Carolina Reckoning

How would you feel if those suspicions you had of your husband were confirmed by finding a photo of them together in the pocket of his raincoat? Well for Alison Monaghan it is the proverbial straw that brings her to a breaking point. With her husband Frank being a bit of a control freak, she's finally going to summon the courage to confront him now that she finally has the proof she's been looking for. The only thing that causes her to reconsider is how it will affect their children, Clare and Justin now that they are in high school. Will it mean a messy divorce? How will she be able to provide for herself and her children since Frank has been their financial safety net all these years as a commercial pilot? All she knows is she has to deal with all the emotions she's been keeping bottled up all these years and tonight when Frank gets home, she's gonna let him have it.

Only Frank never arrives home. Alison receives that fateful knock at the door all wives dread. And the news is just what she never hoped to hear. Frank has been found murdered just seven miles from their home and of course, like most detectives, Alison is their key suspect. Deep in her heart she wanted him to pay, but not like this. She never wanted him dead. But how can she deal with the fact she's not as upset as a wife should be? That is just the thing, Raleigh homicide detective Mike Barefoot is wondering as well. He's been working enough of these cases to know just how convincing wives can be after murdering their husbands. However the more time he spends investigating the case and getting to know the man Frank really was, the more he convinces himself that Alison had nothing to do with his murder. Now if he can only keep his focus on finding the killer instead of finding himself drawn to Alison's heart.

In the latest novel from Lisa Carter, Carolina Recknoning takes the reader inside the murder of Frank Monaghan and the lifestyle he keep secretly from his wife and family. Alison doesn't believe she can move forward until she finds out more about the life Frank kept hidden from her including leaving them penniless and in more debt than she ever could imagine. Her children have their own problems to deal with living in wealthy neighborhood and being part of the affluent class of people in their city. Now all their friends suddenly turn on them they've known forever and the only thing any of them have is one another to survive in high school among the horrible things their friends say about their family. Is it possible to find hope in the midst of this crisis? Will their lives ever go back to normal again? But as the family is drawn into discovering who the murderer is, they suddenly find themselves with targets on their backs as well.

I received Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. This novel really draws out the emotions to make you consider what you would do in this situation. How would you move forward? How can you bring yourself to forgive someone when they have hurt you beyond what you think you can bear? How can you forgive someone now that they are gone? This is truly a story about solving a crime but even greater than that is finding redemption for yourself. The family ultimately finds that a relationship with God is the only way they can salvage what is going on and it doesn't happen overnight. In fact, its a realistic portrayal of what happens in the life of a believer. Things don't get easy for them because they start going to church, in fact, it gets worse. They struggle with things just like we all do but there is a peace found when you know you hope is in God instead of what the world has to offer. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Carolina Reckoning, Lisa Carter or where you can preorder a copy of this novel due out in August of this year, please click on the links below:

Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter

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

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Abingdon Press (August 6, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1426757972

ISBN-13: 978-1426757976

Shattered

Mystery book lovers who are looking for a great Christian Romantic Suspense series need look no further than Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage Series! In her latest novel, Shattered, the second book in the series, we find the McKenna family dealing with a possible murder conviction of their brother, Reef. He was found holding Karli Davis in the women's locker room covered in blood and with the murder weapon next to him. Sheriff Slidell is facing a reelection campaign and believes this is an open and shut case. However Deputy Landon Grainger has been a family friend of the McKenna's forever and knows that just because the evidence appears to point one way, you still have to conduct a thorough investigation to cover all your bases. What he doesn't look forward to, is telling his sister Piper McKenna that he needs to arrest her brother, Reef. Piper still holds the keys to his heart even though she has moved on in her love life.

The one thing that Reef has going against him is fleeing the scene of the crime and heading straight for his sisters house. Piper would be the one person who would believe Reef no matter what and knowing her, she will find out who really murdered Karli and left her brother holding the bag of evidence. However when Landon questions Reef about what happened that night and learns that they had an argument of sorts, he wonders if it's possible that Reef could have killed her in a moment of heated anger. He wouldn't be able to face the McKenna's if he had to be the one to tell them. Worse yet, the Sheriff feels so strongly that Reef's the murderer without considering all the evidence, he's pushing for a speedy trial. They only have a few weeks to find enough evidence to prove Reef didn't kill Karli and find the person or persons who did.

When the Sheriff feels that Landon is too close to the case to remain objective, Landon takes a leave of absence to continue to follow whatever leads he can find, and that may in fact put the entire family at risk when their investigation begins to get too close to the answer. But how can Landon work with Piper when he finds himself falling more and more in love with her the more time they spend together? Sometimes however, God can take our shattered pasts and restore them like new. Yet first Landon will have to come to terms with accepting whether God is real or not and it may take an unfortunate accident with Piper to bring him to his knees and believe.

I received Shattered by Dani Pettrey compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. This is my second book in the Alaskan Courage series I have been honored to review and once again think Dani did an exceptional job at keeping the reader on the edge of their seats but also second guessing themselves just when they think they know all the answers. This book has all the earmarks of a classic suspense thriller with the element of romance woven in to keep you hoping for a positive outcome between Piper and Landon despite all the odds working against them. Truly a roller coaster ride set in the wild outback of Alaska and a must read for Christian Murder Mystery Genre Lovers! This one hits home with a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Shattered, Dani Pettrey or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Shattered by Dani Pettrey

You can also find Dani Pettrey on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

To read more reviews from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour on Shattered, please click here.

Unbreakable

You've probably heard the phrase, "turn the other cheek," however is it possible to still turn the other cheek when the life of someone you love may be in danger? How long would you be able to remain passive even if your core religious beliefs were founded on those very principles. To not return violence with violence?

Yet in the small Mennonite town of Kingdom, removed from most of society to maintain those solid religious beliefs, the town suddenly finds violence has stepped inside the borders of the town. First with the burning of a church just on the outskirts of town and now when Hope Kauffman, has become the latest target of violence. She was returning home when a red truck forced her off the road in her buggy, but she was able to leap clear just in time. As the truck attempted to run her down again, she was saved by her answered prayer when Jonathan Wiese shows up in his truck and scares the driver off. Had it not been for Jonathan's quick actions, Hope might be dead.

Jonathan reminds her that the violence is growing towards those who hate Christians, burning churches, running drivers off the road and knowing that the people of Kingdom will not retaliate against them no matter how bad it gets. He advises Hope to please speak with the Elders of the church to see if there are so precautions that they can take to prevent the violence from getting out of hand. He offers to follow Hope back into town to her quilt shop, Kingdom Quilts but learns that not everyone is glad to see him, even if he did save Hope's life. Jonathan was a young man who moved to Kingdom with his family a year ago. He had immediately started sharing his ideas about reforming the Kingdom Mennonite Church and had caused some in the church to be upset with him and his beliefs. Her father was not at all pleased with the amount of time that Hope was spending with Jonathan even if they were only friends. Hope was engaged to marry Ebenezer Miller or Ebbie for short, but found herself wondering just what were her true feelings for Jonathan.

However will her father's opinions change now that Hope's life was threatened? Will he be able to stick with his foundational beliefs when the violence continues and the best they can hope for is praying for God's divine intervention? Is it possible to remain sincere to your religious beliefs and yet still protect those you love? All these answers are found in the latest novel, Unbreakable from Nancy Mehl's Road to Kingdom series. This is the second book in the series and can be read as a stand alone. Nancy's exceptional detail she pours into her characters will make you truly care about them as though you knew them personally and will make you want to go back to the beginning and read her first book, Inescapable.

I received Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. This is such an amazing novel because it shows how truly devoted some people are to their faith, despite the fact that the world around them is changing and they can't remain locked away forever without having the world intrude upon them. It takes you behind the scenes through the eyes of Hope Kauffman and teaches us that sometimes it's alright to question the things you have been taught instead of simply accepting them at face value. It makes them easier to hold onto and shows that often times compromise can be achieved without losing your foundations in the process. I proudly give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars and look forward to the third book in this series coming soon. There is also a discussion guide included at the end that works perfectly for book clubs to enjoy this one as well.

For more information about Unbreakable, Nancy Mehl or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

You can also stay up to date with all of Nancy Mehl's novels on Facebook. 

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

Inescapable

I'm watching you. It's just a matter of time before I get you
and your little girl. You'll never get away from me.

Fear and panic rose inside of Elizabeth Lynn Engel once again as she held the blue envelope now torn open in her hands and read the note again. Just who is this person outside her home with a red cap lingering in the shadows watching her? What does he want?

She will do anything she can to protect her and her six-year-old daughter, Charity. Despite all the accusations of Lizzie stealing money from Harbor House, she can't prove she didn't do it. The evidence is so overwhelming against her, she fears the only answer now is running back to Kingdom, Kansas.

Back to the life she lived in her childhood. She ran away from there once when she learned she was pregnant and her father refused to let her live there any longer. Ashamed and lost, she feels her life has come full circle and the only place remaining she can turn to is back to her home and hopes that the last five years has healed the wounds in her parents hearts.




In the latest suspense novel from author Nancy Mehl, Inescapable takes us into the heart of a prodigal daughter returning home to escape a threat that seeks to bring harm not only to her but to her daughter as well. Lizzie's only hope is that enough time has passed and perhaps her parents are ready to make amends. But there is more awaiting her in Kingdom besides her family, her childhood friend Noah Housler is still there and has vowed since childhood to always protect her. Is it possible he still feels the same way as he did when he was a child towards her? Will Lizzie and her daughter, Charity find a safe haven or will every place they turn, be a place they can no longer hide from the terror that continues to pursue them and put everyone she loves in danger?

I received Inescapable, the first novel in the Road to Kingdom Series by Nancy Mehl, compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I was captivated from the first chapter and could not put this one down until I knew who was hunting down Lizzie and Charity Engel. If you love a bit of suspense in your novels along with some Romance, then I just know you will want to pick this one up. I will be following this series through to the end. Nancy creates such amazing characters and details in her story, you feel as though you've been there and know these people personally. You'll find yourself rooting for them the entire way through the novel. I for one, would love to visit a place like Kingdom. It seems times are a changing, and the changes are definitely going to make the town a perfect place to live and raise a family. This one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information on Inescapable, Nancy Mehl or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Inescapable by Nancy Mehl

You can also stay up with the latest from Nancy by becoming a follower of hers on Facebook.

You can also find more reviews on this book tour by clicking here.

Win a Handmade Mennonite Quilt from @NancyMehl! RSVP for her INESCAPABLE Facebook Party 7/26!

Celebrate with Nancy by entering her "Inescapable" Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 7/26!




Find out what readers are saying here.

One winner will receive: A Handmade Mennonite Quilt A copy of Inescapable by Nancy Mehl Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 25th. Winner will be announced at the "Inescapable" Author Chat Facebook Party on 7/26. Nancy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills (how much do you know about the Mennonites?) and giving away some great prizes!

So grab your copy of Inescapable and join Nancy on the evening of the July 26th for a chance to connect with Nancy and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 26th!

Inescapable

I'm watching you. It's just a matter of time before I get you
and your little girl. You'll never get away from me.

Fear and panic rose inside of Elizabeth Lynn Engel once again as she held the blue envelope now torn open in her hands and read the note again. Just who is this person outside her home with a red cap lingering in the shadows watching her? What does he want?

She will do anything she can to protect her and her six-year-old daughter, Charity. Despite all the accusations of Lizzie stealing money from Harbor House, she can't prove she didn't do it. The evidence is so overwhelming against her, she fears the only answer now is running back to Kingdom, Kansas.

Back to the life she lived in her childhood. She ran away from there once when she learned she was pregnant and her father refused to let her live there any longer. Ashamed and lost, she feels her life has come full circle and the only place remaining she can turn to is back to her home and hopes that the last five years has healed the wounds in her parents hearts.

In the latest suspense novel from author Nancy Mehl, Inescapable takes us into the heart of a prodigal daughter returning home to escape a threat that seeks to bring harm not only to her but to her daughter as well. Lizzie's only hope is that enough time has passed and perhaps her parents are ready to make amends. But there is more awaiting her in Kingdom besides her family, her childhood friend Noah Housler is still there and has vowed since childhood to always protect her. Is it possible he still feels the same way as he did when he was a child towards her? Will Lizzie and her daughter, Charity find a safe haven or will every place they turn, be a place they can no longer hide from the terror that continues to pursue them and put everyone she loves in danger?

I received Inescapable, the first novel in the Road to Kingdom Series by Nancy Mehl, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I was captivated from the first chapter and could not put this one down until I knew who was hunting down Lizzie and Charity Engel. If you love a bit of suspense in your novels along with some Romance, then I just know you will want to pick this one up. I will be following this series through to the end. Nancy creates such amazing characters and details in her story, you feel as though you've been there and know these people personally. You'll find yourself rooting for them the entire way through the novel. I for one, would love to visit a place like Kingdom. It seems times are a changing, and the changes are definitely going to make the town a perfect place to live and raise a family. This one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information on Inescapable, Nancy Mehl or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Inescapable by Nancy Mehl

You can also stay up with the latest from Nancy by becoming a follower of hers on Facebook.

You can also find more reviews on this book tour by clicking here.

Illusion

My all time favorite author just released his latest book, so what do I do the moment it arrives? I inhale it, slowly like my all time favorite meal. Why? you ask would you read it slowly, because it may be a long time before another novel this great comes out again, so I want to savor it and make it last as long as I possibly can. So who is this great author that has inspired me to write in this same type of genre since reading his first book, This Present Darkness? Well that would be Frank Peretti!!!

He's the Christian equivalent of Stephen King, master at words and being able to draw the reader in slowly and keeping them engaged until the final page is turned and you sigh. Not because you are finished but because it was that good and you want to read it again.

Illusion is the latest novel by Frank Peretti and it was just as great as anything he has ever written, after all this time, like fine wine, it's only gotten better.



Illusion is a story involving a couple of twisted but masterfully woven story lines, the foremost begins in the first chapter and Mandy Collins, the fifty-nine year old wife of Dane Collins and the second half of the magic act, Dane and Mandy, is in a horrible car accident. While the accident has left Dane battered and bruised, Mandy is burned to bad to recover and so he is making final preparations to say good bye to his partner and wife as she's about to be whisked away for organ donation. It is here that the story begins and starts to twist.

As Dane tries to understand how his life will go on without Mandy in it, she miraculously appears at a county fair only now she is nineteen. She believes the year is 1970 but in reality its 2010 and she has lost 40 years of her life. Disorientated and feeling lost and wearing only a hospital gown, she struggles with reality until she is picked up by concerned citizens at the fair who turn her over to the police. Not knowing what to tell them, she tries to explain what she knows but that only ends up making her more confused and the police believe she is a mental patient and thus put her in hospital to determine her mental condition. Trying to find a way out of the mental ward, she begins to see an image of a farm, with white picket fence and three aspen trees as though she can see through the walls. Upon walking toward that scene, she realizes that no one can see her and she slips quietly out of the hospital. It is then she realizes she has unusual powers and is drawn back into the world of magic where she feels she has lived a life before.

Dane is released from the hospital to make funeral arrangements from his wife along with the warning from Dr. Kessler that due to his post traumatic stress disorder after losing his wife, and being on strong pain medications and muscle relaxers, he should call her if he should find himself thinking he has seen his wife. However normal it might feel, she isn't real.

I received Illusion by Frank Peretti compliments of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and can't tell you just how great it is. A combination of suspense, magic and romance, Frank Peretti could have ended this novel any number of ways and I am so thrilled he chose the ending he did. This one rates a permanent home in my personal library and give it the highest rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I have to tell you once this arrived in my home, it was a struggle to be the first to read it in my family, now I must regretfully turn it over to my daughter who will fall in love with this story within the first chapter and will be held captive in the world of mystery and wonder of magic.

For more information on this book, the author and where you can purchase a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Illusion by Frank Peretti

You can also find Frank Peretti on Facebook by clicking here.

Honor Redeemed

Honor Mackenzie has dedicated her life to honoring the sacrifice of her finacee John who died in the search and rescue efforts of 9/11 as a volunteer. Now Honor has taken up a similar task as a SARs trainer. Since she is the best, she is the one that is most likely to be called upon whenever someone goes missing. Today she is at the scene of a jumbo jet accident that has crash landed on a busy highway with subsequent debris falling miles away. Now searching in the national park, she comes across the tail section of the plane along with the wing and survivors still trapped inside. This is where her heart is, finding and rescuing survivors.

Matt Phillips is the roving news reporter that has been called the the scene of the biggest headline, a plane crash and he's there to make sure that he captures all the details and takes the first pictures to make it to the papers before the morning edition. Dressing like a first responder, he hopes to find a rookie member of the rescue team that will allow him to blend in and capture the story, what he didn't hope to find is a face to face meeting with Honor Mackenzie who loathes reporters of all kinds especially one dressed as a search and rescue team member.

Both Honor and Matt are struggling with learning to let go of their pasts and learn to move forward even though the costs might be greater than they had hoped. Both are dealing with the losses of people that they have loved and lost and now just when their are hopes of them falling in love, both of them gain a sense that the risk of losing someone they love again, keeps them at arms lengths apart. When tragedy strikes one of them, will they find a way to put their past behind them and finally admit they are ready to take a second chance at love?



I received Honor Redeemed, book two in the First Responders Series by author Loree Lough compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and Abingdon Press for my honest review. Being a huge fan of Loree's since reading her first book in the series From Ashes to Honor, I knew that I would read this one the moment it came to print. Loree's writing style will hook you right from the beginning and genuinely make you love her characters. Designed to showcase the lives of First Responders, this one spotlights the actions of SARs or Search and Rescue responders and shows just how difficult and rewarding their lives can be as well as that of their canine companions. You will not be disappointed to read this one as a stand alone, but trust me, once you do, you'll have to go back and read her first book in the series as well where the story of Mercy and Austin first came to life. They are now supporting characters in this novel. I highly recommend this one to animal lovers, first responder fans and those looking for a great suspense romance and easily award this my highest rating a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Honor Redeemed by Loree Lough

You can also find Loree Lough on Facebook by clicking here.