Review and Giveaway: “The Christmas Witness” by Susan Sleeman

“Testifying, Though Necessary, Can Bring Dire Consequences”

When a criminal threatened to kill Megan Cash if she testified against him, she didn’t back down. Years later, he’s out of jail and ready for revenge against Megan and her daughter. The only one who can protect them is the former FBI agent who broke Megan’s heart.

But Reid Morgan isn’t the same man—he’s now a widowed father with a harrowing past. . .and a heart more guarded than ever. Still, he’s the only one who believes Megan when she says she’s in danger. Because someone wants to make this a Christmas she won’t live long enough to forget.

The Christmas Witness, The Morgan Brothers – Bk 3
Love Inspired Suspense
December 6, 2011
ISBN-10: 0373444710
ISBN-13: 978-0373444717

» Read an Excerpt

Bio:  Susan Sleeman is the bestselling author of inspirational romantic suspense and mysteries. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, she channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com.Much to her husband’s chagrin, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you’ve met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it. Don’t worry, she’d never follow through on it.Susan currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. In her spare time, you can find her traveling to Oregon to visit her children and grandson, reading, gardening or working on TheSuspenseZone.com.

You can connect with Susan at these sites:

• My Website
• Facebook
• Twitter

GIVEAWAY:

THE CHRISTMAS WITNESS PHOTO CONTEST

I wanted to wish you a Blessed Christmas and to also tell you about a special contest I have for you, my faithful readers.

I’m giving away a $50 Amazon gift card as a special thank you to all of you wonderful readers who have purchased The Christmas Witness. To enter all you have to do is email a photo of you holding the book or your e-reader with the book on it to photocontest@susansleeman.com and you’ll be entered to win. You have plenty of time, the contest won’t end on January 31st.

If you haven’t gotten a copy of the book and want to do so, it’s available on line and should be in stores this week. You can click here for online ordering options.

I’d like to use these photos on a slideshow on my website. If you are willing to have your photo placed in the slideshow, please be sure to give me permission to use the photo in your email. So that’s it. Pretty basic, but if you want full rules and details stop by my website at http://www.susansleeman.com/contests/.

Rules:

1. Only one entry per person per contest is allowed.

2. Contest open to residents of the 50 United States and D.C. Void where prohibited.

3. Winner agrees to provide shipping address and allow us to publicize their name in conjunction with the contest on the website and in our newsletters.

4. Contest ends on January 31st at midnight eastern standard time.

5. One winner will be selected at random by random.org to receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

6. The prize winner will be notified by email and posted on our Winners page after they respond to our email notification. If we do not receive an email response from the winner within 7 days from the date of the drawing, another winner will be drawn.

7. You must have access to the Internet and a valid email address in order to enter or win.

8. Your chances of winning depend on the number of entries.

10. No purchase is necessary to enter. If you have not purchased The Christmas Witness and would like to enter simply send an email to the above address stating that you want to enter the contest.

My Review:

Twelve years ago, Megan Cash testified against Norman Fowler, a criminal that held her hostage during a bank robbery where she worked.  He’s served his sentence and is now free to get the revenge he promised. Now a single mom of a critically-ill daughter, Ella, she is once again terrorized by this man, the first being his presence at her daughter’s hospital room.  Since no one else saw him, and she has no evidence of his threats, the police are hard-pressed to provide police protection for her or her home.

Widowed, ex-FBI agent, a former love interest of Megan’s, Reid Morgan happens to be at the hospital with his daughter, Jessie, and their therapy dog.  Upon hearing the commotion, he assists Megan and makes a phone call to the police.  When they wouldn’t provide protection, he called his old partner, Jack Duger, to help apprehend the perpetrator.  To complicate the issue, there’s the love/hate relationship Megan has for Reid Morgan, a man she doesn’t feel she can’t trust, as he’s run out on her before.  Has he changed?  Will he run?  That is Megan’s dilemma. But he’s the only one who believes she’s in danger.

In her book, The Christmas Witness, Susan Sleeman has once again created another riveting, spine-tingling, suspenseful romance.   The action rumbles forth from the first page to the end.  Between Norman’s threats, Ella’s health issues, and no place for Megan to go, Susan brings about mind-boggling twists and plots.   It seems that wherever Megan goes, Norman always seems to be one step ahead.

One usually thinks of Christmas as a joyous, generally quiet time to reflect on God’s gift to us.  Not so for Megan and Ella.  They are in a dangerous situation, where the suspect is trying to make sure she doesn’t live to enjoy it.

I really appreciated Megan’s devotion to keep her daughter safe at all costs.  Her husband ran out on her when Ella got sick with cancer, but Megan’s devotion is admirable.  Such devotion is a heart-warming quality that I admire.

Susan’s Scripture choice fits perfectly with the storyline–For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11.   It’s just that we have to realize that His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways His ways, Isaiah 55:8.    That’s where we can get into trouble if we don’t learn to trust Him.  He knows what He is doing, even when everything seems to be falling apart.  And fall apart they do for Megan.

I’ve read several of Susan’s books, and I’ve loved every one of them.  I can hardly wait for the next two coming out in 2012!  If you haven’t read them yet, you’re in for wonderful surprise.

This book was provided by Susan Sleeman in exchange for my honest opinion.  No monetary compensation was exchanged.

Lightning Book Promotions Blog Tour: “Shadows From The Past” by Ashley Dawn

“It is the price you pay for choosing to be a cop. Your brother’s life…”

These words haunt her dreams and waking moments.  LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan cannot rest until she finds her brother’s killer.  Digging into the past always brings back unpleasant things, memories, guilt…a hit man.  Now she is in a race against time to find the murderer before he finds her.

“Kill her. I don’t care how and I don’t care where, but I want her dead now!” 

Someone was trying to kill his dead partner’s sister.  FBI agent, Jordan Reiley, will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves.  Even if it means going against her wishes–putting himself between her and the man who murdered her brother.

Will God keep them alive long enough to find the truth?

Bio:

Author Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent’s office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant.

Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years and has two published books.  She is currently working on multiple projects including the third in her ‘Shadows’ series entitled “Shadows of Pain” and also a standalone mystery about a serial killer that remains untitled.  She and her family make their home in Texas.  To learn more about the author, check out her author website or follow her book reviews on Ashley’s Bookshelf Blog.

My Review:

LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan, is tormented in her dreams by the killer’s voice yet cannot rest until she finds her brother, Lance’s, killer. She follows every lead no matter how small.  Since the killer is now after her, the ante is upped.

FBI agent, Jordan Reiley, was Lance’s partner.  At the time of the murder, Jordan and Aurora were engaged.  With Aurora being the next target, he will stop at nothing to protect her.

What follows is a vicious and deadly cat-and-mouse chase to find Jordan and Aurora and take them out.  The story is action-packed and fast-paced.  It’s filled with betrayal, love, and suspense.  Though it’s a quick read, it’s exciting, compelling and thrilling.  I loved the characters as they intermingled.  The camaraderie between partners was interesting. The humor between Jordan and his partner was light-hearted and took the edge off some of the dangerous circumstances.

Jordan’s faith, along with several other characters, is permeated throughout the story.  It’s about Aurora letting go and allowing God to protect and reveal the truth of what’s going down.

I did find the romance a little over the top when considering the circumstances, but romance readers will be in for a treat!

This book was provided by Stormi Johnson at Lightning Book Promotions in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was exchanged.  You can peruse Lightning Book Promotions here.

The Kindle version is available here at Amazon.