Review of An Unexpected Legacy by Amy Anguish

Review:

In An Unexpected Legacy, an intriguing tale by Amy Anguish and set in Texas and Arkansas, Jessica Garcia and Chad Manning are drawn to each other, but a family secret threatens to keep them apart. Thus, the main characters are forced to unravel this mystery before moving forward in their relationship. Along the way, the novel delves into the topic of forgiveness. I liked this because the topic wasn't just glossed over; the author demonstrated how an unforgiving spirit can harm others, including the person who chooses not to forgive. This book should appeal to readers of Christian fiction who enjoy romance and mystery.*

Author Bio:

Amy Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a cat or two. Amy graduated with a degree in English from Freed-Hardeman University and hopes in all her creative endeavors to glorify God, but especially in her writing. She wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary review.

An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon

I'm always on the look out for a new author to read. Because I write Cozy Mysteries that is what I tend to read. I'm so glad that a friend told me about Irene Hannon who writes Romantic Suspense. I started with "An Eye for an Eye" which is the second book in the Heroes of Quantico Series.

The main character, Mark Sanders, runs into former girlfriend, Emily Lawson. Literally minutes after the reunion Emily is shot. The questions is was she the target or FBI agent Mark Sanders? Either way Mark isn't about to leave Emily's side until the shooter is found. Keeping a close watch on Emily has stirred feelings he was unaware he still harbored for Emily.

You must read the book to find out if Mark can keep Emily safe and if they can rekindle a relationship that has been dormant for years. "An Eye for an Eye" will literally keep you turning the pages to find the answers. The first book in the series is "Against All Odds," starring Evan Cooper and the third book in the series, "In Harms Way," focusing on Mitch Bradley.  by Deborah Malone

 

 

 

Back Cover: After an accidental shooting during a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Nick Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press settles. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico, Mark has a chance encounter with his first love Emily Lawson. But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he strikes again. But what is his motive - and who was the intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe and rekindle a relationship at the same time?

 

 

 

 

Irene Hannon is the author of more than thirty novels, including the bestselling "Against All Odds." Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, and the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times Bookreviews Magazine. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri. You can learn more about Irene at her website www.irenehannon.com. 



Playing Saint

By Kelly Bridgewater

Zachary Bartels debut novel, Playing Saint, hit the bookshelves on October 7^th and has been getting quite a buzz around the book world. As an avid reader of suspense and interested in aspects of the darker side of Christianity, I was hooked when I read the blurb on Amazon,

which reads, “Yesterday, Parker Saint’s only concern was his swiftly rising star power. Today, he’s just trying to stay alive. Parker Saint is living the dream. A cushy job at a thriving megachurch has him on the verge of becoming a bestselling author and broadcast celebrity—until his life takes an abrupt turn that lands him on the wrong side of the law. To avoid a public scandal, he agrees to consult with the police on a series of brutal murders linked by strange religious symbols scrawled on each victim.

Parker tries to play the expert, but he is clearly in over his head. Drawn ever deeper into a web of intrigue involving a demanding detective, a trio of secretive Vatican operatives, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, he realizes for the first time that the battle between god and evil is all too real—and that the killer is coming back   . . . this time for him.”

Bartel does a good job at creating a plot with dead bodies piling up everywhere with occult symbols carved into their skin. I couldn’t put the book down. I hated having to go to sleep. I wanted to finish the rest of the book because I had to know if the person who Parker Saint and the police allowed you to believe was the demon possessed man was actually the murderer. I enjoyed how Parker Saint doubted the megachurch he was creating. It helped tie the story to today’s megachurches and how the pastors appear to just want the fame and power. It was relevant to today’s culture.

I have seen very few writers outside of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, and Steven James, whose writings I love by the way, who venture into the area of demon possession in their plots. Bartel reminds the reader of the parts of the Jesus’ ministry where he touched on the object of demons. I wrote down the Scripture references, so I could go back and study them for myself.

I did have one tiny problem with the plot. Bartel tells you who the real killer is about eighty percent into the book (at least, that is where my Kindle tells me). Bartel uses flashback incidents to show how the demon possessed character became filled with demons, and in one of those moments, unveils the actual killer’s name. I would have enjoyed watching Parker come across the evidence to discover the real killer. As soon as Bartel “spoils” the story, the rest of the climax dragged on for me. The demon-filled killer kept chasing Parker around for the rest of the book and destroying Parker’s body until the final couple of pages, which disappointed me. I bet the ending would have been stronger if Bartel didn’t lay the cards on the table too soon.

This story was unique and well-written. I can’t wait to see what other suspense stories Bartel writes because I will definitely be lining up to purchase that book too. According to his Facebook page and his personal website, Bartel’s next book will be released in June 2015 and will be called The Last Con.

You can connect with Zachary Bartels through his website at www.zacharybartels.com.

And look for Zachary Bartels, Author on Facebook.

I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion, and the opinions above are completely my own.