Book Reviews

Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter

About the Book

Title: Mulberry Hollow
Series: Riverbend Romance #2
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Publishing: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: April 19, 2022

Living life to the fullest always requires sacrifice.

Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now at risk of developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. She’s driven to protect her loved ones as a workaholic doctor in the tiny mountain town of Riverbend Gap, North Carolina.

Contractor Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail, in memory of the man who died saving his life, when an illness racks his body. After an agonizing fifteen-mile hike to Avery’s clinic, he collapses on her doorstep. He recovers to find himself in debt again, this time to a beautiful doctor.

When he decides to help her renovate a rundown carriage house, the obstacles to their attraction sprout like weeds—starting with the woman waiting for Wes at the end of the trail. Will he be able to relinquish the debt he owes his best friend? And will Avery find the courage to risk everything for love?

The second book in Denise Hunter’s popular Riverbend Romance series explores what it might be like to live fearlessly and free.

Grab your copy here!

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

Connect with Denise: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Review

Mulberry Hollow
by Denise Hunter
Book 2 in the Riverbend Romance series
Rating: 4.5/5

Yay for sequels! After loving Riverbend Gap from Denise Hunter, I was excited to read the next book Mulberry Hollow and discover Avery’s story. However, this story can be read as a standalone but where’s the fun in that? 😉

First, the book cover is stunning. I did not think they could outdo the first book’s cover, but the design team did an amazing job and it looks like a place that I would love to visit.
Second, the premise got me because I am a soon-to-be doctor (I graduate in May) and was very interested to see how the author portrayed a small-town rural doc. Let’s just say I feel like she did a great job. I also liked how the author was not afraid to address Avery’s fears regarding her mother’s illness and how it affected her. And since I’ve never read Wild or seen the movie – only seen that special Gilmore’s Girl episode), it was interesting to address some of the conditions with Wes’ character. Wes’ background was also very interesting with his work overseas and with his PTSD. The author gave a brief glance at what living with PTSD was like for Wes.
Third, the chemistry between the two main characters was swoon worthy and so romantic. I loved them together and felt the bond between them.
Fourth, I always love when the author can weave their faith into the story and bring a message of hope and healing.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romance with humor, small-town charm and second chances.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More in the Series

Read my review of Riverbend Gap here.

April 19, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews

Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney by Daniel Schwabauer

About the Book

Book: Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney
Author: Daniel Schwabauer
Genre: Science Fiction
Release date: March 29, 2022

Can Justice Save the Earth from Extinction?

Maxine Justice is an ambulance-chasing lawyer desperate for relevance and cash when aliens hire her to represent them before the United Nations. An off-planet consortium wants to heal humanity of every natural disease in exchange for 30% of Earth’s gold reserves.

The deal launches Max to legal stardom and makes her an international target for assassins. New Pharma, Sky Cross, MediCorp—the big medical companies all have good reasons to want Max out of the way. Worse, she discovers her alien clients may be planning something more sinister than anyone has imagined.

Can a lawyer who failed the bar exam three times find some way to save the world from global and interstellar conspiracies? Or will humankind’s future end in a galactic courtroom?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Daniel Schwabauer, MA, is a lifelong reader of speculative fiction. His professional work includes stage plays, radio scripts, short stories, newspaper columns, comic books, and telescripting. Daniel’s middle-grade fantasy series, The Legends of Tira-Nor, has received numerous awards, including the 2005 Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Children’s Literature and the 2008 Eric Hoffer Award. He studied science fiction under science-fiction-great James Gunn before graduating from Kansas University’s master’s program in Creative Writing in 1995. He lives in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife and dog.

Website: DanSchwabauer.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Schwabauer
Instagram: instagram.com/daniel.schwabauer

My Review

Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney
by Daniel Schwabauer
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. Having never read anything from this author before I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was able to get my hands on an ARC and also listen to the audiobook which made the experience even better. After I finished reading the book, I realized I have not read a lot of books containing legal language and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. More on that later.

First, the cover is gorgeous and the concept made me want to read it. I’m a huge fan of Enclave and they have an amazing eye for covers and unique stories.

Second, the story was so unique and different and interesting. Lol. The author has an amazing imagination and I can’t wait to read more from him. I gave the book a chance and did not regret it.

Third, the characters are so fun. I loved Maxine’s character. I really enjoyed getting into her head and seeing that world through her eyes. She is definitely someone I’d love to be friends with. 😉 Her passion for justice for her clients was great and I loved how her mind worked. Her relationship with Counselor Singh was so sweet.

Fourth, I laughed so much. The humor is well done and well deserved.

Highly recommend if you enjoy sci-fi with a strong female protagonist, mystery, and humor.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More from Daniel

What in the World is a Galactic Attorney?

Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney started as a short story concept I began twenty-five years ago but never finished. Back then I thought it would be interesting to write about a hostile takeover of the planet by aliens. But instead of using advanced weaponry and space ships, my aliens would conquer Earth the way modern corporations subsume smaller competitors—through the law.

The main problem with my original story idea was the lack of a suitable hero. It wasn’t until 2018 that an off-handed remark from my daughter provided the inspiration I needed to rethink the entire storyline, and an irrepressible, snarky young lawyer named Maxine strode into my imagination and began a hostile takeover of her own.

Yes, this story was going to have aliens in it, but the aliens were not humanity’s real problem. Our real problem was the medical industry. And the insurance industry. And the Department of Justice. And the whole legal profession. Our real problem was ourselves. (Maxine’s problem was that she had no money and no clients, though she did have an axe to grind and a very good reason to give it a fine edge.)

What if Maxine’s search for real solutions to our most corrupt systems led her to realize that Earth’s doom may not come through the cleverness of intergalactic adversaries, but via the corruption of its apex predator?

Could Justice save Earth from extinction then?

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 31
Through the Fire Blogs, April 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 1
Texas Book-aholic, April 2
Inklings and notions, April 3
For Him and My Family, April 4
deb’s Book Review, April 5
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 6
Wishful Endings, April 7
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 8
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 9
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 10
Christina’s Corner, April 10
Artistic Nobody, April 11 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, April 12
Inside the Wong Mind, April 13

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Daniel is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon card, a signed copy of the hardcover!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1c56e/maxine-justice-galactic-attorney-celebration-tour-giveaway

April 13, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Driving Force by Lynette Eason & Kate Angelo

About the Book

Title: Driving Force
Series: Elite Guardians Collection #1
Authors: Lynette Eason presents Kate Angelo
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: March 22, 2022

He’s the last client she wants to protect…

Elite Guardians bodyguard/former sniper CHRISTINA SHERMAN has protected uncooperative clients before—but this time, well her client is bossy, headstrong and occasionally eats off the floor. Yes, he’s a highly trained military working dog, but certainly her skills could be put to better use, right?

Not according to former Special Forces Air Commando GREY PARKER. He needs her help to protect his dog while he undergoes an experimental surgery that could restore his ability to walk. He just needs someone to keep his canine partner safe. Most of all, Grey wants back on his feet so he can track down a deranged scientist known as The Scavenger who unleashed a nerve agent that left Grey sidelined in a wheelchair.

When an attempt is made on Grey’s life, and dead bodies begin piling up—with evidence the same toxin is responsible—suddenly Christina is tasked with keeping both dog and soldier alive…and with them, the secrets that could stop a terrorist attack.

But this time, even Christina might be in over her head.

Dive into the exciting ignition to the Elite Guardians Collection.

Grab your copy here!

Read an Excerpt:

About the Authors

Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 60 books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity series, the Elite Guardians series, the Blue Justice series, and the Danger Never Sleeps series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. Her Elite Guardians series, featuring strong, successful female bodyguards, has captured readers’ hearts and minds. Visit her at www.lynetteeason.com.

Connect with Lynette: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Kate Angelo is an author, minister, and public speaker from Southwest Missouri who works alongside her husband strengthening and encouraging marriages and families through their ministry. As the mother of five mostly grown children, she is fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls—subjects she never intentionally taught while homeschooling. With her chihuahua taking up half of her desk space, she writes suspenseful stories of imperfect people who encounter hope and healing through Jesus. Kate is a tech enthusiast, coffee lover, productivity guru, accomplished knitter, avid boater, prayer warrior, and known klutz. Visit her at kateangelo.com.

Connect with Kate: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

My Review

Driving Force
by Lynette Eason & Kate Angelo
Book 1 in the Elite Guardians Collection
Rating: 4.5/5

“God was her rock, the one who trained her hands for war and her fingers for battle. She refused to let her training fail her now.”

As a huge fan of Lynette Eason, I was super excited to get my hands on an ARC for the new book in her Elite Guardians Collection. Newcomer Kate Angelo does an amazing job of expanding on Eason’s Elite Guardians series and bringing her own voice to a fantastic series with strong female leads. And you can definitely read this as a standalone novel if you haven’t read the Elite Guardians series yet.

First, the book cover is great and quite eye-catching. The heroine is front and center and looks incredibly capable.
Second, the story dives in right away. This story is fast-paced, adrenaline-filled and full of suspense. I was completely hooked from the first chapter.
Third, the main characters are strong yet relatable. Christina has her own ghosts but she does her job well and seems to do it better than others. She is guarded at first but learns to trust. Grey suffers from PTSD and doubts his abilities after becoming wheelchair-bound. I loved how the authors highlighted a hero with a disability and they were not afraid to deal with some of his demons.
Fourth, Boss is amazing, loyal, intelligent, and so adorable. That is all. 😉
Fifth, I always enjoy when an author can incorporate faith aspects into their writing in a non-forced way. The message is very applicable and authentic.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romantic suspense that hooks you from the start and keeps you guessing till the end!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More in the Series

Bookstagram Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the book & $10 Amazon gift card. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on April 11, 2022.)

Enter by going to my Instagram post and following directions.

April 6, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.