I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
Payday is here! The day when I can finally buy the thing I have been waiting to get…but then I think about it some more and realize that I no longer really want it enough to pay the money for it. The desire for it has diminished with time. When we want something that is earthly, sometimes those desires change. But when we set our real affection on God and the things that are important to Him, then we are focusing on what will last, like God’s love, His love for others that He wants us to demonstrate, mercy, grace, forgiveness. The cost was tremendous since it cost Jesus everything. But the gift for us is free. We just have to want it enough that we cherish it and pursue it daily.
When Allie Foster becomes the prime suspect in a murder, the small-town loner reaches out to the one person she can trust. Convinced Allie’s innocent, Colby Agency investigating attorney Steve Durham uncovers a shocking connection to a decades-old cold case in her past. The twisting path to the truth unleashes an attraction that plunges the high school friends into deeper danger. Now Steve and Allie must outmaneuver an elusive killer in a case where nothing and no one is what they seem.
The latest Colby Agency book has so many head-spinning twists and turns that it had me wondering what would happen next, and I loved playing the guessing game as I read. Allie Foster becomes a suspect in the murder of a man she never met before, but he does have a past relationship with her deceased parents. She calls on her friend, Steve Durham who is an attorney with the Colby Agency and he rushes to assist her. In the investigation that the two of them pursue, they discover secrets that have remained hidden for decades and someone wants them to remain hidden. Thus their lives are in danger from an unknown assailant who seems to know where they will be and the clues that they are following. The assailant was a total surprise to me when revealed, even though I will admit that there were numerous clues pointing to him/her hidden among the red herrings that the author masterfully included. The plot is fast-paces, intricately woven together with the past playing an important part in the current problems that Allie is facing. The romance is a part of the story, but the main thrust of the book is the mystery and solving Allie’s dilemma before she is arrested by the FBI. This is part of a series, but it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, but I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Harlequin Intrigue, Rated PG-13
About the Author
DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 175 novels, including reader favorites Devlin & Falco, Finley O’Sullivan and the Faces of Evil series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity.
With more than ten million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm and spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant’s attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?
Isabelle Morris had no idea that doing the right thing for all of the right reasons would put her and her teen daughter in the crosshairs of a ruthless foe. She had made the choice to be a whistleblower against her former boss, exposing his corruption and causing many friends to lose their jobs. Once the decision was made, Isabelle couldn’t go back and undo it, so she decided to take Kelsey to her late husband’s cabin, just to get away from the people who hated them and had started threatening Kelsey. Once there, Isabelle finds that the danger has followed her and Deputy Drake Shaw is determined to keep her safe. The main plot dovetails well with the secondary plot, the fact that Drake reminds Isabelle of her deceased husband Raylan, so it is easier for her to trust him to safeguard her and Kelsey. The plot was just complicated enough to keep me engaged throughout the story and was expertly crafted to keep drawing me into the lives of the realistically portrayed characters. With nail-biting suspense and unexpected danger continually cropping up, this fast-paced book kept me hooked and entertained all the way to the satisfying conclusion. This was a story with great heart and depth along with an underlying foundation of faith that were remarkably well crafted together. The story balanced the suspense and romance well and ended up being a cleverly written page turner with some skillful misdirection that kept me guessing. This was a captivating and multi-layered book with good chemistry between the characters and a delightful conclusion. Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary advanced copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Love Inspired Suspense, Rated PG
About the Author
Virginia Vaughan is a former investigator for the State of Mississippi who left a promising career to pursue her dream of being a writer. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include hearing stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself, delving into the genre of romantic suspense, armed with her passion for writing and the knowledge gained from her criminal justice background.
Following an anonymous tip about a gun-trafficking ring, patrol officer Jenna Morrow arrives in small-town North Dakota—and narrowly escapes the bomb that detonates in her car. Rescued by rancher Clay Miller, Jenna and her K-9 partner, Augie, take refuge at his remote property to continue her investigation. But even when she’s under Clay’s protection, an unknown assailant continues to threaten Jenna, making it clear someone wants her dead…and it’s personal. As the killer closes in, Jenna and Clay must unmask an attacker who won’t stop until a long-awaited revenge is complete.
Product Details
ISBN-13:9781335957214 Publisher:Harlequin Publicationdate:08/26/2025 Series:Dakota K-9 Unit , #6 Pages:208
My Thoughts
Jenna Morrow is a patrol officer on assignment trying to find gun runners when her life is threatened repeatedly by an unknown assailant. Taking refuge at Clay Miller’s ranch, Jenna thinks she will be safe there, but ends up having the danger follow both her and Clay. With her trained K-9 on the job and constantly vigilant for anyone threatening her, Jenna has a better than average chance of catching the perpetrator, but she is thwarted at every turn by surprise attacks against friends and even Augie, her dog. The action is fast-paced and non-stop, with pulse pounding scenes of danger and suspense. The characters were dynamic and relatable as the protagonists discovered feelings for each other that they were afraid to voice due to their pasts. I enjoyed the well written plot, but the characters are what kept me reading because I was invested in their happy ending and their solving the mystery of the attacker who just wouldn’t quit. With twists, red herrings and great clues throughout the book, this is a must read for those who enjoy romantic suspense and guessing games. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book via BookFunnel. I also purchased my own copy. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Love Inspired Suspense, Rated PG
About the Author
Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 27 novels and is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense or a dark, twisty thriller. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at www.jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller.
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Park warden Dekker Hoyt’s father-son camping trip turns into a nightmare when a serial killer abducts his father. With just seventy-two hours to find him, Dekker turns to criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay to identify the Park Campfire Killer. As they follow his taunting clues and face increasingly violent threats, Dekker and Blaire know that one wrong step could be fatal. With the ruthless criminal following their every move, can they stop a killer in hiding…waiting to complete his deadly plan?
With crisp writing and a gripping story, this book was a fast and addictive read. The main characters, Park Warden Dekker Hoyt and criminal analyst Blaire Tremblay, are faced with insurmountable obstacles and constant danger as they try to find and capture a serial kidnapper and killer who has been attacking campers. Stymied by the evidence that doesn’t seem to flow together, Dekker and Blaire have to use all of their available resources, including the K-9 hero Hercules and Dekker’s sister Jayla. After all, one of the most recent victims is Dekker’s father and there is limited time to find him before the killer murders him and leaves him dead on one of the many trails in the wilderness. The plot is complex and completely engrossing and it weaves suspense seamlessly with a developing romance between Dekker and Blaire. The details of the dangers they encounter in their quest to find the killer are authentic and filled with action-packed realism. I was immersed in the drama of the story and the desperation of the characters to find the truth before it was too late. There was always a ticking clock sounding in the back of my mind as I was reading. The clues that the author left were fun to follow and the red herrings and fake trails were effective as I was fooled until the big reveal. I enjoyed the entire book and look forward to more adventures in the National Park Protectors series. Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased my own copy. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Love Inspired Suspense, Intense Suspense, PG
About the Author
Darlene L. Turner is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s “suspense beyond borders”.
A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?
This book was impossible to put down and an entertaining and easy read. Pilar Alonso is an accomplished, talented cellist with a lot of talent, but she has been forced to go home to take care of her father with dementia and try to earn a living with whatever jobs she can find. One of her jobs is as a delivery driver and I certainly never expected her to be shot at, kidnapped and then stalked for some mysterious reason. The surprises in this book keep coming as Chase Wolfe, her neighbor, comes to the rescue of reluctant and stand-offish Pilar. Most of the characters are bearing the burden of secrets that they want to keep deeply buried, but discovering those secrets might help keep Pilar alive. I loved the riveting suspense in the novel and the characters were all lovable and relatable, even the spunky and forgetful Mr. Alonso. My favorite character was Tank, the canine superhero who is laid back and seems somewhat disengaged until there is danger and then he enthusiastically protects Chase and Pilar. The storyline was creative and absorbing, and the characters made me want to meet them in person. Great story written in an original way and with plenty of surprises along the trail to the happily ever after. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, but I was not required to write a positive review. I also purchased my own copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rated PG for intense suspense, Love Inspired Suspense
About the Author
Dana Mentink lives in California where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two daughters (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo.) Papa Bear is retired from the fire department and he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.
Dana writes in two genres, cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author as well as a two time ACFW Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion recipient. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell, and Poisoned Pen Press. Website: danamentink.com
I don’t know about you, but I really miss seeing Mike Huckabee on TV each week. I loved the humor, the entertainment and the truth about current events. I wish him all the best as the Ambassador to Israel, and I am happy to report that I get his newsletter, really a Prayer Tree, in which he allows his readers to share prayer requests, pray for each other and testify about answers to prayer. He also includes a scripture everyday and a hymn. I really enjoy the hymn part because it brings back good memories of many years ago when we attended a church that actually sang songs from a hymnal. Here is the link for the free newsletter. You can subscribe to his Substack, but it’s not a requirement. You can also find his prayer tree with prayer requests on his facebook page. He does have public posts and that is what I am sharing with you. His Substack post comes to my Messenger feed each day. Here is his scripture verse that was shared today.
When you read the title, you probably wondered where I could possibly be going with the post today. Well, first let’s look at weather forecasts. According to this website Climate Cosmos, weather predictions have gotten more accurate with technology but they still make errors. In fact, in the seven-day forecast, they are only about 50% right.
Last week, Hurricane Erin seemed to be bearing down on the east coast of the United States. I got an email from Dominion Virginia Energy on Wednesday telling me to be prepared to lose power because of high winds. I have lived here for a quarter of a century and never got this kind of warning before, so my husband and I talked about the impending storm, he checked the weather channel online and I checked my weather app, and sure enough, we had high winds predicted. Thus, we made sure we were ready for an electrical outage, or as ready as one can ever be. We made sure we had batteries for flashlights, candles ready, and then my husband went to the store and stocked up on water and food that can be eaten without cooking it. So, with a supply of beanie weenies for him and crackers for me, with puddings and jellos for both of us, we decided that we were ready. Later that night, the forecast changed. In fact, the “high” winds were not forecast to be a mere 10-15 mph. That meant our preparation was not necessary, but we are ready for the next story. (Oh, by the way, the reason we buy water is that we have a well. The well will still have water, but the pump is electric, so no toilet flushing or getting fresh water from the faucets. Which also explains why we filled up both bathtubs with water…for flushing.) When my brother called for my birthday, he asked how we did in the hurricane because he, too, saw that Erin was barreling towards the east coast. I told him about our preparations and the fact that of course, we did not end up needing to do all of that. We both laughed at how the weather changes quickly and unexpectedly.
I am not saying Jesus is predictable, but His Word says that He is always the same. Unlike the weather, if He says in His Word that He will do it, it’s a done deal, something we can absolutely count on. That means that we should always be ready for Jesus to return. After all, He told His disciples that He would be back. He promised to take us to be with Him always and that He is preparing a place for us. Since Jesus is working on preparing a place for us, it’s a really good idea for us to prepare our hearts for Him. We don’t have to gather supplies or make sure that everything outside is secured, but we do have to stay in His Word and maintain a relationship with Him. He told us that the only One who knows when He will return is the Father, but we do have some signs in chapters like Matthew 24 that He told us would be a good prediction about His return. Preparing for Jesus is to always have oil in our lamps (the Holy Spirit active in our spiritual lives) and our minds and hearts clean before him. Confession isn’t just good for the soul, but it is also preparation for our eternal destiny. So, is Jesus more predictable than the weather. I can say with 100% certainty that Jesus is returning (unlike Erin that veered out to sea). He will come at the exact moment that the Father tells Him to do so, not one minute early or one minute late. And it is our job to be prepared. We may not know when, but we know what will happen because it is all written in His Word. Let’s focus on the return of Jesus instead of the storms in our lives or the weather forecast. We are much more likely to feel peace, assurance, comfort and security by keeping our focus on the certainty that is coming than on the weather or other circumstances that may or may not happen.
Just what is “unwholesome talk”? I think it’s the garbage that spews from our mouths because of the garbage that we have put into our minds.
Unwholesome talk is the opposite of helpful talk. What is helpful gives encouragement and is spoken in love. Unwholesome talk tears others down, vindictively and unthinkingly wounding another person with words that cannot be unspoken.
Would you stand in your kitchen and throw the potato peels at someone because you are frustrated with them? Neither should you stand there and “give them a piece of your mind.” They don’t need it or want it. What people will always need is a soft answer, a smile and a word of genuine kindness and encouragement.
The next time you start to spout off without thinking about the harm you are doing, picture yourself throwing garbage at the person. Your words matter, more than you know. And they will go with that person on their life journey for many days, weeks, months and even years. Words, like the stink of garbage, cannot be recalled, so be careful to say the words that build rather than destroy.
Since I am on multiple launch teams at this time, you are in for a treat and have six books to choose from. The Love Inspired Suspense is Christian Fiction, the Medical Romance is mostly clean and the Harlequin Intrigue is intense suspense.
As time allows, I hope to do some reviews on my page next week during release week. But I will be with my grandchildren, so we will see how that goes. The links take you to the Harlequin page for that book and there you can find links to other favorite retailers. I do recommend each book, so I hope that you will choose at least one to add to your library.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 