Review of A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

Penelope Hunter its trying to pave a new path for herself after her life fell apart with a botched wedding. Now an event planner, she seems to be making a way for herself. Until her ex-fiance and his new soon-to-be-wife walk in and want her to plan the venue for the wedding. To add on to that, she receives a call from one of her top clients that they are going to pull their reservation because of rumors circling about herbest friend, who is running for sheriff, and his family's loyalty to their great city of Savannah. While Penelope and Tucker, her best friend, try to clear his name and she tries to save her job, something else may be sparkling underneath that may catch them both by surprise.   

Liz Johnson crafts a fun, loving story about friendship and what friends do for each other no matter what. This was a great reminder to stand by those you love. Liz did a great job weaving a multi-leveled story line that kept the reader intrigued enough to keep flipping the pages and whimsical enough to keep it light-hearted. With pulling in very minor characters from previous books, I liked how she threw nuggets to the reader about her previous stories and had those characters pop up in this book. You don't need to read the other books to understand this one, but you will gain a bit of backstory from the other characters who are minor in this book (but major in the other books). This is a fun, delightful read!

Revell Books sent me this copy to review in exchange for my opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

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.

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.

Review of Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner

The 1960's brings Betty Sweet living the life she wasn't expecting. At 40 she finds herself a widow with not knowing what to do next. Her sister shows up on her doorstep after not seeing her for years needing a place to stay. As is the little boy, her nephew, who she didn't know. Through the use of stories of her past, she bonds with her nephew as well as brings to light glimpses of her childhood that she forgot about.

Susie does a spectacular job weaving history, family bonds, sisterhood and what a little dark-skinned boy growing up in a white world in the 1960's looks like. How family protects, walks along side and stands next to each other during the most difficult times. She shows how important stories are in not only sharing with others, but how passing them along to the next generation preserves the history of family. How stories bind people together. What a fantastic story that brings warmth to the heart and yet aches because of the world we live in. It was hard to put this book down as it draws you in to the characters who feel like the neighbors down the street who you want to sit and have a cup of tea with.

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

Review of Standoff by Patricia Bradley

Brooke Danvers is following in her father's footsteps in the law enforcement field. What makes her even more determined to make him proud is figuring out who killed him. Luke Fereday is back in town as an undercover cop who is deep in the trenches of a drug ring. What was once a budding relationship years before is reignited as Brooke and Luke try to solve a murder and bring down a drug ring. But will their friendship stand the test of time and will they stay alive long enough for that to even happen?

This is book one in a new series by Patricia Bradley. A story that is laced with several characters, a fast moving plot line and the all-time favorite of whodunnit. Bradley delivers a good solid plot line that keeps the reader interested. With up front action in the first couple of chapters, the reader is trying to figure out who the mysterious character is. The book takes you on a journey right up until the very quick ending that leaves you ready for the next book to come out. It did take a bit to sort out all the characters who were introduced, but they all fell in to place and kept the readers mind moving throughout the story.

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

Review of Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

Hadley Beckett is a no nonsense chef who loves to cook, use lots of butter and sweet talks her southern charm in to her audience's homes. After a cooking competition she and another top rated chef went head to head on, she discovered Chef Maxwell Cavanagh, who she looked up to, actually grates on her nerves and sours her stomach at the mention of his name. After Max's fall from chef stardom, he and Hadley find themselves with an opportunity of a lifetime. One of which could boost Hadley in to the top spotlight and get Max back on the cooking show map. But will these two chef's from different worlds end up singeing each other's opportunities or will a friendship bubble up that stands the test of the kitchen...and time?

Bethany Turner dishes out another fun story that had me reading this book in record time. A great read for a rainy day that transports you to the mainstay throughout the entire book: the kitchen. Where tempers are lost, apologies are given, conversations are deepened and friendships are born. This novel was all of those and more. A light-hearted read with a bit of depth that can be taken to heart. Even though this was fiction, the important concept that food brings people together is truth through and through. Bethany does a stellar job weaving the importance of food throughout the story and does a fantastic job with the characters development and plot. A witty, fun, great read that just is a make-you-feel-good book when you're done with it.

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

Review of Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill

Small crimes police officer Amara Alvarez finds herself in the midst of an investigation that was a closed case three years prior. But one conversation throws her in to second guessing if the bus that was hit by a train actually killed all the children inside of it. Did something more sinister take place that even the FBI missed?

This book was amazing!! This was my first book by Tom Threadgill and it did not disappoint. What a web of a plot that has you thinking the book is going to go one way and it takes a hard left and goes a completely different direction! The intricacy of details and how they piece together is so specific and the scientific explanations behind the plot activate a part of the brain that forces you to slow down and try and understand what you are reading because you don't want to miss a single detail. The characters are easy to follow as they are added to throughout the book instead of all at once. The story builds upon itself and gains steam with each passing page right up until the very end.

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

Review of Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard

Harper Reynolds is on a year long vacation with your sister traveling the country in their souped up Airstream. The last stop on their trip before heading home is Grayback, Wyoming where the sisters grew up. This vacation of healing turns deadly as Harper witnesses a murder through the lens of her camera while taking pictures of a bear. As a former crime scene photographer, it was this exact thing she was trying to heal from. As the murder unfolds before her eyes, the murderer sees her and she runs for her life, losing her camera and her memory card which hold all the evidence. Heath McCade, Harpers best friend growing up, re-enters her life as her rescuer but also is assigned to protect Harper as it appears her life is now in danger. With everything safe unraveling around the two of them, they are in a chase against time looking for a murderer and a bomber who is escalating.

This is book 2 in the Uncommon Justice Series by Goddard. She does a great job of keeping the interest of the reader throughout her story, building off the first book and continuing shining the spotlight on the McCade family. Though the first book does not need to be read to understand this book, it is still a great book to read. Goddard weaves a suspenseful tale and keeps you guessing who "the judge" may be. The main characters have depth with the supporting characters feeling just as important. The characters coupled with the descriptive writing makes for a great book to read.

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

Review of Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon

When former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan finds clues that an old army buddy may be in trouble, he goes on the hunt to find him. He enlists the help of PI Heather Shields to unweave what is becoming a very sticky situation that seems to be tied up in politics and cover-ups.

In book three of the Code of Honor series, Hannon does a great job weaving a suspenseful story line that keeps the reader engaged all the way until the end. With drama and fast paced action throughout the entire story, this book is a hard one to put down. This can be read as a stand-alone book, but reading books one and two will add just a bit more depth to the story that if it is read by itself. With Hannon's trademark suspense, this book will not disappoint Hannon fans in the least.

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

Review of Unscripted by Davis Bunn

Movie producer Danny Byrd has had his life turned upside down when his best friend ran off with all his money. But an unexpected surprise has him back in the movie game and that surprise is Megan Pierce. How will these two broken people find healing through the makings of a movie?

Bunn brings a legal drama to light in this fantastically written story. In the fast paced legal light of Hollywood and the cut throat industry whom everyone is trying to make their name in, Bunn develops two characters who defy the odds. With a great story line that keeps the reader interested with a splash of mystery and a dash of romance, any reader would enjoy this book. With the legal aspect present throughout the entire book, even the lawyer enthusiasts would enjoy Bunn's book where the story line is woven masterfully.

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

Review of The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker

The red rope is there for a reason. To protect the outside world from coming in. Fear is what keeps you safe. These rules are what Grace, her mother and brother live by. Since moving to Haven Valley, Grace tries to live perfectly every day because she and the entire community are the chosen ones, the bride of Christ, the safe ones whom God has chosen to rescue the world. As Grace comes face to face with the past and her future, she has to make the choice which will alter her entire life and the life of the community.

This Dekker duo has written a phenomenal book that everyone needs to read. With page turning suspense and heart wrenching sadness, these two have created a book that would be hard for anyone to put down. Masterfully written with unique characters, setting and plot, the reader is transported to a community where fear is the only way to live. With threads about forgiveness, grace and love this book will take you on a journey that will open your eyes to things unseen and what fear can actually do to your soul.

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

Review of Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano

Who is Lady Enderly? Raina Bretton would like to find out this answer. As a woman who sells rags on the street as a living, Raina is approached by a man who can save her from the streets and give her everything she could ever want. The only caveat is she has to pretend to be someone she's not. The infamous Lady Enderly. But at what cost is she willing to trade her identity?

Davidson-Politano sculpted a story-line that was interesting and unique. With her descriptive words and style, she was able to capture the expressions and grandeur of the surroundings of Lady Enderly. What a great story of twists and turns, especially the second half where it seems the mystery of the main characters is stepped up a notch and keeps the readers engaged until the very end. Davidson-Politano does a great job transporting the reader back to the time of castles, balls and house staff that keep secrets.

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

Review of A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

When Anne Norris moved to GA, it was to get as far away from her past as she possibly could. Determined to start fresh and try to erase a life-changing event, Anne finds herself living paycheck to paycheck running her own business taking people on pirate tours. When she lands a discovery which looks like it came from a pirate ship, she finds herself at the local museum talking to the director, Carter Hale. Carter is on his own mission of landing a job in a big museum someday and sees Anne's find as what can take him to the next career step. Walk along with Anne and Carter as they go ship hunting but also encounter who is it God made them to be.

This is the second book in the Georgia Coast Romance series by Liz Johnson. What a sweet story with a bit of mystery and adventure thrown in. Johnson did a great job weaving together two very different characters in to one story that shows how strong family ties are, what forgiveness looks like and how being brave happens in even the small choices. This was a great read for a lazy day in the hammock where you can feel the ocean breezes and sway to the ships rise and fall as the story with in the story takes the reader back to pirates battling merchant ships. A great read for sure!

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

Review of Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

Is it her imagination or are the people on Caitlyn's team dying one by one unexpectedly? When she starts asking questions about these deaths, her life all of a sudden becomes a target. So she goes to the one person who she thinks she can trust, detective Josh Solomon. Josh is hesitant to help Caitlyn as his wife was one of those team members who died. But as they dig deeper in to the deaths, ugly truths start to become more evident, even within Josh's own department. With no one to trust, Josh and Caitlyn try and stay one step ahead of who ever is out to kill them before they are silenced forever.

In this suspense packed story, Harris weaves a thriller that is hard to put down. Using descriptive story writing, you feel like you are right next to all the action as it takes place. Harris takes you on a fast paced journey with the characters as they race against the clock. She has written another great book that keeps you flipping the pages right to the end. If you enjoy thrilling suspense novels, this is the book for you!

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

Review of Vow of Justice by Lynette Eason

In book 4 of the Blue Justice series, the spot light is on FBI Special Agent Linc St. John and his partner Allie Radcliffe. When Allie is thought to be dead, Linc goes on a hunt for the killer only to find that she is actually alive. Linc and Allie are on the hunt to bring down this killer, but someone is also on the hunt to kill them as well. In this twist and turn adventure, who will come out alive in the end?

Eason did a great job once more spinning a tale of suspense, romance and mystery in this novel. It reads well as a stand alone novel even though it is part of the series. The series is based on different members of one family and Eason does a great job keeping the spotlight on the main character. With plot twisters and action-packed pages, this book will keep you up in to the night so you can get to the end and find out what happens! The story-line is fast-paced and Easton did a great job keeping the reader engaged from the beginning to the end.

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

Review of The String by Caleb Breakey

The Conductor is in charge of all those he chooses. Markus Haas is now one of his players, but bucks against everything the Conductor wants him to do. Markus, the campus cop that law enforcement doesn't really believe in, takes it upon himself to track down who the conductor is before time runs out and those he loves are killed. 

This story was intense!! From the opening chapter, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to read it, but yet, I could not put this book down. Not one I could read at night thought. Filled with suspense like I haven't read before, this book grips you page after page. I had to slow myself down several times so I wouldn't miss anything. Graphic at times with the violence, but this story was riveting, creative and unbelievable good. Caleb Breakey knocked it out of the park with this fantastic masterpiece! Talk about a page turner that gives you chills but yet you just have to find out what happens.

If you enjoy intense suspense, you will love this book. A page turner that will make your insides knot and unknot time after time. And this is book 1! I can't wait for the 2nd one to come out!

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

Review of Light from Distant Stars by Shawn Smucker

Cohen Marah's life starts to relive itself after he finds his father bleeding on the floor of their business. Events from the past start to blend in with every day life and he begins to piece it all together to make sense of everything. He lives the past and the present all at the same time in trying to figure out what happened to his father.

Shawn Smucker wrote an excellent story. Full of color and darkness, light and forgiveness. The back of the book says "Master story weaver" and this is 100% accurate. What a story! Chalked full of what family really looks like, what forgiveness looks like, what love looks like. It's not all pretty, tied up with a bow. It's messy and hurtful and raw, yet beautiful, meaningful and redemptive. Smucker does an exceptional job with this story of what true redemption looks like. From the characters to the story line that jumps from the past to the present, he created a work of art in this book.

I think anyone would enjoy this book. With a bit of good vs. evil in there and light vs. darkness, it makes for a capturing read that you won't want to put down.

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

Review of All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner

Set during the Vietnam War, Annie Jacobson's life is about to change forever. With her brother deployed to the war and her estranged father showing up in her life after leaving years earlier, Annie is on a journey that will change her life forever.

When I started reading this book, the phrase that kept coming to me of how it was written was: lyrical. There is a certain type of lilt to how Susie writes her books that seems whimsical, but yet something hidden just beneath the words that takes you on the journey of the characters. There's a mysterious depth to how she weaves the story and a thread that holds the story together when at the end a beautiful picture is created. I thoroughly enjoy Susie's writing as it is fresh but yet poignant and still down to earth. I enjoy how the characters were developed throughout as you feel like you could've been friends with them. Great job Susie!!

Revell Books sent me this copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own. And I strongly encourage you to read this book and Susie's other books. Check out her website here!

Review of Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner

Cadie has her list of what her dream guy would look like. Then she banishes the list and thinks no one is out there for her. Then Will enters her life. And he becomes everything she ever thought until one misunderstanding. One mistake. One journey that took a hard turn and Cadie found herself on a different path of learning who she was, how to allow God to forgive her, how to forgive herself and how to move on from life choices.

Bethany Turner does it again. The first thing I noticed about this book was the cover. I knew I wanted to read it based solely on the cover. And having read Bethany's previous book, I knew this one would not disappoint. With a whimsical writing style, Bethany takes a situation that can have devastating affects on the heart, on relationships, and on ones self and turns it into a redemption story of how God forgives us. This story is so down to earth, so "normal", so every day living. And it's amazing. I really did not want this book to end as it just made your heart feel good. You found yourself rooting for the characters to figure it out because you just know they can and restoration CAN happen. What a great book to remind the reader that no matter the mistake, the misunderstanding, the hurt, that God ultimately wants you to draw close to him and he wants to restore and redeem.

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

Review of Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Imagine battling your own mind and trying to hold it all together for everyone around you. This is the life for Lane Kent. Her husband has died, her father is holding it over her head, she's running a cafe, and she finds a dead body of a teenage girl. As Lane battles her own demons, she is forced to work with the new deputy in town, Charlie Lynch. As the plot thickens and those she loves become in danger, the hunt is on for the killer who is wreaking havoc on an entire town.

This is the first book I have read by Natalie Walters and it did not disappoint! This was book one in the Harbored Series. What a fantastic story line with amazing characters and a plot that just keeps twisting throughout. It was link a layer was added on to another layer and then another and soon you have a depth to a mystery that you hope gets solved by the end! The element of romance, of forgiveness, of faith and of struggles that people face daily in the real world were all balanced just right throughout this book. It was a hard to put down and I grabbed it every chance I got to find out what happened next! I look forward to book 2 when it comes out!

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