My Review - Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

5 out of 5 stars

DEADLY REVENGE by Patricia Bradley, the third installment in the Pearl River Series, was romance/suspense at its best!

Deputy Jenna Hart has suffered a devastating blow in her law enforcement career, but joining the Russell County department is her way of taking her life back. Unfortunately, the PTSD she suffers is always right under the surface, but she is handling it. That is until TBI agent, Max Anderson, someone she had sparks with in the past, shows up to help on a joint effort between their two agencies.

Max can’t believe he will be teaming up with Jenna Hart, someone he definitely felt a connection with at a time when a relationship was out of the question. Though he lost track of her once he transferred out, seeing her again ignites feelings from the past.

Together, Jenna and Max must figure out who is killing off city officials and why. With a former Mayor running for US Senate and planning a campaign rally in the local park, time is running out. However, other strange occurrences have Jenna feeling as if she is being targeted. Though Max says he has her back, she can’t help but feel he’s questioning her ability to separate the past from the present. She’s determined to prove she’s not imagining these odd occurrences while time is ticking away on a killer who isn’t finished making his point.

Jenna and Max have chemistry that the reader feels right away. Even though they have past baggage, they still have feelings for each other. The reader can’t help but cheer them on, pray they work through their difference, and stop beating around the bush. I appreciated Jenna’s strong, independent streak, and Max’s realization that she is complicated but worth the effort. Some of the secondary characters like Jenna’s dad and grandma round out the story, along with some of the townsfolk, and of course, Alex Stone from book one in the series.

Patricia Bradley knows how to craft a story with strong, complex characters, who bring both suspense and a little bit of heat to the page.

Though I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Review - Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard

 

4 out of 5 stars

HIDDEN IN THE NIGHT by Elizabeth Goddard concludes the Missing in Alaska series. A suspenseful book, full of twists and turns, and a hero and heroine grappling with a tug-a-war romance.

Ivy Elliott has returned to Alaska. Not as an FBI agent, but in search of an unpublished Jack London manuscript that she wants to bring home to her mother. However, when she gets to Alaska the manuscript is gone, a young girl is missing, and a murder emphasizes the direness of the situation. The only bright light in the situation is seeing Nolan Long again.

Nolan Long is on the verge of a vacation; a vacation he plans to use to travel to Florida to pursue Ivy Elliott, the one who got away. When Ivy shows up in Alaska, he’s shocked. When they stumble across a murder, he’s concerned. When Ivy becomes the next target, Nathan is afraid something is going to happen to her before he can share his true feelings. Together, Ivy and Nolan embark on a frigid race against time to find a missing girl before it’s too late.

MISSING IN THE NIGHT is filled with suspense, intrigue, twists and turns, all taking place in the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Ivy and Nolan both have feelings for each other. However, Ivy in Florida and Nolan in Alaska puts a whole new meaning on a long-distance relationship. With mixed signals between them, each struggle to keep their current working relationship professional. Second guessing if they could really make it work, Ivy and Nolan tried to ignore the obvious; the fact that they are in love with each other but with distance being the biggest obstacle in pursuing a future together.

I enjoyed HIDDEN IN THE NIGHT. I liked the suspense, but there were a lot of characters and plot twists to try and keep straight. I’m not a fan of what I call push-and-pull romances, where the characters internalize all their processing and second guess the viability of a relationship, but the down to earth characteristics of Ivy and Nolan made up for it. HIDDEN IN THE NIGHT is an easy read with an adventurous plot, and storytelling that immerses you in the picturesque Alaskan wilderness.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Review - Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon

3.5 out of 5 stars

SANDCASTLE INN, the tenth installment in the Hope Harbor series from Irene Hannon, was an enjoyable read. However, it didn’t hold my attention like most Irene Hannon books. 

Vienna Price finds herself needing time to regroup after being let go from her dream job. Home isn’t exactly where she was wants to go because of the tenuous relationship she has with her mom, but Hope Harbor is where she ends up.

Matt Quinn’s trip to Hope Harbor could be perceived as altruistic in nature. His sister’s B&B is failing, and an emergency has her needing time away. He agrees to step in and hold down the fort, but his own struggles have him needing this time to reflect on where he’s heading. Both Vienna and Matt end up in Hope Harbor by circumstances out of their control, but once there, their worlds overlap in a unique way. Though they both feel an electricity between them, they know their stay is temporary. No sense starting something that has no future. However, as time marches on, they each find themselves rethinking what it is they want in life, and where it is they’ll find it. Hope Harbor was supposed to be a temporary destination, but true to its name, maybe it’s where Vienna and Matt will find “hope” for a new beginning.

I liked the characters, the setting, and the storyline of SANDCASTLE INN, but somehow, it seemed to be missing depth. When the reader finally finds out why Matt feels so guilt-ridden, it seems his character is suddenly ready to move on. It was like a flip of a switch. I felt the same way about Vienna’s character. The setup is that she is very career driven, and we see that to start with, but then all of a sudden, she is ready to change her whole future because of her attraction for Matt. It just didn’t seem to be a natural progression. It felt abrupt. On the other hand, the secondary characters of Andrew and Paige seemed to have a more poignant depth to their storyline. Their story tugged at my heart, and I cheered for them when their lives started turning around. Their victories seemed sweeter because you felt their struggle.

SANDCASTLE INN was still an enjoyable read, just not as riveting as most Irene Hannon books.

Though I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Review - Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn

 

5 out of 5 Stars

NEVER FALL AGAIN by Lynn H. Blackburn has all the key points in a romance/suspense novel. Intriguing characters. Creative plot. Interesting twists. Great chemistry! Definitely a great start to a new series.

Landry Hutton and her daughter Eliza have flown under the radar for three years. As the artist-in-residence at an exclusive resort, Landry has worked at building her career and her foundation for a new life. Just as she is ready to make her life in Gossamer Falls permanent, her studio is destroyed in a fire—but it was no accident. Landry’s immediate response is to run, but Callum Shaw provides for her stability she never even dreamed of. Even though she knows with the baggage she carries, she can’t allow a deeper relationship to form, having Callum at her side allows her some time to plan her next steps.

Callum Shaw is not looking for a relationship, especially one with a child involved. Though he thinks Landry is incredible and Eliza is the sweetest little girl, his heart has been badly scarred by a previous relationship. Not willing to put himself through the devastation another relationship could bring, he and Landry decide friendship is all they can ever have. Even as Landry and Callum work to define boundaries in their relationship, threats against Landry continue to escalate. Knowing his heart is already attached to Landry and Eliza, Callum makes it his mission to not only protect the both of them, but to find out who is behind the deadly threats and stop them before it’s too late.

NEVER FALL AGAIN is packed with action and emotion. Callum’s family welcomes Landry and Eliza with open arms, immediately giving Landry a glimpse of what a normal life could be like when surrounded by family and friends. And considering Callum’s family is one of the esteemed families in Gossamer Falls, they both are lavished with love, acceptance, and a real sense of belonging. Landry is convinced this is where she wants to be, and a life her daughter deserves, but there is another person determined not to let that happen.

A true romance/suspense book with plenty of both to keep you turning page after page.

Though I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Review - Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley

4.5 out of 5 stars

FATAL WITNESS by Patricia Bradley will definitely satisfy the romance-suspense reader! 

Dani Bennett’s world is completely shaken when she finally finds out why her uncle/guardian has always been so protective of her. When tragedy happens, she finds out what he’s been hiding, but it’s so much more than she ever even imagined. Now she must find out who she is and why someone is out to kill her.

Mark Lassiter genuinely cares for his neighbor Mae Richmond. When Mae is convinced she has finally found her long lost granddaughter, Mark offers to help track her down. However, coming back to Pearl Springs, Tennessee is proving to be dangerous for Dani, Mae, and anyone helping these women to solve the crime that separated them twenty-five years ago.

FATAL WITNESS was packed with action, drama, and just enough romance to keep the story interesting. Even though Dani and Mark try to discount the attraction between them as being fueled by fear, it’s obvious their chemistry is too much to ignore. The push and pull got a little tiresome, but the momentum of the story made up for it. Patricia Bradley has a knack for pulling you into a story from the get-go. That, and its twist and turns keep you turning page after page. Though I caught on early who the culprit was, I had to keep reading to make sure I was right.

I definitely recommend FATAL WITNESS to anyone interested in fast-paced whodunit mysteries.

Though I was given an advance copy of FATAL WITNESS by the publisher, I was not obligated to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

 

My Review - Double Take by Lynette Eason

5 out of 5 Stars

DOUBLE TAKE by Lynette Eason definitely satisfied the Romance/Suspense label. With main characters that were likable and relatable but not without their flaws, DOUBLE TAKE starts off the new Lake City Heroes series with a bang!

Physician’s Assistant Lainie Jackson knows there is no possible way her ex-fiancé is alive. She shot him. There’s no way he could’ve survived. Then who just ran her off the road and tried to kill her . . . again? Knowing there has to be an explanation about who she saw, Lainie tries to move on. However, when other people start seeing her dead ex, she searches for the proof she needs to know he’s truly dead.

Detective James Cross - a childhood friend - crosses Lainie’s path when he is hospitalized with a gunshot wound. He’s quick to learn what’s bothering Lainie and offers to help her find the truth. It doesn’t take long to find out Lainie is in real danger, even if they can’t explain how her dead ex could be perpetrating the threats on her life.

Though Lainie doesn’t want to relive the past, she recognizes she needs help to find answers. Having James – her teenage crush – wanting to protect her is messing with her senses. She tries to keep the lines between them professional, but when James presses her to identify their relationship, the family baggage they both bring to a relationship seems too daunting to overcome. However, like it or not, James has no intention of backing off where Lainie’s life is concerned. It’s obvious someone is out to kill her. He and Lainie just have to figure out how a dead guy could be there prime suspect.

DOUBLE TAKE’s plot dealt with more than just murder, mayhem, and a phantom ex. Domestic abuse and family dysfunction were integral threads throughout the story. Both Lainie and James have deep-seeded family issues to deal with while trying to keep Lainie alive. The chemistry between James and Lainie was immediate. Of course, they already had a history together to build off of, but now they had to define their relationship and be sure it wasn’t just the intensity of the situation they were thrown into that was making their feelings for each other so powerful.

One observation I have notice of late in Christian suspense novels is the thinning of the faith aspect in the stories. I am a big proponent of not breaking character in order for the author to throw in an evangelistic thread that seems out of place. However, the faith aspect in the lives of the characters seem to be lacking. Now, I realize this novel was not labeled Christian/Romance/Suspense, and maybe Christian authors are purposely not labeling their novels as such so they can reach a broader audience, which I thoroughly applaud. Maybe it’s me that has to change my way of thinking when I pick up a book from one of my favorite “Christian” authors, realizing I am going to get a clean story, not necessarily a faith driven story. Just food for thought.

I would like to thank Revell Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of DOUBLE TAKE. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

 

MY REVIEW - The Resolute by MaryLu Tyndall

 

5 out of 5 stars

THE RESOLUTE is a masterpiece in storytelling! Spellbinding action, polarizing characters with magnetic personalities, and an exhilarating adventure that will not allow you to put the book down. MaryLu Tyndall is the queen of pirate romances with a redemptive theme!

Lady Gabrielle Hyde’s life had not turned out as she had hoped. Her childhood dream of marriage and motherhood no longer exists. Instead, she had been charged as a pirate and soon to be hanged. When she is rescued by Captain Caden Hayes, she soon finds out she is not free, but a pawn in his game of revenge. Feeling God has deserted her and her unborn child, Lady Gabrielle has no choice but to go along with the captain’s scheme until she finds a time when she can escape.

Captain Caden Hayes is on a mission; to ruin the man who destroyed his future. With revenge as his single-minded goal, Caden uses Lady Gabrielle to draw out his enemy. Once he is rid of her and his nemesis is destroyed, he’ll find the treasure he seeks and have his just reward.

WOW! Is not strong enough! In fact, there are not enough adjectives to describe THE RESOLUTE. I received an advance copy early one evening. I went ahead and downloaded it, intending on reading only the first few pages to get a feel for the book. I went on to finish the book early the next morning. I don’t know what it is about MaryLu’s writing style, but she absolutely captures you from the very first page. Her imagery is beyond compare. I usually skim books when they go into unnecessary detail, but every word, every description is so thoughtfully executed, they meld together into a seamless visualization that pulls the reader in. Her characters are rich but not flawless. Their layers are slowly revealed as the story progresses. Their finer qualities polished; their insecurities addressed. Ms. Tyndall’s characters grow throughout their journey and the reader gets to go along for the ride.

I can’t get into the specifics of the story; afraid I will reveal too much. But believe me when I say, THE RESOLUTE is a swashbuckling tale with everything you would expect from a story on the high seas and then some! And Ms. Tyndall once again proves, all souls have the ability to be redeemed when they finally seek the true Master of their journey.