Collision of Lies

By Tom Threadgill

MY THOUGHTS

This was a very well written suspense that had interesting characters, a lot of twists and turns, fascinating plot, and some interesting science as well.

I did put this book down a few times while reading which is unusual when reading a suspense story. It had times when it lagged a bit, but that does seem more realistic than some books where the speed exhausts the reader and makes for a totally unbelievable storyline.

I didn’t really connect with the characters, but I did enjoy the author throwing in their personality quirks.

My one big problem…this book is published by Revell…and at Amazon is listed as Christian fiction. If you are looking for the Christian part, you will not find it. There were so many scenes where a faith theme could have been so easily woven into the story…yet nothing. No God, no praying, just absolutely nothing that puts this in a Christian category. It was clean, and I was thankful for that. However, I like to see faith, hope, prayer and other aspects along those lines in my Christian Fiction.

Also there were a couple of things mentioned that weren’t really wrapped up completely. That bothered me some…I just wanted some answers that were not given. I know that happens in real cases, but one mention wasn’t brought to a conclusion…so just something that bothered me a bit.

So if you like Intense, complicated suspense without the romance and with the action…and like them clean-this is a read for you. I even googled some of the science stuff and shared it with my daughter who is in physical science…that is totally rare. Storyline reminded me much of the author , Lynette Eason, who endorsed it.

I was given this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Their Ranch Reunion

Mindy Obenhaus

BOOK BLURB

Single mom Carly Wagner is surprised to learn she’ll have to share ownership of the home she’s inherited with her first love–and first heartbreak–Andrew Stephens. The man who fled their tiny Western town is back and standing in the way of her dreams to expand her B and B. Now a successful businessman, Andrew has eight weeks to buy Carly out. But Carly’s too stubborn to persuade–and too beautiful to ignore. When fire ravages her inn and she and her daughter move in to their shared property, Andrew’s in over his head. Time is running out and Andrew must decide: leave and chase another deal…or stay and chase Carly’s heart.

MY THOUGHTS

I don’t always enjoy short reads…or romance reads. This book however was enjoyable. I liked the characters ( I’ll admit the little girl in this book stole my heart…so precious!), the plot was Hallmark type but still enjoyable, and the story was quite well done.

This was my first book by this author…and probably not my last. Really thought the book was sweet and well written. 

There are quite a few brothers on this ranch so maybe each brother will get his story. I liked the dad, too.

I received this book from the publisher through Just Read Publicity Tours. All opinions are my own.

Veiled in Smoke

Jocelyn Green

BOOK BLURB

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire–he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.

MY THOUGHTS

A beautifully written tale of a disastrous and difficult time in history. The characters are so real and as the book progresses, the hearts are unveiled as we come to know these characters and watch them grow and learn.

The setting is well done, the plot fascinating and compelling. A story I stayed up late into the night to read and savor.

There was something intangible in this book that just made it almost impossible to put down. Perhaps, like Stephen, I as a reader suspected something. I wasn’t even sure what it would be, yet I knew eventually the smoke would clear to reveal the truth of the narrative.

The history in this novel is fascinating. It was a instant grasp and such a wonderful part of the story to start out with a man from the Civil War. If ever a horrendous and unimaginable story exists, it’s that of Andersonville. I felt like it was pure genius by the author to weave that tale within this story.

It’s a book to inspire to persevere with God…and one I could pick up now and read it again as it’s so compelling. I’d still felt completely riveted to the story long after I had closed the book.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Piper’s Pursuit

Melanie Dickerson

Book Synopsis

A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.

MY REVIEW

Once again, this author puts forth a fascinating YA novel. Though the plot is strong, I really felt that this book was character driven. Seeing Steffan change and grow is a pleasure in this book. He takes a very common route of rebellion against his parents which didn’t turn out too well, but his story is a fascinating one. The reader really comes to like him in this story, and the growth of his character and willingness to admit his faults adds a lot to the story.

Katrina is no damsel in distress, but she can’t conquer the evil alone. Her story adds much to the novel, and the reader definitely cheers for her as she strives to help her people.

Melanie Dickerson writes some fabulous young adult novels that are intriguing and fascinating. They may be just the books to get the younger readers in your home to begin a wonderful journey in the pages of a novel.

I received this book from the publisher.All opinions are my own.

Forever Hidden

by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse

BOOK BLURB

For Havyn Powell, growing up on her grandfather Chuck Bondrant’s dairy outside the 1904 gold-rush boomtown of Nome, Alaska, offered all she needed. She had the love of her mother, two sisters, and grandfather. But now, at 23, Havyn realizes the stability of her life may soon vanish. Havyn is determined to find a way to keep the family together, but her grandfather’s health is declining and everyone seems to be holding secrets from each other, including the handsome, dark-haired stranger who recently arrived.

John Roselli arrives in Nome looking for a steady, consistent job. He has grown tired of the promises of getting rich quick and just wants an honest job with honest pay. His grandfather once knew a Chuck Bondrant, and so when John arrives at the dairy, he’s quickly offered a job–and a path to more if he wants it.

Havyn’s plan for helping out the family means using her beautiful singing voice and her sisters’ musical talent at a local roadhouse. They’re an immediate hit, and it looks like her plan will be a success. But the spotlight brings with it dangerous eyes that covet Havyn and are jealous as she and John grow ever closer. But will they realize the peril before it’s too late?

MY THOUGHTS

Forever Hidden is a sweet yet heart wrenching story of three girls who are sisters. Three incredibly talented and opinionated girls. The characters are definitely what draw the reader in to the pages. They are incredibly well developed, and they each have their own wonderful personalities with flaws to which readers can relate.

The setting of a dairy farm is well done. We have goats that we milk and use that milk to make cheese so I really enjoyed that part of the story. We use to have seventy chickens or so, but honestly I can’t say I was overly fond of them. We hope to get some in the spring, and their mention throughout the story makes me eager to get maybe six. I have never been able to raise chickens for eating either.

Just as in life, there are surprises, tests of faith, forgiveness, and hope. The faith theme is strong in this book, and I greatly appreciated the Godly truths woven in the story. This book gave me the feel of a prairie romance with a bit more realism and Alaska( which obviously isn’t a prairie!) .

I’m eagerly awaiting the next read in this series.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

End Game

by Rachel Dylan

MY THOUGHTS


This book is quite a ride so hang on to your seat!

It’s got a great plot that keeps the reader engaged to the last page. There are a lot of characters in this book, but the author did a great job of giving just enough suspense to be engaged…but not so much that you end up totally lost at the end. Yes, that has happened before. The never ending twists and turns are fascinating, and they also make sense. The plot seems a plausible one.

The characters are relatable and well developed. They don’t get lost in the suspense and drama of the read. I really loved that about this book. The romance was there, but well done not overdone.

I really enjoyed this book by Rachel Dylan. She has become an author I want to follow and must read. If you love mystery and suspense grab a copy of End Game…grab the book and take the ride! 

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Collateral Damage

by Lynette Eason

BOOK BLURB

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others–but her days of helping military personnel are over. She’s got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she’s not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way–terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn’t there–but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can’t take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he’s not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack–and that her secrets go even deeper than his own–Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.

MY THOUGHTS

An intense fast paced read through most of the pages, lots occurs from Afghanistan to Tajikistan to the US. The suspense is held well through most of the book. Everyone from cops, to military, to eventually the FBI is involved in this one.

The characters are quite well done, and I really liked the main characters in this book. Though at times they seemed to act out of character, especially Brooke. They were military, though, so that isn’t perhaps unusual. The plot itself didn’t seem very realistic, and that was really the only negative to the fast paced romantic suspense. For me, the romance wasn’t too much so the ratio that is so frequently discussed about romantic suspense-well, this was just about as perfect as you can get for me.

I really liked how the author wove the faith thread into the book. In a fast paced suspense read that isn’t always easy. It was incredibly well done.

This was a great read that I would definitely recommend to all the suspense fans out there.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

An Uncommon Woman

by Laura Frantz

MY THOUGHTS

I look forward to this authors books every year. They are always a special treasure of a well woven storytelling. This one is no different.

The setting is set so incredibly well done that the reader is taken along on the adventure of those who long ago set off to a new frontier to establish homes, communities, and towns. There was so much danger in that- whether it be seen or unseen-they risked their lives to live differently, to experience a new place, and to put down roots in their own land.

This is the story of a young woman…a sister to five brothers, a niece, a daughter, and a friend. Each relationship is special and each relationship adds another layer to a story well told. A love story that’s so much like any other, yet it has its own difficulties. A friendship that withstands so much sadness and loss. A family that rejoices over successes and grieves over loss.

In short, this story is what makes up life. Our homes, our dreams, our hopes, most of all- our love for our fellow human beings and the building of our lives intertwined with their lives.

So take a journey back in time…to the new frontier filled with dangers of Indians, disease, and the unknown pitfalls that lie ahead. It’s a terrific novel that I recommend…as I do all of Laura Frantz’s stories.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

On Wings of Devotion

by Roseanna M. White

BOOK BLURB

All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed “Black Heart” every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.

Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.

But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.

MY THOUGHTS

I really liked the characters in this read. In general, when reading stories based during the war, I tend to enjoy the history more than anything else. That is in abundance in this novel, but I was drawn in by the characters. Being a plain woman like Arabelle is definitely something with which I could relate. I could also relate to her never thinking a man would fall in love with her. I don’t relate on the family part, but I certainly had empathy towards her as I loved growing up in my large family. Her being so desperate to have a family to love that would love her in return resonates much in today’s society, I think.

The hero in this book is well done. Who doesn’t love a hero that transforms to a better person from the beginning to end? Phillip is a wonderful hero, and his story is the story of many in this world. He’s a multifaceted individual who this reader came to really like. His growth came with trial, and he fought with God. His spiritual journey was incredibly well done, as well.

The plot was a fascinating one, and it makes the book hard to put down. Nothing incredibly surprising, but such a tremendous story to tell. This author is so very good at weaving a terrific story with plenty to keep the reader engaged.

Perhaps my favorite part of the book was the faith theme. It’s strong in this book, yet woven incredibly well within the characters lives. It’s a story of faith, hope, and redemption that’s sure to please this authors fans as well as lovers of historical fiction.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.


The book and its information as well as a signed copy can be found HERE.
Below are links to purchase On Wings of Devotion
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book | Roseanna’s Shop (signed)

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Kimberley Woodhouse

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years and their two amazing kids.

 

BOOKS

TOMORROW IS RELEASE DAY FOR FOREVER HIDDEN BY KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE AND TRACIE PETERSON…BE LOOKING FOR MY UPCOMING REVIEW.

HER LATEST RELEASE

A LANGUAGE OF LOVE by Kimberley Woodhouse
New York City, 1911
A milliner with thick Irish accent and a renowned baseball player with speech impediment meet at the office of a language teacher. But the issues with their backgrounds that first brought them together will also drive them apart.

 

I was first introduced to Kimberley’s books through the amazing series “Daughters of the Mayflower.” She has written four books in this series.

Her books have terrific stories, wonderful historical detail, and a well woven inspirational theme. I love the joy of a good story, and I love to learn about history through a fiction book. If you as a reader do as well, you won’t want to miss her books. One thing I truly love is that the books always have a tremendous faith theme that lends hope, forgiveness, and Christ in her novels.

Below are some of my reviews of her novels in the Daughter of the Mayflower series…


THE MAYFLOWER BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS


I really enjoyed the history in this read. The characters are wonderful, and it helps give a real perspective to what the people suffered that took on the adventure of coming to the New World.

The book is written in a somewhat YA type…for which I’m thrilled because it is a book I can let my teenager daughter enjoy. Finding books like that is really hard to do these days.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend any history lovers to purchase this book and the series!

THE PATRIOT BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed the history packed into this read. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin making their appearances really helps to pull one into the scene and times of this novel.

It’s really a light read which is always enjoyable to find after reading heavy, deep, or confusing reads. The romance was present but not overdone, which I prefer in my historical Fiction reads.

I have always enjoyed this author, and this book is no exception. This book may not be one hundred percent historically accurate, but it opens the imagination…and made for a very enjoyable story. The characters are well done, the plot believable, and the book overall recommended. I’m really enjoying this series!

Received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

THE GOLDEN BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS

The Golden Bride was an enjoyable story with fascinating history. It was an easy read based in San Francisco during the time of the gold rush. The story did a good job of explaining the conditions of the city during that time.

I really wanted more about the characters themselves, but these books are slightly larger than a novella…but not as long as a novel. For the word count, the author did a great job with the story.

My favorite part was the sweet pieces of history from the previous books in the series! What a treat that was… I also enjoyed the strong faith theme in the book.

This is another delightful read in the Mayflower Bride Series.

I received this book from the publIsher. All opinions are my own.

THE EXPRESS BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS


“…at twenty eight, he had nothing to show for himself except wealth. That thought in light of eternity didn’t make him feel like he’d accomplished much of anything.”

This is another terrific novel in the Mayflower Bride series! The characters are so well done and set in a fascinating historical setting. It had mystery, suspense, and a terrific faith theme. All the elements combine to make a book that I just wish had been longer.

I don’t want to say it’s my favorite in the series, but if it isn’t-it’s close! The authors notes on The Pony Express are interesting and not widely known so don’t miss those. Definitely do not miss this next book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series! 

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.