Tag Archives: suspense fiction

By The Book & Page Turners Selection for September — The Living Room by Robert Whitlow

10 Aug

Both of my book clubs have chosen Robert Whitlow’s new book, The Living Room, for their September’s selection. Looking forward to this favorite author’s book.

685620_w185Amy Clarke’s dreams are coming true—and that’s the problem.

Legal secretary by day, romance novelist by night, Amy Clarke lives with a precious secret. For years, she has traveled to a holy place in her dreams—a sublime place she calls the Living Room. When she awakes, her faith and energy are supernaturally restored. And when she dreams, she receives vibrant inspiration for her novels. 

As she begins to write her third book, the nature of her dreams shifts. Gone are the literary signposts. Instead, her dreams are studded with scenes that foreshadow real life. Before long, the scenes begin to spill over into her waking hours too.

As Amy becomes entangled in a high stakes case at work, her visions take on a dark hue—implicating someone dear to her, causing her to question everything. And convincing her to trust someone with his own shadowy secrets.

Things are not always what they seem. But as fiction, dreams, and real life begin to overlap, Amy must stop dreaming and act to prevent tragedy.

 

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below.

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Audiobook Review: The Survivor

29 Jul

333227_w185Is it her next bestseller . . . Or her last words?

In The Chase, award-winning author DiAnn Mills introduced you to the world of Kariss Walker, the bestselling suspense author with a nose for trouble. In The Survivor, Kariss gets the chance to tell her most powerful story yet. But will it revitalize her writing career? Or bring it to a violent end?

Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into danger.

Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss’s new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find out who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold case?

diann-portrait-thm(From author’s website)  Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty 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.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

My Impressions:

I like to accompany my daily walk with a fast-paced, suspense-filled book. Diann Mills book The Survivor, book 2 in the Crime Scene: Houston series, fit the bill nicely. I had read The Chase, book 1 in the series, some months back so was familiar with the main characters. While it is not necessary to read  the first book to enjoy The Survivor, I recommend reading it in order to see the development of the characters’ relationship with each other and with God.

Kariss is contacted by crime victim, now counselor, Amy Garrett, about writing a novel to chronicle her ordeal and to help others face their fears. Kariss has vowed that she will not again put herself in harms way while researching a novel, but Amy’s story seems to have made the wrong people mad. Her relationship with Tigo Harris, an FBI agent, has ended, but when the story research and a high profile car bombing/murder intersect, they are put together again to discover who is threatening Kariss and his connection with Tigo’s case.

Mills has written a puzzling suspense novel well suited to the audiobook format. The reader did a good job of narration without intruding on the story. The characters are likable, although Kariss is a frustrating character. She wavers back and forth about her safety and her desire to defy the threats on her life. There is a romantic thread in the story as well and it develops very nicely.

All in all, I would recommend The Survivor in whatever format you may choose.

Recommended.

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

To purchase The Survivor, click on the image below.

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Book Review: The Brotherhood Conspiracy

26 Jul

443173_w185Tom Bohannon’s discovery of an ancient scroll led him on an international adventure and through mysteries of faith and politics, ending in a place not even he could imagine: the Third Temple of God hidden under Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  But soon after his remarkable discovery, the future of the world changed again.  Tom watched as a chasm tore apart Temple Mount, as new rivers swept through the Kidron Valley and into the streets of Old Jerusalem, their discovery swallowed by an earthquake, crushed under tons of stone and debris.  A biblical prophecy realized.  The final days were upon them.

Wondering how to recover from such a momentous find and such horrendous destruction, Tom’s adventures are not over. No one knows how much time is left in these last days—a year? A hundred years? A thousand? Plagued by murderous dreams, Tom fears members of the Prophet Guard—killers who wear the Coptic cross with a lightning bolt slashing through it—are back and looking for him.  But they are not the only threat to Tom and his team.  Forces behind the Arab Spring have sinister plans.  And underestimating their determination would be a fatal mistake.

Excerpt

5b87810ae7a0b1bcce613210-l-_v234389690_Terry Brennan has had an extensive career in journalism, winning several awards, including the Freedoms Foundation Award for editorial writing. Terry served eleven years as the vice president of operations for The Bowery Mission in New York City and is currently a management consultant.

My Impressions:

The Brotherhood Conspiracy is the continuation of the international suspense/intrigue that Terry Brennan began in his first novel, The Sacred Cipher (read review HERE.) Following his adventure in Jerusalem to uncover the Third Temple, Tom Bohannon is back in New York trying to get his life back to normal. But threats from enemies old and new and the machinations of world governments and terrorist groups pull Tom and his band of colleagues back into the middle of a search that could bring the world even closer to an end.

The Brotherhood Conspiracy brings back characters from the first novel and adds a lot more — characters that include terrorists, world leaders, intelligence agents and academics — all with conflicting motives and plans. The first half of the book spends a lot of time introducing these characters, and I have to say I had trouble keeping up with who was who. And all the characters have an agenda. This complexity was a bit of a problem for me, causing me to not fully engage with the story. All of the groups involved are on a race to find  Israel’s Tent of Meeting. The last half of the book is much more fast-paced. The mixing of historical events with the fictional account gives this novel a real life feel — chilling in light of the  fanaticism and calculation exhibited by the characters. And there is obviously a third book coming up, because there are a lot of loose ends and unanswered questions left hanging.

While I think that the overwhelming amount of plot lines is a negative, the spiritual journey the main characters are on is a big positive. We see Tom, whose faith sustained the group in the first book, suffering a crisis of faith. And we have others turn from skeptics to seekers — mostly because of the faith Tom exhibited in book 1. And Proverbs 19:21 was definitely a verse that kept coming to mind —There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand.

So, I guess I have some mixed feelings about The Brotherhood Conspiracy. But I will definitely keep book #3 on my wishlist. I just have to know how all this will end!

(Thanks to Kregel for a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of The Brotherhood Conspiracy, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Elisha’s Bones

22 Jul

EBEvery year, professor of antiquities Jack Hawthorne looks forward to the winter break as a time to hide away from his responsibilities. Even if just for a week or two. But this year, his plans are derailed when he’s offered almost a blank check from a man chasing a rumor.

Billionaire Gordon Reese thinks he knows where the bones of the prophet Elisha are-bones that in the Old Testament brought the dead back to life. A born skeptic, Jack doesn’t think much of the assignment but he could use the money, so he takes the first step on a chase for the legendary bones that will take him to the very ends of the earth. But he’s not alone. Joined with a fiery colleague, Esperanza Habilla, they soon discover clues to a shadowy organization whose long-held secrets have been protected . . . at all costs. As their lives are threatened again and again, the real race is to uncover the truth before those chasing them hunt them down.

14584Don Hoesel is a Web site designer for a Medicare carrier in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in Mass Communication from Taylor University and has published short fiction in Relief Journal. He lives in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

My Impressions:

I signed up to read and review Don Hoesel’s book Blood and Bone and finding out it was the 3rd book in a series, I decided to read book 1, Elisha’s Bones first. I am so glad I did. I found the book to be a thrill ride a la Indiana Jones, but with one big difference. Hoesel’s characters not only grapple with mysteriously powerful artifacts and enemies around every corner, but with spiritual issues that make the book not just another archaeological adventure.

Jack Hawthorne lives a quiet life as an obscure college professor after giving up an active archeology career following the death of his brother Will on an Egyptian dig. When contacted to do some research on the Biblical prophet Elisha and his life-giving bones, Jack sees this as a means to liven up his winter break while getting his hands back in the game. What he finds are ancient secret societies and modern day killers — some looking to discover the bones, others to keep them hidden. Jack reconnects with his ex-fiance, and together they embark on a wild and dangerous ride across 3 continents.

I liked Hoesel’s writing style — fast-paced and detailed, but not bogged down in minutiae. The story is told in first person with Jack’s emotions and wry humor very much at the forefront. The reader also gets a good look at the other characters through Jack’s eyes — pretty much unbiased and objective. The premise is presented in a plausible and very believable manner. Jack struggles with anger towards God. He grew up with a church background, but pain and loss has caused him to dismiss God’s interest in mankind. He grapples with these issues throughout the novel, even at the most crucial part when God’s help is all he has left. An added bonus for the reader is a little talked about account in the Old Testament; something to get you flipping through your Bible.

If you like adventure, history and a Biblical thread, pick up Elisha’s Bones. And be sure to check back in a few days when I will post the review of Blood and Bone, book 3 in Jack Hawthorne’s adventures.

Recommended.

(I purchased Elisha’s Bones for my Kindle. All opinions are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Placebo

1 Jul

734251_w185While covertly investigating a controversial neurological research program, exposé filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms. After giving up his career as an escape artist and illusionist in the wake of his wife and sons’ tragic death, Jevin is seeking not only answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program, but also answers to why his family suffered as they did. 

Rooted in ground-breaking science and inspired by actual research, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. 

Chapter One

Steven JamesSteven James has penned 30+ books spanning the genres of psychological thrillers, prayer collections, dramas, monologues, a nine book series on creative storytelling, YA fantasy, and inspirational nonfiction. He has received wide critical acclaim for his work including four Storytelling World Honor awards, two Publishers Weekly starred reviews, and 2009, 2011 and 2012 Christy Awards for best suspense. His latest thriller, The Queen, won a 2012 ECPA Book Award and the 2012 Christy Award for Best Suspense Novel. Steven earned a Master’s Degree in Storytelling from ETSU in 1997 and is an active member of International Thriller Writers, the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and International Association of Crime Writers.  He is a contributing editor to Writer’s Digest, and has taught writing and storytelling principles on three continents.

He lives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with his wife and three daughters. When he’s not writing or speaking, he’s rock climbing, playing disc golf, or (shh….) slipping away to a matinee.

My Impressions:

Placebo was on the shortlist of novels nominated for the mystery/thriller category of the Inspy Awards. I was honored to serve as a judge of this category — so many great books! It certainly was a tough decision. Here are some of my thoughts regarding Placebo.

Jevin Banks is an illusionist turned film maker focused on exposing charlatans — televangelists, psychics and now a Nobel prize winning researcher. He along with his colleagues become entangled in a conspiracy reaching from the  boardroom of a pharmaceutical company to the Pentagon and beyond. There is a lot at stake in the research — money, power, and national security. There are also a lot of shadowy characters influencing the action.

I found Placebo difficult to get into. There is quite a bit of discourse on the theory of entanglement at the sub-atomic level. I got lost amid the quantum physics and metaphysical discussions. Finally, I had to skim rather than try to understand the theories discussed and just focus on the action. Thankfully the action took off, and I got into a better reading rhythm. The characters in Placebo are quite interesting. Jevin’s wife and twin sons were killed in a drowning incident that was no accident. It is his failure to prevent his wife’s murder/suicide that fills his nightmares and his waking life. Riah Colette, a researcher with RixoTray Pharmaceuticals is a psychopath who has learned to restrain her nature. Her quest  to understand love has led her to her current position as researcher and her involvement with Jevin near the end of the book. This novel is a thriller and there are a lot of psychopaths — complex characters and motives. At the end of the book the immediate threat is averted, but some of the characters with the least exposure and most influence have gotten away — and I think may make appearances in the next novel.

Placebo is not a book for everyone. There are some disturbing images that ramp up the creep-factor of the book. It is also not a quick read — you have to be willing to invest some time to understand the background of the research and the motivations of the characters. The faith message is subtle, and the spiritual journey of Jevin Banks has just begun. But if you like a gasp-inducing thriller, interesting characters and mental workout, you will enjoy Placebo.

Recommended.

(I received Placebo from the publisher for judging purposes. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below.

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Audiobook Review: Double Blind

21 May

671647_w185Twenty-nine-year-old Lisa Newberry can barely make it through the day. Suddenly widowed and a survivor of a near-fatal attack, she is wracked with grief and despair. Then she hears of a medical trial for a tiny brain chip that emits electrical pulses to heal severe depression. At rope’s end, Lisa offers herself as a candidate.When she receives her letter of acceptance for the trial, Lisa is at first hopeful. But-brain surgery. Can she really go through with that? What if she receives only the placebo? What if something far worse goes wrong?

CBD has a widget that lets you listen to a sample of the audiobook. Click HERE to listen.

UnknownBrandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline “Don’t forget to b r e a t h e . . .“®  Brandilyn’s first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including thePhil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn’s awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice.

Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.

When she’s not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching the craft of fiction at writers’ conferences. She and her family divide their time between homes in the California Bay Area and northern Idaho.

My Impressions:

First, let me say that Double Blind is a fast-paced psychological/medical thriller true to Brandilyn Collins’ style. There are lots of twists, turns and breath-holding moments. If you like your suspense fast and furious, then this is the book for you. The technology in the novel, although fictional, is just a few steps ahead of reality. That in itself is chilling. The emotions and fears the main character goes through makes this a very personal read/listen. Secondly, the audiobook brought a whole new dimension to my reading pleasure. The book is a first person account of Lisa Newburg’s experience with depression, desperation, and hope in the face of grief and loss. The audio-reader captured the despair that has enveloped Lisa. The emotions are raw and believable as heard through Lisa’s voice. Perfect as a vacation read, I literally listened to Double Blind on the beach! In fact I had to hold off the beach service staff from removing my chair and umbrella because I had just 3 more minutes left in the book!

So if you are looking for a great suspense novel, pick up either the Kindle, paperback or audiobook version of Double Blind. Another winner from Brandilyn Collins.

Recommended.

(I purchased an audiobook version from Audible. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of Double Blind, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Truth Stained Lies

7 May

283133_w185Sometimes the truth is crazier than a lie.

Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on local homicides.

When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief … until her brother is caught in the middle of a murder investigation—the victim is his ex-wife. As her brother is tried and convicted in the media, and bloggers and commentators like her have a field day, Cathy wonders if she should have taken the threat more seriously.

Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators, working to solve their brother’s ex-wife’s murder. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear and lack of confidence to learn the art of investigation. But will it be too late to save their brother from a murder conviction, or his five-year-old son who’s the killer’s next target?

terriblackstockphoto3Terri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over six million copies sold worldwide. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in an Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.

Her latest series is the acclaimed, award-winning Intervention Series (Intervention, Vicious Cycle, Downfall).Other reader favorites include her books Predator and Double Minds, as well as the Restoration Series, theNewpointe 911 Series, the Cape Refuge Series, and the SunCoast Chronicles series.

In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re not alone, and that their trials have a purpose.

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as “The 700 Club” and “Home Life,” and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

My Impressions:

Truth Stained Lies is my book club’s discussion selection for this month. Terri Blackstock has long been a favorite of ours and has been a staple on our discussion lists year in and year out. And for good reason. Blackstock always presents a taut, suspense-filled read that keeps the pages turning. Truth Stained Lies is no exception.

The first book in a new series, Truth Stained Lies introduces us to three sisters — Cathy, Hollie, and Juliet — and their quest to find the real killer of their sister-in-law and to prove their brother Jay innocent. They have help from Michael, the brother of Cathy’s murdered fiance who lost his job as a police officer following the acquittal of his brother’s murderer. Now a PI, Michael joins forces with the sisters to make sure truth is brought to life.

The three sisters have faced the betrayal by their father in differing ways — increased faith, self-loathing and denial. The experiences of abandonment by their father and the church have shaped the way they deal with life and the accusations leveled at their brother.  I look forward to future development in these characters as well as more of the same quick-paced suspense Blackstock is known for.

A great start for a new series. If you like suspense, you will love Truth Stained Lies.

Recommended.

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

To purchase a copy of Truth Stained Lies, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Poison

29 Apr

442123_w185-1

Five years ago, Keelyn Blake’s armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father’s frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI’s hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man’s delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

SWAT team member Lee Watson was there that day. He watched it all unfold and was able to pull Keelyn and Raven from the grip of their demon-possessed father. Though partially successful, his team had still failed, and the outcome of that day—and that tortured family—has continued to plague Lee ever since. Though unusual for SWAT to reconnect with survivors, Lee bumped into Keelyn two years after the crisis, and they both found some peace in their budding relationship. But peace is hard to maintain when the memory returns . . . in the flesh.

Lucent is back, and he’s no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven’s daughter, and–Keelyn worries–maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she and Lee can emerge unscathed a second time.

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Jordyn-382a-199x300Jordyn Redwood has served patients and their families for nearly 20 years and currently works as a pediatric ER nurse. As a self professed medical nerd and trauma junkie, she was drawn to the controlled chaotic environments of critical care and emergency nursing. Her love of teaching developed early and she was among the youngest CPR instructors for the American Red Cross at the age of seventeen. Since then, she has continued to teach advanced resuscitation classes to participants ranging from first responders to MD’s.

When she discovered she also had a fondness for answering medical questions for authors, this led to the creation of Redwood’s Medical Edge. This blog is devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction.

Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting and cross stitching.

Jordyn loves to hear from her readers and you can contact her at jredwood1@gmail.com.

Connect with Jordyn:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001524971656
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448455.Jordyn_Redwood
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/jordynredwood/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/JordynRedwood

My Impressions:

Whew! What a wild ride! Poison by Jordyn Redwood, the second book in her Bloodlines series, defines fast-paced. If you like suspense fiction, you need to read this book.

Poison opens several years after the action of book 1, Proof. Although a sequel, I never felt lost. Instead it just inspires me to go back and read the first novel. Keelyn Blake survived a hostage situation in which her stepfather killed her mother and two siblings. She has been successful in getting her life back on track, yet still feels remorse for not doing more for her surviving siblings. Lee Watson was an FBI agent involved in the case and is now Keelyn’s fiance. Both have chosen not to discuss their pasts, hoping to keep that pain buried. But a new crisis erupts causing the necessity of exposure of both their pasts. Keelyn’s sister Raven is missing, her psychiatrist is dead and Keelyn is left with Raven’s two year old daughter. And there is more to come as members of law enforcement involved in the fateful hostage standoff are mysteriously dying or getting sick.

Poison was a book I just could not put down. The twists and turns kept me guessing. And there is a creep factor that was a bit unnerving. This novel is a wonderful mix of psychological thriller, medical mystery and police suspense — a book  for serious suspense lovers — those of us who like a good puzzle, a rush of action and realistic characters you come to love. Evil and madness combatted by the hope of God come together to form a great read!

Recommended.

(Thanks to Kregel for a copy of Poison. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of the books in the Bloodline series, click the images below.



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Book Review: Miracle on Snowbird Lake

23 Apr

lg-9781937756673A gripping and original novel of suspense, Miracle On Snowbird Lake took First Place honors in Deep River Books’ 2012 Writer’s Contest in the fiction category. In a small town, in the shadow of the Adirondack Mountains, pastor Robert Davis’s daughter is abducted.

After everyone else gives up, Pastor Davis goes on searching tirelessly—not only for his daughter, but for a God from whom he demands answers. Can his faith, family, and ministry survive the darkest places of the soul? When tragedy strikes, is love the one gift that empowers courage to face the very gates of hell?

Through menacing twists and turns, this fast-paced read will keep you on the edge of your seat and take you to the far side of God’s providence, as you follow the relentless journey of a man who refuses to give up hope.

Stan_Bednarz-254x300At the end of January, 2012, just two days before the deadline of the Deep River Books Writer’s Contest, Stan Bednarz said a prayer and hit send. Little did he know that his manuscript submission would become a judges favorite; one that would catapult his novel to the top of the heap. With nearly 450 entries that year, Stan’s writing landed him the grand prize of a royalty based publishing contract with Carmichael Publishing (the parent company of Deep River Books), and a book release a year later (January 2013). “Powerful and gripping,” according to NY Times Best Seller Tim Green, Miracle on Snowbird Lake is a novel that is proving to be a “Shack-like” suspense gaining momentum.

His winning comes as no surprise to Stan’s growing fan base from sites such as Faithwriters.com where he was the Editor’s Top Ten Pick three times for his short stories advancing him to a Mastery Level qualifier. He was also nominated by fans six times in a one-year span at Fanstory.com for the Book Chapter of the Month award; a site where he took 2nd Place as a new arrival for his short stories.

My Impressions:

Child abduction is a hard subject to write and maybe a harder subject to read. Miracle on Snowbird Lake is the second book I have read this year focusing on a parent’s reaction to that situation.  Stan Bednarz’s offering is a story that resonates the truth, the anguish and the horror of the nightmare of every parent. The book opens with the last few moments that Robert spends with his daughter Annie. The rest of the book follows his search for truth, justice and perhaps vengeance. It is also a book about what faith looks like in the face of terrible circumstances.

Is God silent in the aftermath of tragedy? Or are we just too shell-shocked to hear His voice? Miracle on Snowbird Lake examines this. It also looks at a life and spirit that refuses to bend to evil, but chooses to continue to live a selfless life. This is a debut novel, so there are a few wrinkles in the telling, but by and large it portrays emotions and reactions realistically. Its strength lies in the vivid description of the world surrounding the action. It really is an atmospheric novel.

I expect and look forward to more stories from Stan Bednarz.

Recommended.

(I received this book from Bring It On! Communications in return for a review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Stress Test

11 Apr

687083_w185They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.

Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt’s only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he’s being charged with murder.

Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can’t walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.

Matt’s career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he’s a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

RMabry-120A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

My Impressions:

If you like quick-paced suspense, then Dr. Richard Mabry’s Stress Test is for you. The novel opens with a bang and the stress on the main character, Dr. Matt Newman, doesn’t let up until the very end. Matt finds himself in the middle of a bewildering murder case. The bad guys are out to get him and it seems the good guys are as well. With his brother far away on the mission field and the desertion of his girlfriend and most of his friends and colleagues, Matt has to rely on God and his lawyer — neither of which comes naturally, but he soon finds that is all he’s got.

I liked the blending of the murder/kidnapping story, which is suspenseful enough, and Matt’s role as an ER doctor. The contrast of the life and death struggle of survival for Matt and his dedication to save his patients added something special to this story. The characters’ motivations were interesting, and I actually looked forward to the scenes involving the bad guys! My husband picked the novel up after I was finished, and was soon engrossed in Matt’s struggle — proving this book is for anyone who enjoys a puzzling mystery or a page-turning plot.

Recommended.

(Thanks to LitFuse and the author for a copy of Stress Test. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below.


Richard Mabry is celebrating the release of Stress Test with a Nook HD Giveaway! Enter today.

Stress-Test-giveaway300

One winner will receive:

  • A brand new Nook HD
  • A $15 gift certificate to BarnesandNoble.com

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 27th. Winner will be announced on 4/29/13 at Richard’s blog.

 

 

TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

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