If you enjoy suspense in the vein of Alex Cross or Jack Ryan, you'll find much to like in Andrew Huff's debut Shepherd Suspense novel.
12 years ago
Showing posts with label suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suspense. Show all posts
Friday, October 25, 2019
Review: "A Cross to Kill" by Andrew Huff
If you enjoy suspense in the vein of Alex Cross or Jack Ryan, you'll find much to like in Andrew Huff's debut Shepherd Suspense novel.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Review: "Formula of Deception" by Carrie Stuart Parks
Then I started hearing about Carrie Stuart Parks. Formula of Deception didn't sound like romantic suspense to me, but it did sound interesting, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm very glad I did!
Thursday, July 6, 2017
"If I'm Found" by Terri Blackstock
The sequel to Terri Blackstock's (INSPY Award-winning) If I Run is just as compelling as its predecessor—it's a thrill-ride from start to finish!
Monday, February 20, 2017
"Justice Delayed" by Patricia Bradley
I first "met" Patricia Bradley through her Logan Point romantic suspense series. While I greatly enjoyed those novels, it's clear that Bradley just keeps getting better, as Justice Delayed is one of the best suspense novels I've read in quite a while!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
"starving hearts" by janine mendenhall
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| Heritage Beacon Fiction, May 2016 |
Since her assault, Miss Annette Chetwynd has been plagued by nightmares and worries about an arranged marriage.
She yearns to find her anonymous rescuer. Unfortunately, her health and intellect prevent it. Both repel suitors and cause Annette to doubt God's existence, at least until He answers her prayers in an unusual way. . . .
Mr. Peter Adsley is joining the clergy, and he desires a godly wife by his side. After a failed attempt to obtain one, he engages in a clandestine meeting with the bewitching young woman who keeps crossing his path. But she is so unsettling.
Destined for disappointments, Peter and Annette both endure disgraceful situations. Will Peter's faith sustain him through overwhelming setbacks? Can Annette overcome her doubts? Or will their starving hearts yield to the machinations of a mad man?
Though you wouldn't know it by the cover, Starving Hearts is more of a suspense novel than a romance. I felt a sense of foreboding as I read—I was just sure something awful was on the next page (and sometimes it was). The suspense built the farther I got into the novel, and that's what kept me reading.
Starving Hearts is mainly about Annette Chetwynd and Peter Adsley and their struggle to be together. However, I didn't particularly care for the romance. Peter and Annette "fell in love" very quickly, though it really just seemed like obsession/fantasy on both of their parts. I spent the first half of the novel struggling to really engage with the plot, probably because I wasn't into the romance. I did appreciate some of the side characters and their interactions with Peter and Annette, though—characters like Turtle, a cabin boy on a ship Peter traveled on; Bledsoe, the ship's captain; and Steven Likebridge, tormentor of both Peter and Annette. When these characters became more prominent in the plot, I became much more interested in the story, and I flew through the last quarter of the novel.
Even though he was the villain, Steven Likebridge (Slike) was the most compelling character. Whereas I felt that Annette and Peter weren't quite fleshed out enough, Mendenhall really dove deep into Steven's character. The sections of the book that were from his point of view were the most interesting to me, and I loved discovering more about him as the book progressed. His motivations were made clear throughout the novel, and the twists surrounding his past and present were very satisfying. While overall I struggled to get into Starving Hearts, I would be totally on board with a sequel all about Steven. 2-1/2 stars.
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Will Annette's search for love and acceptance replace the loss and hurt in her heart? Find out in Janine Mendenhall's book one, Starving Hearts, of the Triangular Trade Trilogy. Since her assault, Miss Annette Chetwynd has been plagued by nightmares and worries about an arranged marriage. But she yearns to find her anonymous rescuer. Unfortunately, her health and intellect prevent it. Both repel suitors and cause Annette to doubt God’s existence, at least until He answers her prayers in an unusual way. . . .
Join in the search for love and acceptance with Janine and Starving Hearts by entering to win the Delightful Heart Gift Pack Giveaway.
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of Starving Hearts
- A bottle of essential oils
- An essential oils diffuser necklace
- A chiffon scarf
- A shoulder handbag
- A copy of Jane Austen's World
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on September 12. The winner will be announced September 13 on Janine's blog.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Sunday, January 24, 2016
"if i run" by terri blackstock
Terri Blackstock is known for writing page-turning suspense, and her latest novel, If I Run, is a great addition to her catalog.
Casey knows the truth. But it won't set her free.
Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene. There's no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she's arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn't matter anymore.
But what is the truth? That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up. Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn't guilty, why did she run?
Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
If I Run is fascinating, fast-paced suspense. It is written in first-person, present tense, alternating between Casey's and Dylan's point of view. While this perspective took a bit to get used to, once I did, I felt like I was right there with Casey and Dylan, experiencing the action as they did.
Casey's journey is particularly compelling, as she runs for her life and tries to stay out of anyone's notice but can't help caring for those she meets who are in need. Her quest to set things right—both in her own life and in a missing persons case she finds herself mixed up in—puts her in grave danger, yet she simply cannot walk away.
When the novel ends, some things are wrapped up, but Casey's story isn't resolved, giving me hope for another book in the future. I've never before read a book quite like If I Run, which is suspenseful without being grisly. I highly recommend it! 4-1/2 stars.
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Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Blackstock's Distortion (5 stars) and Twisted Innocence (4-1/2 stars).
Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention,Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.Connect with Terri: website, Twitter, Facebook
Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of If I Run
- A Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)
Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Saturday, August 22, 2015
"trial run" by thomas locke
Dr. Gabriella Speciale has assembled an international team of elite scientists with one goal in mind--to create and control out-of-body experiences that transcend the limits of time and space. Reese Clawson's mind-bending experiments aim to explode the boundaries of human consciousness--and annihilate the opposition in the process.
When a terrifying discovery and a string of failed tests threaten to dismantle both programs, the key to survival may reside in the mind of a gifted grad student whose unsettling dreams have thrust him into the center of a dangerous battle for control.
As the threads of perception and reality become tangled and time itself twists in unexpected directions, one warning remains clear: what you don't know can kill you.
Trial Run is marketed as a thriller/suspense title, but it's really more science fiction than anything—which is fine by me! In a way, Trial Run reminds me of the film Inception because of the idea of entering dreams, but really that's where the similarity ends. In Trial Run, people in a dream state are able to travel back or forward in time, but then several subjects end up comatose.
This novel features a very large cast of characters, and at first I struggled to keep them all straight. A few of these characters only appear sporadically, which sometimes made me stop and question who they were. Fairly quickly, though, the novel's main characters come to the forefront—grad students Shane and Trent, government operative Reese, and researcher Gabriella and her guard Charlie. When this happens, things get much easier to follow. I also appreciated that it took me a long time to figure out which faction (Reese's or Gabriella's) was good and which was bad ... and I'm still not entirely sure that the good guys are truly good!
The action moves at a rapid pace, and, while there's a lot of scientific mumbo-jumbo (which isn't actually mumbo-jumbo if you take the time to try to understand it), it doesn't become overwhelming or confusing. The ending features a great blend of dream world and real world action, and it sets up what is sure to be a fascinating second book.
Trial Run is not for everyone, that's for sure, but those who enjoy smart science fiction will really like it. I'm already looking forward to next summer when book two will release. 4 stars.
Buy the book.
Get the prequel novella, Fault Lines, free for Kindle.
Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, the award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies. His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. Davis divides his time between Oxford and Florida and holds a lifelong passion for speculative stories. As Thomas Locke, Davis is also the author of Emissary. Learn more at www.tlocke.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Sunday, July 12, 2015
"gone without a trace" by patricia bradley
The past is repeating itself—and time is running out.
It's been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds's cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator's missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she's finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she'll have to find a way to work with Alex--before it's too late.
Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case—and a relationship—that is anything but certain.
The covers of Patricia Bradley's Logan's Point novels may look like posters for Lifetime movies, but there's nothing cheesy about the stories inside. In the third book (which can be read as a stand alone), Gone without a Trace, Bradley amps up the suspense with a story that feels like it could happen just about anywhere, making it all the more scary.
One of my favorite things about Gone without a Trace is the way Bradley drops clues about the abductor's identity without actually giving anything away. Basically, there are four or five men who could be the bad guy, and I kept changing my mind about who it was! But I also felt like I could follow along and make intelligent guesses, so when he was revealed, I didn't feel cheated—everything lined up based on the story.
While the mystery was fantastic and the romance between Livy and Alex was believable, I did feel like a few other relationships resolved a bit too conveniently. One of them, the relationship between Livy and her father, didn't have a huge bearing on the story anyway, so I don't know why it needed to be included. However, it was just a minor sub-plot; I absolutely loved 95% of this novel.
I know I joked about Lifetime earlier, but I could absolutely see Gone without a Trace being made into a Lifetime-type movie. And I for one would love to watch it. 4-1/2 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Bradley's A Promise to Protect (4 stars.)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
"fatal trauma" by richard l. mabry
A gunman who has nothing to lose faces a doctor who could lose it all to prove his innocence.
When Dr. Mark Baker and Nurse Kelly Atkinson are held at the mercy of a dangerous gunman, the lives of every emergency room patient are at stake. At the end of the evening three men are dead. One of them is a police officer who couldn't be saved despite Mark's best efforts. The other two are members of the feared Zeta drug cartel.
Though the standoff is over, the killing is not, because when the drug cartel loses its members, revenge is not far behind. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.
At the height of the conflict, three questions remain: Who is the shooter? Who will the next victim be? And can Mark prove his innocence before the gun turns on him?
Overall, I enjoyed Fatal Trauma. The pacing was good, the characters were likeable (though I didn't feel I got to know some of them very well), and the plot featured a couple of twists I never saw coming and absolutely loved. (Seriously, I had a couple of gasp out loud moments—I love those when I'm reading suspense!) However, some of the aspects surrounding the investigation didn't ring true to me, and I got tired of the cops' continual focus on Mark as a suspect. I also didn't think the writing was as tight as in some of Mabry's other novels. Still, this is enjoyable medical suspense, and it makes for a quick, intense read. 3-1/2 stars.
*See the note at the bottom if you want to know specifically what bothered me about the investigation! (It's fairly general and spoiler free, but I do have to talk a bit about the plot.)
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Mabry's Stress Test (4-1/2 stars), Heart Failure (3-1/2 stars), and Critical Condition (3-1/2 stars).
*Note: Basically, Mark is a suspect in two crimes. He doesn't have much of an alibi for either crime--except that at the exact moment the second crime was taking place, he was speaking on his cell phone. He heard the crime take place over the phone, and then he immediately placed a call to 911 on said cell phone. I know this may not be enough to prove his innocence or guilt, but wouldn't the cops at least check the cell phone records and also find out which tower the calls went through to see if Mark could have been in the area where the crime took place? Yet the cell phone is never held up--either by Mark's attorney or by the cops--as a way to tell if Mark was where he said he was. Had I not been a Serial fanatic who heard about cell phone records ad nauseam, this probably wouldn't have bothered me. But if the cops were using cell phone records back in 1999, wouldn't they also be using them in 2015?
*See the note at the bottom if you want to know specifically what bothered me about the investigation! (It's fairly general and spoiler free, but I do have to talk a bit about the plot.)
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Mabry's Stress Test (4-1/2 stars), Heart Failure (3-1/2 stars), and Critical Condition (3-1/2 stars).
*Note: Basically, Mark is a suspect in two crimes. He doesn't have much of an alibi for either crime--except that at the exact moment the second crime was taking place, he was speaking on his cell phone. He heard the crime take place over the phone, and then he immediately placed a call to 911 on said cell phone. I know this may not be enough to prove his innocence or guilt, but wouldn't the cops at least check the cell phone records and also find out which tower the calls went through to see if Mark could have been in the area where the crime took place? Yet the cell phone is never held up--either by Mark's attorney or by the cops--as a way to tell if Mark was where he said he was. Had I not been a Serial fanatic who heard about cell phone records ad nauseam, this probably wouldn't have bothered me. But if the cops were using cell phone records back in 1999, wouldn't they also be using them in 2015?
Find Richard online: website, Twitter, Facebook
Can Mark find out who the shooter is before he becomes the next victim? You won't want to miss the suspense in Richard Mabry's new book, Fatal Trauma. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.
Richard is celebrating the release of Fatal Trauma by giving away The Perfect Prescription Prize Pack!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A $25 cash card
- A copy of Fatal Trauma
- A bag of coffee (because caffeine can cure a lot)
- A medical-inspired coffee mug
- Syringe pens
- A box of medical-inspired cookies (because sugar can cure what caffeine doesn't)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Saturday, February 21, 2015
"twisted innocence" by terri blackstock
Terri Blackstock's Moonlighters series comes to a satisfying conclusion in Twisted Innocence.Holly Cramer's past choices have finally caught up to her, but she never expected them to endanger her baby.
Though Holly's stumbled through most of her adult life as a party girl, she longs to live a more stable life for her daughter. Then police show up to question her about the whereabouts of Creed Kershaw, Lily's father. She has kept his identity a secret from friends and family---she never even told him about the pregnancy. Now he's a person of interest in a drug-related murder case.
Determined to keep him out of their lives and turn him over to police, Holly uses her private investigating skills to search for him. But her bravado backfires when he turns the tables and takes her and the baby hostage. As desperate hours tick by, Holly realizes his connection to Leonard Miller-the man who has gunned down several members of her family. Creed claims he's innocent and that Miller is after him too. His gentleness with Lily moves her, but she can't trust a man who has held her at gunpoint . . . even if he reminds her so much of herself.
Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.
When I began Twisted Innocence, I was so lost. "Who's Holly?" I thought. "Why is Michael in prison?" So I went back and read my review of Distortion, which helped a bit. I still felt a bit off kilter, but I kept reading ... and then I hit Chapter 6. In Chapter 6, Blackstock gives a nice recap of the major events of the first two books in the series through an entry on Cathy Cramer's blog, effectively reaching out to her readers who, like me, can't quite remember the events of the previous books. This recap would also bring new readers up to speed—though I do think the series is best read in order!
Twisted Innocence surprised me in a good way. While bad things definitely happen in the novel, the good things far outweigh the bad. In fact, after one pivotal plot point was resolved, I kept waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop. It never did, and I'm so happy about that! (Maybe I've just watched too many prison movies ...) That's not to say the suspense isn't there—I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. But the terrible things that I expected to happen never did. Also, the Leonard Miller thread that weaves through all three books is resolved in a satisfying manner, and it was nice to see Cathy and Michael's story continue. I also enjoyed watching Holly and Creed find redemption in Christ.
Twisted Innocence is suspenseful and intense, and it makes a great read. Fans of suspense will love this series. 4-1/2 stars.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Distortion (5 stars).
Find Terri online: website, Facebook, Twitter
Celebrate the series' final release by entering Terri's Nook giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Nook GlowLight
- The entire Moonlighters series
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
"hidden agenda" by lisa harris
His cover is blown. Now his enemies are on his heels and closing in.
Michael Hunt is alive--and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is Olivia Hamilton--the daughter of the man who wants him dead.
This nonstop chase from Christy Award-winning Lisa Harris will leave you breathless.
I picked up Hidden Agenda on a Sunday afternoon, and after reading for just a few hours, I turned the final page. The novel begins with a bang (literally), and the intense pace continues to the end, making this 300-page novel a very quick read.
The story itself, about an undercover cop and the grown children of a prominent official in a drug cartel, is incredibly entertaining, if a bit confusing at times due to the number of characters (mainly bad guys) who are mentioned but not necessarily seen. I had a hard time keeping track of which bad guy was which—but at least I knew who was bad and who was good!
There is a romance subplot, but it's pretty understated. Basically, there's not enough romance to annoy readers who prefer straight suspense, but there's enough to placate readers who (like me!) vastly prefer their fiction to have at least a bit of romance. 4 stars.
Note: This is the third book in Harris' Southern Crimes series, but it works as a stand-alone novel.
Buy the book.
The story itself, about an undercover cop and the grown children of a prominent official in a drug cartel, is incredibly entertaining, if a bit confusing at times due to the number of characters (mainly bad guys) who are mentioned but not necessarily seen. I had a hard time keeping track of which bad guy was which—but at least I knew who was bad and who was good!
There is a romance subplot, but it's pretty understated. Basically, there's not enough romance to annoy readers who prefer straight suspense, but there's enough to placate readers who (like me!) vastly prefer their fiction to have at least a bit of romance. 4 stars.
Note: This is the third book in Harris' Southern Crimes series, but it works as a stand-alone novel.
Buy the book.
When she's not working, she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa, visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit www.theECHOproject.org.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
"a promise to protect" by patricia bradley
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In a steamy small town riddled with broken promises, one woman's secret could change everything.
Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her—or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago—out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task—protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.
I enjoy two types of suspense novels: romantic suspense, where the romance is the driving force of the novel but there's also suspense, and suspense with a touch of romance (because you have to have romance, right?). I'd classify A Promise to Protect as the latter. There definitely is a romantic thread, but the suspense is the focus of the novel.
While there is a lot of plot crammed into this 331 page novel, it never gets confusing or overwhelming. In fact, it's probably more realistic than if Tony's murder investigation was the sole focus—would a sheriff really only have one case at a time? I don't think so!
Leigh and Ben are both interesting characters, and I enjoyed the redevelopment of their relationship. But the most interesting relationship was between Leigh's son TJ and Ben's dad. Their relationship was so sweet as TJ tried to help Ben's dad regain his speech following a stroke.
Overall, I very much enjoyed A Promise to Protect. The cover appears a bit cheesy (or, as another reviewer said, like it's the poster for a Lifetime movie), but the story is oh so good. Fans of suspense will enjoy this one! 4 stars.
Buy the book.
Patricia Bradley is the winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award and a 2012 Touched by Love Award and was also a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award. The author of Shadows of the Past, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Friday, October 24, 2014
"the promise" by beth wiseman
Mallory's search for happiness leads her to a faraway place. There she finds heartache, betrayal—and danger.
Mallory Hammond is determined that no one will stand in the way of her goal—to save a life. She had that chance years ago, and she failed to take it, leaving her adrift and in search of the real meaning of her life. Finally, she meets a man online from a volatile corner of the world who offers her the chance to find that purpose. But she will have to leave everyone she loves behind in order to take it.
Tate Webber has loved Mallory for many years. He understands that Mallory will never be happy with him until her deepest heart's desire is satisfied. When Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dreams, Tate begs her not to go but tries to give her the space she needs. Mallory embarks on her dangerous journey only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray that she will make it out alive.
Inspired by actual events, The Promise is a riveting love story that asks the question: how far will we go for love?
The Promise is a very intriguing—and scary—novel. It's one of those books that you can't put down because you have to know how it all turns out, but you want to put it down because the protagonist is being so stupid. However, it's a whole lot easier to see someone else's stupidity than your own, so I guess I understand, at least a little, how Mallory could have been taken in by Abdul.
The novel actually reminded me a lot of a Lifetime movie—you know, the ones based on true stories where naive women fall under the spell of dangerous men. And I wouldn't be surprised if this story does make its way to the small screen someday.
Overall, even thought I wasn't a huge fan of Mallory, I did enjoy this book. And I do think there are a lot of idealistic young women who should read this novel, as it provides a powerful warning and shows the power of real love. 4 stars.
Content note: While The Promise is put out by a Christian publisher, I wouldn't label it Christian fiction. Some of the characters are religious, but there's little evidence faith in Jesus Christ. I don't think that's necessarily a problem as far as the story goes, but I do think readers should know what--and what not--to expect.
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Wiseman's The Wonder of Your Love and A July Bride.
Find Beth online: website, Facebook, Twitter
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- The Promise by Beth Wiseman
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Friday, July 18, 2014
"rope of sand" by c.f. dunn
This third volume, set in rural Maine’s deep winter, follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D’Eresby, and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels Matthew’s alarming past and begins to comprehend how very diff erent her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed.
Emma nervously meets Matthew’s family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew’s great-granddaughter have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do?
Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait to be together until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen—an elderly woman with a core of steel—and learns how living with Matthew will mean concealment and lies. How can they have a life together?
My take: When I picked up Rope of Sand, my first thought was, "How on earth will I remember all that led up to this novel?" It's the third book in C. F. Dunn's The Secrets of the Journal series, and I read the first books two years ago and one year ago, respectively. So I was quite pleased to discover that before the book begins, there's a section called "The Story So Far," which clearly and concisely summarizes the events leading up to Rope of Sand. Hurray! (I wish more authors would do this ...)
Rope of Sand finds Emma in a difficult place—she's finally clear about where she stands with Matthew, but she struggles to fit in with his family, and then there's the matter of his wife. Honestly, I struggled with Matthew and Emma's relationship quite a bit—it never became sexual, but it was adulterous in every other way. The situation is certainly unique, with Matthew unable to age and his wife old and physically incapacitated. But a marriage vow is a marriage vow, and I couldn't help but feel a bit "icky" about the relationship.
Aside from that, though, I really enjoyed Rope of Sand. Emma's interactions with Matthew's family were fascinating, and the twists the plot took, especially with the reintroduction of Kort Staahl, were unexpected and gripping. I also enjoyed the gradual revealing of Emma's gifts, though they haven't been adequately explained by the end of the novel.
I thought that Rope of Sand might be the end of the series, but it most certainly isn't, and for that I'm glad. I'm eager to find out what will happen next with Matthew and Emma (especially since some of the obstacles to their being together have been removed), and I'm very curious about Emma's abilities.
Content note: In addition to the aforementioned relationship, the book also contains some mild expletives and sexual innuendo. Nothing is explicit.
My rating: 4 stars
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of books one and two, Mortal Fire and Death Be Not Proud.
About the author: C. F. Dunn runs a school in North Kent for children with developmental disabilities, dyslexia, autism, and other difficulties.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Friday, June 6, 2014
"raptor 6" by ronie kendig
His team.
Captain Dean Watters keeps these parts of his life in laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing-which if opened, would give America's enemies a blueprint of US military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn't an option.
Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She's also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers' deadly game. They're coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.
Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost.
My take: Ronie Kendig is known for "Rapid-Fire Fiction," so when I picked up Raptor 6, the first of her novels I've read, I expected to immediately be swept into an action-packed thrill ride. That's not quite what happened. The novel does start out with a bang as Dean "Raptor 6" Watters is dumped at a military base in Afghanistan following time in captivity. But then the action jumps back six months, and things progress rather slowly as Kendig introduces characters and sets things up. During this section, the glossary of terms and the character lists were invaluable. I found myself constantly flipping to them as I tried to grasp who everyone was and what exactly was happening.
But once the plot really began rolling—probably about 60 pages in—it fired on all cylinders. Suddenly, things moved so quickly that I struggled to keep up! (And I did still need to consult that glossary every so often.) But even though the plot moved at break-neck speed, I still felt like I got to know the characters. Dean is a great hero—a strong leader who keeps his emotions at arms length until he meets Zahrah. Zahrah is very intriguing, and I feel like we only scratched the surface with her, so I hope she shows up in future novels! Also, I did not expect to tear up while reading Raptor 6, but I did—there is an incredibly touching thread involving one of the members of Dean's team that tugged at my heart.
As I reached the last few pages of the novel, it became clear that everything wasn't going to neatly wrap up. It doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there are enough threads left open that I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
My rating: 4 stars
See what others are saying and enter the giveaway.
Buy the book.
Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
About the giveaway: Don't miss the first book, Raptor 6, in Ronie Kendig's new Quiet Professionals series. Ronie combines a dangerous romance and explosive action for a thrilling and satisfying ride. "Lock and load for this Spec Op, fighting under God’s 'rules of engagement.'" —Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and award-winning author
Ronie is celebrating with a Kindle HDX Giveaway!
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Ronie's blog on June 16th to see if you won.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Thursday, April 24, 2014
"critical condition" by richard l. mabry, m.d.
It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier's colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.
Her "almost-fiancé" Dr. Mark Gilbert's support only adds to Shannon's feelings of guilt, since she can't bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he's just been diagnosed with leukemia. Shannon thought it couldn't get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, "What did he say before he died?"
With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.
My take: Critical Condition is an intriguing novel that kept me guessing until the end. In addition to the suspense thread (which is really quite good), it also examines family relationships. I saw a lot of myself in Shannon, the "good girl" who always did what was expected of her, even if her heart wasn't in it. (Although I definitely don't have what it takes to be a surgeon!) I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the novel and come to a place where she could truly take control of her life. I also was surprised at the direction the romance took. It was not at all what I expected, but I do think it was fitting. (The other potential romance revealed at the end of the novel? Not so much...)
I did think one of the "bad guys" was pretty obvious ... in fact, he was so obvious that for a while, I thought he couldn't possibly be involved, just because it seemed so apparent! And I couldn't believe that Shannon would "forget" to give vital information to the police. But overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It's a quick read that kept my attention to the last page.
My rating: 3-1/2 stars
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Mabry's Stress Test and Heart Failure.
Connect with Richard at http://rmabry.com.
About the giveaway: Richard Mabry's latest medical suspense, Critical Condition, is receiving high praise. USA TODAY says, "Mabry combines his medical expertise with a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat."
Richard is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Critical Condition by Richard Mabry
Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Richard's blog on May 13th to see if you won.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
"distortion" by terri blackstock
A husband's lies can have deadly consequences.
When Juliet Cole's husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers' demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband's dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?
My take: From beginning to end, Distortion is a thrill ride. As the novel unfolds, more questions than answers seem to crop up, making for a confusing and enthralling reading experience.
While the novel is incredibly suspenseful, the aspect I enjoyed the most was the focus on family. Distortion is the second book in Blackstock's Moonlighters series about siblings Jay, Juliet, Cathy, and Holly. (You do not need to read the first novel to enjoy this one—I didn't!) These siblings have each others' backs no matter what, and their love for each other really comes through on the page.
I also enjoyed the way faith is portrayed in this novel. Blackstock does an excellent job of showing how doubt and anger can factor into a Christian's spiritual journey as Juliet's story unfolds.
Distortion is the first Terri Blackstock book I've read, and I don't know what took me so long! I'm excited to read more of this series!
My rating: 5 stars
See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
(On sale through March 10.)
Learn more about Terri at http://terriblackstockbooks.com
About the giveaway:
Don't miss Terri Blackstock's latest release in the Moonlighters series, Distortion.
The book releases March 11th, and Terri will be kicking off the release with a fun Facebook Distortion party and giving away a Kindle Fire HDX. PLUS readers can pre-order the ebook for just $4.99 between now and 3/11 everywhere ebooks are sold.
- A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
- Distortion and Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN on the event page. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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