Book Review of Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley

Review of Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley

From goodreads.com

Justice Buried (Memphis Cold Case #2)

 

by Patricia Bradley (Goodreads Author)

 

Justice Buried (Memphis Cold Case #2)

 

In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts go missing, she's ecstatic. But when her investigative focus turns from theft to murder, Kelsey knows she's out of her league--and possibly in the cross hairs. When blast-from-the-past Detective Brad Hollister is called in to investigate, Kelsey may find that he's the biggest security threat yet . . . to her heart.

Crackling with romantic tension and laced with intrigue, this suspenseful story from award-winning author Patricia Bradley will keep readers guessing--and looking over their shoulders. 

 

Leona's Review:

 

This book had me from the beginning. There is a mystery of why artifacts have disappeared from the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis. The museum is expecting an Egyptian death mask and Kelsey Allen has been hired by Rutherford Security to find the security leak. The curator is on maternity leave and Kelsey fills her spot.

 

A  murder occurs so there is more to the story than the missing pieces from the museum. Also a box of bones are delivered to the museum.

 

She finds she is working with Brad Hollister of the Memphis Police Department; they know each other. Brad is in the cold case division at this time.

 

Another mystery is the disappearance of Kelsey's father at the same time some artifacts disappeared.

 

Kelsey uses her talent as an expert rock climber as part of her investigations. This really added to the story and excitement.

 

There is plenty of mystery and characters so the reader has to try to figure out who is doing what.

 

It is a clean Christian romance. Dedicated to "To our heroes in blue who put their lives on the line 24/7 to keep us safe and to their families."

 

Acknowledgements to "As always, to God, who gives me the words"  She also acknowledges her friends and family, her editors, her agent, the art, editorial, marketing and sales teams, Sgt. Joe Stark of the MPD, and the wonderful women at the Pink Palace Museum and to her awesome readers. "  Patricia Bradley did put names of people in the acknowledgements but I did not add them.

 

I received a complimentary copy from LibraryThing and the author, Patricia Bradley. The copy is an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) and was not the final text. I could not find any typos and felt this was great as it is written. I give it a 5 star rating and look forward to other books by Patricia Bradley.

 

Patricia Bradley may be found at www.pbradley.com

 

Leona Olson

http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Book review of Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt

 

 Book review of Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt. 

 

From goodreads.com:

 

Egypt's Sister (The Silent Years #1)

 

by Angela Elwell Hunt (Goodreads Author)

 

Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria's royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what--but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria's royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what--but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life.

 

Paperback, 379 pages

Published July 4th 2017 by Bethany House

ISBN

0764219324 (ISBN13: 9780764219320)

Series

The Silent Years #1

 

From the back of the book:

 

Raised together in the Alexandrian palace, Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, and Urbi, an Egyptian princess, become as close as sisters- and rivals with their dreams of greatness. When Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne as Queen Cleopatra, Chava believes their bond is strong enough to survive, But absolute power has a way of changing everything.

The ultimate betrayal rips Chava from everything she's ever known and sends her to the lowest rung of Roman society where she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life, if she hopes to rise again.

 

Leona's Review:

 

This book will take the reader into the historical time of Queen Cleopatra, the Romans and Egypt. 

This is the first book I have read by Angela Hunt and was very impressed. The book is in the first person spoken by Chava.

 

The book begins with a close friendship of Chava and Urbi, the future Queen Cleopatra. Their bond is so close that Urbi cuts the palm of Chava and herself and says "Forever friends" and also says "you are blood of my blood, and heart of my heart" which is repeated by Chava.

 

Chava has been told by HaShem, God, she will be with the queen when she is happiest and at the end.

The friendship does not last after Chava angers the queen and she and her father are put into prison. They are separated and Chava is sold as a slave.

 

Chava begins a new life as a slave and the reader follows her and how she matures. Chava says at one point in her life "Now, older and wiser, I understood how life could change in a moment."

 

This book is full of historical names and places even though it is historical fiction. It is one of the few I have read that has written of the twins and other son Cleopatra had besides Caesarion.

 

The reader will find some historical names that include Cleopatra, Antony, Caesar, Achillas, King Auletes, Octavian, Octavia and Herod.

 

Historical places such as Egypt, Alexandria, the Library of Alexandria, Cyprus, Rome and Africa. I wish there had been a map of the areas. I know most readers are familiar but in historical books like this one, I personally like a map.

 

Languages Chava spoke are Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin and Greek.

 

Some portions describe the harsh lives of slaves but the author does not dwell on it. No bad language.

 

There are discussions at the end of the story. One question is " How much did you know about Cleopatra before reading this story? Did anything surprise you?"

 

I received a complimentary copy of Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt from the author and Bethany House Publishers. The opinions are my own.

 

Egypt's Sister will get a 5 star rating from me and I look forward to the future books of the series.

 

Angela Hunt may be found at angelahuntbooks.com

 

Leona Olson

http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

   

 

 

 

Flying Conquistadors

by Michael Scott Bertrand (Goodreads Author)

 

Oliver Wheelock has a new job. He's loading mailbags, feeding homing pigeons, and doing whatever it takes to get Pan American Airways off the ground. It's hard work, but it's better than working at the hardware store--and maybe it's his ticket to a life of adventure. When Pan Am's owner recruits Charles Lindbergh, it seems like a dream come true for Oliver.  It's hard work, but it's better than working at the hardware store--and maybe it's his ticket to a life of adventure.

 

When Pan Am's owner recruits Charles Lindbergh, it seems like a dream come true for Oliver. He finds himself working alongside one of his idols, the kind of man he always dreamed of being. But Oliver soon learns Lindbergh is uncomfortable with fame, and struggling with the adoration that greets him wherever he goes.

 

A promotional trip takes the Pan Am team to Mexico over Mayan ruins. At the fabled site of Chichen Itza, Oliver encounters Carnegie Institution archaeologists working to restore the ancient city, and meets an artist who begins to steal his heart. But what starts out as a mission to bring attention to the fledgling aviation company soon turns perilous, threatening the safety of Oliver and his companions.

 

Leona's Review:

 

I received a complimentary copy of Flying Conquistadors from the author, Michael Scott Bertrand.

 

In the beginning of the book: "To the reader: This is a work of fiction. Several characters in this work of fiction are based on real people. I have put words into the mouths of these characters that the real people did not say."  The reader should remember this as they read the book.

 

Michael Scott Bertrand takes the reader on quite an adventure.

 

The adventure takes us on Pam Am Airlines and to the ruins of Mexico. It starts with the beginning of Pan Am as a mail plane and then accepts passengers. Oliver Wheelock begins as an all around helper. The owner, Mr. Priester is Dutch. The author made him a special character and I really like him and how he spoke. Charles Lindbergh is the hero of Oliver and later the reader will find Ernest Hemingway as part of the book.  I also like Oliver's mother. I think she said what most mother say when worried about their child. She was from South Carolina so you will see the "Bless Your Heart" saying.

 

I have studied the Maya and their culture and this book takes the reader to the ruins. The author has certainly been to the ruins. He also has a lot of knowledge about airplanes.

 

The Carnegie Foundation is involved in archaeology at the ruins. They had a facility in Key West, Florida.

 

The character of Charles Lindbergh drinks a lot of Coca-cola, I could not find that information anywhere on the Internet but I will take the word of the writer. He is a quiet man who does not care for all the attention.

 

Most of the ruins I knew but the author lost me about page 350 when I thought they were at the ruins at El Tajin in Veracruz. When I re-read the book, I will probably figure out which ruins.

 

I found the description on the planes were interesting. Main rule was safety, safety, safety. Plane references were leather jacket, goggles, retractable wheels, fuel amount left, clipper and Pan American Airway Systems.

 

Many references to the ruins of Mexico and Central America are cenote (sinkhole), Chichen Itza, Tikal, Merida, sacbe (sacred road), stelae, thatched roofs, Mayan, Moctecuhzoma, ball court, pyramid, Solstice, hard to climb steps because so steep, Yucatan, paintings on walls, Tulum and more.

 

Frederick Catherwood is mentioned in the book. Catherwood and John Lloyd Stephen were in the Yucatan of Mexico together. Catherwood was an artist and his drawings  are in the book. Read the book, Incidents of Travel in the Yucatan for more information. I have it and found it very interesting.

 

The reader will find the name of Montezuma spelled Motecuhzoma which is Nahuatl, language of the Aztec. The author also spells it Moctezuma.

 

 I will still give it a 5 star rating.

 

Find Michael Scott Bertrand at www.michaelscottbertrand.com.

 

Leona Olson

http:///www.mnleona.blogspot.com