If I Run by Terri Blackstock

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the LitFuse Publications book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

About the book: 

If I Run (Zondervan, February 2016)

Casey knows the truth. But it won't set her free.

Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene. There's no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she's arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn't matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up. Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn't guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1ZEF914

About the author: 

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.

Connect with Terri: website, Twitter, Facebook

Dynamic Uno here:  I first want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Christen Krumm from LitFuse Publicity for her quick response in making sure I was able to get a copy of the book in order to have it read in time to post my review.  (This is not the first time she's jumped in to save the day.)  So, THANK YOU CHRISTEN!!

All of that having been said,  I truly couldn't put the book down!  Page one grabbed me by the collar and wouldn't let go until my eyes gave out from exhaustion.  The twists and turns leave you feeling like you've been on a roller coaster without leaving your seat.  I was glued to the pages and couldn't read fast enough--the action was THAT intense!

I enjoyed reading the back-stories of the characters and finding out their motivations for their actions.  I couldn't even imagine finding myself in that situation, and yet when I actually turn on the television these types of back-stories (sadly) dominate the headlines.

Part of me wonders if I could have even lasted as long as the main character, or if I would have just given up and hoped for the best with the police.  I'd like to think I have the street smarts to last and follow in her footsteps, but in reality, I would have just curled up in a little ball and cried until someone found me.

If you're looking for high action and suspense around every corner, you need to pick up this book!  Seriously--it's amazing!

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!

The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the LitFuse Publications book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Wedding Chapel (Zondervan, November 2015)

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ‘49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as “The Wedding Dress,” “Love Starts with Elle,” and “Once Upon A Prince.” She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, “Softly and Tenderly,” one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.

Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

Dynamic Uno here: Oh. My. Goodness.  I'm a huge fan of Rachel Hauck's books, but none have ever grabbed me quite like this one- The Wedding Chapel.   

I enjoyed that the story was told through each character's point of view-both as teenagers and then again as adults.  Through the flash backs, I was able to get the backstory of the characters which put everything that was currently happening in their lives in perspective.  

I also loved how the chapel itself became a living/breathing character.  I could completely picture it in my head and was actually a bit sad that the romantic gesture had been left empty and unused for so long.

The characters broke my heart because of all of the hard-ships they suffered so young.  It really brought into focus the stark realities of war and broken families, and how they affect children of all ages.  The story also showed how prayer and forgiveness can help heal wounds and bring people together.

If you want to read a wonderful novel that has romance and a great story, then pick up The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck!

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!

Israel's Mission: Becoming a Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World DVD with Ray Vander Laan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  


About the DVD: 

Israel’s Mission | That the World May Know® DVD Volume 13 (Focus on the Family, July 2015)

What’s your mission?

God gave the assignment to His people thousands of years ago: to bring “lost sheep” back into the love and safety of His kingdom. He said to become a “Kingdom of Priests,” and put God on display to show the world what He is like. It’s still our task today. In this thirteenth volume of the That the World May Know ® film series, you’ll glimpse the urgency and rewards of welcoming the strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace. Discover the mission that can give your life – and the lives of those around you – greater meaning than you ever imagined.

Join renowned teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan as he guides you through the lands of the Bible. In each lesson, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the sacred Scriptures. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the That the World May Know ® film series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

Designed for use with That the World May Know ®: Israel’s Mission Discovery Guide.

Filmed on location at these biblically significant sites in Israel and Jordan:

—Back to the Father’s House – Negev Desert
—Show Them the Way – Timnah
—Prodigal Sons and Daughters – Qatzrin
—Return from the Far Off Country – Jerash
—Welcome Home – Qatzrin

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

About the author: 

Ray Vander Laan is the founder of That the World May Know Ministries and creator of the Faith Lessons video series with Focus on the Family. An ordained minister, he holds the chair of biblical cultural studies as a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Esther, have four children and fifteen grandchildren.

Find Ray online: website

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Dynamic Uno here:  I love Bible studies because they help guide me through God's word and even give me a glimpse at my own thinking and understanding about what I've read and how I've interpreted it.  However, many of the studies just gloss over the context of the passages and I feel like I'm missing a little bit because I've applied the information to the current world and not the historical world.

That the World May Know series of studies help us experience the Bible in historical context.  It shows us where the pertinent places (now archaeological sites) of the Bible are located and illustrates how the people during the Biblical times lived and thought within their cultures.  This helps me picture everything as it took place because the context gives me a better understanding of how everything relates in the Bible instead of just looking at them as a bunch of separate stories.

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DVD: When you open the package, a Leader's Guide is tucked into the cover.  It gives the the group leader a basic overview of how to conduct each hour long session with a small group.  (Times are suggestive and other options are given depending upon how the study is to be used.)  The basic session outline is as follows:

1. Opening Thoughts/The Very Words of God/Think About It
2. DVD Teaching (roughly 30 minute segments)
3. DVD Discussion
4. Small Group Bible Discovery and Discussion
5. Faith Lesson
6. Closing 

The DVD segments themselves are pretty neat.  Ray Vander Laan takes a group of people to the historical sites and  gives an illustrative teaching about how the site was used during Biblical times.  He also gives a brief study on the theme for that particular session:

1. Abraham and Sarah and Three Strangers
2. Israel at Sinai: The First Great Commission
3. Jesus Renews the Mission: Seeking the Lost
4. The Lost Son: Ina Far Country
5. The Seeking Father: The Lost Son Returns

At the end of each, there is a take-away for how we can apply the teaching to our own lives.  

The videos are beautifully put together and realistically show how people lived and interacted within their society's cultural norms because they were filmed on location in the Middle East.  As someone who really loves looking at the historical aspects of the Bible and where they fit into our culture's interpretation of history, I thought each video was a great way to actually visualize history as it happened. 

Discovery (Study) Guide Book:  I was a little intimidated when I first opened the study guide book to use with the DVD because it was exactly that--a book.  I'm used to having a lot of "white space" on the pages of the typical Bible studies I do and this one does not have much.  However, as I started to go through the study, I found that I wanted to take notes in my own journal because there is a wealth of information included for each session.  (That, and I write huge so my notes and responses would not fit within the Discovery Guide.)

Within the Discovery (Study) Guide there is an Introduction as to the how the study is laid out and clarification as to what is meant by certain names used throughout. Each Group session is outlined as follows:

1. Background information on the theme or topic for the week
2. Opening Thoughts: The Very Words of God (Bible verses relating to the topic/theme)
3. Think About It (Brief points and questions about what will be taught in DVD)
4. DVD Notes (Brief Outline of topics for the session with a little bit of room for notes)
5. DVD Discussion (Question/s to answer in regards to the DVDs)
5a. Fact File (Archaeological information and facts about the time period and place)
5b. For Greater Understanding (Information about the Biblical people/s in study)
6. Small Group Bible Discovery and Discussion (Points and questions to be used as discussion that relate to the Bible verses brought up in the study)
6a. Point to Ponder (Points related to theme or topic)
6b. Did You Know? (Relevant points that help put everything into both Biblical and Modern context)
7. Faith Lesson (Ways to use what was learned with questions to extend thinking and application)
8. Closing (Memory Verse and closing remarks)
9. Five Daily In-Depth Personal Study Sessions (contains questions, facts, points to ponder, memory verses, and reflections for each day)

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Honestly, I was a little overwhelmed at all of the information that was included in the personal study sessions.  My experience has been 15-30 minute chunks of time for studies, but if you want to really learn and grapple with this text you will need a minimum of an hour for all of the session each day.  (Although, I am a slow learner because it takes time for me to process and digest information, so if you pick things up quickly, then you may not need that much time.)

Overall,  I was really impressed with the depth of information provided and the passion with which Ray Vander Laan teaches.  I  am interested in going through the other studies in this series (this is #13) because I think it will give me an even more comprehensive understanding of the Bible and its teachings.

If you want a meatier Bible study to either do on your own or with a group (which I recommend), this is the best series to use!

Let me know what you think and Happy Learning!

YouTube Thursday

Normally I snag a song from YouTube; however, I thought this clip would be a little more relevant since I'll be reviewing this video Bible Study next week!

That the World May Know with Ray Vander Laan, volume #13: Israel's Mission

Counting on a Cowboy (A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance) by Debra Clopton

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

About the Book:

Counting on a Cowboy (Thomas Nelson, August 2015)

After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.

Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.

Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.

This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the Author:

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

Find Debra online: website, Facebook, Twitter

To learn more about Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton, visit the LitFuse Publicity Group's page here.





Dynamic Uno here: I absolutely adore Debra Clopton's writing style.  It's like she crawls inside my inner-most parts and seeks out what secret desires I have hiding in my heart and uses those emotions in writing her characters.  The realistic emotions and reactions of those characters make me feel like I'm right beside them as they journey through their lives, which makes me root for them even more.  I don't think I've read another author who has made me feel this large of an emotional connection in awhile.  (Of course, it could just be that I really, really am enamored with cowboys and small towns, so I live vicariously through the characters, but that's a story for my therapist. LOL!)

It seems that the Monahan brothers and their small town of Wishing Springs are still a destination spot for female tourists trying to find themselves a "real" cowboy due to Maggie Hope's TV interview.  (Counting on a Cowboy is book #2 in the Four of Hearts Ranch series.  Book #1 is Betting on Hope.  You can read my review here.)  Book #2 focuses on Bo and Abby, a new resident of Wishing Springs who is trying to escape her painful past.  

Forgiveness is a huge factor, and being able to forgive yourself for past mistakes is a major theme throughout this story.  Bo and Abby get off on the wrong foot and the hits keep coming as even more complications arise in their lives. The crazy residents of Wishing Springs will have you laughing and crying as they try to "help" the two realize their feelings for each other.

Heartfelt, realistic, and a good, clean romance is what is offered in Ms. Clopton's second book of her Four of Hearts Ranch series.  If you enjoy reading about cowboys and romance, then this is the book for you!

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesdays

http://adailyrhythm.com/
All text and photo for Teaser Tuesdays belongs to MizB of A Daily Rhythm, with the exception of quotations and links I have provided to the book(s) I am reading.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

"We rest not to just be healthy but because God told us to do so.  It's a commandment so many of us see as outdated or irrelevant."

~p. 53, "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" by Keri Wyatt Kent

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck (The Royal Wedding series book #3)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  




ABOUT THE BOOK:

How to Catch a Prince (Zondervan, February 2015)

She caught her prince once. Can she catch him again?

American heiress Corina Del Rey’s life was devastated by war. Every thing she loved was lost. But after five years of grief, she’s shed her grave clothes and started over in the sunshine along the Florida coast.

But some things are not so easily forgotten. When a secret from her past confronts her face to face, she realizes she must follow her heart. Even if it cost her everything.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom is a former Royal Air Command lieutenant turned star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life after the devastation of war.

When his brother, King Nathaniel, discovers Stephen’s pre war secret, he must deal with an aspect of his life he longed to forget. But how can he do so without exposing the truth and breaching national security?

Yet, true love has a destiny all it’s own. As the cathedral bells peal through Cathedral City, Corina and Stephen must chose to answer the call of love on their hearts.

Or let it be lost forever?

Learn more and purchase a copy at Rachel’s website.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.

Find Rachel online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Click here to learn more about How to Catch a Prince.

Dynamic Uno Here:  Once Upon a Prince (2013) and Princess Ever After (2014) are the first two books in the Royal Wedding series by Rachel Hauck, with How to Catch a Prince as the third.  While I prefer to read the books in order because some of the characters do reappear in the other stories, all three can be read as stand-alone books.

One of the many things I enjoyed in How to Catch a Prince were the characters.  I loved how despite their seemingly perfect lives, (who wouldn't want to be an American heiress married to a Prince?) we were able to get a glimpse into their very heartaches that make them seem so real. 

I also love the fact that Corina lives and works in Melbourne, Florida.  I live in the Tampa Bay area so to read about a character who lives in an area that is just a few hours away makes me smile.  (Maybe I too can meet a fabulous newswoman like Gigi who will give me a job so I can own a condo on the beach.  I know, keep dreaming.)

Another element I enjoyed were the "angels in disguise" at The Manor.  You'll have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about, but I felt like Adelaide and Brill added a bit of whimsy and gave sage advice when it came to Corina's decisions about Stephen.  Love well and Trust.

Overall, I really adored the characters in this book (and series) and I hope that there are many more to come!

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!

Betting on Hope (A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance) by Debra Clopton

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

About the book: 

Betting on Hope (Thomas Nelson, February 2015)

 A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch. 

 Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career---and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat. 

 Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do-for her own good. 

 In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires. 

 Purchase a copy: Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

About the author: 

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

Find Debra online: website, Facebook, Twitter

To learn more about Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton, visit the LitFuse Publicity Group's page here.

Dynamic Uno here: If you're just joining us, welcome to my blog!  For those of you that have been here since the beginning, thank you for sticking with me--even with my crazy absences here and there.

It should come as no surprise as to why I requested this book.  After all, cowboys and romance are right up my alley--combine the two and I'm hooked.

I must admit, when I first met the character of Maggie Hope, I didn't think I'd like her much.  She was complaining about having to do an interview for her friend who was unable to make it, and it just happened to be with a handsome cowboy. (Is she crazy?!  I'd love to interview a handsome cowboy!) 

Thankfully, as I read more about her and watched her character grow throughout the story, I actually found myself wanting to sit down and have a cup of tea, while she had some coffee, and discuss our lives.  Her childhood was fraught with ridiculous parenting and she had to learn to survive on the streets with her own wit.  I like to hear and read these "overcoming obstacles against all odds" type of stories, so I'm quite sure her telling of events would be quite fascinating.

Tru Monahan is the main cowboy bachelor in this story, although he has several brothers who are single as well.  After he bets Maggie that he can teach her to ride and cut for competition (this will be explained in the book), he ends up finding out that he may have taken on more than he can handle when he meets her fierce determination and attitude, as well as her penchant for being a klutz. (Thank goodness I'm not the only one who can trip over air.)

The community of Wishing Springs reminds me of the small town of Abilene, Texas. The people are friendly and helpful to a fault, which sometimes causes the rumor mill to spin out of control. When Maggie and Tru's friendship begins, half of the townspeople (mainly Clara Lyn and Reba at the Cut 'n Curl) have them married off in gossip only.  Thankfully, Tru and Maggie are more concerned about the deadline of the cutting contest and the bet than to worry about what the townspeople are saying about their relationship.

Add to that mix, Pops--who has Alzheimer's, Jenna--the pregnant teenager Maggie found walking alongside the road, and a handful of zany mishaps and you have the story of Betting on Hope.

I enjoyed reading this novel, not only because of the cowboy and romance factors, but because it made me laugh and swoon in all of the right parts.  Ms. Clopton has a quick sense of humor and a writing style that brings her characters to life--so much so that you feel like you're part of their community.

I look forward to reading more by Ms. Clopton and I can't wait to find out if Tru's other brothers get bitten by the love-bug.

Let me know what you think!  Happy Reading!

Critical Condition by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book for free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book  blogger campaign and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

About the Book: (Information taken directly from LitFuse Publicity's Promotions page.)

Dr. Frasier couldn’t save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she’s fighting for her own life.

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier’s colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.

Her “almost-fiancé” Dr. Mark Gilbert’s support only adds to Shannon’s feelings of guilt, since she can’t bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he’s just been diagnosed with leukemia.
Shannon thought it couldn’t get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, “What did he say before he died?”

With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Richard’s website.

A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

              Read Chapters 1 & 2 of Critical Condition on Dr. Mabry's website-here.

Dynamic Uno here: If you've been following my blog or book reviews for any length of time, you know that I love suspense, action, and romance.  Critical Condition has all three of these elements and more!  

The action grabbed me from the beginning when we learn about Dr. Shannon Frasier's sad loss which inspired her to become a doctor and help save others.  Then to have the situation, although with a stranger, repeated during a dinner party--I could only imagine the shock that would have been to her, but it didn't stop there. Situation after crazy situation continued to happen leaving Shannon with only one place to go--God's loving and open arms.

I really enjoyed reading about Shannon's life in the hospital community.  I'd never really thought about how doctors learn to be doctors after medical school, so seeing how she mentored the new ones and offered advice was eye-opening.  Plus, she seemed to be very well connected.  (Yes, I realize this is fictionalized, but it's nice to think that there are still doctors out there who actually care about their patients' welfare instead of being run over by the insurance companies. *stepping off soap-box*)  

Putting myself in her place and having to deal with the craziness that her sister brought into her life, I don't think I'd be as graceful as Shannon.  I probably would have told my sister to find other lodgings so I didn't have to put up with her shenanigans--especially after Mark, Shannon's boyfriend, ends up in a fight with Megan's ex when they go back to his house to get her things. I know she thought this on occasion, but then guilt made Shannon change her mind and let Megan off the hook because of all she's been through in life.  I think I would have thrown in the towel and booted her out.  (I enjoy reading drama, I just don't enjoy living with it.)

Then, to find out that her dad is fighting for his life, a crazy man is trying to kill her for information from the guy who was shot in her front yard--the very same one who may have caused her to have a life-threatening virus, and a detective who flirts with her--Shannon has an awful lot to deal with on a daily basis.  Not to mention the twist of events towards the end. I would have curled up in the corner and rocked back and forth until the nice men in the white coats came to take me away.

Overall, Critical Condition will having you biting your nails and making sure the doors and windows are locked up tight.  If you enjoy suspense, action, a lot of drama, and a touch of romance, then this is the book for you!!

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!!

Kindle HDX Giveaway!