by admin | Aug 4, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have seen Robert Whitlow’s books compared to those by John Grisham but I personally prefer Whitlow’s. Their books are similar in that many of them focus on legal cases and trials but when I read Grisham’s novels, I found myself bogged down in too many legal details that detracted me from the actual story. Robert Whitlow seems to include just enough facts to keep his story plausible but tends to focus more on his characters (at least that is my opinion).
In “A House Divided” the reader meets the Gage family. Corbin, the father is a lawyer as are both his children, Ray and Roxy. Although they share careers, their family is broken mostly due to Corbin’s long history of alcoholism. Corbin accepts an extremely risky case that has far-reaching effects that changes the lives of his entire family.
There were times that the storyline seemed to move slowly and it was difficult for me to keep reading. I did persist and I was glad I did because this book has a wonderful redemptive theme. I particularly liked the way the two most resistant characters turned their lives around and turned to the Lord. In fact, both of them had experiences where they felt they had received direct revelation from Him. The details about Alcoholics Anonymous were interesting and Corbin’s experiences were quite believable. I also liked the way the case was resolved which made it more realistic than a huge victory might have been.
Once again Whitlow proved to me how well he understands people and how skillfully he is able to express himself. I recommend “A House Divided” to all who enjoy a good legal novel.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A father’s mistakes nearly cost his children everything. Now his children must unite to take on the most important case of their respective careers.
Corbin Gage is slowly drinking himself into the grave while running a small law practice in a small Georgia town. The assistant DA in the same community is his son Ray, poised for a professional breakthrough based on a job offer to work for the best law firm in the area. Roxy is Corbin’s daughter, a rising star associate in Atlanta for an international law firm that specializes in high stakes, multi-million-dollar litigation.
Against the advice of everyone in his life, Corbin Gage takes on a toxic tort case on behalf of three boys who have contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to an alleged chemical exposure. The defendant, a herbicide/pesticide/fertilizer company, is the largest employer in the area. Because of the lawsuit, Ray’s job offer evaporates, forcing him to go to work with his father. Roxy’s expertise in complex litigation draws her into the drama.
As their investigation uncovers an audacious conspiracy to conceal dangers to their community, Corbin, Ray, and Roxy come to a personal treaty in their pursuit of justice. But they soon discover that burying a problem can have explosive results.
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.
by admin | Jul 31, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The idea behind the plot for “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is one that you might expect to find in a Hallmark movie. It would be a sweet bit of romantic fluff with just enough conflict to make it interesting. Well, this book is anything but fluff. The heroine Vanessa married her high school sweetheart Logan much too young for all the wrong reasons and because of their immaturity and poor communication, the marriage ended after a short time. Neither party ever got over it but they did move on with their lives and careers. Vanessa also got engaged along the way. Making plans for her destination wedding took her back to the place where she met her ex and guess who happens to be in town at the same time?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to deduce that there could just be some complications arising with Vanessa’s wedding plans. I disliked Ted from the start. How dense can a man be who wants to plan his wedding to correspond to a medical conference? I knew there had to be trouble in that relationship even if it did take Vanessa a minute to wake up to reality.
I liked how the story was written with flashbacks about Vanessa and Logan’s history together. That and well placed introspection by both parties gave me an intimate knowledge of their relationship and what went wrong. It didn’t take me long to start rooting for Logan and Vanessa to get back together.
The author handled the pacing of the plot very well and I couldn’t have asked for better character development. I felt like I knew both Vanessa and Logan well by the end of the book. Action scenes that included an ocean rescue and a hurricane were blended well into the romantic plot that had me quickly turning the pages. I liked how both Logan and Vanessa’s faith developed during their years apart. I also liked how God seemed to place them in each other’s path continuously.
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is a great book that should appeal to most readers who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.”
Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?
As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?
A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.
Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A 2015 RITA® Finalist and a 2014 Carol Award finalist, Beth is a contemporary romance novelist with Howard Books. Her 2014 novel, “Somebody Like You,” was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. In 2015 she introduced her destination wedding series with both an e-novella, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” (May) and a novel, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (June).
Find out more about Beth K. at http://bethvogt.com.
by admin | Jul 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Inspirational, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Hope Harbor” is an engaging inspirational romance about second chances in both faith and love. A stranger’s visit to Hope Harbor in an attempt to overcome his grief and guilt after his wife’s death results in some probably not so coincidental encounters that affect the lives of many in a positive way. It is a story of healed emotions and restored relationships as well as renewed faith in God.
I really enjoyed visiting the Oregon coastal town of Hope Harbor and getting to know some of its inhabitants. The love interests Michael and Tracy were well developed but other characters filled major roles. I particularly enjoyed Anna and Charley and Floyd the seagull added a nice touch of humor. I also found the details about cranberry farming to be quite interesting.
I always enjoy Irene Hannon’s novels – whether it is a romantic suspense or a contemporary romance. “Hope Harbor” did not disappoint.
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Come home to Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.
Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans. Now she’s home again–with a floundering farm to run . . . a tragic secret . . . and a wounded heart. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets and devastating regrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help with a project that is close to her heart, winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives–including their own.
Read an excerpt from Hope Harbor here.
Praise for Irene’s Contemporary Romances
“Captures the reader from the very first pages. Irene Hannon knows the power of words and the miracle of faith.”–New York Journal of Books on That Certain Summer
“Beautiful storytelling . . . a gem of a read.”–RT Book Reviews on That Certain Summer
“Hannon’s multithread plot is woven beautifully together to create a tapestry that will enchant romantics of all ages.”–Publishers Weekly on One Perfect Spring
“Irene Hannon is one great storyteller.”–#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber on One Perfect Spring
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Jul 30, 2015 | Books, Dectective, England, WWII
MY REVIEW:
I was uncertain what to expect when I agreed to review “Direct Hit” but what I got was a very readable and enjoyable detective mystery. Set during the London Blitz in the early 1940’s, the style is very reminiscent of detective novels I read years ago.
The plot is fairly slow-paced but for this book, that is a good thing. I liked the way I felt a part of Jago’s entire process of solving the crime and the methodical way he processed every bit of information. The author’s descriptions of life in London while the population was under constant threat of bombing by the Germans added extra depth to the story. His character development was awesome and I felt like I knew them well by the conclusion of the story. I especially liked the way the detectives carried on with their responsibilities even in the midst of the bombings. Insight into the thoughts of various characters gave me a better idea of the different viewpoints of each one and how their choices were influenced by them. I think I gained a new understanding about how the history of that era evolved.
The story concept is imaginative. I loved the idea of a murder victim whose body was destroyed by a direct bomb hit shortly after discovery by detectives, nevertheless those same detectives were determined to solve the crime. Several twists kept things interesting and a surprise or two were the icing on the cake.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Direct Hit” and hope other mystery fans will check it out. Looking forward to the next installment of Hollow’s The Blitz Detective series.
This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
First in a crime series set in London during the Blitz in 1940-41
The jagged blast of high explosives rips through the evening air. In the sky over East London the searchlights criss-cross in search of the enemy.
On the first night of the Blitz, a corpse is discovered in a van in the back streets of West Ham. Detective Inspector John Jago recognizes the dead man as local Justice of the Peace Charles Villers. But then a German bomb obliterates all evidence.
Villers, not a popular man, was both powerful and feared. As the sirens wail, the detective must start matching motive to opportunity–and it doesn?t help when his boss foists an intrusive American journalist on him.
Jago soon discovers the dead man held many secrets, some reaching back to World War I. A lot of people wished Villers dead–and an air raid is a good time to conceal a murder.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mike Hollow was born in West Ham, on the eastern edge of London, and grew up in Romford, Essex. He studied Russian and French at the University of Cambridge and then worked for the BBC and later Tearfund. In 2002 he went freelance as a copywriter, journalist and editor. He’s a published poet, and nowadays when not writing about the Blitz Detective he makes his living as a translator.
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers’ Choice Award, a Booksellers’ Best Award, and a National Readers’ Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at 
