A devoted wife and mother, Kimberley Woodhouse is a third generation Liszt student, she has passed down her love of the arts to hundreds of students over the years.
About fifteen years ago, Kimberley began writing seriously. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters – you name it – she’s written it. It wasn’t until a dear friend challenged her to “do something with it”, that she pursued publication.
Kimberley and her family’s story have been on the front page of newspapers, in magazines, articles, medical journals, and most recently her family was chosen for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They were also asked to share their story on The Montel Williams Show and Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery ER. She has recorded three albums, and has appeared at over 700 venues. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and their two children in a truly “Extreme” home.
Thirteen-year-old Kayla Woodhouse’s zest for writing comes not only from her natural ability, but also from her love of the written word as witnessed by her voracious reading appetite. One of only a few dozen cases in the world, Kayla was born with HSAN, Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy, an extremely rare nerve disorder. Unable to sweat, or feel pain, she’s also been through brain surgery. But even through a life of extreme hardships, her ever-present smile encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. In addition to being homeschooled and writing with her mom, she’s an amazing swimmer, and spends up to thirty hours a week in training. No Safe Haven, her first release from B&H Publishers in 2011, written with mother, Kimberley, makes her the youngest author to have a full-length novel published by a royalty paying publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jenna and Andi Tikaani-Gray are hoping for a fresh start. Though twelve year-old Andi has long struggled with a rare medical disorder, she and her mother have finally received good news from out-of-town specialists. It’s news they desperately needed, especially after the recent death of Jenna’s husband (Andi’s dad) in a car accident.
But as they are flying home to Alaska, ready to begin again, the unthinkable happens. The pilot sabotages their small plane and crashes into Sultana, one of the most remote and dangerous mountains in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Even worse, a winter storm is headed their way along with someone who doesn’t want to save them, but to kill them.
Only one man can keep them alive: Cole Maddox, the mysterious last-minute passenger who joined them on their flight. But trust doesn’t come easy to Jenna or Andi ~ and they both sense Cole is hiding something.
A relentless tale of survival and suspense unfolds, involving military technology designed by Jenna’s late husband that some would do anything to possess.
Watch the Book Video:
If you would like to read the first chapter of No Safe Haven, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
If No Safe Haven is an example of their talent, it is just the first of many books that will be birthed by mother-daughter team Kimberly and Kayla Woodhouse. Every aspect of it fit together seamlessly as if written by one author yet I suspect that Kayla supplied most if not all the scenes presented from Andi’s point of view.
No Safe Haven is a fast moving, suspense filled narrative that had no problem holding my attention until the very end. The character development was excellent and the setting was so realistic I could almost feel the extreme cold. Every detail of the plot combined to create a very tangible feeling of impending danger. And just when I thought everything would be okay, something else happened to threaten the three principal characters.
In my opinion, No Safe Haven is a top notch suspense novel that should satisfy most readers who love that genre. Go pick up a copy for yourself NOW!
It took me a few chapters to become reacquainted with Ray Quinn but once that was taken care of, I was pretty well hooked. It was refreshing to find a fairly flawed hero – past his prime, physically handicapped, emotionally challenged, and an alcoholic. Although I don’t watch the series, I kept picturing Ray as Dr. House. It was probably the cane but for whatever reason, the image wouldn’t leave me.
The Corruptible narrates the story of a case Ray has taken after starting his own detective agency. He soon finds out that the simple location of some stolen files turns into a murder investigation as well as attempts on his own life. With the help of sidekick Crevis, Ray works with his former police department cronies to get to the bottom of an increasingly puzzling mystery.
Filled with plenty of drama, action, and humor, The Corruptible takes several twists and turns and reveals a few surprises before it reaches a satisfying conclusion. While not an overtly Christian novel, it does however include scenes in which Ray’s friend Pam attempts to share the gospel with him. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy novels from this type.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group and Blogging for Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How much money would it take for you to betray the truth?
Ex-homicide detective Ray Quinn never had glamorous thoughts of the life of a private investigator—but being cornered in a bathroom stall by the enraged philandering husband of a client? That’s something he could live without. Retired from homicide and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited. Stick to the job, keep impetuous sidekick Crevis alive, and spend quiet evenings with trusted pal Jim Beam, that’s about the best he can hope for.
As a new client emerges, Ray finds himself in an impossibly large boardroom holding a check with enough zeros to finally lift him from his financial pit. The job seems easy enough: find Logan Ramsey, an ex-cop turned security officer who’s taken off with sensitive corporate information. But few things are easy in Ray’s world, regardless of the amount of zeros in the check.
In what should be an open-and-shut case, Ray stumbles across Logan Ramsey in a seedy motel room. Only Ray wasn’t the first to find him. Now Logan’s dead, the client’s information is nowhere to be found, and Ray’s employer is less than forthcoming with the details. Suddenly the line between the good guys and bad guys isn’t so clear. With a foot in both worlds and an illuminating look at an unhappy ending that could well be his own, which will Ray choose?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mark Mynheir is the author of the Christy Award nominated The Night Watchman, the first Ray Quinn mystery. He has worked undercover as a narcotics agent, as a SWAT team member, and recently retired from his work investigating violent crimes as a detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit in central Florida, where he lives with his wife and three children.
Under a Desert Sky by DiAnn Mills Available June 2011
When Eva Fortier’s grandfather is murdered, her attorney urges her to leave New York and take refuge in the high desert area of New Mexico.
Leaving her life of wealth behind, Eva attempts to make sense of the tragedies in her life. Navajo David Benally has his hands full taking care of his people’s medical needs. But when his father asks him to help fulfill a vow made to Eva’s father, he has no choice but to oblige. He views Eva as a spoiled rich girl…until he sees her strength in the midst of life-threatening danger.
Love Letters in the Sand by Diann Hunt Available June 2011
The tide of World War II washed away her happily-ever-after dreams and left heartbreak in its wake, but Eva Hilton dares to consider another chance at love.
However, the jilted teacher’s past catches up with her when battle-scarred Paul Sommerfeld re-enters her life in 1957. Together they attempt to navigate the shifting sands of their relationship as painful truths come to light. Will Eva ultimately discover that, though the tide washed away their once-upon-a-time love letters in the sand, she and Paul have a love that will be forever written upon their hearts?
Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa by Melanie Dobson Available June 2011
As the rest of the nation is embroiled in Civil War, the Amana Colonies remain peaceful. Amalie Wiese arrives in the newly built village of Amana in 1863 only to find that her betrothed, Friedrich, has left to fight with the Union army. Amalie tries to overcome her worries as she sets up a communal kitchen. She hopes that working alongside Friedrich’s best friend will provide some comfort, but Matthias is abrupt and cold.
Little does Amalie know that Matthias has been in love with her since childhood but will not betray Friedrich by pursuing her friendship. When Matthias himself leaves for the battlefront to deliver supplies to the soldiers, war wages in Amalie’s own heart. Will love claim victory?
The year is 1914, and Jake O’Farrell has gained an unusual reputation among the locals. He’s played the roles of groomsman and best man in all four of his older brothers’ weddings, but he’s never been able to find the right woman to capture his heart. And with the upcoming wedding of his best friend, Jake will become the last single man in the town of Groom.
Anne Denning has made the difficult decision to move with her sisters to Dallas, but just outside of Amarillo, a train derailment forces them and the other passengers to seek shelter in nearby Groom. Mrs. O’Farrell, hopeful that at least one of the Denning sisters will catch her youngest son’s eye, invites the girls to stay at her home until the train is ready to pull out. Anne has no clue of the blissful chaos that lies ahead!
Who are You, and what are you doing here?
Two babies—Kati and Josh—are born on opposite sides of the world at the very moment the Berlin Wall falls. You’d think such a potent freedom metaphor would become the soundtrack for their lives, but nothing could be further from the truth. Despite his flawless image, Josh, an artistic and gifted California skateboarder, struggles to find his true role in the world, and his growing aggression eventually breaks him.
Kati, a German with a penchant for classic Swiss watches and attic treasure-hunting, is crushed with disappointment for never being “enough” for anyone—most especially her mother. Craving liberation, Kati and Josh seem destined to claim their birthright of freedom together. After all, don’t the “chance” encounters transform your life…or are they really chance?
Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she’s ever known.
When Marianna’s family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.
As Marianna struggles to find “home”, she also encounters God in intimate ways.
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