The Creole Princess ~ Review

The Creole Princess
Gulf Coast Chronicles 2
Beth White

This is the second book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series. Several generations of the Lanier family have come and gone between the two books.  The Pelican Bride was set during the founding of Mobile and The Creole Princess is set during the early days of the American Revolution and its impact on the residents of the Gulf Coast region specifically Mobile and to a lesser extent New Orleans. 

Lyse Lanier is considered socially unacceptable to much of Mobile's elite society, though the Lanier blood flows through her veins.  Her father, instead of marrying into a family of equal social status, found his heart captured by a slave.  Caught between two  worlds and considered neither black nor white Lyse must find her place in a world being torn apart by revolution.


It is into this world that Don Rafael Maria Gonzales de Ripparda enters, bringing even more turmoil into Lyse's life.  Here is a man who could very well win her heart and crush her spirit in the winning. He is first man to ever give her the attention befitting a lady, but can he be trusted?

The Creole Princess is a step into the past, where prejudices and harsh inequities rule.  Bloodlines and money reign and those who are found lacking have no hope, but that which the promise of revolution brings.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell through their Blogger Program in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Torn between loyalties to family and flag, one young woman is about to discover that her most important allegiance is to her heart.

It is 1776, and all along the eastern seaboard the American struggle for independence rages. But in the British-held southern port of Mobile, Alabama, the conflict brewing is much quieter--though no less deadly.

Lyse Lanier may be largely French in heritage, but she spends most of her time in the company of the ebullient daughter of the British commander of Mobile. When a charming young Spanish merchant docks in town, Lyse is immediately struck by his easy wit and flair for the dramatic. But is he truly who he makes himself out to be? Spies abound, and Spain has yet to choose a side in the American conflict. Is Lyse simply an easy mark for Rafael Gonzalez to exploit? Or are his overtures of love as genuine as Spanish gold?

With spectacular detail that brings the cultural gumbo of the Colonial Gulf Coast alive, Beth White invites you to step into a world of intrigue and espionage from a little-known slice of the American Revolutionary War.


About the Author:
Beth White is the award-winning author of The Pelican Bride. A native Mississippian, she teaches music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.

CSFF April Blog Tour ~ Storm Siren Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 of the April CSFF Blog Tour

This month's featured book is

Storm Siren 

Storm Siren
The Storm Siren Trilogy 1
By Mary Weber

Storm Siren is the first book in a trilogy of the same name and in a word - WOW!

Nym, which is short for Nymia, is a slave and has been since her parents violent death.  But Nym can't keep an owner and she is about to be sold to her fifteenth master.  But there is a secret about Nym, a secret that leaves destruction in her wake.  She is an Elemental who can't control her powers.  And she shouldn't exist, but she does.  And her very existence may change the course of war that the small island kingdom of Faelen has been in for 100 years.  A war that is not going in Faelen's favor.

But first Nym must agree to train as a weapon, learning to control the power that seemingly controls her.  If she doesn't accept this opportunity she faces death...  Nym accepts this challenge, though she doesn't believe control of her powers can be achieved.  But she hasn't met Eogan the man tasked with training her in the mastery of her curse.

But even greater danger awaits as her new owner Adora watches her every move and threats lie beneath the surface of every command.  And worst of all Nym doesn't know who she can trust.

I was totally swept up in this story.  It had a draw and I literally couldn't put it down as I read it in one afternoon.  There was a beauty in this story that was always present just as Nym's goodness was hidden beneath the surface and yet there.  Her guilt at the deaths she caused was real.  As she struggles to find who she really is and was meant to be one struggles with her.

I like that Storm Siren seems complete until the very end and then the trap is sprung and you are left wondering What????  And then your next thought is Poor Nym, what's she going to do?

My only complaint is I want to read book 2 now. But as the old saying goes Books don't grow on trees... (Yes, I know it is actually money but books would be better.)

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in conjunction with this CSFF Blog Tour in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

Book Description

"I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you."

In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled.

As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth—meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.

Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed.

Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.

But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for?

Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.

Be sure to visit all the other stops over the 3 day tour ~ April 14 - 16, 2015.

Julie Bihn   Lauren Bombardier   Beckie Burnham   Vicky DealSharingAunt 

George Duncan   April Erwin   Carol Gehringer   Victor Gentile  Ryan Heart 

Timothy Hicks   Janeen Ippolito   Carol Keen   Emileigh Latham   Simone Lilly-Egerter 

Jennette Mbewe   Shannon McDermott   Meagan @ Blooming with Books 

Rebecca LuElla Miller   Joan Nienhuis   Nissa   Jalynn Patterson   Audrey Sauble 

Chawna Schroeder   Jojo Sutis   Steve Trower   Phyllis Wheeler   Michelle R. Wood

Learn more about the book and author at:

 Mary Weber.com 
 Mary Weber's Facebook page

Available for purchase at

Amazon 

Buried Secrets ~ Review

Buried Secrets
Men of Valor 1
By Irene Hannon

They didn't mean for it to happen, but it did and now someone will do anything to make sure this secret stays buried forever.

Lisa Grant has left the big city stress of the Chicago PD behind for Carson, Missouri.  But when an excavation site unearths human remains the new Chief of Police is about to have her job stress ratchet up.

When the Carson PD puts in a call to County for assistance Mac McGregor is sent to assist.  After promptly putting his foot in his mouth he actually manages to make a better impression.

This case will test both their skills and resolve to find the truth.

I really love the prologue and how it doesn't reveal the identity of the mastermind behind everything. In fact one is several chapters into the book before said identity is revealed.  And it is even further into the book before one learns the whole truth of what happened that night.

If you've read Irene Hannon in the past you won't be disappointed in this latest offering from her. Mystery, romance and a good dose of suspense all wrapped up between an intriguing cover.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell through their blogger program in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

They both wanted quieter, safer lives.

But crime never sleeps . . . 

and killers keep killing.

After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page.

 

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, a Booksellers' Best Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Deadly Echoes ~ Review

Deadly Echoes
Finding Sanctuary 2
Nancy Mehl

Sarah Miller's life seems to finally be in a place where everything is looking up.  She's recently reconnected with her sister Hannah and Cicely, the niece she didn't know she had.  But tragedy is again to make its presence known is her life when Hannah is murdered.

But even more disturbing is the similarities between Hannah's murder and that of her parents more than ten years ago.  The Kansas City police don't see the similarities or a possible connection, but Sarah's determined to find the truth and get justice for her sister.

With the support of Janet Dowell and local Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason, Sarah begins looking into Hannah's life as well as that of her parents.  Meanwhile she is dealing with her own grief while trying to help Cicely work through her own.

But someone seems determined to thwart Sarah's efforts.  Is the killer determined to keep her from discovering the truth?  Or is it merely coincidence that her investigation keeps being blocked?  The Deadly Echoes of the past make her doubt coincidence, but can she prove it before more lives are lost?

One can't say that a book in which lives are lost to murder is delightful, but this is an excellently written book in which the facets of grief are explored.  And there is hope.  Hope for justice, hope for healing, and hope for the future.  The various character are well developed and there are complexities that add layers that are revealed as the story develops.  Overall I would recommend this book to fans of clean romantic suspense and mysteries.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through their blogger program in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

After a youth filled with tragedy and upheaval, Sarah Miller's life is finally settled with all echoes of the past silent at last. She happily calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school.

Sarah's joy at her recent reunion with her sister, Hannah, and meeting the niece she didn't know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As she learns more about Hannah's death, the circumstances are eerily similar to their parents' murder. Sarah enlists Paul's help in digging deeper into the murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul's concern encourages Sarah's growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one person will do anything to hide--even if that means coming after the last remaining members of the Miller family.

About the Author:

Nancy Mehl is the author of eighteen books and received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Missouri where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson. Visit her website at www.nancymehl.com.

All My Old Friends ~ Video

Hope you enjoy this little video I put together celebrating the joy of friendship with books,

Lone Star Ranger ~ Review

Lone Star Ranger
By Renae Brumbaugh

Evan and Elizabeth Covington have only recently arrived in Houston, Texas. Having lost their father 6 months ago they are thinking of settling in Houston, with Evan opening a law office.  But before their planning can progress much further Evan is arrested, having been mistaken for the notorious and dangerous James Weston Hardy.

No one will listen to Elizabeth, thinking she's either been taken in by Hardy or his newest accomplice.  With a week before her brother's scheduled trial and hanging, Elizabeth isn't about to wait around and hope that the lawyer she found Evan will prove his innocence.  No she's going to prove his innocence herself and she'll do whatever it takes to see him freed - even if her has to dodge the Ranger who brought him in.

Rett Smith just can't figure out how Elizabeth Covington was fooled by Hardy.  And why she claims a known killer as her brother is just beyond comprehension.  But when sufficient doubts are raised he is willing to fix his mistake, if only Elizabeth would stay out of his way and let him get his job down and not kill him with her help.

Lone Star Ranger is a light-hearted read that will fill a long week-end afternoon when you want to getaway from all the day-to-day stresses.  From the Heartsong Presents inspirational collection you won't have to worry about unwanted scenes while you read.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest and timely review.


About the Book: 

 ELIZABETH COVINGTON WILL GET HER MAN

And she has one week to prove that her brother isn't the cold-blooded killer Texas Ranger Rett Smith accuses him of being. She'll show the handsome lawman he's wrong, even if it means embarking on a perilous race across Texas to catch the real culprit.

Rett doesn't want to see an innocent man hang. But he can't let the Boston beauty take the law into her own hands. When she follows him into treacherous territory, the lawman vows to keep Elizabeth safe. But who will protect him from the woman whose courage and conviction have him questioning everything—even his heart?


About the Author:                              

       Renae Brumbaugh is a bestselling author and award-winning humor           columnist. She lives in Texas with her handsome, country-boy husband, 

four nearly-perfect children, two not-so-perfect dogs, and about a dozen chickens. In her free time she leaps tall buildings, rescues kittens from 

trees, and tries to be rugged without breaking a fingernail.

Double Cross ~ Review

Double Cross
An FBI: Houston Novel 2
By DiAnn Mills

Five years ago FBI Agent Laurel Evertson was working undercover.  She got her man but her partner lost his life during the take-down.  And Morton Wilmington has promised to make her pay in blood!  And Laurel can't get past the guilt of what this case cost her.

When the elder scammer case she's working on seems to leads back to the man she put behind bars Laurel is understandably worried.  Morton claims to have "found" God, but Laurel's convinced it is all part of the new angle he's working and that she's the target with revenge the motivation.

Daniel Hilton, an officer with the Houston PD, along with his grandparents go to the FBI with their concerns involving a life insurance scam targeting the elderly.  Soon Daniel finds himself working with Laurel Evertson and  Morton Wilmington.  And the case takes a deadly turn as all who are involved become a target and those who are being scammed begin dying.

There is mounting evidence that they are being Double Crossed, but who is being double crossed? Time is running out in this game of cat and mouse where more is at stake than millions of dollars.  

Double Cross is full of suspense and unexpected twists.  This is one book that will keep you guessing as to who the criminal mastermind is until the last pages when the identity is revealed in the ultimate double cross.

It is interesting to observe the interactions between Daniel, Morton and Laurel.  Daniel and Morton both claim to have a relationship with Christ while Laurel wants nothing to do with someone who couldn't keep the pain she's experienced out of her life.  Morton's incarcerated conversion is viewed with skepticism.  While Daniel at times struggles with trusting God where his grandparents' safety is concerned.  This book will cause one to stop and think - how can anyone judge the truth of another's heart where God is concerned.  Truth is evidenced in what we see but none can see into the heart. We can only see the outward evidence of what is in the heart by actions that a person commits.  And Double Cross will prove that what we see isn't necessarily the inner truth of the heart.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:
FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead.

Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon.

As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.

About the Author:

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America's Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media sites listed at www.diannmills.com.

Connect online @

 http://www.facebook.com/diannmills

 http://twitter.com/#!/diannmills