Excellent Conclusion to the Intervention Series - Downfall by Terri Blackstock/5 Stars

All of Terri Blackstock's books are great from start to finish...doesn't matter which one I pick up.  I know that every single time I read one, I'm going be riveted by the story and glued to every page.

Downfall was no exception.  While I'm extremely disappointed that this was the last book in the Intervention series, I can honestly say that it was a great conclusion because truly, the Covington family's nerves are probably frayed to threads after all the ordeals they've been through!

The suspense was believable, too, especially the overall flow of events.  Emily's part in the story blended well as she tried in her own way to solve the mystery.  Lance's instincts proved true about his classmates from his new school, which also contributed to the suspense.  And to top it all off, Kent was assigned to the case of figuring out who this weirdo was that was responsible for terrorizing everyone.  Poor Barbara...it was all she could do to keep up!!  She got a little hysterical a time or two, but honestly, who wouldn't?

I have so appreciated Terri's confidence in writing a series completely devoted to drug addiction, and how those addictions have a ripple effect on others.  And to have it combined with her trademark Up All Night Suspense?  What else could a reader want?  :o)

5 Stars

Southern?  Sort of.  It's set in the South, but there are no true Southern references
Sass?  No

Summary of Downfall:

Emily Covington has turned her life around after a drug addiction, but her family still has trouble trusting her. Though Emily has committed herself to a year-long treatment program and has been sober for almost a year beyond that, even her mother walks on eggshells around her, fearing she'll relapse. After her behavior during her drug years, Emily realizes she has a lot to prove.

When police discover a homemade bomb under Emily's car, and she then learns the wife of one of her friends was murdered that same morning, she knows things are deadly serious. But who wants Emily dead? And why? A conversation she had with two men, an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and a plan for a double murder all conspire for one explosive ride ... and Emily is the only one who can identify the killer and save the life of the next potential victim. As she frantically works to solve this ever more complicated puzzle, Emily finds herself playing right into the killer's hands.



**Many thanks to Shelby with Shelton Interactive for providing a copy for review.

Hangin' Out with Ginny Yttrup!

I have really missed interviewing authors in the last few months, and am so happy to be back in the swing of things with today's featured author, Ginny Yttrup. Ginny is the author of two books published by B&H Publishers--Words and Lost and Found, the latter being released just a few days ago. I hope you enjoy our fun interview today, and that you'll have a great time "hangin' out" with Ginny!

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Not including writing, what was your first job?

I got my first official job when I was 15 years old. I worked at Baskin Robins Ice Cream scooping ice cream. There I developed an obsession for ice cream that’s never left me.

What is one movie that you could watch over and over again?

The Sound of Music. I’m sure I’ve seen it at least a hundred times. Love, love, love it!

We have a common bond with that movie!  When I was a girl, I would watch it over and over again, sometimes twice a day.  I used to imagine that I was Liesl, and couldn't wait for the day that I would actually be "sixteen going on seventeen!"

If you could have any one superpower, what would it be?

I’d like to be invisible, which is the title of the next book I’m working on. I’d love to observe things without being seen—or to help someone without them knowing who’d helped them. I can see all kinds of advantages to invisibility! Plus, I’d never have to do my hair or makeup or think about what I’m going to wear!

What food do you love, even though you know you shouldn’t?

Ice cream, pizza, filet mignon—rare, baked potato with lots of butter and sour cream. That’s just a partial list. I’m a foodie, however, in the last two months I’ve given up sugar and have eaten only foods considered vegan. I’m dealing with some health issues and felt God leading me to make some changes in my diet. So, needless to say, I haven’t eaten any of the foods on the above list for a while.

I've come very close once or twice to giving up sugar, but it is sooooo hard!  Gotta have my sweet tea now!  :o)

Which magazine do you pick up when you’re stuck in a waiting room?

Tabloid stuff or People Magazine. Embarrassing, but true!

Have you ever met anyone famous?

I met Arnold Schwarzenegger about 15 years ago—long before he was California’s Governor. I was surprised that he was much shorter than I’d imagined.

What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?

The only time I remember being in trouble was when I was a senior in high school. I was 17 and dating the guy I eventually married. I had a very strict stepfather that year who had set a 10:00 p.m. curfew for me. On a Sunday night, my boyfriend and I were driving home from my grandparent’s house and I got home 5 minutes late. My stepfather grounded me for the entire week. Sadly, it was the week of graduation. I was allowed to walk in my graduation ceremony but couldn’t attend any other festivities. I felt that injustice for so long until I realized that I deserved to be in trouble a lot more often for much worse infractions, but I never got caught!

You’re next in line to audition for American Idol. What song do you sing for the judges?

First, that would never happen—I would never audition because I can’t sing a note on key to save my life. But, in the world of fantasy, I would definitely sing Amazing Grace because that is the story of my life.

***

Ginny, thanks so much for stoppin' by today, and also, thanks to our mutual connection, Jeane Wynn from WynnWynn Media, for making it all happen.  :o)  I hope you'll come back to visit again soon!

Friends, if you'd like to get more info on Ginny and her books, visit her website to sign up for her newsletter or find her on Facebook.

And one more fun tidbit...  You have the opportunity to win a copy of Ginny's newest book, Lost and Found!  If you'd like to have your name entered in the drawing, please fill out the form below as requested.  US addresses only, and all entries must be received by 11:59pm Tuesday, March 6.  

Heartbreaking, Yet Enthralling - His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons/4 Stars

Golden Keyes Parsons' latest historical tale set during the Civil War is as much enthralling as it is heartbreaking. From the gruesome battlefields to the spacious plantations, life is sure to never be the same again as brother is pitted against brother and masters against their slaves. The harsh backdrop of war is difficult to read, but necessary to understand the difficulties facing a Northern officer, a Southern lady, and a courtship between them.

Fans of Civil War era fiction may not enjoy this particular story, considering 5 years of history are condensed into one novel. However, the love story is one that fans of historical romance are sure to savor.

4 Stars

Southern?  Yes
Sass?  No

Summary of His Steadfast Love:

It isn't until the Civil War comes to her doorstep that Amanda Bell must choose between love and family.

It's the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Amanda never thought she would marry because of a promise she made to her dying mother, but her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.

When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel aligns with the Confederate States, while Kent remains with the Union troops.

Her heart is torn between the two men she is closest to and the two sides of the conflict. Amanda prays to God for direction and support, but hears only silence. Where is God in the atrocities of war-and whose side is He on?

Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. She must trust God to deliver her family through the chaos of war with her heart and her faith intact.

**Many thanks to Thomas Nelson through CFBA and Wynn-Wynn Media for providing a copy for review.

An Emotional Journey - Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry/5 Stars

Chris Fabry has penned another winner with his latest book, Not in the Heart.  From the back cover description, I thought I had prepared myself for what would be between the front and back cover, but honestly, I was not prepared for the emotional journey that I took through this story.

I imagine most folks know a "Truman" in their circle of friends.  Me?  Yeah, I have one, too, and he struggles with an addiction that only God can heal at this point.  It's difficult to watch someone I love succumb to fleshly desires, and sometimes I can't help but wonder, "If only..."  "If only he hadn't made this decision," "If only he hadn't met this person," "If only he hadn't gone down this road," yada, yada, yada...  But when I feel overwhelmed with those questions, I can do nothing but lay my concerns at the foot of the cross, and pray for his deliverance.

I guess in some way it was easy for me to identify with Ellen, Truman's wife, as well.  She had been let down so many times over the years because of Truman's actions, decisions, and absence in their family.  After awhile, it became human nature to think that nothing would ever change.  But somehow, she concocted a plan with the wife of a death-row inmate to lure Truman back into her heart and life, and more importantly, back to their son who was struggling to hold on just a few more days for a heart transplant that could save his life.

I also connected on a small level with Terrell who was on death row for murder, yet still maintained his innocence.  Before he landed in jail, he was nothing more than a no-good drunk and beggar, trying to bum a dollar from any Tom, Dick, or Harry that had it to spare.  But once he got to jail, he found the Lord, and before too long, the death sentence that he was facing in 30 short days meant that he was that much closer to seeing Jesus face to face.

Now, some may think that a jail conversion is just a ploy for some inmates to butter up their family members or friends, but truly, many of them are genuine.  While I was reading this book, it was on my calendar to re-certify as a volunteer at a local prison.  Once a year, some of the inmates get together and host a banquet for all the volunteers that have taken time to come and minister to them at the prison.  During the banquet, several of them stood and shared their testimonies of how they were on the wrong path when they got there.  One guy in particular shared his story of being in a gang, and when he got to jail, he didn't want to have anything to do with some fellow inmates that were trying to witness to him.  But they, as well as a couple of the chaplains, kept working on him, and before too long, he gave his life to the Lord.  Now, he's a completely changed person.  When new inmates come in, some of them that he knows personally from his old life, he continues the cycle by being a witness to them.  He makes it a priority to go to the chapel services that are held throughout the week, mostly run by volunteers, so he can continue to learn more about God.  That was just one of many testimonies shared, and it's so encouraging to know that a difference is being made in the hearts of so many, most of whom society has ignored and forgotten.  It made Terrell's story believable, and while I've never personally met someone on death row, I could identify with his honesty and sincerity as he shared his story with Truman.

Once again, Chris has found a way to create such a unique story that is bound to penetrate the hearts of several readers.  I can attest that it has penetrated mine.  And there's something for everyone here, too...a little drama, a little mystery, a little sadness, and even a touch of humor that I never expected.  So, if you're already a fan of Chris Fabry, then I have no doubt that you'll enjoy his latest. It's already earned it's place on my keeper shelf.  :o)

5 Stars

Southern?  Set in Florida, but not what I would consider a Southern novel.
Sass?  No

Summary of Not in the Heart:

Truman Wiley used to report news stories from around the world, but now the most troubling headlines are his own. He's out of work, out of touch with his family, out of his home. But nothing dogs him more than his son's failing heart. 

 With mounting hospital bills and Truman's penchant for gambling his savings, the situation seems hopeless...until his estranged wife throws him a lifeline--the chance to write the story of a death row inmate, a man convicted of murder who wants to donate his heart to Truman's son.

As the execution clock ticks down, Truman uncovers disturbing evidence that points to a different killer.  For his on to live, must an innocent man die?  Truman's investigation draws him down a path that will change his life, his family, and the destinies of two men forever.

**Many thanks to B&B Media Group for providing a copy for review.