by admin | Oct 2, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I always look forward to Irene Hannon’s latest suspense novel because I know I will find a fast-paced story with dynamic characters, plenty of action, mystery, and suspense with the added bonus of a pretty good love story. “Deceived” lived up to every one of my expectations. I had already read the two previous books in Hannon’s Private Justice series so I enjoyed getting to read Connor’s story. It has been fun for me to observe the interaction between the three partners from each of their own unique perspectives.
Connor’s new client has presented him with an unlikely story but something about it prompts him to check it out. Kate’s husband and young son died in a boating accident several years ago but her son’s body was never found. Kate’s husband and young son died in a boating accident several years ago but her son’s body was never recovered. A seemingly coincidental encounter in the local mall raises Kate’s hopes that her son may still be alive and hires Connor to investigate. As his efforts convince him that the boy is Kate’s son, he must find a way to prove it with more than circumstantial evidence. Early in the story, the reader learns who has Kate’s son but details about how and why he has him are slowly revealed as the narrative progresses. Hannon portrays this man in such a way that it is difficult not to sympathize with him just a bit as well as with Kate who has grieved her loss for several years – yet she does not in any way excuse his actions.
The plot moved along at a good pace with sufficient twists and surprises to hold my attention. Although the Christian element is not heavy-handed, the message of faith was evident, especially as Kate and Connor acknowledged the hand of God in how certain things happened to help the investigation. “Deceived” may not have been quite as suspenseful as previous novels, but in my opinion did not suffer because of it. It is an excellent suspense and I hate to see this series end. I am looking forward to the next one!
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A grieving mother. A mysterious child. And a dedicated PI who’s determined to solve the puzzle.
For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she’s convinced it’s her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating “accident” begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate’s son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden–and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon’s many fans have come to expect, Deceived is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plotline that accelerates to an explosive finish.
Praise for Irene Hannon’s Private Justice Series
- “Yet another in the line of terrific reads by this author . . . rich with suspense.”–Suspense Magazine on Deceived
- “A home run.”–Library Journal on Trapped
- “Spine-tingling.”–Booklist on Trapped
- “Just the right amount of suspense, danger, and deception.”–New York Journal of Books on Trapped
- “An engaging, satisfying tale.”–Publishers Weekly on Vanished
- “A wonderful mix of suspense and romance.”–RT Book Reviews on Vanished
Read an excerpt from “Deceived” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than forty-five novels, including Vanished, Trapped, and the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers’ Choice Award, and a National Readers’ Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.
by admin | Sep 27, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Quilts, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
One thing I have enjoyed about the Quilts of Love series is the sheer variety of themes among the featured books. So far I have read everything from Amish stories to Historical tales plus contemporary novels and sometimes even some mystery and suspense – all of which contain at least one romantic relationship. I have been a fan of Robin’s books since I first read some of her early Love Inspired Suspense novels. Since then she has gone on to write excellent full-length suspense novels that I make sure to obtain asap. Hidden in the Stars is Robin’s contribution to the Quilts of Love series and is a fine example of her versatility.
The somewhat pastel colors of the cover of Hidden in the Stars might trick the reader into thinking this novel is just a sweet romance. Never fear! Robin has woven her usual brilliant suspenseful mystery complete with some dastardly characters in which a quilt plays a major role. And let’s not forget the romance. Sparks fly between Sophia, victim of a brutal attack that killed her mother and investigating detective Julian. Although both of them feel a strong attraction, they decide it is just a reaction resulting from the aftermath of such a devastating crime. Could it be true love?
I enjoyed learning a bit about ballet and gymnastic training. I also liked seeing Julian’s perspective of the investigation. Most of all, I just loved having another novel by Robin Caroll in my hands. My only complaint is that it was over too soon.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A quilt holds the secret to a killer still at large—and who his next victim will be.
Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21?year?old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.
Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?
Visit the Quilts of Love website to learn more and purchase a copy.
Read an excerpt from “Hidden in the Stars” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is the author of 22 published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of 20?plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character?filled pets at home in Little Rock, Arkansas. She gives back to the writing community by serving as conference director for ACFW. Her books have been named finalists in such contests as the Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.
Find out more about Robin at http://www.robincaroll.com.
Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll. September’s QOL release is a wonderful combination of mystery, romance, and family love bound together by a quilt and the story it tells.
Enter to win a “Night on the Town” (a $200 Visa cash card!) and RSVP for the “Fall into Fall” Quilts of Love Facebook party on 10/7.
One winner will receive:
- A $200 Visa cash card (The perfect accessory for a “night on the town”!)
- A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
- Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 7. Winner will be announced at the October 7th author chat party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll! RSVP for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on October 7th!
by admin | Sep 22, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Quilts, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHidden in the StarsAbingdon Press (September 16, 2014)byRobin Caroll
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books.
When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her 3 beautiful daughters, 2 precious grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?
Learn more about Robin and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.
Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Hidden in the Stars, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
One thing I have enjoyed about the Quilts of Love series is the sheer variety of themes among the featured books. So far I have read everything from Amish stories to Historical tales plus contemporary novels and sometimes even some mystery and suspense – all of which contain at least one romantic relationship. I have been a fan of Robin’s books since I first read some of her early Love Inspired Suspense novels. Since then she has gone on to write excellent full-length suspense novels that I make sure to obtain asap. Hidden in the Stars is Robin’s contribution to the Quilts of Love series and is a fine example of her versatility.
The somewhat pastel colors of the cover of Hidden in the Stars might trick the reader into thinking this novel is just a sweet romance. Never fear! Robin has woven her usual brilliant suspenseful mystery complete with some dastardly characters in which a quilt plays a major role. And let’s not forget the romance. Sparks fly between Sophia, victim of a brutal attack that killed her mother and investigating detective Julian. Although both of them feel a strong attraction, they decide it is just a reaction resulting from the aftermath of such a devastating crime. Could it be true love?
I enjoyed learning a bit about ballet and gymnastic training. I also liked seeing Julian’s perspective of the investigation. Most of all, I just loved having another novel by Robin Caroll in my hands. My only complaint is that it was over too soon.
by admin | Sep 11, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed Lynette Eason’s suspense novels since the first ones I read through Love Inspired Suspense. They were excellent but I love the fact that she is now writing full length novels. All the more pages to read before I reach the end!
“Nowhere to Turn” got off to an exciting start and barely slowed down long enough for me to catch my breath. The plot kept to a good pace throughout with plenty of action, danger, surprises, and a bit of romance to keep most readers happy. Although it was evident who some of the bad guys were, the author kept a few secrets to herself until just the right moment for their revelation. I did manage to guess how they kept finding where Danielle was staying but then I have read LOTS of suspense novels. I really liked Danielle and Adam as main characters and Danielle’s son Simon was just perfect for the story.
As long as Lynette Eason will continue to write books like “Nowhere to Turn”, I will keep reading them. I very much recommend it and all her other books to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She thought her days of hiding were over . . . but the danger has just begun
The day Danielle Harding takes her eleven-year-old son and flees from her abusive husband is the same day Kurt Harding dies. A relieved Dani believes she and her son are finally safe–but in reality, things are just heating up. When Kurt was alive, he took something important from a mysterious individual–who wants the item back and believes Dani now has it. As she and her son run for their lives, they have nowhere to turn, until she hires Adam Buchanan of Operation Refuge and goes into hiding. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to hide for long . . .
From the first breathless scene, this tension-laced story will hold you in its iron grip as bestselling author Lynette Eason propels you along in a race to discover the truth.
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series and the Deadly Reunions series, as well as No One to Trust. 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.
Read an excerpt from “Nowhere to Turn” HERE.
Purchase a copy of “Nowhere to Turn”:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series and the Deadly Reunions 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.
by admin | Sep 8, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Sunken Treasure” is the third novel in Katy Lee’s Love Inspired Suspense series set on Stepping Stones Island. A modern-day pirate tale, the plot is fast paced and filled with danger, suspense, and adventure as well as the requisite romance. The setting of Stepping Stones Island is perfect with its rich and mysterious history.
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Rachelle Thibodaux found herself right in the middle of a high-stakes race to find a sunken ship that also involved revenge. Plenty of action, drama, and a few surprises kept me reading the entire book in one sitting. Realistically portrayed circumstances in Rachelle’s life made her character well-rounded and believable. I loved seeing how she slowly broke out of her self-imposed isolation and realized that her friends and neighbors did not blame her for the sins of her father. I really liked the characters and their connections to the previous books in the series.
“Sunken Treasure” is another riveting tale from Katy Lee and I highly recommend it and all her novels.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Danger on the High Seas
Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town’s censure for her father’s crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she’ll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As an Inspirational Romantic Suspense author, Katy Lee writes higher-purpose stories in high-speed worlds. Through her writing, ministries, and teaching, she dedicates her life to sharing tales of love, from the greatest love story ever told to those sweet romantic stories of falling in love. Katy and her husband are born New Englanders, but have been known to travel at the drop of a hat along with their three children. But is where you can find Katy anytime.
by admin | Aug 20, 2014 | Books, Bosnia, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I will be honest here – if I had paid more attention to the subject matter of this book, I probably would not have agreed to review it. Because I try to fulfill all my commitments, I began to read it. First of all I will say that writing flowed so naturally that it was easy to be drawn into the story. On the other hand, I really wanted to put it down after each chapter but I became so involved in Carla’s story that I had to keep reading. I so did not want to know about the atrocities that took place in Bosnia during that era of horrific ethnic genocide. Current news, especially from the Mideast, indicates that similar carnage is once again taking place (if it has ever stopped). My tendency is to want to bury my head in the sand and live in denial of all evil but of course that is impossible.
The main focus of “The Last Witness” is Carla Lane, one of the only survivors of one of the Serbian death camps twenty years earlier. After the death of her husband, Carla’s repressed memories of that time of her life return and she vows to find out what happened to her parents and brother and to make sure that the men responsible for so many deaths are punished. The plot moves along at a steady pace with details from the past filled in by entries from a journal written by her mother that survived with Carla. The story takes a few twists along the way with at least one major surprise in store.
“The Last Witness” is not an easy book to read. It contains some fairly graphic details that demonstrate the utter depths of depravity men can reach. The fact that the story is based on true historic events makes it that much more difficult to stomach. This novel is very well written with a powerful message but it is not for the faint of heart. I am sure the images in my mind will be with me for awhile.
This book was provided for review by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After a massacre at a Bosnian prison camp, a young girl is found alone, clutching a diary, so traumatized she can’t even speak. Twenty years later, the last witness to the prison guards’ brutal crimes must hunt down those responsible to learn what happened to her family.
Twenty years ago, after the fall of Yugoslavia, the world watched in horror as tens of thousands were killed or imprisioned in work camps during an “ethnic cleansing” in Bosnia. Carla Lane has little knowledge of what went on halfway around the world when she was a child. She is living a near perfect life in New York City, married and soon to have a family of her own. But when her husband is murdered by a group of Serbian war criminals, strange memories start coming back, and she discovers that she underwent extensive therapy as a girl to suppress her memories. She is given her mother’s diary, which unlocks her childhood memories and reveals that she was, along with her parents and young brother, imprisoned in a war camp outside Sarajevo.
As her memories come back, it becomes clear that she is the last witness to a brutal massacre in the prison and that her brother may still be alive. She sets out to find her brother, but first she must hunt down the war criminals responsible for destroying her life. But these killers will stop at nothing to protect their anonymity and their deadly pasts…and are determined to silence the last witness to their crimes.
From the talented storyteller who gave us The Second Messiah, The Last Witness serves up another captivating and nail-biting thriller that will keep you holding your breath right to the end.
Read an excerpt from “The Last Witness” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photograph © Fred Cannon
Glenn Meade was born in 1957 in Finglas, Dublin. Several of his novels have been international bestsellers, translated into more than twenty languages, and have enjoyed both critical and commercial success.
