by admin | Jul 22, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFirewallTyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2014)byDiAnn MillsABOUT THE AUTHOR:
DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops.
DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.
Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?
With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Firewall, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
It would have been difficult to convince me that DiAnn Mills’ books could be improved upon – that is until I read Firewall. It seemed to reach out, grab me by the collar and pull me right into the story. I really wanted to slow down and savor the story but I was so caught up in its grip that I raced right through it. I just had to find out what would happen next.
I liked the characters very much. I could identify with Taryn because like her I have always been more comfortable with my books and computer. I could easily imagine the nightmare Taryn found herself unable to wake from. And Grayson – what a guy! Dedicated to solving a crime with evidence pointing to Taryn’s guilt, he nevertheless gave her the benefit of the doubt despite his partner’s determination to incriminate her. The plot moved at breath-taking speed with so many twists and turns that it was sometimes hard to keep up. More than one surprise was in store as identities of guilty parties were revealed at just the right point in the story. And a little romance never hurt anything! I also liked the natural way the main characters grew stronger in their trust in God and others despite (or maybe because of) their sometimes overwhelming circumstances.
Firewall is a masterpiece of romantic suspense. I can hardly wait for the next installment of DiAnn’s newest series.
by admin | Jun 17, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Once more Lis Wiehl with the help of April Henry has penned a novel that kept me turning the pages until I reached the end. I was surprised at how quickly I breezed through this one. It really held my attention. The plot moved at a brisk but steady pace with plenty of danger, suspense and a few surprises. A sub-plot helped to temper the momentum with glimpses of Mia Quinn’s daily routine as she and Detective Charlie Carlson attempted to determine how to prosecute a case involving juveniles.
The book opened with an attempt on Seattle prosecutor Mia Quinn’s life by an unhappy defendant and her day only went from bad to worse from there. A new case that could affect the outcome of the election for her boss and the possibility that her late husband’s accident may have been murder as well as other incidents added to her stress.
Although I liked the characters of both Mia and Charlie, at times it seemed as if they took a backseat to the plot driven story. I have no complaints with that – the story was well-developed and held my interest quite well. The potential romantic interest that both Charlie and another character displayed was incidental to the plot but added a few moments of relief to the suspense.
“A Deadly Business” was quite well done and I will continue to look forward to novels by this author.
This book was provided for review by the
BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If the hours don’t kill you, the accused just might.
Mia Quinn is a Seattle prosecutor working on high profile cases in the Violent Crimes unit while juggling the impossible demands of single parenthood. Her husband, Scott, was killed in a car crash that homicide detective Charlie Carlson now believes was no accident. Charlie’s instincts and professional record make it impossible for Mia to refute the evidence she’d rather not believe.
When the powers that be refuse to reopen the case, it’s up to Mia and Charlie to investigate, all the while trying to deny a growing attraction between them. Was her accountant husband really in league with nefarious criminals? And who is the young woman whose photo they find on his computer?
Uncovering the truth may hurt Mia in more ways than one.
Read an excerpt from “A Deadly Business” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Lis Wiehl is one of the nation’s most prominent trial lawyers and highly regarded commentators. Currently, she is the legal analyst and reporter on the Fox News Channel and Bill O’Reilly’s sparring partner in the weekly “Is It Legal?” segment on The O’Reilly Factor. Prior to that she was O’Reilly’s co-host on the nationally syndicated show The Radio Factor. She is also a Professor of Law at New York Law School. Her column “Lis on Law” appears weekly on FoxNews.com.
Prior to joining Fox News Channel in New York City, Wiehl served as a legal analyst and reporter for NBC News and NPR’s All Things Considered. Before that, Wiehl served as a Federal Prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s office.
Wiehl earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and her Master of Arts in Literature from the University of Queensland.
Wiehl is also the author of The 51% Minority, which won the 2008 award for Books for a Better Life in the motivational category, and Winning Every Time.
She lives with her husband and two children in New York.
Noted author Roald Dahl helped New York Times bestselling author April Henry take her first step as a writer. When April was eleven, she sent the famous children’s author a short story about a frog who loved peanut butter. He read it to an editor of an international children’s magazine, who then asked to publish it. April has since written several highly acclaimed mysteries and thrillers. Her books have been short-listed for the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award, and the Oregon Book Award, and translated into several languages. Two have been chosen for BookSense by the independent booksellers of America. April lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and daughter.
by admin | Mar 10, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
When I open a novel by Janice Cantore I know I can expect a great story filled with action and top-notch, realistic law enforcement drama. “Visible Threat” is the second book in Cantore’s newest series but easily stands on its own merit. I can vouch for that because SOMEHOW I missed “Critical Pursuit”. After reading “Visible Threat” I intend to remedy that oversight as soon as possible.
Featuring Brinna Caruso, a Long Beach officer dedicated (or perhaps obsessed) with saving all the abducted children she can with the help of her search and rescue dog Hero. An unidentified body and a daring river rescue reveals evidence that indicates the possibility that a human trafficking ring may be operating in their area. Brinna teams up with her former partner Jack to find the corrupt men behind the ring before more women become victims.
“Visible Threat” hits the ground running and barely gives the reader a chance to catch a breath before it is off again. The characters and situations depicted are believable and genuine. The references to Christian faith are mostly worked into natural conversations between friends and are not at all intrusive or disrupting to the story. The resolution at the end was credible and not the sometimes hurried tying up of loose ends found in some novels.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Visible Threat” and recommend it to anyone who enjoys police suspense novels. Do yourself a favor and pick up copies of both “Critical Pursuit” and “Visible Threat”. I know you will be glad you did.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Officer Brinna Caruso wants perfection—perfect justice and a perfect world. She wants to save and protect all the innocents in the world, no matter the cost.
Orphaned and struggling to get by, Ivana and her sister left Bulgaria for America with dreams of a better life. But since they arrived in Long Beach, everything they were promised has turned out to be a lie.
After a dead girl is found in the river with a mysterious tattoo on her hip, homicide detective Jack O’Reilly asks for Brinna’s help. Unaware of the depths of evil that will be uncovered, Brinna finds herself flung into a dangerous frontier—an organized human trafficking ring.
Read an excerpt from Visible Threat HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. Her Pacific Coast Justice series has met with critical acclaim. Critical Pursuit is the first book in her latest series.
Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.
by admin | Jan 29, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Quilts, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingScraps of EvidenceAbingdon Press (January 21, 2014)byBarbara CameronABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from the author:
CBD, CBA, and ECPA bestselling author of 35 books (including new series upcoming for Abingdon Press in 2011/2012) including fiction and non-fiction books for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and other publishers.
I sold three films to HBO/Cinemax and am the first winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award.
My two novellas won the 2nd and 3rd place in the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest from the Faith, Love, and Hope chapter of RWA. Both were finalists for the novella category of the Carol Award of the American Christian Writers Award (ACFW).
Learn more about Barbara and her books on her Website .
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he’s been trying to get to know her better and he’d like to be seeing her during those few nights a week she spends with her quilting guild. Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the hospital, and the woman acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Kathy is attempting to communicate a message to them about Tess’s uncle. There’s a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together, or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Scraps of Evidence, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Scraps of Evidence has a fast-moving plot that follows a team of St. Augustine, Florida detectives as they work to solve the newest case in what appears to be a series of serial murders that began with Tess’s best friend in high school. As in all the books of the Quilts of Love series, quilts are a featured element in the story. Tess finds that quilting to be great stress relief from her demanding job as a police detective and spends hours at her Aunt Kathy’s quilt shop. Her new partner Logan finds Tess and her many talents to be a bit more attractive than might be appropriate for their job but they work well together and make a good team.
I enjoyed following Logan and Tess through the streets of St. Augustine, a city I have always enjoyed visiting. Many seemingly insignificant incidents are eventually pieced together to create a comprehensive picture that is finally solved through clues in Aunt Kathy’s favorite quilt. I had my suspicions all along but the author kept me in the dark until the end.
Scraps of Evidence is an enjoyable with just the right amount of action, mystery, and romance. I recommend it as well as all the other books in the Quilts of Love series.
by admin | Sep 21, 2013 | Books, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Homicide detective Avery North has followed family tradition by working in law enforcement but the tradition has been costly. Both her husband and brother have died in the line of duty. When two young Aisian girls are found murdered within a short period of time, Avery cannot help but think of her own daughter and is determined to solve the case before another girl dies. Between her job, her family, and her church, there is scarce time for herself so what in the world is she to do about Jackson Bryant, the handsome medical examiner who seems to be interested in a relationship outside of work?
With a well paced plot and nicely developed characters, “Dangerous Passage” is a gripping and emotional tale that takes some unexpected turns. The most frightening aspect of the story to me is the reality that some of the events described could actually be happening in our own neighborhoods and most people are totally oblivious. The author has included some facts in her note at the end of the book that should be an eyeopener to her readers.
“Dangerous Passage” is a suspense novel that should appeal to those who enjoy such authors as Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, DiAnn Mills, Robin Caroll, Dee Henderson, and Janice Cantore to name but a few.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’s dedicated her life to ending violence. But has she moved too deep into a treacherous world?
When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common–a magnolia tattoo on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. As they venture deep into a sinister criminal world, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities–and their hearts.
Dangerous Passage exposes a fully realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. You’ll be hooked from the start.
“An intriguing tale of romance and mystery. Harris takes you on a trail that leads straight into the worst kind of evil–and the lives of those who are determined to stop it. Well-crafted characters and tight writing will keep readers flipping the pages.”–Lynette Eason, bestselling author of the Deadly Reunions series
“Harris pens another thrilling tale that will give the reader one breathless moment after another.”–DiAnn Mills, author of The Survivor
“A compelling and emotionally charged read. . . . The intriguing plot, lightened with a sweet romance, kept me reading late into the night.”–Sandra Orchard, award-winning author of the Undercover Cops series and Deadly Devotion
Read an excerpt HERE.
For more information visit Baker Publishing Group.
For Lisa Harris’s website, facebook or twitter visit:
http://www.lisaharriswrites.com./Welcome.html
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaHarris
https://twitter.com/heartofafrica
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Harris is an award-winning author with more than 400,000 copies of her works in print. She was a 2011 Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and lives in Mozambique together with her husband, Scott, and their three children. Visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com.
by admin | Jun 14, 2013 | Books, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I believe that “Deadly Devotion” is the first novel I’ve read by Sandra Orchard. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the next installment of the Port Aster Secrets series.
With its skillfully woven plot and a diverse group of well defined characters, “Deadly Devotion” kept me guessing until the very end. Just like Kate and Tom, I found the suspects changing several times over the course of the book – there were so many with such good motives! As Tom pointed out more than once, “people are not always who they seem”. Once the true perpetrator was revealed it made perfect sense and so did the title of the book.
This review is intentionally brief because it would be SO easy to ramble and/or give something away. This is one book that suspense fans should grab quickly to see if their own detecting skills are up to the test presented by the author.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the first installment in the Port Aster Secrets series, Deadly Devotion weaves a web of intrigue around the sleepy town of Port Aster and the death of a research scientist. While police believe it to be a suicide, evidence mounts that leads Kate Adams to believe it had to be murder. Suspicions lead to danger as Kate struggles to uncover the truth. Full of suspense, Deadly Devotion will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Research scientists Kate Adams and her colleague Daisy are on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy suddenly dies. Kate knows that if it hadn’t been for Daisy’s mentorship, she wouldn’t have the job she loves or the faith she clings to. So when police rule Daisy’s death a suicide, Kate is determined to unearth the truth.
Former FBI agent Tom Parker finds it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gives him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom’s just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation of her friend’s death, he knows his job is at stake. In fact, despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate looks a bit suspicious herself.
Check out bonus book features for Deadly Devotion HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Orchard is an active member in American Christian Fiction Writers, The Word Guild, Romance Writers of America and a local writing group. She recently participated in the Writers’ Police Academy for hands-on training and simulations at a police training facility. She is the author of Shades of Truth, Critical Condition, which won the 2012 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for it’s series and Deep Cover, which won the Canadian Christian Writing Award for romance in June 2012 and was recognized as one of the top five novels of the year by Family Fiction magazine. Orchard has also received a Daphne DuMaurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in both the inspirational category and for best score overall. She lives in Niagara, Ontario, Canada.
To find out more, please visit www.sandraorchard.com.
Connect with Sandra on Facebook HERE.
