!Review Moments of Truth by Sandra D. Bricker.  Regan Sloane was married once. Eight years, no kids, she got the house. In the years since the divorce, she's managed to keep afloat with the only real skill she has: Writing. She hadn't really noticed how her readership had blossomed until a well-known reviewer noticed her sweet little lifestyle blog. When had it transformed into a single woman's go-to? With the life and loves of her four BFFs to fuel the content and have her back at every turn Regan realizes that something magical happens when women join forces. Girl Power just might be the new super power!Regan Sloane was married once. Eight years, no kids, she got the house. In the years since the divorce, she's managed to keep afloat with the only real skill she has: Writing. She hadn't really noticed how her readership had blossomed until a well-known reviewer noticed her sweet little lifestyle blog. When had it transformed into a single woman's go-to? With the life and loves of her four BFFs to fuel the content and have her back at every turn Regan realizes that something magical happens when women join forces. Girl Power just might be the new super power!

 This is the latest offering from one of  my favorites Sandra Bricker. It is also  a bit of a departure in that this project is for Bling Romance a new imprint of edgy inspirational fiction. It is the wonderful story  of the friendship shared by five women. Sometimes life is just more bearable in all of its ups and downs with people who get you. People who are there  to support you through those moments of Truth. The author does a great job of selecting women who are in various life situations and are from various backgrounds. Each has major challenges  and decisions. Through it all they are there for each other. I liked the feel of  the bond between the characters as much as I do in Neta Jackson's Yada Yada series. Since that is one of my all  time favorite series that is really saying something.                                                                                                                                                                                            I thought that it reflected the situation of a lot of people who have a mixed bag of people in their lives. Some are grounded in their faith and may have come to faith after some adventures in other lifestyles. Some consider questions of faith when facing serious illness or loss. Some people do not have a faith life and are accustomed to thinking in a different bent. They find it difficult to believe that others could find happy living according to the tenets of their faith in the modern world  with its prevailing attitudes.                                                                                          Friendships are the relationships which we ourselves choose. They cross boundaries of race,religion ,socio-economic status etc. A unique connection is forged and enriches our lives. The love and support women give to.one another  and the difference that it makes in their lives was the subject matter here and masterfully communicated.                                                                                                                On the technical side, Me Bricker developed her characters well  and have us a glimpse into their inkjet world. The plot was organic and well executed. Even when she kills.US it is.still ok because we want to know what happens next. I enjoyed reading this book and am glad to known that there is more to come from this author including an interactive work based on the successful Emma Rae Creation series . This will.continue where the last book left off.

Review: Good Clean Murder by Traci Tyne Hilton. Bible school student Jane cleans houses to make ends meet. She’s getting by just fine — until she finds one of her customers murdered in his bed.                                                                                                                                                     Actually she finds both her client and his wife dead which kicks off a whole series of events that directly impact Jane. I really liked this first book in the series. The characters were interesting and the plot held my interest throughout. The author kept you guessing who the culprit was and kept throwing out possible suspects and plot twists. The main character is well meaning and actually gains valuable insight into herself and also into her readiness to go off to a foreign mission field. I liked the touch of romance thrown in and well worked into the plot line. I actually read this as an ebook with audible narration and In was also very satisfied with the accompaniment of the audio book. The narrator did a nice job. 

Review: Point blank by Fern Michaels. The women of Fern Michaels’ New York Times bestselling Sisterhood series are beloved for bringing justice to strangers in need. And when one of their own needs help, that loyalty and commitment goes double… Nothing compares to the bond between Sisters—except perhaps the special brotherhood between some of their menfolk. Nikki’s husband, Jack Emery, and Yoko’s partner, Harry Wong, have forged a deep friendship over the years. So when Jack awakens one night, knowing in his bones that Harry’s in trouble, he immediately rushes to Harry’s dojo. Harry, pacing like a lion, has received a phone call from his old schoolmate Jun Yu in China. Both were educated at a Shaolin temple—the same temple where Harry’s daughter, Lily, is now a student. But Jun Yu has had to vacate the temple urgently. He’s managed to get his son out, but Lily is missing. And now Jun is trusting Harry to guard the most precious things in his life—his wife Ling and their two children, whom he has smuggled to America. While long-time ally Pearl Barnes whisks Ling and her children to safety via her underground railroad, the Sisters and their allies head to the war room to make plans. Finding Lily is a top priority, and Kathryn’s partner, Bert Navarro, comes up with a way for the group to travel to China. They’ll go to Macau, nicknamed “the Monte Carlo of the Orient,” on the pretext of opening a casino there. But what will they find once they reach their destination? Can they hope to rescue Lily when the enemy has the home advantage…and the will to kill? The odds are stacked against them, but when the Sisterhood is involved, you can always bet on the underdog.                                                                                                       I always have problems with some of the brutality in this series which is involved in the vigilantism. It is similar to the feelings that I have while reading the Bad Day series by Sophie Littlefield featuring Stella Hardestyas the vigilante. However I keep feeling myself drawn to reading the next installment because of other factors including the characters by themselves, in relationship to each other and the general Robin Hood feeling of the series. The character development continues in this volume where we get a rare glimpse into the psyche of Avery Snowden who mainly appears as hero and clean up man who mAkes people disappear and has mysterious spook resources at his disposal. We also get interesting information about Harry Wong, his upbringing and background . The return of Cooper the magical dog is wonderful . It is a nice touch of the mystical in an otherwise gritty yet glittering world. This is another showing of girl power on steroids  which was great. I also liked to see Kathering protest too much at the end. Ready for more.

Review: Just Different Devils by Jinx Schwartz  Hetta Coffey is a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it—most of the time. She's an intrepid cruiser, but wild rumors of marauding gangs of flesh-shredding giant Humboldt squid on a rampage in the Sea of Cortez could keep even Hetta tied to an expensive dock. However, when the opportunity for an intriguing and highly lucrative charter arises she talks her best friend, Jan, into signing on for a mysterious cruise. Damn the calamari! Full bank account ahead!                                                                                                  This is the sixth installment in the Hetta Coffey action/adventure mystery series. It includes moments of bothersome and humor. One of the best things about this series is the main character and her best friend. They are a little  worldly, a little crazy , funny ,brave and kick - ass. Both her freelance work and her living full time on a yacht get Hetta into unique situations and this series gives us an inside look at the world and culture of serious boaters.  In this book a recurring character ,Nacho makes an appearance once more. Nacho is a mysterious guy who appears to have ties to both government agencies and bad guys and is your basic rakish and charming , not sure what in the world you are actually about but you're exciting fellow.                    Various underhanded and nefarious goings on  lead Hetta to suspect that someone is blaming giant squid in order to cover up their operation. Even her dog gives us some moments of suspense which is saying something. You really want to root for Hetta . She is funny, zesty ans spunky. Ends are tied up neatly and satisfyingly.

Review :Lamp Black, Wolf Grey by Paula BrackstonArtist Laura Matthews finds her new home in the Welsh mountains to be a place so charged with tales and legends that she is able to reach through the gossamer-fine veil that separates her own world from that of myth and fable. She and her husband Dan have given up their city life and moved to Blaencwm, an ancient longhouse high in the hills. Here she hopes that the wild beauty will inspire her to produce her best art and will give her the baby they have longed for. But this high valley is also home to others, such as Rhys the charismatic loner who pursues Laura with fervor. And Anwen, the wise old woman from the neighboring farm who seems to know so much but talks in riddles. And then there is Merlin. Lamp Black, Wolf Grey tells both Laura's story and Merlin's. For once he too walked these hills, with his faithful grey wolf at his heel. It was here he fell in love with Megan, nurse-maid to the children of the hated local noble, Lord Geraint. Merlin was young, at the start of his renowned career as a magician, but when he refuses to help Lord Geraint it is Megan who may pay the price.                                                                                                                                                                                                              Okay so here we have two stories running throughout the book as the description explains. Laura , an artist who is heartbroken that she has not been able to conceive wants  a home in the country and a fresh start with her husband Dan. Megan is a girl in another time period who works as a governess to Lord Geraint' s children. Her father is the local horse breeder. As you might expect there are elements of magical realism as Laura has contact with beings that are supernatural in origin. There is  apart thAt reminds me of how some people describe the film adaptation of Game of Thrones, a great story with unneeded ,explicit sex scenes. I believe the writer includes this in order to set up the rest of the plot line and to explain what was going on inside Laura's head. Still I am not sure the particular way in which we are given to understand that something occurred is always necessary in mostnpiterature, not only in this work.                                                                                                                                    I enjoyed  the writers ability to surprise me while reading with plot twists as well as perspective shifts. I am not that sure how come the anything works out the way it does . I guess that is the part.that should have been described in more detail. Ms. Brackston' s portrayal of the relationship between Laura and her husband was well done and felt very real. I loved the way that her supernatural guardians stepped in to help her. I also loved how things were wrapped up nicely at the end with still an otherworldly touch in evidence. She captured the main characters angst very well and describes the ennui of many modern women but with the Merlin plot thrown in with a Destiny beyond time.  I also felt that she did drama well and had me anxious for what would happen next.

   

Review:The Gift by Wanda Brunstetter

Follow the heart-wrenching story of Adam Beachy, whose mother walked out on him and his family—and away from the Amish faith. Now he balks at the idea of ever marrying and having a family of his own. But when tragedy strikes, Adam is suddenly a father figure to his three nieces and finds himself needing a wife. Despite their differences over her practice of reflexology, Leah Mast seems the best option to fill that role. Can they make it work in a modern-day marriage of convenience?                                                                                  This was a wonderful story . Adam has been wounded by events in his childhood. Unfortunately they center around someone who also practiced reflexology. Leah swiftly develops an attachment to the children and an attraction to Adam. He is also drawn to her but they agree on a marriage of convenience. Things heat up when the person who impacted Adam so much in the past turns up  and is accidentally found by Leah. The story was rich and full of the inner dialogue of the characters as well as the narrative. This book is part of a series and I really want to read the next one to see how things progress. I felt that the life situations of the people portrayed were done well . Issues of one's personal calling, bitterness  and unforgiveness  and love were explored and dealt with admirably. 

Review:The Bakers Wife by Erin Healy

Before Audrey was the baker's wife, she was the pastor's wife. Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey. Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey's car strikes something--or someone--at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there's no trace of a body. Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield's wife, and he's certain that Audrey is behind Julie's disappearance. But the case dead-ends and the detective spirals into madness. When he takes her family and some patrons hostage at the bakery, Audrey is left with a soul-damaged ex-con and a cynical teen to solve the mystery. And she'll never manage that unless she taps into something she would rather leave behind--her excruciating ability to feel other's pain.This was the first time that I have read this author. I had heard some very good things about her work from fellow book enthusiasts so I took the plunge. I think that I will be reading more of her work because I found her to be an interesting writer who weaves supernatural elements into her work and develops both complex charafters and plots but also moving and suspenseful as well as spiritual threads together well. The portrayal of a family wracked by mental health issues and conflict was edge of your seat. Her portrayal of Diane and Audrey' s family was equallynpoignant and affecting. This book took me on a complex thrill ride through emotions , following God's leading, hostage taking ,identity and marital questions as well as the odd ways that people are drawn to a train wreck and also drawn to lend their support. I believe that she plots out before she writes because their were elements where you recalled her mentioning this was in the environment etc. earlier in the story. Descriptions were vivid and I could "see" the people and surroundings well. 

Sabotaged by Daniel Pettrey.

I  am sorry that this is the last book in the series because  I have truly enjoyed it. I enjoyed getting to know this family  and their significant others. I also thoroughly enjoyed the mystery , suspense and romance in the stories. Here is the synopsis to start us off.                                                                                                                                  Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey’s search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light. Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits. Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank’s daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper’s bidding or she will die. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen. This one was very suspense ful and wraps up nicely. All of our main characters are in this one to some degree. Lots of action and lots of self discovery, romantic feelings and personal growth along with the race against time. It was nice lynbrook done  as a series wrap up. I am now looking forward to her next big thing is coming soon and it is called Cold Shot. 

Review: Veil of Pearls by MaryLi Tyndal                                

She thought she could outrun her past... It is 1811, and the prosperous port city of Charleston is bustling with plantation owners, slaves and immigrants. Immigrants such as the raven-haired Adalia Winston. But Adalia has a secret: her light skin belies that she is part black and a runaway slave from Barbados. Skilled in herbal remedies, Adalia finds employment with a local doctor and settles into her quiet life, thankful for her freedom but still fearful that her owner will find her. Born into one of Charleston's prominent families, Morgan Rutledge is handsome, bored—and enamored of the beautiful Adalia, who spurns his advances. Morgan's persistence, however, finally wins, and Adalia is swept into the glamorous world of Charleston high society. But Adalia's new life comes at a high price—that of denying her heritage and her zeal for God. How far is she willing to go to win the heart of the man she loves? And when her secret is revealed, will that love be enough, or will the truth ruin Morgan and send Adalia back into slavery?                                                                                                                                                                                        So this is my first time reading this author although I have thought about it before. Some of her story lines sounded interesting. I enjoyed Bolton the story and the writing style. I also liked the way that she took on the time period and the difficult subject. The main character had a tragic story in her early life and was making a different life foe herself elsewhere as an adult. As sometimes happens her identity became known and the awful person from whom she wished to be permanently parted could try to enforce his will. The way that she became enslaved after being a free child and what happened later just prepare you for what a weirdo the guy is. The love interest also has static with his mom and dad as he really has a completely different trade in mind than they do. Elements of faith are woven through the story. It was done very well and in keeping with the plot and characters. In really rooted for this woman. She deserved something go

od and normal to happen to her because she was a fine woman.