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.

Dee Henderson's Unspoken

Unspoken

By Dee Henderson

This is the first Dee Henderson book I’ve read. I was given a copy for review by the publisher in return for my honest opinion.

This book is a little romance, a little suspense, and a little mystery. I don’t think it succeeds at any of them, although the mystery unfolded in layers. The whole pace of the story was very slow moving.

Although I liked the book, it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. There were what I’d “revelation bombs” from time to time as more of Charlotte’s life is revealed.

Basic plot: Ruth Bazoni was a kidnap victim in Chicago when she was a teenager. The fourth gang member was never identified. She was found by the police only a few miles from her home four years later. She changed her name to Charlotte Graham, and after spending some years in Texas, is back in Chicago to deal with an inheritance from a grandfather who previously had never acknowledged her existence (though her mother was his daughter.)

She buys a store next to Bryce Bishop, who owns a rather upscale coin dealership, and makes him a proposition. Buy a group of coins from her or she’ll sell them in her shop right next door, becoming his main competition. She plans to sell them way beneath what they’re worth. Bryce doesn’t understand, but he buys them so she won’t be a competitor.

Layer by layer is peeled back, which is the mystery part, though very slow moving. We come to find out many things about Charlotte’s life now, and about her past. Everyone’s past catches up with them, and Charlotte’s does as well. The fourth kidnapper eventually comes out of the woodwork. That’s the suspense part.

Two characters from the previous book, Full Disclosure return in this book – Paul and Ann Falcon. Ann helps Bryce sell the almost steady supply of coins from Charlotte’s inheritance. Bryce buys group after group of coins, each succeeding group more valuable than the last.

A surprise stipulation of Charlotte’s inheritance involves a strange arrangement that involves Bryce. I won't spoil it for you. That’s the romance part – between broken and fearful Charlotte and Bryce. It’s what keeps the pace slow, but it must be that way because of her level of brokenness. Time heals.

God’s grace, patience, love, and some of the hard things are addressed in the book. Bryce continually, although it is hard for him at times, shows Charlotte extreme patience and understanding.

If you like Dee’s work, I’m sure you’ll like this. It didn’t blow me away, but the continual “revelation bombs” about the size of Charlotte’s inheritance kept me interested. Think “above all you could ask or think” and that will begin to give you a clue.

I give it 3-1/2 stars, but I rounded it up to 4.

Fired Up

You'll be...

 

Fired Up

By Mary Connealy

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a couple of months, and have pre-ordered the hard copy version, but I jumped at the chance to read it when the publisher offered it for review. I devoured the story, reading it in less than 24 hours. A couple days later, I read it again to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I loved it both times.

            It’s the sequel to Swept Away, the second book in the Trouble in Texas series. It shifts the attention from Luke Stone and Ruthy to Dare and Glynna. If you read the Kincade Brides series, Luke Stone is Callie Kincade’s (from Over the Edge) brother. This book focuses on Doctor Dare Riker and Glynna Greer from the first book. Dare doesn’t think of himself as a doctor, but he just can’t help himself. He is, even though he has no formal education.

Poor Dare (short for Darius). Someone’s trying to kill him. They tried three times in Andersonville during the war, and now someone has tried three times again, inflicting injury each time – through avalanche, through fire, and finally stabbing him with a kitchen knife in the night. His Regulator friends Vince, Luke, and Jonas can’t protect him 24/7, even though they’d like to. His romance with widow Glynna Greer has a lot to overcome, including her son Paul’s intense hatred of any man who comes close to his mother. Is he the one trying to kill Dare or is it a raving lunatic?

Dare is a vulnerable, yet very strong, hero. So what if he’s hurt, he’s still on his feet and helping others. Glynna finds strength she didn’t know she had through helping Dare. She is the self-proclaimed “second-best doctor in Broken Wheel.”

I hope in future stories more of the Regulators’ story in Andersonville comes out. Seeds of a possible third book are planted in this one between Vince and Jonas’ sister. That looks to be interesting as well. I actually hope there will be four, so that Jonas the preacher can find someone too.

The thing about all Mary’s books is the language she uses, like “mangy polecat” and “squawked like a startled chicken.” She breaks a lot of writing rules. (At least I can’t get away with ‘em.) But the humor makes you give her a break and enjoy the story just as she tells it.

I really liked this book as I liked Swept Away, and many other books by Conneally. In the past eight months, I’ve read nearly all of them.

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.