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

Wisdom of the Sadhu Book Review

Book Review of Wisdom of the Sadhu

"Teachings of Sundar Singh"

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

    Known as India's most famous convert to Christianity, Sundar Singh, loved Jesus and devoted his life to knowing and following him.  Singh left his home at the age of 16 to become a sadhu (a wandering holy man).  Through his drifting existence, his parables became legends and very popular.  This book is a collection of anecdotes, sayings, parables and meditations - which culminates in the best of Sundar Singh's teachings.
    I did appreciate this books as I read through it.  The reader must note that Singh is through and through from India, and his teachings are distinctly Indian idiom. You must look deeply and thoughtfully past the India of the words, and into the heart of the Gospels.  Singh was an incredibly deep thinker; yet the simplest of things like watching hungry birds, brought about insight into God's presence like I have never considered it before.  Reading his works will not only allow you to think of God, the Gospels and Jesus in a different light, but will open your spiritual eyes to new understanding about yourself.  I recommend this book to adults who are open to experience something new and afresh that is far from our western thinking. 

(I received this book free from HandleBar Central 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 Fall.... 

Motherless by Erin Healy

Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta 

 

A Robertson Family Christmas Book Review

 

Book Review of A Robertson Family Christmas

  by Miss Kay Robertson
with Travis Thrasher
"The crazy story of one troubled teen who finds the true meaning 
of Christmas where he least expects it."


REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

    For all of you Duck Dynasty fans out there - you will just love this little novella from Miss Kay Robertson.  It has all the charm and nuttiness that the Robertson clan can bring.  The book is based on the real Robertson family Christmas traditions; and will give you a window into the heartwarming and sometimes-zany moments shared by their family.  This Christmas story opens with a  Chicago-based teen, Hunter, winning a Christmas week with the Robertson's in Louisiana.  Hunter reluctantly takes the trip.  From duck hunting, to present opening, and meeting Phil, Hunter does it all.  You'll have to read the book to see what happens to Hunter.
     This is a simple and charming read from the matriarch of the Duck Commander family.  There is nothing complicated about her Christmas message.  Just the truth and simplicity of Jesus' birth, and the true meaning of Christmas.  If you can't get enough of the Robertson's you will love this book.  If you are looking for a good Christmas read by a strong author, this may not be for you.  Although Miss Kay Robertson brings her deep Southern charisma to the book, the story-line is a bit cliche and predictable.  I would recommend this book for anyone 12 and up.  Warning: There is a mention of Hunter smoking marijuana in the Chapter 33.  This is a fun little read for the holidays that will  bring warmth and cheer to your heart.

I AM GIVING AWAY THREE COPIES OF THIS BOOK DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER - CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN! 

(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 Fall.... 

 The Book of Revelation Made Clear by Tim LaHaye and Timothy E. Parker

Wisdom of the Sadhu by Sundar Singh

Raising a Mondern Day Princess by Pam Farrel and Doreen Hanna

No Longer a Slumdog by K. P. Yohannan