by admin | Oct 15, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, PTSD, Romance
MY REVIEW:
For lovers of small-town fiction, “The Splendor of Ordinary Days” is not to be missed. Even the title has that perfect, poetic, lazy summer day feel to it. With distinctive characters who run the gamut from the young doctor/hero to the DJ who speaks in song titles, to the old lady who”loves Jesus but drinks a bit because it keeps her regular”, and too many others to name, this story held my attention from the opening page until its very end.
It is a charming tale that has a sweet romance, a bit of mystery, and a touch of a ghost story plus just the right amount of humor, drama and action. As Dr. Luke interacts with his patients and the townspeople, he finds himself in the unique position to not only learn some old secrets but to help reconcile some long damaged relationships. The author sensitively relates the very real problems experienced by men and women returning from war. I gained a new understanding of their struggles.
Not promoted as Christian fiction, “The Splendor of Ordinary Days” does contain a word or two that might offend some readers and it is honest about the struggles of an engaged couple to remain chaste until marriage. I personally found the beautiful story of reconciliation, frequent eloquent quotations filled with wisdom, and the absolutely magical prose to far overshadow any of those insignificant issues.
I would recommend this book and will probably try to read the previous books from this series if I can find the time. Very good!
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The pastoral charm of small-town Watervalley, Tennessee, can be deceptive, as young Dr. Luke Bradford discovers when he’s caught in the fallout of a decades-old conflict.
After a rocky start as Watervalley’s only doctor, Luke Bradford has decided to stay in town, honoring the three-year commitment he made to pay off his medical school debts. But even as his friendships with the quirky townsfolk deepen, and he pursues a romance with lovely schoolteacher Christine Chambers, several military veterans’ emotional wounds trigger anger and unrest in Watervalley.
At the center of the clash is the curmudgeonly publisher of the local newspaper, Luther Whitmore. Luther grew up in Watervalley, but he returned from combat in Vietnam a changed man. He fenced in beautiful Moon Lake, posting “Keep Out” notices at the beloved spot, and provokes the townspeople with his incendiary newspaper.
As Luke struggles to understand Luther’s past, and restore harmony in Watervalley, an unforeseen crisis shatters a relationship he values dearly. Suddenly Luke must answer life’s toughest questions about service, courage, love, and sacrifice.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After growing up on a farm in rural Tennessee, Jeff High attained degrees in literature and nursing. He is the three-time winner, in fiction and poetry, of an annual writing contest held by Vanderbilt Medical Center. He lived in Nashville for many years, and throughout the country as a travel nurse, before returning to his original hometown, near where he now works as an operating room RN in open-heart surgery. He is the author of the Watervalley novels, including “More Things in Heaven and Earth” and “Each Shining Hour.”
Find out more about Jeff at http://www.watervalleybooks.com/.
by admin | Oct 11, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
“Murder at the Courthouse” was a delightful change of pace. A cozy mystery set in the quaint and laid-back small town of Hidden Springs, this story goes to show that you may not know everyone as well as you think you do.
Hidden Springs is a place where everyone knows everyone else but the discovery of an unknown dead man on the courthouse steps rocks the town. As deputy sheriff Michael Keane works to solve the crime, he hopes it was committed by an outsider passing through town. He can’t imagine that someone he actually knows could be guilty of murder but something has several residents acting out of character. He hopes it isn’t an indication of their guilt. Subsequent events add to the mystery and the pressure is on to solve the crime.
With easy to like characters in a small-town setting, “Murder at the Courthouse” was a fun read with plenty of drama, action, mystery, and humor. Not much romance here – only a few mentions of a preacher woman Michael was seeing and then a childhood friend shows up that indicates the possibility of future romance between them. I suspected one of the characters about halfway through the book and my hunch proved to be right but oh the revelations I would have missed if I had decided to stop reading at that point. There are some major surprises in store that are farther reaching than just the murder at the courthouse.
I loved “Murder at the Courthouse” and am certain that others who love cozy mysteries will love it as well. I personally cannot wait for the next installment.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Welcome to Hidden Springs
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Michael Keane’s stressful days as a Columbus police officer are done. He’s ready to relax into his new position as deputy sheriff in his sleepy hometown. Nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky–and that’s just fine with Michael.
Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. As Michael works to solve the case, it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs.
Bringing with her a knack for creating settings you want to visit and an uncanny ability to bring characters to life, A. H. Gabhart pens a whodunit that will keep you guessing.
Read an excerpt from “Murder at the Courthouse” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Oct 7, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical, Romance, Suspense, WWII
MY REVIEW:
“The Methuselah Project” is a suspenseful novel that definitely raises some “what if” questions in my mind. There has to be something to that old saying “Truth is often stranger than fiction”. I don’t think anyone came up with a process to make people live for centuries but I know enough to know that there are behind-the-scenes men who seem to be controlling everything worldwide these days. I would say that the possibility of an organized group could easily have been formed the way Rick Barry suggests in this book.
This is one kind of speculative novel that I can get into – one that combines plenty of true facts with enough speculation to make a very compelling story. The story is told in two different time frames and points of view that eventually merge for the conclusion. Roger was quite believable as a young man who had been held prisoner in Germany for seventy plus years. I liked how he didn’t give up but kept himself prepared just in case the opportunity to escape ever came. Katherine was also an excellent character. She believed in her uncle’s love for her and wanted to believe in his integrity but there was just something that didn’t add up about the organization he had groomed her to be a part of. I felt that she made the right choices when faced with the truth.
Although the story does not always move at a fast pace, there were several exciting scenes as well as some big surprises. I enjoyed “The Methuselah Project” and thought it had a unique story to tell.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nazi scientists started many experiments. One never ended.
Roger Greene is a war hero. Raised in an orphanage, the only birthright he knows is the feeling that he was born to fly. Flying against the Axis Powers in World War II is everything he always dreamed—until the day he’s shot down and lands in the hands of the enemy.
When Allied bombs destroy both his prison and the mad genius experimenting on POWs, Roger survives. Within hours, his wounds miraculously heal, thanks to those experiments. The Methuselah Project is a success—but this ace is still not free. Seventy years later, Roger hasn’t aged a day, but he has nearly gone insane. This isn’t Captain America—just a lousy existence only made passable by a newfound faith. The Bible provides the only reliable anchor for Roger’s sanity and his soul. When he finally escapes, there’s no angelic promise or personal prophecy of deliverance, just confusion. It’s 2015—and the world has become an unrecognizable place.
Katherine Mueller—crack shot, genius, and real Southern Belle—offers to help him find his way home. Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story? Can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he’s trying to flee?
Thrown right into pulse-pounding action from the first page, readers will find themselves transported back in time to a believable, full-colored past, and then catapulted into the present once more. The historical back-and-forth adds a constantly moving element of suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rick Barry is the author of “Gunner’s Run,” another World War II novel, “Kiriath’s Quest,” and more than 200 articles and fiction stories. In addition to being a World War II buff, he is the director of church planting ministries at BIEM, a Christian ministry operating in Eastern Europe. He holds a degree in foreign languages, speaks Russian, and has visited Europe more than fifty times. Rick lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Find out more about Rick at http://rickcbarry.com.
by admin | Oct 5, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Texas, Western
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFirefly SummerRedbud Press (June 23, 2015)byKathleen Y’BarboABOUT THE AUTHOR:
RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.
Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.
A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.
Learn more about Kathleen and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A new cowboy romance from award-winning author Kathleen Y’Barbo.
Trey’s biggest challenge isn’t performing surgery…it’s restoring Sessa’s heart!
Artist Sessa Chambers may never recover from losing her prodigal son. Even as she grieves the tragic decisions that led to his death, and left her with a toddler to raise, she’s asked to work on her dream project—restoring carousel horses for the Smithsonian. But she can’t do it on her own…
Dr. Trey Brown can’t pick up a scalpel again. Yes, he acted in self-defense, but the events of that awful night haunt him. He was trained to save lives, not take them. When he goes to the young man’s widowed mother to apologize, she’s not at all what he expected. For one thing, she’s not as alone as he thought—not with the fearsome ladies of the Pies, Books, and Jesus Book Club in her corner. For another, she’s beautiful, and being in her presence is more jolting than any eight-second bronco ride from his former rodeo days. Before he knows it, she’s captured his heart as easily as they capture the fireflies gracing Sessa’s Texas ranch.
How can they overcome their past to embrace a future together?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Firefly Summer, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Because I have enjoyed other novels by Kathleen Y’Barbo so much, I purchased an ebook copy when “Firefly Summer” was first available. I liked it so much that I was thrilled when offered a paperback for review. This book is a keeper and I am so happy to have a copy for my book shelves.
“Firefly Summer” is a contemporary romance with a Texas setting (one of my favorites) but this book is about so much more than just romance. A story about a woman who has suffered so much pain and loss in her life, this book deals with some difficult situations that would try most people’s faith. What happens when the past collides with the present and what does a woman do when she falls in love with the man responsible for her son’s death?
Strong characters inhabit the pages of “Firefly Summer” and the story is one that stayed with me for awhile. Both poignant and hopeful, it is a story of love and forgiveness for self as well as for others. I cannot recommend this novel enough. The gorgeous cover is just a taste of the wonders inside.
by admin | Sep 29, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
“Mind of Her Own” has a unique twist that I don’t think I’ve run across in a novel before. After a knock on the head that leaves her unconscious, Louisa Copeland wakes with amnesia and believes she is someone else – Jazz Sweet. Unconvinced otherwise by her husband, she agrees to return to her home because she doesn’t remember where Jazz lives. As time goes by, Louisa/Jazz comes to the conclusion that she must really be Louisa but is not sure she wants to be.
The most interesting thing to me about Louisa’s situation is that she was forced to rediscover herself from a stranger’s viewpoint and she did not like very much about her real life. Even her children and husband seemed to like Jazz better – she was more fun. Although for the most part, “Mind of Her Own” is fun and entertaining, it has depth and even a bit of darkness as Louisa finally comes to terms with the deeply buried secrets that have kept her afraid to get too close to others.
I very much enjoyed “Mind of Her Own”. It is the first book I’ve read by this author but I would definitely be interested in reading more.
This book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill falls out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who is this Collin fellow, claiming she is his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name can’t be Louisa. Why, she is the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances. She’s also written We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families be it fictional or real life.
by admin | Sep 29, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I always enjoy one of DiAnn Mills’ romantic suspense novels and “Deadlock” was no exception. I can be fairly certain that the author has done her research and any law enforcement details have been checked out and are as authentic as possible.
In “Deadlock” the new partnership of FBI Special Agents Bethany Sanchez and Thatcher Graves is put to the test time and again as they seem to work around the clock to solve the case of the Scorpion murders. Harassed by both her brother and the killer and distressed over her estrangement from her family, Bethany is stressed and not sure she can depend on Thatcher. Each of them is determined to fight against their mutual attraction and focus on solving their case before it is too late.
Bethany and Thatcher are both strong characters who carry the story. Several possibilities for the murderer are hinted at during the course of the tale but final revelations are somewhat surprising. I admired Thatcher’s determination to change his life based on his recent decision to follow Christ even though circumstances might justify falling back to his old patterns. The plot moves swiftly from one action-filled scene to the next and the suspense builds to a dramatic conclusion.
A gritty story that focuses on faith, family, and reconciliation, “Deadlock” kept me involved until the very end.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.
When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.
Preview an excerpt from “Deadlock” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love chapter; and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted–and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at 
