Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson



MY REVIEW:

I have often heard mass market romance such as those published by Harlequin criticized as inferior. I have subscribed to the Love Inspired Suspense series for several years now and have found most of the books in that series to be very well written and interesting. Yes, they are quick reads and may not contain the depth of trade paperbacks but there are times when what I want is a quick read that is also a good story and a pleasant escape. Current Love Inspired Suspense authors such as Liz Johnson fulfill that requirement perfectly.

Vanishing Act is a fast moving story about a young woman who relocated and changed her identity after witnessing her father’s murder and the FBI agent who is looking for her. The plot takes several interesting twists as it evolves and the reader will have a chuckle or two at how long it takes Nate to realize that the person he is looking for has been right under his nose the entire time. Filled with action, suspense, and romance, Vanishing Act never fails to point the reader toward the Lord. It is the perfect companion to curl up with for an evening’s relaxation.




ABOUT THE BOOK:

Eighteen months ago, Nora James watched as her father was shot in an alley-and then she fled. She changed her name, her appearance and her job, hoping to keep her father’s shooter at bay. For months, it worked…but now her luck has run out. A ruthless assassin is on her trail, and soon Nora, now known as Danielle, will be found. But this time, she has FBI agent Nate Andersen by her side-right?  The handsome agent would give his life to protect Danielle, but he’s wary of giving his heart…until a deadly confrontation leaves him with both on the line.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Liz Johnson grew up reading Christian fiction, and always dreamed of being part of the publishing industry. After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, she set out to fulfill her dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-becoming an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she completed the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course and wrote articles for several magazines.

Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Keep up with Liz’s adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

Premiere by Melody Carlson

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today’s Wild Card author is:



and the book:


Premiere

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. “I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,” she says. Her wide variety of books seem to prove this theory.

Visit the author’s website.

Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717868
ISBN-13: 978-0310717867

Press the browse button to view the first chapter:


Fatal Loyalty by Sue Duffy – CFBA Tour

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Fatal Loyalty

Kregel Publications (April 23, 2010)


by


Sue Duffy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. Her first novel Mortal Wounds was published in 2001 and she has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children. Find out more at www.sueduffybooks.com

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Where do you run when you know you cannot hide?

Andie Ryborg has nowhere else to go. Her father’s campaign for governor and his aggressive war on drugs has chased her from their family home. Drawn to Miami’s exotic Coconut Grove, Andie hopes to find a quiet refuge where she can discover herself apart from the public eye. But even in that seclusion, even with an officer assigned to protect her, Andie’s privacy has been violated. Someone is watching

Evan Markham’s entire life has been a tug-of-war between what is and what could be. He is drawn to a life that is beyond his reach and emotions have clouded his judgment. Evan knows that earning someone’s trust isn’t easy, especially when he plans to break it. But in the secret corridors of the criminal underworld, he knows what must be done, and he is determined to see it through. Whatever the cost

When enemies close in, a sudden turn of events leaves them both questioning. Where is God in all of this? Who is this enigmatic stranger who offers to help? They both know their lives are in danger. But what about their hearts?

If you would like to read the Prologue of Fatal Loyalty, go HERE.

MY REVIEW: (Repost from June 16)

Fatal Loyalty is a high octane suspense novel that takes the reader into the dangerous world of drug cartels and the men and women who make it their mission to stop them. A story of assumed identities, hidden motives, old secrets, and sacrificial love, Fatal Loyalty moves at a fast clip with plenty of action and dangers.  A bit slow moving and confusing at first, the plot soon takes off with twists and turns that  keep the pages turning.

Final Touch by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today’s Wild Card authors are:


 

and the book:

 

Final Touch (Rayne Tour, The)

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California.

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels.

Visit the Brandilyn’s website.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California, majoring in marketing. She’s active in her Alphi Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.

Here’s a video about the first book in the Rayne Series:

Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071933X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719335

Press the browse button to view the first chapter:

MY REVIEW:

Final Touch is the chilling third and final book in the Rayne Tour series. In the first two books, Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, encountered danger and even murder while touring with her mother. In this final installment, Shaley finds herself in the most desperate situation of her life with no help in sight. As she faces an unthinkable future with an evil man who thinks he is a prophet of God, Shaley can depend only on herself and the Lord to deliver her to safety.

The story moves at the usual intense pace expected in books by the Collins ladies. Characters are well fleshed out with some focus on several secondary people. This one kept me turning pages until I reached the last one. Recommended for mature teens and young adults – and any other adult who enjoys suspense.