Book review of Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

Book review of Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig


From goodreads.com:

 

Crown of Souls (Tox Files #2)

by Ronie Kendig (Goodreads Author)

Crown of Souls

Six months after stopping a deadly plague, Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are enjoying a little rest. That peace is short-lived when a sniper shot hits Tox. The enemy is discovered to be one of their own, a rogue Special Forces team operator.
Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.
Afraid his old friend is right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team engage in another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is cheating--he's using a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

 

 

Leona's Review:

 

My first read by Ronie Kendig.and was very impressed. I have not yet read the first book of the series but this was a stand alone read.

 

I became interested  because it had the words "artifact"  and "antiquity" as part of the description of the book. My major in college is archaeology.

This book seemed to have it all. Mystery, military, love, friends, loyalty, enemies, Biblical, secret missions, treasure, history, archaeology and artifacts. 

At the beginning of the book, Tox (Cole Russell) is shot in the shoulder by a sniper and Tox is sure that the person who shot him could have killed him if they intended to do so. He is sure it is his old friend, Alex King.

 

Tox tries to protect his girlfriend, Haven, from the beginning.  Haven and her brother, Ram, join with others on the adventure journey that takes the reader to many places from Virginia Beach, Virginia; Arlington, Virginia, Stuttgart, Germany; Pentagon, Virginia; Jerusalem, Israel; Washington, D.C.; Russell Estate, Maryland; CIA Headquarters, Fairfax County, Virginia; Chesapeake Bay, Maryland; Reston, Virginia; El Gorah, Egypt; A Village in Egypt; Somewhere Over the Mediterranean; Baghdad, Iraq; FOB Stryker, Baghdad, Iraq; Nimruz Province, Afghanistan; Undisclosed Location; Nimrud, Iraq (ancient Kalhu); Israel; SAARC JET (308); Qal'at Sherqat, Iraq; Somewhere Over Iraq; Outside Mosul, Iraq; Outside Nimrud, Iraq; National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq; Outskirts of Mosul, Iraq; Airstrip Outside London; SAARC Headquarters, Northern Virginia; Unknown Location; Somewhere Over the Middle East and ends on Day 33. Many places are revisited.

 

It also takes us back in time to 1170 AD in Syria, 1172 AD in Syria, 1173 AD in Syria, 1178 AD to Acre, Israel, 1178 AD to  Tveria, Israel, 1180 AD Somewhere in Syria and 1187 Tveria, Israel.

Crown of Souls is a real page turner. I received a complimentary copy from Ronie Kendig and Bethany House Books to read and review it I chose to do so. The opinions are my own. 

I give this a 5 star rating and it is a book I would re-read.

Ronie Kendig may be found at roniekebdig.com,  goodreads.com and also Christianbook.com

Leona Olson

http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

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 Wilderness Rising by A. L.Shields

Wilderness Rising by A. L. Shields

 

 

 

From goodreads.com

 A. L. Shields pseudonym for New York Times best-selling author Stephen L. Carter comes the thrilling sequel to The Church Builder.

An age-old struggle between the enemies of God and the champions of faith.

A rumored relic that could prove Christ performed miracles or declare him a fraud.

A woman on the run from international authorities.

Bethany Barclay is fighting to outwit the Wilderness, an ancient and powerful cabal bent on destroying Christianity. Its members murdered her best friend, framed her for acts of terrorism, and captured the brilliant teen hacker she vowed to protect. To ransom the girl, Bethany must find the Pilate Stone a mysterious first-century artifact that might not even exist.

But she is not the only one looking for the stone. In an international landscape of double agents, Bethany finds it impossible to tell friend from foe. The Garden, a secret group of powerful intellectuals sworn to save the Church and help Bethany, is collapsing under the rising power of the Wilderness. And an ocean separates her from her only proven ally the lone wolf Ray Fuentes, who has battles of his own to fight.

A sparse trail of breadcrumbs takes Bethany across Europe into a labyrinth of academics, art historians, and followers of a reclusive monastic order. As her quest transforms into an ever more complex and dangerous game, unlikely actors in the drama emerge. Some are ruthlessly devoted to preserving a world where faith is possible. Others aim to brutally, and finally, undermine belief.

Including her own.

Leona's Review:

 

I have read The Church Builder by A. L. Shields  so when I saw this was a book available for review, I chose it. I do think it is best to read The Church Builder first but not necessary.

 

Bethany Barclay is a lawyer and now is charged with murder with the Federal Bureau of Investigation after her. She has used a fake passport to go to London and knows she is being watched.

 

Bethany Barclay is searching for a relic, the Pilate Stone that would prove Pontius Pilate wrote that Jesus was real. The Pilate Stone may not even be exist but many are searching.

 

There are two main groups who are on opposite sides; the Garden and the Wilderness.

 

The book takes you through many twists and turns and for awhile, I was not really sure who was the bad guy or the good guy at times. It takes the reader to International places with mystery, espionage and intrigue. Lives are lost and some are in danger.

A. L. Shields has proven a great book can be written without bad language.

The book is dedicated to: Once more, to my children 

 

I received a complimentary copy of Wilderness Rising from booklookbloggers to read and review. The opinion are my own. I give this a five star rating.

The book is published by Zondervan. It si available on e-book as well as audio.

 

A. L. Shields can be found on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ALShieldsAuthor.

 

From goodreads.com:

About this author

Stephen L. Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale where he has taught since 1982. He has published seven critically acclaimed nonfiction books on topics ranging from affirmative action to religion and politics. His first novel, The Emperor of Ocean Park (2002), was an immediate national best seller. His latest novel is New England White (Knopf, 2007). A recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature-Fiction, he lives near New Haven, Connecticut."

Also writes under the pen name A.L Shields.

Leona Olson

http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

 

Review of I Adored a Lord by Katharine Ashe

   

Review of I Adored a Lord by Katharine Ashe

 

    Book description from amazon.com

    Publication Date: July 29, 2014

Three very different sisters beguile society with their beauty and charm, but only one of them must fulfill a prophecy: marry a prince. Who is the mystery Prince Charming, and which sister will be his bride?
All that clever, passionate Ravenna Caulfield wants is to stay far away from high society's mean girls.
All that handsome, heroic Lord Vitor Courtenay wants is to dash from dangerous adventure to adventure.
Now, snowbound in a castle with a bevy of the ton's scheming maidens all competing for a prince's hand in marriage, Ravenna's worst nightmare has come true.
Now, playing babysitter to his spoiled prince of a half-brother and potential brides, Vitor is champing at the bit to be gone.
When a stolen kiss in a stable leads to a corpse in a suit of armor, a canine kidnapping, and any number of scandalous liaisons, Ravenna and Vitor find themselves wrapped in a mystery they're perfectly paired to solve. But as for the mysteries of love and sex, Vitor's not about to let Ravenna escape until he's gotten what he desires . . .

 

 

Leona's Review:

I Adored a Lord is the first book I have read by Katharine Ashe  and I did like it.

I do not remember reading a mystery book that is based around a historical romance which has a murder to be solved in this time era. I liked the character of Ravenna Caulfield and her role. The main male character, Lord Vitor Courtenay, helps her solve the murder. It is a book that had me really wondering "whodunit". There are plenty of characters and so I do appreciate the list of "suspects" at the beginning of the book.

I could have done without the one sex scene in the book, I felt it was a little overdone.

I liked the description of the homes, clothing, food and countryside.

Both of the main characters have a family history and this helps to know them and why they have certain feelings.

The author's notes has some history and also remarks on what she has added with her own imagination.

The animals were a great part of the book and especially the puppy Ravenna gives to Vitor. Ravenna has a special talent with medicine for animals and humans.

I give this a 4 star because I did like the theme of the book. I kept thinking of sleuths in previous books I have read and TV movies that investigated somewhat like Ravenna. 

This is the second of the series but can be read without reading the first of the series, The Prince Catchers. The first book is I Married the Duke, then I Adored a Lord and in the winter of 2015 will be I Loved a Rogue. I will read the others.

Katharine Ashe may be reached at www.KatharineAshe.com.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Death Before Dinner, An Otter Tail County Mystery by Gerald Anderson

   

 
Review of Death Before Dinner,  

An Otter Tail County Mystery by Gerald Anderson
 
From Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0738708747, Paperback)
Could something like murder happen in Fergus Falls-a quiet Minnesota town known for its Scandinavian heritage and great lake fishing? Yah, you betcha!
Every August Dr. George Gherkin, the Fergus Falls State University president, hosts a faculty party. It's tradition for George to lock himself inside the kitchen to prepare his signature dish. But instead of Chicken Kiev, the guests find their chef with a meat cleaver buried in his head.
All the guests are suspects. There's Sally Ann Pennwright, Gherkin's scorned secretary and former mistress; Sherwin Williams, the assistant professor of Art who's been denied tenure for years; and Francis Olson, the athletic director whose attempt to leave Fergus Falls was thwarted by Gherkin. Everyone has an ax to grind with the selfserving, manipulative university president. Can the small-town sheriff-who hasn't handled a homicide case in his entire career-solve this unsavory crime?

Leona's Review

I has a problem rating this book but it did get better as it progressed. The Ole joke advanced it from a 3 1/2 star to a 4 star rating. I usually give 4 star ratings when research has been done and I learn something; I did from this book.
I chose this book from my library because I was doing genealogy research for my husband's family. They are from Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
The book begins with a prologue and the death of George Gherkins. The first chapters describe the characters in the book and their issues with the president of the Fergus Falls State University.
The descriptions of the town and people were great and so I liked this history and information. The author is detailed in his descriptions of food, the decor of the homes and clothing of the characters. The author does leave the reader trying to solve the mystery of the murder and why it happened . I did see politics in this book but we are in Minnesota and they are political.  ( I am not a Minnesotan, just married to one and he is a Scandinavian. We do live in Minnesota).

Main characters:
Dr. George Gherkin-President of Fergus Falls State University
Dolly Gherkin-Wife of George Gherkin
Guest List:
Abigail Armbruster- Mayor of Fergus Falls
Dr. Isabel Corazon- Newest Vide-president at Fergus Falls State University
Francis Olson- Athletic Director at Fergus Falls State University
Sally Ann Pennwright- Private Secretary of George Gherkin
Lance Sterling- President of alumni association
Ruth Sterling- Wife of Lance Sterling
Dr. Harold Winston-Professor of History at Fergus Falls State University
Brick Wahl- A Contractor
Sherwin Williams-Assistant Professor of Art
Mae Williams- Wife of Sherwin Williams

Sheriff and Deputy
Palmer Knutson- Sheriff of Fergus Falls
Orly Peterson- Deputy of Fergus Falls


I recommend  Death Before Dinner for a good read and some history of a small town in west central Minnesota.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com


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Book Review of Romance and Mystery Under the Northern Nights by Authors of the Northern Lights Writers.

Book Review of Romance and Mystery Under the Northern Nights by Authors of the Northern Lights Writers.

Book Description

From back of the book:

In For A Penny - Lori Ness
A couple who believes their marriage is irrevocably broken finds healing, life lessons and hope during a visit to an eccentric relative.

Hot Shot - Denise Devine
When Megan Bristol's fiancé jilts her via a text message, her plans to get even with him lead her right into the arms of another man.

Shadow Trail - LuAnn Nies
A quiet romantic weekend in the north woods of Minnesota turns into a dangerous adventure that Crystal hadn't bargained for.

Count the Days - Diane Pearson
Mary never expected her life in a north woods resort to turn to isolation and include an oppressive marriage. When she gets mail and reconnects to an old friend, the door opens to revenge, murder, and escape. Letters tell the story.

Love, Fish and Fangs - Edna Curry
Detective Bob and his family go on vacation and discover a murder. Paperboy son, David, recognizes a customer at the scene. Is David in danger?

Heal My Heart - Shirley Olson
17 year old Julie, unable to take the abuse of her mom and step-father, escapes her prison and grabs a train for Duluth. Searching for a new life, while encountering dangers and problems, she finds a real family love and trust when she finds God.

Candlelight and Silverware - Edna Curry
When Bob invites his world traveler boss and his wife to dinner, his Minneapolis suburban housewife, Carol, panics. How will she measure up?

Night Magic - Nancy Pirri
In depression era Minnesota, Helen Swenson inherits her deceased parents' dream resort--six cabins in need of repair near the Canadian border. Lumberjack Riley Flaherty has recently lost his job. When Helen offers him a job as one as her 'handy man' he gladly accepts, smitten by her beauty. When wild animals in the northern Minnesota woods threaten them into leaving, they don't give in, but discover true love beneath the northern lights.

Breath of God - Lori Ness
A girl on a Minnesota farm in the early 1900's has been forced into a woman's responsibilities too soon. Betsy's struggle to come to terms with what her mother planned for her and the expected roles for women brings her into conflict with both family and community expectations. Memories of the love between her parents and her mother's love help Betsy make the decisions she needs to face the future.

 

Leona's Review:

I found a clipping from the newspaper about these authors who meet in a place near me in Wyoming, Minnesota so I had an interest in the local authors. I checked out this book from my library in North Branch, Minnesota.

This book is a selection of short  stories and all include the Northern Lights and stories based in Minnesota.

This group of authors is called The Northern Lights Writers of Minnesota. http://www.northernlightswriters.org  

After each chapter is About the Author.

Lori Ness http://www.christinearness.com

Denise Devine

LuAnn Niles

Diane Pearson

Edna Curry http://www.ednacurry.com

 and  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=613178895

 

Shirley Olson http:/www.Skalpinolson.com

and http://www.Truthinfiction.com

 

Nancy Pirri  www.melange-books.com

 

I enjoyed this book of Minnesota short stories and will give it a 5 star rating.

 

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

 

Book Review of Rock Point by Carla Neggers

Rock Point by Carla Neggers

From amazon.com:

"New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers enthralls readers with her suspenseful Sharpe & Donovan series. Read the untold story of one of her most beloved characters in this special prequel novella, Rock Point.
Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine. Here he meets FBI agent Colin Donovan for the first time…and discovers the dangerous secrets he left back home in Ireland. Smugglers are using the Bracken family's old whiskey distillery as cover for their illicit activities—and the violent group isn't going down without a fight."

Leona's Review

A free download and when the book cover says A Sharpe and Donovan Novella, that is what it is. A short story.

The opinions are my own.

This was an introduction, for me, into the lives of people in Declan's Cross, Ireland and Rock Point, Maine.This is my first read by Carla Neggers. It was a good introduction into other books of the series but short.

I am not crazy about series because I do not always get the rest of the books. I guess any book could extend into a series but I do like endings.

It was a good read and I think well done. The Novella does want you to get the rest of the books to read and solve the mysteries. It did a good job as far as I was concerned, I will read the other books.

The beginning of the book has Father Bracken planning his trip to Maine. His friends are introduced as some of the other characters. Arriving in Maine, he meets Colin Donovan at the waterfront; they become friends and Fin also meets his brothers.

The readers are given descriptions of the food and drink in both places. Last year I visited Maine and like Father Bracken, I was introduced to lobster rolls. Good .

Also the areas are described and the reader become familiar with both Maine and Ireland.

I am giving this read a 4 star because it did hold my attention and made me curious to read the other books.

Some characters;

Father Finian ( Fin) Bracken- a widower who becomes a priest. He moves from Ireland to spend a year at Saint Patrick's Church in Rock Point.

Sally- Dead wife of Fin

Kathleen and Mary- Daughters of Fin and Sally; also dead

Declan Bracken- Brother of Fin

Fidelma- Wife of Declan Bracken

Sean Murphy- Friend of Fin who lives in Ireland; of the Irish police force

Colin Donovan- FBI agent Fin meets in Rock Point

Kitty O'Bryne Doyle- Proprietor of O'Bryne House Hotel in Ireland.

Becan Kennedy- carpenter at Bracken Distillery

Father Callaghan (Father Joseph)- American priest who visiting Ireland for a month

Bracken's ( Whiskey) Distillery -Owned by Fin and Declan. Outside of Killarney.

Carla Negger may be reached at :

www.facebook.com/carlaneggers

www.carlaneggers.com

This is a Harlequin book: www.Harlequin.com

www.HarlequinBlog.com

Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw

From amazon.com

Book Publication Date:March 18, 2013

"When Addison Lockhart inherits Grayson Manor after her mother's untimely death, she unlocks a secret that’s been kept hidden for over fifty years. For Addison, it seems like she’s finally found the house of her dreams…until the spirit of Roxanne “Roxy” Rafferty comes to call. Who is Roxanne, why is she haunting Grayson Manor, and how will Addison’s connection reveal a key to her own past that she thought no longer existed? "

My review:

This was a good and fast read that kept the pages turning. Even if you do not care for books about ghosts or spirits, this should catch your attention because there is also some mystery.

Addison Lockhart has inherited Grayson Manor from her mother which was inherited from her mother. The first sentence of the book is : "Addison Lockhart watched the cab dart back down the dead-end country road, leaving nothing but a billowy dust cloud in its wake."

Then she is all alone.

As she is walking around the house, which is in bad shape, she says to herself, "Where is eveyerything?" because the place is almost bare of furniture.
A voice answers her and she turns around to meet Luke Flynn, the historical restoration architect.
Luke becomes the other main character in this story as he helps restore the house and to solve the mystery of the death of Roxy. He also is trying to make sure Addison is safe.

Much of the mystery is based on a dress Addison finds in the attic that looks like there are blood stains on the dress. She has bad feelings about the dress and does not want to touch it.
"When Addison was a child, she saw things all the other "normal" kids didn't." (page 46).

Addison's father is also part of the story as well as the next door neighbor who knew Addison's grandparents when they lived in the house and had large parties.

I downloaded this book from amazon.com. The words, manor and haunting, caught my eye.
I give it a 5 star. I really liked this book and it kept my attention. The author wrote a good book without having to use sex or bad language. I look forward to reading her other books and have downloaded The Sloane Monroe Series from amazon.com.

Dedicated: To good friends who have stuck with me, navigating the way between calm and turbulent seas. I dare say, I have the greatest friends of all.

You may find Cheryl Bradshaw at:
Facebook: facebook.com/CherylBradshawBooks
Twitter: @cherylbradshaw
Web: www.cherylbradshaw.com

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Book Review of An Unexpected Guest by Anne Korkeakivi

An Unexpected Guest by Anne Korkeakivi

From: http://www.annekorkeakivi.com/an-unexpected-guest-by-anne-korkeakivi/

"On a lovely spring day in Paris–post-9/11 and several months after the London Underground bombings–Clare Moorhouse, the Irish-American wife of a high-ranking British diplomat, is arranging an official dinner crucial to her husband’s career. As she shops for fresh stalks of asparagus and works out the menu and seating arrangements, her day is complicated by the abrupt arrival of her son from boarding school in England and a disquieting encounter with a man on the street. More unnerving still is a recurring face in the crowd, one that belonged to another, darker era of her life, long buried.
Like Virginia Woolf did in Mrs. Dalloway, Anne Korkeakivi brilliantly weaves the complexities of an age into an act as deceptively simple as hosting a dinner party."

My review:
I had this book on the shelf and decided to read it; I have had it for awhile and never got around to reading An Unexpected Guest.
I am going to tell readers to stay with the book and read all of it. I really found it interesting about 2/3 of the way. The book held my interest to a degree because there is some historical history but it really caught me nearer the end.
Clare goes back into time when her mind is wanders and then comes back to what she has to do for the day which is prepare for a dinner party. She has a list of projects to be done; hairdresser, buy flowers, buy asparagus and so forth. I also have a list of things I need to do and I could relate to it.
The flashback of her past and what she did wrong stays with her because she thinks she keeps seeing someone from her past who is supposed to be dead. Her past is catching up with her; a past she has kept from her husband.
The book takes place in a day and follows Clare in her day and evening activities. Some quiet suspense in this book. As a reader, I kept thinking something will happen.
I did find I was uncertain about their son, Jamie. He needs to grow up and be more responsible even thought he is a teenager.
I will say I have been in Paris and have seen the traffic jams and wondered how Clare do as much as she did by going place to place.
There is some bad language and mild descriptions of any sex scenes.
I was back and forth on the rating to give An Unexpected Guest and decided to give it a 4 star.
You may find Anne Korkeakivi at www.AnneKorkeakivi.com
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Book Review of Death on Dartmoor by Dara England

Death on Dartmoor by Dara England

Millicent Wright and her mother have arrived from America to visit Sir Oliver Longbourne whom they met in Chicago. Sir Oliver invited them to visit and the main reason they come is Mrs. Wright is looking for a husband for her daughter.

Sir Oliver is murdered in one of the first chapters and thus begins the search for the person who killed him.

This is a quick read and it leads the reader into following clues to the murders(s).

This is the first book I have read by Dara England and I will give it a 4 star.

I loved the descriptions of Buckfast hall as well as the other places in the book.

No sex and no bad language which was appreciated.

Characters:

Millicent Wright- from America (Chicago), her father died 6 years ago and was a wealthy financier.

Mrs. Wright- mother of Millicent

Sir Oliver Longbourne

Phillip-son of Sir Oliver (about 10 years old)

Joanna Longbourne- Wife of Sir Oliver

Miss Caroline Longbourne- sister of Oliver

Lady Longbourne- grandmother of Sir Oliver

Colonel Quinlan- brother-in-law of Sir Oliver

Detective Abel Lockwood

Lady Edith- guest of Oliver

Amelia Shepherd- a possible romantic interest of Sir Oliver

Clara - a maid

Billy- a servant accused of theft of cuff links of Sir Oliver

Buckfast Hall- home of Sir Oliver

Village of Buckfastleigh on Dartmoor, Devonshire, England

Mrs Wardly's party in Chicago where Millicent and Sir Oliver met

It is part of a series of An American Heiress Mystery.

This is an ebook I downloaded from Amazon.
You can find Dara England at

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4821160.Dara_England

https://twitter.com/Dara_England

www.facebook.com/DaraEngland

website

http://www.daraenglandauthor.com/

The opinions are my own

Leona Olson

http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Book Review of Serpent of Moses by Don Hoesel

From the Back Cover

Moses built and lifted up the brass serpent,
healing the afflicted Israelites of snakebites.

King Hezekiah called the serpent Nehushtan. Long thought destroyed, it's been buried for millennia, secreted under the region's shifting sands.

Now the Israeli government wants it back and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Yet they're not the only ones who covet the Nehushtan.

Archaeologist Jack Hawthorne travels to Libya intent on recovering the sacred object, but one does not cross the Mossad and expect to walk away without a fight. Jack and his friends must find the priceless "snake of brass upon a pole" before those who are also hunting it find them...and silence them forever.

About the Author

Don Hoesel, the acclaimed author of Elisha's Bones, Hunter's Moon, and The Alarmists, lives in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with his wife and two children. Don holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Taylor University. When not writing novels, he spends his days working in the communications department of a large company.

My review:

This was a really good read. Some have suggested this book is like an Indiana Jones type of adventure.

Jack Hawthorne is the main character in Serpent of Moses. The book starts with Jack in a cave in Libya being chased by men who want the staff Jack has. The book continues with mystery, chasing and searching for Jack who is missing.

It is an interesting book about archaeology, the Bible, the Middle East, Milan, history, friendship, mystery, God, death, suspense danger and the brass staff called the Nehushtan. The Nehushtan is a sacred object in the form of a snake of brass upon a pole. Moses made it to heal people of snake bites from a plague of snakes God sent them. It is said to have been broken into pieces by King Hezekiah. The Israelis has hired Imolene to get the staff back and return it to them.

Jack has disappeared and Espy and her brother go to the Middle East to and Europe search for him. His friend Duckey also joins in the search.

 

Some Characters:

Dr. Jack Hawthorne- an archaeologist in search of the Nehushtan.

Imolene -an Egyptian paid by the Israelis to get the staff..

Dr. Esperanza (Espy) Habilla-girlfriend of Jack, she is from Venezuela and a foreign language expert at the University of Venezuela.

Romero Habilla- brother of Esperanza; an antiquities dealer.

Amadou Boufayed- a Libyan

Martin Templeton- an Englishman also after the staff and Jack.

Milo Sturdivant- a museum curator who hired Jack to bring him the staff.

Jim Duckett- a friend of Jack, a former CIA agent and a professor. Goes by the name of Duckey for his friends.

Stephanie- wife of Jim Duckett.

Marwen Saidani- a Tunisian.

Tom Fitzpatrick- CIA Unit Chief Agent and friend of Jim Duckett.

Some Places:

Milan

Libya

London

Caracas

Tripoli

Tunisia

Turkey

Al Bayda (Africa)

 

This is my first read by Don Hoesel and the second book in the Jack Hawthorne series, but this book can be read without reading the first one. There is violence but no sex or bad language.

I received a complimentary copy of Serpent of Moses by Don Hoesel to read and review from Bethany House. The opinions are my own.

I will give it a 5 star because of the interest it had for me.

You can find the author at www.donhoesel.com and www.goodreads.com/author/show/2113161.Don_Hoesel and

http://www.shelfari.com/authors/a2404055/Don-Hoesel for some sites.

Accused by Janice Cantore

 

From the Back Cover

“Time to prove she isn’t a broken cop.”
An officer-involved shooting six months earlier takes Detective Carly Edwards off the street and sends her to a boring desk job in juvenile. When a troubled youth is arrested for the murder of the mayor, Carly is summoned to the crime scene. Homicide thinks it’s a quick, open-and-shut case, and Carly hopes this will be her ticket back to patrol.

Though her professional life seems to be on track, Carly still has unresolved issues in her personal life. Nick, her ex-husband and fellow police officer, is determined to show Carly that he’s a changed man, but she isn’t convinced he won’t betray her again.

As the murder investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But she soon realizes the case may put her directly in the killers’ crosshairs.

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. Accused is the first in the three-book Pacific Coast Justice series.

I usually do not add the information about the book from the covers but this time I did because it gave a good explanation of the book.

This is the first book I have read by Janice Cantore, and I did find a fast-moving book but I found there were too many directions the book was going. It was a quick read and I thought I knew some of the ending but I did not know all for it; this is what makes a good book.

As a reader, I could feel the frustrations of the main characters and I also wondered who was to be trusted.

Carly's mother, who in religious, tries to tell Carly to believe and trust in the Lord. This is a Christian romance novel but not overly pushed. I like the relationship between Carly's mother and Carly's ex, Nick.

Because the author was an officer at one time, you will find "police talk" in the book, which brought some realism into the book. There is some violence.

Janice Cantore can be found at www.janicecantore.com

I am giving this book a 4 star because it keep me interested even if I did get confused sometimes.

I checked this book out of my local library.

Leona Olson

mnleona.blogspot.com

Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham

Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham

The prologue begins in 2008 and then goes the book goes back into the past beginning in 1979. A story about three people and how lives can change and separate; how life does not always give you what you want and what you plan but how one can change when needed.

Trey Don Hall, John Caldwell and Catherine Ann Benson are the main characters who became friends at a young age. I will add Rufus, a dog given to Cathy by Trey Don and John. In this sometimes complicated book, the three go through many passions, friendships and love. The book is based in the Panhandle of Texas and how football is so important in the lives of the small town of Kersey and the people. I am from West Texas and football is very important to the whole town; something Cathy, who was from California, could never understand. (My mother who was from Colorado never understood it either but my father did.)

Families are involved and there is a feeling of small town closeness, sometimes good and sometimes bad.

Trey was quoted as saying "The Texas Panhandle breeds a bunch of us long, tall drink-of-water look-alikes. We're as common as tumbleweeds".

One life leads to football, another to become a priest and another one works in a diner.

I hate to review too much of the book as the reader will need to get into the book and feel the emotions of the characters. A book that covers decades and many lives.

John named his pickup, Old Red, my father had his International pickup he bought from Texas Electric and called it the Red Mule. Many Texas references to the colleges and universities and towns.

The recipe for Emma's Hot water Corn Bread is at the end of the book, a nice treat.

I give it a five star rating for the overall twists and turns and the page turner it is.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and Grand Central Publishing. www.HatchettBookGroup.com. The opinions are my own. I wish to thank Leila Meacham for such a wonderful, and emotional, book to read and review.

Leona Olson

mnleona.blogspot.com

Splendid Summer by Mary Matthews

Splendid Summer by Mary Matthews

This is a short mystery novel set in the 1920s.

Grace Wentworth has returned to Coronado, California after completing Finishing School in Europe to find her Uncle Charles has died. He was the caretaker of her and her trust after the death of her parents. His wife, Aunt Alice is concerned about herself and one's lineage.

Grace has met Jack Brewster on the train; he is a Pinkerton detective. Jack has a deaf, Persian white cat named Tatania, who seems to have her own "magic". She is one of the main characters in the story.

Both Grace and Jack try to find who killed her beloved uncle.

The setting is on Coronado and the area. Mary Matthews has put the reader back into the 1920s with all the references: Studebaker, Packard, permanent wave aroma, Charles Lindbergh, U S Grant Hotel, Great War, long skirts, Martson's Department Store, Rexall Drugs, Ponzi scheme (named after Charles Ponzi) and the prohibition.

I will give this a four star.

I received a complimentary e-book from the author and Amazon.com. I wish to thank Mary Matthews for a quick and fun read.

See www.splendidsummer.com

Leona

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

The Bridge of Deaths

Review of The Bridge of Deaths by M. C. V. (Catalina) Egan
A quote from Carl Sagan at the beginning is:
Somewhere,
something incredible
is waiting to be known.
Carl Sagan
1934–1996
American astronomer, writer, and
scientist. (page ix)
This book took me about three or four chapters to really get into it. I did not care for it at the beginning but as I got into it, I was very impressed. The book is in the third person. Catalina Egan has taken historical facts and turned them into a novel. I liked the characters, even with some faults they had.
There is Maggie and Bill, who live in London and the lady from Florida, Catalina, who connect on the Internet and use Skype and emails to communicate.
Bill has been transferred to London where he has recurring dreams about a past life. He meets Maggie at a bookstore and they click right away. They begin to search what is happening to Bill and why.
Catalina is searching for clues to the death of her grandfather, Cesar Agustin Castillo, a Mexican, who worked for Standard Oil of New Jersey and died in an British Airline airplane crash off the coast of Denmark on August 15, 1939.
There were four other passengers that died in the crash; a member of British Parliament, Anthony Crommelin Crossley, a conservative; another employee of Standard Oil of New Jersey, Samuel James Simonton, an American; a German Corporate Lawyer, Erich Bruno Wilhelm Beuss and a crew member for the airline, Alfred Stanley Mardsin Leigh. The pilot, Clifford Frederick Cecil Wright survived.
Catalina has been researching for almost twenty years and the facts she has acquired are very detailed.
There were so many facts, I had to stop reading and give my mind a rest. It is like when I do the genealogy for my family, I need to clear the mind of facts and names. I found myself checking the Internet for more information.
Bill felt he had a past life; Maggie and Bill began to search for answers. They consulted with a hypnotist as well as other means such as the Internet. "Hypnotist's job was to help Bill separate who he was today from who he had been in a past life." (page 302).
The book leads you into the past of many well known names in history. Winston Churchill, Nevile Chamberlain, Ronald Regan as well as many books and movies.
Anyone into genealogy, an interest in World War ll, history and mystery will like this book. Most of the characters are real.
I wish to thank the author, M.C.V. (Catalina) Egan for the complimentary e-book to read and review.
I give this a five star for all the research and facts that are in The Bridge of Deaths. The opinions are my own.
Acknowledgements on page 327
Bibliography on page 335
Films on page 346
Newspaper and Magazine Sources on page 347
Flight Magazine on page 349
Internet Sources on page 350
Archives on page 354
Author Biography on page 355
Epilogue on page 313
There are pictures of planes, people and scanned documents.
Find Catalina Egan at: thebridgeofdeaths.com and facebook.com/mcv.egan
Go to:
http://suzannevanrooyen.com/2012/01/23/guest-post-by-author-maria-catalina-egan/ to read an interview with the author.
Leona Olson
mnleona.blogspot.com ( )

The Box of Rocks

Box of Rocks by Karla Telega

This is a mystery/adventure and "where am I in life" type of book. Two women, Maggie Gorski and Cheryl Anderson are at a mid-life crisis and need something to keep them busy. They have made a list of things to do such as rock collecting, a book club, ghost hunting and target practice. Maggie is married and Cher is divorced. Both have a dog that are also part of the book and I think helped make the book with the extra activities that dogs bring to daily life.

Maggie and Cher head for the hills to search for gold and find themselves involved with a murder.

A college associate of Paul Lakeland has been murdered and Paul is arrested for the murder. Paul found a clay jug that he believed was Native American in a cave and wanted to do his thesis on it for his doctorate degree in archaeology.

Twists and turns keep the reader surprised. There are laughs and also some serious matters.

I liked this book, it was an easy read and kept me interested. The f word was only used one time and I could have done without the almost sex scene. The characters, Maggie and Cher, were like friends one might know; a little eccentric but likable characters and the reader can relate to some problems the women had.

I would have liked to see more of the characters who were brought into the book with no ending for them. Possible they might be in a future adventure of Maggie and Cher.

I liked the descriptions of the area of South Carolina because I am not familiar with the state and it's history.

I give Box of Rocks a four star for a different and fun book to read..

I wish to thank the author, Karla Telega and Smashwords for the complimentary copy of Box of Rocks and the opportunity to read and review. The opinions are my own. This will be a great series of books on Maggie and Cher and their adventures.

You can find Karla at www.telegatales.com

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mnleona

Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl

Review of another Triple Threat Club book by Lis Wiehl with April Henry.

Three professional women in the book all have a personal story which captures the reader's heart and emotions.

Nicole Hedges is an FBI agent, Allison Pierce is a federal prosecutor and Cassidy Shaw is a TV crime reporter. The three met in college and one time shared a Triple Threat Chocolate Cake and so named themselves the Triple Threat Club.

The mystery is not who has done the crimes but makes you wonder how it will end. A page turner with many twists that will keep the reader interested. Elizabeth, or Sissy, is a cold blooded woman whose has a heart of ice as the book title refers. The reader is not sure what she will do next and how.

Murder, conceit, hate, love, tough love, guilt, worry, emotions and prayers and some of the tag words to describe Heart of Ice.

I could relate to the bruised arm in archery, I did that also when I was in high school and that brought back a memory for me, not a good one because it does hurt and sting. I also relate to turning on the TV and FOX comes on; happens in our house all the time.

The author really describes the breast biopsy of Nicole and you are almost with her as she describes the method. Your heart goes out to her.

Lis Wiehl is an attorney and it shows in the descriptions of grand jury and procedures police and the FBI use. I personally like a book when I can learn something.

No swear words (that I remember) or ones that begin with the f word that I am seeing so much now. God is mentioned a number of times and one I liked is when Allison is praying because of her sister, Lindsay, " Lord, give me a loving heart. Help me to see my sister through Your eyes". It is not a religious book and not a steamy book. A good read.

The last book, Hand of Fate, Allison had a miscarriage that broke your heart and in this book, Nicole faces the possiblility of breast cancer. The characters in these Triple Threat Club mysteries leave you with the feeling that these three women could be your sister, your best friend or someone you know at work.

The books, Face of Betrayal, Hand of Fate and Heart of Ice need not be read in order. There is a reading group guide at the end of the book that can be used for a book club.

 I received a complimentary copy of Heart of Ice to read and review from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Reviews are on booksneeze.com. The opinions are my own.

Snare of Serpents by Victoria Holt

Snare of Serpents by Victoria Holt
The book begins with the main character, Davina Glentyre, who lives in Edinburgh with her parents. Her mother dies in the first few pages of the book and she gets a new governess, Zillah Grey, replacing her old governess, Lilias Milne who has been accused of theft.
The death of her father, David Ross Glentyre, from arsenic is blamed on Davina and she is judged not proven, which is neither innocent or guilty but an acquittal. (This is a term still used in Scottish courts). Her lawyer, Ninian Grainger, believes her innocent and he becomes an important part of her life.
Davina changes her name and begins a new life in South Africa with her old governess and friend, Lilias.
The mystery of her father's death continues and so does her relationship with Ninian and Zillah.
The book has mystery, love, betrayal, death and questioning. There is also some historical facts such as Holyrood House, a palace in Edinburgh (I have visited there in the past-Leona) and the use of the word bawbee, an old Scottish coin. There are letters written to Davina and her replies, which I think add to the book. Descriptions are good and brings interest to the Snare of Serpents. As usual, another good read and page turner from Victoria Holt. Usually, I can get through these books quickly and can lay down the book and come back to it; this one was different.
Enjoy the read.