Review of DECEPTION by Patricia Bradley

On August 10, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

This is a multi-layered story about family, broken relationships, new relationships and forgiveness. Madison Thorne is an ISB Ranger and returns to her home town of Natchez to investigate a white-collar crime. Once there, she is caught up in a vortex of cases, including murder and human trafficking. There are so many characters pretending to be what they are not that it was hard to keep up with all of their secrets and lies, but what a high entertainment factor! The action did not stop from the shooting on the Trace until the very end. The plot was definitely fast-paced and intriguing since I never knew what new twist would be added next. Madison was a sympathetic character with a flagging faith and loss of her ability to trust people, especially men. Clayton, the Ranger who patrols the Trace and an old nemesis of Madison’s, is a character with sin in his past that he is still trying to overcome. He and Madison team up to solve the mysteries and the murder of a relative close to Madison. I liked how the characters were realistically portrayed, with weaknesses that were difficult for them to overcome, but they kept trying. There were definitely some unlikable characters, like Madison’s father who seemed to be controlling and manipulative without caring about his daughter’s feelings at all. My favorite character was a secondary one named Nadine, the housekeeper for Madison’s grandfather, and a wonderful woman who dispensed wisdom just at the right moments. With danger closing in, Madison and Clayton have to solve the cases before they end up being victims, too. This was a race to the finish and had a spark of romance added that was a welcome addition to the story. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy the trip to Mississippi and the unraveling of the story of deception and discovering the truth.
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. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Rated G for general audiences. This is a clean Christian romantic suspense.

*Honoring God through my writing is top priority for this Mississippi Writer.*
Thank you so much for visiting my website today!
I am a USA Today Best Selling Romantic Suspense writer living in the Deep South. My first published works were short stories published in *Woman’s World* Blood Kin is available on the website as a thank you for visiting my site!. And now I’m the proud author of fourteen novels and five novellas. I am also proud to be represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
I have three series published by Revell, a division of Baker Books: *The Logan Point Series, The Memphis Cold Case Novels,* and *The Natches Tracer Park Rangers.* Learn more about all my books on the Books Page!
I’m working on book #15, the first book set in the Cumberland Plateau, just north of Chattanooga. When I have a title, I’ll be back and let you know.
I’ve also done the unthinkable–written a couple of romances with no suspense–who would’ve thought it’d be such fun? You can read more about them here.
I’m also co-founder of Aiming for Healthy Famillies, Inc. an abstinence/healthy relationship organization that offers youth the skills to make better choices.
I speak to audiences nationwide about writing and also teach writing courses at conferences I would love to have the opportunity to speak to your group or teach at your conference. Feel free to contact me here.
When I’m not writing or speaking (Or playing with my rescue kitties), I throw mud on a wheel and try to make something beautiful. **BIO and Photo from the author’s website at** http://www.ptbradley.com

Available Now! Purchase Links:

Review of STAY AWAKE by Megan Goldin

On August 9, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

Wow! Just a big wow at how intricately the plot is woven around the theme of a woman with amnesia who forgets everything once she falls asleep. Liv is the victim of a traumatic incident in her life, resulting in her amnesia and also putting her life in danger. When two friends are killed and she is the only witness as well as a suspect, Liv cannot remember what happened at all, but her life depends on her regaining her memory. When another friend is killed and Liv is the primary suspect, she wanders around the city trying to recall who she is and where she should be. I really enjoyed how tightly woven together the plot was and how it all came together in a spectacularly mesmerizing conclusion. I was impressed by the detective work of Halliday and her dogged determination to find out the truth about the murders. There were interesting details added, like Liv’s work at a magazine called Cultura and her hanging out at a bar called Nocturnal. I liked that all of the details ended up being important in the end and were actually clues. This is a book to read for pleasure the first time and to read for honing your detective skills the second time. It would also make a great book for a book club, with the discussion centered around the effects of amnesia and recovered memory. This was edge-of-your-seat suspense with a lot of psychological thriller mixed in, just the right combination to enthrall, entice and entertain.
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. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*Photo from* http://www.mysteryandsuspense.com

Author Bio: MEGAN GOLDIN, author of THE ESCAPE ROOM and THE NIGHT SWIM, worked as a correspondent for Reuters and other media outlets where she covered war, peace, international terrorism and financial meltdowns in the Middle East and Asia. She is now based in Melbourne, Australia where she raises three sons and is a foster mum to Labrador puppies learning to be guide dogs. BIO from http://www.us.macmillan.com

Happy Release Day to Megan Goldin and to the publishing team at St. Martin’s Press! Get this dynamic page turner today by following a link below:

From St. Martin’s Press on Amazon:

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the invitation to read and review an ARC of this book. It is amazing and I recommend to all who enjoy a good book that captures you and won’t let you go!

Review of THE NEW NEIGHBOR by Karen Cleveland

On August 3, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

I have read all the books in the series and enjoyed each one thoroughly. This latest Beth Bradford book required that I pay close attention to all of the details or I would get lost in them. There are a lot of characters and a lot of spy action constantly happening, with unexpected plot twists, some of them not believable but there nonetheless. In this story, Beth has lost all that is important to her…her marriage is on the rocks, her youngest son has left for college and her beloved family home has been sold. All she has to cling to is her job as a CIA analyst and her quest to find an Iranian intelligence operative known as “the Neighbor.” However, even her job is jerked out from under her as she is sent to a new place and a new assignment, with all of her hard work about the Neighbor being given to others or shredded as useless. Determined to find out who the Neighbor is and without the sanction of the CIA, Beth investigates on her own and thinks she has found this super-spy, living in her old house. This is where the plot divulged from possibly reality and I was not sure if Beth was totally sane or not. She pursues the case against Madeline, the new resident, relentlessly and unashamedly insists that her former bosses listen to her case against Madeline. The book is intriguing all the way to the end, but I could not buy into the conclusion. It was not at all what I expected and it was also a bit of a letdown after all of the fast-paced page turning that I did to get there. Beth, the main character, was completely well-developed and likable, although not totally relatable since I don’t really know any CIA agents (at least, not that I know of). The secondary characters were less developed, like well-kept secrets and kind of shady. I decided that was a purposeful act of the author since in doing so, it was hard to guess who the spy actually was. So, good characterization there! I found the book enjoyable and riveting entertainment but not my favorite in the series. I still give it a five-star rating because it kept me glued to the pages to find out what was going to happen to Beth and if she was losing her skill as an analyst just as her boss seemed to think. Fans of domestic suspense, spy thrillers and mystery will enjoy this book and look forward to more from this author who entertains and makes you question the roles of those around you.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

**Photo and Bio from the author’s website at** http://www.karen-cleveland.com

This book is a new release and is available now. It is part of a series but can be definitely read as a standalone. Purchase Links:

Review of THE LIES I TOLD by Mary Burton

On July 28, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

This book is an intricately woven and multi-layered suspense/murder mystery that is centered around a family with a lot of problems. Marisa’s twin sister Clare was murdered when she was sixteen. As a result, Marisa has a problem with alcohol abuse and the inability to close that chapter of her life since Clare’s killer was never caught. Brit, her older sister, is a control freak who is a successful lawyer who generally gets her way about everything. The cast of characters is as numerous as the possible suspects and at times, it was difficult to discern the red herrings from the real clues. The story was so well-woven and intricately designed to keep me interested and guessing. There are friends who were around when Clare was killed, new friends, a police detective about to retire and unhappy that he hasn’t been able to close the case. I loved how the author developed the plot like a spiral…start from the outside with a lot of different things that could be true and work towards the middle to what is actually true. This was an edge-of-my-seat and talk-to-the-characters kind of book for me. I didn’t want to see Marisa hurt, even though she showed her weaknesses at times and allowed herself to be manipulated. In fact, this is a book about manipulation, trust issues, addiction and anger issues that was hard to put down. The plot was believable and the details so realistic that at times I felt as though I were reading a news report. The characters were not so much likable as easy to get to know and feel sympathy for them. The book is told with several POVs including Richards, the detective, Brit, Jo-Jo (a good friend) and Marisa, with Marisa’s story being the majority of the narration. The pieces of the mystery fit together like a good puzzle once the climax was reached and what had really happened to Clare was laid out clearly. Then, the part after the climax was amazingly well done, with a little nudge to make me think about what would happen to these characters whom I had befriended after I finished the book. What a great book for fans of mystery and suspense who like to play Sherlock Holmes as they read!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Rated PG for content. Triggers include: rape, assault, violence, and substance abuse.

*BIO and PHOTO from the author’s website at* http://www.maryburton.com

This mesmerizing book is available on August 2, 2022, but you can pre-order it now. Purchase Links:

Connect with the author on social media by following one of these links:

Book Bub

Facebook

Goodreads

With deep appreciation to the author for including me on her review team!

Review of THE LAST LIE TOLD by Debra Webb

On July 27, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

Finley O’Sullivan, the protagonist of a new series, is my new favorite heroine. Smart, determined and with a past that could kill a weaker person, Finley is a legal investigator who throws her best efforts into whatever task she is assigned. Working with Jack, the head of the investigative agency and her godfather, Finley is tenacious as well as compassionate with the clients. The realistic portrayal of the characters, with all of their weaknesses and self-doubts, is what makes this author one of the best and one of my go-to authors when I want a good book to read. This book was exceptional in that it introduced a new series with a complicated plot and plenty of suspects to choose from. The twists were innumerable and there were plenty of surprises along the way, too. I liked the relationships that Finley had with Jack and her friend Matt, a man who seems to want more but who isn’t pushy about it. I was captivated by Finlay’s mother, the Judge, because she has few attributes of a mom and all of the characteristics of a woman seeking more power. I am looking forward to finding out more about their broken relationship in future books of the series. The plot is one that is original, with a killer recanting his confession and the repercussions from his actions to all involved in the original murder, investigation and conviction. There are some real lowlifes in the book who genuinely need to be taken behind the woodshed and have some sense knocked into them. But they are integral parts of the story, so I was content just to dislike them. There is a sub-plot, too, in which Finley is trying desperately to find the men who murdered her husband Derrick and left her injured in body and soul. There are quite a few twists in that part of the tale, too! Fans of suspense with a kick butt female protagonist will enjoy this new series as much as I did and look forward to the next book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.” Final note: I pre-ordered my own copy of this book because I love the author’s writing style so much that I have a collection of them.

DEBRA WEBB is the *USA Today* bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the *Faces of Evil*, the Colby Agency and the Shades of Death series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel. With this award Debra joined the ranks of a handful of authors like Nora Roberts and Carole Mortimer.
With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm and spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.

**Photo and Bio are from the author’s website at** http://www.debrawebb.com

This book releases on August 1, 2022. It is available to preorder now! Purchase Links:

GET THIS BOOK TODAY AND ON AUGUST 1, YOU CAN MEET FINLEY O’SULLIVAN FOR YOURSELF!

Review of THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center

On July 19, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

This is one of those books that I didn’t want to ever end because I was having so much fun reading about Hannah and Jack and their misadventures. Hannah Brooks is a small woman in stature but she leaves a big footprint as an executive protection agent. Her current assignment is to protect superstar Jack Stapleton from a would-be stalker and against her better judgment, she pretends to be his girlfriend in order to stay undercover. Her role as a bodyguard soon takes a swift turn off the tracks when Hannah finds herself protecting her own heart just as much as she is protecting Jack. The story of these two totally different people is one for the record books and was laugh out loud humorous at times. There were also serious moments as Hannah came to some deep realizations about herself, her past and her choices. The lessons she learns as she travels the path of self-acceptance are invaluable to all of us who have ever dealt with self-esteem issues. The characters are mostly likable and relatable, although I must admit that Robby is a playboy who thinks he’s all that and more, so not particularly my cup of tea. I did enjoy meeting Wilbur, a man with deep problems and a huge talent for making birdhouses. Glenn, Hannah’s boss, was rough around the edges and very demanding but also practical and real-to-life. The plot moved along at a fast clip, much to my dismay, because I seriously did not want this story to end. I wanted to know more about Hank, Jack’s brother, and his parents and Hannah’s backstory. And I wanted to know more about Doghouse and Kelly who seemed kind of attracted to each other in a quirky kind of way. There are so many reasons to like this book and I cannot think of one reason why someone wouldn’t enjoy it. It’s light, contemporary fiction with some very original twists in a creative plot.
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. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*BookPage* calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the *New York Times* bestselling author of eight books, including *How to Walk Away*, *Things You Save in a Fire*, and her newest, *What You Wish For*. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas *Morning News* calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Her books have made countless Best-Of lists, including *RealSimple*’s Best Books of 2020, Amazon’s Top 100 Books of 2019, Goodreads’ Best Books of the Year, and many more. Bestselling author Emily Henry calls her summer 2022 book, *The Bodyguard*, “a shot of pure joy.” The movie adaptation of Katherine’s novel *The Lost Husband* (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and her novel *Happiness for Beginners* is in production now as a Netflix original starring Ellie Kemper. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog. **Photo and Bio from the author’s website at** http://www.katherinecenter.com

New book releases today! Purchase Links:

Review of THE EXTRAORDINARY DEATHS OF MRS. KIP by Sara Brunsvold

On July 11, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review8 Comments

Oh, my! My eyes are still leaking tears as I ponder what to write in a review that would do this incomparable book justice. It is the story of an elderly woman who goes to hospice and the reporter assigned to write her obituary and eventually her story. Mrs. Kip is just the person I aspire to be, pouring out her life selflessly for the sake of others in need, including the young cub reporter Aidyn Kelley. The assignment meant to be a consequence for Ms. Kelley turns out to be the biggest blessing of her life as she discovers what it means to walk a life of faith, no matter the cost. Some of the story is based on facts about the Laotian refugees who settled in Kansas City and the volunteers who offered them hope in a new world. Mrs. Kip’s story of her exploits with the refugees was nothing short of breathtaking and awe-inspiring. In fact, her entire story is one that makes me want to know this fictional character in real life, and if I can’t know her, I want to be just like her. Her battles on earth were not just against the death encroaching on her now, but they were always waiting for her to surrender to the despair and hopelessness that she should have felt in the presence of insurmountable circumstances. I cannot write too much about the plot without giving away spoilers and it is my desire that everyone who reads this review get a copy of the book and savor it as I have. It is a book to read with others, discuss with book groups and to carry in one’s heart as a testimony to what can be accomplished by one person who stands in the gap. If you only read one book besides your Bible this year, let it be this one. This is inspirational fiction at its very best and deserves much more than the five stars that I can give it. It is without any doubt the best contemporary Christian fiction book that I have ever read!
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. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Sara Brunsvold creates stories that speak hope, truth, and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find His fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. Sara’s recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. She lives with her family in Kansas City, where she can often be spotted writing at a park or library.

Awards
ACFW Genesis Contest Winner, Contemporary Category, 2020
ACFW Genesis Contest Semi-Finalist, Contemporary Category, 2018
Mattie Dykes Creative Writing Award – Fiction, 2000 **PHOTO and BIO from the author’s website at** http://www.sarabrunsvold.com

This amazing book by a debut author is available now. Purchase Links:

Review of SUNBURST by Susan May Warren

On July 8, 2022July 8, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Former SEAL Ranger Kingston is involved in a mission to rescue a group in Nigeria from Boko Haram. In fulfilling this mission, he meets Noemi Sutton for the second time and realizes that they may be destined to be together. With his brothers Dodge and Colt, Ranger runs toward danger and this book is chock full of action from page one all the way to the end. Set mostly in Nigeria but also in Alaska, the descriptions themselves make the book worth reading. The characters were take-charge and rough and ready kind of people. I especially loved Noemi’s family in Nigeria, particularly her Aunt Precious and Uncle Efe who loved her so much and wanted to take care of her. The celebration that they organized for her was sheer perfection to read and an education about customs in Nigeria. Ranger’s family in Alaska is a daring one, with a sky rescue service and the willingness to go wherever they were needed. So much was happening in this book at all times that I almost got whiplash from reading it! This was a fun, entertaining and edge-of-your-seat read that I had difficulty putting down. Each time I returned to it, I was so happy to see that the characters were all still alive because it was that realistic. I loved every minute that I spent engrossed in this book and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. Fans of romantic suspense, with the emphasis on thrilling suspense, will devour this book and clamor for more from this talented author.
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. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*The intense action and events make this a PG-13. It is a clean Christian read.*

With over 1 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas.
With books translated into eight languages, many of her novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.
Of her books, Publisher’s Weekly has written, “Warren lays bare her characters’ human frailties, including fear, grief, and resentment, as openly as she details their virtues of love, devotion, and resiliency. She has crafted an engaging tale of romance, rivalry, and the power of forgiveness.”
And Library Journal adds, “Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance…”
Susan is also a nationally acclaimed writing coach, teaching at conferences around the nation and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year award. She loves to help people launch their writing careers and is the founder of Novel.Academy and http://www.LearnHowtoWriteaNovel.com, a writing website that helps authors get published and stay published. She’s also the author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation. **BIO and PHOTO from the author’s website on Amazon at** Amazon

This book is available now and can be purchased wherever Christian books are sold. Here are purchase links:

Review of THE BEST IS YET TO COME by Debbie Macomber

On July 7, 2022July 7, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

Who doesn’t like a good romance with a good lesson to learn? This book is a perfect romance between two lost souls who need to find each other. Hope is newly settled into the small town of Oceanside, teaching and counseling at the local high school and trying to make friends by volunteering at the local animal shelter. There she meets Cade Lincoln, an ex-marine who is a wounded veteran. She also meets Shadow there, a poor abused dog who trusts no one except Hope. It’s love at first sight for Hope and Shadow and Cade isn’t far behind. How they get to their “happily ever after” is an amazing trip with some unexpected turns and complications, including students taking drugs, vandalism and family drama. I really enjoyed the sub-plot about teen Spencer and his attempt at being accepted by a girl he really likes but who is so popular his chances are slim. The lessons taught include never giving up, being hopeful for the future and choosing to do the right thing in spite of obstacles and others leading the wrong way. I especially liked the inclusion of honoring veterans who sacrifice so much for our nation. This is a wholesome book that is encouraging and uplifting as well as a really good story.
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. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2022, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publications include *The Best Is Yet to Come* (July) and *The Christmas Spirit* (October). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, two adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
2022 Debbie Macomber Bio

This book will be released on July 12, 2022. It is available for preorders now. Purchase Links:

Review of CRITICAL ALLIANCE by Elizabeth Goddard

On July 4, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

This is a well-researched book that delves into the dark world of cybercriminals and also informed me of how much harm a cyber attack can actually do. Part of the Rocky Mountain Courage series, this one knocked it out of the park with suspense from the very beginning until the end. I liked the picturesque setting in Montana and all of the ways that the setting was used so well for the non-stop action. I particularly enjoyed the low-key romance developing between Alex and Mackenzie. They were so busy concentrating on finding and stopping the cyber attack that they barely had time to acknowledge each other’s feelings, but they were definitely attracted to each other. That is my kind of love story, simmering on the back burner until one day it catches on fire. The plot was complicated and very well told so that it was understandable in spite of the fact that it dealt with some really complex issues in the cyber world. I really enjoyed meeting the characters from the previous books in the series again as they were called in to help Alex safeguard Mackenzie and capture the criminal. I was not able to guess who the bad guy was, and I do love a book that keeps me guessing until the big reveal. Fans of romantic suspense, with the emphasis on suspense, will enjoy this final book in the trilogy and, like me, will look forward to the next book from this talented author.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian fiction with some intense action

Bio:
With over a million books sold, Elizabeth Goddard is the *USA Today* bestselling, award-winning author of over fifty novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES–a 2011 Carol Award winner. Four of her six Mountain Cove books have been contest finalists. *Buried,* *Backfire* and *Deception*are finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, and *Submerged* is a Carol Award finalist. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to fulfill her dreams of writing full-time.
Information from the author’s website at https://elizabethgoddard.com

Questions and Answers from the author:

1. This book deals with cyber-security as the villain and heroine are hackers. What led you in that direction?

I have a computer science degree and worked in the software industry for almost a decade before retiring to become a writer. Cybercrime is a huge issue since we are all connected to technology so I decided to dive into the topic, especially since I love to bring intrigue into my adventure stories, this one in Montana.

2. What was the most interesting (or most frightening) thing you learned while doing research for this book?

While conferring with a cyber security expert, I learned that almost anything I could imagine a hacker could do—they actually CAN do.

3. What was your favorite part of writing this book/series?

I loved writing about both my characters, Mackenzie and Alex. I especially enjoyed writing about Alex’s character and his background as a Diplomatic Security Services special agent

4. Did anything in the story end up surprising you or changing trajectory?

What a great question. This often happens in stories and that’s okay because if it surprises me, then it surprises my readers. If the trajectory changes, then that’s a great twist as well. On Critical Alliance, I’m not sure the trajectory was changed, but since I mostly write by the “seat-of-my-pants” everything was a surprise.

5. Do you base your characters (even loosely) on anyone you know?

I do not intentionally base a character on someone I know, but I think it’s impossible not to include bits of every person you’ve ever met when creating a brand-new character.

6. Do you have any “bits of trivia” or “behind the scenes tidbits” that you would like to share with my readers?

Yes! I introduce Detective Trevor West in Critical Alliance and he shows up as the main character in book 2 in my Missing in Alaska series—coming next year.

7. What’s coming next and when can we expect it?

Cold Light of Day is book 1 in my brand-spanking-new series, Missing in Alaska, and will release in February 2023. I’m so excited for you to get your hands on this first book.

Thank you for having me! Readers can stay in the knows by signing up for my newsletter at my website: elizabethgoddard.com

This book will be released tomorrow, on July 5th, but you can preorder it now. Purchase Links:

Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner

Tag: five stars

Review of DECEPTION by Patricia Bradley

Available Now! Purchase Links:

Review of STAY AWAKE by Megan Goldin

Happy Release Day to Megan Goldin and to the publishing team at St. Martin’s Press! Get this dynamic page turner today by following a link below:

From St. Martin’s Press on Amazon:

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the invitation to read and review an ARC of this book. It is amazing and I recommend to all who enjoy a good book that captures you and won’t let you go!

Review of THE NEW NEIGHBOR by Karen Cleveland

This book is a new release and is available now. It is part of a series but can be definitely read as a standalone. Purchase Links:

Review of THE LIES I TOLD by Mary Burton

This mesmerizing book is available on August 2, 2022, but you can pre-order it now. Purchase Links:

Connect with the author on social media by following one of these links:

With deep appreciation to the author for including me on her review team!

Review of THE LAST LIE TOLD by Debra Webb

This book releases on August 1, 2022. It is available to preorder now! Purchase Links:

GET THIS BOOK TODAY AND ON AUGUST 1, YOU CAN MEET FINLEY O’SULLIVAN FOR YOURSELF!

Review of THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center

New book releases today! Purchase Links:

Review of THE EXTRAORDINARY DEATHS OF MRS. KIP by Sara Brunsvold

This amazing book by a debut author is available now. Purchase Links:

Review of SUNBURST by Susan May Warren

This book is available now and can be purchased wherever Christian books are sold. Here are purchase links:

Review of THE BEST IS YET TO COME by Debbie Macomber

This book will be released on July 12, 2022. It is available for preorders now. Purchase Links:

Review of CRITICAL ALLIANCE by Elizabeth Goddard

Questions and Answers from the author:

This book will be released tomorrow, on July 5th, but you can preorder it now. Purchase Links: