Tag Archives: romantic suspense

Top Ten Tuesday — One Word Titles (The Series Edition)

18 Jul

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top 10 Tuesday topic is One Word Book Titles. I thought I would take it one step further and share series in which all the books’ titles are one word! My choices run the gamut of genres, so there should be something for every taste. And because I’ve listed all the titles in each series, there are many more than 10 books to add to your TBR. You’re welcome! 😉 Added bonus: If you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, the first book in each series is free to read!

For more Top Ten Tuesday fun, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books with One Word Titles — The Series Edition

Age of Conquest series by Tamara Leigh

Merciless

THE WULFRITHS. IT ALL BEGAN WITH A WOMAN.
A battle. A crown. The conqueror. The conquered. Medieval England—forever changed by the Battle of Hastings. And the rise of the formidable Wulfriths.

AN HONORABLE NORMAN 
Chevalier Cyr D’Argent convinced himself he joined Duke William’s invasion of England to reform its church and place its rightful king on the throne. But after a decisive Norman victory, the truth of his quest is revealed when his search for fallen kin leads to a Saxon grieving a boy slain by one of his own. Certain the defiant young woman will become the pick of the plunder, he forces her off the battlefield. Following a pilgrimage of penance, Cyr returns to England to seek his missing brother and claim the barony awarded by King William who stipulates he end the rebellion on his lands. He agrees, only to discover the woman he cannot forget is among those he must vanquish—and may even be their leader.

A REBELLIOUS SAXON 
On a fateful autumn day in 1066, Aelfled of Wulfen’s mistake leads to the death of her lady’s son. Unforgivable—as is the silver-haired warrior who tempts her to put a blade in his back then does the unthinkable in protecting her from his fellow Normans. Now under the usurper’s rule, faith crippled by her people’s suffering, she finds her sanctuary threatened when she becomes a pawn of the rebel leader—and destroyed when betrayal delivers her into the hands of the man who haunts her dreams. As the fires of unrest scorch lives and lands, Aelfled struggles to shield her heart as well as her people. But perhaps love can unite Normans and Saxons. Perhaps she is meant to be here…with him…for such a time as this.

Other books in the series: Fearless, Nameless, Heartless, Reckless, Boundless, Lawless, Dauntless

Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey

Submerged

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.

Yancey, Alaska was a quiet town…until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation–and Yancey’s a small town. She’s returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer has settled in his town and doesn’t appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he’s not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

Other books in the series: Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, Sabotaged

Books of The Infinite series by R. J. Larson

Prophet

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn’t understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She’s undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she’s much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as Parne’s elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite’s prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

Yet she can’t imagine living without Him. Determined to hear the Infinite’s voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite’s word to a nation torn apart by war. There she meets a young ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela battles how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.

Other books in the series: Judge, King

The Circle series by Ted Dekker

Black

Enter the adrenaline-laced story that started it all: the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man’s choices as dreams and reality collide.

Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes mysterious assailants only to encounter a silent bullet that clips his head . . . and his world goes black. He awakens in an alternate reality and soon finds himself pulled between two worlds. In one, Thomas is an average guy working in a coffeehouse. In the other, he’s a battle-scarred general leading a band of warriors known as the Circle.Every time Thomas falls asleep in one reality, he wakes in the other—and both worlds are facing catastrophic disaster. In one world, he must race to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating a global pandemic by releasing an unstoppable virus. In the other, far into the future, a forbidden love could forever destroy the Circle’s ragtag resistance.Thomas can bridge both worlds, but he quickly realizes that he may not be able to save either. In this mind-bending adventure, the fate of both worlds now rests on his ability to shift realities through his dreams—and somehow find a way to change history.

Other books in the series: Red, White

Natchez Trace Park Rangers series by Patricia Bradley

Standoff

The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers.

John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley introduces you to a new series set in the sultry South that will have you wiping your brow and looking over your shoulder.

Other books in the series: Obsession, Crosshairs, Deception

The Sugar Baron’s Daughters series by Lisa T. Bergren

Keturah

In 1773 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father’s estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

Although it flies against all the conventions for women of the time, they’re determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, proper gender roles are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined–and that’s just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this unfamiliar world. 

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives. 

Set on keeping her family together and saving her father’s plantation, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

Other books in the series: Verity, Selah

Top 10 Tuesday — Authors I Have Recently Met

7 Mar

Happy Tuesday! I am a little late posting today’s TTT — computer issues. Ugh! But better late than never. Today our topic is bookish people. I attended a small literary festival over the weekend, and thought I would introduce to you the authors that I met. Some of the authors were parts of panels or talks that I attended; others I met at the tables where they displayed the works of their hearts. It’s only been a few days, so I haven’t read any of the books. Yet. Take a look. I hope there is at least one that piques your interest.

For more great posts, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Authors I Have Recently Met

Candace J. Carter, author of Muddy Waters.

Candace J. Carter has walked many paths in life. She served in the military, earned a degree in veterinary medicine, and worked for the National Park Service. Much of her professional career was spent with Threatened and Endangered species, including the black-footed ferret, Florida scrub-jay, and four species of sea turtles.

Her stories are drawn from these experiences. Growing up in a rural town, she was often found fishing, hunting, or horseback riding. She shared a love of watching western movies with her father. Her stories reflect small town life and the feeling of family shared by people in rural communities. Thanks to her father, there’s a bit of the Old West in her stories, too.

She was awarded a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award from the South Carolina Writers Association for Novel First Chapter for Muddy Waters, which is the first in the Henry “Whispering” Smith mystery series.

Crystal Jackson by Left on Main

Left on Main is Crystal Jackson’s first novel in the Heart of Madison series, an ongoing southern romance set in the charming real-life town of Madison, Georgia, where she lives with her two wild and wonderful children. A former therapist turned author, her work has been featured on Medium, Elephant Journal, Elite Daily, and The Good Men Project. When she’s not writing for Medium and working on her next book, you can find Crystal traveling, paddle boarding, running, throwing axes badly but with terrifying enthusiasm, hiking, doing yoga, or curled up with her nose in a book.

Soniah Kamal author of Unmarriageable

Soniah Kamal is an award winning novelist, essayist and public speaker. Her most recent novel, Unmarriageable: Pride & Prejudice in Pakistan, is a a Financial Times Readers’ Best Book of 2019, a New York Public Library, a NPR Code Switch 2019 Summer Read Pick and a Georgia Center for the Book’s 2019 pick for ‘Books All Georgians Should Read.’ Her debut novel, An Isolated Incident, was a finalist for the Townsend Award for Fiction and the KLF French Fiction. Soniah’s TEDx talk is about second chances and her Keynote Address at a U.S. Citizenship Oath Ceremony talks about the real American Dreams. Soniah’s work has appeared in critically acclaimed anthologies and publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Buzzfeed and more. Soniah grew up in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and England and resides in Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.soniahkamal.com twitter & instagram: @soniahkamal

Renee Propes author of Duplicity

Perhaps the most significant legacy left to Renee was her mother’s love for the written word. 

From an early age, Renee knew she was destined to write. 

But, as is often the case, life got in the way of her pursuit of writing. After the birth of her son Zachary, she finally got started. One afternoon as she watched her four-year-old playing, she picked up a number two pencil and a pad and began to explore the craft of storytelling through the written word.  Her first book in The Abington Series is a culmination of that effort.

Renee was thirty-five years old when she started her first novel, Duplicity: A Story of Deadly Intent. Upon retirement from a career in accounting, she edited the original twelve chapters, and with a determined perseverance, completed the book. 

Other books by Author Renee Propes:

Fractured: A Story of Broken Ties 

Redemption: A Story of Grace

Kay Dew Shostak author of Backwater, Florida

After being raised in a small-town in Tennessee, Kay Dew Shostak lived around the country in a variety of settings. Taking a look at the familiar and loved from new perspectives led Kay to see, and then write about, the absurd, the beautiful, and the funny in her South.

After publishing several stories in compilation books and spending a few years in journalism, Kay wandered into writing fiction and found it hard to leave. She currently is working on the fourth book in the Chancey series and living in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband. 

Rona Simmons author of A Gathering of Men

Rona Simmons is an author of both historical fiction and nonfiction. Her first published works were novels, and primarily works of historical fiction set in the first half of the last century. “The sweep of events, from the First World War to the Great Depression, to World War II, had momentous impact on our lives,” she says, “and is a period we can still almost reach with our fingertips.” 

Her latest book, A Gathering of Men (to be released by Koehler Books in early 2022), combines her interest in the World War II era and her passion for history and research to tell another story with a unique perspective on the war. This time, the tale is historical fiction, but based on a true story and countless hours spent in the library and our nation’s WWII museum archives.

Simmons is a frequent speaker on WWII and veterans stories as well as writing, blogging, editing, and marketing. She blogs about World War II-related topics on Gone for a Soldier. Her stories, articles, and interviews have been published in literary journals and online magazines, and in local newspapers.

Rona Simmons graduated from Tulane University and received her post-graduate degree from Georgia State University. She spent thirty-years in business, ending with a period as a business consultant for International Business Machines and retired to north Georgia where she launched her second career in writing.

G. S. Singer author of The Cobbler’s Daughter

G. S. Singer grew up in South Florida’s Redland district where he camped, hiked, and devoured every science fiction novel he could find. At the University of Florida, he studied creative writing under authors, Harry Crews and Smith Kirkpatrick. After graduation, Singer co-founded a small-town newspaper filling the roles of reporter, copy writer, editor, and even cartoonist. Praised for his wry humor, intricate plotting, and unforgettable characters, Singer’s fiction has been honored in both the Daphne du Maurier, Kiss of Death competition and the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. When he isn’t plunging unsuspecting heroes into impossible situations, Singer enjoys the tranquility of the North Georgia Mountains where he lives with his wife and children.

Jan Slimming coauthor of Captured at Singapore

Jan Slimming is a publishing professional with a former career in London’s educational and international publishing industry. Codebreaker Girls: A Secret Life at Bletchley Park is her first book. As Director of three companies, she chaired committees and fund-raising initiatives in aid of children’s education before delving into historical research. She was six when she first heard of Bletchley Park, but it was decades later when secrets about the wartime work there were revealed and she was compelled to research and write about this little-known part of her mother’s life. Jan is a member of Atlanta Writers Club (Est.1914) and an active member of her community in local events and WWII matters, of which she also writes with her twin sister. Jan has first class-qualifications from the Royal Society of Arts in English, Business and Publishing from Wimbledon College and the the University of the Arts (formerly London College of Printing and Graphic Arts). She lives in Atlanta with her husband and growing family.

Book Review: Never Miss

31 May

I love reading debut novels. Discovering a new favorite author is always a treat. And in Never Miss by Melissa Koslin, I did just that! A debut? Wow, I never would have guessed. The plot is intriguing, the suspense non-stop, and the characters are wonderfully complex. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Koslin.

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile’s life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him–and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there’s no one they can trust — except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. She and Corey, her husband of twenty years, live in Florida, where they do their best not to melt in the sun.

My Impressions:

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin is an exceptional debut novel. This romantic suspense has all the requisite elements of the genre — engaging characters, a twisting plot, and an interesting premise. But there is nothing formulaic about this novel. What makes the book better is how the author handles the characters. I found them unique and wonderfully complex. While I enjoyed the race against time story line, I was more intrigued by the development of the characters — individually and in their relationship. Kadance is a woman with a past, a now retired sniper on the run from those who would exploit her skills. Lyndon is a deceptively geeky scientist who is determined to find answers to a deadly virus. Together they are an unstoppable team. The two are wonderfully quirky and dangerous making them my favorite couple this year. There is a pandemic aspect to the novel which some may not enjoy in light of the past year. But I didn’t have any trouble reading about the weaponization of a virus. In fact, the Covid info from the past year made the book very credible and chilling. Never Miss is Christian fiction and the faith message is strong. It is also fresh given the employment of the two characters — a dedicated scientist and a former assassin.

If you are a fan of the romantic suspense genre, Never Miss is a must-read. A fresh voice is always welcome, and I look forward to more great books by Koslin.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

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

Top 10 Tuesday — Super Long Titles

13 Oct

So how long is long for a book title? 5 words? 7? More? I headed to my TBR shelves to find those books that grabbed me with their intriguingly or amusingly long titles for this week’s Top 10 Tuesday. Have you read any of these? I’d love to know your thoughts.

For more super long book titles, go to That Artsy Reader Girl.

Super Long Book Titles

Five

The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese

Six

Dearest Dorothy, If Not Now, When? by Charlene Baumbich

To Say Nothing of The Dog by Connie Willis

Seven

Miss Hazel And The Rosa Parks League by Jonathan Odell

Jane And The Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron

Eight

Belinda Blake And The Birds of A Feather by Heather Day Gilbert

The Sweetness At The Bottom of The Pie by Alan Bradley

First Line Friday — Don’t Keep Silent

17 Jul

Happy Friday! Today I am sharing from Don’t Keep Silent, the third book in Elizabeth Goddard‘s Uncommon Justice series. Goddard always takes readers on a fast-paced, twisting ride, and I am looking forward to digging into this book in the next few days. The cover also features a snowy scene, so I am hoping its descriptions will inspire cool thoughts as I endure sweltering reality. 😉 I am sharing the first line of Chapter 1 instead of the Prologue, since it introduces the reader to main character Rae Burke.

Dread warred with hope as Rae Burke shivered in the cold outside on the porch.

 

 

Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he just doesn’t feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he’s less than thrilled. But Rae’s keen investigative skills have led her down the right path–and directly into the dragon’s mouth–leaving Liam no choice but to protect her. As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other.

Bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard plunges you into a fast-paced, high-stakes story of honor, forgiveness, and justice.

With over one million books sold, Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling, award-winning author of over forty romance novels and counting. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time.

To get book news sign up for her newsletter at her website: http://elizabethgoddard.com
Follow her on Bookbub! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-goddard
You can connect with Elizabeth on Facebook: http://facebook.com/elizabethgoddardauthor
or Twitter: http://twitter.com/bethgoddard

 

For more fabulous first lines, head over to Hoarding Books.

 

 

Book Review + Giveaway!: Flight Risk

16 Apr

About The Book

Book:  Flight Risk

Author: Cara Putman

Genre:  Romantic Legal Suspense

Release Date: April 7, 2020

Bestselling author Cara Putman returns with a romantic legal thriller that will challenge the assumptions of truth tellers everywhere.

Savannah Daniels has worked hard to build her law practice, to surround herself with good friends, and to be the loyal aunt her troubled niece can always count on. But since her ex-husband’s betrayal, she has trouble trusting anyone.

Jett Glover’s father committed suicide over a false newspaper report that ruined his reputation. Now a fierce champion of truth, Jett is writing the story of his journalism career — an international sex-trafficking exposé that will bring down a celebrity baseball player and the men closest to him, including Savannah’s ex-husband.

When Jett’s story breaks, tragedy ensues. Then a commercial airline crashes, and one of Savannah’s clients is implicated in the crash. Men connected to the scandal, including her ex, begin to die amid mysterious circumstances, and Savannah’s niece becomes an unwitting target.

Against their better instincts, Jett and Savannah join ranks to sort the facts from fiction. But can Savannah trust the reporter who threw her life into chaos? And can Jett face the possibility that he’s made the biggest mistake of his life?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Impressions:

Cara Putman has sealed it for me. After reading Flight Risk, she is a must-read author. I have enjoyed other books by this talented romantic suspense writer, but her latest offering was unputdownable! If you are looking for a book that will keep you furiously turning pages to find out how it’s all going to end, then you need to get your hands on this one right now!

Flight Risk has the same setting as Putman’s Hidden Justice series. In fact, you will find familiar characters from those three books as you revisit the Arlington/Alexandria, VA area. I liked that Putman included those characters I had come to know and love. Flight Risk features attorney Savannah Daniels and journalist Jett Glover. Their instant attraction let this reader know that romance would follow. But theirs is not an easy relationship, and I loved the balance that the author created. In the midst of the suspense that includes plane crashes, hit-and-run accidents, and murder, the two main characters are cautious in their interactions. This seemed much more natural than if the two spent pages and pages gazing into each other’s eyes while the world crashed around them. 😉 As Savannah and Jett work through seemingly unrelated events, the bad guy is slowly revealed to the reader. I loved this too. And while I knew by the last quarter of the book who he was, there were still plenty of twists that kept me guessing at what was to come.  Truth is a hard commodity to find, and the characters and the reader are left with a lot to ponder.

I really, really liked Flight Risk. It is one of the best romantic suspense novels I have read this year. And although it is a standalone, if you haven’t yet read Putman’s Hidden Justice series, it will make you seek them out. Binge-reading anyone?

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

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

About The Author

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently writing book 33 and dreaming up future books, not hard when she sees what-ifs everywhere.

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW and gives back to the writing community through her service on Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, full-time lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), George Mason Law School, and Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at http://www.caraputman.com http://www.caraputman.com/.

 

Learn more about Flight Risk and Cara Putman here!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 6

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 6

A Baker’s Perspective, April 6

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 7

Read Review Rejoice, April 7

deb’s Book Review, April 7

Betti Mace, April 8

Maureen’s Musings, April 8

Texas Book-aholic, April 8

Genesis 5020, April 9

Inklings and notions, April 9

Becka Jiménez’s FB, April 9

For Him and My Family, April 10

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, April 10

CarpeDiem, April 10

Through the Fire Blogs, April 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 11

LIfe, Love, Writing, April 11

Emily Yager, April 12

Splashes of Joy, April 12

Lights in a Dark World, April 12

Mary Hake, April 12

Older & Smarter?, April 13

Daysong Reflections, April 13

Book of Ruth Ann, April 13

Kat’s Corner Books, April 14

Blessed & Bookish, April 14

Remembrancy, April 14

Blossoms and Blessings, April 15

Spoken from the Heart, April 15

Simple Harvest Reads, April 15 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Writer Without a Space, April 16

By The Book, April 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 16

Bigreadersite, April 17

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 17

As He Leads is Joy, April 18

Pause for Tales, April 18

For The Love of Books, April 18

Hallie Reads, April 19

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 19

EmpowerMoms, April 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away the grand prize package of a Vera Bradley travel cosmetics set, a journal for capturing vacation memories, a copy of Flight Risk, and a bracelet!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f963/flight-risk-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: Deadly Commitment

5 Dec

Will the truth about her fiancé be more unsettling than the stranger stalking her? 

As Danielle Kemp walks out of her downtown Nashville condominium, she gets the eerie feeling someone is watching her. As days go by, she becomes convinced the homeless man outside her building is stalking her. But after learning the real identity of the intimidating stranger, she faces something even more threatening ― the truth about her fiancé.  

Deadly Secrets is a new fiction series with southern charm and big-city twists. Set in the author’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, it is filled not only with intrigue and suspense but subtle glimpses into how God is at work in the lives of ordinary people doing ordinary jobs . . . or maybe they aren’t so ordinary after all.

 

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a divine detour into the Nashville entertainment business. She graduated with a Communications degree from Southern Illinois University and has spent the past several decades employed as a marketing director in the Nashville music industry.She has contributed to a number of anthologies. Her first novel released in 2012. Her latest, Deadly Commitment, released in October 2019. Kathy regularly interviews literary and music guests on her blog at http://www.divinedetour.com.

Visit her website at http://www.kathyharrisbooks.com and/or follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor), Twitter (@divinedetour), and Instagram (@kathyharris_author).

My Impressions:

A commitment to do what’s right can sometimes plunge you into danger! That’s what you’ll find in Kathy Harris’ romantic suspense, Deadly Commitment. Set among the tall buildings of downtown Nashville, this southern-vibe novel introduces the reader to all sides of the drug epidemic — law enforcement seeking justice, innocent victims of other’s choices, those fighting to recover, and the drug traffickers that put everything in motion. With likable characters and a true-to-life story, this book will appeal to those who like suspense with a strong Christian message.

Main characters Danni Kemp and Caleb Samuels are at odds when they first meet. Danni defends her soon-to-be fiance’, Rob, when faced with Caleb’s accusations that Rob is a big part of a drug trafficking ring. Soon, though, her sense of right and wrong has her facing difficult truths and joining the efforts to put an end to the criminal activity around her. I really liked Caleb’s character — a man with past sins who is working hard to trust God and make the world a better and safer place. I was initially frustrated with Danni’s character. She was naive and wishy-washy, but as the book progressed she found a backbone and some smarts 😉 . Both characters struggle with baggage from their pasts that color their perceptions of themselves and others. They each lean on God for direction and protection. The book moved a little slow at first, but towards the end the action heats up and their is a good deal of danger facing all the characters.

With the news full of drug crimes, Deadly Commitment is a timely read. If you enjoy romantic suspense with a strong message of God’s grace, then you need to check it out.

Audience: adults.

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

Reading Road Trip — North Carolina

13 Nov

Today’s Reading Road Trip is taking us to North Carolina. One of the original 13 colonies, it was established as a royal colony in 1729. Its history mirrors the bright future, the dark past, the struggles, and the joys of the United States. From the coast to the mountains, the rural farms and the tech cities, North Carolina has a lot to offer.

I have included a variety of genres in the books set in North Carolina. Hope you enjoy the journey!

 

North Carolina Reading Road Trip

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king’s mercy–exile to the Colony of North Carolina – he’s indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey’s slaves–and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant’s heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father’s overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he’s faced with the choice that’s long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex’s very life.

Christy by Catherine Marshall

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her — and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough?

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola’s rambling Victorian house.

Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola’s walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola’s youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper–the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi.

The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

The envy of all her friends, wife and mother Saphora Warren is the model of southern gentility and accomplishment. She lives in a beautiful Lake Norman home, and has raised three capable adult children. Her husband is a successful plastic surgeon–and a philanderer. It is for that reason that, after hosting a garden party for Southern Living magazine, Saphora packs her bags to escape the trappings of the picturesque-but-vacant life.

Saphora’s departure is interrupted by her husband Bender’s early arrival home, and his words that change her life forever: I’m dying.

Against her desires, Saphora agrees to take care of Bender as he fights his illness. They relocate, at his insistance, to their coastal home in Oriental—the same house she had chosen for her private getaway. When her idyllic retreat is overrun by her grown children, grandchildren, townspeople, relatives, and a precocious neighbor child, Saphora’s escape to paradise is anything but the life she had imagined. As she gropes for evidence of God’s presence amid the turmoil, can she discover that the richest treasures come in surprising packages?

Beneath The Surface by Lynn Blackburn

After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she’d left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.

Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer — one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.

 

The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer’s boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

When investigative reporter — and Finn’s boss’s sister — Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she’s back, the tug on Finn’s heart is strong, but with the risks she’s taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can’t ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

A Vast And Gracious Tide by Lisa Carter

A wounded veteran and the police chief’s daughter must work together to bring a killer to justice

Caden Wallis lost friends, his girlfriend, and even his leg to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks broken and still reeling, struggling to make peace with his new life.

McKenna Dockery has been stuck in limbo since her fiancé died three years ago. Now, when the handsome yet heartbroken Caden arrives at her doorstep, she starts to wonder if there may be hope for her heart after all . . .

But no sooner do they meet than a man is found murdered on McKenna’s property–and Caden is the prime suspect. The two must learn to trust each other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks.

 

 

Book Spotlight — Fatal Memories by Tanya Stowe

4 Sep

 

Series: Love Inspires Suspense
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication date: September 1, 2019

She was framed! Or was she?

If only she could remember…

Border patrol agent Jocelyn Walker has no memory of how she turned up unconscious with a cache of drugs — or why a gang is dead set on killing her. With evidence stacking up against her, Joss takes refuge with driven DEA agent Dylan Murphy, who guards — and suspects — her. But will finally trusting each other lead them into a trap they’ll never escape?

GOODREADS | B&N AMAZON

 

Tanya Stowe is an author of Christian Fiction with an unexpected edge. She fills her stories with the unusual . . . mysteries and exotic adventures, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you . . . on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey filled with danger . . . be prepared for the extraordinary.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

Giveaway

 

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway ends September  7 at 11:59pm MT.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

September 2
Heidi Reads… (Spotlight)
Pause for Tales (Review)

September 3
Remembrancy (Review)
Jorie Loves A Story (Review)
Blooming with Books (Review + Extras: Guest Post)
Kat’s Corner Books  (Spotlight + Extras: Author Interview)

September 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews (Review + Extras: Guest Post)
By The Book (Spotlight)
Edits and Reviews by Leslie (Spotlight)

September 5
Mindy Houng (Review)
Hallie Reads (Review + Extras: Guest Post)
Red Headed Book Lady (Review)

September 6
Life Is What It’s Called (Review + Extras: Author Interview)
Reading Is My SuperPower (Review)
Singing Librarian Books (Review + Extras: Author Interview)

 

Audiobook Mini-Review: Silenced

3 Jul

Jake Knew Something Was Wrong.
But He Never Guessed
How Wrong.


A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna’s route brings her face-to-face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something darker? When the case is handed to overburdened sheriff Landon Grainger, he turns to Jake Westin for help. With Jake’s past now revealed, he’s ready to use his talent for investigation again–but he could never prepare for where the mystery will take him.

Kayden’s climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today).

Her Alaskan Courage series and Chesapeake Valor series have received praise from readers and critics alike and spent multiple months topping the CBA bestseller lists. Dani has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award finalist, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award.

From her early years eagerly reading Nancy Drew mysteries, to paging through Agatha Christie novels or watching on-the-edge-of-her-seat adventure movies, Dani has always enjoyed mystery and suspense. She considers herself blessed to be able to write the kind of stories she loves–full of plot twists and peril, love, and longing for hope and redemption. Her greatest joy as an author is sharing the stories God lays on her heart. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland.

My Impressions:

A bucket list trip to Alaska was in the works when I selected as reading “research” Silenced by Dani Pettrey. Her 5-book Alaskan Courage is a great introduction to Alaska for fans of romantic suspense. Silenced is the 4th book in the series and features McKenna sibling Kayden and Jake Cavanaugh, a man she once distrusted, but has growing feelings for. A death in the climbing community pairs the two in an investigation of a possible murder. As they get closer to the truth of what really occurred, threats dog their steps. While Silenced can be read as a standalone novel, the other McKenna siblings featured in the series play a part, both in the backstories as well as the current action. Pettrey has created a tight knit family of siblings and their significant others that readers will love. The action-packed plot kept this reader on her toes — I didn’t anticipate the many twists and turns Pettrey throws at Kayden and Jake. And as in all of her books, romance is a big part. That’s great news for those who love romance mixed in with their suspense. Faith plays a big part in the Pettrey’s books, and her characters reflect her worldview. God is in control, we have only to trust Him. The only negative was that I felt things wrapped up a bit quickly and neatly, but I loved the way that the case was resolved. The audio narrative was well done, with good pacing and tone.

If you are looking for a fast-paced romantic suspense for a weekend getaway or staycation, Silenced is a great choice.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase, click HERE.

(I purchased this book from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)