Tag Archives: romantic suspense fiction

Book Review: Break My Fall

13 Mar

I always love a romantic suspense by Lynn H. Blackburn, but I have to say I think Break My Fall, book 2 in her Gossamer Falls series is my favorite by far. It checked all my boxes! Check out the book blurb and my impressions below.

She’s determined to make an impact in her community. 
He’s determined to make sure she lives long enough to do it.

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But with Meredith in his life, he feels his walls crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. 

Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

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!.

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:

Lynn H. Blackburn is a go-to author when I want a fast-paced romantic suspense novel to read. Break My Fall was no exception, in fact, it’s probably my favorite from this author. Book 2 in the Gossamer Falls series, it takes the reader back to the picturesque western North Carolina mountains. But the goings on in the neighboring county are anything but beautiful. Drug and human trafficking are the crimes that bring danger to Meredith Quinn, a dedicated dentist who travels to serve those in need. I loved this character! She’s determined and stands her ground, but has a sweetness and a yearning for a family of her own that rounds out her character. There’s also great chemistry between her and the Chief of Police. Fans of the romance side of romantic suspense are going to love their story! Attacks on Meredith begin right at the start and grow in intensity until the ending. Whew! What a ride! Neither the characters nor I saw all that would be coming their way. Blackburn doesn’t keep her characters safe. LOL! While the suspense storyline is twisting and turning, the faith message that runs throughout the narrative never wavers. I completely get trusting in God, but making my own plans. 😉 While Break My Fall can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting from the beginning of the series, including the novella that is part of the whole. The Quinn clan is wonderful, and Blackburn’s depiction of strong family ties is a bonus to these stories.

I can’t recommend Break My Fall enough!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

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

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Top 10 Tuesday — First Person POV

11 Mar

Happy Tuesday! Today TTT bloggers are listing books featuring their favorite plot device or theme. I decided to go with first person POV (a narrative technique where the story is told from the perspective of a character in the story). First person POV can be hit or miss. The books I have listed are done really well. In some cases the book is all first person, in others only in a small part of the storyline is it used, but all are done with great effect. I have included books from a number of genres so you can find your favorite.

Head over to That Artsy Reader Girl for more bloggers’ favorites.

Top Books Using First Person POV

All’s Fair in Love And Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Darkness Calls The Tiger by Janyre Tromp

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills

The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen

Up From The Dust by Heather Kaufman

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks

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Top 10 Tuesday — Un-Reviewed

18 Feb

Happy Tuesday! This week bloggers are asked to fess up about unreviewed books. It is rare for me not to review a book I have read, and there is generally a really good reason to not mention them publicly. I’ll just leave that there. 😉 So what to post about then? Today’s list features books that will be read/reviewed in the next few weeks and months, so it technically fits the theme. Let me know if you have read them and what you think.

For more great book lists, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books Yet to Be Read/Reviewed

Barnaby The Runaway Sheep by Maria Antonia

Before The King by Heather Kaufman

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

Of Love And Treason by Jamie Ogle

Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes

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Mini-Book Review — I Think I Was Murdered

17 Feb

Based solely on the authors and not knowing anything about the book, my book club selected I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. I soon learned that the odd title was indeed spot on for this romantic suspense featuring bitcoin and AI. I am decidedly uninformed about both subjects, but the authors presented a plot that explains in chilling detail what each can involve. Main character Katrina lost her husband in a car accident a year before the book takes place. She has been talking to him through an AI app developed by the company she works for. Through it she discovers his death may have not been an accident, but murder. The book’s intriguing premise kept me thinking, while the fast-paced plot kept the pages turning. The fictional small town Northern California setting took me to a new fun place filled with Norwegian-inspired details. I started reading this book a few days after a trip to Norway, so that was an added bonus. There are plenty of surprising twists and turns that kept this novel from being predictable. The growing romance between Katrina and a high school friend was sweet. I Think I Was Murdered was a quick read that is perfect for a weekend reading escape.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

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

Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted, and, as the company’s legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Feds take over and lock her out of her office. The final blow is the passing of her beloved grandmother.

Her most prized possession is the beta prototype for a new, ultra-sophisticated chatbot loaded onto her phone. The contents of Jason’s email, social media backups, pictures, and every bit of data she could find were loaded into the bot, and Katrina has “talked” to him every day for the past six months. She has been amazed at how well it works. Even the syntax and words the bot uses sound like Jason. Sometimes, she imagines he isn’t really dead and is right there beside her. She knows it’s slowing her grief recovery, but she can’t stop pretending.

On a particularly bad day, she taps out: Tell me something I don’t know. The cursor blinks for several moments and seems frozen before the reply flashes quickly onto the screen: I think I was murdered.

Distraught, Katrina returns to her cozy Norwegian-flavored hometown in the Northern California redwoods and enlists the help of Seb Wallace, local restaurateur and longtime acquaintance, to try to parse out the truth of what really happened. They must navigate the complicated paths of grief, family dynamics, and second chances, as well as the complex questions of how much control technology has. And staying alive long enough to do that is far more difficult than either of them dreamed.

Bestselling authors Coble and Acker deftly combine a high-concept plot with gripping intrigue and closed-door romance in I Think I Was Murdered. Don’t miss it!

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Mini-Book Review — The Choice

6 Feb

I read The Choice by D. L. Wood in anticipation of her attendance at the 2025 Turning A New Page Book Festival in Perry, Georgia two weeks ago. This romantic suspense poses the question — if you could find out the answers you crave about the past, what would you do? Main character, Sadie Miles, has always wanted to know the identity of her father. Her mother would never tell her, believing that the truth was worse than not knowing. But faced with answers to long-held questions, Sadie takes a chance. The result puts her in the crosshairs of a killer. Wood puts Sadie in a lot of dangerous situations! And kept her off-balance. As a reader, I felt as lost as she, though I did have glimpses into the mind of the bad guy. But my guesses were wrong! I never saw the ending coming. This novel is definitely a twisting reading ride. The book is faith-based and clean — no worries over content. If you are a fan of this genre, then I recommend you check this one out. The book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

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

What if a single letter could change everything you thought you knew about yourself?

Sadie Miles has built a life she can be proud of in Nashville, raising her best friend’s young son and pushing through every struggle that comes her way. But when an unsigned letter arrives at her door, she’s faced with a decision: ignore the letter and continue as is or take a risk to uncover the truth about her past—a truth she’s been chasing her entire life.

Following the letter’s cryptic instructions, Sadie finds herself aboard a luxury yacht, sailing down the eastern seaboard with strangers who share only one common goal: claim the fortune that awaits at the journey’s end. As the waves churn, so does the tension and when tragedy strikes, it becomes clear that someone will do anything to ensure they’re the last one standing.

Amidst the growing threat, Sadie’s only possible ally is the enigmatic lawyer, Liam Forrester—a man whose loyalties are as uncertain as the stormy seas around them, and who is as much of an unknown as the rest.

With Sadie on course to be the next victim, she must navigate treacherous waters both literally and figuratively. Can she survive until the end of the journey, or will she become another casualty of the deadly undertow of deceit and danger?

Buckle up for a suspenseful, slow-burn thriller that escalates to a heart-pounding conclusion—where every choice could be your last.

D.L. Wood is a USA TODAY and Amazon bestselling author who writes thrilling suspense laced with romance and faith. Her books have won multiple awards and her novel Unintended Target was selected as the May 2019 American Christian Fiction Writers Book Club book.

D.L. writes CleanCaptivatingFiction™- fiction that entertains and uplifts. In her novels she tries to give readers the same thing that she wants: a “can’t-put-it-down-stay-up-till-3am” character-driven story, full of heart, believability and adrenaline. She lives in North Alabama, where, if she’s not writing, you’ll probably catch her curled up with a cup of Earl Grey (light milk, one sugar) and her Westies, bingeing on the latest BBC mystery series. You can stay apprised of D.L.’s releases and promotions (including free and discounted books) and receive a free gift by subscribing to her newsletter on her website at dlwoodonline.com.

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TTT — New-to-Me Authors in 2024

28 Jan

I love finding new must-read authors! How about you? Today’s TTT list features those whose books I read for the first time in 2024. I hope you find a new one too!

For more new-to-them authors, visit the bloggers listed at That Artsy Reader Girl.

New-to-Me Authors in 2024

Angela Bell — The Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

Sarah Brunsvold — The Divine Proverb of Streusel

Angela Carlisle — Secondary Target

Heather Kaufman — Up from The Dust

Rosey Lee — The Gardins of Edin

Hannah Hood Lucero — Already in The Kudzu

Vanessa Miller — The American Queen

Blossom Turner — Christmas at The Jekyll Island Club

Holly Varni — On Moonberry Lake

D. L. Wood — Unintended Target

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First Line Friday — The Choice

24 Jan

Tomorrow is the day of the Turning A New Page Book Festival in Perry, Georgia. 42 authors of a variety of genres, both fiction and nonfiction, will be there! This is the second year of our festival — one that has been marked by grief. One of our board members and dear friends, Angie Heath, passed away from breast cancer last September. Not a month later, one of our board members lost her husband. It’s been a difficult year for sure, filled with tears and laughter too. We are prayerfully optimistic that this event will be a success.

Today I am featuring D. L. Wood, a member of our Thrills and Chills discussion panel. I am so looking forward to meeting her. Here’s the first line of The Choice:

The thing about a vital signs monitor is it only warns you after things start to go really wrong.

What if a single letter could change everything you thought you knew about yourself?

Sadie Miles has built a life she can be proud of in Nashville, raising her best friend’s young son and pushing through every struggle that comes her way. But when an unsigned letter arrives at her door, she’s faced with a decision: ignore the letter and continue as is or take a risk to uncover the truth about her past—a truth she’s been chasing her entire life.

Following the letter’s cryptic instructions, Sadie finds herself aboard a luxury yacht, sailing down the eastern seaboard with strangers who share only one common goal: claim the fortune that awaits at the journey’s end. As the waves churn, so does the tension and when tragedy strikes, it becomes clear that someone will do anything to ensure they’re the last one standing.

Amidst the growing threat, Sadie’s only possible ally is the enigmatic lawyer, Liam Forrester—a man whose loyalties are as uncertain as the stormy seas around them, and who is as much of an unknown as the rest.

With Sadie on course to be the next victim, she must navigate treacherous waters both literally and figuratively. Can she survive until the end of the journey, or will she become another casualty of the deadly undertow of deceit and danger?

Buckle up for a suspenseful, slow-burn thriller that escalates to a heart-pounding conclusion—where every choice could be your last.

D.L. Wood is a USA TODAY and Amazon bestselling author who writes thrilling suspense laced with romance and faith. Her books have won multiple awards and her novel Unintended Target was selected as the May 2019 American Christian Fiction Writers Book Club book.

D.L. writes CleanCaptivatingFiction™- fiction that entertains and uplifts. In her novels she tries to give readers the same thing that she wants: a “can’t-put-it-down-stay-up-till-3am” character-driven story, full of heart, believability and adrenaline. She lives in North Alabama, where, if she’s not writing, you’ll probably catch her curled up with a cup of Earl Grey (light milk, one sugar) and her Westies, bingeing on the latest BBC mystery series. You can stay apprised of D.L.’s releases and promotions (including free and discounted books) and receive a free gift by subscribing to her newsletter on her website at dlwoodonline.com.

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Top 10 Tuesday — Most Recent Additions to My TBR Shelves

21 Jan

Have you added a lot of books to your TBR so far this year? My answer is, of course! While I have a seemingly unending reading list, I never shy away from adding just one, or two, or more books. Today TTT tasked bloggers with revealing the latest books that they have added to their shelves. I have focused specifically on my NetGalley shelf, since many of the books have not yet released. I hope my list piques your interest.

For more new books, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Most Recent Additions to My TBR Shelves

Before The King By Heather Kaufman

The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Over The Edge by Irene Hannon

The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard

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Mini-Book Review — Hidden in The Night

20 Jan

I was on a suspense reading-binge in December. I took some time off from book tours and book festival business, and just read for pleasure. Mystery/suspense is my go-to genre choice, and I had a blast reading what I wanted! One of the books I read was Hidden in The Night, Elizabeth Goddard‘s final book in the Missing in Alaska series. It was great! I loved the characters — the chemistry between the two main characters happened before the action in this book and it developed as fast as the action. The plot — a missing manuscript and a missing woman — intertwined in intriguing ways. I loved that the author created a lost book written by Jack London, a fascinating figure in his own right. While the book and its accompanying curse were purely fictional, it ignited a lot of what-ifs in the real world. The setting brought back memories of two trips my husband and I took to Alaska. The scenery is breathtaking, and Goddard did a good job of making the reader feel they were right there. I admit I was surprised to look up after being immersed in the book and not finding the ground outside my windows covered in snow! 😉 As always, Goddard weaves a faith message naturally in the narrative. I appreciate the struggles the characters faced — they will resonate with many readers.

A very satisfying ending to a wonderful series, Hidden in The Night is a recommended read.

Recommended

Audience: Adults

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

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.

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.

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First Line Friday — Hidden

17 Jan

Happy Friday! Are you still caught in the midst of the winter’s cold? It’s a bit warmer here in the Sunny South, but I have a book with a snowstorm setting that you can snuggle in with. Hidden by Hope Welborn is a romantic suspense novella that you need to check out!

Here’s the first line:

Large, fluffy snowflakes swirled in the wind, adding to the mass of white blanketing the ground.

All she wants is a peaceful Christmas…

Young widow Alison Bailey-Curtis seeks the comfort and familiarity of her family’s North Georgia mountain cabin to escape for the holidays.

But someone is following her and a snowstorm has her trapped.

With an unknown threat tracking her every move, she must rely on the one man she swore never to trust again – Special Agent Noah Chandler.

Noah’s sole mission is to protect Alison without blowing his cover. But as danger closes in, protecting her means resurrecting a web of lies and facing their painful past.

With nowhere to run, Alison and Noah must confront their deepest fears and insecurities, relying on each other for survival.

Can they unravel the truth before the enemy strikes, or will the shattered trust between them be their downfall?

Hope Welborn writes spine-tingling suspense, sprinkled with romance, and saturated with faith. Her manuscripts have won the ACFW Genesis Contest and the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Foundations Awards in romantic suspense.

As a #writerwithadayjob, she spends her lunch hours creating small town characters who face big suspense with faith in a big God. By day, she masquerades as a digital content marketing technology specialist, and by night, she stays up too late putting words on the page.

Hope also serves as editor and web manager for Spark Flash Fiction and is a member of the Suspense Squad. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

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