Tag: MarlenaSmith

October Book Reviews Part 3! @WriterMSmith @Virgilante @NoFacilities #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #bookreviews #whattoread #mustreads

The Power of Love 

by Marlena Smith

Scarlet is on the run from her past. She ends up in a charming little Montana town but hides away in an old, abandoned house while enjoying her new freedom. She is slowly pulled out of her protective shell when she runs into a town resident. Scarlet’s story slowly unfolds, and I couldn’t help rooting for her. I love the relationships she develops as she rediscovers what has been lost. This is a town and people I’d love to be a part of. A heartwarming short story about second chances if only the past doesn’t ruin it. I can easily recommend this!

The Midnight Rambler (The Hat Book 6)

by C. S. Boyack

“The Midnight Rambler” was another fun addition to the Hat Book Series. Lizzie and the Hat run into some crazy fruit at a roadside stand. This is when Hat realizes his old enemy is after him. The flood they had to deal with creates an obstacle when their time is limited to find this clever monster while trying to save Lizzie’s friend, Ray. I could feel the cold water sloshing through Lizzie’s slippers and her concern for her friends. The relationship between Ray and Lizzie added another layer to the story and created extra tension in the hunt for where Hat’s enemy had Ray’s creator. The Midnight Rambler was always one step ahead and seemed to enjoy a good hunt, but that never stopped their search. A mystery to solve with all the humor, music, and danger blended nicely with every day worries. The ending has me looking forward to the next story. Although this is a perfect Halloween read, it can be enjoyed any time of the year.

The Evil You Choose

By Daniel Antion

I enjoyed “Knuckleheads” and was excited to see where the story went next. Blessed with unusual gifts, Zach and Billy are now adults and Zach is enjoying retirement. An FBI agent contacts Zach with a proposition that unfortunately he can’t refuse. Zach is unwillingly thrust into a world of criminals on both sides, and there is no one to trust but family. Zach must figure out how to protect himself and make sure they don’t find out about Billy. I found it interesting how Zach navigated with the help of Billy in dealing with not only the FBI, but the man they wanted to put in jail. The direction Zach took, along with a few twists, kept me guessing how it would all turn out. There is a wonderful and supportive relationship between Zach and his daughter, brother and Billy that balance all the corruption that surrounds him. Zach’s gifts had me wishing for a good night’s sleep for him. An exciting read for those who enjoy a thriller with the depth of family relationships and a criminal element weaved in.

I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!

UPDATES:

I have a couple of vacations coming up. The first one is October 20-24th. I will be going to Disneyland & Universal with my youngest daughter, Danielle. My monthly newsletter will be a few days late because of this or coming out late on the 24th and there will be no weekly blog here on October 24th & 31st .

Then, I will be around for a few days and off a week starting October 29th to hang out with the hubby. I’ll be back November 7th with a new book review post.

In the middle of all this I’m excited to be hosting a guest you won’t want to miss on October 27th.

I will wish you an early Happy Halloween here and post photos as I can on Instagram.

Embrace your beautiful inner soul by reading a book! D. L. Finn

New Release! “The Power of Love” by Marlena Smith. #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #newrelease #whattoread #contemporaryromance

I’m thrilled to have Marlena Smith here today to share the good news about her new book, “The Power of Love.” Here’s my review: LINK

Welcome to Day 2 of my book launch blog tour! I’m so excited you’ve joined us. A huge shout out to Denise for hosting and all those that have supported my writing journey. It’s a powerful feeling to know you’re not alone.

Today, we’re going to focus on the reason we’re here–The Power of Love. This project has been a very long battle. The manuscript was actually put away for a while because of some negativity, but the story kept resurfacing. Even though I can’t recall where the whole idea came from, I remember how the story flowed almost effortlessly. I immediately fell in love with Scarlet and knew I needed to share her story. So The Power of Love was brought out of hiding and the work began.

Now, how about we share some book facts? Some behind-the-scenes details and such.

  • The cover of this book was the first one I created. (Thank you Canva!!) And I was hooked from that point forward. I love making covers now!
  • The original story had a very different ending.
  • I’ve always loved the name Scarlet, inspired of course, by Gone With the Wind. I adored Miss O’Hara’s determination and spunk. She was such a sassy character!
  • I became quite emotional writing Scarlet’s story. I’ve never experienced pain quite like hers, but I still felt every emotion as we journeyed the story together. I hope readers feel it, too.
  • I knew from the beginning I wanted the main setting to be somewhere in Montana because of its proximity to California. Plus, I’ve always wanted to visit the mountainous state. I felt like there could easily be a small town with that southern-like charm. So I used Google maps, did some research, and discovered this tiny blip on the map–Belmont.
  • The longest part of this book was the editing. I’ve made countless revisions trying to make the story the best it could be. I eventually grew tired of the process and sent it to my editor. I knew she could work some magic on it. She did not disappoint.

 

 Book Blurb:

She only wants a fresh start and a life away from the big city. 

Scarlet finds herself in the small town of Belmont, Montana. It’s a quiet town with a lot of charm. One she didn’t expect to fall in love with, but it offers something magical. 

Will her past catch up to her? Will she be forced back into the life she hates? Will she risk everything for a chance at love? 

Purchase Links:

Amazon Paperback

Amazon Ebook

 

About the Author:

Marlena Smith is a multi-genre author that uses her own small town life experiences to create stories of the same. Her publications include:

Marlena grew up in Alabama with a love of words and creativity. She still lives in that small town today with her family and has never lost that passion. She spends her days working with churches to help them grow and her nights creating tales.

Three Random Facts  (I stole this idea from fellow writer, D.L. Finn!)

  1. I find it very difficult to watch movies about war and slavery. That’s not to say I don’t watch the films because I do think the stories are important to learn and understand. I believe it’s because I’m an empath and become really emotional watching the stories play out. It’s like I’m in the character’s shoes.
  2. I have two tattoos, one on each wrist. Each design was carefully selected. The first I received is an infinity symbol. One side of the symbol has a 4-leaf clover and the other side says faith. The second tattoo reads Ehfar, which means everything happens for a reason.
  3. As a senior in high school, I wanted to earn a degree in business. Instead, I was pushed into education, and have yet to use my Bachelors degree.

If you’d like to connect with Marlena, you can find her online:

I can’t thank you enough for joining us today. I hope you’re enjoying the blog tour as much as I am! A huge shout out to Denise and all those that have taken part in the tour. Thank you & happy reading!! <3

November Book Reviews Part 2! @TPolen6 @WriterMSmith @JacqBiggar #writingcommunity #whattoread #mustread #yourbooklist #bookreviews

Sarah

by Teri Polen

“Sarah” is a YA horror story centered on a seventeen-year-old boy, Cain, his friends, and his family. Cain, his mother, and his sister moved into a new house, and things started to happen. Doors open that shouldn’t be, and there are cold spots that Cain and his best friend, Finn, try to understand. I loved the best friend relationship between Cain and Finn and their life outside the haunted house. Cain’s girlfriend explores how patient he can be and how self-centered some people are. Cain’s little sister is sweet, and I love how he cares for her and his mother. Although, it is the ghost of Sarah that grows and changes the most in the story. It caught my attention, as she didn’t hesitate to show how she suffered. Watching a victim’s rage play out makes this a chilling read, while Cain and Finn try to solve the mystery. I enjoyed seeing the nod to the show “Supernatural” and thought about the show before it was even mentioned. A fast read that kept me guessing what the ghost, Cain, and his friends would do next.

Ella: A Romantic Novella

by Marlena Smith

Ella is the sweet story of a woman who’s just trying to get home after a terrible week. Her car breaks down at a small-town gas station, and a town local befriends her. She finds not only a place to stay but a welcoming town. I enjoy watching Hallmark movies, especially Christmas ones. They not only relax me but offer hope in the happily ever after. This story had the same feel, and I could see this town and people become a full-length book. I wanted to get to know them all better. A quick read that I enjoyed.

Secrets, Lies & Alibis

by Jacquie Biggar

I have finally caught up on the Wounded Heart Series. Book eight starts with what happened to Adam and Amanda. They are split up. Amanda has a new job and Adam a new partner, but what Adam doesn’t know is she is pregnant. When something happens that puts others in danger, Amanda must face Adam again. Amanda’s part has a lot of tension and second-guessing, while Adam attempts to break through that while investigating a person from his past. I like the introduction of Brianne, Adam’s attractive partner, and how she added to the mix. Cameron, Frank’s brother, started to open up about what happened to him years ago. While one door seems to shut by the end of the story, there are new possibilities that have opened where past and present situations spiral around the characters. This was a fast read, and I can’t wait for book nine to come out. Wounded Hearts is a series I highly recommend.

I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!

Embrace that inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn