by admin | Aug 8, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have previously enjoyed Christy Barritt’s books so it was an honor to become a member of her influencer team for “Disillusioned”. I’ll admit I did not expect this novel to be the intense page-turner it proved to be. Wow! What a story!
What could be more intriguing than a plot where the protagonists are on the run as they try to prove a recently released military prisoner is not the terrorist he is accused of being. Unfortunately the evidence keeps piling up to prove otherwise and even his sister and best friend find themselves doubting his innocence – at least part of the time. The action barely stops for an occasional breather and the tension keeps rising. Nikki is beginning to lose hope and her trust in God is stretched thin but Kade, the man who hurt her in the past, is the one who now encourages her to return to her faith.
“Disillusioned” is an action-packed thriller that could easily be taken from today’s news. Filled with suspense, danger, as well as numerous twists and surprises, it moves along at a fast clip yet also allows time for a romance to reignite. Strong characters are so real that I found myself right in the story with them. The spiritual content is strong but natural and not invasive.
I consider myself to be fairly open-minded toward others but “Disillusioned” opened my eyes to some of my own prejudices. Like many, I was skeptical when Bowe Bergdahl was returned to the U.S. and suspected that he could actually be a traitor. Now I’m not so sure. Since reading “Disillusioned” I plan to make much needed adjustments to my tendency to judge. It became quite evident during the course of the story that often nothing is as it seems and it is too easy to jump to hasty conclusions.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Disillusioned” and heartily recommend it to those who are suspense fans. I love Christy Barritt’s novels. I just need to find more time to read them all.
A digital copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nikki Wright is desperate to help her brother, Bobby, who hasn’t been the same since escaping from a detainment camp run by terrorists in Colombia. Rumor has it that he betrayed his navy brothers and conspired with those who held him hostage, and both the press and the military are hounding him for answers. All Nikki wants is to shield her brother so he has time to recover and heal.
But soon they realize the paparazzi are the least of their worries. When a group of men try to abduct Nikki and her brother, Bobby insists that Kade Wheaton, another former SEAL, can keep them out of harm’s way. But can Nikki trust Kade? After all, the man who broke her heart eight years ago is anything but safe…
Hiding out in a farmhouse on the Chesapeake Bay, Nikki finds her loyalties—and the remnants of her long-held faith—tested as she and Kade put aside their differences to keep Bobby’s increasingly erratic behavior under wraps. But when Bobby disappears, Nikki will have to trust Kade completely if she wants to uncover the truth about a rumored conspiracy. Nikki’s life—and the fate of the nation—depends on it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life–and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery for her book Suspicious Minds also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush.
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
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by admin | Aug 2, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Over and over I have found Robert Whitlow’s books to live up to the promotions that compare them to those of John Grisham. Personally, I prefer Robert Whitlow. He is a wonderful storyteller who is able to mix legal details, suspense, faith, and even romance in such a way that I look for excuses to keep reading rather than perform those daily tasks I need to attend. I particularly like the manner in which Whitlow shares just enough legal details to inform the reader without boring me to tears or putting me to sleep.
“The Witnesses” may be one of Whitlow’s finest to date in my opinion. The story features a young man and his grandfather, both endowed with a prophetic gifting that sometimes allows them to see glimpses of the future. Grandfather Frank (Franz) used his gift to aid Nazi Germany against its enemies and has lived with regrets for most of his life. Grandson Parker is a young lawyer at the beginning of his career and it remains to be seen how he will choose to use his gift. In a tale where the past intersects with the present, even Frank must choose a path for the rest of his life.
I appreciated the way spiritual truth and faith were woven throughout the story, especially the way Frank began to understand his gifting from a Biblical viewpoint. I also thought that Frank’s strong friendship with his fishing buddy Lenny was another special touch. There is so much I could say about “The Witnesses” and its powerful story of redemption and second chances but I feel it would be best for you the read it yourself. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.
Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.
While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.
Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.
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by admin | Aug 2, 2016 | Books, Historical, Key West, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Honor Redeemed” was one of those books that made me wonder continuously how everything would eventually be resolved. For most of the story, it certainly looked like Prosperity might choose the doctor although her heart was still tender toward her former fiance. Then it would look favorable for David for awhile and change yet again. My goodness, I was second-guessing that girl through the entire book!
Christine Johnson’s writing is superb! I could literally feel the intense heat and heavy, humid air of the Florida Keys and hear the crashing waves and sea birds. Her characters were deftly drawn with both good and not-so-good characteristic that made them all the more believable. David’s mistakes were unfortunate and made me think of warnings to young men from the book of Proverbs. Surprisingly, I found David easier to relate to than Prosperity (great name, by the way!) but was never certain quite why that was.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed “Honor Redeemed” and my return visit through its pages to the Florida Keys. I look forward to the next installment of this series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life.
But when Prosperity arrives penniless in the South, she is dismayed to find David has not been eagerly awaiting their reunion. In fact, he is married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, Prosperity gains the friendship–and the affection–of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?
With a deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.
Read an excerpt from “Honor Redeemed” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
© E.A. Creative Photography 2013
Christine Johnson is the author of several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired and has been twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God’s majestic creation. These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys.
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by admin | Aug 2, 2016 | Books, Facebook Party
Sam Stoltzfus left the Amish community and followed his older brother into the Englisch world, walking away from a chance for love. Is there more to Sam’s leaving the Amish community than what he says? Find out in Barbara Cameron’s new book, Seasons in Paradise.
Join Barbara and other readers on Facebook on August 16th for a fun author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)! Barbara will be chatting about Seasons in Paradise, answering your questions about the book and all things Amish fiction, and of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways and prizes too!
Get your copy of Seasons in Paradise so you’re ready for a fun book discussion. You can order your copy and find out more about the book here.
We hope you can join the fun. Bring your friends who love to read and who love Amish fiction!
Hope to see you on August 16 for Barbara’s Seasons in Paradise Facebook Party!
