Review: The Day the Angels Fell

Synopsis:

It was the summer of storms and strays and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident. As he recalls the tumultuous events that launched a surprising journey, Samuel can still hardly believe it all happened. 

After his mother’s death, twelve-year-old Samuel Chambers would do anything to turn back time. Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Samuel begins his search for the Tree of Life–the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. His quest to defeat death entangles him and his best friend Abra in an ancient conflict and forces Samuel to grapple with an unwelcome question: could it be possible that death is a gift? 

Haunting and hypnotic, The Day the Angels Fell is a story that explores the difficult questions of life in a voice that is fresh, friendly, and unafraid. With this powerful debut, Shawn Smucker has carved out a spot for himself in the tradition of authors Madeleine L’Engle and Lois Lowry. 

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker is an interesting story. I was able to relate to the main character’s grief, loss, and sadness. However, the pacing of the plot kept me at bay. It went by at a snail’s pace. The way the story was being told also didn’t work that well. It was done well but not in a way that made me feel as entertained as I should have. Yes, there was definitely a journey to follow, here. There was also the theme of good versus evil. 

The Day the Angels Fell is a different kind of novel than I am used to reading. It presented a young boy’s journey about bringing his mother back to life. This, caught my attention immediately. As expected, I knew the character would learn that something’s things like death are better left they way they are. Sad and heartbreaking…it was. Overall, it was okay. 

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Review: Justice Buried

Synopsis:

In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts go missing, she’s ecstatic. But when her investigative focus turns from theft to murder, Kelsey knows she’s out of her league–and possibly in the cross hairs. When blast-from-the-past Detective Brad Hollister is called in to investigate, Kelsey may find that he’s the biggest security threat yet . . . to her heart.

Crackling with romantic tension and laced with intrigue, this suspenseful story from award-winning author Patricia Bradley will keep readers guessing–and looking over their shoulders.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

 Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley is a stunning piece of literature. A romantic suspense that catches my attention immediately. The plot is fun and engaging. I enjoyed reading this story. Both main characters share an interesting past. Their future is unclear but gets more exciting with every page. 

The past opens up and leaves Kelsey Allen wondering. Theft, murder, and danger all in one perfect tale. Kelsey works in showing others what they’re lacking in security. On one such showing, she is threatened. That’s when she calls in for help. Detective Brad comes to the rescue. Together they work on solving both the past and present crime investigation. 

I haven’t read any of Patricia Bradley’s novels. After reading this one, I can definitely say, I’ll be adding her to my favorites list. Patricia Bradley delivers a promising new adventure. Her characters entertained me from the start.  Felt real…both characters were easy to connect to, as well as liking them. Overall, I recommend this suspenseful book to readers everywhere. 

Review: These Healing Hills

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Francine Howard has her life all mapped out until the soldier she planned to marry at WWII’s end writes to tell her he’s in love with a woman in England. Devastated, Francine seeks a fresh start in the Appalachian Mountains, training to be a nurse midwife for the Frontier Nursing Service.

Deeply affected by the horrors he witnessed at war, Ben Locke has never thought further ahead than making it home to Kentucky. His future shrouded in as much mist as his beloved mountains, he’s at a loss when it comes to envisioning what’s next for his life.

When Francine’s and Ben’s paths intersect, it’s immediately clear that they are from different worlds and value different things. But love has a way of healing old wounds . . . and revealing tantalizing new possibilities.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart is a wonderful historical romance. This, book was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed watching the main characters grow. Life hands them lemons, and they still move forward with hope. A woman loved a man but her affection wasn’t returned. From there her journey led her into the wilderness where she meets a troubled soldier. Their meeting wasn’t just coincidental. It was fate.  Fate brought them together. It still lies within the characters to decide their ultimate fate. Their future. Love plain and simple. Ann H. Gabhart hooked me into her new story. I had to know the outcome after meeting both Francine and Ben. Healing with sweet rewards. Overall, I enjoyed reading this this beautiful yet realistic tale. I recommend it to all.

Review: All She Left Behind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Jennie Pickett is a natural healer, but her dreams to become a doctor in 1870s Oregon put her at odds with the world around her. As she struggles to keep her dream alive, she finds that the road to fulfillment winds past love, heartache, and plenty of surprises along the way.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick is a  heartfelt story of one strong woman. Jennie Pickett has a dream of becoming a doctor. Back then, only men occupied that spot. Yet with determination, hope, and hard work, she might just be the one female to accomplish just that. From seventeen years of age, Jennie has had both good and bad times. Married young, had children, pursued an education and a top career. But then, fate comes calling and as many joys that are felt so too, are the sad ones. Jane Kirkpatrick created an engaging tale from the start. I was immediately fascinated with Jennie. A woman who lived life and still wondered if she did all she could do. She’s a character, I can relate to, as well as feel connected with…hope, can move mountains. All She Left Behind is a story of one woman going beyond her boundaries and facing the world with each new step forward. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere.

 

Review: Chasing Secrets

Synopsis:

Elite Guardians bodyguard Haley Callaghan may be in South Carolina, but when a photo leads investigators in West Ireland to open a twenty-five-year-old cold case, her life is suddenly in danger. Haley knows how to take care of herself; after all, she’s made a career out of taking care of others. But after an uncomfortably close call, Detective Steven Rothwell takes it upon himself to stay with her–and the young client she has taken under her wing. A protector at heart, he’s not about to let Haley fight this battle alone.

In a sweeping plot that takes them into long-buried memories–and the depths of the heart–Haley and Steven will have to solve the mystery of Haley’s past while dodging bullets, bombs, and bad guys who just won’t quit. 

Rating: 5-stars 

Review: 

Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason is a stunning romantic suspense novel. I was hooked immediately. This was my first novel that I’ve read by Lynette Eason. Her writing is entertaining from beginning to end. 

Chasing Secrets is exactly that. The main character, Haley, will be chasing after secrets to unravel her own mysterious past. A past that keeps haunting her dreams at night. Now, she’s determined to find answers. As Haley does the searching, danger is lingering nearer. Risks are at hand as her life is being threatened. Another character, Detective Steven, is out to protect her. Both are soon pulled into a dangerous game of life and death. 

It was exciting to watch these characters as the plot raced forward. Fast-paced, full of action, and suspenseful. Plus, the growing attraction between Haley and Detective Steven was full of emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with them both. Lynette Eason did her best when she wrote this heartfelt novel. Thrilling and unforgettable. Overall, I recommend Chasing Secrets to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Return

Synopsis:

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family’s rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she’s taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her. 

Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy’s captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans’s hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa? 

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher is an inspiring tale. It’s also full of hardships, woe, and hope. The book is based off some realistic events from the past. I enjoyed following this historical Christian piece. A group of Christians find themselves in the wilderness. A new land that is just as dangerous as it is good. Indians are nearby. In fact, one Indian will become something more to one of the protagonists. Her faith is questioned. Danger escalates and loss is felt. A massacre happens. Half Indians are slaughtered out of fear by others. Anger and fear make for trouble. One Amish man finds himself in such a predicament. Caleb is half Indian and half Mennonite. Betsy feels protective of her new friend. But Caleb is struggling with what’s happening to his kind. Betsy is hopeful thinking one day, Caleb will be ready to enter her world.  But right now he’s hurt, confused, and not ready. Understanding and relating to each character inside this book was easy. I felt their emotions. Fear, anger, sadness, love, and hope. Kindness played a role throughout the troubled and terrible times. Overall, I would recommend The Return to readers everywhere. Themes of friendship, bullying, and respect are found here. It was a well-written yet engaging read. 

Review: Fault Lines

Synopsis:

As a security expert, Charlie Hazard is all about taking control of the situation. But when the stunning Dr. Gabriella Speciale draws him into a secret psychological project, risk parameters are shattered. Every move brings him to the edge of one fault line after another, and Charlie struggles to stay clear of a maelstrom of entangled dangers. 

The research team abandons the lab on the Florida coast and flees to a mountain refuge in Italy. The battles in Charlie’s mind are overtaken by real life attacks. He must grapple with the daunting realization that a conspiracy is taking hold on both internal and external levels. Can Gabriella be trusted, or is she just part of the scheme? 

Leave behind your assumptions about the way the world works, and race along the unknown corridors of human consciousness in Fault Lines.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Fault Lines by Thomas Locke is fascinating thriller. Instantly, I was hooked. The story is about mind-shifting technology that one can destroy and another is fighting to keep alive. Danger, risks, and a mystery that propelled me from my chair into the book. The plot was well-developed and built up the intensity as the pages were flipped. Two main characters, Charlie and Gaberiella brought this tale to life. Charlie is in the line of protection duty while Gabriella is a psychologist who takes him deeper into a deadly scenario. My heart raced. The threats felt real. The novel reminded me of the fast-paced Bourne Series. Overall, I recommend this thrilling title to readers worldwide.