What I'm Reading...

Pages: 336
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub Date: July 23, 2019

About the book (from Amazon):

From award-winning author Carrie Stuart Parks comes a new novel with danger that reaches from a New Mexico Anasazi archaeological dig to micro- and nano-chip technology.

Stolen art. A New Mexico archaeological dig. An abandoned dog. And a secret that’s worth killing for.

Evelyn McTavish’s world came crashing down with the suicide of her fiancé. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she receives a call that her dog is about to be destroyed at the pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. But the shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine with her name and address makes it hers.

Evelyn recognizes the dog as one owned by archaeologist John Coyote because she did a commissioned drawing of the two of them. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner—but she arrives only to discover John’s murdered body.

As Evelyn herself becomes a target, her path crosses with undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price. But the more he gets to know her, the more personally invested he is in keeping her safe. They’re desperate to find the links between these disparate pieces. And the clock is ticking.

Other books by Carrie Stuart Parks (Amazon):

Gwen Marcey series (I LOVED this series!!)

• A Cry from the Dust
• The Bones will Speak
• When Death Draws Near
• Portrait of Vengeance

Formula of Deception

Cost of Betrayal - Henderson, Pettrey, Eason

Pages: 384
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: September 4, 2018

About the book (from Amazon): 

In Dee Henderson's novella "Betrayed," Janelle Roberts is freed--thanks to people she doesn't know--after serving six years of a twenty-year sentence for a murder she did not commit. But a murderer is still at large, and Janelle needs to be somewhere safe with someone she can trust. She may not survive another betrayal.

In Dani Pettrey's "Deadly Isle," Tennyson Kent is trapped on the isolated island of her childhood by a storm surge, and she is shocked when the typically idyllic community turns into the hunting grounds of a murderer. Cut off from any help from the mainland, will she and first love Callen Frost be able to identify and stop a killer bent on betrayal before they become the next victims?

In Lynette Eason's "Code of Ethics," trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John saves the life of Detective Isaac Martinez. After a betrayal leads to him getting shot and then attacked while in recovery, Isaac is now a key witness determined to testify. But someone is intent on silencing him--and those around him--forever. Together, Ruthie and Isaac go on the run, desperate to escape the killers hunting him. 

My thoughts:

Ack!  Where do I even start?  All three of these authors are some of the best I have ever read.  I mean honestly...they are my all-time favorites!  Each novella is skillfully and wonderfully written, and the characters are true to life.  

In "Betrayed", Henderson re-introduces some well-loved characters from some of her other novels.  I LOVED catching up with Paul and Ann; it was like sitting down with long lost friends and hearing what they have been up to.  The only downfall to this story?  I'm hoping the main character shows up in a full length series so I can find out how all the details played out in the end.

"Deadly Isle", by Pettrey, was definitely the edge-of-your-seat suspense readers have come to expect from her.  Trying to solve the murder before the characters did was tough...nothing was predictable.

Finally, in "Code of Ethics", Eason introduces us to another strong female lead, something she has become known for.  Ruthie and Isaac work so well together I would love to hear more of their story as well.

I easily give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it!! 

**I was provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.**

Delayed Justice - Cara Putman

Pages:  368
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Date of Publication:  October 16, 2018
Series:  Hidden Justice, book 3

About the book (from Amazon):

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

My thoughts...

I debated on how to start this review, and I've decided to go a different way then I normally do.  While I love this author, I'm not going to lie; this book has some tough subject matter in it.  Even for those of us who have never experienced the tragedy of what some of the characters in the book endured, this book was not an easy read.  I didn't say it wasn't a good read, I said it wasn't an easy read.  The fact that my heart was breaking throughout the story is testament to how the author can quickly draw the reader in, embedding them in the lives of the characters in the book.  Putman is definitely skilled in that aspect.

The writing is superb from beginning to end.  Events are carefully time lined, and character development is well plotted.  Even the pets in the story are well written!  One of my favorite characters in the story was Aslan, a comfort therapy dog used in the court room.  I'll stop there, I don't want to give any spoilers...but everybody should have an Aslan in their life!

I give this book 5 stars and recommend it to those with compassionate hearts, for those that can empathize with others, and for those looking for some healing of their own.

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**

Burden of Proof - DiAnn Mills

Pages:  416
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Date of Publication:  October 9, 2018

About the book:  

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

My thoughts...

Let me preface this by saying that I LOVE suspense filled Christian Fiction books!  Like, really, I can not get enough of them.  Some of my favorite authors include Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, DiAnn Mills, and Dee Henderson.  I'm kind of a closet junky with this genre.  But never fear, I went in to the reading and reviewing process of this book with an open mind.  Like a blank slate.  My mind was totally void of any preconceptions.  But alas, I have to admit, this was definitely a 5 star book!!  Read on...

So to start with, this is the beginning of a series entitled "FBI Rapid Response".  (I'm hoping a long, drawn out series.  The more the merrier when you find something you love!).  Mills is wonderful at researching her topics and making sure she gets all the facts correct.  She has a great track record in that department (make sure you check out some of her other books).  She's laid the groundwork in this novel for the series by developing strong characters throughout that the reader quickly comes to love.  Intertwining their lives in such a way that it feels real, like friends or acquaintances you know in your every day life.

Beyond the characters, the scenes and scenarios flow so effortlessly between the pages that it's easy to get lost in their world.  Before you know it you've quickly progressed from the start of the book to the end.  The fast paced, edge of your seat suspense keeps you on an ever winding roller coaster of a ride. 

My suggestion?  You pre-order this book and eagerly await the October 9 release.  And clear your schedule.  You will easily want to read it in one setting.  I know I did.  You won't be disappointed!  

As previously mentioned, I give this book 5 stars!  And 2 thumbs up!

**I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review**

The Healing - Wanda E. Brunstetter

As taken from the books back cover:

Can a man burdened by memories of yesterday find hope in the land of tomorrow? Samuel Fisher of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, now a single father of four, is in a state of shock following his wife’s untimely death.

When his brother, Titus, talks him into moving to Kentucky, hoping a fresh start will help heal Samuel’s grief, Samuel packs up the kids and heads to Bluegrass Country. Esther Beiler helps watch Samuel’s children while he works with English contractor Allen Walters on a bed and breakfast owned by Englisher Bonnie Taylor.

Soon Esther develops a crush on Samuel and a true affection for his children, but is there room in Samuel’s heart for Esther? Or has the pretty innkeeper already taken residence there? When misconceptions take the forefront, jealousies arise. Will peace-loving Samuel and Esther bow to the apparent competition or fight for their newfound love? How will God manage to untangle these star-crossed lovers before any damage is done?

My thoughts on the book:

I have always loved reading Brunstetter's books, and was not disappointed with this one!  I will admit, I seem to have a fascination with the Amish, even though they are bountiful in my area.

I loved the relationships that developed between Esther and Samuel's kinner, she truly had their best interest at heart, no matter what the occasion.  Esther and Samuel both have some trials in the beginning, but if they can just come together, things may work out.

Samuel's family though, including his bruder Titus, all seem to have their own issues, and boy, some of them are big ones!  While reading bits and pieces about Timothy and his frau Hannah, I can only imagine where there story will go!   In my opinion, no spoiler here, his Mother-in-law may be their biggest problem!

Would I recommend this book?  Jah, I would.  It is a wunderbar gut read!  I give this book 5 stars!

Translations(vary depending on region/dialect):  

Frau=Wife                            Kinner=Child/Children
Bruder=Brother                    Jah=Yes
Gut=Good                            Wunderbar=Wonderful

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Net Galley Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.