by admin | Jan 15, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Native American, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Over the course of the past year or two I have added Lisa Carter as a “must have” author. I have no intention of letting any of her novels slip by me if I can avoid it. “The Stronghold” is another of her riveting modern suspense novels that feature strong Native American characters who defy tremendous danger as they strive to solve crimes and rescue those at great risk.
The book’s title is so appropriate on more than one level. Not only does Pilar have emotional strongholds from her past to overcome but she and her ex-fiance Alex must risk everything to breach the mountain stronghold of the madman who is responsible for the disappearance and deaths of several young teens.
“The Stronghold” is brilliantly written with a swiftly moving plot and strong characterizations. I didn’t want to put it down before the end and as a result was a slacker of household chores and missed some sleep as well. All in all, the book met all my expectations with the exception of the cover art that I felt did not live up to the gorgeous scenic covers of previous books. But the story line and characters were excellent so I really can’t complain. Once again, Lisa Carter has come up with a winner!
This book was provided for review by Amazon Vine.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Drug violence, revenge killings, and kidnapping are nothing new along the U.S.-Mexican border. But now teenage girls are disappearing from the Apache reservations of Arizona and New Mexico.
Apache tribal cop Pilar To-Clanny and FBI Special Agent Alex Torres have a long and tumultuous history. When someone close to them disappears, Pilar and Alex must risk everything to rescue the child, including facing the unresolved issues of the past, and venture into the no-man’s land of the drug cartels.
Can Pilar and Alex work together to stop a sadistic killer before he strikes again? On a quest to rescue those they love, who will rescue them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Carter is the author of Carolina Reckoning and Aloha Rose, and a writer and teacher whose articles have appeared in FamilyFun, Thriving Family, MomSense, and Christian Parenting Today. She is a frequent speaker and vocalist at women’s ministry events and has taught at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. Lisa is a member of ACFW, RWA and Sisters in Crime. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling, quilting, and researching her next romantic adventure. She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit her online at LisaCarterAuthor.com.
by admin | Jan 14, 2016 | Books, Christmas, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Colleen Coble has long been one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to find a copy of “All Is Calm, All Is Bright” in my mailbox. As a member/reviewer for The Fiction Guild, I never know what surprise I might find in the mail but a book from Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Fiction is always appreciated.
Rather than a full-length novel, “All Is Calm, All Is Bright” is composed of two Christmas novellas that return the reader to familiar settings from previous novels. “All Is Calm” took me back to one of my all-time favorites, Bluebird Ranch. I have a weakness for westerns so I enjoyed another visit there. “All Is Bright” was a return visit to the Tidewater Inn, another favorite place. Colleen’s descriptions are so vivid that I could easily imagine the crash of the waves and the cries of seagulls.
The best thing about this book is the romantic suspense. Colleen is a pro at keeping me on the edge of my seat while enjoying a developing romance at the same time. Could anything be better? As always, her plot moved along at the perfect pace with just the right balance of danger, drama, suspense, and romance. The Christmas setting added a special touch and as expected, I found a strong message of faith within the stories.
“All Is Calm, All Is Bright” is not to be missed if you are already a Colleen Coble fan. If you are unfamiliar with her books, it might be a good place to begin. If I guess correctly, it will just give you a taste that will make you a fan too.
This book was provided for review by The Fiction Guild.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
All Is Calm
It’s going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.
Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his Marine buddies. Now, it seems just the place to spend Christmas recovering from an on-the-job injury.
Lauren Everman first came to the ranch as a foster kid, but now knows it’s the perfect hideout. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low. Her beauty immediately catches Brendan’s attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one. Can he trust her, or is she putting the ranch at risk? One thing is certain: he’s going to do everything he can to keep her safe so he can see what magic Christmas brings.
All Is Bright
A romantic Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn gives Delilah’s unique gifts a chance to shine. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?
As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friend, Elin Summerall. But when Delilah’s car is forced off the road and into the ocean, she finally has to admit that the strange phone calls she’s been receiving lately may be more than just pranks.
Sheriff Tom Bourne has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he’s determined to protect her. He hopes to win her heart by giving her the surprise gift of a lifetime . . . but first he has to make sure nothing happens to her before Christmas Day.
It’s the season of miracles. But will both Elin and Delilah get the ones they need this holiday season?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.
by admin | Jan 14, 2016 | Books, Edwardian, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I knew I was going to love “After the Rain” from its very first page. The absolutely magnificent descriptions pulled me right into the story and kept me there until the very end. What an excellent assortment of characters! From the kind-hearted and determined heroine Louisa and the perfectly gallant yet down-to-earth Jackson, the author has provided other characters for the reader to either love or hate. Other than the two primary characters, I thoroughly enjoyed Louisa’s two aunts who were both loving and humorous.
Be warned, “After the Rain” is quite lengthy. It could easily have been divided into two separate novels but I am so glad the author chose to keep the story together. I would have hated to wait for the next volume. At any rate, the plot moves along at a steady rate with ample drama, humor, and of course romance to hold my attention. Just as I thought everything was ready to wrap up, something new would happen to take things off in a different direction. Quite a few surprises were in store but I kept rooting for Louisa and Jackson, even when it seemed that a permanent relationship would be impossible.
What more can I say? I loved “After the Rain” and would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy historical Christian romance with a few twists. Even at 570 pages, it ended much too quickly for me.
This book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit.
After the Rain is a 570 page novel in the Christian historical fiction genre and was released on September 29, 2015. Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Book
He becomes the love of her life. She becomes his biggest challenge.
It’s 1908, a year in the Edwardian Age, the year J.M. Barrie’s play What Every Woman Knows, premiered in Atlantic City and the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. It is a year when the world faced one of its worst disasters in history, when the New Year would heal the wounds of loss. Louisa Borden lives a privileged life in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a new and thriving community on the outskirts of Washington, DC for the well-to-do. Against the wishes of her domineering grandmother, she retreats from the prospects of a loveless marriage and instead searches for what she hopes is her calling in life.
When her horse is spooked along Rock Creek, she is thrown from the saddle—an embarrassing situation for any affluent young lady. Soaking wet, bruised and humiliated, she is carried up the muddy bank to safety by Jackson O’Neil, a stranger to the city, who changes the course of everything, including the lives of all those around her.
About the Author
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Rita Gerlach is a best-selling author of inspirational fiction with a romantic bent, including The Rebel’s Pledge, Thorns in Eden and The Everlasting Mountains, Surrender the Wind, and The Daughters of the Potomac Series. She lives in Maryland near the Catoctin Mountains with her husband Paul. |
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by admin | Jan 13, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Medical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
It has been awhile since I read a book by Candace Calvert and after reading “Step by Step” I have to wonder why. I really like the author’s down-to-earth portrayal of medical personnel who actually have real lives outside of the hospital. I also like the way she gives her readers an up-close-and-personal look at what goes on behind the scenes. In this case, I learned quite a bit about the people on crisis teams who are available to support family members in the midst of or after traumatic events.
Widowed ER nurse Taylor Cabot has checked off nearly every item on her survival list and her target deadline is quickly approaching. She believes that she will regain a normal life once again if she can just check off the final item – fall in love again. That objective is looking absolutely possible because the handsome and single plastic surgeon on staff is in hot pursuit of Taylor. He would be the perfect husband – wouldn’t he? When her friend and former crisis team mentor, chaplain Seth Donovan shows up in San Diego, Taylor tries to avoid him because he revives too many memories of her husband’s death. It becomes very evident that Taylor is not nearly as healed emotionally as she thought.
Love is definitely in the air but how will this love triangle play out? And just what part does spiteful ER nurse Sloane have to play in it? “Step by Step” is a gripping story filled with drama, tragedy, and romance that will keep those pages turning far into the night if other readers are like me. A box of tissues close at hand might be helpful, especially if you are a dog lover. There are some poignant scenes with Taylor’s aging and ailing dog.
I loved “Step by Step” and am eagerly looking forward to the next book featuring Sloane.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determined to move on, checking off one item after another on her survival list. Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point?“fall in love again.” At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband’s death.
While in San Diego to train community volunteers, Seth hopes to learn why Taylor is backing away from the crisis team and from their friendship. But nothing prepares him for the feelings that arise when he sees Taylor again . . . and sees her moving on with another man.
When a community crisis hits home and puts lives at risk, emotions run high and buried truths are unearthed. Will hope make the survival list?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Former ER nurse, wife, Mom and proud grandmother, Candace Calvert believes that love, laughter, and faith are the best medicines. Her popular medical fiction offers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding drama, romance, humor, suspense–and a prescription for hope. Think, “Grey’s Anatomy finds its soul.” She is . . .
A Northern California native who spent several years in Hill Country Texas–where she learned to check her shoes for scorpions and plucked an armadillo from her swimming pool. Thinks cruising is the best way to travel: honeymooned in Venice, swam with stingrays, rode a camel at the pyramids, and sang (badly) with a Newfoundland country band. She’s passionate about cooking, loves bird watching, gardening, and gets goose bumps when her handsome husband hits the low notes at karaoke. She writes inspirational fiction because . . .
God blessed her with a quirky wit, buoyant optimism, and a contagious sense of fun–but she didn’t come to know him until after the Triple Whammy that turned her life into a bad country song. A painful and unexpected divorce, the Northern California floods of 1997, and (just when she was coping like a champ, no problem) an equestrian accident that left her with fractured ribs, a bleeding lung, broken back, neck fractures and a spinal cord injury. She’ll tell you that God took drastic measures to get her attention.
In the months of rehabilitation, Candace healed in body and spirit. And came to fully understand the difference between being a strong woman and a woman of strength. The difference is faith, and that lesson has been her biggest blessing. Her story, “By Accident,” appears in Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, and launched her writing career. Now . . .
She is honored to bring readers medical fiction that offers exciting entertainment and a healthy dose of hope.
