Last Words by Michael Koryta

Markus Novak just wants to come home. An investigator for a Florida-based Death Row defense firm, Novak’s life derailed when his wife, Lauren, was killed in the midst of a case the two were working together. Two years later, her murderer is still at large, and Novak’s attempts to learn the truth about her death through less-than-legal means and jailhouse bargaining have put his job on the line. Now he’s been all but banished, sent to Garrison, Indiana to assess a cold case that he’s certain his boss has no intention of taking.

As Novak knows all too well, some crimes never do get solved. But it’s not often that the man who many believe got away with murder is the one calling for the case to be reopened. Ten years ago, a teenaged girl disappeared inside an elaborate cave system beneath rural farmland. Days later, Ridley Barnes emerged carrying Sarah Martin’s lifeless body. Barnes has claimed all along that he has no memory of exactly where — or how — he found Sarah. His memory of whether she was dead or alive at the time is equally foggy. Tired of living under a cloud of suspicion, he says he wants answers — even if they mean he’ll end up in the electric chair.

But what’s he really up to? And Novak knows why he’s so unhappy to be in Garrison – but why are the locals so hostile towards him? The answers lie in the fiendish brain of a dangerous man, the real identity of a mysterious woman, and deep beneath them all, in the network of ancient, stony passages that hold secrets deadlier than he can imagine. Soon Novak is made painfully aware that if he has any chance of returning to the life and career he left behind in Florida, he’ll need to find the truth in Garrison first.

This was my first book by Michael Koryta and I am now a fan! I plan on requesting his previous books to read as he is a master story teller. "Last Words" drew me in from the start and from that point forward I could not get enough! There were so many twists and turns that kept you guessing and on the edge of your seat for resolution until the very end. The characters are well developed and create in the reader a sense of alliance with some and enemies of others. I hope the main character becomes a series of books that Koryta is planning on doing as there are stories left untold! I listened to this book while I was driving to and from work and there were times where I just wanted to keep driving around so I could hear more of the story. This book was absolutely riveting to listen to! Robert Petkoff is hands down one of the BEST readers I have heard. He altered his voice just enough to give each character a distinct quality so you knew without a doubt who was speaking without going too overboard. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an outstanding read with the caution that once they start reading they won't be able to stop.  

Reviewed by Courtney (my daughter)

*Thank you to Hachette Audio and Mitch for this review copy*

Your Pathway to Miracles

Guest Reviewer

In her latest book worldwide Bible teacher Marilyn Hickey offers a “how to” for those in need of a miracle. Dr. Hickey teaches readers how to learn to build trust in God, creatively interweaving faith-building Scriptures with her considerable personal experience, such as giving birth to her daughter after being told it was medically impossible. Christian leaders are applauding the results, recommending Your Pathway to Miracles to their congregations and audiences, with Joyce Meyer saying, “it will fuel your faith and give you a new passion to believe God for the miraculous,” and from Richard Roberts: “allow her new book to set you on your own journey for miracles in the mighty name of Jesus."

This book is about more than miracles. Do you long to know God's plan for your life? The author guides you into figuring out that plan, and gives concrete instruction on how to work out that plan in your life. This is an important book for anyone who is seriously looking for more direction from God.

Reviewed by Michele

At age 80, Dr. Marilyn Hickey, founder and president of Marilyn Hickey Ministries, is still going strong. Known and loved worldwide for her clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, she’s brought Scripture to life for countless thousands through her radio and TV broadcasts, books, and speaking ministry. In recent years she’s ministered across the U.S. as well as in the Sudan, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, India, China and Pakistan. The author of dozens of books and pamphlets, Marilyn Hickey’s recent Whitaker House releases include: Spiritual Warfare, The Names of God, Total Healing, and Your Pathway to Miracles. She and her daughter co-host the weekly worldwide television show, Marilyn and Sarah.

Visit the author's website.
Book Details



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Cathy Hickling of Whitaker House and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Hope finds the hopeless when a storm hits.

It's Christmas weekend 1949, and despite the threat of a storm, the townspeople of Frost are determined to continue their holiday traditions, if only as a means to forget the war that they had all just suffered through. But the suffering hasn't ended for Dottie Morgan who lost her only son in the war. She's preparing to wallow in her isolation for the weekend, when Violet, nearly a spinster at age 29, dares to make a request that will force Dottie to publicly revive the memory of her dead son.

When a storm traps the two women at home with a strange young man who has an unbelievable confession and a neighbor with more to do with Violet's past than she would like, no one can predict how this Christmas will give them all a second chance.

Read an excerpt here and find out the story behind the novel.

Whether she writes historical, contemporary, or suspense, Susan always delivers a great story. It was easy to care for these wounded characters and root for them to find forgiveness, redemption, and a second chance. Many tender moments that will require a kleenex or two.  I will continue to reach for Susan's books.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia , Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota ’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.
Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota , where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

Visit the author's website.

Book Details

Blog Tour Schedule

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – warm up with a Kindle Fire from Susan May Warren

Warm up to Christmas early this year with Susan May Warren's Baby, It's Cold Outside! To celebrate the release of her new Christmas book with Summerside Press, she and the publisher are giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting an early Christmas Party on Facebook!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One festive winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Enter today. Giveaway ends on 10/26!

Thank you to the LitFuse Publicity for including me on this tour and the review copy.

False Witness - Guest Review

Reviewed by Courtney

Clark Shealy is a bail bondsman with the ultimate bounty on the line: his wife's life. He has forty-eight hours to find an Indian professor in possession of the Abacus Algorithm—an equation so powerful it could crack all Internet encryption.

Four years later, law student Jamie Brock is working in legal aid when a routine case takes a vicious twist: she and two colleagues learn that their clients, members of the witness protection program, are accused of defrauding the government and have the encrypted algorithm in their possession. After a life-changing trip to the professor's church in India, the couple also has the key to decode it.

Now they're on the run from federal agents and the Chinese mafia, who will do anything to get the algorithm. Caught in the middle, Jamie and her friends must protect their clients if they want to survive long enough to graduate.

An adrenaline-laced thrill ride, this retelling of one of Randy Singer's most critically acclaimed novels takes readers from the streets of Las Vegas to the halls of the American justice system and the inner sanctum of the growing church in India with all the trademark twists, turns, and the legal intrigue his fans have come to expect.

This was my first time reading this author... I'm a fan. Right from the start Singer pulls you in with non-stop action that doesn't let up until the last page. The characters were well developed with out "wasting" too much time on their details. Best of all, multiple twists and turns kept the pages turning right till the end.

Author: Randy Singer
Published: April 2011 (reissue 2007)
Pages: 432
Genre: Christian Fiction Suspense
Source: The B & B Media Group




This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from The B and B Media Group and in no way influenced my review of this book.  These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.”

100 Days of Favor - Guest Reviewer

Today's book is reviewed by Michele.

Embark on a powerful journey to experience the unmerited favor of God.
You don’t need to depend on your own strength to succeed. Immerse yourself in God’s unmerited favor and change your life forever! 100 Days of Favor shows you how to develop a favor-consciousness in everything you do. Each daily topic includes:

Today’s Scripture—a biblical foundation for the topic

Today’s Inspirational Excerpt From Unmerited Favor—a key truth about God’s unmerited favor

Today’s Prayer—a way to express your heart to our heavenly Father

Today’s Thought—a liberating, favor-inspired idea for the day

Today’s Reflection on Favor—a place to journal what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind

With daily inspirational scriptures, prayers, and readings from Unmerited Favor, you can begin your day with a focus on God’s grace and love.

Is your life a struggle right now? Do you sometimes find it difficult to find the joy in everyday living? Having trouble seeing how the Bible fits into your present circumstances? I have great news for you! There is hope and help and it only takes 15 minutes a day. In only 15 minutes you get more benefit than an hour of exercise, more energy than a sucrose laden can of caffeine, and more lasting joy than losing 10 #.

Start your day with a shot of confidence and optimism for 100 days and learn how to find it for yourself for the rest of your life. This daily meditation book will have you searching Amazon. com for more inspiration from Joseph Prince. I have been into Joseph Princes' message for more than a year, and pretty will know his philosophy, yet I was amazed at what a jolt of joy I receive each morning from reading his meditations. I think that you will receive that same experience if you give this book a try. You do not have to have read any of his previous books or even the book this is based on to receive the benefit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joseph Prince is a leading voice in proclaiming the gospel of grace around the world through his teaching resources and television ministry. With more than two decades of full-time ministry behind him, Joseph Prince is known for teaching God's Word in a fresh, practical, and revelatory way that always unveils Jesus. He is the senior pastor of New Creation Church (www.newcreation.org.sg) in Singapore, which has a congregation of more than 19,000 members, and heads Joseph Prince Ministries, Inc.


Visit the author's website.


***Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House Charisma Media for sending this review copy.***

Speaking In Tongues - Guest Review by Michele

Today my mom, Michele reviews the following book:

What does it mean to speak in tongues? What does the Bible say about it? ·

How can I experience it for myself?

Many people have questions about how the Holy Spirit can work in their lives—especially when it comes to speaking in tongues. In An Essential Guide to Speaking in Tongues, Ron Phillips explains the gift of tongues and unfolds fresh revelation and comprehensive biblical support for the practice along with powerful illustrations from his own life.

As a Spirit-filled Southern Baptist pastor, Phillips brings a welcome balance to the topic, helping you to understand that speaking in tongues is a blessing of God that gives you the ability to boldly approach God’s throne with the Holy Spirit’s power and language

If you ever wondered what the big deal is about speaking in tongues, or not, this book gives the point of view of each side of this debate.

Ron Phillips is on the yes and Amen side of the controversy. I found the book easy to read, easy to understand, and very interesting as he goes into the Biblical history of the practice as well as it's use in the New Testament church of today.

He feels that the Holy Spirit is the "missing person" in the typical church experience today. "He is seldom worshiped and often ignored". That statement resonated within me as I have visited many churches while searching for the "right fit" for me as the result of many geographical moves; and I have found the Holy Spirit mentioned only in the Apostles Creed in many of them. I was very interested in reading this book to find out the pros and cons of experiencing this gift of the Holy Spirit.

So if you are interested in figuring out for yourself what this practice is all about, I recommend this book to you as informative, and instructive, if not altogether unbiased..

Ron Phillips is senior pastor of Abba’s House in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Under his ministry, this church has experienced tremendous growth and has exploded into new realms of renewal and spiritual awakening. His weekly television and daily radio programs are broadcast worldwide and are available on the Internet. He is a sought-after speaker and the author of numerous books, including Our Invisible Allies and Everyone’s Guide to Demons and Spiritual Warfare.

Visit the author's website.




Reviewed by Michele

***Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva | Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House | Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.***

The Return of Black Douglas - Guest Review

Reviewed by Courtney

For years, readers have begged Elaine to tell the stories of the ancestors of the Mackinnons in the Scottish Highlands, and bring back the devious Black Douglas ghost… The Return of Black Douglas tells the tale of Isobella Douglas who is transported to 16th century Scotland by the powers of the mischievous ghost of Black Douglas, and finds herself among the Mackinnon ancestors. Dropped in the middle of a clan skirmish, Isobella is at Castieal Marrach, the seat of the Mackinnon clan.

Alysandir Mackinnon rules his clan with an iron fist. He has no time for softness or as he sees it, weakness, in his life. But when he encounters a bewitching English “spy,” with her strange magic contraptions—an iPod?—Alysandir’s hard heart softens toward the intriguing, if at times infuriating, lass. But the more time they spend together, the more Isobella begins to wonder if this is where she belongs after all…

I was expecting a "bodice ripper" read and was pleasantly surprised as it was not as graffic as I thought it was going to be. This book was an interesting mix of romance and "paranormal". A lot of extra "time" was spent on the descriptions of scenary and secondary situations and while these were beautiful and created a picture in the mind they were not necessary for the story. There were exciting parts and parts that took some force to get through which made the book move a little slowly for my taste. Coffman wrote in the dialect that would be used during the 16th century, which made it hard to follow at times, but did a good job of setting the tone and immersing you in the story. The ending was not what I expected and for me it made the book worth reading.

Author: Elaine Coffman
Published: March 31, 2011
Pages: 448
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Thank you Courtney for guest reviewing today!



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle at Sourcebooks Casablanca and in no way influenced my review of this book.  These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.”

TLC Book Tour and Guest Reviewer

Six years ago, Lucy Kincaid was attacked and nearly killed by an online predator. She survived. Her attacker did not. Now Lucy’s goal is to join the FBI and fight cyber-crime, but in the meantime, she’s volunteering with a victim’s rights group, surfing the Web undercover to lure sex offenders into the hands of the law. But when the predators she hunts start turning up as murder victims, the FBI takes a whole new interest in Lucy.

With her future and possibly even her freedom suddenly in jeopardy, Lucy discovers she’s a pawn in someone’s twisted plot to mete out vigilante justice. She joins forces with security expert and daredevil Sean Rogan, and together they track their elusive quarry from anonymous online chat rooms onto the mean streets of Washington, D.C. But someone else is shadowing them: A merciless stalker has his savage eye on Lucy. The only way for her to escape his brutality may be another fight to the death.

When Lisa asked me to be a part of this tour, I knew that if I valued my life, I would ask my daughter, Courtney, if she wanted to read this book first.  Please welcome her to my blog today!

 I absolutely love Allison Brennan's books and this one does not disappoint!!! I have been a fan of Brennan since I read her first series years ago and anxiously wait for any new book she releases. She is known for her nail biting and can't put the book down suspense. This book is an exciting extension of a previous series that featured the Kincaid Family. While I would definitely recommend ALL of Brennan's books, in order to understand the back story that this novel is centered around, you should read the Evil Series consisting of "Speak No Evil", "See No Evil" and "Fear No Evil". "Fear No Evil" primarily features Lucy Kincaid which is who this next series is about. Enjoy finding a new favorite if you haven't read her books before!

Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of many romantic thrillers, including Carnal Sin, Original Sin, Fatal Secrets, Cutting Edge, and Sudden Death. A four-time RITA finalist and Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Brennan enjoys spending her free time reading, playing games, watching high school sports, and researching her novels. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and International Thriller Writers. Allison Brennan lives in Northern California with her husband, Dan, and their five children.

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For more information, visit Allison’s website or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you to Lisa Munley and TLC Book Tours for this review copy.

Allison Brennan’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS

Reviewers

2011

My daughter Courtney is an avid reader like her Mom and Grandma.  She is a busy wife and mom.  She is a Financial Director at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids.

Her favorite authors are  Diana Gabaldon, Iris Johansen, Janet Evanovich, Allison Brennan, Darynda Jones, Jeannine Frost, Ilona Andrews and J.R. Ward,

Her reviews:
Love Me To Death
The Return of Black Douglas
The False Witness
Deep Harbor
Last Words
Private Paris

2013

2015

2019

2016

2022

2015

                                                                 2022

My mom, Michelle is an avid reader as well.  She lives in Florida and enjoys knitting, Bible study, crafts of all kinds, travel and keeping in touch with her kids and grandkids. We talk often about the books we are reading as well as recommend them to each other.

2014

Her favorite authors are Debbie Macomber, Jan Karon, Maeve Binchy, Carol Higgins Clark, Lee Child.

Her reviews:
Love's First Light
Testimony
The Second Opinion
Speaking in Tongues
100 Days of Favor
The Baker's Wife
Your Pathway to Miracles

2022

Deep Harbor - Guest Review

SOME TIES CAN NEVER BE BROKEN

As they build new lives in America, Tora, Elsa, Kaatje, and Karl each experience a personal tragedy that threatens to destroy everything they left Norway to find. Tora’s web of lies has cost her a successful future with the man she loves. When tragedy strikes, Elsa must draw upon her faith and the strength she can muster to discover who she is and the path she must follow. After her husband’s disappearance, Kaatje struggles to raise two young daughters and tend her farm, and Karl finds himself caught in a life of loneliness and emptiness. Only by placing their trust in God—and in each other—will they pass through these rough waters and find the safety of the harbor.

From the richly forested banks of the Washington Territory to the burgeoning city of Yokohama and across the turbulent, danger-filled waves of the open sea—experience the epic saga of perseverance, pain, faith, and calling in the Northern Lights series.

"Deep harbor is the second book in a three book series. I have read the entire series and you will definitely want to meet the characters in book one, as it sets the stage for book 2. This is a book of life changing situations and decisions. It is filled with romance, heartache, suspense and the unexpected twists and turns of life, and how to overcome and grow from all these experiences. It will make you laugh, cry and eager to read how it all turns out for the Bergensers in book three.”

Thank you to my daughter, Courtney, for her review of this book.

Fiction lovers don’t need to budget to travel this spring break with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group’s six full-length novels by beloved Christian authors. At the low cost of only $5.99, these well-read “get-aways” provide quality entertainment at a price that any reader can afford.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for sending me this review copy.

Guest Reviewer - Love's First Light

Christophé, the Count of St. Laurent, has lost his entire family to the blood-soaked French Revolution and must flee to an ancient castle along the southern border of France to survive. But the medieval city of Carcassonne proves more than a hiding place. Here Christophé meets the beautiful widow Scarlett, a complex and lionhearted woman suddenly taken by the undercover aristocrat's passion for astronomy and its influence upon his faith. Although their acquaintance begins brightly enough, when the Count learns that Scarlett is related to the man who murdered his family, he turns from love and chooses revenge. Heaven only knows what it might take for Christophé to love again, to love his enemy, and to love unconditionally.

Love's First Light reminds us of how much God loves us and stresses how we can change our attitudes if we stay close to Him. The characters are brave, clever but most of all reverent as they move through the story. It was a wonderful memory refresher of the French Revolution. I learned some new side stories about the revolution.

Thanks Mom for your thoughts on this book.

Guest Reviewer - The Second Opinion

Book Description:

Dr. Thea Sperelakis, diagnosed as a teen with Asperger’s syndrome, has always been an outsider. She has a brilliant medical mind, and a remarkable recall of details, but her difficulty in dealing with hidden agendas and interpersonal conflicts have led her to leave the complex, money-driven dynamics of the hospital, and to embrace working with the poor, embattled patients of Doctors Without Borders. Her father, Petros, is one of the most celebrated internal medicine specialists in the world, and the founder of the cutting-edge Sperelakis Center for Diagnostic Medicine at Boston’s sprawling, powerful Beaumont Clinic.

Thea’s rewarding life in Africa is turned upside-down when Petros is severely injured by a hit-and-run driver. He is in the Beaumont ICU, in a deep coma. No one thinks he will survive. Thea must return home. Two of Petros’ other children, both physicians, battle Thea and her eccentric brother, Dimitri, by demanding that treatment for their father be withheld.

As Thea uncovers the facts surrounding the disaster, it seems more and more to be no accident. Petros, himself, is the only witness. Who would want him dead? The answers are trapped in his brain . . . until he looks at Thea and begins slowly to blink a terrifying message.

In The Second Opinion, Michael Palmer has created a cat-and-mouse game where one woman must confront a conspiracy of doctors to uncover an evil practice that touches every single person who ever has a medical test. With sympathetic characters and twists and betrayals that come from the most unlikely places, The Second Opinion will make you question…everything.

Michele's thoughts:
It's a medical thriller that seems predictable, but throws you for a loop. The most interesting facet of the book, to me, is that heroine and her siblings all suffer from Asperger syndrome at differing levels of severity. If you you are involved in the life of an "Aspie", you will find this book fascinating and enlightening-incidental to the story line. I couldn't put it down once I got into the story.

Testimony - Guest Review - Giveaway!

Thanks to Valerie at Hachette Book Group for the chance to give away 5 copies of this book!

Description: At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora’s box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices–those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal–that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

Guest Review:
A group of young people find the paths of their lives going in devastating directions as the result of reckless acts on one particular evening. The headmaster of their school is drawn into the event and his life is thrown off course as well as he tries to protect the students, the school, and himself from the consequences of the student's behavior.

You find yourself having see-sawing emotions as you begin to understand the individual lives of the characters. Who's really to blame for the disaster that took place that evening? The troubled girl, the young man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, the opportunist, or the follower? Anita Shreve again delivers a compelling novel of lives in conflict that each reader can picture himself or herself being caught up into if the situation presented itself.

Reviewed by my mom, Michele.

The book will be mailed directly from HBG and is in paperback form. It contains the reading group guide, perfect for your next book club's selection.

Please leave a comment for an entry before May 22. Open to US and Canada residents with street addresses only, the book cannot be mailed to PO Boxes.