Both Sides of the Border by Terry Overton Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Both Sides of the Border

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release date: March 30, 2021

Inspired by True Current Events.

Dolores, Ernesto, and Emilio Sanchez are on a quest to America to find work and to save their family, who has been devastated by their father’s accident and the drought in their home country of Honduras. But making their way to America would be too expensive for a family stricken by poverty. With only their faith in God to see them through, the teenaged siblings set off for their new home, despite the threat from the cartel, corrupt police officers, starvation, and death.

Meanwhile, Eva Jordan is determined to start a new life on the American side of the Mexican border, hoping to shake off the scars from a horrible marriage. Despite her mother’s concern for her daughter living so close to the border, Eva decides to take a vacation to the other side to sharpen up her Spanish and relax before her new job begins. She is struck by the beautiful towns of Mexico, but slowly, her eyes are opened to the dangers that are knocking at her front door.

When a hurricane washes away the border walls, will the two sides collide in hatred or unite in perfect harmony?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This novel is an interesting contrast of people enjoying a tourist adventure in Mexico and young siblings escaping Honduras for a better life in the United States. The narrative alternates between Eva, the tourist and soon to be professor in a Texas college, and Dolores, escaping to the US with her two brothers. Eva, with her advanced degree, comes across as immature and naïve when it comes to romance and life in general. Dolores, in contrast, shows maturity and courage well beyond her years.

The novel portrays well the dangers facing those traveling through Mexico to seek a better life in the US. The actions of the cartels figures large with kidnapping a constant threat. Transportation is often deadly and there is always the threat of corrupt government officials.

Overton's writing style is not sophisticated so this novel would be good for young adult readers. The tourist activities provided much information about historic places in Mexico and almost read like a travelogue. The end of the novel seemed more wishful thinking than reality with respect to government action. While I found Dolores' journey much more engaging than Eva's immature adventures, I did find the novel informative and entertaining.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children and six grandchildren. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. She recently penned her first poetry book in honor of servicemen and women. Her book “Both Sides of the Border” is a Firebird Book Award winner in the categories of Cross-Genre, Socio-Political Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. She and her husband live in the southern tip of Texas where they enjoy semi-tropical weather and spending time with their friends and family.

More from Terry

As a Christian author, my goals in writing “Both Sides of the Border,” were to have the reader question their own understanding of the people and events of U.S.-Mexico border, analyze these world events through a Christian worldview, and enjoy the plot’s twists and turns. During their travels, the main characters of the story display different levels of their own faith. In the end, both women have increased their faith and understanding of God.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 14

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 15

Texas Book-aholic, January 16

For Him and My Family, January 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 18

Inklings and notions, January 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 20

deb's Book Review, January 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 22 (Spotlight)

Through the Fire Blogs, January 22 (Author Interview)

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 24

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, January 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 26

Blossoms and Blessings, January 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/17c59/both-sides-of-the-border-celebration-tour-giveaway

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.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Count to Three by T R Ragan

About the Book:

For a private investigator on the trail of a missing girl, every second counts in a gripping thriller by New York Times bestselling author T.R. Ragan.

On her first day of kindergarten, five-year-old Tinsley disappeared without a trace…

Five agonizing years later, her divorced mother, Dani Callahan, is a private investigator. She and Quinn Sullivan, a promising young assistant determined to prove herself, are devoted to helping others find missing loved ones. And for Dani, finding Tinsley is still a never-ending obsession.

Their newest case is Ali Cross, a teenager who vanished off a Sacramento street while walking home. A troubled boy’s eyewitness testimony to Ali’s abduction provides their only clues. And as their search for Ali gets underway, new information about Tinsley’s disappearance begins to surface too.

As their investigations lead down two twisting paths, disturbing secrets are revealed and new victims find themselves in mortal danger. Time is running out, and the hunt is only getting grimmer.

My Review:

This is an intense novel of psychological suspense. It is a nail biting thriller. It is a well written page turner. Ragan has created believable characters in Dani and Quinn. They are both compelled to find missing people because of their own experiences. I liked them and their tenacious work in solving crimes.

Ragan has also done a good job creating a villain. He is truly evil but we do get some insight into why he has become the crazed person he is. Like with Dani and Quinn, Ragan has done a good job of developing the human experience behind the behavior.

The descriptions of the torture the villain inflicts on Ali may be too intense for gentle souls. While I found the narrative compelling, it was also quite gruesome. This novel is definitely not a cozy mystery. Readers with a potential sensitivity to female abduction and mistreatment might want to approach this novel with caution.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

T.R. Ragan (Theresa Ragan) is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her exciting Lizzy Gardner series: Abducted, Dead Weight, A Dark Mind, Obsessed, Almost Dead, and Evil Never Dies, has received tremendous praise. In August 2015 Evil Never Dies hit #7 on the Wall Street Journal Bestselling List. Since publishing in 2011, she has sold over three million books and has been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, the L.A. Times, PC Magazine, Huffington Post, and Publishers Weekly.

Theresa grew up in a family of five girls in Lafayette, California. An avid traveler, her wanderings have carried her to Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, China, Thailand, and Nepal, where she narrowly survived being chased by a killer elephant. Before devoting herself to writing fiction, she worked as a legal secretary for a large corporation. Theresa and her husband Joe have four children and live in Sacramento, California. 

Thomas and Mercer, 283 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Seven-Day Resurrection by Chevron Ross

About the Book:

Seven years after his mother’s death, Len Holder awakens one morning to find her alive again. Impossible as it seems, Len must relive a strained relationship dating back to his father’s loss in World War II.

At seventy-eight, Len considers himself a failure. In his youth he was a struggling writer who settled for a series of office jobs to pay the bills. While his brother Joey became a famous sportscaster, Len took care of their aging mother. By day he works as a claims adjuster. At night he lives alone in his mother’s house, tinkering with a novel he can’t seem to finish.

Seven days pass as Mom resumes tormenting Len with old grievances. Meanwhile, other mysteries pile up. Len keeps hearing fragments of Joey’s radio show in his childhood bedroom. His sister reports disturbing phone calls from Mom. Strangers he meets look like people from his past. Other strangers have taken over his insurance office.

Then Len gets word that his beloved boss Miranda has been gravely injured in a traffic accident. Eventually, Miranda’s fate and a shocking secret from the past reveal that Sharon Holder’s resurrection is not what it seems to be.

The Seven-Day Resurrection is an intimate parable for senior citizens, and for any reader who has been thrust into the role of caregiver.

My Review:

I found this novel to be an intriguing one although I thought it was somewhat puzzling until the very end. The basic plot line is interesting. A person back from the dead. One can imagine the opportunity it would offer to heal fractured relationships, right wrongs, make good on promises, etc. There was a little of that but I was surprised there was not more. Much of the narrative was reminiscing. I could see thinking back to mother/child experiences but I did not see the point of going through Len's troubled experiences with potential girlfriends.

There is also another plot within the major plot in that Len is a writer and we get to read sections of the novel he is writing. It was hard for me to keep the two plots in a cohesive relationship. Also, there is a great deal of going back in time to a scene or two and then back to current day, jumping around time wise.

The time structure was confusing. Some knew the mother had died and were shocked to see her alive again. Others acted as if seeing her was normal. A newspaper obituary said she died in 2020 but a tombstone said 2013. Len heard sports broadcasts from years ago even though a cell phone registered a current date. I felt as confused as Len must have felt.

It's a bit difficult to describe this novel. It is part magical realism, part fantasy, part a spiritual journey and part alternate history. The final scene does tie it all together and allow the reader to make sense of everything. The author is certainly imaginative and a clever writer. Having read this novel, I think there is great potential for future ones being created with spiritual insight and encouragement.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author:

Chevron Ross is a pseudonym for someone unimportant. He is not a writer, but God keeps putting ideas into his head that somehow turn into stories. If you like them, be sure to offer God a prayer of thanks.

Independently published, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Book Sirens. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was from the author's website.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Now That I know You by Olivia Newport Blog Tour

About the Book

Book: Now That I Know You

Author: Olivia Newport

Genre: Split-Time Contemporary/Historical

Release date: Fall, 2021

Cate Butler is the distant cousin genealogist Jillian was so certain she wanted to find—and the only connection she has to her deceased mother’s Parisi family tree. So why does she wish Cate would stop pestering her? And why can’t Jillian find a paper trail proving Cate is who she says she is?

Cate wants something for her own career that Jillian can’t give, but she also holds the key to family history Jillian can’t bring herself to walk away from. Nolan, Jillian’s father, steps in when Cate’s chronic career chaos requires legal rescue. Drew, the man who holds Jillian’s heart, has a surprising past with Cate. The truths Jillian, Cate, and Drew find while untangling these knotted threads tie them back together in remarkable ways none of them ever would have imagined.

Now That I Know You is Book 5 in the Tree of Life series, exploring and celebrating unforgettable family stories in Canyon Mines, the mountain town that invites you back again and again.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

I do like Newport's writing style. There is just something about how she tells a story that I like. Much of the narrative consists of day to day activities with a little excitement thrown in here and there. There are no life and death situations. Nevertheless, the novel is a pleasant account of learning about distant cousins and the discovery of their participation in major historical events.

The narrative is mostly contemporary with Jillian finding out about Italian relatives on her mother's side. Interspersed in the contemporary narrative are accounts of Jillian's ancestors and their experiences with the Ludlow Massacre. The Colorado Coal Field Strike of 1914 was an example of miners trying to obtain better working conditions. The Colorado National Guard and the mining company guards killed many.

Newport has included some relationship issues in the novel as well. One deals with family expectations and the tension that results when one may not want to follow in the family business. Another issue is a kind of corporate espionage. And then there is the most delightful relationship issue, that between Jillian and Drew.

This is a good novel for readers who like a good one about relationships with some good information about a deadly time in Colorado's history.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

I have read all of the novels in the Tree of Life series and you can read my reviews of them in the order they were released: The Inn at Hidden Run, In The Cradle Lies, When I Meet You, and What You Said to Me. 

 

About the Author

Olivia Newport’s novels blend the truth of how our pasts carry us into where we find ourselves now. Curiosity about history seems to creep into everything she does. Her books include Amish, historical, and contemporary stories that span the centuries from before the Revolutionary War right up to the present moment.

She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak. Visit www.olivianewport.com.

More from Olivia

I’ve wanted to write Now That I Know You for nearly 20 years—at least the historical story part of this split-time novel.

When my son was a freshman in high school, he joined the mock trial team, and my husband and I entered the league of parents who watched versions of the same competition over and over. The state bar association selects a case and provides every team with the same documents to study as the basis of preparing both prosecution and defense. Team members play roles of attorneys and witnesses.

That first year, the case was trying a particular individual in connection with his role in events that culminated in the 1914 “Ludlow Massacre,” which is featured in Now That I Know You. My son played a witness for the prosecution. My proudest moment was when one of the scoring judges—who are actual court judges—singled him out for his skill in recognizing and dodging the opposing counsel’s interrogation strategy. Somebody hold me in my chair, because you really are not supposed to jump and cheer at mock trial!

Since I heard the case several times, the history wormed its way into my heart and mind. The injustice and tragedy of the story weighed heavy, but so did the legacy of the events and their eventual impact on history that affects us even today. People often ask where book ideas come from. Sometimes they germinate inside me for a long time before the moment is ripe to put them on the page in the lives of characters who have grown around them. This is one of those stories.

—Olivia Newport

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 10

Bigreadersite, January 10

lakesidelivingsite, January 11

Daysong Reflections, January 11

All-of-kind Mom, January 11

The Write Escape, January 12

Lots of Helpers, January 12

The Sacred Line, January 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13

Betti Mace, January 14

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 14

Texas Book-aholic, January 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 16

Splashes of Joy, January 16

deb's Book Review, January 17

Through the Fire Blogs, January 17

Sodbuster Living, January 18

For Him and My Family, January 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, January 19

For the Love of Literature, January 20

The Book Club Network, January 20

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 21 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, January 21

Mary Hake, January 21

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 22

Inklings and notions, January 23

Connect in Fiction, January 23

My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

About the Book:

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high-stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before the killer catches one of them.

My Review:

This is another good romantic suspense from Eason. It starts out with a great suspenseful opening. Just when we think the action will settle down, we discover the evil villain is still very much in action. Part of the intensity of the plot is that the villain is after Penny, the heroine. She and our hero, FBI Agent Holt, have a history from previous events. Both of their back stories eventually come out but not in a timely manner. Since we get to know them well rather later in the novel, it was hard to find them engaging.

I had trouble liking Holt. He has a family situation he needs to come clean with Penny but he neglects to do so at every opportunity. An FBI Agent “frozen” by fear he might be rejected? I was also disappointed at Holt's lack of ingenuity in keeping Penny safe when it is so obvious the villain is smart and crafty in his attempts to get to her. I found it strange that a newspaper report had better ideas than the FBI. The lack of diligence on the FBI's part, letting Penny continue her helicopter work without adequate protection, led to much suspense. It's a pet peeve of mine when the villain doesn't have to work very hard to outwit law enforcement.

There is a side story involving Holt's sister. I am not sure that whole thing with the video worked out well. After all, the only fingerprints on the gun...

This new series is off to a relatively good start. The plot has plenty of suspense. It's a good novel for readers who love a great heroine and a valiant newspaper reporter and don't mind a somewhat inadequate FBI Agent.

You can watch the book trailer here.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com. Photo Credit: © Mary Denman

Revell, 336 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review. The book summary and author biography were provided by the publisher.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Buried Cold Case Secrets by Sami A Abrams Blog Tour

About the Book

Book: Buried Cold Case Secrets

Author: Sami A. Abrams

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: December 28, 2021

Recovering her missing memories…

Could be the key to solving a murder…

Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This romantic suspense got off to a bit of a rough start for me with references to a previous kidnapping and death of a friend. I thought I had missed a previous novel but I think it was just backstory not related clearly. While Melanie has returned to find the body of her murdered friend, there are other bodies for her to work on as the county forensic anthropologist and coroner.

There are some interesting issues in this novel, such as the reason one chooses a profession. Both Melanie and Jason chose their careers because of the past kidnapping and murder. Another issue deals with parents. Melanie's parents did not want their reputation sullied by talk of a daughter having been kidnapped. They wanted her to stay quiet and that proved to be quite a toll on her well being.

There were plenty of suspects although I was pretty sure of the villain early on, thanks to many clues. The romance was done well with lots of obstacles to overcome. Potential readers should know there is violence described. Though not graphic it may be hard for some to read about. All in all a good romantic suspense with a definite Christian influence.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Two-time Genesis winner Sami A. Abrams and her husband live in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She enjoys visiting her two grown children and spoiling their sweet fur babies. Most evenings, if Sami’s not watching sports, you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story.

More from Sami

What writer doesn’t grow up reading every chance they get? That would be me.

Until my thirties, I hated to read. Then someone told me about Terri Blackstock, and I decided to give her books a try. I was hooked. I guess there’s something to finding the right genre. Romantic Suspense is it for me. Of course, that makes sense. I love CSI, NCIS, and Criminal Minds. Over the years, I have expanded my taste, but there’s just something about suspense that keeps me coming back.

A little over five years ago, I decided to start checking off some of the items on my bucket list. I learned how to rock climb and got my scuba certification, among other things. When I got to the item, writing a novel, I sat down and pounded it out. Check the box; I was done. Wrong. God had other plans and placed some amazing people in my life.

One of those plans was attending MurderCon, a conference for writers where they learn from experts about, you guessed it…murder. Actually, it’s about police procedures, crime scene analysis…the list goes on and on. One of the workshops I attended was with a forensic anthropologist, and the idea for Melanie Hutton and Buried Cold Case Secrets was born.

I loved writing Melanie’s story. She’s a fighter and refuses to let anything stand in her way, including the man, Jason Cooper, who blames her for her best friend’s death. Jason holds on to the past and his hatred toward Melanie, but he soon learns that if he puts aside his assumptions and listens, he’ll discover the truth about the day his sister died. Letting go of his anger and blame is tough for Jason, but when he does, he finds the life he’s always wanted.

I hope you enjoy reading Melanie and Jason’s story as much as I did writing it.

I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my website at samiaabrams.com and sign up for my newsletter.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 8

The Avid Reader, January 8

Bigreadersite, January 8

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 9

Bizwings Blog, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

The Sacred Line, January 10

Inklings and notions, January 11

Labor Not in Vain, January 11

Betti Mace, January 11

For Him and My Family, January 12

For the Love of Literature, January 12

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 13 (Author Interview)

deb's Book Review, January 13

Lights in a Dark World, January 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 14

Elly Gilbert, January 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 15

Mary Hake, January 15

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, January 16

Kayem Reads, January 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 17 (Spotlight)

Through the Fire Blogs, January 17

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 18

Britt Reads Fiction, January 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 19

Blogging With Carol, January 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 20

Simple Harvest Reads, January 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 21

Pause for Tales, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 21

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.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)