ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS by ANNE GREENE

This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be my last. The author writes a story that captures the period during WWII with accuracy. I learned many things about the war and especially about the WASPS. This group of women have courage, loyalty and love for their country. The author has given us very strong female characters and I could not put this book down.

Mandy has taken on the task of testing war planes that have been repaired. It is a dangerous job but she has confidence that she can do it. Not everyone believes that women should be pilots and in the story it is very evident that someone is out to sabotage the mission. Who wants to hurt members of the WASP? I loved Mandy's spunk and her desire to be the best pilot she could.The story is so well written that  I felt like I was in the cockpit with Mandy as she did maneuvers . I could hear the roar of the engine as she raced across the sky and saw the determination on her face as she came in for a landing. Will Mandy be allowed to fly missions ?

Major Harvey Applegate is a strong character and I loved reading about his son. Harvey is not very accepting of Mandy when he finds out she is a pilot. They do clash at times and makes the story very realistic. I can't imagine what it must have been like during wartime knowing that as you fly your plane, danger surrounds you. Why does Harvey have misgivings about the WASP? I loved how the author showed the characters calling out to God during trying times and depended on Him as they flew missions.

The story takes us inside the war and gives a vivid picture of what it was like for the men and women who served. As Mandy and Harvey start to have feelings, the threat of one of them being called up for a mission is imminent.  Will Harvey share his feelings with Mandy before it is to late? Can Mandy trust God to keep her and Harvey safe? This is one story that I didn't want to end. The characters are brilliantly written and the story is so engrossing you can't put it down. I can't wait to get my hands on another book by this author .

I received a copy of this book from the author and The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.

THE First HOSTAGE by JOEL C. ROSENBERG

I love reading fast moving action packed books like the one the author has written. The story could be ripped from the front page news with believable threats to our nation. I loved the details that the author provides that keep you on the edge of your seat.

J. B. Collins is a top notch journalist and finds himself embroiled in the disappearance of  the president. The intensity of the story is bone chilling and the race is on to find out who is involved. ISIS  has wormed their way into endangering many dignitaries across the world .  The author has a vast array of knowledge about the military that makes the story so intriguing. Collins is dedicated to reporting the news without being biased. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a journalist dodging bullets and grenades.

The story is a race against time as the president is in imminent danger and the country is in turmoil.  Is there someone feeding information to ISIS?  Collins will have to depend on his instincts as the stakes are raised in this thrilling espionage story. The author does not disappoint readers as he takes  us on a roller coaster ride of surprises and twist that lead to an explosive end.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.

Purr M For Murder
by T.C. LoTempio

Purr M For Murder is a furr-tastic new mystery that readers will love.
~Moonlight Rendezvous

I really enjoyed this first installment in this all new series. I thought it was well-written and very engaging. I found that I was eager to pick this book up every chance that I got.
~Girl Lost In a Book

There is no way I can describe how magnificent this book was or how stellar this series will be.

I was surprised, I was entertained, and I was delighted thoroughly!
~Must Read Faster 

I’m a HUGE fan of this author’s Nick and Nora series, so I was thrilled to learn she was releasing a new series. As hard as it may be to believe, I think I’m going to love this one even more…
~Book Babble

PURR M FOR MURDER is a delightful start to a new series.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

This debut novel was a knockout book and this series looks to have a very bright future ahead.
~Classy Cheapskate

Purr M for Murder was heartwarming, suspenseful and the best part was the cats.
~A Cozy Girl Reads

Purr M for Murder is a marvelous start for this new series!
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

The author does an excellent job with the characters and setting. Looking forward to what Toby and Syd get into next.
~Babs Book Bistro

The fresh new cast of characters will keep you going and the story is so well written you won’t be able to put this book down.
~Shelley’s Book Case

A precious cat in a cozy cafe setting…what more could you want? Not surprisingly, the story inside is just as delicious!
~Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries and Meows

Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Crooked Lane Books (March 14, 2017)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1683310921
Kindle ASIN: B01N6P3WYP

Sydney McCall left behind an ex-fiancé and a New York advertising job to return home to Deer Park, North Carolina and help her sister, Kat, run the local animal shelter, Friendly Paws. Determined to save the shelter from financial trouble, Sydney and Kat organize a cat café fundraising event at a local coffee shop. Things are looking up until their landlord, Trowbridge Littleton, threatens to shut down the event. When Sydney drops by his art gallery to make peace, she finds Kat–along with Littleton’s dead body.

Local homicide detective Will Worthington–who just happens to be Sydney’s old high school crush–is highly suspicious of the sisters’ involvement. Desperate to clear their names from the suspect list, Sydney pounces on the investigation. With the help of one of the shelter cats, a savvy orange tabby named Toby, Sydney begins poking her nose into other local businesses whose owners may have benefited from Littleton’s death–until the killer notices she’s pawing a little too closely at the truth.

About the Author…..

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic.  She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – the first volume, MEOW IF ITS MURDER, debuted Dec. 2, 2014. Followed by #2, CLAWS FOR ALARM.   #3, CRIME AND CATNIP, was released in December. She, Rocco and Maxx make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.tclotempio.net and www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Where to find them:

ROCCO’s blog:

www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Website:

https://www.tclotempio.net/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5 

Twitter:

@RoccoBlogger – https://twitter.com/@RoccoBlogger

Purchase Link:

Amazon  B&N 

I liked the setting of the book  that was in a quaint little town.  There are so many animals that need homes  and the author did a great job of showcasing an animal rescue center in the story. There is one cat that really shines through the book and I loved how smart he was. Toby is a very bright cat and is looking for his forever home . Who will be his new owner?

Sydney has returned home to be the publicity director for the shelter her sister, Kat runs. I found it funny that the person running the shelter was named Kat. Gotta say the author does have a sense of humor and I wonder if anyone else caught the irony in her name. As the sisters gear up for a big cat cafe at a friend's bakery they run into a roadblock. There is someone in the community that is not happy with the idea. When a body turns up Syd and Kat became prime suspects.

 The author does a great job in taking readers into the art world and vividly describes different techniques.  I did like the introduction of Will Worthington. He is an old school mate of Syd's and boy has he changed. He is not this awkward teen anymore but a very nice looking man who happens to be investigating the murder. I loved how so many townspeople disliked the murder victim because I had a hard time figuring out who the killer was and why they did it. I was quite pleased with the ending and thought the author did a great job of of keeping readers guessing.

Overall I did enjoy the book and I hope to read more about Sydney and her side kick. The book is a good start to a promising new series.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

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CELEBRATE This DAY by MARCIA LEE LAYCOCK

I really enjoy devotions. They help me draw closer to God and help me see scriptures in a new way. Each devotion is different and this one is beautifully designed for special occasions. I loved  how the author focused on special holidays or occasions. As she talks about the special days, she draws from her own experiences to enhance the reading.

I enjoyed the story she shared about Summer. They were all excited about attending Bible College and needed to sell their house. After several attempts, the plans started to fall through. It is easy to get discouraged when things seem to not go the way we hoped for. They were excited when finally they had a buyer. On the day they were to leave and turn the keys over , the buyer was late. I loved how the husband got on his knees and prayed. As he finished, the buyer drove up. We sometimes forget that God has a plan for us. We need to be patient and wait on Him.

One of the devotions that really grabbed my attention was about a woman named Amanda. She volunteered to help with a  play and soon found herself in charge of all the costumes. It was an overwhelming task and the director yelled at her because everything was not ready. After the play was done, the director handed out flowers to the cast and thanked people who had helped with the play. Just one person was left out of being thanked that day. Amanda , after all her hard work had not gotten a thank you. What I loved about the story was how the author pointed out that we sometimes forget to thank God for the many things He has done for us.

Thank you for writing a devotion that open my eyes to things I should be thankful for and to help me focus on Him more. The devotion is a beautiful tool to use everyday to remind us of the blessings we have and to be loving to each other.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bookfun.org. The review is my own opinion.