Novel with a Grim Financial Warning

The Domino Effect by Davis Bunn

Davis Bunn’s novel warns readers of a coming financial collapse. The main character, Esther Larsen, child prodigy and now grown-up stock market analyst makes a horrifying discovery.  Using her intellect and experience in the stock market, she begins to warn others of her concerns.  The question is:  can one person do anything to prevent the coming crash?

Bunn’s writing was clear, but the story seemed a thinly veiled excuse for a warning.  The characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked, and the plot wasn’t one that kept the reader guessing.  I got lost in much of the financial gibberish.  This is not to say that a more financially savvy reader wouldn’t have appreciated the book more than I did.  However, I was reading for the literary value and not the underlying warning.

I made myself finish the book and was glad I did because it did have a hopeful outcome.  However, I don’t think I would be eager to read a sequel.  This is not to say that he is not a good author, but one whose writing style didn’t click with me.  I received this free book in return for my honest review, which I have given. 

Riveting crime/suspense novel by Carrie Stuart Parks

When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

This book was compelling.  I could not stop reading and I couldn’t seem to read fast enough!  The main character is Gwen Marcey, a forensic artist that Parks introduced in a previous novel.  She is sent to investigate a murder in Kentucky, which leads to her undercover involvement in a snake-handling and poison-drinking church.  Someone is murdering the parishioners.  Gwen must solve the murders to protect the innocent.  She must also stay one step ahead of those wanting to make sure she doesn’t live to reveal any secrets.  With no one to trust, she must keep looking over her shoulder and suspect everyone.

Park’s characters are interesting and well-drawn.  I was constantly trying to guess who the “bad” guy was because the story’s landscape was constantly shifting.  Parks had me fooled!  The setting and elements of the plot were fascinating.  The ending wasn’t entirely unexpected, but was still satisfying.  The plot kept accelerating towards the end of the story.  I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy a different twist on crime and suspense.  Parks has become one of my new favorite authors.  I think others will enjoy her books, too.  The publisher gave me a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.  

Second Book in the Newsmakers Novels by Lis Weihl

The Candidate by Lis Weihl

I found this book to be far better than The Newsmakers, her first book in this series.  The main character, Erica Sparks, is the same.  She now has custody of her daughter Jenny, but is finding it difficult to balance the demands of her work and the challenges of motherhood, while trying to pursue a very demanding career during the election season.

Weihl uses Erica’s dilemma to introduce a few new characters, which heighten the reader’s suspicions and add a rabbit trail that leads nowhere.  The plot was easy to follow, but was intense enough that it kept the reader involved.  The ending was a surprise for the most part.

There were, however, a couple of times when the storyline seemed a bit far-fetched to me.  Erica’s escape and President Ortiz’s brainwashing were a little beyond the realm of possibility.

However, the story was very entertaining and I would recommend it for any readers who enjoy suspense, although not necessarily Christian suspense as there is no mention of faith or God in the book.  I thank the publisher for giving  me a free copy for my honest review.  

A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

This book is set in WV, my home state.  Her other books take place there also. Beside the setting, her writing style and the way she gently unwraps a character’s past made me want to read more of her books.

Her characters are lovable and relatable, even with their flaws.  She drew me into the Phillips family.

The ending wasn’t easy to figure out, but it was satisfying.  She writes of mistakes that people make, but also of the grace offered to continue and make a fresh start.    She made me want to read the next book

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This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  I loved it and think that other readers will, too.

Robert Whitlow Legal Thriller

The Witnesses by Robert Whitlow

Robert Whitlow’s book The Witnesses, takes the reader back and forth between World War II and the present.  It centers on a young lawyer and his grandfather, and the special gift that they share.

 

The legal details of this book were often over my head and the author didn’t waste much time trying to explain them. I thought that they really didn’t play too much of a main part in the story.

The characters were interesting and I especially enjoyed getting to know Franz and figuring out his story.  I found Parker and Layla interesting as well. Tom Blocker’s actions seemed a bit far-fetched at the end of the book.

The plot was well-paced and kept my attention by switching between Franz’s past and the present.  The ending did have some surprises, too.

The author took an interesting approach to Franz and Parker’s gift and how it could be used selfishly.  It wasn’t as obvious how he thought it should be used positively.

If you enjoy legal thrillers, this book should be on your to-be-read list.  The publisher gave me a free copy in return for my honest review.

Excellent Biblical Fiction

Delilah by Angela Hunt

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors.  I find her novels to be thought-provoking, well-researched, and well-written.  Delilah is no exception.

 

Hunt made me want to re-read the Biblical account of Samson and Delilah.  She did a good job of filling in the literary details that knit the story together.  It made perfect sense.

  

It was obvious that she had done research on the time period when Samson lived.  The details regarding the loom, growing flax, and the Philistine oppression of the Israelites added credibility to the tale.  I felt that I went away with a greater understanding of what life would have been like then.

The story was well-written.  The story line kept my attention and moved the story along at a nice pace.  Her characters were fleshed-out with complicated motivations.  She definitely cast Samson and Delilah, despite their faults, in a positive light.  Though I was familiar with the tragic ending, Hunt managed to put it in a positive light.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction.  It was not only entertaining, but educational.  I received a free copy from the publisher in return for my honest opinion.     

Nun as a Private Detective

Sister Eve and the Blue Nun by Lynne Hinton

This book is the third in a series of the Divine Private Detective Agency mystery.  Because of that, there were some inferences that I didn’t understand.  Sister Eve, the main character frequently corrects the other characters on the pronunciation of her name, but never explains how the reader should pronounce it, which was confusing to me.  She doesn’t give much background information on Eve’s relationship to her father or why he was called Captain.

 

The other item which made it difficult to understand was the part about her being a nun and life in the monastery.  I have little familiarity with the monastic life and that made it harder to enjoy the story.

I found the characters, mainly Sister Eve, interesting.  The author included enough details about her that I felt connected to her, even if her dilemma and background was difficult to understand.

I was not mesmerized by this book, but did find myself wondering about the potential relationship she might develop with Detective Lujan.  The author did leave some possibilities open at the conclusion of the book.

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In short, the book was okay, but not one of my favorites.  I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it were the first in the series and I had had the opportunity to be filled in on Sister Eve’s background.  The idea of a nun as a private detective is appealing to me, but the book did not quite meet my expectations.  The last few chapters of the book were exciting and fast paced, but the beginning and middle moved a little too slowly for my liking

I received this book free from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and this is my honest review.