Shadow of The Dagger

A Secret Map to Priceless Treasure, A CIA Analyst Turned Detective

Three people are murdered and one kidnapped to find the solution to the map. As Nicole Phillips seeks to find her kidnapped brother, she doesn’t know whom to trust. No one is who they appear to be. All is deception.

To bring his brother’s murderer to justice, CIA Intel Analyst Josh Baruch puts his life on the line. Can he walk the tightrope between obeying the killers’ instructions and bringing them to justice?

Because Nicole Phillips’s husband died in a mysterious plane crash, she fears falling in love again with a reckless, danger-loving type like her late husband. Josh Baruch, the CIA analyst using her as bait to track her brother’s kidnapper, is just such a risk-taking man. Besides living on the edge, Josh is bitter about women and questions God.

Shadow of The Dagger (Christian/Romance/Thriller)

By Anne Greene

Elk Lake Publishing

ISBN  978-1951080204

400 Pages

Price $12.99 (Paperback)

Price $2.99 (Kindle)

Rating 5-Stars

We meet Nicole Phillips when she travels to the crash site of the plane piloted by her husband. There was no body, but investigators believe coyotes may have dragged the body away. A year later her brother is invited to an archeological dig in Turkey, and he talks Nicole into joining him. Unfortunately, when she arrives in Turkey she discovers Ian has been kidnapped. In the meantime, CIA analyst, Josh Baruch believes the man who killed his brother is responsible for the kidnapping, and is waiting in Turkey for Nicole Phillips when she arrives, as he plans on using her for bait to catch Helmut Meier, better known as The Viper, and the murderer of Josh’s brother.

The author sent me a copy of the book for an honest review. This is a complicated plot, with interesting characters, set in a location known for international spies and intrigue. Josh Baruch is a Jewish American, and well familiar with Turkey, as he was stationed at Incirlik AFB in Adana, Turkey, a place I am also very familiar with. I was stationed there with the Army in 1964, at TUSLOG, as a squad leader with the rank of corporal. 

This was a great read, though a few things did bother me. The villain is supposedly the third richest man in the world, but seems to be after small profit in current crime, and a man so rich should have enough lawyers to keep him out of jail (in this case, an American federal prison). Plus, we find that there is someone pulling his strings also, a minor criminal that is behind the whole mess, and he is after Nicole Phillips, as well as the treasure. Now for detective Pavlik, a Russian with the Turkey police, and master of disguise who plays many parts that just don’t seem to fit. In the end an American Air Force rescue team saves the day on Turkey soil, which also was a worrisome finale to a great plot – personally, it would have appeared more legit if the team was led by a Turkey command. Over all, the Christian background is a delight in this international thriller set in Muslim controlled Turkey, and well worth the read. Highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of THE MAN IN THE BLACK FEDORA

Two Face The World

Richard and Maria's wedding is dreamily romantic, but both of them are still haunted by past rejections. Sinister letters and unwanted gifts arrive, and the more each tries to protect the other by keeping them secret, the heavier the burden of guilt and anxiety. However, when vicious attacks on lives and property begin, Richard and Maria are determined to uncover the identity of their enemy, but they have no idea who might have a motive. Will their love hold fast or the old saying “marry in haste, repent at leisure” prove true?

Two Face The World (Romance)

By Sarah Stuart

Independent Publishing Platform

ASIN # B07KV1J62S

299 Pages

Price $2.99 (Kindle)

Rating 5-Stars

“A Romantic Romp”

In this sequel to Three Against The World, our main characters are back, Richard and Maria are newly weds facing the problems every young married couple usually have, but with a few more problems added. Shakespeare would have a field day with this couple.

Two Face The World is the perfect title for this romantic romp, and the author is in good form as she spins their yarn once more to the delight of her many fans. The twist and turns keep the readers turning the pages to see what happens next. Will their love conquer all obstacles, or will they fall into defeat as many marriages do? To find out you have to read this wonderful new entry in the series by this wonderful author. Highly recommended.

Ginger Johnson

Author of COWBOY FROM TEXAS

Three Against The World

Richard's house is broken into, he loses his job, is ditched by his gold-digging fiancée, and a daughter he didn't know he had is dumped on him by his ex-wife. Has Richard’s life become a disaster, or is fate offering him a chance to escape a lifestyle forced on him by his father? Will Richard find another love? Fourteen-year-old Maria knows her mother doesn’t want her, but can she believe her father does, or is she a burden he'd be happier without? Ben, a rescue centre dog adopted by Richard, supposedly doesn’t like children, but he likes Maria. The Jack Russell defends the girl, but will his life be forfeit and Richard jailed?

Three Against The World (Romance)

By Sarah Stuart

Independent Publishing Platform

ISBN # 978-1720541882

Price $7.50 (Paperback)

Price $2.99 (Kindle)

288 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

Shakespeare would have had a filed day with this story. It would almost be a comedy if it weren’t so tragic. Some people are just born unlucky, and as we meet poor Richard we find a man who isn’t having any luck in life. His home is burgled, he loses his job, and his only friend seems to be Ben, the dog he rescued from the shelter. To make matters worse a 14-year-old girl shows up on his doorstep claiming to be his daughter. Unwanted and unloved, she’s a teenager that needs help and understanding. Richard discovers that she’s not really his daughter, his ex-wife just told her he was her father, but he doesn’t have the heart to tell her. Instead, he cares for her and tries to help her while his own life is a shambles.

This was really a neat story, and I expected the twist at the end, but it still kept me turning the pages. Will Richard ever find romance, and live happily ever after? Read the book and find out. Highly recommended.

Ginger Johnson

Author of COWBOY FROM TEXAS

Daredevils

1925 – What happens in the roaring twenties when a daredevil barnstormer falls in love with a wing-walking flapper threatened by dangerous men who will exploit her? Orphan and wing-walker Gloria needs a job when her boss dies in a barnstorming accident. With no other jobs available, she sweet-talks Rand into letting her walk his wing. Flying Ace Rand fights wartime injuries that hamper his flying even as he works to gain the world-record for solo flight across the Atlantic. He bucks his wealthy dad’s plans for him to settle down, join the company, and marry a socialite. Rand falls in love with the courageous, fun-loving, talented, and above all daring Gloria. But Orphan Gloria’s experienced too many men who promise love and marriage and instead take advantage of her being alone in the world. She holds Rand at arm’s length. Without her knowledge, Rand protects her and makes sure she doesn’t starve. When Gloria’s offered a movie contract Rand knows he must intervene. Will Gloria turn her back on fame and fortune to wed a man addicted to danger?

Daredevils (Action/Christian Romance)

By Anne Greene

Winged Publications

ISBN #978-1944203900

102 Pages

Price $5.74 (Paperback)

Price $2.99 (Kindle)

Rating 5-Stars

“The Kind of Story I wish I had Written”

Gloria Richards, an orphan who has chosen a life of danger and excitement, works as a barnstorming wing-walker to earn her living. When Buzz Greenwood, her last pilot, crashes the Silver Lining, on her day off, it leaves her without a job. She hasn’t collected her last paycheck, but Buzz left a wife and twin daughters, and they would need the money. She can either go back to singing at the mob run local dive in Kitty Hawk, or get a job with ex-war ace, Rand Maitland.

Maitland is trying to make it on his own, without his family’s money, using his government pension he received for a war injury he doesn’t want anyone to know about. To be sure, he doesn’t have enough money to pay for a wing-walker, but Gloria appears to twist him around her fingers when she’s near. He eventually comes around to her way of thinking when he learns she can also work miracles with a plane’s engine, as well as his heart.

Okay, this is the kind of story I wish I had written. It’s set in the period I love, the early 20^th century, 1925 to be exact, just seven years after WWI, and features bi-planes. Barnstorming is a plot that should appeal to all action lovers, and this has a little of everything: mobsters, Jenny bi-planes, an injured war ace, and a beautiful girl who is not afraid of danger. The author is a Christian. Her writing is topnotch without preaching, and the story moves quickly and smoothly, and I loved it. If I have a complaint, it’s that we don’t really have a scene of Gloria performing on the wing during a stunt. I think such a scene would have added a tense moment more frightening than the confrontation with the mobsters. If that wasn’t enough for readers, just look at that great cover, it’s what attracted me to this author, and I’m glad it did. Highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of PANGAEA: EDEN’S PLANET 

Exposed

Your twenties are supposed to be some of the best, and certainly the most fun of your life, but for Emma Taylor, turning twenty-five brought her world crashing down around her. Four years after being diagnosed with debilitating disease, her love life is nonexistent. A series of failed blind dates - courtesy of her friends - has left her depressed and defeated. Intent on turning to her best friend for a vent session, Emma sends off a rapid fire instant message, except her message ends up in someone else's inbox. The inbox of hot Navy man, Bryan Sampson. Her friend Mel’s best friend, and Emma's secret crush.

Bryan Sampson has only met Emma Taylor one time during a night of karaoke while on leave, but in one night, she managed to make an impression. She seemed timid and uncomfortable in her own skin, but underneath it all, he saw how strong she had to be in order to cope with her disease. So when he her message caught his eye, he opened it without a second thought, and realizes almost immediately it wasn’t intended for him. Now that he’s read it though, he can’t turn his back on her and feels duty bound to help the cause. Besides what else is he supposed to do with his free time? He vows he will help her find love never suspecting that the more he talked to her, the more he would find out about himself…the more he would think about her.

Emma is determined to face her demons thanks to Bryan's help, but little by little she begins falling harder for the one person who isn't ashamed of her or her disease. Can she put her heart on the line and take the risk? Can she convince Bryan that love, her love, is worth it?

Sometimes all it takes is one person to expose the person within.

Exposed (Romance)

Book 1 of The Love Seekers Series

By Maria Vickers

Independent Publishing Platform

ASIN # B01LR7MKUM

426 Pages

Price $2.99

Rating 5-Stars

The heroine of this story is struck down by a disease, Myasthenia gravis, in her twenties, and faces a lifetime of traumatic symptoms. She is forced to use a cane or walker to perform her daily chores.

           

This story follows her as she meets her tormentors, friends, and her hero. We see her trials and tribulations she must endure as she goes about her daily life, growing from a timid person into a strong competent independent person. Highly recommended.

Ginger Johnson

Author of COWBOY FROM TEXAS

Jason's Duty

Jason McGregor was a country boy raised on a horse ranch. His daddy taught him the meaning of family responsibility but that didn't teach him anything about the rules of love. In Jason's eyes it was all about the horses and keeping the McGregor Ranch going. When Haley Sheridan came to visit, Jason's world gets turned upside down. He could no longer see black and white anymore.

Haley Sheridan was far from home and lost without her father. Her emotions were all over the place. She only came to Montana out of duty to her mother. She didn’t understand how Mrs. McGregor took care of all the household chores from cooking, cleaning, and making sure her husband and sons were taken care. But when she looked at Jason there was something in his eyes that made her want to understand.

Could a cowboy love a city slicker? Or a city slicker love a cowboy? Neither one knew how to communicate what they really wanted. Come follow Jason and Haley in Book 1 of The McGregor Saga. See how two hearts can become one with enough faith.

Jason’s Duty (Romance)

By Alisha Guenzel

ASIN: B01LW14HUC

144 Pages

Price $0.99

Rating 5-Stars

Lindsey Sheridan and her daughter Haley visit the country from the city after the loss of Lindsey’s husband and Haley’s father died in an accident. They stay with Lindsey’s friends, at the McGregor’s horse ranch. The McGregors have three sons. Jason, the eldest son helps Haley adapt to country life, and teaches her how to care for the horses and chores around the farm, during which they argue a lot then fall in love.

A light romance, family oriented, no sex or profanity. This novel was well written, and kept my interest. There were some minor editing problems, but overall I really enjoyed the story. Highly recommended.

Ginger Johnson

Author of COWBOY FROM TEXAS