Mini-Book Review — Lost Hours

5 Nov

Lost Hours, a romantic suspense novel by Susan Sleeman, was a fun read. The second-chance-at-love trope added a lot to the chemistry between the two main characters, Nolan and Mina. Brought together when a game night turns deadly, the two join forces to solve the murders in the small Pacific Northwest town. I really liked the twists and turns that Sleeman took her characters and readers through. I love solving the crimes along the way as I follow the investigation by the main characters. And the forensic science shared was very intriguing. The novel was fast-paced and kept me turning the pages — I read this one in record time. There is an ensemble cast of characters, so more great books to come! There are 5 books in the Lost Lake Locators series (2 due out in 2026)! I look forward to more great reading ahead.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Protecting his friends has always come first…

When Nolan Orr, founding member of Lost Lake Locators, and his teammates receive a mysterious invitation to a secluded mansion on Lost Island for what seems to be an innocent game night with his closest college friends, he eagerly agrees to attend. Not only to enjoy the event with friends who were more like family to him than his actual family, but to figure out which friend set up the fun but unusual night.

Until he has to consider one of them a suspect for murder.

However, as the evening progresses, he soon realizes that they are pawns in a deadly game orchestrated by a twisted mastermind. Where betrayal and survival go hand in hand, ultimately leading to a missing friend, to murder and a murder investigation that Sheriff Mina Park arrives to take charge of. Problem is, Nolan and Mina had a brief summer fling one year on his visit to the island, and it ended badly. Will she let him into the investigation and work with him, or avoid him as she’s been doing for years?

Susan Sleeman writes the kind of romantic suspense that makes you double-check the locks—and maybe fall a little for the hero.

Her clean, high-octane stories are packed with danger, heart, and just enough faith to light the darkest corners.

With over sixty novels, multiple awards, and more than two million books sold, she knows a thing or two about keeping readers on the edge of their seats—and her FBI and police citizen academy training doesn’t hurt either.

These days, she calls Oregon home, where she juggles plotting crimes (fictional ones, promise), spoiling grandkids, and running The Suspense Zone.

Ready to lose sleep over your next favorite book? Head to Susan’s website.

Top 10 Tuesday — Random Books from The Shelves

4 Nov

Happy Tuesday! Today TTT bloggers are posting random books from our shelves — either physical or digital. Sharing from either is really going to expose my lack of timely reading. 😉 My Kindle, physical shelves, and NetGalley shelf are filled with hopes and dreams — hope that I will finally choose a book and dreams of having all the time in the world to read! Sad for so many reasons. But I will play along anyway. I chose to go the physical book route — have you read any on my list? Tell me which should head to the top of the TBR pile.

For more random book goodness, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

10 Random Books from My Book Shelves

The Cairo Brief by Fiona Veitch Smith

Code of Valor by Lynette Eason

Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer

A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee

The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patty Callahan Henry

Outbreak by Davis Bunn

The Queen by Stephen James

Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green

Under The Tulip Tree by Michele Shocklee

Visible Threat by Janice Cantore

November Book Club Pick — Between The Sound And Sea

3 Nov

I am excited to read this month’s book club pick, Between The Sound And Sea by Amanda Cox, for a couple of reasons. Amanda is a fabulous writer — a must-read author for my book club and she will be in attendance at the book festival in my hometown in February 2026! Woohoo! Have you read this book yet? Let us know what you thought.

Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn’t mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration.  
 
As the work begins, “Joey” discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls–pages torn from a lighthouse keeper’s log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there’s never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.
 
When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story–one that’s not over yet.
 
Multiple Christy Award winner Amanda Cox is your guide upon the raging seas of young love, heartbreaking loss, and learning to risk it all for a chance at happiness in this timeless novel.

Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.

A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 18 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at http://www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes.

To get a free short story featuring characters from The Edge of Belonging visit: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fuj7mlfd83.

Spotlight on Romantic Suspense — Mistletoe And Malice

3 Nov

Mistletoe and Malice JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Mistletoe and Malice

Title: Mistletoe and Malice
Series: Guarded Hearts Series #1
Author: Lori DeJong
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

He’s sworn to protect her life … but guarding his heart may be his biggest challenge.

After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father’s demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous.

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.

Excerpt

She spun back to the man she’d declared herself to, her heart knocking hard against her ribs. “You’re leaving?”

“I thought it best.”

“I see.” She swallowed the lump swelling in her throat. “Thank you for all you did for me. I always felt safe with you.”

Until now.

He reached out and shook her hand. “It was an honor.”

Holding on tight, she held his gaze with hers, the air thick between them with the unspoken. She reluctantly let go of him, letting her fingertips linger at his for a brief moment, knowing it would be the last time she’d ever touch him.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Also Available


About The Author

Lori DeJong

Lori DeJong is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies, with a daughter and son-in-love in DFW. Lori’s debut novel, Love’s True Calling, was the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and was named the 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year. Love’s True Home, Book 2 of the True Calling Series, was a 2025 Selah finalist. Love’s True Measure released in June. Lori’s Christmas novella, Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a part of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection, was named a 2025 ACFW Carol Award finalist.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Mistletoe and Malice, and a signed copy of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection (released in Oct 2024)!

Mistletoe and Malice JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 2025. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

If You Liked . . . The Words We Lost

31 Oct

My book club absolutely loved The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese. This thought-provoking contemporary novel checked all our boxes — characters to love, a subtle, yet strong faith thread, and an ending we all approved of. 😉 If you liked it too, here are a few more books to read.

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

Cora Matthews’s life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever “normal” is. 

It certainly isn’t what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family’s dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance–with a surprising condition attached–Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her. 

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.

Roots of Wood And Stone by Amanda Wen

This historic home holds the keys to their destiny . . . and their hearts.

Abandoned at birth, her family roots a mystery, historical museum curator Sloane Kelley has dedicated her life to making sure others know theirs. When a donor drops off a dusty old satchel, she doesn’t expect much from the common artifact . . .until she finds real treasure inside: a nineteenth-century diary.Now she’s on the hunt to find out more.

Garrett Anderson just wanted to clean out his grandmother’s historic but tumbledown farmhouse before selling it to fund her medical care. With her advancing Alzheimer’s, he can’t afford to be sentimental about the family home. But his carefully ordered plan runs up against two formidable obstacles: Sloane, who’s fallen in love with both the diaries and the house, and his own heart, which is irresistibly drawn to Sloane.

When He Found Me by Victoria Bylin

An injured athlete with a chip on his shoulder. A single mom with a devastating secret. Will history haunt them, or can love set them free? 

Once a strong Christian, third baseman Shane Riley lost his faith the night he injured his knee in a freak car accident. Determined to return to professional baseball and to find the sister he treated badly, Shane retreats to Refuge, Wyoming. There he meets Melissa June “MJ” Townsend, a single mom with an adorable son and a troubled heart.

MJ wants nothing to do with the handsome athlete—no doubt a womanizer considering the stories in the news. But when a mistake results in Shane renting her garage apartment, they become friends. That friendship blossoms into something deep and pure, leaving MJ with a painful secret to tell. Even more complicated, MJ discovers an unexpected tie to Shane’s missing sister—a wounded woman facing a life-or-death decision of her own.

First Line Friday — Queen of Hearts

31 Oct

Looking for a spooky-ish mystery/thriller that will keep you reading past your bedtime? Then check out Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert. The remote West Virginia vacation cabin setting will have you checking your own locks. LOL! Gilbert’s mysteries are favorites of mine, and this book did not disappoint.

Here’s the first line:

Natasha shifted uncomfortably on the rock floor of the icy cave, shoving her gloved hands under her armpits to keep warm.

Her readers love her … but one has gotten a little too attached.

Alexandra Dubois, a NYT bestselling author, has made a name for herself by crafting twisted serial killers in her romantic suspense series. When threatening notes from an “invested reader” escalate into violence, Alex has to admit she’s not safe in her own home. Although her autism makes any changes to her routine difficult, she reluctantly accepts her editor’s advice to fly to his sprawling vacation home in West Virginia so she can focus on her looming deadline.

Fighting paranoia that the stalker has discovered her mountain hideaway, Alex still forces herself to write several chapters in her novel. But when a thunderstorm leaves her stranded and she hears a knock at her door, she’s about to discover that life truly is stranger than fiction.

Fans of Alfred Hitchcock, Mary Higgins Clark, and Misery are sure to be hooked by this clean, fast-paced domestic thriller by RWA Daphne Award-winning author Heather Day Gilbert.

Heather Day Gilbert, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award-winning author and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries/psychological thrillers and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather’s realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she’s not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.

Mini-Book Review — The Words We Lost

30 Oct

This month my book club chose The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese. What an excellent choice! We all loved the story of three friends and the journeys their friendship led them through. The story within a story added depth and a real understanding of each characters’ perspective on life and love, grief and healing. We cannot recommend it enough! The novel is contemporary fiction with a subtle faith thread woven throughout.The characters are so relatable! And, it is a love story that is completely satisfying. It kept us turning the pages and thinking about it long after the covers were closed. If you want a story that touches your heart and makes you think, then this book is for you!

Highly recommended.

Great for book clubs.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript. 

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony–two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she’s also desperate to find the closure she’s convinced will come with Cecelia’s missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell–the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters–offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia’s last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?

Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. When she’s not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She’s a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times. She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.

Find her online at http://www.nicoledeese.com.

Spotlight on Split-Time Romance — Echoes of A Silent Song

29 Oct

Echoes of a Silent Song JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Echoes of a Silent Song

Title: Echoes of a Silent Song
Series: Melodies and Memories #1
Author: Amanda Wen
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Split-time Romance

A split-time romance from an award-winning author

When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight’s goal at Peterson High is simple: rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible.

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day.

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core.

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town’s history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology.

Excerpt

“I wasn’t her type. Not good enough for her. Or her parents.” His gaze shifted to something behind Callum, and he smiled and waved. “Sorry, Callum, I just spied some alumni I haven’t seen in a decade. If you’ll excuse me?” Without waiting for a reply, he clapped Callum on the back and strode away.

Callum watched him leave, the stadium lights reflecting off his satiny Peterson Patriots jacket. It was entirely plausible. The librarian could have interpreted events one way, while Vic’s version could be the real story.

But why would Vic have first claimed not to know Iris at all? Why not just come out with the truth? They’d dated briefly and ended things. That happened often enough in high school. And maybe Iris meant so little to him, maybe the relationship had been so brief, that Vic truly hadn’t remembered it. Not until something jogged his memory.

But what didn’t happen every day was someone’s high school significant other passing away while still in high school. Surely that would’ve been worth at least a little bit of brain space.

Blair was still up in the stands, clutching a Styrofoam cup of something and leaning over to talk to Joy. Her puffy coat and her adorable hat were the same shade of Peterson blue, and her fingertips were peeking out of a cute little pair of white gloves, and why did the words cute and adorable continually spring to mind when he saw her outside of work? It was bad enough Wednesday with the T- shirt and jeans, and now, with her all bundled up like a snow princess despite the fifty- degree temperature . . .

At least he didn’t find her cute at work yet. That would make things wicked awkward.

Well, cute or not, he needed to talk to her. Tell her what Vic said and get her read on it. She knew Vic far better than he did. And he wanted to believe Vic.

But right now, he wasn’t quite sure he did.



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

Also Available:

Roots of Wood and Stone The Songs That Could Have Been The Rhythm of Fractured Grace


About The Author

Amanda Wen

Amanda Wen is a Carol– and Selah Award–winning and Parable best-selling author of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction, including Roots of Wood and Stone, The Songs That Could Have Been, and The Rhythm of Fractured Grace. She is also a professional musician. She lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband and three children.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Echoes of a Silent Song and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Echoes of a Silent Song JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 29, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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JustRead Publicity Tours

Top 10 Tuesday — Atmospheric Reads, Halloween Edition

28 Oct

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is a Halloween Freebie. Last week bloggers posted about cozy/atmospheric novels. I chose cozy with a follow-up of atmospheric books today. To fit with the Halloween theme I am defining atmospheric as a book setting that conjures up a feeling of mystery and intrigue, with a little bit (or a lot) of spooky thrown in. It’s always good to have at least one spooky read during October. 😉 I hope you find one that intrigues you.

For more Halloween-ish posts, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Atmospheric Reads

The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey

Man of Shadow And Mist by Michelle Griep

Of Gold And Shadows by Michelle Griep

On The Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright

Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard

Wicked Is The Hollow by K. E. Ganshert

Spotlight on Romantic Suspense — Wasted

27 Oct

Wasted Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Wasted by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Wasted

Title: Wasted
Series: Windy City Westons #2
Author: Jerusha Agen
Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: October 23, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

She always follows the rules. But what are the rules for murder?

Victoria Weston encounters tough things as a home health physical therapist, but this is a first—a dead body. The police call the patient’s death accidental. Victoria knows that can’t be true. Her efforts to convince the police they’re dealing with a murder get her labeled a troublemaker by all but one man—the troubler of her youth.

When Cillian Doherty returns to right the wrongs of the past, he finds his high school flame in a different kind of danger than he expected. As a social worker, he’s in the perfect position to corroborate her cry of murder or give her what she wanted—to handle her problems without his help.

But someone wants to silence Victoria. When lies escalate to violence and threaten more lives, the Weston siblings join the battle to save their sister.

Yet it will take a God more powerful than all of them for Cillian and Victoria to make peace with their past and catch the killer. Before the killer catches them.

Wasted continues the thrilling Windy City Westons series that features five siblings who encounter danger, love, and God in the city of Chicago. (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

Praise for Jerusha

“Jerusha Agen once again delivers top-level suspense and thrilling action. Fast-paced suspense at its best.”

– DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of Concrete Evidence on Covert Danger

“Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.”

Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger

Excerpt

She pressed her lips together in that pinched expression. “If you’ve truly returned in connection with me for some unknown reason, then I suggest you leave again and forget about me as you did before. We’ll all be better off.”

He stood, quickly, so she wouldn’t have enough warning to leave.

She barely got in one step back in the second it took for him to stand in front of her, forcing her to look up at him instead.

“I never forgot you, Vicks. Never.” 

She stared up at him, frozen with her elegant brows pushed together and a battle of emotions playing out in her eyes. Fear, confusion, anger, and what he hoped was longing. For him.

She spun on her heels and left, the fear or anger apparently winning out. For now.

He wouldn’t leave this time, even if she asked him to. He’d changed in that way, too. He had learned how to fight bullies and win.

Her father would not control her for the rest of her life. No matter what it took, Cillian would set her free.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Jerusha Agen shop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series


About The Author

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Wasted, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Wasted mug, notebook, and magnet!

Wasted JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 27, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 2025. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours