Sacrifice by K.M. Shea

Sacrifice
by K.M. Shea

ebook: 254 pages
Released: February 2nd 2021

Source: Rented through Kindle Unlimitd.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Rakel, once feared and exiled for possessing magic, is now hailed a hero. Leading resistance forces against the Chosen—an army of magic users that invaded her homeland—she is granted everything she has longed for: acceptance, a home, and the love of her friends. But the battle for her country has just begun.

The Chosen’s powerful leader, Tenebris Malus, has come north to aid his army. His troops pillage the villages and cities they cannot hold, and Rakel’s brother—the King—refuses to rule. Most troubling of all, Rakel—who has always loved her magic—sees great similarities between herself and the deadly Tenebris. However, not all is lost as the Chosen Colonel Farrin Graydim questions his loyalties to his leader, and the attraction he holds for Rakel.

Can Rakel’s overcome her doubts and defeat Tenebris? Will Farrin choose to follow his heart or his loyalties?


My Review:
Sacrifice is the second part of this retelling of the Snow Queen fairytale. While there is a natural pause between the first and second novels, it really is one story. I recommend reading them in order. Rakel has been isolated for most of her life because people feared her magic, but those guarding her come to her for help when the country is invaded by magic users with a mercenary army. She has trouble trusting others, but through friendships and her willingness to defend her people and commitment to not killing, she's earned a loyalty of an army and a country. Now she must defeat the most powerful magic user of the invading army if they hope to have lasting peace.

The characters were engaging, had some complexity, and grew as people. I cared about what happened to them. Rakel's loyal friends helped bring out the best in her, and she helped to bring out the best in others through her forgiveness and caring attitude. The romance started as mutual respect which grew into trust and caring. They were a good team. The world-building was mostly focused on developing the magic system and how magic users were treated. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable fantasy.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Heart of Ice by K.M. Shea

Heart of Ice
by K.M. Shea

ebook: 227 pages
Released: December 17th 2015

Source: Rented through Kindle Unlimited.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Rakel, a princess by birth, has spent most of her life exiled on a barren mountain, despised because of her powerful snow magic. Though she longs to be accepted, she hides in her ice-castle and lives with the fear that her brother—the King—will one day order her execution. Her empty life changes forever when an army of magic users—led by the enigmatic Colonel Farrin Graydim—invade her home country and plan to enslave its citizens. Swallowing her fear, Rakel joins forces with her jailers and uses her magic to save the people who scorned her. If Rakel cannot defend her homeland, the country will be lost.


My Review:
Heart of Ice is a retelling of the Snow Queen fairytale. Rakel has been isolated on a snowy mountain for most of her life, and she has spent her time reading books and developing her magic. Then the men guarding her ask her to save the kingdom, which has been invaded by magic users intent on revenge. Magic users are feared and often abused and enslaved. Rakel isn't inclined to help those who isolated and fear her, but her compassion for children draws her out into the world. She's hurt that some of the people she helps continue to insult and try to kill her, but her loyal friends help bring out the best in her.

I liked the story more than I expected and look forward to reading the sequel. The characters had some complexity and grew as people. Though we know very little about the background of the secondary characters, they were interesting and engaging. I cared about what happened to them. There was the beginnings of a romance that started as mutual respect. The world-building was mostly focused on creating an interesting magic system. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable fantasy.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Chase by Lisa Harris

The Chase
by Lisa Harris

ISBN-13: 9780800737313
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: July 6th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing--it's time to get back out into the field. When her partner, Jonas Quinn, receives a message that a federal warrant just came in on a man connected to a string of bank robberies, Madison jumps at the chance to get back to work. What she and Jonas find is a bank robbery in progress that's gone wrong--and things are about to get worse.

For these bank robbers, it's never been just about the money. It's about taking risks and adrenaline rushes, and getting caught is not part of the game. When the suspects escape, Madison and Jonas must hunt them down and bring them to justice before someone else--someone close to them--gets hurt . . . or worse.


My Review:
The Chase is a Christian romantic suspense novel. This is the second book in a series and continues the story of US Marshals Madison and Jonas, but it can be read as a standalone. You can understand what's going on without reading the first book (though a little more recap about Jonas and his ex-girlfriend might've been helpful), and this book didn't spoil the events in the first book.

The problems that I had with the first book in this series were not present in this one. The main characters reacted realistically to events. Madison dealt with the uncertainty of who shot her and the feeling of insecurity that created. Jonas dealt with grief over suddenly losing someone he cared about. Both stayed focused and professional in pursuing the fugitives, but these issues kept weighing on them. They steadily followed up on the clues to identify and capture the four fugitives. The suspense came from the need to capture the fugitives before they completely escaped the country and from the danger to themselves and others.

Madison and Jonas worked well together and trusted the other's skills and instincts. They built each other up and supported each other. Jonas finally acknowledged his love for Madison but she struggled with starting a new relationship while her husband's cold case murder was still unsolved. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this exciting suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore

Breach of Honor
by Janice Cantore

ISBN-13: 9781496443090
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: July 6th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
As a police officer in Table Rock, Oregon, Leah Radcliff puts her life on the line to help others every day. But at home, Leah's battling her own personal nightmare: Brad, her abusive husband, a fellow officer, celebrated hero, and beloved son of a powerful prominent family. Brad's violent outbursts and suspicious activities have left Leah physically and emotionally scarred, until one desperate action to put a stop to his abuse results in deadly consequences.

Though public opinion seems ready to convict Leah, Officer Clint Tanner is one of the few to believe she acted in self-defense. As he works with Leah's attorney to produce the evidence they need, new truths about Brad's dark side come to light--and reveal a deep-rooted problem in Table Rock. There are some who have breached their sworn duty to serve and protect . . . and they'll do anything to keep their secret safe.


My Review:
Breach of Honor is a Christian detective suspense novel. The story covered several years, allowing the slow but steady changes that happened to Leah and the town. The suspense came from the physical danger to anyone standing in the way of a secret group of corrupt police officers and powerful citizens. They seemed to constantly thwart the good guys who were trying to expose their evil deeds and bring about justice. However, the major themes of this story are how God is at work bringing about justice and how prayer is a powerful weapon in the war against evil.

The main characters were engaging, honorable, determined, and reacted realistically to events. That's part of the reason why the story took so long as Leah needed time to heal from the abuse, deepen her relationship with God, and gain the confidence to stand against the evil even when discouraged. Clint learned the power of prayer from his missionary parents, but he was often tempted to try to control and solve the situation all on his own. Clint supported Leah, fully believing her innocence based on the evidence and willing to take risks to see justice brought about for her and others. The details about police work and prison immersed me in the story but didn't slow the pacing.

There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this exciting novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Marine's Mission by Deb Kastner

The Marine's Mission
by Deb Kastner

ISBN-13: 9781335758637
MM Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Released: June 29, 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Wounded ex-marine Aaron Jamison always follows orders—and the assignment to take on a service dog is just that. Trainer Ruby Winslow is definitely barking up the wrong tree when she insists a beauty-parlor poodle is his perfect match. But Ruby and her clever canine are determined to melt the heart of this battle-hardened marine. And they'll teach him an unforgettable new trick—love.


My Review:
The Marine's Mission is a romance. I thought the service dog aspect would be interesting, but I ended up feeling like I knew more about the training and use of service dogs than the author (and it's not like I've researched the topic). When Aaron comes to get his service dog, he has no idea of what one can do to help him and Ruby demands that he simply trust her judgement. Each listed his injuries several times in their thoughts, but there's no scene where Ruby explained how the dog could help with his various issues. She wanted him to discover how useful the dog could be from experience, which made the first weeks unnecessarily tense. It's several chapters in before we even learn that the dog is trained for mobility issues, and it's not until the end that we get a list of things the dog can help Aaron with. More time was spent on running the dog over the agility course than on the service dog skills.

The author also wasn't consistent about how Aaron was injured. In one place, it was tackling someone off a landmine. In other places, it's from an IED blast. The romance mainly took place in the last two weeks of training as they were frustrated with each other for the first week or two. Ruby was kind even when frustrated, and Aaron tried hard even though he couldn't see any need for a service dog. Working together quickly turned into admiration and attraction, though, and Ruby's family helped Aaron envision a future rather than dwell on what he could no longer do. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal

The Paris Betrayal
by James R. Hannibal

ISBN-13: 9780800738501
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 4th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. An anonymous call that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance--reserved for incompetents and traitors.

Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company's plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him--and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.


My Review:
The Paris Betrayal is a suspense/thriller. It's published by Christian publisher, so I was confused that there were no references to God. The only mentions of faith involved faith in The Director, head of The Company that Ben works for, or in Jupiter, the bad guy leader. I couldn't understand how Ben's former teammates could be so naïve as to believe that a human (The Director) could never make a mistake. It wasn't until nearly the end that I realized that the story was based on Job from the Bible, so people were putting their faith in either God or Satan. Anyway, the desire to make this reflect the story of Job made the teammates reactions to Ben's situation seem odd or unrealistic when taken outside of that context.

The suspense was high as Ben was constantly on the move, trying to avoid arrest and survive attacks while also save the world. Both the good and bad guys had people harassing him. I liked that the female characters were competent and resourceful (even when not trained as spies). I wasn't at all surprised by the roles that Ben's girlfriend and Clara played, though I think it was meant to be a surprise. I appreciate that Ben treated the women respectfully. Ben was loyal and had a strong desire to help others, so he was easy to admire. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this thriller.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin

Chasing Shadows
by Lynn Austin

ISBN-13: 9781496437341
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: June 8th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?

Lena's daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.

Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.

The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.


My Review:
Chasing Shadows is a Christian historical set in June 1939 to Fall 1945 in Netherlands. This story had three point view characters and occurred over six years. Usually I have problems with many POV characters or years lapsing, but this was extremely well written. The author kept me completely engaged with all of the characters. Though I've read "The Hiding Place," I had no idea just how courageous the Dutch people were when faced with the Nazi invasion. This was both an interesting story and very educational as well.

Historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing, and things happen naturally (not forced so that the author could include some detail). The setting details brought the story alive in my imagination and immersed me in the story. All of the characters came across as real, complex people, and I understood why they acted the way they did. I cared about what happened to the main characters, so the ending became very suspenseful as their lives became increasingly endangered.

One couple was Jewish, but the other main characters were Christian. Their faith was why they risked their lives for others, and it was how they could reach out to help others even when faced with depressing and discouraging circumstances. The reader also sees how God is at work in and through His people. There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, immersive novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.