Review of THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf

On November 6, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

On Sale Date: November 4, 2025

ISBN: 9780778360049, 0778360040

Trade Paperback : $18.99 USD, $24.99 CAD

Genres: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense

Pages: 320

Synopsis

A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly and everyone is a suspect in this gripping thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest.

Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know…

Madeline and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets.

As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late.

My Thoughts

My goodness! This book and all of its twists and surprises kept my head spinning and my mind whirling as I anticipated the next unexpected revelation. The story begins with a bang, literally, as a gender reveal party’s explosive plan turns deadly. Madeline and Wes had no idea that their party would end up killing a guest, injuring many more and bring an ATF agent to their doorstep to investigate. Agent Jamie Saldano is not a stranger to the area since he grew up there and it also the place from which his older sister disappeared when they were both still in high school. I really enjoyed the complex plot that involved various characters and their backstories. The author did a masterful job of weaving the whole plot together into a cohesive tapestry by having each character voice their own point of view. There are plenty of characters and plenty of action happening throughout this thought-provoking thriller and all of them kept me guessing. I think my favorite character was Saldano since he was the one who kept his cool and kept investigating in spite of all of the roadblocks and subterfuge. The characters were all relatable although some were hard to like, like Mellie who seemed to be a gold digger with secrets and a hidden agenda. The story is engaging, fast-paced and one not to be missed for those who enjoy thrillers that are expertly crafted and gripping. With an unexpected ending and an addictive story, this book gets five plus stars from me and a warning to be prepared to read all night. Trigger warning: abuse and violence.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Contemporary Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Rated PG-13

About the Author

Heather Gudenkauf is the critically acclaimed author of several novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Weight of Silence, The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching. She lives in Iowa with her husband and children.

Social Links:

Website: https://heathergudenkauf.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heather-Gudenkaufs-Books-259685275092/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathergudenkauf/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hgudenkauf/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heather-gudenkauf

Excerpt

MADELINE

“Madeline,” comes Wes’s voice, tinny and faraway-sounding. “Are you okay?”

She is lying flat on her back, the air still hazy with smoke. Is she? Is she okay? The ringing in her ears is fading, and she can hear again. In the distance she can hear sirens. Help is coming. Madeline does a mental scan of her body. Nothing seems broken, but her head is pounding. She touches her hairline, expecting her fingers to come back with blood, but instead they find an egg- sized lump. She tries to remember exactly what happened. Wes pulled the trigger, and the truck exploded. An explosion, that’s what it was. Something had gone wrong with the reveal. The baby. Oh God, is the baby okay? She presses her palms against her belly.

“Madeline, Madeline,” comes Wes’s voice again, this time more insistent. His frantic face comes into view.

“Shhh,” Madeline orders. “Please be quiet.” She needs to lie completely still, has to concentrate so she can feel the baby move. She. The baby is a girl, Madeline thinks, remembering the wisps of pink smoke she saw among the fiery black cloud. Her little girl will kick her in the bladder, one of her favorite moves, any second now. There is nothing. No cartwheels or wiggles. Nothing.

Wes kneels beside her and slips his hand into hers. “Help is coming. Stay put. Don’t move.”

Madeline nods as hot tears roll down her cheeks. “What happened?”

“It must have been the truck,” Wes says. “It must have triggered a bigger explosion.”

“But how?” Madeline asks. “You said it was safe . . . Is anyone hurt?”

“It was. It was supposed to be.” He shakes his head, be- wildered. “I don’t know what happened.”

Madeline struggles into a sitting position and looks around. Charred lumber litters the lawn. The canopy over the dining tables has collapsed and is covered in dancing flames that a handful of guests and waitstaff are trying to smother with what- ever is handy: cowboy hats, table linens, an old horse blanket. Other guests are gathered in small, tight clusters, holding on to one another. Some sit in the grass crying, others stand slack- faced, as if in shock. Through the smoke a rodeo clown appears, his brightly colored clothing now blackened with soot and his makeup running down his sweaty face. The clown is helping the photographer, who is bleeding from the head. But it is the old storage barn that Madeline finds herself fixated on. Huge f lames shoot from the hayloft window and the roof. Someone pulls a hose from one of the horse barns, and suddenly buckets and containers of all sizes appear. Others, including Johanna’s husband, Dalton, are running toward the burning barn and tossing water onto the structure. They know that one wayward spark could ignite the house or, worse, the barns filled with her beloved horses.

“Can you walk?” Wes asks. “We have to get you away from here.”

Madeline nods, and Wes helps her to her feet. She is barefoot. The blast had lifted her in the air and knocked her flip-flops clear off her feet. Madeline, leaning against Wes, winces with each step, the rough ground pricking at the soles of her feet. He leads her to the meadow, a safe distance from the burning barn, but still close enough for her to see what’s happening. Some of Madeline’s earlier numbness is beginning to wear away, and the enormity of what has happened begins to descend.

“Go,” Madeline says, knowing they need as many hands as possible.

Wes shakes his head. “No,” he says. “I’m not leaving you.” “I’m fine,” she says, but is she? She fell hard, and still the baby hasn’t moved.

Madeline scans the crowd. “Where’s Johanna?” she asks. “Have you seen her?”

“I haven’t,” Wes says. “But I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. Have you seen Dix?”

“No,” Madeline says. The last she saw Dix was just before he handed the microphone to Wes. “Go,” Madeline repeats. “Really, I’m fine. I just have to get my bearings,” she assures him when he turns his gaze to her doubtfully. “Go help, find your brother. And check on the horses.”

“You wait here,” Wes says. “Don’t move from this spot, and I’ll come back and find you.” He squeezes her hand and kisses her cheek before darting away and disappearing into a cloud of black smoke.

Madeline continues to eye the property for any sign of Johanna’s long dark braid, her suede skirt. In the distance the wail of sirens grows closer. Help is coming. The meadow to the left of the house was being used as a makeshift parking lot for the guests’ vehicles. One wayward spark from the fire landing on the stubbled field could set off a chain reaction where upward of a hundred cars and trucks, tanks filled with gasoline and diesel, sit idly.

The air is filled with inky smoke blotting out the face of the mountain and the setting sun. A fire truck pulls through the side yard, crushing Madeline’s lavender and Russian sage, its massive tires carving deep ruts in the soil. Madeline barely notices—it’s what she sees as a group of guests part to let the truck through that causes her breath to lodge in her throat. A woman lies on the ground, her arm thrown over her face, while someone presses a blood-soaked cloth to her abdomen. One by one, Madeline registers the carnage. Someone is doing CPR on Gary Wilson, the president of the bank that holds their mortgage. One of her equestrian students is wandering aimlessly through the smoke, tears running down her face. A fifteen-hundred- pound bull has escaped the rodeo paddock and is trotting toward the mountains. She sees Mellie, the young waitress, running and screaming, fire dancing up the front of her legs. A partygoer tackles her, smothering the flames with his body.

This is bad. So very bad. Madeline fights the urge to vomit. She wants to help. But how? Water, Madeline thinks. She can pass out bottles of water, try and keep the guests calm and reassure them that help is here, that everything is going to be okay. On unsteady feet she moves toward the party barn, where she knows there is plenty of bottled water, but someone grabs her arm. Mia. “Have you seen Sully?” she asks tearfully, her arm hanging at an odd angle. “I can’t find him.”

Madeline shakes her head. “I’ll help look for him,” she promises. “You’re hurt. Sit down.”

Mia shakes her head. “I need Sully,” she says thickly and stumbles away. There are too many injured and not enough emergency personnel.

The fire truck has come to an abrupt stop. Two firefighters are urging those guests who jumped in to try to put out the fire to move away from the blaze. With machinelike efficiency, they unroll the hoses.

Madeline is mesmerized by the flames that roll across the roof of the barn, the dense cloud of smoke, the roar of lumber being eaten by the flames. She moves closer, unnoticed by the firefighters, her face growing pink from the heat. Madeline vaguely becomes aware of more sirens and shouts of “Over here” and “Please help!” More help has arrived. The spray of water hisses and snarls as it strikes flames and wood. The barn turns into a living thing then, twisting and groaning until it collapses in on itself, turning to a big heap of charred lumber with sooty farm equipment peeking out here and there.

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Hosts-Novel-Heather-Gudenkauf-ebook/dp/B0DQQ9BRLR

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-perfect-hosts-heather-gudenkauf/1146709766?ean=9780778360049

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-perfect-hosts-original-heather-gudenkauf/22162822?ean=9780778360049&next=t

Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488236150-the-perfect-hosts

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Perfect-Hosts/Heather-Gudenkauf/9780778360049

Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-perfect-hosts-by-heather-gudenkauf/-/A-94483956?preselect=94481317#lnk=sametab

Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/otherwise-engaged-a-novel/9780778387268.html

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-perfect-hosts?sId=7c9b6427-a9f0-4dbf-824b-e63babdb3880

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-perfect-hosts/id6739534386

**With deep appreciation to HTP BOOKS for including me in the Fall 2025 Blog Tour for THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf. A wild and enjoyable thrill ride!**

Review of OTHERWISE ENGAGED by Susan Mallery

On November 5, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

On Sale Date: November 4, 2025

ISBN: 9780778387268, 0778387267

Hardcover

$30.00 USD, $37.00 CAD

Fiction / Family Life / Siblings

368 pages

A twisty, tender and wise look at how secrets can transform the powerful—and sometimes problematic—bond between mothers and daughters, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

When Shannon gets engaged, her beloved mom, Cindy, is the first person she wants to tell—and the last. Cindy’s engaged, too, and has already hinted at a double wedding. The image of a synchronized bouquet toss with her mom fills Shannon with horror. She’ll keep her engagement a secret until Cindy’s I-dos are done.

Victoria has never been proper enough for her mother, Ava, so she stopped trying. She lives on her own terms and amuses herself by pushing Ava’s buttons. Ava loves but doesn’t understand her stuntwoman daughter. When a movie-set mishap brings Victoria home, Ava longs to finally connect.

Chance brings the four women together at a wedding venue, where a shocking secret comes tumbling out. Twenty-four years ago, desperate teenager Cindy chose wealthy Ava to adopt her baby—then changed her mind at the very last second. The loss rocked Ava’s world, leaving her unable to open her heart to the daughter she did adopt, Victoria. As Shannon and Victoria deal with the fallout from the decisions their mothers made, they wrestle with whether who they are is different than who they might have become.

My Thoughts

This novel is contemporary fiction told with heart and humor and hope. There is some romance within the storyline, but the thrust of the plot is all about mother-daughter relationships and friendships. The four main characters are all fascinating and believable as they muddle through the obstacles to establishing good relationships, including trust. The moms in the story are Ava and Cindy. Ava’s adopted daughter is named Victoria, and she is a firecracker who bucks her mom on just about everything. Cindy’s daughter is Shannon and they are very close, perhaps too close as Shannon wants boundaries and her mom wants to be a part of every piece of her life. The conflicts are intriguing and thought-provoking since they encompass the topics of open adoption and helicopter mothering. I really enjoyed how the author moved smoothly from one character to another, letting me know what was going on in the life of each of them before they encountered one another at a wedding venue. The action was already absorbing and fast-paced, but it quickened even more and kept me turning pages as fast as I could so I could find out how the issues would be resolved. This is a brilliantly written and clever character study as well as a commentary on relationships and how to maintain them in a healthy manner. With insight given in a humorous and genuinely helpful way, this book had me thinking even as I chuckled my way through some of the issues of the four ladies. Although the plot is complex with the intertwining of the lives of the women, I never felt lost but instead I was immersed in each of their lives and clearly able to visualize their difficulty. The multiple layers were part of the charm and what kept me so completely engaged in the novel. This book is unforgettable in its clever plot and dynamic characters and is a definite five plus stars for me. It also lends itself to discussions in book groups and even has a set of questions at the end of the book to start those discussions.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that shape women’s lives―family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree―40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. She’s passionate about animal welfare, which shows in the many quirky animal characters she has created. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband and adorable poodle. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

Social Links:

Website: https://susanmallery.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanMallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmallery

Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanmallery

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susanmallery/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/susanmallery

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-mallery

Mailing List: https://susanmallery.com/join-mailing-list.php

Excerpt

How does the horse look?

Victoria Rogers pressed her good arm to her very bruised, almost broken ribs. “Dad, don’t,” she said, trying to stay as still as possible. “You can’t be funny. It already hurts to breathe. It wasn’t a horse.”

Her father frowned. “I was told you were thrown off a horse.” “I was thrown out of a truck.”

“Then how’d you get the black eyes?”

“The ground was a little bit pissy when I hit it and punched me back.”

There wasn’t a part of her that didn’t hurt. The good news was that now that the medical staff had determined she didn’t have a head injury, they were going to give her drugs to help with the pain. She’d already said she didn’t want any of that weak-ass pill stuff. She wanted a nurse to give her a shot of something that would work instantly and let her rest. Because in addition to the bruised ribs, requisite scrapes and contusions, she had a broken left leg and a sprained wrist. Her previously dislocated shoulder also throbbed, but that was kind of the least of it.

As she lay in her hospital bed, feeling like death on a tortilla, she had the thought that maybe stunt work wasn’t for her. Injuries came with the job, but this was the third time in five years she’d landed in the hospital. The first time she’d messed up, so that was on her, but the other two had just been plain bad luck. The incident with the truck had come about because one of the tires had blown, causing the however many ton vehicle to jump the curb—an action that had sent her flying up and over the side. Gravity, being the bitch it was, had flung her onto the sidewalk. Hence the injuries.

Her father studied her, his brows drawn together in concern. “None of this makes me happy,” he told her.

The incongruous statement nearly made her laugh. She remembered—just in time—that her ribs wouldn’t appreciate the subsequent movement and they would punish her big-time.

“Today isn’t my favorite day either,” she admitted, trying not to groan. “I didn’t wake up with the thought that I should try to get thrown out of the back of a pickup.” Although technically getting thrown out of the truck had been the stunt. Just not when it had happened and without warning or a plan.

“I’m worried,” her father told her.

“I’ll be fine.”

“This time.”

She winced, and not from pain. “Now you sound like Mom.”

Her father, a handsome man only a few months from his sixtieth birthday, brightened. “Thank you, Victoria. That’s such a nice thing to say.”

Given her weakened condition, she let that comment slide. Honestly she didn’t have the strength to deal with it right now, even though she knew her father understood exactly what she’d been saying. He was only pretending to not get it.

“If you’re going to act like that, you should go,” she said, then amended what could be construed as a catty comment into something more kind. Mostly because she only had the emotional energy not to get along with one of her parents, and her mother had already claimed that prize. “Besides, they’ll be bringing my drugs any second. I plan to surrender to sleep, so I’m not going to be very conversational.”

As if to prove her point, one of the nurses walked in with a syringe. “Ready to feel better?” he asked cheerfully.

“Yes, and let me say, you’re my favorite person ever.”

He winked. “I get that all the time.”

He slowly injected whatever the medication was into her IV. Victoria drew in a shallow breath as she waited to feel that first blurring of the edges of the pain. Modern medicine was a miracle she intended to embrace.

The nurse left. Milton took her good hand in his.

“I’ll let you rest,” he told her. “But I’ll be back later tonight.” He squeezed her fingers. “Tomorrow, when you’re released, I’m taking you home.”

Ugh. Victoria knew that her father wasn’t talking about the pretty condo he’d bought her when she’d turned twenty-one. Instead he meant the house where she’d grown up. The one where her mother still resided.

“I don’t need to move back,” she protested, feeling the first telltale easing of the pain. “I have a few bumps and bruises.”

“Along with a broken leg. And what about your ribs? You can barely move without wincing.”

“I have zero pain tolerance. I’m a total wimp.”

He frowned. “You’re tough and stoic. If you’re showing signs of pain, it’s bad. You’ll stay with your mother and me until you’re well enough to be on your own.” He pointed at her. “I mean it, Victoria. You don’t get a vote.”

Her father was rarely stern with her, so his sharp tone warned her he wasn’t kidding. And she knew from twenty-four years of experience that arguing with the man would get her nowhere. Milton didn’t take a stand very often, but when he did, he was the immovable object.

“I wish you loved me less,” she murmured, feeling a little floaty and stumbling over her words. “Okay, I feel drugs. Let me enjoy the experience of breathing without, you know, wanting to die.”

Oh, baby girl. You’ve always been difficult.”

“I know. It’s one of my best qualities.” Her eyes drifted closed. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you more.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Come alone.”

His soft chuckle was the last thing she heard.

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778387267

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/otherwise-engaged-susan-mallery/1146329150?ean=9780778387268

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/otherwise-engaged-original-susan-mallery/21831943?ean=9780778387268

Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488234927

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Otherwise-Engaged/Susan-Mallery/9780778387268?id=9291789850619

Target: https://www.target.com/p/otherwise-engaged-by-susan-mallery-hardcover/-/A-93825000#lnk=sametab

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Otherwise-Engaged-Hardcover-9780778387268/12368102155?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/otherwise-engaged-a-novel/9780778387268.html

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/otherwise-engaged-26

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/otherwise-engaged/id6714475620

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Susan_Mallery_Otherwise_Engaged?id=jvUjEQAAQBAJ

With much appreciation to HTP BOOKS for including me in the Fall 2025 Blog Tour for Otherwise Engaged by Susan Mallery.

Review: One of the Family by Jess Ryder

On November 2, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781837908486

Publisher:Bookouture

Publication date:10/30/2025

Pages:330

My daughter’s boyfriend feels like one of the family. I couldn’t be happier to have him living with us. But now my daughter’s disappeared…

I never wanted to have an empty nest. So when my daughter, Liv, asks if she and her new boyfriend, Jensen, can move in, I’m thrilled.

Jensen is so helpful. He tells me how he loves being part of a close-knit family. He’s felt so alone since his parents died. And for me, his presence goes a little way towards replacing the son I lost.

Still, I can’t help but notice that Liv and Jensen are starting to argue. My daughter seems unhappy. Perhaps they just need some time alone together?

But when my husband and I return from our weekend away, Liv is missing. The relationship with Jensen appears to be over but he doesn’t want to leave. And then I discover exactly what he will do to stay in our family…

An utterly gripping psychological thriller that will have you turning pages late into the night. If you love Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden you will be hooked on One of the Family.

My Thoughts

This story of a dsyfunctional family was absorbing as well as disturbing. It is absorbing in its realistic depiction of a family with multiple issues among multiple people, all living in a whirlpool of circumstances and regrets. It is disturbing because it is so easy to imagine oneself caught up in similar circumstances and being swept away by them. The nuclear family consists of a workaholic father, a meddling mother and two daughters, one just finishing secondary school and one graduating from university. Rachel, the mom, works in a boutique but not so many hours that she cannot involve herself in her daughter’s lives. She is concerned about Meg who is being bullied and about Liv who needs to find a job now that she has finished school. Add to that the fact that her husband Dom is away a lot on business trips, so most of the decisions in the family fall on Rachel. When Liv graduates, she moves home and brings her boyfriend Jensen with her. Jensen is a happy-go-lucky sort, thrilled to be with the family since his parents died when he was young and he has been on his own for a while. Rachel is happy to accommodate the young couple since it means that she will have Liv around again. The dad and Meg are not too excited about having Jensen living with them, but their warnings and appeals to Rachel fall on deaf ears. When Meg decides to strike out on her own, Rachel and her husband choose to go away for a weekend so that they have some time to reconnect. It also means that Liv and Jensen are alone for the weekend and can possibly work out some of their recent disputes about Jensen not actively looking for employment. When Rachel and Dom return from their weekend getaway, Liv has disappeared, and Jensen tells them that she has decided to leave. Getting to this part of the book, which I considered the central point of the story, took a while, but the author did a good job of keeping my interest by filling in with background information about all of the characters. By the time Liv disappeared, I was invested in the lives of all of the characters and wanted a happy ending for them, even though that did not seem feasible or likely. The book’s pace picks up from moderate to rapid once Rachel sets out on her quest to find Liv and Jensen is obviously hiding some secret that the reader is not privy to until the end of the book. I really was captivated by the storyline of a young woman just leaving her family and the boyfriend remaining with her family. This engaging and enthralling story kept me guessing to the end, with many twists and a lot of clues, some of which I was able to grasp and appreciated their subtlety. This is a masterfully written thriller that had my head spinning and my heart racing, especially as the inevitable conclusion was approaching without any sign of Liv. I enjoyed the realistic characterization, noting that even the secondary characters were developed enough for me to decide to relate with them or not. I especially liked the mystery and the relationships between the characters that kept the plot moving along. There was always some drama going on in someone’s life in this book. This is a book that was hard to put down once I got immersed in it, but it did take me about a fourth of the way through the book before I was thoroughly captured by all of the action and the lives of the characters. This is thriller/suspense/family drama at its best and I highly recommend it for those who enjoy contemporary fiction with a nod to Hitchcock-like twists.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, an all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Jess Ryder is the pseudonym of Jan Page, author, screenwriter, playwright and award-winning television producer. After spending many years working in children’s television, she returned to writing novels and has written nine psychological thrillers to date. These include the e-bestseller The Ex Wife, which was adapted as a TV miniseries for Paramount Plus. She lives in London with her husband.

Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/jess-ryder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessRyderAuthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16557458.Jess_Ryder

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Just Read Publicity Tours: A Family on His Doorstep by Alena Augusta

On July 31, 2025July 30, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review10 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Family on His Doorstep by Alena Auguste, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Family On His Doorstep
Author: Alena Auguste
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sometimes a tough situation

Requires a leap of faith…

Unwed, unemployed and pregnant, Rebecca Young is in desperate need of a job. But finding work seems impossible. So when her late ex-boyfriend’s cousin Walker Greystone offers her room and board, and help getting a part-time job at the library he’s renovating in Eden, Texas, she eagerly accepts. But as they work together on a project that could change both of their lives, their feelings for one another deepen. Can Rebecca and Walker overcome their scars from the past and embrace the possibility of a happily-ever-after together?

My Thoughts

Written with a lot of heart and a foundation of faith, this story was absolutely a well-written and delightful romance. Rebecca arrives to the small town of Eden, pregnant and hopeful that she will find the job she needs to take care of herself and her unborn baby. There she is blessed to be taken in by Bell Greystone and her adopted sons. Accepted into their family unit, Rebecca finds a perfect job for her and perhaps even someone she can trust and love in Walker Greystone, a contractor with a lot of heart and plenty of plans to take care of the family business. With a blemished past, Walker has to learn to accept himself and the fact that God created him and loves him while Rebecca has to accept the fact that being rejected repeatedly does not mean that she is unlovable. This story has appealing and believable characters and a charming story with a warmhearted romance that was easy to cheer for. This debut from the author is a slam dunk for me with its emotional depth and refreshing look at what family really means.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

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About the Author

Alena Auguste lives in Texas and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Married to her very own knight for thirty plus years, she and her husband have four amazing grown children and two of the handsomest grandsons ever! When she’s not creating trouble for her characters or working at the family business, you can find her cozying up with a steaming cup of tea and a good book. She would love to hear from you at alenaauguste.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 28, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 4, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Just Read Publicity Tour: Midnight Offensive by Elle E. Kay

On July 1, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Review, JustRead Publicity Tour8 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Midnight Offensive by Elle E. Kay, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Midnight Offensive
Series: Toxic Truths #1
Author: Elle E. Kay
Publisher: Faith Writes Publishing
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense / Thriller

Former Navy SEAL Craig Malone is now a Tactical Operations Leader for Homeland Security with a critical mission: protect the only antidote to Viper-X, a stolen bioweapon about to be sold to the highest bidder. But the mission becomes dangerously personal when the investigation leads him to Sadie Kline—an emergency room nurse and his best friend’s little sister. He’s always kept his distance, but now her life is on the line.

As a ruthless enemy closes in, kidnapping their loved ones and setting deadly traps, Craig must protect the woman he can’t get out of his head while stopping a catastrophic attack.

Duty and a decade of unspoken feelings collide in a race to stop a traitor before it’s too late.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | BookBub

My Thoughts

This is my first book by Elle E. Kay and I am a definite new fan, hooked by her sharp writing, constant action and satisfying romance that was enchanting and believable. Sadie is an ER nurse caught in the crossfire with a bio-weapon at stake. Her former neighbor is the Homeland Security agent in charge of safeguarding the nation from the bio-weapon and protecting the man who is developing the antidote. Craig and Sadie together make a formidable team to take on the saboteurs, but the head-spinning twists keep coming at them fast and furiously. From one place to another, Sadie and Craig seem to be chasing down leads while danger is chasing them and is right behind them at all times, sometimes catching up with them at unexpected times. This is a gripping story that is addictive and fun to read and try to piece the clues together. Infused with spiritual truth and romance simmering under the surface, this book grabbed hold of my imagination and would not let go. I was captivated by the courage of the characters who were the good guys and thought that all of the characters were realistic, original and dynamic. The plot flowed well from beginning to end in this edgy, page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat and fascinated with the twists. It is a well-crafted book that hit all of the high notes for me in suspense, drama and romance.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positives review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Also Available

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About the Author

Elle E. Kay is an Angel Award–winning Christian author known for her gripping suspense and engaging romance. She lives on a hobby farm in Central Pennsylvania near Red Rock Mountain with her husband, three dogs, and a variety of farm animals. A devoted follower of Christ, Elle is active in her church’s youth ministry and shares her love of Jesus through music.

Since her debut novel Shadowing Stella released in 2016, Elle has written over two dozen books spanning romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical fiction, and children’s literature. Her award-winning Pennsylvania Parks series blends faith and thrills against the backdrop of the state’s stunning natural landscapes. She’s also the author of the Endless Mountain series and a contributor to several multi-author projects, including the Lawkeeper, Blushing Brides, Heroes of Freedom Ridge, and Christmas in Redemption Ridge collections.

Elle writes children’s books under the pen name Ellie Mae Kay and connects with readers through her blog, newsletters, and social media. Whether writing fiction, singing in church, or caring for her animals, Elle lives out her faith—and crafts stories where love, hope, and perseverance prevail.

Connect with Elle by visiting elleekay.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Romantic Suspense Prize Pack which features 5 of Elle’s most recent romantic suspense releases, including Midnight Offensive, along with a tote bag and swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 30, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 7, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner: Author Interview and Giveway

On June 25, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, JustRead Publicity Tour10 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Echoes of Darkness
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Genre: Christian Suspense/Romantic Thriller

A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him.

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now?

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse.

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare…

Also Available

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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.

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Author Q & A

1. What kind of research did you do for this book? What was the most interesting thing you discovered in your research?

DLT: Lots! Haha! I researched writing to inmates within Canada, different types of drugs, guns, law enforcement procedures, cults, K-9s, military, medical information. I think the most interesting—and scary—is just how many cults are out there. Yikes. We need to shine Christ’s light!

2.What was your favorite part of writing this book?

DLT: I loved adding a third POV. With my regular Love Inspired Suspense books, I can only have two, so it was fun to add the Protégé’s POV.

3.Did anything in the story end up surprising you?

DLT: I’m a pantser, so I’m always surprised by some of the rabbit trails my characters take me on. Haha! Sometimes they work out, but not always.

4. When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

DLT: From the time I picked up my first Nancy Drew book as a little girl! I fell in love with not only a good mystery/suspense story, but the idea of wanting to create my own!

5. What is your writing process like? Do you know the ending when you start writing?

DLT: I start with an idea and then decide on my hero and heroine’s vocation. Then brainstorm it into a plot line. I develop my characters through a character sketch, establishing their backstory. I don’t always know how the book ends but have a general idea.

6. What would be your advice to new authors?

DLT: Don’t give up or compare yourself to other authors. Every author has a different journey. Also, don’t be scared to reach out and ask other authors questions. We can learn from each other.

7. If you could have a luncheon with a group of authors, whom would you invite and why?

DLT: Jaime Jo Wright, Jessica R. Patch, Natalie Walters – we’d have so much fun brainstorming our stories together! Maybe too much fun. haha

8. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing or reading a book?

DLT: Tole painting (painting on wood), watching movies, going on walks with my hubby.

9. If you could travel to anywhere in the world and cost was not a problem, where would you go and why?

DLT: Easy. Hawaii. I love it there. It’s paradise!

10. Your new book is a trade paperback thriller. Was it more of a challenge to write? Do you plan to write more books in this genre?

DLT: I loved writing this thriller. It’s fun to go deeper into relationships, storylines, adding subplots, another POV, etc. Yes, I hope to write more thrillers!

With many thanks to Darlene L. Turner for graciously answering my questions!

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Tour Giveaway

(4) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 23, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 30, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Blog Tour: Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan

On June 17, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

On Sale Date: June 17, 2025

ISBN: 978077838725

Pages: 400

Synopsis:

For fans of BAD SUMMER PEOPLE, FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT, and THE WHITE LOTUS, this sun-dappled mystery from New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan features a risk-averse bibliophile who gets in over her head when strange notes in a book draw her into a real-life investigation.

Mia Crawford is responsible to a fault. She has to be. Between her high-demand job and taking care of her grandmother and her cats, she has little time for anything else. What time she does have, she pours into reading. Mysteries, romances, thrillers…books filled with women who are far more impulsive than she would ever dream of being. Now, forced into taking a long-overdue vacation, she finds herself on a luxurious private island where she just might have a chance to reinvent herself—for a little while, anyway. She can explore the island. Flirt shamelessly with a cute bartender. Have a vacation fling. Live like a heroine in one of her favorite novels.

Or she can curl up with a good book on the beach. Turns out reinventing yourself is easier planned than done. But when gossipy notes written in the margins of an old book turn out to be clues to the disappearance of another guest, Mia finds herself diving head-first into a dangerous adventure. With everyone at the resort hiding secrets of their own, she’ll have to solve this real-life mystery before she becomes the next target.

My Thoughts

I have read all of Allison Brennan’s romantic suspense series, so I wasn’t sure what to make of a new contemporary romance-mystery. Let me just say that the author hit it out of the park with this humorous, witty and seriously great mystery. Mia Crawford is totally relatable, a workaholic who is an accountant and thinks that details matter. Coerced into taking a special vacation to a private island, Mia isn’t sure what she will do there but she soon finds herself solving a murder mystery, helping a teen with dad issues, counseling a gay couple and maybe, just a little, falling head over heels for the bartender who flirts with her. The action is non-stop, the pacing is quick and perfect and the characters are mostly lovable and all realistic. The story is absorbing, with secrets and clues and twists galore. I really enjoyed this book and hope it will be the first of many in this genre for this author. The ending was perfect and I think that all readers will appreciate the theme of self-discovery and being willing to change if change is the best choice.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of over forty novels. She lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://allisonbrennan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllisonBrennan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Allison_Brennan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abwrites/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52527.Allison_Brennan

Excerpt

“Diana.”

She jumped, whirled around. Fear bubbled up in her chest until she saw who it was. Annoyed and tired, she said, “What do you want?”

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m beat.”

She turned her back on her uninvited guest and started to insert her card key, but before she could open the door, she was grabbed from behind.

“Wha—” She tried to speak, but her words were cut off. Her scarf tightened around her neck. She couldn’t talk. Then she couldn’t breathe.

Her vision blurred. Grabbing at the scarf, she scratched her neck. Her knees grew weak. Her vision faded.

Scream!

No sound escaped her throat. She heard nothing except for her own pounding heart, fear wrapping itself around her like a vise.

Then, darkness.

Purchase Links:

Bookshop.org:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/beach-reads-and-deadly-deeds-original-allison-brennan/21769923?ean=9780778387251&next=t&affiliate=397

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beach-reads-and-deadly-deeds-allison-brennan/1146225171;jsessionid=9E89D90BC49BFE6FAEA3FE557B8DEAC3.prodny_store02-atgap06?ean=9780778387251

Books A Million:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780778387251

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=9780778387251&tag=hcg-02-20

Poisoned Pen (signed books):

https://bit.ly/3HKO4AK

Blog Tour: The Expat Affair by Kimberly Bell

On June 1, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

On Sale Date: June 3, 2025

9780778310945

Trade Paperback

$18.99 USD

320 pages

USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Belle returns with an exhilarating new thriller about an American expat whose startling discovery plunges her into the glamorous but deadly world of Amsterdam’s diamond industry, and the one woman who may hold the answer.

Rayna Dumont is getting a fresh start in Amsterdam. Following a nasty divorce, she takes a jet-setting new job and embraces the single life. All seems to be going well until she wakes up in the bed of Xander van der Vos, her one-night stand from the night before, only to find him brutally murdered in the room next door. To make matters worse, millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds are missing from his safe. Quickly, Rayna becomes the prime suspect and is thrown into a deadly game of cat and mouse with forces beyond her wildest imagination.

From her lavish home in the heart of the city, Willow Prins is enraptured by the case. The wife of Thomas Prins, CEO of the House of Prins and Xander’s former boss, Willow is too familiar with what it’s like to be the outsider in the elite world of luxury goods. But as the House comes under scrutiny, tensions rise in her already strained marriage and Willow starts to wonder if Rayna might be the solution she’s been looking for.

As both women dive into the dark underbelly of the diamond industry, their hope for survival hinges on navigating a web of power and revenge. And as Rayna fights to clear her name, will she unravel the truth or find herself another victim?

My Thoughts

This is a slow burn suspense and a murder mystery with two female protagonists who need to find the truth in order to survive the fallout. Rayna and Willow are both Americans living in Amsterdam. Rayna has escaped a scandal in the U.S. since her rich spouse divorced her and publicly humiliated her. Willow is married to the head of a major diamond company in Amsterdam. Her last name, Prins, is synonymous with wealth and diamonds, but she is barely treading water to keep her marriage afloat with all kinds of secrets that she is slowly uncovering. Willow’s priority is their young son Sem, so for his sake, she is holding onto a loveless marriage and hoping that Thomas will at least notice that she is still his wife. The scene is set for high drama when Rayna has a one-night stand with gemnologist Xander and discovers his body in the shower the next morning. Xander once worked for the Prins, so the stage for a murder mystery with plenty of suspects is set. I really enjoyed the slow burn as I tried to figure out the clues and the red herrings. I liked the interactions between the two protagonists, with their obvious differences and their subtle similarities. The plot was compelling and kept me engaged from beginning to end, with dual narrators and a story that dovetailed together seamlessly in the end. The characters were believable, somewhat relatable and uniquely portrayed in their roles as the possible next victims as both women were holding tightly to secrets that could lead them into the deep waters of a diamond industry where all is not as it seems. I really liked the character of the detective investigating the case. Boomsma was an intrepidly determined man who wanted to solve the crime and keep the city safe from the crime that seemed to revolve around the Prins family and their new acquaintance Rayna.He was dogged in his pursuit of the truth no matter where it lay and was not intimidated by the wealth and influence of the Prins. This book is a must-read for fans of great mysteries and well-written character studies where the characters themselves are part of the mystery.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

This book is contemporary fiction, Rated PG-16

About the Author

Kimberly Belle worked in marketing and nonprofit fundraising before turning to writing fiction. A graduate of Agnes Scott College, Kimberly lived for over a decade in the Netherlands and currently divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam. She is the bestselling author of over eight novels, including The Marriage Lie, Dear Wife, The Personal Assistant, and The Paris Widow.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://www.kimberlybellebooks.com/

Facebook: @KimberlyBelleBooks

Twitter: @KimberlySBelle

Instagram: @kimberlybellebooks

Purchase Links

Just Read Publicity Tour: The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

On April 26, 2025April 26, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review8 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Other Sister
Author: Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller

She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

My Thoughts

This book sets a standard for high-intensity psychological thrillers with a foundation of hope and faith. Charlotte finds out that she is a twin and circumstances thrust her into Acelynn’s life. Charlotte thought her life was messed up until she stepped into the dumpster fire that was Acelynn’s life. What a wild ride this book is, from beginning to end! The twists just kept coming, along with serial murders, suspects and lots of family drama. I loved the interactions between the realistic characters, mostly high society and full of themselves, with little desire to lower themselves to common people. Charlotte is basically a hot mess who has no idea what she is doing in Savannah, but she is determined to hide there for a while since she is running away from a murder in her hometown. So much action happens so quickly that I couldn’t take my eyes off the page and was on the edge of my seat for much of the story. The faith factor is one of hope and redemption, undeserved mercy and grace and offered a welcome respite from all of the dark parts of the story. A child who is manipulative and dangerous is in the center of the story. So many secrets in this brilliantly written and cleverly executed complex story! I cannot write a lot more without giving something away, but let’s just say, run to get a copy of this book and prepare to read all night with all of the lights on.
Disclaimer
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Also Available

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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.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to her email newsletter “Patched In” updates and receive a FREE short thriller.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of The Garden Girls & a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 22, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Just Reads Blog Tour: Waylaid by Jerusha Agen

On April 14, 2025April 14, 2025 By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review6 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Waylaid by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Waylaid
Series: Windy City Westons #1
Author: Jerusha Agen
Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Someone wants to kill her. She wants the killer to finish the job.

Spring Weston will do anything to rise in the ranks of pro cycling and prove she isn’t the one failure of the five Weston siblings. Anything except cheat. When she learns of doping on her cycling team, she’s determined to uncover the truth. But she can’t if she’s dead.

Sergeant Torin Cotter may not be the hero the public thinks he is, but he recognizes fear when he sees it. When he takes over the investigation of the collision that landed Spring in the hospital, he’s compelled to protect her from whatever danger she’s in, even though he knows he might fail. Again.

Spring’s faith in God isn’t enough to help her face the living nightmare she awakened to after the accident. But neither she nor the handsome sergeant see the greater threat that’s coming until it’s too late.

If they’re going to survive, Spring and Torin will not only have to confront their worst fears—they’ll have to find a reason to live.

Waylaid is the first installment in the thrilling Windy City Westons series that features five siblings who encounter danger and love in the city of Chicago.

My Thoughts

What a stellar beginning to a new series by the talented Jerusha Agen! The story of Spring Weston, a rising star in pro cycling until she is paralyzed in a hit and run accident is heartbreaking and totally absorbing. The police officer assigned to investigate her case, Detective Torin Cotter, is suffering himself from a past that he can’t change and a future that he considers hopeless. The two of them have to come to grips with their present reality and decide if they want to accept God’s will for their lives or just give up on life. When Torin is faced with having to keep Spring safe in spite of his challenges with hearing gunfire, he is forced to face his demons or suffer another unimaginable tragedy. The choices in this novel are realistically portrayed and the characters and storyline are compelling. This is a story of forgiveness that seems impossible and self-discovery that leads to a chance at grabbing onto hope for the future. I loved every minute I spent with Torin and Spring as their characters popped from the page into my heart and I found myself giving both of them advice and even praying for their safety. The entire story was well written with compassion and a heartfelt understanding of injuries, both mental and physical. Fans of fantastic romantic suspense will want to dive into this book and not surface until the satisfying conclusion!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

More in this Series

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About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting jerushaagen.com to follow her on social media, subscribe to email newsletter updates, find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels and get a free suspense story.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Waylaid, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Waylaid mug, notebook, and magnet!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 14, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 21, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

______________________________________________________________

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!