The Sacred Cipher

I believe what has always drawn me to the Indiana Jones movies is the possibility of the discovery of an ancient biblical artifact being discovered that might hold untold powers in the right or wrong hands. For those of us that study the Bible, we know that many religious artifacts still remain hidden even continually searched for to this day. That is just the reason for my fascination about novels that deals with that type of genre. A bit action adventure, mystery, and of course, suspense. For those that love such types like National Treasure, The DaVince Code or the Indiana Jones series, you might just want to check out Terry Brenna who has written a series of books called the Jerusalem Prophecies Series.

The first novel in the series, The Sacred Cipher takes readers into the heart of a discovery of an ancient scroll that has been found in the late 1800's by Charles Spurgeon. In the metal case contains a scroll consisting of a series of unknown characters on it and from all appearances is very old. The only issue Charles has with it is knowing what it says and even how to go about reading it. He only knows he must mail it to a professor in London who might be able to help. As he is attempting to do this, he notices a group of men want to stop him from taking the scroll from Egypt and will stop at nothing to ensure they get it back. Nothing.

As the scroll's mysteries deepen Tom Bohannon discovers an old map room hidden in an old church during the present day. Calling in support for what he discovers with scientists and historians he trusts, he unlocks a safe believed to contain a priceless collection of old religious books. Among them he finds a metal case containing a scroll along with a letter warning whoever has it that is must be uncoded and protected whatever the cost and that danger surrounds those in whose possession it remains. It will take an entire team of men to use all the resources available to them to unlock the mystery of the scroll and what they discover could quite possibly mean the end of the world if what is reveals is true. Now all they can do is true to find out if is true or just some kind of random treasure hunt, but if that is the case why are there so many people out there killing others just to stop them?

I received The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. At first the book was hard to get into with so many characters being introduced and understanding the difficulties in dealing with ancient languages and cryptology, but the more further into the story you get, the more involved you become in wanting to know if such a thing is there and if it is possible. By the end, you will do anything to get your hands on the sequel, The Brotherhood Conspiracy. For me, this one was a 4.5 out of 5 stars and now I can't wait to read the next one. Knowing Bible prophecy, things just got a whole lot more interesting.

For more information about The Sacred Cipher, Terry Brennan or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan

You can find Terry Brennan on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Sacred Cipher, please visit Kregel Publication's website. 

The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead

What do you get when you take the owner of a catering business and couple that with her ability to help the local sheriff with solving crimes in her free time? You get the latest series from best-selling author Diane Noble in The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead, the first novel in the Professor and Mrs.Littlefield Mystery series. It's like taking Angela Lansbury from Murder She Wrote and pairing it up with Indiana Jones and you get a taste for what this novel is like.

El Littlefield runs The Butler Did It, a catering company that allows her to operate her own detective agency to aid in solving the latest crimes to hit Eden Bridge, where she lives along with her daughter Katie and her granddaughter Chloe Grace. Armed with her partner in crime at times, Hyacinth Gilvertin, Southern Highland University's archivist, they hope that they will be able to pull off the biggest catering event of the year. Dr. Max Haverhill is set to host a dinner party and announce his latest archaeological find, a figurehead that was carved by a Boston artisan in 1812 that quite possible holds a map to locate one of the largest stockpiles of treasures stolen by the Nazis and hidden by the French Resistance.

But Dr. Haverhill is convinced that someone has been responsible for a recent attempt on his life while removing the figurehead from the ocean bottom where he discovered it had been hidden all these years. In fact he suspects that unless he cancels this dinner party tonight, his life and that of countless innocent guests may be in jeopardy until they have more time to hunt down the elusive couple from Paris that seem to have a connection to these recent events. But doing so now that El and Hyacinth have pretty much invested their entire life savings in food and party rentals, would mean the disaster to the future of her catering business. Just as she is able to convince Dr. Haverhill that there is plenty of security and all the mysterious guests have been accounted for, the guests at the dinner party becoming violently ill with apparent food poisoning and the figurehead goes missing along with Hyacinth, who was suppose to ensure that the figurehead remained safe and secure. Now El has a limited amount of time to do the investigation because as more time continues to elapse, the fingers are beginning to point to El and Hyacinth as being the criminals.

I received The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead by Diane Noble compliments of David C.Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a great mystery series, because it adds a bit of comedy, romance, and of course down-to-earth detective work as El tries to unravel the clues she finds as she tries to clear her name and that of her business while trying to find her best friend, which no one believes is really missing. Even more amazing is that El finds herself suddenly falling in love with the Professor while helping him hunt down his missing artifact that will undoubtedly hold more mysteries once it's found. A must read for fans of mystery fiction coupled with a bit of romance. It's fast paced and definitely a whole lot of fun until she can solve the crime of the century, at least in her small town, and you'll never guess who is behind it all!! I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead, Diane Noble, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead by Diane Noble

You can also find Diane Noble on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

The Face of the Earth

When you take your wedding vows, you agree to follow them until one of you or possibly both of you dies and the vow is no longer applicable. Yet what happens when your spouse simply never returns home despite being happily married? How long does one wait before it's acceptable to move forward? That is the premise behind the latest book from Deborah Raney, The Face of the Earth.

Jill and Mitchell Brannon are your typical married couple. They attend church regularly, have raised two children that are now attending college nearby and have close friends that live in the property directly behind theirs. Jill Brannon takes her husbands advice and attends a conference designed for teachers in nearby Kansas City and is expected back in a couple of days. All goes well and there's even a message awaiting Mitchell on their answering machine at home, that Jill has checked out of the hotel and is planning to see him soon with a surprise just for him. That was more than 5 hours ago. More than enough time for Jill to have driven home. There are no adverse weather conditions that would prevent her from arriving home as expected and despite all his calls to her cell phone all he gets is voicemail. How long will he have to wait before she comes home. How long would  you wait?

In the latest novel The Face of the Earth, Deborah Raney takes the reader into every single persons worst nightmare. What happens when someone you love simply vanishes off the face of the Earth without a trace. I found myself cringing at the waiting that Mitch has to do in simply not knowing where Jill has gone. The police have no clues and no real motives to speak of. Despite all his attempts to convince them that Jill is not the type to simply walk away from her marriage and family, they've seen enough cases to know this could very well be a possibility. Mitch relies on the help of Jill's best friend and their neighbor Shelley, to see if between the two of them, they might figure out where Jill is before the police can. But what if they can't? What if she simply has had a mid-life crisis and has left them all behind? Will Shelley confide in Mitch that Jill's ex boyfriend contacted her on Facebook and wanted to meet while she was away at the conference?
You'll have to pick this novel out to find out how it all ends!

I received The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This was such a compelling novel for me to not want to put it down until I knew what the outcome would be. In fact, I had to fight myself several times to not rush to the back of the book to find out more than half way through because the suspense was killing me. I forced myself to wait it out simply because like people who experience this kind of nightmare for real, the answers aren't found simply by going to the end of the book. They have to painstakingly live through it minute by minute. I am thankful that Deborah Raney decided to come up with a conclusion for this novel instead of simply leaving it as Jill never coming back and leaving the reader to come up with their own conclusions on what happened. Thank you, thank you for that! This one is a great read and makes you wonder how you would react in the similar situation, and praying that you never will have to know. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and have added this to my growing Deborah Raney library of novels.

For more information about The Face of the Earth, Deborah Raney, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

You can also find Deborah Raney on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (May 14, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416599975
• ISBN-13: 978-1416599975
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches 

You can find this novel at your local book retailer in paperback or eBook formats. 

Last Chance for Justice

Lynn Myers is trying to find a way to move forward in her life now that she has lost her husband Daniel after being married for thirty-five years. How does one simply pick up the pieces and move on? It doesn't help when she also receives a letter in the mail informing her that her only brother, Myron Cofield has also passed away and didn't want her to know about it. He stipulated in his will that his attorney was to wait at least three weeks after his death before notifying Lynn that she has inherited everything he owns. The only thing is, all he owns is in the small town of Bloomfield that Lynn grew up in as a child and subsequently moved away from when she married Daniel. Is it possible to go back to her beginning to try and find a new path this late in her life?

Armed with her dog Beasley and her daughter Rachel that has just returned home after graduating from Bible college, both women set off on a road trip to see just what Myron has left them. All they know is he used to live in a creepy two-story house next to the town's cemetery, I mean seriously who would want to live there? But all Lynn knows is that she can't continue to live in the house she and Daniel shared because everyday was another constant reminder of what she didn't have any longer and the person she loved would no longer answer her calls for him in their home.

When they arrive in Bloomfield, they are delighted by just how truly the small town feel really is. The waitress, Jolene Trump at Bert's Barbecue is still working there and must be about seventy now. However Lynn soon realizes that a lot of the people she grew up knowing are still living in Bloomfield, population 9, 978 and still home of the annual Spring Fling Festival. After meeting with her lawyer, Lynn and Rachel learn that the house is still situated at the end of Cemetery Road and that her brother insisted that the grounds keeper, Jason would be provided a place to live as long as they owned the house. He carry for the "garden" as he called the cemetery and the people buried there were his plants! He took his job very seriously and it seemed as if Myron and Jason had a great friendship since both of them lived like recluses.

It doesn't take Lynn long to learn that her brother Myron was in the midst of attempting to solve the mystery of righting the wrongs of long time resident Last Chance Justice. He hoped that Lynn would carry on in his quest if he died before finding out the truth. Now it's up to Lynn and Rachel to find out just what happened to Last Chance Justice before it's time to decide whether to sell Myron's home or will the call of small town Bloomfield speak volumes to both Lynn and Rachel and call them back home instead.

I received Last Chance for Justice by Kathi Macias compliments of B and H Publishing Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. I really loved this novel first of all for the small town appeal that Bloomfield immediate draws the readers in and makes you want to stay here. Second, is the mystery of finding out what happened to Last Chance Justice and if its possible this many years later to finally solve the town's mystery and bring the reputation of the town's most notorious criminal to rest in peace once and for all. I can't wait to read many more books in the Bloomfield series and just know that I will come to love them as much as the delightful characters you meet in this one. Hands down a 4.5 of out 5 stars in my opinion and a great novel to add to your summer reading list.

For more information about Last Chance for Justice, Kathi Macias or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Last Chance for Justice by Kathi Macias

You can also follow Kathi Macias on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Last Chance for Justice on the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here. 

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (May 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433677172
• ISBN-13: 978-1433677175
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches 

Available in paperback and ebook formats are your local book retailer. 

Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer

I've always imagined what it might be like to open a Bed and Breakfast in some wonderful location and that's just what the premise is behind Seaside Harmony by author Evangeline Kelley. In this charming and poignant novel, three sisters, Caroline Marris, Gracie Gold and Sam Carter revisit Nantucket to share once more in the fond memories from their childhood and the passing of their mother. Her mother had always dreamed of one day owning the now vacant Misty Harbor Inn, and restoring it to the grandeur of the Inn it once was.

Now that the three sisters are in their later years, Caroline and Sam feel a pull to resurrect the dream of their mom now that the Inn is for sale and is in need of much renovations. They feel if they can all pool their mother's inheritance money than they wouldn't have to finance the Inn and could own it outright, but Gracie is resolved to not get involved in the purchase because leaving her home would mean giving up the memories that she shared with her husband who has died. Not only that she feels she has found a useful place now that she is in her sixties of being grandmother to her grandchildren. She just isn't ready to give everything up she worked to establish and doesn't believe that Sam and Caroline know what they would be getting into by taking on the renovations and ownership of the Misty Harbor Inn.

However is it possible that with all the history surrounding the Inn and all the antiques found within the home that there is more here than simply renovating and running a B & B in the heart of Nantucket? What about the missing wife of the original owner that seemingly vanished without a trace? Are there more to the rumors of secret passages and rooms than merely being island myths? Is it possible that God has a different adventure in mind for these three sisters at the later stage in their life than they ever dreamed possible?

You'll have to read this delightful summer novel, Seaside Harmony to find out. I spent the weekend enjoying the opportunity to do something I've always wanted to do without spending any money but still have the same thrill that each of the women experienced in seeing this come to life in their own ways. I received Seaside Harmony compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Guideposts Publishing for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one.

This is a truly restoration story not only as the sisters work on the efforts to restore the Inn to its former glory but also to restore their own broken relationships in new ways. Gracie will need to come to terms that she isn't abandoning her family but merely understanding that her own children need to take a turn at raising their own family instead of relying on grandmother to be a permanent babysitter; for Caroline it will be to prove to her sisters and herself that despite being so free-spirited, she can find roots in something more permanent and for Sam who longs for someone other than herself to cook for and experience what flavors life has to offer them all. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and this makes for the perfect summer novel to pick up to read while being at the beach! Seaside Harmony is the first book in Postcards from the Misty Harbor Inn Series.

If I had any doubts about opening my own Bed and Breakfast, it's confirmed after reading this delightful sequel to Seaside Harmony in the Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn Series, Sunflower Summer by Evangeline Kelley. This is the second book in the series and you really need to read the first one before picking this one up. If you love a bit of romance coupled perfect with a bit of mystery than this is the perfect book series for you!

The series begins when three sisters in their sixties attempt to restore and purchase a historical seaside inn on Nantucket Island, something their mother had always dreamed of doing but died before that could become a reality. Now each of the sisters comes to the Inn with their own agendas and talents. Caroline Marris is the oldest but also a free-spirit. She has spent her life jet setting from one location to another writing about her travels and living in England. Her best friend, George is someone she is fond of but has never wanted to ever get married. Gracie Gold, is the foundational rock of the family. She spends all her free time living in Portland in the home she shared with her loving husband Art, who has also passed away and Gracie feels that helping her own kids out raising her grandkids makes her feel productive and useful. Sam Carter is the organizational genius and also has a great financial mind. She has one daughter, Jaime who spends her free time when not in college helping her mother out at the Inn.

Now that the Misty Harbor Inn is officially opening, they are hoping for plenty of guests to help them keep their business running. A newlywed couple is their first guests and they hope to try out their business with them before their official opening to work out all the kinks. However when the newly married couple get off on a stormy part of their relationship, they question whether marriage is the right choice for them. It will take some much need wisdom for an elderly grandmother who has seen it all to help them navigate back to the reason they got married in the first place. Now if only Sam and Caroline could find a way to keep Gracie at the Inn full time.

Sunflower Summer is about finding a place in the world and seeing the different changes that life takes us through. For some, they don't realize what they had until it possibly slips through their fingers, for others its about finding a place where you are wanted and needed and for others it simply about finding their true north in spite of the storms life can hand us. The saddest part about this novel, was I finished it too soon and desperately wish to visit Misty Harbor once again. I need to see how it all plays out. Thankfully the four wonderful writers who created this series under the pen name of Evangeline Kelley have one more in store for those that love their time at Misty Harbor. Thanks to Camy Tang, Barbara Hanson, Pam Andrews and Patti Berg who made this journey possible.

I received Sunflower Summer by Evangeline Kelley compliments of Litfuse Book Tours and Guidepost Publishing for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. Hands down one of the best summer reads for 2013. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and plan on revisiting the sisters over and over again. This one has found a permanent home not only in my personal library, but in my heart as well.

For more information about  Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer, Evangeline Kelley or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer by Evangeline Kelley

To read more reviews from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour for Sunflower Summer, please click here.


Guideposts Books is celebrating the release of their new Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn series with a fun giveaway and a Facebook party on May 9th.

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Nook HD
• Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer by Evangeline Kelley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 8th. Winner will be announced at the Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/9. Connect with Patti Berg, Pam Andrews, Barbara Hanson, and Camy Tang (who collaborated together under the pen name, Evangeline Kelley) for an evening of book chat, trivia, and fun! There will also be great giveaways (gift certificates, books, and more) as well as a sneak peek at the next book in the series!

So grab your copies of Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer and join readers just like you on the evening of May 9th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!