Review: The Stars Shine Bright by Sibella Giorello

The Stars Shine Bright by Sibella Giorello

Raleigh Harmon Series: Book 5

Thomas Nelson / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads, Christianbook

About the book:

After the FBI suspends her for bending its rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is looking for a chance to redeem her career and re-start her life. 

Sent undercover to a thoroughbred horse track, Raleigh takes on a double life to find out who's fixing the races. But when horses start dying and then her own life is threatened, Raleigh realizes something bigger-and more sinister-is ruining Emerald Downs. 

Yet she's never felt more alone.

Her one contact with the FBI is Special Agent Jack Stephanson, a guy who seems to jump from antagonistic to genuine friend depending on the time of day. And she can't turn to her family for support. They're off-limits while she's undercover, and her mother isn't speaking to her anyway, having been confined to a mental hospital following a psychotic breakdown. Adding insult to her isolation, Raleigh's fiance wants them to begin their life together-now-precisely when she's been ordered not to be herself. 

With just days left before the season ends, Raleigh races to stop the killing and find out who's behind the track's trouble, all the while trying to determine if Jack is friend or foe, and whether marrying her fiance will make things better-or worse.

Raleigh is walking through the darkest night she's faced, searching for a place where the stars shine bright.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised by The Stars Shine Bright and how much I liked it. This is the first book I've read by Sibella Giorello, so I didn't know whether or not I'd like it and if my not having read the earlier "Raleigh Harmon" novels would affect my enjoyment of this book. For the most part, I don't think it did. There were a few things that I think if I would have read the earlier books I wouldn't have found as confusing, but mostly things were explained very well.

The characters were nice and I particularly liked Jack. The story was good throughout with a little suspense sprinkled throughout - more so towards the end. The Stars Shine Bright did, at times, seem a little long - I don't know how to explain this well, but sometimes it seemed like the story should be almost done, but there were still a lot of pages left. I will say, though, I don't think I was ever bored while reading this book, but it wouldn't have been hard to put down either (until the end, then it was great).

I liked how the main character, Raleigh, was working undercover - it was interesting to read and neat to see some of the things she did (especially regarding the lie detector test).

Overall, The Stars Shine Bright was a good book that I enjoyed reading. I hope there will be another book in this series because the ending didn't seem finished and I'd like to see what happens next in Raleigh's life.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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~♥~

Novelist Sibella Giorello is celebrating the release of the latest book in her praiseworthy Raleigh Harmon series by giving away a Kindle Fire! 

Find out what the reviewers are saying here!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• The entire 5-book Raleigh Harmon series.

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/25/12. The winner will be announced on 8/27/12 on Sibella's blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Sibella's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Review: Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love in Disguise Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012) by Carol Cox

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Native Arizonan Carol Cox has an abiding love for history, mystery, and romance. The author of more than 25 books, she believes in the power of story to convey spiritual truths. Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where deer and antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch.

A word from Carol:

As a native of Arizona, I have a longtime interest in the Southwest and its history. My family shares my love of the Old West, as evidenced by this photo taken back in the halcyon days before my son turned to a life of crime and started robbing trains for a living...


ABOUT THE BOOK

When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.

Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love in Disguise, go HERE.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Love in Disguise is one of those books where I'm not sure if I should give it 4 or 5 stars - so I decided to give it 4.5 stars. At times I loved the story (especially towards the end) and the whole book was entertaining/enjoyable.

I loved the characters! Ellie was probably my favorite because of how she juggled being "Jessie" and "Lavinia" - and all of her struggles made her very personable.

The mystery of who was behind the thefts was interesting and I was kinda surprised about who one of them was (not saying who). I also really liked how this novel features the Pinkerton Detective Agency - I seem to almost always enjoy novels that have them in it.... don't know why that is. =)

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Love in Disguise and am very glad I read it. Part of me is even hoping for a sequel because I did love the characters and setting.

I recommend Love in Disguise if you enjoy historical romance/mystery novels.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Review: Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

B&H Publishing Group / 2012

Amazon / Goodreads

About the book:

Amaryllis, Mississippi is a scrappy little town of strong backbone and southern hospitality. A brick-paved Main Street, a park, and a legendary ghost in the local cemetery are all part of its heritage. Everybody knows everybody in Amaryllis, and gossip wafts on the breeze. Its people are friendly, its families tight. On the surface Amaryllis seems much like the flower for which it’s named—bright and fragrant. But the Amaryllis flower is poison.

In the past three years five unsolved murders have occurred within the town. All the victims were women, and all were killed in similar fashion in their own homes. And just two nights ago—a sixth murder.

Clearly a killer lives among the good citizens of Amaryllis. And now three terrified women are sure they know who he is—someone they love. None is aware of the others’ suspicions. And each must make the heartrending choice to bring the killer down.

But each woman suspects a different man.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I'm quite familiar with Brandilyn Collins' books (I think I've read every suspense book she's published so far) and she is one of my favorite authors! Gone to Ground might just be my favorite of hers to date! I absolutely loved it!!

The way the chapters were set up was great! They were written in first person, but the POV went back-and-forth between Cherrie Mae, Tully, and Deena. Also, every once in a while, there was an excerpt from The Jackson Bugle.


Gone to Ground was a great mystery - it kept me guessing! It wasn't until the last moment that I guessed who "The Closet Killer" was and even then there were some twists left.

I can only think of one thing I didn't like in Gone to Ground - how it portrayed God talking to Cherrie Mae. Other than that, I completely loved this book and it is one of my favorite books now.

If you are looking for a great mystery novel, you should definitely try Gone to Ground. I think you'll have a hard time guessing what happens. :)

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*