New and notable author: J. L. Crosswhite

  

 This is another author I just recently discovered: J. L. Crosswhite. I had gotten the first book of her Hometown Heroes Series free on my Kindle, and immediately wanted to read everything she had written. I got the whole series in paperback, including the prequel, and devoured the books.

   Crosswhite has a few suspense series that are all entwined. Following the Hometown Heroes Series is In The Shadow Series, which I have already read and loved. Following it is The Holcomb Springs Series. There are two books in that series, and I assume a third is coming. I have not read those yet, but they are on order.

  The author also has some historical suspense books written under the name Jennifer Crosswhite, including The Route Home Series. Those are still on my "want to read" list, but also sound great.

  There are a couple of things that I really like about her books:

#1: She has the same characters throughout her books - so far both series I have read. She does introduce new ones, but most of them are in all of the books. I like that.

#2: Slight spoiler: Her books do not end with a proposal or marriage. They are definitely romantic suspense, and the guy gets the girl....but I have yet to see a proposal for the featured couple. 

 Now, there has been proposals for couples from previous books. And it does tend to be more believable that way.

 And I will be honest. I like the other way too. I enjoy a book that ends with a proposal, and really like it when there is an epilogue that has the wedding....but Crosswhite's books are a nice change from that, and I find myself also liking that way.

   These books have great and likable characters, and they are different. It is hard to pick out favorites, but I found myself really liking the two main characters in the last book I read by her: Over Her Head, book #3 in The In The Shadow Series. That book features Jessica, sister of one of the main characters from the first series, Scott.....and Austin. 

  Jessica had been in a few books, and first appeared in the first series as an irresponsible young alcoholic. She has since cleaned up her act, and is a Christian trying to live right. Austin is a new character, having just moved to the area for a job, and having made an appearance in the previous book. He is smart, awkward, and a bit shy.... a departure from the typical male hero of a story like this.

 But both of them were extremely likable and relatable characters. 

 She is definitely a new to me author that I recommend.

 This author has two different bios, as she has two different websites: one for her historical novels under Jennifer Crosswhite, and the other under J. L. Crosswhite for her contemporary. I used the one from her J. L. Crosswhite site, and the bio is in her words.

About the author:

I have an active imagination! A large part of the genesis for my stories began with a “What if…?” And when I’m writing suspense, I’m able to take all those scary thoughts and possibilities and turn them into a story. Add in a little romance, and things get really exciting!

My favorite thing is discovering how much there is to love about America the Beautiful and the great outdoors. I’m an Amazon bestselling author of romantic suspense and historical fiction, a mom to two navigating the young adult years while battling my daughter’s juvenile arthritis, exploring the delights of my son’s autism, and keeping gluten free. A California native who’s spent significant time in the Midwest, I’m thrilled to be back in the Golden State. Follow me on social media to see all my adventures and how I get inspired for my books!

If you read my blog post on my rebrand, you’ll discover the reason that I write under three different names. This page is dedicated to my suspense. My historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction can be found at JenniferCrosswhite.com.

I own a publishing services company helping writers learn the craft of fiction and navigate the world of publishing, indie or traditional. Find me at  www.TandemServicesInk.com.

Check out her contemporary novels website at JLCrosswhite.com

New and notable author: Marissa Shrock

 

  I use this blog for book reviews, but decided to start a new feature...if I keep up with it. I am going to occasionally do a "new and/or notable author" post, featuring a new, or new to me author I discovered.

  Most will be authors I recently discovered, but I may feature ones I discovered months ago, or even last year. If I remember correctly, I discovered over 20 authors last year that were either new, or new to me.

 For my first such post, I am featuring Marissa Shrock. Someone recommended her books in a Facebook group I am in - Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. Great group, though it is run like a HOA sometimes :). Someone had just read #2 in the author's series and was raving about it. It is suspense, but sounded pretty funny. I pulled up the author's books, and was surprised to find out I had gotten #1 free for Kindle, and it is one of the 1200 + books on my Kindle.

 The series is The Georgia Rae Winston Mystery Series. It is what I call an "I book" (I should sue Apple for using a word I used long before they did)  - meaning the series is written first point of view, not something I am crazy about. But this author does it well.

 The main character is a single 30-ish woman who works on her own farm. She desperately wants to change her single status, and keeps getting involved in solving murders. Toss in her twin 24 year old stepbrothers, aka "the twin menaces",  who appear in book #2, and you have the makings of suspense with comedy thrown in. I am on book #3, and the twins, who have declared themselves her crime fighting partners, have already made an appearance.

 Honestly....this is not a series or author I would have picked up without the recommendation, but I am really enjoying this series. There are 6 books total, all with "Deadly" in the title. Suspense is my favorite genre', but I like funny also....and I find myself chuckling as I read these books. And the author is not afraid to put a lot of Christian content in her books.

 An excerpt from books #2, Deadly Holiday. (One stepbrother twin calls her "sissy", and the other calls her "babe".)

  Georgia, the "I" and Preston, the stepbrother who calls her "Babe" (mush to her dismay) are trying to get information out of a lady while sitting in their car talking to her out the window. They are giving the idea they are a couple looking to move into the area. 

The excerpt: "That is encouraging. I am Georgia, by the way. This is Preston....my boo."  I patted his knee and winked. 
The color drained from his face.

(After the woman left):
"Uh, Georgia". Preston ran his fingers over his phone.
"Yes?" My boo.
"If I promise to stop calling you babe, will you swear to never again refer to me as your boo"?
Inside my head, I executed a fully choreographed happy dance, but managed to keep a straight face. "Deal."

 Great series, and great author. Check out her books.

As of today, March 22, 2023, the first book is still free for Kindle. Click here.

Update, March 23, 2023: I have finished the series.....and wow. What a great series.

Marissa Shrock is a survivor of many awkward blind dates and many years of teaching middle school. Both provide excellent inspiration for her fictional yarns.

Since childhood, she’s loved to read a variety of genres, so her own work includes dystopian thrillers and cozy mysteries. She’s the author of the Emancipation Warriors Series and the Georgia Rae Winston Mystery Series. Her debut novel, The First Principle, was a Carol Award Finalist.

Marissa enjoys playing golf, building elaborate LEGO creations, and traveling to new places. Her home is in Indiana, where she’s surrounded by corn and soybean fields.

Check out her website here.

In Her Sights, Pink Pistol Sisterhood Series #1 by Karen Witemeyer

Book description:

 He's sworn off love, but she has his heart in her sights and doesn't intend to miss.

Stained by his wastrel father's legacy, Jackson Spivey lives on the fringes of society. Townsfolk tolerate him since he keeps the local hotel supplied with fresh game, but mothers coach their daughters to avoid him. After tasting consistent rejection, Jackson spurns all attempts at courtship. The only things he can count on are his guns and his God.

Tessa James has been secretly in love with Jackson for ages, but trying to gain his favor only pushes him further away. When she learns Annie Oakley is traveling through Texas, Tessa seeks lessons from the famed markswoman. If Jackson's life revolves around guns, taking up shooting might help her engage his interest. Too bad she can't hit the broad side of a barn.

When Annie loans Tessa a custom pistol, however, things begin to change. The lore behind the mysterious weapon fosters hope that Tessa might finally hit the target of Jackson's heart. But when danger threatens, she might be forced to use the pistol for something other than finding love.

My review:
   The author posted a teaser meme about this book that has a line from the book "Tessa James never expected to need an actual gun for husband hunting, but desperate times called for desperate measures."

 Even without that teaser, I would have been drawn to the book since any book by this author is a guaranteed great read.

And I was not disappointed.

This is the first book in The Pink Pistol Sisterhood Series, a series of books by different authors centered around a pistol with a pink grip, and the series is off to a terrific start with In Her Sights.

The book was entertaining, inspiring, amusing, and of course romantic. The book starts setting up the creation of the pink pistol and the reason for it being made. The real life Annie Oakley makes a an appearance, and is given the task of passing the pistol onto the right female.

Jackson and Tessa were awesome and likable characters. He held a torch for Tessa, but was determined not to act on it because of his background and his father's bad reputation. Tessa was in love with him and determined to have him, and decided guns were the way to accomplish that. And the path to that happening was quite entertaining. 

The book is not a long one, coming in at 108 - considered a novella - but is definitely worth reading. And though entertaining, it had a great message that our past does not matter, and God can redeem one's past and bring good out of it.

And if you have never read a novel by Karen Witemeyer, this would be a great one to try. Coming March 30.

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

About the author:

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Romance Author of 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer 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. Learn more about Karen and her books at karenwitemeyer.com.

Coming April 10, #2: Love On Target by Shanna Hatfield

Coming April 20, #3: Love Under Fire by Cheryl Pierson

   Coming April 30, #4: Bullet Proof Bride by Kit  Morgan