POISON: Bloodline Trilogy 2 by Jordyn Redwood

ABOUT THE BOOK

Five years ago, Keelyn Blake’s armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father’s frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI’s hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man’s delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

Now, Lucent is back, and he’s no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven’s daughter, and--Keelyn worries--maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she can emerge unscathed a second time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Jordyn Redwood has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. She is a member of both the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Christian Fiction Writers association.

JORDYN REDWOOD'S WEBSITE 

MY REVIEW

Since I had read Jordyn's first book of this trilogy, Proof, I had to read the second book, Poison. I was not disappointed. Scary, chilling and absolutely twisted, Poison, kept me spellbound from the first page to the last.

Jordyn's style of writing draws the reader into the story with her strong characters. Her medical knowledge comes through in a way that is easy to understand for any layperson reading her work. She doesn't use terminology without a quick definition that helps the reader to understand what is taking place.

The main characters in this second book are primarily Keelyn, Lee, Nathan and Keeyln's sister, Raven. Though each one of these people are strong, they all have secrets that can and do cause harm. Some of this harm may have a deadly effect. 

Woven throughout the storyline, Jordyn weaves a thread of hope. Keelyn, Lee and Nathan have a personal relationship with Jesus. Through the various circumstances and trials, they all find their faith tested.

This is not a stand-alone novel. I highly recommend reading Proof before delving into this spine-chilling second book. Proof lays the foundation that Jordyn uses to build on to bring us Poison.

I do highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good thriller. I don't know that they get any better than this one. I do know I am avidly awaiting for the third book of this Bloodline Trilogy.

WANT TO READ A CHAPTER? CLICK HERE!

READ A CHAPTER OF PROOF HERE! 

Kregel Publications provided me with a free review copy in order to write this review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.

NOT THIS TIME by Vicki Hinze

 

 ABOUT THE BOOK

 A BLOOD-SOAKED MATTRESS. A TERRORIST ATTACK.  AMONG THEM, A TRAITOR.

BETH DIDN’T TRUST ROBERT.  NOW HE’S MISSING AND BETH IS BEING BLAMED.

 

Sara and Beth built a multi-million dollar business and act as anti-terrorism consultants.  Now their business and friendship are strained because Beth is leery of Sara’s husband.  When he goes missing and is verified kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.

Then their hometown, Seagrove Village, Florida, is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn’t know who to trust. Someone close to her is connected to the attack, but who? Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center? In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past, the former Shadow Watcher, Joe. She knows she shouldn’t fall in love with him–she can’t resist or even explain their bond. And as her world unravels around her, she wonders…

Will the truth set her free or ruin her life?  Is it possible to be pushed beyond redemption?

“Vicki Hinze has… talent for transforming the unlikely into something beautiful.” –Publishers Weekly

 ABOUT VICKIE HINZE

Vicki’s first published novel, a romantic suspense, was a bestseller that sold in nearly a dozen foreign countries. Since then, she’s shifted writing focus several times. After co-creating the first single-title open-ended continuity series, she turned to military life and has been credited with a Career Achievement Award for being one of the first to write military romantic suspense, military romantic intrigue, and military romantic thrillers. Recently, she has shifted focus to Christian fiction. Her willingness to take risks and blaze trails has won her many prestigious nominations and awards, including:

About

Over 1 Million Books In Print

Vicki’s first published novel, a romantic suspense, was a bestseller that sold in nearly a dozen foreign countries. Since then, she’s shifted writing focus several times. After co-creating the first single-title open-ended continuity series, she turned to military life and has been credited with a Career Achievement Award for being one of the first to write military romantic suspense, military romantic intrigue, and military romantic thrillers. Recently, she has shifted focus to Christian fiction. Her willingness to take risks and blaze trails has won her many prestigious nominations and awards, including:

RT Reviewer’s Choice:

•Best Faith-Affirming Thriller of the Year (Forget Me Not)
•Best Romantic Suspense Novel of the Year (Lady Justice,
•Shades of Gray, Duplicity )
•Best Romantic Intrigue Novel of the Year (Lady Liberty)
•Best Romantic Adventure Novel of the Year (Her Perfect Life)
•Best Mainstream Suspense Novel of the Year (All Due Respect)
•Best Time-Travel Novel of the Year (Festival)
•Career Achievement Award for Best Series Storyteller of the Year (Lady Liberty)
•Career Achievement Award for Best Romantic Adventure of the Year (Her Perfect Life)
•RT Gold Medal Awards (Lady Liberty, Acts of Honor, All Due
•Respect, Shades of Gray)
•RT Top Pick Awards (Shades of Gray, Duplicity, Acts of Honor, All Due Respect, Lady Liberty, Lady Justice, Her Perfect Life)
And
•RITA™ Award Finalist–Best Mainstream (HER PERFECT LIFE)
•RITA™ Award Finalist–Best Romantic Suspense (BODY DOUBLE)
•Blether Gold Awards (LADY JUSTICE)
•Blether Silver Awards (ACTS OF HONOR)
•The Beacon Award (LADY LIBERTY, BODY DOUBLE)
•The Golden Quill Award, Best Mainstream/Single Title Contemporary Novel of the Year (DUPLICITY)
•The Maggie Award of Excellence (MIND READER, ACTS OF HONOR, BEYOND THE MISTY SHORE)
•Holt Medallion Award (BODY DOUBLE, (HER PERFECT LIFE)
•Daphne du Maurier Best Contemporary Novel of the Year (DUPLICITY, ACTS OF HONOR, ALL DUE RESPECT)
•Daphne du Maurier Best Suspense/Mystery Novel of the Year (ACTS OF HONOR, LADY LIBERTY, ALL DUE RESPECT, DUPLICITY)
•Outstanding Achievement Award, Affaire de Coeur
•Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year, Affaire de Coeur (UPON A MYSTIC TIDE)
•Laurel Leaf Award, (MAYBE THIS TIME))

Vicki holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and a Doctorate in Philosophy, Theocentric Business & Ethics. She actively lectures on writing craft and technique and philosophy.

Her articles have appeared many respected publications and ezines (Novelists, Inc., Romantic Times, Romance Writers’ Report, The Outreacher, The Rock and others) and have been extensively reprinted in as many as sixty-three foreign markets. She has coordinated and/or judged national and international writing competitions, served on various writers’ association committees, has been honored by Romance Writers of America with their National Service Award and in 2004 was named the first PRO Mentor of the Year.

Vicki is a charter sponsor of International Thriller Writers (ITW) and served on its Board of Directors. She’s a member of The Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, Novelists Inc., Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Published Authors Network, Emerald Coast Writers, ACRA, Deep South Christian Writers and other writing organizations. She’s also a member of As a Mom: Sisterhood of the Mommy Patriots and Book Club Network.

VISIT HER WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Not This Time the last of this great series by Vicki and it's a great book. Very suspenseful and one great ride! I really try to figure out who the bad guy is before he or she is revealed and I was unprepared for this one. With strong characters, as usual, Vicki led me on the merry chase of catching the wrong-doer and cheering on the those who were going after him/her.

I love visiting Seagrove Village and all of it's charming characters and when the story opens with a terrorist attack there I was as shocked as the rest of them. Who would harm those lovely people?

Beth, one of the main characters is one of my favorite people. Probably because I could relate to her dilemma. She didn't trust her best friend's husband and that put a huge strain on their relationship. I didn't trust my best friend's husband either. But when Sara starts getting all cryptic and weird... well that didn't help things at all, especially with all of the crazy stuff happening there in Seagrove village.

And who wouldn't wish for someone like Joe in their life? Strong, mysterious, and compassionate. He sounds almost better than my favorite dark chocolate truffles. I say almost because it takes a lot to beat out my dark chocolate truffles.

Not This Time is a great story to end the series. Or is it really at an end? Well, you will just have to read it and find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed and may find yourself revisiting the series again. 

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

  

SONS OF JUDE by Brandt Dodson

WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER HERE!

ABOUT THE BOOK

A new series of gritty, fast-paced thrillers
 

The body of a young woman is found in a dumpster in Chicago and detectives Andy Polanski and Frank Campello are charged with finding the killer. The two are polar opposites. Polanski is the son of a disgraced Chicago police officer and is fastidious about his reputation. He has also recently been transferred from another district having blown the whistle on some corrupt cops. Campello, however, takes a live-and-let-live approach to his life and job.

 

It soon becomes clear, as another young woman--a potential witness--is murdered, that a sex-trafficking operation in Chicago is preying on illegal aliens. As the ill-matched pair dig deeper, an influential alderman and his son are implicated. Then Polanski is framed for a narcotics offense, devastating the cases against the corrupt officers and the alderman. Only when Campello is challenged by a local minister, whom he meets when visiting Polanski, does he find the motivation to seek justice.

 

READ AN EXCERPT HERE! 

 

ABOUT BRANDT DODSON

 

 

 

 Brandt Dodson comes from a long line of police officers, and was employed by the Indianapolis office of the FBI. He has lived in Chicago and travels to the city regularly. He is the creator of the Colton Parker series and author of several stand-alone thrillers. You can find Brandt at www.brandtdodson.com.

MY REVIEW

Sons of Jude is a well-written, exciting crime thriller. The first page had me more than ready to read the rest. I had to find out what happened to Campello's partner. Then in comes Polanski, his new partner that everyone despises. 

Brandt did exceptional in creating his very believable characters. I could understand why Campello wasn't excited about working with not just another partner but one who "betrayed" his fellow officers. And Polanski, here was an officer who wanted to do what was right, and his family is harassed as well as the grief he went through from the other officers.

Throw in the inquisitive, sharp reporter who leaves no stone unturned... and a case with more sneaky turns than straight answers, you have got an awesome novel!

Reading this book from beginning to end, I found I have to read the next one and the ones after that. I was so thoroughly entertained and hooked I couldn't quit reading it. Brandt Dodson has a new fan in me!

And guys, this is a gritty book that you will enjoy. I have an eclectic taste in reading material and I happen to like gritty crime thrillers. But that doesn't mean you wouldn't like it too. There is just enough toughness in these great characters that you will most definitely relate to them better than me. 

I also wanted to note how laid-back Brandt was in bringing out the ethical aspect in the story-line. Polanski is the Christian in this unwanted partnership but Campello doesn't realize it until the both of them are facing some real life and death moments in this crazy case they are working on. 

Well I don't want to spoil the rest of the book. So be sure to get your copy today. It's available through your favorite bookstores.

Kregel Publications made this review possible by providing me with a free review copy. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.