Faith Marin is an up-and-coming TV news personality whose ambition drives her life. Her husband is a professional bass fisherman whose lifestyle couldn’t be any more different from Faith’s if he tried. Somehow, the very traits that attracted Faith to Geary in the first place are the ones that seem to be driving a wedge between them. Faith loves her husband but has nearly thrown in the towel on her marriage when a tragic event leaves her fighting for her life.
“A Reason to Stay” is an emotional story that will grab the attention of anyone who has ever struggled in their marriage (and haven’t we all at one time or another?). The narrative moves between the present and the past as Faith seems to reflect on the development of the relationship between Geary and herself. Faith and Geary are both strong characters and Geary in particular was endearing. Maybe Faith isn’t the only one who likes rednecks!
Although often poignant and tense, the story is lightened by several quite humorous scenes that will leave most readers laughing. The story is a brutally honest look at marriage but ends on a high note that should leave its readers with hope. I thoroughly enjoyed “A Reason to Stay” and recommend it and all other books by Kellie Coates Gilbert.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sometimes the thing that keeps us from making the wrong choice is the one thing we can’t control
As an investigative reporter and the host of her own TV talk show, Faith Marin works to expose the truth for her viewers. But in her personal life, she’s anchored her world with firm boundaries in order to hide a family history she’d like to forget. By contrast, her husband Geary’s life is an open book. An easygoing pro bass fisherman, Geary is the ultimate family man–and his overbearing relatives don’t know the meaning of boundaries.
Faith and Geary haven’t been married long when their differences start to derail their tender relationship. Surely love shouldn’t be this hard. While Faith considers whether divorce is the only answer to their issues, tragedy strikes. With her life in the balance, she finds that the one she has been shutting out may be the very one she cannot bear to lose.
Kellie Coates Gilbert takes you on an emotional roller coaster as she weaves together unexpected trial, self-discovery, and forgiveness in this profoundly honest portrait of the tensions that can break a marriage–and the ultimate healing power of love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune and Where Rivers Part. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. Learn more at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.
Imagine being the doctor with two patients who will die unless they receive an experimental drug and there is only enough of it to treat one of them. To make the decision more difficult, one of the patients is the former President of the U.S. and the other is the woman the doctor loves. Dr. Josh Pearson finds himself in just this “lifeboat” type conundrum when he suddenly learns that he has been chosen to replace the former President’s personal physician.
“Miracle Drug” is a tense, contemporary medical suspense story that takes the reader behind the scenes as doctors, Secret Service members, and local law enforcement work together to save the lives of the former President and a young nurse who had been infected with a rare but deadly disease and to discover who wants the ex-President dead and is willing to kill others to achieve their purpose.
Dr. Josh Pearson is the stand-out character in “Miracle Drug” but several others have fairly strong supporting roles. The story moves along at a good pace with suspicion cast towards several possible killers and motives before its end. Several characters exhibit a strong faith and prayer is mentioned frequently.
“Miracle Drug” did not seem to be quite as suspenseful as some of Mabry’s earlier novels but it was nevertheless a riveting read that held my attention throughout. I try to never miss Dr. Mabry’s novels and am pleased that I had the chance to read this one. I enthusiastically recommend it to all who enjoy a good medical suspense.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Overcoming these odds will take more than a miracle drug—it will take a miracle.
The infection wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn’t. Then Dr. Josh Pearson discovers why—his patients, including the former President of the United States, have been dosed with a different strain of the original virus, one that is universally fatal. The only chance for survival is treatment with an experimental drug, but the manufacturer might already have discarded its supply.
As if treating the President of the United States isn’t stressful enough, the situation goes from bad to worse when Rachel Moore, a nurse Josh is falling in love with, falls ill. With the nation’s eyes on him, Josh must pull off a miracle to save a man who holds a good deal of power and the woman who holds his heart.
Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. “Miracle Drug” is his ninth published novel. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.
Enter to win a copy of Miracle Drug—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 2 on Richard’s blog!
What a beautiful book! The cover is gorgeous and I love the flaps, the rough-cut page edges, and the tree border illustrations at the bottom of the pages.
The story itself was not at all what I expected. It is a narrative about Arlene Santana who has suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as the loss of her husband in the same accident. For her each day is a new experience because she doesn’t remember the previous one. She still has memories of her life before the injury but usually doesn’t remember the visits from her sons. As the years go by, one Christmas after another, Arlene yearns to go home she misses. I liked the fact that although Arlene had such memory loss, she never forgot who she was and never lost her love for her family.
As is usual in Copeland’s books, it is beautifully and skillfully written. I have to admit though, much of this book depressed me. Yes, there were some quite humorous moments and the ending was encouraging. It was revealing to see the other side of memory loss and the frustration for the one experiencing it. The problem was not the book but perhaps my own frame of mind. I have seen too many friends and relatives with loved ones who suffered from dementia and recently watched as a friend and her husband experienced his difficult and losing battle with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. I feel sure that the author has a special purpose for this book and I sincerely hope that it reaches those whose lives will be touched by it.
This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Meet Arlene Santana, a vibrant wife and young grandmother whose life suddenly takes a confusing and often laughable turn into a new reality framed by a severe brain injury. As one holiday after another speeds by, Arlene takes comfort in the amusing old people who surround her in the rehabilitation center and one special friend who relates well to Arlene. But when will her husband, whose love is more real to her than anything, come to visit her? Treasure this Christmas novella from bestselling author Lori Copeland that demonstrates the healing power of true love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market.
Lori is the author of more than 100 titles, both historical and contemporary fiction. With more than 3 million copies of her books in print, she has developed a loyal following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She has been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books’ Best Seller award. In 2000, Lori was inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.
Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work through School to the Nations.
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 Readers’ 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; 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 her website.
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.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Deadlock, go HERE.
Watch the video:
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.
I always enjoy historical romance novels, particularly when they have a Southern setting. It is even better if they have at least a touch of suspense. Dorothy Love’s “A Respectable Actress” meets all the requirements.
Philip Sinclair is hired to defend famous actress India Hartley when she is accused of a murder – one of which she is innocent. To protect her from the public until the trial, he takes her to his home on St. Simons Island. As one might expect, Philip and India discover a mutual attraction but it is not the primary focus of the novel. While the pair works to prove her innocence, India discovers clues to an earlier disappearance and death that took place at Indigo Point.
Philip and India are strong characters, especially India. Despite her fame, India has a caring and giving personality. I loved the twists and surprises throughout the plot. Just when I thought the story had reached its climax (and wondered why there were still so many pages left to read), even more surprising events took place. The author did a wonderful job of taking what seemed to be totally unrelated events and tied them all together for an exciting conclusion.
Dorothy Love’s books have never failed to hold my interest. I highly recommend “A Respectable Actress” as well as any of her other novels.
I received copies of this book from both the author and
The Fiction Guild in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When India Hartley is accused of murder, she has to uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.
India Hartley, the famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.
A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best and handsomest lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.
Because India can t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia low country and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee. After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.
When she isn’t busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.
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Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune and Where Rivers Part. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. Learn more at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.
Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. “Miracle Drug” is his ninth published novel. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.
Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee. After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.
