Showing posts with label 5 star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 star. Show all posts

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir







Twists & turns from a police insider—couldn’t put it down!





From the Publisher

Ex-homicide detective Ray Quinn never had glamorous thoughts of the life of a private investigator—but being cornered in a bathroom stall by the enraged philandering husband of a client? That’s something he could live without. Retired from homicide and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited. Stick to the job, keep impetuous sidekick Crevis alive, and spend quiet evenings with trusted pal Jim Beam, that’s about the best he can hope for.

As a new client emerges, Ray finds himself in an impossibly large boardroom holding a check with enough zeros to finally lift him from his financial pit. The job seems easy enough: find Logan Ramsey, an ex-cop turned security officer who’s taken off with sensitive corporate information. But few things are easy in Ray’s world, regardless of the amount of zeros in the check.

In what should be an open-and-shut case, Ray stumbles across Logan Ramsey in a seedy motel room. Only Ray wasn’t the first to find him. Now Logan’s dead, the client’s information is nowhere to be found, and Ray’s employer is less than forthcoming with the details. Suddenly the line between the good guys and bad guys isn’t so clear. With a foot in both worlds and an illuminating look at an unhappy ending that could well be his own, which will Ray choose?

My Take

I’ve recently taken a liking to some murder mystery books and have added several new authors to my list of “must reads”.  I’ve now added Mark Mynheir to that list! This was a new author for me and now I can’t wait to read the first Ray Quinn mystery book.

Mynheir has a way of taking the facts and thinking outside the box to get new angles. I found it interesting how a police investigator’s thought process works and getting inside their heads.  Working with the Florida homicide unit, SWAT team, and forensics brings a whole other perspective to the usual mystery novel. 

I also enjoyed the characters in The Corruptible.  From the murder victim (not just a “dead guy”) to head honcho CEO that hires Quinn to Quinn’s business partners, each one has a distinct, unique personality. They also have their own story and Mynheir brings out those stories to give the reader a “bonding” experience with the characters. I think this helps for sequel books—you already have an investment in the characters and will more likely to get the new book to see what happens to them.

The Corruptible is a Christian based novel but Mynheir didn’t make it “preachy”.  There was really only one faithful character and she wasn’t pushy about it even though it was mentioned each time she was involved in the story line. I also liked how several of the characters had their own struggles and were trying to work through them to heal themselves. One negative -- there was some repetition throughout the book on minor items but I think they can be overlooked with such a compelling story line. 

I give The Corruptible 5 stars—I couldn’t put the book down and the story kept pulling me further and further in. It was almost as if I was involved in the case, too. I can’t wait to see what Mynheir comes up with next!


I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah’s “Blogging for Books”  as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
 

About the Author

Mark Mynheir is the author of the Christy Award nominated The Night Watchman, the first Ray Quinn mystery. He has worked undercover as a narcotics agent, as a SWAT team member, and now investigates violent crimes as a detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit in central Florida, where he lives with his wife and three children.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher




TAKE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE




From the Publisher

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

 
My Take

Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite Amish novel authors—I’ve read so many of her books and I’m always impressed with her writing and story-telling. Each book has a deeper meaning without being “preachy”. Lancaster County Christmas is no exception.

Almost all of us can relate to the “wordly”, fast paced life of the “Englisch” like Jaime and C.J. It seems like there’s never enough time for everything and we rush from place to place while thinking about a dozen things at a time. Do we ever take time to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life? Do we take the time to talk to God and really listen to him?

The idea of the Amish lifestyle (sans the woodstove & washing clothes by hand!) has always intrigued me. What would it be like not to have the daily rush, all our electronic interruptions, and not to “keep up with the Jones’?  And the conviction the Amish have is the essence of faith. Or as they say, “Emmanuel, God is with us.” Their belief in forgiveness and ultimate love is envious.

Lancaster County Christmas would make a great read for the book club set. It comes with study questions and they will definitely make you think.  Overall, the book is a nice feel-good read and you get a sense of calm and peace while reading it. I felt a sense of connection with the characters and was cheering for them at the end. 

Overall I give Lancaster County Christmas 5 stars. If you are looking for an easy, holiday book, this is the one.

Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I received this book free from Revell as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

About the Author
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.   

Don't miss a merry moment during the "Christmas in September" promotion. Be sure to enter the iPad giveaway (9/7-9/26) and save the date for A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27! Hope to see you there.






Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):


  • A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
  • $25 gift certificate to iTunes
  • A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas
To enter, click one of the icons below. But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.
Winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something BIG - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! 







Friday, September 9, 2011

Jest....It waits no longer by David Warren










Spine-Tingling!! Mesmerizing!




From the Publisher
Nicole Carzon is an average, young college student, trying to cope with everyday life and an alcoholic father. Life has not been easy since her mother left; in reality, it was the source of the problem. Nevertheless, everything changed the day she received the letter. Her grandfather, having been estranged with his own son for years, shocks everyone when he bypasses her father and names Nicole as heir to his castle in England.

With an angry father and the summer off, Nicole and her friends decide now is the perfect time to fly overseas and meet with her late grandfather’s solicitor, Andrew Willis. Once they arrive, they are overwhelmed with the history and nostalgia pulsating from the 600-year-old Bodlum Castle. However, as Nicole and her friends soon come to realize, this castle has an ancient occupant. One that has been lying dormant and patiently waiting for hundreds of years…

It waits no longer……


My Take

Jest….it waits no longer starts out as an innocuous story about a sick old man and a group of college kids looking for their trip of a lifetime. Disneyworld would have been a much better choice…….


David Warren definitely has a talent for spinning a sweet little tale into a spine-tingling thriller. His writing keeps the reader mesmerized in the activities going on at Bodlum Castle—putting the book down is next to impossible. I had no idea when I started Jest that I would rush through my life just so I could get back to the book. I made up excuses so I could sit down and turn some pages, especially near the end.


Reading is my passion so I have read a ton of thrillers and most of the time I have either an idea who the killer is or can eliminate “suspects”.  I thought I had the killer all figured out in Jest—all the way to the last 10 pages. Needless to say I was completely shocked when the real killer, and the reasons for the killings, was revealed. When I finally put the book down, I had to sit for a minute just to take it all in!

This book undeniably rates 5 out of 5 stars. Mr Warren is an author to watch—he is certainly an up-and-comer in the literary world. I, for one, can’t wait for the second book in the series Jest 2: Welcome Home.
 
Brighton Publishing has provided me with a complimentary copy of Jest in exchange for my personal, unbiased review.





About the Author


David Warren first started writing at the age of nine after he discovered Franklin W Dixon’s Hardy Boys Series. Some of David’s mystery stories appeared in the local school newspaper. As he grew older so did his writing tastes and soon Stephen King and Dean Koontz replaced his adolescent heroes of Frank and Joe Hardy. 

He was born and raised in southern New Jersey but now resides in Blandon, Pennsylvania with his wife and three young children. When he’s not writing, you can find David spending time with his family or curled up with a good book. Jest is his first published novel.


David Warren wants to hear from you!



Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson


ENGAGING, ROMANTIC, SUPER SUMMER READ



From the Publisher

Kimberly Tucker’s life hasn’t turned out the way she wanted. While her ex is living it up, she struggles to understand what went wrong with their marriage. When her two sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim plans a respite at the family vacation home on Cedar Key. As she revisits the long-forgotten past, she discovers that life’s treasures are often buried, and the only way to find them is to dig deeply—within yourself.

Get ready to be swept away to an island retreat of warm tropical breezes—and a glorious journey of self-discovery.

My Take


CHASING SUNSETS by Eva Marie Everson is the first book I’ve read by this author and I think I’ve found a new favorite author to follow! 


This is a book of hope, forgiveness, introspection and love.  I love the fact that the main character decided to take a trip to Cedar Key by herself to do a little relaxing. For the first time since college, she’s alone for 5 weeks in the summer.  She seemed to be at loose ends until she meets her neighbor and “wise woman”, Patsy. This time alone gives Kimberly the opportunity to examine her life, her ended marriage, and what she wants to do in the future. As in real life, it’s a difficult road to take.


I love that the characters in the book are developed – it’s like you actually know them.  When an author can pull that off, I’d say the book will be a success.  You want to take sides in the character plots but Ms. Everson brings out both the good & the not-so-good qualities of everyone. No single character is black or white---just like in real life---but they have awesome traits and everyday flaws. Personally I like that in my reading.


Chasing Sunsets is a fabulous summer read---by the pool, in a chaise lounge, or even on the patio. Bring out a fruity drink & you have the makings of a relaxing time just for you.  I’m giving this a 5 star rating and look forward to the next book in the series!

Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I received this book free from Revell as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."


About the Author

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken and This Fine Life. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club series and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.