Tag Archives: suspense fiction

Top 10 Tuesday — Occupations

2 Sep

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is a fun one — occupations in the title of books. There are a lot of directions you can go on this. I considered going a bad guy route — pirate, thief, etc. in the title — but decided to be straightforward with real honest-to-goodness, if a bit old fashioned, occupations. šŸ˜‰ I included occupations that any one can reasonably achieve — no kings or queens. It was a bit challenging coming up with 10; I went pretty far back in the archives to find them. While the genres vary, most are historical fiction. I hope you find a book to love!

For more bloggers’ lists, please check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Occupations in Book Titles

The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings

The Barrister And The Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Pablo Escobar

The Preacher Wore Black Leather by Loree Lough

The Seamstress by Allison Pittman

Surgeon’s Choice by Richard Mabry, MD

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Top 10 Tuesday — Random Book Stuff

26 Aug

Happy Tuesday! This week’s TTT prompt is non-bookish freebie. My mind froze when I read this. LOL! I am a book blogger, after all, and I just can’t stop talking books. You should see me in real life. šŸ˜‰ So of course I am going to ignore this and create my own topic. Sorry, really not sorry. There was an addendum to the prompt that said we could talk about bookish stuff. Whew! My list today is just a bunch of book randomness (or maybe not). Hope you enjoy!

For on topic bloggers, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Random Book Stuff

Books in translation. Of course if you took any world lit class in high school and/or college, you have read books that have been translated into your own language. But do you ever read contemporarily written books that were originally published in a language not your own. It’s rare, but I have a couple to recommend.

The Girl from The Train by Irma Joubert (Joubert lives in South Africa)

The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar (Escobar lives in Spain)

Books written by American authors who live(d) abroad. Building on the last thought, do you read authors who are from your home country, but live and write (at least part time) in another country? Unique perspectives!

From The Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser (Musser lives in Lyon, France)

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (McKay lives with her family in Australia)

Vendetta by Lisa Harris (Harris lived in Africa for 19 years while serving as a missionary)

Books set in distant lands. The books listed below are in countries I will probably never have a chance to visit. Thanks to the authors who took their readers to a very foreign place.

The Beloved Daughter by Alana Terry (North Korea)

Farewell, Four Waters by KateMc Cord (Afghanistan)

Red Ink by Kathi Macias (China)

Two authors in my backyard (not literally šŸ˜‰ ). Two Georgia-based authors you need to check out.

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

The Hunted Heir by Jayna Breigh

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First Line Friday — Death Follows Her

22 Aug

Happy Friday! Summer is winding down, but the heat here in the sunny South is not. Inside endeavors are recommended to survive the scorching temperatures. Reading is number one, of course, and I am so looking forward to starting Death Follows Her, the latest legal thriller from Rachel Dylan.

Here are the first 2 lines:

“Shots fired. I repeat, shots fired.”

Three powerful CEOs. Three sudden deaths. One woman determined to uncover the truth.

When three high-profile CEOs die in quick succession, FBI Special Agent Samira Haddad is called in to investigate. What at first seems like tragic coincidence soon unravels into something far more deliberateā€”and deadly. All three victims were represented in major lawsuits by the same attorney: Quinn Kelly, a sharp, unrelenting trial lawyer with a flawless record and no shortage of enemies.

As Samira digs deeper, sheā€™s drawn into a world of elite corporate power, courtroom battles, and closely guarded secrets. Quinn becomes both a key to the mysteryā€”and a target herself. Cool under pressure and relentless in court, Quinn is used to winningā€”but this time, the stakes are life and death.

With pressure mounting from all sides, Samira must navigate competing agendas, shadowy threats, and the growing suspicion that the killer is far closer than anyone imagined.

For those who are content sensitive: this book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of sexual assault.

Rachel DylanĀ is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for almost two decades, including as a litigator at one of the nationā€™s top law firms. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and three furkidsā€”one loveable Labrador and two senior cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers.

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Top 10 Tuesday — I Like(d) Big Books!

19 Aug

Happy Tuesday! Today bloggers are featuring their favorite books with BIG page counts. In my youth, I was a big reader of chunksters. The longer the better. But my advanced age, limited free time, and reading deadlines keep me from choosing those mega-books. I know, I know — I am retired. But my husband’s retirement earlier in the year really impacts my reading time. LOL! So today I am going to highlight my favorites from the distant past and those books that qualify as BIG books that I have read more recently and enjoyed. I define a Big Book as 450+ pages.

For more bloggers’ favorites, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Big Books!

Five from The Past

Bleak House by Charles Dickens (800+ pages)

Exodus by Leon Uris (500+ pages)

Poland by James Michener (600+ pages)

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas (500+ pages)

Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd (900+ pages)

More Recently Read

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon (450+ pages)

A Noble Calling by Rhona Weaver (450+ pages)

When We Were Young And Brave by Hazel Gaynor (450+ pages)

The Women by Kristin Hannah (450+ pages)

The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray (500+ pages)

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Spotlight on End Times Thriller — Vanished

21 Jul

I am so pleased to feature the new end times thriller, Vanished, from Dr. David Jeremiah. Read all about it below and enjoy the excerpt.

Vanished

Author: Dr. David Jeremiah (with Sam O’Neal)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: July 1, 2025

The end of the world . . .

As leader of a special military unit charged with stopping potential pandemics before they spread, John ā€œHaggsā€ Haggerty has a front-row seat to the sharp increase in natural disasters that precede the Raptureā€“including plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumors of war. And each crisis is becoming more intense.

Meanwhile, his own world feels like itā€™s falling apart. Heā€™s still caught in the grief of messing up his relationship with his ex-wife, and heā€™s trying to keep it together so that he can show up for his adult daughter before she wants him out of her life entirely. As both personal and professional situations push him to the brink, Haggs finds himself stretched further than ever in his desire to be the kind of good person he knows he should be.

Just when it seems as if things might turn around, Haggs is forced to decide between his need to find solutions and his need for personal redemption.

Excerpt

ā€œI donā€™t think itā€™s possible for anyone to hear what weā€™ve heard today without coming to the conclusion that our world is in trouble. I donā€™t mean our culture. I donā€™t mean our way of life. I mean our civilization. We are currently experiencing something unprecedented not only in our lifetimes, but seemingly in human history. An extraordinary rise in seismic activity, catastrophic storms, and flooding. An extraordinary increase in regional epidemics and global pandemics. An extraordinary surge in famines and food insecurity across multiple continents. And an extraordinary flood of refugees seeking shelter and finding none.

ā€œThere is no doubt that many of these crises can be seen as the avoidable consequences of our own actions as a civilization.ā€ She glanced over at Singh, then away. ā€œBut there is also little doubt in my mind that we are facing calamity at a scale we have never before considered. Ladies and gentlemen . . .ā€ She paused as she scanned the room. ā€œI am not exaggerating when I say the world is in danger. Humanity is in danger. But I am also not exaggerating when I declare that those of us in this room are equipped to meet that calamity head-onā€”and to steer our world to victory.

ā€œWeā€™re at a tipping point, and I believe the actions taken by our five task forces over the next twelve months will determine whether humanity advances to our destinyā€”or retreats into oblivion. So, letā€™s go save the world.ā€

About The Author

Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point, an international ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books. He is the author of more than fifty books, including The Book of Signs, The Great Disappearance, Where Do We Go from Here? and The Coming Golden Age.

Dr. Jeremiah serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. He and his wife, Donna, have four children and twelve grandchildren.

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Top 10 Tuesday — Books That Deserve A Re-Read

8 Jul

This week the TTT theme has another throwback vibe — books that deserve a re-read. It is rare that I re-read a book — there are just so many other books vying for attention! Last week I shared my favorites from July 2015, so I thought I would pick those from the whole summer of 2015 that would be great to read again. 10 years is a long time in the reading world, so many of the books would be fresh again. I hope you find one to re-read or read for the first time!

For more books that need a second look, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

Center of Gravity by Laura McNeill

A Cry from The Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor

Pearl in The Sand by Tessa Afshar

Secrets of A Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson

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First Line Friday — Guilty Until Innocent

13 Jun

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow is my book club’s June selection. I loved this legal drama/suspense and read it in record time. The case is interesting, the suspense keeps the pages turning, and the faith message is thought-provoking and heart-touching. I can’t wait to discuss it!

Here’s the first line:

The air-conditioning in the Blanton County Courthouse was fighting a losing battle against the oppressive July heat of the eastern North Carolina summer.

Justice has been served . . . unless the accused is innocent. In this gripping legal drama, Whitlow expertly weaves themes of grace, faith, and the law with a plot that is sure to keep you guessing until the end.

Life in prison is often a nightmare, but Joe Moore believes he is just where God intends him to be. Twenty-five years ago, while high on meth, he makes one terrible mistake after another, culminating in the brutal murder of a young, influential couple. Today, Joe is a radically different person, thriving in his role as a ministry leader and role model to his fellow inmates.

After being fired from two previous law firms, young lawyer Ryan Clark and his wife, Paige, have settled into a small North Carolina town. Hired by a distant relative, Ryan is committed to connecting with the right clients and handling the mundane tasks while his cousin Tom takes on the high-profile cases.

But when critical health issues land Tom in the hospital, Ryan is forced to take the helm at the law firm–just in time for the town’s biggest case in history to be reopened. Joe Moore’s niece has been doing some digging and, convinced that her incarcerated uncle is innocent, insists that Ryan relaunch the investigation immediately.

After Ryan meets with Joe, both men receive threats that put their own lives–as well as the lives of those around them–in danger. It appears that together they’ve pulled back a dark curtain that hides a deeper evil than anyone in town suspects exists. Now they must determine if continuing with the case is worth the risk–and if the cost of proving one man’s innocence is too great when the lives of so many others would be placed in mortal danger.

Dive into a world where faith meets the law in this heart-pounding legal drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Pick up Guilty Until Innocent and find out if the cost of justice is worth risking everything. You won’t want miss out on this thrilling story of grace, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Robert Whitlow grew up in north Georgia. He graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a BA in history in 1976 and received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1979. A practicing attorney, he is a partner in a Charlotte, NC law firm. He and his wife Kathy have four children and nine grandchildren.

Robert began writing in 1996. His novels are set in the South and include both legal suspense and interesting characterization. It is his desire to write stories that reveal some of the ways God interacts with people in realistic scenarios.

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If You Liked — Cold Dark Night

30 Apr

If you liked the dark, twisting suspense/thriller Cold Dead Night by Lisa Phillips (or really didn’t like my book club šŸ˜‰ ), then I have a couple of recommendations for you. These books are creepy, twisting, and have seriously bad bad guys. I read them with the lights off too. šŸ˜‰ They all feature FBI agents — think Criminal Minds.

All of the Steven James’ Patrick Bowers series. Start with The Pawn.

Special Agent Patrick Bowers had only met one man who made him truly afraid. Until now. When he’s called to North Carolina to consult on the case of an area serial killer, he finds himself in a deadly game. Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he’s about to strike again.Ā 
It will take all of Bowers’s instincts and training to stop this man who calls himself the Illusionist. And just when the pieces start to come together, Bowers realizes they’re not quite adding up. Can he unravel the pattern and save the next victim? Or will the Illusionist win the game by taking one of his opponent’s pieces?Ā 
Thrilling, chilling, and impossible to put down,Ā The PawnĀ will hold suspense lovers in its iron grip until the very last page.

All of Nancy Mehl’s books. I particularly liked her Kaeli Quinn Profiler series.

Kaely Quinn’s talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she’s demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, the reporter’s ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem’s predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis. 

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else–including Kaely herself–is killed.

Tom Threadgill’s Jeremy Winter series

Catherine Mae Blackston has vanished without a trace. She is not the first.

FBI Agent Jeremy Winterā€™s investigation into Blackstonā€™s disappearance uncovers a disturbing pattern: a string of missing persons, all linked to state parks. His superiors dismiss it as another case of a lost hiker, but Winter knows better. Defying orders, he teams up with a determined local officer to dig deeper.

As chilling clues surface, so does a sinister figure from Winterā€™s pastā€”someone with the power to destroy his career. Now faced with an impossible ultimatum, Winter must keep his girlfriend, fellow agent Maggie Keeley, out of a dangerous political web. But the clock is ticking, and as the body count rises, the trail leads to an unexpected and terrifying suspect.

The missing are out there.

And Jeremy Winter must find themā€”before his own demons close in.

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Mini-Book Review — Cold Dead Night

28 Apr

My book club chose Cold Dead Night by Lisa Phillips as our April selection. Phillips was a new-to-us author for many in the group. We love suspense, but got a bit more than we wanted in this dark and twisting thriller. Many thought the images were disturbing and chose to read only in daylight hours. šŸ˜‰ This aside, we found a lot of the storyline hard to believe, so that hindered our reading experience. While this book was a no for us, not every book is for everybody. We obviously, were not the target audience. But we did all finish it — we really wanted to know who was behind all the mayhem. I urge you to check it out for yourself. Phillips is a very popular author (one in our group has read numerous books by her and loved them), and Cold Dead Night has overall positive reviews.

Audience: Adults.

(I borrowed the ebook through Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The FBI betrayed her. Now they need her.

Private Investigator Kenna Banbury lost everything two years ago at the hands of a serial killer. From the ashes of that encounter, sheā€™s built a life she believes in, searching for the lost and forgotten all over the western US.

Bringing her own brand of justice.

When a series of murders drags her into an FBI investigation, Kenna finds herself back in the place where it all went wrong. Struggling to make sense of the case, Kennaā€™s past and present collide in a deadly plot that risks another betrayal and threatens to shatter everything sheā€™s built.

Kenna faces the darkest part of her past in this first book of a brand-new series from Lisa Phillips.

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Book Review — The Other Sister

24 Apr

The Other Sister JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Other Sister

Title: The Other Sister
Author: Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller

She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sisterā€™s life.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isnā€™t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discoveryā€”she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns forā€”a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. Sheā€™s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynnā€™s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darkerā€¦

No one in her sisterā€™s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynnā€™s life, yet now that sheā€™s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old lifeā€”and sheā€™s already a dead woman there.

Excerpt

ā€œOne last thing before I go.ā€ He steps onto my porch, then turns, and his dark eyes are dancing again. ā€œI really like that paint you picked for me. Got a guy coming out this weekend to strip the old wallpaper off. Thanks.ā€

He doesnā€™t trust me. He knows Iā€™ve been in his office, and he thinks Iā€™m lying in regard to this case, yet his compliment is genuine. His eyes, sincere. I have no idea what to make of this man. Why didnā€™t he throw out the samples? Why show up on my doorstep like this? Other than to shake me up. I know what he thinks about me. Liar. And heā€™s not wrong. I am a liar. A deceiver. And many other things.

I feel guilty simply by being in his presence, and I havenā€™t done anything sinister in regard to Dru. Okay, the snooping was wrong, and Iā€™m genuinely remorseful for that.

Iā€™m not who he thinks I am, except part of me wonders if he knows I am an imposter. Heā€™s just doing his job, but his job happens to threaten me and my future.

ā€œYou did? You do? You know you can paint over wallpaper. Saves time.ā€

ā€œI could.ā€ He eyes me in that weird way again. ā€œBut when you paint over another layer like that, it eventually peels, and whatā€™s underneath is revealed. A real eyesore that you wanted covered up in the first place. I find stripping away the old, even if it appears pretty, is the right way to go about it. Itā€™s so much easier to work with a completely bare source. Itā€™s fresh and clean and ready for color. I donā€™t mind the time it takes. Iā€™ll be happier with the results.ā€ He shrugs one shoulder.

My heart pinches. ā€œAre you actually talking about paint?ā€

He rubs his chin. ā€œDo you think Iā€™m talking about paint?ā€

Always a question with a question. ā€œI donā€™t know.ā€

He reaches out and takes my cross necklace in his hand. I donā€™t flinch at his move into my personal spaceā€”not like I would with any other man. As quickly as he holds it, he drops it and steps back. ā€œOr maybe you do.ā€


My Impressions:

What a twisting ride Jessica R. Patch takes readers on in the suspense thriller, The Other Sister! This is my first book by Patch, but it won’t be my last because this book really kept me on my toes. The novel follows Charlotte Kane, a product of a horrible mother and a foster system that failed her. Charlotte has desperately tried to find her place, trying to fit in as best as she can. When presented with the ultimate new life — trading places with a twin sister she never knew of — Charlotte convinces herself she is doing what she has to do. I found Charlotte to be a really interesting character. I wanted so much to like her, and for the most part I did, but she fools herself while fooling others. Her character grows a lot, but in the end she is forced to make the right decisions. If things had gone differently, would she have made the same choices? The novel presents a lot to ponder. As to the events surrounding Charlotte’s story, things aren’t all they seem in genteel Savannah, Georgia. Charlotte’s story is juxtaposed with another point of view from an unnamed character that gets creepier and creepier. Honestly, I knew I was missing something important, but I never guessed until the end just what that was. How perfect is that for someone who figures out whodunit more often than not. If you like creepy and thought-provoking, then The Other Sister is the book for you.

Recommended.

Audience: Adult.

(Thanks to Just Read Publicity Tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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

Also Available

Her Darkest Secret The Garden Girls

About The Author

Jessica R. Patch

Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 27 novels and is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether sheā€™s penned a romantic suspense or a dark, twisty thriller. When sheā€™s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes sheā€™ll probably never cook.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to her email newsletter “Patched In” updates and receive a FREE short thriller.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of The Garden Girls & a $20 Amazon gift card!

The Other Sister giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 22, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US 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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