Friday, March 28, 2014

Distortion, Book 2 in the Moonlighter Series by Terri Blackstock (Review)



Juliet Cole's husband is murdered in front of her. While dealing with shock and anger at his death, she must face the reality of his secret life while trying to pull her life back together. She is determined to find his killer and put an end to the threats to her family. Was Bob really that hypocritical? That good at lying? And what of his professed "faith"? Was that a lie, too?

Terri Blackstock's books are called "up all night fiction" for a reason. Her books are nearly impossible to put down, and Distortion proved that again. I was pulled into the story from the first page, and the book kept me on the edge of my proverbial seat throughout its entirety. With believable characters, a steady plot, and nonstop action, it's pure enjoyment. I have not read the first book in the series and, though parts of Distortion would have been a little more understandable if I had, it didn't make the book any less readable.

One thing I appreciate about Terri Blackstock's work is that she includes the Gospel and she does it in a way that is not cheesy or unbelievable. It doesn't detract from the story; it enhances it. It's not often that one can read a mystery and feel encouraged spiritually. That seems impossible to pull off, actually, but she does it.

In "A Note From the Author", she beautifully addressed something that is near and dear to my heart, and I felt like she was speaking directly to me. Read it...it will be special to you, too. There are some discussion questions in the back, which would be helpful for a book club or for personal use. 

I highly recommend this book!

More about the book:

Book Description

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. When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is gunned down in a dark parking lot before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning. When she’s finally allowed to return home to break the news to her boys, she hears a voicemail that takes the situation from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. "Mrs. Cole, we know you have access to the supply and the money. If you don't turn fifty million over to us and give us the codes, then you'll be burying more family members."
Suddenly, Juliet realizes that she and her children could be in danger. She teams up with her sisters and PI Michael Hogan to dig into the sham Bob has been living for years. The more she learns, the worse the betrayal. A drug trafficking history, a fortune in cash, and a secret family all emerge to turn Juliet’s belief system on its head, and threaten the things she loves. Are she and her sisters skilled enough as sleuths to get to the truth?

Thanks for reading, 
Jessica

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Notes From a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider (Book Review)


I must admit, I sorta chose this book for its cover. I also chose it because Tsh Oxenreider, I knew, is a firm believer in simple, more intentional living, and that appeals to me more than I can say! I, too, long for that type of life, and I hope to one day attain it. 

Notes From a Blue Bike is a book to be savored, not gulped in one reading. It feels as if you meander through Tsh's travels, catching glimpses of her intriguing life while she shares her realizations and ideas with you. While following along with the flow of the chapters was a little confusing, it didn't put me off.  Her suggestions on how to slow down and be more intentional are helpful and doable. I'm inspired! 

If you, too are tired of a frantic, hurried, blurring-by life, get a copy of this beautiful book, relax, read it, slow down, and enjoy!

Thanks for reading!
Jessica