Author: Melissa Koslin

Publisher: Inkspell Publishing

Release Date: August 29, 2024

A fun and different read that readers will greatly enjoy.

Cali Lebeau has been working hard to keep her past behind her, but no matter how hard she tries it keeps catching up with her. Helping hackers to stop terrorist, Cali has found herself in the crosshairs. She has been working for billionaire Asher Cross and tries to keep her head down. But when she winds up in the crosshairs, he helps her no matter how much she tries to tell him not to. She doesn’t want anyone else to get hurt because of her. Asher and Cali find themselves in the midst of a terror organization looking for a lost library full of hidden treasures. Cali’s ancestors are connected to the library and now Cali might be the only able to find it and the treasures it holds.

The Lost Library didn’t start the way I expected, and it sure didn’t end as I expected either, but in a good way. I enjoyed the storyline and the uniqueness of it compared to many books I read. I thought the story was well planned and the characters fun to read about. Cali was a strong female protagonist and she kept trying to do the best she could to help others and keep herself alive in the process. Readers will enjoy the dive into the mystery of the library and how Cali gets herself caught up in it all.

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

Author: Mitchell S. Karnes

Series: Detective Abbey Rhodes Mystery #1

Publisher: Wordcrafts Press

Release Date: January 29, 2025

A surprisingly enjoyable read that left me wanting more. Can’t wait to see what the series will bring.

Hannah Leah Abelard decided she needed a new start six years ago and so she changed her name to Abbey Rhodes, joined the army, and learned the ins and outs of becoming a cop. Using the knowledge she gains from this experience, she moves to join the Metro Nashville’s Police Department. She is with the homicide department, and she has spent all her energy trying to keep the walls she has built around herself from crashing down. More than anything she wants to leave her past behind and move on but when she is called to a case at a church with a young pastor is killed it might bring up all the secrets she has tried to keep buried.

This book was a great one for me to pick up in the middle of a reading slump. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. There were great twists and turns, and it is set up to be a great series. A bit of a slow start to grab my attention and motivation to care for Abbey but once I did I was greatly invested in her and wanting to see her have a happy outcome. This was a good clean thriller that even though it dealt with hard subject matter; it wasn’t one to shy away from. Readers will find this story a very enjoyable read with hopefully many more to come in the series

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

Author: Vincent B. Davis II

Series: Consentino Crime Saga #2

Publisher: Thirteenth Press

Release Date: August 30, 2022

Picking up where Sins of the Father left off, Davis gives readers the ending they wanted, but not expected!

Sonny Consentino and his brothers want nothing more than to avenge their father.  Trouble is, they have no idea who killed him.  Now tied up with an Italian crime boss, they work to hold their territory while capturing others throughout New York. 

So, I really want to give more of a synopsis of this book, but it would just give it all away if I did.  I think this book is equally divided between Sonny and his brother-in-law Buster.  While the first book was Sonny’s origin story, this one was Buster’s but with a continuation of the first book mixed together.  There are some significant twists in this book that is likely to blow readers minds, especially at the end.  What a great work.  I highly recommend reading the first book before you jump on to this one!

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

Author: Mark Greaney

Series: Gray Man #1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: September 29, 2009

Who doesn’t love a good action-packed story?

The Gray man is a legend in the assassin world.  Maybe more of a myth with his reputation.  He is the best at what he does.  Gets in, gets out, and no one knows he was even there.  But how did he come to be?  Once with the CIA, but then burned with a kill order, no one has been able to find him again.  But when they hear of an impossible hit that took place, they all know it was him.  But now his handler seems to have sold him out to save his family.  Will the Gray Man be able to stay under the radar?  Or will those who have been seeking him out finally have their chance to tie up loose ends?

First and foremost, this was a great story packed with action throughout that never let up.  It’s a quick read that I decided to try before I watched the movie.  The characters were pretty typical in their roles and the story flowed as expected.  One of the things that bothered me the most throughout the book was the different ways that the author continued to refer to the Gray Man.  Using his first name, last name, and Gray Man interchangeable, often in the same paragraph, became really tiresome.  Between action scenes, there was also quite a bit of telling the reader what is going on rather than showing the reader what is happening.  There is quite a bit of strong foul language throughout the book, which is understandable based on the characters, but sometimes a little over the top.  But enough of writing mechanics, it was still a fun read that made me like an assassin and hate a lawyer, so you can’t say that happens with every book.  This has piqued my interest enough to continue with the series!  As for the movie that I have watched as well, there are quite a few key scenes from the book that have been used in an alternate plot/story line developed by the screen writers.

Author: Sarah Blake

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Release Date: February 8, 2022

What a great take on climate change with a dystopian twist!

Throughout the years, there has been disaster after disaster after disaster.  Wildfires, floods, and earthquakes ravaged the earth, but no one expected the one disaster from the trees that killed many of the people.  The trees decided to express so much pollen that people couldn’t breathe.  Those that were trapped outside never had a chance.  People huddled in the hospital sealing off the outside to protect everyone from the pollen.  But people evolved and created new sealed houses with automated vehicles for transport to keep everyone safe.  Until a new threat emerged. 

Izabel has grown into a state of mediocrity with her family.  She lost her mother just before the pollening and found purpose helping people, but she eventually settled down with someone she met and they had a kid.  While he works from home as a robot operator and their daughter Cami goes to school, Izabel tries to find happiness in old news apps and isolation chambers, but struggles to find purpose.  When one of the houses in their town is slit open one night, all the occupant’s die, causing the first murder in several years.  This shocks the town to its core and sends several families to put in transfers to new locations.  The it happens again.  And again.  The most shocking part is that when Cami sleeps, she has conversations with someone that knows where the serial killer is, but who would believe them?  One night while on a ride, Izabel comes across the killer as he has just cut open the protective seal of a house.  When she tries to help the family, Izabel finds herself in a whirlwind of activity that she never anticipated.

This has unexpectedly become on of my favorite books for the year.  I’ve always enjoyed the dysptopian genre, but it has become quite predictable over the years.  I’m glad to see such a unique take with Clean Air.   From the premise of the book to the characters, I loved it all.  I was hooked from the beginning and just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.  There wasn’t really a slow moment throughout.  Izabel is an interesting main character who has had some bad experiences and seems to have lost her purpose, which I think is a lot more common than people realize.  I loved tagging along with her to try and figure out the mind of the killer.  I do think the ending could have been developed a little more, but who knows, maybe this could be a series? 

There is some language throughout the book that would make it more appropriate for mature audiences, but it didn’t take away from the story.  I recommend this to readers who enjoy stories about climate change and those who enjoy the dystopian genre.

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of more than twenty historical romance, suspense, and time-slip novels. Five of her novels have won Carol Awards; Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were nominated for a Christy Award in the historical fiction category; Catching the Wind won an Audie Award in the inspirational fiction category; and The Black Cloister won the Foreword magazine Religious Fiction Book of the Year. Melanie is the former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and owner of the publicity firm Dobson Media Group. When she isn’t writing, Melanie enjoys teaching both writing and public relations classes. Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters and live near Portland, Oregon.

What inspired the storyline and characters in The Winter Rose? Are any based on real historical figures?

I used to teach at George Fox University, a school in Oregon founded by the Religious Society of Friends, and had the privilege of learning about Quaker history there. The characters and storyline for this novel are a culmination of research and personal experience, and while The Winter Rose isn’t based on the life of one historical figure, Grace—my Quaker heroine in Nazi-occupied France—was inspired by women like Mary Elmes, Alice Resch, and Marjorie McClelland who cared for children during World War II through the American Friends Service Committee.

Tell us about some of the core themes of The Winter Rose. How do you hope these themes will resonate with and challenge your readers?

Beauty in brokenness was one of the most important themes in The Winter Rose. I was hoping to demonstrate the French concept of brocante—salvaging items that someone else trashed, then restoring and repurposing them in their brokenness for something new. I wanted to show how God can heal the most painful of wounds, restore complicated relationships, and through the incredible power of forgiveness and prayer, use the nicks and gashes and ultimately redemption in our stories for good.

Who did you write this book for?

I wrote The Winter Rose for readers who love to learn about history and enjoy being inspired and challenged through fiction. Part of this story was poured straight out of my heart for moms who’ve had a child they love turn away from their faith and family. My hope is that the heartache and eventually redemption among my fictional characters will encourage parents to never stop praying for their kids.

What was one of the most surprising things you discovered in your research for this novel?

Usually I travel to my main settings to research my novels, but with the pandemic, I wasn’t able to go to France or even to the American Friends archives in Philadelphia. People were incredibly generous with their time and resources to get me the information I needed for this story. The AFSC archivist answered my many questions, digging through files from home and forwarding them to me. The president of the American Synesthesia Association, Carol Steen, spent a significant amount of time on Zoom to help me build my synesthete character of Marguerite. During our time together, I was surprised to learn that synesthesia has been recognized in Europe for more than a hundred years. Carol also educated me on the artistic talents of those who see words, numbers, or emotions in vibrant color.

Then our Zoom world gave me the opportunity to connect with a Jewish gentleman who was rescued by Mary Elmes in 1942 and hidden in France for the remainder of the war. I was tremendously honored that he would share his story with me. While visiting a location and interviewing in person is ideal, it was a blessing in this strange, difficult season to find others willing to help me compile all the factual information needed to write The Winter Rose.

Which was your favorite character to write? Which one was the most challenging to write?

I had several favorite characters! Marguerite was a super fun character to write with her ability to see emotion in color and her passion to paint what she saw on the chateau walls. I also liked writing from the perspective of Louis who had been wounded deeply as a child and was living a lie in his later years. What a relief for me, as the author, to be able to offer him the gift of restoration. I was going to say that the perspective of Grace, my historical protagonist, was challenging to write, but Addie, the heroine in my contemporary story, who was even more challenging. I changed her backstory several times as I tried to understand where she came from and what happened to her deceased husband. While it stretched me as a writer, I was so pleased in the end with how Grace and Addie overcame the trauma from their pasts and fought for those they loved.

Can you tell us about some of your upcoming projects?

Right now I’m working on a series of books for younger readers called The Magic Portal, and it has been pure joy for me to brainstorm with my daughters to create these fairyland books.I’m also preparing to write a time-slip novel about a girl named Poppy who was lost a hundred years ago in the Thousand Islands of New York.

Author: Dinah Jefferies

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: November 16, 2021

Great start to a new WWII historical series!

In rural France, three sisters live together in an old stone cottage during one of the most tumultuous periods of history.  Helene is the eldest and works as a nurse with the village doctor.  Elise is the typical rebellious middle child and dedicates her time and efforts to supporting the resistance through her café in the village.  And Florence, the youngest, is seemingly naïve and dreams of when France will be free again while cooking and gardening.  But one day changes everything.  Florence brings a German deserter home the same day that the resistance asks them to house an injured Allied spy.  The sisters realize that the trail of one or perhaps both of their guests will eventually lead an enemy to them, but they have no idea which one!

This is a terrific story set amidst war-torn France in 1944.  It’s a bit hard to believe that three unwed women, sisters at that, would be pretty much left to their own devices during this time, but the storyline bodes well for each of them.  Needless to say, there is plenty of betrayal, heartbreak, and loss throughout the pages that will resonate with many readers.  Overall, I probably connected with Elise the most, but I am a middle child as well.  The setting of the village and meadows made it easy to paint a mental picture and the supporting characters brought out the best of the story.  The family secret is devastating to the sisters’ given the potential circumstances, but they will weather through it.

I didn’t initially realize that this was going to be a series, which makes me quite happy since I was a little perturbed with the loose ends left at the ending.  Hopefully they will be tied up in the future!  There is some foul language scattered throughout the pages, but not overdone.  There is also a graphic rape scene as well as a couple other sex scenes that may make some readers uncomfortable.  I recommend this book for mature audiences.

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

Author: Christopher Leibig

Publisher: Koehler Books

Release Date: May 1, 2016

A legal thriller with a supernatural twist!

Sam Young is an emerging criminal defense attorney that only takes cases from the public defender’s office.  He’s good at his job, but he knows it is because of these minor psychic abilities that he has developed.  Those that work with him just know that he knows when he says something is going to turn out a certain way.  When a nun named Camille Paradisi contacts him regarding the identity of a serial killer on the loose, who regularly comes into confession, things begin to take on a different turn.  Camille wants to protect her priest and gives Sam an anonymous journal that she believes was written by the serial killer.  As Sam reads the journal, he begins to discover there is more to Camille than meets the eye, as well as himself.

Most of this book entails building the world and setting up the characters for this story.  The premise of the book is very interesting and there is plenty of both courtroom drama as well as supernatural experiences.  Readers will need to pay attention to really understand what is going on with Camille and Sam as it becomes especially important in the next book.  Basically, it feels like this book was pretty much just written to set up the second book in the series.  Readers will need to start with this one to get the background to make the second book really fall into place. 

There is a lot of foul language throughout the book as well as multiple implied sex scenes, though nothing is graphic.  This book is recommended for mature audiences.

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

Author: Ally Carter

Series: Winterborne Home #1

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Release Date: December 29, 2020

Ally Carter has crafted a fabulous adventure for young readers that will keep them turning the page and engaged in a great story.

April has bounced from one foster home to another after being left by her mother at the age of two. After a trip to the museum when she sees an emblem that resembles one her mother left her that is on a key she keeps around her neck, her life gets even more complicated. The museum catches fire when she is there, and she doesn’t remember how she got out of the museum. Now, April is taken to a new home, a big creepy mansion that is home to a group of other orphans. April feels out of place; in her mind she isn’t an orphan, her mother is coming back for her. The longer she is at Winterborne Home, the more confused she gets with secrets behind closed doors and one secret leads to another. April and the other kids must work together to solve the mysteries in front of them before they all lose the home they have come to love.

Ally Carter can now be added to my list of favorite children’s authors. Winterborne Home was a fun, engaging mystery that will leave kids wanting more and more of the story to read. To me, this is the best kind of story, especially for kids as it contains so much mystery and young characters that learn to rely on each other when they have been alone for so long. This is the first Middle Grade novel Ally Carter has written and I am so excited to see what all she comes out with next. Her writing these characters was spot on, April and the other kids are written with the perfect mannerisms and characteristics of the age they are portraying. Each one has unique characteristics that makes them stick out, Sadie is an inventor, Tim a charmer, and Violet is shy but has just the right thing to say at exactly the right moment. Young readers will find a character they can relate to whether they are a boy or girl, adventurous or more introverted, either way there will be relatable aspects to the story for everyone. I read this so I would know if it would be a good fit for my ten-year-old son and even though the main character is a girl I know he will still love the story. I recommend this to young readers eager for an adventure and getting ready to get lost in the pages.