I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
ISBN-13:9781335980649 Publisher:Harlequin. Publication date:05/27/2025. Series:Lone Star Defenders , #2 Pages:208
Can she crack a decade-old cold case before the murderer silences her?
The moment FBI agent Christy Williams arrives in Mercy, Texas, determined to solve her friend’s disappearance twelve years ago, she becomes a killer’s number one target. Ignoring the threats on her life, she partners with Deputy Mike Tyner, the cousin of one of the chief suspects…and the last person to see her friend alive. As they work to investigate this cold case together, it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden. With time running out, can Mike keep Christy alive long enough to find justice for her friend?
My Thoughts
This is an intriguing book about an FBI agent who is pursuing a cold case in which her best friend and college roommate went home to Mercy, Texas, and disappeared. Poof! Vanished! Agent Christy Williams goes to Mercy to try to find out what happened to Dawn over a decade ago and ends up working with Detective Mike Tyner. There are some interesting dynamics in this scenario since Christy was friends with Dawn and Mike happens to be a cousin of a chief suspect, a man that Christy doesn’t trust at all. The plot is fast-paced with plenty of complications and red herrings. There are also a lot of really good clues that led me to guess who the villain was but my correct guess did not detract at all from the drama of the story and all of the events leading up to the conclusion. I enjoyed getting to know the relatable characters, but my real enjoyment came from the way the characters interacted and worked together to solve the mystery of what happened to Dawn. With a family’s peace of mind at stake, Christy is determined to find out the truth, even when it means that her life is in danger. This is a book cries out to be read quickly as it is hard to put down! 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.
Love Inspired Suspense, Clean Read
About the Author
Virginia Vaughan is a former investigator for the State of Mississippi who left a promising career to pursue her dream of being a writer. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include hearing stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself, delving into the genre of romantic suspense, armed with her passion for writing and the knowledge gained from her criminal justice background.
Visit her Readers page to learn more about Virginia’s books, giveaways, and more!
Caught in a blizzard pregnant and alone, former Amish woman Florene Schroder stumbles upon an unexpected sanctuary on an Amish farm. She never expects her rescuer to be Gil Kestler, a gentle giant from the community she left behind years ago. Forced together as they brave the storm, their wounded hearts slowly begin to warm toward one another. But as the snow starts to melt, can they conquer their fears to embrace love…or will the secrets they harbor keep them apart?
My Thoughts
What an uplifting story of hope and faith as Florene meets her destiny in her search for refuge from her abusive partner and from a blizzard! This story captured my heart and my imagination from the first page and kept me engrossed in it until the end. When Florene was tossed out of the car during a blizzard, she had no way of knowing that her rescuer would be a gentle giant named Gil. Taking shelter with his family, Florene learns the meaning of true faith and being willing to reach out to help others. I liked the dynamics between the characters and how realistically they were portrayed, with their raw edges exposed. I really enjoyed the story that had a hint of mystery to it involving the brother Eli’s shenanigans and desire to be free of his family’s homestead. The faith foundation was an integral part of the story as Florene needs to find her way back to God before she can be whole again and gentle Gil gives her the example she needs to do just that. This is a book that should not be missed by anyone who enjoys Christian romance with a hint of danger and a lot of family love and romance. Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Love Inspired Romance, Clean Read, Rated G
About the Author
Pamela Desmond Wright grew up in a small, dusty Texas town. From the time she learned to read, books have been her passion. Beginning with Dick and Jane, progressing through Nancy Drew and then on to romances of all genres, Pamela devoured stories by popular authors such as Barbara Cartland, Jackie Collins, Rosemary Rogers, Shirley Conrad and many, many others. At one time Pamela was the proud owner of 5 library cards.
A veteran of the e-book revolution of the late ’90’s, Pamela moved into traditional print publishing, writing in the paranormal and adult romance genres for Kensington and NAL/Penguin. Nominated 2 times, she won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awardin 2010. Pamela was also a founder of the scam publishers and agents website, The Write Connection, which was transferred to the SFWA through (then) vice-president A.C. Crispin to become Writer Beware. Her experiences with scam agents and publishers was documented in Professor Jim Fisher’s book, Ten Percent of Nothing: The Case of the Literary Agent From Hell.
In 2013, Pam took a break from writing to reassess her career choices. Unable to shake the story bug, she came back in 2019 with a new focus and vision, fulfilling a promise to write inspirational and wholesome books her entire family could enjoy. Though her characters are often handed difficult challenges in life, they always persevere over the darker times through the power of faith and love.
After signing with Tamela H. Murray of The Steve Laube Agency, Pamela sold her first Amish Romance to Harlequin for the Love Inspired imprint. Released in September 2021, The Cowboy’s Amish Haven debuted on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller List. Since that time, her Love Inspired titles have consistently made the top 25. In late 2022, she signed a new deal with Harlequin Love Inspired for 6 more Amish titles.
Like the Amish, Pamela is a fan of the simple life. Her childhood includes memories of the olden days; old-fashioned oil lamps, cooking over an authentic wood-burning stove and making popcorn over a crackling fire at the cabin owned by her grandparents. She also loves needlepoint and has dozens of projects to work on! Website: Pamela Desmond Wright
Caught in a hail of gunfire, FBI agent Eli Buchanan’s only thought is to protect his five-year-old daughter. With no other option left, he turns to his ex-girlfriend, US Forest Service ranger Molly Calhoun, for help. Together, they flee into the Pennsylvania wilderness, but the cybercriminal targeting them is hot on their trail. As they navigate the dangers of the wild, Eli and Molly must put aside their past and team up to ensure Skylar’s safety. Will they be able to outsmart their pursuer, or will they become his next victims?
My Thoughts
The story of the FBI agent who has to flee cybercriminals in the Allegheny Mountains is a compelling one. But when Eli’s young daughter Skylar and his former girlfriend Molly were added to the mix, the book became even more satisfying. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was drawn to Molly, the ranger who studies plants and tries to save things, When she is faced with danger and has to choose to help Eli protect Skyler, she doesn’t hesitate. Molly is courageous and willing to sacrifice for the safety of others, even though that is not her area of expertise. The plot is fast-paced and kept me guessing all the way to the end. I had a suspicion about who the criminals might be, but I was wrong multiple times, since the red herrings were so well crafted. The setting is atmospheric and perfect for the action taking place, with plenty of places to take refuge and lots to enjoy along the way. The chemistry between Molly and Eli was definitely perking, but the relationship between Skylar and Molly was touching. Skylar is a motherless child and seems to bond with Molly seamlessly, knowing that she can be trusted. That bond was carried throughout the story and was a sweet portrayal of the innocence of a child as well as their intuitive knowledge of who can be trusted. Filled with suspense and jaw-dropping twists, this tale is one not to be missed because it has it all: a riveting plot that is fast-paced, characters that popped from the page into my heart, and a setting that was unique and realistic. Disclaimer: I voluntarily 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.
Love Inspired Suspense, Clean Read, PG
About the Author
Kerry Johnson spent a magical childhood climbing mossy rocks and forging cold streams in the woods outside Newtown, Connecticut. She moved to Florida as a teenager, and now lives in Tampa Bay with her patient engineer husband, two active teen boys and one bubbly niece, and a few unique pets you can’t really pet. She earned her B.S. in English Education from the University of South Florida, and taught middle school remedial reading and drama before spending eight years as a stay-at-home mom and wife. She has been published in Creation Illustrated, Granola Bar Devotionals, and was a regular contributor to Tampa Bay’s Overflow Magazine from 2011-2013.
Kerry is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and FHLCW (Faith Hope Love Christian Writers). Her middle grade manuscript and contemporary romance won their categories in the ACFW Genesis Contest (2017 and 2020), and she finaled seven times. Her contemporary romance won RWA-Georgia’s Maggie Contest in 2019.
She loves Jesus, Florida thunderstorms, chai tea, first drafts, Thursday nights, laughing and praying with friends, and all creatures great and small. If she’s not outside taking a long walk, then she’s inside watching a Marvel movie with her family and rearranging her books so her husband doesn’t notice how many there are. You can find her online at www.kerryjohnsonbooks.com,
ISBN-13:9781335051493 Publisher:HarlequinPublication date:04/29/2025 Series:A Matchmaker Knows Best Romance , #1 Edition description:Original Large Print Pages:336
Friendship can turn to more…
When you least expect it!
Kayla Harding knew she’d reached rock bottom when she forced herself to walk through the front doors of Loaves of Love, the food bank in Medina, Ohio, one Saturday morning. Happily, what she finds there is a loving community of people who offer her not just food, but friendship and hope. She also finds Sean Copeland, a former crush, father to six-year-old Jackson and small-town football coach, who volunteers at the food bank. But Kayla is still reeling from her divorce, and Sean is a recent widower. Can they find it in their hearts to fall in love again?
My Thoughts
This is a clean romance with some drama built into the story that kept me fully engaged. Kayla Harding returns to her hometown of Medina, Ohio after a rough divorce. There she finds herself needing to use a food bank because her resources are low and her cupboards are almost bare. At Loaves of Love, Kayla meets a former friend from high school, football star Sean Copeland who is now a widower and an assistant coach. Raising his six-year old son Jackson alone since the death of his wife Danette the previous year, Sean is kind-hearted and jumps right in to help Kayla learn how to make a loaf of bread at the food bank. Their friendship progresses normally, with Kayla hiding secrets and Sean leery about a new relationship. I enjoyed the humility that Kayla showed and also the realistic scenes in which she was ashamed to have to ask for food. I really liked the character of Edna, the lady who ran the food bank and who helped Kayla feel more comfortable about needing help. There were a lot of characters in this sweet romance, including Kayla’s demanding boss and Sean’s teasing family. The cast of characters added to the drama as well as the character development of the protagonists. The novel was an entertaining read that also presented the truth about what can happen when you are starting over and have little recourse but to ask for help. Told with compassion and a lot of love, this is a memorable story of a couple who find each other in the most unlikely place and who help each other to discover truths about themselves and each other. 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.
Clean Read, Rated G
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.
While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she’s even prouder of her charismatic brother Rick, who rose from foster care through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Life takes a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days…and nights.
But when she catches Rick with another woman—like, with-with—her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother, or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.
My Thoughts
All the feels are within the pages of this wonderful story! Beth, a recent divorcee, owns a sandwich shop on the beach and needs a friend. Jana, a single mom, works in a medical office but aspires to do more with her life. When the two meet doing volunteer work together, there is an instant bond and a firm friendship begins. The story gets complicated when Jana starts dating Rick, Beth’s brother, and Beth is infatuated with Teddy, Jana’s brother. Sparks fly between both couples as the infatuation quickly turns to romance. The dilemma is that Beth knows that Rick is two-timing Jana and doesn’t know how to tell her without creating a rift in their friendship and in her relationship with Teddy. This story is one about finding love but it is mostly about loyalty, friendship, loss and finding a way to forgive in an impossible situation. It’s about moving forward, grabbing hold of dreams and reaching beyond what you think you are capable of. There are so many different layers to the story. I particularly enjoyed Beth’s mentor relationship with one of her employees Kai. Beth, who had never been encouraged to do more than run the sandwich shop, is a great mentor for Kai and ends up being a good example for him to attend college classes. The children in the story stole the show and my heart, including Jana’s young daughter Linnie and Teddy’s three motherless children. I enjoyed how the author wove a really tangled story and then showed us a masterfully written conclusion that brought all of the loose threads together. The characters are believable and relatable and I even found myself giving advice to them and wishing hard for Rick to get his well-deserved comeuppance. The plot is absorbing, well-paced and well crafted with the author’s signature humor and emotional depth. With the complex family dynamics and the appealing characters, this book was a real winner for me from beginning to end! Disclaimer I voluntarily 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 honest opinions.
Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Rated PG
About the Author
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that shape women’s lives―family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree―40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. She’s passionate about animal welfare, which shows in the many quirky animal characters she has created.Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband and adorable poodle. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.
With deep appreciation to HTP Books for the invitation to participate in the Winter Blog Tour 2025 and to the author for providing me an ARC of this delightful book to read and review!
Berlin 1961: When Uli Neumann proposes to Lise Bauer, she has every reason to accept. He offers her love, respect, and a life beyond the strict bounds of the East German society in which she was raised — which she longs to leave more than anything. But only two short days after their engagement, Lise and Uli are torn violently apart when barbed wire is rolled across Berlin, splitting the city into two hostile halves: capitalist West Berlin, an island of western influence isolated far beyond the iron curtain; and the socialist East, a country determined to control its citizens by any means necessary.
Soon, Uli and his friends in West Berlin hatch a plan to get Lise and her unborn child out of East Germany, but as distance and suspicion bleed into their lives and as weeks turn to months, how long can true love survive in the divided city?
My Thoughts
This novel is like reading an eyewitness account of the people living in East and West Berlin when the dividing wall was built and the repercussions in their lives. It is a well-crafted and mesmerizing story of two young people caught on their respective sides when all they want to do is be together. Uli loves Lise desperately and his decision to create a way to get her to the west without getting her arrested or killed was interesting, believable and gut-wrenching. The division of the novel into parts added to my understanding the story better, as the time line changed with the parts and the story was set further in the future, with more changes in the daily lives of the main characters. Uli, Lise and their friends Jurgen, Wolf and Inge became like real people to me, suffering from the will of the government and with no recourse but to find a way to rebel clandestinely. Reading the story of how they were forced to live separately, trying to find happiness in a different life than they had planned spoke to their resilience, which seemed to be a major theme of the story. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and was fully invested in their finding their happy ending, whatever that would be. The fact that the happy ending did not immediately appear kept me engaged and invested in what was a twisted and compelling story. I think my favorite part of the story was Lise’s honest assessment of her life with her brother Paul, a man who sold out to the state and then devoted himself to discovering a way to make her happy in the east, even though she had to live without Uli. The emotion of that scene jumped off the page and made my heart pound as I read quickly to see how Paul would react. What a breathtakingly complex story that was written in a powerful way, getting way under my skin and right into my heart. This is historical fiction at its best, with plenty of action and a deep, immersive plot that captivated me from beginning to end. 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.”
Rated G, Historical Fiction
About the Author
BRYN TURNBULL is the internationally bestselling author of The Woman Before Wallis. Equipped with a master of letters in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews, a master of professional communication from Ryerson University and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from McGill University, Bryn focuses on finding stories of women lost within the cracks of the historical record. She lives in Toronto.
Uli stared out his apartment window, his pulse beating wildly in his ears. Seven stories below, a tangle of concertina wire ran the length of Bernauer Strasse, bisecting East Berlin from West: onlookers on both sides of the wire watched, muttering, as green-uniformed Grenztruppen, separated from the East German citizenry by a line of Volkspolizei, jackhammered the cobbles to fix stakes into the ground and carted in more spools of barbed wire, rolling it out with gloved hands.
Was it war? He studied the faces of the border guards, searching for an indication of panic, of fear, but they looked measured and resolute. Was it a planned operation, then? A provocation?
He needed to find Lise. He pulled on a shirt and trousers and descended into the fray.
Outside, the sound of jackhammers was a relentless snarl that drowned out the fury of Berliners on both sides of the wire, shouting their ire. In the East, a mishmash of soldiers—police officers and border guards and members of the People’s National Army—stood with their backs to the west, shoulder to shoulder, as guards hammered stakes in place.
“Uli!”
He wrenched his attention away from the barbed wire to see Jurgen’s stocky, sandy-haired figure. “Have you spoken to Lise?”
Uli shook his head: across the street, a scrum of people had formed around a nearby telephone box. “I only just came outside. I’m still trying to piece together… What’s going on?”
“Ulbricht’s sealed the border.”
“Sealed it?”
“Yeah.” Jurgen bit his lip, and Uli knew that he was thinking of his family, his brother and sister-in-law and niece, living in Bernau. “People kept saying he was going to do something, but I never thought…” He trailed off. “You’ve not seen Lise?”
“Not since Friday.” Uli searched for a higher vantage point— a bench, the bonnet of a car—and gestured for Jurgen to follow him toward a rusting Mercedes, parked on the opposite side of the road. “Have you spoken to your brother?”
“I tried telephoning Karl, but they’ve cut the wires. I heard they’ve sealed off the U-Bahn and S-Bahn as well… I don’t think anyone can make contact.”
Uli jumped onto the bonnet of the Mercedes. What purpose did it serve to cut the telephone lines? He gave Jurgen his hand and tugged him up on top of the car: from here, they could see past the guards and jackhammers to the bewildered East Berliners beyond.
“Lise was out of town, wasn’t she?” Jurgen muttered. In the empty streets beyond Bernauer Strasse, Soviet tanks rolled in and out of view in the direction of Brandenburg Gate: Where was the answering military presence from the West? He turned, hoping to see British or American troops: on a far-off corner, a pair of French soldiers watched the growing crowd but made no attempt to move closer. Surely, they had to intervene?
Uli turned back to the barbed wire and his heart lurched: there, coming down Brunnenstrasse, was Lise. He shouted her name and waved to catch her attention: she turned and lifted her arm in response.
Uli leaped down from the car and made his way toward the wire. He muscled past men and women with Jurgen in his wake, rising onto his toes to keep Lise in his sights.
A shout rang up behind him—“Fascists!”—and the crowd surged forward. He stumbled, and a West Berlin police officer caught him before he hit the ground.
“Watch yourself.”
Uli straightened. “My fiancée. She’s in the East,” he began, hearing in his voice the panic he was trying, and falling, to quell. On the opposite side of the wire, Lise was pushing forward too, her pale head visible as she tried to reason with a Grenztruppe. “I need to speak with her, if you could just let me through, she’s right there—”
The officer’s expression was pitying and fearful in equal measure. “I have my orders. No one is to approach the barrier,” he said. Across the wire, a second Grenztruppe turned his head, listening to their conversation over his shoulder. “They’re operating within East Berlin, we have no jurisdiction to intervene—”
“They’re tearing the city apart!” Uli shouted, his rational mind reeling against the sheer absurdity of what was in front of him. He took another step, searching for a break in the wire. “If I could just talk to her—”
The officer’s grip on Uli’s arms was mercilessly hard. “If you want to start the next world war, keep going,” he hissed, before shoving Uli back. “There’s nothing I can do, mate. Take it up with Walter Ulbricht.”
He stumbled into Jurgen, trembling with a rage he’d never felt: an impotence, a helplessness that he’d not experienced since he was a boy.
“Easy…this might only be temporary,” Jurgen said, his hand steady on Uli’s shoulder. “We ought to go to Brandenburg Gate. We might learn more about what this is—there will be reporters, politicians—”
On the other side of the wire, he watched as Lise’s own attempts to reason with a border guard failed: she stepped back, looking distraught. “If Ulbricht really is sealing the border, we need to act now. We need to find a way to get to Lise—bring her across—”
“I know.”
Uli broke off midsentence, wrenching his eyes away from Lise. Jurgen stared at him, resolute, and his steadiness gave ground to Uli’s panic, helped him think beyond his own fear, his own anger.
“We need to act now, but whatever we do, it can’t be here,” Jurgen continued. He was right: they couldn’t push through, not here, where there were so many people, so many sets of eyes. “We find a break in the wire—a gap…” “They can’t be everywhere all at once,” Uli said. “Further along,” Jurgen whispered back, and Uli’s heart quickened. Across the wire, Lise stared at him, and he jerked his head, knowing that Lise would understand—she nodded, and melted back into the crowd.
“C’mon,” he muttered, and he and Jurgen took off down the street.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ambush in the Mountains by Mary Alford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Ambush in the Mountains Author: Mary Alford Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Release Date: July 23, 2024 Genre: Romantic Suspense
Innocent lives at stake… Can a former soldier and his canine save them? Helping a pregnant woman he comes across in a mountain storm puts Axel Sterling right into the path of ruthless human traffickers. Now it’s up to the ex-soldier and his dog to keep Summer and her unborn baby safe from the abductors she’s finally escaped. But between the icy wilderness and the armed gunmen following them at every turn, one wrong move could cost Axel and Summer their lives.
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
With themes of helping a stranger in trouble and a second chance at love and life, this book dealt with the dark topic of human trafficking in a compassionate and informative way, Summer is running from her captors, specifically a man named Ray, when she stumbles onto the road where Axel Sterling is returning home from a shopping trip. Axel sees her need and meets them the best that he can, with a fast-paced and intense journey over and around the mountains during a blizzard in order to avoid her tormentors. The plot is a compelling one, with action that never slows down and an intricate plot of evil versus good where evil seems to be stronger. But nothing can beat Axel’s determination to keep Summer safe, even at the cost of his own life, if necessary. I enjoyed the complex and well-developed characters, including the Summer’s backstory and how she got caught up by the traffickers to begin with. I was also captivated by Axel’s heroic dog Camo who consistently throws himself into danger to protect those around him. This is an intricately woven tale, told in a mesmerizing way and with characters that I just wanted to reach out and hug. Unputdownable, skillfully plotted and with characters that are easy to cheer for, this book was edgy and crackled with tension. Giving insight into the dark work of human trafficking was a bonus that made the story relevant and eye-opening as well as a definite page turner. With a strong message of hope, this is a must read book for those who enjoy quick reads that are as intriguing as they are intense. 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.”
Love Inspired Suspense: Clean Read
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Alford is a USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can’t put down. Her titles have been finalists for several awards, including the Daphne Du Maurier, the Beverly, the Maggie, and the Selah. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog. Connect with Mary at maryalford.net to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a $50 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Ambush in the Mountains!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 2024. 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.
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.”
Compelling Christian Fiction. Rated PG
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, AmazonDana 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!
This summer, three friends find the courage to step into the next chapter of their lives…
The rules of summer book club are simple:
No sad books
No pressure
Yessssss, wine!
Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads, an escape from the chaos of the everyday—running a business, raising a family, juggling a hundred to-dos. Even the dog is demanding (but the bestest boy).
Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters. Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them. Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough—and foolish enough—to marry her.
Inspired by the heroines who risk everything for fulfillment, Laurel, Paris and Cassie begin to take chances—big chances—in life, in love. Facing an unwritten chapter can be terrifying. But it can be exhilarating, too, if only they can find the courage to change.
Ahhh! That is the sigh of total happiness and contentment I feel after finishing a new Susan Mallery book. This novel is friendships, relationships with men and life lessons all rolled into a very satisfying bundle. The story of three women with different challenges in their lives dovetails together beautifully under the hand of an author who knows her craft well and writes with humor and heart. The weaving together of their lives was a wonderful tapestry, and quite a work to behold when it was all finished at the end. The stories of Cassie, a homesick young woman from Maine, Laurel, a divorced single mom, and Paris, a woman who doesn’t trust her own emotional stability, are all focused in the idyllic setting of a small town in California named Los Lobos. Cassie has to learn how to live on her own without feeling as though she is disappointing her family or not needed. Laurel has to understand that she is lovable and not everyone runs away, and Paris has to learn the lesson that one can change in life and be better for it. I loved the story and the fast pace as the POV seamlessly switched between the three main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each one, complete with realistic flaws and real-life problems. Laurel’s children were portrayed in such a way that my heart went out to them and their dilemma with loving an absentee father. I enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters, too, and think that each one added to the depth of the story. This is one of my favorite books by the very talented Susan Mallery because of its exploration of difficult topics like facing your fears and accepting changes. I am sorry to finish the story of these three brave woman who face obstacles and have to work hard to overcome them and be their best selves. Wonderful story! Great romance! Fantastic life lessons, too! This book is the real deal, a book that gave me all of the right feels and kept me reading until I finished it. Then I sighed because I didn’t want it to end! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”
Rated PG
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree—40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who think of her as mom.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Deadly Mountain Escape by Mary Alford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Deadly Mountain Escape Author: Mary Alford Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Release Date: January 23, 2024 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Can this officer stop a trafficking ring?
Or will deadly criminals stop her first?
A search for a missing young woman becomes a nightmare for K-9 deputy Charlotte Walker when she stumbles on a trafficking ring and is captured. Death seems certain until she’s rescued by rancher Jonas Knowles. Together, they take shelter in the Amish community he left behind. But they can’t hide forever—not when the criminals are still after them and countless girls are at risk…
Along with her trained canine companion Annie, Charlotte Walker makes a formidable and determined deputy when faced with crime. What she discovers in trying to locate a missing young woman is a trafficking ring that endangers her entire community. She also finds help in Jonas Knowles, a young man who left the Amish community and lives alone on a ranch near where the trafficking center seems to be. Jonas is dedicated to helping Charlotte find a group of missing girls and bring the traffickers to justice. This book is non-stop action, plenty of hair-raising scenes as Charlotte and Jonas face danger again and again, from the winter weather, the traffickers and unknown assailants. The plot is compelling and relevant with intense, page-turning twists. The characters are believable and fascinating with complicated backstories and personalities. The entire book was an enjoyable and quick read that I highly recommend. Mary Alford knows how to capture her readers in the story and make them sit on the edge of their seat as they wait for the heroes to overcome evil. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Book Funnel. 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 Love Inspired Fiction
About the Author
Mary Alford is a USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can’t put down. Her titles have been finalists for several awards, including the Daphne Du Maurier, the Beverly, the Maggie, and the Selah. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.
Connect with Mary by visiting maryalford.net to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
(1) winner will win a copy of Deadly Mountain Escape & a $50 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 30, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 6, 2024. 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 for a print copy, ebook if outside US. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 