Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Stratagem


Stratagem
Robin Caroll
(Shiloh Run Press/Barbour Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1683227304
October 2018/320 pages/$14.99

A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder

Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better. Robin’s passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others and come alongside them on their faith journey—aspects Robin weaves into each of her twenty-five-plus published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of nearly three decades, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home. Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as executive director/conference director for ACFW. Her books have been recognized in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year. You can find out more about Robin by visiting www.robincaroll.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Robin Caroll never disappoints and her newest suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. Caroll plunges the reader into the world of adventure games, increasing the stakes with a murder. I was drawn into the story immediately and hard-pressed to set the novel aside as the intrigue increased with each chapter. Caroll deftly moves between the current challenge of solving the murder and the events of the previous days, keeping me guessing and breathless. I really thought I had figured out the culprit but I should know better than to think I have outsmarted this gifted author. Caroll seamlessy weaves a powerful message of forgiveness into this captivating tale. Add this heart-pounding novel to your reading list!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Monday, October 29, 2018

Jerusalem's Queen


Jerusalem's Queen:
A Novel of Salome Alexandria

The Silent Years
Angela Hunt
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0764219344
November 2018/352 pages/$15.99

Born in the small village of Modein, a town made famous by the warrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. But when her father and sister are killed, John Hyrcanus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, where her thirst for knowledge is noticed and indulged.

When her guardian betroths her to a pagan prince, she questions HaShem's plan. When Hyrcanus finally marries her to a boy half her age, she questions her guardian's sanity. But though Salome spends much of her life as a pawn ordered about by powerful men, she learns that a woman committed to HaShem can change the world.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author of more than 100 published books and with more than 5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Note, The Nativity Story, and Esther: Royal Beauty. Romantic Times Book Club presented Angela with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, Angela completed her PhD in Biblical Studies in Theology. She and her husband live in Florida with their mastiffs. She can be found online at www.angelahuntbooks.com.


MY THOUGHTS

I never miss a book by Angela Hunt, and this series set within the intertestamental period has fascinated and educated me. I had never heard of Salome Alexander prior to reading this novel, and Hunt's expert research brings her to life. Historical fact intertwines with compelling fiction resulting in a can't-put-down tale of the years prior to the birth of Christ. Hunt expertly portrays the harsh realities of this ancient time while simultaneously displaying the timeless struggles of human heart. The turmoil within families resulting from the quest for power is heart-wrenching, and Salome's dedication to God in the midst of opposing forces encouraged and inspired me. This novel reminds the reader that while God may not have spoken through his prophets during the so-called silent years, he was not absent, fulfilling his purpose. Don't miss this dynamic book and series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from Baker/Bethany House Publishing and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


THE SILENT YEARS - Click the covers to read my reviews





Q&A WITH ANGELA HUNT

1. I must confess, I’d never heard of Salome Alexandra, Queen of Jerusalem, before encountering your novel. Who was she?

I’d never heard of her either, until one of my theology professors mentioned her. Not much information is available about her, and what little information there is often contradicts itself. For instance, most Jewish history books say that she was the widow of Judah Aristobulus, who later married his brother, Alexander Jannaeus, but that couldn’t be possible because the high priest was required to marry a virgin. And we know that Judah Aristobulus married Salina, not Salome. Most people assume they were one and the same, yet they were not.

2. What made this woman worthy of a book? What did she do that was so unusual?

She was a good queen, and honestly religious. Her husband, Alexander Jannaeus, was high priest and king, and he was horrible. He ordered purges, he crucified hundreds of Pharisees and made his victims watch their families being murdered, he kept concubines—he was not a righteous man. But Salome Alexandra was a righteous woman, and after her husband died she reigned in his place and cleaned things up. She made sure girls were educated as well as boys, she changed the way marriage contracts were negotiated (so that women were provided for), and she blessed her people. The Jews said the years of her reign were “golden years,” when God blessed Judea.

3. Why didn’t those golden years continue after Salome Alexandra’s death?

Because she had two sons—one who was like her, with the other very much like her husband. The wild one attacked her heir right after her death, and their bloody war caused the Romans to invade, establishing, in the long run, Roman rule. Judea became a Roman province, Herod became king, and the last kings of the Hasmonean dynasty were killed.

4. What surprised you most as you researched this period? What was it, fifty years before Christ’s birth?

Salome Alexandra died in 67 BC, and the thing I found most fascinating was that many of the Jews of that time professed a real interest in studying Bible prophecy. The Torah scholars sensed that one epoch had concluded with the return of the Judeans from Babylonian exile, and a new one was about to begin. The Essenes, in particular, were looking for a messiah—or two, since they saw clear signs that God was getting ready to send a king and a high priest. They were looking for Christ, but they hadn’t quite figured out that the king and priest would be one person, and that God would send Him as a tiny baby who would be born to die so that we might be born again.






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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The Making of Mrs. Hale


The Making of Mrs. Hale
Regency Brides: The Promise of Hope (Book 3)
Carolyn Miller
(Kregel Publications)
ISBN: 978-0825445354
November 2018/336 pages/$15.99

Marry in haste, repent in leisure--Mrs. Hale is about to find out how painful that repentance can truly be.

Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn't turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn't know where--or if he's ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she betrayed by eloping and to hope they'll forgive her. Especially now that she might be carrying a baby from her brief marriage.

Carolyn Miller's clean and wholesome Regency romances continue with The Making of Mrs. Hale, following familiar characters as they learn how restoration can occur by finding hope and healing through a deep relationship with God. Full of rich historical details and witty banter, this series continues to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ladd, and Julie Klassen.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Learn more at her website www.carolynmillerauthor.com/


MY THOUGHTS

Carolyn Miller permanently resides on my must-read list of authors of Regency fiction. She once again captivated me with this latest novel. While it can be read as a standalone, reading her earlier novels, when Julia's elopement occurred, makes this novel that much more satisfying. I also loved the reappearance of Catherine and Serena from the first two books in this series. The Making of Mrs. Hale brims with historical accuracy, pulses with well-drawn and believable characters, and blends together intrigue, danger, romance, and forgiveness. While the setting is far removed from our contemporary times, the struggles of the human heart are timeless, and I was inspired and convicted as I read. Don't miss this satisfying and powerful tale.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from Kregel Publishing and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


REGENCY BRIDES: THE PROMISE OF HOPE
Click the covers for my reviews.






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Monday, October 22, 2018

Reason to Breathe


Reason to Breathe
(A Chandler Sisters Novel)
Deborah Raney
(Gilead Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1683700616
October 2018/288 pages/$15.99

Phylicia thought life was passing her by, but maybe this was love's plan all along. . .

At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to care for her dying mother with her sisters, Joanna and Britt. Now Mom is gone and their father stuns them all by running off with a woman young enough to be their sister. Life is moving forward all around her, but Phylicia feels stuck--until her father's protégé, Quinn Mitchell, presents the sisters with an intriguing business opportunity to purchase a trio of cottages just outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Joanna and Britt are convinced the three of them should launch a vacation rental venture, but Phylicia remains skeptical.

To complicate matters, Quinn soon finds himself falling hard for Phylicia. But how can he pursue this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she's still reeling over her father's hasty engagement to a younger woman? Quinn is determined to give Phylicia her happily-ever-after. But first, he must help her come to terms with her discovery of long-held family secrets and persuade her that true love can transcend their differences.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah Raney dreamed of writing a book since the summer she read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books and discovered that a Kansas farm girl could, indeed, grow up to be a writer. Her 30-plus books have garnered multiple industry awards including the RITA® Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, shed light on the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and inspired the highly acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. A Vow to Cherish continues to be a tool for Alzheimer's families and caregivers. Deborah is on faculty for several national writers' conferences and serves on the executive board of the 2600-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization. She and her husband, Ken Raney, traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deb's novels—for life in the city of Wichita. They often travel to teach at writers conferences across the country and to visit their four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and BookBub.


MY THOUGHTS

Deborah Raney once again creates an engaging tale in this first book of her new series. I loved the relationships and interactions between the three Chandler sisters, which portrayed a realistic balance of love and sisterly aggravation. Their individual and collective grief over their mother's death touched my heart. While Phylicia is the primary focus of this story, Joanna and Britt's personalities are well-depicted, and I look forward to their time in the spotlight in future books. My one frustration with this story was the thread involving their father's disappearance, primarily because the woman he became involved with was his wife's hospice nurse. As a nurse myself, I was appalled by this completely unethical action and breach of professional integrity and disappointed by the lack of repercussions. Other than that, I loved this story. Recommended with a caveat for other medical professionals.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free Gilead Publishing and Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

The Cumberland Bride


The Cumberland Bride
Daughters of the Mayflower, Book 5
Shannon McNear
(Barbour Books)
ISBN: 978-1683226918
October 2018/256 pages/$12.99

Love and Adventure Are Discovered on the Wilderness Road

In 1794, when Kate Gruener’s father is ready to move the family farther west into the wilderness to farm untouched land, Kate is eager to live out her own story of adventure like he did during the War for Independence and to see untamed lands. And she sets her sights on learning more about their scout, Thomas Bledsoe. Thomas’s job is to get settlers safely across the Kentucky Wilderness Road to their destination while keeping an ear open for news of Shawnee unrest. But naïve Kate’s inquisitive nature could put them both in the middle of a rising tide of conflict. Is there more to Thomas’s story than he is willing to tell? Is there an untapped courage in Kate that can thwart a coming disaster?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear.

More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)​
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After more than two decades in the South, Shannon McNear now makes her home on the windy northern plains with her husband, four of their eight children, two German Shepherds, four cats, several chickens, and a noisy flock of guinea fowl. She serves in worship and youth ministry, and has been writing novel-length fiction since age 15. Her first novella, Defending Truth, from A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® nominee.

When not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the Dakota prairies. Visit her website, www.shannonmcnear.com, to learn more.


MY THOUGHTS

Shannon McNear pens a fascinating story that increased my admiration for the folks who explored and settled the USA before modern travel conveniences. Rich in historical detail and authentically portraying difficult issues of the late eighteenth century, The Cumberland Bride takes readers on a rugged and harrowing journey across Kentucky's wilderness. McNear expertly blends fact and fiction in a multi-faceted tale filled with danger, adventure, heartache, and a stirring romance. Compelling characters bring the pages to life, and I experienced a plethora of emotions as I read. Don't miss this stirring tale and series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Monday, October 15, 2018

The Christmas Remedy


The Christmas Remedy:
An Amish Christmas Romance

Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall
(WaterBrook)
ISBN: 9780735291041
October 2018/208 pages/$14.99 Hardcover

When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA bestselling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.

Erin Woodsmall is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of three. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade.


MY THOUGHTS

I do love a Christmas novella and enjoyed this story. I always enjoy tales with a medical slant, and the juxtaposition of Holly's Amish lifestyle and the modern pharmacy piqued my interest. The Woodsmall ladies blend a bit of intrique with a delightful romance, with the Christmas season providing a charming backdrop. Perfect for curling up and reading on a crisp fall evening, The Christmas Remedy will start your holiday season with a smile!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from WaterBrook/Multnomah Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Cover Reveal!


I'm so excited to be part of Roseanna M. White's cover reveal for her upcoming book! She writes great stories with endearing characters, and I am already intrigued by her upcoming new series, The Codebreakers. Keep reading for more about the first novel, The Number of Love, and then scroll down to see the cover and more information!


Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

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Voila!!




Pre-Order from Amazon
(other retailers not yet available)
View The Number of Love Pinterest Board
Add to your list on Goodreads


ABOUT ROSEANNA

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | Website



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Monday, October 8, 2018

A Sparkle of Silver


A Sparkle of Silver
Georgia Coast Romance, Book 1
Liz Johnson
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800729622
October 2018/368 pages$14.99

Uncovering the past can lead to an unexpected future . . .

Millie Sullivan plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of a palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where her great-grandmother was a real guest ninety years ago. When Millie learns of a lost diary that may contain the location of a hidden treasure on the estate and reveal the identity of her great-grandfather, she sets out to find the truth of her heritage--and the fortune she desperately needs. But it won't be easy.

When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. Still, her story seems too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up.

Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Liz Johnson is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of Silver, The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love's Gentle Shore, as well as a New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. A marketing manager for a Christian film company, she makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more at her website and connect with her on Facebook.


MY THOUGHTS

Liz Johnson once again creates an endearing story in this opening book of her new series. I have been intrigued by St. Simon's Island, Georgia, for years and loved vicariously visiting this historically rich setting. I was captivated from the opening pages by Millie's dedication to her grandmother and by her search for a lost diary and hidden treasure. Vivid prose brings to life Millie and Ben's clandestine exploration of the mysterious estate, making me glad I was safely ensconced in my chair. Johnson perfectly blends the mysterious and the romantic, the past and the present, creating a tale rife with its own treasure and plenty of sigh-inducing moments. Don't miss the newest release from this gifted author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Liz Johnson and Baker/Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Sons of Blackbird Mountain


Sons of Blackbird Mountain
Joanne Bischof
(Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 9780718099114
July 2018/352 pages$15.99

A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanne Bischof is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children. Visit her online at JoanneBischof.com; Facebook: AuthorJoanneBischof; Instagram: @JoanneBischof.


MY THOUGHTS

Joann Bischof once again writes a compelling story that drew me in from the opening pages. Bischof is an amazing wordsmith whose prose brings setting and characters to vibrant life, and I was transported to nineteeenth-century Appalachia as I read. The Sons of Blackbird Mountain is alternately turbulent and tender, as heartache and struggle vie with grace, redemption, and love. I was captivated by the many facets of this novel and the beauty in the midst of pain and sorrow. Don't miss this stirring and inspiring tale.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson Publishing and The Fiction Guild. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Monday, October 1, 2018

Burden of Proof


Burden of Proof
(FBI Rapid Response)
DiAnn Mills
(Tyndale House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-1496427052
October 2018/416 pages/$14.99

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.


Read an excerpt.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is codirector of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Whew! This book should come with a warning that it is not for the faint of heart! DiAnn Mills once again kept me on the edge of my seat with this spine-tingling novel, weaving a tale filled with unrelenting action, continued peril, and high stakes drama. Compelling characters bring the story to life, and while some are easy to love or loathe, numerous incidents make it impossible to ascertain the trustworthiness of others. The rapid-fire pace is countered only by elongated moments of breath-holding suspense, and the contradictory momentum is reminiscent of a roller coaster's pause before the plunge. This is not a book to read casually, mildly perusing a chapter a day, but one which will tempt you to eschew all obligations until you reach the satisfying conclusion. Place Burden of Proof at the top of your fall reading list!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from DiAnn Mills and Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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