The Silent Gift

The year is 1930. Mary will never forget the day her extraordinary son, Jack was born. She and her husband, Jerry Sinclair were driving to the hospital to deliver the baby. The roads were slick as it was raining. Jerry lost control of the car. It went off the road and into a lake. Mary ends up giving birth to Jack in the lake.

Jack was born completely deaf. He can’t even read lips. Ever since that day, Jerry has become cold and selfish. Mary packs up Jack and they run away. Mary discovers that Jack is very special and has a unique gift. One that utilizes the word of God.

Jerry wants his family back. So he goes in search of them and won’t give up till he has found Mary and Jack.

I absolutely loved every moment of this book. I had my eyes glued to the pages and a hard grip on the book. Mary and Jack had me from the first chapter. I loved that Mary didn’t just give up, when the times got tough. She fought for her and her son. The best part was that Mary never saw Jack as being a hindrance and disabled but just her son who she loved very much. All of the characters were very engaging, even Jerry. Authors Michael Landon and Cindy Kelley are a winning dynamic team. They meshed well together. This book should be a best seller. I hope Mr. Landon and Mrs. Kelley write another novel together, in the near future.

One Holy Night + Giveaway

The year is 1967. Shepherdsville, Minnesota is where Frank McRae and his family lived. The war in Viet Nam is about to cause a huge rift between Frank and his son, Mike. Mike goes off to war.

Back home, Frank has a lot on his mind with worrying about his son and caring for his wife, Maggie. Maggie is fighting her own war. She has cancer. She puts her trust in God.

Mike falls in love with a Vietnamese woman named Thi Nhuong. When Mike’s father learns that he is married, he goes into a rage. As if marrying a Vietnamese was bad enough, Thi Nhuong is also a Buddhist. Frank has a big issue with Mike marrying Thi Nhuong. Frank still holds a grudge against the Japanese, from back when he fought in the south Pacific during WWII.

Frank receives an upheaval when both Maggie and Mike die. Can Frank forgive and forget when Thi Nhuong shows up at his door step…pregnant.

I really liked this book. I almost finished it in one sitting. The characters were engaging and interesting. I felt bad for Frank. His rock, Maggie had just passed way, leaving Frank to fend for himself. It is easier to hold a grudge then it is to forgive. This was the plot of the story. Through, Mike has gone to war; I got to know him through the letter he wrote. I thought One Holy Night was a good book. Would read more by this author.

Dying Scream

Women beware…There is a serial killer on the loose. So far three women have gone missing. There is the aspiring artist, high school senior and the stripper.

The authorities have a suspect on their radar. The issue is that this person is suppose to be dead. His name is Craig Thornton. He and his fiancé, Adrianna were to be married but a drunk driver crashed into them, causing Adrianna to lose her baby and sending Craig into a coma that he never woke up from. Now someone is leaving Adrianna a written message. It is signed by Craig.

Detective Gage Hudson latest case brings him to the doorstep of his former lover…Adrianna. He and Adrianna used to be a hot item. Detective Gage doesn’t believe Craig is alive but current evidence does have him starting to wonder. Gage will do anything to protect Adrianna, even if it means sacrificing his life.

Dying Scream is the third book I have read by this author. While I have enjoyed every book of Mary Burton’s thus far, I didn’t quite like this one as much. The plot wasn’t bad but it was the characters that I found lacking. I couldn’t find myself engaged in the characters. The relationship between Detective Gage and Adrianna was a gallant effort. I liked Gage. He made a good male lead. Adrianna got on my nerves. She seemed like she was better than everyone and when the time called for her to be strong, she wilted. Dying Scream didn’t leave with screaming for glee. Though, I do plan to check out Mary Burton’s next novel.

The Hollow

Abby has just lost her best friend, Kristen. It has been sixty-eight days since Kristen went missing. Rumors are swirling that Kristen killed herself. Abby doesn’t believe that. In fact, she still believes that Kristin is alive somewhere. Her parents are holding a funeral. Have you ever attended a funeral with no body? It is so weird.

Abby escapes down into the basement of Kristin’s house. When Kristin and Abby were little, they used to play down in the basement. They would pretend that there was a magical castle in the basement. To Abby’s surprise, she is not alone. A boy by the name of Caspian is also hiding in the basement. There is something different about Caspian. What could he possibly be hiding? Also, can Abby handle the truth about Kristen’s secret life?

Jessica Verday gives the tale of Sleepy Hollow, her own unique twist. I thought The Hollow was a good young adult novel. I did get into this book and the characters. I knew there was something different about Caspian but I didn’t quite expect the outcome that was presented in this story. At about four hundred and some odd pages, this book is actually a very quick read. I have to admit that I did not like how this book ended, though I understand why as it is helping to lead up to the next book that continues this story. I look forward to continuing the journey with Abby and Caspian.

Wild Blue Under

In Over Her Head, readers were introduced to Reel Tritone. Well in Judi Fennell’s latest release, readers are again brought back to the magical underwater of mermen and mermaids. This time it is Rod Tritone’s story.

Rod’s father is set to retire soon. When this happens, Rod will become the new Mer-King. Unfortunately there is one problem…the council has rules that Rod has to marry. Besides we call now that you can’t rule without a Queen by your side. Rod goes in search for his wife. He trades his fin for a pair of land legs.

Valerie Dumere was born from a merman as a father and a human for a mother. This doesn’t matter as Valerie is afraid of the sea. This is a problem when she is slated to become toe new Queen under the sea. When Rod shows up at Valerie’s door, he can’t deny an attraction he feels towards Valerie. Rod doesn’t have much time to convince Valerie that she belongs with him.

I like this series. As soon as I start reading, I am instantly transported to the sea. It is almost like I can feel the water enveloping me. Judi Fennell makes me wish I was a mermaid. The Tritone men are handsome and sexy. I liked Rod and Valerie but I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them. I wanted more. Also, I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book at first. Wild Blue Under may not have won my heart over but I will read the last book in this trilogy.

The Swiss Courier

The year is 1944 in Germany. The Gestapo has recovered from the attempt on Hitler.

Joseph Engel is a German physicist. He has been tasked with the role of working on an atomic bomb. Joseph receives a shock. He learns that he was adopted and is really a Jew. Joseph decides to stop working on the bomb and flee Germany for safety to Switzerland.

Gabi Mueller is a Swiss-American. She works for the American Office of Strategic Services. If you asked Gabi what she thought of the war, she may not have much to say. She didn’t pay too much concern, till she was tasked with a important mission. She is asked to escort Mr. Engel out of Germany. This mission will not be a easy one. It will call on all of the strength Gabi can muster.

I have to admit that I was thoroughly amazed at how much I did enjoy this book. The characters were very well-developed. I wasn’t sure that Gabi could handle the task at hand as she was soft spoken. She surprised me in a good way. Kudos goes out to Joseph. Even after learning that he is Jewish, he could have stayed and helped the Germans but he decided to risk his life for freedom. The Swiss Courier is the first novel I have read by either of these authors. They did a good job together. I couldn’t tell when one person ended and the other continued. I plan to check out more books by both Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey.

Talking with Susan Berliner + Giveaway

Settling on Settings
by Susan Berliner, author of DUST
http://www.susanberliner.com/

Since I write realistic (or urban) fantasies, each of my books contains just one supernatural element. But the novels are set firmly in the real world. I locate them in the northeast because that's the region I'm most familiar with. Since I don't want to be locked into factual details, I make my towns mythical places (but not fantasy worlds inhabited by strange creatures, where everything differs from the norm. No vampires, werewolves, or witches in my landscape).

For the setting of DUST, I decided to choose a "Haven" name, figuring it would sound plausible because Connecticut already has so many of them—New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, and North Haven. That's how I came up with "Rock Haven." Even though the town of Rock Haven doesn't exist, it's still a typical northeastern suburb. The condo inhabitants are people we all know; their situations are recognizable too. The only thing that's weird about Rock Haven is the evil swirl of red, green, and blue dust.In my second (not-yet published) novel, Peachwood Lake, the story again revolves around the setting. In fact, it's the title of the book. Here I wanted a tranquil name that would contrast with the deadly violence that occurs in the water. I chose the name "Peachwood" because I couldn't find a real U.S. lake with that serene-sounding name. Again, the people in the town of Peachwood, Connecticut are quite normal; it's the jumping fish (think mini-Jaws) that's extraordinarily strange.The setting plays a lesser role in my third novel, The Disappearance, a paranormal thriller, which I'm currently revising and editing. Most of the action occurs in another imaginary town in the northern suburbs of New York City. Here too, I wanted a quiet-sounding name and, since there's a Northvale in nearby New Jersey, I decided to call my town Southvale. It's a community with only one unusual feature: a time-travel portal.

My novels all take place in realistic settings in a normal world. To enjoy them, the reader has to be willing to suspend disbelief and accept an element of fantasy. Once that happens, the magic will follow.

I am giving away a copy of this book to one reader. Must be a follower. Open to US and Canada only. Contest ends November 20th

Question to readers. What elemental aspect do youlike in your books?