Showing posts with label Contemporary fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemporary fiction. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE: Shifting Sands by Kathi Oram Peterson



ABOUT THE BOOK

All Gloryanna Griffin needs is a full-ride scholarship to finish her master’s degree in marine biology in order to pursue her dream of saving the ocean. However, to be a serious contender for the money, she needs to publish in a prestigious magazine. A research dive off the Olympic Peninsula is a dangerous proposition but one that just might give her article the impact it needs. But when she’s swept into an underwater vortex, she realizes her life may be the price she pays instead.

When she awakens on the rocky beach—miraculously alive—the first person she sees is the handsome stranger who saved her. Over the years, Jonathan Dawson has saved countless lives from the perils of the ocean. But until now, no one has ever seen him. Nearly eighty years ago, he died on this same beach, and his spirit has been tied to the spot ever since. Now Gloryanna and Jonathan are irrevocably linked as they are plunged into a decades’ old mystery that promises answers to the past and keys to the future. But they soon discover that some secrets may be better left undisturbed.

REVIEW

Shifting Sands intriguing premise pulled me into the story right away. The shocking events of the prologue left me with questions that kept me eagerly reading. Gloryanna makes a winning heroine with her love of family and love of the ocean. And the connection between Jonathan and Gloryanna is clear from the beginning. The way the two mysteries blended together and twisted around and between each other was fascinating. Jonathan doesn't remember how he died and he certainly doesn't know how he ended up as a ghost with the power to rescue people from the ocean.  And Gloryanna has no idea why someone would want to sabotage her diving tanks. Working together they seek answers, but the danger only seems to increase and Gloryanna is left wondering just who she can trust. 

Peterson does a great job blending the real and the fantastical.  With ghost stories it can be tricky to make it work in a story that revolves around the real world.  On the other hand, you have the freedom to create your 'own rules' so to speak. No complete explanation is given for Jonathan's state or for what happens later, but there are hints provided that relate to Gloryanna's work in marine biology and the circumstances that bring Gloryanna and Jonathan together. As I read this I wanted a happy ending but I wasn't sure how the author was going to pull it off.  I'm pleased to say that she does it in a way that works well for the story. I enjoyed meeting Gloryanna and Jonathan and reading their story. Recommended for mystery lovers who enjoy a good dose of suspense with a touch of the supernatural.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Thursday, August 23, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Short Investigations by Clair M. Poulson


ABOUT THE BOOK

In the sleepy town of Heber, a strange 911 call is made to report an unthinkable crime: someone has murdered a woman . . . and her body has been found in Rhett Ketchum's barn. Rhett, a well-known rodeo cowboy, is placed firmly at the top of the suspect list—the only problem is, he's innocent. As officers search tirelessly for the evidence needed to lock him up, Rhett takes matters into his own hands.
Max and Patches Fisher are the father-daughter duo behind the unconventional PI firm Short Investigations, and they agree to undertake the task of proving Rhett's innocence. Soon the list of suspects begins to grow, and Rhett feels a glimmer of hope—and an undeniable attraction to Patches. But when the officers on the case become targets themselves, it seems they may be the ones in need of protection. As events take a deadly turn, it's up to Max and Patches to uncover the truth before time runs out.

REVIEW

This is another suspense from Poulson who does such a nice job with his law enforcement stories.  This one revolves around a detective agency called Short Investigations because of the lack of height in the owner (less than 5-feet-tall).  Rhett Ketchum is called home from his rodeo tour when the dead body of a former girlfriend is found in his barn and he's reported as the murderer.  Taking the advice of his attorney, he hires Short Investigations to help prove his innocence.  With a rival working as a deputy determined to see him arrested for the crime, Rhett is understandably nervous.  What he doesn't expect is to be caught between his attraction to Patches Fisher, one of the 'short' investigators, and Detective Kori Davis.  But when attempts are made on their lives, it becomes clear that romance has to take a back seat until the the perpetrator is caught.  As always, Poulson's law enforcement details are spot on and interesting.  The twists and turns that the case takes makes for entertaining mystery.  The inclusion of an old cold case involving the investigators from Short Investigations makes for an interesting side story.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

*August 20th: http://mybookaday.com/blog/
*August 21st: https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
*August 22nd: http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/, https://rachellechristensen.com/blog/
*August 23rd: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
*August 24th: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, July 13, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Song of Copper Creek by Kristen McKendry


ABOUT THE BOOK

It's been more than a year since she lost her family—a tragedy that has left Grace Whitaker a shadow of her former self. Unable to move on surrounded by so many memories, she makes the desperate decision to return to her childhood home in Port Dover, Ontario, Canada. There she hopes to salvage the broken pieces of her life—but what she finds is the promise of peace and healing in an unlikely place.

Copper Creek Farm is part of a Canadian historical museum, offering glimpses into nineteenth-century pioneer life. Yet the farm offers much more than that—it is a place of second chances. For Grace, the opportunity to work the land alongside the loving Whelan family is the first step toward healing. But she isn't the only broken soul seeking hope on the farm. Grace is joined by a young man in trouble with the law, as well as the Whelans' son and grandchildren, who are struggling through their own heartbreak. Together, these survivors discover the strength that can be found in friendship. But when faced with the uncertainty of the future, will they have the courage to move beyond the past to forge new lives for themselves?

REVIEW

I really did not expect to love this one as much as I did.  But I fell in love with the characters immediately and read the book in one sitting.  Grace is a very sympathetic character as she struggles to find a new life for herself after losing her entire family in the blink of an eye.  She comes to Copper Creek Pioneer Village in search of a respite and a chance to learn to breathe again.  She finds so much more than that.  She finds a new home and a new adopted family.  While no one can replace the family she lost, she can't help learning to love the Whelans and their grandchildren.  And as she learns to farm, she also learns the value of hard work and the healing that can be found in working in the soil.  Surprises come as she once again opens herself up to friends, and to helping the Whelan's grandchildren deal with a loss of their own.  I also found the describes of carding of wool and planting remarkably interesting.  There were even moments of humor as well in addition to the possibility of a new love interest.  But the focus here is on finding healing and Grace stepping forward into a future different than what she had planned.  Highly recommended.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE



Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, May 18, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Wrong for You by Jenny Proctor


ABOUT THE BOOK

Lane Bishop is a hardworking, intelligent, beautiful young woman. And with her recent move to Chapel Hill, she is determined to leave behind the drama and effort of keeping up with the dating scene. Even so, Lane somehow manages to get dragged out by a gaggle of girls to go watch boys play soccer. Just watching is not Lane's forte, so she joins in the fun and leads her team to victory.

Rather than feeling intimidated by the vivacious beauty on the opposing team, Jamie Hamilton is intrigued. Risking his "untouchable" dating status, he decides to pursue Lane—with a little help from his older brother Simon. With Simon's behind-the-scenes assistance, Jamie proves irresistible, even to a disillusioned dater like Lane. But as she gets to know both brothers, Lane can't help but wonder—beneath the grand gestures and romantic words, is she falling for the wrong guy?

REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed Proctor's last book involving music, so I was looking forward to this one with it's story line similar to Cyrano de Bergerac with one person providing the romance for someone else.  But Proctor's added an interesting twist to that idea by making the two brothers.  Lane becomes interested in Jaime after running into him and playing against him in a pick up soccer game (he rejects her offer to join his team).  But Jaime recruits his brother Simon's help in impressing Lane.  The problem comes in when Simon starts getting to know Lane better than Jaime.  Lane becomes confused between what she sees as two sides to Jaime at the same time as her feelings for Simon grow stronger.  Naturally deception in a dating relationship does not bode well and problems arise.  But Lane is a delightful character and the Hamilton brothers are swoon-worthy, making for a thoroughly enjoyable, and engaging story.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

May15th: 
May 16th:  
May 17th: 
May 18th:  
May 19th:  

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)