The Knight by Steven James

Patrick Bowers is in his home state of Colorado trying to locate a serial killer that likes to depict stories in his killings. Several people have died and it looks like Pat is on the killers list to play a leading roll.

At the same time he is working the case in Colorado Patrick is having to fly back to Chicago to testify in the retrial of one of his most infamous foes. Richard Devin Basque was one of the first serial killers that Patrick put away. Unfortunately Pat made a mistake while arresting Basque and now Basque's lawyer is going to use that against him to get Basque out of prison.

Of course Patrick can't have all of that going on in his life without having some major issues with his step-daughter Tessa thrown into the mix! While packing for their move to D.C. Tessa discovers a shoebox filled with memento's of her mother. One of the things in the box is a key to her mother's diary. Tessa insists on reading it in the hopes of finding out who her real father is.

As always, this Patrick Bowers novel is filled with action and killing and mayhem. Lien hua and Patrick are having issues so enter another law-enforcement woman to step in to Lien hua's place. Cheyenne is tough, witty and beautiful. She has asked Patrick out before, but the timing was never right. I like their banter back and forth, but Patrick isn't over Lien hua yet so there are several awkward moments between them. Once again Tessa irritates the snot out of me! To me she acts more like a 14 year old rather than an almost 18 year old. But even though she irritates there is a brokenness about her that captures a persons heart. She really is just a lost young woman. But grrrr! She knows how to manipulate adults feelings and get her way. It will be interesting to see if she can locate her real father, I wonder where that will put her and Patrick's relationship? Patrick's FBI friend Ralph is back in this book as well and he cracks me up! His new obsession is yogurt covered raisins and he eats them by the handful. Yup, that catches up with him! There are run-ins with rattlesnakes that creeped me out much more than the descriptions of the killings! Patrick has ticked off a whole lot of bad guys and I can't wait to start the next book to see who goes after him next!

The Prayers of Jane Austen

Summary:

You know Jane Austen as the beloved author of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and other witty, insightful novels of the early nineteenth century. Now come to know her as a woman of unexpected spiritual depth. Jane Austen wrote beautiful, heartfelt prayers for use during her family’s evening devotions. Each one reveals her gratitude for God’s blessings and her pursuit of a holy life—expressions of a woman whose heart was profoundly moved by faith.

In this beautifully designed book, author Terry Glaspey introduces you to Jane Austen the Christian by sharing this powerful collection of prayers and also a glimpse into her life story and the impact she had as a writer of virtue, character, and morality.

Editor/Author Bio:

Terry Glaspey has degrees in history and pastoral ministry and is the author of several books, including 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know and Not a Tame Lion: The Spiritual Legacy of C.S. Lewis.

Links:

Purchase on the Harvest House website: http://bit.ly/1INVSLM

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23883181-the-prayers-of-jane-austen

Join the conversation on Twitter: #InspiredByAusten

Join the conversation on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/seasonshumility/inspired-by-austen/

MY THOUGHTS:

I have loved all of Jane Austen's books! But I have to admit that I have not read a lot about her. I have read some, but not a lot. I believe I had read somewhere that her father was a minister, it just never really registered before I guess. So as a minister's daughter I imagine that she was exposed to many spiritual insights. Those insights show in the 3 prayers that are in this book. They are beautifully written and show more of Jane's insights into human nature. They are filled with humbleness before God. I also have to mention the drawings scattered throughout. They look like they were drawn by pen and they are of different scenes from her books. They are beautifully rendered and help add the reminder to the reader that Jane Austen is the author of these prayers. If you love all that Jane Austen has written, then this is definitely an addition that you will want to get for your collection.

JOIN IN ON READ ALONG:

Join the “Persuasion and Prayers” read-along (July 6-24): http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/search/label/Persuasion%20and%20Prayers%20Read-Along

The Seahorse Legacy by Serena Chase: Cover Re-Reveal

My Thoughts:

What do you all think of the new cover? I really like it. Love the blue of the models eyes! I loved the original cover, but when I put the two side by side I think I like this one better. Mainly because it seems more mature and serious, maybe less whimsical. I'm more enchanted with this cover, instead of whimsical it seems more mysterious. The Seahorse Legacy is going to have to go on my "re-read" shelf for sure!! If you haven't read this book yet and you are enticed by beautiful covers, then definitely get this for your summer read shelf! It is amazing!!!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Seahorse Legacy (Eyes of E’veria, book 3) by Serena Chase

published by Candent Gate

a Pirate, bound by a centuries-old oath 

As Keeper of the Seahorse Legacy, Cazien de Pollis is a King among pirates, divinely appointed to dispense justice on the seas. Bound by the sacred oath of a long-dead ancestor, he must fulfill a contract to wed the green-eyed Oracle’s Daughter named therein—or risk losing everything he and his people hold dear. But at nineteen, with the identity of his betrothed only recently revealed, Cazien resents the contract—and the urgency within him to see it satisfied. 

a Knight, determined to prove her calling

Erielle de Gladiel returned from the quest for the Remedy, changed. Not only are her formerly-blue eyes now a brilliant shade of green, but she must don gloves to hide inky evidence that her prophetically-bestowed title, the Oracle’s Daughter, demands more from her than the task already completed. Erielle’s dearest-held dream is realized when she is knighted by her King, but unbeknownst to her, that very honor jeopardizes the prophesied purpose to which she and Cazien have been called.

a Legacy, demanding surrender 

Just as Cazien summons the courage to collect his bride, dark rumors and darker deeds crawl up the coasts, calling its guardians, the Seahorse Pirates, into action—and Cazien away from Erielle. But even though the Oracle’s Daughter knows nothing of the contract to which she has been consigned, Cazien’s enemies have somehow learned of his interest in Erielle. And if they reach her before his ancestor’s weighty oath is executed, the Seahorse Legacy will be forfeited . . . and darkness will be given reign.

The third book in this series-within-a series, The Seahorse Legacy begins an epic re-imagining of several fairy tales, combined--including an unexpected twist on The Twelve Dancing Princesses. This romantic adventure will conclude in Eyes of E’veria, Book 4: The Sunken Realm, coming late Summer 2015.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

SERENA CHASE lives in Iowa with her husband, two teen daughters, and a big white dog named Albus. A frequent contributor to USA Today's Happy Ever After blog, Serena is an avid reader of young adult fiction and inspirational romance and has become a respected influencer within those communities. When not engaged in her varied roles within the publishing industry, Serena can be found coaching her local high school's Color Guard, watching action movies, and dreaming about someday living in a cottage by the sea. Connect with Serena Chase on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter (@Serena_Chase) and visit www.serenachase.com to subscribe to her newsletter and gain access to exclusive, subscriber-only content.

 

EXCITING GIVEAWAY!!!

Prize pack includes:

1. custom skin for reading device (or phone) featuring the new book cover

2. temporary tattoos "Official Pirate Crew -- The Seahorse Legacy"

3. $10 Amazon giftcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Rook by Steven James

Patrick Bowers has taken his step-daughter Tessa with him to San Diego to work on a series of arsons. Tessa and Pat are still trying to work out a relationship as father/daughter. Tessa is 17 and wanting independence, but with the work that Patrick does he knows the evil that is out there waiting for young women.

The arson cases and a government secret soon collide with each other and has the FBI and local authorities working against the clock to find a woman who only has hours left to live.

Lien-hua is a profiler that Patrick has worked with before. He doesn't like profiling, but he does like Lien-hua. Throughout the investigation they kind of dance around their attraction for each other.

A killer using the name "Shade" is the puppeteer master throughout the whole story. He now has his sights set on Patrick so I am assuming we will see more of him in future books.

I thought this book was a bit slower paced than the last Patrick Bowers book I read(OPENING MOVES), but it still kept me interested in continuing on to find out what happens. We met Tessa in THE PAWN and she still frustrated me in this book. It has been a while since I had a 17 year old in my home so I guess I may have forgotten that their decision making skills are sometimes lacking. Tessa has some destructive behavior that needs some serious counseling. I hope that her character will mature as the series goes on. I really like her and Patrick trying to be a family. The wrap-up of the book was exciting as always and of course left a bad guy to continue on into the next book.

   Other books I have read in the series:

Opening Moves
The Pawn

Opening Moves by Steven James

Opening Moves takes the reader back to when Patrick Bowers was a young detective. Trying to juggle working on his masters degree, a relationship and his demanding job doesn't seem to be too hard of a task for him.

It is 1997 and it seems that Milwaukee is once again being terrorized by a serial killer similar to Jeffrey Dahmer. Pat teams up with the FBI to investigate the murders and hopes to bring this killer to justice before he escalates anymore.

This book was so intense and disturbing! I loved it! If you are at all squeamish I would not recommend this series for you, but if you love intense suspense, mystery and twists and turns in your plots then definitely pick this series up. Steven James doesn't hold back from describing crime scenes which may be offensive to some readers. Some of the scenes in Opening Moves were a bit hard for me, especially when they involved children. Reading from the killers perspective was creepy and I had to put the book down at night and pick up something a bit lighter. Still I found that during the day I couldn't put this book down and now I'm moving on to The Rook as I have already read The Pawn. If you love suspense, if you enjoy twists and turns that have you constantly guessing "who done it" then give the Patrick Bowers Files a try.

Family of Her Dreams by Keli Gwyn

Tess Grimsby has arrived in Shingle Springs to be housekeeper to Spencer Abbott, a young widower with two children. Tess was raised in an orphanage and dreams of one day having her own family.

Spencer's wife recently passed away and left behind two children. Little Luke is full of rambunctious energy and into all kinds of trouble. Tess immediately sets out to win his hurting soul. Tess feels for the children, knowing that Luke is acting out in pain from losing his mother.

Spencer is still mourning his wife but knows that he needs help with his children. He is put off a bit by Tess's outspokenness, but soon realizes that she is quite capable of taking care of him and his children.

As Tess takes care of this grieving family she soon begins to fall in love with them, and the dreams of one day having a family of her own begin to resemble the faces of Spencer and his children. Meanwhile Spencer is torn between his attraction to Tess and a woman he only knows through a set of letters that someone lost at the railroad station he runs. Will he miss out on the love in front of him in order to pursue a woman he has never met but haunts him through her letters?

I think this is the first Love Inspired Historical that I have read. I really enjoyed it. I loved Tess and Spencer. Tess has spunk and isn't afraid to speak her mind even though she also has some insecurities. Spencer loves his children even though he is grieving the loss of their mother. I like how he was able to change his mind when Tess presented him all of the facts of a change she wanted to implement. He wasn't an unreasonable parent nor an unreasonable boss. One issue I have with these type of books is that they are shorter than the average novel and therefore can't develop the characters as well as I would have liked. I thought that the story was progressing along nicely, but then kind of galloped to the end a little too quickly. Still I enjoyed these characters very much. I also liked the setting. It is fun to read a story about places that I have been. I look forward to the next book that author Keli Gwyn writes!

Check out my review of Keli's other book:

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado California

In The Paths of Righteousness by Debbie Viguie

Hoping to give Cindy and her friends a much needed vacation Kyle, Cindy's brother, invites them to go on a cattle drive with him. What he  neglects to tell them is that this cattle drive will be filmed as part of one of Kyle's adventure episodes. The drive seems to be doomed from the beginning with the death of one of the crew, but Kyle insists the show must go on and so everyone saddles up no matter how reluctant they are.

Jeremiah is determined that the footage from the filming never gets put on TV. He has secrets to keep. Neither Cindy or Jeremiah can define their relationship yet, but those around them seem to assume that they are in love. Jeremiah knows that in order to protect his secrets that eventually he must leave, but his attraction to Cindy and desire to keep her safe keeps him from doing that.

Miles away from any town or law enforcement Cindy, Jeremiah, Mark and Traci realize that there is a killer among them and that Kyle is the person's target. Will they be able to figure out who it is before anyone else is killed?

Loved the setting of this one! I really enjoyed the "gang" being all together to solve this case as well. I also liked that we got to see Cindy and Kyle together. After so many books with hints of the jealousy that Cindy has for Kyle, and her parents obvious favoritism for him, it was fun to read about what makes him tick. We are still in the dark as to Jeremiah's past and also what happened to Cindy and Kyle's sister many years before, but with each installment we learn just a little more of both. I really like the dynamics between the 4 friends. Cindy and Traci get along well together even though Traci keeps pushing Cindy to talk about her relationship with Jeremiah. Jeremiah and Mark have a healthy respect for each other. Mark knows that Jeremiah has secrets from his past and he is okay with letting those secrets lay. Mark's search into his former partner Paul's past has hit a roadblock, but at the end of the book a new clue surfaces and he enlists Jeremiah and Cindy in helping him to hunt it down. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens there! Mystery and series fans I have not been disappointed in any of the Psalm 23 Mysteries, so if you are looking for something exciting to read check these out!!

Reviews of previous books in the series:

The Lord is my Shepherd
I Shall Not Want
Lie Down in Green Pastures
Beside Still Waters
Restoreth My Soul