THE PARIS BETRAYAL

 

By James R. Hannibal

 

 

Publisher: Revell

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021

Pages: 352 pages

Categories: Fiction / Christian / Suspense

 

 

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After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance–reserved for incompetents and traitors.

Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company’s plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him–and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.

Award-winning author James R. Hannibal ratchets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.

 

 

 

 

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Praise

 

“A masterful thriller is created by a masterful writer, and James R. Hannibal is at the top of my list. I devoured every page with the lights on!” —DiAnn Mills, DiAnnMills.com, author of Airborne

“James Hannibal once again displays his dazzling prose and ability to keep even the more experienced readers guessing. In The Paris Betrayal, Hannibal sets his hook deep and early, then drags you through a riveting, edge-of-your-seat story. Another gripping, high-octane book from one of the best thriller writers in the business.” — Simon Gervais, former RCMP counterterrorism officer and bestselling author of Hunt Them Down

“Riveting and action-packed! The Paris Betrayal is everything you want in a thriller–suspense, intrigue, and white-knuckle action. Hannibal has a knack for keeping you guessing in a plot that moves at a breakneck speed. This is one you don’t want to miss!” —Ronie Kendig, bestselling author of The Tox Files

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spies, Lies, and a dog…Oh my!

If you are in the mood for a good spy novel then look no further than this book. I was taken on a fast-paced adventure with many moving parts, flawed characters, and an adorable doxie named Otto. Yes, anytime there is a dog I am pretty sure I’m going to like the book.

The author has some first-hand knowledge regarding military operations and while this is not a military based book, I could see how that information could shape the direction Ben took in hunting down the virus and Leviathan before it destroys the world and the people that inhabit this planet. While the book was primarily written before the current pandemic, the author took advantage of this new information and added a few more twists to the story.

Ben is loyal to The Company and his mission. When he is burned he doesn’t stop trying to right the wrongs, he continues and puts himself in perilous situations. However, it seems like Ben is always on the go. This is probably to be expected in the spy business because once you are in play, I can’t imagine that you aren’t always on edge and looking over your shoulder. But that just adds to the drama of the novel and will keep you glued to your seat from start to finish.

In spite of his current situation, a few people still want to help Ben survive including Clara, a seemingly innocent bystander that is swept along into this nightmare along with her dog Otto. Clara manages to end up in the right place at the right time to help Ben out of a few situations. Is she as innocent as she appears?

I appreciated that while some characters were not major players in the book, we are provided sufficient information about each character so we can imagine them in our minds and the role they play in this novel and in Ben’s quest for the truth. I felt like each character added to the storyline no matter their role. Many were devious and it is obvious I was never trained to be a spy because I don’t think I could think that fast on my feet if I were in the same situation.

While this book has more of a serious tone, there are still many scenes that had me chuckling including one with a hacker that Ben thinks has blown up his girlfriend’s home. Between the dialogue and the actions of Ben, it was almost like watching a comedy routine but a little more dangerous.

This was the first book I have read from this author but it won’t be my last. I definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good spy novel. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. This former stealth pilot from Houston, Texas, has been shot at, locked up with surface-to-air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion Award winner for his children’s mysteries, a former Thriller Award nominee, and a 2020 Selah and Carol Award finalist for The Gryphon Heist–the opener for the CIA series that now includes Chasing the White Lion. James is a rare multisense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds and smells, and he hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.

 

 

 

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5/4/21	Notable Quotables	Texas Book Lover
5/4/21	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
5/5/21	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
5/6/21	Character Interview	Hall Ways Blog
5/7/21	Review	The Clueless Gent
5/8/21	Top Five	All the Ups and Downs
5/9/21	Excerpt	Stories Under Starlight
5/10/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight
5/11/21	Deleted Scene	The Page Unbound
5/12/21	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
5/13/21	Review	Bibliotica

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Childhood friends reunite in an explosive tale of family dysfunction and romance gone wrong.

Amelia has been plotting to escape her abusive husband for years. When her mama’s untimely death provides an unexpected opportunity, she hops on the next bus to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Her husband will eventually come for her. But she’s prepared. Her freedom has given her confidence to face her uncertain future. She settles in at her family’s oceanfront estate to await her destiny. But a visit from Amelia’s past presents danger in a different form.

After a string of disastrous blind dates, Max falls for the first guy who expresses an interest in her. As the weeks wear on, her attraction to Ron wanes. But he’s living in her apartment. And he won’t be so easy to get rid of.

Jump on board for a wild ride of adventure with the continuation of the bestselling Palmetto Island Series. Be sure to download Muddy Bottom, the series novella prequel, for FREE.

 

 

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Review

 

Palmetto Island is now one of my favorite spots and a place I would like to visit and maybe live. The people seem to be friendly, caring, and inviting. Well, most of them anyway.

We meet Amelia, a friend to Birdie and Max when they were in school, and she is back to bury her mother and escape an abusive relationship. But as we know, it is hard to escape an abuser and this keeps Amelia on edge. Not only does she have to worry about her husband, but there are also strange things happening at her mother’s home and she is seeing strange lights in the apartment over the garage. Then there is a woman that seems familiar that makes an appearance at the funeral. While you will be able to guess who this person is, the story takes an interesting turn as Amelia remembers more of her past and a certain situation that could change her life.

The story also focuses on Max and her attempt to revitalize her hotel. It is in disrepair and needs a major overhaul. This leads her to Davis via Birdie. He is new to the island and looking to build his reputation as a contractor. I like how they play off each other and build a friendship. This is a boon for Max because she tends to get involved with the wrong people and she has one of those “wrong” men in her life and he is hard to kick out. She will be in for some trying times thanks to the freeloader.

I have always loved this author’s books and this one added just a bit more suspense and mystery than some of the others. I think the last 10-15% really had me on edge wondering how the events would play out and would there be the happy ending I have come to know and expect?  You’ll have to read the book to find out.

We give this book 5 paws up and can’t wait for the next in this series to see how things continue for all those that have coupled up in this book and the previous ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many.

Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she’s lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 21 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique.

 

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Synopsis

 

From USA Today Bestselling Author Bette Lee Crosby comes a powerful southern saga based on a true story… Betrayal and secrets tore her family apart decades ago, now a lonely widow must search for the pieces of her broken childhood.

WHEN I LAST SAW YOU

GEORGIA, 1968 – Margaret Rose McCutcheon has just buried her husband and must now name a beneficiary for their estate in case of her demise. She is hard-pressed to do so because there is no one. No children. No family. At least none to speak of. At one time, she had two sisters and six brothers, but the lot of them were scattered to the four winds, with no one knowing where the others went. In the hope of finding at least one of her siblings, Margaret hires a detective and sets off on a journey to uncover the truth of why the family broke apart as it did.

WEST VIRGINIA, 1901 – When Eliza Hobbs gives birth to her sixth child, her husband is not there to welcome his daughter into the world. No surprise, because Martin is seldom there. He works in Charleston and returns to Coal Creek only when he has a mind to. Yes, he sends money on occasion, but seldom enough to make ends meet. Although Eliza believes each new child a blessing, he sees them as yet another responsibility on his already overloaded shoulders. When he discovers another child is on the way, he demands she get rid of it. he stops returning home and there is no more money.

Left with the children, a mountainside patch of land, and a house in sorry need of repair, Eliza seeks help and turns to someone powerful enough to hold sway over Martin and force him into providing for his family. Pushed to the brink, Martin does something unforgivable and the family is forever torn apart.

Now, after all these years, will Margaret be the one to find the pieces of her broken family?

 

 

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Review

 

There are a few authors that have the art of writing southern women’s fiction down to a science, and Bette Lee Crosby is one of those authors. Her stories blend together real world events, the past and present, and an array of emotions.

This novel focuses on Margaret, a woman that has just lost her husband and discovers that he had originally searched for her family many years before. We are taken down a path that shares her upbringing at the turn of the century in a small rural town in West Virginia, where most men ended up working (and eventually dying) in the coal mines. Growing up in small quarters and with a large family wasn’t a hardship for Margaret and her siblings, but that is because they do not know any different because the most important thing was the love that they felt from their mother and each other.

The story flips back and forth between the past and the present and we learn more about her life growing up and the secrets that are kept hidden from her and several others. The journey she is on is one that is sad yet fulfilling as she rediscovers her siblings and family. Not every situation results in a happy ending, but Margaret is able to find closure in some situations and new life in others. She is able to do all of this with the help of a private investigator named Tom. There are many humorous situations (remember this is 1968 and morality standards were different) but their adventure brings them together and creates a new friendship.

While the crux of the story is about Margaret, the past focuses on her parents, Eliza and Martin. Martin is not a likable character and the way he treated Eliza and his children is heartbreaking, to say the least. I appreciated the positive light that was shone on Masons (Masonic Lodge) and that they watch out for their brother and his family.

If you are looking for southern women’s fiction that will pull at your heartstrings, then anything by Bette will fill that bill and I highly recommend this book or any of her others.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

USA Today Bestselling Author and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

 

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Synopsis

 

A vibrantly illustrated, authoritative guide to sparkling wine from James Beard Award winner Katherine Cole in the follow-up to her popular Rosé All Day

Sparkling Wine Anytime introduces readers to every style of sparkling wine, from Champagne and Prosecco to Cava, Lambrusco, Pét-Nat, and more. Wine expert Katherine Cole digs deep into sparkling wine’s compelling history, role in culture today, and the unique process by which it is made, explicating the most complicated concepts with light, bubbly prose. Organized by region, this comprehensive guide includes producer profiles, tasting notes, cocktail recipes, food pairings, and bottle recommendations for any budget. Filled with playful illustrations and infographics, Sparkling Wine Anytime is an effervescent exploration of all things sparkling.

 

 

Abrams Books * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

 

 

Review

 

I love a good sparkling wine but never thought much about how the different types came about or that there were other ways to drink it other than straight out of the bottle (in a glass of course!).

This book is educational and entertaining at the same time. I never knew how varied sparkling wines could be from the country they are produced in, to the types of grapes and the packaging process. I enjoyed reading about the various countries but the United States caught my attention since this is where I live. I think the biggest surprise was a winery that produces Brut in New Mexico.  That is probably the last state I would have ever expected to make a bottle of sparkling wine, but the winery has been there since the mid 1980s.

Along with history, notes, and a wealth of vineyards, there are also recipes sprinkled throughout and several have piqued my interest. I’m going to share one with you so that the next time you have a bottle of sparkling wine, you might pull up this recipe and give it a whirl.

 

Sweet Stars & Stripes

 

2-3 ultra thin cucumber slices

ice cubes

4 oz demi-sec (semisweet) sparkling wine

 

Place cucumber slices over the ice cubes in a wineglass or short rocks glass. Pour in the sparkling wine and serve.

Serves 1

 

 

About the Author

 

Katherine Cole’s newest book is Sparkling Wine Anytime, the companion to Rosé All Day (Abrams). She is also the author of How to Fake Your Way through a Wine List (Sterling Epicure) and Complete Wine Selector (Firefly Books).

Katherine is the host and executive producer of the James Beard Foundation Award-winning food-and-beverage podcast, The Four Top.

Her first book, Voodoo Vintners: Oregon’s Astonishing Biodynamic Winemakers (2011) was nominated for a Louis Roederer Award.

Katherine’s books have been reviewed favorably by The New York Times, Wine Spectator, Huffington Post and Chicago Sun-Times.

 

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Synopsis

 

Based on true events, The Healing is the story of Cate Henderson who, after twenty-six years in an abusive relationship, sets out on a quest to find healing. Cate packs up everything she owns and leaves Calgary on an odyssey westward, to Vancouver Island, where her ever-present journal and the abundance of nature become the foundation of her self-recovery. She yearns for something deeper and then when she isn’t looking, she finds love with the solid and virtuous Ethan. Cate thinks his steadfast love is what she is searching for, but soon realizes she needs to do her own work, that love for herself is the key.

With echoes of Eat, Pray Love, The Healing is a raw and vulnerable exploration of human resilience. At times both painful and uplifting, it’s a story about love, examining motherhood, partnership, grief, expectation, and optimism, and the journey inward to self-love.

 

 

 

Indigo/Chapters (CA)

 

 

Review

 

This story follows Cate, a woman that has left an emotionally abusive relationship is starting fresh in another part of the country. She has support from her children and meets some wonderful people in her new adopted town including the man that shows her what life can really be like with the right person.

This was an interesting read for me. I felt for Cate but was happy to see her realize that a long unproductive relationship was not something she should stay in for her own mental health. In her quest to rediscover herself, she meets men that aren’t necessarily good for her until Ethan. He is a good guy but has some of his own baggage and it was refreshing to see them work through things together and learn more about themselves and each other.

Cate also shares her journal entries with us and her desire to heal and move forward. She makes many discoveries about herself which only benefits her in the end. I thought the interaction with her children and ex-husband was telling and gave us more insight into her thought process. I enjoyed watching her grow in her new relationship and feel more comfortable in her skin.

My only negative is that the writing felt stiff and I didn’t feel like the story flowed as smoothly as it could.

Overall, we give this book 3 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lynda was born in a small prairie town in western Canada in the mid-sixties. She lived with her parents and older brother in a succession of small towns until a traumatic life event had them move to Calgary, Alberta.

When she found out she was pregnant at the age of sixteen, Lynda’s life took on a whole new direction. With the support of her family, as well as a stack of student loans and grants, she attended university. Lynda married and had two more children.

After more than twenty years trying to fix something that was broken beyond repair, Lynda left her marriage to embark on a new life adventure on Vancouver Island. There she met her soulmate, David. They fell immediately and deeply in love and married in 2014. Later that same year, she and David adopted his step-daughter.

Lynda’s life transformed once again when she and David moved to the Middle East. The expat gig has provided exciting travel opportunities and a myriad of new cultural experiences.

Now, Lynda’s days are filled with yoga, meditation, reading, writing, cooking, taking care of business and connecting with people she loves. In the future, she dreams of growing her writing career poolside from her home in Panama.

 

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Raised in the Kitchen: Making Memories from Scratch One Recipe at a Time

 

by Carrian Cheney

 

 

Publication Date: 4/27/21

 

Paperback & Hardcover

 

Retail Price: $21.99

 

Page Count: 224

 

Cookbook

 

Cover Photos: © Jessica Kettle Photography

 

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

 

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

 

Design: Heather G. Ward

 

 

Synopsis

 

From the time her children were toddlers, family cooking blogger Carrian Cheney found creative ways to get her children interested in cooking, partly to teach them basic kitchen skills so they could be part of the solution when they were hungry and partly to instill in them a joy of creating and presenting delicious meals, as her own mother had taught her.

From food prep to clean-up, this unique cookbook guides the way through every step, including meal lists and easy-to-follow recipes, and features dollops of heartwarming family stories, insights, and kid-friendly food activities to keep young chefs focused on fun in the kitchen.

The book includes 75 recipes that begin with basics such as fried eggs, pizza dough, and baked potatoes. As new cooking skills are learned, the recipes progress to guaranteed kid favorites like chocolate chip pancakes, steak fajitas, and apple dumplings. Recipes are joined with tips to help home chefs master the art of cooking, from stocking a pantry to proper kitchen etiquette and safety to how to add flair to a table setting—even how to coax a picky eater by tempting their tastebuds.

Raised in the Kitchen is a cookbook for parents and kids about much more than learning to love to cook. It’s about bringing families together with cooking memories that will last a lifetime.

 

 

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BAM * Walmart * Bookshop * Desert

 

 

Praise

 

“A practical cookbook that families everywhere can enjoy! This cookbook has an emphasis on bringing the family together in the kitchen, not only to eat the meal together but to create it together. A wonderful way to build lasting memories, practice helpful kitchen skills, and perfect lifelong favorite recipes. My family is so excited to work our way through its charming pages!” -Jaclyn Bell, from cookingclassy.com

“Written by a family for your family, Carrian’s cookbook is a wonderful resource that encourages parents and children to find joy in creating delicious meals and baked goods together. The consistently delicious kid-friendly recipes and handy success tips are added bonuses!” -Sally McKenney, author of Sally’s Baking Addiction

“I love this collection of family-friendly recipes and tips to create teachable moments with kids and get them excited about cooking. The recipes are fun and approachable, and kids will love to make and eat them. This will quickly become your family’s favorite cookbook!” -Natasha Kravchuk, host of Natasha’s Kitchen

“Carrian is the queen of family cooking and togetherness, and she hit it out of the park with this delightful and practical cookbook for anyone who wants to help their kids get involved in cooking and baking but doesn’t know where to start. Perfect for all ages and cooking abilities, this ‘handbook’ is filled with so many details, tips, and recipes!” -Mel, from MelsKitchenCafe.com

“Even cooks sans kids will gravitate to Cheney’s first, family-friendly production. It’s educational, yet easy to understand and to follow, and highly personalized. Cheney offers kitchen tips. There’s little to no fussiness about kitchen skills. Family traditions are created, celebrated, and shared, such as the great family bake-off, and the 70-plus recipes reprise favorites with a twist. It’s truly cooking to enjoy, whether solo or en masse.” -Booklist

“Practical and appetizing collection designed to get families in the kitchen together to build culinary skills and create memories. Recipes are assigned skill levels to help parents match dishes with a child’s capabilities, and Cheney includes a wealth of handy tips. Recipes allow for technique development as well. The stars of the collection are the desserts, which include a berry-laden frozen yogurt bark, decadent chocolate cake, mini Twix cheesecakes, and a luscious strawberry pie. Throughout, Cheney offers pointers on topics such as cooking meat, handling picky eaters, and baking bread. Fun, educational, and full of appealing options, this work is sure to inspire a new generation of cooks.” -Publishers Weekly

 

 

Review

 

This book combined gorgeous photos, delicious recipes, and a look into Carrian’s family and life.

I have to agree wholeheartedly with her philosophy on getting everyone into the kitchen to help prepare the meal and to learn how to cook themselves. It is never too early for a child to learn how to cook even basic dishes and make them more challenging as they get older.

The book has an in-depth table of contents to covers nearly everything you might need to teach someone to do in the kitchen.

Table of Contents:

• Pantry Staples
• Essential Tools
• How to create a shopping list
• How to set a table
• Tips on salt
• Breads
• Breakfast
• Side Dishes
• Knife Safety 101
• Main Dishes
• Cleaning tips
• Desserts

While I haven’t made any of the recipes, there were many that caught my eye and I liked how each recipe gave the difficulty level so you know where to start with your child and what they can work up to as they master the basic skills.

Along with the recipes, she shares stories about her family and I felt like we got to know them all a little bit better.

If you are looking for a cookbook to use with your young children, definitely give this one a look.

We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Carrian Cheney blogs at “Oh, Sweet Basil” about her unique recipes and promotes her philosophy that spending time together in the kitchen is about more than eating a meal. She and her husband are parents to three children who learned very early that they all had roles in the kitchen and learning about food and meal prep was important to their family. While sometimes cooking with kids can be slower and certainly messier, the memories created and the skills learned will last a lifetime.

 

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The Orange Dragon Bowl

 

Book 1 in the Julie Tyler series

 

by Betty P. Notzon

 

coming of age fiction; family life fiction

 

Pages: 280

 

Pub Date: 10/10/2020

 

Synopsis

 

Like many teenagers, Julie Tyler suffers from a few insecurities, even though she’s basically a well-adjusted, intelligent, and attractive young woman with a positive outlook on life.

Still, it doesn’t take long for Alexis Cowper, the new girl in town, to have Julie questioning everything she thinks she knows about herself and her family. It turns out that Julie’s father and Alexis’s mother were a couple in college.

And Mrs. Cowper still has her eye on Julie’s dad – she is torn between wanting revenge and wanting to pick up the relationship where the two left off.

When Julie’s mom is diagnosed with breast cancer, Alexandra Cowper moves in for the metaphoric – and possibly literal – kill. Julie is forced to question both her instincts and everything she thinks she knows about her family, her school, and the larger world around her.

Readers will root for this smart and funny 15-year-old as she navigates love, loss, and other challenges. Fans of Anne Rivers Siddons, Elizabeth Berg, Jodi Picoult, Gail Godwin, Maeve Binchy, and Philippa Gregory will find much to adore and nary a dull moment in The Orange Dragon Bowl!

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This coming of age story is perfect for any teenage girl with the various topics it touches including bullying, monthly cycles, cancer, gossip, racism, gangs, love, and family.

Julie has a good life with parents that love her and is able to attend a private school for a better education. As with any school, there are always those that think they are better than others and treat others as if they do not matter. That is the case with Alexis and her posse but never count the good girl down!

There are multiple storylines woven together to create this enticing tale. I like how they all came together and how they affected Julie and her family in one way or another. Whether it was a situation from her father’s past, to her mother’s illness, to Julie learning how to cope with the stress of everything and come out a better person because of the situations she is exposed to and the people that surround her.

I have to say, I really liked Gloria, a fellow student at her private school and there on scholarship. She does not let her past define who she is and is not afraid to speak up for herself or her family and friends. The headmistress of the school may be a minor character, but she injects realism and integrity into the story.

The story does end with a bit of a surprise and there will be a second book coming soon. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story continues.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Betty P. Notzon, who is originally from New England and now lives in Texas, has been writing and reading all her life. She worked at Little, Brown & Company in Boston and at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before moving to Houston and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Not surprisingly, there is usually a medical thread in her plots. An avid reader with an early penchant for the works of Pearl Buck, Louisa May Alcott, Daphne DuMaurier, and Jane Austen, Notzon doesn’t pull punches in chronicling the raw realities of the 21st century, but she does so with old-fashioned restraint.

 

Twitter * Amazon

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Single Mom barely holding onto her sanity vs. Silver Fox convinced he’s found love. Let the games begin…

My boss looks at me like I’m a lollipop he can’t wait to lick. He can keep waiting. I haven’t got time to wash my hair, let alone take care of a man. Another man I should say. Being a single mom to a teenage boy on a crusade to save the world is a full-time job. Add my actual full-time job times two and I’ve forgotten the definition of free time.

But Max isn’t taking no for an answer. He says he’s waited long enough to find love. And he’s done waiting. Gulp. He claims he’s going to solve all problems and prove he’s the man for me. Trouble – party of one.

But maybe like Max always says Love will OUT.

We’ll see about that.

This single mom romantic comedy features a single mom trying to protect her crusader son from the consequences of his actions, a silver fox convinced it’s his turn for love, a daughter and her friends who aren’t above playing matchmaker, and a makeshift family of former Army buddies who think telling dirty jokes is a sign of love.

A Fox for Faith is book 4 of the Love will OUT series but can be read as a standalone.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

Another great romantic comedy by this author!  This series is a hoot and in the end, it is like joining the family for the holidays with how much they care for each other and look out for one another.

This is the fourth in this series and I think what I like the best about it is that the main characters are closer to my age. I don’t mind reading about younger characters, but there is something when it is someone around your age and has gone through what you have gone through or can at least relate to your life. Faith is running from a problem in St Louis but that doesn’t stop Max and the others from bringing her into their circle and watching out for her and her son. The attraction between Max and Faith is hot…like spicy hot. Despite Faith’s efforts to stay away, that isn’t going to happen.

The wit and humor peppered throughout kept me laughing. While you don’t need to read the previous three books to read this one, it really helps to understand the relationship between all of their characters. I definitely enjoyed the continuation of Hailey, Suzie, and Phoebe’s stories with tidbits here and there. And of course, the Uncles. They may not be blood but they will protect their family to the death. I found it humorous that Max told them they needed to stop with the dirty jokes around Faith.  She is definitely a mom that has it all together and can give them the “mom look” and put these men in their place. Go Faith!

This is a fantastic series and you won’t be sorry if you pick it up to read. It is a blend of the right amount of humor, romance, and some spicy love scenes.

We have to give it 5 paws up and think there might be a 5th book based on the introduction of a new character, Chrissie.  I think Wally may have met his match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic before returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where, in between tennis matches and failing to save the world, I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

 

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Synopsis

 

What if the Darkest Minds on Earth Discovered How to Subdue Future Generations?

 

When Californians start getting sick with flu-like symptoms, traumatized engineer Jake Bendel is once again forced to work with the FBI to discover the cause. With his new desalination plants behind schedule and searing pressure from the California Governor, Jake uncovers a secret network of vengeful terrorists planning catastrophic genetic modifications.

But before the engineer can find a way to cure the masses, he himself is injected with the virus, forcing him to dig deep to track down the leader of the terrorist group. Using strength from recent losses in order to save the lives of millions, Jake overcomes drone strikes and bunker bombs to discover the mastermind behind the plot, but not until the very end does he realize he’s been chasing someone who can’t possibly be caught.

 

 

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Praise

 

“The breakneck pace will surely thrill and delight many.” — Sarasota Magazine

 

“Bennecke was able to create a suspenseful story that was driven by an action-packed plot. The book pulled me in and left me eager for the next installment.” — OnlineBookClub.org

 

 

Review

 

This fast-paced thriller intrigued me, frightened me, and kept me on the edge of my seat. How would this virus affect the population and crops?

The crux of this story takes place over a few days but the whole book spans about two weeks from the initial chapter until the end. The story begins with Jake kidnapped leaving a diner and injected with a drug that made him susceptible to coercion but won’t remember anything that he said or did afterward. That is until weeks later when his project with a water plant starts to go awry. That is when everything starts unraveling.

While it isn’t necessary to read the first book by this author, Civil Terror: Gridlock, I think it would be very helpful. I will admit I was a bit confused at the beginning not understanding the relationship between Jake and Viktor and how their lives intersected and why there was such animosity between the two. However, I did finally put the pieces together, but had I read the first book I wouldn’t have felt discombobulated in the beginning.

The book does have some technical jargon peppered throughout, but I didn’t find it to be overwhelming or take away from the story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their relationships with one another. There are some surprising twists in the story, so don’t think you have it all figured out! We do know who is behind everything early in the book and there is a surprise near the end that has me intrigued and ready to read the next book to find the answer.

This book hits a range of emotions and is well done. Sure some of it may not be realistic, but that is the great thing about fiction, you can make anything possible and in the future, it just might become a reality.

We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

J. Luke Bennecke is a native Californian and veteran civil engineer. His first book, Civil Terror: Gridlock, became an Amazon Bestseller. Bennecke currently resides in Southern California with his wife of 30 years, whom he enjoys traveling with, and three spunky cats. Waterborne is his second novel.

 

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Synopsis

 

In the shadows of New York City’s North Brother Island stand the remains of a shuttered hospital and the haunting memories of quarantines and human experiments. The ruins conceal the scarred and beautiful Cora, imprisoned there by contagions and the doctors who torment her. When Finn, a young urban explorer, arrives on the island and glimpses the enigmatic woman through the foliage, intrigue turns to obsession as he seeks to uncover her past–and his own family’s dark secrets. Nolden skillfully intertwines North Brother Island’s horrific and elusive history with a captivating tale of love, betrayal, survival, and loss.

 

 

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Review

 

Lately, I have enjoyed reading books that tie actual places and events to fictional stories. I appreciate learning about places I have not been and the impact they had on the world at that time. This is the case in this debut novel and North Brother Island in New York and the facilities that were located on the island in the early to mid-1900s.  The facilities sheltered the sick and mentally ill and probably the most famous person housed there that most people know is Typhoid Mary. There is also a reference to a ship that caught fire and many died not able to escape the blaze or drowned in the river.

The story focuses on Cora, a young woman that is brought to the island with her sister to hopefully isolate them from spreading disease until they are well. However, what ensues is lifelong imprisonment for Cora and subjected to the whims of the Gettler men who happened to be doctors on the island.

The story flips between the past and the present and while it seems unbelievable, it also held me captive wondering how things could have happened as they did and how did Cora survive the cruel and unusual behavior of the doctors on the island? Why did she not try and leave? The answer to that question might blow your mind.

I don’t want to reveal too much, but there are some events that shocked and surprised me and also broke my heart knowing what Cora went through. She may be a tough woman on the outside, but she still endured emotional and physical pain that most would not have survived.

When I got to the end, it is revealed that there will be a sequel to follow. This is good because there is quite a cliffhanger at the end and I have to know what happens next for Cora and all of the Gettler men. Will they change their ways? How will it impact their families? Inquiring minds want to know.

I am giving this book 5 paws up. There are times when the story drags a little bit but overall this story held my attention and left me wanting more.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Shelley Nolden is an entrepreneur and writer, now residing in Wisconsin. Previously, she lived in the New York City area, where she worked on Wall Street and first learned of North Brother Island. At the age of 31, Shelley was diagnosed with leukemia and completed treatment three years later. The sense of isolation and fear she experienced during her cancer ordeal influenced her spellbinding debut novel, THE VINES.

 

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