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By Darkness Hid, by Jill Williamson
By Darkness Hid, by Jill Williamson
Barnes and Noble Synopsis:
Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan’s owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince–more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan’s head cause him to fear he’s going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison–only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible.
My Review:
I’m impressed with Jill Williamson‘s writing. I’m not a HUGE fan of fantasy novels. Give me a good paranormal romance and I’m happy. But Jill’s ability to draw me into the characters compelled me to read on, and on, and on. I read it in one sitting. Okay, I took breaks, but in one day I’d read the entire story.
Achan was a fantastic character. I love those who are unlikely heroes. It makes them all that more appealing to me. She painted this character so vividly, I was immediately drawn into his world.
And there was a hint of romance too, which sufficed my need to read romances, but it wasn’t the central theme of the story. Just enough to keep me enticed. ☺
Great read. I’d recommend it.
# Pub. Date: April 2009
# Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
(Per the FCC rule: I bought this book from Barnes and Noble, read it, reviewed it on my own.)
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Angel of Wrath, by Bill Myers
Angel of Wrath, by Bill Myers
Synopsis from Barnes and Noble.
Thirteen-year-old Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa are reunited in the second of the Voice of God series to stop a an assassin driven to murder members of a megachurch led by Lisa’s brother. This assassin has drawn in a coven of teens toying with satanic practices to support his efforts. The naive youth engage in ceremonies that appear to usher in the death of each of his victims. When their rituals open a portal into the spiritual realm, a terrifying and mysterious entity crosses over to our world.
The battle culminates with the capture of Lisa’s father as the next target and a Black Mass requiring both their deaths as a sacrifice. The team will, once again, have to rely on all their wits, strength, and faith to survive in this action-packed, unearthly warfare
My review:
Bill Myers did NOT disappoint on this second book in the series. Man, it really kept me hooked. I read it in just two sittings. I love the dark evil that takes form and someone has to stand up to it books. It just really shows that average people can do extraordinary things and I love how Bill Myers portrays Charlie, one of the main characters. Oh, and who could forget snarky Jazmin? I love her.
Lisa frustrated me a little in this novel, but that might be good, right? It means he wrote her character well enough to get under my skin. The action scenes had my heart pounding and through it all, the Christian message was there. Sometimes it was played out a little too heavy handed for my liking, but for the most part fairly realistic.
I’d definitely recommend this book if you love supernatural action thrillers! Not much romance in these first two books (The Voice and The Angel of Wrath) but then again, I love paranormal romances.
* Pub. Date: April 2009
* Publisher: Faith Words -
It’s Not About Him, by Michelle Sutton
It’s Not About Him, by Michelle Sutton
Back cover blurb from B & N:Susie passed out while drinking at Jeff’s party and later discovered she’s pregnant. She has no idea who the father is and considers having an abortion, but instead decides to place her baby for adoption. Following through ends up being more wrenching than she imagined, but she’s determined to do the right thing for her baby.
Jeff feels guilty that Susie was taken advantage of at his party and offers to marry her so she won’t have to give up her baby, like his birth mother did with him. But Susie refuses, insisting he should he marry someone he loves. Can he convince her that his love is genuine before it’s too late? Can she make him understand that it’s not about him-it’s about what’s best for her child?
My Review:
Michelle Sutton does a fantastic job on this second book in her Second Glances Series. At times Susie drove me bonkers with her indecision. But you know what? It was accurate. With Susie’s family history and what she was facing being a Christian, unwed, and pregnant . . . To see an accurate description of the struggles Christians face, because we are not a perfect people, was refreshing.
I loved watching how Jeff transformed throughout the novel as well. He came from a partying background and just because he became a Christian, it didn’t make all that go away. Memories, temptations, etc. To see how he handled those and grew through setbacks and temptations was true to reality in my opinion.
And of course, the romance. Yes, I loved the romantic elements to this novel too. Some parts were pretty steamy, but I enjoyed how Michelle tastefully painted the word pictures.
So, yeah, go out and buy it ☺
* Publisher: Sheaf House Publishers, LLC
* Pub. Date: September 2009 -
Menu for Romance, by Kaye Dacus
Menu for Romance, by Kaye Dacus
Back Cover Blurb:
After eight years of unrequited love, Meredith Guidry decides it’s time to move on and try to find someone who’ll love her in return. So she makes a prayerful New Year’s resolution to meet someone new and end her single status by year’s end. And when the handsome contractor she hires to finish remodeling her house asks her out, it looks like her prayer may have been answered. But dating Ward doesn’t seem to do anything to lessen Meredith’s feelings toward a certain chef she works with every day.
Executive Chef Major O’Hara has sworn off relationships, knowing he could never saddle the woman he loves with a family situation like his. When he’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime-to open ihis own restaurant-will he leave his comfortable job and Meredith-to chase his lifelong dream? And when it looks like he’s about to lose Meredith Guidry to another man, can he concoct a menu for romance to win her back?
Will God serve up a solution before it’s too late?
My review:
I loved Meredith’s character. Now, I hadn’t read the first book, and I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything. The development each character undergoes was fun to watch. And, of course, the romance. That’s the best part, right? It’s tastefully executed and left me hanging for more to see how it panned out.
I’m one who usually reads action-packed paranormal romance, so this one was a little slow for me in some parts. But that’s just personal taste not a reflection of Kaye Dacus’ story telling capabilities. The writing is tight and the tension kept me reading.
And I just loved the ending. Nicely done, Kaye Dacus. I would recommend this to anyone who is a romantic at heart for sure!
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
Pub. Date: July 2009
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Me, Just Different, by Stephanie Morrill
Me, Just Different, by Stephanie Morrill
Quick look:
Welcome to the world of Skylar Hoyt, a high school senior whose exotic Hawaiian looks have propelled her to the height of the “in” crowd, but who’s no longer sure that’s where she really fits. New friends, old friends, a reluctant romance, and a family crisis swirl around Skylar as she tries to keep it together and figure out who she really wants to be.My review:
This is my first taste of Stephanie Morrill‘s writing, and I’m anxiously awaiting book two. I love how she showed, with devastating honesty and clarity, how tough peer pressure can be. I turned page after page and before I knew it, I’d read the entire book in one sitting.Stephanie does a fantastic job showing me Skylar’s struggle to find herself while trying to fit in with her friends. It’s real. Brought me back to my high school years. Same old struggle, which doesn’t necessarily ONLY exist in high school either.
Her writing is tight and drew me in from the first page. Each chapter ended with such a hook that it propelled me forward as I had to know what happened next.
Run out and buy this, you’ll be glad you did!
* Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
* Pub. Date: July 2009
* Series: The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt, #1 -
EVERY DEMON HAS HIS DAY, Cara Lockwood
Every Demon Has His Day, by Cara Lockwood
Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:
Whipping up prize-winning chicken fried steak…fighting demonic forces…East Texas gals can do it all!
In her wildest dreams, Constance Plyd never thought she’d see dead people. Then again, she never thought she’d be hit on by her ex-husband at his own funeral…or be the prime suspect in his murder. Fortunately for Constance, irresistibly sexy sheriff Nathan Garrett wants to believe her explanation – that a card-carrying demon in a black suit killed Jimmy in the garage – or maybe he wants something more. Either way, all signs are leading to a showdown of hellish proportions, with Constance at the heart of the battle, when the Devil and would-be mother of the Antichrist (a pop princess wannabe) descends on Crockett County. Sure, she’d rather be cooking up a storm for the next state fair, but if she’s going to be the Chosen One, at least Constance can give a few demons a Texas-style butt kicking….
My review:
Cara Lockwood does a great job painting a picture of her characters. I love the snarky attitudes, which I do in most books I read. However, it did get a little too much, even for me.
I love the idea of the story, unlikely hero…romance…paranormal happenings…dead people…great stuff.
My fav.
Several times Cara Lockwood’s witty writing had me laughing out loud. It had me flipping from page to page rather quickly as well. Some scenes were a little too corny, but I read right through them and was rewarded with a great ending.
***Recommendation: Go check it out!***
* Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
* Pub. Date: April 2009
* ISBN-13: 9781416550525
* Sales Rank: 54,018
* 352pp