Lost In Darkness by Michelle Griep

Book description:

 Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein  

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

My review:

   This was the first book that I have read by this author. Her Thief of Blackfriar's Lane has intrigued me, but I never read it.

  Lost In Darkness was.....different. The gothic part of the book description should have clued me in. I didn't love it, but I didn't really dislike it either....if that makes sense.

  I did like the three main characters. Graham was somewhat of a lost soul at first, yet committed to doing the right thing no matter what. Amelia set aside her career plans to help the brother she hadn't seen in seven years. Colin, her brother, was a very likable character that you can't help feeling sorry for and wishing....well, no spoilers. I do wish the author had done a better job of describing his deformities.

 Doctor Peckwood was a most unlikable character who got more and more unlikable the further in the book I got.

  The plot was decent, as was the setting. I had some difficulty getting into the book at first, but it got easier after a while. I thought the overall feel of the book was a bit depressing, though the book did have a happy ending.

  This isn't a book I would recommend, except maybe to someone who does enjoy gothic reads....yet I still am interested in checking out other books by this author.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild).

On the Web: www.michellegriep.com

Lost In Darkness is available from Barbour Publishing.

Thanks to Barbour for the review copy.

Labyrinth of Lies, Triple Threat #2 by Irene Hannon

Book description:

 Danger awaits on a covert mission where few are who they seem to be

When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls' boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn't take her long to realize that beneath its veneer of polish and wealth, Ivy Hill Academy harbors dark--and deadly--secrets. But the biggest shock of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn't the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine--and startling connections emerge among the players--the danger escalates significantly.

But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go to protect their house of cards?

My review:

    Irene Hannon has been a favorite author of mine for the last 12 or so years that I have been reading her books. She is an author who seems to get better with each book and series she writes. This book is a great example.

  The author came up with a great plot, setting, and cast of characters for this book. The setting of an expensive girl's boarding school made for a very interesting and different setting, and perfect for two different people working undercover for two different branches of law enforcement. It becomes obvious fairly early that the disappearance of a young girl that Cate is investigating has something to do with the drug smuggling that Zeke is investigating.

  It is an exciting suspenseful read, made all the more suspenseful as the two main characters have to work at maintaining their covers, she as a student and he as a Spanish teacher. To make it more difficult, Cate and Zeke have to pull off meeting to compare notes. (And the idea of a 33 year old female going undercover as a 17 year old girl is not that far out. Teens on TV and in movies are often played by people in their 20's and up.)

  As in another book I read recently by a different author, the couple in this novel had previously been in a relationship together, which does make the romantic angle more believable. Zeke was much more interested in reviving that relationship than Cate was, and I was rooting for him. :)

  There have been Irene Hannon books that had more action, but this was definitely one of the more mysterious and intriguing ones. I loved it, and couldn't put it down once I started it.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than sixty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Labyrinth of Lies is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

                                                               Book #1

Deadly Target, Rocky Mountain Courage #2 by Elizabeth Goddard

Book description:
 

This cold case has suddenly warmed up.

She only hopes they won't get burned.

Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her life in a boating accident and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job to care for her mother in Montana. At least there Erin is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's certainly good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

My review:

   The idea of cold cases being investigated and solved intrigues me, and that is the main plot of this book.

  Deadly Target starts off with action by the third page. The suspense, action, and drama doesn't stop until the exciting conclusion. The author came up with a very intricate plot that had me constantly wondering where the story was going, who the bad guys were, and why the two main characters were constant targets.

 There were some definite surprises, especially when Goddard tied everything was tied together and secrets of the past of Erin and her mother were finally revealed. 

 The romance angle was well done. As much as the average reader enjoys it - even this confirmed bachelor - the idea of a man and woman involved in mystery and suspense falling in love and having a happily ever after is not realistic. Both books in this series, and at least a couple other books by the author have couples that had previously been in a relationship with each other. As enjoyable as the boy meets girl and they try not to be murdered while falling love stories are, the kind of romance in Deadly Target is much more realistic. Nathan and Erin had had a relationship some years before, which was ended by her just when he was ready to propose. The reason she broke up finally is revealed later in the book, while the reader is kept in the dark about that.

  So, this book has it all for romantic suspense lovers: great plot, constant action and suspense, and a very well done romance. It is all enough to have kept me on the edge of my seat and reading in one sitting until I got to the great conclusion of the book. Goddard has again delivered a great quality Christian suspense novel that is sure to ensure her niche in the Christian book market.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels,

including Present Danger, Deadly Target, and the Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over 1 million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com.

 Deadly Target is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

                                                                         Book #1

Christmas at Cranberry Cove, Cranberry Cove Series #3

Book description:

 Ryder Langston retires from commercial fishing and manages Blake Sloan's supply stores. When the owner of the inn in Cranberry Cove hires a new executive chef, Ryder is intrigued by the tall woman with ebony hair who hides a dark family secret.

Juliette Duplay must flee from her French roots and her past when a family member turns against her. She'd like to blend into the American culture but can't escape danger even in the small community of Cranberry Cove.

Can Ryder and Juliette unravel the mystery in time to celebrate Christmas at Cranberry Cove? 

My review:

   I have enjoyed this series, and love the setting of the stories. It makes me want to move to the fictional town. Living near a lighthouse would be a definite plus.

  This book caught my interest immediately and I was happy to review it. #1 it is in this series. #2 It is a Christmas book. #3 I love the cover. Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover.

  Christmas at Cranberry Cove centers on Ryder, who had cameo appearances prior to this book, and Juliette, a new character and chef at the inn. This novel, as with the other two, is more of a cozy mystery with no intense scenes.

 It was definitely an enjoyable read. There is a lot of talk about food in the story, so I felt perpetually hungry throughout. The author did put one of the recipes at the back of the book, which was cool. I enjoyed the slowly developing romance, and hoped for the good guys to win.

 The book had a somewhat surprising turn at the end, which I wasn't sure I liked 100%, yet it did give Ryder the opportunity to do what he wanted to do with his life, so all is well that ends well.

 Another great read from this author.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and  MA in Counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance
in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provided a rich source of information for her novels. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find the path to live godly lives.

Check out her website at JuneFoster.com

                                                                        Book #1

Book #2

Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris

Book description:

With her vision and his know-how, this thing just might work . . .

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah's past difficult, but he also seems determined to complicate her present as well.

In order to avoid forcing a buyout of Leah's building, Jon will have to strike a compromise. Can the two of them work together? Or will their troubled past set the tone for their future?

My review:

   I rarely review books that are contemporary romances, but this one sounded good, and I like to try out new authors.

  This is actually the third book in a series, and characters from the previous two books along with references to events appear in this one.

  I did enjoy the book, enough that I will most likely read the first two at some point. The setting and the idea of restoring heritage.

  There was some bouncing back and forth between something that happened between the two main characters six months ago and the present, and that was a bit distracting to me from the main plot of the book......but that is a personal observation.

 The two main characters were both likable, though at times I wanted to smack them both and tell them to get on with it.......

 I typically read suspense novels, but there is a bit of suspense in any book of this kind. You know the couple is going to get together eventually, but it is fun waiting it out til it happens and how it happens.

 This was a fun and enjoyable read, and I recommend to anyone looking for a bit of a lighter read. 

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Tari Faris is the author of You Belong with Me and Until I Met You. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she is the projects manager for My Book Therapy, writes for learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and lives in the Phoenix, Arizona, area with her husband and their three children. Although she lives in the Southwest now, she lived in a small town in Michigan for 25 years. Learn more at TariFaris.com.

 Since You've Been Gone is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

                                                                            Book #1

Book #2

A Deep Divide, Secrets of the Canyon #1 by Kimberly Woodhouse

Book description:
 

With her past behind her, she has nothing--and everything--to lose.

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can't let go of the deep-rooted fear that he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

My review:

   I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but Kimberly Woodhouse is a favorite author and she does it well. It is obvious she does a lot of research, and I have Googled things in her books before and found them to be accurate. i.e. the El Tovar Hotel the book takes place in and around. Built around the time of this book takes place, the early 1900's, the hotel is still there and operating. 

  A Deep Divide is the first in a series, and was a very enjoyable read. Also a big part of the book is the hotel staffed by Harvey Girls, and it was interesting to learn more about them.

  In addition to a great setting, the book also had great characters and a terrific plot. Emma Grace was a great heroine and a somewhat damsel in distress, struggling with doubts of God and if He cared about her. Ray was also a very likable character with his own struggles about his past mistakes before becoming a Christian.

 Woodhouse does not shy away about putting Christian content in her books, whether she is writing solo or co-writing with Tracy Peterson. The reader will walk away with some sort of encouraging and sometimes convicting message woven through the story, and this book definitely had that.

 The author also usually has some sort of suspense in the plot, not on the edge of your seat, biting fingernails scary, but still suspenseful enough to appeal to  the suspense lover in some of us....and A Deep Divide had an awesome plot with suspense and a kidnapping thrown in that made the book all  the more interesting.

 Romance....I didn't used to like the romance part of these stories much, but that has slowly changed, and this author is one author who changed that as I became a fan of her books. This book of course has a romantic aspect, but slight spoiler: it is a very slow boil. In fact, I was wondering if they ever were going to kiss. (Oh, how I have fallen).

 The book had a great ending - well great all through the book with no boring parts - and also ended with forgiveness and a definite change for the hero and heroine. It left me eager to read more in the series, but book #2 is a whole year away....

 I definitely recommend.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Kimberley Woodhouse (www.kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books including The Heart of Alaska series and The Treasures of Nome series. Kim and her incredible husband of twenty-nine-plus years have two adult children. She loves the gift of story and is passionate about music and Bible study. You can connect with Kimberley on her website www.kimberleywoodhouse.com.

A Deep Divide is available October 5 from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Hostile Intent, Danger Never Sleeps #4 by Lynette Eason

Book description:

 Secrets are about to be revealed . . . but will the guilty be brought to justice?

Ava Jackson entered the military shortly after high school, but her mother's illness has forced her to request an early discharge. She already lost her father while deployed, and there's no way she's going to let her mother die alone. But after a visit to the nursing facility where her mother lives, Ava is attacked walking back to her car. Fortunately, FBI Special Agent Caden Denning arrives in time to help fight off her attacker.

Caden reveals to Ava that she may hold the key to the murders of three families, and he needs her help before anyone else is harmed. The hits show a pattern, and clearly the killer has an agenda. But if Caden and Ava can't discover what it is, Ava may be next on the hit list.

My review:

  I have been a fan of Lynette Eason's books since the first one I read and reviewed ten years ago. She has written six different series for Revell, and each one has been totally different from the others. This series has revolved around mostly characters in the military, or who were formally in the military.

  This last book in the series was a wild ride, and a definite page turner. The plot was very well done. There was a lot going on and no visible connection between murders of whole families, nor was it obvious at first what the heroine of the story had to what was going on. The bad guy's identity also was not obvious for a while.

 I loved the characters in this series, and Caden - the hero of this book - was one of the most likable ones. 

 This is a somewhat difficult review to do without giving what are somewhat spoilers away if I say what the book involved....but it was an awesome read and had a lot of old and new secrets .

  The romance part of the book was very well done, and had its humorous moments, especially since Ava never gave a guy a third date and Caden was determined to have a third date and beyond.

  Hostile Intent was an awesome read, and had a great ending to the book and series that had some of the charters from the other book.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author: 

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

                                                                           Book #1

                                                                     

                                                                            Book #2

                                                                           Book #3