CAROLINA RECKONING by Lisa Carter

Alison wanted her cheating husband gone, not dead...

When 30-something housewife, Alison Monaghan discovers proof of her husband's infidelity in a photograph with a mysterious woman, she must decide how to confront Frank when he returns home from work. Despite the influence of her best friend Valerie, a strong Christian, Alison remains aloof from God and is determined to handle this crisis her own way. But Alison may not get that chance.

Frank never makes it home. Soon his body is found on a lonely back-country road in antebellum Weathersby Historic Park where Frank served on the board of directors and where Alison, with a degree in landscape design, was a volunteer garden docent. Homicide detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately puts Alison at the top of his suspect list. He finds himself drawn to her--and not just because she had motive for the crime. As an army veteran, Mike usually keeps his emotional walls high. And as a detective, he knows not to get involved with murder suspects. So why he is so attracted to Alison? Can he fight his feelings for her—and the stirrings in his heart toward God?



My thoughts...

I've got mixed feelings about this book. We're introduced to an array of characters which makes it a bit difficult to keep all of them straight. The main characters were certainly not perfect and the detective falling in love with the newly widowed Allison wasn't a surprise and he's a bit of an oddball.

It was an interesting murder mystery but there is no suspense, several times I felt parts were unbelievable and downright preposterous. I did like the twist at the end and the things Allison discovered about her dead husband, he wasn't the man she thought he was.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

To read an excerpt click here!

About the Author...

Lisa Carter was always the child who made up epic tales involving prairie schooners or interplanetary voyages for the neighborhood kids to re-enact during summer vacation. Now as a speaker, vocalist, teacher and writer, Lisa shares her own journey of faith regarding God's sufficiency for every need.

As a Southern romantic suspense writer--Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder--she has definite opinions on serious issues like barbeque, ACC basketball and the whole Pepsi vs. Coke controversy. Carolina Reckoning, her debut novel, released August 2013.

She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in North Carolina. When she isn't writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales such as the Big Island, Hawaii--the setting for her next novel, Aloha Rose, releasing November 2013. She also enjoys quilting and researching her next exotic adventure.

CUT TO THE BONE by Jefferson Bass

Jefferson Bass’s Cut to the Bone, the long-awaited prequel to his New York Times bestselling mystery series, turns the clock back to reveal the Body Farm's creation—and Dr. Bill Brockton's deadly duel with a serial killer.

In the summer of 1992, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton and Tennessee Senator Albert Gore begin their long-shot campaign to win the White House. In the sweltering hills of Knoxville at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Bill Brockton, the bright, ambitious young head of the Anthropology Department, launches an unusual—some would call it macabre—research facility, unlike any other in existence.

Brockton is determined to revolutionize the study of forensics to help law enforcement better solve crime. But his plans are derailed by a chilling murder that leaves the scientist reeling from a sense of déjà vu. Followed by another. And then another: bodies that bear eerie resemblances to cases from Brockton’s past.

But as the body count rises, the victims’ fatal injuries grow more and more distinctive—a spiral of death that holds dark implications for Brockton...and everyone he holds dear.

My thoughts...

This is a suspenseful murder mystery from the angle of forensic science which is very interesting. The author pulls you right into the middle of the scene with visual descriptions and dialogue. I liked the setting and the characters. Well paced and heart pounding, a great read!

I received an copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

THE CHRISTMAS QUILT

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Christmas Quilt Abingdon Press (October 15, 2013) by Vannetta Chapman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I hold a BA and MA degree in English, and I am proud to be represented by Mary Sue Seymour, AAR. I have published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, and have received over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. I am honored to be a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Faith Hope and Love.

I live and teach in the Texas hill country with my husband, cats, and a rather large herd of deer. Our four children have flown the nest; however, we are fortunate that they all live close enough to visit.

I have always felt that my faith was at the very center of who and what I am, and I am thrilled beyond words to be able to now write about something that is so near to my heart. At various times I have served as a pianist, teacher, church secretary, and worship team member. While living in the Dallas area, I served as an adjunct professor of English Literature at Dallas Baptist University. When we moved to a small town in Central Texas, I continued teaching for a few years, but I now write full-time and I play the keyboard in our church’s praise band.

My grandfather was born in Albion, Pennsylvania, and I am currently researching whether I might have Amish roots.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie’s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Christmas Quilt, go HERE.

My thoughts...

A sweet story of two pregnant women making a quilt for a crib. With each square a story is told, each one touches your heart and may bring a tear to your eye. This is a gentle, heartwarming, truly enjoyable Amish Christmas tale.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

BLACK DOG by Stephen Booth

As helicopters search Northern England's Peak District for fifteen year-old Laura Vernon, Detective Constable Ben Cooper quietly dreads the worst. And when her body is found in the woods, Cooper's investigation begins with a short list of markedly uncooperative suspects: retired miner Harry Dickinson, whose black Labrador discovered Laura's body, and Laura's wealthy parents.

Uneasily teamed with ambitious newcomer Detective Constible Diane Fry, Cooper tests a town's family ties, friendships, and loyaties -- and finds that in order to understand the present, they must unearth the past.

This book is a Witness Impulse title from Harper Collins Publishers, now available for $2.99.

My thoughts...

A bit predictable and too drawn out made this book a little boring to me. It wasn't hard to figure out who the murderer was but for me the main characters were what really ruined it, totally disliked them.

I received an copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

THE GOOD SISTER by Wendy Corsi Straub

Jen’s daughter Carly turns to internet message boards for help with bullying, finding a kindred spirit in “Angel”. But as she shares more and more, is she truly confiding in a friend...or risking her life at the hands of a dangerous madman?

My thoughts...

I'm sitting here trying to decide where to start and one thing keeps coming to mind... there are some truly evil people in the world. One of the characters in the book qualifies. A really creepy, frightening, book with an ending that is guaranteed to surprise! Tt will probably make you jumpy... and make you aware of every strange sound in the house at night. It's social networking at its worst. You never know who can be trusted.

I received an ecopy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

HUNTED by Emlyn Rees

When Danny Shanklin woke up in a strange hotel, he never expected the day would be spent running for his life. But the high-powered rifle strapped to his hands and the unknown dead man on the floor say otherwise. It’s only when the sirens start wailing outside that Danny realizes his life has changed forever.



My thoughts...

Following alongside Danny as he tries to avoid being captured by terrorists is a wild ride. He has over 40,000 cops and intelligence agencies after him, there's cameras everywhere with their eyes out for him. He is intent on avenging his wife and son's murder. This action packed suspenseful novel keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love the fast pace, the plot, and the glimpses into Danny's past.

This book is part of the Witness Impulse publication, originally published in 2011, now available of kindle for $2.99.

I received an ecopy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

FIFTEEN MINUTES by Karen Kingsbury

Zack Dylan made a promise to God and his college sweetheart as he left his family’s horse farm in Kentucky to compete on the popular reality television show Fifteen Minutes: If he makes it, the fame won’t change him.

Overnight, Zack is the nation’s most popular contestant, a country singer with the looks and voice of a young Elvis. As his star rises, Zack is asked to compromise and quiet his beliefs, and also some­thing more. Something Zack could never have imagined. Just as America is falling in love with Zack, just as he’s on the verge of winning it all, his choices lead him to the brink of personal disaster.

At the same time, Reese Weatherly, a thera­peutic horse instructor, is no longer sure about her relationship with Zack, or the wedding they had dreamed about. While Zack advances from one round of the competition to the next, an offer comes to Reese—one that will take her to a home halfway around the world.

Then Chandra Olson—reigning diva pop star and one of the Fifteen Minutes judges—intervenes. Chandra has suffered so much public pain and pri­vate agony since her days as a Fifteen Minutes contestant. Now she wants just one thing: meaning. Can Chandra’s private losses help Zack find his way, or will his fifteen minutes of fame cause him to lose the life he once loved? Fifteen Minutes is a story of character, compromise, and the cost of having it all. A story that raises the question: Who are the real winners?

My thoughts...

While this was not one of Karen's best novels it was still an inspiring book. Living the Christian life isn't always easy, sometimes the decisions one makes are comprising and though it isn't right it happens... Christians aren't perfect. Zach is a good example.

Kingsbury is a great writer, her books are always inspiring though usually more emotional than this one. Sometimes our fifteen minutes of fame just isn't worth it.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.