Review of Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley

What it's about...

Kelsey Allen is wanting to break in to the security circles. To get her own firm off the ground, she is hired to break in to businesses and then show them their weak areas. Her second love is old artifacts. So when she is contracted to find out why artifacts at the city's museum are disappearing by being the museum's curator, she is ecstatic. Doing two things she loves every day. But when a murder happens while she's under cover, her security measures come in to question. And she also becomes a target that needs to be eliminated. Detective Brad Hollister finds himself drawn to Kelsey and to helping figure out who is behind the disappearing artifacts, the mysterious box of bones that shows up on Kelsey's desk and who is behind the murder...all the while trying to keep Kelsey from being killed. Will she survive long enough to put all the pieces together?

What I thought...

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even with this as a second book in the Memphis Cold Case Series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. The suspense and story line meshed well and balanced each other well throughout the story. Bradley does it again with another great suspense novel that keeps you turning the pages up until the end. I enjoyed the various story lines, how they worked well together and all came together at the end. The romance sprinkled throughout was just the right touch as well. 

Would you read it....

If you enjoy thrilling suspense and action packed goodness, you will enjoy this book! Haven't read the first one? No problem! This is a stand alone novel and you can go back and read the first one if this one is already in your hands. If you pick up an Patricia Bradley book, it's going to be a good one.

Revell Reads sent this complimentary book to me to review. Opinions expressed are my own. 

Review of Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan

What's it about?
An up and coming lawyer gets her big break, but at what cost? Prosecutor Kate Sullivan has put in her time and now the biggest case of her career is handed to her. Going up against a major pharmaceutical company has her head spinning and her stress level rising, but she is ready for the challenge. What she is not ready for is the sinister side this case brings. As she gets closer to the truth of what the company is doing, the more the heat gets turned up and the more danger she is in. Hiring a PI to look in to the death of a key player in the case, former Army Ranger, Landon James, steps in and finds himself not only investigating, but protecting Kate as the case gets closer to trial. Who is the mastermind behind the danger and what is going to be the big break in this case and at what cost will it be?

What I thought...
Rachel Dylan did a great job writing lawyer lingo in a way a non-lawyer would understand. I enjoyed the lawyer aspect of how the story was written. Reading about the process and the behind the scenes of a trial was eye-opening and interesting. The story line was a bit choppy in places, but overall, the twists throughout and the secondary characters added a layer of depth that helped the story along. I think a few different times, the story could have been enhanced a bit more, the suspense carried a bit longer as some situations ended abruptly, but again, overall, a great story.

Would you read it?
If you enjoy suspense and a bit of romance thrown in, you will enjoy this first book in the Atlanta Justice Series!

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

Review of The Legacy by Michael Phillips

Nutshell: Loni Ford has inherited an island along with all of it's buildings and inhabitants off the coast of Scotland through ancestors she has never met. Her world is turned upside down with trying to figure out what to do with this very remote place. Over time though, she falls in love with the harsh-weathered island, and it's dwellers, especially one, David Tulloch. In this third and final book of the series, Loni learns more about her past, how it ties to her present and what it means for her future.

What I enjoyed: This book was very different than the previous two. I enjoyed the story-line of Loni's great-grandmother and the history of Loni's ancestry. I also enjoyed the side story of Loni's best friend and her journey of a new change in life. I did like the different angle this book took and how the heritage of Loni came to be. Very well written, very descriptive and overall a great read!

What I struggled with: All the names of the Tulloch ancestors! So many over decades of time that it was hard to keep straight who was from which era of their family. But, the family tree at the back of the book was a tremendous help in referencing who came from who and had which kids.

Would I recommend this book? I would....but the reader is going to want to read the first two books in the series to really understand what is going on. If you try and read this as a stand-alone novel, you will be putting it down in discouragement as it won't make any sense.

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

Review of The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett

Nutshell: Margie Lane loves nature. And she gets to spend the summer living under the shadow of Mt. Rainer in Mt. Rainer National Park. But as she quickly realizes, living in the National Park is a lot of work, but Margie falls in love with the place quickly. But trouble looms as the man from her past is set on taking over the park. Since he can't have Margie, he will go after what she loves. With her new friend, Chief Ranger Ford Brayden they will do everything they can to save the National Park, even if it means putting their lives in danger.

What I enjoyed: As the sub title describes this book as "A Vintage National Parks Novel", that is exactly what this is! Set in the 1920's, this book feels vintage'y (if that's even a word). I have not read Karen Barnett's books before, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I wasn't sure quite what to expect when I chose to read it, but it did not disappoint. With a little bit of romance, a splash of suspense and oodles of descriptive nature, this book was a delight to read. Vintage quaint comes to mind when thinking about this book. And the cover fits right in with how this book is portrayed.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! If you are looking for quick read that is quaint and yet has a bit of meat to it, then you will enjoy this book. A good book to read on the beach, a rainy day or by the fire on a chilly, snowy evening.

Blogging For Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge

Nutshell: Have you read Sense and Sensibility? Well, modernize that to present day and you have this great book! Jane and Celia Woodward find themselves in a bit of a pickle due to their father's choices at work. Their last name has been tainted, and while their father flies off to another country to continue his life, these sisters are now the guardian's of their youngest sister and need to find a course of action and fast! They decide to open a tea shop...how hard can that be? After years of success and making a promising name for themselves, the building is handed over to new management and they find themselves on a new adventure, heading for Texas where a cousin lives. Floundering in their personal relationships, Jane with her new boyfriend and Celia with her broken heart, these sisters learn what it really means to be a family and put family above all else when hearts are broken. Between cousins, new boyfriends, and a man who loves Jane, but she is off-limits, follow this story of the Woodward family to find out how their lives become better than a cup of tea.

Pro's: An exceptionally light and easy read that makes you feel all sorts of goodness inside by the time you are done. Lodge did a fantastic job spinning this classic in to modern day-ness. With a light-hearted plot that keeps you engaged all the way through, this book will be one you will want to keep on your shelf and re-read down the road. Also, the recipes at the end of each chapter!! I will be making some of these...I'm a sucker for recipes!

Con's: Not many! There wasn't a whole lot of characters to keep straightened out and the plot was light and simple. Jane's jump from one guy to another was a bit abrupt, but so goes classics and the time-era this story was originally set in. :)

Recommendation: A definite yes! I'll be pulling out the original to read too as this was such a fun story! If you enjoy Jane Austin, you will enjoy this! WaterBrookMultnomah sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

Nutshell: Lane Kelley is on a new path she has formed for herself. Far away from her family in the sleepy town of Harbor Pointe, Michigan. She is now on a new journey in the bustling city of Chicago working for a fast-paced interior designer firm and she's about to land the promotion she's worked countless hours for. Then one phone call changes her life and she finds herself back in sleepy Harbor Pointe at the bedside of one of her brother's who is clinging to life. She is torn in two between being there for him when he wakes up from his coma and being back in Chicago - so she can flee from home. But then long-time family friend, Ryan Brooks re-inserts himself in her life and she is beyond confused as to what is most important in life. In the end, which path will her life head down?

Pro's: Loved that the book was set in Michigan, my home state! The story was a great reminder that no matter how quirky family is, they are still your family. And that forgiveness can go a long way in healing old wounds and re-awaken new friendships, even among family. I enjoyed the intertwining story lines of the lives of the two main characters. Great story line and a great book overall!

Con's: Very few! There was a lot of family to navigate through and remember who was who and who belonged to who, but the reader gets the hang of it as the book continues.

Recommendation: If you're looking for a book to read on a chilly, rainy day, or while sitting soaking up the rays at the beach and don't want anything heavy, you will enjoy this one! Tyndale Publishers sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl

Nutshell: Kate O'Brien and her sister were brutally attacked one evening and her sister ended up dying. The images of that night haunt Kate. After her court date where she testified against her killer, mayhem erupts in the courtroom and even more people are killed. Kate enters in to the witness protection program and begins a new life in a new town and tries to move forward. But then years later, she is ordered to come and re-testify, drawing back up the memories from long ago. The man who was thought to be her sister's killer has new evidence proving he wasn't the infamous serial killer who took her sister's and many others' lives. One man is there to walk through it all with her. Deputy Marshall Tony DeLuca. He helped her through the original trial and now is back to help her through this walk down a horrific memory lane. Is her killer guilty of all these crimes or is there someone else hiding out there waiting to take her down?

Pro's: A gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy suspense mystery, this is book is for you! It's book 2 in the Defenders of Justice series, but it reads like it's own story, which is extremely helpful. Twists and turns keep the reader flipping page after page in wondering what is going to happen.

Con's: If you have a weak stomach, this is not the book to read, especially at night when the house is quiet and dark. :) It is graphic in nature, even from the start. But if that doesn't bother you, you'll enjoy this book!

Recommendation: A suspense/thriller mystery that has you sucked in from the beginning. Hard to put down. This is not a light, fluffy book, so if you rather read a light-hearted books, this one is not for you. If you enjoy the thrill of mystery that keeps you in suspense, this is for you!

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

Review of Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson

Nutshell: WWII. Best friends Daniel and Brigitte run for their lives to escape the Gestapo who invaded their houses one sunny day. Finally making it to England the 13 and 10 year old become separated. Daniel had promised Brigitte he would always care for her and decades later, he still held on to that promise. Knowing that his life is coming to a close, and needing to know Brigitte is still alive and well, Daniel taps his lawyer Lucas Hough to convince up and coming American journalist Quenby Vaughn to find Brigitte.  Quenby's journey in finding Brigitte becomes personal and her heart travels on a path that intertwines with the past and her present.

Pro's: A fresh storyline that has you engrossed from the beginning. Two stories which become aligned throughout the plot. A fantastic read that will keep you up in to the late hours of the night wondering what is going to show up on the next page. Dobson weaves two lives, two different eras into one story line that captures the reader from beginning to end.

Con's: That the book had to end! There was nothing I would say needs changed in this book.

Recommendation: Definitely read this book. Twists and turns and an ending that you didn't see coming will have you enjoying this book all the way through.

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

Review of Life After by Katie Ganshert

Nutshell: Main character, Autumn Manning boarded a train heading home when minutes in to the ride, an explosion changed the course of her life forever. Being the only survivor of the purposeful blast, Autumn finds herself floundering through life, engrossed in the lives of those who died and spinning into a downward cycle that gets darker day after day. This is a story about a woman's survival and how one little motherless girl reaches out to Autumn and changes the trajectory they both are on.

Pro's: What an impactful, powerful story of seeing life beyond one's own nose and misery. How other's are affected in spite of tragedy. How tragedy can grow something beautiful. How stories can impact one person's life. A beautiful heart wrenching, agonizing story that blossoms in to hope. The words. The story line. Feeling like you are standing on the sidelines a part of these characters. Well written and one of the best books I have read.

Con's: Not really any! It was slightly difficult to grasp all of Autumn's family members. But other than that, a fantastic read!

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of a heavier read. It is not light and fluffy, but a pretty emotionally full book.

Blogging for Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon

This is the 3rd book in the Hope Harbor Series by Irene Hannon. She has sculpted another soft, quaint, sea-side novel that is filled with hope. You can feel the sea breezes as you read about Lexie Graham and Adam Stone and the events that tie them together. Each helping the other, walls being broken down, pasts brought to the forefront with forgiveness as the tie that binds it together.

Mix in previous characters from other books, a taco truck vendor who bestows wisdom and has an uncanny look in to each person's trials and strengths, and a kid headed down the wrong path who becomes attached to the felon and you have the daily going-ons in this small, Oregon town.

I enjoyed how the author ties in previous characters, but they feel new to the reader. Her descriptive words and storytelling keep the reader engaged throughout the entire book. If you are looking for a story that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat, this is not it. If you are looking for a book that is not too heavy and has a feel-good flow, you will enjoy this one.

There wasn't really anything I didn't enjoy about this book. If you need to know the stories of the secondary characters, then you'll enjoy her previous two books, which are constructed along the same lines as this one.

Reveal Books sent me a complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Still Life by Dani Pettrey

This is book 2 in the Chesapeake Valor Series by Dani Pettrey. A suspense mystery novel that will keep you wondering what will happen next. Book two is about photographer, Avery Tate, and her quest to find out about her missing friend who posed in an art gallery photo where she appeared to be dead. Avery and her new friends are on a mission to find the photographer behind the chilling photo.

This book was suspenseful and kept you hanging with each turn of the page. A fast-paced action storyline where a few different plots kept you wondering how each one would turn out. I enjoyed the fact that there were a few smaller spotlights on other characters throughout the book. This helped peak the readers interest in the next book that may be coming in the series. These sub-plots were of a different nature than the main plot which kept the book moving along until the end.

I started reading this book and realized I had no idea who any of the characters were, but was reading it as if they had already been introduced elsewhere. I ended up purchasing and reading the first book, Cold Shot, then jumped in to the 2nd book. That helped an immense amount in understanding the characters and more of their backstory and how they all related to each other.

If you enjoy suspense mystery fiction, you will enjoy this book. Read the first book in the series though....it'll make the second book more enjoyable and understandable to read!

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

Review of Murder Is No Accident by A.H. Gabhart

Sheriff Michael Keane find himself in the midst of another murder. How does the quaint little town he grew up in yet again become the news of murder? Travel with him through his findings to discovery who the culprit is!

A.H. Gabhart does it once again with her talent of spinning a murder tale entwined with a sleepy, cozy town to produce a story that keeps you reading along. Not suspenseful like other novels, Gabhart crafts a sweet story with a splash of mystery, throws in a bit of love and you have Murder is No Accident.

If you enjoy a not-so-heavy murder mystery full of suspense and violence, you will enjoy this book. My recommendation would be to read the first two books in this series. Not only because they are good, but it will help place the characters and their relationships that are already formed.

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

Review of Moving Target by Lynette Eason

What I enjoyed: This books is the third book in the Elite Guardian's series. This book is focused on the characters of Maddy and Quinn. What a great book! Right from the opening, it was filled with fast, action packed suspense and makes the reader wonder how they will find the killer who is after them. With so many well written back stories about these two main characters, it was a great way to tell this story of Maddy and Quinn. Twists and turns have you guessing what is going to happen next and the plot is thick with suspense. This was a book I stayed up late to read as it sucked me right in and took me for quite the ride!

Feedback views: The romance was a bit heavy at times, but knowing these two characters did not just meet, but had been friends for years didn't make it stomach curdling. It was very gory in some areas (for those who are visual readers....it may be a bit much).

Overall recommendation: if you enjoy suspense mysteries, you will love this book! To have a full understanding of this book, read books one and two as that will help (and because the first two books are just as good!!). I'm looking forward to book 4 (the first chapter was amazing and set up what sounds to be another great book)!

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

Review of Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley

What I enjoyed: Patricia Bradley has done it again with another gripping tale of mystery and suspense. A gripping book from start to finish, this story will have you up until the wee hours of the night just to find out what happens. With a bit of romance mixed in, Patricia's story is an overall thumbs up. With action, suspense, a fast-paced plot, this is one book you will enjoy having on your shelf.

Feedback views: it seemed as though this was a second book in a way as there were characters that were hinted at, but the reader knew nothing about. The personal struggle at the end seemed to resolve too quickly vs how it may happen in real life (can't say much more without revealing the end!)

I recommend this book to those who:
enjoy thriller suspense
want a Christian emphasis
look for fast paced story lines

I would hesitate recommending this book to those who:
have a queazy stomach
read only before going to bed (it's a bit graphic at times)

Revell Books sent me a copy of this to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of The Returning by Rachelle Dekker

Nutshell: Twenty years ago two outlaws had to leave their baby girl in the city that they couldn't enter or they would die. Twenty years of heartache. Wondering. Guilt. Prayer. Shame. Thankfulness. Hope. In this breathtaking suspenseful final book of the the Seer Series, travel with Elise Carrington: the long lost daughter who thinks her parents abandoned her. Feel her fear, hurt and pain as she struggles with who she is, why she's still alive and if she even has a purpose in life other than to feel abandoned. With her made up dreams that seem almost real, a battle is being raged between dark and light, good and evil and Elise finds herself the missing puzzle piece to a puzzle that will either finish torn apart, or put perfectly together.

Pro's: Rachelle has done it again. I couldn't wait for this book to come out and I devoured it from beginning to end. What a masterful storyteller she is. You feel like you are walking along side all of the characters. The way she paints and tells her story is like a song that ebbs and flows. So well put together and keeps you moving along until the very end.

Con's: You can't read this book on its own. But you will want to read the other two anyway, so it's actually a good thing!

Recommendation: Read this series!!! It's futuristic, but the struggles are real, no matter the time period. You will not be disappointed!

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

Q & A from the author:

What themes are explored in this book?

Identity is something I am always exploring, so that’s no different in The Returning. But in this novel I took a really hard look at forgiveness and how that relates to our journey of discovering who we really are. 

How do you hope this book will resonate with your readers?
I hope, as with both of the other books, that the reader sees themselves in the characters and that the story causes them to look inward. To ask hard questions like, Who am I? What am I capable of? Do I see myself the way the Father does? Can I? I hope it challenges their idea of identity and then gives them hope to see themselves and others more clearly. Because that’s how these stories have impacted me, and we are all really just the same. 

About the Author

The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. 

You can find more about Rachelle Dekker and her books at http://rachelledekker.com

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Review of Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson

Nutshell: Do you feel like you have no vision in life? Like you have no purpose? Like you have no goals or dreams? This book will jumpstart you in how to realizing what your dreams may be and how your dream my impact those around you, even those who come after you that you don't even know today. Mark Batterson does a great job sucking you in to this book with his vibrant passion in looking for your Dream. This book give you the push you may need in pushing forward in your life. It breathes a breath of fresh air in to your soul and helps you realize that God has not forgotten you and He WANTS to do great things in your life. It may be small things or big things, but ultimately, God wants to use you to do His work and what an honor that is!

Pro's: A great book to read if you need a jumpstart in your life! Mark does a great job encouraging the reader to not give up!

Con's: Sometimes it felt very jumpy, like jumping from subject to subject without concluding one before the next starts.

Recommendation: Read this book! Patterson's first book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is also an excellent book to read!

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

Review of The Cottage by Michael Phillips

Nutshell: Loni ford finds herself as the sole heir of property in Shetland Islands of which she knows nothing about. Should she sell if off to the locals or forge ahead and try this whole land ownership thing? With two sides vying for her loyalty she has to make a decision as to who to trust and not trust. As the only American on the island full of Scots, she learns a whole new culture and what it means being the laird of the island. But the island soon becomes divided when lies take over and turn the hearts of the island people. Loni finds herself falling for this island, for the people, especially the Chief of the island who is slowly starting to steal her heart. Loni's journey continues in Book 2 of the Secrets of the Shetlands.

Pro's: i loved this book! It read so fast despite being longer. Phillips weaves a story like no other where you can feel the drizzle in your bones and want to cozy up next to a fire and drink some tea with book in hand.

Con's: It would've been nice to have more side backstory of Loni's ancestry in the notes written by her family members. That could've been a great secondary story throughout the book, but seemed to die off the further the book went.

Recommendation: It would be beneficial to read book 1 in this series to fully understand this 2nd book and the characters in it. Otherwise, what a great read that is steady and heartfelt.

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

Review of The Occupied by Craig Parshall

Nutshell: Lawyer Trevor Black had a pretty good childhood, was in a band as a teen, went off to college, then law school and ended up in New York City with a trophy wife and part of a prestiges law firm. Life was moving along pretty well. Until things started to fall apart and he came face to face with life unravelling. His marriage, his practice, his life. His eyes were also opened to a side of the world that he had never seen, but was eerily familiar from his youth. The dark side. With murders popping up that all looked the same with sinister evil forces behind them, Trevor finds himself looking not for murderers, but for the evil "horribles" living inside of those murdering. In this twisted tale of heaven versus hell, this gripping tale keeps you reading until the end.

Pro's: captivating! What a great story, and a great story teller in Craig!

Con's: may be on the dark side for those that want something light to read. Demons vs angels are prevalent in this book and if that keeps you awake a night, you may not want to read this. :)

Recommendation: Looking for something a bit heavier to chew on? This book will do it! It does get gruesome and violent at times, but it fits right within the story line.

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

Review of Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon

Nutshell: The youngest McGregor son has secluded himself away at a friends cabin to recoup after retiring as an Army Ranger. His tranquility is pierced by screams in the night which he finds himself jumping to the rescue running through the woods to the neighbors house. There he finds a terrified woman, Dana Lewis, awaking from a terrifying dream. Through this encounter a fast friendship forms. But things aren't as they seem. Someone is out to get Dana and wants her off her property. With Finn McGregor diving in to figure things out, their lives are in danger, but from who they aren't sure...

Pro's: This is the 3rd book in the Men of Valor series and it's a great book to wrap up the series! A quick paced book that keeps you up in to the night wanting to know what happens! Irene does it again  with another fantastic book! You can almost smell the surroundings with the imagery Irene weaves throughout the book

Con's: A bit on the mushy side...

Recommendation: This can be read as a stand-alone book, but it's great as a series too! If you like mystery/suspense, this book is for you!

Revell Publishing sent me a copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

The Raven by Mike Nappa

Nutshell: The Raven has found himself in some hot water with the Ukrainian mafia when he lifted a wallet of a well known government official running for mayor during one of his street magic tricks.  The one act triggers a series of events the Raven finds out of his hands. While he is trying to stay on the good side of the mafia, Samuel Hill and Trudi Coffey are trying to put the pieces together for what sounds like a big event called Nevermore. Leads are turning up dead-ends, but along the searching, their paths cross with the Raven and the hot water he's gotten himself in to. Will Nevermore be a dead end, or and end with someone dead?

Pro's: Another great story by Mike Nappa! A twisting plot that keeps you intrigued and wondering what is going to happen next. With Edgar Allen Poe references interspersed throughout the storyline, Nappa does a great job creating a multi-layer plot that keeps you wondering.

Con's: A bit slow to start, but you can see how the story is being built.

Recommendation: This is book 2 in the Coffey and Hill series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are references to the first book (Anabel Lee) which is wickedly amazing. If you like suspense, mystery, action, and a great book to read, you will enjoy this book!

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

Review of Without Warning by Lynette Eason

Nutshell: Katie Singleton is walking down a new road as part of the Elite Guardian Protection Agency, a group formed and supported by the mayor of the city. On her way home from a job that has just completed, she notices a fire happening in the vicinity of a well-known restaurant and decides to check it out. Upon arriving, she sees it is the restaurant of the uncle of one of her student's in her self-defense class the Guardian's teach. Unbeknownst to everyone standing there, this is just a chain of events that will take place over the next days to try and end the uncle's life. Katie is hired by the niece to protect her uncle, Daniel Matthews, and keep him alive. As she gets deeper into this job, her past, her trust and her heart are all on the line.

Pro's: This is the 2nd book in the Women of Justice series, but can easily be read as a stand alone book. It is a very intense, fast paced story that will keep you turning page after page to get to the end.

Con's: I found the chain of events on Daniel's life to be a bit over the top and unrealistic as to how many attempts on his life there were in such a short period of time. Very suspenseful, but a bit much. The plot of the attacker also seemed to fizzle away as the story went on. I thought that could have been used much more throughout the book.

Recommendation: if you enjoy suspense and mystery, you will enjoy the second book in this series.

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

Review of Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

Nutshell: Dr. Stacy Broussard wears many hats: volunteer airport ranger, vet, business owner, and unofficial foster mom for the 12 year old neighbor boy. She's on the path to adopting the neighbor, her vet business is gaining ground and her love of volunteering at the airport is keeping her life going. Her life takes an abrupt turn when she stumbles upon a murder scene on one of her routes at the airport and all of a sudden everything spins out of control. With being at the center of the investigation she is thrown in to the path of FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc who is a bit skittish around women. As threats pile around Stacy and lives are in danger, it is up to Alex to figure out who is targeting her and how to handle what she is doing to his heart as well.

Pro's: A great story with twists and turns that keep you reading until the very end.

Con's: Started off a bit slow but did gain momentum. It felt like this was a second or third book in a series with how backstory of the characters seemed vague.

Recommendation: If you enjoy suspense and mystery, this is the book for you!

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

Review of An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Nutshell: Lady Georgina Hawthorne is on a mission. A mission to marry with as high as status as possible. This would be the only way to secure her secret. With her beauty and her trademark white wardrobe, she is ready for the Season. With her plan in place, Georgina steps out in to the Season with style determined to catch the eye of the most eligible suitors. The eye that can't seem to look away from her belongs to Colin McCrae, a frugal business man with no social status. He is able to see beneath Georgina's facade to the true person beneath. But she wants nothing to do with him. eUnforeseen vents seem to draw them together, but Georgina fights against being seen with Colin. What her heart truly needs is not at all what she portrays to the world. Where will her choices lead her future?

Pro's: This storyline is well written and reminds me a lot of the time period that Pride and Prejudice takes place. It was easy to picture the surroundings based on other books written in the 1800 time frame. It was a solid romantic book with a bit of excitement thrown in.

Con's: This book some getting in to. It is a continuation of Hunter's first book A Noble Masquerade. It took a good chunk of time to figure out the who was who and what happened in the first book. It would have been easier to jump in the book at the get go if I had read the first book.

Recommendation: If you are able to get past the first few chapters and figure out the storyline, you will enjoy this book.

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

Review of Missing by Lisa Harris

Nutshell: Book two in the Nikki Boyd Files finds Nikki on a new case that involves her friend Tyler. The hunt is on to clear her friend and find the murder who is terrorizing the city. Every suspect is winding up dead and Nikki is on the race against time to keep those she loves safe. With dead-end clues at every turn, Nikki must use her training and grit to be one step ahead of game, dodge bullets, link ties to an underground drug operation and who is all involved.

Pro's: Very fast-paced and keeps you wondering what is going to happen. The twists and turns keep you guessing what is going to happen next. Great plot, great second book in the series.

Con's: May be a bit confusing if you haven't read the 1st book in the series, but the reader should be able to catch up quickly.

Recommendation: Lisa Harris does it again with another great book. If you enjoy thriller suspense, this is the book for you!

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

Review of What Matters Most by Kellie Coates Gilbert

Nutshell: The fourth book in A Texas Gold Novel series takes you to the city of Austin and the world of politics. Leta Breckenridge is barely making ends meet with working two jobs and taking care of her mom who suffers from dementia. With no college degree and working in the floral department at the local grocery store, she knows she needs a break as the bills are piling up. Her luck turns worse when she backs in to a man's car, and with no insurance, she knows she's in deep trouble. His graciousness is a breath of fresh air, only to find out after he drives away that he's a newly appointed senator who also may be running for governor. Knowing she was spared a lot of money, her search for a new job becomes first a foremost. She comes across a job position that she knows she can do, applies for it and is offered the job. This job frees up her finances and the senator is starting to appear on the radar again. With a new friendship on the horizon and a new job she loves, life is looking on the up and up. Only when she realizes that the company she now works for is digging for dirt on the man she is starting to fall for, does she come to the understanding that she has some difficult choices to make. Walk with Leta on her journey where she learns that God does provide even in very unexpected ways.

Pro's: A very smooth read that is a stand-alone novel. Down to earth characters and a glimpse inside what the political world may look like was refreshing. I enjoyed the approach the author took and the plot and storyline were captivating and kept you wanting more.

Con's: The end! It was a bit abrupt, especially with one of the secondary characters having a change of heart of which I thought was a ruse, but it wasn't. That was a bit of a surprise that didn't feel like it transitioned well.

Recommendation: Read this book! A light read if you're looking for a non-deep book. This book has a great story line as do all the other books in the Texas Gold Novel series.

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

Review of Together at the Table by Hillary Manton Lodge

Nutshell: Juliette D'Alisa is back. She is slowly recovering from the recent long-distant break-up with the man she gave her heart to. She's working on moving forward with her life as manager of her brother's newly opened restaurant and freshly grieving her mother's recent death. Her life as she knows it is going smoothly, even with a new guy in her life. The restaurant is thriving, she's in her element, her family is closer than ever and things may be looking up with her new boyfriend (who she gets to work with). But everything shifts one day out for a walk and she recognizes her first love's face. What in the world is he doing in Portland and why is her heart not over him? Journey with Juliette as she discovers what true love is, not only her own, but the mystery of her mysterious heritage and how love conquered all.

Pro's: I was so excited to see the final book in the Blue Two Doors series! The 3rd book was just as good as the first two and I loved how this book wrapped up the series. The characters were people I would love to get to know. The time frame of the book is short, but packed full of depth and keeps you hooked. It's a well written book! I also love the recipes that accompany and tie in to each chapter. I will definitely be trying some of them!

Con's: It took a bit to get in to the book as it had been awhile since I read the 2nd book. You would definitely need to read the first two books to understand the third book. It is not a stand alone fiction book.

Recommendation: Read this series! You won't be disappointed!

Waterbook Multnomah sent me this complementary copy to review for the them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of They Danced On by Carrie Armstrong Gardner

Nutshell: As the final book in The Darling Family Series comes to a close, the reader finds Jane Darling, the mother of the Darlings, and her daughter Laura Darling, as the main characters in this book. Jane is struggling with the diagnosis of her husbands terminal illness and also struggling with God as to why He is not healing her husband as the Bible promises. Laura is struggling with her lot in life and why everything is so unfair and the only thing that seems to help her cope with her life is alcohol. With a smattering of the other Darling siblings' journeys, this book mainly focus' on Jane and Laura and how they each seek and find God where they are currently at. 

Pro's: What a great book to wrap up this series! You feel like you have traveled along with this family with all of their struggles and joys throughout all three books. Gardner does a great job wrapping this book up and bringing closure to many of the characters. 

Con's: It seemed to wrap up quickly at the end. Reading along it felt like there was going to be a 4th book, but then it wrapped up quite fast at the end. 

Recommendation: I would recommend readers read the first two books in this series as to understand what the characters have gone through up to this point in the 3rd book. Those who enjoy series books and sweet storylines will enjoy this series.

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


Q&A with the Author Carrie Armstrong Gardner:
1. They Danced On is the final book in The Darling Family series. How have the Darlings changed throughout series? The books each focus on different characters in the family, and of course the characters each change in some way. But the Darlings have changed as a family too. Grief is chiefly what has changed them: grief over one family member’s terminal disease, and another member’s addiction. In Book 3, they’ve also said good-bye to another daughter/sister who’s moved away to Africa. So lots of changes for this family. By the end of the final book, grief and good-byes
have deepened and transformed them. In particular, the mother Jane grows in
her faith in Book 3. She’s always believed that God operates on an input/output system: if we ask in faith, God will give us what we want. But now she has to face the reality—with all its accompanying pain and joy—that God is deeper and more mysterious than that. She has to grow up. 

2. Life doesn’t always go as expected for the characters in your book (and for us in real life). What are some ways you’ve learned to respond when this happens? Living and working in Russia was a great training ground for this: life hardly ever went as expected there, both in small ways and big. There were constant curve balls; lots of disappointments and also wonderful, unexpected surprises. I learned to roll with it; I had to, in order to save my sanity. When I came back to the States, a pastor friend said, “Wow, Carre, you’re so much less uptight than you used to be!” How’s that for a back-handed compliment? But I took it in the spirit it was intended. I think there are a couple of keys to how to handle life not going as we expected. The first is to get your own expectations out of the way from the start: expectations that you’re going to get what you deserve; that your kids are going to turn out well; that other people are going to live the way they should live. Disappointed expectations are the root of all bitterness. In fact, we are promised very little by God: we are owed even less. When our expectations are low, it clears the way for gratitude. And gratitude is the second key: it has the power to change our outlook on everything. Paul’s injunction to give thanks in everything means that sometimes we have to give thanks even when we don’t understand a situation; even when there seems nothing to be thankful for. It can be a real discipline. Like all disciplines, the gratitude muscle should be exercised during the less-than-dire times. Then, in times of crisis when we need to call on it, the habit will be there. 

Review of Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

Nutshell: Lawyer Eric Nash finds himself out of a job. He heads back to his hometown to take a break, regroup and find his way again. But life comes crashing down as he drives in to town. Literally. Rear-ending a lovely lady was not in his plan. After a heated confrontation with this lady, he heads home to find his childhood home in shambles as his dad has decided to turn it in to a bed and breakfast. And the lead person in charge of the construction is none other than the feisty lady he rear-ended! BJ Stevens has a past of her own that she is trying to regroup from. She was not planning on crashing in to Eric Nash and having another man disrupt her life. With trying to put down new roots in a new town, BJ has to get her heart under control and try to forget about this new guy in town. Travel with Eric and BJ as they wrestle with their future and how what they thought they wanted and needed may be different than what God wants for their lives.

Pro's: Set in a small town, you feel like you are a part of the community of Hope Harbor. With some of the characters being carried over from the first Hope Harbor book, this book still reads as a stand-alone as Hannon does a great job with creating the characters, even ones from the previous book.

Con's: This book felt much slower than the first one with a slower plot line.

Recommendation: If you are looking for a book with a slower pace, well developed characters and an all around easy read, you will enjoy this book.

Revell sent me a copy of this book to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Freedom's Child by Jax Miller

Nutshell: Freedom Oliver is full of secrets. She's living her secret life under the watchful eye of the witness protection program, but no one is aware of that. She has two grown that she put up for adoption decades before. No one knows that either. She gets wind that her daughter comes up missing and she chooses to slip out from under the watchful eye of the WPP and travels across the country to find her missing daughter. Thus begins her journey of running for her life from her murdered husband's family and from the government to find herself in another pot of boiling water with her daughter's adopted family who are harboring a very dangerous secret themselves.

Pro's: A very gripping story! It took a bit to get off the ground, but the backstory was helpful in figuring out the present story. The characters were well described and the storyline hooked you once the pace picked up. The author did a great job storytelling and keeping the reader engaged throughout the book to the very end.

Con's: The language. It was a bit rough and crude throughout as well as the sexual connotations and language.

Recommendation: If you are not bothered by the "con's" above and can read past these, this a very good story and very riveting.

Blogging for Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Murder Comes by Mail by A.H. Gabhart

Nutshell: Sheriff Michael Keane is back in the news again. This time for saving a man from jumping off a remote bridge that the Sheriff just happened to be driving by with a bus full of ladies. Flung in to the headlines as the local hero, Michael lets it roll off his back. He's not a fan of being the center of attention, especially saving a man who didn't want to be saved. When all the hype dies down, pictures show up in the mail of a dead girl and Michael has a very good idea of who the killer is. Now he just needs to find him to put all of the uneasiness to rest.

Pro's: Gabhart does a great job again of writing a light mystery/suspense novel filled with quirky characters and the small town life. She does a great job pulling you in to the ordinary life of a little town off the beaten path. Even with this being book two in The Hidden Springs Mysteries, it's pretty easy to jump in and follow along.

Con's: There seemed to be a few lull spots throughout the story where it felt like something should be happening instead of the story just coasting along.

Recommendation: If you enjoy light reading with a flare of mystery, you will enjoy this story. And read the first book too!

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

Review of The 30-Day Faith Detox by Laura Harris Smith

Nutshell: Finding a way to revitalize your body, mind and spirit all at once? The 30-Day Faith Detox can be your guide. With a daily devotional about different warfares that may be waging against your spirit and mind, and suggestions on how to fill your temple to feel the greatest possible, this devotional/guide can be what you are looking for. Recipes, ways to fill your mind with His word, how to declutter your life and put your focus with your food with all different colors, your mind and your body back on Him.

Pro's: This is a great spring board in to getting back in to the routine of spending time with God daily, eating better and how to detox your body of unhealthy chemicals and thoughts. Every day there is a different reading to focus your mind for that day. I liked the suggestions of eating different colors each week. That opened my fridge up to many more options! I've been eating many less carbs/processed foods and my counter and fridge drawers are filled with more fruits and vegetables than ever before!

Con's: It would've been great to see more recipes in the back instead of eating the same recipe for 30 days. In the beginning the author did say not to eat potatoes or corn, but in the food lists of things to buy, potatoes and corn were on there. That was a bit confusing. Also, giving other options instead of juicing every day for lunch or snack would have been helpful as many people work and do not have access to juicing devices during the day.

Recommendation: If you're looking for a jump-start in feeling better inside and out, this is a great tool to use to help you with refocusing your mind, spirit and what you put in your body.

Chosen Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

Nutshell: On a small island of the Whales Reef is a little community whose link to the past still carries on through the bloodline of one family. The Tulloch's. David is expected to be the heir, the next in line to "be in charge" and look over the small community, but an unexpected twist is brought to light and the unruly cousin may actually be next in line for the coveted title as chief. Thousands of miles away is an orphan young lady who was raised in the Quaker community by her parents that is wrestling with who she actually is and where she's from. Slowly, these two stories, separated by thousands of miles intersect in the most unique way.

Pro's: The intricate detail of how this book is written. There are so many bloodlines to follow, and having the family tree in the front really helps! It was almost like reading a fiction history lesson. Very well written, very well thought out.

Con's: That this story was not wrapped up in this book! It seemed long in some parts, but picked back up in most others.

Recommendation: If you enjoy a splash of history, intertwined stories and wondering how in the world two plots will come together, you will enjoy this book.

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

Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley

Nutshell: In book 4 of the Logan Point Series, Bailey Adams is in Mexico working hard at making a difference in peoples lives as a missionary. With her broken engagement from Danny Maxwell a thing of the past, Bailey immerses herself as a school teacher and enjoys teaching the women in a local village about Jesus. Bailey is asked to escort one of her student's, who is also her friend Joel's niece, home to the U.S. to visit her grandparents for the first time. With plans set in place and one last meal before heading to the airport, life changes in a flash. Not only is her ex-fiance at the same Mexican restaurant, but the local drug cartel shows up and attempts to kidnap her and her little friend. A series of events puts Danny and Bailey back together, running from the Mexican drug cartel, even in the safe haven of Logan's Pointe. Who is calling the drug cartel shots and why are they after Bailey and the little girl she's escorting?

Pro's: Captivating for sure! A very fast-paced story with events changing every chapter. An easy read to jump in to even as the 4th book in the series. Previous characters were alluded to from previous books, but it was still easy to understand.

Con's: Some seemingly very important medical scenarios at the beginning were not so important at the end, and I think that could've been woven through the book better.

Recommendation: A good read that takes you to the last pages hoping for more. If you enjoy suspenseful books, this keeps you turning the pages!

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

Review of Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

Nutshell: Annabel Lee finds herself underground locked in a bunker with a dog she is deathly scared of and supplies to last at least a month. She was put there by her uncle and was told to not open the door for anyone. Not even him. Unless he said the secret code. She doesn't know why she's down there and she also doesn't know there are people looking for her. A PI and her ex-husband end up enshrouded in a cat and mouse hunt along with a man who can't speak and a German with his cronies.  What do they all have in common? Once the pieces of the puzzle come together, a chilling realization is discovered and time is of the essence.

Pro's: A fantastic book!! Mike Nappa hit it out of the park with this story! A thriller, mystery, suspenseful plot that takes the reader on quite the journey. The plot is thick with unknowns until the end when it all makes sense.

Con's: A bit gory and violent in places, but it completely fit with the story line.

Recommendation: If you like suspense, you will like this book. It's not a like a suspense book I've read in the past and it was worth the read! Well done Mr. Nappa! As a reader, I'm so glad you listened to your wife and pastor's wife and kept submitting this book to be published!

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

Review of A Powerful Secret by Dr. Kevin Leman and Jeff Nesbit

Nutshell: Sean Worthington finds himself in quite the predicament. His brother, whom he works for, quits the senate race. Sean makes a pretty bold move in the political world, hoping to win his fathers attention and affection. Traipsing across the world, Sean learns not only about the secrets in the political worlds that could harm him, but also learns a lot about himself.

Pro's: A quick read that takes you to all different climates and countries. A fast paced story line all the way to the end.

Con's: A lot of politics, a lot of affluence that was hard to relate to.

Recommendation: If you enjoy political books, you will enjoy this one!

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

A Fool and His Monet by Sandra Orchard

Nutshell: Serena Jones is new to the FBI Art Crime Team. She finds herself undercover receiving the lost art she has come to love. She is also in search of the person who killed her grandfather, the man who introduced her to art in the first place. She finds herself on the path of looking for two stolen pieces from the local art museum and also finds herself being hunted by some people that really don't like her. Will she recover the art and live to see it?

Pro's: Creative book and creative storyline! A mystery with a slant of art and I liked that!

Con's: A bit slow. It was difficult to get in to this book and I didn't feel captured by events taking place.

Recommendation: Anyone who likes a light mystery would like this book!

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

Review of The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Nusthell: Marie Carrington is on the run. She ends up thousands of miles from home with a back pack, a pocketful of change and at a dead end. She has no where else to go. Sitting in a ferry waiting room wondering how she could buy a ferry ticket, a stranger strikes up a conversation with her and the next thing she knows, she agrees to help the stranger out by landing a short term job as an interior designer.  On the mysterious Prince Edward Island, Marie finds God, her voice, healing, confidence and possibly love. All because of a stranger saw more to her than even what she saw in herself.

Pro's: This is Book 1 in the Prince Edward Island Dreams Series. A sweet story about a young lady on the run looking for herself. Johnson did a great job creating sparks between the main characters and how each of the characters grows past their previous circumstances. A good story about healing, finding trust and what our heavenly Father really is like.

Con's: None really.

Recommendation: If you're in the mood for a light read, this is the book for you.

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

Review of The Calling by Rachelle Dekker

Nutshell: This is the 2nd book in the Seer Novel Series. Remko Brandt has escaped the Authority City with his wife Carrington Hale. He is now a husband and new father. He is also leading a group of Seers who are committed to rescuing those trapped inside the Authority City. His battle with belief grips his heart as he journeys through heartache, anger, bitterness and failure. This is his journey. His journey to find his Father. Follow him as he staggers through darkness to find light. Death to find life. Despair to find victory. Will he find these in the end or will they engulf him?

Pro's: This book captures you from the very beginning. Heart stopping at points, heart ripping at others. This book takes you through the rollercoaster of emotions. Rachelle does an amazing job of storytelling and leading the reader through an amazing story. The details, the plot, the characters, the book. All of it was riveting and brilliant!

Con's: If you pick up this book without reading the first book in the series, you may have a hard time understanding what is going on.

Recommendation: Read this book! Read the first book! Anticipate the third book! Rachelle is a masterful author who has a unique gift of storytelling!

About the Author . . . The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. The Choosing is her critically acclaimed debut novel. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at rachelledekker.com.

Q&A with Rachelle Dekker

1. The Calling is the second book in The Seer Series. Does it pick up right after The Choosing leaves off?
No, a year and a half has passed when we rejoin the characters in The Calling

2. This book is written from Remko’s perspective. Did you face any challenges writing from a male point-of-view?

There was definitely a looming pressure as I started to write the book. As a woman writer, I wanted to make sure Remko felt masculine and authentic, so I was constantly aware of how he sounded, and how he reacted. Once I got into a flow with his character though, it started to feel more familiar I didn’t have to think about it as much. 

3. Remko struggles with his anger often throughout the book. Is this expression of anger connected to his fears? If so, how?

Anger is just a natural reaction to the circumstances Remko faces. Sometimes being afraid

can stir up anger because it makes us feel weak or out of control. This is definitely true for Remko in The Calling.