Eyewall by H.W. "Buzz" Bernard

Blurb: No one was aware of the storm's sudden force.

Not the Hurricane Hunter crew trapped in its center. Not the family marooned on a resort island while searching for their missing teen. A deadly Category Five hurricane has never hit the Georgia coast in modern times.

Until now.

St. Simons Island, Georgia, has never been hit by a Category 5 hurricane.

Until now.

No one predicted the storm's sudden force. A crippled Air Force recon plane, trapped in the eye of a violent hurricane. An outspoken tropical weather forecaster, fired from his network TV job before he can issue a warning: the storm is changing course and intensifying. A desperate family searching for a runaway daughter on Georgia's posh St. Simons Island, cut off from escape as the hurricane roars toward them. A marriage on the rocks; an unrequited sexual attraction; a May-December romance. All will be swept up by the monster storm.

Get ready for a white-knuckle adventure.

Review: I had originally received this from the publisher as a review copy, but had laid it aside, and it took me a good long while to come to reading it. Having it read it, I wish I had read it sooner.

While, living in Florida as I do, I can't say that hurricanes are a good thing, Mr. Bernard's writing is. He tells a great story and knows his way around invoking an image or three.

I liked all of the characters in the book - even the ones who weren't entirely likable - and how things changed for them throughout the book. Their growth and changing perspectives as the fictional (for this book) Hurricane Janet approached landfall really stood out for me.

I think that, overall, I liked the blend of weather science presented, the behind the scenes "stuff" of how information is gathered, what information is presented (and when it is), and the themes throughout the book (pushing through against the odds with the knowledge of right based on experience, realization of when to let go, tipping points, new relationships, etc.) are what made Eyewall great.

(Book cover and blurb (c)Belle Books)

Thread End by Amanda Lee

Blurb: Marcy can't wait to see the new exhibit on antique tapestries at the Tallulah Falls Museum, including beautiful kilim rugs. But her enthusiasm quickly turns to alarm when, the day after the exhibition opens, she discovers a dead body behind her store, the Seven-Year Stitch, wrapped up in a most unusual fashion.

The victim appears to be a visiting art professor for the exhibit. Did someone decide to teach the professor a lesson, then attempt to sweep the evidence under the rug? Along with her boyfriend, Detective Ted Nash, Marcy must unravel an intricate tapestry of deception to find a desperate killer.

Review: Thread End is my introduction to the Embroidery Series, so I wasn't sure what to expect of the book. What I found was a nice, comfortable book to read. There is murder, yes. There is a mystery, naturally. However, what drew me the most is that there isn't unnecessary violence and "language".

There may be readers for whom this book may not be edgy or gritty enough and that is okay. (I like to read edgy and gritty books myself.) Everyone has their favorites.

I liked the (no pun intended) blend of mystery, crafting, and characters. All of those details make for a great relaxing read and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Lee's Embroidery Series in the future.

Book received from the author for review.

(Cover page and blurb (c)Gayle Trent.)