The Return of Cassandra Todd

The Return of Cassandra Todd

by Darrel Nelson

About the book (from the back cover):

Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full time. On his way to class one day, he is shocked to see Cassandra Todd and her young son in town. The sight of her brings back powerful memories of being bullied in high school -- she was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her friends' mean-spirited pranks. When Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous drama that will require him to forgive and draw on every skill he has if they are to survive. 

My take:

I had a hard time putting this book down! It was a very fast read, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I loved Turner Caldwell's transformation throughout the book, and the description of what he used to be like in high school. As the recipient of some mean pranks myself in school, I could definitely relate to Turner's painful memories of school.

As my friend Becky wrote in her review, this book had a "Lifetime movie" feel to it, but I loved every minute! I saw this book as a nice change of pace from some of the deeper books that are out there. I loved reading about each new obstacle that came up in Turner and Cassandra's adventure.

I would highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys Christian romance and suspense. I give it a "4."



About the author:

Darrel Nelson is the author of The Anniversary Waltz and a retired schoolteacher. He writes novels, articles, plays, and music. He has bachelor's degrees in English and education from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.








Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Moonlight Masquerade

Moonlight Masquerade

by Ruth Axtell

About the book (from the back cover):

Lady Celine Wexham seems the model British subject. French by birth but enjoying life in 1813 as a widowed English countess, she is in the unique position of being able to help those in need -- or to spy for the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. When Rees Phillips of the British Foreign Office is sent to pose as the countess's butler and discover where her true loyalties lie, he is confident he will uncover the truth. But the longer he is in her fashionable townhouse in London's West End, the more his staunch loyalty to the Crown begins to waver as he falls under Lady Wexham's spell. Will he find the proof he needs? And if she is a spy after all, what then will he do? With sharp wit, fast-paced dialogue, and infectious intrigue, Ruth Axtell deftly creates a world where black and white burst into a confusion of colors -- and no one is who they seem.

My take:

I was drawn into the book at the very beginning as Rees ("Mr. MacKinnon") is searching through Lady Celine's dressing room for evidence that she is a spy. I felt my heart beating faster and faster as it became certain that he was going to get caught. I was eager to keep reading, but was kind of disappointed when the chapters to come failed to keep my attention. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this sort of book at the time, but I never did find the same excitement as I did at the beginning. I thought the idea for the story was great, but it didn't intrigue me the way I thought it would.

I give this book a "3."

Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


About the author:

Ruth Axtell is the author of thirteen novels, including Wild Rose, one of Booklist's Top Ten in Christian Fiction. Currently a resident of Downeast Maine, Axtell has lived in the Canary Islands, Miami, and the Netherlands.









Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."