I found this tag sitting on my Blogger dashboard a long time agofrom Plottinger Twist. I wasn't tagged, but I thought it looked fun, and I thought I should do it, and I can tag others and spread this around... So here I am, doin' it (regardless of being tag-less). #1 Would you rather read only trilogies or stand-alones?
Oh... Stand-alones wrap up nicely, but trilogies give you more of a story for the adored characters. So, if the characters are fantastic and the plots are good, I'm going to go with trilogies. (I like series, actually, quite a bit.) #2 Would you rather read only male or female authors? Can I just say both? Male and female authors bring different things to their stories, and both are amazing. I just would't want to live without either. (Especially Joanne Bischof. Or Ted Dekker. They. Are. Fantastic.)
#3 Would you rather shop at Barnes and Noble or Amazon? Barnes and Noble, hands down. (I mean, I've got their membership... So COUPONS + FREE SHIPPING = BOOK LOVERS DREAM.) Besides, Barnes and Noble has physical stores! And cafes! Though the coffee is usually bad... But, on the upside, they have some pretty good blueberry muffins.
#4 Would you rather have books become T.V. shows or movies? Movies, generally. But shows would be good too... (One chapter = one episode) It probably depends on the book.
#5 Would you rather read five pages a day or five books a week? Five books a week - because five pages a day would be reader-misery, especially if the book was gripping. But I couldn't read five books a week for an extended period of time! No, siree. #bookcoma
#6 Would you rather be a professional reviewer or an author? Author. No question about it. I want to write my own stories!
#7 Would you rather read your top 20 favorite books over and over again, or always read new ones you've never read before? I choose new books. I really enjoy rereads of favorite books (I actually have reread Brothers at Armssix times now. Um. Yeah. *cough*), but new books bring a fresh excitement!
#8 Would you rather be a librarian or a bookseller? Bookseller, definitely. Totally. And own my own bookstore? Yes, please. With a cafe (that has good coffee). <3
#9 Would you rather read only your favorite genre(s) or anything but your favorite? It would be my favorite genre (or genres) for a reason, so I'd rather read only my favorites. ;) #10 Would you rather read only physical books or e-books?
Physical books all the way. Now, don't get me wrong, I own a Nook, but e-books don't have the special something that physical books do. Turning pages, finding space for them on your bookshelves, having a huge library one day... All those things would never happen with my poor Nook. (Though the Nook is great, because it slips soooo easily into my purse for road trips. Oh, and the edges don't turn up...or down? That's the only downside about physical books - that they can get worn or damaged. And the room they take up...if you have no room left. Which is me currently. :O) That was fun. Because I like talking about books! It's just so enjoyable, for some reason. Ya know? I am officially tagging: Michaila from Mic's Room, Mikayla from The Bubblegum Ballerina, Sarah from Trusting in the Lord, Julia from The Barefoot Gal, and Abigayle from The Left-Handed Typist. Enjoy, guys! And if anybody else thinks this looks like fun: go for it. (Totally just reminded myself of that Sidewalk Prophet's song...) What is your favorite thing about reading? Have YOU ever had a super-crumbly blueberry muffin from Barnes and Noble's cafe? ;)
Hello, blog readers! Guess what today is? Yup. It's my official blogiversary. *cheers* Two years of craziness talking and rambling about life, books, and other such things. Here's to more years of adventuring.
And, I know, I didn't post yesterday, but to make up for it, today I've got my top five adventure books, and the WINNERS OF THE GIVEAWAY!
Ready for the winners!?
Julia Ryan wins Hundred More Years and Allie D.wins When Calls the Heart!!! Congratulations, guys!!! I'll email you shortly!
And, as promised, I've got my top five adventure books. (I'm sure my fellow readers can sympathize with how tough it was to make this list.) Now, adventure books are some of my favorites - Historical Adventure Fiction if one of my favorite genres, but I was surprised to see that, on reflection, quite a few of the books I've read haven't been adventure, necessarily. And, actually, four of the five books I've chosen for this list I read this year. I mean, Brothers at Arms was a reread, but rereads count. ;) Adventure may be my favorite type of book to read, but I also enjoy a wide range of other types of books, which is fun. Diversity is good, don't you think? Without further ado, here they are (and in no particular order, 'cause, ya know, I have a hard time picking favorites anymore...): #1 Facing Up by Bear Grylls
You guys, it's BEAR GRYLLS. He is basically adventure in a person. ;) I was a bit of a fan of Bear before I read this book, so I enjoyed getting to watch (or read...) his journey before, on, and briefly after Everest. It was fun, it was informative, and it kept my interest. I was also happy to read the glimpses he gives of his faith and his family. #2 Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon by John J. Horn
Guns, treasure, British twins, evil, undercover villains, Peru, the Victorian era, crazy natives. Yep. This book combines all that, and in a fun, edge-of-your-seat kind of way. Chester and Lawrence are such opposites, so they work through situations incredibly well together - Law comes up with the plans, but he couldn't very well execute them without Chester's brawn and knowledge of weaponry. Plus, their bantering and slight arguments are funny. #3 Blink of an Eye by Ted Dekker
Blink of an Eye captured me almost immediately. With an unconventional heroine and an unlikely hero, this thriller shines with on-the-edge-of-your-seat chases, near captures, and the hero's sudden bout of clairvoyance. Seth, the hero, was the best character, just because of his backstory and who he was on the inside - really sweet and caring and protective because of what had happened to him. I didn't want to put this down. Yup. Not recommended for the faint of heart. ;) #4 The Young Fur Traders by R.M. Ballantyne
Any of Ballantyne's books are adventurous - it's just how and what he wrote. There are always bad guys versus good guys, a little bit of a message, dangerous situations, some type of wilderness (be it forest or city or jungle), some action scenes... But this one, on top of being filled with the adventures and maybe impetuousness of two boys setting out on their first trip as voyagers in the dense forests of Canada, also included cute, humorous moments and fun characters. (I mean, Fighting the Flames, too! That and The Young Fur Traders are my two favorite Ballantyne books.) And that ending? So funny. I laughed, I smiled, and I enjoyed myself. #5 God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew
Yes, another adventurous autobiography. Because this book gripped me and touched me and made me tear up. I loved it. And it's on my to-read-again-sometime list. ;) Andrew goes through crazy situations, always pulling through and showing up on the other side. God intervenes in his life in amazing ways, and it was really cool to see.
I did really have a hard time picking the last one! Because there were other candidates up for the job. I mean,Secret of the Lost Settlement by John J. Horn was full of action and intense adventure; the Arcrean Conquest series was riddled with fun characters, interesting plot arcs, faith, mystery, and it's fantasy - which is fun; Take This Cup was an interesting, unique story of a young boy destined by God to be the bearer of Jesus' cup at His last Passover, and it brought to my attention connections and things in the Bible that I'd never noticed before...and that is always fun. But I decided, and I *whisper* hope I made the right decision. ;) What is your favorite genre (or genres!) to read? Do you like adventure novels? Have you read any of the above books (even the ones I mentioned but didn't include)? Let me know in the comments!
And to the winners of my giveaway: another huge congrats! I hope you enjoy. <3
Christmas is right around the corner. So is New Years. Because of that, I thought maybe I should drop by and give you the best books I read in the year of 2015...
10.Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke One of the best I've read from Mrs. Oke. This book had little pieces of wisdom I enjoyed stumbling upon. And that Christmas scene with Edward and the scarf? Yeah, that was fun. 9. Secret of the Lost Settlement by John J. Horn
I
reread this in August, I think. I was again brought to tears and
impressed by the amazing message. It was gritty, adventurous,
heart-pounding, and even humorous in rare moments.
8. The Island Queen by R.M. Ballantyne When three ship-wrecked siblings end up on an island that's deserted, more castaways show up, and a 'government' forms, you're in for a fun ride! I liked this book a lot - it's one of the best of Ballantyne's! It was very humorous and lots of fun! I smiled through almost a whole chapter. Yup. That happened. ;)
7. Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliot This
book was really cool! The main characters were, interestingly enough,
brother and sister. They're broken relationship needs mending -
little do they think that a horrible accident will become the starting
point. I really enjoyed the story and some of the characters. It was
funny, touching, and sweet.
6. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom Man, this book. I cried multiple times. I saw World War II in a whole new light - it changed my perspective on the time. The Hiding Place was highly interesting, engaging, touching, and had such a great message. 5.The Heart of Arcrea by Nicole Sager Surprisingly, this one made it on the list. I say surprisingly because as I read each book in the Arcrean Conquest series, the one I had just finished became my favorite Arcrean book. However, after months of not really thinking about the books, I thought about them again and ended up realizing that the first novel in the series, The Heart of Arcrea, was, honestly, the best. We're introduced to fun characters and taken along a sometimes agonizing but interesting and life-changing journey. I loved the way that Druet, the hero of the tale, followed God's leading. Not many books have that in it, and I thought it was really cool. Plus, it's fantasy - a really fun, non-magical fantasy in a land that is seriously unique. You won't forget it. 4. Fighting the Flames: A Tale of the London Fire Brigade by R.M. Ballantyne A book about the London Fire Brigade in the mid-1800s? How cool is that!? I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the story and Willie Willders, one of the main characters. It was interesting and fun and one of the best by Ballantyne I've read.
3.Millie's Steadfast Love by Martha Finley Granted, I did re-read this one, (okay, okay! And the one below...), but I loved it all over again. The characters and the story are so fun. I adore this book. The Millie Keith series holds a special place on my ever burgeoning bookshelves. 2. Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon by John J. Horn This book has been one of my favorite novels for a few years now. It still holds a very special place in my heart and is one of the best books I have read to date. Fun, heart-pounding adventure, charming characters, exotic locations... It's incredibly fun, and I'm so looking forward to rereading it AGAIN with my younger brother.
1. To Get to You by Joanne Bischoff This
book is all about redemption, grace, and second chances. Though the
message isn't forced, it seeps into the crevasses of the story (and your
heart). I enjoyed it a lot! The characters were fun, and the whole
road-trip/broken-son-and-father-relationship story was fantastic and really well done. Intertwined was an adorable romance between the unlikely hero and the homeschooled heroine. (Yes, she's homeschooled.) Super cute. And theeeeeeeere you have it! The top ten books that I read this year. Totally check 'em all out, and totally let me know if you do. (Or if you've already read any of the above books, and if you liked them as much as I did!) ;) They all come recommended (and I've reviewed most of them too. Either here, on my blog, or on Goodreads.) That's all for now, but be on the lookout for another 'Top Ten' post! Merry Christmas! ~Micaiah K.~
Hey, all! Today is special because... Grace Triumphant: A Tale of the Slave Trade has released!!! This is the seventh book written by Alicia Willis, who I have been privileged to be internet-friends with over the last year and a half or so. I have read all (yep...all) six of her already-published novels. My favorite? Rising to the Challenge: A Tale of Perseverance and Unconditional Love (which I got to beta-read for last winter - that was sure a cool experience!).
It also happens to be Alicia's 24th birthday today, so happy birthday! And I'm going to soon be reading Grace Triumphant... (I'm looking forward to that! It sounds like an interesting, faith-based tale.) Without further ado, here's the books synopsis, an interview with Alicia, and links to where you can find her new book (and the author herself). Synopsis:
Profligate London, 1788.
Slave ships haunt the seas, bearing human cargos to further the wealth
of the rich and destroy the souls of the slave traffickers.
Russell
Lawrence is an avid skeptic. Captain of the slave ship Barbados,
wealthy, and a respected leader, he views religion as a crutch for the
weak. But when the debauchery of the slave trade begins to destroy his
good morals, his battle becomes more than fighting pirates and
mutineers. What if there really is a God?
Impressed as a cabin
boy, Jack Dunbar sees his forced service on the Barbados as a God-given
opportunity to witness Christ to the crew. But his efforts to influence
the hardened slavers seems to be doing little good. How is it possible
to live as a Christian on the sin-ravaged seas? Can his light shine
bright in Africa's dark interior?
A tale of adventure on the high
seas, redemption, and faith. Sin abounds. Is grace enough to conquer
doubt and triumph over evil? (Doesn't this sound good?)
Interview time! MK: Hi,
Alicia! Welcome to Adventures Beyond the Horizon. Congratulations on
your book's release! Could you start by telling a little bit about
yourself?
Alicia: Thank
you for having me! I am a 24 year-old Independent Baptist, engaged to
the most wonderful man in the world. When I am not writing or doing
research, I enjoy being the church pianist, a Sunday School teacher,
music teacher, and coffee connoisseur. My fiance and I are to be
married, Lord willing, on February 13 of 2016. We are called to
full-time ministry as missionaries with an emphasis on the deaf.
MK: What inspired Grace Triumphant?
Alicia: The story of Amazing Grace, John Newton, and William Wilberforce were my sources of inspiration.
MK: Were there any ways in which you were encouraged or challenged in your faith-walk while writing this?
Alicia: One cannot write a story about the slave trade and God's amazing grace without being entirely blown away by our awesome God!
MK: What is one thing you're hoping readers will take away from this book?
Alicia: I
hope readers will understand God's amazing grace, forgiveness, and
love. I also hope to clear up the misconceptions about the slave trade
and understand the racism on both sides.
MK: What
does your writing process look like - do you outline and write
everything down, or are you more of a mental planner? (I tend to fall
into the latter category...but then again, I outline in my head.) ;)
Alicia: I am a panster. Towards the end of
the book, I outlined a little bit, just to bring the loose ends
together. However, I am a strong believer in allowing the characters to
tell their own story.
MK: Do you have a favorite book/author?
Alicia: Modern or classic? Oh, Florence Kingsley is my favorite classical author. And I
love Erynn Mangum, Sarah Varland, Anne Mateer, and John J. Horn.
MK: Yes, John J. Horn is really an amazing author - I agree with you there! Okay, Alicia, we must know... Do you have a favorite character from Grace Triumphant? Whose story did you enjoy writing the most? (Or can you just not pick?)
Alicia: That
is hard! I had a difficult time "feeling" Jack at first, but, as he
matured, he really grew on me. I loved Russell from the start and could
totally understand him, which is funny, seeing as he is a skeptic! And
my heart went out to Elizabeth the entire time. So, I cannot really pick
a favorite!
MK: What is your favorite time period - to write or to read about? (I kinda fell in love with the Victorian era when I read Martha Finley's updated A Life of Faith series...and I still love it!) Alicia: The
Middle Ages would be number one. But ancient Rome is a favorite too! I
mostly enjoy writing about those eras, but have found a few books
centered around those times that I have enjoyed reading too!
MK: And, lastly, what inspires you to write - and keep writing?
Alicia: I love history. And I want to bring glory to God! Weaving God-centered
tales around fascinating historical eras always inspires me!
Buy the book (get it signed! That's always a plus!), read it, and enjoy it! I will hopefully (maybe) be posting a review of it once I get my signed copy - and the specially included tea!
Secret of the Lost Settlement: The Duty of Warriors By: John J. Horn Rating: 4 stars Ages: 13/14 and up (for violence, mention of disturbing Roman practices, and overall mature themes) As most of you probably know by now, John J. Horn is my favorite author. He's an incredible writer, and I'm a huge fan. Brothers at Arms? Easily my favorite fictional book. Each of his novels weave together adventure, heart-pounding action, humor, and a whole lot of great story-telling, along with Christian morals and faith messages. But Secret of the Lost Settlement was so completely different than his last two books. The message was bold and John didn't shy away from delving into it. The message is what this book is all about. The duty of warriors? This is it. I think that's sort of what I loved about it. I cried, I laughed, and I hurt. Both times I've read it I've been entwined into the character's lives and the story. Horn has an amazing writing style - he knows how to craft a well-told tale. All of his books are adrenaline-pumping adventures set in exotic locations. You know what, I'll take a detour and talk about locations for a sec. (Random? Maybe a little.) All three books in this series have really amazing settings - the jungles of Peru, the frozen steppes of Siberia, and the icy mountain ranges of Greenland. (Now, whenever I hear someone talking about Peru or Siberia, I perk up...haha!) I love the settings! Back to Secret. The characters? Almost all of them are back - with a few new additions, of course. Colonel Nobody, ever his super-serious self, is even more so in this book - but for a reason. All of the trials that Noble goes through in this novel he deals with incredibly well. He stands strong, and in the midst of it all he still is gallant and brave.
Now, Law: he is so different in this book! He's matured. There's a part near the end where he steps up to save Pacarina, and he fights Roman soldiers by himself. He fights soldiers. If you guys have read Brothers at Arms, then you'll know why this is so cool.
Chester is ever his impetuous, fun-loving self. And he gets an upgrade on The Eyesore, much to Lawrence's chagrin. (Love it!) Chester is such a great character. Jacques and O'Malley? Well, I can safely say they haven't changed much, even in the midst of being outlawed. Jacques doesn't take to Chester very well (but then he finds out who the Stonings are in relation to his beloved Colonel Nobody, and things quickly turn in the opposite direction). John handles his themes well, never going into so much detail you would want to put the book down. There are much more mature elements in this book because of the Romans and their horrid practices, but again, they're handled pretty well. I must admit I was a little disappointed that the series suddenly became much more serious overall in this novel. I suppose I was expecting something different. There's the always-present humor that I love about John's novels, but it feels heavier, was a bit darker. It's not my favorite of the series, but it was still good, still John's improbable type of plot and story. (The improbability is one of my favorite things about his novels.) Why I Recommend This: The message; the characters; the story. The message...of doing the right thing, making the right choice, even when the outcome isn't what you'd hoped it would be. The characters...who stand strong when the odds seem impossible. They don't give up. They fight for the right and for the innocent and for the just cause. The story...which will most likely touch you deeply and leave you in tears.
It's a historical, adventurous, God-honoring, sometimes nerve-racking ride that you won't soon forget. Buy the book here, on Amazon Kindle. Happy reading, ~Micaiah~
Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon By: John J. Horn Rating: 5 stars (because I love this book even after reading it four times) Ages: 12/13 and up (for mild violence and some description of deaths) This book is amazing, for more reasons than one. This is John Horn at his best. Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon is my favorite fictional novel. It combines action, adventure, multi-dimensional (and undercover) villains, suspense, God-honoring principles, and even the smallest bit of clean romance. The twins, Law and Chester Stoning, are so fun. They've become two of my favorite characters. Law's studious and charming (in his own sort of way); Chester is gallant and brave and has a bit of impetuosity in him. Working together, they beat seemingly impossible odds - with Lawrence's knack for planning escapes and Chester's mastery of gun and dagger. I love it - that Law plans, and Chester does the actual fighting part. (But Law gets better.) And I love how their relationship changes over the course of the story - from being brothers who don't get along to friends and true comrades. I love the unique way Chester talks and the brothers' dialogue with each other throughout the book. And the Eyesore? That's just fantastic! The plot and writing are simply amazing. I really enjoyed the setting changes - from England to the steaming jungles of Peru. John has chosen unique settings for each of his books, and they're big parts of the story itself. It makes the series a lot of fun. It's funny to think that after having read this three times already, the last time I read it (being time #4), I still noticed something I hadn't before. I think sometimes I read too fast, so I miss fun details. Like the scene in the cave when the villain (I won't mention a name, just so I don't spoil anything) tosses the heroine, Pacarina, to the side, and Law catches her and hugs her. I mean, I hadn't even known that was there! It was a really sweet moment that I fortunately caught the fourth time around.
(Let this be a lesson to me to read slower and enjoy the detailing in all stories!) ;)
And the epilogue? It's such a great part of the book! I am really very happy that John included that! :) The thing about the Men of Grit series, but particularly Brothers at Arms, that I love so much is the adventure - it's fast-paced, heart-pounding, and just plain fun to read. And Horn always adds a bit of humor. (Which is also incredibly fun.)
Law and Chester learn lessons in this book. They change and grow. They face trials, but they overcome them, all the while being chivalrous and brave. This book is what the world needs more of, honestly. It's exciting and funny and has a bunch of action scenes...
In the end, all of my rambling can't to do this incredible book justice. It will most likely forever hold a favorites spot on my ever-growing shelf of books read. My advice? By this book. Read it. Marvel at the amazing-ness. Then go get the next two books. I bet you won't regret it.
(I sure haven't! Buying The Boy Colonel was one of the best book-choices I have ever made. Ever.) ;) For a limited time (it's up tomorrow!) you can get Brothers at Arms FREE! Get the book right here, on Amazon.
And, you can learn more about the author, what he writes, and check out special concept art at John Horn's website, johnjhornbooks.com.
I'm very happy to announce that John J. Horn's amazing Men of Grit series is again available...on Kindle! This is really exciting - even to me, someone who currently owns all three novels in paperback already. Yes, I love this series that much. ;) And today is the perfect time to read Brothers at Arms:Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon, the first book in the Men of Grit series, because for three days only (the 21st-23rd) it's FREE on Amazon! Download it here. Isn't that cool!? Okay, so, yes, I am a huge fan. (If you didn't already know.) Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon (Book 1)
"Long ago, these hills were Inca land." She slowly swept her right hand over the hills behind us. "All authority lay in the ruler, the Inca. They said he was divine. All gold belonged to him." She looked toward the coast, a dim blue mist on the horizon. "The Spaniards came. They wanted gold. They got gold. But not all the gold." Lawrence and Chester Stoning are twins, but like Jacob and Esau of old they have little else in common. Lawrence is a realist, fascinated by the study of science, mathematics, and history, while Chester longs for the knightly adventures of chivalrous times past - hard-fought battles, gold-filled caves, damsels in distress. When Chester's impetuosity engages the unlikely pair as bodyguards to a Spaniard and his beautiful ward Pacarina, the twins quickly realize that the 19th century calls for a chivalry of its own. Protecting Pacarina's secret leads all of them into the steaming jungles and dizzying mountains of Peru, a foreboding territory made all the more dangerous by Lawrence and Chester's strivings against each other. Can the twins learn to trust God and work together before it's too late? Or will they fall prey to the mysterious schemes of Pacarina's enemy - an enemy they know nothing about? Download Brothers at Arms. The Boy Colonel: A Soldier Without a Name (Book 2)
"Edmund, do you understand, this is not what I want! I was born for war, I have lived my life in war, and I will very likely die in war. But," his voice lifted in the clear air, passion swelling his tones, "I do not intend it to be this war!" The year is 1836. A mysterious young English colonel commands a crack regiment in the snowy wastes of Siberia. No one knows his history. No one knows his name. The Cossacks want him dead - but are they the only ones? It seems his worst enemy may wear an English uniform. The Boy Colonel strives to perform his duty, but when that duty becomes mixed he must decided which sovereign is greater - the king of England, or the God of the Bible. Treachery, intimidation, and deceit block his path. His choice of allegiance may mean the difference between life and death. Is he prepared to risk all to protect his loved ones? Buy The Boy Colonel. Secret of the Lost Settlement: The Duty of Warriors (Book 3)
"Noble, leave me!" Edmund said. "We stick - 'til death." "No! Find the Miriam. It's my only chance." Edmund's fingers went slack. Colonel Nobody (The Boy Colonel) and the Stoning twins (Brothers at Arms) are back! Outlawed for a crime he did not commit, the "Boy Colonel" must seek pardon by finding witnesses to his supposed crime in the whaling fleet off Greenland's coast. But his plans go awry when his search amidst the fjords and shifting ice-mountains leads him into a hidden valley peopled by descendants of a Roman expedition lost during Nero's reign. When twins Lawrence and Chester Stoning arrive with news of Queen Victoria's ultimatum, Colonel Nobody must decide whether to stay and protect the colony's persecuted Christians or venture to escape with the proof needed to save his best friend from hanging. Or will he survive the settlement's horrors long enough to do either? Buy Secret of the Lost Settlement.
AND, because of the awesome news of release on Kindle, I've decided now is the perfect time to re-review probably the whole series - and if not, #1 and #3 for sure. (Those are the ones I most recently reread.) So, be on the lookout for that! :) Learn more about the author of the series, what he writes (and doesn't), and view exclusive concept art at John's website, johnjhornbooks.com. And don't forget to pick up Brothers at Arms while it's FREE! Happy reading, ~Micaiah~
