Counter Point by Marji Laine

by admin | Dec 13, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Marji Laine is a new author for me and I am happy to say that I enjoyed her latest novel Counter Point. The story of a foreign missionary who had a role in breaking up a drug cartel and the girl he left behind in the U.S., this book was both action-packed and filled with important life lessons about how God sees his children.

The tale is filled with multiple twists and turns and when I thought I had it all figured out, up jumped another surprise. I found the characters interesting but would have liked them to have a bit more depth. Cat was somewhat naive and took way too many chances, especially considering the multiple attempts on her life. That girl could also hold a grudge that wouldn’t quit. Ray was more mature but he had his own hangups as well as typical male behavior and lack of communication skills when it came to the woman he loved. As can be predicted, all the problems end up resolved with a probable happy-ever-after in store – but Cat and Ray had to jump quite a few dangerous hurdles to get to that point.

I particularly liked the idea of the Sunset Suppers that Cat provided to the homeless of her town and the relationships that were formed as a result. Numerous conversations about their faith and more than one escape from certain death kept the story focused on the Lord. It was gratifying to watch both Cat and Ray grow in their faith and for Cat to understand that she was already serving in the ministry God had for her.

Counter Point is a book worth reading and I do recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Counter Point Author: Marji Laine Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: November 2016 Click here to get your copy.

Someone is determined to finish the final assignment of a murdered hitman.

Her father’s gone. Her diner’s closing. Her car’s in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose.

Except her life. And a madman’s bent on taking that away.

Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart.

Keeping Cat safe from a fallen cartel leader might prove impossible for Ray, but after seeing his mission destroyed and several godly people killed, he knows better than to ignore the man’s threats. Cat’s resistance to his protection and the stirring of his long-denied feelings for her complicate his intentions, placing them both in a fight for their lives.

How can a small-town girl survive when ultimate power wants her dead?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling, but with her publishing business, her various volunteer activities, and her large family, she will likely never live a life of leisure. When she does find spare time, she enjoys watching sports and Hallmark movies and mysteries, loves having game night with her family and friends, and enjoys talking “shop” with other authors. You can usually find her in her favorite recliner, plucking away at her keyboard with her rescue fur-babies at her feet or at www.MarjiLaine.com.

MORE FROM MARJI:

COUNTER POINT takes place in a small town in East Texas. A family-owned diner provides the backdrop for many of the scenes. The owner, Cat McPherson, makes a point of smiling and chatting with everyone who stops by. Even the superior and difficult Mrs. Heath—of the Heath’s Point Heath’s, make no mistake. Mrs. Heath might think she’s all that, but she is still dependent on Cat’s diner for a slice of her favorite Magnolia Pie.

Have you ever had a piece of this custard paradise? Smooth, creamy, and with the minutest crisp of a glazed caramel on top of it. I can practically taste one now. This favorite of mine had to go into my book. I first tasted a Magnolia Pie (my adopted grandmother called it Buttermilk Pie because Magnolia Pie sounded too southern and she was from New Jersey) at a Christmas Eve celebration. It was my instant favorite.

I’ve searched for my grandmother’s recipe through old books that she gave me and a collection that she and several others put together when I got married. Sadly, I cannot find that original recipe that she used. But I think it must have been something like the one I was thinking of when I included Magnolia Pie in my book.

Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to enjoy a virtual slice of pie with you!

MAGNOLIA PIE

Ingredients:

3 eggs at room temperature
1 stick of softened butter
1½ cups white sugar
3½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Whisk the eggs until foamy.

3. Cream together sugar, butter, nutmeg, and flour. Add the eggs and other ingredients, beating until smooth.

4. Pour into pie shell and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Cool completely or chill before serving.

BLOG STOPS:

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Marji is giving away the grand prize package of a “reading S’mores” Christmas Ornament, a book light, and copies of COUNTER POINT and the first book of the Grime Fighter series, GRIME BEAT!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f2e9/counter-point-celebration-tour-giveaway

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon

by admin | Oct 18, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Once again Irene Hannon has provided me with a few hours of suspenseful reading that kept me on my toes as I tried to guess the person behind the various criminal deeds in her story. Each time I thought I had a good idea – and I suspect that was exactly what the author wanted me to think – another character turned up with equally good motives. I loved how the various aspects of the plot were so deftly interwoven. I also liked that even the guilty characters were portrayed with a somewhat sympathetic insight into their background that may well have influenced the direction their lives took.

Dark Ambitions has all the elements that are necessary for a good suspense novel with its fast-moving plot, plenty of mystery, action and danger as well as a touch of romance. Plot twists abound with surprises around every corner. A fairly strong thread of faith was also included which added depth to the primary characters relationship.

In my opinion, one can never go wrong when choosing a novel by Irene Hannon. Dark Ambitions certainly lived up to my expectations!

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Danger lurks when ambitions turn deadly . . .

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently–leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn’t convinced.

With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn’t want them to succeed–and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

Read an excerpt here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, Pelican Point, and Driftwood Bay, as well as the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carols, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.