Book Review: Singularity by Steven James

Back Cover: Jevin Banks is searching for a killer--and answers to terrifying questions he never even thought to ask.

When his friend is murdered, illusionist Jevin Banks is determined to find out what really happened. Drawn deep into a web of conspiracy and top-secret research on human consciousness, Jevin won't stop digging until the truth is revealed. Soon he uncovers a dark secret that could change the very fabric--and future--of human life on the planet.

Based on frightening scientific realities and bristling with mystery, suspense, and intrigue, Singularity is the riveting sequel to Placebo.

My Review: Steven James has to be one of my absolute favorite authors. The intricate stories that he weaves always leaves me flipping pages as fast as I can. While I willingly admit that I enjoy his the Patrick Bowers books better than the Jevin Banks books, I still look forward to each installment. In this series James explores the experimental science and the direction the world could go. The plots that Jevin uncovers in these books are easy to imagine and yet almost science fiction due to the implications that they present. And like all Steven James' book, this novel is full of action, death, and impending doom. Only Jevin can stop things before it's too late - or can he?

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to fans of Steven James and readers of suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Placebo by Steven James

Back Cover: One man must uncover the truth-even when others will stop at nothing to keep it buried.

While investigating a controversial neurological research program, exposé filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms. He seeks answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program-and answers to his own family tragedy.

Rooted in groundbreaking science, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. This taut, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

My Review: Steven James has once again written a book that is almost impossible to put down. Though Placebo gives us a whole new cast of characters, it is still full of the twists, turns, danger, and suspense that I've come to expect from Steven James. James has an amazing ability to create believable and deep characters. I must say that I wasn't sure that I was going to like the novel at first, because the beginning starts off in second person ("you" is a character in the story). Though I think I understand why he did it, I felt that it was a strange way to start the book. I was greatly relieved when he switched into first person. Other than that, I really enjoyed Placebo.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of suspense and fans of Steven James.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson

Back Cover: PAUL FALCON AND ANN SILVER: A LOVE STORY

Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.

Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former vice president. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is....

My Review: I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. In fact, I stayed up till 2:30 AM because I had to finish it before I could sleep. Full Disclosure is a page-turner that will keep you thinking about the book days after you've finished. I'm a little ashamed to say that I've not read any of Dee Henderson's other works, but after reading Full Disclosure I will be. Full Disclosure is one of the best books that I have read this year. You don't want to miss it.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book!




Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Full Disclosure

Book Review: Nothing to Hide by J. Mark Bertrand

Excerpt: If the killing had taken place here, there would have been a lot more blood. But whoever made the drop took the trouble to arrange the corpse, settling it down all neat and tidy like a body in a coffin, except for one arm extended in the direction of the woods, the skinned hand shaped into a fist apart from the index finger.

"Like it was pointing," Jerry explains. "I thought if we followed the line, we might find . . ." His voice trails off. "You know. The head." Nothing to Hide, pg 14.

Back Cover: A grisly homicide. An international threat. The stakes have never been higher for Detective Roland March.

The victim's head is missing, but what intrigues Detective Roland March is the hand. The pointing finger must be a clue--but to what? According to the FBI, the dead man was an undercover asset tracking the flow of illegal arms to the Mexican cartels. To protect the operation, they want March to play along with the cover story. With a little digging, though, he discovers the Feds are lying. And they're not the only ones.

In an upside-down world of paranoia and conspiracy, March finds himself dogged by injury and haunted by a tragic failure. Forced to take justice into his own hands, his twisting investigation leads him into the very heart of darkness, leaving March with nothing to lose--and nothing to hide.

My Review: Nothing to Hide is the third Roland March book, and just as good as the previous two. This book is not for the faint of heart, or the weak of stomach. Bertrand doesn't mind writing a bit of gore into his stories. This novel kept me on my toes. I was never sure who could be trusted, and I have to admit that I didn't solve the murder before the characters. This book is hard to put down, but it did leave me a little disquieted as I thought about the ethical and moral dilemmas that March faces in the pages. This book is well worth the read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this to readers of suspense and crime fiction.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

Excerpt: "You will go with them."

Charles objected, "My place is here."

"Your place is caring for the people of your church. This duty means you will accompany Marc Royce. And if he is to be trusted, you will share with him the secret."

Charles felt a thrill race up his spine. "You will allow this man to hold the future of your people?"

"Only if he is the one of my dream." The young-old man looked around the circle of elders, granting them the chance to object. But no one spoke. So he turned back and finished, "And only if he shows you a sign."

Once again the chief had managed to spook him. "What sign will that be?"

Philip rose with him, a rare honor. "You will know when God tells you." Rare Earth, pg 94-95.

Back Cover: Marc Royce stares out of the helicopter, a sense of foreboding rising with the volcanic cloud. Below, the Rift Valley slashes across Africa like a scar. Decades of conflicts, droughts, and natural disasters have left their mark.

Dispatched to audit a relief organization, Royce is thrust into the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps. But his true mission focuses on the area's reserves of once-obscure minerals now indispensable to high-tech industries. These strategic elements--called rare earths--have inflamed tensions on the world's stage and stoked tribal rivalries. As Royce prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes on a bold and risky venture for restoring justice to this troubled land.

But this time, Royce may have gone too far.

My Review: As a volcano spews its ash in the air, one man goes missing, whole villages are being evacuated for no reason, and one company seems to be behind it all. Only Marc Royce stands between in the way, but will he live long enough to discover the truth? Rare Earth is a tale of thickly woven deceit, and intents bigger than anyone originally imagined. I really enjoyed Bunn's work. He did a fantastic job creating this page turner.
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of suspense and fans of Davis Bunn.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Submerged by Dani Pettrey

Excerpt: They were going down--hard and fast. The other passengers' terrified expressions said they knew it too. Innocents, every one, Agnes thought, fury on their behalf trumping her own fear. She was the only one on board who knew this catastrophe was not mechanical failure. It was him. She knew it as surely as she knew she'd seen her last sunset. Submerged, pg 7.

Back Cover: A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart... but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

My Review: I loved this book! This is the premier novel for Pettery, and it is fabulous. The adventure, the danger, the romance, and the strong faith of the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and had great difficulty putting it down (thankfully my husband has the ability to cook supper at times like that). Dani Pettrey is an author to watch! I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. Did I mention that the book is fabulous?
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of romantic suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Beckon by Tom Pawlik

Excerpt: "If you go . . . death will find you there." Beckon, pg 23.

Back Cover: Some things weren't meant to be discovered.

But once they're unleashed, there's no turning back.

Beneath the town of Beckon, a terror hides, lurking in the darkness. Waiting.

Three people are drawn to the small Wyoming town for very different reasons. Anthropologist Jack Kendrick comes looking for clues to his father's disappearance. Police officer Elina Gutierrez arrives in the near-deserted  town on the trail of her missing cousin. And George Wilcox is lured by the promise of a cure for his wife's illness.

All are looking for answers. But as they draw closer to discovering the town's chilling secret, the real question becomes . . . will their quest uncover a miracle, or release an unspeakable evil?

My Review: This is a chilling, edge of your seat, don't read in the middle of the night type of book. The story is well done, the pieces come together to make a captivating whole. However, the images and events are not for the faint of heart. Pawlik has no qualms about killing of people in an extremely gruesome way. While I enjoyed this story greatly, the book will not be remaining in my personal library just because I won't be wanting my son to have those images in his head. This book will get you thinking, and if you can get past the gore, it is an amazing work of fiction.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of suspense, who are not afraid of death and gore.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale for the purpose of review.

Book Review: When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

Excerpt: He suspected what was in the envelope. Shaky fingers opened it and pulled out the single white sheet with the block-style printed words.

I KNOW.

Senator Frank Hoffman leaned back in his plush leather chair and drew in a deep breath.

It was Jillian; he knew it. She'd decided to come out of hiding. He'd searched high and low for the girl ten years ago, when she simply dropped off the face of the earth.

But the letter proved she wasn't dead. She was back, taunting him with the skeleton in his closet.

Jillian Carter. The one person who could kill his career, ruin his shaky marriage, and sabotage his future.

He'd rather put a bullet in her brain than let that happen. When the Smoke Clears, pg 17.

Back Cover: After a brush with death due to equipment failure, smokejumper Alexia Allen is ordered to take time off while the incident is under investigation. She makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother's home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she is confronted with murder, arson--and a handsome detective.

But the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she struggles to accept and forgive her family's past, she must also decide if the secret she's been guarding for the last ten years must finally come to light.

Chock-full of the suspense and romantic tension you've come to expect from Lynette Eason, When the Smoke Clears is the explosive first book in the Deadly Reunions series.
My Review: Lynette Eason's newest book is a must read for those who enjoy romantic suspense. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Alexia goes from one dangerous situation to another without much of a break in between. Of course, there is the tall, handsome cop, but even he can't keep her from the killer's clutches. Once I got to the end, I really want to read the next book in this series. There is still so much that hasn't been answered, still so many people in danger. Well done Lynette. Thank you for this great read!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills

Excerpt: "I know you've been assigned to Lindsay for the past four years. I know you hate the idea of working with a woman. I know we're both up for the same assignment with VP Hall. But Lindsay is our protectee, and besides her addiction, someone out there wants her dead. We need to work together on this." Attracted to Fire, pg 59.

Back Cover: Only one assignment stands between Special Agent Meghan Connors and her dream of protecting the president.

After threats are made against the vice president's rebellious daughter, Meghan is added to her protective detail on a secluded Texas ranch, far from the media and any would-be assassins. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as challenging as safeguarding Lindsay Hall. He has a reputation for being critical and exacting, but behind his tough exterior, Meghan finds Ash is equally dedicated to upholding their oath.

When Vice President Hall is sworn in as president, threats on his daughter escalate and security on the ranch is breached. But who is the real target, and who can be trusted? As Ash and Meghan investigate, they uncover a deadly conspiracy that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined . . . and only they can put the pieces together before it's too late.

My Review: Attracted to Fire has it all - murder, mystery, danger and love. Once I started the novel, I had a hard time putting it down, and still find myself thinking about the plot days later. DiAnn Mills brings to life an exciting and intriguing story of the life of a woman in the Secret Service. This is also the tale of addictions and deception. I loved trying to solve the mystery with Ash and Meghan.

I did have one complaint about the book, which had nothing to do with the story line or characters. The cover of Attracted to Fire really bothers me. Meghan doesn't look anything like how she is portrayed in the cover art. I like details, so this was a little bit of a distraction.

This book is a welcome addition to my home library, and I look forward to sharing it with others.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of romantic suspense.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon

Excerpt: Heavy breathing.

That was all she could hear.

No voice.

No background noise.

Just a palpable presence on the other end of the line.

Again. Deadly Pursuit, pg 7.

Back Cover: A stalker with deadly intent . . . A woman who protects children . . . An ex-Navy SEAL turned police detective.

Social worker Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children. But now it seems she needs protecting. When her tormentor's attentions take a violent turn, she calls in reinforcements--her police-detective brother, Cole, and his new partner, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his future depends on keeping her safe.

Filled with nail-biting suspense and heart-melting romance, Deadly Pursuit is Irene Hannon's storytelling at its very best.

My Review: Irene Hannon is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. Deadly Pursuit is the second book in the Guardians of Justice series. From the very first page, I was drawn into the story, turning pages as quickly as I could, trying to figure out who was stalking Alison, and how things would end. I love the twists and turns that the story takes, and the adrenaline pumping climax. If you haven't read Irene Hannon's work, you've missed out on an amazing adventure. I can't wait to see what she come up with next!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book (and others by Irene Hannon) to lovers of romantic suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Queen by Steven James

Excerpt: Anger tightened like a knot in my chest and I was glad. Forget objectivity. I like it when things get personal. I want to feel grief and want it to be like a hot knife inside of me. It keeps me focused on why I do what I do.

I'd been dreading this next part of the investigation ever since Margaret had told me about the crimes.

Viewing the body of the four-year-old girl. The Queen, pg 51.

Back Cover: While investigating a mysterious double homicide in an isolated northern Wisconsin town, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that ties together long-buried Cold War secrets with present-day tensions in the Middle East.

In his most explosive thriller yet, bestselling author Steven James delivers a pulse-pounding, multilayered storytelling tour de force that will keep you guessing.

My Review: I have become a huge fan of Steven Jame's Patrick Bowers Thrillers. Ever since I read The Pawn I have looked forward with great anticipation for the release of the next book in the series. The Queen did not disappoint. James is a master storyteller, and his suspense fiction is truly amazing. One of the things that I really appreciate about his writing is his expert pacing - I've never read an author who does it better. The Queen kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me want to keep turning the pages to find out who was really behind this crime spree. If you haven't read the other books in the Patrick Bowers series, you really have been missing out.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of Suspense. I would recommend that you read the other four books in the series before reading The Queen.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

Excerpt: The Town Car swept through the surrounding traffic like a beast of the deep. The rear window was now all the way down. Marc tensed with the others, and reached for the gun he no longer wore.

Then an old man’s face appeared in the open window. The lone passenger was white and old and paid the congregation no mind. He leaned forward and spoke to his driver. Apparently the window was down simply so the old man could enjoy the
fine spring day.

Appearances, Marc knew, could be deceiving.

The limo swept around the corner and disappeared. The gathering resumed their Sunday chats. Marc gave it a few beats, long enough for his departure not to be tied to the limo, then walked around the corner.

As expected, the Town Car idled at the curb. With Marc’s approach, the rear door opened. He slipped inside, leaving every vestige of the church’s peace outside with the sunlight and the cool spring air. Lion of Babylon, pg. 9-10.

Back Cover: Marc Royce has been a State Department agent involved in covert operations--that is, until personal issues lead to his dismissal.

When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is a CIA agent--and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight--a nurse, an aid worker, a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it.

Blocked at every turn, Royce eventually unearths a trail of secret encounters between sworn enemies. What he discovers could transform the course of rivalry and reconciliation throughout the Mideast. As the human and political drama escalates, can one man summon the courage to make a difference?

My Review: I could not put down this book! I had to finish it. I had to see how things would turn out. There was no going back once I opened the cover and stepped into the story. Davis Bunn did an amazing job with this story, and I am so pleased that I was given a chance to read an review this book. I was drawn into the story. I wanted to solve the mystery. I wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters. All the while I held my breath, because of the danger, suspense and intrigue. You will not be left disappointed!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady

Excerpt: "We, right now, are on the verge of the largest lightning-caused fire complex the Sierra Nevada has seen in over a century."

Elle glanced out the window and back at Weathers. "What part of it?"

He cleared his throat. "The Desolation Wilderness."

Elle stiffened. Hence why she was there. She hadn't flown over that terrain since--

"I know." Weathers nodded. "It hasn't even been two full years."

She stared at her lap.

"Elle, I am certain you know those mountains from the air better than anyone."

"That's one distinction I wish I didn't have." Falls Like Lightning, pg 46.

Back Cover: Smokejumper Silas Kent never expected to see pilot Elle Westmore again. In fact, reuniting makes him realize what a mistake he made all those years ago. But before he has a chance to try to make amends, he's called to lead a new crew into battle against a massive fire in the Sierra Nevadas.

And then things go very wrong, very quickly.

A suspicious engine explosion forces the crew to parachute early while Elle barely survives a crash landing. Silas reaches the ground safely, but in beginning a desperate race to reach the downed plane, he soon realizes he has more to fear than just a raging forest fire.

My Review: This was the first of Shawn Grady's books that I have read. I didn't know anything about Smokejumping before opening the pages, but after reading the book, I understand more about this fascinating and dangerous occupation. However, it wasn't the interesting occupational hazards that kept me turning the pages. Grady weaves a story of lies, danger and death that wouldn't let me stop reading till the story was done. This book will keep you turning the pages from start to finish. The only thing I didn't enjoy about the story was how many "main" characters there were. It was hard to know who I was supposed to bond with when there were so many characters that we got into the heads of. Other than that, Falls Like Lightning was an excellent read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who enjoy danger and suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Pattern of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand

Excerpt: Gazing down the length of the pool, a tingle creeps up my spine. A ping of recognition. Something's been bothering me. And now I know what.

With the lieutenant looking on, Dr. Green takes one of the victim's wrists, lifting the arm, carefully turning the body to expose a breast and another network of punctures and a jagged, seeping gash in the chest.

I throw out my hand. "Wait."

The medical examiner freezes. After a pause, she lowers the body back. Bascombe stares at me, palms raised. Without explaining I switch my camera on and snap a photo. The preview on the LCD screen isn't exactly right. I realign the camera and take another shot.

"Everyone go inside," I say. "Except for you, Lieutenant. I need you over here."

The work stops, but nobody moves. Bascombe makes the call, signaling the crime scene techs to indulge my whim. He comes over, bringing Dr. Green with him. With the scene clear I take another shot.

I hand him the camera, displaying the photo. "Does that remind you of anything?"

"Yeah," he says, "it reminds me of what I can see with my own eyes." He squints and the screen, then shows it to the ME. "You gonna tell me or what?"

"The Fauk scene." Pattern of Wounds, pg 21.

Back Cover: A brutal murder. An unraveling conviction. To catch the killer, Roland March must decipher the Pattern of Wounds.

It's Christmas in Huston, and homicide detective Roland March is on the hunt for a killer. A young woman's brutal stabbing in an affluent neighborhood bears all the hallmarks of a serial murder. The only problem is that March sent the murderer to prison ten years ago. Is it a copycat - or did March convict the wrong man?

Alienated from his colleagues, and with a growing rift in his marriage, March receives a series of taunting messages from the killer. The bodies pile up, the pressure builds, and the violence reaches too close to home. Up against an unfathomable evil, March struggles against the clock to understand the hidden message in the pattern of wounds.

My Review: When I saw that the next book in the Roland March Mystery series was out, I couldn't wait to review it. Back on Murder, the first book of the series, gave a great starter look at this man, and this second book is just as good, if not better. Pattern of Wounds is full of mystery, danger, and death. I love reading a murder mystery where I actually have to work to figure out who the murder is. I was on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as quickly as I could, to help Roland solve these horrible crimes. From start of finish, this is a superbly written novel, and I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of Christian suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason

Excerpt: The Judge rubbed his eyes, weary with all the thinking he'd had to do lately. Searching for the perfect family, seeking ways to administer justice. And when it was all said and done, he'd go home and rub his old man's face in it.

Over and over and over again. He giggled at his repetition. Threes always made him feel better.

Feel better, feel better, he echoed in his mind.

Then frowned. They'd have no choice but to admire him, to praise him for his brilliant mind and methods.

Especially those who'd laughed at him.

Those who'd mocked him, humiliated him.

Like Walter.

Poor Walter. A Killer Among Us, pg 22.

Back Cover: What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. These new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he may be hunting one of them too.

My Review: Warning: Do not read this book when you are home alone at night!

Lynette Eason does an excellent job in this third book of the Women of Justice series. I couldn't wait till this book came out so I could continue the story, and I was not disappointed. Eason fills this novel with enough conflict, romance and suspense to keep the reader turning the pages from one cover to the other. But be warned, this story is not for the faint of heart, or those who are already scared of the dark!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of romantic suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Alarmists by Don Hoesel

Excerpt: "So what exactly are you doing, Colonel?"

Colonel Richards didn't answer right away, and when Brent pulled his eyes away from the map to glance at the man, he found Richards staring at the projection. Finally the colonel spoke.

"Tracking the breakdown of civilization, Dr. Michaels," he said. The Alarmists, pg 38.

Back Cover: This is the way the world ends . . . 

Sociologist Brent Michaels's specialty is seeing order in the chaos of human interaction and he's just been given the most important assignment of his life. Joining a special Pentagon unit headed by Colonel Jameson Richards, they have one goal: Uncover why the world is rushing toward doomsday.

It's December 2012 and the world is approaching the brink of panic - the timing of which eerily coincides with the ending of the Mayan calendar. But, beneath the despair of fanatics and doomsayers, and amid a rising tide of both man-made and natural disasters, something far more dangerous emerges - someone is manipulating events, pulling strings, and only Michaels and the team have a chance at stopping the end of the world.

My Review: The Alarmists is a non-stop, edge of your seat, suspense novel. I honestly couldn't put the book down. From the start, I was drawn in by the strange events that the Pentagon team was tracking. Of course, putting them in a shoot-out in the first chapter was an excellent start, and set the tone well for the rest of the book. While the book was full of action, adventure, and suspense, I have to admit that I found it lacking in its spiritual understanding. While I understand that Christian fiction does not need to be "in your face" about spiritual things, I did feel that the Christian aspects of this book were just a tag on to make it acceptable for the market. Other than that, I really enjoyed The Alarmists.

My Rating: 

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to those who enjoy action, adventure and suspense in their fiction.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon

Excerpt: "Is there a problem?"

Yeah. A big one.

He'd rather go back to Iraq than head Liz Michaels's protective detail.

But there was only one response a professional could give.

"No. No problem." Fatal Judgment, pg 11.

Back Cover: U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven't warmed in five years since she drove her husband - Jake's best friend - to despair...and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he's forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life - and his heart - are in danger.

Full of suspense and romance, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

My Review: When I found out that Irene Hannon's newest book was out, I couldn't wait to read it. I loved her Heroes of Quantico series, and couldn't wait to find out if this new series was going to be as good as the last. The first book of the Guardian's of Justice series, Fatal Judgment, is everything that I've come to expect from Irene Hannon's work. The novel is full of great storytelling, believable characters, and a plot line that keeps you glued to the page. I didn't want to put the book down, and I'm sure that you won't either.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to lovers of crime fiction and romantic suspense.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Possession by Rene Gutteridge

Excerpt: The phone went dead. He decided to walk back inside, see what this Karen Kaye had to say about things. Get out of the openness. He began to turn toward the house, then spotted something.

It looked white and it hung off one of the two mailboxes that sat at the edge of the curb. The first one belonged to his condo. He liked the fact that they still had a mailbox by the curb and not a metal box crowded in a block of dozens of other metal boxes.

Upon examining it, he found a clothespin holding a white envelope to the handle of the mailbox. How long had that been there? He ripped it off and examined it. Nothing written on it. Sealed. Maybe it was some documents for the condo.

The flap unstuck easily. He felt the glue. Still slightly damp. Inside was a single piece of paper. A short, typed letter started at the top.

You have secrets that I am willing to expose. $15,000 by tomorrow or you will lose everything. Possession, pg 80-81.

Back Cover: "This is your last chance. If you don't pay up, you will lose everything."

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. snipper case, detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure his family's new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems, as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance's past...and a little boy's innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees.

My Review: Possession kept me on the edge of my seat from the first pages. Rene Gutteridge relates a real to life tale of danger and betrayal. Her characters are believably flawed and come to life as the story unfolds. This book is not for the weak at heart. There is danger, murder, and mystery between the covers. There is also the story of a young boy's simple faith that brings his doubting parents to their knees. Possession is a wonderful story to remind us of what is really important in life, and what is worth fighting for.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend Possession for those who enjoy suspense and crime fiction.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Blind Sight by James H. Pence

Excerpt: The man focused his eyes on Thomas, the corners of his lips curling upward slightly. He coughed, then whispered, struggling with each word. "You . . . can't . . . hide."

"What?"

"They'll . . . find . . . you."

"Who? Who will find me?"

"Run . . .  while . . . you . . . can." The man's eyes glazed over and his jaw went slack. Blind Sight, pg 72.

Back Cover: Remember the Promise...
Save my children...

All Thomas Kent wants is to die...but a mysterious email and a voice from the past stir him to fight for his life and the lives of a family he doesn't know. The leader of a powerful and dangerous cult threatens the country's future, and Thomas holds the only evidence for its destruction. As the cult's plan enters its final phase, Thomas must cast his fear aside and act before it's too late.

My Review: Blind Sight is one of those stories that you can't get out of your head. Thomas Kent is faced with unbelievable odds and things just keep getting more difficult for him as he tries to save two children that he'd never met before. I really enjoyed the way that Pence wove the story together, giving the feel of urgency that is so necessary for suspense fiction. The cult aspects of the book are dealt with well and in a believable manner. The characters are well developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that kept me flipping the pages.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book for lovers of suspense. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Don't Look Back by Lynette Eason

Excerpt: "What? You think someone's targeted me? That . . . that I've picked up a stalker or something?" The irony of it hit her. She threw up her hands. "Great. I don't leave the house for years and the minute I decide to try and have a life, some sicko wants to ruin it for me." She ignored the tinge of hysteria in her voice and the fact that her volume had notched up a few decibels.

Dakota laid a calming hand on her arm and she shrugged him off. Anger like nothing she'd ever felt before spun through her. Shocked, she stopped, then realized the anger felt good.

Really, really good.

Much better than the fear she'd lived with the past eleven-plus years. She poked a finger in Dakota's chest and said, "I'm not hiding anymore. I'm not going to be afraid anymore. I'm not giving up the life I've just managed to acquire. This time I'm fighting back, got it?" Don't Look Back, pg 28.

Back Cover: One man lives to see her dead - the other is fighting to keep her alive.

Twelve years ago, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash survived a brutal kidnapping. After years of therapy, she has made a life for herself - though one that is haunted by memories of her terrifying past. She finally lets herself believe that she can have a close relationship with a man, when signs start appearing that point to one frightening fact - her attacker is back and ready to finish the job he started all those years ago.

Can she escape his grasp a second time? And will she ever be able to let down her guard enough to find true love?

Filled with heart-stopping suspense, gritty realism, and a touch of romance, Don't Look Back pulls you into its twists and turns to hold you there until the very last page.

My Review: Lynette Eason introduced us to Jamie Cash in Too Close to Home, the first book of the Women of Justice series. I've been waiting to find out how this story was going to turn out since reading Too Close to Home.This story is full of twists and turns. I was surprised several times, and every time in a good way. Lynette's writing is fun to read, and draws you in. The plot keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat, trying to solve the mystery before it's too late. This book is not for the faint of heart. Lynette isn't afraid to put her characters in very difficult and even deadly situations.

My Rating: 

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to those who enjoy edgy crime fiction with a hint of romance. I would suggest that you also read Too Close to Home, the first book in this series.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.