My Review - When Love Arrives

4.5 out of 5 stars

WHEN LOVE ARRIVES by Johnnie Alexander is a roller-coaster ride of emotion for both hero and heroine. Though at times I rolled my eyes, the characters quickly grew on me even with their flaws and deceptions.

Dani Prescott is out for revenge. She thought losing her mother is an airplane accident when she was young was the low point of her life. However, years later, when Brett Somers calls her mother—the pilot of the plane—a murderer, Dani is determined to get even. Even thought Brett Somers also lost his parents, he still lived a charmed life in the lap of luxury, unlike Dani who was dumped in foster home after foster home. Bent on humiliating him publicly, because of the horrible things he said about her mother, Dani decides to photograph his every move. She’s convinced, given enough time, she will catch Brett in a compromising situation. Then she will have the ammunition to ruin his good name just like he ruined her mother’s.

Brett Somer’s is cool, calculated, and cunning—in both work and at play. Even though he inherited his families fortune, he’s added to his wealth because of his drive to succeed. His good looks and wealth make him a magnet to opportunistic women, but he doesn’t let that bother him. They use him for his money and his status, he uses them to warm his bed. He figures it’s a fair exchange. However, there is a side of Brett no one knows about. He’s hiding a secret that is destroying him inside.

Much to Dani’s dismay, she unintentionally has a face-to-face with Brett, and before she knows it, she’s agreed to go on a date with him. Dani figures it is the perfect opportunity to get the inside track on the egotistical, self-centered Casanova, but when one date leads to another, her objective becomes skewed. Brett isn’t at all the man she thought him to be, and little by little she finds herself drawn to the Brett nobody knows. Both Dani and Brett fight their attraction, knowing the secrets they keep are obstacles too great for any relationship to overcome.

I mentioned rolling my eyes, because I could not believe that Dani would agree to go on a date with the person she was supposed to hate with a passion. So, when that date turned into a second date, I sighed in disbelief. Nevertheless, I quickly got caught up in Dani and Brett’s journey, and was rooting for their relationship to survive. It took me a while before I realized I had read book one in the series. Then, the little lightbulb went off. Even though WHEN LOVE ARRIVES is book two, it easily reads as a standalone novel. But, having the backstory on Shelby and A.J. made for added enjoyment.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available September 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review - Taken - A Kept Novella

5 out of 5 stars

TAKEN, though just a novella, is still packed full of action and romance.

Jordan Foster and Cameron Winters have one thing in common—Dillan Foster. Dillan is Jordan’s older brother and Cameron’s best friend. That is enough to discourage Cameron from acting on his feelings for Jordan, that and their ten-year age gap. Though he thinks she is amazing, there is plenty about him Jordan doesn’t know. No one knows. And Cameron isn’t sure it’s a good idea to involve Jordan in the messiness of his personal life.

Jordan knows Cam has reservations about dating her, but she doesn’t see the problem. He’s a great guy, with a good head on his shoulders, and she’s known him for years. Other than his reputation for dating the “new woman” at church, then ending the relationship after only a few weeks, Jordan is sure they are meant for each other.

Surprised that Jordan has already gotten the green light from her brother, Cam decides to take a chance. He slowly lets her in on the secret he has kept from everyone, and the serious repercussions if his secret was to get out. Not discouraged in the least, Jordan stands with Cam and promises to help in any way she can.  Thankful to finally have someone he can talk to, Cam’s love for Jordan grows. Then, his darkest fear becomes a reality, putting everyone he loves—including Jordan—in danger.

Like I said before, lots of action is packed in just 139 pages. Though the characters in TAKEN are crossovers from the novel KEPT, it reads quite well as a standalone. The pacing of course is ramped up in order for it to fit in a novella format, which was both good and bad. Good—because I loved getting right to the point. My biggest pet peeve is when romance novels keep the main love interest apart until the end of the book. However, the bad—was that Jordan and Cam’s journey went by so fast.  Nevertheless, the good far outweighed the bad.

If you haven’t already read KEPT by Sally Bradley, you must pick it up! It is an amazing story that transcends the framework of most Christian romance books while still highlighting the need for God in our lives. Then, once you are done with KEPT, read the fast-paced TAKEN and fall in love with Jordan and Cameron.

Bonus feature: An excerpt from Sally’s next book, HOMESTANDS is included in TAKEN. It will whet your appetite for the first installment in the Chicago Wind series.

My Review - Cold Shot

5 out of 5 stars

COLD SHOT by Dani Pettrey has laid the foundation for a new and amazing series.

When Gettysburg park ranger, Griffin McCray, finds a body at the famous site, he calls in forensic anthropologist, Finley Scott. Knowing the remains are not from the Civil War, Finley, Griff, and his childhood friend, FBI agent Declan Grey, set out to identify the victim and her murderer.

McCray is a quiet—keep to himself—kind of guy, but he’s having a hard time ignoring the attraction he feels for Finley. When Finley brings in Parker Mitchell, a crime scene analyst, Griff is forced to face demons from his past. Unbeknownst to Finley; Griff, Declan, and Parker were all childhood friends. The three of them, along with Luke Gallagher were a band of brothers, inseparable, until a tragedy fractured their friendship.

Finley Scott is determined to find out how a woman’s body ended up in Gettysburg. She knows Griff, mainly because of her previous work at the Gettysburg site, but his stand-offish personality kept her at arms-length. Parker, a crime scene analyst is a colleague of hers, who also is a friend of Griff’s. But the relationship is heavily laden with underlying tension. With Declan also working the case, Finley is amazed to find out the three men grew up together, but now are obviously estranged. So, Finley has three mysteries to solve. Who is the woman, who killed her, and what tragedy befell the three men working with her and destroyed the friendship they once shared.

Immediately, I felt the connection between Griff and Finley, and also sensed the tension when Parker showed up at the scene. Just like Finley, the reader wants to know what came between these childhood friends—and believe me, the reader will not be disappointed. A lot of history bonds these men together. Failure, guilt, and the lack of forgiveness ruined their friendship. But, when given a chance to mend fences, they must decide if what they once shared is strong enough to overcome the hurt that destroyed them.

Though it sounds like the book is centered around the men, the relationship between Griff and Finley is also front and center. Knowing the danger Finley has exposed herself to, Griff assigns himself as her bodyguard. With his background, he has the skills to keep her safe, but the more time Griff spends with Finley, the more the attraction between them intensifies.

I enjoyed COLD SHOT and can’t wait for the rest of the series. With the mystery surrounding Luke and Jenna (I’m not going to spoil it and say who she is), there is definitely a lot more story for Pettrey to unpack. Out of the four friends, it was clear COLD SHOT was centered around Griff, but Declan and Parker were vital to the story. I hope the next installments are the same, with all three friends making large contributions to the story instead of relegating any one of them to the background with only a few mentions from time to time.

I waited anxiously for a new series from Pettrey because I absolutely loved her Alaskan Courage series. Maybe, because of that anticipation, I was only slightly disappointed that COLD SHOT wasn’t as amazing as I wanted it to be.  It was a good book, as you can see from my review and my rating, it just didn’t quite fulfill my anticipation. I think, because of the underlying tension, the men came off as a bit cold at times. But, I have great faith in Dani Pettrey, that with each installment, I will feel for these characters what I felt for the McKenna clan.

My Review - Sins of the Past

5 out of 5 stars

What better way to be introduced to three great romance/suspense writers.  Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason are leaders in the field of Christian/romance/suspense.

First, Dee Henderson with MISSING-

Though I wouldn’t say this is Henderson’s best work; it was still enjoyable to read.

Wyoming police chief, John Graham, is called to Chicago because his elderly mother had disappeared from her retirement home. Teamed with Lt. Sharon Noble, they try to piece together his mother’s last steps before she disappeared. Though this doesn’t seem like the proper setting for a budding romance, both John and Sharon quickly develop feelings for each other. With the intention of keeping their relationship professional, they choose to set aside their personal feelings until the disappearance of John’s mom is solved.

The setting aside of their personal feelings is what makes this story less romance, and more police procedure. I get easily frustrated with romance novels that keep the love interests at arms-length for most of the story. However, because of their professions, I was willing to put those frustrations aside. Like I said, not Henderson’s best story, but with the constraints of a novella, I still feel she made it worth my wild.

Next, Dani Pettrey with SHADOWED-

As always, Dani immediately throws her main characters together in order to ignite a spark—a spark that simmers throughout the book.

Libby Jennings is an open-water swimmer and is in Alaska for a competition. While there, she decides to do some whale watching and ends up being the only passenger on the excursion led Ben McKenna. When Ben and Libby recover a body from the water, Libby immediately recognizes the deceased as Kat Stanic, one of her fellow competitors and former college roommate. However, Kat abruptly left Berkeley, and though she still competed against Libby, she fused to have any interaction with her. With Kat dead, Libby can’t help but wonder if Kat was involved in some sort of spy game or espionage. Needing answers for herself, Libby inserts herself into the investigation, alongside Ben. While they hunt down clues, their attraction grows.

Dani Pettrey’s characters are always so charismatic and full of adventure.  Her females are strong and self-reliant, and her males are the epitome of rough-around-the-edges hero material.  Ms. Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series is on my favorites list, and the great thing about SHADOWED, is it’s link to that same series.   I would’ve bought SINS OF THE PAST for this installment alone.

Finally, Lynette Eason with BLACKOUT-

Macy Adams is living with a nightmare she can’t remember. Someone is stalking her because of her involvement in a robbery gone bad when she was a teenager. The problem is, she can’t remember the events of that night. However, someone is convinced Macy knows more than what she’s telling, and that she stashed the cache from the robbery. Chad Latham, is not only Macy’s next-door neighbor, but he happens to be a cop. When it becomes clear someone is stalking Macy, Chad steps in, not just because he’s a detective, but because his attraction for Macy has gnawed at him for two years. He always felt she kept him at arms-length, now he knows why. His hope is to find the person who’s threatening her, and with any luck, tear down the walls she’s erected around herself.

This is another amazing story from Lynette Eason. Action grabs you from the first page and gives the reader little time to catch their breath. A stressed-out heroine, and a patient cop—a great combination. The situation Macy got herself into as a teen was a tad far-reaching, but hey, that’s why we call it fiction. It didn't detract from the overall story.

Thanks ladies for a great read. My only complaint . . . I would’ve rather the stories be full-length because the novellas read too fast.

My Review - Deadly Encounter

5 out of 5 stars

DEADLY ENCOUNTER had so many twists, turns, and ambiguous connections between suspects and victims, you really have to stay focused as you read. But . . . it’s worth the effort.

Stacy Broussard has a heart of gold. The feelings she has for, Whitt—a neighborhood boy with delinquent parents, the people who reside alongside her in her declining borough, and the patients she treats at her veterinary clinic, make’s Stacy a strong candidate for citizen of the year.  That’s why she is devastated to find a dead body, an injured dog, and a shot down drone while on her mounted patrol of the local airport. Not thinking the day could get any worse, Stacy finds out it indeed can when FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc somehow turns the tables on her and interviews Stacy as a possible suspect instead of a victim.

When one bizarre incident after another points to Stacy Broussard as the common thread, Alex starts to believe someone is targeting her, but why is anyone’s guess. The more he investigates, the more Alex is attracted to Stacy, and her sidekick Whitt. Unfortunately, they don’t have a lot of time to figure out who is masterminding the incredulous occurrences. Lives are being claimed, and the next one might be Stacy or Whitt. In a race against time, with nothing but abstract clues, Alex’s stake becomes personal. Stacy is no longer just a victim, she’s the woman he’s fallen in love with.

Okay, the story is a bit far-fetched, but the banter and sparks between Stacy and Alex makes the story worth the reader’s times. Stacy truly is a woman who genuinely cares for others. The passion she has for her community is admirable, and the love she has for Whitt is beautiful. These attributes in Stacy makes Alex’s snarky ‘everyone is a suspect in my book’ treatment of her seem that much more abrasive. Figuring no one can be as altruistic as Stacy, Alex is determined to find the chink in her armor, but soon finds out, Stacy is the real deal.  That’s what makes their attraction for each other even more enjoyable.

Like I said, the story was a bit bizarre, but the characters were spot on.

My Review - Told You Twice

5 out of 5 stars

TOLD YOU TWICE takes its readers on a journey of self-discovery. Just like TOLD YOU SO, the first book in the series, you have to be patient and find the rhythm in which the story is written. Once you do, you’ll be pulled into the vortex of TOLD YOU TWICE as it unfolds with raw honesty and life-changing discoveries.

Alexis (Exi) Murphy is excited to start planning her Grace Evangeline themed wedding. Known for her disastrous relationships, Exi is thankful to have found Jeffrey, and has no doubt that they’re meant to be together. However, once Exi is introduced to actor, Bo Corrigan, she wonders if what she and Jeffery share is love or just the comfort of a stable relationship. Not feeling the least bit threatened, Jeffrey allows Exi to spend time with Bo, convinced nothing will come of it. But, the chemistry between Exi and Bo is off the charts, and Bo makes it very clear he intends on wooing her away from Jeffrey. However, what Exi doesn’t know is the volatile past Bo has lived, and how it continues to follow him with dangerous consequences. Drawn to Bo, not so much for who he is on the outside, but for the tortured person she sees in his eyes, Exi will do anything to save him from those who are after him, and the demons that will not let him rest.

Bo Corrigan is every woman’s dream; a real Casanova. From their first introduction, Bo is infatuated with Exi, and that fixation becomes an obsession; but not in a creepy way. Bo is convinced she is what he needs in his life; to straighten him out, to fill what is missing in his life. So, Bo pulls out all the stops to win her affection. The turning point comes when Bo realizes he loves Exi so much, he doesn’t want her poisoned or hurt by his toxic life. To protect those around him, Bo ends up on a self-destructive path that leaves him near death, before he experiences a life transformation.

TOLD YOU TWICE is not your run-of-the-mill love story. Even though it has all of the typical plot points: love-at-first-sight, being swept-off-your-feet, the dashing lead man falling for the simple neighborhood girl, the package in which Ms. Heitzmann presents it is anything but typical. TOLD YOU TWICE has scenes that nearly ignite with sexual tension, and others so deep and dark, I found myself cringing at the anguish the characters were suffering. TOLD YOU TWICE was gripping and difficult to put down.

The added bonus of TOLD YOU TWICE was getting to catch up with characters from TOLD YOU SO. Grace, Devin, and Eileen are prevalent through the story, adding to the drama and turmoil.

Book provided for review purposes.

My Review - She Walks in Power

 Far beyond 5 stars!!

SHE WALKS IN POWER is INCREDIBLE! High praise from a person who stays away from the medieval/mythical genre.

Alexia D’Clere is many things, but being Protector of the Spear is by far her highest honor. Passed to her at the age of eight—it is an honor that comes with both responsibility and danger; something she knows all too well.

After the death of her parents, Alexia and her sister are elevated to caretakers of their family castle, along with a trusted steward. But, when Alexia becomes the target of a murder plot, a friar who knows the responsibility she shoulders, spirits her away to live in the forest. Once there, Alexia learns the ways of archery and comes to be known as The Falcon of Emerald Forest. She is a Robin Hood figure to the townspeople of the local village, providing them with game and sharing Scripture even though it is considered criminal for anyone outside of the church to read God’s Holy Word. But Alexia knows there is comfort in God’s Word and refuses to be silenced. Though Alexia would like nothing more than to go back to the castle of her birthright, not knowing whom it is who wants her dead, keeps her incognito. Though her life is in danger every time she goes near the castle, she refuses to stay away because of her ailing sister.

So, as you can see, Alexia wears many hats: Protector of the Spear, The Falcon of Emerald Forest, heir to a castle, provider to the local village. Somehow, she manages to balance her many roles without the slightest trouble; that is, until she meets Ronar LePeine, one of the King's elite guards.

Guard Ronar LePeine, along with his two closes friends, is escorting Bishop Godfrey to Luxley Castle. The Bishop is convinced The Spear of Destiny is hidden there and is determined to find it. While traveling through the Emerald Forest, Alexia decides the Bishop’s band of men have gotten too close to the hiding place of the spear. She sets out to distract the elite guardsmen and ends up coming face to face with Ronar.

From their very first encounter, Alexia and Ronar are befuddled with each other. At first, they want nothing more than to best each other. Alexia is determined to protect the spear from Ronar, the Bishop, and anyone else who searches for it, while Ronar is sure the forest sprite is up to no good because of her mastery of deception and her knowledge of the Scriptures. However, the attraction these two feel for each other is undeniably scintillating.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Marylu has an amazing way of building such chemistry between her characters; it wouldn’t matter if the story took place in a forest, a castle, or a shoe store. It is that good! The concept was brilliant, and Ms. Tyndall’s attention to detail in creating her world was flawless. The repartee between Alexia and Ronar is so incredibly delicious; you can’t help but smirk as these two banter in a battle of wits—a battle neither of them realizes is based more on attraction then one-upmanship.

SHE WALKS IN POWER is another amazing book from Marylu Tyndall. I am convinced; no one writes Adventure/Romance likes she does. The only unfortunate thing about finishing SHE WALKS IN POWER so quickly . . . the time I have to wait until the next installment.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

My Review - To Follow Her Heart

3 out of 5 stars

TO FOLLOW HER HEART continues the saga of the inhabitants of Southold, Long Island. Like A PLACE IN HIS HEART and TO CAPTURE HER HEART books one and two in The Southold Chronicles, I found myself frustrated with the main characters, and the arduous journey of their relationship.

Patience Terry has the perfect name for her character. She has shown plenty of patience waiting for Captain Jeremy Horton to give up the sea and settle in Southold, and has had to terry many years waiting for him to prove his love. When his ship is lost off the coast of Barbados, Patience refuses to believe he is dead, even though the report is no survivors.

When Jeremy returns to Patience, she is overjoyed; but her happiness is short-lived. The potential of war pulls Jeremy away from Southold as soon as he arrives. After the war, Jeremy is without a ship and decides he wants to become a shipbuilder, and though he pronounces his love to Patience, he spends all his time at Winter Harbor building a ship with his friend, Harry.

This is just a sample of the many situations that keep Patience and Jeremy apart. Time after time, Jeremy proclaims his love for Patience, but somehow, she always is relocated to the bottom of his priority list. In the end, it is Patience who makes the ultimate journey to be with the man she loves.

TO FOLLOW HER HEART was frustrating to read. Jeremy most definitely takes Patience for granted, and because of her strong love for Jeremy she gives him chance after chance. I’m all for give and take in a relationship, but Jeremy had a lot of take and very little give.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available July 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review - Without Warning

4.5 out of 5 stars

WITHOUT WARNING immediately jumps into action in this whodunit-and-why novel.

Instead of a much-needed vacation, Katie Singleton—a member of the Elite Guardians Protection Agency—finds herself at the scene of a murder, quickly followed by an act of arson. It appears Daniel Matthews—the uncle of one of Katie’s self-defense students—is being targeted. But why? Out of concern for Riley, Daniel’s niece, Katie inserts herself into the investigation to find out what’s going on. When it’s obvious Daniel’s life is in danger, Riley hires Katie to be her uncle’s bodyguard.

Daniel Matthews is horrified to find a body in the basement of one of his restaurants, but his horror soon turns to shock when another of his restaurants goes up in smoke. Confused as to why someone is targeting him, Daniel tries to figure out who’s behind the attacks. Ex-military, Daniel has the skills to take care of himself, but to ease Riley’s concerns; he agrees to let Katie shadow him until the perpetrator is caught.

Katie and Daniel, along with the rest of Katie’s agency, try to figure out who wants Daniel dead. With long hours spent together, neither Katie nor Daniel can deny the attraction developing between them. Wanting to remain professional and free from distraction, they decide to put their personal feelings on hold until after the investigation. Their priority is to catch a killer before Daniel, or even Riley becomes the next victim.

WITHOUT WARNING definitely has a lot of action. Though guessing who was behind the attacks was easy, the added twist at the end definitely caused me to say Oh no! I didn’t think the plot was as deep as I’ve come to expect from Lynette Eason, but the genuineness of the characters easily made up for it. Riley seemed wise beyond her years, and I enjoyed the tenderness between her and Daniel. As in all romance/suspense books that I read, I wish the romantic interaction between the hero and heroine wouldn’t be put off until the end. I feel we miss out on a lot of the story development between couples when it is quickly summed up in a last chapter or epilogue. Other than that, WITHOUT WARNING will definitely be added to my recommendations list.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available August 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review - Realms of Darkness

5+ stars 

There are not enough adjectives to describe The Secret of the Journal series. As I have stated in my previous reviews—of the first three installments—the story of Matthew and Emma is captivating, intriguing, intelligent, and evocative.

I don’t even know how I can give a synopsis of REALMS OF DARKNESS without giving something away, but I will try to give an overview of the whole series.

Emma D’Eresby’s love of history is a passion passed down to her from her grandfather. However, the study of one particular journal has consumed her and turned Emma’s life upside down. Having survived the abuses of others, Emma isn’t looking for a relationship, but Matthew Lynes—the focus of her research—is the most intriguing person Emma has ever met, and the chemistry between them is off the charts. As their relationship develops, there are those who would like nothing more than to tear them apart, both from inside Matthew’s family, and others from Emma’s past. However, Emma and Matthew recognize they have something special. Yes, they have numerous obstacles to overcome, but they know they’re meant to be together, so they pursue a relationship.

Fast-forward to where we join the story in REALMS OF DARKNESS. Emma has recovered from a near-fatal collapse, and is ready to take the next step—becoming Matthew’s wife. But someone from Emma’s past is determined to ruin her and find out what it is Matthew is hiding. Emma refuses to let this happen and goes to extreme lengths to keep Matthew’s secret safe.

That’s all I can say without giving too much away. The Secret of the Journal series is like nothing I’ve ever read before. Each time I read an installment, I am completely consumed by it, not wanting to put it down until I have read the very last page. I am so thankful I only have to wait until September to read the conclusion of Matthew and Emma’s story. The Secret of the Journal series (and I only have two others) is definitely on my re-read list.

Book provided for review purposes.

My Review - Honor Redeemed

4 out of 5 stars

There were no surprises in HONORED REDEEMED, but I still enjoyed the journey.

Prosperity Jones’s journey is one of heartache and heartbreak. She has lost her father to the sea, her fiancé to a military post across the ocean, and her mother to consumption. With nothing left for her in Nantucket, Prosperity decides to make the arduous journey to Key West to be with her beloved David. With nothing but a few coins, a single bag, and the memories of their great love, Prosperity imagines the surprise she will see on David’s face when she arrives unexpectedly. Unfortunately, it is Prosperity who is surprised. Not only has David wed someone else, but his new wife is great with child. Thinking it a cruel joke, Prosperity can’t fathom how David—a man of great honor, discipline, and self-control—could’ve veered so far from the morals he wore like armor. When reality sets in, and with nowhere to go, Prosperity realizes she must now make a life for herself in Key West.

Taking a job at a local hospital, Prosperity attracts the interest of Doctor Goodenow. Though he is several years her senior, she is thankful for his friendship and the help he offers to get her established in the town she can’t afford to leave. After a while, Dr. Goodenow makes his intentions clear to Prosperity, and though he is kindhearted and an upstanding citizen in the small community, her heart belongs to David.

While Prosperity continues to pine for David, David struggles with his new reality and the unfitting behavior that has put him in his current predicament. He loves Prosperity with all his heart, but knows he needs to be a man of honor and principle to his new wife, and his child that she carries.

I liked HONORED REDEEMED. Though it was predictable, it still kept my interest. Prosperity was a pull-up-your-bootstraps kind of woman who only got stronger as the book went on. David was a tortured soul—who instead of believing his gut—put his pride on the shelf to show himself a man of honor. The only negative I have regarding HONOR REDEEMED was the character development of Aileen. I feel Ms. Johnson took the easy way out by not making her a little more likable. It was easy, as a reader, to discard Aileen because of her behavior. To have had more of an impact/struggle I believe Aileen’s back story should have been included so that the reader would’ve at least understood more about Aileen and the predicament she found herself in.

Overall, an enjoyable book I would recommend.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available July 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review - What Matters Most

5 out of 5 stars

Set in the political arena, WHAT MATTERS MOST, is a unique story with engaging characters.

Leta Breckenridge is at the end of her rope. With escalating bills at the facility that cares for her mother, Leta must find a job fast. Unfortunately, not having a degree is making it hard to find a job that can pay the bills. Then, to add insult to injury, she has a fender-bender in a parking lot with a handsome man and his expensive car. However, when he finds out Leta is without insurance, he lets her know he can cover the cost of his own repairs, and not to worry about.

Leta feels things are looking up when she lands a high-paying job at a public relations firm. Finally, she feels the noose of her financial burden lifting. When she has another chance encounter with the man from the fender-bender—who she now knows is Senator Nathan Emerson—she feels a spark. Even still, he is out of her league and already in a very publicized, long-term relationship. But somehow, none of that matters. There is chemistry between Leta and Nathan, something they both feel and want to explore.

Leta’s world is turned upside down when she finds out the public relations firm she works for, is really a political opposition organization, and they are gunning for Nathan Emerson as he makes his bid for governor. When Leta is tasked with finding “dirt” on Nathan, she is torn. Without her job at the firm, she won’t be able to subsidize her mother’s nursing care, but if she continues, she will have to put an end to her budding relationship with Nathan. Knowing she must make a decision, she is shocked when Nathan makes the decision for her. Leta knows Nathan has found out about her job and the implications of it, but won’t give her a chance to explain.

I really enjoyed WHAT MATTERS MOST. Though I am not a fan of politics, the setting didn’t detour me from wanting to see where Leta and Nathan’s story would end. Ms. Gilbert did a great job of making the attraction between her two main characters palatable to the reader. Nathan was suave and sophisticated, but also had the boy-next-door charm. I hurt realizing the struggle Leta was feeling, wanting to do the best for her mother, when financially it was almost impossible.

Wonderful characters. Unique storyline. Great book.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available July 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review - MISSING - by Lisa Harris

5 out of 5 stars

MISSING by Lisa Harris, is the perfect follow-up to VENDETTA. Once again, we follow Nikki Boyd, a member of the Missing Person’s Task Force as she tries to find Lucy Hudson, the wife of a man who was murdered. The unfortunate twist, the murdered man ends up on her friend Tyler Grant’s boat. Immediately, Nikki proves Tyler—a widower who was once married to Nikki’s best friend—is innocent. Now, she must use what little clues she has to find out why Mac Hudson was murdered, and where his missing wife, Lucy Hudson is hiding. As the body count climbs, Nikki finds herself in the middle of a counterfeit drug ring that will stop at nothing to keep people from exposing their operation. If that isn’t enough, Nikki finds herself struggling with her growing feelings for Tyler. Knowing what she feels for Tyler far surpasses friendship; she’s not sure what to do. Tyler needs time to heal from the loss of his wife, but Nikki wants to be there for him when he’s ready to move on. However, finding the men who killed Mac Hudson, and who are now after her and Tyler is her first priority.

Lots of twists and turns keep reader’s guessing who is guilty and who is a victim in this thriller. Having Tyler and his father-in-law in the middle of the investigation makes it even more intriguing. Nikki wants to express her feeling to Tyler, but is afraid it’s too soon after his wife—Nikki’s best friend’s death. Instead, she decides to keep it professional between her and Tyler, at least until everyone is safe and out of danger.

I really enjoy Lisa Harris’ writing. She skillfully keeps the crime story moving while interjecting personal moments between characters. I can’t wait to see how Nikki and Tyler’s relationship develops in PURSUED, the third installment in the Nikki Boyd Files

Book provided for review purposes.

Available July 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Review - Traces of Guilt

5 out of 5 stars

With TRACES OF GUILT, Dee Henderson once again weaves together intriguing plots and engaging characters, and does it with such fluidity; I couldn’t help but be consumed by it.

Detective Evie Blackwell is good at what she does. Catching the attention of the right people, it’s no wonder she’s assigned to a new task force that will concentrate its efforts on cold cases. Wanting to get a head start, Evie travels to Carin, Illinois, where she teams up with Sheriff Gabriel Thane to solve two crimes that took place in his county; the disappearance of a family, and the disappearance of a six-year-old girl. Evie, with Gabriel’s help goes over old evidence and finds new leads. Evie instantly feels a connection with Gabriel—their partnership easy and comfortable, but doesn’t think a two-cop relationship is healthy; her schedule is complicated enough. Trying to work a relationship around her agenda and that of a small-town sheriff seems like a recipe for disaster. Deciding it is best to keep their relationship professional; Evie and Gabriel find evidence that hits close to home for the Thane’s family. Emotions run high and clues lead to dead ends, but Evie refuses to give up. She knows they are on the cusp of solving not only the cases they intended, but others that have been unearthed in the process.

At first, Gabriel Thane’s isn’t sure how he feels about Evie Blackwell coming into his town and opening old wounds. However, he realizes Evie brings a fresh perspective to the cases; something only an outsider can do. Intrigued by both her process and the women herself, Gabriel is committed to following the leads she finds, no matter how unorthodox, hoping to lay the unsolved cases to rest.

TRACES OF GUILT is multi-faceted, with both old and new characters. The chemistry between Evie and Gabriel is palatable, yet Henderson keeps the reader guessing to the extent of their connection. Ann Falcon, from FULL DISCLOSURE has a large presence in this novel, and name-drops others from previous books. With the introduction of the Thanes family, Henderson has a deep well of characters to draw from for future installments. Though the stories of Josh and Grace and Will and Karen are introduced, there is so much more to learn about these couples. I also hope Ann and Paul continue to be a presence in this series. I can’t put my finger on what it is about Dee Henderson’s style, that makes her books irresistible, but whatever it is, it was in full force in TRACES OF GUILT.

My Review - Rising Darkness

4 out of 5 stars

RISING DARKNESS follows Sophie Wittenbauer into a world she thought she left behind as she strives to become the person she wants to be.

Sophie ran from her Mennonite hometown when she was just a teenager, but the painful memories still follow her around. Sophie has completely reinvented herself. She’s no longer the overweight, awkward girl from the conservative town of Kingdom. She’s now a journalist with the possibility of solving a cold case involving murder and six million dollars. With what she thinks is a plausible cover story, Sophie infiltrates the town of Sanctuary, Missouri. However, the persona she’s created has some holes in it, and from the get-go, she wonders if she can continue in Sanctuary without being found out. Sophie’s nerves are shaken even further when a man from her past introduces himself as the youth pastor at the local church, but Jonathan isn’t just any man; he’s the man Sophie fell in love with years ago and has never forgotten. Jonathan doesn’t recognize her at first—her transformation so complete—but he’s definitely drawn to Sophie. When he discovers who she is and why she’s in Sanctuary, Sophie is sure he’ll expose her, and she will once again lose the only man who has ever held her heart. However, Jonathan decides to help Sophie, especially when he realizes her life is in danger. Though Sophie’s intentions when going to Sanctuary was to come away with the news story of a lifetime, she realizes she’ll be lucky to come out with her heart and her life intact.

Though RISING DARKNESS was not of the Amish genre, per say, it dangled on the fringe. I am not a fan of the Amish setting, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but RISING DARKNESS was written with a more contemporary feel and a storyline that was rather intriguing. Sophie was a strong character; definitely an overcomer, while Jonathan was charismatic and a bit untraditional for a leader in a conservative church. To me, Sophie’s original reason for being in Sanctuary took a backseat to the romance developing between her and Jonathan. Nevertheless, I was fine with that . . . and the outcome.

A fresh twist and an enjoyable read.

My Review - Sea Rose Lane

4 out of 5 stars

SEA ROSE LANE is a casual read. I enjoyed the characters and the setting, but the pacing was a bit slow. 

Attorney Eric Nash heads to his childhood home to regroup after being laid off from his job. When he gets there, he’s surprised to find out his father is turning their family home into a bed and breakfast. He’s even more surprised when he realizes the contractor on the job is the same woman he had a fender-bender with on the way into town. BJ Stevens is a no-nonsense woman with major talent, and a spark that intrigues Eric, but he's only in town for a few weeks, then he plans to jump back into the world of corporate law. He doesn’t have time for a relationship; at least, that’s what he keeps telling himself. 

BJ Stevens has had her fill of big-city life. She’s back home in Hope Harbor, enjoying the simplicity of being her own boss and working on projects that have meaning. When she meets Eric Nash, she feels electricity between them, but after a failed relationship, she has no desire to get involved, especially since he won’t be around Hope Harbor for long. 

I’ve always enjoyed Irene Hannon’s writing, but I must say, I enjoy her action series more. SEA ROSE LANE has all the right elements: genuine characters, the perfect setting for romance, and the push and pull of a relationship fraught with obstacles, but it lacks the action and adventure I look for in a riveting book. However, that doesn’t diminish the quality of Ms. Hannon’s writing. I’m just stating my person preference. The value and enjoyment is still there.

If you’re looking for an unhurried story with characters that grow on you, you most certainly will enjoy SEA ROSE LANE. 

Book provided for review purposes. 

Available June 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  

 

 

My Review - All Summer Long

4 out of 5 stars

ALL SUMMER LONG has a unique setting and likeable characters. Nothing earth shattering or miraculous, just an easy and enjoyable read for summer.

Tia D’Amico loves her family, and their family-owned restaurant in Washington where she works. However, she is definitely ready for a change. When her aunt calls from San Francisco with an amazing job offer, Tia jumps at the chance. Her aunt’s plan is to transform an old luxury yacht into a dinner cruise boat, and she wants Tia to be the chef. Tia has fond memories of San Francisco. It’s where her camp crush Leo Parker gave Tia her first kiss, and she fell in love with the city on the bay. Tia can’t wait for her new adventure to begin, but when Leo Parker meets her at the airport, Tia doesn’t know what to think. When she finds out Leo is the yacht’s captain, she is over the moon. But, when Tia finds out he’s spoken for she is devastated. Spending the summer with Leo, knowing he can be nothing more than a friend tests Tia’s self-control, especially when Leo’s fiancée confides in Tia things that would break Leo’s heart.

I enjoyed ALL SUMMER LONG. Not because it challenged my thinking or pushed borders, but because it was light and carefree. I thought the setting was fresh and untapped and the characters extremely likable. Leo was dashing and genuine, and seemed to have no problem nurturing a close friendship with Tia even though he was newly engaged. Tia was the consummate good girl, being a friend not only to Leo, but to his fiancée as well. Even Natalie, the prima donna, actually had a nice side to her. So, if there is any drawback to the book, it would be that the characters were just a little too perfect. But, if you’re looking for a simple, entertaining book, ALL SUMMER LONG fits the bill perfectly.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available June 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group,

My Review - Rising Darkness

4 out of 5 stars

RISING DARKNESS follows Sophie Wittenbauer into a world she thought she left behind as she strives to become the person she wants to be.

Sophie ran from her Mennonite hometown when she was just a teenager, but the painful memories still follow her around. Sophie has completely reinvented herself. She’s no longer the overweight, awkward girl from the conservative town of Kingdom. She’s now a journalist with the possibility of solving a cold case involving murder and six million dollars. With what she thinks is a plausible cover story, Sophie infiltrates the town of Sanctuary, Missouri. However, the persona she’s created has some holes in it, and from the get-go, she wonders if she can continue in Sanctuary without being found out. Sophie’s nerves are shaken even further when a man from her past introduces himself as the youth pastor at the local church, but Jonathan isn’t just any man; he’s the man Sophie fell in love with years ago and has never forgotten. Jonathan doesn’t recognize her at first—her transformation so complete—but he’s definitely drawn to Sophie. When he discovers who she is and why she’s in Sanctuary, Sophie is sure he’ll expose her, and she will once again lose the only man who has ever held her heart. However, Jonathan decides to help Sophie, especially when he realizes her life is in danger. Though Sophie’s intentions when going to Sanctuary was to come away with the news story of a lifetime, she realizes she’ll be lucky to come out with her heart and her life intact.

Though RISING DARKNESS was not of the Amish genre, per say, it dangled on the fringe. I am not a fan of the Amish setting, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but RISING DARKNESS was written with a more contemporary feel and a storyline that was rather intriguing. Sophie was a strong character; definitely an over comer, while Jonathan was charismatic and a bit untraditional for a leader in a conservative church. To me, Sophie’s original reason for being in Sanctuary took a backseat to the romance developing between her and Jonathan. Nevertheless, I was fine with that . . . and the outcome.

A fresh twist and an enjoyable read.

 

 

My Review - Murder Comes By Mail

3.5 out of 5 stars

MURDER COMES BY MAIL was good, and I did enjoy the story, it just didn’t move at a pace I would expect from a mystery.

Michael Keane enjoys his job as sheriff in the small, sleepy town of Hidden Springs. That is until he saves a suicidal man from jumping off the local bridge. Touted as a hero, Michael doesn’t particularly like the moniker, especially when he finds out the man he just saved might have murdered a girl after being rescued. With pictures arriving in the mail, foretelling the deaths of other women, Michael realizes not only is this man a murderer, but he’s also targeting women Michael knows. When the investigation is turned over to another agency, the connection between Michael, the women, and the locations of their deaths, begin to look suspect. Now, Michael must find out who the killer is before he’s framed for murder or someone important in Michael’s life becomes the next victim.

Like I said, I enjoyed the story, it’s just that the pacing seemed slow and a little drawn out. The characters were very likeable, and Ms. Gabhart definitely painted a believable portrait of small-town USA. The best part of the book for me was the storyline involving Alex, the woman Michael is still in love with. Even though she moved to the city to become a big-time lawyer, Michael can’t seem to let go of the possibility of what could’ve been. Friends since childhood, he and Alex are still in contact with each other, and still share deep feelings for each other. With each interaction, Michael wonders if there could still be a “them” after all.

A good story, with likable characters, MURDER COMES BY MAIL makes for an enjoyable read.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available May 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

My Review - Signs of Love

5 out of 5 stars

SIGNS OF LOVE is the first book I’ve read from Kimberly Rae Jordan. I most certainly will be picking up the other installments in the Black Thorpe Security series.

Alana Jensen is a survivor. A teen pregnancy, an estranged family, and an abusive marriage have made her resilient and extremely independent. Now, every decision Alana makes is done with her son, Caden, in mind. Being the single mother of a deaf child has made Alana fiercely protective of her son, and careful who she lets into their inner circle. That’s why she is wary of Justin Morell. The moment Alana is introduced to Justin, she’s guarded. His powerful physique and brooding personality are reminiscent of her ex-husband; definite red flags in Alana’s book. Figuring she’ll just keep her distance from Justin, she’s surprised to see her son immediately drawn to the larger than life man. Knowing her son needs a male influence in his life, Alana puts her own negative feelings for Justin aside. Even so, the more she observes the way Justin interacts with Caden, and his niece, Alana realizes Justin is one of the good guys. Unfortunately, her heart is beginning to feel the same way, too.

Justin Morrell loves his job at Black Thorpe Security, almost as much as he loves his sister and her family. Justin and his sister, Beth, share a special bond. When Beth was only thirteen, their family was tragically killed, so Justin stepped in to become Beth’s guardian. Ten years later, Justin is still fiercely protective of his sister even though she is married and has a daughter of her own. Justin is devastated to find out his two-year-old niece, for some unexplained reason, has lost her hearing. He’s even more upset to find Alana Jensen, a complete stranger, offering to help the family adjust to living with a deaf child. Justin thinks it’s too convenient, and is sure Alana is running some kind of scam. Using the connections he has with other agencies, Justin finds out the truth to Alana’s secretive past. Knowing the hurt she’s hiding, Justin no longer questions Alana’s motives, and even allows himself to think of her as more than just an acquaintance. Never thinking he could have time for anything more than his family and his job, Alana and Caden have Justin rethinking his priorities.

I really enjoyed SIGNS OF LOVE. Though Alana was soft-spoken and demure, she wasn’t a pushover. She had a bit of spunk to her that gave her depth and dimension. Justin from all outwards appearances was intimating and closed-off, but Ms. Jordan made sure the reader understood what made Justin tick—love for his family and passion for his job. He’s definitely an all-in kind of guy which makes him seem a little rough around the edges, but not without his charm. I’m going to need to back up and read GUARDING HER HEART (book one), before I move forward with the rest of the series.

My Review - Latest Release in WITSEC Town Series

5 out of 5 stars

SANCTUARY DECEIVED was the best installment yet in the WITSEC Town series! The action was non-stop and riveting!

Bolton Farrera and Nadia Marie Carleigh are whisked away from the town of Sanctuary so Bolton can have back surgery that is long overdue. What happens next is a roller coaster ride of threats, near misses, kidnappings, chaos, brutality, and emotions of longing and regret.

Though Nadia Marie has feelings for Bolton, his life outside of Sanctuary is like nothing she ever imagined. While they are on the run, Nadia senses Bolton growing more distant, but doesn’t understand why. She’s sacrificed everything to be with him, but he seems to have a singular focus—one that doesn’t include her.

Bolton hides out with Nadia Marie while he awaits the back surgery he needs. He’s frustrated with himself for dragging Nadia into the chaos and danger that is his life, knowing when all is said and done, he has no intentions of returning to Sanctuary. He has feelings for Nadia, but won’t allow himself to get involved with her. The danger is just too great.

It’s hard to describe all that happened in SANCTUARY DECEIVED because a new set of circumstances awaited Bolton and Nadia Marie at every turn. Other than Dante and Tristan, you never really know who the bad guys are until they tried to eliminate Bolton and Nadia. With help from Ben and Grant Mason, Bolton is determined to extinguish the threat against his life and return Nadia to safety.

This was an incredible series! SANCTUARY DECEIVED is a little different than the previous installments because the action takes place outside of Sanctuary. I was near exhaustion trying to keep up with the action, and my heart hurt every time Nadia doubted Bolton’s intentions. I can’t say enough about this series, other than, buy it! You’ll be glad you did.

Note: Lisa has added two more installments in the WITSEC series that are only available in an electronic format. I haven’t read these yet, but hope to soon.

 

My Review - Anchor in the Storm

4 out of 5 stars

ANCHOR IN THE STORM is the second installment in the Waves of Freedom series. Though World War II is the setting, Lillian and Arch find danger on the shores of Boston.

In a word, Lillian Avery is determined. Even with the misfortune of a childhood accident that took Lillian’s leg, she refuses to allow her handicap to slow her down or get in the way of her independence. She’s thrilled to be offered a pharmacist’s job in Boston, until she finds out her employer has every intention of replacing her as soon as a man becomes available. Determined to prove herself invaluable, Lillian sets out to prove she is as good as any man, and could add some much-needed female touches to the drab drugstore. Lillian loves everything about Boston except for the flirtatious attention Archer Vandenberg continues to show her. She doesn’t care if he is her brother’s best friend and shipmate, Lillian doesn’t trust him. Arch is gorgeous, wealthy, and sophisticated; what could he possibly see in her? Besides, Lillian has no intentions of becoming involved with a man. They’re manipulative, controlling, and prey on a women’s weakness. Lillian knows firsthand the lengths a man will go to in order to gain your trust, only to feed his own selfish desires.

Ensign Archer Vandenberg is smitten with Lillian from the moment they are introduced. A bit of a cynic, Arch is used to keeping women at arms-length because they’re usually only interested in his family’s money, but Lillian doesn’t seem interested at all. In fact, her standoffish behavior makes her even more attractive. Over time, Arch realizes its Lillian’s handicap that causes her to put walls up, but Arch is determined to wear down Lillian’s resistance, at least enough that she’ll consider him a friend. Arch doesn’t want to settle for friendship, but he’s willing to give Lillian the time she needs for her to see his interest in her is genuine.

About the time Arch notices unusual behavior among the soldiers on his ship, Lillian discovers prescriptions for a dangerous drug written in larger than normal quantities. Convinced that the two are connected, Lillian and Arch do some investigating of their own. The more time they spend together, the more they open up to each other regarding their insecurities and fears. Just when it seems their relationship is ready for the next step, they both suffer their ultimate fear—betrayal.

I enjoyed ANCHOR IN THE STORM. I‘m not usually one for period pieces, but the time Ms. Sundin puts into her character development makes the backdrop inconsequential (to me). However, I did feel there were a few stutters in the story. The first being Lillian’s sudden willingness to put her apprehension regarding a relationship aside and fall head over heels for Arch. It was as sudden as a flip of a light switch. It was a bit too abrupt for me. The other was the maliciousness in which they treated each other over a misunderstanding. I think Lillian and Arch would’ve been more devastated then combative. It just seemed a little out of character for me. Other than that, ANCHOR IN THE STORM was a good follow-up to THROUGH WATERS DEEP.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available April 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
 

 

 

My Review - Silence in the Dark

SILENCE IN THE DARK is fast paced suspense at its best

Bailey Adams has been serving as a missionary/teacher in Mexico. She’s convinced God called her there, and it made for the perfect escape from Danny Maxwell, her ex-fiancée. While there, Bailey has seen firsthand the corruption and fear the drug cartels have brought to the people. She’s committed to making a difference, but first, she has offered to escort, Maria, one of her students, to the U.S. in order for the child to see her ailing grandfather. Before Bailey even knows what’s happening, she and Maria are caught in a shootout, and escape a kidnapping attempt. With nowhere to turn, Bailey is shocked when her help comes from Danny. She’s thankful he’s there, but revisiting their failed engagement is not what she wants to do. At the moment, she just wants to get Maria to safety and figure out if it’s her or Maria the kidnappers are after.

Danny has never stopped loving Bailey. So, when he see her in Mexico, all his old feelings for her resurface. Not understanding why Bailey is with a business associate of his, Danny has little time to ponder it before Bailey disappears. Finding Bailey and getting her to Logan’s Point is Danny’s number one priority, but his heart’s desire is that they would get a second chance at love. When it’s clear both Bailey and Maria are in trouble, Danny is determined to find out who is after them. As the list of suspects grow, and the possibility that even their friends and associates could be working against them, Danny and Bailey realize time is running out.

I thoroughly enjoyed SILENCE IN THE DARK. Patricia Bradley knows how to write suspense with just the right amount of romance. The characters have such charm. Bailey is kind and strong, but struggles with forgiving herself because of a tragedy in her past. Danny is the consummate hero who handed his heart to Bailey long ago and will do anything to protect her. A long list of secondary characters round out the story and makes you wonder who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. SILENCE IN THE DARK is a great addition to the Logan Point series.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available April 2016 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Final Installment in the Alaskan Courage Series

SABOTAGED, with its unique storyline and unpredictable twists, you really had to wait until the end of the book to know the whole truth.  The only negative is knowing SABOTAGED marks the end of the series.

A Great Series Full of Action and Romance!

5 out of 5 stars

Kirra Jacobs is beside herself with worry. Her uncle−a musher in the Alaskan Iditarod race−is missing. She sets out to find him only to be shadowed by Reef McKenna, her childhood nemesis.  When Kirra and Reef find her Uncle Frank, he lets them know that Kirra’s cousin, Meg, has been kidnapped and will be killed if Frank doesn’t do exactly as they say. Kirra and Reef−along with the rest of the McKenna siblings−join forces to figure out what Frank is being forced to do and where Meg is being held. While Kirra and Reef work together to hunt down clues, Kirra realizes her feelings for Reef are no longer fueled by contempt. The attraction she feels for him confuses her, but the man she sees in Reef is far different from the adolescent she grew up with.

Reef’s transformation has been slow, and though he realizes he has true feelings for Kirra, he knows her feelings for him teeter somewhere between irritation and tolerance. But that doesn’t matter. Her family is in trouble and he intends to do everything in his power to not only help Frank and Meg, but to keep Kirra out of harm’s way.  Unfortunately, the more they uncover, the more the evidence points to a catastrophic event that endangers more than just Kirra’s family.

I absolutely LOVED the entire Alaskan Courage series.  The McKenna clan is a fiercely protective and loyal bunch, but not without their difference and their scars.  It was nice to witness the transformation in Reef−the black sheep of the family and it was great to get one more glimpse at Cole and Bailey, Piper and Landon, Gage and Darcy, and Kayden and Jake. Each of their stories was gripping, action-packed, romantic, and memorable.

A great series! A must for romance/suspense junkie!