Line of Duty, book #9 -- SPOILERS!!

 

Well this was a page turner ... until it wasn't.  The first 353 pages were full of intrigue, mystery, sorrow, emotions while they were looking for the bad guy and processing all the grief.  But then! On page 354 BOOM! They figure out the bad guy is really the sweet old man no one would ever suspect!  And then just like that, the book is over!!  No clues -- no hints -- nothing!  What?!?!?  

At the request of her many fans—Terri Blackstock revisits the heroic cast of characters in this fifth book in her best-selling Newpointe 911 series In Line of Duty, a bomb explodes at the Icon International building in New Orleans while lawyer Jill Clark Nichols is in the top floor boardroom. The thirty-story building goes up in flames and fire departments from all around the area are called in. The firefighters from Newpointe are especially concerned since they know Jill is inside the building. Dan, her husband, rushes in to save her. But as firefighters work to evacuate the upper floors of the building, a second and third bomb explode, causing the lower floors to cave in. Firefighters and civilians are buried beneath the rubble. When the smoke finally clears, a count is taken. Jill narrowly escapes the chaos of the explosions and fire only to find Dan missing. Were the bombs the act of a terrorist, or a scheme coming from a heart of greed? Can Jill’s faith carry her through these long days of pain and uncertainty? And will Dan survive this tragedy . . . or sacrifice his life in the line of duty? (picture and description at Amazon)

I did not realize until I finished that this is a series (although I was suspicious!) and this is actually the last book in the series!  It was good, but not good enough to go back and read all the others.  Not with 400+ books sitting on my Paperwhite waiting to be read -- along with over 40-50 real books staring at me longingly as well.

Next up --- who knows!  

Keep Reading!

Melissa

Trouble in Store, book #8

 

Cute, Fun, I missed my out west people! :)

Fired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort: the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he's not about to let some obstinate woman with newfangled ideas mess up all he's worked for. He's determined to get Melanie married off as soon as possible, and luckily there are plenty of single men in town quite interested in taking her off his hands.

The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn't want her to marry up with any of them. He's drawn to Melanie more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store unexpectedly offer positive results.  But someone doesn't want the store to succeed, and what used to be just threatening words has escalated into deliberate destruction and lurkers in the night. When a body shows up on the mercantile steps--and the man obviously didn't die from natural causes--things really get dangerous. Can Melanie and Caleb's business--and romance--survive the trouble that's about to come their way?  (picture and description at Amazon)

So excited to see if the others liked it!

Keep Reading!

Melissa

14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible, book #7

 

It was time for another nonfiction and this one has been sitting on my desk staring at me.  Since I am once again reading the Bible through in year (following the M'Cheyne Reading plan this year) I thought it may be fun to read this and see how it can help me delve even deeper.

The Bible is the most read book in all the world. But many of us get stuck in a rut when it comes to approaching it. Rather than feeling inspired and energized, we feel confused, disenchanted, or removed. Bible scholar and lover of God’s Word James Coakley wants to share fourteen invaluable strategies that will bring our Scripture study to life.  The Bible is historical, true, and it’s also great literature. The Artist who created the universe has also gifted us with His Word, which is beautifully designed and full of creativity. The same riveting techniques that modern authors use in their books were also used by Biblical authors long ago. Coakley opens our eyes to the dramatic and poetical ways God communicates to us. Readers will acquire practical strategies to engage in God’s Word and general guidelines that will keep them on track.  The literary skills mentioned in this book don’t require advanced training—just a desire to open and receive the gift of God’s Word. Would you like to unearth new treasure and insight whenever you open your Bible? Coakley promises an exciting ride and invigorating time in God’s eternal, life-changing Word! (picture and description from Amazon)

This is a super easy read, and if you are an English major you might even like it even more ~ it ties in many ways literary methods are used in the Bible.

Keep Reading!

MeLissa

Widow of Gettysburg, book #6

 

This was another book sitting by my bed that needed to be read.  The story itself was somewhat familiar -- Civil War battle comes to town, house with husband/dad gone turned to hospital for soldiers of "enemy" and women are required to become nurses.  The thing that made this one different was that it took place in the North.  Now, the whole Civil War thing is a little tricky for me, as my blood is very southern, but I also can't imagine anyone in my family being ok with slaves.  So most of the books I read about the Civil War typically do take place in the South.  It took some getting used to for the "enemy" to be the South, but it did remind me that there was heartbreak, death, and and just plain horribleness on both sides.

When a horrific battle rips through Gettysburg, the farm of Union widow Liberty Holloway is disfigured into a Confederate field hospital, bringing her face to face with unspeakable suffering--and a Rebel scout who awakens her long dormant heart.  While Liberty's future crumbles as her home is destroyed, the past comes rushing back to Bella, a former slave and Liberty's hired help, when she finds herself surrounded by Southern soldiers, one of whom knows the secret that would place Liberty in danger if revealed.  In the wake of shattered homes and bodies, Liberty and Bella struggle to pick up the pieces the battle has left behind. Will Liberty be defined by the tragedy in her life, or will she find a way to triumph over it?Widow of Gettysburg is inspired by first-person accounts from women who lived in Gettysburg during the battle and its aftermath.  (picture and description at Amazon)

Not sure what is next up, but I'm feeling it is time for another non-fiction book.  

What are you reading?

Melissa

Into the Fire, book #5

I was a little nervous at first reading this, since I hadn't read anything this intense in a while, but once I was sucked in there was no turning back.  Irene Hannon always continues to amaze me with her diversity in writing, from drama driven books like this one to sweet love stories like our Hope Harbor books.

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.  When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the case heats up--as does the attraction between them. Sparks fly as the danger escalates, but will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?  (description at Amazon)

Starting a new book on my bedside table that has been there for over a year!  Not ready for another non-fiction yet, but this should be a fast read and we'll see what happens then!

Keep Reading!

Melissa

A Memory Between Us, book #4

 

I never did say what my "method of picking books" was going to be this year, but I really want to work through actual books I have sitting around and get some of them cleared out.  This one came up first because it looked the most interesting of the ones I have on my bedside table.  It was a good choice ~ so amazing!

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she carries a shameful secret that keeps her from giving her heart to any man. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?  (picture and description at Amazon)

Next up is our book for regular book club.  It is a fairly new one and to buy it for my Paperwhite was going to cost $13.  Well, I don't like paying that much for books on my Paperwhite, so I got lucky and found a copy at the local library.  It's gonna be good!

Keep Reading!

MeLissa

First Lie Wins, book #3

 

For our first non-Christmas fiction book of the year we have First Lie Wins.  It is the FHS faculty book club pick for February, but I got a head start on it since Leah was given this book for Christmas.  That way I didn't have to buy it ~ I could just borrow it! :)  

I'm always a little cautious about books that are probably not going to be Christian Fiction, but this one was okay.  No "spicy" as my girls would say, but some language.  Its always odd to me that it bothers me more in a book than seeing it on TV, but most it was situational -- and this book had a LOT of situations!!

I would highly recommend!!

Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.  The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.  Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.  Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there's still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge. . . . (picture and description from Amazon)

It looks like there is a movie "in development" so it should be interesting to see what they would keep and what they would have to cut.  

Happy Reading!

Melissa