VANISHING POINT (A Nikki Boyd Novel book #4) by Lisa Harris [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: Vanishing Point has a different "feel" to the story in that it doesn't have Nikki Boyd as the primary character. The plot involves the total career of the serial murderer that caused the death of the sister of Nikki Boyd, Sarah. This book takes the reader back to the investigation of cases prior to Sarah's and then leaps to current time when another young woman is missing.

The main characters of Vanishing Point are a local investigatory, Garrett, and Jordan an FBI agent who is called in to help with the local investigation. And coincidentally, Garret and Jordan were once an "item." They both still have feelings for the other but don't act on them, moving on.

But another case investigation brings them back together years later. Following accumulating clues in a series of murders and juggling their feelings toward each other, Garrett and Jordan encounter obstacles that test their fortitude and problem solving abilities.

Thought provoking references to the age old question of "Where is God when bad things happen?" are raised and conclusions worth considering for resolution to this issue are pointed discussions and thought processes in the story.

While written in a slow, steady pace in the early portions of the book, a rapid, nail biting suspenseful end wraps up the four book series and places the culprit squarely in the hands of officials.

About the book: During Garrett Addison's first week on the job as a criminal investigator for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, his team is called out to a murder scene of a young girl. She's the third victim in a string of disappearances with one thing in common--a Polaroid photo of each victim left behind at the crime scene.

The FBI is pulled into the case to help, and Garrett finds himself working with Special Agent Jordan Lambert, the woman he once loved. When yet another girl dies--number six--Garrett blames himself and believes he doesn't have what it takes to be an agent. What he'll discover is that, while he may be done with the killer, the killer is not done with him--or Jordan.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris unveils an unforgettable story of a case that has haunted the public and law enforcement for more than a decade. Fans of the Nikki Boyd Files will thrill to finally discover what actually happened to Nikki's sister, Sarah. New readers will become instant fans after devouring this chilling tale. Universal Buy Link for Vanishing Point: books2read.com/u/31MQDv

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 20

ENDS December 11 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Giveaway is provided by the author or publisher directly to the winner.

Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Contemporary fiction from Waterbrook Press [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  The author has written an exceptional story of multigenerational conflict, past hurts, present anger, and faith in God that heals and saves.

Did I like all the characters? No. I particularly took a dislike to Diane who is the middle person in this three generational story. The actual cause for her personality is the result of what happened in the fourth generation back.

Written with scene jumps between 1943, the present time, and anywhere in between and in varying voices, the reader had to pay close attention to who was speaking and in what period.

Ms. Sawyer added an interesting twist to this involved story of conflicting family and conflicting generations. She wove a decades old mystery into the pages resolving it at the end in what would prove mind boggling in real life.

The story is filled with faith through the thoughts and conversations of Hazel and Sean who are both very strong Christians.

And just who is "Maggie"? In action, she is a very minor character. In reality, she is the thread woven through the pages as cause and effect and joyful solution.

About the book: Decades of loss, an unsolved mystery, and a rift spanning three generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year-old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year-old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can't understand her mother's overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother's inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan---a cold case agent---cherishes her grandmother's lavish attention and affection.

When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel's painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that's been lost?

About the author: Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, best-selling author with more than one million books in print, in seven different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband, Don, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and grandchildren. Learn more at kimvogelsawyer.com.

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GIVEAWAY

Begins October 3

Ends October 19 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

Winner's copy is graciously provided via Litfuse Publicity Group, the author, and publisher.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the author and publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Our Very Own Dog: Taking Care of Your Very First Pet by Amanda McCardie illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino [Review & Giveaway US/CANADA - 2 winners]

ISBN: 9780763689483
Ages 3 - 7 Hardcover

My thoughts: This is a cute book with lively illustrations that convey the joy and excitement that comes from bringing a dog into the home and life of a child. When the little girl is four, her family brings a dog into the home. The fictional story is actually a "this is what you do" type of story where the young girl and her family go through important things to know and do in regard to having a dog in your home.

Along with the actual story (centered on the pages) there are tidbits of factual instruction in smaller print along the top, bottom and sides of the pages.

At the back of the book there is a short indexed list of key words and a short list of additional reading that might be helpful. This is probably a good book for families with young children to read through if they are interested in adopting, buying, or being given a dog of their very own. It will help in understanding the temperment and care of a dog.

I recommend for homes and libraries everywhere.

About the book: There’s nothing more exciting than getting a dog! Join Sophie’s new human family as they prepare their home for her and introduce her to life as a beloved pet. Follow along as they learn about bedding and bowls, treats and training, walks and washing—and even an unexpected dog show! Factual notes run alongside the simple story, offering tips that will help turn tentative dog adopters into doting experts.

GIVEAWAY
2 winners each receive a copy

Begins February 10

ENDS March 3 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated. Giveaway copy is provided by Candlewick and sent by them directly to the winner.

A Case of Sense by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Shennen Bersani from Arbordale Publishing [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781628558531 

Paperback $9.99

Hardcover $17.99

Reading level: Mid-Elementary

My thoughts:  While the story narrated in A Case of Sense is a folk tale in numerous cultures, primarily Asian, it is new to the American reader. In it a greedy cook decides he will cook up a way to enrich himself without cost by preparing a variety of dishes that are highly arromatic. Once he does this, he goes about the city knocking on doors and demanding payment from the people because they benefited (according to him) from smelling his food.

They rightly refused to pay him and Fu Wang takes the people to court. Young Ming has observed this and continues to observe the proceedings in court. After listening to the demands (the case) presented by Fu Wang, the judge instructs each of those being sued to remove all the coins from their pockets. He then has them shake and rattle them creating sounds.

His decision is that Fu Wang has now been compensated by the people because he has "heard" the sound of the coins in payment for the "smell" of his food. Quite an interesting concept and a good way to show that the two senses, smell and sound, have no monetary value. At the end of the book, there are several pages for educators, home schoolers, and inquisitive minds to further discover the five (not just two) senses. The story has value on multiple levels - cultural, biological, and perhaps even mathmatical and judical.

About the book: While Ming plays outside one summer day, the smell of delicious food fills the air. It is coming from greedy Fu Wang's house. What is he up to? wonders Ming. To his alarm, Fu Wang demands that all the neighbors pay him for the pleasant smells. When the neighbors refuse, the case goes to court. How will the judge rule in this unusual case and will justice be served? Can Fu Wang make money from the neighbors' sense of smell? A wise judge makes use of another sense to close the case with clever and convincing logic.

Teaching Activities Guidelines link - click here

For Creative Minds PDF - Great fun!

GIVEAWAY

Begins January 5, 2017

ENDS January 26 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher to facilitate my review for which I received no compensation. Winner's copy will by provided by and sent directly to the winner by Arbordale Publishing.