Without Warning by Joel C. Rosenberg | RE:view

An epic ending to a fantastic trilogy. Rosenberg will have you on the edge of your seat, tugging at emotions, and gripping your attention through the whole book.

***

Following on the heels of the two, action-packed novels before this, Without Warning lives up to its suspense/thriller title and delivers a powerful, thrilling, and heart-wrenching end to the J. B. Collins series.

We pick up close to where we left off with The First Hostage and jump straight into a very action-packed beginning. It's something I really appreciate about Rosenberg's writing--he grips you with the action but also has the ability to instruct you on issues, thoughts, and (of course) J.B.'s journey as a character.

This book was, in a word, heart-wrenching. I won't say much about why to avoid any spoilers but I will say that it took a few turns I was not expecting--at all. Though, to be fair, everything that happened was logical to the plot and only aided in furthering the story. Yes, there are some hard things, but there is hope too. Such beautiful hope.

I stared this whole series through audiobooks, something I'm really glad I did because I was able to really get a handle on pronouncing some of the names. But I was also able to see how it was to read a tangible copy and I really enjoyed it. The audiobooks are truly fantastic, but there is something to be said about holding the book in your hands.

I would recommend not only this book, but really the whole series! I've told so many people about this series and about Rosenberg's fantastic writing. In my mind, he's on par with some of my other favorite authors like David Baldacci and Roine Kendig with the way he writes and the themes he incorporates. If you like political/action thrillers I think you'll be a fan of this.

One last thing of note for me is the reality that Rosenberg addresses faith in such a real, tangible way. I absolutely loved J.B.'s personal story coinciding with the overall plot of the three books. It was real, refreshing, and at times extremely honest.

My rating: 5*
Purchase: Without Warning

Book Descritpion
(from Amazon)

As he prepares to deliver the State of the Union address, the president of the United States is convinced the Islamic State is on the run, about to be crushed by American forces once and for all. But New York Times foreign correspondent J. B. Collins tells the president he’s dead wrong. With the Middle East on fire, the Israeli prime minister dead, and Amman in ruins, Collins fears a catastrophic attack inside the American homeland is imminent. He argues that only an all-out manhunt to capture or kill Abu Kahlif―the leader of ISIS―can stop the attack and save American lives. But will the president listen and take decisive action before it’s too late?

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa | RE:View

Annabell Lee is a mysterious adventure that stretches beyond categories to produce an intriguing read.

From the cover you get the feeling that this book is going to be creepy. I personally found it wasn't nearly as frightening as I thought it would be, but I did find it intriguing.

Annabell Lee has a flavor all its own. It reminded me of an amalgam of Ted Dekker, James Bond, Magnum P.I., and post military themes. I know, not the best description but it was definitely in a category all its own. I wanted there to be more suspenseful action, and yet there was definitely a high death-toll toward the end that was quite shocking but not necessarily in a bad "socking" way. That may sound bad, but I'm not opposed to some violence as long as it's not completely unnecessary. I suppose it's in the way that Mike writes that defines the book. It's descriptive but doesn't have as much tension in the writing as you'd expect. 

The characters were intriguing as well. In my mind they weren't your "run of the mill" main characters. You had Annabel who was only eleven but wise beyond her years, a protective German Shepperd (I include him in the characters because...why not?), The Mute (yep, just like it sounds), and then Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill. Talk about some interesting dynamics, especially between Trudi and Samuel. I see some interesting development possible with them - but I'll leave out the rest of my comments so as not to spoil anything.

I think, overall, I would say that Mike has something good going on here. Read the letter at the back of the book and you'll get a very interesting story indeed, but I can see people loving this book and people hating it. It's not traditional or typical and I think that's okay.

I would recommend this to fans of suspense and/or romantic suspense with a disclaimer that it's not your average suspense/romantic suspense book, so don't expect it to be. As I try to do, read with an open mind and you might just find something you love in Mike Nappa's writing.

My Rating: 4*
Purchase: Annabel Lee (A Coffee & Hill Novel)

Book Description
(from Amazon)

Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden. That secret's name is Annabel Lee Truckson, and even she doesn't know why her mysterious uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He's left her with a few German words, a barely-controlled guard dog, and a single command: "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me."

Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic "Dr. Smith" know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?

Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girl--before it's too late.

With its stunning writing and relentless pace, Annabel Lee will captivate readers from the first page. 

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Dony Jay & Spy-Thrillers | Guest Post

Emilie here: Welcome author Dony Jay to the blog today as he talks about his favorite genre: spy-thrillers! 

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Get to know Dony Jay...

How did you start writing? What made you choose this genre?
I’m a thirty-eight year-old husband and father of two. I’ve been a cop for just over thirteen years, the last eight of which I’ve been assigned to CID (Criminal Investigations Division). When I’m not writing, I’m reading. When I’m not reading, I’m writing. More or less. I love being home with the family and going to my kids’ soccer and basketball games and practices and tournaments. A few other things I enjoy doing are hiking in the woods, going for a good run and knocking the soccer ball around.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I started writing seriously after I read two books back to back: Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn and Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. They inspired me to write my own spy thriller series. And while I devour all kinds of books, spy thrillers will always be my favorite.

What was the inspiration for your book?
Primarily my inspiration comes from the men and women of the special operations and intelligence communities—the real warrior spies, but more broadly all those who serve at home and abroad. The idea that there are people out there sacrificing their time with their loved ones, their dreams, their lives for me and my family, for America, is deeply moving. It continues to inspire me and always will.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
My clear favorite is the main character and protagonist, Reagan Rainey. He’s of course named after Ronald Reagan, one of my favorite presidents. Rainey lost his dad at a young age—his dad was in the CIA and was killed in the line of duty—and has taken up the mantle of vigilant protector of his mom and sister. He’s this fierce and fearless American warrior, a trained killer really, yet he’s a man of strong faith in Almighty God. He’s a unique combination of George Washington, Ronald Reagan and Adam Brown. Adam Brown was a U.S. Navy SEAL about whom Eric Blehm wrote his book titled, Fearless. I will never stop recommending that book to people by the way. Go read Fearless…even before my book. Do it now. You will not be sorry.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
God is in control. No. Matter. What. There is so much that goes on in our lives and around the world that just doesn’t seem to make sense. Read the news these days; the world is upside down. But God’s ways are not our ways. We must learn to put our trust fully in Him. He is in control and He knows what He’s doing. (tweet this)

What was a challenge you faced while writing it?
Time. I know I’m not alone here. All authors deal with trying to find the time to write. But as an indie, writing is only the first of many tasks required to publish a book. Obviously, I have a regular full-time job (with rotating shifts and every other week being on call), but my biggest frustration is being the husband and father my wife and kids deserve. All this while I try to write and publish the next bestseller. The result is a heavy burden of guilt. That time with my characters and story is time away from them. But I’m blessed to have a lovely, supportive, godly wife and a son and daughter who offer faithful encouragement. They actually pray for old dad and his books at dinnertime. It’s great! And humbling. Sometimes though the writing just has to wait as life’s circumstances swirl. But God is good and He is faithful. As I mentioned before, He is in control even when (especially when) I feel like I’m losing it.

Was there a passage of scripture you came across or used while writing it that you’d like to share?
Psalm 97. I sign all my books with it. It starts off, “The LORD reigns…” Present tense. I love that.

What are you reading right now?
Inside the CIA by Ronald Kessler. Both for entertainment and research. I’m about a third of the way in.

Tell us something about yourself that has nothing to do with writing or books.
Hmm. Well, I recorded an original song that my wife and I danced to at our wedding reception. I’m no Michael W. Smith, but I have to admit, it was a pretty special moment. It’s funny, my daughter sometimes asks me to play the song now.

Here’s another I’ll throw in free of charge (lol): I’m extremely competitive…in a healthy way. I hate to lose even more than I like to win. I’m serious. I absolutely hate to lose. When I do fail at something though, I use that as fuel to get better. It’s just who I am. When I put my mind to something, I am stubbornly determined to succeed.

 
The Warrior Spy
by Dony Jay

The CIA has a problem. Its best clandestine operatives keep turning up dead. And now, as if things couldn't get any worse, a Defense Department scientist, specializing in high-energy lasers, has gone missing. America needs answers. And fast.

Delta Force operator Reagan Rainey, on temporary duty assignment with a secret CIA entity known as Directorate Twelve, is tasked to do just that—get answers. But to do so, he not only has to outwit and outmaneuver a dangerous cabal of foreign actors believed to be at the center of it all, he must contend with a deadly assassin who is bent on destroying him.

Relying on his bedrock faith in Almighty God, Rainey is forced to race against the clock to uncover what is really going on and why, before his beloved America is pushed to the brink of war.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Dony Jay is an American, a husband and father of two. He loves to laugh and joke around, loves to spend time with his family, loves to be home. A graduate of York College of PA, with a B.S. degree in criminal justice, Dony has been a police officer for the past thirteen years, a detective for the last eight.

He is an avid reader and enjoys all kinds of books, most of all thrillers. In 2010, Dony set out to author his own spy thriller series, one with a distinctly Christian worldview and a patriotic flair for America...as she was founded.

When he's not reading or writing, he loves playing sports (soccer mostly), staying fit and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Above all, he's a follower of Jesus Christ. According to Dony, the tenets of a rich & rewarding life include faith, family and freedom. In that order.

He resides in south-central Pennsylvania.

Website: www.DonyJayBooks.com
Facebook.com/DonyJayBooks 
Twitter.com/DonyJayBooks 
Goodreads.com/DonyJay
E-mail: DonyJay@DonyJayBooks.com

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::WINNER::

Last week I had Cathy Elliott on the blog and she offered to give away a copy of her fun cozy mystery, A Vase of Mistaken Identity. We've got a winner : 

Annie JC 

Congrats! I'll be in touch :)  

Mike Dellosso {Writer Wednesday} + GIVEAWAY

A little bit about Mike...

Mike Dellosso is the author of nine novels. He also teaches writing at various conferences and as an adjunct professor at Lancaster Bible College. When Mike isn’t writing or teaching he’s usually spending time with his wife and four daughters.

How to connect with Mike...

Website: www.mikedellossobooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikedellosso
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikedellosso
Purchase: Centralia

Author Interview | Mike Dellosso

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I never wanted to be a writer. In fact, growing up I hated writing. Hated it. But in 1998 something happened that not only pushed me into writing but literally changed my life. My brother-in-law was in a very serious motorcycle accident. As he clung to life I wrestled with God, trying to make sense of such a senseless accident. As a way of coping with my pain, my anger, my hurt, my confusion, I turned to writing. It gave me an outlet, a means to express myself that was safe. And through that experience I fell in love with writing.

...Now, there’s another part to this story. Actually two. The first is that my brother-in-law pulled through and because of God’s grace and healing made a full recovery. The second is that through writing I discovered my voice. I have stuttered since I could talk. Growing up it was a severe disability. I could barely string together three fluent words. Writing gave me a voice, it allowed me to express myself without stuttering. And once that happened, the stuttering improved greatly. It was truly amazing.

What has kept me writing? 
...My readers. Literally. Honestly, every book I write I say will be my last. Writing is difficult and takes a lot of time. With a full time job and family I don’t have a lot of time. At times it feels like the payoff just isn’t there. I want to quit. But then I get an email or message from a reader saying how much she enjoyed one of my books, how much it inspired or encouraged or convicted her and then I remember why I write, why God has me doing this thing, and I determine to plug along.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...My favorite book of mine is DARLINGTON WOODS. It was the first book I wrote after battling colon cancer and there’s just a lot of symbolism and deep meaning in the book. It was truly therapeutic to write it and sort through all the emotions and struggles I’d had going through cancer. To this day that book holds a very special place in my heart.

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...For me, the hardest thing is deadlines. If I miss a deadline it’s usually not by that much but just having that date looming over me is very counter-productive. I feel pressured, stressed, anxious . . . and that makes it difficult to focus on the work at hand, to feel creative and free to write. But the other side is that I can tend to be a procrastinator of sorts and the deadline helps keep me on track.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book.
...My newest novel is CENTRALIA. It’s a psychological thriller in the tradition of the Jason Bourne series or Shutter Island or Total Recall. There’s intrigue, government conspiracy, action, suspense, and plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing right up to the end. The story is also about family and love and faith. It tackles an important thought: can our faith be taken away from us?

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...That no one can rob you of your faith. Faith resides not only in our minds but in our spirits. The mind can be manipulated, even stolen, but faith remains.



Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Both. I work full-time in the medical field and meet some very interesting people every day. Some of them become inspiration for a character. Many times settings are inspired by real places. Plots come from news stories, personal stories I’ve heard, my own life. I’m an observer by nature so I’m always watching what’s going on around me, listening, taking mental notes. And much of it becomes fodder for future books. I also have a very active imagination. People ask me about that and I tell them your imagination is like a muscle, the more you work it the stronger it gets. I love to imagine, to make up scenarios in my head, to create situations, people, worlds.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I have lots of intentions. To entertain the reader, to provoke thought and introspection, to inspire, encourage, and convict. I want my books to glorify God by pointing people to Him or causing readers to think about Him and how He works in our life. My writing has always been about more than just writing and creating stories, it’s about the readers, how they are impacted, what the story means to them, and what kind of influence the story will have on them.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Don’t give up. 100% of published authors didn’t give up. Think about that. It’s obvious but it’s true. Push on. Keep reading. Keep writing. Keep practicing. Discouragement will come, failures will happen, the road is long and rough, but if you just keep walking eventually you’ll reach your destination.

 
You

How did you celebrate the 4th of July?
...We went over my parents’ home, had a cook-out, then watched the fireworks in our hometown. Nothing special. Just being with family makes me happy.

How are you making the most of your time this summer for writing and relaxing? Do you do anything different in the summer months?
...Nope. I work full-time so nothing really changes for me in that regard. I try to keep the same writing habits all year long. This summer, though, we are hosting a young lady from an eastern European country. She is really a sweetheart and we are having a blast with her. It’s been an interesting journey so far and has reminded me of how precious family is.

Do you enjoy hot weather or cold better?
...Oh, cold all the way. My favorite months are October, November, and December. Can’t get enough of them. I love long pants and sweatshirt weather! Changing leaves, the holiday season, cool crisp air. It’s the best.

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Thanks so much for being my guest today Mike! Your journey to writing is truly amazing. I love how God uses anything and everything to draw us to Him. I am right there with you about deadlines...as I post this I have a few looming ahead myself. Your advice to writers is fantastic as well - simple but so true: don't give up! And I am with you all the way on the cold weather. Is it Fall yet? 

Thanks again Mike and readers, make sure you comment here to enter to win one of 2 copies!!! Share away on social media too - I love being sociable and I'll retweet, comment, and like it all :) 

Emilie's Facebook | Emilie's Twitter | Emilie's Instagram

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::WINNERS::

Super excited to announce all the winners from last week's giveaways! 

For Beth K Vogt's Crazy Little Thing Called Love we have...

Robin D

For The Convenient Bride Collection  featuring Jennifer Uhlarik the winner is...

Trixi O

And don't forget to enter now for a chance to win Anita Higman's Summer's List!

Click HERE to leave a comment!

 

Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels | RE:View

I had high hopes for this book...and it didn't dissapoint! Come on, with a recommendation from Steven James, I had a pretty good idea Playing Saint was going to be good.

Parker Saint is a pastor rising quickly to fame by telling people what they want to hear. He hasn't lost touch with truth, but with the influence of his mentor, he's realizing it doesn't sell. When faced with the loss of his reputation, Parker agrees to work as a consultant with the Grand Rapids PD, and the walking-cliche, Detective Ketchem.

Filled with a fantastic cast of believable characters, a psycho-killer on the loose, and refreshing humor, you can't go wrong with Playing Saint. I found myself comparing it to Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti with the added bonus of humor that didn't take away from the intrigue, but only added interest.

This is a definite must read from me! If you like a good thriller* that weaves in faith realistically and keeps you guessing, look no further. I'm anticipating more from Zachary in the future and will definitely make time to read what he puts out next.

*One note here: There are elements of the demonic represented in this book. I found that it aided the story and in no way created nightmares for me, but I understand some readers could be sensitive to that - thus the slight warning.

Rating: 5*
Purchase: Playing Saint

Book Description

(from Zachary's website)

Yesterday, Parker Saint’s only concern was his swiftly rising star power. Today, he’s just trying to stay alive.

Parker Saint is living the dream. A cushy job at a thriving megachurch has him on the verge of becoming a bestselling author and broadcast celebrity—until life takes an abrupt turn that lands him on the wrong side of the law. To avoid a public scandal, he agrees to consult with the police on a series of brutal murders linked by strange religious symbols scrawled on each victim. Parker tries to play the expert, but he is clearly in over his head. Drawn ever deeper into a web of intrigue involving a demanding detective, a trio of secretive Vatican operatives, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, he realizes for the first time that the battle between good and evil is all too real—and that the killer is coming back . . . this time for him..

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own. 

Hacker by Ted Dekker | RE:View

Nyah Parks is seventeen, brilliant, and a hacker to beat all others. After surviving a traumatic accident that left her mother brain damaged and the rest of her family dead, she's forced to fend for herself. In a drastic attempt to earn funds for a surgery for her mother, Nyah pulls the job of a lifetime landing her in more trouble than she could have imagined.

At her whits end and running from danger, she turns to the only thing she knows: hacking. But this next hack job isn't like anything she's attempted before. With her mother's life and so much more riding on this job's success, Nyah puts everything she has on the line.

Can she save her mother in time? Does she have what it takes to step beyond computer hacking and transfer that skill to the human mind?

Hacker grabbed my attention and threw me for a loop. You could call it 'the ride of a lifetime' - and I loved it! 

I've been a long-time Dekker fan and this book is by far one of my favorites of his recent works! As some have noted, it's similar to his earlier novels, which I enjoyed the the best. I haven't read the previous books in The Outlaw Chronicles (yet) but I had no trouble stepping into this third novel.

The themes that Dekker brings out through his main character Nyah are beautiful and yet complex. She is layered yet extremely approachable as a character with her dry humor and ready intellect. Following her journey through the many twists and turns of the temporal and the unseen, you are connected to Nyah. Her journey becomes yours. Her loves and her struggles push you to discover what happens--to turn the next page, and the next...

An overarching theme in the novel is "deditio", Latin for surrender, and it is true, this book will teach you the beauty of learning to let go.

I definitely recommend it to fans of Dekker (especially his earlier works), to those who enjoy suspenseful thrillers, and to those who crave books that realistically push the limits of what is possible in this world. I'd also recommend Hacker to teen readers (16+). It could be a powerful force to engage in discussion around the themes revealed in the book.

Purchase Hacker: The Outlaw Chronicles or the rest of the Outlaw Chronicles from Ted Dekker on Amazon

Book Description
(from Dekkers website)

My name is Nyah and I’m a hacker. I know things most people would never believe. Things that shouldn’t exist, but do.

Seventeen year old Nyah Parks is a genius hacker whose world is unraveling. Deeply scarred from a horrific accident that killed her father and brother, and left her mother with irreparable brain damage, Nyah is barely holding the last shreds of her life together.Now, her mother’s health is deteriorating quickly and Nyah faces the grim prospect of losing her, too. One last ditch hope exists–an experimental brain surgery that could buy her mother more time. But Nyah must scrape together enough money to pay for it before it’s too late.

Desperate and with no other choice, Nyah turns her programming skills to cracking the firewalls of the world’s largest corporations. She exposes their weaknesses, and then offers her services to secure their systems from hackers.

But when the most dangerous job of her life backfires and forces her to go on the run, she encounters an impossible reality that shouldn’t exist, but does.

A hack unlike any other. A hack that will take her beyond the firewall of the human brain itself. A hack, which may be the only way to save her mother now.

What if there was a way to tap into the unseen reality that surrounds us all? Would you hack in? How far would you go to find the answers to your deepest questions? The answer lies deep beyond the firewall.

Tap in, strap in, and experience the mind-twisting ride with Nyah. What you find waiting on the other side of the firewall might forever change the way you see yourself and the world you live in.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Words of Conviction by Linda J. White | RE:View

Excited to share my review of Linda J. White's Words of Conviction. You may remember Linda from her guest {Writer Wednesday} post a few weeks ago which you can find [here]. As a D.C. native, I look forward to connecting with her when I reach Washington!!!

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Fast paced. Action packed. Guaranteed to keep you glued to your seat!  

Words of Conviction by Linda J. White is a fantastic FBI thriller set in the heart of Washington, D.C. following the kidnapping of five-year-old Zoe Grable, daughter to powerful Senator Bruce Grable.

Special Agent Mackenzie "Kenzie" Graham is still green in regards to her involvement in the field as an FBI agent. Smart, beautiful, and a talented forensic psycholinguists, she may be the only hope to get Zoe safely back in the arms of her father.

Special Agent John Crowfeather "Crow", a Navajo and former marine, is assigned to the team under Special Agent Scott Hansbrough who's calling the shots. Crow's cunning and protective instincts help to keep Kenzie safe, but could it be more than that?

I really enjoyed this fast-paced story set in D.C. The descriptions were perfect for gaining a feel for the location and White kept me guessing as to how it would be resolved all the way to the end! I would say that the relationship between Kenzie and Crow was a little stiff and sometimes felt forced. Crow is a difficult character to read, which is part of who he is, but the interpersonal aspect of the two doesn't hint much at the romance that could blossom in the future. Granted, with a fast-paced story and the hectic nature of an FBI investigation, I can see why there wasn't much time spent on developing a deeper connection between the two.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of fast-paced, FBI thrillers. If you love NCIS or Criminal Minds, you will love this book! Romantic Suspense fans will also enjoy this, though know the romance is back-burner. It doesn't take away from a great story though!

Purchase Words of Conviction

Book Description
(Taken from Linda's website)

FIRST, Special Agent Mackenzie Graham arrests Senator Bruce Grable. Then she becomes his very best hope for getting his kidnapped daughter Zoe back alive. Kenzie is a forensic psycholinguist. She studies words. Can the language the kidnapper uses provide clues to his identity? Teaming up with Special Agent John Crowfeather, a Navajo, Kenzie is about to find out.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Linda J. White {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Linda...

Linda J. White writes FBI thrillers from her home in rural Virginia. Her husband, Larry, was a video producer/director at the FBI Academy for over 27 years. Mother of three grown children, Linda is also a national-award winning journalist and a women’s ministry speaker. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing with Keira, her Sheltie, reading a book, or dreaming of the beach.

How to connect with Linda...

Website: lindajwhite.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaJWhiteBooks?ref=hl
Twitter: @rytn4hm
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6834052.Linda_J_White
Purchase her novel:Words of Conviction  

Author Interview | Linda J. White

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?

...I’ve been a writer since I was little: My fourth-grade teacher thought enough of a poem I’d written to make it the centerpiece of the hallway Christmas bulletin board! I majored in English in college and won an award for writing as a government employee. Later, when I was married with children, I found myself editing preschool newsletters and writing all kinds of things for church, including a play for a major Christmas production. When my youngest child went off to school, I asked God, “OK, what do you want me to do with the rest of my life?” Having been a mom at home, I felt suddenly out of a job!

...But along came an idea for a novel … and a whole new life began. 

Why do I keep writing? 
...Because I go a little crazy if I don’t. I think writing helps me process my life. It gives my creativity an outlet. And because, frankly, it’s what I feel called to do—and what I do best!

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...My favorite book is still my first, an unpublished work I call “The Tiger’s Cage.” Why? I think because I was in the “can I really write a novel?” stage. I wasn’t worried about getting it published. I wasn’t writing with any marketing in mind. I was just expressing myself. It was fresh, and I still love it.

Your Writing 

Tell us a little bit about your book? Why did you write it?
...I met a wonderful lady, Dr. Sharon Smith, in Sunday School of all places. She was a forensic psycholinguist for the FBI. (She’s now retired.) She analyzed threats, detected deception, studied psychopaths, and did all manner of other interesting things. We have been friends now for at least 15 years, and she was very gracious to share her expertise with me.

...In “Words of Conviction,” the five-year-old daughter of a powerful senator is abducted from her bedroom. Special Agent Mackenzie Graham, a forensic psycholinguist, is assigned to the investigation team to analyze words from the kidnapper. But is her science reliable? Kenzie works with Special Agent John Crowfeather, a Navajo running from a difficult past, and Agent Scott Hansbrough as they search for the little girl.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...Because of God’s love for us, we can risk loving humans.

Writing

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...Certainly keeping up with the ever-changing world of publishing. I have an agent who does that better than I. Still, I find myself constantly off balance. I think God intends it that way.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...Clearly I want to present a good solid, logical story. I also care a lot about writing authentically about the FBI. My husband worked at the FBI Academy for over 27 years, and many of our friends are agents. But my overall mission statement is this: To spread a passion for Christ through white-knuckle fiction. If I can encourage someone to move a little closer to God through my books, my work is successful.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Persist. If God has called you to this work, keep writing. Because in the end, it’s not publication credits or awards or acclaim that matters, it’s obedience to his design for your life. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 ESV

You

What is your favorite season and why?
...I love fall. I think it’s refreshing after what in Virginia is usually a hot, humid summer. I love the colors of the trees, digging out my turtlenecks, and, after the first good frost, walking in the fields and woods with my dog without worrying about ticks. (I landed in the hospital a few years ago from a tick-borne illness called ehrlichiosis.) Fall brings lots of work as we gather, haul and stack wood, but there’s great reward just around the corner: warm, cozy nights in front of the woodstove in the frigid winter.

What is your favorite genre to read? Why do you enjoy it?
...I’ve always loved mystery suspense. Recently, I reconnected with a guy I haven’t had contact with in a long, long time. He reminded me that when I was in early elementary school, I ran around with three boys. No girly girl games for me! I wanted adventure! And that’s what I like in books.

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Linda, thank you so much for this wonderful interview today! I'm really looking forward to reading your novel (it's right up my alley!). I love how you say that writing helps you process life - I completely agree. And, I envy your connections to the FBI ;) It's difficult to write something that's entertaining and somewhat accurate without access to a little 'inside knowledge'. As for your love of fall - I am right there with you! I will be in DC for this fall and I cannot wait to experience it! Thanks again and I hope to see you back on the blog in the future!

RE:View | Talon: Combat Tracking Team by Ronie Kendig

Talon: Combat Tracking Team

I have found a new author-crush! Ronie Kendig has completely rocked my world with her latest novel, Talon: Combat Tracking Team from her A Breed Apart series. Honestly, there aren't enough good things I could say about this novel. Exhilarating action from page one. Characters that you can relate to. A plot you couldn't hope to anticipate. And a loveable dog--what more could you ask for?

Aspen Courtland want's to find her brother. They have pronounced him dead after 8 months MIA but she just knows he's still alive.

Dane Markoski, haunted by his past and a set of rules he's placed on himself, will not work with women. Aspen is out of the question.

Talon, wrought with trauma and PTSD is their only hope at finding Aspen's brother--if indeed he is alive.

Join these amazing characters as well as others from the previous novel, Trinity: Military War Dog, on an action-packed adventure into eastern Africa. You will feel the heat, smell the dirt, and wait in anticipation to discover what is going to happen!

I give this book 5 BIG stars and recommend to anyone who enjoys reading. Especially amazing suspense and heart-racing action with beautiful, believable romance. Ronie's writing is fantastic, descriptive, and so accurate that you will escape easily into this military thriller. The romance is sweet. The punches hard. The story satisfying.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.