Crosshairs, Natchez Trace Series #3 by Patricia Bradley

Book description:

 When evil just won't quit, good must prevail

Investigative Services Branch ranger Ainsley Beaumont wishes the visit to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, was under better circumstances. When she arrived to investigate the murder of a pregnant teenager, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--or that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her.

The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

My review:

    This author is one who became a favorite when I read her first book. To be honest, it took me a while to get into this one. I started it, and read a few chapters, and  didn't get back to it til a couple of weeks later. That is likely just me, as I have never had that problem before with her books, and had no problem getting into it after that. It did seem to have a somewhat slow start though.

  Once I got past the first few chapters, the book really picked up, and I read the rest of it in one evening. There was a lot happening, and a lot of suspense....and more than one bad guy, which becomes evident fairly early in the book.

 Topics of fear, forgiveness, regret, and guilt are dealt with in addition to the suspense and drama. 

 The identity of the bad guys is kept a secret and really had me guessing, and I was totally surprised at the identity of one, which brought a couple other surprises with that revealing.

 Once I got past the first few chapters - which may have been just me - the book was another awesome read from this great author.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession, and Crosshairs, as well as the Memphis Cold

Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award in Romantic Suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.

  Crosshairs is available from Revell, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

                                                                        Book #1

 

                                                                           Book #2

Lights Out, The SNAP Agency #1 by Natalie Walters

 

Book description:

CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a woman who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning--the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world--and their hearts--hangs in the balance.

My review:

   Natalie Walters is still a fairly new author, having just one trilogy published before this series....and it was a great series.

 If this book is any indication, she is just getting better. It was a truly great read, and has all the ingredients to make it that great read:

Plot: A very current and danger is terrorism, and in this book: terrorists targeting the power grids of the USA. 

Characters: Walters created some awesome characters for the SNAP team, all of them totally different and all very likable. Kekoa, a huge Hawiian, the "size of a mini van" is hilarious and makes everything more interesting. (He gets his own story coming out in May). Jack, the main character of this story, is more serious and just as likable. 

Suspense: There is a lot going on in this book, and it kept me on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could. Knowing this fiction could happen some day (hope not!), made it all the more of an interesting and suspenseful read. 

Romance: This is the third book I have read recently that had two main characters who had previously been in a relationship. I like that.

   I am no expert on the ins and outs of procedures of law enforcement, but it seems the author did a lot of research and did a great job describing tech stuff and such procedures that make sense and were still interesting.

  I definitely recommend this book, and am looking forward to the other books in the series. 

 The author wrote a novella that is a prequel to the series, and it tells how the SNAP team became a team, and how each team member was recruited. I recommend reading it first. It is available in paperback or e-book.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Natalie Walters is the author of Lights Out, as well as the Harbored Secrets series. A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is the proud mom of three. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and connecting with readers on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.

  Lights Out is available from Revell Publishing.

 Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

                                                                 Prequel

Book #2, coming May 2022

                                                       Harbored Secrets, 1-3

The Thin Space by Dann A Stouten

 

Book description:

When Psychologist Rocky Devos lost his wife to cancer, he also lost his faith in the fairness of God. For over a year, he lived in the thin space between his love for God and his hatred for what he believed God did. Each night, he banged on heaven’s gate demanding an explanation.

“Why Rachel, Lord? Why would you let her suffer like that? Why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you give us a miracle?”

The longer his prayers went unanswered the more frustrated he became. Eventually, he meets God’s silence with a silence of his own. But then, a year and four months later, the answer arrives disguised as a homeless vagabond who claims to be the apostle Paul. Clearly, Rocky believes he was delusional. But in their court-appointed sessions, he finds a kindred spirit. As Paul unpacks the pain of losing his wife in childbirth the two men connect. Rocky believes he’s there to help Paul. Paul believes the opposite.

The book explores the thin space between faith and doubt. Rocky’s questions are our questions. At some point we will all lose someone we love. When we do, we will find comfort in the company of those who have walked the path of suffering before us. Rocky invites us to join him on his journey of redemption. His conversations with Paul will not only change the way he thinks about God, they may do the same for you as well.

My review:

  I read and reviewed the author's first book eight years ago, The Gate. It has been compared to The Shack (a book I hate), but I feel it is nothing like that book, and I really enjoyed it.

 The Thin Space is different, but still an engaging read. The main character is a psychologist who had lost his wife around a year ago, and was still struggling with that and with his faith because of that. He begins counseling a man who thinks he is the Apostle Paul. The author never quite says so, but the idea that I got was that the man wasn't crazy, but actually was the Apostle Paul....but I could be wrong. :)

  It is an interesting and easy read. There is a lot of back and forth between Paul and Rocky, and there is a lot of great truths and theology in those conversations. There is also a lot of background about the Apostle Paul, most of which I knew, but it was still interesting to get a refresher on Paul and his past and his exploits after encountering Jesus.

 A book such as this is not just well written Christian fiction, but is also a book that could help people who are struggling with their faith, especially due to a loss in their life. The author gets a lot of great truths across in a non-preachy way using the medium of Christian fiction.

  The Thin Space is a great read with the possibilities of helping people who are questioning God because of loss or other bad things in their life.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Dr. Dann Stouten is the Pastor of Leadership and Teaching at Christ Memorial Church in

Holland, MI. Prior to that he was the Regional Coordinator of Development for the Reformed Church in America. He was also the senior pastor at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. While Dann was leading Community, the church was one of the fastest growing churches in West Michigan.

Dann works with churches to help them assess their current reality, discover their preferred future, and develop a pathway to realize their objectives. His goal is to outfit the church to influence the world for Jesus Christ.

Dann is the author of The Gate: A Novel (Revell 2013), The Thin Space: Where Faith and Doubt Collide (2021), and he has written the Illustration/Application portion of the Teach the Text commentary series (Baker Books 2016).

The Thin Space is available from Elk Lake Publishing.

Lost In Darkness by Michelle Griep

Book description:

 Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein  

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

My review:

   This was the first book that I have read by this author. Her Thief of Blackfriar's Lane has intrigued me, but I never read it.

  Lost In Darkness was.....different. The gothic part of the book description should have clued me in. I didn't love it, but I didn't really dislike it either....if that makes sense.

  I did like the three main characters. Graham was somewhat of a lost soul at first, yet committed to doing the right thing no matter what. Amelia set aside her career plans to help the brother she hadn't seen in seven years. Colin, her brother, was a very likable character that you can't help feeling sorry for and wishing....well, no spoilers. I do wish the author had done a better job of describing his deformities.

 Doctor Peckwood was a most unlikable character who got more and more unlikable the further in the book I got.

  The plot was decent, as was the setting. I had some difficulty getting into the book at first, but it got easier after a while. I thought the overall feel of the book was a bit depressing, though the book did have a happy ending.

  This isn't a book I would recommend, except maybe to someone who does enjoy gothic reads....yet I still am interested in checking out other books by this author.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild).

On the Web: www.michellegriep.com

Lost In Darkness is available from Barbour Publishing.

Thanks to Barbour for the review copy.

Labyrinth of Lies, Triple Threat #2 by Irene Hannon

Book description:

 Danger awaits on a covert mission where few are who they seem to be

When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls' boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn't take her long to realize that beneath its veneer of polish and wealth, Ivy Hill Academy harbors dark--and deadly--secrets. But the biggest shock of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn't the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine--and startling connections emerge among the players--the danger escalates significantly.

But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go to protect their house of cards?

My review:

    Irene Hannon has been a favorite author of mine for the last 12 or so years that I have been reading her books. She is an author who seems to get better with each book and series she writes. This book is a great example.

  The author came up with a great plot, setting, and cast of characters for this book. The setting of an expensive girl's boarding school made for a very interesting and different setting, and perfect for two different people working undercover for two different branches of law enforcement. It becomes obvious fairly early that the disappearance of a young girl that Cate is investigating has something to do with the drug smuggling that Zeke is investigating.

  It is an exciting suspenseful read, made all the more suspenseful as the two main characters have to work at maintaining their covers, she as a student and he as a Spanish teacher. To make it more difficult, Cate and Zeke have to pull off meeting to compare notes. (And the idea of a 33 year old female going undercover as a 17 year old girl is not that far out. Teens on TV and in movies are often played by people in their 20's and up.)

  As in another book I read recently by a different author, the couple in this novel had previously been in a relationship together, which does make the romantic angle more believable. Zeke was much more interested in reviving that relationship than Cate was, and I was rooting for him. :)

  There have been Irene Hannon books that had more action, but this was definitely one of the more mysterious and intriguing ones. I loved it, and couldn't put it down once I started it.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than sixty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Labyrinth of Lies is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

                                                               Book #1

Deadly Target, Rocky Mountain Courage #2 by Elizabeth Goddard

Book description:
 

This cold case has suddenly warmed up.

She only hopes they won't get burned.

Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her life in a boating accident and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job to care for her mother in Montana. At least there Erin is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's certainly good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

My review:

   The idea of cold cases being investigated and solved intrigues me, and that is the main plot of this book.

  Deadly Target starts off with action by the third page. The suspense, action, and drama doesn't stop until the exciting conclusion. The author came up with a very intricate plot that had me constantly wondering where the story was going, who the bad guys were, and why the two main characters were constant targets.

 There were some definite surprises, especially when Goddard tied everything was tied together and secrets of the past of Erin and her mother were finally revealed. 

 The romance angle was well done. As much as the average reader enjoys it - even this confirmed bachelor - the idea of a man and woman involved in mystery and suspense falling in love and having a happily ever after is not realistic. Both books in this series, and at least a couple other books by the author have couples that had previously been in a relationship with each other. As enjoyable as the boy meets girl and they try not to be murdered while falling love stories are, the kind of romance in Deadly Target is much more realistic. Nathan and Erin had had a relationship some years before, which was ended by her just when he was ready to propose. The reason she broke up finally is revealed later in the book, while the reader is kept in the dark about that.

  So, this book has it all for romantic suspense lovers: great plot, constant action and suspense, and a very well done romance. It is all enough to have kept me on the edge of my seat and reading in one sitting until I got to the great conclusion of the book. Goddard has again delivered a great quality Christian suspense novel that is sure to ensure her niche in the Christian book market.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels,

including Present Danger, Deadly Target, and the Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over 1 million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com.

 Deadly Target is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

                                                                         Book #1

Christmas at Cranberry Cove, Cranberry Cove Series #3

Book description:

 Ryder Langston retires from commercial fishing and manages Blake Sloan's supply stores. When the owner of the inn in Cranberry Cove hires a new executive chef, Ryder is intrigued by the tall woman with ebony hair who hides a dark family secret.

Juliette Duplay must flee from her French roots and her past when a family member turns against her. She'd like to blend into the American culture but can't escape danger even in the small community of Cranberry Cove.

Can Ryder and Juliette unravel the mystery in time to celebrate Christmas at Cranberry Cove? 

My review:

   I have enjoyed this series, and love the setting of the stories. It makes me want to move to the fictional town. Living near a lighthouse would be a definite plus.

  This book caught my interest immediately and I was happy to review it. #1 it is in this series. #2 It is a Christmas book. #3 I love the cover. Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover.

  Christmas at Cranberry Cove centers on Ryder, who had cameo appearances prior to this book, and Juliette, a new character and chef at the inn. This novel, as with the other two, is more of a cozy mystery with no intense scenes.

 It was definitely an enjoyable read. There is a lot of talk about food in the story, so I felt perpetually hungry throughout. The author did put one of the recipes at the back of the book, which was cool. I enjoyed the slowly developing romance, and hoped for the good guys to win.

 The book had a somewhat surprising turn at the end, which I wasn't sure I liked 100%, yet it did give Ryder the opportunity to do what he wanted to do with his life, so all is well that ends well.

 Another great read from this author.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and  MA in Counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance
in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provided a rich source of information for her novels. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find the path to live godly lives.

Check out her website at JuneFoster.com

                                                                        Book #1

Book #2

Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris

Book description:

With her vision and his know-how, this thing just might work . . .

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah's past difficult, but he also seems determined to complicate her present as well.

In order to avoid forcing a buyout of Leah's building, Jon will have to strike a compromise. Can the two of them work together? Or will their troubled past set the tone for their future?

My review:

   I rarely review books that are contemporary romances, but this one sounded good, and I like to try out new authors.

  This is actually the third book in a series, and characters from the previous two books along with references to events appear in this one.

  I did enjoy the book, enough that I will most likely read the first two at some point. The setting and the idea of restoring heritage.

  There was some bouncing back and forth between something that happened between the two main characters six months ago and the present, and that was a bit distracting to me from the main plot of the book......but that is a personal observation.

 The two main characters were both likable, though at times I wanted to smack them both and tell them to get on with it.......

 I typically read suspense novels, but there is a bit of suspense in any book of this kind. You know the couple is going to get together eventually, but it is fun waiting it out til it happens and how it happens.

 This was a fun and enjoyable read, and I recommend to anyone looking for a bit of a lighter read. 

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Tari Faris is the author of You Belong with Me and Until I Met You. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she is the projects manager for My Book Therapy, writes for learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and lives in the Phoenix, Arizona, area with her husband and their three children. Although she lives in the Southwest now, she lived in a small town in Michigan for 25 years. Learn more at TariFaris.com.

 Since You've Been Gone is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

                                                                            Book #1

Book #2

A Deep Divide, Secrets of the Canyon #1 by Kimberly Woodhouse

Book description:
 

With her past behind her, she has nothing--and everything--to lose.

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can't let go of the deep-rooted fear that he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

My review:

   I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but Kimberly Woodhouse is a favorite author and she does it well. It is obvious she does a lot of research, and I have Googled things in her books before and found them to be accurate. i.e. the El Tovar Hotel the book takes place in and around. Built around the time of this book takes place, the early 1900's, the hotel is still there and operating. 

  A Deep Divide is the first in a series, and was a very enjoyable read. Also a big part of the book is the hotel staffed by Harvey Girls, and it was interesting to learn more about them.

  In addition to a great setting, the book also had great characters and a terrific plot. Emma Grace was a great heroine and a somewhat damsel in distress, struggling with doubts of God and if He cared about her. Ray was also a very likable character with his own struggles about his past mistakes before becoming a Christian.

 Woodhouse does not shy away about putting Christian content in her books, whether she is writing solo or co-writing with Tracy Peterson. The reader will walk away with some sort of encouraging and sometimes convicting message woven through the story, and this book definitely had that.

 The author also usually has some sort of suspense in the plot, not on the edge of your seat, biting fingernails scary, but still suspenseful enough to appeal to  the suspense lover in some of us....and A Deep Divide had an awesome plot with suspense and a kidnapping thrown in that made the book all  the more interesting.

 Romance....I didn't used to like the romance part of these stories much, but that has slowly changed, and this author is one author who changed that as I became a fan of her books. This book of course has a romantic aspect, but slight spoiler: it is a very slow boil. In fact, I was wondering if they ever were going to kiss. (Oh, how I have fallen).

 The book had a great ending - well great all through the book with no boring parts - and also ended with forgiveness and a definite change for the hero and heroine. It left me eager to read more in the series, but book #2 is a whole year away....

 I definitely recommend.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Kimberley Woodhouse (www.kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books including The Heart of Alaska series and The Treasures of Nome series. Kim and her incredible husband of twenty-nine-plus years have two adult children. She loves the gift of story and is passionate about music and Bible study. You can connect with Kimberley on her website www.kimberleywoodhouse.com.

A Deep Divide is available October 5 from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Hostile Intent, Danger Never Sleeps #4 by Lynette Eason

Book description:

 Secrets are about to be revealed . . . but will the guilty be brought to justice?

Ava Jackson entered the military shortly after high school, but her mother's illness has forced her to request an early discharge. She already lost her father while deployed, and there's no way she's going to let her mother die alone. But after a visit to the nursing facility where her mother lives, Ava is attacked walking back to her car. Fortunately, FBI Special Agent Caden Denning arrives in time to help fight off her attacker.

Caden reveals to Ava that she may hold the key to the murders of three families, and he needs her help before anyone else is harmed. The hits show a pattern, and clearly the killer has an agenda. But if Caden and Ava can't discover what it is, Ava may be next on the hit list.

My review:

  I have been a fan of Lynette Eason's books since the first one I read and reviewed ten years ago. She has written six different series for Revell, and each one has been totally different from the others. This series has revolved around mostly characters in the military, or who were formally in the military.

  This last book in the series was a wild ride, and a definite page turner. The plot was very well done. There was a lot going on and no visible connection between murders of whole families, nor was it obvious at first what the heroine of the story had to what was going on. The bad guy's identity also was not obvious for a while.

 I loved the characters in this series, and Caden - the hero of this book - was one of the most likable ones. 

 This is a somewhat difficult review to do without giving what are somewhat spoilers away if I say what the book involved....but it was an awesome read and had a lot of old and new secrets .

  The romance part of the book was very well done, and had its humorous moments, especially since Ava never gave a guy a third date and Caden was determined to have a third date and beyond.

  Hostile Intent was an awesome read, and had a great ending to the book and series that had some of the charters from the other book.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author: 

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

                                                                           Book #1

                                                                     

                                                                            Book #2

                                                                           Book #3

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

Book description: 

 He's fought through ruthless outlaws and injury. But with her, he's tempted to surrender.

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when her brother is abducted, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

When plans go awry and Josephine is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

My review:

  I just discovered this author back in May of this year, and loved what I read so much that I have since bought and read all of her books.....including this one. I read it on June 11, and left a brief review on Goodreads. I rarely leave a long review for books I buy and did not receive to review.

 However, with the controversy about the book and the wrong actions of the Romance Writers of America, I felt I should write a review.

  Quick explanation: some whiny people claims the book romanticizes genocide, so after the author received an award for the book, the Romance Writer's of America took the award back to make a whiny minority happy.

  The book starts out with the Cavalry rounding up some Native Americans, but some of the Cavalry started slaughtering them. The 4 main characters of this series tried to stop it, and afterward left the military in disgust at what happened, and formed a group to fight injustice. The book does NOT romanticize genocide, and in fact makes it out to be very, very bad and evil.

 On to the review: I loved the book. The author created 4 very different and likable guys, and the book has a lot of action and romance. It is pretty much a western, but so much better than the westerns I read when I was a lot younger. I thought it sounded good enough, so I pre-ordered the sequel and enjoyed it just as much.....and am looking forward to reading the third and final book when it comes out.

 I highly recommend this book, and the author.....and stand firm against the accusations against it and the actions of the deplorable Romance Writers of America. 

About the author:

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Romance Author of 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer (www.karenwitemeyer.com) offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.

Also available in the Hanger's Horseman Series, #2

The 5-Minute Visual Guide to the Bible by Michael Wittmer

 

Description

Want to read the Bible but find it daunting?

Wish there was a guide to simplify the overall storyline?

Think it would help to “see” the people, places, and events?

 

The 5-Minute Visual Guide to the Bible is designed to make scripture easier to approach. . .and come alive when you do. This brand-new guide keys beautiful, full-color illustrations—classic paintings, landscape and artifact photos, maps and charts—to a helpful chronological time line of God’s Word.

Inside, you’ll find clear, succinct descriptions of

major divisions

events

people

places

doctrines

of God’s Word, along with numerous related references if you’d like to study further.

 

The 5-Minute Visual Guide to the Bible will point you to the most important, interesting, and inspiring aspects of scripture, helping you to get more from your time in God’s Word.

My review:

  I thought this looked like a cool book, so I requested it to review. It is not a huge book, coming in at 294 pages, but there is a lot packed into those pages. It covers from Creation up through Jesus' return, and has a lot of short informational facts about each person or topic.

 The book is also filled with a lot of pictures. There are artists' versions of Bible characters and other things along with a lot of photographs of the Holy Land and other subjects and places. At the end of the book is a few pages of all of the Scriptures referenced and used throughout the book.

  I found the book interesting and informative, and also enjoyable with all of the pictures and photographs. If one knows their Bible very well, this may seem an elementary kind of book, yet even the most knowledgeable Bible scholar should be able to enjoy a book such as this. I found it interesting to have so much of the Bible visualized in the pictures, and it would make a great tool to keep handy when reading and studying the Bible. It is definitely an attractive and far from boring book, and is one I would recommend......especially to new Christians and/or those not too familiar with the Bible.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

 The 5 Minute Visual Guide to the Bible is available from Barbour Publishing. 

 

 

The Chase, U.S. Marshals #2 by Lisa Harris

Book description:

 Failure isn't an option

US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing--it's time to get back out into the field. When her partner, Jonas Quinn, receives a message that a federal warrant just came in on a man connected to a string of bank robberies, Madison jumps at the chance to get back to work. What she and Jonas find is a bank robbery gone wrong--and things are about to get complicated.

For these bank robbers, it's never been about the money. It's about taking risks and adrenaline rushes, and getting caught is not part of the game. When the suspects escape, Madison and Jonas must hunt them down and bring them to justice before someone else--someone close to them--gets hurt . . . or worse.

My review:

  Eleven years ago, was the first time I reviewed a book by this author. It was good, and I enjoyed it.....but she has so surpassed that book in recent years to become one of my favorite authors. This series may be her best yet.

 The previous book ended on a cliffhanger, and this book picks up where it left off. This series is different from most Christian suspense series in that it has the same two main characters throughout it, and - slight spoiler - there is no immediate happily ever after that includes a engagement and wedding. The romance factor is there, especially in this book, but it is a slow part of the book that kind of takes a back seat to everything else.

 The Chase is totally different than The Escape. This book involves bank robbers on the run, and the book is filled with non stop action, suspense, and chasing of bad guys. There is also the plot of solving the murder of Madison's husband five years ago that covers all three books in the series.

 I thoroughly enjoyed this book and saved it for an evening I could read without having to put it down. It had a great conclusion to the book, yet left me wanting more and eager to see the five year old murder case solved. I also enjoyed seeing more character development of the two main characters that you don't normally see in a series that has different main characters in each book. I cannot wait for the last book in the series coming April 2022, The Catch.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Lisa Harris is a USA Today bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than forty books, including The Escape, The Chase, The Traitor's Pawn, Vanishing Point, A Secret to Die For, and Deadly Intentions, as well as The Nikki Boyd Files and the Southern Crimes series, Harris and her family have spent over 17 years living as missionaries in southern Africa. She is currently stateside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

 The Chase is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

The books should definitely be read in order.

                                                                 Book #1 The Escape

                                                   Book #3 The Catch, coming April 2022

Before, Jared's Story, Forlorn Series Prequel by Gina Detwiler

Book description:

 Before Jared met Grace, he had lived several lifetimes of heartbreak, struggle, loneliness, and sometimes joy. His father tried to kill him, and his family shunned him for an original sin he didn’t truly understand until he came face to face with true evil and discovered the demon within himself.

Born in the mid-nineteenth century to a family of itinerant circus performers, Jared didn’t understand why his body grew so slowly or why his parents were ashamed of him and tried to hide him from the world. Through the years he discovered more disturbing things about himself—his unusual strength, the way his body healed with remarkable speed, and the “shadow people” who whispered dark and terrible things in his ear. Only music seemed to subdue their wicked urgings, and the prayers of his mother, the one person in his life who had loved him.

He soon came to realize that he was a danger to the world, and it would be better if he left it alone. But the more he tried, the more he was drawn into a whirlwind of darkness and evil from which he couldn’t escape.

My review:
  I have read and reviewed all three books in the Forlorn Series...and enjoyed them, even though they are written for teens. :)

  This is a prequel to the series, and gives the back story on Jared and where he came from before his explosive entrance in the first book in the series.

 Jared is an extremely likable character in the series, and though the series is fictional, it was still cool to have the author come up with a history for him. It makes the other books even more interesting after reading it.

 It was a great and enjoyable read, though shorter than the others, written in the great style that Detwiler used in her other books. As I said before, these books are a great alterative to the vampire and other weird books on the market for teens.

  If one has not read this series yet, I would recommend reading the prequel first. Even though it is a great addition to the series after reading it, it would definitely be a plus to read it first.

About the author:

Gina Detwiler was planning to be a teacher but switched to writing so she wouldn't have to get up so early in the morning. She is the co-author with bestselling author and speaker Priscilla Shirer of The Prince Warrior series for middle grade readers. She has also written the novels Hammer of God and Avalon under the name Gina Miani.

 Check out her website: Ginadetwiler.com

Come Back to Me, Waters of Time #1 by Jody Hedlund

Book description:
 

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight, comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

My review:
 
  Before requesting this book to review, I had never read anything by this author. After requesting it, I started looking at her books, and ordered several.....6 of which I have read before reading this one, and I have enjoyed every one of them.

 Come Back to Me is different from her other books. #1 They are all historical, and this one starts in the present and goes back and forth between the present and future. #2. This is a time travel book, a first for Hedlund.

  In my opinion, the book felt like it had a slow start, but it picked up after not too many pages, and turned into one of those page turners I didn't want to put down. Hedlund did an excellent job of describing scientific and physical jargon in regards to diseases and cures, and I also thought she is an outstanding job on the historical aspects of the book. I felt myself pulled into the drama of 1382 along with William, Marian, and others.....and loved the view of that time through a modern day woman suddenly thrust into that time.

 And yes, time travel is not possible....but Hedlund brought out some really cool aspects of it, along with possible fallouts and what could happen lingering between two times.

 I loved the characters. Marian wasn't overly likable at first, but that changed. William was a totally awesome character all around, and the developing romance between two vastly different individuals from time periods 800 years a part was beyond interesting.

 I wasn't sure how the book was going to end, but it has an amazing end that left me satisfied and happy I read the book. It is the first in a series, so I am eager to see what the author has in mind for other time travel books in this series.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She loves to imagine that she really can visit the past, although she's yet to accomplish the feat, except via the many books she reads.

Come Back to Me is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Power Play, Capital Intrigue #3 by Rachel Dylan

 

Book description:

Trapped in a dangerous game, can she counter the enemy's deadly power play?

When Vivian Steele, an attorney at the State Department, witnesses two ambassadors collapse as if poisoned at a diplomatic dinner in Washington, DC, she is recruited to be a member of a joint FBI task force assigned to investigate. But she soon finds her by-the-book ways clashing with a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service, Jacob Cruz. A former Navy SEAL and in charge of the event's security, Jacob takes the attack personally and is driven to act quickly, unhampered by rules and regulations.

As Viv starts to work her diplomatic sources, her past as a State Department lawyer comes back to haunt her, and secrets held tightly by the government thrust her into a web of danger. Afraid, she turns to the one man bent on protecting others. But can she accept Jacob's reckless ways as exactly what she needs to stay alive and to discover the truth behind the attacks?

My review:

  This is the second series of books I have read by this author, and I have enjoyed every book in both series. 

  I like books where there is a task force comprised of people from multiple law enforcement and government agencies, and Power Play had that. Though the main characters were Jacob and Vivian, the book also focused on the investigations of some of the others also.

 I enjoyed this book as much as the others. There was a lot of suspense as they investigated a murder, and a possible second one. There was a lot going on in the book, and CIA secrets played a big part in the story. I started reading the book, and did end up reading it in one sitting. It had a terrific plot, characters, and suspense. There were things I saw coming, and also some surprises. Both main characters were likable, but Jacob especially was, and more so after his back story was given. The interplay between the two was very entertaining, especially at the beginning of the book when they didn't really like each other and were put together to work.

 The book had a very satisfactory conclusion, and wrapped up a couple of crimes being solved. As always, the guy got the girl, and even that was an enjoyable part of the story. This book was a great conclusion to a great series. 

 I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author: 

Rachel Dylan (www.racheldylan.com) is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade, including being a litigator at one of the nation's top law firms. Her Atlanta Justice series has won the Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and the FHL Reader's Choice Award. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats.

Power Play is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group. 

                                                                             Book #1

                                                                            Book #2