The Writing Desk ~ Review

The Writing Desk
By Rachel Hauck

Tenley Roth has somehow written a smashing success of a book while dealing with her grief following her father's death. She seems to be following in the footsteps of her great, great grandfather and her father who were well-beloved authors. But coming up with a second book is bordering on the impossible as the clock clicks down on her deadline. For some reason, Tenley can't find the words to bring anything to life.

And when her long-absent mother calls asking Tenley for help as she deals with an unexpected cancer diagnosis, Tenley reluctantly agrees. Hoping that time away from the normal of her life will spark her creative juices Tenley makes her way to Florida. In her mother's home, she discovers an old desk that she is sure will help her story come to life. But the only thing she finds in a drawer that won't open to her frustration.

Tenley's desk has a history that no one knows - at the turn of the 20th Century Birdie Shehorn uses this same desk for her own literary aspirations and dreams. But Birdie's dreams are just that dreams. She has written a story that spoke of her broken heart but publishing it seems unlikely with the response that she has thus far received. Writing is Birdie's hope for a life that she can control and not have to bow to her mother's social climbing marital schemings and manipulations.

Can a simple desk that has spanned the years provide what two different women need? And the secret it hides could change everything if it is revealed.

This is a story that is set in both the present day and 1902. And though the times are different the basic issues that both Tenley and Birdie face are the same. Both want to create something important with their lives and both in their own way seek love - from their mothers and for their future marriage.

I like this back and forth between time periods. Each change in time or character is noted with the character's name heading the switch. The story is told through Tenley and Jonas's viewpoint in the present day and the past through Birdie and Elijah's viewpoint.

I have to admit I really like Birdie and Elijah's story the best but it is interesting to see how it all works together for a well developed and entertaining story. Tenley's appearance in her "adopted" writing apparel must have been something to see (I'll say no more if you want to know what I'm referring to you need to read the book), especially the bike scene.


About the Book:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a new captivating novel of secrets, romance, and two women bound together across time by a shared dream.

Tenley Roth’s first book was a runaway bestseller. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who has run out of inspiration?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

A century earlier, another woman wrote at the same desk with hopes and fears of her own. Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams she doesn’t know how to realize. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has taken extreme measures to manipulate her future, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds, but fate has bound them together in a way time cannot erase.

Crisis Shot ~ Review with Author Q & A

Crisis Shot
Line of Duty #1
By Janice Cantore

Tess O'Rourke wants to be a good cop just like her father and grandfather were. And she dreams of becoming the first female chief of police with the Long Beach Police Department. But in a split second decision, her entire life comes crashing down around her.

Responding to an emergency call from a fellow officer in the early hours of the day Tess is forced to make a decision that costs a young man his life. And though she saved a fellow officer Tess found herself vilified by the local media and painted as an "incident waiting to happen". With Long Beach in turmoil and the lives of her fellow officers in danger with her proximity, Tess is faced with a choice - retire or seek police work somewhere else.

Not willing to quit Tess finds work in Rogue's Hollow, a small community in Oregon. But small town doesn't mean her job is easy. Resentment over her big city ties, being a woman, and her shooting incident all combine to make her new life a tad trying.

When a murder occurs and the local pastor's wife goes missing Tess has her hands full with small town politics and potential clues that just don't add up. There is more going on in Rogue's Hollow than meets the eye and Tess has to untangle all the loose threads to find which one leads to the truth. With the help of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and Deputy Steve Logan, Tess hopes to find Anna Macpherson in time and before she finds her job again on the line.

Crisis Shot is the first book in a new series by Janice Cantore and if this first book is any indication the Line of Duty series will be another winner. The characters are believable - some would love to get to know personally while others one would just as soon show them the door. Cantore has a way giving life to the written word that doesn't feel forced. And her books are from the headline stories that capture the reader's attention from page one. And I'll be honest I did not anticipate the identity of the perpetrator before the answer was revealed in the book - so high marks for keeping the suspense going throughout.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Tess O’Rourke dreams of becoming the first female chief of police in Long Beach, California. As commander of the East Division, she is well on her way . . . until the night she responds to an officer-needs-assistance call and fatally shoots an unarmed teenager. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing by a grand jury, Tess is so hounded by the public that she takes a job in Oregon to escape the bad press.

Winning over the residents of Rogue’s Hollow might be more difficult than adjusting to her new role as police chief in the small, backwater town. Especially when her closest friend, the pastor’s wife, goes missing and the woman’s cousin is found shot. Tess finds an ally in sheriff’s deputy Steve Logan, but as they track down Rogue’s Hollow’s first murderer, she worries that she’s breaking one of her rules and getting too close to him.

About the Author:

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She's always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today's Christian Woman before tackling novels. She now lives in a small town in southern Oregon, where she enjoys exploring the forests, rivers, and lakes with her Labrador retrievers, Abbie and Tilly.

Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Crisis Shot is the first title in her latest series. Janice also authored the Cold Case Justice series—Drawing Fire, Burning Proof, and Catching Heat—the Pacific Coast Justice series—Accused, Abducted, and Avenged—and the Brinna Caruso novels, Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat.

Visit Janice's website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JaniceCantore.

Author Q and A:

1. What inspired you to begin your new series, The Line of Duty? 

My initial desire was to place a crime novel in a small-town setting. Since I now live in a small town, a lot of factors intrigued me about the setting. Everyone seems to know everyone else here, much more than in Long Beach. There really is a sense of community. Here, arrests are still printed in the local newspaper and everyone seems to know the troublemakers and the misfits. Also, people here seem more likely to help their neighbors. There is more of a permanent atmosphere in town, not a transient one. 

As far as Tess O’Rourke is concerned, she popped up out of all the negative news that police officers seem to be getting nowadays. I very much wanted to tell the other side of the story in regards to controversial shootings, kind of behind the sensational headlines. The media too often twists the facts. 

2. How do you expect book one, Crisis Shot, to resonate with your audience? What are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading this novel? 

First, I hope they realize that police officers are human beings, and it is not fair, after a shooting or controversial arrest, to ascribe motives to them before all the facts are in. “Innocent until proven guilty” applies to cops as well as criminals. And then I hope readers experience and appreciate the struggle for Tess to get back to work at the job she loves, trying to prove herself all over again to a group of cops who might think she’s not up to the job. 

3. How did your personal experience as a police officer influence the story in Crisis Shot?

When I worked in uniform, I learned quickly how fast things happen, and how distorted they get when interpreted by people who have no idea what it’s like to work in uniform in hostile areas, or walk up to a car on a dark night, or rush to a shots call where no one can really say what’s going on. 

4. What role does faith play in the story? 

Tess will tell you that she lost her faith. Her father was killed in the line of duty, and Tess feels betrayed by God. Oliver is a pastor and in a similar situation as Tess, but he leans into his faith, not away from it. 

Bottom line, God is still God no matter the valleys we travel through, and while faith is essential, it is not a shield against pain and heartbreak in this world.  

5. In the opening scene of Crisis Shot, Officer Tess O’Rourke is forced to shoot an unarmed teenager to protect a fellow officer. Many Americans have seen similar shooting incidents in their own communities or reported in the media. How do you hope your novel might inform your readers as they respond to these situations? 

The media often embellishes a police shooting to fit a narrative. For some reason the narrative has been that the officer is wrong, racist, trigger-happy . . . take your pick. And media sources perpetuate falsehoods to validate their narrative— for example, for two weeks we saw people on cable networks, sports teams, and talk shows do the “Hands up, don’t shoot” gesture after the Ferguson shooting of Michael Brown, when that, in fact, wasn’t what happened before the shooting. For some reason the media kept pushing the idea that Brown was standing with his hands up and saying “Don’t shoot” when the officer fired, but eyewitnesses under oath said that never happened. All this did was inflame people, and the officer, who was exonerated for the shooting, lost his job. With Tess and her shooting, I want people to see that it is never as cut-and-dried as the media will try to spin it. Officers have split seconds to make life-or-death decisions. Hesitation gets cops killed. If nothing else, I hope Crisis Shot will help people realize that cops deserve to be considered innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. 

6. How can we support law enforcement working in our communities? 

A friendly wave as they go through the neighborhood, maybe a letter to the editor saying that you think they do a good job if that is the case. Let’s face it, no one likes getting a ticket, but that is one of the cops’ jobs, and if you did break a traffic law . . . sorry. 

7. What is the best advice or encouragement you have received either personally or professionally? 

I am encouraged every Sunday in church by my pastor. For the past few months he has been teaching through the book of Hebrews. The emphasis is faith, the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen. Holding tight to faith in God is the best advice/encouragement I’ve ever gotten.

8. What can your readers expect from The Line of Duty books two and three? 

Well, of course, Tess will get into trouble and scrapes and work her way out with smarts and toughness—and the help of her supporting cast. 

Gobi ~ Review

Gobi
A Little Dog with a Big Heart
By Dion Leonard
Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak

This is a cute picture book version of Gobi's story and her race across the desert with runner Dion Leonard. Before the race, Gobi and Dion had never seen one another but over the course, they formed a unique bond that would provide Gobi with a home.

Some of the difficulties are skipped in this version but children with enjoy the story and the accompanying illustrations. This is a story of friendship and perseverance and best of all it is a true story. And Gobi is an adorable little dog and who doesn't love a good dog story with a happy ending.

More details about bringing Gobi from China to her new home in Scotland are given following the illustrated story. This is the perfect book for new and early readers to share with their favorite grown-up as they listen or work through the words for themselves.

This book would be a great gift for any animal lover with a little one or two in their household. This book would also be a welcome addition to any library - be it home, school, or public library that services a young readership audience. The illustrations are a delightful addition and for those who want to know what the real Gobi and Dion look like, there is a picture on the back flap of the dust jacket.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through the BookLook blogger program with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


   About the Book:

Bring home the incredible true story of a friendship so strong that it crosses the globe! Families everywhere will be delighted by the tale of Gobi and Dion—a little lost dog and the ultramarathon runner who saved her. Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart is a fun, engaging picture book perfect for families to enjoy together.

Prepare to fall in love with the heartwarming and true story of Gobi and Dion. Gobi, a scrappy little stray dog, latches onto a man named Dion and keeps pace alongside him for 77 miles of a long 155-mile race across China. Through cold nights and raging rivers, with little food and water, and through a long, hard journey, these two create a bond unlike any other.

Cross the finish line with Gobi and Dion, the little pup who never quit and the ultramarathon runner who loves her. This amazing true story sparked international attention and will continue to inspire readers as they enjoy this fun picture book perfect for children.

Join these two unlikely friends as they form a winning team for both the race and life!

Abridged ~ Review

Abridged
A Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Novel #7
By Alana Terry

Kennedy and her roommate Willow are helping with the set up for the upcoming Truth Warrior's retreat for men at Pastor Carl's church. But the retreat for some reason has riled up any and all women's rights groups in the area. Kennedy just can't understand just what all the fuss and uproar is about. Even the church's assistant/youth minister Nick seems opposed to it. But then Nick seems to oppose almost anything Carl does at present.

But when the outcry takes an ugly turn and Carl is left in a life-threatening condition Kennedy is shocked. And when her own opinion is called into question her status on campus is also questioned. Who knew that standing up for women's roles in life whether at home or at a career could create such an uproar? Well, now Kennedy does and she is about to discover just how tolerant her fellow classmates are when it comes to freedom of speech and freedom of personal opinion. Tolerance only goes so far and Kennedy is about to discover just how far it can go at Harvard.

Abridged is the latest book in the Kennedy Stern series in which controversial issues of the day are explored with Kennedy usually absorbing what both sides are saying and balancing it with her own personal experiences. And one really has to feel for Kennedy, college life is certainly not easy for her but somehow she manages to get through it and learn something important along the way.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the author with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Kennedy's pastor and mentor has always been outspoken. Maybe too outspoken.

Carl's no stranger to political controversy, but when his church comes under fire for hosting the Truth Warrior's men's retreat, women's rights activists and feminist leaders aren't the only ones worried that the conference will unduly restrict women's roles in the church and at home.

On a college campus where safe spaces threaten free speech and academic freedom only exists as long as other students aren't offended, Kennedy dares to defend her friend in Harvard's student newspaper. She unwillingly becomes the face of a controversy that not only jeopardizes her academic career but lands Pastor Carl in the hospital, struggling for his very survival.

Fatal Trust ~ Review

Fatal Trust
By Todd M. Johnson

Following his father's death, Ian Wells took over his father's portion of the law practice. But his portion of the practice isn't doing as well as Ian had hoped. And caring for his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's has added an additional strain to his growing pile of bills and worry. So when an unexpected case is offered, one where he must determine where the three beneficiaries meet all the qualifications, he accepts the case.

Ian agreed to take on this unusual case because of the payout, one that could end many of his current financial difficulties. But the deeper he digs, the more concerned he becomes at what he is discovering. And even more disturbing are the questions he is uncovering. And with time at a premium - one week to decide who is worthy of a share of nine million dollars he suddenly finds himself moving, not so slowly, to center-stage of a criminal investigation.

With time ticking down Ian needs to uncover the truth about the trust he has been charged with handling before it is too late. If he doesn't discover the secret that someone has been hiding for years this could be his last case ever.

Todd Johnson has created a page-turning mystery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the suspense and danger steadily rises. Ian is a likable character whom one is rooting for throughout as he comes across the unexpected and deals his own past. This is a mystery where what you know could be as dangerous as what you don't know and Ian is caught between both.

I highly recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers. Having read Todd Johnson in the past I knew I would not be disappointed and my expectations were exceeded in every way. The story opens at the climax before taking the reader to a point 20 years in the past to an incident that seems unrelated to the story and yet has a bearing that is only fully understood when the climax is again reached. The motivations and layers that are revealed as the story unfolds in no way hints at what is to come so that the mystery is not given away early.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House through their blogger program with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:

A Simple Job. 

An Unbelievable Payout. 

But in Risking It All On Blind Trust, 

He May Just Lose Everything . . .

Ian Wells is a young, ambitious Minneapolis attorney struggling to build up a law practice while caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. As the stress and bills mount, Ian is nearing the breaking point when everything changes with a single new case. All Ian must do, the client demands, is judge whether three men qualify for nine million dollars of trust funds soon to be paid out by determining whether they've been involved in any criminal activity for the past twenty years. Ian's fee for a week's work: the unfathomable sum of two hundred thousand dollars.

The job seems too good to be true, and Ian wants to turn the offer down, but his needs weigh more heavily. He warily accepts the job--but is quickly dragged deep into a mystery linking the trust money to an illegal enterprise dating back to Prohibition and the greatest unsolved crime in Minnesota history. Ian soon finds himself the target of a swiftly tightening criminal investigation--realizing too late that this so-called simple job has spun out of control and now threatens his career, his future, and his life.

Finding Gobi ~ Review

Finding Gobi

The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey
By Dion Leonard

Let me start out by saying LOVE IT! This is one of the best dog books ever and that in part is due to the fact that Gobi does not die. All too many pet books that are true have an unhappy ending because the beloved pet dies or the person to whom the pet has bonded has died. 

This book is written for middle-grade readers and I believe that third graders who have advanced to chapter books that are just under 200 pages. There may be a few words that will need grown-up help (such as names that may be unfamiliar) but not too many. The story is told from the perspective of both Gobi and Dion, the runner to whom Gobi picks as her person. 

Gobi joins a group of runners on the second day of a race. But this isn't an ordinary race that most people would take part in - this race is 155-miles across a desert, rocky terrain, and rivers. Along the way Gobi manages to find a way into Dion's heart and by so doing this changes both their lives in ways never to be expected. 

This is a story of loyalty and commitment that will touch the reader's heart as Gobi and Dion are separated just when the way for them to be together permanently is smoothed out. And this difficulty will lead to yet another journey - one that will be a search for the little dog who captured his heart - a truly an incredible journey!.

If you love animals and dogs have a special place in your own heart you have to read Finding Gobi. Though this book is for young readers it able to be enjoyed by any age and would be an excellent family read-aloud choice.  And as an added bonus towards the end of the book (page 140 - 141), there are 8 pages of photos highlighting Gobi with and without Dion. 

I was provided a review copy of this book through BookLook bloggers with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Bring home the incredible true story of a friendship so strong that it crosses the globe! You will love the inspiring tale of Gobi, a lost dog who kept pace with an ultramarathon runner, Dion Leonard, across a vast desert. Follow their unlikely friendship through the challenges of an 80-mile race and Dion’s struggle to bring Gobi home for good.

Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey is the incredible true story of Dion Leonard, an athlete who was befriended by a stray dog while running an ultramarathon through the Gobi Desert. Named for the desert in which he found her, Gobi became Dion’s closest companion for 77 miles of the 155-mile race across China. The scrappy little pup ran mile after mile alongside Dion, through treacherous conditions, and across raging rivers. He let her sleep in his tent and share his food, and eventually, his focus shifted from winning to the newfound friendship he and Gobi shared.

They crossed the finish line together—not first, but together—and Dion decided to bring Gobi home to Scotland. Just before they were about to leave, however, Gobi disappeared, setting off a worldwide search for the stray. In a town of more than 3 million people, the search seemed hopeless, but this tale of friendship will surprise and delight you as you find out what happens!

Join the almost too-good-to-be-true story of hope, friendship, and beating incredible odds in Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey by Dion Leonard.

Summer on Earth ~ Spotlight

About the Author

Peter Thompson grew up in Illinois, and lives near Chicago. He remembers how excited he was when the first astronaut stepped on to the moon. He has had an appreciation of space, and all its possibilities ever since. His love of children’s books developed while reading to his three sons. His first novel, Living Proof, was a thriller published by Berkeley Books. Summer on Earth is his first book for younger readers. It will be released in August of this year.

WEBSITE and SOCIAL LINKS:

Peter Thompson website | Twitter

About the Book:

Title: SUMMER ON EARTH
Author: Peter Thompson
Publisher: Persnickety Press
Pages: 293
Genre: Sci-fi / Middle Grade

BOOK BLURB:

The night that eleven-year-old Grady Johnson looked out his window and wished upon a shooting star, his life changed forever.

Grady, his Ma, and younger sister Luanne are having a hard summer. Dad has died and the family isn’t the same. Though Ma is trying her best, Grady knows they don’t have enough money to get by.

The shooting star he saw was a space craft plunging to Earth, and landing at the back of their farm. Extraterrestrial engineer Ralwil Turth has one goal, to fix his power drive and go back home. But things don’t go as planned. Stuck in human form, he gets to know Grady and his family as he works on their farm. He starts to learn about what it means to be human, and the exotic charms of this planet like the taste of potatoes, and how amazing bugs are.

Ralwil grows to care for Grady and his family. On a trip to town, he realizes that money is what matters to humans, and is the cause of the family’s trouble. That night, he uses his technology to combine a twenty-dollar bill with an oak twig. Over the next week this grows to a towering tree, every leaf a twenty-dollar bill. This, Ralwil is sure, will solve all the family’s problems.

But the family’s wealth raises suspicion in this small town, and this soon leads to more trouble. With the family’s fate, and Ralwil’s life, on the line, Grady has to find the courage to help his family and save his friend.

Summer on Earth blends humor, adventure and poignancy to create an unforgettable story about finding home.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book Excerpt:

Before

     It was hotter than usual that night, and Grady couldn’t get comfortable, even with the fan on high. The June bugs thumped against the window screen, and the crickets chirped so loudly it sounded like they were right there in the room. He could hear the TV on downstairs, so he knew Ma was still awake. Ever since Dad died she’d stayed up late most every night.

Grady just stared out the window and looked at the night sky. Where they lived, out in the country, there wasn’t much light at night and the stars stood out more than they did in the city. Grady tried to find the constellations his Dad had taught him, just letting his mind wander. At some point he started to get sleepy. But before he fell asleep, he saw a shooting star. And when he saw it, he made a wish.

     This is the story of how that wish came true.