After meeting the Jameson Investigations team in Hunted for the Holidays, I’ve been eager for another chance to see this team of bodyguard a4.5 stars
After meeting the Jameson Investigations team in Hunted for the Holidays, I’ve been eager for another chance to see this team of bodyguard agents in action. So I was thrilled to learn that Alexander’s latest romantic suspense, Hiding the Witness, would also involve these highly skilled men & women. And wow! It was another intense ride!
From the moment that first explosion rocks Diana’s commute from her shift at the fire station to her cozy mountain home, I knew this would be another great read from a favorite author. But when she races into the burning cabin, finds the executed bodies, and runs out with a traumatized little girl in her arms – only to face a hail of gunfire for her troubles – I was completely hooked. In fact, I couldn’t have put down the book for any reason short of an explosion or a hail of gunfire in real life. Thankfully, neither of those worst case scenarios happened (to me, anyway. Can’t say that was the last of it, or the worst of it, for poor Diana.) and I was able to devour the riveting story uninterrupted.
Enter Chase, who agrees to guard Diana and little Emmie as a favor to his sister. If he seems a bit scowly at first, despite an occasional roguish grin, it’s because he has reason to be… and learning his story broke my heart. Honestly, though, it’s hard to tell who is carrying more guilt and trauma – Chase or Diana – and their emotional, high-stakes fight to survive will force them not only to confront their own painful layers but share their respective stories with the other person, too. A first step toward some much-needed healing, and a process I appreciated Alexander including for these characters.
Bottom Line: Hiding the Witness by Deena Alexander starts off with a bang – well, really, a boom – and keeps the tension high and my heart in my throat from there on out. Chase, Diana, and precious little Emmie easily won me over, and I had to keep reminding myself to breathe as danger nipped ever closer at their heels. The author skillfully moves the story forward in every scene, not leaving the characters – or, delightfully, readers – much time to catch their breath until the sweet epilogue that reminds us all that, though weeping may last for a time, joy does indeed find us again.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Y’all, I grinned all the way through Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter (even when I was swooning too). It’s just so endearing and adorable4.5 stars
Y’all, I grinned all the way through Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter (even when I was swooning too). It’s just so endearing and adorable and sweet, truly enjoyable from beginning to end. Don’t mistake that to mean that everything is all sunshine for the characters, though. No, on the contrary, they deal with real pain and real worries just like we do, but as I’ve come to expect from a Pleiter romance, even in the authenticity of ‘real life’ she infuses their story with hope and grace. A needed reminder that we have the same lifelines available to us in the midst of our own struggles.
Widowed single mom Meg has a lot on her plate – raising her two little girls, running her diner, and trying to keep her head above water financially – but that doesn’t stop her from having a big heart and a warm nature. Enter the grumpy-but-lovable-and-giant Grant (think ‘Disney’s Beast’) who is annoyed that Meg encouraged his mom to take in a batch of abandoned puppies… and we have the perfect recipe for romance! Because while Grant might be able to resist Meg’s sunshine (for a while at least), he is absolutely no match for the cuteness of her adorable daughters or those sweet puppies. I loved everything about Grant and Meg’s relationship, yes, but even that pales in comparison to my absolute ADORATION of how her daughters and a puppy on wheels named Daisy broke down all of his grouchy defenses. Oh my goodness, prepare for your own heart to be completely stolen. I know mine was.
Bottom Line: Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter serves up a delightful grumpy-sunshine romance that made my whole heart smile. Not only did I love the swoony romance between Meg & Grant, I also fell head over heels for the other endearing characters, the charming setting, the touching faith themes, and the can’t-lose combination of precocious puppies & precious little girls in this story. There’s even a hint of suspense! Truly something for everyone in this multi-generational story that brims with hope and light and, of course, love. I can’t wait to spend more time on the Three Sisters Rescue Farm as the series continues. Another must-read and heartfelt romance by Allie Pleiter!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
I have loved this series by Lena Gregory from the beginning, but I think Soft Serve Sleighing is my favorite installment to date! The charac4.5 stars
I have loved this series by Lena Gregory from the beginning, but I think Soft Serve Sleighing is my favorite installment to date! The character development thus far has made for some really fun layers by this point, not the least of which is their evolving interpersonal relationships. Dani, Gwen, Eli, Luca, Jake (dreamy sigh), and Dani’s quirky family – including her sister Meghan and her endearing Uncle Jimmie – all just delight me, and I love the affectionate humor with which the author writes them.
In Soft Serve Sleighing, Dani and company run afoul of a self-absorbed influencer who winds up dead after trying to extort Dani for a positive review of her cafe. With swoony Detective Jake on the scene, Dani is fortunately safe from truly being considered a suspect but the actual suspects do continue to cause havoc in her cafe. Never fear, though, Dani’s cohorts have her back and do so in ways that sometimes cracked me up (looking at you, Eli). This team of amateur sleuths are so enthusiastic and equally as engaging together, and the author continues to develop their layers so that they feel as real as my own friends and family. The mystery itself has plenty of red herrings and perfectly-placed clues to keep the story moving, and some of the situations Dani finds herself in this time around have an added benefit of moving her relationship with Jake forward too. (Something I could not be more thrilled about!)
Bottom Line: Soft Serve Sleighing by Lena Gregory dishes up another clever mystery with great characters and lots of fun! I always love my time with Dani and her zany crew, and the witty humor between them – and courtesy of Dani’s first person narration – is particularly on point in this 5th book. I also love the warm affection that Dani’s friends and family show her, and a scene with her Uncle Jimmie made my whole heart grin big. The suspects are a who’s who of mostly unlikeable personalities, some of their antics leaving my jaw dropped on a couple of occasions, and I really enjoyed tagging along on Dani’s amateur sleuthing. Though Eli might be the hero this time around (also, I just love him!). Round out this killer sundae with enough simmering heat between Dani and Jake to melt the blizzard outside, and I’m a very happy reader!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
As soon as I began paging through Totally Awesome Devotional for Preteen Boys, I could tell this would speak right to its target audience of boys agedAs soon as I began paging through Totally Awesome Devotional for Preteen Boys, I could tell this would speak right to its target audience of boys aged 9-12. One of my nephews falls in this range, and he calls me nearly every Friday as soon as he gets home from school (I’m anticipating his call at any moment, in fact, as I type this) so that we can play a few games of Fortnite together. Author Julian Locke has done a fabulous job of making this devotional relevant to Benji’s demographic, tying life lessons and spiritual truths to elements of video games that boys this age are playing. From talking about ‘finding your squad’ (aka how to spot true friends) to power-ups (prayer), daily quests (reading your Bible), boss battles (like bullies and anxiety), respawning after failure, and more, Locke gets right to the heart of things preteen boys struggle with and does so in a language they understand.
Each day’s reading is about 5 pages long, with 2-3 of those pages packed with practical lessons built on a foundation of Scripture-based truth and another couple pages reserved for interactive and fun application activities that reinforce the concepts being taught. Some of the activities I can see my nephew (and others like him) doing on his own but others are more geared for a family devotional time or small group setting. The variety allows this book to be used effectively in different settings and for prompting important conversations. This devotional begins with the most important thing – building a foundation of faith – and then moves into sections that cover how our relationship with Jesus should affect how we live and interact with other people. In addition to the concepts I talked about in the previous paragraph, Locke chats authentically about topics like peer pressure, obeying your parents, coping with divorce, sibling relationships, sharing your faith at school, dealing with opposition to your faith (whether at home or school), social media smarts, emotions, health and self-care, hormones, kindness, and so much more.
Bottom Line: I wish I’d had a devotional in my preteen years that related to girls – and strengthened me in my faith – as well as Totally Awesome Devotional for Preteen Boys by Julian Locke does for boys. This is such a great resource for parents, teachers, aunts/uncles/grandparents, coaches, youth leaders, etc to have on hand for any 9-12 year old boys in your sphere of influence. It addresses practical matters within the context of an extremely relevant theme for this age range, and it ties everything back to faith in Jesus and what His Word teaches. You’ll love the application activities that encourage your preteen to learn how to live out the truths he is learning – truths that are just as important for adults to get a handle on too, making this a great book to go through together.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Oh my stars! The suspense in Lethal Wilderness Trap by Susan Furlong is so intense. Not so much ‘run for your life’ kind of intense, though 4.5 stars
Oh my stars! The suspense in Lethal Wilderness Trap by Susan Furlong is so intense. Not so much ‘run for your life’ kind of intense, though there are certainly elements of that level of danger. But more of a high-stakes tension that permeates every page to the point that I had to keep reminding myself to breathe, to relax my shoulders, to remember that I’M not the one in danger haha. The author brilliantly layers the plot from beginning to end, putting every person in Ava’s life under my suspicions at one point or another. Even her late husband. And while I ended up being correct in the long run as far as the person or persons behind everything, I wasn’t 100% confident until I saw it on the page for myself. Because for every answer that Nolan and his team – and Ava – unearth, we seem to gain at least one more question in return. I loved it!
Another thing I loved about Lethal Wilderness Trap? Nolan’s endearing relationship with his K-9 partner, Creed, and Creed’s relationship with Ava’s traumatized daughter Rose. The way Nolan carries on a conversation with his dog, the obvious affection between them, was just so fun to read and had me grinning more than once. And Creed with Rosie? Oh be still my heart. Watching her light up around this sweet (but highly skilled) K-9 agent after she’s been through so much upheaval, grief, and fear is just precious, and so is Creed’s immediate attachment to her. Dogs are just the best when it comes to picking up on our moods and offering that loyal companionship that just melts me right into a puddle… and Furlong captures it so well with Nolan, Creed, and little Rosie.
Bottom Line: Lethal Wilderness Trap by Susan Furlong hooked me from the very first page and kept me glued to the story until the last one. Ava, Rosie, Nolan, and even Creed were uniquely layered and I loved getting to know each of them as well as watching the various dynamics playing out between them. While I wish the romance angle had been a little more developed (i.e. gotten more page time to establish the relationship before the HEA), the suspense in this book mostly made up for it. In fact, I’d venture to say that this is one of the best Love Inspired Suspense novels I’ve ever read as far as the tension, the stakes, and the ultimate resolution. It also draws our attention to a topic that we all need to be more aware of, and the author does a wonderful job of doing so without being too graphic. I highly recommend Lethal Wilderness Trap for the next time you want a fully absorbing read that you can’t put down!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Crystal Caudill continues to put a fresh spin on the Gilded Age with this brilliant first book in her new historical romantic suspense series. WrittenCrystal Caudill continues to put a fresh spin on the Gilded Age with this brilliant first book in her new historical romantic suspense series. Written in Secret delights from beginning to end with a dashing policeman hero, a plucky dime-novel-author heroine, and a mysterious vigilante villain. The layered and amiable characters come alive under Caudill's skilled pen, and her engaging writing voice and clever plotting kept me solidly immersed in the story. This is another entertaining winner from Caudill, with meaningful, practical faith applications too. A must-read in every way!...more
Whew! Normally I am a friends-to-more kinda gal rather than enemies-to-love. BUT with Becky Wade at the helm of Uneasy Street, these two fri4.5 stars
Whew! Normally I am a friends-to-more kinda gal rather than enemies-to-love. BUT with Becky Wade at the helm of Uneasy Street, these two friends who became enemies have some smokin’ hot chemistry that made me an instant fan!
I’ve been eager for Max’s story since first meeting him on the pages of this series – talk about complicated family dynamics. He’s definitely the edgier of the three sons of scandal (and the one with the most right to be bitter) but I knew Becky Wade would give me layers of depth beyond those bad boy vibes… and I was right. Yes, he’s a bit of an arrogant jerk toward Sloane for part of this novel – definitely channeling Mr. Darcy – but it makes sense with his history and their history, and he redeems himself quite sweetly (and swoonily) in the end. And in the meantime, that simmering need to set Sloane off-kilter in order to find the closure he needs makes for some sizzling tension that proves there’s a fine line between hate and love after all.
Sloane cracked me up at first with her buttoned-up, ‘aspirationally dressed’, Princess Kate idolizing, rodent-squeamish, etiquette-teaching self. Especially when seen in contrast to Max’s much more casual personality. But as we delve deeper into her backstory, we see the painful reasons she gravitates toward order and manners and, while her adorableness still made me smile, it also made me really sad for her. Just like with Max, there’s more depth to Sloane than first meets the eye and we end up with two broken souls who may just be the ‘home’ they’ve each been chasing their whole lives. Oh how I loved that tender part of their story, even as we’re treated to fun banter and sparks a’plenty (of both the loathing and loving kind) between them.
And then there’s Ivy, Sloane’s gregarious 15-year-old niece who’s looking for the missing pieces to her own story and has also fully embraced being a ‘rat mom’. (I gotta say, I’m with Sloane on Ivy’s rats though. Shudder. The things we aunts do for our beloved nieces & nephews lol) I loved Ivy’s journey that made for not only a satisfying subplot but also gave Max and Sloane believable reasons to be forced to spend time together. (I’m putting in my official request now to have a Becky Wade story featuring a grown-up Ivy one day!) She’s not the only family member who plays a critical role in the subplots of Uneasy Street, either. Sloane’s father and Max’s mother also create challenges (separately) in this story, and of course there’s Felix and Fiona and Isobel who are the very definition of complicated. Each of these elements make Uneasy Street so much more than ‘just’ the delicious romance that it is while also adding context and emotion and obstacles that make the swoon factor all the swoonier in the long run.
Bottom Line: Uneasy Street by Becky Wade delights readers with layered characters, wit, heart, family, and ‘find-me-some-oxygen’ kisses! I loved falling in love with Sloane and Max, two former friends who became enemies, as their eyes are opened to their real feelings for each other. Cue those breath-stealing kisses I just mentioned! Wade is such a master at creating sizzling romantic tension that remains respectful, and this skill is in top form with Sloane and Max. Not only that, but she uses their story – and their complicated family dynamics – to explore forgiveness and loving people even when it’s not reciprocated. I also appreciated that, while Wade provides resolution in this final book of the trilogy for several different family-relationship threads (including some we’ve been following since the first book), that resolution isn’t always tidy or ideal. Another highly-entertaining Becky Wade story from beginning to end!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
“God’s plans very often seem foolish to those He asks to carry them out.“
Jennifer Deibel is quickly becoming one of my very favorite historical romanc“God’s plans very often seem foolish to those He asks to carry them out.“
Jennifer Deibel is quickly becoming one of my very favorite historical romance authors, thanks to her charming stories, warmly-sketched settings, endearing characters, and the way she organically integrates faith themes into the very fabric of the plot. And ohhhh y’all… her heroes are truly something special – salt of the earth guys who are in equal turns ruggedly swoony and immensely huggable. Phrases (among others) that I would definitely use to describe Owen McCready of Heart of the Glen.
But before I get too distracted being starry-eyed over Owen (just wait until he dances), he’s not the only character I loved in this gorgeous novel. Saoirse (the story’s heroine) is also expertly layered, a compelling blend of grief, guilt, compassion, wit, and strength. Not to mention Owen’s sister Aileen and their dog Stout, both of whom made me grin nearly every time one or the other appeared on the scene, and a town full of colorful personalities that captured my heart. Amid the warmth and affection with which Deibel weaves these characters into an engaging tapestry, she also incorporates threads of sorrow and faith-crises and grief that add meaning and beauty when placed in the hands of Jesus. While Saoirse struggles to come to terms with her past, Owen battles the uncertainty of his future, and into both lives – and readers’ too – comes the Biblical account of Gideon just in time. I absolutely loved the truths that Saoirse and Owen learn about God and His care over us, including the reminder that He takes our tangled messes and makes them beautiful.
Bottom Line: Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel took me to turn of the century Ireland and swept me away. The story told here on this quaint sheep farm known for its skilled tweed weaving exudes so much charm as well as emotion, and I didn’t want to leave even when I’d finished reading. Yes, Owen and Saoirse are both struggling with what God has allowed, but oh these two are nonetheless such a delightful match whose chemistry is electrically tangible. Prepare to swoon over some really yummy tension & kisses (I still haven’t recovered from a couple of scenes) but also prepare to be thoroughly entertained by the writing and deeply moved by the faith journeys that Owen & Saoirse undertake. If you haven’t read a Jennifer Deibel book yet, you are truly missing out and Heart of the Glen is a great place to start!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Marriage-of-convenience plus World War 1 plus Elizabeth Camden? I could not read When Stars Light the Sky fast enough, while at the same time wanting Marriage-of-convenience plus World War 1 plus Elizabeth Camden? I could not read When Stars Light the Sky fast enough, while at the same time wanting the story to go on forever. Benedict and Inga are like oil and water at first, which means sparks fly whenever they’re together. Whether it’s the sparks of annoyance or attraction makes no difference to me because any form of fireworks between them makes for some delicious romantic tension. By the time a marriage of convenience is necessary to allow Inga to leave Germany safely, I think they were already half in love (though I equally think they would both argue otherwise). Goodness knows I was completely enamored with the two of them together, especially as straitlaced Benedict’s softer side begins to show in the wake of his growing fascination with Inga. Let’s just say that I have never loved reading an encyclopedia more. Ok, I could gush about these two for days, but there’s so much more to this novel that deserves my attention as well.
I always love the unique historical elements that Camden incorporates into her stories, and in When Stars Light the Sky we are given a front row seat to diplomatic relations in Berlin from the first stirrings of the Great War to the sinking of the Lusitania and right up to the moment that America could no longer remain neutral. I was really intrigued by the tightrope that they had to walk and the constant potential for setting off an international incident even by accident, and I became so grateful for the real men & human who navigated it as long as they did to protect America. While Benedict and Inga are sadly fictional, the story does revolve around the real US Ambassador to Germany, James Gerard and his wife Mary. Their early gaffes provided the perfect reason for Camden to bring Inga’s character from New York to Germany, which put her right smack dab in Benedict’s path … and now we’re back to me gushing over how delightful the two of them were together.
Bottom Line: Fans of opposites attract, enemies to more, forced proximity, and marriage of convenience romances rejoice! When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden sweeps readers up in a swoony love story set against a contrasting backdrop of glamour and gravitas. As America creeps ever closer to entering the first World War, compelling characters like Benedict and Inga take us into the heart of an American embassy and the tireless efforts to maintain diplomacy for as long as possible. I enjoyed getting a different, more personal, perspective on these international relationships and pivotal events than I was taught in my history textbooks, and I once again found things that I want to research more on my own. Most of all, though, I stayed completely besotted with the fan-worthy romantic tension between Benedict and Inga and I’m shallow enough to freely admit it. Elizabeth Camden always writes such exquisite stories, and When Stars Light the Sky is no exception!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
If Colleen Coble writes it, I’ll read it… she’s that good at crafting riveting romantic suspense with layered characters I really come to care about. If Colleen Coble writes it, I’ll read it… she’s that good at crafting riveting romantic suspense with layered characters I really come to care about. So needless to say, picking up Ambush was a must for me. Bonus points because it starts a new series, and double bonus points because it’s set near some of her other series so we get to hang out with familiar fave characters as well as the new ones!
There’s something about wild animals and severe weather that make suspense novels feel even more ominous, raising the stakes and keeping me braced for the next shoe to drop, and Ambush brings both of those elements to the mix. I loved that it’s set on a wildlife refuge in Alabama, complete with lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) and hyenas and foxes and panthers and hippos and a host of other creatures. Adding to that amped-up tension that comes with the mere presence of these potentially-dangerous animals is Paradise’s past big-cat-related trauma (I really felt her battle with fear, particularly in a couple of key scenes) and the fact that someone is trying to sabotage The Sanctuary and is willing to kill to do so. Throw in the unpredictability of Alabama’s unsettled weather patterns, and Paradise’s romantic history with Blake Lawson, and you need to be prepared that you’ll likely have to remind yourself to breathe more than once.
That said, I also appreciated how Coble achieves a great balance of acknowledging the wild nature of the animals at The Sanctuary and the need to always keep that danger in mind, while still giving them loads of fun personality, particularly in their interactions with Blake’s family and Paradise. Coble also finds this balance in conveying Paradise’s very valid fears and, in contrast, emphasizing the peace of God (and the courage it provides) that’s available to her when she asks. The scenes that bring this into focus are so well-written and were really touching to this former anxiety girl who empathized with Paradise’s journey. And I could talk for hours about how much I loved the subplot involving the ripple effects of Paradise’s following the nudging of God toward a difficult side character.
Bottom Line: Ambush by Colleen Coble grabbed my interest from word one and not only held it through the whole story but also has me champing at the bit to see how the arc involving the murder of Paradise’s parents – and the secrets she uncovers in this book – will play out over the course of this new series. I loved everything about this story, from Blake & Paradise’s relationship (and all its complex layers from the past) to the well-crafted, edge of your seat suspense plot, Blake’s endearing little brothers & their big-hearted mom, the unique setting, and the moving notes of grace. It was also fun to get to hang out with familiar faces from a couple of her other series, though this reads just fine as a standalone if you haven’t read her Pelican Harbor or Tupelo Grove (written with Rick Acker) series yet. I can’t wait for the second book – November can’t get here fast enough!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
“I expected condemnation … But what I see in you is Christ.”
I always get excited when I know a book I’m about to read includes a marriage-of4.5 stars
“I expected condemnation … But what I see in you is Christ.”
I always get excited when I know a book I’m about to read includes a marriage-of-convenience, but there are a handful of authors that make me absolutely GIDDY when they write a MOC story. Laura Frantz is one of those authors, and The Indigo Heiress is one of those books. I thusly did a little happy dance of anticipation when I cracked open this latest Frantz novel and prepared myself to be thoroughly swept away by the poetry and the heart and the romance of it all.
Juliet Catesby isn’t perfect but she is definitely a heroine to model oneself after. The very opposite of a wilting flower, Juliet steps up to the plate time and time again with a heart for people, a spirit of grace, a spine of steel (when it counts), and a head for business… much like the woman described in Proverbs 31. In addition to running her family’s indigo enterprises, she also carries on her mother’s covert work helping slaves escape to freedom, something which endeared her to me even further. Juliet’s less-than-delighted feelings toward the surprise marriage-of-convenience arranged by her father to the super swoony Leith Buchanan (a truly classic Frantz hero) – and Leith’s interactions with her, too – reminded me of Pride & Prejudice in all the best ways, and I absolutely loved the slow burn of romance that simmers between them. And pardon me a dreamy sigh since I mentioned Leith. His tragic history with the mother of his children has him understandably gun shy with the depth of his feelings for Juliet and even with his love for his adorable twin toddlers. But does he more than make up for it once he fully opens his heart? Aye… (and here I am in a puddle again).
Bottom Line: The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz brims with vibrant history, lush vocabulary, meaningful redemption, layered characters, swoony romance, and even a bit of mystery! I really enjoyed getting to know Juliet and her younger sister Loveday as their richly-written story unfolded on these pages, from colonial Virginia to Scotland, and I equally delighted in spending time with the yummy (and complicated) Leith. Getting to see the stirrings of the American Revolution from the eyes of Scottish businessmen gave me a new perspective I wouldn’t otherwise have encountered… and all of the above would make this an excellent read – and does. But it’s the tender and bold faith notes that I perhaps loved the most, particularly the spiritual journey that Leith undertakes and the reminder that God can use all things for good. Whether you are a long-time fan of Frantz’s gorgeous writing or are only just discovering her work, The Indigo Heiress is a must-read!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Whenever I pick up a new book by Lynette Eason, I know I will be fully absorbed from word one and riveted to the pages until I’ve reached the end. SheWhenever I pick up a new book by Lynette Eason, I know I will be fully absorbed from word one and riveted to the pages until I’ve reached the end. She is just such a master when it comes to creating thrilling plots, and she’s done so again in Serial Burn.
Lake City fire marshal Jesslyn McCormick was the sole member of her family to survive the house fire that upended her life at the age of seven – only because she was at a friend’s for a sleepover. All these years later, she’s still trying to figure out who set the fire and why. But her renewed resolve to bring the murderer to justice ignites a rash of connected arsons and puts Jesslyn in someone’s crosshairs. Because one of the fires was set at Jesslyn’s church – and church fires are considered a hate crime – she’s working closely with swoony FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle whose own emotionally-complicated history with fire bleeds into the margins of their investigation. These are such great characters, and the plot takes such heart-in-your-throat turns that I wanted to hurry up and see what happened next while also not wanting it to end.
The layers that Eason gives Nathan and Jesslyn elevated this book beyond a sweet romance or even a stellar suspense novel, even though it’s both of those things too, and allowed her to explore the exquisite complexities of forgiveness, humanity, and faith. So much good & profound truth to unpack here, all done without overpowering the fiction that we’re all here to read. No stopping the story for a sermon because it’s all seamlessly integrated as a natural extension of what’s going on for the characters. And speaking of the story, I loved the unique elements surrounding how the fires are started as well as the calling card (so to speak) left behind at each scene. The former was so intriguing and the latter left my mind whirring with possibilities. As they pieced everything together – and tried to stay alive – I couldn’t wait to see how it all played out. I was right about some things and super off track about others, satisfying both the armchair investigator and story appreciator in me. And of course I loved watching Nathan and Jesslyn inch ever closer to acting on their mutual – and ever deepening – feelings for each other!
Bottom Line: Serial Burn by Lynette Eason kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, forgetting to breathe and disregarding necessities such as sleep and work. But really, how could anyone expect me to put the book down when whoever wants to silence Jesslyn might either succeed or be caught on the next page? Or maybe Nathan will finally swoop in for a toe-curling kiss? I didn’t want to miss a single moment so I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed myself the whole time. High-stakes suspense, sweet romance, rubber-meets-the-road faith… all of it, plus Eason’s steady pacing and engaging writing voice, makes Serial Burn a must read in every way! Already looking forward to book 4 (and super happy that I don’t have to say goodbye to the Lake City Heroes just yet).
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
“This year I have found walls like never before, but I have found freedom.“
I always love Sarah Sundin’s books, but I think that her newest WW2 novel –“This year I have found walls like never before, but I have found freedom.“
I always love Sarah Sundin’s books, but I think that her newest WW2 novel – Midnight on the Scottish Shore – is my favorite so far! I mean, what’s not to love about a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-love romance between a burly Scottish naval officer (swoon!!!) and an endearing Dutch double agent set in 1941 Scotland with intrigue and kilts and tough decisions… and some really great kisses.
Cilla van der Zee is a truly delightful heroine whose ready wit and earnest heart made me smile. Her decision to train as a Nazi spy as a way to escape the untenable situation in which she finds herself in the Germany-occupied Netherlands and find refuge in England appears to backfire when she’s caught shortly after washing ashore in Scotland. Caught by that swoony Scottish naval lieutenant I mentioned earlier – Lachlan Mackenzie. Blissful sigh. I adored Lachlan, even if he does get Cilla arrested and even if he does struggle to trust her once she partners with British intelligence. I found his grumpiness to be endearing, and watching him fall hard for Cilla had me breaking out my fan and grinning like a besotted fool. (Much like when he starts dancing… whew.) The way Cilla teases him was lots of fun to read, too, and I really appreciated the complex layers to his character, particularly when it comes to the broken relationship with his brother. Cilla’s spiritual journey is equally touching, and so is her character arc as a double agent and what she learns about true freedom along the way.
Which brings me to the fascinating history Sundin includes in Midnight on the Scottish Shore. For starters, not many World War 2 books take place in Scotland, which is really a shame given the intriguingly complex dynamics that were in play at the time. Between the fringe groups that are still upset that Scotland and England are under a ‘United Kingdom’ umbrella, including in military service, to the unique landscape and coastal vulnerabilities, the Scottish setting gives us a different perspective than we typically see. Add in their legends and their culture (and their accents!), and it makes for a delightful place to visit on the pages of fiction, even during a war. Another element of history I loved learning more about in this book was MI5’s Double Cross program where they took the poorly-trained Nazi spies (something that surprised me) and turned them into double agents working for the Allied cause. I enjoyed learning about the codework, the ‘chicken feed’ intelligence they passed along, the restrictions on Cilla, and what MI5 did allow her to do to prove to the Germans that she was still on their side. This all culminates in some heart-in-my-throat moments where I wasn’t entirely sure how things were going to work out in terms of Cilla’s safety and her love for Lachlan.
Bottom Line: Midnight on the Scottish Shore is Sarah Sundin at her best! The seamless merging of wartime espionage with meaningful individual character growth, swoony romance, and endearing wit gives readers the ‘best of both worlds’ between the drama of the world stage and the personal relatability of joys & struggles common to us all, no matter when or where we’ve lived. I fell head over heels for Cilla and Lachlan as individual characters and delighted in watching them – the selkie and the warrior – fall in love with each other. It was also fun to be reunited with a couple of familiar characters from Sundin’s previous books and to be given what I hope are hints for her next book, too. (If I’m right, I’m already hooked and NEED to read it ASAP!) If you’re looking for a story that will put a smile (and a swoon or two) in your heart while also teaching you little-known history and pointing you to a deeper walk with God, then Midnight on the Scottish Shore should be your next read!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Buckle up, y’all – because Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard is an intense fight for survival where it’s hard to tell the bad guys from the4.5 stars
Buckle up, y’all – because Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard is an intense fight for survival where it’s hard to tell the bad guys from the good guys (and vice versa) and you aren’t sure who’s going to make it out alive.
The suspense elements in this book kept me on the edge of my seat. If I wasn’t holding my breath, wondering how Remi and Hawk were going to get out of the latest bout of immediate danger they were facing, I was stunned by one of the layered plot twists. I’m usually much better at anticipating surprises in my mystery & suspense reads, but Goddard caught me off guard more than once in Storm Warning… and I loved it!! Remi’s blocked memories, the intriguing storm lodge (where some people go to watch coastal storms …. and some people go to hide), the puzzle pieces Remi keeps getting in the mail, Hawk’s complex ties to the danger chasing Remi, the harsh weather that starts them out at a disadvantage… all of it makes for a riveting read that you won’t want to put down until you know they’re finally safe. Not only that, but I’m already champing at the bit for book two after the preview tucked at the end of this story. And I’m grateful that I only have to wait until July instead of (perish the thought!) next year.
Remi and Hawk are both great characters with more to each of them than first meets the eye. One wants to forget. One wants to remember. Both will need Jesus more than ever to face what’s ahead. I loved exploring the nuances of their backstories as well as the different facets to their personalities, and I would want either of them – both of them – on my side in a heartbeat should I ever be running for my life… or just hanging out with friends for game night. The chemistry between them is palpable and their mutual mission to survive heightens this attraction quickly into deeper feelings in a way that makes absolute sense for the story. We are treated to some sweet scenes and some swoony kisses in the midst of the storms swirling around them (the weather kind and the ‘bad guys are after us’ kind), and Goddard had me rooting strongly for their blossoming love story to have a happily-ever-after.
Bottom Line: Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard sweeps readers off our feet and plunges us into a high-stakes race to help Remi regain her repressed memories before someone silences her for good. I wasn’t sure who I could trust, beyond Remi and Hawk, as allegiances get murky and people aren’t who they seem, and I devoured the story as quickly as possible. The multidimensional characters (including those in supporting roles) are vibrantly drawn and have me eager for the rest of the series, too. Goddard perfectly balances the romantic tension with the suspense, timing things just right to keep us fully engaged and invested in the outcome, and I loved how she naturally wove the faith threads into the fabric of the story too. This is a wonderful kickoff to a new series, and a really enjoyable read on its own!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
If my swooning into an incoherent puddle while reading An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon could be documented as a sound, thasakhudkwdhsewkvfhaslkawhfkn
If my swooning into an incoherent puddle while reading An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon could be documented as a sound, that string of letters up there would be a close approximation. Be. Still. My. Heart. The kisses!! The sizzling attraction!! The incorrigible flirting!! I don’t think I’ll ever recover from Tai & Evangeline’s second kiss, which will be forever ranked as one of the best ‘find me a fan and oxygen and a freezer’ deliciousness I’ve ever read. And I’ve read some really yummy kisses. Also… all the guys currently occupying space in my book boyfriend collection need to move over and make room for the hero that is Tai Davis.
Because yes, he’s sexy with his bad-boy look and genuinely good-guy heart and drives-him-to-distraction attraction to Evangeline and ‘I need to kiss you more than I need to breathe’ energy. But it’s his single-minded pursuit of Evangeline, the tender way he truly sees her and values her and thinks she’s beautiful, that makes him the swooniest sort of book boyfriend. I was not prepared for how hard I would fall for Tai, to be honest, but oh my goodness he’s worthy of being at the top of everyone’s book boyfriend lists henceforth and forevermore. For all those reasons I already gave, as well as how much joy he finds in roguishly flirting with Evangeline, how deep his faith is, how intentional he is when it comes to caring for Evangeline’s wounded heart. I could go on and on… and on and on… but I think you get the idea.
And Evangeline!!!! Y’all, she is our people. She is all kinds of adorable in her innate bookishness and her not-so-innate matchmaking attempts, and she felt instantly like the dearest of friends. I couldn’t quit smiling at how relatable she was to all of us who share a similar love of all things story. Combine her endearing personality with Tai’s utter swooniness, and I basically grinned from the first word of this delightful novel to the last. That’s not to say that it’s all smooth sailing for Tai and Evangeline, because it’s definitely not. Evangeline struggles with self-esteem issues that has her reluctant to accept Tai’s attraction to her, thanks to an autoimmune disease called alopecia and a jerk of an ex who made her feel permanently unbeautiful and ineligible for romance & true love as a result. But even in these more emotional layers, Monzon expertly weaves in humor and sweetness and some smokin’ hot romantic tension without diminishing the importance of Evangeline’s journey to wholeness.
Bottom Line: An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon is the uplift my heart needed right now. The (chaste) sizzle, the hilarious humor, the grin-inducing flirting, the KISSES, the witty dialogue, the swoonilicious hero, the endearing heroine, the fun bookish references, the exquisitely tender faith notes… all of it made me smile from the inside out. Even considering the emotional aspects to Evangeline’s story and the scenes that made my eyes well with tears, I would still label this book as ‘joyful’. In fact, if ‘sheer joyful’ were a grammatically correct term, I would use that. The characters felt so real to me, and the story resonated in my soul. This is Sarah Monzon at her best, and I cannot wait for book two!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
One of my favorite things about the Love in the Spotlight series has been the friendship between Lamont, Tuck, and Chris – from their hilarious banterOne of my favorite things about the Love in the Spotlight series has been the friendship between Lamont, Tuck, and Chris – from their hilarious banter (and usually-debatable romance advice) to the authenticity with which these perhaps-unlikely friends hold each other accountable in their walks with God. Most often this shows up in the form of their ongoing text conversations which make me smile on the regular… but every once in a while we get to see them all together in one place. And The Nature of Love delivers those ‘in person’ moments in spades, only one of the many reasons that it’s probably my favorite book of the series. (I say ‘probably’ only because I LOVE ALL THREE BOOKS so much, for different reasons, and being forced to officially choose between them would send me into a mental tizzy.)
But, for the sake of this review, let’s examine the other reasons I would give for why it IS my fave of the series, just in case I am forced to decide. (If your first reaction to the previous sentence is ‘that’s a cop-out, Carrie’, you’re totally right. I’m a big chicken who can’t bring myself to tell Lamont or Tuck that ‘poor old’ Chris’s book beats theirs in a vote. LOL)
1. THE FEELS. Oh my heart, y’all. I read an early version of this book last year and I’ve still not recovered from all the emotions it took me through. I laughed. I swooned. I grinned big. But I cried, too, and there were a couple of scenes where I thought my heart would break right in two. Because The Nature of Love is lots of fun, and it’s witty and it’s swoony… and it also explores life-altering news and ongoing grief, the kind that could undo even the strongest among us. And Shiloh does each of these aspects – and the combination of all of them together – so beautifully. The humor is perfectly timed, even in the grieving, and she achieves the perfect balance of making us chuckle without making light of the characters’ loss. Which brings me to…
2. Erykah‘s faith journey. Watching her come to a relationship with Jesus is just exquisite. I always love the way Shiloh incorporates faith into her stories, in such natural and engaging ways, and this is one of her best faith journeys yet. The questions Erykah asks as she tries to understand what she’s reading in her Bible, what she’s experiencing in her pain, what she sees in Chris’s life, they are spot on and made me love Erykah’s character even more than I already did. Which brings me to…
3. Chris. (He’s actually worth about 10 reasons all on his own.) He is a hero of heroes in his own quiet, steady way in this story, and the way he jumps into the middle of Erykah’s crisis and acts as the tangible hands and feet of Jesus for her is so touching. Plus, he’s pretty hot for a guy in his forties (#understatement), and I adored watching him help Erykah with her nieces and her dog Charlie. Which brings me to…
4. The secondary characters. Especially Charlie the cutie-cute dog who stole my heart and Cheyenne the sassy five-year-old who stole the show. So fun!!
Bottom Line: The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh is every bit as delightful a romance as its marvelous cover would suggest, but it’s also so much more! Chris and Erykah won my affection from their meet-cute to their meet-twice and on through their growing friendship, forced proximity, and eventual romance. I loved their honesty with each other and the ways they mutually supported and respected each other, too. Grief and loss share the page with wit and flirting and a little bit of sass (for good measure), all of it skillfully balanced and threaded with meaningful faith themes through layered characters. I’m so sad to say goodbye to this series, but Shiloh gifts us with the perfect epilogue to make the parting sweeter. Do yourself a favor and carve out some uninterrupted time to read this gem of a story – your uplifted heart will thank you for it!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
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