Review of 'Silenced' by Dani Pettrey

Thank you to Bethany House for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

A few months ago, I got the chance to get a free copy of Stranded (the third book in the Alaskan Courage series) by Dani and fell in love with her style of writing as well as the characters - so when I saw they had copies of Silenced I knew right away I was going to get my request in as soon as possible to be able to review it. Thankfully I was one of the people who got that chance. :)

I first met Kayden and Jake's characters in Stranded (because I haven't gotten the opportunity to read the first two in the series, but I plan to!) and couldn't wait to discover what their storyline would be. Kayden reminded me a lot of myself in that book and even more in Silenced. (In fact, I took the Bethany House quiz about the main characters and it said I would be Kayden which I knew I would get her before I even took it.)

Crime, suspense, just a hint of romance, genuine and funny characters - Silenced has it all! I was just as impressed and obsessed with this one as I was with the third book and more than happy to add it to my growing collection of Dani Pettrey books.

My only complaint is that I had figured out who was doing everything before I even picked up the book! *sigh* I was hoping it would turn out to be someone I never would have expected, but it turned out to be exactly who I thought it was the whole time. However, despite that it was a wonderful book and it didn't bother me all that much that I was correct in my guess before I even began reading because Dani is just that great of a writer.

I am very excited for the next one in the series especially if it is about Kirra and Reef (love their relationship already and can see some of myself in Kirra as well. Interesting.).

The cover is gorgeous - whoever the model is she is absolutely beautiful. The Alaskan scenery is breath-taking as well. Perhaps one day I will get to see it in person.

All in all another wonderful book! I give it 4 1/2 stars though out of 5 simply because I was let down by being able to figure out the killer before I even picked it up.

Review of 'Death by the Book' by Julianna Deering

Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy!

I enjoyed the first book by Julianna so much that when I saw Bethany House had some advanced copies of the next one to read and review I knew without a doubt I wanted to review this one. I was super happy to have gotten my request in to review it and couldn't wait to get it into my possession.

Julianna did not let me down once! This book was even better than the last one and I couldn't stop my laughter and enjoyment. My first theory was so crazy I thought it had to be wrong, so I moved onto my second theory which was shot down within pages as that person turned up dead! I couldn't believe it! I really thought it had to have been that character.

However, as I read and pondered the mystery slowly unraveling within the plot the more I thought perhaps - just perhaps - my first theory would prove correct. In fact, things were looking like maybe I had actually figured it out, but then my hopes were dashed as that theory proved wrong!

Julianna is really good at making the last person you suspect be the killer! She did it in the first book and in this one as well! While I love the fact I couldn't figure it out (again!) I am also frustrated! I am normally really excellent at figuring murder mysteries out and mysteries in general - Julianna has stumped me each time.

The characters are lovely and the romance between Drew and Madeline is so sweetly perfect! I adore Nick - he makes me laugh almost all the time. Aunt Ruth entertained me to no end - I really did love her character and her addition to the storyline.

I hope Julianna doesn't stop this series anytime soon because it is quickly becoming one of my very favorites! Bethany House - if you carry another book of hers for review, you can bet as long as I can I shall request to review it! I LOVE her books!!

5 stars easily!