Review of JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Melody Carlson

On April 15, 2024April 15, 2024 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9781493444755. Publisher:Baker Publishing Group. Publication date:03/19/2024. Pages:288

Ginny Masters manages a popular boutique hotel in Seattle and manages it with aplomb. But the daily challenges and irritations of a fast-paced job and a demanding boss are starting to get to her. Jacqueline Potter manages her grandfather’s fishing lodge in Idaho because it was the only job she could find after graduating with her hospitality degree. She’s grateful for the work but longs for a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan life she’s just not going to find in this backwoods town.

The solution to both their problems seems obvious. Just for the summer, they’ll swap jobs and lifestyles. But they never anticipated swapping love interests . . .

In this fabulous new twist on an age-old fable, award-winning and bestselling author Melody Carlson introduces you to two career-focused women who are about to discover that there’s more to finding happiness than just switching up the scenery.

My Thoughts

Ginny and Jacqueline have similar occupations, both managers of very different places. Ginny manages a boutique hotel in Seattle and is under the thumb of a demanding boss who treats her more like her personal servant than a valued employee. Jacqueline, feeling displaced by her mother’s new choice of a husband, flees that situation to manage her grandfather’s fishing lodge in a beautiful rustic setting. Jacqueline wants to do bigger and better things with her life, so she is not happy with fish, smelly fishermen and log cabins. Since neither young woman is happy, the perfect solution is for them to swap jobs for the summer. This is an amusing story with some deep undertones about finding happiness within yourself instead of expecting circumstances to always go your way. Once the young women switch jobs, Ginny continues to be a stellar employee, looking for ways to improve the lodge and to make everyone as happy with the setting as she is. Jacqueline, on the other hand, has taken her demanding and self-centered personality along with her and manages to alienate the other employees at the hotel while enraging her new boss. The two young women have several conflicts, some drama and a lot of fun finding out what their strengths and weaknesses are and discovering how to be their best selves, no matter where that may take them. I enjoyed the characters, especially the fishing guide Ben at the fishing lodge and the grandfather Jack. Both are common sense, no nonsense men who have learned to cope, adapt and adjust with changes. All of the characters are fully developed and fun to get to know. Even spoiled and entitled Jacqueline ended up having some redeeming qualities, making her one of the most dynamic characters in the book. The plot was well-paced, perfect for a rom-com with some drama mixed in. With life lessons about moving forward, taking chances and learning from mistakes, this is a book not to be missed by fans of entertaining and engaging reads.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

About the Author

**Melody Carlson** is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a *Romantic Times* Career Achievement Award, her novel *All Summer Long* has been made into a Hallmark movie, and the movie based on her novel *The Happy Camper* premiered on UPtv in 2023. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at http://www.MelodyCarlson.com.

Purchase Links

Review of LETHAL DANGER by Jerusha Agen

On April 13, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9781956683325. Publisher:Sdg Words, LLC. Publication date:04/25/2024. Series:Guardians Unleashed ,#4. Pages:430

This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. This threat could eliminate them.

Being a loner is getting old. Jazz Lamont still can’t fit in at the Phoenix K-9 Agency, and she’s losing her best friend. At least providing security with her K-9 partner at the Tri-City Fair will mean revisiting the only place where she once belonged. But a series of accidents threatens her beloved fair and puts lives at risk.

Thriller author Hawthorne Emerson suspects foul play after the first “accident.” Moonlighting as fair security to investigate the death of his sister’s boyfriend, he’s eager to find the truth. He doesn’t expect the task to lead him to the cult he escaped.

Finding the culprit behind the sabotage is personal for Jazz and Hawthorne. But someone else has a personal stake, too. Someone who wants Jazz dead. When everything she thought was true is dismantled, can Jazz risk trusting others-including God-to survive?

My Thoughts

I raced through the story of Jazz Lamont with my heart in my throat and my fingers drumming anxiously as I read all of the threats that were coming Jazz’s way and her calm way of “taking care of business as usual.” Jazz, as a member of Phoenix K-9 Protection and Detective Agency, is accustomed to danger, but she is not ready for the danger to explode in her personal life. The assignment seems like a normal one, to guard and protect the Tri-City Fair that has had a few weird events there lately. Since Jazz’s aunt is the manager of the fair and Jazz spent her childhood summers there, she is attached to the good memories she has and more than willing to participate in protecting it. The threats continue to ramp up, the danger gets closer and more deadly, and Jazz is eager to work alongside author and temporary security guard Hawthorne Emerson. (Swoon!) I really enjoyed the nail-biting suspense because I never knew when or how another attack would occur, either at the fair or to Jazz personally or even to Hawthorne. The story is a gripping tale of escalating tension which features crisp writing and a sparkling, low-key romance. This is a rich story that is infused with spiritual truth, adding to the realism of the characters and the danger they constantly face as well as their close relationships with each other. There are several mysteries to be solved in the storyline, with intricate plot threads masterfully woven together to make one very riveting and action-packed tale. The multiple layers flow together and keep the intrigue and intensity of the plot moving quickly and brilliantly. I really enjoyed the edginess that persisted throughout the story as well as the characters with their complicated personalities and individual strengths. Of course, I loved the canines because they are so intuitive and well-trained that I was confident that they could protect their owners from whatever threat suddenly manifested itself. This head-spinning book had me captivated from beginning to end and I loved every minute I spent getting to know Jazz’s backstory and why she made the choices she did. This cleverly written page turner has me already wanting the next book in the “Guardians Unleashed” series. Addictive and book coma inducing, this book is one of the best romantic thrillers I have ever read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants engaging entertainment that will keep you intrigued and guessing.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian Fiction with Intense Suspense, Rated G

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.
Get a free suspense story from Jerusha and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels at www.JerushaAgen.com.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JerushaAgenAuthor/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jerushaagen/
BOOK BUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jerusha-agen-fd78bc82-831e-41c0-81d6-d02a6ddade0e
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7281400.Jerusha_Agen
NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: https://jerushaagen.com/newsletter-and-blog-subscription/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SDGwords

Purchase Links:

http://lethaldanger.com/

http://jerushastore.com/

Other Books in the Guardians Unleashed Series

Review of SANDCASTLE INN by Irene Hannon

On April 4, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9780800741921

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:04/02/2024

Pages:352

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course—because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B—if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn…and his heart.

My Thoughts

Irene Hannon’s latest book in her Hope Harbor series is a well-crafted and charming story of people who need each other, but they just don’t know it yet. The characters are believable and delightful to get to know, especially Paige and Andrew, a couple down on their luck after a business failure. They are secondary characters but they were my favorites because of Paige’s optimism and her belief that Andrew can still succeed if he is willing to try. Of course, I was immediately drawn into the story of Matt and Vienna, the protagonists. Matt has suffered a devastating loss in his life and is not looking for love while Vienna has just lost her career and is looking for a place to land. All of these exceptional characters end up in Hope Harbor, the little town where dreams become reality and anything can happen. This is a sweet portrayal of family, drama, and developing love, all presented with a depth of emotion and realism that made it a warmhearted and satisfying addition to the series. The characters were easy to cheer for and the scenic setting of a little town with all of its charm and a few quirky characters made the story dance into my heart as it unfolded. There are a few conflicts in this carefully plotted story, but the characters all worked well together towards the happy ending that I so enjoy. I cannot review a Hope Harbor book without mentioning Charlie and his taco stand. Charlie is back again, offering wisdom and even a timely book for Matt to read. The characters, the plot and the setting all combine to make a delightfully satisfying romance with a foundation of faith, hope and family at its core. This book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but I would not miss a single visit to the little town of Hope Harbor and all of the emotional depth that the author so realistically and expertly portrays.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

**Irene Hannon** is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than sixty-five contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. She is also a three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romance fiction—from Romance Writers of America and is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame.
Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carol, HOLT Medallion, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist.
Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.
Irene, who holds a BA in psychology and an MA in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time.
When not writing, she loves to sing, travel, hike, garden, cook, spend time with family, and go on impromptu dates with her own romantic hero.
She and her husband make their home in Missouri.

Purchase Links:

Review of ALWAYS THINK OF ME by Lori Keesey

On April 3, 2024April 3, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9781637557259. Publisher:Mascot Books. Publication date:04/02/2024. Pages:344

Sometimes love gives you a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes it returns in a way you could never imagine.

Tyrus Cal, TC to his friends, had no plans to leave his party boy life, but when he met Ginny at an outdoor music festival, he fell. Hard. He brought out his best stories to charm her, and she returned the sentiment with long-buried secrets about her traumatic past.

When their budding relationship ends abruptly, TC moves on, assuming he won’t get a second chance with the captivating Ginny. But then he does. Just not in the way he expected.

Now he’s on an otherworldly mission to see her again. But that means overcoming his doubts, his fears, and stopping Ginny from doing the unthinkable.

Always Think of Me is an uncommon love story about friendship and do-overs and features a perspective on life that can set us free.

My Thoughts

This is a refreshingly original second chance at romance book with a few surprise twists. TC and Ginny’s meeting at a music festival was humorous at times and also poignant as they both get to know each other well from spending most of the day together. TC is attracted to Ginny, Ginny has to take care of another relationship before she can even think about TC and time passes before they see each other again. I really thoroughly enjoyed the story and the relatable and lovable characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know TC with his joking around and also his vulnerability and compassion for others. He is not your typical swoonworthy hero, but he is worthy of admiration for his heart qualities. Ginny, who had let her past control her present and determine her future, seemed to be a weak character, but she got it together when she needed to. The plot was fast-paced and the entire book was unputdownable and totally engaging. I really wanted to know what would happen to TC and Ginny and the twist kept me glued to the pages as I rushed to finish what is arguably one of the best second chance romance books ever. With a firm foundation in faith, even if the faith originates from a shaky background, this book is uplifting, encouraging and gut-wrenching, all at the same time. The author managed to captivate me with her originality and kept me reading with her sparkle of wit and realism. Don’t miss out on the afterword by the author because it was eye opening and revelatory about the purpose and origins of the book. This is one book that I am more than delighted to have read and would love to give as gifts to friends because everyone needs to read this lovely story of young love and caring for others.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

**Lori Keesey** considers herself among the lucky. Recently retired, Lori enjoyed a 40-plus-year career as a writer and now has time to pursue her childhood dream of writing fictional characters who make a difference.
She’s written for daily newspapers and trade publications and her freelance work has appeared in regional and trade magazines, specifically those specializing in space exploration. Yes, Lori was a space junkie, and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly 20 years.
She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in journalism. There she met Kevin Berry, whom she married in 1980. She is the mother of three boys and one dog.
A devout porch sitter, nothing makes her happier than looking at her view of the Chilhowee Mountains and Smoky Mountain National Park.
Born in Washington, D.C., Lori now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.

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Review of ALWAYS THINK OF ME by Lori Keesey

On April 3, 2024 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9781637557259. Publisher:Mascot Books. Publication date:04/02/2024. Pages:344

Sometimes love gives you a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes it returns in a way you could never imagine.

When their budding relationship ends abruptly, TC moves on, assuming he won’t get a second chance with the captivating Ginny. But then he does. Just not in the way he expected.

Now he’s on an otherworldly mission to see her again. But that means overcoming his doubts, his fears, and stopping Ginny from doing the unthinkable.

Always Think of Me is an uncommon love story about friendship and do-overs and features a perspective on life that can set us free.

My Thoughts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Purchase Links:

Review: NEVER FALL AGAIN by Lynn H. Blackburn

On March 25, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800745363. Publisher:Baker Publishing Group. Publication date:03/12/2024. Series:Gossamer Falls , #1. Pages:352

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. As the artist-in-residence, and with her pottery prized by The Haven’s guests, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently. She wants to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home to grow up in and hires former Marine Callum Shaw to handle the construction.

Cal grew up in Gossamer Falls and always knew he would someday join his family’s business. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. Landry is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. Landry has a daughter and a past. Cal has been down that road before and barely survived when the woman he loved left, taking her two sons with her. He can’t bear to lose like that again.

Before construction on the house can begin, Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire. It soon becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger—but because of whom?

My Thoughts

This book transported me immediately to the beautiful setting of Gossamer Falls, captivated me and would not let me go. The story of Landry, a single mother who is threatened from an unknown source, and Cal, a hero who just wants to stay away from women, is one of the best I have read in romantic suspense. The suspense builds methodically as I was introduced to the characters and got to know more about the danger Landry and her young child Eliza faced. As the danger became more real, my heart was in my throat and this book was absolutely unputdownable. The characters were dynamic, relatable and lovable, if somewhat mysterious. One of my favorite characters is Mo, a man with a lot of secrets and a talent with technology that gets him into secret places with little effort. I also enjoyed meeting Landry, the young woman burned by love who is guarding her and Eliza’s hearts from being hurt again so she is not looking for a new relationship when she moves to Gossamer Falls. The developing friendship between Cal and Landry is realistic and engaging, with my cheering for them to step out and take a chance on love again. The process was fascinating to read and completely entertaining. I loved the suspense that was built into the story, with some really big surprises as Landry’s life and livelihood are attacked. This book is a fast-paced and well-written introduction to what I am sure will be an enthralling series. The author always does a wonderful and thorough job of research and I especially enjoyed the information about Cal’s contracting business and Landry’s pottery. All of the facts from their backgrounds contributed to my fascination with the edgy and brilliantly written tale with its clever twists and complex intrigue that kept the plot moving to a satisfying conclusion.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy because I enjoy this author’s books tremendously and collect them. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian Fiction with intense suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

**Lynn H. Blackburn** loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!
*Unknown Threat*, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award.
She is a frequent conference speaker and has taught writers all over the country. Lynn lives in South Carolina with her true love and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after by signing up for her newsletter at LynnHBlackburn.com and @LynnHBlackburn on Bookbub, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Purchase Links for this Amazing Book:

Review of EMBERS IN THE LONDON SKY by Sarah Sundin

On February 26, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9780800741853

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:02/06/2024

Pages:400

As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.

When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes.

The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.

My Thoughts

This is a powerful and compelling story of a mother’s love, a reporter’s dedication and the hardships faced by those in the middle of the Nazi blitz of London during WWII. Aleida Martens is a sympathetic character who tugged all of my heart strings after she was separated from her beloved preschooler Theo as she fled from the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Knowing only that he was given to strangers to take to London, Aleida determinedly sets out to find him, with no evidence that he even exists. In her quest, she meets Hugh Collingwood, a brave and intrepid reporter for the BBC who is trying to make a name for himself and live through the danger all around him. The two together make a formidable team as they try to right the wrongs being done do the refugee children as well as solve murders that seem to be connected and are piling up. This book was hard to put down and is haunting in its descriptions of the ravages of war and the toll it takes on the most innocent among us. I enjoyed the realistic characterization, the detailed research and the fast-paced plot. The entire book pulled me quickly into the story, captivating me in an era of challenging times but also presenting an unwavering faith in God in spite of circumstances. Mostly historical fiction but also mystery and a commentary on society’s values, this book is one not to be missed and one that will long be remembered as an insightful look at war, dedication and love. No single other author tells a war story as realistically and as skillfully as Sarah Sundin!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian Fiction, Rated PG due to intense war scenes and abusive spouse

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

**Sarah Sundin** enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of Embers in the London Sky (February 2024), The Sound of Light (2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), and several World War II series.
Sarah’s novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award and was a semi-finalist for the 2023 Carol Award, The Sound of Light, When Twilight Breaks, and The Land Beneath Us were finalists for the Christy Award, and The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award.
A mother of three, Sundin lives in Southern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups. Sarah serves as Co-Director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. You can find more information about Sarah and her books at her website https://www.sarahsundin.com/

Purchase Links:

Review of TRAPPED IN YOSEMITE by Dana Mentink

On February 24, 2024February 24, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9781335009043

Publisher:Harlequin

Publication date:02/27/2024

Pages:304

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake.
When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.
Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…

My Thoughts

So, first of all, I have never been to Yosemite, but after reading this book, I truly want to go and see the sights, just without all the danger that the characters in this book faced. Stella Rivers is meeting a client in the park when the earthquake occurs and her life is thrown into chaos. Not only is she in danger from the ravages of nature, but there also seems to be someone intent on killing her for some unknown reason. Not to worry because there is a hero ready to protect their, none other than her former ex-fiancée Von Sharpe. Von is a K-9 handler and has the most amazing and well trained dog named Bear. Bear was one of my favorite characters in the book because he is so protective and intuitive about when someone is in danger. In fact, all of the characters are well developed and all of them are stuck together in a small camp in Yosemite, trying to survive natural disasters as well as man-made threats. I enjoyed the constant feeling that something new and dangerous was always about to happen, even when all seemed peaceful. I really liked the red herrings and misdirection provided by the author that led me on a merry chase of continually guessing incorrectly who the villain was. Mostly, I enjoyed the lightning fast pace of the story and getting to know the characters who jumped off the page into my heart and mind. This is compelling romantic suspense with a touch of thriller and a lot of mind-spinning twists. Yes, Yosemite is on my bucket list now to visit as it was so well portrayed by the author. I just don’t want to get trapped there, by nature or a killer.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her review team. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

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 and Poisoned Pen Press.
**Connect with the author online:** Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Amazon Dana Mentink Home Page

Available for Pre-Order Now! Releases on Tuesday, 2-27-24. Purchase Links:

I highly recommend this book and hope that you will pre-order it today! Many thanks to author Dana Mentink for inviting me to be a part of her launch team and for providing an ARC to read and review!

Review of ONE WRONG MOVE by Dani Pettrey

On February 19, 2024February 18, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9780764238482

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:02/06/2024

Series:Jeopardy Falls , #1

Pages:400

Christian O’Brady was pulled into a life of crime at a young age by his con artist parents. Now making amends for his corrupt past, he has become one of the country’s foremost security experts. When a string of Southwestern art heists targets one of the galleries Christian secured, he is paired up with a gifted insurance investigator who has her own checkered past.

Andi Forester was a brilliant FBI forensic analyst until her career was destroyed. She now puts those skills to work investigating insurance fraud, and this latest high-stakes case will test her gift to the limit. Drawn deep into a dangerous game with an opponent bent on revenge, Christian and Andi are in a race against the clock to catch him, but the perpetrator’s game is far from finished, and one wrong move could be the death of them both.

My Thoughts

This new series by Dani Pettrey begins with this book filled with heart-pounding suspense and developing romance. Two couples are introduced who are both tasked with solving two different crimes and also feeling attraction for one another. Cristian and Andi are the main characters and are working together to solve several high-value art heists. With their lives in danger and the attraction between the two of them beginning to sizzle, their story was engaging and totally mind-blowing at times. The second of the dual storylines deals with Harper and Deckard who are looking into the case of Andi’s being accused of mishandling evidence and getting kicked out of the FBI. Their story was just as compelling and also fraught with danger for the two who have chemistry that they both try to deny. The romance is realistic, the danger to the investigators produces non-stop action and characters that are dynamic and relatable. I really enjoyed the setting in New Mexico and all of the descriptions that let me imagine myself there, enjoying the beautiful patio in Christian’s house and the mountains that surround it. I loved this book and think it may be one of the best from the author, with details that made the story engrossing and research as well as faith that are seamlessly woven into the story. This is a book not to be missed by fans of romantic suspense, in a new place with new characrters and danger coming from unexpected places. I enjoyed the glimpses at evil that were shown at times as well as the clues and red herrings. Everything about this novel makes it the quintessential romantic suspense with a firm faith foundation and lots of information about the new characters in Jeopardy Falls. I am already looking forward to the new book in the series; I am hooked on Jeopardy Falls and the investigators there.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Intense suspense, rated PG. Christian Fiction

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Purchase Links:

Review of FATAL WITNESS by Patricia Bradley

On February 17, 2024 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

Author: Patricia Bradley
Series: The Pearl River Series, Book 2
Genres: Romance, Suspense
Tag: #christiansuspense. Publisher: Revell
ASIN: B0C9RNHMY9
ISBN: 9780800741631 Pages: 385

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she’s been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

My Thoughts

This book is amazing as it follows the story of Dani Bennett whose parents were murdered when she was just a young child. Ripped away from her familiar surroundings by her Uncle Keith, she has been working as an artist in the badlands of Montana when she begins to get curious about her partial memories that keep surfacing. Returning to the little town of Pearl Springs, TN, Dani finds her grandmother and a protector named Mark Lassiter. She didn’t even know she needed protection until multiple attempts are made on her life. This book has riveting suspense and characters who are relatable with complicated personalities. This well-crafted story is totally addictive, with its non-stop action and its sensitive exploration of trauma as well as the way Dani’s lost memory is teasingly revealed slowly. I loved the descriptions of the settings, especially in Tennessee where the author made it easy for me to picture the winding roads and the isolation of some of the homes. With intricate plot threads that the author draws seamlessly together into one well written story, this book is one filled with depth and is brilliant in the way the multiple layers come together in the end. My favorite characters were the Puli dog that Dani owns who is well trained to protect her and Mark’s dog Gem who is nothing short of remarkable in his abilities and intuitiveness. This is a cleverly written page turner with a fast pace, tight plot and good chemistry between the characters. Fans of romantic suspense will love this book as it is one I could not put down!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Clean Christian Fiction with some intense suspense; Rated PG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today best-selling author, **Patricia Bradley** is the recipient numerous awards, including an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in suspense, a Selah winner, was a Carol and a Daphne du Maurier finalist. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series, the Memphis Cold Case Novels, and the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. She is now hard at work on the second book in her new Pearl River series set in the Cumberland Plateau area above Chattanooga. The first book in the series, Counter Attack will release in mid-2023.

She has conducted writing workshops for American Christian Fiction Writers, the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, the KenTen and Scrivener retreats (where she was the keynote), the Memphis American Christian Fiction Writer group, and the Bartlett Christian Writers group.
She and her two cats call Northeast Mississippi home–the South is also where she sets most of her books, and when she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.
For more information about Ms. Bradley and her books, check out her website at https://ptbradley.com/meet-patricia/

PURCHASE LINKS:

COUNTER ATTACK, PEARL RIVER BOOK 1

(The first book in the series is also available. Both may be read as standalones.)

Author: Patricia Bradley
Series: The Pearl River Series, Book 1
Genres: Mystery, Romance
Tag: Recommended Books
ASIN: 0800741625
ISBN: 9780800741624

USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Patricia Bradley begins a new series set in the Cumberland Plateau around Chattanooga. A serial killer is stalking women in Pearl Springs, Tennessee, leaving chess clues at the scene of the murders.

With continued appreciation to Revell for this blogger program that gives me access to review such wonderful fiction!