Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.
Showing posts with label Christian Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Fiction. Show all posts
Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I also purchased the Kindle copy of the book.
Book Description:
Set in a medium-security penitentiary in the mid-1990s, The Ledger is a faith-based story that pulls back the curtain on prison life, allowing the reader a safe peek behind the wall.
Although told from three alternating perspectives—officer, inmate, and sergeant—many of the same questions are Can light be found in the deepest darkness? What about forgiveness, redemption, and grace? And if the code is clear, “loyalty above all things except honor,” when should an officer cross the blue line to police one of his own?
The Ledger is the long-awaited companion novel to The Menu.
Praise For The Ledger:
“The Ledger illuminates the dark world of Corrections, making it safe for all of us to steal a peek.”
– Barry McKee, Professor Emeritus, Criminal Justice
“I found myself holding my breath. It felt like I was right back inside the wall.”
– Nelson Julius, Deputy Superintendent, DOC (ret.)
“Intensely powerful and deeply moving, pick up a copy to balance your own ledger.”
– Debby Guyette, Book Blogger, Single Titles
“The Ledger is a spiritual read, drawing the reader inward.”
– Reverend Andy Stinson, First Congregational Church of Fall River
My Book Review:
Every once in a while, an author comes along who writes novels that are so powerfully compelling and thought provoking that they stir the soul. For me, that author is Steven Manchester and his latest novel, The Ledger.
The Ledger is a realistic and faith-based story that provides the reader with a behind the walls look at a prison system environment. Told in an alternating third person narrative by an inmate (Roy Dagnault), a corrections officer (Derek Yanchuk), and a Sergeant (Jim Medeiros) two years from retirement, their story is set in the 1990s at a medium security penitentiary in Massachusetts, that follows their story of daily prison life and the corrections profession.
The Ledger is an intensely powerful, deeply disturbing, sober and thought-provoking story of choices, ramifications, consequences, free will, one's life path, and divine intervention. This story stirred my soul from the beginning as I delved into the lives of the inmate, corrections officer, and Sergeant. I found myself feeling empathy for the inmate and the Sergeant as they lived and worked within the prison's walls, but I despised the narcissistic corrections officer who thought he had all the power and control to wield as he desired against the inmates. I was shocked by the description of life within the prison, all the good, bad and ugly that occurs, I couldn't help but shake my head and wonder how in the world could free will and choices have so many ramifications and consequences. Like the quote on the cover of the book states: "Life is the greatest gift, don't squander it." Everything that occurs in a person's life is documented within their life's ledger, only to be accounted for when they go before God at the end of their life, with the hope of forgiveness and redemption.
The reader will be easily drawn into this thought-provoking story. You can't help but experience the full gamut of emotions as the three men's story of life within the prison unfolds. When I got to the ending, I couldn't help but say a prayer for the inmates and correction officers who connect with each other every day, and hope that somehow humanity will find its way into their daily life behind the prison walls.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I really admired that author Steven Manchester provided the reader with a departure from his usual works of fiction. From his prior work experience as a Prison Investigator, he takes his work experience and wrote a very important story that delved into the world of prisons that the general public never see.
The Ledger is a powerful and compelling story written with faith and thoughtfulness. It is a must read that will make you ponder the prison system and its difficult environment, stir your soul, and resonate with you for a very long time.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
New England's Storyteller Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu, as well as the '80s nostalgia-series, Bread Bags & Bullies; Lawn Darts & Lemonade. His other works include #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin' Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award-winning novels, Dad and Goodnight Brian; and the heartwarming Christmas movie, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show and CBS's The Early Show; in Billboard and People Magazines. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2018 New York Book Festival, 2020 New England Book Festival, and 2021 Paris Book Festival. His latest novel, The Ledger, a companion novel to The Menu was published on May 26, 2026. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.
Set in a medium-security penitentiary in the mid-1990s, The Ledger is a faith-based story that pulls back the curtain on prison life, allowing the reader a safe peek behind the wall.
Although told from three alternating perspectives—officer, inmate, and sergeant—many of the same questions are Can light be found in the deepest darkness? What about forgiveness, redemption, and grace? And if the code is clear, “loyalty above all things except honor,” when should an officer cross the blue line to police one of his own?
The Ledger is the long-awaited companion novel to The Menu.
Praise For The Ledger:
“The Ledger illuminates the dark world of Corrections, making it safe for all of us to steal a peek.”
– Barry McKee, Professor Emeritus, Criminal Justice
“I found myself holding my breath. It felt like I was right back inside the wall.”
– Nelson Julius, Deputy Superintendent, DOC (ret.)
“Intensely powerful and deeply moving, pick up a copy to balance your own ledger.”
– Debby Guyette, Book Blogger, Single Titles
“The Ledger is a spiritual read, drawing the reader inward.”
– Reverend Andy Stinson, First Congregational Church of Fall River
About The Author
New England's Storyteller Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu, as well as the '80s nostalgia-series, Bread Bags & Bullies; Lawn Darts & Lemonade. His other works include #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin' Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award-winning novels, Dad and Goodnight Brian; and the heartwarming Christmas movie, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show and CBS's The Early Show; in Billboard and People Magazines. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2018 New York Book Festival, 2020 New England Book Festival, and 2021 Paris Book Festival. His latest novel, The Ledger, a companion novel to The Menu was published on May 26, 2026. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.
In association with Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Fatal Strike by DiAnn Mills!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest book review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
Book Description:
There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.
As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.
My Book Review:
In Fatal Strike, author DiAnn Mills transports the reader to Galveston, Texas for an intriguing Christian Fiction / Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.
With the murder of three law enforcement officials in Galveston comes a request for FBI assistance. FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert are partnered together to investigate the murders and the possible ties to the Veneno gang, whose mantra is "reconquista" a returning of Texas to Mexico. Their murderous calling card is killing a person with rattlesnake venom injected into their heart. Can Leah and Jon figure out the motives for these high-profile murders before another fatal strike occurs?
Author DiAnn Mills weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that follows FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert's investigative mission to find the murderers and bring them to justice . With a lot of gang activity, investigative methods, and a high stakes pursuit, Leah and Jon are determined to get justice before another fatal strike occurs.
I loved reading this action-packed story. Leah and Jon kept me intrigued as they investigated the murders of the three law enforcement officials. The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, possible motives, and clues are uncovered during the investigation. I loved the intertwining of Leah and Jon's methodical procedural investigation with the unexpected attraction that sparked between them, their banter was humorous, and they worked really well as a team.
Fatal Strike has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for DiAnn Mills. There will be 2 winners each winning one (1) Gift Card (choice of Amazon or B&N). The giveaway begins on September 1, 2019 and runs through October 2, 2019. Void where prohibited.
In association with Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Strands Of Truth by Colleen Coble!
Strands Of Truth by Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson / HarpersCollins Publishing
Publication Date: September 10, 2019
Format: Hardcover - 336 pages
Paperback - 336 pages
Kindle - 336 pages / 5603 KB
AudioBook - 8 Hours 9 Minutes
Nook - 336 pages - 5 MB
ISBN - HC: 978-0718085902
ISBN - PB: 978-0718085889
ASIN - AudioBook: B07KPLZ1DT
ASIN - Kindle: B07KF25NPS
BNID: 978-0718085896 Genre: Christian Fiction / Romantic Suspense
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my participation and book review in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
Book Description:
Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under?
Harper Taylor is used to being alone— after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.
So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?
Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.
Book Excerpt:
Prologue
January 1990
St. Petersburg, Florida
Lisa ran to her Datsun Bluebird and jerked open the yellow door. Her pulse strummed in her neck, and she glanced behind her to make sure she wasn’t being followed. She’d tried not to show fear during the confrontation, but it was all she could do not to cry. She couldn’t face life without him.
She’d been on edge ever since yesterday.
Twilight backlit the treetops and highlighted the hanging moss. Instead of finding it beautiful, she saw frightening shadows and shuddered. She slid under the wheel and started the engine, then pulled out of her driveway onto the road.
She turned toward the Gulf. The water always calmed her when she was upset—and she had crossed upset moments ago and swerved into the scared zone.
Her belly barely fit under the wheel, but this baby would be born soon, then she’d have her figure back.
She accelerated away from her home, a dilapidated one-story house with peeling
white paint, and switched on her headlights.
The radio blared full of the news about the Berlin Wall coming down, but Lisa didn’t care about that, not now. She switched channels until she found Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’ ”playing, but even her favorite tune failed to sooth her shattered nerves. Could she seriously be murdered over this? She’d glimpsed madness in those eyes.
She pressed the brakes as she came to a four-way stop, but the brake pedal went clear to the floor. She gasped and pumped the pedal again. No response. The car shot through the intersection, barely missing the tail end of another vehicle that had entered it before her.
Hands gripping the steering wheel, she struggled to keep the car on the road as she frantically thought of a way to bring it to a stop that didn’t involve hitting another car or a tree. The baby in her belly kicked as if he or she knew their lives hung suspended in time.
“We’re going to make it, little one. We have to. I can’t leave you alone.” No one would love her baby if she died. Her mother couldn’t care for her child. She cared more about her drugs than anything else.
Lisa tried to tamp down her rising emotions, but she’d never been so frightened. The car fishtailed on the sandy road as she forced it back from the shoulder. Huge trees lined the pavement in a dense formation.
Where could she drive off into relative safety? A field sprawled over on the right, just past the four-way stop ahead. If she made it through, it seemed the only place where they might survive.
Had the brakes been cut? What else could it be? She’d just had the car serviced.
Lisa approached the stop sign much too fast. The slight downhill slope had only accelerated the speed that hovered at nearly seventy. Her mouth went bone dry.
My Book Review:
In Strands Of Truth, author Colleen Coble transports the reader to Dunedin, Florida for an intriguing Christian Fiction / Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.
Marine biologist Harper Taylor is working on pen shell research with her mentor / business partner, Oliver Jackson. But growing up in the foster care system has left her longing for a family. Best friend Sara Kavanagh convinces Harper to submit a DNA test, with a result of a close family match, a half-sister named Annabelle Rice, who lives in Orlando. When Harper and Annabelle meet, they are both searching for their father, and find similarities in their mothers' pasts, especially when both mothers died tragically. As Harper and Annabelle search for the truth behind their mothers' deaths and the identity of their father, accidents and attempted kidnappings start to occur. Harper and Oliver's son Ridge Jackson investigate her and Ananabelle's past, but will they survive the danger around every corner as the strands of truth start to unravel?
Author Colleen Coble weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that follows Harper and Ridge's investigative journey in search of the answers to Harper and Annabelle's pasts. When Harper and Annabelle's mothers cold-case murders intertwine with the present attacks, it will take a lot of digging and dangerous situations to find the truth.
The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. Strands Of Truth has enough drama, tension, action, flashbacks and clues from the past, romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series.
