Tag Archives: romantic suspense fiction

Book Review — Last to Fall

25 Feb

Fans of Lynn H. Blackburn do not want to miss the final installment in her Gossamer Falls series, Last to Fall. The books in this series continue to get better and better, with this one being my favorite! Find out all about it below.

She’s caught in a deadly game. He’s the only one who can help her win. 

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family’s exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she’s forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can’t walk away–especially when it’s clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!

Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award.

Lynn lives in South Carolina with her family. You can stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media @LynnHBlackburn.

My Impressions:

Last to Fall is the final book in the Gossamer Falls series by Lynn H. Blackburn. I have to say I hate that this series had to end! Each successive book got better and better, and I think Last to Fall is my favorite overall. For fans of the series, this book features Bronwyn Pierce and Mo Quinn. Their stories have been hinted at in the previous novels, so I was excited to finally learn their backstory. While I generally like my romantic suspense heavy on the intrigue and danger and light on the romance, I have to say that the relationship between Mo and Bronwyn is what kept me turning the pages. Not that the mysterious goings-on weren’t page-turning. On the contrary, the nefariousness (is that a word, LOL) from both within Bronwyn’s family and external forces was great. There were rumors, innuendos, and some flying bullets that kept me on the edge of my seat. But . . . with this book being part Romeo/Juliet love story/tragedy, a best-friends-to-more-to-enemies backstory, and a redemptive story arc — let’s just say I loved the HEA that Blackburn had in store for these fun characters. All the characters from the previous two books and novella made an appearance, which I also loved. The ensemble cast made the theme of family even more powerful.

If you haven’t read this series, don’t miss one single word. You can now successfully binge-read to your heart’s joy. And Last to Fall is the icing on the cake! The copy I read contained a sneak peek at the next Blackburn series. Looks like I’ll get to visit Gossamer Falls again. Yippee!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

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

First Line Friday — Last to Fall

20 Feb

Happy Friday! Today I am featuring Last to Fall, the final book in Lynn Blackburn’s romantic suspense series, Gossamer Falls, that releases on March 17. I am so excited to read this book — Mo and Bronwyn have been favorite characters of mine since the beginning of the series. I can’t wait to find out what happened years before to make them enemies and to see how Blackburn will achieve an HEA for them. Not to mention all the great twists and turns and dangerous situations she will inflict on them. 😉

Here’s the first line:

Whoever said blood was thicker than water hadn’t know about the Pierce family.

She’s caught in a deadly game. He’s the only one who can help her win. 

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family’s exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she’s forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can’t walk away–especially when it’s clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!

Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award.

Lynn lives in South Carolina with her family. You can stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media @LynnHBlackburn.

Top 10 Tuesday — Bucket List Books!

17 Feb

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is books for the armchair traveler. Isn’t it great that a book can transport you to another place and time? I love it when a book makes me feel I am really there. I also love to add places to my travel bucket list after reading a book. I have had great experiences visiting places I first traveled to while reading — Alaska, the Shetland Islands in Scotland, Yellowstone, Zion National Park. Today I am listing a few books that make me want to get up out of my armchair and really experience in person their settings. Will I be able to go everywhere on my list? Probably not, but these books really make me want to! (I have 3 books set in Washington State — looks like I should really plan a visit.)

For more books for armchair travelers, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Bucket List Books

Beyond The Sound And Sea by Amanda Cox — the Outer Banks, NC

Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd — Whidbey Island, WA

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon — the Oregon Coast

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island by Carrie Fancett Pagels — Mackinac Island, Michigan

The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett — Mt. Ranier National Park

The Secrets of Paper And Ink by Lindsay Harrel — Cornwall

Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starnes Clark –Lancaster County, PA

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard– the Washington Coast

Where The Fire Falls by Karen Barnett — Yosemite National Park

Where Trees Touch The Sky by Karen Barnett — Redwood National Park

Happy Release Day — Deadly Currents

17 Feb

A very happy release day to Elizabeth Goddard! The third book in her Hidden Bay romantic suspense series, Deadly Currents, is now available. You do not want to miss this fast-paced novel filled with legend and lore surrounding a ghost ship. Find out more below.

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

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

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

Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website.

Book Review: Deadly Currents

16 Feb

Don’t miss out on the thrilling conclusion to Elizabeth Goddard’s Hidden Bay series. Deadly Currents is filled with betrayal, intrigue, and a ghost ship! Find out all about it below.

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

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

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

Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website.

My Impressions:

Elizabeth Goddard has been a must-read author since her first book. Her books always deliver a suspense-filled plot with very satisfying HEAs. Her latest book Deadly Currents, the final book in the Hidden Bay series, brought it all — intrigue, betrayal, long-held secrets, sunken treasure, and ghost ships! It’s a wild ride from the first page to the last. I loved returning to Hidden Bay, the out of the way location on the Washington coast. Goddard does a great job of making the reader feel the incoming sea mists, hear the crashing waves, and savor the incredible views of the area. The book certainly makes me want to visit the Pacific Northwest now. The plot involves legend and lore surrounding a ghost ship. Journalist Cressida is in the area trying to finish her late father’s history of sunken ships. But someone really doesn’t want her to uncover what her father was researching. Local police detective, Braden, has more than just an interest in solving an attack on Cressida. He has secrets of his own. The two make an interesting team — there certainly is chemistry between them. But distrust and hidden motives may sink their romance before it begins. The puzzling mystery kept me turning the pages. And I did not see the ending coming! That’s a big plus in my book. Faith threads are very strong, but not preachy in any way. The struggles that the characters face will resonate with any reader.

For those who like fast-paced plotting, sweet romance, and a strong faith-filled message, Deadly Currents is a great choice. If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, you are in for a wonderful binge-reading treat!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

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

Spotlight on Romantic Suspense/Thriller — Eye of The Mind

11 Feb

Eye of the Mind JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Eye of the Mind by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Eye of the Mind

Title: Eye of the Mind
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: December 17, 2025
Genre: romantic suspense (with thriller elements)

She can’t picture his face.
But he knows hers.

Firefighter Jules Adler suspects her blind date with Officer Dante de Marco will not go well. When she witnesses a violent crime, the night goes from bad to worse fast.

Dante, the police sketch artist, is tasked with getting enough details from her to draw the killer. If only Jules could visualize the man’s face.

She and Dante are forced to spend a lot more time together than either would like, trying desperately to come up with a likeness. The problem is, with a ruthless psychopath closing in, that time is about to run out.

For fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat suspense, slow-burning romance, humor, and deep issues of faith.

Excerpt

Dante rested his fingers on the report. “It says here that you witnessed a murder.”

She swallowed. “I did.”

He glanced at the paper. “At eight-forty-five last evening?”

“That sounds about right.”

“Weren’t we…”

“On a date then? Technically, yes. When you left to go to the men’s room, I stepped out into the alley running alongside the building to get some air. I planned to come back in and tell you I was leaving, except that, before I could, I heard a woman scream. I came out from behind a dumpster to see that man…” Her voice broke, and she pressed a fist to her mouth.

“Take your time. It’s okay.” Dante said the words by rote, the way he’d been taught and the way he’d said it to a hundred witnesses before. This situation was so unlike any he’d been in, though, that he could barely get them out, with shock and self-recrimination sending currents of white-hot pinpricks stinging across his flesh.

Jules hadn’t left without talking to him. While he was still in the pub, she’d been just outside the building, witnessing a man murdering a woman in cold blood. If he hadn’t been such a jerk to her, she wouldn’t have even been there. None of this would have happened.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available


About The Author

Sara Davison

Sara Davison is the author of numerous romantic suspense series. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a HOLT Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better and subscribe to her short, monthly newsletter at ontheedgesuspense.com.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Eye of the Mind plus a $25 Amazon card!

Eye of the Mind blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 10, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 17, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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

Top 10 Tuesday — The Love Boat!

10 Feb

Happy Tuesday! Today TTT bloggers are celebrating all things romance with a Love Freebie! After many years of creating these posts it is a bit daunting to come up with something fresh. Today I am featuring romance novels — contemporary, historical, and suspense — that have part or whole of their settings on boats. You know, The Love Boat! 😉 Extra points for those whose characters cement their love on the open seas. Come aboard, they’re expecting you!

For more Love Freebie fun, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Books with Love Boats!

The Choice by D. L. Wood

The Glass Bottom Boat by Laura Thomas

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Love Overboard by Shannon Sue Dunlap

The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Top 10 Tuesday — Typography!

3 Feb

Happy Tuesday! Today TTT is featuring book covers with interesting typography. What is typography, you may ask? From Google AI —

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. 

There were a lot of different directions to go with this topic, but I finally narrowed it down to titles with two or more fonts. While some are more subtle than others, the visual interest really grabbed my eye. What do you think?

For more on the subject, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books with Interesting Typography

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens

For A Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Lost Hours by Susan Sleeman

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Wicked is The Hollow by K. E. Ganshert

First Line Friday — Deadly Currents

30 Jan

Happy Friday! Today I am featuring a highly anticipated romantic suspense — Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard. I LOVE her books! This is the 3rd book in the Hidden Bay series. If you haven’t started the series, what are you waiting for?!

Here’s the first line:

“The sea never gives back what it claims . . .”

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

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

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

Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website.

Top 10 Tuesday — New-To-Me Authors

27 Jan

Happy Tuesday! Today we are talking about bookish discoveries (new authors, new genres, new bookstores, etc.). My lists consists of new-to-me-authors and the first book (but not the last) I read in 2025. I had a great reading year, and these authors added greatly to the fun. I hope you discover a new author too!

For more bookish discoveries, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top New-To-Me Authors from 2025

Jayna Breigh — The Hunted Heir

Crystal Caudill — Written in Secret

Leslie Kirby DeVooght — Stealing Magnolias

T. I. Lowe — Indigo Isle

Jamie Ogle — Of Love And Treason

Naomi Stephens — The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

Donna Jo Stone — When Wildflowers Bloom Again

Hope Welborn — Hidden