A Nurse's Revenge, Fight to Thrive #1 by Rebecca Hemlock

Book description: 

Could her twin sister, a decorated police officer, be a criminal mastermind?

When Travel nurse Michelle Blackburn’s twin has been murdered, she comes back to her hometown to find her killer. Things quickly turn complicated when she comes face to face with the man who shattered her heart.

Detective Aiden St. James is determined to solve Anne Blackburn’s murder, but too much about this case doesn’t add up. The Westview PD has had their hands full with a local drug ring and a new lead makes Anne their prime suspect. But Michelle is certain her twin wasn’t a criminal.

After someone attempts to kidnap Michelle, Aiden realizes she could be right about Anne being framed and vows to keep her safe for old times' sake. Forced to accept the help and protection of the last person she feels she can trust, Michelle is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice, while discovering the importance of letting go of the past and understanding God's timing.

My review:
   It may sound bad to say at the beginning of the review that I didn't like the dead twin very much. You have to read the book, but what she did to Aiden and Michelle....ugh. 

  But I really liked Aiden and Michelle. Though each blamed the other for their breakup eight years before, they were still civil to each other and worked well together trying to prove her sister's innocence.

  The book had a good plot, likable characters, and plenty of suspense. I admit I was surprised at the identity of the bad guy, but I did figure out the baby angle. And I admit to be somewhat proud of myself for that. 😎

And this is an author who weaves a Christian message through the story. 

 I have read a few books by this author, and really enjoyed them. This one may be the best one that she has written of the ones I have read. It is a book that I had a hard time putting down, and read until the ending.....which was a great ending. 

I am looking forward to reading more in this series, and reading more from this author. 

Special thanks to the author for a review copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Rebecca Hemlock is an Award-winning author and has written articles for numerous publications while working as a freelance journalist. She is currently a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers.

Four of her fourteen books have also made it to the Amazon.com #1 bestseller list. Aside from writing Romance and suspense, Rebecca enjoys writing children's fiction. Her first children's book, The Lost Soldier, was published in 2016 by Westbow Press. She has a total of five children's books, all published under the name R.C. Burch.

Rebecca has earned a degree in English and an Appalachian Studies certificate in Creative Writing. Her favorite times to write are early in the morning when the sun is coming up and at sunset. Rebecca lives in Eastern Kentucky with her husband and children.

Check out her website at RebeccaHemlock.com

Forged In Peril, Forge Brothers Security Series #1 by Kendra Warden

Book description:

 She can’t keep running…

Ambitious paralegal Bristol Chaplin knows that achieving her dream of becoming a lawyer won’t be easy, but there’s a price that even she isn’t willing to pay. When a dark secret threatens to destroy her career, she’s forced to seek help from the man she thought she’d left behind forever.

Private security operative Cameron Forge is content to spend his life serving God and protecting the innocent. But as the woman who broke his heart brings danger straight to his doorstep, he realizes that keeping her safe might be his toughest mission yet.

With hidden threats lurking behind every shadow, they have no choice but to uncover the truth about who is hunting Bristol before it’s too late. Even if it means putting their lives–and hearts–on the line.

Serve. Protect. Redeem.

Each book in the Forge Brothers Security Christian romantic suspense series can be read as a standalone.

My review:
  Kendra Warden is not just a new author to me, she is a new author in Christian suspense. She has written fantasy under her real name.  I did read the free prequel to this series (available on her website) before reading this book. I highly recommend reading it first. 

  This is an awesome read. I love suspense novels that are about security/bodyguards, and this series is right up my alley.

 The main characters are Cameron and Bristol, and they are great and likable characters, but the author has come up with a great roster of characters for this series, especially the Forge brothers. And cousin. Reilly Forge, from the prequel, is referred to as a brother, but he is actually a cousin.

 This book did have it all: suspense, bad guys, a lot of drama, great characters, great setting, and a terrific plot. This really isn't a spoiler, but possibly borders on being one: To understand the reason behind the attacks, one should read the prequel. I read it, and I was still surprised at the who and why. 😏

 There is of course romance. It was done well, and was not a "hero meets heroine, falls in love while fleeing bad guys, and live happily ever after." Those kind are fine, but in this one, the couple had dated years ago and broke up. (Well she did the breaking).

The story comes to a very tense, suspenseful, and dramatic point near the end of the book, and the author pulled out all stops to bring the story to a very satisfying and awesome ending. 

I am looking forward to more from this series and author, and highly recommend this book. (And the prequel).

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Kendra Warden, pen name for Stefanie Lozinski,  lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, three young children, two cats, and a whole lot of books. She's passionate about (very) early mornings, long walks, and buffalo sauce. She loves to write exciting suspense stories that encourage readers to trust in the protection and love of Jesus.

Check out her website at KendraWarden.com . If you sign up for her newsletter there, you can download a free copy of the Forge Brothers Security Prequel, Forged In Darkness. 

Deceitful Above All Things, Hank Lin Mysteries #1 by Charles Hack

Book description:

 Grisly murder comes to the shores of Lake Tahoe.

The victim’s identity sends the local sheriff’s department into a tailspin.

An overly curious resident discovers a dangerous cover-up and races to find the murderer before they kill again.

Deceitful Above All Things is the first book in a new series of murder mysteries set at majestic Lake Tahoe.

Former Army Criminal Investigator Hank Lin returns to his childhood home at Lake Tahoe after suffering a battlefield injury. With the addition of Hank’s father’s death, he’s left nursing his pain and disappointment. Depressed and lonely, Hank is forced to start over with only his grief and inner demons as companions.

After rekindling an old friendship with Deputy Sierra McLean, Hank is infused with fresh energy. Simultaneously intrigued by the case and the irresistible Sierra, Hank pursues both with a curiosity that calms the inner turmoil. His independent side investigation frustrates Sierra and earns him the attention of the unidentified killer.

The hidden evil is as cold and deep as Lake Tahoe itself. A trail of greed and revenge exposes several suspects, but when Hank discovers the killer’s true identity, the hunt turns personal and Hank risks it all to stop them.

My review:
  This is a new author to me. I had never even heard of him before I ran across this book, but it sounded good. So here I am leaving a review for it. :)

  First let me say how refreshing it is to read a book by a male author that features a male character. I have read a few lately, but it is far more common to have a female be the main character.

 And Hank is a great character. No, he is an awesome character. Chinese - well, half Chinese - that is not too common either. He isn't perfect, but is extremely likable. He is also not a Christian, but has his sister and his best friend who is a pastor working to change that.

 He is accompanied by a great cast of characters, including the possible future sheriff, Sienna, and her fellow deputy, Truckee. (Yeah, that is really his name 😀). And of course Bo, the dog he inherited off his dad.

 The book starts out rather mundane (not boring), with a funeral. Then it doesn't take long for the discovery of the dead body. And things pick up. Hank investigates on his own - he had been some kind of investigator in the military before he got injured - and he ruffles some feathers and has some difficulties. 

 This is more of a decent paced mystery instead of a fast paced with chases, etc. That said, it is a great read that is extremely well written. The author did an excellent job of keeping the bad guys a surprise. I was sure early on who killed the guy, but that theory got shot down a couple chapters later. Literally. 😎

 I enjoyed the book. A lot. It is a book that I didn't want to put down, but had to because of work.

There is no romance in this novel, though there is a hint of interest between Hank and Sierra, so that may be something that develops later in the series.

 The author has created a great setting for his series, and created a perfect main character in the imperfect Hank Lin. I am definitely looking forward to reading more about this wanna be sleuth and his adventures. Hack has hit it out of the ballpark with his debut Christian fiction novel.

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:

Charles Hack is the author of the Space Warfare Group Sci-Fi/Space Opera books and the Hank Lin Mysteries. After writing for nearly twenty years, his first published novel is Into the Darkness. He studied electrical engineering in college and is still a licensed professional engineer with over twenty years of experience before retiring and entering full time Christian ministry. He currently serves as a pastor in his hometown and has a master’s degree in systematic theology. Writing is one of his passions along with reading, woodworking, and coffee. Charles is married with two children and three noisy dogs. They live on a small ranch, known as the Ranchini, in the Great Basin of Northern Nevada. 

Find out more about him on his website CharlesHack.com

And check out his science fiction series: