New Release & Giveaway: Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh

Crown of Oblivion 

by Julie Eshbaugh

Best book I’ve read this year! Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh was an incredibly action packed YA novel from beginning to end! Raw, fresh and unique, this story unfolds in a dystopian setting with themes of injustice, inequality and horrors that people should never have to witness. I was completely enthralled in Astrid’s world and couldn’t get enough of her experiences. The world building was done quite nicely; not over done like some fantasy novels can be, but enough for me to envision the surroundings and still develop my relationship with the main character!

Astrid, an Outsider, is forced to become a surrogate to the princess… she takes all the punishments that the princess deserves for breaking rules and such. My heart immediately broke for Astrid but at the same time, I was intrigued. How does this girl take this pain and suffering and move past it? The Race of Oblivion definitely distracts her well enough.



This race is brutal and cold, and threatening and vicious. Making it worse, the racers are given Oblivion. A drug that makes them lose all memories before even starting the race. The unfolding of each moment is built with such anticipation that I found it very hard to put the back down (and I’m in a fast paced online course at the moment).

I enjoyed Astrid’s encounters with all of the side characters greatly. Just enough interaction but not too much to make the story drag. The action took precedence. Left and right, Astrid was challenged and though some characters helped her in unexpected ways, Astrid ultimately pulled herself through, giving us our desired clever and brave heroine. With family elements throughout, the story felt real and relatable. There is a very, very slow burning romance weaved into this story, but it does not have the spotlight by any means. It does, however, help to see that even in the darkest of times, love shows itself, in many shapes and forms.


Eshbaugh’s latest release is nothing short of compelling and an absolute thrill ride. Crown of Oblivion is a story that I won’t soon forget and nor should I… the ending hints at a sequel ;) This is perfect for any dystopian fan of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner series and more. Get ready for the race of your life!

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**Giveaway**

Did you miss your chance at the amazing pre-order giveaway?!  Well fret no more! I have an extra set of all that's included in the giveaway: Signed bookplate, HeyAtlasCreative designed enamel pin, postcard with book quote and a cut out bookmark of Astrid!  All of this with a hardback copy of Crown of Oblivion!!  

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  U.S. Only - Ends 11/20/2019

Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification or another winner will be chosen!

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Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Christmas in Winter Hill

by Melody Carlson

Published by Fleming H. Revell Company

This was such a sweet story that gave me all the Hallmark Christmas vibes!  I loved the main character Krista as she seemed very real and relatable. She comes from a dysfunctional background but has persevered through it in order to provide a successful future for her and her daughter.  Also, she isn’t afraid to stand on her own two feet and I admire that in a female protagonist.  I felt that she real life comments and advice to offer her daughter which I can relate to as a mother of a 12 year old.  The description of Christmasville was festive and cheerful.  I love reading about small towns that celebrate together.  I come from a suburban area and we only wave hi and bye to our neighbors. 

I do wish the story would have been longer. At times the plot felt driven too quickly and the romance was very rushed, especially considering the background for Conner.  This is my first Melody Carlson book and I would love to read more of work, but I do usually prefer more content in my reads as well as a much slower build to a romance.  Some light flirting and hand holding can really build the anticipation for a reader! 

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publishing company. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. 

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. 

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Review and Giveaway - The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted and Rachelle Dekker

The Girl Behind the Red Rope

By Ted Dekker &

Rachelle Dekker

Published by Revell

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.

Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?

For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.

My Review

I knew that a book by father/daughter duo, Ted and Rachelle Dekker was going to be amazing, I just didn’t realize how stellar it was going to be. I read through this book in two days and was glued to every single page.  The setting was perfect for this dystopian/post-apocalyptic story, one of my favorite kinds. The dialogue between the characters was complex but simple, full of wisdom and fear.  Fear.  What this book is really about, at least to me, is the fear that we all live with every day of our lives.  Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of forgiveness, fear of any and all things grabs hold of us and strangles us with their dark shadowy claws. I thoroughly enjoyed how the Dekker's explored this life stressor and dissected it for each of us to be able to apply it to our own lives in one way or another.  For me, it was more than one!  

In the beginning I felt the MC, Grace to be naive and weak, but really she was controlled and manipulated.  She was controlled by her own fear and the fear of those she loved and respected.  I know so many people that can relate to this! We are a product of our environments and that shows to be true in The Girl Behind the Red Rope but that doesn't mean we can't break the mold.  The description of the Fury were spot on to what I would expect when these times come to pass. I think that because the possibilities that these events can really occur, made the story that much more suspenseful and engaging.  The light that shines throughout this book comes in such an expected way that really pulls at the reader’s heart strings and I couldn’t be more satisfied. There are so many book club questions that reappear and one is, "Did the book change you?"  I can say without a doubt that this one did.  This one opened my eyes to my own fears.  This one opened my heart to forgiveness.  This one changed me.  I was completely enthralled in this story and I cannot wait to read another book by these fantastic writers!

GIVEAWAY

 I'd love to giveaway my copy of this book to someone who truly wants to experience this story!  Just share this blog post on any social media platform and comment below the link to where you shared it! 

Thanks for reading! 

Love, 

Justicereads

Spotlight: The Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Enlightenment of Bees
Author: Rachel Linden
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction

Sometimes a shattered dream leads to an amazing journey. 

At twenty-six, apprentice baker Mia West has her entire life planned out: a Craftsman cottage in Seattle, a job baking at The Butter Emporium, and her first love—her boyfriend, Ethan—by her side. But when Ethan declares he “needs some space,” Mia’s carefully planned future crumbles.

Feeling adrift, Mia joins her vivacious housemate Rosie on a humanitarian trip around the world funded by a reclusive billionaire. Along with a famous grunge rock star, a Rwandan immigrant, and an unsettlingly attractive Hawaiian urban farmer named Kai, Mia and Rosie embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

From the slums of Mumbai to a Hungarian border camp during the refugee crisis, Mia’s heart is challenged and changed in astonishing ways—ways she never could have imagined. As she grapples with how to make a difference in a complicated world, Mia realizes she must choose between the life she thought she wanted and the life unfolding before her.

In a romantic adventure across the globe, The Enlightenment of Bees beautifully explores what it means to find the sweet spot in life where our greatest passions meet the world’s greatest need.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees. Currently, Rachel lives with her family in Seattle, Washington, where she enjoys creating stories about hope, courage, and connection with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:  Website | Facebook | Instagram

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

A Waiting on Wednesday Post- Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh

Note:  Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by the famous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Well now, I've never done an actual "Waiting on Wednesday" post before so I hope Jill doesn't read this and then hunt me down and slay me for butchering her adored meme by the thousands, maybe millions.

I especially hope to do this post justice because I want to spotlight Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh! You know, the amazing author who wrote our most favorite YA historical fantasy series, Ivory and Bone?

If you haven't read that series, then stop, wait, don't stop... Finish reading this post first and then go and read Ivory and Bone and Obsidian and Stars while you are WAITING for Crown of Oblivion!!! (Trust me, you'll want to read all the way to the end...)

Ok, so now that I got that out, I can present to you the breathtaking cover of Crown of Oblivion

Now... I know you want to know what this dangerously gorgeous book is about right?  Here ya go...

Astrid is the surrogate for Princess Renya, which means she bears the physical punishment if Renya steps out of line. Astrid has no choice—she and her family are Outsiders, the lower class of people without magic and without citizenship.

But there is a way out of this life—competing in the deadly Race of Oblivion. To enter the race, an Outsider is administered the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memory clear of their past as they enter a new world with nothing to help them but a slip of paper bearing their name and the first clue. It’s not as simple as solving a puzzle, however—for a majority of the contestants, the race ends in death. But winning would mean not only freedom for Astrid, but citizenship and health care for her entire family. With a dying father to think of, Astrid is desperate to prevail.

From the beginning, the race is filled with twists and turns. One of them is Darius, a fellow racer Astrid meets but isn’t sure she can trust. Though they team up in the race, as Astrid’s memories begin to resurface, she remembers just who he was to her—a scorned foe who may want revenge. Astrid also starts to notice she has powers no Outsider should—which could help her win the race, but also make her a target if anyone finds out. With stakes that couldn’t be higher, Astrid must decide what is more important: risking her life to remember the mysteries of the past, or playing a cutthroat game in order to win her—and her family’s—freedom.

Oh, but wait, there's more!

There's so much excitement for Crown of Oblivion and so there is a pre-order giveaway and super fun and extremely exciting thing that I'll tell you about, in just one minute!  I know you're probably thinking I should just tell you now, but this post is about waiting, right?! 

So if you are seriously clever, and I think you are then you are already considering pre-ordering Crown of Oblivion and here's why... 

Because when you submit your receipt, you will get a signed bookplate with a silver signature and I have to say that's the coolest, also a stunning postcard with a quote, this cut out bookmark of Astrid, our fearless heroine and a super cool pin made by Hey Atlas Creative!  (Not shown here, but follow the link to see!) I'm just saying that's a lot of cool stuff, right? Just click this link to submit your receipt! https://www.julieeshbaugh.com/pre-order-giveaway 

And then that's not all!  Haha!!!  I feel like a game show host a little.  Seriously though, there's an exciting race featuring our girl Astrid here!  

Julie Eshbaugh

We are sending Astrid on a virtual race around the world!  How much fun is that? The #RaceofOblivion is all about posting pictures of a cutout image of Astrid in a variety of different locations.  To participate, follow the link     https://www.julieeshbaugh.com/raceofoblivion  

Oh, and did I mention there's a chance to win $100 worth of books?  My bad, I thought I mentioned that before... Thank you Julie!!  

Well, I hope you all have enjoyed this very long post with reasons on why I'm anxiously awaiting on Crown Of Oblivion and I hope now, that you are too!!!

Amazon

HaperCollins

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Book Depository

Indigo

Books a Million

Indiebound

The Mosaic Collection - Author Spotlight and Giveaway!

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory...
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ's finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

...and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God's grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hannah R. Conway is a military wife, mother of two, middle school teacher, best-selling author, and popular speaker. Her novels are a deployment experience of their own, threaded with faith, and filled with twists and turns. Hannah is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and My Book Therapy. She and her family live in Tennessee.

CONNECT WITH HANNAH: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pnterest

Cornerstone message from the collection: 

            My cornerstone message is about freedom. Freedom from the past, from the messes, the mistakes, regrets, fears, and failures. As a military wife, freedom means so much to me, but as a Christian, I want to be as free on the inside as I am on the outside. This cornerstone message resonates with many believers. We say we’re free, but often we’re in that freedom.

Fun Facts About Hannah!

Favorite place to read: 

            Curled up on my couch with a cup of coffee. A front porch is a pretty good place too.

Favorite book character from childhood: 

            Robin Hood. I love that story! 

Favorite movie: 

            Ever After, or the Harry Potter Series. I seriously could watch all of these movie on repeat.

Favorite quote or Bible verse: 

            John 15:17--”This is my command: Love one another.”

Favorite splurge/treat: 

            Movie theater popcorn! Melting chocolate chips with peanut butter and rice krispies! DELISH!

Favorite character you’ve created: 

            Audria Rylatt from my novella, “Christmas on a Mission”. She has this heart for helping others, and mexican food--we could totally be best friends. 

Last 3 great books you read:  

            The Line Between by Tosca Lee

            Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

            The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bishchof

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.