Touchdown Tommy by Ace Collins

Title: Touchdown Tommy

Author: Ace Collins

Pages: 120

Year: 2016

Genre: Contemporary novel

Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     My life was over! I mean really over! Here I was, a kid who’d placed second in the city tennis tourney, a top-scoring soccer player, lots of friends, loving my life in Chicago, and what happens? My parents were killed in an auto accident. And I was too young to live alone, so I get shipped off to Texas to live with my grandparents on a farm. A farm! Here I was in Hicksville with nothing to do. Boy, was I missing my parents and my life in Chicago.

     Nobody here understood me. There’s one girl, Satara, who’s been nice, but she just doesn’t get me either. So you wonder how I got from here to having the nickname, Touchdown Tommy? Well, why don’t you open the book and let me tell you…

My review:

     This is a wonderful young adult novel.

     Tommy Hillman is an incredibly well developed character. The book is written from his perspective and his feelings are so well presented early on that my heart was breaking for him and all that he was experiencing.

     In the very first chapter his whole world, as he knew it, fell apart when his parents were killed in a car accident. He is then launched on a journey to learn how to keep living and build a new life. I really liked the fact that a lot of the journey was Tommy learning to recognize what his attitude was and how it affected him as well as everyone around him.

     This story is filled with very detailed accounts of six-man high school football games as well as 11-man college football games. Since I’m not a fan of football a lot of this basically went over my head. I’m sure those who love the game will thoroughly enjoy these descriptions.

     I found this book to be very entertaining. I am recommending it and giving it a rating of 5 stars.

     You can find out more about Ace and his books on his website at: http://www.acecollins.com/

Silent Sabotage (First Responders #5) by Susan Sleeman

Title: Silent Sabotage (First Responders #5)

Author: Susan Sleeman

Pages: 224

Release Date: August 1, 2016 (eBook), August 9, 2016 (paperback)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     A hidden enemy.

     Emily Graves left everything behind to save her aunt’s struggling bed-and-breakfast, but she’s hardly through the door before she’s the one who needs saving. Someone in Bridal Veil, Oregon, will go to any lengths – even murder – to keep her from making the B and B a success. Sheriff’s deputy Archer Reed has made it his personal mission to bring down the culprit. But first he has to convince Emily to accept his protection . . . and determine why anyone would want to harm her. As Emily’s unknown enemy becomes increasingly violent, Archer may be the only person who can keep her alive.

My review:

     This is another fantastic suspense novel!

     Though all of the members of the FRS are present and helping out in this book the story itself is a stand-alone suspense. It is fun to catch up on the private lives of the main characters from the previous books. I do suggest that you read these books in order even though it is not absolutely necessary to.

     After meeting Archer Reed in the earlier books in this series I was very happy to find out more about him. I found Emily Graves to be a wonderfully well-developed character and well suited to Archer. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the two of them interacted with each other from the beginning of the story.

     They each have very deep emotional wounds that have made them swear off of romantic relationships. Yet their attraction to each other has both of them struggling and fighting personal battles in the midst of the danger that is lurking and threatening to destroy Emily.

     I love the fact that part of the struggle for both of them is their mental belief in God and trying to get their hearts to accept the truth of His faithfulness. It can be a big journey and one that every believer has to take.

     As with each of the earlier books in this series this on is getting a rating of 5 stars from me and I am highly recommending it.

     You can find out more about Susan and her books on her website at: http://www.susansleeman.com/books/

Courageous (Valiant Hearts #3) by Dina L. Sleiman

Title: Courageous (Valiant Hearts #3)

Author: Dina L. Sleiman

Pages: 368

Release Date: July 5, 2016

Genre: Medieval

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     Valiant Hearts: Where Adventure and Romance Meet

     Inspired by the vision of the Young Lady Sapphira, Rosalind, of Ipsworth joins a group of men, women, and children as a defender of the cross, seeking to free captives from prisons near Tripoli. She gladly gives herself to the cause, as she’s haunted by a tragic mistake and no longer deserves such joys as marriage and family might bring.

     Sir Randel Penigree was reared to serve in the church, but dreams of protecting the innocent as a knight. Joining a crusade to escape humiliation at home, he finds himself drawn to Rosalind as they partner to train and protect a group of yound adolescents. When they face political machinations, danger, and an unknown enemy bent on their destruction, they are forced to reconsider their priorities and the very nature of the God they serve.

My review:

     This is another incredible medieval tale!

     This is a stand-alone story. A number of the characters were in secondary roles in the earlier books in the series but there is enough information included in this book about them that you don’t need to have read either of the previous novels before this one.

     I loved getting to know more about Rosalind and meeting Randel. They are both wonderful though flawed characters. They each have deep seated guilt that they are carrying from things that have happened in their pasts. They each have a journey to travel to try and deal with their guilt and learn to accept God’s love and forgiveness as truth.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the action and battle scenes. Part of what I liked was that there are no graphic details given and yet the fear and focus that the knights and other fighters experienced was clearly expressed.

     The other aspect of this group of crusaders and their battles was the attention that they had on prayer and seeking God’s guidance. This is how I believe we are all supposed to live and I love it when that is how the characters in books live as well.

     This wonderful book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I highly recommend it.

     You can find out more about Dina Sleiman and her books on her website at:

http://awesomeinspirationals.blogspot.com/p/who-is-dina.html

The Choosing (Seer Novel #1) by Rachelle Dekker

Title: The Choosing (Seer Novel #1)

Author: Rachelle Dekker

Pages: 464

Year: 2015

Genre: Dystopian

Publisher: Tyndale House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     They told her being chosen was all that mattered. That it would secure her future, her worth. That not being chosen would yield a cruel fate.

     Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’s spent a lifetime preparing for - her Choosing Ceremony - to end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society, because she knows it’s her duty to follow the way of the Authority.

     As Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. Though the whispers contradict everything she’s been told, they resonate deep within.

     Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of. It’s an opportunity to be chosen at last, but she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. Does the Authority truly know what’s best for society? And how can it let a killer run free while Lints are dying? Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.

My review:

     When I checked with other reviewers to find out what the genre would be for this book and was told “dystopian” my first thought was, “What is Dystopian”? So I went to the dictionary. It didn’t actually have the word “dystopian” in it. The definition I found was for dystopia: an imaginary place where people are unhappy and usually afraid because they are not treated fairly. This definition definitely fits the world within the pages of this book.

     A very thought provoking dystopian novel!

     I connected immediately with both Carrington Hale and Remko Brant, the two main characters. I was heart-broken many times throughout the book because of what these two sweet individuals were going through. The hopelessness of their situations was palpable.

     My interest was caught by the reality of how Carrington was affected by the things that she had been told her whole life. There are many things that we say without thinking about how they will affect the person hearing them. This story really brought my attention to how a person’s whole demeanor and outlook on life can be formed by negative comments.

     An underlying story is the mystery of the Lints who are being murdered. There are glimpses into the twisted mind of the killer at a number of points in the book. I was very interested in finding out who the killer was. I was definitely rooting for his capture and the safety of the Lints to be restored. They have so much hardship already.

     This is a wonderful book and I’m highly recommending it. It is getting a 5 star rating from me.

     You can find out more about Rachelle and her books on her website at: http://rachelledekker.com/home/

No Other Will Do (Ladies of Harper's Station #1) by Karen Witemeyer

Title: No Other Will Do (Ladies of Harper's Station #1)

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Pages: 364

Year: 2016

Genre: Historical Romance (1894)

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     Men are optional. That’s the credo Emma Chandler’s suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women’s colony in Harper’s Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight – and she knows just the one.

     Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma’s plea arrives, he bolts to Harper’s Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she’s not a girl any longer. She’s a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn’t deserve.

     As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.

My review:

     An exciting historical romance novel!

     This is first book that I’ve read by Karen Witemeyer. She has now been placed on my favorite author list. I have to be sure and find all of her other books and read them too.

     The characters in this story are incredibly well developed. They have a wide range of personalities and backgrounds that have made them the people that they are. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them, both one on one or in a group setting.

     I was especially drawn to Emma and Malachi. The deep connection between them was first formed 10 years before the start of the danger in this book. It is the foundation for the trust that they in each other for the trials they are trust into. Add on top of that a deep belief in God and trust in Him for guidance and the background is set.

     I have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

     You can find out more about Karen and her books on her website at: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

Missing (The Nikki Boyd Files #2) by Lisa Harris

Title: Missing (The Nikki Boyd Files #2)

Author: Lisa Harris

Pages: 320

Release Date: July 5, 2016

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     Nikki Boyd isn’t usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she’s ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant – and another dead body – Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business – including Nikki.

     Christy Award-winning and bestselling author Lisa Harris puts you right into the action in this fast-paced thriller.

My review:

     This is another wonderful romantic suspense novel!

     It was great to return to Tennessee and see what Nikki Boyd and her friend Tyler Grant are dealing with now. There is more development of both of these characters and their friendship since the end of the first book. Because of this relationship and how it is growing I have to say that this is part of a “true” series. The case that Nikki is trying to solve is a completely stand-alone portion of the book. It has absolutely no connection to the previous story.

     The search for the missing woman is a very intricately woven tale. There are a number of trails that are followed and a lot of great twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout the book.

     I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am giving it a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to seeing what Nikki faces in the next book in this series.

     You can find out more about Lisa and her books on her website at: http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/

A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams #1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Title: A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams #1)

Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Pages: 162

Release Date: July 1, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Mountain Brook INK

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this story from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     School teacher Nicole Davis is on summer break, but this vacation is unlike any other. Her beloved Grandmother’s final wish has landed Nicole smack in the middle of her favorite destination – Sunriver, Oregon, following Grams’s clues on a mysterious scavenger hunt. Unexpectedly, Nicole finds more than just a fellow sleuth in a handsome police officer, Mark Stone. But Mark must return to his job in Portland at summer’s end, and Nicole must guard her heart.

     Mark is hoping for a quiet summer in Sunriver as he contemplates his future in law enforcement, but a string of burglaries draws him from his self-imposed break from detective work and thrusts him into the middle of the investigation. To complicate matters, Nicole is in jeopardy, and he knows his growing feelings for her could cloud his judgment. Will their differing career goals be the end of their summer romance – or just the beginning of forever after?

My review:

     This is a sweet contemporary romance.

     The main characters were well developed and easy to connect with. I really liked the fact that they took time to get to know each other before any hint of romance came into the picture. Both Nicole and Mark are dealing with issues from the past that they need to deal with that make them hesitate to get too close. To me this is very realistic since most people have past issues to work through at any particular time in their life.

     The only down side for me in this story was that there wasn’t more of the scavenger hunt and effort put into figuring out the clues. It was only a minor disappointment for me so I didn’t take off from my star rating for it.

     I am giving this sweet story a rating of 5 stars and recommending it. It is perfect for a relaxing summer day.

     You can find out more about Kimberly and her books on her website at: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/