Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Apocalyptic Review: Soul Harvest (Left Behind #4) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides  (Left Behind #4)
by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins (Goodreads Author) 

Description:
The world is reeling from a great earthquake. As Nicolae Carpathia begins a worldwide rebuilding campaign, his rage is fueled by an evangelistic effort resulting in the greatest harvest of souls the world has ever seen. Meanwhile, Rayford Steele and Buck Williams search for their loved ones who haven’t been seen since before the earthquake. A repackage of the fourth book in the New York Times best-selling Left Behind series.

My Review:
It’s been a little while since I read book three, but I was pulled in right away by the pacing and the questions surrounding the fates of those who may or may not have been lost in the climactic final pages of the last book.

The story remains faithful to the telling of Rayford’s and Buck’s stories. Their struggles, though on different sides of the earth, are closely related. Both search frantically for their wives. Both dance right along a knife’s edge, defying the Global Community forces while using their positions within it to continue their quests.

I think one of the most interesting developments is discovery of the mark, though it seems a small boon to the faithful with everything else going on, particularly when it seems to afford no protection at all in the face of the continuing biblical catastrophes that plague the earth.

As with the previous stories, this one devotes a good portion to saving souls, both within the pages, and not so subtly, without them. Much of it seems to be written as a parable to the reader. A cautionary tale to be devout and true to the faith before it’s too late to change.

Overall, this is a pretty good book. I think mostly this series will appeal to Christian readers, but those who dig a good apocalyptic story might also like it.


About the Authors:


Timothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins. He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Timothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.

He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.




Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as co-author of the Left Behind series of books with Tim LaHaye. Jenkins has written over 185 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as non-fiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Books in this Series:

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Time Travel Serial Review: Sweet Child of Time (The Chronicles of the Harekaiian #7) by Shanna Lauffey

Sweet Child of Time (The Chronicles of the Harekaiian #7)
by Shanna Lauffey 

Description:
A mysterious folder on a rich man's computer has taunted Kallie for too long. She has to know what it contains and whether it includes sensitive information about her people. Complications along the way send Kallie through time and space and her attempts to find someone who can hack the file leads her to a Harekai she didn't expect to see again.

Surprises lurk within the secret files of a rich man's files and Kallie's attempts to uncover the truth bring insights into every aspect of the path her life has followed. Confusion over how to deal with an enemy at a vulnerable moment tests her sense of compassion, but an accident of timing may lead to someone close to her getting lost in time forever!

My Review:
Sweet Child of Time is the latest installment of the Chronicles of the Harekaiian, an intriguing serial featuring an offset of humans with the ability to time or distance travel at whim. In this one, Kallie feels the pull of adventure and can’t resist it. Despite being safe from Mason and the others who were targeting her people, she can’t let it rest.

Like in some of the previous stories, Kallie hops through a few times, takes in a concert, dabbles in espionage, and thwarts her enemies. All in a day’s work. There were no huge revelations, but she does come to a life-changing decision and we do learn more about a seemingly inconsequential character from an earlier episode, making me thing the fellow might not be as innocent as he’d seemed.

These books are a running story, not individual novels, and are meant to be read in order.

Overall, this was a pretty good episode, not earthshattering, but good. Folks who like time travel, nostalgic peeks into history, and action would probably like this serial.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.

About the Author:

 
Shanna Lauffey is a native Californian currently living in Europe. She spends her time between homes in Sweden, France and the UK. She writes Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance in her spare time between attending university and travelling.

Her first novel, She-Wȕlf, was released 1st January 2012. A Science Fiction series involving time travel is in progress.


Follow Shanna on AmazonGoodreads, and Twitter @ShannaLauffey.

Books by this Author:
Chronicles of the Harekaiian Volume 1 (Books 1-5)


Chronicles of the Harekaiian

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

YA/NA Fantasy Review: Protector (Princesses of Myth #1) by Joanne Wadsworth

Protector (Princesses of Myth #1)
by Joanne Wadsworth

Description:
To love and protect…across worlds.

Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a Halfling—thanks to her warrior father she’s never met—does her own skill of forethought develop.

Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather, but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a Halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate—an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.

With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young couple find their place in the world?

My Review:
Protector is a YA, contemporary fantasy featuring Faith, a teen who has captured the eye of a clairvoyant king from another world. He’s sent protectors to watch over her until she comes into the powers he’s predicted. Meanwhile, Faith is on the fence. She hardly believes what her new friend Belle is telling her, despite the fact that she’s able to communicate with her telepathically. And then the Prince shows up, and she can no longer ignore the truth.

This was a fun read. Faith is likable, feisty, and no nonsense. Despite being caught up in a bond she neither understands nor can escape, she’s not one to give in to the demands of others. She does what she feels is right and fights for her family. There is insta-love, sort of, from the mated bonding, but again, Faith isn’t a pansy. I enjoyed how she stands up to Davio.

As for the magic system, well, it’s intriguing, but occasionally it seems awfully convenient. For example, it’s rather easy for those who can port to jump over to another world, and it also seemed way too easy to learn.

The description of the book states each of these are standalone, but after reading Protector, I feel like there should be more. I want to keep following Faith’s story, but it seems each of the other books will focus on one of the other girls introduced in this one. Also, Faith isn’t a Protector, so why is the book named Protector?

Overall, I liked the story. Though it did have insta-love, some overly convenient plot points, and some repetitiveness, I think folks who enjoy modern YA fantasy would enjoy this one.

I picked this book up while it was on a free promotion.

About the Author:
Joanne Wadsworth is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author who adores getting lost in the world of romance, no matter what era in time that might be. Hot alpha Highlanders hound her, demanding their stories are told and she’s devoted to ensuring they meet their match, whether that be with a feisty lass from the present or far in the past.

Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.

So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…


Follow Joanna on her website, on Twitter and on Goodreads.

Books by this Author:

Highlander Heat Series:


The Matheson Brothers Series:


Clan Matheson Series:
 

The Fae Series:


The Matheson Warriors Series:
, Highlander's Claim, Highlander's Courage, Highlander's Craving

Princesses of Myth Series:
 

Billionaire Bodyguards Series:
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