Review of "Every Stolen Breath" by Kimberly Gabriel

A thrilling debut from author Kimberly Gabriel, "Every Stolen Breath" has a double meaning (like all the best titles do) :)

Main character Lia Finch will not rest until she exposes the source of The Swarm, a vigilante mob who murdered her father two years ago. Although she is doing everything she can think of, Lia is limited in her efforts because not only are her lungs compromised, trusting anyone at this point could be deadly.

Enter Ryan, connected somehow - but he still keeps rescuing Lia from dangerous situations. As Lia starts to connect the dots to unravel the mystery, the risk grows exponentially higher and may even affect the loved ones she has left. With an atypical storyline, numerous twists and turns (a big enough one I actually got upset for a minute), and engaging characters, this novel is a good read that I am happy to recommend.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Blink Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "Whose Waves These Are" by Amanda Dykes

This was such an interesting book! Nothing cookie cutter or formulaic here. Set almost entirely on the coast of Maine, the book opens in the fall of 1944 with the Bliss Family.....the war is in progress and decisions must be made -  and when the unthinkable later occurs, no one is prepared for the fallout.

Ann Bliss returns to the place she spent the best summer of her life as a child with her Great Uncle Bob, and quickly finds out just how much has changed - but the core of her childhood touchpoints are still there. When she meets local Jeremiah Fletcher (Fletch) they begin to work together to help the ailing Bob - and they may just solve a long held family mystery.

Bouncing back and forth between 1944 and 2001, it took me a minute to sort out how everything connected, but when I did, things quickly began to make a great deal of sense. With a cast of interesting characters and beautiful prose, this is a thought provoking and richly descriptive book. The premise is unique, and the unveiling of just how it all does finally connect created a very happy and satisfying ending. I will gladly recommend this book by this first time author.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "Fire Storm" by Nancy Mehl

The second book in the Kaely Quinn Profiler series, we pick up where book one left off. Kaely's estranged mom is very sick (cancer) and although she has numerous reservations, she goes to help her brother care for her. Although not in town in any official capacity, trouble seems to find Kaely when a series of suspicious fires set off her radar.

Kaely's FBI partner Noah Hunter returns for this installment, and more about her relationship with her brother and mother are also revealed. As the majority of this story is set during a time she is technically not working, the author found some interesting ways to solve the mystery which was developed (appropriately) slowly. As always, I found myself trying to figure out as early as possible just who the antagonist was and how all the dots connected - but the ending was surprising and not obvious, even in hindsight. The author provided ample twists and turns for a satisfying conclusion. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!

PS: If you have not already read the first book (Mind Games), get them both and make sure to read them in order. There is just too much depth and backstory introduced in book one; read it first!

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "The Spice King" by Elizabeth Camden

The first book in the author's new "Hope and Glory" series, we meet the spirited Annabelle Larkin - on a mission to right the wrongs of the world and learn how to help her family. She has left the farm in Kansas to come to Washington DC with her recently blinded sister, Elaine. While working for the Smithsonian as a botanist, her fascination of the plant world and drive to help her family leads her to seek out a meeting with the reclusive and successful "Spice King".

Gray Delacroix (The Spice King) is a man of many hidden depths. As a successful businessman, he has traveled the world multiple times to grow the family company while in pursuit of righting his own wrongs. Now back home, Gray (who is a fair amount older than his siblings) is learning to interact and communicate with them on a very different level. I really enjoyed seeing how their relationships changed from the beginning of the story to what they became in the end.

When Gray and Annabelle clash over some VERY strong principles, can their relationship survive? What will happen to Gray's brother, Luke? Will Annabelle and Elaine's parents accept the changes this new life brings?

This book is set during such a fascinating time in history. I especially enjoyed being able to take a peek behind the scenes at Good Housekeeping as well as learning about the evolving food industry. The witty repartee, the well written conflict, the family ties and deep relationships, even the villains - all combine to create a beautiful recipe for a wonderful book; one I am delighted to recommend!

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "State of Lies" by Siri Mitchell

Having been a longtime fan of author Mitchell, I was delighted to see a new book from her, as well as one that was in a modern (and somewhat unusual for her) setting. Who writes fiction suspense about a quantum physicist (who is a woman, no less?) with political and government overtones? Siri Mitchell, that's who.

When Georgie's husband Sean goes out 'for a part to fix the sink', he never returns. She is heartbroken to learn he was killed in a hit-and-run. With the support of her parents (father is a four star General currently nominated for Secretary of Defense; mother, a former beauty queen and purveyor of all things proper) and some dear friends and neighbors, George and their young son Sam try to move on with their lives. But when odd and unnerving things begin to happen, Georgie starts to connect some dots...but she can't wrap her brilliant mind around what these things could possibly add up to.

With a number of plot twists, only everyone is suspect (ok, everyone but Sam). I found myself thinking about the ending for days. I am still not sure if I liked how things wrapped up, but I am certain I am glad I read this book. Read it for yourself and write your own review!

This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "The Number of Love" by Roseanna M. White

In the first of a new series, "The Codebreakers", this book has ties to the author's Shadows Over England series. Featuring a more mature Margot de Wilde, little sister of Lukas de Wilde from "A Song Unheard", I found it not only fun to catch up a little with Lukas and Willa but interesting to see what was next for Margot.

Margot has been working as a codebreaker in Room 40 for her country and enjoys the way that God talks to her through numbers. In spite of her age (17), her unique mind is critical to England's war efforts. She also has a very close relationship with her mom - after all, it's been just the two of them for some time - but no true friends. Margot wants to get an education, not get married; the other girls just can't relate. While at work one night she cracks the code of communications about spy number 18, and feels an overwhelming and urgent need to pray for him. She has also encountered some strange newcomers to the neighborhood - are they friend, or foe?

Drake Elton meets Margot when he brings his sister to Room 40 for an interview for secretary. He is intrigued with her answers to his casual questions but immediately leaves to return to the field, deep undercover as he works to prevent a biological attack. When he is wounded, he returns to England and eventually to the care of his sister, Margot's new friend.

With many strong subplots, sweet romance, and a mystery that kept me guessing almost to the end, I happily recommend this book. Also, if you have not read any of the author's other series I highly recommend those as well! Starting with the Shadows Over England books first will only enrich your enjoyment of this one, but it can easily be read alone.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "We Were Bautiful" by Heather Hepler

Although guilt, doubt, and family disconnect are typical YA fiction story topics, rarely are they rooted in the primary cause of this story. Nor are they always handled so deftly as they are by author Heather Hepler. The cause of guilt and disconnect are revealed slowly, and the story's pacing and development are well done; I felt curious rather than impatient or annoyed. Our heroine Mia is experiencing some serious situations - but she is interesting and creates empathy rather than being pitied and depressing. This is a difficult topic to address, and Mia's situation is certainly a big deal, to be sure - but the story ends with hope that is messy but still real.

When Mia Hopkin's sister Rachel dies in a tragic accident, her family completely falls apart. Mia was also seriously scarred (both body and emotions). Although she can't remember much of anything about the accident or it's surrounding circumstances, she knows she is to blame.

Mia unhappily goes to New York for the summer to stay with a grandmother she's never met, and immediately starts a job at a diner as a baker's assistant. Yet with all of these major challenges and huge life changes, she is still willing to cautiously try new things. The "flavor" of the city and the diner and huge Brunelli family that embrace Mia, along with the budding relationship with her grandmother and some rich new friendships - all are well written, believable, and interesting.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was thought provoking with tender and laugh out loud moments. It is easy to recommend this book!

I was provided a complimentary copy by Blink Publishers in exchange for my honest review.