by admin | May 20, 2017 | Books, Historical, Romance, Suspense, WWII
MY REVIEW:
I was uncertain of what to expect when I agreed to review “Alice’s Notions”. What little information I read seemed somewhat intriguing but I had no idea that I would be so captivated by this book. As other reviewers have remarked, the plot reminded me of a classic movie from the black and white era. I could absolutely see it being made into a movie.
Something shady is happening in Alice Brighton’s small mountain hometown where she has returned after World War 2 as a widow. It is not the quiet and safe place she remembered. As she endeavors to get her new fabric shop running and helping to plan a barn quilt tour, she becomes aware that strange things are happening and her friends and neighbors are also acting a little suspicious. It is obvious that people around her know more about what’s going on than Alice but no one will open up to her. Then there are the two men who both warn her about the other – who can she really trust? Even the immigrant worker who is quickly becoming a good friend might not be who Alice thinks she is.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Alice’s Notions”. Its plot kept me on edge and guessing right along with Alice through most of the novel. The characters were perfect for the story. Greta’s frequent misunderstanding of American slang added a needed touch of humor to relieve the suspense. Unexpected twists and surprises kept the story moving right along to the perfect ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book that was provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Click to purchase.
In this quaint mountain town, things aren’t always what they seem.World War 2 widow Alice Brighton returns to the safety of her home town to open a fabric shop. She decides to start a barn quilt tour to bring business to the shop and the town, but what she doesn’t know is sinister forces are using the tour for their own nefarious reasons. Between her mysterious landlord, her German immigrant employee, her neighbors who are acting strange, and a dreamboat security expert who is trying to romance her, Alice doesn’t know who she can trust
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 38 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren. Tamera has two novellas in print: A Christmas Promise and Resurrection of Hope. Her first full length novel, Alice’s Notions released in April through Desert Breeze.
You can contact Tamera on her website at http://tameralynnkraft.net
GUEST POST FROM TAMERA LYNN KRAFT:
How Classic Movies from the 1940s Made Their Way in My Latest Novel
By Tamera Lynn Kraft
One thing I loved about writing my post World War Two novel was my main character’s passion for movies. Alice Brighton and her late husband loved to go to movies on Friday nights. Now, even after the war made her a widow, Alice still loves movies and compares everyone she meets to a movie character.
Of course for Alice, all these wonderful classic movies and movie stars and a part of her culture, but for me, it was so much fun because I love classic movies. In the novel, Alice compares her landlord to Cary Grant. Cary Grant is one of my favorites. After starring in movies like Suspision, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Notorious, Grant was one of the biggest stars around in 1946 when Alice’s Notions takes place. My favorite Cary Grant movie wouldn’t be made until a few years later. An Affair to Remember, released 1957, with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr is one of my all-time favorites.
At one point in the novel, Alice thinks back to when her late husband always said she reminded him of Judy Garland. Garland would have been twenty-four at the time, just a bit younger than Alice, but she became a big star in her teens. She began acting at two years old when she debuted as Baby Francis and sang Jingle Bells. After playing in various roles including a few movies with Mickey Rooney, Garland had her big break in The Wizard of Oz. She went on to star in a ton of movies and had a thriving singing career until she committed suicide in the 1960s. One of my favorite Judy Garland movies released in 1945 during the war was The Clock. The Clock was about a woman who met and fell in love with a GI on leave. Their romance was intensified because they only had the weekend before he was shipped out again for the remainder of the war. This movie must have been in Alice’s mind since she had lost her husband shortly after the movie came out.
During Alice’s Notions, Alice goes on a date to see the movie, The Postman Always Rings Twice, starring Lana Turner and John Garfield. It was released in 1946 and was considered scandalous at the time because the two main characters have an affair and murder her husband. The main theme of the movie is you can’t get away with your sin. The truth will be revealed. In Alice’s Notions, the truth being revealed is also a main theme.
So you may be wondering what classic movie Alice’s Notions reminds me of. Charade with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn was released in 1963. In that movie, Hepburn is being pursued and doesn’t know who she can trust. The movie has light-hearted intrigue, suspense, and romance just like Alice’s Notions. Alice, also, doesn’t know who she can trust.
BLOG STOPS:
May 11: Genesis 5020
May 11: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
May 12: Inklings and notions
May 13: Carpe Diem
May 14: Christian Bookaholic
May 15: A Reader’s Brain
May 16: History, Mystery & Faith
May 17: A Bakers Perspective
May 18: Have A Wonderful Day
May 19: Reading Is My SuperPower
May 19: Jami’s Words
May 20: Mary Hake
May 21: Daysong Reflections
May 22: Vicky Sluiter
May 23: Bigreadersite
May 24: His Grace Is Sufficient
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Tamera is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
https://promosimple.com/ps/b723
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by admin | May 9, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Once more Lis Wiehl has written a page-turner about events that one would not be surprised to find in their current newspapers or broadcasts. When star TV newscaster Erica Sparks is given the go-ahead to start a new program, she decides to begin the series with a feature on a secessionist movement growing in North Dakota. It doesn’t take long before the situation becomes a powder keg that gains the attention of the entire country and Erica finds herself right in the center of things.
I enjoyed reading “The Separatists” which not only featured plenty of suspense but also personal issues in Erica’s own life, especially developing problems with her new husband and her teen daughter. Having read the previous two books from the series, I am beginning to wonder why such a savvy newscaster like Erica is so naive when it comes to trusting the wrong people. I suppose it adds to the story but you’d think she would realize by now that she trusts others just a bit too easily and usually gets burned because of it. Nevertheless, “The Separatists” as well as the rest of the Newsmakers series are excellent reads and I recommend them to anyone who enjoys contemporary suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Journalist and newscaster Erica Sparks is only planning to report on an explosive story—until she gets caught in the middle of it.
After getting the green light from her network to launch an investigative news show, Erica flies to Bismarck, North Dakota, to investigate “Take Back Our Homeland”, the largest secessionist group. What she finds is profoundly disturbing – a growing threat to the future of our union.
Back home, her husband Greg is drinking more and talking less—and taking an unusual interest in the glamorous author Leslie Burke Wilson. Erica’s teenage daughter has also begun acting out in troubling ways.
Then she discovers a potential informant murdered in her Bismarck hotel. Take Back Our Homeland might be even more dangerous than she had thought—and she’s unwittingly become one of the key players in the story. Her fear and anxiety escalate—for her marriage, her daughter, and her own life.
New York Times bestselling novelist and former legal analyst for Fox News Lis Wiehl takes us behind the anchor’s desk in this gripping look at high-stakes reporting in a country torn apart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lis Wiehl is one of the nation’s most prominent trial lawyers and highly regarded commentators. Currently, she is the legal analyst and reporter on the Fox News Channel and Bill O’Reilly’s sparring partner in the weekly “Is It Legal?” segment on The O’Reilly Factor. Prior to that she was O’Reilly’s co-host on the nationally syndicated show The Radio Factor. She is also a Professor of Law at New York Law School.
Prior to joining Fox News Channel in New York City, Wiehl served as a legal analyst and reporter for NBC News and NPR’s All Things Considered. Before that, Wiehl served as a Federal Prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s office.
Wiehl earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and her Master of Arts in Literature from the University of Queensland.
Wiehl is also the author of The 51% Minority, which won the 2008 award for Books for a Better Life in the motivational category, and Winning Every Time.
She lives in New York.
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by admin | May 9, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Southern, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the previous books in the Mary Ellis Secrets of the South series so I was thrilled to have the chance to review “Sunset in Old Savannah”. As a lifetime southern gal, I love reading books about my part of the world, especially mysteries and suspense so this book was especially welcome.
Readers who got to know Michael and Elizabeth in the previous novel “Magnolia Moonlight” should be familiar with the tension between the two of them and might well wonder how an assignment working together in Savannah will turn out. What begins as routine surveillance turns into a murder mystery that Michael and Elizabeth just can’t ignore. What fun to follow them on their investigation as one secret after another is revealed. And could their animosity possibly change into affection?
The plot of “Magnolia Moonlight” moves along at a steady clip with plenty of twists and surprises that kept me guessing nearly until the end. Strong characters and excellent dialogue kept things moving right along. A secondary mystery involving a newly introduced character added depth to the story and left me anticipating the next book in the series (I hope!).
I love this series so much that I would be happy if it continues for several more volumes. I don’t think I could possibly grow bored with it. I hope you’re listening Mary Ellis!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Harvest House. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In Savannah, Everyone Has Something to Hide
When socialite Evelyn Doyle hires investigative partners and best friends Michael Preston and Elizabeth Kirby to do some routine surveillance on her wayward husband, the detective duo find themselves embroiled in a mystery that leaves them in this beautiful, historic city longer than they had expected.
Evelyn’s husband turns up dead, leaving her as the police chief’s prime target. The investigation reveals a hodgepodge of potential murderers, including a scheming business partner, a resentful mistress, and a ne’er-do-well brother. It’s up to Mike and Beth to follow the trail of secrets that reaches further than the branches of the moss-draped oaks of Savannah.
As praise of the agency gets around town, business is growing for Price Investigations. When Mike and Beth hire Kaitlyn Webb, Savannah’s newest transplant, their workload eases, but will the ghosts of her past threaten everyone’s safety before a killer can be put behind bars? And can Mike and Beth find love as their friendship and faith are put to the test?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Ellis is the bestselling author of many books, including A Widow’s Hope, An Amish Family Reunion, and Living in Harmony. She and her husband live in central Ohio, where they try to live a simpler style of life.
www.maryellis.net
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by admin | Apr 22, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Pursued” starts off full speed ahead with a plane crash and the action doesn’t let up until the very end. After the crash, the passenger next to Nikki is missing so Nikki is asked by the FBI to help find her. She is pulled immediately into the case and her reunion with Tyler, the man she cares for, has to be put on hold. As Nikki and the team frantically search for the woman, the body count increases at every turn and they all find themselves potential victims as well.
Action-packed with twists and surprises around every corner, “Pursued” kept me engrossed until the end. The story is so fast-paced that there is very little time for contact between Nikki and Tyler, let alone time for their romance to develop. Hopefully they will find more time in the next installment. There is also very little development in Nikki’s search for her missing sister so that is another matter I hope to see resolved one way or another in the next book. Despite both of those situations, the book was not lacking in excitement or enjoyment. I would highly recommend it as well as previous books of the series to all who enjoy fast-paced suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nikki Boyd’s flight into Nashville was routine–until the crash landing at the airport.
When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing–and no one will admit she was ever there. When she learns that Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial, Nikki wonders if her disappearance from the crash site means she’s running from trouble–or straight into it. Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.
Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can’t-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave you stunned.
Read an excerpt of “Pursued” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. She has sold over thirty novels and novella collections. Along with her husband, she and her three children have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Africa where she homeschools, leads a women’s group, and runs a nonprofit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves . . . the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice” (Proverbs 31:8).
When she’s not working, she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa, visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit www.theECHOproject.org.
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by admin | Apr 14, 2017 | Books, England, Regency, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“A Stranger at Fellsworth” is a Regency era romantic suspense that grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Its brisk plot and strong characters kept me engaged and I quickly finished reading it in just a couple of sittings.
The suspense is fairly tame yet interesting. A bit of a mystery about poaching on two estates near Fellsworth is finally solved with some surprising results. A couple of truly nasty characters add to the drama and an unexpected romance will make the story worthwhile for many readers.
A story of betrayal and forgiveness, this novel was an enjoyable read that kept this reader occupied and happy for a few hours. I always enjoy a novel by Sarah E. Ladd.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Could losing everything be the best thing to happen to Annabelle Thorley?
In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.
Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.
As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky Golden Retriever.
Website: sarahladd.com
Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor
Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor
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by admin | Apr 5, 2017 | Books, Legal, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Another reviewer called Cara Putman a Christian John Grisham. I would have to agree to a point. It is obvious that, like Grisham, she knows her legal stuff and knows how to write a great novel. In the past, I have gotten bogged down by the abundance of legal details in Grisham’s novels. Putman, however, seems to instinctively know just how much detail the reader actually needs to understand the process.
“Beyond Justice” covers a subject that is all too common in today’s United States – illegal immigration. The story covers a side of it we rarely hear about and it raises some very important questions as well as some possible answers. Beyond that, it is a very good story with lots of action, danger, and suspense plus a side of romance. Attorney Hayden’s roommate Emilie seems to be trying to match her up with her handsome cousin Andrew but Hayden is too focused on her career to be interested in romance. When assigned a new wrongful death case that becomes more puzzling by the minute, Hayden learns that Andrew is also connected to the case through another angle. As they are drawn together to try to solve the mysteries stirred up by the case, both Hayden, Emilie, and Andrew face danger and possibly even death. Only their faith might be able to save them.
What an excellent book! An intelligent, well-paced plot and strong characters made the minutes fly by for me as I read well into the night. I did not want to stop! I look forward to the next book in the series,”Imperfect Justice”. December seems very far away.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she’s just been handed doesn’t destroy her first.
Read the first five chapters by clicking here.
Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It’s why she became an attorney and why she’s so driven in her career. When she’s assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn’t sure if it’s the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.
Further complicating matters is Andrew, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a Congressman, and Hayden’s currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?
The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation would indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cara C. Putman, the award-winning author of 24 books, started college at 16, graduated college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. FIRST for Women magazine called Shadowed by Grace “captivating” and a “novel with ‘the works.’” Cara is active at her church and a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. Putman is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at Krannert. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana. You can connect with her online at:
Website: www.caraputman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/caraputman
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman
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