Firewall by Diann Mills

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Firewall Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2014) by DiAnn Mills

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops.

DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills


ABOUT THE BOOK

After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.

Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?

With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Firewall, go HERE.

My Review:

4 Stars

What an adventure this book is! From the very beginning this book had energy that kept me reading from page one to the end. Full of twists, turns, fear, wit and more this book is sure to entertain most readers out there.

I enjoyed the characters in this book and the adventure they were placed in. I felt DiAnn Mills did a great job at weaving in faith and forgiveness with out sounding preachy. Felt like every day life and every day situations. I usually find these kind of books to be fun and a break from the historical and contemporary romance/dramas that I normally read. I will admit that I can only read so many of these in a row but when I read them here and there they are super fun. I have read DiAnn Mills before and this book is just as good as others and I look forward to reading the rest in the series.

*I received this book through CFBA for the purpose of this review.

All for a Sister by Allison Pittman

About the Book:

Genre: Historical

In Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, Celeste DuFrane has it all. Her father’s work with color movie film opens doors that lead to the stardom she’s always aspired to. But after losing her mother, she discovers that half the estate has been left to a woman accused of killing Celeste’s baby sister before Celeste was even born.

Dana Lundgren arrives on the steps of the DuFrane mansion having spent most of her life imprisoned for a crime that never happened. After accusing her of murder so many years ago, why did Marguerite DuFrane leave her a sizeable inheritance?

As Celeste and Dana learn each other’s stories, they come up with more questions than answers. Then a surprising discovery begins to fill in the missing pieces: Marguerite DuFrane’s written confession, penned shortly before her death. Uncovering the treachery and deceit that changed the course of countless lives—most of all, their own—the two women find more than they ever dreamed of.

My Review:

4 Stars

All for a Sister is Allison Pittman's third book in her series set in the 1920's. Each book is completely stand alone but are all set in the same decade. I loved the first book in the series the best, All for a Song. This book was my second favorite in the series.

I really enjoyed aspects of this story but found all the jumping around very hard to follow at times. I loved hearing the story of the past versus what was happening in the present (as in 1925). Both Dana and Celeste are fun characters that have a unique connection. I felt bad for Dana for things she went through that wasn't her fault. I found all the connections to be fun and the biggest reason I kept on reading. 

Overall a fun book with a different writing style with some fun twists. Not necessarily my favorite book out there but not a waste of time either.

*I received this book from Tyndale Blog Network for the purpose of this review. Thank You!

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary

To those who matter in 1950s Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.

To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman, Abra will always be the little girl who stole his heart the night he found her, a wailing newborn abandoned under a bridge on the outskirts of Haven. Zeke and his son, Joshua—Abra’s closest friend—watch her grow into an exotic beauty. But Zeke knows the circumstances surrounding her birth etched scars deep in her heart, scars that leave her vulnerable to a fast-talking bad boy who proclaims his love and lures her to Tinseltown. Hollywood feels like a million miles from Haven, and naive Abra quickly learns what’s expected of an ambitious girl with stars in her eyes. But fame comes at an awful price. She has burned every bridge to get exactly what she thought she wanted. Now, all she wants is a way back home.

In this riveting and highly anticipated tale of temptation, grace, and unconditional love,New York Times best-selling author Francine Rivers delivers big-canvas storytelling at its very best.

My Review:

5 Stars (Favorite Book of the Year)

When I hear the name Francine Rivers I think of amazing books that will suck me in and spit me out moved, emotional, sad, happy and so much. But, they really leave me wanting more. This book is no exception, from page one I was so invested and found myself reading at any spare minute I could find. 

I just loved the theme of redemption and love that ran throughout this book. Abra started life abandoned not once but in a way twice and it really hit her hard. She felt unwanted and unloved not realizing how many people really did love her and how much God loves her. Her choices put her on a path of fame with bad consequences. How and will she find her way home? Will she find God's love before its too late? Read this book to find out and so much more.

Fans of Francine River will love her newest book and be left wanting more in a good way. I just can't wait till she releases another book now. Great Job!

*I received this book from Tyndale for the purpose of this review.

A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary/Women's Fiction

Book 1 of the Two Blue Doors Series

Heirloom recipes, family secrets…and a chance for love

The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story.

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way?

My Review:

4 Stars

Hillary Manton Lodge starts her new three book series with a bang! A Table by the Window was such a fun read and didn't feel like so many of the other books our there. I just loved the tie in with cooking and the recipes found in each chapter. It was almost like a story and cook book all in one. I know at some point I would love to try some of the recipes that came alive while reading the book. I found this to be a great and easy read that kept me turning the pages. I am so looking forward to the rest of this series.

Food, Fun and Romance what more can you ask for in a great book. Looking for a new book to read, don't look any further and grab this great book.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of this review. Thank You!