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.

The Traitor’s Pawn - A Review

The Traitor’s Pawn

by

Lisa Harris

Houston Police Detective Aubrey Grayson had come to Corpus Christie for a vacation. On the first day of her trip she found herself and former senator Grant “Papps” McKenna being shot at - and Papps was within a moment or two of dying. Before the day was over she would find the boat she was in being targeted with rocket grenades and hearing that the FBI was accusing her father of selling national secrets. Her father said he was being set up. As Aubrey muses, “This had turned into some kind of game of cloak-and-dagger. Stolen government secrets, rogue agents, and dead bodies. And she’d ended up smack-dab in the middle of it all.” It did not make sense.

Lisa Harris has created another 5-star faith-based, romantic, suspense novel that will hold the reader’s attention from page 1 to the very last page. I have been privileged to read several of Lisa Harris’ books and I don’t remember being disappointed - and she does not disappoint here.

Those who enjoy the genre will find the book satisfying. The book also will fit well into the church or public library.
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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.

As Directed - A Review

As Directed

by

Kathleen Valenti

Pharmacy Tech (nee Pharmacy Researcher) Maggie O’Malley was developing a bad habit of discovering unhealthy people on the pharmacy floor - some, dead; some, nearly so. This was not a part of her job description. And with four (or was it five) really good suspects, the police (who were only looking at one suspect) and Maggie would have a long week ahead of them.

But murder was not the only crime at play - the lives of children, of pharmacy staff and customers, and of community citizens were also on the line. Maggie had some help from her fiancé, Constantine. Two local detectives, Austin Reynolds and Gladys Wren, would occasionally listen to Maggie’s banter; but, sadly, would not always act on it - upping the level of danger.

I was feeling disappointed through the first half of the book. Much of the character development and some of the story depended on knowing the back story found in the two previous books of the series. This reader felt at a lose. The second half of the book developed a life of its own - knowing the back story may have helped, but was needed for the reader to enjoy and to be drawn into the larger story. It may have helped for the author to provide brief summaries of the earlier books, without destroying the story lines of previous books - this could have been done as brief advertisements inviting the reader to read the previous stories. Alas, only a list of all three books was included as an appendix.

For those looking for a nice (not great) Spring read, As Directed might fill that prescription - it may be just what the doctored ordered.
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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 Linking Rings - A Review

The Linking Rings

By

John Gaspard

A Review

The Linking Rings is a fascinating look at London’s Magic Circle, “ the most prestigious magic club in the world” (as per Wikipedia), through the eyes of an amateur sleuth from

America as he and his friends attempt to solve a series of murders which systematically whittles away at the club’s members.

As the reader makes his way through this unique novel, they are introduced to a number of real professional magicians as well as the characters in the story. This reader found himself visiting Wikipedia multiple times to understand the men and women who define the world famous magician that call The Magic Circle their home in London men like Jay Marshal,  Tommy Cooper, and Chung Ling Soo. I did not look up every name dropped in the course of the book’s 250+ pages.

As the deaths mount up, the list of suspects diminishes, but enough remain to make an interesting and provocative tale.  Though the presence of magicians might make one expect the appearance of the macabre and mysterious, it is clear that all the magicians (both historical and fictional) are professionals, trained to entertain more than to introduce an unknown spiritual world (i.e. a world of ghosts, goblins, beasties, etc.). Though a number of tricks are described within the pages of the book, no secrets are disclosed, except those needed to identify the murderer.

For the fan of magic, cozy mysteries, or English history, The Linking Rings will make a good book to grab on a cold winter night or any other night.   

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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 are mine alone.

Death In D Minor - A Review

Death In D Minor

by

Alexia Gordon

A Review

Henery Press has another winner.

Gethsemane Brown is up to her ears in murder again - but this time it also involves art forgery (both textiles and oil paintings) and two gentle ghosts. She finds herself and her brother in law charged with murder and in the middle of a ring of forgers that has done its work on both sides of the Atlantic. And while processing crime clues, her landlord is about to sell her rented lighthouse for an obnoxious price to an obnoxious real estate baron. She will need help from her friendly ghost, Eamon, the original owner of the property where she now resides; except, the wrong ghost shows up.

I am not a believer in ghosts, but if I could enjoy Casper as a child, I can also enjoy Eamon and Daniel, the ghost of a 19th-century sea captain who knew the artist whose work was being forged. In fact, he blamed himself for her death. Throw in a couple of eccentric FBI agents, and members of the Irish Guards (i.e. police), and the author has an interesting tale that should capture the interest of a number of readers. Though this is the second book in a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone novel. I had reviewed the earlier book and did enjoy the further development of the characters in the author’s second book. Whether you have read the first book or not, Murder In D-Minor is fun reading.

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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 are mine alone.

Practical Sins For Cold Climates - A Review

Practical Sins For
Cold Climates

by

Shelly Costa

A Review

“Practical Sins For Cold Climates” is not a cozy mystery - but it is well-written and held this reader’s interest, forcing more than one sleepless night as he tried to get to the end of the who-done-it.  The author is a skilled practitioner of the writer’s art, experienced both as a short story author and a novelist - this is the first book in a new series.

The story has its roots in New York City, but the action takes place in the northern hills of eastern Canada on the shores of Lake Wendaban - among the camps, villages, and homes that line the edge of the lake. Valjean Cameron was not built for that climate, but that is where her job had taken her. It doesn’t take long for her to stumble on the two year old unsolved murder of Leslie Decker (nee Selkirk). Just as the action is scattered along the shores of Lake Wendaban, so are the suspects. It would take Val a little less than two weeks to move through the personal history of the various suspects to discover who to believe and who to lead the local constabulary to arrest.

Disappointingly, this book, if made into a movie, as written, would warrant an “R” rating. However, since most of the sexuality and language that would force this rating onto the movie is unnecessary, it very well could end up with a “PG-13” rating.  Having said that, the sexuality and language is not so blatant that most readers would be offended, just be aware that it is present.  

If the reader is looking for a good - though not quite cozy - mystery, “Practical Sins For Cold Climates” may just be what the doctored ordered. Given its late summer setting, the book may be a perfect read for any time of the year as it warms the heart on a cold winter’s ever or as the reader settles down for their own written feast this next summer.

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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.

Double Cross - A Review

Double Cross

by

DiAnn Mills

A Review

Double Cross is the second book in a series based on the staff of the FBI stationed in Houston, TX.  There is  little to connect the two books other than that minor theme - different characters, different plots, different lessons.

The current book left this reader a bit frustrated.  He generally does not mind a good mystery with a hint of romance, but this book seemed to reverse that relationship, in that it appeared to be a romance with a thread of mystery running throughout the book.  The mystery was well-developed with enough turns and triggers to make the book of interest - but there were few points where romance did not distract from that story.  

The story focused on the teamwork between an experienced FBI agent (Laurel Evertson) and a Houston Police Officer (Daniel Hilton).  At first their work is strictly  professional, but each must explore the possibility that something more is drawing them together.  And, even as the case comes to a close, it is not clear how their relationship can grow - perhaps in six months.

A couple of questions might help another reader know whether this book is for them:

1. Would you recommend this book to a  friend?  If that friend enjoyed romance novels.
2. Would you recommend  this author?  Yes, since I have enjoyed other books by the same author.
3. Would you purchase this book for yourself?  Probably not - it focused too much on the romance between two major characters to make it a favorite book of mine.
4. Will you be reading another book from this author?  Absolutely!

And I hope others will as well.

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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.

Lethal Beauty - A Review

Lethal Beauty

by

Lis Wiehl

A Review

Mia Quinn had said it, "I know that everything is connected ... I just don't know how. … Mia imagined the head of this operation as a spider sitting in a web.  Profiting from every base instinct.  He had most of the seven deadly sins covered: lust, sloth, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, and even pride.  He had found a way to make an enormous amount of money.” And those sentences define this  gripping story of slavery, drug abuse, and murder.

And it would put her, her family, and her friends, in danger before the needed answers would come into place for this single mother trying to raise both a teen boy and a pre-schooler in the 21st century. Along with dealing with murder and crime on a daily basis, as a District Attorney, she must also fit the decisions (some good and some bad) of her children into her busy life.

As a believer, it did not always make sense - in fact, life sometimes did not make sense - but she was determined to make her way and to guide her children as best she could.  

Though the book is not smothered in spirituality, faith does play a role in the lives of many the books characters. It is the simple life of faith that stands out as Mia Quinn seeks to solve the riddles that are put in front of her.  Not all of them will be resolved - at least not in this book, leaving room for at least one more story from Lis Wiehl surrounding the character of Mia Quinn.  I will eagerly be waiting for another book in the series.

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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.

Dying Brand - A Review

Dying Brand

by

Wendy Tyson

A Review

Wendy Tyson has another winner.  Allison Campbell, image consultant, and her collection of dysfunctional friends are destined to involve themselves in another series of murders ranging from Southeastern Pennsylvania to Florida to Maine.  And, as in her previous books, Allison's life is on the line.

Corporate corruption is at the center of the current crime spree.  The question is, "Who is corrupting and who are the victims?"  The answers are not always as clear as the average person might like - but then real life is sometimes like that.  

Though I was disappointed in some of the more explicit relationship details given in the book, the plot, characters, and setting did hold my attention.  Having spent some time in Southeastern PA, I found myself at home as Allison and her comrades toured the countryside.  As in her earlier books, the story wraps itself around multiple mysteries - some of which coalesce and some of which have their own story line.  But put together, we meet people who both struggle with fictional problems that most of us will never see and real problems that most of us will face at some point in our lives. Together they make an interesting tale that pulls the reader along and makes for some great late night reading.

Interestingly, though the book is scheduled for a Spring release (after a very cold winter), the story is a Fall thriller that allows the reader to enjoy all the beauty of that wonderful season.

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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.

When Lies Crumble - A Review

When Lies Crumble

by

Alan  Cupp

A Review

The first in a series of books centering on Private Investigator Carter Mays.  If this book represents the quality of the books to come, it should be an exciting series.  The feel of the book is one of a PI series which could have been written 50 or 60 years ago with its romance, gangland murders, and crime families.

Sadly, I almost chose to stop reading after two or three chapters - the initial chapters seemed to have a somewhat stilted, immature writing style.  The writing improved through the last two-thirds of the book - and the climax made waiting worth the time spent reading the book.  It is this small hiccup that allows me to give this only a four-star review.

Hired by the young woman whose fiance has disappeared, unhired by her father, and rehired again by the father, Carter Mays must wade through the ethical issues of serving multiple clients with distinct motives for finding the young man.  Emotionally, the book served as a roller coaster ride as the author/reader begins to weave the characters and motives into a gripping story.  The surprising climax comes as the characters in the story find their lives falling apart; however, Carter cannot rebuild what they have spent a lifetime destroying.

Though a bit darker than the typical Henery Press book, it will still hold the readers attention. Do not open this book expecting the usual humor that typically accompanies a Henery Press book; yet, the book is exciting and worth the late night hours I spent reading this past week.  I expect the same would be true for other readers as well.

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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.

With Vics You Get Eggroll - A Review

With Vics You Get Eggroll

by

Diane Vallere

A Review

A cozy mystery starring Madison Night, Lt. Tex Allen (of the Lakewood Police Department), and handyman Hudson James.  I found the mystery well-written as out of town women are being kidnapped and killed - but the connection to Mad to Mod, Madison Night’s remodelling store, seemed less direct than in previous stories.  

Madison, as in her previous books, is still attracted to the two men that seem to be around much of the time.  Lt. Allen is a suspect in the current case and Hudson James has returned from an extended vacation - Madison will need to make some decisions soon as to which relationship she will develop, if she can keep herself committed and alive long enough to develop any relationships at all.  The romance is more closely tied to the level of the Hallmark Channel Movies than to Lifetime Movies - but the reader will need a soft enough heart to appreciate that romance if the book is going to remain of interest.

It is unclear, to this reader, whether the series is coming to a close of whether more books are to follow in the life of this amateur sleuth.  I, for one, hope that there will be more.  It would feel like saying goodbye to a favorite television series if the author chooses to end our look at the life Madison Night with this book - it always ends too soon.  

For the reader looking for a cozy mystery for two or three spring evenings, this book may be the perfect fit.

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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.

Dark Justice - A Review

Dark Justice

by

Brandilyn Collins

A Review

Dark Justice is a fly by the seat of your pants thriller that focuses on the lives of three women who find themselves with the task of saving the United Stated from becoming a disaster scene centered on the collapse of the electrical grid from the West Coast to the Eastern Seaboard.  

Beginning with the automobile accident that killed the CEO of large conglomerate to the hospital setting where Hannah Shire, her mother Carol, and daughter Emily would find themselves on the night the lights went out, this reader could not wait to see how they story would end.  The Shire family were innocent bystanders caught up in a conspiracy that covered much of the North American continent.  The excitement builds as the both the local sheriff’s department and the FBI may be deep in the midst of the plot.

Though the Shire’s did not have the tools to break apart the conspiracy, it was their continued persistence that allowed  those with the proper tools to bring the conspirators to justice.  The story is well-woven story, partially told from Hannah Shire’s first person perspective, along with the transcripts of a Congressional investigation following the events of February 24th and 25th in 2013 and the third person description of the activities of the conspirators and the police.  The three voices come together to make a believable story that might easily be found in tonight’s or tomorrow’s newspapers.  One can only hope that the story remains just a story and not a New York Times headline in the near future.

The author has done a superb job of weaving faith into the story without drowning the plot in spirituality.  Building a story with people that have real problems (e.g. alzheimer's disease) in the midst of their crisis takes talent - something this author has demonstrated in Dark Justice.  Though this is not this authors first book, it is the first I had the opportunity to read.  I was not disappointed.

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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.