Swope's Ridge

by Ace Collins

Zondervan Publishing

"September 12, 2001. Four members of the Klasser family are found dead outside Dallas, Texas. In the wake of 9/11, the Klassers’ neighbor, Omar Jones—an American citizen of Arab descent—is convicted of their murder.

A month before Jones’ execution, attorney Lije Evans searches for evidence that will prove the man innocent. But Evans’ quest goes deeper than solving one crime. He is determined to find the secret behind the dark history of sleepy Swope’s Ridge—and how it ties into his wife’s murder.

Interlocking mysteries lead Evans and his team to the battlegrounds of former Nazi Germany, the dirt roads of Kansas, and a rusty cargo ship in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, they discover a secret that offers the promise of great power—and the greatest temptation they’ve ever faced.

In the second book of the Lije Evans Mysteries series, bestselling author Ace Collins immerses readers in an intricate and deadly international plot. Racism, betrayal, and death-defying escapes compound an adventure that knows no bounds in this harrowing novel for suspense lovers everywhere."

Suspense at it's best!  Ace Collins sure knows how to write a book that his readers can not wait to read the next page.  This is book two in the two book series.  Book one, Farraday Road begins this story of murder, intrigue, and  international conspiracy.  For my review of Farraday Road click here.

If I thought the first book in the series was a page turner, then this book was a great ending to the story.  Although it was not the perfect ending to the book (in my opinion) it was really good.  I of course wish for happy endings in all the books I read. 

Price $ 15.99 purchase here.

*I was sent a free copy of this book to read and review.  I am not compensated for my honest review.

Farraday Road

by Ace Collins

Zondervan Publishing

"A quiet evening ends in murder on a muddy mountain road. Local attorney Lije Evans and his beautiful wife, Kaitlyn, are gunned down. But the killers don’t expect one of their victims to live. After burying Kaitlyn, Lije is on a mission to find her killer—and solve a mystery that has more twists and turns than an Ozark-mountain back road. When the trail of evidence goes cold, complicated by the disappearance of the deputy who found Kaitlyn’s body at the scene of the crime, Lije is driven to find out why he and his wife were hunted down and left for dead along Farraday Road. He begins his dangerous investigation with no clues and little help from the police. As he struggles to uncover evidence, will he learn the truth before the killers strike again?"

Once I started reading this book I was not able to put it down- literally. I stayed up late reading it.  Ace Collins has a special talent to pull the reader in to be part of the story.  I felt like I was on the "team" investigating the murder.  I did think there were a lot of people to keep track of and it was a little confusing because the author would refer to them by their last name sometimes and their first times at other times.

There were a couple of places I was confused, but I wonder if that was because I was sent an advance reader copy- where it is unedited.  I am sure that these few places were edited and corrected.

This is the first book in the two book series, so this book does not contain the ending- but I did read book two ,Swope's Ridge.  I had both the books so I could go right from one book to the next as I would suggest to you. 

Price $ 15.99  Purchase here.

*I was sent a free copy of this book to read and review.  I am not compensated in any way for my honest review.

Brown Paper Packages: Giveaway

One of my favorite blogs, Brown Paper Packages is having a giveaway this week!!

 They are giving away a $25 gift certificate for the Pleated Poppy! So run over there and sign up to win!

Christmas at the Harringtons

by Melody Carlson

Baker Publishing

Lena has just got out of prison, serving 8 years for a crime she did not commit.  The only thing she wants is a place to start over- where no one knows her or her past.  She is given a quite ugly outfit to wear, a few weeks of paid rent in a boarding house in an undesirable part of town, $65, and a recommendation for possible job opening.  How will the people of New Haven treat her when they find out her past?  Will she be able to be free from her past?

This book was a quick read- great for a busy Christmas season.  The farther I got in the book the more I wanted to read.  However I was disappointed in the abrupt ending.  It seemed the author had to wrap up the book and get it out to the publisher to meet a deadline.  I felt it needed a few more chapters to get to the point in the ending.  It seemed lacking and kind of out of place.

If you are looking for a quick read to get you in the Christmas spirit give this book a try!

Price:  $15.99 purchase from Revell Publishing

*I was sent a free copy of this book to read and review.  I am not compensated for my honest review.

A Rush of Wings

by Kristen Heitzmann

Bethany House Publishing

"Though her panic is real, Noelle St. Claire is uncertain what danger she is fleeing. Fragmented images and slivers of memory have driven her to abandon her wealthy, sheltered life in New York for the hope of a haven—remote and safe.

Noelle's arrival at the Rocky Mountain horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer and his brother Morgan causes more than a little stir. Beautiful, vulnerable, yet strangely secretive, Noelle is an enigma the two contrasting brothers seek to unlock. But as their attentions breach the wall she hides behind, the past becomes a menacing threat from which Noelle can no longer hide."

A definite page-turner in my book!  I could not put this book down until I finished it.  Each page was filled with suspense- I just had to see what happened in the end! 

I really enjoy books that are well written and engaging.  It seems lately I have been selecting books that follow this pattern.  It is delightful to be able to read a book and be so immersed in the story that I can not put it down!

Noelle has some pretty major flashbacks during the course of the book which is the reason she fled her home in the first place.  There are so many levels to this book and so much that happens to Noelle, one can not help getting sucked into the story.

Price: $14.99

*I was sent a free copy of this book by the publisher to read and review.  I am not compensated for my honest review.

Hatteras Girl

by Alice J. Wisler

Bethany House Publishing

"Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.

There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it—not to mention its outrageous price tag.

When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?"

Filled with surprises this book was fun for me to read.  I did not know what was going to happen, and could not guess the ending.  I know what I wanted to happen and was pleasantly surprised that it came to be!  I think this book was well written and that the author is very good.  It seems there are so many books out there with stories that are easy to guess their endings, however this book took a few turns I did not anticipate happening.  Great read!!  I want a book two- I want to find out more about Hatteras Girl!

Price: $14.99 purchase here.

*I was sent a free copy of this book from the publisher to read and review.  I am not compensated for my honest review.

The Reluctant Entertainer

by Sandy Coughlin

Bethany House Publishing

"True hospitality is not about being perfect, cooking a fancy meal, or spending a lot of money. Rather, it's about an open door and an open heart. Popular blogger Sandy Coughlin offers a simple but savvy approach to help women break free of the anxieties that keep them from opening their homes. Emphasizing the forgotten goal of entertaining--connecting deeply with others--she shows how women can use the gifts and talents God gave them to reach out in love."

I like to entertain, I just do not do it very often.  After reading this book I realized how much I missed it.  This is a great book for everyone- no matter where you are in your entertaining.  There is something in this book for those of us that have entertained before those that are new to entertaining, and to those who have entertained for years.

Sandy Coughlin explains the meaning behind entertaining- what your guests get out of it and how to connect with your guests.  There are ideas for conversation starters, foods, places, and how to go about inviting.  I think my hang up about entertaining is that I can not do it all, my house is on the smaller side and if we were to invite another family over then we would be squished.  However, Coughlin explains that it doesn't matter how big or clean your home is, it is just important how you relate to your guests.  I know this is one book I will be keeping around and referencing for years to come.


Price: $17.99 buy here.
*I was sent a free copy of this book from the publisher to read and review.  I am not compensated for my honest review.