She Will End This by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

Book description:

 True crime writer Britt Olsen knows the minds of monsters. She never expected to share their DNA.

A simple DNA test shatters everything Britt believes about her past. The father she loved was not her biological parent, and the mother she trusted has spent decades hiding her CIA past. Worse, Britt's real father is a disgraced Mossad assassin known in the intelligence underworld as Abaddon.

Before Britt can process the truth, violence strikes.

Five-year-old Willow Hamilton--the president's granddaughter--is kidnapped, and Abaddon becomes the prime suspect. Determined to help rescue the child, Britt joins forces with FBI Special Agent Stein Nordahl, a man who has spent years hunting the assassin responsible for his own father's death.

As the search intensifies, Britt and Stein uncover a web of secrets that reaches deep into the intelligence world. Forced on the run through the unforgiving Pacific Northwest wilderness, they face deadly ambushes, corrupt agents, and betrayals from people they thought they could trust.

But time is running out for Willow.

To save the girl and stop Abaddon's catastrophic plans, Britt must confront the darkest question of all--whether she is defined by the blood in her veins or the choices she makes.

Because the world's most dangerous assassin has finally come looking for his daughter.

And in a battle shaped by secrets, betrayal, and faith, Britt must decide what kind of legacy she will claim.

My review:
I have been looking forward to this newest book by the dynamic writing duo of Collen Coble and Rick Acker, and it was worth the wait.

  This book was non stop drama and suspense. There were times I wasn't sure if some people were the good guys or the bad guys. And if some people were alive or dead. The authors pulled out all the stops on this one, and it definitely had me not wanting to put the book down.

  Coble and Acker came up with a great cast of characters. Some were very likable, such as the two main characters, Stein and Britt...and of course five year old Willow. There were also more than enough characters to not like, such as Abaddon. The romance angle was done well, and wasn't the main focus of the story for most of the book. 

The authors also handled the angle of Britt worrying that she might be like her evil father. 

I did thoroughly enjoy the book and the couple of surprises that came out while reading. It was entertaining, very suspenseful and inspirational. Looking forward to what this writing duo comes up with next.

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

She Will End This releases November 10.

About the authors:

USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Colleen Coble has captivated readers with over 6 million books in print, earning #1 spots on Amazon. Her novels blend suspenseful plots, emotional depth, and faith-filled redemption that keep fans turning pages late into the night.

Colleen also teamed up with attorney Rick Acker. Together they launched the high-octane Tupelo Grove series which infused her signature coastal intrigue with Rick's courtroom-sharp twists. Multiple high concept novels continue to flow from their fun and exciting collaboration including I Think I Was Murdered, a ripped-from-the-headlines AI suspense novel.

A passionate mentor to aspiring writers, Colleen has served on the American Christian Fiction Writers board for 20 years, helping foster a warm and supportive community. A life-long Hoosier, she and her husband recently moved to Arizona where she continues to spoil her grandchildren and craft stories in the sunshine. 

Check out Coleen's website for more about her and her books: CollenCoble.com

Rick Acker writes high-octane suspense novels during breaks from his “real job” as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, which provides inspiration for his acclaimed legal thrillers. 

Rick has also teamed with award-winning romantic suspense author Colleen Coble to pen bestsellers such as I Think I Was Murdered and their Tupelo Grove series. Library Journal praises their “dynamic author partnership,” and predicts they “will continue to produce hits.” 

When Rick isn't writing or lawyering, you can usually find him with his wife Anette exploring in the hills east of San Francisco, watching a good movie together, or, of course, reading. 

Check out his website for more about Rick and his books: RickAcker.com

Lucid Nightmare, Marino Legacy Series #2 by Skylar Kent

Book description: 

 ROME

I swore to kill him if I ever saw him again, and now he's back.

Every kid knows the feeling of having a monster under the bed, but mine wanted me in his sheets. Two decades later, Father Norman has the guts to show his mug again, still playing the good shepherd.

I'm out for revenge, but then I learn he has friends. Lots of them. And one of the offenders is close with the woman I love.

BELLA

I always knew that evil lived among us, but I wasn't aware just how close it lurks.

My family is anything but happy that I'm dating a mob boss, and they make no secret of their aversion to Rome. Despite my efforts to appease them, things only get worse. Then Rome starts distancing himself from me without explanation.

When a loved one of mine is suspected of being involved in child trafficking, I start digging for proof. What I uncover shatters my world into a million pieces—and paints a target on both Rome’s back and mine.

Lucid Nightmare is a gritty Christian mafia romance about a mob boss caught between darkness and light. It's the second installment in the Marino Legacy Trilogy and picks up right where Cruel Blood (book one) left off.

My review:
  This is the second gritty book I have reviewed in the same day. Skylar Kent is a pen name for JJ Samie Myles who also writes under that name. Skylar Kent is a name she uses for her more gritty fiction.

 I was a bit dubious about a Christian mafia fiction series, but it works. Kent (Myles) is a great author, and she actually pulls it off. I loved the first book in this series, Cruel Blood, and have been looking forward to reading this one.

 It isn't for the faint of heart. There are warnings in the front of Kent's books, telling what subject matter is in  the book. And as the book blurb says, this one covers the sexual exploration of a child by a priest. There are no graphic details given about that, but this is not your grandma's Janette Oke fiction. This is truly gritty fiction, yet are topics that need addressed in Christian fiction. 

There was one scene in the book....no offense to the author...but the main character and his friends were rescuing kids that were being used by some very bad people. The main character did something that I feel should not be in the book, as it was a bit too graphic. But maybe others may not think so. 

But overall, this was a great read, other than a major cliffhanger ending. 😐 Again, this is a great read and series, but one should read the content warnings before reading them. 

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

About the author: 
Skylar J. Kent writes contemporary romance with a dash of suspense, "boldly going where Christian fiction hasn't gone before." Despite suffering from a chronic illness, she always finds a reason to laugh and enjoy the beauty of life. The stories Skylar pens aim to encourage readers in their faith and show that no soul is beyond God's reach.

There is no website for Skylar, but she does have one under her real name, covering only books written under that name:
JJSamieMyles.com.

                                                                 Book #1

Brother's Promise, Sealed Legacy Series #1 by Dani Madison

 

Book description:

He’s fighting a battle only God can win; she keeps running to the enemy’s arms.

In a city that never sleeps, former POW and NAVY SEAL Ryker James seems destined to be among the restless. Memories of his past haunt him to the cage he now fights in, driving him to UFC success and fame.

Until his world is shattered at the height of his career and he’s left questioning the God that once brought him through the storm.

Kelsey Renolds believed New York would hold her future. With a promising job and successful boyfriend, she slides through life unnoticed by those around her.

Until she meets a man who opens her eyes to everything she never thought she needed, nor deserved.

As Ryker and Kelsey battle their own demons, facing them together becomes the only option. Their worlds intertwine, as a promise from the past is tested, and hope for their future draws near.

A Gritty, Emotionally Intense, Christian Romantic Suspense Novel

My review:
From what I can find, this is the first novel by this author. I love debut novels, and this is a great one. 

 As the book description indicates, it is a gritty novel. There is nothing inappropriate in the book, but the main male character is a cage fighter....not the average employment of guys in Christian fiction. The main female character is in an abusive relationship.

 I did enjoy the book. I liked Ryker immediately, though Kelsey took longer for me to like as a character. The book has a strong redemptive message, and both main characters have their own personal struggles they have to deal with. Ryker having his violent nightmares from time in captivity in the military, and Kelsey with her abusive boyfriend. The book had a great ending, and left me wanting to read more from this author. 

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

A Brother's Promise releases October 28.

About the author:

Dani Madison writes Christian Romantic Suspense with a gritty edge, always cocooned in faith. She shares a wonderful life with her husband in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she can be found in the sun, holding an Olipop.

New and Notable Author/Series Spotlight: Urcelia Teixeira, and her Angus Reid Mysteries Series

 I read a book by this author four years ago: Every Good Gift, the first book in her Adam Cross Suspense Trilogy. I can't remember much about the book, but I did give it a good review. 

Her Angus Reid Mysteries Series has been coming up on my Facebook feed for a while. I had it confused with another series by a different author that does not catch my interest. When I realized this was not that series, I decided to check it out. And to my surprise, I had an e-book bundle of the first three books on my Kindle that I got free or cheap. I read all 3 books in one day, and immediately bought the series in paperback. 

At this point, I have read all but the ninth book, which just came out September 22. 

The series revolves around Sheriff Angus Reid, sheriff of a coastal town in Maine. I asked the author his age, as it is never given in the books, and she asked me how old I think he is. I had guessed thirty-ish, and she has him in his mid thirties. 

I am really enjoying these books. I read the first one September 25, and have read the rest of them since, except book #9. The books are clean and curse free - sad you have to make that statement about Christian books. Something I like is at the beginning of each book is a Bible verse that the book was inspired by, and there is a lot of Christian content/faith in the books.

I highly recommend this series, and will be checking out the Adam Cross series again after I am done with this series. 

About Jacob's Well, the first book in the series:

“A mother knows. At least, that’s what everyone told her. That she’d know when something was wrong. Feel it. Deep inside as if there was an invisible cord that had stayed behind the day she brought her son into this life.

Well, they were wrong. Dead wrong. She didn’t know her son at all. But then, he didn’t know her either.”

©Urcelia Teixeira - Excerpt from Jacob's Well. All rights reserved.

Dark secrets swirl around the small coastal town of Weyport as Mary-Jean Foley discovers just how far she would go to protect her son.

Even with a new sheriff in town. Even when her husband doesn’t agree. Even when she thinks God isn’t looking.

But how far is too far and at what cost?

As newly appointed small-town Sheriff Angus Reid settles into Weyport, it doesn’t take him long to discover just how corrupt his new town is. With a desk full of suspicious open cases and too much to prove, he is determined to rid his town of crime and win the hearts of his people.

But when two teenagers suddenly go missing, it lays bare sinister secrets and emotional ties that threaten to derail his investigation.

And as the case untangles, the secrets buried deep within the coastal borders of the tight-knit community slowly bubble to the surface.

Determined to find justice for the missing boys and their families, he races against the clock to find them. Unbeknownst of the dark forces that rage against him.

Then he gets a call that a body has been found…

Jacob's Well is a compelling tale of mystery, suspense, and faith. With twists at every turn, this gripping novel keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Can Sheriff Reid unravel the mystery and save Jacob before it’s too late?

Join Sheriff Angus Reid in a suspenseful journey through faith, fear, and redemption. Perfect for readers who crave a thrilling mystery wrapped in Christian values and small-town intrigue.

✝️ Inspired by John 14:9 and John 4:14

About the author:
Award winning author of faith-filled Christian Suspense Thrillers that won't let you go.

Urcelia Teixeira, writes gripping Christian mystery, thriller and suspense novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Firm in her Christian faith, all her books are free from profanity and unnecessary sexually suggestive scenes.

She made her writing debut in December 2017, kicking off her newly discovered author journey with her fast-paced archaeological adventure thriller novels that readers have described as 'Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft with a twist of Bourne.'

But, five novels in, and nearly eighteen months later, she had a spiritual re-awakening, and she wrote the sixth and final book in her Alex Hunt Adventure Thriller series. She now fondly refers to The Caiaphas Code as her redemption book. Her statement of faith. And although this series has reached multiple Amazon Bestseller lists, she took the bold step of following her true calling and switched to writing what honors her Creator: Christian Mystery and Suspense fiction.

The first book in her newly discovered genre went on to win the 2021 Illumination Awards Silver medal in the Christian Fiction category and the series reached multiple Amazon Bestseller lists!

While this success is a great honor and blessing, all glory goes to God alone who breathed every word through her!

A committed Christian for over twenty years, she now lives by the following mantra:

"I used to be a writer. Now I am a writer with a purpose!"

For more on Urcelia and her books, visit www.urcelia.com

To walk alongside her as she deepens her writing journey and walks with God, sign up to her Newsletter - https://newsletter.urcelia.com/signup

or

Follow her on:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/urceliateixeira

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/urcelia-teixeira

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/urcelia_teixeira

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urceliabooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UrceliaTeixeira

Defending the Innocent Target, Canine Defense Series #5 by Carol J Post

Book description:

 Danger in the shadows.

A K-9 keeping guard.

When Isaac Cooper and his K-9 partner investigate suspicious activity at the house next door, they discover Brandi Feldman, the frightened new owner who has been attacked. The home she inherited hides dark secrets, and there are traps around every corner. As threats against her escalate, it’s clear someone wants her gone—at any cost. Under Isaac’s vigilant protection, Brandi must uncover the truth about her deadly inheritance. But can they outmaneuver a killer determined to make Brandi’s next move her last?

My review:
There is something I like about K-9 stories, especially ones that are suspense/mystery. And yet I am the complete opposite of a dog lover. This is the 5th book in a K-9 series by this author, and it is the best one so far, in my opinion, and possibly one of her best of all of her books. (Bodyguard for Christmas is my favorite of hers).

I just loved everything about this book: the characters, the plot, the house left to an heiress by a grandmother she didn't know existed, two older protective twin brothers, and the non-stop suspense. 

And of course the faith element. Isaac is a Christian with a steady faith in God. Brandi....not so much, so the book is also her faith journey while trying to stay alive and avoiding the bad guys. 

Post has again written a great suspense and faith-filled novel that kept me on the edge of my seat. It had a great ending, and was definitely worth the time it took me to read it. 

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

Defending the Innocent Target releases September 29.

About the author:
Carol J. Post is a New York Times bestselling author of fun and fast-paced Christian romance and Christian romantic suspense stories. Her books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She is also a popular speaker, presenting workshops on a variety of craft topics.

Carol especially enjoys research trips, which usually involve camping, with some hiking, kayaking and bonfires thrown in when possible. She also loves playing the piano and writing songs with her musical husband. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of two sassy cats—Ziggy and Ziva—who also love camping and are known to occasionally take over her blog with their “It’s Zaturday!” posts.

Check out her website for more about Carol and her books: CarolJPost.com

The rest of the series:

                                                                 Book #1

                                              

                                                                     Book #2

Book #3

Book #4

Book #6, coming March 30 2027

Operation Pale Horse, Last Chance Series #7 by Jennifer Haynie

Book description:

 As a pilot and owner of an air cargo business, Fiona Mercedes returns to Flagstaff, Arizona, to discover that her boyfriend of nine years has cheated on her. Her world implodes and spins out of control in ways she never imagined. When her ex-flame shows up on her doorstep and offers her a hundred thousand dollars for her to help him repossess a plane, she jumps at the chance to get away from Flagstaff.

DEA agent Benito Valdez has worked for the past six years undercover as a pilot for Pale Horse Exports. He’s in so deep that he worries he’s lost his identity as a child of God. When a Colombian drug cartel steals a plane from Pale Horse, Benito must repossess it from Panama. He knows of only one man—or woman—right for the job. Fiona.

When the repo goes awry, Fiona and Benito find themselves caught in a rising feud between Pale Horse and the cartel. Then they discover a plot to release an insidious new drug more dangerous than ever anticipated.

Will Fiona and Benito’s newly rekindled romance survive the trials they face? Or will they pay the ultimate price while trying to stop the deaths of thousands of people?

My review:
  I enjoy suspense series that has a team of individuals who are in all of the books in the series, but each having their own story. I have enjoyed each book in this series, and was happy to see there was a new one coming out. 

 I had not read the book description, so I found it a bit disconcerting to discover Benito was a Christian, yet involved in the drug trade. Then it was revealed that he was an undercover DEA agent. 

Benito was a new character, but Fiona had been in the other books, but this book brought her in as a main character. I have liked these characters - Skylar not so much in this book - and Benito and Fiona made a great and liable team as they tried to end a bad guy's drug trade.

The book is filled with non stop drama, action, and suspense. Fiona and Benito go through a lot, and one thing I came away with is I would rather starve than eat snake...you'd have to read the book. :)

Haynie wove a Christian message throughout the book, and it only added to the story. And of course there is romance, something that I used to dislike in books, but now I find myself rooting for the couple.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and had a hard time putting it down. Looking forward to more in this series. 

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

Operation Pale Horse releases October 7.

About the author:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Jennifer Haynie writes on-the-edge suspense for lovers of romantic suspense. She writes about strong women who not only survive challenges but learn to thrive in spite of them. She believes her stories should contain plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats as well as create identifiable characters. Her goal is to encourage people to think more deeply about their own lives and to encourage them through issues they may face.

She has published seven novels in the general indie market. As a member of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, she’s served as secretary during its first year and remains involved. She encourages indie authors by sharing her experiences.

In addition to her writing, Jennifer plays a vital role in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure. As part of her work, she regularly speaks to engineers, elected officials, local government staff, and political appointees about water and wastewater infrastructure issues. Since 2014, she’s completed presentations to over 1,500 people. 

Jennifer has a penchant for fitness, which includes weightlifting, running, a good hike, and warm summer days spent kayaking. She and her husband also make occasional forays into national parks for camping where each trip turns into an adventure. They live with their two Basenji dogs outside of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Check out her website: JenniferHaynie.com 

The rest of the series:

                                                        Book #1

Book #2

Book #3

Book #4

Book #5

Book #6

Fatal Pattern, The King Legacy #2 by Kate Angelo

 

Book description:

A COVERT INVESTIGATION

A stalker attacks behavioral analyst Dr. Tori Crew at knifepoint, shattering the fierce independence she's built since her parents' unsolved murder. Forced into an off-the-books criminal investigation, Tori must push her expertise--and her fiercely guarded heart--to the breaking point as a killer's pattern emerges.

A LOOMING THREAT

Homicide detective Blade St. James has been Tori's friend and protector since childhood. Haunted by his own past of parental abandonment, Blade is determined to build a stable life and find the peace that always seems just out of reach. But when Tori's life is threatened, his guardian reflexes collide with everything he's been trying to build.

A HIDDEN MENACE

As the conspiracy rooted in Tori's past pulls them deeper, the boundaries of their friendship blur, and the truth neither can deny becomes impossible to ignore. Can they unmask the sophisticated serial killer before they become the final, fatal piece in the pattern?

My review:
  I admit I got lost a bit on some of the talk of fractals and patterns...and even Googled fractals, but I still enjoyed this book. Blade (what a cool name) and Tori were very likable characters, and it made the story all the more interesting that they had been carrying a torch silently for each other for so long. 

 The plot was genius and intricate, but also easy enough to follow. And there were some definite surprises, such as a surprise named Niko...but I won't give that away, except to say I was so surprised I might say I was shocked.

There is a lot of drama, action, and suspense in this book. And it is one where you aren't always sure who the bad guys are.  

This story also had the added bonus of having a cold case at the center of it, rooted in Tori's past. 

Fatal Pattern had a very climatic ending that had me on the edge of my seat, even though I figured the good guys were going to win.

This was a very enjoyable suspenseful read that left me looking forward to the next book in the series. 

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

Fatal Pattern releases September 15. 

About the author:
Kate Angelo is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Selah Award winner, and Amazon Top 100 bestseller from Southwest Missouri. She writes fast-paced romantic suspense novels where her characters confront trauma and find faith and healing.

When she's not putting fictional people through the wringer, Kate works alongside her husband, Jerry Angelo, as the co-founder of their nonprofit ministry dedicated to strengthening marriages and families. Whether she's helping people survive in fiction or thrive in real life, Kate is passionate about helping others discover their happily ever after.

For exclusive updates, free books, giveaways, and wild stories from her life—including the one about her pet lion—subscribe to Kate's free newsletter on her website: KateAngelo.com, which has a very cool look on the home screen.

The King Legacy book #1