Tree Swing Reading

Review of "Sworn to Protect" by DiAnn Mills

This book is one of the Christy Award Nominees that I'm giving away until July 5. Enter here.

Description:

Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico; a job she's paid dearly for. Her husband, Toby, was murdered two years ago trying to help and his murder's never been solved. Now a string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone from McAllen profits from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country and somehow this illegal activity is tied to her husband, Toby's death.

My Thoughts:

Another great book with a nice combination of action and romance! I really am enjoying this series!  There were a few spots where the story seemed to jump a bit in the flow, but it didn't stop me from devouring the book!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: romance, suspense

Part of a Series: yes, "Call of Duty" series book 2 

Publication year: 2010

Publisher: Tyndale

Giveaway: Christy Award Nominees Part 3, Contemporary Standalone

The Christy Award is a "Christian fiction award to recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction." The nominees for this year were announced recently and the winners announced July 11. Every year I make it my goal to read all the books that are nominated for the Christy Award. I also give them away!

I will giveaway the books by category while I am reading the books nominated in that category.

To enter to win any/all of these books, please do the following:

1. Post a comment indicating which book/books you would like to be entered for.

2. Enter by the date indicated. For this category, please enter by JULY 12, winners announced on July 13.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back soon for the next category giveaway!

Today's category is: "Contemporary Standalone."

The books nominated in this category are:

1. Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

Description:

Billy Allman is a "hillbilly genius." Folks in town say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin---and was cut short on social skills. But there are two things they don't know---he's troubled by a brutal secret, and an angel is determined to set things right!

My Thoughts Here.

 

2. Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

Description:

While Jane Lindsay waits for her husband to decide if they'll stay married, she finds a 16th-century betrothal ring. Certain that it belonged to Lady Jane Grey, she's drawn to the parallels in their lives. Was Tudor England's 9-day queen another victim of other people's choices? Will Manhattan's Jane realize she's responsible for her own happiness?

My Thougths: coming soon! :)

3. A Season of Miracles by Rusty Whitener

Description:

The 1971 Little League season is Zack Ross's last chance to win a championship---and new kid, Rafer, could make that happen. Sure, he's different---but he can really hit a baseball! When Rafer is hospitalized, the team's determined to gain the trophy in his honor. Will Zack learn there's more to life than winning or losing?

My Thoughts:

 Enjoying this book right now! Loving it!

What do I Want?

So, if you read my post on Monday, you know I've been sucked into a drama over the week. I tried to defend myself, it got ugly, and now there is a meeting today where I am supposed to spell out what I want the outcome to be. I wish I knew myself what I wanted.

I'm now going to sit down with a notebook and try to "pray it out" and then write it out. Please pray for me today that I would be able to speak with confidence and kindness and not get lost in the pain of the situation.

Thanks!

Review of "Blood Ransom" by Lisa Harris

This is one of the Christy Award Nominees I am giving away. Enter here before July 5.

Description:

In the African republic of Dhambizao, Natalie Sinclair works with Dr. Chad Talcott to eradicate diseases that are claiming whole towns. Meanwhile, Joseph Komboli returns to his village to find rebels abducting his family. When Chad and Natalie help Joseph expose the modern-day slave trade, they're courting disaster. Will they win their race against time?

My Thoughts:

Another good book! That's what's great about reading the Christy Award Nominees...they don't disappoint. A really nice blend of action and romance, the author lays  plain the issues facing these African people and draws the reader into the compelling need for Chad and Natalie to take action. The romance is subtle, given the gravity of Chad and Natalie's situation. A book for everyone! It will make you think, but still suspense and romance too.

Book Bullets

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: romance, suspense

Part of a Series: yes, "Mission Hope" series book 1

Publication year: 2010

Publisher: Zondervan

Another Fabulous Series: "The River of Time Series" by Lisa Bergren

Description:

Book 1: Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one.

Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved…

and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know…and love itself.

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Book 2:

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

My Thoughts:

Loved, loved these books! They have everything! Romance, action, knights-in-shining-armor, suspense! So good! 

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars plus a bonus "amazing" star

Genre: romance, fantasy 

Part of a Series: yes, "River of Time" series 

Publication year: 2011

Publisher: David C. Cook

Catching up on Some Reviews: The Homelanders Series by Andrew Klavan

Description:

#1 The Last Thing I Remember: When Charlie West awakens, he's strapped to a chair with somebody ordering his death---and he can't remember anything. After a miraculous escape, he discovers that an entire year of memories is missing and he's a convicted murderer! As he flees police and the killers, deep questions pursue him. Who am I? How will I live?

#2 The Long Way Home: Charlie West went to bed one night an ordinary high school student-when he woke up, he was a hunted man. Terrorists are trying to kill him. The police want to arrest him for the stabbing death of his best friend. He doesn't know whose side he's one or whom to trust. Is he a terrorist himself? A murderer? He isn't sure. With his pursuers closing in on every side, Charlie makes his way back to his hometown to find some answers. There, holed up in an abandoned mansion, he's joined by his high school buddies in a desperate attempt to find the truth about a murder he can't remember-and the love he can never forget.

#3 The Truth of the Matter: Charlie West was an ordinary high school kid who went to bed one night and woke up in the clutches of terrorists and wanted by the police for murder. He also woke up with no memory of the events of the past year.

Now Charlie has found the one person who knows what happened . . . and who can help him remember. But remembering is painful--as well as dangerous--and figuring out what to do with this new knowledge may be Charlie's toughest challenge yet.

My Thoughts:

Amazing suspense! I loved, loved these books and could hardly stop to breathe or eat while I was reading them! I am on pins and needles waiting for book 4. If you like non-stop action, these books are for you! I love Charlie and his "never give in" attitude. Fantastic! I hope Klavan writes more, more, more!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars, plus a bonus star because I loved them

Genre: suspense

Part of a Series: yes, "Homelanders" Series 

Publication year: 2009, 2010

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Giveaway: Christy Award Nominees Part 2, Contemporary Romance

The Christy Award is a "Christian fiction award to recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction." The nominees for this year were announced recently and the winners announced July 11. Every year I make it my goal to read all the books that are nominated for the Christy Award. I also give them away!

I will giveaway the books by category while I am reading the books nominated in that category.

To enter to win any/all of these books, please do the following:

1. Post a comment indicating which book/books you would like to be entered for.

2. Enter by the date indicated. For this category, please enter by JULY 5, winners announced on July 6.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back soon for the next category giveaway!

Today's category is: "Contemporary Romance."

The books nominated in this category are:

1. Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris

Description:

In the African republic of Dhambizao, Natalie Sinclair works with Dr. Chad Talcott to eradicate diseases that are claiming whole towns. Meanwhile, Joseph Komboli returns to his village to find rebels abducting his family. When Chad and Natalie help Joseph expose the modern-day slave trade, they're courting disaster. Will they win their race against time?

 

 

2. Indivisible by Kristin Heitzmann

Description:

Something sinister is happening in Radcliff, Colorado---and police chief Jonah Westfall must stop the twisted behavior. His investigation forces him to involve childhood friend Tia Monroe, new veterinarian Liz Rainer, and the local baker. Haunted by his past, can Jonah ignore his personal demons to protect the town---and the people he cares about?

 

3. Sworn to Protect by DiAnn Mills

Description:

Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico; a job she's paid dearly for. Her husband, Toby, was murdered two years ago trying to help and his murder's never been solved. Now a string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone from McAllen profits from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country and somehow this illegal activity is tied to her husband, Toby's death.

Review of "Predator" by Terri Blackstock

When Krista Carmichael's sister is killed by an online predator, she turns herself into "bait" to flush out the murderer. Ryan Adkins never expected his billion-dollar GrapeVyne social network to become a stalking ground, so he joins forces with Krista to bring the killer to justice. But who will protect them when the tables turn?

My Thoughts:

Another great book by Blackstock, filled with twists and turns and suspense to keep you guessing! Some good reminders, too, about how much information we share on social networks and how it could be used to stalk someone who wasn't careful. 

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: suspense

Part of a Series: no

Publication year: 2010

Publisher: Zondervan

Monday morning...

Hi Friends,

It's Monday morning and I'm having one of those stereotypical Monday mornings where you just want to stay in bed and wake up when it's Tuesday.  I have this history of trouble with being down on myself about stuff. I never feel good enough about my abilities and every little criticism can be devistating for me. This comes from a background that has set me up for feeling inadequate.  So when I got a critical email today over something I thought would be received with appreciation, I went into a spiral of yuck.

I'm trying to work my way out of it. But am feeling so LOST! I keep finding myself wanting to quit one role after another in my life. I closed my craft business. I resigned from 2 volunteer roles. Now I'm ready to leave another out of my own determination to protect myself from a hurtful relationship. I don't want to be a quiter, but I think this is all part of the prodding I feel like God is giving me to cut back on my running around DOING to many THINGS and not having enough time for the important things in life.

I don't know if this makes sense. It's Monday morning and I want to go back to bed.

New Giveaway: Christy Award Nominess Part 1, Suspense

The Christy Award is a "Christian fiction award to recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction." The nominees for this year were announced recently and the winners announced July 11. Every year I make it my goal to read all the books that are nominated for the Christy Award. I also give them away!

I will giveaway the books by category while I am reading the books nominated in that category.

To enter to win any/all of these books, please do the following:

1. Post a comment indicating which book/books you would like to be entered for.

2. Enter by the date indicated. For this category, please enter by JULY 1, winners announced on July 2.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. Come back soon for the next category giveaway!

I am starting with the "Suspense" category.

The books nominated in this category are:

The Bishop by Steven James

Description: In The Bishop, Patrick Bowers Series #4, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers's cutting-edge 21st-century geospatial investigative techniques and impeccable logic have helped him track some of the country's most grisly killers. But those skills are pushed to the limit.This time it's a congressman's daughter who is found dead even as her killers launch a spree of perfect murders in the Northeast. With nothing to link the crimes to each other, Agent Bowers faces his most difficult case yet--even as his personal life begins to crumble around him.

My Thoughts:  I always love the books in this series! Warning, they are intense and you won't be able to put the book down!

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

Description: He loves them because they are beautiful. He kills them because he loves them.

A virtuoso killer is carving a path of death across the west, intent on killing only the most beautiful women, all in the name of love. He has claimed six victims and slipped through the FBI’s fingers, each time leaving behind a hand written note and a bridal veil.

Full of surprising wit and hair-raising twists that will keep you riveted to the end, The Bride Collector will haunt you with a new way of looking at beauty, love and the world in which you live.

My Thoughts: A bit creepy even for me, but definately signature Ted Dekker spine-tingler like his more recent books. If you want a shocking suspense, this is for you!

The Predator by Terri Blackstock

Description: When Krista Carmichael's sister is killed by an online predator, she turns herself into "bait" to flush out the murderer. Ryan Adkins never expected his billion-dollar GrapeVyne social network to become a stalking ground, so he joins forces with Krista to bring the killer to justice. But who will protect them when the tables turn?

My Thoughts are coming soon. I always love Blackstock's books, I just need to read this one and I'm sure I'll be able to tell you I love it!