Book 2 in the Jack Turner Suspense Series 

Young history professor, Jack Turner, takes a retreat at a lakeside cabin just outside of Culpepper, Georgia to work on his doctoral dissertation. The cabin is owned by an ambitious state senator, an inheritance from his father. Inside, everything is exactly the way it was when the old man died ten years ago. While taking a break from his research, Jack snoops through the father’s books and finds an old photo album filled with black-and-white pictures of orphaned children. Intrigued, he continues searching and finds what appears to be evidence of murder and an old leather journal, handwritten entirely in German. Rachel Cook, Jack’s girlfriend, translates the journal for him. What it reveals instantly puts both of their lives in mortal danger. 

Besides his bestselling inspirational novels, Dan Walsh is quickly becoming known for "unputdownable" novels of suspense.


My review:

  Dan Walsh quickly launched himself into my top favorite authors with the publication of his first book, The Unfinished Gift. That is a bit unusual because he started out writing Nicholas Sparks/Karen Kingsbury style books. He has never shifted from being one of my favorite authors, and has started writing some suspense novels. This is the second in a suspense series.

  I enjoy a book series where a character or characters are brought back and featured in the whole series. Walsh has created a very likable character in Jack Turner, a young college professor with the propensity to find trouble, or be found by trouble.

  Remembering Dresden starts out in the present, and then goes back in history for a few chapters to the bombing of the German city Dresden during World War II. I probably studied that in school, but I don't remember of it..... so that was new to me. Walsh did a great job of presenting a word picture of the damage done by bombs and the terror and destruction.

 Then the book goes back to the present for the remainder of the book. The whole book was a great read, but the further I got into it, the better and more suspenseful it got. At stake is the discovery of crimes that are tied to an important political figure who will go to any lengths necessary to keep an old family secret buried. I found the book to be an excellent read that kept me turning pages until I finished it, all in one evening. I believe Walsh's strongest and best writing is done in his other writing genre', but this book and the one that follows it shows that he can hold his own in the Christian suspense genre' very well also.

 Although this is the second book in the Jack Turner Suspense Series, it can be read before book 1.

  I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 16 novels including The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery and When Night Comes. He has won 3 Carol Awards (finalist 6 times), 3 Selah Awards and 3 of his books have been finalists for RT Review’s Inspirational Book of the Year.

Magazine and blog reviewers often compare his novels to Nicholas Sparks or Richard Paul Evans (although Dan has added writing suspense novels to his repertoire).

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Word Weavers International, Dan writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area. He and his wife Cindi have been married 39 years. You can find out more about his books or follow him on other social media sites from his website at http://www.danwalshbooks.com.

Remembering Dresden is available from Amazon and the author's website.

Hidden Agenda by Steve Brown

Dr. Steve Brown invites Christians to take off the mask of hidden agendas in his new book.

We like to pretend that hidden agendas are just for self-important bosses or egotistical politicians, but we all have them. Deep down, we all have a secret plan for getting from where we are to where we want to be, even if we refuse to admit it to ourselves.

And if our hidden agendas aren't enough, we wear masks to obscure the truth even more. We put on these masks---like religion, appearance, power, politics, or protection---to drive our agendas. But all of this leaves us feeling phony, ashamed, guilty, and afraid. It's killing us and hurting those we love. But for most of us, it will be a cold day in a hot place before we will be fully honest with anyone else.

There is so much more to life than hiding, pretending, and never being loved. In fact, there is already one person who sees behind the masks we wear and the hidden agendas that drive us. It does no good to tell God that you're sick when you're drunk, that you love him when you don't, or that you didn't steal and eat an apple (with apple juice dripping down your chin). God always recognizes and loves the "you" behind the mask.

So what can we do about the hidden agendas we have and the masks we wear? How can we gather the courage to be real? "Being real" has to start with your relationship with your heavenly Father. God already knows you inside and out. But God doesn't know you in order to "out" you to your friends. His unconditional love for his own is reason we can pray to our Father without fear of rejection or judgment. Knowing God's love, knowing that your heavenly Father is for you not against you is the only reason to give up your masks and develop the type of authentic relationships you never thought you could have. 

My review:

   This book is subtitled "Dropping the Masks That Keep Us Apart".  I have written a few blog posts about wearing masks, so this book interested me as soon as I read the information on it. The book covers the issue much better and in more depth than I ever have. There is a lot of information in this book: why we wear masks, who we try to wear them for, how to and when to take them off, who to take them off for, and everything in between.

  The book is extremely well written and interesting. It isn't a self help book filled with mumbo jumbo, but is filled with reasonable and common sense, yet Biblically based facts about this whole wearing masks idea. He uses a lot of Scripture and presents Jesus as the ultimate help in taking off our masks and being real.

 I found the book not just an enjoyable read, but also a convicting and interesting read.

 This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Steve Brown is the founder of Key Life Network, which exists to communicate that the deepest message of the ministry of Jesus is the radical grace of God. Having spent 25 years as a pastor, Brown now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcasts Key Life and Steve Brown, Etc., which are currently heard on more than 600 outlets.

Brown has a B.A. in philosophy and religion from High Point College and an S.T.B. degree from Boston University School of Theology. He is a visiting professor of practical theology at Knox Theological Seminary and at Westminster Theological Seminary. Brown is also an in-demand speaker and the author of numerous books, including A Scandalous Freedom, How to Talk So People Will Listen, and Approaching God. His articles have also appeared in many top Christian publications.

Additionally, Brown is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Religious Broadcasters and a current member of the Board of Harvest, USA. With such varied experience, Brown refuses to be a "guru," doesn't want to be anyone's mother and gives, in his teaching, the freedom to think. He lives in Florida with his wife, Anna. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Excerpt: read an excerpt from Hidden Agenda here.

Writeyboard Re-Fillable Low Odor Premium Dry Erase Markers Eco-Friendly, 4 Pack

QUALITY FIRST: Chisel-tip for smooth writing. Erases cleanly from all whiteboards. Low odor.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Reloadable, refillable cartridges mean less plastic waste in landfills and less wasted money.

CELEBRITY BACKED INNOVATION brand with Mark Cuban of Shark Tank.

EASY USE AND REFILL means NO messy experience or reduced writing quality.

4 PACK OF PREMIUM MARKERS Writeyboard whiteboard cleaner and additional cartridges sold separately.

My review:

  I was given these in exchange for my honest review and to go with the calendar I reviewed in my previous review.

  These come in a pack of 4 different colors: black, red, green, and blue. They are refillable, and the process seems very easy... you just screw off the top, pull out the old cartridge, and put in a new one. Amazon does not seem to carry the refills, so I don't know the price or where you'd buy them.

 The markers come in a convenient clear plastic carrier with a snap fastener. They work great, erase very well, and are a great marker for erasable boards or calendars. They write well, and the easy to hold grip style makes them comfortable to write  with.

Whitey Board Monthly Calendar, Dry Erase Marker and Squegge

ORGANIZE ANYTHING with this convenient whiteboard for work or home schedules. Perfect for college dorm, kids' chore chart or homework list; even use in the kitchen for menu planning! At a glance month view with writable block space.

EASY INSTALL IN SECONDS with no wrinkles or bubbles. Peels from paper and sticks onto walls smoothly and easily. Adaptive foam backing creates a smooth writing surface.

CLEAN SIMPLE REMOVAL: Just unpeel from wall and roll up for true portability with this simple to use technology. No sticky residue or mess!

CELEBRITY BACKED INNOVATION from Mark Cuban of Shark Tank. EZ install and removal for on-the-go mobility. Great dry erase markers erase with ease. Eco-Friendly.

RE-WRITABLE AND DURABLE for repeated use. No need to constantly replace cheap whiteboards.

My review:

   This was a bit bigger than I expected. It measures 3 feet by 25 inches, and comes in a tube that looks like a gigantic marker. The back is adhesive that is supposed to peel off of surfaces and leave no residue - I didn't test that. It could also lay flat on a desk or be thumb-tacked to a wall. There is a plastic covering for the back to use when the calendar is peeled up and put in storage.

  The calendar is very easy and convenient to use. It does come with a black marker that has an eraser on one end, but there are other colors of markers available for use. This is a great idea to use instead of the paper ones that have to be torn off and replaced yearly.... and the fact that it can be erased is an awesome option over most calendars.

 I received a calendar for my honest review.

The Gift For All People by Max Lucado

A New View on the Old Rugged Cross


Are peace, joy, and significance on your wish list?  How about redemption, forgiveness, the salvation of your soul?  Each of these descriptors bring us to the main event:  grace.  Saving grace, God’s immeasurable gift intended for all.  Regardless of accomplishments or station in life, despite sins of the past, anyone can receive the free gift of grace. 

Yet too often we take God’s incomparable gift for granted—despite the fact that God’s very Son paid for it with his body, breath, and blood. Understandably, we often find ourselves caught up in the daily routine of life, not taking time to reflect on the enormity of God’s mercy.

So here’s a suggestion:  give yourself the gift of a few moments spent in the world of God’s grace.  Read pastor Max Lucado’s unique, stirring insights into God’s role as grace-giver. Spend some time reflecting on the gift of grace, in all its magnificent meaning.  

Let grace, the gift for all people, speak to you personally through these pages.

My review:

   The subtitle of this book is "Thoughts on God's Great Grace", and that is what the book is about. The chapters are short, only going two or three pages, all on different aspects of Jesus coming and dying for us. Though it is not advertised as such, it would make a great devotional the way it is set up.

 As with all of Max's books, the pages are interspersed with personal stories and anecdotes to get his point across. It is an interesting and helpful little book, and it helped bring afresh to me the reality of what God has done for me and how immeasurable His grace is.

This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

In just under two decades of writing, Max Lucado has accomplished more than most writers hope for in a lifetime. Most of his books have appeared on one or more best seller lists, including those published by the "New York Times," "USA Today," "Publishers Weekly," and the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). Aside from hardcover books, Lucado's writings have also been published as children's books, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, music CDs, mass paperback booklets, apparel, giftware, bookmarks, calendars, study Bibles, workbooks, curricula, and plush products. In spring 2003, Hallmark/Dayspring Cards launched a new gift card line featuring excerpts from Lucado's writings--and has already sold more than one million cards.

All this success has drawn more than a little attention to a previously low-profile Texas author and minister. Lucado has been featured in a wide range of media, including "USA Today," "Larry King Live," and "NBC Nightly News." He has spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast before the President of the United States. He has traveled with internationally renowned musicians as a special speaker on their music tours, such as the highly successful "Come Together & Worship Tour" (sponsored by Chevrolet) with Grammy Award-winning artists Michael W. Smith and Third Day.

Journey to the Top
Lucado was born in 1955 in San Angelo, Texas, and raised in Andrews, Texas, the youngest of four children. His father was an Exxon oil field mechanic who, Lucado remembers, always smelled of grease cleaner. "It makes it easy for me to see a God who is loving and kind--because my dad was," he says. His mother was a nurse who grew up working in the cotton fields.

Lucado went through a period of rebellion against his parents' values and their God during his teens and into college. But it wasn't long before he found himself drawn back to his roots, back to God. He married, spent time serving as a missionary in Brazil, and returned to the States, where he began working as a church minister and writing on the side.

Secret to Success
From all accounts, Max Lucado is not a man consumed by sales, awards, and achievements. He often turns down media interviews since they impede on family and ministry commitments. He spends the bulk of his week serving as senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. And he is truly surprised by his own success--more impressed by his one-in-a-million wife and three amazing daughters than by his successful writing career.
 

  The Gift for All People is available from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing.

Thanks to Multnomah for the review copy.

My Mother's Quilts by Ramona Richards, with a contest

A quilt is love that serves a purpose.

The devotions in My Mother’s Quilts are inspired by family heirloom quilts, some more than 100 years old. With humor and sincerity, Ramona Richards shares her memories and lessons learned from the quilters whose legacies live on in their work. Rich, personal, sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, each reading provides a lesson and encouragement from the faithful women who crafted the quilts. Together, these devotions depict the enduring legacy of faith, family, and beloved traditions. Includes full color photographs of each of the 30 quilts!


My review:
   I am not a mother or a quilter, and this book is definitely a woman's devotional; but I do occasionally review books that don't pertain to me.

  This is a very attractive book that would make a great gift for quilt lovers. There is a total of 60 devotionals in the book. Each one starts out telling about the quilt mentioned, along with a photo of it and a spiritual application. The devotional ends with a prayer starter, a short prayer. Every devotional has a color picture of the quilt being discussed, and 30 of those devotionals have a full page photo of the quilt. Although most of the focus is on the quilt and the spiritual application is usually short and no deep theological discourse, they are interesting and helpful.

 The book is hardcover with a dust jacket. It is available from Worthy Publishing.

I was given a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to FlyBy Promotions for the review copy.


About the author (in her words):

I started making stuff up at 3, writing it down at 7, and selling it at 18. I've written 10 books. My Mother's Quilts, a devotional based on the quilts I inherited from my mother, is my latest. Memory of Murder, from Love Inspired is the latest novel.

I'm also an editor, with more than 400 publications to my credit. My specialty is fiction, although I've also worked on CD-ROMs, magazines, non-fiction, children’s books, Bibles, and study guides. Lot of publishers have helped my bottom line, such as Thomas Nelson, Barbour, Howard, Harlequin, Ideals, etc.

And, as I say on Twitter (@RamonaRichards), I'm Rachel's mom. Music nut. Film buff. Lifelong geek. Former Bible editor. Usually a fun person to eat a burger with. And I love living in the ongoing street party that is Nashville.

Check out her website at RamonaRichards.com

CONTEST OFFER!

Win one of the quilts featured in #MyMothersQuilts by Ramona Richards. Also up for grabs: loads of other prizes including quilting hand warmers, coloring books, and 25 signed copies of Ramona’s book. Winners will be emailed after the contest ends on June 30, 2016. Click here to get started!

Medical Judgement by Richard L Mabry, M.D. and e-reader giveaway

Dr. Sarah Gordon lost her husband and daughter. Now she's about to lose her life.

After losing the two people she loved the most, Sarah Gordon doesn't think life could get worse. But, after a fire in her garage is ruled an arson, she begins to realize someone is after her---and that person wants to see her dead. But first, they want to see her suffer.

Her late husband's best friend, Kyle Andrews, and a recovering alcoholic detective, Bill Larson, are trying to solve the mystery before it's too late, and they're both trying to win her heart, too. Not only does Sarah feel torn between two men, she also feels as though she cannot trust anyone.

With creepy threats that become more and more sinister, Sarah finds herself in constant fear, but even the best home alarm technology won't protect her. Who is doing this, and why are they after her?


My review:

  I have been hooked on Richard Mabry's books ever since I read his first published novel, and am always happy to see a new book coming out by him.

  This novel is a stand alone that can be read independent of his other novels, and it is a great read. I took the book on vacation with me and stayed up one evening devouring the book. It is the type of book you don't want to put down. I liked the main characters, the suspense, the romantic dilemma of two men interested in the same person, and the medical drama. As usual, Mabry combines suspense, romance, and medical drama to make a great novel. He is a master at "dumbing down" the medical terminology to not cause a reader's eyes to glaze over who doesn't work in the medical field.

 The plot was great. I had an inkling of what the real motive was before it was revealed, but enjoyed having that insight before the characters did....as odd as that may sound. And I even enjoyed the surprise on the romance front...I did not see that coming.

 When I closed the book after reading the last page, I had that very satisfied feeling that I get after reading a great novel. It was time well spent.

About the author:

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes "medical suspense with heart." His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers' debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and Romantic Times' Reader's Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.


  Medical Judgement is available from Abington Press. Thanks to Litfuse Publicity for the review copy.

Giveaway:

  Just what the doctor ordered: heart-thumping suspense and intrigue, courtesy of Richard Mabry’s new medical drama, Medical Judgment. Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?

Join Richard in celebrating the release of Medical Judgment by entering to win an e-reader!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Medical Judgment
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on June 21st. The winner will be announced June 22nd on the Litfuse blog.

Sins of the Past by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason

Join Three Beloved Masters of Romantic Suspense for Novellas Where the Past Will Not Stay Buried.

Dee Henderson - "Missing"
A Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing from her retirement community. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two soon launch into a race against the clock when they realize something dark may lie at the heart of the disappearance.

Dani Pettrey - "Shadowed"
Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young Alaskan fisherman nets the body of a Russian open water swimming competitor. Another swimmer, who'd been the dead woman's roommate years ago, is pulled into the search for answers as it grows more and more clear that something sinister is at play.

Lynette Eason - "Blackout"
A young woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong finds herself at risk years later when the real culprit is up for parole. The loot taken that night has never been found and he believes she knows where it's hidden--only her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety?

My review:

  I am not a fan of books like this where a few different authors each write a novella.......however, Pettrey and Eason are among my favorite authors, and Henderson has written some great books in the past... so I bit and requested it to review.

  Since I am not sure how to review this book, I will do a short review for each story:

Missing by Dee Henderson:

  Of the three stories in the book, this one would rate the lowest. I liked the main characters, but the plot and answer to the mystery were a tad bit disappointing, but maybe it was just me. It was an interesting story that held my interest. I just found the ending a bit disappointing.

Shadowed by Dani Pettrey:

  I wasn't sure about this one at first. I love Dani's books, and her Alaskan Courage Series is among the best Christian suspense out there...... but it is set in 1979. I was hoping it would pick up where that series left off.

  Then I started reading it, and loved it - I should not have doubted the author. If you have read the Alaskan Courage Series that centers around the motherless and fatherless McKenna adult children, you will definitely want to read this novella. Dani wrote it about the parents and how they met, and of course there is a nail biting mystery going on. This story was the best of the three, and I absolutely loved it. Suspense, cold war, romance, and a lot of mystery and drama....definitely 5 stars.

Blackout by Lynette Eason:

  Lynette is another favorite author who never disappoints, and she proves she can write as great of a novella as she can a full length novel. This one had a great plot, and very likable characters. The author packed a lot of suspense and mystery into so few pages, and she kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next and how it would turn out.


  This novella collection is definitely worth reading, and I recommend it to suspense lovers.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.



About the authors:

Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Taken, Undetected, Unspoken, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O'Malley and Uncommon Heroes series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at www.deehenderson.com.

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and 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 feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their two daughters, a son-in-law, and a super adorable grandson. You can find her online at danipettrey.com.

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 and Without Warning in the Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. She has a master's degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.



Sins of the Past is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.

Go Puck 5X Portable Cell Phone Battery Charger & External Power Pack

Enjoy MOBILE FREEDOM with WEARABLE POWER

Designed for the Active Lifestyle, GO PUCK makes Wearable, Compact and Durable Power Solutions for all Your Mobile Devices.

• Are you looking for a lightweight, portable charger for mobile devices that can be wearable, and provide sufficient capacity to charge your devices multiple times in a day?

• Do you wish you could find a way to attach your portable charger to your golf bag, backpack, belt, or GoPro Camcorder?

• Does anyone make a rugged, durable, and reliable charger that can hold up to your active lifestyle?
Welcome to the World Of GO PUCK!

Wear the power

The Active Lifestyle is on the go and in many cases, with their hands full. So we made sure our power solution would give them a hands-free, convenient experience. Simply clip the GO PUCK to your belt or strap.

Mount the power

You can also choose to mount the power elsewhere, such as on a tripod to provide a secured location for charging your devices. Conveniently mount the GO PUCK on a band or with a screw.

Holding the power

Capable of withstanding 50 G's or 25 lbs. of pull force, we are confident our Active Mounts can support your usage. With two Active Mounts, you can easily integrate the GO PUCK into your action camera setup.

Take Advantage of our Unconditional 30-Day Money Back Guarantee!

Not only that, but we offer a Full 1 Year Warranty for the Go Puck 5X. Rest assured knowing that you are getting the most reliable and durable product found anywhere.

Check out now and start experiencing Mobile Freedom with Wearable Power. This is a special limited time price, so Buy Now while supplies last!

GO Faster. GO Mobile. GO PUCK.


VERSATILITY: Break free from the wall outlet and take your action cam, tablet, htc, i pad, mini iPad, audio player, android and other wireless devices with you. Thankfully, the GO PUCK can charge them all.

WEARABILITY: With the rise in more powerful smartphones and point-of-view cameras, the need for easy-integration of personal power has grown. With the Active Mount holder case adapter, you can clip, strap or screw the GO PUCK where you need it most.

DURABILITY: You demand durability from the products you use-and we've delivered. Our products go through certified rigorous testing to prove they can take a beating and can still thrive. Ditch the long cables and cords and live free.

CAPACITY & SPEED: After making GO PUCK small enough to fit in your pocket, it had to store enough energy and juice to charge mobile devices multiple times a day-and they do. Plus, with a 2amp quick output they charge your devices twice as fast.

GUARANTEE: When you purchase today we stand by the GO PUCK 5X with a Full One Year Warranty! No more buying multiple units. Rest assured knowing that you are buying one of the most Durable, Powerful, and Versatile Products on Amazon.

My review:

  It isn't often that I have the chance to review products other than my usual DVD and book reviews. This is an item that interested me, and I actually needed a new one since I couldn't find the DC cords for the two I have.

  This one really rocks. Of the three I have owned, it is the best....... and I am not saying that just because I got one to review. It has more charging power, can be carried with you, and works great. It comes with a belt clip so you can wear the charger on your belt and charge your phone while it is in your pocket. I actually tried the clip out while at the beach last week, and it worked great.

  I used the charger while travelling 12 hours one way. My cell was at 50%, and it took about 1 1/2 hours to get up to 100%. I tried this a couple of times with the same result, so I would assume a full charge from 0 to 100% would take around 3 hours.

 The charger has 4 green lights to show how fully charged it is while charging it and while it is being charged.

  The one downside to it, is it comes with a cord to charge it from a USB port instead of an electrical outlet. I have a couple wall chargers that a USB cord can be plugged into, so it wasn't a big deal for me, but that is one thing to be aware of.

 The charger is 3 inches by 3 inches by one inch. I used this all week last week, and absolutely love it. It is worth the price.

 Available on Amazon.


  Thanks to Omnideals for the review copy.

Veiled At Midnight by Christine Lindsay

As the British Empire comes to an end, millions flee to the roads. Caught up in the turbulent wake is Captain Cam Fraser, his sister Miriam, and the beautiful Indian Dassah. 

Cam has never been able to put Dassah from his mind, ever since the days when he played with the orphans at the mission as a boy. But a British officer and the aide to the last viceroy cannot marry a poor Indian woman, can he? 

As this becomes clear to Dassah, she has no option but to run. Cam may hold her heart—but she cannot let him break it again.

Miriam rails against the separation of the land of her birth, but is Lieutenant Colonel Jack Sunderland her soulmate or a distraction from what God has called her to do? 

The 1947 Partition has separated the country these three love…but can they find their true homes before it separates them forever?

My review:

  This has been a fascinating series to read. When the author contacted me about reviewing the series, she assured me that men enjoy these books as well as women, and she was correct.

 The first two books took place within a few years of each other time-wise. This third and final book takes place several years after the first two. The main character in this book is an adult and was a small child in the other two books.

  Of the three books, I think I enjoyed this one the most. I really liked the character Cam and enjoyed seeing where the author took her story. And although the series isn't mystery/suspense, there is a lot of suspense and drama in the books, and this one seems to have the most. Though many of the characters are fictional, the events and some of the characters are not. I thoroughly enjoyed this final book in the trilogy, and recommend the whole series to lovers of historical fiction,


About the author:

Christine Lindsay writes historical inspirational novels with strong love stories, and she takes pride in her Irish roots. Her great grandfather and grandfather worked as riveters in the Belfast shipyard, one of those ships her ancestors helped build was the Titanic.

Stories of ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in India that seeded Christine’s long-time fascination with the British Raj and became the stimulus for her multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British Raj.

Some of those awards are:

For SHADOWED IN SILK:
Winner of 2009 ACFW Genesis
Winner of 2011 Grace Award
Finalist for 2012 Readers' Favorite

For CAPTURED BY MOONLIGHT:
Finalist for 2013 Readers' Favorite
Finalist for 2013 Grace Award
Finalist for 2014 The Word Guild Award

The Pacific coast of Canada, about 200 miles north of Seattle, is Christine’s home where she lives with her husband, Like a lot of authors, Christine’s chief editor is her cat.

Check out her website at ChristineLindsady.com


Thanks to Christine for the review copy.

Murder Comes by Mail by Ann H Gabgart

Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn't particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses--a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn't last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs' concerned citizens.

Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves--because the killer could be targeting one of them next.

Readers will love racing along with Deputy Sheriff Keane as the clock ticks in this page-turning mystery.



My review:

  As soon as I finished the first book in this series, Murder at the Courthouse, I was wanting to read more in The Hidden Springs Series. Unfortunately I had to wait 8 months to do so, but book two finally came out.

  It is rare for a female author to have a male as the main character in a book, much less a series. I think that is one reason I like this series so well. I like the main character a lot, and it is a nice change to read a book that centers on a man and his view, instead of the usual female.... not that I have anything against women.

 At the end of the previous book, the author gave a few pages from the beginning of this book to tease the reader. I unfortunately read that, and it made me all the more eager to read this book. It definitely did not disappoint. In addition to bringing back the main character, the author also brought back most of the other characters that played a part in Murder At the Courthouse.

 The plot in Murder Comes By Mail was totally different than in the first book, and even better in my opinion. There were a lot of surprises along the way, and I didn't know what was going to happen next. I did have a suspect in mind and it turned out to be right, but that didn't make the book any less suspenseful or enjoyable to read. I in fact read it in one evening as I couldn't put it down, and stayed up far later than I should have to finish it. I definitely recommend it and the other book in the Hidden Springs Series.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Ann H. Gabhart grew up on a farm in Kentucky. By the time she was ten she knew she wanted to be a writer. She's published over twenty novels. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. She still lives on a farm not far from where she grew up. She loves playing with her grandkids, walking with her dog, reading and, of course, writing. Her Shaker books, set in her fictional Shaker village of Harmony Hill in the 1800's, are popular with readers. The Outsider was a Christian Fiction Book Award Finalist in 2009. Her Heart of Hollyhill books are Small Town, America books set in the 1960's. Angel Sister, a Rosey Corner book set during the Great Depression, will be followed by Small Town Girl. Visit Ann's website http://annhgabhart.com or her two blogs, One Writer's Journal, www.annhgabhart.blogspot.com, and the Hollyhill Book of the Strange, www.hollyhillbookofthestrange.blogspot.com .... Giveaways several times a year.


Murder Comes by Mail is available from Revell, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Kill Devil by Mike Dellosso

Jed Patrick is convinced he's doing all it takes to keep his family safe--new names, new location, new identity. But just when he thinks he finally has his life back, trained men claiming to be CIA agents break in and threaten his wife and daughter, proving once and for all his family will never truly be safe until he eliminates the agency dead set on hunting him down.Not knowing if Karen and Lilly are better off by his side or in hiding, Jed is determined to protect them while finding a way to use the classified information that he possesses to dismantle the Centralia Project. But he soon learns that eliminating Centralia may require compromising his own values. As danger escalates, Jed isn't sure whether there's anyone or anything he can trust--including his own senses. 

My review:

   Mike Dellosso is an author who very quickly rose to being one of my favorite authors. I can always depend on a read that is full of  nail-biting suspense when I read one of his novels. And he is a great guy who I have gotten to know pretty well through Facebook and his author page.

  This is the sequel to his novel Centralia. That book was a masterpiece of writing that kept the reader clueless as to what was really going on in the book until close to the end of the book. It explored mind control and government experiments on people who had no idea what was truly going on. This book takes up close to where that book ended, and again focuses on the great character Mike dreamed up, Jed Patrick.

  In Kill Devil, though the main character doesn't know what is really going on for most of the book, I was able to get a good idea based on the events of the first book. This by no means made the book any less suspenseful or enjoyable than Centralia. In fact, I enjoyed this book even more than its predecessor. It had a lot of drama, action, government conspiracy, and more. Even though I had a idea of what was going on, there were still some surprises throughout the book, and I even muttered once to the author "how could you do that to him?!".... not that the author was present while I was reading it. :)

  The reader gets to know Jed Patrick better, and the book had some new characters that added a lot to the book. It came to a dramatic and satisfying ending that still left me wanting more. A definite 5 stars for this novel.

 And just a side note: I came through Devil Hills, NC with this book which is where part of the book takes place; and am vacationing in the Outer Banks as I type up this review.

 Side note #2: Today is the author's birthday AND anniversary. Happy birthday and anniversary, Mike.

 I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Mike Dellosso, writing also under the pen name Michael King, is the author of numerous novels of suspense, including Darkness Follows, Darlington Woods, and Scream. Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and is a popular conference and workshop teacher. He earned his BA degree from Messiah College and his MBS from Master's International School of Divinity. He lives in Hanover, PA, with his wife and daughters. Mike is also a survivor of colon cancer, diagnosed in 2008.

NKJV Chronological Study Bible

The Chronological Study Bible presents the text of the New International Version in chronological order—the order in which the events actually happened—with notes, articles, and full-color graphics that connect the reader to the history and culture of Bible times and gives the reader a dramatic, "you are there" experience.

 Features include full-color illustrations of places, artifacts, and cultural phenomena, contextual articles that connect Biblical times and world history and culture, daily life notes, time panels and charts that show the flow of Biblical history, and in-text and full-color maps.

Part of the Signature Series line of Thomas Nelson Bibles. More than 367,000 Chronological Study Bibles sold to date.



My review: 
   I've seen this Bible in stores, but never really looked at it much, but when I had the chance to review one, I decided it was time I checked it out.

  If the word "neat" can be used to describe a Bible, this is a really neat Bible. I love the look of the pages. They aren't the typical plain white pages of most Bibles. They ARE white, but have colors along the top, and in other areas on pages, along with pictures scattered throughout.

  The Bible is separated into 9 sections called "Epochs". As the name of the Bible indicates, books, chapters, and verses appear in chronological order as they happened. The difference isn't noticeable all through the Bible, but in certain parts it is. For instance, during the events of David's life in I and II Samuel, the Psalms he wrote at that point in his life are inserted into that part of I and II Samuel. In the New Testament, a chapter from Acts will appear on the same page as I Corinthians.

  This is not a Bible you'd carry to church to look up Scriptures to read along with, as it would be hard to find some passages, but as a personal study tool and for devotions, I think it is great. It is different, but interesting to read passages of Scripture in the order they happened, and read accounts from a couple of different books side by side. It gives a different and better perspective, not that I am going to ditch my Bibles that have the traditional order of books, chapters, and verses. It is a very attractive and useful Bible that can make Bible reading a little different once in a while, which can be helpful instead of doing it the same old way.

  This is a review for the NJKV of the Study Bible, a long time favorite version of mine, It does come in other versions.

 Also, this is the leathersoft edition in stone/blue colors, which makes for a very attractive look.

The Chronological Study Bible is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing, and comes in The NIV and New King James Versions.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson/Bookbloggers.com for the review copy.