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Showing posts with label Dee Henderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dee Henderson. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Audio Book Review: Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection

One of these was slow but they were all nice, easy listening.
Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection
Author Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey & Lynette Eason
Narrator Various Narrators
Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection
Runtime 10.17 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher Recorded Books
Downloads ZIP M4B MP3
Release Date June 24, 2016
Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.


Description
In this collection of gripping novellas from the top authors of Christian romantic suspense, sins of the past lead to danger in the present. In Dee Henderson's "Missing," a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother gus missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins. Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with "Shadowed," introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector. Lynette Eason's "Blackout" delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?


Review:
"Missing" by Dee Henderson: John, a Wyoming sheriff, is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing from her elder home complex. He is met by Sharon Noble, a savvy Chicago Lieutenant who is already organizing the search. John has a past with criminals as a former Chicago cop and there are several avenues to look at for suspects.

I liked the premise of this plot, the two characters and the clear friendship that grows as they work together. There are good clues in the short story that might let a keen reader figure out the twist. The drawback on this was the very slow beginning. I listened to the first hour and a half during a drive with others and none of us were particularly engaged at that point. Fortunately, I pushed through to listen to the rest as I did enjoy the final package. My rating: 3.75.

“Shadowed” by Dani Pettrey: Competitive swimmer, Libby, is in Alaska and plans to enjoy some tourism. She is the only one to show up early on a rainy morning for a whale watching tour. Ben the tour guide (and more) is impressed by Libby’s spunk and determination. He agrees to take her out. In addition to seeing whales they discover something else in the water. When they pull the body on board, Libby is shocked to recognize her number one competitor, a Russian swimmer.

Libby’s competitive schedule hasn’t allowed her to develop relationships and she wasn’t looking for one this trip. But Ben’s competence and gently protective tendencies draw her in. Ben knew at some point he might decide to settle down, but he had never met the right woman until now. The relationship builds between them even as they are dodging a killer as they try to unravel the truth about spies and counterspies.

This story was engaging and an easy listen as it raced quickly through discovery, danger and deception. My rating: 4.25.

“Blackout” by Lynette Eason: Macey has had blackouts for the past six years since she survived a robbery where she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and she was almost killed. She hides her past because the connections don’t look good. Now, as someone is stalking and frightening her, more memories are returning.

Macey’s neighbor Chad is a police detective. He knows that Macey has kept him at arm’s length, but he rushes in when he hears her scream. She isn’t imagining things. Macey’s high school crush, who was involved in the robbery, has returned and it appears he is pressuring her to remember. But someone else doesn’t want her to remember what happened that night, and is prepared to kill Macey to stop her. Macey begins to open up and rely more on Chad as the threat escalates.

This story presents tension from the beginning. I wasn’t overly impressed with Macey as a character, but Chad is a strong, attractive hero. The story moves along well although it seems a little rushed. 4.0.

The collection provides three easy, satisfactory listens. The faith of characters is shared without being preachy or overbearing. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean romantic suspense. 4.0.

Audio Notes: The narrators were Graham Winton, Christina Moore, and Therese Plummer in that order. All three did a good job with the narration. Winton is the only new narrator to me as I have enjoyed audios narrated by Moore and Plummer before. The narration made this an easier ’read’ for me.

Source: July 2017 Christianaudio Sale. This qualifies for my 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Book Review and Print Giveaway: Jennifer by Dee Henderson

This is a lovely, Christian romance.
Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, O'Malley Series #1
By Dee Henderson

Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 4.1.2013 edition
(May 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0764211129
ISBN-13: 978-0764211126
Genre: Christian Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Product Description
It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.
The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family she's the youngest of seven and thinking about marriage.
She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire family.



Review:
Jennifer was an orphan who was ‘adopted’ into the O’Malley group of young boys and girls during foster care years. Although each child has found their own career path, they are still close and protective of each other. Jennifer is a pediatrician who has a special heart for all patients, but especially her young cancer patients. She must cope with the highs and lows, remissions and losses that go along with that deadly disease.

Tom is a busy surgeon who hasn’t found the right woman to interest him in settling down and starting his own family. He is intrigued by Jennifer’s energy and giving spirit when he meets her. They begin to share time around their hospital duties and slowly spending time together after work. Then he invites her to church and quietly shares his faith with her without being pushy but showing the importance it has in his own life.

When Jennifer unexpectedly faces a crisis, the fear and anger she experiences are understandable. She has to decide if she will face the issue alone or allow Tom, and maybe even God, to help her.

I read the O’Malley series a number of years ago and really enjoyed them. Ms. Henderson does a good job of providing smooth, easy writing, personable characters and a story that is realistic. Some of the stories have suspense features but they all have some romantic tension and conflict. I say “romantic” tension because these are clean stories with at least one character grounded with Biblical foundations and the other drawn in.

I was glad to see this novella available at a low price to get for my church Ladies’ Book Club. It is consistent with the easy, personable style although this one is sweet romance with emotional conflict and no suspense or danger other than medical issues dealing with cancer. All of our ladies enjoyed the book and are interested in ready more of the series. Although this novella was actually written last, it fits at the beginning of the series and Jennifer and Tom’s story continues in The Negotiator (O'Malley Book 1).

I picked this up on sale for my ladies' book club and we discussed it October 3, 2015.

ONE (gently read) hard cover PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY
US Only


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