ELUSIVE EVIL by JJ Samie Myles, Reviewed by Kim #NewRelease

(Task Force SEAR Book Two): Christian Romantic Suspense

KIM'S REVIEW:
A Must-Read Romantic Suspense!

I absolutely loved this story! Elusive Evil has everything I’m looking for in a romantic suspense: wonderful characters, a suspenseful plot with perfectly paced action, heartfelt romance, humor (Ariel is the best!), and some unexpected surprises that kept me turning the pages.

The faith thread was incredibly well done — it felt natural to the story and added so much depth. The spiritual warfare aspect really has me thinking. I loved every second of this book!

Nik and Rina were perfection together. Their individual histories just about broke my heart — I wanted to jump into the pages and give them both a hug, especially Nik. Their chemistry, emotional growth, and healing were all beautifully done. The pacing of the action was spot-on, and Ariel’s humor brought much-needed levity at just the right moments. 

I’m really loving this team and the relationships between all the characters. Ms. Myles always includes thoughtful and relevant faith elements in her stories, and Elusive Evil is no exception. Here are two of my favorite quotes:

“Isn’t believing in God all about trusting that He does the right thing, even if it hurts us temporarily? We need to remember that He always works for our good, and that we only see a glimpse of the whole picture.”

“Human beings constantly felt the need to understand what was going on and explain everything. But if they could, God wouldn’t be God.”

If you haven’t read JJ Samie Myles/Skylar J. Kent yet, please do yourself a favor and put her books at the top of your TBR. She’s a must-read, an auto-buy author, and definitely a top favorite for me!

Elusive Evil is book 2 in the Task Force SEAR series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. That said, I’d highly recommend starting with Crimson Sands (book 1), which gives a great introduction to the team and characters you’ll come to love. 5 stars! 
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy. The faith thread is prominent throughout. 

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes evil is so close you can’t see it.

Former NZSAS corporal Nik “Nikyboy” Te Koha is on vacation with his Task Force SEAR buddies in Indonesia when a suicide bomber targets a church. Triage efforts quickly morph into a full-blown mission, bringing Nik’s old demons knocking.

Terror has haunted Rina Soto from childhood, killing her family and fueling her passion to join Delta 77, a counter-terrorism unit. Convinced the recent attack wasn't a one-off, she sets out to hunt down the bombers with the help of an enigmatic Kiwi and his highly skilled team.

Opposites attract; fighting the same enemy unites. Nik and Rina put their lives on the line to prevent more carnage, but another threat looms much closer. Can Rina's unwavering faith pierce Nik's darkness? 

Warrior of Light Press, December, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

DEATH AT THE PAPER PALACE by Kristen Brellen and Ben Alexander, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

A Tales & Tails Mystery

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"The bedroom filled with a great pulse of light. Then darkness fell on the body of Phyllis Grant."

It all started with a party. Becca Gables, homeschooling mother of three and owner of a cozy combo of bookstore and bakery cafe, had been invited to cater a prestigious event at the home of one of Crystal Run, Wisconsin's elite townspeople. Known as the Paper Palace, the stately old mansion with historical roots was showing its age, much like its owner. But no one expected the rather unpopular matriarch, Phyllis Grant, to expire that very night. Something wasn't adding up, and Becca knew it.

Continuing to juggle motherhood as a young widow while managing her business through-out the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Becca stays in touch with her Uncle John, a local police captain, about the case, which has become more and more suspicious. Phyllis Grant was not particularly loved within the community, but who might want her dead, and for what reason? It was time for Becca to don her amateur sleuthing hat.

A delightful homespun story full of vivacious characters of all ages who sport equal doses of curiosity and charm while living their lives upon a confident foundation of faith. And yes, the who-dun-it component made the story all that more enjoyable! 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Becca Gables, an irrepressibly positive young widow, has her hands full. She not only homeschools her three children—Violet, Oliver, and Hazel—but also owns Tales & Tails, a whimsical local bookshop and café. Her days are filled with lesson plans, great literature, and creamy coffee as she educates her children and tries to keep her struggling bookshop afloat.

To earn extra income for Tales & Tails, Becca agrees to cater a cocktail party at the Paper Palace, hosted by Phyllis Grant, the self-proclaimed matriarch of a long line of paper magnates. This party serves as an opportunity for Phyllis to showcase the importance of her family in the community.

Everything seems to be going smoothly until Becca visits the old mansion the following day to collect payment. She is shocked to discover that the hostess has died overnight. What initially appears to be a terrible accident is soon revealed to have a more sinister cause. Guided by her faith, her family and friends, and her insatiable curiosity, Becca peels away the layers of this mystery, leading to a conclusion that will rock their little town of Crystal Run, Wisconsin.

Tales and Tails Publishing, September, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon

MISTLETOE AND MALICE by Lori DeJong, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

GUARDED HEARTS SERIES

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Don't scream, Miss Hudson, or I'll end you right here."

After nearly being abducted inside a parking garage, Riley Hudson's family insists on hiring twenty-four hour protection. Although Riley is a well respected philanthropist and defense attorney in her own right, she is also worth a fortune, her family's wealth widely known among the general public. When Colton Blankenship from Peterson Security is assigned the lead role for Riley's bodyguard entourage, he assumes it will be a routine assignment accompanying a rich young woman on shopping trips and vapid outings. Nothing could be further from the truth, for Riley proves to be smart, stubborn, independent, and determined not to let an attempt on her life slow down her busy schedule.

In spite of Riley's insistence on maintaining normalcy, something or someone has triggered an escalation in attempts to taunt her from a distance, making it very clear that she is being watched everywhere she goes. As she becomes more and more reliant on Colton and his team, the two naturally share personal conversations which turn into discussions about life experiences, delving into dangerous territory for a man who has no intention of ever loving another woman.

This book had an impressive intersection of suspense and intrigue from the very beginning, the clarity of its characters gaining momentum as Riley and Colton became more transparent with each other and by association, the reader. Wonderfully appropriate faith elements add depth to the overall allure of this plot line with its comfortable pacing and romantic tension, marking the start of a series that I will definitely continue to read.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5stars

BackCover Blurb:
After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father’s demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous.

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.

Scrivenings Press, October, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon 

ONE NINE by Sara Davison, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Even if no one else in the world knew where she was - or who she was - God did."

Fleeing a murder scene might not have been the smartest thing to do, but it had kept Brooke Turner alive long enough to decide what to do next while giving her best friend's death a chance to be investigated properly. Unfortunately, the evidence at the scene had only pointed in one direction; hers.

Detective Chase Washington was absolutely, positively determined to find Brooke Turner, a cold-blooded killer who had murdered her best friend. The woman was like a ghost, simply disappearing, leaving no trail to follow, until one evening Chase happened to pick up a crime thriller and was shocked at what he read.

For a short novel, this story was impressively filled with compact pages of compelling plot twists and emotional character development. The faith elements were deeply inspiring, applying the meaning of one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible, Joshua 1:9, to extremely difficult circumstances.

The end result? I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Detective Chase Washington knows Brooke Turner is guilty of murdering her best friend. What he can't comprehend is how she has managed to elude capture for six months. With Lenora Chambers’ blood calling out to him from the ground, Chase will stop at nothing to find Brooke Turner and bring her to justice.

When he finally tracks her down, nothing is as black and white as Chase thought. Lost in the wild with no way to communicate with the outside world and another possible suspect on their trail, Chase and his prisoner have become the prey in a desperate quest to survive.

Fans of riveting, edge-of-your-seat suspense with clean romance and spiritual truths will love this fast-paced offering. 

(from) On The Edge Suspense Publishing, October, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon