Saturday, August 31, 2013

DANGEROUS PURSUIT by Margaret Daley


Samantha Price loves her comfortable, organized lifestyle in New Orleans. As a bookstore owner, she loves finding adventure in many of the books she stocks on her shelves. That is, until she receives a desperate phone call from her brother asking her to wire him some money to get out of Brazil. When he doesn't pick up the money, she decides to go search for him. She realizes very quickly she's in big trouble. How can she find her brother when she doesn't know her way around or the language. Brock Slader comes to her rescue at the hotel and, though she's not sure she can trust him, she finally convinces him to be her guide. No amount of adventure books could have prepared Samantha for the things she would face. Most especially a trip through the Amazon with an imposing man like Brock. Brock and Samantha try to keep things strictly business but being in an untamed jungle has a way of changing a person.

Cover to cover, 'Dangerous Pursuit' treats the reader to an adventure through the Amazon Jungle. You'll find lots of danger, suspense and, of course, romance. It was great getting to know Brock and Samantha who were both alive with personality. The interaction between them was fun and full of romantic tension. Opposites attract, certainly rang true in this story. Though this isn't billed as Christian fiction, I would describe it as clean but edgy. If you've read 'Deadly Race' by this author, you'll know what I mean. The Protectors is a new series by Margaret Daley and I am looking forward to the next installment, Dangerous Interlude.

File Size: 478 KB
Print Length: 173 pages
ASIN: B00E7HNG6M

For more information of this book or Margaret Daley's other books I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com/

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

WARNING SIGNS by Katy Lee


Miriam Hunter wants to live a normal life despite her deafness.  She's hopeful about that happening when she's asked to return to Stepping Stones, Maine, to be school principal.  But she's also apprehensive because of difficult childhood memories and the nightmares that now plague her.  Someone is smuggling drugs and the locals think Miriam is involved along with her interpreter.  The local sheriff calls on his DEA friend, Owen Matthews, to help solve the case.  Owen is drawn to Miriam and surprised to find out she's deaf, just like his son.  Miriam is drawn to Owen but she's sure he feels like everyone else, she can't do her job correctly because she's hearing impaired.  Owen wants to help her but someone is  very determined to get Miriam and her memories out of the picture, for good.  Can they figure out who before it's to late?

Katy Lee has spun a web that entangles the reader, right from the start,  in the lives of Miriam Hunter and Owen Matthews.  I found myself completely immersed in the story and left guessing, until the end, who was involved.  Miriam was a wonderful heroine.  One I could easily be friends with.  She had an inner strength that was admirable, especially when you discover the way she grew up.  Her faith was strong, yet she struggled, just like we do.  Owen was such a great guy.  Guilt was his whole world until he came face-to-face with Miriam, who challenged his thinking.  I loved watching these two together.  Lots of chemistry there!  You know, I was reminded that the Lord is faithful, even in difficult situations.  He always knows just what we need and when.  What an encouraging reminder.  Warning Signs was well written and delivers the perfect blend of action, suspense and romance that is sure to satisfy every reader.

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Series: Love Inspired Suspense
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (October 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0373445598
ISBN-13: 978-0373445592

For more information on this book or other books by Katy Lee, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.katyleebooks.com/

Sunday, August 18, 2013

BATTLEFIELD OF THE HEART by E. A. West

Cindy Waymire is a college senior whose looking for a topic for her sociology paper. While headed for the student union one day, she meets Danny Flynn, in a most unusual way. Danny is an Army vet in his first year of college. Cindy decides to write her paper on how soldiers integrate themselves back into civilian life. Danny and all his veteran friends are very supportive and agree to help her with her research. Cindy and Danny are very drawn to one another but Danny has some serious issues with PTSD and flashbacks. To Cindy, it's kinda scary but when he's stable, he's the most loving, protective, attentive man she's ever met. Her feelings for Danny are strong but can she handle all that comes with loving him?

Wow! Such a powerful story. I don't think there is anyone out there who isn't familiar with PTSD, but unless someone you know is dealing with it, it's just a term. Battlefield of the Heart shows you what the reality of dealing with PTSD really means. How it affects the person who has it, as well as their family, girlfriend or spouse and friends. It shows how powerful love and support can be and the difference it can make in someones life. I love relationship-driven stories and that's just what I found here. I got totally lost in the lives of these folks, which to me, means great writing. I don't know if I would be as strong as Cindy, but when you're where God wants you to be you feel peace, just like Cindy did. She truly felt that the Lord wanted her with Danny. God gives each of us unique strengths and, looking at it from Danny's point of view, you understand how thankful he was that the Lord sent him Cindy. This really was a beautiful and inspirational story that I would definitely recommend. I hated to see it end and would love to have a follow-up of Danny and Cindy as well as their friends, who really became my friends too. Battlefield of the Heart is the perfect title for this unforgettable tale.
This is the first book I've read by this author and look forward to checking out her other available stories.

Print Length: 276 pages
Publisher: Astraea Press (April 1, 2013)
ASIN: B00C555ZGC

Friday, August 16, 2013

WHEN A SECRET KILLS by Lynette Eason


Jillian Carter left town ten years ago when she saw Senator Frank Hoffman commit murder. Now she's older and determined to return home and gain the evidence she needs to expose the truth of that night. Colton Brady has been looking for Jillian for the past 10 years. Now she's returned and she is as beautiful as ever, but what she's telling him just can't be true, can it? However, someone wants Jillian silenced forever. Colton finds himself needing to protect her and wanting to know the truth. Will they figure it all out or will it be too late?

Under the book description it says, "Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to an explosive series." I couldn't have said it better. I was looking forward to Jillian's story and what really happened that night. Jillian and Colton were great, very realistic characters. They each had a strong faith that just felt natural to me. I also liked Meg, who was very cute and made me smile more than once. The action was pretty much non-stop all the way through. There were times I couldn't read fast enough. The author did a wonderful job of bringing everything together at the end. In fact, I loved the ending which had a few unexpected twists that I really didn't anticipate. That's always a plus for me. This is a series that you definitely want to read in order. Each story has a conclusion but leaves you with an unsolved thread. When you read the books back to back it really reads like one big story. I liked that. If you enjoy romantic suspense, The Deadly Reunions Series is one you won't want to miss. Great characters, lots of suspense, sweet romance and, of course, explosions, gunshots and a few dead bodies make this a series you can't put down.


Series: Deadly Reunions (Book 3)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell (May 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0800720091
ISBN-13: 978-0800720094 

 *This complimentary copy was provided by Revell through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For information about this book or other books by Lynette Eason, I encourage you to visit her website at http://lynetteeason.com/books.html

Friday, August 9, 2013

WINDFALL by Marriane Evans


Scott Allen and Sarah Rutherford both entered the Motown Master Chef Competition that's being held at Sal's Place. Both have wonderful culinary skills and both know just exactly how they will use their winnings. Despite the fact that each one will do their very best in wowing the judges with their dishes, only one can be the winner. But is that what's really important?

Great food and sweet romance, how can you go wrong? This was a great little bonus to the Sal's Place Series that was both touching and encouraging. Scott and Sarah were great to get to know and even though the story is short, you really feel like you got to know them. You learn a little of their history and what God can accomplish if you let Him. I have to say, that reading all about what the chef's were preparing made me hungry. I would have loved being a judge in that competition! Yum! So, don't miss this culinary delight. Windfall will definitely please your romantic palette!

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Print Length: 37 pages
Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group (White Rose Publishing) (August 1, 2013)
ASIN: B00EA97BLS

For information about this book as well as other books by Marianne Evans, I recommend you visit her website at http://www.marianneevans.com/

Thursday, August 8, 2013

WHEN THE HEART STOPS by Lynette Eason


Serena Hopkins likes her job as medical examiner, but when she's called out to the scene of a murder, she not only discovers that the victim was a fellow classmate but the killer's MO looks hauntingly familiar. Dominic Allen, FBI agent assigned to the case, remembers Serena as the little girl who was his sister's friend. But Dominic discovers she not a little girl anymore, she's turned into a beautiful woman and he and Serena experience an immediate attraction. There's a killer on the loose and they must work together to figure out who it is before he strikes again. The secret Serena's keeping has put her next on killer's list. Can she trust Dominic enough to tell him the secret and can Dominic keep her from ending up as another victim?

This is 337 pages of high-octane suspense. So be prepared! You'll be turning pages like nobody's business while frequently looking over your shoulder! (Did you hear that noise?) I mean, you're dealing with a serial killer and, I've got to tell you, this author nailed the creepiness of that really well. I enjoyed the interaction between Serena and Dominic. Serena was a woman of inner strength. Dominic was a wonderful hero, strong yet gentle. They had a history together and it was great watching the development of there relationship. When the Heart Stops picks up about three weeks after "When the Smoke Clears" (a book I also recommend) so you'll definitely want to read this series in order. This story has a conclusion but also leaves you with unsolved issues that I'm sure will be solved in the final installment. Now I'm looking forward to reading "When a Secret Kills".

Series: Deadly Reunions (Book 2)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (October 1, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0800720083
ISBN-13: 978-0800720087

For information about this book or other books by Lynette Eason, I encourage you to visit her website at http://lynetteeason.com/books.html

Thursday, August 1, 2013

A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE by Lisa Crane


Lily Harmon is a wedding planner. Unfortunately she finds herself planning the perfect wedding for the man she once loved and almost married, Trace Bennington. On the day of his wedding, Trace finds himself left at the altar. When he sees that Lily was the planner, he blames her for the trouble. When Trace's best friend threatens Lily, she fears he's found out her secret. A secret that will change Trace's world forever. As old hurts and secrets from the past rise to the surface, will Trace and Lily not only find forgiveness but eventually find the future they should have had from the beginning?

I thoroughly enjoyed A Pretty Good Chance. Loved the characters, except for Clark Benningon! The dialog kept you totally involved and cheering on Lily and Trace. It's a short story at 60 or so pages but it really didn't read that way, though I would have liked a little more of a wrap up at the end but maybe that was just me not wanting it to end so soon. Lisa Crane has become a favorite author and I'm looking forward to reading more of her stories! If you're looking for a short romantic fix, mixed with some good old fashioned conflict then I think you have A Pretty Good Chance of really liking this story!



Book I've Been Reading...

Sherry's bookshelf: read

Almost Like Being in Love
Wanted: Royal Princess Miracle Bride: Royal Hearts of Mondoverde Series, Vol. 3
Her Rancher Bodyguard
Traces of Guilt
The Stronghold
Close to You
Protecting Her Daughter
The Goodbye Bride
The Rancher's First Love
Reclaiming His Past
Keeper of the Stars
Cold Shot
Mermaid Moon
Thin Ice
Buried Secrets
Murder at Black Lake
Christmas With Miss Austen
Falling Like Snowflakes
Married 'til Monday
Second Chance Hero


Sherry's favorite books »