Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon (Review)

• Series: Men of Valor (Book 1)
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Revell (April 7, 2015)
• ISBN-13: 978-0800721268

After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page.

My Review:

This is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed reading this latest romantic suspense book from her. It is the start of a new series called Men of Valor. I loved the two main characters of Lisa and Mac. It felt like the book was more focused on them and the romance than the actual mystery though. It would have been nice for the mystery part to be developed more. It was still interesting with a twist or two. I liked the book and will read the next book in the series that will focus on Mac's two brothers. Recommended.




Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviewsmagazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, andBooklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Double Cross by Diann Mills (Review)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Double Cross Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 1, 2015) by Diann Mills

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at her website.

ABOUT THE BOOK

FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead. Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon. As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this latest inspirational, romantic, suspense/mystery book from Diann Mills. This is the second book in the FBI Houston series but can stand alone. Although there were several slow spots the action made up for it. The author did a good job developing the characters. I liked the interaction between Laurel, Daniel, and Wilmington. I actually found myself rooting for Wilmington at one point. The mystery/suspense part took me by surprise. The book had several twists and turns. I wondered who was double crossing who until the very end. Recommended to fans of the genre.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Double Cross, go HERE.

A Year of Living Prayerfully by Jared Brock (Review)

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 19, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1414392133

ISBN-13: 978-1414392134

Is Anyone Listening? Do My Prayers Really Change Anything?

Jared Brock sensed that something was missing in his prayer life, so he embarked on a yearlong journey to rediscover the power of prayer (and eat some delicious falafel).

                 

FOLLOW JARED ON A 37,000-MILE TRIP AROUND THE WORLD AS HE...

* Dances with Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn

* Discovers the 330-year-old home of Brother Lawrence

* Burns his clothes at the end of the Camino de Santiago

* Attends the world's largest church in Seoul

* Visits Westboro Baptist Church

* Tries to stay out of trouble in North Korea

* Attempts fire walking (with only minor burns) 

Although up to 90% of us pray, very few of us feel like we've mastered prayer. A Year of Living Prayerfully is a fascinating, humorous, globe-trotting exploration of prayer that will help you grow your own prayer life.

While filming a documentary about sex trafficking, Jared and Michelle Brock felt a deep need for prayer in their personal lives. In an effort to learn more about prayer, the couple traveled the globe, exploring the great Judeo-Christian prayer traditions: in mountains and monasteries, in Christian communities and cathedrals, standing up and lying down, every hour and around the clock.

Jared's witty reflections on his fast-paced journey will both entertain and inspire you to think about your own prayer journey.

Join Jared on a rollicking modern-day prayer pilgrimage... you'll never pray the same again.

My Review:
 

 This was an interesting book. I did not feel like I learned anything new about prayer though. I picked up the book because the premise intrigued me. It was a travelogue with faith bent with some humor too. I enjoyed reading it. The author put enough description to make you feel like you were there without weighing the book down. I could hardly believe some of the things that happened to him along the way like being in North Korea. And he met the Pope, wow. Recommended for at least the interesting story and another reader might take away more of the spiritual aspect.

       

Jared Brock is the cofounder of Hope for the Sold, an abolitionist charity that fights human trafficking one word at a time. Jared has written for Huffington Post, Esquire, Converge, and Relevant, and his work has appeared on CBC, CTV, and WDCX. He is happily married to his best friend, Michelle, whom he first kissed in the seventh grade (at a Newsboys concert.) Jared Brock and Rick Warren have sold a combined 35 million books in 85 languages.

Review copy provided by Tyndale Blog Network.

Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Mist of Midnight Howard Books (March 10, 2015) by Sandra Byrd

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick for 2011 and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012. The Tudor series’ end cap, Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I published in April, 2013.

A life-long lover of Victorian Gothic romances, Sandra’s new series, Daughters of Hampshire, weaves elements of that mystical, traditional genre with inspirational and literary threads. Mist of Midnight, the series’ first book, debuts in March, 2015.

Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens, and is passionate about helping new authors develop their talent and their work toward traditional or independent publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her future in his hands.

Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her...and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca's name, but her home and incomes.

That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and her father's investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Mist of Midnight, go HERE.