Tracking the Taken Child, Colorado K-9 Unit #2 by Sharon Dunn

Book desciption:

 A little girl has vanished…

Can a K-9 team find her?

Preschool teacher Lydia Caldwell’s peaceful day in the Rockies becomes her most harrowing nightmare when she’s pushed over a mountain ledge and her three-year-old daughter is abducted. Lydia must now entrust her life and her child’s fate to K-9 Officer River Jameson and his yellow Lab partner, Frankie. As the danger escalates and the trail grows colder by the second, River and Frankie work tirelessly to track down the kidnapper. Is the culprit Lydia’s ex…or is someone from her past seeking revenge? Will River’s skill and Frankie’s instincts save an innocent child—and protect Lydia from the elusive criminal targeting her?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Book review:
This is the second book in the multi-author seven book series Colorado K-9 Unit. The main plot of the series is an investigation into young pregnant teen girls being kidnapped, then then killed after delivering their babies, which disappear. 

Dunn focuses part of her book on that plot, and brings in the other law enforcement individuals working on that case. The main focus of the book is the abduction of Lydia's daughter and Officer River Jameson and his K-9's efforts to find the girl and catch the kidnappers. 

I really enjoyed this book. You know ahead of time from the book description that three year old Elsie is going to be kidnapped, but it is still a dramatic and suspenseful moment when it happens. 

The author does a great job of meshing the plot line for the whole series and the one for the book as River pushes himself to work on both crimes, getting a little help from his fellow law officers on the kidnapping.

Dunn also does very well on portraying the anguish of a mother dealing with the kidnapping of her child. 

The romance angle was handled nicely, and did not seem rushed. 

I admit I had my suspicions of who was behind the kidnapping, and I was correct, but the author didn't make it obvious. 

Dunn did an excellent job on this second book in the series, and it left me eager to read the next book, coming out in May by Terri Reed.

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.

About the author:
Sharon Dunn started writing when she was pregnant with her oldest child. He is now 33 years old. She has written cozy and humorous mysteries along with over thirty romantic suspense novels. Her books have won awards and frequently appear on the USA and Publisher's Weekly bestseller lists. She is a widow who lives next to a park with her cat Sparky. She has three adult children. When she isn't writing, she loves going for walks, doing puzzles, reading and meeting up with friends. 

Check out her website for more about Sharon and her books: SharonDunnBooks.net

    Book #1

Book #3, coming May 26

Book #4, coming June 30

Book #5,  coming July 28

Book #6, coming August 25

Book #7, coming September 29

Collateral Damage, Hightower Security #6 by Jorgia Yates

Book description:

 He’ll protect her.

Or die trying.

Dr. Ava Morrison dedicates her free time to helping soldiers recover from the invisible wounds of war. But when a patient's flattery turns to obsession, she realizes too late that he isn’t just in need of medical intervention—he’s a loaded weapon, and she’s the one in his sights.

An isolated safe house.

24/7 close protection.

Silas Hightower swore he’d never work a "lone wolf" op again—not after the last one ended in blood. But when a special forces-trained predator targets Ava and his team is out of reach, he’s facing his worst-case scenario: alone, cut off, and shielding Ava from a hunter anticipating his every move.

Guard her at all costs.

Stay frosty.

Don’t fall in love.

My review:
The first book in this series, Collision Course,  came out a  little over a year ago. It was Yate's first published novel, and it caught my attention immediately. I took a chance on that new author, and am glad I did. 

 This is the sixth and final book in the series, and I am a little sad to see it end. But it ended with a great and hard to put down read. Silas is the head of Hightower Security, and finally gets his story in the last book of the series. This book had more character development of him, and gave the reader a chance to know him better. 

I think Dr Ava Morrison was in a previous book - I can't remember her, but one of the team constantly refers to her as "Dr Barbie", and she and Silas seem to know each other. I liked both she and Silas a lot as the main characters, and enjoyed the romance that they both fought at first. 

Collateral Damage is basically a stalker story. A great stalker story. Yates does a great job of weaving a suspense and drama filled story that kept me on the end of my seat until the great and satisfying conclusion. Sad to see the series end, but I am looking forward to what this author comes up with next. 

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.

Collateral Damage releases May 14 in e-book, but is available now in paperback.

About the author:

Falling in love shouldn’t be this dangerous—but Jorgia Yates wouldn’t have it any other way.

She writes Christian Romantic Suspense with protective heroes, courageous heroines, and a faith that holds strong when everything else falls apart.

Jorgia married her teenage sweetheart (after a very awkward meet-cute in the 90s), and together they’re raising two amazing children on the spectrum.

Living with chronic illness means her world is a little smaller—but her imagination is anything but. So while real life includes rest, resilience, and lots of grace, her characters chase danger, dodge bullets, and fall hard for the kind of love that protects—body and soul.

Check out her website for more about Jorgia and her books: JorgiaYates.com

Go here to get a free prequel to the series, Covert Risk: Free book. 

The rest of the series:

                                                                   Book #1

Book#2

Book #3

Book #4

Book #5

Witness Safeguard Mission, Canine Defense #4 by Carol J Post

 

Book description:

A family in a killer’s crosshairs.

A K-9 determined to defend.

When Nicole Woodard and her young sister witness their father’s murder by an unknown assailant, Nicole knows they’re next on the killer’s hit list. Now they must rely on Officer Braydon Feldman and his K-9 partner, Caesar, for protection. The killer will stop at nothing to silence the sisters and keep the crime hidden. But what could their father have been involved in that got him killed? With attacks coming from all sides and dangerous family secrets being exposed, can Braydon and Nicole stay alive long enough to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My review:
   Despite my not being a dog lover, I always enjoy these K-9 stories, especially suspense ones. This author has done several, and I have enjoyed each one. Including this newest novel of hers. It is the fourth in a series, but they are all stand alone stories.

  Witness Safeguard Mission starts out with the suspense and drama on the fourth page of the actual story, and does not let up until the bad guys are caught and stopped. I believe kids add a lot to the story, and seven year old Maddy certainly added a lot to this one. When on the run from bad guys, a  young child adds a whole new angle of suspense, danger,  and drama, and that was the case in this book.

  I did really like the main characters. Nicole has set aside - at least temporarily - her plans job-wise to help care for her little sister. Braydon ends up cutting his vacation short to protect the two sisters and puts himself in the bad guys' crosshairs and inconveniences himself a lot. 

  There were some tense moments along the way. Even though as a reader you know there is going to be a happy ending and the bad guys are going to lose in the end, Post did a great job of making that journey very suspenseful and drama and danger-filled. The book did have a great ending, including in the romance departmet. 

 I was suspicious of one person early on. Very early on. I am proud of myself for being right, and that character did kind of make up for it in the end. 

 Loved this non stop suspenseful novel. 

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.

Witness Protection Mission releases April 28.

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 #5, coming September 29

Now Until Forever, Brand of Justice #16 by Lisa Phillips

 

Book description:

Born into a legacy, Eliana must find her own brand of justice.

After moving to Chicago to work at the mysterious Shrine museum, Eliana is determined to uncover the family secrets she’s never been told. When she stumbles upon her first ever dead body, everyone around her believes she should try and solve the murder. But taking cases isn’t what she came here for. Despite her plans, things are about to turn far more sinister, and the path she’s on seems determined to drag her back into a nightmare.

Chicago PD Officer Carlos Ryson was born into a legacy of his own. He’s here to look for his missing sister, Luci, and wants to enlist Eliana’s help. This is a family problem, and only family working together can solve it. But Eliana has never forgotten the way Carlos shredded her heart. If he wants them to team up, he’ll have to confront the damage he did and find a way to repair it.

While the city around them descends into a chaos that resembles the end times, someone has seized the opportunity to get what they want from the Shrine. Only Eliana stands in their way, but if she’s going to figure this out she’ll need to trust that the people around her have her back.

Before it’s too late.

My review:
  Back in January, this author came out with the 15th and last novel in this series. Then she announced there was going to be one more book. This one is different from the other fifteen. At the end of the last book, Kenna and Jax (Oliver Jaxton) had just given birth to a daughter, Eliana. This book is 20 some years later and features Eliana and Carlos Ryson, child hood friend and who was also a little baby at the end of the last book.

  I thoroughly enjoyed the book. There were little updates occasionally about Kenn and Jax, plus they made an appearance later in the book, but it was mostly Eliana and Carlos that were the focus of the story. I liked both characters, and was cheering on their possible relationship. It was different reading a book in this series where Jax and Kenna were not the main characters, but it was a great way to end the series.

As with the rest of the series, there was a lot of suspense and plenty of bad guys - and you weren't always able to tell which was which - such as Tony....who once his nickname was revealed, I realized who he was. (Not giving that away) :)

I have been looking forward to this book ever since Phillips announced it was going to happen, and it definitely did not disappoint. This series has been a wild and suspenseful ride that started in August 2022, and has finished almost four years later with this book about the daughter of Jax and Brenna. Awesome conclusion.

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:
Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.

For more about Lisa and her books, check out her website....which is one of the best and most interesting author sites I have been on: AuthorLisaPhillips.com

I usually put pictures of the previous books in a series here, but there are 15 previous books....so here is a link to the series on Amazon. Brand Of Justice Series. 

The Bookshop of 99 Doors by Jaime Jo Wright

Book Description: 

The manor's rumored one-hundredth door may conceal secrets hidden as deep as the estate's bookshelves extend high . . . but the haunted past has a way of ensnaring curious souls.

In 1888, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the dark superstitions that envelop the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain haunts the house and worried by her father's rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's fraught past in an effort to bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own sanity.

In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door--a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion--results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to hunt down the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.

An atmospheric dual-time Gothic suspense masterfully penned by acclaimed author Jaime Jo Wright with themes of a Civil War-era ghost, a possible hidden door, and unexplained mysteries at a historic mansion's bookshop with a troubled past.

My review:
  I have been intrigued by the cover, title, and description of this book ever since I first saw it. I deliberately waited til close to the release date to read and review it, and now find myself wishing I had dove into it sooner. 

I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author, but this book is a masterpiece of writing in my opinion that is even better than her previous books. It is a dual timeline story, as most of hers are. Wright seamlessly weaves the two timelines together with their different plots and characters in a way that made it a truly delightful read. Though she diabolically left a cliffhanger and switched to the other timeline a few times. (Arrrgh!)

I loved the plots and characters in both timelines, and really loved the setting - which was  the same for both. 

And of course I really enjoyed the bookshop part of the story. 

Wright has the amazing ability to write a story that seems like there are ghosts and other paranormal activity, only to end up with a rational solution that does not involve ghosts, though the way this story went for a while, I was wondering how she was going to do that. 

In the modern storyline, there are the equivalent of ghost hunters, which added an interesting twist to the story.

At the center of the story was the search for the mysterious 100th door. Do they find it? You won't get the answer from me, as I don't do spoilers. 

I will say that Wright pulled together an amazing ending for both timelines, and I was left wowed by this amazing story. It was definitely worth the time I spent reading it. A very suspenseful and intriguing book that is one of the best I have read so far this year. 

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.

About the author:

Jaime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author--including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards--is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin's rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes - providing an exhilarating amount chaos. 

Check out her website for more about Jaime and her books: JaimeWrightBooks.com

Death Wish, Task Force SEAR Book #3 by JJ Samie Myles

Book description:

Some battles demand an unbreakable faith—and the ultimate sacrifice.

Former MARSOC sniper Ledger Romero faked his death to escape the Sombra Cartel after making their infamous revenge list. When a friend calls in a loyalty card and begs him to rescue his daughter from the ruthless regime, Ledger returns to Colombia and its deadly shadows—and walks right into an ambush.

Two years ago, Roxane Jaimes gave up a promising CIA career and infiltrated Sombra, the face of Colombia’s much-revered organization that funds pediatric surgeries with blood money. Her fiancé’s blood, to be exact. Determined to dismantle the cartel, she wrestles an inexplicable compulsion—which will destroy all her covert work—to save Sombra’s newest captive.

The cartel is hot on their heels as Ledger and Rox escape into the unforgiving Colombian jungle. When Task Force SEAR learns Ledger is still alive, they lock and load. However, squaring off against Sombra comes at a high price. Maybe higher than Ledger and Rox can pay.

My review:
I have been enjoying this series, and was happy to see another book coming out in the series. 

It may be the best of the series so far, though there are some violent themes and torture in the book, and the author did something that emotionally wrecked me. If I had had a physical copy of the book in my hand, I may have thrown it across the room. It was that bad. Ugh. 

But other than the gut wrenching "what was the author thinking?!" moment, the book was masterfully written. SEAR is a fictional team that has the primary goal of rescuing Christians from danger, mostly in other countries. 

Death Wish is a wild ride from the USA to Columbia and back as at first Ledger and Roxanne battle evil on their own, and then get help from his team and others. 

Ledger and Roxanne were great main characters, and very likable. Ledger especially was an excellent character, and his love for his brother and concern for his safety and spiritual condition were a highlight of the book.

The book had its share of bad guys, and I enjoyed seeing them get what was coming to them. And there was a surprise with one of them, which I will not give away. 

Amid all of the danger and violence is the message of hope, and though I was kind of mad at the author for a certain thing, the book ended well with the message that God is always in control and is a comfort and help in grief. 

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.

Death Wish releases April 26.

About the author:

JJ Samie Myles is always on the hunt for a thrilling adventure, be it in real life or the fictional realm. Having traveled the globe and interacted with people from all walks of life, she is equipped with an arsenal of story ideas. Her mission is to share the beauty of God’s light in a dark world and encourage her readers in their faith. JJ is fluent in savage banter, obsessed with the ocean, and loves to laugh.

Check out her website: JJSamieMyles.com

                                                                           Book#1

                                               Book #2

                                                         

Conspiracy, Sanctuary Series #3 by Colleen Coble

 

Book description:

Fifteen years of secrets. Once chance for justice.

Just as wildlife veterinarian Paradise Alden begins to envision a future with Blake Lawson, the ghosts of her past return with a vengeance. The murder of her parents has shadowed her for fifteen years, but a new threat brings the cold case into the terrifying present. A trained leopard--a chilling embodiment of Paradise's deepest fears--is now stalking her.

Haunted by resurfacing memories, Paradise, Blake, and her newfound brother, Drew, follow a trail of clues that leads them into a web of dark family secrets. The deeper they dig, the more shocking the connections become, linking their families to a dangerous conspiracy that someone is still willing to kill to protect.

With every step closer to the truth, the killer becomes more desperate. Paradise, Blake, and Drew must race to expose a murderer who has remained hidden for fifteen years, but this time, they are the ones being stalked. If they can't unmask the killer, the past will destroy both the fragile future Paradise and Blake are trying to build and the family she has finally found with her brother.

A conspiracy of lemurs is a family. But a conspiracy of people can be deadly.

My review:
  I have really been looking forward to this final book in this series, and when I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of it four months early, I jumped at the chance. And I am glad I did. This was a truly awesome read that I enjoyed - or devoured. 

 Coble has done a few series where there is one main couple and the whole series covers their growing relationship, as opposed to one couple per book. I have found myself liking that kind of series, and this series is that kind. All three books cover Blake and Paradise's relationship.

Conspiracy mainly centers on the murder of Paradise's parents and her newfound brother Drew's father. 

I enjoyed all three books in this series, but this one was my favorite, but then it did tie up everything and was a great conclusion to this series.

As with the other two books, Blake's 5 and 7 year old brothers Isaac and Levi were in the book a lot, and added a lot to the book.

And even more than the other two, family was a big emphasis in this story as Drew and Paradise deepen their brother-sister relationship, and he meets other new family.

I learned a lot about some animals, and lemurs were a featured animal in this book. In fact, the title has a double meaning since a group/family of lemurs are called a Conspiracy.

Hez, Savannah, and Simon from the Tupelo Grove Series made appearances in this book, which was cool.

Coble is a favorite author, but I had some doubts about a series set around an animal sanctuary, but this series is battling for first place with my previous favorite series of hers, The Pelican Harbor Series. 

Conspiracy brings a conclusion to an awesome series, and the mystery of the murders of the parents of Paradise and father of her brother, Drew. This series had a fantastic cast of characters and a terrific plot. I was eager to read the final book, but sad to see the series end. But knowing how this author writes, we may see more of them in another series. This was an awesome read and an awesome series. 

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

Conspiracy releases July 7.

About the author:

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 her website for more about Collen and her books. ColleenCoble.com

                                                                           Book #1

Book #2

Montana Ranch Crime Ring by Sharon Dunn

 

Book description:

Exposing a smuggling operation

could uncover dangerous secrets.

As veterinarian Erika Gunderson races to save her horses from a burning barn, she is assaulted—and left for dead inside. Newly hired ranch hand Daniel Fowler comes to the rescue just in time. Little does Erika know that Daniel is an undercover ATF agent, investigating gunrunners operating in the isolated Montana wilderness—and considers her a potential suspect. When they unearth a body on the ranch and Erika’s father mysteriously vanishes, hidden family secrets begin to emerge. With more than just their lives on the line, they’ll need to risk everything to take down the smugglers and expose the truth.

My review:
  Love Inspired novels are shorter than trade paperback books, and it always amazes me how much some of the authors can pack into these books. This book comes in at 202 pages, and there is no wasted space in those 202 pages. 

 The book takes off on the first page with a fire that is suspected arson, and from there it is non stop action and drama as Daniel and Erika try to stay alive while trying to catch the bad guys.

Dunn created two great characters in Daniel and Erika who were easy to like and care about. I didn't read the blurb before reading the book, and immediately suspected Daniel of being some kind of law enforcement. He made a great undercover ATF agent. And even though I am not a dog lover, I even liked Pete the dog. :)

There were some surprises in the book when you thought everything was going good for Daniel and Erika, then you get proven wrong.

There was a big discovery at one point, and I just knew what was going to come of that.... and no, I am not giving that away. 

Montana Ranch Crime Ring is a fast paced suspenseful read that I thoroughly enjoyed, and is a great book to have the honor of being my 100th book read this year.

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.

About the author:

Sharon Dunn started writing when she was pregnant with her oldest child. He is now 33 years old. She has written cozy and humorous mysteries along with over thirty romantic suspense novels. Her books have won awards and frequently appear on the USA and Publisher's Weekly bestseller lists. She is a widow who lives next to a park with her cat Sparky. She has three adult children. When she isn't writing, she loves going for walks, doing puzzles, reading and meeting up with friends. 

Check out her website for more about Sharon and her books: SharonDunnBooks.net. 

When Justice Comes, Tupelo Grove Series #3 by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

Book description:

 Hez and Savannah Webster have survived storms that would bury others without a love as strong as theirs--but can they withstand the final battle in the deadly Legare-Willard feud that threatens to sweep away everything they've fought for?

Hezekiah "Hez" Webster and his fiancée, Savannah, stand on the brink of a new life, but their dreams are haunted by specters of the past. Just as they're getting ready to adopt her nephew, two other petitioners also file for custody--both of whom only want Simon for their own gains.

Between the financial company that Hez outmaneuvered to save the university from ruin and the bad blood from the head of the Willard family, it's hard to say who wants them out of the way more. Hez and Savannah's quest for justice leads them through a labyrinth of family law, where loyalties are tested and trust is a dangerous luxury when every decision could be their last.

With the clock ticking, Hez and Savannah must confront the ghosts of their past and their deepest fears to secure a future for Simon. But with every secret revealed, the stakes grow higher. Can they build the family they've always dreamed of, or will their enemies succeed in tearing them apart forever?

The Tupelo Grove series reaches its breathtaking conclusion as an enemy's agenda for revenge runs darker than swamp water and justice remains as precarious as quicksand in this heart-pounding narrative that underscores the power of redemption and forgiveness.

My review:
I have been really impressed with everything this writing duo has put out, and I have been looking forward to the third and final book in this great series. And it was worth the weight. What a ride.

The authors piled a lot on Hez and Savannah in this book. At one point, I asked out loud "Do the authors even like these characters?!" There is a constant battle on in the book for the custody of their nephew, Simon, and at times the likelihood of their getting custody of him looks impossible. 

And there is no shortage of bad guys, including Simon's grandfather.

One thing I have really liked about this series is the relationship between Hez and Savannah. When the series starts, they are separated and divorced, but have been slowly getting back on track with each other and God. I love the fact that a couple that was divorced got back together, and how they took an alcoholic and he got his relationship with God and his ex-wife back. 

There were a few surprises in the book....and I am not giving those away. I'll just say the authors did a great job on pulling those out and totally surprising me. 

This has been one awesome series, and I enjoyed all three books immensely, but this one may be the best of the three. Of course it did help that everything got resolved in it. 

I was excited when I heard that these two authors were teaming up for this series, and it was even better than I expected. 

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.

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 her website for more about Collen 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 

The rest of the series:

                                                 Book #1

Book #2

Standalone novel by the two authors

   

Taming Lady Temperance, The Secret Society of Spinsters Series #1 by Karen Witemeyer

 

Book description:

When passion for justice conflicts with the heart, which will prevail?

Noreen O'Sullivan is an enthusiastic member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and believes herself called to defend the cause of prohibition. When she's invited to join the Secret Society of Spinsters, Noreen jumps at the chance to rally others to her movement and shut down the local saloon for good. However, her passionate campaigning often puts her at odds with the men around her--including the local deputy.

Deputy James Paxton believes in preserving the peace, but Miss O'Sullivan has been disturbing his peace for months. If James wants to be elected sheriff, he can't afford to be seen as her ally. But when Noreen ropes him into helping her plan a temperance march, their growing closeness sparks unexpected feelings. Then tensions escalate at the saloon and accusations fly. James must choose between upholding his badge and protecting the woman who's captured his heart--knowing either choice could cost him everything.

My review:
Karen Witemeyer is one of my top favorite authors, and I always look forward to her newest book. 

And this book has intrigued me since I first heard about it. The book is set in the late 1800's, and centers around a group of women who are unmarried, have no intentions of getting married, and are all about women's rights and suffrage.

The main female character is Noreen O' Sullivan, whose main focus is temperance and getting the town saloon closed down. The main male character is Deputy James Paxton who agrees with her stance, but is torn between keeping the law and peace and helping the woman he is attracted to. That comes to a humorous climax, which I will not give away.

There is a lot of back and forth between the saloon owner and Noreen, with the former not being too excited about her temperance efforts. 

I loved both main characters. They played off of each other very well, and both were very likable characters. There is a lot of drama, action, romance, humor, and even an element of suspense in this great novel. It might seem odd that a guy could enjoy a book with the women's rights and suffrage topics, but I loved the book.

And it is educational. I learned a little about the temperance movement, including the fact that there were temperance hymns, which I Googled. 

Some books have an evil stepmother, but this one has an evil stepfather, who is very easy to dislike.

Witemeyer certainly did not disappoint with this first book in her new series. I thoroughly enjoyed Noreen and James' story.  I am already looking forward to the next book. 

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.

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.

New and notable author: Charles Hack

I had been trying to do these features regularly, but my depression has been really bad the last several months, especially in these winter months. But I have been wanting to feature this author since I read a second book by him.

 I ran across this author the same way I have discovered other new authors: in the HOA type Facebook group, Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. (I joke about them being like an HOA, but there are reasons for that 😀).

When Charles was coming out with his first Christian suspense novel, he asked for reviewers. The book Deceitful Above All Things, #1 in his Hank Lin Series, sounded really good. I did review an advance eBook copy of it, and loved it. I went on to buy the paperback.

There are a lot of men - and even women - looking for books that are geared more for men than for women. The Christian fiction market - and even the secular - is such a women's market. Try looking for memes and book related products. If they have a person on it, 99% of the time, it is a female. 

And not knocking women authors and books more for women. I just wish it was more evened out. 

Book #2 in the Hank Lin Series, Deliver Us From Evil,  just came out in November, and was even better than the first one. I preordered it from him and got some cool "swag".

Hank Lin is the main character, hence the series name....I'll put the book description of the first book below, which describes Hank, who is an Asian American: 

Grisly murder comes to the shores of Lake Tahoe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And book #2:

When an emergency air ambulance goes missing, former Army Criminal Investigator Hank Lin finds himself wrapped up in a dangerous investigation in the mountains overlooking Lake Tahoe.

Still adjusting to civilian life, Hank volunteers to assist the Ponderosa County Sheriff’s search for the missing helicopter. The disappearance of the air ambulance rocks the sheriff’s department as the search and rescue mission spirals into a murder investigation. Finding four victims complicates the case and reveals the killer’s unique set of skills. When Deputy Sierra McLean finds herself on the back foot and frustrated with dead ends, she accepts Hank’s offer to help.

The discovery of long-buried motives sends the investigation in a new direction. As the hunt for the killer heats up, the stakes escalate, forcing Hank to do what he does best.

I have been very impressed with these two books, and am looking forward to more in the series. So far there really isn't any romance, other than a hint of interest between Hank and the female Deputy. There is no bad language or anything inappropriate. 

I am already looking forward to the next book in this series. 

Charles' real name is Keller Charles Hakbusch....he hacked off part of his name for his author name. (Pun intended 😃)  

In addition to the Hank Lin books, he has also written some Sci-Fi books. That is not a genre' I am into, so I have not read those. I am guessing if you like Sci-Fi books, you would like them. 

I follow him on a couple of social media platforms, and he seems like an interesting guy. In addition to being an author, he is also a pastor. He is an author I would love to sit down with and eat a meal and chat....though if I ever did eat with an author I read, I'd probably be nervous and knock my drink over, or something else embarrassing. Since he lives in Nevada and I in Ohio, he is safe from spilled drinks by me. 😎

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

Check out his website: CharlesHack.com