by admin | Oct 2, 2017 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed the previous novels in Hunter’s Hawthorne House series and have been looking forward to Griffith’s story. I cannot say that the entire story was everything I anticipated but as the hero Griffith did not fail. It was amusing to me that after seeing his brother and sisters (as well as good friends) happily married, Griffith decided it was time to choose a bride and went about it in his usual logical fashion. Determined to choose the most suitable bride, rather than the expected one, Griffith somehow believed that once chosen, he could make himself fall in love with her. That’s where everything went so wrong.
I’ll admit that Isabella was not my favorite heroine. I realize that she was so desperate to help her family out of their financial problems that she fell for her uncle’s manipulations and even blackmail. At times I just wanted to shake her and tell her to just confess the truth and break out of that man’s clutches instead of going along with his plans. I liked Frederica’s character very much and was so happy that things turned out well for her also. She was a fun character who was comfortable in her own skin while Isabella fretted way too much about her own beauty and the problems it caused. I did come to like Isabella more as she finally grew a backbone and stood up for herself.
For the most part, the plot moved along at a good pace. It had several quite humorous moments as well as the expected romance. A thread of faith ran throughout the story but was unobtrusive. I hate to see this series end but am certain that Ms. Hunter will provide her readers with a new series that is equally enjoyable.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and her publisher. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, and he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. He’s certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, but while Frederica is strangely elusive, he can’t seem to stop running into her stunningly beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge.
Isabella should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, her uncle will only help them if she’ll use her beauty to assist him in his political aims. Already uncomfortable with this agreement, the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she wishes to be free of her unfortunate obligation.
Will Griffith and Isabella be able to set aside their pride and face their fears in time to find their own happily-ever-after?
Read an excerpt from “An Inconvenient Beauty” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristi is the RITA® award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her titles include A Noble Masquerade, An Elegant Façade, and An Uncommon Courtship. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers’ groups, schools, and young women’s groups at churches.
When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today.
Save
by admin | Oct 2, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
The first book in a new series by Janice Cantore, “Crisis Shot” features Tess O’Rourke, a commander in the Long Beach, California police department. Although cleared by a grand jury after the death of an unarmed young man, Tess is harassed by a popular blogger who keeps the citizens stirred up against her. For the sake of the department, Tess is persuaded to accept a job as police chief in the small town of Rogue’s Hollow, Oregon. Used to life in the big city, Tess has difficulty settling into her new position, especially since the town’s residents are not very welcoming. Resigned to serving in a routine, somewhat boring job, Tess makes the best of things and eventually makes a few friends. Everything quickly changes when her new best friend disappears and the town has its first murder.
Although some reviewers have complained that “Crisis Shot” does not have as much action and suspense as some of Cantore’s previous novels, I found that it held my attention quite well. The plot moves along at a steady pace as the reader gets to know what drives Tess and becomes familiar with her background as well as learning a bit about Rogue’s Hollow. The action picks up when the murder is discovered and suspicions about the possible connection with the missing woman. Plenty of mystery and surprises are involved in solving the case.
This novel does not contain much in the way of romance but by its end, there are two possible love interests for Tess. I am eager to read the next installment in order to see where that trail takes her. I would also like to know which of the two men is the one on the book cover. I couldn’t decide.
I liked the fact that the characters and situations were natural and believable. Everything was not resolved with a happy-ever-after but life tends to be that way sometimes. I have always enjoyed books by this author and “Crisis Shot” did not disappoint.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by The Tyndale Blog Network. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tess O’Rourke dreams of becoming the first female chief of police in Long Beach, California. As commander of the East Division, she is well on her way . . . until the night she responds to an officer-needs-assistance call and fatally shoots an unarmed teenager. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing by a grand jury, Tess is so hounded by the public that she takes a job in Oregon to escape the bad press.
Winning over the residents of Rogue’s Hollow might be more difficult than adjusting to her new role as police chief in the small, backwater town. Especially when her closest friend, the pastor’s wife, goes missing and the woman’s cousin is found shot. Tess finds an ally in sheriff’s deputy Steve Logan, but as they track down Rogue’s Hollow’s first murderer, she worries that she’s breaking one of her rules and getting too close to him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. She has penned six novels, the Pacific Coast Justice series, Visible Threat, and Critical Pursuit. Drawing Fire is the first book in the Cold Case Justice series.
Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.
Save
by admin | Oct 1, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Sapphire Secrets” is a novel that some might describe as edgy Christian fiction. As the story begins, Livy and her twin sister DeeDee are quite happy with their modern life and their New Age beliefs. The twins run a dance studio where they teach. Dancing is particularly important to Livy and she cannot imagine her life without it. When she decides to find out for herself what happened the day her mother died when Livy was only six, some mysterious events begin to transpire and Livy even suffers a devastating injury that could change her life forever.
The first of two books about the McCreary twins, “Sapphire Secrets” is a captivating story filled with mystery, suspense, danger, and romance. It is enlightening to watch Livy’s journey to faith and her relationship with Scott grow as the story progresses. It was also interesting to see how Livy’s new beliefs threatened her relationship with her sister DeeDee. Strong characters and a compelling plot kept me reading well into the night and made me want to also read DeeDee’s story.
I recommend both “Sapphire Secrets” and “Moonstone Secrets” to those who enjoy romantic suspense with a bit of an edge.
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:
Twins Livy and DeeDee McCreary open a dance studio in honor of their late mother, whom they lost when they were six. Problem is, Livy remembers nothing of the day her mother died. The more she questions her family about that awful day, the more she suspects she’s been lied to all her life. While she’s seeking answers to what really happened, she keeps crossing paths with handsome engineer Scott Lorenzo, who compels her to question the New Age philosophy she was raised on. What if there is a personal God out there who cares about her? Before Livy can discover answers, a brutal accident interrupts her search. Her life flips upside down as she faces a future she is not prepared for. Yet the unanswered questions continue to haunt her. Can she find the strength to keep on with her quest, even if it means losing the two people most dear to her–her twin, and the man she loves?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Dawn V. Cahill pens “Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century,” nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. “The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that’s the world I write about.”
Seeing an unfilled niche in the Christian fiction market, Ms Cahill created Hot Topic Fiction at an intensive four-day writers conference. HTF isn’t afraid to explore the question, how does God want us to live out our faith in this not-so-brave new world? Without insulting the reader by offering pat or easy answers–because there aren’t any–HTF tells stories of ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in an upside-down world.
Ms. Cahill also blogs about puppies, substance abuse, and single parenting…sometimes all in the same day. She’s going to finish that novel she started at age 11 called Mitch and the Martians…someday. She has written several newspaper articles, three Christian contemporary novels, and more limericks than she can count. Email her at dawn@dawnvcahill.com, or find her on Facebook. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
Save
by admin | Oct 1, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Moonstone Secrets” is the second book in a series but can easily stand on its own. DeeDee McCreary has traveled to Victoria, BC to meet her boyfriend Nick’s family and is hoping for a proposal but there are problems from the very beginning. When Nick disappears, DeeDee sets out on her own to find him and discovers some disturbing answers. Nick has been arrested for a serious crime and DeeDee must decide if she believes he is guilty or if she should help prove his innocence.
This book is a riveting suspense filled with mystery and danger as well as the expected romantic angle. Character development is excellent and the plot moves at a fast pace. DeeDee and Nick are both worldly people living without faith and are living their lives as would be expected. It is satisfying to watch as they discover a need for God in the midst of their critical circumstances.
I enjoyed “Moonstone Secrets” as well as the first book of the series, “Sapphire Secrets”.
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:
As the Christmas season sparkles around her, DeeDee McCreary eagerly anticipates visiting magical Victoria, BC, with her boyfriend, Nick, and meeting his family. But the trip proves disastrous. First, Nick finds his bank account cleaned out. Then he disappears. Frantic, she determines to uncover what happened. When she discovers something far worse than she anticipated, she questions everything she believes to be true about him.
With the man she loves in jail for an unspeakable crime, DeeDee knows the truth lies somewhere in Nick and his ex-wife’s past. But if she pursues their secrets, will she put herself in danger, too?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Dawn V. Cahill pens “Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century,” nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. “The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that’s the world I write about.”
Seeing an unfilled niche in the Christian fiction market, Ms Cahill created Hot Topic Fiction at an intensive four-day writers conference. HTF isn’t afraid to explore the question, how does God want us to live out our faith in this not-so-brave new world? Without insulting the reader by offering pat or easy answers–because there aren’t any–HTF tells stories of ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in an upside-down world.
Ms. Cahill also blogs about puppies, substance abuse, and single parenting…sometimes all in the same day. She’s going to finish that novel she started at age 11 called Mitch and the Martians…someday. She has written several newspaper articles, three Christian contemporary novels, and more limericks than she can count. Email her at dawn@dawnvcahill.com, or find her on Facebook. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
Save
Save
Save
Save
