First Line Friday — The Hunted Heir

10 Jan

Happy Friday! Today I am featuring Jayna Breigh, an author of romantic legal drama. Her new novel, The Hunted Heir, releases at the end of the month. I am so excited that Jayna will be at my home town book festival, Turning A New Page Book Festival, on January 25, 2025. Can’t wait!

Here’s the first line:

Another New Year’s Eve, and Nona Taylor’s prayer remained unanswered.

After a tragic loss, private investigator Nona Taylor swore off romantic entanglements and distanced herself from the world. Once a year, on New Year’s Eve, she attends church to beg God for forgiveness, haunted by the guilt of driving her twin sister to her death.

Attorney DeMarcus Johnson is determined to climb the ladder to partnership by winning high-profile cases at his Los Angeles law firm, harnessing his ADHD hyperfocus to excel. He’s everything Nona knows to steer clear of–an overconfident ex-jock willing to do anything for success.

Their worlds collide when Nona’s pastor receives a mysterious letter claiming he’s the sole heir to a substantial estate. Desperate for answers, Nona infiltrates a lavish charity ball, only to be found out by a suspicious stranger–so she latches onto DeMarcus and concocts a fib about being his fiancée.

Now bound by a false engagement, the pair reluctantly join forces to discover the truth about the inheritance. But when an unseen enemy strikes, they realize the stakes are higher than they thought. Can Nona and DeMarcus overcome their differences to keep the pastor safe, secure DeMarcus’s partnership, and preserve a future for themselves?

Jayna Breigh is an award-winning writer of Romantic Legal Dramas – Suspenseful, Twist-Filled Mystery/Thrillers with Romance. She practiced “Big City Law” in Los Angeles for over a decade. Jayna loves funny, inspirational and painfully cute social media. The only real life drama allowed—British period pieces and games of Wordfeud.

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Mini-Review — The Gardins of Edin

9 Jan

If you are looking for a book with plenty of Southern-sass, then you are in for a treat with The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee. Set in the fictional town of Edin, Georgia, this contemporary novel features four women in the Gardin family — Ruth, Naomi, Martha, and Mary. That’s right! The characters are named for the famous biblical mother-in-law/daughter-in-law and sister duos. While this is not a retelling of Bible stories, the women are definitely inspired by their namesakes and there are plenty of spiritual truths shared. The Gardin family loves fiercely, but they are a messy bunch! Full of real life relationship pitfalls and strengths, Lee delivers a poignant story that also made me laugh out loud.

With its strong characterization, The Gardins of Edin is a wonderful debut from Lee. I look forward to a continuation of the story, A Gardin Wedding, releasing in May 2025.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The four women of the Gardin family live side-by-side in Edin, Georgia, but residing in tight proximity doesn’t mean everything is picture-perfect. Ruth runs the family’s multimillion-dollar peanut business, a legacy of the Gardins’ formerly enslaved ancestors. But tensions have intensified since the death of her husband, Beau, and she feels like an outsider in the very place she wishes to belong. 

Sisters Mary and Martha fuel the family tension. Martha’s unfounded mistrust of Ruth causes her to constantly seek ways to undermine Ruth’s decisions with the business, while Mary, trying to focus on her new restaurant that serves healthy comfort food, is dragged into the family fray by Martha. 

For years, Naomi, the matriarch who raised the sisters after their parents’ death and supported Ruth in her grief, has played peacemaker. But as she decides to take a step back, hidden truths, life-and-death circumstances, and escalating clashes finally force the Gardin women to grapple with what it means to be a family.

A heartwarming Southern story of family and all its many complexities, The Gardins of Edin delivers a thoughtful portrayal of four women trying to hold on to their secrets. Women who just might—if they can only let go—find the peace they seek by holding on to one another.

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Mini-Book Review — The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

8 Jan

I was on a suspense reading-binge in 2024, but fell far behind on reviews. So I am getting caught up with brief thoughts on the books I read. Jaime Jo Wright‘s dual timeline novel The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater was one of the best of the best that I read last year. Fans of Wright’s books will love her blend of mystery and history as she keeps her readers a bit unbalanced with what is real and what is supernatural. I love that in the end both time periods are wrapped up for the reader, if not always for the characters. 😉 This novel has as its centerpiece the historic Barlowe Theater renowned in its day, yet stained by the tragedy of the lost boys. No one is certain what is true about the legend, but it is certain that there were many lost souls in the this small Wisconsin town. The influence of Wright’s own background can be seen in her characters, especially present day Kit Boyd. The theme of belonging in a world where something seems missing is explored. I could tell that this was a deeply personal book for Wright, making it more than just your average mystery. The creep factor is always strong in Wright’s books, and no less in The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. But don’t worry there’s always a rational explanation. Although evil is never a rational element in the world. I loved the setting, the characterization, the intriguing plot twists, the page-turning suspense — basically everything!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy’s eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta’s younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.

Decades later, Kit Boyd’s best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater’s history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater’s curse unravels Kit’s life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.

Jaime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author–including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards–is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes – providing an exhilarating amount chaos.

Visit her at: http://www.jaimewrightbooks.com and listen to her podcast MadLit Musings on your favorite podcast player or at http://www.madlitmusings.com.

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TTT– Most Anticipated Books of The First 1/3 of 2025

7 Jan

Happy New Year! With a new year comes new books. Yay! Actually new books release all the time, but it’s still good to celebrate whenever they arrive. This week’s TTT is most anticipated books of the first half of 2025. It really was hard to whittle the list down, so I just went with the first 1/3 of the year instead of half. 😉

Do you have any books that you are REALLY looking forward to?

For more great new books, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Most Anticipated Books of January — April 2025

January

Before The King by Heather Kaufman

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason

February

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard

March

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl

April

The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

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Spotlight on Romantic Suspense — Ambush on The Ranch

6 Jan

Ambush on the Ranch JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Ambush on the Ranch

Title: Ambush on The Ranch
Series: Red Rock Country
Author: Tina Wheeler
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Seeking ranch refuge…

with lethal threats at every turn.

After running for her life through the forest, art gallery owner Janel Newman wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the past forty-eight hours. A car bomb and masked gunman make it clear she must’ve seen something she shouldn’t have. When she’s forced to hide at deputy sheriff Zach Walker’s family ranch along with her twin sister, secrets are uncovered, and a murderous conspiracy is revealed. With ruthless criminals dogging their every step, will Janel and Zach be able to thwart these villains’ plan to silence Janel for good?

Excerpt

“He’s going to kill us!” Janel scrambled over the SUV’s center console as Zach crawled out through his window. Waiting for him to clear the threshold so that she could follow sent her thumping heart into overdrive. “Hurry!”

A second bullet fired with a bang and shattered the back passenger window. Fear reverberated down her spine.

Zach reached inside, grabbed her upper arms and pulled her out into the chest-high raging waters. She gripped his broad shoulders as the frigid temperature assaulted her senses, and the undertow kept her boots from gaining purchase on the rocks below. The ping of another bullet made her shudder.

Using the SUV’s door as a shield, they each took hold of the window frame to keep from being swept away. Janel leaned toward the closed back seat window, daring a quick glance at the shooter. He sat on his motorcycle up on the cliff, ready to take aim.

She panicked and ducked.

Water hit her face.

A bullet whizzed over the SUV, inches from where she’d been seconds ago.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

Ranch Under Fire

About The Author

Tina Wheeler

Tina Wheeler is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author and retired teacher. Although she grew up on the edge of the desert in Arizona, her favorite place to plot a new story is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, brainstorming with writing friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon digital gift card!

Ambush on the Ranch JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 6, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 13, 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

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First Line Friday — Hidden in The Night

3 Jan

Happy first Friday of 2025! I am celebrating with the first First Line Friday post of 2025 as well. My go-to genre is suspense, so what better way to begin a new year than with Hidden in The Night, the final book in the Missing in Alaska series by Elizabeth Goddard. I met Elizabeth for the first time in person last November while at the Reading Rendezvous in Chicago. What a treat! And what a treat to read this book!

Here’s the first line:

Get in, get out … a blizzard’s coming.

At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent turned rare-book collector Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone–taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she’s getting herself into.
 
Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions–and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg.
 
Don’t miss this breathtaking race for truth set amid the glorious–and deadly–Glacier Bay from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.

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Mini-Book Review — Fragile Designs

2 Jan

Fragile Designs is a standalone novel by Colleen Coble. It combines history and mystery for a twisty romantic suspense that fans of this genre will love. Messy family dynamics are front and center, as the main character negotiates her present circumstances and past secrets. After her husband is killed, Carly moves back to her home town and her grandmother’s house. Danger follows her as mysterious break-ins occur. It’s providential that her next door neighbor is a policeman, who soon becomes as interested in her as the case. I liked the relationship that went from cautious friends to more. The mystery involves a lot of digging into the history surrounding Faberge eggs, and the two soon uncover more than they bargained for, including more family for Carly. Everyone was a suspect as I tried to figure out whodunit. Coble does a good job of keeping her characters and readers on their toes!

If you like fast-paced suspense, strong romantic elements, and a cleverly plotted novel, then put Fragile Designs on your wishlist.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Since her police-officer husband Eric’s mysterious murder, Carly Harris has been struggling to support herself and their infant son. Her career as an antique dealer isn’t sustainable, nor is her dream of becoming a novelist. So, when her grandmother proposes she and her two sisters restore the family’s large Beaufort home and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she immediately gets to work clearing out the house. In the process, she uncovers a family secret that Eric kept hidden. And an heirloom that the wrong person wouldn’t hesitate to kill for.

Homicide detective Lucas Bennett isn’t his neighbor’s biggest fan, not since she broke his brother’s heart years ago. But when Carly turns to Lucas for help, believing she’s found a lost Fabergé egg that would be worth millions and could put her family’s lives in danger, he can’t help but get involved. Soon, they’re entangled in a mystery with threads that lead all the way to the Russian mafia. Lucas has gotten in deep, and while he trusts his ability to keep Carly and her family safe, he begins to realize he’s vulnerable to an unexpected kind of danger–and helpless to stop the freefall. As they continue working closely together, Carly and Lucas realize they may have found something more precious than gold. Yet it’s only a matter of time before Carly–or, worse, someone she loves–gets hurt.

Colleen Coble’s Fragile Designs is gripping suspense with closed-door romance and includes an intriguing mystery surrounding an extremely valuable Fabergé egg, second-chance romance, home renovation, and found family.

Best-selling author Colleen Coble‘s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 5 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at http://colleencoble.com.

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Book Club Selection — Indigo Isle

1 Jan

Happy New Year! And happy 2025 book club selections! My book club has some great reading ahead. First up is Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe. This author of southern fiction will be a participant at the Turning A New Page Book Festival. I am so looking forward to reading the Christy Award-winning novel before I hear her speak. If you are anywhere in the middle Georgia area, make plans to attend on 1/25/25. Or there’s always road trip fun!

Sonny Bates left South Carolina fifteen years ago and never looked back. Now she’s a successful Hollywood location scout who travels the world, finding perfect places for movie shoots. Home is wherever she lands, and between her busy schedule and dealing with her boss’s demands, she has little time to think about the past . . . until her latest gig lands her a stone’s throw from everything she left behind.

Searching off the coast of Charleston for a secluded site to film a key scene, Sonny wanders onto a private barrier island and encounters its reclusive owner, known by locals as the Monster of Indigo Isle. What she finds is a man much more complex than the myth.

Once a successful New York attorney, Hudson Renfrow’s grief has exiled him to his island for several years. He spends his days alone, tending his fields of indigo, then making indigo dye―and he has no interest in serving the intrusive needs of a film company or yielding to Sonny’s determined curiosity. But when a hurricane makes landfall on the Carolina coast, stranding them together, an unlikely friendship forms between the two damaged souls. Soon the gruff exterior Hudson has long hidden behind crumbles―exposing the tender part of him that’s desperate for forgiveness and a second chance.

A story of hanging on and letting go, of redemption and reconciliation, and of a love that heals the deepest wounds, from the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias.

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Mini-Book Review: Free Fall

30 Dec

In my year end pleasure reading binge I have concentrated on the romantic suspense on my TBR list, especially those that will finish up a series. Free Fall, the final book in Nancy Mehl‘s Quantico Files series, was a good choice. Mehl is a must-read author for me. Her books featuring serial killers are intriguing, yet never overly graphic. I can get the chills and thrills I want without the ensuing nightmares. 😉 In this novel main characters Alex and Logan are negotiating their relationship. Neither wants to upset the strong friendship they have developed while partnering in their work as profilers with the FBI. A case involving a missing woman sets them up on professional and personal roller coasters. While circumstances separate the pair, their feelings for each other grow stronger. The case is puzzling for the two, as well as the reader. You will be turning the pages trying to figure out just what is going on. The strong faith message shows a God who is intimately involved in His children’s lives. I liked that Mehl included a variety of ways He communicates, including scripture, other believers, angelic messengers, and dreams.

The books in the Quantico Files build on each other, with the emphasis on the two main characters throughout the series. Begin at the beginning for great reading.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The closer she comes to the truth, the deadlier her chase gets.

FBI behavioral analyst Alex Donovan and her colleague Logan Hart have been called upon to write a profile for a missing woman, but a little digging quickly turns up more disappearances in Virginia with the same physical description. 

Alex is in a race against the clock to rescue the missing victims, so when the UNSUB makes demands of her in exchange for information, Alex takes the bait. But when her life is put in jeopardy, Logan must do whatever it takes to track them down before time runs out.

Alex works to think one step ahead of the suspect, but the more Logan and the BAU learn about the serial kidnapper, the more they fear Alex may not make it out alive.

Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her puggle, Watson. She’s authored over fifty books and is currently at work on a new FBI suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: http://www.nancymehl.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: http://www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook!

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First Line Friday — Over The Edge

27 Dec

I am on a romantic suspense reading-binge. The last couple of weeks of 2024 are dedicated to pleasure reading, and romantic suspense is a go-to genre for me. Today I am featuring Over The Edge by Irene Hannon. I am really looking forward to diving into the 2nd book in her Undaunted Courage series.

Here’s the first line:

That was odd.

Trauma survivor Lindsey Barnes hasn’t fully recovered from the ordeal that almost took her life, and now she’s in the middle of another crisis. Not only is she the sole witness in a high-profile murder case, but it also appears someone is trying to cast doubts on her mental stability.

Police detective Jack Tucker doesn’t know what to make of her story, especially when her elusive enemy leaves no evidence behind to lend credence to her claims. Yet the more he gets to know the appealing personal chef, the more he’s convinced someone is targeting not only her sanity, but her life.

And unless they can figure out who is behind the campaign to undermine her credibility, a murderer could slip away–leaving more than one body in his or her wake.

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