by admin | Apr 5, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
There is a treasure hidden in an underground bunker and Trudi Coffey doesn’t even know about the treasure or that she has the secret to finding it. A strange visitor and subsequent office break-in send private investigator Trudi Coffey and her ex-husband/partner on a search for the treasure – but will they be on time?
From the first action-packed pages until the very end, “Annabel Lee” grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. There are multiple questions to be answered in this story and little-by-little the truth comes to light. Unique characters are very well fleshed out and had me rooting for the “good guys”. Tension between Trudi and Samuel was realistic and believable. There were a few fairly violent scenes that might not be for the queasy. I personally could read it but would not want to view it in a movie.
I have not previously read anything by this author but am looking forward to the next volume of this series. I believe this is a book that both men and women might enjoy.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret’s name is Annabel Lee.
She doesn’t know why her enigmatic uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He’s left her with a few German words, a barely controlled guard dog, and a single command: “Don’t open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me.”
Miles away in Atlanta, private investigator Trudi Coffey is visited by a mysterious older man calling himself Dr. Smith. He’s been trailing a man for a decade–a man she met through her ex-partner Samuel Hill–and the trail has led him to her office. The last thing Trudi wants to do is to contact Samuel. But it will take both of them to unravel this mystery–before it’s too late.
Read an excerpt from Annabel Lee HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mike Nappa is an entertainment journalist at FamilyFans.com, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author with more than one million books sold worldwide. When he was a kid, the stories of Edgar Allan Poe scared him silly. Today he owns everything Poe ever wrote. A former fiction acquisitions editor, Mike earned his MA in English literature and now writes full time.
by admin | Mar 26, 2016 | Books, England, Gothic Romance, Suspense, Victorian
MY REVIEW:
Once upon a time, many years ago, I could not get enough of the novels of authors such as Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. I loved those deliciously Gothic romantic mysteries with their constant sense of impending doom. I did not realize just how much I had missed reading those books until I got my hands on a copy of Sandra Byrd’s first novel in her Daughters of Hampshire series, “Mist of Midnight”. I literally devoured it and was impatient to read the next book of the series. Finally “Bride of a Distant Isle” arrived but I had to force myself to wait until I had fulfilled some other previous commitments before I could read it even though it beckoned to me every time I passed its shelf. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait!
Not only an orphan but also illegitimate, Annabel Ashton is at the mercy of her cousin who inherited the family estate. When she suddenly finds herself a virtual prisoner at Highcliffe Hall and learns that Edward has plans for her to marry a highly repulsive man, Annabel does not know where to find the help she needs. It becomes evident that there is no way to discern who she can trust – not even the man she has come to love. It was easy to get caught up in Annabel’s feeling of utter hopelessness and to hope again when she turned her situation over to the Lord. I loved learning of the people working behind the scenes on her behalf even when she felt the most abandoned.
Layer upon layer, the author has built a novel filled with so many twists and surprises that I became totally immersed in the story. Her descriptions of the house, its surroundings, and characters added to the perfect background atmosphere for the plot. One scene in particular was pure genius but I’ll leave other readers to guess which one. You just have to read it yourself.
I loved, loved, loved this book and once again am impatient for the next installment. I believe most readers will feel the same if they give it a chance.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
An unforgettable romance set in Victorian England, Bride of A Distant Isle is the engrossing story of Annabel Ashton, who fights to save her family home and her mother’s honor while trying to figure out if the man she loves wants her—or just wants to use her to achieve his own ambitions.
Miss Annabel Ashton is a teacher at the Rogers School for Young Ladies in Winchester when she takes a brief visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall at Milford-on-Sea. She believes her stay will be short but soon learns that she will not be returning to the safety of the school. Instead, she remains at Highcliffe, at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge.
Annabel protests, but as the illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, she has little say. Edward is running out of money and puts the house up for sale to avoid financial ruin. He insists that Annabel marry, promising her to a sinister, frightening man. But as the house gets packed for sale, it begins to reveal disquieting secrets. Jewelry, artifacts, and portraits mysteriously appear, suggesting that Annabel may be the true heir of Highcliffe.
She has only a few months to prove her legitimacy, perhaps with assistance from the handsome but troubled Maltese Captain Dell’Acqua. But does he have Annabel’s best interests at heart?
And then, a final, most ominous barrier to both her inheritance and her existence appears: a situation neither she nor anyone else could have expected. Will Annabel regain her life and property—and trust her heart—before it’s too late?
Preview the book HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Byrd has published four dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including her two historical series with Howard Books. For nearly two decades, Sandra has shared her secrets with the many writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington area.
by admin | Feb 12, 2016 | Books, Europe, Political, Suspense, World War 1
MY REVIEW:
One thing I have always admired about Davis Bunn is that whatever the subject, the characters, the location, the time frame, etc. I can always count on the fact that he has done his research. While I am enjoying his story, I also seem to be absorbing some facts I didn’t know before. What a delightful way to learn!
During the days following World War 1, as the world is beginning to rebuild, Muriel Ross joins Senator Bryan in Paris ostensibly to photograph antiquities. Little does she realize that she has been groomed for this task by her training at the Smithsonian. She soon discovers the true reason she has been summoned and finds herself in the midst of an adventure that takes her from the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris to the U.S. Embassy in Constantinople and more danger than she could imagine.
The story is woven around the search for a fragment of the true cross and is filled with political intrigue between nations and the danger of a country on the verge of revolution. Faced with conflict and life-threatening events, Muriel is forced to choose if she will stand firm in her beliefs.
As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Fragment”. My only complaint is that it ended much to soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Franciscan Media in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It’s 1923, and a resilient Paris is starting to recover from the ravages of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic.
Enter Muriel Ross, an amateur photographer tasked with documenting the antiques that her employer, U.S. Senator Tom Bryan, has traveled to France to acquire.
Although she’s exhilarated to have escaped her parents and the confines of their stifling Virginia home, Muriel has lingering questions about why the senator has chosen her for this grand adventure. Nevertheless, she blossoms in her new surroundings, soaking up Parisian culture and capturing the sights and sounds of Paris on her camera.
But events take a dangerous turn when she discovers that the senator is on a mission far more momentous—and potentially deadly—than a mere shopping trip.
At the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Senator Bryan asks Muriel to photograph an astonishing artifact: a piece of the True Cross, discovered by Empress Helena—a historical figure familiar to readers of The Pilgrim.
When rumors surface that another fragment has been unearthed, Muriel becomes enmeshed in a covert international alliance dedicated to authenticating the fragment—and protecting it from those who will stop at nothing to steal and discredit it.
The Fragment releases February 19, 2016, from Franciscan Media Books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies.
His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction and his 2014 induction into the Christy Hall of Fame.
Davis divides his time between Florida and England, where he serves as Writer In Residence at Regent’s Park College at The University of Oxford. Visit Davis at http://www.davisbunn.com/
Davis’s other online outposts:
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by admin | Feb 12, 2016 | Books, Chicago, Gothic Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingSoul’s Prisoner(WhiteFire Publishing (December 15, 2015))byCara LuechtABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from the Author:I never planned to be a writer.
In fact, it took me a while to finish college. But I did, and here I am. And I now I can’t imagine not being a writer.
By day, I am an English Instructor for a local college, mother to four amazing children, and wife to an eternally patient and supportive husband.
In the evening, when I can squirrel away some quiet time, I read and write historical fiction.
I have a B.A. in English Lit. from UW Whitewater and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.
If you have a question for me, or if you are local and would like me to stop by your book club or writer’s group, please drop me a line via the “Ask the Author” tab. I always love the opportunity to meet with others who share my love of books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’ll fight for her future…but can she escape her past?
Chicago, Winter, 1891
Rachel is in danger. She s seen too much.
She creeps along the cement walls through the dank underbelly of the asylum. She d never planned to leave her quiet farm life, never thought she d find a place in the city, never imagined she d be in the kind of danger that would have her cowering in Dunning s cold, labyrinthine basement.
Jenny has finally found her place. After a childhood of abuse, she has friends, a real job, and her only wish is to give her adopted son the kind of life she never had.
A life of stability, without the risk and uncertainty of a father.
But when Jeremy, Rachel s brother, stumbles into their warehouse, asking for help to find his missing sister, Jenny s carefully constructed life begins to crumble.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Soul’s Prisoner, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I find it hard to believe it has been nearly two years since I had the privilege to review Cara Luecht’s novel “Soul Painter”. You can read my review HERE. As a long-time lover of Gothic romance, I was quite impressed with that novel and am happy to say that Soul’s Prisoner just reinforced my esteem for this author.
The dark and brooding atmosphere is the perfect setting for the evil that permeates the asylum and the suspense continues to build as the reader wonder whether Rachel will be rescued from her cruel fate. Many of the characters from “Soul Painter” make their appearance withing the pages of Soul’s Prisoner and new members are added to Miriam’s growing “family”. Once again Miriam is painting – portraits of a woman unknown to her – a woman she knows is in immense danger. The game has changed but Miriam cannot resist her calling and is somewhat surprised at her new husband’s staunch support.
What can I say without spoilers? The plot grabbed me from the beginning and drug me along to the end without letting go. Despite overwhelming evil, there was still a strong feeling of hope and faith. I liked the eclectic mix of characters. Some were malevolent, some were shining lights, and at least one saw the error of his ways and changed his course. There were a few surprises along the way and at least one budding romance. Naturally the bad guys got what was coming to them by the end but what fun reading to see how everything played out.
Soul’s Prisoner is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys historical suspense/mysteries. I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in the Portraits of Grace series and sincerely hope that many more sequels will be written. I also hope I won’t have to wait two years for the next one. I can be quite impatient when I love a series!
by admin | Jan 29, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“If I Run”. Terri Blackstock’s latest novel is scheduled to release on February 14. Fans of action-packed Christian suspense will want to grab a copy as soon as possible, especially if they are already familiar with this author’s previous work. I personally found the story to be fairly unique and engaging. It definitely held my attention throughout and I was actually surprised when I reached its end so quickly.
The primary character’s first instinct is to run when she finds the body of her best friend and realizes he has been murdered. Suspecting that it could be connected to the research he has been doing for her, Casey’s fear overrides her desire to prove her innocence. Dylan Roberts, another good friend of the victim, is hired by the parents to find Casey and bring her back for trial. Eager to see justice for his friend, Dylan begins to search for Casey. Using his investigative skills, he soon begins to see a pattern that does not fit what he has been told.
I loved these characters. Although Casey is on the run and it would be in her best interest to lie low, she cannot seem to overcome her instinct to help others and that comes close to getting her into big trouble. I also liked the way Dylan was more interested in finding the truth than in just fulfilling his mission. Although there was absolutely no romance in this story, I couldn’t help hoping that Casey and Dylan might connect at some point (maybe in a sequel?).
There is ample danger and action in this fast-paced suspense to keep those pages turning. I really liked this book and am in hopes that there will be at least one more in this series. I really can’t wait to see what happens with Casey and Dylan.
Copies of this book were provided for review by LitFuse Publicity and the Fiction Guild.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Casey knows the truth. But it won’t set her free.
Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.
But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?
Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of “Intervention,” “Vicious Cycle,” and “Downfall,” as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.
Find out more about Terri at http://www.terriblackstock.com.
Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she’s now a fugitive. Don’t miss Terri Blackstock’s next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!
One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.
Plus don’t miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.
by admin | Jan 13, 2016 | Appalachia, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Well past my child-bearing years and never interested in any type medical career, I was uncertain if I would find “The Mountain Midwife” to be a book I would enjoy. I need not have been concerned. This book was an enthralling romantic suspense with an Appalachian mountain setting that held my interest from its very first pages.
The author did a marvelous job with fully developed characters to whom I could relate. Ashley Tolliver was a compassionate woman whose dedication to the women of her community was commendable yet she was unaware of just how important a role she played. When Hunter showed up in search of the woman who claimed to be his mother, she found herself drawn into his quest as well as her own search for the mysterious young woman who had disappeared soon after Ashley delivered her baby.
The well-written plot moved along at a steady pace with ample drama, humor, mystery, and romance to whet any reader’s appetite. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the mountains in the company of Ashley and Hunter and was left wanting more. I am hoping for a sequel to this marvelous novel.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing and the Fiction Guild.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For nearly two hundred years, women in Ashley Tolliver’s family have practiced the art of midwifery in their mountain community. Now she wants to take her skills a step further, but attending medical school means abandoning those women to whom she has dedicated her life, the mountains she loves, and the awakening of her heart.
Ashley Tolliver has tended to the women of her small Appalachian community for years. As their midwife, she thinks she has seen it all. Until a young woman gives birth to a baby at Ashley’s home and is abducted just as she tries to take the dangerously bleeding woman her to the nearest hospital. Now Ashley is on a mission to find the woman and her newborn baby . . . before it’s too late.
Hunter McDermott is on a quest—to track down his birth mother. After receiving more media attention than he could ever want for being in the right place at the right time, he receives a mysterious phone call from a woman claiming to be his mother. Hunter seeks out the aid of the local midwife in the mountain town where the phone call originated—surely she can shed some light on his own family background.
Ashley isn’t prepared for the way Hunter’s entrance into her world affects her heart and her future. He reignites dreams of her own family she has long put aside in favor earning her medical degree and being able to do even more for her community. But is it commitment to her calling or fear of the unknown that keeps her feet firmly planted in the Appalachian soil? Or is it something more—fear of her growing feelings for Hunter—that make her hesitant to explore the world beyond the mountains?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Recipient of the National Readers Choice Award, Laurie Alice Eakes is the author of nine books and a novella, with four more books and two novellas scheduled for release. She is a writing teacher and speaker and has her master’s degree in creative writing. She also writes articles on writing, including “Writing from the Heart While Writing for the Market” for The ACFW Journal.
Visit her website at www.lauriealiceeakes.com
Facebook: authorlauriealiceeakes
Twitter: @LaurieAEakes
