Fiction Addict

Genre: Religious, YA

Publisher: Risen Books

Publication Dates: March 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Robyn is a typical Christian teenager. She loves her friends, her youth group, and she’s generally happy with her life. One day, when she arrives at school, she sees one of her friends in the middle of a very large group of people and realizes she’s being interviewed by a local news reporter. Her friend isn’t in a good place and Robyn can tell she’s very uncomfortable. Without even a thought for herself, Robyn wades into the fray to help her friend and consequently, into the middle of a very dangerous spiritual battle.

The news reporter turns all of Robyn’s words upside down, the new boy at school is suddenly very interested in who she is, and her little show of courage has caused her Bible study to vote her as their new leader. Now she’s in the sights of the Principal, the caustic reporter, and forces that are far more dangerous than she realizes.

I’ve been reading a lot of YA books lately and some of them have really hit the mark. Others, unfortunately, have not. I had mixed feelings about this book right away. I liked where she was going, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about the tone of the book. It took me a little bit of time to get into it and really enjoy the story. Once I did, I devoured the rest of the book very quickly. (One evening actually.)

When I got to the end I realized I’d liked the mystery, the characters, and the way that she built the story. The plot moved quickly, kept you guessing and threw a few twists into the middle. The characters seemed spot on for teenagers and the situations were realistic.

I thought to myself though that this is a book that really should be ready WITH a parent or a spiritual leader as a mentor. That way some of the situations and more tense scenes can be discussed and talked through so they’re understood.

These situations are serious and could be heavy for a young person. This could be especially so with one who has just become a Christian or who is young in their walk. Don’t get me wrong. This is a good book. Shellie Neumeier pulls no punches in what spiritual warfare is about and she writes some really good creepy scenes. Some of her situations gave me goose bumps and I was reading during the daylight hours surrounded by people. It was GOOD stuff. But because of the subject matter, I’d recommend parents realize that this could open some heavy topics of conversation and in some cases, might open up some fears in young people.

If you decide to read it or gift it to a young person – get two copies so you can have one for yourself. It’s well worth the read and everything she addresses needs to be discussed. But it’s not for younger readers (under 15/16) and it needs follow up from a good adult mentor/parent/role model that can help answer any questions that may pop up.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Comedy

Publisher: L&L Dreamspell

Publication Dates: June 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Laurel McKay really isn’t sure she’s interested in dating at all. Divorced and barely holding her job and her family together, adding dates to the mix doesn’t seem like a wise idea. But still, she decides that instead of trying internet dating, she’ll give a higher end ‘love club’ a try. With an extensive security process and more elite clients, she’s sure that it’s going to work better than previous dates she’s had. Unfortunately, this one sets a record for nearly the worst date ever. After he tries to go too far with him, she smashes him in the face with his cell phone and the next morning? He ends up dead. She, of course is covered in his blood from the night before and her fingerprints are all over the inside of the car. Not good.
What’s worse for Laurel is that the detective investigating the crime is a soccer dad whose daughter plays against Laurel’s son and whom Laurel doesn’t really like very much. So when Detective Hunk…er Hunter, hits the case, Laurel isn’t sure what to think. He makes a joke about following her on her next date to make sure the homicide count doesn’t rise. Hah. Hah.

Remember when I said that her earlier date was almost the worst date ever? Her second Love Club attempt turns out worse. How can it be worse than a date showing up dead the next day? How about dying mid-date – while Laurel is in the bathroom with no alibi!

Cindy Sample’s story is funny, smart and has a fast paced plot that keeps you guessing. Could it be her boss? Her ex-husband? Some random killings? And how does Laurel manage to hold herself together in the midst of a serial killer’s work?

Sample’s characters are realistic and quirky without being over the top. They are easily relatable and as you’re reading, it would be easy to see yourself hanging out with them. As her heroine balances life, divorce, romance and mystery solving, she does it with grace, panache and just enough humor to keep you laughing along.

I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be a fun weekend read. Light, funny and clean enough to be shared amongst friends without apologies or remorse, Dying for a Date will keep you laughing, intrigued, and very very happy that Cindy Sample isn’t writing your life story.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Jake Chism recently had the privilege of interviewing NY Times Bestselling Author Douglas Preston. Listen in as they discuss the recent Monster of Florence movie news, the new Preston and Child novel (Gideon’s Sword), and the beloved Agent Pendergast.

More about Douglas Preston:

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child are coauthors of the bestselling novels Relic,Mount Dragon, Reliquary, Riptide, Thunderhead, The Ice Limit, The Cabinet of Curiosities, Still Life with Crows, Brimstone, Dance of Death, The Book of the Dead,The Wheel of Darkness, Cemetery Dance, and Fever Dream. Preston’s bestselling nonfiction book, The Monster of Florence, is being made into a major motion picture. His interests include horses, scuba diving, skiing, and exploring the Maine coast in an old lobster boat. Lincoln Child is a former book editor who has published four bestselling novels of his own. He is passionate about motorcycles, exotic parrots, and nineteenth-century English literature. The authors welcome email from their readers; visit their website at www.prestonchild.com

You can subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

Read our review of Gideon’s Sword here.

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Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central

Publication Date: February 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Gideon Crew is out for revenge. When he was twelve, his father was accused of treason and gunned down. Years later, as his mother is moments away from death she reveals the shocking truth: Gideon’s father was betrayed. Using his unique skill sets Gideon sets out to clear his father’s name and bring the murderers to justice. And succeed he does. So well, in fact, that a covert agency wants to recruit Gideon to work for them. Reluctantly Gideon sets out on this new mission that will place him in more danger than he could ever fathom.

Preston and Child are giants in the thriller genre. From the beloved Agent Pendergast novels to the edge of your seat stand alones, this dynamic duo has long been frontrunners in the ever expanding genre. With Gideon’s Sword they introduce fans to not only an intriguing new character, but also an electrifying start to a new series.

Gideon Crew could have easily been a clichéd character with his reluctant hero persona and the almost unnatural set of “tricks” up his sleeve. However, early on Preston and Child take a huge risk with the revelation of a major personal dilemma with Gideon that only serves to heighten the intrigue and intensity. Without spoiling anything, let me just say that I can’t wait to see how they pull this off as the series unfolds. In this initial installment Preston and Child more than accomplish what they needed to do: giving us a character we want to follow.

Thriller fans will enjoy the swift pacing of this story, interspersed with some great action sequences and creative plot twists. Social engineering plays a major role here and readers will love Gideon’s use of his wits and charm to manipulate his way through and around obstacles.

In the end, it all leads to a grand finale on Hart Island (New York’s real life “potter’s field”) complete with a duel you just have to read to believe, body parts galore, and a towering confrontation. The climax truly is the perfect combination of wacky, thrilling, and fun. Gideon’s Sword is not just a good read, but also a bold, confident first step in a series that is bound to be a fan favorite.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Listen to our interview with Douglas Preston here.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication date: August 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

It’s every investor’s dream—and every rogue military’s worst fear. An unknown, financially struggling company has created a polymer that renders even thin metals impervious to bullets, grenades, even bombs. A single layer brushed on a military vehicle turns a light truck into a tank. For the US government, it promises to turn troop squadrons in Iraq and Afghanistan into unstoppable wrecking machines who no longer need to fear roadside bombs and suicide attacks. For investor Jack Wiley, it means the financial opportunity of a lifetime.

When Wiley teams up with mega-contractor the Capitol Group to initiate a hostile takeover of the new powerhouse, it seems his wildest dreams are about to come true. He’s being wined and dined by Washington’s powerful elite, he has more money than he can spend, and the future looks bright. But when the Capitol Group starts looking into his background, dark secrets threaten to come to light. Now Wiley finds himself in a chess match with some of the brightest minds in the world—and the stakes are unimaginable. The winner could walk away with untold riches and control of the most valuable military secret in history. The loser stands to forfeit everything. And if the loser is Wiley, it could mean his life.

In The Capitol Game, veteran author Brian Haig has created a fast-paced, suspenseful military, financial, and political thriller that rivals the very best the genre has to offer. With compelling and plausible action, realistic characters, high-level corporate intrigue, and a mysterious antihero, the book will appeal to Clancy and Grisham fans alike. The story is well paced, and the conclusion, while not exactly a shocker, is highly satisfying.

Brian Haig has been on the New York Times bestseller list before, and it’s easy to see why. The Capitol Game, with top-notch writing and great research, is a winner.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance, Religious, YA, Supernatural

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Dates: February 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Gabriella Bettarini is a typical seventeen year old who is trying to find her way through life since her father passed away. For her and her younger sister, Lia, the struggle has been to figure out where they fit in their mother’s life since her father’s death. An archaeologist who devoted herself to her husband and her work, Gabi’s mother has spent more of her life studying the past than connecting with her present.

When Gabi, her mother and her sister go on another trip to Italy to explore Etruscan remains, Gabi’s bored and trying to figure out how to have some fun. When she wanders into an ancient tomb that her mother discovers and puts her hand on a really interesting handprint, she and her sister are suddenly transported to sixteenth century Italy. Seriously.

A 17 year old girl in skinny jeans, cami top and thin cardigan lands in the middle (literally) of a battle between two separate groups of knights. Oh and one of the knights? Total hottie. Yup. She’s 17 – what are we supposed to expect?

So Gabi, rescued by aforementioned hottie, now has to figure out not only how she got into 14^th century Italy, but if Lia, her sister came with her and how they can get back. In many instances, this becomes a fight for her life as she struggles with new customs, clothes and the daily grind of violence and death that many romanticize out of medieval romances.

I’m going to cut to the chase. I loved this book. In fact, I loved it with a deep abiding passion. When I finished it (in less than 2 days) I slammed the cover shut and pronounced to my whole family that I loved the book. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews you know that I’m a little vocal when reading books that I enjoy. I was frantic to try and get my hands on the next book. I immediately went online and began searching for more information. Lest you miss what I’m saying here, I LOVED THIS BOOK.

The characters were fabulous. Spot on teenagers for the modern day girls mixed with what I can only assume are wonderful characterizations of teenagers in medieval times. (Hey- I grew up in the 80’s… I’m not that old!) I loved the parallels between 17 year old girls of the time mixed with modern day girls. The differences in the way that they see themselves, their futures and handle their daily lives are wonderfully described by Bergren. What I loved the most was that she also showed how teenage girls aren’t that different. As anyone who has been a teenage girl can attest, they aren’t always all sunshine and roses. In fact, in some instances, they can be scheming, manipulative and very much not nice. Bergren hits on this pretty quickly as Gabi begins to work her way through her time travel dilemma.

Where she could have created clear cut enemies and friends, she didn’t though. All is not black and white with Lady Rossi, the potential enemy of Gabi. She’s obviously calculating (the hottie mentioned above is her betrothed) but she also doesn’t hesitate to give credit where it’s due and reach out the olive branch when needed.

Full of action and adventure that keep the plot moving forward at a good clip, Bergren’s tale of romance out of time delights, enthralls, and leaves the reader yearning to find out what happens to these beloved characters. Oh and did I mention ROMANCE? Seriously. Lots of romance. Good, clean, romantic, heart rending romance. Bergren filled this book with so much goodness that I can’t highly recommend it enough.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Publisher: Putnam Adult

Publication Dates: February 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Eve Dallas loves being a cop. She loves the ‘blue line’ and as difficult as it can be sometimes, she does love investigating homicides. Putting the pieces together to bring justice to homicide victims is more than her job. It IS Eve Dallas. So when her partner, Peabody, stumbles across a dirty cop ring in Eve’s precinct, there’s no question that she’s going to do something about it.  As she says, “The blue line breaks for wrong cops.”

Instead of working this through her division as she normally does, Dallas has to walk cautiously. How can she get involved in what should be an internal investigation? Her opening comes when one of these dirty cops calls for a hit on an informant, assuming that no one will care about a dead junkie on the street somewhere. It’s set up to look like a suicide, but Dallas knows better and this is where she’s going to drive Renee Oberman absolutely mad.

Oberman, the daughter of a famed and revered police chief, has taken everything that her father held honorable and turned it on its head. Respect, honor, dignity and justice all have completely different meanings for Oberman and Dallas is determined that she’s going to go down.

In this Dallas mystery, Robb takes everything that we’ve learned about Eve Dallas over the past 30+ books and creates the exact mirror image of her in Oberman. In a very literal way, Oberman and Dallas are two nearly identical cops on the opposite sides of everything. Where Dallas is less worried about her clothes and her appearance, Oberman is precise, perfect and always in order. Where Dallas is always concerned about justice and truth, Oberman couldn’t care less. Her world has an order and you must fall into that order.

Robb’s storytelling is, much like Oberman’s appearance, precision at its best. Every piece of the puzzle fits together into a glorious end result that will leave you reeling with the adventure you’ve just experienced. If you would have told me six months ago that I would have been delighted and even giggling at a female cat fight witnessed by officers in a police station, I would have categorically insisted that you were wrong. That is not me and it’s not something that I enjoy. Yet Robb’s accounting of these two women is spot on, brilliant, and by the time you’re halfway through this book, you’ll be just as eager as Dallas to see Oberman’s fall.

You would think that with 30+ books in this series alone, that there’s no way Robb can keep up the pace of excellence. She shatters that idea with this book. Though I haven’t read all of the Eve Dallas mysteries, I can say that of the ones that I have read, her books seem to be getting better and better. Treachery in Death was my favorite thus far and I am thrilled to say that Robb appears to be nowhere near slowing down.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Thriller, Horror, Suspense, Speculative

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Sascha Konig has just been assigned to a mysterious Nazi torture center buried deep in a Romanian forest. Konig is a man of science possessing the skill sets needed to master the furnace used to snuff out Nazi dissenters. Indeed, he is soon dubbed “Nebuchadnezzar” for his uncanny ability to maximize the heat. As Konig tries to feel at home in this chamber of death he makes friends and enemies amongst the soldiers assigned. Despite differences they must learn to band together against the supernatural monsters that threaten to break through their defenses and tear them to pieces.

The threats from outside are nothing compared to the fears and struggles Konig faces within. Despite his faithful service to Hitler, Konig has secretly despised the infamous Führer, always struggling with how to remain faithful to Christ. As Konig bands together with his new found friends he discovers that they too are Christians, fighting the same inward battle that ensnares him. As dangers escalate this remnant of believers must find a way to survive the onslaught of supernatural terror while trying to save those they have been charged to kill.

Told in the gripping first person narrative of Sascha Konig, this novel leaps out of the gates in a rapid pace that is intoxicating to say the least. With every turn of the page I was giddy with excitement while I wondered what Schooley could possibly throw at me next. Creepy plant men, gory man VS monster battles, otherworldly characters that both haunted and enthralled…every surprise was fresh and every plot twist executed masterfully.

Marc Schooley uses his skillful pen to easily transport readers into the madness his characters are drowning in. Just when you think the story is smothered in darkness, we quickly realize that true evil is deeper than we can imagine. Fortunately, Schooley doesn’t leave us wandering around blindly in despair. In the end the light shines through in a way I never saw coming, lifting this story from great to superb.

If you long for fiction that will move you and linger long after reading, then give Konig’s Fire a try. Marc Schooley is a new name to me, but one I will follow with eager anticipation.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Tim George recently caught up with novelist Vicki Hinze to discuss her new book, Deadly Ties and her fascinating journey into faith based fiction.

More about Vicki Hinze:

Vicki Hinze is an award-winning author of more than twenty novels (including Forget Me Not), three nonfiction books, and hundreds of articles. Hinze is active in Romance Writers of America and serves as a vice president on the International Thriller Writers board of directors. Vicki lives in Florida with her artist husband, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. Visit www.vickihinze.com for more about Vicki’s books, blogs, and writing programs.

Don’t miss our review of Deadly Ties and enter here for your chance to win a copy.

You can subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Religious Fiction

Publisher: B&H Books

Publication Dates: February 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Kaylee loves words. She keeps them in a box in her room and in a special place in her mind. She loves the shape of the letters and the way that words can convey meaning. As much as she loves words, she doesn’t ever speak them. She hasn’t since her mother left so long ago and she believes that she never will speak them again.

Trapped in an abusive relationship with her father, Kaylee escapes her reality by reading the dictionary and memorizing the definitions. She was told once that she has a photographic memory. She doesn’t know that. All she does know is that she retreats into the words in her mind when things get really bad.

Sierra Dawn is an artist who is trapped in grief that she supplies to herself in spades.  Twelve years ago she was using drugs while she was pregnant and that ultimately killed her newborn daughter. Since then, Sierra has spent her life wrapped in guilt. She knows that she was to blame for the death of her daughter and she can’t let go of that pain.

On the anniversary of her daughter’s passing, Sierra goes to visit her daughter’s grave and then afterward, overcome with emotion, heads out to a place near the coast to be alone and cry. It happens to be the same place where Kaylee escapes to her ‘safe place’ when she’s having a bad day with her father.  From deep inside a massive redwood tree, Kaylee watches the beautiful artist crying and sobbing and wonders what could hurt a woman that way. She stays still, worried that she’ll be discovered and she thinks for a moment that she might have been. But then the artist leaves.

Sierra knows she saw something but she’s not ready to acknowledge that she did. After the idea that a little girl may have been stuck inside the tree doesn’t let her go, she goes back to the tree multiple times – soon meeting Kaylee face to face.

Thus begins a gorgeous relationship and journey of healing and depth that transcends simple storytelling. How does a broken women help protect a shattered child? How can the two of them make their way through what should, by all rights, be a terribly dysfunctional relationship? By the blood of Jesus, the realization of redemption and healing, and God’s ever present mercy.

When I saw what this book was about, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to read it. It sat on my stack of books mocking me. Being a writer and an avid reader, I love words, so the title and the cover drew me, but each time I picked it up, I wondered if it would be too heavy for me to enjoy. Though I’ve been a reader all my life, I’m a mom first. When a child is injured or deliberately hurt, it’s difficult for me to read. But I heard such great and beautiful things (and I got a couple of copies in the mail- that’s usually a good sign I should give it a shot) that I decided to give it a chance.

I am so glad that I did. Yttrup’s journey of healing, redemption and faith is gorgeous, uplifting, difficult at times, but oh so beautiful and stunning. I loved Kaylee and the mom in me wanted to reach out, love her and give her peace and comfort. I’ve got three children and I could understand the doubts that Sierra had. Was she doing the right thing? Did she give her what she needed?

And on top of all of this, a beautiful, tentative and redeeming romance is built into the book as well.

I loved this book. It’s far too deep and powerful to be considered simply a story. It’s a life changing journey not only for the main characters, but for the readers who join the travels as well.

Give this one a try. It might be difficult in places, but trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

One handsome man, two women in love with him–this is not a new story but, when the man is Lord Robert Dudley and one of the women, Queen Elizabeth I, the tale becomes more than interesting–it becomes historical intrigue of the heart.  The other woman in Carolly Erickson’s novel, RIVAL TO THE QUEEN, is the Queen’s own cousin, Lettice Knolleys, grand-daughter of Mary Boleyn, infamous sister of Anne Boleyn.  Prettier than the Queen, a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty, Lettice garners fame as Robert Dudley’s wife and mother to the ill-fated Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.

In this novel, told in first-person from Lettice’s point of view, the story unfolds as Lettice and her sister, Cecelia, take their places at chamber women for the Queen.  This is thankless work and difficult, for Erickson’s Elizabeth is irascible and demanding.  When Cecelia, who is plump as well as vengeful, becomes object of the Queen’s sharp tongue, the girl takes what she thinks is secret revenge: she puts camphor in the Queen’s perfumes and sets her precious jeweled watch on the edge of the table so that the next person passing would knock it off, shattering the new-fangled creation.

However, nothing escapes Elizabeth’s eye and soon, she exacts her own punishment; she demands a new wig made from Cecelia’s own hair.  This, Cecelia gives, thanks to her mother’s prudent advice.  And Lettice learns to fear the Queen.  And to despise her.

Erickson is an expert in Tudor history and has written many nonfiction books on the subject.  I admit to being one of her biggest fans.  That said, this novel did not work as well for me as some of her previous books.  She writes well and here is an example:

The first time I saw Robert Dudley he was laughing very loudly

and joyfully and carrying a squealing squirming piglet into the

queen’s large, sumptuously decorated throne room.

Everyone watched Elizabeth to see what her reaction would be–

and then she burst into laughter and the rest of us joined in.

Lord Robert took his place to the right of the queen, a magnificent,

tall figure, handsome and debonair, seeming not to care a whit that

his costly blue velvet doublet with its gleaming golden stars was

being scratched and dirtied by the little pig or that my father, who scorned

trivial jests in the throne room, was shaking his head in disapproval.

I could not look at anyone else.

Though Erickson seems to be as at home in the Tudor world as she is in our own, my main quibble is the depiction of Elizabeth I.  In this novel, the queen is portrayed as cruel, vain, small-minded in her relationships and one-dimensional.  Granted, the story is told from the point of view of the queen’s biggest rival, and surely, Elizabeth could be all those things; however, the book would have been richer if Elizabeth’s character had been more rounded.

That said, this novel is one worth reading; the conflict between these two amazing cousins has not been explored as fully elsewhere to my knowledge.  This, plus Erickson’s immense wealth of knowledge about the era, makes the book a fascinating read.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: WaterBrook

Release Date: February 2011

Josh Olds’ Review:

Lisa Harper has had anything but a normal life. When she was seven she was kidnapped but thankfully managed to escape. Not long after her father died and her family went bankrupt. Her mother eventually remarried but the white knight she thought the guy was soon revealed himself as both abusive and evil. Now, some years later, she’s managed to escape her stepfather, and she won’t be satisfied until she gets her mother out as well. It’s been nearly 13 years since she’s seen her mother, but soon-to-be Dr. Lisa Harper, head of the Crossroads Crisis Center, is going to change that.

But Dutch Hauk, Lisa’s stepfather, isn’t going to let his wife go so easily. He controls everything she does, confining her to the house and away from the rest of the world. When he learns that Lisa is gunning to take her mom back, he throws everything back at her in order to make her stop. Hauk doesn’t just want to kill Lisa; he wants to see her suffer. Lisa soon finds herself in a situation far, far deeper and less hope-filled than she ever thought possible.

Luckily, she’s got security expert Mark Taylor on her side. Mark’s past as a covert black-ops spy is only known to a handful in the world, but it’ll prove to be very useful that he and his friends become involved. And as the plot progresses Lisa becomes very happy that Mark is, well, involved. The romantic aspects play out wonderfully, aren’t at all overbearing, and serve as a nice change of flavor from the core plot’s intensity.

As Lisa and Mark soon discover, their situation goes way beyond an abusive husband to the international problem of human trafficking and a multinational crime organization called NINA. Author Vicki Hinze keeps the action rolling, the tension at almost breaking point, and the plot twists spinning as Deadly Ties hurtles to its shocking conclusion.

I’m a newbie to Hinze’s work, but I assure you this won’t be the last time I pick up one of her novels. Excellent characterization and a compelling plot draw the reader in and never lets go. Every scene has a reason, every bit of character background has a purpose, but Hinze does a fantastic job of keeping it from the reader until the suspense is worked to the breaking point. The various storylines weave together seamlessly it what are truly Deadly Ties to create a web that entraps the reader in truly excellent storytelling.

Hinze hits on tough issues, bringing up things such as a Christian justification of divorce, the importance of family, and the evils of human trafficking. Perhaps most importantly, the novel addresses the universal question of the purpose of pain and the importance of faith when all hope seems lost. Evil is unapologetically painted black and bold, making the redemptive power of Christ seem all that much more powerful. Deadly Ties is absolutely magnificent.

Tim George’s Review:

Deadly ties might be hard to endure, but from them can spring ties of hope and joy. Ties of truth and of love.

The concluding line of Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze is a fitting synopsis for this fast paced romantic suspense that revisits the Crossroad Crisis Center in the panhandle of Florida and the characters associated with it as they struggle to bring reconciliation to their lives. At the center of the story is Annie, her daughter Lisa, and an abusive husband by the name of Dutch who loves his own power and control far more than his wife. Having given up custody of her daughter to a friend years earlier, Annie and her daughter have been kept apart until recently by their fear of the man who will allow stop at no ends to posses Annie all to himself. Throw into the mix a former Special Operations officer who has loved that daughter from a distance, a group of his ex special forces buddies who call themselves the Shadow Watchers, and a nefarious anarchist organization dedicated to nothing but money, death, and power and you have a perfect recipe for a gripping story.

While the plot of an international anarchist group like NINA, Nihilists in Anarchy, and the Shadow Watchers determination to bring it down may seem like the big story it really serves as a vehicle to plunge us into the lives of characters conflicted by their own hearts. That isn’t to say this is not a rousing story of good versus evil because it is. NINA was introduced more in less detail in Hinze first story of the series, Forget Me Not, but becomes a full-blown portrait of the human heart given to nothing but greed and unbridled power in this successful sequel. One member of NINA, in particular, offers a perfect picture of what happens when people try to compartmentalize their lives in such a way they think their dark actions have no relationship to the rest of their live or the people they love.

Hinze touches on a number of themes including love, trust, faith, and hope. More than one character in Deadly Ties is trying to escape their past while all the time running headlong into it. Our main character, Annie, has real emotions, the kind that dares to show a believer in Christ questioning why God allows the terrible things that happen in her life. When Annie contemplates the events that led to her marrying her abusive husband she asks what believers have been asking since David in the Psalms – Why? “Why, God? Why didn’t you send me at least one bad feeling? Couldn’t you spare me even one piddling stomach flutter? I’ve been loyal, obedient. Why didn’t I get something?”

While romantic suspense is not my first choice in fiction, writers like Hinze, Terri Blackstock, and Robin Carrol keep me coming back because they touch on themes about the life we live from day to day. The good romantic suspense authors understand the trick to making these themes that are common to all us compelling fiction is through plot, pacing, and enough suspense to keep us wondering what will happen next while rooting for the hero to overcome the complexities of his or her life.  Hinze has all of these nailed in spades as she reminds us – deadly ties might be hard to endure, but from them can spring ties of hope and joy.

Review copies provided by publisher.

Genre: Legal Thriller

Publisher: Dutton

Publication Date: January 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

I knew I’d like this book when, ten pages in, it refers to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as “renowned for its bizarre rulings.” Even though the statement itself isn’t a major part of the story, it does set the stage for everything that happens while making subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) political commentary.

Damage centers around Ro Curtlee—a convicted murderer and rapist—and his ultra-wealthy family who sees no qualms in using their billions to pervert justice. When Ro was first convicted nearly a decade prior, the Curtlee’s wrath was swift and harsh. Using their money and influence, they made sure that those who prosecuted their son would never have success in the professional world again.

But after a decade, Ro’s lawyers won him a retrial thanks to the Ninth Circuit, and now the convicted felon is out on $10 million bail. Immediately things begin to go wrong. The original trial’s star witness is killed and her home destroyed. Another fire claims the life of the jury foreman’s wife. Abe Glitsky, the former head detective in Ro’s case is convinced that the psychopath is out for revenge. Unfortunately, Ro is covering his tracks well and, using his parents’ influence, making the police out to be the bad guys in the story. He’s cocky and convinced that he can get away with anything  It all boils down to one final chance and one surprise twist.

John Lescroart is a long time New York Times bestselling author, but this is the first of his novels it’s been my pleasure to enjoy. More than just a fast-paced and entertaining story, Lescroart hits upon themes such as judicial activism, media sensationalism, and the raw power of money. Damage serves as an affront to our senses, because with the reader’s perspective we know that justice is being perverted, and it drives us to ask the tough questions about how our justice system can be improved. Perhaps most compelling in these regards are the intermittent asides written as newspaper articles from the paper owned by the Curtlee’s. Brilliantly written, they show just how much power the mass media has in persuading the people to a certain view.

Overall, Damage is a winner. Combining three-dimensional characters with an intriguing storyline and unforeseen twist ending, Damage makes Lescroart one of those authors I’ll have to start following more closely.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Chick Lit

Publisher: Viking/Penguin

Publication Date:  January 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

Annie Nicholson’s life just keeps getting worse and worse.  It is the Recession of the late 2000s; she and her husband are sleeping in separate bedrooms; Tom loses his job; and their immediate family is in crisis.  Tom’s elderly and difficult mother has to move in with them because Tom has played the stock market with her retirement funds and has lost.  His mother can no longer afford a nursing home.  Their youngest child, Emily, is still living at home to pursue her dream of writing a book, but she does not contribute to the household and doesn’t seem to get anything written.  Their son Jake has to move in with Tom and Annie for financial reasons after his wife suddenly leaves him and their infant daughter.  Jake’s twin Mia has left home and told the family not to try to find her.  Having a house so full of people forces Tom and Annie to share a bedroom again after five years.  This situation forces everyone to deal with their relationships with each other instead of going totally crazy.

Despite the book’s cover and description, it is very hard to get into the story, and when one does, it plods along at a very slow pace.  Not much actually happens in the story; instead, the members of this broken family get to know one another and to actually form relationships.  For example, Emily has never really known Mia and Jake because they share a “twin” bond that has refused her entry.  Annie has never bothered to get to know her mother-in-law Hermione because she is prickly, but when she has to care for Hermione, she shows more compassion toward the elderly woman.  If someone is interested in reading more about how people develop feelings and relationships within a family, this book is perfect.  If the reader is looking for a more active storyline, the reader should definitely skip Separate Beds.

The book is set in London and is written by an English novelist, so some terms are difficult to understand for those not familiar with British vernacular.  Most of it is easy to interpret, but it’s hard to say if some of the slang terms are vulgar or not.  There is a slight mention of sex, but nothing is explicit.  There is no violence, so the book in general is not offensive.  For a nice, clean read, this book is a good choice.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Scribner

Release Date: March 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

They call him The Priest because he makes the sign of the Cross as he mutilates them. They call him The Priest because he seeks out those who wear the Cross. They call him The Priest because he burns symbols of the Cross all over his victims’ bodies. But he is The Priest because he will not allow God to be mocked.

Mike Mulcahey is supposed to be a drugs crime cop. But after a lengthy job with Europol in Spain ends abruptly, he finds himself hung out to dry. And when he’s called in to serve as an interpreter for the Spanish victim of a sex crime—the victim is the daughter of a prominent foreign politician—he soon finds himself in quite unfamiliar territory. The case proceeds as usual, with Mulcahey struggling to learn the process. But as he does, he becomes convinced that the sex crimes unit he’s now temporarily attached to is sniffing down the wrong rabbit trail.

His colleagues aren’t convinced, leaving him with no option than to seek out the real killer on his own. As the Priest burns more victims—even crossing the line from assault to murder—and the press gets wind of Dublin’s serial rapist and murderer, Mulcahey and the sex crimes unit are under even more pressure to find and prosecute a killer. In order for justice to be served, Mulcahey must strike an uneasy alliance with Siobhan Fallon, the reporter who’s been the bane of the investigation. She’s been the one leaking information about the supposedly secret investigation since it started, but teaming up with her is the only way he’s going to figure things out. Everything leads to a final showdown that brings Mulcahey and his reporter friend right into the Priest’s lair.

Gerard O’Donovan creates a great character-driven novel, which, despite the title, is centered around Mike Mulcahey. Mulcahey is crafted into a likable character that is both tough and fair, and even though this gig isn’t something he wants, he turns out to be the only one truly seeking justice. The novel is a bit dialogue-heavy, which is a mixed bag. It slows down the action a bit (it takes well over a hundred pages for the investigation to really get rolling) but allows for O’Donovan to mix in plenty of Irish word usages that give the novel distinction and flavor.

While a bit slow and plodding to begin, The Priest—just like its namesake killer—soon picks up in pace and intensity. O’Donovan slowly fleshes out the killer’s character well, helping the reader understand his deranged religious and psychological motivations. The result is a thrilling journey through Dublin filled with red herrings, plot twists, and an exciting and explosive ending. As the first in a series, Gerard O’Donovan has given me good reasons to be looking forward to the next Mike Mulcahey adventure.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Having discovered his true identity, Achan Cham flees to Darkness from those who would destroy him. By his side are Vrell Sparrow, Sir Gavin, and his fellow Kingsguard Knights. Their mission is to break into the Ice Island prison to free their imprisoned comrades. Esek is hot on their trail and they will need an army if Achan is to successfully claim his throne.

All the while Achan and Vrell grow closer, which makes it more difficult for Vrell to hide her true identity. She must balance her emotions if she is to help Achan embrace his destiny. Arman’s path has never been easy, but this leg of the journey will test her faith more than anything that has come before.

Jill Williamson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this brilliant second offering further proves why. As much as I loved the first book in this series (By Darkness Hid), I found myself even more captivated this time around. Much of this story takes place in the Darkness side of Er’Rets, taking us on a pulse pounding journey filled with new locations, eerie villains, and even more adventure. Indeed, this book is much darker than the first allowing Williams to showcase her uncanny ability to plunge her characters (and readers) into despair without losing sight of the light that is always within reach.

Having Achan and Vrell together for the majority of this story really pays off for fans who want more interaction between the two.  Vrell’s struggle to keep her identity brings just the right amount of humor to the story, balanced with the emotional and spiritual turmoil she finds herself in. In the end, we are left with an intriguing glimpse of what is to come, all but ensuring that the “tension” between Achan and Vrell is only just beginning.

Even though this series is full of lovable characters, grand adventure, and surprising twists it all only works together to display the powerful spiritual messages Williamson has carefully woven throughout. Never preachy, yet always relevant and stirring, this is the kind of faith based fiction I love. The final book in the series, From Darkness Won, is just around the corner and you can be sure that I will fight my way to the front of the line.

Review copy provided by author.

Don’t miss our review of By Darkness Hid and our podcast interview with Jill Williamson.

Genre: Political Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Dutton

Publication Date: February 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

“I’m a meat-eater. My existence allows the plant-eater to contribute. Some plant-eaters, living in a so-called civilized world, call me evil, but at the end of the day, when the bad man comes and the plant-eater’s praying for a miracle, I’m what shows up.”

That’s Pike Logan’s worldview in a nutshell. Evil is not something to play around with. Instead you have to grab it by the face the snap its neck. As a team leader in an unofficial paramilitary organization called the Taskforce, this outlook on life and death, good and evil, is absolutely imperative. Pike’s team exists by Presidential order but isn’t subject to Congressional oversight. They are altogether necessary to thwart terrorism on a global level, yet absolutely illegal. No doubt about it, Pike Logan is One Rough Man.

But even the toughest men fold under the harshest of tragedies. While away on a mission, Pike family is murdered, leaving Pike feeling responsible for their deaths. He leaves the Taskforce and goes off the grid. But trouble has a way of finding Pike. Through a series of unlikely circumstances, he finds himself compelled to kill once more.

The situation unfolds rapidly as Pike discovers that Jennifer—a girl he’d literally just met minutes ago—had some loose ties to a major smuggling operation in Guatemala. Pike reluctantly finds himself roped in to helping her out of predicament, and finds that he’s just struck the tip of the iceberg. The story that follows races along at a breakneck pace, unveiling a terrorist plot that could have global implications. But Pike doesn’t have his Taskforce any more: it’s just One Rough Man against everyone.

Debut author Brad Taylor has a storied past that could itself be a book. Taylor spent over twenty-one years in the U.S. Army including eight as a part of the 1^st Special Forces Operations Detachment-Delta—the vaunted Delta Force. Needless to say, that experience shines through into the novel, leaving the reader wondering how many bits of conversations and events had their origins in the Taylor’s real-life past.

One Rough Man is compelling and intriguing, building the foundation for what is apparently a new series centered around Pike Logan. Taylor is at his best when he relies on his special-ops background to tell the story from the first-person perspective. Things get a bit convoluted because Taylor throws in a number of scenes from a third-person omniscient perspective that, without carefully discernment on the reader’s part, can completely throw the reader off-track. The core of the plot—that there is actually a WMD hidden in an ancient Mayan temple—could also have been developed a bit more, but the novel’s ending leads me to wonder if readers might not find that answer in the sequel.

In the end, One Rough Man is a decently-written, pulse-pounding tale of a modern day Rambo. Though written mostly for entertainment, Taylor also manages to educate his readers on current thought in terrorist as well as the bureaucracy and its involvement on clandestine affairs. While not flawless, this debut novel is a solid read.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Horror

Publisher: Realms

Publication Date: Feb 2011

Reviewed by Tim George

The Strange Man halted across the street ..watching with power as he imagined how effortlessly he could snatch them all away from the living world with one fell swoop … But why rush things? He stood in a dying town that begged him to lead it to its final demise. The highway had moved; the days of prosperity were gone. No one knew the town existed anymore. The outside world would do nothing to save Greensboro … He might as well have some fun. (The Strange Man, p. 38)

Dras (pronounced Droz) Weldon is a twenty-something loser content to die by inches in a town long since consigned to the scrapheap of little towns passed over by the modern world. Though Dras father is the former pastor of the local church and his brother now holds the same position, little brother is content to spend his days unemployed and nights with his best friend, Rosalyn, at the local hangout, The Rave Scene. Nothing paints the picture of Dras’ pitiful existence better than a scene in which he rides his bike to meet someone he considers akin to a comic book and action figure Mafia Don. And who is the fearsome thug in question? An eight year old kid.

Every Sunday Dras forces himself to endure another sermon by his brother out of duty and because he constantly turns to their mother and ill father for money. Money to spend on collector action figures, old horror movies, and enough liquid relief in which to temporarily drown his pathetic self. But in many ways he is no better than his town which has lived for generations with rumors of strange happenings at Grover’s Pond and an evil storm that once nearly wiped it off the map. And so it is that what begins as a ghost story told by a vagrant to scare little children all too quickly becomes reality as The Strange Man comes knocking at this sleepy town’s door.

Greg Mitchell makes a great debut in this first book of what will eventually be The Coming Evil Trilogy. While written in simple, straight forward prose that makes it a great candidate for young adults this story works on many levels: horror tale, cautionary parable, unapologetic presentation of the Gospel. Though it may at first seem simplistic, there are a number of layers to the story. Dras father has fought the good fight but is as broken down as the town in which he ministered. Jeff, the older brother faithfully warns all who will listen about the dangers of evil and their need for God but secretly harbors childhood terrors of all that goes bump in the night. And Dras’ best friend who has stood beside him since childhood through all of his failures will need him in ways she never imagined.

Though the conclusion at first seems abrupt, a second look reaffirms Mitchell’s decision to end things where he does. This is one creepy story that left me remembering how I felt after watching Night Gallery as a kid. The only difference here – while the names have been changed, there is nothing made-up about the very real evil pictured. Greg Mitchell did such a masterful job of immersing me into his surreal world of monsters and impending calamity that it was only after the imaginative fog cleared I realized the monsters and his hero’s ultimate decision were made of the stuff that transcends a mere story.

Review copy provided by publisher.