Snapshot by Lis Wiehl

Federal prosecutor Lisa Waldren’s estranged father wants her to investigate a cold case from his FBI days. Lisa nearly refuses, even though a wrongly convicted man faces execution for murder. Then her father reveals a photograph: a little white girl playing alongside a little black girl at a rally in 1965 where the shooting of a civil rights leader took place. She recognizes herself in the photo. She was there.

Lisa agrees to help, resolved to boldly seek answers she’s skirted for decades. What she discovers are layers of deception, both personal and professional, reaching as high as the head of the FBI. Possibly even the president.

And though Lisa and the other girl may have escaped the 1965 shooting physically unharmed, her little friend, now grown, bears the scars of it. All because of the color of her skin. As Lisa and her father get closer to the truth, the real killer turns the hunt around.

Snapshot by Lis Wiehl was a beautiful yet haunting picture of the racial tension that existed in the 1960's and how even two little girls could still be affected by it decades later. I loved how the author used an actual photograph taken of her and another girl, plus the fact that her father was also an FBI agent, to craft this story. These facts make the story more credible and certainly more realistic and helped draw me into the story. The storylines started in the 1960's and then jumped forward to present day.The plot line was also well written and contained multiple suspenseful twists that kept me glued to the pages. There were many themes that were clear and well written in this novel, but the two largest that jumped out at me were the importance of forgiveness and family and the sad truth of racial tensions that ruled America even in the 1960's. These tensions are the reasons for all tragedy, injustice, and violence that occurs in this novel. Even the decisions that are made in the present day portions of this novel are marred by past and present racist behaviors. It is a sad testament to what our country used to be like and still faces (though often less openly) today. The narration of the story was primarily from Lisa's perspective, but there were a few sections told from her father and another important character.

One of the best parts of this novel were the character interactions. There were many different and unique characters that were all well developed and realistic. At first it seemed hard to see how they were all related to one another, but as the story continued and more of the truth was revealed, they were all drawn together by past and present situations in sometimes a surprising fashion. I really liked Lisa, and I enjoyed watching her grow as she learned more about trusting God, her father's character and the reasons for his past decisions, and why having friendships and closer relationships is important. Her father also experienced some growth as he tried to reconcile with his daughter and right his past mistakes. There were two father-daughter pairs in this novel. One was Lisa and her father, the other was Gwen and her father. These pairings really demonstrate the differences in what can happen when you seek forgiveness and to do good versus choosing evil and pain at the expense of other relationships. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I would highly recommend it to any reader looking for a thought-provoking and suspenseful thriller.

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

Smitten Book Club by Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, & Denise Hunter

"Consider that your beau is like a coveted novel whose compelling first lines you’ve just begun to read.” —A Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship
At a rummage sale, Heather, a member of the Fireside Book Club, discovers a turn-of-the-century romantic advice book written by a once-famous Smitten, Vermont, resident. When she shares the precious volume with her friends in the club, they find clues about a hidden treasure rumored to be buried in their tiny town.

As Heather, Abby, Lia, and Molly take turns reading the book, each projects onto it her own literary tastes. Heather sees it as a mystery. Abby discovers delicious dashes of Jane Austen. Lia sees in it the idealism of a bygone day. And Molly just wishes they'd made the book into a movie!

One by one, each of the women finds romantic love—often in spite of the historic book’s advice. And in searching for the legendary gold, the friends discover the best kind of treasure. The kind that brings hope and healing to each of their hearts.

Smitten Book Club is the third and final novella collection in the Smitten, Vermont series. For the four best friends who have written all three novella sets, this is the last novel that all four will write together as one of their number, Diann Hunt, passed away from cancer this past November. With this knowledge in mind, I was almost hesitant to begin Smitten Book Club because I did not want the romantic magic of Smitten to end. As I turned the first pages, I was immediately caught up again in the whimsy romance and mystery loving style of Colleen Coble as her character, Heather, found an old romantic advice book called A Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship and the lives of her and her three best friends began to change. Heather also found that her old flame, Paul, was in town to stay, and she began to learn to trust and love again despite his past character flaws and decisions.

The second novella was by Kristen Billerbeck and starred the shy, unadventurous Abby who dressed and lived as if she was an eighty year old librarian instead of a twenty-seven year old one. However, she was in for a rough ride as she discovered her father had left her a mission before she died- to have an adventure. And in the steady hands of Wyatt, Abby soon found that she might actually be more like the main character of Jane Austen's Persuasion than she thought.

The third novella in Smitten Book Club is by Diann Hunt, and this novella was made bittersweet for me as I realized that this was the last new book I would ever read of hers. Diann's main characters, Lia, was a sweet and patient kindergarten teacher who realized that she had a second chance at showing her best friend, Joey, how she really felt about him. However, her way seemed blocked by the senseless tragedy that claimed his wife and traumatized him and his young daughter. However, as Lia and Joey rekindle their old friendship, Joey sees the importance of forgiveness, moving on, and trusting God in the wake of sadness and anger.

The fourth novella is by Denise Hunter and brings to a close the storyline that underlies all four novellas- the mystery of the gold and where it is hidden. The main character in this novella, Molly, is still reeling from the death of her husband and his betrayal of her trust before his death. In addition, the outdoors business that her husband left behind is more than she can handle and is slowly heading towards ruin. When business competitor and next-door neighbor Gage offers to help her out, Molly is instantly suspicious and only grudgingly says yes. However, as they become closer, Molly realizes that she can learn to trust again and to follow her own dreams instead following in the footsteps of her late husband.

Overall, I really enjoyed all four novellas. They were cute, well written, and very sweet. The characters were fairly realistic for the length of the novellas, and I thought all four novellas were woven together very well. I love how the four authors are such dear friends that the reader can feel the true friendship of the characters rise up from the pages. I also loved how past characters from the last two sets of novellas are still present in these books, which makes me feel like I am catching up with old friends. I have enjoyed all three sets of Smitten novellas, and I will treasure this last one all the more because of its dear reminder of what lasting friendship is all about.

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

Top Twelve Most Anticipated Books of 2014

It is hard to believe that it is already 2014, but I am excited to see what happens in this upcoming year. One of the events I am most looking forward to is the incredible number of good books that are being released in 2014. I was surprised to see how many of my favorite authors are releasing one or more novels, and I had the hardest time narrowing down the ones I anticipate the most to twelve, much less ten. Here below are some of the novels that I look forward to the most, and I hope you enjoy them as well.

Snapshot by Lis Wiehl

The Civil Rights Movement is less than a distant memory to Lisa Waldren--it is someone else's memory altogether, passed on to her through the pages of history. Her life as a federal prosecutor in Boston feels utterly remote from the marches in the South that changed her father's generation--and the entire nation--forever. But the truth is, she was there.

When a photograph surfaces showing a blond, four-year-old Lisa playing with an African-American girl at a civil rights march in Fort Worth, Lisa is faced with a jarring revelation: the girls may have been the only witnesses who observed the real killer of civil rights leader Benjamin Gray . . . and therefore the only ones who can exonerate the death row inmate falsely accused of the murder. Soon, Lisa finds herself in the dangerous world her father had shielded her from as a child...

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life.

But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she’s had to family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme.

Trapped among the scheming women of Herod’s political family—his sister, his wife, and their mothers—and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah.

A Match of Wits, Ladies of Distinction #4, by Jen Turano

Two years ago, Zayne Beckett's departure from New York City to meet up with his almost-fiance caused Agatha Watson no small amount of grief. So he is the last person she wanted to stumble upon in her travels as a reporter with the New York Tribune. Looking worse for the wear, he clearly needs to be taken in hand and taken back East to his family. Even though she's over him, Agatha can't help feeling sorry for him and realizes she'll have to be the one to get the stubborn man back home.

Zayne has no desire to be taken anywhere. Content to sit and mope over his recent bad fortune and the desertion of his not-quite-fiance, he's prepared to drag his heels all the way back to New York. That is, until he and Agatha find themselves slipping back into the strangely enjoyable bickering and bantering of their old friendship.

It isn't until they arrive in New York City that Zayne realizes Agatha's determined nose for news has earned her a few enemies. When his attempts to repay her for helping him go sadly awry, Agatha proves herself just as stubborn as Zayne. Everyone else may think them a match, but nothing could be further from the truth--until Agatha finds herself in real trouble. Have these two stubborn, too-smart-for-their-own-good people been meant for each other all along?

Truth Be Told by Carol Cox

When Amelia Wagner takes over the running of her father's newspaper in Granite Springs, Arizona, she vows to carry on the paper's commitment to reporting only the truth. But Amelia soon learns that even the truth can have consequences. Her father's revealing articles about Great Western Investment
Company's business methods have caught the notice of the wrong person, and pressure mounts for Amelia to retract her father's statements.
Determined to find the truth, Amelia goes through her father's notes and begins to interview members of the community. She can't seem to shake Benjamin Stone, a Great Western employee who's been assigned to keep tabs on her for the good of the company.
The more Ben and Amelia learn, the more Amelia's father's claims appear to be accurate. In fact, it's probably worse than he realized. Even Ben is beginning to wonder if he's become a pawn in the workings of a corrupt empire. But Great Western isn't about to stand for a female reporter and one of their own men bringing down their lucrative schemes. Working against time, and never knowing what danger lurks around the next corner, Ben and Amelia set out to reveal all they've discovered before Great Western silences them for good.

Water Walker, The Outlaw Chronicles #3, by Ted Dekker

"My name is Alice Ringwald, but the man who kidnapped me says that's a lie."
Thirteen-year-old orphan Alice Ringwald has no memory beyond six months ago. The only life she knows is the new one she's creating one day at a time with the loving couple that recently adopted her and gave her new hope. That hope, however, is shattered one night when she is abducted by a strange man. In a frantic FBI man hunt, the kidnapper vanished with Alice. So begins Water Walker, a modern-day parable that examines the staggering power of forgiveness, and reminds us that it's possible to live free of the hurt that keeps our souls in chains.


With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston holds a respectable position as a government statistician when she encounters a rival from her past, the insufferable Trevor McDonough. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and she's bewildered at the way he suddenly seeks her out. Surprising even herself, Kate agrees to Trevor's entirely unexpected and risky proposal to work side-by-side with him in his quest to rid the world of tuberculosis, a contagious and deadly disease.
As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, she realizes there is much more to him than she could have imagined. His hidden depths may fascinate her, but his most closely guarded secrets and a shadowy enemy lurking in the background carry a serious threat to their future.
When the truth of the past comes out, threatening to destroy everything they hold dear, how will Trevor and Kate ever overcome all that stands in their way?

Meant to be Mine, A Porter Family Novel #2,  by Becky Wade

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty feels exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be anybody's husband. As a professional bull rider, he lives on the road and can't bring himself to settle down.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the face of the one woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had. How much will Ty sacrifice to make Celia's dreams come true, to win her trust, and to prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Undetected by Dee Henderson

When asked what he does for a living, Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the navy." But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping its crew trained and focused during 90-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and carries it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating in the Pacific Rim, the navy is glad to have him.

Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, pretty, and very smart. She's a civilian, but she understands life in the navy. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.

Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. But a breakup she didn't see coming has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she's told the navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter...

Tide and Tempest, Edge of Freedom #3,  by Elizabeth Ludwig

Dreaming of a better life, Tillie McGrath leaves Ireland behind and, with her beloved fiance by her side, sets sail for America. But when illness robs her of the man she holds dear, she's left alone with only a handful of tattered memories. While forging on proves difficult, Tillie soon finds some new friends at her New York boardinghouse, and begins pursuing a new dream--to open a home for orphaned children.

Despite two years passing, Captain Keondric Morgan has never forgotten the lass who left his ship so heartbroken. When a crewman's deathbed confession reveals her fiance's demise was the result of murder, the captain knows he must try to contact her. But his attention draws the notice of others as well--dangerous men who believe Tillie has in her possession something that could expose their crimes. And to their way of thinking, the best way to prevent such an outcome is to seize the evidence and then hand Tillie the same fate as her naïve fiancé.

Death by the Book, Drew Farthering Mystery #2,  by Julianna Deering

 Drew Farthering wanted nothing more than to end the summer of 1932 with the announcement of his engagement. Instead, he finds himself caught up in another mysterious case when the family solicitor is found murdered, an antique hatpin with a cryptic message, Advice to Jack, piercing his chest.

Evidence of secret meetings and a young girl's tearful confession point to the victim's double life, but what does the solicitor's murder have to do with the murder of a physician on the local golf course? Nothing, it would seem--except for another puzzling note, affixed with a similar-looking bloodied hatpin.

Soon the police make an arrest in connection with the murders, but Drew isn't at all certain they have the right suspect in custody. And why does his investigation seem to be drawing him closer and closer to home?

Visible Threat by Janice Cantore

Officer Brinna Caruso wants perfection--perfect justice and a perfect world. She wants to save and protect all the innocents in the world, no matter the cost.Orphaned and struggling to get by, Ivana and her sister left Bulgaria for America with dreams of a better life. But since they arrived in Long Beach, everything they were promised has turned out to be a lie.After a dead girl is found in the river with a mysterious tattoo on her hip, homicide detective Jack O'Reilly asks for Brinna's help. Unaware of the depths of evil that will be uncovered, Brinna finds herself flung into a dangerous frontier--an organized human trafficking ring.



Love Comes Calling, Against All Expectations, by Siri Mitchell

Dreaming of becoming an actress, Boston socialite Ellis Eaton captures Griff Phillips' attention. But while filling in for a look-alike friend at the telephone exchange, she overhears a call that threatens Griff's safety. With handsome policeman Jack Flanigan investigating - and her heart in a muddle - will she discover what might be the role of a lifetime?







Thanks for checking out my blog, and I hope you will check out my blog posts concerning Best of Teen/ Young Adult Books in 2013 and Top Ten Fiction Novels of 2013 as well as any of my other reviews. Please be sure to check out the other bloggers participating in the Best Of Blog Hop.

Stress Test by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt's only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he's being charged with murder.
Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can't walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.
Matt's career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he's a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

Stress Test by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. was a suspenseful and intriguing novel that left me tied to the pages throughout the entire story. The plot was very interesting and included many plot twists, dangerous situations, and medical emergencies. I enjoyed getting an inside look into the interworking of a emergency room from the perspective of a doctor -Matt Newman. Because he had a medical student shadowing him, many of the questions I had about working in a emergency answered in the interactions between Matt and the student, Randy. I also liked the honesty and transparency Matt had with others and the reader concerning his lax faith in God and in sharing and acting on his beliefs. However, as Matt faces new struggles and attempts on his life, his faith and his ability to talk with others about God grows and he even begins to attend church again near the end of the novel. I also enjoyed seeing how Matt's friendship with Rick took on new depth as Rick helped Matt out in his time of need and as Matt began to help Rick understand more about God. The other main character, Sandra, has a personality and is persistent in her beliefs.  She also is not afraid to share her beliefs with others, nor she is willing to compromise her beliefs while dating or at the request of her past employers. She becomes a great friend to Matt during his trials, and it is very enjoyable to see how their relationship strengthens and grows. Overall, I highly enjoyed Stress Test, and I found it to be a very refreshing mystery that combined suspense, faith, and honesty in an interesting and enjoyable way. I would highly recommend this novel, and I look forward to reading the next two novels, Heart Failure and Critical Condition.

I received this novel for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Top Ten Fiction Picks of 2013

I had not realized how many good novels I had read this year until I had to narrow it down to only my top ten novels. Here are my top ten, not in any particular order, along with my review and a description of each.

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker

 My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen and I’m about to die. I’m buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I’m lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won’t stop shaking.

Some will say that I’m not really here. Some will say I’m delusional. Some will say that I don’t even exist. But who are they? I’m the one buried in a grave.

My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen. I’m about to die.
 Read my review here.

Talent For Trouble Ladies of Distinction #3 by Jen Turano

Miss Felicia Murdock firmly believed her destiny was to become a minister's wife. When the minister on whom she had set her sights marries another lady, Felicia is forced to take a close look at her life and comes to a few uncomfortable conclusions. Determined that something needs to change--and soon--Felicia discovers she is finally ready to spread her wings and embrace life the way she's always wanted.

Grayson Sumner--or Lord Sefton, as he's officially known--has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a normal, respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some well-meaning friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter a young lady who seems to have become quite adventurous and quite determined to get herself into all sorts of troublesome situations.

Intent on remaining independent, Felicia is reluctant to accept Grayson's help, especially as she finds herself developing feelings for him. However, just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in her life has endangered Felicia. Will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?
Read my review here.

My Hope is Found, Cadence of Grace #3 by Joanne Bischof

After finally finding love with his sweet bride Lonnie, Gideon’s heart was torn when a woman from his past claimed to be his true and rightful wife, forcing him away from his family. God’s merciful hand saw Gideon through the heartache, and with Cassie’s blessing, he is able to return home. But his journey back through the Blue Ridge Mountains will hold a trial he never anticipated.

Meanwhile, Lonnie determines to seal off her heart from Gideon, convinced he is lost to her forever. Strengthening her resolve to move on is her growing fondness for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee—the young reverend she has come to care for deeply. His proposal of marriage offers a bright future for her and her young son.

Yearning to allow joy back into her life, Lonnie must put aside the broken pieces of her heart that still love Gideon. When he returns to find her betrothed to another, he has to place his hope in God, trusting that the One who redeemed their love once can do it again.
Read my review here.

City on Fire: A Novel of Pompeii by Tracy L. Higley

A Jewish slave girl fights for her life in first-century Pompeii on the eve of the city’s destruction.
Wealthy Roman patrician Cato came to the seaside town of Pompeii to build a new business, but hostility and outright corruption threaten his carefully laid plans and ignite his desire for social justice. Meanwhile, Ariella, an escaped Jewish slave girl, comes to town with a gladiator troupe. Disguised as a young boy, Ariella’s only ambition is survival.
Ariella and Cato face political intrigue, religious persecution, and family peril even as the ominous mountain in the distance begins to spew its fire. They must bridge their differences to save the lives of those they love before fiery ash buries Pompeii, turning the city into a lost world.

Read my review here.

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.

When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame... and which brother to trust with her heart?

Read my review here.

Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge

Filled with grief, Jules Bellano rarely leaves the house since her husband’s death while on duty as a police officer. Other than the reviews Jules writes on her blog, she has little contact with the outside world.
One day when she ventures out to the local grocery store, Jules is bumped into by a fellow customer who apologizes profusely. She recognizes him as her favorite author, Patrick Reagan. Jules gushes and thoroughly embarrasses herself before Regan graciously talks with her.
And that’s the last thing she remembers—until she wakes up in a strange room with a splitting headache. She’s been kidnapped. And what she discovers will change everything she believed about her husband’s death . . . her career . . . and her faith.

Read my review here.

A Matter of Trust by Lis Wiehl

One minute Mia Quinn is in her basement, chatting on the phone with a colleague at the prosecutor's office. The next minute she hears a gunshot over the line, and Mia listens in horror as her colleague and friend Colleen bleeds to death.
Mia's a natural for heading up the murder investigation, but these days it's all she can do to hold her life together. As a new widow with a pile of debts, a troubled teenaged son, and a four-year-old who wakes up screaming at night, she needs more time with her family, not less--and working Colleen's case will be especially demanding. But Colleen was her friend, and she needs to keep her job. So Mia reluctantly teams up with detective Charlie Carlson to investigate. But the deeper they dig, the more complications unfold--even the unsettling possibility that someone may be coming after "her."
Read my review here.

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer

Landon Reed is an ex-quarterback convicted of organizing a points-shaving scheme. During his time in prison, he found forgiveness and faith and earned his law degree. Now he longs for an opportunity to prove his loyalty and worth. "Be careful what you ask for."

Harry McNaughton is one of the founding partners of McNaughton & Clay--and the only lawyer willing to take a chance employing an ex-con-turned-lawyer. Though Landon initially questions Harry's ethics and methods, it's clear the crusty old lawyer has one of the most brilliant legal minds Landon has ever encountered.

As Landon struggles to keep the firm together, he can't help but wonder, is the plot related to a shady case from McNaughton & Clay's past, or to the murder trial he's neck-deep in now? And will he survive long enough to find out?
Read my review here.

Afloat by Erin Healy

There’s sabotage lurking in the waters of Eagle’s Talon, an elite floating community designed by gifted architect Vance Nolan. There’s also something else in the water—a mysterious presence friendly to some and hostile to others. And when disaster strikes, not even the saboteur expects it to be the first in a series of crushing blows.
Stranded by a flood and surrounded by unnatural darkness, a limping band of residents, builders, and investors set their sights on escape. Single mom Danielle Clement will do whatever it takes to save her young son Simeon, but she doesn’t know who to follow: her charismatic lover and aspiring politician Tony Dean, who dotes on her and her boy, or the selfless Vance, who promises protection for everyone who stays with him—based on a vision and a faith she doesn’t share.
In this watery world where everyone’s secrets will eventually come to light, survival might have more to do with uncovering the truth than with getting out alive.
Read my review here.

Damascus Countdown by Joel Rosenberg

 Israel successfully launches a first strike on Iran, taking out all of their nuclear sites and six of their nuclear warheads. American president William Jackson threatens to support a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the Jewish State for unprovoked and unwarranted acts of aggression, and the Twelfth Imam prepares to order a genocidal retaliation.
Meanwhile, CIA operative David Shirazi has infiltrated the Iranian regime and intercepted top secret intelligence indicating that two Iranian nuclear warheads survived the attack and have been moved to a secure and undisclosed location. In danger not only from the ongoing war between Israel and Iran but also from the increasingly hostile governments in multiple countries, Shirazi and his team are in a race against time to find the remaining nuclear warheads before the most cataclysmic event in the history of the Middle East comes to pass.

Read my review here.

So those are my Top Ten Fiction Picks for 2013! I hope you found the reviews insightful, and I hope you will check out the other blog posts for the Best Of Blog Hop.

Tattler's Branch by Jan Watson

Lilly Corbett Still has grown to love her life as the small-town doctor of Skip Rock, a tiny coal community in the Kentucky mountains. Though her husband, Tern, is away for a few months at a mining job, Lilly keeps busy with her patients and her younger sister visiting for the summer.

Her hands full, Lilly turns to her good friend and neighbor, Armina, to help keep things in order. But when a mysterious chain of events leaves Armina bedridden and an orphaned baby on her doorstep, Lilly must trust in God and her resilient country neighbors to help her uncover the truth.

While working late one night, Lilly cares for a patient whose odd behavior sets her on edge, but she’s unaware of what a mess she’s found herself in until a break-in at her office puts her on high alert. Struggling between what is right and what is safe, Lilly discovers the strength of her neighbors, her God, and herself.

Tattler's Branch by Jan Watson was a wonderful novel and is a sequel to Skip Rock Shallows. Having just discovered Jan Watson's novels, I have enjoyed both Skip Rock Shallows and Tattler's Branch, and I look forward to reading her earlier novels which reveal more about Lilly's past and her mother's story. Tattler's Branch has an excellent plot that flows well and includes elements of suspense, danger, sorrow, and humor that all lead to a beautifully woven and heart-wrenching story. The themes of this novel are clear and convicting and include topics such as the importance of family, honesty, and sacrificing one's own plans and desires in order to help others. I enjoyed seeing the same characters, plus a few more, in this novel that I first met in Skip Rock Shallows. The characters well all very realistic, each with their own quirks, strengths, and flaws. I liked seeing Lilly grow even more as a member of her community, as a doctor, and eventually possibly as a mother. I also enjoyed meeting Lilly's sister and seeing her mature as well learning even more about Armina as a character. My only dislike concerning Armina is that I wish Armina's thoughts and feelings had had a bigger part in the novel. I did learn more about Armina, but it was not from her perspective. The end of the novel was not what I expected and did bring some heartache, but I did find it to be perfect for the novel and in bringing the community together in a whole new way.

Overall I highly enjoyed this novel, and I look forward to reading Jan Watson's previous and future novels. I received this novel for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for a honest review.

Five Best of 2013 Teen/Young-Adult Books

Picking only five young adult novels was a tough choice. However, I did manage to pick five and rank them.

5. Fortress of Mist by Sigmund Brouwer

 The throne is redeemed, but the battle is just beginning.          
In the dark corners of an ancient land, evil lurks in the shadows. Powerful druids haunt the spaces of their lost territory. Double-minded noblemen fight for domain and influence. Invaders from the north threaten the kingdom of Magnus. This land of promise and redemption is mired in deceit and corruption.

The Orphan King, once victorious in conquest, appears to be losing his grip on his seat of power. Thomas rules Magnus, but does not know whom he can trust. His enemies anticipate his every move, thwarting him at each turn. Something is not right.

Under attack, both in the supernatural and natural worlds, Thomas must reach back into the secret layers of his past to find the strength and wisdom to fight his battles. When the mist clears, who will stand with him?

 Read my review here:

4. Martyr's Fire by Sigmund Brouwer

Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?
 Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge.

See my review here:

3. If We Survive by Andrew Klavan

They came on a mission of mercy, but now they’re in a fight for their lives.
High schooler Will Peterson and three
friends journeyed to Central America to help rebuild a school. In a poor,
secluded mountain village, they won the hearts of the local people with their
energy and kindness. But in one sudden moment, everything
went horribly wrong. A revolution swept the country. Now, guns and terror are everywhere—and Americans are being targeted as the first to die.

Will and his friends have got to get
out fast. But streets full of killers . . .hills patrolled by armies . . . and
a jungle rife with danger stand between them and the border. Their one hope of
escape lies with a veteran warrior who has lost his faith and may betray them
at any moment. Their one dream is to reach freedom and safety and home.

Read my review here:
Visit the author's website here: http://andrewklavan.com

2. Nightmare City by Andrew Klavan

What should have been an ordinary morning is about to spiral into a day of unrelenting terror.
As a reporter for his high school newspaper, Tom is always on the lookout for an offbeat story. But from the moment he woke up this morning, his own life has been more bizarre than any headline could ever tell. The streets of his town are suddenly empty and silent. A strange fog has drifted in from the sea and hangs over everything. And something is moving in that fog. Something evil. Something hungry. Closing in on Tom.

Only one thing is certain: with his world collapsing around him, Tom has only a few hours to recover the life he knew—before he, too, is lost forever in this nightmare city.

Read my review here
Visit the author's website here: http://andrewklavan.com

And finally #1!
1. Anomaly by Krista McGee

 Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.
Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world was decimated by a nuclear war. But life continued deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. There they created genetically engineered human beings who are free of emotions in the hope that war won’t threaten the world again.
Thalli is an anomaly, born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far by hiding her differences. But then her secret is discovered when she’s overwhelmed by the emotion of an ancient piece of music.
Thalli must sort out what to believe and who to trust, before her time runs out.

Read my review here:
Visit the author's website here: http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com/

So that is my Top Five Teen/Young Adult novels for 2013. I hope you found the reviews helpful and that you will check out other bloggers' posts in the Best Of Blog Hop.