Review: Between Black and White

Between Black and White by Robert Bailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Giving Grisham some courtroom competition! You should read "The Professor" before reading this book.

I enjoyed the first book by Robert Bailey, "The Professor". Being the first book in a series, there was a lot of character building but the story was good. "Between Black and White" took this series to a whole different level! It involves a murder case, a black male accused of killing a former klansmen in Pulaski, Tennessee. There is suspense, danger and twists and turns you never see coming. I highly recommend "Between Black and White" as it depicts a "true 21st Century American South" where the ancient lines that were drawn in the 1950's still exist....but they are not respected as they were: and when it's all said and done, the truth is more important than all else.

View all my reviews

Review: Ashes

Ashes by Steven Manchester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forced together once again by the man that tore them apart, two brothers search for their life's understanding in a trek across the United States. Jason and Tom Prendergast once again find themselves victims of their father's cruel manipulation, but this time is the last.

Armed with their anger, their secrets, and their insecurities Jason and Tom are locked in a rented SUV traveling from New England to Seattle. As they travel from state to state rehashing the turmoil that they collectively refer to as "childhood", they remember that they were once brothers. They remember that they were once always there for each other. They remember that they once loved each other.

As they visit the many American cities across our nation, they not only re-examine the treasures of their youth, but the true value of their adult lives. Ashes, by Steven Manchester, is a scenic tour of the most intricate journey of the human soul. At its destination-- life's purpose.

View all my reviews

Review: The Devil Crept In

The Devil Crept In by Ania Ahlborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stevie is a normal 10-year old boy…well, maybe not COMPLETELY normal. He may have had a few episodes in his short life that made him do some weird, weird, WEIRD stuff…but inside, he’s a good boy. He misses his Dad, hates his Stepdad, his older brother has managed second place on the hate list; but he loves his mother and his cousin, Jude. Jude is Stevie’s blood and best friend and they do EVERYTHING together, until the night Jude disappears.

Though no one else seems to care, Stevie is determined to find Jude. So determined that he defies his mother, the town of Dear Valley and his evil stepfather that will jump at the opportunity to beat little Stevie into oblivion because he disobeyed his mother. Everyone wants to give up, but Stevie because Jude is his everything and he will challenge hell itself to get him back…but Stevie finds more than he bargained for…more than he could ever imagine. And what he found? It won’t seem to go away.

Stevie feels it is his duty not to give up on his best and only friend, Jude, and to get him back safely. Who better to track him down than the person that knows him better than anyone else? Though he’s in unchartered territory, he’s convinced on what is right in his quest and in what needs to be done. Will that prove to be a strength…or a weakness.

Ania Alhborn does a tremendous job in sharing Stevie’s strengths and weaknesses; his determination and his flaws; his fears and his courage. The Devil Crept In will scare you to your core!

View all my reviews

Review: The Devil Crept In

The Devil Crept In by Ania Ahlborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stevie is a normal 10-year old boy…well, maybe not COMPLETELY normal. He may have had a few episodes in his short life that made him do some weird, weird, WEIRD stuff…but inside, he’s a good boy. He misses his Dad, hates his Stepdad, his older brother has managed second place on the hate list; but he loves his mother and his cousin, Jude. Jude is Stevie’s blood and best friend and they do EVERYTHING together, until the night Jude disappears.

Though no one else seems to care, Stevie is determined to find Jude. So determined that he defies his mother, the town of Dear Valley and his evil stepfather that will jump at the opportunity to beat little Stevie into oblivion because he disobeyed his mother. Everyone wants to give up, but Stevie because Jude is his everything and he will challenge hell itself to get him back…but Stevie finds more than he bargained for…more than he could ever imagine. And what he found? It won’t seem to go away.

Stevie feels it is his duty not to give up on his best and only friend, Jude, and to get him back safely. Who better to track him down than the person that knows him better than anyone else? Though he’s in unchartered territory, he’s convinced on what is right in his quest and in what needs to be done. Will that prove to be a strength…or a weakness.

Ania Alhborn does a tremendous job in sharing Stevie’s strengths and weaknesses; his determination and his flaws; his fears and his courage. The Devil Crept In will scare you to your core!


View all my reviews

Review: The Neighbors

The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ania Ahlborn yet again produces a "horror-ible" tale involving a very patient serial killer...and Andrew Morrison is next in line.

Andrew is a young man attempting to escape a horrible situation in search of a sitcom family, a home full of love. He had it at a young age but everything fell apart when his father hopped in truck with a strange lady and never, ever returned. In turn, his mother became a raging alcoholic forcing him to be the man of the house. Finally tired of "being the adult", he seeks refuge from a childhood friend, Mickey Fitch, who himself had some terrible life struggles. His friend welcomes him in...but the reception he receives in not quite what he'd expected.

Meanwhile, next door, Andrew gets to know Harlow and Red Ward...the sitcom family with the perfect house he's always sought. As they get to know each other, the Wards treat Andrew like the "son they never had?" and they warn Andrew about his sully roommate. Mickey, however, has some choice words about the Wards as well. Which should he believe? What is really going on? He'll find out soon enough!

View all my reviews

Review: Normal

Normal by Graeme Cameron
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Graeme Cameron creates a fascinating character in the novel, Normal. He is interesting, very handsome, extremely intelligent and just so happens to be a serial killer. (Can't be perfect, right?)

His life screwed up since a small lad, he clearly states to one of his victims, "The truth is I hurt people. It's what I do. It's all I do. It's all I've ever done." And this rings true...until he meets the woman of his dreams.

How long can a complicated man, such as himself, juggle work, kidnapping, murdering and love all at the same time? Can he tell her the truth? Can she KILL his murderous desires? Focus keeps things in line...LOVE makes things sloppy. Will he have to kill her?

Soon, EVERYONE wants a piece of the mad man! His lover, his rescue, his hostage...and, oh yeah, the police. It's hard to stay one step ahead while regularly putting feet in graves. (Even if they are not his own!)


View all my reviews

Review: Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ted Dekker never fails to make you question everything in front of you and in Eyes Wide Open, he did it again.

Imagine accidentally being trapped in a mental ward where every tells you that you are someone else. When you don't agree, they all think you are crazy...which is why you are there! This is what happens to Christy Snow, a beautiful young teenager who doesn't know who she is and she is being told by everyone on the ward, her name is Alice!

The story line is great and if you are an avid reader of Dekker, you'll be revisited by a few characters that you've met long ago in Paradise.

View all my reviews

Review: Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ted Dekker never fails to make you question everything in front of you and in Eyes Wide Open, he did it again.

Imagine accidentally being trapped in a mental ward where every tells you that you are someone else. When you don't agree, they all think you are crazy...which is why you are there! This is what happens to Christy Snow, a beautiful young teenager who doesn't know who she is and she is being told by everyone on the ward, her name is Alice!

The story line is great and if you are an avid reader of Dekker, you'll be revisited by a few characters that you've met long ago in Paradise.

View all my reviews