Welcome back to LiteraryScape! This week, we're wrapping up our discussion of the Adventurous Hearts series with An Uncharted Dream by Abbey Downey, and let me tell you—this one is a real page-turner!
The Story
An Uncharted Dream follows Lenora, who dreams of following in her father's footsteps as an explorer but has been held back by debilitating fear since his tragic death. When a mysterious explorer named Mr. Fleming promises to take her on an expedition to the very place where her father died, she sees her chance for answers and adventure.
Enter Marcus Turner, Lenora's longtime best friend who secretly loves her. Having spent years hiding his family's financial struggles, Marcus knows a con man when he sees one—and Mr. Fleming raises all his red flags. Determined to protect Lenora, Marcus joins the expedition, setting the stage for adventure, betrayal, and ultimately, a journey of faith and love.
Our Discussion Highlights
Jessica loved this book so much it became her favorite in the series! She was hooked from the very beginning, constantly wondering: Is Mr. Fleming a con man? Will Lenora actually go to Peru? The mystery kept her turning pages late into the night.
We discussed several compelling elements:
The Suspicion Around Mr. Fleming: From the very first scene at the library, Marcus's suspicions are aroused, and we agreed—something was definitely off! The way Fleming couldn't answer basic questions about the expedition was a major red flag that Lenora unfortunately missed.
The Anonymous Letters: The mysterious letters encouraging Lenora to take the trip added an intriguing layer to the story. Discovering who was really behind them was one of those great "aha!" moments.
Family Contrasts: We loved the stark difference between Lenora's warm, inviting family and Marcus's cold, distant one. Marcus doesn't even enjoy going home, and his family situation, while frustrating, added real depth to his character.
The Big Betrayal: When the group gets stranded in a foreign country where they can't speak the language, the tension really ramps up. It's one of those moments where you're yelling at the characters, "Don't give him the money!"
Communication Issues: This is definitely one of those stories where if the main characters had just talked to each other, a lot of problems could have been avoided! But watching them finally realize their feelings for each other after years of friendship was worth the wait.
Adventure and Romance
The book beautifully weaves together themes of exploration, archeology, and surveying. The ending, where Marcus pursues his passion for surveying while Lenora does excavation work, was particularly satisfying. We both admitted to being fascinated by archeology—there's something magical about uncovering history!
We also discussed some of the more challenging aspects of historical travel: the boat journey (would we be able to handle the seasickness and fear of water?), the preparation trips and camping, and the sheer adventure of it all.
Our Ratings
Using our coffee-themed rating system:
• Drama Level: Latte
• Suspense Level: Espresso (gentle but definitely there)
• Mystery Level: Mocha
• Inspirational Level: Mocha (this one had more faith elements than the previous books)
• Romance Level: Espresso (sweet and clean)
The Final Verdict: Lasso Ratings
Jessica gives this book her highest rating: 4 Lassos! She couldn't put it down and would even go as high as 3.5 to 4 if we allowed half ratings. As for me, I gave it a solid 2 Lassos—still excellent, but my personal reading preference leans toward books with a bit more suspense and romance.
Overall, Abbey Downey has created an excellent series that's perfect for readers who love cozy mysteries with sweet romance and historical adventure. The pacing is wonderful, and the stories are engaging without being too intense.
What's Next?
Be sure to tune in next week when we'll have a special interview with author Abbey Downey herself! We'll get all the behind-the-scenes information about this incredible Adventurous Hearts series.
Want to learn more about Abbey and her books? Visit her website at www.abbeydowney.com.
Thanks for joining us on LiteraryScape, where we explore the landscape of great literature, one book at a time!
Have you read An Uncharted Dream? What did you think of Mr. Fleming? Let us know in the comments!
www.literaryscape.com/podcast/173
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Welcome back to LiteraryScape! This week, we're wrapping up our discussion of the Adventurous Hearts series with An Uncharted Dream by Abbey Downey, and let me tell you—this one is a real page-turner!
The Story
An Uncharted Dream follows Lenora, who dreams of following in her father's footsteps as an explorer but has been held back by debilitating fear since his tragic death. When a mysterious explorer named Mr. Fleming promises to take her on an expedition to the very place where her father died, she sees her chance for answers and adventure.
Enter Marcus Turner, Lenora's longtime best friend who secretly loves her. Having spent years hiding his family's financial struggles, Marcus knows a con man when he sees one—and Mr. Fleming raises all his red flags. Determined to protect Lenora, Marcus joins the expedition, setting the stage for adventure, betrayal, and ultimately, a journey of faith and love.
Our Discussion Highlights
Jessica loved this book so much it became her favorite in the series! She was hooked from the very beginning, constantly wondering: Is Mr. Fleming a con man? Will Lenora actually go to Peru? The mystery kept her turning pages late into the night.
We discussed several compelling elements:
The Suspicion Around Mr. Fleming: From the very first scene at the library, Marcus's suspicions are aroused, and we agreed—something was definitely off! The way Fleming couldn't answer basic questions about the expedition was a major red flag that Lenora unfortunately missed.
The Anonymous Letters: The mysterious letters encouraging Lenora to take the trip added an intriguing layer to the story. Discovering who was really behind them was one of those great "aha!" moments.
Family Contrasts: We loved the stark difference between Lenora's warm, inviting family and Marcus's cold, distant one. Marcus doesn't even enjoy going home, and his family situation, while frustrating, added real depth to his character.
The Big Betrayal: When the group gets stranded in a foreign country where they can't speak the language, the tension really ramps up. It's one of those moments where you're yelling at the characters, "Don't give him the money!"
Communication Issues: This is definitely one of those stories where if the main characters had just talked to each other, a lot of problems could have been avoided! But watching them finally realize their feelings for each other after years of friendship was worth the wait.
Adventure and Romance
The book beautifully weaves together themes of exploration, archeology, and surveying. The ending, where Marcus pursues his passion for surveying while Lenora does excavation work, was particularly satisfying. We both admitted to being fascinated by archeology—there's something magical about uncovering history!
We also discussed some of the more challenging aspects of historical travel: the boat journey (would we be able to handle the seasickness and fear of water?), the preparation trips and camping, and the sheer adventure of it all.
Our Ratings
Using our coffee-themed rating system:
• Drama Level: Latte
• Suspense Level: Espresso (gentle but definitely there)
• Mystery Level: Mocha
• Inspirational Level: Mocha (this one had more faith elements than the previous books)
• Romance Level: Espresso (sweet and clean)
The Final Verdict: Lasso Ratings
Jessica gives this book her highest rating: 4 Lassos! She couldn't put it down and would even go as high as 3.5 to 4 if we allowed half ratings. As for me, I gave it a solid 2 Lassos—still excellent, but my personal reading preference leans toward books with a bit more suspense and romance.
Overall, Abbey Downey has created an excellent series that's perfect for readers who love cozy mysteries with sweet romance and historical adventure. The pacing is wonderful, and the stories are engaging without being too intense.
What's Next?
Be sure to tune in next week when we'll have a special interview with author Abbey Downey herself! We'll get all the behind-the-scenes information about this incredible Adventurous Hearts series.
Want to learn more about Abbey and her books? Visit her website at www.abbeydowney.com.
Thanks for joining us on LiteraryScape, where we explore the landscape of great literature, one book at a time!
Have you read An Uncharted Dream? What did you think of Mr. Fleming? Let us know in the comments!
www.literaryscape.com/podcast/173
Diving Deep into Lynn H. Blackburn's "Malicious Intent"
LiteraryScape
13 minutes 59 seconds
1 month ago
Diving Deep into Lynn H. Blackburn's "Malicious Intent"
Welcome back to another exciting episode of the LiteraryScape podcast! This week, we're thrilled to discuss Lynn H. Blackburn's captivating novel Malicious Intent, the second book in her compelling Defend and Protect series.
About the Book
Malicious Intent follows Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, as she prepares to launch clinical trials for her company's cutting-edge prosthetic technology. Her groundbreaking work has earned praise from government agencies, medical professionals, and advocacy groups alike. However, not everyone wants to see Ivy succeed—someone is actively trying to sabotage Hedera and its revolutionary launch.
Enter Secret Service agent Gil Dixon, who can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. After years of separation, Gil is determined to mend their broken relationship. But first, he must use all his skills to uncover the truth behind the attacks on Ivy and save not only her life but also her life's work and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
Our Thoughts on the Story
The opening scene immediately grips readers when Gil and his team walk in on Ivy being tortured—what a reunion! The timing couldn't have been more crucial, as Gil's arrival literally saves Ivy's life. The torture scenes were particularly difficult to read, with the methodical breaking of fingers and burning that showcased the villain's malicious intent.
We loved the tender nickname "Buttercup" that Gil uses for Ivy, which connects beautifully to The Princess Bride theme of separation and reunion. These small touches of endearment really enhance the romantic elements of the story.
Multiple Mysteries Unfold
Malicious Intent weaves together several compelling mysteries. There's the counterfeit money investigation that initially brings the team to Ivy's location, and then the escalating attacks against her personally. Without giving away spoilers, we'll just say that our initial guesses about the villain were completely wrong! Blackburn does an excellent job of planting clues that point in multiple directions.
Sabrina, the genius tech specialist, plays a significant role in this book and brings her expertise to help solve the case. For readers new to Blackburn's work, we recommend starting with the Dive Team Investigators series to fully appreciate Sabrina's character development.
Character Development and Family History
Ivy's character really impressed us—despite her traumatic upbringing and complicated family history, she's built an incredible life and career. The guilt and shame she carried from her past created a believable barrier between her and Gil for fifteen years. Both characters were dealing with their own struggles when they were younger, making their eventual reunion even more meaningful.
Gil's sister Emily makes a wonderful addition to the story, and we're excited that she gets her own novella between books two and three.
The Romance Factor
Gil absolutely stole our hearts with the way he takes care of Ivy—knowing exactly how she likes her coffee, cooking for her, and spoiling her in the sweetest ways. Ivy even admits she could become "addicted" to his care and attention. These tender moments provide perfect balance to the high-stakes suspense.
We also appreciated Detective Morris from the Raleigh police department. While he starts out as a bit of a grump, he grows on you and becomes surprisingly protective of Ivy. His character development throughout the story was well done.
Our LiteraryScape Ratings
Using our signature coffee-themed rating system:
• Drama Level: Latte (plenty of high-stakes drama!)
• Inspiration Level: Mocha (Gil's character particularly shines)
• Romance Level: Mocha (Lynn Blackburn consistently delivers at this level)
• Mystery Level: Latte (multiple mysteries keep you guessing)
• Suspense Level: Latte (edge-of-your-seat tension throughout)
Final Verdict
We're giving Malicious Intent three lassos out of three—you'll definitely be hooked and hogtied by this thrilling story! If you enjoy contemporary Christian suspense romance, this book is an excellent choice.
What's Next?
Between books two and three of the Defend and Protect series, there are two novellas that we'll be discussing in our next episode. Stay tuned for more Literary adventures!
Ready to dive into Malicious Intent?
Get the book here
Visit Lynn H. Blackburn's website
Have you read Malicious Intent? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Share your reviews and join the conversation on our social media channels.
www.literaryscape.com/podcast/167
LiteraryScape
Welcome back to LiteraryScape! This week, we're wrapping up our discussion of the Adventurous Hearts series with An Uncharted Dream by Abbey Downey, and let me tell you—this one is a real page-turner!
The Story
An Uncharted Dream follows Lenora, who dreams of following in her father's footsteps as an explorer but has been held back by debilitating fear since his tragic death. When a mysterious explorer named Mr. Fleming promises to take her on an expedition to the very place where her father died, she sees her chance for answers and adventure.
Enter Marcus Turner, Lenora's longtime best friend who secretly loves her. Having spent years hiding his family's financial struggles, Marcus knows a con man when he sees one—and Mr. Fleming raises all his red flags. Determined to protect Lenora, Marcus joins the expedition, setting the stage for adventure, betrayal, and ultimately, a journey of faith and love.
Our Discussion Highlights
Jessica loved this book so much it became her favorite in the series! She was hooked from the very beginning, constantly wondering: Is Mr. Fleming a con man? Will Lenora actually go to Peru? The mystery kept her turning pages late into the night.
We discussed several compelling elements:
The Suspicion Around Mr. Fleming: From the very first scene at the library, Marcus's suspicions are aroused, and we agreed—something was definitely off! The way Fleming couldn't answer basic questions about the expedition was a major red flag that Lenora unfortunately missed.
The Anonymous Letters: The mysterious letters encouraging Lenora to take the trip added an intriguing layer to the story. Discovering who was really behind them was one of those great "aha!" moments.
Family Contrasts: We loved the stark difference between Lenora's warm, inviting family and Marcus's cold, distant one. Marcus doesn't even enjoy going home, and his family situation, while frustrating, added real depth to his character.
The Big Betrayal: When the group gets stranded in a foreign country where they can't speak the language, the tension really ramps up. It's one of those moments where you're yelling at the characters, "Don't give him the money!"
Communication Issues: This is definitely one of those stories where if the main characters had just talked to each other, a lot of problems could have been avoided! But watching them finally realize their feelings for each other after years of friendship was worth the wait.
Adventure and Romance
The book beautifully weaves together themes of exploration, archeology, and surveying. The ending, where Marcus pursues his passion for surveying while Lenora does excavation work, was particularly satisfying. We both admitted to being fascinated by archeology—there's something magical about uncovering history!
We also discussed some of the more challenging aspects of historical travel: the boat journey (would we be able to handle the seasickness and fear of water?), the preparation trips and camping, and the sheer adventure of it all.
Our Ratings
Using our coffee-themed rating system:
• Drama Level: Latte
• Suspense Level: Espresso (gentle but definitely there)
• Mystery Level: Mocha
• Inspirational Level: Mocha (this one had more faith elements than the previous books)
• Romance Level: Espresso (sweet and clean)
The Final Verdict: Lasso Ratings
Jessica gives this book her highest rating: 4 Lassos! She couldn't put it down and would even go as high as 3.5 to 4 if we allowed half ratings. As for me, I gave it a solid 2 Lassos—still excellent, but my personal reading preference leans toward books with a bit more suspense and romance.
Overall, Abbey Downey has created an excellent series that's perfect for readers who love cozy mysteries with sweet romance and historical adventure. The pacing is wonderful, and the stories are engaging without being too intense.
What's Next?
Be sure to tune in next week when we'll have a special interview with author Abbey Downey herself! We'll get all the behind-the-scenes information about this incredible Adventurous Hearts series.
Want to learn more about Abbey and her books? Visit her website at www.abbeydowney.com.
Thanks for joining us on LiteraryScape, where we explore the landscape of great literature, one book at a time!
Have you read An Uncharted Dream? What did you think of Mr. Fleming? Let us know in the comments!
www.literaryscape.com/podcast/173
