The Review Stew: Mysteries
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Showing posts with label Mysteries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mysteries. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Book Review: Sister Dear

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book:

All Allie Marshall wants is a fresh start. But when dark secrets refuse to stay buried, will her chance at a new life be shattered forever?

Convicted of a crime she didn't commit, Allie watched a decade of her life vanish --- time that can never be recovered. Now, out on parole, Allie is determined to clear her name, rebuild her life, and reconnect with the daughter she barely knows.

But Allie's return home shatters the quaint, coastal community of Brunswick, Georgia. Even her own daughter Caroline, now a teenager, bristles at Allie's claims of innocence. Refusing defeat, a stronger, smarter Allie launches a battle for the truth, digging deeply into the past even if it threatens her parole status, personal safety, and the already-fragile bond with family.

As her commitment to finding the truth intensifies, what Allie ultimately uncovers is far worse than she imagined. Her own sister has been hiding a dark secret---one that holds the key to Allie's freedom.

About the author:

Laura McNeill is a writer, web geek, travel enthusiast, and coffee drinker. In her former life, she was a television news anchor for CBS News affiliates in New York and Alabama. Laura holds a master's degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and is completing a graduate program in interactive technology at the University of Alabama. When she's not writing and doing homework, she enjoys running, yoga, and spending time at the beach. She lives in Mobile, AL with her family.

My Opinion

I decided to expand my literary horizons with this book and I am so glad I did! The mystery, suspense and intrigue were intense and had me on the edge of my seat as I read! It made me not want to put it down until I found out every last detail of the story!

Sister Dear was a unique story line and really is a great read for all mystery book lovers! Laura McNeill is definitely an author I will be watching and reading in the future!

Buy It:

You can purchase Sister Dear for $13.24 from Amazon.com


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*Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Friday, April 22, 2016

Book Review: The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book:

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever---if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

About the author:

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

My Opinion

Although I really like the history of this book, strong female characters who want to make a difference in the world and the historical time setting of the book, this book was a little confusing to me at times and just didn't flow well. The characters weren't developed well and I just couldn't get into the book as much as I really wanted to.

However, if you really like murder mystery books with a historical setting mixed in, this may be the book for you!

Buy It:

You can purchase The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder for $9.99 from Amazon.com

Meet best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem, who launch their own Sherlock Holmes-esque consulting detective business in 1910 Toronto in Rachel McMillan’s The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Rachel is celebrating the release of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder with a Murder Mystery Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on April 28!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 4/28. The winner will be announced at The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Rachel and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!


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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!


If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers
* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Monday, June 15, 2015

Book Review: Fatal Trauma

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book:

A gunman who has nothing to lose faces a doctor who could lose it all to prove his innocence.

When Dr. Mark Baker and Nurse Kelly Atkinson are held at the mercy of a dangerous gunman, the lives of eve ry emergency room patient are at stake. At the end of the evening three men are dead. One of them is a police officer who couldn't be saved despite Mark's best efforts. The other two are members of the feared Zeta drug cartel.

Though the standoff is over, the killing is not, because when the drug cartel loses its members, revenge is not far behind. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.

At the height of the conflict, three questions remain: Who is the shooter? Who will the next victim be? And can Mark prove his innocence before the gun turns on him?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1AIM9U5

About the author:

A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader's Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

My Opinion

If you like murder mystery books, Fatal Trauma is the one for you!

I love that added into the mystery and drama is also a Faith element! The characters in this book are tested, their faith is renewed and they are strengthened in their relationships with each other and with God!

There is some romance in this book as well but sometimes it was a little more point blank perspective than a more passionate love perspective that you find from female authors.

Overall, this book has it all! If you love mystery, conflict, medical fiction, intrigue, or are just looking for something different than historical or modern day romance Christian fiction books, then this one is for you! It makes for an intriguing summer read!

Buy It: 

You can purchase Fatal Trauma for $11.59 from Amazon.com

Can Mark find out who the shooter is before he becomes the next victim? You won't want to miss the suspense in Richard Mabry's new book, Fatal Trauma. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.

Richard is celebrating the release of Fatal Trauma by giving away The Perfect Prescription Prize Pack!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 20th. The winner will be announced June 22nd on Richard's blog.


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If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

*  Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Monday, May 26, 2014

Book Review: Silenced

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Get your copy of SILENCED by Author Dani Pettrey!

Book Summary:

A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna’s route leads her to a face-to-face encounter with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something sinister? When the case is handed to the overburdened sheriff, he turns to Jake Westin. With Jake’s past now revealed, he’s ready to use his talent for investigation again-–but he could never prepare for where the case will take him.

Kayden and Jake soon realize that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is on to them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger.

But the truth is far worse than either of them imagine.


About the Author

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

My Opinion
The Alaskan Courage Series is something I started reading last year with the second book in the series, Shattered. It was such a good read and so thrilling that I knew I wanted to read this fourth book in the Alaskan Courage series: Silenced!

I loved getting to know the most mysterious sister, Kayden, and watch her romance unfold...along with the mystery of who is behind murder attempts on her life!

This book was really thrilling, mysterious, and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

If you like a thrilling, mystery that also reminds you of the trust we need to have in God, check out Silenced and the WHOLE Alaskan Courage Series! Each one is thrilling, interesting, and romantic!

Buy It: You can purchase Silenced for $11.42 from Amazon.com


If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Monday, May 20, 2013

Book Review: The Face of the Earth


About The Face of the Earth:

When Mitchell Brannon's beloved wife of twenty years kisses him goodbye one autumn morning, he has little idea that his life is about to change forever. Mitch returns from work early that evening, surprised Jill's car isn't in the garage. Her conference in Kansas City is only a few hours' drive from their little town of Sylvia, Missouri. But her voice on the answering machine makes him smile. "Hey, babe, I'm just now checking out of the hotel, but I'll stop and pick up something for dinner. Love you."

Mitch sets the table with their best china and lights some candles, looking forward to their first weekend as empty nesters.

But at eight o'clock, the candles have burned to stubs and Jill still hasn't shown up. Mitch tries her cell phone only to get her voice mail over and over again. Their two college kids haven't heard from their mom either.
At midnight, Mitch's irritation turns to dread. And later, when the police and Missouri Highway Patrol have turned up nothing, the Kansas City hotel calls to say they've found property belonging to Jill in a hotel maid's possession.

Mitch enlists the help of their next-door neighbor, Jill's best friend, Shelley, and together they search for clues to Jill's disappearance. As days turn into weeks and weeks into months, Mitch and Shelley's friendship grows ever closer--and decidedly complicated with Jill as the tie that binds them together. Just when Shelley decides to finally reveal her feelings for Mitch, a clue to Jill's whereabouts is uncovered. But every lead seems to be a dead end, and Mitch wonders how he can honor the vows he made to a woman who has seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth.


Meet Deb:

Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including "A Nest of Sparrows" and the RITA award winning "Beneath a Southern Sky" and its sequel, "After the Rains". Deborah's first novel, "A Vow to Cherish", was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures' highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time. Deb's novella, "Playing by Heart", was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, "Yesterday's Embers", appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list. Known for her sensitive portrayal of family struggles and relationships, Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women's retreats and writers' conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas.

Find out more at DeborahRaney.com

My Opinion
This book was a different genre then I usually enjoy (I prefer historical fiction) but I am SO GLAD I gave it a chance because this book had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to get to the end of the book so I could find out what happened! I was reading this book whenever I could find a spare moment!

This book was so well written and had a great mix of intrigue and mystery but also a good amount of romance, Christian perspectives and values, and family dynamics! I really enjoyed reading it and I can't wait to read other books from Deborah Raney!

If you like mystery books or are just looking for a unique Christian novel, this is definitely a great read!

Buy It: You can purchase The Face of the Earth for $11.91 from Amazon.com.

Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}

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 One winner will receive:
  • A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
  • The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!


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* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Friday, March 8, 2013

Book Review: Shattered


About Shattered:

With All the Evidence Against Him, Only a Sister's Trust Can Save Him Now

When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself-and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.



Meet Dani:

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.

My Opinion
This book was a second book in a series with "Submerged" being the first book. I definitely recommend reading the first book in the series because it introduces a lot of the characters and brings Shattered's story all together for the reader.

With that said, get ready to buckle your seat belts and hang on as you read Shattered! It is a fast-paced book packed with suspense and romance! I loved watching the story unfold and guessing how it was going to end!

Plus, I love how descriptive Dani Pettrey is about Alaska and how beautiful it is! I can't wait to visit after reading this book!

If you like mystery, suspense and romance, pick up Shattered today (and don't forget to read the first book in the series first!).

Buy It: You can purchase Shattered for $10.98 from Amazon.com



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*  Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*