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

 

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

About the Book

Title: The Targeted 

Series: Secrets to Keep #3 

Author: Cara Putman 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: May 19, 2026 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

More Books from this Series:

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About the Author

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

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

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Tour Giveaway

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

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

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

WHEN JUSTICE COMES by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

(A Tupelo Grove Novel Book 3)

PAULA'S REVIEW
Exciting conclusion to an absorbing series, this one kept me on the edge of my seat. Wonderful cast of characters including Savannah and Hez, a married couple who divorced after a tragedy and are now engaged and looking forward to another wedding. They are anticipating adopting her nephew Simon. 

With a long-standing feud between the Willards and the LeGares and a custody battle ensuing, Savannah and Hez have more to worry about than their jobs, renovating their house and their upcoming wedding. Danger lurks around every corner as they try to honor God and decipher who to trust. 

This was a fast-paced story in a beautiful setting with a complicated plot. It made me want to read the whole series again.  

It is worth it to travel to Nova Cambridge, Alabama and read the story of Savannah and Hez.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson 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: 
USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble and Rick Acker deliver the final book in their beloved Tupelo Grove series.

Hez and Savannah Webster have survived storms that would bury others without a love as strong as theirs--but can they withstand the final battle in the deadly Legare-Willard feud that threatens to sweep away everything they've fought for?

Hezekiah "Hez" Webster and his fiancée, Savannah, stand on the brink of a new life, but their dreams are haunted by specters of the past. Just as they're getting ready to adopt her nephew, two other petitioners also file for custody--both of whom only want Simon for their own gains.

Between the financial company that Hez outmaneuvered to save the university from ruin and the bad blood from the head of the Willard family, it's hard to say who wants them out of the way more. Hez and Savannah's quest for justice leads them through a labyrinth of family law, where loyalties are tested and trust is a dangerous luxury when every decision could be their last.

With the clock ticking, Hez and Savannah must confront the ghosts of their past and their deepest fears to secure a future for Simon. But with every secret revealed, the stakes grow higher. Can they build the family they've always dreamed of, or will their enemies succeed in tearing them apart forever?

The Tupelo Grove series reaches its breathtaking conclusion as an enemy's agenda for revenge runs darker than swamp water and justice remains as precarious as quicksand in this heart-pounding narrative that underscores the power of redemption and forgiveness.

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker's When Justice Comes is gripping suspense with closed-door, second-chance romance.

 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, March, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audibook

BUY When Justice Comes at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

DEADLY CURRENTS by Elizabeth Goddard, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

(Hidden Bay Book #3): 

Action-Filled Christian Romantic Suspense with Mystery and Adventure

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"International. An abandoned salvage ship. Murders. Cressida's father and his research."

Everything in Cressida Dane's life revolved around finishing her deceased father's manuscript, leaving her with just one one additional unresolved shipwreck tale to unravel. Arriving in Hidden Bay seemed fairly innocuous at first, but she had barely put one foot in front of the other on its sandy beach when she was attacked and presumed dead by her assailant. After being shuffled to safety, county detective Braden Sanders becomes involved in the case. Unbeknownst to Cressida, Braden knows more about her and her reason for visiting Hidden Bay than he lets on.

Working hard to discover the answers that her father had been unable to ferret out about the infamous Specter's Bounty, Cressida is yet to talk to anyone who has the kind of reliable information that she seeks, in fact, she gets warned off time and time again. Equally as confused, Braden cannot piece together why he has been tagged to protect the daughter of a high level government bureaucrat, knowing that Cressida will be furious when she discovers what her mother has done . . . again.

Fighting a tight time schedule, this plot begins rapidly and maintains a brisk pace, even for the characters. Fans of the series will be delighted to learn more about the life of Evelyn Monroe, an enigmatic character with a generous heart. Meanwhile, Cressida and Braden will be discovering anew how to trust and forgive, because their hearts desperately long for something lasting, even amidst the ever present deadly currents.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Revell through Interviews and Reviews. 3.5 stars. I also bought a copy.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
A mysterious ghost ship, long buried secrets, and a quest to find the truth bring Cressida Valentine and County Deputy Braden Sanders together.
 

Braden is tasked with protecting Cressida by her estranged mother Octavia Dane, who is an influential government figure. In exchange Octavia holds the acess to a life giving drug that his niece needs.
 

The atmosphere of a rugged coast in Washington state sets the stage for a mesmerizing story.
 

Cressida is trying to complete a book her father started before his death about maritime shipwrecks. But as she tries to find out more about Specter’s Bounty, she hits nothing but roadblocks and several attempts on her life. Deputy Braden investigates and grows closer to her. But he has secrets to keep too.
 

Many complicated connections, interesting side characters and a mystery that could have deadly consequences make this a fantastic story that was hard to put down. Thorny spiritual questions plague the characters such as: when is it right to keep information from someone, and how is it possible to forgive when a person is hurt so badly. The author handled those situations with grace.
 

A top read, for sure.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and an underlying faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Goddard Presents a Gripping Thrill Ride

Investigative journalist Cressida Dane arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father's manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the "ghost ship" Specter's Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind--Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces.

County detective Braden Sanders is in Hidden Bay for one reason--to get his niece lifesaving medical treatment. To do that, he is assigned to protect Cressida from a revenge-driven enemy. Together, Braden and Cressida dig deeper to discern the myth from the facts surrounding the Specter's Bounty.

But more is brewing under the surface than they could ever imagine. Entangled in secrets, they must unravel the past before the current sweeps away their future. 

Revell Publishing, February, 2026

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

Buy DEADLY CURRENTS at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

WHITEOUT by Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

An Action Adventure Thriller Romantic Suspense 2-in-1 Novella Collection 

Set at Colorado Ski Resort

PAULA'S REVIEW:
These books were so good it only took me a day to read them. 

Buried in Shadows by Dani Pettrey:
A group of friends go to a resort for snowboarding. After an avalanche, they are stranded in an abandoned ski lodge and people go missing. Sounds like a page out of an Agatha Christie novel with a modern twist. Cassy Joel, Izzy and Talbot team up to ferret out who could be a stalker killing their friends. The danger ramps up in this snowy, suspenseful novella that packs a punch.
 

Snowbound Secrets by Lynette Eason:
A real nail biter when longtime friends Maya and Gideon meet again at a ski resort that is cut off after an avalanche. Someone wants to harm Maya and Gideon is there to protect her. Why someone is after her is tied to her past. With bits of scary, dangerous times in a snowy, unforgiving climate and several possible culprits, Gideon and Maya pray their way through the peril. 

Two excellent stories about two couples affected by the same avalanche in Colorado. Different but both were exciting, highlighting the characters faith through challenging circumstances.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided Bethany House on behalf of the authors 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:
Brace yourself for double the suspense in these snowbound adventures as an avalanche forces two couples to face down their enemies in a ski resort shut off from the outside world.

In Buried in Shadows by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend's destination wedding, praying her stalker hasn't tracked her to Colorado. Also part of the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man she stunned by leaving at the altar to hide a dangerous truth. When an avalanche strands their ski group in an abandoned lodge, it becomes chillingly clear that Cassandra's stalker has followed her . . . and he's willing to kill to make her his.

In Snowbound Secrets by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan fully intends to escape her past and finish planning a retreat for military veterans at the ranch she's inherited. Unfortunately, her plans go sideways when an avalanche traps her in a Colorado ski resort. An unexpected reunion with her high school crush forces her to confront past wounds, but she soon realizes someone is targeting her, and their search for a shadowy enemy becomes a matter of life and death. 

Bethany House Publishing, February 2026

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

Buy WHITEOUT at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House