Book Review: When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

From the publisher's website:

After a brush with death due to equipment failure, smokejumper Alexia Allen is ordered to take time off while the incident is under investigation. She makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother's home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she is confronted with murder, arson--and a handsome detective.

But the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she struggles to accept and forgive her family's past, she must also decide if the secret she's been guarding for the last ten years must finally come to light.

Chock-full of the suspense and romantic tension you've come to expect from Lynette Eason, When the Smoke Clears is the explosive first book in the Deadly Reunions series.

My thoughts: I have loved every book that I have read by Lynette Eason. She really knows how to engage a reader and build suspense throughout her stories. When I get one of her books, I wnat uninterrupted time to read it all the way through (although I never get that chance!).

When the Smoke Clears is a great read for anyone who loves clean, well-written suspense novels that you wouldn't mind your teen reading. I'm sure my copy will find its way into the hands of my 17-year-old daughter soon!

I give When the Smoke Clears 5 out of 5 stars!

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Book Review: Unhallowed Ground by Mel Starr

 Unhallowed Ground by Mel Starr is the fourth book in the chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, medieval surgeon and detective. 

Although this is part of a series, I didn't feel like I missed anything by not having read the first three. However, it did make me want to read the others so I could get more of the story of Hugh and his wife. I am also looking forward to reading the fifth so I can find out what happens next (especially to the baby that Hugh's wife, Kate, is carrying).

Synopsis of the book from the publisher's website:

Thomas atte Bridge, a man no one likes, is found hanging from a tree near Cow-leys Corner. All assume he has taken his own life, but Master Hugh and Kate find evidence that this may not be so. Many of the town had been harmed by Thomas, and Hugh is not eager to send one of them to the gallows. Then he discovers that the priest John Kellet, atte Bridge's partner in crime in A CORPSE AT ST. ANDREW'S CHAPEL, was covertly in Bampton at the time atte Bridge died. Master Hugh is convinced that Kellet has murdered atte Bridge - one rogue slaughtering another. He sets out for Exeter, where Kellet now works. But there he discovers that the priest is an emaciated skeleton of a man, who mourns the folly of his past life. Hugh must return to Bampton and discover which of his friends has murdered his enemy ...


ISBN: 9780857210586

Published: 21st October 2011

Format: Paperback

Unhallowed Ground is a delightful mystery set in 14th century England. The main character, Hugh de Singleton, is a surgeon who is caught up in a murder mystery when the death of a rogue is discovered near Hugh's hometown. I enjoyed learning many medieval terms and the culture of this area during that time. I found the book a little hard to get into at the beginning, but I soon became swept into the story and didn't want to put the book down until I was finished.

I give Unhallowed Ground 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!

(I received this book from Kregel for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Book Review: Forever After by Deborah Raney

Forever After by Deborah Raney is the second book in the series entitled Hanover Falls. It is the story of Lucas Vermontez, a firefighter who is involved in a fire where his father and several others are killed. Even though Lucas survives, he is crippled and scarred emotionally as a result. 

A year after the tragedy that took his father's life, Lucas reconnects with Jenna Morgan, whose husband, Zach, also perished in the blaze. Jenna is struggling with trying to pay the bills that have continued to mount since her husband's death. When she loses her home, she runs to her in-laws for help. But when their relationship becomes strained, Jenna is faced with homelessness and must find another place to live. 

Lucas and Jenna begin to lean on each other for support. However, secrets in Jenna's past creep in and threaten to destroy the happiness they have found. And Lucas' dreams of being a firefighter are crushed and must be replaced with new hope before he gives in to despair. 

When I began reading Forever After, there were a few things that I found a little incredible about the plot. For example, there are two couples engaged to be married at the beginning of the book; three of the people are ones whose spouses died in the fire. One of the men is marrying the woman who (unintentionally) caused the fire that killed his wife. Although I felt sympathy for these couples, I just thought it was too much to believe that there would be all these people who would be engaged so soon after their spouses died. And when you add in Jenna and Lucas (whose spouses also died in the fire), the author seems to put too much "coincidences" into that part of her plot.

After saying that, I must say that I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes Christian romance books. The plot is unique and not "cookie-cutter" like so many others. The characters are real and the pacing of the book is just right.

And I love the book's cover!

I give Forever After 4 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from Glass Road for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

DEBORAH RANEY is at work on her 20th novel. Her books have won the RITA Award, ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Forever After, second in her new Hanover Falls Novels series, will release in June from Howard/Simon & Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas. They are new empty nesters with four children and a growing quiver of grandchildren, all of whom live much too far away.

Book Review: Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

Chasing Sunsets (A Cedar Key Novel) by Eva Marie Everson

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3436-7 Price: $14.99

Format: Paperback

Publication date: Jun. 11

I had never heard of Eva Marie Everson until last year, when I read and reviewed her book entitled This Fine Life. I enjoyed that one so much that when Revell contacted me about reviewing Chasing Sunsets, I jumped at the chance.

Chasing Sunsets is about a woman named Kimberly Tucker who, at the beginning of the book, is going to court to prevent her ex-husband from taking their two boys for an extra week of vacation for the summer, leaving her alone for five weeks instead of four.

She loses her appeal, and so finds herself going alone to Cedar Key, the island retreat where she spent several summers with her family as a young girl.While she is there, she runs into an old boyfriend, Steven. The fires are rekindled, and just as Kimberly believes she will be able to love again, she is told that Steven is not the boy she once knew. She also comes to realize her need to let go of some things she has been holding onto for years, and struggles to trust God in the midst of it all.

There is a lot in this book about divorce and what it is like for those who must deal with so many issues that follow a breakup of a marriage. I know many people who have suffered from the impact of divorce, and I have seen what it does to the couples and families involved. This book has given me even more insight into the problem and as I was reading, I could only imagine what it must be like for them. Although I do not condone divorce, I can see how difficult the decisions are when confronted with this issue.

I think Mrs. Everson did a great job writing sensitively about this subject. The characters were believable as well as likeable (except maybe the ex-husband!). I like how the book ended, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken and This Fine Life. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club series and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.

Book Review: A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason

When I was in college, I changed my major twice. But the third one is the one I would love to get a degree in: criminal justice. It is one of the most fascinating subjects to me. I have read many fiction and non-fiction books on crime, criminal psychology, and criminal investigation. I am intrigued by the workings of the human mind and what makes people do what they do, especially when it comes to criminal behavior.

So, I guess that's why one of my favorite fiction writers is Lynette Eason. She knows how to write novels that snag your interest right from the start. And her characters are likeable as well as ones you want to empathize with. I have enjoyed every one I have read.

A Killer Among Us is no exception. The story of three sisters and their partners (in work and in their personal lives) are interwoven in the series (although you could read one by itself without reading the others, I recommend reading all three). 

This particular book is about Kit Kenyon and her partner, Noah Lambert. Kit is a hostage negotiator, very good at what she does. But when she and Noah become involved in investigating a serial killer, their emotions threaten to get in the way of their duties to their jobs. And as more people become the killer's victims, Kit and Noah find themselves targets as well.

To give you an idea of how Mrs. Eason's books begin, here are the first few paragraphs of A Killer Among Us:

"You don't want to do this." Detective Kit Kenyon stared past the barrel of the gun and fixed her eyes on the man before her.

The forty-four-year-old blinked against the sweat dripping into his hazy green eyes. A thick tongue swept out against dry lips, and his gaze darted from her to the door to his wife, who sat on the floor under the window weeping softly.

Melanie, his twelve-year-old daughter, winced at the harsh hand ensnaring her long brown ponytail and never took her terrified gaze from Kit.

"Virgil?" Kit pushed gently. "Right now, you haven't hurt anyone. In fact, you've cooperated nicely." Except for the part where she'd asked him to end this peacefully.

But they were getting there.

Anyone who has liked the novels of Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, Irene Hannon and Brandilyn Collins will also want to read Lynette Eason's books. They are among the best in Christian romantic suspense.

I give A Killer Among Us 5 out of 5 stars. 

About the author:

Lynette Eason is the author of ten novels, including Too Close to Home, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Lynette and her husband and their two children make their home in South Carolina.

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Book Review: A Heart Divided by Kathleen Morgan

A Heart Divided by Kathleen Morgan
Series: Heart of the Rockies 1

ISBN: 978-0-8007-1884-8
Price: $14.99
Format: Paperback

Publication date: May 11, 2011
Publisher: Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Description from the publisher:

When fate brings them together, they must choose between family ties and love.


The Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for decades. Still, Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright place. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, heir of the Wainwright holdings, Sarah realizes things have gone too far.

As the feud boils over, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they just might be falling in love. Can they betray their families to see where this attraction leads? Or will their families betray them?

Against the beautiful and wild backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in 1878 comes this sweeping saga of romance, betrayal, and forgiveness from beloved author Kathleen Morgan.

I have to admit, I did like this book. It seems that there was enough of a developed plot to keep my interest, even though it is a "prairie novel". I especially liked the character Nick, who is the "glue" that holds the family together and keeps them from making many stupid mistakes. He is a Christian man who remains joyful through a variety of difficult trials, yet is a believable character who actually reminds me of some people I know, people who have encouraged me in my walk with God. Here's just one small exerpt from the book that exempliflies the kind of man Nick is:

"Sarah's just not the sort of person to turn her back on those she loves, no matter how badly they've sinned (Nick said)." His mouth quirked. "Kind of like God's unending love for his errant children."

A great reminder! We all should have a person or persons like Nick in our lives.

If you like a good romance (and a little suspense), you would like this book.

I give A Heart Divided 4 out of 5 stars.

“Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Kathleen Morgan is the award-winning author of many novels, including those in the bestselling Brides of Culdee Creek series. She lives in Colorado.

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Book Review: Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

From the publisher's website:

As a seed awaits the spring sunshine, so one young woman hopes for a brighter tomorrow.

Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming the new schoolteacher in Ladreville, Texas, is just what she needs--a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. What she didn't count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood--or the way he affects her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly conquer the past in order to find happiness?

Book 3 in the Texas Dreams series, Tomorrow's Garden is a powerful story of overcoming the odds and grabbing hold of happiness.

My thoughts on the book:

I enjoyed this book, although I liked the second book in the series (Scattered Petals) better. It was fun reading about what happened to the characters that I read about in the previous book.

I'm not sure why, but it took me a while to finish this one. I don't think it was because it was boring, but I did notice that the author used too many "big words" in this particular novel, something I didn't notice in the second book. They were not words I hadn't heard before (except for the word "megrims"), but it made the tone of the book a little different and caused me to stop reading when I saw one and interrupted the flow of the plot. A few examples of these words are: peregrinations, prognosticative, and "a Gallic shrug" (I'm still not sure what that means).

Aside from that, I thought Mrs. Cabot wrote an interesting plot and tied up the stories of these Texans well. I'm kind of sad that there won't be any more books in this series.

I give Tomorrow's Garden 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

“Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Amanda Cabot is an accomplished author under various pen names and a popular speaker. The author of Paper Roses and Scattered Petals, she is also a charter member of Romance Writers of America, the co-founder of its New Jersey chapter, a member of the ACFW, and an avid traveler. She lives in Wyoming.

Book Review: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer (and a GIVEAWAY!)

(Be sure and read at the bottom of this post to see how you can enter to win a copy of Beside Still Waters!)

About the book: Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known.

When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.

As Marianna struggles to find "home", she also encounters God in intimate ways. Click here to watch the book trailers.

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer begins with a sad scene of an Amish man and his family who are involved in an accident on the road in which two of the children die and another is born prematurely. This sets the tone for the rest of the book, where the baby has grown up and is the main character of the book.

Marianna has felt pressure from her parents all her life to become like the sisters she never knew. And when her brother decides to leave the community to follow the ways of the "Englisch", Marianna's parents decide that the best thing to do to protect the remaining children is to move to Montana.

Many experiences with the Englisch in her new home help Marianna see the rigid ways of her people and she begins to see the joy they find in knowing God in a deeper and more personal way.

I like how Mrs. Goyer represents the Amish in a way that is not "perfect" and realistically portrays their weaknesses as well as their strengths. I feel as though I understand Amish ways a little more now as a result of reading this book.

I most like the character Ben, who is Marianna's new friend in Montana who demonstrates to her the joy to be found in a meaningful relationship with God. He seems like the kind of friend any of us would love to have.

Beside Still Waters is a fun and entertaining read. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from LitFuse for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Link to buy the book: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters

About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit http://www.triciagoyer.com/ for more info.

About Beside Still Waters Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers.

Details at Tricia’s blog, It’s Real Life: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

BONUS! Each person who enters the giveaway will receive a FABULOUS Montana Amish Calendar. Hurry, it’s only available while supplies last!

Book Review: Stars Collide by Janice Thompson

I have read one other book by Janice Thompson. When I read and reviewed It Had to be You, I saw that Ms. Thompson had a talent for writing fun, likeable characters. Both of these books were enjoyable to read.

Stars Collide is the first in a series called Backstage Pass. It is the story of Kat and Scott, actors who are both Christians and, at the beginning of the book, have just started a serious relationship after working with one another on a family sit-com for a few years. There's also Kat's grandmother, Lenora, who is also an actress and is showing signs of dementia.

When Lenora hears that the characters on the show are getting married, she thinks it is actually Kat and Scott who are tying the knot, and she begins eagerly planning the wedding. This causes the paparazzi to follow the couple wherever they go, and rumors fly. In the meantime, other family secrets reveal themselves, turning Kat's life completely upside down.

Just like It Had to be You, I had fun reading this book, although it is not one I would normally pick up and buy or check out from the library. It was a nice diversion for a few hours. Probably anyone who likes cute, funny (and clean) romance books will like Stars Collide. The only reason I give it less that a 5 is because I would rather read other types of novels. So keep that in mind when you consider this one.

I give Stars Collide 4 out of 5 stars.

“Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson affords an inside look at TV land, drawing on her experiences as a screenwriter. She is the author of the Weddings by Bella series and lives in Texas.



(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)