DEADLY CHARADE by Kelly Underwood and Lynette Eason, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

(FBI New Recruits Book #1): Clean Suspense Thriller with Undercover FBI Investigations, Fake Relationship, Special Agents, and Workplace Romance

 
PAULA'S REVIEW
Ever since I learned about the Amber Room that was dismantled during the threat of WWII, my interest is piqued when it crops up in a story I am reading. This book has a interesting new slant on the mystery of WWII artifacts and the entities who are after them. 

This writing duo has offered a suspenseful, intriguing scenario involving a rabbit statue and everyone from the FBI to a Russian organization is after it. 

The FBI agents Kira and Bryce are going undercover as a married couple to try to get into a secret auction covertly selling stolen art. The characters are thrown into dangerous situations but the authors make it so believable and quite adventurous. “Things just went from impossibly bad to apocalyptic in one second.” 

I enjoyed the relationship between Kira and Bryce because they are attracted to each other and have to pretend be married but at the same time they must focus on being professional. A key element is how their backgrounds play into their present circumstances. For Kira, it is a spiritual awakening and Bryce has to follow through in his faith to be able to forgive. 

This is a brilliant start to a new series by fantastic collaboration.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine. 5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:

One wrong move and their cover is blown. So their charade sparking real feelings is the last twist they can afford.

Special Agent Kira Miller's new career at the FBI has started--in translations. It's not the opportunity she was hoping for to show off her skills, until she detects a lead in some paperwork. Now assigned an undercover role, she's in her element as she gathers intel on an art smuggling ring. She's daunted not by the mission but by her cover--posing as a married woman to the fake husband she met less than twenty-four hours earlier.

Special Agent Bryce Lambert's assignment to go undercover as a newlywed couple with Kira has the two of them moving next door to the prime suspects, and a relationship is the last thing he wants, fake or real. With secret auctions and hidden treasures, there's plenty to keep them busy--if only they can play the part their lives and careers depend upon while keeping their own hearts in check.

Romantic suspense novelists Lynette Eason and Kelly Underwood collaborate in this fast-paced, clean thriller delivering fake-dating tension, forced proximity, and FBI intrigue--perfect for fans of Elizabeth Goddard, Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey, and edge-of-your-seat reads.

 

Revell Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy DEADLY CHARADE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

A K-9 CHRISTMAS BLESSING by Tina Radcliffe, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance 

(K-9 Companions Book 50)

KIM'S REVIEW:
I always love reading a Tina Radcliffe story! The small towns she creates make me want to move there. I love the sense of community, how everyone helps one another, and how they’re always there for each other.

I really enjoyed returning to Aspen Creek and catching up with the characters. Nate and Jo’s story is a second-chance romance, one of my favorite tropes, and I loved watching them rekindle their relationship. Their romance was so sweet, and I especially enjoyed seeing Jo’s personal growth throughout the story. She was hanging on to things both emotionally and physically that she had to work through and I loved how she did that.

I’m really hoping Maggie gets her own story in a future installment because I absolutely loved her character! If you are a big animal lover, you will love that animals play such a big part in this story. Jo is opening an animal rescue, and Nate is a veterinarian, making this a great read for animal lovers.

This book is also full of Christmas feels, with sleigh rides, Christmas parties, and tree lighting and decorating. If you’re ready to kick off your Christmas reading, this may be just the book for you!

I always enjoy visiting the charming towns Tina Radcliffe creates, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the series!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light 4 1/2 stars! 

BackCover Blurb:
Can a sweet Christmas K-9

Make this sudden reunion bright?

After rescuing an injured beagle, therapy dog trainer Jo Webster reluctantly turns to the new veterinarian in town, who’s also her former fiancé. But when Nate Morris suggests a prosthetic leg for the wounded dog, there’s no way Jo can afford it. Reluctantly, she agrees to a part-time job at his clinic during the Christmas season to pay for the treatment. Soon, Jo learns Nate is not the same man she broke off her engagement to years ago. If they can learn to forgive each other for past hurts, they might build something new and beautiful together for the holidays—and forever.

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Love Inspired Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, and paperback at Amazon, and Christianbook

 

WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS by Elizabeth Goddard, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Mercy Ridge Book #1: High Octane Romantic Suspense in the Pacific Northwest with Secrets and Action in the Mountains

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"He believed God's timing was perfect and that what was meant to be revealed would be, when the time was right. If and when the silence breaks, that's because it was meant to."

Intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison is carrying a boatload of secrets. Traveling toward the Cascade Mountains, she comes to the realization that her enemies may be closer than she thinks. Determined to bring her brother's killer to justice, she is on a self imposed mission to locate buried government secrets that could reveal essential information with regards to her family's safety. But first, Sarah needs a guide and former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin is just the man, whether he knows it yet or not.

Call it a man's intuition or simply years of tactical training, but Ryder is absolutely sure that Sarah Ellison is not telling him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. What he isn't so sure about is whether or not to take her up Blackspire Mountain on what he considers a highly dangerous and likely foolish venture. Predictably, they are drawn into a dangerous off the books operation which history has already proven to be lethal.

Sarah and Ryder took me awhile to figure out, their dynamics were a bit awkward, though to be fair, neither was divulging everything they knew. The complexity of the setting sent me sifting through the details in order to glean the essentials. Nevertheless, the ending managed to pull off several major unexpected twists coupled with a soft, romantic landing that made this first book in the series a nice glimpse into what might come next in Mercy Ridge!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers—and danger closing in.

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather's deathbed confession connected to her brother's murder, she's determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand.

After his father's death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can't stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

This gripping romantic-suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard is a series opener that will sweep you away in a rush of adrenaline.

Revell Publishing, August, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

TO WIN A WAGER by Grace Hitchcock, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney #ReleaseDay

BEST LAID PLANS Series #3

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Tonight, the terror I have been dreading for decades has become all too real."

Alerted by the sound of intruders during the dark of night, Tess Hale is deeply disturbed when her father frantically pleads with her to flee. Taking only a few possessions, a small sum of money and cryptic instructions she climbs down an outer wall, and escapes with only her knives and a trusty canine as protection. Meandering her way towards their small island cottage, Tess has no indication that she has been followed until former spy and rising clan chieftain Jamie Malcolm makes his presence known.

Jamie Malcolm has no desire to cause bodily harm to the lovely young woman whom he has pursued. Apparently she has no idea why her home was raided or her father's life threatened, but Jamie knows full well that Tess holds the key to the future of his clan. It's complicated, it has been complicated for years and now he needs to gain the trust of the one person whose birth set all of the present circumstances into motion. He needs a plan, or perhaps a wager? With a vast treasure on the line, there are bound to be more villains than heroes.

This adventurous romance starts off quickly and maintains a steady speed throughout all the ups and downs of escape and pursuit, coming full circle, back to where it all began. In spite of Jaime's determined self-control, he and Tess become united for life, citing reasons of self-preservation, and while he thought it was to protect her, in the end it is Tess who protects him. An endearing, faith filled love story that gathers everyone in the series together for quite a grand finale! 
*I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.75 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:

A Regency-era enemies-to-lovers romance set in the magnificent Scottish Isles

Tess Hale has always been taught to fend for herself, but she never needed to until the night bounty hunters come knocking. It's 1813 in Great Britain, and Tess's best laid plans crumble when her father sends her alone in the dead of night to an island cottage to escape them. She finds herself in a world of warring clans she didn't know existed.

After a decade as a spy separated from his clan, Jamie Malcom has a duty to fulfill as next in line as chief-but his absence means he must earn his people's loyalty. He pursues a treasure stolen from his clan long ago, and it leads him straight to Tess.

As Tess grapples with her past, Jamie vows to protect her future—but lies revealed shatter the trust they had been building. For purposes beyond themselves, they are thrust into a marriage neither of them wanted . . . at first.

In the finale to the Best Laid Plans series, Grace Hitchcock invites readers to the sweeping Highlands and beautiful Scottish Isles with a romance guaranteed to delight.

"Grace Hitchcock strikes a perfect balance of adventure, intrigue, and breathless romance. Who doesn’t love a Scotland setting, a tortured rogue, and a heroine with impressive knife-fighting skills?"

—Allison Pittman 💟, award-winning author of Laura’s Shadow

 

Kregel Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy TO WIN A WAGER at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House