Review of “Lethal Target” by Janice Cantore

The second book in the author’s Line of Duty series, we again check in with Police Chief Tess O’Rourke. Although in Book One she believed the drug problem in her area had been addressed, AND she had gained some trust and respect, things begin to go haywire again when a popular local teen is found dead. With mysterious circumstances and some puzzling evidence, combined with some of the local pot farms’ new residents, Tess has her hands full.

While the grief from Pastor Oliver MacPherson’s loss of his beloved wife Anna has slowly begun to heal, the town has not. When Tess is attacked from all sides (literally and figuratively), Oliver is a good friend and supporter. He is occasionally drawn into the confidence of likely criminal Don Cherry, and continues to speak the truth with some love, but he may get more than he bargained for when trying to help.

Although this book may technically be considered a stand alone novel, I usually say it’s better when you read them in order. For this series? I STRONGLY suggest you read the first book before picking this one up! There’s just too much important back story, and your reading experience will be much richer if you do.

That said - this was my favorite of all of Janice Cantore’s series (I have read them all), and I can easily recommend this book - it was even better than Book One!

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

Review of “A Sparkle of Silver” by Liz Johnson

I have read and enjoyed all of author Liz Johnson’s books, and quite frankly felt pre-disposed to like this one…but it did not completely hit a home run for me. However, I will still recommend that you read it and decide for yourself, please!

Loyal granddaughter Millie Sullivan was raised by her Grandma Joy. Now that Grandma Joy is suffering from Alzheimers, she can no longer care for her at home. After placing her in the memory care facility they can afford, Millie is shocked and devastated to realize that time has run out to meet her obligations there financially, and they are giving her a VERY short time to find somewhere new. As she can’t even afford the one Grandma Joy is in now, how will she ever make something else work?

Ben Thornton is still shamed by his mother’s con artist ways. Her latest scam/con job has landed her in prison, and he is determined to repay every last cent to the people she took advantage of who are listed in the lawsuit. Ben is working three jobs to make this happen, but when he meets Millie - (whose second job doing reenactments at a historical estate happens to be where Ben is working as a security job), they join forces to find a potential treasure on the property.

The author includes diary entries from Great Grandma Ruth (Joy’s mom), who was a summer guest at that very estate just before the Depression. Will Millie and Ben find all the treasures they are looking for?

Although I was not in love with the entire book as I was reading, I was pretty happy with the ending. And again, please read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. J

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Review of “On Magnolia Lane” by Denise Hunter

Well, this is such an exciting time!! Many of my long time favorite authors have books coming out this fall, and it truly feels like an abundance of riches!

In “On Magnolia Lane”, author Denise Hunter continues the Blue Ridge Novels series, as we learn more about the relationship between Daisy and Pastor Jack.

Pastor Jack McReady has long loved Daisy, proprietor of the local flower shop “Oopsy Daisy”. But as her Pastor and sometimes counselor, Jack feels he cannot cross that line to reveal his heart. So he remains silent….but is slowly dying inside as he watches her look for love, going on dates with people who can’t know or appreciate her the way he does.

Daisy’s dad passed away and she, her mom, and Gram are still very close. When Daisy finds out her mom is going to sell her childhood home, she is taken aback by yet another change in her life….and then accidentally discovers a potentially difficult secret about her dad. With all the change, she almost gives up on the dating app, Flutter, that she has been using.... but.....

...when Jack’s (and Daisy’s, for that matter) well intentioned friends secretly set up a profile for him on Flutter, they connect on the app. But as they have more written "conversations" and grow increasingly closer- but Daisy has no idea it’s Jack in real life AND online…and she begins to feel conflicted about her feelings for both men. And Jack feels guiltier with every interaction.

This is a stand alone book, but as (almost) always, you will find much more enjoyment when you read the entire series in order. The supporting cast and their relationships, and decisions in this book, will make a lot more sense and it simply adds to the depth, IMO. But hey, my opinion is why I make the big bucks here. J

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

Review of "The Cost of Betrayal" by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason

Love love love these three authors, and was super excited to read this novella collection! I was not disappointed! It can be a challenge to create a full story that does not feel rushed or too easily solved in novellas, but that did not happen here at all. Each novella was just long enough to satisfy, and even included some "connecting" characters if you have ready any of their other books.

Betrayed (by Dee Henderson)

Returning to much beloved characters Ann and Paul Falcon, when Ann buys a box of trinkets at an estate sale/auction, much to her surprise she also discovers a mystery. Some of the items in the box could be linked to a murder where the convicted killer has been serving a 20 year sentence. But did she really do it? And if not her, who did??


Deadly Isle (by Dani Pettrey)

Set on a small-town island off the coast of Maryland, investigator/National Resources Police officer Teni Kent's cousin Julia (who is practically her sister as they grew up together and she now has very little family left) dies - but was it a terrible accident, or was Julia murdered?

Callen Frost made a mistake in college, and broke Teni's heart. Thrown together to investigate the death and subsequent suspicious events, he and Teni begin to reconnect. With multiple suspects with possible motives, a crazy storm that is creating extra havoc and confusion, an explosion that may or may not have been an accident, AND a limited amount of space to hide or confront the problems....what will happen?

Code of Ethics (by Lynette Eason)
Dr. Ruthie St. John is an anomaly in a large family of law enforcement. When a patient shows up needing an emergency bullet removal, she successfully removes the bullet and then finds a mystery, too.

Police Officer Isaac Martinez is sure there is something dirty happening within the police force - yes, the same one that many of Ruthie's family work for. Ruthie and Isaac decide to work together to find out just who can be trusted; and they hope to figure it out soon, because their lives are now in danger.

If you have read Lynette Eason's Code of Valor series, it will be extra fun to have a "novella peek" into Ruthie's story.


To sum up?? If you know you already enjoy any of these authors, you will like this book! If you have never ready all or any of these authors, you will still like this book! Go get it today!

I was provided this book as a courtesy by Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "You'd Be Mine" by Erin Hahn

This is going to be an interesting one for me to write. I typically review primarily "Christian Fiction" books; this does not fall into that category. However, in my continued efforts to find just plain GOOD material - interesting story, compelling dialogue, witty repartee, strong plot, etc. for my teenage daughter, it is a constant challenge to discover books that would be considered (even remotely) clean. I loved the summary of this book and initially thought it might be a good fit.

I was wrong that the book would work for my girl (seriously, there is a tremendous amount of language/drug use/alcoholism/teenage sex, etc.); but for myself, I truly did enjoy the story. It was actually compelling. It is a good story. There is witty repartee and a strong plot. I also found it incredibly hard to believe that this is the author's first book, because it does not read like a first book AT ALL.

Country music royalty baby Annie Mathers is just about ready to make her professional music debut. Current country music superstar/heartthrob Clay Coolidge may also only be 18, but he's already lived quite a bit (and really, done a lot he shouldn't). In an effort to repair some of the damage to his image, Clay is "enlisted" to convince Annie that they should tour together, as his label wants nothing more than to sign her.

Annie's parents had an explosive relationship that ended tragically, and she is determined to never repeat their mistakes. But, she loves music more than anything - and decides to give the tour - and maybe a friendship with Clay, a shot. Clay is fighting demons he doesn't even recognize and is drawn to Annie's heart and character. He is drawn to her, but will he ultimately figure out who he loves more - Annie, or himself?

Couple of things to note:

• This is a topic that (at first glance) has been done repeatedly, but there were numerous fresh takes to be found here.
• IwishIwishIwish that authors everywhere would find a way to be "real" and "honest" and "true" without all of the extra dirt. Truly. There absolutely is a way to do this without all the naughty. Go a little deeper and figure it out. Note: I did, however, appreciate that if sexual experiences had to occur, she wrote it without the full descriptors. Kudos to Erin Hahn for that one.
• I'll still recommend this book. I do not think it is for the YA market though - it reads like an adult novel, just with characters who are figuring out who they are, and are only 18. But this really shouldn't (please Jesus) be a book for teens.
• The cover is gorgeous.

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

Review of 'An Hour Unspent" by Roseanna M. White

Run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore or computer to get this installment in the Shadows Over England series! I was so excited for the opportunity to read this book, which features big "brother" Barclay Pearce, now on the straight and narrow. (Please note: you can enjoy this book as a standalone, but I promise you will love it much more if you read the other two -A Name Unknown, A Song Unheard- first.)

Barclay has long been driven by the need to protect his loved ones. With a deceased father and a selfish thieving mother, he and his younger brother are essentially orphaned when their mother is put in jail. Initially unaware that his brother was taken away to an orphanage, Barclay has spent years searching for him with no results. Now, he is the head of the unusual family of (reformed) thieves and is working for the English government in their covert war efforts. With his special skill set he has been commissioned by their contact, V, to work with a local clock maker with a specific design that will potentially help the troops. In the course of this assignment Barclay meets the clock maker's daughter, Evelina. Although she is a strong woman with a sharp mind, she has recently encountered not only a broken engagement, but some difficult family circumstances. When a mystery surrounding Evelina's father begins, she and Barclay must work together to potentially save his life - and the lives of many others. Evelina has trouble trusting, though - and it will affect multiple areas of their relationship.

I have truly enjoyed all of the books by this author, but this series is by far my favorite. Again, I would recommend reading all three books in order - all of the characters in all of the books ring true and are moving and fun, with life and spark! You will also enjoy the snappy dialogue and the author's take on the times and location.

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

Review of "A Secret to Die For" by Lisa Harris

Lisa Harris' newest book features psychologist Grace Callahan, who is abruptly jerked into a dangerous mystery involving one of her clients. Set in Dallas Texas, the story opens with the recently divorced Grace escaping from an intruder, who wants something that she does not understand.

Detective Nate Quinn is just back on duty following the death of his partner in a bombing that he barely survived. Dealing with both survivor's guilt, a new partner, and the rigors of a new case, he is surprised to be back in contact with Grace. He was good friends with Grace's ex-husband in college, and is startled to find that they are no longer married. Nate is drawn to protect Grace for reasons he does not yet understand - and time is running out for them to solve the dangerous mystery.

I have always enjoyed Lisa Harris' books; although this one is no exception, it won't make it to my favorites list from her. This was primarily due to the repeated near escapes our main characters had, which at some point seemed over the top and did not ring completely true for me. However, the characters have depth and potential. I do still recommend this book - perhaps you will see the drawbacks I mention much differently! And, I highly recommend the author's other books, especially the Nikki Boyd and Southern Crimes series.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest opinion.