"Trinity: Military War Dog" by Ronie Kendig

It seems rare these days to find a book that captures my attention so thoroughly that I “can’t put it down.” Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig was one of those finds.

Heath Daniels and his partner Trinity- a military war dog- have their careers ended when Heath is injured in an Afghani explosion that could have also ended his life. When the former Green Beret begins to put his life together, he finds new purpose working with Trinity and other retired service dogs in a non-profit company called A Breed Apart.

It is during one of his engagements with A Breed Apart that he meets Darci Kintz. This engagement provides one last mission for Heath and Trinity, one that risks everyone’s lives.

Ronie makes it clear through the detail of her story that she is knowledgeable with military life and paints accurate scenes from that knowledge. This book kept me distracted from my responsibilities as I couldn’t wait to see what happens with Heath, Darci and Trinity. Trinity: Military War Dog has me eager to read other books written by Ronie Kendig, including the rest of the “A Breed Apart" series.

Welcome to Goodreads!

So I've taken the plunge. I tried to avoid it. You know how it is- social media can just suck you in- the ultimate waste of time. Today, though, I succumbed- I registered for Goodreads. I mean, how bad can it be? Social media mixed with one of my favorite things- reading. I foresee myself spending TONS of time on this site.

How about you? Are you on Goodreads? What is some of your favorite things about the site?

"Beloved" by Robin Lee Hatcher

Robin Lee Hatcher’s “Beloved” is a fictional story about Diana Applegate, a young woman who can’t seem to catch a break. This streak continues at her engagement party when her formerly presumed dead husband walks through the door! Her life takes a shift when he begs her to stand by him as he runs for Senate, but Diana isn’t quite sure since he wasn’t the model husband before his alleged “death.”

This story was enjoyable enough. The plot was good, and the characters were fun. It was nice to see Tyson Applegate’s change in priorities as the story evolves aided by flashbacks giving the reader a consuming picture of the evolution of his character. It was a good story, but it didn’t have a spark that had me eagerly trying to finish it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"A Matter of Trust" by Lis Wiehl and April Henry

Oh. My. Goodness. I loved this book. Very rarely do I read something that has me reading without breaks, but “A Matter of Trust” was a book I couldn’t put down.

Lis Wiehl pairs up with April Henry to craft the first story (hopefully of many) about Mia Quinn. Mia is returning to work as a prosecutor for King County when she catches a big case quickly. While talking to her best friend on the phone, her friend is shot, and so begins her entrance back into the work field. She takes on her friend’s case while simultaneously working a case of a bullied teenager. She works closely with homicide detective Charlie Carlson who, despite his trying hard not to care, seems jealous of Eli Hall- the new public defender in town- and his apparent crush on Lis.

This book is well crafted since Lis Wiehl bases her novels on real life cases; it’s also relevant with today’s social issues including gun rights and cyberbullying. It’s sounds cliché, but I can’t wait until the next book about Mia Quinn is released!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"The Survivor" by DiAnn Mills

“The Survivor” is DiAnn Mills’ second book about Kariss Walker, the first being “The Chase.” In this second installment, Kariss has agreed to write the story of Dr. Amy Garrett, a woman who survived a horrid attack as a child. What Kariss doesn’t know is that she is getting herself into a heap of trouble.

Tigo Harris is an ex-boyfriend of Karris who is investigating a bombing that killed the mother and daughter of a local family. The FBI agent still has feelings for Karris, but he struggles with her view of God and her religious beliefs and her knack for getting herself into trouble.

This suspenseful novel keeps you guessing, making you determined to see “whodunit” to characters you can relate to. The drawback for me was the story was choppy in some areas. Right when you thought something was going to be elaborated on, the chapter ends abruptly. Kariss and Tigo also have a more caustic and blunt way of dealing with people, which has the potential to get aggravating.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I’m going to have to go back and read “The Chase” to fill in the pieces I have missed. I like Kariss & Tigo as a couple and hope to read more of their story in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"The Widow of Saunders Creek" by Tracey Bateman

Corrie Saunders is grieving her husband, Jarrod- a soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice. After half a year, she packs up everything she owns to move to his childhood home, desperate to feel close to him and not ready to give up on his memory yet. She may just get what she wanted- things are moving on their own due to a notable presence in the house.

Jarrod’s cousin Eli helps Corrie with the renovations of the house and warns her against the spiritual dabbling of some of his family members who might be trying to convince Corrie that Jarrod’s spirit is searching for her in the house. Corrie, who misses her husband deeply, may just believe that the spirit that lives in her house is Jarrod.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Stories filled with demonic presences can be hokey, but this wasn’t one of them. Corrie has to work through the process of grief while fighting her emotions versus her logic. On the flip side, Eli feels guilt for falling for his dead cousin’s widow. A moving story about the power of the name of Jesus.

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

"Echoes" by Robin Jones Gunn

“Echoes” is the third book in Robin Jones Gunn’s Glenbrooke series. Lauren is a vivacious young lady who has a hard time after going through a broken engagement. With the help of her family, some good friends, and an on-line pen pal, she learns to move on. What she didn’t bank on was falling for the person on the other side of the computer known only to her as K.C. They correspond for a year, but then Lauren has to make the decision- do they meet face to face? She’s faced rejection so many times, is it a good idea? Should she even be meeting someone she’s never seen- isn’t that dangerous?

I loved this book. Maybe because I’m a sap for a good romance and honest characters. Gunn does a good job of creating characters that aren’t realistic- they mess up just like real people do. The nice thing is that, although the book is part of a series, you’re able to read it without knowing the background story of the series.

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