Book Review: If I’m Found by Terri Blackstock

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Book Review, Christian Fiction, If I Run, If I'm Found, Romantic Suspense, Sandra Ardoin, Terri Blackstock, Zondervan Publishing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Zondervan Publishing

If I’m Found, Terri Blackstock’s second book in the If I Run series, is out and continues the story of Casey Cox’s escape from capture by those who have no interest in seeing her jailed for a crime she didn’t commit. They want her dead.

Dylan Roberts is a former soldier dealing with PTSD. He’s also a private investigator, hoping to get on with the Shreveport, Louisiana police department. Dylan is hired by the parents of the victim—a friend of both Dylan and Casey—to help the police track down and capture Casey. After communicating with her and digging into the evidence, he’s convinced she’s being set up … and he knows who’s doing it.

I’m not generally one to prefer first-person, present-tense narrative, but when swept up in an absorbing story with characters to root for, it fades into the background. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, If I Run (see my review here), so it was a no-brainer to pick up the second novel. If I’m Found starts right where the first book ended, almost as though the whole story was written, then sliced up into sections, which leads me to my one issue….

As a writer, I understand not wanting to include a backstory dump. However, with the length of time between the release of the two books (and several novel reads in between), I found myself struggling to remember the details of the first story. I would have liked a little more of that backstory—the key points—in the first couple chapters to become more grounded in the story, rather than dribbled out a tiny bit at a time throughout the book. 

That said, the characters are appealing and sympathetic—Casey’s compassionate willingness to risk her safety for the welfare of someone else and Dylan’s drive to save a woman he’s never met from injustice and certain death. The villains are nasty and, at one point in the story, their deeds produced a heartbreaking result. As for the faith element, Casey must realize that her only true escape is found in running straight to God. 

If you haven’t read the first book, grab it, then pick up If I’m Found. But do NOT read them out of order! 🙂

How do you feel about a series involving a continuing story with one or two main characters? Do you prefer a series of stand-alone novels? With a continuing series, do you prefer to wait until all the books have released before reading them?

 

June 2017 ACFW New Fiction Releases

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Lots of contemporary romance available for this traditional month of weddings! 

Contemporary Romance:

Engaged by Julie Arduini — Trish Maxwell returns to Speculator Falls with egg on her face and apologies to make as she tries to determine what’s next, especially when around paramedic Wayne Peterson. (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)

Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter — When Noah and Josephine Mitchell discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down. But when Josephine drives out to Noah’s North Georgia cottage to deliver the corrected papers, they are trapped there during a snowstorm. Things couldn’t get worse…until they are forced out into the storm and must rely on one another to survive. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Zondervan])

Then There Was You by Kara Isaac — Would you give up everything for a life you hate with the person you love? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

An Encore for Estelle by Kimberly Rose Johnson — A former A-list actress seeks to redeem herself in the most unlikely of places—a children’s theater. The writer/director didn’t anticipate a famous actress would ever show interest in his musical much less him. Will their pasts pull them apart or join them together? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

The Cowboy’s Baby Blessing by Deb Kastner — When Ex-soldier Seth Howell suddenly becomes guardian of a two-year-old, he needs Rachel Perez’s help. Though she is gun-shy about relationships, this handsome cowboy and his adorable son break through. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Finding Love by Toni Shiloh — Delaney Jones is putting her life back together after widowhood when in walks Army soldier, Luke Robinson. Luke had a part in the death of Delaney’s husband–will his secrets widen the gulf in their relationship or will he finally find absolution? (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit)

Cozy Mystery:

The Copper Box by Suzanne Bratcher — When antiques expert Marty Greenlaw comes to Jerome, Arizona to search for a copper box she believes will unlock the secrets of her past, deadly accidents begin to happen: someone else wants the copper box, someone willing to kill for it. (Cozy Mystery from Mantle Rock Publishing)

General Contemporary:

Coming Home – A Tiny House Collection by Yvonne Anderson, Michael Ehret, Kimberli S. McKay, Pamela S. Meyers, Ane Mulligan, Chandra Lynn Smith, Linda W. Yezak — Tiny houses are all the rage these days, but what can you do with something so small? Here are seven stories about people chasing their dreams, making fresh starts, finding love, stumbling upon forgiveness, and embarking upon new adventures in tiny houses. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Katie’s Quest by Lee Carver — Katie Dennis hopes for fulfillment as a single missionary nurse after the death of her fiancé. She trusts God for a new direction, but she’ll never fall for a pilot again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller — Rocky Ridge Stage Stop Manager Ezra Reid is put in a difficult situation when two ladies show up on his remote doorstep seeking refuge, one of them being Tori Boyd, the mysterious correspondence partner writing him letters for over a year now. Tori refuses the most proper solution to their circumstance—marriage. But when danger follows, it will take a lot more than luck to ensure Ezra’s heart is the sole casualty. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin — In German-occupied Brussels, a WWI nurse struggles to keep two life-threatening secrets. She’s in league with the British Secret Service, and she’s harboring a wounded British pilot. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection by Susan Page Davis, Susanne Dietze, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Gina Welborn — Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas’, finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn’t return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

The Captain’s Daughter by Jennifer Delamere — When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage. A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson — Set in WWII, an Irish woman must choose between her heart and her freedom when she finds a downed combatant pilot. (Historical Romance from Waterfall Press)

Mail Order Sweetheart by Christine Johnson — Singer Fiona O’Keefe must make a wealthy match to support her orphaned niece. Musically talented Sawyer Evans is a self-made, but not wealthy, sawmill-manager. Unwilling to live off his father’s railroad fortune, can Sawyer prove to Fiona he’s the man she needs when she’s already determined to mail-order a rich husband? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Freedom’s Price by Christine Johnson — On a quest to find her mother’s family in Louisiana, Englishwoman Catherine Haynes enlists a dashing Key West man seeking revenge for his own family. When an incredible secret comes to light, she and Tom will face a choice. Can they relinquish their dreams to step forward in faith? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

Sutter’s Landing by Betty Thomason Owens — Still reeling from tragic losses, Connie and Annabelle Cross face life with their signature humor and grace, until fresh hope arrives on their doorstep. (Historical Romance from Write Integrity Press)

Romantic Suspense:

Hidden Legacy by Lynn Huggins Blackburn — When someone threatens the baby she’s adopting, Caroline Harrison must rely on Detective Jason Drake, the man who once broke her heart, to figure out why. If Jason wants a chance at a future with with Caroline and her son, he’ll first have to help them outrun a hit man. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Weaver’s Needle by Robin Caroll — Pitted against each other to recover a map to the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, two recovery specialists follow the trail to Arizona. But someone doesn’t want them to find the map. . .or the mine. They must work together despite their mistrust and growing attraction, to save themselves. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing)

Speculative:

The Revisionary by Kristen Hogrefe — Revisionary or Rogue? To rescue her brother, Portia might have to break every rule in the book she set out to rewrite. (Speculative from Write Integrity Press)

Women’s Contemporary:

Redemption’s Whisper by Kathleen Friesen — Desperate to escape her past, a suicidal young woman flies from Toronto to a Saskatoon pastor’s home, the only people who may be able to help her. If only someone could love her, in spite of all she’s done. On the flight, she meets a young man torn between seeking affirmation in the big city and helping his parents in Saskatoon. Can these two troubled souls gain the peace they need—and in the process, find love? (Women’s Contemporary from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])

Young Adult:

All Things Now Living by Rondi Bauer Olson — Her whole life Amy has been taught the people of New Lithisle deserve to die, but when she falls for Daniel, she determines to save him. (Young Adult from Written World Communications)

 

What have you just added to your stack?

Now that you’re done adding to your TBR pile, hop on over to the Jubilee Writer blog and share something about my interview with Cindy Ervin Huff that resonated with you. 🙂

 

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Note: This list is compiled from those books registered by ACFW member authors on Fiction Finder and reprinted with permission of ACFW.

I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers.

Book Review: Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

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Apart From the Crowd, Behind the Scenes, Bethany House, Book Reviews, Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Jen Turano, Sandra Ardoin

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Bethany House Publishers

Jen Turano is at it again. She’s turning 19th-century New York society on its ear in the first novel of the Apart From the Crowd series, Behind the Scenes.

I first met mining heiress Permilia Griswold in the prequel novella At Your Request. Even then, I knew she’d be trouble, using her role as a wallflower to gather fashion tidbits from her society peers, then secretly writing a column for the New York Sun called Miss Quill’s Quality Corner. Permilia being Miss Quill. Catchy, huh?

But when she overhears a plot to murder department store owner and fellow member of “society,” Asher Rutherford, she knows she must convince him of the fact. 

‘I do apologize, stepmother, but I fear I have no choice but to abandon my manners because this is a matter of life and death.’

Silence settle over the table until Asher cleared his throat.

‘Whose death?’

‘Yours.’

Though this story holds a mystery, it’s more a subplot. The whole first third of the novel takes place at a soirée given by Alva Vanderbilt to show off her new house. The book has some laugh-out-loud funny parts, and I enjoyed the interaction between the slightly insecure and unpredictable Permilia and the rather stuffy, predictable Asher. The poor man is never really sure which way is up with her, even when her actions make sense in the scheme of things.

There were numerous areas in the first half, though, that I felt contained too much narrative—mostly backstory—that slowed the action. The second half of the book moved the plot toward a satisfactory ending. It has some wonderfully quirky characters and a good solution to the mystery that I didn’t see coming. And frankly … I can’t wait to read the story of the long-suffering Gertrude.

Overall, it was an entertaining story with humor that makes it four-star worthy for me.

What is your favorite humorous novel, or who is your favorite author of humor?

 

May 2017 Around the Web

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Blog Posts, Blogging, Inspiration, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

It’s been a crazy month and not one I’m eager to repeat in June. Still, there were a number of interesting and encouraging posts that came out in May. Hopefully, you’ll find some to enlighten and encourage you too.

INSPIRATION:

It’s important to let the seed of joy grow through the darkness of adversity. Edie Melson offers encouragement for those times of fear.

Do you have a few regrets in life? Things you don’t regret? I can relate to a few of these, especially the dressing up. I’m not much of clothes horse, but I do still like to dress up on Sunday mornings.

I lost a friend this month. A writing buddy. A woman who loved the Lord and made sure everyone else knew it. A woman who related to and encouraged others in their grief. This was her last post and reading it again gave me goosebumps. Enjoy the beach, Phyllis!

READING:

What do you think about ebooks vs. print? What are your preferences in methods of reading? Steve Laube discusses this issue on the agency blog.

Are you going through The Five Stages of Dealing With Your TBR Pile? Bethany House outlines them. Which stage are you in?

Does reading show on a woman? Ladies, you might want to check this one out before picking up that next book. 🙂

WRITING:

Are you trying to fashion your writing after someone else? Julie Glover on Writers in the Storm encourages writers to discover and embrace their own writing voices.

Interesting article from the Author’s Guild about “Amazon’s Taking Another Bite of the Publishing Pie.” Tell me what you think after reading it.

If you’re a slow writer like me, this post on Seekerville will make your head spin, but I so want to try it!

Was there a blog post or article that encouraged you in some way during the month of May?

Book Review: Sunset in Old Savannah by Mary Ellis

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Book Reviews, Christian Fiction, Mary Ellis, Romantic Mystery, Sandra Ardoin, Savannah, Secrets of the South Mysteries, Sunset in Old Savannah

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Harvest House Publishers

Ah, in this fourth book of the Secrets of the South Mysteries, author Mary Ellis takes us to the luscious, historic city of Savannah, Georgia. Price Investigations PIs Beth Kirby and Michael Preston are summoned to experience Sunset in Old Savannah as they investigate a possible case of marital infidelity.

Michael is a former forensic accountant geek who left that world for a more exciting career after his fiancée called it quits. However, he does backslide on occasion, slipping off the fitness equipment and back into geekdom. Beth is a former police officer who left her job under a cloud after experiencing a disastrous crush on her married boss. This particular case hits a little too close to home for her. 

Once the affair they’ve gathered evidence on turns to murder, their boss, Nate Price, orders them to stay out of the investigation and enjoy a few days of R & R. Beth and Michael don’t exactly listen. While taking in the highlights of Savannah (mostly the food), they interview prospects to run a satellite office in the city after Nate informs them of numerous new cases that have come their way … and they decide to search for the true killer on their own time.

I truly enjoyed meeting Michael and Beth in the previous novel, so it was great to read even more about them in this one. Their back-and-forth banter is amusing and snarky—the latter is mostly on Beth’s part. Beth is the senior investigator and Michael is the rookie—something obvious in the previous novel. In this one, though, she seems more the rookie and Michael the experienced, cool-headed investigator.

If you’re looking for hardcore mystery/suspense/romance in the vein of Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason, you’ll be disappointed. This is a lighter story that centers more on the relationship between Beth and Michael than anything else, although it’s hardly romance-novel sizzling. For me, it left a few questions unanswered, such as this one: What made such a well-liked and generous, supposedly happily-married man like their client’s husband stray? It didn’t make much sense to me and the situation came across as a bit contrived.

Overall, the story was nothing overly deep and serious (well, with the exception of a murder), but it was a fun read for that time when you’re looking for pure entertainment … and maybe a fictional tour of a city you’ve never visited. 🙂

Remember those interviews I said Beth and Michael conducted? In Sunset in Old Savannah, we’re introduced to a new character with an incident in her past that could make for a suspenseful backdrop to a new story. So I see another Price Investigations case coming in the future. But where? There’s a whole lot of territory yet to cover. Charleston, anyone?

If you could visit only ONE city in the southern United States, where would it be and why?