A Crimson Heart by Grace Green - A Book Review

 

It felt as if it had been a while since I last had the pleasure of reading a Grace Greene novel, or in this case novella. I was thrilled to receive a complimentary e-copy of A Crimson Heart from the author. It was just as moving and lovely as each of her other books. I my mind, Grace Greene is among a small group of authors who consistently excel in character development. She truly presents polished, appealing, and believable interactions between her characters, most often tugging at the readers' heart strings, as she does in A Crimson Heart. Many readers will identify with the novella's themes of caregiving for loved ones, choosing to be family even with those who are not blood relatives, and true compassion. Many, like me, will be hoping that this book will serve as a prequel to a new series. I recommend this novella for reading anytime, but it is especially poignant for this busy holiday season when one must fit reading in between preparations and celebrations. 

Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris - A Book Review

  

Detective Avory North has known her share of loss and the grief that follows and lingers, having lost both her brother and husband in the line of duty. As she strives to solve her current case, the murder of two young Asian women, she continues to investigate her brother's murder that occured while he was working undercover. Now someone is after Avory, she assumes it is connected to her current case, but might it be connected with her brothers? Dangerous Passage not only deals with murder, trafficking in many of its different forms is involved as well, further complicating the case that Avory is trying to build.

Harris not only provides riveting suspense, but also swift plot shifts that keeps readers turning pages, surprised by the turn of events. She also provides models of how God works in lives even during the toughest of times. She emphasizes the holiness and faithfulness of our big, big God.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Dangerous Passage from the author via Goodreads without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem - A Book Review

 

To be honest, there were several times during the first third of this book that I considered abandoning it because it was filled with characters I didn't particularly like that spent most of their time whining and bickering. Fortunately, I trudged along and by the time I was midway through the book, I was hooked. The last half of the book was compelling, and I ended up liking all of the major characters, and enjoyed seeing how they matured through the many hardships they faced.

The Fault Between Us is set in 1959 in and around Yellowstone National Park. Landsem's fictional characters had endured hardships in life, and largely coped with them in unhealthy ways. Experiencing the non-fictional earthquake that occurred in the Hebgen Lake area greatly impacted their priorities and relationships in a very positive manner. I am grateful that I was moved to continue reading and that I was able to experience this wonderful story. I am also grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

Prowl by Colleen Coble - A Book Review

  

Coble's Sanctuary series continues with Prowl. This is the continued story of veterinarian Paradise Alden and animal sanctuary owner Blake Lawson. While there are many animals prowling around their enclosures at the sanctuary, the big question is what two-legged mammal is prowling around wreaking havoc on their lives, not only their lives, but also the lives of Blake's mother and younger brothers. How is it possible that such a well-meaning, loving family has such a wide range of possible enemies? The answer to that, as it often is in real life, is secrets that need to remain hidden and greed.

In both her current series, Sanctuary and the Tupelo Grove series which Coble is co-authoring with Rick Acker, Coble's skills in plotting mysteries and writing them with just the right pace, developing characters readers care about, and leaving readers with a satisfying ending yet longing for more are in full display. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Prowl from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley - A Book Review

 

Intense, heart-pounding action from start to finish! Crime reporter turned podcaster Tori Mitchell and FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair are thrown together as they seek to discover who has it out for Tori, and who committed a murder and allowed someone else to take the fall years ago. Bradley intertwines a themes of addiction recovery, the impact addiction has on friends and family, and the difficulty of restoring relationships and trust within a story of romance and suspense. This inclusion of deep, sensitive themes significantly enhances a novel that has all the elements of a great romantic suspense story. I am happy to be able to recommend On the Edge of Trust and this fantastic author of whom I have been a big fan for years. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this novel from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Red Cottage by Hannah Linder - A Book Review

    

The Red Cottage has a Regency Cornwall setting, a sometimes brooding Scottish hero, a damsel in distress with two handsome men vying for her hand, and unknown assailants. Well disguised clues and red herrings abound. Author Hannah Linder has readers in the palm of her hand until the very end, an ending that is not rushed and completely satisfies. The themes of true love, resilience, and forgiveness versus retribution are well written into this dramatic tale.

I highly recommend The Red Cottage and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Dark Design by Nancy Mehl - A Book Review

  

Author, and former St. Louis police officer, Erin Delaney moved to the small town of Sanctuary located in the Smoky Mountains seeking a more peaceful existence. She had her border collie, Chester, with her and they had been befriended by the local police chief, Adrien Nightengale and his golden retriever, Jake. After Erin was called to Fredericksburg, Virginia to assist in an investigation into a serial killer, strange things began to happen back in Sanctuary. Was there a connection? Was Erin being targeted, or were the events circumstantial? Readers will enjoy following Erin's investigation along with her friends Kaely and Noah in Virginia and Adrian's miles away.

Nancy Mehl has once again given readers a spine tingling serial killer thriller that surprisingly leads to deep spiritual insights: insights into life after death, into the freedom of living without a spirit of fear, and into the light God brings into our lives when we accept His gift of grace. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Dark Design from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.