EVERY HILL and MOUNTAIN by DEBORAY HEAL ~ Blog Tour ~ Giveaway

Visiting another century…not the summer vacation Abby had planned. 

Those who have read Time and Again and Unclaimed Legacy, the first two books in the young adult time-travel trilogy, know that Abby Thomas, is a college student on a summer service project with 11-year-old Merri. And you know that the summer is not going the way Abby had expected—but in a good way. For one thing, she meets a very nice guy named John Roberts. And for another, she discovers a strange computer program called Beautiful House that lets her fast-forward and rewind life. Not her own, of course, but those of the people who lived in Merri’s old house. And the Old Dears’ old house, and…well, any old house. 

And now their computer program is starting to attract attention. 

Since the program worked so well for the Old Dears’ family tree project, Abby’s college roommate Kate hopes it will help her find out more about her ancestor Ned Greenfield. And Kate’s fiancé Ryan thinks the program has lucrative commercial potential. 

Abby and John reluctantly agree to help Kate, but only on the condition that she and Ryan promise to keep the program a secret, because if it fell into the wrong hands…well, no one wants Big Brother invading their privacy. 

The two couples take a trip to the tiny town of Equality, set in the hills of southern Illinois and the breath-taking Shawnee National Forest. According to Kate’s research, Ned Greenfield was born there at a place called Hickory Hill. 

The mayor, police chief, and townspeople are hospitable and helpful—until the topic of Hickory Hill comes up. They seem determined to keep them away, telling them, “There’s nothing there for you to see.”

Eventually they find Hickory Hill on their own—both the mansion and the lonely hill it sits upon. Built in 1834, Hickory Hill stands sentinel over Half Moon Salt Mine where the original owner John Granger accumulated his blood-tainted fortune. 

Abby and her friends meet Miss Granger, Hickory Hill’s current eccentric owner, and they eventually get the chance to time-surf there. Their shocking discovery on the third floor concerning Kate’s ancestor Ned Greenfield is almost too much to bear. What they learn sends them racing to the opposite end of the state to find the missing link in Kate’s family tree. And there they are reminded that God is in the business of redemption—that one day he’ll make all things new.

Deborah Heal, the author of the Time and Again time travel mystery series, was born not far from the setting of her book Every Hill and Mountain and grew up “just down the road” from the setting of Time and Again. 

Today she lives with her husband in Waterloo, Illinois, where she enjoys reading, gardening, and learning about regional history. She has three grown children, three grandchildren, and two canine buddies Digger and Scout (a.k.a. Dr. Bob). 

She loves to interact with her readers, who may learn more about the history behind the books at her website www.deborahheal.com and her Facebook author page www.facebook.com/DeborahHeal. 

Available on Amazon.com: Time and Again Unclaimed Legacy Every Hill and Mountain

My Thoughts

Abby's college roommate and best friend Kate is working on her family tree as a gift to her parent's.  She is under the impression that the computer program Abby has been telling her about will give her the answers she is looking for.  Abby, John and Merri agree to show the program and reveal the secret of time-travel.  When Kate arrives at Merri's house she has a surprise for Abby.  But Abby has an even bigger surprise for Kate.

After all their surprises are revealed about the time travel and Kate introduces her fiance' Ryan they all go to a small town Equality to research Kate's family tree.  Kate's fiance' turns out to be somewhat snooty and appears to be wanting to change sweet Kate.  Abby's friend John has no patience for Ryan's rudeness. 

As they asked around to some of the towns people each time it came to a dead end when the asked about the old mansion Hickory Hill that owned by the owners of the Half Moon Salt Mines.  Rumors have said the old mansion may have been part of the underground railroad.  

What is this town hiding?  Why do they want to keep them away from Hickory Hill? 

The author has quite the imagination when it comes to time-travel and history.  This story is an adventure into ones family history in the state of Illinois.  Meeting some wonderful new characters along with revealing more than Kate had ever hoped to discover.  Each book in this series has brought me to the belief of the possibilities of time-travel. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5. 

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from the author for review.  I was in no way compensated fro this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

Enter the Rafflecopter contest below for a chance to win a set of signed books--the whole trilogy! Open to U.S. addresses only. Winner will be announced. May 16, 2013.

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Author Q&A/Interview with Amber Argle: WITCH BORN (sequel) YA

About Book

Brusenna thought it was finished.

She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong.

She was wrong.

Haven is not the sanctuary it appears to be. Even love is in danger of slipping away like water through cupped hands.

Some things can't be saved.

A new threat merges with the old as the Witches’ dark history begins to catch up with them. Only Brusenna knows the extent of the danger and how to stop it, though doing so might cost her everything.

Including her life.

Will Brusenna be required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

First page:

1. Shadows

The night was so deep the shadows seemed to bleed darkness. Senna glanced toward the hidden sky, searching for the moon that would not come. Not tonight. Even the strongest starlight was strangled by the dense canopy of trees. The temporary blindness was frightening, but it ensured no one would notice her slipping away.

With each step she took, the roar of the waterfall grew louder. Finally, she reached the staircase carved into the side of the cliff. Mindful of the slippery steps, she climbed upward until her muscles burned and sweat broke across her skin despite the chill.

When she’d crested the top and crossed the bleak expanse, she glanced at the frothing sea far below. Sea spray misted her skin. She faced westward, towards the distant land of Tarten. Closing her eyes, she cast her senses across the vast ocean, searching and feeling the faraway echoes of the Four Sisters—Earth, Water, Plants, and Sunlight. She concentrated until she could hear their pain, an aching melody.

Senna’s tears started again, wetting the salty tracks already on her cheeks. At night, her dreams haunted her. Dreams of a withered land and a dying people. With all the strength she had, she sang.


Let not the curse of Witches
Destroy a land of natural riches.
Plants, preserve life in thy roots,
Seeds sleep in earth, send forth no shoots
Until the Witches shall disperse

This terrible and unjust curse.  

About Amber

I am the author of Witch Song and its sequel, Witch Born. I run because I like to eat chocolate and fit in my jeans. I have a thing for vintage inspired clothes, and I firmly believe one can never have enough jewelry, shoes, or books.

Q&A with Amber

1. What made you decide to write about Witches?

I wanted to take something that was often portrayed as dark and evil and twist it into something beautiful and natural. So instead of satanic chanting, my witches sing to control nature. I also wanted to use resonance with the Salem Witch Trials, so though my world is completely fictional, it has many similarities in landscape and technology with seventeenth century New England. 

2. How did you get your book published?

After years of hard work and rejection, I finally found an agent. Dropped him after a year. Had a book contract (for a different book), but the contract was awful so I couldn't sign it. Had another publisher and other agents nearly take it, but it was always nearly. Rhemalda published Witch Song. They did a good job, but when I received my first royalty statement, I realized if I wanted a chance to make any money at this, I was going to have to try something else, so I published Witch Born under my own publishing house.

3. What type of readers will be interested in this series/book?

Readers who enjoy clean fantasy with a touch of romance. 

4. What is special about this series/book?

It's very different from anything else out there. When I first started, there wasn't anyone else doing YA high fantasy except Kristin Cashore. I haven't really heard of other books that use singing as a medium for magic. There's a few more now, but still not many. Also, I'm clean and lyrical. 

5. What differentiates this book from others in this category?

My characters are flawed and make mistakes (read: screw up). Also, I have lots of young girls who relate to Brusenna because she's very shy and unsure in the beginning. 

6. Have you published any other books?

Just these two so far. 

7. Do you plan to publish more books?

I have two coming out next year. Witch Wars, which is a short prequel to Witch Song and follows the events that initiated the Witch wars. 

Winter Queen is the beginning of a whole new trilogy. 

Mortally wounded during a raid, seventeen-year-old Ilyenna is healed by winter fairies who present her with a seductive offer: become one of them and share their power over winter. But that power comes with a price. If she accepts, she will become a force of nature, lose her humanity, and abandon her family.

Unwilling to pay such a high price, Ilyenna is enslaved by the one of the invaders, Darrien. While in captivity, she learns the attack wasn’t just a simple raid but part of a larger plot to overthrow her entire nation. 

With the enemy stealing over the mountains and Darrien coming to take her to his bed, Ilyenna must decide whether to resurrect the power the fairies left behind. Doing so will allow her to defeat Darrien and the other invaders, but if she embraces winter, she will lose herself to that destroying power—forever.  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15829917-winter-queen

Where to buy WITCH BORN:  Barnes&Noble, Amazon, IndieBound, Books-A-Million

* * *

AMBER I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW/Q&A. 

 I AM SURE MY VIEWER/FRIENDS ENJOYED THIS AS MUCH AS I HAVE.  

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BOOK !

WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO READING WITCH BORN!

Blogging for Books Review - Eye of the Sword (The Angelaeon Circle #2) by Karyn Henley

About Karyn


Award-winning author Karyn Henley has written over 100 titles, which include a mix of children’s books and articles, parent-teacher books, articles, and curricula, and preschool musicals and CD’s/DVD’s of original music for children. An accomplished songwriter, Karyn has been a Dove Award nominee, and received a regional Emmy Award as Music Composer for a Christmas television special. She has traveled worldwide speaking to parents and teachers and entertaining children and their families in storytelling/active movement sessions and concerts. Most of her work has been in the area of spiritual development. She is best known as the author of the original version of The Beginner’s Bible, which during the fifteen years it was in print (1989-2004), sold over 5 million copies and was translated into 17 languages.

A graduate of Abilene Christian University (BSEd), Karyn received a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2004. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Karyn’s debut line of YA fantasy novels is entitled Angelaeon Circle, the first release in the series being Breath of Angel, was published by WaterBrook Multnomah in 2011. The second release, Eye of the Sword, will be released March 13, 2011.

Information about Karyn’s spiritual resources can be found at: www.karynhenley.com

About Book

Where angels walk the ground and the future is told in song, does a man of low rank have a chance at love with a princess?

In Camrithia, a land of shadows and mystical secrets, Trevin lives to serve King Laetham. But his heart belongs to the princess, Melaia. When the King sends Trevin on on a dangerous quest to find the missing comains—captains in the king’s army—he must leave Melaia to the advances of a swaggering Dregmoorian prince.

Challenged to prove his worth, Trevin throws himself into his quest. Striving to prove his love, Trevin undertakes a second mission—find the harps Melaia seeks in order to restore the stairway to heaven. Through fire caves, rogue winds, and murderous threats, Trevin remains steadfastly dedicated to his quest—even when he is falsely accused of a heinous crime. As Trevin’s time runs out, he realizes he must face the shame and horror of his own past and the nightmare that has come to life. Will he have the courage to finish what he has started?

Eye of the Sword by Karyn Henley


My Thoughts


I read Breath of Angel, book one in The Angeleon Circle not really expecting to be transported into a mystical world of Angels. I was pleasingly surprised.


In book Two I was glad to continue this journey into The Angeleon Circle. The first couple of pages was fun to get into because Trevin's brother Dwin was acting like a total idiot and was laughing hysterically which drew me in right away.


Main Trevin is a hero on a quest to help Princess Melaia find the remaining magical harps that will restore the stairs to Heaven for the Angels. He is not only on a quest to find the magical harps but to save the Land of Camrithia from the Dregmoors and to save Princess Melaia from being bartered into marriage by her father, King Laetham with the Prince of the Dregmoors.


Plus the romance keeps building between Main Trevin and Princess Melaia. There is so much more I would like to say about this story but I would spoil the book for you.


There are many other characters in this book that hold this story together like connect a dots. Pay close attention some that claim to be friends may be foe.


Are you following the connect a dots that God has set before you or are you creating your own life lines?.


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a five out of five.


Disclosure:
I was provided a copy of this book from Waterbrook Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

Review - Land Beyond the Portal by J. S. Bailey

About Author:

J. S. Bailey; born as Jennifer Schmid on March 28, 1989; is a lifelong resident of Clermont County, Ohio. She is an alumnus of St. Louis School and Clermont Northeastern High School, and plans to graduate from Northern Kentucky University in December 2011.

Bailey has made various attempts at writing over the years and is proud to announce the release of her novel The Land Beyond the Portal, which is now available from all major booksellers.

Bailey enjoys reading books by her favorite authors. She is especially fond of the works of writers Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ted Dekker, Erin Healy, Tosca Lee, Edgar Allan Poe, Roald Dahl, and Eoin Colfer; and always loves a good ghost story regardless of who wrote it. She is also currently trying to read the entire Bible--a feat which so far remains unfinished.

When she isn't working, studying, or glued to a computer screen, Bailey spends time with her husband, Nathan, in their Southwest Ohio home.

Find J. S. Bailey on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-S-Baile...

Find J. S. Bailey on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/jsbailey_author

About Book:

As Laura placed her left foot on the floor, something clicked and a low, humming vibration filled the room. Suddenly she was surrounded by an intense, blinding white light, and she was gone.

It's a dark, snowy night when Laura awakens at the bottom of a staircase with a horrible headache and no idea how she got there. To make matters worse, she is alone in the house, snowed in by a blizzard, with no way to call for help. While exploring the house in a desperate attempt to trigger the return of her memory, she discovers a small room beneath the basement. She steps inside, and an unknown force instantly transports her to a mysterious, pastoral land.

She finds a quaint village that at first glance seems like a peaceful place; but Laura soon learns that peace is merely an illusion. Why are terrible rumors circulating about the village's leader? Why do the villagers worship a sinister deity who bears no resemblance to her own powerful and loving God? Most importantly, will she ever remember who she is and find her way home? In her quest for answers, she uncovers a myriad of forbidden secrets that might keep her trapped in The Land Beyond the Portal.

Paperback, 252 pages

Published July 12th 2011 by Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC

ISBN 1617773115 (ISBN13: 9781617773112)

My Thoughts:
Laura takes a fall down the stairs. She awakens at the foot of the stairs with a headache and a rather large bump on her head. As she tries to get her bearings she realizes she has no idea as to who or where she is. Exploring the house she stumble into the basement and through a hidden door. As soon as she steps inside she is transported through a portal into a land of greenery unlike the snow covered landscape she just left.

This is when things become even stranger for Laura. She is found by two children who are dressed out of the ordinary from herself. They take her to a small village. The author keeps you guessing as to what in their world is going to happen next. Laura makes friends but wasn't sure who to trust in the village.

I loved the ending and anticipate the next book. I will be gifting this book to my teenage grandkids. I think they will enjoy the book even more than I did.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author . I was in no way compensated for my review it is my own opinion.

Was my review helpful yes or no.  permalink

Review: Witch Song by Amber Argyle (Good vs. Evil)

About author:
Amber Argyle grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing her debut novel.


She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters.


She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University.


She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children.

You can follow her on:

Twitter

Facebook

Blog

Website

Paperback, 305 pages
Published September 1st 2011 by Rhemalda Publishing
ISBN 1936850168 (ISBN13: 9781936850167)

About:
The world is changing.


Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons, but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor.


All but Brusenna.


Now the traitor is coming for Brusenna, and ever her guardian can't protect her. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her.


If Brusenna fails, there won't be anything left to save.





My Thoughts:
I got very wrapped up in this book. It was an action packed adventure about a good witch. Brusenna thought she was ostracized because her mother was a witch. She soon finds out that she is the last witch and has to face and defeat the Dark Witch Espen. She soon finds there are witch friends that are eager to help and protect her on her quest to defeat the Dark Witch. She is assigned a guardian to protect her. This is a fast moving story and I did not want to put it down. It had my adrenaline flowing. I need to stop writing about the book before I spoil the story for you.


The author has an amazing imagination to come up with this brilliant story. At one point in the book she could have stopped writing and I would still have cheered her work. But she kept going beyond brilliance.


It is a young adult, fantasy and is a must read. I am definitely not a young adult and I loved it. I am hoping the author will write a sequel.


Even though this book is a out of my Christian genre I highly recommend you read this book you won't regret it.


I rate this book a 5 out of 5


Check out Goodreads/Firstread Giveaway to win a copy  view details here.