Nowhere to Turn by Lynette Eason – A Book Review

     My husband is used to my telling him about the characters and events in the books I’m reading just like I relay information about our friends and relatives.  However, while I was reading Nowhere to Turn he got used to my starting to tell him something only to end with, “No, I can’t tell you that.  You are going to want to read this one yourself!”  I have seen several requests among the avid reader group I belong to on Facebook asking for suggestions for Christian fiction that men would enjoy.  Lynette Eason has definitely written a mystery tale that is not gender specific. 

     Nowhere to Turn is the second book in the Hidden Identity series.  I reviewed the first, No One to Trust, on my blog on January 5, 2014.  While Summer and David were indeed in this second book, they played minor roles.  Adam Buchanan, a member of Operation Refuge, founded by Summer and David and supported by the governor, steps to the forefront in this story.  While dealing with his own family issues spurred on by the circumstances of his uncle’s death, Adam puts the crisis in Danielle Harding’s life before his own concerns.  The crisis in Danielle’s life places everyone around her in mortal danger, especially those sworn to protect her and her son.

     Danielle and Simon cling to one another in a life that has been dictated by betrayal.  Everywhere they turn someone they should have been able to rely on turns on them.  Out of desperation they turn to Operation Refuge, forcing their heightened sense of distrust aside because they had nowhere else to turn.  In spite of Adam Buchanan’s promise of protection, danger seems to follow them everywhere they go.  Someone is able to track their every move, but how?  Until that mystery can be solved Danielle and Simon will never be safe from their hidden enemy or enemies.  Threats seem to be coming from multiple directions, but could they all be tied together somehow? 

     Nowhere to Turn has something for most every reader: mystery, intrigue, romance, family values. I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Nowhere to Turn for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.  I would give this book five out of five stars for being able to keep readers awake and turning pages throughout the night.  I am anxiously awaiting book three, No Place to Hide.  

Pelican Bride by Beth White – A Book Review

Many thanks to Beth White for giving me hours of delightful entertainment immersed in the world of Genevieve Gaillain, Tristan Lanier and their siblings. Her wordsmithing allowed me to truly experience the discomfort and hardships of life in the early 1700s French colony of Louisiane. It also allowed me to experience joy found amidst adversity, which is in direct contrast to our current society in which so many experience material abundance yet lack joy. Genevieve certainly models for us that joy is indeed a choice.

The Pelican Bride is a wonderful blend of history, intrigue, and romance. Responsibilities and traveling mandated breaks in my reading, otherwise I would have read this book in one sitting. There was little about this book that was predictable. Those things an avid reader might think were predictable were always in question. Beth keeps her readers turning pages anxious for the next turn of events.

I believe myself to have a good vocabulary, but enjoyed five or six trips to the dictionary. The new-to-me vocabulary was befitting the times and manner of speaking, and I enjoyed learning something new. I also enjoyed learning about the history of the brides who came over from France to such a hostile environment to marry a virtual stranger. The important role the Indians played in the politics between the French and British colonies played a big part in the plot development of this book, bringing back memories of lessons learned in college history classes. The additional historical information Beth provided at the end of the book was most interesting. Her penchant for history and research was quite evident.

While this is book one of The Gulf Coast Chronicles, I appreciated that the book also served well as a stand alone read. I will however, be eagerly watching for book two, anxious to know about future generations of the Lanier family.

I want to thank Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing group, for providing this book in exchange for my honest review. I give it five stars.

No One to Trust by Lynette Eason – A Book Review

No One to Trust by Lynette Eason – A Book Review

     This was the first book I have read by author Lynette Eason, but I will definitely be reading more. Why, at one particularly tense moment in the story something happened that actually made me jump!  I appreciate being drawn into a story so completely, and I appreciate that jarring type of surprise.  There were several plot twists that I had not seen coming, events that kept me reading on into the night. 

     In No One to Trust, book one of The Hidden Identity series, protagonist Summer Abernathy is thrust into the world of organized crime, specifically that of a mafia family led by a true psychopath.  Repeatedly betrayed by those who should have her best interest at heart, Summer learns to rely on the One who will never betray.  David Hackett struggles with doing the right thing while doing what is necessary to keep himself and his wife alive.  His new found faith is fanned into full flame by the winds of adversity.  While maintaining focus on the internal and external conflicts in the lives of Summer and David, Eason is able to flesh out the moral conflicts in the lives of her secondary characters as well, and is able to do so without interrupting the smooth flow of the story or sounding preachy.  The central themes of No One to Trust appear to be drawn from James 1:2 – 4, persevering through trials to develop spiritual maturity, and Colossians 3:13, forgiving as the Lord forgave you.  Eason successfully weaves valuable Kingdom insights into a suspenseful, action packed story filled with intrigue. 

     This review would not be complete without mention of the antagonist, Alessandro Raimondi, a portrait of pure evil.  This character was not your typical mafia don as portrayed in the movies.  It was easier to identify him with a psychopath become serial killer, possibly due to his obsession with snakes and the way he used them to inflict terror.  Eason’s clearest mental images are drawn around this character, and are the things of which nightmares are made. 

     The book contained a sneak peak at the first chapter of the second book in the Hidden Identity series, Nowhere to Turn.  It would appear Eason’s readers are in for another spine tingling treat, fraught with the pains of broken promises and broken relationships.  It does not reveal, however, whether Eason will take advantage of the opportunity provided in the closing chapter of the first book to bring Summer, David and others forward into other books in the series.  A reader may only hope. 

     I have more of Eason’s works waiting for me on my shelves and on my Kindle among the books I’ve collected anticipating more time to read during my retirement. I look forward to immersing myself in her attention grabbing, fast-paced tales of suspense. 

Thank you to Revell, the publisher, for sending me a copy of No One to Trust for my honest opinion of the book.