Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

About the Book

★★★★★

After losing her parents in a car accident and her sister to a house fire, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Life is finally starting to feel normal again when an envelope arrives in the mail – addressed in her sister's handwriting. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case, but he's coming up with more questions than answers. If Ginny Reed is still alive – who is the woman buried in her grave? Where is Ginny? And is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game – or the target of a sinister plot? As he digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: whoever is behind the bizarre ruse has a deadly agenda.

Bestselling author and two-time Christy Award finalist Irene Hannon warms readers' hearts as they root for a romance between Lance and Christy, but she pulls out all the stops as this high-stakes thriller chills to the bone in a race to the finish.

The second Men of Valor novel, Thin Ice delivers Hannon’s typical mix of suspense and romance in a fast-paced, action-packed plot. Lance McGregor begins his work for the FBI with an unexpectedly twisted and challenging case, when Christy Reed determines to discover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance. Working together, Lance and Christy uncover clue after clue - and naturally, a striking romantic connection - and follow the evidence through numerous twists and turns to a heart-racing conclusion. I absolutely loved page after page of Thin Ice (and obviously, now I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the third McGregor brother in the next Men of Valor novel). Any fan of Irene Hannon should definitely make time to read Thin Ice - I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of Thin Ice and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, a Booksellers' Best Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at her website.

The Feathered Bone by Julie Cantrell

★★★★★

“Feathers – no matter what size or shape or color – are all the same, if you think about them. They're soft. Delicate. But the secret thing about feathers is… they are very strong.” 

In the pre-Katrina glow of New Orleans, Amanda Salassi is anxious about chaperoning her daughter’s sixth grade field trip to the Big Easy during Halloween. And then her worst fears come true. Her daughter’s best friend, Sarah, disappears amid the magic and revelry – gone, without a trace.

Unable to cope with her guilt, Amanda’s daughter sinks in depression. And Amanda’s husband turns destructive as he watches his family succumb to grief. Before long, Amanda’s whole world has collapsed.

Amanda knows she has to save herself before it’s too late. As she continues to search for Sarah, she embarks on a personal journey, seeking hope and purpose in the wake of so much tragedy and loss.

Set amidst the murky parishes of rural Louisiana and told through the eyes of two women who confront the darkest corners of humanity with quiet and unbreakable faith, The Feathered Bone is Julie Cantrell’s master portrait of love in a fallen world.

Julie Cantrell’s newest novel The Feathered Bone packs quite the emotional punch, beginning with the disappearance of sixth-grader Sarah while on a school trip to pre-Katrina New Orleans. The novel then follows the subsequent emotional turmoil, after nobody is able to find her. In dealing with the loss and guilt of Sarah’s disappearance, as well as other difficult circumstances, The Feathered Bone offers a heartwrenching and tragic yet beautiful story, and Cantrell’s persistent characters are richly detailed and fascinatingly flawed. I loved reading this novel and could not put it down. I would highly recommend it to interested readers - it’s a worthwhile read.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Feathered Bone and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (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.”)

The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language by James N. Watkins

★★★★★

When does a classic become new, fresh and extremely relevant? When someone takes it out of an outdated format and makes it readable, searchable and understandable. The Imitation of Christ has been in print for over 500 years for a good reason. It is powerful, beautiful and heart piercing. James Watkins has taken those words and reworked them into ninety daily readings, arranged by topic. Whether for daily devotions or for sound insight into a particular issue, Watkins paraphrase blends the ancient with the modern to introduce this classic to a new audience, speaking to all Christians with credibility and authority and using inclusive language not found in the original.

I have never read the classic version of The Imitation of Christ, but James N. Watkins’ updated version of the devotional allows it to be a more understandable yet still convicting modern-day read. This devotional explores the importance and application of imitating Christ and his character. With short chapters, it is easily incorporated into a daily reading routine, but offers plenty of spiritual food for thought. An excellent devotional that I found both enjoyable and valuable, The Imitation of Christ would benefit any follower of Christ - I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Worthy’s First Look, I received a copy of The Imitation of Christ and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Mermaid Moon
• A Kindle Fire
• A mermaid necklace
• A pair of mermaid earrings

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 2nd on the Litfuse blog.

About the Book

★★★★★

Mallory's mother died fifteen years ago. But her father's last words on the phone were unmistakable: "Find… mother."

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart – and left – without a word, years ago.

When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life – and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie – their search intensifies. There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer – it is also about finding herself again… and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

The second novel in Colleen Coble’s Sunset Cove series, Mermaid Moon, follows The Inn at Ocean’s Edge with just as much attention-capturing suspense, mystery, and romance. When Mallory Davis’ father dies and leaves her with a cryptic message to find her mother, she decides to return to her small hometown to discover what he meant - and recruits her high school sweetheart Kevin O’Connor to help. She and Kevin begin to uncover well-kept secrets, and the more they find, the more danger they seem to encounter. Full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish, Mermaid Moon is an exciting and enjoyable read that won’t disappoint Coble’s fans. I loved following Mallory and Kevin through the mystery and the romance, and now, I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Mermaid Moon and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies.

Connect with Coble at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Merchant of Alyss by Thomas Locke

About the Book

★★★★★

Life for Hyam is bittersweet. Admired by the citizens of Falmouth for his heroic rescue mission, he cherishes these peaceful days with Joelle by his side. Yet grief over the loss of his magical skills during the great Battle of Emporis threatens to engulf him. Sometimes he even wishes he had never known magic at all.

When Hyam comes into possession of an ancient Milantian scroll, he is thrilled to feel the surge of power that courses through him whenever he touches it. But what he discerns in the text could mean war. He embarks upon another journey to determine its true meaning and forestall any attack. But as Hyam is seeking answers, he is unaware that the merchant of Alyss is seeking him…

This second Legends of the Realm novel offers an epic story equally as satisfying as Emissary. Thomas Locke once again immerses his readers into Hyam’s fantastical world with plenty of magic, action, and good-versus-evil adventure, and I loved revisiting it and its cast of diverse and memorable characters. The story is fascinating and intriguing, as Hyam begins another quest, and left me eager and hopeful for another one. Fans of fantasy and adventure will not be disappointed with Merchant of Alyss, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of Merchant of Alyss and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, the award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies. With a lifelong passion for speculative stories, he is also the author of Emissary and Trial Run. A screenplay adaptation of Emissary is currently under development as a feature film with a British production company.

Davis's work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. He divides his time between Oxford and Florida. Learn more at his website.