with this story.  The characters are intriguing and the story is very enjoyable.  I loved how beauty was only seen by Prince Henry and I really loved how the beast was tamed.  Henry was the only one that could see Eglantine, and that made for some funny and then some uncomfortable scenes for Henry, but the best part was, he didn't care.  Many thought he was losing his mind, including his twin brother Duncan.  Duncan ended up being one of my favorite characters.  His willingness to see the beast in a different way, was very enduring.  

The story switched from Eglantine's point of view while she "slept", to the beast's, which was mostly Duncan visiting her and trying to figure out how to help her.  The fact that the beast was a woman, was a very cool twist.  I especially enjoyed the ending and how it all wrapped up.  

4 out of 5 stars.  If you like fairytales and retellings, you will love this story.  The ending is so satisfying, it will leave you with smiling.  

Author/Book Links

Blog

Goodreads

facebook

Amazon

Hardback

Meet Author Melissa Lemon
Melissa is the author of two other fairy tale retellings: Cinder and Ella and Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem. She is also the author of a sweet romance called Blue Sky. Writing is just one of her passions. She also loves music, reading, baking and exercising. She is wife to a patient man, mother to three spunky girls, and warden to a tolerant cat named Matilda.