Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1) by Patricia Bradley

About the book: In one week, the wrong man will be executed for murder. Let the chase for the real killer begin.

Eighteen years ago, TV crime reporter Andi Hollister's sister was murdered. The convicted killer sits behind bars, his execution date looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned didn't do the crime, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the man who confessed to the crime is Will's cousin. Andi and Will must find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But what can happen in only a week? Uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and, perhaps, falling in love?

With the perfect mixture of intrigue and nail-biting suspense, award-winning author Patricia Bradley invites you to crack the case--if you can--alongside the best Memphis has to offer.

My thoughts: In a salute to the investigation of Cold Cases and of wrong persons being convicted and imprisoned, Patricia Bradley weaves a tale that began years prior to the present date during the period several young ladies were airline stewardesses traveling internationally. In later years and after seeking education, they landed squarely in various professions. While traveling as stewardesses, Stephanie, the sister of Andi (the book's leading lady) is murdered and for this her friend and erstwhile sweetheart is convicted.

Fast forward eighteen years, another of the stewardesses is found dead of a suspected suicide but there are questions that surround the case. Andi's brother is an investigator as is their "growing up together" neighbor, Will.

Trying to solve a suspected suicide or murder in current time and finding it perhaps connects to an eighteen year old case for which the man who was convicted is to be executed in a few days time, proves to be a daunting task. Andi uses her professional television investigative reporter skills as does Will to pursue all clues.

An interesting read and totally surprising ending.

Now there was one thing I didn't care for. The author used similarities of names to add an additional layer of perplexity to solving the mystery. Lots of names beginning with "J" and "D" and the hint that JD is a culprit. But just who is "JD"?

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Revell Reads blog review program to facilitate

A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz

My thoughts: First of all, I was struck by curiosity about the probability of a "Moonbow" (think.... "rainbow" but at night). So as I began reading Laura Frantz's latest frontier story, I did a bit of research - specifically into the Moonbow in the Kentucky area. Fascinating bit of information and, yes, they do exist!

The first pages of A Moonbow Night left me feeling the cold icy sting of a Winter storm in the mountains of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. As the surveyors trekked through the woods trying to avoid the Indians by being as quiet as possible and not lighting the fire that could warm their feet and cook food that would bring their body temperatures to more normal range, the cold seeped into their very being.

It is 1777 and the surveying party of men was surprised to find three women and a man managing an inn of sorts in an isolated part of the wilderness, but they were delighted to partake of the wonderful food and shelter from the elements after being on the trail so long.

Frantz is a true-to-the-period author as she writes of happenings, people, and the land of early frontier days in the settlement of America. In this story, the British were inciting the Indians against the westward movement of settlers and particularly surveyors. It simply was not a safe land through which to perilously journey.

This is a book of historical Christian fiction that brings the reader a terrific frontier adventure and a sweet romance as it develops between two individuals who have previously experienced great personal loss and who are strong characters.

About the book: After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke--men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew looking for an experienced guide. When his guide appears, Sion balks. He certainly didn't expect a woman. But it is not long before he must admit that Tempe's skill in the wilderness rivals his own. Still, the tenuous tie they are forming is put to the test as they encounter danger after danger and must rely on each other.

With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons readers to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate a review of my personal opinions. I was not compensated for a reward.

A Primary Decision (The Worthington Destiny) by Dr. Kevin Leman & Jeff Nesbit

About the book: Sarah Worthington never expected to become the US attorney general--at least not this early in her career. Plunged into the vicious vetting process, with all sides digging for secrets in her family closet, she steels herself for the path forward. Nothing will deter her from making her mark on the world in the biggest way possible--even if that means prosecuting the current president of the United States.

Yet powerful forces conspire behind the scenes to take the Worthington family down, and the president orders her to close the investigation. Will she comply? Or turn the tables to pursue her ultimate dream--the US presidency?

My thoughts: This is obviously the third book in The Worthington Destiny series and to me it was also quite clear that reading the first two would have made getting into the story a bit better and easier. It took at least the first 50 pages for the direction of the story to become clear to me as allusions to previous events and personal issues kept popping up without clarity as to how they  fit into A Primary Decision.

The political and social circles in which the characters function are high flung and the circumstances mysterious and rife with secrets on many levels. Much time is spent circumventing the secret that is being kept from Sarah and frankly I couldn't understand why her not knowing was such a big issue.

The author, Dr Kevin Leman, has previously published  books on characteristics of birth order and how it effects development and character. This plays a part in the descriptive characterizations of Worthington sibilings as they aspire and achieve various successes in life.

The book is good, interesting, and pertinent as a work of fiction in today's post election atmosphere here in the USA or for reading at anytime about the lives and workings of the wealthy and political elite.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review of my honest opinions which are given without compensation.

Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon from Revell a division of Baker Publishing

About the book: Finn has packed away his combat instincts--but he may need them again when danger begins to stalk his quiet hideaway . . .

After a disastrous Middle East mission ends his six-year Army Ranger career, Finn McGregor needs some downtime. A peaceful month in the woods sounds like the perfect way to decompress. But peace isn't on the agenda once he crosses paths with publishing executive Dana Lewis, a neighbor who is nursing wounds of her own. Someone seems bent on disrupting her stay in the lakeside cabin she inherited from her grandfather. As Finn and Dana work together to discover who is behind the disquieting pranks, the incidents begin to take on a menacing tone. And when it becomes apparent Dana's foe may have deadly intent, Finn finds himself back in the thick of the action--ready or not.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon draws readers into a web of psychological suspense where danger lurks in dark corners . . . and keeps them captive until the very last page.

My thoughts: Irene Hannon has proven time and again to be an author whose books I look forward to reading. She has not disappointed with Tangled Webs which is the third and concluding book in the series of the McGregors - Men of Valor.

I found it interesting that two damaged folks are secluding themselves, in close proximity yet separated by a veil of forest, in an effort to recover from their personal injuries and emotional scars. Not much is given to lay a foundation for their flaws, but that doesn't truly hamper the reading of their story. It might have given a bit more substance as to their limitations and their powers to overcome said limitations.

When danger comes to visit their quiet woods, Finn bounds into rescue mode and stays there throughout the book. The lovely Dana is quietly pursing her professional life albeit disconnected from the outside world by phone or Internet.

The locals are tangled up a bit in Finn and Dana's stories presenting multiple layers of danger, suspense, and mystery. I loved their trips into the quaint town for the diner's wonderful pies.

I have read all three books in the Men of Valor series and found them simply enjoyable reads. Looking forward to more from Irene Hannon's pen.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

About the book: Five women from different walks of life have become close friends through their book club--enjoying one another's company even more than they enjoy the books. So when the leader of the book club unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the four remaining friends are stunned. They relied on Abby for inspiration and motivation. She was the glue that held them together, and they're sure that without her the group can't continue.

When the group gathers "one last time" to open a bag Abby's husband gives them, they find Abby had made each of them an angel ornament for Christmas, crafted especially for each woman and accompanied by a sweet and personal note. Inspired by their beloved friend, together Cassidy, Louisa, Grace, and Belinda decide to commit themselves to becoming Christmas Angels to others in need. Each woman will use her life situation and talents to reach out and help others in her own unique way--little knowing that her own life and her relationships will be changed forever.

Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another touching Christmas story sure to grip readers' hearts and perhaps inspire them to become Christmas Angels themselves.

My thoughts: It is always fun to read novellas set during the Christmas season. Some have a magical "Christmasy" feel and some are simply good stories that occur during the Christmas season. Melody Carlson is an author whose novellas are always a joy to read.

In The Christmas Angel Project I was anticipating something perhaps dealing with folks finding a tree decorated with paper angels which has the name, gender, and age and size of a child for whom folks can purchase and provide a gift for Christmas. This was definitely not the case in this story. As you can see from the back-cover intro to the book, it is about four ladies in a book club who lose a beloved member of the group quite suddenly and just before the holiday season.

What I found interesting is that each of the ladies comes from a different walk of life, a different stage of life, and has different perspectives. They all have quirks of personality and emotional and societal needs quite different from each other.

While a short little read, it had a longer-book feel to it. Of the four ladies, I found it difficult to pick the one I liked best. I felt that Cassidy and especially Grace were somewhat complainers. I liked Louisa but she kind of had to grow on me. Belinda might be my "most favorite" of the four ladies.

I liked the fact that two of the ladies connected with a gentleman for a potential romantic relationship. Very above board and clean. And one of the ladies' rocky marriage seems to have a lift.

But perhaps I'm giving too much of the story away.

A good read.

I received a complimentary copy as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group's review program.