"Trapped," by Irene Hannon

A runaway teen, a desperate sister, and an intrepid PI determined to discover the truth
When Laura Griffith's sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned private investigator James Devlin to help. Dev knows time is of the essence with runaways--just forty-eight hours can mean the difference between recovery and ruin.

But the deeper he and Laura dig, the more Dev begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl's disappearance. And in the icy winter weather, the trail is going cold . . .

In her latest thrilling read, queen of romantic suspense Irene Hannon outdoes herself with a fast-paced tale of fear, deception, and just the right dose of romance.

Another great book by Irene Hannon that you get sucked into this book right away, and need to know what happens next.  I found the story about Darcy (Laura's sister) more interesting than the Laura side of the story.  The whole story though was well told and very believable.  It also brings up the point that appearances can be very deceiving; people are not always what they seem.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved this book, had a bit of everything thing in it, murder, mystery, weather and you will learn something about private investigators.  A must read for everyone.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Into the Whirlwind," by Elizabeth Camden

"Into the Whirlwind," by Elizabeth Camden

As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox's future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago's finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city's most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he's accustomed to getting exactly what he wants--until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach.

In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city, Mollie comes face-to-face with the full force of Zack's character and influence. Zack believes this may finally be his chance to win her, but can Mollie ever accept this man and his whirlwind effect on her life, especially with her treasured company on the line?

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially with Mollie as the lead character.  The strength and courage she displays throughout the book is extraordinary; and very believable.  The choices that she makes, make her wise beyond her years.

Zack's personality is the exact opposite to Mollie's, but they do say the opposites attract and in this case they do, but not without a lot of twists and turns along the way.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  Didn't get hooked right away but soon after.  Well worth the read and you'll want to know what happens next the further you get into the book.  I also found it interesting from the historical aspect as well.  There is an interesting historical note at the end of the book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Dangerous Passages," by Lisa Harris

"Dangerous Passages," by Lisa Harris

She's dedicated her life to ending violence. But has she moved too deep into a treacherous world?
When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common--a magnolia tattoo on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. As they venture deep into a sinister criminal world, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities--and their hearts.

Dangerous Passage exposes a fully realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. You'll be hooked from the start.

Loved this book.  When it says you'll be hooked from the start, you truly are.  It's an easy book to get immersed with and you will want to know what happens next.  Most women will be able to relate with Avery, as she is a mother, a daughter, and a working woman and trying to juggle everything in her life and still make time for herself is a challenge.  The budding romance between Avery and Jackson is well written.

The murder, mystery part of the book is also well written and delves into a subject I know little about.  It also makes you appreciate how hard and long these law enforcement professionals work.  This book is the first in the "Southern Crimes," series, the next book in the series, "Fatal Exchange," is to be released in the Summer of 2014.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved the book, I had to know what happened next.  The story had enough twists and turns to make it interesting.  Where the book finished was good and there was still some unfinished business in the book that  you hope will be picked up in the next book.  Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Rules of Murder," by Julianna Deering

"Rules of Murder," by Julianna Deering

Introducing Drew Farthering
From The Tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his stylish cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.

With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be--not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

If you like Downtown Abbey, you like British mysteries, you enjoy 1930's Britain, you love stories about the upper class of Britain, you will LOVE this book.  It's full of mystery, upper class traditions, polite manners and general genteel living.    I must say I never figured out "Who dun it," and like the characters in the book had various suspects.

This is the first book in the series; the next book, "Death by the Book," will be released in March of 2014, where once again Drew, Madeline and Nick try their hand at solving more murders.

Stars out of 5 :Lots of mystery, some of it a bit far fetched, but overall a great cast of characters and an easy book to read.  Well worth buying or borrowing from your local library.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Letters," by Suzanne Woods

"The Letters," by Suzanne Woods 

Welcome to a place of unconditional love and unexpected blessings
When widow Rose Schrock turns her Amish farmhouse into a bed and breakfast, she expects there might be problems. The reaction of her cantankerous mother-in-law for one. Disapproval from the church for another. But what she doesn't expect is that the guests at the Inn at Eagle Hill will spill their problems into her life and into her heart. She also never expects the kind of help and support she gets from Galen King, the quiet and rugged horse trainer next door. Love, Rose discovers, can bloom in the most unexpected ways.

With inspiration from a true story and her signature plot twists, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a fresh story of simple pleasures and strong faith in a complex world.

I really enjoy Suzanne's books and this one was no exception.  Also if you read the Stoney Ridge series of books by Suzanne, some of the characters will be familiar to you.  This is the first book in "The Inn at Eagle Hill," series, the second book, "The Calling," will be released in January 2014.

One thing I was impressed about was Rose's character, how strong she was during all the stresses she had in her life.  Also her positive attitude, just made you love her character and how important her faith was to her.  If I had one complaint about this book, it's the way it ended.  There is so much more to tell about Rose, however I am guessing her story will continue in the next book.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Really enjoyable book that hooked you right from the start.  It was one that I didn't want to put down.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Simple Change," by Judith Miller

"A Simple Change," by Judith Miller

She never imagined a simple change could be so complicated...

Middle Amana, Iowa, 1881

When her parents decide to sell their home and move to the Amana Colonies, Jancey Rhoder must make a difficult decision. Should she give up her beloved teaching job and her carefree life in Kansas City to go with them?

Her suitor, Nathan Woodward, doesn't want her to go, but Jancey feels she must give this new life a try. Her mother is sick, and these next few months may be the last Jancey gets to spend with her. But will this move spell the end of her relationship with Nathan? And when life in Amana is far more mysterious and challenging than Jancey expected, will she choose to return to the city, or will she make this unique place her forever home?

I don't find the Amana Colonies books as relaxing and as spiritual as books involving the Amish or Mennonites for some reason.  Can't quite put my finger on the reason why though.  I have read a number of Judith's books on the Amana Colonies and this one was as good as her other ones.

I enjoyed Jancey's character and had a love hate relationship with Nathan.  There were a couple of twists and turns in the book that did keep it interesting.  I would have loved to know exactly what was wrong with her mother.  It was never explained.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  Have read worse books, but have read better books.  It's an easy book to read and if you like books written around the Amana Colonies you will love this book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Welcome to Last Chance," by Cathleen Armstrong

"Welcome to Last Chance," by Cathleen Armstrong

She's learned you can't count on anyone--but she didn't count on landing in Last Chance.
The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

This book wasn't full of surprises, but it was a book of small town charm, faith and knowing everyone has their own little secrets.  I wasn't drawn into the book right away, took a few chapters before I got really hooked.  

Each of the characters featured have a story to tell and as this is the first book in the "A Place to Call Home," series I am wondering if the next book will tell the stories of those other character's?  The way the book ended there is more to be told about Lainie's life and she was a great lead character.  Also the way the author described each character made them feel so real.

Stars out of 5 : 4 Bit of a slow start, but when the story gets going you're hooked and wanting to know more.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".