Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner.

This book surprised me!  I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much.  But now I can’t wait to read more books from this author.  The romance was fun yet it had a lot of deep issues involved in the story.  Bethany Turner knows how to get your attention and while she has it give some honestly profound relationship advice.  I really loved how this book went from cute story to a deeply meaningful exploration of what love can mean.  I was impressed that the relationship was built in stages and on purposeful self searching and vulnerable sharing.  The story was well put together.  I couldn’t put it down.

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

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.

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin

In this 3^rd book in the “Sunrise at Normandy” series Clay has reached a point of despair so great that sacrificing his life for his country feels like the only option.  But when he rescues Leah, an orphan looking for her lost little sisters, something changes.  When he’s shipped out the letters between the two of them become more personal, more emotional and more intense.  The marriage of convenience he offered her as a protection begins to feel like something he wants more than anything.  In this action packed romance we see two people with very different upbringings, different ways of dealing with betrayal and loneliness and even different ways of dealing with love.  Yet in their differences there is something that binds them together.  This book is filled with interesting tidbits from the WWII era while drawing the reader personally into the characters dilemmas, heart breaks and yearnings. 

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

Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill

Although this book is published by a Christian publisher don’t expect overt Christian tones such as references to Bible, prayer or a personal relationship with God.  You will not find them.  However, this book does provide spine tingling suspense without detailed violence, flirting without love scenes, intense dialogue without foul language and edge of your seat, page turning drama.  The story’s main theme is the inner workings of the detective team and how each member brings an important piece to the closure of a crime mystery.  I really got hooked into this book quickly, but was disappointed there wasn’t any part of the story that dealt with how the characters related to God in their work environment or personal relationships.  Since it was from a Christian publisher, I had expected that. 

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