Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson

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VANISHING ACT
Author: Liz Johnson
Source: Author Submission–Thank you!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Steeple Hill (August 10, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0373444060
  • ISBN-13: 978-0373444069

SYNOPSIS:

Eighteen months ago, Nora James watched as her father was shot in an alley—and then she fl ed. She changed her name, her appearance and her job, hoping to keep her father’s shooter at bay. For months, it worked…but now her luck has run out. A ruthless assassin is on her trail, and soon Nora, now known as Danielle, will be found. But this time, she has FBI agent Nate Andersen by her side—right? The handsome agent would give his life to protect Danielle, but he’s wary of giving his heart…until a deadly confrontation leaves him with both on the line. 

MY THOUGHTS:

I was so excited to be contacted by the author to review this book.  I had been looking for an Inspirational read to experience stepping out of my normal reads of paranormal and romance.  I was genuinely surprised to find out that just because it is inspirational based, doesn’t mean it can’t have romance and intrigue.

This book had suspense and intrigue involved through Nora.  She changes her name after she sees her Father shot by a bad and dangerous man.  She is not only running from him, but from the FBI as well.  She is found by FBI agent Nate and has changed her name to Danielle.

Both characters were Christian people who attended church, so it holds true to a Love Inspired Steeple Hill book.  After all the romance and erotica books that I read, this was a wonderful romance to read without all the steamy involved.  It was sweet romance that still held its own against the erotica romance I am used to.

The story is a quick read, but one you should read slowly to enjoy the suspense and pure romantic feel the author has brought to it.  A wonderfully written book for this first time reader of Love Inspired Suspense.

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

(ARC Review) Freefall by Mindi Scott

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FREEFALL
Author: Mindi Scott
Source: Around the World Tours

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (October 5, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1442402784
  • ISBN-13: 978-1442402782

SYNOPSIS:

How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .
MY THOUGHTS:
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover. Something about the shattered glass and the title gave it the feel of angst, pain and hopefully redemption.
The characters of Seth and Rosetta were amazing.  I loved the gradual romance instead of it being immediate.  It was a slow build as they both worked through different yet painful history.  Rosetta is from the nicer side of the tracks where she is living with her Aunt and Uncle.  Her parents died in a car crash that was caused by a drunk driver.  She has a fear of riding in cars because of it and is trying to find a way to work through it.  Seth is in a downward spiral after finding his best friend Isaac dead after a party.  He feels responsible for it and it has even made it difficult to perform in front of people with his band.  
The summary above does nothing to really describe the intensity of this book.  You can actually feel the pain that Seth is going through and want to help him through it.  The one and only problem I had with this book is that Isaac is such a focus in this book for Seth, yet we never got to really know Isaac.  It would have been nice for a few chapters in the beginning to have seen a glimpse of what his demeanor was like and had some interaction with him so the reader could understand better what Seth was feeling.  To me, Isaac was just a name in the book, not a character that could have come alive in my head. 
This book has the romance of teen love, teen angst, and high school drama that makes this authors debut story a great read with a great plot.  I personally can’t wait to see what the author can bring to us in the future and hopefully sooner rather than later.  A raw but well written view of high school years and young love that will keep you captivated until the last page.
MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

WINNERS!!

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The contest for the Carolyn Brown book, Hell Yeah has now ended.  Using Random.org, the lucky 2 winners are:
and
Congrats to both of you! I will be emailing the winners shortly and they have 48 hours to respond!  
Thanks to all who entered and spread the word!

Re-Create A Cover Contest : Losing Faith

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Princess Bookie is having another great Re-Create A Cover Contest! This time it is for Losing Faith by Denise Jaden.  Here is the original cover and summary:
When Brie’s sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie’s world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don’t line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night…a secret that puts her own life in danger.

Here is my creation for the contest:
IMAGE REMOVED
(image was found through google image search)

Book Tour: Author TK Richardson

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Hi everyone!  Today I have a special treat for everyone! The fabulous author TK Richardson decided to stop by for one of her stops on her tour for Return The Heart! Let’s welcome her and see what she had to say!

To start off, welcome and can you tell the readers a little about yourself?
I am the author of Return the Heart, a new young adult novel. I recently joined the ranks of Christian Talk Radio as the facilitator and co-host of an on air book club with listeners. And I am a co-founder of a new program called A Heart For Books And Kids, which encourages people in the publishing industry to donate books to children in the foster care system.

Can you tell us a little about your upcoming or latest release?
Return the Heart is the story of Lilly Paige, a teenager with a special gift, who becomes the target of an international kidnapping plot and discovers she is somehow linked to an old, Russian prophecy. It is a story filled with action, intrigue, and romance, and has more twists and turns that the reader expects.


I am a fly on your wall.  What would I report back to my master of the daily life of TK Richardson?
 
You would probably tell your master that the life of a writer can be rather ordinary.  During the day I taxi my kids to their events and do the everyday things that run a household. I attend meetings, plan events, and a do million other little things that moms do. But during the night hours, after the hustle and bustle of the day, I retreat to my desk and write. I create new worlds and fantastic characters, all of which spring to life when evening fades. In a way it’s a magical time for me.

When you are not writing, what kind of books do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors, that are must reads?

 
My favorite authors are Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Gogol. I always encourage people to read the Classics and history books. The Classics are timeless, and history is so important. So I recommend these books to everyone.

What are 3 things that are “must haves” for you when you sit down to write a new book?
I must have quiet. I guess you could say that silence is my muse. I need time, and I need inspiration, too.  I can write without silence, time, or inspiration, but my best work comes when all three of these are in abundance.

Do you have a blog or website that your readers can keep up with you and your books?  Twitter?
 
My website can found at http://tkrichardson.com
A Heart for Books And Kids is at http://aheartforbooksandkids.blogspot.com

Now for some fun stuff:

1. Edward or Jacob?   Volturi
2. Movie Theater or DVD at home?  DVD at home
3. If you choke a Smurf, what color do they turn? Purple
4. If you could travel back in time for one day, what era would you choose?   Russia 1812

Favorite perfume: Burberry Brit
Favorite TV show: Whale Wars
Favorite Movie: The Bourne Identity (series)
Favorite Drink: coffee
Favorite See’s Candy:  anything chocolate
Favorite Dessert: tiramisu


Thanks for joining us on My Overstuffed Bookshelf!!
 

Thanks for having me here today!