B.D. Lawrence's Blog
October 13, 2025
Book Review of Dreamwalker by Carrie Cotten
This story features all three, justice, vengeance, and redemption. It’s book one of a Christian suspense series. There are interesting supernatural elements in this story. It’s a classic tale of good versus evil. Clear boundaries between them. No gray. The protagonist, though, doesn’t realize she’s the good one.
Andromeda Skyle Stone, who prefers to be called Andy, despite her super-cool name, is an agent with an unnamed secret government agency. A little cliché, but I didn’t mind. She has a special gift where she can get into people’s dreams. Not really a spoiler, given the title of the book. The agency uses her to find missing people or get information. Andy is brought in on a special mission where she faces a man with other special gifts.
For the most part, this story moves quickly, and the suspense builds until the final confrontation. The ending is well done. Though the denouement drags some. There are a couple spots where the author dumps Andy’s backstory on the reader in large chunks. The first time this happens, it’s in the middle of an intense scene. I understand breaking some of the intensity up, but I thought the first section of backstory was heavy. Other than that, the story carried me through with strong writing and good pacing.
Andy is an emotional wreck. She’s unsure of her place in the world. Along the journey, though, she meets some incredible people who help her out. There is a romantic element to the story. It’s a love at first sight kind of thing. The romance is not overwhelming, though at times descriptions of Andy’s emotions and reactions can be.
This is a Christian novel. It’s clean. No profanity, no on page sex and the violence is not gratuitous. There are some intense battles between Andy and the antagonist, but not in the usual manner. I’ll rank this one number nine. After the top two, the next thirteen are a hairs breadth apart. All very good books.
Thunder and Rain by Charles MartinLove’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntBook of Days by James L. RubartThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroDreamwalker by Carrie CottenThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorLoving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca ReedThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Unhired Hand by R.O. LaneThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonWhite Gold by Michael E. JimersonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
October 8, 2025
Book Review of White Gold by Michael E. Jimerson
This complex mystery features justice and maybe some redemption. This is the first E.J. Kane mystery. Kane is a former Texas Ranger who left the DPS due to a scandal that is not completely revealed. Since it’s a series, I assume the events surrounding his leaving will be further explained.
The story is complex. The mystery takes several turns. I did not figure it out so was surprised by the ending twists. The other interesting part of the novel is the setting. Kane is head of security for a huge oil company. The author writes about the practices within the industry around oil wells. There is also a fascinating legal battle for control of the company. I’m not sure how plausible the situation is, but I found it possible, and it added depth to the story.
The writing is average. There were a lot of editing gaffs. Also, I found myself lost in some of the dialog and in some of the transitions. One thing the author took to heart was keeping his protagonist in trouble. Kane has a messed-up family and that’s another distraction for him while he’s trying to solve the mystery of the dead body found at an exploded well. I found the family issues a distraction as well, but some of them tie into the main story line.
The book is clean. No profanity. The one sex scene is all off page. The violence fits the story, so nothing gratuitous. I anticipate Jimerson’s writing will get better with each installment in the series. If you like complex, clean mysteries within an unusual setting, then this one is worth reading. I’ll rank it eighteenth. Don’t let that dissuade you as the seventeen ahead of it have all been very good reads.
Thunder and Rain by Charles MartinLove’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntBook of Days by James L. RubartThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorLoving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca ReedThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Unhired Hand by R.O. LaneThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonWhite Gold by Michael E. JimersonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
September 29, 2025
Book Review of Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin
A fantastic story about redemption. This book is drama, mystery, suspense, and romance without the ooey gooey stuff. It has a little bit of everything, including a twist ending. A much different set of characters and situations than the Murphy Shepherd books I’ve read. I had no idea what to expect or what this was about, which is not usually the way I start a book. I loved it. Both the approach and the book.
Tyler Steele, who everyone knows as Cowboy, is a retired Texas Ranger. Though, apparently, one never really quits the Rangers. He bumps into Samatha and Hope, literally. She and her ten-year-old daughter are in dire straits. On the run, no money, in bad shape. Tyler takes them under his wing and thus starts an amazing story of relationship, trust, faith, and selflessness.
Mr. Martin’s writing is spectacular as it has been in every book I’ve read of his. This book has two points of view. First person point of view from Tyler Steele. And Hope writing letters to God. As the story goes on, these letters become more intriguing. This ten-year-old represents a relationship with God that many adults need to have. She’s brutally honest, but practical as well. She relies on God for everything.
I won’t characterize this as a Christian novel. It’s a dramatic novel about Cowboy, who is a Christian. His actions characterize how a Christian should live. It’s not preachy. It’s real. It is clean. No profanity, but Cowboy, not being perfect, does swear occasionally. There is romance and suggestiveness, but no on-page sex. Some violence that is necessary. There are some brutal and evil behaviors depicted. Cowboy faces a couple nasty foes.
This is the best book I’ve read this year. Seems every year, a Charles Martin book either starts at the top and stays there or jumps to the top and takes over. Regardless of your religion, this book is a must read. Cowboy and Samantha are damaged people who find a way to repair themselves together.
Thunder and Rain by Charles MartinLove’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntBook of Days by James L. RubartThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorLoving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca ReedThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Unhired Hand by R.O. LaneThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
September 13, 2025
Book Review of Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed
This is a pure Christian romance. And I use pure in both senses. Pure as in it fits into the Christian romance genre. And pure in that it’s clean. Redemption features prominently in this book for more than one character. And yes, it’s an odd book for me to read. Not quite the justice-seeking, vengeance-squashing crime novels I usually read. But I have to admit, it’s a well-written, touching story.
As the title implies, it’s also a cowboy romance. Modern cowboys. The two main characters, Tiago Vargas (the man), and Quinn Mulroney (the woman) are ex college rodeo riders. And that’s where they “met”. I put “met” in quotes because except for one brief encounter, which I won’t describe – read the book – their meeting is via eye-contact from across a rodeo arena. Can you say, “love at first sight”? And like any true romance, they’ve been separated, and in this case, God brings them back together.
Maybe this is the case with most romances, but these two individuals have some serious baggage, hang ups, and frankly, mental issues they need to work out. As with reading most romances, I wanted to scream at both of them, “Oh, come on, just talk to each other. Get over yourself.” But scream as I might, they didn’t listen to me.
As mentioned in the beginning, it’s a clean read. No profanity, no on page sex, and no on page violence. Other than Quinn being thrown from a horse. There are some trauma triggers. Again, they’ll go unmentioned. I don’t want to spoil the story. And there are some touchy topics discussed, as well as tough decisions characters had to make.
If you like romances, you’ll love this book. It kept me reading, even though it’s not a preferred genre of mine. I’ll rank this one number nine for the year so far.
1. Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJong
2. Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt
3. Book of Days by James L. Rubart
4. The Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron Ross
5. With Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. Powell
6. Justice by Jeff Hill
7. Already in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood Lucero
8. The Last Wife by Matt McGregor
9. Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed
10. The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. Dunlap
11. Ranch Showdown by Tina Wheeler
12. The Unhired Hand by R.O. Lane
13. The Shocking Truth by Steve Rush
14. Daughter of Darkness by Ed Gorman
15. Burning Angel by James Lee Burke
16. Death in the Kremlin by E.J. Simon
17. Irresistible Impulse by Robert K. Tanenbaum
18. Line of Fire by Taylor S. Newport
19. The Longest Day by Terry Toler
20. Left to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
September 3, 2025
Book Review of Book of Days by James L. Rubart
This fascinating book is all about redemption, the best kind of redemption. There is vengeance as well, especially the consequences of vengeance and the power of forgiveness to heal. It’s a Christian novel that’s hard to categorize. There’s a deep mystery all throughout. There’s romance. There’s a quest for a supernatural entity. And there’s suspense. It has it all.
Cameron Vaux is a videographer who lives in Seattle. He witnesses his father’s memory decline and early death. But in a moment of lucidity, his father tells him that Cameron must find the Book of Days and it will answer all his questions and make everything okay. Several years later, when Cameron starts to suffer a similar memory loss, one that his dad told him he’d suffer, he begins his quest for the Book of Days, a book that God wrote. I don’t want to give any more plot away. Read it.
This book has several themes running through it. The misuse of a gift from God. Religious fanaticism with the focus on the wrong thing. Living with secrets and not letting go of the past. Shutting out those most important in one’s life because of unresolved guilt. Dealing with the loss of loved ones. And one man’s spiritual journey.
Mr. Rubart’s writing is superb. The story captivated me from the beginning and kept me reading to the end. The prologue is odd and really can’t be understood until near the end of the book. To be honest, I got so caught up in Cameron’s story, I forgot about the prologue. When you read this, go back and read the prologue again. It will make more sense.
Because this is a Christian book, it’s clean. No profanity, no on page sex (or off for that matter) and no gratuitous violence. I recommend this book to everyone, regardless of your current state of faith, or no faith at all. No matter what genre you normally read, I think you’ll enjoy this book. It hits several genres and hits them well. I’ll rank this one number three so far this year. There isn’t much that separates the top seven books I’ve read this year, so it was tough placing it.
Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntBook of Days by James L. RubartThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Unhired Hand by R.O. LaneThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
August 20, 2025
Book Review of Cold Island by Peter Colt
This police procedural mystery features justice, as it should. Vengeance rears its ugly head briefly. And one could argue redemption is at least beginning. It’s an interesting read that features brutal crimes against children, small-town secrets, and self-admitting cliché cops.
Tommy Kelly is a homicide detective for the Massachusetts state police. Some bones of a child are uncovered on Nantucket Island, and he’s assigned to go and help the local police determine if the child was murdered. The book goes back and forth between 1981/82 and current times, divided by chapters. The original case this book centers around would also make a good book. Toward the end there is a lot of telling about how the town handled the case that could make a compelling book set at the time of the case.
For the first two-thirds of this book, I would have given it a rating of only three stars. It starts slow. The first fifty pages could have been condensed into ten pages. Throughout there is a lot of repetition. The characters rehash several times the same things. And for those writers out there, the author tells much of the story through dialog rather than showing the story by action.
The last fifty pages of this book moved the rating to a four-star book. Twists and turns. Secrets uncovered. Layers of mystery that I did not see. More astute readers may guess at some of it, but it’s well-disguised. You could also argue that the author is purposefully deceptive, but that didn’t bother me. The book is worth slogging through the first two-thirds to get to the last third. And the entire book is only 230 pages long.
There is fair amount of profanity. The only sex alluded to is off page. I do warn you that if you don’t like crimes against children, this is not a book you should read. It’s not overly graphic but still disturbing.
I will rank this one fifteenth of the books I’ve read so far this year. It’s a compelling story, just not presented in the way I would have written it. But that’s okay. You can be the judge for yourself.
Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Unhired Hand by R.O. LaneThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
August 10, 2025
Book Review of The Unhired Hand by R.O. Lane
This book is a short western featuring frontier justice. The bad guy is motivated mostly by greed and evil not vengeance. No redemption that I’ll give credit for, but there was an opportunity. This is the first western I’ve read in some time. And through my life I’ve only read a handful. Westerns and crime fiction have much in common. To me, a different setting is all. This seemed like a familiar story. After the first several chapters I thought of Shane, as well as High Plains Drifter or Pale Rider. The latter two faded out as the hero is alive and has not revenge-driven backstory. I read the author’s bio. Shane and that author were early influences on him.
Dutch is a former soldier in the Civil War for the south and a former cattle hand that is drifting through Wyoming. He stops at a homestead for some water and is drawn into their battle with a large cattle association rancher that wants all the homesteaders, or nesters, out of the valley so he can take all that land. Dutch sticks around and helps the family. One thing missing from this story is motivation for Dutch to do this. Other than being a nice guy, we don’t get enough backstory to indicate why this would be something he’d latch onto. Like Shane, it could be the relationship he develops with the young boy, who narrates much of the story. The book is less than 180 pages, so the author had space to explore this further.
Much of the story is told in first person point of view by the young boy. It’s structured in a way that the boy is looking back to this event. There are deviations into third person point of view from other characters. As a reader, these POV shifts don’t bother me. Some writers who belong to the POV Police would probably object to the structure.
One other aspect I thought could have been explored more was the Federal Marshall. He definitely treads in gray areas of law enforcement. This was one character where redemption could have been explored. Something happens to him that I believe is a result of his non-conventional techniques. But nothing beyond that is explored.
Overall, this is a clean story. Some profanity. No sex. And the violence is not over the top. I enjoyed the story as I’m usually a fan of a hero stepping in to help those oppressed by evil. If you enjoy traditional westerns, I believe you’ll enjoy this one as well. As for ranking, I put this one at number ten. This year, so far, 15 of the 18 I’ve read are 4 and 5 star reads. The other three are 3 stars.
Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Unhired Hand by R.O. LaneThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
August 2, 2025
Book Review of The Last Wife by Matt McGregor
This psychological thriller features justice and maybe some redemption. There’s always this debate about prologues. I’ve even seen some say they skip right past them. Don’t skip the prologue in this one. The prologue is indicative of the tension in the second half of the book. However, the author could have made it chapter 1. After the prologue, the story slows down. Enough so that I wondered when something would happen. Get through the slow chapters, because stuff absolutely happens. Like a truck cresting a huge hill and the brakes fail. It picks up speed until at the bottom it’s rumbling at a hundred miles an hour unable to stop.
Olivia is a waitress that is swept off her feet by Lachlan Gibson, a wealthy, single, money trader. It’s a whirlwind romance that turns first strange, then twisted, then frightening. Olivia finds herself trapped in an idyllic town with the perfect man. But is he? Written in first person point of view from Olivia’s perspective, and in present tense, this story is intense, fascinating, and suspenseful. There were times I wondered about the decisions Olivia made, as each bad decision led to worse situations. But then I wondered, if it were me, would the decisions have been any different?
This is one of those books that for the first half or so, it was easy to put down and pick up the next day. However, after about the midway point, I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Short chapters helped with being able to put it down when I had to go to sleep.
Good characterization. Good use of the setting. And writing that propels the story forward. There is some profanity. Only one f-bomb. On page sex. Only once before they are married. It’s not overly graphic. No graphic violence. The violence in this book is more psychological than physical, though there is some physical violence. A sequel could be interesting to trace Olivia’s path to wellness. If she actually ever gets there. The trauma she experienced would break most people. The burning question I had when finished was if Olivia would ever marry again and if so, how that would go.
I’ll rank this one seventh of the books I’ve read this year. I’d be interested in a woman’s opinion of this story. Did the author capture the thoughts, emotions and actions accurately for a woman in the situation she was in? If you read it, let me know.
Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Last Wife by Matt McGregorThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
July 25, 2025
Book Review of Death in the Kremlin by E.J. Simon
This thriller has some elements of near-term science fiction as the AI in the book is more advanced than where we’re at. Simon published it in November of 2024 and set the book into 2025. There is some justice, probably more poetic justice than true justice. No vengeance featured. And I’ll leave it to the reader to determine if anyone found redemption. If cleaning up one’s language is redemption, then maybe for one of the characters.
This is book five of the Micheal Nicholas series. It was the only one I’ve read and that did not pose a problem. Micheal Nicholas is a CEO of a large finance company who has been forced to take over his deceased brother’s shady booky business. I’m not going to go into much of the plot as I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s about secret advances in AI and Vladamir Putin’s attempt to use those advances to further his agenda against the west.
This was a fun story. Plenty of thrills and excitement. Some twists but nothing that surprised me. I saw most of them coming. But enough suspense to keep me going and wanting to know what will happen next. It ends on a cliffhanger, so maybe book six will pick up on that. But not so much of a cliffhanger that things are not resolved. The book ends. There’s a long denouement, but it was interesting enough it didn’t bother me.
The writing is good. Not over the top. The characterization is sufficient. The book is under 300 pages, so for those that read fast, it’s a quick read. Like I said before, a fun read. To borrow a phrase from one of my cousins, “mind candy”.
Some profanity and some sex, though more suggestive than graphic. Some violence, but then the story involves current day Russia, so there had to be unexplained deaths.
I’ll rank this one number twelve for the year.
Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeDeath in the Kremlin by E.J. SimonIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
July 14, 2025
Book Review of Line of Fire by Taylor S. Newport
This spy thriller doesn’t quite hit any of my tags. Justice is not served. There’s the beginning of redemption, but not there yet. And it’s not really about vengeance. The bad guys are power-hungry. The good guys are in it for cash and honor.
This is the first of the Dauntless Defenders series. I’m assuming the two main characters, Tyler Reid and I’ll call her Alex, as her name changes a couple times, are the two that will carry on. The story is a group of clandestine good guys against a rogue group of clandestine bad guys. The rogue group is a splinter group within the CIA.
Tyler Reid is a former Australian military man who has become a mercenary. The typical lone wolf male hero. Can’t get involved with anyone because when he does, they end up hurt or dead. He’s sent to New York to protect a scientist working on a special wonder-drug that several groups want to get a hold of.
The best way to describe this book is over-the-top. Non-stop action. Lots of gun battles, fisticuffs, and chases. If you like that kind of thing, check it out. It’s sort of Mission Impossible in print. Not much breathing room.
The writing is okay, not memorable. There are several technical and continuity errors that being a writer jumped out at me. I don’t think the average reader that enjoys this type of action novel will notice or care.
What I didn’t like was the ending. It didn’t end. I sharply criticized Lisa Jackson for that this year because she used the same reader-manipulation technique to try and force the reader to buy the next book to find out the ending. I’m not a fan of this technique. So much so I’ll probably not read another in the series. Since I write crime fiction and primarily PI novels, one rule is justice is served and the case is solved. Even in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series where S.P.E.C.T.R.E. was ever present, each book had a satisfying ending. Mission accomplished. Bond got the girl. Readers are happy.
The book is clean. Lots of violence, but nothing gratuitous or gross. No profanity and no on page sex. There are some mentions of some of the character’s faith. Not enough to put off a non-Christian reader. I’ll rank this one thirteenth for this year. I’ll end with this. It was a fun read, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen.
Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJongThrough Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. HuntThe Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron RossWith Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. PowellJustice by Jeff HillAlready in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood LuceroThe Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. DunlapRanch Showdown by Tina WheelerThe Shocking Truth by Steve RushDaughter of Darkness by Ed GormanBurning Angel by James Lee BurkeIrresistible Impulse by Robert K. TanenbaumLine of Fire by Taylor S. NewportThe Longest Day by Terry TolerLeft to Die by Lisa Jackson
Commission earned
