THE TARGETED by Cara Putman, Hosted and Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise for #JustRead #Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Targeted by Cara Putman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Targeted 

Series: Secrets to Keep #3 

Author: Cara Putman 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: May 19, 2026 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Can she protect her gym students before her past catches up? 

When Chloe Ainsworth's older sister reappears after fourteen years, she brings with her the news that Chloe's abuser is back in town. Chloe is a coach at her childhood gym and fiercely protective of her young gymnasts. She won't allow them to suffer the way she did, but she's desperate for an ally—one who can help her make her case. 

 Law student Dare Shepherd works at the local legal clinic, where he meets Chloe and hears her out. He believes her case but can't get the clinic director on board. As he learns more about her story, he finds himself bound by a deepening personal care for Chloe. 

They band together in search of answers, and suddenly the stakes skyrocket. It's clear they're onto something, but will they be able to find the answers before it's too late? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Cara Putman has penned another stellar suspense story. Chloe Ainsworth is a paralegal who is contemplating entering law school. She has ghosts in her background that come racing back to the present when her sister returns after a long absence. And the gymnastics coach who abused her in the past makes his appearance too.
 

Lots of cloak and dagger happenings to put Chloe in danger again. But with the help of law student Dare Shepherd, she pursues justice. Dare was a great hero. He was juggling a lot of things in his own career but was thoughtful, caring and perceptive.
Intriguing and involved plotting that you can tell took a lot of research, kept me on my toes. The author handled the sensitive topic with grace and at the same time got the point across.
 

It was nice to see friends Janae and Margeaux from previous books. The romantic element was subtle but nicely done. The faith of the characters showed their reliance on God and that they were moving forward from their shared trauma.
 

I enjoyed this unique story and informative in one of my favorite genres.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Kregel through Just Read Publicity Tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread  

More Books from this Series:

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About the Author

Cara Putman is a professor, an attorney, and an award-winning, best-selling author of more than forty novels, including the Cornhusker Dreams series, the Hidden Justice series, and The Vanished.

Connect with Cara by visiting caraputman.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Targeted and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 20, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 27, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

SILENT MENACE by Angela Carlisle, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

The Secrets of Kincaid: A Small-Town Cold Case 

Romantic Suspense Novel with a Bodyguard Love Interest

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Widow Hailey is terrified when bad things start happening. But the threats are real and put her and her deaf, toddler daughter in more danger. She is confounded when trying to figure out if the danger is coming from a disgruntled co-worker or if it is from a more far-reaching source. Ex-bodyguard and security guard at her building, Peter, comes to her aid. 

The plot was well-written with likeable main characters, scary bad guys and an interesting problem to solve that was complex and puzzling. Peter was a thoughtful, godly hero with an incident in his past that he worked around in order to protect Hailey. Hailey was determined to provide for her daughter and also to do the right and ethical thing when confronted with shady dealings. 

For those who like suspense along with romance and a solid faith thread, this is the ideal story.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4.5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
A vulnerable target. A mysterious discrepancy. An unforeseen love.

After the exposure of her deceased husband's criminal activity, CPA Hailey Nieland struggles to move on with life as a single mother raising a hearing-impaired toddler in a hostile small town. When she gains a major client, she hopes the extra income will be just what they need . . . until she begins finding anomalies in the accounts. 

No one should trust their life to a bodyguard who can't protect himself, much less his client. At least, that's what Peter Lewis believes after his failed mission. But leaving his former career behind is much harder than he expected--especially when someone begins targeting an accountant who works in the office building he's now responsible for. As threats against her escalate, Peter and Hailey must work together to overcome their fears and expose a complex cover-up before she becomes the next victim. 

Parable bestselling author Angela Carlisle delivers edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense featuring a single mother, a bodyguard seeking redemption, financial intrigue, and a small-town setting for readers who enjoy high stakes and nonstop action.

Bethany House, May, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy SILENT MENACE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

THE BOOKSHOP OF 99 DOORS by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:
It is always an adventure when I read a book by Ms. Wright. It gives my brain a workout trying to figure out how the supernatural and spooky will be explained. 

This was a bit more spooky than usual and reminded me of myself in high school and my own search for the Truth. Getting to the end of the story was very intriguing. I love old houses and the possibilities of hidden rooms, doors and treasure. It was fascinating how the past and present came full circle in the story. I never tire of reading the interesting ways this author connects her two time periods. I always appreciate the faith journey her characters take and the emphasis on the truth of the Gospel. 

Well done suspense-I call Gothic Gold.
*I purchased a copy of this book from Baker Book House and read an ebook via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

SEE REBECCA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
The manor's rumored one-hundredth door may conceal secrets hidden as deep as the estate's bookshelves extend high . . . but the haunted past has a way of ensnaring curious souls.

In 1888, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the dark superstitions that envelop the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain haunts the house and worried by her father's rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's fraught past in an effort to bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own sanity.

In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door--a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion--results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to hunt down the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.

An atmospheric dual-time Gothic suspense masterfully penned by acclaimed author Jaime Jo Wright with themes of a Civil War-era ghost, a possible hidden door, and unexplained mysteries at a historic mansion's bookshop with a troubled past.

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE BOOKSHOP OF 99 DOORS at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

 

MORE THAN FRIENDS by Denise Hunter, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 A sweet, low-spice contemporary romance 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Just because they were both single and available for the first time in years didn't mean he should be thinking of her this way."

Oh, but he did. When Tyson Parker discovers that Jenna Green is back on Chincoteague Island, he looks forward to rekindling their easygoing friendship. Jenna is still reeling from an engagement proposal gone awry, and Tyson has grown weary of trying to date every single woman on the island following his divorce. When Jenna comes to him for advice after her mother arrives back from a cruise with a gentleman friend in tow, the two pick up right where they left off, except for that nagging feeling that Jenna is becoming more than just a friend.

Things tangle up when Jenna's new job prospects will likely take her back off the island, plus her fear of ever loving someone with a dangerous job turn Tyson's volunteer firefighting passion into an obvious obstacle.

A sweet, smoldering friends-to-more romance with several interesting sub-plots that inconveniently converge at the same time, forcing Jenna and Tyson to face the fact that even though life might seem out of their control, it was never out of God's. 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars. 

BackCover Blurb:
Who knew that returning home after a broken engagement could be the best decision you ever made? Denise Hunter is back with another heartwarming contemporary romance with a sweet friends-to-more story, featuring a saltwater cowboy. Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Hallmark movies.

Jenna Greene just ended things with her boyfriend . . . which also ended her career. (That's the risk a girl takes when her boyfriend doubles as her boss.) With no income and no job prospects in sight, Jenna is forced to return to her mother's house on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to figure out what's next. And the timing couldn't be more perfect. Jenna's widowed mother has just returned from a cruise--with a brand-new boyfriend in tow. But there's something off about the guy. His story doesn't quite add up, and he keeps sneaking off to make suspicious phone calls and borrowing money from her too-trusting mother.

In search of some investigative help, Jenna turns to her childhood BFF, Tyson Parker, who lives and works in town. Still reeling from his wife's infidelity, Tyson is doing his best to heal from the pain of divorce. He's made a name for himself on the island as a volunteer firefighter and one of the much-admired saltwater cowboys who looks after Chincoteague's wild ponies. Oh, and he turned out to be more than a tiny bit attractive--besides being almost-too-good-to-be-true sweet and caring.

Growing up, the uber-competitive Jenna was always accepted as one of the guys. But things have changed between her and Tyson, and he's now looking at her through new eyes. Jenna suddenly feels like a leading lady on a movie set--only with way less composure.

But Jenna also has old wounds that make these new feelings seem fraught with peril. Is she willing to open her heart and see where love might lead? Or will she let her hesitant heart hold her back?

More Than Friends is a charming, can't-put-it-down romance, full of laugh-out-loud moments, tender emotion, and the kind of small-town warmth Denise Hunter does best. With its beloved friends-to-more arc, swoony yet grounded hero, and gentle thread of healing and hope, this story will have readers rooting for love on every page. If you're longing for a feel-good romance that blends heart, humor, and just enough mystery to keep you reading past your bedtime, More Than Friends is the perfect escape to Chincoteague Island.

Thomas Nelson Publishing, April 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy MORE THAN FRIENDS at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House