by admin | Oct 16, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“You Don’t Know Me” is the latest addition to Susan May Warren’s Deep Haven series. While the other novels in the series have for the most part stayed within the contemporary romantic fiction parameters, this one has an added layer of suspense. The story features Annalise Decker, a woman who changed her identity twenty years earlier to participate in the witness protection program. Life in small town Deep Haven is pretty much perfection for Annalise with a great husband who is running for mayor, talented kids, good friends, and plenty of school and sporting events as well as charitable organizations to keep her busy. That is until a face from her past shows up in the coffee shop one day and the perfect life she has built could come tumbling down.
Although Annalise is the primary character, other members of her family including her mother-in-law and her witness protection handler AKA known as Uncle Jack play prominent roles also. Annalise may be keeping a HUGE secret, but it quickly becomes evident that each of the others have secrets of their own. As is usually the case with secrets, they all are eventually revealed. Although “You Don’t Know Me” is not Warren’s usual romantic style, I liked the fact that the stressful events drew Annalise and her husband Nathan closer and more in love than before. I also liked the underlying message about secrets and faith.
I have long been a fan of Susan May Warren’s books and “You Don’t Know Me” is just another example of this lady’s immense talent. Her characterization is superb. I found it easy to identify with what each person was experiencing emotionally as they wrestled with making the correct decisions. Pacing was excellent and the suspense kept me glued to the book when I should have been doing something else. I think the only thing I didn’t love about this book was that it ended much too soon and I will have to wait awhile for Susan to release another novel. I guess it would be too much to ask her to forgo her personal life to keep me supplied with reading material.
“You Don’t Know Me” is another winner from Susan May Warren and I highly recommend it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Deep Haven Novel
Sometimes the secrets we keep to protect ourselves can be our undoing.
To all who know her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses a sporting event, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.
No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the quaint harbor town of Deep Haven, Deidre received a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker.
Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on parole and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the courage to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?
Purchase a copy of “You Don’t Know Me” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.
A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!.
Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.
by admin | Oct 13, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
The second novel in Lynette Eason’s Deadly Reunions series, “When a Heart Stops” is literally what its title says – heart stopping suspense. Like the first novel in the series “When the Smoke Clears”, this installment also focuses on plans for a high school class reunion. Heroine Serena, a medical examiner, just happens to be a member of that class. When the body count rises and they all belong to her former classmates, Serena not only becomes involved in an attempt to find the murderer but may also be a target. When her former secret crush shows up as an investigator into the crimes and also shows a serious interest in spending time with Serena, a little romance is the result.
With a copycat killer who delights in taunting the police, another potential threat that is a carryover from the first book that involves Serena’s best friend who disappeared on graduation night, and a plot that is filled with secrets, numerous twists, turns, and surprises, it is impossible to guess the guilty party. The pacing was near perfect, the characters strong, and the suspense was look-over-your-shoulder intense.
I always enjoy Lynette Eason’s suspense novels and “When a Heart Stops” was no different. I would recommend reading “When the Smoke Clears” first because it has pertinent characters and facts that enhance the understanding and enjoyment of “When the Heart Stops”. While each book has a unique mystery that is solved by its end, there is also another underlying mystery that is woven into the entire series that has yet to be solved. Now we must wait for the next installment and hope to find the outcome in it. I know its publishing date cannot come too soon for me.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The highly-anticipated second installment in the Deadly Reunions series, When a Heart Stops will have readers staying up late as they race to the finish to find out what happens. Full of the suspense and romantic tension reader have come to expect from Lynette Eason, When a Heart Stops is intense, emotional and fast-paced.
Spunky and outgoing, nothing much bothers medical examiner Serena Hopkins–except for the thought of falling in love again. But when a serial killer is picking off her former classmates, Serena’s life becomes intertwined with her old high school crush, FBI agent Dominic Allen. Is the secret she’s keeping putting her next on the killer’s hit list? Can she trust Dominic with the truth before it’s too late?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don’t Look Back, A Killer Among Us and When the Smoke Clears. 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. Visit her website at www.lynetteeason.com and follow her on Twitter at @LynetteEason.
Praise for Lynette Eason & the Deadly Reunions Series
Eason does an amazing job of setting the bar high for romantic tension, as well as offering a deep dark secret that may or may not ever come to light. The first book in the Deadly Reunions series, readers will be so hooked that they’ll want to embark on this thrill ride for years to come!
– Suspense Magazine
Eason is quickly making a name for herself with taut, suspenseful fiction. The mystery will keep the reader guessing until the end, and as soon as one puzzle is resolved, a cliffhanger will keep you anxiously awaiting the next installment!
– RT Book Reviews
“I love this book. It will keep you guessing until the very end.”
– Dee Henderson, bestselling author
by admin | Oct 8, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Full Disclosure
Bethany House Publishers (October 2, 2012)
by
Dee Henderson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O’MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ann Silver is a cop’s cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region’s most trusted investigative positions.
Paul Falcon is the FBI’s top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.
Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn’t expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.
The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is…
Watch the book trailer:
If you would like to read the first chapter of Full Disclosure, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
It has been far too long since Dee Henderson released a new novel so I was super excited to receive an ARC of “Full Disclosure” to review. And what a book it is! There is so much going on that one could wonder why the author threw in several seemingly inconsequential story lines. But in the end she ties them all up into one neat little package full of surprises. This lady is so good at what she does, she even had me wondering for awhile if the heroine might actually be the villain. (Maybe she was – you’ll have to read the book to find out because I’ll never tell.)
It was fun to revisit characters from Henderson’s earlier novels – and in such a unique way. In fact her earlier novels are discussed quite frequently within the context of this novel in such a way that I have to wonder if “Full Disclosure” might be somewhat autobiographical. Even the title hints at that. Whatever the case may be, this book has a bit of everything – suspense, humor, drama, action, and romance with an abundance of twists and surprises. I’m not sure I have ever gotten to know characters more thoroughly than Ann Silver and Paul Falcon because of the intimate look into their thoughts throughout the novel.
If you have ever enjoyed a book by Dee Henderson, “Full Disclosure” is one you don’t want to miss. If you are not familiar with her work, you might want to start now with the O’Malley series to add another level of enjoyment to the reading of “Full Disclosure” when it releases this fall.
by admin | Oct 1, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Always a fan of novels by Denise Hunter, I am particularly happy when one of them is a western romance. You see, I’ve always had a thing for cowboys. I actually married about as close as you can get to one in west Tennessee – a farmer. He does sometimes wear a cowboy hat but instead of a horse, he drove a John Deere.
I patiently waited until I had read all the books in front of “The Trouble With Cowboys” that I had committed to review, difficult as that was but my patience was rewarded. I can truthfully say that the book did not disappoint. With familiar characters from the earlier Big Sky Romance novels and the small town setting of Moose Creek, Montana, I immediately felt right at home. I was quickly drawn into the story of Annie and Dylan and couldn’t wait to find out how their story would end yet at the same time hated to see the last page. The book has just the right blend of drama, action, humor, and romantic tension and some surprises along the way don’t hurt a thing. I loved the give and take between the characters and their honesty. I also enjoyed seeing how things were going with Shay and Travis and Abigail and Wade. Plus the cowboys!
One thing that stood out to me in “The Trouble With Cowboys” is how easily something spoken often enough by a parent can influence the life of a child for many years to come. Both Annie and her younger sister Sierra had difficulty with relationships after watching their mother’s repeated failed marriages, especially when they could remember her often quoted line “The trouble with cowboys is that they always leave.” “The Trouble With Cowboys” is a must read book for fans of western romance that is full of cowboys, romance and lessons for life with a message of faith. Don’t miss it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.
Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.
Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.
Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.
The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.
When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.
Order a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
Find out more about Denise ON HER WEBSITE.
Denise Hunter’s “The Trouble with Cowboys” Facebook Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway
To celebrate the release of The Trouble with Cowboys Denise is hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. She’ll connect with readers and give away some amazing prizes – including a Kindle Fire!
Save the Date for October 11th!
Grab your copy of Denise Hunter’s latest book and join her for an Author Chat Party on October 11th at 8:00 PM EST (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 MST, & 5:00 PST)! Haven’t read The Trouble with Cowboys yet? That’s okay, don’t let that stop you from coming to the party! (You may win a copy!)
During the evening she’ll be sharing the story behind the book, posting discussion questions, testing your trivia skills, and of course, there will be plenty of chatting and fun giveaways – books, gift certificates and – a Kindle Fire! She’ll also be giving you a sneak peek of her next book too!
RSVP today and then come back on the 11th … and bring your friends!
by admin | Sep 26, 2012 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction
With the popularity of reality television shows such as “Amish: Out of Order” and “Breaking Amish”, it was only a matter of time before a novel of this sort appeared. Although some aspects of the life of primary character Gideon Miller may parallel that of real life Moses Gingerich, Still Life in Shadows is a unique novel that stands on its own merits. Sometimes known as the “Getaway Savior”, Gideon does often help Amish young people relocate to “civilization” but that is not the real focus of the story. In fact, the relocated youth play a fairly minor role.
The truth of the matter is that Still Life in Shadows is really not that much about the Amish other than the effect being raised Amish had on Gideon’s life. Even his escape from their community had more to do with an abusive family situation than his dislike of the Amish. It is primarily a story of human relationships and how they can influence a person for better or worse.
The other primary character is Kiki, a young girl of Japanese heritage who also happens to be autistic. The story is told from both Kiki and Gideon’s point of view and ends up being a testimony to the profound changes in both lives due to their interaction.
With a well paced plot that mixes drama with a bit of suspense, a little humor, a touch of romance and a strong theme of forgiveness, Still Life in Shadows was a satisfying read. My only complaint is not about the book itself but the amazon.com description which contains a major spoiler. If you are looking for an Amish novel that is a departure from the norm, I heartily recommend Still Life in Shadows.
by admin | Sep 24, 2012 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingStill Life in ShadowsRiver North; New Edition edition (August 1, 2012)byAlice WislerABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alice was born in Osaka, Japan in the sixties. Her parents were Presbyterian career missionaries. As a young child, Alice loved to walk down to the local stationer’s store to buy notebooks, pencils and scented erasers. In her room, she created stories. The desire to be a published famous author has never left her. Well, two out of three isn’t bad. She’s the author of Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation (all published by Bethany House).
Alice went to Eastern Mennonite University after graduating from Canadian Academy, an international high school in Kobe, Japan. She majored in social work and has worked across the U.S. in that field. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Japan and at a refugee camp in the Philippines. She also studied Spanish at a language institute in San Jose, Costa Rica.
She has four children–Rachel, Daniel, Benjamin and Elizabeth. Daniel died on 2/2/97 from cancer treatments at the age of four. Since then, Alice founded Daniel’s House Publications in her son’s memory. This organization reaches out to others who have also lost a child to death. In 2000 and 2003, Alice compiled recipes and memories of children across the world to publish two memorial cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle.
Learn more about Alice and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It’s been fifteen years since Gideon Miller ran away from his Amish community in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a boy of fifteen. Gideon arrives in the Smoky Mountains town of Twin Branches and settles in at the local auto mechanic’s garage. He meets a host of interesting characters -the most recent acquaintances are Kiki, an autistic teen, and her sister Mari. Known as the “Getaway Savior” he helps other Amish boys and girls relocate to life in modern America.
One day the phone rings. On the other end is his brother Moriah calling from Florida. Of course Gideon welcomes his brother to stay with him and offers him a job. But Moriah is caught in a web which ends in his death and forces Gideon to return to the town of his youth, with his brother’s body in the back of a hearse and Mari and Kiki at his side. He must face not only the community he ran away from years ago but also his own web of bitterness. Will he be able to give his anger over to God and forgive his father?
If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of Still Life in Shadows, go HERE.
A Deep Haven Novel
Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.
