by admin | Aug 24, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Military, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
The author, Ronie Kendig, has taken a Biblical reference in the book of Numbers to an obscure and presumably lost Book of Wars and built a fantastic yet mostly believable tale. It is one of those books that can quickly grab the reader, pull her in, and not let her surface for air until the very end. This is not a book you want to begin at bedtime because you most assuredly will not get any sleep if you do.
Action-packed from page one, the narrative takes Leif and Iskra on a dangerous journey through strange and violent weather events and against a host of enemies determined to gain control of the lost book. Vivid descriptions help the reader experience everything as though there. Unexpected twists and revealed secrets added to the experience and kept me wanting to know more.
Storm Rising may just be the best book I’ve read from this author to date and I have enjoyed quite a few of her novels. If you love a book with a dynamic hero and plenty of action, danger, and suspense, then Storm Rising should be the next book on your TBR list. Do yourself a favor and do not miss this one!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Does an Ancient Book of Prophecy Hold the Answers to Saving the World . . . Or Predict Its Destruction?
Mentioned in the pages of the Old Testament but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets–and dangers–never before seen on earth.
Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is once more given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as Viorica snatches the volume right out from under them.
Iskra “Viorica” Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most–freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe, and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives, and entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of the past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in centuries-old words could unleash a storm of their own destruction.
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ronie Kendig (www.roniekendig.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty novels. She grew up an army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live a short train ride from New York City with their children and a retired military working dog. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.
by admin | Aug 22, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Deadly Intentions is one of those books that makes me a bit resentful of the demands of real life. Cooking and cleaning just do not stand up very well against finding out what might happen next in this fast-paced, suspense-filled narrative. Several of Caitlyn’s research team have died randomly over the past year and Caitlyn herself has just survived a hit-and-run. She needs to talk with someone but there is no one she can trust, except perhaps her dead friend’s husband Josh Solomon who is also a police detective. As she shares her suspicions with Josh, they agree that the deaths cannot be merely coincidental and find themselves right in the middle of a deadly game.
Lisa Harris is another author who has been added to my ever-growing Must Read list. Her characters are so realistic that I can easily relate to their experiences. Her vivid plots could easily have come from today’s news. I love how she deftly weaves her Christian faith into the story in such a natural way. Lots of action, danger, suspense, and plot twists keep me reading and a bit of romance is the icing on the cake.
I voluntarily reviewed a 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:
There is no such thing as random
Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victims’ husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.
Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn’s theory, Josh soon realizes the attack that took his wife’s life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn’s team–and what their end game is–before it’s too late.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than 40 books, including The Nikki Boyd Files and the Southern Crimes series, as well as Vanishing Point, A Secret to Die For, and Deadly Intentions, Harris and her family have spent over 16 years living as missionaries in southern Africa. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.
by admin | Aug 22, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Lynette Eason has come through once again with a riveting tale of suspense for her readers. The final book in her Blue Justice series, Vow of Justice features another member of the St. John family, Lincoln. Linc is an FBI Special Agent whose partner Allison Radcliffe was murdered – only she is still very much alive. Once he discovers the truth, Linc is determined to work with Allison to stop a killer and bring down a dangerous organization.
A brilliant plot soon reveals that there is much more at work behind the scenes and an unexpected, twisted killer has his own plans for Allison. At some point I actually began to suspect a certain character wasn’t exactly who he was supposed to be but I didn’t guess his true motives. I enjoyed reading more about the rest of the St. John family and loved how they all jumped in to help Linc and Allison.
Eason has outdone herself with Vow of Justice, a truly suspense filled tale that kept me turning those pages. I will miss the St. John crew but am confident that I will love the next series as well. If you are not already a fan of Lynette Eason, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Vow of Justice today. You may want to also pick up the rest of the series because you will probably want to read those too.
I voluntarily reviewed a 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:
Playing dead might just get her killed
FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes himself to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her “murder.”
As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn’t sure how he’s supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time–this time for good.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Mary Denman
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.
by admin | Aug 17, 2019 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
For some unknown reason, I expected The Yellow Lantern to be a book about the underground railroad. Imagine my surprise when I began reading to find Josie waking up just as she is about to become the next specimen for a doctor’s illegal research. From that point on Josie’s life is not her own as she attempts to fulfill the agreement with the doctor that spared her life.
A tale of body snatchers and manipulation, The Yellow Lantern held me spellbound from its beginning to the very end. Characters were easy for me to identify with and were quite well-rounded. The story is riddled with secrets and deception with a few unexpected twists along the way. The importance of making the right choice is strongly emphasized in this suspenseful story based on true crimes.
I am quite happy that the subject matter was not what I expected. I loved this unique tale and recommend it to everyone who enjoys their suspense with a different angle.
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: The Yellow Lantern
Author: Angie Dicken
Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense
Release Date: August, 2019
Click here to grab your copy. |
 |
Josephine Is Forced to Spy for Grave Robbers
Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
In Massachusetts in 1824, Josephine Clayton awakes on the table of the doctor she’s assisted all these months. She was presumed dead by all and has become the doctor’s next corpse for his medical research. Frightened, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. A deal is struck—Josie will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, she’ll await her true mission—posing as a mourner to help his body snatcher procure her replacement. At the mill though, Josie is praised for her medical remedies among the mill girls, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager Braham Taylor. Yet, when Braham’s own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all.
What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in England. Now living in the U.S. heartland, she’s a member of ACFW, sharing about author life with her fellow Alley Cats on The Writer’s Alley blog and Facebook page. Besides writing, she is a busy mom of four and works in Adult Ministry. Angie enjoys eclectic new restaurants, authentic conversation with friends, and date nights with her Texas Aggie husband. Connect with her online at www.angiedicken.com.
MORE FROM ANGIE:
Barbour’s True Colors Crime concept intrigued me from the very beginning. Being the daughter of a doctor and discovering the ties of grave robbing to the early medical profession, I was excited to dive deep into 19th century Massachusetts. Grave robbing around Boston and New York was often employed by doctors desperate for medical advancement. Men and women were both involved in the procuring of bodies for doctors. Finding these accounts led me to take took a look at the current medical remedies of the time—tinctures, elixirs, and herbal concoctions. My heroine was created in the tension of a desire to heal and the desperation of medical pursuits.
Amidst these medical ties to the historical moment of 1824, something was also shifting among women in rural areas of New England. Many women were employed by newly built cotton mills (Lowell Mill was my inspiration for the fictional Gloughton Mill in The Yellow Lantern). These working opportunities for women offered an escape from their home-bound lives and the rare chance for independence. Of course, with such industrial environments, injuries, and sometimes death, would occur. Noting the accounts of these kind of fatalities in historical articles, my research came full circle.
I found three strong threads to weave into my grave-robbing story—desperate doctors in need of research, a doctor’s assistant needing an escape from her village, and a mill, not only offering that escape, but the chance at bodies for the desperate medical community.
My heroine, Josie Clay, found life in the tangle of these threads of mills, medicine, and grave robbing—all playing out within the pages of The Yellow Lantern.
BLOG STOPS:
| Genesis 5020, August 15
Seasons of Opportunities, August 15
All-of-a-kind Mom, August 15
Bigreadersite, August 16
Emily Yager, August 16
Inspired by fiction, August 16
The Christian Fiction Girl, August 17
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 17
Daysong Reflections, August 17
Retrospective Spines, August 18
Spoken from the Heart, August 18
Kathleen Denly, August 19
Through the Fire Blogs, August 19
Christian Bookaholic, August 19
Maureen’s Musings, August 20
For the Love of Literature, August 20
Simple Harvest Reads, August 21 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Godly Book Reviews, August 21
A Reader’s Brain, August 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22 |
Betti Mace, August 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 22
Hallie Reads, August 23
Mary Hake, August 23
Inklings and notions, August 23
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 24
For Him and My Family, August 24
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, August 24
Connie’s History Classroom, August 25
Pause for Tales, August 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 25
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 26
amandainpa, August 26
Blossoms and Blessings, August 27
Texas Book-aholic, August 27
janicesbookreviews, August 27
Back Porch Reads, August 28
Just the Write Escape, August 28 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Angie is giving away a grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of each of the books in the series!!
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/e71c/the-yellow-lantern-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Aug 6, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Georgia, Romance, Southern
MY REVIEW:
A Glitter of Gold, Liz Johnson’s second offering in her Georgia Coast Romance series is a book that readers will not want to put down until its satisfying end. Although part of a series, this book is entirely stand alone with new characters and plot. A Sparkle of Silver is the first book in this series and I can pretty much guarantee that if you read either one you will want to read the other also.
What could be better than a heroine who leads pirate tours in a place like Savanna, Georgia? Perhaps a hero who is a museum director in search for answers about a family diary that has been handed down for generations. Both struggling businesses are in dire need of financial help but neither Anne nor Carter has an inkling on what to do. When Anne finds an artifact from a possible shipwreck shortly after a storm, she goes to Carter for information. Is it coincidence that there could be a connection between his diary and the artifact or has God used the circumstances to bring them together?
A Glitter of Gold is a beautifully written story pulled me right in. Johnson has a talent for making her characters come to life in a way that makes them feel like friends. Each of them had reasons to be wary of the other and their relationship experienced several challenges along the way. I loved the contrast between the current story and the story revealed through the diary, not to mention a surprise or two. This story is a strong testimony of the power of God to bring healing and forgiveness to wounded souls if they will allow themselves to trust Him with their lives.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging, and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.
Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she’d never do again: trust a man.
Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that’s turning up nothing will take all their dedication–and every secret they’ve tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world–love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liz Johnson is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of Silver, A Glitter of Gold, The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love’s Gentle Shore, as well as a New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. She makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.
by admin | Aug 3, 2019 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have not read very many suspense novels that featured the Amish but Amish Covert Operation is one such book. In it widow Katie Schwartz finds herself in the center of a very dangerous situation and her life in danger just because she tried to find her brother. Saved by federal agent Adam Troyer, Katie soon learns that she is in deep trouble and needs his protection.
The plot of Amish Covert Operation is fast-moving with plenty of action and danger. It is a given that there is also romance involved – after all it is a Love Inspired novel and the attraction between Katie and Adam is resisted by both which is also pretty much expected. Of course all readers of Love Inspired novels know the basics of how this will end but all the fun is in seeing how the characters reach that point. True-to-life example of faith under fire including natural doubts during the trials is illustrated well. Anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or suspense should love this book. Others may enjoy it as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She witnessed a crime
Can an agent in disguise keep her safe?
After Amish widow Katie Schwartz’s search for her reclusive brother results in a shooting and her finding a cryptic message, she must rely on federal agent Adam Troyer to shield her. But, undercover as a Plain man, can Adam save her brother’s life and protect Katie? Trusting the handsome Englisch agent is already dangerous…but falling for him could risk everything Katie holds dear.
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
By sixth grade, Meghan Carver knew she wanted to write. After earning a degree in English from Millikin University, she detoured to law school, earning a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University. She then worked in immigration law and taught Comp 101 at the local college. Now, she homeschools her six children with her college professor husband. When she isn’t writing, homeschooling, or planning the family’s next travel adventure, she is active in her church, sews for her kidlets, and reads.
