Review: Burning Proof by Janice Cantore

About the book:

After months of investigating the brutal homicide of a young girl, Detective Abby Hart finally has the evidence she needs. But when the arrest goes terribly wrong, Abby begins to doubt her future as a police officer. As she wrestles with conflicting emotions, old questions about the fire that took her parents’ lives come back to haunt her.

“There is proof.” PI Luke Murphy can’t stop thinking about what Abby’s former partner, Asa Foster, mumbled just before he died. When he uncovers a clue to the murder of Abby’s parents and his uncle, he’s reluctant to tell Abby, despite his growing feelings for the beautiful detective.

A decade-old abduction case brings Luke and Abby together, but will his secret tear them apart?

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Review: Web of Deceit by Susan Sleeman

About the book:

Will he help find her sister's killer . . . or lead the killer to her door?

When Fbi Agent Kaitlyn Knight discovers her brother-in-law is Vyper-the notorious cyber-criminal and murderer wanted by the Fbi-Kait doesn't question her duty to arrest him. But when he murders her sister in front of her, leaving her infant niece motherless, Kait vows to hunt him down and bring him to justice while raising the baby.

Three years later, and not even a whisper of a lead in her search, Kait is about to give up hope of ever finding Vyper. All of that changes when he goes on a murderous spree taunting Kait with clues that she and homicide detective Sam Murdock must solve before her devious brother-in-law takes another life.

As the body count rises, Sam discovers the killing spree is really about striking back at Kait. He must put everything on the line-including the relationship he's developed with Kait-to ensure her safety. The killer is waiting, watching her every move, and he won't stop until he's exacted his revenge and reclaims his rights to raise his daughter.

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Review: Hollywood Lost by Ace Collins

About the book:

Struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression, Shelby Beckett flees the Oklahoma dust bowl to find work in the wardrobe department of Hollywood’s largest movie studio. Surrounded by glamour and wealth, Shelby is charmed by box office star Flynn Sparks as well as Flynn’s chief rival, fellow actor Dalton Andrews. As Shelby joins her suitors at opulent parties and intimate dinners, she rubs elbows with the likes of Clark Gable and Cary Grant and is drawn deeper into a lifestyle where her small town values are challenged or ignored.

Lurking in the shadows of this Gatsby-like lifestyle is an unseen evil force that strangles beautiful women. Suspecting a madman is connected to the studio production where Shelby works, homicide chief detective Bill Barrister believes the only way to uncover the identity of the ruthless killer is to offer Shelby as bait. 

Hollywood Lost is a romantic suspense novel where separating reality from fantasy is all but impossible; where love is rare, life is cheap, and values are lost in pursuit of fame and fortune.

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Review: Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

Born of Persuasion (Price of Privilege) by Jessica Dotta
Tyndale House / 2013
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

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I think Born of Persuasion is a book you either love or don't. I've seen many reviews that raved about this book, but also know of people who couldn't get into it and/or didn't like it. Unfortunately I fell into the latter group and this book took me SO long to get through - I ended up having to skim/skip sections just to finish!

The main problem for me was I couldn't connect with the writing style. I liked that it was written in first person, but didn't like when it seemed as though the story was being told after the fact. I just found that not to my personal liking. Another thing I didn't like were the characters. Julia, as well as some other characters (particularly Mrs. Windham) annoyed me. I did, however, like Edward's character - for the most part.

All that said, I thought the last part of Born of Persuasion was good and there were a couple scenes that really held my attention. So, all in all, this was just an OK read for me.
 
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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Review: Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle

Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle

Tyndale House / 2013

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

While former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan is no stranger to corruption or conspiracy, she has always been able to tell the good guys from the bad, and the Congo jungle at first seems no different. But as her security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin has to face a man who broke her trust years ago, and she discovers the gray areas extend farther in this jungle wilderness than she anticipated.

A ruthless global conspiracy begins to surface, run by powerful men who can't afford to leave any witnesses. Her life at stake, Robin doesn't know who to trust and wonders how she can help protect innocent people. Why is God silent amid all the pain and injustice? And how do these people of faith continue to rejoice in their suffering?

My rating:

My thoughts:

I don't recall ever having read any of Jeanette Windle's books before Congo Dawn, so I didn't have any idea what to expect. This isn't my typical kind of book (I'd label it international suspense), but I did end up liking it.

I have to say, though, it did take me a long time to get into the story (100+ pages) - mainly because of all the details in the beginning - and I seriously considered not finishing because of how bored I got, BUT the next 300+ pages totally made up for it! That's when the main action/suspense began for me and I really enjoyed it from then on.

My favorite character would have to be Dr. Michael Stewart. I just really liked how he acted and he seemed like a great guy. Robin grew on me and I ended up really liking her in the end. I also liked the little bit of romance that was in Congo Dawn. I loved one of the themes in the book - Good vs. Evil; Light in Darkness.

Overall, I liked Congo Dawn and found it informative about different topics (i.e. The Congo, mining, corruption, etc.). I'm glad I took the time to read it and if you generally enjoy these types of novels, then I think you will also like Congo Dawn.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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