Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

I have enjoyed Amanda Cabot’s books before and am hesitant to write a less than positive review.  However, I found this book contained quite a bit of violent death.  Although, the author doesn’t describe the deaths in details there is enough wordage given to create visual images.  Murders by fire, slashing throats, etc.  At first, I thought okay she’s giving the back story and kept reading but there continued to be this type of essence to the story.  It is called a “chilling mystery” on the back cover.  I just didn’t expect it to be quite so full of cold-blooded killings.  The romance part of the book is sweet and enjoyable but it was ruined for me by too much of blood shed in the book. 

I received this book from the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

Chasing the White Lion by James R. Hannibal

Christian Thriller?  Oxymoron?  That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself when you open the pages of James Hannibal’s book Chasing the White Lion.  The story bounces from Thailand to Washington, D.C. to Russia to Virginia.  Snippets of CIA officer Talia Inger’s family secrets are interspersed within her mission to infiltrate a crime syndicate in the jungles of Thailand.  When her team discovers that a group of kidnapped children are involved their mission becomes more intense.  Hannibal takes time to paint lively, personal and intriguing character portraits as well as giving the reader a knock out, heart thumping, suspenseful, chill-up-your-spine tale.

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith

Fresh ideas and historical details are given to this retelling of Esther’s story by author Jill Eileen Smith.  Smith gives emphasis to the building of relationships between the characters in her story.  Whether the characters are heroes or villains the reader gets a sense of their purpose, motives and desires.  There is a beautiful blend of senses brought to life through vivid descriptions of textures, colors, fragrances and flavors of the Persia empire.  Careful detail to cultural norms and political, historical events are given.  Reading this Biblical story with the new insights Smith brings helps Esther become even more of a heroine in my eyes. 

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

SUNRISE at NORMANDY series by Sarah Sundin

I received the 3rd book of this series free from the publishers.  But after reading that book I decided to go back and read book #1 and book #2 of the series:  The Sea Before Us and The Sky Above Us.  I'm just so impressed I have to write another blog!  There are three brothers and each book is about a brother who joins a different branch of the armed services.  Each brother has his own battles not only on the war front but inside himself.  Yes each book is action packed and filled with tender romance but what really impressed me is how naturally the author weaves spiritual truths into the conversations, thoughts, and actions of each character.  In Sundin's books Christian values aren't just tacked on as an afterthought.  They are the very fiber of her stories.