Dangerous Passage

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When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common—a magnolia tattoo on their shoulders.  Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder.  As they venture deep into a sinister criminal world, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities—and their hearts.

  

Dangerous Passage exposes a fully realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead.  You’ll be hooked from the start.

 

Review

 

Crime/suspense/mystery is one of my favourite genres.  There is nothing better than a novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat, or up waaay past your ideal bedtime as you hurriedly flip the pages as the suspense is too taut to allow to you put the book down.  They are the type of stories that leave you thinking about it for days after you’ve finished reading it and make it on the coveted “favourites” bookshelf.

I wanted to love this novel so much and was so eager to dive into it, but Dangerous Passage fell a bit short of my expectations. There was just something missing…I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the nail-biting, heart-racing adrenaline just wasn’t there.  The story had all the right elements with a solid plot and what could be very interesting characters, but the pieces didn’t quite come together.

While I was a bit disappointed, I wouldn’t completely write off the book by any means.  The story was intriguing, and hits on a very difficult topic; a topic that I believe there should be more awareness about.  In the interest of not spoiling the plot, I won’t name the topic, but do give huge kudos to Ms. Harris for delving into this dark side of society...and being an advocate for the voiceless.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Trapped

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A runaway teen. 

A desperate sister. 

And an intrepid PI determined to discover the truth.

 

When Laura Griffith’s sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen.  That includes recruiting ATF agent turned private investigator James Devlin to help.  Dev knows time is of the essence with runaways—just forty-eight hours can mean the difference between recovery and ruin.

 

But the deeper he and Laura dig, the more Dev begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl’s disappearance.  And in the icy winter weather, the trail is going cold…

In her latest thrilling read, queen of romantic suspense Irene Hannon outdoes herself with a fast-paced tale of fear, deception, and just the right dose of romance.

 

Review

 

Following on the heels of Vanished, the first novel in her “Private Justice” series, Irene Hannon has delivered yet another suspense driven, heart-swooning read in Trapped.  It didn’t take me long to finish this novel, as the pages literally begged to be read.  Irene doesn’t tell a story, she shows it: detailing each character’s emotions perfectly, and pulling the reader into a thrilling tale of a runaway, Darcy, who finds herself in a harrowing set of circumstances, and the two people who are intent on bringing her to safety. 

 

A must-read, Trapped will have you on the edge of your seat until you’ve read the final chapter.  I already cannot wait to get my hands on the third book in this series, Deceived, which is due out in Summer 2014.  Don't miss this book!

 

Thank you, Irene for another brilliant story!!

 

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

Welcome to Last Chance

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She’s learned you can’t count on anyone—

but she didn’t count on landing in Last Chance.

 

The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it’s her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights.  These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life—especially since she’s on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

 

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own.  Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town?  Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

 

Review

 

It is hard to believe that this is Cathleen Armstrong’s debut novel.  It is that good.  She had me hooked from the first page and kept my attention until the last page was turned.  It had a thread of danger, hint of romance, and the hope of change that captured my attention.  I felt invested in the characters and found myself cheering for them, as if they were my closest friends. 

 

The characters in Welcome to Last Chance are so rich, textured, and very … normal (very similar to another novel that I read, With Every Letter).  You won’t find picture-perfect, idealistic personalities, but rather, fractured, hurt, and real people.  But these same people also know when to embrace joy and laughter when it comes their way, and live life fully for God, for your neighbour.  And also to live for yourself, whether it be turning dreams into reality, or saying “no” to the past that comes knocking on your door. 

 

A beautiful story of relationships, trust, love, acceptance, and forgiveness, Welcome to Last Chance is a novel not to be missed. 

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Rules of Murder

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Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.

 

With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he’s learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime.  Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be—not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler.  Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer—and trying harder to impress Madeline—Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

 

Review

 

As soon as I started reading this novel, I was reminded of J.B. Fletcher and her escapades on the classic TV series, Murder, She Wrote.  Jessica was the quintessential proper lady with a quick wit and sharp eye, and Drew Farthering is the proper English gentleman with an equally quick wit and eye for detail and clues.  Set in very proper 1930s, this novel was a refreshing read.  I loved the camaraderie between Drew and his best friend, Nick, and the spark of romance between Drew and Madeline was very sweet.  The thread of faith throughout the story was wonderful and provided a nice backdrop for character development.   

 

This is an old-fashioned mystery filled with lots of criminal chaos, suspicious characters, red herrings, and dramatic conclusion.  It kept me guessing to the very end and I will definitely be reading book #2!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Trouble in Store

 

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Fired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort:  the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin.  But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he’s not about to let an obstinate woman with newfangled ideas ruin all he’s worked for.  In hope of turning her interest elsewhere, he determines to get Melanie married off, and luckily, there are many single men in town quite willing to take her off his hands.

 

The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn’t want her to marry any of them.  He’s drawn to her more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store offer unexpectedly positive results.

 

But someone doesn’t want the mercantile to succeed, and threatening words have escalated into destruction and danger.  Will Melanie and Caleb’s business—and budding romance—survive the trouble that’s about to come their way?

 

Review

 

Trouble in Store offers a little bit of everything:  mystery, romance, and humour all set in a classic old Western town.  Caleb and Melanie have several humorous clashes (one most notably involved a broom that had me in stitches), as they both try to run the store their own way, not trusting the other’s input to provide any real impact.  And Caleb’s little mischievous son, Levi, strives to have the spotlight with all his escapades. 

 

The mystery woven throughout the novel was also highly intriguing and kept you guessing until the end with its exciting climax.  Trouble in Store is another fine read from Carol Cox.  I’ll be looking forward to her next novel!

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Small Town Girl

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How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst?

 

In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner.  The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath.  But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh.  As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking.  And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can’t draw her interest.

 

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways.  Could she truly be in love with him?  And if he enlists, will she ever see him again?

 

In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit.  Fans of Gabhart’s Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love.

 

Review

 

This story captured my attention from the beginning.  It starts with Kate, helping her sister get ready to marry a man that Kate had loved for a long time.  Feeling as if all was lost, and trying her best to be happy for her sister, Kate puts her best foot forward, and finds herself drawn to the best man, Jay Tanner.  He is all that she never thought she would fall for.  Jay is like an unpredictable hurricane, blowing into each place for a short while, stirring up emotions, before moving on.  There is seemingly no stability with Jay and so much mystery.  Yet Kate makes the choice to throw caution to the wind and take a chance with Jay, for the excitement that he brings and the joy that takes over her heart every time she sees him. 

 

Throughout the story, Kate learns that love comes at you when you least expect it, and often from the most unlikely of persons.  Even while your heart is seemingly fixed on another, as Kate’s was, one can quickly realize that what you think is love, is not love at all.  Jay shows Kate what love is all about.

 

Love is the music in the air, the song in your heart.  Love is the stolen looks and the small touches.  Love is the kisses that make your toes curl and your heart dance.  Love lifts you up inside, even while the world is on the cusp of war.  Love gives you dreams about tomorrow and that unquenchable happiness throughout the day.

 

Love is also beautiful and moving, everything that this story is.  Wonderfully written, Ms. Gabhart has penned another great story that will capture many hearts in the years to come.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

A Most Peculiar Circumstance

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Miss Arabella Beckett, defender of the downtrodden women of America, is returning from her travels in support of the women’s suffrage movement when she suddenly finds herself in a spot of trouble.  Arabella, always loath to accept help, is particularly reluctant to receive assistance from the arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor who shows up just in time.

 

Private investigator extraordinaire Mr. Theodore Wilder is on an assignment that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country.  When he finally locates Hamilton’s sister, and she turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he’s at his wit’s end.

 

Much to their chagrin, Theodore and Arabella’s paths continue to cross when they return to New York.  When the trouble Arabella accidentally stirred up in her travels follows her home and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all:  love.

 

Review

 

Like oil and water.  Or fire and gasoline.  Arabella and Theodore simply do not mix.  When they are together, barbs are traded, fireworks explode, and their conversations are like warring armies leveling their full artillery at each other.  It is simply impossible that these two stubborn people could have an even civil conversation.

 

Much less fall in love.

 

She is an outspoken suffragette intent on giving women the right to vote, and he is an obstinate man who still believes that women’s purpose in life is to make their husbands happy, clean house, and raise children.  While their snide remarks and sharp snippets lofted at each other make their interactions highly amusing, it had me wondering, how on earth would these two ever get along?  But as Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy had to lay aside their own initial judgments of each other in the classic Pride and Prejudice, so do Arabella and Theodore have to learn to compromise, and do it without sacrificing their individuality.

 

While some couples find love in a storybook fashion, where everything is sugary sweet, others, like Arabella and Theodore, find it in a fiery chemistry, and in what soon becomes friendly sparring. They learn to recognize the other’s strengths and weaknesses, and support each other accordingly.  As Jen Turano displays so aptly in her novel, there is nothing wrong with general disagreements between couples.  It’s how you handle those disagreements that makes or breaks you.  And of course, with God’s help, nothing is impossible.

 

A Most Peculiar Circumstance is another delightfully witty novel by Jen Turano that will be going on my “favourites” list.  It is chock full of fun and laughter and some dangerous intrigues to make a really well-rounded novel.  I have an inkling of who the next “couple” will be, and I cannot wait to read their story!   

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.