Tag Archives: suspense novel

Books reviews and a giveaway soon to end

Soon your chance to win a suspense novel by Janet Sketchley will pass. Did you put your name into the draw?

These are the books you have the chance to win, well … one of them, anyway. Your choice if your name is drawn.

You can read my review HERE.

 

 

You can read my review HERE.

 

 

You can read my review HERE.

 

 

 

Then you can enter the draw HERE.  Remember to tell us which of her books you would like to receive.

The draw will be on Thursday, November 30 at 9 PM EST when I will choose one name from among the comments. Each person gets one chance. That’s just two days away!  

Janet has the ability, it seems, to pull you right into the story and you want to know what’s going to happen next. Even if you think this is not the genre you would enjoy you might be surprised, or if you are sure it’s not for you I bet you know someone who would love it. Soooo … you can send them over so they can enter the draw.   🙂    Okay, enough persuasion.

On another topic, it snowed this morning. This isn’t the first snow this season but a lot of it stayed on the ground this time. Roads were very slippery this morning, as they always are with the first snows. I can’t deny it any longer. Winter is extending her long cold fingers to make me shiver, just a reminder that winter is coming and in a month it’s officially that season.  Well, on the cheery side of things … spring is only four months away! 

 

 

Are you ready for winter?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

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Updates, reminder, & be thankful

Hi there everyone!

Just a quick note …

Updates: I have added information to some pages:  Writers’ Helps, Suicide Crisis Lines, and Books I read in 2017 – frequent updates there. You’re welcome to visit often and see what’s new. 

Reminder:  On November 30 I will be drawing a name from the comments on THIS POST and that person will win one of Janet Sketchley’s exciting suspense novels. Be sure to leave a comment, and please pass the news on to your friends. You might want to mention it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else you have friends who could be interested. Spread the word about Janet’s books!

And be thankful:

“Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be genuine.
But most of all, be thankful.”  —Unknown

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada, the United States, some of the Caribbean islands, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. So, Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends. (Our Canadian Thanksgiving was in October.)

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  :0) 

Book Review: Without Proof – by Janet Sketchley

without-proof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book: Without Proof: a Redemption's Edge novel
Author: Janet Sketchley
Publisher: Janet Sketchley
Genre: Christian suspense
Date: October 10, 2015
Pages: 308
Price: paperback, $12.99
My rating: a suspenseful story of hope

I won this book from the author and, very late, I’m posting my honest review.

Without Proof is book three of a trilogy by Canadian author Janet Sketchley. Even though it is the third in the series, the author gives enough information so that the first two books are not necessary for the reader to easily follow and enjoy the storyline. This novel can stand on its own. (I read and reviewed the first book, Heaven’s Prey, HERE, if you would like to check it out.) I haven’t read book two, Secrets and Lies, but would like to purchase it and find time to read it later.

In Without Proof a young woman, Amy, is recovering from serious injuries she suffered in a plane crash two years before. Her fiancé, Gilles, did not survive it, so she is left alone and grieving. Her fiancé’s Aunt Bay takes her in, and his best friend, Michael, helps out however he can. Michael also has an art business, so Amy helps manage it while struggling with her memories, physical pain, and emotions, including her growing feelings for Michael.

Janet Sketchley’s writing style is easy to read and enjoy. She pulls the reader right into the story, meaning that once into the story the reader doesn’t want to leave until the end. In this novel, there is suspense and enough going on to keep the reader interested in trying to figure out who is doing what to whom. Someone leads Amy to believe the plane was sabotaged, and in trying to find out the truth Amy places herself in danger. There are threats, break-ins, mysterious people, and enough drama to keep the pages turning in anticipation. And, of course, there are surprises – events that occur to keep up the level of suspense.

God is front and center in Aunt Bay’s life, and yet Amy isn’t sure how God fits in her own life or even if He does. Without Proof is written without profanity, is not preachy or “religious” – although there is a hopeful message – and is a story that leaves the reader satisfied. In the back of the book, there are even discussion questions that are great for a study group or a book club.

Without Proof was a finalist is the Word Awards (Suspense Category).

You can find Without Proof by Janet Sketchley on my BUY THE BOOK page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Review: Heaven’s PREY – by Janet Sketchley

Heaven's PreyBook: Heaven’s PREY: A Redemption’s Edge novel
Author: Janet Sketchley
Publisher: Choose NOW Publishing
Date: November 1, 2013
Genre: suspense; regional fiction
Pages: 322
Price: Paperback under $16; Kindle under $4
My rating: hard to read but harder to put down
 

I received a copy of Heaven’s Prey from the author for my honest review.

This was a novel hard for me to read but also hard to put out of mind. I had to know how it ended, and not only in order to write a review.

In Heaven’s Prey by Janet Sketchley we meet Ruth, the main female character who is still mourning the loss of her niece, a young woman who had been brutally attacked and murdered. We meet Tony, Ruth’s husband who refuses to accept the God to Whom his wife prays … for the killer! In a dramatic turn of events we meet the killer, Harry, who had escaped from prison and was not on the west coast of Canada where everyone was looking for him, but in Nova Scotia – on Canada’s east coast.

Mild spoiler alert: On her way home from a prayer meeting Ruth makes a stop at a convenience store. That’s when things get dramatic. In an odd turn of events Harry is there and kidnaps Ruth, not knowing her connection to his last victim (her niece) before he was caught. This traumatic event leads to dramatic change in the lives of Ruth, Tony and Harry.

Janet Sketchley is a strong writer. Heaven’s Prey is well-structured, dramatic, hard to read in places because of content, and keeps the reader interested in knowing if/how Ruth will survive, and what will happen to Harry.

Although this novel is a story of redemption and forgiveness it is definitely not a book for young readers. If you enjoy a good suspense with no foul language, scenes that are on the edge but not graphic, drama that rises and falls and increases again, then this is the book for you.

Heaven’s PREY by Janet Sketchley was a finalist in the 2014 Word Awards in the suspense category.

You can find Heaven’s PREY listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

 Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

Book Review: Lust, Money & Murder – by Mike Wells

Lust, Money & MurderBook: Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1
Author: Mike Wells
Publisher: Mike Wells
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Date: January 18, 2014
Genre: thriller, suspense
Pages: 107 
Price: Under $3.00, digital;  may still be free
My rating: a good start to a three-part book
 
 

Lust, Money & Murder is not a title I would ordinarily select, but the author requested reviews in exchange for the ARC.

Lust, Money & Murder is really a teaser. It is part one of three parts that make up a complete book; therefore, this volume is short and didn’t take long to read.

The author, Mike Wells, grabs the reader’s attention in the prologue, but then there is no connection with the rest of the story; perhaps that comes later. Some things are somewhat contradictory, such as this: Elaine looked down at it, unable to move. She abruptly rose. Later in the story, the man Elaine is falling for is somewhat cool toward her but then …. well, that changes abruptly, too.

Lust, Money & Murder takes the reader through Elaine’s life from a little girl doted on by her father, to a coming-of-age young woman. She becomes super focused, though, on her libido, and does some crazy things for a crazier reason. Later, she applies herself to her future goal and becomes highly regarded in her chosen field – chosen for the purpose of revenge – through which she meets the rather secretive man she thinks she can truly love.

Even though there are sections that could have been delved into more to extend the read, and the story could have benefited from more editing and development, Lust, Money & Murder is a good start. The groaner is the last line, which ended up being a cliffhanger mid-scene. (If you are tempted to get part one, please don’t spoil it for yourself by reading the end first!) The continuation is in book two, and since there are three parts it is likely the same thing happens at the end of book two as a lead-in to book three. Apparently, together they make one complete novel.

If you enjoy reading suspense, thrillers, espionage, you may enjoy Lust, Money & Murder, book 1, by Mike Wells, and want to purchase books 2 and 3 to continue the story.

You can find Lust, Money & Murder, book 1 listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

 

 

Author generosity … book giveaway extended!

As I continue on this adventure of reviewing books, I am finding most authors and/or their publishers to be generous souls. If they want to promote their books, and have the budget to offer a few for free to my readers, they will do so. It all helps with image of both author and publisher, and also puts more books out there. It’s not easy selling books, promotion is hard work. That’s one reason I enjoy helping in my own small way.  But …

Things don’t always go as planned.

Storms happen. Internet connections drop. Books aren’t scooped up for reasons we don’t understand … because … did you mean to enter the draw but forgot?

If you wanted your own copy of the adult mystery thriller The Tipping Point by Walter Danley, but you missed the deadline, don’t be discouraged. Even though the giveaway dates have passed, Walter has generously offered a copy of his book to be given to YOU if you are among the first five persons to leave a comment. (click HEREto read about Walter) How generous is that! Five e-books being given away.The Tipping Point. Walter DanleyPlease don’t delay, leave your comment today! Walter will be happy to respond because he wants to give you an e-copy of his book – The Tipping Point – a thrilling crime story filled with mystery, action, suspense, and interesting characters.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!   🙂