With Mercy's Eyes by D. T. Powell

 

Book description:

He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.

Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he's gay, it's over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.

When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.

The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he's gay. But this one is different. She doesn't embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn't she?

My review:
  There aren't enough books like this on the Christian market, and I was happy to run across this one, thanks to a friend sending me a link to it. It is a long book - 532 pages, not counting the discussion questions and other extras. So it was a bit daunting, but I did read it in one afternoon.

 The book is fairly slow-paced for most of the story. This isn't a fast conversion story - not really a spoiler that there is a conversion...you figure there will be....but the author takes her time getting there. 

And that makes sense. Lane is a gay guy married to another man, who dies at the beginning of the first book. His Christian parents kicked him out when he was 18, and 20 years later he doesn't have a any good feelings about God and Christians. He isn't going to turn to God within the first couple of chapters. 

Speaking of Lane....The author did an excellent job on him. His past, what he was going through, his experiences with Christians and the church. And man, did he have it rough. Kind of like a gay Job. :) But he is impossible not to like, and you can't help but root for him. 

And he isn't the only likable character. There is Vic (Victoria). She ends up playing a huge part in his story, and man I was about sobbing towards the end of the book the way her part in the story played out. 

I have read a handful of books that deal with this issue, and I believe this is by far the best one I have read. The way the author handled it, the truths from the Bible she brought out...even the truths from a fictional novel Lane read that Vic wrote...this was a heartbreakingly beautiful story that brought out some truths I needed. The title, With Mercy's Eyes...I cannot explain it well, but the author brought out the idea of spiritual gifts, and that what so many gay people do is a sinful manifestation of what might be a spiritual gift. (Not saying being gay is a gift, but loving people and having the gift of mercy...the author explains it at the end of the book).

Anyway, this is a book that is worth reading. It is more than a fictional account of a messed up guy who comes to the point we all need to come to. It is a beautiful story of God's love and how He works in our lives, no matter how far we have gone.  

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
D. T. Powell grew up in a Christian home, loving books and reading. Her daily habits include: reading dozens of pages, picking which book to read next, and archiving and listening to sacred music. 

When she was nine, God sent a fictional character into her life who changed the way she looked at the world—and herself.

From then on, she wanted to show everyone what God had done for her, so she pursued an art degree… and was summarily kicked out of the program due to general lack of artistic talent.

Only after she graduated with a degree in business did she pick up the one utensil she had never thought to use, a pen. And she hasn’t put it down since.

To fill her writing day, she works on original stories, extensive fanfiction endeavors, and learning more about the craft of writing.

Her hobbies include hanging out with her husband and their three kitties, reading, playing pickleball, listening to music, and imagining scenes to use in future books. 

She loves Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

You can find her at dtpowellwrites.com, on IG - dtill359, or FB - D. T. Powell, Author

Rescued, Security League #1 by Jerusha Agen

Book Description:

 Being a nanny shouldn’t be dangerous. Tell that to the people who want her dead.

As the nanny of twin two-year-olds who lost their mother, Valena Greer wants to create a happy and safe home for the children. The kids must know they’re loved and protected—the opposite of her own unstable childhood. But when danger comes to her door, the illusion of safety is shattered.

A security agent shouldn’t have to convince the lady he’s saving her life.

But that’s exactly what Cooper White must do when he tries to rescue Valena and the twins from would-be killers. If he could get Valena to trust him, then he could focus entirely on evading the opposing organizations that want to take the children and eliminate their protectors.

As the deadly pursuers close in, can Valena and Cooper trust each other and God for the rescue they need?

Real heroes. Real faith. Women in trouble, fighting to survive, encounter the heroes of the Security League and the God they didn't know they needed.

My review:
    I actually read this last year when it was included in a Kindle anthology, but I couldn't remember a lot about it, and agreed to review it.

  This is one of those non-stop suspense and drama books. It starts out with Cooper rescuing Valena and the twins she is a nanny for, and they are constantly on the run. I love the back and forth between Valena and Cooper. For the first part of the book, she fights him and is sure he is kidnapping them and refuses to willingly cooperate and refuses to believe anything he says.

  I really enjoyed this one. I love it when kids are a part of a story, and Sammy and Savannah were likable kids, and it was awesome how Cooper and Valena were both determined to protect them...even when butting heads. 

 As with her other books, the author was not shy about weaving a Christian thread throughout the story, and it meshed well with everything else. There were a lot of tense situations, and it was a book I did not want to put down. Looking forward to more in this series. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. 

With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives.

Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.\

Get a free suspense story from Jerusha at FearWarriorSuspense.com and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting stories at www.JerushaAgen.com.

   

One More Chance, Brand of Justice Series #12

Book description: 

Living in Phoenix in the heat of summer isn’t for the faint of heart.

Add a cat, and things could get messy. Especially when Kenna doesn’t know why she feels strangely lethargic and keeps missing time. Is she ill, or is something far more sinister at work? She didn’t plan to have to navigate the “in sickness and in health” part of married life so soon, but here she is. With her team backing off to give her and Jax space to be newlyweds, she will have to figure this out without them.

Kenna is up to the challenge. Until it all goes wrong, of course.

A cold case mixes with a present threat, and their enemy seems to be around every corner. With a list of missing people and a hint this might be connected to a shadowy organization, Kenna needs her health to hold out until the case is closed. Uncovering a dangerous plot wasn’t part of her summer plan, but maybe she’s the only one who can bring the truth to light.

This brand of justice will cost her team everything.

Warning: this book contains a diabolical cliffhanger.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

My review:
  This first part of my review I will have to edit out for other places, especially Amazon. They would never approve it, but this is so cool that I have to share it: I am in this book. For real. The author has a chat with some readers and other authors in, and a while back she had the idea to use any of us in a future book who were interested, and got our physical descriptions and I think ages. I got cast as an evil doctor, and she made sure I was OK with that. Every time Doctor Buzard was mentioned, I would chuckle. I love it. Now on to the actual review:

 For a series I was not sure I was going to get into, I am loving this series. At the end of the previous book, Kenna and Special FBI Agent In Charge Jax (Oliver Jackson) finally tied the knot, and are married and living together in this book. And man, what a book. Phillips really pulled out all the stops on drama and suspense in this one, and it is truly a book I read in one sitting. I couldn't wait to read this one.

It had all the regular characters - Mazie, Ramon, and Bruce - and a cast of new ones, including some really bad ones. Phillips does great at creating evil characters you love to dislike. 

The plot was awesome, partly a continuation of the whole series with new wrinkles and problems. The bad guys really ramped it up in this one, fueled by the author's evil genius. 

And the ending, Oh, the ending....there is a cliffhanger warning. Ugh. I ignored that warning. Because it is a major cliffhanger. I won't give spoilers, but I will say it doesn't leave Jax or Kenna in a good place. 

I am definitely looking forward to the next book. Not just because of that huge cliffhanger, but book #13 will be from the viewpoint of FBI Special Agent In Charge Oliver Jackson (Jax), new husband of Kenna, the heroine of the series. I think he will even be on the cover.

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.

One More Chance releases June 18.

Check out her website for more about her and her books: AuthorLisaPhillips.com

The rest of the series:

                                                    1-4

5-8

9-11

Targeted Montana Witness by Sharon Dunn

Book description:

 On the run from unknown enemies…

staying hidden is their only chance for survival.

After being attacked in her workplace, Jillian Welch fears the worst—the mobsters behind her fiancé’s murder have found her. Uncertain of her safety in witness protection, she turns to Sheriff Luke Mayfair for help. But clues point to an obsessed fan of Jillian’s anonymous nightly podcast as her assailant. Now with potential threats all around, Jillian and Luke must seek refuge at Luke’s family farm. But when the continued ambushes escalate to attempted murder, they must expose the culprits before they get to Jillian first.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My review:
   My favorite genre' is Christian suspense, and one of my favorite tropes is Witness Protection. So this book is right up my alley.

I really enjoyed the book. There was a lot of action and suspense, and some great chase scenes - I always enjoy those in a suspense novel. The bad guys always seemed a step ahead. which added to the suspense. 

Loved the two main characters. Jillian was determined to help people even if it put her in danger, and Luke did his dead level best to protect her, knowing she was going to leave. 

Dunn also wove a great faith aspect into the story, which I always appreciate in a Christian novel. 

And the book had a great ending that made reading the book worthwhile. I was hoping for that kind of ending, so I was quite satisfied with the end. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:

After 26 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She now lives with three nearly grown children, a nervous border collie and two cats.

Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers.

Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her Web site: SharonDunnbooks.net

Standing Watch, Dakota K-9 Unit #3 by Terri Reed

 

Book description:

To protect an innocent witness…

a K-9 must sniff out a killer.

When K-9 task force officer Zach Kelsey’s estranged wife is attacked at a Mount Rushmore observation deck, he and his K-9, Amber, are quick to come to her rescue. He discovers not only that Eden, a park ranger, is carrying his child, but that she saw her coworker’s murder. As the only witness to the crime, Eden has no choice but to accept Zach’s protection. But with a ruthless killer ramping up his vicious attacks, they must put their differences aside to catch the murderer…before Eden becomes his next target.

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
My review:
  This is the third book in a 9-book series by multiple authors. The first book came out in April, and the last one will come out in December. 

  I read and enjoyed the first two books in this series, and have been looking forward to reading this one. Each book has its own plot, but there is a main plot running through the whole series that involves gun smuggling. 

 Standing Watch was an awesome read. I do enjoy romance, and second chance romances are one of my favorites. In this book, the couple is still very much in love, but are separated because Zach doesn't want kid....due to childhood trauma. 

I really liked Zach and Eden......and Tyler and Amber - their cat and dog. Zach is determined to protect his wife and unborn child, while wrestling with the idea of being a father. Eden still loves Zach, though she doesn't understand why he doesn't want kids. 

There is a lot of suspense in the book as the bad guy tries to get to Eden, as she and Zach try to stay safe. You have a pretty good idea who the bad guy is, but he is relentless and there are some nail biting moments as it looks like he will succeed. 

I loved the ending of the book. The author resolved the suspense and romance parts of the story very well, and left me wanting to read the next book, due out in July. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Award winning, multi-published author Terri Reed found solace from a chaotic childhood in the pages of books that took her far away to different realms and realities. When she discovered Christian fiction, she also discovered her own story telling voice. Now she writes books of heart-warming romance and heart-pounding suspense infused with faith. Her romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publisher's Weekly top ten and Nielsen BookScan top hundred lists, and have been featured in USA Today. She's a member of the Honor Roll of Romance Writers of America. Her books have finaled in Romance Writers of America RITA contest, National Readers' Choice Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. One of her romance novels was adapted into a Hallmark movie for Christmas 2019. Terri resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and running the agility course with her Australian shepherd.

You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97280 or visit her online at www.terrireed.com or email her at terrireed@sterling.net

                                                                       Book #1

Book #2

Book #4, Coming July 1

An Unexpected Grace, The Jewels of Kalispell #3 by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Book description: 

Can unexpected grace lay the foundation for a second chance at love?

After a decade away, Parker Bennett returns home with a traveling troupe to perform a play based on Uncle Tom's Cabin at the Kalispell Opera House. Parker has relished his life on the road, but being home awakens long-buried emotions when he encounters his first love, Johanna St. John. He can't help but wonder if there might still be a place for him in her heart.

Widowed for three years, Johanna devotes all her time to a demanding toddler, an injured father, and a successful millinery business. After the loss of her husband, she desires to move on, but reconnecting with her past love leaves her unsure of what lies ahead. Both committed to God's distinct calling on their lives, Johanna and Parker struggle to see how their futures can unite, and when strange things start happening around town, their second chance at a life together seems more unlikely than ever.

My review:
  **If you are not familiar with this series, the Jewels of Kalispell are historical buildings/businesses in Kalispell, Montana, that are still standing and being used today. This third book is about the Kalispell Opera House. 

 The dynamic writing duo of Peterson and Woodhouse has done it again. This was a truly awesome read. And for a guy whose favorite genre' is Christian suspense, that is saying a lot. 

Of course all of these authors' books have a villain, so there is always a bit of a suspense. And they created a great villain in James, greedy and evil brother-in-law of the widowed Johanna. I kind of felt bad for him at times. It wasn't his fault the authors created him to be the villain of the story. :)

And the story....great plot, and great and likable main characters. Who doesn't love a second chance romance? And this one was a great one. There was the struggle of Johanna to reconcile still loving her first love, while still loving her deceased husband, and Parker, who had never stopped loving her. 

The authors wove a great story around the opera house and theater troupe, adding in romance, Biblical truths, hope, and threads of suspense. All of that combined with some history resulted in a great read that could be held up as a standard of Christian fiction. This book did not just entertain, it made me think on Bible truths and God's will. 

I cannot end this review without mentioning Marvella, the judge's wife, matchmaker extraordinaire, and a very amusing and colorful character who was in all the books. She was awesome, and I loved the ending of the book where she got credit for all of her successful matches. 

I loved this series, and this final book was a great conclusion to this awesome trilogy.

Special thanks to the authors for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own. 

About the authors:

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandkids, and research all the history around them. You can connect with Kimberley on her website, KimberleyWoodhouse.com.

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Learn more at TraciePeterson.com.

Check out the rest of the series:

                            Book #1

Book #2

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L Turner

Book description:

 A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him.

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now?

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse.

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare…  

My review:
  I have read several of this author's mass paperback suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, a Christian imprint of Harlequin. I don't know that I have read all of hers - there are a ton of Love Inspired Books on the market. This book is also from Love Inspired Suspense, but it is Turner's first trade paperback novel. And is one I have been looking forward to.

 Turner came up with a great cast of characters, and at the top are the two main characters: Oaklynn and Caleb. Against her wishes, she is paired to investigate the case with him. This is romantic suspense, so you can figure out what happens there. :)

There are also a lot of other great characters, especially Caleb's interesting family with their wide variety of talents and expertise. I am hoping we see more of them.

Excellent plot. The daughter of a serial killer who is a cop living under a different name, a killer who is killing people the same way her now dead father did, and who is targeting Oaklynn with threats and other things. 

I thought I knew who the killer was right away, and pretty much stuck with that a lot of the book. Then the author did something - probably intentionally - that made me suspect someone else. It turns out my first guess was correct. 

I feel this is Turner's best writing to date. Part of that may be because this is a longer book than she writes normally, and there was more time for plot and character development. Regardless, this was an amazing suspenseful read that I did not want to put down until the very last page. 

Toss in an evil cult, and you have the makings of an awesome suspense novel.

And even throughout the violence of an evil serial killer's actions, the author wove Biblical truths and hope throughout the book. 

Special thanks to the author for an e-book copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own. 

About the author:
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.