by admin | Apr 20, 2013 | Books, Medical, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Just when Dr. Matt Newman’s life seems to be on an upward trend, everything changes for him in the course of one late night. Kidnapped, severely injured, and barely escaping with his life, Matt wakes up in ICU only to learn that he is suspected of a murder he didn’t commit and no one in law enforcement wants to believe his story. He turns to attorney Sandra Murray for legal assistance and together they work to prove his innocence only to find themselves hindered at every turn and the stakes growing higher by the day. Matt begins to wonder if he will ever get his life back.
“Stress Test” is a novel that has something for almost every reader. Featuring Dr. Matt Newman, the narrative contains numerous hospital scenes, particularly in the E.R. and surgery – enough to please fans of medical novels. Matt’s legal problems bring in the other primary character, lawyer Sandra Murray whose legal expertise should please lovers of legal fiction. Add plenty of drama, action, danger, and suspense and yet another group of readers should be happy. Then there is the promise of romance that rounds out the story so that most every reader preference is covered.
I have read most if not all of Dr. Mabry’s previous novels and enjoyed each of them. Each one seems to be better than the last but that could be because it happens to be the one I am reading at the moment. “Stress Test” opened my eyes to how quickly a person’s life can be snatched out of his control and how important it is to depend on God in all circumstances. I would enthusiastically recommend “Stress Test” as well as every one of Dr. Mabry’s other books.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.
Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt’s only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he’s being charged with murder.
Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can’t walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.
Matt’s career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he’s a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.
Richard Mabry is celebrating the release of Stress Test with a Nook HD Giveaway! Enter today.
One winner will receive:
- A brand new Nook HD
- A $15 gift certificate to BarnesandNoble.com
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 27th. Winner will be announced on 4/29/13 at Richard’s blog.
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by admin | Apr 18, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
The fourth offering in Cathy Bryant’s Miller’s Creek series, Pilgrimage of Promise finally offers her readers the backstory for Mona Beth and Bo, well-loved characters from the previous novels in the series. Their story unfolds through present-day scenes as well as flashbacks and through letters from the past. Concentrating primarily on Bo and Mona Beth, the story also includes glimpses of other loved characters from earlier books. As in her previous books, Cathy has portrayed her characters in such a way that the reader can relate to them as friends and/or family and will therefore rejoice or grieve with them as is appropriate.
Pilgrimage of Promise is a wonderful story of God’s faithfulness even through the most difficult and trying times of our lives, illustrated especially through Mona Beth’s experiences. It is a poignant tale that brought me to tears more than once but it is ultimately a story of triumph over circumstances through the strength that only comes from trusting in the Lord.
I have not seen Cathy’s books promoted as actively as many of the books I read and review but her Miller’s Creek novels have always been numbered among my favorites. If you have not read any of her books, I suggest you give them a try. I don’t think you will be sorry.
A digital copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Broken promises, enduring love…
A dusty stack of unopened love letters forces Bo and Mona Beth Miller to revisit a part of their past they’d rather leave buried–especially in the face of death. Only as they retrace history will they learn the truth about the shattered promise that threatens to come between them. But can their relationship endure the deception and sabotage they unearth, or will the experience compel them to trust more fully in the promises that never fail?
Read a sample chapter of the work in progress (unedited) HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cathy’s desire is to write heart-stirring stories about God’s life-changing grace. Her first novel, Texas Roads, was a 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis finalist. Her second novel, A Path Less Traveled, was published in 2010. The Way of Grace, the third book in the Miller’s Creek novels was released in 2012, and Pilgrimage of Promise was released in 2013. A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Ozark mountains of northwest Arkansas with her husband of thirty years, and near the world’s cutest grandson and granddaughter. She’ll be moving to New Mexico in the near future. You can find out more about Cathy’s books under the Miller’s Creek Novels tab on her website.
by admin | Apr 16, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing
Josiah’s TreasureWorthy Publishing (April 16, 2013)byNancy HerrimanABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Herriman abandoned a career in Engineering to chase around two small children and take up the pen. She has been writing for longer than she would like to admit. Her work has been a finalist in several Romance Writers of America contests and she won the 2006 RWA Daphne du Maurier award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense. In 2009, she was an ACFW Genesis finalist. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.
When she is not writing, or gabbing over lattes about writing, she is either watching history shows on cable TV or singing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and sons, and wishes there were more hours in the day.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1882, Sarah Whittier dreams of opening an art studio run by immigrant women. She plans to use the house left to her by family friend Josiah Cady as collateral for her studio. But will all be lost when the inheritance is challenged by an angry man claiming to be Josiah’s son and legal heir? Rumor of gold nuggets hidden in the house, place Sarah’s life in danger. Her future uncertain and her safety threatened, Sarah has nowhere to turn. That is, unless she can soften a vengeful man’s heart-and they both learn that love is finer than any gold.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Josiah’s Treasure, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I thought it was interesting that I have read and reviewed two consecutive novels this week that took place primarily in San Francisco’s Nob Hill yet their setting was about all they had in common (other than that I enjoyed both of them). Josiah’s Treasure is the first novel I have read by Nancy Herriman so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Looks like I have yet another author to add to my ever-growing must read list. In fact, I just ordered The Irish Healer a few minutes ago. The Kindle version is on sale at Amazon for a very good price so I had to grab a copy quickly.
I enjoyed the interaction between the characters, the natural dialogue, and the believable plot development. I also liked the way the romance developed between Sarah and Daniel despite their conflict over the same inheritance – a growing attraction based upon positive character traits that each saw in the other rather than physical attraction only. Plenty of drama, suspense, romance and surprises abound as Sarah and Daniel learn the meaning of true treasure in their lives. Josiah’s Treasure is a novel that emphasizes true forgiveness and trust in the Lord. It is well worth reading.
by admin | Apr 16, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Although it seems a bit sad to leave the oh so charming and beloved O’Connor family behind as Julie embarks on a new series set in a new city and featuring an entirely new family, “Love at Any Cost” relieved any misgivings I might have had. It only took a few chapters for me to know that the McClare family and friends would quickly work their way into readers’ hearts. I for one cannot wait to learn which family member’s story will be offered next.
When Cassidy McClare arrives in San Francisco for an extended visit with family, she has only one objective – to avoid romantic entanglements so that her battered and bruised heart can heal. As she steps from the train she is literally knocked off her feet by Jamie McKenna who will quickly become an unavoidable fixture in the McClare household. Jamie’s primary objective is to find a wealthy and well-connected woman who can not only help advance his career and status but can help him provide for his mother and crippled sister. It doesn’t take him long to zero in on Cassidy as that woman.
“Love at Any Cost” is a mostly light-hearted and witty novel with large doses of romance. It also has its share of drama as well as some surprises that I didn’t see coming. A possible secondary romance adds to the enjoyment and it will be interesting to see how that develops as the series continues. But right in the middle of all the angst and romance are wonderful bits of wisdom, usually rendered by Cousin Bram or Aunt Cait that eventually break through the barriers erected by both Cassidy and Jamie to help them learn how to allow God be in control of their lives.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Gilded Age is brought to life in the new Heart of San Francisco Series. Fans of bestselling author, Julie Lessman, will join her on a journey to the West Coast for romance, passion, and surprising revelations found in Love at Any Cost.
Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache, Cassidy travels west. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie McKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart. When Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than he is, Cassidy finds herself cheated by love a second time. Will Jamie discover that money can’t buy love after all? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion with a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational, Julie is also the recipient of 14 Romance Writers of America awards. Chosen as the #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, Julie was also awarded #1 Series of the Year in that same poll. She resides in Missouri with her family and is the author of The Daughters of Boston series and the Winds of Change series whose first book, A Hope Undaunted, ranked #5 on Booklist’s Top 10 Inspirational Fiction for 2010.
Praise for Love at any Cost:
With an artist’s brushstroke, Julie Lessman creates another masterpiece filled with family and love and passion that compares to none in the Christian market today. Interwoven with themes of betrayal, trust, and God’s love, Love at Any Cost will not only soothe your soul, but it will make you laugh, stir your heart, and release a sigh of satisfaction when you turn the last page. The next book in the series cannot come soon enough!—MaryLu Tyndall, bestselling author of Veil of Pearls
