Monday, July 27, 2020

Review of These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker

Dan has escaped the mountain. But his brother is still trapped there and Dan waits. He waits in the village that was created for those who have escaped the mountain. The village where only 8 are left as everyone else has moved on to the East. The day to day living becomes normal routine. Until a woman shows up and shakes Dan to his core. All of a sudden he is faced with memories of life before the mountain and has to figure out if he should go back and get his brother. But that means going back in to the mountain. And is his brother's life worth giving his own life for?

This book was baffling and amazing all rolled in to one. I could not figure out what was going on in the first chapters of this book. And I believe it was intended that way. What an intriguing, gripping, head spinning story that has so many layers of depth to it! This story kept me thinking well after being finished. Not just the story itself, but the deeper meanings of life, guilt, forgiveness, living life and the bigger picture of God's story. Shawn wove yet another book that brings the reader in from a completely different angle than expected and throws twists in along the way. It's like the carrot dangling ahead of the donkey. You just keep turning the pages to see if you can grasp what is going on and what is going to happen.

Revell Reads sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Review of A Dream Within a Dream by Mike Nappa and Melissa Kosci

This is the 3rd book in the Coffee and Hill Series. Samuel Hill seems to be in a bit of trouble and it's up to Trudi Coffee, his ex-wife, to figure out what's going on, to find him, and see how she can keep him out of being killed. Put the Irish mob, someone looking for lost art, a kidnapped victim turned loose, a killer looking for Sam, and not knowing who to trust, in a boat and you have the nutshell of this book.

Nappa and Kosci did not disappoint in this book. It is helpful to read the previous two books in this series to fully understand the entire scope of the book and the underlying stories taking place. It was a hard one to put down as the plot twists almost every chapter, even the ending keeps the reader in suspense. With a creative plot, characters coming to life and wanting the story to continue even after the last page, the authors did a great job keeping the reader engaged and produced a product that every suspense reader should enjoy. Waiting the four years since Nappa's last books came out was worth the wait!

If you enjoy suspense with a splash of mystery and clever writing, you will not be disappointed in this book. If you haven't read the first two in the series, start there...they are equally as good!

Revell Books sent me a complimentary copy for my review. Opinions expressed are my own.