Tracy Krauss's Blog (76)

God’s Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert is a must read for historical fiction fans, those interested in Viking lore and culture, or just anyone looking for an emotionally charged and gripping read. It is written from the perspective of a Viking woman named Gudrid sometime around 1000 AD when these fierce warriors were exploring the northern seas. Most of the tale is told from a first person, present…

Deanna and Josh just keep running into each other. It’s almost as if they were destined to meet. As it turns out, they are perfect for each other and a relationship begins. But Deanna is having strange nightmares, despite her idyllic new boyfriend. Another friend convinces her to undergo hypnosis to see if they can pinpoint the root of the problem.

During this process, the reader is transported into Deanna’s past life during World War Two. This was the most intriguing part of the…

Paint Me Althena is a story about second chances. Ava abandoned her family three years ago in a quest to find herself – or so she claimed. But fulfillment continues to sidestep her at every turn. Then, unlikely circumstances throw her and her estranged husband Ethan back into each others’ lives. Learning to trust again isn’t easy for either of them, especially with meddlesome in-laws, complicated new relationships, and a mountain of guilt. At times I was frustrated with the heroine’s choices…

This is the fourth and final installment in the ‘Sacred Vows’ Series by Michelle Sutton. It continues to chronicle the lives of three individuals that we’ve met earlier in the series – Hope, Tony, and Jimmy. Hope is now a widow, and perhaps this part of the story is the most ‘romantic’ of the three threads as she embarks on a new relationship. Tony, Hope’s former lover, has also found true love, but his relationship with his new wife is not always stable and they must continue to seek God to…

The Jewel Trilogy by Halle Bridgeman follows the lives of three half-sisters who rise from a traumatic childhood of poverty and abuse to be strong, independent women of faith. I really enjoyed reading this series about Robin, Maxine and Sarah. It is actually a four book set with a ‘novella’…

Daystar by Kathy Tyers definitely touches a spiritual cord, while taking the reader on a fast paced adventure to unknown galaxies. Even at a daunting 650 pages, the story maintained a great pace and was engaging throughout. There was enough pseudo-scientific mumbo jumbo (which Sci-fi writers…

DESCENDED by Dana Pratola is a romance first and speculative second, although the premise of a man who can make himself invisible due to some kind of supernatural lineage is enough to put it in that category. There is a lot of great description and enough surprises to keep it interesting. Jett, the hero, uses his gift in ways that seem a paradox at times, but are ultimately for good. Aspiring artist Haven falls in love…

I must admit, when I read the title of the book Secrets of the Six Figure Author by Tom Corson-Knowles, I was skeptical. But once I started reading I found it was a practical, easy to read books with TONS of great tips.

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Lawyer Diane Simmons is beautiful and successful on the outside, but beneath this facade are some deeply rooted issues and insecurities that stem from an abusive childhood. Single father Dave is at risk of losing his adopted son and seeks Diane’s counsel. This is not the typical shallow love story, however. There is so much depth to this one in terms of the human emotion and the character development. In typical Sutton fashion, there are some ‘touchy’ subjects that surface, (and I don’t mean…

The saga continues in The Black Rose, Book Three in the Empire In Pine Series by Naomi Musch. A serious rift comes between identical twin sisters Corianne and Jesilyn Beaumont which causes Jesilyn to run away from home in shame. But Wisconsin’s…

The Red Fury, Book Two in Naomi Musch’s Empire in Pine Series, is bursting with rich imagery. Every sight, sound and smell is vividly described as this historical story of romance and bravery unfolds.…

Roger Talbot is now a DA. He’s changed a lot since the days when he was in hot pursuit of Meri Parker in NO OTHER, Shawna Williams’ debut novel. He went from being a rich snob to a man with a conscience. Despite his privileged upbringing, he tries to distance himself from his past. He’s not that man any more. Enter Pennye Boyle Carrington. She has secrets of her own that are worth hiding, including that her brother is a…

In Celtic Cross by author Tammy Doherty, Cristeen Latham arrives at the Donovan ranch just barely alive. Suffering from multiple gun shot wounds, a broken leg and other injuries, she also suffers from temporary amnesia brought on by the trauma. She is nursed back to health by Matt Donovan and his sister Katie and gradually learns to trust again - in both God and man. Love also begins to grow, but evil forces from the past are not quite ready to let Cristeen go. This historical novel has…

Tokyo Bossa Nova, by Martin Roth, introduces Feisty Ferreira, a unique and interesting character that is sure to show up in a sequel or two. Geologist turned financial analyst, she is a divorced Christian in her thirties; originally from Brazil, educated in the States, and now living in Australia. If that isn’t enough, she’s a philanthropist of sorts and owns an orphanage in the Philippines. She’s also a bit of a sleuth,…

Darkest Hour is the fourth in the Sanctuary Point Series of murder mysteries by author Nike Chillemi. The series takes place during the post World War Two era in Sanctuary Point, a quaint New England town. In this fourth installment, Chief Medical Examiner Hank Jansen champions accused murderess, Lucinda Byrne when her boss, one of the town’s doctors, if found shot to death. There are plenty of twists and turns as the mystery unravels, and of course, love blossoms as Hank and Lucinda help…

Still Life In Shadows by Alice Wisler is a book with many layers. There is a thread of romance, but the real theme of the book is learning to forgive, learning to let go, and learning to trust yourself. The very unique thing about this book is that it is written from two very different points of view, and not those that you would expect. Gideon Miller escaped from the Amish community fifteen years ago. He has managed to carve out a life for himself as a mechanic and an…

Dance On Fire by James Garcia Jr. is definitely NOT your typical vampire tale. Nathaniel is a rogue vampire in that he actually has a good heart and does not want to hurt humans. Apparently he escaped from his creator, an evil vampire named Vincent. Vincent is now on a quest to find Nathaniel. When he finds him in a small California town, all hell breaks loose. The annual Swedish festival is about to take place, but grizzly murders begin showing up in the otherwise peaceful town. Vincent…

The Art of My Life is the second book by author Ann Lee Miller that I’ve read, and with it, she has officially been placed in my ‘favorite authors’ file. We met the main characters Aly and Cal in a previous book by Miller called Kicking Eternity, (which made my top five list for 2012). Aly is a self deprecating nymphomaniac on a path of destruction while Cal is an eccentric artist and surfer; the rogue son of a pastor. They have both grown and changed since book one, Cal through spending…

a review of the book BROTHER HALF ANGEL by Martin Roth American missionaries are in China, working at a Bible College that fronts as an English school. Their presence is not agreeable to many in the town, including an ancient martial arts sect known as the ‘Flower Boxers’. The story actually begins with a massacre of some missionaries almost a century earlier, carried out by the same sect. The grandson of one of the martyrs is now working at the school, feeling it is his mission to carry on…

Kicking Eternity by Ann Lee Miller made my top five reads for 2012. Here is my review:

Raine has been hired to teach Bible at a summer camp, but is unprepared for her attraction to bad boy Cal, or seeing Drew again, a ‘boy’ from her past who is now all grown up. The promise of some interesting developments between the three is almost immediate and I was hooked after only a few pages. The characters are varied and well developed; real people with issues that deserve an audience. It is…