One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

Claire Summers is a determined, independent single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is a results-oriented workaholic with no time for a social life. As the executive assistant to a local philanthropic businessman, he's used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn't asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an elderly neighbor.

As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire's will become--nor how one little girl's kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings.

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, Irene Hannon offers readers this tenderhearted story of family connections that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms often come only after the harshest winters.

My Review:
Ever wonder what makes a workaholic? Even though he's good looking and likeable, no girl has ever caught Keith Watson's eye. There's no time for romance; he's in love with his work. Truth be told, Keith has some skeletons in his closet that must be brought to light before he can trust or love a woman. His early childhood haunts him.

Have you ever considered how anyone could give up her child for adoption? Could you? In this novel, adoption is examined from many perspectives.This well-written story contains some suggestions that make sense.

I enjoyed the way Irene Hannon weaves the story of Keith. The pace is believable, and the ending is just right. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

Trapped (Private Justice Series #2) by Irene Hannon

Private Justice Series #2

A runaway teen, a desperate sister, and an intrepid PI determined to discover the truth.

When Laura Griffith's sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned private investigator James Devlin to help. Dev knows time is of the essence with runaways--just forty-eight hours can mean the difference between recovery and ruin.

But the deeper he and Laura dig, the more Dev begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl's disappearance. And in the icy winter weather, the trail is going cold...

In her latest thrilling read, queen of romantic suspense Irene Hannon outdoes herself with a fast-paced tale of fear, deception, and just the right dose of romance.

My Review:
Do you have a sibling who rubs you the wrong way? There are two sisters in this Christian fiction novel that experience a tug-of-war. What a compelling story! It contains a TON of suspense and a bit of romance.The pace is perfect--not a dip in the tension. Situations are true to life. The ending surprised me. I loved this book!

Characters are written so that the reader quickly connects. It's as if I really know them and can feel their struggles. I enjoyed reconnecting with Phoenix, Inc. private investigator Cal Burke and his bride, Moira. I admire the way this firm conducts business. This is one advantage the reader has by reading each book in a series. I look forward to reading the third in this series.

Although this novel is the second in a series, it can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

Thank you to Lanette Haskins at Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her gorgeous sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their relationship with each other, and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each learn how to forgive, how to let go, and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven, and the complicated process of finding love.

My Review:
This Christian fiction novel reveals an old secret combined with love and forgiveness.

Karen, a divorced mother of a teenager, feels frustrated as she bears all of the burdens of her life as well as those of her mother's illness. Her sister, Val, a high school drama teacher, chooses to live a good distance away and until now, has not found many opportunities to visit. However, when their mother suffers a stroke, Karen calls upon Val for help.

The two sisters struggle as they learn to work together to care for their unappreciative mother. Rehab therapy sessions, meal preparation, laundry, and other necessary errands fill their lives. Somehow, the sisters discover a comfortable respect for each other.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my copy. Available June, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Vanished by Irene Hannon

Private Justice (Book 1)

Reporter Moira Harrison is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road.

A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case.

From the very first page, readers will be hooked into this fast-paced story full of shocking secrets from fan-favorite Irene Hannon. Vanished is the exciting first book in the Private Justice series: Three justice seekers who got burned playing by the rules now have a second chance to make things right.

My Review:
Moira Harrison has an accident one rainy night when she spots a lone figure with "terrified eyes" standing in the middle of the road. Trying to avoid hitting the woman, Moira swerves and hits a tree. A man appears and promises to help her, right before she passes out. When she comes to, there is no trace of the the terrified woman or of the man. Police seem to believe she imagined the entire experience and offer no help.

Haunted by those "terrified eyes," Moira contacts private investigator Cal Burke, who works with his two partners at Phoenix, Inc. where the motto is "Justice First."

I like the character of Moira. She often quotes ancient philosophers--a trick she's learned from her father. Cal, a widower, feels a guilt over the death of his young wife. He's not ready to date, but Moira catches his eye from the first look. Even though the romance between Cal and Moira develops slowly, the mystery is the main focus of the plot.

The villain is revealed at a pace that holds the reader's attention. In the end, it all makes sense. I give this one a thumbs up and look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at The Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

Available January, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

Guardians of Justice (Book 3)

The police say her father's death was suicide. But Kelly Warren says it was murder--and she has new evidence that she believes proves it. Detective Cole Taylor doesn't put much credence in her claim, and nothing in his case review suggests foul play. But when Kelly ends up in the emergency room with a suspicious life-threatening medical condition, the incident strikes him as more than just coincidence. Digging deeper, he discovers she's linked to a long-ago crime. Is history repeating itself? Who wants Kelly silenced?

With her trademark high-intensity action and taut suspense, Irene Hannon closes out her Guardians of Justice series with a story of old grudges and budding romance that is sure to increase her substantial fan base.

My Review:
What a compelling read! Irene Hannon knows how people think, and she gets inside the heads of her characters. Early on, the reader can guess the identity of the villain. However, this only adds to the suspense as his twisted thought process is brought to light. The plot moves along at just the right pace.

The story contains romance aplenty. Although sexual tension is felt, Kelly and Cole demonstrate admirable constraint.

Sentence fragments bother me, but perhaps only me. The book is definitely worth your time, and I recommend it.

Although this novel is the third in a series, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

Available August, 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward Liz haven't warmed in the five years since she lost her husband--and Jake's best friend--to possible suicide. How can Jake be expected to care for the coldhearted workaholic who drove his friend to despair?

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, his feelings slowly start to change. When it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life--and his heart--are in mortal danger.

Full of the suspense and romance Irene Hannon's fans have come to love, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep readers turning the pages late into the night.

My Review:
Irene Hannon sure can write a compelling story! Her research impresses me, and her characters are quite believable. From cover to cover, this story demanded my full attention; I could not allow any interruptions.

I have one complaint, however; the author writes in sentence fragments, which throws off this retired English teacher. I guess it's her style, but I prefer complete sentences.

Nevertheless, this is a book worth reading, and I recommend it heartily.

Thank you to Donna Hausler of Baker Publishing Group for my copy. This is one Christian fiction that I think most readers will enjoy.

Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

In Harm’s Way by Irene Hannon

FBI special agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau, but Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis--until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found, and tells him she thinks something is wrong because of a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it.

Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections--and puts Rachel's life on the line. Filled with palpable suspense and a touch of romance, This is the final installment of the thrilling HEROES OF QUANTICO series.

My Review:
Ever have a funny feeling that something's not quite right? The protagonist, Rachel does not believe in psychics, but she just KNOWS that the doll she finds is connected to wrongdoing. I made a quick connection to the protagonist, Rachel; she thinks the same way I do. As her life is revealed, I found other similarities to her, but I cannot reveal those as I'd give away your opportunity to be surprised.

I loved this book! It's one of those suspense novels that twists and turns such that the reader cannot guess what will happen next.

Thank you to Donna Hausler of Baker Publishing Group for my copy. This is one Christian fiction that I think most readers will enjoy.

If you'd like to read an excerpt, click here.

An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon

Heroes of Quantico Series #2

After he accidentally shoots a teenager at a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press starts to settle. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico to resume his work on the HRT, Mark has a chance encounter with an old flame, Emily Lawson.

But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he tries to strike again. But what is his motive--and who was his intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe, and rekindle a long-dead relationship at the same time?

Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review:
This novel is the perfect balance between romance and suspense. Either an FBI agent or a psychologist is the target of a shooter, and there seems to be no clues to determine which one is the intended victim. Complicating the mystery is the chemistry between the two potential victims who have "history."

I did not want to put this book down; it held my attention until the very end with its super plot. The characters are written such that I felt as if I knew them and could feel their struggles. The situations were true to life. I loved this book. It's the second in this series, but can be read and enjoyed on its own.

Against All Odds (Heroes of Quantico Series, Book 1) by Irene Hannon

Her life is in danger--and so is his heart. For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, beautiful but determined Monica Callahan isn't making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father--who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East--she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States. That is, until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real--and escalating.

As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, the threat against Monica is rising. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever breached the walls around his heart are dropping. After all, terrorists aren't known for their patience--or their mercy.

My Review:
Do you know of anyone who has trouble relating to a family member? Most of us have or have had problems in this area. Monica, one of the characters in this tale, won't even take her father's phone calls! Communication and the lack of it is one of the themes in this suspense-driven novel. As Monica says, "As important as it is for people to talk the walk, it's just as important to learn to listen with the heart as well as the ears." Sometimes people communicate by doing, rather than by talking.

Another theme is forgiveness, and the damage involved when a person refuses to forgive. Another character states, "Forgiveness is hard, honey. But it's what God calls us to. Besides, as some wise person once said, holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It hurts you a lot more than it hurts them."

I can't say much about the compelling plot because I don't want to ruin it for you. Romance, terrorism, Middle East, Afghanistan, FBI, kidnapping, hostage rescue team, diplomat, murder, relationships, women in distress, safe house, and bombs are all included in this Christian Fiction. This will keep any reader's attention.

I do not agree with the theology that has one person asking God for forgiveness for someone else. Other than that, it is an exciting book to read.

If you'd like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you'd like to buy a copy, click here.