This book was hard to set down. The opening scene grabbed me and the suspence continued to build right to the end. As the story developed and more details were discovered about the Gemini Thief, a kidnapper of boys, the more suspects mounted. The author incorporated multiple voices throughout the novel which enhanced its flavor and the characters. They became real people to me as I saw the ramifications of losing someone you love which turns every waking moment into remembering and grieving at the same time.
Thea Delacroix deeply misses her cousin, Aulus, belieiving he is one of the June boys. But the police arrest her eccentric father as the main suspect. Her world seems to be spiraling downward where no one trusts her and she fears to trust anyone.
I recommend this creative, cliff-hanging novel by Courtney C. Stevens. It is not my usual Christian historic novel. I received a copy from Net Galley and Thomas Nelson. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own. #TheJuneBoys #NetGalley
You Were Always Mine – Book Review – Suspense and Intrigue!
You Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a page turner! If you like suspense, a clean novel, and family ties this may be the book for you. I won You Were Always Mine from a Goodreads’ giveaway and was not familiar with the author. Her writing is brilliant and kept me engaged from page one on. Her characters fill their roles with authenticity.
A dedicated mother of two boys loses her husband in an unusual hunting accident. As her life spins out of control, she discovers secrets that leave her unsettled about his death and her future.
I recommend You Were Always Mine. Subjects in the book include adoption, marriage, friendship and betrayal.
Thank you to Goodreads and Nicole Baart for this opportunity to read this book. My own honest, opinions are expressed in this review.
The Innkeeper’s Daughter – A Fascinating and Intriguing Read!
The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I delighted in this novel, another in the Bow Street runners series. Joanna works her heart to the bone at the Blue Hedge Inn her family owns. She watches over her young brother and her aging mother who are her world. The Inn’s holds a rough crowd in the lower class section of Dover, England, but it’s her life and she must make ends meet to pay the rent. Unbeknownst to her, an undercover officer has taken up residence under her roof, with the name of Alexander Morton. He’s not the usual customer since he pays ahead of time for his room and board. The bar brings in ruffians and some aren’t who they seem to be.
I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery played out in the plot. The two main characters cannot deny the chemistry that develops between them. Alexander struggles to maintain his strong, godly beliefs while he discovers who is smuggling at the docks. The author incorporates some humorous and colorful characters, such as Mr. Nutbrown, who only speaks through his puppet and skips paying his bill by climbing out his window.
Michelle Griep, one of my favorite writers, brings depth, true human flaws plus graces into her books. She clearly believes that faith in God is worth clinging to in any circumstance.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Innkeeper’s Daughter. All thoughts are my own.
The Great Alone – Mesmerizing!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kristin Hannah’s writing has mesmerized me before so I didn’t hesitate to request The Great Alone on Net Galley. The time period and the place drew me in. I was in college in the 1970s and my husband and I watch some real life TV programs of families living off the grid in the upper north of Alaska. This novel grabbed me immediately. Leni, a young teen and her parents are the main characters. Her father has returned from the Viet Nam war as a POW suffering from PTSD. Life becomes quite erratic for these three. He struggles to maintain a job moving them often. He eventually devises a plan for a new start by moving to Alaska. Leni’s mom sees hope in his decision so she begins to prepare for the new adventure. But nothing could equip them for what they encountered. Once in Alaska, life changed rapidly.
I must warn you that the book contains family abuse, violence, and desperation. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the novel. Will hope arise for Leni or her parents? Can they survive the daunting wilderness of Alaska?
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
If I Live (If I Run #3) Suspense!
If I Live by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of the reasons I enjoy reading Terri Blackstock’s books is her series with familiar characters. I read the first novel in If I Run but not the second. I would suggest reading all three since the middle one gives important details needed to understand the last book. I was able to put the pieces together and liked the suspense expected in her writing.
Casey continues to hide from those who do not understand her innocence or believe her. One person may be seeing her side but can she trust him or anyone? To say more will spoil the story for future readers.
You will find well defined characters, complex and compelling mixes of situations and complications. This is a fast read to find the conclusion to the If I Run series.
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
The House on Foster Hill – Mysterious Intrigue!
The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was curious about this book and was not sure if I liked it. I persevered to discover intrigue, suspense, and romance. The further I read, I grew to care about the characters and their dilemmas. The House on Foster Hill contains two story lines about the same home from different periods, the present and the 1800s.
Kaine seriously seeks a new beginning but finds the home she purchased, sight unseen, a dilapidated money pit. It seems her past has followed her across the country and danger lurks in her new surroundings. Will this be her home or should she abandon her refurbishing plans?
Ivy finds a dead girl on the Foster Hill property. What can she do to solve the murder mystery and the obscure home? Who wants her to stop investigating? Are there unknown secrets to uncover?
~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
The Trust – Mesmerizing!
The Trust: A Novel by Ronald H. Balson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book draws the reader in immediately and doesn’t let go. The action, twists, and turns make this mystery mesmerizing. Liam Taggart reluctantly returns to Ireland for Uncle Fergus’ funeral to learn he’s been named the Trustee and the funds cannot be distributed until Fergus’ killer is discovered. Since Liam left Ireland and his family in less than friendly terms this appointment doesn’t sit well with anyone. He enlists his private investigation partner and wife, Catherine, at home in the US in the hunt for the murderer. Fergus isn’t the only family member who has a murderer and the angst grows. Who knows what will happen next? I may have to read the other novels in this series!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post anything but my honest review which I have done.
Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A delightful novel about a woman working on a telegraph transition line station in a small town. Grace believes she will be hunted down by the same men who killed her father so she is hiding out and laying low. She begins after hours’ transmissions with a mysterious telegrapher and they become companions. Humorous happenings occur in this female only berg, Harper’s Station. Characters learn to trust God in this great read that will take you away for a few hours.
I won this book through a book giveaway opportunity on Rel Mollet’s website who is a book reveiwer and offers author services. Thank you! The opinions offered here in my review were my own and I was not asked to do a review.
Beneath Copper Falls – Page Turning Suspense!
Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have read several of the other Rock Harbor books by Colleen Coble. Her suspenseful writing continues in Beneath Copper Falls and mixes in familiar characters like Bree, Kade, and their family. The search and rescue dogs add personality to the storyline, also.
Dana Newell moves to Rock Harbor looking for a new beginning, away from her harmful relationship with her ex-fiance. She moves in with her brother who travels for work. She has found a job as a police dispatcher and renews her ties to former friends. One of them, Allyson is found dead after a desperate phone call to Dana. Now her free time is consumed with discovering what is happening in Rock Harbor. She is joined reluctantly by a cousin of the deceased, Boone, who has secrets of his own.. Will her move to Rock Harbor be the sanctuary she hoped it would be? The pages will fly by as you find the answer!
I was given a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Ghost Heart – Review – Spellbinding!
Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ghost Heart introduced me to a tragedy in the real world that goes beyond human organ trafficking. Mia Kendall, a heart transplant surgeon working in Africa faces obstacles and new realities that are hard to grasp after discovering a horrendous murder of an albino in a small village. She’s not one to sit back and do her job. She needs answers to her questions. A rogue, ex-military pilot might be able to assist her but can she trust him?
A distraught family in America struggles to keep their young daughter alive and their only hope is a heart transplant. What ends will they seek to obtain their solution? What would any of us do to save our child’s life?
Connections between the multiple characters do become clear as this fast paced story unfolds. I highly recommend reading Ghost Heart. The authors have written more than a spellbinding novel. They are opening the door and exposing the real-life, tragic legend about albinos and how their lives are at stake.
(Thanks to the authors for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)