SPIES, LIES, and ALIBIS by Natalie Walters, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Newsflash, 007 - I don't need rescuing. Not from coffee, produce or a charming billionaire."

Embedded deep into the world of powerful real estate moguls, independently contracted Cybil Langford is assigned to surveil one of the most ruthless crime bosses on the planet, Lorenzo Ramirez. And everything was going so well until she slipped into the toilet trying to retrieve what every spy wears, all black . . . and! . . . she comes face to face (in the dark) with her childhood nemesis-turned-crush, Ben Bradley, who is for some unknown reason calls himself Craig Miller, the name of her let's-forget-all-about-him-forever boyfriend. Ben is gong to ruin everything!

Cybil is going to ruin everything! F. B. I. Agent Ben Bradley is on the hunt to take down the criminal network responsible for the death of a federal agent. What he catches however, is the hem of a very lovely dress wrapped around a very lovely lady shooting darts out of her eyes as if she can tell Ben what to do without speaking a word. Actually, maybe she can.

What a fun story! The clever dialogue is superb and flies back and forth like tennis ball in a game where neither player knows the rules. Cybil and Ben have a past, and in spite of going years without seeing each other, this second chance rom-com with a heavy dose of crime-cute between two undercover agents, sizzles from beginning to end. In spite of getting a little lost at times with the details of the financial transactions, I loved the depth of emotions and hilarious antics that Ben and Cybil brought to the story. Readers who love humor infused suspense will be clamoring for more! 
* I purchased a copy and I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW: 

BackCover Blurb:
They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Dive into a hilarious, fast-paced romantic suspense that balances danger with wit and charm. Early readers are loving the gripping twists, engaging humor, and clean, chemistry-filled romance that make Spies, Lies, and Alibis such a fun, page-turning ride. Grab your copy today for a story packed with intrigue, heart, and just the right amount of sass. 

Thomas Nelson, May, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, or audiobook:

Buy SPIES, LIES, AND ALIBIS at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

STOLEN SECRETS by S. F. Baumgartner, Reviewed by Paula

(Mirror Estate Thrillers Book 7)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This is the first book I have read by this author but it is seventh in the series and I should have read the others first. There were so many actors that it was hard for me to keep up. 

But it was an action-packed story with twists and turns and unresolved elements that will lead up to the next book. 

I found a few flaws in the text but this was an advanced copy and maybe they will be addressed in the editing. 

The story was intriguing and exciting and would be great for fans of spy games and complex plots.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by S. B. Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*3 stars and a slight faith thread.

BackCover Blurb

An adopted daughter. A vanished teenager. A secret that must stay hidden.

FBI Special Agent Charlie O'Rourke believed adopting Jamie Beth would keep her safe. But when her best friend vanishes during a school band rehearsal, Charlie discovers the threat isn't random.

As Jamie Beth desperately searches for answers about her best friend's disappearance, she has no idea she's next.
To save his daughter, Charlie must choose between protocol and survival.

Perfect for readers who love the layered conspiracies of Daniel Silva, the emotional stakes of NCIS, and the shadow-war tension of The Blacklist.

Grab your copy of Stolen Secrets today and dive into this edge-of-the-seat thriller! 

FB Publishing, June, 2026

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon 

FREED BY THE FRONTIER by Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, and Susan Craft, Reviewed by Paula

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Just the book to read if you want to experience what the colonists went through! Brush up on your history with Freed by the Frontier by Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth and Susan Craft.

I love historical fiction. This one was just the ticket with brave heroes and heroines who found themselves in dire circumstances but with the help of God, carved out a living in the wilderness. Each story was different but well written and gave the atmosphere of the colonial period. 

An appropriate thing to read as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and an underlying faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman.

From quaint civilized towns to treacherous mountain passes and wilderness villages, three couples navigate cultural divisions, overcome past wounds, and face deadly dangers to discover that love knows no boundaries. But as war clouds gather and ancient tribal alliances shift, will their newfound relationships survive the coming storm? Or will the clash of worlds tear them apart?

Three unforgettable romances prove that God's greatest blessings often come disguised as our greatest challenges, and that true love can bridge any divide. 

Wild Hearts Press, June, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, or audiobook:

Buy FREED BY THE FRONTIER at Amazon 

 

THE BACHELOR SPY by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

 

A FREDDIE AND GRACE MYSTERY #5

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Somebody catch that blasted cat!"

"If Grace had thought turning Havensbrooke into a convalescent hospital in Frederick's absence a good idea, this moment may have caused her to question herself." Without her beloved Lord Astley by her side the responsibilities of caring for wounded soldiers, overseeing the medical staff, running a large household, praying constantly for the well-being of her husband, and chasing a runaway cat, Grace was veering far beyond her comfort zone and surely didn't need anything to go wrong. Like for instance, expensive estate items disappearing and a very curious break-in where nothing of value seemed to have been taken.

When their dear friend Stephen Blake shows up among the wounded, Grace immediately treats him as a guest rather than a patient. Curiously enough, the odd occurances around the estate seem to multiply following his arrival, prompting Grace's imagination and determination to work overtime, after all what was life without a good mystery? And wouldn't you know, she was exactly right!

Populated with multiple favorite characters and then some, this entertaining romantic mystery boasts spy networks, forced proximity (closets, of course!) a very capable butler, and a little girl who knows so much, along with surprises of a very personal nature and hard fought faith battles.

A joy to read and difficult to put down!

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. I also purchased a copy of this book. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“Grace had just added a second mystery to her list. And this one involved a charming spy, a suspicious maid, and secrets that were practically begging to be uncovered. Why enjoy only one mystery when she could have two? How absolutely delightful.”

There is a mystery afoot at Hevensbrooke and maybe more than one. That is what Grace and cousin Stephen Blake aim to discover. After surviving the sinking of the Lusitania, Stephen arrives at Havensbrooke in search of a traitor known as Midnight Angel. But she could be one of several women serving at the mansion turned convalescent hospital, including Evie Montgomery, Stephen’s former colleague, who is disguised as a maid. “Mission: loving Evie Montgomery til death do us part. Which given his line of work, was always unpredictable.” 

The Bachelor Spy has all the things I love in a Freddie and Grace mystery: spies who are stealthy, hidden tunnels, swoony romance (look for that closet kiss) and the solid faith of the main characters undergirding it all. Along with clever banter and the quick quirky mind that is signature Grace, daughter Zahra returns, this time with an unruly cat and faithful Brandon the butler. One thing is sure, even with her tender heart, Grace is a force to be reckoned with. 

This book was a joy to read. I am so sorry to see these characters go, I will miss them. Maybe I will start the series over again!
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Review Crew and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out? 

Barbour Publishing, July, 2026

Available in digital ebook, and paperback

Buy THE BACHELOR SPY at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House