The Puzzle Within by Gina Holder Review

 

The Puzzle Within is the first book I've read by Gina Holder and I loved it! This is the first book in The Game Masters series, and I wanted to read it before book two comes out later this spring. I actually had this book slated to be read closer to the release of book two, but I gave into the temptation and picked it up to check it out. And, well, I couldn't put it down. Awesome suspense with twists and danger and faith woven in. And we can't forget the possible romance.

Arizona Powers is an FBI agent who recently had a mental breakdown and has been out on leave. She feels she is ready to come back to work, but her boss isn't quite sure. She ends up being requested for an assignment protecting the teenage daughter of an ambassador. She is partnered with Nick Trueheart, a former escape artist-turned DSS risk analysist. Together they attempt to protect the ungrateful, spoiled teen. However, this assignment goes horribly wrong from the get-go, and they find themselves off the case. Except, the villain doesn't WANT them off the case and they are forced to play his or her deadly game. A game filled with mystery and cyphers, twists, and sinister clues. Clues that dig into Ari's memories and dreams. 

Both of our main characters have issues they need to work through. They are quite opposite each other in some ways. Ways that make it tricky to work together. I loved seeing their relationship develop through their quest to find the truth. 

This was an awesome book and I can't wait to read book two. 

Special Target by Jerusha Agen Review

 

Special Target is an awesome Christian suspense thriller by Jerusha Agen. This stand-alone novel gripped me from the very beginning and just wouldn't let me go. I really didn't plan to read it when I did, seeing as I had other books to read first. However, once I started reading, I could not put the book down. There was lots of suspense, danger, and action; just the way I like my suspense books. 

This story is told from only one point of view, that of social worker Ashley Sorenson. She is joined by a recently orphaned teen with Down's Syndrome named Matthew. A teen who she needs to find a home for, but is unable to at first, so he ends up in her care. Which she is not thrilled with. And she has no clue how to handle a person with Down's Syndrome. In fact, I admit, she really started to get on my nerves with the way she felt towards him. But, I will say this for her, she did her best to take care of him even when danger headed their way. And as the story progressed, you could see her feelings towards him start to change. 

Another main character in the story is Tiernan, a man who claims to be an FBI agent. But, is he really? Should she be trusting this stranger? And what about his supposed fellow agents? She honestly doesn't know who to trust when troubles come their way and she finds herself on the run with the orphaned teen.

As she tries to navigate these challenges, memories from her past help to explain her lack of trust and her animosity toward God and Christianity. A faith that both Matthew and Tiernan try to share with her. There are some powerful truths that the author shares and some difficult topics are tackled. Very thought-provoking. And there were quite some emotional scenes. Make sure you have your tissues handy. I wish I had. I admit, there was a point where I wanted to question the author directly and say, "Why, why, why??"

Another book I highly recommend by this author. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.