Pocket Full of Posies by Julie Coulter Bellon

5 stars

Wow! This is Bellon's best novel to date. It is filled with intrigue, adventure, romance, and excitement.

I found myself anxious to get back to reading it because I had to find out what happened next. I found the characters to be well-developed and flawed, making them realistic and interesting. Even the villain was layered enough to make me almost like him. Almost.

I was so impressed with the realism of the plot. Bellon masterfully weaves in details that make you feel like you a right in the middle of the action. Twists and turns kept me riveted to the story. I kept wondering how the characters would solve the problems and get out of the situations and Bellon kept surprising me with unexpected twists. 

I highly recommend this book. It's a page-turner, so make sure you have enough time to read it.

You can purchase Pocket Full of Posies here.

All Fall Down by Julie Bellon

From the back cover:

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Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down . . .

That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire Michaels’ current hostage situation into an international incident. Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis escalates she realizes she’s dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has the means to become another bin Laden---with the potential to attack America. Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive and possibly stop an assault on U.S. national security?

Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his tour in Afghanistan and he doesn’t expect to be fighting terrorists on his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

My review:

 

Multi-published author, Julie Bellon, has written another great international suspense!

 

If you enjoy suspense, romance, and twists and turns, then you'll enjoy All Fall Down. Bellon is masterful at writing suspense. From the first page until the last, and I mean the very last (because there is a twist I didn't expect and I actually said out loud, "Are you serious? How can this get any worse?") it is a roller coaster.

 

The book starts with a hostage situation--I will never sing "Ring Around the Rosy" again without thinking about this book--and turns into an international suspense with lots of surprises.

 

I really liked the natural romance that developed, and I especially enjoyed some tender scenes.

 

I also liked how realistic the setting felt. Bellon must have traveled to these remote areas to be able to make it feel so authentic.

 

The characters are well-developed and the story is exciting. I recommend this book--just don't read it at night because you might stay up too late reading it!

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You can purchase All Fall Down here.

 

You can learn more about Julie Bellon and all of her other published books here.

 

I did receive a review copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my own.

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Book Review: Ribbon of Darkness

Back Cover:

A split-second decision could change the world’s darkest hour to one of triumph--but who is willing to pay the price?

Kennedy Campbell has been running away for a long time--using her position as an international journalist to escape the ghosts of her family's past. She finds some solace working in an Afghan refugee camp, until the Taliban attacks them and Kennedy is forced to flee. She is pulled into a terrorist's realm of darkness as she fights to save those around her, but will it come at the expense of her own life?

Ethan Barak leads a double life, helping MI-6 bring down arms dealers all over the world until his father is murdered by an old associate. Ethan makes his next mission a personal vendetta by tracking down the killer to Indonesia.

While there, he finds himself in a position to either avenge his father or stop a terrorist attack on the Malacca Strait that will jeopardize innocent lives across the world. Can he look past his father's murder to save others?

The line between justice and mercy is blurred with each passing second, and international intrigue becomes intensely personal as the age-old struggle for redemption is brought close to home.

Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you, this is one fast-paced, gotta-keep-reading novel. If you love suspense, this is one book you have to read. And, if you haven't experienced a suspense novel, this one will hook you for sure.

Page after page I kept thinking, "Okay, I have to go to sleep now," but I couldn't because I had to keep reading (or clicking since I read it on my Kindle). I had to find out if Ethan was going to be a good guy or not and if Kennedy would ever get out alive. I also had to see if there'd be enough smooching--there was. I kept finding my heartbeat speeding up either because of the action or because of the smooching.

I loved Kennedy, she was strong yet feminine. She wasn't about to take anything lying down and she was with Ethan throughout the whole ordeal despite his attempts to baby/protect her.

Bellon does an excellent job with her descriptions. I felt like I was right there handcuffed to a pipe in the bathroom or in the middle of the boat or hiding in a closet trying to keep my breathing quiet so I wouldn't get caught. I could "see"  the setting and the people.  Bellon is a master storyteller and this book will keep you hooked until the last page.

And, I love the cover, too.

I definitely recommend this book. You can purchase it at Amazon. It's available in paperback or for your Kindle.

This book is also eligible for a Whitney Award.

PS I won this book in a contest. My opinion is my very own and no one else's.

Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon

Back cover copy:

A split-second decision could change the world’s darkest hour to one of triumph--but who is willing to pay the price?


Kennedy Campbell has been running away for a long time--using her position as an international journalist to escape the ghosts of her family's past. She finds some solace working in an Afghan refugee camp, until the Taliban attacks them and Kennedy is forced to flee. She is pulled into a terrorist's realm of darkness as she fights to save those around her, but will it come at the expense of her own life?


Ethan Barak leads a double life, helping MI-6 bring down arms dealers all over the world until his father is murdered by an old associate. Ethan makes his next mission a personal vendetta by tracking down the killer to Indonesia. While there, he finds himself in a position to either avenge his father or stop a terrorist attack on the Malacca Strait that will jeopardize innocent lives across the world. Can he look past his father's murder to save others?


The line between justice and mercy is blurred with each passing second, and international intrigue becomes intensely personal as the age-old struggle for redemption is brought close to home.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Julie Bellon is a fantastic suspense writer. One of her many strengths as a writer is her use of description. She includes all the senses to make you feel like you are right in the middle of all the action. In one of the scenes, Kennedy is trying to get away from her captor and it made my heart beat faster. I could "see" the places and even feel the atmosphere.

I love Kennedy. She is strong and certainly not a victim . She isn't about to take life lying down, that's for sure. I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm anxious to keep reading and see what happens. I know I won't be disappointed. Bellon is an excellent writer and I admire how she can capture the moment so effortlessly.

Ribbon of Darkness is on a special sale right now for $8.88 for the Kindle edition at Amazon. Go check it out--you can have a copy on your Kindle in under a minute! You can read the first chapter here.

To learn more about Julie Bellon visit her blog

Charity Drive

By Julie Coulter Bellon

Political campaign expert Kristen Shepherd excels at staying cool under pressure, but this time she’s in over her head. After leaving her high-profile fiancé at the altar, she uncovers the shocking truth about the man she nearly married—truth that could ruin her life. With the press on her tail, the only person she can trust is Ryan Jameson, her political opponent and former boyfriend.

Army doctor and LDS convert Brandon Shepherd shares his sister Kristen’s talent for keeping a level head, and his newfound faith gives him steady strength during times of turmoil. But when he and fellow doctor Rachel Fields are seized as Iraqi prisoners of war, he faces a crisis of personal integrity that may cost him his life.

In this gripping tale of unlikely heroes and unexpected romance, two siblings must risk everything for freedom. And in the heat and sand of enemy territory, they discover that all’s fair in love, even if not in war.

I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, but I wanted to let everyone know that in conjunction with the book's release Julie will be doing a charity drive, "Skittles for Soldiers," to help send a little taste of home to the troops serving overseas.

From July 14 to July 19th, you can drop off any of the items listed below at any Seagull location across the Wasatch Front, from Logan down to Spanish Fork. When you do, you will receive an entry to win a free autographed copy of All's Fair.

Julie will be appearing on Good Things Utah on July 14th at 10:00 a.m. on Channel 4 to kick off the charity event and doing several booksignings that week as well.

Suggested Care Package Items

Individually wrapped hard candy

. Twizzlers
. Tootsie Rolls/Pops
. Skittles
. lollipops
. Life Savers
. Sweet Tarts
. chewing/bubble gum
. mints, breath strips

Lunch box sized snacks

. nuts
. seeds
. pretzels
. cookies
. chips (Pringle type
containers best)
. Cracker Jacks
. crackers
. Corn Nuts
. fruit snacks/fruit leather
. Gardettos
. microwave popcorn
. trail mix
. energy bars
. protein bars
. breakfast bars
. granola bars
. nut bars
. beef jerky
. fruit: cup/canned/dried

Instant meals

. instant oatmeal
. Kraft Easy Mac
. ramen
. Cup of Noodles
. non-refrigerated
microwaveable meals
. canned meats-
no pork!
. stews
. chili
. ravioli
. soups

Hygiene

. hotel/travel sized: gel, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, mouthwash
. small hand sanitizer
. toothbrushes
. dental floss
. sanitary pads /tampons
. twin blade razors
. eye drops
. nose drops
. unscented baby wipes/
wet wipes
. Mach III Turbo Razor
Blades
. small Kleenex packets
. Q-Tips
. anti-fungal creams
. Band Aids
. medicated foot powder
. sunscreen

Beverages

. sweetened drink mixes
(ex. Gatorade,Crystal
Light, Kool-Aid)
. hot chocolate
. cider mix
. sugar or sweetener
packets

Entertainment and miscellaneous

. DVDs
. AAA and AA batteries
. pens/pencils
. blank greeting cards
and stationery
. stickers
. disposable cameras
. AT&T phone cards
. condiment packets
. sandwich, gallon,
quart, and snack-sized
Ziploc bags (to make
care packages)

If you live near the Wasatch Front be sure to stop by a Seagull Bookstore and help send a little bit of home to our soldiers.

You can find out more about the charity drive and Julie at her website www.juliebellon.com.