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

Series spotlight: The Warrior Spy Series by Dony Jay

 

It has been a while since I did a series spotlight or a post about a new or notable author. So it is time I do one, and I am going to spotlight a series I just read....and part of which I re-read: The Warrior Spy Series by Dony Jay. 

Book #1, Warrior Spy, came out in 2015. 
Book #2, Artifacts of Conspiracy came out in 2017
Book #3, Agency At War, came out last month. See why I re-read the first two? 

 The series features a young CIA agent names Reagan Rainey - Ray - and his exploits that take him all over the world. The series is filled with suspense, action, spies, political intrigue, and a lot of drama. It is an amazing series that is definitely geared for guys, though a lot of women would enjoy it also. And the author has an amazing life in the job he does and has done - read his bio at the end of this post. 

Book #1: Warrior Spy

The CIA has a problem. Its best clandestine operatives keep turning up dead. And now, as if things couldn't get any worse, a Defense Department scientist, specializing in high-energy lasers, has gone missing. America needs answers. And fast.

Delta Force operator Reagan Rainey, on temporary duty assignment with a secret CIA entity known as Directorate Twelve, is tasked to do just that--get answers. But to do so, he not only has to outwit and outmaneuver a dangerous cabal of foreign actors believed to be at the center of it all, he must contend with a deadly assassin who is bent on destroying him.

Relying on his bedrock faith in Almighty God, Rainey is forced to race against the clock to uncover what is really going on and why, before his beloved America is pushed to the brink of war.

The Warrior Spy is the first book in the Warrior Spy thriller series. It is jam-packed with heart-pounding action, all-out spy warfare and a new American hero that is sure to please.

Book #2: Artifacts of Conspiracy

Reagan Rainey was eleven years old when CIA men came to his house and broke the news that his father was dead. And so for the past twenty years, he and his family believed just that. But when a Russian spy named Moses suddenly comes forward and teases a tightly held secret from the past, Rainey’s world is turned upside down.

As part of the ensuing internal CIA investigation, Rainey—Delta Force special operator turned CIA operations officer—is dispatched to Great Britain to find out what really happened to his father and why. After narrowly escaping gunmen in England and an ambush in Spain, Rainey mounts his own operation that will lead readers through the spy-rich streets of Vienna and Prague and to the doorstep of Moscow. And leave Rainey staring face to face with a killer.

In his most daunting mission to date, Rainey will do whatever it takes to discover the truth. For his country, his family and himself. A truth that will challenge the very fiber of his faith and just might shake America to its core.

Book #3: Agency At War

Reagan Rainey, America’s best warrior spy, was hoping that a Christmastime trip to New York City with his old college flame would help rekindle their frayed relationship. But instead of enjoying the holiday pomp and fortifying a romance, he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a deadly terrorist attack as it is unfolding.

After narrowly escaping with his life, Rainey is quickly tasked with finding out who planned and executed the attack. He soon formulates an audacious plan that puts himself in the crosshairs as he and his newly formed CIA hunter-killer team endeavor to penetrate the dangerous terrorist organization behind the attack and give them the war they deserve. But for his plan to work, Rainey must enlist the support of a wealthy adversary, a man he would much rather see dead.

In a shadowy world of illicit arms, shifting allegiances, and hostile intelligence services that threaten to submarine the operation and put him in the ground for good, Rainey takes on the role of a lifetime fighting on the blurred front lines for an agency at war.

Jay also has another book that released recently, the first book in his Nathan Press Thriller Series. It isn't quite as Christian in content, and I definitely like the Warrior Spy Series better. 

About the author:

DONY JAY was born and raised in beautiful south-central Pennsylvania. Whether it was playing baseball with neighborhood kids during the summer months or hockey on a slab of ice in his childhood backyard in winter, he’s always had a passion for sports. Dony excelled at soccer and basketball and played both sports collegiately. He holds a BS degree in criminal justice from York College of Pennsylvania. A self-described book addict, Dony possesses an insatiable zeal for the written word—something he largely credits to his faithful prep-school English teachers.

Dony is now a police detective with over 22 years of law-enforcement experience. He has served on a US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and is currently a member of a county-wide Child Abduction Response Team (CART) and his department's forensic unit. Outside the crime-scene tape, he is the author of smart, exciting thrillers with richly drawn characters and plots that pack a punch.

When he's not reading or writing, Dony loves spending time with his family, staying fit, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles. He also enjoys the outdoors, great music, and keeping pace with Jovie, his lovable and very active Jack Russell Terrier. Above all, he's a follower of Jesus Christ. He resides in south-central Pennsylvania.

Check out his website for more about Dony and his books: DonyJayBooks.com

Series recommendation: Hunt Brothers Search and Rescue by Jessica Ashley

 I discovered  this author last year when I ran across the first book in her Coastal Hope Series. I bought the other four books as they came out, and loved the whole series. The Hunt Brothers were introduced in the final book of that series, Perilous Healing, being cousins of the main male character in that book, Silas. 

Now an interesting thing about the book titles in this series: Those are not the brother's names - though they are their nicknames/call signs.  The book titles are the names of the guy's dogs. 

Bravo came out in February, and features Bradyn

Echo features Elliot. The paperback just came out, and the ebook is due out April 28. I love it when it happens like that.😃

Romeo is due out June 30, and features Riley

Tango features Tucker, and is due out August 25.

Delta features Dylan, and is due out October 27. 

Two of the brothers are twins. I think it is Dylan and Tucker. 

Here are the blurbs for the two books I have read so far: 

Their love is a risk neither can afford—but it might be the only thing worth fighting for.

Bravo:

Former Special Forces Operative Bradyn Hunt may have left battlefields behind for his family's Texas ranch, but he’s still fighting—now as the head of Hunt Brothers Search & Rescue. He and his team tackle the toughest missing persons cases, reuniting families and seeking answers.

Kennedy Smith has been on the run for years, living under different names and never getting attached. Her latest hiding place is as a ranch hand at the Hunt family’s property, figuring there’s no safer place than among a group of Army veterans. But she didn’t count on falling for Bradyn, the quiet, determined leader who just rolled back into town.

Just as she considers staying, her past catches up. The danger she fled is at her doorstep, and now Bradyn is in the line of fire. Kennedy must decide—keep running or fight for the only man she’s ever trusted. But the secrets she’s kept could destroy them both.

A pulse-pounding romantic suspense about trust, redemption, and the kind of love that refuses to let go—even when the past threatens to destroy it. Will they survive the firestorm, or will her secrets bring everything crashing down?

A soldier tormented by the past. A woman with no memory. A love neither of them saw coming.

Elliot "Echo" Hunt carries the weight of his past, haunted by the one person he couldn’t save. When he finds an injured woman on his ranch, he rescues her without hesitation—only to realize she looks eerily like the one he couldn’t protect.

Echo: 

"Jane Doe" wakes with no memory, no identity—just an overwhelming sense of connection to the man who saved her. The attraction between them is undeniable, yet Elliot, scarred by his past, keeps her at arm’s length, terrified of what a second chance at love could cost.

As the danger surrounding Jane intensifies, so does their bond. With every passing day, their hearts grow closer, but secrets from her past threaten to tear them apart.

As Elliot faces his greatest fears, he must decide if he’s willing to trust in God’s plan for a love that might heal them both—or risk losing it forever.

Dive into a gripping tale of love, redemption, and unshakable faith. Get your copy of Echo and experience a heart-pounding Christian romantic suspense story that will leave you breathless!

I just read Echo yesterday, and it was an awesome read. I always enjoy a good amnesia story, and the female is a Jane Doe for most of the book.

The author excels at creating great and likable characters, and she is not afraid to weave  strong Christian themes and truths in her books, while keeping them clean and completely free of bad language. In Echo, I related a bit to Elliot. Three years previous, a tragedy happened and he has been struggling with his faith, and has not been to church since. (No tragedy in my case...politics has caused my struggles, and I do go to church.)

I have enjoyed both books, and am looking forward to reading the others. But yikes....the end of June for the next one. Sigh.

About the author:

A USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels, Jessica recently felt her faith pulling her in a new direction. Now, her focus is inspirational romantic suspense with characters who fight to find their faith in even the darkest of moments, because, as she has learned, it's then we should lean on God the most.

She lives in Texas with her husband and homeschools her three kids. She is an Army veteran and has written multiple bestsellers since debuting in 2016.

                                                Book 3, coming June 30

Book #4, coming August 25

Book #5, coming October 27

New and notable author: Jorgia Yates

  I have not done one of these posts for a while, and decided I needed to after reading a new author today. 

 Her books came up as a suggestion a few months ago, but there was one problem: There were none published yet. She did have a free prequel out for signing up for her newsletter, but I had not read it yet since it wasn't on Goodreads - I keep track of books for my reading goal there.

However, book one in paperback came out before the e-book for a change, and I ordered it as soon as I saw it was available. It arrived today, so I decided to read the free prequel. I loved it, and then read the first book in the series, Collision Course. It was even better. Here is the plot:

Serve his country or rescue his wife?

Federal Air Marshal Reese Donovan has sacrificed everything he loves to keep another 9/11 from occurring again.

After living apart from his wife, Verity, for a year, the last thing he expects is harrowing news that will force him to examine where his loyalty lies.

While he’s been busy keeping the skies safe, Verity narrowly escaped a deadly explosion.

To add insult to injury, the trauma has left her suffering from selective amnesia.

Verity believes she and Reese are still happily married.

With his wife depending on him to fill in critical memories before the bomber strikes again, Reese must lie to Verity while placing his faith in the private security team he holds responsible for widening the cracks in his marriage.

Unsure of who he can trust, and with time running out, Reese will face his greatest fear.

Prevent a terrorist attack or save the woman he still loves.

Buckle in with Reese and Verity for an explosive start to a high-octane Christian Romantic Suspense series where nothing is what it seems, love can be lethal, and any day could be your last...

Here is my review I posted for it on Amazon, Goodreads, etc:

Awesome debut novel. I love security type suspense novels, and am looking forward to reading more in this series. There was so much to like about this book. Reese and Verity were great and likable main characters. The fact that they were had been separated for a year and were getting a divorce, and only he remembered that was a great part of the plot - I do like a good amnesia story.
I liked the Hightower team, and the author did a great job on the interactions between them, and the friction between Reese and the team because of him being so suspicious.

And the suspense was top notch. Especially the airplane scene towards the end of the book. That scene shows this author has the skills to write great suspense.

Ever since I ran across this author, I have been eagerly waiting to read this book. And I am impressed.

I highly recommend her books, and am looking forward to the second book, Lethal Deceit, coming in June. 

Link to get the free prequel, Covert Risk:  https://www.jorgiayates.com/subscribe.html#/

About the author:

Jorgia Yates writes swoony Christian Romantic Suspense with protective heroes and courageous heroines who constantly find themselves in sticky situations they need to shoot or smooch their way out of.\

After meeting as two awkward teenagers in the nineties, Jorgia married the man her soul loved, and they have been blessed with two cherished children on the spectrum.

Due to pesky physical disabilities, Jorgia is limited in what she can do outside the home, so she lives vicariously through her characters' exciting adventures.

                                                             Coming in June: 

New and notable author: Jessica Ashley

I ran across this author back in February of this year. Her first book, Pages of Promise,  came up as a suggestion for Christian suspense. It is the first in The Coastal Hope Series.  I knew nothing about her, but the book sounded really good. I am not positive of the publication date. I ordered the book in late February, and it was delivered March 6. The date on Amazon says April, which is definitely not correct.

The book was really good, and I bought the second, Searching for Peace one when it came out in April. Second Chance Serenity followed in June, and Tactical Revival this month. The paperback came out the 19th, and the ebook on the 26th. It doesn't happen that way too often.

The first book is about Former Army Ranger Lance Knight, and his private security business. The whole series revolves around his business and the guys who work for him. 

Book description of the first book: 

A wounded veteran who walks by faith. A traumatized woman struggling with hers.

Running from secrets that could bury her, Eliza Pierce has traveled cross-country for her fresh start. But a threatening letter left in her mailbox less than a week later throws her back into the flames of her past.

Former Army Ranger Lance Knight may have been discharged from duty, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less a soldier. As the owner of a private security firm, he’s fought plenty of battles stateside.

When someone makes an attempt on Eliza’s life, it’s Lance she turns to. And despite a first impression that left both of them wanting nothing to do with the other, he agrees to help…even if it means trading his own life for hers.

 I have really enjoyed all 4 books, and there is a 5th due out September 25, Perilous Healing. It will be the last in the series.

  There is a lot of suspense, action, drama, faith, and romance in these books. I love her characters, and she comes up with some great plots. I am looking forward to the last book in this series, and the first book in her new series, which debuts in February: Bravo, the first book in The Hunt Brothers Search and Rescue Series. Just the name of the series has me intrigued and looking forward to it: (No book cover yet).

A VETERAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD AND THE WOMAN HE NEVER SAW COMING.

Former Special Forces Operative Bradyn Hunt may have traded a battlefield for his family ranch in Texas, but that doesn’t mean he stopped fighting.\

As the founder of Hunt Brother's Search and Rescue, he and his team take on missing persons cases that no one else can solve. They’ve retrieved people from the very depths of hell-on-earth, which has left him with his fair share of scars.

Kennedy Smith has had many names and lived many different lives as she runs from her past, her only goal surviving long enough to see the next sunrise. Her most recent identity is as a ranch hand in a small, North Texas town.

Run by Army veterans, she figures there’s no better place to hide than the Hunt family ranch. That is until she begins to grow attached to the eldest Hunt brother, Bradyn. She should run, after all, not getting attached is rule number one to staying alive. But before she can bring herself to leave, the threat shows up on her doorstep, dragging Bradyn right into the flames alongside her.

Bradyn has saved the lives of hundreds of people, but can he protect Kennedy from the ghosts of her past? Or will her secrets burn everything he’s built to the ground?

Jessica also has a story in a Christmas suspense anthology with 4 other great authors coming in October. 

She apparently has written other books, according to her author bio, but I am guessing it was under another name. This series is definitely her first Christian suspense series.

If you sign up for her newsletter, you can download a free novella that is an introduction to her series.

Author bio:

After spending seven years in the Army, Jessica set out to write novels that would transport readers to new worlds and help them escape reality with messages of underdogs and swoon-worthy romance. After a decade of a successful writing career underneath two pen names, she felt her faith pulling her in a new direction.

Now, she writes sweet romance with messages of faith, hope, and the importance of trusting our hearts and the word of God.

She resides in Texas with her husband of thirteen years, homeschools their three kids, and spends her free time making sourdough.

Check out her website: JessicaAshleyBooks.com

Notable author: Creston Mapes

  Most of these posts I do are about new authors I discover and whose books I enjoy. Creston Mapes is an author I read several years ago. I read and reviewed all 3 books in his Crittendon Files Series back in 2013-2014.

 I just re-read the series this week, and wow. I forgot how good the series is. No offense to the author or publisher, but the original covers were the kind that brings the quote "don't judge a book by its cover" to mind - especially #1. The other two were pretty decent.  But I really love the new covers. (Old covers below). Another thing cool about these books are the setting: Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio areas. I am a buckeye, so that was cool. :)

I decided to buy the new covers, and ordered #1. Amazon sent me a different cover - not the oldest, but not the one I want. So I may forget that idea.

There are a couple of things about the books that make them a bit different than other books: #1 The couple in the book are already married with a couple of kids. And #2: The series features and revolves around a guy. All too often even books written by male authors still center on a female. It is nice when I read a book that actually centers on a guy. (And nothing against women. The Christian fiction market is just so geared towards female readers.)

After I finished that series, I found myself wondering why I had never read anything else by him. I know he has a newer series that he started in 2019, so I checked it out. Signs of Life is a 6 book series, with the first book having the same name as the series. I read the first book, and I am impressed. This guy can write.

The book starts on the evening of a mass shooting. One of the main characters is a detective a few years from retirement. The other main character is a 40 year old man whose wife was killed in the shooting. The chapters alternate between the two men. The chapters featuring the detective starts the evening of the shooting with he interrogating the shooter and investigating everything to do with him. The chapters with the other guy start several months after the shooting with him trying to deal with losing his wife in such a terrible way.

The author did a great job of portraying the mind and emotions of a man who lost his wife in such a horrific way. 

I just finished the 5th book last night, and it is an amazing series. The author addresses current themes and issues. This series is set in Portland, Oregon, and has the riots and all that going on. Mapes also weaves a lot of the Bible and Christian themes through his books, and his characters struggle with issues like faith, asking why God allows tragedy and killings, etc.

He also has some other books out that I have not yet read, but am planning on reading: 

I Am In Here

"Little Do They Know, I Can See and Hear Everything!"

Eighteen-year-old Hale Frodele is presumed braindead from a tragic church bus accident in which he lost his younger brother, Nate.

Little does anyone know—Hale hears and understands everything with crystal clarity.

Hale remembers when his mom died at age 44 of pancreatic cancer and his dad turned his back on God.

Hale understands that the unbeliever his dad remarried whispers bitterly that Hale is ‘pitiful’ and ‘ruining’ her marriage.

Hale knows his father has borrowed a large sum of money from a deranged loan shark named Sebastian and the payback is due in 48 hours.

Hale believes in his best friend Gilbert, who still visits him weekly, prays for his healing, and is beginning to realize something is very wrong in the Frodele household.

Hale is in here . . . and he has a mind-blowing story to tell.

Celebrity Pastor: 

His Heart Was Right . . . Until It Wasn’t

Pastor Neil Gentry embarked on his ministry with genuine intentions, unwavering passion, and undeniable charisma. He had a gift for drawing people in and teaching profound truths that resonated deeply with the masses. As his influence grew, so did his fame.

Vine & Branches Church became one of the fastest growing in the world, with campuses in Atlanta, LA, Austin, NYC, and a TV ministry spanning the globe. Soon, Pastor Gentry and his wife Becky resembled royalty, enjoying fame and power—and basking in the adoration of their devoted followers.

Beneath the glitz and glamor, however, whispers of misconduct began to surface.

Accusations ranging from coverup and manipulation to corruption and sexual harassment cast a shadow over the once-glowing reputation of Vine & Branches. Was Pastor Gentry leading his flock above reproach, or was he using them to fuel his own ambitions? Could the rumors of emotional manipulation and abuse of power within the church’s inner circle possibly be true?

As the allure of popularity and power consume the Gentrys, they find themselves plummeting into the abyss of moral compromise. With the weight of their actions threatening to shatter everything they’ve built, one dire question remains: can anything or anyone break the spell before the unthinkable happens? Find out in the latest tension-filled thriller from acclaimed suspense novelist Creston Mapes.

Nobody

Murdered Vegas Homeless Man a Millionaire in Disguise?

Reporter Hudson Ambrose hears an early morning call on his police scanner about an injured person at a bus stop on Las Vegas Boulevard and rushes to the scene. His world is blown off its axis when he discovers a murdered homeless man with a bankbook in his pocket showing a balance of almost one million dollars.

Should Hudson wait for the police, knowing the case will get lost in reams of red tape, or swipe the bankbook and take the investigation—and perhaps a chunk of the money—into his own hands?

With sirens bearing down on the scene, Hudson makes an impulse decision that whisks him on a frantic search for answers.

Uncovering bizarre links between a plane crash, a Las Vegas pit boss, a dirty cop, and a widowed Atlanta business mogul, Hudson is forced to find out: who was Chester Holte, what was he doing on the streets, and why are his homeless friends convinced he was an angel in disguise?

And the Rock Star Series. These are older and I never read them because the original covers never appealed to me, nor books about a rock star. However, the main character in those books was in the last book of The Crittendon Files, Sky Zone. I am now intrigued, so I will be reading those also.

Mapes is an author I definitely recommend. Faith filled suspenseful thrillers that I feel are geared more for men, but women will also enjoy.

About the author:

Creston Mapes grew up in northeast Ohio, where he has fond memories of living with his family of five in the upstairs portion of his dad's early American furniture store - The Weathervane Shop. Creston was not a good student, but the one natural talent he possessed was writing.

 

He set type by hand and cranked out his own neighborhood newspaper as a kid, then went on to graduate with a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University. Creston was a newspaper reporter and photographer in Ohio and Florida, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, for a job as a creative copywriter.

 

Creston served for a stint as a creative director, but quickly learned he was not cut out for management. He went out on his own as a freelance writer in 1991 and, over the next 30 years, did work for Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, The Weather Channel, Oracle, ABC-TV, TNT Sports, colleges and universities, ad agencies, and more. He's ghost-written more than ten non-fiction books.

 

Along the way, Creston has written many contemporary thrillers, achieved Amazon Bestseller status multiple times, and had one of his novels (Nobody) optioned as a major motion picture. 

 

Creston married his fourth-grade sweetheart, Patty, and they have four amazing adult children. Creston loves his part-time job as an usher at local venues where he gets to see all the latest-greatest concerts and sporting events. He enjoys reading, fishing, thrifting, bocci, painting, pickleball, time with his family, and dates with his wife.

Check out his website: CrestonMapes.com

New and notable author: Madison Love

I don't remember how I ran across this author, but it was very recently. The first book I read by her was back in April of this year. I am guessing she came up under a search of Christian suspense books on Amazon.

She has two series out so far: The Just4You Matchmaker Series and The Shining Knight Protector Series. The first series has 3 books - plus a prequel -  and the second series has 5 books out, with at least one more on the way.

I read the second series first, at least the books that were out. Two more came out since I started reading the series. It is really good. The books are romantic suspense, with the same team of agents being in all of the books. There is a lot of camaraderie and banter between the characters, and I found all of them to be very enjoyable reads.

Now if you take my advice and read these books, here is something you should know:
Read at least the prequel to the matchmaker series and also the first book, Matchmaking the Undercover Agent. And she is giving away the e-book of Matching the Protector for signing up for her newsletter.

Here is why: the prequel is about Ben. The first book in the matchmaker series is about Ethan Knight. Ethan is a a secret agent undercover as a rock star. He and Ben are best friends, and launch The Shining Knight Protector Series after Matchmaking the Undercover Agent. I didn't realize that and read the matchmaker series after I read the Shining Knight Series. 

I do like the suspense series best, but the matchmaker series is also very good. The author is an excellent writer, and is not shy about having Christian content in her books. 

I just read Daring, the 5th book, two days ago, and it was awesome. I so did not see who was the guilty parties in the book.

Madison is an author I definitely recommend, and I am already looking forward to the 6th book in the Shining Knights Protectors Series. Fearless is coming out September 6, 2024. 

About the author:
Madison Love is an Amazon Best-selling, clean, and Christian romance writer who loves to intertwine humor and suspense while adding a dash of sweetness. She has spent most of her life traveling abroad, discovering new places, and meeting wonderful people. It took her twenty years in the military before she settled in a rural town outside of Buffalo, New York, where she now lives on a forty-acre farm with her husband, son, and two dogs. Having been afforded the time and opportunity to bring her ideas and stories to life, she seeks to give her readers the ‘happy ever after’ they seek, but with a hint of intrigue.

Check out her website: MadisonLoveRomance.com

New and notable author/Series spotlight: Pennsylvania Parks Series by Elle E Kay

 Last year, I ran across a book that sounded really good by an author I had never read: Grave Pursuits, #1 in the Pennsylvania Parks Series by Elle E Kay. It is a Christian suspense novel, and I was intrigued enough to try it. And I loved it.

A second book, Grave Secrets came out later last year. I bought it and it was just as good. Book #3, Grave Consequences came out last month. And yes, it was really good.

The author has several other books, most of which I have not yet read. I did read a few books she wrote as part of a muti-author series, Freedom Ridge, which is a great series. She wrote books #3, #11, and #15. 

There is also her Endless Mountain Series. I read and enjoyed the first book. 

And she has also written some books in the muti-author Lawkeeper Series.

The Pennsylvania Parks Series books are a case of not judging a book by its cover. Maybe it is just me - and my  apologies to the author - they just don't draw me in. One thing is I have never cared for book covers that have the people's faces that color of the book - in this case: purple, blue, and orange.

So it was the book's description that grabbed me.

#1 Grave Pursuits

Tensions increase as the body count builds.

Join park ranger Emily Davis on her quest to discover a killer's identity in Grave Pursuits, a gripping Christian romantic suspense novel set in Hickory Run State Park. When a hiker goes missing and Emily discovers a skull, she finds herself targeted by a serial killer, putting her faith to the test.

As the case garners national attention, Emily turns to her high school sweetheart and seasoned detective, Wade Brunner, for help in this Christian mystery thriller. Together, they embark on an exciting adventure, uncovering sinister secrets lurking in the park.

Grave Pursuits is a clean and inspirational read, perfect for fans of faith-based thrillers and second chance romantic suspense novels.

#2 Grave Secrets

Two Disappearances, One Deadly Connection.

In Philadelphia, Gavin's sister Cate goes missing, and her disappearance is linked to an enigmatic sorority invite. Gavin's search for clues takes him to Ricketts Glen State Park, where Park Ranger Samantha is investigating her own family tragedy—the unsolved disappearance of her uncle. As they piece together a complex puzzle, they unearth connections that lead them to a shadowy society operating in the area. Together, along with Gavin's brother Grayson, they find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and danger.

As threats multiply, they're forced into a deadly showdown with a clandestine organization, willing to protect its secrets at any cost. In this landscape of breathtaking beauty, alliances are tested, bonds are formed, and justice is sought. Grave Secrets is a story of courage, love, and twisted minds, that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.

#3 Grave Consequences

The Deeper the Roots, The Darker the Secrets.

Malachi James and Cate Garrison come together in Pennsylvania’s Worlds End State Park with a shared mission to protect three innocent bear cubs.

Their efforts bring them into conflict with Jade, a cult Malachi’s father founded and his mother embraced. The society poses a serious risk to both their mission and their lives. AS they fight for justice and independence, their feelings for each other grow and their faith deepens shedding light into the darkest corners of their histories.

Confronted with his mother’s schemes and his father's past misdeeds, Malachi faces crucial decisions. The ancient forest serves as a backdrop for the personal battles he and Cate endure.

Grave Consequences explores the bonds of faith and family as Malachi and Cate confront nightmares and seek divine guidance for their future. Amid the majestic natural setting, their beliefs are put to the test.

I don't know if there are any other books coming, but I hope so. This is a great series, and I have enjoyed every book. I highly recommend this series, and this author.

About the author:

Elle E. Kay lives on a hobby farm in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, three dogs, and many farm animals. She is a born-again Bible believing Christian who keeps perennial gardens and enjoys the wildflowers strewn about her property. The wildlife who visit the property are a joy for her, but nothing beats the excitement of a kid being born to one of her many goats.

She released Grave Secrets on October 16, 2023. It was the second book in the Pennsylvania Parks series of romantic suspense novels which take place in and around Pennsylvania's scenic state parks. Shadowing Stella was Elle's debut novel and it started off her Endless Mountain trilogy.

Elle also wrote three contemporary and four historical novellas for the multi-author Lawkeeper series, published two books in the Blushing Brides series, and three books in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. She has a novel titled Wooing the Widower due out on November 15, 2023 for the Christmas in Redemption Ridge Series.

Her website is kept updated with the latest information about her upcoming books: ElleEKay.com