Before, Jared's Story, Forlorn Series Prequel by Gina Detwiler

Book description:

 Before Jared met Grace, he had lived several lifetimes of heartbreak, struggle, loneliness, and sometimes joy. His father tried to kill him, and his family shunned him for an original sin he didn’t truly understand until he came face to face with true evil and discovered the demon within himself.

Born in the mid-nineteenth century to a family of itinerant circus performers, Jared didn’t understand why his body grew so slowly or why his parents were ashamed of him and tried to hide him from the world. Through the years he discovered more disturbing things about himself—his unusual strength, the way his body healed with remarkable speed, and the “shadow people” who whispered dark and terrible things in his ear. Only music seemed to subdue their wicked urgings, and the prayers of his mother, the one person in his life who had loved him.

He soon came to realize that he was a danger to the world, and it would be better if he left it alone. But the more he tried, the more he was drawn into a whirlwind of darkness and evil from which he couldn’t escape.

My review:
  I have read and reviewed all three books in the Forlorn Series...and enjoyed them, even though they are written for teens. :)

  This is a prequel to the series, and gives the back story on Jared and where he came from before his explosive entrance in the first book in the series.

 Jared is an extremely likable character in the series, and though the series is fictional, it was still cool to have the author come up with a history for him. It makes the other books even more interesting after reading it.

 It was a great and enjoyable read, though shorter than the others, written in the great style that Detwiler used in her other books. As I said before, these books are a great alterative to the vampire and other weird books on the market for teens.

  If one has not read this series yet, I would recommend reading the prequel first. Even though it is a great addition to the series after reading it, it would definitely be a plus to read it first.

About the author:

Gina Detwiler was planning to be a teacher but switched to writing so she wouldn't have to get up so early in the morning. She is the co-author with bestselling author and speaker Priscilla Shirer of The Prince Warrior series for middle grade readers. She has also written the novels Hammer of God and Avalon under the name Gina Miani.

 Check out her website: Ginadetwiler.com

Come Back to Me, Waters of Time #1 by Jody Hedlund

Book description:
 

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight, comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

My review:
 
  Before requesting this book to review, I had never read anything by this author. After requesting it, I started looking at her books, and ordered several.....6 of which I have read before reading this one, and I have enjoyed every one of them.

 Come Back to Me is different from her other books. #1 They are all historical, and this one starts in the present and goes back and forth between the present and future. #2. This is a time travel book, a first for Hedlund.

  In my opinion, the book felt like it had a slow start, but it picked up after not too many pages, and turned into one of those page turners I didn't want to put down. Hedlund did an excellent job of describing scientific and physical jargon in regards to diseases and cures, and I also thought she is an outstanding job on the historical aspects of the book. I felt myself pulled into the drama of 1382 along with William, Marian, and others.....and loved the view of that time through a modern day woman suddenly thrust into that time.

 And yes, time travel is not possible....but Hedlund brought out some really cool aspects of it, along with possible fallouts and what could happen lingering between two times.

 I loved the characters. Marian wasn't overly likable at first, but that changed. William was a totally awesome character all around, and the developing romance between two vastly different individuals from time periods 800 years a part was beyond interesting.

 I wasn't sure how the book was going to end, but it has an amazing end that left me satisfied and happy I read the book. It is the first in a series, so I am eager to see what the author has in mind for other time travel books in this series.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She loves to imagine that she really can visit the past, although she's yet to accomplish the feat, except via the many books she reads.

Come Back to Me is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Power Play, Capital Intrigue #3 by Rachel Dylan

 

Book description:

Trapped in a dangerous game, can she counter the enemy's deadly power play?

When Vivian Steele, an attorney at the State Department, witnesses two ambassadors collapse as if poisoned at a diplomatic dinner in Washington, DC, she is recruited to be a member of a joint FBI task force assigned to investigate. But she soon finds her by-the-book ways clashing with a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service, Jacob Cruz. A former Navy SEAL and in charge of the event's security, Jacob takes the attack personally and is driven to act quickly, unhampered by rules and regulations.

As Viv starts to work her diplomatic sources, her past as a State Department lawyer comes back to haunt her, and secrets held tightly by the government thrust her into a web of danger. Afraid, she turns to the one man bent on protecting others. But can she accept Jacob's reckless ways as exactly what she needs to stay alive and to discover the truth behind the attacks?

My review:

  This is the second series of books I have read by this author, and I have enjoyed every book in both series. 

  I like books where there is a task force comprised of people from multiple law enforcement and government agencies, and Power Play had that. Though the main characters were Jacob and Vivian, the book also focused on the investigations of some of the others also.

 I enjoyed this book as much as the others. There was a lot of suspense as they investigated a murder, and a possible second one. There was a lot going on in the book, and CIA secrets played a big part in the story. I started reading the book, and did end up reading it in one sitting. It had a terrific plot, characters, and suspense. There were things I saw coming, and also some surprises. Both main characters were likable, but Jacob especially was, and more so after his back story was given. The interplay between the two was very entertaining, especially at the beginning of the book when they didn't really like each other and were put together to work.

 The book had a very satisfactory conclusion, and wrapped up a couple of crimes being solved. As always, the guy got the girl, and even that was an enjoyable part of the story. This book was a great conclusion to a great series. 

 I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author: 

Rachel Dylan (www.racheldylan.com) is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade, including being a litigator at one of the nation's top law firms. Her Atlanta Justice series has won the Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and the FHL Reader's Choice Award. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats.

Power Play is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group. 

                                                                             Book #1

                                                                            Book #2