All Fall Down by Julie Coulter Bellon – Blog Tour – Combined Review

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 152012
 

All Fall Down

Author: Julie Coulter Bellon

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Published: September 2012

Paperback/Kindle; 225 pages

ISBN13: 9781479264858

Genre: Romantic Suspense/International Intrigue

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Mindy and Shanda

***Julie is holding a giveaway with several different prizes. See details below on how to enter!***

Backcover Summary: 

Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down . . .

That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire Michaels’ current hostage situation into an international incident. Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis escalates she realizes she’s dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has the means to become another bin Laden—with the potential to attack America. Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive and possibly stop an assault on U.S. national security?

Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his tour in Afghanistan and he doesn’t expect to be fighting terrorists on his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

Mindy’s Review

Julie Bellon has written an awesome book with the perfect amount of suspense, mixed with romantic tension and great chemistry between the main characters. I was taken immediately into the story, and only out of sheer fatigue would I stop reading. I read this really fast, so luckily I only had to wait one night in between.  I loved the point of view changes. Chapters would end with such great cliffhangers, but the next chapter was a different character. I really enjoy that “author trick” as I call it, and it kept me reading, and reading, and reading …

I really liked the main characters. I love a strong female lead, with a touch of vulnerability. Claire was perfect for that role. She was smart and knew her job well, but when it came to Rafe, she developed a soft spot. Rafe was great too. By the end of this book, he is put through the ringer. I kept thinking, what else can happen to this poor guy. They both were great characters and written well.

4 out of 5 stars. From now on, I will be forever creeped out by the nursery rhyme, “Ring Around the Rosy.”  

Shanda’s Review

All Fall Down is a quick moving story with suspense, betrayal, action and a bit of romance. Julie doesn’t wait to throw the reader right into the action.

The opening hostage scene on the roof was intense. For me it was the most suspenseful part of the story. I really liked both Claire and Rafe. They go through so much and I wondered if they were ever going to catch a break. I saw one twist coming, but I wasn’t sure how it would play out. One of my favorite parts was the first time Rafe meets Clair’s father.

Those who like clean and suspenseful international intrigue, especially fans of Julie Bellon’s other books, will enjoy All Fall Down.

During the blog tour, Julie is offering both the paperback and Kindle versions of All Fall Down at a discounted price.

Giveaway Details (from blog tour host The Book Bug)

Julie is generously offering 7, yes 7 awesome giveaways for the tour!! (I want to win them myself!) That means you have 7 chances at winning! (Pretty good odds, huh?!)

The prizes include:

(2) “Book Lovers'” baskets which include a copy of All Fall Down, a hand tied lap blanket, Julie’s favorite hot chocolate mix, and a copy of Janice Sperry’s Christmas novella, The Candy Cane Queen

(3) Print copies of All Fall Down

(2) Ebook copies of All Fall Down

To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form provided. (Each tour stop will have the same Rafflecopter form).

Open from November 12 to December 7. Must be 13+ years of age to enter. US mailing addresses only.

Earn entries by doing any/all of the following:

-Leaving a blog post comment

-Liking Julie’s Facebook page

-Following Julie on Twitter

-Becoming a fan of Julie on Goodreads

-Tweeting about the giveaway (once per day)

-Subscribing to Julie’s blog

Author Links

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shadowed by Stephanie Black — Combined Review

 Posted by  Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Oct 312012
 

Shadowed

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2012

Paperback: 273 pages

Genre: Mystery-Suspense

ISBN13: 9781621081968

FTC FYI: Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by: Mindy and Shanda

Goodreads Summary

Gifted musician Catherine Clayton was born into a life of wealth and privilege. Following the death of her father, she makes a bold decision she hopes would make him proud: she’s using the family money to establish a music school and offer free lessons to the underprivileged. A providential suggestion from an old college friend leads Catherine to select Riley, New York, as the perfect location for her new school. Hit hard by the economic downturn, Riley personifies economic hardship: peeling paint, overgrown landscapes, and damaged buildings. But the damage runs much deeper than Catherine first realizes.

Two years ago, Riley was rocked by weeks of vandalism, followed by the brutal murder of beautiful elementary school secretary Olivia Perry. Everyone in town loved Olivia—but especially the two men with whom she was caught in a love triangle. Though the murder remains unsolved, Catherine receives ominous warnings that one of these men, Adam Becket, is responsible for her death. Unimpressed by the lack of evidence against him, Catherine is drawn to the shy but endearing Adam. Could he really have been involved in Olivia’s murder?

Just as Catherine is settling in and getting to know Adam, a vandal strikes again, and it’s eerily reminiscent of the events surrounding Olivia’s murder. The death threats splashed on the walls prove that the killer is back—and this time, it’s Catherine who wonders if she’s come to the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mindy’s Review

I was so excited to read this book from Stephanie Black.  Stephanie has won 4 Whitney Awards for her work, so I knew this book would be a good one.  I was not disappointed.  Shadowed had me on edge, just waiting for something to happen, anticipating each page eagerly. My heart went out to Catherine. Talk about bad timing, with lots of bad luck. Moving into a town that is not welcoming and down right spooked by past and current events. Catherine is a great character with lots of great qualities. I really enjoyed what took place in the story, and the outcome of who did it. I was not expecting that!

This is a great book to read on Halloween, full of suspense and heart pounding action.

4 out 5 stars.

Shanda’s Review

Shadowed is a great book to read on Halloween. Set in Riley, New York during autumn, the setting descriptions and suspenseful plot were just right for a good, scary read.

I enjoyed the characters and feel like I got to know them pretty well considering we never leave Catherine’s point of view. Each one took their turn as my suspected bad guy. I thought I had the villain pegged a couple of times, but never with much confidence until the end. Stephanie did a great job keeping me guessing.

The pace of the story was effective and kept me reading until my eyes just wouldn’t stay open anymore. Just as I would get feeling comfortable in Riley again, something would happen or hint at happening to shake things up. There are several action-packed scenes near the end that got my heart rate up and kept me turning pages.

I really enjoyed Shadowed and happily recommend it to readers who love mystery-suspense.

Read more about Stephanie Black on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Find Shadowed:

GOODREADS | AMAZON | KINDLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

 

Review of Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 282011
 
Title: Double Deceit
Author: Stephanie Humphreys
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press
Published: April 28, 2011
Softcover: 292 pages
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Reviewer: Sheila

FTC:FYI ***I received a review copy of Double Deceit from Walnut Springs Press. In no way did this influence the review that was given. ***

Back Cover Blurb

As a young widow, all Elaina Bryant wants is a fresh start. Determined to put ten painful years behind her, she returns to her hometown and moves in with her sister, Natalie.

Elaina soon accepts a job working at a small bookstore owned by the handsome Ryan Hill and his mother. Despite her reluctance to become romantically involved with anyone, she is drawn to Ryan and finds herself falling in love.

But someone isn’t happy with Elaina’s new life and is watching her every move. Her tormentor seems determined to destroy her sanity and her future, but Elaina can’t convince anyone the threat is real. Natalie is preoccupied with her own blossoming romance, and Ryan and Elaina’s friend Peter seem to believe the threat has been manufactured in her own mind—a result of her guilt and grief.

Now Elaina’s plans for a new start are crashing down around her. She knows she will have to find the answers on her own before she can ever overcome the past and enjoy love and happiness again. But how can she protect those she loves when she doesn’t know whom to trust?

Three words are found in big letters on the back of the book, “Someone is Watching…” Right off, those words tend to creep me out. As you keep reading the story, you realize that Elaina is in trouble and someone is not only watching her, but trying to drive her crazy. As the tormentor continues to break into her home, steal things and harasses her on the phone, the more anxious you become as a reader. People are not believing Elaina and think that she might be losing her sanity. As I read, I could even see how her sister, her boyfriend and best friend got the impression that she was in need of a good psychiatrist. 

Not to contribute to the bad impression of Elaina, let me say, she had a lot to be stressed over. Her abusive husband and 18 month old daughter had been killed in a car accident. Her whole world had been taken away from her, the good and the bad. 

One of the things I really liked about this book was the constant angst that was there. There is the feeling that something is off, but you and Elaina just can’t figure it out. Stephanie wrote this part of the novel so well, that you find you are as uptight as the main character. Elaina is also the most well developed character in the novel. Elaina’s love interest, Ryan, is not as developed, but you learned enough about him to make him interesting,without taking away from Elaina’s story. Also, I think Stephanie kept him somewhat a mystery to make him more mysterious and a possible suspect. 

The Romance and the kisses are a nice addition to Double Deceit. None of it is over the top and still allows the suspense to take the front seat. The main characters in the story are LDS, but this is not a doctrinal book at all, but focuses more about values and trusting in God again. Even though many of the chapters are centered around everyday events like going to work, this book is well paced and it was a fast read. I felt like there was always momentum with the storyline. As far as who the stalker is? Stephanie will place several people in line, but there is one person who will stand out more than the rest. When I did figure out in chapter 36, who Elaina’s tormentor was, I shouted, yes shouted, that I couldn’t believe it! It is kind of shocking when the truth comes out!


You will love Double Deceit, if you enjoy reading an angst filled mystery, thrown in with a crazy stalker and topped off with a handsome boss,who is also a good kisser. Well done Stephanie!  I hope that you will write more mystery/suspense books. 

This book gets 4 1/2 stars from me!

You can purchase Double Deceit here at Deseret Book or at Amazon.com.

 

Learn more about Stephanie Humphreys and her books here at her website and visit her blog here. 

 

 


Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack and iPad 2 Contest

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Contests, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 142011
 

Pumpkin Roll

Author: Josi Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 7, 2011

Softcover: 374 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-60908-745-6

FTC FYI: Purchased my own copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Sadie and Pete are in Jamaica Plain, a quant little suburb of Boston.  Pete’s son Jared and wife Heather are out of state looking for new housing, while Sadie and Pete babysit their three boys.  While in the kitchen discussing the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath, the boys are noticeably quiet.  As they hustle to the living room, they see the boys looking out the window at the woman across the street.  The oldest Kalan, tells Sadie that he has heard his mother call Mrs. Wapple a witch.  She even has the wild hair and pointed hat.  Sadie and Pete quickly dismiss the idea that she is witch, but agree to keep their eyes on her.  Sadie and her curiosity lead to some ginger cookie deliveries around the neighborhood, of course one of the stops is to Mrs. Wapple’s.  Knocking on the front door gets her no where, so Sadie goes to side of house, pokes around, and is startled by a pair of tennis shoes.  The owner of the shoes is younger looking then the woman she saw last night, but she introduces herself as Delores Wapple.  Sadie notices many differences between the women, but takes her at her word.  Sadie also asks if she lives alone and she quietly answers that she does.  After some more light conversation, Sadie takes her cue and leaves.  More curious then ever.

When it comes to Sadie’s investigating, Pete has given some advice.

  1. Advice One  is about misleading him
  2. Advice Two is about breaking the law
  3. Advice Three is about sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, isn’t needed, or will create more problems then relief

Sadie really takes the advice to heart.  Sadie’s son Shawn has been helping her keep up on her investigative work so she is able to come to Boston.  He mentions that Jane Seeley could help with some of the load.  Sadie dismisses the idea, she is still leery of Jane because of the article she wrote. (see BlackBerry Crumble)  Jane calls Sadie a few times, which she ignores, but the calls keep coming, so she picks up.  Jane is in New Haven working on a story and offers to help Sadie any way she can.

Sadie’s mind is still on Mrs. Wapple, and some strange occurrences start happening around the house at night.  Maybe Delores really is a witch…

I loved this book.  Every book in this series gets better and better.  Pumpkin Roll is different, while the others have their tense moments, this had me downright nervous and spooked.  Lots of creepy stuff happens to Sadie, and I could not stop reading.

5 stars out of 5.  During the climax, I kept shaking my head saying, “No way this is happening.”  I took the book to pick up my girls at school, and stayed in the car when we got home so I could finish.

Josi is a very talented writer.  Along with the Sadie Hoffmiller series, she has written other books.  Read more about Josi here.  Purchase her books here and here.

Here is what you’ve been scrolling down to find.  Leave a comment and enter to win an iPad 2!

In conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll the author, Josi S. Kilpack, and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for a new iPad. To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before November 1, 2011. Winners will be announced and notified November 3rd 2011.

For additional ways to enter, go to www.josiskilpack.com