Special review: Protect and Defend from March 2009

In the 10th installment in the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn, Protect and Defend, it took place in post 9/11. The president of Iran spent vast money on the development of a nuclear program. He didn't want to wait anymore for the war to end with his enemy, Israel, who launched one of the most daring espionage operations ever conceived. And that left a radioactive tomb and environmental disaster in its wake. Iran blamed Israel and the USA and wanted them to pay. Mitch Rapp was sent to investigate and undergo a most dangerous operation to embarrass Iran and push them to the brink. Meanwhile, the Iranian president hatched a plan to team up with Hezbollah to leave an attack of their own in its wake. It was up to Mitch to do whatever it takes to stop it from imploding in 24 hours... or die trying.

In a post 9/11 world, where terrorism to our country would always be our threat, this thriller did deliver with that kind of message.  I was always enthralled with Mitch Rapp in the CIA and his life outside it. When our country was in turmoil and a blame game started wars, I applauded for his efforts to see things through. I loved the non-stop action in the central location of the Middle East and also in the USA. I loved how he interacted with other others to get to the heart of the problem. I cared about him in the most profound way, when he'd gotten caught and into trouble. This thriller left me speechless and numb with a cold wave of sweat. Non-stop action in every suspense and tons of drama to keep you reading for the shocking ending.

Ready to stop a war? Raise a white flag with a copy today!

No Eye Can See

In the second installment of the Kinship and Courage series, No Eye Can See, the tale continued for Suzanne Culver and the rest of the widows who lost their husband from the cholera epidemic on the Oregon Trail. For all of them, they bonded like family and became closer friends, when they journeyed to California and hoped to find their own way. New romances bloom for Mazy and Tipton, while Suzanne wanted to be independent on her own and take care of her two young sons. Based on true facts of the original pioneers, there's no doubt of danger from Zane Randolph, Ruth Martin's estranged husband who spent time in prison for killing his own son on the trail. Heartache, romance, and new secrets and lies turn up in this continuation of the saga with an inspirational message for God to guide them along their ways.

This was a sweet inspirational romance about finding your way with God's love. For Suzanne, I cared about her being a widow seeking independence and raising her two sons. I loved the friendship she made with her friends and other families on the Oregon Trail. I didn't care for Zane so much and what he did to Ruth and others. This gave the term "blind faith" a whole new meaning. I loved the scenery they took to get there with wagons. I also loved the historical notes and backstory as well.

Ready to take a trip? Get on board and grab a ride with this book!

Spouse Trap

Get ready for a wild ride in Cynthia Hamilton's Spouse Trap.  In the first installment of the Madeline Dawkins Mystery series, Madeline Ridley ended up raped by a mysterious man at a fundraiser event one night. From there, it went downhill from there. Her husband Steven came home and accused her of adultery while asking her for divorce. Flabbergasted, she was cast out of her home with a tarnished reputation in Santa Barbara. Madeline vowed revenge, when she tailed a private eye meeting with her husband. She decided to get herself a divorce lawyer and a private eye on her case. She learned what evil plots her husband had against her with one dropped bombshell after another piling against her. Therefore, he sent her to a quickie divorce in Guam, when she went into a tailspin after learning about her PI's death. Madeline transformed herself and did her own sleuthing against her husband to slam him, while she had the upperhand in the end and went into another career of her own.

This was a real nail-biter mystery. I loved the locations of Guam and Santa Monica California. I really hated Maddie's husband Steven with a passion who pushed her into divorce. I loved Maddie and Michael, two close friends who worked together. I also liked Burt until he met his demise by a pair of evil hands. I didn't like those people who snubbed her. But I cherished her friends who supported her and helped her out. I liked how Maddie transformed herself to give her ex his comeuppance and to branch out into a new career field for her in the end.

Ready to trap a louse? Snatch a copy today!

Murder by the Glass

In the second installment of the Wine Lover's Mystery series,  Murder by the Glass, Nikki Sands returned to this newest mystery that had befallen on her lap. Six months after she solved her first vineyard mystery, she was Derek's date to a wedding. But there's no happily ever after to the happy couple, when she winded up dead on her wedding day and poisoned by her glass. When Nikki's best friend Isabel was framed for her murder, she did everything she could to clear her name and learned more about the deceased bride's past history and no claim to fame. The closer she'd gotten closer to the truth, the more curious she was to know the culprit. While this happened, she couldn't control her feelings for her boss, Derek, while her best friend's brother had feelings for her. Mama mia! She winded up in a love triangle of her own.

This was another fantastic Nikki Sands culinary cozy. I loved the backdrop of Napa Valley California and the vineyards. It was so vivid and visual to see it in such lovely descriptions. I love the couple of Nikki and Derek. I did feel bad for Isabel and her brother Andre, when she was falsely accused. I did become concerned on Nikki's snooping and on Derek's possible jealousy. The little mini ghost story attached was something special as well.  I loved the wine pairing tips included in the book as well. It was enough to make you mouth water. Great chemistry, nice drama, and a perfect light read.

Cheers! Feel free to check it out today!

Sniper's Honor

In Sniper's Honor,  the 9th book in the Bob Lee Swagger Thriller series, Bob Lee Swagger returned on his latest adventure yet. When a close friend from the Washington Post asked him to help her with a story in Russia, it took them all the way to the Ukraine to get down the bare facts. Part historical fiction, part thriller/adventure in alternating chapters, Swagger and Kathy Reilly followed the trail of the legendary female Russian sniper, Ludmilla "Mili" Petrova, during World War II against the Germans and the Serbians. Russian called her a heroine, while others think otherwise and call her a traitor. Swagger, a fellow sniper himself, wanted to do the right thing and honor her legacy. Others wanted to stop them in the tracks in Russia from honoring her memory, when they turned the tables on their pursuers. From the frontlines of the war, down to present day on the trail for Swagger, this fast-paced thriller takes us back and forth in time, with a subplot from Israel, which lead to the shocking conclusion of the main fantastic storyline.

This was a fantastic spy thriller with historical elements. In alternating chapters, I cared to learn more about Mili and how she became wide-known after the second world war. She lead a fascinating history and legacy for her kids. With those historical facts inserted in to make it accurate and real, this made for a good real. I also cared for Bob Lee Swagger, an aging spy to find out the truth about her. I couldn't find anyone to hate or any scenes to hate, either. But both Mili and Bob were wonderful characters.

Ready to honor a spy? Grab a copy for someone's Christmas list this month!

Special Review from December 2008: Southern Cross

In Patricia Cornwell's Southern Cross, the first book in the Andy Brazil series, she told us another dark tale that took place down south in Virginia. For Judy Hammer, she took on the challenge as the new police chief in Charlotte, Virginia, and brought her deputy chief and a rookie police officer to help her deal with the tangled mess she landed in. For the trio, they dealt with police corruption, scandals and swiftly handled a murder on their doorstep with a big-city police department. It was no easy task for them to clean up the police force. While Judy dealt with loss and the brunt of anguish from the local government, a computer virus froze their screens with a blue fish and later with a southern cross, the symbol from a gang. In this fast-paced police procedural thriller, we watch how Judy and her team took care of the mayhem and put them into an organized law and order system.

This was a gripping mystery. I loved the location of Charlotte, North Carolina, and how a small town business became ugly. I did feel a hardship for Judy, who came under fire and such criticism. I liked how Andy and Virginia helped her out with this harrowing ordeal. There were some ugly stuff going on here that dealt with corruption and terrorism. But I loved how it didn't let it faze them and became stronger for that. Lots of drama and hard-core suspense in this series to keep you reading to the end.

Why not give this a go today? 

Keepsake Crimes

In Keepsake Crimes, Laura Childs introduced us to a new character in her new cozy series, in the first Scrapbooking Mystery series. Carmela Betrand owned a small craft shop in New Orleans, and specialized in the art and craft of scrapbooking. She used to live the high life, until her husband Shamus bolted from her and wanted to change careers. Until then, she made a niche store of her own and formed a circle of friends. During Mardi Gras season, someone was murdered during one of the float parade. People spread vicious rumors about it being her ex-husband and placing the blame on him. It was up to Carmela to clear his name and find out who was the culprit and why. The closer she'd gotten to the truth, the more perilous her life and her craft store would be from ruination. This series also included scrapbooking tips to do at home.

I liked Carmela and the central crafty focus of scrapbooking. New Orleans was a fantastic setting for any holiday season. For Mardi Gras, it made it even better. Seamus was an okay character for her ex, though his sister Glory was an interesting person as well with a love/hate series. I didn't like Ruby and Jack in my mind's eye. I became personally invested into Carmela and her scrapbooking friends in this new cozy series. I love the bonus touch of scrapbooking tips.

Ready to get crafty? Check out this cozy series today!