Review: A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

The Path Finders Book Two

"But when Creator said he would make rough ways smooth, I believe He was not talking about moving us to an easy path.  He meant He was going to make our stride long enough, our legs strong enough, to carry us through.  And when we reach our limits, He puts us on His back and He carries us and shields our eyes and hearts from that which would destroy our souls.” Spoken by Clear Day on pg. 363 in A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton.

The Path Finders series by Lori Benton is an epic historical rich in the themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and ultimate love.  In book one, The Wood’s Edge, we have two families forever intricately woven together by a deceitful, life altering decision made by one man on a night of extreme horror.  That first book takes us through nineteen years with two families whose decisions are bonded by vengeance, prejudice, and fear.  It is also a story of two fathers, one ruled by the vengeance and the other ruled by guilt and how this affects their loved ones. 

However, what happens when one decides to offer the forgiveness the other so desperately needs as Jesus calls us to do?  A Flight of Arrows, the second in the series, shows us just how that necessary yet difficult decision can change more lives than just the ones so close to the situation.

The Path Finders Book One

Years later, how can one man accept the stolen Oneida boy as his son yet not offer the same regard to the twin who holds his daughter’s heart just because his skin is darker?  This second book begins on the cusp of the Revolutionary War and the author takes us into the battlefields in a war that helped shape our nation into what it is today. I knew of the Native American Oneidas support that fought on the side of the Americans as they warred against the British for their independence, but I was unaware of how great a sacrifice they made.  

This two book series really needs to be read together to grasp the entire story the author wishes for us to understand.  These were my first reads by Lori Benton and I look forward to more of her talented writing.  Though I do hope she continues with these families in future works.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. The opinions are my own honest ones.

More about the author.

About Lori Benton

Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching, Lori enjoys exploring the Oregon wilderness with her husband. She is the author of Burning Sky, recipient of three Christy Awards, and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn.

Review: Burning Proof by Janice Cantore

To Purchase

Janice Cantore continues her Cold Case Justice series with Burning Proof as PI Luke and his now partner retired cop Woody, are taking care of the files and evidence of late Asa Foster’s (Abby’s former partner), that concerns the murder of Abby’s parents and Luke’s uncle.  Choosing not to let Abby know what they found, Luke and Woody have also signed up to work with the newly formed Cold Case Squad.  Their first unofficial assignment involves a young woman who was kidnapped and brutally assaulted yet escaped and lived to tell about it.  Her attacker, ten years later has yet to be found.  

Abby has had a crushing blow as she had to shoot a victim’s father in self-defense and she is having a rather hard time coping.  Not only with the fallout of the shooting, but also about the facts that she and Luke uncovered from the previous book.  Abby, deciding to take a break from police work goes to reconnect with her aunt and fiancé Ethan. 

Luke fills guilty about keeping secrets from Abby about the cold case that has affected them both and he is also trying to get over his attraction for her.  Luke and Abby are not together through most of this book and there was an introduction of a new love interest that has me a little concerned (I am rooting for Luke and Abby to be together).  Author Cantore does a splendid job of keeping the book moving for the major story arc cold case and the new one that Luke, Woody, and eventually Abby (who is brought in later) need to solve before the statute of limitations is up.

I look forward to the third installment.  I received a copy of this book for an honest review through The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: A Memory Worthy Dying For by Joanie Bruce

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

“Do Not Return To Texas!” Marti Rushing gets the message, loud and clear. If she returns to Texas, her life is in danger. If she stays in Tennessee, she’s safe. But when she receives a letter telling her that Daniel, her ex-husband and the love of her life, is dying, she knows she has to defy the stalker and return to Texas to see him. Three years ago, Daniel accused her of things she couldn’t remember doing. Without waiting for an explanation and after four wonderful years of marriage, Daniel kicks her off of his family’s Quarter Horse ranch. Now, three years after their separation, he walks into her art reception in Tennessee and acts like he doesn’t remember her. Does the memory loss have anything to do with the letter she received, or is Daniel pretending? Is he the one stalking her, or is it someone with a deadly, sinister motive? Ignoring the deadly warnings, she leaves for Texas, but on the way there, the attempts on her life begin. Will she be able to evade her pursuer’s attacks? Or will Daniel’s face be the last one she sees?

My Review

A Memory Worth Dying For by Joanie Bruce was a book that I was very interested in after reading the synopsis.  It piqued my interest and left me wondering what exactly was going on in the story.  The first few chapters still left me wondering what was going on in the story.  I was completely befuddled and simply scratching my head wondering what happened three years ago?  You are given a prologue that takes place those three years ago during the accident that ruined Marti’s life; however, the facts you are given in the prologue completely contradict the facts that are given later on in the story.  Someone must have twisted the evidence but who?  And who is Marti’s stalker who is determined that she not return to Texas and will even go so far as to attempt to kill her if she does? 

Marti is the sweetest person ever, if a little fragile after her husband broke her heart and threw her out of the house because of the accident that happened three years previous.  Marti does not understand why Daniel threw her out and yelled all those unkind things to her, because she was suffering short term amnesia from the accident (that’s right folks, Marti is not the one who holds the answers we oh, so desperately want.)

Moving on to our next suspect- uh I mean character...  Daniel  is Marti’s ex-husband, but he doesn’t even remember being married to her.  After their divorce he enlisted in the army and was blown up by a bomb.  He now has amnesia as well, and does not remember anything that happened after his college graduation (seriously who’s the person who has all the answers then?).  Gerald, Daniel’s father, certainly doesn’t.  He only knows what he’s been told.  However, Gerald is repentant of the way that he treated Marti when he encouraged Daniel to throw her out.  Now he has come up with a harebrained plan to bring Marti back to Texas (even though her stalker really doesn’t want her going there) in the hopes that her presence will help bring back Daniel’s memories before he marries his childhood friend Veronica who he obviously doesn’t love.  Now if only Gerald could find a way to trick Marti into returning to Texas before it is too late…

This book was a highly emotional fast paced story that will have you turning the pages just to figure out all that is going on, and- even when you realize what is going on- to see how all the characters are going to get out of this alive…

My thanks go to Celebrate Lit and the author for providing me with a copy for an honest review.  The opinions are my own.

Reviewed by Nicki

About the Author

Joanie has a strong passion for reading, and her love for books with nail-biting suspense, inspires her to write contemporary suspense books. Thankful that God has given her the ability to write from her home in the country, she strives to use that opportunity to honor Him in all of her writing. Joanie and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia, right in the middle of a pasture full of beef cows. There they raised and homeschooled their three children. She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, painting oil portraits, and caring for their home in the country.

Guest Post from Joanie Bruce

Hello everyone. My name is Joanie Bruce, and I’m happy to visit with you today and tell you a little about myself and my book, “A Memory Worth Dying For.”

The idea for this book actually started from a simple memory. Years ago, I watched a movie about a woman whose father-in-law ruined her marriage. That thought raised a question in my mind: What would happen if a married woman was kicked out of her home by her father-in-law, and her husband never stood up for her against his father?

Many questions and solutions emerged from that one idea, and the brainstorming began… One answer lead to another problem, and the answer to that problem produced another question. When all was done, the plot for this book emerged.

After adding suspense, mystery, love, and a growing spiritual aspect to that one idea, I was able to combine them to form an interesting plot. Finally, after several months of work, “A Memory Worth Dying For” was born.

I love this story because it shows forgiveness at its highest peak. Marti and Daniel have a wonderful marriage, but because of greed, selfishness, and a colossal misunderstanding, that marriage is dissolved. Even though they are separated, the love they feel for each other never wanes. Marti’s love for Daniel throws her into a dangerous situation, but that same love also gives her the perseverance and determination to stay in Texas and fight for the happiness of the man she loves even though her life is threatened if she does. I’m sure you’ve all read the Bible verse Joel 2:25a. “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.­­­” That verse is the one Marti clings to throughout the story.

As I do my writing each day, I pray that God will teach me something. Writing this book taught me so many lessons. Not only did I fall in love with the characters, but with the idea of practicing forgiveness in my own life. It also reinforced the knowledge that I should never jump to conclusions and get the facts before I make decisions. In this book, Daniel jumped to a conclusion and listened to gossip which caused the break-up of his marriage and unnecessary stress in his life.

Years ago, one of my Sunday School students gave me a book for Christmas called “In His Steps.” If you remember, that book started the campaign that encouraged you to ask “what would Jesus do?” before every action. I was convicted while reading that book because I knew I wasn’t doing things in my life for the Lord’s glory. So the next Sunday in church, I dedicated my life back to the Lord, and I began praying He would use me in whatever way He chose.

After those sincere prayers, the Lord began showing me how I could use my life and the talents He gave me for Him. It was shortly after that prayer I found out I had the ability to paint portraits, and not long after starting my art career, my first attempt at writing was accepted for a publishing contract. I realized then that following the Lord’s leading in my life and an attitude of gratefulness and obedience all worked together so the Lord would bless my efforts.

If you take anything away from this post, I hope it will be that the Lord can use anyone who is willing to be used. If you surrender your talents to him, no matter what your age or limitations, God can still use you for His glory.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I hope and pray that God blesses each of you in all of your accomplishments.

Blog Stops

August 30: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

August 30: Cassandra M’s Place

August 31: Petra’s Hope

September 1: A Reader’s Brain

September 2: Quiet Quilter

September 2: Splashes of Joy

September 3: History, Mystery & Faith

September 4: Ashley’s Bookshelf

September 5: Carpe Diem

September 6: Pause for Tales

September 7: Blogging with Carol

September 8: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

September 9: A Baker’s Perspective

September 10: bigreadersite

September 11: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

September 11: Daysong Reflections

September 12: just the write escape

September 12: Mary Hake

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanie is giving away a Kindle Fire and her books! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a29f

Reveiw: A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

A Tapestry of Secrets

About the Book

Perla Phillips has carried a secret for over sixty years. When she sees her granddaughter, Ella, struggling in life, Perla decides to share her story—then suffers a debilitating stroke before she can do so. As Ella and her aunt begin to look into her grandmother’s past, they’ll learn more than they expected about Perla, faith, and each other.

My Review

A Tapestry of Secrets is the third novel following the lives and generations of the Phillips family.  Taking place in 2008, we have Perla dealing with health issues, her relationship with her daughter Sadie is strained, and her granddaughter Ella is experiencing the letdowns of love and life.  Deciding to finally reveal the secret of who Sadie’s biological father is after all these years, Perla is devastated by the aftermath of a stroke.  Author Sarah Loudin Thomas does an exceptional job of putting us in Perla’s mind as she deals with a body that has imprisoned her with a secret she has longed to share with her daughter and the wisdom learned from that long ago sin that could help her granddaughter.

We also are privy to Ella’s viewpoint as she longs for a husband and children of her own yet running from a possible violent ex fiancé.  As Ella returns home she meets two possible suitors.  One a pastor and the other an enigma who she fears would love her family more than her.  This is a story of sharing past mistakes to help the next generation, of letting go of the things that hold us back, and of finding out that all that really matters is the treasure that will be found in heaven only.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and watching each generation come to fruition and that we get Perla’s insight in each book.  The only thing I would have liked was to have the love of her life, Casewell, be there with her.  This is a bittersweet tale of the ties that bind families together.

I received a copy for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions are my own.

Review: To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

To Follow Her Heart

Duty and love are powerful forces. Only one has the power to make her life complete.

It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton's ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados. There were no survivors. She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island.

Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy sails aboard a British warship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown. When he makes his surprise return to Southold--and to an overjoyed Patience--it's not quite the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for.

With a finely tuned sense for authentic historical characters and settings, Rebecca DeMarino plunges you into a world of tall ships, daring journeys, and yearning hearts.


My Review

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino is the third in her Southold Chronicles.  This was a historical novel taking place during the 1660’s when New York was still held by the Dutch and was called New Amsterdam.  Around this time the British wanted control of New Amsterdam and this book shows some of the history of the British take over which resulted in the gaining and the renaming to New York.  The history was fascinating and this book moved quicker than the previous. 

This story in particular dealt with the relationship of Patience Terry and Captain Jeremy Horton.  After the town thinking him dead after his entire crew and ship was lost at sea, his own desire to get back to the love of his life, you would think that he would want to settle down and marry her.  However, Patience lives up to her name and more and I must say that Jeremy was getting on my nerves.  He loved Patience but I believe he was unsure if he was the marrying type.  Poor Patience waited and waited trusting in his promises.  I was quite put out with him and was even hoping for a possible new love interest for her.  The lovely Patience knows her own heart and after waiting for Jeremy for years, will she continue or has he asked too much of her this time?  The title was fitting.

We are once again reunited with old friends and this book does take a sad turn that I was not expecting.  The covers of this series are absolutely gorgeous, they look like paintings.  I am curious at what next will come from the pen of author Rebeca DeMarino.

I received a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and the opinions are my own.

Review: Fresh Brewed by Pamela Ford

Breanna Mitchell is on her way to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. Maybe she'll even have a beachside fling to help her get over a recent breakup.

But when a tropical storm makes her destination hotel uninhabitable, a chance encounter at continental breakfast delivers a fabulous option—with a catch. She and her friends can stay at a privately-owned, three-story oceanfront home—if she pretends to be the girlfriend of the owner's heartbreaker grandson, Ethan. Since he won't even be there, how hard could it be?

Everything is going swimmingly until Bree drinks too much wine and regales the family with romantic tales about her relationship with Ethan. His adorable brother Adam gets suspicious. His marriage-minded grandma gets engagement fever. The beautiful woman next door gets teary-eyed.

And then, Ethan unexpectedly arrives. Suddenly Bree is about to get everything she's ever wished for—but is it what she really wants?

Buy the book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

My Review

Fresh Brewed is the second in The Continental Breakfast Club and finds our three friends going on vacation to the ocean for some relaxing time.  This is also Bree’s idea fantasy of meeting “the one” at a vacation continental breakfast in a 5 star hotel resort.  However, things do not turn out the way any of the friends think or planned as a pesky hurricane by the name of Drake has sidelined them in Atlanta, Georgia.  Good news the next morning though, as Drake has gone out to sea with minimal damage to the coast.  The very busy layover continental breakfast brings them to a chance meeting with Kristin Caruso who is also headed to the Outer Banks for a family vacation.  Kristin also happens to have two single brothers. She and the three girls find they have much in common and hit it off.  As circumstances collide, Kristen comes up with a zany idea that will not only help her brother Ethan in a sticky family situation but will also benefit the three friends.  Bree agrees to be the pretend serious girlfriend of Ethan, who is not going to be at the family vacation so their grandmother, who has been quite put out with him, will be happy. 

Again relying on the lies that these four have concocted, Bree paints a picture of Ethan as a most romantic guy that has the whole family hearing wedding bells.  However, Bree did not realize that she would feel such a strong connection to Adam, the younger brother.  This story takes a ridiculous turn for the worse as Ethan surprises everyone and ends up showing up after all.

This was another laugh out loud adventure with a touch of bittersweet as Bree realizes she has actually fallen in love with the whole family and now her reputation is at stake.  This novel was reminiscent of the movie While You Were Sleeping starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, which was fun to watch, hilarious, and bittersweet too.  Again I liked the seeing the three best friends have each other’s backs and adding Kristin to the mix will make for interesting future reads.

Content Warning: Like the first, this book is an adult read and has a sprinkling of bad language throughout; otherwise I would consider this one a fairly clean read.

I received a copy for an honest review through iRead Book Tours and the opinions are my own.

Author's Bio:

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot - and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer - and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads

Review: Without Warning by Lynette Eason

About the book:

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.

Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again.

My Review:

Without Warning is a nice addition to Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardians series.  This time we follow guardian/bodyguard Katie Singleton.  She happens to be driving home one night when she notices policemen at the restaurant of owner Daniel Matthews who is the uncle of one of her self-defense students, Riley.  A dead body has been found hanging in the basement of his restaurant and one of Daniel’s other places has gone up in flames all in the same night.  Coincidence?  Nobody seems to think it is.  Because of this, 17 year old Riley decides to hire Katie and her team to protect her uncle so she does not lose him as her parents have already died in a car accident.  However, Daniel is not your usual client as he is a former marine and has skills of his own. 

This was a fast paced ride and the villain was quite wacked out.  He/she did not seem to give the characters a moment of peace and they were constantly on their toes trying to stay one step ahead and trying not to get killed.  I liked the chemistry between Katie and Daniel and I enjoyed visiting the whole team again.  The stark white covers with the smoke around the characters I think are some of the best suspense covers I have seen.  I look forward to Maddie’s story next.

I was provided a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and the opinions are my own.