Tag Archives: Mystery

The Secrets of Paper and Ink

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Harrel, Lindsay. The Secrets of Paper and Ink. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 2019.

SUMMARY:
Split between England in the 1850’s and here in the present day, The Secrets of Paper and Ink travels on a journey with three women who connect in the process of finding forgiveness, redemption and love. Sophia, dealing with the guilt of an abusive relationship, Ginny, trying to pick up the pieces after her husband left, and Emily, discovered by the other women through her diary written many years ago, all relate in a manner unforeseen. With a dual timeline story surrounding a journal found in a bookstore, author Lindsay Harrel shares the struggles, challenges, heartbreaks, and friendships of life.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Loving the idea of a story involving a bookstore with lots of books, a bookstore owner hoping to keep her store, a cute literature professor and a written journal found among the shelves, I knew I had to read The Secrets of Paper and Ink. Filled with a bit of mystery, 3 interesting women characters with real-life issues, a bookstore filled with books (can you tell I love to read?), and a storyline which bounces back and forth in time, I truly enjoyed this novel by Lindsay Harrel. Reading it in just two evenings, it flowed easily, kept my interest, and was relatable to everyday life. I hope for a sequel to this novel, allowing me to catch up with Sophia, Ginny and Emily.

RATING: 4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Secrets of Paper and Ink from BookLook Bloggers for my honest review*

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Never Let Go

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Goddard, Elizabeth. Never Let Go: Uncommon Justice- Bk 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishing. 2019.

SUMMARY:
Following in her late grandfather’s footsteps, Willow Anderson takes over a cold case of 20 years. Trying to find answers concerning an abducted baby, Willow must keep her own life (and heart) in order. With attempts made on her life, Willow must turn to ex-FBI agent, Austin McKade, who just so happens to be her ex-boyfriend as well. When things heat up, both professionally and personally, Willow and Austin must decide to work together to solve the case while putting their hearts on the line…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
An interesting, quick, suspenseful read, Never Let Go was enjoyable, clean and worth the time. With a few unexpected twists and turns, I needed to finish the book to reach the conclusion which wasn’t an issue due to the writing style. As the first book in a new series, author Elizabeth Goddard did a remarkable job of creating pursuit and suspicion which piqued my interest in continuing with this series. Perfect for those not-so-heavy reading times, I would definitely recommend this novel (and author) to others.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Never Let Go from Revell Publishing for my honest review*

Secrets at Cedar Cabin

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Coble, Colleen. Secrets at Cedar Cabin: Lavender Tides- Book 3. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing. 2019.

SUMMARY:
Literally running for her life, Bailey Fleming flees Michigan to the safety of Cedar Cabin in Lavender Tides. Not quite sure how she truly fits in, nor even for sure her true identity, Bailey soon discovers even Cedar Cabin may not be safe. Meeting FBI agent Lance Phoenix, who believes she may be involved in illegal activity, Bailey must decide if she can help Lance find his missing sister, if she can protect herself from a murderer out to find her, and if she needs to keep track of her heart in the process…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As usual with author Colleen Coble, the action and suspense begins right from the start of the story and Secrets at Cedar Cabin is no exception. Full of identity mysteries, a murderer at large, a missing teenager, a human trafficking ring, suspicious activity and evolving emotions, Secrets at Cedar Cabin is an attention-grabber ensuring late reading into the night. As book 3 in the Lavender Tides series, I did not have a problem following the storyline though I haven’t read all of the previous novels. Definitely an author I read often, I will continue to look for new books from this author as well as continue with this series.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Secrets at Cedar Cabin from BookLook Bloggers for my honest review*

The Curse of Misty Wayfair

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Wright, Jaime Jo. The Curse of Misty Wayfair. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers. 2019.

SUMMARY:
Set in the vast woods of northern Wisconsin and fluctuating between the early 1900’s and present day, The Curse of Misty Wayfair follows two women, Thea Reed and Heidi Lane, as they strive to discover their identities in different time periods yet with a connected thread surrounding a legend. Intrigue, mystery, suspense, and a bit of history combine into a flawless story by Christy Award winning author, Jaime Jo Wright.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having read this author’s previous novel, The House on Foster Hill, I knew what I was expecting to read. A uniquely suspenseful thriller, not scary but definitely eerie, The Curse of Misty Wayfair may have started out slowly but decidedly picked up the pace. Finding parts of it interesting (postmortem photography was actually an occupation), and parts of it a bit spooky (an image floating through the woods), this book certainly earned its place on my book shelf. Perhaps just a bit confusing in the beginning due to the switching of time periods and following the family lineage, sticking with the story straightened that out, making it a non-issue.  A must-read!

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Curse of Misty Wayfair from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review*

The House on Foster Hill

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Wright, Jaime Jo. The House on Foster Hill. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers. 2017.

SUMMARY:
In a house on Foster Hill in Oakwood Wisconsin, almost a century ago, a young woman is found dead. Determined to find the assailant, Ivy Thorpe searches yet soon discovers herself in dangerous situations. Forced to revisit memories long shut away, she must shield her own heart while untangling the web of mysteries surrounding the house. Meanwhile, at the same house in present day, new owner Kaine Prescott experiences the same feelings as Ivy when she confronts issues encircling her own life and the same dark happenings within the Foster Hill House.  Struggling to understand the eerie, she must also guard her heart while dealing with the pain of the past.  Suspense, mystery, uncertainty and history besiege in The House on Foster Hill…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Definitely a thriller with time periods linked through deep connections to Foster Hill House, I found it very interesting how the story jumped back and forth between characters and time periods yet had that underlying relationship. Left wondering just exactly what that affiliation may be, I found this book hard to put down once I was immersed in it. As a new author to me, I most likely will look for more books from Jaime Jo Wright and hope she realizes her talent for writing such spine-tingling, dramatic, emotional novels as she did with this one, her debut novel.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The House on Foster Hill from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review*

The View from Rainshadow Bay

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Coble, Colleen. The View from Rainshadow Bay: A Lavender Tides Novel. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing. 2018.

SUMMARY:
Shauna McDade, a widow with a young son, must rely on her own instincts as well as that of her husband’s best friend, Zach Bannister, the man she blames for his death. However, when other deaths occur which seem to connect and now possibly target Shauna, she needs to rethink who may be to blame. Full of suspense, mystery, forgiveness, romance and plenty of action, The View from Rainshadow Bay is the newest novel from acclaimed author, Colleen Coble.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Knowing I would read this book due to the author, I was a bit surprised I finished it completely in almost a (late) night. From the epilogue to the conclusion, there was non-stop suspense which kept my interest without end. As with all of her books, Colleen Coble delivers well-written material mixed with mystery, tension, anticipation and excitement. An excellent book; I look forward to the next book in the Lavender Tides series set to release in July, The House at Saltwater Point. (I love the covers and the names of the locations in this series, too.)

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The View from Rainshadow Bay from BookLook Bloggers for my honest review*

Love Unfeigned

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Keels, Nadine. Love Unfeigned: When It’s Time Series- Book 1. Amazon Digital Services, LLC. 2013.

SUMMARY:
Lorraine Tyson and Isaiah James were childhood buddies who loved and trusted each other as only true young friends can. As the two grew up (and grew apart), though they found themselves back together, it was not with the same abandon as when younger. Maturity, honesty, forgiveness, understanding and healing come to have a part in their more adult relationship. With a mix of faith, love, adolescence and sweetness, accomplished author Nadine Keels shares the heartache and delight of growing up…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As one of my most true and trusted authors, Nadine Keels yet again pens a cleanly and reliably written story. Fully developing the characters as well as the storyline, emotions, and scenes, Love Unfeigned is also complete with exquisite, interesting and skilled language adding to the overall success. As one of those stories that is hard to see end, luckily, a sequel has already been written, Hope Unashamed. Absolutely a book I would not hesitate to recommend, I can only applaud the author and encourage her to keep writing!

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Love Unfeigned from the author for my honest review*

Fatal Trust

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Johnson, Todd M. Fatal Trust. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers. 2017.

SUMMARY:
As a new young lawyer hoping to keep his late father’s law practice current while taking care of his mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s, Ian Wells is willing to take just about any case that he is given. Amid his stress of life and bills, a thirty-five year old case resurfaces which Ian accepts. While investigating the case, Ian soon realizes this simple case may become a criminal investigation perhaps even involving his own family…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As a new author to me, I was quite impressed. Suspense and mystery surround investigations, high stakes and criminal activity. Though maybe just a bit busy in the first few chapters, once the storyline evolved and the main character emerged, I found it hard to put the book down. With flashbacks to history interspersed with current time, this novel by Todd Johnson was well written and kept my attention easily. Definitely not the last book I will read by this author, Fatal Trust has ensured a new fan and future reader.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Fatal Trust from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review*

Sandpiper Cove

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Hannon, Irene. Sandpiper Cove: A Hope Harbor Novel. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishing. 2017.

SUMMARY:
Adam Stone is living a more solitary life and is content. As an ex-con, he prefers it that way…that is, until Police Chief Lexie Graham shows up at his door. Investigating a string of crimes, evidence points to a troubled youth, much like Adam Stone in his younger days. Hoping Adam may act as a mentor to the youth, Lexie finds herself more drawn to Adam than she would like to admit. After all, how could a police chief and ex-con ever connect…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As a wonderful addition to the Hope Harbor series, Sandpiper Cove was filled with mystery, encouragement, romance and faith while centering around second chances. With an engaging storyline and memorable primary characters supported by interesting secondary characters, Irene Hannon has once again written a novel that is hard to put down. Enjoying this three-time Rita Award winning author already, her newest book only increased and ensured my readability of any future books, including Dangerous Illusions, the first book in her new series releasing in fall of 2017.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Sandpiper Cove from Revell Publishing for my honest review*

Vicious Cycle

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Blackstock, Terri. Vicious Cycle: Intervention Series- Book 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing. 2011.

SUMMARY:
Accusing of kidnapping the baby he found in the backseat of the car, teenager Lance Covington was only trying to help. As a friend of the baby’s mother, Lance has been trying to get her help for her meth addiction. Now in trouble, Lance turns to his mom, who in turn contacts Kent Harlan, a man who has a personal history with the family. With plenty of suspense, intrigue and action from New York Times bestselling author Terri Blackstock, the newest addition to the Intervention Series is full of choices that could change lives forever…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As one of my favorite suspense authors, though this book was published years earlier, I decided to read it while I wait for her newest book. Continuing with previous characters yet valid as a stand-alone as well, Vicious Cycle was well worth the time. Full of current topics albeit difficult ones, they were well handled and contributed to the storyline. With the pages turning quickly, needing to read just one page, I finished it in record time. As I wait, I will search for more of this author’s previous works, liking every one of them thus far.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies