Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Review: Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron


 Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426752784/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1426752784&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2http://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he's been trying to get to know her better and he'd like to be seeing her during those few nights a week she spends with her quilting guild. Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home, and the woman acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan is attempting to communicate a message to them about Tess's uncle. There's a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together, or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?

My Review

I love Barbara Cameron's Amish stories, so I wasn't surprised that her quality writing carried over to another genre for this suspense novel. The beginning was rather slow as we are introduced to the characters, but quickly picks up the pace as Tess and Logan start investigating their first case together. Much of the conversation between them happens over meals shared- it seems they are always eating! :) I loved the level of anticipation from their relationship progressing as well as the mystery of who-done-it. Subtle clues begin to appear about midway through the novel that reveal the killer to the reader, so the ending is not quite a surprise but suspenseful nonetheless as Tess and Logan get closer to solving the case. This has been my favorite so far of the Quilts of Love series. (Sidenote: the publisher's synopsis above isn't quite true to the story, so don't let it prejudice you towards Logan, who is actually more gentlemanly than it implies).

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Monday, May 19, 2014

Review and Giveaway: Silenced by Dani Pettrey


Get your copy of SILENCED by Author Dani Pettrey!

Silenced by Dani Pettrey


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis from goodreads.com

A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route leads her face to face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something sinister? When the case is handed to the overburdened sheriff, he turns to Jake Westin. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again--but he could never prepare for where the case will take him.

Kayden and Jake soon realize that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is on to them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.


My Review

I'm hooked on this series! I love the McKenna family and their suspenseful stories. Silenced (the fourth in the Alaskan Courage series) can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I recommend reading them in order if you'd like to know the backstory of the siblings from the previous novels. The author has been introducing the connection/relationship between the main characters in each previous novel, so you get a better feel for their history if you've read them first.

I've been looking forward to Kayden and Jake's story since there has been so much tension between them! Kayden has been vocally suspicious of Jake's past since he hasn't shared with the family where he came from. Once she found out his tragic story in Stranded, it set the scene in Silenced for her to reconcile with him and recognize the attraction she has. She has been an abrasive and fiercely protective personality in the previous books, but now we gain more of an understanding of her vulnerabilities and fears. Jake has always known how strong she is, but is waiting for the chance to connect with and get closer to the real Kayden.

The mystery had me as baffled as Jake- the clues and suspects weren't adding up, although any of them could be guilty based on the circumstantial evidence. The author is so skilled at creating anxiety and anticipation while you read as fast as you can to follow the trail with the characters. Jake and Kayden spent quite a bit of time together while investigating the case, but the pacing of the romance slowed as they failed to communicate their feelings- instead, angsting over them with internal dialogue. The case takes a lot of their focus, and when mystery is finally solved, the race is on to catch the villian who always seems to be one step ahead of them...

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Alaskan Courage series
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15713049-shatteredhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17384515-strandedhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18651854-silenced



About the Author

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

E-book sale TODAY ONLY! Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay


Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is on sale for $1.99 TODAY ONLY!
(E-book deal is for a limited time, so check the price before ordering)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen.

Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.


Friday, May 16, 2014

Free e-book TODAY ONLY! Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron


Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron is free for download TODAY ONLY! It's part of the Quilts of Love series. I'm currently reading it and will be reviewing it soon!
(E-book deal is for a limited time, so check the price before ordering)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he s been trying to get to know her better and he d like to be seeing her during those few nights a week she spends with her quilting guild. Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home, and the woman acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan is attempting to communicate a message to them about Tess s uncle. There s a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together, or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?