Point of Danger

Back Cover

Hate mail was one thing.  This was quite another.

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews.  But now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure.  When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected.  As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced - permanently.

But unless he can track down her elusive foe, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes - and who is swiftly winning his heart - may not survive.

Review

As far as books go, nothing can make me happier than a new novel by one of my favourite authors, Irene Hannon.  To me, Irene Hannon is the queen of Christian romantic suspense stories, and I have yet to be disappointed in any of her works! It was with great anticipation and excitement that I cracked open Point of Danger, the first in a new series, "Triple Threat".  

The first page was, quite literally, explosive, and set off a suspenseful plot full of twists and turns, and more than one possible suspect. It was a "keep-you-guessing" storyline that kept my attention to the final page.  Eve was an extremely likeable character, having a calm personality, yet full of convictions for her beliefs.  She showcases a tender heart for her neighbours, sisters, and coworkers, and is active in her fitness pursuits and home reno projects.  

Brent Lange quickly proves to be steady and reliable counterpart with keen intuition. He goes above and beyond on his job and Even is compelled to trust him...while at the same time, feeling the strong pulls of attraction.  You can't help but root for the budding relationship between Brent and Eve, as you just want them both to have a happily ever after! 

A smashing start to a new series, Point of Danger will keep you flipping the pages long into the night. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

An Appalachian Summer

 

Back Cover

In 1933 Louisville, Kentucky, even the ongoing economic depression cannot keep Pier Danson's parents from insisting on a debut party.  After all, their fortune came through the market crash intact, and they've picked out the perfect suitor for their daughter.  Braxton Crandall can give her the kind of life she's used to.  The only problem?  This is not the man - or the life - she really wants.

When Piper gets the opportunity to volunteer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer, she jumps at the chance to be something other than a dutiful daughter or a kept wife in a loveless marriage.  The work is taxing, the scenery is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open a whole new world to her.  The longer she stays, the more an advantageous marriage slips from her grasp.  But something much more precious - true love - is drawing ever closer.

Review

Through the eyes of Piper Danson, a young debutante from a wealthy family determined to do something adventurous the year of her debut (and hopefully escape the matchmaking schemes of her parents) the reader is taking on a journey nothing short of extraordinary.  As Piper descends from the train in the Appalachian Mountains, it reminded me of scenes of Christy Huddleson arriving at Cutter Gap, where rugged hills were seen as friends and neighbours sometimes as enemies.  A place where men fiercely loved their wives and family, and for some, their moonshine as well. It is in this setting, where medical help was scarce, that the idea of Frontier Nursing is born to help the hurting citizens of the community, and in particular, the birthing mothers.  

I loved every word of An Appalachian Summer, each page brimming with a moving storyline, likeable characters, and a beautiful setting.   I think the character of Piper Danson can appeal to everyone as a young adult striving to find your own path in the world, not based on what society wants or the family expects, but on your own desires, undergirded by God's loving direction. Piper's summer in the Mountains inspires her to seek life's adventures, never settling for the ordinary or expected, and to embrace each new challenge with excitement for the journey ahead.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Vying for the Viscount

 

Back Cover

For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor.  When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he's even more at a loss.

The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley's refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought.  Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can't help but be intrigued by the area's newest eligible bachelor.

Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other.  As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life.  But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

Review

What a fun, delightful read!  With witty dialogue, likeable characters, and stables full of beautiful horses, Vying for the Viscount is another wonderful historical read from Kristi Ann Hunter.  I loved the fact that the main characters were avid horseback riders who found their "escapes" galloping across the fields on horseback. Not to mention, it is much easier to hash out problems while riding!  I kept stealing "moments" to read another page in this story, more than once burying my nose in the book for hours at a time as it was just so enjoyable.  I especially enjoyed the inclusion of some very endearing characters from the Hawthorne House series in Vying for the Viscount (and I hope it will be a recurrent theme for the rest of the novels in the Hearts on the Heath series!). 

Hudson and Bianca are likeable characters.  You can't help but feel sympathy towards them while they muddle through their unique circumstances.  For Hudson, he feels adrift without having any proper knowledge of the estate and family affairs in England, and completely lost when it comes to knowing the ways of people in high society and the proper norms.  Bianca is able to help him navigate the society life, while in return requires some help of her own.

Bianca has a loving, if not a bit distant, father, and a scheming step-mother who would rather forget that Bianca existed, if not for the fact that her own blood daughter is of age to step out into society and find a suitable husband (something that is not done until the elder sister is married). As her step-mother continually pushes unsuitable (not to mention, mean) eligible men towards her, Bianca determines to take the reins of her life into her hands to avoid a disastrous match.  Hudson offers to help her find an affable husband (with a stable full of fine horses of course), and Bianca agrees...even while her heart grows fond of Hudson himself. What follows is a entertaining tale of looking for love in all the wrong places.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.