Let’s Be Real

Lets be real Author: Natasha Bure

Publisher: Zondervan

Release Date: March 28, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

In today’s world it is hard for teens to find someone that is actually worth looking up to. Natasha Bure shows it is ok to be ok with yourself and gives teen girls someone they can have as a role model that their parents will approve of.

Natasha Bure, the daughter of Candace Cameron Bure, brings young girls a book they can look to that will help answer and deal with many of the problems they face growing up. Natasha has been on The Voice, and has her own YouTube channel with videos that show the real person she is without holding back. Throughout the book there are chapters on, friendships, faith, health, beauty and so much more we all deal with growing up. Let’s Be Real is the kind of guide teen girls can use and parents can be happy giving it to them to use as a tool.

I wanted to review this book, not because I know anything about Natasha, but because I have followed her mother for quite some time and wanted to see what her daughter had to say. They are a faith filled family and in today’s society that isn’t always looked upon with favor. I liked the way Natasha gave real examples of problems she had faced and how she handled those problems, even if it wasn’t handled in the correct way, she showed how she learned from it all. There are life lessons in every chapter and something for everyone to take away. I think this will be a great edition for teen girls to read and use to help guide them through many of the problems they will face growing up. We all face problems and the way that she handles her problems might not be right for you but it will give an example to hopefully help lead in the right direction. There is no one right answer but these examples will be great for everyone to use to think about what is happening in their life and hopefully give them encouragement along the way. I recommend this for teen girls, even if they are not experiencing problems, they will be at some time and can be ready with the resources to help.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Sandpiper Cove

Sandpiper cove Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The third book in the Hope Harbor series brings the romance to a whole new level. Romance lovers will not want to miss this one.

Lexi Graham is the Hope Harbor police chief and is being pulled in too many directions at once. She has her son to take care of along with the residents of Hope Harbor, who have been dealing with a string of theft and vandalism. All of this is more than enough to keep her busy and leave zero time for anything else, romance included. With being so busy, she is caught completely off guard when she finds herself attracted to one of the victims of vandalism, Adam Stone. To make matters more complicated, Adam is an ex-con. He came to town after getting out of prison trying to make a new start. When Lexi catches one of the vandals, she talks to Adam about trying to be a mentor to the boy who is going through a tough time at home and could use his influence. Adam isn’t sure he is the right person to help the boy, but feels God leading him to try. Together Adam and Lexi work to make a difference in the lives of those they can reach and see if there is anything left to make work between the two of them.

This story is one of second chances. Lexi needs a second chance at love and Adam needs a second chance to prove he can be a good person. He doesn’t come to town looking for love and doesn’t think he deserves it either. I like the way he doesn’t want feel as if he isn’t good enough for Lexi, (even though deep down that is how he feels.) He has several people in town looking out for him who tell him that he doesn’t have to be the same person that spent time in prison. He did his time and now he needs to be willing to move on from that. I love the message of knowing it is ok to make mistakes as long as we learn from them and move on to do the work God has planned for us to do. Sometimes we tend to beat ourselves up over things that we need to let go of. If God can forgive us, then we should be able to forgive ourselves and move on too. Irene Hannon is one of the top Christian Romance writers and it is for good reason. She can weave good story with a message and characters we want to see happy. Sandpiper Cove has all of that and more. It is the third in the series, some of the characters are the same, Charley is back and you can’t help but love him, and some are new. You don’t have to read all to enjoy each separately, which is nice. I recommend this to readers that love a good, clean romance story that will put a smile on your face.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Book of Air

The Book of air Author: Joe Treasure

Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Rating: 3 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Interesting concept for a dystopian novel to turn to Jane Eyre.

After an airborne virus attacks the world, Jason tries to flee London to his country estate when his wife and unborn child succumb to the virus. Jason himself becomes infected, but he manages to be one of the few survivors of the virus. His nephew seems to be immune to it. After he arrives at his estate, there are already people living there, but they end up taking care of Jason so that he makes a recovery. But now he must learn to live a new way with people he didn’t plan to spend the remainder of his life with.

In the distant future, a new society has emerged that regards the book Jane Eyre as the new way of life. Agnes belongs to the society, but thinks outside of the rules, which ends up earning her imprisonment. After she manages to escape, she finds a bit of freedom, but must decide on the true course of her life.

I think this book has promise, but it just took a really long time to get into. The story is told from alternating viewpoints of Jason and Agnes, but it can get confusing because they are at different times. I was more drawn to Jason’s story as I enjoy post-apocalyptic literature and the virus aspect was really interesting, even if the supporting characters got on my nerves a bit. If you are looking for something a little different or like Jane Eyre, this may be for you.

There is some strong language throughout as well as several implied sex scenes, however nothing is really graphic.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Pursued

Pursued Author: Lisa Harris

Series: Nikki Boyd Files #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A plane crash, a kidnapping and more than one missing person will make this the hardest case Nikki Boyd has had to tackle yet.

When Nikki Boys flies back into Nashville, she tries to control her nerves. Flying doesn’t bother her; she is excited to see her boyfriend who has been away for over a month. As they prepare to land, the woman sitting next to her is nervous about the flight and landing, especially as they end up crash landing. Chaos quickly envelopes the plane while Nikki looks for her seatmate, Erika Hamilton who is now missing and no one has heard of her or will admit she was ever on the plane. Nikki soon finds out that the man sitting beside her was an air marshal and Erika was set to testify as a key witness in an upcoming trial. Nikki saw the look of panic on Erika’s face and knows she is in danger. Without even taking time to see her family, Nikki and her team work together to find Erika and figure out the deeper, darker secrets this case holds.

This is the third book in the Nikki Boyd series and to me it is the best yet. The stakes are higher and the action is tighter than in the previous. I think one of the things that made this one better was the fact that it was heavier on the suspense than the romance. That is something that has become unusual for romantic suspense novels lately. I enjoy romantic suspense, but they are typically not my favorite because they tend to go with more romance which takes away from the suspense. The relationship was put more on the backburner with this novel making Nikki focus more on the case at hand. Lisa Harris is getting better with each book and this is probably the best one she has written. Fans of her work and who enjoy a good suspense novel with a little romance sprinkled in will not want to miss this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Without Warning

without warning Author: Joel C. Rosenberg

Series: J.B. Collins #3

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: March 14, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Will ISIS strike on American soil? This is Rosenberg at his best!

J. B. Collins and Yael were part of a team that successfully rescued the President of the United States. Now back in the US for two months, J.B. has been recovering and the President has been launching air strikes and driving ISIS back out of Iraq, but J.B. feels it is not enough. He wants the President to go after the leader, kill the snake by cutting off the head. Then the unthinkable happens. At the State of the Union address, mortar shells start hitting the capitol building. A full attack has been unleashed against the President, vice-president, and all the members of congress. Although the President survives, several members of congress do not. J. B. expects retaliation, but the President seems to be in denial. What’s worse is now the attack has turned personal when the terrorist find J.B. and his brother Matt’s family. If the president is not going to stop ISIS, maybe J.B. can do just that.

This was an incredible ending to the latest trilogy by Rosenberg. All three books flow seamlessly together and can easily be devoured in a short period of time. The way he writes current events into a novel can be truly frightening. Suddenly the ideas he has don’t seem so farfetched. I was glad to see that J.B.’s personal struggles were finally resolved in this book and that he had peace. I can definitely say that I didn’t expect the ending. That made me feel like it was cut a little short, even though it is the longest book in the trilogy by far. I was also really impressed with how Matt handle his suffering. I thought he might have gone into depression, but he stayed strong throughout. I was also really disappointed in the romance between Yael and J.B., but given the ending, it is probably for the best.

With high tension, fast-paced suspense, and well developed characters, this trilogy needs to be read by all!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The First Hostage

The First Hostage Author: Joel C. Rosenberg

Series: J.B. Collins #2

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: December 29, 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Could the President of the United States really be kidnapped by ISIS?

After ISIS has attacked the peace summit in Jordan that would bring peace to Israel and Palestine, the President of the United States has suddenly gone missing. In an attempt to elude the attackers, the President was rushed off by the secret service to get on air force one. J.B. Collins was pulled alongside the Jordanian President who managed to get to the airport in an attempt to board the plane as well. Only one problem, air force one is gone, and the President is not one it. Unfortunately, the airport has been hit with sarin gas, which killed all those who where present. Not long after the attack, a new video surfaces showing Abu Kalid, head of ISIS, with the President saying that American has 48 hours to turn Islam or the President will be beheaded. Can he be saved? If so, how?

If Rosenberg was wanting to ratchet up the suspense in his novel, he certainly found the right formula. The next book in the series picks up immediately where the previous left off. Fortunately, I read them back to back so I didn’t have to wait months like everyone else. Rosenberg continues to combine tension and suspense and play up the romance between J.B. and Yael. You really wonder if this could happen, but the way Rosenberg lays it out, it really seems like it could. I’m starting to get a little scared of what he is writing because it really seems believable. What could possibly happen next?

The Third Target

The Third Target Author: Joel C. Rosenberg

Series: J.B. Collins #1

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: February 6, 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

ISIS is growing fast and we have no idea where they will strike next, or do we?

J. B. Collins is a very successful foreign war correspondent working for the New York Times. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather who did some pretty foolish things. However, J.B. may have just trumped anything his grandfather could have ever done by taking an invitation to meet in person with one of the leaders of ISIS in Syria. Already a torn country ravaged by its civil war, Syria has become a stronghold for many followers of the Al-Qaeda split off and are very dangerous. J. B. gets his interview and manages to safely get away, but not before he can confirm that ISIS has procured chemical weapons. But will his interview put a target on his back once his story goes public? Or will ISIS keep him around as long as they can use him?

Rosenberg is well known for his end times novels and this is no exception. He keeps the novel on a fast pace with lots of action in a very realistic current events setting. J.B. embodies everything that Rosenberg typically has for a main character. He is successful. He has a job that puts him in the line of fire for current events. And he is not a Christian, yet. But he has people in his life that urge him to give his life to Christ.

I really enjoyed this book. The current events make you think about what could happen today. The tension keeps you moving through the book at a fast pace. And the potential love interest makes you root for the romance within the suspense. I can’t wait to read the next one!

A Trail of Crumbs

A trial of crumbs Author: Susie Finkbeiner

Publisher: Kregel

Release Date: March 28, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

As the dust bowl rages on, so does the turmoil in young Pearl’s life!

Pearl Spence has been through more in her eleven years than most people have in a lifetime. Having to endure the dust bowl in the Oklahoma panhandle is bad enough, but finding out you’re adopted and then having you birth mother murdered before your eyes makes it seem like a cake walk. On a rare nice day with a clear blue sky, Pearl hopes that new life is coming into Oklahoma, until she sees another raging duster heading their way. This particular storm is going to do more damage than just skin deep, it will set a chain of events in place that will threaten to rip her family apart.

After A Cup of Dust, I was excited to hear that Pearl’s story was going to continue. Having grown up with family members that lived during the dust bowl made me appreciate the research and time that the author put into her book. I was happy that the first part of the book was still set in Oklahoma. Then the remainder moved out to Michigan, which didn’t get the dust bowl but still had plenty of depression. Reading this story, I wonder how much Pearl actually wrote of her own story. I wonder if Susie Finkbeiner was sitting there and suddenly saw what happened to Pearl and thought “didn’t see that coming!” I know there are some characters that have that ability and I could see Pearl in that role.

This story really created a civil war within Pearl, as with many kids who have the issue that Pearl has toward the end of this book. I really want to write more on the subject, but doing so will completely give away the climax of the book, so I’m not going there. What I will say is that this is another great story that has raw emotion built into it so that you actually feel Pearl’s anguish. And most importantly, her story is going to continue yet again coming February 2018!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Deep Extraction

Deep extraction Author: DiAnn Mills

Series: FBI Task Force #2

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Another great book by DiAnn Mills will keep readers guessing and turning the pages well past their bedtime.

FBI agent Tori Templeton is going up against one of her hardest cases, proving that one of her best friends did not kill her own husband. When she gets the call that oil and gas tycoon Nathan Moore was found dead in his home, she goes to investigate. He had been receiving death threats and recently had a bomb go off at one of his rigs. It is soon discovered that he was in fact murdered. His wife is at the top of the suspect list, along with several others. Tori is assigned to a task force to find the killer along with recently reinstated Deputy US Marshal Cole Jeffers. Together they dig into the past of people they both cared about in order to discover the truth; but the more they dig, the more secrets they uncover and the more danger they find themselves in.

I always like reading a DiAnn Mills novel. It is a good clean mystery that I know I am going to enjoy. The story here was good with several twists that kept me guessing until the end. I liked that both Tori and Cole had to face the challenge of being connected to the victim and still be objective enough to do their job. Mills did a great job of weaving doubt and suspicion onto several different characters making me question if they could be the guilty party. I liked the oil and gas setting in Texas, I grew up in an oil town so this was easy for me to relate to. I did question a few of the actions of several characters. Some of them just didn’t seem to fit with what I thought they should actually do in those situations. Not enough for me to make more out of it than this slight mention, probably something that just bugged me and others might not even notice. This was definitely an enjoyable read and one I will be recommending to fans of romantic suspense by a great author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Check out the book trailer here.

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Susan May Warren Interview

susan-may-warren

We were able to catch up with Susan May Warren and ask a few questions in anticipation of her upcoming July release A Matter of Trust. She has a lot of interesting things brewing and we hope you learn something new about her as well!

Where did the idea for the Montana rescue series come from?

The Montana Rescue series is a six book series about the PEAK Rescue team, a search-and-rescue outfit located in the shadow of Glacier National Park. With a ongoing thread of mystery that runs through each book, each book highlights one member of the team, exploring their challenges, hopes and romances as they face danger and sacrifice. Set against the rugged, beautiful backdrop of Montana, the stories are taken from real-life events that show us just how faithful God in when our darkest fears come true. It’s epic adventure and romance with a touch of wilderness suspense that I think my readers—both old and new—will love.

The next book, A Matter of Trust, is the third in the series, is it going to be the last or do you have any plans to continue with these characters?

This is only the middle book! There’s sooooo much more fun ahead with the characters we met and come to love. Book four features Sierra, the team administrator; book five features Ty, the co-helicopter pilot, and the final book is about Pete and Jess, the team EMTs. And, of course, we still have to solve the mystery threat!

Do you prefer the romance or suspense scenes?

Oh, boy, I love them both. Both contain elements of risk and romance, right? Because we fall in love with each other as we see our heroes or heroines save others. But there is always an element of risk when we give out our heart in a romantic scene. So, maybe the question is…is there really a difference between the two scenes in a well-written romantic suspense?

Which character in this series has been your favorite to write?

I think I love the romance between Pete and Jess the most—they’re both so capable, but have dark, painful secrets that keep them from giving out their hearts. I am enjoying watching their romance develop (or fall apart!)

When writing do you have any sort of routine to help you get the words flowing?

I talk through the scene with my writing partner, Rachel Hauck, before I start writing it, and that helps me know what I’m going to write and get into the emotion of the character. I also figure out the blocking (how the characters will move in the scene) as well as the stakes and tension of the scene. Once I talk it out, it’s much easier to start writing.

Who are some of your favorite authors and recent books you have read?

I’m a huge fan of Rachel Hauck—she’s my go-to beach read. And I love Ronie Kendig and Dee Henderson. I’m also a fan of Melissa Tagg and Beth Vogt. And I am a recent fan of Lori Benton. As for recent books—I just finished Rachel’s newest book, The Wedding Shop.

What is on your to be read list?

I recently download a number of Tamara Leigh’s books, so I’ll be reading through her historical time-travel series. I also have Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason’s newest books in the wings, so lots to fill up my weekends!

What project are you working on next?

I just finished the rough draft of Ian and Sierra’s story, book four in the Montana Rescue series, so I’ll be working on rewrites and editing that project. It’s set in the Caribbean, so maybe I need a little more research, too!