DiAnn Mills: Historical Fiction

The Fire in Ember

by DiAnn Mills

TAGS: Historical Fiction

Once again, DiAnn Mills demonstrates her ability to engage readers quickly.  Who is about to be hanged?  Why?  Does there seem to be something just a little bit strange about this?  Why on earth would a young girl—about to be hanged—keep her gender secret?  Why is she dressed as a boy?  Was the horse really stolen? 

Having become a fan of Mill’s suspense series, it was a treat to see if she could keep me interested in a genre I don’t particularly enjoy…and, dad gum it! She succeeded.  Somehow Mills has an innate ability to draw readers into her storyline.  As I found out, that innate ability transcends genres.  Quite frankly, a masterful writer is a masterful writer is a masterful writer.

Readers who enjoy Christian romance will certainly want to grab up this book, set in the late 1800’s.  While the main character, Bert/Ember, seems to be just a little bit too naïve at times, and a tad unable to make rational decisions or find logical solutions to her basic problems, Mills advances the plot line at a steady pace, with just the right number of twists and turns to keep readers interested.  I particularly enjoyed Mills skill in weaving in a spiritual message matter-of-factly and without contrivance.

So, bottom line…if you want to find your next “favorite” author and your next favorite read…and if you want to have your own faith strengthened by the book choices you make…grab “The Fire in Ember” up and move it to the top of your To Do list.

Reviewer: Janice E. Daku

DiAnn Mills: Political Thriller

PURSUIT OF JUSTICE

by DiAnn Mills

TAGS: Political Thriller

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for this book
(Nov22-Nov27)

Author DiAnn Mills scores another home run with the third book in her Call of Duty suspense series— Pursuit of Justice. This third novel offers readers a unique view into the complexities of the FBI. Mills is masterful in her ability to build rich and complex plot layers. This novel, set in West Texas, focuses on a female FBI agent seeking advancement. Attempting to fast track her career means exposing herself to a serial killer—a serial killer who just happens to be obsessed with her.

The opening sentence in this Mills novel—“The moment Bella accepted the reassignment to the FBI’s filed office in Houston, she realized the past had stalked her to the present”—captures the essence of this novel’s plot. And it just gets more intriguing from there.

In addition to adding plot elements that include murder, a hunt for lost treasure, and a mysterious past, Mills throws two “good guys” into the mix, both of whom seem to be vying for Bella’s attention and her heart. One of the good guys is a primary suspect in the murders of three men, the very same murders Bella is tasked with solving by the FBI. Mills threads enough red herrings throughout this novel to support an entire school of fish, but at the same time balances these distracters perfectly.

Mills has a knack for creating protagonists readers fall in love with, and root for until the last page is turned—and readers find themselves turning those pages at lightning speed.

Readers who seek out solidly plotted suspense novels with romantic subplots will not be disappointed by Pursuit of Justice, unless you count the disappointment felt when you realize you’ve finished the book, wishing you had another 100 pages or so of well-written novel still left to read.

Mills has the ability to weave a strong faith-based message into the lives of her characters in a way that consistently moves the plot elements along and supports the actions her vibrant characters take.

Pursuit of Justice is Christian fiction at its best. In this reviewer’s opinion, DiAnn Mills has established herself as a suspense novelist of the highest caliber—can’t wait for the next novel in the series to be released.

Reviewer: Janice E. Daku

From DiAnne Mills (Christy Award winner) 

I had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but I didn't have the courage to take the first step. I wrote poetry and stories and even books, but as soon as they were completed, I tossed them in the trash. Looking back, I think some of them weren't so bad and maybe I should not have given up on them so soon. So if I can encourage you in whatever life holds for you, don't give up on your dreams.

Check it out on Amazon here: Pursuit of Justice (Call of Duty)

More DiAnn Mills books on Amazon

Review: McKenzie

McKenzie

by Penny Zeller

TAGS: Family Drama, Romance

This historical novel, set in 1881, a “prairie romance”, is the first in Penny Zeller’s Montana Skies series. The well-conceived plot of this novel is typical of most historical romances. A damsel in distress—an evil villain— a handsome romance interest—conflict between the central character and the romantic interest—and a final resolution with a happily ever after ending. 

McKenzie Worthington, the central character, is a young and naïve high society Bostonian, who, in an attempt to rescue her youngest sister from a dangerous situation, heads to the Montana wilderness. 

Fortunately for the reader, this novel is saved from the mundane and totally predicable by Zeller’s strength as a writer. Her story line is meticulous. The faith elements are strong. The plot elements are reasonably complex. Zeller’s characters come to life with richness and vibrancy.

Readers who love the historical romance genre will find McKenzie a step above the rest and will find their own faith strengthened as they reflect on the message of God’s sovereign power woven throughout the novel.




Reviewer: Janice E. Daku

Review: Someone to Blame

SOMEONE TO BLAME

by C. S. Lakin

TAGS: Family Drama, Murder Mystery

Rich and vibrant characterizations are the hallmark of this novel. C. S. Lakin skillfully intertwines her main characters and their relationships with the novel’s secondary characters, never forsaking the importance of keeping the reader’s focus on the story line’s movement. Nor does Lakin beat the reader over the head with her underlying message of faith.

Readers quickly connect with each of the characters because of Lakin’s ability to immediately make each of the people populating her novel real and compelling. The novel is strong on family and interpersonal relationships—and the dynamics involved when people turn away from God and look for answers elsewhere. 

Lakin creates suspense in her novel by using the tried and true technique of building her characters and pulling in the reader, before revealing the issues at the center of the novel’s plot. And at the center of the plot are the novel’s primary characters—Irene and Matt, and their daughter, Casey. The family is struggling with the deaths of Daniel and Jesse, Casey’s older brothers. The family dysfunction created as a result is woven into the novel’s plot and serves as a linchpin for much of the action and suspense.

While with some novels, readers find difficulty in making the connection between the story and its title, with this novel “someone to blame” is clearly what each and every character is looking to find. Someone to blame is a primary motivator for both the main and secondary characters, and the novel’s action elements. The consequences of wrongfully assigning blame is a key theme in the novel’s plot, as towns people finds it easy to accuse a young man, Billy Thurber, of all sorts of malfeasance, including murder.

Readers who enjoy unraveling the threads of interpersonal relationships and analyzing cause and effect as they read will discover some gems within this novel. I would not describe “Someone to Blame” as a page-turner that will keep you up all night, but I did find it compelling and well worth the time to read. Lakin sneaks up on you, and leaves you thinking and reflecting on the book well after the last sentence is read.

Reviewer: Janice E. Daku

A SECOND PERSPECTIVE

Someone to Blame has a diverse and interesting ensemble of characters; the core characters being Matt, Irene & Casey Moore and the drifter Billy Thurber.

The book begins with the Moores moving to a new town to make a fresh start after an unspeakable tragedy in their family. The author gradually reveals the details of his tragedy through the points of view of the family members who are in total despair.

At about the same time they move to this new town, a drifter appears who begins having run-ins with locals who take an immediate dislike to his rude, defiant behavior. When many random crimes begin to happen in the town, everyone begins to blame Billy. Irene Moore is the only one who tries to reach out to him, and through a series of exciting twists and turns, both the Moores and Billy Thurber find healing.

C.S. Lakin said in an interview that she likes strong character development and a charcter-driven story. I, too, love character-driven stories, but I also find that oftentimes they lack an exciting plot. This author masterfully developed interesting characters and the interactions between them, and also constructed a fast-paced plot that kept me riveted. I love this type of story where people are trying to deal with hard trials in their lives and how God shows Himself strong in those times. 

Reviewer: Lisa Norsworthy

Check it out on Amazon here: Someone to Blame: A Novel

C.S.Lakin: I come from a family of successful writers, i.e.: they have actually made a living writing books and television scripts. I have finally landed my first fiction contract, after winning the Zondervan First Novel contest at Mount Hermon in April 2009. But as a friend once said, "God doesn't call us to be successful; He calls us to be faithful." My prayer is to keep focused on God--it's all about Him, not me, and my dream is to reach people with hope and that means to extol my faithful and loving God to my readers.

Breach of Trust: Reviewed

BREACH OF TRUST

by DiAnn Mills

TAGS: Political Thriller

DiAnn Mills begins building mystery from the first page of Breach of Trust, a novel that weaves in adventure and suspense seamlessly with a faith-based point of view. At the heart of the novel’s mystery and suspense is main character Paige Rogers. All is not as it should be with Paige, who is hiding secrets from everyone in her small town, including her own identity. The suspense heats up when a stranger comes to town and delivers a veiled warning to Paige under the guise of conducting an interview for a magazine. From that point on, the action and suspense heats up. Believing the stranger may have been sent by a corrupt Texas business tycoon with aspirations of achieving political power, Paige is determined to expose [the tycoon], even though in doing so she may expose her own secrets and risk her life. Complicating the action is Paige’s growing awareness that she cares deeply about a local high school teacher and coach.

Breach of Trust is not one of those suspense novels readers can unravel quickly as they read—there are multiple plot twists and secondary intrigues.

Readers who love suspense, especially suspense with a political angle involving the CIA, will find this novel an unpredictable page-turner. It is a well-crafted work which leaves no doubt that the protagonist has a strong faith in Christ, and depends on Him for her protection.

Reviewer: Janice E. Daku

From DiAnne Mills (Christy Award winner) 

I had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but I didn't have the courage to take the first step. I wrote poetry and stories and even books, but as soon as they were completed, I tossed them in the trash. Looking back, I think some of them weren't so bad and maybe I should not have given up on them so soon. So if I can encourage you in whatever life holds for you, don't give up on your dreams.

Check it out on Amazon here: Breach of Trust (Call of Duty Series, Book 1)

More DiAnn Mills books on Amazon