Tag: book reviews

Fragments of Fear

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Y’all. For real. I am a such a fan of Carrie Stuart Parks’ books. They are some of my favorite suspense/thrillers. For those of you who enjoy romance, there are light romances…hints really in her books. But they can’t be labeled as romantic suspense.

I just finished reading her latest thanks to Netgalley. Fragments of Fear is a new book and seems to be a stand alone.

Stolen art. A New Mexico archaeological dig. An abandoned dog. And a secret that’s worth killing for.
Evelyn McTavish’s world came crashing down with the suicide of her fiancé. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she receives a call that her dog is about to be destroyed at the pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. The shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine with her name and address makes it hers.

Evelyn recognizes the dog as one owned by archaeologist John Coyote because she was commissioned to draw the two of them. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner—but she arrives only to discover John’s murdered body.

As Evelyn herself becomes a target, she crosses paths with undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price. The more he gets to know her, the more personally invested he becomes in keeping her safe. Together, they’re desperate to find the links between so many disparate pieces.

And the clock is ticking.

There’s so much I adore about Carrie’s books, but let’s just chat about this one.

Characters: Well-crafted. Real. I related to the main character Tavish (love that nickname). She’s a bit cynical, but not in a “whiny I don’t like you” way. She’s had some hard hands dealt her in life. I also love her wit/humor. She’s a fighter, a survivor, and a searcher. I will say she finds everything she’s searching for which brings us to…

Faith Thread: Carrie always has a faith thread in her books, some a little more overt than others. This one is in the middle. I wouldn’t consider it preachy in any way and I think it can cross both markets, Christian readership and General Market without getting dinged for being “too Christian” or “not Christian enough”.

Suspense/Thriller: I enjoyed putting the puzzle pieces together while hanging on throughout the danger scenes and there were aplenty to keep avid suspense readers enthralled as well as mystery readers who love trying to figure out what is going on and whodunnit.

Resolution: Everything is wrapped up and explained in a natural way that makes sense. No ‘give me a break’ moments! At least not for me.

Highlight: If you love dogs, you’ll love really all of Carrie’s books as they have a direct role, but this one features a pretty cool Puli.

So put it on your TBR pile or go preorder it now so it will drop right into your Kindle on July 23rd, 2019 when it releases!

Preorder Fragments of Fear

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”

Dancing with Fireflies

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Buy the book! 

Our book club read the first story in Denise Hunter’s Chapel Springs series, Barefoot in Summer, and I truly enjoyed it (so did our book club!). So when this book released, I was excited to get my hands on it. 

Here’s the blurb:

 Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.
The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.
As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt.” Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

I gotta say, I loved it even more than the first book in the series! And isn’t that cover lovely? 

Denise Hunter’s hero was fierce and protective and super smart. I love smart heroes in dress shirts and scruff. Daniel was a fun character to get to know in the first book, but I feel head-over-heels in Dancing with Fireflies! There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Jade, the heroine.

Which brings me to Jade. Sweet but strong. Anxious over uncertainty in her life, yet determined to overcome. She was a heroine I could identify with. 

A believable cast of characters set in a community that feels like family and care about each other, I gobbled this book up in two sittings. Because, I do have to sleep a few hours! 

Hunter also weaves a theme of forgiveness and grace into the story that touched me in a real way. God truly does work things out for the good for those who love Him. We can trust Him and rely on Him to supply us with everything we need. It showed beautifully in this story. 

Now, where’s the next book? I encourage you to read both books in the series. You don’t have to read them in order, but I always like to. 🙂 

Thank you, Thomas Nelson, for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

@DeniseAHunter
Website 
Facebook

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 20 books, including “Dancing with Fireflies” and “The Convenient Groom”. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.
Denise writes heartwarming love stories that are set in quaint, small towns. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.
In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are raising three boys.

Have you ever chased fireflies (lightning bugs)? 
And have you ever read a book by Denise Hunter? 
Which one was your favorite?

***If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, come by Melissa Tagg’s blog today. She’s hosting a Gilmore Guys summer series and I’m talking all things Logan Huntzberger today! Plus you can enter to win a Starbucks card, Logan magnet, and a Melissa’s newest release, Here to Stay! Gilmore Guys here!

Faith Readers Group Review: A Broken Kind of Beautiful

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Yes, we’re in the conference room, settled into plush chairs, a kitchenette off to the side where we can make fresh coffee and this night, we had warm Krispy Kreme donuts as we talked all things A Broken Kind of Beautiful, Katie Ganshert’s newest release.

Rarely do we all agree that we loved the same book. But Tuesday night, we did. See all those smiling faces? We looked like that all night. And Katie can attest to it, because we Skyped with her! This makes our 3rd time to Skype and our 3rd book of Katie’s to read. 

Everyone feels as if you’re just hanging out with a BFF while talking with Katie. She’s so much fun. 

Before we chatted with her, we went to her Book Club page fun and read the discussion questions, watched her inspiration YouTubes and took a peek behind the scenes. 

So, here’s a peek at the book!

Buy the Book! 
Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong
 
Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. 
 
If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?
Out of 5 Stars: 4.5

I loved how Katie describes. It’s so visual, setting you right there but it’s not overly described. I skip overly described stuff.
I thought she had a lot of powerful phrases that were profound. 
I didn’t like Ivy at first, but I’m glad I stuck with it because it as it turned out, I loved the book.
I would have given it five stars instead of 4.5 because there were a lot of names to keep up with at the beginning and their relationships and I was a bit confused but then once I had it, I loved the book.
I identified most with Marilyn. She was a strong woman. I knew someone like her once.
I  wanted Davis to save the day! I didn’t see that coming! (I won’t give spoilers, so read the book)
Didn’t you just want to slap those men! The only good one was dead! LOL
Katie’s writing is poetic and I love that! (We agreed!)
Thanks, Katie, for another wonderful read. Us Faith Readers strongly recommend this book! 
@KatieGanshert 
FACEBOOK
WEBSITE
How would you describe beauty? There’s no wrong answer here! 

Faith Readers Group Review: Shadows of the Past

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

It’s been a real treat having Pat here with us all week! If you missed out on Would You Rather or her No-Brainer devotion you can read them HERE and HERE! 

Over delicious cranberry-orange muffins and coffee, we discussed Shadows of the Past, a romantic suspense by Patricia Bradley and then we had the opportunity to Skype with her. If you don’t know Pat, we’ll tell you she’s a hoot! So much fun to chat with. 

Now on to our review. Here are few things that were said.

“She grabbed me on the first page.”

“She knows how to get your attention quick.”

“I thought the dreams Taylor had were very realistic to what dreams are like.”

“Toward the end, I wasn’t sure if who I thought the villain was, really was. That was a fun twist.”

“Where’s Robin?” 

“I’ll be reading all her books.”

GROUP RATING: 1-5 STARS

4.5 

Here’s a sneak peek at Pat’s debut novel. Grab it up! You won’t be sorry!

Buy the book! 
Psychology
professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to
solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve–the
disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has a lead on
his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to
investigate. But as she is stalking the truth about the past, someone is
stalking her.
Nick
Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is
how he can ever get over the death of his wife–a tragedy he believes he could
have prevented. With his estranged brother the only family he has left, Nick
sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to
find is trouble.

Join the
chase as this determined duo search the murky shadows of the past for the keys
to unlocking the present and moving into a future filled with new hope and
love. Readers will be swept into the sultry South in this debut novel from a
promising and already award-winning writer.

Weeping Over Fictional Characters

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Over the holidays, I had plenty of time to relax and to read. And I did a lot. I still have reviews to post, and I’ll get to it. 

Some of the novels I enjoyed were:

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureno. Can’t afford to take a trip to Scotland? Just read this book and I promise you’ll be there. 

Crossfire by Jodie Bailey. Need a thrill? Want to lose your breath in a good way and stay on the edge of your seat, or in my case the couch? Jump into this Love Inspired Military romantic/suspense.

The Wedding Game by  Amy Matayo. Love sassy, witty banter and reality TV? Winner! A fun, fun read.

Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker. I’ve read her other two out of order and I’ll tell you it doesn’t matter, but this one was my favorite. Love laughing, romance, and recipes? All three right here.

A Light In the Window by Julie Lessman. Interested in mysterious and dreamy heroes? Read her Daughters of Boston series? This book began it all. It’s a must-read.

I also read some not inspirational fiction.

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest. Looking for interesting settings, vampires and teenage romance? Granted the back of the book had me wondering as the heroine is kidnapped and forced into a vampire prince’s harem. However…it turned out to be a really clean book. I was pleasantly surprised. This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it was an interesting read and I liked it.

But I want to talk about the last book I read over the holiday. The one that had me boo-hooing.

Gripping.
Poignant.
Gut ripping.
Emotional.

A Fault in Our Stars by John Green

A story about teenagers with cancer. Doesn’t sound light-hearted. It is and it isn’t. There are moments when you get a break from the C-word.

I was utterly sucked into these lives. Especially the witty hero. As a mother, I cried over and over because I can’t even imagine. As a human being, the compassion flowed like rivers.

But what had me snot-nosed weeping was while both of the characters searched for answers to an after-life (one thinking something better was there and the other never believing anything) they never found it. They found love with each other. They grew as people.

I wept into my hands and begged God to reveal himself to them and then it hit me, um…they’re fictional. But my hope-filled heart ached anyway. And I have no idea what the author truly believes. I think the thoughts and discoveries and questions the main characters asked and explored were true to human nature. Faith was never really injected. So, I think it’s safe to say that he wasn’t writing from a faith-based point of view–not even from one character. I don’t think every character needs to be a Christian when writing inspirational fiction. In fact, in my opinion, they shouldn’t be. But that’s a different blog.

I felt a renewed gratefulness, though, that I do write from a faith-based viewpoint (at least one!) And if you write from a faith-based view, you should be jumping up and down. Because we have answers the world doesn’t. I’ve read some wonderful books, including this one, that make me think and wonder and give me information on a viewpoint I’ve never heard before. But I don’t want to simply offer new questions. I want to offer solutions. Hope. Something that will leave a reader with something more than damp and wadded up tissues or the satisfied sigh of a good read (though I do want that too!).

Your view may not be the same and that’s okay. But this is why I write. It’s personal to me. I don’t begrudge anyone who writes for other reasons. This book affected me. In so many ways. I 100% recommend it. Stellar writing. Amazing story. 

But mostly I was hit with what wasn’t written. What wasn’t in between the  lines or even subtly on the pages. 

It reminded once again why I write. Who I write to. And who I write for. 

What did you read over the Christmas holidays? Any recommendations? If you’re a writer, why do you write? 

Faith Readers Group Review: Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Yeah, us wild and crazy Faith Readers mixed up this month. Not only did we meet on Tuesday instead of Monday, we did dips instead of desserts. We live on the wild side, don’t we? Rotel, cream cheese and pepper jelly–do you know what pepper jelly is? Because I didn’t until I moved down here nearly two decades ago.

It’s been a fun week around here! Monday, we played Would You Rather with not only Melissa but her hero, Matthew and her heroine, Miranda. And on Wednesday, Melissa shared a moving devotional. 

Oh, and not only did we discuss the book on Tuesday, we Skyped with Melissa, and maybe our connection was horrible (our end’s fault not hers) so I just called her and we talked on speaker. Which was actually better than her having to see our faces contorted in frozen display and vice versa, though it would make for some great laughs, I bet! 

But she answered some questions like inspiration for the story, how did she come up with the little girl’s medical condition, when her next book is coming out and what we can expect to see without giving anything away, her own personal traits in her characters, and her very personal connection with Blaze! 🙂 

Thank you, Melissa, for hanging out all week and giving us a great conversation on Tuesday!

Here’s a peek at the book:

Miranda
Woodruff has it all. At least, that’s how it looks when she’s starring in her
homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to
talk about making cuts, she’ll do anything to boost ratings and save her
show–even if it means pretending to be married to a man who’s definitely not
the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a
handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda’s every move, all his digging into
her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth–and to her. Can
the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally
find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she’s
built come crashing down just as she’s found a love to last?

Reader Comments: 

I laughed out loud a few times.
I thought her last name was clever!
I really liked the romance.
I thought Miranda was going to end up with the other guy for awhile!
When Miranda said, “God I’m coming back to you when this is over.” That stuck with me because I’ve said that before. (Jess, here, that brought up our spiritual conversation for night, as most of us has said something along those lines before.)
I liked the brother and the little girl. I’d read more about him.
I wasn’t sure what Blaze looked like. 
I liked Blaze best. (Good, his book is up next lol ~Jess again)
I got confused at first because so many people had pet names for her and I’m not good with names to begin with so I had to concentrate on if Miranda was Randi and Randa. 
Rating based on 5 stars:

4 stars!
MelissaTagg is a former reporter turned author who loves all things funny and
romancey. Her debut novel, a romantic comedy titled Made to Last, releases from
Bethany House in September 2013, with a follow-up slated for summer 2014. In
addition to her nonprofit day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator
for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers founded by
award-winning author Susan May Warren.
During her
reporting days, Melissa interviewed presidential candidates and llama farmers,
rode a hot air balloon and flew a plane, and once found herself face to face
with a buffalo. But today she gets her kicks by letting her characters have
their own fun. She’s passionate about humor, grace and happy endings.
The answer to where I was last week is: Maldives!  I will draw for a winner to receive the $10 Amazon card the last week in November!
What is your favorite romantic comedy whether movie or book and why? 

Faith Readers Group Review: My Stubborn Heart

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

How can you go wrong with a great romance novel, caramel apple spice cake and coffee? Exactly. You can’t. 

We kicked off the evening with prayer and dug into Becky Wade’s discussion questions. Some peeps might think romance is hokey and fluff, but I think this book led us to some of our more meatier discussions.

Topics like losing loved ones whether through illness, sudden tragedy and even suicide. We talked about how the hero in this book differed in the way he handled his wife’s death than the hero in the last book we read. 

We discussed our experiences of God telling us “no” to something we desperately wanted and what happened during the season of our life after than tough two-letter word.

We laughed and we choked up.

Out of 5 stars, My Stubborn Heart came in at 4.5! Here are few comments made about the story:

“I don’t normally like romance, but this heroine was funny in a quirky way, so I liked it.”

“I really like the older couple and their antics.”

“I don’t know the heroine thought there’s someone for everyone. I don’t believe that’s true.”

“I got so angry when the story didn’t go the way I thought it should. She finished well, but I liked how not only could the characters not see what God was doing, we couldn’t see what He i.e. the author was doing and I felt that frustration.”

(Jess here–there’s a lesson in that above statement. I don’t know if Becky Wade intentionally meant for that spiritual meaning to weave through the storyline, but God did.)

“I really liked the hero, he wasn’t the stereotypical jock.”

In response to that statement it was said: “Well anyone who will quit their career when it’s at its peak, doesn’t have an ego problem.”

Here’s a peek at My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade:

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating
relationships, and in need of an adventure. When Kate’s grandmother asks
Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house
she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Yet, she discovers a different kind of project upon meeting
the man hired to renovate the house.  Matt Jarreau is attractive and
clearly wounded — hiding from people, from God, and from his past.  Kate
can’t help but set her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back
into the light… whether he likes it or not.
During her childhood in California, Becky frequently
produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays
almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy
ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.
Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and
Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that
Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published
three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for
several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly
for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian
romance and couldn’t be more thrilled with it.
These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up
with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing
tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa
watching TV with her husband.
Do you read romance novels (inspirational or otherwise)? 
Why or why not?

Faith Readers Group Review: Mistaken By Karen Barnett

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

We kicked off the night with all the ingredients to make Chocolate Egg Creams, which by the way have no eggs and no cream. Yeah, I know, crazy right? I played Soda Jerk. Keep your comments to yourself, yah hear!

While we sucked down the delicious drink, root beer floats and homeamade chocolate cobbler, we discussed Karen Barnett’s debut novel, Mistaken.

Here are a few comments made:

I loved her writing style. It was easy and flowed well. I could picture everything going on.

I had no sympathy for the drunk.

I could understand why he drank and I thought it was sad, but it didn’t make what he did right.

I loved the era. The cars, the pharmacy, the clothing. I would have loved to wear that clothing.

Sometimes I wanted to slap the heroine, but I want to slap just about every heroine. (That might be my favorite comment of the night and it wasn’t even mine. 😉  lol ~Jess)

I liked how they discovered God on their own. No one preaching to them.

I didn’t think that there was much of God at all in the book, but it was good.

After we talked with each other, we had the privilege of talking with Karen over Skype! FaithReaders feel so honored to have “broke in” several authors over Skype as the first book clubs ever to chat with them! Karen was warm and lots of fun. She answered all of our questions even sent us some pictures she used for research, including head shots of who she thought would play the characters well. Great job, Karen!

Everyone plans to read her next book so I guess all we have left to say is: Hurry up and release it! 🙂

Here’s a peek at Mistaken:

Connect with Karen on
facebook
twitter @karenMbarnett
website
Since booze and
prohibition have made criminals out of every man in her world, Laurie Burke
resolves to find at least one honorable man to fill her life. Convinced that
handsome newcomer Daniel Shepherd is connected with her brother’s rum-running
gang, Laurie quickly scratches his name off her list. Daniel has mixed feelings
about returning to the dirty mill town of his youth, but grudgingly agrees to
manage his grandfather’s drug store until a replacement can be found. The
moment he meets Laurie on the windswept bluff overlooking the beach, he knows
that if he can earn her love, he might have a reason to stay. But when Laurie
pushes him away–for none other than Federal Agent Samuel Brown–Daniel wonders
if Laurie really is the upstanding woman he thought her to be. The Strait of
Juan de Fuca, just off the beaches of Port Angeles, Washington, was treacherous
water for reckless rum-runners—and the agents who tried to catch them. So when
she realizes her brother is in danger, romance is the last thing on Laurie’s
mind. Yet the people she believes she can trust, may not be so honorable after
all.

Wishing On Willows: Faith Readers Group Review

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Thanks, Katie, for being here all week–although you’re really in Africa. 🙂 This past Monday, the Faith Readers book club got together for delicious vanilla and chocolate swirled cupcakes with chocolate icing and I made the homemade peppermint hot chocolate, which is a fave in Robin’s cafe from the book. You can get the recipe on Katie’s book club page along with discussion questions. We missed several who couldn’t be there and I know they missed us, you did didn’t you? 

We had a short devo from on of our ladies and then we drank the deliciousness and enjoyed the yummy cupcakes while discussing the book. Katie skyped with us about her debut novel, but since she couldn’t be with us this time, she prepared a video for us to watch! How cool is Katie? Yeah. I think she’s that cool too.

So here’s what we said:

“I liked it better than Wildflowers from Winter.”

“I liked Wildflowers better.”

“As a single mom for the whole time, I wanted to tell Robin, ‘Suck it up!'”

“I was emotionally engaged because I have a son and I saw myself in Robin–I say some of

This takes an entire bag of
Peppermint Patties! Uh, delish!

those same things and my son played with those same toys.”

“I loved the first person vignettes. It helped me relate more to Robin.”

“I loved when she tossed her ring in the pond! That’s something I would do. And then regret it later.”

“I think it would be hard to give up a dream you shared with your spouse.”

“God has other plans. They’re always good even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. I can relate to that.” (So could everyone else.)

“I’ll read more of Katie’s books.” (Everyone agreed on that too)

Out of 5 stars.
Rating: 4


What are you reading this weekend? 

Here’s a sneak peek:
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?


A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.

                                      
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances. 

In Justice For All

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I know, I don’t normally post on Thursdays but I finished a novel and you need to know about it. Like today.

I’m a fan of Robin Caroll. I am. She stood two feet from me at registration for the ACFW, looked right in my face and I choked. I said nothing. I might have given her a goofy grin. Not sure. 

I enjoy her books. I love her characters and I especially loved her hero and heroine in Injustice For All the first book in her Justice Seekers series. I’ve read the first two backwards, but it didn’t really effect anything. I prefer to read a series in order, personal choice, but you don’t have to. I’m itching to get my hands on her newest, Strand of Deception!

A heroine running for her life to stay alive, an FBI agent trying to prove himself by solving a cold case that involves her. That makes for lots of high impact action, swooning romantic scenes and lots of witty and fun dialogue!

Her characters aren’t just well-crafted, they’re real. I could relate to several of them in different areas of my own life. 

The spiritual threads are relatable (is that a word?)–even if you aren’t running from bad guys who can crush you like a cigarette. 

 I know what to expect when I pick up a novel written by Caroll. Southern heat and phrases, twists and turns, and a lovely romance with plenty of tension all laced with a journey of faith or to find faith.

*Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are mine and honest!

Visit Robin Caroll at her
website! 
facebook page!

Here’s a sneak peek:
A federal judge lies bleeding
on his office floor, betrayed by a most unlikely source—people who helped him
bring criminals to justice. Now, why would someone working for the FBI need to
disappear after witnessing this crime?

When Remington Wyatt sees her godfather’s murder, she
recognizes the killers and knows it’s only a matter of time before they come to
silence her. She must do the only thing possible to stay alive . . . run.

FBI agent Rafe Baxter is serious about his career, and
solving a cold case involving a federal judge’s death puts him in line for the
promotion he so desires. But the case leads him to the small town of Hopewell,
Louisiana, where some secrets seem inextricably hidden deep within the bayou.

Injustice for All explores what
happens when everything a person believes in is utterly destroyed. Who can you
trust?


If you had to run for your life and settle down in a new town, what you change your name to and where would you settle?