Review: The Witnesses by Robert Whitlow

Genre: Legal Thriller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: July 19, 2016 
385 pages

About the Book:

Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.

Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.

While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.

Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While this is a considered a legal thriller with the main character, Parker, being a lawyer the story really focuses on the characters themselves. We first meet Parker’s grandfather Frank when he was young serving in Germany during WWII. The story then moves to current day where we learn that years later Frank is dealing with the haunting memories from his service. We then meet Parker and follow his progress as a young lawyer finding his place, he is presented with a career opportunity but it conflicts with a love interest he wants to pursue. Can he have both?

We get to follow Frank as his comes to faith in God and finds peace over events that have haunted him for years. However there is someone from his past that is determined to bring up the past. Can his escape the pull of the past?

I really enjoyed that the story focused on so much on the characters and their various relationships with friends and business associates. It is told from both perspectives and I following both point of views, there wasn’t one that I liked more than the other. I was invested in both characters and did not want to put the book down. I felt satisfied with the way the story wrapped.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Check out my reviews of other books by this author: 

   

Chosen People

A Time to Stand

A House Divided

YT: April, May & June Releases I'm Excited About

I have recently started a YouTube Channel in which I am planning to post regularly to in addition to keeping this blog updated with book reviews. I would love it if you would go check out my newest video where I talk about the new books being released in April, May and June that are on my wish list. 

Review: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Genre: Classic 
Released: 1869
566 pages

About the Book:

As a New England mother struggles to support her family in the wake of her husband’s service in the Civil War, her four daughters struggle, too - caught between childhood dreams and the realities of burgeoning adulthood. For Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, raised in integrity and virtue, negotiating the right path in life means making choices that will either narrow or expand their destinies.

Based on the author’s life, Little Women transcends genre, gender, and class with its examination of personal quests, societal restrictions, family ties, and the end of innocence.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐

What makes a classic a classic? Why is this book so raved about? There are so many people that enjoy this book, but I found this story to be incredibly boring and hard to read. I felt like it was only because I have seen the movie version that even I understood what was happening at certain times. I realize that this was written in the 1860s so obviously the writing style and language was much different to books written in the 21^st century, and I struggled. There were chapters I did enjoy more than others and my favourite character was Beth. I felt like she was the most compassionate, unselfish character of the bunch. I was liking the girls and Laurie for the most part but once they started falling in love I did not enjoy or understand their choices in a few of the matches. It is very rare for me to dnf a book once I start it so I kept reading in hopes that it would improve and to finish it. I don’t feel like it improved but I did finish it and now I can say yes I have read this but have no plans to read it again. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Review: Lethal Cover-Up by Darlene L. Turner

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Love Inspired
Released: July 27, 2021
224 pages

About the Book:

Some secrets are dangerous…

But uncovering the truth could be deadly.

Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim?

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Action packed! So much happens from chapter one to the end. Will Madi and Tucker solve the case before its too late? How many people will be injured in the process? I could not put this book down as I needed to know these answers. Early on I suspected who was involved but then something happened that made me question myself and think okay maybe I was wrong. So I set my sights on another character, but then something was discovered that made me think I was wrong again. When it was revealed who the real mastermind was, I realized I should have stuck with my original suspicions and not doubted myself. The character development was well done, I enjoyed getting to know Madi and Tucker and found myself understanding their inner conflict and feelings. I loved the way the story ended. I especially enjoyed that this story is set in Canada, it is so fun to read a story set in my country as there are not that many. 

(I borrowed a copy of this book from a friend; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Review: Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason

Series: Danger Never Sleeps # 4 
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Released: August 3, 2021
320 pages

About the Book:

Ava Jackson entered the military shortly after high school, but her mother's illness has forced her to request an early discharge. She already lost her father while deployed, and there's no way she's going to let her mother die alone. But after a visit to the nursing facility where her mother lives, Ava is attacked walking back to her car. Fortunately, FBI Special Agent Caden Denning arrives in time to help fight off her attacker.

Caden reveals to Ava that she may hold the key to the murders of three families, and he needs her help before anyone else is harmed. The hits show a pattern, and clearly the killer has an agenda. But if Caden and Ava can't discover what it is, Ava may be next on the hit list.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

After getting to know Caden through books 1-3 I was really looking forward to reading his story, but I found I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous ones. While there was the action and suspense I've come to expect from Ms. Eason, I think the plot of having whole families murdered and the CIA/Russia component affected my enjoyment. I also found myself getting a bit confused while trying to keep track of who was who, they were so many characters. I did enjoy that Ava was presented as a strong and smart character and Caden showed respect for her abilities. The build of their relationship was believable because we knew they had grown up together.

At times I felt like I had missed reading something, such as when Ava escapes she makes the comment that she wants to stop and see John before heading home but last she knew he had been injured when Ava was taken and was missing. When had he been found?

What was with the ending? We get a nice wrap-up on the other characters we've followed throughout this series (which I enjoyed) but then we are left with questions of what's next for Ava & Caden. I was not expecting this and did not like it.

Overall I did enjoy this series, this story just left me wanting more.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Check out my reviews of other books by this author: 

Collateral Damage - Danger Never Sleeps # 1

Acceptable Risk - Danger Never Sleeps # 2

Active Defense - Danger Never Sleeps # 3

Oath of Honor - Blue Justice # 1

Called to Protect - Blue Justice # 2

Code of Valor - Blue Justice # 3

Vow of Justice - Blue Justice # 4

Moving Target - Elite Guardians # 3

Chasing Secrets - Elite Guardians # 4