A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James

Katherine came home at the insistence of her parents because she was trying to forget her past.
The last thing she expected is a hopeful future.

Young widow Katherine Osborne returns to her family’s rustic camp on Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. She’s determined to live a quiet life, but her socialite mother is equally determined to push her into a new marriage while she’s still young.
Andrew Townsend has known Katherine since they were children. An attorney who is successful, but not wealthy, he knows she is socially out of his reach. But he’s curious what changed the free-spirited girl he once knew into this private, somber young woman.
Katherine has kept hidden the details of her unsuccessful marriage. When past sins come to light, she must turn to God for the courage to be honest. But how can she trust the God she feels has let her down? When she confides in Andrew, their relationship takes a dramatic turn into uncharted territory.
Amid impossible obstacles, two young people must learn to trust enough to walk the path that God has cleared for them. A path that leads to healing and restoration. A path toward love.

A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James is an exciting and enjoyable read that kept me glued to the pages. The plot line was interesting, exciting, and filled with romantic tension. There were unexpected twists and there were moments of sadness, adventure, and arguments. The story alternated between Katherine and Andrew's perspectives and the tone changed to match their personalities beautifully.

The characters in A Path Toward Love were excellent, well developed and realistic. I loved Katherine and Andrew both. Katherine was a beautiful example of God's never-ending work in our lives. She had to learn to forgive those who had sinned horribly against her, and she had to discover, through prayer and other Christians' guidance, what God's path for her was. She had completely sworn off marriage after first marriage, and it was amazing to see God's work in her life. Andrew was an awesome character that I completely loved. He was kind, encouraging, understanding, and willing to give up anything for the girl he loved. Despite his many strengths and his trust in God, he still had several flaws that he had to grow through, such as fear of failure and loss and standing up for what he loved. The minor supporting characters were also well developed. Katherine's Aunt Letty was hilarious, and she supported and guided Katherine toward God and His plan for her life when no other relative would.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Path Toward Love. It was well written, the plot was great, and the characters absolutely spectacular. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an interesting, romantic read that is superbly blended with Christian truth.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson

PAUL FALCON AND ANN SILVER: A LOVE STORY

Check out the Full Disclosure Website at http://fulldisclosurenovel.com/

Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.

Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former vice president. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him something earthshattering, and he starts to realize just who this lady is that he is falling in love with....

Full Disclosure was a wonderful book. It ties in beautifully with the O'Malley series and the Uncommon Hero series, but it is also an excellent standalone novel. Dee Henderson does an amazing job making a novel that gracefully concludes the other two series she has written as well as opening the door for new readers to experience the O'Malley and Uncommon Hero series after reading this book.

The plot line of Full Disclosure was well written and multi-layered. The twists and turns were well-crafted, and I was left in complete suspense as I neared the end. I figured out the final twist before it happened, but it was still excellently planned and mind-blowing. I felt that the pace of this novel was much slower than many of Dee Henderson's other books. Full Disclosure is not a novel you can rush. It is a slow, drawn-out love story that requires time and patient. At first I was put off by this slower pace, but as I learned more about Ann Silver, I realized that the pace of the novel matched her character perfectly. After that I just sank into the book and reveled in its tone and pace.

The main characters in Full Disclosure were incredibly well developed and had intense depth. I loved watching Paul's journey throughout the novel as he strove to understand and reach Ann under all her layers and her quiet personality. He was so kind, patient, and understanding with Ann that you wanted to hug him for all his persistence. Paul did not experience a lot of growth throughout the book. He was willing to be flexible for Ann, but the changes he made were something that you could already see was part of his character. He did not seem to have any obvious flaws which was a bit odd. Ann, on the other hand, was not as much flawed as scarred. Seeing her growth as she accepted Paul's presence and learned to live more openly, not burying everything away, was admirable. I enjoyed seeing her retain her personality yet still have the willingness to compromise. Both her and Paul's relationships with God were sweet and realistic. I loved the intimate relationships they had with God and their openness about their beliefs.

My absolute favorite part of Full Disclosure was its tie-in with the other series that Dee Henderson has written simply because she did it so well. Having the other characters pop in and out of the novel was like seeing old friends again, and I enjoyed their contributions. Ann's involvement in the other characters lives and stories was a wonderful connection, and I thought Dee Henderson wove that together brilliantly. I cannot wait to reread the Uncommon Hero Series and the O'Malley Series.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Full Disclosure, and I highly recommend it to those old time fans and those new to Dee Henderson alike!

I received an ARC of this novel for free from http://fulldisclosurenovel.com/ in exchange for a honest review.

Nothing to Hide by J. Mark Bertrand

A grisly homicide.

An international threat.

The stakes have never been higher for Detective Roland March.

The victim's head is missing, but what intrigues Detective Roland March is the hand. The pointing finger must be a clue--but to what? According to the FBI, the dead man was an undercover asset tracking the flow of illegal arms to the Mexican cartels. To protect the operation, they want March to play along with the cover story. With a little digging, though, he discovers the Feds are lying. And they're not the only ones.

In an upside-down world of paranoia and conspiracy, March finds himself dogged by injury and haunted by a tragic failure. Forced to take justice into his own hands, his twisting investigation leads him into the very heart of darkness, leaving March with nothing to lose--and nothing to hide.

Nothing to Hide by J. Mark Bertrand is the third novel in the Roland March Mystery series which follows the cases of Roland March, homicide detective. It is not critical to read the books in order, as I had not read the first two novels, but if you plan to read all three, then you should read them in order so that the results of the first two mysteries are not spoiled by the third. The plot line of Nothing to Hide was well crafted and contained many unexpected twists as March raced to discover the truth of what had happened. This novel contains an incredible mystery and I was hooked from beginning to end. The storyline is graphic and grisly at times, but it clearly displays the tough case that March has to deal with. At intervals throughout the book the story goes back almost thirty years to when March was in the army and was dealing with corruption and the CIA. The first few times that the novel goes back into March's memories, it seems unrelated to the case at hand, but it is eventually drawn brilliantly into the overall storyline. The story is told from the perspective of Roland March and is set primarily in present tense which engages the reader and really pulls them into the story.

The characters were gritty and realistic. Roland March was a complex and flawed character who was open in his struggles. He is not a Christian, but he is surrounded by others, such as his wife and a close friend, who are Christians and live their lives honestly and show him Christlike love. I got the feeling that March has grown significantly through the series in his spiritual journey, and I was able to see his continued progress through Nothing to Hide as secrets were laid bare and as he had to decide between the right choice and the wrong. The other supporting characters were significantly less complex than Roland, but they were still interesting and added to the story's depth. There were even surprising twists in certain characters as their true colors were revealed.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and cannot wait to read the first two novels in the Roland March Mystery Series. The plot line was gripping and intense, the narrative style and flashbacks interesting, and the characters complex, flawed, and realistic. I enjoyed seeing March's growth as a character even as he struggled against the reality of a loving God at work in his life.

I received this novel for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Accused (Pacific Coast Justice) by Janice Cantore

Download first chapter here
Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile—where the brass put her after an officer-involved shooting—and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth, Londy Atkins, is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action. Carly presses Londy for a confession but he swears his innocence, and despite her better judgment, Carly is inclined to believe him. Yet homicide is convinced of his guilt and is determined to convict him.

Carly's ex-husband and fellow police officer, Nick, appears to be on her side. He's determined to show Carly that he's a changed man and win her back, but she isn't convinced he won't betray her again.

As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice.

Accused by Janice Cantore is the first book in her new Pacific Coast Justice series. The book was an excellent and well developed novel that kept me captivated until the wee hours of the night. The plotline was well written and filled with mystery, suspense, and a battle between good and evil. There were several unexpected twists and the author left me guessing for much of the book about who was corrupt and who was pursuing justice. The tone of the book varied and matched the attitudes displayed by the characters and the twists in the plot. The language and description enhanced the storyline and contributed to the gritty unknown that occurred regularly in the plot.

The characters of Accused were also excellently developed. I was simultaneously saddened by Carly's bitterness and put off by her anger toward those closest to her because of the hardships she had experienced. Carly started out angry and unresponsive to God and unwilling to talk about God at all. However, I really enjoyed watching her learn more about faith in God, about herself, and about her ex-husband as the story continued. Towards the end I was able to identify with Carly and her struggles as I understood why she felt the way she did. Nick was a great character whom I really enjoyed. He had already undergone many changes from the man Carly first married by the time I was introduced to him, and these changes continued to be revealed throughout the novel. His care for Carly and his desire to introduce her to God were admirable, and I really enjoyed seeing his continued growth. Several of the less major but still important characters were also given great depth even in their supporting roles.

The themes of this book were crystal clear and well woven into Accused. These themes included seeking after God, living out His love toward others, having wisdom in seeing those that are choosing good over evil, and forgiving those who have wronged you. I loved the clarity by which Janice Cantore demonstrated both the Gospel and the importance of living a life of love to all men. Even though this was a novel, I was very challenged to have a clearer witness to God's love and truth.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Accused was a brilliant suspense thriller with an excellently written plot, well developed and deep characters, and clear and convicting themes. I cannot wait to read the next novel in this series, Abducted.

The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman

Corrie Saunders grew up in a life of privilege. But she gave it all up for Jarrod., her Army husband, a man she knew was a hero when she vowed to spend her life with him. She just didn't expect her hero to sacrifice his life taking on an Iraqi suicide bomber.

Six months after Jarrod's death, Corrie retreats to the family home her husband inherited deep in the Missouri Ozarks. She doesn't know how to live without Jarrod -she doesn't even want to try. By moving to Saunders Creek and living in a house beloved by him, she hopes that somehow her Jarrod will come back to her. Something about the house seems to even suggest that maybe Jarrod has come back. Corries begins to wonder if she is actually feeling Jarrod's presence with her in the house.

Jarrod's cousin Eli is helping Corrie with the house's restoration and he knows that his dead cousin is not what Corries senses. Eli, a pastor whose faith puts him at odds with his mystically oriented relatives, knows there is more to this presence than Corrie believes. Can he convince Corries that letting go of Jarrod will lead to finding her footing again-and to the One who will never leave her?

The Widow of Saunders Creek was a truly interesting and frightening look into demonic forces and those who serve them. The plot line was well crafted and flowed easily from Eli to Corrie's perspectives. There were instances of romance, mystery, horror, and suspense. The story was realistic, and I could tell that Tracey Bateman had researched and interviewed mediums to relay the true horror of communicating with evil spirits. The author did an excellent job revealing the truth of the danger that lies in speaking with demons and the reality that only the power of Jesus can banish those spirits.

The characters were also well developed and portrayed in this novel. I enjoyed watching Corrie recover from the loss of her husband and her slow return to God and a relationship with Him. The author did a great job revealing Corrie's thoughts and feelings and her reactions to the presence in her home. Eli was an awesome character as well. He was smart, kind, and truly cared for Corrie. He was not without his flaws, however, and his journey through forgiving Jarrod and letting go of bitterness was inspiring. The other minor characters were well rounded and supported Eli and Corrie well as foils or as supporting characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Tracey Bateman developed the plot line and characters well, and both were very informative and realistic. Her themes of forgiveness, spiritual and emotional healing, and the danger of communicating with demons were clear and well presented. I would highly recommend this novel, and I cannot wait to read more of Tracey's novels. You can read the first chapter Here and check out the author's website here.

I received this novel for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.

House of Mercy by Erin Healy

When Beth’s world falls apart, can she ever be whole again?

Beth has a gift of healing—which is why she wants to become a vet and help her family run their fifth-generation cattle ranch. Her father’s dream of helping men in trouble and giving them a second chance is her dream too. But it only takes one foolish decision for Beth to destroy it all.

Beth scrambles to redeem her mistake, pleading with God for help, even as a mystery complicates her life. But the repercussions grow more unbearable—a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and the looming loss of everything she cares about. Beth’s only hope is to find the grandfather she never knew and beg for his help. Confused, grieving, but determined to make amends, she embarks on a horseback journey across the mountains, guided by a wild, unpredictable wolf who may or may not be real.

Set in the stunningly rugged terrain of Southern Colorado, House of Mercy follows Beth through the valley of the shadow of death into the unfathomable miracles of God’s goodness and mercy.

House of Mercy by Erin Healy was a captivating read that really captured need we have for God's mercy and grace and how He gives it to us freely, even when we run from His love. The plot line flowed well and filled with moments of sorrow, joy, tribulation, and hope. The novel was interesting and kept me glued to the pages. The literal yet symbolic nature of many of the scenes in House of Mercy were intriguing and helped drive home the points Erin was making in her novel. House of Mercy was certainly a unique novel. There were many instances that seemed very unrealistic and maybe even crazy, but they all flowed together to create a powerful story that revealed what true love, mercy and acceptance are. I would have liked if there had been some mention of Jesus in the story. God was mentioned often, but some times in a more mystical light than what is reflected through the Bible. I think that mentioning at some point any character's belief in Christ as God's ultimate gift of mercy would have added to the story. I have read all of Erin Healy's novels, and I really enjoy her choices of both description and language.

The character development in House of Mercy was excellent as well. Beth was a deep and interesting character, filled with both strengths and weaknesses.  I did not really like Beth at first as she was immature and not concerned for how her actions would affect her family and those she loved. I enjoyed seeing her growth as a person as she traveled and experienced the mercy and love of her Heavenly Father. The other characters were individual and captivating as well. One of the antagonists in the plot had a very unique psyche, and it was horrifyingly interesting to see her thought processes and to watch her actions. The men who worked on the ranch were exciting and filled with surprises themselves. I was happy to see a surprising romance even develop in the midst of the pain and uncertainty.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Its plot, tone, language, and character development were all created well and helped me experience House of Mercy to the fullest. The book ended in a very satisfying if not tantalizing manner. I wonder if there might be a sequel .....  if not, I will have to simply let my imagination run free in imagining what awaits for the characters.

I received this novel for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

God on the Streets of Gotham by Paul Asay

Read the first chapter here

What do God and the Caped Crusader have in common? While Batman is a secular superhero patrolling the fictional streets of Gotham City, the Caped Crusader is one whose story creates multiple opportunities for believers to talk about the redemptive spiritual truths of Christianity. While the book touches on Batman’s many incarnations over the last 70 years in print, on television, and at the local Cineplex for the enjoyment of Batman fans everywhere, it primarily focuses on Christopher Nolan’s two wildly popular and critically acclaimed movies—movies that not only introduced a new generation to a darker Batman, but are also loaded with spiritual meaning and redemptive metaphors.

As many Americans wait eagerly for the third Christopher Nolan Batman film to premiere tomorrow at midnight, Paul Asay digs deeper into the story of Batman to find hidden truths that show, whether through Batman's dissimilarities or similarities, some of the characteristics of Jesus, God, and the Gospel. In an intriguing twist to many theological books, Asay digs into Batman: Past, Present, Future through ten unique chapters. The first chapter, Masked, reveals Batman's two sided nature and how it came about through his unfortunate circumstances as a child. The second, Marked, shows how Batman and his city of Gotham are marked by suffering and sin just as we are before we are redeemed by God. The third chapter, Nemesis, looks at the enemies of Batman and how there is evil lurking in everyone of us. Paul Asay continues to pull from the story of Batman for the following seven chapters.

I thought that God on the Streets of Gotham was an interesting idea. However, I was not excited by the implementation throughout the book. Asay is a person who seems to value Batman too much and often tries to string together comparisons between Biblical truth and Batman where none exist. I often struggled to understand the author's logic, and many times his theology seemed lacking. In Chapter 3, for example, at one point the author says, "We know there are two sides to the coin: one scarred and burned, the other reflecting God's perfect light. We know that each of us holds the coin in our souls. ...It's not chance that determines which side we show;...we choose what we'll show the world: our own sinful natures, or a perfect, pure light, not of ourselves, but reflected in ourselves, a light we can't take credit for but can embrace all the same. ...to reflect the light we must first find it." Even here, some of this is true...we are sinners, we have some choice to live in sin or live for God. However, the way author says we ALL have light in us and to have the light you just just have to find it seems to parallel a more eastern ideal than christian ideal.

Overall, I thought the idea of comparing Batman to biblical ideas was clever and potentially very interesting, but I found that I struggled to connect with the book and see the same truths that author did. I was also uncomfortable with many of the author's assertions about God and truth as they did not always seem to have a clear foundation in the Bible. However, I will admit that Batman and Gotham do clearly show the sinful and fallen nature of man, and Paul Asay clearly demonstrates this in his book which I was glad to see. I believe that this book could certainly lead to some interesting discussions, I would just recommend reading it slowly and taking time to analyze the points being made.


I received this book for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.