by admin | Aug 4, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fatal Loyalty
Kregel Publications (April 23, 2010)
by
Sue Duffy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. Her first novel Mortal Wounds was published in 2001 and she has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children. Find out more at www.sueduffybooks.com
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Where do you run when you know you cannot hide?
Andie Ryborg has nowhere else to go. Her father’s campaign for governor and his aggressive war on drugs has chased her from their family home. Drawn to Miami’s exotic Coconut Grove, Andie hopes to find a quiet refuge where she can discover herself apart from the public eye. But even in that seclusion, even with an officer assigned to protect her, Andie’s privacy has been violated. Someone is watching
Evan Markham’s entire life has been a tug-of-war between what is and what could be. He is drawn to a life that is beyond his reach and emotions have clouded his judgment. Evan knows that earning someone’s trust isn’t easy, especially when he plans to break it. But in the secret corridors of the criminal underworld, he knows what must be done, and he is determined to see it through. Whatever the cost
When enemies close in, a sudden turn of events leaves them both questioning. Where is God in all of this? Who is this enigmatic stranger who offers to help? They both know their lives are in danger. But what about their hearts?
If you would like to read the Prologue of Fatal Loyalty, go HERE.
MY REVIEW: (Repost from June 16)
Fatal Loyalty is a high octane suspense novel that takes the reader into the dangerous world of drug cartels and the men and women who make it their mission to stop them. A story of assumed identities, hidden motives, old secrets, and sacrificial love, Fatal Loyalty moves at a fast clip with plenty of action and dangers. A bit slow moving and confusing at first, the plot soon takes off with twists and turns that keep the pages turning.
by admin | Jul 12, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Back On Murder
Bethany House (July 1, 2010)
by J. Mark Betrand
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
J. Mark Bertrand has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. After one hurricane too many, he left Houston and relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota.
Mark has been arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, was the foreman of a hung jury in Houston, and after relocating served on the jury that acquitted Vinnie Jones of assault. In 1972, he won an honorable mention in a child modeling contest, but pursued writing instead. Besides his personal website, visit his Crime Genre website at http://www.crimegenre.com/.
The next book in this series, Pattern Of Wounds will come out in the summer of 2011.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Det. Roland March is a homicide cop on his way out.
A missing girl. A corrupt investigation. They thought they could get away with it, but they forgot one thing:
Roland March is BACK ON MURDER…
Houston homicide detective Roland March was once one of the best. Now he’s disillusioned, cynical, and on his way out. His superiors farm him out on a variety of punishment details. But when he’s the only one at a crime scene to find evidence of a missing female victim, he’s given one last chance to prove himself. Before he can crack the case, he’s transferred to a new one that has grabbed the spotlight–the disappearance of a famous Houston evangelist’s teen daughter.
All he has to do? Find the missing teenage daughter of a Houston evangelist that every cop in town is already looking for. But March has an inside track, a multiple murder nobody else thinks is connected. With the help of a youth pastor with a guilty conscience who navigates the world of church and faith, March is determined to find the missing girls while proving he’s still one of Houston’s best detectives.
Battling a new partner, an old nemesis, and the demons of his past, getting to the truth could cost March everything. Even his life.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Back On Murder, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Back On Murder tells the story of a discouraged, disinterested, has-been detective who finds himself at the scene of a murder that sparks his interest and a determination to prove that he still has what it takes to be a top homicide cop. Unfortunately, his unwelcome ideas about the case do not sit well with the other detectives who have lost faith in his abilities and he finds himself shuttled off to work on an unrelated case (or is it?).
Back On Murder explores the private life of Roland March, his dedication and near obsession with his job, his uncomfortable marriage, and the memories that haunt both him and his wife. The reader is taken on a twisted journey through apparently unrelated clues that cannot possibly come together enough to solve the case. As the narrative reaches its conclusion, not only do the facts begin to mesh but Roland finds some peace and redemption in his own life.
Both the characters and events ring true in Back On Murder. It is a story where good guys are flawed and make mistakes and where sometimes a bad guy can change his life. It is a gritty story that reveals some unpleasant facts of life and may not be suitable for younger readers. But for those who enjoy this genre, Back On Murder is a must read. I highly recommend it.
by admin | Jun 16, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today’s Wild Card author is:
and the book:
Fatal Loyalty
Kregel Publications (April 23, 2010)
***Special thanks to Cat Hoort of Kregel Publications for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. Her first novel Mortal Wounds was published in 2001 and she has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (April 23, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825425948
ISBN-13: 978-0825425943
AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
In an instant, his world collapsed, and no one knew it but him. The giddy chatter of students rushing to and from the cafeteria swirled about him as he felt blindly for something to lean against.
Eyes locked on the overhead television screen, Evan Markham backed slowly toward a post in the crowded student union. Just moments ago, he’d been one of them, a Florida State student preparing for exams and the long-awaited summer break. But what he’d just heard ended it all.
He had only glanced at the News at Noon anchorwoman with the glossy lips as he hurried to class. He caught something about a shootout in Tampa, but kept going. As he reached the door, though, he heard a name that stopped him cold.
“. . . Leo Francini.”
Evan turned suddenly and stared at the screen as the woman switched the broadcast to an on-the-scene reporter. A cold sweat sprang from his brow as he moved quickly toward others gathering before the monitor.
“This quiet residential street in Tampa was the scene today of a bloody standoff between FBI agents and members of a drug cartel run by Miami racketeer Leo Francini,” the somber-faced young man announced. “Before the violence ended about nine o’clock this morning, two FBI agents and Francini’s son, Donnie Francini, were killed. It is believed that Leo Francini was in the area, though not involved in the shootout. An intense manhunt by the FBI and local police is now underway. A house-to-house search is being conducted in . . .”
Steadying himself against the post, Evan turned to see if anyone was watching him. How could they know? No one knows.
Then another name caught him.
“Florida Attorney General Tony Ryborg, visibly shaken by the deaths of the two FBI agents, just moments ago issued what he calls an iron-clad promise to the people of this state, saying, ‘Leo Francini will be brought to justice and pay the severest penalty for these deaths.’”
Two hours later, Evan was packed and ready to leave. For where, he didn’t yet know. He’d removed all his belongings from the apartment and left a note for his roommate, whom he hardly knew. He hadn’t allowed himself to get close to many people, switching roommates often during the three years he’d been enrolled. Still, the guy deserved an apology for the sudden departure.
Evan returned to the student union to close his checking account and put a hold on his mail, evading inquiries about why he would do so before final exams.
As he left the building, he saw her. As usual, she didn’t notice him. Andie Ryborg seemed as absorbed in a private world as he was. Only hers hadn’t just ended in a gunfight.
One last time, he hung back and watched her. Dark hair fell loosely about her face as she sketched beneath a tree, focused on the gurgling fountain in the center of the green.
They’ll find you. Get away!
MY REVIEW:
Fatal Loyalty is a high octane suspense novel that takes the reader into the dangerous world of drug cartels and the men and women who make it their mission to stop them. A story of assumed identities, hidden motives, old secrets, and sacrificial love, Fatal Loyalty moves at a fast clip with plenty of action and dangers. A bit slow moving and confusing at first, the plot soon takes off with twists and turns that keep the pages turning.
by admin | Apr 18, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two installments of Irene Hannon’s Heroes of Quantico series and was excited to receive a review copy of In Harm’s Way. This third and final episode definitely lived up to my expectations. In fact, I think it was my favorite of the series. I have learned that I can count on Irene Hannon for a well researched, fast paced plot with outstanding characters and enough creative twists and surprises to hold my interest.
In Harm’s Way begins with a unique twist in which Rachel Sutton takes a bedraggled rag doll to the FBI based on the unusual reaction she has every time she touches it. Although Nick Sutton wants to write it off as inconsequential, he holds on to the doll – and finds himself strangely attracted to Rachel. When he happens to run across a possible connection between the doll and a kidnapping, both he and Rachel are drawn into an escalating situation filled with danger and suspense that is exacerbated by a persistent reporter. Several significant surprises and a touching romance round out the story.
I would heartily recommend In Harm’s Way as well as the first two books in the Heroes of Quantico series.
This book was provided for review by Revell,
a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Eagerly Awaited Conclusion in Bestselling “Heroes of Quantico” Series:
The danger is real, but can she convince the FBI her story is true?
Irene Hannon’s bestselling Heroes of Quantico series has gripped readers with what reviewers have praised as “extraordinary writing, vivid scenes, and a surprise ending….a not-to-be-missed reading experience.”
In Harm’s Way is the final book of the series, where FBI special agent Nick Bradley is confronted by Rachel Sutton: Nick has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau. But Rachel is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis–until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found and tells him she thinks something is wrong because of a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it. Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections—and puts Rachel’s life on the line.
Publishers Weekly praised the novel, calling it a “fast-paced crime drama with an aside of romance.” Filled with palpable suspense and a touch of romance, In Harm’s Way is the final installment of Hannon’s thrilling Heroes of Quantico series.
Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell,
a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including Against All Odds andAn Eye for an Eye. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviewsmagazine. For more information about Irene and her books, visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.
by admin | Apr 14, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sworn To Protect
Tyndale House (April 2010)
by DiAnn Mills
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.
DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.
Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.
She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico; a job she’s paid dearly for. Her husband, Toby, was murdered two years ago trying to help and his murder’s never been solved. Now a string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone from McAllen profits from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country and somehow this illegal activity is tied to her husband, Toby’s death.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Sworn To Protect, go HERE.
Watch the book trailer video:
MY REVIEW:
To read my review of Sworn To Protect posted on April 8, please click here.
by admin | Apr 11, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I am familiar with Lynette Eason’s Love Inspired Suspense novels so I was prepared for a good mystery. In my opinion, she has kicked it up another level with Too Close To Home. With a plot that includes realistic family conflicts, a tentative romance, and a murderer who seems to be one step ahead of the detectives and the FBI, Too Close To Home kept my undivided attention and once again I stayed awake way too late in the night in order to reach the conclusion. The story has plenty of surprises, twists, and tension plus several occasions when I wanted to warn a character about the dangerous move he/she was about to make. By the end of the book, I was convinced that it was aptly named – for more than one reason.
It would be difficult for me to reveal more about Too Close To Home without spoilers. Just let me say that if you are a suspense fan, you should like it. And the sneak peek of the next installment of the Women of Justice series hints that it will be just as good. I know I look forward to it.
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
FBI agent Samantha Cash sets out to solve a string of murders in a small Southern town. Troubles arise when the case turns personal…
Lynette Eason debuts a new romantic suspense series that features strong female characters who will stop at nothing to find the criminal: the Women of Justice series.
Too Close to Home is the first novel in this new series, which renowned suspense author Dee Henderson called “a hit” and said that she “enjoyed every minute.”
In this thrilling first book, readers meet Samantha Cash, who is the FBI’s secret weapon. Her methods are invisible, and she never stops until the case is closed. When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, Samantha is assigned to help the local police chief Connor Wolfe find the killer. And he has two problems with that. There’s her faith–in God and herself. And then there’s the fact that she looks exactly like his late wife.
As they get close to an answer, the case becomes personal. The killer seems to be taking an interest in Connor’s 16-year-old daughter, who thinks her dad is getting way too protective. Can’t a girl just have some fun?
Too Close to Home ratchets up the suspense with each page, and will have readers cheering for the characters they love as justice is served and love grows even in the face of danger. Read this one with the lights on!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, and 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.
Read Lynette’s blog here.
Visit Lynette’s website here.
Download an excerpt from Too Close to Home here.
Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
