Book Review: Cold Shot

From the Back:

Four Best Friends.
And Then One Went Missing . . .
In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department, Declan Grey would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he's living a quiet life as a park ranger at Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top--and they aren't Civil War-era.

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.

My Reflections:

This is Dani Pettrey's newest book Cold Shot, book one in the Chesapeake Valor series. 

It's no secret that I love this author I have enjoyed every book I have read written by Pettrey. Her Alaskan Courage series is still on my top ten list.

This novel mostly focuses on Griffin McCray and Finley Scott.

I appreciated how Pettrey sets the scene by giving the reader background information. It really made the story flow seamlessly.

Griffin McCray, Chief Ranger at the Gettysburg National Military park has his hands full when he stumbles upon two relic hunters who have unearthed remains in a Civil War Archaeological dig site. While trying to secure the perimeter Griffin identifies a gruesome discovery, the skeletal remains contain some soft tissue and cannot possibly be from the Civil War era. 

Dr. Finley Scott  must unravel the mystery, along with Parker Mitchell from CSI unit they go to work mapping out the grid. What they all discover is that this indeed is a modern grave, not a Civil War era grave site. Now to find out the identity and suspects responsible...

I found this book to be such an easy book to read, and by far it rates as one of my favourite books of this year. The characters are strong and multi layered, and really stand out. 

The plot is fast paced and filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. This book had me racing through pages until well past a decent reading hour. The only thing that put me off a little was the cover of this book. It did not do this book justice, perhaps it is the tones, or the model. Nothing about the cover screams read me. This aside don't judge this book by its cover, this book is definitely a must read and you will want to keep this one in your library shelves!

Well done Dani Pettrey, I can't wait until book two, for now I will console myself with Pettrey's co- authored (Dee Henderson, Lynette Eason) novella collection "Sins of the Past" which will be released in May 2016.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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The Author

1. © Michael Pettrey Photography

   Dani Pettrey

   Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. Her books...
   

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Book Review: Hannah's Choice

From The Back:

When love and family conflict, will she listen to her head . . . or her heart?

Hannah Yoder loves her quiet life on the banks of Conestoga Creek. In 1842, this corner of Lancaster County is settled and peaceful--yet problems lurk beneath the placid façade. Hannah strives to be the one person who can bind the threads of her family together in spite of her father's worries, her mother's depression, and her sister's rebellious ways. But her world threatens to unravel.

When two young men seek her hand in marriage--one offering the home she craves and the other promising the adventure of following God's call west--Hannah must make a choice. Will she stay true to the faith of her family or defy her father and abandon her community?


"Jan Drexler's Amish family is so engaging that we're right there sitting down with them at their supper table, sharing their joys and sorrows as they embrace the adventure of life. A great read for anyone who enjoys a page-turning mix of appealing characters, exciting story action, sweet romance, and interesting history."--Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of The Innocent

Jan Drexler's ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Their experiences are the basis for her stories. Jan is the author of several Love Inspired novels and lives in South Dakota with her husband, their four adult children, two active dogs, and a cat.

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My Reflections:

Hannah'a Choice is book one in the Journey to Pleasant Prairie series.

This book is set in the 1840's, readers are transported back to the beautiful landscape of Lancaster Pennsylvania.  

The country is on the brink of the Civil War. Slave hunters prowl in the deep forests for escaped slaves. 

Hannah is at that place in her life where she is neither child nor a wife, the awkward age where she must decide where her life's decisions and paths will lead her. Having lived on the family farm that has been owned by the Yoder's for generations things seem to be ripe for change.

When company calls to visit they bring with them news of a new land, one with more Amish folk, and a new beginning. Hannah's dad Christian must decide if this is the change that his family needs to remove the veil of sadness that shrouds his family.

Hannah's best friend Adam has been a huge support to her, he understand her and listens like no one else.

That's what best friends are for right?

However now that they are older, Adam has made it clear that his feelings of friendship run much deeper, problem is he is a Mennonite... Hannah must decide where her heart lies, who she will tie her life to and which path she will follow. The stakes are high, should she choose a life steeped in tradition, or a life which offers adventure and possibly holds great risks as well.

It's no secret that I love Amish fiction and this book marries both of my favorite genres Historical Romance and Amish Fiction. 

I savoured the backdrop of this novel, the scenery it painted in my head made me want to jump into the book and go for a relaxing walk along the Conestoga River, (minus the slave hunters.)

The multiple storylines, and complex characters kept the interest level, though I did find the story line slow moving in places. This coupled with the maddening spoiled sister that I just wanted to tattle on, were two of the things that made me give this book a slightly lower star rating, that being said I did quite enjoy this novel.

I would recommend this book of you are looking for your new Amish fiction addiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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The Author

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Book Review: Raising Uncommon Kids

From the Back:

The greatest lesson we teach our kids isn't anything we say--it's what we do.Many parents are surprised to discover just how little we're actually modeling the behaviors we hope to pass on--qualities such as unconditional love, gentleness, forgiveness, patience, gratitude, humility, and more. This unique book offers a fresh way to look at molding your children: by focusing more on adding good behaviors than on eliminating bad ones.

Grounding her advice in Scripture, Sami Cone shares stories from her own life to show these principles in action. And she outlines practical things you can do right now to create a home and family that exhibits love, harmony, and generosity of spirit in a self-centered world.

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My Reflections:

When I first looked at this book I knew I needed to read it. I want to model what I teach, and I desire for my children to be better than me, I also want them to grow and follow God passionately. I was ripe for the picking my teenagers are watching and I want to do everything I can to foster a good example to them. 

Raising Uncommon Kids: 12 Biblical Traits You Need to Raise Selfless kids is a practical book that you will be glad to read. Who wouldn't want to take their head knowledge and actually apply it to their parenting journey?

Sami Cone uses personal experience and stories coupled with biblical principals to help her readers move in confidence and wisdom. I greatly valued her perspective and will be implementing quite a few of her practices in my home.

Some of my favorite topics were in Section two: Your Attitudes Towards Others. Having two teeagers in my home, this chapter gave me practical strategies on how to teach them to love others as Jesus teaches us to.

 "Regardless of how you feel about each other, you have to communicate with each other."

Having siblings who sometimes struggle with even the simple task of talking to each other, this chapter gave me some real insight on how to bridge the communication gap. 

This book reads more like a manual, not a sit down and chat over coffee sort of read. 

It is packed with scripture and sound parenting advice. I would highly recommend any parent read over this book for some fabulous parenting tool box padding.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

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About The Author

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   Sami Cone

   Sami Cone is a blogger, radio host, and TV correspondent who mentors others to live their dream life on less and pursue their passions. Known as the Frugal Mom on Nashville's top-rated talk show Talk of the Town, Sami hosts the nationally syndicated...
   

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Book Review: Always Watching

From the Back:

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity. 
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.
When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap.

Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him--including Olivia. But in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart.

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My Reflections:

Lynette Easton's new series "Elite Guardians, Always Watching" is comprised of a group of female bodyguards dedicated to their task of protecting vulnerable clients, regardless to the personal cost. After meeting in Athens, Greece where they were attending classes to become bodyguards they decided to join together to form the company "Elite Guardians." Having all worked at one time or another in some form of law enforcement they were well suited to the trade. 

The plot of this first book is fast paced and keeps the reader engrossed in the story line. I often found myself racing through the pages, wanting to decipher who the stalker could possibly be. This novel kept me guessing until the end however.

Wade Savage works at the radio station as a well known psychologist. When he becomes the target of a stalker, things heat up and Olivia Edwards from Elite Guardians must do her job to make sure Wade and his daughter are protected.

As the story progresses Wade and Olivia must work closely together to solve the mystery of who is after him and why. Can they solve this mystery before it is too late? Will they be able to ignore the spark igniting between them?

This book kept me guessing for sure! 

One thing that lagged a little for me with this story was the daughter's anxiety issues. This aspect of the story just seemed to take over the novel at points and really seemed a little overdone, and slightly unrealistic. That being said I am however looking forward to book two and finding out what will happen next, and follow the rest of the team.

Overall a fast paced, well penned story. 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

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About The Author

1. 

   Lynette Eason

   Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series and the Deadly Reunions series, as well as No One to Trust, Nowhere to Turn, and No Place to Hide in the Hidden Identity series. She is a member of American Christian...
   

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