Audio Book review of Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury read by Kirby Heyborne

Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury
read by Kirby Heyborne

Publisher's Summary

#1 New York Times best-selling author Karen Kingsbury shows why she is America’s favorite inspirational novelist with this dramatic story about character, compromise, and the cost of having it all.

Zack Dylan has a dream. He wants to sing on the biggest stages, for the biggest crowds, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make it come true. But Zack also made a promise to his college sweetheart when he left Kentucky to compete on the popular TV show Fifteen Minutes: If he made it, nothing would change him or his faith in God.

Overnight, Zack becomes the nation’s most popular contestant, a country singer comparable to a young Tim McGraw. As his star rises, Zack is often asked to compromise and quiet his beliefs. Just as he’s on the verge of winning it all, his choices lead him to the brink of personal disaster. Meanwhile, a former Fifteen Minutes winner is searching for meaning amidst her own private losses. Can she warn Zack about the real price of fame? Or will Zack lose everything he loves for his fifteen minutes of glory?

From the novelist dubbed the "Queen of Christian Fiction" by Time magazine, Fifteen Minutes explores the cost of fame and celebrity set against the backdrop of America’s favorite singing competition.

My Take:  I usually like Karen Kingsbury books so I thought I would give this book a try.  I did like this book but not as much as some of her other books about the Baxter's.  I did like it more than The Chance.  This book takes a look at a singing show much like American Idol where the singers get their Fifteen Minutes of Fame.  Zach swears that he is in the competition just to try and get enough money to bail out his families failing Horse farm.  He also makes a promise to his girlfriend.  while Zack is waiting in line he meets a group of cheerleaders who's Zoey flirts with him.  The producers see them together and thinks they should be a couple.  They edit footage to make it seem as if they are together and after awhile of being together everyday things start to happen .. Will Zach compromise the promise he makes to God and to His girl back home?  This boo was interesting from beginning to the end as I use to watch American Idol every season up until a couple of seasons ago.  I liked the way Karen Kingsbury explored how the shows manipulate people for ratings and how what is seen on the show is not really how things are in real life.  I think this is very much done in the so called reality shows.  If you like Karen Kingsbury I think you will like this book. 

Kirby Heyborne did a fairly good job with the narrating.  It was kind of awkward when he read the lyrics of songs when the characters were suppose to be singing.  other than that he did a good job.  

I received a review copy of this audio book from Simon and Schuster Audio in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

Book Info

About the book: A Royal Wedding Book Regina Beswick was born to be a princess. But she's content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother's hand-painted book of fairytales. Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation's future---and his own. Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever. Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she's destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together---with a little divine intervention---Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tk6Wt Meet the author: Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and RITA nominated Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series, the Nashvegas series and the Songbird Novels penned with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Their novel Softly and Tenderly, was one of Booklists 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full time in 2004. Rachel serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan. Learn more about Rachel at: http://rachelhauck.com My Take:  This book is for every little girl who dreamed of finding her prince and becoming a princess.  I think that is why we are so interested in the Royal family.  Little girls want to grow up and be princesses.  This book is the second in a series but you don't have to have read the first book in order to enjoy this book.  Rachel Hauck has crafted a wonderful story that has the romance of a princess book along with the thriller touch of who is out to get rid of the throne.  Rachel Hauck is a great writer and keeps you captivated from the very start. I received a review copy of this book fro Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

Distortion by Terri Blackstock

Book Info

About the book: Juliet Cole's life has been dismantled by the murder of her husband. She doesn't know who---or what---to trust when everything she has believed to be true about her marriage has been a lie. A husband's lies can have deadly consequences. When Juliet Cole's husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers' demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband's dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?   Pre-order a copy for just $4.99 on Kindle, Nook, iTunes, or the eBook version on CBD until March 10th. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tPPB8  About the Author: Terri Blackstock has sold over six million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, Restoration, and Moonlighters. Learn more about Terri at: http://terriblackstockbooks.com My Take;  I have been a fan of Terri Blackstock books since a friend gave me the 'Cape Refuge series and then I read the Restoration Series and was blown away.  I didn't read the first book in this new series Truth Stained lies but I have a copy and I intend to so back a read it because there is some mention of events that happened in that book in Distortion but you don't have to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one.  I just started working Third shift and my job is such that I can read and I found this book the perfect book to keep me awake because I just wanted to keep turning the pages in order to find out what was going to happen next.  I just can't imagine finding out that your husband was not the person you thought he was after he died.  Juliet is left with questions like was her husband really a Christian or was he just pretending.  I liked all the cast of the family.  the three issters who are Private Eyes on the side and how the family stuck together through thick and thin.  Great story.  Goodsolid story telling which is what I have come to expect from Terri Blackstock.   I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

The A-Z of C.S. Lewis : A Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and Writings by Colin Duriez

Book Info

About the book:  A Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and Writings Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis's death, this complete guide covers all of Lewis' works, from his literary criticism to Narnia. C. S. Lewis's work is widely known and regarded, but enthusiasts are often only aware of one part of his work-his children's stories and his popular theology; and yet he wrote so much more, including science fiction and literary criticism. This volume brings together all aspects of C S Lewis's life and thought. Arranged in alphabetical order, it begins with The Abolition of Man-written in 1943 and described as "almost my favorite"-to Wormwood, a character in The Screwtape Letters. This book will delight anyone who is interested in C. S. Lewis and wants to learn more about him, his thought, his works, and his life. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tzmgH About the Author:  Colin Duriez was for many years a commissioning editor at Inter-Varsity Press UK. He has subsequently appeared as a commentator on DVDs of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, and BBC television's The Worlds of Fantasy. He is also the author of The Inklings Handbook(with the late David Porter), J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Story of Their Friendship, and Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, and has contributed to definitive reference works relating to Tolkien such as The Tolkien Encyclopedia(Routledge). My Take:  This is a must have if you are C. S. Lewis fan.  It is not a novel that you read from cover to cover but a handy book to have on hand when you want to look up something that you read in one of his works like (I just randomly opened the book to ) Fire-berry in the story of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  This is a nice book for that sort of thing.   I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Thief by Stephanie Landsem

Book Info

About the book:  A Roman centurion longing for peace and a Jewish woman hiding a deadly secret witness a miracle that transforms their lives and leads them to the foot of the cross. Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure. Desperate to escape the accursed Judean province, he accepts a wager. If he can catch the thieves harassing the marketplace before Passover, he'll earn a transfer away from the troublemaking Jews. Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Only with the help of Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, can she keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and a roof over their heads. When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Longinus longs to learn more about the mysterious healer. Instead, his journey leads him to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures. Unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, they wonder who this teacher is who heals others but does nothing to save himself. Is the mercy he offers in his teachings real, or just another false promise? Can Nissa and  Longinus overcome their pasts to find a future free of their shackles? The Thief is an evocative story of two people trapped in their circumstances and the life-changing power of forgiveness and love. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tB6wJ About the Author:  Stephanie Landsem loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she's explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she's not writing, she's feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure---whether it be in person or on the page. Learn more about Stephanie at: http://www.stephanielandsem.com My Take; This is a great story told in a captivating way.  Historical Biblical Fiction at it's finest.  This book captures the way that life probably was like during the time period of the last days of Christ.  I will be looking for more books by Stephanie Landsem.  This is the second in a series but you do not have had to read the first one in order to enjoy this book.  Highly recommended.

First Chapter peak of Prime of Life by P. D.Bekendam

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

P.D. Bekendam

and the book:

Prime of Life

Worthy Publishing

***Special thanks to Leanna Case of Worthy Publishing for sending me a review copy.***

Short Bio & Author Website: Author and practicing eye surgeon, Dr. Bekendam is happily married and the proud father of two boys. Proceeds from his writing go to help fund his activities in developing countries as he works to bring cataract surgery to the needlessly blind. Prime of Life is his debut novel.

Operation First Novel 2013 contest winner, Prime of Life was released in Kindle edition only and has garnered in excess of 200 positive reviews with over 6,000 paid downloads. Ben used to be a cardiothoracic surgeon before he suddenly abandoned his career and became a janitor at a retirement facility. Now, other than dealing with minor problems such as an unhealthy obsession with prime numbers, an inept boss, and a feud between two cantankerous retirees, he lives a relatively stress-free life. There is even hope for romance when an attractive podiatrist shows an interest in him. But it is not long before his past catches up with him and his carefully protected world begins to unravel. Filled with humor and quirky characters, Prime of Life delivers a satisfying and entertaining read.

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:CHAPTER 1 Iclean rooms in a retirement home. Four years of college, four of medical school, four more in residency, and another four training in cardiothoracic surgery, and now I spend my days scrubbing toilets and mopping floors. My shift starts at eight, when the residents are supposed to be at breakfast. “Ben,” Frank hollers as I push my cleaning cart down the long hallway of the skilled nursing facility. “Start in my room today.” Frank is a cantankerous octogenarian. I have yet to discover his pleasant side. “Sure, Frank.” I wheel my cart into his dingy room. The blinds are drawn. A crumpled potato chip bag lies open on the floor. I step over a few greasy remnants that are ground into the carpet as I make my way between the bed and the television stand, taking care not to bump the rickety plastic contraption supporting the heavy 1970s-era TV. “Just the bathroom,” Frank says as he shuffles toward his chair. He takes an unexpected detour toward his rolltop desk and rum- mages through a drawer. “I just remembered. I’m gonna need your help with a little project later on.” This triggers a warning bell in my mind. “Not if it has anything to do with Marvin. You know my position on that.” Frank and Marvin have been feuding for half a century. Proba- bly longer. 1 2 P.D. BEKENDAM “Did you hear what he did to my denture cream?” Frank’s voice raises an octave and his bushy white eyebrows perform a frustrat- ed dance. “Yeah. Cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce.” I suppress a grin. “Don’t you want to hear my plan for revenge?”
“Absolutely not.” I make my way into the bathroom . . . and shake my head in disgust. I gave it a thorough cleaning only two days ago. “Why aren’t you at breakfast?” “Nasty scrambled eggs. Hey, I found ’em!” Curious, I poke my head out to see Frank sitting at the foot of his bed, a pair of toenail clippers in hand. His knee pops as he la- boriously raises his foot and yanks off his sock. He reaches into his shirt pocket and produces a plastic bag full of wet soil. Using the cuticle cleaner attached to the clippers, he scoops up some mud and crams it under his large toenail. “What are you doing?” I can’t help but ask.
“Dr. Kentucky is coming tomorrow.” He grins.
Dr. Kentucky missed her calling to become a supermodel and instead became a podiatrist.
“You’re pathetic, Frank.”
“Can you blame me?”
I can’t. Dr. Kentucky is nothing short of intoxicating, which is why I do my best to avoid her. If she even knows I exist I’d hate to imagine what she would make of me, a thirty-eight-year-old toi- let scrubber. “Hey,” Frank says, “why don’t you ask her out?”
“Give it up, Frank.”
“Seriously. You’re not that ugly and you two are probably about the same age. What’s holding you back?” “Drop it.” “I’ll put in a good word for you.”
“Do you want to scrub your toilet yourself?” PRIME OF LIFE 3 “There’s no need to get all riled up. I’m only trying to help.” He crams more mud under his toenail. “In my lifetime I’ve dated more women than you’ve dreamed about.” I return my attention to the bathroom and remind myself that I’m here by choice. I’ve been doing this for three years now. I make ten dollars an hour, my job is low stress, I mostly manage myself, and nobody bothers me as long as I keep things clean. There are other perks too. I have plenty of friends. Granted, they’re all forty years older than I am, but they’re wonderful people—present com- pany excluded. I’ll probably stay here until I retire. I won’t even have to move. In the meantime, I can enjoy all-you-can-eat Jell-O in the cafeteria whenever I want. I make quick work of rectifying the disaster in Frank’s commode and then smile with satisfaction. This is what I want. A simple life. Eager to make my escape from Frank’s company, I arrange my assorted cleaning supplies in their proper configuration on my cart: bottles organized by category and sub-organized alphabeti- cally with labels facing outward, brushes in their holsters, mop and broom securely fastened. My cart exemplifies humankind’s ability to overcome chaos and defeat the second law of thermodynamics. The universe may be a mess, but my cart is in perfect order. As I push it out of the bathroom, one of the front wheels snags on the carpet and snaps off. My cart tilts sideways, launching a few bottles overboard. “You should probably fix that before you spill bleach on my floor,” Frank says. “I don’t want any stains.” “Look who’s talking. You’re getting mud all over the place.” “Don’t worry about that. I know just the man who can clean this up.” “Well, I’d be happy to meet him.”
“I meant you, you numskull. I’ll register a complaint if you don’t.” “I’ll tell Dr. Kentucky how the dirt got under your nails.” 4 P.D. BEKENDAM “Humph.” “I’ll bring the vacuum by later on. I’ll even plug it in for you. But mark my words, Frank: I’m not cleaning that mess.” “Humph.” “I’ll see you later.” I rescue my wayward bottles and carefully limp my damaged cart out the door. Frank sends me a parting grunt. My next stop is the Professor’s room. His name is Jerry, but my private nickname for him suits him better. From what I can gather, he holds three doctorates: physics, literature, and psychology. Per- haps philosophy too, but I’m not certain. Regardless, I suspect he knows everything. I knock. “It’s open.” His voice nearly fails to penetrate the wood. Nobody seems to be at breakfast this morning. That means Frank was right. Scrambled eggs must be on the menu. I can say with confidence that this place has the worst scrambled eggs in the entire Western Hemisphere. The Professor once described them fairly adequately when he said they taste like they were fished out of the garbage disposal right before they were slopped onto the plate. “Good morning, Jerry.” I follow my three-wheeled cart into his room. Despite his brilliance, the Professor demonstrates exceedingly poor choice in attire. Today he’s decked out in orange pants and a cherry-red polo shirt. I wonder where he acquired his bright yellow socks. His entire wardrobe consists of neon garments, giving him the appearance he strayed from a tropical fish tank. “Good morning, Doc.” He pulls his reading glasses toward the tip of his nose. With grey hair in disarray and a moustache in need of trimming, he resembles the classic Einsteinian image, and what makes it most authentic is that it is completely unintentional. I falter for an instant and hope I don’t give him the satisfaction of noticing my surprise at his pregnant greeting. I glance his way as he PRIME OF LIFE 5 lounges in his leather recliner, hardback book minus its dust jacket propped in his lap. He smiles as if he’s solved some great mystery. “Whatcha reading?” I ignore his triumphant grin. “It’s called The Information.” He pauses. “It’s quite fascinating— this whole subject of information. Listen to this: ‘In the long run, history is the story of information becoming aware of itself.’ Chew on that for a while.” He stares me straight in the eye. “Say, Doc, how long have we known each other?” “I’m not sure I follow.” “Sure you do.” He pounds his chest with his fist, mimicking the rhythm of a beating heart. A sinking feeling settles in as I realize today will mark the end of the relative peace I’ve managed to find at Heritage Gardens. Heritage Gardens is a cookie-cutter retirement village located near Temecula off the I-15 between San Diego and Riverside. The sun shines 347 days out of the year here. I like the number 347 because the first two digits add up to the third, it is prime, and it rolls off the tongue. Other interesting but irrelevant facts about the number 347: it is the case number assigned to the Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954—the case that end- ed segregation in public schools; it is the area code for most tele- phone numbers in New York City; some models of the Boeing 747 have 347 seats; and Plato died in 347 BC. I am annoyed by the name Heritage Gardens, as I am by most clichés. Why is it that nine out of ten retirement communities must have the word Gardens or Village or Springs in the name? I suppose this is better than an honest name like Ticking Clock or Borrowed Time, but when it comes time for me to find a place to enjoy my final days, I don’t want to be patronized. I’d rather stay in a place called Heaven Can Wait a Little Longer While I Golf. I don’t golf and I’ve abandoned my belief in heaven, but I’d still prefer that name. 6 P.D. BEKENDAM There are several levels of retirement at Heritage Gardens. The first is independent living in condos and small homes. After that, the residents graduate (or get demoted, depending on your per- spective) to the nursing facility, which is where Frank and the Pro- fessor live. The last stop is the mortuary, where the residents em- bark on their ultimate retirement. In all, there are approximately 126 residents here. Well, not ap- proximately. Exactly. I’m hoping we add one more, because that would be prime. The alternative would be that thirteen residents would have to die so that the total could be 113. I have invested the past three years in this place, learning to love it, becoming part of it, beginning to imagine how I could become a permanent fixture here. But now the Professor has somehow managed to slap me in the face with my past. “Did you think I wouldn’t discover you’re a doctor, Ben?” He closes his book with finality, as if to say, Case closed. I solved the mystery. Now what’s your move? “I’m not a doctor. I’m a janitor.” “I’m sorry.” He doesn’t sound very sorry. “You know I can’t let this go.” “Please let it rest, Jerry.” I turn to leave. I’ll clean his room an- other day.

First Chapter Peak of Sadie's Secret by Kathleen Y'Barbo

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Kathleen Y’Barbo

and the book:

Sadie's Secret

Harvest House Publishers

***Special thanks to Ginger Chen of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of fifty novels with almost two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad and nominations including a Career Achievement Award, Reader’s Choice Awards, Romantic Times Book of the Year, and several Romantic Times Top Picks. A proud military wife and tenth-generation Texan, she now cheers on her beloved Aggies from north of the Red River. Find out more at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Sadie Callum is a master of disguise. Undercover agent William Jefferson Tucker is not looking for marriage—pretend or otherwise—but he needs the cover of a wife to clear his name and solve the art forgery case that has eluded him for years. But what will happen to his heart?

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

May 10, 1889 Louisiana State Penitentiary Angola, Louisiana Detective William Jefferson Tucker of the Criminal Investigations Division, London Metropolitan Police, stepped across the threshold of the sewer pit known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola with one purpose in mind. To see his brother, also named William. William John Tucker. His twin. His polar opposite. With his first order of business being an explanation of exactly what John had done this time, he turned toward Major Samuel James’s office. When in doubt, go to the top, that was his motto. And Major James was the top dog around here. “Hold on there,” someone called. Jefferson turned to see a uniformed guard coming toward him, one hand on his holster and the other pointing in his direction. “Just paying a visit to the warden,” he said with all the charm his mother had taught him. “Nothing to get upset about.” “We’ll just see about that,” the guard said as he nodded toward the other end of the dimly lit hall. “Just come on back here and sign in, and then we will see if the warden’s interested in visiting today.” Shaking his head, Jefferson tried not to show amusement at the man’s pompous behavior. While he had seen the other side of a jail cell on many occasions, it had always been in the position of arresting officer and not prison guard. To spend day after day in this place would cause anyone to own an ill temper. When the papers were produced, Jefferson signed them. “Anything else you need?” he asked as politely as he could manage. “Any kind of proof you are who you say you are would be appreciated,” he said in a tone that just barely toed the line between polite and sarcastic. “Gladly.” “And I will be needing your weapon.” Routine procedure in prisons, and yet Jefferson hated it. Reluctantly, he removed his revolver and handed it to the guard. “That all you got?” He gave Jefferson a sweeping look. “Nothing else you can hurt anybody with?” “Just a folding knife.” “Hand that over too.” Jefferson offered up his knife and then reached for his identification, carefully selecting the papers that would not give away his current undercover role in London. Placing what he had on the rough slab of wood that served as a desk between them, he stood back and waited while the guard examined the documents. “And what brings you here?” The guard took in an exaggerated breath and then pretended to cough. “Sure can’t be the fresh air and sunshine.” Jefferson played along, pretending to find the gag amusing. “I am here to see my brother.” “Your brother?” The guard clutched the papers as he looked up at Jefferson. “And just who would your brother be?” “John Tucker.” “John Tucker,” the guard echoed as he opened an oversized leather book that sent a cloud of dust into the already rancid air. The odd idea that this process was beginning to feel very much like checking into a hotel occurred. Jefferson decided he would keep that thought to himself. “Don’t see any John…” “William John,” he amended, irritated not for the first time that his father had insisted on giving both his sons the same first name and then calling them by their middle name. The guard’s grimy finger paused below a line of scribbling. “Tucker. Well, here we go. William J. Tucker.” He looked up at Jefferson, his face now unreadable. “Wait here.” Without another word of explanation, he hurried off down the hall, Jefferson’s credentials still clutched in his hand. A door shut somewhere off in the distance and then opened again. “Initial for your property here,” he said when he returned. Jefferson noted the date and the items he had just surrendered and then placed his initials on the line beside them to indicate agreement. “All right. Come with me, Mr. Tucker,” the guard said, not quite making eye contact. Detective Tucker, he almost said. Instead, Jefferson kept silent. Better not to make enemies of anyone in this place. “Yes, of course.” He followed the guard past the warden’s office and around the corner, stopping at an unmarked door. “Right in there,” the guard said as he used a key from his vest pocket to open the door. The room was dark, but a lamp in the passageway sent a weak shaft of light across what appeared to be a table and a bench. “I would be much obliged if you would turn on a light in here,” Jefferson said, the last of his patience with the ridiculous situation disappearing fast. “Just go on in and a light will come on.” He was about to protest when the guard shoved him inside and turned the lock. “Open this door!” Jefferson demanded. “This is not funny. I demand to see either my brother or the warden immediately.” “You just wait right there, Tucker. You will see the warden for sure.” Jefferson felt along the edge of the wall, his fingers sliding across a combination of dirt and slime held together by something so foul smelling he refused to contemplate its source. A moment later he found the bench and managed to sit. Outside the door footsteps approached and then halted. He heard voices arguing, their words indistinguishable through the thick walls. Finally, the door opened and a man whose attire told Jefferson he might be the warden stepped inside. The guard shadowed Major James, as did another underling of some sort. “Look,” Jefferson said, “all I wanted was to see my brother. Is this how you treat all your visitors, Major?” “The major isn’t here today, but I am the man in charge. You can call me Butler. Won’t need any name other than that. And as to your question, no. This is the way we treat those who belong inside a cell.” “Inside a cell? What are you talking about?” Butler thumped Jefferson’s credentials with his free hand. “These here papers say you are Jefferson Tucker. Is that correct?” He gave the man a curt nod. “It is.” “So what you’re saying is that you are indeed the man whose name you have given to the guard?” “Yes,” he said, this time with far less respect. “And that you have a brother currently incarcerated in our fine facility.” When Jefferson nodded, he continued. “And what is that inmate’s name?” “His name is John Tucker,” Jefferson snapped as he sensed a shakedown of some sort in the offing. It was time to tell them who he really was. “William John Tucker. Look, I know how these things work, and I am not someone you can play around with. I have credentials that prove I am a detective with the London Metropolitan Police.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure I would believe that. You certainly don’t sound like no foreigner, so I suggest you change your tune and own up to the truth.” “Here’s the truth for you. Either let me see my brother or the warden, or you can give me the reason why.” Butler chuckled. “Oh, we will do better than that.” He nodded to the two men, who approached Jefferson. Though he tried to resist, they slapped handcuffs on him. “We are going to put you in his cell.” “What are you doing?” he demanded as the two men jerked him out into the passageway. “Taking you to where you belong, Jefferson Tucker,” said the guard who was still in possession of his revolver and the folding knife. “I do not belong in a cell!” Jefferson protested even as he was being dragged through the doors into a cellblock that smelled worse than it looked. And that was saying something. Instantly a deafening noise began as prisoners shouted and banged whatever they could grab against the iron cell bars. The guard took out his pistol and fired one shot. Silence quickly reigned. Up ahead a door swung open. “Looky here, Tucker,” the other guard sneered. “Your room is ready. Welcome home.” “Wait,” the man in charge said. “Let’s let these boys say their howdys first.” A prisoner stepped out of the cell. He was dressed in clothing so dirty that Jefferson could not discern a color or what kept it from shredding into rags. Legs shackled, the prisoner shuffled toward them. And then Jefferson knew him. “John? Is that you?” His brother heaved himself against Jefferson. Though the smell caused Jefferson’s eyes to water, he stood his ground as John held him tight. “What have you done, John?” he said to the man who, under different circumstances, would be nearly a mirror image of him. “Just what I had to,” was John’s quiet reply. “I hope someday you will forgive me, Jeff, but I wasn’t built for a place like this.” “Neither of us were. And rest assured Mother has no idea her boy’s in trouble. It would kill her if she knew.” “She always did see the good in me,” John said. “She still does.” “Even though she never could see to give me Father’s gold pocket watch when I asked for it first.” John looked down at Jefferson’s vest. “I see you’re wearing it now.” He glanced over at the man calling the shots. It took Butler only a moment to reach down and rip the watch from Jefferson’s pocket. “Neither of you’ll get it now.” “The major will hear about this,” Jefferson said, earning him a punch in the gut that took his breath away. The warden’s underling fixed John with a glare that shut him up quick. “All right, Will Tucker,” he said to Jefferson. “Are you verifying that this man is your brother, John Tucker? And that he is your twin?” “I am,” Jefferson said through the pain in his gut as he took in the sight of his always well-groomed brother with streaks of dirt on his face, his hair coated with grease and, from the look of this place, thick with lice. “Well, I believe that is proof enough for me.” Butler tapped John on the shoulder. “You were right in saying you were not Will Tucker, John. On behalf of the state of Louisiana, I hereby declare you to be a free man.” John grinned like a fool and then nudged the bully. “Does that mean I get the watch that is rightfully mine?” “Don’t press your luck, son. Just get yourself out of here while I am still in a mood to let you. Major James might insist on a trial to settle the facts, and you know how long those things take.” “I know when I’ve been bested, so you can keep the watch.” John shuffled off behind the guards without so much as a backward glance. A moment later, the cell door clanged shut behind Detective Jefferson Tucker of the London Metropolitan Police, leaving him once again in the middle of a mess his brother had created.

Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

Book Info
About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love seriesfocuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories. About the book: Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he's been trying to get to know her better and he'd like to be seeing her during those couple nights a week she spends with her quilting guild. Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home and she acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan seems to be communicating a message to them about Tess's uncle. There's a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him? Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tB3KX About the Author: Barbara Cameron is the CBD, CBA, and  ECPA bestselling author of 24 books including the new Stitches in Times series for Abingdon Press. Barbara has written fiction and non-fiction books for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and other publishers. She sold three films to HBO/Cinemax and is the first winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara's first two novellas won the 2nd and 3rd place in the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest from the Faith, Love, and Hope chapter of  RWA. Both were finalists for the novella category of the Carol Award of the American Christian Writers Award (ACFW).  Learn more about Barbara at: http://barbaracameron.com My Take:  I am really enjoying all these Quilts of Love books.  This story takes the cozy mystery genre and adds in quilting.  Every quilt has its own story and this one has a mystery attached.  This is a bit of a separation from the Amish fiction that Barbara Cameron but she has done a wonderful job with this mystery and it kept me turning the pages and I would read another mystery by Barbara Cameron.   I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest  opinion.

Enter Today | 2/17 - 3/8!

A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston

A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston

From BookLook

Book Description

In A Hopeful Heart, the first novel of the new Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from best-selling author Amy Clipston, Hannah finds herself at a crossroads in her life. Her community offers her love and support after the untimely death of her husband, but an Englisher offers her the chance of a new life after her unexpected tragedy. Wealthy businessman Trey Peterson is surprised by his attraction to the gentle Amish woman who works as a housekeeper in the Lancaster Grand Hotel. They share a common bond of loss and are able to offer each other comfort and support as they journey through their grief.
Joshua Glick wants nothing more than to offer his friendship and love to Hannah and her family. Not only is he her late husband’s brother and business partner, he has always been in love with Hannah.
A Hopeful Heart is filled with surprising twists as Hannah tries to balance her life in the Amish community and her growing love for an outsider.

My Take:  I wish to apologize for the lateness of this review.  Somehow this book got lost in the shuffle and I just didn't get around to reading it in a timely manner.  That being said better late than never.

This book was totally worth the wait and I loved it from the start.  I live outside Lancaster City and in Lancaster County so I always like to see how much is truly accurate in the Amish books set around here.  I really enjoyed this book and I think that it addressed some things that aren't just Amish related but human related like gossip.   I am looking forward to seeing how this series plays out and I am looking forward to revisiting the characters.

I received a review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest opinion. 

A Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox

A Match made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Carol Cox

Fom Goodreads.com

In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can't keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straits with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she's also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?

A Cowboy Unmatched
Neill isn't sure who hired him to repair Clara's roof--he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love?

An Unforeseen Match
Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace's doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though--and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on.

No Match for Love
Andrew can't fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more?

Meeting Her Match
When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker's son how much she cares for him?

My Take: This is a set of four novellas written by the four authors listed.  I have read and enjoyed each of these authors except for Carol Cox but after reading her novella I think I will be checking out other things she has written.  These Four stories are all set in Dry Gulch Texas and they each involve a story of  matchmaking except the last one when the matchmaker gets her own match.  These stories are just the right length to read when you just want to read a quick story.  Well worth the time.  Nice clean romance.

I received a review copy from Bethany house in exchange for my honest opinion.