The Prophet Book Review

Book One

SUMMARY:  Platitude is a sleepy little town nestled in the mountains right in the middle of nowhere.  Lightning bugs tease the children on long summer nights, the sweet scent of lavender fills the spring air, and demons swarm the town, blocking out the sun.  Their goal is to ensure an entire generation is lost to the lies of darkness.

     Aegeus, a warrior of the King, has been assigned to lead a team of angels to Platitude.  But this mission is unlike any mission they have ever undertaken.  Each of the twelve humans carries burdens deep within their souls, and one of them is rumored to be a prophet.

     To help the twelve, discover who they really are, Aegeus must embark on his own journey of self-discovery.  Soon, it becomes clear that the humans are not the only ones being hunted and destroyed.  The fate of Aegeus himself may lie in the hands of the very human he was sent to protect.

REVIEW:  If you like Frank Peretti's novels Piercing the Darkness and This Present Darkness, you will enjoy reading The Prophet.  It is the first book by new author Dr. Ande Edwards.  The story is divided between the spiritual realm and the physical one.  Angels have been put in charge of twelve humans who are charged to help Christians fight against the dark forces of evil.  Only thing is: the humans don't know this is their job.  As they deal with difficulties on the college campus where they work and study, the twelve find strength in each other, their faith and, most importantly, prayer.  There were times when the story switched from the human realm to the angelic and back that made it a little harder to adjust.  But the longer I read, the more accustom I became to the switch.  Also, the humans are only referred to by a number (One, Three, Twelve, etc.) instead of their names.  It would have been nice to have a List of Characters to help me remember which person held which job and how they were connected to each other. There were a few times it would have been helpful when important events occurred to help keep the characters straight in my mind.
     I really enjoyed reading this book.  Ande Edwards did an excellent job.  I look forward to the second novel and the rest of the books in this series.  Hope it's not a long wait.

This book was provided by a family member of the author. 

 I was asked to post an honest review of it.

Dr. Ande Edwards is a bit of a mess.  She is an artist living in a cupcake-loving scientist's body.  Ande has always loved writing and photography.  But somehow, through the crazy sort of path only God can steer you down, she ended up studying the sciences.  The idea of writing a book was far from view.  She discovered Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker long after the rest of the world, but they inspired her to consider the spiritual realm in a different way.  She seeks to explore the spiritual battle that rages around us through the eyes of an artist and a woman of faith and science.  You can follow Ande on Facebook and Twitter.

Gathering the Threads Book Review

The Amish of Summer Grove Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Finally back in the Old Order Amish world she loves, will Ariana's new perspectives draw her family closer together - or completely rip them apart?

     After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised.  Yet her excitement is mixed wit an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she's learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community.  Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana's Daed doesn't understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority.  Will she sow seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family?

     Meanwhile, Skyler Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana's arrival threatens to unravel Skylar's new identity - and her sobriety.  Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities closer to His heart.  

     Gathering the Threads is the third and final novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

REVIEW:  Cindy Woodsmall does a phenomenal job bringing an end to Ariana and Skylar's stories and all the intricacies involved with these families.  There were times when I wondered what choices Ariana would make and how it would play out.  When I thought I might have it figured out, the author would throw something else in play to change my thinking.  Skylar was a hard one to love all throughout the series.  Her animosity towards the parents that raised her, her biological parents and Ariana was exhausting.  But, I love how she grew as a woman, when she let God work in her heart and learned from those around her to become a better person.  Ariana also had some difficult choices to make.  The decisions she made were ones that causes her some pain but I love how they were perfect for her. 
     This is an amazing series. The books must be read in order as each one builds on the previous story.  The details that the author goes into were difficult to follow at times because there were so many moving parts but all were very important to the end game and makes for a fantastic read.  I highly recommend this series.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review without any compensation.

Cindy Woodsmall is the New York Times and CBA best-selling author of early twenty works of fiction and non-fiction with more than a million copies sold.  Her connection with the Amish community has been featured in national media outlets such as ABC's Nightline, the Wall Street Journal, and a National Geographic documentary on Amish life.  Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.

Jane of Austin Book Review

A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility

SUMMARY:  Just a few years after their father's business scandal shatters their lives, Jane Woodward and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop.  The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister, Margot, and Jane's tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

     But life in Austin isn't all sweet tea and breakfast tacos.  Their unusual living situation is challenging, and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia.  When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the charm grows deeper.

     While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune - retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett.  Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected - Texas.

     In this modern spin on the Austen classic Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn't so far away.

REVIEW:  When I read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen the first time, I found it difficult due to the 18th century writing and language.  Throw in some dry British humor and it took me MUCH LONGER to finish than usual.  After watching the movie staring Kate Winslett, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman about a thousand times :-D I understood it a lot better the second time.  So, when I got the opportunity to read this modern retelling of one of my favorite movies, I couldn't resist.  It also helped that it was written by one of my new favorite authors.

     Jane of Austin was a delight to read!!!  I didn't want to put it down but my boss and family insisted I do the jobs I'm supposed to do.  It was MUCH easier to read and comprehend than the original.  I fell in love with the characters, cried when they cried, laughed when they laughed, and smiled at all the happy parts.  Jane, or Marianne, is the main character.  I liked seeing everything from her point of view.  It helped me understand the original character's actions, reactions and responses a little better.  There were so many things that I enjoyed about this book.  I like how the author used local southern (and Texas) cuisine, tea shops and scones (as well as wonderful recipes) as a part of the story.  The flow of the action and dialog flowed easily.  I found myself excitingly turning pages and disappointed when it ended.

     Whether or not you are a fan of Jane Austen or the movies based on her books, this is one book that you need to read.  I promise, you will NOT be disappointed. It's amazing!!

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review 

without any compensation.

Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of the critically acclaimed Two Blue Doors series and the Plain and Simple duet.  Jane of Austin is her sixth novel.  In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, graphic design, and finding new walking trails.  She resides outside of Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and two pups.  She can be found online at www.hillarymantonlodge.com.

Pursued Book Review

The Nikki Boyd Files

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine - until the CRASH LANDING at the airport.
     When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing - and no one will admit she was ever there.  When she learns that Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial, Nikki wonders if her disappearance from the crash site means she's running from trouble - or straight into it.  Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.
     Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave you stunned.

REVIEW:  As the summary says, this story will have your head spinning with everything that happens.  Nikki goes from one jaw-dropping event to another so quickly it's hard to catch your breath.  Considering this whole story happens in just 48 hours, it's a lot to take in and process.  It's a good story.  I enjoyed everything I read, but so much happens to Nikki, it's really hard to take in.  After a while, I started to wonder just what else could she go through and just how much more she could take, especially since she was running on very little sleep and very little to eat.  Good thing this is just fiction and not real life so someone would be needing a lot of therapy.
     This is the third book in this series.  It can stand alone but it so much better if you read the other ones.  The ending was good.  I'm pretty sure this is the end of the series.  If it is, too bad.  I would really like to see how Nikki and Tyler's relationship plays out.  It would also be neat to see if she gets more information about her lost sister, and maybe even find her.
     If you are interested in reading a book that will hold your attention and take you on a wild ride, you need to pick this one up.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 and 2015 from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta.  The author of nearly thirty books, including Vendetta, Missing, and the SOUTHERN CRIMES series, Harris and her family have spent more then thirteen years living as missionaries in southern Africa.  Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

Still Life Book Review

Chesapeake Valor Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Someone is out there.  Watching her.  Waiting.

     Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime-scene photographer.  She expected to be laughed at, but crime-scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright - and changed her life.  But six months ago, when he feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.

     Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejeced her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit for which her friend modeled.  But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead - and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot.  Worse, her friend can't be found, and so Avery immediately calls Parker for help.

     As Avery, Parker, and their friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

REVIEW:  This book had a lot going on, which was sometimes distracting and hard to follow.  Not having read the first book, I wondered if parts of Parker and Avery's relationship was covered in it because it felt like I was coming in from behind.  Then, their friends all had something going on - finding very slim evidence of a friend that disappeared many years ago, an upcoming marriage, a potential relationship between a couple of characters - which just added to my befuddlement at times.  Also, there were two different matters going on in regards to Avery's friend that disappeared that made it difficult at times to figure out who did what within the timeline and keep everything straight.  

     That said, the story was very engaging but darker than anything else I've read by this author.  The villain was very creepy and disturbing.  His actions were even creepier.  I like how Avery was determined to do everything possible to find Skyler, even if it meant going places and seeing people from her dysfunctional past that she had left behind years earlier.  I like how Parker saw Avery for who she was now, not her actions in the past.  Though he struggled with memories of his deceased girlfriend, he is determined not to let it affect the present and his attraction to Avery.  

     This was a good book.  As I mentioned, the story was darker and more menacing than other novels by this author but I am looking forward to reading the others as they come out, and, one day, the first one.

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without any compensation.

Dani Pettrey is the acclaimed author of the ALASKAN COURAGE romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged.  Her books have been honored with the Daphne du Maurier award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing's Best Award, among others.  She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two super adorable grandsons.  You can find her online at www.danipettrey.com. 

Home at Last Book Review

A Chicory Inn Novel

Book Five

SUMMARY:  When the world just sees mistakes, God sees beautiful opportunities for love and grace.

     Link Whitman has settled into the role of bachelor without ever intending to.  Now he's stuck in a dead-end job, and as the next Whitman wedding fast approaches, he is the last one standing.  The pressure from his sister's efforts to play matchmaker is heavy as he helps his parents at the Chicory Inn.
      All her life, Shayla Michaels has felt as if she straddled two worlds.  Her mother's white family rejected her African American father without even knowing him.  Her father's family also disapproved, but they eventually embraced Shayla as their own.  After her mother's death and her brother Jerry's incarceration, life has left Shayla's father bitter; her niece, Portia, an orphan; and Shayla responsible for them all.
     Everything changes one icy morning when a child runs into the street and Link nearly hits her with his pickup.  Soon he is falling hard for the little girl's aunt, Shayla, the beautiful woman who runs Coffee's On, the bakery in Langhorne.  Can Shayla and Link overcome society's view of their differences and find true love?  Is there hope of changing the ugly perspective of the world around them into something better for them all?

REVIEW:  This is the fifth and final book of the Chicory Inn series.  Since I had not read any of the others, I was worried I would get lost.  The author does a fantastic job keeping the focus on the two principal players, Shayla and Link, with the characters of the other books taking minor roles.
     With that said, this book was very enjoyable.  It makes you think about how you view others who may be different from you outwardly, whether socioeconomic, job status, housing, or marital status, but who are just like you on the inside, where it counts.  Once you get past their outer facade, you begin to see people made in God's image.  Shayla struggles with how people see her.  She has a difficult time understanding why Link would be interested in dating her.  Link only sees her beautiful soul, not the color of her skin.  He has a hard time understanding the extent of the problems Shayla experiences as a woman of mixed race.  I like how the author shows the reader both character's viewpoints and experiences and helps him or her understand it a little better.
     The story line moves at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged.  My favorite part isn't the ending but happens at almost the end.  Can't tell you what it is; you'll just have to read it for yourself. 

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press

for review without any compensation.

Deborah Raney's books have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists.  She and her husband, Ken recently traded small-town life in Kansas - the setting of many of Deb's novels - for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita.  Visit Deb on the web at DeborahRaney.com.

Home to Paradise Book Review

The Coming Home Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  When dream collide, will true love be enough?

     Rose Anna Zook has watched her two older sisters marry two Stoltzfus men and has always thought she and John, the third Stoltzfus brother, would marry, make a home together, and have children.  But John has other ideas.  He's enjoying his Rumschpringe in the Englisch world a little too much and isn't interested in returning to the Amish community - especially to marry.

     In this highly anticipated final book of the Coming Home series, Rose Anna is determined to bring her man back into the Amish fold.  John is equally determined to live his life free and unencumbered.  Who will win this battle of wills?  Will love prevail?

 

REVIEW:  How can two people so intent on staying in their own separate world break down the walls to, hopefully, find common ground?   John is determined to never go back to the Amish life style, even though it is harder than he thought and not as much fun.  Rose Anna is determined to never leave the Amish community and to do what she can to bring John back.  

    I like how Rose Anna realizes she is being manipulative and decided to let John come back on his own, if he ever does, even if it is without her help.  She does what she can to show him Christ's love but is there for him if and when he needs it.  Rose Anna's work with the abused women's shelter is very admirable.  She uses something she is good at (making quilts) to help those at the shelter gain confidence in themselves and their own abilities.  

     John is having a difficult time making ends meet so he works three jobs or more just to stay afloat.  I like how he finally finds a job he loves when he let's God work in his life.  Neil helps John repair a very difficult relationship, and in the end, helps John find where he truly belongs.

     My favorite part is how everything works out in the end.  God can bring happiness through sorry.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press 

for review without any compensation.

 

Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish.  She is the best-selling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award.  Her books have been nominated for Carol Awards and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award from RWA's Faith, Hope and Love chapter.   Barbara resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Witnessess Book Review

SUMMARY:  Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise - until his grandfather's mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.
     Parker House's secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse.  The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather's uncanny ability to see future events in his mind's eye - a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.
     While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets.  Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape.  Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker's legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.
      Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.

REVIEW:  This book is different from any other I've read before in regards to the biblical gift of seeing visions.  This gift was passed on to Frank House by his grandfather and, in turn, inherited by Frank's grandson Parker.  I like how the book went back and forth between present day and the days during World War II.  Frank's "gift" was used by the Germans to help advance their cause.  I love how Frank faces his past abuses of these visions and helps Parker understand how to use them.  There were a few times I was confused about who the "bad guy(s)" were because the characters changed towards the end of the book, but I like how everything played out.  Some of my favorite parts are of Frank in church and savoring God's grace, mercy, peace and forgiveness.  I had a more difficult time recognizing Parker's gift occurring than Frank's.  All in all, this was a very enjoyable book that had enough excitement to keep me turning the pages and guessing what would happen until the very end.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers

for review without any compensation.

Robert Whitlow is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Chirsty Award for Contemporary Ficiton.  He received his J.D. iwth honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review.  Visit him online at www.robertwhitlow.com; Twitter: @whitlowwriter; or Facebook: robertwhitlowbooks.

Of Stillness and Storm Book Review

SUMMARY:  "I felt torn between two worlds.  Each with its own mystery.  One more captivating than the other, but the other more real and breathing."
     It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream - reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal.  But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring.  For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family's undoing.
     At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren's past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aiden intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past.  It's thirteen-year old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.
     Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.

REVIEW:  This book was hard and raw at times.  It wasn't the subject matter but the intensity, the depth, and the wringing of the emotions that were hard.  The author doesn't hold any punches.  She shows the difficulties missionaries face in country and balancing faith, life and the struggles with they don't line up with others.  Sam is determined to live the way the Nepalis do: no cell phones, no personal vehicle or luxuries such as a WiFi, a better water filtration system or air conditioning or central heat.  It works for him when he is off visiting the remote mountain tribes but Lauren and their son Ryan really struggle with the reality of life and living among a people with whom they have trouble communicating.  The emotions Lauren goes through as she tries to reach her son, who is retreating and rebelling as far away as he can, are heart wrenching.  She struggles with her own faith when her son faces impossible odds but I love how the author shows her raw hostility and the strengthening of her faith as she pursues the God she knows is there with her.
     This is a wonderful book that really made me think about my faith and the struggles missionaries face within their own families and the people they are trying to reach.  This is one I plan to keep and reread to mine its depths even deeper.

This Advanced Reader's Copy was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group, Fiction Guild 
and Thomas Nelson Publishers for review without any compensation.

Born in France to a Canadian father and an American mother, Miche'le Phoenix is a consultant, writer and speaker with a heart for Third Culture Kids.  She taught for 20 years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own advocacy venture under Global Outreach Mission.  Miche'le travels globally to consult and teach on topics related to this unique people group.  She loves good conversations, mischievous students, Marvel movies, and paths to healing.  Learn more at michelephoenix.com or Twitter @frenchphoenix.

Just A Kiss Book Review

Summer Harbor Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Riley Callahan's plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

     Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to book camp.  But over a year later, he's officially a Marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item.  When Riley's tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend's heart once and for all.

     But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee.  Now he's heading home, injured and troubled.  His plans to win Paige are a distant dream.  She deserves so much more than the man that's left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them.  But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

     Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy.  By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability.  But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he's hiding.  To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy.  The animal shelter that she's poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.

     As the weeks wear on, Paige's feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory.  Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners?  Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother?  And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

REVIEW:  This is the third book in this series but it can stand on its own with no problems.  This story tugged at my heart.  Paige has struggled with her family all her life.  Riley was there for her whenever she needed him.  But, with no explanation, he up and joined the Marine Corp when she started dating his brother instead of letting Paige know how he felt.  

     I love how Paige gives her all to her relationships and her job.  When she finds out the animal shelter she works out may have to close due to the lack of money, I admire how she puts everything she has into finding sponsors, revamp her budgeting and trying to find homes for her sweet babies.

When it comes to her dating relationships, she tries to make them work, even when things aren't going well.  Even though things are strained between her and Riley upon his return, she gives him her best efforts in caring for him and helping him through the difficult time of adjusting to his disability.
     There were a few times when I wanted to strangle Riley because of his lack of communication.  Lots of times, he assumed what would be the best for himself, Paige, or his family without talking to them first, and makes a mess of it.  As soon as life gets a little tough, he tucks his tail and runs.  But, I like how he redeems himself in the end with Paige.
     This is a great finish to the Summer Harbor series.  I look forward to reading more by Denise Hunter in the future.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including Falling Like Snowflakes and The Convenient Groom.  She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader's Choice Award, and the Foreword Book of the Year Award and is a RITA finalist.  When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums.  Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty neat.  Learn more about Denise online at DeniseHunterBooks.com; on Facebook: authordenisehunter, and Twitter: @DeniseAHunter.

The Cottage Book Review

Secrets of the Shetlands Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Is the future of Whales Reef in the hands of an outsider?

     When Loni Ford is informed that she has inherited property in the Shetland Islands, she laughs.  She wants nothing more than to sell it and be done with it.  But when she arrives in the North Sea enclave, she is stunned to find that "the Cottage" is not at all what she expected, nor is David Tulloch, the man most of the islanders believe to be the rightful heir.

     The locals could hardly be more surprised that the heir is a woman - and an American.  Loni, in turn, finds the islanders quaint and a bit behind the times.  Expecting David to be as provincial as the rest of his clan, she discovers that there is far more to the man than meets the eye.  And there is something about the peaceful atmosphere of the place - and the character of its most prominent citizen - that soon gets under her skin.
     Beneath the peaceful surface, however, change is threatening the island of Whales Reef.  David's cousin Hardy Tulloch, whose claim to the inheritance now in Loni's hands was backed by oil investors, has not been deterred in his aim to control the island.  But his co-conspirators have plans of their own, plans that put Loni's very life in danger. . . .

 REVIEW:  This book was just as enjoyable as the first, if not more so.  This book picks up exactly where the first, The Inheritance, leaves off and carries the reader away to the Shetland Islands.  The author does a fantastic job keeping everything in the story line going, all the characters engaging, and the reader turning the pages until the end. He takes his time explaining details so that the reader feels like they are right there on site.  I like how this book goes into more detail about Loni's upbringing and her connection to Ernest Tulloch, the original owner of the island community.  I like how David keeps his connection to the island a secret while Loni gets her bearings and understanding of how everything works so not to overwhelm her or make her think he's after the inheritance, like Hardy.  Sometimes all the details and characters involved in this book were difficult to keep straight.  My favorite part is the ending.  The author takes his time working out all the intricate details, slowly unraveling all the secrets and underhanded dealings.
     This is an intriguing book that was very fascinating and enjoyable. 

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without any compensation.

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author who has penned more than seventy books, both fiction and nonfiction.  Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland, but make their home near Sacramento, California.  Visit Michael's website at www.macdonaldphillips.com. 

Catching Heat Book Review

Cold Case Justice Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Twenty-seven years after the deaths of Detective Abby Hart's parents, she's desperate to find the proof that will put the mastermind - the governor's wife - behind bars.  When she joins a newly formed task fore and teams u with PI Luke Murphy, Abby is sent to San Luis Obispo to work the cold case of a murdered college student.  Realizing their investigation will bring them near the town where California's first lady, Alyssa Rollins, grew up, Abby decided to do a little digging of her own into the Triple Seven fire.

     Luke is eager to help Abby close the books on a case they both have personal stakes in.  But as she uncovers long-held secrets, Abby stumbles into an explosive situation, and Luke fears that her obsession may prove deadly.

SUMMARY:  Catching Heat picks up where the second book, Burning Proof, leaves off.  There are two cold cases Abby's team is working on plus the side case of her parents' murder.  Between all the different suspects, locations, and details of each case, sometimes I got lost as to what belongs to which case.  Throw in all the details from the two previous books that are repeated referred to in regards to previous cases and the Triple Seven murders, sometimes it was hard to keep track of everything. That said, this book kept my attention along the whole roller coaster ride until the very end.  The ending was a surprise and fit the story line perfectly. 

     Abby's obsession with solving her parents' murder mirrored one of her cold cases.  I like how in solving the case, she finally realizes the problem she is having letting go and does what she can to stop.  The twists and turns of all three cases will keep you on your toes. You may even need a cheat sheet to keep track of everything. 

     All in all, this is a great book and the perfect ending to the series.  I really enjoyed this book and series and look forward to reading more by Janice Cantore.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without any compensation.

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.  Her twenty-two year of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories.  She has penned eight novels: the Pacific Coast Justice series, Visible Threat, Critical Pursuit, Drawing Fire, and Burning Proof.  Catching Heat is the third book in the Cold Case Justice series.

Tangled Webs Book Review

 Men of Valor Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Finn has packed away his combat instincts - but he may need them again when danger begins to stalk his quiet hideaway . . .

     After a disastrous Middle East mission ends his six-year Army Ranger career, Finn McGregor needs some downtime.  A peaceful month in the woods sounds like the perfect way to decompress.  But peace isn't on the agenda once he crosses paths with publishing executive Dana Lewis, a neighbor who is nursing wounds of her own.  Someone seems bent on disrupting her stay in the lakeside cabin she inherited from her grandfather.  As Finn and Dana work together to discover who is behind the disquieting pranks, the incidents begin to take on a menacing tone.  And when it becomes apparent Dana's foe may have deadly intent, Finn finds himself back in the thick of the action - ready or not.

     Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon draws readers into a web of psychological suspense where danger lurks in dark corners. . . and keeps them captive until the very last page.

REVIEW:  Another wonderful book from Irene Hannon!!!  This story starts out with a bang and just keeps the readers attention to the end.  There are three different points of view, with sometimes a fourth thrown in, but I was never confused or turned around.  I love how the stories and points of each main character are woven together in a seamless stream of intrigue.  At times, I thought I had the ending figured out, but then the author would throw something else in and I would have to change my thinking.  The conclusion of the conflicts was exciting, although a little sad, with how everything worked out.  This book is another keeper for my ever-growing collection!!
     Being the third book in the series, you don't have to read the other books to follow the story, but they do add information and background to Finn's brothers.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels, including Buried Secrets, Thin Ice, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series.  In addition to many other honors, she is a seven-time finalist for and three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America.  She is also a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame.  Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

The Courtship Basket Book Review

Amish Heirloom Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together.  For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.

     Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she's loved for years leaves her to date her best friend.  Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love.  Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.

     Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John.  When John joins Rachel's class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something s simple as a meal. 

     With her parents' old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family.  As the weeks go by, John's grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike.  They can't deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.

     The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones.  Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?

REVIEW:  The story of Mike and Rachel full of encouragement when times are difficult.  I like how Mike steps up to take care of his family after his dad gets really sick and can no longer work.  John, Mike's much younger half-brother struggles with his dad's illness and it shows in his school work.  The way Mike encourages John when he is down and Rachel helps him overcome difficulties in his classwork is inspiring.  They don't embarrass him or make him feel bad because he is sad but encourage him along the way.  Rachel's offering of food was very sweet for a houseful of men who did not cook.  It also opened doors for Rachel to tutor John with his homework.
     In regards to Mike and Rachel's attraction and courtship, sometimes it was frustrating watching (or rather, reading) their assuming the wrong things without talking to the other.  Instead of discussing John's schoolwork, cousins that are helping out around the house or just things in general, they would get worked up over nothing and get mad at the other one. 
     All in all, this book was really enjoyable.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers

for review without compensation.

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Kauffman Amish Bakery series and the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.  Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA.  Amy holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full time for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina.  Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats.  Visit her website: amyclipston.com; on Facebook: Amy Clipston; on Twitter: @AmyClipston or on Instagram: Amy_Clipston.

The Raven Book Review

Coffey & Hill Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  As part of his street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience's pockets while they watch.  It's harmless fun - until he decided to keep the wallet of a prominent politician, hoping for a few extra bucks.  When he finds compromising photos of the councilman and his "personal assistants," The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man.  However, he quickly finds himself in over his heard with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life threatening plot code named "Nevermore."
     Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues to rescue The Raven from a wild card bent on revenge.

REVIEW:  This story kept me on my toes, trying to keep everyone straight and remember details about each character.  At times, it moves at a slow pace then will quickly escalate then slow back down.  There were times when scenes seemed to drag.  But, the author kept me trying to figure out if "Nevermore" was real or just a rumor that had been started.  The details involved in the story that leads up the the finale were many and, at times, hard for me to keep straight, but oh so worth it.  The twists, turns and switches kept me from guessing how everything would play out.  The ending fit everything so well.
     The only draw back was innuendos to events that occurred in the first book in the series, Annabel Lee.  It was confusing to me trying to understand the references made and how they impacted this novel since I had not read it.  Sometimes they were about characters and relationships pertinent to The Raven and others that were not as important.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Mike Nappa is an entertainment journalist at PopFam.com, as well as a bestselling and award winning author with more than one million books sold worldwide.  When he was a kid, the stories of Edgar Allen Poe scared him silly.  Today he owns everything Poe ever wrote.  A former fiction acquisitions editor, Mike earned his MA in English literature and now writes full time.  He is the author of Annabel Lee. 

The Christmas Angel Project Book Review

SUMMARY:  Abby Wentworth is the glue that holds her book club together.  So when she unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the rest of the women in the group are stunned, saddened, and sure that, without her, the group can't continue.

     They gather "one last time" to open gifts Abby left behind, little knowing how it will change each of their lives - forever.

REVIEW:  This is a relatively short book, only 166 pages long, but packed full of insight, inspiration and love.  I like how each woman used Abby's gift to inspire themselves and each other to do things out of their comfort zones.  In turn, they found friendships and great blessings along the way.  Realizing that God brought them together, I like how they encouraged each other in their various endeavors and developed deeper relationships with each other, family, and those around them.  This is a great book for the Christmas holidays or anytime you would like a little inspiration and encouragement.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million.  She is the author of several Christmas books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington's, The Christmas Cat, and The Christmas Joy Ride.  She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice.  She and her husband live in central Oregon.  Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Fraying at the Edge Book Review

The Amish of Summer Grove Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Family, community, faith, and love.  These "quilt blocks" sewn together made Ariana's beautiful life.  When they are pulled to pieces, will anything familiar remain?

     The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago.  Now she's immersed in the Englisher world, getting to know her mother and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana's worldview.  Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living English, can steady the tilting ground between Ariana's two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?

     At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spending several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life - no electricity, no technology, no fun.  What the young woman can't leave behind is her addition to illegal prescription drugs and a deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn't belong in either family.

     New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have.  Can they find the wisdom and strength they'll need to follow God's threads into unexpected futures?

     Fraying at the Edge is the second novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.

REVIEW:  This book picks up where the first, Ties that Bind, ends.  The chaos Ariana is thrown into felt very real: parents arguing, strange technology like using an electric stove and disarming an alarm system, driving, and a father demanding she change her worldview 180 degrees almost immediately.  I like how Brandi, her biological mother, tries to gently help Ariana adjust and doesn't make any demands on her.  I like how Ariana finally stands up to Nicholas, her biological dad, and how he finally backs off some, but still pushing Ariana way beyond her comfort zone.  This "pushing" starts her seeing the world not as only black and white, but with a lot of greys in between.

     Skylar irritated me some.  She doesn't want to even try to help out or get to know her biological family.  The Brennemans are very patient with Skylar, trying to love her from afar, even though their efforts are often rebuffed.  I like how she finally finds her niche at the coffee shop.  I would have liked to have seen more happen with Skylar in regards to changes and her time with them, but I was pleased with how the character has developed.

     The ending was a bit of a surprise, setting up the third book in this series.  I can't wait to see the journey Skylar and Ariana take and where God (and the author) leads them.

     This is a wonderful book and series.  You must read Ties that Bind first as it sets the foundation and first floor for the second book.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books

for review without compensation.

 

Cindy Woodsmall is the New York Times and CBA best-selling author of eighteen works of fiction and nonfiction with more than a million copies sold.  Her connection with the Amish community has been featured in national media outlets such as ABC's Nightline, the Wall Street Journal, and a National Geographic documentary on Amish life.  Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia mountains.  She can be found online at cindywoodsmall.com.

There Will Be Stars Book Review

SUMMARY:  "In a life full of lies, he finally settled for the truth."

     No one in Mattingly ever believed Bobby Barnes would live to see old age.  Drink would either rot Bobby from the inside out or dull his senses just enough to send his truck off the mountain on one of his nightly rides.  Although Bobby believes such an end possible - and even likely - it doesn't stop him from taking his twin sons Matthew and Mark into the mountains one Saturday night.  A sharp curve, blinding headlights, metal on metal, his sons' screams.  Bobby's final thought as he sinks into blackness is a curious one - There will be stars.
     Yet it is not death that greets him beyond the veil.  Instead, he returns to the day he has just lived and finds he is not alone in this strange new world.  Six others are trapped with him.
     Bobby soon discovers that this supposed place of peace is actually a place of secrets and hidden dangers.  Along with three others, he seeks to escape, even as the world around him begins to crumble.  The escape will lead some to greater life, others to endless death . . . and Bobby Barnes to understand the deepest nature of love.

REVIEW:  It's not often I don't finish a book or like one.  Usually, even if I don't like the story, I will finish it just to see if it gets any better.  No matter how many times I picked this novel up, I just couldn't finish it.  There were so many things I did not agree with in the author's writings that it just made it impossible to get very far.
     In There Will Be Stars, Bobby Barnes gets drunk, takes his sons with him on a midnight drive on a curvy mountain road looking for more alcohol when he crashes and dies.  But, instead of passing into either heaven or hell, he is in a purgatory of sorts where he relives his last day on earth, over and over again.  In this time in purgatory (or before the Turn), he gets the chance to make changes in his life, and possibly accepting Jesus as his Savior before his time there is over.  Hebrews 9:27 says "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (ESV).  As this verse states, we don't get a do-over.  Once we die, we face our judgment, whether in heaven or in hell.  Also, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable about Lazarus the beggar and the rich man.  The beggar had nothing and begged for crumbs off the rich man's table, getting none, while the rich man had everything he ever wanted.  When he talks about their deaths, Jesus says the beggar is carried by angels to Abraham's bosom and the rich man goes to hell, each getting what they deserve.  There is no time to change your mind after you die.  The choices you make here on earth will determine your lot in the hereafter.  Jesus, Paul, Peter and other New Testament authors pleads with their readers to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior before it is too late.  None of them ever talk about getting a second chance after death.
     As much as I wanted to finish this book, this idea of a do-over after death just bothered me so much it was all I could see.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers 

for review without compensation.

Billy Coffey's critically acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm wiht a vision far beyond the ordinary.  He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life.  Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.  Visit him at www.billycoffey.com, on Facebook at billycoffeywriter, or on Twitter at @billycoffey.

Sister Eve and the Blue Nun Book Review

 

Divine Private Detective Agency 

Mystery Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  After a murder at the monastery, Sister Eve may need a miracle if she is to prove a dear friend isn't a cold-blooded killer.

     Sister Eve, a motorcycle-riding nun with a natural (or is it supernatural?) gift for solving murders returns to teh enclave she once called home and quickly finds herself confronting yet another mysterious death.

     Someone has poisoned Dr. Kelly Middlesworth - a researcher on the life and ministry of 17th-century's revered "Blue Nun" - and a set of irreplaceable historic documents have disappeared before they could even be examined. 

     When all evidence seems to point to the victim's brother, Sister Eve sets out to expose the killer and learn the explosive truth those missing manuscripts might contain.

     Chasing a killer is dangerous work, and as her two worlds collide, Sister Eve may need some heavenly help simply to survive.

REVIEW:  This story was an intriguing one.  The murder of a professor about to show the world some missing manuscripts that could help "The Blue Nun" finally achieve sainthood was a new one for me.  When the evidence seems to point to the victim's brother, a monk who lives at the enclave, I like how Sister Eve does what she can to help clear his name.  I like how she was determined to find the real murder by risking her own life.  Sometimes the story seemed to drag and at others, repeat the same information. The discovery of the actual murderer seemed a bit of a stretch but, I like how the author tied in the stories of the Blue Nun with Sister Eve and the end of the story.

     This is the third novel about Sister Eve.  It does okay standing alone but sometimes I wondered if reading the other books would help fill in some of the gaps of her personal backstory.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers

for review without compensation.

 

Lynne Hinton is the New York Times bestselling author of Friendship Cake and The Art of Arranging Flowers, along with sixteen other books.  She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California.  She has served as hospice chaplain, church pastor, and retreat leader.  Lynne is a regular columnist with The Charlotte Observer.  A native of North Carolina, she lives with her husband and dog in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Visit Lynne's website at www.lynnehinton.com or on Facebook at Lynne-Hinton-Books.

Without Warning Book Review

Elite Guardians Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Intensity.  Skill.  Tenacity.  The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

     Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident.  Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.

     Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard - and a female one at that - is necessary.  A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider.  He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats - before a would-be killer strikes again.

REVIEW:  Lynette Eason keeps up her winning streak with the second book in the Elite Guardians series.  This book starts off with a bang and keeps running until the end.  There is a lot of back and forth action that you can't just skim over.  You must take your time reading or you will miss something needed to solve the puzzles.  I like how both Katie and Daniel face their PTSD triggers and are able to work through the incidences where they occur.  The ending of this book was a surprise.  I thought I had the culprit figured out but was not expecting the final conclusion. 
     This is a fabulous book.  It is a great story that can stand alone.  Reading the first one in this series will help you understand this protection agency and some of the relationships better, though, it is not necessary.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching in the Elite Guardians series.  She is the winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award.  She lives in South Carolina.  Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.