Taking the Plunge

 Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for Burrowed by Maressa  Mortimer. 

This us a young adult novel set on the beautiful island if Ximiu. 

The young heroine is Jasira, daughter of the Xibai, the female governing official of the Island. Along with her friend Ilori, who is the son of the Vice-Xibai, they start to uncover some sinister goings on.

Ximiu is “going green” - so that’s a good thing, right? Well perhaps not as first all the island cars disappear almost overnight.

There have been disappearances of young girls, one of Jasira’s friends had a younger sister disappear.

People start to move to the mainland and people move in who are keen on the idea of “ going green”.

The author uses great skill to build a creepy sense of something sinister beneath the surface of the beautiful island of Ximiu. The island is run by a matriarchal system of female officials. However there is a sense that the men are not too happy about this situation.

This novel is aimed at YA but can be enjoyed by anyone adults included. The story goes on to show the changes to be made by the ruling council and the unfortunate consequences. Babies are born stillborn. 

There are two Albinos on the Island, Axixa and Kamua, a brother and sister. 

Our two heroes believe them to be behind the strange disappearances; cars, electricity, bags of flour, young girls even ashphalt from the roads!

The two friends set out to save the Island, extremely well crafted by the author this part if the story is all consuming and very vivid.

An excellent read for YA or Adult please read and enjoy this book.

 

The Rebellion of 1745 has been characterised by historians as the story of the men who intrigued and fought. Flora McDonald has been cast as a classic heroine., the one woman who comes to mind when we think of the ‘45.

Maggie Craig has written a book to put this right. This  book has been deeply researched and beautifully written. 

The untold stories of the women who accompanied there men to the battles and waited for news, the women at Clifton Moor and Prestonpans, and ultimately Culloden. 

These women encouraged their men believed in the rightful Prince and bore the brunt of the bloodletting after Culloden. Maggie tells of the Ladies,the wives of wealthy men who raised the men to fight in support of the Bonnie Prince - sometimes against their husbands wishes. The great ladies who marched to raise the standard. There are also the stories of ordinary women, highland women, whose men went to fight. As in all wars , the women left behind or accompanying the Jacobite army.

A riveting book, once you start you won’t be able to put it down.

The Paradigm. Lorraine Smith

 This latest book by Jonathan Cahn takes us on a journey through time to discover ancient secrets which are relevant to us today. 

We are taken through biblical times to ancient Israel where the prophet Elijah battles King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. These events are linked  to our modern political stages particularly America. America was founded on biblical principles. As Ahab  and Jezebel promoted child sacrifice and rebellion against Gods laws, so are our societies today. Abortion, murder, and greed to name a few, run rampant in our cultures.  The election of Donald trump, Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama are all discussed and reveal the biblical template for our world

Elijah warned Ahab and Jezebel but they would not listen. The author shows how these events are pertinent to us today and gives dire warning for our world today. 

A Shetland Winter Mystery Lorraine Smith

The latest book in the Shetland sailing mysteries. Marsali Taylor  shows her love for the Island through her vivid descriptions and creative stories.

The main characters are a solo sailor called Cass Lynch and Inverness DCI Gavin McRae. In the story  they are the victims of “Trowies” who appear to be the Shetland Wee Folk. They are in the shadow of the Wind Farm development being built on the Island.  It has all nail biting pleasure of unexplained deaths, sabotage of the wind farm development and even mystical creatures.

We are never quite sure if these beings are real or not, until two brothers pull a stunt trying to stage a vanishing to make it look like Trowie mischief. 

Then there is the sabotage at the wind farm, Trowies or teenagers.?  The latter turn out to be the culprits for the Trowie sightings, However that leaves the murders….

The brothers are part of a family where the eldest’s mother lives not too far away and the younger lives back at the family home with his Mother the second wife. The unfolding of the hatred of the two women for each other is a background to the death of both sons. Unusual and full of twists and turns, this book is riveting. There are an abundance of sub plots and  unusual circumstances to keep you guessing.These are all set against the backdrop of the authors vivid descriptions of Shetland. there were times when I could smell the sea. 

An excellent Christmas stocking filler.

 

 

 

 

Snowflakes’s Big Adventure. Lorraine Smith

 This is the story of Snowflake who is getting ready to be part of his first snowfall. Like all of us he is uncertain and wonders what his future will be.

He makes his first fall with the help of Mama snowflake and other snowflake friends. Once down to earth he finds himself as part of a snow pile in a the garden of a young boy.

Snowflake is excited when the boy comes out to play in the snow, and, at last, he gets to know his purpose.

He is going to be part of the boy’s snowman. Snowflake is delighted he has found his place.

This book can help children understand that we all struggle to find our place in life. It is beautifully illustrated by Kathlyn Jones. This would be a wonderful addition to your child’s library and a joy to read aloud.

This delightful little book would be proud to be part of a child’s Christmas pile.

This made me smile and I enjoyed it thoroughly. (Can’t wait for the plush toy).

Make snowflake and the book happy. Buy this for your child this Christmas!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1735830003/

I Made it Out. Lorraine Smith

I Made It Out” details the raw, uncut, and honest life events of Avishai El.  She is 32 years old and decided to write this book to help other people who are going through situations that they feel as though they can’t get out of.  She affirms that you can get out of any situation and provides historical context in which she used her mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual capacities to face challenges head on.  In order to maintain peace, one has to go through things in life to get there.  She has gone through ups and downs.  All readers from all walks of life will be able to relate to her shared experiences.  On days where you feel low in life and on days where you feel high on life, opening this book and reading it will provide you with the tools you need to succeed no matter what.  Some of the imagery is explicit to paint a visual picture for the reader.

If she could get through it you can. You can make it out.

Be inspired by a remarkable young woman who shares her story. This is a book to enjoy because it piques our emotions and inspires us in our own situations.