by admin | Sep 8, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I read lots of books and probably have more on my TBR shelf than I will ever finish since new ones are constantly arriving. For that reason I am often hesitant to agree to read one by an author with whom I am unfamiliar which was the case with “Color of Danger”. But remembering that I have discovered so many favorites by doing just that I took a chance and agreed to review this book. I am so happy that I did!
“Color of Danger” is one of those page turners that I never want to put down in order to take care of the more mundane things of life like cleaning and cooking. The suspense built on nearly every page and I was held captive by the story. It was easy to imagine how it would feel to be the sister of a serial killer I thought had died then to learn of more murders with my brother’s unique calling card…and that I might be his next victim. Now that is a great idea for a book and I can tell you that Alexa Verde did a masterful job of fleshing out that idea!
The strong plot moved along at just the right pace with realistic characters I grew to like. I particularly enjoyed the twists and surprises at every turn plus the fact that I did not guess the guilty person too quickly. The romantic angle was not one of those love-at-first-sight ones that are often difficult for me to believe but advanced naturally. The spiritual element was convincing yet not overpowering.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Color of Danger” and will be looking forward to more quality suspense from this new author.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Life as the sister of a serial killer is never easy, especially when former runaway Mari Del Lobo becomes a target herself. A recent crime has her late brother’s signature and MO, which Mari finds highly unusual, as she still blames herself for her only sibling’s death. Soon Mari encounters an unexpected — and a very attractive — ally in Dr. Luke Goodman.
Luke couldn’t save his fiancée from the Smiling Killer, but he’ll do anything to prevent more murders, even ask for help from the serial killer’s sister. Finding a kindred tortured soul in Mari, Luke is determined to keep her alive, but it’s not easy to protect the stubborn ex-rebel.
To solve the mystery, renew her faith, and find love and redemption, Mari has to face her most dangerous enemy — herself.
“One of the best Christian romantic suspense novels I’ve ever read.” – JoAnn Durgin, JoAnn Durgin, USA Today bestselling author.
To purchase your copy, click here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alexa Verde writes sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and murder. She penned her first literary masterpiece, a rhymed poem, at the ripe age of eight, and since has had 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, a master’s in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters with diverse cultures. She can claim her 15 seconds of Amazon fame with her books climbing to the #1 spot in Hispanic American and #3 in Christian Mystery & Suspense. She’s worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer’s hat suits her the best. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in south Texas home. The latter is an inspiration for the fictional setting of her popular series Secrets of Rios Azules. For giveaways (for example, Russian souvenirs), news, and recipes, please sign up for her newsletter at www.alexaverde.com. Twitter: @AlexaVerde3. Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexaverdeauthor
GUEST POST FROM ALEXA VERDE:
Thank you, Sandra, for having me on the CelebrateLit tour, and heartfelt thanks to all the bloggers who read and reviewed my novel Color of Danger. Every review, every kind word, every blog post matters tremendously to me. Very excited to be here!
In some ways, the first book is like the firstborn child. There is no feeling comparable to the one when your “baby” is born. While Color of Danger is not the first book I’ve written, it is the first book I’ve published, and I’ve done the latter with much apprehension and trepidation. But this was a story I needed to tell, about love, forgiveness, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
By then, my published works had ranged from senryu (Japanese poetry) to travel portraits to interviews, but it had taken me a while to find my voice in full-length books. However, once I realized I wanted to write Christian novels, I never veered off that road. I’m currently working on my first Christian contemporary romance, so my tagline might change. But for the Christian romantic suspense series, Secrets of Rios Azules, it is “Sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and murder.”
I was told Mari was an unusual heroine. She’s tough, strong-willed, and fearless, and at the same time, vulnerable and hurt. Color of Danger is not just a combination of a Christian romance and a serial killer mystery. It is more than a story of friendship between “Danger Girls,” though Mari is loyal to a fault and would give up her life in a heartbeat for those she loves. First and foremost, it’s about believing in God again. And that’s what I strive for every one of my books to be.
A love letter to God.
BLOG STOPS:
September 8: Daysong Reflections
September 9: Christian Bookaholic
September 10: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
September 11: SueStinnett
September 12: Carpe Diem
September 13: Reading Is My SuperPower
September 14: Mary Hake
September 14: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
September 15: A Baker’s Perspective
September 16: Quiet Quilter
September 17: The Power of Words (Spotlight)
September 18: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
September 19: History, Mystery & Faith
September 20: Bukwurmzzz
September 21: Blogging With Carol
September 22: Rhonda’s Doings
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Alexa is giving away a $50 amazon gift card! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a367
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by admin | Sep 2, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Wicked Disregard” was such a page-turner that I had difficulty putting it down. As a private investigator, Christine is considering giving up her work in order to take over her dead father’s company. She uncovers a group of evil pedophiles during a search for a missing child then finds herself the target of an attempt on her life. Still determined to find her parents’ murderers, Christine and her friend Jeremy work together to solve the seemingly unrelated clues and find that those clues become more and more suspiciously connected. And as Christine and Jeremy spend time together, she finds herself closer to him – and the Lord.
I really enjoyed “Wicked Disregard” so much that I hope to find time to read the earlier books in this series. It was well written and suspense filled with characters I grew to care about. Jeremy and his father were wonderful men who walked their talk. I especially liked the faith-based content that was woven into the story so well.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Pedophiles and prostitutes, the last thing Christine Smith envisioned when she embarked on a career to find missing children. Will she end her work as an investigator and run the company left to her by her dead Father? Now she’s been shot! How does her growing relationship with God change her outlook on life? Christine and Jeremy follow the clues in this, the third book in the Finders Keepers mystery series. In Wicked Disregard, they unravel a ring of vicious pedophiles while Christine continues to search for the identity of the man who ordered the death of her parents.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With a plethora of writing under her belt and a variety of genres, Barbara Ann Derksen receives encouragement from 4 and 5 star reviews, the eager anticipation by readers for the next book, and a new reader discovering her existence.
Born in Canada, Barbara lived in the US for 12 years. There her writing surfaced as she worked under contract as a journalist for six years with over 2500 articles published in newspapers and magazines during that time. She began attending Colorado Christian Writer’s Conferences and each year, under the tutelage of great Christian writer’s like James Scott Bell, Angela Hunt, and others, she honed her skills and then published her first book in 2003.
With 19 books to her credit, one currently inactive and awaiting revision, each one surpasses the last, according to her readers. The new series has given them something to think about as she delves into the world of sex trafficking and pedophilia. Each book has its own message and seeks to instill in the reader a sense of purpose as it is lived out in the lives of the characters.
Barbara is a member of Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church in Steinbach, Manitoba, Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canada and the US. She attends a writer’s group in Steinbach once a month, and speaks about writing to various writers groups around the province. She has attended several Colorado Christian Writers Conferences in Estes Park, Colorado and taken courses from other sources to perfect her craft. Her speaking extends to churches, nursing homes, and biker rallies where the topics vary depending on the season. Wherever she goes, people hear about her love for God and her desire for all to share that love for themselves.
Barbara and her husband, Henry, have been married for 45 years, have four children, and nine grandchildren … and counting. Henry is a singer/songwriter with 8 CDs to his name. His soothing country gospel melodies encourage and entertain … words that come from his heart to God’s ears.
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by admin | Sep 2, 2016 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
All three Stoltzfus brothers had left their Amish home due to conflicts with their father. When older brother David moves back home and marries her sister, Mary Elizabeth hopes that Sam, the brother she loves, will soon follow. When he tells her otherwise, Mary Elizabeth decides she needs to move on with her life and there just happens to be a new resident in the community who is all too willing to court her. But nice as he is, her heart just isn’t in it.
I really liked the way “Seasons in Paradise” was written with emphasis on other aspects of characters’ lives other than their love life. Of particular interest to me was the way Mary Elizabeth and her sisters worked with the Englisch women’s shelter by teaching the women to quilt and donating food, supplies, and their time to help them. I really enjoyed reading about the Amish and Englisch working together to help their community.
The story was well developed with an interesting plot and characters. I was not so certain that I liked Sam at first but as I grew more familiar with him I decided he was a pretty good fellow. On the other hand, I never did quite trust the other man who was interested in Mary Elizabeth and applauded the caution she used in her interactions with him.
All-in-all, “Seasons in Paradise” is an enjoyable story. Although it is the second in the series, I had not read the first book and found that this one could easily stand on its own. I now really want to read the third volume in order to find out how things turn out with the “bad boy” Stoltzfus brother.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Amazon Vine.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sam Stoltzfus left the Amish community and followed his older brother, David, into the Englisch world, walking away from a chance for love. Sam had clashed with his father, but is there more to his leaving the community than what he says?
Mary Elizabeth, the woman he was starting to love before he left, is determined to find out the reason and bring him back into the fold in time for Christmas.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the best-selling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Her books have been nominated for Carol Awards and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award from RWA’s Faith, Hope, and Love chapter. Barbara resides in Jacksonville, Florida.
Find out more about Barbara at BarbaraCameron.com and Amishliving.com.
by admin | Sep 2, 2016 | Amish, Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Christmas at Promise Lodge” is a cozy fall and winter holiday novel featuring a somewhat new Amish community in Missouri. Complete with sleigh rides and ice skating on the pond the story is a warm reminder of simple celebrations among family and good friends.
Yet everything is not all warm and cozy in the Promise Lodge settlement. The community was established by a group of Amish who wanted to get out from under an overbearing bishop but quickly found themselves with another bishop who insisted on setting his own unreasonable rules. Then accidents and illness bring major complications to plans for the holidays and one particular wedding is put on hold, possibly forever.
The people of Promise Lodge are a varied group with individual and sometimes quirky personalities but they are a close-knit group who work together well and take care of each other. I loved the way they extended grace and mercy even to the most undeserving members with forgiveness the principle they lived by.
“Christmas at Promise Lodge” is the perfect book for lovers of Amish literature, especially as this year winds down and advances toward another holiday season.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Amazon Vine.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the year draws to a close, the brand-new colony of Promise Lodge is thriving, a welcoming community that offers three Amish sisters a fresh start. And as Christmas approaches, gifts big and small are given with love . . .
As Promise Lodge’s first wedding arrives, the evidence of a community building a foundation for the future is a cause for celebration. But the bishop’s narrow-minded wedding sermon doesn’t sit well with the Bender sisters, the town’s courageous founders, especially widowed Mattie Schwartz. She believes marriage and family aren’t the most important of God’s gifts—even if she suspects her tender feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer run deeper than simple friendship.
Amos hasn’t given up hope that stubborn, spirited Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband, but when an accident threatens to change the course of his life forever, he wonders if the Lord has sent him a message. He’ll need faith, hope, and charity to find the right path—and a Christmas blessing to convince Mattie to walk it with him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Charlotte Hubbard sold her first historical romance in 1990, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. As she writes, her stories invariably take on a life of their own, different from the way she proposed them: unforeseen characters and plot twists come along, and they keep her guessing right along with her readers!
Charlotte has lived in the Midwest most of her life. When she’s not writing, she loves touring historic homes, trying new recipes, crocheting, and playing with her Border Collie, Ramona. She’s a Presbyterian deacon, sings in her church choir, and plays in the percussion ensemble. She’s married to a fine man who—bless him—has never once suggested she get a real job!
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by admin | Aug 31, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Book two of Herne’s Double S Ranch series, “Home on the Range” features Stafford brother Nick. With a nod to the parable of the Prodigal Son, Nick is the older brother who stayed at home to help his father run the family ranch while his two brothers left to do their own thing. The reader will even catch him wondering why it is that when he did everything right, his life could go so terribly wrong. Raising his two young daughters on his own after their mother walked out on them, Nick figures there’s not much else that could go wrong until he finds out that without outside help his troubled oldest child will not be promoted. That’s where Dr. Elsa Andreas entered their lives and things began to change for the better – at least it seemed that they did.
“Home on the Range” is a dramatic yet charming book set primarily on a ranch in Washington state. I enjoyed reading about the Stafford family once again and getting to know Nick’s side of the story. His daughters added an extra depth to the tale that made it all the more realistic. The plot is filled with drama, conflict, family values, and romance (of course). A story of hope, forgiveness, and renewed faith, this novel is a heartwarming example of how hurting people can help change the lives of other hurting people.
I very much enjoyed “Home on the Range” and look forward to reading the next installment of this excellent series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Blogging for Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can the brother left behind and a woman without hope work together for the good of two precious children?Nick Stafford stayed in central Washington, working his family’s large ranch after his brothers left to pursue other passions—but his toughest job is being a single dad. As a child he watched his father fail at marriage and parenting, so Nick was determined to show him up. He’d be a better husband, father, and ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever was. Despite that commitment, three years after Nick’s wife left him, he has a daughter in trouble at school and both of his girls are facing issues that force him to rethink his stubborn plans.
For Dr. Elsa Andreas, life fell apart when tragedy caused her to abandon her family therapy practice and retreat to the backwoods of Gray’s Glen. Her school principal sister believes Elsa can guide the Stafford girls and that working with kids will draw Elsa out of her protective bubble.
Summer on the Double S teems with life and adventure. Amid the bounty of God and land, will Nick and Elsa find the courage to build futures based on faith rather than fear?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With more than half a million books in print, RUTH LOGAN HERNE is the popular author of fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels, three self-published novels and contributed to two novella collections. She lives on a farm in upstate New York with her husband and has six adult children.
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by admin | Aug 31, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Revell, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have been a Lynette Eason fan since I first read some of her Love Inspired books. I was thrilled when she moved up to full-length novels and I don’t think I’ve missed any of them to date. So far I’m enjoying her Elite Guardians series and fully expect to continue to do so. Like many others, I love the idea of female bodyguards.
In this second book of the series, Katie Singleton is the featured partner of the agency. When it becomes perfectly clear that someone has targeted him, restaurant owner Daniel Matthews reluctantly agrees to allowing the agency to protect him and his niece – but only because he knows he can’t keep an eye on Riley by himself. As the danger escalates, Daniel and Katie suspect the guilty party must be someone close to him but who could it possibly be?
Eason’s characters are well-defined and strong. Katie is tough and confident enough to take on dangerous protective jobs and do it well. Daniel is strong enough to protect himself but humble enough to accept help when he needs it. I particularly liked how much he cared for his niece Riley. The plot moved along at breakneck speeds with enough twists and turns to keep me wondering what would happen next. I had a few suspicions along the way but was mostly surprised at how it all ended.
“Without Warning” is another winner from Lynette Eason and I highly recommend it and the first book in the series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.
Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.
Daniel might be concerned, but he’s not convinced that a bodyguard–and a female one at that–is necessary. A new attack and his niece’s urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who’s behind the intimidation and threats–before a would-be killer strikes again.
Read an excerpt from A”Without Warning” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching and Without Warning in the Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. She has a master’s degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.
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