Category Archives: Baker Publishing Group

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard – Focus is on Action and Intrigue Over Character Development

Posted in Baker Publishing Group, Critical Alliance, Cybersecurity, Elizabeth Goddard, Intrigue, Mystery, NetGalley, Rocky Mountain Courage Series by

Critical Alliance is Elizabeth Goddard’s third book in the, Rocky Mountain Courage series.  I’ve read the first two books, Present Danger and Deadly Target, enjoyed them and was excited to read her newest novel.

The story centers on two main characters, Mackenzie Hanson and Alex Knight.  Mackenzie has been doing well in her cybersecurity career at a university in Michigan.  Yet it seems like she can’t get away from her youthful criminal past when she receives a warning about cybersecurity issues with her family’s business.  Though she’s been estranged for many years, Mackenzie feels compelled to go home and try to help with the hope of redeeming her past mistakes.  Mackenzie’s path will once again cross with Alex Knight a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Services.  Alex has come home to Montana to get some rest following an assignment that went wrong.  But cases seem to find him even when he’s on vacation. 

There were some elements that I liked about this book.  Cybersecurity is an interesting theme for a mystery novel.  I liked Alex and his friends in Montana that were carried over from the earlier novels.  The backdrop in Montana was a beautiful setting, the descriptions were well written so the reader could imagine what the settings were like.

Where I struggled with this book was the main character, Mackenzie.  I found her to be arrogant with delusions of grandeur to the point of irritating.  I couldn’t see why Alex was attracted to Mackenzie, much less why he would risk her career for her or go along with her schemes.  The characters were shallow and the focus was on action and intrigue.  The characters were not well developed.  I enjoy reading Christian fiction, especially when faith is included in the characters’ lives.  But this book didn’t include much regarding faith.

Not sure if I recommend Critical Alliance because the characters were not well developed.  It’s shallow and relies on action and intrigue over a richer and deeper story.  The book focused on lots of details about cyber security instead of characters.  I will read more books by Elizabeth Goddard because I’ve enjoyed her earlier novels. 

I would like to thank Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon – Filled with mystery, intrigue and characters you want to get to know

Posted in Baker Publishing Group, Book Review, Christian Fiction, Dangerous Illusions, Irene Hannon, Mystery by

Author, Irene Hannon, is relatively new to me and I really like her work.  That’s why I was excited for the opportunity to read her new book Dangerous Illusions.

This mystery is about Trish Bailey, a woman’s whose life has been filled with much tribulation over the last couple of years.  Two years ago, her life was turned upside down when she lost her husband and father and nearly lost her mother, Eileen.  Trish is a dutiful daughter and has been caring for her ailing mother in addition to working as an art teacher at an inner-city school.

Matt Parker seems like a nice guy, but Trish has no interest in romance.  And just who is this stranger that seemed to blow in out of nowhere and land on Matt’s doorstep one dark and stormy night?

After all that Trish has been through, what more could go wrong?  Well, that’s where Dangerous Illusions starts.

As I started reading this book, I was hopeful that things would turn around for Trish.  Instead, circumstances went from bad to worse.

I don’t know if it was the author’s intention in writing the book for readers to be able to relate to Trish and feel overwhelmed as the vulnerable character might have, but that’s how I was feeling as the book started.

At first it seemed so dark.  I felt very uncomfortable as Trish was the victim once again and this time at the hands of some very unsavory characters.  Detective Colin Flynn was like a breath of fresh air and I hoped he would be able to see the truth through some murky troubled waters that were overwhelming Trish.

Though the book seemed to start off dark and it felt like evil was prevailing, I pressed on because my experience with Irene Hannon’s writing is that she is a safe writer.  I appreciate how she doesn’t have her characters do stupid things to put themselves in danger.  She doesn’t have them making bad decisions that make no sense.

I liked the mystery and intrigue in Dangerous Illusions and Irene does a great job in developing characters and relationships in her book.  The characters seem real and like someone you would want to know.  I really liked the characters Colin and his long-time friends Kristin and Rick and fellow officer Mac McGregor.

I recommend Dangerous Illusions, especially if you like a good mystery. I appreciated how Irene Hannon wove the Christian faith into the storyline and characters.  I appreciate that there was no profanity or explicit sexual scenes and that the author shares and respects my Christian faith and values and doesn’t assault them.

I would like to thank Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

 

Between Heaven and the Real World by Steven Curtis Chapman – Faith Strengthened and Encouraged, Rooted and Grounded in the Truth of Scripture

Posted in Baker Publishing Group, Book Review, Christian Music, NetGalley by

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to read Steven Curtis Chapman’s autobiography, Between Heaven and The Real World.  Steven’s professional career started in the late 1980’s, which was a few years before I became a Christian.  When I think of the music that influenced me as young Christian and throughout the years, Steven’s music is at the top of that list.  That’s why I wanted to read this book.

I loved and enjoyed Between Heaven and the Real World and want to read it again and share it with others.  I wept as Steven shared in a very humble, open and transparent way the pains and trials he and his wife Mary Beth and their family endured over the years, most notable was the death for their precious daughter Maria Sue.

When you connect with an artist’s work and feel like he expresses in words some of the thoughts and emotions you’ve experienced, it’s interesting to learn the genesis of the songs and what was going on in his life when they were written.  It was heartening to see the providential hand of God in Steven’s life.  How He had gifted him from a young age to love and write songs that gave a voice to what he was feeling, his faith and capture his reflections about God.

I appreciated the honesty in which Steven writes.  It’s real, but also reverent towards God.  He so obviously loves, honors and respects God, his parents, brother, wife and children.  Somehow, he manages to do so while being open and real about circumstances, choices and events.  Kind of like his music.  I appreciate Steven and Mary Beth’s deep and abiding faith that they cling to in the face tribulation, never more so than in tragedy.  It was heartening to read about the support of family, friends and professionals that came alongside them when needed most.  I applaud their commitment to their marriage and efforts to recognize that their spouse is not their enemy and that they fought for each other, not against.

While the hearts of a mother and father longs to see, their child healed and alive, the Chapman’s have allowed God to redeem their losses and impact others for good and for eternity.

If you’ve listened to Steven’s music, you can’t help but come away encouraged, strengthened and your faith built up as he drives a stake in the truth of Scripture.  It’s almost like reading one of David’s psalms.  He may start out low and in the depths of despair, but as he focuses on God, hope is restored and a light is found to illumine the next step.

I highly recommend Between Heaven and the Real World, especially if you are a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman’s music.  It’s encouraging to see someone’s faith proven genuine and real.  Even if you aren’t familiar with his music, I think you will benefit from reading this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Revell/Baker Publishing Group for the opportunity to read Between Heaven and the Real World by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.