A Name Unknown by Roseanna White

About the Book:

A Name Unknown (Bethany House, July 2017)

She’s out to steal his name. Will he steal her heart instead?

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets—now they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary’s challenge of a lifetime comes when she’s assigned to determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. How does one steal a family’s history, their very name?

Rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can’t help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the crown—so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstop pretending to be a well- credentialed historian, Peter believes she’s the right person to help him dig through his family’s past.

Anger and danger continue to mount, though, and both realize they’re in a race against time to discover the truth—about Peter’s past and about the undeniable attraction kindling between them.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

 

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of over a dozen historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her British series. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to make their way into her novels . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly boring. She passes said boring life with her husband and kids in the beautiful mountains of eastern West Virginia.

Margie’s Comments:

“With the greatest risks come the greatest rewards.” This is the theme of A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White. And the heroine of the story, Rosemary Gresham, proves the truth of that statement over and over throughout the story White has brought together with wonderful storytelling skills. The characters, major and minor, are all well-developed and the story is truly unique and well-written. The book was hard for me to put down. I look forward to reading the other books in this series—Shadows over England—by Roseanna White in the future. I highly recommend this book, set in the Edwardian period of English history, leading up to the First World War.

‘A Beauty Refined’ by Tracie Peterson

About the book:
A Beauty Refined (Bethany House, July 2016)

What does it take to reveal the true beauty of a hidden gem?

Phoebe Von Bergen, the daughter of a German count, is excited to visit America for the first time while her father purchases sapphires in Helena, Montana. Little does she know, however, that her father’s intentions—both for her and the gemstones—are not what she thinks.

Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the dignified young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie—a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Meeting Ian has changed everything for Phoebe, and she begins to consider staying in America, regardless of her father’s plans. But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger that results when her family’s deception begins to unravel.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the Author:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Margie's Comments: It has been a while since I’ve read a Tracie Peterson book, and oh what a refreshing read it was! A Beauty Refined has all the qualities of good Christian historical fiction I’ve come to expect from Tracie: good characters, great setting, interesting premise, and good clean romance. Watching Phoebe and Ian’s story unfold in and around the sapphire mines of Montana early in the last century was a joy as I relaxed with A Beauty Refined over the weekend. This is definitely a book worth reading.

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

Add Victoria Bylin’s new book, Someone Like You, to the top of your must-read list and discover if life offers a second chance at love. As Julia and Zeke, former college sweethearts, work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of Zeke’s resort soon depends on their success. When they are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

Enter to win a copy of Someone Like You—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced June 1 on the Litfuse blog!

About the Book:

Someone Like You (Bethany House, May 2016)

Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate.

A brand-new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father’s less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort’s general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the Author:

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.
Find out more about Victoria at http://www.victoriabylin.com.

Margie’s Comments: It has been a long time since I’ve read a contemporary romance that I have enjoyed as thoroughly as I enjoyed reading Someone Like You. The cast of characters were all real with real-life problems and circumstances. One thing that made this book unique—at least in my recent reading—is the fact that this wasn’t just one couple’s love story. Plus through it all ran God’s overarching love for all of us. Kudos to Victoria Bylin for an excellent and thoroughly entertaining read. 

Hurry and enter the contest for your chance to win! 

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

About the book:

Beyond the Silence (Bethany House, January 2016)

The shadows over this olive grove hide more than just the truth.

Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother’s dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. Murky rumors swirl around Woodward Colton, her new employer, but the gossip doesn’t match the man Lillian comes to know.

Still, something dark did happen in the family’s past. Lillian’s seven-year-old charge hasn’t spoken in over a year. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he’ll one day feel safe enough to share what scared him. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. When the housekeeper is brutally attacked, the town once again suspects the worst. Will discovering the truth help Lillian clear the name of the man she has come to love–or will it endanger her even more?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the authors:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Kimberley Woodhouse is a multipublished author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker/teacher, she's shared her theme of Joy Through Trials with over 150,000 people at more than a thousand venues across the country. She lives, writes, and homeschools with her husband of twenty-plus years and their two awesome teens live in Colorado.

Margie’s Comments: Combining the story-telling strengths of two of my favorite Christian authors is a huge success in my reading enjoyment. Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse recently released their second book collaboration, Beyond the Silence, and brought a new and wonderful voice to the historical mystery/suspense genre. Even in the middle of all the necessary extra work of packing up and moving two states west, I found it hard to put the book down. 

I fell in love with little Jimmy Colton from the very first page. And his father’s grief at losing his beloved wife—and his reputation as a result of gossiping tongues—pulled at my heartstrings. Cheering Lillian’s spunk as she defied her grandfather and moved to California to help young Jimmy, Woody, and Mrs. Goodman was easy. I became so involved in their story, it will be a long time before I quit wondering at what the future held for them.

At times, the suspense was very intense, but it kept me ready long past when I should have been in bed. And if I hadn’t had this cross-country move going on at the same time, I would have been very tempted to read this book in one sitting. The book is well researched and brings to life the times of the California gold rush and its aftermath. So if you are a fan of historical mystery/suspense, I can highly recommend Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.

At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings

About the Book:

At Love’s Bidding (Bethany House, December 2015)

She sells priceless antiques. He sells livestock by the pound. Is he really the man to make a bid for her heart?

After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she's accidentally sold a powerful family's prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the people who could ruin them forever, they track it to the Missouri Ozarks and make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house and all its holdings before the painting can move again.

Upon crossing the country, however, Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn't deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt Ballentine, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don't know a thing about the business he's single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count---but no mysterious painting---Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QJGxOK

About the Author:

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children.

Connect with Regina: website, Twitter, Facebook

Margie’s Comments: What better way to start the New Year than with a Regina Jennings historical romance! I was first attracted to the book when I read that a good portion of the book was set in the Missouri Ozarks—where I live. The premise of the book (in the story blurb) also intrigued me. Auctions are a big deal in the Ozarks, even today, nearly 150 years after At Love’s Bidding was set. 

And I wasn’t disappointed at all. At Love’s Bidding is a fun read, full of quirky yet lovable characters and some not-so-loveable characters. We see Miranda in the first chapter as a young woman who wants to help those less fortunate than herself, shy, unsure of herself, and yet showing a “violent streak” when the underdog is threatened. And we meet Wyatt at his “worst,” but then we’re totally drawn in when we see what has provoked him. The story takes a hilarious turn when Miranda and her grandfather realize they have bought a livestock auction house. There are several laugh out loud moments when they try to make their first sale more like their elegant antiques auction house in Boston, even with their smelly wares. The romance between Wyatt and Miranda is done well, fun to follow, and comes to a satisfying conclusion.

If you’re looking for a good book to read at the beginning of a new year, you won’t be disappointed with At Love’s Bidding.

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Dauntless
Bethany House Publishers (March 3, 2015)
by
Dina L. Sleiman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:
Since selling my first book, I have also become an acquisitions editor for the company. I am a member of the Inkwell Inspirations blog, HEWN Marketing, ACFW, and a contributor to Christian Review of Books. I hold publishing credits in poetry and songwriting, and I was the writer and featured teacher in a nationally distributed instructional dance video for children. I have written several songs about the plight of the Islamic people, which have been produced in association with the Christian Broadcast Network. In addition, I have taught college and high school classes in writing and literature, as well as homeschool classes in the fine arts, and now enjoy teaching at writers conferences throughout the nation.


ABOUT THE BOOK


Where Legend and History Collide,
One Young Woman Will Fight for the Innocent

Born a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father's failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village--a group that becomes known as "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest." Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he's forced to reexamine everything he's known.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Dauntless, go HERE.


Margie's Comments: I love when an author combines legend with history, and I haven't been disappointed with Dina Sleiman's twist on the familiar Robin Hood legend. In Dauntless, the author stays true to the historical details of medieval England in both the story line and the characters. I fell in love with Merry and her "family" of orphans on the first page and cheered Timothy on in his desire to make a name for himself, not willing to stay in the shadow of his older siblings. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish, and I look forward to reading the author's next book in the Valiant Heart series. 

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Beyond All Dreams (Bethany House, January 2015)

Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they’ve ever dreamed for their futures?
Anna O’Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation’s most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation’s finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they’ve ever dreamed for their futures?
 
Learn more and purchase a copy at Elizabeth’s website.

Elizabeth Camden is the author of six books and a RITA and Christy Award winner. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida.

Margie’s Comments: Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden is one of those rare books I had trouble putting down in order to get other things done. The author has vividly brought to life the world of late-nineteenth century Washington D.C. The events of that time and how they affected not only the policy makers but also their constituents both in our nation’s capitol and in their home states is fascinating. The characters are well developed and by the end of the first chapter I had fallen in love with both Anna and Luke. As the title suggests, the dreams and aspirations of the characters peopling this story world are pursued and many are realized beyond what they expected. The romantic tension between Anna and Luke was another factor that kept me reading, just to see what would happen next. I highly recommend Beyond All Dreams.

Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin

Keepers of the Covenant

by Lynn Austin

Biblical Fiction

Baker Publishing Group

Lynn Austin once again brings the Old Testament to life in Keepers of the Covenant, book two in the Restoration Chronicles.

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple---but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges . . . this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

Find Lynn online: website, Facebook

Margie's Comments: Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin is the second book in the Restoration Chronicles. I don't usually like to read books in a series out of order. While there were some instances where I felt a little lost, wondering if I should have read the first book—Return to Me—the book can stand alone as a very good read. I've always loved the story of Esther, but I've never read about the millions of Jews who were directly affected by Haman's attempt to wipe out their nation (other than what is recorded in the book of Esther). The author's characterizations and her choice of characters made the people and this time in biblical history come alive. While there are several themes, the one that touched me most was the theme of faith in God, which includes God's faithfulness to mankind. True biblical faith believes in God and who He is as revealed in Scripture and in our life experiences no matter if we can sense Him near or if we can understand His working. It means staying true and obedient to Him even if it's the hardest thing we've ever done. Amina, a Gentile-born believer in God, summarizes faith when her husband was faced with possibly having to divorce her. He says he'll take her and go live somewhere else if the worst happened. Amina says, "I don't think faith works that way, Reuben. Before we can ask for mercy, we have to be prepared to obey the Almighty One no matter what happens. Abraham didn't know that God would provide a ram in the thicket in place of Isaac. He was willing to obey and sacrifice the son he loved no matter what." And that's exactly what faith is—trusting and obeying God, even when it doesn't make sense. God is good, no matter what. Keepers of the Covenant and the Restoration Chronicles are excellent biblical fiction that I can highly recommend to fans of this genre. 

Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Until I Found You

Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)

by

Victoria Bylin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A word from the Author:

This may sound crazy, but I was driven to write romance by giant bugs and killer rabbits. I just couldn't take it anymore. My husband and two sons would be camped in front of the television watching a movie about spiders the size of bowling balls, and I'd be wondering when the handsome scientist would get around to kissing the spunky woman with the bug spray. When it didn't happen, I decided to write my own happy endings—without the giant bugs . . .


Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin writes both western and contemporary inspirational romance. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband currently live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Finding each other was only the beginning . . .

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life.

It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome and confident, and he seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to get involved with one of the locals.

Nick is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow—no dating for a year—but keeping that vow is going to be a lot more difficult now that he's met Kate Darby. . . .


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Until I Found You, go HERE.


Margie's Comments: Review to come later.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Gathering Shadows

Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)

by

Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Nancy Mehl lives in Festus, Missouri, with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”


ABOUT THE BOOK


Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary.

Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Gathering Shadows, go HERE.


Margie's Comments: Review to come later.

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

About the book: Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul---and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master---a man her mother would never approve of---but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village . . . and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/s7Yl1

About the author: Julie Klassen loves all things Jane---Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Learn more about Julie at: http://julieklassen.com

Margie's Comments: I know when I pick up a new Julie Klassen novel, I'm in for a great read. The Dancing Master doesn't disappoint. The characters, especially Alec and Julia, are so real, I had a hard time letting go at the end of the book. I wanted to read more, to see how they fared later in life. The story is full of historical detail, but it isn't boring. The author truly brings the world as it was 200 years ago alive. I especially loved reading about Alec's vocation in life, as it seems so much of the grace and elegance of the Regency period in England is lost in today's society. For an excellent read, I highly recommend The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen.

Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Critical Reaction

Bethany House Publishers (November 19, 2013)

by

Todd M. Johnson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Todd M. Johnson has practiced as an attorney for over 30 years, specializing as a trial lawyer. Todd's career experience blends with his passion for writing in his novels published through Bethany House.

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.

The Deposit Slip, Mr. Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012.  Todd's second novel, Critical Reaction, will be released in November 2013.

Todd lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Cathy and children Ian and Libby.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

After decades of turning out plutonium for the arms race, the Hanford Nuclear Facility has long been shuttered, though its deadly legacy cannot be fully contained. The men who guard the facility from sabotage or monitor its buildings for radiation leaks are told the risks are under control. They believe it, until the worst happens: a thunderous explosion in the dead of night.

Two workers, lifer Poppy Martin and new hire Kieran Mullaney, believe themselves lucky to survive the blast. But as the debris is cleared, they discover their safety is not assured. Dead ends and closed doors halt their efforts to discover what really happened--and what radiation may have poisoned them. When stalling and threats force them into the hands of experienced trial lawyer Ryan Hart, they learn that theirs is no ordinary lawsuit. There is something still hidden in the desert of eastern Washington, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure it never sees the light of day.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Critical Reaction, go HERE.


Margie's Comments: Review to come later. Loving it so far! 

Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn

Plot Synopsis: 

An under-the-radar phone call from the U.S. State Department puts Marc Royce once again on assignment—ferreting out rumors of a clandestine operation stretching from Asia to the Mideast. At stake is Iran’s threat to blockade the narrow Strait of Hormuz, cutting off vital shipping routes and escalating global tensions beyond the breaking point.

Under the guise of investigating money laundering via high-end art purchases in Europe, Royce finds himself in Switzerland with only sketchy information, no backup, and without a single weapon other than his wits.

His appointment with a gallery owner in Geneva is a dead end--the man is on the floor with a bullet through his chest. But it turns out Royce does have backup. The Mossad has sent someone to keep an eye on this undercover op, which is of more than casual interest to the Israelis. And it's someone Royce knows...

Read Chapters 1-3 of Strait of Hormuz for free: http://statictab.com/j4s7yd8

About Davis Bunn:

Davis Bunn is a four-time Christy Award-winning, best-selling author now serving as writer-in-residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Defined by readers and reviewers as a "wise teacher," "gentleman adventurer," "consummate writer," and "Renaissance man," his work in business took him to over 40 countries around the world, and his books have sold more than seven 

million copies in sixteen languages.

Strait of Hormuz is the series finale of the popular Marc Royce Adventures. Library Journal named Lion of Babylon (Book 1) a “Best Book of 2011.”  Rare Earth (Book 2) won the 2013 Christy Award for best suspense novel and was a CBA top 20 best-seller.

Pictured: Davis Bunn and his wife, Isabella Bunn.

Margie's Comments: Wow! What a fantastic finale to the Marc Royce Adventure series! Strait of Hormuz is nonstop heart-pounding action from start to finish. Sometimes in series' fiction, the main characters tend to stagnate after the initial book, but Davis Bunn doesn't allow his characters sit back on what they learned in the previous adventures. They continue to grow and in spite of heartbreak or looking death in the face over and over, they grow in self-knowledge and toward the Lord, the acknowledged source of life and purpose. The author continues to show his understanding of the unity believers have in Christ, a unity that surpasses ethnic differences and long-ingrained hostility. For Kitra and Marc, this means not hiding their faith, even when it means putting their lives on the line. The plot line of Strait of Hormuz comes straight from today's headlines in every newscast and newspaper. Learning to distinguish between friends and foes is essential to Marc's staying alive to protect the ones he loves most. The Marc Royce Adventure series is one I can highly recommend, including Strait of Hormuz.

I received a complimentary copy of Strait of Hormuz from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.