The Promise by Beth Wiseman, and a Kindle HDX Giveaway

Most authors draw from life experience when writing a book. However, for best-selling authorBeth Wiseman, the inspiration forThe Promise came from encounters most readers could never imagine happening in their own lives. Inspired by actual events, Wiseman describes her latest release as the largest project she has undertaken since her first book was published in 2008. 

Mallory Hammond is determined not to let her boyfriend, parents, or anyone else get in the way of her #1 goal---to save a life. She had that chance when she was a teenager, and the opportunity slipped away, leaving a void she's desperate to fill. Then a new friend she met online offers her the chance she's dreamed of. But she'll have to leave behind everyone she loves to take it.

Tate Webber has loved Mallory for years. He understands that Mallory's free spirit has to fly, and when he gives her the space she needs, he hopes that when she lands, the two of them will be in the same place and can marry at last.

In a bold move---and with lots of resistance from Tate and those closest to her---Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dream. Tate begs her not to go, but Mallory embarks on the dangerous journey to Pakistan anyway, only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. Her new friend isn't who he says he is. And Mallory can only pray she'll make it out alive.

My review:

  I don't usually read Beth Wiseman's books, as she mostly writes Amish books, but this one sounded more along the lines of what I usually read, so I requested it for review. It also intrigued me that it was based on a true story.

  Overall, I liked the book. It had its moments of suspense, which appeals to me. I liked the characters, and the fact that the main character was determined to save a life to make up for the one she couldn't help, even though she got in over her head, and how her boyfriend did all he could do to bring her safely back to the USA.

  I don't know how much of the book is fiction where the author took license, and what is based on fact, but I am assuming the parts about the main character being duped into helping a sick girl, then getting trapped in a Middle Eastern country and being forced to become the second wife of a Muslim is based on fact. Regardless of which parts were real, it made for an interesting and entertaining read.

 What I didn't like: Mallory's boyfriend, Tate, prays for her often and tries to win her to Christ, yet it is inferred a couple of times that he is trying to get her into bed. It isn't said if they are sexually active or not, but it bothered me that the author would write that into the story - a Christian guy trying to get his girlfriend to God while also trying to get her into his bed. Also, there was one use of the derogatory curse word often used for women. It had no place in a Christian book, and I was disappointed and disgusted at it being included. I seriously doubt the author would insert it in one of her Amish books.

  Other than those two issues I had with the book, it is a good read.

About the author:

Beth Wiseman is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends! 

Find Beth online: website

   

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy.

In a daring new novel, Beth Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by actual events, this is the book Beth has been working toward for a long time.

Curious? Click here to read the reviews, and be sure to enter Beth's Kindle HDX giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Promise by Beth Wiseman

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 9th. Winner will be announced November 10th here.

Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Quilted by Christmas Abingdon Press (October 21, 2014) by Jodie Bailey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A note from the Author: Well, I’m a regular ol’ person. Who just happens to write. A lot. Probably more than I should. I firmly believe that God created me to be a writer. From the time I learned how to string letters together into words I’ve been making up stories. Believe me… I have a very rich imagination. I used to think I was weird; now I know God just put me together that way. I can’t even watch commercials without expanding them into stories in my head. I am humbled and honored all at the same time that God looked down from heaven on me and said, “Jodie, do what you love.” Wow… how awesome is that?

I have always loved to write. I have stories that I wrote when I was in first grade. I used to sit at my grandmother’s yellow electric typewriter for hours, banging out my own little stories. When I was eleven, she bought me a typewriter of my own (It was 1984, okay?) and I would write and write on it. I wrote stories out by hand, and they ran to hundreds of pages. I got my first computer when I was eighteen, and the first thing I did was write a story on it. I wrote for school. I wrote for fun. I wrote for my friends. I’d get them on the phone and make up stories for them. (I earned the nickname “Dreamweaver” for that one. Nobody calls me that anymore, but it still stands as the coolest nickname I ever had.)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Taryn McKenna believes she’s easy to forget. Abandoned by her parents and left behind when her high school sweetheart joined the army, she vows to never love again and throws herself into her love for the outdoors and the pursuit of a college degree—something no one else in her family has ever accomplished. Her goal, as a young teacher in the hills of North Carolina, is to leave a legacy in the lives of the middle-schoolers she teaches. When Taryn’s grandmother Jemma, the only other person who ever held her close, has a heart attack that reveals a fatal medical condition, Taryn is corralled into helping Grandma work on a final project—an Irish chain quilt that tells the story of her history and the love Jemma knows is out there for Taryn. As the pieces of the quilt come together, Taryn begins to see her value. Can she learn to believe that God will never leave her behind even though others have?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Quilted by Christmas, go
HERE.



This is one I want tor read, but I've not had time and the date crept up too fast. Will try to post a review later

The One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional by Chris Tiegreen

This year, learn to listen for the voice of the One who loves you most. We know for sure that God speaks to His people. Throughout the pages of Scripture, time after time, He guides, instructs, corrects, inspires, encourages, and reveals. Inspired writers even call Him “the Word.” He has always been vocal, and He always will be.

But what does He say to you? How does He say it? How can you know when you’ve heard Him? In The One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional, Chris Tiegreen will help you discover patterns and practices you can adopt to hear God better. Listening to God is a process, a journey, and an adventure. He promises that those who seek Him will be rewarded with His presence and His voice. And the words of the living God are powerful and life-changing.

My review:

  I have looked at the other devotionals in this series before, and thought they looked good, but never bought one. When I saw this available for review, I decided there was no better time to try it.

  As the title would suggest, this is a 365 day devotional. They go from January 1 through December 31. Each devotional starts with a Scripture verse, followed by a devotional, and ends with a short prayer.

  I have not read the whole devotional, but have been reading it daily for a couple of weeks and looking through ones that precede the month of October. I would not have thought it possible to write a 365 day devotional all about hearing God's voice, but the author has done so. And they are great devotionals. I have read some devotionals in my life that were shallow, but these, although they are interesting and short, are not shallow, but are the kind that can inspire and help one on their walk with God, which is what a good devotional should do.

 I like the devotional well enough that I am going to check out others in the series, which are by the same author. I'd recommend it for men or women.

About the author:

Insightful and thought-provoking, Chris Tiegreen has inspired thousands of

people through his popular One Year devotionals including The One Year Walk with God Devotional, The One Year At His Feet Devotional, and The One Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional. He is also the author of Unburdened and several other books. His experiences as a missionary, pastor, journalist, and university instructor bring a unique perspective to his writing. He is currently an editor at Walk Thru the Bible.


The One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional is available from Tyndale Publishing.

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

In a steamy small town riddled with broken promises, one woman's secret could change everything.
Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her--or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago--out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task--protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.


"A taut story of mistakes and betrayal, a mother's fierce love, revenge and danger--and the redeeming wonders of faith and love."--Lorena McCourtney, author of the Cate Kinkaid Files and the Ivy Malone Mysteries

"Old secrets, second chances at love, and a skillfully crafted small-town suspense. You will fall in love with Ben and Leigh and cheer them on as they fight for their happy ending. I'm making room on my shelf for all of Patricia Bradley's novels!"--Susan May Warren, bestselling and award-winning author of When I Fall in Love

My review:
  This is only the second book I have read by Patricia Bradley, and I am loving what I have read so far. I read a lot of Christian suspense, and she is showing she can hold her own in this genre' that is my favorite. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and this follow up is even better.

  This book was filled with even more suspense and action than the first. The acting sheriff from the first book is brought back as one of the main characters in this book, and is someone readers will love. I'm always a sucker for a story that involves a kid, and this one did, so I loved the parts of the mother determined to protect her son, even from the sheriff. 

 I was kept guessing on some parts of the book, and figured a few things out. And this was a book I didn't want to put down once I started reading it. It definitely deserves five out of five stars.

  In addition to the suspense elements of the book, the issue of forgiving others was covered, and how important it is to forgive them, even when the transgression hurts a lot. I highly recommend this book and series. The books could be read in any order, in my opinion, but would be best read in order.

Read an excerpt here.

About the author:

Patricia Bradley's manuscript for Shadows of the Past was a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award, winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier award (1st place, Inspirational), and winner of a 2012 Touched by Love award (1st place, Contemporary). She is a published short story writer and is co-founder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. When she's not writing or speaking, she can be found making beautiful clay pots and jewelry. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.

A Promise to Protect is available from Revell, part of the Baker Publishing Group

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Finding Mercy by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Finding Mercy David C. Cook (October 1, 2014) by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson. 
****

Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Mercy abandons Captain Elijah Hale to search for her true identity, he goes after her. With the threat that bounty hunters might be hot on her trail, Mercy does all she can to stay ahead of the danger, frustrating both the bad men who are after her—and Captain Hale who wants to find her and escort her safely home. But when she stumbles upon clues that help her learn who she is and where she's from, the danger escalates and she has to learn to keep her friends close and her enemies even closer—if she can determine which is which!

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Finding Mercy, go HERE.



My review:
   Ever since I finished the first book in this trilogy, I have been waiting for this one to come out. The first book ended with a major cliffhanger that made you want tor read the next book, but it wasn't out.

 This book picks up where the first book left off and has as much excitement and intrigue as the first. It was a fast read for me, even with it not being my favorite genre' of suspense. The heroine of the story continues to get herself in and out of trouble through the book, and there are several surprises in the story.

 I obviously wasn't around in the time period of the Civil War, but I felt the authors did a great job of not just telling a story, but of showing what the attitudes were most likely like in the South towards former slaves, and the difficulties the slaves faced of being free people.

 Both books have been great so far in this trilogy, but this one was even better than the first. I highly recommend.

Citizen by Rob Peabody

When living what you believe to be a good Christian life still leaves you feeling empty, you might begin to wonder: Do I really know what it means to follow Christ? It's a question Rob Peabody, author ofCitizen: Your Role in the Alternative Kingdom, asked himself at the age of 26, shortly after landing his dream job as the lead campus pastor of a burgeoning new campus of a Texas mega-church. 

 Peabody realized his faith had little connection with the world around him. He had inherited a westernized view of Christianity that too often glorifies personal success, comfort and individualism to the detriment of the lifestyle to which Jesus calls his followers. He realized Jesus was calling him --- and all of us --- to an all-or-nothing lifestyle, not a pick-and-choose faith salad bar. Something had to change. 

In Citizen, Peabody defines the kingdom-centered identity given to followers of Jesus and uses his personal story to reveal fundamental problems in the Christian culture. He shows how each problem --- the model of competition, the idol of the autonomous self, the desire to create God in our own image and conflicting allegiances - can be resolved by appealing to our loyalties and duties as citizens of God's kingdom. 

Citizen is also a wake-up call to the church in the West. Peabody's spiritual journey has now taken him from America's Bible belt to the United Kingdom, where he is dedicated to reaching the young adults walking London's streets.
 

In Citizen, readers will learn salvation is so much more than just a get-out-of-jail-free card; it's an invitation to change the way they live completely and transform a culture in the process.

My review:

   

  I tend to be one of those Christians happy to sit in the pew and go about my life in between church services doing my thing. So this book was a bit convicting to me. The author presents a great case for Christians doing more than that. Of getting involved in the community and helping people, of getting out of our comfort zone and doing something more with our lives for God than what we have been doing.

  And he sets a great example. He moved to another country to set up a ministry.

  He points out that we do what we do as Christians a lot of tradition and the way we were raised. We have this ideal we meet as Christians and never go beyond it or outside of it, yet being a Christian isn't just about escaping hell and going to Heaven, it is about living for Jesus day to day, and that involves more than just going to church.

 The book is an easy and interesting read, though it is convicting. It will make you think and feel the need to change from the usual and norm. I highly recommend it.

About the author:

Rob Peabody left his position as lead campus pastor of a mega-church in Texas in 2011 and moved with his wife, Medea, and their two sons to the U.K. He is now the co-founder and director of Awaken, a non-profit organization that exists to provide resources and creativity to the church and reach Londoners in their 20s and 30s with the Gospel. This work is commissioned by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and in partnership with the Church of England. 

Peabody also currently serves as a missional consultant for multiple church networks. He appears regularly at the Spring Harvest conferences in Great Britain and will be leading a new upcoming national U.K. conference for young adults called The Pursuit. 

In addition, Peabody has written a small-group film series entitledKingdom Rise, which was released in March of 2013.

Citizen is available from Monarch Publishing.

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy.

Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple---but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges . . . this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

My review:

  Biblical fiction has never been my favorite genre', and is something I rarely read, but I have always been impressed with Lynn Austin's Biblical fiction, and am always eager to read it when it comes from her pen. Not only is she a master at this genre', thus far she has written about people and times in the Bible that most Biblical fiction authors doe not write about.

  This is the second book in the Restoration Chronicles, set in the time of the Jewish captivity. This book starts out with the plot of Haman to have all of the Jews slaughtered. Although Esther is not in the book, her role is mentioned. For the first part of the book, it deals with the reactions of the Jews as they hear the news that they will be slaughtered and on what day. And then the second edict comes saying that they can defend themselves.

  The main character in this book is Ezra. Even with all of my years in a Christian school, college, and church, he is someone I was not very familiar with. And I can't remember the last time I read anything from the book of Ezra. But as Lynn Austin does, she brought this not very well known Bible character to life, and the events surrounding his life. As with all Biblical fiction, not all characters in the book are from the Bible, and neither is everything that happens or is said is in the Bible. However, Biblical fiction of this caliber does not diminish from the Biblical narrative, nor does it add too much, but instead it brings it to life and helps the reader to better understand the life and times of Ezra and his contemporaries.

  God's mercy and providence were big themes in the story, and I found myself encouraged as I realized this same God who provided and took His people back to Jerusalem as He had promised, is the same God today who will work in our lives.

  I found this a very interesting and encouraging read. It is obvious that the author not only put a lot of time into writing this book, but also a lot of study. It shows.This book, and the one it follows, are not just entertaining reads that are clean and wholesome. They are encouraging reads that take us into the pages of the Bible and through the lens of Biblical fiction, show us what it might have been like for Ezra and the other Jews of his time as they lived under Babylonian rule, and were finally allowed to return to their home.

 I definitely recommend this book, and the first book in the series. They do not need to be read in order, but they do follow each other chronologically.

About the author:

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

Find Lynn online: website, Facebook

Keepers of the Covenant is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy.

Thunder by Bonnie S Calhoun

The Time of Sorrows is long past.
The future of Selah and her people is shrouded in mystery.
And the clock is ticking.
Hidden in the tall grasses along a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city, a hunter crouches. It is the eve of her eighteenth Birth Remembrance and high time she proves to herself and her brothers that she can stand on her own two feet. Selah Rishon Chavez waits not for game but for one of the small boats that occasionally crash against the desolate shoreline. Because inside one of these boats she will find her quarry--a Lander.

These people from an unknown land across the ocean are highly prized by the Company and bring a good price--especially if they keep the markings they arrive with. 

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander whom Selah catches is stolen by her brothers, and Selah wakes the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bodhi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell in the Mountain.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of disturbing scientific advances, devious political conspiracy, and survival in a hostile wilderness, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a society more like our own than we may want to admit. From the tension-laced first scene to the captivating last page, Thunder is an epic journey into the heart of humankind that explores how far we are willing to go when we're pushed to the limit.

My review:
  This book is dystopian, which is basically the opposite of utopian. Books that are dystopian are usually set in a time period after some major catastrophic event that most of humanity has been wiped out. It isn't my favorite genre', so I almost didn't review this book, but the lady who wrote it is in charge of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, where I get a lot of books to review, so to help her out, I decided to give it a try. And I am glad I did.

 This book was an exciting read full of drama, chases, bad guys, and suspense. I loved the setting and descriptions of different locations in the book, and the author did such a good job that I felt I could almost step into the story.

 I loved the main characters, Selah and Bodhi, and everything they stood for. There wasn't what I would call any overt Christian message in the book, but the main characters were bound to do what was right no matter what, and didn't let anything stand in their way, and it was a very positive story.

 There wasn't much explanation given for where the people called "Landers" came from and why, but that may be covered more in the other books in the series.

 I did have a hard time putting the book down, and read it in one evening, which is always a good sign that I liked a book. In spite of it not being my favorite genre', I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the others in the series.

 And although the book is fictional, it presents an interesting look at what life might be like for those who remain if there is a nuclear disaster that destroys most of civilization and its people.

  The book is geared for young adult, but is a book that most adults will also enjoy.

About the author:

Bonnie S. Calhoun teaches workshops on Facebook, Twitter, HTML, and social media at writers conferences. In her everyday life she is a seamstress and clothing designer. Bonnie and her husband live in a log home in upstate New York with a dog and two cats who think she's wait staff. Thunder is her first YA novel. Learn more at www.bonniescalhoun.com.
  

Thunder is available from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Book trailer:
  

Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels

Rising mega-pastor Parker Saint was wrapped up in his ratings and his book deal. But that was before the cops and the serial killer, the Vatican operatives, and the centuries-old plot to conceal an ancient relic. Now he's just trying to stay alive.

Parker Saint is an up-and-coming superstar pastor on the verge of achieving everything he's wanted--including a national TV program and major book deal. His success seems all but guaranteed until an angry incident with a flight attendant. To keep his growing empire from collapsing, Parker cuts a deal and agrees to serve as a police consultant on the trail of a twisted serial killer who marks his victims with religious symbols. The problem is, Parker's anything but an expert, faking his way through the investigation by slipping away to consult his smart phone.

As he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue involving an obsessive and demanding detective, a trio of relentless Vatican operatives, a string of botched exorcisms, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, Parker finds himself questioning everything he has been trying so hard to protect.

Building to an intense climax, "Playing Saint" is a timely exploration of what compels us, what defines us, and what redeems us. With its combination of suspense, humor, and intriguing characters, it will captivate readers until the final twist.

My review:
  I have been interested in reading this book ever since I saw a blurb about it a few months back. Even though it is a new author with his debut novel, it sounded good enough that I was going to buy it. Then I got a chance to review it, so of course I grabbed it.

  This book is not for  the faint of heart. Even though the author doesn't get overly graphic, there are a lot of crime scene descriptions in the book. And although he doesn't get too descriptive with it, the issue of demon possession is covered a lot in the book.

  It is a very suspenseful and exciting read. I had a hard time putting it down, and read through it in one sitting, and if I still chewed my fingernails, I'd have been doing it. This book is a nail biter. And worth every minute I spent reading it.

  I found nothing in the book to dislike. I wasn't too crazy about the main character, Parker Saint, one of those fake preachers who are all about show, but by the time the book ended, had come to like him. I loved the armed priests in the book and thought they added a lot to the story. And I really liked the double play on words with the title. I can't give any spoilers away, but the title is pure genius. 

  An interesting idea was approached in the book. There is a Scripture verse that talks about demons coming out of a person, and if they don't stay true to God, the demons coming back with seven times as many demons. I don't think it is possible in real life, but one of the characters in the book would have demons cast out of him over and over just so he could get more back later. It did show how real demon possession is, and that it is nothing to mess around with, and also that if someone is trying to cast demons out, they had better have their heart right with God.

  The book did have a twist that totally surprised me, which I enjoyed. If a book is too predictable, it isn't as fun to read. And this one was fun to read. I highly recommend it. This is an author to watch.

About the author:

An award-winning preacher and Bible teacher, Zachary Bartels has been serving as pastor ofJudson Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan, for nearly ten years. He earned his BA in world religions from Cornerstone University and his Masters of Divinity from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He enjoys film, fine cigars, stimulating conversation, gourmet coffee, reading, writing, and cycling.

Check out his website at ZacharyBartels.com

Playing Saint is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.

Deceived by Irene Hanon

A grieving mother. A mysterious child. And a dedicated PI who's determined to solve the puzzle.
For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she's convinced it's her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating "accident" begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret. 

As Irene Hannon's many fans have come to expect, Deceived is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plot-line that accelerates to an explosive finish.

My review:
   Irene Hanon has been a favorite author of mine since the first time I read one of her books, and she has kept me hooked. This series is in my opinion her best so far. Deceived is the third and final book in the Private Justice Series, and was well worth the wait since I read book two. Each book has focused on a different member of a team of three private investigators, and this one is centered on the third and last member of the team, Connor.

 I thought this book had a great plot. A mother who has lived for three years thinking her son was dead, now to find out he might not be. At first I wondered how a whole book could be written about that, especially once it became obvious to the main characters what the truth was, but the author wove a great story around that plot that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read them. Not only was there a lot of suspense and mystery, but the anguish of a mother trying to find the truth, and the determination to find that truth was portrayed well. The author also brought up an interesting angle of a child who has been kidnapped and doesn't know it, and has formed an attachment to his or her kidnapper.  

 I loved the book, and unfortunately started it at a time when I had to put it aside until the next day. And that was hard to to. Great book, and an awesome finish to the series.

Each book is a different story and doesn't hinge on the others, however there are a few references made to events in the other books, so it would be best to read them in order, but not necessary.

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty romantic suspense and contemporary romance

novels, including the Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. Irene lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.


Deceived is available from Revell, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.