Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore - A Book Review

  

Janice Cantore is a convincing author of police suspense fiction, likely due to having served on the Long Beach, California police force for twenty-two years. In Edge of Truth, Officer Laine Jenson, also of the Long Beach force, experiences a failure in how the system functions, the loss of a loved one to violence, being targeted by organized crime, and a chance at romance. Saying the story is like a roller coaster may sound cliché, but phrases become clichés for a reason. Very few times while reading have I repeatedly felt like the solution was apparent only to discover how wrong I was. Nothing remains the way it seems. This story has many moving parts.

I highly recommend Edge of Truth, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard - A Book Review

  

When I began reading Deadly Currents, I just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad, I just didn't connect, but then, around the halfway point, something happened. Everything began to fall in place. The characters became someone I could care about. The mystery became intriguing, and I couldn't put the book down. If my to-be-read pile wasn't growing at such an alarming rate, I would reread Deadly Currents right away with a new lens for the first half of the book.

Cressida's story of being betrayed by her mother, dealing with the death of her father, and trying to rescue her writing career and honor her father by completing the book he was writing at the time of his death becomes quite complicated while researching the final chapter of her father's book. Suddenly she is under attack and is becoming aware that her father's death might not have been an accident. She has no idea whom she can trust. Her story includes a ghost ship, pirates, murder, and just a touch of romance. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Deadly Currents from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris - A Book Review Update

  

When I logged into Amazon to post a review on Hidden Agenda, I was surprised to discover I had already reviewed it eleven years earlier. My review still stands. It is a great read. 

https://christianfictionandmore.blogspot.com/search?q=hidden+agenda

Whiteout by Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

   

Whiteout is made up of two romantic suspense novellas: Buried in Shadows by Dani Pettrey and Snowbound Secrets by Lynette Eason. Both settings are at a ski resort impacted by an avalanche, cutting the protagonists off from outside help.

Buried in Shadows had me engrossed from the first page. Waking up to the possibility of an intruder in one's home is many women's worst nightmare. Knowing it may signal the return of one's stalker compounds the terror. The story continues with many more hooks to hold readers captive: a lost love, adrenaline pumping adventure, an avalanche, dangerous wild animals, an abandoned lodge with secret passages, and a killer on the loose. The only thing missing from this story is more of it. When the ending abruptly arrives, the readers just aren't ready to let the characters go.

Snowbound Secrets begins with three friends who had lost touch after high school and joining the military unexpectedly finding themselves all back at a ski resort they had enjoyed together in their youth. Stranded with other guests following an avalanche, Dr. Maya Sullivan is unable to put any distance between herself and the unknown person who seems intent on killing her. This story also holds readers' attention immediately and consistently with its second chance on love trope, secrets revealed, murder attempted, and old tunnels discovered. This story has a bit more real estate in the book and comes to a satisfying ending.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Whiteout from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary on John - A Brief Comment

 

This is the seventh book in the Living Insights New Testament Commentary that I have read. I continue to be amazed at Dr. Swindoll's ability to deepen the understanding of long-familiar passages through his knowledge of Hebrew and Greek as well as the culture of the times. I highly recommend this book and series.   

The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep - A Book Review

 

Set in 1820 Bedfordshire, England, The Bird of Bedford Manor is a Regency era, Gothic, romantic suspense tale. Henry Russell is struggling to fill his father's shoes as head of the manor and in his business affairs. Being very hard on himself as he works to prove himself to his father, things are complicated by an unknown someone who is seeking to frighten, and maybe harm, his sister. Seeing to her protection and solving the mystery of her tormentor's identity, Henry feels God is providing a helper in his efforts in the form of Juliet finch, a poacher who was apprehended on his property, and one possessing skills he requires.

Michelle Griep once again rewards her readers for patiently waiting for her next novel. Her passion for this time and place, and for exposing the darkness to light, is on full display in The Bird of Bedford Manor. Obvious evil will be exposed and brought out into the open, and the darkness of one's soul will be expelled. I highly recommend this book and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee - A Book Review

  

The Caregiver at Wounded Knee follows Rose Rushing Water, a member of the Lakota tribe who had been educated in Boston to be a nurse. While in Boston, Rose's experiences included the pains of prejudice against her people as well as the joys of learning nursing, discovering new authors, and making a best friend. Rose was ready to liver her dream of returning home to her brothers and serving the Indians and settlers residing there. She also was excited to reconnect with her language and traditions, something that was far more difficult than she had ever anticipated. The story of Rose's life leads to her presence at the Wounded Knee Creek on the day of the infamous massacre.

The theme of understanding how an all-powerful and loving God allows people to do horrible things to one another, sometimes in the name of Christianity, and that of justice unrealized are at the center of The Caregiver at Wounded Knee and are well-developed. There is a particular analogy the author uses that goes a long way in explaining why we should not give up on God when people do terrible things.

For the most part, I truly enjoyed this novel. There were a few places where the dialogue or the descriptive prose seemed to be that of a less mature writer, but that certainly wasn't a consistent feature. I enjoyed the story and may seek out others based on this time period in the American West. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Caregiver at Wounded Knee from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.