Threads of Suspicion {Dee Henderson}

Evie Blackwell's reputation as a top investigator for the Illinois State Police has landed her an appointment to the governor's new Missing Persons Task Force. This elite investigative team is launched with plenty of public fanfare. The governor has made this initiative a high priority, so they will have to produce results--and quickly. 

Evie and her new partner, David Marshal, are assigned to a pair of unrelated cases in suburban Chicago, and while both involve persons now missing for several years, the cases couldn't be more different. While Evie opens old wounds in a close-knit neighborhood to find a missing college student, David searches for a private investigator working for a high-powered client. 

With a deep conviction that -justice for all- truly matters, Evie and David are unrelenting in their search for the truth. But Evie must also find answers to the questions that lie just beneath the surface in her personal life.

My Thoughts:

When Dee Henderson writes a book, you know it is going to be good, and you know it is going to keep you on your toes.

Evie and the cold case team are given their first official assignments, and Evie picks a tough one. When the case details were first laid out, I felt there was no way it could be solved. But this team does not give up, and Evie is good at what she does.

This case takes so many twists and turns you cannot help but stay up all night to see how it is going to end up. As soon as I would think they found the break in the case, something would take them in an opposite direction, and they had to start all over.

Intertwined with this exciting cold case, we get to see Evie struggle with her relationship with Rob. Will they or will they not get married? It is one of those relationships I think we are going to be invested in as this series continues and I truly hope God does something amazing in their relationship.

I am also excited about getting to know more of the cold case team members and the places this series will take us. I just know it is going to be exciting and worth a spot on everyone's reading list.

Amazon  |  Christian Book
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GIVEAWAY: Memory of You & If I'm Found

I'm giving away TWO books this week! Both are books I recently reviewed and absolutely love them. I happened to get my hands on a paperback copy of each, so I'm passing on the love :)

    

I'm giving away one paperback copy of MEMORY OF YOU and one of IF I'M FOUND. All you have to do is leave me a comment and let me know which one you want. Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you.

I'll close comments at noon CST on Friday, April 28th and contact the winners.

Good luck!

Life After {Katie Ganshert}

On the day of a late spring storm, in Chicago, Autumn Manning boarded an “L” train. A bomb explodes, killing everyone in the train car except for Autumn—the sole survivor. A year has passed and Autumn suffocates under a blanket of what ifs and the pressing desire to bring the victims back to life, every day, if only for her. She doesn’t want their stories to be forgotten. She wants to undo what cannot be undone. An unexpected ally joins her efforts, also seeking answers and trying to find a way to stumble ahead. 

But one victim’s husband, Paul Elliott, prays to let the dead—and their secrets—rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to hurt his loved ones. 

Caught between loss and hope, these restless souls must release the past to embrace a sovereign God. 

My Thoughts:
I first "discovered" Kate Ganshert when I read her GIFTING SERIES (written under K.H. Ganshert) and immediately became a fan. This is my first contemporary novel from her but her writing style still sucks me in and keeps me captive.

This book is one of those you have to think about a bit after you finish. Amber's character is so complex and has so much depth, you really must process her story after reading it. I felt so sorry for Amber and wanted to just wrap my arms around her and tell her everything will end up okay.

I appreciated the supporting characters in this book and felt their stories were vital in making Amber the person she is. I found myself drawn into their family drama, becoming involved as if I were one of them.

I also appreciate the personal details Ganshert inserts into this story. I follow her on social media and was able to laugh at some of her real-life she included in some scenes. I truly enjoyed this book.

This is a book that can tug at your heart and cause you heartache and happiness. It is worth the read, and the processing that takes place afterward. Put it on your reading list.

Amazon  |  Christian Book  |
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Beyond Justice {Cara Putman}

Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she's just been handed doesn't destroy her first.

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It's why she became an attorney and why she's so driven in her career. When she's handed a wrongful death case against the government, she isn't sure if it's the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there. She keeps the case alive through sheer determination and more than a little creativity, but then she's fired by a partner with a vendetta.

Further complicating matters, Hayden keeps finding herself completely distracted by Andrew, her roommate's cousin. But his father is a Congressman and she's currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?

The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to see either the case—or her—die. Should she fight alone for the dead young man by launching her own unfinanced firm, or abandon the case in order to save her own life?

My Thoughts:

Just wow!

The characters in this book are simply amazing. Hayden, Andrew, and all their friends and acquaintances have such a story and a background that seems to fit so naturally as you read this book. I felt a connection to each one of them as they interacted throughout the events in this story. There were 'good guys' and 'bad guys' but I seemed to like them all for various reasons. I thought the character development was spot on.

The plot in this book is very complex and draws you in completely. With each turn of events, I found myself amazed at the direction the story was taking. I could not want to see what happened, all the while covering my eyes at the dangers that seemed to be lurking for each of the characters.

This book had an ending I was not expecting at all. It was exciting, heart-racing action that made a perfect ending for all involved. I thought it was a great way to wrap up the case Hayden was working on.

If you enjoy fast-paced suspense with legal drama thrown in, this is the book for you!

Christian Book  |  Family Christian  |  Amazon
*I am an affiliate partner with Christian Book and Family Christian*

You'll Think of Me {Robin Lee Hatcher}

In a small town in Idaho’s idyllic wine country where the past looms large, can two people realize their individual dreams for the future … together?

Abandoned once too often, Brooklyn Myers never intended to return to Thunder Creek, Idaho. Her hometown holds too many memories of heartache and rejection. But when her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies and leaves his family home and acreage to her and their ten-year-old daughter Alycia, it's an opportunity to change their lives for the better—a chance Brooklyn can't pass up, for Alycia's sake if not her own.

Derek Johnson, Chad's best friend since boyhood, isn't keen on the return of Brooklyn Myers to Thunder Creek. He still blames her for leading his friend astray. And now she has ruined his chance to buy the neighboring ten acres which would have allowed him to expand his organic farm. To add insult to injury, Chad's dying request was that Derek become the father to Alycia that Chad never was. How can he keep that promise without also spending time with the girl’s mother?

Brought together by unexpected circumstances, Derek and Brooklyn must both confront challenges to their dreams and expectations. He must overcome long held misconceptions about Brooklyn while she must learn to trust someone other than herself. And if they can do it, they just might discover that God has something better in mind than either of them ever imagined.

My Thoughts:

What a read! This book brings together a community of characters so easy to know and fall in love with. I felt every person could find someone in this book they could relate to, making this a book so many can enjoy.

Brooklyn is someone I began to admire as this story progressed. She was left with detrimental circumstances as a teen, but she rose above and made a life for herself and her daughter. She is a hard worker and wants nothing more than happiness for her daughter. When she learns her husband has made arrangements for her daughter to have a home in Thunder Creek, she bravely packs up their life and hits the road. The obstacles she faces, and the former life she must face, makes her someone every mom can pull inspiration from.

The people of Thunder Creek welcome Brooklyn with open arms and I found myself wishing I could visit this sweet little town. Each person brings a different personality to the story, and each person has a unique way of showing God's unending love. I loved how the town rallied around the relationship growing between Brooklyn and Chad. Their attraction grew in such a natural way, and I looked forward to seeing where it would go.

When tragedy strikes twice in one day, we see the town come together to care for both Brooklyn and Chad, and we see them grow closer than ever. I thought this was a perfect way to finally bring these two where they were always meant to be.

This is a great read and a book that needs to be on your reading list. 

Christian Book  |  Amazon
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You Are Invited: Unsinkable Faith

Have negative thought patterns overtaken your life and shaken your faith? Learn how to anchor your heart in God despite what storms roll in in Tracie Miles' new book, Unsinkable Faith. Each chapter explores Tracie's and other women's personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds. Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life.

Join Tracie and other readers on April 25th for a fun Facebook Live event and the Anchored in Faith Prize Pack Giveaway (details below)!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of Unsinkable Faith
• Two pillows
• Desk decor
• A journal
• An anchor necklace
• A nautical scarf

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 25. The winner will be announced at the Unsinkable Faith Facebook Live event. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie and others searching for unsinkable faith, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 25th!

Pursued {Lisa Harris}

Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine--up until the crash landing at the airport. When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial. When she flees from the crash, is she running from trouble or straight into it? Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects. 

My Thoughts:

Two chapters into this book and I was completely hooked. In the first two chapters, we see Nikki involved in a plane crash, a girl goes missing, and Tyler and Nikki finally reunited after three months apart. There was no way I could put this book down after all of that!

Nikki continues to be a complex character who captures my attention with everything she does. In this book, she is determined to find the missing girl from the plane, and the case turns into a mystery full of twists and turns we are used to whenever Nikki is involved. I felt my heart racing and my thumbs itching to turn the page to see what would happen next.

I was also excited to see Tyler back in Nikki's life. Their relationship seems to be growing, and I hope beyond hope they will end up together when this series is over. Tyler seems to love Nikki so much and encourages her when she receives some disappointing news about her future. I also love the relationship between Nikki and Tyler's son and feel my heart warm each time they are together.

This book does not deal much with the disappearance of Nikki's sister, but there is one scene I feel will lead to excitement in books to come. As usual, this series continues to excite me, and I look forward to the next book.

Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I suggest you read the entire series for the back story and full introduction of the characters.

Amazon  |  Christian Book
*I am an affiliate partner with the stores listed above*

The Hideaway {Lauren Denton}

When her grandmother’s will wrenches Sara back home from New Orleans, she learns more about Margaret Van Buren in the wake of her death than she ever did in life.

After her last remaining family member dies, Sara Jenkins goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother Mags's ramshackle B&B in Sweet Bay, Alabama. She intends to quickly tie up loose ends then return to her busy life and thriving antique shop in New Orleans. Instead, she learns Mags has willed her The Hideaway and charged her with renovating it—no small task considering Mags’s best friends, a motley crew of senior citizens, still live there.

Rather than hurrying back to New Orleans, Sara stays in Sweet Bay and begins the biggest house-rehabbing project of her career. Amid Sheetrock dust, old memories, and a charming contractor, she discovers that slipping back into life at The Hideaway is easier than she expected.

Then she discovers a box Mags left in the attic with clues to a life Sara never imagined for her grandmother. With help from Mags’s friends, Sara begins to piece together the mysterious life of bravery, passion, and choices that changed Mags’s destiny in both marvelous and devastating ways.

When an opportunistic land developer threatens to seize The Hideaway, Sara is forced to make a choice—stay in Sweet Bay and fight for the house and the people she’s grown to love or leave again and return to her successful but solitary life in New Orleans.

My Thoughts:

This is a tough review for me to write because I have very mixed feelings about this book. I'll start with the book itself. This is a debut work from author Lauren Denton.

The characters in this book are very complex and have backgrounds that tell the story here. The book switches time frames as it tells the stories of Mags in the 1960s and Sara in the present day.

The characters themselves were somewhat interesting and had complex backgrounds that made you want to know a little more about them. The book had the potential to be a decent read.

So why do I have mixed feelings? Because this book is published by Thomas Nelson, the publisher of many of my must-read authors. Thomas Nelson has always been known to me to publish amazing Christian stories. This is not one of those. Other than a couple of brief paragraphs in which some of the characters attended a church service, there is not God in this book. There are affairs, drunkenness, and an openly gay character. I kept thinking these characters would find God, and the story would come full circle, but it never happened.

So yes, I am mixed. The author does a great job and I am sure she will be successful . I'm just not sure Thomas Nelson is the correct publisher for this type of book. If you are looking for Christian fiction, stay away from this one.

Christian Book  |  Amazon
*I am an affiliate partner with the above retailers*