A powerful family with lots of secrets. A forensic artist with his own tragedies. And a hurricane drawing bearing down on their private island. Fifteen years ago Piper Boone’s only child died in a boating accident, and Piper’s almost perfect life came to an end too. After living through a divorce and losing her job, she retreats to Curlew Island and her childhood home—a secluded mansion for the politically powerful Boone family, who are practically American royalty. But Piper’s desire to become a recluse is shattered when a mass shooter opens fire and kills three women at a café where Piper is having lunch. The crisis puts her family in the spotlight by dredging up rumors of the so-called Curlew Island Curse, which whispers say has taken the lives of several members of the Boone family, including Piper’s father and sister. Forensic artist Tucker Landry also survives the shooting and is tasked with the job of sketching a portrait of the shooter with Piper. They forge a bond over their shared love of movies and tragic pasts. But when police discover a connection between the shooting and two more murders on Curlew Island, they face a more terrible lineup of suspects than they could have imagined: Piper’s family. Unraveling the family’s true history will be the key to Piper’s survival—or her certain death.
This is the story of the "Perfect" family. Or so everyone believes. Except for the curse. Pipers sister, father, and daughter have all died. After the death of Pipers daughter her marriage fell apart. Fifteen years later she is still grieving. While she is having lunch with a friend someone opens fire and kills three people. Nathan Tucker knocks Piper out of the way or she would have been killed also. Nathan and Piper work together to find the shooter. As they do, things begin to happen that ties to the death of Dove, Pipers daughter. As a hurricane approaches they are running out of time to find the killer.
This book kept me reading when I should have been doing other things. I recommend this book to all who enjoy a good mystery.
I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey
When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.
Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.
Just as the case seems like it'll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they're cut off from any rescue--and right where the killer wants them. It's a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.
Another great book by Dani Pettrey. Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers have known each other for years. They were in the same foster home as teens. Mason looked after her and made sure Rissi was safe from the foster father. It's been years since they have seen each other. But Rissi still remembers her crush. Rissi and Mason are sent on a case involving a death on a drilling platform. It seemed like there were two different stories going on. Noah, the one in charge of the CGIS group, and Brooke, a CGIS medic. It was still a good book and hard to put down.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes a good mystery.
I was given this book by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any awy.
Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.
Just as the case seems like it'll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they're cut off from any rescue--and right where the killer wants them. It's a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.
Another great book by Dani Pettrey. Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers have known each other for years. They were in the same foster home as teens. Mason looked after her and made sure Rissi was safe from the foster father. It's been years since they have seen each other. But Rissi still remembers her crush. Rissi and Mason are sent on a case involving a death on a drilling platform. It seemed like there were two different stories going on. Noah, the one in charge of the CGIS group, and Brooke, a CGIS medic. It was still a good book and hard to put down.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes a good mystery.
I was given this book by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any awy.
Airborne by DiAnn Mills
Heather Lawrence’s long-awaited vacation to Salzburg wasn’t supposed to go like this. Mere hours into the transatlantic flight, the Houston FBI agent is awakened when passengers begin exhibiting horrific symptoms of an unknown infection. As the virus quickly spreads and dozens of passengers fall ill, Heather fears she’s witnessing an epidemic similar to ones her estranged husband studies for a living—but this airborne contagion may have been deliberately released.
While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.
As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.
I couldn't put this book down once I started to read it. All Heather wanted to do was get away from her husband and take a vacation. Chad, her husband, was supposed to go with her to Salzburg. But he has put work above everything else in his life. Including his wife. Heather isn't willing to give Chad the divorce he ask for. On the way to Salzburg passengers begin to get sick and some of them die. Once the plane lands all non sick passengers are quarantined. Now Heather's work is just beginning. There seem to be only one person who has the knowledge to make the virus that is attacking. Her husband Chad. As I stated previously, I couldn't put this book down. I highly recommend this book to all mystery buffs. Beware though. It will make you leary of wanting to get on an airplane again.
I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.
As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.
I couldn't put this book down once I started to read it. All Heather wanted to do was get away from her husband and take a vacation. Chad, her husband, was supposed to go with her to Salzburg. But he has put work above everything else in his life. Including his wife. Heather isn't willing to give Chad the divorce he ask for. On the way to Salzburg passengers begin to get sick and some of them die. Once the plane lands all non sick passengers are quarantined. Now Heather's work is just beginning. There seem to be only one person who has the knowledge to make the virus that is attacking. Her husband Chad. As I stated previously, I couldn't put this book down. I highly recommend this book to all mystery buffs. Beware though. It will make you leary of wanting to get on an airplane again.
I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
The Women in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper
A cursed opal, a gnarled family tree, and a sinister woman in a green dress emerge in the aftermath of World War I.
After a whirlwind romance, London teashop waitress Fleur Richards can’t wait for her new husband, Hugh, to return from the Great War. But when word of his death arrives on Armistice Day, Fleur learns he has left her a sizable family fortune. Refusing to accept the inheritance, she heads to his beloved home country of Australia in search of the relatives who deserve it more.
In spite of her reluctance, she soon finds herself the sole owner of a remote farm and a dilapidated curio shop full of long-forgotten artifacts, remarkable preserved creatures, and a mystery that began more than sixty-five years ago. With the help of Kip, a repatriated soldier dealing with the sobering aftereffects of war, Fleur finds herself unable to resist pulling on the threads of the past. What she finds is a shocking story surrounding an opal and a woman in a green dress. . . a story that, nevertheless, offers hope and healing for the future.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Cooper. I found the story line to be quite good. At first I was a little confused when it kept bouncing from 1919 to 1853. As I kept reading, it started to make more since to me. When the book first starts Fleur doesn't want to acknowledge that Hugh is actually dead. She hopes he is waiting for her on his farm in Australia. She doesn't want his money so she goes looking any next of kin that she can find. What she finds is a mystery. With the help of an old man she goes on a hunt for Hugh's belongings.The only negative I found with this book was the swearing that took place here and there. I was disappointed to see it from a Christian publisher like Thomas Nelson. I would give it a four star rating if it wasn't for that.
I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund
Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.
Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.
As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need--a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?
This was a book about choices. Does Arabella think she is above marrying a baker who is below her station or should she try for the Lieutenant who is a gentleman. She is already running away from an arranged marriage. There was also the issue of propriety when Pete and Arabella were alone. Christian standards were expressed. This was a good clean book and I recommend it.
I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.
As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need--a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?
This was a book about choices. Does Arabella think she is above marrying a baker who is below her station or should she try for the Lieutenant who is a gentleman. She is already running away from an arranged marriage. There was also the issue of propriety when Pete and Arabella were alone. Christian standards were expressed. This was a good clean book and I recommend it.
I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
On a Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher
For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.
And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.
I wasn't able to get into Madison. She kept going back and forth in her thinking of Rick. She is a psychologist. She would have been better taking some of her own advice. I also found her to be very opinionated on how other people should live their lives. I did enjoy reading more about the other two sisters.
I was given this book by Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.
I wasn't able to get into Madison. She kept going back and forth in her thinking of Rick. She is a psychologist. She would have been better taking some of her own advice. I also found her to be very opinionated on how other people should live their lives. I did enjoy reading more about the other two sisters.
I was given this book by Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.
When Max experiences aery public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.
When Max experiences aery public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.
As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.
The story line of this book was good. One chef has anger issues. The other doesn't want to make waves. After Max goes through anger management, he is paired with Hadley on a to die for cooking show that all famous chefs aspire to be on. This is not what either of them really want to do. But they want to be on the show. One minute they are getting along they next not so much.
I think this book could have been half the size if there wasn't so much inner thinking that more or less said the same thing over and over. After about two thirds of the way in the book, it got more interesting. There was more action and not so much inner thinking.
This book was published by a Christian publisher. There was only a few references to Jesus. But it was clean and had no foul language.
I was given this book by Revell Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
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