Wall Street Thriller

 

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano

Meredith Hansel, portfolio manager of a prestigious Wall Street firm, should be riding high on her success, but her life is falling apart.  Her home has been vandalized, her marriage is falling apart and her teenaged daughter is in trouble. Her job is in jeopardy and perhaps even her family’s lives are at stake. Betsey, her coworker, has been fired but keeps reappearing trying either to threaten or warn Meredith.  She must sort through the debris to look for clues as to what is happening and why.

This book was unusual in that it covered the life of a woman working on Wall Street.  Because of that, there were some parts of it that went over my head.  Still, the action was fast-paced and contained enough drama to keep me reading to try and figure out what would happen next. 

It was a very clean read and had some elements of faith, especially when Meredith remembered her grandmother’s example.  As the story resolved, faith played a bigger part in Meredith’s life.

I am grateful to the publisher for this complimentary arc in exchange for this, my honest review.

 

Unusual story with lyrical writing

 

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

There is much to like about this book:  the unusual setting and topic, the quirky characters, the unusual storyline, the plot twists that keep the reader guessing, the lyrical writing.

I totally enjoyed this book. It is infused with hope and unconditional love despite some desperate circumstances the characters experience.  Readers looking for a clean romantic read with imperfect characters who live out Christian principles, and a beautifully written story, should grab this book.

  I am grateful to the publisher for the complimentary arc in return for this, my honest review.

Intriguing Historical Fiction

 

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee

This novel takes place in Oak Ridge Tennessee, the secret city during World War 2.  It covers 2 time periods, in the 1940’s and the late 1970’s. For her doctoral dissertation, Laurel wants to research what life was like in Oak Ridge during the time her Aunt Mae lived and worked there.  Aunt Mae believes that some secrets are best left buried and refuses to talk about her experiences.  But secrets have a way of coming to light and what will happen to Aunt Mae when they do?

There were many things to enjoy in this book.  The story was intriguing because of the setting and the plot.  The ending was unpredictable and kept the reader engaged.  The characters were likable.  It was well-researched and despite a technical subject, it was easy for the reader to comprehend. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am grateful to the publisher for the arc in exchange for this, my honest review.

New Biblical Fiction by Jill Eileen Smith

 Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith

Jill Eileen Smith’s books are ones that I pick up whenever possible.  She makes the Bible character come alive to the reader through detailed research and great thought regarding their motivation.  The same was true of this book about Mary of Magdalene.

I was viewing The Chosen while I read this book and much of what Smith proposed in her novel dovetailed with how the writers of the Chosen saw Mary. The book brought  her thoughts, feelings and love for Jesus alive for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and imagining what it would be like to follow Jesus during his time here on earth.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary arc of this book in return for this, my honest opinion.

Great beach read!

 

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee

Cora, Bianca and Savannah are spending a month at the beach at their family’s traditional vacation spot to honor their mother’s last wish.  Oldest sister Savannah has planned lots of summer bucket list activities, but the one activity not listed is to prevent youngest sister Bianca out of her plan to marry her fiancé whom she met online but has never met in person.  Of course, the plot becomes knottier, but I don’t want to spoil the story.

This story has lots of witty banter, some family and relationship drama, and lots of laughs plus a great setting.  Never mind that it isn’t unpredictable.  It is a great beach read and has a happy ending with an important lesson that all the sisters learn.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend who enjoys a clean and witty romcom.  I am grateful to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Robert Whitlow's newest legal thriller

 

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

Joe Moore is serving a prison sentence for killing 2 innocent people while under the influence of meth.  He has come to terms with his guilt, accepted God’s forgiveness and begun to minister to his fellow inmates.  God is using him greatly to influence the other prisoners.  When his aunt decides she wants to re-open his case to see if he can be released early from prison, he isn’t sure what to think.  As the story proceeds, events begin to accelerate, and forces begin to conspire to keep Joe’s case closed. 

 This book held some unexpected surprises and plot twists, but it ended in a very satisfying manner.  The characters were worthy of admiration:   Joe, Ray and Deshaun for their faithful Christian witness in prison and Paige and Ryan for their spiritual journeys.  Even though Robert Whitlow’s writing style (and legal thrillers in particular) is not my favorite, I found much to like in this book. Readers who want to read a clean, suspenseful story will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to the publisher for the complimentary arc in return for this, my honest review.

 

 

 

Latest of Charles Martin's Keeper series

 

The Keeper by Charles Martin

This book, number 4 in the Keeper series, was full of surprises.  It does contain the same cast of characters as the previous book, with the addition of a few new ones.  It rehearses much of the last book to refresh the reader’s memory about the end of Bones’ life.  I found that helpful because it had been awhile since I had read the third book.  But the surprises take your breath away!  And the author keeps the door open for more stories in the series.

Readers who enjoy some action-packed adventure with a true hero—one worthy of admiration—will be glued to this book.  I am grateful to the publisher for the arc in return for this, my honest review.