Review of THE PERFECT DAUGHTER by D. J. Palmer

On February 2, 2021 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

*I would rate this book for mature audiences since the content deals with mental illness, murder and family issues that are very sensitive.*

I was totally blown away by this intricate tale of family relationships, secrets, murder and mental illness! Penny was found in the park when she was only a small child, and Grace was determined to give her a good, stable home with her own children, Ryan and Jack. Life’s circumstances and Penny’s past got in the way of Grace’s plans for Penny when Penny’s biological mother is murdered and Penny is the primary suspect. Grace is hopeful that the doctor at the institution where Penny is imprisoned awaiting trial will be able to help her at the trial, determining that she was mentally ill when she killed her mother. The trial lawyer Navarro isn’t very hopeful, but he goes along with Grace’s ideas to allow Penny to testify. This book touched me in all of the right places and satisfied all of my reading addictions. With themes of dark secrets and unconditional love, this book was a complex story with clues left in unlikely places at unlikely times. In fact, once I finished the book, I sighed and told myself that now I have to read it again to look for all of the hidden clues about what was really happening in the background that led to the very satisfactory conclusion. I was totally enthralled and mesmerized by the story of Penny and by the family love that Jack and Grace showed to Penny, accepting her just as she was. There is also a sub-plot of Dr. Mitch’s son Adam and his addiction to opiates. Putting a more caring face on the doctor who is mostly all business was a necessary part of his characterization that made him more likable. The fact is that most of the characters were likable and all were three-dimensional and realistically portrayed. This is a spider-web of a story that drew me in and didn’t let me go, haunting my thoughts even after I completed it. Fans of the author and of psychological suspense will devour this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The Perfect Daughter will be available on April 20, 2021. Purchase links:

Many thanks to the author and #StMartinsPress for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! If you want to see a bio of the author and other books he has written, check out his webpage at http://www.djpalmerauthor.com

Review of REUNITED ON DRAGONFLY LANE by Annie Rains

On January 23, 2021 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

This is hands down one of the best books about second chances and helping others to make it in this hard world that I have ever read! Sophie used to love to climb before she had a horrible accident that disfigured her leg and took the desire to climb right out of her heart. Chase was her true love and climbing buddy, but he hadn’t been there for her that day, the worst day in her life, so she has turned her back on climbing and on Chase. When Chase returns to Sweetwater Springs as the town’s only vet, it is inevitable that he will run into Sophie since the town is so small. The story is incredibly fast-paced and remarkably well-plotted. The characters are flawed human beings just trying to work through some difficulties in their lives. I was shedding more than a few tears as each obstacle seemed to be working out, even for Trisha whose husband Pete is in prison. Sophie’s desire to help others ends up with her getting a cute and smart little dog named Comet. And of course, since Chase is a vet, their paths continue to cross. My favorite character in the book was actually Nadine. You will just have to read the book to find out what she has to overcome and if she is able to succeed. This book is uplifting and was just the perfect tale for me to read this week! Fans of the series will not want to miss this culminating book since all of the former characters have a role to play. Avid readers who have not read the series will be fine reading this one as a standalone, but then they will want to go back and read the other books because the author weaves such a good story.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*I would rate this book a PG because of content.*

Annie Rains is a USA Today Bestselling author of small town contemporary romance full of hope and heart. After years of dreaming about being an author, Annie published her first book in 2015 and has been chasing deadlines and happy ever afters for her characters ever since. When she isn’t writing, Annie is usually spending time with her husband and 3 children, binging Netflix, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Sign up for Annie’s newsletter to stay informed about new releases and sales.

You can find Annie online at www.annierains.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @annierainsbooks. **(Info and photo from the author’s website!)**

Available on Tuesday, January 26th! Purchase Links:

Review of LETHAL INTENT by Cara C. Putman

On January 12, 2021 By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

*This is Christian fiction but it is intense. For that reason, I would give it a PG-13 rating.*

I raced through this book because it was so intense and compelling. With characters that jumped off the page into my heart, the author did a stellar job of writing a medical-legal-romantic suspense that had all of the elements of each one, twisted together into a complicated plot. Caroline Bragg is the strong female protagonist, a newly hired lawyer for the oncology research lab Praecursoria. She is developing a romantic relationship with Brandon Lancaster, a former pro-football star who owns and operates a home for foster children. The two have a relationship that conflicts with the research of P. because the lab wants to use one of the children there for their experimental treatment. Bethany, the little girl, tugged at my heartstrings since she was already suffering from not having her biological parents and then is diagnosed with a deadly case of leukemia. A further complication to the plot is that Brandon has invested a lot of his money in the science lab and needs a solid return to keep Almost Home open. This was a book that broke my heart, had tears flowing freely and had me turning pages as fast as I could to find out if the arrogant, seemingly heartless heads of the research lab would ultimately be caught in a nefarious scheme or if they really were working for the good of the children involved in their study. By the time I reached the ending, I was totally wrung out, issued a deep sigh and continued to think about what I had just read. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time because of its deep themes of ethics in medicine and corporate secrets. Fans of legal thrillers will want to set aside time to read this book quickly because you will not want to put it down.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book Thomas Nelson Publishers via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*From the author’s website at* http://www.caraputman.com

Available NOW! Purchase Links:

Review of ALL THAT WE CARRIED by Erin Bartels

On January 6, 2021 By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

*The cover is just as beautiful as the book itself.*

*Five big stars for this wonderful book. Rated G.*

Oh, my! I don’t even know where to start with this amazing book! I would give it more than five stars if I could because it had me pondering, imagining, and crying at times, too. What a wonderful story of a broken relationship between two siblings who take a hike together in order to try to reconnect. If things could go wrong on the hike, they did and both Olivia and Melanie are left wondering what they were thinking when they chose to go on this trip. The characters were so very realistic that I could see myself in Olivia, the sister who just had to organize everything down to the last detail. The story also included Christian beliefs, why we believe what we do. This story had me doing some deep diving into my own beliefs as I read the story of the two sisters coming to terms with what they believe and why. I really enjoyed reading about the character of Josh, a young man who always seemed to be there to rescue them right at the moment when they needed him. Definitely a picture of Jesus! And then there was Justin. He was a young man who was so needy and whose needs were met in the most miraculous of ways! I can’t say more without spoiling the story for others, but I highly recommend this book for all who want to read a tale of two sisters, a hiking trail and their journey to the truth.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Photo and bio from author’s webpage at http://www.erinbartels.com

ERIN BARTELS is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things—a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, winner of the 2020 Star Award from the Women’s Fiction Writers Association in both the debut and general fiction categories, and a 2019 Christy Award finalist—The Words between Us—a 2020 Christy Award finalist—and All That We Carried (coming January 2021). Her short story “This Elegant Ruin” was a finalist in The Saturday Evening Post 2014 Great American Fiction Contest. Her poems have been published by The Lyric and The East Lansing Poetry Attack. A member of the Capital City Writers Association and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, she is former features editor of WFWA’s Write On! magazine and current director of the annual WFWA Writers Retreat in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Erin lives in the beautiful, water-defined state of Michigan where she is never more than a ninety minute drive from one of the Great Lakes or six miles from an inland lake, river, or stream. She grew up in the Bay City area waiting for freighters and sailboats at drawbridges and watching the best 4th of July fireworks displays in the nation. She spent her college and young married years in Grand Rapids feeling decidedly not-Dutch. She currently lives with her husband and son in Lansing, nestled somewhere between angry protesters on the Capitol lawn and couch-burning frat boys at Michigan State University. And yet, she claims it is really quite peaceful.

Available NOW! Purchase Links:

I hope that you will seriously consider adding this book to your shelf because it’s beautiful inside and out.

Review of ACTIVE DEFENSE by Lynette Eason

On January 4, 2021 By vickleaIn Uncategorized4 Comments

*This is a totally clean Christian romantic suspense.*

A quick-paced and explosively good book! Hannah Fontaine has returned from the battlefields of Afghanistan where she was a compassionate and caring surgeon. Unfortunately, the war seems to have followed her back to the states since her life is increasingly in danger as the plot progresses. With kidnapping, bombs, threats to friends and total chaos in her life, Hannah accepts the help of Travis Walker, a man who owns his own security company and who is determined to keep Hannah safe. With characters from previous books in the series playing key roles in this one, it was like seeing old friends again. I really enjoyed the intricacies of the plot and the “jump off the page” realism of the characters. I felt as though I was right there in the story with Hannah, with my heart pumping and my feet running. This book was a journey into the dark world of lack of forgiveness and revenge, with a stunning reveal of the villains at the end. My favorite character was a teen named Ryker, a young man with a hard life and a big heart. The author did a masterful job of creating a story that is compelling and riveting from the first page all the way to the end. Fans of romantic suspense mixed with a thriller will really enjoy this book. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but I enjoyed the entire series.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from #Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*Information and photo from the author’s website at* http://www.lynetteeason.com

Available January 5, 2021! Purchase Links:

Don’t miss this new romantic suspense by a master of the genre!

Review of BOONE by Emily March

On December 21, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

This was an excellent book that dealt with the topics of love and loss and finding your place in the world again. Hannah shows up unexpectedly in Eternity Springs and when Boone finds her at Lover’s Leap, apparently ready to take her own life, she finds a shelter that she never thought possible to find again. Boone accepts Hannah just as she is, a broken woman who needs love and healing. Providing that at his estate in Eternity Springs is easy; not so easy is protecting his heart from her vulnerability that draws him to her. This book drew me in and was a quick read with compelling, magnetic characters in the little town. My favorite character was Celeste Blessing, an older woman who is wise and intuitive about Hannah’s needs and her wants. I thoroughly enjoyed reading as the relationship between Boone and Hannah evolved and I loved the patience that Boone displayed with her. The camping scenes were awesome! I have camping, but I wouldn’t mind “glamping” at all as it’s described in this novel. All in all, this was a satisfying and absorbing romance that allowed me to lose myself in its pages all the way to the end. Fans of romance will enjoy the book and you don’t have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*This photo just wants you to step right into the story, doesn’t it? I would rate the book a hard PG-13 because of extra-marital sex.*

*A fun and fast read with humor and realistic details.*

http://www.emilymarch.com

Available on December 29th, but you can pre-order it now! Purchase links:

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review! I really enjoyed this book and its positivity.

Review of HAPPILY THIS CHRISTMAS by Susan Mallery

On December 15, 2020 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

Harlequin Holiday Blog Tour

All of the Happily, Inc. books are little bundles of joy that you hold in your hands and sigh over all of the emotions evoked as you read. I loved this book from beginning to end! The story itself was magical, with single mother Wynn living next door to the county sheriff, hunky and magnetically attractive Garrick. When Garrick asks for her help decorating his house in a manner suitable for his pregnant daughter, the real fun begins. Joylyn, Garrick’s daughter was not at all likable at first, so I did enjoy the metamorphosis, which just happened to coincide with her advancing pregnancy. I also liked getting to know Hunter, Wynn’s very wise and mature son. There was conflict, resolution, more conflict and more resolution, and I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. The only sad part was when it ended because I could have continued to read more about Christmas in this perfect little town for days to come. The plot was absolute perfection; the characters were so well-developed that they seemed to jump off the page onto the stage of my mind. I love it when a good story comes together well, and this one certainly did. Fans of romance will delight in this wonderful story of finding happiness after so much disappointment.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It was a fun book with lots of laughs and romance. I would rate it PG-13 for sure because of sexual relationships outside of marriage that are referred to and which take place.

Available NOW! (And at a special price for the e-book). Purchase Links:

Review of THE BLENDED QUILT by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter

On November 25, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The story of young Amish woman Sadie Kuhns and her quest to find love and independence in her life was a unique and uplifting story. She decides that the young man who is courting her, Wyman Kauffman, doesn’t really have an aim in his life, so he is not for her. Honestly, he was a very weak character who thought that flitting from job to job and borrowing money from his brother was the way to go in his life. Fortunately, Sadie saw right through his proclamations in love and decided to break it off with him. She dedicated herself to creating a unique quilt that combined her Amish heritage and her new found love for the Hawaiian islands that she visited. Her independent spirit is an anomaly in Amish fiction and I was delighted to read her story. The characters in the story were wonderful and very human. I enjoyed seeing the family support and love that held up Katie in her quest for love and a place in her world. Fans of Christian/Amish fiction will totally fall in love with this clean read!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*This is a totally clean Christian fiction read.*

*From the author’s website at* http://www.wandabrunstetter.com

Available NOW! Purchase Links:

This lovely story of family and strong ties to community should find its way to your library’s shelves today!

Review of BURDEN OF PROOF by Davis Bunn

On November 21, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

This was the first book that I have read by Davis Bunn, and I was absolutely engrossed in it from beginning to end. I didn’t know what to expect at first because it seemed to combine sci-fi with mystery and thriller, so I wasn’t convinced that the combination would work. I was pleasantly surprised as this book exceeded all of my expectations. The basic premise is that Ethan uses advanced technology discovered by his sister-in-law Sonya in order to travel back in time and attempt to save his brother Adrian’s life. The whole idea for the plot seemed so wild to me, but the author not only made it work, but he made it work well, tying up loose ends and explaining the unexplainable. The Christian aspect was the story of second chances and a prodigal brother who had spent his life living for himself only to find that he had wasted it and done nothing for the brother who had sacrificed for him. I really enjoyed getting to know the three dimensional characters and all of their facets, both in the past and in their current lives. Since the time frame was dual, the author faced the challenging task of making sure that I understood exactly where the story was going and who the most important actors were. Masterful job! At the end of the story, I just wanted to immediately find another book by this author because he demonstrated such talent in plot and character development. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy high-octane, fast-paced thrillers, with mystery and sci-fi stirred into the mix.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*This is a clean Christian read with intense action scenes.*

Available NOW! Purchase Links:

If you enjoy Christian fiction, then you will definitely enjoy this book!

Review of SOFTLY BLOWS THE BUGLE by Jan Drexler

On November 11, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I loved this sweet story about the Amish in Weaver’s Creek. Elizabeth is a young widow who has a broken heart and trust issues. Aaron fought in the Civil War and was gravely wounded there. Traveling to Weaver’s Creek with Jonas after the war, Aaron feels like half a man and although he wants a “normal” life, he does not think that is a possibility for him. There is also a mystery involving a newcomer to the community named Solomon who immediately sets his eyes on Elizabeth and insists that she should marry him quickly. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with plenty of information about the Amish gentle and accepting way of life. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and especially enjoyed the themes of redemption and a new chance at a new life. Although this is book #3 of a series, I have not read the other books and had no difficulty understanding the relationships between the characters and the plot itself. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Amish fiction, a clean read and an altogether enjoyable story.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”