Vibrant Characters, Rich Story -- Into the Fire

Irene Hannon is one of the absolute best in romantic suspense, and Into the Fire is another great addition to that genre! 

As always, her characters are vibrant with back stories that reveal themselves exactly as needed. The overall plot of the story is rich in details that keep the pace and energy level high. There were nicely placed hints along the way that led me to speculation about the "bad guy" and the specifics of the events, but nothing really spoiled the reveal. Once again, it is obvious that Hannon does the necessary work to present realistically the work involved in the occupations of her characters. Romance is definitely an important part of the story but in no way takes over other aspects. And the faith elements of the story flow very naturally without having to be forced.

I was very happy to see that this is the beginning of another series and look forward to more to come in future installments of Undaunted Courage. I highly recommend Into the Fire to fans of great inspirational romantic suspense.

Thanks to Revell Reads for providing a copy of the book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

Instinct only takes you so far. After that, you need proof. But cunning killers hide their tracks.

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the case heats up--as does the attraction between them. Sparks fly as the danger escalates, but will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

In this pulse-pounding new series from the bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense, you'll be swept up in a whirlwind of danger, mystery, and romance. Get ready to burn through the pages as Bri and Marc race to solve the puzzle and uncover the truth.

About the Author

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Learn more at IreneHannon.com.

Secrets and Mischief -- Amish Christmas Cookie Tour

I recently had the opportunity to read Jennifer Beckstrand's contribution to the Amish Christmas Cookie Tour anthology. (I haven't gotten to the other two stories yet but plan to do that soon.) 

Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies is exactly what you would expect if you are familiar with her Petersheim Brothers books -- a story that includes a great deal of mischief from those Petersheim twins (with the best of intentions, of course) but also a fun, sweet story with some good lessons woven in.

Even though this is a short story, Jennifer still does a great job with her characters, making them come alive and inviting the reader into their lives. Even though some elements are pretty easy to predict from the beginning, there is plenty of uncertainty, secrets and challenge to make this a very engaging story to read. I highly recommend Amish Christmas Cookie Tour to fans of delightful Amish fiction. I hope we haven't heard the last from Alfie and Benji!

Thanks to the author for providing a digital copy of the book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series, and The Amish Quiltmaker series for Kensington Books. Two of Jennifer’s books were nominated for the RWA RITA® Award, and she is a #1 Amazon bestselling author. Jennifer has written twenty-eight Amish romances and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. She has also written two Western historical and two contemporary romances as Jen Spencer. She and her husband have been married for thirty-seven years, and she has six children and eight adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

http://www.jenniferbeckstrand.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans

Instagram: j.beckstrand

Reflections from the Garden -- Bouquet of Wisdom

Bouquet of Wisdom is the third book I have been privileged to read and review by Deanna Nowadnick. As was true of the first two books -- Fruit of My Spirit and Signs of Life -- this book was quick and simple to read but filled with reflections bearing some deep gems of wisdom from the ordinary things in life. Deanna takes memories from her life, connects them with some of her favorite garden flowers, and draws from them lessons God has taught her through those experiences.

Deanna has a gentle way of sharing lessons. She doesn't tell her readers what we should learn. She tells us what she experienced and what she learned and leaves the rest up to us and God.

This Bouquet of Wisdom is made up of 30 "chapters." Each includes a photograph, a Bible verse or two, no more than a page and a half of text, and a couple of questions that give the reader a chance for personal reflection. The book can easily be used for daily devotional thoughts for a month, or it can be read at any pace you might choose. Whichever approach you use, I recommend Bouquet of Wisdom as being well worth your time.

I received a copy of this book from the author and am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Author

Deanna Nowadnick is a writer and speaker who loves helping women of faith connect our delightfully ordinary stories to God's extraordinary love and faithfulness, so we can be encouraged and empowered knowing God's been in the details -- always has been, always will be. She is the author of three books -- Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God's Grace, Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God, and Bouquet of Wisdom: Reflections from the Garden.

Learn more at deannanowadnick.com and follow Deanna on Facebook @Deanna Nowadnick - Author/Speaker.