Teresa S. Mathews Reviews DISILLUSIONED by Christy Barritt

Disillusioned by Christy Barritt

Waterfall Press 2016

Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews

5 Stars*****

Once again Christy Barritt has written a very gripping novel that you will find yourself drawn into from the very first page. While reading it you may have a sense of déjà vu as the story line is somewhat similar to a real life “ripped from the headlines” story from a couple years ago here in the US. In fact, while reading Ms. Barritt’s story, I began to think how a totally different situation could have been possible in that case.

When Nikki Wright received word her Navy Seal brother, Bobby, had escaped from a terrorist camp in Colombia, South America where he had been held captive, all she wanted to do was to get Bobby home safe. She also wanted to make sure he got the help he needed. Never would she think their country would start spreading lies that he was in with the terrorists. Turning to a family friend for legal help, Nikki is sure she will be able to get Bobby the help he needs before handing him over to the government for debriefing. After a close encounter with someone trying to kill them, Nikki isn’t sure who can be trusted.

Even though Bobby is acting paranoid and unstable he knows the only person he can trust to help him and Nikki is Kade Wheaton, another former Seal. Nikki was not happy with that call, since she has yet to forgive Kade for what she sees as an unforgivable betrayal.

On the run Nikki has to come to terms with her feelings of disillusionment with her country, with the abandonment of a God who stopped caring about her years ago and deal with her fickle heart that still seems to beat for Kade; all while trying to convince her country of her brother’s innocence in what appears to be an upcoming terrorist attack!!

I will have to say Christy Barritt is one of the most talented suspense writers ever! Each one of her books I’ve read leave you feeling like you’ve just taken an exhilarating walk, no, maybe a jog, or better yet a run for your life! Just when you think you might have figured out who is causing all the madness, murder or mayhem, she shocks you with something out of the blue and you end up going WOW!! Thank you Ms. Barritt for adding some much needed excitement to my life!!

***Thank you to the Author for providing a digital copy of this work in exchange for my honest opinion!***

You may purchase this and other books by Ms. Barritt at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BAM, Christian Book and your local bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: Our special thanks to Ms Barriett for providing an e-book copy of this treasure that will go to one blessed commenter. Please make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you should you the "one"!! 

Noela reviews SMOKE AND MIRRORS: A Romantic Suspense Collection

Smoke and Mirrors

SMOKE AND MIRRORS: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE COLLECTION

by Connie Almony, Sally Bradley, Hallee Bridgeman,

Heather Day Gilbert, Kelli Hughet, Alana Terry,

Rachel Trautmiller, and Alexa Verde

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

The enthralling ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ collection masterfully combines fast-paced, breath-stealing suspense with delicious, sigh-worthy romances, and enriching spiritual reflections. All eight novellas are exhilarating reads, but I hope the couple I’ve reviewed below will provide a titillating glance!

THE LONG VIEW by Connie Almony

Destiny Long finds herself thrust into the middle of a suspected terrorist plot that’s right in the middle of her backyard, so to speak. Daughter of an FBI supervisor, she knows a few things but is completely inexperienced, placing her in grave danger as she tries her hand at sleuthing. Two men hold affection for Destiny—Damien, a close Muslim friend and owner of a gym at the shopping centre she works at, and the man J.T with whom she’d once shared a mind-altering kiss with, but then walked out of her life. Discovering J.T head-down praying upon a rug makes her wonder who she can trust. Who will betray her and will Destiny and those fighting the war on terror prevail before numerable lives are lost?

I’m a huge fan of Connie Almony’s exceptional stories on important, present-day concerns and topics. I think we need more novels like this that give our spirit food and not just milk. But hold on to your seats, this novella is also chock-full of surprises, mystery, and page-turning suspense—together with a romance that is just as thrilling!

ON THE ROPES by Hallee Bridgeman

Mara Harrison is in hiding and using a new identification. Witness in a federal case against a ruthless Russian mafia boss after seeing a triple murder, she has been keeping low until the trial. Working with the kindly Pastor Ben to restore his dilapidated church, Mara feels safe and treasured.  Formerly a doctor, Mara helps save a boy from a deadly rattler bite but her picture turns up online just one week out from the trial. She barely has time to even pack before the mob leader’s son turns up on the doorstep! Will Victor Kovalev with whom she was once planning to marry try to stop her from attending his father’s court case, or does he have other plans?

Thrilling, heart-stopping, hopeless but hopeful—‘On the Ropes’ is written in the past and the present until the time-frames dramatically collide. This edgy romantic suspense was so powerful; it took me a while before I could read anything afterwards. Hallee Bridgeman is a new-to-me author and I can hardly wait to read more from her!

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You may purchase SMOKE AND MIRRORS for a bargain price from here: AMAZON

GIVEAWAY: Connie Almony is generously giving away 3 E-BOOKS of 'Smoke and Mirrors'! For your chance to WIN one of these, leave a comment below and be sure to include your email address! Write (at) and (dot), to protect against spammers. 

Shelley Gray's Secrets of Sloane House - Audiobook Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Secrets of Sloane House Book Blurb: Against the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Fair, a young woman finds employment with an illustrious Chicago family—a family who may guard the secret of her sister’s disappearance.

Sloane House is among the most gilded mansions of Gilded Age Chicago. Rosalind Perry, the new housemaid, pours the morning coffee before the hard gaze of her mistress.

“It’s simple, Rosalind,” she says. “I am Veronica Sloane, heiress to one of the country’s greatest fortunes. You are simply one in a long line of unsuitable maids.”

Back on the farm in Wisconsin, Rosalind’s plan had seemed logical: Move to Chicago. Get hired on at Sloane House. Discover what transpired while her sister worked as a maid there—and follow the clues to why she disappeared.

Now, as a live-in housemaid to the Sloanes, Rosalind realizes her plan had been woefully simple-minded.

She was ignorant of the hard, hidden life of a servant in a big, prominent house; of the divide between the Sloane family and the people who served them; and most of all, she had never imagined so many people could live in such proximity and keep such dark secrets.

Ferris Wheel from the Chicago World's Fair

My review of Secrets of Sloane House: This book was well done but pretty dark as it was dealing with a gritty topic. What would you do if your sister went missing while working as a servant in the home of a prominent Chicago family? And what would you do if your father went to investigate and was given the runaround by the family and the police. Wisconsin farmgirl, Rosalind seeks to find the answers by becoming a maid in the Sloane household. Her reactions are well written and the narrator did a great job of bringing the character to life.

I listened to a download of Secrets of Sloane house from audible.com.  I had also purchased a kindle copy last year when it released but ended up busy writing my own books (and recovering from major surgery!), but after learning this year that there was an audiobook I listened to that, instead and was rewarded with a very good listen. This was a little dark for my taste in general but Ms. Gray does a good job of not dwelling upon each attack's detail. However, that results in the sensation of the crimes almost feeling trivialized, although I am sure that isn't the intention. There's a fine balance in Christian fiction to address difficult realities of a story without crossing the line. If you enjoy a little edgier suspense this is well written and you'll enjoy the narrator, too.

This has been an interesting series. I'm glad I listened to the second book first. It is much more uplifting. As a psychologist for twenty-five years, I've heard enough tragic stories to last me a lifetime but I wanted to listen to this book, too, and I'm glad I did.

Question: Do you prefer edgier/grittier fiction and if so, why?

Noela Nancarrow reviews FLEE FROM EVIL by Connie Almony

Flee from Evil

Flee from Evil (Water’s Edge, Book 1)

by Connie Almony

Cracked Door Publishing – October 3, 2015

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

  

‘Flee from Evil’ is a story of second beginnings from shameful pasts that pulsates with breath-taking suspense and heart-wrenching experiences. In other words, it’s a read that’ll knock your socks off!

Vince Steegle is the beloved pastor of Water’s Edge Church in Maryland, a former drug-dealer who has been open about his former life to his congregation. Mostly. When Cassandra Whitaker walks into Vince’s church while he’s preaching, for the first time ever this man with the gift of speech, falters. She represents the one thing he can’t forgive himself for. And judging by her blazing eyes of hatred, she hasn’t forgiven him either. Is God able to break those shackles of pain and unforgiveness within Vince and Cassandra, and will He be able to utilize the evil that once permeated Vince’s life for something good?

The widowed and broke Cassandra has returned to her hometown along with her teenage daughter Sophie and autistic son Tibo, to live with her mother. Upon visiting her mother’s church, she finds herself face to face with the man she thinks of as the devil himself. But when evil once again enters into Cassandra’s world in an even more sinister form and turns it upside down, does she do the right thing in trusting Vince to use his underworld connections to save her child?

Author Connie Almony has masterfully weaved a powerful and gripping tale of heartbreak and hope with surprising twists and tense whispers of ‘oh no!’ Written with realism and sensitivity ensured I was either smiling, spellbound, or weeping, whilst fully resonating with the genuine and fractured characters. There was Tibo the autistic child who lived in his own world and reminded me of my son when he was younger; Lew, the lost and rough around the edges guy; teenager Sophie who’s only just discovering herself as a young woman; and the pastor who is so hopeless at being a handyman that his friends have emergency numbers on speed dial. There are gems of spiritual insights and nuggets of wisdom threaded throughout, such as the universal struggle with forgiveness. The reader also gains a perceptive glimpse into the man behind the pulpit and a mother of a child with a disability. And that’s just for starters. Connie does a stellar job of illustrating how God creates beauty from ugliness! Highly recommended!

David Crowder Acoustic - How He Loves - The Muse for the novel Flee from Evil.

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You may purchase 'FLEE FROM EVIL' here at a bargain price : Amazon

GIVEAWAY: Connie Amony is generously donating TWO books for giveaway!! Two blessed people who leave a comment below will have the choice of either a paperback OR e-book! (There will be a small delay in sending out the paperbacks.) To be eligible, please leave your email address for contact purposes should you win. Using (at) and (dot) will protect you against spammers.

Noela Nancarrow reviews NILA'S HOPE by Kathleen Friesen

Nila's Hope

Nila’s Hope

by Kathleen Friesen

Harbourlight Books (March 20, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Hope, dreams, and freedom ~ Can they be Nila's?

A troubled past of neglect, torment, and suffocating control has Nila Black struggling in her new faith. When her ex-boyfriend, the cruel and abusive Nick Parnell is sent to prison, Nila feels like she can begin to breathe again. And hope. Nila aches for an independence she’s never had, and longs to own a car and her own place to live. She yearns to love and be loved, to feel like she’s valued. But when Nick is released from prison early, will Nila ever be free again? Free to love, laugh, and live without fear?

Nila works as a carpenter with Will Jamison - her tall, blond, and awfully handsome co-worker and friend. Just as Will and Nila begin to become aware of each other and of the intensifying attraction between them, Nila is covertly threatened by her vengeful ex-boyfriend. Because those sinister promises were also directed to her cherished friends if she talks, Nila feels she has to hold the existent terror close to her chest to protect them all.

Pastor Dave and his wife Lydia, with whom Nila are boarding with, are wonderful and wise encouragers in Nila’s life, but how can they protect Nila from her dangerous secret if they are unaware? And will they ever be able to help her rise above her perceived unworthiness and difficulties with forgiveness? Will Jamison is suspicious of Nila’s changing moods, but how can he reach this scarred girl's heart to get her to trust not only him with her burdens, but also God? Are any of them safe from this evil that lurks so close?

While this novel had me on the edge of my seat with trepidation, and in tears for Nila’s harrowing life, it was also beautifully uplifting and inspirational in reading about the victories that emerged from Nila’s emotional and spiritual struggles. This is a well-written, page-turning story that shimmers with romance, love, forgiveness and hope! Highly recommended!

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The exciting 'Nila's Hope' may be purchased at these places and others: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble; Books a Million

GIVEAWAY: Kathleen Friesen is generously offering a copy of 'Nila's Hope' to one blessed commenter!! To be be eligible please leave your email address for contact purpose should you win. Using (at) and (dot) will protect you against spammers.

Noela Nancarrow reviews ONE AMONG MEN by Connie Almony

One Among Men

One Among Men: The Maryland State University Series, Book 1

by Connie Almony

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

A captivating suspense and romance covering realistic issues!  

In ‘One Among Men’, Connie Almony has produced an amazingly compelling and gritty tale of a woman’s challenging journey toward discovering purpose, whilst working and living in an all-male dorm crawling with testosterone, alcohol, and drugs.

The male dorm was not her first choice, but it was the only position she was offered. So with some trepidation, Samantha Hart (Sam) accepts the job as Resident Director at the University where she once attended but would prefer to forget. Now much wiser and with a growing faith, Sam hopes she can make a difference while protecting her heart and beliefs, and prays that her ADD doesn’t impede her work.

Chris Johnson, a gifted guitarist, has come back to school as a Music major, but also works on campus as a Facilities guy. When he fixes Sam’s power points, she is surprised at the attraction he sparks in her. After all, he’s younger, and being a resident assistant, that made her his boss. And she especially can’t get past the fact that his friends are known drug users. So why is it he continues to intrigue her, and yet confuse her by frequently coming across as a Jekyll and Hyde character?

Although rewarding, this new job Sam has taken on is in a risky environment and leaves her vulnerable at times. Aside from way too many males in her building, there’s also an unidentified serial rapist that haunts the University and a drug ring operating in the school that has deadly connections. Will Sam be risking everything… her career, her faith, her heart… her life? Might Sam ever find the respect and purpose she’s looking for?

With a cast rich in personality, and suspense that will hold you captive, this deeply real story is one that will stay with you. The romance in ‘One Among Men’ was sublime. It wasn’t contrived or formulaic but authentic, growing, and fraught with insecurities. If you appreciate interesting and conversational dialogue as I do, you’ll love that aspect of this novel. I particularly enjoyed the discussions about God between a Christian and a non-believer. Another superbly written story by Connie Almony!! 

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You can find this book at these bookstores: Amazon and Barnes & Noble 

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away an ebook copy of Connie's new release. Leave a comment.