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Book Review: Deadlock

13 Nov

UnknownTwo murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

d-mills-about-picDiAnn Mills is a best-selling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has more than fifty-five books published.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and is the 2014 president of RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

 

My Impressions:

If you are a fan of fast-paced romantic suspense, then DiAnn Mills is likely one of your go-to authors. In the third installment of her FBI: Houston series, Deadlock, she combines a serial murder case with lots of twists and turns and two main characters with lots of chemistry. This one is definitely a standalone, although fans of the series will recognize characters from previous books. A quick read, it is a novel I can recommend.

Thatcher Graves is a changed man, but his reputation precedes him with new partner, Bethany Sanchez. A seasoned member of the violent crimes unit, Thatcher is not too sure about his inexperienced partner, especially since their investigation strategies are so different. Thatcher is brash and relies on hunches, while Bethany is methodical and logical and a by-the-rules agent. This team could be great or a disaster waiting to happen, especially when the killer puts both agents in his sights.

The two main characters of Deadlock, Thatcher and Bethany, have incredible chemistry. Though logic and FBI procedure rule out a relationship, the reader knows right away that these two are meant for each other. Oil and vinegar may not mix, but they do form the basis for some spicy dressing! The plot has more twists and turns than most novels — I had as long a list of suspects as the two agents. Trust is a theme that runs throughout the book — trust in partnerships, family relationships and in God. Both characters are Christians, but are not perfect, and have times when they express both anger and doubt towards God. At one point Bethany asks God what did being sovereign mean except to make sure the bad guys were handled. Natural reactions in the face of danger and confusion. There is one thing that I did not like about the book. The dialog was often choppy with incomplete sentences that didn’t seem natural — not something I noted in the other two books in the series. I found that I sometimes had to go back and reread to get the gist of the conversations. This is a minor thing, but it did bug me.

All in all, though, I really liked Deadlock and recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE. 

(Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Book Review: Dark Justice

12 Nov

UnknownIf I’d had any idea what those words would mean to me, to my mother and daughter, I’d have fled California without looking back.

While driving a rural road, Hannah Shire and her aging mother, who suffers from dementia, stop to help a man at the scene of a car accident. The man whispers mysterious words in Hannah’s ear. Soon people want to kill Hannah and her mother for what they “know.” Even law enforcement may be involved.

The two women must flee for their lives. But how does Hannah hide her confused mother? Carol just wants to listen to her pop music, wear her favorite purple hat, and go home. And if they turn to Hannah’s twentyseven- year-old daughter, Emily, for help, will she fall into danger as well?

000007026Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling author of nearly 30 books. She is best known for her Seatbelt Suspense®–fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. She also writes insightful contemporary novels, often laced with humor.

 

My Impressions:

Brandilyn Collins markets her novels as Seatbelt Suspense, promising fast-paced and adrenaline-laced plotting with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Dark Justice is By The Book’s November selection. It has been a while since we have read one of Collins’ books, but she is a favorite of our group. The premise of this book is certainly relevant today and is the subject of evening news programs — is our electrical grid vulnerable to attack? Collins presents a plausible scenario in which homegrown terrorists are in a race to bring the United States economy and government to its knees. All that is standing in the way of achieving their goals is a 50-something woman, her elderly mother suffering from dementia and her computer whiz daughter. It’s difficult for Hannah, Carol and Emily to identify the bad guys as they evade capture from law enforcement and gun-wielding terrorists.

There is a lot to like about Dark Justice. Strong characters make this novel. Collins takes us inside a family coping with the effects of Alzheimer’s. The frustrations and struggles are handled realistically and with sensitivity. The terror plot could be taken out of today’s headlines. And I loved the combination of first person, third person and Congressional testimony that she uses to tell the story. This novel is all about perceptions and the errors we make when relying heavily on what we feel or think we know. Hannah’s suspicions seem natural at first, but become a bit implausible as the story progresses. I’ll chalk that up to the extreme fatigue she endures trying to keep her mother calm while evading attacks from all sides.

I’m looking forward to discussing Dark Justice with my book club. Have you read it? We’d love to know what you thought.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: A Cup of Dust

11 Nov

51vBYqTSPdL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_Where you come from isn’t who you are.

Ten-year-old Pearl Spence is a daydreamer, playing make-believe to escape life in Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl in 1935. The Spences have their share of misfortune, but as the sheriff’s family, they’ve got more than most in this dry, desolate place. They’re who the town turns to when there’s a crisis or a need―and during these desperate times, there are plenty of both, even if half the town stands empty as people have packed up and moved on.

Pearl is proud of her loving, strong family, though she often wearies of tracking down her mentally impaired older sister or wrestling with her grandmother’s unshakable belief in a God who Pearl just isn’t sure she likes.
Then a mysterious man bent on revenge tramps into her town of Red River. Eddie is dangerous and he seems fixated on Pearl. When he reveals why he’s really there and shares a shocking secret involving the whole town, dust won’t be the only thing darkening Pearl’s world.

71jLeH3kwTL._UX250_Susie Finkbeiner is a novelist from West Michigan. She is the author of A Cup of Dust (Kregel, 2015), Paint Chips (WhiteFire Publishing, 2013) and My Mother’s Chamomile (WhiteFire Publishing 2014).

She is currently working on her fourth novel.

Susie is a wife, mother of three, and avid reader. She enjoys time with her family, coffee dates with her good friends, and quiet moments to read and write.

 

My Impressions:

Susie Finkbeiner has been a long time student of the Depression-era history of the Dust Bowl, an ecological and economic disaster that decimated the Great Plains. Her passion for the subject is manifested in her poignant novel, A Cup of Dust. This literary gem is a highly recommended read!

The year is 1934 and the setting is Red River, Oklahoma, a panhandle town that is slowly fading off the map. Ten year old Pearl Spence tells the story of her family and town as they struggle to survive amidst despair and the ever present dust. But Pearl soon realizes there is much more going on in the town and her family than she knows, and the truth that hides beneath the surface will change her life forever.

Finkbeiner wrote A Cup of Dust after years of study and research. What began as an interest in her teens, has resulted in a beautifully told story. This well-researched novel made me feel like I was in the midst of the story — I could almost feel the grit on my skin and see the tan destruction of the dust that covers the town of Red River. All senses are engaged while reading this book. The history depicted in the book is compelling and caused me to head to the computer over and over again. Well-drawn characters touch the heart and, for a time, become part of the reader’s life. I was completely pulled into Pearl’s story, feeling the anxiety of a world so different from her daydreams and fairy tale stories. Pearl is a little girl with the little girl desires of a store-bought dress and a candy treat. Yet she is forced into a confusing adult world in spite of her parent’s efforts to shield her from hurt and danger. Other characters are equally compelling, and I am hoping that Finkbeiner will revisit Red River soon. Pearl’s understanding of faith comes from her Meemaw’s love and reliance on God’s grace, the preacher’s continuous message of God’s wrath and judgment and her father’s quiet faithfulness — Daddy’s was a simple faith. He lived it with easy words and the sweat of his brow. I believed God loved that well enough.

If you are looking for a compelling story with a message of hope in the midst of a dark time and characters that will live on in your imagination, then you need to get A Cup of Dust.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Kregel for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

 

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Book Review: A Chameleon, A Boy And A Quest

10 Nov

Chameleon-Boy_PK-247x384A Boy Named Mu, an African Journey, and You

Mu, a ten-year-old orphan, has lived his entire life in the heart of Africa. For as long as he can remember he has served in the household of a great-uncle where he is unloved and ignored. In his drudgery-filled life, Mu has little hope of happiness, and little hope that anything will ever change.

But one day, everything does change. On his way to draw water one morning, Mu is astonished when a chameleon greets him by name and announces that they will embark on a quest together. And what a quest it turns out to be! Mu faces danger and finds unexpected allies as they journey through a fascinating and ever-changing landscape.

A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest blends magical realism with a compelling story. The exciting story line combines an orphan’s journey to find a home with the plight of child soldiers and the dangers of the Ebola virus and, along the way, highlights universal themes of integrity, loyalty, faith, and love. Written by long-time medical missionary J. A. Myrhe, the artful story is laced with subtle gospel themes and handles cross-cultural issues with grace and sensitivity. Kids will encounter good and evil and learn the truth about hope, happiness, and what it means to be human in this page-turning first book in a new series.

JAMyhre-334J. A. Myhre serves as a doctor with Serge in East Africa where she has worked for over two decades. She is passionate about health care for the poor, training local doctors and nurses, promoting childhood nutrition and development, and being the hands of Jesus in the hardest places. She is married to her best friend and colleague Scott, and together they have raised four children for whom many of her stories were written as Christmas presents.

Find out more about J.A. at http://paradoxuganda.blogspot.com.

 

My Impressions:

I loved, loved, loved A Chameleon, A Boy And A Quest by J. A. Myhre! A fascinating look into a different culture, characters that will win your heart, and truth that is artfully related throughout the narrative make this book a must read. Its target audience is children ages 10- 14, but this 50-something with grown kids (and no grands yet) was pulled into the story immediately. So do yourself a favor and get this book and read it along with your kids or grandkids. Just pretend you are doing it for them!

Ten year old Mu is an orphan. His life consists of performing menial tasks for his grandfather’s large clan, jobs usually done by girls. His schooling has been neglected, and he is embarrassed that he has to attend class with babies. Knowing little about who he is or where he came from, Mu never expects to know more, until a small talking chameleon interrupts his morning chores and puts him on an epic quest.

Magical realism is the best way to describe A Chameleon, A Boy And A Quest. Set amid the jungle, savannah and mountains of an unnamed African nation, the novel is full of exotic animals and an electrically charged atmosphere. The characters are real and relatable, even as they include animals who talk and work together to bring Mu to the truth. Good and evil are definitely a part of the book, and God’s truth is woven throughout, but it is a subtle thread that demands that the reader think. Mu’s journey is towards discovering his identity, a place to belong and the love he yearns for. Myrhe wrote this and other stories as Christmas presents for her children as they served on the mission field. I have to admit that the dedication page touched my heart and prepared me for a story like no other. I can’t wait for more from this talented author.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 10-14 (but adults need to read this too!)

To purchase this book, click HERE. 

(Thanks to LitFuse for New Growth Press for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Audiobook Review: Fatal Tide

9 Nov

51Y1criVkUL._SX334_BO1,204,203,200_In East Salem, the elite St. Adrian’s Academy is at the nexus of a satanic apocalypse—and the fatal tide is rising.

When Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights is reunited with the pagans who commissioned it, a dark prophecy begins to unfold in East Salem, beginning with a savage double-murder by hellish creatures straight out of the painting itself. The lone survivor of the attack, a seventeen-year-old Brit, finds sanctuary at Tommy Gunderson’s home—and the place is soon surrounded by demons who seem to be biding their time . . . but for how long?

Tommy’s pond has been contaminated with Provivilan—an insidious drug that could transform New York City’s children into an army of violence addicted murderers. But for an occult cabal in the upper echelons of Linz Pharmaceuticals, contaminating the water supply is just part of an ancient conspiracy against all of humankind.

As the clouds gather, Tommy and Dani realize they must infiltrate Linz and St. Adrian’s to stop the dissemination of Provivilan. Even then, it could take a tangible eruption of the battle between angels and demons to save humanity from the supernatural evils that have been summoned to East Salem.

logoLis Wiehl is one of the nation’s most prominent trial lawyers and highly regarded commentators. Currently, she is the legal analyst and reporter on the Fox News Channel and Bill O’Reilly’s sparring partner in the weekly “Is It Legal?” segment on The O’Reilly Factor. Prior to that she was O’Reilly’s co-host on the nationally syndicated show The Radio Factor. She is also a Professor of Law at New York Law School. Her column “Lis on Law” appears weekly on FoxNews.com.

Prior to joining Fox News Channel in New York City, Wiehl served as a legal analyst and reporter for NBC News and NPR’s All Things Considered. Before that, Wiehl served as a Federal Prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s office.

Wiehl earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and her Master of Arts in Literature from the University of Queensland.

Wiehl is also the author of The 51% Minority, which won the 2008 award for Books for a Better Life in the motivational category, and Winning Every Time.

She lives with her husband and two children in New York.

fea4e03ae7a06dbcacda3210-l-_v192614257_sx200_Pete Nelson lives with his wife and son in Westchester, New York. He got his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 1979 and has written both fiction and non-fiction for magazines, including Harpers, Esquire, MS, Outside, The Iowa Review, National Wildlife, Glamour, Redbook. He was a columnist for Mademoiselle and a staff writer for LIVE Magazine, covering various live events including horse pulls, music festivals, dog shows, accordion camps and arm wrestling championships. Recently he was a contributing editor and feature writer for Wondertime, a Disney parenting magazine.

 

My Impressions:

Fatal Tide is the final book in the East Salem series. The race against the forces of evil that began in Waking Hours and increased in Darkness Rising, takes on a greater urgency as Satanic forces make a last push to wreak mayhem on the world. But the team headed by Dani Harris and Tommy Gunderson are determined not to let evil have its way.

I really liked the time frame for this series. The first book, Waking Hours begins at October, taking advantage of all the creepiness of Halloween. Darkness Rising includes a Thanksgiving celebration in the midst of physical and spiritual attacks. Fatal Tide opens just a few days before Christmas. Christmas Eve is evil’s target date to bring humanity to an end. So if you want a supernatural suspense series to match the season, you should check this one out. The series combines ancient curses, prehistoric beasts and high tech gadgets and expertise to create an interesting blend, and to reinforce that the evil that existed from the beginning of time still exists today. New characters join series favorites in the fast-paced action. And there is no shortage of twists, turns and oh-no moments.

The narrator of Fatal Tide did an excellent job with timing and emphasis complimenting the suspenseful flavor of the book. All in all, Fatal Tide was a great conclusion to this series. Frank Peretti fans should definitely check this one out.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Book Review: The Ology

6 Nov

51OB4-6SxPL._SX468_BO1,204,203,200_In the cellar of the old stone cathedral, Carla and Timothy uncover a life-changing treasure, a carefully wrapped ancient book known as The Ology. What adults might describe as a beautifully illustrated storybook of systematic theology, the kids discover to be a story of adventure, mystery, and wonder that leads them to the truth about God, themselves, and the world around them.

Truth is for kids, not just for adults! So The Ology gives kids of all ages a beginner s theology book to help them understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. The doctrine of God, for example, is presented in the larger framework of creation, where the attributes of God are on display and easier to understand. Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations for use with younger or older children, so that entire families can enjoy it together.

Read The Ology to preschoolers, read it with grade-school kids, and let older kids discover the hidden truths by reading the corresponding Scripture passages for each section. However you read it, The Ology will give your children a gift that will last a lifetime a solid foundation of life-changing biblical truth that will point them to the God who loves them and gave himself for them.

A beginner’s book of systematic theology in the form of a beautifully illustrated storybook.

Clearly explains life-changing theological truths with everyday examples and simple language that kids can understand.

Uses illustrations, analogies, and word pictures to help kids understand God, the world, and themselves.

Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, with built-in adaptations for use with younger or older children, so that entire families can enjoy it together.

MMachowski-337Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over twenty years. He is the author of the Gospel Story for Kids series, which includes The Gospel Story Bible, Long Story Short, Old Story New, and the Gospel Story Curriculum, as well as the Advent devotional and curriculum Prepare Him Room. He and his wife, Lois, and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

My Impressions:

Who is God? Where did He come from? Why did Jesus need to die? These are all questions that my kids asked in their growing up years. And while the Bible is the ultimate authority for answering these and other questions, The Ology by Marty Machowski is a great resource for parents and kids to discover the truth about God. With its beautiful illustrations, the short and on point explanations and the accompanying Scripture, The Ology is definitely a book to add to your family’s library.

The story begins as Carla and Timothy discover an ancient book that tells the story of God. Each story and section lead the children systematically through what the Bible teaches. The book is designed for children and their parents to explore together the treasures of God. There is scripture to memorize, a glossary to explain Bible words, and discussion questions for each topic. Each topic is explained in a general way. For example, the topic of Baptism is explained in its Biblical application with a brief discussion of how churches carry out its command.

The Ology is a good resource and starting point for parents. It’s certainly important to teach kids the truth in light of the world’s opinions and perceptions. Sunday School is great, but real teaching begins at home. In fact, The Ology can be used to expand what your kids learn from their small group lessons and the pastor’s sermon.

Recommended.

Audience: children and parents.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to LitFuse and New Growth Press for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: A Respectable Actress

5 Nov

51lcxid7DDL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_When India Hartley is accused of murder, she must uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.

India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia lowcountry and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

DLove-26A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. When she isn’t busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.
Find out more about Dorothy at http://dorothylovebooks.com.

 

My Impressions:

I have been on a suspense reading jag and in desperate need of a change of pace. Dorothy Love’s latest historical novel, A Respectable Actress, was the perfect choice! Well-researched and richly detailed, this book brought post-Civil War Savannah and St. Simon’s Island to life. I became thoroughly immersed in the sounds and sights of a genteel world struggling to adapt to the new order in which they find themselves. Add a romance and a mystery, and you get a complex book that definitely exceeded this reader’s expectations. A Respectable Actress gets a highly recommended designation from me.

India Hartley is a renowned and beloved actress endeavoring to make a living following the loss of her father and her theater company. She hopes that touring the theaters of the South will be a fresh start for her life and career. But an actress is sometimes treated with disdain and suspicion and could prove the perfect person to take the blame for murder. India soon finds herself swept into a murder charge and left to rely on Phillip Sinclair, the brooding attorney hired to represent her. Desperate to belong, India finds herself once again on the outside feeling the judgment of others.

There are a great many things to love about A Respectable Actress. I connected with main character, India, immediately. The story is told in the third person from her perspective. This reader felt all the emotions — fear, doubts, confusion and loss of identity — as India strives to regain her equilibrium and prove her innocence. India is the consummate actress, and while she is successful in hiding her emotions from others, her true self is revealed. Other characters are well-developed as well. The historical details of the novel ring true. I learned a great deal about the theater of the 1800s as well as the plight of Southerners, both genteel and common, in the aftermath of the Civil War. Fortunes were lost and roles were changed. Some characters, such as Amelia, Phillip’s sister, and Binah, a former slave, meet the challenges with courage and determination. Others give in to despair and depravity. I found the novel also had just the right balance of mystery and history. Fans of du Maurier’s Rebecca and/or the historical novels of Eugenia Price, especially her St. Simon’s Trilogy, will find much to love here. As for themes, Love explores how appearances play a large role in how we view and treat others.

So if you are looking for a book to sweep you away into another world, with great characters, an intriguing plot, and excellent research and writing, be sure to check out Dorothy Love’s A Respectable Actress.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE. 

(Thanks to LitFuse and Thomas Nelson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

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Children’s Corner: Giving Thanks

4 Nov

5115nlrxhuL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_Thankful, by bestselling and award-winning children’s author Eileen Spinelli, combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings. Like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, and the fireman, for putting the fire out, readers are encouraged to be thankful for the many blessings they find in their lives. Spinelli exhibits her endearing storytelling with this engaging poem, reminding children how blessed and special they are. Meant to be read aloud, this heartwarming picture book will be a treasured keepsake for parents and children alike.

eileenpic3Eileen Spinelli is the author of many picture books and poetry collections, including A Big Boy Now, Hug a Bug, and the bestselling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, among others. When she writes a story, she has an instant audience: her twenty-five grandchildren and husband, Jerry (also a writer). Aside from story making, Eileen teaches creative writing and poetry. The Spinellis live in Media, Pennsylvania.

 

 

UnknownLove surrounds you, beauty, too.

Notice how God blesses you!

Clap your hands, shout and sing:

Thank you, Lord, for everything.

A comfortable and relaxing rhyme tells the story of God’s great blessings in this padded cover board book. P.J. Lyons’ engaging text and Tim Warnes’ playful illustrations remind readers how much they have to be thankful for.

31PBIMZlb7L._UX250_P J Lyons received a Master’s Degree in Writing for Children at Vermont College and is the author of The Little Lion’s Bible (Zondervan 2012), The Little Lamb’s Bible (Zondervan 2012), and The Wonderful World That God Made (Kregel 2004). She currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

My Impressions:

Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

An attitude of thankfulness isn’t a one day thing. And while there are some great Thanksgiving books, a book that focuses on being thankful everyday in everything is perfect to have on the shelf. In this case there are two! Eileen Spinelli’s Thankful and P. J. Lyons’ Thank You, Lord, for Everything are perfect for teaching children to look for things to be thankful for in the small and mundane. Fun rhymes and clever illustrations make both perfect for a family read-along. I recommend that you add these books to your permanent collection!

Recommended.

Audience: children 4-8

To purchase Thankful, click HERE.

To purchase Thank You, Lord, for Everything, click HERE.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a review copies. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Audiobook Review: The ABC Murders

3 Nov

As my husband and I make our way to football games this fall, we are also making our way through the many Agatha Christie novels featuring Hercule Poirot. We are endeavoring to listen to them in order, but our youngest son, who has become hooked as well, jumped ahead of us. On our latest road trip, the three of us listened to The ABC Murders. The premise was intriguing — Poirot receives letters warning in advance murders to occur. Poirot is behind the game as he investigates and endeavors to determine the killer before he can strike again. This mystery didn’t hold my interest as much as others in the series. I actually dozed off and missed murder #3! We also figured out whodunit, including the motive, prior to Poirot. Have you read this one? What did you think?

UnknownThere’s a serial killer on the loose, bent on working his way though the alphabet. There seems little chance of the murderer being caught — until her makes the crucial and vain mistake of challenging Hercule Poirot to frustrate his plans . . .

 

 

Are you a classic mystery fan? What’s your favorite element?

 

 

(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Vendetta

30 Oct

UnknownNo one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Person Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels that this case is getting personal, and that she is not the hunter at all–but actually the one being hunted.

 

harrislisAward-winning author Lisa Harris has been writing both fiction and nonfiction since 2000 and has twenty novels and novellas in print. She currently lives with her family in Mozambique, where they work as missionaries.

Visit her website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com and her blog at http://www.myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com.

 

My Impressions:

Lisa Harris is one of my favorite authors for romantic suspense. She combines fast-paced action with a dose of romance that creates a perfect blend for this reader. Her newest book, Vendetta, is another winner, and it is the first book in a new series. Yay! More to look forward to from this talented author.

Nikki Boyd uses her past experiences to pursue missing person’s cases with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Her task force is the go-to team to find people at risk. But a new case becomes too personal as Nikki is confronted with a serial abductor/killer who may be the same man that kidnapped her sister Sarah 10 years before. As she races the clock, Nikki finds emotions getting in the way of professionalism. But is that her strength or weakness?

Vendetta is set in the Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The familiar setting really made this book come alive for me. Characterization is strong, and I immediately felt a connection with Nikki and her friend, Tyler. Their struggles with loss and grief were honestly portrayed. I liked that both grappled with the larger issues of God’s purposes and sovereignty in a world filled with pain and sin. Here is one favorite quote — She realized their questions might never be answered. Questions of how and why. The longing for justice in a world where sometimes there simply wasn’t any. (p. 164). Vendetta can be categorized as romantic suspense, but the love story is slow to develop. In fact, the main characters are unsure of their own feelings. I really liked that too — no rushing an important aspect of the story.

Vendetta is book one in the Nikki Boyd Files, and while this case is resolved, there are still some loose ends for more stories to come.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE. 

(Thanks to Revell for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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