Netgalley: Taken by Dee Henderson

Song Stuck on the Brain: I'm Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado

I was doing the girl-friend chat with my niece and when she was ready to leave, she said, "Well, I've got to fly." Instantly this song popped into my head and I sang, "I'm like a bird, I wanna fly away..." She laughed and said, "I knew that was coming, I heard it too. I even paused for you." LOL. My random bursts of song are so predictable now can still be called random? :)

Did you know today is Embrace Your Geekness Day? It is. And OH there are sooo many things I could embrace and geek out about, but I chose my favorite thing - books. More specifically a favorite author's new book.

Taken

by

Dee Henderson

MY TAKE:

If you're new to my blog than let me just tell you, Dee Henderson is one of my writing Heroes. She's amazing. I geek out about her every time I read one of her new releases because I'm sure it's my new favorite. Of course, once I take a broader look at her catalog I realize that choosing just one of them as a favorite is impossible. However, Since Taken is her latest I'm pretty hyped on this one right now. 

Shannon Bliss is an amazing character. We enter her story on her first real day of freedom as she convinces Matthew Dane to help with her reintroduction to the public. Her case is huge. A major crime family, murder, trafficking, robbery and more. She should be a quivering mess. Instead she shows an astounding amount of inner strength and faith as she not only finds a way to face a new life, but also to destroy the entire crime ring that held her captive. 

One of the things I love the most is how the story kept me on edge, anxiously turning pages until all hours of the morning from suspense. The other is how seamlessly Dee weaves in the deeper spiritual and emotional layers with such insight. I felt like a light bulb was turned on as I considered those deeper aspects. Such phenomenal writing takes talent and inspiration, and takes the category of Inspirational Suspense to a whole new level. 

Taken, although not marketed as part of a series is the next in a line of novels that center around the same characters (I would call this a series, but...) The first is Full Disclosure about Paul Falcon and Ann Silver (10/2012), second is Unspoken about Charlotte Graham and Bryce Bishop (10/2013), third is Undetected about Mark Bishop and Gina Gray (04/2014). Taken continues with a gripping new story that includes characters  Ann and Paul from Full Disclosure, Charlotte and Bryce from Unspoken, and even Rachel and Cole from the O'Malley series.

IF you haven't read the others listed above, don't let that stop you. Please don't miss out on Taken. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An investigator who knows tragic loss firsthand, and his new client, missing far too long... 

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time.

When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her reentry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets.

Read Chapter One HERE.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Unspoken, Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O’Malley series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Visit her at DeeHenderson.com.

Undetected by Dee Henderson

Song Stuck on the Brain:  I'm Not Who I Was by Brandon Heath
 

 

 

 

 

Undetected

 

by

 

Dee Henderson

 

 

 

 

MY TAKE:

 

 Dee Henderson has a new book! YAY! *squeal*

Okay, now that I've got that out of my system (maybe), let's talk. Undetected is the sequel to Unspoken - Commander Mark Bishop is the brother of Bryce Bishop. I always prefer to read books in order, but this could be read independently. Although, why would you want to miss a Dee Henderson novel?

I'm always amazed at how well Dee is able to get into the unique inner parts of a person/character. Even when the character is nothing like me, somehow I still identify with them in some personal way because she's revealed a very spiritual and human side of their nature. That is a gift. Couple that with her talent to tell a story and teach but not preach - well - wow.

In Undetected, Gina Gray is a brilliant woman. I'm talking genius level. That is not me, I may be intelligent, but not genius. But I think I connected with Gina more than any other character so far. I understood her insecurities and fears. I think most people will in some way. What I really connected with though, was her view of creation and nature. Her way of seeing everything with such wonder and curiosity matches my own outlook so much, that I was excited to see it reflected in someone else to the extreme that I sensed it in Gina.

Mark is the perfect guy in the sense that he's a perfect fit for Gina. He's a protector and that's attractive. He's also strong, loyal, and a man of faith. Even more attractive.

As a side note, I noticed in the reviews from others on-line after reading the first book, Unspoken, that many readers were complaining that these new books didn't have the same suspense as her earlier books. Some even made snide comments about false advertising or having lost her touch. Shame on them! She's most certainly not lost her talent. There is a different feel to these new novels. I would say they should be classified more as Christian Romance/General Fiction. Sure there is a suspense background to the story line, but the focus has shifted to the characters and their relationships. To the lives they live and what makes them who they are. The publisher needs to make that more clear in their marketing (author not at fault).  It may be different in tone from her early novels but in no way are they less worthy!

The research is just as detailed and fascinating as well. I will never have a chance to be on a submarine, but after reading Undetected, I feel like I've been there and seen it in technicolor. I enjoy the details, learning new things and delving into characters lives and relationships. Tension and suspense is great, but not mandatory. All writers grow and their writing grows and changes with them.

So be prepared, this may not be the intense suspense you remember from the O'Malley series, but it's still a fantastic read that's hard to put down.

Great job, Dee! Looking forward to your next work.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 

When asked what he does for a living Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the Navy." But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping her crew trained and alert during ninety-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and handles it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating around the Pacific Rim, the Navy is glad to have him.

Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, with a lovely smile, and very smart. She's a civilian, yet she understands the U.S. Navy culture. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.

Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. A breakup she didn't see coming, though, has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she told the Navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter....

 

Read the First Chapter Here.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

Dee Henderson is the author of 14 best-selling novels, including the acclaimed O'Malley series and the Uncommon Heroes series. As a leader in the inspirational romantic suspense category, her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RWA's RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, the Holt Medallion, the National Readers' Choice Award, and the Golden Quill. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois and is active online. Visit her at www.deehenderson.com.

CFBA: Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:   Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013) by   Dee Henderson

MY TAKE:

It's finally happened! Jennifer O'Malley's story is being told and I actually squealed when I saw this book come up. I'm a big Dee Henderson fan and her O'Malley series is closest to my heart. Throughout each of the 6 siblings stories, Jennifer is mentioned and her story is told in part. Enough to know that in many ways she is the glue for the family and also the initial spark or introduction to faith in their lives as well. You knew Jennifer's story, but not enough to satisfy the need to know her story like the rest of the O'Malleys'. I'm glad I wasn't the only one that thought that. Thank you, Dee for bringing us the rest of the story! :)

I suppose some might thing it strange that it's possible to get so drawn into a story when you already know the basic plot and you know how it's going to end. But in this case it's not about knowing the story or how it's ending. It's the journey. The love and relationship that grows between Jennifer and Tom and Jennifer and Jesus. It's because Jennifer and Tom are such amazing people, that you just want to be in their lives and feel what they feel. No matter what.

That is the sign of a true artist, and I'll say it again, Dee Henderson is an amazingly talented artist. Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story is worth every page read and every year waited to finally get the rest of the story.


ABOUT THE  BOOK:

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce him to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn't expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, go to HERE.


To find out more about the O'Malley Series, Click HERE.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. These days, most authors are out there energetically promoting their books in print and broadcast and via social media—wherever they can get attention. But Dee Henderson keeps a low profile. She avoids telephone interviews because of hearing problems, declined to provide a current photo, and will say only that she lives in Illinois.

CFBA: Full Disclosure

Song Stuck on the Brain: Do You Want to Dance by Del Shannon



This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:   Full Disclosure Bethany House Publishers (October 2, 2012)   by   Dee Henderson  

MY TAKE:

 

Dee is back, YAY! I actually squealed when I saw this book offer. I've been a fan of Dee's for years and I’ve missed her fantastic storytelling. Full Disclosure may be her first book in 5 years, but it feels like coming home.
 
Ann Silver – is she fiction or not? It didn’t take long before Ann’s character seemed really familiar, in fact she reminded me a LOT of her author Dee based on what I’ve read on her website and in interviews. Then there were Ann’s friends. Those familiar with Dee’s O’Malley series will find a lot of familiar characters between the pages. In fact as you learn more about Ann you begin to wonder where reality stops and fiction begins between the author and her heroine.  It’s enticing, to say the least, to discover all the connections between Full Disclosure and the many books in Dee’s resume.
 
That of course is only part of the intrigue. New readers can take that for what it is, but don’t worry about feeling lost in the story if you haven’t read her entire back list. There’s plenty of mystery to unravel.
 
I’ve seen a few reviewers comment that they felt the story had a slow start and wasn’t up to her earlier standards. I have to disagree. The story does have a little different feel, it seems more character driven in the beginning, but that’s a little deceptive, because the author is actually rolling out a really involved plot and tying so many threads together it’s impressive when you see the final picture. It’s like a pot of water heating, the temperature rising to boiling in a blink with little warning.
 
In the midst of all the mystery is a love story that faces opposition in an unusual way. Ann and Paul are a little older, more mature, past their wild early career days and past their first heartbreaks. They know what family means and what they want, but they aren’t so anxious to be married that they are willing to settle for less than what God has in mind. They’re comfortable in their own skin and okay with being alone. I appreciate the intentional way that Paul pursues Ann, always careful to listen for God’s leading and considering Ann first. It’s a beautiful example of what real love should be; full of passion and temperance, selfless courage, faith and honesty.
 
In the book Ann shares how she writes all of her friends love stories, and Full Disclosure feels very much like the author’s nod toward writing a version of her own love story, or what she would imagine it being. It's fiction, but it rings with true to life intimacy and heart.
 
Fantastic job, Dee. You had a well-deserved hiatus, but welcome back to the top. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
 
*** NOTE: Dee’s website announced that there is a new O’Malley story coming in 2013. Jennifer and Tom’s story is finally being published. Check out herwebsite for more details.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.

Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is…

Watch the book trailer:

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



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois.