Review of The Empowered by Craig Parshall

What it's about: Ex-attorney, Trevor Black, is back at fighting the dark forces. This time in the city of New Orleans. Two government employees are dead, one in his hotel room, and both look like voodoo is possibly involved. What started out as a trip to talk at a convention turns to a murder investigation that has evil written all over it, Trevor finds himself dealing with the dark world like never before. In a fight against time, trying to locate his missing daughter and fighting against demonic forces, Trevor discovers a sinister, evil empire tied to human trafficking and young girls gone missing with webs strung all the way to top government officials. 

What I thought: Captivating and a bit eerie all at the same time. The voodoo/demonic slant gave me the shivers, but it added so much grit and depth to the story at the same time. This is considered a novel, but it is the 2nd book of Trevor Black. You could read this as a stand alone, but reading the first one helps in the backstory of the 2nd book. Parshall does an expert job weaving this story from the beginning to the end. Despite the dark side of the plot, the suspense is thick and the pace is fast. 

Would you read it: Think This Present Darkeness but in present day form. Add in technology and government and human trafficking and you have what this book is about. It is dark, and you may not want to read before bed, but it is also very hard to put down, so you may be up until the late hours trying to finish it. 

Tyndale House Publishers sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason

What it's about: Isabella (Izzy) St. James loves her job. And she has her long-time best friend, Kevin Marshall, as her partner and who is newer to the police force. During a steak out turned bad, her partner is killed, and she is left with unanswered questions which she quickly needs to figure out. Kevin's brother Ryan, a homicide detective joins Izzy in figuring out who killed his brother, the stakes are raised. Tips are indicating there may be dirty cops, and possibly in Izzy's own law-enforcement family. The clock is ticking as Izzy and Ryan race to get to the bottom of who killed Kevin and break open an even bigger case than they even imagined.

What I thought: This is the first book in the Blue Justice Series. And it is fantastic!! I loved the pace set right from the beginning as a suspense thriller filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the end! Eason does a great job again with her storytelling and writing abilities that keep the reader engaged. I did like that the main characters had a history together and that this wasn't a "love at first sight" book. I felt like that added depth to the story. I also loved the deep family bond of both families that was present through the entire book. After reading the 2nd book's teaser at the end, I'm thinking this is going to be an exceptional series!

Would you read it: If you enjoy suspense mystery with a bit of romance thrown in, you will like this book! Gruesome in some parts, heart wrenching in others, which makes the complete story that much better!

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

What it's about: Imagine running on fumes between a full time job and taking care of your ill mother. That's what Trish Bailey's life is like. Until the one fateful day her mother is found passed away. Doubts begin to enter Trish's mind as to how this happened. Was it her fault? Did she let something slip from her mind? Is she going crazy? Her financial advisor has planted these thoughts in her head to make it seem like that is the case. Enter Detective Colin Flynn. He feels like Trish is telling the truth, that she didn't harm her mother that she loved. Is there something sinister happening that needs to come to light? Who is really at fault and why is everything becoming so dangerous?

What I thought: What a great book by Irene Hannon. She spins this story with a masterful weave of plot twists and surprises that keeps you turning page after page. This type of suspense has her fingerprints all over it, and you know you are going to be reading a good book when you pick one of her's up. She takes a different approach as you know the mastermind behind everything from the beginning, but you're along for the ride with the main characters in watching them solve clues and uncover things that were meant to be kept secret.

Would you read this? If you enjoy suspense and romance thrown in there, this book is for you!! A great book to read on a windy, cold, winter day right up next to the fire.

Revell Books sent me this book to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.
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Review of Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

What it's about: Meet Garrett Addison. A fresh criminal investigator who is beating his own path away from his father's expectations of becoming a shady lawyer. Garrett enjoys the tempo of this job and that he is doing what he loves. One of his first cases is of a girl who was murdered and buried in a shallow grave. All that was left behind was a Polaroid of her right before she was killed. He starts to work the case when another killing happens...then the next year, another killing. All linked together but leaving the detective clueless as to how to catch the murderer. With the complexity of the murders, FBI agent Jordan Lambert is called in to help with the case. The woman Garrett hoped to spend the rest of his life with when they were done with the police academy, but she chose to move on to become an FBI. As the years pass and the string of murders continues to grow from the so-called Angel Abductor, how will Garrett and Jordan close this case before yet another girl is murdered and will they ever come to terms with how they feel for each other?

What I thought: If you read any, or all, of the Nikki Boyd Files series by Lisa Harris, you are going to want to drop everything you are doing and read this book. This answers all your questions as to the disappearance of Nikki's sister, Sarah. I liked how the book started before Nikki or her sister were even in the picture and how the case morphed over the years up until the present time of after Nikki got married. I really liked the pace of this book, how detailed the author was with each case and how she carried the story from beginning to the end, spanning over a decade. I also like how it wasn't heavy on the romance side, but it flowed along with the story and the history of the two main characters. There was a bit time period to cover and I think Lisa did a great job capturing all that happened during that time.

Would you read it? You can read this as a stand-alone book, but to make it even more rich, I highly suggest reading the three Nikki Boyd Files books. This will give you a greater appreciation for this book and all that is happening. A little gruesome in places, but oh so good!

Revell Publishers sent me this complimentary book to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own. 

Review of Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey

What it's about: This is book three in the Chesapeake Valor series. This book highlights FBI agent Declan Grey and his hunt for a terrorist who has been running free on American soil. As the threat on America rises, so do the threats against Declan and his assigned partner Tanner Shaw. While they are chasing bullets and dodging cars, their trail leads across the country and back again as they seek not only the threat to America but the ties to a smuggling ring who is bringing refugees illegally. Will Declan and Tanner capture the person behind the threat in time or will it all be too late? And will their hearts survive the mounting tension that is building between them?

What I thought: This may be a very difficult book to read on it's own. There is so much back story from the previous books and characters that to understand this one, reading the first two may be the best route to go. I did enjoy the pace of this book as it was intense. The story line was complex in regards to following the story line between the ties of the terrorist and the smuggler. One thing I do enjoy about this author is how she weaves in other story lines about previous characters to foreshadowing her next book with a storyline of its own. 

Would you read it: If you enjoy suspense fiction with a dash of romance,  you will enjoy this book. Again, you'll want to read the first two books to completely understand where this one is picking up from. If you have a sensitive stomach, beware as this book can get a big graphic in places. 

Bethany House sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.