by admin | Mar 14, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingMemory of MurderLove-Inspired SuspensebyRamona RichardsABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A word from Ramona:
The hardest biographical sketch to write is always your own, whether or not you’re a writer by profession. You can’t decide what to throw in, what to leave out, and whether or not you should list strengths and flaws, or just strengths.
I like writing and telling stories so much that I once tried to live out a few. After getting a master’s in English, I went on to be the seneschale of my local Society for Creative Anachronism. I had a rocky start, but I did get better. (Robin Hood, eat your heart out.)
People often ask members of the SCA, “Are you in a play?” so I thought it would be fun to do that, too. For seven years, I produced and performed in shows staged by Nashville’s Circle Players.
Although I’m single now, I married in 1982 and in 1987 had Rachel. She’s a cutie. Severely disabled, she’s the heroine of many an article for Special Ed Today magazine. Rachel’s nurse, Phyllis, is the real life heroine of “An Act of Desperation,” which I sold to Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul.
I’m not really a complex person, and my dreams are fairly straightforward: sell books, have enough money to pay the bills and travel a bit, and settle into a cottage. In early 2006, I bought the cottage, which is now more or less swamped by books and DVDs. I write at night (I’m a lifelong night owl), and I occasionally escape by scuba diving, hiking, dancing, and going to movies and bookstores.
I’ve gone to the same church since 1993, and I even sing in the choir. It’s a small but awesome church. I’m no angel, although occasionally I play one in the backyard.
I like staying busy. Life is too short not to follow your dreams.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
THE SECRETS OF HER PAST COULD IMPERIL HER FUTURE
Lindsey Presley certainly can’t imagine why anyone would want her dead-though she knows she wouldn’t be alive today if not for the local cop who saved her from two murder attempts. Deputy Jeff Gage has worked difficult cases, but with only Lindsey’s fractured memories of a broken past to guide him, this is by far his most challenging.
For Lindsey, fleeing the town she has come to call home is unthinkable. Separately, they are vulnerable, but together, Jeff and Lindsey just may stand a chance of catching a ruthless killer.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Memory of Murder, go HERE.
Watch the book video trailer:
MY REVIEW:
Memory of Murder is one of those stories that hits the ground running and barely slows down enough for the reader to catch her breath before the climatic conclusion. Combining heart-racing suspense with a growing romance, Memory of Murder unites the best of two worlds in a novel that kept my attention until the last page. With likeable primary characters who have enough baggage to keep them real and an escalating plot that gives very little away, Memory of Murder showcases the superb skill of the author as well as what makes the Love Inspired Suspense novels my favorites for a quick but satisfying read.
When Lindsey Presley’s life is suddenly threatened for unknown reasons, her friend Jeff Gage, a local deputy takes it upon himself to keep her safe. As the pair work together to discover why she has been targeted and who is behind the threats, Lindsey is forced to relinquish some of her self-reliance and learns to depend on others as well as the Lord. Jeff also has issues of his own to work through as their bond grows closer through their trials.
I thoroughly enjoyed Memory of Murder and plan to go back to read the previous books in the series that feature Lindsey’s two sisters. If you enjoy romantic suspense and like novels that can be read in just a few hours, pick up a copy of Memory of Murder for an excellent introduction to the Love Inspired Suspense novels.
by admin | Mar 7, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
When her brother is arrested for the murder of a young snowboarder and the evidence looks to be overwhelming, Piper McKenna refuses to believe in his guilt and is determined to prove his innocence. Deputy Landon Grainger has been in love with Piper for some time and even though he believes she doesn’t feel the same, he takes a leave of absence from the Sheriff’s Department to make sure she has the protection she needs during her pursuit of the truth. Their leads take them into Canada and then into California but many seem to be dead ends. Can they find the real murderer in time to stop Reef’s trial and will the truth about their own relationship ever be revealed?
Dani Pettrey takes her readers on another suspense-filled adventure featuring the McKenna family and close friends. Although danger and drama follow closely on their heels, more than one member of the family just might have a bit of romance brewing in Shattered. In fact, I suspect that the stage has been set for at least one more installment to the Alaskan Courage series. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and their combination of strength, faith, determination, and vulnerability. I am looking forward to more novels by this talented author.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With All the Evidence Against Him,
Only a Sister’s Trust Can Save Him Now
When her prodigal brother Reef’s return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.
Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he’s also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon’s career in jeopardy.
When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself-and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada’s rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.
Purchase a copy here.
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.
Dani Pettrey is celebrating the release of Shattered with a Nook HD giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party {3/14}.
One winner will receive:
- A brand new Nook HD
- Submerged and Shattered by Dani Pettrey {Be caught up in this riveting series.}
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 13th. Winner will be announced at the “Shattered” Author Chat Party on 3/14. Connect with Dani for an evening of book chat, trivia, and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!
So grab your copy of Shattered and join Dani on the evening of the March 14th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 14th!
by admin | Mar 7, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingStrand of DeceptionB&H Books (March 1, 2013)byRobin Caroll
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books.
When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her 3 beautiful daughters, 2 precious grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?
Learn more about Robin and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Gina Ford, the daughter of a prominent Tennessee politician, goes missing from the University of Memphis a week after another girl was murdered on the same campus, police call in the FBI. Nick Hagar, married to his job as Special Agent in Charge, is assigned to the case, and when Gina’s body is found, her father demands justice.
Maddie Baxter is the forensic expert running DNA tests from the crime scene. When they come back without a match, Nick asks her to do a familial DNA run that yields a shocking result: the prime suspect is Adam Alexander, the very same guy who broke Maddie’s heart when she was in college.
But do scientific advancements tell the whole story? Strand of Deception offers romance, suspense, and a lively debate about the impact of DNA testing, for better or worse, on the United States justice system.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Strand of Deception, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed Robin’s books since I read her first Love Inspired Suspense novel. I was especially interested in Strand of Deception because of its Memphis, Tennessee setting because I have lived nearby my entire life. Being very familiar with the city, I am happy to say that Robin appears to have done her research well, describing locally favorite restaurants as well as a brief mention of two independent Memphis area churches, one of which I actually attended for several years. Her street names and locations were all spot on.
Aside from the local attraction, I found the novel itself to be well-written with a perfectly paced plot filled with several twists and surprises. Characters were realistic and believable and I enjoyed learning about forensic investigation processes. A couple of side stories kept things even more interesting. The romantic development between Maddie and Nick was unhurried and natural. Nick was the perfect hero and I liked the way he was influenced by Maddie’s faith although she didn’t pressure him about it.
Once again Robin Caroll has written a suspense novel that held my attention until the very end and left me eager to read her next book. If you are a romantic suspense fan, Strand of Deception is a novel you should check out.
by admin | Mar 7, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Ever since I picked up my first book by Lisa Wingate without any expectations, I have HAD to have each and every book she has published. Her natural down-home style and next-door characters drew me in and her stories filled with true life lessons and quotable quotes captured me .I always love Lisa’s characters and her inclusion of at least one dog into the story which just helps keep it real. Lisa also has at least one good lesson woven into the plot but it is always made palatable by her talented writing. “Firefly Island” was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Mallory Hale’s life was pretty predictable and she fully expected it to remain that way with a career in Washington politics- that is until she was swept totally off her feet by Daniel Everson. Within weeks she finds herself married with a young stepson and on her way to back of beyond Moses Lake, Texas where her new husband has taken a job. Spoiled city-girl Mallory soon realizes she is in over her head in her new rural home where she is surrounded by unwanted critters and a husband who seems to spend most of his time at work. To add to her discomfort, her husband’s new boss is the source of a local mystery and Mallory is somewhat suspicious of his intentions. As she cares for Nick, she soon becomes involved with some local residents who inspire Mallory to take a good look at herself and her prejudices. Could it be that God has her in Moses Lake for more than one reason? And could one of those reasons be to help Mallory grow into the person He intended for her to be all along?
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mallory Hale’s life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love. After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas–with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.
A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change. But what she can’t shake is the unease she feels around her husband’s new boss, Jack West. Jack’s presence–and his mysterious past–set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers . . . and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn’t sure she wanted is the very place she’ll risk everything to save.
“Lisa Wingate is a glorious storyteller!” –New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Blue Moon Bay, and Larkspur Cove, which won the 2011 Carol Award for Women’s Fiction. Lisa and her family live in central Texas.
Visit www.lisawingate.com
Win an iPad Mini from @LisaWingate! RSVP for 3/19 Facebook Party!
Lisa Wingate is celebrating the release of Firefly Island with an iPad Mini giveaway and a fun Facebook Author Chat Party (March 19th).
One fortunate winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- The Moses Lake series (Firefly Island, Blue Moon Bay and Larkspur Cove)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 18th. Winner will be announced at the “Firefly Island Author Chat Party on March 19th. Connect with Lisa, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways — gift certificates, books, and more!
So grab your copy of Firefly Island and join Lisa on the evening of the March 19th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!
by admin | Mar 1, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Return of Cassandra ToddRealms (February 5, 2013)
by
Darrel NelsonABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I am a schoolteacher by profession and have taught school for (thir—ahem!) years. I grew up in Raymond, Alberta, and attended the University of Lethbridge after graduating from high school and serving a two-year mission to Japan. During university, I met and married Marsha Smith, and we are the parents of four children, which has grown to include their spouses and our ten grandchildren.
I have always loved to write. I started writing stories before I was old enough to realize I was writing stories. It seemed a natural thing to pick up a pencil and paper and create a world simply by using words—worlds of adventure in steaming jungles (Tarzan was an early influence on me) or realms of adventure in outer space (Buck Rogers). But as I have grown older, I have discovered that the real inspiration for me is exploring the theme of love and how it can make such a difference in the world.
I’ve had an article published in Lethbridge Magazine and have written several dramatic plays, two of which won provincial recognition and were showcased at a drama festival. I won the CJOC radio songwriting contest two years running, and have had one of my songs receive international airplay. I have written four novels intended for the juvenile market. They are unpublished as yet, but I read them annually to my fourth grade students and my students tell me they love them, the darlings.
Learn more about Darrel and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When the girl he hated in high school suddenly reenters his life, little son in tow, and asks for his help, Turner must put the past behind him if they are to survive.
Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full-time. On his way to class one day, he passes the bus depot just as Cassandra Todd and her young son arrive. He is shocked to see her, remembering how cruel she was to him in high school. She was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her mean-spirited pranks.
Turner could never have imagined that the outdoor training and survival skills he learned at Camp Kopawanee, a summer youth camp where he worked three years as a leader, would one day become so crucial. But when Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, Turner finds himself entangled in a situation that will require every skill he has in order to survive.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of The Return of Cassandra Todd, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Since I am in the midst of recovering from the flu, I was tempted to take the easy way out and just do the required post without a review for this book. But I was feeling enough better to actually concentrate on the print long enough for it to register so I decided to give it a try and only resort to the basic post if I could not generate enough interest to continue reading. I am so glad I did because I would have missed out on a thoroughly riveting page-turner. The Return of Cassandra Todd was not at all what I expected.
Turner Caldwell is a young man who has experienced some tough breaks in life and as a result has turned his back on God and allowed himself to become somewhat bitter and resentful. When an old classmate returns to town, her appearance stirs up memories that he thought he had left in the past. Her plea for his help draws him into a dangerous and deadly struggle for his own survival as well as the survival of Cassandra and her young son that forces him to rely on God once again.
The Return of Cassandra Todd is a fast-paced nail-biter that kept me on the edge of my seat. Well-developed plot and characters and a natural dialogue made the reading effortless. Tension grew in increments until the explosive climax but the book did not end at that point. I am still not certain how I feel about the author’s decision to continue the story for several more chapters in order to wrap things up neatly. It was an anticlimax and seemed unnecessary to me. I don’t mind wondering how things turned out between certain characters. Other than that, The Return of Cassandra Todd was nearly perfect in every way. I would recommend it for those who enjoy a good suspense with lots of surprises.
by admin | Feb 20, 2013 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The remote Mennonite town of Kingdom is threatened by the escalating number of violent attacks on its residents, but they are divided on how the threats should be handled. Should they continue their nonviolent tradition or should they stand up and fight for the protection of their families and friends? Not only is Hope Kauffman torn by the question of trusting God for her defense or trusting in herself and her friends and neighbors for protection but she is undecided about whether she is in love with her fiance Ebbie or Jonathon who has also shown an interest in her. As the attacks become more frequent, Kingdom’s residents must decide where their faith and trust lies and Hope must choose between two men who are not in agreement on how the town should respond.
Unbreakable had a well-paced plot with plenty of action, drama, and suspense. The romantic aspect was a bit different than most novels in that the heroine was undecided about the two men in her life for a large part of the story. I enjoyed reading about a Mennonite community in the process of change and felt that the situation Kingdom found itself in was an excellent vehicle for working out some of their differences of opinion, especially about their position on nonviolence. I also liked how the author had Hope decide which of the men really loved her. Was it the one who said he would do anything for her or the one willing to sacrifice everything for her? I’ll leave you with that little teaser. You’ll have to read Unbreakable for yourself to learn which man was which and how everything turned out for Hope and her beloved town of Kingdom.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.
Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation. When Hope’s safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can’t help but question what she’s always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.
As it swiftly becomes apparent the threat Hope faced is only the beginning, the town that’s always stood so strong finds itself divided. With tensions high and their lives endangered by an unknown enemy, will Hope and the people of Kingdom allow fear and division to break them or will they draw on the strength of the God they serve?
Purchase a copy here.
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored fourteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.” Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site:
www.nancymehl.com or her blog. She is also active on Facebook.
Celebrate the release of Unbreakable with Nancy Mehl by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to the March 5th Author Chat Party on Facebook!
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Books one & two in Nancy’s Road to Kingdom series (Inescapable and Unbreakable)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 4th. Winner will be announced at the “Unbreakable” Author Chat Party on March 5th. Connect with Nancy, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books, and fun Mennonite-themed giveaways.
Grab your copy of Unbreakable and join Nancy on the evening of the March 5th for a chance to connect with Nancy and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!
