Firewall - Plots Twists and Surprises

Well, I'm a little prejudiced. I know DiAnn, she's a writing mentor and great encourager of mine. Four and three-quarters stars. I don't give five stars hardly ever, but this new one from DiAnn Mills comes very, very close.

Twist after twist, and the biggest is the mastermind behind a terrorist attack at the Houston Airport. Firewall has suspense, action, adventure, mystery, and romance. What more could you ask for. And of course, the writing is terrific, the characters are well-developed. The plot is a roller coaster ride.

What happens when you are caught up in a deceptive web of lies, treason, and double-cross? That's Firewall. When the mastermind is finally revealed, I let out a "Wow! I didn't THAT coming!" It will surprise you. It did me.

I think it's how we would all feel if we were betrayed by someone we thought we knew, we thought we loved, and yet find ourselves vulnerable to physical, emotional, and spiritual attack by one villain after another. That's the heroine, Taryn Young. Oddly enough for her, the only one she feels she can trust is FBI special agent Grayson Hall. Even though Taryn is just married, it seems her husband is missing, or killed when a bomb explodes at the Houston Airport.

You can get a more complete plot summary on places such as Amazon or Christian Books online. This is a short book review, but I wanted to do this for DiAnn, who's given so much help to me.

What follows is what I mentioned earlier. You won't want to put it down!

Mystery, Murder and Marriage?

Mystery, Murder, and Marriage?

Murder at the Mikado
by Julianna Deering

This is the third book in the Drew Farthering Mystery series. I reviewed Death by the Book about six or so months ago, and I read the first book, Rules of Murder after I read Death by the Book.

What do you love in a mystery? Clues, multiple suspects, style, multiple murders, red herrings, and few obvious clues that help you solve the mystery. A classic whodunit. Ah, but this is more than that.

The subplot is the romance between Drew and his newly engaged fiancée, Madeline, who, in truth, have only known each other six months. They met in the first book, Rules of Murder, fell in love at first sight, and the rest is supposed to be history. But will it be?

A former flame of Drew’s shows up unexpectedly and pleads with him to clear her of a murder charge. Madeline is totally against Drew’s participation, even as she helps him decipher clues and move closer to a solution.

It seems that Fleur Landis is a beauty, and a master seductress. Madeline says she believes that Drew isn’t attracted to her anymore, but her heart has a hard time overcoming her own fear of losing Drew, as she lost another some years previous.

To the main plot – Drew stays on the case and little-by-little uncovers motives, suspects, more bodies, and finally figures out what happened. There’s a great scene in the vein of the classic gathering of suspects where the truth comes out. As a result, a shocking surprise occurs that has life-changing implications for a number of the characters.

I won’t summarize the murder plot for you. The romance was more fun, and got quite heated, but not in the way you might suspect.

What I will do is tell you who I liked, and who I didn’t like, as characters. I didn’t like Fleur, and I didn’t blame Madeline for not trusting her. In Fleur’s defense, however, she had apparently settled down from her femme fatale ways, having gotten married to one of Drew’s accountants at the factory, and had a child.

That’s who I liked – Peter Landis, Fleur’s little four-year boy. He was adorable. I liked him and his father very much. Peter just loved Drew’s cat, Mr. Chambers, and the cat liked him, too.

Of the three novels, I liked the second one, Death by the Book best, but that’s only because I like the main characters to be in danger, and Drew certainly was. Although I guess you could say that there was danger of a different sort for him and Madeline in this book. Did they get married, or did they break up? They certainly had one whale of an argument that hurt both of them. 

I rate this four stars. I’m notorious for only giving five-star ratings to books that blow me away. This one didn’t blow me away, but I liked it. And if I say I liked it, I really do. I liked it. I wanted to read it. It is quite satisfactory. Oh dear, am I beginning to sound a bit British?

I received an e-book version complimentary from Bethany House and Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Stuck Together - Troubled Thinking

Stuck Together

by Mary Connealy

 

I really enjoy Mary Connealy’s books. I’ve read the Kincade Brides series and several other trilogies I’ll mention at the end. Last year I reviewed Fired Up, and I jumped at the chance to review Stuck Together. Some of Mary’s stories are better than others, and I’d say anything she does in full-length trilogy form is worth reading. I’ve read some of her stand-alone shorter novels, but I find these full length novels are better, because the characters and plot are more fully developed and considered.

As I mentioned in my last review of Fired Up, I figured Stuck Together would center on Vince Yates and Tina Cahill, and it does. Tina is fellow Regulator-preacher Jonas Cahill’s sister. She’s small, but she’s mighty…a crusader for temperance. In the first chapter, she starts a brawl. It’s incredibly funny to read.

As for Vince, we actually find out more about his past as his family shows up unexpectedly in Broken Wheel. His dad drops off his mother and a half-sister, then promptly leaves. Vince’s mom has dementia and the half-sister, Melissa takes care of the wife of her father, but after Melissa and Jonas fall in love, care of Mrs. Yates falls mainly to Tina, and Vince.

As Vince struggles with his own self-image and his growing love for Tina, he is also called upon to continue being sheriff and lawyer of Broken Wheel, even though he doesn’t really like it. We find out that Vince actually had higher education, but didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Vince has always seemed to me to be the strong, silent type, but he isn’t. He just doesn’t share a lot. But he is a natural leader, a trait confirmed several times throughout this story.

Towards the beginning of the book, just after his mother has been dumped on him, he takes a trip from Texas to New Orleans, supposedly to find information on how to treat crazy people, because Lana Bullard escaped from jail. But Tina suspects an ulterior motive when she observes Mrs. Yates’ condition.

Vince and Tina find themselves Stuck Together in taking of Mrs. Yates, and in their hearts. Vince explains it nicely. “I can’t believe the time I wasted trying not to end up stuck together with the only single woman left in town.”

Mary Connealy has a knack for writing humor in the midst of very serious situations, and bringing the comic relief that is needed in writing drama.

I would recommend any of Mary Connealy’s books for those who love historical fiction westerns. Her characters are well developed, even as they conceal things from each other. This book ends the Trouble in Texas series. I wonder what she’ll come up with next.

You’ll rarely be disappointed with Mary’s books. You don’t to read any other series of hers in order to enjoy this book. It can also be a stand-alone book, although your understanding of the characters and situations in this story will be enriched if you read the others as well. I have a tendency to sometimes read books out of order. Only rarely do I read all of a series. But I’ve read most of Mary’s books – her Kincade Brides, Sophie’s Daughters Trilogy, two other trilogies, Montana Marriages and Gingham Mountain. They’re all good.

I’d rate this 4-1/2 stars. I rarely give five stars out to a book. It has to really blow me away – because I’m such an avid reader. So if I say I really like it, I really do.

            I received this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion.

EDIT-ADDITION: I just have to add to this review, the link to Mary Connealy's website, where you can read a FREE prequel to the Trouble to Texas series. This 13-chapter novella, details what it was like in Andersonville for our four Regulators (Luke Stone, Dare Riker, Vince Yates, and Jonas Cahill). She also shows us Seth Kincade and Callie Stone. THIS FREE prequel - I give FIVE STARS to!

***** I read it in about two hours time on a Friday evening, and I was caught up. I loved it! Kudos, Mary! Her blog says she could have done so much more, but since readers had been asking for more details about their time in Andersonville, she provided it. I loved it!

Here's the link: http://mconnealy.blogspot.com then click on the Trouble in Texas Prequel tab. You won't be disappointed.

Good Suspense and a Few Surprises

Silenced

By Dani Pettrey

I haven’t read Dani Pettrey before, so I was happy and fortunate enough to get an advance Kindle copy from Bethany House before the book was released. I enjoyed this book. I was also glad I could understand the history of the characters and relationships in previous books of the series without having to read them.

Silenced is Book #4 in The Alaskan Courage series. This story focuses on Jake and Kayden. Kayden is an expert mountain climber. Jake is still emotionally recovering from unpleasant experiences in his past, (his wife and unborn daughter were killed), but he’s found that facing his past is the only way he and Kayden can have a future. Because Jake’s past is also affecting their present. Readers of previous books in the series will be happy to witness the wedding of Bailey and Cole.

But it is at the wedding, we view a scene from the villain’s point-of-view. The stakes are raised as the villain begins to make their move, and our hero and heroine have their challenges to solve the murder and keep themselves alive.

As the two find themselves caught up in a murder investigation of an amateur mountain climber, they discover again how well they work together and their buried feelings for each other begin to surface. As they investigate the murder, they also become targets.

The book focuses in on the mountain climbing community.  It was interesting to me, because I know nothing about mountain climbing. But I had no trouble understanding the bit of technical information included.

The mystery was good, although hints are given along the way that can easily be figured out, if you catch them. I didn’t at first, but when it became obvious, it still wasn’t. What I like to see is how the author puts it all together in a realistic, yet imaginative and exciting way. I look for the unexpected. Pettrey did well. The only thing I found a little strange – and Dani wanted to be somewhat different – the villain’s aria (the speech the villain gives to justify why they do what they do) was given to the hero/heroine whom I would have thought had the least connection to the villain, but to whom the villain harmed the most, while getting revenge on the other.

All in all – four stars. It didn’t blow me away, but it certainly had its moments. And it set up book number five – the wayward brother and his romance with the veterinarian will be next.

The only reason I didn’t post before is I’m still recovering from a broken wrist and typing one-handed. I still hope it will be helpful.

Death by the Book - a nice 1930s serial murder mystery

Death by the Book
By Julianna Deering

 

  This is the first book by this author I’ve read. I was given a copy for review by the publisher in return for my honest opinion. I give it 4-1/2 stars…somewhere in between liking and loving it. Parts of it I really loved. Other parts I merely liked. There was nothing I didn’t like about it.

I liked it a lot. I haven’t read the first book in the Drew Fathering series, Rules of Murder, but you don’t have to in order to enjoy this book. It's a great premise, and I liked it. It almost made me want to go back and read the first one. Maybe I will sometime. (Edit: I did get the first book, not as good as this one, but I can see how it set the stage for this one. A third book in the series, Murder at the Mikado, is due out this summer.)

What I look for in any story is character, action, romance, mystery, adventure and danger. This book has romance, but since it is book two, the romance should develop. All I saw of it was every once in a while, Drew persists in asking his girlfriend, an American who is the niece of Drew’s stepfather, who was murdered in the first book. He asks her to marry him, but she doesn’t answer him. Her maiden aunt comes for a visit, trying to chaperone them. Drew doesn’t get his answer until the end of the book. To give the benefit of the doubt, the mystery is the principal thing. The romance is secondary.

Death by the Book is more a traditional mystery, and not suspense, although there are two scenes with a little bit of suspense and danger. I liked those. The main character, Drew Fathering, the heir to an English estate (which he inherited in the first book after his mother and step-father are killed), his friends and staff, and a girl who’s not exactly related to him that wants to marry, figuring out the clues. He loves a good murder mystery. His nickname is Detective Fathering, given to him by the local chief inspector of police, Inspector Birdsong.

It’s important to know that the setting is 1930s England in a small town in the countyside. To know that helps. I did smile at English euphemisms, such as “deuced awkward” and such the like.

In this book, Drew is drawn into the mystery when he goes to meet his solicitor (that’s a lawyer in the king’s English) – and finds him dead. He’s the first, but not the last of the “Hatpin” murders – called so because the victims all have a poetic-type note attached to them by a decorative hatpin.

For quite a while, Drew gets nowhere in his investigations. There seems to be no direct connections between the victims or a solid motive for all the killings. A lawyer, a doctor, a shop girl and an American tourist are all victims of this serial killer.

As the murders seem to be occurring closer and closer to Drew’s home in the little town of Fathering St. John, then on his estate – maybe he’s the connection. But who? Why?

In most fiction, the villains have their say at the end. They’re “why we did it” speech, (called the villain’s aria) scene, or monologue. I will say, because it’s a traditional mystery, the clues were there, I just didn’t see them. That’s probably because I’ve been reading more suspense than mystery. There’s one great scene where the villain tells all. This murderer had a unique motive and isn't your garden-variety serial killer. That I liked very much, as well.

Does Drew survive the encounter? Certainly, but I do think he was a bit naive, and that nearly got him killed. He had a great reason when asked later why he thought he survived. I liked that a lot, too. There’s a third book on its way, to be released this summer, called Murder at the Mikado.

Julianna brings in faith and forgiveness, weaving it in the story without preaching. I liked that. Published by Bethany House, I accessed this through their blogger program and on NetGalley.

Storm Warning by Billy Graham

Storm Warning

By Billy Graham

            I’m a bit late in getting this review in. I received this book for review from Thomas Nelson three years ago – about the time I got too busy to review for a while.

            With terrorists, bad weather, natural disasters, and global economy crashes, Billy Graham paints a serious picture of our planet and of mankind. He discusses the cults of spiritual deception, in other words, we believe not the truth, but other belief systems or embracing other religions. He talks of the cult of self, me, myself, and I – we put ourselves first, and others possibly not at all.

            He talks about the changes he has seen in his lifetime, just in Russia, for example. When he began his ministry, it was part of the U.S.S.R., and now not only has communism fallen, but there is a revival of sorts brewing.

            Using the book of Revelation, Mr. Graham goes through the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, the red, the pale, white, and the black horses. Each has their own meanings. The red horse rides and there have wars, rumors of wars, and aggression from Third World nations.

            He then goes through the seals, and we can be sealed in Christ to weather the storm. This book comes as a warning to be sober, aware, and to acknowledge the truth.

            Mr. Graham has a practical style of writing that mirrors his preaching. He lays out his points, and explains them in easily understandable language. That’s just one of the reasons he is a beloved evangelist, preacher, and author.

            Even though this book is three years, because I’m late in writing this – I won’t be late when Christ returns for us in all His glory.

            I’d give this book five stars. It’s still applicable today.

No longer a reviewer for BookSneeze or Thomas Nelson

I digress for a moment because during a 2-3 year period where I wasn't reviewing books, rules changed.

The major book publishers require 30 followers. As you can see, I don't have that many by far. Oh well.

Thankfully, Baker Publishing, who owns Bethany House and Chosen Books, doesn't look at the numbers. They work through Net Galley, which I continue to do.

Watch for my next review in the next few days. Thank you. It will a Christian suspense novel entitled Death by the Book.