"Moving Target" by Lynette Eason

Moving Target (Jan. 31, 2017) by Lynette Eason.*

While his friends know that he’d oppose a birthday party in his honor, they also know that something’s very wrong when Detective Quinn Holcombe and bodyguard Maddy McKay don’t show up. No word, no heads up. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Maddy and Quinn awake in a cement room with a map mural of an island. A madman calling himself the Chosen One abducted them for his games. His hunting games are like something out of “The Hunger Games,” except there’s only one killer, and his games are one-sided. As in, he wins, and his victims die. Always.

            Until Maddy and Quinn win the first round – so far, the only prey to do so – and now they have the “honored privilege” of advancing to the next round. The killer declares that it’ll get personal now, though fighting for one’s life and survival seems rather personal already. It’ll take the combined efforts of Maddy’s Elite Guardians coworkers and their other friends to outwit this killer. In his twisted beliefs, the killer believes that he is called to kill for a specific purpose. He’s twisted biblical numerology to fit his death system.

            The third book in the Elite Guardians series hits the ground running. An inspirational romantic suspense novel, there is a romance budding between Maddy and Quinn, who’ve been friends now for years, but the suspense is not for the faint of heart. If you’ve a very active imagination, there are certain scenes that may overwhelm your psyche and sour your stomach, even though they’re not explained in great detail. This story is a race with many obstacles, and it’s a turbulent ride. It makes for fast reading, as the active plot grabs you. But there is also warmth in the camaraderie of the Elite Guardians and their friends and in the strong faith of many of the characters, though there are those, like Quinn, who are struggling to keep their faith above water. We’ve all had to tread water at some point, and, like Quinn, hopefully we’ve come out the stronger for it.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"In the Shadow of Denali" by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

In the Shadow of Denali (Jan. 3, 2017) by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse.*

Six years prior, John Ivanoff lost a man on a mountain. It is now 1923, and he continues his expert work as a wilderness and exploration guide. He works for the new and prestigious Curry Hotel where his daughter, Cassidy, works as Cook’s assistant. It is a busy time with the planned visit of the President and his elite entourage. They’re dedicating the new national park at Mount McKinley (“Denali, as it’s still called by the natives.”). This is an honor, and it will also put Curry, Alaska, on the map. During the hubbub leading up to the President’s arrival, Allan Brennan arrives at the Curry Hotel. He is apprenticed to John, though at first neither is aware of their connection – Allan’s dad, Henry, is the man who died on the mountain and whose body was never recovered. Allan bears much anger toward God and John, whom he’s been told is at fault for his dad’s death. But as Allan gets to know John, he sees a far different man from the version told to him by Frank Irving, his late father’s friend and business partner. He finds a good friend in Cassidy, and, in the shadow of Denali, they discover that Henry’s death wasn’t an accident.

            This novel is the first out of the gate in the dual authors’ “The Heart of Alaska” series. While Curry was an actual place in Alaska, it now belongs to a bygone era, but one that you can’t help but wish you could visit after reading this story. Filled with historical realism and a setting ripe with details, “In the Shadow of Denali” is smartly written. I found the story to move swiftly forward. The characters were distinct, including the supporting characters. I would love to stand in the middle of this Curry Hotel and bask in the bustle and busyness of it all at such an historic phase. But, since I can’t go back in time and do that, I will take this story and its successors any day!

Extra (maybe learn something new!):

• Ahtna-Athabaskan: Alaska Native of the Athabaskan-speaking ethnolinguistic group of Alaska’s Copper River a.k.a. Ahtna River. (Wikipedia)

• Denali = the High One (a.k.a. Mount McKinley); Sultana = the Wife (a.k.a. Mount Foraker). (p. 38)

• “I’m part Athabaskan. That’s one of the native peoples in this part of Alaska. There are many groups – tribes, if you would. Those normally thought of as Eskimo are actually Inuit, Inupiat, and Yuit.” (pgs. 122-123)

• tsistl’unni (sounds like chist-loo-nee): hill snowshoes. “What you will need to climb the glacier.” (p. 270)

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"For the Record" by Regina Jennings

For the Record (Dec. 6, 2016) by Regina Jennings.*

In the [fictional] town of Pine Gap, Missouri, Betsy Huckabee has dreams of writing for a major newspaper and has written off the notion of finding a special someone. What single men there are in the area have long since moved on, and no one catches her eye anyway. That is, not until Deputy Joel Puckett arrives in town by order of the governor. He’s a bona fide cowboy, he is, from his Stetson hat to his shiny cowboy boots. And, to boot, he hails from Texas. But he has a past that he’d rather not share with the residents of Pine Gap, probably especially the Bald Knobbers, who work toward their own justice in perhaps not the most lawful of manners. And when Betsy finds herself creating a character based on the deputy’s dashing good looks, her Dashing Deputy stories may dash the small sliver of reputable reputation Joel has gained in Pine Gap, for word may get back to the wrong people.

            I found myself quite enjoying this historical fiction novel. Jennings creates a storyscape filled with all the things we’d expect of a good story: strong characters, a detailed setting, a robust plot and a satisfying conclusion. I’ve said this before, but I appreciate stories that feature a strong female lead, and Betsy is definitely that. Full of sass and verve, Betsy is an independent young woman who loves the Lord. She has dreams, but isn’t all head-in-the-clouds, either. As she points out, “God made her for trouble, equipped her for hardship.” Like us, she’ll overcome obstacles as need be and buttress others when times arise. Betsy’s faith is strong, but Joel’s has waned. Someone tells him through his struggle, “You didn’t expect this blow, but if it’s gonna knock you down, make sure you fall toward God, not away.” And that’s sound advice for any year, whether it’s 1885 or 2017!

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Positive Page-turner's Challenge: Take 2

Happy February! The picture I’m sharing reflects many of the books I’ve had on hand since the photo I posted on November 1^st. I have not made a big dent in this pile, and I’ve already discovered a novel that I had settled elsewhere that I would’ve liked to include in this photo. Ah, well, maybe next time.

            If you read the post’s title, you’ll know that I’m again trying my “Positive Page-turner’s Challenge.” I’ve made a couple major changes, which make up my challenge. Instead of donating $50 for every 875 pages I read, I’m going to donate $25 for every 500 pages I read. I’m hopeful that I’ll do much better this month than in November/December, even though February is the shortest month. My donation will again go toward the Haiti Project through my home church.

            What is going on in your life? Do you have a passion project you’d like to share? If you’d be interested in learning more about GoServ Global in Haiti or want to get involved at any level, please let me know! (FYI in the random: While getting cat food today, I also bought three 10-packs of bar soap. Again, I am ALWAYS collecting bar soap to send to Haiti via GoServ Global.)

            Blessings and happy reading to you all. Love, Lisa.