Diane Rapp's Blog: She's a Mystery and Science Fiction Writer! - Posts Tagged "clean-read"

Stutter Creek by Ann Swann

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Romance and suspense that packs a punch

Hoping to recover from the stress of losing her father, getting divorced, and having her daughter move to another country, Beth retreats to the peace and quiet of her cabin in Stutter Creek. Little does she know that her safety is in jeopardy. A serial killer is roaming the woods near her cabin and intends to make her victim number three on his growing list.

John and Beth fell in love as teenagers but they lost track of each other. After John retired from the military, he returned to Stutter Creek and started restoring his cabin. He never married and still holds fond memories of Beth, but he's sure it's too late for him. Destroyed by her husband's infidelity, Beth dreams of John and wishes she could see him again. Just when Beth reconnects with John, she's targeted by a sadistic serial killer.

Beth is also mourning her father and thinks she might be going crazy when she starts receiving messages from the beyond. This is a thriller combined with a poignant story of lost love. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last pages. I'm a fan of Ann Swann's writing and she doesn't let us down in this tale. Grab a bowl of popcorn while you're reading so you don't chew your fingernails.




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A DIFFERENCE OF PURPOSE: A Novel Of The American Civil War by Terry Soileau

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A "Red Badge of Courage" saga.

Although I usually avoid books about war, this excellent novel is more than a war novel. It's about people, survival, and a a crisis of faith. "What do you do when your whole world has ended and, yet, you're still here?" This quote poses the question that occupies the mind of one of the main characters, Alexander Wythe, after he suffers terrible losses. He says, "We're all brothers on opposite sides of the war. Killing each other's neighbors, buddies, and friends." That is the sad truth behind a civil war, and it's a miracle our country survived.

The author obviously researched his subject with an attention to detail, making the pathos of war come alive during scenes of brutal destruction. He helps his readers see the war from his characters' perspective and understand the decisions these people had to make after the conflict. My heart ached for the young boy, Jonathan, trying to find out the truth behind his father's death. He reminded me of the character in "The Red Badge of Courage," too young to face the stark reality of war. He deserves a chance to be loved and part of a family once again!

If you're a Civil War buff, you'll love the history revealed in this novel. If you enjoy reading about people, follow this courageous family as they struggle in aftermath of a war that turned brothers into enemies. Lincoln's words said it best, "God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war, it is quite possible that God's purpose is different than the purpose of either party." This well-written novel explores those "differences of purpose" and reminds us that it took great courage to survive that kind of conflict.




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The Corporeal Pull by Sara B. Gauldin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Soul mates join the battle between good and evil.


This book was filled with loads of interesting ideas and situations. When Terra met Liam she didn’t know that her very existence would change in a heartbeat. As a “guide” for corporeal entities, she has linked minds with her charges and helped them fulfill their divine purpose during their lives on Earth. She noticed that soul mates often found their partners again and again, during many lifetimes, but she never thought she’d meet her own soul mate until she touched Liam’s hand. Terra risks everything, including her immortal soul, to protect Liam from the evil that threatens his life. During the process she learns about the terrible Scrouge that might threaten everyone in the Tweens and on Earth. Can she save Liam? Will she survive the ordeal herself?

Whether you believe in a higher authority or the existence of good and evil, this story will tug at your heart. Two souls linked by love must survive against desperate odds and find each other in a dangerous world. Terra is courageous and able to learn how to fight evil although she occupies a weak child’s body. Her determination and heart make us want to see her succeed, but the dangers might be too much for one heavenly entity as she navigates the underbelly of real life to save her soul mate.

This is a clean read without explicit sex or bloody violence, which is remarkable since there are battle scenes again evil entities. The author supplied a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, and I happily recommend it to any reader, young or old.




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MEET MY CHARACTER BLOG TOUR


An ancient dragon finds himself in odd trouble:

The main character of Dragon Knight and the Heart's Blood Curse is simply called Dragon. It’s true that humans mistake him for the knight named Sir Percival but the disguise is helpful while he travels.

In the mundane world we might believe that dragons are fictional, but in the magical realm everyone knows they are very real. Dragon is an ancient creature who lives in the magical realm. He is imbued with centuries of real magic that dripped from stalactites onto his egg and continued to drip onto his grown body. He minds his own business living deep in a volcanic cavern, but when his favorite meal (maiden) suddenly pops into his cave, he takes advantage of a free meal. Any dragon would.

The mundane world and the magical realm are two worlds separated by strong barriers.

At one time the two worlds were one and magic existed everywhere. When people stopped believing in magical creatures and started developing the mundane magic used in machines, the two worlds split and strong barriers kept them apart.

Danger in the Kingdom

A demon named Sandoval has been stealing dead famous musicians at the moment of their death and forcing them to perform endlessly to infect the magical realm and accomplish his evil plan. As he gained a store of magical power, Sandoval initiates his final plan. He will steal a live musician, Jimmy Buffett, and destroy the barriers between the worlds to liberate the underworld.

This fairy tale takes place mostly in the magical realm but the reader also glimpses important action taking place in the mundane world as magicians try to protect Jimmy Buffett from the demon’s plan to destroy the worlds.

Why is Dragon an important character in the fairy tale?

Dragon has been sleeping through all the turmoil in the magical realm. He doesn’t realize that Sandoval recently sent his minions to kill all the dragons. He’s now the last dragon in the kingdom and the only creature who could defeat the demon and restore order.

What event propels Dragon into action?

When Dragon accepted the maiden as tribute, he enjoyed his last good meal. When the witch named Bellatrix confronts Dragon, he tries to explain that the girl was already dead when she popped into his cavern. It didn’t matter to the furious witch. She turns him into a knight by using a heart’s blood curse and forces him to set out on an odd quest.

In order to become a dragon once again, Dragon must perform an important task for a young sorceress named Robyn. He really hates being a human and is determined to regain his regal dragon form. Traveling through the kingdom in human guise is dangerous and friends join him on the journey.

Lessons learned along the way.

While Dragon travels through the magical realm to complete his quest, he learns about the dire problems in the kingdom caused by the demon, Sandoval. A brave human squire named Duncan aids him in his quest. They face zombies, vampires, ghosts, and harpies during the dangerous journey. Dragon makes several friends and learns lessons that will influence his future life. An ancient dragon can learn important lessons and change his outlook.

Dragon Knight and the Heart's Blood Curse is available in print and e-book formats. Read the description on my website www.quicksilvernovels.com. The book has an added bonus. Readers will get two futuristic short stories involving animals that are sure to tweak curiosity about my other books.

You can find it exclusively on Amazon.com by clicking the following link: http://amzn.to/1ASdWvB The book is available through the Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime programs if you wish to read it for free.

I was tagged for this blog tour by Charles Dougherty, who writes a fantastic mystery/thriller BLUEWATER series. Find his latest book and the character featured at http://www.clrdougherty.com/2014/09/m...

Now you might wish to travel to the next blog on the tour: Sharon Skettering will be posting a "meet the character blog" on 9/26 at: http://questteaching.com/wordpress/


Dragon Knight and the Heart's Blood Curse

The first three novels in the series are available for the first time in one boxed set. This romantic mystery series is set on passenger cruise ships traveling to different parts of the world. Readers experience exotic locations as they travel with personnel who work on the ships. Get behind-the-scenes glimpses into cruise-ship life and get to know an engaging cast of characters. Remember places you’ve been or preview new destinations to travel as you read the series.

Praise for "Murder Caribbean-Style": “Sometimes a reader needs to curl up with a deliciously good book and disappear from their own world for a while. Murder Caribbean-Style spirited me away into a world that oozed with the charms of such exotic locations as Barbados, St. Thomas, Sint Maarten and Puerto Rico. Diane Rapp offers a gift to her readers: She whets an adventurer's appetite with zesty, vivid descriptions of fascinating out-of-the-way places at each port, sites that are unknown to many tourists. We are treated to descriptions of not only the duties of personnel on a cruise ship but, more so, their very human nuances…Murder Caribbean-Style is such a great read for those of us who enjoy an intricate yet spirited plot. We are treated to an endearing group of characters who add a zesty flavor to an already delightful story.” Doreen E. Cox, author

Praise for "Murder on a Ghost Ship": “I loved reading the sequel to the first book in this series, Murder Caribbean Style. Both books are even more intriguing for me because I also write novels about cruise ships. However, the really interesting thing for me about this story is the premise that there is an actual ghost; a lady who must be identified before someone else is murdered on the cruise ship. Kayla and her friends Emily and Natalia from the first book team up to solve a puzzling murder from the past. Kayla's fiancé, Steven, who has problems of his own with his employer, Interpol, and the recent loss of a close colleague, comes on board to lend a hand. In a satisfying chain of events, they unravel a mystery and save the life of a fellow passenger. As always, Diane weaves a fun tale of suspense and mystery. Her novels are easy to read and there is never a dull moment in the action. I highly recommend this novel for anyone who loves travel and murder mysteries.” Arleen Alleman, author

Praise for "Murder for Glacier Blue": “The third time's the charm for this author, who takes the crown of Cruise Mystery Queen with this third entry in her High Seas series. Diane Rapp begins with an entirely different setting, a bit of nifty techno-magic and her most intriguing mystery. Setting? This time we're Alaska-bound for an it's-about-time wedding between sassy Kayla Sanders and her fiancé Stephen Young (a young Pierce Brosnan lookalike). The gorgeous ice-bound settings are enhanced by an ingenious art angle: an auction company, Genuine Fakes, will display and auction imitations of masterful paintings along with the originals. And Rapp brings her passion for art to bear in her descriptions of the paintings. Techno-magic? The author intersperses a few lovely photos at just right the times… And the mystery? It's a corker involving a ring of art thieves on the ship...the specific art they want to steal...why they'll kill to steal it. Though the High Seas books aren't thrillers, it is a thrill to watch this author blend mystery, setting, character, humor and suspense.” Reb MacRath, author

High Seas Mysteries Vol. 1-3

Nothing Bundt Murder: A Culinary Cozy Mystery by Leigh Selfman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Dream job twists into murder

When Rosie takes a dream job working in a bakery that specializes in Bundt cakes, she never thought she'd get mixed up in murder. This is an easy breezy story that keeps a reader's attention. There is a touch of romance, danger, and of course murder. Who done it? Twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the end. I loved it, you will, too.



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Go Away Home by Carol Bodensteiner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Facing the world of 1918 with courage

After previously reading the author’s memoir GROWING UP COUNTRY, I felt eager to read her newest book. It’s a novel but it's based on the lives of her ancestors. She incorporates actual family history into the narrative after conducting in-depth research into the time period and actual places they lived in Iowa. I was not disappointed with the story. The author successfully infuses a tone of authenticity into her novel, making readers love and care about the characters.


Liddy is an ambitious young woman who hungers to explore the world, develop her creative talents, and escape from boring farm life. We follow the young woman as she experiences success, love, happiness, and heartache in a compelling historical story. Facing a world in 1918, where women must fight for the vote, experience roadblocks in business, and an unsullied reputation is vital for acceptance in society, Liddy breaks out of farm-life constraints to discover what is really essential for her own happiness. I won’t divulge Liddy’s choices, but we all know that brave young women like Liddy helped pave the way for subsequent generations. Facing the world with courage and an inborn work ethic, Liddy must have been a fantastic role model for her descendants.

I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I recommend the book to readers.



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Spring Dawn by Rebekah Lyn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Faith and human nature might derail a perfect romance

Anyone who enjoys romance will love this series. I read the previous book in the series and got to know and care about the characters, especially Lizzy and Ian with their budding romance. The book continues with their struggle to connect romantically without letting the relationship become physical. Lizzie fears allowing her growing passion to get out of hand, so she pulls back from Ian to protect herself. He can't understand and starts to feel jealous of her friendship with Jeffrey, who tries to avoid the old temptations that led him astray. In a world where people jump into bed on the first date and expect everyone to follow suite, it's difficult for young people of faith to navigate the dating scene.

The book is a clean read with religious content but it doesn't preach to its readers. The scenes between Lizzy and Ian are realistic. Jealousy and doubt almost derail their romance making readers feel anxious to learn if everything gets resolved. Will Jeffrey slide back into his old life? Will Lizzy learn to trust herself? Will Ian give up on Lizzie and find someone else to love? Rebekah Lyn is a talented writer who rounds out her characters and lets us know their faults as well as their love of God. Faith is important to the story but human nature plays a large role, too.



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