Airborne by DiAnn Mills

 

It has been a few years since I have read anything by DiAnn Mills, my bad. I had forgotten how intriguing her books are. I was swiftly drawn into Heather Lawrence's life. Heather is a strong woman, FBI agent a turning point in her life. I love that Ms. Mills created an event that overshadowed but then enlarged upon the very event that Heather was fleeing from. This book was filled with danger and excitement. Although I guessed early on who the bad guy was Ms. Mills threw out a few red herrings that had me doubting my self. I also very much enjoyed the theme of faith that Ms. Mills wove throughout the story. This book is very relevant to our time as it deals with a virus and quarantine, but this book was finished long before Covid-19.

  So grab a pot of tea and settle in for one of the best books that I have read this year.

I was given this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon :

Heather Lawrence’s long-awaited vacation to Salzburg wasn’t supposed to go like this. Mere hours into the transatlantic flight, the Houston FBI agent is awakened when passengers begin exhibiting horrific symptoms of an unknown infection. As the virus quickly spreads and dozens of passengers fall ill, Heather fears she’s witnessing an epidemic similar to ones her estranged husband studies for a living—but this airborne contagion may have been deliberately released.

While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.

As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.

About the author:

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Biography

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is Director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Connect with DiAnn here: diannmills.com                                                                                                                                     

To Love A Prince by Rachel Hauck

 

They were Daffy and Gus as kids with the run of the palace until Daffy made a mistake. Barred from the palace they grow apart until a fateful frisbee toss on a Florida beach. To Love A Prince is Rachel Hauck's newest book and I loved it! Many characters from earlier books make an appearance in this story. I loved both Daffodil and HRH Augustus. Although both are flawed characters they show tremendous growth throughout the book. I also loved the way Ms. Hauck incorporated Faith into the story. I hope there will be a sequel as I would love to know the story behind some of the other characters and how their lives turn out. So grab a pitcher of ice tea and curl up for a fantastic read!

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

An enchanting new royal romance from NYT bestselling author Rachel Hauck.

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace in the North Sea’s Lauchtenland. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the capital city, and a handsome, successful boyfriend. The last person on her mind is Gus, the prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricatured by the press—he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But after he’s jilted at the altar, then dumped by his second fianceé, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue finds solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar rather than serve his country and the Family.

But a wild Frisbee toss down the beach changes his destiny.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince. She reminds Gus of his heritage and assures him that he’s needed in Lauchtenland.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment at Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding ball, their friendship blooms into affection.

Then secrets are exposed, and Gus must choose between his past hurts and his future hope. And Daffy must trust her heart to forever love a prince.

“To Love a Prince is breathtaking and enchanting! Rachel Hauck is the queen of inspirational royal romance.” – Teri Wilson, bestselling author of Unleashing Mr. Darcy and Christmas Charms

About the author:

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Biography

Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She is a Christy Award Winner and a double RITA finalist. Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Club. She is also the recipient of RT's Career Achievement Award.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was filmed for an original Hallmark movie. The Wedding Dress, The Wedding Shop and A March Bride have all been optioned for film.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, and a former sorority girl, Rachel and her husband live in central Florida. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Visit her at www.rachelhauck.com or www.facebook.com/rachelhauck

Heart Of A Princess by Hannah Currie

I loved Heart Of Princess by Hannah Currie. It is Ms. Currie's second book and I already see much growth as an author. The plot was good and her characters were much more multi-dimensional than with Heart Of A Royal, her first book. I thought the theme of anxiety and how to deal with was very interesting. I would recommend this book, especially to teenage girls. I cannot wait to read Heart Of A Queen, the third book in the series. So grab your tea and settle in for Alina's story. You won't regret it.

From Amazon:

To the watching world, Princess Alina has it all—maids to serve her, a kingdom to revere her, a prince to marry her, and a wardrobe filled with enough frills, flounces, and shades of pink to rival a flower shop. But behind the smiles and designer clothes, Alina has a secret. She’s barely holding it together.
After a moment of panic almost ends in tragedy, Alina is sent to a refuge far from the palace to recuperate. Her family claims it’s for her own good but—faced with cows, knife-beaked ducks, and far too many of her own insecurities—Alina is pretty sure it will kill her first. And Joha Samson, infuriating man that he is, will laugh as it does.
Only there’s more to Joha than she realizes, and more to herself too. When the time comes to make a stand, will she find the courage?

About the Author:

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Biography

Aussie author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. A book nerd from birth, she knows firsthand the difference a good book can make in a person’s life. Even, and especially, fiction. Her dream as a writer is to make people laugh, cry and maybe even swoon a little but mostly to remind them that no matter how dark life may get at times, because of God, there is always hope.

She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun.

Her debut YA novel, a princess-themed story titled Heart of a Royal, is being published by WhiteSpark Publishing in October 2019.

She loves to connect with readers. Come visit her at www.hannahcurrie.com :)

Heart Of A Royal by Hannah Currie

I believe Heart Of A Royal is Hannah Currie's first book. I really enjoyed the plot. The only shortfall was the main character, Kenna seemed to be a bit flat and overly naive. I am looking forward to reading  Ms. Currie's future books and watching her grow as an author. So grab a cup of tea and some biscuits and settle in for a good read.

From Amazon:

Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna's presence as a companion is no longer required, and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers - that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?

About the author"

 Following

Biography

Aussie author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. A book nerd from birth, she knows firsthand the difference a good book can make in a person’s life. Even, and especially, fiction. Her dream as a writer is to make people laugh, cry and maybe even swoon a little but mostly to remind them that no matter how dark life may get at times, because of God, there is always hope.

She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun.

Her debut YA novel, a princess-themed story titled Heart of a Royal, is being published by WhiteSpark Publishing in October 2019.

She loves to connect with readers. Come visit her at www.hannahcurrie.com :)

Ruth , Mother Of Kings by Diana Wallis Taylor

I enjoyed Ruth but Diana Taylor did take some liberties such as having Ruth talking about Hannukah and having Ruth be an Israelite as opposed to a Moabite, otherwise good story.

From Amazon:

The story of Ruth has captivated Christian believers for centuries, not least of all because she is one of only two women with books of the Bible named after them. Now, Diana Wallis Taylor animates this cherished part of the Old Testament, with its unforgettable cast of characters. Experience Ruth’s elation as a young bride—and her grief at finding herself a widow far before her time. Witness the unspeakable relief of Naomi upon hearing her daughter-in-law promise never to leave her. And celebrate with Boaz when, after years as a widower, he discovers love again, with a woman he first found gleaning in his field. The story of this remarkable woman to whom Jesus Christ traced His lineage comes to life in the pages of this dramatic retelling.

About the author:

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I'm a grandmother with six grown children and 10 grandchildren. I had my first poem published when I was twelve and got hooked on writing. Then life got in the way. Now I'm enjoying writing Biblical Fiction and Christian Fiction AND being published by Revell! Mary Magdalene will be out June 2012, and my present project, a book on the wife of Pontius Pilate, June 2013.

Jerusalem Assassin: A Marcus Ryker novel by Joel Rosenberg

Another awesome read from Joel Rosenberg. The Jerusalem Assassin is a fascinating book that is full of action. It reads as fresh as today's newspaper. Although none of the characters are real, one could easily see the events taking place. I love Joel's books, his government contacts, and his duel citizenship brings realism to his story. I can't wait for his next novel. So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a great read!

From Amazon:

“A taut, brilliant thriller ripped right from today’s headlines. Joel Rosenberg is masterful! The Jerusalem Assassin is an absolute home run.” —Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Backlash

From the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author!

The enemy is invisible and moving fast. The body count is rising. And time is running out.
Marcus Ryker has spent his entire career studying killers. One thing he knows for sure: a peace summit is the ultimate stage for an assassination.

President Andrew Clarke is determined to announce his historic peace plan from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. But when senior American officials who support the plan begin violently dying, Clarke orders Ryker and his team of CIA operatives to hunt down those responsible and bring the killing spree to an end.

When the Palestinians denounce the American plan, the Saudis signal they may be ready to forge a historic treaty with Israel. Could the Saudi king’s support be the missing ingredient that will lead to peace at long last?

Ryker soon uncovers a chilling plot to kill the American president. A well-resourced international alliance is dead set against the peace plan. They will stop at nothing to strike a blow against the Americans and seize leadership of the Muslim world.

With all eyes on Jerusalem and the president in the crosshairs, it’s up to Ryker to eliminate the terrible evil that’s been set in motion. The fate of the region depends on his success. He has 48 hours.

About the author:

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Biography

Joel C. Rosenberg (www.joelrosenberg.com) is a New York Times bestselling author of 13 novels and five nonfiction books, with nearly 5 million copies sold.
He has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including ABC's Nightline, CNN, CNN Headline News, C-SPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, The History Channel, The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Sean Hannity Show, and The Glenn Beck Show. His articles and columns have been published by National Review,FoxNews.com, CNN.com, the Jerusalem Post, World magazine, and the Washington Times, among others. He has been profiled by the New York Times, the Washington Times, and the Jerusalem Post.
Joel has spoken to audiences and met with religious and government leaders all across the U.S. and Canada and around the world, including Israel, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the UAE, Turkey, Afghanistan, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, India, South Korea, and the Philippines. He has also addressed audiences at the White House and the Pentagon, addressed members of Congress on Capitol Hill, members of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, and a conference held at the European Union Parliament in Brussels.
He is the founder and chairman of The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.com), a nonprofit educational and charitable organization he and his wife launched in 2006 to mobilize Christians to "bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to Genesis 12:1-3."
Joel's books, most of which are published in numerous languages, include:
FICTION
The Last Jihad (2002)
The Last Days (2003)
The Ezekiel Option (2005)
The Copper Scroll (2006)
Dead Heat (2008)
The Twelfth Imam (2010)
The Tehran Initiative (2011)
Damascus Countdown (2013)
The Auschwitz Escape (2014)
The Third Target (January 2015)
The First Hostage (December 2015)
Without Warning (March 2017)
The Kremlin Conspiracy (March 2018)

NONFICTION
Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future (2006; revised version, Epicenter 2.0, released in 2008)
Inside The Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform the World (2009)
Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges in Time? (2012)
Israel at War: Inside the Nuclear Showdown with Iran (2012)
The Invested Life: Making Disciples of All Nations One Person at a Time, written with Dr. T. E. Koshy (2012)
He has produced two documentary films, based on two of his nonfiction books, Epicenter and Inside the Revolution.
Several of his books have won national awards:
The Ezekiel Option—ECPA Gold Medallion Award for Best Novel of 2006.
Epicenter—Retailers' Choice Award for Christian Living (Christian Retailing magazine)
Dead Heat—Retailers' Choice Award for Fiction: Mystery & Suspense
Inside the Revolution—Retailers' Choice Award for Social Issues
The Twelfth Imam—Retailers' Choice Award for Fiction: Mystery & Suspense
The Tehran Initiative—Retailers' Choice Award for Fiction: Mystery & Suspense
The Auschwitz Escape—finalist in the 2014 GoodReads Choice Awards for Best Historical Fiction
Several of his books have reached the top or near the top of national bestseller lists.
The Last Jihad hit #1 on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Dead Heat reached #4 on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. The Third Target hit #4 on the Publishers Weekly hardcover fiction bestseller list and spent two months as the #1 bestselling work of fiction in the Christian market in North America. The First Hostage was also the #1 bestselling work of fiction in the Christian market in North America.
Joel was born in Syracuse, New York. His father is a first-generation American from a Jewish background whose parents and grandparents emigrated from Russia and settled in Brooklyn, New York. His mother, a Gentile, was raised in Rome, New York. When Joel was two, his parents moved to a community just outside of Rochester. He grew up in the small town of Fairport and graduated from Fairport High School in 1985. He attended Syracuse University (1985–1989)—spending one semester of his junior year studying at Tel Aviv University (August 1987 to January 1988)—and graduated from SU with a BFA in film drama in May 1989.
Joel married his college sweetheart, Lynn, in June of 1990. Together, they made their home in the Washington, D.C., area for 24 years. They and their four sons—Caleb, Jacob, Jonah, and Noah—now live in Israel.
For more information on conferences Joel organizes, please visit www.epicenterconference.com.You can find his weblog at https://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/. You can follow him on Twitter @joelcrosenberg.

The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham releases October 1, 2020

Pepper Basham's The Red Ribbon is romantic suspense based on a true story. I love the way she weaves a romantic plot through a horrendous crime. She also manages to infuse humor and the gospel into this Appalachian Tale. I fell in love with Ava and Jeremiah and found myself cheering them on, also feeling their pain as events unfolded.  The plot kept me guessing and Pepper sprinkled clues all through the story. So grab yourself a pot of sassafrass tea and settle back for Appalachian feuding with some spectacular kisses thrown in.

 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen Matthew 28:20

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:
 
An Appalachian Feud Blows Up in 1912
 
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
 
In Carroll County, a corn shucking is the social event of the season, until a mischievous kiss leads to one of the biggest tragedies in Virginia history. Ava Burcham isn’t your typical Blue Ridge Mountain girl. She has a bad habit of courtin’ trouble, and her curiosity has opened a rift in the middle of a feud between politicians and would-be outlaws, the Allen family. Ava’s tenacious desire to find a story worth reporting may land her and her best friend, Jeremiah Sutphin, into more trouble than either of them planned. The end result? The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912.

About the author:

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Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with a southern Appalachian flair. Her books have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inpsys, and the ACFW Carol Awards, with The Thorn Healer selected as a 2018 finalist in the RT awards. Both her contemporary and historical romance novels consistently receive high ratings from Romantic Times, with Just the Way You Are as a Top Pick. Most recently she’s introduced readers to Bath, UK through her novellas, Second Impressions and Jane by the Book, and taken readers into the exciting world of WW2 espionage in her novella, Façade. The second novel in The Pleasant Gap series, When You Look at Me, arrives in October and her contribution to Barbour’s wonderful My Heart Belongs series hits the shelves in January 2019 with My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge. Her books are seasoned with her Appalachian heritage and love for family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

You can get to know Pepper on her website, www.pepperdbasham.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or over at her group blog, The Writer's Alley.