Lost In His Eyes - Reviewed by Cold Coffee Press

 Let Logan Carruthers Be Your Next Hero!, October 25, 2015

By 

Cold Coffee Press

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This review is from: Lost In His Eyes (Kindle Edition)

Homesteading in the Oklahoma Panhandle in 1894 is getting harder every day, “Hot winds drove a herd of tumbleweeds across endless acres of sod, broken and dried by the late July sun. The devastating drought in Oklahoma continued, leaving everything parched or dying.”

A small cast of well-developed characters bring the story to life as Miss Harlee Wagner accidentally falls into the family well while gathering a bucket of water. Days later and near death, was this stunning man a figment of her imagination, or was he, her long awaited hero?

Fast-pace action, adventure, mystery and romance keeps the reader turning the pages seeking answers to this most unusual mystery.

I quote a passage from the book to show Ginger Simpson’s writing style and the questions Harlee has on her mind. “Harlee took in the scenery again, but her mind wandered. Homesteads much like the one Pa had staked claim to, sat back from the trail, gardens withered, heat waves spiraling upward, and an occasional dust devil swirling in the distance. How did those twisting demons develop when the ground had turned stone-like from the absence of moisture? Could humidity cause enough dampness? Although the area hadn’t had rain for some time, some days were filled with ‘heat you could wear’, as Logan said. Today was one of those days. Harlee’s top clung to her like a second skin; perspiration beaded her forehead and dampened her hair. How she wished she had her old straw hat, but that had disappeared along with her family.”

Cold Coffee Press endorses Lost In His Eyes by Ginger Simpson as a warm, realistic, 1800 period romance published by Books We Love. Thirty plus books have given Ginger Simpson the notoriety that she has earned as a romance author.

I invite you to read (just to name a few); Lost In His Eyes, Ages of Love, Arizona Sky, Betrayed, Dancing Fawn, Destiny's Bride, Discovery, Ellie's Legacy, First Degree Innocence, Hattie's Heroes, Sarah's Heart and Passion, Shortcomings, Time Tantrums and Yellow Moon.

We were given this book in a Kindle/PDF format. This review was completed on October 25, 2015. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press.

You can find a copy at http://store.payloadz.com/details/2383628-ebooks-romance-lost-in-his-eyes.html  YOU'REIN LUCK....THERE'S A BUY ONE GET ONE FREE SALE GOING ON RIGHT NOW!

Welcome Shirley Martin to Dishin' It Out!

Blurb for “Magic Mountain”

Gold!  Legend tells of a fortune in gold, hidden in a cave at Misty Mountain, in a land faraway. 

Princess Olwen must find the treasure . The neighboring warlike country of Volanar has held her brother hostage for years and demands a fortune to free him.  Olwen’s country of Airenn Tir is too poor to pay the ransom.  Her father doesn’t believe the legend of hidden gold and refuses to send anyone to search for the treasure.

So she’ll find the gold herself, Olwen determines.  Disguised as a man and traveling alone, she leaves in the dead of night and travels to a distant land to find the treasure.  Painful surprises await her, for she has no idea she’ll encounter a land of magic . . . and danger.

In Volanar, the king sends his son, Prince Garth, on a mission to find the gold.  The king must have more money to wage war against Airenn Tir.  He knows something the king of Airenn Tir doesn’t know, something his soldiers discovered while occupying part of that land.  Greenstone lies beneath the earth, a precious gem believed to protect people against fatal illnesses.

By accident, Olwen and Garth meet at an inn, neither knowing they have the same goal.  Agreeing to travel together, they each make up a story to mask the true reasons for their trip.  When they both realize they seek the same treasure, trouble follows, and plenty of it.

When Garth discovers that Olwen is a woman, he fights his blossoming attraction for her.  He must not fall in love with her, for they are enemies, each seeking the treasure for their countries. 

 Too soon, Olwen discovers that Garth is a prince, from the very country that is holding her brother hostage.  She wants nothing more to do with him and travels on alone. 

The evil sorceress, Gitta, vows to seize all the gold for herself and kill anyone who stands in her way. 

Who reaches the treasure first becomes a matter of life or death5 star review

***********

Magic Mountain - Adventure, Intrigue and Romance!

By Nancy Bell on October 11, 2015

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Magic Mountain by Shirley Martin

A great read!

A runaway princess seeking to discover gold to ransom her kidnapped brother finds herself in all kinds of hot water. Disguised as a young man, Olwen sets out to find a stash of mythical gold. Along the way she befriends a fellow traveler, who unbeknownst to her is seeking the same treasure. Many trials and tribulations have to be endured before the story roars to its satisfying end. A wonderful adventure full of intrigue and romance. If you enjoyed Magic Mountain take a moment to look up Ms. Martin’s other books.

 *********

 Chapter Seven

 “Now, madam, please tell me your real name.”  Dawn was breaking over the meadow, sunlight glimmering on the lake, its waters sparkling like diamonds.  Bird song trilled from the trees, a sound that had awakened her.  She stood before Garth, ready to continue her journey.

  
 Olwen’s face heated. “Wh-what do you mean?”  Just how much had he seen last night?  She’d thought he was asleep when she went swimming.  

 “I mean this.”  Garth reached over and grabbed her cap off, and spiked hair jutted out from her head.  “So I’ll ask you again, what is your real name?”

 Her heart sank, her stomach churning.  Smoothing her fingers over her tousled locks, she turned away for a moment, then faced him again. “Olwen,” she murmured.  What would he do now?   Leave her to travel the rest of the journey alone?  But that had been her original plan, so why should she care? 

 He nodded. “Now we’re getting somewhere.  So tell me the reason for your journey.  And I must say it’s surprising indeed to see such a well-bred lady as you traveling by herself.”

 “Which is why I posed as a man.”

 “And not doing a very convincing job of it.”

 Despite his apparent displeasure with her, she saw how his gaze roamed over her, his eyes alight with interest; dare she call it passion?  She looked up at his blond hair, tousled in the breeze, his straight nose and firm mouth.  He stood tall and well-built, as if no man could ever get the best of him. What would it be like to be enclosed in his arms, his lips on hers?  A rush of warmth captured her body.

 But it was not to be.  He fixed a stern look on her. “And your reason for traveling to Misty Mountain?”

 ‘None of your business.  If you recall,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm, “I started on this sojourn alone.  It was you who asked to accompany me.”   She shook her head. “I’m not beholden to you. And I’m perfectly capable of continuing this trip by myself.” 

 He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again.  He gestured toward the horses. “We’re wasting our time.  Let’s go.”  He turned away from her, but not before she saw the look of chagrin on his face.  She should have been happy that she’d gotten the best of him in this discussion. Then why did a feeling of discomfort settle over her?

You can find your very own copy on Shirley's Books We Love Page.

Reviews to Cry Over - Shortcomings #YA

In this day of snarky comments and reviewers expecting more than the author delivers, this review was a welcome respite from those that require a thick-skin.  Honestly, I've been writing since 2002, so I've learned a thing or two, and the increase in nasty, spiteful reviews is saddening.  I'm very proud to share this review of my young adult novel from a reader who totally GOT the story.  Thank you Charlie, whoever you are.  That's another thing...for some reason people seem to think the only 5-star reviews authors receive are from friends and family.  And how dare someone with my same name review on of my books.  Before you jump to conclusions....know how high to jump.  :) 

 

Although this is a YA, it delivers a message we can all benefit from.  My publisher is Muse It Up and you can find my book by clicking on the link.

5.0 out of 5 stars Shortcomings

By 

Charlie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shortcomings (Kindle Edition)

The first sentence of Ms. Simpson's blurb for Shortcomings says it all...Our shortcomings don't define us... But it's the last part of her first sentence that should scream out at each and every one of us...UNLESS WE LET THEM.

Ms. Simpson's book, Shortcomings, is a story of personal growth and building our own strengths as Cindy accepts and loves the person she is. We all have our own shortcomings; something we don't like about ourselves, whether it is weight, hair, looks, or like Cindy, one leg shorter than the other. But it is how we accept ourselves that defines our lives. Cindy struggled with it--immensely. Ms. Simpson does a great job allowing the reader to see the depth of Cindy's struggles. We can empathize and understand. Most of us have been there at one point or another.

Cindy, 17 and a senior in high school, has recently moved to a new town. Not only does she have to deal with being the new kid in school, but she must endure the stares, whispers and taunts of her `limp' that make her self-conscious and embarrassed. When the star quarterback (her secret crush) asks her for help with his math, she ignores her desires thinking he only wants help because he needs to pass the class to remain on the team. When he asks her to a dance, she believes she is the butt of a cruel joke. Why would he ask her to a dance when she obviously can't `dance!'

To ease her loneliness, Cindy applies for a job at a local salon and becomes the new go-for for the quirky, but confident, owner. Finally, Cindy makes a friend at school, only to witness her friend humiliated by the same antagonist that taunts her. Cindy jumps at the chance to help her friend grow, not even realizing her friend is helping her grow as well. Strength can be found in even the smallest of motives.

In this light romantic and compelling story Cindy triumphs over her shortcomings to become a positive role model for teens and adults alike; to express what it took for this one girl to overcome her own limitations and find happiness and acceptance. Ms. Simpson weaves a great story. It's not an easy fix for Cindy. She doesn't always make the right choices. And sometimes she is her own worst enemy. It's a very true-to-life story which I found almost too coincidental with how I feel about my own self at times. But it's a story I can use as a tool to manage my own self-esteem and grow in loving myself.

I enjoyed Shortcomings and give it five stars and hope all teens and pre-teens will read it and apply it to their own lives. For those that see their own shortcomings in themselves, I hope they will find the courage and strength to love themselves and not let those that would persecute them take their self-esteem away. And for those that are on the bullying side, may the see just what those cruel words and jokes do to the image of another

Through Gypsy Eyes by Killarney Sheffield

I'm not usually drawn to Regencies, but the blurb for this one hooked me. I needed to see why Delilah Daysland was locked in darkness. This is the first book I've read by Killarney Sheffield, and it definitely won't be the last. I usually read with an editorial eye, but nothing about this author's writing drew me away and made me question her motives. In fact, I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning because I couldn't sleep until I finished the story.

Ms. Sheffield's descriptive abilities drew me in and connected me with her characters at once. Her title remained mysterious to me until well into the book when she discovered her relationship with Gypsies and how her "seeing-eye" pony, Jester came to be such an important part of her life. You might wonder about how an unsighted woman learns to "see," but the manner will be well-revealed along with a great big shock that rocked me almost as much as it did the heroine.

I wanted her to stop fighting her physical attraction for Lord Frost, but loved her catty conversations with him when he tried to manage her life on behalf of the King. All-in-all, this was a story I will long remember and I'm so glad I read it. If you're looking for a romance that contains a whole lot more, you'll appreciate the fact she's left most of the sexual exploits to your own fantasies, and she's written in twists and turns you'll not see coming. I consider this worthy of my "I Dug It" award.

This book is published by Crimson Romance and available through on Amazon

Ginger Reviews DeadBeat Dads by Roseanne Dowell

Roseanne Dowell always manages to add twists and turns in her stories that surprise me.  I've come to love her paraphrasing and redundant use of words, because that's how we as humans think.  We don't take time to consider we've just said a word and struggle to find another with the same meaning.  Our shared publisher let's us write our stories as we want them, and the editors respect that.  Ms. Dowell's books are truly "life-like" and Deadbeat Dads is no different.

In this story, the heroine, like so many other women, finds herself alone, raising children with a husband who grew bored with their life together.  Bitterness is a big part of the equation, and she fairly adds in a man who suffers through being deserted by his wife.  Through an organization called WEDD (Wives Enraged with Deadbeat Dads), she finds and provides solace in knowing there are others in the same boat.

If you want to know the surprise elements of the book, you'll have to read it for yourself, but suffice to say, you'll definitely not see them coming. Oh, the romance is a given, but the road taken to get there isn't quite the norm.

 This is a quick read, but a satisfying one that makes you stop and think...either you're better off without the jerk or you've married someone great who won't ever become one.

As a wife who married a man with children from a previous marriage, I don't know how a new wife could respect a person who didn't show responsibility for his offspring.  We paid child support until the children reached age eighteen, but regardless of their ages now, they still both know their dad is here for them and always will be.  Just for the record, I could have started a group called SSAAES, but I just bit my tongue until it bled.  Surprised I still have one.

Good job, Roseanne.  Yet another entertaining story.

Keowee Valley Reviewed by Ginger Simpson

Keowee Valley by Katherine Scott Crawford:

The year is 1768 and twenty-five-year-old Quincy McFadden has visions.  When she receives one revealing that her cousin is alive and held captive by Shawnee Indians, Quinn gives up her uneventful life with her grandfather and sets off with a vision far beyond saving her relative.

Deep in the rough and rugged South Caroline Blue Ridge mountains, Quincy meets and bestows her trust and heart to a half-blood tracker, Jack Wolf. Together with his Indian brother, the two men achieve milestones a woman never could, and with visions of the upheaval between the King of England and those who wish to overthrow him, Quinn's life as head of her own little township becomes even more tense and exciting as she must learn to trust the man she loves...a man who could harbor hatred for the life she hopes to continue to build in a land that holds such beauty.

As a debut novel, I was quite enthralled with this story.  Although for me, it did bog down a bit at the beginning, the lull didn't dim my desire to know the outcome of the storyline.  I was particularly drawn in by the descriptive abilities and beautiful scenes portrayed by Ms. Crawford.  If this is her first offering, I can only imagine how wonderful her novels yet to come will be.

I highly recommend this book based on so many facets, including the historical accuracy and the fact that I was captured by each and everyone of her characters.  If I had to pick what she excels in, I would say descriptive phrasing that puts the reader immediately in the scene.  She's wonderful at showing and not telling.

This review was meant to appear on Historical Novel Reviews site, but due to eye issues which kept me from posting timely reviews, I am no longer a member of that group.  I humbly offer my apologies to the author, and present her with my "I Dug It" Award, which I only present to authors whose books I truly have or will enjoy during this year.

Ginger's Sunday Sampler

As some of you may know, I occasionally review books for Historical Novel Review, a group in which I maintain great pride because of the collective talent there, both in reviewing and writing.  I just started my latest "adventure," and I'm so impressed with the first chapter, I just had to share a sample with you.  I'll be doing a full review soon at http://historicalnovelreview.blogspot.com.
  

Waking Storm's Winter by Kathryn Adams
(Released June 2012)

Excerpt:

"Are we ready for winter?" she asked the shadow standing beside her at the window.  No reply.

He had remained by her side throughout the heat of the summer.  She remembered the warmth of his touch on her shoulder as the sun beamed hotly upon them, his hand lightly caressing her hair as summer breezes swept past.  At the close of the day spent toiling along on their homestead, her fingers tugged at her wrist as she dipped a weary hand into the cool mountain stream flowing below the meadow.

Tinged with sadness, his touch remained throughout the fading days of fall.  She had felt his cool tears falling on her cheeks as dripping rains plummeted from leaden skies.  She could taste the hard press of his mouth on hers as she bit into a crisp red apple just below the cabin.

She stood still now, in front of the window and waited, waited for a feeling, any feeling.  Nothing.  Each day his touch grew weaker, distant, cold.  Maybe today was the day it disappeared, frozen into stillness by the falling snow.

She studied the granite stone that had stood beneath the aspen on the hill since late May.  For two days she had fought the rock-choked ground to dig the perfect hole.  For two days she had searched surrounding hillsides for the perfect piece of granite.  The bright greens and yellows of spring were flourishing when she used their house to drag the thin slap of pink-and-black-speckled rock from within the shadowed forest.  Lacking tools to carve meaningful symbols upon its surface, she simply allowed the beautiful piece to stand sentry there upon the hill, over the hole, under the aspen tree.  She required no engraved name or date to remember!

This is book one in a series yet to come, and you can find it on Amazon.

As usual, I invite you to share information on your own books, complete with buy links in the comment section, or do as I've done and share something that's grabbed your attention.