PASSAGES OF HOPE by Terri Haynes, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula

DOORS TO THE PAST SERIES

REBECCA'S REVIEW
"All she had to do was turn. Turn and open a door into the unknown future."

Doors. Front doors. Back doors. Hidden doors.

This intriguing dual timeline tells the story of not one, but two very courageous young women, who against all odds, kept opening doors. First; the door of her beloved grandmother's home, who although was deceased had left Gracie McNeil with what was necessary to access a prosperous future. Second; a door offering safety and freedom, as one of Gracie's predecessors paved the way to what lay ahead for many who were traveling along the treacherous Underground Railroad.

I've always loved stories featuring the now infamous Underground Railroad and this story did not disappoint!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.3.5 stars

 

PAULA'S REVIEW

“Living around so much history makes you feel your importance and your insignificance.”

Gracie has inherited a house in Philadelphia from her Gran. But it is not without its problems such as back taxes and a relative who is not pleased that she got the house. She wants to turn it into a yarn shop which her Gran supported. While renovating to accommodate her shop, she happens on a secret room. This is what connects the dual timeline. We go back and forth from 1855 to the present and see what part this house plays in the Underground Railroad. Each time period was unique and interesting, and kept me turning pages.

Olivia was a strong lady in a dangerous time since she and her husband, a doctor, were free blacks. They had to watch every step lest a slave catcher try to capture them and sell them .

Added to the present day story was a sweet romance. What a nice touch that Gracie and Clarence grew closer while he helped her research the history of her house. In a letter that Gran left for her, Gracie finds reassurance in spite of the turmoil. “You have God. And trust me. He is enough... You are loved with a love that has traveled down through history and arrived at your heart.”

Excellent writing. Another fantastic addition to the Doors to the Past series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Review Crew. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 BackCover Blurb:
Discover the Story Behind a Secret Passageway

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Gracie Kingston begins renovations on the Philadelphia house inherited from her grandmother and finds a secret room. It is connected to a house nearby, the home of William Still, the man known as the father of the Underground Railroad. As she researches, she discovers a mystery in her house’s ownership. In 1855, Olivia Kingston helps a mother and her young child by hiding them in a secret room in her home. As she helps, she learns that there may be an impostor conductor in their community. As Gracie’s and Olivia’s stories intertwine, they learn the meaning of sacrifice and love.

Barbour Publishing, October 31, 2022

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobooK

Buy PASSAGES OF HOPE AT Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

HUNTED ON THE TRAIL by Dana Mentink, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

Security Hounds Investigations Book 3

KIM'S REVIEW:
Hunted on the Trail by Dana Mentink is a fast paced, wilderness survival story that has imminently likable characters (and I’m not just talking about the dogs LOL), a second chance romance, perfectly timed pops of humor, unexpected twists and turns, and a crafty villain that is easy to root against!

As per usual with Dana Mentink, the action in this story starts straight off and doesn’t let up until the very end! There are so many obstacles for Vance and Stephanie to overcome, including their past. I enjoyed how they reconnected and learned to forgive and move forward. At times, the dogs really stole the show in this story. Pudge will go down as one of my favorite book canines ever! He added much needed humor to the tense situations as did his owner, Vance. I also loved this quote!

“Keep your eyes on the Lord, not on the difficulties.”

Such a simple, but true reminder!

I highly recommend Hunted on the Trail if you’re looking for an action packed, tense read with perfect pops of humor!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars!

BackCover Blurb:
A killer out for vengeance…

but this bloodhound has his scent.

Ambushed by sudden gunfire, former cop Stephanie Wolfe realizes the tracking competition she entered with her bloodhound is a setup. An escaped fugitive has lured her into the remote wilderness to exact his deadly revenge. And her ex-boyfriend, bounty hunter Vance Silverton, has fallen into the fatal trap, too. Now cut off from civilization with only minimal supplies and their two dogs, the pair must depend on each other to survive. But with a treacherous storm approaching, it’s not only a cold-blooded killer they’ll have to escape.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Security Hounds Investigations
Book 1: Tracking the Truth
Book 2: Fugitive Search
Book 3: Hunted on the Trail

Love Inspired, December 2024

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

Buy HUNTED ON THE TRAIL at Amazon, Christianbook .com

THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY by Naomi Stephens, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

(A Whodunnit Historical Romantic 

Mystery Set in 1950's England)

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
Set in England in 1956, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey is an intriguing mixture of history, mystery, and suspense, with a bit of romance. The colorful and eclectic cast of characters added to the suspense with no clear indication of who the culprit was. Various twists and turns kept me guessing and turning pages.

Louisa Everly, whose twin brother Paul was suspected of setting fire to the Abbey, was certain of his innocence, since she felt he had died before the fire started. She wants to leave no stone unturned in finding his killer. Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, a childhood friend of Louisa and Paul, wants Louisa to back off and not get involved. There is quite a bit of witty banter between the two, which lightens the mood a little in this somber tale. I also found Mrs. Watson, an elderly eccentric lady, to be a comedic relief. She was such fun!

“Mrs. Watson looked at him. And if looks could kill, Malcolm would have been six feet under the ground with the service already spoken last Tuesday.”

“If he thought her arrival with Malcolm was odd, he didn’t say so. And she hadn’t had to do any improvisational fainting this time, thank goodness, though Mrs. Watson had graciously offered to be the next victim should they ever need one.”

Naomi Stephens is a new-to-me author, but I’m interested in reading more of her stories.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own. 4.5 stars 

SEE REVIEWS by PAULA AND REBECCA

BackCover Blurb:
Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she's about to uncover their secrets.

1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents' tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection--she felt her twin's death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.

Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul's closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2024

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

Buy THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING by Julie Klassen, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

(On Devonshire Shores Book #3): 

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

WINNIE'S REVIEW

The Seaside Homecoming by talented author Julie Klassen is the third book in her On Devonshire Shores series. The series centers around five sisters living in Regency England in the early 1800s. Claire Summers is the oldest sister, and she has been living with an elderly aunt in Scotland after a serious transgression which caused her father to demand the family ostracize her. When her aunt dies, she returns to Sidmouth in answer to an advertisement for a partner in a boarding house. There she meets William Hammond, the proprietor, and his daughter. She also finds that her father has passed away and her mother and sisters are running a guest house in Sidmouth. It was a treat to finally have Claire’s story, and I’m looking forward to Sarah’s tale in the next book. I’ve enjoyed seeing the different sisters mature and change through their experiences.

Filled with the rich historical detail which characterizes Klassen’s stories, this tale is well-written with a stellar cast of engaging, entertaining, and realistically-flawed characters. I enjoyed the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter and especially appreciated the map at the beginning which allowed me to visualize the area around Sidmouth. The author’s notes at the end were also a very interesting addition. There is a powerful message of forgiveness and the importance of family which added depth and inspiration to the story.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publish4.5 stars ers through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.

SEE REVIEWS by REBECCA AND PAULA

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

 

 

CORNERED By Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters. Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
A mysterious accident on a moutain road, a book full of bizarre codes, home invasions in the dead of night, and an unlikely stand-off with lives on the line. Sound like a story you would like to read? - In The Dark, by Lynette Eason

Unexpected vandalism, second chance romance, family feuds, voluntary forced proximity, and a life changing decision to make. Goodness! What a story! - Downfall, by Lynn H. Blackburn

Unexplained text messages and phone calls, friends to more, pink flamingos, taco nights, cowboys wearing boots and Stetsons, rocking chairs on fire . . . . you are dying to read it, right? - Perilous Obsession, by Natalie Walters

A clean, crisp collection of romantic suspense novellas!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In In the Dark by Lynette Eason, accountant Steph Cross is cleaning out a coworker's desk after her untimely death when she finds cryptic notes that lead her to believe her friend's car accident was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper is determined to help her crack the case before someone else gets hurt. But can he protect the woman who has so quickly laid claim to his heart?

In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn, chef Cassie Quinn gets an offer she can't refuse: to fill in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. But when the kitchen is destroyed and it becomes clear Cassie is in danger, she's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and keep her safe.

In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters, teacher Lahela Young becomes the target of someone with a twisted obsession of righting a wrong. The first person she turns to is her good friend Briggs Turner. Briggs may have left his career as a police officer, but he still has the instinct to protect--especially for Lahela. 

Revell Publishing, November, 2024

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

BUY CORNERED at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

BRIGHT COPPER KETTLES by Candice Sue Patterson, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

A Love After Loss Christmas Romance 

(My Favorite Things Series)

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Heartfelt contemporary romance set in a town where Christmas is year round.

Darcy chose Christmastown, Vermont because she has a wreath business and loved the Victorian house she found as well as the quaint town. Coppersmith Dean lives across the street from the house he grew up in but it holds too many memories. He is a recluse since his wife died.

Friendship grows as Darcy shows Christian compassion as hope and love bloom.

I liked the details of the wreath business and the coppersmithing. There were a few side characters that gave color to the story. But the redemption thread and Dean having his sorrowful, meaningless existence brought back to life was the bright spot. And the author did this so well. I really connected with the characters and the plot.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via bookfunnel. All opinions are mine alone.( Published Nov1, 2023) 5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Welcome to Christmastown, Vermont, where it's Christmas 365 days a year…

To Darcy Carr, the holiday is depressing enough without reliving it every day. Her thriving wreath business and faithful cat are no longer enough to distract her from her tragic past or her current loneliness. Is her frosty neighbor, the only man in town with no Christmas decorations, just another Scrooge, or could he be the one she's been looking for?

Coppersmith Dean Whitfield hasn't celebrated Christmas-or anything else-since the death of his wife and unborn child. And he certainly has no desire to carry on the family tradition of crafting a star for the town's Christmas tree, even if it will benefit a worthy charity. Can Darcy and the true meaning of Christmas thaw his frozen heart and help him love again?

Homefire Publishing, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook and paperback

Buy BRIGHT COPPER KETTLES at Amazon

THE LOST LIBRARY by Melissa Koslin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"Do you know why I am hiding?"

After a strange encounter with her employer, Calli Lebeau excepted the fact that Asher Cross had done her a great favor . . . at least for the moment he had rescued her from a fate that she had spent a tremendous amount of time and effort trying to avoid. Having him show up when she needed him the most seemed more than a simple coincidence, but trying to get information from the tight-lipped, reclusive billionaire was practically impossible. He acted like he cared; the question was why?

Asher Cross knew a great deal more about Calli than he could reveal, her resume not included her cryptology skills and fluency in multiple languages. Unseen forces had motivated him to make sure she was protected, but now that his intentions had come to light, he and Calli began a somewhat awkward dance between employee/employer and protectee/protector. When a discreet but powerful organization believes that Calli may know the whereabouts of The Golden Library of Moscow, a cryptic reservoir of ancient documents, the plot becomes extremely murky along with their feelings for one another.

"In the house built, History doth dwell."

A mesmerizing series of unforeseen events, crafted by an author who designs tragic, flawed, fearless, (and even a bit frustrating at times) heroes and heroines . . .with an authenticity that is rarely matched.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Her past has caught up with her. Again.

Cali Lebeau has been aiding hackers with her cryptology skills to track an apparent terrorist organization. When they discover what she’s been doing, they target her. Asher Cross, billionaire recluse, insists on aiding her, though she doesn’t understand why.

Asher Cross has secrets. He must help Cali, keep her alive, but he cannot let her understand his past or his motivations—in order to protect her.

They discover that the terrorist organization is searching for the Golden Library of Moscow, which was first assembled by Ivan the Great and had grown over time to include the oldest and most valuable texts in the world, including missing masterpieces. They believe the library holds black magic and the secret to everlasting life. It was stolen from them by Cali’s ancestor, and Cali holds a clue to its location handed down by her mother. In order to free herself and Asher, Cali must race against the terrorists, find the library, and share it with the world.

Will they be able to solve the mystery surrounding the Lost Library or risk losing their lives?

Inkspell Publishing, 2024

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

BUY THE LOST LIBRARY

ACROSS THE AGES (Timeless Series #4) by Gabrielle Meyer, Reviewed by Rebecca and Kim

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"It's the difficult things that mold us and shape us, challenging us to become better versions of ourselves."

Consequently, what if "ourselves" were literally one person living two timelines with no direct knowledge of how, or why? Caroline Reed lives on Middleburg Plantation in South Carolina with her authoritative grandfather while Caroline Baldwin lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her parents; her father being a renowned preacher of the Gospel.

When her 1727 grandfather tries to press Caroline into marriage with an unwanted suitor, she does the only thing she knows to do . . . run . . . far, far, away . . . which ultimately lands her on a ship full of pirates, disguised as a young boy. When Caroline's 1927 family skirts the edges of scandal, she goes to great lengths to weave her two lives together by locating her mother. If only she could decide what to do about the two men in her life; a question that looms in the background every time she wakes up in an alternate timeline. Unknowingly, Caroline has a few short months to make a lifelong decision.

From beginning to end, Caroline's choice was carefully and creatively concealed, leaving the story with plenty of room to explore the universal longing to be known, loved, forgiven, redeemed; waiting with rapt expectation for God to reveal His plan . . . and He does!

"My life hadn't been a curse, but a blessing, one I wanted to share with the people I loved."
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

KIM'S REVIEW:
I absolutely love this series! I am so glad there are going to be five books! I could definitely see it going even longer! My favorite thing about these stories is their uniqueness. I’ve read time travel before, but nothing this creative or exciting! There are so many unexpected things that happen within each timeline! It’ll keep you on your toes, for sure.

Caroline is living in two different times -- 1727 and 1927. I really enjoyed both timelines, but I have to say, 1727 was my favorite. I really liked how different this timeline was. I loved Marcus and his back story. I also loved how kind he was to Caroline and their adventures on the ship. I felt like the 1927 timeline was missing something and while I did really like this story, I felt like it was missing some conflict that was prevalent in the other stories in this series. I can’t go into any details because of spoilers. That being said, I did enjoy this story and definitely recommend it!

Although Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is book four in the Timeless series, it can be read as a standalone. I would suggest reading them in order though because there are pop up characters from other stories and you will more fully understand what the timelines mean for each character and the decisions they must make. I highly recommend this entire series. It is excellent! 

*I purchased this book and received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is prominent. 4 stars. 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family's future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny. 

 

Bethany House Publishing, November, 2024

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

BUY ACROSS THE AGES at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

CLOAKED IN BEAUTY by Karen Witemeyer, Reviewed by Trixi and Paula #ReleaseDay

Texas Ever After Series: A Christian Western 

Historical Romance Fairy Tale Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty

 

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
Karen Witemeyer is one of my all-time favorite historical Christian fiction writers. So with this in mind and knowing I was in for a treat, I jumped at the chance to read Cloaked in Beauty.

If you are a fan of Little Red Riding Hood, I think you will get a kick out of Witemeyer’s take on this Fairy Tale. The nods to the original tale and the author's twists on the story was a whole lot of fun to read! I think I have to say my favorite character is Rusty, Letty Hood’s red wolf. His personality certainly added a great mix to the story and his devotion to Letty was admirable. Of course, the human characters are just as great! Philip and Letty grew quite close as danger surrounded them while traveling many days to get back to her mother’s after being in hiding for fifteen years. I enjoyed watching them work together and greatly anticipated the moment they fell in love. Of course, there’s many obstacles along the way to keep the reader turning pages and anticipating that fairy tale ending of living happily-ever-after!

What a great story to get lost in and characters to cheer for! The strong faith thread ties this all up in a neat bow for me. I’m definitely putting the other two novels in the Texas Ever After series on my must-read pile…they are not to be missed in my book (pun intended)!
*I received a complimentary copy through Bethany House on Netgalley and Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a favorable review; all opinions are my own. *

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“There is no problem bigger than God. Remember that.”

A wonderfully creative retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a Texas twist.

Letty Hood/ Scarlet Radcliff, with her grandmother, is in hiding from her Uncle Drake aka The Dragon. But in this story, the wolf is a pet and protects her. Enter our hero, Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton Agent, tracking Letty who is very well hidden. As her birthday grows closer--so does danger. Uncle Drake does not want her to reach her 21st birthday when she gains controlling interest in the company her father left to her. Drake wants it all!

Clever, exciting, complicated story with a solid faith message that showcases honorable Philip championing Letty. “She need not fear the evil stalking her, for her Shepherd was with her. Along with her Pinkerton. She would trust them both to see her through whatever came.”

I am really enjoying these fairy tale re-imaginings from a talented author.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author as well as a digital copy 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:
Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .

Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

Bethany House, December, 2024

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

Buy CLOAKED IN BEAUTY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

I THINK I WAS MURDERED by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"I think I was murdered."

"No matter how many times Katrina stared at the words . . . they refused to change into something that made sense." She had already taken grieving to the next level by loading of all her deceased husband's emails, text messages, and memos into a chatbot app that used artificial intelligence to craft conversations between the two of them. In fact the company that Katrina represented as a corporate attorney had developed the program. But this? Her dearly beloved grandmother's death had pulled her back home for a funeral, but now that she was in North Haven, how could she leave? She had a murder to solve . . . didn't she?

Seb Wallace knew that Katrina Berg had not recognized him at first glance. He had changed quite a bit from the awkward, nerdy, teenager who had loved her grandmother from the bottom of his young heart. His success as a restaurateur had brought Seb back to North Haven where he now owned and operated an upscale establishment inside a tastefully renovated lighthouse. When Katrina approached him with a business proposition, Seb was more than happy to take that particular worry off her plate, but when she asked him to translate Japanese inside a text message from her "dead" husband, Seb realized that Katrina needed his help as a friend.

With its invigorating pace and ingenious plot twists, this romantic suspense never gave a hint that two writing voices had merged behind the scenes to craft this applause worthy story!

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

 SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 BackCover Blurb:
Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted, and, as the company's legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Feds take over and lock her out of her office. The final blow is the passing of her beloved grandmother.

Her most prized possession is the beta prototype for a new, ultra-sophisticated chatbot loaded onto her phone. The contents of Jason's email, social media backups, pictures, and every bit of data she could find were loaded into the bot, and Katrina has "talked" to him every day for the past six months. She has been amazed at how well it works. Even the syntax and words the bot uses sound like Jason. Sometimes, she imagines he isn't really dead and is right there beside her. She knows it's slowing her grief recovery, but she can't stop pretending.

On a particularly bad day, she taps out: Tell me something I don't know. The cursor blinks for several moments and seems frozen before the reply flashes quickly onto the screen: I think I was murdered.

Distraught, Katrina returns to her cozy Norwegian-flavored hometown in the Northern California redwoods and enlists the help of Seb Wallace, local restaurateur and longtime acquaintance, to try to parse out the truth of what really happened. They must navigate the complicated paths of grief, family dynamics, and second chances, as well as the complex questions of how much control technology has. And staying alive long enough to do that is far more difficult than either of them dreamed.

Bestselling authors Coble and Acker deftly combine a high-concept plot with gripping intrigue and closed-door romance in I Think I Was Murdered. Don't miss it! 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, November 2024

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

Buy I THINK I WAS MURDERED at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

DEADLY REVENGE by Patricia Bradley, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

PEARL RIVER SERIES #3

Small Town Suspense Thriller Cold Case 

with Second Chance and Friends to More Romance

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Her ears rang from gunfire. The last thing she remembered before blackness claimed her  . . . "

Three years later, former Chattanooga detective Jenna Hart wears a new badge; she's a sheriff's deputy in her hometown of Pearl Springs, Tennessee. Needing a change of venue after a drug surveillance operation had gone sideways, leaving Jenna with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and swirling accusations about her presence on the scene, she is suddenly embroiled in a case that could potentially have connections to her past. As if that wasn't enough to spawn anxiety, her former supervisor, now T. B. I. Agent Maxwell Anderson, has arrived in Pearl Springs to oversee security for a large political rally . . . the very agent who had kissed her senseless . . . never to be heard from again.

When prominent Pearl Springs' residents begin to show up dead under suspicious circumstances, Jenna and Max find themselves working at warp speed to uncover multiple layers of small town shenanigans that have evidently triggered a colossal revenge plan. Adding to their burden is trying to discern whether or not the curious circumstances that have Jenna looking over her shoulder are a real threat or merely flashbacks of post traumatic stress.

"God has this - it didn't take him by surprise."

As you might imagine, this swift flowing storyline entangles double trouble with clear and present danger, continually circling back to the basics . . . motive, means, and opportunity. A satisfying series conclusion with a few loose ends and a sweet second-chance romance!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

Revell Publishing, November, 2024

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

Buy DEADLY REVENGE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE ENEMY BETWEEN US by Lisa Harris, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

SHADOW STALKERS Series #2

Psychological Thriller

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Riles? . . . I recognize the voice but it can't be . . . "

Riley Bishop's husband was dead, but his voice on the phone was very much alive. It was all so confusing, forcing Riley to make a split-second decision whether or not to meet the presumed alive and persuasive Lucas at a pre-determined location. Just when her life and the lives of her two children had begun to revolve around a new normal, which included Deputy U. S. Marshall Tucker Shaw . . . Riley's nightmare had awoken to reality.

"You don't have to do this alone."

With its confounding, disconcerting and perplexing plot twists, this psychological thriller is custom made for the avid reader who loves to get lost in a story.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Just when she thought it was over.
Just when she thought her children were safe.
Just when she thought she found love again.

Lies filled with half-truths—especially when you want to believe them—are the easiest to believe. After her husband’s murder, Riley Bishop is working to put the pieces of her life back together, but there is one lie she never imagined being true. It’s going to take everything in her to survive what happens next. Book three in a fast-paced psychological thriller series that starts with The Lies We Believe.

September 2024 

Buy THE ENEMY BETWEEN US in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

ONE LAST STAND by Susan May Warren, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 Alaska Air One Rescue SERIES #4

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Do whatever you have to do to say goodbye, and I expect you on the next plane to . . . "

"But really, how did one say goodbye to the one person . . . " whom London Brooks had loved for a long, long time without ever letting him know and now . . . Shep Watson was utterly devastated by her "death", but what other option did she have in order to keep him safe . . . besides, even if she changed her mind, there was this not-so-little problem of how she would ever explain herself. No, it would really be better to have her heart say good-bye right now, as she drove by his house one last time, except for the fact . . .

Except you know by now that is not how this story ended. Rather, it's how it all began.

If you love adrenaline laced adventure combating international crypto terrorists while Shep determines to protect the woman he loves, although he's not sure who she is anymore, and she's not sure either . . . like me, you will not be able to put this story down until you are sure that the impossible will be made possible after all.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" . . . "because the one calling, the one path that felt right despite the route, had always been London".
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars 

 

BackCover Blurb:
As a member of the Air One Rescue team, pilot London Brooks has built a new life—one far away from her clandestine past as an operative tasked to take down a branch of Russian terrorists. She has no desire to reenter that world or endure the grief of losing everyone she loved, including her fiancé. But the past won’t stay past. When she finds herself falsely accused, her reputation tarnished, and her life in danger, she has no choice but to plunge back into the treacherous world she left behind. Even if she must surrender everything—and everyone—she loves in her new life.

Shep Watson will never forget the day he saved London Brooks from the avalanche that nearly killed her. He knew there was more to her story, but he’s intent on keeping her secrets. Just when it seems she’s finally ready to let him into her heart, her past comes knocking. But he can’t bear to lose her again. Which means, somehow, he’ll have to enter her world, keep up with her, and figure out a way to bring her home. But when the danger comes home to Alaska, what will it cost the Air One Rescue team?

Join bestselling author Susan May Warren in the final, thrilling journey through the majestic Alaskan wilderness and beyond, where love defies danger and second chances are won with courage and determination.

Air One Rescue
Book 1: One Last Shot
Book 2: One Last Chance
Book 3: One Last Promise
Book 4: One Last Stand

 

SDG Publishing, October 2024

Available  in digital ebook, library binding, and paperback

Buy ONE LAST STAND at Amazon

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)