absolutely loved this debut read of Sibella Giorello's newest.

Enjoyed meeting the author, the protagonist and the supporting characters in a fascinating story. Lots of action, tension and conflicted relationships that kept Raleigh real in the midst of highly adventurous escapades.

One of my favourite discoveries in this intro to Sibella's writing is her excellent use of language ~ creative word selection added immeasurably to descriptions. Left me feeling the deficit of many recent books in my reading diet...

Definitely appreciated Sibella's newest as a welcome addition to my library. An author I will be anticipating with pleasure! TY Sibella :) ( )

I liked this book well enough. The story was pretty good, but for some reason I didn’t really get caught up into it until about the last quarter of the book. The first three quarters weren’t boring or poorly written, I just didn’t really get into it. But the mystery of what was happening to the horses was enough to keep me reading until I got really hooked. I think part of that is because I am such an animal lover that I wanted to know what kind of sick person would be hurting animals, and what end it would serve. But either way I ended up really liking a book that I thought was going to be just so-so.

I haven’t had a chance to read any of the previous Raleigh Harmon novels, but I can’t say that I feel like I was missing anything starting so far into the series. The story doesn’t seem to be too dependent on previous stories, although I’m sure there’s some background information not shared in this book that some one who’s read the whole series might be able to use to “fill-in” some of the story. But I have to say that Giorella does a great job of keeping the reader up to date, so to speak, on the pertinent information.

I did like Raleigh. Like most Heroines she was a do what you got to do to get things done kind of woman. Which apparently has gotten her into quite a bit of trouble in the past. Even in this book, her inability to follow the rules and let things come as they may gets her into some sticky situations. Which adds to the story so much. She also has a relationship with God that I could easily relate to. Even when she’s doing things she would rather not do she makes herself aware of it and then prayed about it a few times in the book. That made it much easier for me to relate to her. There are many times in my life that I’ve done something, for whatever reason, that I know I shouldn’t have and knowing that as long as I take steps to not repeat those mistakes I can always receive forgiveness.

The secondary characters were pretty well developed too. Each person had a specific purpose in the story. Some of them seemed to be there just to throw you off of who was really behind everything. I think my favorite character was Jack – he was a tough guy womanizer. But he had a bit of a change of heart in this one. I’d imagine that change started in the last book, given the relationship with Raleigh, but I could see the change even without the previous story as a gauge.

What I really liked about this story is that it kept me guessing. When Raleigh first takes the undercover assignment I had no idea that it was going to twist into the story that it did. The original mystery opens up so many more mysteries that if you were to just read the beginning and the end of the book you’d probably think you were reading two different books. And the who-dun-it twists were pretty awesome too. Given how quickly things changed in this one I was never really quite sure I had it pegged. I love stories like that, where it really keeps you guessing and engaged. And the twists weren’t crazy – they really flowed well.

It was a very well written book. The only reason that it doesn’t get 5 stars is that it took so long for me to get into it. But I do have to say I’m glad I stuck with it. It was worth every second ( )

FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon has been suspended for bending the rules in a previous case, and finds herself being investigated by the agency's Internal Affairs department. The FBI is giving Raleigh another chance to redeem herself, she is sent to Seattle, Washington, on an undercover assignment at Emerald Meadows, a thoroughbred horse racing track, to investigate a case of fixing horse races. Raleigh finds that there is more than fixing races going on at the track, the horses are dying from mysterious illnesses, and someone is trying to stop her from solving the case.

Complicating matters even more for Raleigh are her personal issues: her mother has been involuntarily committed to a mental asylum; her fiance wants her to give up her job and move home to Virginia; and she's fighting an attraction to her co-worker, FBI Special Agent Jack Stephanson.

Can Raleigh put her trust in God and her faith, with memories of time spent with her Dad looking up at the night sky where The Stars Shine Bright to solve the case and her personal problems?

The Stars Shine Bright is an intriguing mystery novel filled with enough adventure, drama, suspense and romance to keep you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat. Written in the first person narrative by our quirky protagonist, Raleigh Harmon, the reader goes along for the ride on her latest FBI assignment. Rich in attention to detail and vivid descriptions of the beautiful setting in Seattle; along with the sights, sounds and smell of the horse racing world, the reader is easily drawn into Raleigh's latest adventure full of suspenseful twists and turns with a bit of romance in the mix. The story is a real page turner, you can't help but feel like your transported to Seattle and becoming involved as Raleigh investigates the case, you won't be able to put the book down!

The author provides a cast of characters that are realistic, complex, multi-faceted, and easy for the readers to relate to. Raleigh is a little spit-fire, she has a quirky and engaging personality that made me laugh. Raleigh is a person that people can relate to, she has flaws and issues that she struggles with, just like we do. I was really intrigued by Raleigh's training as a forensic geologist, I found the description of her training and the interesting geological facts to be fascinating. Eighty-four year old race course owner Eleanor Anderson is a spunky lady who quotes playwright Tennessee Williams; while handsome FBI Special Agent Jack Stephanson matches wits with Raleigh while the sparks fly. The characters' stimulating dialogues, interactions and dry humor make this story an entertaining and enjoyable read.

The Stars Shine Bright is a gripping whodunit mystery novel that will keep you in suspense and entertained with its high level of intensity, drama and a bit of romance thrown into the mix.

The Stars Shine Bright is the fifth book in the Raleigh Harmon Mystery Series. While the book is part of a series, it can easily stand alone.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event host by Litfuse Publicity.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-stars-shine-bright-by-sibe... ( )

Raleigh Harmon is back, and this time she is undercover. With the FBI suspending Raleigh for bending the rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon has one last chance to redeem herself and to save the career she loves so much. With the possibility of races being fixed at Emerald Downs horse track, Raleigh is called in to go undercover to discover what is happening; however, once she gets there horses are getting injured and dying and Raleigh’s own life is threatened. She soon realizes that there is something more than just horse races being fixed.

The one contact Raleigh has at the FBI is the one person she doesn’t want to have to deal with, never knowing if he will be teasing her, lecturing her or being a genuine friend Jack Stephenson is the last person Raleigh wants to have contact with. As things heat up at the races, Raleigh’s life continues in a downward spiral, her mother doesn’t want to see her, the required meetings with her shrink can mean losing her job with the FBI, Demott, her fiancée wants her to return home, a black Cadillac keeps appearing out of nowhere to follow Raleigh. With her life spinning out of control and the case having too many open ends with the FBI wanting to know her every move Raleigh is unsure where to turn. Can she figure out what is happening before someone ends up hurt and before the FBI pulls her off the assignment?

Sibella Giorello returns with the 5th book in the Raleigh Harmon series, The Stars Shine Bright, Giorello’s writing will wrap you into the pages, weaving you into the intricate story lines that make you feel as if you are watching the story develop. Giorello’s writing is complemented by her strong research and authentic characters that you can relate too. Filled with laughter, heartache, good times and bad you will sink into this story till the last page. ( )

Raleigh Harmon [David] is fighting to save her job at the FBI. She is now undercover at a horse race track, where mysterious things are happening. Her Aunt Elanor [not really] is a wealthy thespian, and plays her role of Aunt so well, you will forget she is not really her Aunt.
It looks like someone is fixing races, and horses are being hurt and Elanor wants her to get to the bottom of things. Things are going from bad to worse, and Raleigh has one friend she can contact [he seems to there for her throughout the book] Jack Stephanson. Raleigh has played it on the edge one to many times at the FBI, and they are looking at her closely.
Besides almost loosing her life in a barn fire, she is being tailed by a black Cadillac.
Then her fiance, DeMott, calls and is bring her Mother's dog to her. Madame is so depressed from being away from her family she is loosing weight. This darling dog adds more delight in this story. Also throughout the book I keep thinking...throw in the towel and go and live the easy life with DeMott.
One thing I loved about this book is the title....it is a reference to Raleigh's deceased Dad. Although this is the fifth book in this series, it can be read alone. I would recommend that you give yourself a treat and read all of the books.

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Tours and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )