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Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon

by admin | Nov 5, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

It seems that lately, many of the books I’ve read have been a second chance romance in one form or another. In Labyrinth of Lies, both primary characters find themselves working undercover on separate cases at the same exclusive private girls school. It becomes obvious early in their story that each still have feelings for the other but one is not quite ready to forgive and trust again.

Cate is posing as a student as she attempts to get to the bottom of what happened to a missing student. In order to discover the top leadership of a drug ring, Zeke is acting as a substitute Spanish teacher. They begin working together to solve both mysteries as evidence quickly points to a possible connection between the cases.

Labyrinth of Lies is not as action filled as many suspense novels but is one that gave my mind a workout as I attempted to solve the mystery along with Cate and Zeke. As one suspect after another presented themselves, I remained confused for most of the narrative. You can count me as surprised when the top man was revealed. I would never have suspected him!

All in all, Labyrinth of Lies was expertly written with plenty of red herrings and unexpected twists along the way. A touch of action and danger may be enough to please those who thrive on adrenaline and the lowkey romance will please others.

As expected, I enjoyed this book and look forward to others by this excellent author.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Danger awaits on a covert mission where few are who they seem to be

When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls’ boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn’t take her long to realize that beneath its veneer of polish and wealth, Ivy Hill Academy harbors dark–and deadly–secrets. But the biggest shock of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn’t the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine–and startling connections emerge among the players–the danger escalates significantly.

But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go to protect their house of cards?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than sixty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard

by admin | Nov 5, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Elizabeth Goddard has become one of my go to suspense authors because of her books like Deadly Target. Not only is her writing beautifully descriptive but her plots pull me in quickly and hold my attention to the very end.

Deadly Target is pretty much a suspense masterpiece. With one seemingly unconnected deadly event after another and long buried secrets that are eventually revealed, I found it difficult to guess who was responsible and how the victims were chosen.

Another second chance romance trope features Erin and Nathan whose previous relationship ended badly. As they work together to stop the threats against the lives of family members and even themselves, can their past love be reignited? Action, danger, and suspense abound as Nathan and Erin must depend on each other and the Lord to stay alive long enough to put the responsible person behind bars. Several suspects surface during the many twists and turns in the plot along with a surprise or two.

I thoroughly enjoyed Deadly Target and look forward to the final book of the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

This cold case has suddenly warmed up.
She only hopes they won’t get burned.

Criminal psychologist Erin Larson’s dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her life in a boating accident and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job to care for her mother in Montana. At least there Erin is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell’s father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin’s help to solve the case. She’s certainly good at what she does. The only problem? She’s his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted–and the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels, including Present Danger, Deadly Target, and the Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over 1 million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com.

Betsy St. Amant

by admin | Nov 4, 2021 | Books, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

MY REVIEW:

Tacos for Two was a welcome break from my most recent reads that mostly included several suspense novels and a World War 2 novel. I actually enjoyed them all but sometimes a reader needs a little levity and romance to lighten things up a bit. Tacos for Two did that for me.

The primary characters are Rory and Jude who have connected through an online dating service. The only catch is that they must communicate only through messaging until it is time for them to meet and decide whether to continue the relationship. Their online conversations have been an encouragement and have convinced both parties that the other is exactly the person they need. Little do they know that they have been interacting in real life for awhile and their face-to-face encounters are, shall we say, less than encouraging.

A food truck competition takes center stage with Rory and Jude as strong competitors. Both have equally important reasons they want to win and readers will have a difficult time deciding which side to root for. Plenty of friendly rivalry, unexpected obstacles, and a few hijinks make for a fun read. Character development is excellent. I especially like Rory’s cousin Hannah, a young woman with Down’s Syndrome who is quite talented in her origami hobby and frequently speaks her mind with surprising wisdom.

I thoroughly enjoyed Tacos for Two and would recommend it to all lovers of its genre.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two unlikely chefs. One life-changing contest. There can only be one winner . . . right?

Food truck owner Rory Perez may not be able to cook, but she’s determined to keep the family business out of the red. An upcoming contest during a food truck festival seems like the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her solid financial footing, freeing up her time to meet the man she’s been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father’s law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. If he loses the contest, he’ll be back at the law firm for good, so failure is not an option.

But things are about to get . . . complicated. Rory’s chef gets mono, forcing her to cook after all. And Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he’s been falling for online. Will they sacrifice the futures they’ve envisioned for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Betsy St. Amant is the author of more than fifteen inspirational romances, including The Key to Love, and a frequent contributor to iBelieve.com. She lives in north Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of pickle-flavored Pringles. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white chocolate mocha–no whip. Learn more at www.betsystamant.com.

A Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma

by admin | Nov 3, 2021 | Books, Historical, Romance, WWII

MY REVIEW:

A Picture of Hope is such a well-written novel that a reader may well feel as if she is with heroine Nellie Wilkerson as she experiences first-hand the horrors of World War 2. From the city streets of London to Normandy Beach to a burned out church in a small town in France, Nellie Wilkerson, a photo journalist witnesses atrocities most people do not even care to imagine.

Although Nellie feels that her calling is to document the war so that the people back home in the U.S. will know the truth about the brutality of Hitler’s Nazi Party, she is always ready to help wherever she is needed at the time. When she and Jean-Paul Breslau of the French Underground work together to protect and find a place for an orphaned special needs child, she discovers that following God’s plans for one’s life can sometimes mean laying down their life so that another may live.

A Picture of Hope is brilliant yet at times it is difficult to read about men’s cruelty to others. I enjoyed Nellie’s interactions with the nuns as well as Jean-Paul. I loved the brutal honesty of one of the nuns whose wisdom encouraged Nellie along the way. Nellie herself was impulsive and often came close to endangering not only herself but the others in her group of travelers. Yet always, the author stressed the hope that we find in the Lord, even when life seems darkest.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: A Picture of Hope

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

A Photojournalist Risks Her Life to Save Children

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

Journalist Nellie Wilkerson has spent the bulk of the war in London, photographing pilots taking off and landing—and she’s bored. She jumps at the chance to go to France, where the Allied forces recently landed. She enlists Jean-Paul Breslau of the French underground to take her to the frontlines. On the journey, they come upon an orphanage where nuns shelter children with disabilities. Can they help save them before the Nazis come to liquidate it?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

MORE FROM LIZ:

Why Another WWII Novel Set in France

You may well read the back cover of my latest release, A Picture of Hope, and wonder why on earth we need another WWII novel set in France. After all, Kristy Cambron just had one. Melanie Dobson and Sarah Sundin will be coming out with theirs in 2022. So why did I feel the need to write my novel with the same setting?

First of all, I’m a Francophile. I love all things French. It started when I took French in high school. Everyone else was learning Spanish, but I wasn’t into being part of the crowd. There were only a few of us in the class, and it was great fun. We had a wonderful teacher. Being able to pull out some of that French, refine it a bit, and use it in the book was a blast. But I also love French food (who doesn’t?) and everything else.

Secondly, I hadn’t written about France before. When I wrote this proposal at least five or six years ago, I didn’t know France would be so hot. God did, and the book came about in His perfect timing. I’d explored the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the Philippines. Such a shame that I was leaving out France, so I set about to write a novel located in that country.

Thirdly, there was so much good material to pull from. The French resistance, while small, did good work and sacrificed a great deal to get Jews out of the country and into Switzerland or Spain. The books that Kristy, Melanie, Sarah, and I write are all so different. Only the setting is the same. And when I found out that the famous mime Marcel Marceau was part of the resistance, I couldn’t help but giving him a cameo. Be on the lookout!

Along the way, I discovered some truly heartrending incidents that took place in France. They also compelled me to write this book. I long for the world to remember what happened so that we will never forget. And so that the atrocities committed there will never be repeated.

Fourthly, this was originally the third book in a series. Don’t worry – it’s a stand-alone. Maybe someday I’ll get to publish the other two. The women in the series are all American journalists in Europe. One is a reporter, the other is a broadcaster, and so I decided to make Nellie, the heroine in A Picture of Hope, a photojournalist. And where better to take pictures than on Omaha Beach soon after D-day. How she gets there is based on a very interesting true story, so be sure to read to the end for that one.

There are so many stories about WWII to be told and so many countries that participated in the conflict in one way or the other. The ground is so rich that we aren’t plowing the same parcel. You’ll find all of these books to be very different from each other, each with its own message, its own voice, and its own plot.

The focus in my book is on children with Down syndrome. I have a background in special education, and my husband and I adopted a child from the Philippines with an intellectual disability, so I’ve always had a heart for people with special needs. My daughter brings us so much joy that I wanted to share a glimpse into what these remarkable people are truly capable of.

So that is why I wrote a WWII novel set in France. Make yourself a cup of café au lait, butter up a croissant, and enjoy A Picture of Hope!