Book Reviews

After being released from prison for a crime she didn’t commit, Tessa Lancaster becomes the protector for a young mother and her son who are being pursued by a dangerous and abusive father. After becoming a Christian in prison, Tessa cannot ignore this mother and she decides she will do what she can to protect them. Her Uncle Teruo, leader of the Japanese Mafia (Yakuza), wants her to come back to work for him but she will not go back to a life of crime. She is committed to living her life for Christ and being an example for her family despite the fact that they still see her as she was before. She must work with a young lawyer, Charles Britton, who unbeknownst to her is the reason she served the maximum sentence of 7 years in prison. Tessa is a born protector who is highly skilled in martial arts – can she protect this mother and her son? Can she work with Charles and find restitution for this mother and son? Will Tessa’s old life and crimes come back to haunt her? Can God truly change her and give her a new life on the right path?

So wow. I love Camy Tang. Her writing just keeps getting better and better. I love that this book is only the beginning of the series. I look forward to more books with this much character depth and development mixed with action-packed suspense and intrigue. Everything about the story kept me reading until the end and still had me wanting to know more about the characters.

I highly recommend this book! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! It’s that good. Enjoy this fantastic read with action, adventure, suspense, mystery, and ‘romance with a kick of wasabi’!

I received this book for free from NetGalley but I did not have to give a positive review.

Monica Grant is dead-set on starting a free children’s clinic in Sonoma, California. She has worked as an Emergency Room nurse but wants to make an even greater impact. She prides herself on her ability to read people. When she starts feeling like someone is watching her, she can’t hide the sense that something is wrong. When she starts getting threatening gifts, photos, and letters, she knows that someone is willing to kill her to stop her from opening a free clinic. When the first gift arrives, Shawn O’Neill, a former border patrolman, recognizes the quote from the gift; his sister’s stalker must be the same stalker. His sister had planned to open up a free clinic in the LA area but after receiving numerous threats, she had committed suicide. Shawn suspected his sister had been killed by a colleague of his sister’s who just happened to be a would-be investor for Monica’s free clinic. Who would do this? One of her investors? Can Shawn keep Monica safe from danger without losing his heart? Can Monica keep her dreams alive without risking her friends, family and investors’ lives? Can Monica bear to give her heart to Shawn, whose job requires him to dash into the line of fire? Can Monica and Shawn trust the Lord to protect them and trust Him to heal their broken hearts?

Stalker in the Shadows is a great little mystery suspense in itself. I might be biased since I’ve read all of Camy Tang’s books, but I really enjoy them! Since this is a Love Inspired – Suspense book, it’s shorter in length but it’s perfectly paced. I didn’t want to put the book down, and I really didn’t have to. I have read the previous books in the series and was happy to see where the other characters were at. I love how Tang’s characters have real-life issues and have to deal with them in an authentic way. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s a Love Inspired book; it’s worth the read!

I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a good suspense mystery with a love story that incorporates the love of God. (Also, I might be biased because I grew up near all the places she was talking about in her book – gotta love Sonoma and San Francisco!)

The Biblical story of Rahab retold from a fresh perspective… As a teenager, Rahab is forced to choose a life of selling her body in order to help feed her family. However, instead of becoming a temple prostitute, she chooses her own clients and learns how to be the best business woman but still she is empty inside. After saving and harboring two Israelites, she asks the men to promise that she’ll be safe from the God of Israel’s judgment on her city. God grants her request and saves Rahab and her family. She and her family must adapt and adjust to life outside the walls of Jericho – the people of Israel are nomadic and very religious. Rahab finds what she’s been looking for in the God of Israel. Joshua, the leader of Israel, commands Salmone, one of the tribe leaders of Israel, to take Rahab and her family under his wing to share all of the laws and beliefs of the Israelites. Rahab is so hungry for God that Salmone’s prejudice against her slowly changes into deeper feelings. Will he be able to share what’s in his heart? Will Rahab return his feelings? Will Rahab’s family be able to adapt to the laws of Israel? Will Rahab ever be accepted?

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of the story of Rahab. I liked how the author took some liberties to make the story more believable but still stayed within the historical context. Rahab had real questions and real needs. She learned to care for herself and build up walls to protect herself from being hurt. Salmon’s character was also very realistic and well written – a man full of feeling and pride who still needs to grow. The pacing of the story was perfect.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read Christian romance based on the Bible. It is definitely worth a second read.

I received this book for free from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.

(Sorry it’s taken me so long to post more reviews. I’ve read at least 15 other books so I’m behind on reviews but hopefully I’ll get to them soon. Hope you still keep reading!)