The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson * A Review

ABOUT THE ICECUTTER'S DAUGHTER
 Merrill Krause longs for a family of her own, but she's bound by a promise to her dying mother to care for her father and older brothers until they no longer need her. She enjoys being part of the family business, harvesting ice during the brutal Minnesota winters. Merrill actively takes part, possessing a keen ability to work with the horses--despite the advice of her good friend, who disapproves of her unladylike behavior.

When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small town to join his uncle doing carpentry, he soon crosses paths with Merrill. But unlike other men, who are often frightened away by her older brothers, Rurik isn't intimidated by them or by Merrill's strength and lack of femininity. As he thrives under the mentorship of his uncle, Rurik dreams of inheriting the business and claiming Merrill as his wife. But while he is determined to start a new life, the past is determined to follow him when his former fiancee and her brother show up in town. Soon Rurik is put in the center of a major scandal that may damage his relationship with Merrill. Can they learn to trust God--and each other--and embrace the promise of love?

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764206192
ISBN-13: 978-0764206191
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than eighty-five novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie's web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com






MY REVIEW
  I really enjoyed Tracie Peterson’s book The Icecutter’s Daughter. The Icecutter’s Daughter is in the series Land of Shining Water. This series is set in Minnesota in the late 1800’s.
  This book is fascinating and I love Merrill her father and all of her brothers. How they protect her even when she doesn’t want the protection or help they offer. Merrill and Rurik meet and hit if off. Rurik likes the way she paints on her cupboards and asks her if she would like to paint some furniture that he makes. So they start work on the furniture.
  Shortly Rurik’s ex fiancee shows up and claims they are getting married no matter what Rurik says and has some reason that will make him marry her.
  This is an intriguing story full of laughter, love and suspense. I enjoyed it greatly and would recommend you read it.
 There was only one thing I think should have been different in this book and that after the main plot of the story it keeps going. The suspense is gone and I think it falls flat. Anyway it is still worth a read.

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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

WHEN A SECRET KILLS by Lynette Eason * A Review

ABOUT WHEN A SECRET KILLS
 Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do--ferret out the truth and expose it. Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago--and Jillian watched it happen.

Didn't she?

Not even the enigmatic and attractive Colton Brady, her ex-boyfriend and nephew of the killer, will be able to make her leave this alone. Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to an explosive series

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell (May 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800720091
ISBN-13: 978-0800720094
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynette Eason has written/contracted thirty-one books since 2007. She has thirteen Love Inspired Suspense books on the shelf with more due to release soon. Lynette also writes for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her current release, WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS hit #8 on the CBA bestsellers list this year. Currently, she is working on her third series for Revell and just signed and eight book contract for Love Inspired Suspense. She has been teaching for more than ten years and is very happy to make the transition from teaching school to teaching writing whenever the opportunity presents. She is married, has two children, and lives in Spartanburg, SC.

MY REVIEW
  WHEN A SECRET KILLS by Lynette Eason is an exciting inspirational Romantic Suspense. #3 and final in the spine tingling "Deadly Reunions" series, but can be read as a stand alone.
  I love reading books that Lynette Eason has written. She has a great talent for spine-tingling suspenseful reads. She also has the right romantic blend to each book to give it sweetness and tenderness.
  When a Secret Kills is really fantastic. I’ve really wanted to know how the whole thing came about in the first two books and When A Secret Kills gives us all of the answers.
  The ending was quite a surprise and I really loved the twists, turns and suspense for book three. I highly recommend this book and know you will love it and want to put it on your keeper shelf.

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Shattered by Dani Pettrey * A Review

ABOUT SHATTERED

 A Thrilling New Romantic Suspense from the Genre's Newest Star

Piper McKenna couldn't be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed--but despite the evidence, Reef swears he's innocent. And Piper believes him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon's career.

With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada's rugged backcountry--and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764209833
ISBN-13: 978-0764209833
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves-the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one's faith and plenty of romance. She's a huge fan of dark chocolate, is always in search of the best iced mocha and her dream is to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Visit her web site at www.DaniPettrey.com!


MY REVIEW
  I enjoyed reading Shattered by DanI Pettrey. It is book two in the Alaskan Courage series. The characters, places and events of this book are so well described. I enjoyed the first book in this series and will enjoy the other/others.
  I love the large McKenna family and really like Piper and Landon’s love story. It was largely the love story with the suspense and murder story as a second story.
   I really enjoy Christian books, but this one had too much Sexual content. I think Ms. Pettrey should be careful of the things she writes.
  This is a nice suspenseful book and I was very surprised at the ending and why the killer did what he did. It was a plot twister and you thought the killer was after the victim for one thing, but it turns out it was a completely different reason.
Very interesting and delightful read. Recommend it for fast, easy reading.

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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Survivor By DiAnn Mills * A Review

ABOUT THE SURVIVOR

 Is it her next bestseller . . . Or her last words? In The Chase, award-winning author DiAnn Mills introduced you to the world of Kariss Walker, the bestselling suspense author with a nose for trouble. In The Survivor, Kariss gets the chance to tell her most powerful story yet. But will it revitalize her writing career? Or bring it to a violent end? Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into danger. Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss's new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find out who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold case?

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (March 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310333229
ISBN-13: 978-0310333227
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 12 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn's first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books published.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer's Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader's Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

MY REVIEW
  I really liked The Survivor by DiAnn Mills. I always try to find out who the killer is before the book gets too far along, but couldn’t with this book. It was well hidden and full of surprise and suspense.
  I liked the love story between Tigo and Kariss. It was sweet and an inspiration. They both wanted it to work out between them, but so much baggage and things standing in the way.
  I didn’t much care for Dr. Amy Garrett and her brother. They both seemed full of lies and Amy really seemed fake at times.
  This is book two in the Houston series. I never read book one and was able to read The Survivor without feeling a lot was missing because I didn’t read book one. So The Survivor can be read as a stand alone book.
   I highly recommend The Survivor as a book to read and enjoy. Full of action and suspense and will keep you guessing. I really enjoyed it.

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Thank you to Zondervan for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen *A Review

ABOUT THE TUTOR'S DAUGHTER
Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.

When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame...and which brother to trust with her heart?

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764210696
ISBN-13: 978-0764210693
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Two-time Christy Award winner Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Learn more at www.julieklassen.com.


MY REVIEW
  The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen is just a fantastic book from start to finish. This is the first book I’ve read written by Julie Klassen and I’m very glad I did.
  The characters were well thought out and the descriptions of the different homes, places and clothing was just superb. I really enjoyed hearing about Emma, her sweet dad and of course the Weston family.
  In The Tutor’s Daughter you learn that even if someone is different than you doesn’t mean they are less important or less loved. Also first appearances or how we think a person is at first may not be how they truly are.
  Emma is such a sweet, smart loving young lady. You will love this book and read it very quickly.
 I really loved it and know you will too. Highly recommended.

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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

This is Our Time DVD Review

ABOUT THIS IS OUR TIME

Five friends connected by their strong faith and belief in God set out to make a difference in the world following Graduation. Luke and Al‚ marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village. Budding Financier, Catherine, joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make her mark in the corporate world. Ryder lands an impressive job in social media and can't wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good. Ethan, the odd man out, struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God. Their ambitions are high, their passions are strong but will they have the courage to fulfill their calling regardless of what comes their way. The sacrifice they are asked to pay may just be too high. Through godly wisdom from an outside source, the group realizes that this is not their time after all, it's all His!

Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Pure Flix Entertainment
DVD Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

Website http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4565#
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsOurTimeMovie


MY REVIEW
  The DVD This Is Our Time to seize God’s calling is very good. The story line is excellent and it kept me interested through every part. The acting was good, but to me it seems like a low budget film. Even so the story really pulled it through and I believe it will be a movie that will last.
  You find everything in this movie from greatest joy, to depths of great sadness. Also you will see favoritism and learn how to deal with loss and to keep going on.
  Even in a world that believes making money is everything you can see that money doesn’t cure problems or help you when you’re down. Also you find in a world that doesn’t follow God that many things are overlooked and put up with.
  Follow these five graduates as they make decsions, some are good and some are bad. How they help each other and how they let God lead them.
 A movie to be watched by the whole family and it will be greatly enjoyed. I highly recommend it.


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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Bridge Apart by David Dipillo *A Review

ABOUT A BRIDGE APART

A wholesome fictional story to intrigue, inspire, and enlighten readers of all ages. Through its graphic imagery and brilliant storyline, "A Bridge Apart" sheds light on important life lessons that must be learned and re-learned in a very material world. Adopt and commit to memory what you learn from this story and you will guarantee your heart and mind will be ever vigilant and focused on what is truly important in life. "A Bridge Apart" is the story of a poor traveling salesman who struggles daily to make ends meet by selling the furniture he lovingly creates. Poor in spirit, he survives in a life of monotony lacking the coin and the confidence to make anything better of himself until a tragic accident that nearly ends his life changes everything . . .

Paperback: 46 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 17, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1470052571
ISBN-13: 978-1470052577
Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 David DiPillo is a 32-year-old single, Christian man who was born and raised inYoungstown,Ohio.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems fromYoungstown State Universityand a master’s degree in technology fromKent State University.

MY REVIEW

A Bridge Apart by David Dipillo is a very good, short story. By short I mean like 40 pages in which you can read in less than an hour.
 It is a book full of lessons for young and old alike. It is very well written and kept my interest throughout. This book is for all ages, but I think teens and children would really get more out of it.
  The characters are very well described. A Bridge Apart also has a troll and he is very likable and not mean like you hear of every troll before.
  Lessons to be learned are: appearances can be deceiving, greed, forgiveness, charity, honor, encouragement and happiness.
  A very interesting, fun book to read and many things to learn. I would recommend this book to be fun and a learning tool.

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Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255