NO GREATER LOVE
Judyg54 at LibraryThing gave No Greater Love Five Stars! -
I don't give out 5 stars very often, but this story I felt deserved it. The author, Kinzie Monroe weaved into her story the salvation message so well and the story line was so unique and heartfelt. Leah is a beyond wealthy business woman who has a heart to share her riches with folks she meets in need. She is dying from cancer and knows her last days will be painful and she will be helpless. So. . . she calls on 5 friends and Kirby an attorney she has just met, and plans a weekend get-a-way for them all at her mansion. Her purpose - to have each of them plan how they would kill her without it looking like a murder. She is willing to pay them $300 million. When her friends come together (who have never met each other before) they have such a love for this woman that they don't think they can go through with it.
The way all these characters interact with each other and the conversations throughout this book had me so wrapped up in the story that I couldn't stop thinking about it, even when I wasn't reading it. Some of the characters are believers in the Lord as their Saviour, and the impact they have upon the others, the questions they face within themselves and the questions they face with the others are so real and so well dealt with that I just wanted to meet the author and say "Thank you" for a job well done! You will not be disappointed if you read this book!!!
Lynn for Readers Choice rated it Five Stars! -"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." As one reads this book they will understand the true meaning of this verse. This is an excellent inspirational novel that is recommended for all ages from young adult up.
FIRE AND ASH
Long and Short Reviews gave it their highest rating! "This is a beautiful, yet hard-hitting story, fluently written, presenting characters you fall in love with, and ensures you’ll keep it on your shelf permanently and re-read often, which is why I have given it a Best Book rating. " Reviewed by Fennel.
Night Owl Reviews gave it 5 stars – A Top Pick! Another Fantastic Novel!!!! Anne Patrick's novel, "Fire and Ash" is a well-written novel that flows wonderfully. A fantastic read!
Happily Ever After Reviews gives it 5 Tea Cups!
A wonderful read, this book had me laughing and crying. True to life characters and vivid descriptions, along with comedy and heart stopping moments, make this a page turner you'll want to read again.
Book Junkie Review
A Page Turner - Bring on the sequel. "It's always nice when you can really connect with the characters that you are reading so much so that you almost feel emotionally invested. Especially to the outcome of their relationship, even if only for a quick minute.
That is what happened to me when reading Anne Patrick's FIRE AND ASH. Sadie is full of wit and humor, not the funny, ha ha type of humor but she holds a wonderful sense of humor and always seems to know what to say, even those comments that are meant to be just for her, said under her breath.
I felt an immediate bond and spark between her and Sheriff Quinn for the second they met, which I find is hard to capture sometimes in reading so many romance novels."
Amazon & Other Reviews
Shawna K. Williams gave it 5 stars Great suspense! Great Style! “This is a book that people will enjoy even if they don't typically read Inspirational fiction. The elements of suspense, romance and faith intertwine effortlessly....It's clear that Ms. Patrick took great care in her research of personality and profession for both Sadie and Quinn. Each character was unique, likable and believable. Together they complimented each other quite well...I find myself applauding Ms. Patrick on her ability to weave elements together in perfect balance, and with a twist as well.
Romantic Reader (metime) gave it 5 stars One you won’t want to miss!!! “Anne Patrick has done it again! I loved this story! Fire and Ash is the perfect blend of mystery, suspense and romance. The chemistry of all the characters flowed so naturally and was so believable you felt by the end of the story that they were your very close friends. One thing I really appreciate about Anne's work is she writes about real people who have real problems. She shows you how they struggle with issues in their life but she also shows you how the Lord places certain people in your life at certain times for a certain purpose. I also like how Anne never really allows you to know who did it until the end. I always think I know the answer but then another clue pops up and it leads to another suspect. She always keeps you guessing. I highly recommend Fire and Ash! Great job Anne!!”
D.Thorne gave it 5 stars Sweet, Fascinating Entertainment! “I really enjoyed this novel and thought it was the best of Anne Patrick's work that I've read yet. The characters are in-depth, the setting familiar and homey, the arson investigation interesting and the romance sweet. This is a great read for a car trip or long afternoon. I pretty much read it in one day. Great characters and storyline. Very entertaining.”
AbbyZ@Barnes & Noble gave it 5 stars Outstanding & Original - "Ms Patrick has done it again!!! I was completely blown away by this book. It's original, well-written, with the perfect blend of romance and suspense. Sadie and Quinn are the perfect characters! I loved getting to know them and Sadie's family, the McGregor's. Not only will Fire and Ash keep you on the edge of your seat, it is guaranteed to tug at your heart strings. Ms Patrick's has a unique writing style that I absolutely love! She is able to draw you in with characters that are well developed, with plot lines that are sure to keep you turning the pages, and ending that will undoubtedly drive you to pick up more of her books."
Sherry at GoodReads gave it 4 Stars - "In her acknowledgements Anne Patrick names the fire investigator who helped her with her research. I mention this because the seamless presentation of Anne Patrick's research into her story is awesome. This is a hard-hitting and emotional read that has the reader right beside the author's characters. There is no part of the story that is unbelievable. And every character plays an integral part in the tale. The suspense builds exponentially with every character introduced and she offers up plenty of suspects. The balance of suspense and emotion ensures the reader will have a hard time putting this book down. It is a keeper for my shelf."
E.H. on Books & More:Ms. Patrick's work FIRE AND ASH was a smashing read, as a reader who love the skulduggery – FIRE AND ASH more than met my expectations and as a reader who love the finer details in a book, I thought Ms .Patrick was spot on with details about the world of a fire investigator – her investment in her research could be seen and that more than anything else made this book a winner for me.
Val said: "This is AN INCREDIBLE book. If you like romantic suspense, you're gonna get it I PROMISE! The plot was amazing and I fell in love with the characters."
Reviews from ChristianBook.com
AllisonWinchel: This is a beautifully written, hard-hitting, page-turning story that I absolutely loved!!! Anne Patrick has implemented the perfect blend of mystery, suspense and romance. I immediately fell in love with the characters and I loved the fact that I didn’t figure out who the bad guy was until the end. Fire and Ash truly is an awesome read. I highly recommend it!!!
Cindy W: Ms Patrick did an outstanding job researching for this book. I applaud her for that. This tantalizing tale was beautifully written and definitely kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. ALL her characters are so real and likeable I couldn’t stop thinking about them long after I finished the book. You will not only fall in love with Ms Patrick’s characters, you’ll fall in love with her writing style. She is now on my MUST BUY list! Thank you for a wonderful read!!!
Lastnerve: When I picked up this book, it was primarily because I love a good suspense and the characters looked amazing. I got everything I wanted and then some! Sadie's character was a strong, independant and smart woman. Sheriff Quinn Harrington was a drop dead gorgeous man with a great respect for Sadie. The sparks between the two flew almost immediately. I love a good book that I can't put down and Fire and Ash is one of the best! I highly recommend this book. Anne Patrick has a way of writing with such exquisite descriptions which kept me wanting to read more. She writes about compelling characters that are realistic and memorable. This is one of those kinds of books that you think about long after reading it. This was a fast paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Two thumbs up on Fire and Ash.
TIES THAT BIND
Amazon Nymph gave Ties That Bind the Golden Blush Recommended Read Award! "Anyone that loves intense mystery and suspense stories is going to love Ties That Bind. The author has a way of keeping you on your toes as you read this book. There are so many twists that you will have a difficult time guessing who the killer is. Ms. Patrick keeps you guessing until you get close to the end of the book. This story has a lot of romantic and subtle Christian undertones but they don't detract from the mystery. I could not put this one down...Ties That Bind is one book to be placed on every mystery lover's bookshelf to be read more than once."
5 Stars from Miss Lynn's Books & More
"From the first page to the very last this is one edge of your seat thriller. The characters all stand out and connect well with each other. As I read I knew who the killer was, or so I thought after clues about three different suspects, I found out I wasn't as smart as I thought. Ms. Patrick had a way of keeping one guessing right up to the last few pages. Excellent well written suspense. Highly recommended."
4 Frogs from The Book Vixen
All in all, Ties that Bind is a great romantic suspense read. It just dove right in to the storyline and it held my attention all the way until the end. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put my Kindle down. It had good strong characters and a plotline that twisted and turned and kept me on my toes. Just when I thought I had the villain all figured out, the author threw me a curve ball. I’m definitely going to explore other books written by this author.
eCata Romance Review
Ties That Bind is an intriguing suspense thriller that takes the reader directly into a crime scene and dissecting it from the view of a profiler. Jo and Austin make a good team and when they discover that they attracted to each other, the drive to find the killer is even more pressing. Anne Patrick vividly scribes a fascinating tale, that keeps you guessing until the very last page.
4 Heart Review from The Romance Studio
Reviewed by Theresa
I quite enjoyed this imaginative romantic suspense. This was a mystery with a lot of inspirational elements throughout as church going and God were mentioned frequently. The relationships in this book were key whether it was between the main couple or the victims and their killer. Jo was such a strong successful heroine and so easy to relate to because of her weak spots. Sheriff Austin Garrett was a wonderful hero, completely supportive of Jo with both her professional and personal obstacles. Add in the fact that he's a loving single dad of a teenage daughter and a dedicated and compassionate lawman he's darn near perfect. The supporting cast was well developed and really fleshed out the storyline. I was particularly fond of the snarky Pendergrass as he practically jumped to life from the first comment he made. I'll be honest and say that I had guessed who the killer was fairly early in the story but still found the book interesting enough to keep reading. If you like your romantic suspense stories with a psychological twist then this one is for you.
OUT OF THE DARKNESS
4 Heart Review from The Romance Studio
Anne Patrick pens an inspirational tale filled with faith as well as suspense. Alex, Royce and others in the story have hit rock bottom and started to climb their way out. Kyle gives us some welcome relief from the tension inherent in the serial killer's violence while he hunts for Alex. He's a charmer who steals the story away from the bad guy and the adults with their struggles. Real life scenarios of small town living and people with a heart of gold are also a welcome diversion. Ms. Patrick seems to blend it all together. We sink into the pits of crime and evil only to be brought out of it with the realities of every day life. The reader knows the killer is getting closer but it's fun to watch Kyle try to play matchmaker.
People who manage to regain their dignity after personal disaster contrast sharply with the killer. A troubled childhood gives him an excuse to turn to violence while others survive by trying to get better. There are a lot of inspirational messages in here as well as a sweet love story.
Reviewed by Sherry Kahn
Anne Patrick has done it again! She has delivered a story that keeps you glued from a running start to a nail-biting finish! Alex is an interesting character. She is so strong and self sufficient but doesn't have the one thing she wants most. Royce is a wonderful tortured hero. One who has a lot of past issues but still possessed a tenderness in his heart. They really fit together well and you felt the struggle each had in trying to accept their feelings for one another. I really enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. Anne allows you a glimpse into the mind of a serial killer which is kinda scary but interesting to see the twisted way they think. She keeps you guessing through the story who the killer really is and you don't find out until the end. I like how she works faith in God into the story without being preachy. The story is chock full of action, suspense and romance. I highly recommend Out of the Darkness!
Reviewed by Ginger Simpson@Examiner.com
If you enjoy a great mystery minus the extraneous sex scenes that detract from the story, then this is your next choice. Author, Anne Patrick, manages to infuse just the right amount of romance into the story to keep the attention focused on what she really wants to convey: The danger surrounding her heroine as she's plagued by a serial killer...Out of the Darkness is a perfect example of a story done right. You'll keep turning pages because you can't wait to find out who the villain really is and how the story will play out. Once you finish this book, you'll be searching for more from Anne Patrick.
LETHAL DREAMS
4 Star Review from Sherry@GoodReads
There are a lot of false clues is this story which keeps the reader turning the pages. Her main characters are inspirational, and strong. Erin's capacity to overcome all life's setbacks left me feeling kinda inadequate!! LOL but I liked her well enough to read to the end of the book. I enjoyed the misdirection that comes about by the genuinely presented wrong conclusions of all the main players at the start of the book. It makes the story eminently believable. The supporting cast of characters each played their parts to perfection.
If you enjoy sweet romances packed with action, intrigue and malice then Anne Patrick is an author to follow. And this prolific writing will keep you well occupied throughout the year, she has so many new books scheduled for 2010 and a couple more pending in 2011.
5 Star Review from Gail Pallotta
This psychological mystery has more ups and downs and twists and turns than a roller coaster. The characters, who are involved in the medical profession, the high stakes game of football, law enforcement and the ministry are intriguing. In addition to the mystery / romance there’s a wonderful spiritual message, because Logan, a strong Christian, gently nudges Erin, who is struggling with her faith, back into her belief system. I highly recommend reading this suspenseful book, which reminded me a bit of the Hallmark series Mystery Woman.
5 Heart Review from The Romance Studio
Wow, twists and turns abound in this novel. Mrs. Patrick writes a great story with an ending that hits you squarely between the eyes. You think you have it figured out and then she adds a subplot, a little back story, a dash of conspiracy and you are left wondering where you are heading next. The characters are likeable and more importantly, believable. You feel the inner struggle of Dr. Jacobs and are amazed at the patience of Detective Sinclair. Lethal Dreams intertwines faith with intrigue in such a seamless nature that you can’t imagine one without the other in the storyline. This truly is a page turner that keeps you enthralled from the first word to the extremely exciting finish. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!
Rated 4.5 at Long and Short Reviews
One of the final twists in the plot creates a heart-warming and totally unexpected ending that ensures the reader will go searching for more of Anne Patrick’s books. For those who enjoy sweet, inspirational romance, this is a book for you. For those who enjoy romantic suspense, you will not be disappointed. And for those who enjoy TOT (Triumph over Tragedy) stories, this is a book that has it all.
Reviewed by Sherry@Love2ReadNovels
This was a great read! I loved the chemistry between Logan and Erin. Erin was a great character. Even though she had been through so much herself she had a big heart and lots of love for others. She was doubting her faith but you could certainly relate as to why that was. Logan was a to-die-for hero. His soft and gentle ways sure won my heart! He had such a strong faith and inner strength. I loved all the secondary characters as well. I found myself caring about these people as I read the story. Anne Patrick has an easy writing style that draws you into the story and makes you feel like you're living it with the characters. There was a twist and turn at the end that I never saw coming. I love that! I recommend you pick up a copy of Lethal Dreams.
5 Heart Review by JudyT at eHarlequin
A "sweet" or "inspirational" suspense (depending from which publisher you take your definition). Dr. Erin Jacobs is a sports physical therapist. She stumbles on a crime scene where two officers have been shot, Detective Logan Sinclair and his partner. The story is well paced; the characters are engaging; and there are some great twists and turns. I'm looking forward to reading more of Anne Patrick's stories; she's now on my must-buy list. Brava!
That's a Novel Idea Review June 2010
I like Anne Patrick's style of writing! This book had some suspense and mystery in it and some good romance too. It is the story of Erin Jacobs, who is making a name for herself in the world of sports injuries, as she is a trained physical therapists and good at her job. She has the gift of encouraging and inspiring her patients on to full recovery. Erin herself has had a life of disappointments and hardships, but still she has a heart for people. When her husband is shot in the line of duty she starts to get mad at God and turn her back on Him. She still continues to have a heart for people though and helps at the homeless shelter when she isn't working at the hospital or doing her private therapy sessions with people.
The book begins right off the beginning pages with a shooting that Erin happens upon and she stops on her bike to help the wounded officers. Decective Logan Sinclair is one of those shot and the chemistry between these two throughout the book is great! Logan Sinclair is such a devoted and caring man to Erin, but she definately is not interested in getting serious with another man in law enforcement. There was a great place in the book that Erin came to end of her rope and just cried out to God her sorrow, her anger and her resentment and I thought, if more people would let go of their anger and let God be God, their circumstances would be so much easier to handle. There were a great cast of characters in this book, all sent by God to help Erin even though she can't seem to realize all God is doing for her.
All in all an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more by Anne Patrick!
RESERVATIONS FOR TWO
Miss Lynn's Books&More gave it 5 Stars!
This was such a soul searching book and Ms. Monroe wrote it with just the right amount of drama, and romance to keep the readers attention. The characters stand out and blend well together. As Carson and Maggie share their faith and depend on God for their strength to see through the storms, we also see family life, how little things can either bind a family closer together or drive them apart. This is a book that will keep your attention from the beginning to the end and leave you wanting more adventures in the life of Carson and Maggie. Recommended for all readers of the Sweet Romance Genre.
Book Readers Central Review
The main character in this book is an inline skating, roller coaster riding Grandma, named Maggie, whose character I fell in love with because of her spunk, reasoning, and openness with others. We follow Maggie on an adventure through her final stages of grief after losing her husband years before and onto rediscovering romantic love. All of the characters in this book were exceptionally believable. The settings were subtly described and effective. I found the story at times a bit predictable and occasionally drawn out. It bugged me, just a little, how often the characters waited till the right moment to say things. Over all however, I found this book entertaining, mostly light hearted, easy to read, and full of good messages. This author has a talent for breaking an adventure into everyday details in such a way you only realize their enormity when looking back at the entirety. I recommend this book for anyone, any age.
You Gotta Read Reviews
Rating: You Gotta Read
Reviewed by: Val
Kinzie Monroe has written a story laced with intrigue, drama and a very pure and captivating romance. Reservations For Two is the type of book that captures your attention and takes you away to places you may not have been. The imagery is spectacular and I felt as though I was hiking and experiencing the sunsets right there with the characters. If you are looking for a sweet romance that will give you an "aha" moment, then look no further than Reservations For Two. I highly recommend this book to any lover of the romance genre. Ms. Monroe, I commend you on a well written book with characters that kept me coming back for more.
http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-reservation-for-two-by-kinzie.html
Readers Choice Review May 2010
Maggie O’Brien mourned the loss of her husband. It was time to move on with her life. Carson Jennings lost his wife to cancer five years earlier. When their paths cross they form a friendship. They discover they have a lot in common. As their love grows, so do the problems.
Kinzie Monroe is a brilliant author. She combines the perfect amount of drama and romance to please the most discriminating reader. The characters fit well with each other. This book has a strong Christian message. Carson and Maggie share their faith and reveal how they depend on God for their strength to see them through the storms. Munroe also demonstrates the family dynamic and family bond. This book held my attention from beginning to end. It left me wanting to read more of Maggie and Carson’s adventures. Perhaps the author will take the hint and make this into a series.
JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION
Reviewed by Love 2 Read Novels (Sherry Kuhn) February 17, 2010
WOW! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It grabs you from the first page and does not let you go until the last. I truly did not know who all the bad guys were until the end. I really like that in a story. Chase was a really great hero. His quiet and solid faith was such an inspiration to Morgan who was struggling with why all these things had happened. Morgan was a strong heroine who appreciated Chase's strength. The dialog in this book made me feel as if I was watching a movie with each scene playing out in my mind. This was my first Anne Patrick book but I have already ordered her others. I highly recommend Journey to Redemption to those who love a really great edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense story.
Review from That’s a Novel Idea
This was one of those stories where you can't put it down because every page has stuff happening and is a very fast paced story. You are trying to solve the case right along with the characters in the story and don't have it completely figured out until the very end. Chase is a great guy to have on ones team and him and Morgan seemed to just mesh together right away and know how to work well together. I liked the way their relationship came together. Well worth reading.
Reviewed by Coffee Time Romance
Chase and Morgan are very likeable characters with great chemistry, and I really enjoyed reading about the development of their relationship. The suspenseful plot held my interest from the beginning until the end of the story.
Reviewed by Classic Romance Revival
This book has plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading until the very end. Good cops, bad cops, lies and cover-ups aplenty. Never assume anything as you read this story. A very entertaining read.
Reviewed by Long and Short Reviews
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Ivy
Journey to Redemption builds great suspense and has a creative twist to tie the loose-ends together. Ms. Patrick has developed a wonderful back story for this novel and it carries the plot along nicely. Her characters have the potential to carry another novel; her confident writing in this genre will make you want to pick up another one of her books. I plan to.
Review by Book Wrenches 10/14/09
Rating: 4.5
Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd
I was riveted by this physiological thriller from the moment I opened the book. I am hard-pressed to come up with a specific genre to put it in since it combines so many: from the mystery of a whodunit to the growing feelings between Morgan and Chase; there are so many other elements in between.
Morgan's strength is evident throughout the book, and I found myself drawn to her inner workings, and also I found myself relating to her as a mother. Morgan's depth of pain that she has experienced molds her life, and though I have never experienced the trauma she did in the book, the author does a wonderful job of evoking deep-felt feelings in the reader right along with the character. Chase on the other hand is a man of all seasons. I felt as if he could easily be the well-rounded man most women dream of finding, yet at moments we get a few glimpses of previous parts of his life that have left him bitter.
The entire book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what might happen. The story was fresh and memorable. Ms. Patrick is truly a talented storyteller. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good crime mystery. http://www.bookwenches.com/october09reviews.htm
Reviewed By: Lynn 9/9/09
A body has been found floating in the water and it’s not a usual drowning. This is murder. As Sergeant Morgan Reynolds and her Partner Detective John Russo look the scene over, memories of a year earlier comes flooding back to Morgan’s mind. A serial killer on the loose , the same M.O. It can’t be. The killer had been captured after making one mistake, murdering Morgan’s husband. Sentenced to life in prison, this must be a copy cat murder. This can’t be starting over again.
Lieutenant Chase McAdams is new to the department and will be partnering with Morgan for awhile along with John. Just to learn the ropes and the way around. Little does he know the ride he is in for. Morgan has a reputation for testing the patience of even the highly seasoned officers. As more bodies are found, Morgan learns; Tate has escaped from prison. Now the manhunt is on before more are found dead. Claiming innocence in the death of her husband Tate kidnaps Morgan’s son and gives her 72 hours to find the person responsible for his death, if she wants her son back alive. With the death of her husband Morgan turned her back on God. How could he have let this happen. Now can she renew her faith and trust in God again to help see her through this latest crisis in her life. Can Chase , as a Christian help her regain her faith once again. As the story line deepens you will be immersed in a plan of corruption that takes some amazing twists and turns throughout.
From the first sentence in the first chapter I was captivated by this book and couldn’t stop reading till I was finished. Ms. Patrick has written a spine tingling , page turning novel. If you like good cleanly written mysteries, then I recommend grabbing a copy of “Journey To Redemption” and as the old saying goes ”Enjoy The Ride” because once you start you won’t want to put the book down till you are finished.
http://read-n-review.blogspot.com/2009/09/journey-to-redemption-by-anne-patrick.html
