Love's Promise, Wyoming Sunrise #4 by Penny Zeller

Book description: 

Can one man's love win a fragile woman's heart?

After Amaya Alvarado lost her fiancé to a senseless tragedy, she vows never to love again. Two years later, at her grandmother’s request, she travels to Poplar Springs to assist with the mercantile and help care for her ailing grandfather. During a stagecoach accident and a confrontation with nefarious outlaws, she crosses paths with a man named Silas McFadden who rescues her and the other passengers. A bond between them soon forms.

Silas is not the man he once was. After a stint on the wrong side of the law, he’s now a respectable rancher in Poplar Springs, Wyoming. After becoming a man of faith, he determines to live his life for the One who gave him a second chance. He just never imagined that second chance might include Amaya. Now all he has to do is ensure his past doesn’t return and destroy his and Amaya’s fragile relationship.

Amaya’s and Silas’s friendship soon grows, and she begins to trust him with everything but her heart. Can she push her growing feelings for him aside? After all, isn’t it betraying her fiancé to care for another man the way she has grown to care for Silas?

When the past comes back to haunt him and revenge is sought, can Silas protect the woman he has come to love?

Take a return trip to Poplar Springs, Wyoming, for Silas and Amaya's story. A surprise reunion brings all of your favorite Wyoming Sunrise characters together in the final installment of this well-loved series.

My review:
   I always this author's books, and have been looking forward to reading this one. Unfortunately, it is the final book in this great series. My favorite character in the series is Caleb, who first made an appearance in book #1 of this series, Forgotten Memories,  as a fourteen-year old boy being forced by his older brother to help rob wagon trains. Silas, the main character in this book, takes a close second.

 The author again took a flawed character who had not been a very good person, and showed that he could be redeemed and live for God. Silas was an awesome character, as was Amaya, and the characters the author brought back from the other books in the series.

And new ones, such as Owen, Effie, and Dudley. To say who they are would give spoilers away. I will say I had a solution to their problem, and was worried for a while that the author was not going to solve it the way I hoped. 

The story had a great plot, with some bad guys and tense suspenseful moments, romance, and humor. I loved how the author brought all the series characters together at the end....even the aunt infamous for her cooking. Yeah, I said infamous. :)

Silas had to overcome his past, and Amaya had to let hers go, as she didn't want to or expect to move past the death of her fiancée'. Zeller did an excellent job of bringing these two characters together and spinning a  great story of romance and drama around them. And she brought it all to a very satisfying end. 

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:
Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Penny is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com, her blog, www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks. To sign up for her monthly newsletter with book news and other fun morsels, go to https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/262119/74964679867237940/share

Check out the rest of the Wyoming Sunrise Series:

                                                                Prequel

Book#1

Book #2

Book #3

8 Down, Alaskan Cyber Hunters #2 by Kimberley Woodhouse

Book description:

8 bodies down.

8 more lives at stake.

Investigator Carrie Kintz is new blood with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation in Anchorage. But with a serial killer on the loose, there's no easing into the job. It's sink or swim. The only clues to help law enforcement stop this madman are the taunts he drops into crossword puzzles across the country--always in the same 8 DOWN position.

Carrie is desperate to prove her worth to the force and the community by catching the killer. But when she discovers signs that these deaths are just the tip of the iceberg in a frighteningly elaborate cyberattack, it's time to admit she needs help.

Calling in security specialist Scott Patteson for his expertise seems like the right move--until Carrie realizes that he may be a dangerous distraction for her heart. With her faith fading in the face of horror and uncertainty and her career in danger of ending, this is no time for flirtation.

But with a killer who is determined to prove that he's smarter than everyone else, it may be impossible to fight both the madman and their feelings for each other . . .

My review:
 I will never look at a Crossword puzzle the same after reading this book. Yikes. 
I have read everything this author has ever written, and always enjoy her books, but this one outshines all the rest. Seriously. What an amazing and diabolical plot. (I honestly had the thought while reading this that they should study her brain 😀).

I did enjoy the first book in this series, but this one seemed more intense, more fast paced, and the actions of the bad guy even more devious and evil.

The plot revolved around Crossword puzzles with the clues to murders being in the 8 down column - clever idea. The clues were scattered throughout the book, and I did figure out some of them. I admit I didn't spend a lot of time on them because I wanted to see what happened next.

Another thought I had while reading this book: "I need to get rid of everything electronic and live off  the grid." I won't though...modern technology is too convenient and we are too dependent on it. But man......I won't give any spoilers, but the things in this book that were hacked to kill people - and I assume can be hacked in real life - scary stuff. And the author's son-in-law works in cyber security for the military, so she has a good source for this stuff. 

I liked the main characters, Carrie and Scott....though I wanted to smack her a few times. I have said this author obviously does a lot of research, and it showed in this book on the cyber stuff, and the workings of the FBI and ABI. Everything made sense, and I found myself impressed.

The romance in this book was definitely in the background of the story, but our hero and heroine still got some romantic times in.

This was an amazing suspenseful novel that delves into modern technology, and shows not just how wonderful it can be, but also how dangerous it can be in the hands of evil men. It wasn't easy to set the book aside when I needed to, and I couldn't wait to get back to it. This may be the best book Woodhouse has written.

About the author:

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now makes her home in the Pennsylvania Poconos. Visit her at kimberleywoodhouse.com.

                                                                  Book#1

Book#3,coming October 15, 2024

Vanishing Legacy: Elite Guardians: Savannah Book 1 by Kate Angelo

Book description: 

For this Elite Guardian, protecting her client’s daughter just got personal.

Elite Guardian Alana Flores, former LAPD underwater dive detective, just wants a fresh start in Savannah, Georgia, with her son, Rocco. Hoping to repair their broken relationship, and provide a safer, more stable life, nothing could be more disastrous to her hopes than when they find a terrified, autistic child in her shed.

Oh no.

Enter Cash Thomas, a widowed trauma surgeon struggling to raise his autistic daughter, Penny. He’s put his wife’s disappearance and presumed death behind him…until someone tries to kidnap his daughter. Terrified of losing Penny to the same cartel that supposedly killed his wife, he turns to Alana and the Elite Guardians.\

But is Sonia really dead? Or is she behind the kidnapping attempts? Cash and Alana must keep their children safe, uncover the truth about Sonia, and find a way to outsmart the cartel before it's too late.

And what about the spark between them? Could this be the fresh start they both long for? Certainly not while their children are in danger. And when their worst fears happen, will they lose everything?

With heart-pounding foot chases on River Street, underwater thrills off Tybee Island, and a climactic showdown at Forsyth Fountain, Vanishing Legacy will leave you breathless.

My review:
  I was happy to see they were coming out with more Elite Guardians books. This one may be the best so far. Angelo doesn't have too many books under her belt yet, but she pulled out the stops on this one and eclipsed anything she has written so far. Yes, it is that good.

One thing that really made this book so good were the characters:
Alana: Elite guardian, single mother of Rocco

Rocco: Eleven year old genius, type 1 diabetic, instant protector and big brother role of Penny. And he is convinced Cash will be what he always wanted - a dad.

Cash: Former Navy SEAL, now hospital surgeon, single father of Penny

Penny: Slightly autistic, daughter of Cash, and the target of multiple attempted kidnappings. 

The author could not have come up with more likable characters. 

And the suspense....majorly ratcheted up. There are a lot of tense moments, and constant suspense and drama. Then towards the end, the bad guys make a major play. I was surprised who was behind everything, and why.

This was a truly awesome read, and I am not using that word loosely. Terrific plot, awesome characters, non-stop suspense, and a really great ending. 

Kudos to the author for having a couple of characters with physical issues. Rocco is type 1 diabetic, and Penny slightly autistic. And both were awesome kids. 

This was a book that was difficult to put down, and I couldn't wait to get back to it when I did have to set it down.

Definitely 5 stars. 

Special thanks to the publisher 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:

Kate Angelo is a bestselling Romantic Suspense author, minister, and public speaker from Southwest Missouri who works alongside her husband championing stronger marriages and families through their nonprofit. As Mom to 5 adult children, she's fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls. Kate is a coffee addict, tech enthusiast, productivity guru, expert knitter, summer lake fanatic, prayer warrior, dog lover, avid reader, and a known klutz—just ask her doctor. Having aged out of foster care, Kate brings a unique perspective to her writing, breathing life into flawed characters who find hope and healing amidst danger. Subscribe to her newsletter to hear about her pet lion at https://kateangelo.com/

                  Book #2: Hunting Justice by Sami Abrams, coming May 21, 2024

Book #3: Guarding Truth by Kelly Underwood, coming October 15, 2024

Never Fall Again, Gossamer Falls #1 by Lynn H Blackburn

 

Book description:

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up.

Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family's construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He's loved--and lost--someone like her before.

When Landry's pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger--but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them.

My review:
Blackburn has written two great series, and if this book is any indication, is going to come off with a third great series.

This series is different from her other two already. The other two series were about teams of people. The Dive Team Investigations Series was about a team of crime solving divers. The Defend and Protect Series was about Secret Service Agents. Gossamer Falls is about family. A lot of family.

It took me a while to figure out who was related and how, but the author put a handy family tree in the front of the book that helped.

Until the more climatic parts toward the end of the book, most of the suspense is a slow build with property destructions and threatening notes. No high speed chases and guns blazing.

But that doesn't mean the book is not exciting and suspenseful. It is. And the author picked a great setting for the series, along with a host of great characters. At the forefront are the main characters, of course: Callum, brokenhearted and determined to never date another single mother ever again, Landy, single mother of Eliza, and very determined to never date ever again, 5 year old Eliza, and lastly Maisy....a cocker spaniel who I liked despite my aversion to dogs.

There are other great and likable characters throughout the book: Callum's brothers and cousins and other family, Gray, Callum's best friend and the law enforcement in the town, Bronwyn, and more. Blackburn combined all these people with a great plot and setting, tossed in a bad guy with his bad deeds and intentions, blended it well, and came off with an awesome romantic suspense novel that deserves more than the allotted 5 stars.

And the part you know is coming.....when the bad guy finally makes the big play that always happens. Wow. Callum, Landry, and Eliza all three are targeted. 

I will admit I wasn't drawn into the story immediately. The first two chapters didn't grab me, and I set it aside for a few days. But I know what kind of author Blackburn is, so I picked it up again on my day off, and chapter 3 hooked me. I wasn't very far into the book before I fell in love with the characters, and was cheering for their safety and hoping for their relationship.

If the author doesn't make it obvious, I like to guess who the other books in a series will be about. Landry has no siblings, and Callum's two brothers are married. There seems to be something there with his cousin Meredith and his best friend Gray........and there WAS something with his cousin Mo and Bronwyn....so I am guessing the other two books will be about his two cousins. We will see. 

Special thanks to the publisher 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:

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy Southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she sits at home in her pajamas. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.LynnHBlackburn.com.
   

Series/author spotlight: The Home Team Series by Dave Pratt

I did a blog post at the end of December listing several Christian fiction male authors, and separated them into two lists: Those that I had read, and those that I had not. 

When I wrote about this author, I mentioned that I was interested in his books, but hated to pay that much for a book when I had never read the author. A lady from his publishing company saw it, and offered me a paperback. It came a couple of weeks ago, and I liked it enough that I ordered the second book. 

The books are military/special ops, which is a genre' that I really enjoy. Thankfully there are some authors who write some great fiction in that genre' that are both clean and free from cursing. Dave Pratt is one of those authors. 

There is a lot of action and drama in the books, and very light romance. The author has created some great characters for his books, and very well done and exciting plots. And the author is not afraid to insert Christian content. 

The series has two books so far, with at least one more in the works.

The Home Team (The e-book is currently 99 cents)
Sam Anthem has always been a team player, leading his Home Team on secret missions around the world and chasing down bad guys for the U.S. government. But Sam has never had a place to call home or someone to go home to.

 Consuelo Zamora has been serving as a missionary nurse, but her work has led her to be forced to work with some South American drug lords in order to provide medicine for the common people. After being rescued by Sam and his Home Team, Consuelo settles into a new position in Olympia, Washington, to work with a community center there. But somehow, trouble always follows her, and Sam Anthem seems to always be nearby to save the day. 

When Sam is forced on a two-month vacation, he is introduced to a former covert ops soldier-turned pastor. But the vacation takes a turn when the Home Team comes under attack. As the team fights to stay alive against an unknown adversary, Sam begins to wonder if there is more to life than just the job. With his life on the line, Sam must decide between the job or his newfound faith and possible love.

Home Team 2

After a successful mission for the Home Team, the government is ready to create a Home Team 2 to help thwart human and drug trafficking from the infamous Lee family in China. But finding recruits who can handle the assignment is not so easy. And the measures that the Lees will take to protect their investments puts everyone on the team at risk.

When Washington State Patrol Trooper Ellen “Ell” Evander is reassigned to spend time with the Home Team, motivation to find her kidnapped niece clouds her judgment and spurs her on a mission that may end her career. Determined to move on after the assignment is over, will Ell continue on her own or finally find her place on the team?

Army Ranger Alex Anthem soon finds himself side by side with the attractive state patrol trooper. Alex has his own personal reasons for joining in the fight against the human traffickers, but is he willing to risk everything to see the mission completed?

As the pressure mounts, Ell and Alex both have decisions to make that could change the courses of their lives forever.

About the author: 

Dave is the author of The Home Team series of novels. This action-packed series started with The Home Team, released to great reviews in November 2022 by Ambassador International, a Christian publishing house. The second book in the series is Home Team 2, just released through Amazon and other bookstores in hard copy, Kindle and audiobook form October of 2023. Both books are fast reads with plenty of action, conflict and resolution towards God's will and the power of our Savior to bring light to the darkest of places. 

As a speaker and presenter, Dave has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops about writing fiction, nonfiction and project management. Dave is available for limited speaking engagements online and in person and can be contacted through this website. 

Dave is a native of most of the U.S. west coast, from Bakersfield, California to Anchorage, Alaska. He is a retired U.S. Army Medical Department officer and private sector project management consultant. Dave and his family recently relocated to Tennessee but returns often to his life-long stomping grounds in Washington State to visit friends, family, research his next book, and teach for a local college.

Aside from writing and practicing his faith, Dave spends the majority of his time with his kids, grandkids, traveling, and continuing his lifelong study of martial arts. He considers his wife, family and friends some of God’s greatest blessings in his life. If you look closely in his books, you may see hazy reflections of some of his family in his characters.

Check out his website: DavePrattBooks.com

Questions for Tyndale Publishing on cursing

 

 I did a blog post a while back about a couple of books  - The Matthew Redd Series by Ryan Steck - published by Tyndale House Publishing that had some bad language in. - What the bleep is going on with some Christian authors? I unfortunately bought the second book in the series before I read the first one. The books were very well written - other than the curse words. The first was worse than the second, but I was disgusted at both. Thomas Nelson had some issues some years back, but seems to have cleaned up their act. I was shocked that Tyndale would allow it. I asked a lady who read an advance copy of the third book (due out in June) if there is bad language. There is.

We are so inundated with bad language these days. When I was a kid, it wasn't as popular. It was rare to hear the f-word. Nice people didn't use it. You saw it as graffiti on train cars and underpasses. Now professing Christians use it.

Curse words are everywhere: books, movies, TV shows, music - even some Christian music, presidential debates....everywhere you go. It is hard to stay away from it.

And you would think you wouldn't have to worry about it in Christian fiction.

You would be wrong.

Well, at least some of the time.

This is a big issue for me. I have blogged about it. I have emailed authors, publishers, and actually talked to the vice president of Thomas Nelson Publishers about 15 years ago. He did a word search and was going to send me another book, but had trouble finding one with no objectional language. A Christian publisher.

I had an author one time say that is how her character would talk. (I think it was actually my sister who emailed that author.)

Another author defended the language in the books by Tyndale, saying she can understand it for that kind of book.

I honestly don't know why there aren't more people bothered by bad language in a Christian book. The idea seems so ludicrous....but there are people who want it. And I think part of it may be a lot of people also read secular novels and are used to it. And I am not knocking anyone for reading secular books. I just prefer Christian fiction, and rarely read secular fiction. 

Last year in a Christian fiction Facebook group I am in, there was a female author I had never heard of complaining about so many Christian publishers censoring authors. She wanted to let loose with cursing and other inappropriate content. Censorship. Really? Why does she even want to market her books as Christian?

Anyway, I said all this to say I have some questions for Tyndale.

1) How high did the approval come to allow curse words in these books? Just the editor? Her boss? The VP of the company? The CEO of the company?

2) Why? Just why? Was it a case of where the author would only sign a contract if you compromised your values and allowed him to be the sailor he wanted to be? (Curse like a sailor. Get it?)

3) Can any Tyndale author put curse words in their books, or was this author the exception? Will there be more books coming out by other authors with curse words in them?

4) Where will you draw the line? WILL you draw a line and make some words taboo?

5) Did it ever occur to you that this would offend at least some of your customers? Your faithful customers, might I add? Do you care that you are offending some of us? I have been buying Tyndale products for years. And I am offended. 

6) Would Jesus be pleased by these words being put into a supposedly Christian book? Do you believe it honors God?

7) If you are going to put curse words in your books, why not make a special imprint for books like that? And why not put a note on the books that they contain words that could be objectional to some readers?

8) Does the editor of these books curse? Does the people who approve it curse? If not....then why do they think it is OK to put it in their books?

 The Matthew Redd Series is about a military/special ops guy. As I stated, some people excuse bad language in books like that. Baloney.

Here are some authors who write military/special ops type of books who do not use bad language. It is very possible. And there are tons of other Christian authors out there who do not use cursing in their books. 

John Galt Robinson. John has one series out. There are 4 books, with another releasing soon. (Hopefully really soon). His main character is a Navy SEAL named Joe O'Shanick. And his sidekick/romantic interest Dr. Christy Tabrizi, an ER doc. (The author is an ER).

The books are clean and curse free, and are some of the best books I have read in recent months. (No website as of  yet).

Lisa Phillips. Most of Lisa's books are suspense, but she does have at least one series about special ops/military type guys, and others about police officers. Her books are curse free and clean, and is another author I really enjoy and recommend. Website: AuthorLisaPhillips.com

Ronie Kendig. Ronie started out writing suspense, but went to writing about military/special ops, and does it well. Website: RonieKendig.com

Dave Pratt. This is a newer author, and especially new to m. He wrote two book so far along these lines: The Home Team and The Home Team 2. His books are about the military, and are squeaky clean and curse free. Website: DavePrattBooks.com

Rebecca Deel. I discovered this author last year. She has 3 series out: Fortress Security - 18 books, Otter Creek - 15 books, and Maple Valley - 5 books. Thirty-seven books about military/special ops/security....and not one curse word in any of them. And here is the amazing part: They are not Christian fiction. I believe the author is a Christian - she has no social media presence - but I get the idea she is. There are a few of the books that lean Christian, and one of the characters appearing in several books is a pastor. 

But the majority of her 38 books are not Christian fiction, yet are clean and curse-free. Huh. 
There are a few of her books that have shirtless guys on, and I was hoping that didn't mean there were sex scenes. But since any I had read were clean, I read them....and they are just as clean as the rest.

If you are someone who is also bothered by Tyndale's decision to put curse words in their books - at least the series I mentioned - I encourage you to contact them. Click here. 

If no one says anything, how will publishers and authors know there are those of us who do not want this?

If The Boot Fits, Texas Ever After #2 by Karen Witemeyer

Book description: 

One fateful night will change their destinies forever. . . .

Convinced that his stepmother and half brothers have been wrongfully evicted by cattle king Eli Dearing, Asher Ellis uses the cover of an extravagant ball to break into the Three Cedars' ranch house to search for proof. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy's cry compels him to make a daring rescue.

Spunky and independent Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother's life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind--his boot--and resolves to find him herself.

When Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. Asher values family above wealth, a rare trait that opens her heart. Afraid she will discover his past misconduct, Asher tries to keep his distance, but when a series of suspicious accidents befall her, he vows to protect her, even though saving her life could mean losing her love.

My review:
 This is the second book in this Old West retelling of popular fairy tales. The first was Sleeping Beauty, and the author took Cinderella on in this book. I have been looking forward to reading it, and it did not disappoint.

To make it even more interesting, she did a reverse on the story. It isn't the girl who leaves a  shoe behind, but the guy does. Well, actually a boot. 

Awesome is the perfect word for this story.

First, there are the characters. The author came up with such great and likable characters, that it seems like she is quietly demanding you to to fall in love with these characters she created. I am not exaggerating when I say she pulled out all the stops on these people she created with her pen. Or computer. :)

There is Asher and Samantha, the two main characters. He makes the perfect hero of the story, and she the perfect heroine, or fair maiden.

I love stories about family, and this book has that in spades. There is a stepmother in it - a very nice one - and she is Asher's step-mother. Instead of two evil step-sisters, he has two younger half brothers who are the opposite of evil. Samantha has a younger brother, and a father she considers unfeeling, but things can change.

There aren't as many parallels with the fairy tale as with the first - at least that I noticed - but it still is a clever and great version of it. 

The book is not marketed as suspense, but there is quite a bit of it in the book. Someone is out to off Samantha, and there is definitely a bad guy. (Who I figured out a little before the author revealed it).

Plot: very well done. And the ending....very nice, and humorous. No spoilers, but it involves a boot, potatoes,  and two mischievous younger brothers.

This series can definitely be read in any order, as each one is a stand alone with totally different characters and story.

With this second book in her Texas Ever After Series, Witemeyer further cements herself as one of the best Christian fiction authors to come along in recent years. 

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:

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 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 and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas. Learn more about Karen and her books at KarenWitemeyer.com.

                              Book #1: Fairest of Heart (Sleeping Beauty)

Book #3: Cloaked In Beauty (Little Red Riding Hood), coming December 2024

One Last Shot, Alaska Air One Rescue #1 by Susan May Warren

Book description:

When country music star Oaken Fox joins survivalist Mike Grizz's new adventure show in the Alaskan wilderness, he just wants to boost his fan base. But when tragedy strikes and Air One Rescue must save them, Oaken wants to quit. Too bad his producer has other plans--signing him on with Air One Rescue as a recruit and making a reality show.

EMT Boo Kingston did not join Air One Rescue to train a celebrity. But she's a rookie to the team, so yes, she'll train Oaken and keep him alive and not for a minute pay attention to his charm.

And then five women go missing from a resort during a bachelorette weekend gone wrong. Now, Air One and the rescue team will have to use all their skills and manpower--including Oaken--to find them before a blizzard settles in. But can they work together before tragedy strikes?

My review:

This is not a book that I was given to review. I bought it. I rarely do a review on my blog for books I was not given to review....but this book deserves it.

 This has got to be one of Warren's best books. This was an awesome read. I loved Boo and Oaken. They were both such great characters, and he made a great hero - a little uncertain and unsure of himself, but he came through when needed.

The book had a lot - a lot - of drama and tense moments. I think this author is at her best when she is writing about her characters rescuing people. She did such a great job of describing the scenes, the danger, the tense moments for the rescuers. It was epic.

And Warren did a pretty good job of writing country music lyrics :)

When the book started, Oaken thought God was out to get him, to punish him, and he had some pretty messed up ideas about his sister's death some years before. The author, through some of the characters, especially "Moose" and Axel, had some great truths.....which is something I love about Christian fiction. God can use it to speak to the readers.

For such an action and drama-filled book, it had a quiet but very cool ending. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I like the team the author has put together, and can't wait to read the others' stories.

About the author:

With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has penned contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-coms, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, she's a USA Today, ECPA and CBA bestseller, and has received numerous starred Publisher Weekly reviews. Library Journal says, "Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance.”

Susan is a nationally acclaimed writing coach, and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year. She is the founder of Novel Academy, author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation, and a founding partner of Sunrise Media Group.

                                                Book #2, coming June 4

                                                 Book #3, coming August 6

Book #4, coming October 8

Levi's Vow by Penny Zeller

Book description: 

A man running from his past.

A woman facing an uncertain future.

Wrongfully imprisoned for a crime and disowned by his family, Levi Callahan endeavors to put the past behind him. When he travels to the Idaho Territory and secures a job on a small farm, he has no idea he’ll once again be defending the vulnerable.

Norah Hammett knows what it means to suffer loss. After her husband leaves her and their children for a “better” life and her hired hand steals from her, she is left to run the farm alone. When ruthless men attempt to steal Norah's Idaho farm, can Levi, a man running from his past, help her save it? Or will he prove to be disloyal like the rest of the men in her life?

Will God use desperate circumstances to bring two hurting hearts together?

My review:
  This is an author I discovered  last year, and have enjoyed everything I have read by her. This book is shorter than most of hers, but she still came up with a story I enjoyed.

 Both main characters, Levi and Norah, were likable characters....though Norah was a bit harder to like at first.

Levi was likable from the start, jailed for doing the right thing, and then banished by his dad. He made the perfect hero to save the day for Norah and her family. 

Kids always add a lot to a story, and it was sweet and awesome how Levi was with Hazel and especially with Enoch.

 This was a sweet story that showed God's providence and how He does help those who need it. The story had a great ending, and Zeller can be proud of the end result.

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:
Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Penny is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com, her blog, www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks. To sign up for her monthly newsletter with book news and other fun morsels, go to https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/262119/74964679867237940/share