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Book Review: Catching Heat

August 15, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Catching Heat

Catching Heat – Janice Cantore – Cold Case Justice #3 – Tyndale House Publishers – Published 1 September 2016

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Synopsis

Twenty-seven years after the deaths of Detective Abby Hart’s parents, she’s desperate to find the proof that will put the mastermind–the governor’s wife–behind bars. When she joins a newly formed task force and teams up with PI Luke Murphy, Abby is sent to San Luis Obispo to work the cold case of a murdered college student. Realizing their investigation will bring them near the town where Alyssa Rollins grew up, Abby decides to do a little digging of her own into the Triple Seven fire. Luke is eager to help Abby close the books on a case they both have personal stakes in. But as she uncovers long-held secrets, Abby stumbles into an explosive situation, and Luke fears that her obsession may prove deadly. 

My thoughts

Catching Heat is the conclusion to the Cold Case Justice series that readers have been waiting for. Will Abby finally have her answers and find justice for her parents? Well, you’ll just have to read it and find out.

Detective Abby Hart lost her parents in a fire when she was a child. In recent years she has drawn closer to discovering the truth about her parents’ death and the people that caused them. As Abby joins a new cold case investigation team, along with PI Luke Murphy and detective Robert ‘Woody’ Woods, she hopes to have the chance to close her own personal cold case for good.

It is interesting reading a mystery suspense when you already have a good idea of who the bad guy is. There are times this is explicitly stated, times when you think it is confirmed and yet little edges of doubt creep in – could it really be that simple or is there more involved? Also, you don’t know the whys or hows, nor is there any evidence, so it is a lot of fun joining Abby, Luke and their friends and colleagues as they try to find proof and close this case once and for all. As always with this series while the Triple Seven fire case is ongoing, there are plenty of other cases that Abby and Luke are working on, other mysteries to puzzle over as the whole thing crescendos to conclusion.

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Book Review: The Hearts We Mend

February 26, 2016 / / 0 Comments

The Hearts We Mend

The Hearts We Mend – Kathryn Springer – Banister Falls #2 – Zondervan – Published 8 March 2016

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Synopsis

Thirteen years ago, Evie’s firefighterhusband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie’s heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.

Tattooed, rough-around-the-edgesJack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie’s life is stream-lined, Jack’s approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe or predictable as the one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.

Jack doesn’t make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn’t felt since Max passed away—or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.

My thoughts

Loved, loved, loved this book!! Absolutely stunning, The Hearts We Mend is a beautiful book to read and treasure. There is just something about Kathryn Springer’s writing that makes characters spring from the page and words come to life. I wanted to savour this book and inevitably ended up reading it even faster as I couldn’t put it down.

The Hearts We Mend is the second book in the Banister Falls series. I loved book one, The Dandelion Field, and when I saw that Kathryn Springer had a new book due for release I didn’t at first realise it would follow on from Dandelion Field. Needless to say I was very excited when I realised Evie, mother of Cody, is the same Evie from Dandelion Field, of which I wrote “achingly raw and yet full of hope…. The Dandelion Field is a wonderfully written and a truly moving story. A perfect ending, and yet I want more. So much more of the loveable, flawed characters, simple and yet deep faith, and the little, touching moments.” Guess I got my wish!! And The Hearts We Mend fulfils each of these just as much as The Dandelion Field did. I’m just hoping there will be another book in the series.  Continue reading

Book Review: Burning Proof

February 9, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Burning Proof

Burning Proof – Janice Cantore – Cold Case Justice #2 – Tyndale House Publishers – Published 1 March 2016

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Synopsis

After months of investigating the brutal homicide of a young girl, Detective Abby Hart finally has the evidence she needs. But when the arrest goes terribly wrong, Abby begins to doubt her future as a police officer. As she wrestles with conflicting emotions, old questions about the fire that took her parents’ lives come back to haunt her.

“There is proof.” PI Luke Murphy can’t stop thinking about what Abby’s former partner, Asa Foster, mumbled just before he died. When he uncovers a clue to the murder of Abby’s parents and his uncle, he’s reluctant to tell Abby, despite his growing feelings for the beautiful detective.

A decade-old abduction case brings Luke and Abby together, but will his secret tear them apart?

My thoughts

Non-stop action, case drama, clues and twists provide the perfect suspense for this utterly addictive book. With hints of romance and a solid basis in faith, this second book in the Cold Case Justice series continues all the excitement from book one with likeable characters and heart-wrenching cases.

With the cold case of the Triple Seven fire and murders having settled down somewhat, Detective Abby Hart has continued with other investigations, most recently the homicide of a young girl. But when the arrest goes horribly wrong Abby starts to question her future in the police force. Luke Murphy is continuing to solve cases in his PI business but can’t help following up the words Asa said before he died ‘there is proof’. When both new cases and cold cases throw up new clues and complications, Abby and Luke find themselves working together and unraveling more of the mystery around the fire that killed their family members.     Continue reading

Book Review: You’re The One That I Want

January 9, 2016 / / 0 Comments

You're The One That I Want

You’re The One That I Want – Susan May Warren – Christiansen Family # 6 – Tyndale – Published 1 February 2016

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Synopsis

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

My thoughts

This is a long review because I can’t contain my love for this book. I was giddy to start reading this book and wasn’t let down by a single page. I loved every minute of it. Romance, action, family drama of the best kind, returning to Deep Haven and the Christiansen clan, humour and a toe-curling whirlwind kind of joy that comes from beautiful writing and a touching and heartfelt story. I’m not sure how to adequately express my absolute love for this book, these characters and this whole series, but you get that I loved it, right?

This is Owen’s story. The last in the Christiansen series, the last of the Christiansen siblings. I have been waiting for Owen’s story with much anticipation and the bittersweet mix that comes with continuing the Christiansens’ story and the conclusion of the series.  Continue reading

Top Book Releases for April 2015 – Christian Fiction

March 29, 2015 /

April 2015 - Christian

 April 2015

It seems there are ever-increasing numbers of fantastic books published each month and April 2015 looks set to be a month to remember for new and exciting books. With so many on offer I have split my April 2015 list into categories. Here are the Christian fiction books that have particularly caught my interest. You can find the list of Young adult releases here.

Christian Fiction

Double CrossDouble Cross – DiAnn Mills – FBI: Houston #2 – Tyndale House Publishers – Published 1 April 2015

Double Cross has all the makings of a great Christian, romantic suspense. A Houston Police Officer and a FBI Agent cross paths during an investigation into an insurance fraud case that has turned personal for them both. 

There are lots of surprise twists and the romance is beautifully sweet.

Christian Fiction. Suspense.

 Buried SecretsBuried Secrets – Irene Hannon – Men of Valor #1 – Revell – Published 7 April 2015

Buried Secrets is the most engaging romantic suspense I have read for a while. 

The romance is particularly well written in this book. From the first moment Mac McGregor, detective and ex-Navy SEAL, puts his foot in it, you know his relationship with Police Chief Lisa Grant is going to be highly entertaining. 

Christian Fiction. Suspense. Continue reading

Review: Killer Instinct

March 26, 2015 /

killer instinct

 

Killer Instinct – Jennifer Lynn Barnes – The Naturals #2 – Disney-Hyperion – Published 4 November 2014

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Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.

But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?

My thoughts

So brilliant! And so much fun. Killer Instinct is brilliantly written, the characters are awesome, and the plot is so very enthralling and clever. Continue reading

Spotlight On A Series: Heist Society

March 16, 2015 /

 

Spotlight on a series

 Heist Society

Heist Society

Ally Carter – 3.5 Books – Disney-Hyperion – Published 2010, 2011, 2013

The Heist Society series begins with Heist Society.

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected. Continue reading

Spotlight On A Series: A Year of Weddings

March 9, 2015 /

 

Spotlight on a series

 A Year of Weddings

Various Authors – 12 Books – Zondervan Fiction – Published November 2013 to October 2014

Year of weddings

A Year of Weddings is a collection of Christian contemporary novellas written by twelve different authors. There is a novella for each month, and each is centred around a wedding. Happily ever afters are guaranteed.

September Bride

Overall, I enjoyed this series. It was fun and novellas always provide a quick read. A lot of the authors are prominent Christian authors who consistently write great fiction, while others were new to me.

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