by admin | May 20, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Silence in the Dark” is the final book in Bradley’s Logan Point series. A tale of second chances in both love and faith, it starts off with a bang and the suspense continues for the remainder of the story.
Bailey Adams broke her engagement with Danny Maxwell and fled to the mission fields in Mexico because what she always did when afraid was to run. Little did she expect to run into Danny in Mexico, much less have him rescue her and the little girl she had agreed to escort back to the states. The question is – who exactly is after Bailey…or is it the little girl they want? And who is the mysterious man who goes by the name of Angel and can they trust him and Danny with their lives?
I thoroughly enjoyed “Silence in the Dark”. It was easy to relate to the characters and to understand what drove them. I could appreciate how Bailey’s experiences had made her doubt her faith but was happy to see its renewal before the conclusion. I also liked how at times the suspense was very intense but would level off long enough for me to catch my breath before revving up again. Second chances at love are always a plus in my estimation and had high hopes for Bailey and Danny getting back together.
Patricia Bradley has become one of my favorite romantic suspense authors and “Silence in the Dark” just confirms that for me. I recommend it and the entire series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bailey Adams is running for her life . . . again.
When Bailey Adams left Logan Point two years ago she thought she was getting away from her problems. Running into her ex-fiancé Danny Maxwell was not part of the plan–neither was being chased through the city by the local drug cartel, the Calatrava. Now despite her best efforts, Danny is her only chance of escaping the people chasing her and getting back to Logan Point safely. Can Bailey find the strength to face what’s coming? And in the midst of the chaos, can she keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again?
With lean, fast-paced prose that will keep you turning the pages, Patricia Bradley pens a superb story of suspense and second chances.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patricia Bradley is the author of Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone without a Trace. Bradley has been a finalist for the Genesis Award, winner of a Daphne du Maurier Award, and winner of a Touched by Love Award. Bradley is a published short story writer and cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America, and makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.
by admin | Feb 25, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Having enjoyed Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, I was excited to have the chance to review the first book of her new Chesapeake Valor series. As the initial book of the series, “Cold Shot” spends a fair amount of time laying the foundation with background of the primary characters for the series. As a result, the story may seem to have gotten off to a slow start but I feel that the author will continue to add to this information as the series progresses and readers will become more invested in what happens with these four men.
Pettrey’s writing skills are excellent with strong , realistic characters and a suspenseful plot with well researched details. I particularly found Griffin’s insights about snipers to be interesting. Fortunately, it is not something I have had a need to know and hope I never have need of it. The requisite romantic element of the story was handled well and was mostly believable within the plot. There was plenty of drama, danger, and action to hold my attention and a touch of humor and romance helped to relieve the suspense at just the right time. Multiple twists and surprises rounded out the story.
I enjoyed getting to know Griffin and his friends Declan and Parker and hope to meet their other buddy Luke in an upcoming sequel. I also liked Finley and hope she will also appear in the rest of this series.
Readers who enjoyed the Alaskan Courage series should also enjoy “Cold Shot”. I also think Dee Henderson fans would enjoy it.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Four Best Friends.
And Then One Went Missing . . .
In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department, Declan Grey would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.
Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he’s living a quiet life as a park ranger at Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top–and they aren’t Civil War-era.
Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Michael Pettrey Photography
Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. Her books have been honored with the Daphne du Maurier award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award, among others.
She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their two daughters, a son-in-law, and a super adorable grandson. You can find her online at danipettrey.com.
by admin | Feb 22, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Always Watching” is a fast-paced romantic suspense that held my interest and kept me guessing until the very end. The unique twist of an all-woman guardian service brought an entirely different edge to this story. After all, how would a manly man like to depend on a woman to protect him? In this case – not very much at first, but of course everyone knows what happens in these romantic suspense novels. Yeah, I won’t even make you guess.
I always enjoyed Lynette Eason’s Love Inspired novels and have also been a fan of her full-length novels. “Always Watching” lived up to my expectations with its strong characters and a plot filled with several twists and surprises. I actually suspected more than one person during the course of the story and I was totally wrong about all of them. The true culprit came as a huge surprise to me. I love it when the author can pull that off!
“Always Watching” is an excellent story that should appeal to most readers who love romantic suspense. I personally am looking forward to the next installment.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.
When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap.
Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him–including Olivia. But in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart.
Read an excerpt from Always Watching.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series and the Deadly Reunions series, as well as No One to Trust, Nowhere to Turn, and No Place to Hide in the Hidden Identity series. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She has a master’s degree in education from Converse College and she lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.
by admin | Jan 27, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Thin Ice” is another page-turner from Irene Hannon that kept me awake much later than my normal bedtime. The plot is fast-paced and is filled with complex characters, action, danger, suspense, and of course romance. The second book in Hannon’s Private Justice series, this one features FBI agent Lance McGregor who is assigned to help Christy Reed locate the sister who is believed to have died in a fire but has since contacted Christy.
Although both Christy and Lance are working together to find Christy and to discover the warped mind behind threats against Christy, any reader of Hannon’s novels will know that a romance will develop between the pair even if they attempt to keep the relationship professional.
I always enjoy a good romantic suspense and “Thin Ice” was no exception. I found the inside look at an FBI investigation to be interesting and also liked the author’s emphasis on the importance of faith in the character’s lives.
I always look forward to Irene Hannon’s books and am happy to say that once again her latest novel met all my expectations.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If Ginny Reed is still alive–who is the woman buried in her grave?
After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again–until an envelope addressed in her sister’s handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive.
FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he’s coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game–or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda.
Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon pulls out all the stops in this high-stakes thriller that races to a bone-chilling finish.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers’ Choice Award, a Booksellers’ Best Award, and a National Readers’ Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.
by admin | Jan 16, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Colleen Coble’s books since I picked up the first one. I really didn’t think it could get any better but she seems to up the ante with each novel. Believe it or not, I think each and every one of them is the best yet until the next one is released and “Mermaid Moon” doesn’t veer from the pattern.
“Mermaid Moon” is the perfect story for its setting along the rugged shore of the area of the country known as Downeast Maine. Residents must be pretty tough to survive the isolation and sometimes harsh conditions. Kevin O’Connor and Mallory Davis must meet those standards to find her father’s killer and live to see justice served. The task will be complicated by Kevin and Mallory’s past history as well as the fact that Mallory still feels responsible for her mother’s death fifteen years ago. Why should God forgive her if she can’t even forgive herself?
Well-defined characters populate the pages. Some of them are very important to the plot, others might just be a distraction. “Mermaid Moon” is skillfully crafted and takes the reader exactly where the author wants her to go. With unexpected twists, danger, and romance, Coble has woven a plot that moves at such a perfect pace that it is difficult to find a stopping point. I did not want to put it down but was sad to reach the end much to quickly. This is one book that I could have read for several more hours.
If you are already a fan of Colleen Coble’s novels, “Mermaid Moon” is a don’t miss read. If you have yet to read any of her books. give this one a try. I can pretty much guarantee it will be the last of her books you will read.
Copies of this book were provided for review by LitFuse Publicity and The Fiction Guild.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.”
Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.
Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago.
When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.
As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including “Tidewater Inn,” “Rosemary Cottage,” and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies.
Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com/.
by admin | Jan 15, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Native American, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Over the course of the past year or two I have added Lisa Carter as a “must have” author. I have no intention of letting any of her novels slip by me if I can avoid it. “The Stronghold” is another of her riveting modern suspense novels that feature strong Native American characters who defy tremendous danger as they strive to solve crimes and rescue those at great risk.
The book’s title is so appropriate on more than one level. Not only does Pilar have emotional strongholds from her past to overcome but she and her ex-fiance Alex must risk everything to breach the mountain stronghold of the madman who is responsible for the disappearance and deaths of several young teens.
“The Stronghold” is brilliantly written with a swiftly moving plot and strong characterizations. I didn’t want to put it down before the end and as a result was a slacker of household chores and missed some sleep as well. All in all, the book met all my expectations with the exception of the cover art that I felt did not live up to the gorgeous scenic covers of previous books. But the story line and characters were excellent so I really can’t complain. Once again, Lisa Carter has come up with a winner!
This book was provided for review by Amazon Vine.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Drug violence, revenge killings, and kidnapping are nothing new along the U.S.-Mexican border. But now teenage girls are disappearing from the Apache reservations of Arizona and New Mexico.
Apache tribal cop Pilar To-Clanny and FBI Special Agent Alex Torres have a long and tumultuous history. When someone close to them disappears, Pilar and Alex must risk everything to rescue the child, including facing the unresolved issues of the past, and venture into the no-man’s land of the drug cartels.
Can Pilar and Alex work together to stop a sadistic killer before he strikes again? On a quest to rescue those they love, who will rescue them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Carter is the author of Carolina Reckoning and Aloha Rose, and a writer and teacher whose articles have appeared in FamilyFun, Thriving Family, MomSense, and Christian Parenting Today. She is a frequent speaker and vocalist at women’s ministry events and has taught at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. Lisa is a member of ACFW, RWA and Sisters in Crime. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling, quilting, and researching her next romantic adventure. She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit her online at LisaCarterAuthor.com.
