Sunburst by Susan May Warren

About the Book

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he knows and could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others.

And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he'll need Noemi's help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding--binding Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, she's discovered the real reason she was kidnapped, and anyone around her is bound to be caught in the cross fire. Including her so-called new husband.

She'll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren throws you into the thick of the action in this high-stakes, globe-trotting romance.

My Thoughts

I always jump at the chance to read a Susan May Warren novel and this one was another stellar story!

I loved that we got to experience Africa and Alaska-two very different cultures but Warren was able to immerse us in both!

There was plenty of action but not so much that you couldn’t catch your breath which is the perfect balance in my opinion!

Ranger intrigued me from what we got to know of him in the last book so I was really excited to dive into his story and he did not disappoint! I loved his determination to do whatever needed to be done and felt for him as he tried to figure out his next steps after his life plan was derailed.

Noemi was a great match for Ranger, her stubbornness got her in trouble sometimes but it also gave her strength to do hard things.

The two of them were fantastic together and I loved the sparks between them! I also liked how they had a bit of history to their romance!

All in all another fantastic SMW novel and it left me highly anticipating book 3!

Meet the Author

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly 90 novels with more than 1.5 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series, as well as Sunrise and Sunburst. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers' Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota. Find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook @SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @SusanMayWarren.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

The Catch by Lisa Harris

About the Book

After a harrowing attempt on a judge's life at the courthouse, Deputy US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are tasked with finding a missing woman and an endangered child in connection to the murder of the judge's wife. What seems like a fairly straightforward case becomes hopelessly tangled when the marshals discover that the woman they are searching for is not who they think she is.

Madison and Jonas are forced into a race to find the woman and the child before the men who want her dead discover her location. And in a final showdown that could cost her everything, Madison will come face-to-face with the person who murdered her husband.

USA Today bestselling author Lisa Harris concludes her thrilling US Marshals series with this breathless tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and ultimately, justice prevailing.

My Thoughts

This series has been an amazing ride and this book was the perfect conclusion!

I loved how the author balanced the conclusion to the mystery behind who had killed Madison’s husband with the new case of trying to find a missing woman and baby. It never felt like there was too much going on and I was invested in both outcomes! There were countless twists and turns as well as plenty of page turning action that kept me hooked into the story and reading as fast as I could!

Jonas and Madison have been fantastic characters throughout the whole series and their slow burn romance has been building with expert timing and it was so fun to finally see them get together!

In short I completely enjoyed this book and highly recommend the whole series!

Meet the Author

Lisa Harris is a USA Today bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than forty books, including The Escape, The Chase, The Traitor's Pawn, Vanishing Point, A Secret to Die For, and Deadly Intentions, as well as The Nikki Boyd Files and the Southern Crimes series, Harris and her family have spent over 17 years living as missionaries in southern Africa. She is currently stateside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Fatal Code by Natalie Walters

About the Book

In 1964, a group of scientists called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession--and a target on her back.

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she's his neighbor in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because . . . well, he kind of likes her.

As Elinor follows the clues her grandfather left behind to a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa has no choice but to step in. When Elinor learns he has been spying on her, she's crushed. But with danger closing in on all sides, she'll have to trust him to ensure her discoveries stay out of enemy hands.

Natalie Walters sucks you into the global race for space domination in this perfectly paced second installment of her SNAP Agency romantic suspense series.

My Thoughts

I’m pretty sure that Natalie Walters improves with each book and this one was my favorite yet!

Kekoa was a fun character in book one but I wasn’t sure how he would transition into a leading man but he stepped into the role seamlessly. He was the quirky tech guy but he also was willing to step into danger to protect those close to him. I will admit that his Hawaiian surfer dude lingo was distracting to me at first (even though it was totally authentic to his character and where he was from) but eventually it grew on me enough that I didn’t even notice it by the end.

While Kekoa was techy, Elinor took nerdy to a whole new level, but she wore it well and it was actually super endearing on her. She was just one of those genuinely kind and sweet people and you couldn’t help but love her.

The two of them were really cute together and I enjoyed watching them start to fall for each other!

The intrigue and suspense was engaging and had me trying to figure things out until the end!

Definitely Walters’ best yet and I can’t wait for the next one!

Meet the Author

Natalie Walters is the author of Lights Out, as well as the Harbored Secrets series. A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is the proud mom of three. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and connecting with readers on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

About the Book

As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.

Master of WWII-era fiction Sarah Sundin invites you onto the streets of occupied Paris to discover whether love or duty will prevail.

My Thoughts

Sarah Sundin is one of the many reasons that WWII is my favorite historical time period, no one writes this genre quite like she does!

Sometimes I forget just how long WWII was brewing in Europe before the US joined and I’ve been really appreciating the way Sundin has been highlighting what things were like in those early days in this book and her last novel.

Paris isn’t my favorite city for books to be set in (don’t come at me) but it was also fascinating to see how things progressed in the city of love as the Germans invaded.

Lucie was such a bright soul, seeing beauty wherever she went. But she also had a strength and resilience to her.

Paul was much more on the serious side, seeing life through rules and order, but had a good heart and a desire to see good prevail.

Paul and Lucie fell for each other hard and fast, they were like puzzle pieces fitting together, each having what the other needed to balance them out. They didn’t have an easy road though and they had to fight countless battles to be together.

I greatly admired the way both of them did their part to help the Allies even at great risk to themselves and their livelihoods. They stood strong under pressure and thought quickly on their feet in ways that I just don’t think I could.

This book had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously turning pages to see what would happen but also had many sweet and romantic moments to balance it out.

Overall this was another hit from Sundin and I cannot wait for her next one!

Meet the Author

Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks and several popular WWII series, including Sunrise at Normandy, Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory. She is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award winner, and her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, and have appeared on Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years." Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

About the Book

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.

My Thoughts

This author’s books tend to be hit or miss for me, either I’m raving about them or struggling to get through. Somehow this book was a little bit of both.

The suspense angle and villain were exceptionally done. Intriguing and dark but not pushing the creepy too far for me. I was invested in all the aspects of the hunt for the serial killer the entire time.

The characters themselves were great but the romance angle is kind of where this fell apart for me because there really wasn’t any. They had had some previous interactions and continued to have moments together throughout the story but there was no chemistry or spark. They felt like two people involved in a case together. Not saying that they didn’t work as a couple, because I could see how they’d be compatible, but nothing that was on the page screamed “these people are romantically involved.”

I was also a little confused about the inclusion of the stuff with the hero’s sister. I don’t know why we needed another whole crime to be on the back burner throughout, and the guy was being an absolute idiot not telling the girl about what was going on while at the same time being mad that she hadn’t told him things about her past-major eye-roll moment.

I did overall enjoy reading this book though and the small problems I had with things were never enough to make me question finishing the book. Overall I think this will be a hit with fans of this author and I’m curious about future books in the series.

Meet the Author

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Sunrise by Susan May Warren

About the Book

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he's headed home to the destiny that awaits him. 

That's not all that's waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she's living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she's going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won't be there to find her.

When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there's more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

My Thoughts

Susan May Warren always provides a rollercoaster of an adventure and this book was no different!

I loved the setting of Alaska, and felt like the author did a great job of portraying the beauty and danger of the state.

I love how SMW keeps connecting her series so the fact that Dodge is the little brother of a heroine from another series was really fun! I liked Dodge and the way he was a man of honor who tried to do the right thing even when it was hard. And the way that he loved Echo even through their years apart was so sweet. Echo was a tough cookie and she definitely had a lot of resentment from her past but she still had a good heart and was willing to take risks if it meant saving someone else. Both Echo and Dodge had some growing to do but I enjoyed seeing them find their way back to each other!

There wasn’t really a mystery in this book but there were several high suspense scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat!

This book was definitely an adventure and I already can’t wait for the next two books about the other triplets!

Meet the Author

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 85 novels with more than 1 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series, as well as Sunrise and Sunburst. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers' Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota. Find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook @SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @SusanMayWarren.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

About the Book

Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

My Thoughts

Sarah Sundin is the absolute queen on WWII era fiction and I will forever be one of her biggest fans!

I was admittedly a little bit disappointed when I heard that this book was a stand-alone and while the plot sounded a little bit different than Sundin’s normal fare I was still intrigued. And honestly, this book blew me away! One of the things that most impressed me was the way that the author took a lot of elements I don’t love in books and somehow perfectly balanced them so that I loved how every piece fit together.

I was poised to not love Evelyn’s character because typically female reporters trying to prove themselves in a “man’s world” always rub me the wrong way in fiction. But, while she was definitely a bold, no-nonsense type, she also had a soft side and she was rational about things to the point that I was fully on her side instead of rolling my eyes and wanting her to calm down. She was fiercely independent out of necessity but I loved seeing her walls come down and watching her learn that it’s okay to lean on someone else’s strength sometimes.

Peter was also a wild card. Starting off as he did with his thoughts on how things were going in Germany I wasn’t sure he’d get to hero status, but boy did he prove me wrong! We don’t often think about how Nazi Germany came to be the awful place it was with no one standing up against it. But the truth of the matter is that while countries like America were struggling in the 1930’s Germany was thriving and on the surface you can see how it would look appealing. Especially for someone in Peter’s shoes who had watched his father die because of a mob incited by their poverty. So while I didn’t agree with his stance, Sundin painted a clear picture of how he arrived there that didn’t make him an awful person. Though I was very happy when he started to see the truth of the dark side of a controlled country. His journey from admiration, to disbelief, to outrage, to fighting back was awesome to watch and I’m not gonna lie, I was legitimately proud of this fictional character! I also loved the way he not only accepted Evelyn’s, as she called them, sharp points, but admired her for them and loved the way they made her who she was. It was beautiful to watch her blossom under his unwavering appreciation for every part of her. Their romance was pretty much the sweetest and I was melting when they finally admitted their feelings!

Another amazing part of this book was the suspense level! I was on the edge of my seat and tense with worry more in this book than any suspense I’ve read in recent years! Both Evelyn and Peter were taking enormous risks over and over again and each time I swear my heart was going to pound out of my chest! I actually had to set the book down several times to take a breath before I could continue!

So if this excessively long review hasn’t convinced you already, let me just say it plainly, I absolutely adored this book and lovers of WWII fiction or just exceptional historicals absolutely need to read this book! You won’t be sorry!

Meet the Author

Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of several popular WWII series, including Sunrise at Normandy, Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. The Sky Above Us received the Carol Award, her bestselling The Sea Before Us received the FHL Reader's Choice Award, and both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years." Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

About the Book

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of Ireland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira decides to fulfill her mother's wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, her home village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

Jennifer Deibel's debut novel delights the senses, bringing to life the sights, sounds, smells, and language of a lush country and a colorful people. Historical romance fans will embrace her with open arms.

My Thoughts

In a time where most of us aren’t traveling we need all the books set around the world to let us live vicariously! I have always been fascinated by Ireland and I was excited to step into a book that took me there in my mind. The descriptions were vivid and abundant and those who can’t paint pictures in their minds from what they’re reading will have no trouble transporting themselves to Donegal. I personally struggled with there being a little too much description and not enough dialogue but that may be just me.

The characters were sweet but I don’t know if classifying this as a romance is completely accurate, yes the couple ends up in a relationship but there wasn’t a whole lot of actual romance along the way which my romance loving self was really wanting more of.

Also, as a heads up for people that struggle with a different dialect in its written form this book was chock full of Gaelic words and words written the way that Irish folk pronounce them.

Overall this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but those who like descriptive sweeping tales are sure to find a new author to enjoy!

Meet the Author

Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

About the Book
Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in the Virginia colony who has no wish to wed. True, there are too many men and far too few women in James Towne. But Selah already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop. And now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors.
Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife, daughter of the Powhatan chief.
Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?
Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz takes you to the salty shores of seventeenth-century Virginia in this exploration of pride, honor, and the restorative power of true love.

My Thoughts

Fiction that takes place in the colonies prior to the Revolutionary war isn’t always my thing but Laura Frantz writes this time period so well that I can’t help checking out each new release.

Honestly I liked the fact that this book was lacking a lot of the typical frontier disasters one normally finds rampant in this time period, no disease outbreaks (this was especially nice to find absent considering the current state of the world), no constant attacks from the natives, and they weren’t struggling to make do. Instead James Towne was a thriving area and I enjoyed the look at how life was then. I always appreciate how much research Frantz does to create a richly historically accurate background for her characters!

The characters themselves were great too, I admired both Xander and Selah’s strong work ethic and the care they had for others. Their romance was definitely a slow burning one but I actually didn’t mind and it fit their situation well. And it wasn’t so slow that you couldn’t see the obvious connection growing. The secondary characters enhanced the story and were all well written.

This was another expertly delivered novel from Frantz and I know fans of her work will love this one as well!

Meet the Author

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of eleven novels, including An Uncommon Woman, The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, The Lacemaker, and A Bound Heart. She is a proud mom to an American soldier and a career firefighter. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Point of Danger by Irene Hannon

About the Book

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently. 

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon is back with a heart-stopping new series that will have you turning pages well into the night.

My Thoughts

I have been an Irene Hannon fan since basically the beginning and I always look forward to her upcoming releases. Sadly though this one missed the mark a bit for me. Overall it was still a decent read, I just had a hard time with some things. A lot of it came down to just out of date terminology, phrasing, and references that didn’t mesh with the characters ages and a lot of over sharing of irrelevant details. And the political bent of everything was a bit much with the current state of things, I get it enough in the real world that I’d prefer not to have it in fiction.

The characters themselves weren’t unlikable but I wanted more from the romance and the “barriers” to them having a relationship didn’t really hold water.

There were also too many points of view and I kept hoping that by the end it would make sense why they were all there but it just didn’t. Honestly the whole “suspense” aspect was a bit all over the place and didn’t grip me at all.

So while this wasn’t my favorite I still think a lot of readers will enjoy it and if the plot sounds interesting to you, you should definitely check it out!

Meet the Author

Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website, www.irenehannon.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Acceptable Risk by Lynette Eason

About the Book

Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when her convoy is attacked and she's taken hostage. When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander--Sarah's imposing father--to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.

Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she's discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army. Until she learns of her brother's suicide. Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth. What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah's career--if she can survive long enough to write it.

Strap in for another breakneck nail-biter from bestselling romantic suspense author Lynette Eason that will have you up turning pages long into the night.

My Thoughts

Get ready for another non-stop action-packed read from Lynette Eason.

This book starts with a bang and the punches just keep coming till the very end! Literally at every turn something crazy was happening or being discovered and it made the pages turn quite quickly.

The characters were both likable (besides Sarah’s issues with her dad that made her come across as irrational at times) and they made a good couple. I liked that they’d had a bit of a backstory before the book started so their relationship had some ground to stand on outside of the adrenaline fueled days that they had in the story.

The case was unique and interesting and I was definitely curious as to how it was all being pulled off, which kept me hooked till the end!

All an all a good read that is sure to have readers on the edge of their seats!

Meet the Author

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Collateral Damage and Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon

About the Book
A year ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark left the rigors of combat behind to run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress, and talk some sense into his kid brother. Business is good--but making peace with his past is more challenging than he expected.
First-grade teacher Holly Miller leads a quiet, low-profile existence--until she's recruited to advocate for a cause that's dear to her heart. When she solicits Steven's assistance, sparks fly--especially after they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.
As these two seemingly incompatible souls search for common ground, might they discover a deeper connection--and find that love can banish darkness and light the way to a future filled with promise?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Thoughts
Fans of Hope Harbor will enjoy this trip back to the quiet little town!
Steven and Holly were both great characters! They had overcome a lot in life to get to where they were and both were starting to figure out what their next steps were. The attraction was instant with them but they had to fight through so obstacles and reevaluate some things before they found their happy ending.
There were lots of cameos from familiar Hope Harbor residents including the ever popular taco maker/artist Charley.

If you’ve loved all the previous Hope Harbor books this one will for sure be up your alley but don’t worry if this is your first since they all read pretty easily as standalones!

Meet the Author
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, Pelican Point, and Driftwood Bay, as well as the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carols, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

About the Book
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.
When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.
As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.

My Thoughts
I was full on dopey grinning at the end of this book! In fact I think this just might be my favorite of Turner’s books!
I loved Hadley Beckett (even her name is awesome) she was just so genuine it was hard not to fall! She had that southern charm while also not being afraid to speak her mind when the situation called for it. I also admired the grace with which she handled some of the crazy situations thrown at her!
Now Max was another story, when we first met him in the prologue I didn’t know how on earth I could come to like that guy. But then the story jumped a few months. I really liked how Turner didn’t just magically turn him into a likable guy but instead gave us a hero who realized he had faults and was working on changing but still slipped up. Watching him fight to be a better man made me slowly fall in love with his character too!
And together Hadley and Max were amazing, the banter, the fights, the jokes, the making up (or out), and the texting. It was all absolutely entertaining to read!

In short this was a wonderful story from start to finish and I’m going to have a smile on my face whenever it comes to mind!

Meet the Author
Bethany Turner is the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former bank executive and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn't matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she's chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris

About the Book
When FBI agent Jack Shannon arrives in Corpus Christi, Texas, he is focused on one thing: find the man who has been selling encrypted government secrets to the Chinese through online birding chat rooms. But when a senator is shot during a hunting trip and the woman he was with is abducted, Jack agrees to join the search--especially when he discovers that the kidnapping victim is Aubrey Grayson, a woman he was once in love with.
As the search continues, it becomes clear the senator may not have been the intended victim--and Aubrey may be connected to the other case Jack is supposed to be working on. Can Jack untangle the knots before it's too late? And when he learns the truth, will it be too painful to get past?
Join the hunt for the truth--and a traitor--in this tension-laden story of secrets, betrayal, and second chances.

My Thoughts
Lisa Harris has quickly earned a name for herself in the Christian romantic suspense world and I have enjoyed many of the novels she has written.
This story starts off with what you think is a serene moment but things quickly take off and leave you trying to piece together the pieces of what is happening. There are a lot of moving parts in this story but the author brings them all together in the end.
We spent a lot of time in the characters’ heads, whether it was thinking about their past or just mentally going over the current circumstances. Personally I would have preferred more in the moment showing rather than all the telling.
The Jack and Aubrey both had a passion for justice and they showed that in the way they chased after every clue in their case. The fact that they had been friends since childhood allowed them to work well together despite having not seen each other for years. There wasn’t a lot of romance, more of a reflecting on past feelings and seeing if they had changed but it worked for the story.
This book wasn’t quite the action-packed suspense I was hoping for but I’m sure other lovers of this genre will find much to enjoy.

Meet the Author
Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than 40 books, including The Nikki Boyd Files and the Southern Crimes series, as well as Vanishing Point, A Secret to Die For, and Deadly Intentions, Harris and her family have spent over 16 years living as missionaries in southern Africa. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Silent Shadows by Natalie Walters

About the Book
Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally--her stubborn patient.
Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the undiagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer--and more deadly--than they realized.
With this suspenseful new story, Natalie Walters welcomes you once more to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.

My Thoughts
While this author got of to a bit of a rocky start for me, I believe she is coming into her own and each book has been better than the last, with this one being my favorite for sure!
Pecca was a kind, and sometimes feisty character and the way she cared for others was beautiful to watch. I also really liked her son, Maceo. Often kids can be hard to get write in books but Walters did it exceptionally and I admired how he fought to overcome his handicap.
Colton was such a wonderfully broken hero and I loved watching him discover his new purpose after being sidelined by his movement disorder. The protective care he had over Pecca and the way he championed Maceo endeared him to me even more!
The romance was sweet and I loved watching as it slowly built into a beautiful relationship!
It was fun seeing how Charlie and Lane (from book one) had fared since their story and the guys from D-wing were a hoot for sure!
The mystery angle was very expertly woven into the story and while I did guess some of the ending there were still twists that surprised me!
All in all this was a wonderful book and a great way to end the series! I’m looking forward to what this author has in store for us next!

Meet the Author
Natalie Walters is the author of Living Lies and Deadly Deceit. A military wife of 22 years, she currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason

About the Book
Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.
Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.
When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.
Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.

My Thoughts
Like all of Eason’s books this one definitely got started with a bang and I felt like I was there with the characters in the war zone. Unfortunately things got a little chaotic for a bit as there were a lot of characters and different plots that initially didn’t seem to jive. But like the skilled author she is Eason managed to bring it all together in ways that were surprising me up until the end! And after the initial confusion of the first 100 pages or so I got totally hooked into the story and was on the edge of my seat watching it all play out!
The characters were likable and I appreciated that the romance level was on a slow burn that was realistic for the circumstances. We also got to meet some other characters that I believe will be appearing in future books and I am excited to see where their stories take them!
All in all another action-packed read from Eason that will be sure to delight her fans and lovers of romantic suspense!

Meet the Author
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz

About the Book
Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.
Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.
Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.
Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770.

My Thoughts
One of the things Laura Frantz is best known for is her vivid descriptions of the early American frontier. She writes in such a way that you are transported back in time and feel like you are really there. Such was the case in this book, and though it unfortunately bogged me down a little in the first half, I still recognized the beauty of the writing and appreciated it. I was definitely more sucked into the second half but the book as a whole was still a wonderful read! And I definitely enjoyed all of the mentions of places close to where I live!
I loved Clay and Tessa’s characters and I really loved them together! Their interactions were such fun and I loved their little banter! Selfishly I wanted more of them together in scenes and getting to see more of the sparks fly but what we got was still enough to wholly enchant me! The rest of the characters, namely Tessa’s family, were great too and I definitely wouldn’t mind getting more of their stories in the future (hint hint)!
All in all another great book from a masterful storyteller that I’m sure all fans of her books and/or frontier romances will enjoy!

Meet the Author
Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of eleven novels, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, The Lacemaker, and A Bound Heart. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

About the Book
Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason--to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth--and the next big story--is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes, and Vivian finds herself fighting for not only answers but also her life. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called The Watcher force Vivian to confront the secret of her past and decide: How much is she willing to risk for the sake of a headline?

Author Natalie Walters welcomes you back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.

My Thoughts
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book since both the heroine and the hero didn’t make the best impression in book one. But my worry was unfounded and the author brilliantly turned them around!
Ryan was a bit of a gangly nerd but in a Captain America-esque move, months of intensive training from the FBI made him a strong gangly nerd. After Living Lies I wasn’t sure he’d be believable hero but he kept his charming personality while adding the capability of coming to the rescue that really made him a hero you could root for!
As for Vivian, she was the typically annoying reporter that only cares about the story in book one so I honestly thought I’d hate her in this one. But after the fallout from the events of LL she really had to reevaluate things and began to realize that there’s more to life than the next big story. Getting into her head and seeing what made her tick also made her so much more likable and I actually enjoyed her character.
It was cool to see both Ryan and Vivian come into their own and find happiness together.
The mystery of figuring out who the Watcher was and trying to stop him was very compelling and I was invested throughout!

Overall this was a sequel that outshone its predecessor and I’m looking forward to watch Natalie Walters has in store for us next!

Meet the Author
Natalie Walters is the author of Living Lies. A military wife of 22 years, she currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

She Prays by Debbie Lindell

About the Book
One of the most wonderful things about walking with God is that we can have an intimate and real relationship with him. He wants us to know him so well that we are comfortable talking to him about anything and everything. Yet, there are times when we feel disconnected and insecure. We desire to grow in prayer, but we don't know where to begin, what to say, or how to listen for his voice.

In She Prays, Debbie Lindell invites you on a 31-day journey to experience a confident and conversational relationship with your heavenly Father. She shows you how to replace the pressure to perform in prayer with a faith-filled expectation--trusting that God is delighted with every conversation and every word we whisper to him. Her desire is that your soul will be transformed as your confidence in prayer grows, and that your faith will be strengthened as you see God work through your prayers in ways you never imagined possible.

My Thoughts
This book would be a great tool for those who are new to Christianity and prayer. There was a lot of truth and helpful tips jammed into this small book. Each day's reading is the perfect length to fit into busy schedules and just the right amount of information to be easily digested.
As some who has been a Christian all of her life, nothing in this book was new information or even information told in a new way. But it was extremely well written and I know that it will be very useful and informative for many other people and I know that I will be recommending it.

Meet the Author
Debbie Lindell is the author of She Believes, and she and her husband, John, serve as lead pastors of James River Church in Springfield, Missouri. In 2003, Debbie launched the Designed for Life Women's Conference, which today draws 10,000 women annually from across the nation and around the world. As a dynamic leader and speaker, she has a passion to see women of all ages embrace their unique design, understand their purpose, and connect to one another through life-giving sisterhood. Learn more at DebbieLindell.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon

About the Book
Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

My Thoughts
I have been an Irene Hannon fan since her debut novel came out and after loving Rick in the previous two books of this series I was excited to get his story! While this one didn't end up being my favorite of Hannon's it was still an enjoyable read! Unlike this author's previous books that seem to start with high action and not let up, this one was more of a slow burn. But when the action did start up, things moved at lightning speed and you were never quite sure just what would happen next. Reader's are kept on their toes with multiple POVs that make it hard to tell just who the bad guy is, though I will say I did guess right!
Rick and Heather had an instant attraction to each other that only intensified as the story progressed. I would have preferred a little more depth to their relationship, instead of all the focus on the physical (and Rick's descriptions of Heather's outfits were just way too detailed for any straight man) but I did like them as a couple and was happy that Rick found someone.
I loved the fact that this story took place in connection with the PI firm from the Private Justice series! It was fun to not only catch up with the characters from the previous books in this series but also with the Phoenix guys! It's so fun when author's connect their series.
I'm sad to see this series end but I cannot wait for whatever else this author has for us!

Meet the Author
Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website, www.irenehannon.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.