Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Counter Point Blog Tour and Giveaway


About the Book


Book: Counter Point
Author: Marji Laine
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 2016

Someone is determined to finish the final assignment of a murdered hitman.

Her father’s gone. Her diner’s closing. Her car’s in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose.

Except her life. And a madman’s bent on taking that away. Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart.

Keeping Cat safe from a fallen cartel leader might prove impossible for Ray, but after seeing his mission destroyed and several godly people killed, he knows better than to ignore the man’s threats. Cat’s resistance to his protection and the stirring of his long-denied feelings for her complicate his intentions, placing them both in a fight for their lives.

How can a small-town girl survive when ultimate power wants her dead? 


Click here to get your copy.


My Review

I mostly enjoyed this Christian romantic suspense novel. I did have trouble liking Cat. In the face of being in grave danger, she made some strange decisions. She seemed immature and very stubborn. Ray was an interesting character in that he braved being in a dangerous place to do mission work yet could not articulate how he felt to those close to him. And I never understood the two percent deal on the diner and why Cat's dad would have made such an arrangement. It was a voluntary adjustment to the initial contract that hurt Cat terribly. While it made for a good subplot, it just didn't make sense to me that her dad would do that.

I think the strength of the novel is in the discussion of what it means to be in mission for God. Is it only going to a very dangerous foreign place to spread the gospel or can it include feeding the hungry homeless nearby?

There is quite a bit of suspense in the novel. There is also a very good Christian message included as the characters discuss issues. The author's writing style is one that kept my interest. Overall I enjoyed the novel and look forward to the next in the series.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author


Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling, but with her publishing business, her various volunteer activities, and her large family, she will likely never live a life of leisure. When she does find spare time, she enjoys watching sports and Hallmark movies and mysteries, loves having game night with her family and friends, and enjoys talking “shop” with other authors. You can usually find her in her favorite recliner, plucking away at her keyboard with her rescue fur-babies at her feet or at www.MarjiLaine.com.

More from Marji


COUNTER POINT takes place in a small town in East Texas. A family-owned diner provides the backdrop for many of the scenes. The owner, Cat McPherson, makes a point of smiling and chatting with everyone who stops by. Even the superior and difficult Mrs. Heath—of the Heath’s Point Heath’s, make no mistake. Mrs. Heath might think she’s all that, but she is still dependent on Cat’s diner for a slice of her favorite Magnolia Pie. Have you ever had a piece of this custard paradise? Smooth, creamy, and with the minutest crisp of a glazed caramel on top of it. I can practically taste one now. This favorite of mine had to go into my book. I first tasted a Magnolia Pie (my adopted grandmother called it Buttermilk Pie because Magnolia Pie sounded too southern and she was from New Jersey) at a Christmas Eve celebration. It was my instant favorite. I’ve searched for my grandmother’s recipe through old books that she gave me and a collection that she and several others put together when I got married. Sadly, I cannot find that original recipe that she used. But I think it must have been something like the one I was thinking of when I included Magnolia Pie in my book. Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to enjoy a virtual slice of pie with you!
Magnolia Pie
Ingredients: 3 eggs at room temperature 1 stick of softened butter 1½ cups white sugar 3½ tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Whisk the eggs until foamy.
  3. Cream together sugar, butter, nutmeg, and flour. Add the eggs and other ingredients, beating until smooth.
  4. Pour into pie shell and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Cool completely or chill before serving.

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Marji is giving away the grand prize package of a “reading S’mores” Christmas Ornament, a book light, and copies of COUNTER POINT and the first book of the Grime Fighter series, GRIME BEAT!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

1 comment:

Julie Waldron said...

I like the covers, thanks for the chance.