Armada by Ernest Cline

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and video games he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure. 

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe. 

And then he sees the flying saucer. 

Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the video game he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders.

No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it. 

It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar? 

At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before—one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon.

I had a lot of fun reading Ernest Cline’s Armada. It took me on a far-fetched adventure with teenaged Zack Lightman, as he discovers that the science fiction he loves (in all its forms, like books, movies, and especially video games) has been preparing him for an imminent alien invasion. Funny, nerdy, and full of both pop culture references and spaceship action, Armada is an enjoyable read that has a lot happening to its characters in a short amount of time. I really liked it and would easily recommend it to fellow science fiction readers.

Thanks to Blogging for Books, I received a copy of Armada and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti

As the music fades and a chasm separates her from the passion of her heart, will Lucy's faith song go silent, too? Find out in Cynthia Ruchti's new book, Song of Silence. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes. When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.

Celebrate the release of Song of Silence with a blog tour and giveaway. Two winners will be chosen!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Song of Silence
• A $150 Visa cash card

One second place winner will receive:

• A copy of Song of Silence
• A music-themed prize pack filled with goodies hand-picked by Cynthia

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on May 9th. The winners will be announced May 10th on Cynthia's blog.

About the Book

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they're committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. While Charlie retired early, Lucy is devoted to a long-term career…until the day she has no choice. 

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her from the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith's song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees---and hears---everything.

I’ve realized Cynthia Ruchti has a knack for writing beautifully emotional stories with authentic characters, and Song of Silence is no exception. This latest book by Ruchti tells the story of Lucy Tuttle, as she struggles to face a bleak-looking future after losing her beloved job as a music teacher. And while I have to admit that Lucy annoyed me many times in the beginning (even though her attitude is often understandable), I loved seeing her progress towards hope over the course of the plot. An excellent choice for readers of contemporary fiction (and especially those who also love music), Song of Silence is a well-told and heartfelt story. It moved and encouraged me, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Song of Silence and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

About the Author

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She's the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women's ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

A Dream of Miracles by Ruth Reid

When a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into Amish widow Mattie’s fragile world, can she learn to love again? Find out in Ruth Reid's new book, A Dream of Miracles. When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?

Ruth is celebrating the release of A Dream of Miracles with a Kindle Fire HD 6 giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on May 3!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of A Dream of Miracles
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/3. The winner will be announced at A Dream of Miracles Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Ruth and other fans of Amish fiction, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

About the Book

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again…until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world.

Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son's mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.

Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won't rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo's worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.

When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible---not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo's dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future…or will she simply run away?

A Dream of Miracles tugged on all my heartstrings with its emotional story. It frustrated me (on behalf of its characters) yet still made me smile, and I just loved it.

As I delved into the pages of this third Amish Wonders novel, my heart ached time and again for Mattie Diener, a widowed mother of two children under investigation for abuse. Mattie wants only to live a simple Amish life and take care of her young children, yet encounters judgment and intolerance at nearly every turn when a mysterious illness strikes. Bo Lambright then enters her life as the social services investigator for her case and soon becomes her unlikely (and only partially trusted) confidant. Her situation seems hopeless when presented with so many daunting challenges, but among these challenges, Ruth Reid weaves encouraging threads of faith, love, and community to tell a wholly beautiful story.

From beginning to end, A Dream of Miracles is an encouraging and enjoyable read. Fans of Amish fiction will not want to miss this addition to the genre - I recommend it.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of A Dream of Miracles and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

About the Author

Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She's a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Waiting on Wednesday: Murder Comes by Mail & Every Bride Has Her Day

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: Murder Comes by Mail

Author: A.H. Gabhart

Publisher: Revell

Expected Publication Date: 17 May 2016

A cozy mystery complete with a small town full of charming, quirky characters.

Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn't particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses-a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn't last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs' concerned citizens.

Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves-because the killer could be targeting one of them next.

Readers will love racing along with Deputy Sheriff Keane as the clock ticks in this page-turning mystery.

Title: Every Bride Has Her Day

Author: Janice Thompson

Publisher: Revell

Expected Publication Date: 17 May 2016

Another delightful romance from the queen of romantic comedy.

Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. She's confident she'll make it down the aisle this time-but it still may be easier said than done. A high-society Houston bride has Katie and the Cosmopolitan Bridal team scrambling to get the perfect dress done in time for her spectacular wedding. Meanwhile, Katie finds herself bombarded with everyone's competing visions regarding her own special day-and she's beginning to worry that her own ideas will get lost in the crossfire. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for "her" perfect day? Or will bridal shop chaos and overzealous friends and family make a mess of everything? 

Fan favorite Janice Thompson gives readers what they've been clamoring for: another funny, romantic romp with a Texas twang.

Close to You by Kara Isaac

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

A disgraced scholar running from her past and an entrepreneur chasing his future find themselves thrown together—and fall in love—on a Tolkien tour of New Zealand.

Allison Shire (yes, like where the hobbits live) is a disgraced academic who is done with love. Her belief in “happily ever after” ended the day she discovered her husband was still married to a wife she knew nothing about. She finally finds a use for her English degree by guiding tours through the famous sites featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. By living life on the road and traveling New Zealand as a luxury tour guide, Allison manages to outrun the pain of her past she can’t face.

Jackson Gregory was on the cusp of making it big. Then suddenly his girlfriend left him—for his biggest business competitor—and took his most guarded commercial secrets with her. To make matters worse, the Iowa farm that has been in his family for generations is facing foreclosure. Determined to save his parents from financial ruin, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince his wealthy great-uncle to invest in his next scheme, which means accompanying him to the bottom of the world to spend three weeks pretending to be a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, even though he knows nothing about the stories. The one thing that stands between him and his goal is a know-it-all tour guide who can’t stand him and pegged him as a fake the moment he walked off the plane.

When Allison leads the group through the famous sites of the Tolkien movies, she and Jackson start to see each other differently, and as they keep getting thrown together on the tour, they find themselves drawn to each other. Neither expected to fall in love again, but can they find a way beyond their regrets to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?

This book is so much fun! It made me laugh and smile and just so very, very happy. I highly recommend Kara Isaac’s Close to You. 

The majority of this novel takes place in scenic New Zealand. A tour featuring the beautiful locations made famous by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit brings Allison Shire and Jackson Gregory together, despite their individual reasons for disliking all things Tolkien - and each other. Both Allie and Jackson have pasts that have left them a bit bitter, broken, and spiritually adrift, but a series of comedic mishaps - involving (at different times) mud and horses and a dinner cruise - bring them important lessons and new perspectives.

With plenty of romance, Tolkien references, and witty dialogue amidst heart-wrenching circumstances and spiritual growth, Close to You offers a well-rounded contemporary read. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed with this adventurous and amusing romantic book. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from Kara Isaac.

Thanks to Howard Books, I received a copy of Close to You and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookworm Delights

Hosted weekly by The Broke and the Bookish.



-Book mail: Finally getting to hold in my hands a book I've been eager to read never fails to make me smile. Just yesterday, I came home from work to find The Nest and Her One and Only waiting for me on the porch - happy day.

-Thrift store finds: I love thrift stores, and I love hunting through filled shelves of donated books in search of ones I've been meaning to read (or, perhaps, ones I read and loved, but borrowed from the library). It's great fun for me (though my roommates have to roll their eyes every time I go) and I've been able to make some exciting finds recently.

-Folding a page corner: I know that for many book lovers folding the corner of a page is a big no-no. But for me, it always gives me an extra moment of happiness in my reading experience - I don't know why; I just love it.

-Reading the last page: This, I'm sure, is another big no-no for most book lovers. I know it's cheating a bit, but I can't help myself. I like knowing how a book ends before knowing how it gets there. 

-Finding someone else who likes the same books: Most of my friends are occasional readers, at best, and rarely do we read the same types of books. I don't often have opportunities to gush about books in person and with someone who understands, so when I do, it sure is a treat. Not too long ago, a friend and I realized we both loved the Christiansen Family series - that was a fun lunch.

-Rereading a good book: I don't do reread often, since my TBR list is miles long. But occasionally, I'll make time for a book I've already read and remember loving (but usually not too many other details beyond that). I love revisiting wonderful characters and rediscovering why I enjoyed it so much the first time.

-Understanding a character's reference to another book: A spark of delight always shoots through me when I come across a literary reference I understand because it's to a book I've read. It makes me feel so in-the-know. (I also really enjoy the reverse - finally reading a book I remember being referenced in a different one I read.)

So, tell me - what are your bookworm delights?

At Home in the Father's House: Where You Belong as a Child of the King by John Sheasby with Ken Gire

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

This life changing look at the parable of the father with two sons, one a prodigal, the other faithful but bitter, will change your understanding of that story forever and your relationship with the Father who loves you and welcomes you home, especially if you have struggled with believing you could ever deserve His love. John Sheasby had to overcome a lifetime of shame and doubt because he believed his best would never be good enough for God. God finally broke through, and Sheasby realized he had always had a room in the Father's house and a seat at the table. God was just waiting for him to sit down.

At Home in the Father's House: Where You Belong as a Child of the King is quite inspiring. Though it’s a little, quick read, John Sheasby packs plenty of spiritual truth into its pages. He uses examples from both his personal life and the Bible to offer beneficial perspective on relating to God as the Father. I found it to be a thought-provoking read and would recommend it to Christian readers. 

Thanks to Worthy’s First Look, I received a copy of At Home in the Father’s House and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Together at the Table: A Novel of Lost Love and Second Helpings by Hillary Manton Lodge

★★★★★
Take a sneak peek here.
Goodreads | Amazon

Three months ago, Juliette D’Alisa’s world changed.

In a bittersweet series of events, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse. Juliette and her brother opened their restaurant together to rave reviews, but her romance with Memphis immunologist Neil McLaren ended in anger and tears.

As autumn sweeps into the Pacific Northwest, Juliette feels that she’s finally on the cusp of equilibrium. The restaurant continues to thrive, and her family is closer than ever. She and sous-chef Adrien are seeing each other, both in and out of the kitchen. Just when she thinks her world might stop spinning, a trip to the waterfront lands a familiar face into her path.

Rather than dwell on her personal life, Juliette throws herself into work and research. After reading her grandmother’s letters from war-torn Paris, she still wants to know the full story –  and she’ll travel across countries and oceans to find it.

But even Juliette can’t outrun the man who stole her heart. As she finally uncovers the truth about her family history, what will it mean for her own chances at lasting love?

Catch up with Juliette D’Alisa and her family and friends in Together at the Table, a deliciously enjoyable conclusion to Hillary Manton Lodge’s Two Blue Doors series! 

I’ve loved this series from the start. First A Table by the Window and then Reservations for Two captured my attention (and tastebuds) as I followed Juliette in her endeavors to run a successful restaurant, uncover the secrets of her family’s past, and find love. Both previous novels left me eager to see how Juliette’s story would end, and I have to say that this third one most definitely does not disappoint. Together at the Table concludes the series in a highly satisfying way - finally, I have answers to questions I’ve had since finishing Reservations for Two. With plenty of travel, romance, and mouth-watering food, Together at the Table will please fans of the Two Blue Doors series - I absolutely loved it, highly recommend it (but new and interested readers, be sure to read this series in order), and now look forward to reading more from Hillary Manton Lodge in the future.

Thanks to Blogging for Books, I received a copy of Together at the Table and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Remember to Forget by Ashley Royer

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

In Remember to Forget from Watty Award-winning author Ashley Royer, Levi has refused to speak since the tragic death of his girlfriend, Delia, and can't seem to come out of his depression and hindering self-doubt. Desperate to make some positive change in Levi’s life, his mother sends him to live with his father in Maine. Though the idea of moving from Australia to America seems completely daunting, Levi passively accepts his fate, but once he lands faces personal struggles and self-doubt at the same time he and his dad battle through resentment and misunderstanding. And then, while at therapy, Levi meets Delilah, a girl who eerily reminds him of someone he lost.

Remember to Forget follows Levi Harrison from one side of the world to the other on a necessary journey of healing and discovery. It’s an emotionally engaging read interspersed with great humorous moments that fans of young-adult contemporary fiction will not want to miss.

Levi suffers from depression, anxiety, and mood swings as a result of the unexpected and tragic death of his girlfriend. The grief and pain of this loss drove him to stop speaking for months and isolate himself from the world around him, and this makes him a difficult character to really like at the beginning of the book. He’s rude and self-centered (to an extent, understandably so), but a cast of likeable characters begin to wear down his defenses and help him to see beyond his loss. The more of the book I read, the more I had to and wanted to root for Levi, along with his family and friends.

The characterizations in Remember to Forget, I think, make this novel such an enjoyable read. Levi’s growth over the course of the storyline allows him to value the relationships, new and old, in his life, and I really liked his overall story. It makes for an excellent, quick weekend read, and I recommend it to interested readers.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Remember to Forget and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan

Meet best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem, who launch their own Sherlock Holmes-esque consulting detective business in 1910 Toronto in Rachel McMillan’s The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Rachel is celebrating the release of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder with a Murder Mystery Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on April 28!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
• A magnifying glass necklace
• A bowler hat
• A pocket watch
• A $30 Amazon gift card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 4/28. The winner will be announced at The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Rachel and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

About the Book

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer. 

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor. 

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever---if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

I’m pretty sure there’s no way to not enjoy Rachel McMillan’s The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. With two friends-turned-detectives as adventurous and spirited as Merinda Herringford and Jemima Watts, it’s a delight to read. I highly recommend it.

In early twentieth-century Toronto, Merinda pulls Jem into an Sherlock-Holmes-esque adventure to solve a string of murders. And it’s a fun one, as these two lady detectives don trousers, find quite a bit of trouble amidst the clues, and worry the dashing men in their lives to no end. Merinda has a penchant for concocting eccentric and entertaining schemes, while Jem keeps her grounded (just barely) on the acceptable side of propriety - and the dynamic of their friendship works surprisingly well to bring them, clue after clue, closer to the mysterious truth.

A perfect mix of mystery, history, romance, and humor, The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder is an excellent starting novel to Rachel McMillan’s series. Readers in search of a quick and fun historical read will not be left disappointed. I loved it and am now very eager for another Herringford & Watts adventure.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

And don't forget about the first of the Herringford & Watts Mysteries novellas, "A Singular & Whimsical Problem." It's a great introduction to the series - and a lot of fun, too. 

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Author

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

The Cairo Code by Glenn Meade

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

The international bestseller takes you on a fast-paced, nail-biting thrill ride from the Great Pyramids in Cairo, to behind the Nazi lines in Berlin, to the very seat of democracy as our hero tries to unravel a plot that could kill FDR and Winston Churchill.

To save the Western Allies, he must kill the woman he loves…

November 1943: Adolf Hitler sanctioned his most audacious mission ever—to kill US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill while they visit Cairo for a secret conference to plan the Allied invasion of Europe, an invasion which threatens imminent defeat for Germany.

Only one man is capable of leading the defiant Nazi mission—Major Johann Halder, one of the Abwehr’s most brilliant and daring agents. He is a man with a tortured soul and a talent for the impossible. Accompanied by an expert undercover team and Rachael Stern, the young and beautiful Egyptologist, Halder must race against time across a hostile desert to reach Cairo and successfully complete the assignment, or else forfeit his life and the life of his son.

When US military intelligence hears about the plan, they assign Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Weaver, one of their best officers, to hunt down and eliminate Halder and his team. But for Weaver, as well as for Halder and Stern, there’s more than the balance of war and the lives of the Allied leaders at stake—a pact of love and friendship will be tested in the frantic, high-stakes chase to the death.

Based on a real attempt to kill the President, The Cairo Code is a breathless, suspenseful thriller—a heart-wrenching tale of friendship, love, and treachery set against the exotic and intriguing backdrop of wartime Egypt.

The Cairo Code has no shortage of action - it makes for quite a page-turner. Fans of historical thrillers, be sure to add this book to your to-read list.

A German plot to assassinate the President of the United States during his visit to Cairo threatens to alter the course of World War II and also leaves a trio of friends caught between duty to their countries and loyalty to the bonds of friendship and love. (How could this premise not offer a thrilling read?) With plenty of twists and complications, the story unfolds at a satisfying pace and kept me entirely  intrigued and emotionally invested. Even though it is a hefty and long book (with nearly 600 pages), it’s hard to put down. Too late into the night, I just wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next in this exciting book. 

Needless to say, I really enjoyed Glenn Meade’s The Cairo Code. An excellent mixture of history, suspense, and adventure in a gripping storyline, it is a book I recommend to interested readers.

Thanks to Howard Books, I received a copy of The Cairo Code and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday: Her One and Only & Someone Like You

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: Her One and Only

Author: Becky Wade

Publisher: Bethany House

Expected Publication Date: 3 May 2016

Gray Fowler, star NFL tight end, is being pursued by a stalker, so his team hires a protection agency to keep Gray under the watch of a bodyguard at all times. When Gray meets Dru Porter, an agent assigned to him, he's indignant. How can an attractive young female half his size possibly protect him?

But Dru's a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt. She's also ferociously determined to uncover the identity of Gray's stalker. And she's just as determined to avoid any kind of romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past. But the closer they get to finding the stalker, the closer they grow to each other. As the danger rises, can Dru and Gray entrust their hearts--and their lives-to one another?

Title: Someone Like You

Author: Victoria Bylin

Publisher: Bethany House

Expected Publication Date: 3 May 2016

Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max's father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.

Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he's surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

Hunting Hope: Dig Through the Darkness to Find the Light by Nika Maples

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Hope is not an accident. Sometimes it has to be hunted, and hunting it takes courage.

Hope hunters know how to excavate hope from hardship. There is dirt underneath their fingernails and sweat on their shirts. They rake through the rubble of an unwanted situation, digging into difficult circumstances because they have come to expect that adversity will produce good. They believe that light always triumphs over darkness. They have learned to walk through winter with their eyes on spring.

Nika Maples became a hope hunter after suffering a massive brainstem stroke that left her quadriplegic in her twenties. Doctors warned that she had as little as 48 hours to live, and-if she lived at all-she would never walk or talk again. There was no hope on the horizon. So Nika started to hunt for it. Today, she not only walks, but she speaks to audiences everywhere about the power of hunting hope when a situation appears hopeless. She says hope remains camouflaged in the daily mundane. If we are not looking for it, we will miss it, though it is right before our eyes.

Whether you or someone you know is going through a situation that feels hopeless, you will find encouragement in Hunting Hope. Whether you are experiencing a medical trauma, a financial hardship, or a relational crisis, you will find empowerment in Hunting Hope. As you read, you will cling to 20 truths about God's character and practice 5 daily disciplines that will develop your own character in crisis. 

You will become a hope hunter.

Maybe it doesn't matter what causes suffering in our lives as much as it matters what suffering causes in our lives. Maybe we were all meant to be hope hunters.

Nika Maples uses the experience of her personal struggles to write a beautiful book packed with life-giving hope. Page after page, Hunting Hope: Dig Through the Darkness to Find the Light offers wonderful encouragement and insight for living in difficult seasons and clinging to God’s truth. Any reader will benefit from a reading of Hunting Hope - I know I did. I appreciated all that Maples shares in her book and can easily recommend it. It’s certainly a worthwhile read.

Thanks to Worthy’s First Look, I received a copy of Hunting Hope and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.