The Perfect Concoction for a First Time Author

  Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Andrea Sullivan: rising executive on the verge of Vice President of sales for her company.  Suddenly she finds herself in the doghouse in Scotland.  Scotland where it's "cold, it's miserable, and the food is horrible."

James MacDonald: world famous celebrity chef from Scotland.  He owns six restaurants, written four cookbooks and has his own cooking show.  He loves a challenge.  When he meets Andrea Sullivan in one of his pubs, he doesn't disclose who he is.  Andrea reveals her aversion to Scotland, and James takes it as a challenge to change her opinion of his beloved homeland.  He only has five days to change her mind.  Can he accomplish his task?  How long will Andrea have to put up with the selfish celebrity or is that just the image that has been woven for the public?  Read Five Days in Skye and get lost in the beauty of the story.

A mythically beautiful setting with authentic characters.  This was a delightful read.  I loved getting lost in the Scottish highlands.  First time author, Carla Laureano,  does a brilliant job.  I am eager to read more of her work.

Thank you to Netgalley and David C. Cook publishers for the complimentary eBook copy to review.

Vanished by Irene Hannon

  Vanished by Irene Hannon is the second book in her Private Justice Series.  I like that this book is a stand alone title, meaning I do not have to read the first book in the series to understand this book.

A teen age runaway meets a friendly gentleman at a homeless shelter during a snowstorm.  Her half sister hires a Private Investigator to find her.  In the process of investigating, feelings develop between the two.  They make a decision not to pursuit a romance until the missing girl is found.  Will this girl be found alive or will she be dead?  Read Vanished to find out the answer.

Irene Hannon once again does a masterful job with the second installment of her Private Justice Series.  As I said you do not have to read the first book to understand the second book.  Each book tells the story of one of the Private Investigators from the PI firm Phoenix Foundation.  Characters from the previous book have minor roles in this story, so you do not feel confused.

The story was well paced, but when you hit the climax of the story you want to finish the story as fast as possible to find out how everything ends.  I found myself holding my breath because the action was so intense and compelling.  Hannon does a superb job weaving a suspenseful story with a hint at romance.  The story focuses on the job that needs to be done-- find the missing teen.  Then the story wraps up with a bit of romance for the "icing on the cake".  This was a fantastic thriller.

My thanks to  Netgalley and Revell publishers for the complimentary e-book to review.

Chasing Hope and Chasing Dreams

Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman

Brandy Philip is a natural born runner, but she is chasing trouble.  The only running she does well is out running the police that are chasing her.

Sabrina Rice is a driven college student chasing her dream to land the perfect internship at a prestigious company in Atlanta.

God brings these two young women together to learn from each other.  The story reveals how Sabrina was a well known runner in high school, but due to health issues had to give up her running dreams.  Sabrina agrees to coach Brandy and turn her into a long distance runner.  Along the way, Sabrina learns that some of the dreams God gives us may not be fulfilled in ways we understand or expect.

 This book spoke to me in a very special way.  I am just like Sabrina, finding how God continues to mold and shape my dreams in ways that I do not understand or expect.  This book made me take a look at my relationship with God to see that I am still harboring some anger with God for not doing things according to "my plan".  Cushman has a great message that comes to the reader in a gentle voice.

My thanks to Bethany House publishers and Netgalley for providing me with the complimentary e-book copy to review.