Book Review

Glorious Mess by Mary McCullough – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

October 21, 2020 by Suzie Waltner 8 Comments

About the Book

Book: Glorious Mess

Author: Mary McCullough

Genre: Christian Nonfiction/Biblical Studies

Release Date: March 10, 2020

A woman struggles with a messy home situation, brokenness, rejection, and shame.

Know a woman like this?

Are you a woman like this?

Hannah, a powerful biblical example, was just such a woman. Through her life women can glean answers for their own life problems. Hannah didn’t stay in her grief and pain. She came to the end of her own striving and poured out her heart to the Lord—who answered her prayer.

Experience God’s love and healing in your own “messy” situations as you explore Hannah’s heartbreak and struggles in a Bible study just for women who don’t have it all together. This interactive six-week daily Bible study will help you pray transparently, praise wholeheartedly, and break off the shackles of spiritual barrenness, the need for approval, and perfectionism.

Hannah’s story will empower you to rise from your ashes, leave your messes in God’s hands, and live in service to the King of kings.

Wounds you thought would never heal will become scars that no longer hurt but remind you of the journey from broken to beautiful. As you wait, healing will come. Your soul will find rest even when the situation doesn’t change.

Click here to get your copy!

Honey for the Holidays by Jessica R. Patch

October 20, 2020 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

Crockett Baylor is known as a businessman whose professional practices are above reproach. His personal reputation? Not so much. When the mayor dangles Crockett’s long-buried dream in front of him, he’ll have to take drastic measures to prove he’s worthy. He’s got a plan but it requires the help of his ex, who despises him for all the wrong reasons.

Beloved Parks and Recreation Director, Scout Denman refuses to go along with Crockett’s cockamamie scheme: pretending they’ve rekindled their past romantic relationship. It’s too much of an emotional strain. But she has no choice when she gets in a bind and needs his help with a parks project.

As they stumble their way through Christmas events, grudgingly selling themselves as a couple, they discover there might be a genuine ember left burning under the ashes of their broken hearts. And if they can swallow their pride, they might be able to spark it into a glowing future together.

Amazon | Goodreads

Deadly Connection by Jennifer Pierce – Review & Giveaway

October 19, 2020 by Suzie Waltner 3 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Deadly Connection by Jennifer Pierce, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Deadly Connection
Author: Jennifer Pierce
Publisher: Anaiah Press
Release Date: October 20, 2020
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Private Investigator, Reid Lucas, and his mentor, Joe Lockhart, haven’t spoken in years, but when Joe wants to meet in a small-town diner, Reid’s interest is piqued. Without explanation, Joe calls and tells Reid he has five minutes to get waitress, Quinn Matthews, and her son out of the diner before they’re kidnapped by the group of thugs about to walk through the diner’s front door.

Quinn Matthews’ life is simple and safe, exactly how she likes it—until Reid Lucas walks into the diner. Now, she and her son are running for their lives, and she has no idea why. But when the father of her son shows up and dies saving them, she realizes they all have one deadly connection: Joe Lockhart. Now, she’ll have to trust the mysterious private investigator to not only save their lives but connect her past to her present so they can figure out who is after them. And why.

As the danger escalates, unexpected feelings arise. Reid doesn’t believe he’s worthy of Quinn’s love–or God’s. And Quinn is too worried about having her heart broken again and the effect of having a new man in her son’s life. Can they let go of their preconceived notions of love and relationships, or are they doomed to just let go of each other?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

IN MY OPINION

In Deadly Connection, Jennifer Pierce keeps readers engaged with high-stakes action, sweet moments of connection, and a suspense that carries its weight throughout the book.

Where Reid is competent and a protector, Quinn stands strong in her faith and the belief that even in these dangerous times, God is in control. Her love for her son is fierce, and Reid admires that in her.

I appreciated that Pierce didn’t make her characters invincible or her bad guys incompetent. Quinn and Reid get hurt (and even land in the hospital a couple times). And even though I had an inkling of who the culprit of the attempted kidnappings was, the ride to get to where I could confirm my suspicions was white-knuckled and entertaining.

One thing I would have liked at the end was some sort of explanation or apology from Joe, but it’s such a small want, I still recommend this book to fans of fast-paced romantic suspense you can read in one sitting.

My Rating:

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Pierce currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children. Her debut novel, Hidden Danger, is a 2019 Selah Award winner, and her second novel, Expecting Danger is a 2019 Selah Award finalist. Deadly Connection is her third novel. She also has a contemporary romance Christmas novella, Giving Grace, releasing November 13, 2020. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and River Valley Writers.

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive autographed copies of Hidden Danger & Expecting Danger plus a custom Jennifer Pierce Author tumbler designed by Fine Designs by Megan!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 20, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on October 27, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Everywhere to Hide by Siri Mitchell – Review

October 17, 2020 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

How does a woman protect herself from an enemy she can’t see?

Law school graduate Whitney Garrison is a survivor. She admirably deals with her mother’s death, mounting student debt, dwindling job opportunities, an abusive boyfriend, and a rare neurological condition that prevents her from recognizing human faces.

But witnessing a murder might be the crisis she can’t overcome.

The killer has every advantage. Though Whitney saw him, she has no idea what he looks like. He knows where she lives and works. He anticipates her every move. Worst of all, he’s hiding in plain sight and believes she has information he needs. Information worth killing for. Again.

As the hunter drives his prey into a net of terror and international intrigue, Whitney’s only ally, Detective Leo Baroni, is taken off the case. Stripped of all semblance of safety, Whitney must suspect everyone and trust no one—and fight to come out alive.

“A heart-stopping ride . . . Mitchell’s deft hand with characterization and the twist y plot made this a compelling read i couldn’t put down.” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of One Little Lie and the Lavender Tide series

Backlash by Rachel Dylan – Review

October 16, 2020 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

CIA analyst Layla Karam is thrust into a dangerous DEA field operation against a cartel that puts a target on her back. Though Layla never wanted to be a field agent, Langley had other ideas. After one of her team members is murdered because of fallout from the op, Layla is left scrambling to find safety.

At the same time, the CIA opens up an internal investigation against her. Out of options, Layla turns to ex-boyfriend and private investigator Hunter McCoy for help finding out who might want to ruin her career.

Layla and Hunter soon discover a mole inside the DEA has sold out the team’s identity to the cartel. She must clear her name with the Agency and protect herself and her teammates from cartel retaliation. With threats on all sides, Layla must put her trust in Hunter–the man who broke her heart–and hope they both come out of it alive.

For those who are content sensitive: this book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of physical and sexual assault.