by admin | May 26, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have read only one of the Triple Threat series before “Eyes of Justice” but it was enough for me to learn to love the three women and the special relationship they had. I was definitely not prepared for one of them to be murdered so early in this newest installment of the series. NOT a good thing! Of course I had to stick with it and find out how the remaining two members of the team would manage to find the murderer despite their overwhelming grief.
This fast moving and riveting novel follows the two remaining women through their attempts to find justice for their friend. With multiple obstacles to overcome as well as grief and anger to battle, the friends race against the clock when they realize that they themselves are also targets. Realizing they can’t accomplish it alone, they bring in a new girl to help. Numerous twists and turns kept me guessing the identity of the murderer – just when I thought I knew, another clue would throw me off.
I really liked “Eyes of Justice” and the other two novels I’ve read by Wiehl. She manages to keep the suspense high and the action fast, yet her primary characters maintain a sense of integrity and morals that make them so very human. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the Triple Threat series to anyone who enjoys fast paced suspense.
This book was provided for review by BookSneeze.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Triple Threat Club has solved intense murder mysteries before…but this time it’s personal.
Cassidy, Allison, and Nicole fight for justice every day—Cassidy as a crime reporter, Nicole as an FBI agent, and Allison as a federal prosecutor. Together they’re a Triple Threat to be reckoned with.
But when a ruthless murderer kills one of their number—and the authorities seem intent on keeping them out of the investigation of the crime—their desire for justice goes into overdrive. They find an unexpected ally in a quirky private investigator named Ophelia whose methods confound the wise.
Yet just when it seems police have the killer in custody and justice is within sight, he somehow strikes again. Not knowing whom to trust, the team engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the killer. Nothing can be taken at face value…and nothing will ever be the same.
A riveting Triple Threat mystery that will leave readers shocked and satisfied.
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 help 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 | May 26, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“After All” is the concluding book in the Hanover Falls series by Deborah Raney. This installment features Susan Marlowe who runs the homeless shelter and who has been a supporting character in the earlier books of the series. Not only did the fire destroy the original shelter but Susan lost her firefighter husband as well as several friends. After eighteen months, the shelter is open once again and Susan has begun to recover from her losses when she discovers evidence that her late husband had secrets of which she was unaware. Her friendship with fire chief Peter Brennan is beginning to look like it might lead somewhere but another woman has her sights on him also. A series of mysterious events takes several unexpected twists before leading to an exciting and surprising conclusion to the series.
With down-to-earth characters and realistic circumstances, “After All” pulls the reader into the action and makes them feel right at home in Hanover Falls. The plot moves at the perfect pace with just the right blend of action, drama, suspense and romance to keep it believable. As an older reader I liked the romance between the more mature characters. After all romance is not limited to young folks, is it? I enjoyed the entire Hanover Falls series and found “After All” to be a fitting conclusion. Now I wonder what the author has in store for her readers next. I can’t wait to find out.
This book was provided for review by Glass Road Public Relations and Howard Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Susan Marlowe lost her husband and four other firefighters when the homeless shelter she started burned to the ground eighteen months ago. And she’s finally beginning to heal. That is until she learns a secret David took with him to the grave. For the sake of their sons, can Susan forgive the unforgivable?
Peter Brennan carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Hanover Falls’ fire chief, he was responsible for the brave firefighters who lost their lives that awful November night. Can he ever shake the feeling that he should have somehow prevented the tragedy? As he tries to rebuild the team at Clemens County’s Station 2, it seems he might find comfort in the arms of the woman he least expected.
Touching, romantic and suspenseful, After All has it all. A love triangle, a mysterious chain of events, and real characters only Deborah Raney can bring to life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deborah Raney is the award- winning author of numerous novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award-winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deborah’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Picture’s highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time. Deb’s novella, Playing by Heart, was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her novel with Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday’s Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list. Known for her sensitive portrayal of family struggles and relationships, Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women’s retreats and writers’ conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas. Learn more at www.deborahraney.com
by admin | May 26, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Allison Denman had become more and more uneasy as the day for her wedding approached. It was her wedding but somehow every decision concerning it had been made by someone else, down to a wedding gown she absolutely hated. A spontaneous kiss with the groom’s brother just days before the wedding left Allison filled with guilt and even more uncertain about her upcoming nuptials. When the big day arrived, she actually made it halfway down the aisle before making a fast exit to the astonishment of the groom and their guests. So now that she had thoroughly embarrassed herself, her groom and their families, what was a girl to do? The first thing she needed to figure out was exactly why she couldn’t marry Seth, the man who had gone from making her feel safe to making her feel smothered.
“Wish You Were Here” is a terrific first novel by Beth K. Vogt that kept me engrossed until the very end. The plot moved at the perfect pace with ell-developed characters, excellent dialogue, and the perfect blend of drama, romance and humor that combined to make one satisfying story. The author bravely introduced several sticky situations but handled them tactfully and brought them to a satisfying resolution. Her spiritual theme was woven seamlessly throughout the story and never seemed to be heavy-handed. I thoroughly enjoyed “Wish You Were Here” and will be on the lookout for future releases by this author.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong. The huge wedding. The frothy dress. And the groom. Still, kissing the groom’s brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a “Runaway Bride” complete with stealing, er, borrowing her best friend’s car doesn’t seem to solve her problems. Can Allison find her way out of this mess? Maybe she just needs to stop orchestrating everything. Allison prefers being the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.
Purchase a copy of “Wish You Were Here” HERE.
See what other bloggers are saying about “Wish You Were Here” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth K. Vogt provides her readers with a happily ever after woven through with humor, reality, and God’s lavish grace. She’s a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor-or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Beth has discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She writes contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. Beth earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University and met her husband Rob when he knocked her down at a karate studio. They’ve been married for 31 years. They have four children, ranging in ages from 28, 25, 23 and – thanks to a funny thing happening on their way to the empty nest-a 10-year-old. The Vogt Team, which now includes a “daughter-in-love” and “son-in-love,” enjoys hiking and camping in Colorado. Read more about Beth at her website:http://bethvogt.com
Win an iPad2 from @BethVogt!
Celebrate with Beth by entering her Wish You Were Here Giveaway!
One “happy” winner will receive:
- A brand new iPad with Wi-Fi (The must-have, do-everything gadget!)
- Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt (Swoon worthy.)
- $15 iTunes Gift Card (Music, books, apps, & more.)
Hurry, the giveaway ends on 6/4/12. The winner will be announced 6/6/12 on Beth’s website!
Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Beth’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
by admin | May 26, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Allison Denman had become more and more uneasy as the day for her wedding approached. It was her wedding but somehow every decision concerning it had been made by someone else, down to a wedding gown she absolutely hated. A spontaneous kiss with the groom’s brother just days before the wedding left Allison filled with guilt and even more uncertain about her upcoming nuptials. When the big day arrived, she actually made it halfway down the aisle before making a fast exit to the astonishment of the groom and their guests. So now that she had thoroughly embarrassed herself, her groom and their families, what was a girl to do? The first thing she needed to figure out was exactly why she couldn’t marry Seth, the man who had gone from making her feel safe to making her feel smothered.
“Wish You Were Here” is a terrific first novel by Beth K. Vogt that kept me engrossed until the very end. The plot moved at the perfect pace with ell-developed characters, excellent dialogue, and the perfect blend of drama, romance and humor that combined to make one satisfying story. The author bravely introduced several sticky situations but handled them tactfully and brought them to a satisfying resolution. Her spiritual theme was woven seamlessly throughout the story and never seemed to be heavy-handed. I thoroughly enjoyed “Wish You Were Here” and will be on the lookout for future releases by this author.
This book was provided for review by Howard Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kissing the wrong guy days before her scheduled wedding leads Allison to become a runaway bride. But can it also lead to happily ever after?
Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong. The huge wedding. The frothy dress. And the groom.
Still, kissing the groom’s brother, Daniel, in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. Daniel’s adventures—chronicled through a collection of postcards—have always appealed to Allison’s well-hidden desire for something more. But how can betraying her fiancé’s trust lead to a true happily ever after?
Can Allison find her way out of this mess? Recognizing she doesn’t have all the answers won’t be easy because she’s used to being in control. To find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her—one outside her carefully defined comfort zone—and find the strength to let Him lead.
by admin | May 19, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“My Stubborn Heart” is the debut novel by author Becky Wade that I would describe as somewhat “edgy” by current definition. While it has a basically strong faith based message, there are also some scenes and language that many Christians could find offensive. I myself did not have too much of a problem with it because most of the potentially objectionable content was used in a realistic manner. After all, do any of us really know any “perfect” Christians (including ourselves) who never speak inappropriately? I did find that the references to Matt as a “hottie” became a bit repetitious and juvenile, especially coming from supposedly mature women but even that did not prevent me from enjoying the novel.
The story features Kate, a 31-year-old who has been praying for a husband most of her life and has begun to wonder if God would ever answer her prayers. When she takes a break from her job to help her grandmother renovate the family home in Redbud, Pennsylvania, she experiences an instant recognition when she meets Matt, the man doing most of the renovation. However, Matt resists her attempts at friendship from the beginning. As any regular reader of romance novels will know, the story is all about how the walls between Kate and Matt will come down in order for them to have a future together. With that as a given, “My Stubborn Heart” fills in all the blanks about how that transpires.
Sometimes humorous and sometimes dramatic and highly emotional, “My Stubborn Heart” is filled with interesting characters and background. The town of Redbud is enchanting and details about the renovation and decoration of the house were fascinating. An emphasis on the power of prayer predominates and more than makes up for any of the previously mentioned concerns.
Overall, I would recommend “My Stubborn Heart” to those who enjoy contemporary romance.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.
Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can’t help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can’t quite put her finger on. He’s clearly wounded–hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light…whether he likes it or not.
When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?
See what other bloggers are saying about “My Stubborn Heart” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.
Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn’t be more thrilled with it.
These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.
Learn more at: www.BeckyWade.com
Meet Becky:
Stubborn Heart Giveaway!
Celebrate with Becky by entering her My Stubborn Heart Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 5/24!
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A Brand New Nook Simple Touch™ with GlowLight™
- A $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate
- A copy of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on May 24th. Winner will be announced at the “My Stubborn Heart” Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/24. Becky will be hosting an book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!
So grab your copy of My Stubborn Heart and join Becky on the evening of the May 24th for a chance to meet Becky and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
by admin | May 17, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Country Life
MY REVIEW:
An Unlikely Blessing
I originally reviewed “An Unlikely Blessing” on February 14, 2011. You can read my complete original review HERE. I have included an excerpt of that review below.
“An Unlikely Blessing” has the same down home, character driven plot that kept folks reading Jan Karon’s Mitford series and Philip Gulley’s Harmony novels. I have read several books from both of those series and for my own personal preferences, “An Unlikely Blessing” takes first place. It is a heartwarming story with such real characters that I wanted to move right into Hilltop myself. Lots of humor, a bit of action, and just good storytelling makes “An Unlikely Blessing a keeper”. Read the book description below for everything you need to know without my throwing a spoiler into the works.
What can I say? I loved “An Unlikely Blessing” and can’t wait for the next installment so I can find out what is going on with Pastor Alex and his flock.
Surprising Grace
Well, it has been a bit over a year but I finally got to catch up with Pastor Alex and those dear folks of Hilltop. The same blend of good storytelling, humor, and wisdom was again evident in this second installment of Baer’s Hilltop series. Alex has begun to settle well into small town/rural life and realizes that he has never been happier. It has become evident both to him and the community that he is right where God wants him to be. New characters, a little romance, more humor, a bit of mystery, drama, and action plus some sad moments work together well to make “Surprising Grace” another endearing novel. I sincerely hope that future installments are planned. There are still too many unfinished stories in Hilltop that I want to read about.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The charming and often hilarious Forever Hilltop series follows the experiences of former city dweller Alex Armstrong as he settles into his new role as pastor of a Scandinavian community in rural North Dakota. Alex is sometimes baffled by his parishioners and their colorful ways, but he comes to appreciate their simple wisdom. One thing’s for sure — life in Hilltop Township is never dull! This new two-in-one format features An Unlikely Blessing along with its sequel, Surprising Grace.
An Unlikely Blessing
Meet Alex Armstrong, former city dweller who has just accepted his first parish assignment to a small community in the wilds of North Dakota. In Hilltop Township, Alex becomes familiar with the colorful residents and their odd traditions, from rommegrot to lutefisk. And then there’s the excitement the single pastor creates among the unmarried women in the community! Alex soon discovers that his new church home has as much to teach him as he has to teach them, providing all with An Unlikely Blessing.
Surprising Grace
Alex Armstrong is settling into his new role as pastor of Hilltop Church, and he’s even starting to understand the strange ways of the people who populate this barren stretch of North Dakota prairie. But he also finds that his flock needs help and counsel like he never imagined. In this cozy and entertaining read, Alex must choose between the woman he once planned to marry—and the home he’s come to love.
Romantic Times says of Forever Hilltop, “These two stories in one volume feature amazing characters – some are witting and some are quirky, but all of them are loveable and memorable. The small town comes to life and will remain with readers for a long time. Baer knows what her fans look for in a feel-good book and does not disappoint in either story.”
Read what other bloggers are saying about Forever Hilltop HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, experiencing many of the same things as her Hilltop characters. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head.Baer graduated from Concordia College with majors in English and education and a minor in religion. While at the time, she was simply studying what interested her, Baer later realized that she was educating herself for her future career as a Christian writer. She certainly put her education to use as she is the author of more than 75 books.
A certified professional life coach now certified in three coaching disciplines, Baer coaches primarily professional and aspiring writers. She is also a faculty adviser in the Department of Human Development at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis, MN. Baer has two daughters and three step children. She and her husband live in Minnesota.She invites you to visit her at her web site www.judykbaer.com for more information on her and her books.
KINDLE GIVEAWAY:
Celebrate with Judy by entering to win a Kindle for you and a friend!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A brand new Kindle Touch for you AND one to giveaway to the friend of your choice
- Forever Hilltop by Judy K Baer for you and a one for a friend
Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/22/12. The winner will be announced 5/24/12 on Judy’s blog! Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Judy’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
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.
Noted author Roald Dahl help 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.
