DEATH WISH by JJ. Samie Myles, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

Task Force SEAR Book Three: Christian Romantic Suspense

KIM'S REVIEW:
Every time I think JJ Samie Myles can’t possibly top herself, she does. Again. I absolutely loved this book. Ledger is everything you want in a hero. He is strong, loyal, completely swoon-worthy, and full of unending faith. He and Rox together are pure perfection.

I’ve loved Ariel and Ledger since book one, and getting more of their relationship, history, and sibling dynamic was everything I hoped for. And as always, the faith thread was woven in so beautifully. It is thought-provoking, meaningful, and quote-worthy. I highlighted so much.

The team is one of my favorite parts of this series. The camaraderie, the banter, and the humor balance the intense action perfectly. The pacing is spot on, the suspense kept me glued to the pages, and the characters are so well written you can’t help but root for every single one of them.

And yes… I cried. There are some truly emotional moments in this book, and they hit hard because the writing is so powerful. You don’t just read what the characters are feeling, you feel it with them.

The more I read about this team, the more I love them. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! Honestly, for anything Ms. Myles writes. This is officially my favorite book in the series, which I didn’t think was possible after Elusive Evil.

If you love romantic suspense, stop what you’re doing and read JJ Samie Myles. You will not regret it.

Do. Not. Miss. This. Series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased this book. The faith thread is prominent throughout. All. The. Stars!!! 

BackCover Blurb:

Some battles demand an unbreakable faith—and the ultimate sacrifice.

Former MARSOC sniper Ledger Romero faked his death to escape the Sombra Cartel after making their infamous revenge list. When a friend calls in a loyalty card and begs him to rescue his daughter from the ruthless regime, Ledger returns to Colombia and its deadly shadows—and walks right into an ambush.

Two years ago, Roxane Jaimes gave up a promising CIA career and infiltrated Sombra, the face of Colombia’s much-revered organization that funds pediatric surgeries with blood money. Her fiancé’s blood, to be exact. Determined to dismantle the cartel, she wrestles an inexplicable compulsion—which will destroy all her covert work—to save Sombra’s newest captive.

The cartel is hot on their heels as Ledger and Rox escape into the unforgiving Colombian jungle. When Task Force SEAR learns Ledger is still alive, they lock and load. However, squaring off against Sombra comes at a high price. Maybe higher than Ledger and Rox can pay. 

Warrior of Light Press, April, 2026

Available in digital ebook and paperback. Purchase at Amazon

IN PURSUIT OF CIVILITY by Jen Turano, Reviewed by Paula and Winnie #ReleaseDay

Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies Book #2: 

A Witty Gilded-Age Christian Historical Rom-Com Set in Chicago

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Jen Turano always tickles my funnybone with the antics of her characters whether they be human or animals. 

 

In the case of In Pursuit of Civility, the heroine, Annalise has a boatload of trouble while in that pursuit. Annalise is serious about freeing animals from certain demise. Case in point: her aversion to fur and feather hunters or animals being mistreated in Fairs or Circuses. Hence, she has three attack ferrets, a pickpocket monkey and various other so-called pets. 

 

Her role in The Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies is Decorum Instructor but she is doomed to failure when her charges run off.
 

Seth McCormick, whose sister Norma Jean, is one of the young ladies, is an inventor of very curious and sometimes hilarious items, such as skunk scent deterrent designed for the young ladies protection. You can imagine the chaos that is the result. What a unconventional romance with Annalise this turns out to be when a present that Annalise welcomes is a habitat for her bugs and spiders and a spider sack to put in it.
 

There is not a dull moment in this book with runaways, a missing aunt, and a treasure hunt, not to mention meddling mothers and young ladies alike.
 

I love Ms. Turano’s turn of phrase and the stream of consciousness dialogue. While this can be read as a stand alone, the first book sets up the series nicely and who would want to miss the first book with more mischief and mayhem.
*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.*5 stars and a clean read with a slight faith content.

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
“. . . I have a feeling we’re kindred spirits as we’re both aware of the rules of civility yet only choose to embrace those rules when it suits us and when those rules don’t get in the way of our pursuits.”

When the main characters of a story are an inventor who invents strange things and a supposed decorum instructor who loses her teenage charges at a fair and also collects unusual animals and insects, you know the resulting tale is going to be a little chaotic, especially when the author is talented author Jen Turano. Turano is the queen of madcap, witty, humorous stories featuring hilarious characters that create mayhem wherever they go. 

Eccentric inventor Seth McCormick and Annaliese Merriweather, the temporary head of the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies, combine their efforts to keep Annaliese’s young charges safe, including Seth’s precocious and adventurous sister, Norma Jean, who leads them on some merry chases.

“I will admit, though, that I always thought decorum instructors maintained a stiff upper lip, along with sporting a prim and proper appearance at all times, but to point out the obvious, you’re a mess.”

With plenty of humor, mayhem, adventure, and romance, this tale kept me chuckling, snorting, and turning pages. It is the second in the series but can be read as a standalone book. I’m looking forward to the mysterious Seraphina Livingston’s story in the next book. 
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
LESSON TWO: Become headmistress and expect to find yourself partnering with an attractive inventor to search for treasure.

Annaliese Merriweather has been appointed the temporary headmistress of the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies while her sister is on her honeymoon, but she doesn't feel cut out for the role. Especially after she loses two of her most troublesome students during an outing to a county fair and has to recruit the help of Seth McCormick, an eccentric inventor, to retrieve them.

Soon after, one of those mischievous students disappears again, intent on pursuing a pirate map. Together, Annaliese and Seth set out to find her, accompanied by a menagerie of Annaliese's rescued animal companions. As they stumble from one chaotic situation to the next, sparks fly between Annaliese and Seth. Somehow, they'll need to outwit dangerous individuals also intent on seeking the treasure and bring everyone back in one piece--all while deciphering what their hearts desire.

With witty characters and humorous banter, Jen Turano takes readers on a lively tale of hijinks, humor, treasure hunting, and forced proximity in her latest historical rom-com set in Chicago at a finishing school during the Gilded Age. 

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2026

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

Buy IN PURSUIT OF CIVILITY at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House  

THE HIDDEN KEY OF BROOKE SUMNER by Susan L. Tuttle, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Your safety is far more important than any grudge you believe I should have against him."

Storm Whitlock and Brooke Summer were childhood friends, watching each other's backs while growing up in the foster system, going into business together buying, selling, and searching for items of worth from around the world. It was a bond forged by fire until mistrust broke what seemed as solid as steel.

Now Storm is back in Brooke's periphery, and as persistent as an unwelcome gravitational pull, invited to join an elite treasure hunting group that Brooke is not at all sure she wants to participate in again, even though their elusive benefactor anticipates that finding the lost half of an antiquated key should be their final assignment. Will their probe end with a vast amount of earthly riches or irreparable emotional heartache, for at the center of their quest is a decades old family feud, rife with murder, mystery and cold-blooded revenge.

Intense generational conflicts drive this search for priceless artifacts of a worldly nature while the underlying story is one of trust, authenticity, and relational bonds that are born from shades of eternity. A deeply moving and quite romantic story, both literally and spiritually. 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.4.5 stars

SEE KIM'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb

Will the key unlock more than a vault filled with treasure? Brooke Sumner has been carefully avoiding Storm Whitlock ever since he betrayed her trust. When he joins Caspar's mysterious treasure-hunting group, she steps away to focus on her antique shop and keep herself busy.

Then Caspar invites her back for one final assignment, and Brooke is torn. Returning to Halstead Manor to help the team find the second half of a key is intriguing. It also means she'd be working with Storm. But she doesn't trust his motives, so she reluctantly rejoins to keep him in check.

As they dive into their expedition, Brooke finds her heart softening toward those she'd once held at arm's length. And is it possible she misunderstood Storm's betrayal of their friendship?

Kregal Publishing, March, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy THE HIDDEN KEY OF BROOKE SUMNER at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8474120936

LOVE AND BASEBALL by Jaime Jo Wright and Chloe JoAnne, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

CLEAN Young Adult ROM COM

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"Soooooo . . . like, I sorta pretended you into existence. Now that you are real and here, everyone thinks we are dating."

Tired of trying to explain why having a boyfriend wasn't on her radar, book and baseball fan Brielle Walters thought she had come up with the perfect solution . . . create a fake! Using AI and a host of little white lies (or untruths that she failed to correct) Brielle conjures up Brooks Mason, who conveniently lives very far away. And her plan was working just fine, until a very real Brooks Mason shows up at school.

What???? There were only so many places for a girl to hide, but viral social media reels were not one of them.

This is just about the sweetest, funniest, conundrum of a story that I have ever read! 

BackCover Blurb: 
She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school.

Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She's happy with her book boyfriends--purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She's also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that's not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she's happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar.

There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he's entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn't. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle's AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare.

Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren't quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?

It's a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review
 

MadLit Publishing, February, 2026

Available in digital ebook or paperback

Buy LOVE AND BASEBALL at Amazon