Teresa Mathews Reviews The Yellow Packard by Ace Collins

The Yellow Packard

The Yellow Packard

by Ace Collins
Barbour Publishing, 2012

Reviewed By Teresa Mathews

5 Stars*****

In this winding tale Ace Collins takes us on a strange journey where we find ourselves being driven to read a story of a supposedly cursed yellow Packard.

The year is 1936 and Helen Meeker is a brilliant young lady aspiring to be an FBI agent in the days when women were not allowed in J. Edgar’s men’s club.  So Helen through family connections becomes is an assistant to FDR himself.  While visiting the Packard Manufacturing Plant, Helen watches a bright yellow Packard having the finishing touches added to it, when to her horror she sees the straps that are holding it break and crush one of the workers. If that wasn’t bad enough before the car could make it to the person that special ordered it, it was involved in another accidental death; this is where the rumor gets started of the car being cursed.

Abigail Watling, a sweet elderly philanthanpest bought the beautiful yellow Packard for a song since it seemed no one wanted it after hearing of its history. After a short time of having it she is found dead in her house. Is there more to her death than first thought?

George and Carole Hall have just welcomed their new baby girl Rose into the world. When his car breaks down the night before picking up his girls from the hospital, George visit’s a local auction and he finds a beautiful yellow Packard sitting alone in a corner of the garage where the auction is taking place. Thinking how much he would like to bring his girls home in this beauty, he places a bid on it knowing there is no way he could win. To his surprise he wins! But will the car’s curse follow the Hall family? The day Rose is kidnapped it appears the rumors are true. After the kidnappers take the ransom money and they steal the Packard all without giving Rose back, the Halls are devastated. Will Rose ever be found?

Helen Meeker, who has now been given an experimental position with the FBI, is working with Agent Henry Reese on the kidnapping case of little Rose Hall. During this time there are very few leads as to what happened to Rose but guess what does show up once again? Yes, the infamous yellow Packard, could the rumors really be true, is the car cursed? Or is God using it to uncover another sinister deed long forgotten?

This is the first novel I have read by Ace, it has a good storyline. It has a lot of details that you have to pay close attention to, and a lot of twists and turns, much like sitting in that luxurious Packard, taking some hairpin turns, you know they are coming but you know it’s ok because that’s just part of the ride. It will keep you guessing, just when you think you have figured it out, there’s another hairpin turn! There is also a thread of hope and faith woven throughout the story and all that together makes for an enjoyable read. Great Job Mr. Collins!

*I was given an arc of this by the publisher, Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Giveaway:  Any of of Ace's books in choice of available format. Intenational winners, ebook only.  

Ace's Books Can Be Found At CBD, Amazon and Lifeway and other bookstores. You can also purchase Ace's books at his website www.acecollins.com

Review of Nightshade by Ronie Kendig, Discarded Heroes # 1

Nightshade

Nightshade by Ronie Kendig
Discarded Heroes # 1
Barbour Publishing 2010

Reviewed by Marian Baay

*5 stars*

I read this book when it just released in 2010, but I recently reread it and I probably enjoyed it even more!
Having read all the books in the Discarded Heroes Series, I started to love all the guys. Max is one of my favorites, but all guys are easy to love and it was great to read each of their stories.

Max is a former Navy SEAL and has seen too many awful things in combat. Those images haunt him and unleashes his anger. Now his wife Sydney is afraid of him and files a restriction order and divorce, because Max doesn't want to deal with his problems.
Max thinks he has nothing valuable to live for anymore, but then an old general is recruiting a black ops team and Max is asked to become the leader.

Nightshade is born—a group elite soldiers. Officially they don't exist and their work is top secret. But Sydney hears a rumour about a group of 6 American soldiers that destroyed a whole hostile village. As a reporter she wants to know who this group is. She starts asking questions and soon someone is trying to silence her.

Nightshade's next mission is in the Philippines. Max leads his team through the dangers of the jungle and threats of the hostile Higanti. Their mission is to free hostages.

Sydney continues her search for the secret elite soldiers. Will she find them? And is there a chance to restore her marriage with Max?

This book is full excitement and adventure. When I read it the first time I devoured the book in one day. This second time around I took it slow and I savored every detail.
This series is a keeper and I hope to reread it again and again. It's FABULOUS!

Ronie's book can be purchased at CBD, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book stores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Ronie's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

International Review of Christy Award Winning WOLFSBANE by Ronie Kendig

Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig
Discarded Heroes #3
Barbour Publishing 2011

Reviewed by Marian Baay

5 stars~*****

AWESOME!

That one word describes the whole book: AWESOME!
Phew, what a great read! What an action, suspense, adrenaline filled read!
Everytime I read a new book by Ronie Kendig I'm convinced it was her best yet.

Canyon Metcalfe is a guy I could easily love. Maybe because he's a bit like my husband. :) None of his problems are related to my husband, but the way he handles things is alike, so that says a lot about Ronie's excellent imagination! 

Danielle Roark was captured, tortured and raped in Venezuela. She escaped with shocking proof that the cruel general that kept her for six months has secret weapons, but at home the American government doesn't believe her. She has to go back to that awful place to come up with more proof.

Canyon's brother rescued Danielle out of the ocean when she escaped Venezuela. He falls in love with Dani, but she's not interested in men—until she meets Canyon. Canyon likes her too, but because of a promise he made to his brother he can't pursue her. Things get complicated when Nightshade must escort Danielle back to Venezuela. Can Canyon live up to that promise?
Is Nightshade capable to find the proof and keep Danielle safe?

This book is so fast paced that you hardly have time to take a calming breath before the next action.
Action- adventure- military- suspense and romance lovers--this book is for you! 

Ronie's book can be purchased at CBD, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book stores.

Wolfsbane won Ronie the coveted Christy award (read story.)  Congrats to Ronie Kendig!

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of any of Ronie's books, including this Christy award winner, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Firethorn by Ronie Kendig reviewed by Marian Baay, Discarded Heroes #4

Firethorn

Firethorn by Ronie Kendig
Discarded Heroes #4
Barbour Publishing 2012

Reviewed by Marian Baay

5 stars~*****

Having read Digitalis, Wolfsbane and Firethorn in one month, I became very attached to the Nightshade team. I loved all the books in this series. Ronie Kendig's writing is full action. You can hardly find the right time to stop to go to bed. So be warned not to start reading any of her books shortly before bed time, or you will lose sleep!

Spoiler alert!!
The shack was attacked, the Nightshade team was captured and separated. Kazi is hired by Lambert to get the team members back from all corners of the world. First she frees Griffin from the prison and together they are trying to retrieve the other men. They face many dangers. Griffin is surprised in Kazi—this small lady is capable of great things.

Griffin "Legend" Riddell is a big guy with secrets he didn't tell his team members. Kazi wants to keep her past and identity to herself, because she doesn't trust anyone. Both Griffin and Kazi are hurting, because of the things they keep hidden. When they get to work together they must learn to trust each other.

Unlike the other books in this series we also read a lot about the other team members. That's why I recommend to read the other books in this series first. It's great to see all the men back with their families. A perfect ending to this awesome series!

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.*

Ronie's books can be purchased at CBD, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book stores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Ronie's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Review of Redeeming the Rogue by C.J. Chase

Book Review
by Carrie Fancett Pagels





I gave it Five Stars!  

*****












C.J. Chase is the author of Redeeming the Rogue (Love Inspired Historicals, August 2011). She won the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award last year for this book and I can see why!  A great read!

Mattie Fraser is a spirited American heroine whose brother had been pressed into services as a sailor aboard a British ship.  She goes to London to inflict revenge upon the man she believes to be responsible for the disappearance of her brother - the captain of the ship that he had been on. Almost as soon as she arrives, Mattie is endangered.  She thinks her weapon, a small pistol will both protect her and will exact the revenge she so desperately seeks. Unbeknownst to her, Kit DeChambrelle, the gentleman who helps her out of numerous scrapes is the brother of the aristocratic man she seeks to kill.  Kit, a British intelligence officer, has his own secrets, including a death that he blames on himself.  And a small (very lovable!) orphaned street urchin, Nicky, can't keep Mattie out of trouble for long, either. 


Kit's disabled sister, who is called Car-o, is a touching character as well as the hero's protectiveness toward her.  I love the twist with the French mother although SPOILER ALERT it was very shocking when she was gravely injured.  


Wonderful characterization, lovely voice, and tight plot make this a strongly recommended read! The romance between Kit and Mattie was very well done and I loved the ending. Great job seamlessly incorporating a strong spiritual thread for both the hero and heroine.  And I really liked the strong Christian character, Harrison.


Bibliotherapy: The hero self-medicates with alcohol, i.e., he has a major alcohol problem, disabled adult child, homeless children, forgiveness, revenge as destructive, and PTSD.


This book is available through CBD as a paperback and also as a Kindle book.


Giveaway: Leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win a copy of Redeeming the Rogue.

Diana's Corner - Book Review by Diana Flowers

Keeping Guard 

by Christy Barritt

www.christybarritt.com

~4 stars

A Suspenseful Little Read!!

"You can't hide from me." Kylie Summers has an idyllic life as the host of a small cooking show in Kentucky. Soon her perfect life begins to crumble when she starts receiving threatening phone calls from a gravelly voiced stranger, hand-written notes, and disturbing emails. Fearful for her life, Kylie is forced to flee and "hide out" in Yorktown, Virginia, where her brother's best friend, Nate Richardson, runs a restaurant called The Revolutionary Grill. Kylie's plans are to work for Nate, while her brother, a police officer, searches for the "man in black" as Kylie has dubbed her terrifying stalker.

Nate, once a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, has inherited a quaint restaurant in historical Yorktown from his father. He holds within a terrible burden of guilt from the past, and is also gun shy when it comes to women, because of a failed relationship, so his relationship with Kylie is doomed from the get-go.

Soon a local girl, who works in the restaurant, comes up missing. Is this an isolated incident or has Kylie's stalker found her? Who is disguising their voice and leaving terrifying messages on her voice mail and why? And when Kylie senses someone is watching her every move is it her own paranoia? How could someone ransack her apartment in Kentucky and be in Yorktown at the same time? Can Nate ever let go of his guilt and learn to trust again?

Keeping Guard is a great little whodunit that will keep you on the edge of your seat 'til the very end! *One word of warning-You don't want to read this book while you are at home alone during a thunderstorm. Just kidding...well, sort of. 


Giveaway:  Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win a copy of "Keeping Guard."