The Billionaire's Secret Marriage and a Linky

It isn't often that the main characters in fiction novels have disabilities. I think the challenge for authors who choose to go that route is to do their character justice. That means you need to know what you're writing about! My latest book review, The Billionaire's Secret Marriage, is about a blind businessman with blue prosthetic eyes. The author has had family members who are/were blind and includes a wonderful prologue where she writes about them. If you're looking for more stories like this one, I'm including links to similar book reviews that I've done.

About the Book:

Title: The Billionaire's Secret Marriage | Author: Tamie Dearen | Pages: 289 | Genre: Clean Romance

Book Description:

Stephanie Caldwell made the classic mistake… she fell in love with her boss.

The fact that Bran is blind makes no difference to Steph—she thinks he’s the most handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on. If only she didn’t have to see him every day, she could force herself to give up her pipe dreams. But she can’t quit--she needs this job to pay for her daughter’s medical treatment. To make things worse, he just got engaged!

Billionaire Branson Knight is pragmatic about his love life. He knows women don’t see him as a man, but as a blind person, worthy of pity. His only value lies in his wealth. So his engagement is merely a means to an end. But the last thing he wants to end is his relationship with Stephanie--he’s become dangerously dependent on his efficient personal assistant.

When Bran’s friends drag him off to Las Vegas, he convinces Steph to go along, to prevent him from panicking in the noisy, crowded environment. His fiancée, however, sees the trip as the perfect opportunity to coerce Bran into a quickie wedding. Steph and his friends are determined to prevent the disastrous union. But everyone has a secret…

Only $0.99 on Amazon!

My Review:

The Billionaire's Secret Marriage is a clean romance that has it all. There are wonderful characters, deep issues, humor, intrigue, and great chemistry! There's raw honesty in the character of Bran, the blind billionaire. His friends are also "imperfect," but that's what makes them so unique and wonderful. Steph is Bran's personal assistant who has loved him secretly for the last two years. She's willing to sacrifice her own feelings to make sure that he's happy. Even with her best intentions, things don't go as planned! I highly recommend reading the heart-warming prologue first where the author shares her own family story. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review. Please note that the price was correct at the time of posting.

Related Book Reviews:

2 FREE Clean Romances

Books by Tamie Dearen

Blindsided by Kellie McAllen

Story about a blind lady

Starfall by Jessie Kwak

Story about a deaf girl

The Dragon School Series

by Sarah K.L. Wilson

Story about a lame girl

Many of you already know that I volunteer three mornings a week reading in a sound room at the Blind Institute here in South Africa. The recordings are made available for the blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic. Most of what I read is for learners at the school for the blind. Usually it's English language notes, tests/exams, or textbooks.

One of the blind learners, Ying-Shan, switched this year to my daughter's high school, because of her subject choices, which weren't all available at the blind school. We've known her family for several years. Her little sister and Amanda are in the same class and good friends. Ying-Shan is in grade 10 and highly motivated to go far. She's also taking private German lessons with me, because she sings Opera and German is one of the languages she sings in. She's also an accomplished classical pianist! You can follow her YouTube channel here.

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My Latest Book Reviews:

Dragon School Books 9 & 10

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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #271

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
• Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.

Blog Button Code:

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Weekend Linky

Visit my Blog Hops page to see
what link-ups I take part in.

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Colorful Sunrise and a Linky

Here is another sunrise from my balcony!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

2 of My Favorite Sunrise Posts:

A Dramatic Sunrise and

This Morning's Amazing Sunrise

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Boulders Beach - Part 1

My kids: Samantha, Amanda, Jeremiah, and Jessica

African Penguins at Boulders Beach

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My Latest Book Reviews:

Bash and Lucy Fetch
Team Vera and the Dream Beasts




Kingdom of Ash and Soot

Dragon School Books 9 and 10

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Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
• If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

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This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

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Dragon School Books 9 and 10

Dragon School:

Prince of Dragons

About the Book:

Title: Dragon School: Prince of Dragons | Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson | Genre: Fantasy Adventure | Pages: 95 | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Will the last light fade from the Dominion?

A new story from USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson

With darkness and war spreading across the land, Amel must fight to save her friends and keep them together long enough to fight the evil that stalks them. Will her best efforts be enough?

Fans of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon Riders of Pern and Christopher Paolini’s Eragon will love Dragon School.

Prince of Dragons is episode nine of Dragon School – expect a new episode every eighteen days!

Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

Dragon School: Prince of Dragons is Book 9 in this new and exciting young adult fantasy. Through all the action and adventure, Amel manages to reunite with Leng. The battle keeps heating up and both have duties to fulfill that force them to part once again. At one point, everything seems lost. Then Amel learns a stunning truth about her dragon, Raolcan, that blows her away. This is a quick read with a cliffhanger ending!

Dragon School:

Dark Night

About the Book:

Title: Dragon School: Dark Night | Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson | Genre: Fantasy Adventure | Pages: 96 | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

It’s always blackest before the dawn.

A new story from USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson

Trapped in a cave with Ifrits beating down the front door, a traitor in their midst and a hundred innocent refugees to protect, Amel and Raolcan seem to have no options left.

But when allies discover another option, will they be brave enough to take it - even if it leads to a darker night than any of them have ever seen before?

Fans of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon Riders of Pern and Christopher Paolini’s Eragon will love Dragon School.

Dark Night is episode ten of Dragon School – expect a new episode every eighteen days!

Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

Dragon School: Dark Night is Book 10 in this new and exciting young adult fantasy. Amel is trapped inside a cave with her friends and a traitor while the battle rages on outside. It won't be long before the nearly unstoppable Ifrits force their way in. This story has the most intense action in the series. My heart was pounding the whole way through!

More Dragon School Books:

First Flight (Book 1)

Initiate (Book 2)

The Dark Prince (Book 3)

The Ruby Isles (Book 4)

Dragon School Books 5 and 6

Dragon School Books 7 and 8

More Books by Sarah Wilson:

Unweaving Chronicles

The Ex-Pacifist

The Splitting

The Matsumoto

About the Author:

Sarah K. L. Wilson

USA Today bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson, hails from the rocky Canadian Shield in Northern Ontario where she lives with her husband and two small boys. Her interests include the outdoors, history, and philosophy. Her books are always about fantastical adventures in other worlds.

Website | Twitter

Disclosure: I received an ARC for both books and these are my honest reviews.

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Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts

Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts

Book Blast and $25 Giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts
Authors: Lisa and Michael Cohn
Genre: Children's Book
Number of Pages: 86
Publisher: Canines and Kids Publishing
Publication Date: May 15, 2018
Summary: Sensitive Bash gets grumpy and disruptive when his life is too bright, too loud, too smelly, or too busy. He counts on his dog, Lucy, to help keep him calm. But Paula, Bash's girl-power cousin, is causing all sorts of trouble. Paula says her soccer team has the right to take Lucy away from Bash because girls deserve the very best canine coaches. And superstar Lucy is the most successful coach around! How can Bash show he respects the girls' rights while keeping dear Lucy by his side?

Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa and Michael Cohn have appeared on the Today Show, AM Northwest, and SiriusXM Radio, and in Disney's Babble, as well as other media.

Amazon | Book Shout

Our Review:

My thoughts: Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts teaches an important message candy wrapped with humor. Bash learns that under the Title IX law, girls have equal rights as boys when it comes to the best coaches and education. This is an early chapter book with expressive illustrations.

Amanda's thoughts: I liked that they loved dogs so much and let them be coaches. I think it’s cool that Ally is everywhere. Whenever you need her, she’s there. I like that the grandma is a coach and teaches the best girl team. I also like the grandma’s accent.

Disclosure: We received an ARC of this book. This is our honest and voluntary review.

Our Review of
Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy

About the Author

Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa and Michael Cohn have appeared on the Today Show, SiriusXM Radio, AM Northwest, and in Disney's Babble, the Oregonian, and other media outlets. They are founders of the Roving Reader Leaders. Michael and Lisa have "traveled" 540,000 miles and visited students in 15 countries around the world via Skype in the classroom to discuss their books.

Bash and Lucy Website | Roving Reader Leaders Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+
Goodreads | Bash and Lucy YouTube | Roving Readers Leaders YouTube

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Giveaway ends: June 4, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Lisa Cohn and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kingdom of Ash and Soot Review and a Linky

Kingdom of Ash and Soot

About the Book:

Title: Kingdom of Ash and Soot (The Order of the Crystal Daggers - Book 1) | Author: C.S. Johnson | Publisher: Prodigy Gold Books | Pages: 340 | Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description:

In an age of political unrest and racial divide, one girl's search for truth will determine the future of her kingdom.

Prague, 1870

For the last ten years, nineteen-year-old Eleanora Svobodová has worked as a servant in her stepmother's household, dreaming of the day she will be free to live life on her own terms.

But when her estranged grandmother, Lady Penelope, comes to Prague on behalf of Queen Victoria, everything changes. Throughout Bohemia, a string of murders and secret whispers hint at a larger coup, and Lady Penelope, as the leader of the Order of the Crystal Daggers, an ancient order of spies and soldiers that protect kingdoms and their rulers, is determined to discover the perpetrators. When she offers Eleanora the chance to help her prevent the kingdom from falling apart, she is hesitant to trust her. And while joining means freedom from her stepmother and protecting the people of Prague, Eleanora knows her life will never be the same--or her own.

Can she find a way to be free and still do the right thing? Or will joining the Order only lead to disaster?

With castle intrigue, true love, and family dysfunction, Cinderella meets Mission Impossible in this historical fiction spy adventure series from C. S. Johnson.

Release Date 3 July!

US Links:

Paperback Pre-Order on Amazon

Special Price with Publisher link

My Review:

Kingdom of Ash and Soot is the first book in the Order of the Crystal Daggers, an awesome new series by C.S. Johnson. She blends historical fiction with a touch of Cinderella and plenty of espionage. We meet her dynamic characters in the fabulous setting of 1870 Prague.

The line between right and wrong gets blurry when lies are the norm and assassinations are expected. 19-year-old Eleanora must decide if she wants to make a difference. She has high ideals, but does she realize the cost it will take? And, do her ideals fit with those of her grandmother, Lady Penelope? There must be a reason why her mother never told her grandmother that she and her brother existed.

This is C.S. Johnson’s best work of fiction to date. Be prepared to want to read the entire series, because the first book has a cliffhanger ending!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

C.S. Johnson Author Interview

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My Latest Book Posts:

Across the Floors of Silent Seas

by C.S. Johnson

Bash and Lucy Fetch

Team Vera and the Dream Beasts

Selah's Painted Dream

and a $25 Giveaway!

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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #270

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
• Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.

Blog Button Code:

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Weekend Linky

Visit my Blog Hops page to see
what link-ups I take part in.

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Across the Floors of Silent Seas

Across the Floors of Silent Seas

About the Book:

Title: Across the Floors of Silent Seas (a Prequel Novella to Till Human Voices Wake Us)  | Author: C.S. Johnson | Pages: 69 | Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Book Description:

Do mermaids believe in humans?

While working on a deep-sea diving assignment at the University of California, oceanography student Jay Bishop is dragged into a volcanic tube towards the earth's core and certain death.

But much to his surprise, Jay not only survives the fall, he finds himself taken prisoner by a community of mermaids and kept alive as a science experiment. Confused and disoriented, Jay's only hope to escape back to the surface is found in Paga, an elder of the community who believes Jay's unexpected arrival marks the fulfillment of a terrifying prophecy.

With the community rising against them, Jay and Paga face dangerous choices -- and their consequences -- if Jay is ever to see home again. Will Jay make it back to the world on the surface? And even if he does, how can his life ever be the same ever again?

Enjoy this short story adventure tale set before Till Human Voices Wake Us, a science fantasy novel from C. S. Johnson.

Purchase on Amazon

My Review:

Across the Floors of Silent Seas is a unique story about mermaids who don't believe that humans exist. Jay is a human who, after a diving accident, ends up rescued by mermaids. Even though they keep him for observation and run many tests, they don't believe his claims of coming from the world above. None of them do, except for one counsel member named Paga. This novella has an element of thriller/horror and it's also an allegory.

Related Posts:
C.S. Johnson Author Interview
Books by C.S. Johnson

About the Author:

C.S. Johnson

C. S. Johnson is the author of several young adult novels, including sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles series, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family.

Website

Disclosure: I purchased this novella on Amazon when it was on sale. This is my honest review. There are no affiliate links.

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Bright Sunrise and a Linky

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

2 of My Favorite Sunrise Posts:

A Dramatic Sunrise and

This Morning's Amazing Sunrise

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Cape of Good Hope
Nature Reserve - Part 3

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My Latest Book Reviews:

The Jester King Series

The Trust of a Billionaire

Clean Romance

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Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
• If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

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This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

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The Jester King Fantasy Series by K.C. Herbel

The Jester King Fantasy Series

by K.C. Herbel

The Complete Series (Books 1 - 4)

The Innkeeper's Son

Book 1

My Review:

The Innkeeper's Son is one of the best fantasy books that I've read in 2017! It reminded me of the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. When I got to the end of the book, I discovered that these authors were K.C. Herbel's inspiration. It was a page-turner of a story with plenty of lively characters and evil ones too.

There are many lighthearted moments following Billy's humorous antics, which are sometimes planned, but often not. Billy's sunny disposition puts many in a good mood, but others want him dead. His naturally trusting manner could put him in peril. I had so much fun reading Book 1 that I can't wait to read Book 2, The Jester!

The Jester

Book 2

My Review:

The Jester is the second book in The Jester King Fantasy Series. Billy is finding his place as the royal jester and friend to the royals, however his joy is short lived. Billy has to navigate the dangers of court intrigue mostly on his own. He has a vision and knows that the princess' life is in danger. He also knows that the king is being poisoned, but no one believes him. He's just a young silly jester. It must be difficult being in his shoes. With the horrors he faces in Book 2, he loses some of his childlike ways and begins embracing the man that he will become. 

The Prince

Book 3

My Review:

The Prince (Book 3) is the darkest of the books in The Jester King Fantasy Series. It's also one of the most memorable. The characters find themselves in intense situations. There are tortured souls and plenty of injustice. Billy is torn between helping his friends and saving two different kingdoms. Evil is loose in the lands and Billy begins using a darker side to magic. Time is running out, but Billy can't be everywhere at once. At least he has friends at his back, but he knows that one of them might as likely stab him in the back!

The King

Book 4

My Review:

The King (Book 4) is the final book in The Jester King Fantasy Series. Billy is still searching for the spellbinder to save Tirn Aill, the kingdom of the fae, while trying to save his dear friend Merrydith from an execution and take back Lyonesse from the usurper Ergyfel and the invading Gwythian army. Billy is facing his own demon besides the ones evil sorcerer Ergyfel summons against him. Billy's small team remains faithfully by his side, but one might be there to kill him.

K.C. Herbel brings this exciting adventure to an end with a satisfying denouement. There are so many wonderful characters in this series that I'm looking forward to the upcoming prequel novella, The Sword and The Rose, about Sir Hugh and Lady Merrydith.

About the Author:

K.C. Herbel

K.C. Herbel grew up in New Mexico, works on feature films in Hollywood, and lives with his family in the woods of Virginia. For more detailed information about K.C. and his works, please visit www.TheOtherWorlds.net!

Now that's the official blurb, but I thought you might want to know a little more about me and why I write.

I am very fond of nearly all things fantasy; the way that fantasy draws you in and enthralls your senses in suspense of disbelief. Of course other genres have this ability too, but none speak to my heart like fantasy and science fiction.

My first love affair with fantasy came to me in an old paperback book left behind by my wayward older sister. It was 'The Hobbit' and since then I have been hooked. (I also still own that book!) I did not jump straight into 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy at first and instead picked up C.S. Lewis' 'Chronicles of Narnia', then tried on a somewhat darker lens with Moorcock's 'Elric' series. The next books I remember picking up (meaning the next that had in impact on me) were Magician (and the 6 following books) by Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts, 'Lord Foul's Bane' by Stephen R. Donaldson, and 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It wasn't till after this that I actually picked up 'The Lord of the Rings'. Since then there have been many others to be sure, but too many to name (apologies milords and ladies). What's true is these mentioned here above hold a special place in my heart and I think always will. 'The Hobbit' in particular is very special to me. I suppose it is in part gratitude, as one might feel for a parent, for birthing me into the new and wondrous world of fantasy.

Best wishes and better adventures,
KC

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Check out K.C. Herbel's

author interview here!

Disclosure: I received ARC's of each of these books. These are my honest and voluntary reviews.

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