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Murder Mezzo Forte

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By Donn Taylor

He is a reclusive history professor with musical hallucinations, she a headstrong professor of religion, a converted Wiccan. Earlier, they solved a campus murder, but now police say they formed two-thirds of an illicit love triangle with a newly-murdered female colleague and they’re probably guilty of her murder. A leak of the alleged scandal to the college administration threatens their jobs. Their desperate attempt to prove themselves innocent of the triangle and the murder plunges them into a tangle of unsavory corporate relationships among college trustees. And it puts their lives in danger from a mysterious criminal organization that seems to have tentacles everywhere.
Can this ill-matched pair’s stumbling efforts succeed against the entrenched forces of the police, the college’s incompetent administration, and that powerful but unseen criminal organization? If not, they may end up unemployed, in prison, or suffering a fate much worse .

ISLAND BREEZES

What an unlikely partnership. A professor with musical hallucinations and a former Wiccan would appear to have very little in common.

Well, there is that murder that they worked together to solve, and they are both employed by the same college. But other than that . . .

Preston and Mara just seem to fall into these things. But this one is a bit bizarre. Hopefully, they can straighten things out, keep their jobs and not end up dead.

This is the first book I’ve read by Mr. Taylor. I now have to go back and read Rhapsody in Red – the first book in the Preston Barclay Mystery series.

I don’t know how many murders a small campus can handle, but I don’t want them to stop. I like this unlikely partnership.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

Donn Taylor led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. Afterwards, he earned a PhD in Renaissance literature and taught literature at two liberal arts colleges. His publications include three suspense novels, one historical novel, and a book of poetry. He lives near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current. Check out Mr. Taylor’s website here.

Need I say anything more? Happy Independence Day USA.

                         Yes, I think this former Hoosier needs more.

Do not be deceived, my dearly loved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

By His will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.

Jacob (James) 1:16-18

Blindsided

By Katy Lee

When race-car track owner Veronica Spencer discovers stolen cars in a garage on her track, she knows she’s been framed. But before Roni can do anything about it, the criminals kidnap her. Undercover FBI agent Ethan Gunn shouldn’t break his cover to protect Roni, but he won’t watch her die, either. Despite his FBI information that says she’s involved in the crime ring, Ethan knows she’s innocent. So he risks it all to help her break free. But now, with killers and the FBI on their trail, Ethan must find a way to keep her safe…and clear her name.

ISLAND BREEZES

BAM! Veronica was certainly blindsided. Someone wanted her kidnapped and/or dead. It was either family, friends or someone she once thought she loved.

Who could she trust? It appeared as though she was completely on her own. If the opportunity presented itself, could she be resourceful enough to escape?

Being a race car driver and instructor may not be enough. As Veronica accelerates through the story, you’ll find yourself accelerating through this book. It’s a book I just couldn’t put down. I had to know how it was going to end. Ms Lee’s books do that to me.

Thank you so much, Katy, for giving me another suspense involving the Spencer family. This is a good stand alone read, but you’ll appreciate it more if you read Silent Night Pursuit first. I can hardly wait for the next book in this Roads to Danger series. I want to know more about Veronica’s mysterious brother.

***A special thank you to the author for providing a review copy.***

Katy Lee is a RITA nominated romantic suspense author. Her award-winning stories thrill, inspire and satisfy the reader–from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. Keep in touch with Katy at her website, www.KatyLeeBooks.com.

Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” – for God can not be tempted by evil, and He himself tempts no one.

But each one is tempted when he is dragged away and enticed by his own desire.

Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is full grown, it brings forth death.

Jacob (James)1:12-15

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Jacob (James) 1:2-4

A Lesson in Hope

By Philip Gulley

Sam Gardner has been pastor of Hope Friends Meeting for just four months when ninety-eight-year-old member Olive Charles passes away. What’s more shocking news is that Olive has left her entire estate–worth nearly one million dollars–to the meeting. At first the gift sounds to Sam like a like a godsend. Yet as word of the unexpected windfall spreads, it stirs up a storm of conflicting opinions amongst the church members as to how the money would best be used.

And before the estate is even released to the meeting, Olive’s estranged niece, Regina Charles, turns up tipsy and furious in Hope and threatens a lawsuit over what she believes is rightfully hers. Although it may be an opportune time to ask for a raise, Sam finds himself questioning his future in Hope while trying to guide his lively congregation and find a peaceful way to deal with Regina.

ISLAND BREEZES

This former Hoosier loves Philip Gulley’s books about pastor Sam Gardner. These books make you smile while also making you think.

Sam has his hands full at his new pastorate in Hope. It was challenge enough before Olive Charles left a hefty bequest to the meeting. Now it’s stirred things up even more.

Is this job in Hope going to last much longer? There’s no returning to Harmony.

I was born and raised just down the road from Harmony. Then later I lived in Hope for a year. That makes these books even more special.

This is a good stand alone read, but it’s even better if you read the Harmony series and A Place called Hope first. I’m looking forward to A Gathering in Hope. I’m sure you will, as did I, enjoy Mr. Gulley’s Harmony series as well. Thank you, sir, for taking me back to my roots for a little while.

***A special thank you to Katie Connors of Hachette Book Group for providing a review copy.***

PHILIP GULLEY, a Quaker pastor, has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, he is the author of the Harmony series of novels. Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons.

U.S. Flag Day

On this day, June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States of America.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace

Do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:7-9a, 16

Hebrew

Remembering Dresden

By Dan Walsh

Young history professor, Jack Turner, takes a retreat at a lakeside cabin just outside of Culpepper, Georgia to work on his doctoral dissertation. The cabin is owned by an ambitious state senator, an inheritance from his father. Inside, everything is exactly the way it was when the old man died ten years ago. While taking a break from his research, Jack snoops through the father’s books and finds an old photo album filled with black-and-white pictures of orphaned children. Intrigued, he continues searching and finds what appears to be evidence of murder and an old leather journal, handwritten entirely in German. Rachel Cook, Jack’s girlfriend, translates the journal for him. What it reveals instantly puts both of their lives in mortal danger.

ISLAND BREEZES

Dan Walsh did it again! He grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I started reading yesterday afternoon and had to quit. The same thing happened this morning. My husband thinks he needs to eat.

He had an early evening class and then was going straight to work. The dear, sweet man was barely out the door before I had my book in hand. I started reading and couldn’t stop.

It was becoming darker out now, but I couldn’t put this book down long enough to get up and turn on a light. I was too close to the end. I was straining to finish reading it. Just as soon as I finished God turned out His light.

Jack and Rachel seem to innocently drift into mystery and intrigue. This book is a great stand alone read, but if you read When Night Comes first it will add to your enjoyment of this book.

I love all your books, Mr. Walsh, but I’m really enjoying your Jack Turner mysteries. If you need me to drive over to Daytona, and proofread or whatever help you might need to speed along Jack and Rachel’s next adventure, just call. I can hardly wait for it.

***A special thank you to the author for providing a review copy.***

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, as well as The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for “RT Book Reviews” Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit here for more.