The Clouds Roll Away is a thoroughly enjoyable and easily read book for those who love suspenseful novels. I was quickly drawn into the story and didn’t want to put it down. I was reading the final chapters in the doctor’s office and was rudely interrupted when the doctor came in for my appointment. I was at a critical point and really needed to know the outcome. Then when I reached the end, I was sorry it was over.
A mystery/suspense novel, The Clouds Roll Away moves at a swift pace with gripping action scenes tempered by calmer settings in Raleigh’s office, home, at church and social events. The author sharply contrasts the peace and joy of the Christmas season with vivid portraits of violence, hatred, and greed. The mystery and suspense build at a satisfying tempo with multiple surprises along the way. As Raleigh soon finds out, things are not always what they seem.
Although the Christian message does not take the front seat in The Clouds Roll Away, Raleigh’s faith is always evident even as she struggles with it at times. The story does contain some violence as would be expected in a novel about an FBI agent, but none that I would consider excessively graphic.
I enjoyed The Clouds Roll Away enough that I have already ordered the first book of the series and look forward to reading all Ms. Giorello’s novels.
This book was provided for review by the LitFuse Publicity Group.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns home for Christmas but discovers Richmond, Virginia running low on goodness and light.
Although her exemplary service in Seattle lifted her disciplinary transfer, Raleigh lands a hometown civil rights case riddled with problems that could get her sent away again. When she helps out a fellow cop, her life goes on the line, forcing her undercover in a sting operation. As Raleigh realizes the lines are crossing and double-crossing, her domestic life starts to unravel. Her mother’s mental health cracks like ice, her closest friend grows cold, and her old boyfriend DeMott comes a-calling, hoping for more than chestnuts by an open fire.
While the city glows with Christmas lights and carols, Raleigh is forced to rely on her sharpest skills to stay alive, hoping for that one clear moment when everything makes sense and the clouds roll away.
Sibella’s celebrating the release of The Clouds Roll Away by giving away a KINDLE prize pack worth over $150.00!
One Grand Prize winner will receive:
Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi
$25 gift certificate to Amazon.com
To enter simply click on one of the icons below! Then tell your friends! Winner will be announced January 3, 2011 on Sibella’s blog: http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/.
About The Clouds Roll Away – “Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, Giorello’s mystery also features well-developed characters…”
Okay, I’m a day late announcing my winner of The Clouds Roll Away. Can you believe I totally forgot to check the comments?
There were five comments with one opting out of the drawing. Comments were numbered in the order received and I used the random.org True Random Number Generator to choose the winner. #2, Andrew Smith is the winner. I will be contacting him for his address so I can get his book in the mail tomorrow morning. Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you for entering.
The Clouds Roll Away is a suspense/mystery novel featuring Raleigh Harmon, an FBI agent who is also a forensic geologist. Set in Richmond, Virginia during the days preceding Christmas, the story is one where things are not always as they seem.
I have a new copy of The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello to give to one lucky winner. To enter the contest, please leave a comment on this post about a favorite Christmas memory or family tradition.
Entry deadline is Sunday, December 19. I hope to announce a winner Monday morning so I can get it in the mail for his/her holiday reading pleasure.
Entries from the United States only please.
Check back for a post on December 23 with my review of the book.
The Topkapi Secret is a well written and obviously thoroughly researched novel that delves into the secrets of the Koran that devout Muslims do not want to be made public. The narrative hops from one location to the next and from one character to another for nearly the first half of the book, which made it a bit difficult for me to get into. Once it settled into the story of Angela and Mohammed, it was a bit easier to follow. The book is filled with a wealth of facts about the Koran, Muslim lifestyle and history, and the Mideast – primarily Jordan, Palestine, and Istanbul.
Expecting a fast moving, suspenseful novel, I was soon overwhelmed by all the details which totally overshadowed everything else. I was never able to relate to any of the characters and the suspenseful scenes were brief and unsatisfying. Frankly, it took me several days to read as I had difficulty staying awake. I am usually able to read a book in less than a day. I am sure that most of my problems with The Topkapi Secret were due to my own personal preferences. Others with different tastes will probably find it riveting.
This book was provided for review by Rebeca Seitz with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
American professor Angela Hall’s world is falling apart. Left with two things: her money and her job, she sets out to research women’s issues in The Middle East. Until she crosses paths with Mohammed Atareek…
Mohammed is a man on a mission. Raised in the Muslim faith, he has learned something no Muslim is supposed to know: the Koran of today is not the original. Could it be true? Mohammed will risk his life to find out.
When Angela’s and Mohammed’s worlds collide, sparks fly–both from their hearts and the tempers of the terrorists following them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Terry Kelhawk is an award-wining speaker, writer, and teacher with significant personal and professional experience with Islam and the Middle East.
In Terry’s words, “I love peoples and cultures. We have so much to learn from each other, and this makes the world a richer place. Yet when I come across a misunderstanding or deception which adversely impacts a culture or people group, for the sake of those people I believe it should be exposed.”
Terry Kelhawk holds a doctorate degree, but believes people should keep on learning through life. Her areas of interest are culture, religion, and women’s rights – especially of Middle East. She blogs on huffingtonpost.com, foxnews.com, and politicalmavens.com, and likes travel, reading, and asking questions.
Terry believes we should, as Honey Jean of Atlanta in The Topkapi Secret would say, “Make the world a better place, or y’all just taking up space!”
Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website.
Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns home for Christmas but discovers Richmond, Virginia running low on goodness and light.
