Review of Afloat by Erin Healy (digital)

This story is set on floating residential unit, the pioneering creation of Architect Vance Nolan. Not far off being complete and disaster strikes - torrential rains begin to fall, leading to sink holes and floods causing the unit to be completely cut-off from the rest of the world. 

A diverse group of people - builders, residents and investors are stranded and divisions form as to what to do next. Vance Nolan insists they should sit tight and wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single mum Danielle Clement, desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, struggles to hold their motley band together.

Power failure, unnatural daytime darkness, explosions, then murder bring tensions to boiling point. But young Simeon has spotted something strange under the water - beautiful, shifting lights in the dark water below. Then there's the mysterious Ranier Smith who keeps appearing.

In this watery world where everyone's secrets will eventually come to light, salvation may mean more than just getting out alive.

It took me a few chapters to really get into this read...the descriptions of the residential unit and its surroundings along with the character introduction seemed a little tricky to follow...or that may just be me?! But I persisted and it really didn't take much to get into this gripping story, filled with suspense, almost apocalyptic action and supernatural elements. 

As I learnt more and more about the characters I began to feel a connection with them, with hints of comedy and romance in there to keep the story flowing. The back-story of Vance and how he came to know Zeke, a blind man who occasionally has prophetic visions, really help to give you a fuller picture of the subtle undertones that run throughout. 

I honestly struggled to put this book down and raced through it faster than I do most books, the mentions of God and references to scripture didn't seem out of place and worked well with the story. 

I'd definitely recommend this as a read to anyone, and look forward to reading more by Erin Healy.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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 Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of The Survivor by DiAnn Mills (digital)

I picked up this digital copy of The Survivor by DiAnn Mills and wasn't sure what to expect from this as I've never read a Christian crime thriller before! 

The story follows crime novelist Kariss Walker who is asked to team up with Dr. Amy Garrett, a Christian counselor offering to support for women traumatised by vicious crime, to tell the story of her own trauma through a novel.

As the story unravels we learn more about Amy's motives for telling her story in this way, as well as understanding Kariss's previous involvement in an FBI cold case.

At first I found the book a bit slow, taking time to develop the characters, however you couldn't help but be shocked at Amy's back story, made even more powerful knowing it was based on a real girl.

After a short while though, I really got to the stage where I couldn't put it down. Chapters ended making me want to keep reading on, intrigue set in, how would all the plot lines fit together in the end?

Overall a thoroughly enjoying read, a combination of intrigue and suspense kept me wanting more. The story was underpinned by man's search for truth, faith and love.

Mills used a solved cold case from the Houston FBI records as the basis for this story making this chilling yet heartwarming story. 

Quote from the author:

“I touched on many issues in this book as I strove to write realistic family dynamics in the midst of tragedy. Our lives are all about relationships and the people placed on our paths. We are to love and not smother, give and not take, sacrifice and not demand. I hope you look at your loved ones with more thankfulness and joy. Treasure them. Keep them in your prayers, and always let them know you love them."

Excerpt From: Mills, DiAnn. “The Survivor.” Zondervan, 2013. iBooks. 

This material may be protected by copyright.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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 Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising.”