Today’s book review is for Deep Blue Secret, the first book in the Water Keepers Series, by Christie Anderson and is a young adult/teen fantasy read. I read this book while on vacation in St. Lucia, and I’ll add that I was a bit skeptical when I started it. I had spent my entire day by the pool reading another novel–which I put aside without finishing–and I was in a foul mood that I had wasted my day with that read. My husband and I were in our rooms after dinner, and although I usually don’t start a new book at night, I picked up my Kindle and read a few pages from more than one book, stopping with this one. I then spent the entire night reading it.

I’ll start with the pros, and since this is a teen read, I’m more conservative with my rating when it comes to content. However, this book held no foul language or overly sexual content, and it definitely gets my clean read seal of approval. I can easily recommend it to my daughters. I also highly enjoyed the creativity of this story about a unique race of people with water marks. The author weaved an interesting tale that kept me wanting to learn more about the water marks and keepers. As for the main character herself, she is a teenage girl living with her mother, and I love how this author decided to give Sadie and her mother a close relationship. Her mother is an interesting side character, and Sadie shows her a lot of respect and love.

I love to read books with interesting plots that keep you guessing and wanting to learn more. I did not want to put this book down, because the plot held me captive. The author did a great job in keeping things mysterious and not giving away too much. My words of choice for this book are: Creative, Interesting, and Clean.

Now for the cons: I don’t like love at first sight, and it’s a big turnoff for me. However, there was a hint of a reason or something more behind Sadie’s sudden attraction to the mysterious guy, and that stayed with me throughout the read. I also had a problem with her best friend’s tantrum/back stabbing. They’ve been friends forever, and that was a bit much. Both of these problems, however, did not take too much away from the story. I mean, I read through the night and even read the next book while on the vacation.

Overall, I give this book five stars. It’s highly original and a clean read for teens and adult lovers of the fantasy genre. I will be recommending this series to others, which is not something I can do with all the books I read.

Stay tuned for reviews of the other books in this series. Although I have started the third book, I’m on an editing deadline and won’t be able to get back to it for a while. Oh, I almost forgot the covers, which is another pro. They’re beautiful! Hmm… Reminds me somewhat of my novel Unexpected Metamorphosis. Maybe I love eyes, sparkles, and deep colors 🙂

The eBook of Deep Blue Secret is free at the time of this posting, and I’m guessing it’s set as perma-free since it’s the first in the series.

Devon’s Choice

Life holds no surprises for Devon Murphy. Her life consists of keeping tabs on her aging Irish father, working part time at a coffee shop, and building her online graphics design business. Devon’s only tricky situation is a shallow relationship with the pampered and affluent Michael Turner, who sees her as just another woman to conquer.

Following his father’s death, Brandon’s only goal is to expand the family business and live life on his own terms. That is, until he walks into the coffee shop one snowy evening and meets the enchanting, red-haired barista behind the counter. But can Devon and Brandon’s attraction for each other be strong enough to help erase their deepest disappointments and renew their faith in God?

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 Excerpt:

Brandon looked over at her neutral expression. Whatever kind of relationship she had with Michael Turner didn’t seem to be making her happy. At that moment, all he wanted to do was to make her forget all about the jerk.

As if sensing him watching her, Devon turned her head enough to make eye contact with him. The faint, milky glow from the streetlight showed enough of her features for him to see a soft blush warm her cheeks. Under her dark lashes, he watched her sea green eyes glint invitingly as her soft lips turned up at the corners. In that moment, his resolve to keep the date on a friendly level came crashing down.

Author Catherine Bennett

I grew up in Ohio where I currently live with my husband and our two rescue Labradors. Some of my favorite things include reading, shopping, pepperoni pizza, Hershey bars and hanging out with my two grown sons. I also love dogs; so going to the dog park is cheap entertainment for my husband and I!

Growing up an only child, I had many imaginary friends. I believe this – and a love of books – fueled my desire to write. It was many years later that my dream of becoming a published author came true.

I’m grateful to God for always keeping a story in my heart and hope you are blessed and entertained by my book.

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Blog Tour Schedule

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/15/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Jeremy’s Promise by A.R. Talley

The trip that was meant to save Annie and Jeremy’s marriage brought it to near ruin. Now Annie has returned home, frightened and confused. Jeremy, too, is frightened—and angry. What will it take to save their marriage?

It’s clear. Jeremy needs to forgive—Annie needs to forget.

A promise is made. A tragedy occurs. A second honeymoon is disrupted. A chance encounter brings David Andrews back into Annie’s life.

Annie is determined to remain faithful. She’s made a promise she intends to keep—Jeremy’s Promise.

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Praise for Jeremy’s Promise

A.R. Talley, gives you a believable look at the struggle of one couple to reconnect and heal their marriage, with dialog which sweeps you into the moment as if you were there with them, experiencing both their pain and recovery. Kudos to the author who has once again produced a book I couldn’t put down, as well as one I felt compelled to read multiple times. ~Donna Dech

Jeremy’s Promise second book in a trilogy by A.R. Talley is an awesome, emotional, romantic, highly recommended, well written story with captivating and engaging characters. ~Debbie Ballard
This is not a book I would have picked by myself! I loved it from start to finish! Eagerly waiting for the third book in the trilogy to come out!! I highly recommend this book! ~Goodreads

Author A.R. Talley

A. R. Talley lives in Ohio with her husband Doug and the last of her seven children (the rest have flown the coup.) She loves to cook, read, write, watch movies, play piano, and laugh. Her second favorite vacation involves the British Isles and a small café in Scotland.

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Blog Tour Schedule

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/15/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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I’d like to welcome Lia London to my blog with her new release Her Imaginary Husband. Not only is Lia an author, but she is also the creator of Clean Indie Reads–a site dedicated to flinch-free fiction.

Teaser:

New teacher Nikki Fallon is trying to ward of unwanted advances from the hunky football coach. She should…

1. slap him silly.
2. report him for harassment.
3. invent an imaginary husband.

 Nikki is confident at a cutting board making salsa, or in a classroom getting teens excited about English, but dating…? Well, romance is not her strong subject!

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 Is this book part of a series?

No. It’s a stand-alone. Of course, if it becomes a crazy best-seller, I could probably continue the story, but that’s not my current intention.

What genre do you consider this book to be?

Contemporary Romance/Sweet Romance/Romantic Comedy

What age group would you say this novel is written for?

I’m targeting the New Adult group—18 to 25-ish, but I see no reason why folks both younger and older couldn’t read it.

If it is not a YA novel, what content pushes into the adult market?

Actually, it’s pretty squeaky clean. There is zero swearing (her cuss word of choice is “shaboobaloo”), zero violence (unless you count klutz factors), and two brief kissing scenes, not overly heated or detailed. The only reason I’m not saying YA is because the main character is a college grad, but not because of any explicit content. This is a very sweeeet romance.

You can learn more about Lia and her writing at:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LiaLondon1

Website: http://LiaLondonBooks.com

Createspace for paperbacks: https://www.createspace.com/5148125

Welcome to the Dreaming of Books Blog Hop! I’m excited to be a part of this hop, as there are over one hundred blogs and authors participating, and I can’t wait to visit each of them.

A quick introduction of myself is that I write passionate, fantasy romance without the guilt. Although there is violence and heated kissing in my writing, I will never describe hands traveling to forbidden places. My books are also void of cursing, and I try to keep it PG-13.

As of now, I have two novels in my Alissia Roswell Series, with the third coming out this spring. For my giveaway, you can choose between a paperback of Unexpected Metamorphosis or Unexpected Entrapment. I’ll also include a signed bookmark in the raffle. Unexpected Metamorphosis is the first in the series, and the eBook version is currently free at all the major online bookstores.

Want to connect via Google+, Facebook, or Twitter? I hope you enjoy the rest of the blog hop, and thanks for stopping by. Good luck with all the giveaways!

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