Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes
by
Jen Turano


MY THOUGHTS
If you have ever been stuck on the sidelines in a wallflower position, you will absolutely love this book! Jen Turano has once again created a delightful historical romance that will have you laughing and cheering on the characters as they struggle with a dastardly threat that puts their lives at risk. Miss Permilia Griswold is a feisty young woman who has been relegated to the sidelines because of her father's financial demise. In an unprecedented move she becomes friends with the other women who for whatever reason are relegated to the sidelines of posh New York society.

Turano has an amazing way of causing her readers to fall in love with characters who are so honest and flawed that one can't help but hope for their success against all odds.

I highly recommend that you read the novella, At Your Request (free for Kindle here). While Behind the Scenes truly stands alone, you will meet some of the characters and get a better feel for their situations if you read the novella first.

Honestly, I will read every book Jen Turano writes! They are all delightful.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

(From the back cover)
After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, Miss Permilia Griswold has finally figured out a way to pass the time at all the New York high-society events she attends. Under the pseudonym "Miss Quill", she is the author of society gossip columns filled with tidbits only an insider in society -- albeit one on the fringes-- would know.

When she overhears a threat against Mr. Asher Rutherford, the owner of one of the most up-and-coming department stores in the city, she's determined to warn him. But the irritatingly handsome man doesn't believer her, leaving her no choice but to take matters into her own hands. What she doesn't anticipate is that she'll end up putting herself at risk in the process -- or that she and Mr. Rutherford, a man with secrets of his own, just might end up joining forces after all.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano has written the critically acclaimed Ladies of Distinction series, and A Class of Their Own series, published through Bethany House Publishers. Her novel, After a Fashion, was chosen as a top pick from Romantic Times, as well as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist.  It is also a nominee for Romantic Times 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013. Her seventh book, Playing the Part, released in the spring of 2016, and will be followed by a new four-book series, Apart from the Crowd. When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver with her husband and neurotic Cattle Dog, enjoying herself as an empty-nester since her son recently abandoned her for the college life. She can be found on Facebook At https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency. Her books may be found in fine bookstores, or follow the Baker House Publishing link to find additional places to purchase her work – http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/jen-turano/1761

Moving Target

Moving Target
by
Lynette Eason

MY THOUGHTS
Moving Target is the third book in the Elite Guardians series about a group of no-nonsense women who have established a bodyguard service. This book does stand alone, but it is helpful to have read the other books because there are references that make more sense and you'll have a better feel for the secondary characters.

All of Lynette Eason's books are full of riveting suspense and surprising twists. It is easy to forget where you are when you read them! Moving Target starts off with a bang and never slows down. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters more (they are referred to in previous books in the series), and I like the way they worked together to solve the crime.

I had a bit of trouble finding this book to be as realistic as the others in the series. I found myself questioning some of the timelines and actually went back a couple of times to check things out, which is distracting. The serial killers methodology was just a bit too contrived for me.

That said, I will still read every Lynette Eason book I can get my hands on -- I love her fast paced style and the way she artfully tells a tale.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Maddy McKay and Quinn Holcombe don’t show up for Quinn’s surprise birthday party, his friends know that something is very wrong. Their search turns up little beyond evidence that Quinn and Maddy just decided to take off for a long overdue vacation. But it soon becomes apparent that they did not leave of their own accord.

Maddy awakens in a cement room with no idea where she is. But it’s not long before she realizes she’s in the clutches of a madman exacting revenge by hunting. His prey of choice? Humans. Now Maddy and Quinn must run for their lives, hoping to find their killer before the next game begins. Because if they don’t win this game, they die.

Fast, furious, and flirty, Lynette Eason’s relentless suspense barely gives her readers time to catch their breath in this third thrilling installment of the Elite Guardians series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a Business Degree she used for a very short time, she moved to Spartanburg, SC to attend Converse College where she obtained her Masters degree in Education. She started her teaching career at the South Carolina School for the deaf and blind. In 1996, she met the man she would marry—the boy next door!

She is married to Jack Eason, who speaks, leads worship, and consults ministries around the country. They have two teenage children.

Lynette’s books have appeared on the ECPA and CBA bestseller lists and have won several awards.

Thanks to Revell Publishers for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.

Rescue Me

Rescue Me
by 
Susan May Warren

MY THOUGHTS
This was a fascinating book that takes the reader behind the scenes of a mountain rescue operation. It is the third book in the Montana Rescue series, and it really stands alone. I have not read the first two books in the series (although now I want to), and while the book hints at backstories I really didn't feel like I'd missed out on critical information required for Rescue Me to make sense.

The book begins with an incident that sends the hero, Sam Brooks, into a head spin and quickly draws the reader in. The interactions between the characters are complex and fascinating, especially between siblings (Sam and his brother, and the two female characters Sierra Rose and Willow).

Warren has a way of creating a setting that takes me out of my couch and into the wilderness in just a couple of sentences! Her stories are intriguing and full of twists that keep me reading late into the night.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Deputy Sam Brooks is deeply committed to keeping the town of Mercy Falls safe. So he takes his role as liaison between the Mercy Falls Sheriff’s department and PEAK Rescue very seriously. However, he is also committed in his personal life. Once his mind is set on something – nothing can sway him.

Despite the opinions of others, Sam is sure that Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. She is safe, practical and organized; a far cry from her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow feels torn between her love for Sam and her desire to see her sister have a happy ending. At least for the time being, Willow focuses her attention on getting the job as youth pastor of her small-town church.

But when an arsonist strikes, Willow and Sam are forced to fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded and injured with the winter weather closing in, Willow and Sam will have to work together to rescue a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over fifty novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Thank you to Revell Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mark of the King - Post 1 of 2

Mark of the King
by
Jocelyn Green


MY THOUGHTS:
Jocelyn Green makes history come alive in ways that cause the reader to rethink what was learned in history class. When I read her books, my eyes are opened to aspects of life that are almost incomprehensible -- the smell of death on a battlefield, the gut-wrenching hunger of a famine, the reality of people who will stop at nothing to get ahead, the cries of those who have gone insane from captivity. But she doesn't stop with the dire realities, her characters demonstrate the American spirit that allows us to overcome even the worst atrocities to live meaningful lives.

The Mark of the King follows the life of Julianne Chevalier, a midwife who is wrongfully imprisoned and is given the 'opportunity' to travel from France to begin populating the new territory of Louisiana, specifically New Orleans. Long before there was a town, she arrives and works to build a life in this new world.

Green creates a story based on historical facts, many not told in our generic history books. She's searched records and journals to find out what really went on in those early days and she's created characters who robustly recreate those humble beginnings.

This book was really hard to put down -- I wasn't interested in taking a break to eat or sleep! It is a fascinating story that left me wanting to find out more about the lives and times of the development of New Orleans. Each of Green's books has had this effect on me -- awakening a renewed love for the early history of our country.

In the next few days I'll post more information about the background of the book and some Q and A's with the author!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Life in This New World Requires More Strength Than She Ever Imagined.
After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict. New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes, and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit? With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace--and love--can overcome the stigma of the king's mark upon her shoulder.

Endorsements:

"The Mark of the King grabbed me from the first scene and wouldn't let me go! The setting is vibrant, unique, and full of fascinating true details about the early French settlement in New Orleans. With arranged marriages, forced immigration, and struggles against starvation, the elements, and warring natives, the story is riveting. A must-read!" Jody Hedlund, Christy Award-winning author

"A page-turner of a tale set against France's early struggles to colonize Louisiana, The Mark of the King bears all the marks of the best historical fiction--rich attention to detail, settings historically accurate and lushly depicted, a complex and layered plot, diverse cultures vividly portrayed, and the ever-present sense of the larger forces of time and place shaping the lives and destinies of characters I came to care about. The unjustly exiled Julianne is a woman to admire and cheer, the soldier Marc-Paul a man of strength and devotion. Lovers of historical fiction will be transported by this beautifully written novel of the early 18th-century frontier." Lori Benton, award-winning author of The Wood's Edge and A Flight of Arrows

Review: "Exquisitely penned, this look at colonial Louisiana is enhanced by Green's attention to detail, creating memorable characters and vivid scenes. . . . Rich with history and redemption, Green's latest is ideal for fans of Lynn Austin or Laura Frantz." RT Book ReviewsVideo:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
 Jocelyn Green is the award-winning author of a dozen books, including fiction and nonfiction. A former military wife herself, she offers encouragement and hope to military wives worldwide through her Faith Deployed books and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she co-authored with best-selling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War novels, inspired by real heroines on America’s home front, are marked by their historical integrity and gritty inspiration. Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, Toblerone chocolate bars, the color red, and reading on her patio. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob, two children, and two cats in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com. Connect with her also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Thanks to the publisher for offering me a chance to read a pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.