Sleep Deprived - A Review

 

Sleep Deprived

by

Therese Heckenkamp

A Review

This faith-based story sees the lives of three missing babies intersect to save a marriage and destroy the life of one young man. Two of the children have died, one has been kidnapped.

Mea has lost a child and seeks to help another – but something backfires. She is accused of kidnapping and is set to spend the rest of her life in prison. The love of her husband and God’s answered prayer begin to rebuild her faith and allow her to regain her life.

This short novella served as a reminder of the pain of loss and the presence of God’s grace through that pain. I give the book five-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Minutes To Die - A Review

Minutes To Die

 

by

Susan Sleeman

Four bombs, sixty minutes - or goodbye dam; goodbye Arizona.

And that is six chapters. Most of the rest of the book is just as intense as the FBI’s RED team had to track the terrorist that had entered then USA via a container through the Tacoma WA harbor. They also needed to track the killer of Kiley’s Confidential Informant in Washington DC, and those responsible for the kidnapping of three girls in Montgomery AL. And Kiley was responsible for her first assignment as the team lead.

The book was one this reader could not put down - Susan Sleeman has written a great faith-based thriller to follow-up her earlier Seconds to Live. Moving across the country with Kiley and her team with limited time to prevent the deaths of million of Americans makes for an intense nine hours of reading. 

I will be looking forward to the next book in the series - though only hinted at in the final moments of the current book. One can hope.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Collision of Lies - A Review

Collision of Lies 

a

by

Tom Threadgill

The accident had occurred three years ago. Benjamin Reyes was one of the 17 children who had died on the Cotulla school bus that had been hit by the freight train. Along with the tanker cars that exploded, not much had been left for identifying the remains except for a few bits of DNA.

And yet his mother had received the text message, “Help me, Mom.” It had to be a wrong number or a terrible prank - Enzo and Marisa Reyes son had died three years ago. But each time San Antonio Property Crimes Detective Amara Alvarez tried to verify the “prank”, more questions arose. At first, she was alone in looking at the evidence, then she was joined by Homicide Detective Jeremiah “Starsky” Peckham, the Chief Medical Examiner Douglas Pritchard, and others. Eventually, the case would involve the Texas Rangers, the FBI, the CIA, and even the White House.

Tom Threadgill has built a thriller that grows on the reader chapter by chapter - each adding another, albeit small, piece to the puzzle. The kind of book that those enjoying international mysteries will not want to put down. Written by an explicitly Christian author, the book is not quite as clearly Christian; not offensive, but not explicitly so. I will be looking for the next book from this talented writer following the life of a, now, newly minted homicide detective.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

The Featherbone - A Review

The Featherbone

by

Julie Cantrell

A Review

This was one of the hardest books I have ever chosen to read. I almost put the book down and not finish it. But a news headline caught my eye - a Japanese girl had escaped her kidnapper after being locked up in his home for two years. The news story was too close to the fictional tale told in Julie Cantrell’s book. I had to finish it.

Having said this, the book was upsetting. If it was a movie, it would most certainly be rated “R” - a movie I would choose to not see. The abuse that occurred at so many levels was hard to watch, the impact that the kidnapping of one young girl has on multiple families and on a community is hard to understand. The unexpected pain and anguish suffered by the believers who have been touched by this awful crime unimaginable. And the thought of a Christian publishing company choosing to tell this story seem hard to comprehend.

Yet, it was a story that had to be told. It is a story that is played out in the headlines all too often - whether it be in the commission of a crime or in its resolution, the story is too real to ignore. The author does a good job of wrapping the horrific and the faithful response of this broken community to the five-year history of Sarah’s kidnapping by a stranger and his live-in girlfriend just prior to hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans and its surroundings. The various responses to these dual tragedies are hard to watch - even as most of the characters appear to have some level of faith. That faith, and sometimes the lack of it, plays an important part in the story.

I have a difficult time knowing who this book is written for. The story is too dark for some audiences, yet its heavy dependence on scripture and the character’s response to scripture makes it clearly a Christian book. It is those same scriptures that may make some non-believers shy away from the book. Well-written, with a depth of emotion rarely seen in Christian writing, be prepared to be shaken as you read. At the same time, the reader may find his or her faith strengthened as you see the role scripture has in the lives of others going through h-e-double-q.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

First Hostage - A Review

First Hostage

by

Joel C Rosenberg

A Review

Well written, but not my type of book. As I picked this book for review, I expected it to focus on the dangers faced by the President (and/or his family) after being kidnapped. Rather, it focused on the US armed forces and their allies process of locating and rescuing the kidnapped President.  

The story held my interest, but I felt myself being drawn to the book because I had to review it, instead of its ability to hold my interest. The main character is a trusted (well, almost, anyhow) reporter with the New York Times and his attempt to cover the story of the century. J. B. Collins comes from a believing family, but he cannot find his way to his own faith. Though the story seems to draw him closer to his family’s God, it is not clear to what extent he yet believes for himself.

Both the military focus and the lack of faith from any central character left me wanting more from the book. I realize that this is a personal opinion - I have friends who would thoroughly enjoy the military background of the plot. Without a strong, faithful, character to bring a lively spiritual dimension to the story, I felt ill at ease. Certainly, the author did try to bring a bit of history (past, present, and future) into the story as we explore the various Middle Eastern  locations used to bring life to the book. I do need to give the author credit for writing a book that occasionally drove to the Internet for more details, if not to my Bible. There are some who will thrive with this book’s characters, plot, and themes. I did not.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Vendetta - A Review

Vendetta

by

Lisa Harris

A Review

The book begins with Nikki Boyd hanging off the edge of the cliff she and her friend Tyler were attempting to rappel down. Easy enough, except that her rope was caught on a sharpened rock and she was 150 feet below the rock hanging onto the rope that was in danger of being sawed in two by that same rock. That opening scene sets the tone for the remainder of the book.

With the help of her friend, Nikki was able to work her way down the cliff, but no sooner did they begin to relax and the call came that would dangle another rope in her life - a rope that had roots going back years when her sister had been kidnapped and disappeared from the map. A rope that had led her into Law Enforcement generally, and into state’s Missing Person Task Force specifically. Now, another young teen had been kidnapped and the similarities to her sister’s case were too close to ignore.

The author draws the reader into Nikki’s adventure and into the beauty of the surrounding Smoky Mountains, the Obed River, and the rapids which bring tourists each year. Though scheduled for a fall release, the events take place during the early days of spring. The writer also introduces the reader to the (fictional) people that they might meet if they were to visit the area.  With the exception of the kidnapping, the book makes a compelling argument for a visit to the area to enjoy the scenery and the portion of the Appalachian Trail which runs through the area.  

The story will hold the reader’s attention - as the law enforcement team, rangers, and volunteers, attempt to locate the missing child and the person who kidnapped her. Nikki also hopes, really hopes, she might discover what became of her sister so many years ago. With a hint of faith and a very light hint of romance, Vendetta may satisfy many readers of modern thrillers. Be warned, before the reader is through with the book, he or she may miss a few nights of sleep to more quickly find the answers. And expect, as does this reviewer, to be wanting more from Lisa Harris and Nikki Boyd.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Bridges Burned - A Review

Bridges Burned

by

Annette Dashofy

A Review

Book #3 in the Zoe Chambers mystery series comes out a winner.  Zoe, a county EMT and the towns’ Deputy Coroner, must decide who to trust and who to distrust.  She also must decide who to love and who to walk away from.  Neither would be easy choices.

I woke up late last night, could not go back to sleep, and chose to relax by finishing the last 15% of the book.  The climax, included in that 15%, was as intense and satisfying as they come.  

The usual characters are present: Zoe Chambers, Pete Adams (the police chief), Mr. and Mrs. Kroll (Zoe’s landlords), Sylvia (Chief Adams’ former Administrative Assistant), and Nancy (Sylvia’s replacement).  Other characters round out the ensemble that create add to this well-written story.  The southwest Pennsylvania home, both for the author and the book, provide a wonderful setting for this story.  The rural/suburban area near Pittsburgh provide a beautiful and believable setting for the story.  

Though the story does reach a milestone of sorts, it is this reviewer’s hope that the stories are not ending.  Monongahela County has more stories to tell - and it is my hope that Annette Dashofy is able to tell them.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Lowcountry Boneyard - A Review

Lowcountry Boneyard

by

Susan M. Boyer

A Review

An interesting take on the cozy mystery genre.  Liz Talbot, a licensed Private Investigator, is asked to find Kent, the daughter of well-off Colton and Virginia Heyward. The police were convinced that she had chosen to leave home for personal reasons.  However, not having provided any clues prior to or following her departure, that scenario was not a done deal.  

Liz has lots of help - Kent’s father and mother, her grandmother, her fiance, her roommate from college all have thoughts - nobody seems to know the truth.  The most interesting source of help comes from Colleen, a guardian spirit.  There is a clear distinction between ghosts and guardian spirits.  

“The distinction, according to Colleen, was that guardian spirits had passed to the next world and been sent back with work to do.  Ghosts were the lingering spirits of the dead who had yet to cross over to the next life.”  

I felt like I was reading the memoirs of the 2005-2010 TV drama, Ghost Whisperer.”  Colleen adds little to the story itself, though she occasionally steps into the open to help Liz with some brainstorming or to serendipitously keep her or her family from finding themselves in serious danger.

Though this is the third book in what is (currently) scheduled to be a four-book set, the lack of having read the previous two novels did not seem to distract from my enjoyment of this book.  I would not recommend this book to the committed Christian, but if one is willing to set aside a small bit of reality, the reader might find enjoyment in this book as a late night read around the fireplace.  After all, Colleen is not a scary ghost, but she is a ghost.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Deceived - A Review

Deceived

by

Irene Hannon

A Review

Deceived is a romantic thriller well-worth the time spent reading, except for one small flaw.  First, what did I like.  The story starts 15 miles from my home near the Rochester, NY, metropolitan area.  Hilton is a township with a population of 6000 located on the shores of Lake Ontario.  The death of Kate Marshall’s husband and son had sent her for a tailspin - including an addiction to valium.  

But life was about to change when a young boy, about her son’s age, crossed her path as she rode down the escalator.  Her life again took a tailspin, but this time she found the help she needed in the person of Connor Sullivan, former Secret Service agent and now a partner of Phoenix, Inc.  For the next four weeks life went up and down as Kate, Connor, and other members of the Phoenix staff looked for answers in the past and the future.

The book will hold the reader’s attention - a bit of healthy romance will draw in the attention of whose interest lies in that direction, the thrill of the hunt will draw in those looking for a more thrill centered experience.  A hint of faith will also draw the Christian reader’s attention to the book.  

If this is the reader’s first look at a book by Irene Hannon, he or she will not be disappointed.  On the other hand, that is exactly where I found disappointment.  The plot of this third book in the Private Justice series paralleled her second book (which I previously reviewed) so closely, I found myself anticipating much of the book before I read it.  Had I not read an earlier book, this book could have received a five.  With the very similar plot lines of the two books, I will give this book 3.5 stars.   

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.