Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THE LOST BOYS OF BARLOWE THEATER by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney


"But this? Disappearing while on a ghost tour in the basement of a haunted historic theater? It sounded like a bad horror movie from the nineties."

Except, that is exactly what had just happened. Kit Boyd's best friend Madison Farrington had literally disappeared as she led the cast and crew of the television show "Psychic and the Skeptic" through the bowels of the historic Barlowe Theater. . . there one minute, and poof! . . . gone the next. It seemed no one was as concerned about it as they should be, at least according to Kit . . . where in the world was Maddie?

"Barlowe Theater was not a place that brought joy and entertainment, as was its supposed purpose. No, it had taken lives in the construction of it, tortured the ones who dared stand in its way, and now it was hunting those innocents who had happened into the shadows of its deadly interior."

Years earlier, the history of the Barlowe Theater had been fully established with multiple suspicions written in; workers dying, boys disappearing, ghosts haunting, and Gwen Mercy's family had witnessed it all in one fatal stroke or another, although no one would believe it coming out of her mouth. Gwen was a virtual nobody in particular, and finding oneself on the wrong side of the Barlowe family was trouble, and she was in it up to her eyeballs. Why? Because she told the truth.

Such an intriguing assortment of truth and fiction as two women try desperately to save those dear to their hearts, coming to the conclusion that after all, it was the people and not places that had lasting value . . . but readers beware! You may experience a few shivers and shakes while traipsing through dark halls and winding basements! (plus, Kit just might warm up to the idea of being called "kitty-cat" and Mercy might come to the conclusion that the "boring" isn't so boring after all!)

"The human family was diverse, with broken people in every category . . . People were what mattered most. Not buildings. Not even history. The here. The now. The souls whom God let cross Kit's path to be impacted today so that in the future, their legacy would speak of healing and not brokenness."


Another great book! 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:

It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.

Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater's curse unravels Kit's life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2023
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:







SHADOWS AT DUSK by Elizabeth Goddard, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

If something happens to me, give this to my brother.

It's with that premise our thrilling story begins! A year ago Detective Trevor's sister Jennifer disappears somewhere in Alaska and he must find out what happened to her. A decade ago, Bush pilot Carrie James survived what should have been certain death and now her closest friend was killed. Trevor hires Carrie to help him solve the mystery of his sister and she wants to track down her friends’ killer. As these two work together, danger lurks at their heels. Can they find answers before it's too late?

It's been a while since I've read a suspense book, but I know Goddard is an expert storyteller so I knew I was in for a treat! First of all, I had to look up some of the places in Alaska she sets the story in. What a beautifully rugged area it is, and now I want to plan a trip there one day to explore all of God's beauty in nature. I also didn't realize Alaska is made up of several islands, each one with its own beauty and allure. A definite must-see! So it gave me an idea of just how remote of a place it could be for someone to disappear without a trace. That added an extra layer of danger to me and sets the stage for what our characters went through. 
I really enjoy what I consider missing persons and cold cases, so this was the perfect story to get lost in. I like how the author balances the suspense throughout so you're not always left breathless and on the run constantly from the bad guys. There are plenty of close calls for Trevor and Carrie, of course, but there's also time for them to work out their next move. As they close in to solve both cases, it was a mad race to the end of the book to find out who was behind everything. I had an inkling of whodunit, but never knew for sure. That's what sets an author apart for me, when they can write so well as to hide the villain until the very end! 
 
Shadows at Dusk is a thrilling ride, one that kept me on my toes guessing and turning pages with lightning speed! The faith thread is strong in Trevor and Carrie and their romance is a slow burn, never overshadowing the plotline. Rather it was an added bonus! What a ride.

I'd recommend this to fans of inspirational romantic suspense and those who enjoy a good book that keeps you up until late into the night! Goddard is an expert writer and it shines in her latest installment of the Missing in Alaska series.

* I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing and was not obligated to leave a review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *
 
 
BackCover Blurb:
(Murder Investigation and Missing Person in Romantic Suspense Thriller Set in Picturesque Alaska)

Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can.

But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer.

As the two close in on the answers they crave, they'll face dangers and connections they could not have imagined. They'll have to learn to trust one another--and face the dark secrets of the past--if they are ever to discover the truth and bring a killer to justice.
Revell Publishing, October, 2023
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:



 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

THE WARSAW SISTERS by Amanda Barratt, Reviewed by Paula and Winnie #ReleaseDay

 A Novel of WWII Poland

PAULA'S REVIEW:
As always, Ms. Barratt takes an important event, a heart wrenching tragedy, and allows us to live the journey along with the characters.

“The soul can shatter in silence as well as in tears.”

“I had learned God is nearest in our shattered places.”


This is a tale of two sisters who bravely fought in different ways under the oppression of invaders in WWII Warsaw. Once close, twin sisters Antonina and Helena got separated as a result of the evil occupation by the Germans. “War left everything in fragments. Even bonds that should be unbreakable.”

Based on extensive research, real events and historical persons, Ms. Barratt shows perseverance and hope in the midst of despair, without glossing over the facts. The author brings home the harsh reality of the Poles who were made an example of by unspeakable acts of savagery during wartime. It is raw, sometimes brutally so, but this is a story that needed to be told so that we never forget what depravity human beings are capable of. Yet she also champions the souls who fought for their fellow citizens and their beloved city, while also showing their imperfections.

Thought-provoking for sure. Be prepared for emotions to surface.
*I won a complimentary copy of this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars and an underlying faith thread

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
“I know only that my father taught me if a man is drowning, you cannot simply stand on the shore and pity him. You must dive into the water and try to pull him out, even if you cannot swim, or else how can you call yourself a human being?”

With a setting in Poland during the years of World War II, Amanda Barratt’s book, The Warsaw Sisters, paints a stunning and heart-wrenching picture of the Polish people and their resistance efforts against the German occupiers. Well-researched and beautifully-written, Barratt doesn’t shy away from the horrors of the war and the brutality of the occupation. Based on true accounts of heroic men and women, this story shows the courage of ordinary and extraordinary citizens of Warsaw. The two sisters, Antonina and Helena, chose different ways to assist others and resist against the Germans. They each did what they could to fight for freedom and alleviate the suffering of others, despite the danger to themselves.

“But there are some acts which are justified by no cause, despite what any man may tell himself. It is out of such things that wars are born, and it is the innocent whose suffering is laid on the altar of victory.”

“To live without hope of freedom is not to live at all.”


The characters are well-drawn, realistic, and compelling and drew me into the story quickly. Amid the horrors and heartaches the characters endured, the author added inspiration, faith, and hope for the future, and the assurance that God is with us even in our deepest trials.

“For in the moments when it seemed no heart could bear such emptiness, I had learned God is nearest in our shattered places.”

This book spotlights once again why Amanda Barratt is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her meticulous research and brilliant storytelling skills make her stories compelling must-reads. I recommend this book to those who enjoy outstanding historical fiction.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena DÄ…browska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times,
The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties. 

Revell Publishing, November, 2023
Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon, Christianbook. com, or Baker Book House



Monday, November 6, 2023

THE SCHOOLMARM'S CONVENIENT MARRIAGE by Regina Scott, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay


A Sweet, Clean Western Romance (Frontier Matches Book 4)

It was nice to go back to Wallin’s Landing to see the romance of Alice the schoolmarm and Jessie the hardworking lumberjack. I enjoyed catching up with the characters from other books especially baby Grace whose favorite word is NO!

An unforeseen storm has Alice and Jessie spending the night in a shelter between towns with no chaperone. Nosey, opinionated Schoolboard President, Gladys Volland, makes it known that that is unacceptable and demands that Alice marry or lose her job. Jessie steps up and offers marriage. I loved how patient Jessie was and the progression to affection when Alice realized what a gem she had for a husband. That Jessie was more than a rough man, that he loved to read and was truly a man with integrity.

A nice addition to the stories involving the Wallin Clan from Washington territory in 1876.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*4 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
How far would you go to find your true love?Once the darling of her Boston-area community, Alice Dennison has traveled across the entire country to start life over as a schoolteacher in the tiny settlement of Wallin Landing, north of frontier Seattle. No one there knows the humiliation and hurt hidden in her heart. Perhaps she can finally be herself. Then a storm forces her to seek shelter with a handsome logger for the night, and suddenly she’s facing marriage or scandal! Again!

One look, and shy Jesse Willets knew the pretty, proper schoolmarm wasn’t the woman for him. He saw the love between his mother and father, a love built on common values, shared experiences. He has nothing in common with Alice, except maybe a desire to make the world a little better.

The community comes together to help this unlikely couple find their way in a marriage of convenience, and Jesse and Alice begin to discover that they have more in common than they thought. When Alice’s past intrudes, revealing secrets, they must work together for their chance at happiness. In doing so, they may discover that true love is so distant after all.

If you like warm, witty historical romances, then you’ll love this frontier romance by an award-winning author.

Available in digital ebook or paperback, November 202
Buy THE SCHOOLMARM'S CONVENIENT MARRIAGE at Amazon

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