Debra White Smith is a seasoned Christian author, speaker, and media personality who has been regularly publishing books for over a decade. In the last twelve years, she has accumulated over 50 books sales to her credit with over 1 million books in print. Her titles include such life-changing books as Romancing Your Husband, Romancing Your Wife, The Divine Romance: Developing Intimacy with God, the The Lonestar Intrigue fiction series, and The Jane Austen fiction series.
As a woman of God, Debra is committed to the highest standards of integrity and to spending hours a week being still before the Father, staying in tune with Him, and listening for His voice of direction in all she does. This commitment to romancing the Lord, coupled with her lifestyle of devouring, analyzing, and dissecting the Word of God has allowed God to bring about a miracle of deliverance and healing in Debra’s spirit, mind, and soul. For you see, Debra holds a double Ph.D. from the toughest schools in the world. The first Ph.D. from the “School of Hard Knocks” and the second, from the “School of Very Hard Knocks.” Aside from that, she holds an M.A. in English from the University of Texas.
Along with Debra’s being voted a fiction-reader favorite several times, her book Romancing Your Husband was a finalist in the 2003 Gold Medallion Awards. And, her Austen Series novel First Impressions was a finalist in the 2005 Retailer’s Choice Awards. Debra has been a popular media guest across the nation, including Fox TV, The 700 Club, ABC Radio, USA Radio Network, and Moody Broadcasting. Her favorite hobbies include fishing, bargain-hunting, and swimming with her family. Debra also vows she would walk 50 miles for a scoop of German Chocolate ice cream.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the small town of Bullard, Texas, the Mansfield brothers seem to have everything in order . . . except for their love lives. Jack is the lonely police chief still pining after Charli, his college girlfriend. Younger brother Sonny keeps busy on the road as a private investigator, and a secret from his past prevents him from finding someone to settle down with. But all that is about to change…
Read the two stories…
In Texas Heat, Charli is wrongly accused of a terrible crime. Now Jack must arrest the one woman he’s ever loved and risk everything to prove her innocence and save her life.
In Texas Pursuit, a single mother is a target of a relentless stalker—and Sonny finds himself both the only man who can protect her and the one who inadvertently leads danger back into her world.
Page-turning novels of romance and suspense, the Lone Star Intrigue series will give you faith in the power of love, and remind you that having faith in a God who redeems our mistakes is the greatest love story of all.
Learn more about Debra and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
I have always enjoyed Debra White Smith’s novels and was especially excited to see that not only were these set in Texas but that they were also suspense. Lone Star Intrigue actually contains the first two novels of the series with the same title. Each installment features one of the Mansfield brothers, Jack and Tony and a love interest he endeavors to protect and/or rescue.
The plots were fast paced with plenty of action and romance. Spiritual content was believable as some of the characters struggled with their faith. Both stories held my interest throughout and were fairly quick reads. Now I’m ready to find out what happens with the other brother Ryan in The Chase, final book of the series to be published later this year.
I have read and enjoyed Irene Hannon’s books in the Steeple Hill line for several years but they were all fairly typical romantic fiction. Then along came her Heroes of Quantico series and took her writing to a new level. Each new volume got just a little bit better. Her new offering, Fatal Judgment, first book in the Guardians of Justice series, meets or exceeds the standards set by the previous series.
With a suspenseful plot that could be taken from current news events, superb character interaction, a touch of humor, surprises around every corner, and of course romance, Fatal Judgment kept me turning the pages until the very end. Spiritual content was subtle but particularly evident in the character of Liz Michaels.
For those who enjoy their romance mixed with a little crime and suspense, Fatal Judgment might just be the book for you.
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Fatal Judgment is the first novel in the new romantic suspense series “Guardians of Justice” by acclaimed author Irene Hannon, who has been recognized with accolades including RITA and Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice awards.
Author Dee Henderson has praised Hannon’s latest book, saying, “Fatal Judgment is Irene Hannon’s storytelling at its best. I enjoyed every minute.”
In Fatal Judgment, U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he’d rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven’t warmed in the five years since she drove her husband–and Jake’s best friend–to despair . . . and possible suicide.
As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he’s forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life–and his heart–are in danger.
Full of suspense and romance, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than 25 novels, including the CBA bestsellers Against All Odds, An Eye for an Eye, and In Harm’s Way. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier award, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine. She lives in Missouri.
The Clouds Roll Away is a thoroughly enjoyable and easily read book for those who love suspenseful novels. I was quickly drawn into the story and didn’t want to put it down. I was reading the final chapters in the doctor’s office and was rudely interrupted when the doctor came in for my appointment. I was at a critical point and really needed to know the outcome. Then when I reached the end, I was sorry it was over.
A mystery/suspense novel, The Clouds Roll Away moves at a swift pace with gripping action scenes tempered by calmer settings in Raleigh’s office, home, at church and social events. The author sharply contrasts the peace and joy of the Christmas season with vivid portraits of violence, hatred, and greed. The mystery and suspense build at a satisfying tempo with multiple surprises along the way. As Raleigh soon finds out, things are not always what they seem.
Although the Christian message does not take the front seat in The Clouds Roll Away, Raleigh’s faith is always evident even as she struggles with it at times. The story does contain some violence as would be expected in a novel about an FBI agent, but none that I would consider excessively graphic.
I enjoyed The Clouds Roll Away enough that I have already ordered the first book of the series and look forward to reading all Ms. Giorello’s novels.
This book was provided for review by the LitFuse Publicity Group.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns home for Christmas but discovers Richmond, Virginia running low on goodness and light.
Although her exemplary service in Seattle lifted her disciplinary transfer, Raleigh lands a hometown civil rights case riddled with problems that could get her sent away again. When she helps out a fellow cop, her life goes on the line, forcing her undercover in a sting operation. As Raleigh realizes the lines are crossing and double-crossing, her domestic life starts to unravel. Her mother’s mental health cracks like ice, her closest friend grows cold, and her old boyfriend DeMott comes a-calling, hoping for more than chestnuts by an open fire.
While the city glows with Christmas lights and carols, Raleigh is forced to rely on her sharpest skills to stay alive, hoping for that one clear moment when everything makes sense and the clouds roll away.
Sibella’s celebrating the release of The Clouds Roll Away by giving away a KINDLE prize pack worth over $150.00!
One Grand Prize winner will receive:
Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi
$25 gift certificate to Amazon.com
To enter simply click on one of the icons below! Then tell your friends! Winner will be announced January 3, 2011 on Sibella’s blog: http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/.
About The Clouds Roll Away – “Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, Giorello’s mystery also features well-developed characters…”
Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.
Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master’s degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.
Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they’ve been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn’t writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rural America – 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding – a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.
After reviewing Christian fiction for a couple of years, I have read quite a few Amish novels. At times it becomes a little difficult to distinguish one from another. I realize that they fill the ever growing demand for stories of the plain and simple lifestyle and I have actually enjoyed most of them. However, I have longed for more variety and have actually found it in a few authors’ offerings. The Silent Order is one of those that defies the usual expectations for ‘bonnet fiction’.
Set in and around Cleveland during the ‘roaring twenties’, The Silent Order relates the story of what happened when organized crime invaded the peaceful countryside of the Amish. Populated with well rounded characters, The Silent Order is a page turner that kept me on edge as I both dreaded and anticipated what would happen next. It is a sometimes dark story but it also highlights dedication, loyalty, bravery, and love. The peace loving Amish community was a stark contrast to the violent men of the Cardano family who resorted to murder of even family members in order to keep their secrets and advance their position.
Although I would have liked for the faith element to have been more fully developed, it did not keep me from enjoying this very well written novel. I highly recommend The Silent Order.
Don’t Look Back is an absolutely can’t-stop-reading, heart-pounding book. The plot starts with a bang and accelerates to a breath-taking finale. This is one book that will have you looking over your shoulder for awhile after you read it.
When a buried body is discovered, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash is called in to work on the case. To her horror, she recognizes similarities to her own brutal kidnapping twelve years earlier. With the discovery of other bodies, it is evident that a serial killer is responsible and several threatening incidents make it clear that he and Jamie’s kidnapper are the same person who is determined to finish what he started with Jamie. FBI agent Dakota Richards, secretly in love with Jamie for quite awhile, is equally determined to protect Jamie at any cost.
Although I suspected the identity of the ‘Hero’ well before he was revealed, there were enough surprises and twists in the story to keep me from being 100% certain. With a fast paced plot, realistic and engaging characters, tender romance, over-the-top suspense, and a message of faith woven throughout, Don’t Look Back is a must read for lovers of suspense and modern crime novels. Don’t miss it!
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
a riveting combination of heart-stopping
suspense and heartwarming romance
Twelve years ago, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash survived a brutal kidnapping, torture, and rape. After years of therapy, she has made a life for herself—though one that is haunted by memories of her terrifying past.
She finally lets herself get close to a man, FBI agent Dakota Richards, when signs start appearing that point to one frightening fact—her attacker is back and ready to finish the job he started all those year ago. Can she escape his grasp a second time? And will she ever be able to let down her guard enough to find true love?
Filled with heart-stopping suspense, gritty realism, and a touch of romance, Don’t Look Back is the second book in the Women of Justice series.
Readers will be hooked from the beginning, finding that once you are in Lynette Eason’s world, you’re trapped until you turn the very last page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynette Eason is the author of Too Close to Home and three other romantic suspense novels. She is a member of American Fiction Christian Writers and Romance Writers of America. A homeschooling mother of two, she has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina.
During the stormy aftermath of a hurricane in the small Louisiana bayou town of Eternal Springs, Lincoln Vailes’ first encounter with Jade Laurent was at a women’s shelter where she was being threatened by an irate husband of one of the residents. Little did he realize that he would repeatedly find her at the center of more threats and crime scenes. It quickly became evident that she was being targeted by someone but the only logical suspect seemed to have alibis for each incident. To add to the puzzle, in the usually peaceful town, suddenly two men with gang ties in a northeast city are murdered. How does Jade fit into this picture?
Fear No Evil is a page turner with plenty of drama, action, suspense, and romance. Sensitive subjects such as domestic abuse, gang activities, Alzheimer’s disease, and violence are well handled. Discussions of spiritual issues that include scripture are woven seamlessly into the story without being intrusive. The romance between Lincoln and Jade progresses naturally and reaches the expected conclusion, but only after several intense scenes.
I would highly recommend Fear No Evil as well as the first book of the series, Deliver Us From Evil. I look forward to the release of In The Shadow of Evil and am hoping that Maddox Bishop will be a featured character.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by
B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With his father in a nursing home and his mother needing support, former Great Smoky Mountains park ranger Lincoln Vailes moves to the bayou town of Eternal Springs, Louisiana, to become a police officer. Recent college graduate and eager social worker Jade Laurent has also moved there to try and right the wrongs of an abusive past. But someone is running her car off the road and pointing guns in her direction. As Lincoln investigates her case, he uncovers ties to big-city gang warfare up north that appears to be making its evil way down south.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll has authored nine previous books including Deliver Us From Evil, Bayou Justice and Melody of Murder. She gives back to the writing community as conference director for the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A proud southerner through and through, Robin lives with her husband and three daughters in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Learn more about Robin and her books at her website.
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