The Bones Will Speak Book Review

Book Review of The Bones Will Speak

by Carrie Stuart Parks

"A Gwen Marcey Novel"


REVIEW BY: L. Kimbro

Note from L. Bankhead: Please warmly welcome my daughter, L. Kimbro, as she read and reviewed this exciting new mystery thriller.
   
     This is the second installment in the Gwen Marcey novel series.   Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist for the Missoula Police Department in Montana.  One day her dog, Winston, brings home a human skull.  This leads her to find out there is a serial killer in their community and on the loose.  Her dog leads her to a cabin where a girl is found tortured and clinging to life.  To her astonishment, the victim looks remarkably like her daughter. The killer has a score to settle from long before and Gwen will be put to the test using her forensic skills to track down the killer.
    My opinion about this book, is that it is extremely well written with many twists and turns.  The author is very detailed and makes everything very vivid, coming alive on the pages. Parks leaves you hanging on the end of each chapter, really making you want to read more.  I'm definitely going to go back to the first book and read it.  I look forward to Parks coming out with new books.  I recommend this mystery to men and women, but no one under the age of 14 (rape, graphic torture, etc are mentioned). 

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

The Case of The Sin City Sister Book Review

Book Review of Sin City Sister

by Lynne Hinton

"A divine private detective agency mystery"


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

    
     This is the second installment in the series about nun and private detective, Eve Divine.  In this novel Eve has taken a sabbatical from the convent to mull over her decision to either remain a nun or continue with her love of being a private eye. In the meantime, a case opens in her town of Madrid, New Mexico with a man missing since the late 1800's and she's also stumped by the disappearance of her wild-child, Las Vegas living sister, Dorisanne.  This motorcycle riding nun heads to Vegas to get to the bottom of what's become of her sister. 
     You will fall in love with Eve, Daniel and the Captain in this easy to read mystery from Lynne Hinton.  It's cheerful and a great diversion from the hot summer nights.  You will get some action and a little thrill mixed in as well. I recommend this book for anyone 14 years old and up.  Even for a Vegas setting, it's very clean and conservative.  It's not necessary to read the first installment to get a kick out of this novel, but to do so may give you extra back story and character development you may enjoy.  Somehow this book felt reminiscent of Tuppence from the Agatha Christie novels, but now for the modern era. I think you'll enjoy a copy.

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Summer.... 

Praying Over God's Promises by Thomas R. Yeakley

Whatever The Cost Book Review

 

Book Review of Whatever The Cost

by David and Jason Benham

"Facing your fears, dying to your dreams and living powerfully"


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     This book by famed brothers, David and Jason Benham, shares the journey of the twins chasing their dreams.  They come to a cross-roads in their lives to either sacrifice everything they believe for the sake of their dreams.  Or give up the dream in favor of their core beliefs.  As Jason puts it, "When you hold your dreams with an open hand, God doesn't have to pry your fingers loose when He takes them away."  Both brothers saw MLB careers crash due to injury and a network television program lost; but thy continue pressing on with confidence, courage an a can-do attitude.  The Benham brothers compiled the stories contained in the pages of their new book to demonstrate how to face your fears, die to your dreams, and live powerfully for a greater cause.
     I have mixed feelings about this book.  First of all, it's nothing new.  My husband and I have been living powerfully and goal-oriented for over a decade.  But, I do think that this book would be beneficial for two kinds of people.  Either people that love and have followed the Benham brothers careers and are interested in hearing them drone on about their ins and outs with fame, or a person stalled out trying to keep a dream alive that isn't working anymore.  I found the book to be a little self-serving and without much meat or deep content.  That's my opinion on it.  It would be best for older teens or adults, and I believe men and women alike could enjoy the book.  Am I recommending it, no. 

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Summer.... 

Praying Over God's Promises by Thomas R. Yeakley

Lethal Beauty Book Review

 

Book Review of Lethal Beauty

by Lis Wiehl
with April Henry

"A Mia Quinn Mystery"


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     Another installment in the Mia Quinn mystery series is here! I was so excited when this book came out.  Were you?  You should be, since Lis Wiehl doesn't disappoint. This book continues to expand the story behind Kenny Zhong who we met before in the series.  Kenny has become involved in the snakeheads, who organize human trafficking from China.  A string of murder and crime unfold for Mia Quinn, and it's her job to find out what connects to Zhong and what does not.
     In true Lis Wiehl fashion, the story is deftly crafted from the perspective of a prosecutor and homicide detective. I learn so much about crime and the legal system within each of her books, that I'm always kept fascinated.   It's a regular Wiehl thriller with plenty of twists and surprises.  Spoiler: Bo Yee's character is pretty cool.  I would recommend this book to older teens and up.  There is mention of brothel's, rape, murder, human trafficking, seduction and other adult topics.  All of the topics are issues our country faces daily, and are written in a matter-of-fact way.  But proceed with caution if these issues are upsetting to you.  On the other hand, this book is another top-notch mystery from Lis Wiehl that I am glad I didn't miss.

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Spring.... 

Praying Over God's Promises by Thomas R. Yeakley

Whatever the Cost by David and Jason Benham

Frederick Book Review

Book Review of Frederick

by Frederick Ndabaramiye
with Amy Parker

"A Story of Boundless Hope"


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     I think I sat at my desk for ten entire minutes just trying to find the words that explain this book.  I can't.  Nothing that I will write here will ever do justice to the book, or the words and life story of Frederick Ndabaramiye.  Frederick lived the Rwanda genocide, and almost died there too.  The sacrifice the genocide forced upon him was to take his hands.  I do not want to reveal the atrocities and horrors that are within the first chapters of this book; since I likely would walk away from this blog post and not relive with him again the heinous details. We all watched from our cozy American couches as the genocide unfolded on our televisions and then went about our daily lives without a scratch.  Yet this encounter, through Frederick's first hand engagement with the surrounding death and massacre, will stop you in your tracks and you will not be the same. 
     Yet, through it all, God prevails and His healing for the people of Rwanda will not go unsatisfied.  Frederick becomes a most willing vessel for God's work and restoration.  Not only does Frederick bring healing to his own country, but to people all over the world that encounter him.  His brave and boundless spirit will entreat your soul to push on and hold you up.  If you only read one book this year, please read this one.  It will change you and it will scathe your heart and mind desperately urging you to become better, stronger, work harder, love deeper.  I recommend this book for mature teens (spoiler: the detail of death, rape and mutilation is explicit) and any adult.  This book should be read in every school and home as a history of beautiful and healing Rwanda.

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Spring.... 

 Double Cross by DiAnn Mills

Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl

Price of Privilege Book Review

Book Review of Price of Privilege

by Jessica Dotta


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

This is the third installment of the Price of Privilege Series by new author Jessica Dotta, who has a clear fancy of the Regency to Edwardian era of the United Kingdom's history.  If you are even mildly entertain by Downton Abbey, then you will revel in this series.  I came in on the third book, with no back story from book one and two at all.  I wondered if I would be lost in the story, but it seems each book stands on it's own.  Dotta writes with the true British style weaving the sacred mix of dry comedy and drama.  It seems Julia (our lead) is in a tangled web of manipulation from Chance Macy, and she will have to break free of the scandal, ploys, lies and deceit that snarl her life. Of course the era in which Julia is living makes her the height of impropriety. I admit that without reading the first two installments, I found the first half of the book to trawl about here and there. I had no back story information, and Julia is completely dramatic on all accounts in proper Brontë pattern.  Near the end of the book is when the cat comes out of the bag and you will need your embroidered hankie and a good cuppa.  Dotta is a fantastic author, and I will now go back and read the first two books which are awaiting me in my Kindle.  I will also add her to my "authors to watch" list for her next novel. 

(I received this book free from Tyndale Blog Network as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter.... 

Frederick by Frederick Ndabaramiye

 Double Cross by DiAnn Mills

Home For Christmas Book Review

 

Book Review of Home For Christmas

by Various Authors


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

      Yes, I am aware that we are way past Christmas, but I didn't receive this book to review until well after the holidays.  At any rate, this review will be quite simple.  I did not enjoy this book.  I really thought I would, as I am a nostalgic sap.  Yet, this book bored me to pieces, and I found very little that I liked about the book at all. This book is a compilation of twenty kind of short stories about the meaning of Christmas from various authors including: Pearl Buck, Rebecca Caudill, Ruth Sawyer, Elizaebth Goudge, Selma Lagerlöf and Henry van Dyke.  You may find the stories charming and bring holiday warmth to your soul.  But, I just couldn't get on that train.  You will also find some old favorites like The Christmas Rose and The Other Wise Men.  But the one I liked the best was No Room In The Inn and I believe I would read it over and again.  If you are keen on the old European type Christmas stories and lore,  you may enjoy this book.

(I received this book free from Handlebar and Plough Publishing as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter.... 

Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta 

Frederick by Frederick Ndabaramiye

Motherless Book Review

Book Review of Motherless

by Erin Healy


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

      I chose to read this book because I really enjoyed Afloat by the same author, Erin Healy.  She delivered again with Motherless.  This book is written from the vantage point of a dead parent (I will not share which) watching the lies they left behind unravel in front of their children.  Secrets from the past will find their way back to the people they are kept from.  During the course of this long novel, the finger will be pointed to blame all of the characters at one time of the other.  You really will be shocked in the end to find out who is at fault for the children growing up motherless, and how people will hold the blame for things for years that they never  did.  Healy stepped the premise of this book up, when writing from the view point of the dead, watching the world go by.  I think it's a daring and challenging way to write a book, and Healy doesn't disappoint.  Also, Healy does an excellent job with character development, and brings the past and present to the forefront on each character.  I would recommend this book to adult men and women 16 years old and up. 

(I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers as a request to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.") 

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter.... 

Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta 

Home For Christmas by Various Authors

Frederick by Frederick Ndabaramiye