Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer

 

Here is the book summary:

Mysteries, family secrets, and the love of a true Father are found at the heart of this gripping novel from the bestselling author of Bringing Maggie Home

Newlyweds Sean Eagle and Meghan DeFord are no strangers to pain and loss. As cold-case detectives, they know intimately the anguish family members endure after the murder or disappearance of a loved one. But when a new case hits too close to home, it threatens to pull loose the fragile cords of their young marriage.
 
Sheila Menke was just a girl when her father left for work and never returned. An investigation revealed he had embezzled enough to start a new life elsewhere, but Sheila could never accept the court’s criminalization of her father. Meghan reluctantly takes the case, secretly fearing it will stir up buried feelings about her own biological father. And while Sean investigates the mysterious death of two young brothers, he longs to start a family. But Meghan worries that with a negligent mother and an absentee father as her parenting examples, she might never be fit for motherhood.
 
As they delve deeper into the past, both Meghan and Sheila must choose to either stumble along the road of bitterness and resentment or walk the difficult path toward forgiveness and healing. When the cases begin to break wide open, these young women are poised to discover that while earthly fathers may fail, there is one in heaven who is a father to the fatherless.

And now, my review:

I found Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer to be a favorable read.  The author let’s us into the characters lives as we watch how they work together on investigation cases and come into new ones.  Sometimes, based on their life experiences, there can be tension with this.  There’s also a story line of wanting to extend their family.  They have quite a few things to work through.  That sure kept me reading through this one. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Unveiling-Past-Kim-Vogel-Sawyer/dp/052565366X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=unveiling+the+past&qid=1609275204&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/unveiling-the-past-a-novel/kim-sawyer/9780525653660/pd/653661?product_redirect=1&search_term=unveiling%20the%20past&Ntt=653661&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unveiling-the-past-kim-vogel-sawyer/1133013412?ean=9780525653660

Once Upon A Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

Here is the book summary:

Three Delightful Christmas Tales from Beloved Storyteller Michelle Griep
 
Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:
 
12 Days a Bleakly Manor: Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.
 
A Tale of Two Hearts: Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?
 
The Old Lace Shop: Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

And now, my review:

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep is a compilation of 3 of her Christmas books all in one.  Each year for the past 3 years she has released a book and they have all been great!  It’s so nice to have them all in one book.  I have a physical book for this one and it’s a favorite of mine because of the “torn” look on the edges of each sheet.  I have read all three books in their entirety and a couple of them more than once.  It’s a great book to read from year to year at Christmas time.  In fact, for my family, we like to find Christmas books and hear them aloud and enjoy it all together.  With loads of intrigue, Christmas, and romance, what’s not to love!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Dickens-Christmas-Victorian/dp/1683222601/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24IX53DNCWG6T&keywords=once+upon+a+dickens+christmas&qid=1573856376&sprefix=once+%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/once+upon+a+dickens+christmas+series?_requestid=2304689

https://www.christianbook.com/once-upon-a-dickens-christmas/michelle-griep/9781683222606/product-reviews/3222606?submitted_review=1

Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble

Here is the book summary:

From USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble comes the third book in her beloved Lavender Tides series. 

Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was—can Bailey even trust herself anymore?

Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down. 

Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava. 

Filled with Colleen Coble's custom blend of suspense and romance, Secrets at Cedar Cabin takes us back to the evocative landscape of Washington's coast where nothing is quite as it seems. 

And now, my review:

Secrets of Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble is a very breathtaking, suspenseful book three in a series.  It ties in the first two books in this series and carries on with a new mysterious plot.  This story involves human trafficking and the horrors of all that.  There are surprises, murder, guns, bones, kidnapping, and detective work included.  Who can a person trust and who should they keep from.  Her painting of the scenery that it’s placed in is beautiful, the Pacific NW.  On the light side, she makes me want to make another pot of coffee.  This author is not for the faint at heart and you have to love mystery, suspense, and some romance.  If that’s what you like, pick up the book, take a seat, and hang on.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Cedar-Cabin-Lavender-Tides-ebook/dp/B07BB5C4M7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YEONOYLOSBR&keywords=secrets+of+cedar+cabin&qid=1556674142&s=gateway&sprefix=Secrets+of+cedar%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/secrets-at-cedar-cabin/colleen-coble/9780718085841/pd/085841?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secrets-at-cedar-cabin-colleen-coble/1128128096?ean=9780718085841#/

Camp Club Girls Bailey by Linda Carlblom

Here is the book summary:

GET A CLUE WITH THE CAMP CLUB GIRLS!
Join Bailey and the Camp Club Girls as they embark on a series of clue-filled adventures and crack the case in this entertaining and action-packed 4-in-1 mystery collection.
 

What's the meaning of the mysterious messages beneath shaggy sheep coats at the Curly Q ranch? The Camp Club Girls are determined to uncover the clues as they investigate a strange string of events. Will the girls discover the whereabouts of eccentric millionaire Marshall Gonzalez?

Why are wild elk running amok in Estes Park? During a stay at the historic Stanley Hotel, Bailey and Kate encounter out-of-control stampedes that put the townsfolk and tourists in danger. Will the Camp Club Girls uncover the reason behind the unusual elk behavior before someone gets hurt?

Are the rumors surrounding a valuable turquoise mine true? When Bailey and Elizabeth travel to a Native American village in New Mexico to help out a distant cousin and her children in their pottery shop during the busy tourist season, mysterious rumors begin to stir. The Camp Club Girls have their suspicions about rightful ownership of the mine, but will they be able to prove it?

Who's responsible for the peril at Mermaid Park? When Bailey and Sydney are invited to spend part of the summer with Bailey’s grandmother in Florida, both girls are fascinated by the local attraction—Mermaid Park. When curious and frightening events begin to take place, will the Camp Club Girls solve the mystery and save the park before time runs out?

And now, my review:

I found Camp Club Girls Bailey by Linda Carlblom to be an intriguing book.  I could not tell when the next cliffhanger was going to start or what was going to happen and this kept me right on reading.  I laughed at all the pranks that were brought about.  I saw while reading the importance of responsibility and the consequences of irresponsibility. Parental note:  My daughter (14) is just eating these books up.  FYI:  Ghosts are part of the first story but the author does bring around, using the Bible, the truth about ghosts. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing/Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Club-Girls-Linda-Carlblom-ebook/dp/B07HYLYVQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550097279&sr=8-2&keywords=camp+club+girls+bailey

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/camp-club-girls-linda-carlblom/1129071636?ean=9781683228288#/

https://www.christianbook.com/camp-club-girls-bailey/linda-carlblom/9781683228288/pd/228283?product_redirect=1&Ntt=228283&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Camp Club Girls: Elizabeth by Renae Brumbaugh Green

Here is the book summary:

What happens when six girls end up in the not only in the same cabin at summer camp, but are quickly embroiled in intrigue? 

They form a super sleuth ring and call themselves the Camp Club Girls. Each girl uses her special skills—analyzing, spiritual insight, gadgetry, physical skills, research—to help the whole team stump adversaries and master the mysteries they encounter. Join the Camp Club Girls on a series of clue-filled adventures and cheer them on as they crack the case in this entertaining 4-in-1 story collection.

What’s REALLY going on at Camp Discovery Lake? . . . When Alexis, Bailey, Elizabeth, Sydney, McKenzie, and Kate end up as roommates at summer camp, they soon suspect there’s more going on than crafts and Bible quizzes. Will they put the puzzling pieces together before time runs out?

What's so important about a missing bag of marbles? Elizabeth and McKenzie are roped into a mystery as big as Texas, when a strange man shows up in town, asking about a special tip left to a waitress thirty years ago. Will their skills be a match for this mixed-up mystery?

Is foul play to blame for the strange string of unfortunate events that threaten the River City Cruise Boat business? While helping out with ministry activities at the Fiesta Noche Del Rio on the Riverwalk, Kate and Elizabeth investigate! Will the girls reveal the source of the trouble before the River City Cruise Boat business goes bust?

Who's the thief responsible for stealing a valuable Gibson guitar? Elizabeth and Bailey investigate the case in Music City. With only a handful of clues, will the girls be successful in turning up the missing music maker and returning the guitar to its rightful owner?

Join the Camp Club Girls as they find hidden jewels, destroy terrorist plots, uncover intrigue, rescue their friends, and so much more. It’s adventure with a capital A!

And now, my review:

For this review on Camp Club Girls: Elizabeth by Renae Brumbaugh Green I would love to share what my 14-year-old daughter’s thoughts were on the book as she is a teenager and VERY much a mystery reader!  “This is one of the best mystery books I have ever read.  I loved how it jumped into the mystery right away and I didn’t have to wait for it to come about.  It mentions in this book about other mystery books that I have read such as Nancy Drew.  I feel that it would be a great book for other teens and even older people who love mysteries.  This author keeps it very interesting and I found that sometimes I wanted to cuddle and read on and sometimes I became quite taken by the scary scenes and all their mysterious situations.  I loved how it added in Scripture, which I don’t find in Nancy Drew books, and this encouraged me to want to look them up in my own copy of God’s Word.  I found the characters to be fun and creative and I felt happy, sad, and everything in between right along with them.  I CAN’T wait to read the next Christian mystery book collection.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Girls-Renae-Brumbaugh-Green-ebook/dp/B07LC73SW4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1547757992&sr=8-2&keywords=camp+club+girls+elizabeth

https://www.christianbook.com/camp-club-girls-elizabeth/renae-green/9781683227670/pd/227671?product_redirect=1&Ntt=227671&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/camp-club-girls-renae-brumbaugh-green/1128864607?ean=9781683227670

The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble

Here is the book summary:

The dangerous beauty of Lavender Tides is harboring secrets that reach around the world.

Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he? 

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

Both Ellie and Grayson want the truth, but truth—and family—is often more complex than it first appears. From international terrorism to the peaceful lavender fields of Puget Sound, The House at Saltwater Point is a thrilling race to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

And now, my review:

The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble is an adventurous and crazy read. Colleen has a way about her writing that is intense and gripping. She thinks through scenarios well and brings realistic plots to life. She adds details that are bought out in a “Murder She Wrote” kind of way. If you love mystery and murder books and not so much the lighthearted Hallmark type, you'll want to check this one out and move on to all her others.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/House-Saltwater-Point-Lavender-Tides-ebook/dp/B077CS7R3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538060195&sr=8-2&keywords=the+house+at+saltwater+point+by+colleen+coble#customerReviews

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-house-at-saltwater-point-colleen-coble/1127455204?ean=9780718085803#/

https://www.christianbook.com/the-house-at-saltwater-point/colleen-coble/9780718085803/pd/085803?product_redirect=1&Ntt=085803&item_code=WW&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

The View From Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble

Here is the book summary:

Enter in to a brand new series from bestselling author Colleen Coble!

“…The View From Rainshadow Bay, opens with a heart-pounding, run-for-your-life chase. This book will stay with you for a long time, long after you flip to the last page.” - 4 STARS, RT Book Reviews

"Prepare to stay up all night with Colleen Coble. Coble's beautiful, emotional prose coupled with her keen sense of pacing, escalating danger, and very real characters place her firmly at the top of the suspense genre. I could not put this book down." --Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of Shattered

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.

When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son.

Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.

In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State.

And now, my review:
This story is about a woman who is married with a 5-year-old son and her husband dies in a recreational activity.  His best friend, who was with her husband at the time, plays such a great role in this book.  This book is nailbiting at times and quite intense, which is just the way Colleen writes.  I really enjoyed the preciousness of her son and her relationship with him.  The grandmother and others surround him well and take great care of him.  If you like mysterious, extreme reads, you’ll like this one.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Innkeeper's Daughter by Michelle Griep

Here’s the book summary:

A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the Crown
 
Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.
 
All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.
 
Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

And now, my review:

The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep is a very gripping story of love, loss, intrigue, danger, suspense, and a great thread of the truth that the outcome is not up to a person but up to God.  I find that Michelle is an amazing author and her books are very hard to put down.  She has so many characters in this book that have me feeling all sorts of things, either frustration or oh no or ahhh love or whatever one must feel when reading about the special Mr. Nutbrown.  This is a great historical fiction I highly recommend set in the beautiful land of England. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley.  I was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Innkeepers-Daughter-Michelle-Griep-ebook/dp/B074TYQ139/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/the-innkeepers-daughter-michelle-griep/1126627873?ean=9781683224358#reviews-header

https://www.christianbook.com/the-innkeepers-daughter-michelle-griep/9781683224358/pd/224358?event=

12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

Here is the book summary:

A mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home may bring danger...and love?

England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds.

But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters.

What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

Pour a cup of tea and settle in for Book 1 of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series--a page-turning Victorian-era holiday tale--by Michelle Griep, a reader and critic favorite.

And now, my review:

What my family had to say about the book 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep as we enjoyed this as a family read aloud.  It was intriguing, mysterious, and scary in parts.  It was superfluously majestic and makes you want to read on.  It was also surprising, captivating, and very well written.  I really liked that it brought out an element of forgiveness in a freeing way.  This book has all these things and more to it!!  If you’re looking for a great Christmas read, you’ll want to remember to check this one out.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/12-Days-Bleakly-Manor-Christmas-ebook/dp/B071HB1FQ5/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1519478412&sr=1-1&keywords=12+days+at+bleakly+manor

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/12-days-at-bleakly-manor-michelle-griep/1125461109?ean=9781683222583#/

https://www.christianbook.com/12-days-at-bleakly-manor-1/michelle-griep/9781683222583/pd/22258X?product_redirect=1&Ntt=22258X&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP