Talk about Tuesday Book Review - Truth-Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

When truth doesn’t make sense, will lies prevail?

Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief . . . until her brother’s wife is murdered and all the “facts” point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother’s name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer.

Stakes rise when their brother’s grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.

It's been awhile since I read this book, but I never got around to writing my review about it.

What can I say? I love all of Terri Blackstock's books, and this is no exception!
A few things I enjoy about her writing: the books are suspenseful, easy to read, and well thought out.
This is book one in a trilogy, which I also enjoy because it means the story keeps going.

This book in particular has an excellent balance of all the characters, with good family dynamics and a bit of romance thrown in there. If you have a hard time following a lot of characters, then you might not like this one, but I thought it was well written and a fun read.

If you like suspense books, then this is one I would definitely recommend!

~Sela

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Some links are affiliate links, which I may receive a small compensation from in connection with their affiliate program.

Speak Up Saturday–Book Review–Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story

Ohmygoodness! When I got the review copy on this novella, I was ecstatic! Good thing it was short, because I don’t think my husband or my kids would have been very happy with me for ignoring them for more than a day :-)

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story (or go here to get the ePub version right now, before the official release date!)

From the Publisher:

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.
The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.
She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire family.

Why was I so excited to get this book? It completes the O’Malley series by Dee Henderson. This series was one of the first ones I read after getting a relationship with Jesus. This novella is about the only one of the O’Malley siblings that didn’t get a full length book, and for good reason which I will not divulge because it is part of the plot of the series.

What appeals to me about the series? The characters are believable and their emotional struggles are real. They are fun to follow along because they are more, well, celebrity for lack of a better word. I mean, they all have fairly high profile lives, but it’s fun that way. If you’re going to read a book, might as well make it something that is fantastical.

The part that I enjoy the most, however, is their stories of faith. How each one, especially Jennifer as told in this novella, come to know their Savior is powerful and awesome. Jennifer is the one who prompts the others to examine their lives and what they really believe, so to learn how her conversion came about was great.

I read this book in one evening, good thing it was only a novella! It prompted me to want to read the entire series again :-)

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Some links are affiliate links, which I may receive a small compensation from in connection with their affiliate program.

Speak Up Saturday–Book Review–A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

I told you to watch for a blast of reviews…

A Voice in the Wind: (Mark of the Lion #1)

From the Publisher:

This classic series has already inspired nearly 2 million readers, but both loyal fans and new readers will want this 20th anniversary edition of a Christian classic, which includes a foreword from the publisher, a letter from and Q & A with Francine Rivers, color map, an illustrated glossary, and discussion questions suitable for personal and group use.

The first book in the bestselling Mark of the Lion series, A Voice in the Wind brings readers back to the first century and introduces them to a character they will never forget—Hadassah. Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, this young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

I mentioned in my last review that The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson was one of my favorite series of books. Well, this book, A Voice in the Wind, is the first book in my favorite of all times series! I can’t believe that it’s been 20 years since she wrote this first one, wow.

I think I first read this book about 10 years ago, and I’ve read it probably five more times since then. I figured I was about up for reading it again, so I was very happy to receive this 20th anniversary edition for my kindle.

What do I love about it? It’s so masterfully written. It’s well researched. It’s about a difficult, yet well documented, time in ancient history. The emotion that it pulls out of you is simply astounding. The characters are so deep, so developed, that it’s so easy to fall into this story. I don’t think my kids like it very much when I read this book because I get drawn so far into the story, I have a hard time paying attention to anything else!

To break it down as the synopsis has done misses so much of the story. It’s set in about 70 ad, just as Jerusalem is being sacked by the Romans. It’s about Roman culture, slavery, love, corruption, but most of all, true and tenacious faith in the one true God.

One warning: this is the FIRST book in a THREE book series. Don’t stop here…keep reading! This one ends with a gut punch, but reading the next one smooths it out. Francine Rivers uses that technique in the Marta's Legacy Series too, which is very effective, got me to read the second one in that series too!

Have I mentioned yet that I love this book?!? Go, get it, read it! If you want to borrow mine, let me know! I now have two different kindle versions plus the paper version, and I am happy about it :-)

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Some links are affiliate links, which I may receive a small compensation from in connection with their affiliate program.

Speak Up Saturday–Book Review–The Biggest and Toughest

Prepare for a blast of book reviews! I’m still backed up and I don’t want to be anymore!

This was a fun book to review with my kids:

The Biggest and Toughest: The Short Story of David's Big Faith

From the Publisher:
What would you do if you saw a GIANT scaring a whole army? Would you run away too? Or would you bravely take him on, if that’s what God wanted you to do?         David, a small shepherd boy, shows gigantic faith and courage when he battles the nine-foot-tall Goliath using only a slingshot and stone!
Magnificent Tales are rhyming Bible stories with clever art and clear lessons that the whole family will enjoy. The stories and illustrations are so engaging that you won’t grow tired of reading and re-reading a Magnificent Tale night after night!

Nate really liked it! There were several things he particularly liked about it: the pictures, the age appropriate wording, and the fact that it was on mommy’s kindle-computer :)

I liked the biblical accuracy, yet not too advanced for my 3-year-old. I felt like it was an excellent retelling of the story of David and Goliath. I also enjoyed the rhyming flow of the book. While it might seem cheesy sometimes, I’ve noticed that it really works to get the story stuck in their heads. Nate is just catching onto rhyming words, so this worked particularly well for him.

The only drawback of reading it on my kindle is the formatting. It is not super-smooth, like one might hope. The words end up on one page and the picture on another. I used this “feature” as an opportunity to discuss the pictures in more detail than I might otherwise, so it wasn’t all bad.

Can’t wait to check out some other titles in this series! (4 stars due to Kindle formatting, story was 5 stars!!)

~S
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Speak Up Saturday - Book Review–The Chase by DiAnn Mills

From the Publisher:

To the FBI it's a cold case. To Kariss Walker it's a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it's a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget.
Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel.
Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl's missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the partners into a witch's brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss's pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag?
Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in The Chase.

This is the second book that I have read by this author, and it was just as fun as the first.

It was an fun and entertaining look into the life of an author researching a book, kept me interested throughout the book. It moved at a good pace without keeping me up all night reading (a problem I’ve been known to have).

As with the last book of hers that I read, the character development was well woven into the story. The characters wove together to make a good story from beginning to end. The interactions between the two main characters especially were true to life.

I have learned that I really enjoy this genre (if it qualifies for it’s own genre, maybe it’s a sub-genre?) This would be the light suspense, light romance, from a Christian perspective, with maybe a bit of mystery thrown in, genre. Surprisingly, I feel like there are quite a few books out there that fit that category, and I have yet to be disappointed by one. I like them, and this one in particular, because they are interesting from start to finish, but not too heavy. A “vacation read”, if you will. I think after all the other books that I read for bible study, for homeschooling, for parenting, etc, that something that’s just fun is a good thing. And it doesn’t hurt if it only takes me a few hours to finish either.

All that to say I would recommend reading this book if the genre appeals to you :-)

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Speak Up Saturday–Book Review- Halflings by Heather Burch

Why, oh, why do I really think I have already written the review for this book? I seriously feel like I have, but I cannot find it :( Sorry if this is duplicate, but I think I might be losing my mind.

Okay, anyway, Halflings by Heather Burch:

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.
A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

This is definitely teen fiction. Maybe even young teen fiction. Although the characters are 17ish, so maybe not. Anyway, I tend to like this sort of book for a nice easy read. Also, the romance in teen fiction, while it can be painfully awkward, is also sometimes easier to handle than adult fiction. It tends to be so much simpler.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I didn’t really feel like there was anything new or different about the plot, and I’m not entirely certain that I agree with her theology of half-angel/half-human beings, but there was nothing overtly wrong with it. I just haven’t really studied the parts of the Bible that discuss the existence of such beings to have a formed thought about it.

The characters were fairly shallow, but I would expect that from a teen fiction book, so it did not bother me. The flow of the story was fine; the pace was good, and there was enough going on to keep it interesting. The book ended abruptly, but it was to set it up for the sequel, Guardian, which I’m reading right now. So, I must have liked it enough to read the sequel!

One thing about the Kindle edition that I would hope they fixed with the purchased version: the formatting was all screwy. The graphics that are at the beginning of each chapter take up three pages on my kindle and the beginning letter or sometimes sentence is not in the correct place. It was a little hard to get used to, but wasn’t a huge deal.

An interesting read. Fine for a quick, non-thinking, kind of book, which is good every now and again.

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Speak Up Saturday–Book Review–Downfall by Terri Blackstock

There are a few authors whom I love to read and get excited any time they come out with a  new book. Terri Blackstock is one of those.

From the publisher:

Emily Covington has turned her life around after a drug addiction, but her family still has trouble trusting her. Though Emily has committed herself to a year-long treatment program and has been sober for almost a year beyond that, even her mother walks on eggshells around her, fearing she'll relapse. After her behavior during her drug years, Emily realizes she has a lot to prove. When police discover a homemade bomb under Emily's car, and she then learns the wife of one of her friends was murdered that same morning, she knows things are deadly serious. But who wants Emily dead? And why? A conversation she had with two men, an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and a plan for a double murder all conspire for one explosive ride ... and Emily is the only one who can identify the killer and save the life of the next potential victim. As she frantically works to solve this ever more complicated puzzle, Emily finds herself playing right into the killer's hands.

I haven’t read every single one of Ms. Blackstock’s books, but the ones that I have read, I’ve enjoyed. She falls into the Christian/Mystery/Suspense/Romance books. My husband likes to poke fun at these books, but I enjoy them as engaging and fun reads. This book was no exception.

I have not read the other two books in the Intervention series, but I was able to pick up enough of the story to still enjoy it. I plan on reading the other two in this series as soon as I can get my hands on them.

The book draws you in right away and keeps you engaged in the story and guessing who the bad guy is until the very end. The book is full of mystery, good character development, and interesting plot twists. I enjoyed the ending and the way that she tied up all the loose ends from the entire series.

A definite must-read for anyone who enjoys Terri Blackstock or Christian Suspense books!

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Speak Up Saturday–Book Review–Protection for Hire by Camy Tang

From the Publisher:

Tessa Lancaster's skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo's Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa's abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son. But there's a problem or two ... or three .... There's Elizabeth's abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There's Uncle Teruo, who doesn't understand why Tessa's new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there's Elizabeth's lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn't know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars. Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch. Factor in both Tessa's and Charles's families and you've got some wild dynamics---and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

Okay, it’s been a little while (and about three or four books) since I finished this book, so bear with me. I’ve been reading a lot since Shane arrived, with little time to sit down at my computer and write reviews. I’m really hoping to get caught up soon! (Isn’t that the mommy mantra?!?)

Anyway, I really liked this book. The flavor was different than other books I’ve read recently, which was nice. The genre was the same, but the author’s writing style was just enough different that it was intriguing and makes me want to read more of her work. I can’t exactly put a finger on it, but it was fun and engaging.

The story has enough twists to keep it interesting but not confusing. The character development was deep enough, even for all the supporting characters. I appreciated that she kept the cast of characters short enough that we could easily keep track of them all, but big enough to keep it interesting.

The climax of the book was well written and the chapters at the end were well done also, tying up everything neatly.

I am glad that I get to keep this one so I can read it again!

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley/Zondervan Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Speak Up Saturday–Alienation by Jon S. Lewis

It’s Speak Up Saturday!

From the publisher:

Earth’s last line of defense against the coming alien invasion is 16-year-old surfer Colt McAlister. But before he can save the world, he has to survive the day.

All Colt wants to do is return to his old life . . . where aliens don’t exist . . . where mankind hasn’t been targeted for destruction . . . and where his parents are still alive. Unfortunately life doesn’t work that way.

The United States government believes Colt holds the key to our survival, so they’re sending him to the CHAOS Military Academy along with his best friends Oz and Danielle. There they’ll be trained to defend Earth against a swarm of alien shapeshifters known as the Thule. But someone is trying to eliminate Colt before he can lead that charge. Shocked to learn about key events in his past and unsure who he can trust, Colt is alienated and on the run.

In a world of high-tech gear, shape-shifting aliens, simulated reality, and hoverboards, Colt must step into his true destiny before our world falls in chaos.

I read the first one in this series, Invasion, and liked it enough to want to read the second one too. This one was a good sequel, and I’m hoping there’s more to come.

The book picked up right where the other one left off, so I would definitely say read them in order. The plot was simple enough to follow and engaging too. The characters continued to develop in a logical progression from the first book. The Christian emphasis was a little more in this book, but still light enough to not be overbearing.

I enjoyed this book, it was a fun easy read. I look forward to more of his writing.

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Speak Up Saturday–Gabby, God’s Little Angel by Sheila Walsh

It’s Speak Up Saturday! My computer was down all day yesterday with a virus, boo. I had to reinstall everything. Good thing I backed up my data as soon as I noticed something fishy going on. All’s well, just a pain to through all that.

 

Buy		Read

From the Publisher:

This first book in a delightful new series offers a comforting message for young readers—God loves you very much and is always watching over you!

What little girl wouldn’t love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God’s little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: “He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

You may recall my review from last week about Gabby’s Stick-To-It Day. After I posted it to the NetGalley site, I saw they also had the first book in this series, Gabby, God’s Little Angel, available for review.

This book did not disappoint. The illustrations were sweet and the point well made. Kahlen and I enjoyed this one too. It is actually quite amazing to think that God loves each of us so much that He sends his angels to watch over us wherever we go. Kahlen’s angel must be just as busy as Gabby these days keeping her out of harm’s way. So, thank you NetGalley for providing the book for review, thank you Sheila Walsh for writing the truth in a way that is relevant to me AND my daughter, and most of all, thank you God for protecting us from ourselves and life!

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The links to products are just links, I do not receive any compensation for you clicking or purchasing items though my links.

Speak Up Saturday Book Review–Accused by Janice Cantore

It’s Speak Up Saturday! This is one of the books that I got from NetGalley that I was trying to read on my phone (4.3” screen) with difficulty but I flew through on my newly purchased Kindle :)

From the Publisher:

Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile—where the brass put her after an officer-involved shooting—and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth, Londy Atkins, is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action. Carly presses Londy for a confession but he swears his innocence, and despite her better judgment, Carly is inclined to believe him. Yet homicide is convinced of his guilt and is determined to convict him.
Carly's ex-husband and fellow police officer, Nick, appears to be on her side. He's determined to show Carly that he's a changed man and win her back, but she isn't convinced he won't betray her again.
As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice.

Release Date: February 1, 2012 You can preorder on Amazon or ChristianBook.com now though!

This book was a fun, easy read. It kept you guessing, but gave enough information to keep you reading too. The story was solid, yet not too heavy. I don’t watch TV, but I’m guessing that this is what the ever-popular police dramas would be like if they were cleaner and had a Christian bent to them.

The characters were well enough developed. A few of the supporting characters were very very shallow, but the main characters were personable and easy to relate to. The author took enough time to explain their characters without losing me in the details.

The plot was twisty and expanded throughout the story, which kept in interesting. The pace was good, providing enough action that I really wanted to keep reading, yet not too suspenseful or violent.

The ending, which can make or break a book, was good too. It tied up loose ends without spending too much time there. I was glad to hear that this is the first in the Pacific Coast Justice series, because I liked the characters and would love to read more about where they go from here.

Four stars! Fun read, not too long, engaging, yet not overwhelming or overly intellectual.

~S
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The links to products are just links, I do not receive any compensation for you clicking or purchasing items though my links.

Speak up Saturday Book Review–Gabby’s Stick-To-It Day by Sheila Walsh

It’s Speak Up Saturday! I bought myself a Kindle this week and have been reading at top speed. I’ve been able to get several books through NetGalley, and I was reading them on my computer or my phone, but the Kindle is sooooo much easier! This one, though, was better on my computer since it’s color and Kahlen and I read it together :)

From the Publisher:
Our favorite little angel is back with more giggles, more fun, and an important message for little girls—don’t give up when things get hard.
Gabby is a little guardian angel with a big job to do! Watching over Sophie is hard work, but Gabby knows that God wants her to stick to it.
Gabby, God’s Little Angel, flies to the rescue as Sophie attempts to help others but has a little trouble sticking with things. Sophie tries to be helpful by washing the family dog for her mom, but she gives up when she’s the one who ends up all wet. She then tries to be kind by reading to her little brother, but he has plans of his own, which include a splash of cereal right in Sophie’s face! When Sophie is ready to quit once again, it’s up to Gabby to encourage her to keep trying and to teach her what the Bible says about perseverance: “We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NCV)


Release Date: March 6, 2012. You can preorder on Amazon or ChristianBook.com now though!
This is a sweet book about not giving up, even when the job is hard. It’s told from the perspective of Gabby, Sophie’s guardian angel. The pictures and the use of interesting fonts and colors kept our attention. The story was well written, short enough to not be boring or trite and long enough to be a good read. The situations that Sophie found herself in were realistic and very easy for Kahlen to relate to.
We enjoyed this book and will seriously consider purchasing  a hardcopy when it comes out in a month!

~S
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The links to products are just links, I do not receive any compensation for you clicking or purchasing items though my links.