Inside the Wong Mind

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book

Title: A Midnight Dance
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 7, 2021

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, and The Love Note. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and their two kids in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her at www.jdpstories.com.

Connect with Joanna: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

My Review

A Midnight Dance
By Joanna Davidson Politano
Rating: 4/5

“What I want . . . is for you to fly.”

I have to admit that the book is delightful and mysterious and brooding and beautiful and inspiring but it didn’t start that way for me. It wasn’t till I got 1/3 of the way through that the story really picked up and peaked my interest. I am so glad I kept reading. Having never read anything from the author before, I was grateful for her beautiful writing and intelligent story telling. She was also able to weave her faith and God’s love throughout the story in a genuine way that complemented the characters’ development.

“Then before I knew it, quite against my will, the dancer’s heart in me was awakening, sparking with life, and answering yes against the silence of the room.”

As someone who loves ballet, I was eager to read this story. As someone who has felt the Lord’s presence and pleasure when worshiping in dance, I loved how Ella’s heart was expressed in her dancing. Her light shown through on the stage and people noticed.

“Turn after turn, dance after dance, I found myself unwinding from the constraints of this world, muffling its beat as my heart matched the rhythm of its Creator.”

I also enjoyed the mystery that kept me guessing till the very end. It was well written and well-deserved.

Highly recommend if you enjoy a story about love, family, faith and dance.

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.

October 12, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Blood From a Stone by David James Warren

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Blood from a Stone JustRead Blog + Review Tour
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Blood From a Stone by David James Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing collectively as David James Warren.

Title: Blood From a Stone
Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #5
Author: David James Warren
Publisher: TriStone Media
Release Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: Time Travel Detective Series

He fled the future with blood on his hands. Now, he’ll do anything to stop a killer.

Tragedy has yet again taken from Detective Rembrandt Stone everything he loves. Now, he has one last chance to get things right and stop a killer he’s been hunting across four timelines. Instead, he gets tangled in a petty crime that just might cost him his one chance at justice.

With two murders to stop, and thirty-eight lives still in the balance, Rembrandt must play his hand against time just right if he wants to win his future. Play it wrong and his life will stay shattered beyond repair.

What sacrifices will he have to make to come home to his wife and daughter?

The stakes have never been higher in the heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat fifth story of the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

CONNECT WITH REMBRANDT STONE: Website | Instagram

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, David Curtis Warren

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame author of ten novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s dad to the two most outstanding sons on the planet and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at http://jameslrubart.com/

CONNECT WITH JAMES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award–winning author of more than eighty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. The mother of four grown children, and married to her real-life hero for over 30 years, she loves traveling and telling stories about life, adventure, and faith.

For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

David Curtis Warren is making his literary debut in these novels, and he’s never been more excited. He looks forward to creating more riveting stories with Susie and Jim, as well as on his own. He’s grateful for his co-writers, family, and faith, buoying him during the pandemic of 2020, and this writing and publishing process.

CONNECT WITH DAVID: Instagram

MY REVIEW

Blood From a Stone
by David James Warren
Book 5 in the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series
Rating: 4.5/5

“I am rewriting all of it, and this time, I’m going to return to a life I know.”

I’m still reeling from that cliffhanger of an ending! Wow. The authors just keep getting better and better. Rembrandt Stone just keeps getting into more and more trouble. I’ve guessed who the villain is but will have to wait till the last book to confirm. This book is worth reading but please read the series in order. They are quick reads that will keep you flipping to the next page. The writing is solid and action packed but with moments of self reflection and regret. The reader will not want to stop reading to figure out what will happen next.

To a time traveler, until you’ve been someplace for a long time, rewriting the past feels like a game. We jump into the moment, armed with knowledge we shouldn’t possess, the older and wiser versions of ourselves, with the goal of rewriting our lives, this time for the better.

Highly recommend if you enjoy time traveling detectives who can’t help themselves.

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.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Blood from a Stone and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 5, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 12, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

October 10, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Elite by Kristen Young

About the Book

Book: Elite (The Collective Underground #2)
Author: Kristen Young
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Release date: September 14, 2021

Where do you find safety when your world is falling apart?

Apprentice Flick thought the Elite Academy was the answer to all her problems. But the revelation of her past turned everything upside down. Now, she is caught between two worlds set on a collision course.

Will she embrace the chaotic memories that flood her every waking moment? Or will she run to the security of her Elite training?

Discovering her parents’ identities takes her to a secret underground bunker where she finds new friends, opportunities, and maybe even love. But Flick must decide where her allegiances lie soon, or the Triumph of Love festival might bring about her demise.

Click here to get your copy!

More in the Series

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Read my review of Apprentice HERE.

About the Author

A Scottish-born Australian author, Kristen Young has worked in children’s and youth ministry for decades. She writes fiction and non-fiction for teens, and always has a notebook on hand to capture stray story ideas. In her spare time she loves hanging out with her family, watching movies with subtitles, and enjoying a little too much chocolate.

My Review

Elite
By Kristen Young
Book 2 in the Collective Underground series
Rating: 4/5

It’s always interesting returning to a series you started reading but not being sure you’ll like the sequel. Don’t be fooled; you will enjoy this next installment from the author. She further expands this universe and does not disappoint. She has a way of drawing the reader into her world and making you care for her characters. When secrets are revealed, things get a little more crazy but the author is just getting started and you can’t stop reading. My only wish is to hear the song for real. I love how the author weaves in the faith aspects.

Highly recommend if you love YA dystopian with lots of sci-fi adventure and mystery with a hint of romance.

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 Kristen

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” ― G.K. Chesterton.

Why do we write fiction? There are lots of reasons, really. We write because we have something
to say. Maybe we write because we just love creating stories. Perhaps we love to entertain. Or
perhaps we write because the stories want to be heard, and we’re just letting them fly.

Or perhaps we know that people want stories for a deeper reason. When life is hard, and work
is a struggle, and the world seems just a little too difficult, it’s a great time to escape into a
different place. Another world, where even though bad things happen, we know there will be a
happy ending.

The responsibility of authors is a heavy one. Our readers entrust their imaginations to us for a
short time, allowing us to draw them into a different place. We give them people to follow, and
let them see the world through other eyes. Dilemmas, threats, relationships and opportunities
— all of these things provide a journey for readers, and give them the chance to explore
alternate ways of dealing with life’s problems. We give people the thrill of knowing that even
under the heaviest challenges, there is a chance to grow and survive.

Chesterton said that children didn’t need to learn about dragons, but to know the dragons could
be overcome. Perhaps even as adults we need a little bit of that, too.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 30
Artistic Nobody, September 30 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1
Inklings and notions, October 2
Inside the Wong Mind, October 2
For Him and My Family, October 3
deb’s Book Review, October 4
Library Lady Kid’s Lit, October 5
Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 7
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 8
Blogging With Carol , October 8
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 9
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 10
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 11
Worthy2Read, October 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 12
Through the fire blogs, October 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kristen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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/11dca/elite-celebration-tour-giveaway

October 2, 2021 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.