CFBA - Cold as Ice by M.K. Gilroy

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Cold as Ice

Sydney Lane Press

by

M.K. Gilroy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Mark won’t claim he has done it all in the world of publishing, but he has packed boxes, edited manuscripts, made sales calls, created marketing plans, directed design and illustration, started companies, consulted, agented the works of others, and written advertising and catalog copy. He’s authored, compiled, and ghost written books that have landed on an array of bestsellers lists and sold millions of copies. His first ghost writing project, The Wal-Mart Way, was done for Don Soderquist, Sam Walton’s longtime right-hand man.

In early 2012 he put on a new hat as a fiction author. His debut novel, Cuts Like a Knife, was released in April 2012 and was met with rave reviews from USA Today, Fresh Fiction, Publishers Weekly, and other leading national reviewers. His second novel, Every Breath You Take, second in the Kristen Conner Mystery Series, released in Fall 2012 to similar acclaim. Kristen Conner returns in Cold As Ice, which releases in Fall 2014.

Gilroy has extensive writing credits. He scripted and served as creative consultant for a two-hour training video that was honored with the Award of Excellence by the International Television Association. He has compiled and written close to fifty books and penned hundreds articles and curriculum pieces for a variety of periodicals and publishers.

Gilroy and his wife Amy reside in Brentwood, Tennessee. Their six children are Lindsey, Merrick, Ashley, Caroline, Bo, and Zachary—the youngest has now headed off for college, so he and Amy are officially empty nesters.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Detective Kristen Conner is back on a new murder case. She’s still fighting with her sister—and no surprise, someone new wants to kill her!
He was a pillar in his Chicago neighborhood: popular school teacher, devoted father and husband, political activist on behalf of underprivileged children—and a master gardener who liked to plant flowers in his neighbor’s yards. What wasn’t to love about him? Who would want him dead?

When Detective Kristen Conner lands the case she knows from day one who the key suspect is. That’s simple. The person most likely to kill you is someone close that you know and love. But the wife? She was always at her husband’s side and just as passionate about his causes as he was. No way could this loving wife and mother of three be a killer. Right?
Mix in her on-again, off-again relationship with FBI Agent Austin Reynolds, a quick trip to New York City where Kristen helps her media-star sister for a new apartment—only to discover the body of a man who appears to have been executed by a professional killer on a run through Central Park—and Kristen Conner is once again swept into a world of danger, intrigue, and a confusing love life.

What she doesn’t know just might kill her.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Cold as Ice, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

It is rare that I come across a book that I don't particularly like. Unfortunately, M.K. Gilroy's book, Cold as Ice, is one of those books. While the plot line is a very suspenseful one, I had a hard time following who's head I was in.

Mr. Gilroy wrote Cold as Ice in alternating first person. In the first two chapters alone, I found myself in the head of four different people and I had a hard time trying to differentiate who's head I was in. I am not a fan of first person point of view but I don't mind reading books written that way providing it is the same person's point of view throughout. Cold as Ice, flip-flopped back and forth so much that I had to finally give up half way through and skimmed to the end so I would at least know the outcome.

I'm sure for some, this book will rank a five star rating and would highly recommend it to other readers. I can only say, if you enjoy a good suspenseful novel and don't mind reading multiple first person point of views, then Mr. Gilroy's book may just be for you. Because I skimmed part of the book and I don't like multiple first person point of view, I can't honestly rate this book as it wouldn't be fair to Mr. Gilroy or other readers.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Sydney Lane Press for my copy of Cold as Ice. I received my copy for free in order to give my honest review. 

Smiles & Blessings,

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

From Back of Book:

War is coming. Can love carry them through the rough waters that lie ahead?

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Handsome and outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. On shore, Jim encounters Mary Stirling, a childhood friend who is now an astute and beautiful Boston Navy Yard secretary.

When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is discovered, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

My Review:

I must admit that I become more and more of a fan of Sarah Sundin with each new book she releases. Her newest book, Through Deep Waters is set in the Boston Navy Yard in the Spring of 1941, prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Ms. Sundin always does extensive research and always lets her readers know in her Author's Note at the end what things are based on fact and what is fiction. With historical accuracy she takes her readers on a journey back in time when America was at odds with each other. Some wanted to help England in the war but others did not. Ms. Sundin brings the emotional stress of the time to life in this book.

I realized half way through the book that while I pictured Mary as the model on the cover, I pictured a younger Jim Caviezel as Ensign Jim Avery. These two characters made me fall in love with them at the very beginning. They were so believable and endearing the reader can't help but love them.

With the stress of the possibility of war, strange things are going on at the Boston Navy Yard which has piqued the interest of Mary Stirling a secretary at the naval yard. This mystery thread was woven throughout the unveiling of a beautiful love story.

Through Waters Deep is Ms. Sundin's first book in the "Waves of Freedom" series. I believe the second book in the series is entitled Anchor in the Storm and it is scheduled to release in the Summer of 2016. I can hardly wait! I loved this book, and to be honest, it is now my favorite book of Sarah Sundin's and the best book I have read all year.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Revel Books for my copy of Through Waters Deep, I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Heart's Home by Colleen Coble

For those of you who follow my blog, then you know I have been reading books in Colleen Coble's six book series, "Journey of the Heart". These short books are a reprint of Ms. Cobles' first two novels, Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series but alas I have reached the end. The final book in the series, A Heart's Home, is the sixth and final book in the series.

In this book, we continue to follow the story of Emmie Croftner and Lieutenant Isaac Liddle at Fort Phil Kearny in the Wyoming Territory. When things look bleak for the two, things tend to get even worse. 

This book touched my heart more than any of the other's. I was saddened at one point and happy during another. I love it when a story can stir up my emotions.

One thing I have always enjoyed about Ms. Coble's writing is her believable character's. In this series, there was actually one character I would have loved to see a little more of and that person showed up in the fifth book, A Heart's Promise. Her name was Maggie O'Donnell, a laundress, who was no more than 16 years old and had been raising her two year old sister since she was just six days old. This character captured my heart and I had hoped to see more of her in A Heart's Home but she didn't appear.

I would highly recommend the "Journey of the Heart" series to anyone who enjoys reading clean historical novels set during the settling of the old west.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson for my copy of A Heart's Home. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.


Smiles & Blessings,

Not By Sight by Kate Breslin

After I read Kate Breslin's debut novel, For Such a Time (read my review here.), I knew she was a voice I wanted to read again and again. Her newest novel, Not By Sight, is another delightful read that I found hard to put down. If you haven't read either of Ms. Breslin's work you are truly missing out.

The characters in Not By Sight captivated me from the first few pages and carried me along in their story until the very last page. I was there in England during WWI. I felt what Grace Mabry felt and wanted to help her help her country and ultimately her brother. I gasped when I saw the Tin Man's mask. I could go on and on but what I am saying here is that Ms. Breslin captures the feeling of the period. She takes simple words and turns them into a beautiful masterpiece that any artist would be proud of and might even envy. 

I enjoyed watching as Grace Mabry matured into a compassionate woman. One who finally understands the ugliness of war, I loved watching Grace and Jack's story unfold. The descriptions of the settings took my breath away and made me want to go back to that time so I could envision all that the story depicted. 

There is so much that I could say about this book, but I do not give out spoilers and so therefore all I will say is if you enjoy reading historical fiction this book is a must. You will find espionage and treason, the love of country, the love and faith in God, grace and love and hope. I can also say, it is a book that should hold your attention so strongly that you might want to set aside some time to ingest the story otherwise you might find yourself reading long into the night.

I would highly recommend Not By Sight to anyone who loves a good read. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Ms. Breslin and Bethany House Publishers for my copy of Not By Sight. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

Whenever I pick up a book by Irene Hannon I know that I will be in for a treat. Although I usually read her suspense novels. her contemporary novels are just as wonderful to read. Her newest novel, Hope Harbor, is a wonderful contemporary story set in what I believe to be the fictitious town of Hope Harbor, Oregon. 

The main characters of this wonderful novel are Tracy Campbell, a cranberry farmer during the day and an accountant at night, and Michael Hunter, the head of a charitable organization in Chicago. They both have tragedies in their past that they need to overcome but the question is can they?

Then there is Floyd the seagull, Charley the fish taco chef and Anna, the town recluse. Each character in this novel has been well crafted and plays an important part in Tracy and Michael's story.

If I had anything negative to say about this book, its that Tracy and Michael's story took too long to unfold for me, but then when I look back at the story as a whole, I realize that the only way to really allow the story to unfold was at the slow pace.

I would highly recommend Hope Harbor to anyone wanting to read a sweet story about love lost, love gained, second chances and hope.

On a 5-star scale - 4 1/2 stars!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for my copy of Hope Harbor which I received for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,