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tamaratilley

tamaratilley

has 79 followers and is following 76 people

I am a new author in the Christian Fiction field. I write and love to read romance/adventure books. My first book, FULL DISCLOSURE, came out in July '06, followed by ABANDONED IDENTITY, in July '07. ABANDONED IDENTITY was featured with the Crossings book club where it stayed at #1 on the suspense charts for five weeks. CRIMINAL OBSESSION was... more »
  • Hume, Ca, United States
  • member since March 8, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 251 reviews
  • When the Smoke Clears: A Novel (Deadly Reunions)
    • Rated 5 stars

    “WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS is the debut book in the Deadly Reunions Series. What a start! Lynette Eason is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in the Romance/Suspense genre.

    Smokejumper, Alexia Allen is being swallowed up by misfortune. A near deadly accident on the fire line has her suspended while the incident is under investigation. Deciding to go home – something she hasn’t done in ten years – lands her smack-dab in the middle of a homicide investigation. With many skeletons creeping from her adolescent closet, Alexia’s world is turned upside down. Being hunted by an unknown person, for an unknown reason, she isn’t sure who she can trust. Detective Hunter Graham is willing to offer her the help she needs, but soon she deduces that she is turning up on the top of the suspect list. If he doesn’t have faith in her, she isn’t sure how she will prove herself innocent.

    Detective Hunter Graham is floored when he sees Alexia Allen has returned to Columbia, South Carolina. Though she was a few years his junior, he had a secret crush on her in high school. But when she left immediately after her graduation, he never thought he would see her again. But, here she was, back in her hometown, conveniently at the same time someone is found murdered in her childhood home. Warning himself to put personal feelings aside, he can’t help the feeling he’s getting as more bizarre things seem to be happening. Though each incident happens in her vicinity, his gut tells him she isn’t the assailant, but the intended victim. But, time is running out to prove her innocents.

    WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS had all the elements I look for in a romantic/suspense novel. From the first pages, you know this is going to be a book with no easy answers. Twists and turns, red-herrings and dead ends, you find yourself questioning every supporting character that is introduced. Though I figured out early in the book who the attacker was, I have yet to figure out the why. Ms. Eason ingeniously left a few loose ends that will undoubtedly be cleared up in the next installment. Or so I can hope.

    Book provided for review purposes.

    “Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • To Love and to Cherish

    To Love and to Cherish

    by Kelly Irvin
    • Rated 3 stars

    “TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH was better than I expected. I am not a fan of Amish themed books, but since I received the book in exchange for a review, I didn’t want to shirk my responsibilities.

    Emma Shirack feels abandoned once again. Four years earlier Carl, the man she would marry, left her for the Englisch world. Now, the tragic death of her parents leaves her feeling forsaken. Without children of her own, the maternal feeling she has for her brothers and sisters because even more real. Though she desires nothing more than to marry and have children of her own, she sadly feels without Carl that will never happened. When Carl unexpectedly returns from his time in the world, she struggles with offering him forgiveness, which in turn, has her questioning her faith. When Thomas, a family friend and widower begins to show her attention, her feelings are confused even further. Two men vie for her attention. Her one true love, and a man who shares her deep seeded devotion to their quiet lives in the small town of Bliss Creek.

    TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH actually kept my interest. Ms. Irvin allowed enough action to keep the story flowing at an even pace, something I feel is usually missing from Amish books. I am easily frustrated with romance novels that don’t allow the hero and heroine any real time together, especially when the main characters are self-deprecating and constantly flip-flop in their feelings for others. But, TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH, for whatever reason pulled me in and kept me entertained.

    Book provided for review purposes.
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Firethorn
    • Rated 5 stars

    “The end has come too soon. The last installment in the Discarded Heroes series is riveting fiction at its best!

    Kazi Faron is faced with an insurmountable task . . . reassemble the Nightshade team that someone in a place of power has single-handedly destroyed. With the team members all over the globe–some near death–her job will not be easy. Breaking Griffin “Legend” Riddell, out of a supermax penitentiary is her first task. Executed with precision and great skill, Griffin is stupefied that Kazi–a pint-size blonde–wields such skills. But, he also isn’t sure if he should put 100% trust in the spy that is a loner, and use to looking out for only herself.

    Kazi has her own reasons for taking on the near impossible task of bringing Nightshade back together. Revenge against the man that has held her life in the balance for years, and she will stop at nothing to see him destroyed.

    Though Griffin is a “team member” through and through, and Kazi is use to working alone, the feelings they developed for each other becomes another obstacle they must overcome. Griffin has no place in his world for a woman, or the commitment that goes with it. Kazi refuses to trust any man, regardless of how loyal he may appear. Never knowing if Kazi is working with him or against him, Griffin keeps her at all times on his radar. But, the more he analyzes the woman, the more he is determine to her that he had no intentions of using her, like the men in her past.

    FIRETHORN, brings an incredible close to an incredible series! With the Nightshade team all but blown apart, the pace of the story is death-defying. I found myself turning page after page while I followed simultaneous battles to free the team I have come to love. I found myself taking deep breaths as I read to help me digest the imagery and action that filled this book from the very start. Touché, Ms. Kendig! Never have a read a series with such awe and enthusiasm since the O’Malley Series penned by Dee Henderson.

    Book provided for review purposes. But I must add, I already owned books #1-#3, and in no way did the fact that I received this book for review sway my comments in the least.

    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Wolfsbane
    • Rated 5 stars

    “WOLFSBANE, book three in the Discarded Heroes series is a must read!

    Danielle Roark has been held captive for six months, enduring unfathomable atrocities. With every breath in her, she fights for freedom, only to find herself being charged with espionage. The only way to prove her innocents is to go back to the jungles that held her captive and prove to the government the danger that lies within the jungles of Venezuela.

    Nightshade operative, Canyon Metcalfe’s intense feelings for Dani, perplexes him. Dani is his brother’s love interest, and he knows he has to step off and ignore the attraction he has for her. But, he and Dani are kindred spirits. The demons they struggle with somehow bind them together. When they find themselves deep in the jungles of Venezuela–separated from the rest of the Nightshade team–the magnetism between them becomes stronger than their individual wills. When Dani is once again taken captive, Canyon’s only goal is to see her freed from the prison that holds her both physically and emotionally, even if that means he must sacrifice his future with her.

    Excellent writing that doesn’t dummy down or sugarcoat life’s struggles. I commend Ms. Kendig for writing an inspirational based series without sacrificing realism. I applaud Barbour Books for not feeling the need to sensor or filter out scenes and dialogue that give credence to such an amazing story. I have long thought that without being gratuitous in such areas, inspirational novels disappoint their readers when they ignore the trails and traps that can touch a Christian’s life as easily as anyone else. What an incredible series! Thank you, Ronie, for showing us realism not just heroism.
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Where Wildflowers Bloom: A Novel (Sisters at Heart)
    • Rated 3 stars

    “WHERE WILDFLOWERS BLOOM is sweet, romantic, and even has a hint of suspense.

    Faith Lindberg has dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri. Since the loss of her father and brother in the Civil War, she is convinced she and her grandfather need a fresh start and Faith has her sights set on Oregon. With her grandfather’s failing health and the responsibility of the family mercantile, Faith isn’t sure she will ever see her dream come true. But, when Royal Baxter–her teenage crush–comes home from the war, she thinks her dreams might just be attainable. Only one problem, her thoughts keep drifting to Curt Saxon, someone she had thought of as merely a family friend.

    Curt Saxon hides his feelings for Faith because he feels she deserves better than he can offer. Struggling with nightmares from the war, and subconscious of the scar that mares his neck, he offers his help to Faith, but never reveals his feelings. When Baxter Royal makes his intentions known to Faith, Curt feels he’s lost his chance to tell her how he feels.

    WHERE WILDFLOWER BLOOM exceeded my initial expectations. I don’t think the cover art did this book justice. It didn’t portray Faith accurately, and the storyline had more spunk then the cover let on. The suspense in the storyline was an added bonus, but I wish there had been more time devoted to romance. I’m not a fan of keeping love interests at arm’s length until the end of the book. Overall though, WHERE WILDFLOWER BLOOM was a delight.

    Book provided for review purposes.

    “Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Digitalis
    • Rated 5 stars

    “DIGITALIS, the second installment in the Discarded Heroes Series, keep me on the edge of my seat, book firmly in hand.

    Colton Neeley, aka Cowboy, aka Digitalis is part of an elite task force. Suffering from PTSD, he continues to question if he has the faculties to continue on or if his debilitating flashbacks puts the rest of his team in peril. With a daughter to raise, he thinks long and hard regarding his future. Lately, he also finds himself thinking of Piper Blum, a sales clerk at a local store. His reconnaissance in regards to the caramel-eyed beauty tells him he has already lost his heart. His brain tells him nothing is worth the pain of bringing one more person into his fractured life. When his heart wins out, he takes a step of faith and asks Piper out. When hidden secrets of her past tear them apart, he shuts down his emotions and tries to block her out of his mind. When it is obvious her life is in danger, Colton must chose once again. She has already taken something from him she can never replace. Will he allow her to take even more?

    Piper Blum is not at all what she seems. Fleeing her country and taking on a false identity, she never had intentions of getting close to anyone. But, when the rugged cowboy continues to show up at the department store where she works, her feelings get the better of her. Going out on a limb, she allows herself to enjoy Colton’s company. When she realizes her identity has been compromised, she plans to leave Colton without him ever knowing who she really is. When circumstances lead Colton to her side, botching a planned kidnapping, she unwillingly involves him in the dangers of her life and takes from him one of his most precious possessions. Knowing he has nothing but hate for her, she tries to get away. When his team is brought in to help her with a near suicidal mission, she tries to bridge the hurt between them. But it’s too late. She’s lost his trust, her heart, and could quite possibly lose her life.

    DIGITALIS is face-paced, page-turning, action and romance at its best. Great characters, a perplexed storyline, and unending action, DIGITALIS is a book that few will be able to put down. My only caveat – with each character of the Nightshade team having multiple nicknames, it takes several chapters before you have them sorted out. Other than that, a GREAT book for both the male and female reader.
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Summer of Promise
    • Rated 4 stars

    “SUMMER OF PROMISE is the first installment in the Westward Winds series by Amanda Cabot. I was introduced to Ms. Cabot’s writing when I read TOMORROW’S GARDEN. I was not disappointed with SUMMER OF PROMISE

    Abigail Harding has read and re-read her sister, Charlotte’s letters and gets the distinct feeling something isn’t right. So, she leaves her native Vermont to travel to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, to visit Charlotte and see for herself what is amiss. Setting out on a cross-country trip, Abigail survives not only the rugged terrain, but a stage hold-up as well. When she arrives in Fort Laramie, her instincts are proven correct. Charlotte is with child and in ill health. Abigail is completely unimpressed with Wyoming and knows she will return to Vermont as soon as Charlotte is well. But, while in Wyoming, she finds herself drawn to Lt. Ethan Bowles. She first meets Ethan on the stage, where he foils the attempted hold-up, and their paths continue to cross while at Ft. Laramie. Since she is betrothed to her beau in Vermont, she thinks nothing of the friendship she forms with Ethan. That is, until her heart tells her it is more than camaraderie she finds in Ethan.

    Lt. Ethan Bowles’ life revolves around his position in the Army. He has no interest in finding himself a wife, even though the men around him try to persuade Ethan that is what’s missing from his life. Though he enjoys the time he spends in Abigail’s presences, Ethan convinces himself that it is merely companionship. When Abigail’s stay is prolonged and there time together becomes more personal, he questions his stance on marriage.

    SUMMER OF PROMISE was delightful to read. I really appreciated the mystery Ms. Cabot injected into the storyline. It definitely added to the overall content and kept the story flowing. Though I am not a fan of the hero and heroine being kept at arm’s-length for an entire book, I felt the interaction between Abigail and Ethan was enough to keep me from becoming frustrated. I look forward to reading the next installment in the Westward Winds series.

    “Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

    Book provided for review purposes.
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Remember
    • Rated 4 stars

    “REMEMBER, the second installment in the Redemption Series traveled at a quicker pace than it’s predecessor. While still keeping the reader in touch with the entire Baxter family, this book centered more on Ashley – the self prescribed black sheep of the family, and Luke – the perfect son whose life isn’t so perfect anymore.

    Ashley has never felt like she’s fit in. Her close-knit Christian family is what others would consider ideal. But Ashley would call them “safe”. Ashley sought out to find more in life and traveled to Paris to make her mark in the art world and have some adventure. When she returns from Paris pregnant and tight-lipped, she drifts even farther from her family. She trusts no one, including God, and Landon Blake. Landon Blake has loved Ashley and tried to win her over since they were in their teens, but Ashley never returned that love because she felt Landon was just life her family – “safe”. Now, as Landon tries to woo her, she doesn’t allow herself to give in. Not because she doesn’t have feelings for Landon, but because he deserves so much more than she can offer. For his own benefit, Ashley keeps Landon at arm’s length.

    Luke is riding high. Life is great, his steady girlfriend is great, and his future is looking bright. When his world comes crashing down around him–just like the twin towers on 911– Luke begins to doubt the power of God. His humanistic leanings cause strain between him and his family so he moves out and seeks solace from a classmate that’s more than willing to show him the errors of the Christian faith. Though he blames God for the turmoil in his life, he can’t ignore the fact that it was his own mistake that started his life spiraling downward.

    REMEMBER was a quick read. Now, that could be because after reading REMPTION so much back story is already in your mind. Whatever the reason, upon finishing it, you can’t wait to pick up the next in the series, RETURN. The more you read, the more you feel as if the Baxter’s are your neighbors and you are genuinely concerned with their trials and circumstances.


    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review Tuesday, January 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Accidental Bride
    • Rated 4 stars

    “THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE, the second in the Big Sky Romance series, while not completely plausible, it was completely enjoyable.

    Shay Branderberger’s life has been filled with nothing but ups and downs, mostly downs. She struggles to keep her family ranch afloat while raising her daughter on her own. Left at the altar by her first love, rodeo star Travis McCoy, and then abandoned by her husband, Shay has sworn off men, that is, until she agrees to be the bride in a Founder’s Day reenactment. But when her pretend groom ends up being Travis, she wants nothing more than to run away from the man who broke her heart. In a twist of fate, their fake marriage ends up being the real deal and Travis wants nothing more than a second chance to prove to Shay he never stopped loving her.

    THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE was a quick read. The characters were genuine and the setting of a working ranch is always my location of choice. Give me big skies, open land, and a handsome cowboy, and a great story is sure to abound. Of course, the accidental marriage was a bit far-fetched, but I was able to overlook that because Ms. Hunter’s writing made it almost seem plausible. As stated before, this is the second book in a series, but has no problem as a standalone novel. Good writing + good characters = great enjoyment.

    Book provided for review purposes.
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review Sunday, January 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Redemption
    • Rated 4 stars

    “This is not my first time reading REDEMPTION from the Karen Kingsbury Redemption series. I had read the first three books in the series when they first came out, but then I got out of step. I continued to purchase all the books in the set and the series’ that followed, but always felt I needed to go back to the beginning and re-read before I continued on into the other series that dovetail off of this one. So, between my other scheduled readings, I have committed to get up to speed on the multiple series put out by Kingsbury. All that to say my reviews will probably be short and to the point.

    The Redemption series follows the Baxter family. The Baxter’s seem to be a genuine, close knit family, but there are many fractures under the surface. REDEMPTION tells the story of Kari Baxter Jacobs. When she discovers her husband, a respected professor, is having an affair with one of his students, her life comes apart at the seams. Wanting to do everything she can to save her marriage, she refuses to give up on her husband. But, when her old high-school sweetheart shows up on the scene, and would like to pick up where they left off, Kari is torn between forgiveness and anger, temptation and commitment. What ensues is a roller-coaster of emotions and a horrible tragedy. Kari’s strength on all counts will be tested.

    It took a little while to get back into this book. I think it’s because Christian fiction has grown by leaps and bounds since this series debuted in 2002. About a third of the way in, the momentum picked up and I remembered why I liked Karen’s writing. I like stories that are realistic, not cookie-cutter, and the troubles that plague the Baxter family make them human. I am half way through REMEMBER, the second in the series and will post more when I am finished.
    ”

    tamaratilley wrote this review Friday, January 6, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 251 reviews

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