MEET BOOK BLOGGER REL from RELZ REVIEWZ

I'm so pleased to host this next guest as she's been at this blogging and reviewing thing for so long, she might be the first 'book blogger' I'd heard about when I started back on the path to publication!  Please welcome Rel Mollet!

Deb asks: So, how long have you been reviewing and how did you decide on the theme for your blog?

Rel answers: I’ve been reviewing books for 14 years and have been book blogging at RelzReviewz.com for 12 years.

D- Yes! I was right. It's been a long time!
What’s the best part of being a reviewer?

R- Connecting readers with books and authors. My best book blogging days are when I receive a comment or message from a reader letting me know they read a book or searched out an author on my recommendation, and they fell in love with the story and the author’s talent.

In addition, I’ve had the privilege of attending the ACFW conference in 2013 and 2016, meeting dear author friends along with many amazing writers I’ve been reading for years.

Authors Dorothy Adamek and Tamara Leigh  with Rel Mollet

D-  (PS I got to meet Dot and she's a doll!)
What’s the most difficult part of the ‘the job’?

R- The time commitment, for sure. Blogging is very time intensive from reading, preparing a review, creating the post, adding links, etc. It is a labour of love for me and I wish I had more time to devote to it.

D- What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?

R- I’m halfway through Joanne Bischof’s July release, Sons of Blackbird Mountain. I’m captivated!

D- I'll try not to go all fan girl here, but I had a post Charlie Lionheart hangover for about two weeks after her first book!  Double Sigh.

What keeps you busy or entertained (beyond reading and reviewing!)?

R- My husband and 3 daughters keep me both busy and entertained, no question, along with my work as a Virtual Assistant through my business, Author Support Services.

Rel with Steve and Sherlock

D-What is your fiction favorite…setting? Place and time? Genre’?

R- I read very broadly, but if push comes to shove, romantic suspense is my favourite genre. I’m completely flexible on place, time, and setting, but I have to admit, as an Australian, I’m loving seeing international settings (outside the US) more these days. If you want to venture to Australia in the 1800s, get your hands on Dorothy Adamek’s Carry Me Home. If Europe takes your fancy, Rachel McMillan’s novella, Love in Three Quarter Time, is a must read. You can also visit my beautiful country and the gorgeous New Zealand in Kara Isaac’s Then There Was You. And if you are into globetrotting, travel across a few continents with Ronie Kendig’s Tox Russell and his team in Conspiracy of Silence, Crown of Souls, and the upcoming Thirst of Steel!

That said, as long as connect to the characters and the location and cultural settings are authentic, I’m hooked.

Authors Becky Wade and Kate Breslin with Rel Mollet

D- That's quite a list! And super great word-of-mouth for these authors!
If you had a rainy afternoon alone to watch a movie what would it be?

R- I can’t go past North and South, based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, starring Richard Armitage! And it would have to be an afternoon and an evening as it’s a mini-series rather than a movie.

D- Goodness. If we had a nickel... that series is tops on many a list! Sigh...

And what meal would you have delivered during that latest showing of North and South? I’m paying with my virtual bank account!

R- Mmmm…that’s hard as I’m not a huge fan of take-away food! But nothing beats what we call a Chip Butte 😉 Hot chips (thick cut, not French Fries) from the Fish & Chip shop, brought home placed between two slices of buttered fresh white bread!

image borrowed from BBC America

D-You didn't mention ketchup/catsup, but this is the best I could find!

If you could wiggle your nose and be in your dream career, what would it be? Or are you already living it?

R- I’m living it. After 21 years as a lawyer, I now work full time as a Virtual Assistant to authors in the CBA. I love being able to lift the burden of essential tasks that take away from a writer’s time to do what they do best…writing their stories. I’m privileged to work with talented and passionate storytellers – something I dreamed of doing for ten years before it came to fruition!

D- I dream of  employing one! It's an amazing gift to authors because marketing seems to take up as much time as writing!
What piece of advice would you offer authors who are just starting out?

R- Write, write, write!

Then, if you are heading towards publication, an informative and CURRENT website is a must. Connect and engage authentically on a social media platform of your choice. Don’t be afraid to contact book bloggers (after reading their review policy to be sure your book is a good fit) and ask to be featured.

So, I guess I went with pieces of advice rather than just a piece!

D- That's wonderful!  More is Better and you've got the experience to show for it!
Same for new reviewers—

R- Review, review, review. Share your opinion of the story (not the author) honestly, - what you loved about the setting, characterization, and plot, and what you didn’t - all with sensitivity and grace. Avoid spoilers like the plague!

D- Thanks so much for visiting indulging me! I loved getting to know more about you, and appreciate your visit and your experience!

R- Thanks for having me, Deb – it’s fun to be on the other side of blogging 😊

Rel Mollet with Authors James Rubert and Ronie Kendig

Links

Website: http://relzreviewz.com/

Instagram: RelMollet

Twitter: @Relz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relzreviewz/

HONEYSUCKLE DREAMS by Denise Hunter, Reviewed by Karen Klepsteen

Honeysuckle Dreams reminds me of Denise's earlier books, and that's an entirely good thing. The last couple of books didn't pull me in like they used to, but this one had me hooked right away!

Brady and Hope's modern marriage of convenience seemed realistic and not at all contrived which was very refreshing! Neither of them had the easiest childhood, and both were still working through the scars of their pasts. Because of this, both of them entered their marriage with their eyes wide open but still unsure where everything would lead. Both of them loved Brady's son Sam, and they were willing to do whatever was necessary to give him the happy childhood that he deserved.

As Brady slowly romanced Hope and their relationship became all too real, he had to decide if he was willing to risk opening up to someone else after his first failed marriage. Hope's previous relationship ended more tragically, and she dealt with a lot of anxiety from that. Her inner turmoil caused a lot of the issues in her marriage, but she was still a likable character, and she's very relateable in her inability to face her own issues.

I appreciate that Denise didn't shy away from showing how anxiety and PTSD can manifest itself at the most unexpected times. It's a very real issue that many people deal with every day, and the subject is given the weight and respect that it deserved.

As is the case with a lot of romance novels, Brady's and Hope's differences could've been handled with one honest conversation, but then we wouldn't have all of the wonderful tension and drama that led up to such a sweet ending! It was definitely worth the wait, and the conclusion is very satisfying. I, for one, appreciate a good epilogue too!

I highly recommend Honeysuckle Dreams for both those that already love Denise and those who are just discovering her beautiful stories!

BACK COVER BLURB:

After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.

Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiance.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BUY Honeysuckle Dreams at Amazon 
BUY Honeysuckle Dreams at Christianbook.com
 

Did You Watch the Royal Wedding?

It's on the dish towels! Available from Amazon

Susanne here, with my teacup full of Earl Grey, ready to dish about Saturday's royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel.

I love paper dolls! Amazon

Back in 1981, I woke up at 2 am to watch Lady Diana Spencer marry Prince Charles. I've never forgotten the experience of me and my mom, bleary-eyed and donned in our nightgowns, watching TV in the middle of the night. I was young and thought the entire thing magical.

Naturally, I watched Prince Andrew marry Fergie, too, but we had a VCR by then and we recorded it (no getting up in the middle of the night that time). When Will married Kate a few years ago, we set the DVR and recorded that, too.

Now that it's Harry's turn, I thought I might stay up a little for the early coverage (starting at 1 am my time). Or getting up early to watch the wedding live--around 4 am my time zone--but since I had a commitment out of town that day and I'd be driving, I knew I'd need my sleep.

Having withdrawals already? Maybe coloring will help. Amazon

I set the ol' DVR and went to bed.

It's a bummer not to have watched the wedding live, and to have participated in the fellowship of live-tweeting etc, but I am at an age where sleep wins out every time.

I woke up and looked on my phone right away to see what The Dress looked like and read some initial first impressions.

What about you? Did you get up early to watch?

What did you think of The Wedding Dress?

Did you feel sorry for Meghan with all of the family drama surrounding her big day (like her father staging photos for the paparazzi)?

Which hat/fascinator was your favorite?

Anything else strike you?

Dish in the comments!

***

Royal watcher Susanne Dietze's novel My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho, is a Selah Finalist. www.susannedietze.com. 

NIGHTSHADE by Ronie Kendig, Review by Kim

Ronie Kendig is incredible! She is consistently amazing! And she created Tox! Best. Hero. Ever.  

A couple of warnings for Nightshade. Do not start reading it 25 minutes before you have to start getting ready for church. You will talk yourself into the belief that you really don’t need all that time to get ready when you really do. Don’t read before bed unless you don’t mind hardly any sleep or struggling to put your contacts in the next morning. Finally, don’t start when waiting in the car for your daughter who will be out in 2 minutes. You might ask her to read to you on the drive to school! 

I loved Nightshade! The action starts at the beginning and just keeps going. I really liked the whole concept of a team of discarded heroes working covertly together. I loved ‘meeting’ the other team members and can’t wait to read the other stories in the series. 

I also really liked both Max and Sydney, even though there was a time or two or three (I’m talking to you Sydney!) I wanted to pull them aside and have a quick chat with them. The growth in Max throughout the book was great to read and believable. I also loved the ending especially the last line! I can’t wait to start book two! Just awesome! 

Back Cover Blurb:
They've championed freedom, survived the cruelties of war, and now these same heroes return home. . .wounded and discarded. Former Navy SEAL Max Jacobs is fighting a new war a war for his family. Suffering from PTSD, Max is unable to control his anger and alienates himself from his wife, who files a protective order against him. Their lives are about to collide when Sydney Jacobs hunts down the source of a human interest story at her local newspaper. Will she uncover Nightshade, the elite team Max is covertly working with, and bring danger both to Max and herself?

Available in paperback and hardcover:
Buy Nightshade at Amazon