Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin

Book description:

Even the most admired families have secrets to hide . . .

Nina Fischer carries a camera wherever she goes—so she can view life through a filter. Safely. After her mother abandoned her to the streets, Nina has kept people at a distance, including her uncle, who adopted Nina and her sister. Wealthy and proud, he is a good man, a fair judge, and someone many in San Antonio admire.

But when he is murdered, and the detective assigned to the case accuses Nina of the crime, she knows she must act. She’s determined to use her journalism background to find the real killer. The two men in her life want to help, but can she trust them? She’s known Rick since they were children, but now he’s an attorney whose political aspirations seem more important than Nina’s tragic loss. And then there’s Aaron, a news videographer; using their friendship could break the biggest story of his career.

Following the evidence leads Nina on a journey of discovery into her father’s shocking masquerade as a law-abiding, family-loving Christian. Unlocking these secrets could prove fatal, but it’s the only way Nina will ever be able to trust love again.

Combining romance and suspense, bestselling author Kelly Irvin’s Tell Her No Lies is a high-stakes race for the truth.

My review:

  Kelly Irvin is a new author to me. It looks like she has only written Amish fiction prior to this book, so that is one reason I haven't read anything by her. I am always eager to try out new authors, especially in the Christian suspense genre', so I was happy to get Tell Me No Lies to review.

  I like books that jump immediately into the suspense, and this one started out with a murder in the first chapter, and the suspense kept building from that point. I liked the characters, the plot, and definitely the suspense. I'll admit the idea of a photographer sounded a bit boring, but the book was far from boring.

 Christian books like this often address a certain topic, or have a theme. Trust was the one addressed in this book, trust of others and God. The author also dealt with the issue of homelessness in the book, and is something it is good to be reminded of and what a problem it for so many.

 Romance played a part in the story, as it usually does in this kind of book. I tend to get into that more than I used to, and found myself rooting for the one dude over the other...... and was happy to see the author agreed with me. :) And it made for a great ending.

 And just when I thought the crime had been solved, and all of the guilty parties arrested, the author threw a curve ball I did not see coming.

 As I stated, I have not read the author's Amish novels, but Tell Me No Lies shows she is great at suspense.

About the author:

Tell Her No Lies is Kelly Irvin's latest foray into romantic suspense. It debuts in November 2018. Kelly's newest Amish romance series, Every Amish Season, includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, and the latest release, Through the Autumn Air from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.

Kelly has novellas in The Amish Christmas Gift and The Amish Marketplace, both of which were also ECPA bestsellers. She is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.

Kelly has also penned two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..

The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.

A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.

She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have two grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.

Tell Me No Lies is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.

Bodyguard for Christmas by Carol J Post

Book description:

Someone’s after his little boy. 

She has one chance to save them both.

When his young son is nearly kidnapped, assistant district attorney Colton Gale needs a Christmas refuge—and a live-in bodyguard. Though former military police officer Jasmine McNeal fights to shield them 24/7, she refuses to get attached. But growing close to the little boy and his father might be her only shot at keeping them alive—and becoming a family beyond the holidays.

My review:

 Christians suspense is my favorite genre', and I have really come to enjoy the Love Inspired Suspense line. Carol Post's are among the best I have read. And I am not saying that because I am reviewing her book. I recently found one of her older books that I had not read at a used store, and was delighted to find it. It had a message I needed, and I even emailed her about the book.

  Anyway, onto this one. I love kids, so I am a sucker for a story involving kids.....especially when it is one in danger. This is the third and final book in the Murphy series. The first two books were about the other 2 guys in this trio of friends, Bryce and Tanner, both in law enforcement. This third book centers on the third guy, Colton.

  It is unusual for a female bodyguard to be guarding a man and his son, though the assignment is mostly for the little boy. That was different, but I got used to the idea.

  This is not a book that slowly coasts into the suspense and danger. It dives into it on the 5th page with an attempted kidnapping, and keeps it up throughout the book. Post does a great job of portraying the anguish of a father trying to keep his son safe, and the determination to do so. I like a book that is unpredictable, and this one kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next.

  The biggest surprise was a bit twist I did not see coming. I won't say what it is because I try not to give spoilers away, but I will say this: the main character, Colton, has an identical twin, Cade, who is introduced at the beginning of the book. I was wishing the author would do a book about him, but this is the final book in this trilogy.

  The climatic moment of the book is very riveting. I didn't think the author would off a 3 year old little boy.....would she? That whole scene made the book worth reading, though it was anyway.

 I really enjoyed the book, and it had its moments that made my eyes "water". I liked the fact that Post brought back the characters from the other 2 books, which was not a surprise....they had all been in parts of the first 2 books already.

 Post has again shown she can spin a great suspense novel that is Christian and worth reading.

About the author:

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, Carol's résumé reads as if she doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love for writing. She started as a child writing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles and finally novels.


Carol lives in sunshiny Central Florida and writes fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Her books have received a 2016 Royal Palm Literary Award and been nominated for a 2016 RITA® award and a 2014 RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She is also a popular speaker, presenting workshops on a variety of craft topics. Besides writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly-spoiled dachshund.

Check out her website here.

Bodyguard for Christmas will be released on December 4

Thanks to the author for the review copy.

Who I Am With You, Legacy of Faith #1 by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book description:

For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith. 

Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows.

Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-town hideout might be more of a long-term destination. 

When Jessica begins to read her great-grandfather’s Bible, she finds a connection with a man she never knew. Somehow the verses he marked and the words he wrote in the margins open her heart to healing. And as Ridley and Jessica help each other forgive the people who have wronged them, they must decide if the past will define them or if they will choose to love again. 

Who I Am With You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever.

My review:

   I don't read many books that are just romance, but I have always enjoyed Robin Lee Hatcher's books. When I got an invitation to review the book, I jumped on it. I'll say up front I am not a big fan of a book where there are two stories going on - one modern day, and one in the past. I tend to enjoy the modern day one more, and when I read the one in the past, anticipate going back to the modern day one.

  That said, I really did enjoy the whole book. Yes, I enjoyed the modern day parts most...and most of the book did center on it, but I also enjoyed the forays into the past. The story of the past dealt a lot with trusting God in difficult times, forgiveness, and working to keep a marriage together, no matter what.

  Ridley and Jessica's story, the modern day one, also dealt with forgiveness. Ridley is reeling from false accusations of wrong doing that he is innocent of, and is the target of a lot of hate and anger. Jessica is dealing with the death of her daughter and her adulterous husband, while carrying his child. I enjoyed the developing relationship, the interactions between the characters, and the message of the book.

 As for the romance....too many books have a whirlwind romance, but this one was a slow developing one that was more believable and realistic. I love the title of the book, which comes to play at the very end of the book. Slight spoiler - hey you know they get together anyway - Ridley asks Jessica if she is happy, and she replies "Unimaginably so. And you?" He replies, "The same. Only it is more than that. I like who I am with you. I like the man I am because you are part of me." I like that.

 Forgiveness can be difficult, and though this book is fictional, it shows that it is not just necessary to move on and not be bitter, but it is also possible. The book also shows God can work things together and bring good out of bad.

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

About the author:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writer of America and the winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and numerous other awards and recognitions, Robin is the author of over 75 novels/novellas. Her books have been translated into Dutch, French, and Chinese (to name a few).

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She and her husband make their home outside of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon puppy named Boo and a persnickety tuxedo cat named Pinky. Join her on her Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher) and/or Twitter and/or her website & blog.


Who I Am With You is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

In Too Deep, Dive Team Investigations #2 by Lynn H Blackburn

Book description:

How do you choose between loyalty and the truth?

When the Carrington County Sheriff's Office dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant. 

Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes. When evidence implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case. 

The truth could set hundreds free--but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets. 

My review: 

 My favorite genre' to read is Christian suspense, and that means I have read a lot of it. I can honestly say this author is one of the best I have read. I was wowed with the first book, and the wowing continued in book 2.

 I enjoy a series of books where the same main characters are in the whole series, but each book centers on a different person in each book. This series revolves around 4 members of a dive team of investigators, who do most of  their work on land, but obviously diving is part of their work.

 Book 1 centered on Ryan, and book 2 on Adam. It is normal to have a favorite character in a series, and I was hoping book 2 would center on Gabe....the one who has the funniest lines in the book, and was disappointed when that didn't happen.....but how wrong I was to be disappointed. Though it didn't seem to me that Adam was much of an interesting character in book 1, that was proven wrong in this book. I came to like him and Sabrina very well throughout the book, though the author has created some great and likable characters besides them.

 This may be a slight spoiler, but isn't anything that will ruin the book: the main plot of the book revolves around human trafficking. Though the book and accounts of it are fictional, the reality that it exists in our country is not fiction. Though it is sad to read even of fictional accounts of it, it does one good to be reminded there is such evil in the world, and even in our own country.

 In Too Deep was full of suspense, drama, romance, and humor. I may have mentioned it in the review for the first book, but Blackburn is a master at the banter between her characters, and I was laughing out loud a lot throughout the book. The romance part.... I may be a bachelor for life, but I am a romantic, so I usually enjoy that part of romantic suspense, and this one was done very well. It is refreshing to read a book where there is no whirlwind romance that ends with a marriage at the end of the book. In this case, the couple had known each other for 2 years, and just had never acted on their mutual attractions.

 I like to figure things out in a suspense novel, yet I also enjoy surprises.... and the book had plenty of those. A lot happened that I didn't see happen, and the motives for things were a surprise also.

 I enjoy police procedure and crime investigation, and though I am no expert, Blackburn's description of those were not only interesting, but seemed like what would actually happen.

 This was truly an great read from start to finish, and had a very awesome ending. It may be better than the book it follows. It definitely left me wanting to read more in this series, and more from this author.

 My copy of In Too Deep was given to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

About the author:

Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She's passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don't make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.


In Too Deep is available from Revell, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell and the author for the review copy of In Too Deep.

I recommend this book, and the book it follows.....Beneath The Surface..... and they should be read in order.

Holy Roar CD by Chris Tomlin, with a giveaway

Following his best-selling 2016 release, worship leader and songwriter Chris Tomlin returns with an uplifting offering of praise! Holy Roar features the lead single "Resurrection Power" plus "Nobody Loves Me Like You," and more sure-fire sing-along gems.

HOLY ROAR track listing:

1. Holy Roar
2. Nobody Loves Me Like You
3. Resurrection Power
4. Goodness, Love And Mercy
5. Satisfied
6. Impact
7. Praise Him Forever
8. Is He Worthy?
9. Forever Young
10. I Stand In Awe (Feat. Nicole Serrano)
11. Praise Is The Highway
12. How Sweet It Is (Feat. Pat Barrett)

My review:

  My favorite genre' of music is Southern Gospel, but I do listen to some Praise and Worship and Christian Contemporary. Chris Tomlin is one such artist that I have a few CDs of, so I took the opportunity to review it.

 The CD has a total of 12 sons, coming in at 52 minutes of music. I actually like all 12 songs. That doesn't always happen with me when I listen to a new CD. They are a blend of faster and slow songs, and all with great lyrics.

 My top pick would be track 2, Nobody Loves Me Like You (Jesus). Goodness, Love, and Mercy is another favorite.

 Satisfied is a fairly upbeat tune, but is also a favorite.

 The two duets are great tunes, though I never heard of either singer before.

  Some of Tomlin's songs tend to sound alike, but there is a fairly wide variety of music on this CD that fans of his will enjoy, and the songs will minister to those who listen to it. In my opinion, this is one of his best that I have heard so far.

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

About the artist:

Christopher Dwayne Tomlin is an American contemporary Christian music artist, worship leader, and

songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States who has sold over 7 million records. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords.

Giveaway:

Courtesy of FlyBy Promotions, I have one copy of this CD to give away to someone who comments on this post. All you have to do is comment, and make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. You may even use my email to enter if you prefer that - it is on the left side of my posts.

I will use random.org to pick a winner on November 5th.

Thanks to FlyBy for the review and giveaway CDs.

A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus by David Bennett

Book description:

At 14, David Bennett came out to his parents.

At 19, he encountered Jesus Christ.

At that moment, his life changed forever.

As a young gay man, David Bennett saw Christianity as an enemy to freedom for LGBTQI people, and his early experiences with prejudice and homophobia led him to become a gay activist. But when Jesus came into his life in a highly unexpected way, he was led down a path he never would have predicted or imagined.

In A War of Loves, David recounts his dramatic story, from his early years exploring new age religions and French existentialism to his university experiences as an activist. Following supernatural encounters with God, he embarked on a journey not only of seeking to reconcile his faith and sexuality but also of discovering the higher call of Jesus Christ.

A War of Loves investigates what the Bible teaches about sexuality and demonstrates the profligate, unqualified grace of God for all people. David describes the joy and intimacy he found in following Jesus Christ and how love has taken on a radically new and far richer meaning for him. 

My review:

  This is a book everyone should read: the Christian who has no clue about gay people and how to treat them, the out and proud gay person, the gay people in the closet, and those like me: we who struggle with this issue, know it is wrong to give into our attractions and desires, and are striving to serve God despite it.

 It is a book that if you go into it with the wrong mindset, you will be distracted by what you don't agree with, and will miss out. I didn't agree 100% with David, but that is OK.

 I ran across the author a few months back, and followed him on Twitter and Facebook, as I am interested in anyone who has same-sex attractions/is gay and serving God. I thought his book sounded worth reading, and I was fortunate to be able to review it.

 My review could be summed up in a few words: David's story is amazing. They of course want more than a few words, so I will go on.

 A lot of gay/SSA people have church backgrounds, and may be a little antagonistic towards God and Christians. David was an atheist and despised Christians. He took delight in fighting them (not physically), and had absolutely no interest in the church or God. Who would imagine a young man like him would be converted in a pub.

   His story doesn't read like many others I have read. It took him a few years to completely walk away from dating other guys, and surrendering his sexuality and desire for a boyfriend completely to God. I found his story very inspiring and encouraging, and also convicting. The point he came to in his surrender is one I honestly don't think I have ever come to, along with many other Christians.

  Bennett makes an interesting case for Christians with SSA to use the gay Christian label. I am not sure I agree, but he did stretch my thinking and caused me to look at some things like that in a different view.

 The book ends with an appendix of how he researched the verses on what the Bible says about homosexuality, and how he eventually came to believe that the Bible does not condone any kind of sexual relationship between people of the same sex.

 David Bennett's story is very inspiring and miraculous.... that God could save a young gay activist who didn't believe in God, and despised Christians and the church. It should give us hope that God can reach anyone.

 If there was such a thing as required reading for Christians, this book belongs on that list. I wish every Christian would read this book. There are a lot of books out there like it, but David does an amazing job of portraying what it is like to have these attractions and desires, and what it costs and what it takes to forsake them to follow Jesus.

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

About the author:

David Bennett is from Sydney, Australia, and is reading for a DPhil (PhD) in theology at the University of Oxford. He is a fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and holds an Oxford postgraduate degree in theology, as well as a master’s degree in analytic theology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

 Find David on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidACBennett

 And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidacbennett/

Check out the website for his book: https://www.awarofloves.com/

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story, by Christopher Yuan

Book description:

From the author of Out of a Far Country , which details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man who put his identity in his sexuality to a Bible professor who now puts his identity in Christ alone, comes a gospel-centered discussion of sex, desire, and relationships. 

Dr. Christopher Yuan explores the concept of holy sexuality--chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage--in a practical and relevant manner, equipping readers with an accessible yet robust theology of sexuality. Whether you want to share Christ with a loved one who identifies as gay or you're wrestling with questions of identity yourself, this book will help you better understand sexuality in light of God's grand story and realize that holy sexuality is actually good news for all.

My review:

  I read and enjoyed Christopher Yuan's first book, Out of a Far Country (2011), which was the story of his change from a promiscuous gay man and drug dealer to a Christian. I highly recommend it.

   When I saw he had a new book coming out, I was definitely interested in reading it. The title immediately intrigued me...holy and sexuality are not usually put together.

 There is a large move on for Christians who are attracted to the same sex, and living a celibate life,  to use the "Christian gay", or just "gay" label. As a Christian who myself is attracted to the same sex, I have issues with that, but am trying to see their point of view. Yuan takes the opposite approach. The entire book is not about identity, but he does discuss it a lot in the book. And he knows his "stuff."

  Yuan makes a case that there is a difference in what is considered to be normal sexuality, and in holy sexuality. He has researched well, and added in his own experiences and has come up with a book that makes a lot of sense, and shows how even heterosexual people tend to idolize sex and relationships too much.

 One of the most helpful chapters in this book for Christians who do not personally have same-sex attractions, is a chapter on how to react and deal with it when someone confides that they are gay/same-sex attractions. That is followed by a chapter on discipleship that is valuable to any Christian.

 There are a lot of books on the Christian market dealing with gay issues/homosexuality, but this may be one of the most different of those. Yuan has very practical and Biblical thoughts and advice, and it is an interesting and easy to comprehend style.

"I received this book from the publisher through their book launch program."



About the author:

DR. CHRISTOPHER YUAN has taught at the Moody Bible Institute for over ten years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He co-authored with his mother, Angela, their memoir (now in seven languages), Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God, A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. He is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless. Dr. Yuan holds degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and Bethel Seminary.

NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Leathersoft

Description:

Encounter the power of the word. Walk in the freedom God intends. Experience the Holy Spirit. For the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church on the Way and chancellor of The King’s University, assembled a team of respected, Spirit-led scholars to produce this resource of solid biblical truth. Now in a full-color third edition with new contributors, it is even more dynamic. With over 2 million copies sold, the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible continues to equip God’s people to live in his kingdom, exercise gifts of the spirit, and lay hold of God’s promises.

Features include:

Word Wealth - More than 650 word studies (including over 100 new ones) shed light on key terms, drawing important meaning from the original Greek and Hebrew.
Kingdom Dynamics - Dozens of biblical themes are addressed in notes by Spirit-filled preachers, teachers, and writers, including many new contributors for this edition
Truth-In-Action – Handy, helpful thematic charts provide practical application from every book of the Bible
Praying the Word - 192 guided prayers based on significant passages throughout Scripture
Detailed book introductions and outlines help you to learn each book’s historical background and appreciate its teachings
Verse-by-verse study notes explain each passage and illuminate your understanding
Includes a new full-color design with updated maps and charts, a detailed NKJV concordance, and in-depth articles about the Spirit-filled life
Designed with the exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface
10-point print size

My review:

   The New King James Version of the Bible is one of my favorite versions, and I enjoy reviewing different study Bibles, so I grabbed this one.

  I have really been enjoying the features of this Bible. The study notes are very good and helpful, but a lot of Bibles have those. This Bible has something called Word Wealths. They are scattered throughout the Bible and tell more about the word, what it means, and expounds on it, and often gives other references where it is used in the same way.

   Kingdom Dynamics focus on different themes throughout the Bible and what they mean to us.

   Each book starts out with a page telling the author, date, purpose, and content, followed by an outline.
 
  Each book of the Bible also has Truth In Action. A small number will appear beside some verses, and there is a truth and action section at the end of the book to correspond to each number.

  I have been using the Bible daily for the last couple of weeks and am really enjoying the extra features of it, and finding them very helpful. It is definitely a Bible I will use often. I reviewed the NJJV, but it is also available in the New Living Translation.

The New Spirit-Filled Bible is available from Thomas Nelson Publishers

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.

Hidden Peril, Code of Honor #2 by Irene Hannon

Book description:

The most dangerous enemy is the one who has nothing to lose

As teenagers, Kristin Dane and her two best friends took a vow to make the world a better place. Twenty years later, she's fulfilling that pledge through her fair trade shop that features products from around the world. All is well until, one by one, people connected to the shop begin dying. 

Detective Luke Carter, new to the St. Louis PD, wants to know why. Before he can answer that question, however, the FBI weighs in and Kristin suddenly finds herself in the middle of international intrigue--and in the sights of the ruthless mastermind behind an ingenious and deadly scheme. Can this cold-blooded killer be stopped before more people die . . . including Kristin?

Three-time RITA Award-winner and "queen of inspirational romantic suspense" (Library Journal) Irene Hannon doesn't disappoint in this edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have you up late as you rush toward the explosive conclusion.

My review:

  Irene Hannon has had me hooked ever since I read her first suspense novel several years back. She never disappoints, and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. She has written several different suspense series, and each one seems to top the last. In my opinion, she has become synonymous with quality Christian suspense.

 The first book in this series, Dangerous Illusions,  was an awesome read that was different from her other books. I loved it, and doubted she could top it, but she has done so in Hidden Peril.

  Some readers do not like prologues in a book. I am one who enjoys them and feel they can set the tone for the book. The prologue in this book not only set the tone for the book, but it made me want to dive into reading the book.

  The plot was intricate and well thought out. Hannon set it up very well, so that I read as fast as I could to find out what was going on. She brought back some of the characters from her previous book, and even a couple of characters from a previous series, and added a few. Her two main characters especially were very likable as they got in the middle of the plot and suspense.

  Candles and terrorism....what do those have in common? One would assume nothing, but Hannon makes a great suspense novel using those and other factors and objects. I was proud to figure out fairly early the identity of the bad guy, but there were also some surprises, including the climatic scene close the end of the book.

 I am a confirmed bachelor, but have come to do more than tolerate the romantic aspects of these books. I found myself enjoying that aspect of the story, and really liked how that went and came to a conclusion.

 This was indeed an awesome read, and I have gone back and re-read parts of the book that were especially good. Hannon has another book she can rightly be proud of.

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



About the author:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including One Perfect Spring, Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, and Pelican Point, as well as Dangerous Illusions and the Private Justice and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carols, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.


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

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Delayed Justice, Hidden Justice #3, by Cara Putman

Book description: 

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.

   Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

   Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

My review:

  This is the third book in The Hidden Justice Series, and the best in my opinion. It deals with the very tough issue of child molestation. I personally only know what I have read, but I felt the author portrayed the issue and the feelings of the victims very well and compassionately.

  Putman has come up with some great characters for her books, and I have liked all of them. I found myself liking the two main characters in this one even more than the other two. There's Jamie, molested as a child by her uncle, and now finally ready to come forward and get justice. And then there is Chandler, military vet working to help other vets deal with PTSD and other issues facing them as they leave the military. I am not a dog lover, but I even liked Chandler's dog.....and loved his name - Aslan.

   I love suspense, and there was a lot of it in this book. Typically, one of the main characters...usually the female, is the one in danger. In Delayed Justice, both characters have their own dangers and bad guys after them.

  The book also dealt with the issues of trusting God. Jamie has a hard time believing in and trusting God since He never stopped her sexual abuse as a child. And though a fictional character, Chandler's faith made me long to have the kind of faith described in the book.

 The large majority of legal thrillers I have read have been by male authors. Putman has proven in this book and the other 2 books that she can hold her own with those male authors. She has again written a great novel of suspense and drama that I had a hard time putting down. I definitely recommend it.

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


About the author:

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She’s an attorney and a teacher at her church as well as lecturer at Purdue. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. She loves bringing history and romance to life.

An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska, George Mason University School of Law, and Krannert School of Management, Cara left small town Nebraska and headed to Washington, D.C., to launch her career in public policy.

Cara is an author chasing hard after God as she lives a crazy life. She invites you to join her on that journey. She's currently writing her 26th & 27th books with more on the way. Please check out her website (http://www.caraputman.com/) to learn more about her books and read first chapters.


Delayed Justice is available from Thomas Nelson.

Thanks to the launch team for the review copy.

Praying the Promises by Max Lucado and Andrea Lucado

Book description:

Find security and hope in a broken world through the unshakable promises of God. Join bestselling author and beloved pastor Max Lucado as he leads you through 30 life-changing promises from God in Praying the Promises. You’ll experience a more intimate and effective prayer life and a deeper faith in the God who keeps every promise.

God makes His character clear throughout the Bible: He is a God who saves us, who is faithful, who sends His Comforter, and who has a good and holy purpose for our lives.

In short, He keeps His promises.

But what does that look like in a broken world? Surrounded by confusion, darkness, violence, and pain, where do we see the promises of God at work in our everyday lives?

Max Lucado invites you into a deeper understanding of the peace and security God offers His people in Praying the Promises, a beautiful book that tells stories of God’s faithfulness and offers tangible ways to implement faith into your own prayer life. Through 30 key Scripture verses, a look into the lives of biblical people of faith, reflections, and prayers, you will see a clearer picture of the promises of God and how He is the rock you can build your life upon.

Whether you are a lifelong believer or if faith is a brand-new adventure, Praying the Promises offers you access to the God who has kept His promises since the beginning of time and will continue to do so for eternity.

A great gift for all ages.

My review:

  The cover of this book caught my eye. I like lighthouses, and I also like Max Lucado's writing. I figured it had to be good.

 This is not a Bible promise book full of promises from the Bible, though there are a lot of those in the book. It is more like a devotional. There are 30 chapters. Each one starts with a page that has the title of the chapter, followed by a promise from the Bible. The second page has  the Unshakable Hope section, which is thoughts on promises in the Bible. The third page has a few promises, followed by a page with a prayer about promises. The chapter ends with the "I am" section, which is a statement of what we are as Christians.

 Throughout the book are pages with lighthouses and anchors in the background, making a very attractive book with its reds and whites.

 Lucado and his daughter did a great job on the book. The promises they picked out are varied and relative to today. The Unshakable Hope sections are very well written, interesting, and helpful. The prayers are a very neat way of praying the promises, something most of us probably don't do enough of....if at all. And the reminders of what we are in Christ are very encouraging.

 This book could be read several chapters at once, but I would recommend going through it a chapter a day, and using it as a 30 day devotional.

About the authors:

MAX LUCADO

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 130 million books in print.

Follow his website at MaxLucado.com

Facebook.com/MaxLucado

Instagram.com/MaxLucado

Twitter.com/MaxLucado

ANDREA LUCADO

Andrea Lucado is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. She is the author of English Lessons: The Crooked Path of Growing Toward Faith. Before taking on writing full time, she worked in the Christian publishing industry as a book publicist. She has a master’s degree in English literature from Oxford-Brookes University and contributes regularly to online and print publications such as Relevant magazine and She Reads Truth. When she is not conducting interviews or writing stories, you can find her laughing with friends at a coffee shop or running in the Texas hill country. 

Praying the Promises is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.

A Secret to Die for by Lisa Harris

Book description:


Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn't simply suffering from paranoia.

Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan--and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for.

With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, Lisa Harris takes readers deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock.

My review:

  Some years ago I read my first Lisa Harris book. I don't remember the title, but I do remember thinking it was "just OK". She has gone from being just OK to one of my favorite suspense authors whose books I look forward to reading.

 This book is her first after her awesome Nikki Boyd Series. As far as I can tell, this is a stand alone book, with no indications of it being a series.

  I loved the plot for this book. It involved bad guys working to shut down the power grid for the whole country, as the good guys raced to stop their evil and disastrous plan. I have read an am aware of the dangers and fallout if something like that did ever happen, so I found the book to be a fascinating read, even though it was fictional.

 The author did a great job on the technical jargon, and describing how such things in language easy to understand, and an awesome job on the suspense.

 The two main characters were very likable, and were great creations by the author. As with most books of this type, there is a romance brewing throughout the book. Even though I am a confirmed bachelor, I have come to enjoy most of these and cheer on that part of the book, as well as a conclusion to the mystery/dilemma faced by those characters.

 I loved the book, and found it one difficult to put down, and was only disappointed that the ending came so fast. Harris has another book she can be very proud of.

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





About the author: 

Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than thirty books, including Vendetta, Missing, Pursued, Vanishing Point, and the Southern Crimes series, Harris and her family have spent almost fifteen years living as missionaries in southern Africa. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.


A Secret to Die for is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Making God Smile by Kim Taylor Henry

My review:


More than just an inspiring daily message, this book leads you on a year-long journey of aligning your actions to your heart’s intentions. Making God Smile overflows with encouragement, reminders, practical tips, personal and inspiring stories, scriptural insight, and biblical teaching that will show you how to reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. By embracing this fruit, others will see Christ in you and your life will be more than you ever imagined possible.


My review:
 
  I would think it would be difficult to write a 365 day devotional on living  the fruits of the Spirit, but this author has done exactly that.

 As with any devotional I have reviewed, I didn't read every entry, but read several throughout the book to get a good look at it....and I am impressed at how this devotional turned out. I am sure the average Christian could do better with living the fruits of the Spirit, and what better way to improve on that than reading daily about living those?

  The devotional is for 365 days, but is not split up into months nor labeled by month and dates. They are simply labeled day 1, day 2, etc., on up through 365. Each day starts with a Bible verse, followed by the author's thoughts, and ending with a short one-two line prayer.

 I found the devotionals well written and helpful. The author has come up with a great devotional that is different from others on the market, and I would recommend it.

About the author:

Kim Taylor Henry is a gifted writer, frequent contributor to Daily Guideposts and lifelong student of the Bible. She spent seventeen years as a corporate defense litigation attorney and eight years a vice president of human resources at two major corporations. Kim has three grown children and five grandchildren and lives with her husband near Denver, Colorado.


Making God Smile is available from Worthy Publishing.

Thanks to Worthy for the review copy.

A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson

Book description:

When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beach-side cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.

Join award-winning author Melody Carlson for a Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday.


My review:

  I have come to equate a great Christmas story with Melody Carlson. She has been writing a Christmas novel every year for several years now, and I have a shelf containing those books. It may seem odd to be reading and reviewing a Christmas book in September, but there was no way I'd pass up a chance to review her newest Christmas novel. I would rather have read it closer to Christmas, but the review dates are this month.

 Of all of her books I have read, I find this one to be her best one yet. It is possible there are aspects of the book that made me like it even better.

 The setting is a beach house by the ocean, and I love the ocean and have vacationed there several times. Granted, I have no desire to be there in the winter, but it still made a great setting for the book.

   I am also a sucker for a book with kids in it, especially a fatherless young boy. Carlson did a great job on creating his likable character, along with the other main characters.

 The book actually takes place before Christmas, a week before Thanksgiving, and the time after. There is a lot of talk about Christmas, and much decorating for the holiday also. The town in the book sounds like a delightful place to live, whether or not it is modeled after a real town or not.

 These Christmas books are actually novellas, with this one coming in at just 167 pages. A lot is packed into those pages, and the story tugged at my heart strings of a 12 year old boy so desperately wanting what seemed impossible, but then Christmas is a time for miracles.....

 I thoroughly enjoyed the book, though the whirlwind romance was was too fast to happen in real life...though I did love the ending and how it was all wrapped up. A great read indeed.

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


About the author:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Check out her website: MelodyCarlson.com.

A Christmas by the Sea is available from Revell, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Healing the Scars of Addiction by Gregory L Jantz, Ph D

Book description:

The wreckage of addiction lies scattered around too many people--from the one who is or was addicted to those in relationship with that person. Age-old culprits of drugs, alcohol, and gambling are joined by newer addictions, such as food, prescription medication, shopping, pornography, and technology. Left unaddressed, addiction devastates lives now and makes it difficult to see a positive way forward.

For anyone struggling with an addiction, attempting to live in recovery, or seeking to understand the mind of an addict they love, Dr. Jantz's newest book is a lifeline. In it he helps readers answer tough questions, such as

- Am I an addict?
- Why is the first step so hard?
- How can I put my life back together?
- Where do I go from here?

Addiction doesn't have to have the last word. Healing the Scars of Addiction offers a holistic approach to healing so that readers can reclaim their lives and move forward in hope. 

My review:

   It is all too easy to get addicted to a multitude of things today, but it can be really difficult to get rid of those same addictions. I am a firm believer in prayer and God's help, but these things are still hard to battle, so it is good to have books out there on issues one struggles with to get some additional help and advice.

 I have read and reviewed other books along the lines of this one, but I found this one to do a better job than most. The author seems to really know his "stuff", and approaches it from both a professional and compassionate standpoint.

 Among other things, the book addresses how and why addictions can happen, then goes on to the how's of getting rid of an addiction.

 I found the book very well written, and containing a lot of helpful material and advice for those battling addictions.

About the author:

Gregory L. Jantz, PhD, is a popular speaker and award-winning author of many books, including Healing the Scars of Emotional Abuse, Healing the Scars of Childhood Abuse, and Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear. He is the founder of The Center • A Place of Hope (www.aplaceofhope.com) in Washington state. Learn more at www.drgregoryjantz.com.

Healing the Scars of Addiction is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.
  

The Crescent Stone, Sunlit Lands #1 by Matt Mikalatos

Book description:


A girl with a deadly lung disease . . .
A boy with a tragic past . . .
A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in . . . 

Madeline Oliver has never wanted for anything, but now she would give anything just to breathe. Jason Wu skates through life on jokes, but when a tragedy leaves him guilt-stricken, he promises to tell only the truth, no matter the price. When a mysterious stranger name Hanali appears to Madeline and offers to heal her in exchange for one year of service to his people, Madeline and Jason are swept into a strange land where they don’t know the rules and where their decisions carry consequences that reach farther than they could ever guess.



My review:
  I'll admit this book sounded a bit weird to me, but I requested it because it also sounded interesting. And it is a bit weird, but a good weird.

 This is a fantasy novel written for teens, but I have found that books written for teens can be very enjoyable reads, and this one definitely was. I would put this book in the category of the Chronicles of Narnia. As with the Narnia books, one can spend too much time trying to find spiritual applications and allegorical truths where there are none. I simply read the book, and enjoyed it.

 That is not to say there are not truths and lessons to be learned and gained from reading the book. There definitely are....such as Jason's intense determination to always tell the truth, no matter what.

 The author came up with a great imaginary land to set his book in, along with a vast array of people and races that are in that land. Then he tossed two human teenagers into that land who had no clue as to the rules and what was really going on in that land. There were indeed many surprises in the book, and not is as it seems in the Sunlit Lands.

 The Chinese teen Jason absolutely made the book. Madeline is intended to be the main character, but the book would not have been nearly as entertaining and interesting without his antics. With his determination to tell the truth no matter what, coupled with his reckless habit of doing and saying the wrong thing at the worse times made me laugh out loud often while I was reading. He may be one of the funniest characters I have ever run across in all of my years of reading. I loved his antics and his fierce loyalty and determination to his friends.

 I would not call this a Christian book in the terms of the ones I usually read, but it is a great clean fantasy novel that has Biblical truths and lessons throughout it. I am hooked, and am looking forward to the next book in the series. This is a fantasy novel that stands above most I have read.

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

About the author:

Matt Mikalatos writes books (surprise!). In the past, Matt worked as a high school teacher and a comic book clerk, but currently focuses on nonprofit work devoted to helping people love one another despite their differences. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, three daughters, two unicorns, a gryphon, a dragon, and three brine shrimp.


The Crescent Stone is available from Tyndale Publishing.

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

Less Than Perfect: Broken Men and Women of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them by Ann Spangler

Book description:

What can the Bible’s most flawed men and women reveal about who God is and how he reaches out to less-than-perfect people? In Less Than Perfect, bestselling author Ann Spangler takes us beyond cardboard cutouts of 38 biblical characters to show us how these were real individuals who had dreams, temptations, and weaknesses just like us.

Whether considering the murderous Herodias, the scheming Jacob, or the doubting Sarah, Spangler approaches both familiar and lesser known characters with fresh eyes. We meet each of these individuals again as if for the first time as Spangler offers a dramatic retelling of their lives, insight into the historical and cultural context of their time, and key takeaway points for our lives today. Each chapter includes questions for discussion or reflection, making Less Than Perfect ideal for individual or group Bible study.

Entertaining, informative, and inspirational, Less Than Perfect gives you a big picture view of the Bible even as it takes you into the hearts and minds of people with struggles just like yours. As you learn more about the individuals who are part of your spiritual family tree, you’ll discover why God loves to use imperfect people to tell his perfect story of redemption.

My review:

 I have read a few of Ann Spangler's books, and also have the Names of God Bible which she was the editor for. I have been impressed with what she has written, and really enjoy the Bible. When I saw this book for review, I knew it was worth reviewing.

 I am honest in my reviews, so I will admit I don't like the cover of the book very well. This was a case of not judging the book by its cover. Had I not read books by the author before, I may have passed....which would have been a mistake.

 The book covers 30 people from the Bible, some good and some bad. Delilah and Jezebel are covered, and also people like David and Mary Magdalene.

 Each chapter is a different Bible character, and starts out with at least one verse about the character. The author then relates the story of  the person, with Bible verses on the side throughout. Next is the "Times" section. It gives the approximate dates of the story, and where in the Bible it appears. It also gives some details about the setting and customs of that time.

 The Times section is followed by the "Take Away". It consists of some questions about the story, and some are personal questions to do with the reader based on the story.

 This is a great and interesting book that shows what Bible characters did wrong, and how we can learn from their mistakes and lives. It would make a great Bible study for a group, or even a 30-day devotional. It is well written, and the author brought out a lot of interesting points and questions.

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

About the author:

Ann Spangler is an award-winning author, publishing her first book, an instant bestseller, in 1994. Since then, she has gone on to write several bestselling books, including Women of the Bible (co-authored with Jean Syswerda), Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus (co-authored with Lois Tverberg). Her latest book is Praying the Attributes of God. Together her books have sold millions of copies.

In 2013 she was named the Logos Bookstore Author of the Year, an award given to an author "whose body of works exemplifies the power of books to change lives forever."

By paying attention to the spiritual and emotional hungers that animate us and by finding creative ways to explore God's self-revelation in Scripture, her writing surprises by revealing a God who is often far bigger and better than we might imagine.

In addition to writing, Ann has enjoyed a lengthy career in Christian publishing, working for William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Servant Publications, and Zondervan Publishing in marketing, editorial, and management roles. Her broad experience in publishing has convinced her that readers are looking for well-written books that explore the connection between spiritual experience and everyday life, books that both engage the mind and strengthen the heart.


Less Than Perfect is available from Zondervan Publishing.