Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Critical Pursuit Review



Officer Brinna Caruso has built a reputation at the precinct as the cop to call when a child goes missing. For Brinna, it’s personal because she was once one of them. Brinna and her K-9 search and rescue dog, Hero, will stop at nothing to find a missing child, no matter the stakes.

Detective Jack O’Reilly isn’t ready to return to his homicide duties, after losing his wife to a drunk driver. He’s on the downside of his career, and bent on revenge, when he’s assigned as Brinna’s partner. While on patrol, Jack struggles between his quest for personal justice and his responsibility to those around him, especially his partner.

Skeptical of Jack’s motives, Brinna isn’t sure she can rely on her new partner, whose reckless abandon endangers the safety of those around him. But when a man surfaces with an MO similar to the criminal who abducted Brinna twenty years earlier, Brinna and Jack must cast aside previous judgments and combine efforts to catch the kidnapper, and finally allow Brinna the peace stolen from her as a child.



Get ready everyone this is one action packed read you'll love!

Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore was breathtaking! I loved every minute of every chapter. The characters as always were brought to life with Janice's writing. Just as I fell in love with her first heroine, Carly Edwards, I am now falling in love with Brinna Caruso. I can't wait for more! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that once your done you'll be asking for more. 

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.

The Governess of Highland Hall Review




Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help? 
 
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey. 
 
Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. 
 
While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?




The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky was a wonderful wonderful book. (Yes, I did mean to repeat myself. It was that good!) I enjoyed every minute I spent reading The Governess of Highland Hall. It was an intriguing, well written historical novel that I know many will love and want more of. I know I did! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack fit for a king. 

I was provided a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in return for my honest review.


Monday, August 5, 2013

Rules of Murder Review


Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels. Soon, financial irregularities at Drew’s stepfather’s company come to light and it’s clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.

Rules of Murder is a wonderful debut book by Julianna Deering. I enjoyed the perfect, Agatha Christie style mystery a lot, but what really made me fall in love with Julianna’s book was the cast of characters she created. She took a young rich English playboy, a spunky American girl, and a best friend who is also the butler’s son, and made it blend together perfectly. Bring on the next Drew Farthering Mystery please!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was to die for.


I got a free review copy of Rules of Murder  from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Aquifer Review


Only He Can Bring What They Needed to Survive.

In 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. And they’ll do anything to maintain their power – deceiving, dividing families, banning love ... even killing those who oppose them. But above all, they seek to control knowledge and communication – ensuring the truth that will bring their downfall will never be known. But one person verges on discovering it all. Sixteen-year-old Luca becomes the Deliverer, the only one allowed to contact the people called ‘Water Rats,’ who mine the essential water deep underground and bring it to the ‘Toppers’ who desperately need it above. But when he meets a Water Rat who captures his heart and leads him to secrets – secrets about a vast conspiracy, and about himself – the net around him tightens. Luca and those around him must uncover and share the truth needed to overthrow tyranny – even as they fight for their lives.

I absolutely loved this book! Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen was just what my summer needed. An engaging read that had me turning the pages faster and faster, wondering what was going to happen next.  The characters felt real and the futuristic setting was something I could believe. Aquifer is the second book I’ve read by Jonathan Friesen and has only endeared me to his writing more. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

                5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack will keep me satisfied for a while.