Review of FIRE MOUNTAIN by Dana Mentink

On July 2, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she’s suddenly in possession of someone’s baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he’s the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn’t want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he’s in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby’s missing mother–all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

More Details

ISBN-13:9781493450664 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:07/01/2025 Series:Elements of Danger , #1 Pages:320

My Thoughts

The pace of this book is so fast that I could not flip through my Kindle pages quickly enough! The characters are regular people who are faced with insurmountable challenges and who rise to the task, the biggest one to take care of an infant while fleeing a volcano and avoiding bad guys who want to kill all of them. Kit Garrido is a semi-truck driver who is dedicated to her business and not looking for anything except success. Cullen is fixing a roof of his cabin when he sees Kit wreck her truck, so he rushes to her aid. Thus begins the story of the two intrepid warriors against nature and evil! When Cullen discovers a baby in the living compartment of Kit’s truck, Kit is flabbergasted about how she got there, since the accident that wrecked her beloved truck also stole her memory. Discovering that the accident was a purposeful action of sabotage since a bullet hit the truck, Cullen makes it his goal to keep Kit and the baby safe from whomever is trying to harm her. I loved the way the two of them bonded with the baby whom they called “Tot” and I was totally invested in the realistic character of Archie, a veteran who is a friend of Cullen’s and who is wise and snarky, too. The race to save themselves from the volcano and from the villains is realistically portrayed, with all kinds of extra dangers along the way and problems like no shelter and limited food, along with horrible air quality due to the erupting volcano. The twists keep coming and just when I thought Cullen and company were safe, another threat arose and had my heart pumping and my pulse racing. The plot was complex with multiple layers that were expertly woven together into a satisfying conclusion. The romance is one that simmers since the hero and heroine are a little busy running for their lives and watching over Tot. This is a powerful, breathtaking story of honor and sacrifice as well as a propulsive thriller that took off like a jet plane from the first chapter and flew high for the entire book. With escalating tension and a gripping story, combined with nail-biting suspense and unique, relatable characters, this book is a real winner for me in the Best Books of 2025 category. The author did a remarkable job of including faith and the tough topic of human trafficking all while staying on course to captivate me with the active volcano and the bad guys who were nothing short of pure evil. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would because it didn’t just entertain, but it also educated and made me think about life choices and consequences.
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.

Christian Fiction with Intense Suspense, Rated PG-13

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 USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon 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

Purchase Links

bit.ly/3ToBtWt(Baker Book House)

https://bit.ly/4nrSmNQ(Amazon)

bit.ly/3ZUq6cL (Target)

bit.ly/3FWlCLM (Books-a-Million)

bit.ly/3HFO2Ky(Christian Book)

bit.ly/4e4AcgU (Barnes and Noble)

adbl.co/4lcywEt (Audible)

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

_____________________________________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________________________

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!

______________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________

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

Review: The Summer that Changed Everything by Brenda Novak

On June 6, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780778387688

Publisher:MIRA Books

Publication date:06/03/2025

Pages:368

It’s been fifteen years since Lucy Sinclair saw her father. Fifteen long years since she sat in a courtroom and watched him sentenced to life in prison. He murdered three victims—all people she knew—which ruined her life at just seventeen. But now she’s back in Virginia to talk to him, wondering if there’s more to the story of what happened that fateful night.

An old flame, Ford Wagner, makes his own return to North Hampton Beach, fleeing a marriage that seems destined for divorce. He’s wary of Lucy and her digging into the past, but the more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more he finds himself reconsidering the truth behind the death of their mutual friend that summer. Problem is, there are plenty of those in this small coastal town who would prefer things stay quiet…

My Thoughts

The newest book by Brenda Novak combines the fun of a getaway to the beach with a murder mystery that is riveting and suspenseful. Lucy returns to North Hampton Beach to prove that her father, a man convicted of three murders, did not actually kill a young teen named Aurora. Once at the place she had previously called home, Lucy is assailed with memories and also faces a great deal of opposition from the local residents. They don’t accept her theory that her father is innocent of Aurora’s murder and seem to resent that she is trying to prove it. Lucy appears to be alone in her battle until her former high school boyfriend Ford shows up to support her, both mentally and physically. Together, the two of them make a good investigative team, especially when Ford hires a private investigator to unravel some on the mysteries involved in Aurora’s death. There are some twists and surprises along the way, although the killer’s identity is actually revealed early in the story. It was interesting to read how Lucy and Ford were able to follow clues to reveal the killer to the town as well as pursue a secondary mystery. There are also some steamy scenes as Lucy and Ford reignite their former attraction. Family drama is a central part of the plot, too, since Ford’s family does not approve of his choices and Ford’s estranged wife wants to hold on to him and holds what seems to be a winning hand. This is a fast-paced and engaging read with the signature style and brilliantly woven complex plot by a master author.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Brenda sold her first book OF NOBLE BIRTH, and the rest is history. Many of her novels have won or placed in contests such as the Rita, the National Reader’s Choice and the Bookseller’s Best, and she now runs a warm and enthusiastic book group on Facebook with over 17,000 members.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. When she’s not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, playing pickle ball, hiking and biking — she rides an amazing 20 miles several times a week! Website: http://www.brendanovak.com

Purchase Links

Review: WHERE SECRETS LIE by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

On June 5, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781400345694

Publisher:Nelson, Thomas, Inc.

Publication date:06/03/2025

Series:A Tupelo Grove Novel , #2

Pages:352

College professor Savannah Webster is ready to give her ex-husband, Hez, another chance, and she believes he’s finally ready for them to face their many past trials as a team. But when Savannah finds evidence that points to Hez’s old demons resurfacing, the fragile trust they’ve built begins to crumble. And it’s not just their relationship that hanging in the balance—the survival of the university Savannah’s family poured their lives into is also under threat.

Hez is determined to put his past mistakes behind him with his new role mentoring law students at Tupelo Grove University’s legal clinic. His primary focus with the clinic is to help Savannah pull the university out of a pit of debt and bad decisions made by the previous leadership, including her father. But their quest for stability takes a dark turn as they try to root out the dangerous smuggling ring the university is entangled in, and their investigation puts them in the crosshairs of criminals who will stop at nothing to eliminate any obstacle in their path.

The twists continue until the final page as a dangerous world of smuggling and financial instability collides with the complex dynamics of legacy and family.

My Thoughts

In this second book in the Tupelo Grove series, the authors captivated me immediately with the romance between Hez and Savannah, Jess’s duplicity and precocious young Simon. The action is non-stop as Savannah tries to save her beloved university and Jess works behind the scenes to thwart her. Hex, a lawyer with a plan and a purpose, begins his Justice Chamber project, investigating corruption and cases that involve the university. In all of their interactions, there are a lot of secretes and twists along with red herrings. The action is riveting as there are more murders and subterfuge, along with the stolen artifacts that are tied to the university. Danger runs rampant through the pages and it was hard to put the book down. I enjoyed learning more of the back story about the characters and the reason they behave the way they do, especially Jess. I found the characters to be mostly likable and totally dynamic, with realistic flaws that made me like them even more. I especially enjoyed how well the threads of the complicated plot were all interwoven and came together perfectly at the conclusion. This book may be read as a standalone, but I think readers would find it more enjoyable if they read the series in order as characters introduced in the first book are the same ones in this one, only with additional details and a few new characters added to the mix. The mystery drew me into the story and kept me reading to try to solve the murders and understand the dynamics of the families involved in the legacy of the university. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series since the setting, the characters and the plot have captured my imagination and my desire to know all of the secrets.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

Other Book in the Series

Purchase Links for Where Secrets Lie

Review: Unshaken by Shelley Shepard Gray

On June 4, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800746049

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:06/03/2025

Pages:304

When Stephanie Miller planned her visit to a dollar store in southern Ohio, she was expecting to pick up a few items she couldn’t find in her Amish community. She was not expecting to find herself an innocent bystander as a drug deal went horribly wrong. The sole witness to a murder, now Stephanie is targeted by the gunman.

Hardy Anderson is always ready to help his social worker sister, Bev—which now includes hiding an Amish woman until a killer can be brought to justice. Surely if they dress her in English clothing, Hardy can hide her at the sprawling ranch where he works. But the killer is desperate—and there’s no telling what lengths he will go.

My Thoughts

When a young Amish woman witnesses a murder, she is quickly whisked away from her everyday life to live under protection on a ranch far from her home. Bev, a social worker, sees what happened and decides immediately to send young Stephanie to her brother who lives and works on a ranch with a gate guard and ranch hands to protect her. Bev’s brother Hardy works for the wealthy ranch owner Carter and both men served in the military together. While Stephanie is on the ranch, she has to be on her guard, watching for possible danger, but she is also relaxed for the first time since her parents died and left her to live with her demanding aunt and uncle. I really enjoyed Stephanie’s dynamic growth of self-discovery in this novel as well as her growing independence and enjoyment of many things that most individuals take for granted, like snacks and TV shows. I especially liked the way the relationship between Hardy and Stephanie developed. He is a hero but not a particularly handsome one, just one who is willing and capable. The second developing romance was a pleasant and additional surprise. The danger is real as there is a gang of killers who want Stephanie dead, but Hardy is devoted to safeguarding her. I liked the way the action intensified and the drama increased at the same time. I also liked the way the author brought all of the threads of the plot together and concluded it all in a satisfactory way that made me glad that I read the story. This is a book not to be missed by fans of Amish fiction combined with romantic suspense.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review of the book, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish and Inspirational romances for Simon & Schuster, and Kensington, Harlequin, and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing. With over a million books in print, and translated into more than a dozen languages, her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists.

Shelley has been featured in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations. Publishers Weekly calls her Walnut Creek series “A slow-burning, enjoyable romance… Embedded in this quaint story is a poignant message about the importance of community, compassion, and doing what’s right rather than what’s easy.”

Shelley has hosted several well-attended ‘Girlfriend Getaways’ for Amish reading fans. Her most recent Girlfriend Getaway, hosted with bestselling novelists Amy Clipston and Suzanne Woods Fisher in Sugarcreek, Ohio, was filmed by BuzzFeed and highlighted on NetFlix’s Follow This episode on the popularity of Amish fiction.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She now lives in southern Colorado near her grown children, walks her dachshunds, bakes too much, and writes full time.

Purchase Links

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