Daysong Reflections | So Many Books ~ Too Little Time!

Lost Christmas Memories by Dana Mentink

by admin | Dec 1, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Dana Mentink’s novels are always such fun reads. Her Love Inspired books contain a high level of suspense interspersed with a touch of humor and always a great romance. Lost Christmas Memories is the final offering in her Gold Country Cowboys series and I hate to see it end. Each one of the Thorn brothers has had his own story and I have loved each one. Keegan’s story has been long anticipated by many of this author’s readers and I can see why.

Keegen rescues Tracy Wilson after she is injured after witnessing a murder but her head injury prevents her from remembering everything she saw. It doesn’t help that there is no sign that a murder has been committed. Lost Christmas Memories is a breath-holding, action-packed story that left me wondering just how everything would work out. Strong characters, some of whom have back stories developed over the course of the series make the story come to life.

A wonderful, faith-filled tale with long awaited reconciliation and restoration, Lost Christmas Memories is a must read for this Christmas season.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Lost Christmas Memories

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense/Christmas

Release Date: November 1, 2018

A witness with amnesia

Can she trust this Gold Country Cowboy with her life?

Tracy Wilson witnessed a murder—but after a head injury, she can’t remember what she saw. Now someone plans to silence her for good, and only cowboy Keegan Thorn believes her. With a killer after her at Christmas, Tracy is running out of time to remember…and falling dangerously hard for the cowboy who could break her heart.

Click here to purchase your copy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com.

GUEST POST FROM DANA:

Writing this book was bittersweet for me. It was lovely to finally be able to tell youngest Thorn brother Keegan’s story, but I sure am sorry to say goodbye to this series! It was such fun to write about these four kinsmen and the family bonds that held them together through all manner of murder and mayhem! Here at Mentink Manor, we have recently sent a bear cub away to college for the first time. It feels like I have lost a limb now that my Boo Boo is gone! Fortunately, we will enjoy having her home for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Though it won’t be a cozy country Christmas like it is for Keegan (we live in a city of 80,000 here in Northern, CA) we will be thrilled to have all our family home to celebrate together (Mama Bear, Papa Bear, two cubs, a naughty terrier, and a senior citizen box turtle!) I hope you enjoy this last installment in the Gold Country Cowboy series. I am sending along our best wishes for a blessed holiday season, from our Mentink household to yours!

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GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize of a copy of Lost Christmas Memories, a $50 Amazon gift card and this cute reading charms necklace!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d626/lost-christmas-memories-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Making of Mrs. Hale by Carolyn Miller

by admin | Dec 1, 2018 | Books, England, Regency, Romance

MY REVIEW:

The Making of Mrs. Hale is one of those books readers will either love or hate. It is a given that it will offend a number of Christian readers who want the characters in the books they read to be spit shined and perfect little Christians. I’m afraid these readers need to give this particular book a pass because it is a gritty tale filled with some of the unfortunate truths about real life and sometimes that isn’t very pretty. I personally believe that the author managed to convey her story amazingly well with tactfulness and grace and a wonderful read is in store for those willing to read it with an open mind.

This book was not at all what I expected and I loved being surprised by how Julia and Thomas Hale’s story worked its way out. Many twists and surprises helped keep me guessing and I loved seeing how Julia matured into a woman who stood up for herself rather than being dominated by her mother.

The Making of Mrs. Hale is a beautiful story of redemption and faith that will bless its readers as they watch the Lord at work in the Hale’s lives. Although I read it in digital galley form, I definitely plan to purchase a bound copy to add to the rest of the series on my bookshelf.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Marry in haste, repent in leisure—Mrs. Hale is about to find out how painful that repentance can truly be.

Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn’t turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn’t know where—or if he’s ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she betrayed by eloping and to hope they’ll forgive her. Especially now that she might be carrying a baby from her brief marriage.

Carolyn Miller’s clean and wholesome Regency romances continue with The Making of Mrs. Hale, following familiar characters as they learn how restoration can occur by finding hope and healing through a deep relationship with God. Full of rich historical details and witty banter, this series continues to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ladd, and Julie Klassen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

Bodyguard For Christmas by Carol J. Post

by admin | Dec 1, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I have enjoyed the previous books in Carol Post’s Murphy series and was delighted to receive a review copy of Bodyguard for Christmas. Not only is this book a suspense filled romance but the Christmas theme makes it even more fun to read this time of year. As I can usually expect, the author has spun a twisted tale filled with unexpected turns and surprises. Her characters are vividly described and I felt I knew them well by the end of the story. Children always seem to add a special touch to any story so Liam was an important addition to this one.

It was fun seeing how Jasmine overcame Colton’s doubts about her again and again until he admitted she was indeed the right choice for a bodyguard. The growing relationship between Jasmine and Liam was endearing and contributed to Colton’s attraction to her as well. Of course we all know that was inevitable but so entertaining to watch it happen.

What more could I ask but a sweet romance filled with bad guys, suspense, lots of action and danger, a cute little boy, and a strong faith-filled message? Looking forward to the next novel by this excellent author!

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Someone’s after his little boy.
She has one chance to save them both.

When his young son is nearly kidnapped, assistant district attorney Colton Gale needs a Christmas refuge—and a live-in bodyguard. Though former military police officer Jasmine McNeal fights to shield them 24/7, she refuses to get attached. But growing close to the little boy and his father might be her only shot at keeping them alive—and becoming a family beyond the holidays.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, Carol’s resume reads like someone who doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. But her one constant has always been her love for writing. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and enjoys sailing, hiking and camping. Her daughters and grandson live too far away for her liking, so she pours all that nurturing into caring for three fat cats and one spoiled dog.

Stratagem by Robin Caroll

by admin | Nov 27, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, New Orleans, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I have enjoyed Robin Caroll’s books since I first discovered her early Love Inspired Suspense novels. I have since then made it a point to at least try to read her latest as soon as it was released. I have been fortunate to receive review copies of many of them. Stratagem was not a disappointment. In fact the author seems to have upped her game. This one left me in suspense and guessing the murderer until the very end.

Readers who are also fans of the popular escape rooms that seem to be springing up everywhere should particularly enjoy this book. A similar concept is used by a business that develops adventure games to help companies in their team-building efforts but this time things go terribly wrong and one of the team members is found dead. She just happens to be the ex-wife of Grayson Thibodeaux, one of the partners in the game development business. When investigators decide that her death was murder, Grayson becomes the primary suspect and even his detective friend cannot help him.

The plot of Stratagem was filled with twists and surprises from beginning to end. Strong characters were well-developed and all essential to the story. I felt as though I was present at the investigative sessions which helped me learn more about each character. I was not overly fond of the female detective but as the story progressed I was better able to understand why she reacted so strongly to the situation. I was fascinated by the process developed for the adventure games but would personally not want to work for a company that invaded the privacy of its employees to such a degree. A strong theme of faith and forgiveness permeates this highly emotional book which I appreciated.

I look forward to this author’s next book and can’t wait to see what twisted plot she comes up with for her readers.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: StratagemAuthor: Robin Caroll

Genre: Christian Suspense

Release Date: November, 2018

A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder

Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.

Click here to purchase your copy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better. Robin’s passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others and come alongside them on their faith journey—aspects Robin weaves into each of her twenty-five-plus published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of nearly three decades, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home. Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as executive director/conference director for ACFW. Her books have been recognized in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.

You can find out more about Robin by visiting www.robincaroll.com.

GUEST POST FROM ROBIN:

Behind the Scenes: Robin Caroll Shares Her Inspiration for Writing Stratagem

Dear Reader,

Thank you for journeying to New Orleans in a web of deceit and confusion with me. Sharing a place that has such connection for me was a pure joy. South Louisiana offers such a laid-back attitude that I often miss “home.” I hope you’ll enjoy sampling a taste of the flavor of Louisiana.

Years ago I watched the movie The Game with Michael Douglas and Sean Penn and was enthralled. There’s just something grabbing about messing with a person’s mind and life by using their own feelings and instincts against them. When this story of Stratagem first began forming, I wanted to use all that intrigue to mess up the game master’s life. The end result is quite the ride!

As the characters came alive to me, I found the theme of forgiveness and acceptance coming out in the story. Some of the emotions within this story are very personal to me, and I’m honored I was able to share them with you. It is my wish that you may be touched by Grayson’s faith journey as well.

Until next time. . .

-Robin