Review of The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright

 

About the Book ~

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious demise fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide.

A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters, resurrecting painful memories and forcing a reunion with the man who broke her heart. Can Ivy unravel the mystery and find a renewed hope before any other lives--including her own--are lost?

For more information about Jamie Jo Wright and her books, check out her website!

My Thoughts ~

Warning: The House on Foster Hill is sure to steal your breath!

The House on Foster Hill is a timeslip novel. Part of the story is told through Ivy's perspective in 1906, while the other half takes place during present day with Kaine. Their mysterious stories weave together with such excellent pacing that you will need to be sure that you can devote the entire day to reading! Answers. You will NEED answers. ;-)

But do you get all of them?

I'll never tell... ;-)

Ivy's side of the story almost felt like a gothic novel, while Kaine's side had all the terror and angst of a girl-on-the-run movie. Ivy's journey proved especially intriguing to me. Even though I always have a hard time with widow/widower angles, I try not to let this stop me from reading excellent stories. So while this angle is difficult for me, it was understandably a huge part of Kaine's story and character development. Rest assured, when you close the cover on this chilling, twisting tale, you will find that the message of hope and living life despite, through, and in triumph over darkness resounds in your heart. I also appreciate and admire the author for tackling difficult topics like death and sex trafficking in such a candid way.

Four Stars ~ The House on Foster Hill is a thrilling romantic suspense rarely seen in Christian Fiction. I look forward to reading whatever Jamie Jo Wright pens - er, types - next!

I received a copy of The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Review of Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

About the Book ~

Six girls missing . . . and every clue leads to a dead end

During Garrett Addison's first week on the job as a criminal investigator for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, his team is called out to a murder scene of a young girl. She's just one in a string of disappearances with one thing in common--a Polaroid photo of each victim left behind at the crime scene.

The FBI is pulled into the case to help, and Garrett finds himself working with Special Agent Jordan Lambert, the woman he once loved. When yet another girl dies, Garrett wonders whether he really has what it takes to be an agent. Maybe he should just walk. But while he may be done with the killer, the killer is not done with him--or Jordan.

For more information about Lisa Harris or her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Looking for a chilling suspense, faith, and a dash of romance? Look. No. Further. than Lisa Harris' latest novel because, wow, guys. Wow.

I was greatly distraught minorly annoyed when The Nikki Boyd Files ended without a satisfying conclusion to the Angel Abductor story arc. Then I was seriously pumped when I found out about Vanishing Point! I am pleased to report that at long last we have the answers to this mystery! But there will be no more on that from me. ;-)

Vanishing Point covers almost fifteen years, and you see Garrett and Jordan experience life changes, struggles, and triumphs. Though it makes my heart ache that it took so long for Garrett and Jordan to find their Happily Ever After, sometimes that's the journey - but it's always a rewarding journey. Lisa Harris also tackles difficult questions over the coarse of this novel, including the age-old question, "Where is God when bad things happen?" She lovingly reminds readers that even though we live in a fallen, broken world without all the answers, Jesus has saved us.

Four Stars ~ Vanishing Point is a must read for anyone who's read The Nikki Boyd Files! Due to the conclusion of the mystery started in those books, I strongly insist with all the self-appointed authority of a bookworm that you read The Nikki Boyd Files, Vendetta, Missing, and Pursued respectively, before reading Vanishing Point. However, if you stumbled on Vanishing Point first, you will find a well crafted, conclusive story within those pages.

I received a copy of Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Review of A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him.

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track.

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain.

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Looking for you next thrilling read? Then you must read A Matter of Trust because Susan May Warren has done it again!

First of all, I loved all the skiing/snowboarding lingo! I grew up skiing, so it was a lot of fun to see that piece of my world included in a novel! <3 And may I just say that a certain mountain kiss was Swoon City, my friends!

Trust is a core subject in this novel, and it's handled SO well. Ella and Gage have to - wait for it - overcome some obstacles and learn to trust each other and God once again. I know that's fairly shocking given the title, A Matter of Trust. ;) Ella and Gage do not have an easy time since they both feel like they were betrayed. And trusting someone who has broken your trust is one of the hardest things we have to do in this life.

Then you have the God angle of the trust triangle. Even though three years have passed since the incident and Ella and Gage's anger has slightly waned, they are having trouble trusting God. Ella regrets her actions during the trial, especially once information came to light. Add that to the fact that she feels like she has to earn everyone's love and approval, to life up to the legacy of her family, and it's no wonder she's struggling to trust God. And Gage believes that he is responsible for all the hotshot skiers who are trying to follow his line. Learning to trust that God is bigger that our mistakes is no easy feat, as Gage learns! I loved reading about their journey and seeing God's truths settle on their hearts like a warm blanket!

Four Stars - Another wonderful addition to the Montana Rescue Series! While A Matter of Trust is its own independent story, events and an ongoing mystery build in each book, so I recommend reading the series in order. Start with Wild Montana Skies and Rescue Me (AMAZING!!!).

I received a copy of A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. She is a youth leader at her church, and loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.