Cast the First Stone

Author: David James Warren

Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #1

Publisher: TriStone Media

Release Date: February 9, 2021

The start of the new series by superpower writers Susan May Warren and James Rubart along with David Warren will knock the socks off readers! This will be at the top of my best of the year list without a doubt!

Rembrandt Stone left his career of being a Minneapolis Police Detective to be home with his wife and daughter and avoid the dangers the job brings. After his former mentor dies and leaves him a box full of cold cases and an old watch, Rembrandt is pulled back into a world from long ago, a world he thought he left behind. Not sure if it is a dream or some new reality, Rembrandt finds himself in his world from twenty years ago, back at the scene of the crime of the first cold case he opened from the box. If he can solve the cases that have haunted him for decades, maybe justice will be served. But at what price? Will it change just the past or will his future be changed as well?

This is a review I have had to sit and ponder on for a few days. The story was so good, so fast, and so great that I am dying to get my hands on the rest of the series. This is a spectacular time-travel story that deals with regrets, second chances, mistakes and how important it is to appreciate the things we have and to not only wish for what we don’t. As Rembrandt finds himself in the past trying to solve his old cold cases, readers see him struggle with trying to remember the details but also wondering how he got there. The raw emotion on the pages pulled me in and held me so tightly I had trouble doing anything else until I turned the last page. This is a story with relatable characters full of flaws, passion, and so much more.

Honestly, there wasn’t much about this story that I didn’t enjoy. I’ve read Susan May Warren and James Rubart for years. When I heard they were collaborating on a new series, I knew it would be epic, but I had no idea how great it would end up being. The story read so quickly it will be one readers can pick up and read in one sitting, If you have never read anything by Warren or Rubart this is a great place to start, and if you have read others by them, be prepared to be blown away with this new series. The fact that there are five more coming all this year makes me giddy. Books like this are the kind of escape we need with the crazy world we have right now. I recommend this book to all readers that love thrillers, time travel, suspense and all the things that make up a great novel.

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

Trial and Error

Author: Robert Whitlow

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: February 2, 2020

Suspenseful, intriguing, and makes readers cheer for the protagonist!

Eighteen years ago, Buddy Smith’s girlfriend skipped town with their newborn daughter and he hasn’t found them since. Now a defense lawyer back in his hometown, he often takes cases where one of the parents has fled with a child.

Gracie Blaylock is the county clerk and coach of the local girls’ softball team. She and Buddy have been friends for years, but never had a romantic aspect to their relationship. When one of the girls on the softball team abruptly stops attending practice, the other teammates know that something is wrong and confirm that she has runaway. She knows it’s not the same as an abduction case but feels that Buddy would be best to pursue it.

As Buddy and Gracie work together to find out what happened to the missing girl, clues start to show up that could lead Buddy to find his own estranged daughter.

Robert Whitlow has such a great ability to blend faith, suspense, and legality into his stories. It’s easy to get lost in the story, even when there is not much of a legal thriller aspect. With cases of parents abducting their own child on the rise, this book fits right in for current times. I love the rural small-town Georgia setting to this book. It made me to want to have porch conversations with some of the main characters. I also loved all the characters throughout this book. Everyone contained some sort of flaw that was able to improve through the course of the book. Gracie is such a role model for me, similar to other characters he has written. No one took a step backwards and it worked out for the better by the end. We need more books like this in our library today! I’ve always loved his writing and will continue to read his books!

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

Obsession

Author: Patricia Bradley

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 2, 2021

A fantastic suspense read with tension at all the right spots! Fans of Patricia Bradley will not want to miss this one.

Emma Watson is a Natchez Trace Ranger and historian. She has been working at a historical landmark when shots are fired at her. With her life in danger, the authorities are called to keep her safe and the one person she never wanted to see again is assigned to protect her. Sam Ryker is a district ranger and when he sees Emma after being called about her being shot at, all his old feelings for her come rushing back to him. Their time together was good, and he never understood why she broke off their engagement. Emma doesn’t know if the shooter is someone mad about her work at the landmark or a delusional secret admirer who is trying to get her all to himself.

Patricia Bradley is a fantastic Romantic Suspense author and her Natchez Trace series is continuing to be one of my favorites. The relationship between Sam and Emma had me from the get-go. I was wrapped up in their past drama and the trouble Emma is now experiencing. The writing in this book is probably her best yet with the story being tight, characters that act naturally and help the story progress, and some of the most intense moments that kept me glued to my seat. Something about the way Emma was written and her stalker made for great writing; she was in danger at so many moments and yet she refused to give up or give in no matter what came next. This is the second book in the Natchez Trace series and this time we get to see Emma and Sam, other characters from the series make an appearance as well. Even though this is the second in the series it isn’t necessary for readers to have read the first to enjoy this one. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this addition to a fantastic series. I recommend this to fans of Bradley’s writing and even those that might be new to her as an author and want to give a great book a chance.

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

When Twilight Breaks

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Another great historical romance by Sundin!

Stashed away in Munich in 1938, foreign correspondent Evelyn Brand is frustrated about missing all the action in Berlin. If she was a man, she wouldn’t have to deal with this treatment or have her articles reviewed and edited to keep her name on a byline. But as the Nazi tyranny continues to grow, Evelyn keeps reporting the truth, even if it means she gets expelled from the country. Someone must wake the United States up to the truth about what is happening in Europe.

Harvard doctoral student Peter Lang is teaching abroad in Munich to develop his thesis dissertation in improving language communication between English and German. He loves Germany now compared to six years ago when the communists caused riots in the streets. However, the longer he is in Germany, the clearer it becomes when the Nazi party is doing, and Peter is frustrated that he allowed himself to become disillusioned because of the past. When the German brass get wind of Peter’s capabilities to teach Germans to speak English with impeccable accents, they plan to keep him there to advance their agenda. But Peter needs to get new information that he has learned back to America at any cost.

The last three books that Sundin has released all centered around the events of D-Day, so this was a nice surprise to see her research and writing focused of the rise of the Nazi party. She did a great job researching key events including rallies and Kristallnacht to keep readers engaged and maybe have them do a little research on their own. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Evelyn and Peter’s story play out. It wasn’t quick and easy, in fact is was painful and messy to watch at times, but their love for each other finally won out. It’s great to see how this can happen in both real life and in a book. I’m always look forward to Sundin’s books and this one is no exception. This will make it to the top of the list for the year!

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

‘Til I Want No More

Author: Robin W. Pearson

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Great character development coupled with finding your self-worth makes this a must read for 2021!

Maxine has had her ups and downs in life, but she finally thinks that she has things in order. She writes a column for a faith publication and is engaged to a young headmaster that oversees a local school. Things seem to be going in the right direction. But when they begin their year of premarital classes, things from Maxine’s past she has tried to put behind her begin to work their way back. When the man that she fell in love with back in high school returns to town, even more skeletons emerge from the closet. She’s trying to convince everyone that she is fine, but no one close to her believes it. As they move closer to the wedding date, Maxine realizes that the secrets that she has been holding from everyone have to become known, which could alter her future. She must look and learn what it means to be truly known and loved by the one who wonderfully and fearfully made her.

To put this book in context, it is geared toward Maxine’s character development, which puts it at a little bit slower pace than reading for action or suspense. The focus is on her life and what she has gone through to get where she is and how she is not quite where she really needs to be with herself or with God. I love that Pearson used some of the same characters from her previous book to help Maxine in her progression. It’s always fun when a reader gets to visit characters from a previous novel to see how they are moving in their journey as well, almost like catching up with an old friend. It’s very easy to form an emotional connection with Maxine and even get pulled down when she finds herself in despair. As a reader, you just want the truth to come out for her so that she can finally begin to heal and stop spiraling downward. This book just goes to show that even people who appear like they have it all together can be just a depressed as anyone else.

I’m not going to give anything away in this book, but just when you think you have something figured out about Maxine, the truth comes out and it throws you for a loop. This happened multiple times. I also liked the twist at the end that showed the one person she tried to keep in the dark already knew and that was causing more of a strain than anything else. Great story to kick off the new year! I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Network of Deceit

Author: Tom Threadgill

Series: Amara Alvarez #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 2, 2021

A top-notch thriller with fantastic characters that pull at the heartstrings and keep you cheering them on until the very last page.

Amara Alvarez made headlines after rescuing nearly fifty kidnapped children and is finally getting what she wants, a chance to work in San Antonio’s Homicide Division. With her first case, she is almost in over her head when a teenager dies suspiciously at a local water park. As the investigation picks up speed, Amara finds herself in the middle of the danger by cybercriminals who know her every move. Her leads are few and far between and those above her are threatening to move her investigation to cold case files. Amara resorts to unconventional methods to solve the case and prove herself to those who say she doesn’t belong in Homicide wrong.

The second installment in the Amara Alvarez series starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. This is my kind of suspense novel, a top-notch strong female protagonist that will stop at nothing to do her job and prove others wrong. Amara is a wonderful female protagonist that I love to follow and cheer her on during her journey. Each new chapter led to a new adventure and tension that kept me glued to the page. The family dynamic really helps the story tremendously by making her and so many of the characters more relatable. The story flowed well, and each new twist worked great (especially the one at the very end, made the story ten times better, and it was believable!!) When an author can put an amazing believable twist like this at the end of a book it is something to be celebrated, not a lot of authors are able to write like this.

Amara has a tough time with those she works with but doesn’t let it deter her from accomplishing her goals and helping others and solving crimes. Tom Threadgill is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors, not much about his writing that I don’t enjoy. Even though this is the second in the series, readers won’t have to read the first to enjoy this one. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a fantastic suspense novel that will leave them smiling after turning the last page.

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

Water Memory

Author: Daniel Pyne

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: February 1, 2021

A deep, dark thriller that is full of tension, action and so much more!

Aubrey Sentro has been in black ops long enough to receive multiple concussions on her missions that her memory is now affected. During a much-needed vacation on a cargo ship, not the most likely form of transportation, pirates board and take the passengers hostage. Aubrey lets her training take over and escapes her captors, taking out a few in the process; but while she eludes the pirates, her memory of what to do in these types of situations fails her. With her memory lapses happening more frequently and becoming more severe, she fears these symptoms of serial concussion syndrome might mean the end for her.

Aubrey Sentro is not a character to mess with. Even with her memory issues she is one hard core woman that is bound and determined to make it through the other side and be better, for her children and herself. The family dynamics throughout this is what sold me on this story. There were times throughout that I felt a little disconnected to what was happening but the way Pyne brought it all back around to Aubrey and her children made me stick with it to the end, which was very satisfying. A female black ops specialist is a great protagonist and while this is a tight story, it isn’t as top notch as Jason Pinter’s writing or Robert Dugoni. I love a great thriller and enjoyed this story, but it isn’t one that can be breezed through as readers will have to pay close attention to follow the different threads of the story. The writing not as fast paced as I would have liked but as previously stated, the family dynamic is what sold me and I think readers will enjoy that aspect of the story.

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

We Keep Us Safe

Author: Zach Norris

Publisher: Beacon Press

Release Date: February 4, 2020

This book lives up to the hype it promotes. A worthy read to understand the failure of the current system.

Zach Norris weaves historical personal accounts blended with knowledge of the inner workings of the current public safety and justice system to show documented failures. However, he also provides a blueprint for a new system based on accountability rather than of fear. The current system that we use continues to divide people into an us versus them mentality, keeping those in power based on fear of the unknown or untrue.

This book really challenged me to look at things through a different lens and in a different context. Norris provides a plethora of information of how we got to where we are as a society and why several politicians can harness voters’ fears to get elected. One of the buzz phrases that we hear all the time is Building Community, but how are we really doing that? We need to refocus our system on being accountable rather than just removing people from society for a period of time, which doesn’t solve the problem in the long run. Outside of crime, several examples are provided of equality between everyone and ideas of how to actually find real solutions and not just band-aid gimmicks. This book has the potential to open readers eyes and start moving in a direction of healing.

The Mutant Project

Author: Eben Kirksey

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Interesting history on gene mutation and what the path forward looks like for the future.

In November 2018, Dr. He Jiankui shocked the world when he announced the first genetically edited babies, twins to be exact. He further shocked everyone when he announced there was another pregnancy. With great power comes great responsibility and the discussion has shifted from when will it happen to how do we oversee the morality of this ability. China has long dominated genetic research by recruiting top talent to the country to make breakthroughs before other countries. But when it becomes available wide stream, who will decide who gets access? These are just some of the questions that plague the future of this field.

Eben Kirksey takes readers on a bumpy ride as he kicks off his book with the unveiling of the genetically modified twins, Lulu and Nana. However, this probably did not occur the way that readers think. It was planned to be documented in a research journal, but another researcher got wind of it and leaked it out, which caused prerecorded YouTube videos to be released to the public, therefore causing all kids of chaos at this genetic convention. It’s a mess to be sure.

I really enjoyed the history portion of this book and how we got to where we are today. Kirksey did a great job explaining why China is further along in this field than the United States. I also enjoyed getting to understand the background story of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, commonly known as CRISPR, which is the backbone of this book. Much of the book focuses on finding a cure for HIV through genetic modification, which is where much of the current research is focused. It is a higher-level book, so just reading for enjoyment likely won’t be what keeps readers engrossed.

The Way to Rio Luna

Author: Zoraida Cordova

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Release Date: June 2, 2020

A fantastic, fun adventure for middle grade readers that will let them travel across the world as they fly through the pages.

Danny Monteverde has always believed in magic and even as he ages, he still believes. The books and stories he read with his sister, Pili, helped show him how amazing pixie dust and rabbit holes can be. Pili disappeared two years ago, and Danny has searched for her. He now believes she is waiting for him in Rio Luna, the enchanted land from their favorite fairy tales. Danny has spent most of his life in foster homes and knows there must be someone that wants him, his sister. Years pass and Danny starts to doubt she will come for him and he’s been silly to believe in fairy tales all these years. When he finds his favorite book in a library, he also finds a map to Rio Luna and hopefully his sister. The map takes him all around the world and he will stop at nothing to find his sister.

The Way to Rio Luna is a fun magical adventure for middle grade readers. Danny is a great main character that you can’t help but want to root for and see succeed in his quest to find his sister. Each day he must stay with the foster family, and you see how harsh they treat him, which makes it even more important that he finds his sister, the one person that actually cares for him. Even when he is at his lowest, he knows that Pili is out there and he will find a way to get to her. The story moved quickly and was full of adventure, action, suspense and all written at the appropriate level for its intended readers. My only complaint would be a few mature themes, toward the end with one character I felt could have been left out. Most likely younger readers won’t realize what is being said but as a mother I felt it didn’t need to be included. Other than that, I highly recommend this to middle grade readers for a fun adventure they will breeze through and enjoy from beginning to end.