by admin | Jul 20, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Dolled Up to Die” is the second of The Cate Kinkaid Files and I found it just as entertaining as the first, “Dying to Read”. Cate is an assistant private investigator working for her uncle as she learns the business. Once again Cate becomes what one might describe as an accidental detective as seemingly routine investigations turn into life threatening situations.
I love Cate Kinkaid. She is both quirky and a little dingy but there is method behind her madness. She certainly has a penchant for getting in over her head but you have to admire her determination. At least she has boyfriend Mitch to help her stay grounded and watch her back. The quickly advancing plot is very clever with plenty of humor as a counterpoint to the escalating suspense. A strong message of faith is evident throughout without being too heavy-handed.
What else can I say without revealing too much? I have always enjoyed Lorena McCourtney’s novels and she has definitely not lost her special touch. Do yourself a favor and pick up one or both of The Cate Kinkaid Files novels soon.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Cate’s not sure just what she expected . . . but she knows it certainly wasn’t this.
When Cate Kinkaid receives a frantic call about a triple homicide, she drives to the scene against her better judgement—aren’t triple homicides more up the police department’s alley?—only to find that the victims are not quite who she expects. Now she has a new rule to add to those she’s learned in her short stint as an assistant private investigator: always find out if the victims actually have human DNA. Because these three do not.
But who would shoot this nice lady’s dolls? What possible reason could the shooter have? And then there’s the startling discovery of another victim, who definitely does have human DNA . . . With tension that is matched only by humor, Dolled Up to Die is the exciting second book in Lorena McCourtney’s The Cate Kinkaid Files. Mystery fans won’t find a place to stop and take a breath in this fast-paced and intriguing tale.
“Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum will enjoy getting to know amateur sleuth Cate Kinkaid.”
—RT Book Reviews for Dying to Read
“Fans of McCourtney’s Ivy Malone Mystery series will quickly get the clue that The Cate Kinkaid Files will be just as quirky, charming, and fun.”
—Publishers Weekly for Dying to Read
• With over 200,000 copies of her Revell books sold, McCourtney keeps cozy mystery fans coming back for more
• McCourtney has won RWA’s coveted Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lorena McCourtney is the award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Dying to Read, Invisible (which won a Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), In Plain Sight, On the Run, and Stranded. She resides in Grants Pass, Oregon. Find out more at www.lorenamccourtney.com.
by admin | Jul 8, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingGroundedWorthy Publishing (May 7, 2013)byNeta and Dave JacksonABOUT THE AUTHORS:
As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.
But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.
Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.
We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.
Learn more about Dave and Neta and their books on their Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
…But Hope May Be Just Across the Street
Grace Meredith is a beloved contemporary Christian recording artist whose career–and personal life–hits unexpected turbulence. She feels grounded–in more ways than one.
Grace s fiancé, bothered by her outspoken stance on purity and her near-constant travel, has broken off their relationship. Exhausted and unable to continue her current concert schedule, Grace returns home to Chicago, where she is soon stranded in a major snowstorm. Facing new questions about her future and her faith, Grace finds herself connecting for the first time with the residents of her neighborhood. What she discovers in these unexpected relationships could change everything.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
The first in the Windy City Neighbors series, Grounded is an uplifting, contemporary story about ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. The series employs the innovative storytelling technique of parallel novels, each with its own drama and story arc, but whose characters lives become intertwined and affect one another. Grounded welcomes you to Beecham Street–a typical, isolated American neighborhood that might just be a place of hope.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Grounded, go Here.
MY REVIEW:
I have read and enjoyed quite a few novels by the Jacksons and love how many of the characters tend to pop up in more than one book. I also like the fact that I can count on each and every one of the books to contain at least one scene that will bring me to tears and/or bless my socks off. Grounded definitely met all my expectations.
I will have to agree with other reviewers who did not find Grace to be a very likeable character – at least at first. She definitely had some issues but as I got to know her better as the story progressed, it was easier to understand what motivated her actions. It was gratifying to me to watch what happened once she caught hold of the true meaning of grace and what it meant to her personally. Grounded may have gotten off to a bit of a slow start but it is SO worthwhile to continue to its end.
There was a little romance, some humor, and even a touch of suspense but Grounded was essentially a story about grace and finding God’s plan for your life as well as a major emphasis on the importance of prayer. I really want to be just like Estelle when I grow up.
by admin | Jul 3, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
When I read Billy Coffey’s first novel “Snow Day”, I had absolutely no expectations but was quickly pulled in by his straightforward conversational style. Since then I have been a semi-regular visitor to Billy’s blog and have enjoyed reading his honest and unique outlook on almost everything under the sun. Sometimes he has made me laugh and other times has brought me to tears. So it was with great anticipation that I opened my review copy of “When Mockingbirds Sing”. I was not disappointed but it might be a bit difficult for me to properly convey my thoughts about this wonderful novel.
“When Mockingbirds Sing” is a fantastical story but it is filled with the truest of truths. Leah, a broken and fearful young girl whose parents are “spiritual but not religious” has an invisible friend the “Rainbow Man” who reveals things to Leah that she couldn’t possibly know. Her prophetic paintings first entice then enrage the townspeople of Mattingly. What kind of magic is at work in young Leah and how could anything good come from it?
This is a story with many layers. On the surface it is a beautifully written book with a great plot and interesting characters. Upon repeated looks beneath the surface our inner hearts are revealed – how we judge each other and ourselves, our true motives, and even what we think about God. After all, how can a good and loving God pour out blessings with one hand and take away with the other? And why on earth would He speak through a little girl who had not even been brought up in church?
“When Mockingbirds Sing” may not give you all the answers but it will certainly leave you seeking those answers for yourself. This is one book you just have to read.
This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publisher’s BookSneeze program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What marks the boundary between a miracle from God and the imagination of a child?
Leah is a child from Away, isolated from her peers because of her stutter. But then she begins painting scenes that are epic in scope, brilliant in detail, and suffused with rich, prophetic imagery. When the event foreshadowed in the first painting dramatically comes true, the town of Mattingly takes notice.
Leah attributes her ability to foretell the future to an invisible friend she calls the Rainbow Man. Some of the townsfolk are enchanted with her. Others fear her. But there is one thing they all agree on—there is no such thing as the Rainbow Man.
Her father, the town psychologist, is falling apart over his inability to heal his daughter . . . or fix his marriage. And the town minister is unraveled by the notion that a mere child with no formal training may be hearing from God more clearly than he does.
While the town bickers over what to do with this strange child, the content of Leah’s paintings grows darker. Still, Leah insists that the Rainbow Man’s heart is pure. But then a dramatic and tragic turn of events leaves the town reeling and places everyone’s lives in danger. Now the people of Mattingly face a single choice:
Will they cling to what they know . . . or embrace the things Leah believes in that cannot be seen?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Billy Coffey was raised on stories. The first ones came on the front porches of relatives, tales laced with local charm and deep meaning. Then came the stories from people like Max Lucado and Robert Fulghum, who write with a charm and deep meaning of their own. He lives with his wife and two children in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. If you drive by his house, you’ll probably spot him on the front porch. If you do, give him a wave. He’ll wave back.
Learn more about Billy and his books on his website. Be sure to check out his blog.
by admin | Jun 27, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingPaige TornThink (May 1, 2013)byErynn MangumABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A few things about her:
So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!
Learn more about Paige and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she’s lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can’t even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God’s Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Paige Torn, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Paige Alder is a young woman who cannot seem to say no – to the point that she often finds that she has absolutely no time to go to the grocery or even to eat a healthy meal. What’s up with that? After all her busyness is her way to serve God and the people she loves. That’s a good thing, isn’t it? But what red-blooded, American girl doesn’t have time for romance, especially with a guy as perfect as Tyler?
Paige Torn is an entertaining and humorous contemporary romance that gets a major point across very well. You can get so busy doing things for God that you have no time for a relationship with Him. I for one have been there and done that and still tend to lose my focus even after all these years. After all, someone has to do these things and there seems to be no one else who is willing. I am hoping to remember the lessons learned in Paige Torn next time I find myself in over my head. Thanks Erynn for the great story.
by admin | Jun 25, 2013 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have not read the first book in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy but the author included enough background in “Pennsylvania Patchwork” that it could easily stand alone. The title of this novel is quite appropriate because there are so many different things going on in it and so many characters from varied backgrounds.
First there is Holly Fisher, who was raised in Seattle by her single mother because her father never came home from the Vietnam war. After some of her mother’s secrets were revealed, Holly and Esther had moved to Pennsylvania to live with Esther’s mother Anna, an Amish widow who have never ceased to pray that her daughter would return home. When “Pennsylvania Patchwork” begins, Holly is engaged to a Mennonite veterinarian Zach and her mother is planning to be baptized in the Amish church and marry an Amish man. Grandmother Anna is thrilled to have them with her but her health and memory are quickly deteriorating.
That is where everything gets a little crazy. Holly and Zach’s relationship becomes strained when a woman from his past shows up with some strong accusations against him. An Amish man and a friend of Holly’s from Seattle also show an interest in marriage to Holly and the three men seem to find a reason to bicker quite often. Holly finds each of the men attractive in his own way and is thoroughly confused as to what she should do. Meanwhile an unexpected package shows up that complicates Esther’s life and her fiance must leave town to investigate some unanswered questions that could cancel the wedding.
On one hand, “Pennsylvania Patchwork” has lots of action and interaction between characters which kept the story moving right along. On the other hand, there was so much going on that I was not fully able to relate to the characters in the way I usually enjoy. I understood that Holly had very strong feelings for Zach but there was so little communication between them that I never grasped why they felt the way they did. This novel was definitely entertaining and easy to read but it left me with too many unanswered questions at the end. Hopefully the third installment will wrap everything up nicely.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Seattle native Holly Fisher is smitten by Lancaster County, its simplicity and her long lost relatives. In the sequel to bestselling Leaving Lancaster, Holly embraces the Amish culture, learning to slow down to see what – and who – really matters.
Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she’s ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she’s rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.
Pennyslvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman’s heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She’s worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.
by admin | Jun 21, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
I first became familiar with Melody Carlson’s books about the same time I began to review Christian fiction. Since that time I have read and enjoyed quite a number of her novels. I am constantly amazed at the sheer number of books she manages to turn out, the variety of themes, and the excellent quality of her writing as well as the strong messages she imparts through her stories. I was expecting a good read when I opened “Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel” and I was not disappointed.
Protagonist Daphne Ballinger has spent more years than she planned in a stagnant job writing about weddings for the New York Times and living in a cramped apartment with two other women. Unfortunately her dreams for her future had died right along with a romance disappointment and she has gradually lost her ambition and love of the city. When she returns to her hometown for the funeral of her Aunt Dee, she soon learns that her aunt has left the entire estate to Daphne…but with some very specific terms. Daphne quickly reconnects with old friends, makes some new ones, and realizes that she can be happier in Appleton than back in the city she thought she loved. If only she can meet the requirements of Aunt Dee’s will.
“Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel” is a fun to read book but like all of Melody’s books, it comes with a strong message. It seemed as if everyone around Daphne was trying to set her up with a potential husband but Daphne had little hope for marriage after so many years alone. When suddenly she was surrounded by single, men who might even be interested in her, she found herself obsessed with determining which one she might marry…even to the point of nearly agreeing to marry someone for the sake of marriage. It was only after she came to the realization that she needed to turn everything over to God and let him direct her life whether she ever married that Daphne was able to find real freedom.
Loved this book. My only complaint is that although it ended at a good place, I was left hanging about Daphne’s future. I will just have to wait for the next installment of this series to find out what happens. I just hope the next book will be released soon!
Provided for review by Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Shelton Interactive
