Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble

Three Missing Days

by Colleen Coble


Synopsis:


Book Three in the gripping romantic suspense series from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

A chilling murder.

Chief of Police Jane Hardy plunges into the investigation of a house fire that claimed the life of a local woman as well as one of the firefighters. It’s clear the woman was murdered. But why? The unraveling of Jane’s personal life only makes the answers in the case more difficult to find.

Her son’s arrest.

Then Jane’s fifteen-year-old son is accused of a horrific crime, and she has to decide whether or not she can trust her ex, Reid, in the attempt to prove Will’s innocence—and whether she can trust Reid with her heart.

Her stolen memories.

Three days of Jane’s past are missing from her memory, and that’s not all that has been stolen from her. As she works to find the woman’s murderer and clear her son’s name, finding out what happened in those three days could change everything. It all started with one little lie. But the gripping truth is finally coming out.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: April 6th 2021
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0785228543 (ISBN13: 9780785228547)
Series: Pelican Harbor #3 || These books are Stand Alone Mysteries but are better if read as a series!
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook.com | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

“I know what you did.”

The muffled voice on her phone raised the hair on the back of Gail Briscoe’s head, and she swiped the perspiration from her forehead with the back of her hand. “Look, I’ve reported these calls. Don’t call me again.”

She ended the call with a hard finger punch on the screen and stepped onto her front porch. The late-May Alabama air wrapped her in a blanket of heat and humidity, and she couldn’t wait to wash it off. She should have left the light on before she went for her predawn run. The darkness pressing against her isolated home sent a shudder down her back, and she fumbled her way inside. Welcome light flooded the entry, and she locked the door and the dead bolt with a decisive click that lifted her confidence.

She stared at the number on the now-silent phone. The drugstore again. Though there weren’t many pay phones around anymore, the old soda shop and drugstore still boasted a heavy black phone installed back in the sixties. The caller always used it, and so far, no one had seen who was making the calls. The pay phone was located off an alley behind the store by a Dumpster so it was out of sight.

The guy’s accusation was getting old. Counting today, this made seven calls with the same message. Could he possibly know about the investigation? She rejected the thought before it had a chance to grow. It wasn’t public knowledge, and it would be over soon. She clenched her hands and chewed on her bottom lip. She had to be vindicated.

But who could it be, and what did he want?

Leaving a trail of sweaty yoga shorts and a tee behind her, she marched to the bathroom and turned the spray to lukewarm before she stepped into the shower. The temperature shocked her overheated skin in a pleasant way, and within moments she was cooled down. She increased the temperature a bit and let the water sluice over her hair.

As she washed, she watched several long strands of brown hair swirl down the drain as she considered the caller’s accusation. The police had promised to put a wiretap on her phone, but so far the guy hadn’t stayed on the phone long enough for a trace to work. And it was Gail’s own fault. She should have talked with him more to string out the time.

She dried off and wrapped her hair in a turban, then pulled on capris and a top. Her phone vibrated again. She snatched it up and glanced at the screen. Augusta Richards.

“I got another call, Detective. Same phone at the drugstore. Could you set up a camera there?”

“I hope I’m not calling too early, and I don’t think that’s necessary. The owner just told me that old pay phone is being removed later today. Maybe that will deter the guy. It’s the only pay phone in town. He’ll have to use something else if he calls again.”

“He could get a burner phone.”

“He might,” the detective admitted. “What did he say?”

“The same thing—‘I know what you did.’”

“Do you have any idea what it means?”

Gail flicked her gaze away to look out the window, where the first colors of the sunrise limned the trees. “Not a clue.”

“Make sure you lock your doors and windows. You’re all alone out there.”

“Already locked. Thanks, Detective.” Gail ended the call.

Ever since Nicole Pearson’s body had been found a couple of months ago, no one needed to remind Gail she lived down a dirt road with no next-door neighbors. No one wanted to buy the neighboring place after such a lurid death, so the area remained secluded other than a couple of houses about a mile away and out closer to the main road.

She stood back from the window. It was still too dark to see. Was someone out there?

Pull back the reins on your imagination. But once the shudders started, they wouldn’t stop. Her hands shaking, she left her bedroom and went to pour herself a cup of coffee with a generous splash of half-and-half from the fridge. She had a stack of lab orders to process, and she couldn’t let her nerves derail her work.

The cups rattled as she snatched one from the cupboard. The coffee sloshed over the rim when she poured it, then she took a big gulp of coffee. It burned all the way down her throat, and tears stung her eyes as she sputtered. The heat settled her though, and she checked the locks again before she headed to her home office with her coffee.

No one could see in this tiny cubicle with no window, but she rubbed the back of her neck and shivered. She’d work for an hour, then go into the lab. The familiar ranges and numbers comforted her. She sipped her coffee and began to plow through the stack of papers. Her eyes kept getting heavy. Weird. Normally she woke raring to go every morning.

Maybe she needed more coffee. She stretched out her neck and back and picked up the empty coffee cup.

Gail touched the doorknob and cried out. She stuck her first two fingers in her mouth. What on earth?

The door radiated heat. She took a step back as she tried to puzzle out what was happening, but her brain couldn’t process it at first. Then tendrils of smoke oozed from under the door in a deadly fog.

Fire. The house was on fire.

She spun back toward the desk, but there was nothing she could use to protect herself. There was no way of egress except through that door.

If she wanted to escape, she’d have to face the inferno on the other side.

She snatched a throw blanket from the chair and threw it over her head, then ran for the door before she lost her courage. When she yanked it open, a wall of flames greeted her, but she spied a pathway down the hall to her bedroom. Ducking her head, she screamed out a war cry and plowed through the flames.

In moments she was in the hall where the smoke wasn’t so thick. She pulled in a deep breath as she ran for her bedroom. She felt the cool air as soon as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. Too late she realized the window was open, and a figure stepped from the closet.

Something hard came down on her head, and darkness descended.

***

Excerpt from Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble. Copyright 2021 by Thomas Nelson. Reproduced with permission from Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:



Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series.

Connect with Colleen online at:
colleencoble.com
Goodreads
BookBub: @ColleenCoble
Instagram: @colleencoble
Twitter: @colleencoble
Facebook: @colleencoblebooks

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!



 

 

Giveaway!:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Colleen Coble and Thomas Nelson. ONE (1) winner will receive ONE (1) physical set of the first three books in the Pelican Harbor series. (U.S. addresses only). The giveaway begins on April 5, 2021 and runs through May 2, 2021. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours

 

Monday, April 26, 2021

Book Review: Encouraging Prayers for Every Need by Rebecca Currington, Et Al.

Looking for a bit of encouragement? This handy book of 500 prayers is easy to tuck into a bag or into the nightstand drawer so you have it when you're in need.

Encouraging Prayers for Every Need includes hundreds of prayers for all types of needs. Whether the need is personal challenges, professional challenges, health issues, or learning to waiting on the Lord, you will find a prayer in this book to help.

Each section starts out with a Bible verse followed by a few different types and lengths of prayers. I like that the book offered a variety so that I could choose what worked best for me. 

I look forward to using this helpful resource daily.





  • ASIN : 1683222997
  • Publisher : Barbour Books (October 1, 2017)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 9781683222996
  • ISBN-13 : 978-1683222996


I purchased a copy of this book from Christianbook.com. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Colorful Book Covers



Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

So excited to participate in this week's Top Ten Tuesday. Let's get right into some colorful book covers.





When the Butterflies Came was my second favorite book by this author. 







I still want to read The Mothers. 



This is a great book if you're looking to self-publish.






This book wasn't for me, but this is a great cover.



The Unhoneymooners is another book I want to read. 


Doesn't this sound like a fabulous collection? 

What do you think of these colorful covers? Looking forward to seeing what colorful covers you share.

Monday, April 19, 2021

Book Spotlight: Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight to Life Sight by Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson

 


Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight To Life Sight dramatically reveals one’s “sight” is the magical and wondrous blending of the physical, mental, and spiritual phenomena of enlightenment…



By Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson

Title: PHENOMENAL VISION EYESIGHT TO LIFE SIGHT
Author: Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
Pages: 116
Genre: Nonfiction

BOOK BLURB:

“I’ve spent my life helping people to see, both as a licensed optometrist and also as an ordained minister,” said author Rev. Dr. Leonidas Johnson. “Vision, what is it? I discovered that physical vision is very similar to spiritual vision and the mind is the bridge between the two.”

In Rev. Dr. Johnson’s book, readers will experience a concept called learning by comparison. Comparing physical vision with spiritual vision will help the readers see themselves and the world God created in a whole new light. Readers will see the world God created from a physical, mental, and spiritual vantage point that will enrich their lives, Rev. Dr. Johnson says. These vantage points help build a foundation for developing a decision-making strategy that is both liberating and biblically sound.

Rev. Dr. Johnson went on to say “The title of my book – – Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight To Life Sight – – came after contemplating the impact vision has on one’s life, not just physical but eternal. It leans into the concept of one’s worldview. A proper view of oneself and the world can deeply impact the outcome of one’s life. Jesus said I come that might have life and have it more abundantly. How can you see physical beauty if you are physically blind? Conversely, how can you have an abundant life if you are spiritually blind?  Vision should never be taken for granted and vision that incorporates physical, mental and spiritual vantage points is not ordinary but phenomenal and lead to a phenomenal life.”

I just read Phenomenal Vision Eyesight to Life Sight by Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson.  It is a delightful book written thoughtfully.  He linked the physical aspects of vision with the metaphysical aspects of vision in a creative way.  I share a common perspective as Rev. Dr. Johnson because I am also an Optometrist and a Christian minister.  He has captured both the physical science of vision and the metaphysical science of vision.  I am confident that there will be “aha moments” for readers who may not have a foot in either area.

This author so wonderfully explained the spiritual nature of vision.  His linking of disorders or disease to both the physical and spiritual makes it easy for the reader to “get it.”  His use of graphs, diagrams, pictures, and charts is also very creative.  Often books are “dumbed down” and don’t trust the intellect of the reader.  This book soars in bringing light to something that has often been opaque.  This book is a must-read.  It will be a blessing for those who desire to have a more in-depth understanding of the link between the physical and metaphysical aspects of life.

— Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.

 


"The human soul consists of our Emotions, Volition, and Mind...The ability to view and understand these two important factors - our emotions and a logical mind - in the decision-making process is a fundamental step in the development of phenomenal life sight vision." - page 53 

 

"In summary, our volition is the emotional and mental process by which we, as individuals, decide on and commit to a specific course of action." - page 56



Amazon → https://amzn.to/38lIKiK  



Check out my book at Goodreads!






Rev. Dr. Johnson attended Evanston Township High School. From there he went on to study at Illinois Wesleyan University.  His professional education for his Doctor of Optometry degree was completed at the Southern California College of Optometry, now known as Marshall B. Ketchum University.  Rev. Dr. Johnson received his Master’s degree at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. “I plan on leading a crusade against blindness due to age related cataracts. I’m able to do all these things because I serve a great God who does great things and He has allowed me to do great things,” commented Rev. Dr. Johnson. He has set up a foundation known as the Rev. Dr. Leonidas The Optometrist and The Miracle Eyes Foundation. See this web site for more information www.revleonidastheoptometrist.org. Due to his work demands – Dr. Johnson lives in both Chicago and Los Angeles.

Visit his website at www.revleonidastheoptometrist.org.




Sponsored By:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Apr 19

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.


 


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Here we are close to the end of a crazy April. After sunny, warm weather, we ended the week with four or so inches of snow. Welcome to spring in New England. It was still an awesome week with two accepted offers, a coming soon listing, and a listing appointment. 

On Tuesday, we will honor my father-in-law on the first anniversary of his death. Our family will be getting together, but I pray one day we will be able to spend some time with the rest of the relatives. I am still waiting on my vaccine appointment. 

On a related note, the MA House passed Bill H.3701 (160-0) to finance the construction of a new Soldiers' Home in Holyoke. This is where my father-in-law resided when he caught COVID. A total of 77 veterans died as a result of the outbreak there. We are cautiously optimistic that the bill will also pass in the MA Senate.

In my reading world, I am happy to report that I finished this book. My review will appear at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection on April 30. 


I also finished this book. I uploaded my review to Goodreads and Amazon. The review won't appear here until June 8. 



I am reading one of my new books.



I am also reading these. 




I just started this one.





These two are next.







Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

My books from Christianbook.com arrived on Thursday. Each of these cost me only 99 cents. That's why I like shopping there: they often run great sales. I also bought two bookmarks for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day and picked up ten packs of different bookmarks for my office.






That's it for me this week. I hope all is well with you and that you are getting a lot of reading accomplished.  

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Book Review: Know Your Bible by Paul Kent (ValueBooks)

 

Looking for a handy resource to complement your time in the Word? ValueBooks has compiled Know Your Bible to help you get to know your Bible better so that you get more from your time reading it. 

Author Paul Kent brings you through all 66 books of the Bible in an easy to understand way. Each book is broken down by the author; the date it was written or the time the book covers; a ten word or less explanation of the book's theme; a synopsis of the key people, events, and messages in the book; one or more key verses; unique and unusual facts, and an inspirational or devotional thought about each book.

Reading your Bible takes on greater meaning with a helpful resource such as Know Your Bible. This book opens with the following introductory paragraph: "Through sixty-six separate books, 1,189 chapters, and hundreds of thousands of words, the Bible shares one extraordinary message: God loves you." When you think about it, isn't that really the whole point of everything included in God's Word? We make it hard, but it really is so simple.

As soon as I read the introduction, I knew I would enjoy Know Your Bible. What follows is key information that puts Biblical events in historical context and an easy to understand summary of each book. The verses will probably be familiar to you, but you appreciate them all over again as you get this snapshot into every book. 

Know Your Bible will stay by my bedside so I can always have it handy when I need it. Highly recommended.

  • ASIN : 1602600155
  • Publisher : Value Books; 9065th edition (February 1, 2008)
  • Language : English
  • Mass Market Paperback : 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 9781602600157
  • ISBN-13 : 978-1602600157

I purchased a copy of this book from Christianbook.com. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Book Titles That Sound Like They Could Be Crayola Crayon Colors



Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.


This is one of those weeks when the topic was too good not to participate. I ended up looking at the current colors on the Crayola website. When I found one I liked, I put the name into my search engine. 





Here are the Top Ten Book Titles That Sound Like They Could Be Mountain Meadow.






And one that actually is. :) 






What do you think of these choices? What is your favorite color? Mine happens to be red, but this is 

Monday, April 12, 2021

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Apr 12

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.


 


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


Welcome back to Monday. How was your weekend? I took a rare weekend off of real estate--well, mostly. I needed to get some things done around the house. The cleaning of the bonus room has now been started so that we can convert it into an exercise room, and the garden bed is finally in the yard. I probably should have ordered two, but I will see how this one goes first. 

I finished this cute book, perfect for Earth Day, over the weekend. You can find my review at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection



I am still reading these two. 


I also started this one. 



These are the next few that I need to read. 













Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.


This week my physical mailbox was empty, but I just ordered some books from Christianbook.com. They have a 99 cent sale going on through tomorrow. I will share these books once they arrive. 

I found one of my favorite books on the list if you're interested.



In Beyond Me, readers will have ten chapters of thought-provoking text that helps them see clearly the distinction between their ever-increasing clash of cultures―the clash between life and death or, in other words, you and me. Written in a warm, personal, and easy-to-read-and-understand style, Beyond Me is an invitation to pursue true discipleship. In poignant, humorous, but always vulnerable and meaningful examples, readers will find current, historical, and biblically documented insights and teachings to support this call to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you have a great week.