Tag: book-reviews

At Home Among Sinners

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The John Callahan Series

by Elizabeth Upton

Genre: Romantic Mystery Thriller 

  


Father Callahan is forced back into dangerous filth, corruption, and crime. Can he remain 

a celibate priest, or will he abandon the life of faith for more sensual pleasures? 

Will he stay a good man or return to the dark criminal life he once knew so well?


At Home Among Sinners

The John Callahan Series Book 1

by Elizabeth Upton

Genre: Romantic Mystery Thriller 

John Callahan is a good man with a bad past — and his past will not let him live in peace.
Against the odds, he matures from a teenage Belfast street thug and an IRA killer to a happily married man and expectant father. Then fate snatches away his wife, his unborn child—and his world—in the flash of a tragic accident for which he feels responsible. Years later, just as he begins to find peace and serenity again as a monk in a rural Irish monastery, a vindictive superior banishes the handsome young priest to a derelict parish in New York City.


Ripped away from his quiet, cloistered life, Father Callahan is plunged back into a dangerous cacophony of filth, corruption and crime. Will he remain a celibate priest or will he abandon the life of faith for more sensual pleasures? Will he remain a good man or return to the dark criminal life he once knew so well?


In this exciting, insightful novel, Elizabeth Upton puts readers inside the mind of a passionate, wounded and angry young priest as he struggles to live in a state of grace among new friends and enemies in a foreign land.

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The Web of Darkness and Light

The John Callahan Series Book 2

Demons never tire. Like the banshees of Irish legend, they cling to John Callahan and fill his heart with wails of despair.

No matter how John tries to live an exemplary life, the former IRA killer is haunted by the memories of the horrors he has suffered — and those he has inflicted in return. Not the monastic life, not the vows of the priesthood, not the move from Ireland to New York City has brought him peace.

In this second gripping novel in the series by Elizabeth Upton, John Callahan has resigned from the priesthood in the hope of living a simpler life as a professor at New York University. However, his promise to a distraught colleague — who soon turns up dead — plunges him into another mystery alongside his friend Ronald Casey, a detective with the NYPD. Who would want to kill a professor of neuroscience? What could be contained in the briefcase she has guarded, quite literally, with her life?

It begins to be clear that Dr. Shannon Grey Feather had discovered a cure for addiction and several complex brain disorders. That is a medical breakthrough worth millions — and one worth killing over. Once again confronted by murder’s cruelty and life’s injustices, Callahan must find a killer while coming to terms with his criminal past. He longs for true peace and genuine love, but before he can hope for a bright future, he must revisit his dark past — where the looming demons dwell.


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Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge

The John Callahan Series Book 3


How much does family matter? And what if there are unknown details about them?

John Callahan visits his beloved grandmother, Annabelle, at her 500-acre estate in Ireland. The peaceful countryside is beautiful, with lush hills that overlook the coastline, so different from Callahan’s home in New York City. After Annabelle dies, Callahan discovers that she’s left everything to him. However, there are some challenges with the staff, where secrets abound, including murder and heightened security on the estate that can’t seem to control the chaos that is happening.

Callahan is perplexed, wanting to solve the murder, understand the workings of the estate, and also longing for a relationship that would create a happy home. He meets Sara, the woman in charge of the horses at the estate, and longs to be with her. Throughout the busy days of work, travel, and wondering if he’s in love, John remembers Annabelle’s words. “Whenever you need my help, rub this precious jewel for consolation, wisdom, and protection. Call me when needed, dearest Johnnie, and I shall come to you.”

Learn how Callahan meets the challenges of revenge, murder, and love to discover the true meaning of friends and family.


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Elizabeth Upton is a best-selling author and influential writer of gripping romantic thrillers and inspiring self-help motivational nonfiction books.

Her best-selling books, ‘Secrets of a Nun: My Own Story,’ ‘The Silver Woman of Fire’ and ‘The Healing Swords of Love and Innocence’ helped set her firmly within the world’s literary map. With many novels to her credit, like her newest fiction book, released in June 2022, titled ‘Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge,’ a gripping romantic thriller, and her new nonfiction release in Feb. 2024, titled ‘You Are a Sovereign Woman of Strength, Love, and Grace: Embrace Your Journey.’

The Author’s favorite book she enjoyed writing was ‘The Shaman and The Mafia,’ as she shares, “The creation of this story has been an exciting journey. I would love to meet all of the characters in this book in real life.” Elizabeth’s nonfiction books and novels are available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle and are featured on fine literary book sites and magazines.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA., until the age of sixteen, when she entered a New York State Convent and became a nun for twenty years, but she yearned for a more authentic spiritual life. Elizabeth left the convent and chose to attend and receive her B.A. from Syracuse University.

Returning to her native state of California, she attended and received her M.A. in psychology from Chapman University. The Author began working for over thirty years in family counseling as a social worker and probation officer working with troubled teens and abused children. She is a speaker, spiritual mentor, and advisor.

Elizabeth is happily married and enjoys writing books for her reader fans around the world. When the Author is not writing, she works out with a personal trainer to stay fit and healthy; she loves long walks on the beach with her husband and dog. She enjoys reading good books by some of her favorite authors like Geraldine Brooks, Hanh, Jerry Archer, Joseph Murphy, and Michael Connelly.

Elizabeth and her husband reside outside the area of Santa Barbara, California.


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The Broken Circle

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Beyond Cedar Cove Book 2

by Cynthia Ulmer

Genre: Christian Drama Fiction

  


 In her new book series “Beyond Cedar Cove,” Cynthia Ulmer brings readers back to the Jansan family and continues the family saga as she tells a moving story about hope, resilience, and the bonds that unite a community in times of crisis.  


The Broken Circle

Beyond Cedar Cove Book 2

by Cynthia Ulmer

Genre: Christian Drama Fiction

In “The Broken Circle, Beyond Cedar Cove,” Cynthia Ulmer tells a moving story about hope, resilience, and the bonds that unite a community in times of crisis.

In this second part of the series, we find the tranquil town of Cedar Cove on the brink of chaos; the local Baptist Church, a cornerstone of the community, is thrown into turmoil when its pastor, Joe Marley, crashes his car into the Jansans’ feed store. James Jansan, the respectable head deacon, must find a substitute preacher to take over while the community grapples with various issues that threaten to unravel its tight-knit fabric.

Meg Kerwood, known for her abusive and neglectful behavior toward her six-year-old daughter, wants to have a baby boy. She believes that unwavering faith and divine intervention will answer her prayers. But her journey toward motherhood takes an unexpected turn, leading her down a path of heartache and turmoil. Adding to the chaos, someone from Grandma Cal’s past resurfaces, bringing secrets and complications that test the town’s unity.

As the truth comes to light, Meg’s life takes a frightening turn, leaving her shattered and on the brink of disaster. Will Cedar Cove find the strength to overcome the challenges that threaten to tear them apart, or will they succumb to the weight of their secrets?

In this captivating novel, join us on a breathtaking journey filled with compassion, redemption, and the power of faith.


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Underneath the Honeysuckle Vine

Beyond Cedar Cove Book 1


 It began underneath the honeysuckle vine. Meg Evans came from a privileged background. She thought she was better than most around her. She had beauty, money, and prestige. She lived in a fantasy world, ignoring the mistakes she made. When it all crashed and crumbled, she blamed her illegitimate daughter Carin for her misfortune. What will happen as she lies, cheats, and steals to return to the life she believes she deserves? Will her daughter Carin survive the abuse? Will Meg change? Will a return visit to the honeysuckle vine help?


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 Award medal recipient and acclaimed writer Cynthia Ulmer was born in Newport News, Virginia, and raised in Leland, North Carolina. Her wholesome ‘Southern Family Fictional’ book series, The Cedar Cove Chronicles, is an award-winning series of books. 

It is a Christian-themed realistic drama series that follows the Jansan family and their friends and neighbors in the fictional community of Cedar Cove, North Carolina, during the 1940s and 1950s. Books one and four of “The Cedar Cove Chronicles” have won medals from the ‘Wishing Shelf Indie Book Awards’ and several have received several 5-star book reviews from Readers Favorite.

Now ready to bring readers to the present, she has released a new book series called Beyond Cedar Cove. Book one, Underneath The Honeysuckle Vine, was released in 2021, and book two, Broken Circle, is set to release soon. Her titles are available on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and many other online bookstores and literary publications. 

Cynthia shares, “Some people grapple with their life’s purpose, while others are born knowing it. At an early age, I knew I would be a writer–as the narratives were always alive in my mind.” The author’s characters are so rich and relatable that readers will feel an intimate connection with them and eagerly anticipate the next chapter in their lives. The author hopes her books resonate with readers, stirring their hearts and inspiring them to foster deeper faith-filled connections with the Lord.

When Cynthia isn’t writing, she finds joy in cooking, crocheting, immersing herself in music, and delving into the works of her favorite authors, Catherine Hyde Ryan, Lucinda Berry, and Wiley Cash. Above all, she treasures the time spent with her extensive family, particularly her grandchildren. Cynthia and her husband continue to call North Carolina home.


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25 Years To Life

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The Hopeless Romantics Book 1

by CJ Ives Lopez

Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance 

 


Love through the Ages: Every Generation has its Story 

25 Years To Life

The Hopeless Romantics Book 1

by CJ Ives Lopez

Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance 

In a heartfelt journey through small-town Iowa, a forbidden love challenges destiny, unveiling secrets that could alter the course of many lives.

The emotional, family drama romance “25 Years to Life” captures the essence of forbidden love and the relentless pursuit of truth. Shelly and Esteban, torn apart by societal norms and personal sacrifices, leave behind a legacy of mysteries and unspoken promises that threaten the fabric of their family.

The story unfolds in the lush fields of Iowa, where Shelly and Esteban’s love blossoms against all odds. Their deep and undeniable connection faces the ultimate test when external forces and cultural divides pull them into separate worlds. As the years pass, the silence around their separation grows heavier, casting long shadows over their loved ones.

Without revealing the identity of their offspring or the intricacies of their hidden past, the narrative weaves through the challenges and emotional scars left in the wake of their unresolved romance. The ripple effects of their love story set the stage for a powerful tale of discovery, identity, and the enduring strength of love.

“25 Years to Life” is a poignant exploration of love’s complexity, the weight of secrets, and the healing power of truth. This novel invites readers into a world where past and present collide, offering a lens into the hearts of those bound by love and separated by circumstances. For fans of deeply emotional narratives and stories of love against all odds, this book promises a journey of heartache, redemption, and the infinite possibilities that come with uncovering the truth.


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CJ Ives Lopez, a proud 20-year Air Force veteran, originally hails from Festus, Missouri, before relocating to Indianapolis, Indiana. After her distinguished military service, she founded The Authors Porch, leading the organization for four years before refocusing on her writing. As a best-selling, multiple award-winning author in various genres, including heartwarming children’s stories under her Pen name Auntie Nann, CJ’s literary journey is a testament to the transformative power of pursuing dreams. Explore CJ’s captivating literary world and inspiring journey as she dives into diverse worlds with multiple pen names. at www.cjiveslopez.com.


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The Root of All Evil

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A Clara and Iris Mystery Book 3

by Kim Carter

Genre: Mystery, Thriller 

 


Check out the cover and preorder the newest Clara and Iris Mystery!

The Root of All Evil

A Clara and Iris Mystery Book 3

by Kim Carter

Genre: Mystery, Thriller 

Private Investigators, Clara Samples and Iris Hadley, are at it again. The two widows are celebrating a successful first year of business when Pritchard Pitts of the Atlanta Police Department swings by with an unusual case. One that’s already been solved.

But family members of both the victims and the offenders have doubts the jury got it right. It’ll be up to the PIs and their trusted team to prove that the two men incarcerated for the double murder are indeed innocent.

As they delve deeper into the grisly crime, nothing is as it seems. From Iris working undercover as a waitress, to Clara scouring out-of-state pawn shops, the duo soon discovers more questions than answers. Are the men locked away in one of Georgia’s most secure prisons guilty or innocent? And will the fearless private investigators and their team survive long enough to get the answer?


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Author, Kim Carter is a writer of contemporary mystery, suspense, and thriller novels.

She was a finalist for the 2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award and a recipient of the 2017 TCK Publishers’ Readers’ Choice Award for her book Murder Among The Tombstones. This is the first book in her Clara and Iris Mystery series. The characters in this series are a couple of overly curious widows who become private investigators. These funny women were inspired by Kim’s mother and her mom’s best friend.

Kim’s writing career started after she suffered an illness that made her housebound for a couple of years. An avid reader of mystery novels herself, she embarked on writing as a means of filling her time. She began to share those early writings with friends and family who encouraged her to pursue writing professionally. Her health struggles and successes have been chronicled on The Lifetime Television in early 2000, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Women’s Day Magazine, and Guidepost.

Prior to her illness, Kim worked in many different capacities in county government as her “Day Job,” but ultimately, it was her job as a correctional officer that provided her the opportunities to talk and interact with a diverse group of people. Her experiences ran the gamete of inspiring success stories to tragic endings, much like her mysteries.

She self-published her first book No Second Chances. One of the guest speakers at the launch party she had at the Performing Arts Center in Newnan, Georgia included her close friend retired Atlanta Police Chief Eldrin Bell. This connection would become helpful as she started doing more research for other books, this time working with a small publishing house.

Kim began networking and made connections with numerous homicide detectives, medical examiners, and prison officials. Her research has taken her many places including morgues, death row, and the occasional midnight visit to cemeteries.

Kim is a college graduate of Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She and her husband have three successful grown children and reside just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.


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Troy

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A Crown of Stones Origin Story

by C.L. Schneider

Genre: Epic Fantasy 

 

 


Can a man born a slave change his destiny with one secret mission? 

Troy

A Crown of Stones Origin Story

by C.L. Schneider

Genre: Epic Fantasy 

Born of the Shinree, an enslaved fallen race, Ian Troy is magically bound to protect the kingdom of Rella. Since childhood, he trained to be their champion in a seemingly never-ending war. Called to the battlefield a brash young man of seventeen, Troy is anxious to show off his prowess with both magic and blade. He believes his role is vital to the realms of Mirra’kelan finally knowing peace.

Only, war is nothing like he thought.

After a year of being mistrusted and shunned simply for the blood in his veins—his magic restrained by an authoritarian queen—Troy has grudgingly learned his place. He follows orders and suffers their abuse in silence because the cost of insolence is a chain around his neck.

When Queen Aylagar handpicks him for a mission deep inside enemy territory, he thinks his time has come. Fate willing, he will prove to them all: Ian Troy is more than the “witch” they believe.


*Troy is a prequel story and takes place fifteen years before The Crown of Stones Trilogy.


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Born in a small Kansas town on the Missouri river, C.L. Schneider grew up in a house of avid readers and overflowing bookshelves. Her first full-length novel took shape while she was still in high school, on a typewriter in her parent’s living room. Though Schneider has been writing all of her life, Magic-Price (the award-winning first installment in The Crown of Stones Trilogy) was her first published novel.

While her main focus is epic and urban fantasy for adults, she dabbles in all areas of speculative fiction. Her stories tend to be dark, conflict-laden tales full of magic and mystery, action and intrigue, antiheroes and villains, monsters and myths, friendship, love, loss and sacrifice—with enough twists to give you whiplash.

Learn more about C.L. Schneider, and the magical worlds she creates, at clschneiderauthor.com, where you can read reviews, excerpts, sneak peeks and teasers, subscribe to her newsletter, and join her Street Team. An active part of the online indie author community, you can connect with her on social media, or visit the News and Events page on her website for a full list of C.L. Schneider’s in-person appearances in the NY, NJ, and CT area.


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