THE BACHELOR SPY by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

 

A FREDDIE AND GRACE MYSTERY #5

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Somebody catch that blasted cat!"

"If Grace had thought turning Havensbrooke into a convalescent hospital in Frederick's absence a good idea, this moment may have caused her to question herself." Without her beloved Lord Astley by her side the responsibilities of caring for wounded soldiers, overseeing the medical staff, running a large household, praying constantly for the well-being of her husband, and chasing a runaway cat, Grace was veering far beyond her comfort zone and surely didn't need anything to go wrong. Like for instance, expensive estate items disappearing and a very curious break-in where nothing of value seemed to have been taken.

When their dear friend Stephen Blake shows up among the wounded, Grace immediately treats him as a guest rather than a patient. Curiously enough, the odd occurances around the estate seem to multiply following his arrival, prompting Grace's imagination and determination to work overtime, after all what was life without a good mystery? And wouldn't you know, she was exactly right!

Populated with multiple favorite characters and then some, this entertaining romantic mystery boasts spy networks, forced proximity (closets, of course!) a very capable butler, and a little girl who knows so much, along with surprises of a very personal nature and hard fought faith battles.

A joy to read and difficult to put down!

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. I also purchased a copy of this book. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“Grace had just added a second mystery to her list. And this one involved a charming spy, a suspicious maid, and secrets that were practically begging to be uncovered. Why enjoy only one mystery when she could have two? How absolutely delightful.”

There is a mystery afoot at Hevensbrooke and maybe more than one. That is what Grace and cousin Stephen Blake aim to discover. After surviving the sinking of the Lusitania, Stephen arrives at Havensbrooke in search of a traitor known as Midnight Angel. But she could be one of several women serving at the mansion turned convalescent hospital, including Evie Montgomery, Stephen’s former colleague, who is disguised as a maid. “Mission: loving Evie Montgomery til death do us part. Which given his line of work, was always unpredictable.” 

The Bachelor Spy has all the things I love in a Freddie and Grace mystery: spies who are stealthy, hidden tunnels, swoony romance (look for that closet kiss) and the solid faith of the main characters undergirding it all. Along with clever banter and the quick quirky mind that is signature Grace, daughter Zahra returns, this time with an unruly cat and faithful Brandon the butler. One thing is sure, even with her tender heart, Grace is a force to be reckoned with. 

This book was a joy to read. I am so sorry to see these characters go, I will miss them. Maybe I will start the series over again!
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Review Crew and 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:
Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out? 

Barbour Publishing, July, 2026

Available in digital ebook, and paperback

Buy THE BACHELOR SPY at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

MISDIRECTION by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 Pros and Cons Mysteries Book 1

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"We have a problem."

Happening upon a dead body wasn't listed on Olive Sterling's job description. Her undercover assignment posing as an External Information Security Analyst inside Conglomerate's headquarters had just gotten dicier. Someone inside the company was allegedly trying to sell off cutting edge technology to a foreign entity. But wait! . . . there's more.

Seeing Jason Stewart again threw the cool and collected Olive off her game . . . for a split second. . . maybe he wouldn't recognize her after nine years? . . . oh, yes he did. How did Jason just happen to be the head of security for Conglomerate. . . would her one and only love become a suspect?

Splicing parts of Olive's past life experiences into her present dilemma moves the story along at an interesting pace. Keeping that connection steady but vague brings short respites to the high stakes game that someone is playing with a extremely dangerous asset; smart dust. There are pros and cons to trusting Jason as an ally, which will it be?

I've just been drawn in to another intriguing series by this author!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
One high-risk assignment. Two dangerous secrets.

As a teen, Olive Sterling's entire family was murdered, leaving her alone and desperate for answers. She’s learned to compartmentalize her loss and trust no one. Now she lives in the shadows, working as an undercover investigator for an elite private security firm.

Her latest assignment seems straightforward: Identify a corporate mole who plans to sell dangerous classified technology to foreign operatives. When Olive runs into Jason Stewart—the only man she's ever loved—at her target company, her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.

With thousands of lives on the line, Olive can’t afford to make a mistake. But as bodies start dropping and suspicions rise, Olive must decide: Can she trust Jason with the truth? Or will exposing the painful secrets from her past prove to be a deadly mistake?

The first book in the pulse-pounding Pros and Cons series, MISDIRECTION is a high-stakes thriller about betrayal, redemption, and the fine line between truth and deception. 

River Heights Publishing, January, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

THE BUNGALOW ON SHADOW ROAD by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

BEACH HOUSE MYSTERY SERIES #4

"The message was loud and clear. Melinda was in danger."

After life takes Melinda Marx on an unexpected detour, she finds herself in the position to explore new opportunities, never imagining that showing up to an invitation only event at The Bungalow on Shadow Road, a luxurious oceanfront resort on the coast of North Carolina, would be one of them. Upon arrival, she not only re-connects with a man she once loved, but discovers that the entire reason for her summons is some sort of slightly creepy competition. There are five contestants, to begin with . . . and the winner? . . . takes over ownership of the inn.

Floating dolls, dead housekeeping staff, indecipherable codes . . . . all converge in this non-stop combination of missed cues and second chances. "For I know the plans I have for you . . . " Jeremiah 29:11

And yes, those plans included solving the mystery surrounding "The Bungalow on Shadow Road".
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Even the best opportunities come at a price . . .

When Melinda Marx receives a mysterious invitation to visit the quaint, historic oceanfront inn in Carova, NC, where she spent her childhood summers, it seems like the perfect opportunity to regroup after her painful divorce. But when she arrives, she learns this is no ordinary beach getaway.

The inn’s owner has died, and four strangers with their own invitations are already there waiting for answers.

Deputy Micah Warner never got over the woman who broke his heart years ago. Now, Melinda—one of five seemingly random visitors handpicked for a high-stakes competition to win the profitable inn—is back in town. But before Micah can come to terms with her sudden appearance, the surprise reunion takes an ominous turn.

Someone wants the contestants gone, and when people start disappearing, the question is no longer who will win but, rather, who will survive? 

River Heights Publishing, October, 2023

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

 

JUST THE NICEST PERSON by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Nicole Cook

 

Get ready to journey to Alaska in Christy Barritt's latest series, True Crime Junkies. Just the Nicest Person, book one in the series, is an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Former attorney Andi Grey finds herself caught up in a possible murder investigation when her favorite true crime podcaster goes missing before sharing the name of a killer on his podcast. Former CID investigator Duke McAllister joins the search with Andi and end up right in the path of the killer.

This novel is a little different from her Lantern Beach and Vanishing Ranch series, where readers enjoyed the hearty dose of romance intertwined with the suspense/mystery. Duke is still searching for his missing fiancée, who disappeared two years ago, so while he and Andi may have shown a little attraction to each other, no romance developed in this novel. While the killer's identity was revealed at the end, readers will look forward to following the overall storyline arcs throughout this series. Will Duke find his missing fiancée, or will something more than friendship develop between Andi and Duke? I, for one, am invested in the storyline and cannot wait to see what happens next. The light faith content is integrated well into the novel.
*I purchased a copy of the book and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine. 

BackCover Blurb:

Strangers—each with their own secrets—are thrown together after the murder of a beloved true crime podcaster.

Disgraced attorney Andi Slade is seeking justice for the killer who destroyed her reputation and her career. But going undercover as an ice road trucker in Alaska to find answers is just the tip of the iceberg. A brutal snowstorm, a handsome stranger, and an unsolved cold case send Andi's plans into a tailspin.

Former CID investigator Duke McAllister refuses to give up searching for his fiancée who disappeared two years ago on the Dalton Highway. When he rescues a woman on the side of the road, he knows just how much danger she’s in. Stranded together and butting heads, they discover a common interest: true crime.

When their favorite local Alaskan podcaster goes radio silent right before revealing the name of a cold case killer, they dive in to investigate only to make a terrifyingly frigid discovery. Can these strangers work together to find answers before the biting, dangerous cold claims their lives? Or even worse . . . before the killer comes looking for his own brand of justice?

River Heights Publishing, July, 2023
Available in digital ebook and paperback.
Buy JUST THE NICEST PERSON at Amazon

THE INN ON HANGING HILL by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"What was going on in this town? Why did it seem like everyone had a secret . . . "

Maybe, just maybe . . . because they did?

It began fifteen years earlier for Lindsey Waters. On one fateful night, an innocent act of disobedience turned into a nightmare for Lindsey and her friend Benjamin Newsom. Apparently the small community surrounding her family's ocean-side inn had never forgotten the traumatic event, while Lindsey had never been able to fully remember. And now she was back. Clearly someone didn't appreciate her return to the dilapidated Hidden Shores Inn, for the note had read, "Get out while you can". Thank goodness for Benjamin, he was back as well.

Working together on the inn's renovation brought back memories for both of them; but until, and unless, the old place gave up its secrets, a total restoration might remain just out of reach, for . . . "it seemed like they had stepped into the middle of a real life thriller movie" . . . the question became . . . could they step out?

What an interesting story . . . lots of questions, very few answers, and more than one suspect. One of my very favorite books by this author and there have been many! 

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Lindsey Waters never wanted to return to the seaside inn where she grew up. Too many traumatic memories haunt the place, both from her childhood and from days gone by. But with guilt relentlessly chasing her after a tragic choice, she’s desperate for a fresh start.

Mysterious incidents begin plaguing the inn—dangerous incidents—that make it clear someone wants to scare Lindsey away. But why? Does it have anything to do with the two weeks missing from her memory when she was abducted at age twelve?

Childhood friend Benjamin Newsom seems like an answer to prayer when he shows up to work as a handyman. But something is different about him, something Lindsey can’t put her finger on. She’s certain Benjamin harbors secrets.

As peril continues to close in, Lindsey must decide if she wants to face her past or run. She doesn’t know whom she can trust, and whatever choices she makes will determine if she lives or if she becomes part of the inn’s tragic legacy.

River Heights Publishing, September 2021

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

THE COTTAGE ON GHOST LANE by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"This whole place was filled with memories."

Cole Dalton arrives at his Hatteras Island beach cottage hoping to spend some time processing the heavy weight of grief that has threatened to suffocate him since the tragic death of his wife. Instead, he finds an intruder. What could someone possibly want to steal from a half-renovated coastal retreat? And why would they try to kill him in the process?

More and more things don't add up. Cole gets the distinct feeling that someone is watching him. And then he finds something quite unexpected tucked away in his kitchen. His cottage on Ghost Lane already has a haunting history, will Cole be able to break the cycle or forced to write another chapter on his own?

"Only one of them could win right now. He waited to see whom it would be."

Loved this quick, intense, and ultimately cozy read! 3.5 stars

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

BackCover Blurb:
Each house has a history. Each person has a secret. Each turn of events leads to danger.

Come back to me.

Cole Dalton’s wife, Caroline, had the words etched onto a pendant for him. Each time he deployed overseas as a military bomb tech, she stitched the pendant into his uniform. Cole returned safely from the battlefield . . . only to bury his wife after a tragic car accident.

Cole moves into their beachside cottage to both heal and find closure after Caroline’s death. But on the first day he arrives, he finds an intruder searching for something and desperate enough to kill.

Mysterious incidents continue to occur, leading Cole to ask: Was Caroline hiding something in the months before she died? But what? And why?

As danger closes in and a storm lingers off the coast, Cole must find answers. But ghosts of the past have a stranglehold on him. With his heart on the line, he must overcome the grief haunting him . . . or his story will become part of his cottage’s tragic history.

River Heights Publishing, July 1, 2021

Available in digital ebook and paperback:

Buy The Cottage on Ghost Lane at Amazon

 

WAVES OF DOUBT by Nancy Mehl and Shaen Layle, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Amateur sleuth Priscilla Grant has her hands full when eccentric Virginia Lawrence disappears after cancelling her lecture at the local historical museum. Certain valuable artifacts are also missing. If that were not enough, she and cousin Trudy discover that items have gone missing from a local cemetery. Trudy helps search for Virginia and her Pink Caddy, but she is busy with a local production of a new play.

This was an engaging story of a local mystery on Martha’s Vineyard. Woven into it was a real, historical, quirky character of Nancy Luce, the Chicken Lady and lore surrounding her. Add in some nagging doubts about Priscilla and her beau Gerald as well as Trudy and husband Don and you have a tale that fits anywhere.

I enjoyed the local flavor and the dogs who played an integral part. Makes me want to check out more of this mystery series from Guideposts. 
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. I give this 4 stars and a light faith thread. 

BackCover Blurb:
Virginia is a scholar of the Vineyard history as well as a recluse. The island is abuzz when she books a library lecture with a local eccentric. The evening of the event Virginia is a no show. The valuable museum artifacts in her possession are also missing. As Priscilla delves into Virginia's mystery another puzzle emerges involving a cemetery.

Available through Guideposts Publishing, Jan 2019, and Hardcover for purchase at Amazon

PORT OF ORIGIN, Agents of Mercy Book #2 by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Pirates? Seriously? . . . And he'd been worried about exposing his daughter to typhoid."

Dr. Josiah Allen travels to Central Africa with his six year old daughter in order to spend a couple of weeks assisting a medical team onboard the Liberty, a renowned medical ship docked off the port city of Doula, Cameroon. The incessant shroud of grief hanging over Josiah's head following the loss of his wife was reaching the point of emotional debilitation, so his sister's insistence that he and Emma join her in Africa seemed like a fine idea at the time. . . . . . . .

Mackenzie Scott is certain that extracting hostages off of an hijacked oil tanker is not going to be easy. Being the member of a highly specialized extraction squad carried an automatic degree of danger, but it was widely known that African militant groups were becoming increasingly hostile as they routinely watched their country's natural resources being decimated by foreign industry while the indigenous people died from disease and starvation. What were the chances that a tragic injury would bring the gorgeous warrior in contact with a grieving plastic surgeon . . . . .

. . . . . .in the middle of a terrifying threat of pandemic . . . . . while two determined fathers waged a fierce battle to save the lives of their children. "Desperate people always complicated a mission, because they were willing to take risks that the average person would never take."

"Sometimes bad things happen, but that doesn't change who God is."

What an excellent book by two authors whose voices harmonized so perfectly that it was impossible to tell one from the other. (Read 2 times!)
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
When virus-infected pirates hijack a humanitarian medical ship, they trigger the threat of global pandemic.

Hijacking oil tankers brings cash to Dabir Omar’s family, but it doesn’t buy the medical care needed to stop a deadly sickness attacking his people. When Dabir’s son becomes ill, the desperate pirate sets sail for the Liberty, an international humanitarian medial ship ported on the Cameroon coast.

Shortly after Dr. Josiah Allen arrives on the Liberty with his precocious six-year-old daughter, he is sent ashore to investigate a mysterious illness at the ship’s post-op clinic. While he’s gone, Ebola-infected pirates hijack the medical ship where Josiah left his daughter.

When pirate negotiations fail, ex-military Mackenzie Scott’s extraction team comes in for the rescue. But when the medical ship becomes the pirates’ key hostage, both fathers are forced to go to war to save their children. If Mac can’t convince them to work together, the winner of this conflict will be the deadly virus intent on destroying the world.

Get the entire Agents of Mercy Series:
#1 Ghost Heart
#2 Port of Origin
#3 Death Triangle
#4 Lethal Outbreak (Available for pre-order NOW in the boxed set Dangerous Deceptions!)

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

THE INN AT HIDDEN RUN by Olivia Newport, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

“Do you believe in calling? Choosing your path because your path chooses you, or because God puts it before you so plainly you can't walk any other way?”~Meri (pg 160)
 
First off, I didn't know this was a dual-timeline story when I started reading it. That doesn't bother me in the least, it was a pleasant surprise! Secondly, I think I was more invested in the historical portions of this book rather than the modern day setting. Not because one was better than the other, but because I was fascinated to learn about the yellow jack or yellow fever epidemic in Memphis, TN circa 1878 and how it impacted Eliza Davies's life. She had a heart especially for children orphaned when their parents died from the disease. She was selfless in giving of herself, helping the nuns in any way she could other than caring for the sick, running errands and taking as much of the burden off the Sisters as possible. I admired her strength and devotion to being the hands and feet of Christ to those suffering. I don't know if I could have done the same; it would be heartbreaking to watch so many people die everyday knowing you could only do so much to comfort them.

Then there's Meri Davies running from her family who insists that all members be doctors of some kind. For them, there were no other choices and she especially feels pressure after she flunks out of med school. She wants to be invisible and unknown so she can figure out how to make her real dreams come true; those her family would never understand! Enter Jillian and Nolan who see a wounded soul who needs help to face the hard stuff of life. I think at times they went a little overboard, which irritated me. Eventually, they win both Meri and me over! In the end, they piece her family history together and Meri has a better understanding of her roots and calling in life.

Even as often as the characters frustrated me, it was a better story than I thought it would be. In my opinion, the ending was the best! I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a stronger faith theme, however. That being said, it's a story of one families journey to find their place in the world and the strength they found in each other, no matter what life path they chose!

“Sometimes in order to understand ourselves, we have to understand our families.”~Jillian (pg 60)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

Back Cover Blurb:
A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees

Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as she can get. In the small mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado, she takes a job at the Inn at Hidden Run B&B. And waits. It’s only a matter of time.

What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it takes everything she has not to bolt again but to stay and face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will reveal. While Nolan works on keeping Meri calm—and in town—Jillian pulls out of her gems of information she doesn’t know she has and arranges the puzzle pieces.

But none of that changes the fact that Meri’s family is closing in to haul her back to her “real” life. When their arrival inflames tensions and Meri finally does bolt, Nolan and Jillian may be out of time.

The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in the Tree of Life series. Readers will come back to backdrop of a lovely mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that inspire them to connect with their own family histories and unique faith journeys.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, 
Buy The Inn at Hidden Run at Amazon
Buy The Inn at Hidden Run at Christianbook.com
 

FIRST DEGREE MURDER by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Things on Lantern Beach were never simple", especially for Police Chief Cassidy Chambers. Dead bodies keep turning up; this time the skeletons appear to have been hurriedly buried in the sand on a deserted stretch of rugged shoreline. Sadly, corpses can still tell a story, and Cassidy is convinced that the deaths are related to other strange happenings in her little town; especially when the cult at Gilead's Cove and its charismatic leader seem to hover around the edges of what can/cannot be proven. And to make matters worse, strange text messages lead her to believe that someone knows her past.

Join Cassidy, her husband Ty, and other members of their tight knit circle of friends and co-workers, as they frantically try to unravel what has transpired in their idyllic beach community, before there are more first degree murders.

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. 

Back Cover Blurb:
Threatening messages from an unknown source. Shallow graves with unidentified bodies. A friend facing impending peril.
Police Chief Cassidy Chambers longs for a break from the recent crimes plaguing Lantern Beach. She simply wants to enjoy her friends’ upcoming wedding, to prepare for the busy tourist season about to slam the island, and to gather all the dirt she can on the suspicious community that’s invaded the town.
But trouble explodes on the island, sending residents—including Cassidy—into a squall of uneasiness. Cassidy may have more than one enemy plotting her demise, and the collateral damage seems unthinkable.
As the temperature rises, so does the pressure to find answers. Someone is determined that Lantern Beach would be better off without their new police chief. And for Cassidy, one wrong move could mean certain death.

Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy First Degree Murder at Amazon

EDGE OF PERIL by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"He was worse than a ghost. He was real."

Young women are turning up dead in Fog Lake, Tennessee and the killer is as illusive as a wisp of smoke. Sheriff Luke Wilder has very few clues, if any at all, to follow up on .. . . until a curious bit of information from an outsider comes to his attention. 

 Harper Jennings is sure that she knows who is on a killing spree in the idyllic small town of Fog Lake; more than likely it's the same person who tried to take her life just three years prior. It's a crazy story, she knows that, but it's worth a chance if it keeps others away from the edge of a very sharp knife. 

Be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat! Christy Barritt is off to a great start in her new series; "Fog Lake Mysteries". 

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to review it!

BackCover Blurb:
 
When evil descends like fog on a mountain community, no one feels safe.

After hearing about a string of murders in a Smoky Mountain town, journalist Harper Jennings realizes a startling truth. She knows who may be responsible—the same person who tried to kill her three years ago. Now Harper must convince the cops to believe her before the killer strikes again.

Sheriff Luke Wilder returned to his hometown, determined to keep the promise he made to his dying father. The sleepy tourist area with a tragic past hadn’t seen a murder in decades—until now. Keeping the community safe seems impossible as darkness edges closer, threatening to consume everything in its path.

As The Watcher grows desperate, Harper and Luke must work together in order to defeat him. But the peril around them escalates, making it clear the killer will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Available in digital ebook, paperback:
Buy Edge of Peril at Amazon
 

Author Nike Chillemi's Newest Mystery Release... and An Interview

Today I'm welcoming Nike Chillemi back after hosting her years ago when her Sanctuary Point Series grabbed my attention.

Deb: Which writers inspire you?

Nike: When I first started writing J. Mark Bertran was my gold standard in terms of a Christian detective writer, and he has not diminished any in my sight over the years. As a classic mystery writer there's nobody who can beat Nancy Mehl. I've also always been a huge fan of Robert Liparulo's seat of the pants thrillers. Betty Thomason Owen's gorgeously written historical women's fiction has also inspired me with its deep characterization.

Deb: What genre are your books? What draws you to this genre?

Nike: I write detective stories and mysteries. I've always been drawn to figuring out the puzzle of a good who-dun-it. That's so much fun. Most detective stories and mysteries thematically are on the side of law-and-order, right over wrong, and the demand for justice for the victim. These are all things I think are basic to and hold up our Judea-Christian western civilization. So, whether the mystery is written by a Christian author or a general market author, most times it's good reading. Historically most detective stories and mysteries do not push themes, so even when reading a general market novel, there hasn't been much worry about in that area. But that is changing somewhat, sadly.

Deb: You've changed home base from the cold north to the sunny south. Your first series was historical and set on Long Island and you've transitioned (by way of Texas I believe) to contemporaries in a warm climate.

Nike: I live in Florida now and it's good for me. I like the slower, more easy going pace, and the weather is gorgeous. Yes, I did transfer to contemporary detective stories by way of Texas. However, that was kind of weird. I entered a writing prompt of sorts. I had to place the MC in a strange place and present her/him a challenge. So, I put NYC gal PI Veronica "Ronnie" Ingels in a small town outside of Abilene and had her falsely accused of murder. It started as a mini-story, went to a long story, a novella, then the novel HARMFUL INTENT. And the series was born. The others in the Veronica "Ronnie" Ingels/Dawson Huges trilogy are DEADLY DESIGNS, and BLOOD SPEAKS. COURTING DANGER is the first Katerina "Kat"Andruko/Dimitri Garmonin novel.

Deb: I so enjoyed the extra touches of ethnicity and food! in your first series. It looks like you've got that going on in Courting Danger. What food will I want to eat while reading this one?

Nike: I like to have fun writing. I enjoy tossing colorful characters into my novels. I also like to discover different ethnicities and backgrounds. An ethnicity can help develop a character's backstory and emotional profile. Where did they come from, what did they come through. In COURTING DANGER both Katerina "Kat" Andruko and Dimitri Garmonin are of Slavic background. So, am I. However, Kat is of Ukrainian heritage and spent two years in Ukraine in her teenage years. Dimitri was born in Russia and came to America as a boy. The problem is Ukrainians dislike and distrust Russians. There's food in COURTING DANGER. Kat's sister owns a restaurant.

 

Blurb:

Newly installed Pelican Beach, Florida detective Katerina "Kat" Andruko fears the prime suspect will get off in the murder of a teen with the help of the department's forensics psychologist, a man she's just started to trust.

This case has national security implications that gives former US Army Ranger, Dr. Dimitri Garmonin a chance to work with the FBI. The case could give him the chance to obtain the funds needed to expand his small Behavior Analysis Unit. He's unmoved by the chic FBI agent sent to assist but is intrigued by Kat with whom he shares a Slavic heritage.

Kat and her partner detain two wrong suspects, giving the department negative press. The predator turns his anger on Kat, targeting her. Can Dimitri use his profiler skills to catch this killer before he hurts the woman he's growing to love?

Bio:

Nike N. Chillemi writes contemporary detective and/or suspense novels with a touch of wry humor, and there's often a national security twist to them. She likes her bad guys really bad, her good guys smarter and better, and a touch of the comedic. Her newest endeavor is COURTING DANGER.

Nike is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and its Chair, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She has been a judge in the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories; and an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category. Her four novel Sanctuary Point series (out of print), set in the mid-1940s has finaled, won an award, and garnered critical acclaim. The first novel in the Veronica "Ronnie" Ingels/Dawson Hughes series HARMFUL INTENT won in the Grace Awards 2014 Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller/Historical Suspense category. 

She has written book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and John 3:16 Marketing Network.  https://nikechillemi.blog/

Purchase Courting Danger on Amazon

Follow Nike on Facebook or

Twitter: @NikeNChillemi

STRATEGEM by Robin Caroll, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Stratagem by Robin Caroll is an intriguing story based on a unique premise.
 

Grayson Thibodeux is a psychologist who creates games. The kind that help companies decide who to hire or promote. The kind that could also get you killed!

Robin Caroll sets her novel in New Orleans and touches on technology as well as on the seedy elements of the city. She delves into the troubling aspects of gambling and what could happen if it controls you. Throw in a Christian protagonist who is wrongly accused of his ex-wife’s death and you have one exciting novel.

Robin Caroll is a new author to me and I will definitely check out her other books. She writes in a natural and believable way, giving details that move the story along.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

BackCover Blurb:
A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder

Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.

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MURDER AT THE FLAMINGO by Rachel McMillan, review by Rebecca Maney

 "You are only as strong as the moment that finds you braver than you have ever been." 

Not many people would consider Hamish DeLuca to be brave; brilliant, introverted, unpredictably anxious maybe, but not brave. Or perhaps he just needed the opportunity. For when Hamish shrugs off an embarrassing debut into his legal career, and travels from Toronto, Canada to the bustling city of Boston, Massachusetts to visit his extravagant cousin Luca, he discovers that courage often needs just the right partner. After all, nothing will test one's heroism like solving a murder and no one fits Hamish quite like the dazzling Regina "Reggie" Van Buren.

Escaping her claustrophobic life as an heiress, while dodging an unwanted suitor, Reggie Van Buren decides that life in Boston is just what she needs. Accepting a secretarial position with the enigmatic new owner of the hottest club in town, she fields the most curious phone calls from Chicago and tries to pretend that everything leading up to the Flamingo's grand opening is above board. Besides, her boss's cousin would never step across any illegal lines; Hamish DeLuca is just as determined as she is to understand Luca's diverse set of business partners. If only a murder had not been thrown into the mix, they could have enjoyed the Flamingo's smashing debut, while making many more of their own memories on the dance floor.

Above all, "Murder at the Flamingo" a story to be savored and enjoyed; written by an author with an uncanny ability to write just the right words, creating a unique pair of charismatic characters who will undoubtedly capture your heart with their perfectly imperfect partnership and keen determination to "breathe" and "hope" towards the future. "Spira. Spera."

BACK COVER BLURB:

“Maybe it was time to land straight in the middle of the adventure…”
Hamish DeLuca has spent most of his life trying to hide the anxiety that appears at the most inopportune times -- including during his first real court case as a new lawyer. Determined to rise above his father’s expectations, Hamish runs away to Boston where his cousin, Luca Valari, is opening a fashionable nightclub in Scollay Square.  When he meets his cousin's “right hand man,” Reggie, Hamish wonders if his dreams for a more normal life might be at hand. 

Regina “Reggie” Van Buren, heir to a New Haven fortune, has fled fine china, small talk, and the man her parents expect her to marry. Determined to make a life as the self-sufficient city girl she’s seen in her favorite Jean Arthur and Katharine Hepburn pictures, Reggie runs away to Boston, where she finds an easy secretarial job with the suave Luca Valari. But as she and Hamish work together in Luca’s glittering world, they discover a darker side to the smashing Flamingo nightclub.

When a corpse is discovered at the Flamingo, Reggie and Hamish quickly learn there is a vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in 1937 Boston—and that there’s an underworld that feeds on them both. As Hamish is forced to choose between his conscience and loyalty to his beloved cousin, the unlikely sleuthing duo work to expose a murder before the darkness destroys everything they’ve worked to build. 

* I purchased this book and was under no obligation to review or provide a favorable review.

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THE ORIENT EXPRESS (Timeless VIctorian Collection) by Elizabeth Johns, Annette Lyon and Nancy Campbell Allen, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Three delightful novellas about detectives traveling on the famous Orient Express.

#1 To Break a Betrothal by Elizabeth Johns
A nice jaunt into a Regency set on the plush train.
Kate has lived in India most of her life. Her father has died so she travels back to England on the Orient Express. She is an heiress now, so she decides to go incognito on her journey to reunite with her betrothed. It is a long arranged marriage to a man she only met once as a child.

Enter Stephen who is in the service of the Queen. He is also traveling under an assumed name, Mr. Brown. Stephen is on the train, trying to complete one last duty before finishing his Army commission and stepping into the role of Lord Darlington.

Kate is reluctant to go through with the arranged marriage and is bent on breaking the betrothal.
In his undercover operation, Stephen is looking for a lady spy. Is Kate in his sights as a possible suspect or does he have other aspirations? Find out in this well written, lovely, novella.

#2 Detective Grace Meets Her Match by Annette Lyon

Two strangers meet on the Orient Express. One is a novelist with the pen name Eldrick Stiles, traveling under his real name Marshall Bailey. The other is a detective also traveling under an assumed name. But there is a twist! The detective is Grace Thompson.
This novella describes Grace and Marshall getting to know one another. There is lots of trepidation on both parts but an undeniable attraction.
What interested me was Marshall’s thoughts. It seems Annette is speaking from experience about the real life of an author— the part the public doesn’t see. All the insecurities and the mundane tasks. I like seeing the “ real stuff”. It makes the characters likeable and genuine.
I was fascinated by Grace and her initial distrust of men. She looks for possible scoundrels in order to protect other women from their wiles. She is always looking for a man as upstanding and compassionate as her grandfather.

#3 Married on the Orient Express by Nancy Campbell Allen
A bogus marriage involving a Scotland Yard detective and a young American lady trying to save her brother make for a merry mystery aboard the Orient Express. Who do detective Vincent Brady and Miss Emily Grant trust on their way to Constantinople to rescue her brother who is being held for ransom? Will they reach him before it’s too late? Will their pretend marriage turn into something more? Another great novella. It really held my interest.

*I received this ebook from Kathy at I Am A Reader for review, though I was under no obligation to review or give a positive review. All opinions are my own.*

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BACK COVER BLURB:
From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes our new Victorian Romance collection: THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

With three brand new Victorian Romance novellas by Elizabeth Johns, Annette Lyon, and Nancy Campbell Allen.

TO BREAK A BETROTHAL by Elizabeth Johns:
Recently orphaned heiress Kate Worthington must travel to England from her home in India to break an outdated betrothal contract. Surely the lure of money will tempt Lord Darlington to release her! A gentleman befriends her whilst she is aboard the luxurious Orient Express, and the attraction she feels firms her resolve to break the betrothal. What she does not count on is Lord Darlington’s hidden depths. She has so much to lose, least of which is her heart.

DETECTIVE GRACE MEETS HER MATCH by Annette Lyon:
Even private investigator Grace Thomas needs a vacation, yet she can’t exactly turn off her detective skills at a whim. Boarding the Orient Express might be a vacation for some, but Grace finds that her senses are on high alert. She prides herself in being one step ahead of any flirtatious gentlemen, and fellow passenger Marshall Bailey is no exception. When Grace discovers that Marshall is traveling under another name, she learns that her first impressions aren’t always correct, and that she’s mistakenly allowed him to play havoc on her heart. Marshall will just have to convince Grace to give him a second chance.

MARRIED ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS by Nancy Campbell Allen:
Detective Vincent Brady must recover a priceless statue before it falls into the wrong hands. The only problem is that the American woman who’s carrying it for her brother has no idea the value. Vincent catches up with Emily Grant, but convincing her that he’s not out to harm her or her brother is harder than Vincent expected. Finally, Emily agrees to travel with Vincent on the Orient Express, and they plot how to rescue her brother while keeping themselves out of harm’s way. Vincent soon discovers that out of all the hardships he’s overcome in his lifetime to rise to his current detective status, convincing Emily to take a chance on him even harder.

Books in the Timeless Victorian Collections:
SUMMER HOLIDAY
A GRAND TOUR
THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Books in the Timeless Regency Collections:
AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
A SEASON IN LONDON
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN

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