Tuesday, September 16, 2014

9/16/14 - Book review - A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley is a wonderful work of fiction.

Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't been able to get Leigh Somerall out of his head for 10 years.  She contacts him with a strange request, to protect her brother, Tony Jackson.  When Ben catches up with Tony, he as well has an odd request, to protect his sister Leigh.  Leigh has a son, TJ that oddly looks like Ben and even more oddly, at least to Ben, has the same unique blood type.  Leigh has something that someone devious wants; a flash-drive.  They will go to any lengths to get it, putting TJ and Leigh in danger.  Gun-runners, dog-fighters, dreams of Johns Hopkins all things that Ben and Leigh face.  In the end, after God has worked miracles throughout, love wins out.

This is a wonderful book.  I've never read this author before but I will seek out more of her books.


I received this book from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. 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.

9/16/14 - Book review - Stolen: The true story of a sex-trafficking survivor by Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD with Cecil Murphey

Stolen is a look into the sex-trafficking trade by a survivor, Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD.  This is a true story, in harrowing detail, of the life of a child that is abused by those closest to her and “friends”.
Kat is a lonely, depressed girl that is seeking love.  She doesn’t find much love at home, neglected by her mother, abused by her father and with an older brother that really don’t care.  There is one that does care, God.  She learns of His love from the hand of Billy Graham.  Graham pointed right at her and said:  “Remember this: God will never leave you or forsake you.”  She remembered all through her bad times.  He even would tell her that He had a plan for her.  She is abducted, mislead and sold by “friends” through her childhood.  
Unfortunately, the sex-trafficking trade is alive and well in our country; and yes, it can be in our small towns.


This is a powerful and heartbreaking book.  There is a rainbows end; Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD founded a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to freeing other victims of human trafficking.

I received this book from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. 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.

9/16/14 - Book review - When the Past Came Calling by Larry S. Kaplan

When the Past Came Calling by Larry S. Kaplan is a mystery thriller that will keep you turning the pages.

David Miller is a personal injury lawyer that the FBI recruits to help with a missing person’s case. Do you take the call from your past?  David Miller did.  David Miller’s past came to haunt him and he had to forgive an old friend to help with the mystery.  A mysterious girl from his past haunts him, in his dreams and also in real time. The story jumps from the past (1960’s) to the present (late ‘80’s) as it unfolds to show that his friend Benny really isn't crazy.  Miller is drawn in by a seductress, Sandra Newton and strong-armed by a past member of the KGB, Alexander Kostay.  David Miller travels to Mexico City, Mexico and to Omsk, in Russian Siberia.  From Darwinism to the JFK assassination are weaved into the book.

You’ll find twists and turns throughout the book.  The chapters are headed nicely with dates so you won’t be wondering what decade you are in.  Kaplan does a wonderful job of character building.  This is a page turner that you won’t be disappointed in.  If you like mysteries or thrillers or conspiracy theories, you will enjoy this book.  I thoroughly enjoyed When the Past Came Calling.  It has been quite a while since a read a mystery such as this.  I will not hesitate to seek out other books by Larry S. Kaplan.

I received this book from Readers’ Favorite for a book review.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

9/11/14 - Book review - The Homesick Texan's Family Table by Lisa Fain

Lisa Fain’s The Homesick Texan is a blog I have enjoyed for quite some time.  When I was given the opportunity to review her second book, 
The Homesick Texan’s Family Table, I jumped on it.


Love, love, love this cookbook!  It has beautiful photos of the dishes and what’s not to love about slow, southern cooking?  I love Texas and I love Texas cooking.  Even though I’m stuck here in the mid-Atlantic I can still enjoy some good ole Texas dishes.  Lisa Fain has given me more ideas to spice up an existing recipe or capture something new to add to a potluck or family dinner.  I can’t wait to try some of these family recipes.  Chipotle-cheddar scalloped potatoes…can you just imagine that melt in your mouth, subtle heat of this side dish?  Come on fall, I’m looking forward to trying some of her chili’s and soups like black-eyed pea and Mexican chorizo soup or pork chili verde.  She has shared her thoughts on her recipes as well.

This cookbook is awesome – 5 stars from me!

I received this book from BloggingforBooks.