Category: December-2015

Book Review - The Trouble With Perfect by Christy Barritt

12/31/2015

Genre:
Romantic Suspense

The Trouble With Perfect
by Christy Barritt

-From the back cover-

Since the death of her fiance tow years ago, novelist Morgan Blake's life has been in a holding pattern. She has a major case of writer's block, and a book signing in the small mountain town of Perfect sounds like just the solution to help her clear her head.

Her trip takes a wrong turn when, on her way there, she's involved in a hit and run – she's hit a man, and he's run from the scene. Before fleeing, he mouth the word “help.” She plans to give him that help, but first she must find him.

In Perfect, she finds a town that offers everything she's ever wanted. But is something sinister going on behind the town's cheery exterior? Was she invited as a guest of honor simply to do a book signing? Or was she lured to town for another purpose – a deadly purpose?

ISBN-13: 978-1477488263

Don't turn out the light...

I've been wanting to read The Trouble With Perfect for quite awhile, ever since I was searching Amazon for all of Christy Barritt's books and came across this rather eye-catching title. After reading the blurb I knew I HAD to read it.

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Christy Barritt

Author's Website

Not only is Christy Barritt one of my all-time favorite authors but I also love novels that feature authors as the main characters. The Trouble With Perfect did not disappoint! I was quickly immersed in Morgan's thrilling, and terrifying for her, adventures in small-town West Virginia. What could possibly go wrong in a town called Perfect? Believe me, I was biting my nails and breathlessly turning pages when all the exciting and even creepy things began to happen.
The story unfolded nice and slow at first, the author almost lulling you into thinking it's just a sleepy little town..and then...things start to happen and you wonder if Morgan will make it out...alive.

Christy Barritt has a real talent for holding her readers spell-bound which is very evident in this book and especially when the chilling secret of The Trouble With Perfect is finally revealed...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Trouble With Perfect by Christy Barritt a 4 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Deadlock by DiAnn Mills

12/31/2015

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Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Deadlock
An FBI: Houston Novel book 3
by DiAnn Mills

-From the back cover-

THIS COULD BE THE CASE
OF THEIR CAREERS . . .
IF THEY CAN SURVIVE
LONG ENOUGH TO SOLVE IT.

TWO HOMICIDES HAVE ROCKED THE CITY OF HOUSTON. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager to begin her new assignment in violent crime but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus their investigative styles couldn't be more opposite: he operates on instinct; she goes by the book.
When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat, bringing them closer together, while new evidence suggests a shocking twist to the case.

ISBN-13: 978-1414389950

Will they be too late?

I've really been enjoying the FBI: Houston series but I think Deadlock is my favorite so far. More danger, more romance, more of DiAnn Mills's great storytelling.
Deadlock is a fairly thick book but it didn't take me long to finish, I think those pages must have been smoking I was turning them so fast! I just couldn't seem to put it down, I HAD to know what would happen next and if my guess on the identity of the mastermind was right or not.
Out of all the leading characters in this series I think Bethany and Thatcher are my favorites. They both have some very real struggles and I loved watching their faith change and grow.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

DiAnn Mills

Author's Website

I love suspense and mystery and read as many Christian ones as I can get hold of. DiAnn Mills is one of those authors that I will read the book just based on seeing her name on the cover. I really enjoy her brand of romantic suspense and Deadlock is a wonderful example.
If you love suspense and want a gripping read with some intriguing characters you won't want to miss this great story from DiAnn Mills!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Deadlock by DiAnn Mills a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Standoff At Christmas by Margaret Daley

12/30/2015

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Genre:
Romantic Suspense/Holiday

Standoff At Christmas
Alaskan Search And Rescue book 4 – Love Inspired Suspense
by Margaret Daley

-From the back cover-

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY HOMECOMING

Anchorage K-9 officer Jake Nichols returns homes for Christmas to recover from the accident that almost killed him – and find a little peace and quiet. But those plans are shattered when his childhood friend Rachel Hart gets caught up in a drug-smuggling ring after her aunt is brutally murdered. Jake quickly discovers that Port Aurora is no longer the tranquil little fishing town he left behind. He promises Rachel that he'll stick around until,he tracks down the killer – and vows to protect her at all costs. Both of their lives are in peril as he battles against the Alaskan winter, a ruthless criminal...and his developing feelings for Rachel.

Alaskan Search and Rescue:
Risking their lives to save the day

ISBN-13: 978-0373447091

Survival just got harder...

Margaret Daley has done it again, this is my favorite book of hers yet! Anchorage is left behind and small-town Alaska is the location of heart-stopping danger and romance. I finished Standoff At Christmas fairly quickly, I just couldn't seem to put it down, but still spent a lot of time trying to puzzle out exactly who was part of it and who wasn't. Margaret Daley is a very talented author and good at keeping readers guessing. I know some of mine were right and some came as real surprises.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Margaret Daley

Author's Website

Having read the entire Alaskan Search And Rescue series I was glad when I found out that Standoff At Christmas was about Jake, and more importantly, his dog Mitch.
I was quickly involved in the story, immersed in Margaret Daley's trademark romance and spine-tingling suspense, and the characters soon became friends as I came to care about them.

Standoff At Christmas is not only a great holiday read but also a story to enjoy at any time of the year. Don't miss Margaret Daley's thrilling conclusion to an exciting series.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Standoff At Christmas by Margaret Daley a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Audiobook Review - Hurricane by Janice Thompson

12/30/2015

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Genre:
Historical

Hurricane
Deep In The Heart Of Texas book 1
by Janice Thompson
(Audiobook)

It's 1900 and Brent Murphy, a prodigal son, is disillusioned with New York and his life as a newspaperman. Drawn home to Galveston Island, Brent knows it is likely he will face rejection from his father. On Saturday, September 8, 1900, without warning, the citizens of Galveston Island are in for the fight of their lives when the hurricane of the century hits. In a single night of horror, more than 6,000 islanders lose their lives and countless others are left in devastation. Through the experience, Brent finally faces the truth of his own childhood and the stormy relationship he has with his parents. He finds the courage to write the story of his past and discovers a loving God.

My Review

Will the island survive?

When I got the chance to listen to a Janice Thompson audiobook I jumped at it, and with my fascination with historic hurricanes all it took was the title to grab my attention.

Now, I've read a number of Janice Thompson's contemporary romantic comedies, and she is one of my favorite authors, but Hurricane just added to my appreciation of her talent. Hurricane isn't a typical Janice Thompson book and is more serious in nature. Talk about nature, wow, this book chronicles the events of the 1900 Galveston hurricane that wrought unimaginable damage and suffering. I had heard of the hurricane before but this book totally opened my eyes to the extent of it. Hurricane takes you through the super-peaceful days leading up to, through the hurricane, and then the aftermath. Through Janice Thompson's excellent prose and the narrator's voice I could almost feel the wind and taste the rising salt waters.

One of my favorite things about the Audible audiobook is that, even though the book follows several characters both male and female, the narrator is a man. While listening I felt that Brent was actually the central character and that made me appreciate the narrator even more.

Hurricane is an exciting, heart-wrenching, tale of love, sacrifice, and finding out what is most important. Whether read or listened to Janice Thompson's story of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane will linger in the mind long after...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Hurricane by Janice Thompson a 4 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Dangerous Tidings by Dana Mentink

12/30/2015

1 Comment

Genre:
Romantic Suspense/Holiday

Dangerous Tidings
Pacific Coast Private Eyes – Love Inspired Suspense
by Dana Mentink

-From the back cover-

SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Brent Mitchell wants only one gift for Christmas: to find his sister. When he discovers that her disappearance is tangled with the death of private eye Bruce Gallagher, he joins forces with Bruce's daughter Donna to investigate. Grieving Donna is as tough as the determined military man...and will stop at nothing to find the truth. But the duo soon discovers that a murdered father and a missing sister merely top a looming pyramid of secrets on Coronado Island. Deadly secrets. These unlikely partners have vowed to stick together until their most important case is closed – but they may pay with their lives.

Pacific Coast Private Eyes:
Sisters Fighting Crime

ISBN-13: 978-0373447053

Will the past stop a future together?

As usual Dana Mentink delivers a tale of heart-stopping danger and romance. I got hooked on her exciting stories awhile back and Dangerous Tidings was the best yet.
I quickly came to care about the characters. The hero and heroine are both suffering from guilt over the past, both decisions made and things beyond their control, and both long for the forgiveness they believe they don't deserve.

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Dana Mentink

Author's Website

Throw in a mysterious young man, a Christmas gingerbread house making party, a grieving family, an adorable dog with a funny ailment, a cold swim, a killer, and you have the recipe for a perfect afternoon read.
Dangerous Tidings is another winner from Dana Mentink, whether you like holiday stories or romantic suspense.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Dangerous Tidings by Dana Mentink a 4 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Lorie's Heart by Amy Lillard

12/30/2015

1 Comment

Genre:
Amish

Lorie's Heart
Wells Landing Amish Romance book 3
by Amy Lillard

-From Amazon-

Welcome back to Wells Landing, Oklahoma, the tranquil Amish community where still waters run deep and a brave young woman sets out to discover her faith, her family, and herself…

Lorie Kauffman is grief-stricken when her father passes away unexpectedly. But her heartache quickly turns to bewilderment when she discovers he’d been leading two lives—one of simplicity and hard work in Wells Landing, and one fraught with painful ordeals in Tulsa. As she starts digging into her family’s past, Lorie finds herself torn between the Amish world and the Englisch world—and she’s no longer certain where she belongs…

Lorie knows that if she leaves Wells Landing, she may never be able to return. But what if her destiny lies in the outside world—the world her father knew so well? Change is never easy, but with a bit of courage and the help of a handsome and kind-hearted Englischer, she just may find the peace, acceptance, and love she’s been longing for…

ISBN-13: 978-1420134575

Two worlds and one choice...

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Amy Lillard

Author's Website

When I first started reading Amish novels I read every single one I found but as the years have gone by I've found myself limiting it to favorite authors and occasionally trying a new one. Amy Lillard is one of those favorites and right up there at the top of the list. This is actually the fourth Amish novel I have read by her and each one just keeps getting better and better.

Lorie's Heart went surprisingly fast, I just couldn't seem to put it down. Lots of secrets and difficult decisions not only make you care about the characters but also keep the reader glued to the page.

In the Wells Landing series each girl has had similar choices to make, to stay within the Amish faith or step out into the English world, to choose the old love or take a chance on the new.

I truly enjoyed Lorie's Heart, it's a great read, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. When you are wanting an Amish story you can't go wrong with an Amy Lillard book!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Lorie's Heart by Amy Lillard a 4.5 Bark rating.

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E-Book Review - Isle Of Hope by Julie Lessman

12/28/2015

2 Comments

Genre:
Contemporary Romance

Isle Of Hope
Unfailing Love book 1
by Julie Lessman

-From Amazon-

She stole his heart. He stole her peace. Can hope steal their pain? At the age of eighteen, Lacey Carmichael was a wild girl bent on fun, promised to Jack O'Bryen, a straight-and-narrow pastor’s kid bent on the seminary. When her father kicks her out of the house, she runs away from Isle of Hope, turning her back on everything she loves. Now, eight years later, she’s back as a woman of faith, hoping to make amends to the father she defied, the boyfriend she deserted, and the best friend she denied. Only the bridges she’s burned are still smoldering, kindled by an adulterous affair by Jack’s pastor father that damaged his son’s faith. But can a turning of tables—and hearts—lead the way back to “hope” for them all?

ASIN: B0163HTXLU

Romance by the sea...

What an emotional roller coaster ride! Isle Of Hope caused all kinds of disruptions in my day, not only did I have a hard time putting it down but while I was making my breakfast I got to thinking so hard about the story that I walked out of the kitchen and forgot my Kindle, AND this is one of the only two or three books that have ever caused me to tear up.

Julie Lessman has done something quite different from the norm, there was no hero or heroine in this book, no, there were just real and very flawed people. The issues they all face are the same kind of things we face in our own lives. Isle Of Hope is story of love, loss, and most importantly forgiveness. Every facet of forgiveness. It isn't just a theme but is key to the entire story. No need to worry, Julie Lessman has a definite storyline and lots of her trademark romance.

This Book received a 5 Bark rating.

Julie Lessman

Author's Website

Isle Of Hope is wonderful read, one that will be going on my list of favorites for this year. I'll be anxious to see what Julie Lessman has for us in book two...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Isle Of Hope by Julie Lessman a 5 Bark rating.

P.S. Keep your eye out for a very special character.

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Merry Christmas!

12/25/2015

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Sale on Melanie Dickerson E-Books

12/21/2015

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The Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance Series

The entire Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance Series is on sale for only $1.99 each for Kindle

Please double-check the prices before ordering.