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Review of CRITICAL THREAT by Lynette Eason

On By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

About the Book:

Author: Lynette Eason
Series: Extreme Measures, Book 3
Genre: Revell
Publisher: Revell
Publication Year: January 3 2023
ASIN: B0B6Q42PHH
ISBN: 0800737342

Working with the son of a serial killer? That’s a first.

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn’t mean they’re not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer—in prison but certainly not out of Sam’s life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter’s MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They’ve met before, and though Grace thought they’d made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They’ll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case—especially because it’s about to get personal.

My thoughts about CRITICAL THREAT:

The story of Grace Billingsley and Sam Monroe is one that is a fascinating character study as well as a fast-paced suspense thriller. The clever way the author builds the story, with layers and unexpected twists, is absolutely brilliant and addictive. I enjoyed getting to know the characters who were the FBI agents and was intrigued by the personality of the villains. Sam’s father, an inmate in prison and a serial killer, was a complicated character who added to the terror that unraveled in the plot. The plot was tight, with misdirection in just the right places and a satisfying mixture of romance building just as the suspense ramped up. I also enjoyed the signature humor of the author, like the dinner date that seemed to always get interrupted. This is a compelling book to read with edge-of-your-seat action and uniquely complicated relationships that are explained well and thoroughly. The suspense gets intense at times, but that must made the story more enjoyable for me. With well-developed ideas and clues throughout the novel, this book kept me guessing and absorbed. I did not like all of the characters but all of them were fleshed out and made me see them for who they were created to be. I enjoyed the resilience of Grace and her reliance on her faith and her colleagues. And I enjoyed seeing Sam develop into a man who deserved her trust. Unpredictable and heart-pounding suspense make this book the perfect addition to the series! It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series and getting to know all of the characters who are friends and who support each other in their quest for justice.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley and from the author as part of her launch team. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

A clean read but I would rate it PG-13 because of content concerning a serial killer.

Purchase Links:

https://amzn.to/3Ycpg8x (Amazon)

http://bit.ly/3VNgtrT (Powells)

http://bit.ly/3Fkjl8L (Google Play)

http://bit.ly/3FG1bjh (Baker Book House)

http://bit.ly/3HwbCXV (Barnes and Noble)

http://bit.ly/3iVKvLJ (Christian Book)

http://bit.ly/3Yh0rIq (Bookshop)

Lynette Eason is the best selling, award winning author of almost forty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity Series and the Elite Guardians series. She writes for Revell and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the 2013, 2016 and 2017 Carol Award in the Romantic Suspense category. She’s also the recipient of the Christian Retailing’s Best 2017 Award. She placed in the top ten (out of thousands of entries) in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. Her Stolen Past was recently made into a Lifetime Movie Network movie and will air February 2nd, 2018. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of RWA as well as the Kiss of Death (KOD) chapter. Lynette can be found online at http://www.lynetteeason.com and http://www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter
Many thanks to Lynette Eason for allowing me to be on her launch team and to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for providing an e-copy of the book for me to read and review. Once again, Lynette has outdone herself with plot, characters and suspense and Revell has published a sure bestseller!
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No Condemnation

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

I don’t know about you all, but I personally have a tendency to kick myself repeatedly and hard about my shortcomings, especially the things I can no longer accomplish because of my physical problems. For example, since I will be staying in Maryland doing childcare again, I have been very anxious about what I cannot do for the toddler in my care. It’s hard for me to keep up with his activity level, so I have just been doing the best that I can and praying that God guards him from danger.

When I take time to ponder what’s in my heart (anger at the woman who let my son down again for the second year in a row) and to repent and ask forgiveness for my unrighteous feelings, I know that God doesn’t condemn me. He knows what is is my heart and how I long to go home to my normal routine. God doesn’t condemn me because of me and my actions or thoughts; He doesn’t condemn me because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It is truly finished, so that I can feel confident in my ongoing relationship with the Father.

Have a blessed day, knowing in your heart and mind that God does not condemn you but forgives and welcomes you as a beloved child. Not perfect, just forgiven!

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Why I Like to Read

On By vickleaIn Uncategorized36 Comments

I think that I have always enjoyed reading, or at least I cannot remember a time when I did not like it. I was born with asthma so I was limited in the number of activities I was allowed to do, and reading was a safe one for me, so I immersed myself in books from a very young age.  I read all of the Bobbsey Twin books, then went on to read Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.  I shared my mother’s love of Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney.  For a while, when I was a young wife, I read a lot of romance, including Danielle Steel and others.  I now read a lot of Christian fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and some non-fiction occasionally.  I read a lot of books from the library and post reviews on Goodreads.  I also read for Netgalley and love to be chosen to read some of the latest books before they are available to the general public.  So, I will share some reviews here as well as some of the happenings of my daily life that keep me reading as an escape.  I relax with a good book and forget that I had a stroke and could die any day, or maybe not.  I count my blessings daily that I have lived this long and that I have lived to see the birth of eight grandchildren and have enjoyed so many books. I am just taking one day at a time and one book at a time and loving the life that God has given me.

 

Review of When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard

On By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

ISBN-139780800747688

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 08/04/2026

Series: Mercy Ridge

Page Count: 352 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of a deathbed confession connected to her brother’s murder, she’s determined to protect her remaining family. Under further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she heads to the Pacific Northwest looking for a guide who knows the mountains like the back of their hand.

Ryder Goodwin, a wilderness guide and former Navy SEAL, quit guiding for the family business after his father’s death in a tragic mountain accident. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her, and he can’t stand by while someone brings danger to this small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming winter storm. With her brother’s killer closing in, their search for answers now shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it out involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

My Thoughts

The new series by Elizabeth Goddard starts with intense intrigue and never lets up. Sarah is determined to find the secrets hidden on the mountain near Mercy Ridge and hires guide Ryder Goodwin to lead her to the top of Blackspire Mountain. A lofty peak that rumbles with a volcano that threatens to erupt and is covered with ice and snow, the trek to solve the mystery of her brother’s death could mean Sarah’s own life is in danger. The tension escalates even as the mountain is a constant reminder of danger and the power of nature. This is an atmospheric novel in which the mountain is personified and the characters are actors in a dangerous scenario that they cannot even imagine how risky this adventure will turn out to be. Facing a blizzard and with bad guys pursuing them, Sarah and Ryder have to survive some of the toughest weather conditions as well as some of the most evil foes possible. The escalating tension caused my heart to pound and my pulse to race as I attempted to direct Sarah and Ryder how to best avoid the peril that was headed their way. I was completed immersed in this riveting story and kept waiting for the next disaster to befall them before they could accomplish their mission. This novel had no intermission, no really safe spaces in which I could take a deep breath of relief and hope for the best since the next bad thing was continuously finding them in their vulnerable position that left no room for errors and plenty of ways to die. The characters were so realistic that I tried to give them advice, the sound advice to forget their quest and return home. I am glad that they didn’t take my advice because this book left me breathless with anticipation and cheering for Sarah and Ryder as they overcame one obstacle after another. The story would not have been the same without the ever-present threat of bad weather and a mountain that was more enemy than friend. The setting was perfection, the characters were dynamic, and the plot made the book unputdownable.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley as well as a hard copy. Since I regularly purchase all of this author’s books, I did preorder my own copy and look forward to seeing this beautiful cover on my shelf. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Fiction, Rated PG for intense suspense

About the Author

Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and two-time Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at https://elizabethgoddard.com/

Purchase Links

bit.ly/4apH2N9 (Baker Publishing House)

amzn.to/4vuwZyu (Amazon)

bit.ly/4vvamtS (Christian Book)

bit.ly/4ofJnQJ (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/4dU8i8W (Books-a-Million)

bit.ly/4dRUjQY (Target)

apple.co/49LCQY3 (Apple Books)

bit.ly/4oyESkx (Kobo)

bit.ly/4ukr7qE (Walmart)

adbl.co/43TUMMu (Audible)

God Delivers

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Pondering this verse first made me consider who is righteous? We are, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is righteous and extends His righteousness to us through His sacrifice on the cross. It’s all about grace and mercy and a free gift for those who choose to accept it.

The next part of this verse is the “no fun” part. It is no fun and somewhat surprising that we whom God counts as righteous can still expect to have many troubles. They are not promises…the verse says may have many troubles. But such is life…we all have problems. Some with family, some with finances, some with health. But I don’t think anyone gets out of this life without some kind of problem at sometime.

The final part is the promise: the Lord delivers him from them all. It doesn’t say that the Lord takes us out of the situation and we are totally freed from it. No..it says we are there and God delivers us from the troubles. And just so we are all on the same page, keep in mind that God’s deliverance may not look like we envision. I think of recently being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I can kick and scream and shout “unfair” all I want, but that won’t change the situation. I had to come to the realization that my only deliverance will be from God. He could use doctors, but maybe not. He could use miraculous healing, but maybe not. Perhaps the deliverance will come when I go home to be with Him and all of the health concerns I have here on earth are gone, just vanished. Or God could do something totally unexpected and unimaginable that I have not named because I don’t have His thoughts or the ability to think His thoughts. In every situation, we need to step back and let God be God. He made me and He can fix me in the way that He deems best. The deliverance is promised but my desire to tell God how I want to be delivered is not promised. I am not God, He is…so the promise is there. And once again, we all have to bask in God’s presence and know that He is working on the deliverance because He is always present with us. In the hard times, in the good times, in the sad times and in the happy times. God is there. He is present and waiting for us to surrender our will to His so that He can deliver us in His perfect way.

Waiting Builds Faith

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/74393/day/1

In the video that preceded today’s Daily Devotional on the YouVersion Bible App, the speaker said something profound that I hadn’t thought of before. Waiting builds faith. It’s the place where we lean on God and He comforts us and gives us direction. I hope you will consider joining in on this Bible study.

Five days…and maybe more hope and a new perspective!

Spark Life with Your Words

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

The Power of Life and Death (Daily Refresh, 7-30-26)

Think of a time you said something you regret, or were the target of undeserved gossip. Now, reflect on a situation where you encouraged a friend who was hurting, or felt the life-giving effects of someone else’s words.

Words matter. Your words matter. And God has given you the freedom to choose how you use them. 

Are you using your words to tear down or build up? To provoke destruction or stimulate restoration? Do your words stir up drama or encourage peace?

“What you say flows from what is in your heart,” Jesus explained in Luke 6:45.

Fruit reveals the health of a tree, just as a tongue reveals what is happening in the heart.

Most of us want to use our words for good and not for harm. We don’t want to be unkind or critical. But James 3 tells us that the tongue is unstable and cannot seem to be tamed.

So, what can we do? Is there a way to control it?

Self-control is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us, which means we can’t manufacture controlling our tongues on our own. But, we do have a part to play in the process: we need to stick close to Jesus. 

When we read His Word, seek His face, and walk in His ways (no matter how many times we mess up and have to begin again), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to grow in our lives. The biblical term is abiding: staying, continuing, or remaining in Jesus’ presence.

As we abide with Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to curb the way we speak and change the way we act. When that happens, our words start to bring life and hope to the people around us. 

So this week, how will you use your words to bring healing and hope to people? If this isn’t something you’re used to doing, it’s never too early to speak words that spark life.

My Thoughts

The video that preceded this devotional gave me a lot to think about. The speaker said something that I am pondering. The words we speak to others are important and can be encouraging or destructive, but so can the words we speak to ourselves. I think the reason that means so much to me is that I am not one who thinks I am worthy of praise or recognition or anything positive really. And I sometimes find myself saying “It’s okay. You are getting what you deserve.” I am not speaking life to my own self. God doesn’t mean for me to get what I deserve. He wants me to have His best for me and I need to notice all that He has done and is doing for me and speak in expectation of what He will do next.

It is also easy for me to grumble under my breath about my husband or other loved ones who do something I disapprove of. I am the only one hearing the words but they end up hurting that person later because I am storing them in my heart and when I boil over, that is what flows out. So, the Holy Spirit has been stopping me lately, even before today’s devotional, and reminding me to think kind things so that when I am speaking to that person, kind things come out of my mouth. I’m not going to lie. It’s hard, but it is worth it to hear the encouraging words come out instead of the ones that I have no business saying just because I am frustrated or angry. I read sometime in the last few weeks that Jesus knew that He had a limited amount of time to make a difference in the world, so He chose all of His words carefully. As His followers, should that not be our habit all the time, too? I want to be a spark for life not a cold bucket of water for someone struggling. How about you?

Review: Her Reluctant Amish Heart by Pamela Desmond Wright

On By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

ISBN-139781335529114

Publisher: Harlequin

Publication Date: 07/28/2026

Pages: 208 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

When a reckless street race injures her brother, Anika Glick wants nothing to do with the man responsible—especially when he’s sentenced to help her family. But Elam Muller is desperate to prove he’s changed. As they work together on her family farm, Anika finds herself drawn to Elam’s remorse and kindness. But when they’re presented with one last risky race that could secure their future or destroy it all, everything they’ve built is put to the test. Will their growing love survive the pull of the past—or will it all come crashing down?

My Thoughts

With appealing characters, this warmhearted romance was a delightful and sweet portrayal of finding love when you aren’t really looking for it. Anika Glick is reluctant to have Elam come to the farm and help her family after her father and brother were both hurt in accidents. But since her brother Nathan’s accident was a direct result of Elam’s carelessness, she agrees with the Bishop that one of his consequences should be helping with the chores that Nathan cannot do. The plot is well crafted even though it was obvious that Anika and Elam would end up together, reading their story was entertaining and a slam dunk pleasure to read. I enjoyed the portrayal of the characters as they went from distrust to friendship, especially the respectful way that Elam treated Anika in front of her peers. They learned how to work together for the good of the family and for each other and the fun they had getting to know each other jumped right off the page into my active imagination. The chemistry between the characters was realistically portrayed and the pace of the story was perfect for the characters to get to know each other well and for the conflicts in the plot to work out in a satisfactory way.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I also purchased my own copy to keep for my collection of good fiction books. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Rated G, clean Christian fiction

About the Author

New York Times & Publishers Weekly bestselling author Pamela Desmond Wright grew up in a small, dusty Texas town. From the time she learned to read, books have been her passion.

A veteran of the e-book revolution of the late ’90’s, Pamela moved into traditional publishing, writing for Kensington and NAL/Penguin. Nominated 2 times, she won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in 2010. Pamela was also a founder of the scam publishers and agents website, The Write Connection, which was transferred to the SFWA through (then) vice-president A.C. Crispin to become Writer Beware. Her experiences with scam agents and publishers was documented in Professor Jim Fisher’s book, Ten Percent of Nothing: The Case of the Literary Agent From Hell.

In 2013, Pam took a break from publishing. Unable to shake the story bug, she came back in 2019 with a new focus, fulfilling a promise to write wholesome books readers of all ages could enjoy.

Find her online at pameladesmondwright dot com. She’s also on social media: Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram as @pamdwrites. More information is available on her website at https://www.pameladesmondwright.com/

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

Kobo

Walmart

Harlequin

God’s Promises

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

One of the things that keeps me going on the really hard days is reviewing the promises of God and reminding myself that He always keeps His promises.

As a person who has always been afraid of being in total darkness, this promise means a lot to me. I won’t need the sun or moon because God will be an everlasting life for all of us. No more darkness, ever!

With all of the medical tests I have had to undergo and facing more to come, this scripture verse has been my mantra. I am not facing any of this alone. God is right there with me and if the tests show results that are not good, then I know that God is still holding me up and will continue to do so until He calls me to come home to Him.

Sometimes I feel like a pellet from a BB gun. The gun may be aimed at the target, but somehow, some of those pellets go every way except where you want them to go. I keep in mind that God has perfect aim, is pointing me just where He wants me and if I will just be still, I will get there. Fretting doesn’t work nor do sleepless nights. In fact, God’s peace allows me to sleep in the midst of all of this chaos of doctor visits. I have concluded that I should sleep because God “has the watch” all night, every night.

What are some promises that speak to you in a special way? Feel free to share them in the comments. I look forward to reading them!

God Is Worthy

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

He is Worthy (Daily Refresh, 7-26)

We have a powerful Creator, but it’s easy to forget how magnificent He is. We live in a world filled with His miracles, but it’s common to become desensitized to the wonder of it all.

God created something from nothing—speaking life, meaning, and purpose into existence. He’s the author of everything. He is worthy of our worship.

Whales roam the seas, bears scavenge the mountaintops, fireflies light up the countryside. People explore the world, build skyscrapers, cook meals, develop languages, and form complex relationships—with God and with each other.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:11 NIV

“All things,” as the verse says, includes everything we can see and even the things we can’t—both the visible and invisible. “All things” also includes you. 

You were intentionally and uniquely designed by God. You were put on this planet on purpose, at this specific time in history. You have been empowered to shine and share His love, in a distinct and special way that’s completely unique to you.

So take a moment to recognize… God made you and He loves you. He is worthy of your praise.

My Thoughts

I sit in my recliner each morning for my devotions and as I look out the window next to me, I can see some of the wonderful things that God has created for us to enjoy. The roses and other flowers, the hummingbirds, the goldfinches, the sky, the trees, even the annoying little squirrels. Then, I look around the room where I am sitting. There are digital frames that show me pictures of loved ones, the ones I cherish and want to see more frequently. I am so thankful for each of them. I look around more and see gifts from those loved ones. A photograph of my son’s hand on a chess board. A wooden craft our granddaughter painted for me. All made by their ability to create and imagine, an ability that God gave to each of us. As I type this post, I am grateful for each of you and the positive words and encouragement you speak into my life. God created each of us for a purpose. I am here in 2026 and that was part of God’s plan for me. I am thankful for each moment, each day, each hour I have to spend time with those I love and doing the things that God made for me to enjoy. Let us always remember that He is worthy and He who is worthy loves us.