Book Review: A Matter of Trust by Lis Wiehl

"When life is murder, who can you trust?"

Wow - this seems as if it is going to be a series I can really sink my teeth into. With this book, book one in this new series, we get to meet Prosecutor Mia Quinn and Detective Charlie Carlson - they seem to be the people we are going to get to know the best as this series progresses.

This book opens with Mia on the telephone with her good friend Colleen, another member of the Prosecutors office. They are chatting about life and the tag sale they are going to be having. Suddenly Mia hears a gunshot, a gurgling and Colleen doesn't speak to her again, then life goes to Hell a little more.

This is a great, well plotted mystery. It did keep me guessing throughout the novel. The characters are fleshed out well and very believable. The novel is fast paced and I didn’t want to put it down. This book kept me turning pages and on the edge of my seat. 

I love that Mia Quinn's life is full of mystery itself. Her marriage, her job, her children, her father have secrets untold. I have some of Lis Wiehl's books and this one so far is my favorite. The protagonist is a single mom (widow) with a teenage son and a preschool age daughter. Her hands are more than full as she tries to work two jobs and be a good mom. On top of that her husband left her with a boat-load of debt. Not everything was resolved in this story leaving room for sequels, which I look forward to! This book includes many aspects I love in story - mystery, law,), danger, and twists and turns. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. 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.”

Book Review: The Sky Beneath My Feet by Lisa Samson

Sky Beneath My Feet  is the story of Beth and what happens to her when her husband shuts himself off in a shed to talk to God for a month.

This is not a bad book, but I don’t feel like I could give it more than three stars. It seems to meander in the first part of the book and I felt as though I would never reach the story’s climax. It finally picked up pace about halfway through, but not enough to make-up for the slow start. 

I also felt the character development lacked a bit. I enjoyed Beth, but never felt a connection with her. I never felt she got under my skin the way other characters have and so I had a harder time relating to her situation. I also found myself enjoying the book’s min-plots better than its main plot. I really enjoyed how Greg’s character was presented. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. 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.”

Book Review: Secretly Smitten

In this sequel to last year's Smitten, authors Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter gives us four romantic and at times intrigued-filled tales set in the fictional town of Smitten, Vermont. The plots centers on the three Thomas's sisters, Tess, Clare, and Zoe, along with their mother, Anna, and their grandmother, Rose.

Secretly Smitten is a collection of four novellas which combine to make one romantic mystery novel. The four authors have woven their separate works seamlessly together so that there is no interruption in the storyline. Each novella features a different character, while the secondary characters remain prominently in the plot. Fortunately, each one is unique, making it easy to follow and differentiate between them. Each story is short, under one hundred pages, which makes this compilation a quick read for romance fiction readers. The stories are romantic and heartwarming. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. 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.”

Book Review: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

Every Perfect Gift is the third entry in Dorothy Love's Hickory Ridge Romance series, but my first experience with her work. Although third in a series, the novel seems to work well standing on its own. However, it was quite a predictable read and I had hoped for something a bit different. While overall Every Perfect Gift didn't capture my heart as much as I had hoped when I initially picked it up, the author has a knack for getting small town life to leap off the pages. Her setting is one of the assets of her book. Her supporting characters, especially Sophie’s best friend, Gillie seemed to be more well-developed than the main heroine and hero. 

Despite those quibbles, the story is still worth reading. Every Perfect Gift is a sweet, predictable romance whose setting and secondary characters help it to shine.  The two main characters learn God is a God of second chances and a God of truth. God is honored when His followers see people in need and help without thought of recompense. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. 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.”

Book Review: Prayers of a Stranger: A Christmas Journey

Davis Bunn has captured me with his most recent book Prayers of a Stranger: a Christmas Journey.

Amanda and her husband Chris Vance suffered a tragic loss last Christmas. Amanda is rather ambivalent about trekking to meet up with her husband's family for Christmas this year. Then, an unexpected gift comes in the form of a trip to the Holy Land. Chris senses Amanda's need to heal her heart and sends her off on an adventure that changes grief into something more and a stranger's prayer brings about a change we can all believe in.

This book offers memorable characters, strong emotion, extraordinary personal challenges, and, above all, eventual healing by the Spirit of God. Its rich emotions and detailed descriptions draw you in and refuse to let go. I am always pleased and surprised when I come across a book that I want to reread as soon as I finish it, and this is one of those books.

The book is equally beneficial for men and women, and appropriate for any time of year. I liked the interplay between the older married couple and Amanda and Chris. Put it on your reading list for an entertaining read that you just wont want to put down.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. 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.”