When I began reading this novel, I kept questioning what I’d missed in the first chapter, so I went back and reread the chapter. Questions remained unanswered until the end. The toss-up between what was real and unreal and whether Cohen Marah actually killed his father kept me turning the page. In some sense, the context had me wondering if the novel was along the lines of a Frank Peretti thriller or was Smucker walking the reader through Cohen’s imaginary past or maybe his nightmares? Were the dark shadows Cohen saw symbolizing demons or was he simply afraid of the…
Rise of the Mystics by Ted Dekker
I must admit, Ted Dekker has quite the imagination. The ingenious way he intertwines the truth of scripture to challenge the reader’s faith and imagination is remarkable. Here he uses seventeen-year-old Rachelle Matthews as the 49th Mystic. She transports back and forth from Earth to Other Earth in her dreams while the devious Shadow Man seeks her demise. Similar to the way we study the Bible and only dream of how life will be when Christ returns, but know we are presently in the midst of fighting the battle between good and evil. Dekker keeps the momentum going throughout the…
Coming of Winter by Tom Threadgill
I’ve always preferred reading suspense, romantic suspense, or even a contemporary romance. However, I decided to read outside my genre, so I picked up Tom Threadgill’s Coming of Winter. Goodness, what a choice? The minute I started reading, I wanted to slam the book shut, but it was too late, I had to know what was going to happen. Oh my! This wasn’t a thriller I wanted to read, so why did I continue? Simple. It grabbed me from the beginning, just like any suspense is supposed to do. I found it rather gruesome, and yet, I kept reading. I…
Long Walk Home by DiAnn Mills
Long Walk Home especially touched my heart. I’ve been to South Sudan, and I’ve seen the devastation, the lack, the starving, the sick, the nakedness, as well as the scrutiny and sorrows of the people. And yet, they smile, dance, and express joy. DiAnn Mills gives us a small glimpse into the lives of three people from southern Sudan in novel form. Paul Farid, an Arab from a royal family, flies Feed the World (FTW) planes over Warkou, along the Lol River in southern Sudan delivering food and medical supplies for the natives of the village. Paul meets Warkou’s doctor,…
Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland
FBI Official, Stephanie Maddox comes face-to-face with right and wrong when her son is accused of being involved with an extremist group that’s plotting against high ranking government officials. Like any mother, she believes her son Zachary is innocent. She searches his closet and finds a loaded gun tucked away in a sack in his closet. When she questions him about the weapon, his response and body language convince her he’s clueless. What does she do with the gun? Her actions and reasoning must remain above board and yet she if she turns the pistol into the authorities, her son…
A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot
This evenly-paced novel allowed me to walk alongside Thea Michener on her journey of hope. Her dreams of a happy future died when her husband was murdered, and her son was stillborn. The only way she could see to escape the pain was to move to Cimarron Creek and continue her profession as a midwife. Thea and her new friend Aimee Jarre make a great team as they travel together. Thea desires a new beginning, and Aimee is searching for her biological mom. It’s easy to connect with these two ladies as their friendship grows. Cabot developed her characters well….
Never Let Go By Elizabeth Goddard
Whatever you do, don’t bypass the prologue. The prologue thrusts you into the middle of the action and builds immediate suspense. The tension doesn’t let up until the end of the book. A crime is committed when the unthinkable happens. A newborn is abducted from the hospital. That alone should pique your interest. Years pass and none of the investigators the mother hired produced any results. The mother refuses to believe her daughter is dead. She never stops searching for her baby. Willow Anderson works as a Forensic Genealogist with her grandfather’s business, Anderson Consulting. Her grandfather was murdered after…
Cold Dawn by Susan Sleeman
Samantha Willis, a tactical operator, and former criminalist learns of the death of her childhood friend, Andy. She gathers forensic supplies and goes to the scene in hopes of gathering evidence to prove his death wasn’t an accident. When she arrives, someone locks the door of the building and sets it on fire. Sam faces death when she inhales too much smoke in her fight to stay alive. Matt Griffin, a firefighter, former Navy SEAL, and her ex-boyfriend, heard about the death of his roommate and friend and went to the scene to gather more information. When he arrives, he…
The Line Between by Tosca Lee
Wynter Roth, the survivor of an apocalyptic cult, is forced to leave the confines of the so-called New Earth, leaving her sister and niece behind. She must face a world that she’s been taught was evil. Her anxiety builds as she is exposed to the reality of life outside those once protective walls. When news of deadly disease from the melting permafrost resurfaces and threatens human minds, ultimately driving people insane, Wynter is certain the world is coming to an end as the cult leader warned. Her sister appears on her doorstep with a container she’d stolen from the cult…
Code of Valor -Release Day
Happy New Year! Today, January 1, 2019, is release day for Lynette Eason’s newest romantic suspense novel. It’s always exciting to see another fabulous release from an author who makes reading worth your while. This book, Code of Valor, gets five stars from me. I had the opportunity last year to attend Lynette’s Weekend With the Writers where the event was held in Lynette’s home. It was a wonderful relaxing experience and so enlightening hanging out with her, Tamela Hancock Murray, Alycia Morales, Edie Melson, and Lynn H Blackburn. So much wisdom in one room was an aspiring writer’s dream…
