Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson

Book description:

 If you lived in a different place and had a different job, couldn't you have a different life?

Ginny Masters manages a popular boutique hotel in Seattle and manages it with aplomb. But the daily challenges and irritations of a fast-paced job and a demanding boss are starting to get to her.

Jacqueline Potter manages her grandfather's fishing lodge in Idaho because it was the only job she could find after graduating with her hospitality degree. She's grateful for the work but longs for a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan life she's just not going to find in this backwoods town.

The solution to both their problems seems obvious. Just for the summer, they'll swap jobs and lifestyles--and even love interests. But they'll soon find that there's more to finding happiness than just switching up the scenery.

My review:
   Melody Carlson is best known  - at least to me - for her Christmas novellas she has been writing every year for a long time. This may be the first book of hers that I have read that is not Christmas. And I liked it.

 If a guy can use the word, it was a cute story. And I liked the characters. Most of them. Jacqueline wasn't the easiest person to like, though I felt badly for her at times. 

 Ginny had her moments, but turned out to be the most likable of the two. 

 Then there are the guys. Adrian and Ben were totally different, but very likable characters...though Adrian needed to stand up to his mom and tell her the what for. Ben definitely won out on the best of the two. 

 Setting: Of the two settings, the fishing lodge won hands down. In fact, I found myself wishing I lived at a place like that. Just not in Idaho.

 There is not a ton of romance, but there is some. And a lot of problems could have been solved with some communication. But then that would have made the book too short.

 There wasn't a lot of Christian content, but it was a great entertaining read. 

Overall, this was a great read that entertained while also showing that change can be good, and that we don't have to stay where we are if we are unhappy. Though the chance to trade jobs and locations with someone is not something most of us can do.

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:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long has been made into a Hallmark movie, and the movie based on her novel The Happy Camper premiered on UPtv in 2023. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at MelodyCarlson.com.

Just for the Summer is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

  
  

Yukon Wilderness Evidence, Crisis Rescue Team #5 by Darlene L Turner

Book description:  

Solving a cold case could rob her of her future.

When skeletal remains are uncovered in the Yukon forest, forensic botanist Keeley Ash is called to the crime scene—and ends up abducted. She never expects her ex, paramedic Brett Ryerson, to come to her rescue, or her gathered evidence to be linked to a cold case. And when their son—who Brett never knew existed—is kidnapped, they’ll stop at nothing to save him and outrun the hunters determined to silence Keeley.

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

My review:

  I love the cover of this book, and this is one time you can judge a book by its cover. It is definitely a great and suspenseful read. 

 The book does not have a slow gradual start, but jumps right into the action and suspense in the first couple of pages, and does not let up til the end. And the author did a great job on keeping the "why" under wraps til the end. 

 Early on in the book, you know there is a woman behind the bad guys, but I was surprised when her identity was revealed. 

 I have always enjoyed stories that had a surprise baby or kid. Not sure why, but I do. Though it is unusual in a Christian book for that surprise kid to come from a one night stand, it was a cool addition to the story, and showed how much Brett and Keeley had changed. And MJ was an awesome and likable character. The scene where he and his grandfather met was awesome. And emotional. 

 Brett and Keeley were also great and likable characters. Her mom....not so much. (Is it bad that I was surprised to find she was a Christian? :) )

 Turner has again spun a great suspense novel set in Canada that kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me want to read past my bedtime, and a book that had a great ending. 

 This is a Love Inspired Suspense novel, which is shorter than a trade paperback novel, but the author packed a lot into those pages. 

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: 

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning, best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

Check out the other books in the Crisis Rescue Team Series. All are stand alones.

                                               Coming September 24, 2024

Set In Stone, Treasures of the Earth #2 by Kimberley Woodhouse

 

Book description:

A dangerous scheme could bury their long-held dreams forever. . . .

From the time she was little, Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt, much to the dismay of her mother. Now she dreams of being a paleontologist and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery. When Martha finds what she hopes to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton--one that could win her an acclaimed exhibit--she learns another team is competing against her and could steal her chance at being recognized for this momentous discovery.

Paleontology student Jacob Duncan has fulfilled his dream of digging for dinosaur bones at last. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all.

My review:
  I was intrigued and slightly dubious about a Christian fiction series about dinosaur digs, but figured this author could pull it off. She definitely showed that she could in the first book, and here we are with the second, enforcing the fact that she can indeed pull it off.

 I'll be honest. I had trouble liking Martha for a lot of the book. I had an on again off again like with her. (If that statement makes sense.) :) She did have more than her share of troubles, and redeemed herself in the end. Or should I say, was redeemed in the end...

 Jacob was an awesome and likable character throughout the book, and held to his convictions and faith throughout everything he faced. I did mutter out loud at one point "You should have told her buddy..." (Yeah, I talk out loud sometimes when reading)

   The dig stuff was interesting, as was the lectures Martha and Jacob attended, but what really made this book was the suspense and drama that was more prevalent than most of Woodhouses' historical novels. The addition of a Pinkerton detective was an added bonus for me...I am fascinated by anything Pinkerton.

 There is a lot of subterfuge and mysterious deaths throughout the book, and I was pretty sure I knew who the guilty party was. Man, was I wrong. The author was rather devious and did a very good sleight of hand type thing. She had me focused on one person, and I was sure that they were the guilty party. Then BOOM!...she showed her other hand, and I was shocked. So shocked, I talked out loud again and said "OK, I did not see that coming!"

 I am still feeling surprised and impressed. 

 Suspense is my favorite genre', and the author filled my need for that in spades in this book. Yeah, the dinosaur dig stuff was interesting, but she wowed me with the suspense, especially at the identity of the white glove person.

 Last, but not least: One thing I appreciate about this author is the fact that she does not shy away from putting Christian content in her books. There is always discussion about Biblical truths, there are always Scriptures quoted and discussed, and her characters always struggle and grow in some way spiritually. More authors need to be like that.

 The book had a great ending, and was a great way to spend part of my day off. :)

About the author:
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and the promise of eighteen holes on the golf course. She loves music, kayaking, and her family. Her books have been awarded the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Reader's Choice Award, Selah Award, Spur Award, and others. A popular speaker/teacher, she's shared with over 1,000,000 people at more than twenty-five hundred venues across the country. Married to the love of her life for three decades, she lives and writes in the Poconos where she's traded in her hat of "craziest mom" for "coolest grandma."

Find more about her and her books at  KimberleyWoodhouse.com 

                                                                 Book #1

Book #3, coming September 2024

Lethal Danger, Guardians Unleashed #4 by Jerusha Agen

Book description: 

 This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. This threat could eliminate them.

Being a loner is getting old. Jazz Lamont still can’t fit in at the Phoenix K-9 Agency, and she’s losing her best friend. At least providing security with her K-9 partner at the Tri-City Fair will mean revisiting the only place where she once belonged. But a series of accidents threatens her beloved fair and puts lives at risk.

Thriller author Hawthorne Emerson suspects foul play after the first “accident.” Moonlighting as fair security to investigate the death of his sister’s boyfriend, he’s eager to find the truth. He doesn’t expect the task to lead him to the cult he escaped.

Finding the culprit behind the sabotage is personal for Jazz and Hawthorne. But someone else has a personal stake, too. Someone who wants Jazz dead. When everything she thought was true is dismantled, can Jazz risk trusting others—including God—to survive?

My review:
   I am so glad I gave this series and author a try. I absolutely love this series, and was happy to see this book was finally coming out.

  I think the first book will always be my favorite - it is called the prequel, but it is technically the first book. It was published first, and by a different publisher than the rest of the books, so I am guessing that is why it gets called the prequel instead of book #1.

 But this book almost topples that one as my favorite. I have come to see Agen is a great author, but she really pulled out the stops for this 4th (5th?) book. 

 First off, the two main characters: Jazz, K-9 handler, non-Christian, who has been in all of the books since she is part of the team, and Hawthorne, confirmed bachelor, Christian, and author of thriller books...and Jazz' favorite author. And they meet in an exciting adrenaline-rush way.

 Both are complex, but likable characters. Because of how she was raised, Jazz feels like a loaner, unlovable, and doesn't even feel she belongs with her team. Hawthorne doesn't want to be tied down, or trapped by relationships.

 And the book had a great plot. The book centers around a fair that has been in the town for several years. Hawthorne is there to try to uncover the truth about the death of his little sister's boyfriend. Jazz is there as part of security, but quickly becomes the target of whoever is causing mayhem at the fair.

 Toss in romance and a cult for good measure, and you have the makings of a great romantic suspense novel.

 I absolutely loved this book. It was full of drama and suspense, and was a very difficult book to put down. (Foolish man that I am, I started it before work, and had to put it down. Would have been bad to call off from my car in the hospital parking lot.)

 I had a suspect fairly early in the book - at least halfway - and am happy to report that I was right. In fact, I was screaming inwardly at one point to Jazz "it is a trap don't do it!". :)

  Of course one thing that makes a series like this so enjoyable is having a team or other group of people that are in all of the books and come together to help protect and support. And of course that happened in this book. Jazz finally realized she was considered part of the team just as much as the others, and was valued by them......and by God.....and of course, by her favorite author. 

 I appreciate that the author doesn't shy away from a Christian message, and shares it through struggles of her characters. 

 The book had a great ending, and one of the last spoken statements had me chuckling out loud. Jazz, to Hawthorne: "There's something I have been wanting to ask you ever since we met."

 To find out the thing she asked to cause him to laugh (and anyone who reads the book), you will have to read the book. :)

 The books could be read as stand alones, as they don't make much  - if any - reference to what happened in previous books, but I would personally recommend reading them in order, as it does have references and appearances of the boyfriends/fiance's from the other books. 

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:

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives.

Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.

Get a free suspense story from Jerusha and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels at www.JerushaAgen.com.

Check out the rest of the series:

Prequel: Rising Danger 

Book #1: Hidden Danger 

Book #2: Covert Danger 

Book #3: Unseen Danger 

And coming October 2024: Book #5:  Terminal Danger 

Series Spotlight: Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

The first book in this series came out in January 2021. I was not familiar with the author, but kept hearing a lot of good about the book. I got the chance to review the second book, so I bought the first one and read it in August 2022. And loved it. 

Set in 1085 London, the book centers around Kit Turner, a Robin Hood type female, and Constable Jackson Forge. 

More opposite characters could not be found, and these two clash in some hilarious ways.

The second book was just as good as the first, and I just finished book #3....and man, was it awesome.

The author has a way with words and descriptions that are so vivid, and often amusing. Such as "Her teeth looked mouse-fur covered."

And referring to her father: "The man was far too canny - a trait she enjoyed in herself, but would prefer others didn't possess so much."

I am guessing this is the last book...but would be fine if it was not. All three books are quite delightful and entertaining reads, and though I have not read everything yet by this author, these have to be her best books ever. I definitely recommend these. 

Book#1: The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

There’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint

Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.

Book #2: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit.

Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who's turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother despite Jackson's warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson. (My review of book #2 here.)

Book #3: The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane

Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that’s not enough, she’s partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It’s hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks.   Namely, her husband.

   But Jackson barely notices. He’s too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief—an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck.   Against her father’s advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.   Can Kit and Jackson learn that just because they can say yes doesn’t mean they should?  

My review on Amazon and Goodreads of book #3: 

I enjoyed the first two books in this series - a lot - but Griep outdid herself on this one. This one was really hard to put down, but I had to put it down a few times to eat and run errands. The addition of baby Bella was a big plus, and this one was more suspenseful and had more going on - at least it seems like - than the other two books.

Griep has a way with words - like "her teeth looked mouse-fur covered", and had me grinning and laughing out loud with her words and her characters' antics. 

The author also has a gift of colorful description. She did such a great job of describing people, buildings, streets, etc that I could see them in my mind's eye, and found some of her descriptions rather entertaining.

I am guessing this is the end of this series, and it was a fantastic ending. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't the last book though :)

Kit and Jackson were an awesome creation of the author, and these books have truly endeared them to her readers - including me.

About the author:

Michelle Griep has 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).

Visit her website for more: MichelleGriep.com

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