TERMINAL DANGER by Jerusha Agen, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Guardians Unleased series #5

Christian Suspense - K9

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"You haven't risen from the ashes of your past. You're buried in them. You're buried in death."

The ashes of her past . . . a past that few know, and none would ever want . . . but it produced a passion that drives Phoenix Gray day in and day out . . . above all, to seek justice. After the body of one familiar victim is discovered, Phoenix is convinced that this particular killer will come calling her way; in fact, she's made sure of it. What she did not anticipate was his method; going off-script to kidnap an entire bus load of innocent school children, one of which is very dear to her heart.

Called into the case is F. B. I. Special Agent Callum Ross, whose entire career has centered around apprehending serial killers. When he is assigned the school bus kidnapping case, his inter-actions with Phoenix Gray catch and hold his attention almost immediately. She's a fascinating woman, but very guarded, never showing any emotion, working alone with her canine partner, Dag and demonstrating an intelligent intuition, the likes of which he has never seen before. What drives Phoenix Gray? . . . what he discovers is shocking.

Deep, dark, dangerous . . . this book answers so many questions about what lies beneath the surface of the famed leader of the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency . . . and honestly, it's a little scary under there. There is more than one miracle in this story, for every reader will remember how The Light penetrated that darkness with the light of His grace. And Callum??? His brave, gentle, loving spirit is exactly what heroes are made of.

From ashes to eternal riches . . . a fabulous edge-of-your-seat suspense and so much more!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars 

 

BackCover Blurb:
This woman and her K-9 are being hunted. Exactly as she planned.

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured.

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve.

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?

Terminal Danger concludes the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1). (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

SDG Publishing, October, 2024

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and paperback

Buy TERMINAL DANGER at Amazon

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW by Michelle Shocklee, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Something died inside of Gunther when he stepped off the boat."

Interned because of his heritage, German medical student Gunther Schneider has lost hope in the American dream. Along with hundreds of his countrymen, his new home is Camp Forrest in Tullahoma, Tennessee where his days are bleak and void of interest until . . . an unlikely emergency allows him to work in the camp's hospital, where he meets a young war widow with a lovely countenance and a kind heart.

"I would never see my brother again. I lay on the floor and wept . . . "

Years later, Mattie Taylor's life comes to a screaming halt when the news of her twin brother's death in Vietnam reaches their family. An avid protestor of the conflict, Mattie blames everyone around her for encouraging Mark to enlist in the first place, so heartbroken that she takes off to California shortly after his funeral. Coming back to their Tennessee horse farm is hard but necessary . . . for her mother is critically ill and insisting that Mattie discover some truths about their family . . . there are a lot of things that Mattie doesn't know.

A thoughtful, inspiring read, merging the despair of two hard fought wars from the perspectives of those who stayed behind, those who survived, those who faced discrimination for their ethnicity, and those who never wanted our country involved in the first place. Positioning all of these factors into one novel made this  . . . a rather remarkable story!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
She was so sure she knew her family’s story . . . Now she wonders if she was wrong about all of it.

1969. When Mattie Taylor’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark’s death. Mama’s last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a trunk, from people Mattie doesn’t even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for.

1942. Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband’s death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows . . . as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her.

In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them.

-Includes discussion guide for book groups
-Standalone Southern, historical family drama about enduring hope amid personal tragedy
-Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner or Lisa Wingate
-Dual timeline set during the Vietnam War and WWII. 

Tyndale Fiction, October, 2024

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

Buy ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 
 

SHADOW ASSIGNMENT and SHADOW COLLATERAL by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

The Shadow Agency #3

 

REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

 

SHADOW ASSIGNMENT
"Where am I?" . . . "Who are you?" . . . "Had she . . . lost her memory?"

Sadie Carrinton had indeed lost her memory. Mowed down intentionally by a car, her head injury was severe enough to cause amnesia . . . for how long? No one could tell her.

Nothing was adding up. The man who had been at the scene of the crime and called for help seemed safe enough, so when he disclosed that he worked in private security Sadie decided to hire him as a bodyguard. After all, someone had tried to kill her. The man who came rushing into her hospital room claiming to her boyfriend put Sadie on edge, but she didn't know why. And then there was the matter of that blood on her arm, where there was no injury. If only she could remember . . .

If only she could remember . . . him. Shadow Agency operative Trevor McGrath had gone off script and allowed himself to take his attraction to Sadie to the next level . . . forming a relationship on which he was hopeful they could build. But now? His boss just indicated that he could not trust Sadie, for apparently there is no . . . Sadie Carrington.

A well plotted thriller! 3.5 stars
BackCover Blurb:

Someone tried to kill you . . .

Those are the last words Sadie Carrington expects to hear when she awakens in the hospital. Even more terrifying—she can’t remember how she got there, who the handsome man standing by her bedside is, or even her own name. Her gut instincts scream that danger is far from over. But Sadie doesn’t understand why anyone would want her dead.

Shadow Agency operative Trevor McGrath was at the scene of the crime—but not by accident. He knows more about Sadie than he can let on. He wants to tell her the truth, but his guilty conscience soon gives way to suspicion when the deep shadows of Sadie’s forgotten life begin to resurface. Trevor realizes he isn’t the only one harboring secrets—secrets that could cost them their lives.

Can Sadie and Trevor learn to trust each other before it’s too late? Or will exposed secrets open the door for the unknown enemy to strike again?

The Shadow Agency #4

SHADOW COLLATERAL
" . . . someone was watching him. He was certain of it."

That someone . . . turned out to be Tori Bristow . . . and Kai Kaleo had just shoved her up against a brick wall demanding to know who she was and why she had been following him. They hardly had time for that conversation before it becomes obvious that one of them is still being followed . . . is it her? . . . or him? 

Tori's explanation for tracking down a perfect stranger sounds so bizarre that it could be true. Did her suspicions about her brother's untimely death mean anything at all, or was Tori just grasping at straws except . . . why would she have his name and know a lot more about his background than any civilian could have ever discovered on their own. As the two cautiously begin to follow leads, the trail just gets more and more bizarre . . . and much more dangerous.

Tag along with Tori and Kai, as they join other members of Kai's team, while they try to untangle truth from deception without becoming collateral damage. 3.5 stars

*I purchased both of these books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Danger is closer than they think.

After Tori Bristow’s special ops brother dies a sudden, suspicious death, she’s wrenched out of her normal everyday life as a traveling nurse and thrust into danger. Convinced there’s more to Nathan’s demise than what she’s been told, Tori follows the clues her brother left behind straight to former military operative Kai Kaleo.

When Tori first approaches Kai, he wants to dismiss her wild theories. But he can't ignore the mounting evidence that backs up her claims. As the danger escalates, it becomes clear someone powerful is determined to silence them.

Kai and Tori must learn to trust and rely on each other to stay alive and find answers. But as they navigate the dangerous world of secret government programs and deadly conspiracies, they soon discover the shadowy truth lies just beneath the surface—much closer than they could have ever imagined. 

 

River Heights Publishing, 2024

Buy individual books or the series at Amazon

Available in digital ebook or paperback (audiobooks, too)

 

AN HONORABLE DECEPTION by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Winnie and Rebecca

THE IMPOSTERS Series #3

(English Historical Romance Series with Mystery and 

Private Investigators Set in Edwardian England)

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s books for many years. She is a brilliant wordsmith with a special talent for creating compelling, engaging characters and imaginative scenarios. Her writing flows seamlessly and is enriched by colorful imagery and rich historical detail.

An Honorable Deception is the third book in her The Imposters series, which has been such a delightful, captivating series. I’ve been anxiously awaiting Yates’ story, and it definitely was worth the wait. I love his vibrant, fun-loving personality, his sense of humor, and his care and concern for his family and friends. The humorous banter between the characters was such a treat and gave a needed respite from the somewhat dark subject matter, which White handled beautifully.

“You know, most women wouldn’t appreciate being compared to a monkey.”

When Lord Yates Fairfax rescues the Imposters’ newest client, Lady Alethia Barremore, from attempted murderers, he finds himself involved in much more than a missing person’s case. As he involves the other Imposters, their friend, Lady Lavinia Hemming, stumbles upon the truth of their group and wants to be involved in the investigations. Unfortunately, Yates had spent years getting over his youthful love for Lavinia.

“Six years later, he’d learned to look at her without that punch to his gut.”

What a dilemma! Two beautiful ladies to protect, a missing nanny, and a mystery to solve. This tale is a fantastic conclusion to the series. It was such fun to see characters from some of the author’s previous series show up in this one.

With lots of humor, suspense, romance, and inspiration, this book has something for everyone. I wholeheartedly recommend this author and series to those who enjoy clean and wholesome historical romance fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Six years later, he'd learned to look at her without that punch to his gut."

And it's a good thing that he had, because Lord Yates Fairfax is suddenly tasked with overseeing the care of another particularly lovely young woman . . . a client actually . . . who was shot three times after meeting with Yates in his role as the leader of an elite private investigative firm cleverly named the Imposters. Lady Alethia Barremore may think that she has hired the group to locate her missing nanny, but apparently has unintentionally involved herself in something far more sinister.

Lady Lavinia Hemming has been a shadow of her true self since recovering from heart damage following a fever; on top of that, discovering that her mother was a traitor . . . well, through it all, her best friends Marigold and brother Yates had been a constant . . . that is, when she didn't push them away. Could she discover purpose again?

When Lavinia offers to become a member of the "firm", she had no idea how rewarding it would feel to avail her skills or how difficult it would become to watch the one man she couldn't possibly fall in love with turning his eyes upon another, and rightfully so.

What's not to love about this beautifully written book? Swirling with danger and intrigue, the investigation forces the character dynamics into close proximity, as the circumstances grow darker and deeper within a despicable underworld of deceit. Emotions run high as Yates, Lavinia, and Alethia pull back layer after layer of hurt, fear and insecurity; eventually choosing hope over despair and courage over cowardice . . . but apparently it is going to take them awhile to figure it all out, gifting readers with chapter after chapter of an outstanding story!

"Is it wrong to pass one's time in fretting, instead of sleeping on the heart of Jesus?"
*I purchased a copy. I also received a copy from the publisher. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor. 

Bethany House Publishing, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY AN HONORABLE DECEPTION at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU by Liz Tolsma, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

(Echoes of the Past Book 3)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“No matter what, God.” 

“My peace comes from the assurance that God overseas all things.”

In this dual-time book, we see McKenna search for her roots and the missing parts of her ancestral story. It is steeped in the chaos of World War II in Poland, and a little known people group known as the Lemkos who got lumped in with another group and targeted for annihilation. What was fascinating was that the author drew on her own background and researched her own family origins. This was yet another story in the complex and gut-wrenching history of World War II. This tale showcased not only hardship, but also resiliency, remarkable courage and resolve in seemingly desperate situations. The writing style was eloquent, persuasive, and powerful depicting people of great faith.

What I Left For You brought the story of Helena to a new generation, when McKenna found the links to her great grandmother.

Ms. Tolsma is a distinctive voice in World War II fiction. I am always glad to read her perspective.
*A complementary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing on behalf of the author and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939

1939
Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend’s infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.

2023
Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she’s been working with is murdered. It’s all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family’s past like she’s always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.

Also in the Echoes of the Past Series:
What I Would Tell You
What I Promise You

 

Barbour Publishing, December, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING by Julie Klassen, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

(On Devonshire Shores Book #3): 

(Regency Historical Romance Novel about Secrets, Second Chances, and Sisterhood)

PAULA'S REVIEW
Claire was ostracized by her family when she made a foolish choice. When the elderly aunt she has been caring for dies, she decides to return to the same town where her remaining family runs a guest house. She becomes a partner in a rival boarding house.
 

Full of family drama, mysterious happenings, forgiveness and reconciliation, this well written novel follows the Summers family in the aftermath of the death of their father.
 

Romance develops while Claire helps William run the boarding house where he lives with his daughter and her nanny.
This many layered story uses chapter heading quotes to hint at the content of the next scene. The book shows prejudices and attitudes of the times and how the characters handled difficult situations. Claire’s sisters and mother showed loyalty in different ways but their faith was always clearly depicted.
I am glad there will be yet another book about the sisters of Seaview.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House and via NetGalley through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"You have probably heard by now, but in case you have not; Aunt Mercer has died."

Then what had happened to their sister Claire? Claire Summers had been banished from her family by their father following a public indiscretion and sent to Scotland to serve as personal companion to his sister in perpetuity. Which once again begged the question . . . where was Claire? Unbeknownst to her mother and sisters, she had made a very bold move.

Coming back to Sidmouth was a gamble that Claire Summers wasn't sure would have a happy ending, but when she answered the advertisement for a "respectable female partner" in a boarding house venture, her longing for home overrode everything else. Once gainfully employed, she set about to do the best job that she could, live quietly within the walls of Broadbridge's Boarding House and pray that amends could eventually be made with her mother and sisters. However, another complication soon made his presence known, the intriguing Thomas Hammond and his lovely little daughter . . . the man who just happened to be her newly acquired business partner.

"I want the impossible, I suppose. I want to be forgiven, to no longer be a source of shame to my family."

Claire's story! What a treat for readers who have been following this series to finally spend some time with the Summers sister who had broken her family's heart. And what a heart it turns out that she has! Able to overcome her past with grace and humility, Claire pushes past obstacles both past and present to become the woman that God always intended for her to be.

*I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews.

BackCover Blurb:
A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?

Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity. 

 

Bethany House Publishing, December, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, (and audiobook soon)

Buy THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

HOW SWEET IT IS, IT'S YOUR LOVE, THE WAY YOU LOVE ME (Deep Haven / FOX FAMILY Collection) Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA REVIEWS THREE ROMANCES in SUNRISE PUBLISHING'S FOX FAMILY COLLECTION (PART OF DEEP HAVEN COLLECTION)

#1 HOW SWEET IT IS by Andrea Christenson

"Paris was her dream. And she wasn't giving that up."

When gourmet baker Robin Fox's dream job in Paris turns into a nightmare of sorts, she decides to take a break and travel back home to Deep Haven. Her grandparents have asked her to keep their bread bakery in business while they take a much needed vacation in Florida. The only caveat? . . . "just don't change anything around here". Well . . .

Sammy Johnson loves his home town of Deep Haven, he just doesn't know how to re-acclimate after finally recovering from a horrific logging accident. Much to his surprise, he learns that his high school friend, Robin Fox, is back in town. When he happens upon Robin knee deep in water due to a busted pipe, Sammy steps in with his time and handyman talents; his only compensation???? . . . some of those delicious cupcakes she has started baking.

It soon becomes apparent that Robin's baking skills have the potential to whisk her far, far away from Deep Haven again, perhaps sooner rather than later. How exactly was that going to work since Sammy's heart had gotten all mixed in with the baker herself? A really sweet, and quite romantic story about discovering God's plan; "fitting in and belonging aren't the same thing".

Caution: Don't be at all surprised if you crave cake throughout the reading of this book! 3.5 stars

#2 IT'S YOUR LOVE by Rachel D. Russell

"We like to pretend we have a lot of control in this life, but the fact is, we have very little. But we have faith."

Grayson Fox's faith had been shoved to the back burner of his life . . . for a long time, if he was honest with himself. Returning to his home town of Deep Haven was supposed to put a plan into motion for realizing his dream of owning ranch property in Oregon, yet selling his family acreage has become much harder than he anticipated . . . perhaps that difficulty revolves around his new temporary summer job at the Trinity Horse Camp . . . or more accurately, it is the horse camp's interim assistant director who is giving his head a spin.

Could a face-to-face with Grayson Fox have been more embarrassing than having a heat-stroke inside a ridiculous book costume after being chased by a contingency of barking dogs? Ummm . . . the short answer is . . . no. Her teen-age crush . . . or "something" was back in town and looking like an honest-to-goodness cowboy, who was slated to be working at . . . "her" camp over the summer???

This sparks-are-flying reunion in a small town where everyone knows your name is so entertaining that it would be easy to concentrate on the fun factors and overlook the faith journey taking place . . . Beth and Grayson have deep-seated fears brewing inside their generous hearts and selfless motives . . . because when it comes down to it, he is leaving at the end of the summer and Beth is staying in Deep Haven forever  . . . and that is a problem that only God can work out! 3.5 stars

#3 THE WAY YOU LOVE ME by Michelle Sass Aleckson

"Love is never easy, Lena. Life together will be muddled and difficult at times. Relationships are risk."

Love was a risk that Lena Larson thought she would ever take again . . . except that when Oliver Fox arrived back in Deep Haven with an adorable little girl, her defenses began to crumble, one little giggle at a time. The man in question had shattered her heart those many years ago, and it seemed that even this newer version of Oliver Fox needed a big, bright caution sign hanging around his handsome neck.

Oliver Fox had made so many mistakes . . . but hopeful that he was on the right path forward. Coming back to his hometown with a list of amends could assure the custody of his five year old daughter . . . which meant providing Kiah with a stable home environment sourced from a steady income. Falling in love (again, if the truth were known) with his next door neighbor certainly hadn't been on his court order.

Do you love a story with deeply flawed characters whose understandings and misunderstandings collide at the best and worst of times, recovering with offers of love and forgiveness along with immeasurable measures of grace? Throw in family dynamics, a precious child, and animals who provide a multitude of comedic interruptions and there you have it . . . "The Way You Love Me" . . . a wonderful, romantic finish to this heartwarming series.

*I purchased all of these stories and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

SEE THE BACK COVER BLURBS and 

BUY THE FOX FAMILY BOOKS (PART OF THE DEEP HAVEN COLLECTION) AT AMAZON IN DIGITAL EBOOK, PAPERBACK, OR AUDIOBOOK

SUMMERLIN GROVES by Elizabeth Camden, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW
"A skeletonized body wasn't an emergency, merely another blow in a string of disasters over the past eighteen months."

"Sometimes it was terrible to have a conscience." For if discovering a decades old skeleton on the perimeter of her orange grove wasn't enough, it was the object in the deceased's hand that proved to be the biggest anomaly; Jenny Summerlin felt as if she just couldn't catch a break. Her family's reputation was already in shatters, she had surreptitiously burned a portion of her property to negate an aggressive citrus canker, and now? Now there would be a hoard of investigators tromping all over the grove, including the one person whom she dared hope would stay away . . . but didn't.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter had severed contact with the woman he had fallen in and out of love with . . . until now. Despite their troubled past, Wyatt felt terrible about encroaching on Jenny's privacy, but ironically it was because of their previous relationship that he had been tasked with the job of getting some answers. When he realizes that there is more, much more, to the situation than meets the eye, his hopes of avoiding contact, and thus conflict, with the lovely grove owner becomes impossible.

Sometimes second chances are the only chances, and while Wyatt and Jenny take the circuitous route, the destination is the same. Along the way, there are many painful obstacles to overcome . . . especially when their discoveries manage to rock their entire community over a priceless treasure that except for a random lightning strike, might have remain buried for centuries.

An enjoyable blend of history, mystery, and contemporary romance!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:

Elizabeth Camden's first Contemporary Romance!

Jenny Summerlin is struggling to save her dying orange grove when a baffling mystery upends her world. A skeleton buried with a priceless treasure has been found on her land, which brings of flood of investigators onto her property to study a decades old crime.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter is charged with solving the puzzling discovery. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke Jenny's heart two years earlier. Plagued with regrets and unresolved feelings for Jenny, Wyatt resists getting drawn back into her world, but he cannot rest until he solves the unusual crime.

The former lovers are trapped on a case neither of them want. Soon they awaken a fifty-year old mystery involving Cold War espionage and a forbidden romance. Will resurrecting the old secrets endanger the survival of her grove and everything she holds dear?

Available September, 2024 in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

REDISCOVERING CHRISTMAS by Mindy Obenhaus, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas #JustRead

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Hope Crossing, 6)

WINNIE'S REVIEW
Rediscovering Christmas by talented author Mindy Obenhaus is charming and sweet with realistic, relatable, and engaging characters. I love small-town stories with friendly, helpful, and compassionate townspeople, and this tale is filled with them. It opens with seemingly the last straw for Tori Stallings as her home burns down after she has lost her husband and parents. She and her small son move in with her mother-in-law and brother-in-law, but she has lost her faith in God and his goodness. Her brother-in-law, Micah, is a big help to Tori and her son Aiden and will do most anything to help them. He and Tori have been friends for a long time, and he doesn’t want to do anything to damage their relationship. Aiden is adorable and such a delightful addition to the tale.

This is a Love Inspired Christian fiction book, and, as such, has a strong faith thread. Tori’s faith journey is quite prominent in it. Obenhaus has incorporated it into the story seamlessly, and the Christmas theme goes well with it. It’s part of the Hope Crossing series, but it can easily be read alone. I recommend this author and book to those who enjoy clean, faith-filled entertaining stories.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
She feels she’s lost everything…

Will love give her hope?

When a wildfire destroys her home, widowed schoolteacher Tori Stallings finds herself unexpectedly living with her mother- and brother-in-law—and struggling with her faith. With everything Tori owns consumed by the blaze, Micah vows to help his late brother’s wife and son rebuild their lives. The two of them have always been friends, but living under the same roof has their friendship turning into something more. Can love bloom amid tragic loss and shaken beliefs, and give them a fresh start for Christmas?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Hope Crossing
Book 1: The Cowgirl's Redemption
Book 2: A Christmas Bargain
Book 3: Loving the Rancher's Children
Book 4: Hidden Secrets Between Them
Book 5: Rediscovering Christmas

 

LOVE INSPIRED, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook, or mass-market paperback

Buy REDISCOVERING CHRISTMAS at Amazon or Christianbook .com

THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS TREASURES by Jill Kemerer, Reviewed by Trixi and Winnie #ReleaseDay

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Wyoming Legacies Book 4)

 

TRIXI'S REVIEW:

God, You've forgiven me. It doesn't change my stupid choices or the mistakes I've made, but I don't have to keep punishing myself anymore. I'm ready to move on. Please help me. ~Dean; page 168

I really love reading Jill Kemerer's stories because they always have a lot of heart in them! I enjoy her characters, because they deal with real-life issues that keep them back from moving past hurts, mistakes or missteps of their pasts. It encourages me and reminds me of times when God has helped me in these areas as well.

Both Dean and Brooke have to overcome some pretty scary fears that hold them back from a brighter future God has in store for them. Their path isn't easy towards healing, but together they can face them and help each other. I really liked how they began to open up to each other about their fears and insecurities. I think that helped strengthen the bond of friendship that led to a happily-ever-after. And those girls of Brooks—Alice and Megan—just added an extra sweet layer to make this story even better! Their bubbly personalities and little girl giggles made me smile every time. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book, it had it all for me ... love, laughter, family ties, faith and plenty of heart-to-heart talks that made Dean and Brook more real to me.

Lastly, I did read the previous book in this series United by the Twins so it was great to revisit Marc and Reagan and catch up with their lives! You can totally read this as a stand alone, of course, I just love to read each book in a series because I like to see what the characters are up to.

If you're looking for a heartwarming story full of faith, cute twin girls, strong family bonds and ending in a sweet happily-ever-after, then look no further!
*I received a complimentary digital copy from the author but was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

 

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
It was so enjoyable to return to Jill Kemerer’s small-town Wyoming setting for another charming and delightful story, The Cowboy’s Christmas Treasures. Kemerer is a master at creating realistically-flawed, relatable, and endearing characters. This book stars Dean McCaffrey who returns to help with the family construction business after his dad had a heart-attack. Brooke Dewitt is a widow with twin toddlers, and she needs her house wheelchair accessible in case she has future health problems. I enjoyed the interaction between Dean and Brooke, along with the adorable twin girls, when Dean steps in to complete the remodeling of her home.

“Our fears don’t necessarily reflect reality.”

It was uplifting to see Dean and Brooke help each other face their fears. I loved the small-town spirit of compassion and people stepping in to help each other. This is a faith-filled, inspiring tale that will put a smile on your face. Themes of faith, family, and hope make it a wonderful Christmas story that can be read any time of the year.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Making peace with his past to be a part of their future

After his father’s heart attack, ranch hand Dean McCaffrey has no choice but to temporarily take over the family business—while hiding a shameful secret. But he doesn’t expect to fall for pretty widow Brooke Dewitt and her twin toddlers while remodeling their house. Brooke is counting on Dean to make her home wheelchair-accessible by Christmas. And soon she’s dreaming of a life with the handsome cowboy. But with both their futures uncertain, can they overcome their fears…and place their trust in love?

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

Wyoming Legacies

Book 1: The Cowboy's Christmas Compromise
Book 2: United by the Twins
Book 3: The Cowboy's Christmas Treasures
Book 4: The Cowboy's Easter Surprise 

 

Love Inspired, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook, mass-market paperback, and paperback

Buy THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS TREASURES at Amazon, o or Christianbook .com

SHADOW OPERATIVE and SHADOW CHASER by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

SHADOW OPERATIVE  Book #1

"More than anything, all she wanted to do was run and hide. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option."

Nia Anderson has blood on her hands, literally . . . but how in the world? She regains consciousness in a business acquaintance's apartment, lying beside his dead body, and has no memory of anything about the evening or Rob Lesner past their dinner meeting over a contract issue between their two companies. What does she do now?. . . . .she can run, but can she hide?

After rushing to book a flight, Gage Pearson arrives in Miami at the request of his long-time friend Rob Lesner. Rob's sense of urgency on the phone did not include a death threat, but that's exactly what Gage discovers in his friend's apartment; a dead body. Trained as a military operative, Gage immediately begins to surveil the scene, tracking down the image of a young woman from the security footage; tech executive, Nia Anderson.

Who can Nia trust? Who can Gage trust? They don't exactly trust each other, but then again they actually do want to trust each other, because a lot of things are not adding up . . . especially when Nia begins receiving text threats. Someone wants what they think she has and Gage is determined to do what he does best . . . find answers.

A really fine example of romantic suspense . . . emphasis on SUSPENSE!

SHADOW CHASER Book #2

"Coincidences like this didn't happen. There had to be some mistake."

Except it was Emily Rankin staring at him across the table . . . his assignment had stated that he was meeting a single mother who had escaped a burning home only to discover that her young daughter had been kidnapped in the process. Having been warned away from contacting the police, a stranger had suggested hiring The Shadow Agency, which had brought Austin Greenwich full circle . . . after seven years . . . back to Emily Rankin.

She would just have to trust Austin. Emily had no other choice at the moment. Of course he would need to pry into her background in order to track down her daughter . . . how much courage did Emily have . . . dare she tell him the truth?

This second chance story barely has time for that heart-to-heart conversation; the clock is ticking and a little girl's life hangs in the balance, every logical explanation reaches a dead end, and Austin begins to wonder  . . . maybe this wasn't about Emily at all.

Never fear! The fast pace packs a solid punch with a soft landing! 

*I purchased these two books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review 

These and all of the SHADOW AGENCY SERIES is available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon

70 NORTH by Kimberley Woodhouse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

ALASKA CYBER HUNTERS #3

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"Everything up to this point was peanuts in comparison to what he had planned next - his final judgement. A cleansing. An opportunity for his brilliance and power to change the world."

Members of the Cyber Solutions team are racing to out maneuver a brilliant criminal with maniacal tech skills and a stone cold heart; the psychopath had killed before and he would kill again . . . of all people, David "Mac" McPherson would know. Up close and personal, Mac had seen the man who murdered his family, barely living to tell the story . . . thanks to the equally brilliant skills of surgeon Tracie Hunter, who had stitched Mac back from the brink of death to keep him in the land of the living. Was Mac grateful, affable or patient? Hardly.

Shortly after Tracie releases Mac from her pervue, he sustains an epic panic attack from which few people would have recovered, but it served as a "come to Jesus" moment for the big guy and his demeanor changes . . . just in time for Tracie's world to be turned upside down when carefully planted accusations about her past are released to the public . . . threatening to ruin her future. It seems this killer enjoys taunting Mac's friends.

Much like a seamstress would carefully thread her needle, the tentacles of this plot move and counter-move with precision. . . continually . . . and dare I say, seemingly endlessly? Thankfully, in the midst of so much darkness the growing relationship between Mac and Tracie (such an odd couple, who would have thought?) becomes a shining light; a broken and battered hero learning to love again . . . who doesn't love that?

And oh, about that killer???? No spoilers here.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and stopped him from reaching his ultimate goals.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no defeating him.

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the cyberattack. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"—but surely an exception can be made.

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska—even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the murderer targeted him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her.

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating—the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses to destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last? 

Kregel Publishing, October, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

BUY 70 NORTH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE COLOR OF HOME by Kit Tosello, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(Contemporary Small Town Women's Fiction about 

Family and Community set by the Mountains)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"By the time the Charity Falls city limits sign comes into view, my eyes burn. . . Everything feels at once familiar and also like a scene from someone else's life . . . Same town. Same road. Different Audrey."

Thirteen years have passed since Audrey Needham has driven down the streets of Charity Falls, Oregon. As an interior designer for upscale California clients, her career totally consumes her; day after day, week after week, month after month . . . until her Aunt Daisy's request for assistance gives Audrey the impetus to arrange a short absence from her job, hoping that it will be waiting for her when she returns.

Wrapped tightly within the confines of the small idyllic town are the happiest and saddest moments of Audrey's life. Coming back is hard, her uncle's health is failing and based on the disrepair of the Needham's home, her aunt has not had the energy to ready the lovely cottage for sale. Surprisingly, Audrey immediately feels the semblance of home; escaping the frenzy of a big city allows time to breathe, to listen, to remember . . . her artist's heart viewing the landscape in living color . . . perhaps she needed this kind of space to hear the voice of the One who created it all. "How precious to me are your thoughts, God!"

An outstanding story! Experienced through dual points of view; Audrey and her aunt Daisy travel similar journeys from different directions, facing the hard times together, pulling back the scabs over wounds that had never truly healed, accepting that "grief isn't something you move past . . . it's something you learn to carry". Lest we forget the role that "Mr. Very Nice" (in the green shirt with a voice as rich as ginger, driving the classic two-tone Ford pick-up) has to play, "You always come out of the woods better than you went in".

*I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's.

When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.

Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.

Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find. 

Revell Publishing, September, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY THE COLOR OF HOME at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE LIBERTY SCARF by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan , Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

The Liberty Scarf: A Story of Three Women, One War, 

and a Scarf That Binds Them Together

PAULA'S REVIEW:

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” Emily Dickenson
 

A beautiful story of love and hope amidst the turmoil of war.
“Everything need not be perfect to be beautiful.”
 

Like the textile represented in the title, the three authors have woven an exceptional tale of hope and resilience during a time of upheaval in WWI. The descriptive details kept my interest as I watched the characters grapple with the difficulties that they faced in the time of war. I liked the way it was written in three parts for the three couples and a bit of mystery until the reveal at the end. Three different stories meshed together at the conclusion in a unique and satisfying way.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Harper Collins through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a clean read- general market

BackCover Blurb:
From acclaimed authors Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan comes an evocative, three-part novel about a thread of connection during World War I--a single scarf that links three extraordinary women, each battling societal expectations, enduring the devastations of war, and striving for personal growth amidst the chaos. The Liberty Scarf is a testament to the resilience of women and the enduring power of hope and unity in the harshest of times.

In the midst of a seemingly endless war, a scarf connects three women in the cold winter of 1917 . . .

London: As an ambitious scarf maker, Iris Braxton spends her days surrounded by color and luxury not often seen during the dark days of war that were promised to be over by Christmas. That promise has come and gone for three years with still no end in sight, and her days continue in a monotony of rations and threads while she spins a dream of becoming Liberty's first female pattern designer. She hasn't the time or interest in rakish soldiers, but the temporarily-on-leave Captain Rex Conrad is persistent--and before long his charm wins her over. But war is cruel, and, all too soon, Conrad leaves once more for the Front, but not before vowing to meet again in Strasbourg, France, the most magical of Christmas cities. Iris begins stitching small messages into each of the scarves she makes in hopes that one will find a way into Rex's hands to let him know she's thinking of him. And when she receives word that he's wounded in Strasbourg, she rushes to his side. Along the way, she passes a woman wearing one of her scarves . . .

Maine: Geneviève Tremblay, a French-Canadian immigrant, is a telephone operator living in Lewiston, Maine. Her beau is a member of a prominent family who has helped to Americanize her in a community often unfriendly to Canadians. As part of this effort, she enlists in the US Army Signal Corps to serve as a bi-lingual operator. Along the way, she meets a French officer who makes her question whether losing her identity is too heavy a price for acceptance.

Belgium: Clara Janssens, a Flemish Nurse, and Roman Allaire, an Alsatian violinist, connect in a Brussels palace-turned-hospital far beyond their routine provincial and countryside lives--and the expectations in those towns. Their love of music creates a spark between them, but the destruction of battle and the transient nature of their relationship threatens the bond they have built. Still, the appearance of a kind stranger and the unexpected gift of a treasured scarf bind them long beyond their stolen moments and offer them a future brighter than they could have even hoped.

The Liberty Scarf is more than a piece of fabric--it's a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in the face of war, binding these three women together in an indelible bond. Experience their stories of love, sacrifice, and survival in this captivating novel from Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan.

Harper Muse, November, 2024 

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY THE LIBERTY SCARF at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House